Friday November 08 Ag News

UNL COMMITS $5 MILLION TO BETTER MEASURE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CATTLE

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln aims to better gauge the environmental impact of the ranching industry with a new $5 million grant.

“We’re asking beef producers to make changes without the science to know it is beneficial, and not being able to accurately measure whether their change worked,” said Galen Erickson, professor of ruminant nutrition and leader of the Beef Innovation hub at Nebraska.

Erickson’s team recently received a five-year, $5 million Grand Challenges grant from the university to address that issue. The project will establish scientific processes and develop technology to accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions from grazing cattle.

Researchers will study cattle in grazing systems at three of the university’s research facilities — the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead; Barta Brothers Ranch, southeast of Ainsworth; and Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, near Whitman.

The Grand Challenges initiative is funded by the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of Research and Innovation. The grants are open only to Husker faculty and must address one of seven thematic areas. This grant, called Advancing Development of Assessments, Practices and Tools (ADAPT) to Produce Climate Smart Beef in Grazing Systems, addresses three of those priorities — climate resilience, sustainable food and water security, and science and technology literacy for society.

“The goal of the project is to develop tools that can be easily and economically employed to help predict the benefits and any situations where we can improve relative to greenhouse gas in grazing systems,” Erickson said. “We want to provide tools that allow producers to say this is or isn’t a practice that will have a positive effect on the environment.”

The ADAPT team includes researchers in grazing systems; human dimensions; remote sensing, including drone technology; data modeling and management; greenhouse gas flux; ecosystem resilience; communications; plant ecophysiology; soil science; and agronomy.

“This project brings together a diverse team with a wide variety of expertise,” Erickson said. “There are people working in beef systems on this project who never thought they’d be working in beef systems.”

Derek McLean, dean of the Agricultural Research Division, said the university recognizes how important the beef industry is to the state economically and ecologically.

“For more than a century, UNL has provided research-based recommendations to the beef industry so they can more responsibly and profitably do business,” he said. “We will continue that support as the beef industry works to understand their environmental footprint. UNL is committed to furthering efforts that are scientifically accurate and data-backed, so we look forward to seeing the ADAPT project add information to the beef sustainability conversation.”

Homer Buell, a beef producer from Rose, Nebraska, and former co-chair of the Beef Innovation hub, was involved in the grant proposal.

“It’s really important that we know what impact we are having on greenhouse gases,” he said. “There are so many things we can do within our industry, but we really need to know how we’re affecting the environment so we can tell our story.”

The ADAPT project focuses on how much the greenhouse gas levels around grazing cattle change, rather than just how much the cattle produce. The growing vegetation and soil in a grazing system take up greenhouse gases, which affects how much greenhouse gas is in the atmosphere.

The cow-calf sector has been largely ignored in the studies surrounding greenhouse gas emissions, partly because of the variety and complexity of the grazing systems that produce beef.

In closed-confinement systems like feedlots, only recently has the technology been developed to accurately measure greenhouse gas production by individual animals. Even in buildings that are climate-controlled, animal size, genetics, diet, stress and other factors can cause variation in greenhouse gas production.

A grazing system includes all those variables, plus temperature, wind, soil moisture, forage quantity and quality, and daily travel distance.

The ADAPT project will use satellite, airborne and on-the-ground remote sensing to measure how greenhouse gas levels vary when cattle are in an area.

“We have the expertise, the track record, and we’ve already done many of these methods, just not in a collaborative way,” Erickson said. “The science is accepted, but we’re applying unique science in ways it hasn’t been used before. It’s advanced science, but it’s well accepted in the research community.”

The technology leverages established research from the nationwide Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network and tools that have been used for years to measure variation in the gases associated with crop production.

The “carbon” in many environmental conversations refers to carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas plants convert into oxygen. The system of carbon credits is offered as an income opportunity for some cattle producers with grazing systems.

However, carbon contracts are based on assumptions about how much carbon dioxide is being absorbed by the soil versus how much is being produced. The ADAPT project is designed to provide some certainty for establishing practices that positively affect greenhouse gas levels so if producers do enter those contracts, the expectations are realistic and science-based.

