Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Tuesday November 9 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on November 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2021 corn crop is forecast at 1.83  billion bushels, up 3% from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Area to be harvested for grain, at 9.60  million acres, is down 3% from a year ago. Yield is forecast at 191 bushels per acre, up 11  bushels from last year.

Sorghum production is forecast at 19.9  million bushels, up 46% from last year. Area for harvest, at 265,000 acres, is up 77% from 2020. Yield is forecast at 75 bushels per acre, down 16  bushels from last year.

Soybean production is forecast at a record 344  million bushels, up 15% from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.55  million acres, is up 8% from 2020. Yield is forecast at a record 62 bushels per acre, up 4.0  bushels from last year.

Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.30  million tons, down 9% from last year. Area for harvest, at 43,600 acres, is down 5% from 2020. Yield is forecast at 29.7 tons per acre, down 1.3  tons from last year.

Potato acres of 19,000 were planted in 2021, unchanged. Harvested acreage set at 18,900 acres, up 1%. Production is forecast at 9.17  million cwt, down slightly from last year. Yield is forecast at 485 cwt per acre, down 5  cwt from last year.



IOWA CROP PRODUCTION ESTIMATE


Iowa  corn  production  is  forecast  at  2.50  billion  bushels  according  to  the  latest  USDA,  National  Agricultural Statistics Service - Crop Production report.  Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average 201.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the October 1 forecast but up 24.0 bushels per acre from last year.  Corn planted acreage is estimated at 12.9 million acres, with an estimated 12.5 million acres to be harvested for grain.   
 
Soybean  production  is  forecast  at  601  million  bushels.  The  yield  is  forecast  at  60.0  bushels  per  acre,  down 1.0 bushel per acre from the October forecast but up 6.0 bushels per acre from 2020.  Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 10.1 million acres with 10.0 million acres to be harvested.   
 
The forecasts in this report are based on November 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time.  The  next  corn  and  soybean  production  estimates  will  be  published  in  the  Crop  Production  -  Annual  Summary report which will be released January 12, 2022.



Corn Production Up Less Than 1 Percent from October Forecast

Soybean Production Down 1 Percent

Corn production for grain is forecast at 15.1 billion bushels, up less than 1 percent from the previous forecast and up 7 percent from 2020. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average 177.0 bushels per harvested acre, up 0.5 bushel from the previous forecast and up 5.6 bushels from last year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 85.1 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 3 percent from the previous year.

Soybean production for beans is forecast at 4.42 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the previous forecast but up 5 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average 51.2 bushels per harvested acre, down 0.3 bushel from the previous forecast but up 0.2 bushel from 2020. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 86.4 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 5 percent from the previous year.



Cuming County 4-H’er to Attend National 4-H Club Congress


Cuming County 4-H member Levi Schiller is among more than 1,300 4-H youth who will attend the National 4-H Club Congress in Atlanta, Georgia November 26-30, 2021. This year is the 100th year of the conference. The youth that attend this event have demonstrated leadership potential and a desire to improve their community and world. Participants are selected based on their Achievement Applications in a specific project area.

Levi Schiller is the son of Chris and Michelle Schiller of Scribner, NE. He is currently a senior at West Point-Beemer High School and is a ten-year Cuming County 4-H member. Levi’s winning Achievement Application area was in Agriculture.   

Some of Levi’s highlights of his 4-H career: I gained skills in numerous areas of cooking, sewing, shopping, woodworking, electricity, showing animals, meeting new people, and traveling. A particular rewarding moment was winning the Champion Market Hog and then the next year winning Reserve Market hog at the competitive Cuming County Fair. I got to participate in team settings for Livestock and Meats Judging and this year received 2nd place overall individual in meats judging at state level. Being a member of Kornhusker Kids 4-H Club, I have participated in the Youth Crop Scouting contest the last 5 year and advanced to regionals to compete at Purdue University and Iowa State. As a member of Kornhusker Kids, I participated the last 7 years in the Nebraska Innovative Youth Corn Challenge winning numerous awards. The monetary awards provided for our club projects and donations.  

