Wednesday January 15 Ag News

 Governor Pillen and Senators Introduce Legislation to Benefit Nebraska Agriculture

Tuesday, Governor Jim Pillen and state senators presented three bills critical to preserving and protecting agriculture in Nebraska.

“As the first farmer-governor in more than 100 years, I know how important it is that we take steps to preserve our way of life, for the benefit of those who consume our products,” said Gov. Pillen. “We feed the world and save the planet. To ensure that we can do that for generations to come, we need to take steps that protect our water supply, the data that farmers use to improve their yields and their profits and that we keep extremists from introducing unproven meat products from being sold to consumers.”

Lab-Grown Meat
Senator Barry DeKay is bringing legislation to keep lab-grown meat from being manufactured, distributed, or sold in Nebraska. The bill defines “cultivated food protein” and requires those products to be labeled “adulterated food products” under the Pure Food Act.

"There are clear, recognized benefits of meat as a source of protein. It is uncertain whether manufactured meat protein is a substitute for natural meat sources as essential dietary needs. I question elevating lab meat to a level of equivalency with real meat,“ said Sen. DeKay. “Until or unless there are clear labeling rules that adequately disclose that cultured meat is not real meat, its sale allows lab meats to unfairly benefit from industry investments in marketing and production. What’s more, this industry is supported by organizations that want to do away with animal production in Nebraska and the United States. This is part of the process that we’re going to go through to make sure our way of life, our livestock, and our product that we can put on the dinner table stays intact going forward."

Gov. Pillen added, “It's important we get on the offense so that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are not undermined. Our job is to protect consumers, grow agriculture and defend agriculture. Most of us want government out of our hair, but there are places where government needs to step in and protect us.”

Merging NDEE & DNR
At the request of the Governor, Senator Tom Brandt is bringing a bill to merge the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Policies and programs focused on water quality and quantity will now be under the same leadership. This will improve long-range planning for water and natural resource management issues such as nitrogen management and soil health. Related to nitrogen management, the Governor also announced the formation of his Task Force on Water Quality and Quantity.

Speaking on the merger, Sen. Brandt said, "By merging the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environment and Energy, we are streamlining government operations to better address our state’s critical water needs. This legislation represents an opportunity to enhance efficiency, strengthen resource management, and ensure a sustainable future for Nebraska."

Agricultural Data Privacy
Another emerging issue for the agricultural community is producer data privacy.  Senator Mike Jacobson’s planned bill will keep the ownership of producer generated data with the farm or the producer where it was created. It prohibits sale of that information to other agricultural corporations. In this regard, it would be similar to the recently adopted Consumer Data Privacy Act. If passed, Nebraska would be a national leader by being the first state to have a law restricting the sale of agricultural data.

“Nebraska farmers and ranchers are increasingly concerned about the variety of new ag data products that are arriving on the market,” said Sen. Jacobson. “They want to know what happens to their data once they provide it to ag tech providers. They have a lot of questions about how the data is used, if they can retrieve it and should they trust the providers?”

“It’s important we not only defend agriculture but go on the offensive,” said Gov. Pillen. “The better agriculture does, the better our economy does. I’m eager to work with the legislature this year to lead the nation and protect and grow our agriculture industry.”



Annual Beef Feedlot Roundtables scheduled across Nebraska

Join Nebraska Feedlot Extension at three locations across the state Feb. 18, 19 and 20 to dive into a series of timely topics relevant to feedlot management.

The program will include
    Managing hairy heel wart in the feedyard with Becky Funk, veterinarian with UNL's Great Plains Veterinary Education Center
    Leveraging cattle implant strategies for greater gains with Jessica Sperber, Nebraska Extension feedlot specialist
    UNL Beef Innovation and research update with Galen Erickson, Nebraska Extension feedlot specialist
    Feedyard personnel management with Pete Anderson, Midwest PMS
    Market outlook with Jeff Stolle from Nebraska Cattlemen

Each Roundtable runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. local time.
    Tuesday, Feb. 18, Bridgeport, Nebraska, Prairie Winds Community Center
    Wednesday, Feb. 19, Gothenburg, Nebraska, Bayer Water Utilization Learning Center
    Thursday, Feb. 20, West Point, Nebraska, Nielsen Community Center

Pre-registration is requested by Friday, Feb. 14 at: https://go.unl.edu/2025roundtable

The cost is $20, payable online at registration or at the door via cash or check. Lunch will be provided.