Cross-discipline collaboration and the process of gathering producer and beef industry input are easier since the development of the Beef Innovation hub, which brings together researchers, industry associates and beef producers to discuss issues and set priorities for the university’s research.

“That partnership has given us access to voices and perspectives we might not otherwise have heard,” Erickson said. “It has resulted in collaborative research that moves our understanding ahead more quickly and efficiently, with a focus on practical outcomes.”

The diverse team is bringing unique perspectives to the research.

“We need to not only be able to do the research and find the answers; we need to understand what the beef industry and consumers need from this project and deliver the results in a way that they understand and can use,” Erickson said. “One of the biggest priorities in this project is to make sure the technology we develop is accurate, economical and will have a legitimate use in the industry.”

A producer panel will gather feedback to meet that goal so the research can be adjusted accordingly. The producers who have been involved so far are looking forward to having data and guidelines to make decisions about practices that may affect their environmental impact and their bottom line.

“Part of the problem has been research that was not done or not done right, so things came out that maybe weren’t real,” Buell said. “We have to find out what’s real and affect that as positively as we can.”



NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at The Cornhusker Marriott (333 South 13th Street) in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The meeting is open to the public, providing the opportunity for public comment. The board will conduct regular board business.

A copy of the agenda is available by writing to the Nebraska Corn Board, 245 Fallbrook Blvd. Suite 204, Lincoln, NE 68521, sending an email to renee.tichota@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2676.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of one-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board to increase the value and sustainability of Nebraska corn through promotion, market development and research.



NDA FEATURES WINNING POULTRY PHOTOS IN SPECIAL 2025 CALENDAR

Looking for the perfect calendar for 2025? The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has what you need. NDA is featuring the winners of its annual Poultry Photo Contest in a special 2025 calendar. The calendar, which includes important biosecurity information that poultry owners can use to protect their flocks, can be viewed, and downloaded from NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian. Winning entries were announced and displayed at this year’s Nebraska State Fair.

“NDA’s Poultry Photo Contest shows how 4-H and FFA members go the extra mile to make sure their birds are well cared for and healthy,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “We received a lot of great photos and are proud to recognize these students for their photography skills by including their pictures in our 2025 calendar.”

The students submitting winning photos from this year’s contest are: Jacelyn Brown of Gering; Joel Brown of Gering; Kelsey Bunn of North Bend; Reagan Dinger of Roca; Sofie Farr of Farnam; Aaron Fuchs of Arlington; Alandra Huntley of Lincoln; Emily Johnston of Hemingford; Kara Oberg of Farnam; Piper Pillard of Firth; Reese Pillard of Firth; Molly Preston of Scottsbluff; and Brenna Steager of David City.

In addition to being featured in a calendar, NDA will use the winning photos throughout the year in promotional materials and on social media. This contest also gives NDA the opportunity to share information on biosecurity measures that poultry owners can use to keep their flocks healthy and prevent the spread of diseases.

Bird owners in Nebraska should always practice sound biosecurity measures to help prevent diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Virulent/Exotic Newcastle Disease. Visit nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian for more information about protecting poultry flocks. If a disease outbreak is suspected, poultry owners can call their local veterinarian or NDA at 402-471-2351.



U.S. Farmers Share Market Outlook With South Korean Buyers

To expand on strong exports to South Korea during marketing year (MY) 2023/2024, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and Korea Feed Association (KFA) held the 2024/25 Grain Market Outlook and Business Environment Seminar this week in Seoul.

The conference attracted more than 200 industry stakeholders and provided the latest information on global grain markets, the superior quality and availability of U.S. corn and updates on Korea's livestock policies, foreign currency market developments and ocean freight market changes.

“U.S. corn exports to South Korea nearly tripled to 2.4 million tons (94 million bushels) in MY 2023/2024 compared to MY 2022/2023. Competitive pricing and the exceptional quality of U.S. corn are expected to boost those numbers even higher next year with local processing companies already ordering 400,000 tons (16 million bushels) of the recent corn crop,” said Haksoo Kim, USGC director in South Korea.