Levi’s future plans include pursuing a degree in Agribusiness from Kirkwood Community College or the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Influence of 4-H on Career Plans: I spent most of my years in 4-H showing livestock, judging, and participating on the crop scouting team. I did numerous static items which kept making me want to do creative ideas to build something for the farm or improve in my showing area. The biggest influence 4-H has had on my career though is learning to budget. In order to participate in these different areas, I always had to look at costs. By studying agribusiness, I will get to study in my interest area of livestock and agronomy but continue to learn how to be profitable.

“4-H has given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people that have a passion in their area of study and help me to learn from them and given me the opportunity to be part of a team in so many different ways. 4-H has taught me to think outside of the box and to keep trying”.



Fischer Leads Cattle Market Price Discovery and Transparency Bill


Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Agriculture Committee, today announced the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. Sen. Fischer has long worked to facilitate price discovery and address the lack of transparency in the cattle market. The bipartisan compromise legislation includes a series of provisions to ensure every segment of the beef supply chain can succeed.

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined Fischer in announcing the compromise legislation.

“Robust price discovery ensures that all members of the beef supply chain — cow-calf producers, feeders, packers, and consumers — can be successful. The foundation of price discovery in the cattle market is negotiated cash sales. One or two regions of the country should not have to shoulder the burden of price discovery and that’s exactly what has been happening. Furthermore, even regions that primarily use alternative marketing arrangements (AMAs) such as formula contracts predominantly rely on negotiated cash sales to set their base prices. Our compromise proposal takes regional differences into account and ensures fairness for every segment of the supply chain,”  said Senator Fischer.

“I frequently hear from Iowa’s independent cattle producers about their struggle to get a fair price for their cattle while the nation’s four largest packers operate in the shadows. I pushed for hearings in the Senate’s Agriculture and Judiciary committees to shine a light on the market unfairness and now have partnered with a bipartisan group of senators to develop a solution. This bill takes several steps to improve cattle price transparency and will improve market conditions for independent producers across the country,” said Senator Grassley.

“Price discovery is a public good. Cash and negotiated grid market participants invest resources to discover cash market prices for their respective regions and the entire industry. Until price discovery participation is better valued by some market participants at all points in the supply chain, live cattle market price negotiation will continue to decrease until there is little to no negotiated trade left and outside markets will have to be relied upon for price determination. Thank you to Senator Fischer for her continued focus on this important issue,” said William H. Rhea III, President of the Nebraska Cattlemen.

“For nearly two years, Nebraska’s cattle producers have been asking for needed reform within the cattle marketplace. The Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act delivers that reform which will provide more price discovery and needed transparency to arguably one of the more complex agricultural marketing systems which exist. Cash cattle transactions are one of the truest ways to provide price discovery, yet a one size fits all approach rarely works to address any issue. The sound public policy concepts developed and the overall leadership provided by Senator Deb Fischer is truly appreciated by Nebraska’s cattle producing families. Now is the time to move this important piece of legislation forward to ensure our nation’s cattle industry maintains a bright economic future,” said Mark McHargue, President of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.

The senators plan to introduce the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act in the coming days. The legislation will:
    Establish regional mandatory minimum thresholds of negotiated cash and negotiated grid trades based on each region’s 18 month average trade to enable price discovery in cattle marketing regions. In order to establish regionally sufficient levels of negotiated cash and negotiated grid trade, the Secretary of Agriculture in consultation with the Chief Economist, would seek public comment on those levels, set the minimums, and then implement them. No regional minimum level can be more than three times that of the lowest regional minimum, and no regional minimum can be lower than the 18-month average trade at the time the bill is enacted.

    Require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create and maintain a publicly available library of marketing contracts between packers and producers in a manner that ensures confidentiality.

    Prohibit the USDA from using confidentiality as a justification for not reporting and make clear that USDA must report all LMR information, and they must do so in a manner that ensures confidentiality.

    Require more timely reporting of cattle carcass weights as well as requiring a packer to report the number of cattle scheduled to be delivered for slaughter each day for the next 14 days.

The following national groups have endorsed the bill: American Farm Bureau, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, and National Farmers Union.