Northeast Nebraska Crops Update Feb 3 at HAL

Nebraska Extension is hosting the Northeast Nebraska Crops Update at the Haskell Ag Lab on February 3rd, 2025 near Concord, NE. All those interested in emerging topics on crops in Northeast Nebraska are encouraged to attend.

Research updates will be provided by Nebraska Extension and industry representatives will be available for product discussions. Registration begins at 8:30am with the program running from 9am to 3:30pm.

Registration requested by Jan. 29 at https://go.unl.edu/register-crop-update.

Topics include:
    Corn and Soybean Disease Updates
    Nebraska On-Farm Research
    Manure Management
    In-Season Nitrogen Recommendation for Corn
    Emerging Soybean Pests
    Farm Bill Outlook: Prospects and Future Decisions
    Dicamba Thresholds in Soybeans
    Industry Partner Product Updates

Free to attend | Lunch will be provided | CCA credits available!
Main shop at the Haskell Ag Lab, 57905 866 Rd, Concord, NE 68728



Feb. 4, 2025 - Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent Workshop

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability and Nebraska Extension will present a workshop in Wayne 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 be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Feb. 4, in the meeting room at Hometown Café, Tacos & More, 509 Dearborn St. #4.

The workshop 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.   

Refreshments will be provided by Farmers National Company.

The program is free to attend. Registration is requested by Feb. 3, by calling Nebraska Extension in Wayne County at 402-375-3310.

More information is available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/land25.



4 New Board Members Join Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors

The Nebraska Beef Council held elections to name 4 new board members to their Board of Directors. The new board members, each elected to a 4 year term, are as follows:
    District 1: Butch Schuler of Redington
    District 3: Keith Kreikemeier of West Point
        Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Pierce, Wayne, Thurston, Madison, Stanton, Cuming and Burt counties
    District 5: Shannon Peterson of Gothenburg
    District 9: John Schroeder of Cozad



First Annual Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference Was A Huge Success

Nearly 300 people gathered for the Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference held at the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College on December 17th, 2024. Attendees from Nebraska and surrounding states gathered to hear from a great lineup of speakers.

Rick Clark, of Williamsport, IN Kicked off the conference with his keynote address “Increasing Farm Profits with Conservation”. Rick showcased how he has reduced expensive inputs and increased profits on his operation. Rick is moving towards organic no-till on his farm and discussed the realities of both the successes, and the challenges, of making this system work.

There were numerous options for concurrent breakout sessions where attendees could select the sessions attended based on the topics that would best serve their farms and ranches. Speakers covered items of interest that ranged from equipment set-up for successful no-till to total crop system redesigns that include grazing livestock on cropland.

In one session, Jason Mauck, of Gaston, IN, shared his passion for “farming weird” - including the way he views sunlight as a limiting factor in traditional systems, and the stock-cropper he co-developed to graze animals in growing crops.

Another session highlighted a value-added products panel - a group of Nebraskans who are adding value to products by taking them to retail, finding local added-value markets, or using unique “livestock” to produce additional products from the same crops. The panel discussed ideas on how to create more income on their acres.

Wrapping up the day, a panel of local northeast Nebraska farmers discussed how they are making conservation farming work locally. Junior Pfanstiel, Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD); Jeff Steffen, Lewis & Clark Natural Resources District (LCNRD); Curt Morrow, Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District (LNNRD); and Art Tanderup Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District (UENRD) discussed their operations, how they are implementing different practices, and the economics of their systems.

The Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference was co-hosted by the Bow Creek Watershed Project (Lewis & Clark NRD) and the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (LCNRD, LENRD, LNNRD, and UENRD), Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Nebraska Strategic Ag Coalition, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Partners include Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy / EPA, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Environmental Trust, UNL and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The Committee is already hard at work preparing for the second annual Northeast Nebraska Ag Conference planned for December 2025.



