Tuesday June 25 Crop Progress Report + Ag News

 Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Counties Along Missouri River
 
Governor Jim Pillen is acting proactively to mitigate the impact of any flooding that happens along the Missouri River. Today, he declared a state of emergency for those counties that abut the river, which will immediately free up state funds and resources, should the need arise. The proclamation confers authority to Nebraska’s Adjutant General to activate those resources, to protect lives and property.

Heavy rain in southeast South Dakota, northeast Nebraska and northwest Iowa has resulted in severe flooding. Over the weekend, Gov. Pillen authorized the deployment of a military helicopter and four-member National Army Guard crew to assist the Iowa National Guard in search and rescue operations in and around Sioux City.

Gov. Pillen continues to receive updates from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the U.S. Corps of Engineers as to the status of the Missouri River. Both agencies are closely monitoring the impact to communities as the water’s crest continues downstream in the coming days.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending June 23, 2024, there were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2% very short, 15% short, 66% adequate, and 17% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2% very short, 19% short, 67% adequate, and 12% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 15% fair, 53% good, and 29% excellent. Corn silking was 1%.

Soybean condition rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 18% fair, 56% good, and 23% excellent. Soybeans emerged was 95%, near 97% last year and 94% for the five-year average. Blooming was 5%, near 6% last year and 8% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 26% fair, 50% good, and 19% excellent. Winter wheat harvested was 2%.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 16% fair, 73% good, and 11% excellent. Sorghum planted was 98%, equal to last year, and near 97% average. Headed was 3%, near 1% last year and 2% average.

Oats condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 20% fair, 58% good, and 21% excellent. Oats headed was 84%, ahead of 75% last year and 77% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 21% fair, 69% good, and 10%  excellent. Dry edible beans planted was 96%, near 92% last year. Emerged was 72%, equal to last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 25% fair, 57% good, and 14% excellent.



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Northwest Iowa farmers received substantial rainfall with flood conditions while some Southeast Iowa farmers had minimal precipitation.  Statewide there were 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 23, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Spraying and other field activities were limited in some areas due to wet field conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Excessive rain fell in northwest Iowa with over 50 percent of the area reported with surplus topsoil and subsoil moisture.

Corn emergence neared completion. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans emerged reached 95 percent.

Seven percent of soybean crop was blooming, 1 day behind last year but 2 days ahead of the 5-year average.  Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent.

Eighty-six percent of the oat crop was headed or beyond, 6 days ahead of the average. Twenty-eight percent of oats were turning color, 9 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-five percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 6 days ahead of last year. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition decreased two percentage points to 73 percent good to excellent. Feedlots remain muddy due to excess rainfall.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Heavy rain in the northwestern part of the Corn Belt and hot, dry conditions across the southern and Eastern Corn Belt took a toll on crop conditions last week, as ratings for both corn and soybeans fell from levels the previous week, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress on Monday.

CORN
-- Crop development: 97% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 1 point behind last year's 98% and 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 96%. Corn silking was pegged at 4%, 1 percentage point ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 3%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 69% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, down 3 points from 72% the previous week but still ahead of last year's 50%. Seven percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, up 2 points from 5% the previous week but lower than 15% last year.

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: Soybean planting moved ahead 4 points last week to reach 97% complete as of Sunday. That was 2 percentage points behind last year's 99% but 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 95%.
-- Crop development: 90% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 5 points behind last year's 95% but 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 87%. Soybeans blooming were pegged at 8%, equal to last year but 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 6%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 67% of soybeans that had emerged were in good-to-excellent condition, down 3 points from 70% the previous week but still well above 51% last year.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 97% of winter wheat was headed as of Sunday. That was 1 point ahead of 96% at this time last year and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 95%.
-- Harvest progress: Harvest slowed a little last week, moving ahead 13 percentage points to reach 40% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 19 points ahead of last year's 21% and 15 points ahead of the five-year average pace of 25%.
-- Crop condition: 52% of the crop remaining in fields was rated in good-to-excellent condition, up 3 points from 49% the previous week and still up considerably from 40% a year ago.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop development: 18% of spring wheat was headed, 7 percentage points behind last year's 25% but equal to the five-year average.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 71% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, down 5 points from 76% the previous week. That is still ahead of last year's rating of 50% good to excellent.



