Tuesday January 26 Ag News

 Sumner Native Elected to Lead Pork Association

Shana Beattie of Sumner, Nebraska was elected as President of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors. The NPPA Directors met on January 14, 2021 at the Holthus Conventions Center in York, Nebraska. Joining Beattie on NPPA’s leadership team are President-Elect, Jared Lierman of Beemer, and Mark Wright of Fremont as Vice President.

Shana was first elected to the NPPA board in 2016. Prior to becoming a NPPA Director, she participated in the Pork Leadership Institute (PLI), a comprehensive training program conducted jointly by the National Pork Board (NPB) and National Pork Producer Council (NPPC) designed to develop future leaders for the U.S. pork industry. She has advocated for pork producers in Washington and is an active participate in legislative and regulatory issues at the state level. She has served as a NPB and NPPC Forum delegate and has attended numerous meetings and conferences on behalf of the association.

Beattie was the recipient of the 2018 AG-Ceptional Women’s award recognizing her exceptional contributions to Agriculture. The award is presented annually during the AG-Ceptional Women’s Conference sponsored by Northeast Community College. A graduate of the University of Florida, her hobbies include gardening, cooking, baking, and volunteering with the youth in her 4-H and FFA communities. 

Beattie, her husband Bart, and four children live on a 5th generation farming operation near Sumner where she takes an active role in Beattie Family Farms. A diversified operation of crop rotation including corn, soybeans, alfalfa, a partner on a 10,000 head sow farm wean to finish swine operation and a commercial cow/calf ranching operation utilizing grasses and forage in central Nebraska.

When recently asked what she was looking forward to as NPPA President, Shana replied, “getting back to business. Our producers have never stopped doing business through this pandemic continually producing a quality product. As far as an association we have had to take a COVID break from our normal activities. We now want to focus on getting back on the road and get fact-to-face with our producers, legislative representatives, and industry partners. Additionally, we want to be able to travel so we can be involved with trade promotions meetings such as the U.S. Meat Export Federation and possibly by fall be part of an international trade mission.”



Raising Freezer Beef: Management Considerations
Adele Harty – South Dakota State University Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist

A trend that has become more prominent in recent years is for ranchers to finish a few animals and sell beef direct to the consumer. Consumers have a desire to know where their beef comes from, value the story and are seeking ranchers to purchase beef from. At the same time, ranchers have been seeking opportunities to add value to their cattle and reduce their exposure to market swings.
However, feeding and managing a grain-finished animal is different than managing a cowherd or backgrounding calves. Proper feeding and management is key to capturing extra value and in meeting customer expectations. This is part two of a four-part series for ranchers who have a small group of cattle with limited equipment who are planning to finish a few head of cattle each year. This article will address management considerations for finishing out beef cattle.

Finishing Diet
Finishing cattle on a concentrate diet doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take additional management to ensure the health and performance of the cattle are maintained. There are some key management factors that can help ensure a successful outcome with feeding cattle. This article will address ration options, acidosis, step-up rations, feeding times and pen management for cattle fed concentrate diets to reach a finished end point.

Many variations of concentrate diets can be used to finish cattle. The ratio of concentrate to forage will impact days on feed to finish. Slaughter dates need to be considered for determining the appropriate level of concentrate to include when planning rations to ensure that projected performance coincides with projected end points and slaughter dates. No matter which locker plant you work with, most are six months to a year or more out for scheduling animals, so planning is crucial.

Environment
Maintaining a comfortable environment can make a major difference in how cattle perform. Muddy pens can be particularly a problem as even a few inches of mud reduce gains and feed efficiency. Selecting well-drained locations with wind protection reduce risk. Removing snow before it melts and providing bedding also will improve pen conditions and cattle comfort.

Acidosis Management
Management steps need to be taken to prevent acidosis. The risk for acidosis can follow a rapid increase in highly fermentable feeds in the ration, which increases rumen acidity and can ultimately result in rumen and intestinal wall damage. Depending on acidosis severity, there could be long-term negative effects on performance. A tool to help manage against acidosis is to include a feed additive that inhibits lactate-producing microbes, stimulates lactate-using bacteria or starch-engulfing protozoa. Other management strategies to prevent acidosis are to modify the ratio of forage to concentrate in the ration by increasing forage and decreasing concentrate. Additionally, processing grain less thoroughly, such as just cracking it versus grinding finer can reduce the risk of acidosis by slowing down the release of starch into the rumen environment.  

Step-up rations need to be utilized to adapt cattle to increased concentrate levels in the feed. Once a plan is made for projected time on feed and the plan for the final ratio of concentrate to forage, step-up rations can be determined to acclimate the rumen microbes to the increase in starch content and change in rumen pH to help prevent acidosis that can result if the transition is too rapid. When starting cattle on concentrate, begin with a ration that is 40% concentrate and increase the concentrate by 10% each week until the desired level is reached. For instance, in week 2 the diet would be approximately 50% concentrate and 50% roughage. It will take approximately a month to get cattle to full feed.

Feeding Frequency
Finally, feeding cattle more frequent, smaller meals can also mitigate risk. Feeding cattle multiple times per day can help stimulate intake by putting fresh feed in front of the animals which can result in improved animal performance. Depending on bunk capacity, this may be a necessity in order to get enough feed in front of the cattle for a 24-hour period. It is important to observe the bunks to determine how well cattle are cleaning up the feed and whether or not additional feed needs to be provided or needs to be decreased. Ideally you would want to have a few crumbles left, which indicates they are eating as much as they want, but not starving by the time you feed them again. If they bunk is slick every time they are fed, you probably need to increase their feed slightly. Don’t increase feed offered by more than one pound of dry matter at a time and don’t increase more often than about every three days.



Center for Rural Affairs offers zero interest recovery loans

The Center for Rural Affairs has launched a recovery loan program to help Nebraska businesses and local economies recover from the pandemic. Loans of up to $50,000 will qualify for zero percent interest through 2021, and loans of up to $250,000 are available at reduced rates.

“Small businesses in almost every industry continue to cope with the economic impact of COVID-19,” said Kim Preston, Center for Rural Affairs’ Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) director. “The Center for Rural Affairs has assisted in many ways during this last year, from payment relief to disaster recovery trainings. We know this is a difficult time for many, and we hope these specialized loans will help out.”

Loan uses can include business recovery, business growth, new business start, working capital, equipment, inventory, and real estate. Up to $2 million will be deployed to qualified borrowers.

Eligible borrowers may qualify for six months of payment relief from the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Businesses who do not receive relief through the SBA may qualify for up to 6 months of Center for Rural Affairs deferred repayment.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Center for Rural Affairs made emergency credit available to all qualifying Nebraska small business owners with Express Loans. These loans are still available for new and returning borrowers with credit needs of $15,000 or less.

