NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending June 25, 2023, there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 30% very short, 29% short, 39% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 36% very short, 34% short, 29% adequate, and 1% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 7% very poor, 9% poor, 27% fair, 43% good, and 14% excellent.
Soybean condition rated 8% very poor, 12% poor, 33% fair, 36% good, and 11% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 9%, near 5% last year and 12% for the five-year average.
Winter wheat condition rated 13% very poor, 17% poor, 30% fair, 36% good, and 4% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 98%, equal to last year, and near 97% average.
Sorghum condition rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 30% fair, 54% good, and 7% excellent. Sorghum headed was 1%, equal to last year, and near 3% average.
Oats condition rated 9% very poor, 16% poor, 40% fair, 30% good, and 5% excellent. Oats headed was 79%, behind 90% last year and 84% average.
Dry edible bean condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 14% fair, 74% good, and 12% excellent. Dry edible beans planted was 98%, near 95% last year. Emerged was 82%, near 81% last year.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 14% very poor, 21% poor, 28% fair, 29% good, and 8% excellent.
IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT
Above average temperatures and below normal precipitation for the week led to 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 25, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops. The persistent dryness has led to many reports of visible crop stress; however, north central and northeast Iowa received some much-needed rain.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 45 percent short, 32 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 24 percent very short, 44 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Some reports of corn starting to silk were received this week. Corn condition continued to decline, rating 56 percent good to excellent.
Ten percent of soybeans were blooming, 6 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean condition dropped to 48 percent good to excellent.
Ninety-five percent of the oat crop has headed, roughly 2 weeks ahead of last year and the average. Twenty-five percent of oats were turning color, roughly 1 week ahead of last year and normal. Oat condition declined to 47 percent good to excellent.
The State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay is virtually complete, and the second cutting reached 18 percent complete, 6 days ahead of both last year and the average. Hay condition declined to 32 percent good to excellent.
Pasture condition rated just 23 percent good to excellent. Livestock producers continued to supplement with hay as pasture conditions deteriorated and reports were received about water supply concerns as some ponds and creeks continued to dry out.
USDA: Corn Condition Falls Another 5 Points During Week Ended June 25
U.S. corn and soybean conditions declined for the third week in a row during the week ended Sunday, June 25, according to USDA NASS' weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.
CORN
-- Crop progress: 4% of corn was silking, equal to both last year and the five-year average.
-- Crop condition: Nationally, corn was rated 50% good to excellent, down another 5 percentage points from 55% the previous week and below last year's rating at this time of 67%. The current rating is the lowest for the crop at this time of year since 1988.
SOYBEANS
-- Crop progress: 96% of soybeans were emerged as of Sunday, 7 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 89%. Ten percent of soybeans were blooming, 4 percentage points ahead of last year and 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 9%.
-- Crop condition: Soybeans were rated 51% good to excellent as of Sunday, down 3 percentage points from 54% last week and below last year's rating at this time of 65%. As with corn, the current rating is the lowest for the crop since 1988.
WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 97% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday, up 3 percentage points from the previous week and equal to the five-year average.
-- Harvest progress: 24% of the crop was harvested as of Sunday, up 9 points from the previous week but 9 points behind the five-year average pace of 33%.
-- Crop condition: Nationwide, winter wheat was rated 40% good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from 38% the previous week and ahead of last year's rating at this time of 30% good to excellent.
SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop progress: 31% of spring wheat was headed as of Sunday, 6 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 25%.
-- Crop condition: USDA said 50% of the spring wheat crop was rated good to excellent as of June 25, down 1 percentage point from last week's 51%, and 9 points below the five-year average of 59%.
