NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending October 15, 2023, there were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 23% very short, 27% short, 43% adequate, and 7% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 30% very short, 32% short, 35% adequate, and 3% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 12% very poor, 16% poor, 21% fair, 38% good, and 13% excellent. Corn mature was 98%, near 94% for both last year and the five-year average. Harvested was 44%, equal to last year, and ahead of 36% average.
Soybeans harvested was 70%, near 73% last year, but ahead of 62% average.
Winter wheat condition rated 7% very poor, 13% poor, 41% fair, 30% good, and 9% excellent. Winter wheat planted was 96%, near 93% last year and 92% average. Emerged was 84%, ahead of 70% last year and 71% average.
Sorghum condition rated 5% very poor, 9% poor, 27% fair, 31% good, and 28% excellent. Sorghum mature was 94%, ahead of 85% last year, and near 91% average. Harvested was 35%, near 31% last year and 36% average.
Dry edible beans harvested was 80%, near 83% last year.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 7% very poor, 11% poor, 30% fair, 42% good, and 10% excellent.
IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT
Iowa was cold and damp this week with the northern two-thirds of State receiving above average precipitation, limiting days suitable for fieldwork to 4.2 during the week ending October 15, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the main field activities for the week, although there were some reports of fall tillage and dry fertilizer being applied.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 38 percent short, 40 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 31 percent very short, 43 percent short, 24 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Virtually all the State’s corn crop has reached maturity. Corn harvested for grain reached 42 percent statewide, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 17 percent. Corn condition rated 51 percent good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 98 percent this week.
Soybeans harvested reached 74 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of the average.
Pasture condition rated 17 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were generally good. Some producers continue to haul hay and purchase hay in preparation for winter, while others have turned cattle out to feed on fields of corn stalks.
USDA: Corn 45% Harvested, Soybeans 62% Harvested as of Oct. 15
The nation's soybean harvest jumped to a 10-point lead over the five-year average, and the corn harvest also remained slightly ahead of the average pace by the end of last week as farmers in some areas rushed to get in as much fieldwork as they could ahead of heavy rains, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.
CORN
-- Crop progress: NASS estimated that 95% of corn was mature as of Sunday, Oct. 15, 2 percentage points ahead of last year's 93% and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 92%.
-- Harvest progress: Corn harvest moved ahead another 11 percentage points last week to reach 45% complete as of Sunday. That is 2 percentage points ahead of 43% last year and 3 percentage points ahead of 42% for the five-year average.
-- Crop condition: NASS said 53% of corn was rated good to excellent, unchanged for the third week in a row. The current rating is equal to last year's rating at this time and is the lowest good-to-excellent rating since 2012.
SOYBEANS
-- Crop progress: 97% of the crop was dropping leaves, 2 percentage points ahead of last year's 95% and 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 93%.
-- Harvest progress: Soybean harvest jumped 19 percentage points last week to reach 62% complete as of Sunday. That is 2 points ahead of last year's 60% but 10 points ahead of the five-year average of 52%.
-- Crop condition: USDA said 52% of the soybean crop was rated good to excellent, back up 1 point from 51% the previous week and below 57% a year ago. The current rating is the lowest good-to-excellent rating since 2012.
WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting advanced 11 percentage points last week to reach 68% complete as of Sunday. That is 1 point ahead of last year's 67% but equal to the five-year average.
-- Crop progress: 39% of the crop had emerged as of Sunday, 3 points ahead of last year's 36% but 4 points behind the five-year average of 43%.
----
Nebraska & SDSU launch Great Plains Heifer Development Program in the heart of cattle country
Amid historic lows in the nation's cowherd, Nebraska and South Dakota State University are spearheading the Great Plains Heifer Development Program, to help beef producers optimize heifer development and reproductive efficiency at the Haskell Beef Lab near Concord, Neb.
Where the heartland beats with the rhythm of cattle ranching, Connor Biehler, beef extension educator at Nebraska, and Kiernan Brandt, professional service technician with Travs Ova Genetics have a shared vision of optimizing and enhancing reproductive efficiency and heifer development. Ultimately, the program is looking to add another chapter to the state's legacy in shaping the future of the beef industry.
The program is opening its doors to consigners eager to enhance their heifer development strategies, offering a unique blend of services focused on the foundational principles of heifer selection, feeding, management strategies, genetic tools for sire selection, estrus synchronization protocols, post breeding management, and more.
