Friday August 23 Ag News

 HUSKER RESEARCH POINTS TO INCREASED WATER USE EFFICIENCY FOR CROPS

Scientists at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have identified a promising approach to help crops cope with drought. By using genome modification to boost a key plant protein, the researchers enabled plants to reduce their water use by up to 30% under drought-mimic conditions.

The findings mark “an important step toward future engineering of crops with improved performance under drought,” the researchers wrote in a new article in the Journal of Experimental Botany.

Husker researchers grew tobacco plants under varying drought conditions and found that a particular genetic modification allowed the plants to use 4% to 30% less water overall than normal plants. Tobacco plants are useful for research because they generally are easy to cultivate and grow fast. Their genetic details are well known, and they lend themselves well to genetic modification, facilitating follow-up research with other, more complex crops.

“Plants are using up to 30% less water but in the end, the biomass — how big they are — is not significantly different,” said Kasia Glowacka, assistant professor of biochemistry. Her lab uses a wide range of analytical techniques for boosting crop resilience in the wake of climate stress.

Plants’ improved water use efficiency is a particular focus, which has led her lab to pursue advanced studies of non-photochemical quenching, an important safety valve biological process. Plants use the process to protect themselves from stress and harm when they receive more light energy than they can use for photosynthesis.

Non-photochemical quenching can regulate the opening of stomata, the pores by which a plant absorbs carbon dioxide (important for plant growth) while simultaneously releasing water vapor and oxygen.

Glowacka’s lab boosted the amount of PsbS, a protein involved in non-photochemical quenching. More of the protein reduces stomatal opening via increased non-photochemical quenching in response to light. The result was improved water use efficiency.

“It’s not that we are shutting down the stomata,” Glowacka said. “We are changing their behavior.”

In the new academic paper, she and her coauthors wrote that the lab’s findings provide “a proof of concept that through overexpression of PsbS it is possible to modify stomatal opening under drought conditions to achieve higher water use efficiency and reduce water consumption at the whole-plant level without significant loss of biomass.”

Plants in the project lost 11% less water for each unit of carbon dioxide they absorbed compared with normal plants, without significant effect on plant size. Given climate stresses and limited water resources for agriculture globally, progress is needed for crops that require less water per mass of yield, the researchers wrote.

The findings are “really exciting, because we don't see a minus for the growth,” Glowacka said. “So, it's a good starting point. It's proof that this works.”

The next step is follow-up refining of genome modification to improve crop production under water limitation. The Glowacka Lab is currently conducting that research.

Other Husker researchers involved in the project were Geng Bai, research assistant professor with the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, and postdoctoral researchers Benjamin Turc and Seema Sahay; Jared Haupt, a Husker graduate student; and Talles de Oliveira Santos, a visiting graduate student from State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.



University researchers study acute heat stress in feedlot cattle

Heat stress can cause an assortment of complications in cattle from reduced feed intake to death in severe cases. While places in the Midwest like Nebraska do not see many cases of chronic heat stress events where cattle are exposed to excessive heat for six or more days, acute heat stress events characterized by shorter exposure to excessive heat are typical during the summer and can be challenging to predict and prepare for.

Several researchers in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Animal Science and West Central Research, Extension and Education Center are collaborating to study the physiology, genetics, behavior and precision livestock management strategies of acute heat stress in feedlot cattle in the Midwest. This project is being led by animal science professors Ty Schmidt, Jessica Petersen, Dustin Yates and Ruth Woiwode.

Brooke Parrish, a doctoral student at UNL studying animal health, welfare and precision management, and Rachel Gibbs, a former postdoctoral researcher at UNL and current livestock extension specialist for North Dakota State University, are also involved in this study alongside a large group of undergraduate and graduate students in the Animal Science Department at UNL.

“We are uniquely positioned in Nebraska being the highest producing beef state along with Texas,” Parrish said. “Issues concerning feedlot cattle should be studied, in Nebraska. Knowing how producers can best manage their cattle during acute heat stress events is important because, although a lot of research has been done on chronic heat stress, the four to five-day, or less, event is an area that needs to be studied more so that producers can better mitigate acute heat stress.”

Research begins with phase one at the university’s East Campus. Cattle are placed in a controlled environment that mimics an acute heat stress event. During this, graduate students and researchers collect biological samples for physiological and genomic analysis and monitor behavioral changes directly related to cattle response to acute heat stress.