Lower Elkhorn NRD Concludes Review of Decorum Complaint
On May 30, 2023, Lower Elkhorn NRD Board Chairman, Roger Gustafson, concluded his review of a Code of Decorum complaint lodged by NRD Board Member, Melissa Temple on April 24th of this year. The complaint centered around allegations of possible disparaging comments that were privately made by fellow NRD Board Member, Scott Clausen, against Director Temple. After carefully reviewing all information available concerning the incident, Chairman Gustafson, after consultation with the NRD Executive Board, found no violation of the Code of Decorum. Chairman Gustafson noted that the Lower Elkhorn NRD Board of Directors is committed to collegial and civil debate and expressed his hope and belief that the NRD Board could now move forward to manage the natural resources of the district.
Heat Stress in Feedlot Cattle
Warren Rusche – South Dakota State University Extension Feedlot Specialist
Heat stress represents a significant cattle feeding risk. One might expect that cattle at the greatest risk are those fed in desert areas with very high daily temperatures, such as the desert Southwest.
In reality, feedlot cattle fed in somewhat cooler, but humid areas, like the Cornbelt, experience heat stress conditions just as severe as regions with higher air temperatures. Feedlot cattle are particularly at risk during seasonal changes when winter and spring conditions give way to summer. Many producers have elected to use shade structures to help cattle adapt to their environment. That is not the only viable approach, however. Managers have other tools at their disposal to mitigate risk.
Heat Stress Risk Factors
Feedlot cattle are particularly at risk when winter and spring conditions give way to summer. Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Environmental Conditions
It helps to understand how and when heat stress is more likely to occur to plan mitigation steps. Combinations of two or more of the following conditions increase the likelihood of performance losses or mortality from heat stress. These factors include:
- High minimum and maximum daily air temperatures.
- Recent rain events.
- High and persistent humidity.
- Lack of wind for several days (or in pens with extensive wind protection).
- Lack of cloud cover, resulting in more-intense solar radiation.
- Lack of opportunity for cattle to adapt to changing conditions (incomplete hair shedding, rapid change in seasonal conditions).
It helps to think of heat stress as accumulated heat load, somewhat like the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” Cattle can tolerate high daily temperatures if there is an opportunity to cool down at night. Under those conditions, an outside yard might actually be less stressful than a building, as those structures can hold heat longer, especially if there is little breeze.
Cattle and Management Factors
Researchers in Australia developed a heat load index to guide management decisions and assess risk (Sullivan and Mader). Part of that system uses adjustment factors based on cattle characteristics and management practices. Some of those adjustments are listed below. Positive values are associated with factors that increase cattles’ heat tolerance, while negative values indicate increased risk of loss from heat stress.
Factors influencing cattle heat load thresholds.
Factor - Impact on Heat Load Threshold
- Days on feed (0 to 80) +2
- Days on feed (> 130) -3
- Black coat 0
- Red coat +1
- White coat +3
- Sick or unacclimated -5
- No shade 0
- Shade (16 – 22 square feet per head) +3
- Shade (22-32 square feet per head) +5
- Providing extra water tanks +1
- Cleaning high manure areas +2
Adapted from Sullivan and Mader, 2018. Managing Heat Stress Episodes in Confined Cattle. Vet Clin. North Am Food Anim. Pract.
Cattle vary in their susceptibility to heat stress. An obvious example is Bos indicus influenced genetics; while a rarity in the Northern Plains, they are well-adapted to hot weather. Dark-colored cattle that have been on feed for an extended period of time are more susceptible than lighter-colored cattle that are lighter weight.
Minimizing Heat Stress Impacts
Animal Husbandry
Animal husbandry practices influence how well cattle handle heat stress events. Shade structures, as discussed earlier, allow cattle the opportunity to minimize heat load increases from solar radiation. Most feeders think of bedding as a winter management practice, but bedding areas of the pen provide insulation to reduce heat gain from the ground. Removing manure to prevent excess accumulation reduces the potential for muddy pens following precipitation events that could make heat stress conditions worse.
Water Intake
Providing sufficient water intake is critically important to minimize performance losses and health risks during heat events. Cattle require two to three times as much water when temperatures increase from 68 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Placing additional water tanks in the pen helps ensure that water intake is not limited, whether caused by lack of watering space or inadequate flow rates.
