Tuesday April 11 Ag News

Tasting Beef Like Never Before at Dietetics Food & Culinary Conference

Registered Dietitians and other professionals participate in a blind tasting of beef plates at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food & Culinary Professionals 2023 Culinary Workshop.

Think about this for a moment. You’re sitting in a crowded restaurant. Flatware clatters…glasses clink…laughter punctuates the low thrum of conversations coming from other tables. In the midst of all this, your server appears and sets your meal, steaming hot, in front of you.    What do you do?    Likely, you will look at your plate. But then, almost without thinking about it, you will close your eyes as you inhale deeply.      

How many different senses did we employ in this scenario? Hearing, most certainly, as we set the scene with the restaurant noise. Sight, as we looked at the plate set before us. Smell, as we closed our eyes and inhaled the aroma of our meal. We’ve taken in a lot of information, all before we’ve tasted anything. All of the information gathered through your senses-from your surroundings to the aroma of the food--builds your perception of what you are about to taste, and your anticipated enjoyment of it.    

Now, remove one sense…sight. What does that do to your perception of the food? How do you perceive flavors and judge a meal if you can’t see it?    That’s what more than 50 registered dietitians and other professionals in the nutrition world experienced when they attended "Shed New Light on Flavor," a pre-conference workshop produced by the California Beef Council (CBC) in partnership with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), and the Kansas and Nebraska Beef Councils. The pre-event workshop was offered to attendees of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food & Culinary Professionals 2023 Culinary Workshop in California’s Napa wine country.   

The workshop, held at the beautiful Gambonini Family Ranch in Petaluma, was designed and led by Dr. Hoby Wedler, a Ph.D. chemist and sensory expert who walked attendees through a "Tasting in the Dark" experience. With his highly-trained palate and acute sensory insight, Wedler, who has been blind since birth, talked to attendees about what it means to acquire sensory literacy by opening themselves to all the sensory input around them.

"Our understanding and perception is highly dependent on a multitude of sensory and psychological inputs," Wedler said. "We use vision so much that we’re more literate in that sense than in our other senses, so you need to practice using those other senses."    

Blindfolded attendees sampled four dishes, all including beef in plant-forward meals, all completely unknown to them: a slider that included a beef, bean and mushroom patty; a cold quinoa, fig and goat cheese salad with beef strips; a beef and veggie wrap; and a fajita-style beef street taco that included peppers, squash, tomatoes and onions. Wedler then led them in a still-blindfolded discussion of what they were tasting, what those flavors meant to the dish, how the flavors and textures made them perceive each dish, and what employing their other senses meant to their enjoyment and understanding of the different foods they were eating.   

 "These pre-event workshops are a way for nutrition and dietetics professionals to add an enrichment component to their conference experience," said Kori Dover, RD, Director of Food & Nutrition Outreach for the CBC. "We presented Dr. Wedler’s blindfolded food exercise because we wanted to provide nutrition professionals the opportunity to experience how beef’s flavor profile can help increase fruit, vegetable and whole grain consumption."    

Wedler’s concept of gaining insight into the non-visual senses provides an opportunity for participants to pay closer attention to details they may not have been aware of when it comes to food. Focusing on aroma, texture, flavor profiles, layering flavors and other concepts can have an impact on nutrition, he notes, as enjoyment of food plays heavily in whether or not a person consumes all the nutrients their body needs.    

 "This type of experience is especially valuable to those who work in various areas of clinical nutrition," Dover said. "When we have patients whose diets are restricted, the loss of food enjoyment can have an impact on their overall nutrition. Thinking about flavors and textures combined with highly-nutritious ingredients can make a difference."   

In addition to the pre-event workshop, Dover, along with meat scientist Dr. Phil Bass, provided a conference keynote session called "Raising the Steaks-Exploring Beef’s Versatility." This lively, interactive session provided attendees with practical ways to get the most value from various beef cuts, included cookery tips, looked at flavor profiles, and provided insights into beef’s role in healthy and sustainable diets.

Find more information on nebeef.org.



CONTROLLING WINTER ANNUAL WEEDS
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator

Now is the time to control winter annual weeds in alfalfa. Thinned alfalfa stands combined with open soil and adequate moisture can result in weed pressure. So, prior to alfalfa dormancy break and early green-up, assess winter annual weeds populations such as: pennycress, downy brome, mustards, cheatgrass, and shepherd’s purse. Left unchecked, these weeds can lower first cutting hay quality and palatability. Excessive weeds can also extend dry-down time and lengthen harvest time.

However, before applying any herbicide, scout fields and determine current and potential weed pressure. Verify that fields have enough weeds to justify herbicide spray applications and then determine the best management options.

If alfalfa fields are still dormant, Sharpen®; Metribuzin®; and Gramoxone® herbicides can still be applied. Pre-emergent herbicides such as Warrant®; Chateau®; and Prowl H2O® can be applied soon after green-up, but these chemicals will not control weeds which have already germinated. Aim® herbicide will control early growing broadleaf weeds, but it will not control grassy weeds. Poast® herbicide will control most growing weedy grasses but not downy brome. Pursuit® and Raptor® herbicides will control growing weeds during early alfalfa green-up, but control weeds best when air temperatures are warmer. Glyphosate (Roundup Weathermax®/Powermax®) will control growing weeds too but must be used with Roundup-Tolerant varieties.

Other labelled products for new alfalfa include: Arrow®; Select Max®; Velpar®, Karmex®, Sinbar®; Pursuit®, and Raptor®. Our UNL Extension publication, EC 130, ‘Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska’ may provide additional options.

Winter annuals can quickly establish in hay fields, so early season weed control is important for quality hay production. Since timing is essential, control winter annuals before alfalfa breaks dormancy and before weeds render economic losses.

 

Ida County's Volkert Family to be given the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Volkert family during an event at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Cobblestone Inn in Holstein.

Owned and operated by brothers Lane and the late Larry Volkert and their families, “Volkert Brothers” started in 1970 upon Lane and Larry’s return from service in the Vietnam War. The brothers grew up on the family farm, which has been in the family for 117 years. The farm received its Century Farm recognition in 2006. Lane and Lori are the parents of three daughters and have seven grandchildren. Larry, who passed away in 2020, and Janet have two daughters and four grandchildren.

“The Volkerts have not only been good stewards of their land and livestock, but they have demonstrated a deep commitment to their community and an admirable record of service to our country,” said Secretary Naig. “Iowa is blessed to have great farm families like the Volkerts and I am pleased to present them with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor award.”

The Volkerts raise corn, soybeans and hay while also feeding cattle and hogs. They incorporate conservation into all aspects of their operation by utilizing terraces, no-till, minimum till, grassed waterways and headlands. They have built retaining walls in the cattle yards, which work in coordination with a catch basin and a filter strip.

The family members have demonstrated a high level of care for their animals and take pride in ensuring consumers can enjoy delicious and nutritious protein on their dinner tables. They utilize cornstalk bales for bedding and have put in place modern working facilities with tubs, hydraulic chutes and animal-friendly loading facilities.

The Volkerts have been longtime members of the Ida County Cattlemen, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. They also have belonged to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein where they have served in various positions on the church council and committees. The brothers both belonged to the American Legion Post 225. Lane served on the Galva-Holstein School Board for six years, the Ida County Farm Bureau Board, and the Ida County Planning and Zoning Commission. Prior to his passing, Larry served on the Holstein Cooperative Elevator Board for six years and was a Trustee in Battle Township for many years.

Larry and Lane were named “Outstanding Young Farmers” in 1980 by the Jaycees. In 1990, they were named the winners of the Ida County Conservation Award in the Quad States Conservation Awards Program.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock and have demonstrated a commitment to their community. The award is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.




Iowa Beef Checkoff-Funded Study Aims to Find Optimal Marketing Endpoints for Cattle Feeders

The Iowa Beef Center's Erika Lundy-Woolkfolk is an Iowa native, Iowa State University alumni and fellow cattle producer poised on helping other Iowa beef producers find solutions to support sound decision making and ultimately, the opportunity to add value to the bottom line.

Does it pay to feed cattle longer to try and hit greater marbling premiums? If you are asking this question, you are not alone.  “With today’s higher feed costs, this has become a common question we are hearing from producers across Iowa,” said Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, beef specialist with Iowa State University (ISU) Extension.  The question is what led Lundy-Woolfolk and Dr. Dan Loy, Director of the Iowa Beef Center, to create a new study. They will evaluate animal performance, carcass traits and more by marketing a group of steers at varying times. In-state research to find answers for producers wouldn’t be possible without your checkoff. “It’s nice to have checkoff dollars so we can do some of this production-based research that needs to be done,” Lundy-Woolfok commented. “Hopefully we can get some good data and help answer this question for producers.”

How the study will work
The study kicked off this March and is expected to conclude in the fall of 2023. It will be done in two parts: A live animal performance assessment An economic analysis For the animal performance part, 108 purebred Angus steers from the ISU McNay Research Farm are being fed and monitored at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm. “We chose Angus because this group of cattle has been selected for marbling for over 20 years,” Lundy-Woolfolk explained. “It is not uncommon for them to go 45 to 50% prime.” Growth-promotion implants will also be monitored in the study. The steers will be started on two different implants: one of a lower dose and another more aggressive. Lundy-Woolfolk said both are typical for industry standards. Another part of the performance assessment will be looking at feed conversion differences. “At the Armstrong Research Farm, we have two pens with bunks that can monitor individual intakes,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. “We’ll have half the cattle in those pens, and the other half in an open bunk system.”

Using Back Fat as a Market Indicator
After being fed a certain number of days, the steers will go to slaughter at three different times. “Based on carcass ultrasound, we’ll use back fat thickness as an indicator of when we’ll market the steers,” Lundy-Woolfolk stated. She estimates that the market timings will be the following: Group 1 in May at 0.50-inch back fat Group 2 in June at 0.65-inch back fat Group 3 in July at 0.80-inch back fat “This will separate the degree of finish on those steers to really give us three different categories of carcass data to look at for the economic analysis,” Lundy-Woolfolk explained.

What The Economic Analysis will Cover
Using data collected during the animal assessment, the economic analysis will evaluate the best market endpoints based on varying feed costs, premiums and discounts.  “We are going to put numbers together using rolling averages based on grid premiums over the last few years,” Lundy-Woolfolk explained. “We’re trying to answer things like, ‘What do premiums look like for calves that graded high choice versus prime?’” “Our hope is this will be a powerful tool for cattle feeders to determine what’s best for their operation,” Lundy-Woolfolk continued. “Seeing some of these economic numbers may be an eye-opener. Hopefully, they can use them to make marketing decisions that have a positive financial impact on their farm.” Final results will be shared in a white paper and Iowa Beef Center articles. You can find all checkoff-funded production research at iabeef.org/cattlemens-corner/production-research.

Iowa State Beef Checkoff Research Program
Overall, since 2018 the Iowa State Checkoff program has funded a total of 14 studies for $740,026 ($52,859/study). In fiscal year 2023, the Board of Directors elected to fund five additional studies totaling more than $853,000 dollars. We are excited to support Iowa's extensive network of subject matter experts through applied research initiatives that highlight the vast array of institutional resources found at Iowa State University. Collectively, the research program is poised on highlighting the best of Iowa's beef industry: our beef producers, researchers, university and extension and the high quality beef product raised in Iowa.



