Wednesday July 24 Ag News

 MONDAL LAB PIONEERS RESEARCH INTO PEST-BORNE VIRAL INFECTIONS OF CEREAL CROPS

Just as hungry hordes of grasshoppers threatened fields during Nebraska’s pioneer era, certain mites and aphids these days pose a significant threat by transmitting viruses to cereal crops. Many gaps remain in the scientific understanding of that transmission, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in recent years has taken major steps to pioneer research on these issues.

To spearhead the effort, the university in 2023 hired Shaonpius Mondal, a scientist with deep experience in studying arthropods as virus vectors in agriculture, as an assistant professor of entomology.

Mondal and his team are pursuing multiple advanced research projects studying cereal viruses transmitted by wheat curl mites and aphids. (Aphids are classified as both arthropods and insects; mites are classified only as arthropods.)

Filling in this knowledge can provide a major help to agriculture by enabling more effective practices to contain the threats.

The effects from pest-borne viral infection can be catastrophic. In 2022, the U.S. wheat sector suffered nearly $66 million in losses due to wheat streak mosaic virus, a disease spread by the wheat curl mite.

Another disease transmitter is the bird-cherry oat aphid, a pest common in Nebraska. The aphid spreads barley yellow dwarf virus, a major disease threat to wheat and small grains crops in the U.S. and worldwide.

The research by Mondal and members of his lab is part of the university’s longstanding support for Nebraska’s wheat and cereal crop sector.

Mondal partners with Nebraska Extension to provide outreach on arthropod-borne plant diseases to producers across the state. His current collaborators include the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Lincoln and Wooster, Ohio, as well as the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Center for Virology, where he is an adjunct faculty member.

Mondal’s previous research experience in pest-vector studies included innovative projects in Idaho (University of Idaho), New York (Cornell University) and California (Agricultural Research Service). He is a member in leading academic societies and serves as an executive board member and treasurer in the International Association for the Plant Protection Sciences, which deals with plant protection issues globally.

Three main experiments are underway in Mondal’s lab:
> Aphids and barley yellow dwarf virus strain complex. Mritunjoy Barman, a postdoctoral research associate, is analyzing the BYDV strain composition present in Nebraska. BYDV-SGV is the most predominant viral strain, as revealed by a statewide wheat and oat leaf sampling. “We also sampled aphids, because aphids are the main vectors of these viruses,” Mondal said. The project has begun field experiments to compare wheat and barley cultivars to determine their susceptibility to a particular BYDV strain.

> Mites and High Plains wheat mosaic virus. Although present in Nebraska wheat fields, much of the virus’s biological and transmission details are unknown. A detailed understanding of virus transmission by the wheat curl mite would be a major help to wheat and corn growers. Sofiya Arora, a master’s student, is analyzing the virus-host and virus-vector interactions. She is studying the distribution of the High Plains virus within different wheat cultivars to understand the virus dynamics.

Her research also focuses on understanding the frequent mixed infections of crops by three mite-transmitted viral threats: Triticum mosaic virus, wheat streak mosaic virus and High Plains virus. It is striking that the High Plains virus recurs so prominently under field conditions, Mondal said.

To determine whether the High Plains virus is being transmitted with higher efficiency than the other two viruses, “we will do some transmission studies including those mixed infections,” he said. “We will prepare mixed infection in wheat plants, then use transmission assays using wheat curl mites to estimate differential transmission.”

> Virus-vector interactions. Nikhitha Gangavarapu, a doctoral student, is working to discover the scientific details of virus transmission by analyzing the microbiome in wheat curl mites.

It is notable that the mites suffer negative health effects when they are reared on plants infected with the Triticum mosaic virus, and at this point scientists don’t know why the mite is so affected, Mondal said. It could be that “the virus is doing some nutritional changes in the plant, or maybe the virus is encoding a viral toxic in the plant,” he said.

Gangavarapu’s research will seek answers on these virus-vector interactions.

Additional research tangents remain to be explored, and Mondal has several on his radar. Coinfection of plants by the barley yellow dwarf virus and cereal yellow dwarf viruses can cause severe harm to crops, for example, and much study is needed to understand the complex factors involved.

Mondal also is interested in studying bacteria in the mite microbiome to understand how they contribute to virus transmission. Once research fills in that scientific knowledge, he said, it might become possible to stop virus transmission using antibiotics.



NEBRASKA MILK PRODUCTION

Milk production in Nebraska during the April-June 2024 quarter totaled 318 million pounds, down 8% from the April-June quarter last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of milk cows was 51,000 head, 4,000 head less than the same period last year.