Watering Pen Surfaces
Watering pen surfaces provides a heat sink for cattle to get rid of excess body heat, helping them adapt to hot conditions. Those benefits are enhanced if done at night or in the morning. Watering at night speeds up cattles’ return to normal conditions, while early morning applications delay heat load accumulation. Intermittent sprinkling reduces water use and the potential for mud build up. Before implementing a sprinkling program, make certain there is a sufficient flow rate to handle both sprinkling and water intake demands.
Nebraska Soybean Board to meet
The Nebraska Soybean Board will hold its next meeting on June 28-29, 2023 at the Younes Conference Center located at 416 Talmadge Street, Kearney, Nebraska.
Among conducting regular board business, the Board will review FY24 proposals and other new opportunities. The meeting is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for public discussion. The complete agenda for the meeting is available for inspection on the Nebraska Soybean Board website at www.nebraskasoybeans.org.
Statement by Mark McHargue, President, regarding $405 Million in Federal Funding for Broadband in Nebraska
"Access to broadband in rural America and more specifically rural Nebraska is no longer a luxury but a true necessity. As technology continues to advance on farms and ranches, the need for broadband has never been greater.”
“The announcement of $405 Million in federal funding to help close coverage gaps around the state was only made possible because of the votes of support by Senator Deb Fischer and Congressman Don Bacon for the infrastructure package passed back in 2021. Their votes of support for this once-in-a-generation funding package will help ensure rural communities, rural Nebraskans, farmers, and ranchers aren't left technologically behind. We look forward to working to ensure underserved areas receive these necessary resources."
JULY 15 IS DEADLINE TO ENTER NDA’S ANNUAL POULTRY PHOTO CONTEST
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has some egg-citing news for 4-H and FFA members who raise poultry. NDA is again sponsoring its annual Poultry Photo Contest and encouraging 4-H and FFA members to submit photos of their fine feathered friends. Official contest rules and entry forms are available at nda.nebraska.gov. Entries must be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/NDAPhotoContest by the July 15th deadline.
“4-H and FFA members work hard to keep their birds healthy and show ready for various fairs and poultry events,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “NDA’s Poultry Photo Contest gives us the opportunity to recognize these students for their hard work and welcome them as part of Nebraska’s poultry industry.”
Winners of NDA’s Poultry Photo Contest will be announced this fall. NDA will feature winning photos throughout the year in promotional materials, an online calendar, and on social media. NDA teammates will judge the photo contest entries based on originality, composition, and photographic skills.
The contest also gives NDA the opportunity to share information on biosecurity measures that poultry owners can use to keep their flocks healthy and prevent the spread of diseases. Bird owners in Nebraska should always practice sound biosecurity measures to help prevent diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Virulent/Exotic Newcastle Disease.
Visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html for more information about protecting your flock. If a disease outbreak is suspected, poultry owners can call their local veterinarian or NDA at 402-471-2351.
Northwest Iowa Research Farm Field Day and Corn Rootworm Day Is July 12
The annual Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day will be held Wednesday, July 12, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the farm, 6320 500th St., Sutherland. For the second year, an optional Corn Rootworm Field Day will follow lunch at 1 p.m.
The field day will focus on timely topics, including updated phosphorus and potassium guidelines, weather forecasts, Mesonet tools, how drought impacts northwest Iowa soils and more.
“Farmers and agronomists can plan for a full day of learning at the research farm,” said Gentry Sorenson, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “We are offering two field days in one day in an effort to maximize education and networking time.”
Registration opens at 9 a.m., with the program beginning at 9:30 a.m. with “Updated Phosphorous and Potassium Guidelines,” led by Antonio Mallarino, soil fertility specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Following Mallarino, in-field learning will address:
“Weather Forecasts and Mesonet Tools,” led by Daryl Herzmann, Iowa Environmental Mesonet representative.
