NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending May 26, 2024, there were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2% very short, 13% short, 73% adequate, and 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 4% very short, 20% short, 66% adequate, and 10% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 91%, near 93% last year and 92% for the five-year average. Emerged was 61%, behind 75% last year and 68% average.
Soybeans planted was 80%, behind 87% last year, and near 81% average. Emerged was 41%, well behind 61% last year, and behind 49% average.
Winter wheat condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 24% fair, 51% good, and 20% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 52%, well ahead of 31% both last year and average.
Sorghum planted was 31%, equal to last year, and behind 39% average.
Oats condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 42% fair, 44% good, and 11% excellent. Oats emerged was 93%, equal to last year, and near 90% average. Headed was 16%, ahead of 3% last year and 6% average.
Dry edible beans planted was 10%, equal to last year.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 32% fair, 51% good, and 12% excellent.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
Severe weather including heavy rains, tornadoes, and derecho conditions limited Iowa farmers to 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 26, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting corn and soybeans, and cutting hay was limited. Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 88 percent. Sixty-six percent of the corn crop has emerged. The first corn condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 54 good and 19 percent excellent.
Seventy-three percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days behind last year and 3 days behind the normal. Soybeans emerged reached 42 percent, 5 days behind last year.
Ninety-five percent of the expected oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 31 percent, 6 days ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the average. Oat condition improved 5 percentage points to 81 percent good to excellent.
Alfalfa hay reached 20 percent complete. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.
Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Reports of flooded fields were received throughout the State.
USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report
Periods of heavy rain across the country slowed corn planting last week, but overall, progress nationwide inched slightly ahead of the five-year average pace, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress on Tuesday. The report is normally released on Mondays but was delayed this week due to Memorial Day.
Soybean planting maintained a steady pace last week, and nationwide, progress remained ahead of the five-year average.
"Active weather continued last week, and heavy rain fell in periods across most of the country outside of the southwestern Plains, where dryness has been a concern for winter wheat," said DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick. "It wasn't a washout all week long, though, so some planting was able to be done anyway."
CORN
-- Planting progress: Corn planting moved ahead 13 percentage points last week, slower than the previous week's 21-percentage-point jump. Nevertheless, planting reached 83% complete nationwide as of Sunday, May 26, 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 82%. This year's progress continues to lag last year by 6 percentage points.
-- Crop development: 58% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 8 points behind last year but equal to the five-year average.
SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: Soybean planting moved ahead 16 points last week, close to the previous week's pace of 17 percentage points, to reach 68% complete as of Sunday. That was 10 percentage points behind last year's pace of 78% but 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 63%.
-- Crop development: 39% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 11 points behind last year's 50% but 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 36%.
WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 77% of winter wheat was headed as of Sunday. That was 8 points ahead of 69% at this time last year and 8 points ahead of the five-year average of 69%.
-- Crop condition: 48% of the crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 from 49% the previous week but still up considerably from 34% a year ago. The percentage rated very poor to poor was up 1 point to 19% but still much less than last year's 35% at this time.
SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 88% of spring wheat was planted as of Sunday, 9 points ahead of 79% last year and 7 points ahead of the five-year average of 81%.
-- Crop development: 61% of spring wheat has emerged, 11 points ahead of 50% last year and 9 points ahead of the five-year average of 52%.
June Loseke Visits Japan and South Korea with USMEF
June Loseke, District 7 Representative of the Nebraska Beef Council, recently had the opportunity to travel to Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan to see firsthand how beef is utilized by these markets. Loseke’s trip was in partnership with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, a contractor to the Nebraska Beef Council, and she was joined by other beef producers from across the country. This was not Loseke’s first trip to South Korea, but the first in a few decades.
“Having been in Seoul in the late ‘80s, it was most interesting to see how the culture is moving from a rice-based diet to a meat-based diet,” said Loseke. “Evidence of western influence is more common than what I had remembered.”
Loseke said that while in Seoul and Tokyo, the group was able to visit with U.S. Embassy USDA representatives who summarized current trade status and some challenges relating to beef imports. They learned more about the buying habits of local consumers, interacted with the four major packers from these countries, and were able to see how U.S. beef is a main part of the meat counter in both local supermarkets as well as in COSTCO stores.