Midwest Compost School to Be Held June 20-22

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the 2023 Midwest Compost School on June 20-22 at the Iowa State Dairy Farm and Composting Facility near Ames.

This is a specialized, three-day course for compost facility operators and composting professionals. Topics covered include feedstock selection, recipe development, operations, analysis, monitoring, odor and runoff management, and marketing strategies. An emphasis is on food residuals composting. Each day includes a combination of hands-on training, lecture, discussion and problem solving.

“Participants will receive hands-on experiences and hear from composting facility managers and other experts about techniques that will give them a competitive edge,” said Kapil Arora, agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the course coordinator.

The program is approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for compost facility operator certification as specified under the Iowa Administrative Code.

The school features instructors from Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin and Illinois State University and is presented in collaboration with the Iowa Composting Council and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Early registration is $450 and must be made prior to midnight, June 9. Late registration is $475 and the registration deadline is midnight, June 14. Pre-registration is required and space is limited for this program. Registration includes course materials and meals listed on the program. For additional information and to register online, visit www.aep.iastate.edu/compost.



Soybean Research and Information Network (SRIN) Provides Valuable Insights for 2023 Planting Season, Offers Free Research Newsletter

As the spring planting season has started in some areas and is approaching in others, the Soybean Research and Information Network (SRIN) is providing soybean farmers valuable insights, timely information and infographics to help them optimize profit. While maximizing yields is always connected to additional revenue, SRIN is also focused on other research funded by the soy checkoff to drive additional value opportunities to U.S. soybean farms.

According to Cate Newberg, manager of the SRIN program, those research areas can range from offering a soybean planting date guide to research about soil management, pest control and seed selection.

“Soybean farmers know that successful soybean planting is about far more than dropping seeds in the ground and hoping for rain,” Newberg said. “Thanks to farmer-funded research, a number of other factors are coming into focus, including soil health, the use of cover crops, reducing tillage, using biologicals and adding organic matter. Today’s research is showing that great soybean crops have their roots in a holistic approach to managing the crop, starting at and before planting season.”

Research highlighted on the SRIN website (www.soybeanresearchinfo.com) and in the free weekly SRIN email newsletter also is focused on threats to the soybean crop, including pests such as soybean aphids, spider mites, nematodes and whiteflies.

“The SRIN website and newsletter give farmers like me a wealth of information that allows us to anticipate challenges as we head into planting season,” said Mike Schlosser, a soybean farmer leader from North Dakota. “These timely insights give us information on what to look for, what to monitor and how we can take proactive steps to prevent pest and disease damage to our soybean crops.”

Seed selection is another critical factor for soybean farmers. The SRIN’s research has shown that choosing the right seed can make a significant difference in yield potential. Farmers should consider factors such as disease resistance, maturity, and yield potential when selecting soybean seeds, according to Newberg.

The monthly SRIN newsletter helps soybean farmers stay up-to-date on the latest research in which they invest through the soy checkoff. A subscription to the free newsletter can be requested by visiting the SRIN Website—https://soybeanresearchinfo.com/check-in-on-checkoff-research.

“We are excited to provide soybean farmers the latest research designed to drive value back to their farms,” Newberg said. “Our goal is to provide farmers with the tools and resources they need to make informed decisions and achieve greater success in their soybean farming operations.”

About Soybean Research and Information Network
The Soybean Research and Information Network (SRIN) highlights results, provides resources, and promotes the importance of soybean research. SRIN is administered by NCSRP and is supported in part by United Soybean Board and other state and regional soybean boards.



America’s Soybean Farmers Reach 30,000 Families at White House Easter Egg Roll

As a 145-year-old tradition, the White House Easter egg-rolling race across the lawn with a wooden spoon dates back to 1878. This year, the “EGGucation” roll theme included egg decorating, egg hunting and interactive farm experiences. The 30,000 families that attended learned about soy as a high-quality and sustainable ingredient fed to poultry (broilers, laying hens and turkeys), which is U.S. Soy’s No. 1 customer.

The American Egg Board organized the Easter egg roll with the farm field trip experience co-sponsored by the United Soybean Board (USB) and Elanco. Soy checkoff farmer-leaders participated in the event and interacted with families, sharing how the nation’s 515,000 soybean farmers are committed to animal agriculture.

“There’s something special about people bonding over Easter traditions, and this event broke down barriers between urban and rural America,” said Meagan Kaiser, USB Chair and farmer from Missouri. “One of the biggest takeaways from my interactions was kids’ genuine interest in knowing where their food comes from and the novelty of meeting a real-life farmer.”

Different stations in the farm field trip showcased the journey of an egg from being transported on a truck to being cooked into a delicious breakfast. Parents and children from the Washington, D.C., metro and beyond learned about how an egg travels from hen to home. The stations allowed soybean farmers a platform to discuss USB’s investments in nutrition and health research that support animal health.

At the event, a Q&A about soybeans included:
    Q: What do hens eat? A: Hens are fed a balanced diet of sorghum, corn, cottonseed and/or soybean meal – depending on where the hen lives and which grain is most available.
    Q: How much soybean meal do chickens eat each year? A: More than 500 million bushels of soybean meal is used for chicken feed in the U.S. each year.

“To further the reputation of U.S. Soy, it’s critical that we interact with consumers about how soy can provide sustainable solutions to every life, every day,” said Steve Reinhard, USB Vice Chair and farmer from Ohio. “With chickens being our biggest customer, anything we can do to ensure a vibrant poultry and egg industry remains a priority for U.S. soybean farmers.”



NPB Names First Chief Sustainability Officer

The National Pork Board announced today it has named its first Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) by appointing an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in sustainability and environmental program leadership.

James “Jamie” Burr took the role of National Pork Board CSO on March 27. Burr leads the sustainability team of five public health, animal welfare and environmental experts tasked with advancing the pork industry’s sustainability goals and metrics announced last year.

“Jamie’s input has been invaluable to several key producer-funded initiatives for more than a decade,” said Bill Even, National Pork Board CEO. “He’s served on and chaired several Pork Board environmental and sustainability committees and task forces, so his leadership has already helped shape the industry’s sustainability vision. “Establishing a CSO position and adding Jamie to the team continues to demonstrate our industry’s strong commitment to advancing pork sustainability.”

Burr comes to the Pork Board from Tyson Foods where he recently served as director of environmental compliance and was the environmental lead for all of Tyson’s live-animal production businesses. Prior to that role, he led several environmental, safety, health and sustainability teams since joining the company in 1999. Notably, he led the development of Tyson’s greenhouse gas science-based target, its deforestation and land-stewardship targets.

Burr earned a Master of Science degree in Soil Science and Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Missouri State University. But before his formal education, he gained valuable experience for his new role, growing up on a hog farm and in a sale barn in southern Missouri.

“It’s an honor for me to lead this team and take on the responsibility of shaping and sharing the industry’s sustainability story,” said Burr. “We have bold goals and metrics that producers have laid out for us, and I look forward to working with the staff and the board to meet and report on those efforts.”

Burr’s previous experience puts him in a unique position to be an advocate to producers and for the industry, Even noted.

“The CSO role serves as a conduit between producers, our supply chain partners, Wall Street investors and consumers,” said Even. “Jamie knows and has worked with all of these audiences. He understands business, he understands the consumer, and knows the importance of building relationships among all stakeholders along the supply chain.”



Growth Energy Aims to Ensure RFS Compliance in Latest Case against EPA

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, filed its opening brief today in its challenge to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) failure to enforce compliance under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In Growth Energy v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Growth Energy argues against EPA’s decisions to allow refiners not to comply with their RFS obligations even though EPA previously denied their petitions to be exempt from them. If upheld, these decisions would reduce the amount of renewable fuel in the marketplace by about 1.63 billion gallons.

"Refiners have been trying to dodge compliance with the RFS since it was first enacted. Unfortunately, EPA’s ‘alternative compliance’ doublespeak facilitates refiners’ ability to shirk the responsibilities that EPA itself has explicitly concluded they have. As such, ‘alternative compliance’ is merely another term for unlawful ‘non-compliance,’” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Growth Energy is pressing the court to undo EPA’s overreach to ensure that refiners meet their RFS obligations as Congress intended. The RFS remains America’s single most successful clean energy policy and Growth Energy will continue to use every tool at its disposal to hold EPA accountable, and to protect the RFS from those who seek to undermine its benefits."

Background
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires that refineries annually use at least the specified amount of renewable fuel in the transportation fuel they distribute. It also allows EPA to exempt individual refineries from their RFS obligations for a given year under limited circumstances. EPA initially granted thirty-one “small refineries” thirty-four exemptions from their 2016-2018 RFS obligations, but two lawsuits were promptly filed challenging the standard EPA applied in granting those exemptions. Eventually, after courts ruled against the exemptions, EPA complied and restored the refineries’ 2016-2018 RFS obligations.
 
However, EPA concurrently issued the “alternative compliance” actions at issue in this case. Despite their name, these actions do not facilitate the refineries’ compliance with their now-unmet 2016-2018 RFS obligations, but rather absolve them from those obligations. Thus, EPA’s “alternative compliance” actions reduced the net amount of renewable fuel that must be used by about 1.63 billion gallons.  Although 2016-2018 have passed, the refineries could still meet their unmet obligations by using extra renewable fuel (or buying credits from others that used extra renewable fuel) in the future. But EPA refused to require that, instead issuing the “alternative compliance” actions because of asserted concerns about imposing obligations “retroactively.”  

Growth Energy filed a suit against EPA and its “alternative compliance” actions in response, arguing that the actions are unlawful for multiple reasons. More broadly, the “alternative compliance” actions are just the latest in a troubling pattern of EPA delaying the imposition or restoration of RFS obligations and then invoking the specter of “retroactivity” to neuter those obligations anyway. Through “retroactivity,” EPA has given itself the power to negate the RFS program itself, in defiance of Congress’s express will.  



E85 in California: Lowest-Cost, Fastest-Growing Liquid Fuel Option for Drivers
    
It comes as no surprise that the lowest-cost fuel in California is also the state’s fastest-growing liquid fuel, the Renewable Fuels Association said Tuesday at an event in Sacramento spotlighting the importance of the lower-carbon E85 Flex Fuel blend, which hit a record 103.5 million gallons sold in the state in 2022.

“Gas prices are on the rise again in California, and drivers are seeking out options at the pump that are both more affordable and better for the environment; E85 definitely checks both of those boxes,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “American-made E85 is a low-carbon, low-cost liquid fuel that is growing in popularity and availability. The fuel substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline and helps insulate our nation’s fuel supply from the whims of the OPEC cartel and Russia. The record sales volume for E85 in 2022 clearly shows that, when the blend is made available and effectively promoted, FFV drivers will absolutely respond.”

RFA was joined at the busy suburban station by Propel Fuels, which provides E85 at many locations in the area. “Propel launched E85 in the Sacramento region in 2007,” said Rob Elam, Propel Fuels CEO. “It's been an incredible journey to see E85 go from zero gallons sold to over 100 million gallons in 2022. It's now the fastest-growing fuel in California. We expect to see exponential growth as Propel expands its E85 wholesale offering across the west coast and beyond.”