Nebraska Cattlemen Appreciates Federal Delegation Support for Infrastructure

Nebraska Cattlemen appreciates the support of Senator Fischer and Representative Bacon for advancing the much-needed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bill provides investments into roads, bridges, and broadband infrastructure, in addition to securing much-needed regulatory certainty and relief for farmers, ranchers, and cattle transporters.

“Nebraska Cattlemen have worked closely with Senator Fischer and others to ensure the inclusion of the critical backend 150 air-mile exemption for livestock haulers under hours-of-service rules.” William H. Rhea III, President – Nebraska Cattlemen “The ability for cattle producers to efficiently raise cattle, haul them safely and compete in a fast-paced global marketplace has a direct link to the economic stability of rural communities and a resilient food supply chain.”

Other key provisions of importance to Nebraska Cattlemen members include funding for roads, bridges, ports, and waterways that are crucial to Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and ag exporters, additional funding for broadband internet infrastructure, and needed reforms to the federal permitting process for critical water-related investments.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is not the same package as the multi-trillion-dollar budget reconciliation bill, rather a bi-partisan, hard infrastructure bill containing important provisions that support Nebraska’s beef cattle industry.

“We were pleased to see this bipartisan legislation pass by itself, despite months of rhetoric that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would only advance in conjunction with the larger budget reconciliation spending bill.” Rhea
 

 

 

ICA Welcomes Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act

Today, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to welcome the announcement of a cattle market reform compromise.

The soon-to-be-introduced Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, led by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), displays effective leadership on both sides of the aisle and across state lines. After introducing previous cattle marketing legislation and soliciting feedback from stakeholders in the cattle industry, all four legislators have identified common ground.

“The provisions outlined in this legislation are based on feedback from the cattle industry, specifically taking into account testimonies shared by independent cattle producers at the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee hearings this summer,” said ICA President-Elect Bob Noble.

In brief, this legislation will enhance price discovery and transparency by:
    Requiring packers to participate in the cash market on a plant-by-plant basis within each major cattle feeding region;  
    Creating a library of formula contracts; and
    Expediting the report of average carcass weights to the public.   

“Maintaining a seat at the table with key decision makers is our primary responsibility as an association,” said ICA CEO Matt Deppe. “For several months, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has pursued a compromise between our elected officials. Setting aside differences and finding common ground, just as these leaders have done, will improve the state of the fed cattle market. We owe sincere thanks to Sen. Grassley and his team for remaining steadfast in the pursuit of a new bill.”   



GRAZING STOCKPILED GRASS DURING WINTER

– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Forage Specialist
 
Grazing stockpiled winter range or pastures has several benefits.  It is much less costly compared to feeding hay.   On native range, there is little risk of damage to the grasses because they are dormant and winter stocking rates can be somewhat higher compared to the summer.  Often times, you will notice that native pastures only grazed during the winter are the most vigorous and productive.
 
It is important though, that you closely monitor body condition of the cows during the winter grazing period.  Crude protein is generally the most limiting nutrient during winter grazing.  The crude protein content of dormant warm-season grasses will be around 5 to 7%, and will slowly decline through the winter months from weathering and as the cattle selectively grazing the higher quality forage in a pasture.
 
Stockpiled cool-season grass pastures are those that have been only lightly or not grazed during the growing season.  These pastures may have slightly higher crude protein levels, but that quality will also decline as the winter progresses.  Feeding the right amount of protein supplement while winter grazing will allow the cows to effectively utilize that winter forage and maintain the desired body condition.
 
A possible grazing management strategy that can be used is to do simple rotational grazing where cattle are periodically moved to a new winter pasture.  This will allow for a more consistent diet quality when winter grazing.
 
Whatever your strategy, though, consider carefully what kind of nutrition animals are getting from the pasture so you neither underfeed nor overfeed expensive supplements.  And be sure to provide salt, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A free choice at all times.
 
Winter grazing is a great opportunity to reduce winter feed costs.  With proper management, it can help you meet many of your feeding goals.



Dairy Goat Management Program to Be Held in December


The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team will host a dairy goat management meeting on Friday, Dec. 10, at the Kalona Chamber and Saturday, Dec. 11, at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County office in Orange City.

