Friday November 15 Ag News

Nebraska Beef Innovators: Madison’s research aims to analyze varying distillers in feedlot diets

Paige Madison, from Adrian, Minnesota, is a master’s student in the Ruminant Nutrition department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln researching the effects of varying modified distillers grains in feedlot diets.

Madison grew up on a family farm with various livestock, including beef cattle, and took multiple beef classes during her undergrad at South Dakota State University. She became interested in UNL’s graduate programs in animal science while shadowing nutritionists during a feedlot internship and after guidance looking into different graduate programs with SDSU faculty.

“I saw what Nebraska had to offer with its amazing faculty and facilities and wanted to give it a try,” Madison said. “I really looked forward to the recent opening of the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center.”

Madison’s research involves analyzing the effects of feeding variable amounts of modified distillers grains in feedlot diets. Distillers grains are byproducts of ethanol production that are used in feedlot diets as a source of energy and protein. Distillers can be wet, dry or modified based on the moisture of the byproduct. Madison’s research used modified distillers grains which have a moisture level of about 48%.

“Ever since COVID, the supply and deliveries of distillers grains has been inconsistent,” Madison said. “We wanted to see what it would do to the cattle if producers ran out of distillers and had to pull it out of the diet and then a week later, they got a delivery and could put the full inclusion back into the diet.”

When the diet is not consistent, cattle can go into ruminal acidosis, which is when the rumen’s pH is too low, which may cause cattle to go off feed, lose weight and perform poorly. Ruminal acidosis is the second-most common cause of depressing animal performance and efficiency in the feedlot, causing an economic impact on producers. Research on variable amounts of distillers included in the feedlot diet can give guidance to producers on how to manage feedlot diets when distillers' availability is interrupted.

Madison’s current research is phase two of a previous UNL study that looked at varying distillers in diets with two inclusions of grass hay. This study looked only at a distillers’ inclusion of 25%. The results of this study showed no significant differences between the constant versus variable inclusion groups, to the researchers’ surprise.

Phase two focuses on constant versus variable distillers at 10% and 25% of the diet, with a control of corn with no distillers. To Madison and her team’s shock, there is still no significant difference between the constant versus variable inclusion groups.

Madison will begin a third phase of this variable distillers grains research at the Klosterman Innovation Center using the new Insentec technology feed bunks this winter. Instead of using just cattle performance to determine if there are differences between the constant and variable groups, phase three will also use pH probes in the rumen to evaluate differences within the digestive tract. These pH probes will help detect if any acidosis is occurring.

After graduation, Madison is considering pursuing a doctorate or starting a career in Extension or the livestock industry. She hopes to work with both producers and livestock.



CORN STALK QUALITY AFTER WEATHERING
- Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Range & Forage Specialist

Fall rain and snow are good for wheat and next year’s crops, but it does have its drawbacks.   One challenge is its impact on corn stalk feed quality.

While this fall has been dry, there have been some areas that received some rain and it is likely there will be more rain or snow over the next few weeks.  Rain reduces corn stalk quality several ways.  Most easily noticed is how fast stalks can get soiled or trampled into the ground if the fields become muddy.

Less noticeable are nutritional changes.  Rain or melting snow soaks into dry corn stalk residue and leaches out some of the soluble nutrients.  Most serious is the loss of sugars and other energy-dense nutrients, which lowers the TDN or energy value of the stalks.  These same nutrients also disappear if stalks begin to mold or rot in the field.  Then palatability and intake also decline.

Another factor that affects cornstalk grazing is wind.  Throughout the fall, there always seems to be those days where excessively high winds will easily blow corn leaves and husks off the field.  This of course, can impact the amount of feed, and after grain, those leaves and husks contain the highest nutritional quality.

There is little you can do to prevent these losses.  What you can do, though, is to closely monitor cow and field conditions while adjusting your supplementation program accordingly.  Since weathering by rain reduces TDN more than it reduces protein, consider the energy value of your supplements as well as its protein content.

Weathered corn stalks still are economical feeds.  Just supplement them accordingly.



