Monday July 29 Ag News

 Southern Rust Spreading in Eastern Nebraska
Tamra Jackson-Ziems - Extension Plant Pathologist

In recent days, southern rust has been confirmed in more than a dozen counties in eastern Nebraska. Southern rust is patchy at local levels in affected counties. Meaning it’s easy to find across some fields, but seemingly not present (yet?) in other nearby fields within a handful of miles. This distribution pattern is common for southern rust early after it moves into the state. If weather conditions remain favorable, southern rust will likely continue to worsen within fields and continue to spread within and between fields and to more counties. This year it is especially important to scout corn fields for disease and monitor spread of potential disease threats.

There are few notable elevated risk factors for southern rust damage this year:
    Southern rust development and presence in several eastern Nebraska counties during the week of July 15 was earlier and more widespread than documented in recent history. Southern rust has rarely developed in northern Nebraska during July historically, so it may be unexpected in northern Nebraska and some other areas.
    This year, there is a wide range of planting dates with many Nebraska corn acres planted later (or replanted) due to the wet conditions this spring. Later planting and cooler growing conditions have slowed crop growth and development in some parts of the state, where some corn is still in vegetative growth stages. Development of southern rust in these fields, especially those that are pre-tassel or in early grain fill stages, creates increased risk for impact on yield later if disease severity continues to increase.
    Favorable disease conditions. Recent and frequent rainfall and high relative humidity are optimal for most fungal pathogens, like the one causing southern rust, Puccinia polysora. Average temperatures around 80°F are also optimal for the fungus and are expected to continue.

Southern rust may be confused with common rust, that is also present in many Nebraska corn fields this year. Common rust is of lesser concern and rarely requires treatment in dent corn because of a natural level of resistance that is common in commercial hybrids. But differentiating common rust from southern rust can be difficult due to similarities in their appearance. The color of some common rust pustules  appeared more orange than the typical brick red/brown, making them appear more similar to southern rust this year and more difficulty to differentiate.

Management
Unfortunately, only a few commercially available corn hybrids are resistant to southern rust. However, some foliar fungicides can provide good disease control if their application is well-timed. The publication “Fungicide Efficacy Ratings for Control of Corn Diseases” summarizes product ratings by disease based on research results conducted at universities for several years. These fungicide efficacy ratings are also summarized in the disease management section of the Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska (EC130), distributed to those with the Nebraska pesticide applicator license.

Most foliar fungicides provide maximum protection for about three weeks following application. Thus, applications made prior to disease development may mean that the window of protection is lost or diminished before disease develops. However, the products are also less likely to provide adequate control and economic return if waiting to apply until after disease is already widespread and severe. Thus, regular scouting of fields is strongly recommended this year to familiarize yourself with the disease(s) that are present, their spread, and increasing severity.

The Crop Protection Network now provides the Corn Fungicide ROI Calculator as a guide to estimate return on investment (ROI) with application of several commercially available products based on disease severity, product costs, commodity price and other parameters.  



2023 FARM PRODUCTION EXPENDITURES DOWN 1%

Farm and ranch production expenditures for Nebraska totaled $28.5 billion in 2023, down 1% from a year earlier, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Livestock expenses, the largest expenditure category, at $7.59 billion, increased 11% from 2022. Feed, the next largest total expense category at $3.45 billion, decreased 24% from 2022. Rent, the third largest expense category, at $2.74 billion, decreased 7% from 2022.

Livestock expenses accounted for 27% of Nebraska's total production expenditures. Feed accounted for 12, rent 10, and farm services 8%. The total expenditures per farm or ranch in Nebraska averaged $632,556 in 2023, down 2% from 2022. The Livestock expense category was the leading expenditure, at $168,667 per operation, 5.72 times the national average. The average feed expenditure, at $76,667, was 1.81 times the national average. Rent expenditures, at $60,889 per operation, were 3.31 times the national average. Farm services expenditures per operation, at $52,000, were 1.80 times the national average.

These results are based on data from Nebraska farmers and ranchers who participated in the
Agricultural Resource Management Survey conducted by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers were contacted in January through April to collect 2023 farm and ranch expenses.

