Thursday May 09 Ag News

Ag land management webinar to offer the latest on cash rents, changing commodity prices for 2024

The latest trends in 2024 Nebraska cash rental rates and land values will be covered during the next Land Management Quarterly webinar, hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, at noon on May 20.

Offered since 2019, the quarterly webinars address common management issues for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on real estate trends, managing farm land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming growing season.

The May webinar will examine the latest average cash rental rates in the state, as reported in the recently released Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report, and offer insight on adjusting rental rates considering current commodity prices this year. It will also cover best practices for communication between landlords, tenants and family members and offer advice on short- and long-term decision-making for agricultural land.

Viewers will have the opportunity to submit land management questions for the presenters to answer during the presentation.

The webinar will be led by Jim Jansen and Anastasia Meyer, both in the Department of Agricultural Economics. Jansen focuses on agricultural finance, land economics and the direction of the annual Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report. Meyer is an agricultural economist focusing on rental negotiations and leasing arrangements.

The webinar is free and will be recorded. Past recordings can be viewed the day after each session, along with recordings from the entire series.

Registration is free at https://cap.unl.edu/landmanagement.     



Nebraska Ethanol Board May 22nd Meeting to be Held in Lincoln

The Nebraska Ethanol Board will meet in Lincoln at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 22. The meeting will be held at the agency headquarters located at 245 Fallbrook Blvd, Lincoln, Neb., in the lower-level hearing room 031. Highlights of the agenda include:
    Public Opportunity for Questions, Comments or Concerns
    Presentation by Bruce Dvorak, Ph.D. – UNL Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
    Budget Report & Budget Planning Fiscal Year 2024-25
    Marketing Programs
    Ethanol Plant Reports
    State and Federal Legislation
    Technical & Research updates

This agenda contains all items to come before the Board except those items of an emergency nature. Nebraska Ethanol Board meetings are open to the public and also published on the public calendar.



Iowa Farm Bureau Ag Insights Tour offers young farmers firsthand look at innovative ag industries

Registration is open for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Ag Insights Tour, July 11-12. This unique opportunity offers young farmers firsthand experience across various farming sectors, including visits to Lonely Oak Distillery, Elite Octane, Lincoln Premium Poultry and CLAAS North America.

“Iowa Farm Bureau continually looks for ways to support farmers, and through events like the Ag Insights Tour, they can explore ways to increase their margins and entrepreneurial spirit,” says Zach Brummer, Iowa Farm Bureau's farmer education program manager. “This year’s tour has a strong focus on newer, innovative companies that have added value to the local ag economy. Witnessing these impacts allows farmers to explore how that increase in supply chain value can positively affect their family farms.”

Lonely Oak Distillery, owned and operated by Iowa farmers Pat and Amy Hoffman, is one of only a few true “seed-to-spirit” craft distilleries. Tour participants will witness the Hoffmans' dedication to crafting premium bourbon whiskey and vodka, from grain selection to bottling.

Elite Octane, LLC, a dry mill ethanol plant located near Atlantic, is one of the most recently constructed ethanol plants in the nation. Producing more than 150 million gallons of ethanol per year, their equipment can efficiently unload a semi-truck in approximately two minutes and load out distillers’ grain in five minutes.

Lincoln Premium Poultry is a Nebraska-based company established in collaboration with Costco to supply their rotisserie chickens. The complex, in operation since 2019, includes a processing facility, hatchery and feed mill with 100% of its corn sourced from local farmers. Early studies estimate the economic impact of the facility to be $1.2 billion annually.

CLAAS North America, headquartered in Omaha, is home to the award-winning LEXION combine. One of the most modern in the industry, the plant assembles hundreds of combines each year.

Tour participants will enjoy networking opportunities at Troy’s Bar and Grill, a three-time top 10 finalist in the Iowa Beef Industry Council’s Best Burger Contest. They will also explore Old Market Omaha, a former railroad center originally built as a grocery and retail wholesaler that now boasts restaurants, shopping, art, live music and more.

Cost for the tour is $75 per member or $110 per Iowa Farm Bureau membership for couples. For more information about the 2024 Ag Insights Tour and registration, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/YFTour.



Pork Industry Center Begins Second Year of Webinar Series

The month of May marks the one-year anniversary of the Iowa Pork Industry Center webinar series, and center director Laura Greiner said producers and other stakeholders are what make it happen.

“This program stemmed from producers asking questions and wanting to learn more about select topics,” she said. “Each session is designed to provide a more in-depth presentation of subject matter, with supporting slides to enhance viewer learning.”

Starting a new program like this series can be daunting. Organizers knew the interest and desire for information was there, yet wanted to be sure the content and timing wouldn't overwhelm potential viewers.  