Nebraska Livestock Custom Rates Survey for 2025
Glennis McClure, Farm and Ranch Management Analyst

Each year, many Nebraska farmers and ranchers inquire about prevailing rates paid for custom farm services. In addition to the latest biennial custom rates services survey and report (published June 2024), the Center for Agricultural Profitability launched a new survey in 2023 that provides data for producers and operators that work closely with the livestock industry in Nebraska.

The 2025 Livestock Custom Services Survey is ready for your participation. Please complete a survey if you provide livestock related custom services in Nebraska or if you utilize custom services for your livestock operation. The survey includes information on custom land and pasture maintenance rates, fencing and trenching work, common custom services by livestock species (cows, calves, hogs, poultry, and sheep). Livestock hauling rates, custom feed preparation, haying and baling, livestock and hay storage facility rental rates, equipment rental rates, manure pumping, hauling, and application rates are included in the 2025 survey.

The custom rates survey for livestock services in Nebraska is live now online.  If you’d like to receive the survey link to participate online or would like a file copy that you can print and complete emailed to you, please add your contact information here.

Please only complete one survey (either online https://cap.unl.edu/nebraska-livestock-related-custom-rates-survey-sign or a paper copy).

Surveys are to be returned by February 28, 2025. A custom rates report for livestock related services will be published soon after that.



Contingency Planning for Feed: Expect the Unexpected

An out-of-feed event on a farm can cause major problems in just a short amount of time. Having a back up plan can allow for feed to be manufactured, delivered and placed in feeders in a timely manner during times of crisis while the producer continues to run an operation like normal.

A new publication from Iowa Pork Industry Center, "Contingency Planning: Feed," explains potential feed supply interruptions and management considerations for developing contingency plans. Iowa State University extension swine specialist Mark Storlie authored the publication, and said daily feed supply is important for the growth and general well-being of sows, piglets and market pigs.

“Unexpected incidents can derail your plan to have a timely feed supply,” be said. “While some incidents are unforeseeable, all events can be minimized through contingency planning.”

Several different factors serve as potential interruptions to an operation. Severe weather, feed mill troubles, human error, federal regulation and equipment malfunction can be easy to push to the side until they adversely affect the farm.

Understanding how much feed is being consumed daily in each barn is an important step while creating a plan. This allows for accurate feed ordering and planning. Growing pigs typically consume 4-6% of their body weight daily, and producers can use feed budgeting software along with charts that demonstrate estimated feed consumption.

Storlie said producers should strive to maintain 72 hours of feed inventory. Here are three strategies to combat uncontrollable circumstances:
    Keep inventory of backup equipment or parts.
    Establish a relationship with secondary or a back up feed mill.
    Identify how to stretch existing feed inventory and what ingredients are readily available.

“Tandem bins - two bins for each group of pigs - is the ideal scenario. When one bin runs empty, the caretaker switches to the second bin and can place an order for the next feed delivery,” he said. “Your contingency plan describes how your team should react if something interrupts the normal course of business.”

Contingency plans can help provide 72 hours of feed inventory at all times, which can allow for wiggle room and ensure pigs stay healthy during an out-of-feed event. A contingency plan establishes a plan of action to save time and money, decrease recovery time and reduce stress on people, pigs and equipment. These factors are important things to plan for when establishing an operation and can be helpful in the long run.

The publication IPIC 208A https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/17004 is available at no charge from the ISU Extension store.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 11/8/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending November 8, ethanol production expanded 0.7% to 1.11 million b/d, equivalent to 46.75 million gallons daily and a record high. Output was 6.3% more than the same week last year and 8.8% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 1.7% to 1.10 million b/d, also a record high, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.83 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks notched up 0.1% to 22.0 million barrels. Stocks were 5.2% more than the same week last year and 6.9% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2), which dropped 4.9% to the lowest volume in over a year.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, leapt 6.3% to a 5-week high of 9.38 million b/d (144.24 bg annualized). Demand was 4.8% more than a year ago and 5.7% above the five-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol declined 1.0% to 909,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.97 bg annualized for a 6-week low. Still, net inputs were 0.7% more than year-ago levels and 2.5% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 144,000 b/d (6.0 million gallons/day), which is 32.1% above the prior week and the highest level in two months. It has been 60 weeks since imports of ethanol were recorded.



