Thursday October 03 Ag News

Grants Available for Nebraska Dairy Producers
 
Here are some current grant opportunities available for dairy producers in Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. These USDA grant funds are offered through the Center for Dairy Research and the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) and are typically offered twice a year. This past spring, one project from Nebraska received funding. We would love to see more applicants and funds reach our NE dairy industry. Please be encouraged to reapply if you did not receive funding on a previous round.
 
This fall there are two different grant programs available:

Dairy Business Builder: targeted at small-to-medium size farmers or processors. Projects should be aimed at diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy by-products. Awards up to $100,000.

Dairy Industry Impact: targeted at projects related to exporting dairy products or sustainability. Awards up to $100,000.
 
Applicants may apply to both the Dairy Business Builder grant and the Dairy Industry Impact grant if they have two separate projects related to DBIA goals.
 
Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply if they have reimbursed over 50% of the grant award.
 
Applications are due by October 23. More information can be found here: DBIA | Center for Dairy Research https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/dbia.  
 
One additional funding opportunity is the On-Farm Biosecurity Grants: Applications Open August 13, First come, first served. (only 2 of the 10 available grants had been awarded as of last Thursday).  Ten Reimbursable, no-match grants of up to $10,000 to dairy farms to acquire essential supplies and equipment to prevent the on-farm spread of H5N1. Grant funding information can be found here: Grants & Financial Resources - Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association https://www.wischeesemakersassn.org/grants.  



Svanda Joins Nebraska Soybean Board as Communications and Education Coordinator

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) is pleased to announce the hiring of Sophia Svanda as communications and education coordinator.

In her role, Svanda will oversee NSB’s education initiatives, working on various programs that connect with educators and agricultural groups across Nebraska. She will also support NSB's communications efforts, helping to carry out strategies that promote Nebraska soybeans and benefit the state's soybean farmers.

Svanda grew up in Nehawka, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Agricultural and Environmental Science Communication. Her background includes serving as Marketing Communications Manager at Frontier Cooperative, where she honed her skills in digital media and community engagement while gaining valuable experience in the agriculture industry.

“We are excited to welcome Sophia to our team as the communications and education coordinator,” said Andy Chvatal, NSB executive director. “Her passion for agriculture, communications and education, combined with her previous experiences, will be invaluable as we continue promoting the value of Nebraska soybeans and engaging with the next generation of Nebraskans.”

“I am thrilled to join the Nebraska Soybean Board and contribute to the important work being done to support Nebraska soybean farmers,” said Svanda. "I look forward to developing educational programs and communications that engage consumers, farmers and youth, highlighting the many benefits of the Nebraska soybean industry.”

Svanda started her role on October 1. She can be contacted and welcomed at sophia@nebraskasoybeans.org.



Iowa Delegation Strengthens Trade Relationship with India

Recently, Stu Swanson, Iowa Corn Growers Association President and farmer from Wright County, participated in a trade mission along with Governor Kim Reynolds to India.

The delegation included Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and representatives from other agriculture and business sectors in Iowa. The purpose of the mission was to work toward strengthening Iowa’s trade and investment relationships with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

During the ten-day mission, the delegation met with a number of Indian government officials and business owners. Swanson, along with other members of the delegation, participated in an Iowa-India business summit, an agriculture roundtable and visited with our partners at the U.S. Grains Council India office.

Swanson along with Jessica Hyland, Executive Director of the Iowa Biotechnology Association, also were witnesses to the signing of a letter of intent by Kavi Chawla Senior Advisor to PowerPollen, an Iowa Corn Opportunities (ICO) investment. The letter of intent to provide their cutting-edge pollen technology to VNR Seeds, based in India.

“It was an honor to participate in the India Trade Mission along with Governor Reynolds and the rest of the delegation, representing Iowa agriculture,” shared Swanson. “It was a great opportunity to showcase Iowa as a world’s front runner and share how our state is positioned to meet the needs of countries like India. We are excited to see what potential future opportunities come out of this important mission.”

 

Meat Processors Workshop to Be Held Nov. 7

The Enterprise Development team with Farm, Food and Enterprise Development with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a Meat Processor Business Lifecycle Workshop to focus on considerations and strategies for business transitions in the small meat processing industry.

The workshop will be held Nov. 7 at Iowa State’s Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames.

New owners have stepped up to meet the growing demand for meat from animals raised locally. This business, though small by comparison to very large commodity processors, requires owners and staff who are attuned to the unique needs of their market areas and the farmers and ranchers who supply the animals. Owners and managers need to make well-informed decisions at every phase of their company’s life.