This week’s gas price update from the Energy Information Administration shows that prices for regular gasoline averaged $4.68 per gallon in California last week, up more than $0.50 per gallon since the beginning of the year.

E85 typically sells for 25 to 40 percent less in California. At the location where the Tuesday news conference was held, lower-carbon E85 sold for $2.99 per gallon, compared to $4.69 for regular unleaded. The blend is now available at more than 340 locations across the state, and more than 1.2 million vehicles on the road in California are flex-fuel.



U.S. Trade Performance and Position in Global Meat, Poultry, and Dairy Exports
USDA Economic Research Service

The United States is one of the top global producers and a key exporter of meat and dairy products. However, in recent years, several other competitors have also capitalized on growing demand for these products. A complex global trade environment, characterized by bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers, trade sanctions, trade disputes, and Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic-induced production disruptions, created both opportunities and threats to the competitiveness of the United States and other major exporters in animal products trade.

What Did the Study Find?
The United States remains a top competitor in the trade of animal products, though the global market is shifting to create opportunities and threats to U.S. competitiveness. Total U.S. animal product exports reached over $36 billion in 2021, representing more than 18 percent of U.S. agricultural trade. U.S. competitiveness is strong in East Asian, Southeast Asian, and North American markets, supported by multilateral trade agreements and strong exports despite pandemic disruptions to domestic industries. The United States is a leading global competitor in the four major animal agricultural commodity markets analyzed in this study: beef, pork, chicken, and dairy. However, global competitors continue to pose a challenge to U.S. export performance across the four major animal commodities:

• Beef: The United States leads the world in beef production and since 2006 has been among the top three global beef exporters by value, exporting over $9.4 billion of beef in 2021. Compared with major competitors, including Australia and New Zealand, U.S. beef trade performance is heavily influenced by high domestic consumption. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has historically posed risk, since U.S. access to foreign markets can be lost if BSE is discovered on U.S. operations, as well as opportunity for U.S. beef trade, as sporadic foreign cases limit competitors’ market access.

• Pork: The United States is the second largest exporter of pork behind the European Union. East Asian markets (e.g., Japan, China, and South Korea) support strong U.S. pork exports. Non-tariff trade barriers and the threat of African swine fever (ASF) pose risks to strong U.S. pork trade performance, though opportunities may arise for U.S. pork producers as competitors also face the threat of ASF.

• Chicken: U.S. chicken exports have more than doubled since 2000, exceeding $4.4 billion in 2021. U.S. chicken exports and destinations have experienced much volatility since 2000, with trade barriers, trade disputes, and the impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Current major markets for U.S. chicken include China, Mexico, and Canada. The top competitor for chicken exports is Brazil.

• Dairy: The United States is a top dairy producer in several major categories, exporting over $4.7 billion in major milk and dairy commodities in 2021. The United States has steadily grown over the last two decades to be a strong net exporter of dairy products, with the European Union and New Zealand as primary competitors supported in part by strong exports of cheese and dry whole milk powder, respectively. U.S. competitiveness in dairy products is category-dependent, with strong performance in cheese and dry skim milk product exports.

Read the full report here: https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/106277/err-312.pdf?v=9156.5.  



CH4 Global Launches Methane Tamer™ Beef Feedlot, first of the new formulations in the Methane Tamer™ line

CH4 Global, Inc., today announced a new proprietary methane reducing digestive aide feed formulation for beef feedlot cattle called Methane Tamer™ Beef Feedlot. The product is the first in a line of products for a full suite of ruminant animals and farming approaches being development under the Methane Tamer™ brand and will initially be commercially available to partners in Australia with global expansion coming in future years.

[On an urgent mission to bend the climate curve, CH4 Global, Inc., brings to market innovative products that enable partners to radically reduce GHG emissions. (PRNewsfoto/CH4 Global, Inc.)]

With our patented innovations in operational efficiencies and formulation, CH4 Global has developed the highest quality, lowest cost and most efficacious product designed for and with the end user. This natural product includes the entire Asparagopsis plant, as used in independent peer reviewed animal feed studies, and is not a synthetic replication of only one of the active ingredients or an extract from Asparagopsis.

The new formulation reduces formation of methane in the animal rumen, thanks to our star ingredient, Asparagopsis seaweed. When processed correctly, Asparagopsis has been scientifically proven to reduce methane emissions in cattle by up to 90% without negative effects on animal welfare or beef quality taste or texture. Our proprietary formulation contains superior-quality Asparagopsis and other natural ingredients to support intake by feedlot cattle and easy inclusion in the feeding regimen. Benefits:
    Up to 90% reduction of enteric methane emissions from beef feedlot cattle.
    Supports feed efficiency and weight gain.
    Aids in digestion.

Our product will  be made available to our existing commercial partners CirPro and Ravensworth, along with other partnerships currently under negotiation with commercial scale feedlots and food producers o radically reduce the methane footprint without altering the production process, and the opportunity to deliver premium, low-methane food. Learn more.

"As we validate the business model with our initial partners – both the business model for us and for the farmers, we will expand to our next group of partners… Those that enable scaling in our launch market and initial expansion into new geographic markets. The key to our model, and what we uniquely do, is to drive a cost structure that not only enables, but also encourages usage of our product because it makes both economic and environmental sense to do so. It is also how we will achieve gigatonne scale impact before 2030." – Chris Rose, Chief Business Development Officer

"What we have developed over the last four years is a platform that can quickly scale and be highly profitable. In fact, this new approach, plus our filed IP's on novel ways to dramatically drive down costs of growing and processing Asparagopsis, while preserving bioactivity of the final product, has ensured that we now have, without question, the lowest cost product on the market while maintaining the highest quality, natural/non-synthetic, product." – Steve Meller, CEO

About Methane Tamer™
Methane Tamer™, a CH4 Global brand, is natural feed supplement line that solve the urgent problem of animal emissions from cattle and other ruminant livestock. Food producers use Methane Tamer to minimize their carbon footprints and deliver premium, low-methane foods. The star ingredient in Methane Tamer is our high-quality Asparagopsis seaweed, nutrient rich and designed to deliver the highest methane-reducing benefits available. Our targeted formulations are species specific and designed for the unique requirements of food producers in multiple types of operations.



If Your Corn Stands Aren’t Uniform, You’re Likely Leaving Yield on the Table

Farmers have countless options when it comes to products and techniques promising yield bumps, but AgriGold Agronomist Joe Stephan says farmers’ first priority should be uniform stands. “Getting a uniform stand is the closest thing to a silver bullet we have,” he says.   

Stephan conducted emergence trials during 2022 with a group of farmers who were focused on achieving higher yields. The study results prompted those farmers to rethink yield potential and some of their methods.  

Poor performance can often be traced back to poor emergence
“An uneven stand is the biggest yield-limiting factor in my area of the eastern Corn Belt where tight soils mean we often fight wet, cold conditions that delay emergence,” Stephan explains. “It can take several days to reach desired populations, and in some years, partial stands force replant decisions.”  

Disappointing results can often be traced back to the day a corn crop was planted or the weather that came right after, according to Stephan, who defines an even stand as all plants emerging within a 24-hour period. “If you have that, the sky is the limit on yield.”

Stephan encouraged trial participants to grade themselves on whether they got the planter and seedbed conditions needed for a good stand. “My goal isn’t to tell farmers they’re doing a great or a poor job,” he says. “My goal is they grade themselves on how they’re doing with their investments and help them find solutions to reduce those yield-limiting factors.”  

Emergence impacts kernel counts and kernel weight
During the wet 2022 growing season, farmers in Stephan’s area planted much of the corn crop during the second and third week of May. Consequently, farmers were scrambling to get seed in the ground and, in some cases, were unable to wait for ideal conditions. The corn crop generally emerged quickly, but even among those first to emerge, Stephan reports variability in ear size and consistency from the less-than-ideal soil conditions as well as fodder in the root zone with some of the corn-on-corn acres.  

For one farmer who planted in wet conditions and had uneven stands, the variance between plants that emerged first versus those that emerged three days later was particularly striking. The field still performed well with an average yield topping 250 bushels an acre, so his perception was wet conditions had a limited impact on yield. But Stephan’s emergence trials signaled otherwise.  

Stephan shelled and weighed the dried kernels and found an actual yield of 392.7 bushels per acre for the plants first out of the ground. “In this case, the first day to emerge took less than 58,000 kernels to make a bushel,” he details. On the other hand, Day 4 emergers yielded 198.1 bushels per acre and took over 96,000 kernels to make a bushel. Stephan says the dramatic difference shows “it’s not only kernel count that’s better when crops emerge uniformly, but also the kernel weight.”  

The farmer was blown away by the dramatic difference in kernel size and yield between the first-emerging corn plant and the late emerger that indicated yield was left on the table. While waiting for better conditions may not have been in the cards, Stephan says the data shifted his perception about what the field should yield and drove home the significance of uniform emergence.  

Tips for achieving even stands
To achieve even stands, Stephan says, “It’s important to realize your capabilities and try to do the best you can.” That includes recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of your planter and tillage equipment and investing to ensure they are operating properly.  

“Pay attention to genetic families and hybrids with strong emergence ratings and have a plan in place for placing those hybrids on the right acre,” Stephan advises, adding an AgriGold agronomist can be a helpful resource. He plans on diving deeper this season and breaking kernels per bushel down by their Field GX™ families.   

“Monitor weather forecasts and field conditions and understand the capability of your soils,” he continues. “If you must plant in less-than-ideal conditions, recognize and adjust for those penalties.”

Monday April 10 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending April 9, 2023, there were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 25% very short, 39% short, 35% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 37% very short, 40% short, 23% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 10% very poor, 31% poor, 36% fair, 20% good, and 3% excellent.

Oats planted was 20%, well behind 40% last year, and behind 26% for the five-year average. Emerged was 1%, near 5% last year and 3% average.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

Dry conditions and warming temperatures helped Iowa farmers by increasing the days suitable for fieldwork to 3.5 during the week ending April 9, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. A storm cell brought strong winds and hail to parts of Iowa. Field activities included fertilizer applications and oat seeding.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 27 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

Thirteen percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 1 day ahead of last year but 1 day behind the 5-year average. There were limited reports of oats beginning to emerge.

Pastures were starting to turn green although growth was still minimal. Calving continued. Overall, livestock conditions improved with warmer weather.



USDA Crop Progress: Winter Wheat Condition Tied for Lowest Rating in 40 Years

U.S. winter wheat condition, already the lowest in decades, dropped another point last week, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress Report on Monday.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop condition: Nationwide, winter wheat was rated 27% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from 28% the previous week and 5 percentage points below last year's rating at this time of 32%. The current rating is tied with 1996 for the lowest in four decades. The crop in the top winter wheat-producer Kansas is rated only 13% good to excellent.
-- Crop development: 7% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday. That's 2 percentage points ahead of last year's 5% and 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 4%.