April-June Milk Production down 0.8 Percent
Milk production in the United States during the April - June quarter totaled 57.5 billion pounds, down 0.8 percent from the April - June quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.33 million head, 3,000 head less than the January - March quarter, and 76,000 head less than the same period last year.

June Milk Production down 0.8 Percent
Milk production in the 24 major States during June totaled 18.0 billion pounds, down 0.8 percent from June 2023. May revised production, at 18.8 billion pounds, was down 0.8 percent from May 2023. The May revision represented a decrease of 30 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,025 pounds for June, 8 pounds below June 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.89 million head, 37,000 head less than June 2023, but 2,000 head more than May 2024.

IOWA: Milk production in Iowa during June 2024 totaled 503 million pounds, up 1 percent from the previous June according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during June, at 243,000 head, was unchanged from last month but up 3,000 from June 2023. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,070 pounds, unchanged from last June.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

Nebraska egg production during June totaled 209 million eggs, up from 200 million in 2023. June egg production per 100 layers was 2,461 eggs, compared to 2,492 eggs in 2023. All layers in Nebraska during June 2024 totaled 8.50 million, up from 8.03 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

IOWA: Iowa egg production during June 2024 was 1.10 billion eggs, down 1 percent from the previous June, 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 June 2024 was 43.7 million, down 2 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for June was 2,518, up 1 percent from a year ago.

June Egg Production Down 2 Percent
United States egg production totaled 8.81 billion during June 2024, down 2 percent from last year. Production included 7.56 billion table eggs, and 1.25 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.15 billion were broiler-type and 96.7 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during June 2024 totaled 371 million, down 3 percent from last year. June egg production per 100 layers was 2,377 eggs, up 1 percent from June 2023.
                                    
Total layers in the United States on July 1, 2024 totaled 370 million, down 3 percent from last year. The 370 million layers consisted of 305 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 61.2 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.79 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on July 1, 2024, averaged 79.1 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from July 1, 2023.



U.S. Pork Industry Fuels American Jobs and Economic Growth: New Report Unveiled
 
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released a new economic contribution report detailing the significant impact America’s pig farmers have on the United States’ agricultural and overall economy. The report highlights the pork industry’s value chain contributions and trends in production and industry structure.
 
"America's pork industry is a vital pillar of our nation's agricultural economy, contributing over $62 billion annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country,” said NPPC President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minn. “Producers are committed to delivering wholesome, affordable, sustainable pork products that not only feed millions of families but also drive economic growth and innovation in rural communities."
 
Key takeaways in the report include:
    The pork industry supports an estimated 573,311 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in the United States.
    In 2023, more than 60,000 pig farms sold more than 149 million hogs worth over $27 billion in gross cash receipts.
    The U.S pork industry supports more than $37 billion in personal income and boosts economic activity in related services such as trucking, grain elevators, insurance, and other rural-based businesses.
    Approximately 25% of U.S. pork was exported abroad in 2023, amounting to nearly 7 billion pounds of pork valued at over $8 billion.  Pork exports help support more than 143,000 U.S. jobs.
    The pork industry generates significant economic activity through its purchase of inputs. Feed inputs, such as corn and soybean meal, account for an estimated 52% of total U.S. production costs with purchases valued at nearly $13 billion annually.

"Last year brought significant financial challenges for U.S. pork producers, marked by decreased gross cash receipts and a substantially higher average cost of production in 2023," said Holly Cook, NPPC economist. "Despite these hurdles, this report demonstrates that the pork industry remains a vital contributor to the nation's economy and a key player in global trade.”
 
For more pork industry economic data, visit: nppc.org/The-Pork-Industry.



New Study Showcases Corn Farming’s Contribution to the Economy

Corn growers were responsible for a $151 billion boost to the U.S. economy in 2023, according to a new report released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

The report, entitled NCGA Economic Contribution Study for 2023, looked at a number of ways in which corn growers shaped the economy, including  economic output, contributions to the gross domestic product, tax revenues, labor income and employment statistics.
 
“This report highlights the crucial role America’s corn growers play in our nation’s agricultural and economic value chain,” said NCGA Lead Economist Krista Swanson who authored the analysis. "The data show that growers remain deeply rooted in rural America where they serve as pillars of economic growth. They work to foster technological innovation, expand commercial opportunities, advance free trade, build the bioeconomy, and feed a hungry world.”

In 2023 U.S. corn farmers produced 15.3 billion bushels of corn, valued at $73.9 billion, across 289,382 farms dedicated to growing corn for grain, according to the report.

Corn grower production directly contributed $20.7 billion to the gross domestic product and provided $12 billion in labor wages and benefits.

The economic impact of corn farming extended across 524 different industry sectors in all 50 states, reinforcing its broad influence on the national economy.