"This is where the rubber meets the road for cattle producers, where we can address the real challenges producers encounter in optimizing heifer reproduction, making informed breeding decisions, and ensuring the longevity and productivity of their herds," says Connor Biehler.
"It’s about making a direct, positive impact on the efficiency, productivity and profitability for Nebraska’s cattle producers."
In an era where genetic tools are advancing rapidly, the Great Plains Heifer Development Program will serve as a platform for testing cutting-edge technologies, all while staying in alignment with Beef Improvement Federation genetic goals to ensure the heifers not only meet but advance industry standards.
"This program is more than just a service; it's a transformative opportunity for producers," says Kiernan Brandt.
"We're not only streamlining the heifer development process but also bringing in the latest technologies to empower producers with valuable data about their herds."
Beyond providing a service, the Great Plains Heifer Development Program seeks to create a robust learning community. Producers are encouraged to actively engage, fostering open communication, and sharing knowledge. Collaboration is invited, including contributions from producers who may want to provide high-accuracy sires or genetic input. This collaborative spirit aims to create a collective platform that benefits the entire cattle industry.
"As we delve into this initiative, it's not just about providing a service; it's about creating a valuable learning community," says Rick Rasby, a professor within Nebraska’s Animal Science Department.
"We want producers to come together, share insights, and collectively elevate the efficiency and genetic prowess of their herds. This isn't just about increasing numbers; it's about improving the quality of the cowherd. It's about creating resilient, flexible, and knowledgeable producers who are well-informed about the status of their herds."
The program will begin accepting cattle in mid-December. To learn more about heifer qualification guidelines, health requirements and more, contact Biehler at 402-624-8007 or cbiehler2@unl.edu.
Registration underway for annual AgCeptional Women’s Conference
Registration is underway for the 15th annual AgCeptional Women’s Conference at Northeast Community College. The conference, with the theme, “Grace, Gratitude, Grit,” will be held Fri., November 17, in the Lifelong Learning Center on the Northeast campus, 601 E. Benjamin Ave, in Norfolk.
The AgCeptional Women’s Conference will feature over 20 presenters including the opening session featured keynote speaker who has had the opportunity to get acquainted with many women in agriculture.
Julie Kenney will share the very special stories of farm women and how they have faced the challenges of farm life with grace, gratitude and grit. She has met with countless ag women as the former deputy secretary of agriculture for the State of Iowa. In addition to sharing their stories, Kenney will speak about her experiences as a farmer herself. She will take attendees on a journey of storytelling and celebrate all women who make an impact on their farms and communities.
“All of us, especially those who work in agriculture, have had to face situations with grace, gratitude, and grit - sometimes all at once. We want to celebrate the resilience of women in agriculture as we’ve had to adapt to all the hardships faced over the past few years including drought, supply chain shortages, and a global pandemic," said Karmen Hake, conference spokesperson. “The 15th Annual AgCeptional Women’s Conference is the perfect place for all of us to come together and support each other as women in agriculture.”
Other speakers at the conference will address nitrates and public health, dedicating one’s life to service, hemp in Nebraska, smartphone photography for the farm or ranch, keys to preventing Alzheimer’s disease, growing intuitive eaters, creating predictable profits in an unpredictable industry, and other topics.
A tribute to the 2023 AgCeptional Woman of the Year will also be a highlight of the conference.
The early registration fee for the 2023 AgCeptional Women’s Conference is $45, if purchased prior to Oct. 15, which includes breakfast, lunch and an afternoon treat. After Oct. 15, the registration fee is $60.
“We are able to keep the cost of attending the conference affordable thanks to the support of the many sponsors of our event,” Hake said. To register or learn more about the conference, visit northeast.edu/events/agceptional. For additional information, contact Hake at (402) 844-7181 or agceptional@northeast.edu.
Center for Rural Affairs celebrates its 50th anniversary
In 1973, a group of rural Nebraskans came together with a shared passion. Concerned about the loss of economic opportunity in agriculture and the decline of rural communities, they founded the Center for Rural Affairs.
Fifty years later, from a base in northeast Nebraska, the Center has developed a broad set of programs to address the challenges of rural residents, engaging closely with them to build a better future and create vibrant rural communities.
The organization’s policy work spans the nation with a focus in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The Center’s work with communities, small businesses, and farmers takes place in Iowa and Nebraska, and the organization provides lending services to small businesses and homeowners in Nebraska.
Current and former Center staff, board members, and supporters recently gathered in Hartington, Nebraska, to celebrate the organization's 50th anniversary.
