National Drought Summary for June 11, 2024
A highly variable precipitation pattern was noted across the contiguous 48 states this past week, resulting in a significant number of changes in the Drought Monitor depiction. Another week of heavy rain June 4-11 continued to ease drought and abnormal dryness in parts of the central and southern Plains, with excessive amounts resulting in 2-category improvements in portions of central Kansas. Moderate to heavy rainfall also brought improvements to portions of the middle and upper Mississippi Valley, the Northeast, the Washington Cascades, and southernmost Florida. Meanwhile, deficient rainfall caused abnormal dryness and drought to expand or intensify in parts of southern New England, the mid-Atlantic region, the interior Southeast, the central and northern Florida Peninsula, a few scattered areas across Texas, part of the central Rockies, the northern High Plains, some sections of interior Washington and Oregon, and a small region in northeastern Alaska. Other areas were unchanged, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico
Midwest
A warm and wet spring eliminated much of the drought that had plagued western parts of this region, and with moderate to heavy rains in northern and southwestern parts of the Midwest last week, the last area of drought (D1 in the northwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan) was removed from the map. The wet weather also removed D0 from northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, western Michigan, part of central and northeastern Iowa, and southern Mississippi. Meanwhile, rainfall has not been so generous the past few weeks over west-central parts of the Region, prompting some expansion of D0 conditions across northeastern Missouri, northwestern Illinois, and part of east-central Illinois. Short-term moisture deficits are increasing in other nearby locations as well, most notably portions of Indiana and southeastern Iowa, and these areas will need to be monitored for the development of abnormal dryness in the next few weeks.
High Plains
Parts of the southern High Plains Region were hit by heavy to excessive rains, bringing widespread improvement to the entrenched dryness and drought affecting much of Kansas and eastern Colorado. The heaviest amounts soaked a swath across central Kansas, with more scattered heavy rains observed farther north in Kansas and across eastern Colorado. Between 5 and 8 inches fell on central Rice, eastern McPherson, central Marion, and much of Chase Counties in central Kansas, prompting some 2-category improvements there. D3 conditions were eliminated from the High Plains Region, and severe drought (D2) is now limited to a few several-county south and west of the band where the heaviest rains fell last week. Moderate rains (over 1.5 inch) reached into southern Nebraska as well, improving conditions in southeastern Nebraska. Farther north and west, conditions were considerably drier, and most sites recorded several tenths of an inch of rain at best. This kept conditions essentially unchanged in most areas, although some D0 expansion was introduced in north-central Colorado, western Nebraska and adjacent South Dakota, and north-central South Dakota. A dry week also allowed conditions to deteriorate in part of southwestern Colorado, with moderate drought (D1) expanding northward into west-central Colorado. There was an additional, small area of improvement in part of Laramie County in southeastern Wyoming, where a mesoscale heavy rain event (2.0 to 4.5 inches) eased D0 to D1 conditions.
Looking Ahead
During the next five days (June 13-17, 2024), tropical moisture is expected to interact with mid-level low pressure across southern Florida, resulting in heavy rain. Flood watches are currently in effect, and 3 to 5 inches of rain are expected before precipitation tapers off later in the period. Tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico may also push into the central Gulf Coast region, bringing 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain to the Louisiana Bayou and southern Mississippi. Farther north, thunderstorms along a frontal boundary are expected to drop 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain on parts of the northeastern Great Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. Moderate precipitation is expected in other parts of the northern Great Plains, upper and middle Mississippi Valley, western Great Lakes region, eastern New England, northern Florida Peninsula, southern lower Mississippi Valley, and higher elevations of the northern Rockies and Cascades. Meanwhile, the summers first extended period of excessive heat is forecast to develop toward the end of the period in the central Great Plains, expanding eastward across the middle and upper Mississippi Valley, the Ohio Valley, the mid-Atlantic region, and the Northeast by the end of the period. Highs well into the 90s should be widespread by the end of the period, and warm nighttime lows are expected, providing little relief. Subnormal temperatures are forecast to be limited to the Pacific Northwest.
