Thursday September 26 Ag News

 Herd expansion considerations
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator

Fall of 2024 is officially here! The US beef herd inventory was at 28.2 million cows as of January 2024. During the last peak of the cattle cycle, the US beef herd inventory reached 31.6 million cows in January of 2019. That is a drop of 3.4 million cows (11% of the inventory) in five years!

Will the US beef industry rebuild to the same inventory as 2019? Likely not!

Many factors will affect the size of the US beef herd at the next peak. Some might consider that beef on dairy crosses will likely affect herd expansion. Our perspective on this is that, unless dairy cows are used to produce fullblood beef breed embryos, the effects of breeding dairy cows to beef sires on beef production are already absorbed by the industry.

We submit a few reasons for this:

Firstly, the US dairy herd is static at 9 million cows; thus, the number of replacement heifers needed to maintain this inventory is set at somewhere between 3 and 4 million. This figure has not changed. What changed is the quality (muscling size and distribution) and quantity (greater dressing percentage) of beef derived from the non-replacement breeding of dairy cows. These effects are already built into beef production.

Secondly, as greater beef production results from future beef herd expansion, beef cattle prices will find new levels reflective of production. This will limit interest in using beef

sires on dairy cows by dairy producers to the proportion of the herd not needed to breed for replacement purposes.

Also, because of production efficiency gained through genetics, selection pressure resulting from culling less productive cows during droughts, and technological advances, the US beef cow herd will likely achieve a lower peak resulting from the next expansion.

Since 1975, each US beef cow inventory peak has diminished from 45.7 in 1975 to 39.2 (1982) to 35.3 (1996) to 32.7 (2005) to 31.6 (2019) million cows. The peak of each cycle since 1982 was from 1 to 3 million cows smaller than the previous: the most recent cycles reflecting smaller drops in the peak from previous cycles.

So, what is the expectation for peak inventory during the next cycle?

Although difficult to predict because of the reasons mentioned above and the fact that the age of cow-calf operators is also advancing and fewer young people are entering the business, it is likely that the beef industry will expect modest expansion during the next and ensuing cattle cycles. It is quite possible that the US beef herd will never reach beyond 29 million cows again.

If that is the expectation, then how does a cow-calf operator prepare for expansion?

At a starting point of 28 million beef cows (round figures), every percentage loss in productivity (fetal, birth, pre-weaning, pre-breeding or pre-harvest mortality) represents 280,000 calves. Therefore, if the next herd expansion is to reach 29 million cows by the next cycle peak, then the beef industry has a choice: 1) prevent 1 million heifers from entering the feedlot, 2) improve survival and breeding success by four percentage units in existing inventories of heifers destined for herd replacement, or 3) a combination thereof.

Raising more calves than needed for harvest or breeding is a necessity of the system. Building efficiency while rebuilding the herd should prevent excessive inventory swings that lead to excessive price swings. Lower cycle-over-cycle swings in beef cow inventory since the peak of 1975 are reflective of a unified commitment by the industry for greater production efficiency.

Knowing the factors and costs of raising replacement heifers provides a basis for continued efficiency improvements in the beef industry. A recent experience in developing heifers at the Haskell Agriculture Laboratory in Concord, NE provides an analysis of the process of growing replacement heifers. The analysis is represented here for educational purposes and is intended to motivate producers to consider the costs of preparing for herd expansion.

Overall, 87 heifers were considered in this analysis. Heifers were enrolled by producers from various regions. Heifers were housed in pens and fed a diet based on corn silage, alfalfa hay, wet distillers grains and a mineral supplement. Heifers were prepared for timed artificial insemination (AI) a second time if they failed to conceive after a first attempt at timed AI. The average heifer spent 220 days in the program.

A total of 71 heifers were confirmed pregnant (82%). Costs were $627 per heifer ($2.85/heifer/day) or $768 per pregnancy.