CORN
-- Planting progress: Corn planting moved ahead just 1 percentage point last week to reach 3% as of Sunday, May 9. That is 1 percentage point ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Texas leads the way at 61% planted, ahead of its average pace of 58%. Missouri's corn was 7% planted, ahead of the state's average of 3%.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 1% of spring wheat crop was planted, down from the five-year average of 4% with some early progress in Washington.



Cover Crop Termination Tradeoffs
Katja Koehler-Cole - Extension Educator

A fall-planted cereal rye, wheat, or triticale cover crop can have both positive and negative impacts, for example by tying up nitrogen, reducing soil moisture prior to planting, increasing insect pressure, reducing weed pressure, reducing soil erosion and allelopathy.

Each year we receive questions on termination timing of cereal covers. This question occurs as farmers consider trade-offs between a positive return on investment from the cover crop, by allowing more biomass growth with the potential for yield loss if termination is delayed too long. Information being shared can be confusing, with one source saying to terminate pre-plant while another says to plant green into the cover.

What’s the “right” answer? We don’t know that there is one. That’s because farmers’ goals and level of risk vary. In general, there are less risks to planting green with soybean than corn. This article will share tradeoffs to help you better assess cover crop termination timing for your operation and risk level.

Cereal Rye and Potential Allelopathy
For several years, we’ve heard about the potential allelopathic effect cereal rye can have on corn. To avoid the potential allelopathic effects, it’s often recommended to terminate cereal rye at least two weeks before planting corn. Others report successfully planting corn into green cereal rye, leading to the question: Can allelopathic chemicals from rye affect corn?

We do know studies investigating the effects of allelopathic chemicals from cereal rye on corn germination have mostly been done in laboratory settings. One study found that allelopathic chemical extracts from rye reduced corn root length, but another study found no similar effects. It is hard to say with confidence whether allelopathic effects contribute to slower growth and reduced germination that can sometimes be observed with corn in the field or if it is the result of other environmental factors or simply nitrogen tie-up (which we feel is more likely the cause). For one thing, corn has a relatively large seed, making it less likely to be affected by allelopathic chemicals than small-seeded plants. Also, allelopathic chemicals quickly degrade in the soil, so increasing time between cover crop termination and corn planting should decrease the likelihood that allelochemicals would negatively affect corn germination.

Challenges with Terminating Rye Pre-plant
While the potential effects of allelopathy are worth noting, there are challenges with timely termination of rye prior to corn planting. Killing the rye at least 14 days before planting may not allow for much rye growth in early spring or would require delayed corn planting, either way reducing the potential benefits from cover cropping. Weather conditions are not always conducive for effective cereal rye termination. In early spring when temperatures are less than 55°F and cloudy conditions are common, herbicides such as glyphosate can have reduced absorption and translocation, resulting in delayed or partial control of cereal rye.

In contrast, glyphosate applied when weather is favorable can provide very effective termination of cereal rye while also providing early-season weed suppression. An option more growers are considering is to use clethodim instead of glyphosate when terminating a small grain prior to corn and/or seed corn planting. Clethodim kills cereals slower than glyphosate allowing for them to stay around longer between the rows for weed and erosion control, if those are part of the farmer's goals.
Benefits to Green Planting

Some farmers have shared the difficulty of planting through the partially decomposed “mushy” cover crop. Farmers also noticed corn planted into these conditions often came up slow and had a yellow, sickly look to it for a time. Farmers that switched to planting green say it was easier to plant compared with planting into the decomposing-dying cover and noted the corn also tended to look less yellow or sickly. Two farmers in 2020 also shared the green standing rye held the previous crop residue in place and their corn emergence was more even in those fields compared to planting into terminated cover crop residue. Many have shared the observation of early-season weed suppression.

Risks to Planting Green
In spite of these observations, planting green is not for everyone and one needs to assess the risk of doing so. Cover crops use moisture and can dry out the seedbed. Some farmers in non-irrigated situations have planted corn/soybeans into dry seedbeds when planting green and hoped for rains. Some farmers have found the need to run pivots to get moisture into the seedbed. Thus, there’s greater risk for farmers with non-irrigated land and those in water allocation situations.

Another risk is the potential for increased insects. In 2017, wheat stem maggot was observed migrating from late-terminated cereal rye to emerging corn plants. We think it’s important to have insects in the back of one’s mind when planting green.

Research from Penn State and Wisconsin showed no yield difference when soybean was planted green vs. planted into pre-plant terminated cereal rye or triticale. Research from Penn State showed yield loss 50% of the time when corn was planted green vs. into pre-plant terminated rye or triticale. A 2020 survey of Nebraska and Wisconsin farmers who planted green showed 42% (77 respondents) saw no yield increase while 42% saw a 1-5 bu/ac increase in soybean yields, whereas 59% (83 respondents) saw no yield reduction by planting corn green.

Considerations for Pre-Plant Termination
    Terminating 10-14 days pre-plant can aid with saving soil moisture, particularly in non-irrigated or water allocation situations and is a more conservative (risk averse) approach when rotating to corn. Be aware of any herbicide label restrictions prior to corn planting when using herbicides other than glyphosate for termination.
    Apply nitrogen as a starter, as nitrogen tie-up is perhaps a bigger issue than potential allelopathy. This may help the corn not look so sickly as it emerges through the dying rye.
    Be aware that rye death following termination and drying out will depend on environmental conditions each spring. Anticipate it may be difficult to cut through the rye residue when planting and do your best to set equipment accordingly.
    Consider using clethodim instead of glyphosate to allow the rye to die slower and maintain some biomass for weed/erosion control.

Considerations for Planting Green
    Apply nitrogen as a starter with corn when planting green; nitrogen tie-up is perhaps a bigger issue than any potential allelopathy.
    Wait for the corn or soybean seed to begin germination before terminating the cover crop (which may be a few days).
    Waiting to terminate a few days after planting also allows the rye that’s been run over by the planter to regrow and kill better.
    If irrigation is available, have the irrigation system ready to go prior to planting in the event you need to add some moisture into a dry seedbed.
    Upon planting the field, scout for insect pressure, particularly observing if any adult wheat stem maggot flies are present.
    For those who wanted the greatest amount of biomass for weed suppression in soybean, termination of rye occurred closer to heading. For those who plan to roller-crimp rye for weed control, termination occurs at boot stage to heading.
    When terminating a rye cover crop, if the cover is 12 inches or more and you’re planning on a residual herbicide, consider waiting on the residual as a second pass after the rye starts dying. We realize no one wants an additional pass or expense. Observation and research show that less residual gets down to the soil when cover crops are 12 inches or taller. How long one waits for the second pass for rye to start dying will depend on the environmental conditions each year. The other option if one chooses to add residual when terminating is to plan on an irrigation or rainfall event shortly after application to help move the residual herbicide down to the soil.
    Please see the following articles for additional information regarding cover crop termination and application of residual herbicide: Final Results from a Multi-state Study on Cover Crop Termination with Herbicides; Managing Residual Herbicides with Cover Crops.
    Risk Management Agency Guidelines allow for planting green and are based on “best management practices” for different zones and for irrigated or non-irrigated ground. You can read more on USDA’s Cover Crops site. This is for crops with a contract change date of June 30, 2019, or later, beginning with the 2020 crop year and including successive crop years.

Plan for Options
With the way things are growing this year, it may be wise to have a Plan A and Plan B in mind if you plan on planting green but the cover crop is getting taller than you are comfortable with, especially for corn. For example, Plan A for a non-irrigated situation may be that you are planning on planting green unless the cover is X inches tall by a certain date (ex. April 10-15) upon which you will choose to terminate pre-plant instead (Plan B). We realize none of this is easy and we wish you the best with your decisions this year. Please contact the authors if you wish to discuss these tradeoffs in more detail for your specific situation.



Midwest Dairy welcomes new 2023 leadership from across the 10-state region

Charles Krause from Buffalo, Minnesota, was newly elected as chair of Midwest Dairy during the organization’s annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, this week.

Krause Holsteins is a multigenerational dairy farm that first began in 1959 and currently milks around 350 cows. The Krause family has been farming in Wright County for over 150 years, and Krause himself is a fifth-generation farmer. Krause and his wife, Robyn, graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1991 and then had the opportunity to join the family farm full-time. Krause also farms with his son, Andrew, and his daughter, Morgan, helps wherever needed. Krause also grows his own feed on 500 acres.

Krause plays a prominent role in the dairy promotion industry. In addition to serving as Midwest Dairy chair, he has been an officer on the Midwest Dairy division board since 2007 and a member of the corporate board since 2010. His past officer position includes being the corporate board first vice chair since 2016. He also serves on the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) board as the Secretary and serves the Global Dairy Platform as a United States Ambassador.

In the past, Krause has received recognition for the Farmer Communicator of the Year award from the National Milk Producers Federation, National Dairy Shrine Progressive Dairymen of the Year, Minnesota Milk Producer of the Year, Dairy Farmers of America Members of Distinction, and Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame Inductee

Krause is also involved in a variety of dairy and community leadership positions, such as Dairy Farmers of America-Central Area Council Vice Chair, Centra Sota Cooperative Board of Directors, and the Buffalo FFA Alumni. In his spare time, Charles enjoys traveling with his wife, Robyn.

“I am honored to continue working with my fellow dairy farmers on the Midwest Dairy board as we drive growth and initiatives within the dairy checkoff to serve all dairy farmers in the Midwest better. There are many exciting opportunities for our checkoff organization, and I am proud to be a part of it.” – Charles Krause

Elections for the Corporate board officer team were also held. Dan Hotvedt, Decorah, Iowa, was newly elected as first vice chair; Bill Deutsch, Sycamore, Illinois, was newly elected as second vice chair; Rita Young, Plainview, Minnesota, was re-elected as secretary and Matt Schelling, Orange City, Iowa, was newly elected as treasurer.

New members elected by their divisions to the Midwest Dairy Corporate board include:
• Anthony Anderson – Minnesota
• Eric Hoese – Minnesota
• Tom Walsh – South Dakota

2023 division board officers and new division board members are as follows:
Nebraska Division
• Chair – Mary Temme, Wayne
• Vice chair – Joyce Racicky, Mason City
• Secretary/Treasurer – Jodi Cast, Beaver Crossing

Iowa Division
• Chair – Dan Hotvedt, Decorah
• Vice chair – Lee Maassen, Maurice
• Secretary – Jonna Schutte, Monona
• Treasurer – Pam Bolin, Clarksville
• Josie Rozum, Ely, and Matt Simon, Blairstown, were seated as new members of the Iowa Division
board.

Mo-Kan Division
• Chair – Byron Lehman, Newton, Kansas
• Vice chair – Steve Ohlde, Linn Kansas
• Secretary – Donna Telle, Uniontown, Missouri
• Treasurer – Curtis Steenbock, Longford, Kansas
• Michael Hemme, Concordia, was seated as a new member of the Mo-Kan Division board.

South Dakota Division
• Chair – Marv Post, Volga
• Vice chair – Kevin Van Winkle, Canistota
• Secretary – Maartje Lemstra, Humboldt
• Treasurer – Jogchum Andrenga, Brandt
• Maartje Lemstra, Humboldt, and Tom Walsh, DeGraff, were seated as new members of the South
Dakota Division board.