Soybean Gall Midge Update 6.24.2024

As of last week, orange and white soybean gall midge larvae have been found at all sites in east-central Nebraska. Larval counts at these sites range from just a few to over 30 larvae per plant. On Friday, June 21st, wilting and dead plants were observed in low frequency in three east-central Nebraska counties, including Cuming, and Otoe counties.  Activity continues as well in Saunders and Cass counties . Map updates that are available on soybeangallmidge.org show the locations within these counties. This is about 7-10 days ahead of previous years. If you see wilting or dead plants in your field, be sure to find larvae on the affected plant or nearby. Plants infected with phytophthora can produce similar symptoms.

Last Friday, three adults were captured from the current year’s soybean field in Lancaster County, NE, indicating the start of the 1st generation. The emergence of adults from the current year’s soybean field typically doesn’t occur until late June or early July.

With the exception of late-planted soybean, most soybean fields in east-central NE are at the R1 stage. Field studies conducted over two years at the Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center near Mead, NE, showed that when soybean gall midge that had access to soybean after the R1 stage, they were unable to cause significant yield losses.

Larval presence or wilting/dead plants have not been reported in Iowa, South Dakota, or Minnesota.



NeFU Praises DOJ Expanded Enforcement of Anti-Trust and Competition Issues

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) welcomes the decision of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to expand its Chicago office and increase its staffing dedicated to civil and criminal enforcement in the agricultural sector.

According to Michael Kades, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ, the focus will be to better address agricultural antitrust, competition and fairness issues within agricultural supply chains.  This expanded focus mirrors President Biden’s historic July 9, 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.

NeFU President John Hansen says the President’s follow through on his Executive Order on competition has been impressive in the fact that many different government agencies and departments are now helping implement long overdue anti-trust and competition actions.

“I believe National Farmers Union’s (NFU) “Fairness for Farmers” campaign has played a very helpful and influential role in putting farmers and ranchers at the discussion table with agency and department staff and officials so they could better understand how badly marketplace reforms are needed,” Hansen said. “I am proud of our members. They do a great job of communicating and explaining their situations.”

Hansen said, “For the past several years, at the annual September Fly-In, in addition to meeting with House and Senate Members and their staff, NFU members have held extremely productive meetings with the Federal Trade Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, USDA, and the Justice Department among others. Those meetings have produced ongoing engagement with NFU members. I think our expanded engagement with those agencies and departments has been beneficial for all parties involved.”

Hansen praised the efforts of National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew and the NFU staff for their innovation and hard work in setting up all these extra meetings. “Good communication is a two-way street. In this case, I believe all parties have learned a great deal. It is encouraging that our federal agencies are listening, and then responding with concrete steps and action. Our Farmers Union members more than held up their end of the bargain to get involved and advocate on behalf of their interests.”



Nebraska Farmers Union Foundation Announced It Received a Highest Ever 16% Match from the Lincoln Community Foundation for This Year’s Give to Lincoln Campaign

The Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) Foundation announced it received its highest percentage match ever from the Lincoln Community Foundation during the Give to Lincoln annual campaign.  The 16% match contributed an additional $457.50 to the foundation’s coffers. The match brings this year’s total to $3,307.37.  NeFU Foundation had already raised $2,849.87 from twenty-three donors this year.

A total of 463 total non-profits registered for this year’s “Give to Lincoln” campaign that ran from May 1st through May 30th. NeFU Foundation ranked #266 on the leaderboard in donations received.

NeFU Foundation President Jeff Kirkpatrick said “All contributions that help us grow our endowment are welcome, and put to good use. The larger our endowment, the more resources are available to support our programs. The 16% match from the Lincoln Community Foundation highlights the benefits of Foundation supporters to make contributions during the Give to Lincoln campaign. That extra 16% is a nice bonus in our efforts to support the good works our Foundation does.”
 