During phase two, cattle are moved to the West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center feedlot in North Platte where they are exposed to naturally occurring acute heat stress events. Cattle are constantly monitored through the NUtrack Livestock Monitoring System and biological data and samples are collected when acute heat events occur.

“Being able to follow up with a phase two has been really important to validate our research findings on campus to ensure we are providing applicable information for producers and feedlots throughout the Midwest,” said Gibbs.

Year two of five of this study is currently in progress.

Heat stress events are becoming more common in the Midwest as well as areas northwest. This research will provide producers with practical information to apply to their operations and fill a significant gap in understanding the impact acute heat stress has and will continue to have on livestock production systems.

Being able to quantify what the heat events are, their effect on livestock, and prevention or mitigation practices will help producers care for cattle better during heat stress events.

“One of the most exciting parts for me is learning how we can use precision technology to help improve the lives of both cattle and producers during challenges such as heat events,” Parrish said.

Future research on the topic could include analyzing biomarkers for predicting heat stress susceptibility and developing an algorithm for the NUtrack Livestock Monitoring System that would notify the producer if an animal needs attention.

Funding Acknowledgement: This project is based on the research that was partially supported by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station with funding from the Hatch Multistate Research capacity funding program (Accession Number 7000952) from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.



Husker Harvest Days highlights cattle with new BEEF Showcase and educational seminars

Husker Harvest Days, the Farm Progress event that has always been synonymous with cattle, crops and community, is excited to announce a new addition this year: the BEEF Showcase. The BEEF Showcase stems from the Farm Progress publication BEEF magazine and is designed to provide a comprehensive destination for everything beef-related. Visitors will find a wealth of resources, including exhibitors, live cattle-handling demonstrations, educational seminars and more, all located in the Northwest Quadrant of the exhibit grounds.

“The BEEF Showcase is an opportunity to connect two Farm Progress brands for the benefit of our attendees and exhibitors,” said Sarah Muirhead, managing director of Livestock Publications for Farm Progress. “Our goal is to bring the same trusted education and experience BEEF magazine offers to Husker Harvest Days.”

This new initiative also comes with original educational programming. Located in the BEEF Building, these dynamic educational seminars include a wide variety of industry experts.

Highlighted sessions include:
    Daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. | Cattle Chute Demos Experience live demos first-hand and get your questions answered as industry experts show the latest in chute tech and techniques.  
    Daily at 11:30 a.m. | Cattle Genetics for the Future Hosted by Russ Princ, RMSS Manager/LCOC Semen Division Manager, Leachman Cattle. Princ will discuss the genetics behind Leachman Cattle’s nationwide bull sales along with their leading Beef on Dairy semen market.
    Tues. Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. | Coaching Cowboys Hosted by Chad Engle, United States Meat Animal Research Center. In this session, Engle will discuss ways to build, manage and ensure the success of a team in a livestock operation setting.  
    Wed. Sept 11 at 1 p.m. | Integration and Application of Technology in Livestock Production Hosted by Bryan Woodbury, United States Meat Animal Research Center. Information will be presented on the developing technologies addressing livestock production challenges and how they may be applied to improve production efficiencies and profitability.

Husker Harvest Days will be held Sept. 10-12, 2024, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Gates are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register for complimentary three-day entry to the event and to learn more, please visit HuskerHarvestDays.com.



NFarms groundbreaking highlights precision ag innovation, public-private partnerships

University and private-sector representatives pointed to major opportunities for ag tech innovation and collaboration in an Aug. 14 groundbreaking ceremony for NFarms, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s precision agriculture initiative.

“The research and learning that will come out of this facility will be invaluable to the industry, as well as to our growers,” said Kurtis Charling, vice president of agricultural technology for Lindsay Corporation.

NFarms (Nebraska Future Ag Research and Management Systems) formalizes the university’s existing research and outreach in precision agriculture into a strategic initiative. The multi-disciplinary work operates at commercial scale unique in university ag research on more than 3,000 acres of the university’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead.

NFarms will offer particular value in facilitating public-private partnerships and ag-focused entrepreneurship, speakers said.

“We see enormous potential to leverage NFarms to test new ideas, products and concepts while getting expertise back from the great faculty and staff you have here,” Charling said.