North Dakota Division
• Chair – Sue Kleingartner, Gackle
• Vice chair – Terry Entzminger, Jamestown
• Secretary – Kim Ledger, Bismarck
• Treasurer – Lilah Krebs, Gladstone

Minnesota Division
• Chair – Kristine Spadgenske, Menahga
• Vice chair – Kate McAndrews, Sauk Centre
• Secretary – Mindi Arendt, Mazeppa
• Treasurer – Rita Young, Plainview
• Megan Schrupp, Eden Valley, and Rita Vander Kooi, Worthington, were seated as new ex-officio
members of the Minnesota Division board.

Illinois Division
• Chair – Bill Deutsch, Sycamore
• Vice chair – Brent Mueller, Garden Prairie
• Secretary – Amy Hildebrandt, South Beloit
• Treasurer – Glen Meier, Ridott

Ozarks Division
• Chair – Nathan Roth, Mountain Grove, Missouri
• Vice chair – Marilyn Calvin, Mt. Vernon, Missouri
• Secretary – Carrie Rantz, Spokane, Missouri
• Treasurer – Mark Fellwock, Monett, Missouri
• Bill Haak, Gentry, was seated as a new member of the Ozark Division board.



Moxley Finds Antibiotic Resistance in Salmonella in New Study

Dr. Rodney Moxley is a renowned veterinary pathologist who has spent much of his career researching E. coli O157:H7 and its impact on the beef industry. After working in private veterinary practice, and then the USDA as a veterinarian, he obtained a Ph.D. in pathology and took a position at the University of Nebraska. His first position was mainly in diagnostic pathology, but later transitioned into doing research on foodborne pathogens. In recent years, he has shifted his focus to Salmonella and antimicrobial resistance.

 “What we were really interested in were strains that were resistant to multiple antibiotics,” said Dr. Moxley.

 In 2020, the Nebraska Beef Council and the Beef Checkoff Program funded their project, which aimed to identify how Salmonella acquires antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Moxley, Dr. Dustin Loy, and the rest of their team studied the antimicrobial resistance of diagnostic lab isolates from cattle between 2010 and 2020, including strains from a study they conducted 20 years ago.

 “Those more recent ones are sort of representing more of the current isolates that cattle have,” said Dr. Moxley.

 Their objectives were to identify the genes associated with antimicrobial resistance, particularly multidrug resistance, and to determine whether Salmonella acquires drug resistance from respiratory bacteria. They also looked for the prevalence of other resistance gene transfer mechanisms in Salmonella and developed diagnostic tests for detecting multidrug-resistant organisms.

Their research led to a novel discovery: they found evidence of a new mechanism for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in Salmonella. They used PCR genetic tests and whole genome sequencing to detect this mechanism, and did not find evidence of spread of respiratory pathogen genes into Salmonella. The mechanism of spread that they did find was a new type and consistently associated with the accumulation of multiple genes enabling resistance to several classes of antibiotics, i.e., making them multidrug-resistant.

 Their research provides valuable insights into the spread of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella and highlights the need for further studies to identify new mechanisms for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes as well as treatment.

 “If you knew that an animal had it, it would allow you to at least identify animals that were a threat,” said Moxley. “To get into what you need to do to get rid of it as a whole is a different set of questions and a project that would need to be done.”

 The development of rapid diagnostic tests for detecting multidrug-resistant organisms is also crucial in combating the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens. The collaboration between Dr. Moxley and Dr. Loy is a testament to the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex problems in food safety and health.



CAP Webinar: Rangeland Response and Management Following Drought
With Mitch Stephenson, Extension Range Management Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Apr 20, 2023 12:00 PM

In 2022, 85% of Nebraska was categorized as being in severe to exceptional drought. While we do not know yet how precipitation is going to play out this year, thinking through range and pasture management during and in the years following drought provides opportunities to limit the negative effects of drought on sustainable range livestock production.

Details and registration can be found at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



USMARC Hiring Sheep Flock Manager

The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., is seeking a highly motivated, detail oriented individual to provide primary oversight of the daily husbandry and research planning of its sheep flocks. Currently, USMARC has more than 2,000 breeding ewes with genetic backgrounds and management systems reflective of the diversity of American sheep production.

This individual will work with a team of scientists and management staff to implement experiments with objectives geared toward solving high-priority issues that improve the profitability, sustainability and livelihood of American farmers and ranchers.

The vacancy will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

Click Here for more information https://employment.unl.edu/postings/85335.



Nebraska wineries join together to host the 2023 TOAST Nebraska Wine Festival in Omaha!

The Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association (Nebraska Wines) is excited to host their annual wine festival, TOAST Nebraska, the largest gathering of wineries in the state at Stinson Park in Omaha on May 12-13!

Voted 'Best Festival' in 2021 and 2022 by Best of Omaha, the event is a fantastic chance to experience a wide variety of offerings from wineries located across the state, all in one convenient location. The event is held over the course of two days at Stinson Park, May 12-13, 2023.

This year the event will be hosted on Mother's Day weekend, with some fun surprises planned for moms throughout the event! Attendees can snag a last-minute card or flowers for Sunday; with over 45 local vendors and a fully stocked TOAST Shop teeming with Nebraska Wines merchandise, the perfect gift will be easy to find. Paired with a bottle of wine, attendees can curate a perfect Mother's Day basket. Better yet, buy mom tickets and plan a fun-filled weekend with friends and family!
 
The event reached record attendance in May 2022, with over 4,500 attendees from 35 states. Along with tastings at 17 wineries, attendees can expect products and offerings from local artisans, a street-length of food trucks, live music and bands, and free activities, including the crowd-favorite wine bingo.

Attendees can purchase bottles of wine for consumption on-site, with many sharing a bottle with friends while enjoying the live music or playing a few games of wine bingo in the picnic area. The event is an excellent opportunity to discover a new wine preference or stock up on your Nebraska wine favorites. Some attendees even bring their wagons or carts and shop the state by visiting and purchasing bottles from each booth. A wine check is also available to store wine purchases during attendees' time at the event, saving the hassle of lugging heavy wine totes across the park.

Tickets are $35 for Friday tickets and $45 for Saturday tickets. Admission includes a wine-tasting glass, unlimited wine tastings, a wine tote, access to vendors, live music and bands, and free activities like wine bingo. Two-day tickets, as well as designated driver tickets, are also available. Tickets increase by $20 on May 1 until the event ends. All attendees must be 21 or older - no infants, children, or pets.

Tickets are limited and did sell out before doors opened last year. On-site ticket availability is not guaranteed. To purchase tickets and learn more about the 2023 TOAST Nebraska Wine Festival, visit www.toastwinefest.com.  



Cybersecurity Webinar Series to Focus on Reducing Cyberattacks in Agriculture

Cyberattacks in agriculture, food supply and farming industries are a growing concern, as attackers become more creative and target sectors critical to human infrastructure. With 50 billion devices connected to the internet, everyone is vulnerable. An important part of cybersecurity is cyber defense, and the best way to prepare for a cyberattack is with preventative mitigation.

With these concerns in mind, a series of webinars dedicated to strengthening the digital protections in place for farm businesses and families are being offered during this year’s Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week.

The three-part series, offered through a partnership between ISU Extension and Outreach and ISU Center for Cybersecurity Innovation and Outreach, will begin at noon each day April 17 through April 19. The series is free and open to everyone. Each session will include a 30-minute presentation as well as time for questions from the participants. Webinars will be recorded for later viewing. “Farm families and business owners are asking: What can happen? How can I reduce my risk? And what do I do when it happens? Webinar attendees will learn the answers to these questions and create a plan to reduce their cybersecurity risk,” said Alexis Stephens, ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist.

Monday’s webinar, “Keeping Your Farm Family Secure” will provide an understanding of what an adversary is, what they are looking for, examples of concerns faced and advice for mitigating these concerns. Tuesday’s webinar, “Conducting Your Farm Business Safely,” focuses on malware, vulnerable systems and protection of sensitive information. The series will conclude on Wednesday, with “Building Your Farm Cyber Toolbox.” Presenters will guide attendees through the how-to of multi factor authentication, wireless systems, password keepers, secure documents and choosing a technology service provider.

“The Farm Management Team is so grateful to be working with Doug Jacobson and his team at the Center for Cybersecurity,” said Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension and Outreach program manager. “We’ve learned a lot ourselves and are excited to share our knowledge with others. Jacobson literally ‘wrote the book’ on cybersecurity. Bring your questions to the webinars and get answers from an expert.”

Although many believe cyberattacks are a computer issue, this is actually a human issue. Attackers use social engineering to target specific industries and people through phone calls, text messages, websites, email and more.

One mitigation strategy is separation of users and technology. For example, your 8-year-old grandchild should not have access to the same device used to maintain sensitive farm data. You never know what accidents users – no matter how old – may get themselves into. Instead, use different devices for work and personal uses.

Educating oneself about cybersecurity is the most important mitigation strategy. It is essential to get ahead of the inevitable curve and prepare, as less can be done once a cybersecurity attack has occurred.

Register for the Cybersecurity on the Farm webinar series at https://go.iastate.edu/FH25MU. This series utilizes the Webex Webinar platform. Attendees can join Webex Webinars on a computer, mobile device (with Webex mobile app), or browser.

This cybersecurity webinar series was developed through the North Central Risk Management Education grant project, “Cybersecurity for Iowa Farmers and Rural Businesses,” and supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021-70027-34694. Project partners include the ISU Extension and Outreach farm management team and the ISU Center for Cybersecurity and Innovation Outreach.



NPPC Files Supreme Court Brief to Defending Agriculture and Hog Barn Construction
 
The National Pork Producers Council filed a brief last week with the U.S. Supreme Court in Signet Builders v. Vanegas, defending the use of H-2A Visa holders constructing barns as clearly engaged in an agricultural activity. NPPC made a strong argument and defense of the fundamental importance of specialized agricultural and livestock workers and requested that the U.S. Supreme Court accept the case and clarify that essential specialized labor (in this instance constructing hog barns) performed at a farm is indeed agricultural.
 
Background: Signet Builders, a construction company that does work for pork producers and other farmers, uses the H-2A Visa program to secure on-farm labor to build barns and other infrastructure necessary for raising livestock. This visa program authorizes foreign workers to perform “agricultural” work in the U.S. on a temporary basis. Trial lawyers representing Vanegas filed suit alleging that even though he was building hog barns, he wasn’t an agricultural employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The District Court dismissed the case, finding that workers building agricultural infrastructure were clearly engaged in agricultural activity.
 
After an appeal from Vanegas, the Seventh Circuit reversed the decision and indicated that despite Vanegas admitting he was only building hog barns, he was not engaged in agricultural activity. Signet has appealed this decision to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that Vanegas’ work clearly falls within the broad FLSA exemption for agricultural work. NPPC’s brief supports Signet and defends the use of specialized workers on farms, such as construction workers building hog barns, as clearly being agricultural work.
 
Agriculture suffers from a severe labor shortage that negatively affects all links in the food supply chain. This case is relevant as it affects the ability of agricultural businesses to hire guest workers on H-2A visas and both the amount and type of work that those workers can perform. Addressing workforce and labor concerns is critical to help feed 8 billion people across the globe.
 