In addition, staff working remotely as much as possible continue to provide coaching and resources to small business owners. These services are offered in both English and Spanish.

“Our borrowers are an important part of the communities we serve,” Preston said. “We are committed to supporting local businesses. We’re in this for the long haul.”

The Center for Rural Affairs, based in Lyons, Nebraska, has lent more than $21 million to Nebraska small businesses since establishing its REAP program in 1990.

Visit cfra.org/loans to apply. Current borrowers can contact their loans specialist or call 402.687.2100.



INVENTORING REMAINING FEED SUPPLY
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator

Our winter mid-point is Feb. 2 (Ground Hog Day), so now may be a good time to inventory your remaining hay and forage. Remember you can’t effectively manage; what you do not measure.

Do you have enough hay and forage to last the remainder of winter? Your answer may depend on the following: Will La Niña winter drought conditions continue?  How likely will open forage grazing conditions continue? Are heavy snow events predicted which could impact your forage grazing?

When making your feed management decisions, consider using ‘best case’ and ‘worst case’ scenarios. Focus on completing a thorough inventory, account for all feed resources; even counting all bales available. Calculate remaining bunker silage. Estimate forage grazing still available, and assign economic values to your remaining forage.

Compare what feed resources you have versus what your herd may need.  For example, a 200 head lactating cow herd average cow size of 1,200 pounds will need about 3.2 tons of hay per day...not accounting for waste.

Focus on making the best use of your feed resources. Would it be financially beneficial to sell your extra highest quality forage and feed the rest? If mild winter conditions continue, selling your higher value forage could generate more cash-flow toward paying taxes and land payments.

If your cows are thin, consider the opposite; sell your lower quality forage and feed your higher quality. Thin condition score cows need more protein and energy to keep from dropping body condition and maintaining their milk production.

If you need assistance managing your remaining feed resources and evaluating your hay and forage needs, Nebraska Extension educational resources are available online at CropWatch, BeefWatch and beef.unl.edu



Iowa Biofuels Industry is “Battered, But Battling”

During his state of the industry address at the 2021 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw characterizes the Iowa biofuels industry as “battered, but battling for a better future” – emphasizing the many opportunities to expand biofuels demand in the state, across the country, and around the world.

“Our industry just suffered through the triple whammy of RFS exemptions, lost export markets, and COVID demand destruction piled on top of each other,” Shaw said. “Yet, here we are. Which is what I love most about this industry. The power of biofuels to propel the rural economy is so great that the people in this industry will simply never give up. That, my friends, is the state of the Iowa biofuels industry in 2021: battered, but battling for a better future.”

Shaw touched on several federal and state battles biofuel producers currently face and encouraged them to keep up the fight. He noted that while Iowa biodiesel production was strong in 2020, Iowa ethanol production fell by half a billion gallons. He called on Iowa leaders to authorize $15 million a year for the next five years to fund Iowa’s cost-share grant program that enables retailers to update fuel infrastructure to sell higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel, entitled the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP).

“Is this aggressive? Yes. Can it be done? Absolutely,” Shaw said. “IRFA stands ready to work with the legislature to explore ways to secure this new funding without creating shortfalls in other areas. In order for Iowa to forge a better future, this is a battle worth fighting.”



Growth Energy CEO at IRFA Summit: New Opportunities on the Horizon for Biofuels

This morning, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor delivered the keynote address at Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s Annual Iowa Renewable Fuel Virtual Summit. In her speech, Skor reviewed the successes and challenges faced by the ethanol industry over the last year and outlined the opportunities ahead in 2021 for the biofuels industry to work with a new Administration in Washington as a key voice on President Biden’s climate initiatives and rebuilding the rural economy.

Highlights from Skor’s remarks are available below, and her full speech as prepared for delivery is available here:

On Working with the Biden Administration:
"...We look forward to working with this White House to ensure they keep those promises, and restore strength to the rural economy, while addressing our country’s climate goals. But President Biden will need to act swiftly and boldly to meet the current challenges facing rural communities.  If he is successful, it will send an unmistakable signal that we have a sincere partner in the White House.”  

On Upholding the RFS:
“...Make no mistake, we won a major battle at the end of the Trump administration against gap-year exemptions, but we haven’t yet won the war. There are still 65 small refinery exemptions sitting at the EPA...And we won’t let up until the SRE pipeline is shut down, just as the 10th Circuit Court intended...On this front, our aim remains simple – the RFS of tomorrow should be stronger and more forward-leaning than the RFS of the past...”

On Higher Blends:
 “ Last year was the worst fuel market in 30 years. Retailers across the board suspended capital investment. But E15 sites actually grew 10%.... E15 is now available at nearly 2,300 locations...And I’m excited to announce that we’ve recently formed a new partnership that is uniquely positioned to help bring E15 to consumers in untapped markets from Colorado to the Pacific. So be sure to keep an eye out for more updates later this spring...To fast-track this progress, we also helped our retail partners secure nearly $30 million in grants under USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP)…"

Ethanol as a Climate Solution:
“... Leaders need to know what we know – there is no silver bullet to decarbonizing the transportation sector...But growing the share of renewable biofuels in our fuel supply can and will accelerate our transition to a healthier, zero-emission future and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels...”

In her remarks on ethanol’s climate benefits, Skor referenced a new report led by David MacIntosh, Chief Science Officer of Environmental Health and Engineering, Inc. (EH&E) and Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, that found that greenhouse gas emissions from corn ethanol are 46% lower than gasoline, up from the estimated 39% done by previous modeling. The same report also shows a 25-fold improvement on land use change:

“An effective climate strategy must recognize the critical role biofuels play in decarbonizing our transportation sector and bring our farmers into the fold in addressing the climate crisis. It must build on the success of the RFS, increase the use of low-carbon biofuels, and expand market access for higher blends. And the modeling behind that strategy must reflect the best available science.

“The latest landmark study – published days ago by an adjunct professor at Harvard – shows ethanol’s carbon intensity score is 46 percent lower than gasoline’s and importantly shows a 25-fold improvement on land use change.”  



Harvard, Tufts, EH&E Scientists Find Corn Ethanol Reduces Carbon Emissions by Nearly 50%

A comprehensive new study by scientists from Harvard University, Tufts University and Environmental Health & Engineering Inc. shows that using corn ethanol in place of gasoline reduces greenhouse gas emissions by almost half. The “central best estimate” of corn ethanol’s carbon intensity is 46% lower than the average carbon intensity of gasoline, according to the study’s authors, with some corn ethanol in the market today achieving a 61% reduction. The study credits recent efficiency improvements and the adoption of new technologies for the steady reduction in the lifecycle carbon intensity of corn ethanol. The new study will be published in an upcoming volume of Environmental Research Letters, a well-respected academic journal.