The expansion of Lindsay’s ag tech research cooperation through NFarms will be extremely valuable to the company, he said.

Kent Kirchoff, vice president for sales and marketing with AKRS Equipment, noted his company’s focus on ag tech innovation and the benefits its partnerships with Husker faculty provide. Those collaborations boost producer efficiency by allowing innovative technology to be implemented on farms in Nebraska, he said.

“The research and innovation happening here can make it out to the commercialization stage that’s going to help producers,” said Joshua DeMers, program manager of The Combine, an Invest Nebraska initiative that partners with the university to support early-stage ag tech and food entrepreneurs.  

Commercialized products and services stemming from NFarms research will provide Nebraska producers with “practical solutions, scalable and affordable,” DeMers said.

The groundbreaking event illustrated the university’s precision ag focus by having an NFarms drone take a core sample and share it just before a group of university and industry representatives put shovels to the ground. An ag robot pioneered by the Department of Biological Systems Engineering also provided a demonstration.

NFarms’s initial 5,000-square-foot building will house precise ag equipment with a long-term goal of creating a campus focusing on a range of projects, said Joe Luck, professor of biological systems engineering and associate director of ENREEC.

NFarms will address two key ag needs — data management for practical use, and efficient automation — by drawing on insights from fields including agronomy, plant pathology, computer science, engineering, statistics and software development, Luck said.

“It’s tough sometimes for companies to have access to all that expertise,” Luck said. NFarms will provide “a place where we can bring all that together and develop software tools or whatever is needed. We can embed that in our farm operation and test it.”

NFarms benefits not only from the 3,000 acres, but from ENREEC’s total 10,000 acres, including the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center.

“These are production-scale systems, meaning it’s near what our stakeholders have,” Luck said. “That gives us strong ability to create and test these tools,” boosting producer confidence in the technology’s reliability.

Another collaborative opportunity arises from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s construction of its $160 million National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at Nebraska Innovation Campus. Digital agriculture will be one of the focuses at the USDA facility, opening possibilities for scientific collaboration with NFarms.

The university will look to a wide range of partnerships to develop innovative concepts to help Nebraska agriculture, said Mike Boehm, vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“We’re taking the best ideas from wherever they’re coming from and harnessing them to advance precision ag,” he said.

The resulting benefits for producers can include value-added products, increased operational productivity and greater profit opportunities.

Through such efforts, NFarms and the university overall will prove a “hot spot” in pioneering innovative ag technologies, said Derek McLean, dean of IANR’s Agricultural Research Division.

Public-private partnerships will be a central focus for NFarms, Luck said.

“We will be supporting an ecosystem for industry partners to come in and develop ties to our particular strengths — the production scale, the quality of the data, the execution,” he said. “That can be anywhere from supporting large companies to startup companies.”

As technology becomes an increasing part of modern agriculture, Charling said, “NFarms is going to play a vital role in shaping the future agronomist, engineer, farmer and cattle feeder. There’s no doubt in my mind that NFarms is going to give us a leg up in that area.”



Field day to focus on increasing feed value of grazed corn residue

Harvest season is just around the corner, and with it comes an abundance of corn residue ready for cattlemen to utilize. When planning how many grazing days are available, Iowa State University extension program specialist Beth Reynolds said it’s important to look at some potential positive changes in that number.

"It's time to take the traditional guidelines and apply considerations for the impact improved plant varieties and harvest methods have on the residual product available to graze," she said. "Being able to more accurately predict the feed value of corn residue is an important step for producers looking for avenues to be more efficient with their winter feeding plan.”

The Iowa Beef Center has partnered with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to host a field day in Creston, Iowa, on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The meeting will be in Room 108 of the Instructional Center at Southwestern Community College.

This field day will specifically highlight a recently completed research project at University of Nebraska–Lincoln funded by the Iowa Beef Checkoff. Dr. Mary Drewnoski, associate professor and extension beef systems specialist at UNL, led the project and said the study was designed to identify how the implementation of modern-day chopping corn heads has impacted the feed value of grazed corn residue.  

Topics on the agenda:
    How to determine and adjust stocking rates
    The agronomic impacts grazing has on row crop production
    Developing rental agreements
    Meeting nutritional needs while grazing corn residue

Speakers are from UNL and ISU, including Drewnoski and Reynolds. The program has been made possible in part by the USDA and the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council.