Executive Director Brian Depew said the Center believes that no matter where people live, they ought to have access to opportunity.
“The Center has always been rooted in small towns and guided by a grassroots board of directors,” he said. “Our programs have evolved over time, but the focus is always on creating opportunity and improving the quality of life for everyone who calls rural America home.”
Looking back on the organization's 50-year history, Depew is appreciative of the staff, board, and constituents who built the Center into the vibrant organization it is today, and he is confident that dedication will continue.
“The staff is as big as it has ever been, the programs are as diverse and engaged in the communities than they have ever been,” he said. “To me, that’s the sign of an organization that is built to last for another 50 years.”
To learn more about the Center, watch "Celebrating 50 Years of Community Empowerment” at cfra.org/celebrating50years.
POLL: RURAL NEBRASKANS SEE LACK OF CIVILITY IN POLITICS AS SERIOUS PROBLEM
Most rural Nebraskans see the lack of civil discourse in the political system as at least a somewhat serious problem, according to the 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll. About one-third of rural Nebraskans surveyed rate this lack of respectful discourse as either a very serious (32%) or somewhat serious problem (33%). Only 5% say it is not a serious problem.
This view may result from a perceived division in politics. Most respondents to the Rural Poll think Americans are more divided over politics than they were 10 years ago. Seventy-two percent believe Americans are much more divided, and 22% say Americans are more divided.
“A lack of civil discourse is a problem we are seeing across the country, and it’s possible this will get worse as we approach the 2024 national elections,” said Heather Akin, assistant professor in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. “But knowing what our communities are experiencing is an important first step to bring people together again.”
Political division can hinder efforts of leaders and citizens to get things done. When asked about how well local, state and national leaders overcome differences to accomplish things, rural Nebraskans surveyed have the most faith in local community leaders. Two-thirds believe community leaders do at least moderately well at overcoming differences. By comparison, 40% believe the same about Nebraska’s political leaders and only 9% believe the same about America’s political leaders. Even beyond their local leadership, most respondents (69%) also believe people in their local community as a whole do at least moderately well at overcoming differences to get things done.
“It’s not hard to find examples of political divisions playing out in state and national legislative bodies,” said L.J. McElravy, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. “The results reinforce just how palpable these divisions are for rural Nebraskans. The hard question is: What do we do about it? Finding opportunities to connect and collaborate across differing political ideologies seems to be as important today as it’s ever been.”
Political differences and civil discourse, or a lack thereof, are often seen on social media. Most rural Nebraskans surveyed have a negative opinion about social media and its impact on civil discourse. Fifty-five percent disagree that social media channels are a place for civil and productive discourse. And most agree that social media only reinforces what the user already believes (59%), and that it contributes to division in their community (71%).
Respondents have mixed opinions about whether social media platforms help them learn about a variety of opinions. Four in 10 disagree with that statement, while a similar proportion agree. Furthermore, more disagree that social media helps them feel engaged in their community (46%) than agree (31%).
“It was surprising to find that rural Nebraskans didn’t believe that social media helps them feel engaged in their community,” said Becky Vogt, the poll’s manager. “Many communities use social media to inform their residents of events or updates, so you would think that would make them feel more involved in the community. Perhaps the political arguments that may occur there have turned them off to social media altogether.”
Underscoring that point, the poll also found that more rural Nebraskans surveyed disagree than agree that people in their community are respectful toward others with differing political views. Forty-three percent disagree with the statement, while 27% agree.
“I think this issue also discourages people from running for office, because they are concerned for their mental and physical well-being due to attacks on various issues,” said Jamie Bright, a Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension educator based in Kimball County. “We need to find ways to increase communication so fewer misunderstandings occur, and we can have respectful and productive discussions instead of shouting matches where both sides refuse to budge and nothing is accomplished.”
Poll results also showed that, overall, rural Nebraskans are positive about their communities. They rate them as friendly, trusting and supportive and say it would be difficult to leave. Most also have a positive attachment to their community, saying they have strong bonds and feel a sense of connectedness and belonging.
“It’s encouraging that many rural Nebraskans have confidence in their local officials to overcome differences and feel a sense of belonging and connection within their communities,” Akin said. “Building on this shared respect can help us find common ground and bridge divides.”
The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll gauging rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life. Questionnaires were mailed to more than 6,000 households in Nebraska in late spring and summer, with 1,100 households — representing 86 of the state’s 93 counties — responding. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 3%. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics conducts the poll with funding from Nebraska Extension. For the full report, visit https://ruralpoll.unl.edu.