“This new study provides further validation that ethanol is a highly effective tool that for decarbonizing liquid transportation fuels and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector,” said Renewable Fuels Association President & CEO Geoff Cooper. “And with ethanol, we don’t have to wait and hope for technological and economic breakthroughs. It’s here today at a low cost and already has a proven track record. Ethanol can and should be allowed to do more to contribute to the fight against climate change, and that starts by breaking down the barriers to higher blends like E15, E30, and flex fuels like E85. As President Biden’s administration and the new Congress consider actions and policies to address climate change, we encourage them to examine the best available science and properly account for the critical role ethanol and other renewable fuels can play in securing immediate GHG reductions.”

Cooper pointed out that the scientists found that emissions from land-use change are only “a minor contributor” to the overall carbon footprint of corn ethanol, accounting for just 7% of total GHG emissions.

According to EH&E’s Chief Science Officer David MacIntosh, one of the study’s authors, “This research provides an up-to-date accounting of corn starch ethanol's GHG profile in comparison to that of gasoline refined from crude oil. The results of this research are timely for the scientific, public health, legislative, and business communities seeking to establish a net-zero carbon economy while addressing related technological, political and economic challenges.”



New Study Showing Corn Ethanol Reduces Carbon Emissions by Nearly 50 Percent Cites ACE Low Carbon White Paper

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings today recognized a new study published by Harvard University, Tufts University and Environmental Health & Engineering Inc. scientists as an illustration of ethanol’s carbon footprint, but reiterated there is more work to do if policy is to be done correctly.

The study cites ACE’s 2018 White Paper titled “The Case for Properly Valuing the Low Carbon Benefits of Corn Ethanol” that highlights how U.S. farmers and ethanol producers are improving efficiencies, investing in technologies, and adopting practices to dramatically reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from corn ethanol.

“The findings in this report reinforce what we have been promoting for the last several years; the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of corn ethanol have been significantly undervalued because too many regulatory bodies refuse to apply or use the latest lifecycle science,” Jennings said. “Today’s corn ethanol indeed reduces GHGs by approximately 50 percent compared to gasoline, and given improvements occurring in corn farming and within ethanol facilities, corn ethanol’s carbon footprint will continue to decline over time.”

“As elected leaders at the state and federal level look to craft new policies to tackle climate change and meet net-zero emission goals, we strongly encourage them to appreciate that corn farmers and ethanol producers are part of the solution,” Jennings added. “Agriculture and ethanol can make even more meaningful contributions to GHG reductions if new policies reward farmers for climate-smart practices and expand the use of mid-level ethanol blends.”



Report: Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Corn Ethanol 46% Lower Than Gasoline

A new report published by the Environmental Research Letters found that greenhouse gas emissions from corn ethanol are 46% lower than gasoline, up from the estimated 39% done by previous modeling. The report, led by David MacIntosh, Chief Science Officer of Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. (EH&E) and Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and consulted by dozens of experts in academia, updates ethanol’s carbon intensity score to reflect how continuous improvements in technology and practices have driven further emissions reductions in the lifecycle of ethanol and will lead to net zero renewable fuel in the future.

“In light of the United States’ renewed effort to achieve a net zero carbon economy, our research team believes this critical review is a timely contribution to establishing an accurate, common understanding of the greenhouse gas profile for corn ethanol in comparison to gasoline refined from crude oil,” said MacIntosh. “Our findings indicated that displacement of gasoline with ethanol produced from biofuels yields greater greenhouse gas benefits than are generally recognized and that prior analyses of the payback period for conversion of land to corn production should be updated.  

“We believe the results of our analysis are relevant to continued development and refinement of low carbon fuel standard programs in the US.”

EH&E’s new research further underscores the impact biofuels have on greenhouse gas emissions and the technological improvements on GHG data collection. A study done late last year found that transitioning to higher ethanol blends (from E10 to E15) would lower greenhouse gas emissions by 17.62 million tons per year, the equivalent of removing approximately 3.85 million vehicles on the road.

“The evidence proves time and time again that ethanol should play a key role in our nation’s climate goals of decarbonizing the transportation sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “This latest report from EH&E provides a much-needed update to ethanol’s carbon intensity score to highlight as our country, and our new Administration, make climate change a top priority moving forward.”



Study Finds Dairy Calves Benefit from Higher-Protein Starter

Dairy producers know early nutrition for young calves has far-reaching impacts, both for the long-term health and productivity of the animals and for farm profitability. With the goal of increasing not just body weight but also lean tissue gain, a new University of Illinois study finds enhanced milk replacer with high crude-protein dry starter feed is the winning combination.

"Calves fed more protein with the starter had less fat in their body weight gain, and more protein was devoted to the development of the gastrointestinal system, compared with the lower starter protein," says James Drackley, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Illinois and co-author on the study. "Our results say producers who are feeding calves a more aggressive amount of milk for greater rates of gain should be feeding a higher protein starter along with that."

Producers typically feed milk replacer along with a grain-based starter feed to kick-start development of the rumen ahead of forage consumption. Yet the Journal of Dairy Science study is the first to specifically examine body composition changes, versus simple body weight, in response to milk replacer and high-protein starter feed.

Understanding where the nutrients go in the body makes a big difference.

"If producers aren't providing enough protein in the starter as the calves go through the weaning process, they might be limiting development of the gastrointestinal system, which is needed to provide nutrients for the rest of the body," Drackley says.

Drackley and his co-authors started two-to-three-day-old calves on one of three experimental diets: a low rate of milk replacer + conventional starter (18% crude protein, as-fed basis); a high rate of milk replacer + conventional starter; and a high rate of milk replacer + high crude-protein starter (22% crude protein, as-fed basis). Additional protein in the high-protein starter was provided by soybean meal, compared with conventional starter, which was a mixture of wheat middlings, soybean meal, and corn, among other ingredients. The calves were weaned at six weeks of age, and were harvested at five or 10 weeks to determine body composition.

"After weaning, the weights of the digestive system and liver were greater with the higher protein starter," Drackley says. "It might be part of the reason why a slump in growth is often seen right around the time of weaning when calves are fed a conventional starter. The calves just don't have the developed digestive system to be able to keep things going as they change from the milk diet to the dry feed diet."

He adds that calves fed the higher rate of milk replacer grew more rapidly and had more lean tissue, with less fat.

"The low rate of milk replacer has been fairly standard, historically. It's designed to provide the maintenance needs and a small rate of growth, and to encourage calves to consume the dry feed at an earlier age. But research has supported the use of higher rates, so we're trying to shift the industry towards rates of milk feeding we think are more appropriate," Drackley says. "Now we have good reason to point producers to high-protein starter, as well."

The article, "Influence of starter crude protein content on growth and body composition of dairy calves in an enhanced early nutrition program," is published in the Journal of Dairy Science [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19580]. Authors include Jennifer Stamey Lanier, Floyd McKeith, Nicole Janovick, Rodrigo Molano, Michael Van Amburgh, and James Drackley. Funding was provided in part by Milk Specialties Company and the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station.