Clean Fuels, Soy Growers Urge Congress to Extend Biodiesel Tax Credit
 
Thursday, Clean Fuels Alliance America and 10 national and state associations wrote to House and Senate leaders requesting a one-year extension of the §40A Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Tax Incentive. With fewer than 60 days till the scheduled transition to the new §45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit and insufficient guidance from the U.S. Treasury, the one-year extension of existing policy is needed to provide certainty and stability to stakeholders in the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry.

“Due to the significant uncertainty created by this lack of guidance, American clean fuel producers and their partners in agriculture and fuel marketing are facing tremendous confusion in the marketplace,” the groups write. “It is therefore critical that Congress provide a temporary, short-term extension of the existing 40A blenders credit to allow the necessary transition and a smooth integration of the new credit into business plans.”

Treasury has requested comment on the §45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit and issued guidance on registration requirements and the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements. But Treasury has not provided guidance sufficient to enable taxpayers and industry stakeholders to calculate the tax credit value for the fuels they produce. Many producers have not received the registration letters necessary to claim the credit.

Kurt Kovarik, Clean Fuels Vice President of Federal Affairs, added, “Farmers, fuel producers, and marketers needed to know the value of the new credit months ago to successfully negotiate feedstock contracts and fuel offtake agreements for the start of 2025. The industry is facing extreme uncertainty that threatens to undermine clean fuel production, jobs, economic opportunities for farmers, and near-term carbon reductions. A one-year extension of the existing policy would provide time for Treasury and the industry to navigate the transition to the new credit.”



Export Exchange Generates $242 Million In U.S. Agricultural Products Sold

Survey results from Export Exchange 2024 show 968,030 metric tons of U.S. agricultural products were sold during or immediately after the event. Pictured, attendees speak with representatives from U.S. Grains Council member Hawkeye Gold about its products and services.

Attendees of Export Exchange 2024, a major trade conference hosted by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), are reaping the rewards according to overseas grain buyers present at the event. Post-event survey results show 968,030 metric tons (MT) of U.S. corn, sorghum and their co-products worth $242 million were sold as a direct result of Export Exchange’s networking opportunities.

Distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were the most popular commodity, with 472,230 MT purchased by companies during or immediately after the event. Corn was close behind with 363,900 MT traded between attendees and sorghum sales totaled 10,500 MT.

Export Exchange 2024 offered participants a unique opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, DDGS, sorghum, barley and other commodities. Nearly 500 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products from more than 50 countries were gathered in Fort Worth, TX for the conference, held Oct. 7 to 9, and for related tours of U.S. farms, ethanol plans and export infrastructure as part of Council pre- and post-trade teams.

“The sales survey shows why Export Exchange is circled on the calendars of so many agricultural stakeholders as a premier event for networking and the latest updates affecting crop production, international policies and shipping logistics,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO.

“International trade is an crucial for producers, buyers and sellers alike, and we’re proud that Export Exchange 2024 brought the industry together to such resounding success.”

Other grains traded at Export Exchange included 74,500 MT of soybean meal and 25,000 MT of soybeans.

Export Exchange provides an ideal forum for continued relationship building among trading partners. The conference is held every two years and will next be held in 2026. More information about the event is online at www.exportexchange.org.



Ag Lender Survey: Farm Profitability Expected to Decline in 2024

Agricultural lenders expect only 58% of borrowers will remain profitable this year compared to 78% last year, according to the 2024 Ag Lender Survey report produced jointly by the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, more commonly known as Farmer Mac (NYSE: AGM and AGM.A). The combination of lower export demand for U.S. agricultural goods and the rebound of global inventories has put significant downward pressure on global commodity prices and U.S. farm incomes, according to the report released today at the ABA Agricultural Bankers Conference in Milwaukee. However, profitability expectations varied by region and major commodity types, with livestock producers garnering more optimism from lenders than crop growers.

“The agricultural economy is inherently cyclical, and ag lenders are navigating the changing conditions across the sectors they serve,” said Jackson Takach, chief economist of Farmer Mac. “While the responses highlight slowing land values and a profitability shift from crops toward animal proteins, ag lenders remain steadfast in leveraging their resources and relationships to guide producers through all parts of the cycle.”