Study Shows Iowa Pork Industry is Vital to State's Economy
    
Iowa’s hard working pig farmers are a vital component of the state’s economy, as shown by a new study released by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. The data verifies Iowa’s status as the number one pork producing state in the nation, providing 33% of the U.S. hog inventory, and creating more than 120,000 jobs.

Providing Jobs, Economic Activity
Iowa’s 5,172 pig farms help create more than 64,000 jobs in the state from hog production, more than 39,000 from hog slaughter, and more than 16,000 from hog processing, totaling 120,231. The pork industry contributed $15.4 billion in value added to Iowa’s economy in 2024.

Iowa Pork Industry Economic Contribution By the Numbers:
    $15.4 billion in value added to the state’s economy.
    More than 120,000 jobs supported statewide.
    $8.0 billion in household income.
    $40.5 billion in total sales.
    More than $2.7 billion in taxes paid.

Breakdown of $15.4 billion in value added:
    $9.9 billion from hog production.
    $3.9 billion from hog slaughter.
    $1.5 billion from hog processing.

"The pork industry is the backbone of Iowa’s agricultural economy, driving billions in economic impact, creating thousands of jobs, and feeding millions of people across the world,” said Matt Gent, a pig farmer from Wellman, IA who serves as president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “The work of pig farmers is essential to the strength and resilience of our communities and the future of American agriculture."

Pig farms with 2,000-4,999 head remain the most common in the state, comprising 31% of all pig farms in Iowa.

Iowa's hog cash receipts for 2023 totaled $9.328 billion, representing 34.3% of the U.S. hog cash receipts and 22.9% of Iowa's total cash receipts from all commodities. Hog inventory numbers set a record high in December 2023, with 25 million hogs on Iowa farms.

A Cycle of Sustainability
Iowa leads the nation in pork production for several reasons. The state’s pig farmers take pride in a rich heritage, building on generations of experience while embracing cutting-edge research and technology to produce pork that is nutritious, safe, and delicious. Additionally, Iowa’s abundant supply of essential feedstuffs makes it an ideal location for raising pigs efficiently.

A balanced pig diet contains energy and amino acids, which come from corn and soybean meal diets. From weaning to reaching market weight, an average pig eats 12 bushels of corn and 2.5 bushels of soybeans. Over the course of a year, Iowa pigs consume 2,272,856 acres of corn and 1,514,892 acres of soybeans. That means nearly one-eighth of Iowa’s row crops are marketed for nearby use, thus reducing the cost of grain transportation.

Hog manure is invaluable to farmers as a sustainable and cost-effective fertilizer that enriches soil with essential nutrients, improving crop yields while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. It helps farmers efficiently manage waste, enhance soil health, and create a self-sustaining cycle by fertilizing crops used to feed their livestock, maximizing farm productivity and environmental stewardship.

Benefiting Local Communities
The top five Iowa counties in hog inventory are Washington, Sioux, Lyon, Plymouth, and Hardin counties. Washington, Sioux and Lyon counties each have more than 1 million pigs. Hamilton, Lyon, Marshall, Plymouth, Sioux, Wapello, Washington, and Woodbury counties all have an estimated value-added contribution of more than $300 million from the pork industry. Value-added refers to the difference between the total revenue of an industry and the total cost of inputs, such as labor, materials, and services.

The pork industry remains central to Iowa’s agricultural and economic prosperity, affirming its leadership in the U.S. pork industry. The study was conducted by Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS) in 2024.



Iowa Biodiesel Production Ticked Up in 2024, but Hits Headwinds Entering 2025

In 2024, Iowa biodiesel production ticked up to 353 million gallons, up from 350 in 2023. Iowa biodiesel plants managed to power through being undercut by a drastically low Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending level for 2024, but could not escape uncertainty surrounding tax policy as the long-time biodiesel blenders credit expired while the rules for the new 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit remain in flux. By the end of 2024, multiple Iowa biodiesel plants were not producing.

“Iowa biodiesel producers powered through most of 2024, but the end of the year brought a time of uncomfortable uncertainty,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “We need quick action in Washington to prevent 2025 from being worse. Multiple plants are sitting at idle waiting and hoping for the Treasury Department to finalize the rules for the new 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit. Tax credit uncertainty has tied the entire biodiesel supply chain up in knots. We need action now. Biodiesel remains a key part of ensuring domestic energy security while boosting rural communities and farmers.”