The report comes as corn prices have dropped and corn growers face many challenges, including higher input costs, tariffs and some trade barriers. NCGA leaders say the report should serve as a reminder to policymakers that corn grower contributions are important.

“The data in this report illustrate the critical role farmers play in shaping the U.S. economy,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “Yet, we are facing many challenges that need to be addressed by America’s policymakers. Our message to Congress is to act on legislative and regulatory issues, like the farm bill, that will support our work.”

The study relied on IMPLAN, an economic analysis software, to calculate the direct, indirect, and induced impact of corn farming for grain production on the U.S. economy at the state and national level.



Department of Defense Backs Off Feeding Lab-Grown Protein

Yesterday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) confirmed that efforts to prevent ultra-processed, lab-grown protein from showing up in the diet of the American armed forces were successful, following news that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is not pursuing lab-grown protein projects for human consumption.

“NCBA was the first and only cattle group to uncover this stream of DoD funding that could go toward lab-grown protein projects, and we were the first and only group to fight back,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “After weeks of engaging with Congress and speaking out against this plan, we are thrilled to have DoD confirmation that lab-grown protein is not on the menu for our nation’s servicemembers. These men and women make the greatest sacrifices every day in service to our country and they deserve high-quality, nutritious, and wholesome food like real beef grown by American farmers and ranchers.”

NCBA has worked with agriculture allies in Congress to secure the introduction of several amendments to the Fiscal Year 2025 Defense Appropriations bill, National Defense Authorization Act, and Fiscal Year 2025 Agriculture Appropriations bill, aimed at preventing lab-grown protein from ever showing up on the plates of American servicemembers. Cattle producers appreciate the leadership of Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) in standing up for farmers, ranchers, and our military. NCBA also issued a statement drawing attention to these DoD grants and NCBA members also discussed their concerns with this plan in national media.

“The Department of Defense can and should be on the cutting edge of science, and we respect their work to investigate defense applications for new tools and technology. However, there’s a big difference between industrial or defense applications and the food we put in our bodies. U.S. farmers and ranchers are more than capable of meeting the military’s need for high-quality protein,” said NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes. “NCBA appreciates the DoD’s responsiveness on this issue, and we thank our allies in Congress, including Senator Fischer, Congressman Davidson, and Congressman Bacon, for quickly acting to ensure that only the most wholesome and unprocessed products end up on the plate for our servicemembers.”



Corn Grower Leader Testifies on Financial Conditions in Farm Country

A corn grower leader from Minnesota told the House Agriculture Committee yesterday that farmers in her state and across the country need the support of a reauthorized and strengthened farm bill. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn-affiliated associations are continuing to push for an improved farm bill this year.

“Unless conditions change, I believe we’re heading into a perfect storm, a storm that I don’t think will be fully appreciated until early next year when farmers try to get loans but are unable to do so because they cannot demonstrate the ability to cash flow,” Minnesota Corn Growers President Dana Allen-Tully, Ph.D., told the committee as she testified about the state of the agricultural economy.

While farmers can feed and fuel the economy, she said, they need a strong farm bill that will assist when the chips are down.

“We have to have policies in place that reflect the realities of farming today,” Allen-Tully said.  The stakes of farming are so incredibly high – higher than I ever remember them to be. We are putting everything we have on the line every single year for very thin and oftentimes negative margins.”

Both Allen-Tully and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle have published op-eds in recent weeks highlighting corn growers’ priorities and calling for action on the farm bill.

“The farm bill is so important to growers on every front,” Wolle wrote in a recent op-ed. “USDA programs are particularly crucial to open and cultivate foreign markets and for a safety net for farmers during hard economic times.”

Last week, NCGA took over 200 corn growers to Capitol Hill to push for action on the farm bill. While the House Agriculture Committee has marked up its version of the legislation, the Senate committee and both chambers need to come together to pass the bill into law.



Dairy Market Report - JULY 2024

Fluid milk, yogurt, butter and other than American-type cheese all posted positive annual growth in domestic commercial use during March-May. Significant export growth was posted by all types of cheese and by whey protein concentrate and isolate. However, aggregate domestic use as well as total exports are relatively flat to lower during the period.

U.S. milk production is on the threshold of an entire year of consecutive months below year-ago levels. However, continued increases in average component composition of producer milk has enabled U.S. dairy farmers to supply available demand for dairy products while keeping inventories of key products relatively stable.

Moreover, the overall supply-demand balance in the industry has moved dairy product and dairy farm prices and margins over feed costs higher in recent months without yet significantly reversing the gradual reduction in retail dairy product prices that has occurred over the past year.

View Full Report Here: https://www.nmpf.org/supply-demand-balance-pushes-milk-prices-higher/.