NeFU Foundation Secretary John Hansen said “Our Foundation has grown from a $5,000 check that George Paulson from Dakota City gave to then NeFU District 7 Director John Goeller in 1986.  Bit by bit, check by check, supporters have expanded the Foundation’s ability to support family farm agriculture. Thanks to those who went before us, our endowment continues to grow in size and scope of services as we strive to serve family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities with programs and services. We need more families to remember NeFU in their estate planning. We thank the Lincoln Community Foundation and all our donors for their generosity. It is deeply appreciated.”

Contributions to the NeFU Foundation can either be designated for general support, or as a memorial to someone in the Farmers Union family.  All donations are put into principal where the investment earnings only are used to support programming to support family farm, ranch, and rural families while maintaining a growing permanent endowment.



Howard named Center for Rural Affairs Farm and Community director

Bobbi Howard has been hired to serve Nebraska and southwest Iowa as Farm and Community director with the Center for Rural Affairs.

Howard comes from a background in workforce development. She supervised field offices across the state as an administrator at the Nebraska Department of Labor and has experience working with nonprofit organizations. Sandra Renner, chief people officer with the Center, said Howard’s experience helps make her the right person to lead the Farm and Community team.

“Bobbi shares the Center's passion for rural people, access to resources, and equity,” said Renner. “She brings insights about workforce needs and the skills people require to achieve their goals, as well as barriers rural people face in accessing and understanding the resources available. Her ability to weave those themes in her team's work in rural communities across Nebraska and southwest Iowa makes her an excellent addition to the Center.”

Howard aims to get out into rural communities and see the efforts the Center is making firsthand.

“Supporting rural America is so important to a strong economy,” Howard said. “We work to support communities to ensure they have the schools, resources, infrastructure, and an environment that attracts young families to keep these towns thriving. The team is already doing such great things. I hope to help further that work and expand our focus as appropriate to ensure our efforts have the greatest impact.”

Howard is based out of the Center’s main office in Lyons. Reach her at 402.687.2100, ext. 1014, or bobbih@cfra.org.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

Nebraska egg production during May totaled 216 million eggs, up from 196 million in 2023. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,540 eggs, compared to 2,475 eggs in 2023. All layers in Nebraska during May 2024 totaled 8.50 million, up from 7.90 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

IOWA: Iowa egg production during May 2024 was 1.19 billion eggs, up 4 percent from the previous May, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during May 2024 was 45.1 million, up slightly from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for May was 2,639, up 4 percent from a year ago.

May Egg Production Down 2 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.10 billion during May 2024, down 2 percent from last year. Production included 7.81 billion table eggs, and 1.30 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.20 billion were broiler-type and 99.7 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during May 2024 totaled 372 million, down 3 percent from last year. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,450 eggs, up 1 percent from May 2023.
                                    
Total layers in the United States on June 1, 2024 totaled 371 million, down 3 percent from last year. The 371 million layers consisted of 306 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 61.7 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.83 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on June 1, 2024, averaged 78.9 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from June 1, 2023.



BBQ competition winners from NW Iowa donate prize money to flood victims
    
One of the winning teams at Saturday’s BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark competition plans to donate all their earnings to help their neighbors in northwest Iowa who are dealing with severe flooding. A panel of celebrity judges chose Big Al’s Smokin Good BBQ from Le Mars as the winner for best Pork Butt. Big Al’s also won second place in the Pork Rib category, earning a total of $1,100.

Allen Devos and his team members are from northwest Iowa, where local communities were severely impacted by flooding.

“We all made it home Saturday night, but it was an adventure. At one point we were one mile from our house but had to drive another 60 miles to get home because of blocked and flooded roads,” Devos said Monday morning. “As a team we donated all our $1,100 in winnings to the flood victims.”

The Iowa Pork Producers Association will match that donation to assist flood victims in northwest Iowa.

Devos and his team are also going to be helping feed people impacted by the floods, and those pitching in to help.

“We are pulling out all the smokers and setting up in Rock Valley to feed the residents and volunteers pork loin sandwiches. The destruction in Rock Valley is just unimaginable,” Devos added.

While accepting his team’s award in the celebrity competition on Saturday, Devos said he would be retiring as head pit master of the Big Al’s Smokin Good BBQ team. He hopes to return to BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark next year in a reduced role, as a member of a team.