Therefore, under conditions of the program (82% pregnancy rate), if a heifer was retained in the fall of 2023 for replacement, the total cost of her first pregnancy would be $2,400 ($1,620 was the value of the heifer in the fall of 2023 and it cost $768 to achieve pregnancy).

As producers look at current prices, there may be an opportunity to retain heifers at similar prices as a year ago and expect to spend from $2,300 to $2,600 to raise a pregnant heifer. However, a thorough analysis of critical control points (energy, protein and mineral supply, water quality, winter housing, heat abatement, and gentle handling) to ensure breeding success in 2025 is in order


NASDA Members Elect Next President and NASDA Leadership
 
During the 2024 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Annual Meeting, members elected their 2025 officers. Arkansas Department of Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward will serve as NASDA’s 2024-2025 President.
 
“I am honored to continue serving this organization and proud to be elected as this year’s president by my fellow NASDA members,” Ward said. “Our theme for the 2025 NASDA Annual Meeting is ‘Securing our Future through Agriculture,’ and I look forward to continuing collaboration with agriculture leaders from across the 50 states and four U.S. territories to advance agriculture and support farmers and ranchers in producing a safe, affordable and abundant food supply for all.”
 
NASDA’s 2025 Board of Directors will also include:
    Vice President: Maine Agriculture Commissioner Amanda Beal
    Second Vice President: Washington Agriculture Director Derek Sandison
    Secretary-Treasurer: Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig
    At-Large: Oregon Agriculture Director Lisa Charpilloz Hanson
    Past President: Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur
 
Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt, Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charles Hatcher, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Montana Agriculture Director Christy Clark will serve as the Northeastern, Southern, Midwestern and Western representatives respectively.
 
Following his election, Secretary Ward appointed the leadership of NASDA’s six policy committees:
 
Marketing and International Trade Committee
    Chair: New York Commissioner of Agriculture Richard A. Ball (Continuing)
    Vice Chair: Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam (Continuing)

Natural Resources and Environment Committee
    Chair: New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte (New position)
    Vice Chair: Indiana Director of Agriculture Don Lamb (Newly appointed)

Animal Agriculture Committee
    Chair: Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher (Continuing)
    Vice Chair: Nebraska Director of Agriculture Sherry Vinton (Newly appointed)

Plant Agriculture & Pesticide Regulation Committee
    Chair: Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn (Continuing)
    Vice Chair: Idaho Director of Agriculture Chanel Tewalt (Continuing)

Rural Development and Financial Security Committee
    Chair: Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts (New position)
    Vice Chair: Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper (Newly appointed)

Food Systems and Nutrition Committee
    Chair: California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross (Continuing)
    Vice Chair: Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture Bryan Hurlburt (Continuing)



NASDA’s newly elected board of directors urge Congress to pass farm bill in 2024

NASDA’s newly appointed board of directors unanimously passed a resolution expressing support for the expeditious passage of a comprehensive, bi-partisan farm bill.
 
“America’s farmers and ranchers provide the food, fiber, fuel and shelter that we all depend on every single day, but they are subject to numerous and complex challenges that are out of their control,” newly-elected NASDA President Wes Ward said. “Agriculture is national security and it is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill in 2024.”
 
The resolution highlights the recent extreme weather events, elevated input and interest costs and supply chain disruptions farmers and ranchers continue to battle daily. It also focuses on the need to strengthen nutrition security across the U.S., and the farm bill’s role in funding critical food and nutritional assistance programs and bolstering local and regional food systems for improved supply chain resilience.
 
Agricultural producers, the rural economy and communities of every size rely upon a forward-looking, and fully funded farm bill that provides a safety net for our farmers and ranchers while also protecting critical food and nutritional assistance for those who need it most. NASDA continues to ask Congress to pass a farm bill in 2024.



Iowa ag consolidation sparks market concerns

New data shows that Iowa’s agriculture industry is becoming increasingly consolidated, with nearly all of the state’s corn seed controlled by just four companies.

Farm Action’s report highlights that Corteva and Bayer dominate almost 90% of the corn seed market, with AgReliant and Syngenta controlling the rest. This level of market concentration has raised concerns among advocates for a fair and sustainable food system.