“Participating in live TV cooking shows, spending time in class with high school students and being part of a seminar for chefs gave us some direct promotional opportunities,” explained Loseke of their experiences. “We also got to meet several companies who are increasing US meat demand by efficiently moving boxed beef directly to the retailer or even developing novel sauces placed right in the meat counter to enhance beef sales.”
On returning to Nebraska with this new information and worldview of the beef export market, Loseke says she can use this knowledge in her own feedyard and veterinary practice to help others have awareness of how important of a market there is in Japan and South Korea that is continuing to see growth. She also added that USMEF and other beef export groups are working hard to find inroads to new international markets and expand channels that are well established.
“There have been multiple opportunities to talk to my clients and encourage them as local producers to continue working hard to raise such a nutrient dense and sought after protein,” said Loseke. “It can be overwhelming to think of the amount of people who daily count on agricultural producers to show up to work, keeping grocery shelves full. We can’t do this alone, but collectively we each play a part in the effort to feed the world.”
HPAI Detected in a Flock of Commercial Layer Chickens in Sioux County
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Sioux County, Iowa. The affected site is a flock of commercial layer chickens.
HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations as well as lactating dairy cattle. HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.
Heightened Biosecurity
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds to utilize. In addition, the Department has numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms to reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who interact regularly with both dairy and poultry or who interact frequently with other farm workers in poultry or dairy, should take extra precautions to limit possible transmissions.
Suspected Cases in Poultry
If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.
Clinical signs of HPAI in birds may include:
Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
Decrease in egg production
Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
Difficulty breathing
Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
Stumbling and/or falling down
Diarrhea
Suspected Cases in Dairy
If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305. USDA’s federal order regulating the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle remains in effect.
Clinical signs of HPAI in dairy may include:
Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
Clear nasal discharge
Drop in milk production
Tacky or loose feces
Lethargy
Dehydration
Fever
Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk
Food Safety
It remains safe to enjoy poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F. It is a longstanding practice that only milk from healthy animals may enter the food supply. There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.
Celebrate June Dairy Month at Educational Open Houses
Iowans can learn more about the dairy industry and experience modern dairy farming methods as the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team celebrates National Dairy Month in June.
Two dairy open houses are planned, beginning June 12 with Roorda Dairy #2 in Granville; and Iowa’s Dairy Center June 22 in Calmar. (The Iowa State Dairy Farm open house in Ames has been canceled this year due to storm damage, but will return in 2025).
“These educational open houses provide everyone a chance at gaining a real-life experience of the dairy industry,” said Jenn Bentley, a dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Each venue has a unique twist, but conveys the same dairy message to people of all ages and backgrounds.” Holstein dairy cattle.
Dairy is the fifth largest agricultural business in Iowa, generating $5.6 billion a year in economic activity from farming to dairy processing, supplying 22,000 jobs with a labor income of $891 million. The annual economic impact of a single dairy cow is more than $25,400 per cow.
June Dairy Month was first established in 1937 as National Milk Month, with the aim of encouraging milk consumption. However, this observance has since been transformed into National Dairy Month. Initially dairy month was created to address the surplus of dairy production and stabilize demand; it has evolved into an annual tradition commemorating the dairy industry’s invaluable contributions to society.
Visit a Dairy Farm
The Western Iowa Dairy Alliance will hold an open house June 12 at the Roorda Dairy #2 in Granville from 4-8 p.m. Attendees have the opportunity to tour the farm, learn about modern dairy practices, and engage with experts to gain insights into dairy production, sustainability efforts and the importance of dairy in the local economy.
The event also features a free meal, educational exhibits, family-friendly activities and opportunities to enjoy dairy products, fostering greater appreciation and understanding of the dairy industry's vital role in the region.
On June 22, Iowans can enjoy Breakfast on the Farm, from 8 a.m. to noon at Iowa’s Dairy Center in northeast Iowa, south of Calmar.
Organizers will serve a wholesome breakfast complete with Dad’s Belgian Waffles, sausage and dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream – all locally produced and processed. Visitors can take a guided tram tour of the farm and there will be activities for all ages, including hand-milking a cow, a petting zoo, corn story time with a local dairy princess, cow inflatables and educational exhibits.
