Wednesday July 17 Ag News

 MID SEASON FORAGE CHECK
- Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

As we move through midsummer, it’s time to evaluate our forage situation, even if we are a bit busy. Depending on your location, meadow hay harvest might be starting, you could be on your second cutting of alfalfa, or preparing to cut warm-season annual crops soon.

Now is a great time to assess your forage inventory. Most perennial grasses have completed their growth, and multiple alfalfa cuttings should be done. Even if not all meadow hay and summer annuals are harvested, we can estimate our total yield for the year.

Ask yourself: Does our current yield meet our winter feed needs? If not, consider options like late planting of summer annuals or fall forages like oats for grazing. Be cautious with plantings for fall hay harvests however, due to drying challenges.

If you have excess hay, consider how to best manage it. Whether selling or storing, prevent quality loss by keeping hay dry. Store it under a roof or tarp if possible, elevate it from the ground, line bales with the topography and sun, and ensure good airflow around bales to maintain quality.

Finally, if you haven’t done so, send in hay samples for quality testing. Hay quality varies year-to-year, even from the same field. Testing helps us match hay to livestock needs or set appropriate selling prices.

Assessing forage stores now, while plants are still growing and hay is being harvested, helps close forage gaps, manage surplus, and ensure quality use later.



Soybean Farmers Encouraged to Vote in Nebraska Soybean Board Elections

The July election ballots for Districts 1 and 3 on the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) have been mailed to soybean farmers residing in those districts. Each district ballot contains important information that will make the voting process easy to complete and return.

Qualified soybean farmers living in Districts 1 or 3 are encouraged to consider the following candidates, who are seeking votes for a position on the Board. Voters will have the opportunity to learn about the candidates and their reasons for seeking representation on the Board. Those who have not received a ballot should call 402-564-5827 to request one. Ballots must be postmarked by July 31, 2024, to count.

District 1 Candidates (Counties of Antelope, Boyd, Cedar, Holt, Knox, Madison and Pierce.)
    Anne Meis – Elgin, NE – Antelope County (incumbent)
    Mike Korth – Randolph, NE – Cedar County

District 3 Candidates (Counties of Butler, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington.)
    Ruth Ready – Scribner, NE – Dodge County (incumbent)
    Jay Hanson – Mead, NE – Saunders County

"Active participation in NSB elections ensures that farmers have a direct impact on the future of the soybean industry in Nebraska," said Andy Chvatal, NSB executive director. "Electing fellow farmers to the Board means placing trust in leaders who are committed to managing checkoff dollars wisely and effectively for the benefit of all soybean growers in the state."

Farmer biographies and additional election information can be accessed here https://nebraskasoybeans.org/newsroom/articles-and-press-releases/category/articles/article/2024/07/your-voting-guide-for-the-2024-nebraska-soybean-board-elections.

The other position available in 2024 was District 6. Mike Tomes ran unopposed in District 6; therefore, no election will be held and he will retain the position.

Election results for Districts 1 and 3 will be announced in August.



Influencers Gain Valuable Insight Through Nebraska Beef Tour

Dietitians, retailer meat category managers and online beef suppliers were guests on the Beef Experience Tour hosted by the Nebraska Beef Council June 24-26. The tour attendees were visitors from states across the country including New York, Michigan, Connecticut and Nebraska. The tour was offered to help educate attendees on the various segments of the beef community and how farmers and ranchers work together to raise quality beef products.   

“The guests on our tour work with beef products every day but don’t necessarily have the background on how beef is raised,” said Adam Wegner, director of marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. “They are also influencers because of their ability to share their experience and knowledge through their communication with consumers. By giving them this first-hand experience, we hope that they can help us share the story of beef production and build consumer confidence in our products.”   

The tour started with a visit to Switzer Ranch near Burwell where the group learned about the beginning stage of beef production on a cow/calf ranch including the use of genetics to improve efficiency and beef quality. From there, the group toured Adams Land & Cattle, a 125,000 head feedyard outside of Broken Bow. At the feedyard the attendees learned about the feeding process, animal care, and the use of technology to reduce the resources needed to feed cattle to their finish weight.   

“Visiting Adams Land and Cattle was an amazing experience, and I am humbled by the opportunity to get to learn how they utilize data with all the variables that affect feeding cattle such as the weather, the economy, and feed costs,” said Jesus Pedraza, a meat and poultry merchant at Fresh Direct in Bronx, New York. “I am grateful for the time that everyone took from their daily activities to help us better understand not only the life cycle of cattle, but of the integral part Nebraska plays in feeding the world.”         

The tour continued with a visit to Trampe Farms, a multi-generation crop farm near Riverdale to learn about corn production and how 40% of Nebraska’s corn crop is used for livestock feed.   

The final stop was a tour of Tyson Fresh Meats, a 4,600 head per day harvesting facility in Lexington. The group watched the harvest process and carcass breakdown resulting in boxed beef ready for shipment around the world.   

