Friday May 31 Ag News

 Is That Ag Technology Worth It? Ask These Questions To Be Sure

Swapping the  familiar pencil and notebook record-keeping system for a digital technology might feel intimidating. But due to increasingly tight margins, expensive inputs and overwhelming time demands, technology may offer a way to stay profitable.

Making technology decisions
Tom Field, director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, believes two important factors are foremost in technology decisions, aside from cost.

“First, since so much diversity in marketing methods of size and scale exist, (the technology) must provide data and information a producer can turn into decision-making tools,” Field says. “If it checks this box, I’d suggest taking a hard look.”

Some technologies offer data but not data that can be easily used to make decisions. If data doesn't translate into actionable insights, it's likely not right for an operation.

“Second, does a technology deliver market access due to improved and more detailed information?” Field says. “If it opens the door to an interesting supply chain opportunity for higher premiums or increased average prices, it may have the margins to validate the choice to bring on a new layer of management and data collection.”

 How the pieces fit together
New technology fitting these criteria must still make a positive difference on farm. Goals, management, labor and time should all be considered.

“Ultimately, a fit is determined by profit,” Field says. “If it positively affects my break-even, I need to seriously consider it. Admittedly, potential profit is hard to establish early on.”

Next, a technology’s ability to simplify or automate manual labor by simplifying or automating a multi-step paper process or removing repetitive manual data entries could add value.

“Time and frustration levels are major players,” Field says. “If we can complete one step instead of three, it makes my team’s lives better. It’s likely not immediate for return on investment, but there's something to be said for the value of stress reduction and added efficiency.”

Field recommends producers approach technology providers with three key questions:
    Can you demonstrate that it works?
    Is your technology better than what I'm using now and why?
    Will you outline the increased profitability and improved efficiency timeline?

Once you’re satisfied with the answers, Field suggests looking to trusted sources, including consultants, friends or peers with knowledge, expertise or experience.

Support and usability tied to success
“If it's not user-friendly, I'm not interested,” Field says. “A program requiring a ton of support or adding a boatload of complexity to an already complex environment isn’t the answer. As Einstein said, ‘Make things as simple as possible but no simpler’.”

Technology also must work without extra hours dedicated to refinement or solving problems.

“The frustrations of busy, time-constrained owners will happen quickly,” he warns. “If I need to invest extra time I don't have, it won’t be successful.”

Practical concerns
Karl Fox, Iowa custom cattle feeder outlines three honest questions to consider before investing:
    Do I have the cash available?
    Does it make tasks easier?
    Will it help me identify ways to make better decisions?

Fox was one of the original adopters of Performance Beef, a cattle management software. When reviewing available options, he was spending numerous hours per month invoicing up to 20 pens to six different customers.

“I decided on Performance Beef because it helped me do a better job of tracking and managing my numbers, improving my health records, and fine-tuning how I manage my cattle on an individual basis,” Fox says. “As we’re primarily grid sellers, it provides better information to predict harvest dates, maximize revenue per animal and avoid penalties.”

Another key factor was that company’s personnel proactively kickstarted his installation and onboarding process, yielding almost immediate results.

“The right technology will quickly confirm that we can't afford not to have it,” Fox adds. “Once we discover a technology or practice works with noticeable improvement in a short time, demonstrates a reduction in mistakes and quickly covers costs, it's an obvious choice.”

Field agrees. Technology’s ability to help reduce or eliminate repetitive and redundant tasks allows people to spend more time on other priorities.

“If it's accurate, works quickly, reduces labor, demonstrates a verifiable ROI, makes for better decision-making and takes away aggravation, give it serious consideration,” Field says.



Weston Svoboda Selected as the 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholar by the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) announced Mr. Weston Svoboda as the 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholar.  

Weston is a fifth-generation agriculturalist from Burwell, Nebraska. Being raised in the family business, he quickly developed a passion for the beef industry. While studying ag economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he continued learning and developing ag advocacy skills through involvement in various student organizations. A current law student, Weston ultimately plans to be involved on the family ranch while serving the legal needs of fellow agriculturalists focusing on estate planning and generational transitions of family farms and ranches.

Weston Svoboda said, “It is an incredible honor to be this year’s recipient of the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship. I try to live by the motto: honor the past, enrich the present, forge the future. I’m excited to apply this mentality as I seek to contribute to the continued success of our beef industry and the people who make it great.”

Loren Berger, President of the NCF stated, “Weston's experience in the beef industry, his communication skills and his desire to represent the beef industry in legal matters after graduation make him an outstanding advocate for the beef industry in the future.”