“Soil Changes Across the Landscape: How Drought Impacts NW Iowa Soils,” led by Amber Anderson, assistant teaching professor at Iowa State.
“Timely Agronomic Topics of the 2023 Growing Season,” led by Gentry Sorenson and Leah Ten Napel, field agronomists with ISU Extension and Outreach
One SW, 2 CM and 1 NM CCA credits will be available for the morning field day.
At the completion of the morning field day, a complimentary noon lunch will be served.
Following lunch at 1 p.m., the Corn Rootworm Field Day will begin. ISU Extension and Outreach entomologists Erin Hodgson and Ashley Dean will provide in-field education using a corn-on-corn demonstration plot.
“The demonstration plot will have non-Bt rootworm corn, SmartStax corn and SmartStax Pro corn with the new RNA-i trait, all with and without insecticides,” Sorenson said. “Roots will be rated so everyone can see the differences in person.”
One IPM CCA credit will be available for the afternoon field day.
Attendance at the morning and/or afternoon field day is free and open to the public. Registration is not needed. Complimentary morning refreshments are sponsored by Security State Bank, with lunch sponsored by O’Brien County Ag Supply, J&K Insurance, C-S Agrow and 5th Gen Ag.
For more information, contact Gentry Sorenson at 641-430-6715 or gentrys@iastate.edu; or Leah Ten Napel at 712-541-3493 or lre@iastate.edu
Cool Cows (and calves): Managing Heat Stress From An Animal Welfare Perspective Webinar On July 19
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team’s 2023 Dairy Webinar Series continues Wednesday, July 19 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT. Dr. Jennifer Van Os will discuss heat stress in dairy cows and calves from an animal welfare perspective, including recognizing how cattle tell us they need help beating the heat.
“Dr Van OS will promote best practices in management and housing to help the dairy industry adapt as our scientific knowledge about animal welfare continues to grow,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Additionally, she will review options for heat abatement strategies for lactating cows as well as pre-weaned calves in the Midwest. She will share some of the latest research coming out of UW-Madison on keeping cows and calves cool and comfortable.
Jennifer Van Os is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare on the faculty of the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Van Os received her PhD in the interdisciplinary Animal Behavior graduate program at the University of California-Davis and conducted postdoctoral research in the Animal Welfare Program at the University of British Columbia. The research in her lab at UW-Madison focuses on understanding, evaluating, and improving the welfare of dairy animals from biological- and social-science perspectives.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, preregistration is required at least one hour before the webinar. Preregister online at: https://go.iastate.edu/JL5XPT.
For more information contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialist in your area: in Northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in Northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in East Central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.
IRFA Thanks USDA for Funding Homegrown Biofuels as Iowa Recipients Announced
Ten Fueling Stations in Iowa to Receive Grants
Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the first $50 million round of funding to 59 infrastructure projects as part of its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Vilsack also announced USDA will begin taking applications for a further $450 million in July.
“HBIIP is a great program in support of retailers and biofuels producers, but the real winners are the consumers who will gain access to lower cost, lower emissions fuels,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director Monte Shaw. “We thank USDA for aggressively implementing this crucial program to help retailers install equipment needed to offer consumers higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel.”
Ten Iowa stations received funding during this round of HBIIP grants. The stations are located in Van Horne, Carroll, Rockwell City, Baxter, Kalona, Marengo, Chester, Burlington, Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
Grants through the HBIIP cover up to 75 percent or $5 million of total project costs to aid producers in converting to higher-blend fuels. To qualify, ethanol blends must be E15 or higher and biodiesel blends must be greater than B5 (5 percent biodiesel).
NCGA Applauds USDA for Allocating Funding to Increase Access to Biofuels
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture for agreeing to invest $500 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and to give consumers cleaner fuel options.