When considering whether to purchase an existing plant or build a new facility, federal, state and local requirements will play into the feasibility of a given opportunity.  Similarly, when growing the business or planning to retire from a successful business, ownership transitions and tax implications become highly important.

This workshop is intended to address strategies for transitions and information to help the growing business thrive.

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., with the workshop scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Registration is $25 if completed by Oct. 27, and $35 thereafter. The final registration deadline is Nov. 6.  Here's the link for the workshop... https://go.iastate.edu/CXMRMH.

For more information, contact Ethan Bowers, enterprise development specialist with farm, food and enterprise development at Iowa State at embowers@iastate.edu This material is based upon work supported by USDA-NIFA under Award Number 2022-70419-38561.



IDALS Granted Emergency Court Order on Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc. Chickens

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship was granted an emergency court order today to take immediate care, custody and control of approximately 1.3 million broiler chickens owned by Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc.

Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc., headquartered in Fairfax, Minnesota, operates a Charles City chicken processing plant and contracts with farmers throughout Iowa to grow broilers. On Monday, September 30, Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc. notified the Department that, due to their financial position, they were unable to purchase feed for these chickens located at 14 Iowa farms.

Upon notification, the Department coordinated with state and federal agencies, as well as industry partners, to seek a possible solution. With no immediately available solution and citing significant potential animal welfare concerns, the Department, under its authority in Iowa Code Chapter 717, sought an emergency court order to take care, custody, and control of the birds.

Following the issuance of the emergency court order, the Department is now coordinating with the farmers to provide feed and care for the birds.

The Department will seek reimbursement of the taxpayers’ costs from responsible parties, including through possible legal remedies. The Department has also notified relevant local law enforcement of the situation.  



August DMC Margin Sets Record
NMPF

The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) monthly margin rose by $1.40/cwt from the month before to $13.72/cwt, the highest since margin protection replaced the old price support program as the basic dairy safety net program in January 2015. The August all-milk price was $23.60/cwt, up $0.80/cwt from July, and the DMC feed cost formula dropped by $0.60/cwt of milk, driven mostly by a lower corn price.

Late September dairy and grain futures indicated that the DMC margin would average around $12.20/cwt for all of calendar year 2024.

CWT Secures 60 Contracts in September
CWT member cooperatives secured 60 contracts in September, adding 6.2 million pounds of product to CWT-assisted sales in 2024. In milk equivalent, this is equal to 56.1 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. These products will go to customers in Asia, Oceania, Middle East-North Africa and South America and will be shipped from September 2024 through March 2025.



Potash, 10-34-0 Lead Retail Fertilizer Prices Lower Again

Average retail prices for most major fertilizers were lower in the fourth week of September 2024, with prices for two fertilizers down significantly, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Prices for seven of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to last month, a trend that has continued for the last few weeks. Prices for two fertilizers were down significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

10-34-0 led the way lower, down 7% compared to last month. The starter fertilizer had an average price of $593 per ton. Also substantially lower was potash, which was down 6% from last month with an average price of $457 per ton. Five other fertilizers were slightly lower compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $738 per ton, MAP $812/ton, urea $485/ton, UAN28 $320/ton and UAN32 $351/ton.

One fertilizer was slightly more expensive than a month ago. Anhydrous had an average price of $684/ton, up $8 per ton from last 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.

Prices for all but two fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago. 10-34-0 is 3% lower, UAN28 is 9% less expensive, potash is 10% lower, anhydrous is 11% less expensive and both urea and UAN32 are 15% lower compared to last year. Both DAP and now MAP are 5% higher than last year.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/27/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 27, ethanol production increased 2.1% to 1.02 b/d, equivalent to 42.63 million gallons daily. Output was 0.6% more than the same week last year and 6.6% above the five-year average for the week. Still, the four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.1% to 1.03 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.89 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks ticked down 0.3% to 23.5 million barrels. However, stocks were 7.2% more than the same week last year and 12.4% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned in the Midwest (PADD 2), registering a 41-week low, and the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) but built across the other regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, shrank 7.4% to 8.52 million b/d (130.98 bg annualized). Demand was 6.3% more than a year ago but 5.9% below the five-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol climbed 0.9% to 908,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.96 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.7% more than year-ago levels and 2.3% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 102,000 b/d (4.3 million gallons/day), reflecting a 17.2% increase over the prior week. It has been 54 weeks since imports of ethanol were recorded.



Checking in on Ethanol Supply and Demand
Scott Richman, Chief Economist, Renewable Fuels Association     

Ethanol production reached 1.42 billion gallons (bg) in July, the most for any month on record, according to Energy Information Administration data released Monday. This occurred in response to strong domestic consumption and exports that have been running at a record pace.