Economists warn that such large concentrations can lead to market manipulation and abuse. Angela Huffman, President of Farm Action, explains that this type of control extends throughout the entire food supply chain.

“This is the scenario in almost every sector,” Huffman said. “Seeds, fertilizer, farm equipment, and even beef, pork, and poultry processing—all are dominated by a few corporations.”

 Huffman highlighted that these four corporations control between 60% to 85% of markets across these sectors, leading to a lack of competition that can negatively impact prices and consumer choice.

The report stresses that this consolidation could pose a threat to the food system's integrity and the economic health of rural communities.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/20/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 20, ethanol production slowed by 5.2% to 994,000 b/d, equivalent to 41.75 million gallons daily and the smallest weekly volume since the start of May. Output was 1.5% less than the same week last year yet 7.6% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 1.8% to 1.05 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.08 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks declined 1.1% to 23.5 million barrels. Still, stocks were 6.7% more than the same week last year and 9.0% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, leapt 4.9% to a 4-week high of 9.21 million b/d (141.50 bg annualized). Demand was 6.8% more than a year ago and 3.4% above the five-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol pared back 0.9% to 900,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.83 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 0.9% more than year-ago levels and 0.5% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 87,000 b/d (3.7 million gallons/day), reflecting a 42.4% decline from the prior week. It has been 53 weeks since imports of ethanol were recorded.



Potash, 10-34-0, UAN32 Lead Major Fertilizer Prices Lower

For the second week in a row, multiple retail fertilizer prices have substantial prices declines, according to prices tracked by DTN for the third week of September 2024. Once again, seven of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to last month. Three fertilizers had sizeable price declines. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Both potash and 10-34-0 led the way lower, down 7% looking back a month. Potash had an average price of $459/ton while 10-34-0 is at $594/ton. Also lower was UAN32, which was 6% less expensive compared to last month. UAN32 had an average price of $351/ton. Four other fertilizers were slightly lower compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $740/ton, MAP $814/ton, urea $485/ton and UAN28 $320/ton.

One fertilizer was slightly more expensive than a month ago. Anhydrous had an average price of $685/ton looking back a month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.53/lb.N, anhydrous $0.42/lb.N, UAN28 $0.57/lb.N and UAN32 $0.55/lb.N.

All fertilizers but two are lower compared to one year ago. DAP is 5% higher while MAP is 8% higher looking back to last year. The remaining six fertilizers are lower. 10-34-0 is 3% lower, both potash and UAN28 are 9% less expensive, anhydrous is 10% lower, UAN32 is 13% lower and urea is 14% lower compared to last year.



NGFA calls on administration to avert shipping disruptions

In a letter to President Biden sent today, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and 55 organizations called on the U.S. government to act immediately to avert potential disruption at port operations along the East and Gulf Coasts.

“As the harvest season gets underway, even the slightest delay in moving American products efficiently has a disruptive and harmful effect on our supply chain and economy,” NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert said. “Keeping these ports open and operating at full capacity is critical to NGFA members and rural America.”

Approximately 40 percent of U.S. containerized agricultural exports move through the ports along the East and Gulf Coasts. Operations at these ports could be affected as early as Oct. 1 unless a resolution between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance is reached. The current labor agreement expires on Sept. 30.

“If port operations are stopped,” the letter read, “the impact on the ag supply chain will quickly reverberate throughout agriculture and not only slow or shutdown operations, but also potentially lower farmgate prices. To prevent a disruption to port operations along the East and Gulf Coasts, we request for your administration to act before a lockout or strike occurs to prevent damage to U.S. agriculture and the economy.”

The letter, organized by NGFA, was signed by leading trade groups representing farmers and ranchers, food manufacturers, renewable fuels producers, and others.



