Tuesday November 05 Harvest Progress report + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending November 3, 2024, there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 41% very short, 38% short, 21% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 41% very short, 39% short, 20% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn harvested was 90%, ahead of 82% last year and 78% for the five-year average.

Soybeans harvested was 98%, near 94% last year and 96% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 10% very poor, 25% poor, 28% fair, 32% good, and 5% excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 83%, behind 96% last year and 94% average.

Sorghum harvested was 81%, near 78% both last year and average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 34% very poor, 26% poor, 26% fair, 13% good, and 1% excellent.



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Much needed rain across the State meant Iowa farmers had just 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 3, 2024, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, and applying fall fertilizer and manure.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 21 percent very short, 38 percent short, 39 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 27 percent very short, 42 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

Harvest of the corn for grain crop reached 92 percent statewide, 6 days ahead of last year and 2 weeks ahead of the five-year average. Moisture content of field corn harvested for grain remained steady at 14 percent.

Livestock producers reported weaning calves and sending some to local sale barns. Many feedlots went from dry and dusty to muddy with the rain received during the week.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Less than 10% of both the U.S. corn and soybean crops were left to harvest at the end of this past week, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday. But with heavy rain falling over parts of the central U.S. over the past few days and more precipitation in the forecast, it could take a while for farmers to get the last of their crops out of fields.

CORN
-- Harvest progress: Corn harvest moved ahead 10 percentage points nationally last week to reach 91% complete as of Sunday, Nov. 3. That was 13 points ahead of last year's 78% and 16 points ahead of the five-year average of 52%.

SOYBEANS
-- Harvest progress: Soybean harvest moved ahead 5 percentage points to reach 94% complete as of Sunday. That was 5 points ahead of last year's 89% and 9 points ahead of the five-year average of 85%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting moved ahead by another 7 points to reach 87% complete nationwide as of Sunday, 1 point behind last year's 88% and 2 points behind the five-year average of 89%.
-- Crop development: An estimated 66% of winter wheat had emerged as of Sunday, 6 points behind last year's 72% and 5 points behind the five-year average of 71%.
-- Crop condition: An estimated 41% of winter wheat that had emerged was in good-to-excellent condition, up 3 points from 38% the previous week. That continued to trail last year's rating of 50% good to excellent by 9 percentage points. Twenty-three percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, unchanged from the previous week.

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Gov. Pillen Announces Appointments to Boards & Commissions
 
Monday, Governor Jim Pillen announced appointments made to boards and commissions from June 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024. A list of current board and commission openings can be found on the Governor’s website (https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req), along with instructions for completing an application.

County Bridge Working Group
Pamela Dingman, Lincoln
Gary Connot, O’Neill
Ross Barron, Lincoln
Kellie Troxel, Lincoln
Jodi Gibson, Lincoln
 
 Dry Bean Commission
Christopher Kelley, Scottsbluff
Justin D Relka, Mitchell
 
Dry Pea and Lentil Commission
Ronald Rushman, Gurley
Eric Thalken, Dorchester
           
Nebraska Brand Committee
Duane Gangwish, Lexington
 
Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board
Andrew Groskopf, Scottsbluff
Ted L Schrock, Elm Creek
John C Krohn, Albion

Nebraska Ethanol Board
Randy L Gard, Grand Island
 
Wheat Development, Utilization and Marketing Board
Douglas Hashman, Colon
Monte Murkle, Clatonia
 


I-29 Moo University Webinar On Nov. 19 To Feature Metritis In Dairy Cows

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues Tuesday, November 19 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT, with Dr. Adrian Barragan discussing Metritis in dairy cows.

Dr. Barragan is involved in Penn State Extension and Outreach activities and field investigations and develops and performs applied research to help dairy producers. His research interests have been related to developing new disease preventive practices to improve cow welfare and fertility and developing better training and management programs for Spanish-speaking farm employees in dairy operations.

In this webinar, Dr. Barragan will cover the latest discoveries on uterine infection diagnosis and preventative and treatment strategies. He will provide applied concepts that fit farm logistics and discuss best recommendations to manage these diseases in different farm settings (e.g., conventional versus organic).

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/NOVI29MOOU.

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Patricia Villamediana, 605-688-4116.

I-29 Moo University is a consortium of Extension dairy specialists from the land-grant universities in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The I-29 Moo University is a multi-state learning collaboration and connects extension dairy staff with the dairy community to share research, information and management practices through workshops, webinars, e-newsletters, podcasts, and on-farm tours.  For more information about the I-29 Moo University Collaboration and programs visit www.i29moou.com.