A lunch grilled by the Union County Cattlemen will be included in this free educational opportunity. In addition to the in-person meeting, a livestream option will be set up for those unable to attend in person.

To register for either in-person attendance or the livestream option, visit https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVj1y3OfN4GjtUq.
For more information, email bethr@iastate.edu or call 515-294-BEEF (2333).



Prairie Establishment and Management Field Day Is Sept. 10 near Stuart

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Science-Based-Trials-of-Rowcrops-Integrated-with-Prairie-Strips (STRIPS), will host a cover crop field day on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Carl Varley’s crop farm near Stuart. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

Iowa Learning Farms is a conservation program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

This field day aims to assist farmers and landowners with establishing and maintaining perennial vegetation, including STRIPS and Conservation Reserve Program areas. These areas offer many benefits including reducing soil erosion from sensitive areas, building soil health, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat and providing beauty to the landscape.

The field day will include Tim Youngquist, Iowa State University STRIPS program farmer liaison. He will share results from over 15 years of research on prairie strips as well as practical recommendations for how to add prairie strips to corn and soybean fields. Host and Adair County landowner Carl Varley, as well as Chris Smith with Hertz Farm Management, will share advice for working with tenants to successfully add prairie strips, as well as the benefits and challenges of using prairie.

Tom Rosburg, professor of ecology and botany at Drake University, will discuss seed mix design and species selection to meet goals. Jon Judson, Carroll County farmer and Diversity Farms owner, seeded the site and will highlight tips for successfully seeding and managing prairie.

Concluding the field day will be Nick Thompson, Pheasants Forever farm bill biologist, discussing current programs available to help establish prairie on the farm.

The field day will be held at Carl Varley’s Farm north of 1175 Sheldon Ave., Stuart. From the I-80/Stuart Exit 93, head south on Stuart Road/P28 for 1.2 miles. Turn right to head west on 118th St. for 1 mile. Turn left to head south on Trenton Avenue for 0.2 miles and then turn right on 120th Street to head west for 1 mile. Turn right to head north on Sheldon Avenue for 0.3 miles. The driveway for the field day will be located on the west side of the road and marked with field day signs.

The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though we require reservations to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu by Sept. 3. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and this project is supported by USDA NIFA award 2020-68012-31824. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.



Carroll and Jasper County Pasture Walks to Feature Virtual Fencing

New technology in the grazing world may be impossible to see, yet the positive applications are clearly visible.

Beth Reynolds, program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State, said virtual fencing may provide opportunities for more grazing areas.

“The livestock industry has really taken an interest in precision ag, and hearing from others with firsthand experience is invaluable when deciding if and how different technologies can be utilized within our personal operations,” Reynolds said.

Virtual fence with goats.The IBC and the Iowa Forage and Grazing Council will host two pasture walks featuring NoFence, a virtual fencing company, to highlight new technology in the grazing world. This virtual fencing technology could give producers more options for grazing harder-to-fence areas, in addition to adding much more flexibility to rotational grazing systems.

“Virtual fence is a newer technology that has seen large advancements in the last few years," Reynolds said. "Opportunities to hear from producers utilizing this technology are still few and far between. The potential for this technology to improve grazing management and forage utilization for all livestock species is huge.”

The discussion at each location will offer insights into the host producer’s experience with virtual fencing with both cattle and small ruminants. Other discussion topics include weed management, multispecies grazing, potential applications for virtual fence and other technologies in the grazing world. Speakers include the host producers, a representative from NoFence, the virtual fencing company used by these producers and ISU Extension and Outreach specialists.

The first pasture walk is Sept. 10, from 5-7 p.m., and will be hosted by Brice Hundling at 11879 Birch Ave., Breda. His operation utilizes virtual fence collars on both sheep and cattle. Brice will share how utilizing the collars has expanded the opportunities to graze corn residue for their operation. Supper will be provided onsite for program attendees.

The second pasture walk is Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, and will be hosted by Daniel Faidley at 7128 52nd Ave. W., Colfax. He uses virtual fence on goats grazing for vegetation management, and as a cattle producer will share his insight on weighing the cost and benefits virtual fence may provide. The Jasper County Cattlemen will be onsite grilling a hamburger meal for lunch.