When it comes to Iowa biodiesel production, soybean oil remains the king, accounting for 77 percent of the production in 2024. Animal fats accounted for nearly 9 percent, while canola oil, distillers corn oil, and used cooking oil (UCO) each made up over 4 percent of feedstocks.

Iowa’s ten biodiesel plants have the capacity to produce 416 gallons annually. The IRFA compiled production information from a confidential industry survey.



Cattle Producers Pleased by Withdrawal of Anti-Free Market USDA Rule

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the withdrawal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rule entitled “Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets,” announced today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. This harmful regulation would have dismantled current cattle marketing agreements, reversed decades of innovation in the cattle industry, and threatened producer profitability.

“Under the ‘Bidenomics’ agenda, USDA pushed regulations like this one which would have undermined the free market, harmed hardworking cattle producers, and far exceeded the agency’s authority granted by Congress,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer. “We are pleased that USDA recognized their failed approach and withdrew this rule. NCBA will continue advocating for sound market principles and we look forward to working with the next Administration on enhancing profitability opportunities for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.”



Field Set for World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Semifinals

Thirty-one bid callers will battle it out in the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Dunlap, Iowa, this June. Held in conjunction with Livestock Marketing Association’s annual convention, the event will bring together the top 10 individuals from each of the three qualifying events, along with the reigning International Livestock Auctioneer Champion.

The semifinalists are:
    A.J. Austin, Newport, Arkansas
    Andy Baumeister, Goldthwaite, Texas
    Tyler Bell, Anderson, Texas
    Neil Bouray, Webber, Kansas
    Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Missouri
    Colvin Connell, Willard, New Mexico
    Ryan Dean, Roland, Oklahoma
    Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta, Canada
    Steve Goedert, Templeton, California
    William Gregory, Auburn, Kentucky
    Michael Imbrogno, Turlock, California
    Brennin Jack, Virden, Manitoba, Canada
    Marcus Kent, Dunnellon, Florida
    Takoda Kiser, Leon, West Virginia
    Ryan Konynenbelt, Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada
    Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, California
    Trey Narramore, Portales, New Mexico
    Garrett Nunn, Laramie, Wyoming
    Ross Parks, New Concord, Ohio
    Jack Riggs, Glenns Ferry, Idaho
    Troy Robinett, Decatur, Texas
    Seth Schnieder, Hershey, Nebraska
    Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kansas
    Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Virginia
    Barrett Simon, Rosalia, Kansas
    Preston Smith, Imperial, Nebraska
    Andrew Sylvester, Westmoreland, Kansas
    Jace Thompson, Billings, Montana
    Marshal Tingle, Nicholasville, Kentucky
    Scott Twardowski, Swanville, Minnesota
    Zack Zumstein, Marsing, Idaho

The World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, conducted by Livestock Marketing Association, is in its 62nd year. To learn more, visit lmaweb.com.



Empowering Farmers Through Innovation: John Deere Expands Self-Repair Solutions, Furthering Farmer Independence

Tuesday, John Deere (NYSE:$DE) announced another significant step forward in supporting customers’ ability to maintain and repair their machines across the agricultural and construction industries. The latest addition to Deere’s suite of digital solutions will further empower customers and independent repair technicians by, among other things, enabling them to reprogram Deere-manufactured electronic controllers.
 
These new capabilities will be integrated into the John Deere Operations Center™ and will offer more comprehensive solutions for diagnosing and repairing equipment while ensuring machine reliability, safety, and compliance.
 
“John Deere has a long-standing commitment to enhancing our customers’ ability to repair their equipment. Consistent with that commitment, we’ve continued to deliver new and enhanced solutions designed to improve that experience” said Denver Caldwell, Vice President of Aftermarket and Customer Support. “As our equipment has become more technologically advanced, so too have the repair tools needed to advance customer capabilities. We are committed to offering customers the best equipment ownership experience, both in the form of world-class dealer support and extensive self-repair resources. This offering advances our goal of minimizing customers’ unplanned downtime and enables them to be more productive and profitable in their operations.”

