Wednesday September 25 Ag News

 UNL Heifer Development Center First Year Wrap-Up

With the U.S. cowherd at historic lows, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln is focusing on how to grow the cowherd while advancing the quality of female genetics that are the foundation of the U.S. beef industry.

The Great Plains Heifer Development Center at UNL’s Haskell Ag Lab near Concord was launched in the winter of 2023 as part of that effort and is wrapping up its first year. Anyone interested is welcome to join a meeting Wednesday, October 2nd at the Haskell Ag Lab to review what researchers and enrolled producers learned and to discuss the program and related topics.

There is no cost to attend the meeting, but RSVPs are requested for lunch count. Register here by Sept. 27: https://go.unl.edu/2024heiferdevregistration

The heifer development program gives producers game-changing genomic, performance, and reproductive data about their replacement females years ahead of traditional on-the-ranch data tracking. It is a platform for testing cutting-edge technologies while aligning with Beef Improvement Federation genetic goals to advance industry standards.

Beyond providing data and precision heifer development service, the Great Plains Heifer Development Program prioritizes learning and education. Producers are encouraged to be part of the process, sharing their own knowledge, and learning what role data can play in their businesses.

“The ultimate goal of this program is to advance the beef industry,” said Connor Biehler, Nebraska beef Extension educator who coordinates the program. “That means we work with producers to see what questions they have or obstacles they are facing. Then we apply our resources to provide data that helps them make the decisions that will reach their goals. Meetings like this are important for us to share what we learned and to find out what we did that was valuable and how we can adjust to better serve our clientele. This is a partnership and we value the trust producers put in us to support their businesses and industry.”

The Heifer Development Center had a great impact in its first year and Biehler and others at UNL are excited to continue working with producers to focus on female genetic improvement in the U.S. cowherd.

“As we delve into this initiative, it’s not just about providing a service; it’s about creating a valuable learning community,” said Rick Rasby, a professor with Nebraska’s Animal Science Department. “We want producers to come together, share insights, and collectively elevate the efficiency and genetic prowess of their herds. This isn’t just about increasing numbers; it’s about improving the quality of the cowherd. It’s about creating resilient, flexible, and knowledgeable producers who are well-informed about the status of their herds.”

Great Plains Heifer Development Center First Year Wrap-up Meeting Agenda
10-10:15 a.m. Welcome
10:15-11 a.m. Dr. Jarret Proctor, Cargill Animal Nutrition - Nutritional Development of Beef Heifers
11 a.m. - Noon Dr. Kent Anderson, Zoetis - Genetics and INHERIT Select
Noon-12:45 Lunch
12:45-1:30 p.m. Great Plains Heifer Development Center Tour
1:30-1:50 p.m. ABS
1:50-2:10 p.m. Cattler Software
2:10-3:00 p.m. Project Recap

The enrollment period for 2025 opens Tuesday, Oct. 1. More information and enrollment criteria are available online at https://go.unl.edu/2025heiferdev. Register for the meeting or request more information at https://forms.gle/Mv8z4oEgsSe52V1UA or by contacting Biehler at 402-624-8030 or cbiehler2@unl.edu. There is no cost to attend but please RSVP by Friday, Sept. 27 for lunch count.



Sign up for Livestock-Related Custom Rates Survey

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Agricultural Profitability will soon be collecting custom rates survey data focused on livestock-related services.

A report will be published in 2025. If you are a producer or service provider in the livestock industry and would like to participate, please sign up using this link: https://cap.unl.edu/nebraska-livestock-related-custom-rates-survey-sign.

To reduce printing and mailing costs, they prefer that surveys be completed online. Once you sign up, they’ll send the survey to you when it is released in November. Find more information about Nebraska custom rates at https://cap.unl.edu/customrates.



DRY FALL
- Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

With dry conditions this fall, Nebraska livestock producers face several challenges, particularly regarding pasture health, alfalfa harvest timing, and late-seeded annual forages.