“Agricultural credit quality remained robust in 2024, but lenders expect deterioration in the coming year as farmers face a more challenging environment,” said Tyler Mondres, senior director of research at the American Bankers Association. “Lenders are taking prudent steps to manage risk such as tightening underwriting standards, and they remain committed to working with and supporting their borrowers.”

Key findings from this year’s survey report include:

Profitability expectations
Ag lenders acknowledged a broad pullback in farm profitability in the 2024 survey, responding that only 58% of borrowers will remain profitable this year, relative to 78% last year. However, expectations varied by region and major commodity types, with livestock producers garnering more optimism from lenders than crop growers.

Land value and cash rent expectations
Farmland values continued to rise in 2024, albeit at a slower pace than in previous years. However, regional differences abound, and headwinds have grown in many areas. As a result, most lenders expect land values and cash rents may plateau or decline over the next year.

Top lender concerns for producers
Unsurprisingly, liquidity and farm income remained atop the list of lender concerns for producers. Meanwhile, lenders expressed less concern this year about inflation, weather and many other factors affecting producers.

Top overall concerns for lenders
The No. 1 concern facing lending institutions in 2024 was credit quality and agricultural loan deterioration. Lender competition and interest rate volatility were the second and third greatest overall concerns, respectively.

Sector concerns
Concern levels spiked in 2024 for several sectors, including grains, fruits and tree nuts. On the other hand, concern levels dropped for dairy, beef and poultry. The changes largely reflect how the farm income outlook has shifted within each sector over the past year.

Loan demand
According to the diffusion index, demand for loans secured by farmland and agricultural production loans increased in 2024. Respondents anticipate that loan demand for both categories will continue to increase over the next 12 months.

Credit quality
Survey respondents reported that ag loan delinquencies and charge-off rates remained stable in 2024. However, lenders expect credit quality to deteriorate over the next 12 months, as farmers may face a more challenging environment in the year ahead. As a result, a higher share of lenders plan to tighten underwriting standards and loan terms for agricultural credit.

Approval rate
Lenders reported an average agricultural loan application approval rate of 86% for new loans in the 12 months leading up to August 2024 and expect the approval rate for renewal requests to be 88% in the following 12 months.

Interest Rate Environment
Rate cuts would be beneficial for lenders that are more liability-sensitive, as funding costs come down. Lower rates would also reduce unrealized losses on the balance sheet. It is less clear, though, whether rate cuts will be a net benefit for lenders with large variable rate loan portfolios that are more sensitive on the asset side of the balance sheet. For agricultural borrowers, rate cuts could help alleviate some of the pressures weighing on farm profitability. Unsurprisingly, interest rate volatility remained among the top three concerns facing lenders this year.

Now in its ninth year, the annual survey provides unique insight from the perspective of agricultural lenders with specialized knowledge of their local farm economy and covers expectations on land values, prospects for the coming year and issues facing the broader economy. Responses from more than 450 ag lenders represent a range of institutions by size—from less than $50 million in assets to more than $1 billion—and by geography.



Breakthrough Research Reveals First New Mode of Nitrogen Action for Crops this Century  

New research published in Scientific Reports describes a breakthrough in nitrogen fertilizer technology. Conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue University and Pivot Bio, the study shows that gene-edited microbes can fix nitrogen from the air and feed it to cereal plants’ roots, providing the essential nutrient to crops.  

The study highlights PROVEN® 40, Pivot Bio’s second-generation corn product, which introduces the first new mode of nitrogen action this century. It includes lab and field evidence of nitrogen fixation.

In field trials, researchers used isotopic experiments to confirm nitrogen fixation in real-world conditions and measure plant nitrogen levels. On average, plants treated with PROVEN 40 showed higher nitrogen levels early in the season with no yield loss, despite a reduction of 35-40 pounds of synthetic fertilizer per acre. This suggests PROVEN 40 can be integrated into nutrient management plans while maintaining crop productivity.  

