Friday January 10 Ag News

Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding Proposal to Address Missing Year of Property Tax Credits

“Nebraska Farm Bureau strongly supports the goal of a legislative bill introduced today aimed at correcting the unintentional elimination of more than $550 million of refundable income tax credits for 2023 property taxes, which were paid in 2024. This oversight has resulted in many Nebraska property owners missing out on expected tax relief because the rules were changed in the middle of the game last August during the special legislative session called to lower property taxes.”

“We applaud the swift actions taken by senators to amend this issue and strongly encourage the Legislature to prioritize the passage of this corrective legislation. It is vital that all property owners who paid their 2023 taxes in good faith receive the relief they were promised, as this is not only fair but also crucial for sustaining confidence in our state’s tax system.”



Webinar: Drylot Feeding Cow-calf Pairs

Drought conditions have continued to persist and intensify in the High-Plains Region this fall and winter. While there is still time between now and May to get precipitation, in a best-case scenario, the lingering effects of drought will likely delay when pasture turnout should occur. Should drought conditions continue and intensify this spring, drylot feeding of cow calf pairs may be an option to consider for retaining a portion of the cow herd. Considering the logistics and costs of drylotting pairs now, will help producers to know their options and to prepare and purchase feed.

Dr. Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension Cow-Calf Systems Specialists will be presenting a free webinar on Monday, January 13 that will highlight lessons learned from University research as well as working with producers who have utilized drylotting for cow-calf pairs. Some of the content to be covered will include:
• Logistics for drylotting pairs including needed bunk space, water, fence, shade and creep access for baby calves.
• Example rations and feed costs based on current commodity prices.
• Limit feeding versus full feeding.
• Annual forages as a complement to drylot feeding.
• Health considerations for calves and cows.
• Strategies for breeding cows in a drylot setting.

The webinar is free, but registration is required. To sign up for the Drylot Feeding Cow-calf Pairs webinar please contact Aaron Berger at aberger2@unl.edu. A computer and internet connection are required to participate in the webinar.



USGC Develops Biotechnology Awareness, Demand For Sorghum With Indian Poultry Industry

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC), in collaboration with the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, the Nebraska Corn Board and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, invited a group of Indian poultry industry stakeholders on a tour of the U.S. corn and sorghum value chains to learn about the quality of U.S. products and the benefits of biotechnology. USGC Marketing Specialist Nayantara Pande (leftmost) is pictured with the group at the University of Nebraska's Greenhouse Innovation Laboratory.

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently escorted a group of Indian poultry industry stakeholders on a tour of the U.S. agricultural value chain to learn about the safety of biotechnology in U.S. corn and how U.S. sorghum can provide a non-genetically modified (GM) solution to India’s current coarse grains shortfall.

USGC Regional Director for South Asia Reece Cannady and USGC Marketing Specialist Nayantara Pande led the team, with the goal of developing customer loyalty to U.S. suppliers while providing higher-quality products for end-users in India.

“Feeding the world’s largest population is no small feat, and the Indian livestock industry is looking for affordable, nutritious and sustainable raw materials to bolster poultry production,” Cannady said. “This program showed participants the rigorous quality and safety standards of the U.S. coarse grains industry and built further trust in U.S. agricultural products.”

With support from the Nebraska Corn Board, the group started its tour in Omaha, touring a poultry processing facility where attendees learned about advanced poultry processing techniques and saw U.S. advancement in the space. The next day, the team had meetings with professors from the University of Nebraska and toured its Greenhouse Innovation Laboratory to hear about the safety of biotechnology.

“Indian stakeholders are still unsure of precisely what genetic modification technology is,” Pande said. “The meetings in Nebraska shed light on not only the safety of GM animal feed, but also the environmental benefits of biotechnology implementation.”

The team wrapped up its visit to Nebraska by visiting multiple corn farms to see how local producers incorporate technology into their operations. The team then traveled to Kansas, where they were greeted by the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) and toured a rail terminal to see where U.S. commodities begin their journey to customers around the world.