“Initially we were unsure how often to create and present material in this manner,” Greiner said. “We wanted to provide information while reducing information fatigue with producers, and found a once-a-month event would give time between sessions to address new areas of knowledge while maintaining producer interest.”

Greiner was the first presenter in the series, talking about the pig microbiome over two sessions, and said it was an enjoyable experience.

“Creating these initial webinar topics was exciting as we knew we were meeting a need for our people in Iowa,” she said. “The intended audience is all individuals involved in swine production ranging from producers, nutritionists and veterinarians to allied industry, and we look forward to serving them all.”

In this first year, topics have included valuation modeling of contract swine barns, the present and future of boar fertility testing and approaches toward sow mixing and group management (California Proposition 12), with many of the presenters from Iowa State University.

“We hope we can continue to share new Iowa State research with our producers, and help them learn more about those who work with swine here,” Greiner said. “Currently, we have more than 90 faculty and staff at ISU who work on some aspect of swine production, health, welfare, and extension and research.”

All webinar series sessions are free and held from noon to 1 p.m. Central time. Registration is required and that link is available on the pork industry center webinars page, along with links to all session recordings https://www.ipic.iastate.edu/webinars.html.

“We want to thank our viewers for watching and we look forward to comments from our stakeholders as to what they want to learn more about,” Greiner said. “We want to continue to make sure we're meeting needs of our producers to allow them to stay competitive and also to continue to be life-long learners.”

The pork center will have a suggestion box at Iowa Swine Day this year for producers to ask questions and suggest topics of interest that may be used in this webinar series, regional workshops, contract grower meetings and additional educational opportunities.



EPA, FDA, and USDA Issue Joint Regulatory Plan for Biotechnology

In response to President Biden’s Executive Order 14081, “Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have developed a plan to update, streamline, and clarify their regulations and oversight mechanisms for products of biotechnology.

The plan helps meet the President’s goals of ensuring public confidence in the biotechnology regulatory system and improving its transparency, predictability, coordination, and efficiency. Through engagement with developers and stakeholders, as well as horizon scanning for novel biotechnology products, the Agencies worked collaboratively to develop a cohesive plan. The plan incorporates processes and timelines to implement regulatory reform, such as identifying guidance and regulations to update, streamline, or clarify, and identifying the potential need for new guidance or regulations. The plan supports a whole-of-government approach to the regulation of biotechnology products.

The agencies have identified five major areas of biotechnology product regulation where these actions will focus:
    Modified plants
    Modified animals
    Modified microorganisms
    Human drugs, biologics, and medical devices
    Cross-cutting issues

EPA, the FDA and USDA intend to implement the following joint efforts:
    clarify and streamline regulatory oversight for genetically engineered (GE) plants, animals and microorganisms;
    update and expand their information sharing through an MOU to improve and broaden communication and coordination of oversight of modified microbes; and
    undertake a pilot project focused on modified microbes to explore and consider the feasibility and costs of developing a web-based tool that informs developers about which agency may regulate a given product category.

The Federal Government established the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology in 1986 and most recently updated it in 2017. It describes the comprehensive federal regulatory policy for ensuring the safety of biotechnology products, including how EPA, the FDA, and USDA share responsibility for regulating many of the products of biotechnology in the United States. The Executive Order directs the three agencies to improve how they implement the Coordinated Framework.

In response to the Executive Order, the three regulatory Agencies, in consultation with the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), issued a Request for Information (RFI) to the public to solicit information on regulatory ambiguities, gaps, uncertainties, or inefficiencies in the Coordinated Framework. The agencies received 88 distinct public comments, including a sign-on letter from over 6,000 members from biotechnology developers, producers, manufacturers, non-governmental organizations, and academia. The Agencies will continue to engage with all interested stakeholders as they implement the plan.

Visit the Unified Website for Biotechnology Regulation for additional information on modernizing the regulatory system for biotechnology products and Executive Order 14081... https://usbiotechnologyregulation.mrp.usda.gov/biotechnologygov/home.  



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/3/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 3, ethanol production declined 2.2% to 965,000 b/d, equivalent to 40.53 million gallons daily. Output was on par with the same week last year and 4.8% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate slipped 2.3% to 972,000 b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.94 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks fell 5.1% to an 18-week low of 24.2 million barrels. Still, stocks were 3.9% more than the same week last year and 6.8% above the five-year average. Inventories receded in all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4), with Midwest (PADD 2) stocks posting a notable 8.9% drop.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, improved 2.1% to 8.80 million b/d (135.23 bg annualized). Demand was 5.4% below the same week last year but 1.5% above the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol edged down 0.7% to 905,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.91 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.9% above year-ago levels and 5.0% ahead of the five-year average.

Ethanol exports surged to 180,000 b/d (7.6 million gallons/day), which was more than double the prior week and the highest level since mid-December. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 33rd consecutive week.