RFA Elects 2025 Board and Leadership at Annual Meeting
    
The Renewable Fuels Association elected officers and its board of directors today at its annual membership meeting in Milwaukee. Jeff Oestmann, CEO of Aztalan Bio, near Johnson Creek, Wisc., was elected chair. Oestmann’s long career in ethanol and agriculture includes leadership roles at Granite Falls Energy, Syngenta, and East Kansas Agri-Energy.

“It's a true honor to step into the role of chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association during such an exciting and transformative time for our industry,” Oestmann said. “Technology is unlocking new ways to harness the power of grains, enabling us to make strides toward greater sustainability. But as we push the boundaries of what renewable fuels can accomplish, we must also stand together to face the challenges ahead. The strength of our community has never been more important. Our industry is navigating new economic, regulatory, and environmental terrain, and by working together, we can meet these challenges head-on. I'm eager to collaborate with our dedicated members to continue strengthening biofuels' role in driving economic growth, advancing energy security, and positioning our industry as a leader in global sustainability efforts. Together, we will expand biofuels' impact, both domestically and globally, achieving sustainability goals that once seemed out of reach.”

RFA’s board also elected Derek Peine, CEO of Western Plains Energy in Oakley, Kan., as vice chairman.

“Jeff is an experienced leader in the renewable fuels industry with a proven talent for bringing people together to tackle complex challenges,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “He’s a big-picture thinker with a compelling vision for the industry’s future. I’m also excited to welcome Derek as our new vice chairman, and I look forward to working with both these exceptional leaders to pursue an even brighter future for ethanol. As we look forward to the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in 2025, we know we’re in good hands with Jeff and Derek at the helm.”

Others elected to RFA board leadership are Tim Winters, president and CEO of Western New York Energy, as Board Secretary, and David Zimmerman, CEO of Big River Resources, as Board Treasurer.

Elected to leadership of the Renewable Fuels Foundation for 2025 were Chairman Neal Kemmet, Ace Ethanol; Vice Chairman Wayne Garrett, Chief Ethanol Fuels; and Treasurer Eric Baukol, Redfield Energy. The foundation is dedicated to meeting the education, research and strategic planning needs of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry.



USDA Farm Loan Program Changes Now in Effect

As of today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) long-awaited updates to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan Programs are officially in effect. These changes, part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule, are designed to increase financial flexibility for agricultural producers, allowing them to grow their operations, boost profitability, and build long-term savings.

These program updates reflect USDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the financial success and resilience of farmers and ranchers nationwide, offering critical tools to help borrowers manage their finances more effectively.

What the new rules mean for you:
    Low-interest installment set-aside program: Financially distressed borrowers can now defer up to one annual loan payment at a reduced interest rate. This simplified option helps ease financial pressure while keeping farming operations running smoothly.
    Flexible repayment terms: New repayment options give borrowers the ability to increase their cash flow and build working capital reserves, allowing for long-term financial planning that includes saving for retirement, education, and other future needs.
    Reduced collateral requirements: FSA has lowered the amount of additional loan security needed for direct farm loans, making it easier for borrowers to leverage their existing equity without putting their personal residence at risk.

These new rules provide more financial freedom to borrowers. By giving farmers and ranchers better tools to manage their operations, we’re helping them build long-term financial stability. It’s all about making sure they can keep their land, grow their business, and invest in the future.

If you’re an FSA borrower or considering applying for a loan, now is the time to take advantage of these new policies. We encourage you to reach out to your local FSA farm loan staff to ensure you fully understand the wide range of loan making and servicing options available to assist with starting, expanding, or maintaining your agricultural operation.



The Directions Group Releases 2024 U.S. Election Analysis Report for Production Agriculture and Agribusinesses

The Directions Group (formerly Aimpoint Research) has released a comprehensive report on the upcoming U.S. election, detailing multiple policy scenarios and associated impacts for agriculture. The 2024 U.S. Election Analysis for Agriculture Report is an impartial and balanced evaluation intended to help businesses and producers identify where positive returns can be earned no matter who controls the White House and Congress. Along with the report, The Directions Group will host a public webinar on October 1 to share results of the analysis.  