“We are appreciative of Secretary Vilsack and the Biden administration for continuing to recognize the many benefits of biofuels,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “Continued access to ethanol lowers fuel prices for drivers and increases our domestic fuel supply while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
USDA also announced today that in July it will begin accepting applications for $450 million in grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, which was created to support the infrastructure needed to lower out-of-pocket costs for transportation fueling. The program also allows distribution facilities to install and upgrade biofuel-related infrastructure, such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks, according to USDA.
“Increasing the availability of higher blends helps expand the retail infrastructure compatible with the future low-carbon, high octane, mid-level ethanol blends,” Haag said. “That’s why NCGA has invested in infrastructure for higher ethanol blends, partnering with ethanol associations to assist fuel retailers in applying for HBIIP grants.”
There will be five application windows for HBIIP between July 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024. A sixth application window will be opened if funding has not been exhausted.
June USDA Cattle on Feed Report Assessment
Stephen R. Koontz, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University
Cattle markets are a bit uneventful after the grain markets this past week. I believe some portion of that volatility will play out there after the Acreage report this Friday. In the meantime, there is a Cattle on Feed report to measure up. The USDA report released on June 23 appears to be neutral to bearish – as bearish as anything cattle related might be this year. Looking at the most important piece of information first, placements were higher than the prior year and were higher than anticipated. Pre-report expectations suggested that placements would be 102.0 percent of the prior year with a range of 100.1 to 103.7 percent. Thus, everyone was in agreement that placements would be higher. But actual placements during the month of May were 104.6 percent of the prior year at 1.955 million head. Higher and outside of the range. The futures market reacted trivially lower on Monday in the deferred contracts. Live cattle show persistent strength as opposed to a reaction to the report. And this is following the persistent strength in beef demand as revealed though the wholesale market. The boxed beef composite value has rallied to almost $340 per hundredweight whereas it spent all of 2022 below $295 and much of that year between $255-$275. There is clearly strong beef demand supporting the market. We also see this in a seasonally strong Choice-Select spread.
Fed cattle marketings were right in line with what was anticipated. Pre-report expectations communicated that marketings would be 101.6 percent of last year with a range of 101.1 to 102.0 percent. Actual marketings during the month of May was 101.7 percent of the prior year at 1.946 million head. The cattle feeding and meatpacking industries continue to face the prospects of lighter weekly and monthly marketings and slaughter. There have been very modest Saturday kills and packer margins have noticeably improved, but they remain as tight as they have been for years.
The inventory of cattle on feed over 150 days were down over the prior month and down compared to the prior three years, on feed over 120 days are down, and over 90 days were down again compared to last month and compared to the prior three years. Inventories are as tight as they have been for the past three years. This is bullish for the market outlook as long as demand remains strong.
Cattle on feed inventories continue to tighten from the peaks in 2022. The beginning of June saw an inventory of 11.552 million and roughly even with the beginning of June inventory from 2018. And there will be more and more of this to come with the level of heifer and beef cow slaughter. Beef cow slaughter remains down considerably from the prior year, but my assessment is that the industry is finally showing a neutral position and not liquidating nor rebuilding. Pre-report expectations anticipated that on-feed inventory would be 96.7 percent of last year with a range of 96.4 to 96.9 percent. Actual inventories were 97.1 percent of the prior year – larger than expected.
BEEF. IT’S WHAT’S FOR DINNER. LAUNCHES CATTLE CALLING DOCUSERIES IN MINNESOTA
During today’s Heritage Fire Tour event in Minneapolis, Minn., the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, will be debuting the very first episode of the docuseries, “Cattle Calling.” Attendees will be among the first to experience this highly anticipated release that will provide consumers with an in-depth look at the cattle farming and ranching Industry.
The first episode of Cattle Calling focuses on Kinzie Burtrum and the Burtrum family (Burtrum Cattle, LLC of Oklahoma) as they work to ensure their ranch and their family thrives despite a complex and changing landscape. Follow along to see how this family adapts to care for the land and the cattle, and ensure their operation can continue. Cattle Calling continues the Beef Checkoff’s ongoing emphasis on connecting with consumers and sharing the stories of beef producers. The video project aims to connect consumers with the cattlemen and women who are working to ensure they are adopting tools and technologies that help beef farmers and ranchers become more sustainable over time.