The Climate Prediction Centers 6-10 day outlook (valid June 18-22, 2024) favors above-normal temperatures from the southern Rockies and most of the Plains eastward to the Atlantic Ocean, with the most prohibitive odds (over 80 percent) across the Northeast and New England away from the immediate Atlantic Coast. There is a good chance that excessive heat will continue through at least part of the period across central and northern parts of the U.S. from the Mississippi Valley eastward. Farther west, subnormal temperatures are favored in many areas, but only slightly, with odds remaining below 40 percent (climatological odds are 33 percent). Below-normal precipitation is favored across the mid-Atlantic region, the Carolinas, the upper Southeast, and the Ohio Valley, as well as southeastern Alaska. However, odds tilt toward above-normal precipitation over a larger area encompassing the Gulf Coast region, the northern and southern Great Plains, the High Plains, the Great Lakes Region, the southern Rockies, the northern tier of the contiguous U.S. from the northern Rockies to the Pacific Coast, northeastern Alaska, and Hawaii. The best chances for surplus rainfall (50 to 70 percent) cover southern Texas.
Siouxland Feedlot Forum to provide key insights on feedlot nutrition and management
Cattle producers will have the opportunity to gain timely, educational information on feedlot nutrition and management strategies at the inaugural Siouxland Feedlot Forum, scheduled for June 18 in South Sioux City, Nebraska.
Speakers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Extension, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension, and a private consulting company will deliver presentations on topics related to feedlot profitability and sustainability based on regional research.
UNL Beef Systems Extension Educator Alfredo DiCostanzo and SDSU Extension Feedlot Management Specialist Warren Rusche collaborated to bring this new, multi-state event to the area.
Presentations Include:
A Conversation on Carcass Value: Quality Grade, Pounds, and Other Influencers: Pete Anderson, Midwest PMS
Preparing the Feedlot for Heat Events: Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Feedlot Management Specialist
Harvest and Management Strategies Affecting Nutritional Quality of Earlage and High-Moisture Corn: Alfredo DiCostanzo, UNL Beef Systems Extension Educator
Managing Quality and Cutability Through Energy Supply: Zach Smith, SDSU Assistant Professor of Animal Science
The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the South Sioux City Marriott Riverfront (385 East 4th Street, South Sioux City, NE 68776). Registration is required and costs $100 per person. Sponsorships are available. For more information and to register, visit extension.sdstate.edu/events and search “feedlot.”
Agenda:
10:30 a.m. – Registration
11:00 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions (Committee)
11:05 a.m. – A Conversation on Carcass Value: Quality Grade, Pounds, and Other Influencers (Pete Anderson, Midwest PMS)
12:05 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Preparing the Feedlot for Heat Events (Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Feedlot Management Specialist)
1:45 p.m. – Harvest and Management Strategies Affecting Nutritional Quality of Earlage and High-Moisture Corn (Alfredo DiCostanzo, UNL Beef Systems Extension Educator)
2:30 p.m. – Break
2:45 p.m. – Managing Quality and Cutability Through Energy Supply (Zach Smith, SDSU Assistant Professor)
3:30 p.m. – Adjourn
Registration:
The cost to attend the forum is $100. Opportunities also exist to partner with SDSU and UNL to defray costs associated with organizing and delivering this educational event. There is a single-level $500 partnership option that includes two paid registrations for your company. For more information, contact Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Feedlot Management Specialist.
Nebraska Researchers Contribute to Study on Cover Crops in Livestock Operations
Integrating cover crops into livestock operations presents substantial opportunities for economic and environmental benefits, according to a new USDA Economic Research Service report featuring contributions from faculty members and graduate students in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability.
The report, “Cover Crops on Livestock Operations: Potential for Expansion in the United States,” offers in-depth insights into the integration of cover crops with livestock operations. The research was led by Maria Bowman, a research agricultural economist with USDA ERS, with contributions from other researchers at USDA, Ohio State University and Iowa State University.
Center for Agricultural Profitability researchers contributing to the report include Jay Parsons, professor and farm and ranch management specialist; Mary Drewnoski, associate professor and livestock systems specialist; Daren Redfearn, professor and crop residue and forage specialist; and former graduate students Maroua Afi (UNL Department of Agricultural Economics), Fernanda Souza Krupek (UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture), and Aubree Beenken (Iowa State University Animal Science).