2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) Moves to July

Produced by BBI International, the world’s largest ethanol event has announced new dates for a physical event in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minneapolis, Minnesota – (January 26, 2021) – BBI International recently announced that the 2021 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, the ethanol industry's largest conference, has been moved to July. Originally scheduled for mid-June in Minneapolis, the FEW is now rescheduled to take place July 13th through the 15th, 2021 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Based on the latest vaccine dissemination information and feedback we have received from our sponsors and exhibitors, BBI International’s leadership team has made the decision to reschedule the event to July to put us in the backend of the year,” said John Nelson, vice president at BBI International. “With that said, I can’t express enough how excited and eager we are to get back to a physical event and make 2021 the best FEW yet.”

The FEW will be offering four tracks of comprehensive content designed for ethanol production and will be bringing back a co-located event titled, “Biodiesel Production and Technology Summit.” Produced by Biodiesel Magazine, the co-located event is intended for biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to learn about cutting-edge process technologies, new techniques and equipment to optimize existing production, and efficiencies to save money while increasing throughput and fuel quality.

Visit www.FuelEthanolWorkshop.com to learn more.  



BEEF CHECKOFF: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?
Greg Hanes, CEO, Cattlemen’s Beef Board

When it comes to relationships, people can be fickle. On the one hand, it’s often easier to remember a decades-old answer to “Does this shirt make me look fat?” than the kindness from the day before. On the other hand, trust grown over years can quickly be forgotten due to society’s what-have-you-done-for-me-lately mentality. Even within the beef industry, it’s tempting to view the 35-year-old Checkoff with skepticism. But if you look at the many value-added ways it serves producers’ interests, you may come away with a different perspective.

Here are just a few of the things that Beef Checkoff contractors have delivered over the past few months:

CONSUMER TRUST
    Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner’s. “United We Steak” campaign reached more than 283 million consumers through paid advertising, social media, earned media, and influencer outreach.
    A Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. video series featured feedyard manager Tom Fanning showing Chef Kathryn Mathis how cattle are cared for at feedyards.
    Two livestream events educated more than 1,000 educators on how beef production provides an excellent context for middle school and high school science.
    Webinars hosted by nutritionist Marianne Smith Edge provided insights to Northeast dietitians about consumers during the pandemic and sustainable food systems.
    Six new blogs were posted on VealFarm.com, including one by meat scientist Janeal Yancy, Ph.D./the University of Arkansas addressing veal and meat safety.
    Meat Demand Monitor research revealed what post-COVID vaccine consumer behavior may look like, helping the Checkoff determine the best future use of producer dollars.

EXPORT GROWTH
    Tracking efforts revealed November beef exports were up 6% from a year ago (largest since July 19) and export values climbed 8% year over year.
    Market development programs paid dividends in November as U.S. beef exports to China were up 700% from a year ago.
    Beef export value averaged $338.43 per head of fed slaughter (Nov20); 14.8% of total beef produced in the U.S. during this time was exported, much of which was underutilized cuts not popular in the U.S.

INNOVATION
    The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. holiday “drool log” commercial ran more than 50 times on the Hallmark Channel last month.
    The #WienerWednesday campaign on TikTok received more than 27 million views.

INVESTOR RELATIONS
    The Drive print and e-newsletter now reaches nearly 100,000 producers with details about how the Checkoff dollar drives beef demand.

NUTRITION & HEALTH
    Registered dietitians, nutritionists, and nurses are advocating beef’s role in a healthy diet and affirming prepared beef’s role as a balanced protein source.
    The “Guide to Meat Processing for the Nutrition Community” helped health and nutrition experts advise about dietary needs and provided valuable details about meat consumption and processing.
    A new study showed that beef consumption is positively associated with better mental health; the companion article has been downloaded more than 50,000 times by health and nutrition experts.

RESEARCH
    The Meat Demand Monitor issued its first-ever multi-month report providing insight into consumer purchasing behaviors, demand, and consumption during the pandemic.
    The Sustainability Research & Scientific Affairs program completed an update to its beef environmental lifecycle assessment in 2020; findings will be published in 2021.

SAFETY
    More than 75 Beef Quality Assurance educators attended a virtual event to learn about meat quality, biosecurity, foreign material avoidance and international trade from industry experts.
    The Veal Quality Assurance program provided U.S. veal farms with a clipboard outlining best management practices for calf health, nutrition and handling.
    At the annual Antibiotic Symposium, beef producers collaborated with veterinarians, animal health professionals and animal ag leaders on how to become better stewards of antibiotics while combating antimicrobial resistance.

So, what has the Checkoff dollar done lately? As you can see, quite a bit. And the best part? 2021 is just getting started!

To learn more about Checkoff programs, projects, and resources, visit DrivingDemandForBeef.com.  



Insights from global industry surveys revealed during the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience

The January session of the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience  launched on Tuesday with the 2021 Agri-Food Outlook, featuring insights supported by data from Alltech’s industry-leading surveys. The presentation, which is available on demand, highlights results from the 10th annual Alltech Global Feed Survey and the second annual Women in Food & Agriculture Survey. During the virtual session, Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, speaks with global industry experts to go beyond the numbers and explore the trends shaping the future of agri-food.

The discussion focuses on five emerging trends and includes:
“China’s Rebound” with Jonathan Forrest Wilson, President of Asia, Alltech; and Winnie Wei Jia, Director of Customer Experience, Alltech China
“A Reshaping of the Supply Chain” with Eric Glenn, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain Director, Alltech; and Kathryn Britton, Senior Director of IMI Global Operations, Where Food Comes From, Inc.
“The Inexorable Rise of E-Commerce" with Anand Ramakrishnan Iyer, Digital Marketing Manager, Alltech
“Health-Conscious Consumers” with Nikki Putnam Badding, Director, Acutia and Human Nutrition Initiatives, Alltech
“Innovation Through Empathy and Inclusion” with Bianca Martins, General Manager, Alltech Mexico

“This has been an exceptional time for the agri-food industry,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Agriculture stood strong in the face of adversity, and the global food supply chain continues to provide one of the most basic needs for human survival. The data and insights we have gathered reflect challenges, successes and extraordinary opportunities as we chart a course for the future.”

Results from the Alltech Global Feed Survey and the Women in Food & Agriculture Survey, including graphs and maps, are available on the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience platform in conjunction with the virtual session.  

Alltech Global Feed Survey:
Now in its 10th year, the Alltech Global Feed Survey serves as an invaluable barometer for the state of animal feed production. Fortified by a decade of documentation and research, it is the strongest evaluation of compound feed production and prices in the industry and is the most complete data source of its kind.