Drought reduces forage growth and quality, making pastures more vulnerable to overgrazing. This causes long-term damage to plant health and slows regrowth. To avoid this, adjust grazing rotations to allow pastures more recovery time and consider reducing herd size or pulling animals to prevent overgrazing. While dormant plants can handle more grazing pressure than those actively growing, the impact will still be felt next spring and care needs to be taken to adjust management as moisture patterns shift. Finally, keep an eye out for invasive species, which tend to thrive in stressed pastures.

Timing the final alfalfa harvest is another key concern in dry conditions. Without sufficient moisture, alfalfa regrowth slows, and harvesting too late can weaken the stand as it heads into winter dormancy. Producers must balance the need for forage with the plant's ability to recover, ensuring that alfalfa has time to store energy reserves for the winter. Missing this window could result in weaker stands and reduced yields next spring.

One last consideration. Late summer or fall-seeded annual forages may struggle to establish due to dry soil, which limits their growth and grazing potential. Producers depending on these forages should consider irrigation, if available, or consider back-up forage sources.

By managing pastures carefully, timing alfalfa harvests strategically, and planning for potential forage shortfalls, we can better navigate the challenges of dry conditions this fall.



USDA to Survey Nebraska Producers on Farm Chemical Use and Production Costs

This fall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will gather information about production practices from Nebraska producers, as part of the 2024 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).

“ARMS is a vital survey that tracks how Nebraska farmers use technology to manage production of their major field crops,” said NASS Nebraska State Statistician Nicholas Streff. “The data help producers, policymakers and farm groups understand the factors that drive the costs and returns of crop production.”

This year, NASS is surveying wheat and sorghum producers across the country. NASS will conduct the survey starting in October and recommends that farmers have their fertilizer and pesticide spray records available to assist the survey process. A USDA NASS representative will call producers to set up an interview to assist in the completion of the questionnaire. Producers may also receive an email reminder, if they opted for email service.

ARMS is conducted in three phases, from May 2024 through April 2025. The first phase screened participants to make sure they have the commodity of interest and would accurately represent the entire U.S. farm sector. In this current phase, NASS is collecting information on production practices. In the final phase, NASS will survey producers on cost of production, farm income, and production expenditures.

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents. The information provided will be used for statistical purposes only. In accordance with federal law, survey responses will be kept confidential and will not be published in identifiable form. ARMS is a joint effort of NASS and USDA’s Economic Research Service. For more information about ARMS, visit nass.usda.gov/go/arms. For reports and analysis of ARMS data, visit ers.usda.gov/arms.

All NASS reports are available online at nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information, call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at (800) 582-6443.



Naig Encourages Iowans to Celebrate Iowa Local Food Day on September 25

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowans to celebrate Iowa Local Food Day on Wednesday, September 25. Initiated in 2018 by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Local Food Day is held annually on the fourth Wednesday in September. The statewide celebration encourages Iowans, especially students, to learn more about where their food comes from and to build connections with local farmers.

“Iowa Local Food Day brings together Iowa farmers, schools, students and young learners to develop a deeper appreciation for the farmers in our communities that produce our food,” said Secretary Naig. “By incorporating locally sourced foods into school lunches, students not only enjoy fresh and nutritious meals but also develop a greater appreciation for where their food comes from.”

Through a partnership with the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Network, daycare facilities, K-12 public and private schools, and colleges and universities have been encouraged to sign-up. Participating sites commit to serving at least 2 items (breakfast, lunch or taste-test) made with locally sourced ingredients. To date, more than 40 locations across Iowa have registered their participation for Wednesday.

For those beyond their school years, Secretary Naig is also encouraging Iowans of all ages to participate in Iowa Local Food Day in their own way. Consumers can visit ChooseIowa.com to find local farmers and small businesses who are offering Iowa grown, Iowa raised, and Iowa made food and ag products.

To learn more about the day and its importance, visit the Iowa Local Food Day website.