The Heritage Fire Tour is a three hour live-fire event that centers around educational opportunities in the culinary field. The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand is excited to showcase all things beef during the event, from the video to burgers and steaks and everything in between.
To view Episode 1, visit CattleCalling.org.
Growth Energy Applauds USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Investments
Growth Energy praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) release of $25 million of biofuels infrastructure grant awards today as well as the upcoming availability of $450 million in additional biofuels infrastructure funding. The funding, announced by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, can be used by retailers to expand access to higher ethanol blends like E15—a fuel made with 15% ethanol.
“Secretary Vilsack’s announcement is great news for biofuel producers, retailers, and consumers,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Over the last two summers, we’ve seen E15 prove itself again and again as a proven source of savings for working families and a shield against volatile fossil fuel markets. The grant funding announced today will help our retail partners to expand options at the pump so more American drivers can save money and reduce their carbon emissions.”
Today’s announcement builds on the USDA’s past efforts to support sales of higher biofuel blends through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), which received a $500 million boost under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Since 2014, Growth Energy has helped retailers across the country acquire $230 million in federal, state, and private grants that have gone toward making the necessary changes for them to offer E15 to their customers.
“These historic investments would not have been possible without the support of Secretary Vilsack and rural champions in Congress,” said Jake Comer, Growth Energy’s vice president of Market Development. “We’re grateful for their efforts, and we look forward to working with them to tear down remaining barriers to higher ethanol blends, including outdated restrictions on summer sales of E15.”
RFA Thanks USDA for New Round of Biofuels Infrastructure Support
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday announced awardees of grants in the newest round of the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) and announced its plans to accept applications for $450 million in HBIIP grants via the Inflation Reduction Act. In doing so, America’s ethanol producers, fuel retailers, and all drivers alike will benefit from the new round of funding to support the expansion of lower-cost, lower-carbon renewable fuels like ethanol, the Renewable Fuels Association said.
“We’re thrilled to see this new announcement from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, which will help bring lower-cost biofuel blends like E15 and E85 to more fuel retail locations around the country,” said Troy Bredenkamp, RFA Senior Vice President for Government and Public Affairs. “RFA has been proud to assist retailers in the application process and to move these grants forward. This program is instrumental in bringing the benefits of biofuels to drivers around the country who want access to lower-cost fuel that is better for the environment and public health. We are grateful to President Biden and Secretary Vilsack for their support of this important initiative.”
RFA has had a 100 percent success rate in assisting retailers in applying for and receiving HBIIP grants under this program, which kicked off in 2020. To date, via HBIIP and state programs, RFA has helped more than 85 companies secure grants in 21 states for almost $68 million in funding, matched by over $217 million in retailer funding for almost $285 million towards higher blend infrastructure. These combined state and federal grant efforts will result in nearly 2,400 dispensers at over 460 locations.
ACE: More USDA Infrastructure Funding Available to Expand Higher Ethanol Blends
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will open quarterly application windows for the remaining $450 million provided in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for the Department’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) starting July 1, 2023. The program provides grants to pay up to 75 percent of the cost of equipment for station owners who add or upgrade equipment and sell higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85. USDA also announced the first recipients of the IRA funding made available in December 2022. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty has helped retailers apply for and receive HBIIP grants since the program’s inception and has provided feedback to USDA on challenges experienced by marketers and suggestions to increase participation following each round of awards and for these funds designated for biofuel infrastructure under the IRA. Lamberty issued the following statement following USDA’s announcement:
“ACE looks forward to seeing more details of the program when they are released. We thank USDA for allowing us to provide feedback and recommend changes we hope will make funds more accessible to single-store and small chain retailers. Those retailers are key to widespread availability of E15 and E85 and ACE continues to fight for them as the program evolves at USDA. Even something as simple as the multiple application periods announced today will help marketers who don’t have staff or time to gather information and fill out complicated grant applications. In past rounds, if they weren’t sure they could complete the application by the due date, they couldn’t risk the time. Now they’ll know when another application opens and can plan accordingly.
