Wednesday January 04 Ag News

 Fremont Corn Expo Returns in 2023

The Fremont Corn Expo has been a staple among agriculture-related events in the region since 2004. The event has been organized annually by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and sponsored by various organizations to bring together the public, farmers, ag business, and university faculty members. Unfortunately, the pandemic resulted in the corn expo being cancelled the last several years.

After a 2-year hiatus, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is looking forward to bringing the event back to Fremont for 2023. The corn expo is scheduled for January 26th, 2023 at the Christensen Field Main Arena in Fremont, and will be free and open to the public. With the generous support of local organizations, such as the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Corn Board, a complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided by each respectively.

In recent years, farmers and others involved in the agriculture industry have faced large obstacles. These have ranged from higher input costs, labor shortages, drought, supply chain issues, and more. The Fremont Corn Expo provides a forum to discuss these challenges and identify research-based solutions.

This year, speakers at the event will include Dr. Cory Walters and Glennis McClure, who will address economic concerns with a presentation titled “Higher Costs, Higher Risks”. They will be followed by a presentation about soil health by Dr. Katja Koehler-Cole.

Other presentations will include “2023 Corn Disease Outlook” by Dr. Dylan Mangel and “The Latest in Precision and Digital Agriculture” by Dr. Joe Luck. In addition to these presentations, there will be remarks by the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, and the Dodge County Farm Bureau.

The expo also provides a great opportunity for networking, as there will be many exhibitors with equipment and information on display. This includes the event’s Corn Gold Sponsors, which are the Nebraska Corn Board, the Dodge County Farm Bureau, Central Valley Ag, Select Sprayers, StrongField Resources, the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Butler Machinery, and First State Bank and Trust. There will also be around 30 other exhibitors with booths or equipment at the expo.

Additional information can be found at the Dodge County Extension website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/dodge/.



LEAD Fellowship applications available for group 42

Fellowship applications for Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Group 42 are now available for men and women involved in production agriculture or agribusiness.

“Up to 30 motivated men and women with demonstrated leadership potential will be selected from five geographic districts across our state,” said Terry Hejny, Nebraska LEAD Program director.  

In addition to monthly three-day seminars throughout Nebraska from mid-September through early April each year, Nebraska LEAD Fellows also participate in a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a two-week international study/travel seminar.

Seminar themes include leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, agricultural policy, leadership through communication, Nebraska’s political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing, advances in health care and the resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle, says Hejny.

The Nebraska LEAD Program is designed to prepare the spokespersons, problem-solvers and decision-makers for Nebraska and its agricultural industry.  

Applications are due no later than June 15 and are available via e-mail from the Nebraska LEAD Program. Please contact the Nebraska LEAD Program office at leadprogram@unl.edu.  You may also request an application by writing to 104 ACB, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68583-0940 or by calling (402) 472-6810. You can visit www.lead.unl.edu for information about the selection process.

In its 42nd year, the program is operated by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, a nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and in cooperation with Nebraska colleges and universities, business and industry, and individuals throughout the state.



Farmers Lead Land Purchases, Setting Record Sales Levels in Several States

The land market momentum that began in late 2021 accelerated into 2022 and was driven by competition for high quality cropland; it resulted in both record sales and overall increases in land values across the country.

Strong demand across all of the country's regions brought opportunities to landowners interested in capitalizing on the current land market. Aggressive land buyers continue to drive competition through public/online auction methods, giving us a true market value in those specific areas.

In most cases, landowners selling property experienced values never-before-seen for their farmland. The final results at these auctions set records in several states and have increased year-to-year values between 20 percent to 34 percent across Corn Belt states, according to the most recent report from the Kansas City Federal Reserve.

Landowners continue to turn to Farmers National Company to market their farmland assets, which has resulted in a new record sales volume of $766 million during 2022. This sales volume exceeds the previous record set in 2021 of $750 million. The majority of these sales came through competitive auction methods (76%) with increases in both total transactions and acres sold.

"What we are seeing is a true supply/demand scenario. There are simply more buyers willing to bid on the limited amount of land coming to the market. Current commodity markets and strong cash rents provide buyers with the necessary returns to meet their investment criteria while giving them the opportunity to expand operations or add land to their investment portfolio," explained Paul Schadegg, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Operations for Farmers National Company. "Our anticipation is that these values will remain strong coming into the new year with continued strength in the ag economy although we may see less and less of the record sales."

Who are the land buyers? Farmers National Company reports seeing the traditional local farmer-operator as the successful buyer of farmland 75 percent of the time.