ISU Extension to host Urban Cow program in Sioux City

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a new Urban Cow program beginning Dec. 12 at the Extension Office in Sioux City.

The Urban Cow series is a five-part educational program providing information about dairy cattle, goats and sheep for the urban producer.

“Before you can grow your food source there is some work and research that needs to be done,” according to Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Understanding your goals and resources, understanding the animals you will be caring and providing for, and finally understanding the systems required for your new lifestyle are all important factors. This program will help you gain knowledge and resources to make the best decision for your family and lifestyle. You can choose to attend any or all of the five programs.”

All sessions will be hosted from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County Office located at 4728 Southern Hills Drive in Sioux City.

The schedule is as follows:
    Dec. 12 – Goals and Resources: Let’s determine your goals and evaluate what resources are available. We will also discuss the legal issues of selling raw milk and raw milk products, and how the homesteader lifestyle is a progression that can include many forms of agriculture that can be mutually beneficial to each other.
     Jan. 23 – Asset Needs: What animal(s) will best fit your needs? We will discuss species and breeds, as well as their land, housing facilities, milking equipment, and time and labor requirements.
    Feb. 13 – Animal Husbandry: The discussion will focus on animal husbandry, nutrition and health.
    March 6 – Sanitation: Having a plan for sanitation and milking protocols is extremely important. We will cover some guidelines and talk about some options.
    April 3 – Cheese Making: This session will explore best management practices for cheese production and feature a hands-on demonstration.

Registration for the program can be completed online at https://go.iastate.edu/URBANCOW or by contacting the ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County office at 712-276-2157. Registration fee is $10 per session or $20 for all five sessions, and should be completed at least one day prior to the program.

For more information about the Urban Cow Program, call Hall at 712-737-4230 or visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/Urban-Cow.



New Leadership elected to the American Angus Association® Board of Directors

The American Angus Association® 141st Annual Convention of Delegates gathered November 4 in Fort Worth, Texas. Five members were elected to the board of directors. They are Paul Bennett (second term), Red House, Virgina; John Dickinson (second term), Auburn, California; Ron Hinrichsen, Westmoreland, Kansas; Mark Johnson, Orlando, Oklahoma; and Danny Poss, Scotia, Nebraska. The delegation also elected new officers; Jonathan Perry, Fayetteville, Tennessee, president and chairman of the board and Jim Brinkley, Milan, Missouri, vice president and vice chairman of the board. Darrell Stevenson, White Sulphur Springs, Montana will serve as the treasurer for the 2024 to 2025 term.

“We have got to continue to make the American Angus Association relevant to its breeders and its members,” said Jonathan Perry, president and chairman of the American Angus Association® Board of Directors. “We have got to embrace diversity. We have got to continue to create tools that touch every member. The diversity of our breeders and our breed is our greatest strength.”

More about the elected directors:
Danny Poss, Nebraska  
Danny Poss, a first-generation Angus breeder and lifelong resident of Scotia, Nebraska, grew up on a diversified, family farming operation. The early foundation of the family’s commercial cattle operation was established by his parents, Melvin and Elizabeth. In 1985, as a sophomore in high school, Poss purchased his first registered Angus heifer. Poss attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) where he majored in animal science. After graduating from college, Poss returned home to the family operation and began growing his Angus cow herd, while working with his parents on their farming operation. That same year, 1993, he sold his first three bulls privately. In 2005, Poss purchased his own ground and continued to help his dad farm. Sadly, in February 2012, Poss lost his dad to brain cancer. In 2017, he and Kristi moved the bull sale to their ranch in Scotia, Nebraska. Today, with the help of their boys, they market more than 300 bulls a year. To Danny and Kristi’s 30 years of marriage, they have four children: Nolan, Nathan, Neleigh and Natalie.  

Directors can serve up to two, three-year terms on the board and, if elected, they serve an additional one-year term in office as president/chairman and/or vice president/vice chairman.



New Soy Survey Highlights Farmer Adoption of Seed Treatment Applications

What is the value of seed treatments to U.S. soybean farmers, and how do they feel about alternatives to seed treatments? A recent survey conducted by the American Soybean Association and the United Soybean Board sought to determine just that.

Seed treatments typically comprise one or more pesticides applied to seeds as a coating before planting—when plants are most susceptible and face the highest pressures—to limit early season risks to pest damage.

Jacquie Holland, an ASA economist who worked on the study, said it was not surprising the survey found seed treatments to be widely used across the country in soybean production: “Seed treatments are a proactive means of ensuring plant health and yield vigor while minimizing environmental impacts. Alternative methods to seed treatments do exist, but few are widely accepted by farmers as feasible options.”