Event details
June 12, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, at Roorda Dairy #2, at 4253 Oriole Ave., Granville.
June 22, Breakfast on the Farm, at Iowa’s Dairy Center, 8 a.m. until noon, at 1527 Highway 150 S., Calmar. Breakfast on the Farm will be held rain or shine. Parking is available on site.
For more information, contact Gail Carpenter, state dairy extension specialist, at ajcarpen@iastate.edu
Extension field specialists are also available. In northwest Iowa, contact Fred Hall at 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu. In northeast Iowa, Jenn Bentley is available at 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu. Larry Tranel is available at tranel@iastate.edu or 583-6496.
Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm Field Day Is June 27
The annual spring field day at Iowa State University’s Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm in Lewis, Iowa, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 27. The field day will feature Iowa State University Extension and Outreach experts, who will speak on a variety of current crop and planting practices in agriculture. The event is free to attend and open to the public, with registration requested https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcAFna9ltGuBrbQDlJFVXnhBd3ECepANXCDLBY7VfTUXpkgg/viewform.
Terry Gleaves, a cow/calf farmer in southwest Iowa, and Aaron Saeugling, a field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will begin the program by providing insights on setting up your planter for success in the fields. Following their talk, Ruth McCabe, Heartland Cooperative; Arthur Wisecup, precision agriculturist; and Terry Gleaves, will then discuss the alternative overwintering cover crop species of Camelina, Triticale and/or Barley.
Doug Houser, a digital agriculture extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will begin the afternoon session by providing insights on the drone technology of fungicide applications and cover crop seeding. Visitors will be able to see a live drone spray the research field, view the spray coverage and observe the aerial view provided via the drone, in the seeding of cover crops.
“This field day is a hands-on and an interactive workshop. The field day is not designed as a lecture demonstration, but rather we encourage participants to bring their questions,” said Aaron Saeugling, a field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The research farm will be open for visitors to observe the resource. Visitors can also ask a variety of questions about the farm as everyday farm staff will be in attendance.”
The program will conclude with a discussion led by Madelynn Wuestenberg, agricultural climatology specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, presenting the current weather outlook in southwest Iowa. This field day is free and open to the public.
This field day event is made possible due to support from the Southwest Iowa Soil Health, Armstrong Farm of Iowa State University Research Farms, the Wallace Foundation, ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Soybean Association.
Elanco Announces FDA Has Completed Review of Bovaer®, First-in-Class Methane-Reducing Feed Ingredient, for U.S. Dairy Industry
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) Tuesday announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed its comprehensive, multi-year review of Bovaer® (3-NOP), a first-in-class methane-reducing feed ingredient, and determined the product meets safety and efficacy requirements for use in lactating dairy cattle.
“This monumental announcement has the ability to accelerate the opportunity for climate-neutral dairy farming while creating a new revenue stream for dairy farmers across the country,” said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, Elanco Animal Health. “We appreciate FDA’s commitment to maintaining high standards for science-based review, while balancing the need to quickly bring solutions to the market. Bovaer represents another example of Elanco being a partner of choice in animal health, where the capabilities of our talented R&D, regulatory and commercial teams are delivering significant value.
Simmons continued: “As global temperatures breach new thresholds, consumers demand more sustainable products and the farm economy battles profitability challenges, we are excited to bring Bovaer to the market as a potential solution. Bovaer will create value for farmers, while helping food companies meet consumer demands and deliver on their sustainability commitments. As animal, human and now environmental health continue to converge, Bovaer is one of the most significant innovations that considers this intersection and provides consumers, farmers and society what they want for our future.”
Bovaer represents another blockbuster potential innovation in Elanco’s portfolio and further accelerates livestock sustainability, the next billion-dollar plus market in animal health. This innovation is expected to accelerate market development and increase innovation in this space.
