Wednesday October 30 Ag News

 Ag Land Management Webinar Planned on Cash Rents, Farm Programs, Leasing

The latest trends in 2024 Nebraska county-level cash rental rates, ARC and PLC coverage options and leasing considerations will be covered during the next Land Management Quarterly webinar, hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, at noon Central time on Nov. 18.

Offered since 2019, the quarterly webinars address common management issues for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators, and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on trends in real estate, managing agricultural land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming growing season.

The November webinar will cover recent findings from the 2024 USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service county-level cash rent survey and trends in farm programs influencing operations across the state. The presentation will also include a segment on landlord-tenant communication issues related to closing out 2024 leases and review leasing considerations for 2025. The webinar will conclude with an “Ask the Experts” session, allowing participants to get live answers to their land or leasing questions.

Viewers will have the opportunity to submit land management questions for the presenters to answer during the presentation.

The webinar will be led by Jim Jansen and Anastasia Meyer, who are with the Department of Agricultural Economics at Nebraska. Jansen focuses on agricultural finance, land economics and the direction of the annual Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey and Report. Meyer is an agricultural economist focusing on rental negotiations and leasing arrangements.

The webinar is free and will be recorded. Past recordings can be viewed the day after each session, along with recordings from the entire series.

Registration is free at https://cap.unl.edu/landmanagement.



Nebraska Farmers Union PAC Announces General Election Endorsements

NEBFARMPAC, the political action committee of Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska’s second largest general farm organization with over 3,200 farm and ranch families, announced its general election endorsements today for Congress, the Legislature, State Board of Education, Public Power Districts, Natural Resource Districts, and County Commissioners.

Based on their position on family farm and ranch issues with input from county and district officers the NEBFARMPAC Board of Directors announced the following endorsements:

NeFU members in bold.       * = Incumbents      

U.S. Senate:     *Deb Fischer
U.S. Senate      Preston Love Jr.

Congress Second District: Tony Vargas

Nebraska Legislature
LD3:    Victor Roundtree
LD5:   Margo Juarez
LD7:    Dunixi Guereca & Tim Pendrell
LD9:    *John Cavanaugh
LD11: *Terrell McKinney
LD13:  Nick Batter & Ashlei Spivey
LB15:  Dave Wordekemper
LD17:  Glen Meyer & Mike Albrecht
LD19: *Rob Dover   
LD21: Seth Derner
LD23: Dennis Fujan
LD25: Nicki Behmer Popp
LD27:  Jason Prokop
LD29: *Eliot Bostar (unopposed)
LD31: Mary Ann Folchert
LD33:  Michelle Smith
LD35: Dan Quick
LD37: Stan Clouse
LD39: Allison Heimes
LD41:  Daniel McKeon
LD45:  Sarah Centineo
LD49:  *Jen Day

Nebraska Public Power District
Subdivision 6: Robin Hinrichs

Omaha Public Power District
Subdivision 6: *Eric Williams
Subdivision 8: Morgan Rye-Craft

State Board of Education
Subdistrict 1: Kristin Christensen
Subdistrict 2: Maggie Douglas
Subdistrict 3: Bill McAllister
Subdistrict 4: Liz Renner       

Lower Platte North NRD
Subdistrict 3: *Andrew Tonnies

Lower Platte South NRD
Subdistrict 1: Carla McCullough Dittman
Subdistrict 5: *John Yoakum
Subdistrict 6:  *Anthony Schutz (unopposed)
Subdistrict 7:   Chuck Hassebrook (unopposed)
Subdistrict 10:  Stephanie Matejka (unopposed)

Upper Elkhorn NRD
Subdistrict 6:  *Art Tanderup (unopposed)

Lancaster County Commissioner
Subdistrict 2: *Christa Yoakum
Subdistrict 4: Chelsea Johnson



Registration Open for 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show

Tuesday, Nebraska Cattlemen announced registration is available for the 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show. This year’s event will take place at Younes Conference Center South in Kearney, Neb. from Dec. 11-13.

"Nebraska Cattlemen's Annual Convention provides members with the opportunity to vote on our policy, influence regulations and legislation at all levels of government, and to have important discussions about industry issues," said Laura Field, executive vice president of Nebraska Cattlemen.

Beef cattle producers will have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including tax issues, foreign ownership of agriculture land, secure beef supply plans, farm bill updates and much more. Further, this year's trade show is expected to have more than 70 vendors in attendance for members to visit with.

In addition to shaping policy and the trade show, the annual NC Awards Banquet will honor this year’s Hall of Fame, Industry Service and Friend of the Foundation award recipients on Thursday evening.

The final day of Convention will kick off with a market outlook presentation by Jeff Stolle, Nebraska Cattlemen’s vice president of marketing. Convention will conclude with the Annual Business Meeting, where members will vote on policy and elect the 2025 Nebraska Cattlemen leadership.