Working with Farmers to Increase Adoption of Water Conservation Practices
Today, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) announced three grants totaling $474,550 as part of the Achieving Conservation through Targeting Information, Outreach and Networking (ACTION) program. ACTION supports projects exploring how to increase landowner willingness to adopt conservation practices that provide a range of ecosystem benefits. The Walton Family Foundation provided matching funds to the ACTION program.
Researchers at Iowa State University (ISU), The Ohio State University (OSU) and University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension (UW) received grants to increase farmers’ use of conservation practices, in particular in-field, edge-of-field and edge-of-stream practices that include controlled drainage, grassed waterways and restored wetlands. Edge-of-field practices can help farmers regulate water storage, improve water quality, support soil health and enhance wildlife habitat in working landscapes. However, implementation of conservation practices has proven to be a challenge in part due to a lack of effective knowledge of the barriers and challenges to implementation. The three complementary projects will explore how technical support and information, peer-to-peer networks and strategic interventions can overcome the concerns and barriers to implementation.
The ACTION program is providing grants to the following:
Dr. Thomas Isenhart, Professor, Natural Resource Ecology and Management, ISU
FFAR grant amount: $226,636
Total grant amount: $480,426
The cost and complexity of technical assistance is a major barrier to large scale adoption of edge-of-field conservation practices. Isenhart’s project is equipping farmers and other professionals to deliver edge-of-field practices at scale in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. Researchers are studying models being used to implement these practices and are compiling intervention and engagement strategies that can be tailored to local conditions and target audiences. The project is using these studies to produce data-driven decision support tools that will allow farmers to scale up practices.
Isenhart received additional matching funds from Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition and Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership.
Jenny Seifert, Watershed Outreach Specialist, UW
FFAR grant amount: $127,676
Total grant amount: $262,200
Seifert, along with collaborators Dr. Beth Baker of Mississippi State University and Dr. Amanda Gumbert of University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, are testing two engagement approaches to increase farmer willingness to adopt conservation practices. These approaches, both informed by social sciences, facilitate peer learning among farmers. The first approach is a series of virtual meetups for farmers to foster peer-to-peer conversation about implementing conservation practices. The second approach is a mini-grant program that will support pairs of farmers and farm advisors to implement edge-of-field practices, learn how to become opinion leaders and develop multimedia to encourage other farmers to adopt conservation practices. They will evaluate both approaches to understand their effectiveness and share lessons learned to help farmer outreach efforts achieve their goals of increasing conservation practice adoption.
Dr. Robyn Wilson, Professor, Risk Analysis and Decision Science, OSU
FFAR grant amount: $120,238
Total grant amount: $246,924
Almost half of growers who do not implement conservation practices have positive attitudes about those practices. Dr. Wilson’s project is testing the effects of interventions meant to close this gap. Researchers will develop targeted engagement that addresses farmers’ needs, including plans for overcoming challenges and maintaining motivation to continue conservation practices when financial incentives end. To achieve this, Wilson’s team is developing interventions that target the gap between valuing conservation and implementing practices, assessing their effectiveness and creating guidance for scaling up the proposed interventions.
With matching funds, the total amount awarded through the ACTION program is $989,550.
“Working with farmers to understand their concerns related to agricultural water management is critical to building willingness and capacity to install the right practice in the optimal location,” said Dr. Kathleen Boomer, FFAR scientific program director for Sustainable Water Management. “Feedback will also inform how or where additional research can reduce real or perceived risks.”
“I’m excited to test these ideas because we know how important social networks are to farmers and their decision-making, particularly about whether or not to try a conservation practice, but we are still learning how to design famer engagement methods in ways that help lead to conservation practice adoption at more widespread scale,” said Seifert of UW. “This has been a tough nut to crack and probably keeps many conservation professionals up at night. So we hope to generate new insights about what works that can lead to replicable outreach models that are reaching the farmers we really need to reach and support.”
Experienced Precision Ag Agronomist and Seedsman To Serve Growers and Develop Dealers in Iowa
Experienced seedsman and precision agronomist Michael Martin has joined Meristem Crop Performance® Group, LLC, one of the fastest-growing crop input suppliers in America. Martin becomes Meristem’s sales rep and dealer coach in western Iowa.