The program will focus on dairy goat housing and ventilation, milking equipment maintenance, and milk quality to improve overall milk efficiency on the farm. All dairy goat producers are welcome.

“Paying attention to milk quality can pay big dividends for increasing milk production and overall health,” said Larry Tranel, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The high level of interest by producers in improving production and quality prompted this program.”

Tranel explained that the Iowa State dairy team just completed a statewide survey of producers to determine what the dairies look like and what their interest in programing is.

The agenda will include: (topics may vary by location)
    Dairy goat housing and ventilation.
    Low-cost milking systems.
    Maintaining milking equipment.
    Virtual producer tour.
    A focus on milk quality with the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

“Iowa State ag engineers will deliver practical applications for dairy goat housing and ventilation,” Tranel said. “We are also fortunate to have the Iowa State Veterinary College staff focusing on dairy goat milk quality and will bring their knowledge and experience to the program.”

Both meetings will feature similar programs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., so dairy goat producers can simply select the date and location that works best for them. Registration will open at 9:30 a.m. prior to each meeting.

There is a $5 per person registration fee (under age 16 free), which includes lunch, materials and all presentations. To register for the Kalona site, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Dubuque County office at 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu. To register for the Orange City site, call the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office at 712-737-4230 or email fredhall@iastate.edu. Register by Tuesday, Dec. 7.

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Agricultural and Food Research Initiative Competitive Program, Antimicrobial Resistance number 2020-04197.



$20 Million Available to Organic Livestock, Crop Producers


The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $20 million in pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to livestock and agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic.

The funding will be available through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) as part of USDA's broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, which provides opportunities for farmers, ranchers and producers.

USDA said it expanded support due to loss of markets, increased costs and labor shortages experienced by certified organic and transitional operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transitional operations also faced the financial challenge of implementing practices required to obtain organic certification without being able to obtain the premium prices normally received for certified organic commodities, the agency noted.

Certified operations and transitional operations may apply for OTECP for eligible expenses paid during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 fiscal years. For each year, OTECP covers 25% of a certified operation's eligible certification expenses, up to $250 per certification category, including livestock.

Crop and livestock operations transitioning to organic production may be eligible for 75% of a transitional operation's eligible expenses, up to $750, for each year.

For both certified operations and transitional operations, OTECP covers 75% of the registration fees, up to $200, per year, for educational events that include content related to organic production and handling in order to assist operations in increasing their knowledge of production and marketing practices that can improve their operations, increase resilience and expand available marketing opportunities.

Signup for 2020 and 2021 OTECP is through Jan. 7. Producers apply through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling (877) 508-8364.



House introduces bipartisan resolution marking the 125th anniversary of the NGFA  
 

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today announced that a bipartisan resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of the NGFA and “celebrating the history and longstanding efforts of the Association and its members in transforming the American farmer’s bounty into safe, nutritious, sustainable and affordable human and animal food,” has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

NGFA, founded on Nov. 9, 1896 at the Saratoga Hotel in Chicago, has represented and provided services for grain, feed and related commercial businesses for 125 years.

“NGFA is honored to be recognized in Congress for its 125-year history. This Association has been proud to represent the men and women of the grain, feed, processing and related industries and their critical role in the entire agricultural value chain and contributions to the U.S. economy,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “We thank House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, D-Ga., and Ranking Member Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Pa., and the 23 original cosponsors in the House for recognizing NGFA and its members and introducing this resolution.”

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Ranking Member John Boozman, R-Ark., are expected to introduce a similar resolution in the Senate next week.

Originally formed by 38 people as the Grain Dealers National Association, the NGFA has grown into the most diverse and all-encompassing agribusiness association in America, representing more than 1,000 member companies engaged in all sectors of the industry.

Earlier this year, NGFA announced the launch of its anniversary celebration with a series of initiatives to guide member engagement and the release of a new NGFA tagline – “Transforming America’s Harvest.”