The 2021 Alltech Global Feed Survey estimates that international feed tonnage increased by 1%, to 1,187.7 million metric tons (MMT) of feed produced last year. China saw 5% growth and reclaimed its position as the top feed-producing country, with 240 MMT. Rounding out the top 10 feed-producing countries, including tonnage and growth percentage, are the U.S. (215.9 MMT, +1%), Brazil (77.6 MMT, +10%), India (39.3 MMT, -5%), Mexico (37.9 MMT, +4%), Spain (34.8 MMT, 0%), Russia (31.3 MMT, +3%), Japan (25.2 MMT, 0%), Germany (24.9 MMT, 0%) and Argentina (22.5, +7%). Altogether, these countries account for 63% of the world’s feed production and can be viewed as an indicator of the overall trends in agriculture.

The global data, collected from more than 140 countries and more than 28,000 feed mills, indicates feed production by species as follows: broilers, 28%; pigs, 24%; layers, 14%; dairy, 11%; beef, 10%; other species, 7%; aquaculture, 4%; and pets, 2%. The predominant growth came from the broiler, pig, aqua and pet feed sectors.

Going beyond the numbers for a holistic look at the state of the industry, the survey also incorporates qualitative questions to uncover trends such as COVID-19, sustainability and antibiotic reduction.

The 2021 Alltech Global Feed Survey results, including species-specific feed production numbers, interactive graphs and maps, are available at one.alltech.com/2021-global-feed-survey.

Women in Food & Agriculture Survey:
Alltech believes that inclusion cultivates creativity and drives innovation. Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right — it is also essential to advancing society and the global agri-food industry. To gather real-world insights into the professional landscape for women in agriculture, Alltech supported the second annual Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA) Survey in partnership with AgriBriefing and the WFA Summit. Launched in October 2020, the survey aimed to collect feedback that empowers the agri-food industry to create a more equitable workplace environment.

For meaningful change to be possible, the conversation itself must be inclusive, so the survey gathered insights from men as well as women. Responses from more than 3,200 participants representing more than 80 countries and all sectors of agriculture shed light on the current workplace environment, barriers to success and the outlook for the future. As 2020 ushered in unprecedented challenges, questions related to COVID-19 reveal its impact on the workforce specifically.

In the survey, more than a fourth (26%) of female respondents indicated that they are the primary caretakers for children or aging parents while working from home. Additionally, 21% of women working within the agri-food industry indicated that they are concerned that working from home will negatively impact their careers. Conversely, 13% of male respondents shared the same concern for their career.  

With the majority (62%) of all respondents agreeing that the industry is becoming more inclusive, there is reason to be optimistic.

To access speaker insights from the 2021 Agri-Food Outlook and explore full data results from the Alltech Global Feed Survey and the Women in Food & Agriculture Survey, visit one.alltech.com/2021-agri-food-outlook.



Yale Law School Releases Videos and Papers from Its Big Ag & Antitrust Conference

Yale Law School released presentation videos from its January 16 virtual conference titled, “Big Ag & Antitrust: Competition Policy for a Humane and Sustainable Food System.” Nearly 1,000 people registered for the conference that included a keynote address from Christopher Leonard, author of the 2014 book, The Meat Racket. Leonard’s suggestion for needed antitrust enforcement in U.S. livestock industries is to end what he called the failed “consumer welfare experiment.” Leonard explained that antitrust enforcers should cease ignoring antitrust violations based on the erroneous belief that harms to livestock producers can be offset by benefits to consumers.

Following Leonard were panelists who each presented their original papers on antitrust issues, including R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard who presented his research paper, "Chronically Besieged: The U.S. Live Cattle Industry." Bullard explained how the U.S. cattle industry’s potential for rebuilding Rural America’s economy is thwarted by an ongoing disconnect between the value of cattle and the value of beef.

Bullard presented a chart viewable in the first panel of presenters’ video showing the inverse relationship between retail beef prices paid by consumers and cattle prices paid to producers. The chart reveals that during the past three years, retail beef prices trended upward while cattle prices trended downward.

Restoring competition for beef derived exclusively from U.S. cattle with a new mandatory country of origin labeling law for beef; and restoring competition in the cattle market by passing legislation to require packers to purchase at least 50% of their cattle needs in the competitive cash market were Bullard’s two “triage” recommendations for policymakers.     

The conference was held to discuss what kinds of reforms are needed in antitrust enforcement and regulations to improve America’s food system. It was co-hosted by the Thurman Arnold Project at Yale School of Management and the Law, Ethics & Animals Program at Yale Law School.

Monday January 25 Ag News

 AGP Announces Election of Directors/Officers

Ag Processing Inc a cooperative (AGP) announced today the election of three directors to serve three-year terms on the Board. The elections took place during the 2020 AGP Annual Meeting, held virtually on January 22, 2021.

Newly elected to the Board is Rob Jacobs, General Manager of Farmers Cooperative Elevator headquartered in Ocheyedan, Iowa. Re-elected to the Board are Bruce Granquist, producer from LaBolt, South Dakota, and Larry Oltjen, producer from Robinson, Kansas.

Following the annual meeting, the AGP Board elected Lowell Wilson as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Wilson, a producer from Primghar, Iowa, has served on the Board of Directors since 1985 and held the position of Vice Chairman since 1995. Lowell Wilson has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ag Processing Inc (AGP).Wilson succeeds Brad Davis of Goldfield, Iowa, who recently retired after 27 years on the AGP Board and over 46 years of experience in the cooperative system.

“I am very honored to have been elected to serve as Chairman of AGP,” Wilson said. “We have achieved great things at AGP and I believe we will continue our success in the years ahead. I look forward to working with the Board and management in leading the cooperative to further build upon its strong business foundation. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I also want to sincerely thank and express our gratitude to Brad Davis for his leadership and service to AGP, our member/owners, and agriculture.”

The Board also elected Dean Isaacson, retired General Manager of Western-Consolidated Co-op in Holloway, Minnesota, as Vice Chairman. Chuck Schafer, General Manager of North Iowa Cooperative Elevator in Thornton, Iowa, was elected Secretary-Treasurer.

AGP (agp.com) is a leading agribusiness with primary operations as a major U.S. soybean processor/refiner producing and marketing soybean meal, refined soybean oil, and biodiesel. AGP businesses also include agricultural product trading in domestic and international markets and numerous U.S. grain elevator operations. AGP is owned by 148 local and regional cooperatives representing over 250,000 farmer-producers across the United States. Corporate headquarters are located in Omaha, NE.  



Nominations accepted for Nebraska school greenhouse award

A Nebraska school greenhouse demonstrating excellence in food production will receive the first-ever Greenhouse to Cafeteria Award later this year, presented by the Center for Rural Affairs, in collaboration with Nebraska FFA.

Nominations are currently being accepted at cfra.org/greenhouse-cafeteria. The deadline to apply is March 30, 2021.