Both field days are free. RSVPs are encouraged by Sept. 9 to help with meal planning. To RSVP for the Breda location, call the ISU Extension and Outreach Carroll County office at 712-792-2364. To RSVP for the Colfax location, call the Jasper County office at 641-792-6433. Or, for either location, email the Iowa Beef Center at iabeefcenter@iastate.edu and see the event flyer online https://iowabeefcenter.org/events/VirtualFencePastureWalk0824flyer.pdf.



Commercial Red Meat Production Up 10 Percent from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.55 billion pounds in July, up 10 percent from the 4.13 billion pounds produced in July 2023.

Beef production, at 2.29 billion pounds, was 8 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.72 million head, up 5 percent from July 2023. The average live weight was up 36 pounds from the previous year, at 1,380 pounds.

Veal production totaled 3.3 million pounds, 11 percent below July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 17,600 head, down 24 percent from July 2023. The average live weight was up 44 pounds from last year, at 322 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.25 billion pounds, up 12 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.7 million head, up 11 percent from July 2023. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 283 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.3 million pounds, was up 19 percent from July 2023. Sheep slaughter totaled 185,100 head, 16 percent above last year. The average live weight was 120 pounds, up 3 pounds from July a year ago.

By State              million  lbs.   -  % of July '23
Nebraska .......:           659.9            113       
Iowa .............:           749.7            115       
Kansas ..........:            487.9            105       

January to July 2024 commercial red meat production was 31.8 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2023. Accumulated beef production was down slightly from last year, veal was down 12 percent, pork was up 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 3 percent.



Milk Prices and Margins Rise Despite Flat Aggregate Dairy Market Demand

Fluid milk, yogurt, butter and non-American-type cheese posted positive annual growth in domestic commercial use during the second quarter this year.

Significant export growth was posted by all types of cheese and by whey protein concentrate and isolate, with dry whey showing a smaller increase. Overall, however, aggregate domestic use was flat during the period.

U.S. milk production was below year-ago levels during each of the 12 months from July 2023 through June 2024, with a average drop during those months of 0.8 percent from production during the prior 12 months. Total milk solids production increased by 0.4 percent and milkfat production was up by 1.7 percent during this period.

Dairy product and farm-level prices, as well as margins over feed costs, have continued to rise in recent months as supply has kept pace with demand.

View Full Report here: https://www.nmpf.org/milk-prices-and-margins-rise-despite-flat-aggregate-dairy-market-demand/.  
 



ASI and NCBA Release Video on Public Lands Movement Criteria During FMD Outbreak

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) worked with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and other stakeholders to develop movement decision criteria guidance addressing unique scenarios that would arise for federal lands grazers in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. A 5-minute video describes the project and resources and can be viewed on the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply (SSWS) and Secure Beef Supply (SBS) websites under the Public Land Grazing pages. This has resulted from a multi-year cooperative project funded by a grant from the USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP).

“ASI appreciates the time and effort put in by the Advisory Group as well as Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, consultant with Preventalytics, in the creation of materials. This effort had multiple groups contribute to unique resources for sheep and cattle producers to prepare for, respond to, and enhance their resiliency for an FAD event,” said ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick. “This collaboration across the sheep and cattle industries with state and federal partners demonstrates impactful results for business continuity and a secure food supply.”

“An FMD outbreak on U.S. soil is expected it would cost the U.S. economy hundreds of millions of dollars. For years, the resources we have prepared have focused on mitigating losses on private land. Now, with the help of a wide spectrum of organizations including USDA, the Public Lands Council, State Animal Health Officials, and many more, we have comprehensive resources to help public lands ranchers whose livestock may be far from any infected herd have predictability for their operations in the event of an FMD outbreak,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kaitlynn Glover. “Livestock producers in the West are now more prepared than ever to work with federal lands agencies and animal health officials to make movement decisions with the development of this collaborative guidance.”

These resources are in addition to the enhanced biosecurity plans found on the SSWS and SBS websites. Industry input and participation was critical to identifying gaps for federal lands grazers and establishing the need for these specialized documents. The sheep and beef industries continue to work together to provide educational resources to best prepare producers, veterinarians, and other industry stakeholders before an FMD outbreak occurs.

