Thursday January 02 Ag News

Beef Demand: A success story
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Educator

As we get ready to wrap up 2024, it may be a good time to visit one excellent news of the year. If Time Magazine would pick item instead of “person of the year,” beef demand should be a good contender.

Why? You might ask.

Recent publications by various economists and a review of beef production statistics and fed cattle prices tell an exciting story about beef demand.

Through the end of October of 2024, US beef production was 22.6 billion pounds. During the same period in 2023, US beef production totaled 22.5 billion pounds. In Nebraska, from January to October of 2023, the live negotiated steer price was $176/cwt while during the same period of 2024, live negotiated steer price in Nebraska was $187/cwt. In other words, in the US, as much beef was produced from January to October of 2024 as in 2023 but fed cattle prices were higher.

For those of us working in this industry in the 1990’s, a quick look at statistics at that time would be sufficient to get excited. In each 1992 and 1993, US beef production totaled twenty-three billion. Yet the difference in live fed cattle price between 1992 and 1993 was only $1/cwt.

Applying price differentials for Nebraska live negotiated steer price between 2023 and 2024 ($11/cwt) to US beef production from January to October of 2024 results in an additional 2.5 billion dollars in revenue at the farm gate in 2024. The same cannot be said for the differential in price and production that existed between 1992 and 1993.

In terms of deflated all-fresh retail price, 2024 will come in at or above $6.10/lb. with a yearly disappearance of nearly 60 lb. per capita. Beef per capita disappearance in 2010 was similar but it occurred with a deflated all-fresh retail price of $4.60/lb.

What changed?

Much has changed since 1992. Although a few might argue, one of the most dominating factors of change is genetics. Concern for lack of uniformity and size of the cowherd in the 1990’s led to concentration of efforts by seedstock and commercial cow-calf operators to find balance between maternal and performance and carcass traits. Improvements in cattle nutrition and management and housing, and access to technologies that sustain health (vaccines, biologicals, and antibiotics) and enhance feed conversion efficiency (implants, ionophores and beta-agonists) continue to support efforts by those who make genetic decisions.

Was there a single target that helped to focus the producer’s efforts?

In an industry heavy with independent thinking, a single trait or group of traits that resulted in marketing incentives and disincentives had to become the focus; else, each of us would be chasing a different endpoint. The focus was USDA Quality Grade. Although USDA beef grades were established over 100 years ago to ensure fair trade, their utilization as a marketing tool was not significant until USDA Certified Beef Programs were established.

The first one? Certified Angus Beef.

However, Certified Angus Beef became a USDA Certified Beef Program in 1978. The market (i.e., the consumer) needed to mature to a level where high-quality beef was something they demanded.

Efforts by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Beef Checkoff program, cooperating Land Grant Universities, private initiative including other USDA Certified Beef Programs responded to consumer signals and have provided what the consumer wants and needs to enjoy beef consistently.

As we close 2024, live cattle prices are reaching new highs yet supported by continued demand for beef in the US and abroad. Many economists close their comments on current price trends by warning that the consumer may be reaching their limit for how much they can spend on beef.

Does this author believe there is a limit? Yes. Yet, we have been testing that limit since 2022; really, since 2020. After all, we have discussed here that food expenditures are still a small proportion of the yearly household budget for the American consumer and that, on average, the American consumer makes sound financial decisions.

Have a Happy New Year, and the best to you and yours in 2025!



Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Nebraska Poultry

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has detected a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial broiler flock in Johnson County.

Cases of HPAI in Nebraska in 2024
Case 1 – Gage County, February 2024
Case 2 – Nemaha County, December 2024
Case 3 – Dodge County, December 2024
Case 4 – Sarpy County, December 2024
Case 5 – Lancaster County, December 2024
Case 6 – Johnson County, December 2024

About HPAI
HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as infected food, water, and manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds during migratory season, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Wild birds can carry the virus without becoming sick, while domesticated birds can become very sick and die.



Unlock Your Cattle Operation's Potential with the Midwest FEEDS Practicum

Nebraska Extension will host the Midwest FEEDS (Forage, Education, and Efficiency in Diversified Systems) Practicum—a hands-on, multi-session educational program tailored for cattle producers. Learn practical, research-based strategies to improve your operation's efficiency and profitability while leveraging the Midwest's unique advantages in forage and grazing resources.

Program Highlights
    Interactive Learning: Hands-on training paired with expert-led discussions across five sessions spanning the production season.
    Exclusive Networking: Connect with peers and industry leaders in a collaborative environment.
    Practical Resources: Access decision-support tools, NRC software, and UNL publications to enhance your management strategies.

Skills You'll Gain
    Develop nutrition plans using advanced tools and software.
    Create tailored grazing and forage strategies.
    Master breeding, calving, and weaning best practices.
    Evaluate cattle performance and refine management systems.

Program Details
    Dates:
        February 27–28, 2025: Health, Nutrition, and Systems Thinking
        April 24–25, 2025: Forage Systems and Breeding
        June 19–20, 2025: Facilities and Pasture Management
        September 4–5, 2025: Weaning, Culling, and Winter Feeding
        December 4–5, 2025: Stalk Grazing and Preparing for Calving
    Location: Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center,  1071 County Road G
    Ithaca, NE 68033
    Cost: $750 per individual; $1,300 for two; $500 for each additional participant.