"With that being said, land investors are certainly part of the equation as they have been active bidders at most sales to a point that has set the floor on values. While the investor may not always be the buyer of land, they are part of the competition driving the values higher," Schadegg said. "We also expect this trend to continue as many investors see the long-term value of farmland, the opportunity to diversify investments and the value of land as a hedge against rising inflation."

What factors will continue to drive the land market or slow its growth?

"Commodity markets will continue to be the main driver in land value. When coupled with the supply/demand scenario, the outlook for continued strong land values remains strong moving into 2023.

However, we are cautious as interest rates continue to rise and inflation becomes a large factor in cropping inputs. These factors have the impact to decrease net farm income, erode operator equity and subsequently pressure farmland value," Schadegg said. "So we sit at a somewhat precarious point in time where opportunity exists for both land sellers and buyers, but is dependent on the continued strength of the agriculture economy to stabilize or grow."

West Central Region: Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa
In eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, we've seen outstanding prices for high quality ag land in areas of good grain markets and local competition.  

Currently, farmers and investors with cash and/or 1031 money available are the biggest drivers in the market and the reason why Chanda Scheuring, area sales manager - West Central Region, foresees prices staying strong into the new year.  

"If things begin to change more with commodity markets, inflation or world events, I believe we could see a softening in the real estate market," Scheuring said.



Clean Fuels welcomes eight members to the association

As interest in low carbon fuels gains momentum, Clean Fuels Alliance America continues to grow stronger and more diverse by adding new members. As Clean Fuels prepares for the Clean Fuels Conference in Tampa (January 23-26), the association welcomes eight new companies that joined the association in the last year.

“It’s an incredible time for the biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industry as we accelerate toward our vision of 6 billion gallons by 2030,” said Donnell Rehagen, Clean Fuels CEO. “With the growth in demand, we see broader and growing interest in the success of the industry. The addition of these members demonstrates the value they see in being part of our trade association and the ongoing expansion of this industry.”

Clean Fuels newest members include:
    DSM - a purpose-led science-based global company specializing in solutions for human and animal health and nutrition. DSM’s purpose is to create brighter lives for all.

    National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) - NORA was authorized by Congress in 2000 to provide funding that would allow the oil heat industry to provide more efficient and more reliable heat and hot water to the American Consumers.

    PSC Group, LLC - With unrivaled safety and quality performance, PSC Group provides product handling services, logistics, railcar repair, and sustainability solutions for the chemical, refining, and marine transportation industries.

    ROC 1954 - ROC 1954's mission is to support the prosperity of our families, business partners and communities through the efficient, safe, profitable and environmentally responsible distribution of high-quality liquid energy products, lubricants, value added logistic services, and other complementary profit-enhancing initiatives.

    Third Coast Commodities - Third Coast Commodities, LLC was formed in 2013 with one simple message in mind: To start a new physical merchant with the combined goals of bringing transparency to the world of physical derivative commodities and reducing risk.

    Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. - Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded partnership based in Tulsa, Okla., that primarily transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products and crude oil.

    Green Plains Inc. - Green Plains is a leading ag-tech company using innovative processes to transform annually renewable crops into sustainable, high-value ingredients.

    Iveco Group - a company committed to transforming our business and leading the change to a more sustainable future, with a  strong presence across the full range of commercial and specialty vehicles, complete powertrain offering, and focus on advanced sustainable solutions.

“We are excited to welcome these new members to the Clean Fuels family,” Rehagen said.

“We are committed to their success as they are committed to ours. Through the support of our members, Clean Fuels has delivered industry growth, literally from zero gallons to now 3-billion-gallons a year. We are well positioned to deliver on our 6-billion-gallon vision, and we welcome companies that share that vision to join us and get engaged in the process.”



Calving Clinic Will Help Producers Prepare for Calving Season

What do all profitable cow-calf operations have in common? A healthy calf crop on the ground, ready to develop for market. To help Iowa cattlemen and women prepare for a successful calving season, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a hands-on calving clinic on Jan. 18. The workshop will be held at the Dunlap Livestock Auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Whether you’ve calved out 10 or 10,000 cows before, there’s always a new tip or technique to learn to help you get one more calf born alive,” said Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, extension beef specialist for southwest Iowa. “This clinic will feature a variety of hands-on and classroom sessions, as well as opportunities to share questions and experiences.”