In addition to Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Thompson, the following members are original cosponsors of the resolution: Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill.; Al Lawson Jr., D-Fla.; Angie Craig, D-Minn.; Tom O'Halleran, D-Ariz.; Tracey Mann, R-Kan.; Eric Crawford, R-Ark.; Cynthia Axne, D-Iowa; Sandford Bishop, D-Ga.; Jake LaTurner, R-Kan.; Ron Estes, R-Kan.; Ron Kind, D-Wisc.; Julia Letlow, R-La.; Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa; David Rouzer, R-N.C.; Jim Costa, D-Calif.; James Baird, R-Ind.; Luis Correa, D-Calif.; Abigail Davis Spanberger, D-Va.; Jim Hagedorn, R-Minn.; Glenn Grothman, R-Wisc.; Rodney Davis, R-Ill.; Austin Scott, R-Ga.; Matthew Rosendale, R-Mont.

The NGFA, established in 1896, consists of grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate more than 8,000 facilities handling U.S. grains and oilseeds. Its membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation’s grain, feed and processing industry. The NGFA consists of 27 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.



Lallemand Plant Care gives back to growers and their communities through new contest  


Today, Lallemand Plant Care announced  the  Hometown  Roots  Family  Contest  in  Iowa,  Montana,  Nebraska,  North  Dakota and South Dakota. The Hometown Roots Family Contest is a chance for growers in these states to support their community and win a $5,000 contribution from Lallemand.   

“Lallemand is a family-owned company, much like the farms we serve,” says Justin Miller, Commercial  Manager,  US  at  Lallemand  Plant  Care.  “At  Lallemand  we  recognize  the importance  of  communities  and  the  role  they  play  in  every  aspect  of  our  lives.  The Lallemand  Hometown Roots  Family  Contest is  a  reflection of  the  shared  values  of  our company and our agricultural partners and customers, and a way for us to give back to growers and their communities.”  

Growers  in  Iowa,  Montana,  Nebraska,  North  Dakota  and  South  Dakota  can  enter  the  Lallemand  Hometown  Roots  Family  Contest  in  two  ways:  purchase  a  minimum  of  160  acres worth of Lallemand inoculants including LALFIX® PROYIELD LIQUID Soybean or LALFIX® SPHERICAL Granule for pulses and soybeans during the contest period or tell us what farming means to them and how they would leverage these funds to support their community through a hand-written essay.  The Hometown Roots Family Contest runs from November 1, 2021 until June 30, 2022.

One winner from each state will be selected in early July, 2022. For more information and full contest rules, visit www.lallemandhometownroots.com.



Rodrigo Santos named member of the Board of Management, Bayer AG, and President of the Crop Science division

    
The Supervisory Board of Bayer AG has appointed Rodrigo Santos (48) to the company’s Board of Management and the position of President of the Crop Science division, effective January 1, 2022. Santos will succeed Liam Condon (53), who has informed the Supervisory Board that, in order to pursue career opportunities outside of Bayer, he wishes to bring forward the end date of his contract with the company from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2021. Santos is currently Chief Operating Officer of the Crop Science Division of Bayer and responsible for the global commercial operations of the company’s agriculture business. “We are extremely pleased that Rodrigo Santos will assume leadership of our Crop Science business, bringing more than 25 years of experience in agriculture to the role. Rodrigo Santos is a very customer centric leader, with a strong capacity for execution and innovation,” said Prof. Dr. Norbert Winkeljohann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG.

“The Crop Science Division is extremely well positioned to set industry standards in terms of innovation and sustainability. The focus will now be to build on this foundation in the coming years in order to fully realize the significant potential for value creation,” Winkeljohann added. “We would like to warmly thank Liam Condon for his achievements during over 30 years at Bayer. Over the past nine years, he has successfully led and strategically transformed the Crop Science Division. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

Santos has been Chief Operating Officer of Bayer’s Crop Science division since June 2021. After the acquisition of Monsanto in 2018, he led the Crop Science business in Latin America. A Brazilian national, Santos has spent 23 years with the company in sales, marketing, strategy, and business development roles located in Brazil, the United States and Eastern Europe. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz - ESALQ/USP and holds a Master of Business Administration from FGV/Ohio University. Santos is married with three children.




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