According to EIA, product supplied of finished motor gasoline, a proxy for demand, was 3.5% higher than in July 2023. In turn, ethanol consumption was 4.4% more than a year earlier, as a result of not only solid gasoline demand but also the expanded availability of mid- and high-level ethanol blends, such as E15 (consisting of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline). The blend rate—the average ethanol content in the nation’s gasoline—was 10.4% for the month.

Ethanol exports were the highest for any July in history, exceeding the year-earlier volume by 21.2%. In fact, exports are on pace to reach at least 1.8 bg in 2024, which would surpass the previous record set in 2018 by more than 100 million gallons. However, achieving this could be jeopardized if the dockworker strike that began this week is not resolved expeditiously, since more than half of ethanol shipments exit the country through Gulf Coast ports.

If these usage trends are sustained, U.S. ethanol production could hit 16.0 bg this year for only the second time in history (incidentally, July’s output rate would result in 17.0 bg if sustained over a full year). This demand spurt is occurring at a much-needed time for America’s corn growers, as futures prices recently hit four-year lows, ratcheting up financial pressures. Additionally, near-record production of both ethanol and corn this year demonstrates the ability of the industry to meet future opportunities for expanded demand, such as sustainable aviation fuel.

Moreover, this week’s headlines from the Middle East highlight ethanol’s role in enhancing America’s energy security. Almost all (roughly 99%) the ethanol used in the U.S. is made here from domestically produced feedstock. On the other hand, the EIA data show that the U.S. imported 221 million barrels of crude oil in July, equivalent to 43% of the oil used by refineries.

The latest data serve as a good reminder that ethanol “checks all the boxes” in terms of its benefits as a transportation fuel: enhancing energy security, reducing prices at the pump, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting farmers and rural America.



$7.7 Billion Available for Climate-Smart Practices on Agricultural Lands 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced up to $7.7 billion in assistance for fiscal year 2025 to help agricultural and forestry producers adopt conservation practices on working lands. This includes up to $5.7 billion for climate-smart practices, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda and $2 billion in Farm Bill funding. This is more than double the amount available last year and the most conservation assistance made available in a single year in U.S. history for popular USDA conservation programs.

Through changing temperatures, precipitation patterns, drought, flooding, and increasingly more severe extreme events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, climate change is affecting the livelihood of USDA’s stakeholders. Innovations in adapting to such changes will be central to the future success of working lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) received more than 156,485 applications for its conservation programs in fiscal year 2024. While NRCS accepts applications year-round, interested agricultural producers can now apply for fiscal year 2025 funding through NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, America’s producers have additional funding available to them for conservation programs and climate-smart practices. We continue to see record demand for these programs, and we’re confident that we can continue to get the support out to conservation-minded producers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This funding will be used to maximize climate benefits across the country while also providing other important conservation and operational benefits, which will lead to economic opportunity for producers, and more productive soil, cleaner water and air, healthier wildlife habitat, greater connectivity, and natural resource conservation for future generations.”

The Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate and conservation investment in history, invests an additional $19.5 billion in NRCS’ oversubscribed conservation programs over five years, which began in fiscal year 2023. This year through the Inflation Reduction Act, producers can apply for $2.8 billion through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), $943 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), $472 million through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and up to $1.4 billion in the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This is in addition to the $2 billion available for these programs through the Farm Bill, including $860 million for EQIP, $600 million for CSP, $450 million for ACEP, and $250 million for RCPP.

This assistance through the Inflation Reduction Act also helps advance the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which set a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. These investments also advance President Biden’s America the Beautiful Initiative, a locally led, voluntary conservation and restoration effort that aims to address the nature and climate crises, support working lands conservation, improve equitable access to the outdoors, and strengthen the economy.

Since implementation began in 2023, this climate smart conservation assistance has helped over 28,500 farmers and ranchers apply conservation to 361 million acres of land during the past two years. These funds provide direct climate mitigation benefits, advance a host of other environmental co-benefits, and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch or forest land through practices like cover cropping, conservation tillage, wetland restoration, prescribed grazing, nutrient management, tree planting and more.



USDA Announces October 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for October 2024, which are effective Oct. 1, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs.          

“I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.         

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans        
FSA offers farm ownership, operating, and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand, or maintain a family agricultural operation.     

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for October 2024 are as follows:       
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 4.875% 
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.375% 
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.375% 
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%   

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.  To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.       