NPPC believes it is vital for producers to be able to employ specialized workers on their farms and that construction of barns and other infrastructure necessary to raising livestock is an essential and fundamental agricultural activity.



Fed Cattle Supplies
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

Despite last quarter’s record high heifer placement numbers, feedlot placements in recent months have been lower than a year earlier, especially of heavier feeder cattle. Steer and heifer weights in 2022 set record-high levels. Recent slaughter weight patterns are sending mixed signals about available beef supply. On a monthly average, the carcass weights are slightly higher than a year ago; however, the most recent weekly average carcass weight is slightly less than a year ago. On an absolute measure, the weights are still high, and the first quarter slaughter totals should provide some clarity of the short-tun supply.

Another aspect of supply is the pace of beef cow slaughter. Federally inspected cow slaughter was almost 7 million head last year. After a steady start, slaughter this year has fallen back to a more average level. Prices are showing some seasonal strength. Slaughter weights continue to be suppressed. The point is that cow slaughter was very high, and it seems to be slowing. The heifer mix on feed was at a record high level to begin 2023. What about the pace of heifer placements? The heifer mix in feeder cattle auction receipts was 42 percent in January and 44 percent in February of 2023, both steady to higher than is seasonally typical. Steer and heifer slaughter levels have moved in tandem in early 2023, suggesting a steady [high] heifer mix on feed as of April 1.

With tighter supplies of market-ready cattle in the short-run, the volume moving through the forward contract channels is expected to tighten. Typical sales by pricing type usually show that about 65 percent of fed cattle are sold on a formula, another 30 percent on a negotiated basis and, the final 5 percent on a forward contract. The recent trend has been away from the forward contract option. At the beginning of April 2023, 851,220 head were contracted for future delivery. A year earlier, 1,293,539 head were contracted. The pattern holds across months. For example, there are fewer head contracted for June and December delivery compared to June and December 2022. One would expect basis bids in contracts to increase or a larger share to move through negotiated channels in the coming months.

The increase in fed cattle and feeder cattle prices has coincided with increased price volatility. The implied volatility for the June 2023 live cattle contract was less than 10 percent earlier this year. It has since risen above 13 percent in recent trading sessions. While still not high, it is no longer considered low. The shift or increase is more pronounced in the nearby months versus the deferred contracts. Volatility is also higher for higher strike prices. This suggests that the trade is more concerned about prices moving higher compared to moving lower during the next few months. The implied volatility in the nearby feeder cattle contracts has also increased from relatively low levels. Thus, the price of risk protection using options (for sellers and buyers) has increased.



CHS Inc. and MKC to expand grain marketing joint venture

Longtime cooperative partners CHS Inc. and Mid-Kansas Cooperative (MKC) today announced their intention to expand their current grain marketing joint venture to maximize the value of an end-to-end cooperative supply chain in the Southern Plains. This development will expand market access and patronage-eligible options to maximize owner value by connecting area farmers and cooperatives with end-use markets and customers.

"CHS has been successfully partnering with MKC through joint ventures for more than 10 years," said John Griffith, executive vice president, ag business, CHS. "This initiative expands our collaborative presence and maximizes our complementary asset base in the region to create an efficient, integrated supply chain to connect cooperative- and farmer-owners in the Southern Plains with customers around the world while leveraging the TEMCO terminal in Houston, Texas."

This expanded partnership will drive long-term growth through a responsive grain network and reinvestment to expand marketing opportunities and modernize rail infrastructure in this vital growing region. The two companies are currently building a rail-served grain terminal near Sterling, Kansas, that is scheduled to be operational in 2024.

"Expanding our relationship with CHS will open up market access and create new opportunities for our farmers," said Brad Stedman, president and CEO, MKC. "Our track record of successful partnership and shared vision to create value for cooperative-owners and customers makes MKC and CHS the right partners to link farmers with a more defined southern supply chain."

According to the cooperative partners, both companies will continue to independently own and operate assets throughout the region while expanding their grain marketing joint venture designed to more efficiently move grain through a seamless distribution channel. The companies expect to begin to operate the expanded 50/50 joint venture this summer.



The Importance of Row Width in Soybean Planting

The most common planting configurations in North American soybean production are 15-inch and 30-inch rows, each accounting for more than 1/3 of total acreage.

Numerous research studies have been conducted to determine optimal soybean row spacing for maximum yield potential. In general, studies have found that soybean yield potential is often greater with row spacings narrower than 30 inches.

A review of soybean row spacing studies published in the last decade showed that 15-inch rows outyielded 30-inch rows by 4 bu/A on average. However, many of these studies used higher seeding rates with narrower row spacings, partially due to the use of less accurate drilled soybeans versus using a more accurate planter. A study conducted in 2008-09 (Cox and Cherney, 2011) found no row spacing by seeding rate interaction for soybeans planted in 7.5 inch, 15-inch and 30-inch rows.

“Other than yield, the most important factor driving soybean row spacing practices are equipment and time management during the planting season,” said Dr. Mark Jeschke, Pioneer Agronomy Manager. “One of the key issues growers must consider is whether the economics of their farm justify having a machine dedicated specifically to planting soybeans.”

The need for fungicide and/or insecticide applications may also impact row spacing decisions. When an application is made during vegetative growth, narrow-rowed plants are generally able to compensate for damage caused by the sprayer wheels with little reduction in yield. For applications made following the R1 growth stage, which would include most foliar fungicide and insecticide applications, wheel damaged areas will have lower yield. A research study in Delaware and Virginia found significant yield reductions due to sprayer wheel damage in R4 soybeans planted in 7.5-inch and 15-inch rows, while soybeans planted in 30-inch rows and wider did not sustain any wheel damage (Holshouser and Taylor, 2008).

Every field is unique and each grower should carefully consider the costs, risks and benefits of soybean row spacing options prior to making a decision.

Thursday April 6 Ag News

Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Navigable Means Navigable

Last week, I spoke on the Senate floor to fight a blatant power grab by the federal government. The Senate considered a resolution attempting to block the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule from President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This rule would change the definition of navigable waters to include things like roadside ditches, puddles on construction sites, and farm ponds.

Think about that – President Biden’s EPA and his Army Corps of Engineers apparently believe that drainage ditches, construction site puddles, and farm ponds are “navigable waters.”  If allowed to stand, this rule would increase costs and uncertainty for farmers and ranchers, property owners, and small businesses. To say this rule defies all common sense is an understatement.

I know that Nebraska is a land-locked state, but it doesn’t take a PH.D to understand that the word “navigable” means you can put a boat in the water and go someplace. The Merriam Webster definition of “navigable” is “deep enough and wide enough to afford the passage of ships”. If you put a boat in a roadside ditch, you aren’t going anywhere. If you put a boat on the construction site puddle, you aren’t going anywhere. If you put a boat on a pond, you’re not leaving the pond. Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers know that what the EPA is proposing just isn’t right.

Beyond that, the Biden administration is trying to change the meaning of a law without coming to Congress. The 1972 Clean Water Act says “navigable waters” 50 times. Congress’ intent was very clear. The EPA had authority over streams, rivers, and oceans, not temporary water sources. The Biden administration is trying to subvert our laws and the correct response from Congress is to stop it.

President Biden and liberal bureaucrats have absolutely no business regulating this, and I think the President knows it. Why? Because President Biden’s EPA and Army Corps of Engineers quietly finalized this new rule on the last working day of the year. It appears that the regulators hoped no one would notice this power grab. Well, we noticed. Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers noticed. My colleagues and I noticed and we pushed back hard. Our resolution passed with bipartisan support, sending a message to President Biden that our farmers and ranchers need relief, not regulation. We provided needed oversight and accountability in response to executive overreach. We defended Article I of our U.S. Constitution which says that Congress makes laws, not D.C. bureaucrats.

I recently participated in a telephone townhall with my colleague Senator Deb Fischer where we heard directly from Nebraskans about this issue. One woman told us that she was “tired of fighting” EPA bureaucrats. For years, she had rallied her friends and neighbors to write letters and comments opposing a similar rule proposed by President Obama’s EPA in 2015. She was angry that President Biden’s EPA refused to listen, forcing her to raise grassroots opposition once again. I fought the Obama rule in 2015 as Governor, and I am fighting the Biden EPA now as Senator.

It is clear that Washington bureaucrats are in desperate need of some Nebraska common sense. I was proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in opposing this rule.

Along with Senator Fischer and the rest of my colleagues in the Nebraska delegation, my team and I are here to serve you. Contact my team and I anytime by phone at 202-224-4224, on my website www.ricketts.senate.gov, or via email contactricke@ricketts.senate.gov. I am honored to serve our great state and will continue to work to protect the Good Life from Washington overreach.



Northeast Community College launches new agriculture-diesel mechanic apprenticeship

Northeast Community College has created a new agriculture-diesel mechanic apprenticeship program that is tailored to serve individuals who are unable to attend college as a traditional full-time student. With the apprenticeship program, students will work at an ag diesel company and earn an income while advancing their career and obtaining industry skills.

Development of the program began in 2021 through conversations with the ag diesel industry around the shortage of qualified diesel mechanics. Northeast's Diesel Technology-Agriculture associate degree program is consistently filled with additional interested students who are placed on a waitlist. The college began exploring ways to increase capacity in this area as well as offer an alternative pathway for those not able to attend school full-time as a traditional student.

“The apprenticeship program is centered around bootcamp-style classroom education and structed on-the-job learning,” said Kimberly Andersen, apprenticeship director at Northeast. “The first cohort of classroom training will begin in mid-June. Apprentices will spend five-to-six weeks in the classroom learning the basics of the industry and work processes. Individuals will then begin working full-time at one of our employer partners and will return to Northeast quarterly for module trainings ranging from four-to-six days each.”

Apprentices will also complete structured on-the-job learning alongside an experienced mentor at their company. On-the-job training will help apply classroom knowledge to real-world experiences.

Apprenticeship provides an alternative pathway to career success for individuals who need to earn an income while they learn. Apprentices will earn an hourly wage while working on the job and may also be eligible for company benefits such as health, dental and paid time off.

“The completion of the apprenticeship program will place the apprentice in the middle of one of the most sought-after job markets, achieving the skillsets to have a fun and rewarding career, in an industry filled with rapid innovations,” said Bob Shald, service manager for Mitchell Equipment. “Mitchell Equipment is a proud supporter of Northeast’s Apprenticeship Program.”

Completing the apprenticeship program will take approximately three years. Apprentices will receive a nationally recognized credential from the United States Department of Labor. In addition, they’ll be earning a sustainable living wage through a full-time career with potential for advancement within their company.

“Northeast is excited to be offering this innovative opportunity for individuals in our area,” Andersen said. “This type of program is the first of its kind in the ag diesel field and Northeast is proud to be able to offer it.”

Individuals interested in becoming an apprentice or businesses that have a desire to get involved in the program should contact Andersen at kander61@northeast.edu or (402) 844-7121. Learn more about apprenticeship programs at Northeast by visiting northeast.edu/apprenticeships.