“There’s really no better place to tell the story of how beef is raised than right here in Nebraska,” said Wegner. “We have the ideal natural resources, access to quality feed, the processing facilities, and generations of passionate people who are dedicated to raising high-quality beef.”   

 Nebraska ranks 2nd in total cattle numbers with 6.25 million head in January of 2024. The total red meat production from Nebraska in 2023 surpassed 7.6 billion pounds according to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.



Dietetic Students Tour Briggs Feedyard

The farm tour for dietetic intern students was a collaboration with the Nebraska Beef Council and Midwest Dairy featuring 18 dietetic intern students and 4 UNL Nutrition Education Program (NEP) staff. We took the group to Briggs Feedyard in Seward where we started with a discussion on ruminants’ unique ability to upcycle grass and forages to a high-quality, complete protein, while expanding that into the feeding sector’s overall impact throughout the beef lifecycle and industry.

While at the feedyard the students got to handle a ration, learn about feedstuffs and the use of by-products, and experienced the emphasis on cattle care and comfort throughout the day.  The feedyard provided students with a unique opportunity to not just discuss, but truly see first-hand the circular resource economy of how water, crops, and recycled nutrients in manure are utilized for beneficial land management practices in efficiently and effectively feeding cattle.  

These tours are important for dietitians and health professionals in providing a direct connection to how cattle are responsibly raised for beef production and allow them to be true experts in their field on the topic of ‘responsible nutrition’. Our goal is to equip these students with the knowledge and experience to accurately and thoughtfully respond to beef’s strong nutritional value, sustainable environmental practices and responsible production.



Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshops to Offer Updates on Leasing Practices, Succession, and More

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability will present a 2024 landlord/tenant cash rent workshop at seven locations in central and eastern Nebraska between Aug. 13 and Sept. 4.

The workshop will cover current Nebraska cash rental rates and land values, best practices for agricultural leases, and other contract considerations. The meeting will also include financial considerations for farm succession and transition and offer an opportunity for those in attendance to have their leasing questions answered.

Agricultural economists Anastasia Meyer and Jim Jansen will lead the presentation. Both are with the Center for Agricultural Profitability.

The meetings are free to attend and will include refreshments or a meal. Registration is required.

More information about cash rental rates, leasing and farm and ranch transition can be found on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu.

Dates and Locations:
Aug. 13 in Grand Island: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension in Hall County, College Park, 3180 U.S. 34. Register by Aug. 12 at 308-385-5088. Sponsored by Farmers National.

Aug. 15 in Fremont: 1-4 p.m., at the office of Nebraska Extension in Dodge County, 1206 W. 23rd St. Register by Aug. 14 at 402-727-2775. Sponsored by People’s Company.

Aug. 20 in Nebraska City: 1-4 p.m. at Kimmel Orchard, 5995 G Road. Register by Aug. 19 at 402-269-2301. Sponsored by Peoples Company.

Aug. 22 in Lincoln: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the office of Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A. Register by Aug. 21 at 402-441-7180. Sponsored by NextAg Appraisal & Realty.

Aug. 27 in Columbus: 1-4 p.m. at the office of Nebraska Extension in Platte County, 2715 13th St. Register by Aug. 26 at 402-563-4901. Sponsored by Zag Land Company.

Aug. 28 in Fairbury: 1-4 p.m. at Heartland Bank, 423 5th St. Register by Aug. 27 at 402-729-3487.

Sept. 4 in Omaha: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the office of Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, 8015 W. Center Road. Register by Sept. 3 at 402-444-7804. Sponsored by Peoples Company



Ag land management webinar to offer the latest on cash rents, lease arrangements for 2024

The latest trends in 2024 Nebraska cash rental rates and issues related to landlord and tenant communication 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 Aug 19.

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

The August webinar will cover recent findings from the 2024 Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report, including updates on average cash rental rates and land values and trends in flexible cash lease arrangements. The session will conclude with an “Ask the Experts” session, allowing participants to get live answers to their land or lease questions.

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 at Nebraska. 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.



Forage Specialist Shares Advice on Assessment and Recovery Following Flooding

Iowa has had a wide range of weather in the past few weeks, with areas of extreme flooding in the northwest part of the state. As the waters begin to recede, there are many considerations people are making. In this article, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach forage specialist Shelby Gruss provides some steps producers should take to evaluate the damage.

“Damage may vary depending on how long the forage was submerged, the species and the amount of sediment deposits," she said. "It is essential to document and report damages.”

Officials have announced that producers impacted by the flooding will be eligible for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for feed and grazing losses. Baled hay and purchased hay losses can be covered under ELAP. However, the program will not cover hay that was cut and on the ground, or hay that has yet to be harvested. Once you can assess the damage, contact your local Farm Service Agency office.

Gruss said it's important for producers to evaluate their pastures as soon as possible to assess damage, debris and silt deposits, and to continue monitoring the recovery of forage stands in the following weeks.

She offered the following recommendations for assessing conditions of pastures, hayfields and stored forages, and planning for possible next steps.