“We are very excited to have Michael Martin on our growing team of all-stars,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO, in announcing the hire. “Michael’s experience with seed and precision ag, plus his desire to see farmers become more successful – all of it makes him an excellent fit to help us benefit more farmers in Iowa.”
“I’m really looking forward to taking Meristem innovative technology to more fields in Iowa,” said Martin. “I think the next big leap in yield and sustainability is going to come through these new biologicals.”
Martin grew up on a family farm near Somers, Iowa – southwest of Fort Dodge, where his family raised row crops. “My dad and my grandpa had a Dekalb dealership for 40 years, so I grew up with an appreciation for the importance of seed and serving farmers,” he smiles. Martin and his wife Dani, along with their children Walker and Leyla, live nearby and still help on the family farm.
Martin earned his agronomy degree from Iowa State University, and spent eight years with AgriGold, where he served as key account manager. He comes to Meristem Crop Performance from Advanced Agrilytics, a research-based agronomy services company. His role there was precision agronomist and agronomy sales lead.
“Working with Dr. Kess Berg and the team at Advanced Agrilytics opened my eyes to better understanding different growing environments within fields that seem may seem uniform, but provide big upside potential when you manage them differently,” he said. It was there Martin studied several new biological products in the course of field research, including Meristem’s REVLINE® HOPPER THROTTLE™. He says he then began to get a sense of the impact biologicals would have.
“Biologicals are going to have a dramatic impact on crop production. We know there’s no silver bullet in agriculture. It’s not one-size-fits-all.” he explains. “These products provide more options and there’s almost always another lever you can pull in any given field that can bring you a better yield. I’m excited to take the Meristem portfolio to more farmers in Iowa – I know they can benefit.”
ACE Takes Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel Vehicle to USGC Global Ethanol Summit and Back for Post South Dakota Tour
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty traveled 1,300 miles to Reston, Virginia, in his Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel vehicle to speak at the U.S. Grains Council’s Global Ethanol Summit (GES) taking place this week October 16-18 about retailer ethanol blending economics and margin opportunities. The Council requested Lamberty bring his hybrid as several countries consider implementing hybrids that run on ethanol blends. The GES will be followed by a tour of the South Dakota ethanol supply chain by a delegation comprised of stakeholders from Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama that ACE, along with the USGC and the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, is hosting October 18-21. These three countries in Central America are considering starting ethanol-gasoline blending programs in the 2024-2025 period.
The GES includes participants from more than 40 countries with the objective to increase global momentum for decarbonization through expanded ethanol use. The event covers a variety of ethanol topics from supply and demand to lifecycle analysis. On the ethanol infrastructure and compatibility track, Lamberty will speak on ethanol blending economics as a former fuel retailer and c-store owner himself.
“We launched a first-of-its-kind demonstration project in 2021 to disrupt the ‘EV-only’ narrative by showing a standard hybrid vehicle powered by ethanol blends can have lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions as low or lower than plug-in electrics and is likely to reach net-zero long before BEVs. I’m glad the USGC saw this as an opportunity to show other countries an example of an ethanol hybrid as they consider bringing in these vehicles to meet their climate goals,” Lamberty said. “I operated, supplied, owned and worked in convenience stores for nearly 40 years, and as a result, I am intimately familiar with the decision-making process of retailers who will ultimately determine whether consumers will be able to buy new fuels like E15, E30 and flex fuels, and I look forward to sharing the math behind ethanol blending with attendees.”
The participants in the post South Dakota tour will also attend the GES and then travel to South Dakota to engage with key players of the ethanol supply chain to learn about the industry and the social, economic and environmental benefits of using ethanol. The delegation comprises public officials, including representatives from the Ministries of Mines and Energy, Environment and Agriculture, and representatives from the private sector and the agricultural industry. Lamberty will help guide the delegation on tours of a farm, ethanol plants, fuel stations, a rail receiving facility and a pipeline terminal.
“The Global Ethanol Summit is an opportunity to generate renewed international visibility in bioethanol for transportation, energy needs and emerging biobased chemicals,” said Mackenzie Boubin, U.S. Grains Council’s Director of Global Ethanol Export Development. “The conference agenda, coupled with these interactive and robust post tours that allow participants to view the ethanol supply chain up close, make a compelling touch point for countries pursuing their own bioethanol initiatives.”
For more information about the GES, visit grains.org/event/ges, and stay tuned for more updates about the Latin American delegation tour of South Dakota.