In 2019, the Center for Rural Affairs began offering schools financial and technical assistance to revamp greenhouse education. The organization currently assists 10 schools.

“A goal of this program is to see year round agriculture education in schools, specifically around food cultivation,” said Justin Carter, project associate with the Center. “The ultimate end goal is to see greenhouse-grown foods supplying the cafeteria.”

While the Center strives to assist schools, staff recognizes existing programs already supply fresh food to Nebraska school lunchrooms.

“With this award, we hope to lift up these schools to show their achievements and offer an example of outstanding production education,” Carter said. “Down the road, we would like to encourage mentorship and collaboration between schools to multiply greenhouse programs across the state.”

Carter hopes to see plenty of applicants, even though instructors have a lot on their plate during this difficult time.

“We want to lay the groundwork for this program,” Justin said. “We hope these applications will help us learn more of what’s happening around the state and how we can assist schools in the wake of the pandemic.”

The project is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending January 24, 2021, topsoil moisture supplies rated 16% very short, 44% short, 39% adequate, and 1% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 16% very short, 48% short, 35% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 6% very poor, 12% poor, 48% fair, 33% good, and 1% excellent.  

The next report will be issued February 22, 2021.



NEBRASKA MILK PRODUCTION

Milk production in Nebraska during the October- December 2020 quarter totaled 367 million pounds, up 3% from the October-December quarter last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of milk cows was 60,000 head, 2,000 head more than the same period last year.

U.S. October-December Milk Production up 3.0 Percent
Milk production in the United States during the October - December quarter totaled 55.6 billion pounds, up 3.0 percent from the October - December quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.43 million head, 59,000 head more than the July - September quarter, and 81,000 head more than the same period last year.

December Milk Production up 3.2 Percent
Milk production in the 24 major States during December totaled 18.1 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent from December 2019. November revised production, at 17.3 billion pounds, was up 3.5 percent from November 2019. The November revision represented an increase of 56 million pounds or 0.3 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,027 pounds for December, 40 pounds above December 2019.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.92 million head, 107,000 head more than December 2019, and 12,000 head more than November 2020.

Iowa:  Milk production in Iowa during December 2020 totaled 466 million pounds, up 4% from the previous December according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during December, at 220,000 head, was 1,000 more than last month and 5,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,120 pounds, up 40 pounds from last December.



Iowa Families Invited to Apply Now for the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm Program
 
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible farm owners to apply for the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm Program now. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

“The Century and Heritage Farm program is a great way to recognize the strength and resiliency of Iowa’s multi-generation farm families, especially after an exceptionally challenging year,” said Secretary Naig. “I always look forward to celebrating along with the families and hearing stories about their incredible farming legacies. I am very grateful for the investments they make to protect our rich farmland and their continued commitment to our state’s agriculture community.”

To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.

Applications may also be requested from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or Kelley.Reece@IowaAgriculture.gov. Written requests can be mailed to Century or Heritage Farm Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

To be included in the 2021 Century or Heritage Farm Program completed applications must be received by the Department by June 1, 2021.

This marks the 45th anniversary of the Century Farm program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 20,000 farms from across the state have received this recognition.

This is the 15th anniversary of the Heritage Farm program; more than 1,000 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006. To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit centuryfarms.iowaagriculture.gov. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Century and Heritage Farm Program website.

The ceremonies recognizing the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 19-20, in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.



USDA Cold Storage December 2020 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on December 31, 2020 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 11 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 11 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 30 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 32 percent from last month but down 54 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on December 31, 2020 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 10 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 12 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 16 percent from last month but down 4 percent from December 31, 2019.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on December 31, 2020 were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 6 percent from December 31, 2019.  Butter stocks were up 9 percent from last month and up 44 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on December 31, 2020 were down 10 percent from last month and down 18 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 5 percent from last month but up 6 percent from a year ago.



Thompson Welcomes Ag GOP Committee Members Recommended by Steering Committee for the 117th Congress
 
Today, the Republican Steering Committee announced its recommendations of members to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. Following the announcement, Republican Leader Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement:

“Any farm or ranch operation requires a strong and highly effective farm team, and agriculture policy is no different. I’m honored to welcome these fearless and qualified advocates to the House Agriculture Committee. The diverse expertise, backgrounds, and districts of our new and returning members will be a valuable asset as we work to restore a robust rural economy and begin crafting the next Farm Bill.”

The new Republican House Agriculture Committee Members are as follows:
Rep. Michelle Fischbach, MN
Rep. Tracey Mann, KS
Rep. Randy Feenstra, IA
Rep. Micheal Cloud, TX
Rep. Kat Cammack, FL
Rep. Barry Moore, AL
Rep. Mary Miller, IL

The following Republican Members are returning to the Committee:
Ranking Member Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, PA
Rep. Austin Scott, GA
Rep. Rick Crawford, AR
Rep. Scott DesJarlais, TN
Rep. Vicky Hartzler, MO
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, CA
Rep. Rodney Davis, IL
Rep. Rick Allen, GA
Rep. David Rouzer, NC
Rep. Trent Kelly, MS
Rep. Don Bacon, NE
Rep. Dusty Johnson, SD
Rep. Jim Baird, IN
Rep. Jim Hagedorn, MN
Rep. Chris Jacobs, NY
Rep. Troy Balderson, OH



Ogallala Aquifer Virtual Summit to Engage Stakeholders in Tackling Tough Questions

This event will be February 24-25, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CST). Through panels and facilitated workshops, participants will discuss and identify actionable activities and priorities that could benefit producers, communities, and this critical groundwater resource.

At 8 a.m. (CST) on February 24 and 25, producers and other water management leaders will grab their coffee cups, fire up their devices, and wade into a series of highly interactive conversations designed to tackle several tough questions faced by communities that rely on the declining Ogallala aquifer resource. For example, what on-farm, district, or state-level decisions and policies could support shifts in water management to ensure future generations will be able to continue to farm and live in the Ogallala region? What can be done so that rural communities remain vital in parts of the region where aquifer depletion means irrigated agriculture will no longer serve as much of an economic backbone in coming years or decades?

This event is being led by the USDA-NIFA Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project (OWCAP) team, along with the Kansas Water Office, Texas A&M AgriLife, and the USDA-ARS supported Ogallala Aquifer Program, and support from individuals in all eight Ogallala states. Between the pandemic, an extended period of drought, and lower commodity prices, summit organizers wondered if producers and other water management leaders would be inclined to meet virtually. Together, they assessed that the value of this event, which encourages people to meet one another and exchange a wealth of practical and technical expertise, would not be diminished if held online. In fact, more than ever, having an opportunity to help people connect and hear from one another and from producers in particular on many important dimensions of the water-dependent future of this region, seemed right and necessary. This event will serve as the capstone outreach event for OWCAP, an interdisciplinary, collaborative research and outreach project underway since 2016 involving researchers from 9 institutions based in 6 of the 8 Ogallala states.