NCW – Consumer Education and Promotion Committee Announces 2023 Beef Ambassador Competition and Advocacy Training

Today, Nebraska Cattlemen’s NCW – Consumer Education and Promotion Committee announced that the 2023 Beef Ambassador Competition and Advocacy Training will take place on Wednesday, June 7 at 1:00 p.m. CT at the Farm Credit Services office in North Platte, Nebraska.

The Nebraska Beef Ambassador Contest and Beef Advocacy Training provides an opportunity for future beef industry leaders, ages fourteen to twenty-four years old, to sharpen their advocacy skills and strengthen their knowledge of the key issues facing the number one industry in Nebraska.

The Beef Ambassador Competition requires participants to address current issues facing the beef industry with both a written response and a mock media interview. The competition is separated into two divisions, senior and collegiate. Cash prizes will be awarded, and the two first-place division winners will receive a belt buckle. The first-place junior and collegiate winners will become official NCW Beef Ambassadors for a full year. They will work to educate consumers and students on the importance of beef. At the end of their one-year term, the collegiate Nebraska Beef Ambassador will be awarded a scholarship on behalf of the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation.

Chandler Mulvaney, Director of Grassroots Advocacy and Spokesperson Development for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, will lead this year’s beef advocacy training. Chandler will help participants learn how to use advocacy to share their stories, interview strategies, and social media tools.

The deadline to register is Friday, June 2. Registration and additional details can be found on the Nebraska Cattlemen website at www.nebraskacattlemen.org. For more information, please contact Bonita Lederer at ncw@necattlemen.org or at (402) 450-0223.

The 2023 Beef Ambassador Competition and Advocacy Training is sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, regarding Appointment of Carolyn Bosn and the Resignation of Sen. Suzanne Geist

"The Nebraska Farm Bureau congratulates Carolyn Bosn on her appointment to the Nebraska Legislature serving District 25. Bosn was appointed after Sen. Suzanne Geist announced her resignation as senator for District 25. Carolyn has deep roots in Nebraska agriculture. Her background in law and agriculture will serve her well in the legislative body and we look forward to working with her in the coming days and weeks as we continue our efforts to enrich the lives of Nebraska farm and ranch families. We thank Governor Pillen for his swift action in appointing Ms. Bosn.”

“As chairman of the Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunication Committee, Sen. Geist worked to improve roads and broadband in Lincoln and across the state. Her support for providing property tax relief for all Nebraskans was welcomed by our members. We wish Sen. Geist well in her quest to become Lincoln’s next mayor.”



USDA names Chaves to serve on national advisory committee for food safety regulation  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed Husker food scientist Byron Chaves to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection. Chaves, an assistant professor in the Food Science and Technology Department, specializes in food safety science and related public health dimensions.  

Chaves, who joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty in 2017, also is a food safety specialist for Nebraska Extension, providing training and technical assistance to the food manufacturing industry in Nebraska and regionally.

“Your expertise and knowledge are highly regarded,” USDA wrote in making the announcement. “We look forward to collaborating with you on ideas and more effective ways to ensure that our public is educated and knowledgeable about the safety of our meat and poultry inspection.”   

The advisory committee’s decisions provide guidance for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, which annually conducts 7.6 million food safety and food defense procedures across 6,800 USDA-regulated establishments. FSIS inspections each year include more than 162 million head of livestock, 9.7 billion poultry carcasses and 2.8 billion pounds of liquid, frozen and dried egg products.

Chaves’ Extension activities include on-site food safety assessments for compliance with federal food safety regulations, and development of environmental monitoring programs for pathogens. He assists in developing food safety plans and offers workshops to disseminate relevant food safety information.  

Chaves is the state lead for a center leading efforts for the successful implementation of FDA food safety regulations across Nebraska.  

Chaves has a B.S. in food technology from the University of Costa Rica; an M.S. in food science/experimental statistics from Clemson University; and a Ph.D. in food safety and microbiology from Texas Tech University. He has been a visiting research scientist at the Centre for Food Safety at University College Dublin in Ireland and at the Food Safety Laboratories at ANSES in Maisons-Alfort, France.  

In a letter, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack thanked Chaves for his upcoming service on the advisory committee. “Your expertise and recommendations will benefit and improve our nation’s food safety programs,” Vilsack wrote.  



Iowa Farmers Optimistic About Agricultural Economy in New Survey

Iowa farmers are optimistic about the state's agricultural economy, according to a recent survey conducted by Bank Iowa. The survey polled thousands of farmers, with 67% expressing confidence that the ag economy will remain the same or improve in 2023. Additionally, over 70% of farmers reported being in the same or better financial shape compared to the previous year.

While finding qualified labor remains a top concern for farmers, the survey found that labor expenses were the second-highest concern. Bank Iowa's CEO, Jim Plagge, suggests that Iowa farmers may need to take on the task of training the next generation of farmers through hands-on apprenticeships.

The survey also found that technology is leading the way in terms of investment decisions. The percentage of farmers considering investing in ag-tech has risen from 22% to 36% over the past two years, with automation technology being the most popular investment. While larger farms are more willing to invest in technology, nearly every farmer reported implementing some type of ag-tech into their operations.



Iowa Corn Supports New Engine Technology and the Promise of Low Carbon Ethanol for Heavy-Duty Engine Applications

ClearFlame Engine Technologies, an innovation company dedicated to clean engine technology, announced that with the support of Iowa Corn, that it has recently raised $30 million in Series B funding to move from pilot to product in key markets. The new funding will help demonstrate how ClearFlame’s unique engine modification technology powers diesel engine platforms with renewable liquid fuels like ethanol in place of diesel fuel, helping to advance carbon and climate goals more immediately and cost efficiently.

“Sustainability continues to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind and with technology like this, companies will be able to improve their carbon footprint and power their heavy-duty transportation fleets with cleaner-burning, more affordable fuel like ethanol,” said Pete Brecht a farmer from Central City, Iowa, who serves as a director for both Iowa Corn Opportunities and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “Not only is this a great opportunity for farmers to see more corn grind through ethanol production but it also gives the transportation industry a reliable source of homegrown fuel made right here in Iowa.”

By maintaining over 85% of the original diesel engine design, the company’s patented technology can efficiently adapt to markets like long-haul trucking, agriculture, power generation and mining, offering the same power, durability and performance as today’s diesel engines while readily integrating into existing manufacturing, fueling, maintenance and repair ecosystems.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Iowa Corn,” said BJ Johnson, ClearFlame CEO and co-founder. “Ethanol and other clean renewable fuels represent a critical part of our overall zero-carbon strategy. Our strategy puts these sustainable fuels to work powering diesel engines, the workhorses of our economy who also contribute significantly to transportation emissions. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnerships as we move from pilot to product.”

“This investment is a testament to our mission of creating opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability.”  said Mark Mueller a farmer from Waverly, Iowa, who serves as a director for both Iowa Corn Opportunities and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “With it we are able to showcase the importance of creating new uses for corn that make the world more sustainable, including powering heavy-duty engines with low carbon ethanol.”



USDA Awards Innovations in Climate-Smart Agriculture, Soil Health and Nutrient Management

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $40 million this year for 31 new projects through its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, one of the ways USDA brings together partners to develop innovative approaches to climate-smart agriculture. Additionally, USDA is announcing a $19 million investment in two projects focused on nutrient management funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and two new formal partnerships to further nutrient management implementation.

These investments emphasize adoption and implementation of climate-smart practices, including nutrient management, which helps producers manage nutrients and soil amendments to maximize their economic benefit while minimizing their environmental impact.

Vilsack announced the investments at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he highlighted the development and adoption of new and innovative technologies and systems that will boost conservation efforts and agricultural production across the country. The announcement reflects the goals of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to rebuild the economy from the bottom-up and middle-out and unleash an innovation boom that is Made in America.

“Addressing climate change is a tremendous challenge, but agriculture plays an important role, and we’re grateful for our many partners who are helping us confront the challenge head on. These new projects and agreements are working to mitigate climate change, conserve and protect our water, enhance soil health and create economic opportunities for producers,” said Vilsack. “We’re empowering our partners to develop new tools, technologies and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop cost-effective solutions to resource challenges.”

CIG
Iowa-based partners are two of the 14 partners with funded CIG On-Farm Trials projects. This year, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing $25 million through On-Farm Trials, which supports more widespread adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches in partnership with agricultural producers. Incentive payments are provided to producers to offset the risk of implementing innovative approaches.

In Iowa through On-Farm Trials:
    Iowa State University of Science and Technology will demonstrate the advantages of a relay intercropping system to maintain or enhance productivity and profitability while improving soil health and increasing nutrient reductions. A diverse intercropping system will add cropping system resiliency and promote a more diversified and stable community of soil organisms, from microbes to earthworms, while suppressing pathogens and crop pests and benefitting nutrient cycling and soil structure.
    The Iowa Soybean Association is promoting the adoption of newly synthesized cropping systems that increase profitability, reduce nutrient losses and improve soil health. Project objectives include characterizing profitability and natural resource outcomes for improved cropping systems and developing new economic insights, natural resource conservation, and improved cropping system stability via crop modeling and statistical analysis.

Meanwhile, NRCS is investing $15 million in 17 projects through CIG Classic, which enables partners to develop new tools, technologies, and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop market-based solutions to resource challenges.

See the NRCS website for the list of all CIG Classic and CIG On-Farm Trials awarded projects.

For fiscal year 2022, NRCS set aside targeted funds for CIG Classic and On-Farm proposals that entirely benefit underserved producers, which includes producers who have previously lacked access or not participated in NRCS programs. This includes socially disadvantaged producers, military veterans, beginning farmers and limited-resource producers. Additionally, applicants competing for these set-aside funds were able to waive the non-federal match requirements.

Additional funding will be available for CIG On-Farm Trials for fiscal year 2023. The IRA provided $19.5 billion to support climate-smart practices through NRCS conservation programs, enabling NRCS to invest $50 million per year from fiscal years 2023 to 2027 for CIG On-Farm Trials. As part of the next call for proposals, NRCS will prioritize applications that focus on diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from livestock. More information on the fiscal year 2023 call for proposals is forthcoming.

RCPP Nutrient Management Grants
NRCS awarded two grants through RCPP to help producers achieve more efficient nutrient management within targeted critical conservation areas (CCA):
    Family Farms LLC will improve soil health and reduce the amount of nutrients applied to and lost from cropland in the Mississippi River Basin. This will be done through nutrient management plans that incorporate the addition of biochar to help conserve nutrients by enhancing nutrient efficiency.
    The Environmental Initiative, Inc. will use “nutrientsheds” – interconnected networks of geographically close farms to move and balance nutrient needs – to mitigate excess nutrient run-off adversely affecting the watershed. Within each of the two proposed “nutrientsheds,” participating producers will obtain nutrient management plans so that manure at participating farms can be collected and processed through the partners’ centralized thermophilic anaerobic digesters.

Through RCPP Grants, the lead partner must work directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.

The more than $19 million awarded through these grants builds on the $200 million in RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangement and RCPP Classic partnership projects previously awarded in fiscal year 2022.