Pasture health
First, walk through pastures to clear any debris that could be dangerous to livestock. Inspect and repair fencing and water systems. Ensure you have clean water before allowing animals back on the pastures.

Animal health considerations include ash content and microbe contamination on forage. Do not allow animals back on pastures for at least a couple of weeks to prevent microbial contamination. Floodwaters may have carried contaminants from sewage treatment plants, manure piles, potentially liquid manure holding ponds and other contaminations onto your forage. Delaying turnout will allow the microbe populations to diminish and it will give time for the pasture to dry out some to avoid pugging up the pasture.

Sediment deposits can be a large concern that can cause damage to the stands and, if grazed too early, could be detrimental to the health of livestock. Sand and silt deposited on the plants will increase the ash content of the forage. Increased ash content on the forage can impact livestock performance. Although horses are particularly susceptible to sand, some extra steps may be needed to ensure the health of the horses.

Forage species survival will depend on flooding length of time, how much of the plant was submerged, sediment deposits and species. Many perennial forages can withstand flooding for up to a few days to weeks and with water receding now, many could recover. Stand assessments should be completed. Conduct stand assessments to check for root damage; dark-colored, mushy and water-soaked roots are unlikely to recover. Examine for regrowth from crowns and tillers. Some legumes, particularly alfalfa, are susceptible to flooding and damage to the stand can occur quickly.

Sediment deposited on the stands not only potentially affects animals but also stand survival. Sediment deposit of more than 2 inches can smother the plants, leading to stand losses, and mechanical removal will help reduce stand losses. Perennial forage plants can typically produce new growth with less than 2 inches of deposit, but be sure to check for crusting. Crusting inhibits plant regrowth and light tillage can help stimulate regrowth.

Alfalfa hayfields  
Checking alfalfa damage should occur approximately a month after flooding. Alfalfa is of large concern because it does not tolerate flooding for very long, and alfalfa fields could have sustained substantial damage. Check the alfalfa roots 6 inches deep, and look for browning, soft roots, water-soaked appearance or rotted-off roots. These are symptoms of root rot, such as phytophthora root rot, which may necessitate replanting the stand. Flooding on CRP ground.

Silt deposits in alfalfa fields will cause similar problems as in pastures. Large amounts of silt deposits (2-3 inches) can weaken the stand, and these areas may need to be reestablished. However, be aware of reestablishing stands that are older than a year due to autotoxicity.
Stored forage

Pastures and hayfields are not the only forages that can be affected. Stored forage, hay and silage can be impacted as well. All stored feed impacted by the flood can be contaminated with sand, silt and microbe populations. Dry bales in flooded areas greater than 1 foot deep for longer than a day should be disposed of. Hay exposed to less than 1 foot of flooding may have areas that are still safe to feed. Hay kept in barns that were flooded should be removed immediately to avoid heating and spontaneous combustion. Individually wrapped sealed bales may be safe to feed, but inline-wrapped bales with open ends may be affected throughout the line and must be assessed for damage and visible silt. For silage piles that have already undergone fermentation, assess the smell and color. Dispose of forage that is obviously contaminated with sediment or has off-coloring and smell.

Be sure to document all losses, including the types and sizes of bales, for records and reports of losses.

What’s next: emergency forages and grazing
Delaying grazing allows for shoot regrowth and replenishment of carbohydrate reserves. For pastures with less than 70% damage, allow one to two months of recovery before grazing. Moderately damaged pastures, where 40-70% stand is still healthy, may require two to three months to recover fully. Additionally, weed management may be needed. Stand that acquired more significant damage should be considered for stand renovation to replant and could take up to a year for recovery.

There is still time to plant other forage options. For more details, refer to the article “Forage Options with Prevented Planting Fields.” (https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2024/06/forage-options-prevented-planting-fields-0) Talk with your FSA agent about any replant restrictions. Extension beef specialists and field agronomists are ready to assist with your questions and concerns.



Synovex® Primer™ Implants Now Available for Dry Lot Cattle

Zoetis announced today that Synovex® Primer™ is now available for cattle producers who need to increase weight gain in growing beef steers or heifers in the dry lot production phase. The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) approved Synovex Primer earlier this year, along with an updated label indication for Synovex Choice® in the dry lot.

Synovex Primer is a low-dose combination product with 50 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA) and 7 mg of estradiol benzoate. Research demonstrated that Synovex Primer significantly increased average daily gain at 2.47 lbs./head/day (p = 0.0016) when compared with the sham implanted group at 2.21 lbs./head/day over the course of the 90-day study.1

“The addition of Synovex Primer to our implant portfolio gives producers options in the dry lot space,” said Bryan Bernhard, PhD, nutritionist with Zoetis beef strategic technical services. “From dry lot to pasture to confined feeding operations, the portfolio of Synovex implants allows beef producers to dial-in the dose of TBA over the animal's lifetime and choose a Synovex implant that matches the available nutrition and performance goals.”