Session topics cover essentials focused on calving, including nutrition basics during gestation and early lactation, and best management practices from the Twin Valley Veterinary Clinic. A crowd favorite session will be a hands-on session led by the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine utilizing a life-size cow model to give producers the opportunity to troubleshoot dystocia issues.  An additional session led by the Schaben family of Dunlap Livestock Auction will focus on tips for marketing the calf crop.

Because the sessions are designed for individual, hands-on learning, attendance is limited to 50 participants and preregistration by Jan. 17 is required. Thanks to Dunlap Livestock Auction, the cost of the clinic is just $10 per person and includes lunch.  

To register or for more information, please contact Carter Oliver at the Harrison County Extension office at 712-644-2105 or cpoliver@iastate.edu.

The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.



USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts hemp survey

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will send the Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to 46 Iowa producers on January 19. This follows NASS’s 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production survey. Like the 2021 questionnaire, this year’s survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the United States in 2022.

“The Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry will provide critical data about the hemp industry to assist producers, regulatory agencies, state governments, processors, and other key industry entities,” said Greg Thessen, director of the NASS Upper Midwest Regional Field Office NASS estimated the total value of hemp production at $824 million in 2021. Planted area for industrial hemp grown in the open for all utilizations in the United States totaled 54,152 acres. Area harvested for all utilizations totaled 33,480 acres. The total value of hemp production in Iowa was estimated at $2.65 million. These and other statistics can be found in the 2021 National Hemp Report.

Survey recipients are asked to respond securely online at agcounts.usda.gov, by mail or fax. Those who do not respond by January 30 may be contacted to arrange an interview to complete the survey.

As defined in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), the term “hemp” means the plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant such as the seeds, all derivatives, and extracts with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. The Domestic Hemp Production Program established in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) allows for the cultivation of hemp under certain conditions.

All information reported by individuals will be kept confidential, as required by federal law. NASS will publish the survey data on April 19, 2023, on the NASS website at nass.usda.gov and in the NASS Quick Stats database at quickstats.nass.usda.gov. For more information about the 2022 Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry, visit the hemp survey web page at www.nass.usda.gov/go/hemp.

For assistance with the survey, producers are encouraged to call the NASS Upper Midwest Regional field office at 800-772-0825.



Half of Fertilizer Retail Prices Significantly Lower

For the second week in a row, retail fertilizer prices have shifted considerably lower, according to locations tracked by DTN for the final week of December 2022. All eight major fertilizers are once again less expensive compared to last month.

Half of the fertilizers were significantly lower compared to last month. DTN designates a substantial move as anything 5% or more.  Potash was 8% lower compared to last month with an average price of $765/ton. MAP was 7% less expensive with an average price of $891/ton.  Both urea and anhydrous are 6% less expensive looking back to last month. Urea had an average price of $751/ton while anhydrous was at $1,325/ton.

The remaining four fertilizers were slightly less expensive looking back to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $885/ton, 10-34-0 $751/ton, UAN28 $573/ton and UAN32 $679/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.82/lb.N, anhydrous $0.81/lb.N, UAN28 $1.02/lb.N and UAN32 $1.06/lb.N.

Fertilizers are now mixed in price from one year earlier. This week, six fertilizers are lower while the other two are higher. UAN32 is 1% higher compared to last year while DAP is 3% more expensive. UAN28 is 2% lower, MAP is 4% less expensive, both 10-34-0 and potash are 6% lower, anhydrous is 7% less expensive and urea is 18% lower looking back to a year prior.



USDA Proposes Revisions to the Procedures related to Red Meat Instrument Grading

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on its procedures related to the use of instrument technology in the official meat grading program. The proposed changes outline several key enhancements to ensure USDA grading is delivered with the highest levels of consistency and accuracy.

AMS is proposing more clarity about when new (or previously approved instruments that have undergone major changes) must go through a complete review process and how the instrument must perform. For example, AMS is proposing that all cameras be reviewed in evaluating both USDA Quality and Yield grade factors. In addition to updates to existing protocol, AMS is proposing several new requirements. For example, AMS has outlined in a new document the installation process for entities that will use the technology as an aid for USDA grading (e.g., packers). Additionally, AMS has developed new guidance for continual in-plant monitoring and for improved data sharing. These new procedures address issues related to performance in a production environment to ensure ongoing confidence in the technology and the USDA grading program as whole. AMS is also making administrative changes and is proposing to consolidate five previous guidance documents into one new document entitled “Instrument Approval Process, Instrument Grading Systems for Beef Carcasses”.