Groups Call on NHTSA to Rethink Proposed CAFE Standards that Weaken Energy Security
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s proposed new fuel economy standards “greatly missed the intent” of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program to enhance energy security, according to technical comments filed today by the Renewable Fuels Association, National Farmers Union and National Corn Growers Association. The proposal, they assert, will lead to an overreliance on foreign critical minerals due to its myopic dependence on electric vehicles.
“As NHTSA determines the appropriate CAFE and fuel efficiency standards, it should avoid putting all our eggs in the electrification basket,” the three national trade associations wrote. “NHTSA’s current proposal greatly missed the intent of the CAFE program. As Congress has acknowledged, solving energy security and air pollution issues related to the transportation sector requires a diversified portfolio of approaches.”
The associations noted an overreliance on electric vehicles that ignores specific challenges of these new vehicles, such as “the increased energy security vulnerabilities flowing from the critical minerals needed for electric vehicle batteries,” as well as the feasibility of the auto industry to produce sufficient volumes, secure needed critical mineral supplies and develop an appropriate workable charging station infrastructure.
The comments conclude with a call on NHTSA to work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reinstitute strong incentives for flex fuel vehicles that use lower-carbon, American-made ethanol.
“Whether FFVs currently run on gasoline or E85, building up the portion of the fleet capable of running on E85 gives the country an additional option to address potential future oil or critical mineral crises in a way that can protect our national security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” the comments state. “Given vehicles’ long useful life, EPA and NHTSA should not wait for a crisis to incentivize FFVs. It will be too late to act if they are suddenly needed to address a crisis. Instead, the country should plan ahead and build fuel diversity into the system now.”
U.S. Grains Council’s Global Ethanol Summit Kicks Off With Panel Discussions On Critical Industry Topics
Attendees of the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) Global Ethanol Summit settled in for the first full day of programming today, which was packed with four general sessions focused on different challenges and opportunities facing the biofuel industry.
GES, Oct. 16-18, is an education and trade forum that seeks to elevate bioethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. More than 350 ministerial-level officials and industry leaders, bioethanol producers and refiners from more than 40 countries are attending this year to learn about the numerous environmental and human health benefits of globally expanding the use of biofuels.
USGC Chairman Brent Boydston opened the event and introduced the day’s three keynote speakers: POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin; Summit Agricultural Group Executive Chairman Bruce Rastetter; and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Deputy Undersecretary Jason Hafemeister. USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand then gave an opening address previewing the remainder of the event’s content.
“USDA is constantly involved with other countries about expanding bioethanol blends and sustainable production practices,” Hafemeister said. “Domestically and abroad, USDA is seeking to show that biofuel products have real value and create a durable commercial market that allows consumers to have a choice of using biofuels that makes them realize, ‘this saves me money, benefits the environment and I feel better for it.’”
The second general session included a panel discussion on governmental perspectives on global ethanol policies and speakers shared stories of successful biofuel integration efforts in their regions. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor moderated the conversation and was joined by panelists including Lauren Clarke, manager at Environment and Climate Change Canada; Hideaki Fujisawa, minister of economy, trade, industry/business and energy at the Embassy of Japan; Ruby de Guzman, director of renewable energy management at the Philippines Department of Energy; Brian Richardson, chief technical director of energy at the Jamaican Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport; and Rod Snyder, senior advisor to the administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The afternoon began with a roundtable of experts from multilateral organizations who offered an overview of global ethanol feedstocks and end-use outlooks. Moderator Gerry Ostheimer, executive director at Biofuture Campaign, headed the group that featured a video message from Paolo Frankl, head of renewable energy at the International Energy Agency; Marcel Adenauer, policy analyst at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Dawit Kelemework Mekonnen, senior economist at the World Bank; Constance Miller, deputy coordinator for the secretariat at the Global Bioenergy Partnership; and Augustin Torroba, head of renewables and international biofuels specialist at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.
“We want to support transparent and informed policymaking and help countries understand assessments of their climate goals and obligations,” Miller said. “As an industry, we need to use recent geopolitical momentum towards clean energy to take on and address misconceptions about biofuels.”
The day came to a close with a panel discussion on international engagement efforts to achieve global E10 policies and beyond. Moderator Doug Berven, vice president for corporate affairs at POET, took to the stage with Rodrigo Cardenal, president and CEO of the Panama National Sugarcane Industry Association; Aditya Jhunjhunwala, president of the India Sugar Mill Association; Andrea Kent, past president and board director of Renewable Industries Canada; Dr. Stephan Meeder, president of ePURE; and Gerardo Tee, chairman of the ethanol producers association of the Philippines.