Fertilizer Prices See Only Minor Moves in Last Week of April

Most retail fertilizer prices continued to be just slightly higher during the last week of April 2024, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Prices for six of the eight major fertilizers were up slightly from a month ago, while prices for the remaining two fertilizers were slightly lower. No fertilizer saw a significant price move, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The six fertilizers that were slightly more expensive compared to last month were DAP with an average price of $781 per ton, MAP $830/ton, urea $585/ton, 10-34-0 $641/ton, UAN28 $364/ton and UAN32 $418/ton.

The two fertilizers that were just slightly lower in price were potash with an average price of $513/ton and anhydrous with an average price of $794/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.64/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

Most fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago, but one fertilizer is slightly higher. MAP is 3% higher looking back a year. The remaining fertilizers are lower. Urea is 2% less expensive, DAP is 5% lower, 10-34-0 13% less expensive, both anhydrous and UAN28 are 14% lower, and both potash and UAN32 are now 18% less expensive compared to a year prior.



American and Australian Cattle Producers Commit to Partnership Through Joint Statement Signing
Statement Addresses Cattle Health, Sustainability, and Lab-Grown Protein

Yesterday, leaders of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Cattle Australia (CA) signed a joint statement at the Beef 2024 convention in Rockhampton, Australia to further the two organizations’ partnership on issues related to cattle health, lab-grown proteins, and sustainability.

“America’s cattle farmers and ranchers stand with Australia’s cattle producers and look forward to being partners in combatting foreign animal diseases, promoting sustainability, and ensuring proper oversight of lab-grown proteins,” said NCBA President Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher. “As a rancher, I understand the importance of proactively talking about the good work we do in both countries. Cattle producers provide significant benefits to the global population, from providing safe, wholesome real beef to implementing conservation practices that conserve millions of acres of prime wildlife habitat in the United States and Australia. This joint commitment will strengthen the partnership between American and Australian producers and support our efforts to educate the public on the benefits of raising cattle.”

“In signing the joint statement of priorities, we are encouraging the Australian and U.S. governments to join forces in combating devastating foreign animal diseases; promoting sustainable global trade that encourage efficient production practices; and ensuring science-based food safety and marketing regulations of emerging food technologies such as lab-grown proteins,” said CA Chair Garry Edwards.

The joint statement outlines both countries’ commitment to protecting cattle health and wellbeing with vaccine banks to counter the threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). While FMD only impacts cloven-hoofed animals and does not pose a risk to humans, the disease can still cause immense financial harm to farmers and ranchers. The United States has been FMD-free since 1929 and Australia has been FMD-free since 1872.

The statement also addressed the emergence of lab-grown proteins. While there are no lab-grown proteins that imitate beef currently authorized for retail in the U.S., several companies are attempting to bring these products to market. It is critically important that these products are properly vetted by regulatory authorities so they do not pose a potential risk to consumer health and food safety, and it is important that they are labeled in a way that is transparent to consumers so they can choose between naturally produced beef and lab-grown proteins. Additionally, the statement supports efforts to continue sharing information on cattle industry sustainability and promoting the benefits of cattle production such as improving wildlife habitat, natural water filtration, and greenspace protection benefits.

Following the statement signing, NCBA and CA will continue engaging with their respective governments to secure policies that protect cattle health, recognize the cattle industry’s sustainability, and ensure proper oversight of lab-grown protein.



U.S. and Mexico Dairy Industries Renew Commitment to Cross-Border Cooperation

Leading dairy representatives from the United States and Mexico met this week in Chihuahua, Mexico to renew their commitment to collaborate and advocate on mutually beneficial dairy policies. This was the sixth meeting between leading U.S. and Mexico dairy organizations since 2016.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) steered the U.S. delegation, which consisted of more than 14 member companies, U.S. farmer representatives, and USDEC and NMPF staff. Delegates from Mexico’s milk producers and dairy processors included:

    Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas (National Organization of Livestock Organizations)
    Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Leche (Mexican Association of Milk Producers)
    Gremio de Productores Lecheros de Mexico (Mexican Dairy Producers Guild)
    Cámara Nacional de Industriales de la Leche (National Chamber of Milk Industries)
    Consejo Nacional Agropecuario (National Agricultural Council).

Throughout the week, attendees discussed the most pressing issues affecting both industries, in their local respective markets and across the globe.

“Our two industries share so many similar challenges that call for us to work together,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “Mexico is and will continue to be a valuable partner for U.S. dairy. These meetings help strengthen those ties and set the dairy sectors in both countries up for continued success.”

“The U.S. and Mexico dairy industries are key partners in their shared mission to grow demand and protect dairy’s public image,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “The renewed commitment signed today further strengthens our important relationship.”