“This conference was timely for the South Korean industry because it helped buyers and end-users budget and plan for 2025 based on the valuable information they received from speakers and panelists.”

Nebraska Corn Board Market Development Committee Chairman Brandon Hunnicutt and Iowa Corn Growers Association Board Member Steve Kuiper presented virtually about their corn crops and shared insights into their operations to give a firsthand look into the product buyers will receive in the coming months.

ProExporter Principal Marty Ruikka spoke about key issues facing the 2025 grain market and in a panel discussion speakers shared insights on grain market variables such as 2025 corn planting and input costs, South American production outlook, biofuel policies and geopolitical risks in the Black Sea and Middle East.

“Hearing directly from farmers and producers is the best way to build trust in a market, and I thank Brandon and Steve for taking the time to speak to these buyers about their crops and creating greater interest and demand for U.S. products in South Korea in the process,” Kim said.



USDA and Iowa Award $2.9 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Iowa to award $2.9 million for 24 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems.

“Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program are building strength and resilience in Iowa’s food system, diversifying agricultural markets, creating new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and providing economic opportunities for local communities,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is grateful for Iowa’s support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”

Through this program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) will fund 24 projects, including four Infrastructure Grants and 20 Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure.

Examples of Funded Projects:
    NewBo City Market is receiving an Infrastructure Grant to renovate their Cedar Rapids facility to add a processing kitchen and aggregation storage. This will increase Iowa agricultural products being stored, processed, and sold by underserved and beginning farmers.
    The Iowa Food Co-op in Des Moines, Iowa is using RFSI funding to purchase a commercial cooler, freezer, and delivery van to expand capacity for aggregation and distribution of wholesale orders to institutions and restaurants. The project is expected to create new markets for over 100 producers.
    Long Walk Farm in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is receiving funding to purchase equipment for value-added vegetable and produce processing, storage and delivery to schools, restaurants, and retail stores in southwest Iowa. This project will benefit additional farmers in the region through purchases and custom processing and create three new full-time jobs.

This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grant program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. It is funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories.



USMEF Conference Opens with Election Analysis and Focus on U.S.-Mexico Trade Relations

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) launched its annual strategic planning conference in Tucson, Ariz., Wednesday with an analysis of the U.S. election’s potential impact on agricultural policy and international trade. USMEF members also received an in-depth look at the new administration in Mexico, as the United States prepares for a critical phase of trade relations with the largest export destination for U.S. red meat.

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom opened the conference with an overview of U.S. red meat exports in 2024 and his outlook for the coming year. Halstrom highlighted the resilience in international demand for U.S. red meat despite volatility and serious headwinds in major Asian markets. USMEF forecasts that U.S. pork exports will set volume and value records in 2024, surpassing 3 million metric tons (mt) valued at $8.63 billion. U.S. beef exports are projected to reach 1.28 million mt worth $10.5 billion, an increase of 5% over 2023. A critical piece of this export performance in a volatile year is the demand growth for U.S. red meat in Latin America. Halstrom emphasized the importance of protecting hard-fought market share in increasingly competitive environments. The Latin American boom is real, Halstrom said, and the U.S. industry must keep a close eye on its competition.

“Brazil is starting to get more volume into Mexico, Central America and even into Japan,” Halstrom said. “That being said, our quality ‒ beef, pork and lamb ‒ is second to none. Our products command a superior price and that's the way that we're approaching it when we work to develop these markets. We need to maximize opportunities in our major markets and carve out new destinations, such as Africa, for the future.”

Keynote speaker Jim Wiesemeyer, a veteran journalist and renowned Washington insider, delivered his insights about the presidential and congressional elections and the potential effects on U.S. agriculture and trade policy. Wiesemeyer highlighted that Trump is the first candidate in over a century to reclaim the White House after losing it, having gained even stronger support in rural America than he had in two previous elections. Republicans did much better than most expected in U.S. Senate races, with a likely pickup of four seats in addition to the 49 held in the current Congress. Although several House races were still too close to call, it appears the GOP will hold on to its narrow majority, he reported.