Tomorrow, programming will continue with seven concurrent sessions on a variety of detailed topics on biofuel uses and the latest research on its carbon reduction capabilities. Memorandums of understanding will also be signed between the Council and key ethanol stakeholders from around the world. At the end of the event, 11 groups of participants will travel around the country to view the biofuel value chain firsthand before heading back to their home countries.
Register today for 31st annual Cattlemen’s College
The 31st annual Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, will be held in conjunction with CattleCon24, January 31-February 2, in Orlando, Florida. This premier educational experience draws more than 1,000 attendees every year and includes networking, idea sharing and informative sessions.
“We have a packed schedule featuring industry experts discussing a variety of trending topics,” said Michaela Clowser, director of producer education with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “We are excited to offer educational sessions all three days of convention.”
Cattlemen’s College begins Wednesday, January 31 with keynote speaker Dr. Clay Mathis, Animal Science department head at Texas A&M University. Dr. Mathis will discuss how recent industry challenges have created opportunities that can add resiliency to ranching systems.
The 2024 Cattlemen’s College schedule is designed to help cattle producers improve and grow cattle herds. Sessions will be held in classrooms as well as on the NCBA Trade Show floor and will feature industry leaders tackling innovative topics including nutrition, reproduction, genetics, sustainability, biosecurity and herd health.
Attendees can look forward to hearing from Kimberly Vonnahme, Zoetis; Brian Dorcey, DVM, Farmer’s Business Network; Angela Gonella, PhD, University of Florida; Don Close, Terrain; Cassidy Johnston, Not Your Average Rancher; Dan Leahy, Foundation for Ranch Management; Cadra Krueger, PhD, Alltech; Ross Bronson, Redd Summitt; George Perry, PhD, Texas A&M University; Chance Armstrong, DVM, Auburn University; Jeff Heldt, PhD, Selko; Jacob Gilley, American Farmland Trust; Justin Rhinehart, PhD, University of Tennessee; Matt Crouse, USMARC; Dusty Abney, PhD, Cargill Nutrition; and Raluca Mateescu, PhD, University of Florida.
Each year, the Cattlemen’s College agenda is developed based on feedback from producers, and their comments drive the program. One past attendee reflected that, “The biggest take away I found from attending Cattlemen’s College is that there is always a newer or better way of doing things. Falling under that idea of, ‘we’ve always done it this way’ is dangerous. Never be afraid of trying things a different way."
With so much information presented, it is nearly impossible to experience all Cattlemen’s College has to offer in person. To make it easier to access content, all sessions will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch at any time in the future. To register, select the Education Package, which offers the best value and combines admission to the convention and Cattlemen’s College. For more information, visit convention.ncba.org/.
Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible to apply for the Rancher Resilience Grant. The first 75 grant applicants will receive reimbursement for registration and up to three nights hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.
USDA Highlights Progress in Partnering with Farmers to Increase Innovative Domestic Fertilizer Production, Expand Double Cropping through Investing in America Agenda
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today highlighted progress made in partnering with farmers and American businesses to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production and in making it easier for U.S. farmers to grow food through the practice of double cropping. USDA also announced $52.6 million in awards under the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program, which will fund 17 new projects to boost domestic fertilizer manufacturing, support innovative fertilizer technologies, and help lower costs for farmers.
As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, Secretary Vilsack announced these during a visit to Pernault Farms in Kankakee, Ill., where the double cropping practice is being utilized. Support for double cropping and domestic fertilizer production expansion are part of a broader set of commitments made in September 2022 by President Biden and Secretary Vilsack, at a nearby Kankakee Farm, to help producers boost production and address global food security. The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP) is funded by USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation and is part of a government-wide effort to spur domestic competition and combat an increase in fertilizer costs caused by the war in Ukraine.
“With President Biden’s leadership, USDA is creating a resilient, sustainable and competitive agricultural economy, which allows farmers to continue doing what they do best by growing food for the rest of the world,” said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. “Through a farmer-focused commitment, we will continue to build on our efforts to lower costs, bring made-in-America jobs to rural communities, and strengthen the agricultural supply chain and market opportunities to the benefit of producers.”
Fertilizer Production Expansion Program
In 2022, USDA made $500 million available under the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program, to increase innovative domestic fertilizer production, creating jobs in rural communities and providing more options to U.S. farmers. Due to strong demand for funding, in June of 2023, USDA increased the funding available for FPEP to up to $900 million.