Growth Energy Welcomes Bipartisan Push for 45Z Extension

Yesterday, Growth Energy praised the introduction of new legislation that would extend the 45Z clean fuels credit, which is currently slated to expire at the end of 2027.

The bipartisan bill, the Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act, is sponsored by Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), with companion legislation introduced by Representatives Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) in the House of Representatives. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) also cosponsored the legislation. The current tax credit would be extended for seven years, and new requirements would prioritize domestic feedstocks for low-carbon fuels, like bioethanol.

“This important bill sends a strong signal that extending the 45Z credit is going to be a top, bipartisan priority in this Congress and the next,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We applaud Senators Brown, Marshall, and all our rural champions for working to give biofuel producers and our farm partners the long-term certainty we need to accelerate innovation in America’s bioeconomy.
 
“With a longer runway from Congress, and clear, flexible, and timely guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, we’ll have the pieces in place to unlock billions of dollars in new clean energy investments across rural America.”
 
Passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the 45Z tax credit is intended to incentivize the production of low-carbon fuels in transportation on the ground and in the air. If implemented properly, Growth Energy’s own research demonstrates that the credit would add $21.2 billion to the U.S. economy, generate nearly $13.4 billion in household income, support more than 192,000 jobs across all sectors of the national economy, and provide farmers with a 10 percent premium price on low carbon corn used at an ethanol plant.



NCGA Supports Legislation Establishing Guidelines for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credits

Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate today that would extend a new sustainable aviation tax credit for biofuels for ten years and prevent foreign producers from accessing the credits.

The Senate bill was introduced by Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and the House bill was introduced by Reps. Tracey Mann (R-Kansas) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).

The National Corn Growers Association praised the development.
 
“Corn growers are making every effort to help the airline industry lower its greenhouse gas emissions through the use of corn ethanol,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA president Harold Wolle. “We are deeply appreciative of these leaders for introducing legislation that establishes requirements for the tax credit that will level the playing field for America’s corn growers.”

The tax credit, referred to as 45Z, is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in 2022. The law provides tax incentives to refineries that produce biofuels that can be used in commercial aircraft and is part of the Biden administration’s ambitious effort to address climate change.
 
The administration is still hashing out specifics about the credit, including who receives it. Many U.S. biofuel producers are concerned about foreign shipments of biofuels, which in some cases lack proper carbon accounting.

Growers have also voiced concerns about the requirements for acquiring the tax credits.

In May, the U.S. Department of Treasury released its guidance on eligibility for the credits, which has been met with continued concern by growers troubled that they would be required to implement environmental practices that are impractical in certain climates.

Corn grower leaders continue to work with Congress and administration officials to hammer out practical approaches that will help growers access the tax credits.



USMEF Statement on Colombia Fully Reopening to U.S. Beef

With the Colombian government recently lifting its ban on U.S. beef originating from states in which H5N1 was detected in dairy cows, the Export Library for Colombia has been updated to reflect restored access for beef from 14 states.

U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom says....

On behalf of USMEF’s membership, I want to thank the U.S. government, and especially the teams at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) involved in the effort to restore full access for U.S. beef shipments to Colombia. The USDA staff posted in Bogota, in particular, worked tirelessly to get these restrictions lifted. We are also grateful to Colombian importers and customers who remained loyal to U.S. beef during this difficult time and who voiced their concerns to the Colombian government about the interruption in trade.

It is also important to note that effective USDA engagement with other trading partners helped prevent similar trade barriers from affecting additional export markets. While Colombia was the only destination to officially restrict imports of U.S. beef as a result of H5N1 findings in dairy cows, the impact on beef exports was substantial. Prior to the restrictions imposed in April, Colombia was a promising market averaging about $3 million per month in U.S. beef purchases. In July – the most recent month for which data is available – exports fell to less than $850,000. We look forward to rebuilding U.S. beef’s presence in the Colombian market and meeting the needs of our valued customers.