“Farmers value science-based tools that are practical for their operations,” says Ernie Sanders, senior vice president of product innovation at Pivot Bio. “This peer-reviewed research provides a tangible way for farmers to minimize risks associated with nitrogen loss without sacrificing yields. It’s a step forward in simultaneously enhancing both efficiency and environmental stewardship. “

PROVEN 40 is the most-tested microbial nitrogen product available, backed by over a decade of research, 60 patents and 250 pending patent applications worldwide. Its effectiveness and reliability have been validated in 6,147 fields across 34 states, reaching over 2,518 farmers and millions of acres. Trials at more than 20 top universities, including those involved in this latest research, have confirmed its effectiveness.  



Corteva Agriscience Introduces Two New Preemergence Soybean Herbicides for 2025

Corteva Agriscience continues to provide growers the weed-control solutions they need with the launch of Kyber® Pro herbicide and Sonic® Boom herbicide. Both preemergence products will offer multiple, effective modes of action and extended residual activity to help soybean growers maximize yield potential, while preventing and mitigating weed resistance.

“At Corteva, it’s our job to help soybean growers overcome the challenges of the shifting weed control landscape, and Kyber Pro and Sonic Boom herbicides will do just that — offering diverse modes of action and several weeks of residual control in convenient premix formulations,” says Drake Robards, U.S. Product Manager, Soybean Herbicides, Corteva. “By starting the season with one of these two new preemergence solutions, growers will give their soybeans a clean start for optimal growth. Sonic Boom delivers strong performance against many of the key hard-to-control and resistant broadleaf weeds, such as waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, that soybean growers face today. Kyber Pro also delivers premier weed control of many of the same broadleaf weeds as Sonic Boom, plus has a Group 15 active for additional control of grass weeds.”

Kyber Pro and Sonic Boom herbicides join Enversa™ herbicide as new soybean residual options from Corteva that will be available for growers to use in the 2025 growing season. Plus, both Kyber Pro and Sonic Boom herbicides fit well as preemergence herbicides in a program approach to season-long weed control, especially with Enlist E3® soybeans.

Key features of Kyber Pro herbicide include:
— Exceptional weed control. Kyber Pro herbicide contains three proven modes of action — metribuzin, flumioxazin and pyroxasulfone. Together, the three modes of action create a comprehensive solution for exceptional control of more than 50 broadleaf and grass weeds, including hard-to-control and ALS- and PPO-resistant weeds like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. Kyber Pro herbicide also will offer up to six weeks of residual activity — even more in the right conditions — to prevent weed competition from interfering during essential early soybean yield growth stages.

— Excellent flexibility. Kyber Pro herbicide has the flexibility to be tank-mixed and applied with burndown herbicides prior to planting or with other preemergence herbicides. It also creates greater postemergence application flexibility with extended residual activity, giving growers more time before they have to make a second application.

— Enhanced formulation. Kyber Pro herbicide comes in a convenient liquid premix formulation that has been enhanced for simplified in-season mixing, handling and storage.

Key features of Sonic® Boom herbicide include:
— Effective weed control. Sonic Boom herbicide offers two powerful modes of action — metribuzin and sulfentrazone — for effective weed control plus superior crop safety for higher yield potential. The solution is especially effective against difficult, resistant broadleaves, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, marestail and kochia.

— Extended residual. Sonic Boom herbicide provides several weeks of residual weed control to help ensure better soybean growth and to keep weeds at bay until postemergence applications can be made.

— Efficiency. Sonic Boom herbicide comes in a convenient liquid premix formulation that can be easily mixed with a variety of tank-mix partners for efficient applications. Sonic Boom herbicide also can be applied at different times, depending on the need, including at fall or spring burndown, preplant or preemergence.

“We know a one-size-fits-all approach to weed control doesn’t cut it; that’s why we decided to launch three new soybean herbicides for 2025,” Robards says. “Earlier this year we announced Enversa herbicide, the preferred layered residual tank-mix partner with Enlist One herbicide for Enlist E3 soybeans. Now with the introduction of Kyber Pro herbicide and Sonic Boom herbicide, we’re giving growers more options to fully customize their weed-control programs to their soybean acres.”

Kyber Pro and Sonic Boom herbicides have received federal registration. State registrations are in progress. Kyber Pro herbicide is currently available for purchase in states where it has already received state registration. Sonic Boom herbicide is expected to be available for purchase in early 2025. To learn more about these new solutions, talk with your local Corteva representative or visit Kyber Pro and Sonic Boom.