IOWA: Iowa farm production expenditures totaled $37.9 billion in 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Farm Production Expenditures 2023 Summary report. This was $2.69 billion above the 2022 total expenditures. Feed expense, up 10 percent to $8.04 billion, represented the largest single production expense in Iowa in 2023, accounting for 21 percent of the total. Livestock, Poultry, and Related Purchases, up 5 percent to $5.00 billion, was the second largest expense and accounted for 13 percent of total expenditures. Rent expense was up 5 percent to $4.37 billion and accounted for 12 percent of the total. The largest percentage increases from last year were for Miscellaneous Capital Expenses (up 100 percent), Tractors and Self-Propelled Farm Machinery (up 51 percent), Interest (up 27 percent), and Trucks and Autos (up 26 percent). The largest percentage decreases from last year were for Fuel (down 12 percent), and Fertilizer, Lime, and Soil Conditioners (down 5 percent).

2023 United States Total Farm Production Expenditure Highlights
Farm production expenditures in the United States are estimated at $481.9 billion for 2023, up from $452.5 billion in 2022. The 2023 total farm production expenditures are up 6.5 percent compared with 2022 total farm production expenditures.

The four largest expenditures at the United States level total $238.7 billion and account for 49.6 percent of total expenditures in 2023. These include feed, 16.6 percent, livestock, poultry, and related expenses, 11.6 percent, farm services, 11.3 percent, and labor, 10.1 percent.

In 2023, the United States total farm expenditure average per farm is $255,047, up 12.4 percent from $226,885 in 2022. On average, United States farm operations spent $42,340 on feed, $29,479 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, $28,844 on farm services, and $25,669 on labor. For 2022, United States farms spent an average of $41,917 on feed, $24,669 on farm services, $22,563 on livestock, poultry, and related expenses, and $21,109 on labor.

Total fuel expense is $16.5 billion. Diesel, the largest sub-component, is $10.9 billion, accounting for 66.1 percent. Diesel expenditures are down 4.4 percent from the previous year. Gasoline is $2.8 billion, down 5.7 percent. LP gas is $1.8 billion, down 15.5 percent. Other fuel is $1 billion, unchanged.

The United States economic sales class contributing most to the 2023 United States total expenditures is the $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 class, with expenses of $172 billion, 35.7 percent of the United States total, up 15.6 percent from the 2022 level of $148.7 billion. The next highest is the $5,000,000 and over class with $147.6 billion, up 9.4 percent from $134.9 billion in 2022.

In 2023, crop farms expenditures increased to $252.5 billion, up 8.2 percent, while livestock farms expenditures increased to $229.4 billion, up 4.7 percent. The largest expenditures for crop farms are labor at $36.1 billon (14.3 percent), farm services at $32.1 billion (12.7 percent), fertilizer, lime, and soil conditioners at $31.0 billion (12.3 percent), and rent at $29.7 billion (11.8 percent). Combined crop inputs (chemicals, fertilizers, and seeds) are $75.1 billion, accounting for 29.7 percent of crop farms total expenses. The largest expenditures for livestock farms are feed at $77.7 billion (33.9 percent of total), livestock, poultry, and related expenses at $53.6 billion (23.4 percent), and farm services at $22.4 billion (9.8 percent). Together, these line items account for 67.1 percent of livestock farms total expenses. The average total expenditure for a crop farm is $298,017 compared to $220,113 per livestock farm.



Hands-on Solar Design and Installation Workshop Set for Aug. 15-16

In partnership with Dixon Power Systems, Nebraska Extension is hosting a solar design and installation workshop on Thursday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 16.

Open to the public, the workshop will cover basic solar design, installation and economic analysis of grid-connected behind the meter solar PV systems. Additionally, there will be a brief introduction to battery systems. Both classroom and hands-on sessions will step through the process of evaluation through installation. This workshop will be valuable for people interested in exploring a DIY project or gaining knowledge to evaluate the feasibility of having a project installed at their home.

The workshop will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT each day at 102 Splinter Labs, UNL East Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Those interested in attending should register online by Friday, Aug. 2. https://web.cvent.com/event/931ec47d-a852-4d77-82aa-392c7375986a/summary  The workshop is $250 for an individual, $350 for a married couple, and $220 for students.

For more information, contact F. John Hay at (402) 472-0408.



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for August 2024

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in August. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.
Clinic Dates

    Wednesday, Aug. 7 — Fairbury
    Wednesday, Aug. 28 — Norfolk
    Wednesday, Aug. 29 — Valentine

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Team webinar on August 21 will be an alfalfa update and overview

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team monthly webinar series continues Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Amber Friedrichsen with Hay & Forage Grower will give an overview of alfalfa growing conditions, harvest conditions, and forage test results so far this year. She will discuss how rainfall, temperatures, and pest management have affected alfalfa yield and quality throughout the growing season and summarize accounts from area farmers, custom forage harvesters, and forage consultants.