"It is always important to monitor ag policy as a producer or business owner, but especially in an election year and the year following. In 2025, we are facing three hallmark pieces of legislation that will have a very real impact on our industry. The new Congress with the incoming administration will need to pass a new tax bill, approve a federal budget, and address the expiring Farm Bill," said Mark Purdy, The Directions Group Executive Vice President of Agri-Food. "Our goal with this analysis is to provide a deep line of sight into multiple scenarios and outcomes that could unfold after this election cycle. Armed with this information, businesses can put strategies in place that will allow them to maintain success no matter what unfolds."

The report outlines the likely policy positions for each party and subsequent scenarios for priority areas of agriculture, including regulatory agendas, budget and fiscal policies, tax reform, trade and tariffs, sustainability, energy, anti-trust, labor, as well as Farm Bill and food policy.

A new tax bill is a must do piece of legislation in 2025, as the current bill expires at the end of the year. Regardless of party control, a new tax code will require budgetary offsets to pay for new or different tax provisions. Analysts identified how a new tax bill could impact agriculture in key areas, including tariffs and estate tax.

    Tariffs. Increasing tariffs as a budgetary offset will increase input costs, hurting gross margins. This will also position ag exports for retaliatory tariffs, hurting U.S. export competitiveness and softening domestic commodity prices.

    Estate Tax. The current rate is 40 percent with an exemption of $13.6 million; after expiration, the rate would stay at 40 percent, but the exemption would drop to $5 million. For context, the $5 million exemption is equivalent in value to an inherited 422 acres in Iowa. Any more would be subject to the 40 percent tax rate.

"Regardless of election outcomes, we expect to see tariffs continue to play a role in trade policy. Paired with likely retaliatory tariffs, the trade outlook for agriculture will continue to feel pressure," said Dave Juday, executive advisor to The Directions Group and lead economist for the report. "We do see party positions differing on tax reform details, including estate tax and capital gains. Individually, each of these issues has the potential to impact ag businesses and producers significantly, and it's critical for producers and ag organizations to be prepared. 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for ag policy."

The Directions Group will host a public webinar on October 1 at 1 p.m. EST/12 p.m. CST to dive deeper into the results of the 2024 U.S. Election Analysis for Agriculture Report. Purdy will moderate a discussion with veteran ag economist, Juday and retired multi-national executive, Mark Schweitzer on the factors shaping the ag policy agenda for 2025, including potential impacts from midnight regulations and Presidential Executive Orders, as well as the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned the so-called "Chevron deference".

Juday is an executive advisor for The Directions Groups in economics and trade, having served as an agriculture and trade policy advisor in the U.S. Senate and White House. Schweitzer is the retired vice president, Global Economic Research, and previous vice president of Investor Relations, at ADM.



Three Quarters of farmers are open to innovation to cope with climate change, global research reveals

Seventy-five percent of farmers are already impacted by climate change or worried about its impacts, and 71 percent of them report reduced yields as a major concern. 6 out of 10 have already experienced significant revenue loss due to weather events out of the norm recently. As part of the solution, farmers count on innovation: 75 percent are open to implementing new technologies to better cope with climate change. Desire for better yields, resilient farms, and protected livelihoods are driving interest and adoption of more regenerative and technological approaches to farming.

These are some of the key findings from the 2024 Farmer Voice survey, a study among 2,000 farmers across Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kenya, Ukraine, and the United States, conducted by global market research firm Kynetec on behalf of Bayer. It reveals the challenges, aspirations, and needs of farmers in times of climate change, digitalization, and economic and political volatility.

Rodrigo Santos, Member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and President of the Crop Science Division, said: “The Farmer Voice study underlines that farmers continue to face accelerating economic and environmental challenges in their important work – providing food to the world. They want innovation to help them do their jobs better, and an environment in which they can increasingly turn towards regenerative practices making food systems more resilient – to the benefit of the planet, food security, and their livelihoods alike.”