As part of the meeting, attendees toured the Reny Picot Mexico plant in Chihuahua. The only demineralized whey powder producer in Mexico, Reny Picot is the largest nonfat dry milk powder importer in Mexico, importing an average of 5,000 metric tons per month.

Joint Statement:
On their Sixth annual meeting within the framework of the partnership to strengthen the milk production sector in North America, held in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, hereby agree to:
    Preserve, facilitate, and improve trade between the two nations.
    Preserve this forum for discussion and analysis of relevant topics and issues of the milk and dairy producing sectors of Mexico and the United States.
    Have as a key objective the growth of dairy consumption in both countries for the benefit of producers, manufacturers and consumers in the United States and Mexico.
    Promote joint activities seeking to increase the consumption of dairy products within our region.
    Identify and promote actions that improve the productivity of dairy farms in Mexico and the United States.
    Strengthen the image of milk and dairy products in both countries to defend against the misuse of milk and dairy product names by other products of non-dairy origin.
    Maintain an open communication channel between the milk and dairy producer organizations of both countries, with the aim of reaching consensus for the benefit of our industries. Likewise, exchange information and successful experiences through the participation of members of both countries in forums and congresses organized by our associations.
    Work on strengthening cooperation in technological exchange and training, both in terms of on-farm milk production and in improving the quality and safety of milk and dairy products from a nutritional and health standpoint.
    Work to share information on key new areas such as sustainability, animal welfare, farm labor, and other issues as they arise and are mutually agreed upon for the benefit of our producers and industry to ensure that we coordinate dairy advocacy efforts in international forums and among consumers.
    Exchange information about the performance of the milk and dairy products market in the North America region.
    Continue with activities to defend common food names, particularly cheese names, thus allowing their free use in our North American market.
    Develop a work plan on the issues of the common agenda, with indicators and a follow-up program with scheduled meetings.



Innovation and Technology Front and Center at AEM's 2024 Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) partnered with member companies, grower groups, agriculture innovators, and the wider farming community to showcase the latest innovations and technologies in American agriculture and demonstrate how it helps farmers feed and fuel the world while protecting the environment for generations to come.

More than 12,000 people flocked to the National Mall for the second Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall this week. The three-day event featured combine harvesters, milking equipment, sprayers and planters, irrigation equipment, tractors big and small, as well as dozens of interactive and hands-on exhibits by grower groups and agriculture innovators. This year’s theme, the Future of Food and Farming, showcased the advances that drive American agriculture’s long history of producing more while reducing its environmental footprint.

"For the second time, this event exceeded expectations and put on display the immense impact the agriculture sector and equipment manufacturers have on feeding not just our country, but the entire world,” said Megan Tanel, President of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “The latest agricultural innovations are much more than tractors and combines—these technologies are powering a sustainable future, and we are proud to educate the public on these incredible advancements.”

More than 80 pieces of equipment were displayed across the National Mall, including ground-breaking innovations such as self-propelled sprayers, robotic sensors, the next generation of alternative fuel tractors, an automated aerial crop protection system, and the world’s first fully automated soil laboratory.

“Once again, Celebration of Agriculture on the National Mall proved to be an exceptional opportunity for farmers and manufacturers to speak face-to-face with policymakers and legislators about the critical issues our industry and farmers are facing,” said Bill Hurley, Vice President of Global Government Affairs for AGCO Corporation and Chair of the Association of Equipment Manufacturer’s Ag Sector Board. “Sharing our ideas, challenges, and real-world experiences will help craft more effective programs and policies that will impact our ability to feed the world.”

Equipment and technology exhibits were provided by:
    AGCO Corporation
    Arva
    Bluewhite
    Boumatic
    Case IH
    CLAAS
    EarthOptics
    Great Plains Ag
    Guardian Ag
    JCB
    John Deere
    KRONE
    Kubota
    Kuhn North America
    Lely
    Lindsay
    Mahindra
    Montag Manufacturing, Inc.
    Netafim
    New Holland
    Solinftec

Grower, agriculture products, and science exhibits were provided by:
    AEF (Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation
    AgGateway
    Agricultural Retailers Association
    American Farm Bureau Federation
    American Seed Trade Association
    American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
    American Soybean Association/United Soybean Board
    Associated Equipment Distributors
    Biomass Harvesters of America
    Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS)
    Clean Fuels Alliance America
    Common Ground Alliance
    Crop Life
    Engine Technology Forum
    Fertilizer Institute
    Field to Market
    Growth Energy
    International Fresh Produce Association
    NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture)
    National Agricultural Aviation Association
    National Corn Growers Association
    National Hemp Association
    National Pork Producers Council
    North American Millers’ Association / National Association of Wheat Growers / U.S. Wheat Associates / American Bakers Association
    USA Rice
    USPTO