For years, John Deere has invested in enhanced solutions and is excited to take the next step as we continue to gather feedback from customers through the development process to complete our pilot. The customer and independent repair technician pilot will set the stage for launch in the U.S. and Canada by the second half of 2025.
 
Commitment to Repairability
For decades, John Deere has empowered customers to take control of their repair and maintenance needs, from publishing operator, diagnostic, and technical manuals, to selling parts over the counter to customers and independent repair shops to developing digital tools like Customer Service ADVISOR™. John Deere’s latest expansion will offer a more user-friendly, centralized platform for self-repair. As a leader in agricultural and construction technology as well as customer support, John Deere is committed to further enhancing machine ownership for a new generation.
 
Expanding Existing Tools and Resources
In addition to the new solution, John Deere has an expansive suite of tools currently that support customers throughout their machine ownership journey, including:
    John Deere Bookstore for viewing operators' manuals for free and purchasing technical manuals;
    Quick Reference Guides and instructional videos for maintenance tips;
    Shop.Deere.com for finding and purchasing parts online;
    John Deere Operations Center™ for managing farm data, maintenance, and machine information;
    Customer Service ADVISOR™ for digital manuals, and for clearing and refreshing codes, taking diagnostic readings, and performing limited calibrations; and
    Equipment Mobile this free app is a one-stop-shop for machine information including operators and parts manuals, maintenance plans, quick reference information, trouble code lookup, and software updates on select 4G connected machines.

Innovating to Enhance Machine Ownership
John Deere is an industry leader in self-repair resources for customers and remains committed to future investments that enable customer and independent repair technicians to improve machine uptime. Recent enhancements demonstrate the ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, empowering equipment owners and improving machine ownership worldwide. John Deere will continue to innovate, making it easier for customers to work on their machines and their systems to keepthem up and running when they need them the most.



Merger of Hypor and Danish Genetics Officially Closed

Hendrix Genetics proudly announces the successful closing of the merger between Hypor, its swine genetics division, and Danish Genetics. This strategic combination unites two industry-leading swine genetics organizations under the Hendrix Genetics umbrella, creating a value proposition that sets a new benchmark for the swine industry. Together, Hypor and Danish Genetics, supported by Hendrix Genetics' multispecies expertise and cutting-edge R&D capabilities, are committed to delivering unmatched value and innovation to the pork value chain.

A Unified Value Proposition for the Swine Industry
The merger represents a powerful synergy of expertise, resources, and a shared vision for the future of swine genetics. By combining the strengths of Hypor and Danish Genetics, the new entity offers a differentiated and compelling value proposition for pig producers worldwide. Customers can expect:
    Innovative R&D: World-class research and development capabilities to stay ahead of genetic advancements.
    Comprehensive Genetics Portfolio: A range of solutions tailored to diverse customer needs in global markets.
    Global Reach with Local Proximity: Reliable partnerships and long-term support close to the customer.

Richard Maatman, CEO of Hendrix Genetics, stated: “This merger brings together the best of two world-class swine genetics organizations. Our combined expertise and scale enable us to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that drive progress and create real value for our customers.”

Jan Gerber, CEO of Danish Genetics, highlighted the shared commitment to the industry’s future: “Joining forces with Hypor under Hendrix Genetics allows us to set new standards for innovation, animal welfare, and customer success. This partnership is a step forward in meeting the demands of pig producers of tomorrow.”

The Strength of Collaboration
To reflect the combined strengths of Hypor and Danish Genetics, the new entity will operate under the name Hendrix Genetics Swine. This name underscores the collective expertise and resources of the two organizations while highlighting Hendrix Genetics’ commitment to empowering the swine industry. The headquarters for Hendrix Genetics Swine will be based in Denmark, further solidifying its proximity to key markets and customers.

Raf Beeren, Managing Director of Hendrix Genetics Swine, emphasized: “Hendrix Genetics Swine is the culmination of years of collaboration and expertise. This merger is about leveraging our combined strengths to deliver higher performance, sustainability, and innovation for our customers and the industry as a whole.”

Looking Ahead
The official closing of the merger marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Hypor, Danish Genetics, and Hendrix Genetics. This collaboration positions Hendrix Genetics Swine as a global leader dedicated to advancing sustainable performance and empowering the pork value chain through continuous improvement.