Background
The U.S. is currently free of the FMD virus. The Secure Sheep and Wool Supply (SSWS) Plan and Secure Beef Supply (SBS) Plan for continuity of business provides opportunities for industry partners to voluntarily prepare before an FMD outbreak. If FMD were found in U.S. livestock, regulatory officials will limit the movement of animals and animal products to try and control the spread of this very contagious animal disease. Control areas will be established around infected premises and movement restrictions will be implemented. Given the nature of federal lands grazing, containment of livestock and mitigation of risk will require different strategies than private land containment measures. When the control areas encompass part or all of a public land grazing allotment, in one or more states, there are unique challenges for sheep and cattle producers to mitigate disease exposure risks. FMD is not a threat to public health or food safety.



Canada Freight Railways Shut Down, Ag Groups Urge Prime Minister to Take Action

Canada’s two major freight railroads announced the lockout of 9,000 unionized workers Thursday, bringing rail operations to a halt as negotiations continue.

Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek said that the stoppage is limited to the rail networks in Canada. However, any rail delivery originating in the U.S. and destined for Canada or originating in Canada and destined to the U.S. would be impacted by the shutdown.

Earlier this week, the American Soybean Association joined the Ag Transportation Working Group and other ag groups that rely on freight rail transportation from the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) in sending a letter urging Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take action to avoid potential significant disruptions to the North American supply chains.

“A lockout or strike would lead to shutdowns or slowdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in harmful consequences for Canadian and American agricultural producers, the agricultural industry, and both domestic and global food security,” the groups write.

The groups also underscored that agriculture ships more than 25,000 cars per week and this figure will go to zero during a lockout and cause even higher volumes to be lost during harvest.

“Agricultural facilities have no viable alternative transportation options to supply Canada’s international customers and the inability to cycle products through the supply chain could limit producers’ ability to deliver harvested crops,” the groups said. “Costs from delayed shipments and lost sales will be amplified and carried by all system participants, as well as Canadian consumers in the way of higher grocery store prices. A work stoppage of any length of time means lost shipping opportunities that will never be recovered."

Uninterrupted rail service is also critical for transporting fertilizer to U.S. farmers, timely feed grains for livestock and other agricultural inputs. Additionally, many facilities quickly run out of storage capacity during a stoppage and incur shortages of incoming raw materials.

Canada is the U.S.’ fourth-largest soy meal market with a value of $614 million and its largest soybean oil market with a value of $106 million, and the U.S. ships some whole beans to Canada. The U.S. also exports some soybeans and soybean meal through Canadian ports (Vancouver, Prince Rupert, etc.). In addition, soy could be impacted by a halt in fertilizer shipments.

Steenhoek said that some U.S. agricultural exports occur via Canadian ports and a substantial volume of fertilizer originates in Canada and is delivered by rail to the U.S. market. “Those shipments would be impacted by a strike or stoppage,” he said. “Canadian ports would effectively be shut down since there is no alternative to rail for transporting freight being loaded or unloaded at Canadian ports.”

While it is unclear how long the lockout will last, ASA is hopeful the negotiations will result in an agreement that restores predictability in the supply chain. ASA will continue watching for other opportunities to weigh in on the issue.



NGFA issues statement on Canadian rail shutdown

As contract negotiations between labor unions and Canadian railroads have reached an impasse, a shutdown of the Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway systems in Canada has taken effect today, bringing North American agricultural supply chains to a standstill. National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) President and CEO Mike Seyfert issued the following statement:

"NGFA, representing member companies in both the U.S. and Canada, urgently calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadian government leaders to take immediate action to restore rail service. The current shutdown of major Canadian rail lines is inflicting a severe shock to the North American agricultural supply chain.

“The agricultural industries of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are inextricably linked. A shutdown to any part of the system quickly reverberates across the entire system. This supply chain depends on the freight rail services provided by CN and CPKC. Canada, as the world's leading exporter of canola and potash fertilizer, and the third-largest exporter of wheat, plays a critical role in global agriculture and must have access to rail service to maintain that role.

“The lockout initiated ahead of a potential strike by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference is disrupting these essential rail networks, causing shutdowns or slowdowns at facilities that rely on rail transport on both sides of the U.S./Canada border. More than 25,000 railcars of agricultural products are moved per week within Canada, with even greater volumes during the harvest season. If the lockout continues, the repercussions will be devastating for Canadian and U.S. agricultural producers and agribusinesses who depend on CPKC and CN rail service for shipments through and within Canada to support both domestic and global food security.