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans       
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.   
    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed):5.125%.      
    Farm Storage Facility Loans: 
    o Three-year loan terms: 3.625% 
    o Five-year loan terms: 3.500% 
    o Seven-year loan terms: 3.625% 
    o Ten-year loan terms: 3.750%
    o Twelve-year loan terms: 3.875% 
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 4.000%       



NCBA Accepting Applications for Spring 2025 Interns

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is reminding students of internship opportunities available for the spring 2025 semester. Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the oldest and largest national trade association representing America’s cattle farmers and ranchers. Internship opportunities include a public policy internship, meetings and events internship, and a producer education and sustainability internship.

“Interning at NCBA is a fantastic learning opportunity and a great way to jumpstart your career in the cattle industry,” said NCBA President-Elect Buck Wehrbein, a Nebraska cattle producer. “Interns perform critical work that supports our advocacy efforts in Washington, our producer education programs, and our industry-focused meetings and events, including the annual cattle industry convention. I encourage you to apply to these internship opportunities and see how your skills might help the American cattle and beef industry.”
 
The public policy internship in Washington, D.C. supports the work of NCBA’s Government Affairs team. Public policy interns conduct legislative research, monitor congressional and federal agency activity, and prepare briefing materials. This internship is also conducted in conjunction with the Public Lands Council, offering interns an opportunity to also learn about public lands ranching in addition to the rest of the cattle industry.
 
The meetings and events internship in Denver, CO assists with planning major cattle industry events including the annual cattle industry convention and summer business meeting.  

The producer education and sustainability internship in Denver, CO assists in the development and release of educational materials to cattle producers, execution of the Beef Quality Assurance program, and research and communications support for cattle industry sustainability initiatives.
 
Applications for the public policy and meetings and events internships close October 11. The producer education internship application closes October 22. To learn more about these internship opportunities and apply, please visit ncba.org.



Solinftec Announces Successful First Commercial Season of Solix Sprayer Robot

Solinftec, a global leader in artificial intelligence solutions and sustainable agricultural practices, has shared an update on the successful inaugural commercial season of its groundbreaking Solix Sprayer Robot. For the 2024 growing season there were 50 robots in commercial use on farms in Indiana and Illinois monitoring more than 65 million plants. The use of Solix resulted in a reduction of up to 98% in herbicide volume and up to 10% more potential yields of crops including wheat, corn, popcorn seed and soybeans.
 
Made commercially available to farmers, cooperatives and ag-retailers earlier this year, the Solix Sprayer Robot has not only streamlined agricultural operations in the U.S., but has also demonstrated significant advancements in agriculture, providing farmers with efficient, more sustainable, data-driven solutions. The Solix Robots detect and spray weeds, providing autonomous and sustainable target spray applications on grower’s fields to help producers reduce their chemical inputs and deliver a lower cost carbon footprint and environmental impact. Solix is powered by four solar panels that control the drive system and the spray system while providing reports on crop populations, weed identification and densities, disease identification and thresholds, insect identification and thresholds, nutrient deficiency identification and densities and much more useful data to the grower virtually 24/7.
 
Solix is tackling three pillars and challenges faced by its customers: chemical reduction, labor and sustainability. By significantly reducing chemical usage, Solix not only brings a return on investment (ROI) to the company but also supports farmers in their efforts to optimize input costs. Throughout the 2024 growing season, Solix Sprayer Robots applied 15,089 gallons of product. This resulted in significant water and herbicide savings, with 72,000 gallons of water being conserved. For corn, popcorn and soybeans, herbicides have been optimized alongside non-GMO crops. A leading innovator and pioneer in the Ag Robotics space, Solinftec’s Solix promotes sustainability by enabling farmers to produce more within the same area, effectively allowing them to achieve greater yields with fewer resources. Solix Sprayer Robots resulted in up to 10% more biomass and potential yields.
 
The autonomy of Solix Sprayer Robots also addresses the labor challenges that many customers encounter in the market, providing an efficient solution that reduces reliance on manual labor.
 
Looking ahead to 2025, Solinftec will be expanding its Solix platform into additional states in the U.S. heartland.
 
“The Solix Sprayer Robot offers farmers increased efficiency, precision application, data-driven insights, and eco-friendly farming practices,” shared Taylor Wetli, U.S. Commercial & Business Development Manager, Solinftec. “Our first season of the Solix Sprayer Robot has achieved expectations and has been met with positive feedback, reinforcing our commitment to transforming agriculture through technology.”
 
The company continues to develop and innovate its Solix technology. In August, Solinftec announced its newest development in the field of agricultural robotics: the Solix docking station. Announced at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, the launch of this new development will allow Solix Ag Robotics to operate 100% autonomously throughout the season, without the need for a manual refill and allowing Solix to expand its capabilities in the future.
 
For more information on Solinftec and Solix, visit www.solinftec.com/en-us.