Bovaer works by suppressing the enzyme in the cow’s rumen that forms methane. Feeding one tablespoon of Bovaer per lactating dairy cow per day can reduce methane emissions about 30% or about 1.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions annually, while creating opportunity for dairy farmers to be financially rewarded for reducing their dairy’s carbon footprint.1 Feeding one million cows Bovaer would reduce emissions equivalent to removing more than 285,000 cars from the road for a year.2 Feeding Bovaer to cattle has proven to be safe for animals, producers and consumers.
Expanding Access Across North America
Elanco and dsm-firmenich have agreed to expand Elanco’s commercialization of Bovaer across North America. In addition to the U.S., Elanco will also now have the right to market Bovaer in Canada and Mexico, where the product is already available for use in beef and dairy cattle. This expanded agreement can accelerate the opportunity to make climate-neutral cattle farming in North America a reality this decade.
“We congratulate Elanco and the U.S. dairy sector, on this important milestone, and will support Elanco by providing initial supplies from Europe,” said Dimitri de Vreeze, CEO at dsm-firmenich. “This strategic collaboration exemplifies how we can accelerate the expansion and adoption of Bovaer in North America to significantly decrease methane emissions on a large scale, and thereby support global efforts to combat climate change. Bovaer holds the key to a transformative shift in the global dairy sector, and launching this feed ingredient in the U.S. after years of dedicated research, trials, and industry collaboration is a testament to its global potential.”
Simmons said, “We appreciate the work dsm-firmenich has invested in this revolutionary product and are pleased they’ve recognized Elanco as the global farm animal health leader and the right partner to bring this solution to farmers across North America.”
Why Methane Matters
This announcement comes at a pivotal time. According to the United Nations, the world's population has until the year 2030 to curb greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) or deal with irreversible impacts to the planet.3 In response, about two-thirds of all Fortune 500 companies have set significant climate commitment goals.4 Reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle—naturally generated through the enteric fermentation process—represents a key opportunity. Methane lasts about a decade in the atmosphere and is 27x more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat—so smaller reductions create greater impact on temperature.5 By mitigating methane, the livestock industry can reduce the rate of climate warming and allow food companies and retailers to make meaningful progress toward their Scope 3 emissions goals.
“Reducing enteric methane is critical if we are to reach our climate goals,” said Dr. Frank Mitloehner, CLEAR Center Director and University California Davis Professor and Cooperative Extension Air Quality Specialist. “It’s exciting our farmers will have an important tool to do that, in Bovaer.”
Creating New Revenue Streams for Farmers
Feeding Bovaer to cows provides a scalable and credible way for dairy farmers to benefit from being good stewards of the environment by being financially rewarded for implementing on-farm sustainability interventions.
“At an added cost of a few cents a gallon of milk, Bovaer can help food companies meet their climate commitments and consumer desire for more sustainable dairy products,” said Katie Cook, Vice President, Livestock Sustainability and Farm Animal Marketing at Elanco. “Meanwhile, by engaging in voluntary carbon markets and securing USDA and state conservation programming, dairy producers have a scalable sustainability practice with the potential to create an annual return of $20 or more per lactating cow by feeding Bovaer6. Our goal is to make this opportunity a reality starting this summer, while creating a self-sustaining carbon inset market for American agriculture.”
Dairy farmers incorporate Bovaer into their rations and quantify the effect using carbon market-friendly tools like UpLook™ by Elanco, an insights-based engine designed to quantify greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The tool utilizes on-farm data and peer-reviewed science to identify key drivers of an operation’s carbon footprint and track the progress of sustainability efforts. UpLook connects seamlessly to Athian, the first-of-its-kind livestock carbon inset marketplace. This seamless process allows farmers to quantify their emissions reduction efforts and certify carbon credits for sale. In addition to the carbon marketplace, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $89 million in funding to support farms using technologies like Bovaer to reduce their methane emissions.7
“Products like Elanco’s Bovaer will allow U.S. farmers to be rewarded for participating in voluntary, producer-led sustainability efforts,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation. “Consumers around the world are demanding lower-carbon foods. Bovaer is an innovation that can help U.S. dairy farmers remain globally competitive and maintain their role as leaders in more sustainable dairy production.”
Greg Bethard, a dairy farmer from Kansas who has used UpLook to quantify his greenhouse gas emissions, expressed his excitement around today’s announcement.