Wiesemeyer speculated on the post-election agendas for the White House and the 119th Congress and identified what he expects will be their key issues. He stated that the election outcome may have improved the chances of completing a new Farm Bill before the end of 2024, with Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozeman (R-Ark.) leading the effort during the upcoming lame duck session of Congress.

Wiesemeyer pledged to return with additional election analysis on Friday, the final day of the USMEF conference, when he also plans to discuss potential candidates for cabinet positions and other major presidential appointments.

Although the U.S. election was top-of-mind for conference attendees, key trading partners are also undergoing changes at the highest levels of government. At the top of this list is Mexico, where President Claudia Sheinbaum was elected in May and inaugurated on Oct. 1.

Guest speaker Mateo Diego, a partner in the regulatory consulting firm AGON and one of Mexico’s leading trade experts, walked USMEF members through President Sheinbaum’s philosophy on critical issues impacting agricultural trade.

Diego emphasized that the United States and Mexico generally enjoy productive and mutually beneficial trade, but cautioned that there are “irritants” that could disrupt this relationship. Some directly impact agriculture, such as Mexico’s restrictions on imports of genetically modified corn, new USDA rules on voluntary country-of-origin labeling of beef and pork, and threats from the U.S. side to limit imports of certain produce items. Another contentious trade issue is automotive rules of origin, which Diego feels will be at the forefront of the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Diego outlined the possible scenarios that could emerge when USMCA comes up for review in 2026. While it is possible that the agreement could be reopened, negotiations on key issues fail, and the United States withdraws from USMCA, Diego sees this as unlikely.

“Unlike NAFTA, the USMCA is President Trump's baby – he negotiated it,” Diego said. “Trump has talked about USMCA as being the best trade agreement ever, so withdrawing from his own creation would be a strange signal.”

Nevertheless, Diego urged conference attendees to speak up and voice their support for USMCA.

“We need USMCA and other rules of order to provide certainty to what we do, and keeping a stable trade relationship in the agricultural sector is critically important,” he said.

The conference continues Thursday with a panel of livestock producers sharing their experience meeting with buyers and consumers in international markets, as well as meetings of USMEF’s sector-specific standing committees. Friday’s closing business session will include the election of USMEF’s new officer team.



Alltech 2024 U.S. Harvest Analysis early insights reveal surge in mycotoxin contamination

Preliminary analysis of corn silage samples in the U.S. reveals a high increase in mycotoxin contamination compared to 2023, with all samples containing two or more mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are produced by certain species of molds and are a concern for livestock producers as they can influence feed quality and subsequent animal health and performance. The Alltech 2024 U.S. Harvest Analysis uncovers the true threat mycotoxins pose to animals and producers.

Mycotoxins, which are natural substances produced by molds and fungi, are more prevalent — and more of a problem in agriculture — than ever before. More than 95% of crops today are contaminated with at least one mycotoxin and usually two or more. Because these toxins are difficult to detect, they can cause significant damage to animal health before producers even realize they are present. A proactive mycotoxin management program is essential, and the first step is learning which mycotoxins pose the highest risk in specific regions, crops and species.

The preliminary results of the 2024 analysis deliver an early insight into the mycotoxin landscape. The Alltech U.S. Harvest Analysis, a decade-long initiative, is a comprehensive step in understanding the complexities of new-crop quality, mycotoxin prevalence, and the threat that mycotoxins pose to animals and producers. To determine the most accurate representation of mycotoxin risk across the U.S., samples are collected by Alltech representatives and sent to the company’s headquarters in Kentucky, where the Alltech 37+® laboratory can detect up to 54 individual mycotoxins.

“The weather pattern for 2024 is a prime driver for the change in corn silage mycotoxin risk. The precipitation over the upper Midwest started early and, in many areas, delayed planting or caused replanting,” said Dr. Max Hawkins, technical support manager with Alltech’s mycotoxin management team. “This excess moisture is a stimulant for Fusarium mold growth, which can produce mycotoxins such as type B trichothecenes, emerging mycotoxins and zearalenone. Overall, the numbers of mycotoxins per sample are 8.3 for 2024 versus 5.3 for 2023. The risk equivalent quantity (REQ), or risk estimate, from all the mycotoxin present is 201.6, or higher risk, vs. 122.7 for 2023.”