Topics covered during the summit will include updates on projects, new programs, activities and policies that were inspired at least in part due to an earlier 8-state Ogallala summit event held in Garden City, Kansas in April of 2018. Together, participants will share their expertise and identify opportunities and gaps requiring attention, resources, and expanded collaboration within and across state lines to benefit agriculture and the region’s communities.

“The increasing depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer is one of the most daunting water problems in America. Extending and restoring the life of this resource, and, in turn, the economies and livelihoods that depend on it, will require collaboration across a diverse range of water-focused stakeholders and entities,” said Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office. “This summit will provide a unique opportunity to foster and strengthen that collaboration. It will cover emerging innovations, research, and policies as well as help identify opportunities for working together across state lines to address the water-related challenges facing this region and its communities.”

Registration for the summit costs $40; the fee for producers and students attending the 2-day event is $20. Participants from each of the eight states overlying the Ogallala aquifer will be represented: South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. A detailed schedule of this event is available at https://www.ogallalawater.org/. Members of the media are invited to attend.



Census: 96 Percent of U.S. Farms Are Family-Owned

Family farms comprise 96% of all U.S. farms, account for 87% of land in farms, and 82% of the value of all agricultural products sold, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report released by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The farm typology report primarily focuses on the "family farm," defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and individuals related to the producer.

The report classifies all farms into unique categories based on two criteria: who owns the operation and gross cash farm income (GCFI). GCFI includes the producer's sales of crops and livestock, fees for delivering commodities under production contracts, government payments, and farm-related income.

"Classifying America's 2 million farms to better reflect their diversity is critical to evaluating and reporting on U.S. agriculture," said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. "Typology allows us to more meaningfully explore the demographics of who is farming and ranching today as well as their impact on the economy and communities around the country."

The data show that small family farms, those farms with a GCFI of less than $350,000 per year, account for 88% of all U.S. farms, 46% of total land in farms, and 19% of the value of all agricultural products sold. Large-scale family farms (GCFI of $1 million or more) make up less than 3% of all U.S. farms but produce 43% of the value of all agricultural products. Mid-size farms (GCFI between $350,000 and $999,999) are 5% of U.S. farms and produce 20% of the value of all agricultural products.

The data also show that the number of family farms decreased by 4% (almost 80,000 farms) since 2012. Large and mid-size family farms experienced steeper declines, decreasing 13% and 8%, respectively. Small family farms experienced a smaller decline (3%).

Other key findings from the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report include:

- Southern and New England states have the highest share of small family farms. Midwestern and Northern Plains states have the lowest share. Conversely, the share of mid-size and large-scale farms is highest in the Midwest and Northern Plains states.

- Farm specialization varies by farm size. The majority (57%) of small family farms specialize in cattle (34%) or "other crops" such as hay and forage production (23%). Over half (53%) of mid-size farms specialize in grains and oilseeds. Large-scale family farms vary more in product specialization, though they are more likely than other family farms to specialize in dairy production or specialty crops.

- Small family farms account for 45% of all direct sales to consumers, compared to 17% for mid-size family farms and 23% for large-scale family farms.

- Compared to producers on mid-size and large-scale family farms, small family farm producers are more likely to be women, age 65 or older, and report being of Hispanic origin or a race other than white. They are also more likely to be new and beginning farmers (farmed 10 years or less) and to report having military service.



Growing the Future of Agriculture through Give FFA Day

In the spring of 2020, teachers across the country found new ways to reach their students. The same is true for ag educators and FFA advisors.

As the country dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, FFA advisors across the country found ways to continue sharing the message of agriculture and teaching the next generation of leaders. Through generous donations from FFA supporters, students and teachers across the country were able to continue to make a difference.

For more than 90 years, the organization has strived to make a difference in students’ lives. FFA knows it is growing the future generation of leaders and through their programming, students can find their path to success.

Hannah Everetts, agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor in Ohio, recognizes that it is through generous supporters that she was able to continue to share the FFA message. "Thank you for recognizing that the students in our program matter and that what we do as educators matters in our classroom,” she said. “Thank you, donors. Thank you for all that you do to support our classrooms all across the country.”

Once again, during National FFA Week, individuals will have an opportunity to step up and support FFA and agricultural education through Give FFA Day on Thursday, Feb. 25. This year, the organization has a goal of getting 1,500 donors during the 24-hour period.

FFA corporate partners will also participate in increasing contributions by matching them dollar-for-dollar on Give FFA Day. The first $25,000 donated will be matched by Carhartt, and the second $25,000 will be matched by John Deere. Other challenges will be announced throughout the day.

In addition, former FFA members and FFA alumni are encouraged to donate $19.71 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National FFA Alumni, which was chartered in 1971.

“Thanks to our donors, we are able to help continue to build the next generation of leaders,” said Kimberly Coveney, annual fund manager of the National FFA Foundation. “Give FFA Day is an opportunity for individuals across the country to give back to an organization that is making a difference in the lives of young people while sharing the story of agriculture. Every donation counts. By coming together to give on this one day, donations of any amount are amplified.”

To prepare for Give FFA day, visit FFA.org/GiveFFADay. See how you can give back to the organization.



Cattle on Feed Update
Josh Maples, Extension Economist, Dept of Ag Econ, Mississippi State University

The latest Cattle on Feed report was released this past Friday. Included in this report were placements and marketings for December 2020 and the on-feed total for January 1, 2021. The biggest surprise in the report was the nearly 1% larger placement total during December 2020 than during December 2019. Pre-report estimates were for lower placements than a year ago and the small increase was slightly outside the range of expectations. Total placements were 1.84 million head which is the 2nd largest total for December (behind 2005) since the series began in 1996.
 
At the state level, the biggest placement increases from December 2019 by number of head were in Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska which were up 21,000, 15,000, and 15,000 head, respectively. Placements in TX and Oklahoma were lower than a year ago, down 30,000 and 16,000, respectively. This was the last Cattle on Feed report for the volatile 2020. A look back at the monthly placement totals for the year show a 4.1% decline in placements during calendar year 2020 as compared to 2019. This was due in part
 
This report also included placements by weights. Placements of heavier cattle increased in December as compared to a year ago with the exception of the greater than 1,000 pounds category. Cattle weighing 900-999 pounds were 15.8% higher compared to December 2019. Placements in the 800-899 pounds group were up 7.5% and the 700-799s pound group were up 2.9%. The under 600 pounds category and the 600-699 pounds category were down 1.1% and 4.4%, respectively.