Key findings from the study indicate that while current adoption rates are relatively low — only 14% of cattle operations with cropland used cover crops as of 2017 — there are notable variations depending on the type of operation. Dairy and feedlot operations are more likely to utilize cover crops due to their high forage value, which exceeds the costs of production. The report highlights that grazing or harvesting cover crops is financially beneficial, especially in regions such as the U.S. Eastern Uplands and parts of Texas and Louisiana.
"Our findings demonstrate that cover crops can significantly enhance the profitability and sustainability of livestock systems," said Parsons. “By improving soil health and providing additional feed resources, cover crops and annual forages, in general, play a crucial role in the future of sustainable agriculture.”
Redfearn emphasized the practical applications of their research. "This study not only identifies the economic benefits but also maps out the potential for future expansion and adoption of cover crops in livestock operations across various regions," he said.
The research team from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln played a pivotal role in analyzing data and contributing to the comprehensive analysis provided in the report. Their work underscores the potential for significant expansion in the use of cover crops, particularly in areas where integration with livestock is feasible.
“For stakeholders in the agricultural sector, this report serves as a critical resource for understanding the benefits and implementation strategies of cover crops in enhancing the sustainability and profitability of livestock operations,” Drewnoski said.
Other findings from the report include:
The profitability of cover crops in an integrated livestock system primarily varies with the choice of cover crop species and management practices, the amount of cover crop forage being consumed by livestock and the agronomic effect of the cover crop on the cash crop.
The profitability of cover crops in an integrated livestock system also varies with the fixed costs of the grazing/harvesting system, the size of the farming operation, producer experience, and regional variability in production systems, soils and climate. These factors can also be barriers to the adoption of cover crops in livestock operations.
Grazing and harvesting cover crops for forage is common in cattle operations with cover crops. In 2021, 72% of dairy operations and 89% of cow-calf operations with cover crops reported harvesting or grazing at least some of their cover crop acreage.
For more information, visit the USDA Economic Research Service website at www.ers.usda.gov. The full report is also available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu.
USGC Brings International Buyers And Industry Leaders To World Pork Expo
U.S. Grains Council (USGC) staff led groups of pork industry leaders to Iowa last week for the World Pork Expo, a trade show and educational forum for livestock industry stakeholders. Above, Iowa Corn Growers’ Association Chairman Dennis Friest (rear, left) and USGC Vietnam Representative Tran Trong Nghia (rear, right) inspect a grain silo on Friest’s farm as participants learn about U.S. feed production and management practices.
Last week, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) staff brought teams of international pork association leaders to Des Moines, IA for the World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork industry trade show, to familiarize them with U.S. producers and build a foundation for future feed grain sales.
“This event covers all aspects of pork production, from growing and sourcing high-quality feed to the equipment needed to run an effective operation,” said Carlos Maya, USGC regional consultant for Latin America (LTA). “The educational seminars, networking possibilities and market and technology updates greatly benefitted attendees, and their businesses in LTA will be enhanced by these new connections and knowledge of the benefits of U.S.-produced animal feed.”
Maya led a group of representatives from the Colombian, Costa Rican, Guatemalan, Nicaraguan and Peruvian pork producers’ associations to visit U.S. corn farms and learn about the latest technologies in the pork industry at the expo.
Also in attendance was a delegation of Vietnamese pork industry association members and private sector staff headed by USGC Manager of Global Programs Caleb Floss and USGC Vietnam Representative Tran Trong Nghia.
While at the venue, the teams met with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Pork Producers’ Association to speak about the financial aspect of raising livestock and the sustainable production efforts of the U.S. industry. As an extension of the expo’s opportunities, the groups met with U.S. producer associations and toured local farms and ethanol plants to see how animal feed is made from start to finish.
That process began with a tour of Iowa Corn Growers’ Association Chairman Dennis Friest’s farm in Radcliffe, IA to see how typical U.S. corn growers operate and what equipment they use.
Next, participants visited POET’s ethanol facility in Jewell, IA to learn how the company, the largest biofuels producer in the world, creates co-products like corn-fermented protein (CFP) and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) that offer significant nutritional benefits to animal feed diets.
To round out the production cycle, the group toured Iowa State University’s Kent Corporation Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex to observe its feed milling and mixing techniques and its grain drying, handling and storage equipment.