The rest of the agenda took place at Kansas State University’s International Grains Program (IGP), where Course Manager Dr. Carlos Campabadal spoke to attendees about a variety of subjects including the U.S. sorghum grading system; storage practices in tropical climates; batching for commercial poultry diets; pelleting; and quality assurance. The course was sponsored in partnership with USCP and the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission.

“GM adoption in India will still take some time; however, sorghum provides an immediate non-GM solution for animal feed manufacturers in India – one that the industry urgently needs,” Cannady said. “Following this program, the Indian poultry sector has been diligently pursuing U.S. sorghum exports to India by advocating for common sense phytosanitary measures and the abolition of current tariffs on sorghum imports.”

The Council plans to conduct multiple U.S. sorghum feeding trials in India in the coming year. The goal of the trials will be to showcase that U.S. sorghum does not contain tannins and that it can be used as the primary coarse grain in poultry diets.



NGFA comments on East and Gulf Coast port labor deal

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. released a joint statement yesterday announcing an agreement on a new six-year labor contract. The agreement must be ratified by both sides, but the tentative deal averts a potential strike that threatened to shut down East and Gulf Coast ports next week.  

Mike Seyfert, the President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), released the following statement about the agreement.

“Both sides should be commended for sitting down and working out a compromise that benefits the dockworkers and their employers alike, and we are hopeful that this deal will be ratified and made official quickly. It is a relief that these vital ports will continue to operate and that shipping channels will remain open for U.S. agriculture. America’s grain and feed industry depends on a fully functioning transportation system, and when any part fails, it can drive up transportation costs and jeopardize valuable customer relationships. Given current economic conditions, we simply cannot afford disruptions.”



Stine® Seed Company Introduces Soybean Blends to Enhance Grower Success
 
Stine® Seed Company is proud to announce the launch of its new lineup of soybean blends. These products combine elite genetics with advanced trait packages to deliver unmatched yield stability, disease tolerance and adaptability across a wide range of environments.

Stine’s soybean blends are specifically designed to address growers' most pressing challenges, offering solutions tailored to various soil types, climate conditions and pest pressures. Developed through extensive research and testing, these blends provide growers with a powerful tool to maximize productivity and profitability.

“By pairing two proven genetics in one product, we’ve created blends that are adapted to overcome field variability and unpredictable growing conditions,” says Myron Stine, company president. “This is about equipping growers with the tools they need to succeed, no matter the challenges they face.”

Each blend is developed using Stine’s proven genetics, combining two high-performing varieties specifically chosen for complementary performance. By combining strengths, these blends provide superior yield stability and resilience against in-field variability. They also feature advanced traits, such as resistance to sudden death syndrome, soybean cyst nematode, iron deficiency chlorosis and Phytophthora root rot. This ensures growers can confidently plant in challenging conditions, knowing their crop is prepared to thrive.

“These blends are a direct result of listening to the needs of our customers,” says Tyler DuBay, soybean technical agronomist at Stine. “We understand that growers face increasing pressure from disease, pests and unpredictable weather. Our soybean blends provide a proactive solution, helping farmers maximize productivity in a variety of environments while mitigating risks.”

In addition to their superior genetics and traits, Stine soybean blends are designed for exceptional adaptability. These blends perform across diverse environments, whether planted in poorly drained soils, high-productivity fields, or using narrow-row and high-population planting systems. With blends optimized for both early planting and regions with high disease pressure, growers have the flexibility to select the best product for their unique field challenges.

Growers can contact their local independent sales representative or conditioning location for availability details. Stine remains dedicated to providing growers with the tools and resources needed to stay ahead in an evolving agricultural landscape. With these new blends, Stine continues its legacy of combining innovation with grower success.

“Farmers trust Stine because we invest in the future of agriculture,” adds Myron Stine. “These soybean blends are another example of our commitment to helping growers achieve their goals season after season.”