To read the full 2024 Annual Convention and Trade Show schedule and to register, please visit www.nebraskacattlemen.org/convention-trade-show. Early registration will be available through Dec. 6.



Ricketts, Fischer Secure $5.4 Million Grant for Nebraska Agricultural Supply Chain Efficiency Project

Tuesday, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) announced a $5.4 million federal grant to enhance the Southeastern Nebraska Agricultural Supply Chain Efficiency Project. The grant was awarded to Manning Rail, Inc. to rehabilitate a rail line between Fairmont and Burress in Filmore County.

“Food security is national security so enhancing Nebraska’s agricultural supply chain is an important use of these funds,” said Senator Ricketts. “Restoring the rail line will enhance the competitiveness of more than 100 local farmers. This project will not only improve grain transporting efficiency, but also enhance market access for local producers.”

“Investing in infrastructure keeps rural Nebraska strong,” said Senator Fischer. “Rebuilding the rail line between Fairmont and Burress will connect more than 100 producers to the global marketplace and position Fillmore County for future success.”

“We are grateful and excited to have been awarded this grant because of the tremendous opportunity it offers regional producers,” said Kent Manning, President of Manning Rail. “When we purchased the line twenty years ago, it had little chance of surviving. Since then, we have worked very hard to restore it. This grant provides the necessary funding for safe and efficient transportation of grain via rail. Once this project is completed, producers for generations to come will have access to 110-car shuttle trains on the BNSF railroad.”

This project will focus on development, final design, and construction activities to restore the rail line. Manning Rail and Filmore County will contribute the 25 percent non-Federal match. The project qualifies for the statutory set-aside for rural area projects.



SCN-resistant soybeans varieties for 2025 including 200 with Peking resistance

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is estimated to be present in at least 70 percent of Iowa fields. Growing SCN-resistant soybean varieties is critical to maintaining profitable soybean production in these fields.

Each year, ISU compiles information on the SCN-resistant soybean varieties available to grow in Iowa. The updated list is available as ISU Extension publication CROP1649. Collection and publication of this information is supported by soybean checkoff funds provided by the Iowa Soybean Association.

Over 900 resistant varieties available, more with Peking resistance than ever
The publication contains information on 920 SCN-resistant soybean varieties among maturity groups 0, 1, 2, and 3. This is 54 more varieties than last year and a near-record high number. The varieties are from 33 brands offered by 25 companies.

In the early 1990s all SCN-resistant soybean varieties available in Iowa had SCN resistance from a breeding line named PI 88788, and this breeding line was used almost exclusively for 30 years. Growing varieties with PI 88788 SCN resistance for decades caused SCN populations to develop high levels of reproduction on the varieties, leading to significantly reduced soybean yields.

Soybean varieties with SCN resistance from the breeding line named Peking have become available in recent years. Research results reveal these varieties can yield 20 bushels per acre more than varieties with PI 88788 resistance in fields with SCN populations having high reproduction on PI 88788 resistance.

Have we “turned the corner”?
There has been an increase in the number of varieties with Peking SCN resistance since 2021. The updated list includes 200 varieties with SCN-resistance from Peking, which is more than twice the number that was available last year.

There are 30 brands with at least one variety having Peking SCN resistance listed in CROP1649 this year. It is especially notable that currently there are 32 varieties with Peking SCN resistance available in maturity group 3; last year there were only 8 such varieties. Also, Champion Seeds has five offerings that are blends of varieties with PI 88788 and with Peking SCN resistance. Farmers now have many choices of varieties with Peking SCN resistance from many brands.

The varieties listed in CROP1649 are organized by maturity group. The genetic source of SCN resistance, herbicide resistance or tolerance, relative maturity score, and iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance rating of each variety in the publication is provided. Also, numerous varieties listed have no herbicide resistance/tolerance.

Avoid too much of a good thing
Soybeans with Peking SCN resistance likely will produce much higher yields in SCN-infested fields relative to varieties with PI 88788 resistance. And it may be enticing to grow varieties with Peking SCN resistance every time soybeans are grown in SCN-infested fields. However, doing this is strongly discouraged.

Prolonged use of Peking SCN resistance will result in SCN populations developing high levels of reproduction on Peking resistance genetics, possibly quicker than what occurred with PI 88788 resistance. A long-term and economically sustainable approach to maintaining high soybean yields in SCN-infested fields is to alternate growing varieties with Peking SCN resistance and PI 88788 resistance.

The ISU SCN-resistant soybean variety evaluation program, funded by the soybean checkoff through the Iowa Soybean Association, evaluates nearly 200 varieties in experiments conducted across Iowa each year. See ISU Extension publication IPM52 for results from last year’s evaluations.