Because seed treatments are broadly adopted by U.S. soybean producers, disruptions to this technology would likely alter on-farm operational strategies and product delivery methods. Holland said this work finds that farmers would likely face lower yields and higher costs without seed treatments.

Josh Gackle, ASA president and a soy grower from North Dakota, agreed. “On our farm and farms across the country, soybean growers rely on seed treatments as a cost-effective, reliable and safe method of providing early-season plant health and pest prevention. Farmers need these tools to help get our growing season off to a good start,” he said.

The survey was conducted in July 2024 and gathered 491 online responses from farmers growing at least 150 acres of soybeans during the 2023 season across the 17 largest soybean-producing states in the United States. On average, 90% of soybean acres in the ASA/USB survey were planted with treated seeds. Only 3% of respondents had never planted any treated soybean seeds. Because seed treatments are so widely used by farmers, the technology impacts farms across the United States.

Without seed treatments, farmers must resort to alternative practices to maintain yield vigor and reduce early season pest pressure within a reasonable cost. These options include higher seeding population rates to account for seedling damage, later planting dates to avoid prime pest pressure, increased starter applications at planting, and more foliar pesticide applications. Increasing seeding population rates was the preferred alternative, followed by increasing foliar pesticide applications, with later planting the least preferred option. From both a yield and profitability perspective, seed treatments remained the clear preference.

The survey also looked at farmer safety when handling treated seeds. It indicated occupational exposure risk potential for growers, applicators and farm labor from these sources is limited.

Just over a third of seed treatment users rely on their dealers to treat their soybeans. Only 6% of respondents treat their own soybean seed, with the remainder relying on seed companies or retailers to treat their soybean seed ahead of planting.

Of the producers utilizing treated seed, nearly two out of five reported storing their treated seed in an enclosed storage building. It is worth noting that oftentimes these treated seeds are not stored for long after being delivered to the farm before farmers plant them.



USDA Dairy Products September 2024 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.16 billion pounds, slightly above September 2023 but 3.1 percent below August 2024. Italian type cheese production totaled 487 million pounds, 1.5 percent above September 2023 but 2.7 percent below August 2024. American type cheese production totaled 456 million pounds, 3.7 percent below September 2023 and 4.4 percent below August 2024. Butter production was 159 million pounds, 11.3 percent above September 2023 but 0.4 percent below August 2024.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with September 2023)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 114 million pounds, up 14.3 percent.
Skim milk powder - 53.2 million pounds, down 21.4 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with September 2023)
Dry whey, total - 68.0 million pounds, down 13.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 94.0 million pounds, down 1.3 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 36.7 million pounds, down 9.8 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with September 2023)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 59.3 million gallons, down 2.8 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 31.2 million gallons, down 12.6 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.68 million gallons, up 10.0 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.18 million gallons, down 2.2 percent.



ALMDA Formally Requests USDA-APHIS Delay Implementation or Enforcement of Animal Disease Traceability Rule

Monday, the American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association (ALMDA) formally requested that USDA-APHIS delay the implementation or enforcement of the final rule on Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison (ADT Rule).

In a letter to USDA-APHIS, ALMDA requested that the implementation or enforcement of the ADT Rule be delayed at least 180 days ensure USDA, state animal health officials, veterinarians, tag manufacturers, and the entire industry are fully prepared support the ADT Rule in a way that does not reduce industry traceability, slow speed of commerce, or increase costs for livestock markets and dealers.

ALMDA, working alongside livestock markets, dealers, order buyers, veterinarians, and state animal health officials, has identified numerous gaps in the implementation plan and communicated these to USDA officials. In September, ALMDA provided USDA with data that illustrated potential issues with the ADT Rule. As the implementation date has approached, the issues ALMDA identified are becoming a reality.

“ALMDA understands the need to protect the U.S. livestock industry and the intent of the ADT Rule to make the traceability process faster and more accurate,” said ALMDA Chair Brian Forester, a livestock market owner from Texas. “We have been transparent with USDA and shared data from member livestock markets across the U.S. which illustrate the complexity and challenges associated with implementing the ADT Rule. At this time, livestock producers, tag suppliers, and state animal health officials have acknowledged they are not prepared to implement the rule so we believe it is in USDA and the industry’s best interest to delay rule implementation or enforcement.”

ALMDA supports animal disease traceability (ADT) and the role traceability has in protecting the U.S. livestock supply. Livestock markets and dealers are already subject to a range of state and federal traceability requirements across all livestock species.

Livestock markets and dealers routinely cooperate with tracebacks for a variety of animal health diseases. Based on this experience, livestock markets and dealers understand the need for both speed and accuracy in conducting tracebacks.