The RCPP fiscal year 2023 funding opportunity will be announced in late Spring. The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $4.95 billion in RCPP over four years starting in fiscal year 2023 to accelerate the adoption of conservation practices that help producers prepare for and mitigate against the impacts of climate change.

Nutrient Management MOUs
Additionally, as part of its effort to increase use of nutrient management practices, NRCS has also recently signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that further its conservation efforts targeted at improving nutrient management:
    American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and its International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Program establishes a framework enabling ASA to recommend individuals for the NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP) program. The TSP program enables certified individuals outside of NRCS to provide among other things, nutrient management plans to producers and landowners.
    Truterra (a Land O’ Lakes company) intends to explore opportunities to expand nutrient management adoption and increase technical capabilities of producers and landowners; assess the capabilities and tools of Truterra to deliver nutrient management technical assistance; expedite and streamline the technical assistance delivery system; and collaborate on assessment tools and opportunities to expedite producer participation in broader NRCS programs.

NRCS will continue to leverage additional partnerships to expand capacity and reach new producers with technical and financial assistance.

More Information
NRCS has prioritized projects that serve underserved producers through CIG and RCPP in recent years. Additionally, NRCS is investing up to $70 million in cooperative agreements with entities for two-year outreach projects that will increase participation by underserved producers and underserved communities in conservation programs and enhance opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.



'Agronomy in the Field' Events Planned across Iowa

Four Agronomy in the Field cohorts are being offered in 2023 across Iowa. Agronomy in the Field is a workshop series for women that provides learning opportunities for forage and crop production.

The focus is on developing agronomic decision-making skills that can be utilized on one’s own personal farm or family cropping operations, including water quality and conservation practices.

The workshops are organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and are useful for landowners, active farmers and farm families, and others in the agricultural industry interested in a refresher on agronomic basics. The workshops will include hands-on opportunities in fields to help participants solidify the concepts and information they learn.

Below are the details for each of the cohorts including location, dates, time and registration information.

Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm, 6320 500th St., Sutherland
    Dates: May 24, June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 13.
    All sessions will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.
    RSVP by May 17; contact Marsha Rehder at 712-957-5045 or mrehder@iastate.edu.
    Cost is $25.
    Support comes from the ISU Extension and Outreach O’Brien County office.

Central Iowa: Des Moines Area Community College, Dallas County Farm, 25749 N Ave. (US 169), Adel
    Dates: April 18, May 23, June 20, July 18, Aug. 22.
    All sessions will be held from 6-7:30 pm.
    To RSVP contact Aleta Cochran at 515-993-4281 or aleta@iastate.edu.
    There is no charge to participate due to the support of the ISU Extension and Outreach Dallas County office.

Northeast Iowa: Postville and surrounding area, 1246 107th Ave., Castalia
    Dates: May 24, June 21, July 26, Aug. 29, Sept. 20.
    All sessions will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.
    To RSVP contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Fayette County office at 563-425-3331 or xfayette@iastate.edu.
    The registration fee is $75 for all five sessions, or $15 per individual session. College and high school students may register at a discounted rate of $20 for all five sessions or $5 per individual session.
    Support comes from the ISU Extension and Outreach Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette and Winneshiek county offices.

East Central Iowa: Doug and Denise Bishop’s Farm, 1764 240th St., Manchester
    Dates: May 17, June 14, July 19, Aug. 24, Sept. 13.
    All sessions will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.
    To RSVP contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Delaware County office at 563-927-4201 or xdelaware@iastate.edu.
    The registration fee is $75 for all five sessions, or $15 per individual session. College and high school students may register at a discounted rate of $20 for all five sessions or $5 per individual session.
    Support comes from the ISU Extension and Outreach Buchanan, Delaware and Dubuque county offices.

For each location, the cost covers all supplied materials and resources. This course is valued at $75 per person, but due to the generosity of the above listed county extension offices, the registration fee is being subsidized at some locations.

For more information regarding details for each location, contact your lead extension field agronomist: northwest Iowa, Leah Ten Napel, at lre@iastate.edu or 712-541-3493; central Iowa, Meaghan Anderson, at mjanders@iastate.edu or 319-331-0058; northeast and east central Iowa, Josh Michel, at jjmichel@iastate.edu or 563-581-7828. Or email agronomyinthefield@iastate.edu

For additional updates and information, follow the Iowa Women’s Agronomy in the Field Facebook page.




Momentum Continues for U.S. Pork Exports in February; Beef Exports Below Year-Ago

U.S. pork exports remained robust in February, achieving double-digit increases over last year in both volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were lower year-over-year but improved from the low totals posted in January.

Pork to Mexico remains strong; CAFTA and ASEAN regions also trend higher
February pork exports totaled 219,729 metric tons (mt), up 11% from a year ago, while export value increased 10% to $596 million. This included a particularly strong performance for pork variety meat exports, which jumped 40% to nearly 48,000 mt, valued at $111.8 million – up 25% and the eighth highest on record.

Through February, total pork and pork variety meat exports increased 12% to 456,496 mt, valued at $1.24 billion (up 13%). Exports are on a record pace for Mexico and the Dominican Republic and trending higher year-over-year to China-Hong Kong, Central America, the ASEAN region and Taiwan.

“After setting a value record in 2022, the momentum for pork variety meat exports continues this year,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “While this is largely attributable to a rebound in exports to China, demand is also strengthening in other markets including Mexico and the Philippines. It also reflects an improved labor situation, which has helped the U.S. industry increase its capture rate and broaden the range of destinations for pork variety meats.”

Beef export volume steady to Japan and Korea, trends higher to Mexico
Beef exports totaled 105,057 mt in February, down 3% from a year ago, while export value dropped 16% to $757.8 million. For the first two months of the year, exports were down 9% from last year’s large volume to just under 206,000 mt, while export value dipped 24% to $1.46 billion. February exports to Japan and South Korea increased slightly from a year ago, though value trended lower. Through February, beef exports trended significantly higher year-over-year to Mexico, the Caribbean, the European Union and South Africa.

“On the beef side, it was encouraging to see a modest rebound compared to January,” Halstrom said. “With Asian markets continuing to ease indoor mask mandates and eliminate travel restrictions, we expect to see a continued boost in restaurant traffic and foodservice demand as the year progresses.”

Lamb exports continue to trend higher
Exports of U.S. lamb muscle cuts totaled 224 mt in February, up 26% from a year ago, while value increased slightly to $1.23 million. Led by growth in Mexico, the Netherlands Antilles, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Guatemala, January-February exports increased 70% to 446 mt, while value was up 31% to $2.33 million.



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, regarding President Biden’s Veto of Congressional WOTUS Repeal Resolution

"Time and again efforts to expand the regulatory reach of the Clean Water Act have been rejected by Congress, courts, farmers and ranchers, and anyone who turns the earth with a shovel. President Biden’s tone-deaf rejection of a bipartisan resolution passed through both Houses of Congress is not surprising yet extremely disappointing. It is our hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will send the Biden administration a clear and direct message to go back to the drawing board on a new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that respects private property rights and states regulatory authority.”

“Nebraska farmers and ranchers appreciate the steadfast support of Senators Fischer, and Ricketts as well as Congressmen Flood, Bacon, and Smith.”



AFBF to President Biden: You Let Farmers Down

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today commented on President Biden’s decision to veto the Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution that would have overturned the Environmental Protection Agency’s overreaching Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The CRA was a bipartisan, bicameral effort by Congress to halt implementation of the flawed rule.

“This veto flies in the face of President Biden’s promise to support farmers and ranchers. This rule is a clear case of government overreach that leaves farmers wondering whether they can farm their own land. It’s a shame the President is standing with bureaucrats instead of with the people who stock America’s pantries.

“The President’s decision to disregard the bipartisan will of Congress also causes farmers, ranchers and all Americans to doubt his often-repeated commitment to work with Congress when Members come together on a bipartisan basis. They did so and he rejected their will with the stroke of a pen. Mr. President, you let us down.”

The Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval passed in the Senate with bipartisan support by a vote of 53-43 and passed in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support by a vote of 227-198.



Final 2022 Organic and Non-GMO Harvested Acreage Now Available

Mercaris is pleased to announce final 2022 harvested acres for over 25 non-GMO and organic crops are now available. The new data is provided on Mercaris’ Acreage Analyzer tool which enables users to visualize U.S. identity-preserved acreage from multiple angles as well as identify historical acreage and market trends.

According to Mercaris’ final organic acreage estimates, nearly 8.3 million acres of USDA-certified organic land were harvested in the U.S. – across more than 19,000 certified organic farms – during 2022.

“Following a decline in certified organic pasture and rangeland, the area dedicated to organic field crop production accounted for the largest share of total certified organic land,” says Mercaris Vice President of Economics Ryan Koory. “Land utilized for organic field crop production reached nearly 3.7 million acres over 2022, holding mostly flat with the prior year for the first time since 2016 when Mercaris began collecting this data.”

With total organic field crop acres remaining even with the prior year, this distribution of acres across organic crops appears to have shifted over 2022 in response to several market factors.

“Acres dedicated to organic oilseed production increased 23% over 2022, with organic soybeans alone increasing by more than 74,000 acres,” says Koory. “These gains appear to have come at the cost of organic corn and organic small grains with those acres declining 1% and 9%, respectively, over the last year. Organic wheat acres also increased over 2022, supported mostly by a 6% increase in organic spring wheat acres.”

While certified organic acreage held largely steady through 2022, land planted with non-GMO corn and soybean seeds is estimated to have fallen by more than a million acres during 2022. According to USDA data, U.S. non-GMO corn and soybean planting declined 9% year-over-year to less than 10.6 million acres in 2022. This decline follows a reduction in non-GMO corn and soybean acres and a general increase in the use of GMO seeds across the country.



US Ag Dependent on Natural Gas

A new report by the American Gas Association (AGA) on natural gas usage by U.S. agriculture shows how important this product is to the industry. This is especially true for several Midwestern states with economies dependent upon agriculture and the various subsectors.

The report analyzed the natural gas consumption and economic impacts of U.S. crops, livestock, food processors and agrochemical sectors of the U.S. economy. The findings in this analysis are based on data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and federal economic data embedded in the IMPLAN economic model.

Here are some of the more important figures from the report:

-- The U.S. agriculture sector is a major part of the economy. It provides 5 million direct jobs. In addition, agriculture contributes $437 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).

-- Accounting for indirect suppliers and induced expenditures, the U.S. agriculture sector supports 17.2 million jobs and approximately $1.75 trillion in U.S. GDP. States with the largest share of their economies supported by the U.S. agricultural sector include Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Idaho, Kansas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Montana and Missouri.

-- Just five of the many agricultural subsectors combined consumed 2.06 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in 2021, nearly the equivalent to the total consumption of California, which is the second-largest natural gas-consuming state. The five subsectors are food processing, beef and dairy cattle production, grains production, fertilizer and other agrochemicals and soybeans and other oilseeds production.

-- The U.S. agrochemical sector produces fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals for use on farms. In 2021, U.S. production of nitrogen fertilizer and other agrochemicals required the consumption of nearly 95 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas. States with the largest consumption of natural gas related to the production or the supply chain of agrochemicals include Texas, Louisiana, Iowa, California, Ohio, Indiana, Alabama, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Mississippi.