In addition to the Beef State Scholarship, the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation awarded nearly $60,000 in scholarships to fifty-five students furthering their education in the 2024-2025 academic year. Weston Svoboda, along with all scholarship recipients, will be recognized at the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting in Ogallala on Thursday, June 13, during the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Lunch.

To donate or for more information concerning the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, contact Lee Weide, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Secretary at (402) 475-2333 or Jana Jensen, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Fundraising Coordinator at (308) 588-6299.

Established in 2014, the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship is the premier Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation scholarship providing a $10,000 award to an outstanding junior, senior, or graduate level Nebraska resident student enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry related degree.



USDA Now Accepting Applications for Available Funds to Help Cover Organic Certification Costs

Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31, 2024, deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved.

“Costs associated with obtaining organic certification can be a barrier for Nebraska producers wanting to get certified,” said Tim Divis, Acting FSA State Executive Director in Nebraska. “Through OCCSP assistance, FSA helps Nebraska organic producers obtain certification and leverage related benefits like premium prices for commodities and access to broader markets and additional technical assistance.”

OCCSP was part of a broader organic announcement made by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 15, 2024, which also included the Organic Market Development Grant program and Organic Transition Initiative.

Eligible Applicants, Expenses and Categories
OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of organic agricultural commodities for expenses incurred obtaining or maintaining organic certification under USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible OCCSP applicants include any certified organic producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

Cost share assistance covers expenses including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, inspector travel expenses, user fees, sales assessments and postage. OCCSP pays a maximum of $750 per certification category for crops, wild crops, livestock, and processing/handling.

How to Apply
To apply, producers and handlers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center and be prepared to provide documentation of organic certification and eligible expenses. For more information, visit the OCCSP webpage.



Receive Instant Pest Alerts Directly to Your Cell Phone

Crop farmers and others involved with crop production can receive instant updates on the latest insect pest issues in Iowa.

The Iowa Pest Alert Network provides short, timely updates via text messaging to farmers and crop consultants, agronomists and extension who advise farmers. This free, user-friendly service provides timely scouting information about pests in your area.

The website provides links to information about key pests in the Midwest, degree day mapping, regional updates and supplemental publications. There is also an archive listing of past pest alerts.

All a user needs is a cell phone number. Sign up by visiting the Pest Alert Network website, at https://pestalerts.extension.iastate.edu.

“A needs assessment published by the North Central Soybean Research Program in 2021 determined that farmers and the industry are really interested in receiving real-time alerts about pests,” said Ashley Dean, extension specialist in entomology with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Farmers and the people who advise them are often out in the fields during the day, so text messages might be more efficient than emails.”

The user can customize the service to receive specific pest alerts based on specific pests, or per region of Iowa.

“These short bursts of information are meant to reach people wherever they are, and they can use links in the alerts to access relevant scouting information,” said Erin Hodgson, professor and extension entomologist at Iowa State.

Recent pest alerts cover topics such as scouting for bean leaf beetle, black cutworm in emerged corn, as well as alfalfa weevil.

The service was created in 2022 and is free to subscribe with a mobile phone number.



U.S. Agricultural Exports in Fiscal Year 2024
Forecast Unchanged at $170.5 Billion; Imports revised upwards to $202.5 Billion

U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2024 are projected at $170.5 billion, unchanged from the February forecast. Higher exports of livestock and dairy, as well as increased ethanol sales largely offset reductions in grains and feeds, oilseeds, and horticultural products. Overall livestock, poultry, and dairy exports are forecast $800 million higher to $38.5 billion, led by increases in dairy and beef. Dairy exports are forecast up $300 million to $8.0 billion due to higher prospects of cheese exports to Southeast Asia. Beef exports are raised $200 million as global demand remains firm. Ethanol exports are forecast at $4.0 billion, $400 million higher than the February outlook as competitive U.S. prices facilitate a record volume projection. Grain and feed exports are forecast at $37.6 billion, down $600 million from the previous projection, largely on lower prices for corn and wheat. Oilseed and products are forecast at $35.8 billion, down $400 million from the February forecast, primarily due to lower soybean exports as a result of increased competition from Brazil. Horticultural product exports are down $500 million to $39.0 billion on lower miscellaneous product shipments. Cotton exports are unchanged at $6.0 billion.