SCN-resistant varieties missing from the publication?
If you are aware of SCN-resistant soybean varieties in maturity groups 0-3 for use in Iowa that are not in the updated CROP1649 publication, contact Greg Tylka at 515-294-3021 or gltylka@iastate.edu to specify the seed brands that could be added to next year’s publication.

No endorsement is intended of varieties included in the list nor is criticism implied of varieties not listed.



Registration Open for 2024 Integrated Crop Management Conference

The 35th Annual Integrated Crop Management Conference is set for Dec. 11-12 at the Meadows Events and Conference Center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona. This premier event, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will provide crop production professionals with the latest information, cutting-edge research updates and tools to prepare for 2025.

“The ICM Conference has always been a great opportunity for farmers, industry, ag retailers, agronomists and educators to network with each other and interact with their university specialists,” said Erin Hodgson, professor and extension entomologist at Iowa State University. “We are excited to offer a great program full of new information to prepare for 2025, including a strong slate of invited speakers.”

This year’s conference features 35 workshops covering crops, pests, nutrients, and soil and water management topics. Prairie Meadows offers updated facilities, an on-site hotel and short distances between sessions, ensuring a convenient and comfortable experience for attendees with time to network, visit with sponsors and view exhibits.  

The conference will feature six invited speakers:
    Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota, will discuss the timing, pros and cons of early soybean planting.
    Anibal Cerrudo, University of Minnesota/Argentinian National Institute for Agriculture, will share recent research on the critical growth stages when soybean yield is determined.
    Kelsey Fisher, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, will talk more on a re-emerging pest, the European corn borer, which is becoming resistant to Bt corn.
    Horacio Lopez-Nicora, The Ohio State University, will discuss current and future challenges in managing soybean cyst nematodes.
    Gretchen Paluch, Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship Pesticide Bureau, will provide important updates regarding the Endangered Species Act and pesticide applications.
    Jodi DeJong-Hughes, University of Minnesota Extension, will focus on compaction and mitigating compaction that reduces crop yields.

In addition to the invited speakers, Iowa State University has five new faculty and staff who will be presenting at this year’s conference:
    Rabail Chandio, assistant professor and extension economist
    Wesley Everman, assistant professor and extension weed specialist
    Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and extension forage specialist
    Richard Roth, assistant professor and nitrogen specialist
    Ethan Thies, conservation field specialist

Certified Crop Advisers can receive up to 12 continuing education credits. The program is also approved for Iowa commercial pesticide applicator continuing education in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 4 for 2024.

To register, visit the ICM Conference website https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/icm. Pre-registration is required to attend. Early registration is $250 and ends at midnight, Nov. 17. After Nov. 17, the fee increases to $300, and registrations will be accepted until midnight, Nov. 27. No registrations will be accepted at the door.



It’s Time to Register for the 2025 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

Tuesday registration opens for the 2025 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. Hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), the event is where biofuel producers and supporters from across the U.S. converge to network and learn about the latest in renewable fuels.

“Renewable fuels continue to be the solution that many look toward to meet their low carbon goals, making this event more prevalent year after year,” said IRFA Marketing Director Lisa Coffelt. “From foreign trade to domestic policy, we will cover the big questions everyone is asking as we try to peek into the future of the role biofuels play in promoting U.S. energy independence.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit is the Midwest’s largest biofuels policy conference and will be held on February 4, 2025, at the Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona, Iowa. The Summit is free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required.

In addition to the exclusive speakers program, the Summit is the 2nd largest biofuels trade show uniquely situated in the heart of the Midwest. To learn more about sponsoring or exhibiting at the Summit, visit IowaRenewableFuelsSummit.org.



Nine Iowa Fueling Locations Receive Over $3 Million in USDA Biofuel Infrastructure Grants to Add E15 and Biodiesel Blends

Tuesday, USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $39 million of Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grants across 18 states to help retailers upgrade infrastructure such as storage tanks, dispensers and fuel pumps. This will allow 9 Iowa fueling locations, who received nearly $3 million, the ability to offer consumers higher blends of biofuels like E15 and B20 across the state.

“Consumers in Iowa come out winning when Iowa retailers choose to provide a homegrown, cleaner fuel option that leaves extra dollars in their pockets,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “With Iowa’s cutting edge E15 Access Standard taking effect on January 1, 2026, there is plenty of time and resources to help Iowa retailers meet the deadline. The momentum for the USDA grants is rolling and USDA should not hit the brakes now. As congressional funding for HBIIP has run out, IRFA encourages the USDA to use discretionary funds to keep the grant awards going until Congress can refund HBIIP in the next Farm Bill.”

HBIIP provides cost-share grants to retailers who are working to expand access to biofuel blends, aiming to significantly increase the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel. On average each grant dollar has leveraged four dollars in private investment. Iowa retailers can also apply to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program for cost-share grants to offer higher ethanol and biodiesel blends.