“Demand for protein sources like pork is increasing in Vietnam, and our participants were extremely eager to learn from U.S. industry experts on how nutritious dietary enhancements like CFP and DDGS can expand their production capacity,” Nghia said.
NCBA Responds to FDA’s Longitudinal Study on the Yuma Valley Leafy Greens Growing Region
On June 5, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released preliminary findings from a multi-year study investigating the spread of bacteria to leafy greens being grown in Yuma County, Arizona.
The study was undertaken after a 2018 E. coli outbreak that was linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma, AZ, growing area. The investigation into that outbreak found samples of canal water that tested positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli. However, that strain of E. coli was not found at a nearby cattle feeding operation and the investigation ultimately found “no obvious route for contamination” from the feeding operation.
“Despite those 2018 investigative findings, we are concerned that some have erroneously interpreted the new FDA study as suggesting that the cattle industry is responsible for the outbreak, even though the scientific evidence does not support such a conclusion,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “In fact, FDA has expressly stated that the multi-year study did not identify the specific source and route of contamination that contributed to the 2018 outbreak.”
On the surface, cattle operations appear to be an easy target, but cattle and beef producers are already subject to countless local, state, and federal regulations that govern their operations to minimize the environmental impact and ensure that the food supply is safe.
“The cattle and beef industry takes its responsibility for food and consumer safety seriously. Clearly, more scientific data is needed, but we must not allow ourselves to get ahead of science and play the blame game,” said Woodall. “Farmers and ranchers dedicate significant resources toward identifying and implementing practices that protect the environment, while also supporting food safety.”
NCGA, AFBF and Coalition Partners File Lawsuit to Protect American Consumers from EPA’s Electric Vehicle Mandate
The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation and six auto dealers representing 16 brands and collectively operating dozens of dealerships in major markets across the country joined the American Petroleum Institute today in filing a lawsuit in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s light-duty and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032.
The groups said EPA exceeded its congressional authority with the regulation and rendered a decision that values one tool for fighting climate change over others.
“By approving tailpipe standards that focus exclusively on electric vehicles, EPA has ignored the proven benefits corn ethanol offers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change,” Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle said. “While it could take decades to get enough electric vehicles on the road to significantly lower GHG emissions, ethanol is a critical and effective climate solution that is available now. We have tried to make this case to EPA to no avail, and now we will make our case in court.”
The groups also noted that EPA’s standard will hurt America’s farmers.
“Farmers answered the call to help America be more sustainable by growing the crops necessary for renewable fuels. Now, the rug is being pulled out from underneath them with unrealistic emissions goals that put years of investment at risk,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said. “Impractical standards for light-duty and medium-duty trucks will drive up the cost of farm vehicles and force farmers to rely on a charging network that does not yet exist in rural areas.”
Leaders at API emphasized the impact the agency’s standards would have on American consumers.
“Today, we are taking action to protect American consumers, U.S. manufacturing workers and our nation’s hard-won energy security from this intrusive government mandate,” API Senior Vice President and General Counsel Ryan Meyers said. “EPA has exceeded its congressional authority with this regulation that will eliminate most new gas cars and traditional hybrids from the U.S. market in less than a decade. We look forward to making our case in court.”
In March, the Biden administration finalized new federal vehicle emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles that require 68% of new passenger vehicles and 43% of new medium-duty trucks and vans to be electric by 2032.
Ohio Farmer Jed Bower Elected to Serve as NCGA First Vice President
The National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Board has elected Jed Bower, of Washington Court House, Ohio, as the organization's next first vice president for the new fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2024.
“It is an honor to be elected to this role by my fellow board members,” Bower said. “With a new strategic plan in place, this is an exciting time to serve in a leadership role on the board. I look forward to working with my fellow board members, in partnership with grower leaders and staff from across our national and state partner organizations, to lead NCGA toward a future that I am confident will best serve U.S. corn growers”
Bower raises corn and soybeans with his wife Emily and children Ethan and Emma on their fifth-generation family farm.
Bower is a current NCGA board member, who serves as board liaison to the organization’s Stewardship Action Team, Field to Market and the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture research. He also serves on the Governance Committee.
On October 1, Kenny Hartman, of Illinois becomes NCGA president. In October 2025, Hartman becomes board chair and Bower becomes president.
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