At $27.7 billion, China is projected to fall below Mexico and Canada as the third largest U.S. agricultural market. The export forecast for China is cut by $1.0 billion from the previous quarter largely due to continued strong competition on soybeans and corn. Exports to Mexico are forecast to rise by $300 million to $28.7 billion, whereas exports to Canada are forecast up $400 million to $28.4 billion, both record highs.

U.S. agricultural imports in FY 2024 are forecast at $202.5 billion, a $1.5-billion increase from the February projection that is predominantly driven by higher horticultural products as well as livestock and dairy imports. Horticultural product imports are forecast up $1.5 billion to $99.6 billion, led by increases in fresh fruits and vegetables. Livestock, poultry, and dairy imports are up $600 million to $28.7 billion, buoyed by higher dairy and livestock projections.



USDA Announces $824 Million in New Funding to Protect Livestock Health; Launches Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced it is taking several additional actions to ensure the health and viability of the nation’s livestock and poultry. In the two months since the initial detection of H5N1 in dairy cattle, USDA has worked quickly and in concert with its federal and state partners to better understand the virus and contain the disease and remains committed to seeking additional ways to collect the data needed to better understand and mitigate the risk created by this outbreak. USDA is adding an additional $824 million in emergency funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to bolster these efforts and is launching a new Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program to give dairy producers more options to monitor the health of their herds and move cows more quickly while providing on-going testing and expanding USDA’s understanding of the disease.

Emergency Funding to Build on Response Efforts
To help ensure the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) can continue to provide critical rapid response activities, Secretary Vilsack approved the transfer of $824 million from the CCC to APHIS to directly support the response efforts. This funding allows APHIS to continue its critical work with state and local partners to quickly identify and address cases of HPAI/H5N1 in poultry and livestock. The funding will support anticipated diagnostics, field response activities, pre-movement testing requirements, other necessary surveillance and control activities, surveillance in wildlife for APHIS, the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) work in developing vaccines for HPAI in cattle, turkeys, pigs, and goats, and ARS and the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s food safety studies.

The Secretary is authorized to transfer funding from available resources including the CCC to address emergency outbreaks of animal and plant pests and diseases. USDA previously approved the use of $1.3 billion in emergency funding to address nationwide HPAI detections in wild birds and commercial poultry operations. These additional funds will ensure our continued robust and rapid response to this outbreak.  

Voluntary Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program  
Continuing to build on the efforts to contain H5N1, APHIS is standing up a Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program, which provides alternative testing and movement options to the Federal Order to increase USDA's monitoring capabilities to mitigate the spread of H5N1. The Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program aims to create additional testing options for producers with herds that have tested negative for three weeks in a row, further reduce H5N1 virus dissemination, provide for further opportunities to test herds that are not known to be affected with H5N1, increase surveillance and expand our knowledge of the disease, and support an overall national program to reduce the risk of H5N1 in dairy herds.

The main benefit for farmers who choose to enroll in the Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program is that once they can demonstrate their herds are free of H5N1 with results from a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) facility, they will then need to conduct weekly tests on bulk milk from that herd to confirm that status and will be able to ship their cows at the time they prefer and without testing individual animals.  

Dairy producers from States enrolled in the first phase of this program who choose to enroll their herds and who test negative for H5N1 for three consecutive weeks using on-farm bulk tank milk samples or similar representative milk samples tested at a NAHLN laboratory will be able to move animals without additional pre-movement testing currently required under the Federal Order. Producers must also comply with continued regular weekly monitoring and testing of the herd for H5N1.  

APHIS is currently working with state animal health officials to identify states to participate in a pilot phase of the program. Producers from states participating in this pilot can start enrolling in the Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program on the week of June 3, 2024, by contacting their APHIS Area Veterinarian in Charge or State Veterinarian and signing a Herd Monitoring Plan agreement. USDA strongly encourages dairy producers to enroll in this new program. Beyond the benefits for their own operations, increased producer participation may help USDA to establish state and/or regional disease-free statuses that could further ease compliance with the current Federal Order. Those herds not enrolled in the pilot program will continue to follow the interstate testing and movement requirements published in the Federal Order. More specific guidance on the new program, including how to enroll and how to obtain and maintain a herd status, will be made available on the APHIS website in the coming days.

As additional testing measures take place, USDA anticipates that it will see an increase in testing and positive test results, which will add to our knowledge of the disease and how it may spread between herds. At the same time, this pilot program will help to gather additional information on how producers with affected herds can document elimination of the virus on their operations and steps they can take to maintain an H5N1 virus-free herd.