Amber Friedrichsen is the new managing editor of Hay & Forage Grower magazine. She grew up on a farm in eastern Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University in 2023 with degrees in agricultural communications and agronomy. While in college, Friedrichsen served as the editorial intern for Hay & Forage Grower for two summers and was an associate editor before assuming her current position.

Producers, dairy consultants, and industry representatives are encouraged to attend the free webinar from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on August 21 by registering at least one hour prior to the webinar at https://go.iastate.edu/ALFALFA2024.

For more information, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Specialist in your area: in Northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in Northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in East Central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu; in Ames, Dr. Gail Carpenter, 515-294-9085 or ajcarpen@iastate.edu.



Biofuel Leaders Respond to Court Decision on Small Refinery Exemptions

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today issued an order vacating most of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2022 denials of petitions for small refinery exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard obligations, and remanding those petitions to EPA for further proceedings. The court’s opinion remains under seal and is unavailable for public review.

The following is a joint statement from the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy and the American Coalition for Ethanol, all of whom intervened on EPA’s behalf in the litigation:

“We are extremely disappointed in today’s decision to vacate and remand EPA’s denial of dozens of small refinery exemption petitions. EPA’s decision in 2022 to deny the petitions was well-reasoned, based on sound economic analysis, and consistent with both the Clean Air Act and the objectives of the Renewable Fuel Standard. We will evaluate our next steps, which may include seeking further review of today’s decision. Our coalition remains resolute and committed to protecting and defending the proper implementation of the RFS.”



NFU ENCOURAGED BY SENATE PROGRESS TO STRENGTHEN DOJ ANTITRUST DIVISION ACCESS TO RESOURCES

The Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday passed its Fiscal Year 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) funding bill, which included robust funding for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and restored a critical component of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act (MFFMA) that had been rescinded in the Fiscal Year 2024 funding bill.  

NFU is leading the fight to ensure the DOJ Antitrust Division has the resources it needs to promote fair and competitive markets in agriculture and across the American economy.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew expressed appreciation for the legislation: “We commend Chair Jeanne Shaheen and Ranking Member Jerry Moran for moving forward legislation that fully reinstates the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act and provides strong funding for the DOJ Antitrust Division. Corporate monopolies have been squeezing family farmers, ranchers, and our communities for decades, and we need a strong DOJ Antitrust Division that can fully enforce our nation’s competition laws. NFU looks forward to continuing to work with the Senate Appropriations Committee to empower the Antitrust Division to take on rampant monopoly power in agriculture and throughout our economy.”

The partisan FY25 House CJS Appropriations bill cuts funding for the DOJ Antitrust Division and fails to restore the MFFMA. In contrast, the bipartisan FY25 Senate CJS Appropriations bill did the opposite, strengthening funding for the division and restoring MFFMA to its originally intended purpose. NFU will continue advocating for Congress to adopt the Senate’s approach and fully fund the DOJ Antitrust Division and restore the MFFMA.  

Background:
Earlier this year when Congress passed legislation to keep the government open, the funding bill included a damaging policy rider that would hamper the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division’s ability to enforce our nation’s antitrust laws and promote fair, open, and competitive markets. The rider unraveled a key component of the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act (MFFMA), legislation that Congress passed in 2022 with overwhelming bipartisan support.  

Unfettered mergers and acquisitions in agriculture over the last several decades have squeezed American family farmers and ranchers. The MFFMA restructured premerger filing fees, raised fees for the largest mergers, and was intended to strengthen enforcement of our antitrust laws by providing additional funding to the DOJ Antitrust Division through increased access to the merger filing fees. The government funding bill in the spring of 2024 rescinded some of DOJ’s access to those filing fees, hampering DOJ’s antitrust efforts.

In recent years, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division had fewer employees than it did in 1979. Funding for federal antitrust agencies has failed to keep pace with overwhelming corporate consolidation in our economy, which harms family farmers, ranchers, and our communities. Under the Biden-Harris Administration and under the leadership of Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, the DOJ Antitrust Division is taking aggressive action to promote fair and competitive markets across many sectors of the American economy, including in agriculture. The MFFMA recission and inadequate funding would erode the important work happening at DOJ.