“Hopefully small retailers will also qualify for the higher 75 percent cost share. For the last few years, ACE has concentrated our HBIIP informational efforts on increasing awareness of HBIIP funds, de-mystifying the application process, and letting retailers know help is available. At trade shows earlier this year, however, retailers who never quite got around to applying for past HBIIP grants told us IRA funds covering 75 percent of their equipment cost changes would take applying for the program from possibility to probability.
“We also appreciate USDA HBIIP Program Manager Jeff Carpenter’s efforts to continue making the program more accessible to retailers, by reaching out to ACE and others and allowing us to provide observations and input we received from our industry partners in previous rounds of the program.”
ACE will continue to make marketers aware of HBIIP and other programs through advertising in c-store industry publications, personal outreach at trade shows and workshops, and by sharing experiences of successful higher-blend marketers and providing tools like our Flex Check E15 compatibility tool on the flexfuelforward.com marketer-to-marketer website.
Clean Fuels Welcomes Newly Announced HBIIP Grants
Today, Clean Fuels Alliance America thanked USDA for announcing new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program grants for 59 projects, including ones that will increase consumer access to biodiesel from California to New Hampshire. The industry appreciates USDA’s commitment to make additional funding available on a quarterly basis, with five application windows between July 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024. Clean Fuels applauds USDA’s emphasis on fuel and home heating oil distribution projects.
Clean Fuels congratulates member companies and industry partners that received matching funds for projects, including Crimson Renewable Energy, New Leaf, and World Energy. The HBIIP grants provide matching funds for companies investing in new pumps, fuel storage, distribution and transportation infrastructure for biodiesel. Out of the $25 million in grants announced today, more than $6.9 million will be used to support consumer access to more than 104 million gallons of biodiesel.
“Clean Fuels and its members appreciate the partnership with USDA to support industry investments in infrastructure for biodiesel,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels. “This program enjoys bipartisan congressional support and it is successfully opening new markets to biodiesel.”
“Clean Fuels congratulates member companies Crimson Renewable Energy, New Leaf, and World Energy for specific projects and applauds the overall progress for the entire industry,” Kovarik continued. “These projects will increase the supply of better, cleaner fuels in states and regions where consumer demand is increasing quickly.”
NGFA submits comments to House subcommittee on benefits of lower Snake River dams
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today submitted written comments to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries detailing the benefits of the lower Snake River dams to the agricultural industry.
The subcommittee’s oversight field hearing in Richland, Wash., at 1 pm PDT will focus on the multipurpose benefits of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, in particular the lower Snake River dams.
NGFA submitted the following statement:
“Barge transportation moves about half of all grain exports to export elevators and is critical to NGFA members in the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia-Snake River System is the third-largest grain export corridor in the world, transporting nearly 30 percent of U.S. grain and oilseed exports.
“Breaching the Lower Snake River Dams in the Pacific Northwest would create severe economic harm to the entire U.S. agricultural value chain. Removing the Lower Snake River Dams will hurt producers and negatively impact the operations and livelihoods of NGFA members who have made investment decisions based on the ability to utilize barge transportation. In addition to the impact on agriculture in the Pacific Northwest and throughout much of the western and northern United States, reduced exports will have a tremendous negative impact on global food security, which has already been affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“During a recent listening session held by the Federal Mediation Service, advocates of breaching the dams suggested barge traffic could be replaced by rail or truck transportation. The NGFA would like to clarify that the required infrastructure capacity simply does not exist, and it is highly unlikely that it could be created in an economically viable amount of time.
“Importantly for this discussion, barges are the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation for grains and oilseeds with one four-barge tow moving as much grain as 140 rail cars or 538 semi-trucks. This fact cannot be ignored in the debate about the environmental impacts of breaching the dams.”