AgriSafe CEO Natalie Roy Emphasizes Need for Accessible Mental Health Resources for Farmers

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture hosted AgriSafe CEO Natalie Roy as a featured speaker during the Rural Development and Financial Security Committee meeting at the 2024 NASDA Annual Meeting. Roy delivered an impactful presentation on addressing farm stress, highlighting the urgent need to support the mental health and well-being of farmers, ranchers and rural communities through ensuring resources are accessible and providing avenues of support. NASDA spoke with Roy on the topic of her talk with the committee and the importance of enhanced resources for farmers.
 
During her talk, Roy shared insights on the unique stressors facing the agricultural community, including unpredictable weather, financial pressures and the physical demands of farming. She emphasized that addressing these challenges is not only crucial for individual health but also for the overall sustainability of the agricultural sector.
 
“Two years ago, seven state departments of agriculture funded and piloted the AgriStress Helpline in collaboration with the nonprofit organization AgriSafe Network. Their vision was to create a 24/7 crisis line that would save lives first and be a resource line second,” Roy said. “It is critical that all stakeholders join forces to assure the AgriStress Helpline is adequately funded to serve agricultural communities across our nation.”
 
The NASDA Annual Meeting brings together leaders, policymakers and stakeholders in the agriculture industry to address critical issues facing the industry. This year’s meeting focused on ‘Cultivating Common Ground,’ with Roy’s session on farm stress serving as a key subject to promote the importance of mental health in agriculture. NASDA members continue their commitment to improving rural mental health.



National Ag Law Center analyzes potential impacts of overturning Chevron doctrine on environmental regulations during NASDA Annual Meeting

At today’s 2024 Annual Meeting, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture hosted National Agricultural Law Center’s Director Harrison Pittman, Senior Staff Attorney Rusty Rumley and Staff Attorney Brigit Rollins for a discussion on the potential impacts of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the Chevron doctrine during the Natural Resources and Environment Policy Committee meeting.
 
The Chevron doctrine is a legal precedent that guided judicial deference to federal agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes for four decades. Established in the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., the Chevron doctrine allowed federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency to implement and enforce regulations based on their interpretation of laws passed by Congress. When NASDA spoke with Pittman on this discussion, Pittman said the recent reversal could lead to significant changes in how environmental regulations are created, interpreted and enforced.
 
"This landmark decision will take years to fully play out, but the potential consequences for a host of laws applicable to agriculture, including the Endangered Species Act, wetlands regulation, the Clean Water Act and pesticide regulation cannot be understated," Pittman said.
 
State agriculture departments work closely with federal agencies to implement environmental programs, and in many cases, as co-regulators with other state agency counterparts.
 
"We're extremely proud to be a resource to NASDA on this and other important issues facing agriculture," Pittman said.
 
NASDA thanks Pittman for his insights to this developing situation and will continue to monitor the impacts of this decision. NASDA is committed to advocating for clear and effective environmental policies that enhance agricultural productivity and protect natural resources.



Animal Agriculture Leaders Discuss Antimicrobial Resistance in Atlanta, GA

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) convened animal agriculture leaders in Atlanta, Georgia to meet with human and animal health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This latest convening built on previous meetings that began in 2018. This discussion was timely, given the upcoming UN General Assembly High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance on September 26, 2024, in New York City.

The multi-day One Health discussion spanned animal agriculture priorities, foodborne illnesses, waterborne transmission, H5N1 updates and preparedness, fungal pathogens, worker safety, tours of CDC enteric pathogen laboratories, and more.

Through ongoing discussions and experiential learning tours with public health leaders, animal agriculture leaders identify opportunities to concretely improve One Health outcomes, like decreased occurrences of foodborne illness and decreased emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. During a similar convening in 2022, leaders identified joint research opportunities to foster greater understanding of potential transmission routes of Salmonella.

Conversations during this most recent engagement identified opportunities to better communicate One Health topics with a more unified voice. Additionally, farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians provided context about on-farm and ranch practices to increase CDC scientists’ understanding to enhance investigations of foodborne, waterborne, and environmental disease outbreaks.