This new investment in risk mitigation augments the previously announced Federal Order on pre-movement testing of lactating dairy cattle, announced on April 24, as well as the tools to support biosecurity activities, announced on May 10, and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program funding availability, announced on May 23.

As USDA continues to take steps to protect the health of livestock, the Department continues to work closely with federal partners at the CDC on protecting the health of people and FDA on protecting the safety of the food supply. The U.S. government remains committed to addressing this situation with urgency.  

To learn more about USDA’s response to H5N1 in dairy cattle, visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock.  



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/24/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 24, ethanol production scaled up 4.8% to an 8-week high of 1.07 million b/d, equivalent to 44.86 million gallons daily. Output was 6.4% more than the same week last year and 8.6% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 2.0% to 1.01 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.57 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks receded 4.2% to 23.2 million barrels, the lowest volume since mid-December 2023. Yet, stocks were 3.9% more than the same week last year and 5.6% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, relaxed 1.8% to 9.15 million b/d (140.62 bg annualized). Still, demand was 0.5% more than a year ago and 3.5% above the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol ticked 0.2% higher to 937,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.40 bg annualized and the largest level since early July 2021. Net inputs were 1.2% higher than year-ago levels and 6.1% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 212,000 b/d (8.9 million gallons/day). This is 155.4% above the prior week and the largest volume since the EIA began reporting weekly estimates last year. Total usage, including both net inputs and exports, was the highest on record (weekly exports were estimated from monthly data prior to EIA reporting). There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 36th consecutive week.



Summit Carbon Wins at ND Supreme Court

The North Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday ruled Summit Carbon Solutions has the right to enter private lands to conduct surveys and examinations in preparation for the construction of a segment of a Midwest carbon pipeline in the state. The ruling followed an appeal filed by a group of landowners.

As part of a lawsuit filed by Summit against property owners, a district court in North Dakota granted a motion for summary judgment to Summit to allow it to enter private lands in the state. A group of landowners appealed the ruling to the state's highest court.

The district court ruled the state's entry statute does not "constitute an unconstitutional per se taking" of land or property. The court also ruled Summit was a "common carrier" that is "authorized to exercise eminent domain."

The North Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed the district court's judgement.

"We conclude the judgments do not expressly authorize any actions beyond the statute, and the statute does not authorize entry beyond the historical background principles of our property law," the court said in its 15-page opinion.

The ethanol industry is expected to play a large role as a feedstock provider in the production of sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, so long as the ethanol industry can improve its carbon intensity score. That's why carbon capture and storage are important.

Generally, carbon pipelines connected to ethanol plants are seen as the only viable way to reduce carbon emissions low enough to attract SAF producers to using ethanol as a feedstock.

There is potential for another wave of economic expansion in rural communities similar to the early days of the Renewable Fuel Standard starting in 2005 if ethanol producers can become part of the SAF expansion.

The proposed Summit pipeline continues to face regulatory hurdles before construction can begin in Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska.



Dig Into the Science of Soil with Latest Book from Feeding Minds Press

Young readers, garden enthusiasts and science educators alike have a new accurate agricultural adventure to dig into with the latest children’s book from Feeding Minds Press. “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” is a cumulative-style picture book that tells the story of Jackie and her garden friends as they discover the wonders of soil and how things grow.

Loaded with scientific facts about soil, plants, pollinators, decomposers, and more, “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” will engage readers ages six and up in becoming environmental stewards, learning how to care for a garden, understanding a plant-life cycle, discovering the power of pollinators and the importance of composting.

“The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” is written by award-winning nonfiction children’s book author Peggy Thomas and illustrated by accomplished artist and graphic designer Neely Daggett. Thomas is also the author of “Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car,” winner of the 2020 American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Book of the Year Award.

“‘The Soil in Jackie’s Garden’ is an excellent addition to our library of engaging, educational picture books at Feeding Minds Press,” said Julia Recko, Senior Director of Publishing & Education Outreach at the Foundation. “We are delighted to play a part in helping kids understand agriculture, stewardship and science.”

Educational materials on the soil cycle and how to make a compost pile are included in the back of the book, with more resources soon to come from the Foundation for Agriculture, including an educator’s guide to help students learn about how their food is grown.

“The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” marks the 10th title from Feeding Minds Press, along with “Potatoes for Pirate Pearl,” published last fall, and “I LOVE Strawberries,” a winner of seven awards, including the Good Housekeeping 2022 Best Kids’ Book Award.

All books are available for purchase directly from Feeding Minds Press.