Soybean Field Investigation: Why are my soybeans yellowing?
Yellowing leaves on soybeans? That has to be a potassium deficiency, right? Maybe not. While yellowing in the middle or upper canopy is usually a sign of potassium deficiency, it could mean something worse is lurking below the soil surface. Often, a superficial glance isn’t enough to get to the root of the problem.
“Symptoms don’t always lead us to the cause of those symptoms,” said Matt Montgomery, Pioneer Field Agronomist.
Going through a checklist to eliminate potential causes provides the best chance at proper diagnosis and treatment.
Herbicide damage, fungal disease and pest pressure can also lead to yellow leaves. If those are ruled out, the answer could be underground. Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN), the tiny, worm-like parasites, can decrease yields substantially without inducing obvious symptoms. However, SCN can produce yellow leaves when populations are high.
“Soybean cyst females love to feed on the root material of plants,” Montgomery said. “They slowly suck away water, photosynthate and nutrients. We don’t usually see above-ground symptoms of SCN unless the ground is under stress and the field has a high level of SCN.”
SCN management comes in two forms: Preventing the infestation of fields and reducing the nematode populations in infested fields.
Preventing the infestation of fields by rotating resistant soybean varieties is the first step. If infestation has already occurred, early identification is crucial to developing an SCN management plan for profitable soybean production. Stopping or slowing the spread of SCN can prevent losses in the following years.
The SCN Coalition provides the following recommendations for developing an SCN management plan:
Test fields to know the numbers
Rotate resistant varieties
Rotate to non-host crops
Consider using a nematode protectant seed treatment
Syngenta Celebrates Grand Opening of Seeds R&D Innovation Center
Syngenta leaders from around the globe joined with state, local and agricultural organization representatives for the recent Grand Opening of the Syngenta Seeds R&D Innovation Center in Malta, Illinois, a facility designed to bring farmers and researchers together to accelerate advancements in agricultural seed products and services.
“At Syngenta Seeds, we continue strengthening our R&D engine by orchestrating every process for speed, precision and power,” says Warren Kruger, Syngenta head of Field Crops Seeds Development for North America. “This new, state-of-the-art R&D Innovation Center is located in the heart of the North American Corn Belt, surrounded by farmers who now have a seat at our innovation table. Here, we will get real-time farmer feedback so that Syngenta researchers are developing the innovations and solutions they need, today and for the future.”
The Syngenta Seeds R&D Innovation Center is an 88-acre, 100,000-square-foot facility that reinforces Syngenta Seeds position as a global innovation powerhouse. It includes 32,000 feet for laboratories and over 18,000 feet of seed processing space, along with research fields.
During the event, leaders noted the facility will play a critical role in supporting the Syngenta Seeds commitment to improving germplasm performance, launching stacked, next generation differentiated traits and demonstrating regenerative agriculture cropping systems that benefit farmers, consumers and our planet. Germplasm developed at the facility will benefit farmers around the world, and the company’s commitment to sustainability is being demonstrated by a regenerative ag plot demonstration at the site.
The Syngenta Seeds R&D Innovation Center in Malta joins an innovation ecosystem of 150 Syngenta Seeds R&D production sites worldwide, and exemplifies the company’s $1.48 billion USD annual investment globally in seed R&D.
“It is a critical cornerstone for our global facilities and exceptional talent – highlighting how Syngenta Seeds is transforming product development and product placement through farmer and partner collaboration, and solidifying our emphasis to deliver new capabilities,” says Trevor Hohls, Syngenta Global Head of Seeds Development. “As we synchronize facilities and bring together the world’s best talent, we are creating a brighter future, with farmers contributing and benefitting from working together with us.”
The DeKalb County location, about one hour west of the Syngenta Seeds global and North America headquarters in Downers Grove, Illinois, will also facilitate collaborations with the broader agriculture industry and supplement the work of more than 5,000 Syngenta R&D employees around the world.
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