“Dairy producers have made great strides improving the sustainability of our operations,” said Bethard, High Plains Ponderosa Dairy. “Today’s announcement provides access to a product that has been extensively studied and shown to reduce emissions from dairy cows. Bovaer is a value-creation opportunity for dairies—it’s about helping us provide product in a manner most of our consumers are wanting—a lower carbon footprint food.”
NMPF Lauds FDA’s Approval of Bovaer
Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation
“FDA approval of Elanco’s Bovaer is another important step on U.S. dairy’s journey toward a net-zero future, one in which dairy farmers have already made great progress. Bovaer and other new technologies that reduce enteric emissions will help U.S. farmers be rewarded for participating in voluntary, producer-led sustainability initiatives, which is critical for the success of such efforts.
“Consumers around the world are demanding lower-carbon foods. Innovations such as Bovaer will help U.S. dairy farmers remain globally competitive and maintain their role as leaders in more sustainable dairy production. We thank FDA for its recognition of and support for these efforts.”
“We also commend Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his team at USDA for supporting dairy farmers as they prepare to use Bovaer on their own operations. We are grateful to the department for awarding more than $90 million to dairy farmer-owned cooperatives and partner organizations for innovative feed management under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program for fiscal year 2023. FDA’s approval of Bovaer now enables these key resources to move forward, and sets the stage for dairy to build on this first round in fiscal year 2024.”
Statement of NCFC President Chuck Conner on FDA Approval of Bovaer
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
"I would like to applaud the action by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced today that would allow sales and marketing of Bovaer, an animal drug developed by Elanco Animal Health to help reduce enteric methane production in dairy cows. Today’s action is long overdue, as the product is one of the most tested and trusted enteric methane emission solutions and available to farmers in nearly 50 countries around the world, including Europe, Australia and Canada. Today, American farmers are able to share in opportunities to create a new value stream on the farm that had previously been beyond their reach.
“At the same time, the fact that this process has taken over two years shows that the system is in dire need of reform. That is why NCFC strongly supports passage of the IFEED Act and other legislation that would modernize the approval process and further innovation in American agriculture.”
Central Stockyards Adds Team Members, Prepares for Canadian Expansion
Central Stockyards, LLC, a livestock marketing service that hosts the Fed Cattle Exchange, the cattle industry’s only weekly fed cattle online auction, has expanded its team in preparation for the addition of Canadian feedyard and packer participation in its weekly sales.
Brent Difley has been named Business Development Director for Canada. In this role, he will be responsible for working with Canadian feedyards and packers to market fed cattle on the Fed Cattle Exchange.
Difley grew up on a ranch in Saskatchewan and has spent his career in the animal health industry, working across all Canadian provinces. With a degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Difley currently lives in Calgary and volunteers with the Calgary Stampede International Agriculture and Agrifood Committee where he serves as a Past Chair. He has also served as a mentor for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Canadian Young Leaders Program.
Cassidee Rogers has also joined Central Stockyards as Business Operations Coordinator, responsible for coordinating customer relations and daily Fed Cattle Exchange auctions. A cattle feeding industry veteran, Rogers brings a wealth of experience to the Central Stockyards team. Her knowledge and experience in the Northern Plains will help Central Stockyards expand into additional cattle feeding regions.
The addition of Difley and Rogers to the Central Stockyards team is being made in advance of the Fed Cattle Exchange’s forthcoming expansion into the Canadian market. While the Canadian fed cattle market is smaller than its United States counterpart, the basic principles and demand for transparent, real-time price discovery are still vital to the long-term profitability of the Canadian beef industry.
Forrest Roberts, President & CEO of Central Stockyards, LLC, noted: “The Fed Cattle Exchange has been approached many times by Canadian feedyards looking for a better way to enhance fed cattle price discovery. We are responding to this interest by modifying the Fed Cattle Exchange platform and setting aside a portion of our weekly auctions for Canadian fed cattle listings.”
The first Canadian cattle will be featured on the Fed Cattle Exchange on June 5, 2024. The Fed Cattle Exchange platform will reflect the terms used in Canadian fed cattle sales, including currency, weight, yield, and quality grade differences.
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