The Department received requests for $3 billion in applications from more than 350 businesses for the first two rounds of the program. Including today’s announcement, since the program was announced roughly 18 months ago USDA has awarded 33 projects for a total of over $121 million invested. USDA expects to announce additional project selections in the coming months and is inviting public comments on four projects through November 15, 2023.
Example of projects funded as part of today’s announcement include:
In Crookston, Minnesota, Northstar Lime LLC is being offered a $4.4 million grant to expand their operation to include the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives. The goal is to quickly provide an organic, alternative fertilizer product that will meet 50% (of the total nitrogen needs for local row crop farmers in years 2023 and 2024.
In Boardman, Oregon, True Organic Products Inc. is being offered a $5 million grant to expand its organic fertilizer production plant to manufacture an incremental 15,000 tons of pelleted organic fertilizer from local waste byproducts to better serve farmers.
In Casco, Wisconsin, Dairy Dreams is being offered a $2.5 million grant to construct a nutrient concentration system and a pelleting system on a dairy farm to convert manure to domestically manufactured fertilizer, improving access to organic liquids and pellets. The technology will also convert one-third of manure inputs into clean, dischargeable water and is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the hauling and disposal of manure.
Double Cropping
In 2022, USDA announced the expansion of insurance coverage for double cropping for 2023 to support food production and lower costs for American families. Double cropping allows farmers to plant a second crop on the same land in the same year, helping to boost production without relying on farmers to substitute crops or cultivate new land. As part of this commitment, USDA expanded double crop insurance opportunities in nearly 1,500 counties where double cropping is viable. With the expansion in 2023:
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) processed 4,166 new requests for coverage in the states where insurance for double cropping was expanded or made easier. This includes 1,611 new requests for coverage for second crop grain sorghum in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, and 2,555 requests for coverage for second crop soybeans in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.
In states where double cropping coverage was expanded or made easier, nearly one million additional acres were insured, representing a more than 43% increase in insurance coverage for second crop acres compared to the 2014-2022 average.
In states where double cropping coverage was expanded or made easier, there was a significant increase in winter wheat plantings. For example, Illinois saw a nearly 40% increase, Ohio saw a more than 30% increase, and Michigan saw a 21.5% increase.
Effectively Managing Postharvest Residue
Pioneer
Over the last few years, growers have probably noticed more corn residue remaining in fields well into spring. This may be due to several production practice changes, including increased yields, improved corn stalks that resist decomposition, and reduced tillage. Managing residue during and after harvest — even in the spring, if necessary — is crucial to establishing uniform stands and protecting future yield potential.
It is especially important to manage residue in corn following corn, as it is less tolerant of residue than soybeans. Research suggests that corn yields may be reduced when fields have 90% residue cover within 2 inches of the seed furrow.
Effectively managing residue postharvest can be done in a few ways:
Fall tillage. Primary tillage in the fall accelerates residue decomposition. Residue that is not incorporated in the fall will largely remain intact in the spring. In general, 5% to 10% more corn residue is decomposed when tillage occurs in the fall than in the spring.
Strip Tillage. Also known as zone tillage, strip tillage combines the soil warming and drying benefits of tillage with the soil conservation benefits of no-till. In this system, a 6- to 8-inch-wide strip is tilled in the fall, and the remaining inter-row space (usually 22 to 24 inches) with its crop residue cover remains undisturbed.
Chopping Stalks. An alternative approach to fall tillage is chopping stalks with a flail-type or rotary blade chopper. Although very effective at sizing residue, this approach can flatten the residue profile and distributes stalk residue between the rows, reducing the advantage of planting next year's crop between last year's rows.
Grazing. Cattle producers may consider grazing their field or baling some of their corn stalks for feed or bedding. Another option is selling corn stalks for ethanol production. In either case, only a portion of the stalks should be removed so that the benefits of stalk cover are not completely lost. It is recommended that farmers strategically remove stalks from less-erosive field areas in alternating strips year-to-year.
It is important to remember that each field is unique, and one method might not work for every field.
Poor residue management in corn-on-corn operations can result in setbacks such as delayed germination, uneven emergence, and more disease and pest activity — all of which can result in lower yield.
Whether growers manage their residue in the fall or wait until the spring, a secondary round of tillage before planting can further reduce residue and set the stage for a successful crop emergence.
No comments:
Post a Comment