“Participating in this latest convening not only demonstrated NIAA’s mission in action but more importantly fostered relationships that will continuously improve our food system through a true One Health approach. Since NIAA’s inception, we have been the convener for ‘hard conversations’ and a space where those who do not usually interact come together to explore, discuss, learn, and develop shared knowledge. It is extremely rewarding to see first-hand the growing collaboration between animal agriculture leaders and public health leaders,” shared NIAA executive director, J.J. Jones.

Leaders from the following organizations participated in the late August convening:
·       Animal Agriculture Alliance
·       American Horse Council
·       American Sheep Industry Association
·       American Veterinary Medical Association
·       Cattlemen's Beef Board
·       Meat Institute
·       National Institute for Animal Agriculture
·       National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research & Education (NIAMRRE)
·       National Pork Board
·       United States Animal Health Association (USAHA)
·       U.S. Poultry & Egg Association

“By sharing our respective priorities and challenges with animal agriculture leaders, we hope to demonstrate that CDC is eager to collaborate and further efforts to advance human, environmental and animal health and address the threat of antimicrobial resistance,” said Alexandra Medley DVM, MPH, who serves as Associate Director for Antimicrobial Resistance for CDC’s  Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases. Medley also serves as NIAA’s Antibiotics Council co-chair. “We appreciate the organizations that shared their perspectives and priorities, and listened to ours, to foster discussion about how we can work collectively to fight antimicrobial resistance with a true One Health approach.”

NIAA will convene One Health leaders during the 14th Annual NIAA Antibiotics Symposium in Denver, Colorado, from November 19 – 21, 2024. To learn more about the Symposium and register to attend, visit AnimalAgriculture.org.



Canada Grain Workers Go on Strike

After failed contract negotiations, Grain Workers Local Union 333 went on strike Tuesday, stopping work at five grain terminals in Vancouver.

The union, which represents 650 grain workers at terminals in Metro Vancouver, served the Vancouver Terminal Elevators Association (VTEA) notice they would strike at 7 a.m. Sept. 24 after having served the strike notice 72 hours prior.

According to a letter posted on their Facebook page, Grain Workers Union Local 333 (GWU) said the union's bargaining committee made the decision to issue a strike notice meeting with the VTEA Sept. 16 and 17. The union said it spent "most of the time correcting the errors VTEA had made to already agreed to terms, and VTEA then took 36 hours to respond to the union's proposal with a bare-bones document on Sept. 19 that continued to insist on changing lieu day entitlements."

GWU told members in the letter: "Your union will not bargain against itself. It is VTEA's move. We will await their proposal if, and when it comes, and respond accordingly."

Canadian government websites noted VTEA represents several western Canadian grain companies that operate elevators in the Port of Vancouver. These companies are Viterra Inc. Cascadia Terminal, Viterra Inc. Pacific Terminal, Richardson International Limited, Cargill Limited and Alliance Grain Terminal Ltd.

Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) said in a news release Sept. 13 it was deeply concerned about the impending GWU strike at the Port of Vancouver, which would stop all shipments of bulk grain.

"Grain farmers in the Prairies rely heavily on the Port of Vancouver to handle and export the majority of the grain they grow," GGC stated. "In fact, last year terminal elevators at the Port of Vancouver received roughly 52% of all grain produced from across Canada, underscoring the critical role these terminals play in our agricultural supply chain.

"Following last month's rail work stoppages, this strike will have an equally devastating impact on grain farmers across the Prairies who are in the midst of harvest. Data from the Canadian Grain Commission indicates that this work stoppage will halt nearly 100,000 metric tons of grain arriving at these terminals per day, resulting in a loss of $35 million in potential exports daily."

GGC added it is "calling on the federal government and Minister of Labour, Steven MacKinnon, to use all tools available to them to ensure parties reach an agreement before a work stoppage occurs. Without intervention, Canada's international trading reputation will continue to suffer, leading to the loss of key global markets and customers."