Alltech’s REQ is a system that measures the cumulative risk of multiple mycotoxins in feed, making it easier to evaluate contamination. It combines mycotoxin levels into a single value, helping producers manage feed safety and quality.

Weather and mycotoxin risk
The spike in contamination is largely attributed to significant rainfall across the upper Midwest, which created favorable conditions for the growth of Fusarium molds. These molds are responsible for producing various harmful mycotoxins, particularly type B trichothecenes, which pose the highest risk.

Key mycotoxins in 2024 corn silage
    Type B trichothecenes: These mycotoxins have seen a sharp increase, with an average concentration of 1,863 parts per billion (ppb) and a staggering maximum level of 43,717 ppb. In comparison, 2023 averages were notably lower, at 1,014 ppb with a maximum of 29,853 ppb.
    Zearalenone: Levels of zearalenone, known for its estrogenic effects in livestock, also rose significantly in 2024. The average concentration was 102 ppb, with a maximum of 2,134 ppb. In 2023, these values were much lower, at an average of 28 ppb and a maximum of 1,171 ppb.
    Emerging mycotoxins: Samples to date have shown an average of 100 ppb with a peak level of 4,300 ppb, up from 73 ppb and 987 ppb in 2023.

With corn harvest progressing well, the number of samples arriving at the lab are increasing week on week. Early indications are similar to last year, with risk increasing as you move to the East, following the rainfall patterns. This risk is due primarily to Fusarium mycotoxins, type B trichothecenes, fumonisin and zearalenone. These toxins can have a significant impact on monogastric performance, reproduction and overall health. More details on the corn grain samples will follow in the main report in the coming weeks.

Alltech will host a live broadcast, “From Field to Feed: 2024 Crop and Mycotoxin Analysis,” on Nov. 21 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern, streamed live from Alltech’s headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. The broadcast will cover:
    Global weather impacts on crops
    Preliminary harvest results from key regions
    Trends in global trade and supply chains
    Practical tips for optimizing your feed decisions
    A live panel discussion

Register online at alltech.com/harvest-analysis to attend the live broadcast and to access the full Harvest Analysis program, as well as the full U.S. report when it is released. For more information about Alltech’s mycotoxin management solutions, visit knowmycotoxins.com.  



Registration & Housing Open Nov. 7 for 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver

Online registration and housing for the 2025 Commodity Classic opens today. America’s largest farmer-led agricultural and educational experience will be held Sunday, March 2 through Tuesday, March 4 in Denver.

Following record-breaking events in Orlando and Houston, Commodity Classic will visit Denver for the first time in 2025. “Elevating Excellence in Agriculture” will feature a robust schedule of over 30 educational sessions, inspiring speakers, the opportunity to network with thousands of farmers from across the nation, unique tours in and around Denver, and a trade show with over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring the latest technology, equipment, and innovation.

“This show has only gotten bigger and better in recent years, and we’re excited to visit Denver for the first time in 2025,” said Rob Schaffer, an Illinois farmer, ASA board member, and co-chair of the 2025 Commodity Classic. “Holding two record-breaking events in 2023 and 2024 tells us: farmers know Commodity Classic is the best place to find the latest and greatest in farming. Our exhibitors know this too, and we currently have more than 400 companies who are eager to connect with our attendees.”

“Farmers love finding ways to improve their operation,” added Deb Gangwish, a Nebraska farmer, NCGA member, and co-chair of the 2025 Commodity Classic. “Commodity Classic is the place to find relevant education, the latest farming technologies, and to network with other progressive growers from across the country.”

To register, reserve hotel rooms, get on the list for email updates, and sign up for optional tours in and around Denver, visit CommodityClassic.com. A list of exhibiting companies, a map of the trade show floor, and details on educational sessions and special events can be found online. The website will be updated as details are finalized.

The schedule of events is available at CommodityClassic.com. Follow Commodity Classic on X (formerly Twitter) at @ComClassic and Facebook for updates. Early registration discounts end Jan. 15, 2025.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.