The 2nd annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark, held Saturday at Principal Park in Des Moines, raised more than $20,000 to benefit food banks in the state. Iowans from all over the state spent an afternoon consuming delicious Iowa pork while 30 backyard barbecue teams were competing for more than $10,000 in cash prizes. The Iowa Pork Producers Association partnered with the Iowa Cubs to organize the event.  

The team of Heavy & Sweaty BBQ from Washington, Iowa was the big winner Saturday. They earned the Grand Champion award and placed in the top five in multiple categories.

“It’s awesome what Iowa pork producers do for the state,” said Heavy & Sweaty BBQ team member Jeran Courtney. “Keep up the good work. We’ve got buddies that farm and farming is a big part of what this is all about. We think giving back to the food banks of Iowa is a great thing to do as well.”

Team Nobody from Owatonna, MN claimed the Reserve Champion prize, and first place for best Pork Ribs.  

The Community Choice Credit Union team from Urbandale was the judges’ top choice for best Pork Loin.

6-Pack and a Rack from Marshalltown claimed first place for best Pork Butt from the judges and in the People’s Choice competition. Smoke Daddy’s BBQ from Grimes placed first for best Pork Loin in the People’s Choice competition.  Each People’s Choice winner picked up $1,500 and a $1,500 donation will be made to their food pantries of choice.

“It was a great turnout, even better than last year,” said Rod Leman, chair of the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s promotions committee. “We had plenty of great Iowa barbecue and everybody got more than enough to eat. The competitors here were fantastic. They’re great folks and we love them.”

Berkwood Farms donated all the pork for the barbecue competition and Fareway Stores provided numerous resources as well. Smokey D’s BBQ handed out numerous pork loin sandwiches for attendees.



Cattle on Feed
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

Heading into the June Cattle on Feed report, the average trade expectation was for a slight decrease in the total on feed, with no analyst expecting an increase. Marketings were expected to be unchanged from last year. Placements were expected to be lower, with little consensus about the level. After the markets closed last Friday the report came out showing the on-feed total at 11.6 million head, unchanged from a year ago. Overall, this is bearish news for nearby cattle contracts and bullish news for deferred months.

Placements were the surprising aspect, coming in well-above last year and above the high end of trade expectations. The placements were up sharply in Nebraska and Texas, states with relatively lower marketings. There was no pattern in placement weights as all classes were above year ago levels. The on-feed totals are relatively high in the smaller feedlot states compared to last year. The marketings were very close to last year. Cross-referencing the tally with last Thursday’s Livestock Slaughter report shows the total number of cattle slaughtered in May was lower than in 2023. However, the number of steers and heifers slaughtered was up slightly. The reduced total was entirely because of sharply lower cow slaughter. Carcass weights were sharply higher across classes compared to last May.

Will the seasonal decline in on-feed numbers occur this year? Generally, a lower level of placements is common in June and July, followed by lower on-feed levels in August and September. Compared to last year, range and pasture conditions for the U.S. are better than a year ago. The conditions are relatively poor in the extreme southwest U.S. with no major patterns elsewhere. Corn prices are sharply lower too. Thus, the feed constraints from last year have loosened. There are also fewer replacement feeders to draw from. Thus, fewer placements for the rest of summer can be expected.

This coming Friday is the June Acreage report. Hay will probably not receive much attention, but it remains a key input for cattle. Hay stocks as of May 1 were up sharply from last year. Having adequate feed is a necessary condition for expansion. Earlier this year producers expected to harvest 51.6 million acres of hay in the U.S. in 2024. While down slightly from last year, the expected level exceeds the total expected for recent years. Acres above the prospective level would be a sign of expansion plans. The ten-year average hay yield for the U.S. is 2.4 tons per acre. That would result in production of 124 million tons, which would exceed the 2023 production total of 119 million tons. Thus, any acreage figure close to last year would likely generate the tons needed to keep prices reasonable. The Acreage report will give a breakout by type too. To refine a production forecast, the ten-year yields for alfalfa and other hay are 3.3 and 2.0 tons per acre nationally.