Farmers’ most prevalent current challenges are driven by volatility and uncertainty. With regard to the next 3 years, more than a third reported weather volatility or extreme weather events (37%) and price/income volatility (36%) among their top-3 challenges. While these remained stable compared to 2023 findings, this year’s survey revealed a notable increase of political or regulatory decisions as a key concern, with 29 percent of farmers citing that as a top-3 challenge, double the amount compared to last year.

This corresponds with the answers they gave when asked what would most benefit their farm looking ahead. Access to innovations like crop protection (41%) as well as seeds and traits (36%) rank highly, but farmers also clearly indicated that regulatory and policy changes would benefit their farms in the future, with 36 percent ranking it as a top-3 benefit.

Farmers use digital technologies to tackle challenges and improve their businesses
One way to cope with the different kinds of hurdles and make farming more productive lies in digitalization. Nearly two thirds of farmers already use digital tools, and another 25 percent plan to in the future. Farmers around the world are using digital tools for a range of diverse applications like forecasting, optimizing farm decisions, or precision application. Principal factors driving digital adoption are economic: 88 percent see improved crop yields as a motivation to use digital applications, 85 percent cost savings, and 84 percent improved crop quality. Ensuring the longer-term sustainability of farming practices ranks a close fourth place (79%), highlighting farmers’ dedication to land stewardship.

But there is a clear digital divide between countries with a higher share of smallholder farmers compared to other markets. On average, globally 65 percent of farmers are using digital tools today, versus 49 percent in China, 42 percent in Kenya and only 8 percent in India. However, farmers in these countries plan to implement more digital tools in the future (China: 27%, Kenya: 42%, India: 85%). And with farmers’ openness towards digital technologies, there comes the willingness to learn, also about AI. While 72 percent have little knowledge of current AI applications in agriculture, almost two thirds (62%) are interested to learn more.

Farmers harness regenerative practices to improve soil health and productivity
The role of sustainability in farmers’ motivation to use digital tools underlines the importance of digitalization in the transition towards a future of regenerative agriculture. Similar to the motivations for digitalization, farmers see yield increase and improved productivity among the most important outcomes that regenerative agriculture needs to bring, next to soil health.

“One of the most pressing questions is how we can meet the demands of protecting the planet, producing enough food and making sure that farmers can make a living out of their operations,” said Rodrigo Santos. “One answer to this lies in the concept of regenerative agriculture. To us this means increasing food production, farm incomes and resilience in a changing climate while renewing nature. This evolution will require a joint effort of farmers, society and businesses.”

And farmers have already begun that journey. Over 90 percent of them are using at least one regenerative farming practice in their operations. The average farmer uses almost seven out of a selection of 17 common regenerative farming practices, showing that there is also still a way to go. The most broadly implemented practices are crop rotation, maintaining soil fertility by adding nutrients, and soil health monitoring.

Farmers believe their work is critical and want to be heard
This mindset of smallholder farmers in India and Indonesia is also reflected in the global main Farmer Voice survey. Despite the broad range of challenges facing farmers, they do see the future potential and value of what they do. Farmers see themselves as critical to ensuring food security (95%), and accordingly think they deserve more credit for their role (91%). They also consider the work they do to be important for society overall (94%). This results in two thirds of them being willing to encourage future generations to pursue farming as a career.

“Farmers want to be recognized for their contributions to society. We can all support their work, whether we work with farmers directly, develop suitable policies, or simply benefit from the fruits of their labor,” said Rodrigo Santos. “The voice of the farmer is an important one. With big challenges ahead we need to continue to listen and learn from them.”

The Farmer Voice survey, commissioned by Bayer, gathered insights from over 2,000 farmers across Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kenya, Ukraine, and the United States. Participants were randomly selected from each market, with the objective to obtain a representative sample covering accurately the diversity of crop farmer profiles. The survey was independently conducted by Kynetec, a global leader in data, analytics and insights in agriculture, animal health and nutrition. Respondents were unaware that the survey was being conducted on Bayer’s behalf so as to not bias their answers. The interviews were conducted between June and July 2024.