Sign Up Today
Elevate your expertise and position your operation for success. Enroll in the Midwest FEEDS Practicum at https://go.unl.edu/midwestfeedsreg or contact Connor Biehler at cbiehler2@unl.edu or 402-624-8030.



Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshops to Offer Updates on Leasing Practices, Succession, and More

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension will present a series of workshops across the state for farm and ranch landowners, landlords, and tenants who want to learn more about current trends in farm or ranch real estate, and best practices for managing or leasing land.

“Big Questions and Innovative Solutions in Land Management” will cover topics related to Nebraska's land industry for farms and ranches. Those include evaluating current trends in land values and cash rents, lease provisions and legal considerations, proper communication strategies and considerations for successful land transitions. Workshop participants will also be able to find answers to common farmland leasing and land ownership questions.  

The program is free to attend. Registration is required for each location at the phone number listed below.

Winter 2024-2025 Dates and Locations

Registration is by phone only

Jan. 9 in Blair: 1-4 p.m. CT at the office of Nebraska Extension in Washington County, 597 Grant St., Suite 200. Refreshments provided by Farmers National Company. Register by Jan. 8 at 402-426-9455.

Jan. 30 in Hastings: 1-4 p.m. CT at the office of Nebraska Extension in Adams County, 2975 S. Baltimore Ave. Refreshments provided by Farmers National Company. Register by Jan. 29 at 402-461-7209.

Feb. 4 in Wayne: 1-4 p.m. CT in the meeting room at Hometown Cafe, Tacos & More, 509 Dearborn St. #4. Refreshments provided by Farmers National Company. Register by Feb. 3 at 402-375-3310.

Feb. 6 in Schuyler: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. CT in the Cargill Room at the Schuyler Public Library, 108 E. 18th St. Refreshments provided by Farmers National Company. Register by Feb. 5 at 402-352-3821.

Feb. 11 in Lincoln: 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. CT at the office of Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A. Register by Feb. 10 at 402-441-7180.

More dates will be announced soon. More details at https://cap.unl.edu.
 
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40444.



Grain Weevil and AgZen take home awards from Nebraska Innovation After Hours

The Nebraska Ag Expo, a trailblazer in advancing agricultural innovation and host of Innovation Hub – hosted their third Innovation After Hours event this month. Over 150 start-ups, investors, and executives from innovative ag companies and partners from across the country and beyond shared an evening of networking and innovation.

Nebraska Innovation After Hours is presented by Farm Credit Services of America, Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, Invest Nebraska, The Combine, and Nebraska Innovation Campus.

This year, 6 companies competed for cash prizes during the Startup Showcase:
    AgZen (MA) – Revolutionize farming practices by providing real-time insights into droplet behavior. (agzen.com)
    ALA Engineering (NE) – Cutting-edge intelligence behind feedlot operations, combining advanced software, sensors, and computing power to autonomously feed cattle with precision and efficiency. (ala.engineering)
    Bio-Agtive Emissions Farming (CAN) – Rapidly builds soil organic matter, but it also empowers you to gain free nitrogen for your farm to eliminate costly inputs, notably synthetic nitrogen. (bioagtive.com)
    Grain Weevil (NE) – Grain bin safety and management robot that directly engages the surface of the grain. Grain bins are dirty, dangerous workplaces. (grainweevil.com)
    PathoScan (CAN) – Enables farmers to perform pathogen test for any crop, anywhere, without any technical background. (pathoscan.com)
    RhizeBio (NC) – Creators of a unique metagenomic method, coupled with machine learning and biostatistics, to test raw soil DNA sequencing data into user-friendly and informative soil health reports. (rhizebio.com)

Grain Weevil was named the Startup Showcase Winner and received a $5000 cash award from the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA). Pictured is Mark Hennessey, CEO of INEDA and Chad Johnson, CEO of Grain Weevil.

AgZen was named the “People’s Choice Award” and received a $1000 cash award from The Combine. Pictured is Josh DeMers of The Combine and Vishnu Jayaprakash, CEO of AgZen.

For more details about the Nebraska Ag Expo visit: https://nebraskaagexpo.com.




Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference Registration Now Open

The 40th Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will be held in Kearney, Feb. 20-21, 2025, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 Second Ave.

Attendees can look forward to hearing from keynote speakers Elaine Froese, Emily Reuschel, Leah Peterson and Jena Oschner.  

In addition to the keynote speakers, participants will select from over 20 workshop options that cover the five areas of agricultural risk management: production, market, financial, human and legal. Selected workshops will offer Continuing Education Credits for Certified Crop Advisors.

The photography exhibition, “Legacy of Leadership: Faces of Nebraska Women in Agriculture,” will be on display at the event to help celebrate 40 years of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nebraska Women in Agriculture program.

“We are thrilled to present such a diverse and inspiring lineup of speakers at this year's conference,” said Jessica Groskopf, director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. “The experts, innovators, and leaders joining us are truly exceptional, and their insights will provide invaluable knowledge for everyone involved in agriculture. This is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.”

Registration opens on Jan. 1, 2025. The cost for a two-day registration is $150 for participants who register on or before Feb. 7. The two-day registration fee increases to $175 on Feb. 8. A one-day registration is available for $90.

The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program and the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition are offering scholarships for students and producers to attend this year’s conference. The deadline for these applications is Feb. 1.

To learn more, visit the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website at https://wia.unl.edu.

A special thank you to the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition for their partnership on this year’s conference. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more about how your company or organization can be a part of this exceptional event, please visit the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40444.