“Canada is the top export market for U.S. ethanol, the fourth largest for soybean meal, and fifth largest for corn and distillers dried grains (DDGs). The rail shutdown is preventing the cross-border movement of U.S. corn, DDGs and soymeal into Canada and halting shipments of U.S. spring wheat, corn and soybeans from Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota to Pacific Northwest export routes that transit through Canada on the Canadian rail lines.  

“We strongly urge the Canadian government to act swiftly to stop these disruptions and protect the stability of the North American agricultural economy."



USDA Announces $82.3 Million in Grant Funding Awarded to Strengthen U.S. Specialty Crops Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is awarding $82.3 million to 65 recipients to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops—including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops—and support the industry’s producers. The funding is being awarded through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant (SCMP) Program.

From market development to consumer education to research, these programs expand markets and increase competitiveness of the specialty crop industry and increase access to specialty crops for consumers. The Specialty Crop Block Grant and Specialty Crop Multi-State programs are funded by the 2018 Farm Bill and administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

“This funding will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and more,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “These programs are furthering USDA’s and the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to build a more resilient food system, one where producers and consumers have more, new and better market opportunities, which helps farmers and their communities prosper.”

Through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, USDA is awarding $72.9 million to 54 states and territories to support specialty crop growers through marketing, education, and research. The states and territories use the funding to provide subawards to projects that focus on areas such as investing in food safety, research on conservation and environmental outcomes, developing new and improved seed varieties, and pest and disease management. To date, USDA has invested over $1 billion to more than 12,400 projects through this program.

Additionally, $9.4 million is being awarded to 11 projects through the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program. The program funds collaborative multi-state partnerships to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty Crop Multi-State grants address regional or national level specialty crop issues through research, crop-specific projects addressing common issues, and marketing and promotion. Since 2015, this program has awarded over $29 million to 40 projects across the country.



Halter Brings World-Leading Virtual Fencing Technology to U.S. Ranchers

Halter’s virtual fencing technology is now available to U.S. ranchers and dairy farmers. From its origins in New Zealand, Halter has become the world’s leading virtual fence company in revenue and volume of collars sold and is positioned to deliver its technology to the U.S. market.

“Halter technology is a powerful system that helps users precisely manage pasture to lift the performance of the animals grazing it,” says Craig Piggott, Halter Founder and CEO. “For years farmers in New Zealand and Australia have generated significant benefits from utilizing the technology, and we’re excited to bring these same benefits to U.S. cattle ranchers.”

There are 200,000 cattle under Halter’s management in the United States, New Zealand and Australia, making Halter the largest virtual fencing provider by number of cattle. Halter’s U.S. customers are in California, Oregon, Colorado, Texas and Louisiana, with new customers going live in additional states in the coming months. Halter is quickly growing its U.S.-based team and is hiring dozens of people throughout the States in the coming months.

Ranchers can see a heatmap of grazing activity through the Halter app and take advantage of grass growth by moving cattle to optimize the best grazing opportunities. Better pasture management enables better herd management and helps lift productivity through increased live weight gains. Beef producers can achieve precise and flexible grazing (such as strip grazing on cover or stubble crops) and can more effectively graze public lands.

The Halter app allows users to establish virtual fences anywhere on their land. Cows are trained to respond to the collar’s guidance cues as they approach the virtual fence. Users can create new fences from the Halter app on their mobile phone and herd animals into the new pasture area using sound and vibration cues generated through the app.           

Halter collars are lightweight and ergonomically designed and powered by two small solar cells at the top of the collar. The collars and the Halter app are connected via solar-powered towers on the ranch. Through this technology, Halter delivers precise farming without the workload.

“Ranchers have real-time, 24/7 access to their cattle and pastures to quickly and easily put cattle where the grass is without moving fences or physically herding cattle, offering unparalleled oversight of their herds in real-time” says Piggott.

By enabling more precise pasture management, virtual fencing can play a significant role in regenerative land management. Ranchers can grow and harvest more grass, better protect soils, increase soil carbon sequestration to reduce net emissions, retire unutilized land without reducing stocking rate, and prevent animals from entering protected waterways.