These proposed changes are, in part, based on recommendations from the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Grading Committee. This committee was tasked with reviewing and providing recommendations to AMS for measures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and integrity in the grading system. AMS is also making recommendations based on its experience in administering the USDA meat grading program with the use of instrument technology for nearly 15 years.

In addition to ensuring reliability as a tool for official grading, AMS’s Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act and regulations require that, before the purchase, packers must make known to the seller the details of the transaction. Details include, when applicable, the expected date and place of slaughter, carcass price, condemnation terms, description of the carcass trim, grading to be used, accounting, and any special conditions. Any instrument used to assign what is commonly referred to as a “House Grade” falls under Section 201.99(e) of the P&S regulations.

Documents outlining the proposed changes can be found on AMS’s website at Carcass Instrument Grading | Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov). AMS welcomes feedback from all interested stakeholders. Comments should be submitted to Dr. Willy Horne, AMS Livestock and Poultry Program, at Willy.horne@usda.gov by February 17, 2023. Questions regarding P&S compliance should be referred to Will Arce, Packers and Stockyards Division, at William.arce@usda.gov.



Feds: Railroad Must Deliver Grain to California Chickens

(AP) -- Federal regulators have ordered Union Pacific railroad to make sure a livestock producer gets the grain it needs in California to prevent millions of chickens and hundreds of thousands of cattle from starving.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board told the railroad it must improve service to Foster Farms to keep it from running out of feed for livestock it raises. It is the second time in the past year regulators issued an emergency order related to delivery problems at Foster Farms, which is based in Livingston, California, as the railroad struggled with a shortage of crews.

This time, however, Union Pacific blamed the weather for its problems. Spokesman Mike Jaixen said last month's extreme cold and blizzard conditions slowed deliveries in 20 of the 23 western states the railroad operated in, and additional problems are possible because of the forecast for more severe winter weather.

"Union Pacific remains committed to serving all of our customers as efficiently as possible, including Foster Farms, weather permitting," Jaixen said.

Foster Farms called on the STB to get Union Pacific to give priority to grain trains heading from the Midwest to the livestock producer's facilities in Traver, Turlock, and Delhi, California.

Union Pacific said the problems at Foster Farms should improve once five trains hauling corn that are already en route arrive, but Jaixen declined to provide an update on those trains Tuesday. The railroad is submitting updates to the STB, but it wants to keep that customer-specific information confidential.

Foster Farms attorney Thomas Wilcox said in a letter to regulators that the company has little faith that UP will deliver on its promises because the railroad has failed to deliver any of its grain trains on time in the past two weeks.

So, in the meantime, Foster Farms has been buying dozens of truckloads of expensive corn to keep its chickens alive while it waits for the grain trains to be delivered, but those truck deliveries can't continue to meet its needs.

Union Pacific said its performance has improved since the spring when Foster Farms and many other shippers went before the STB to complain about chronic delivery problems at most of the major freight railroads that were disrupting their businesses.

UP and the other major freight railroads have hired hundreds of new workers since the start of the year to help them better handle all the shipments. But railroad executives acknowledge that their service still isn't meeting customer expectations and must continue to improve.

Regulators also recently criticized Union Pacific's practice of imposing limits on customer shipments as part of its effort to clear up congestion along the Omaha, Nebraska, based railroad's network of 32,400 miles (about 52,000 kilometers) of track across the Western half of the United States.



Stephanie See joins NGFA as vice president, legislative and public affairs

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) welcomes Stephanie See as the vice president of legislative and public affairs. Stephanie brings 18 years of lobbying experience to NGFA.

“Stephanie will be a great addition to our team, and I look forward to NGFA members getting to know and work with her,” NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert said. “She brings vast experience working in trade associations and lobbying at the federal and state levels. Her experience in agriculture, distribution and logistics, labor, tax, infrastructure and business issues will bring a well-rounded and positive approach to NGFA advocacy and public policy.”

As the senior director of state affairs at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Stephanie managed the strategic direction and oversight of AEM's state government relations program. She developed and executed the 50-state lobbying strategy for AEM while directing a national public affairs campaign on a top legislative issue and managing a $4 million budget. She also worked in advocacy leadership roles at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions as well as Associated Builders and Contractors.

At NGFA, she will serve as the association’s principal interface with members of Congress, congressional committees and staff in conveying and lobbying on all legislative policy positions. She will be the principal staff contact with federal departments and agencies that affect agricultural, trade, transportation and other relevant policies and she will serve as lead staff policy liaison to selected NGFA committees, including the International Trade and Agricultural Policy Committee and Waterborne Commerce Committee.