Also included in this report was the quarterly update of cattle on feed by class. The estimates for feedlot mix on January 1, 2021 were 61.85% steers and 38.15% heifers. This is up slightly from these same estimates in October 2020 and very near the feedlot mix reported in January 2020. The percentage of heifers in the feedlot mix trended up from 2015-2019 as a result of the cattle cycle but 2020 quarterly totals were slightly lower than 2019 due in part to the feedlot disruptions in the spring and summer.
 
Marketings of fed cattle were up 1% which was near the pre-report expectations. This was the 2nd largest marketings total for a December since 1996, trailing only 2010. Altogether, the total number of cattle on feed on January 1 was very near year-ago levels. Looking ahead, higher feed prices are likely to impact feedlot decisions including a potential preference toward larger placements.



January 2021 Dairy Market Report Now Available

2021 has opened with a mix of bullish and bearish market indicators, as the dairy industry moves through another major surge of the coronavirus pandemic and the federal policy outlook is uncertain with a new administration and Congress in Washington.

The U.S. average all-milk price reached its peak for the 2020 calendar year in November and isn’t expected to reach similar levels until the second half of the year, at the earliest. Meanwhile, milk production continues to rise: compared with a year earlier, November U.S. milk production was 3.0 percent higher, total milk solids production was 3.3 percent higher, and total U.S. dairy cows were up by 62,000. All three were the highest rates of increase in several years.

Growth in total domestic commercial use of milk in all dairy products ticked up during September–November. Still, a temporary lull in government purchases of dairy products at the end of 2020 was accompanied by a drop in the monthly survey cheese price of more than eighty cents a pound from November to December. This took the Class III price down by $7.62 /cwt from the previous month. That development in turn reestablished a relatively normal relationship between December federal order class prices, generating mostly positive producer price differentials in the seven component pricing orders for the first time since last May.

Shipments overseas continued to be a bright spot in the dairy economy. Although slipping some in November from prior monthly pandemic levels, exports for all of 2020 remain on track to hit a record level of milk solids exported during a calendar year.

View full report here: https://www.nmpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dairy-Market-Report-Jan.-2021.pdf.  



Ranch Group Applauds Made in America Executive Order; Asks for m-COOL

Today, R-CALF USA sent a letter supporting President Biden’s Executive Order signed today on Made in America. The letter in its entirety states:

“Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of America’s independent cattle farmers and ranchers we applaud your “Made in America” Executive Order signed today that strengthens buy American provisions and ensures the future of America is made in America by all of America’s workers.

Please know, however, the single largest segment of American agriculture comprised of three-quarters of a million family farmers and ranchers – the U.S. live cattle industry – can neither assist you in carrying out your Order nor benefit at all from your Order. That is because the product produced from their cattle – U.S.-born, -raised, and -harvested beef – is no longer distinguishable from imported beef or beef from imported cattle following Congress’ repeal of the U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling law (m-COOL) for beef in 2015.

Therefore, until your Administration and/or Congress reinstates m-COOL law for beef, your Order as it may apply to directing American-sourced beef for federal procurement programs, including school lunches, will remain untenable and recipients of such programs will as likely as not be receiving beef sourced exclusively from foreign cattle. Even when beef is affixed with a voluntary “Product of U.S.A.” label, that label denotes only that the product has received minimal processing in the U.S., such as being unwrapped from its original package and re-wrapped in a new package.

America’s hard-working family cattle farmers and ranchers deserve the opportunity for both their government and America’s consumers to choose to purchase beef from cattle exclusively born, raised and harvested in the United States. We have drafted proposed legislation to accomplish this important goal and would be pleased to share it with you at your request.

R-CALF USA is the largest producer-only cattle trade association in the United States and we wish to work with you to ensure that America’s family-owned cattle farms and ranches can participate in building a future for America where Americans can choose to purchase American beef, an action that will strengthen America’s domestic food supply chain.”



Crappie Masters-NCGA-RFA Partnership Highlights Benefits of E10 in Marine Engines

Combating the myths that exist about the use of gasoline blended with 10-percent ethanol has been the primary goal of the partnership between Crappie Masters, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The Crappie Masters National Tournament Trail kicked-off over the weekend with a two-day national qualifier at St. Johns River in Deland, Fla., where Robert and Tommy Sellers took home top honors and once again the winners powered their way to victory with E10 fuel.  NCGA and RFA are co-title sponsors for the fifth year in a row.

“We are looking forward to another great season being teamed up with the National Corn Growers Association and Renewable Fuels Association coming off our sixth straight year of all winners of the national tournament trail using E10 fuel in their boat,” said Crappie Masters President Mike Vallentine. “The anglers have been receptive to learning about ethanol fuel and now have full confidence after seeing nothing but positive engine performance results.”

Last year, Crappie Masters expanded their reach by starting state chapters. This structure has been expanded again this year, bringing the total number of state chapters to 16. Because of this, memberships in Crappie Masters tripled, the average age of anglers was reduced, and their social media presence was greatly expanded. The state chapters are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, north Louisiana, south Louisiana, east Mississippi, west Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, middle Tennessee, and west Tennessee.

“The expansion of Crappie Masters gives us an opportunity to reach more anglers and talk about the many benefits of corn-ethanol,” said NCGA Ethanol Action Team Chair and Iowa farmer Mark Recker. “Ethanol is an environmentally friendly fuel additive that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, keeping the waterways anglers’ fish clean.”

“We are excited to get back to educating boaters and anglers on the benefits of using ethanol with the new season and new state chapters,” said RFA Vice President for Industry Relations Robert White. “Winning teams have shown over the years that choosing to use a domestic, renewable, cleaner-burning fuel that helps keep our air and waterways clean is easy, and it can help bring home the trophies, too.”

Crappie Masters Television will also highlight each tournament. The weekly show can be found on the Pursuit Channel, which is on DIRECTV 604, Dish Network 393, Verizon, CenturyLink and Roku.

The next Crappie Masters National Tournament Trail event is Feb. 26-27 at Lake D’Arbonne in Farmerville, La. The 2021 Crappie Masters Tournament Trail season runs through Sept. 25.

Friday January 22 Cattle on Feed Report + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 4%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.55 million cattle on feed on January 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 4% from last year. Placements during December totaled 480,000 head, up 3% from 2019. Fed cattle marketings for the month of December totaled 450,000 head, down 4% from last year. Other disappearance during December totaled 10,000 head, down 5,000 from last year.


IOWA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 9%

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 610,000 head on January 1, 2021, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from December 1, 2020, but down 9% from January 1, 2020.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during December 2020 totaled 93,000 head, up 13% from November 2020 and up 29% from December 2019.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during December 2020 totaled 91,000 head, up 1% from November 2020 and December 2019. Other disappearance from feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head in Iowa totaled 2,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Up Slightly
    
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 12.0 million head on January 1, 2021. The inventory was slightly above January 1, 2020. The inventory included 7.40 million steers and steer calves, up slightly from the previous year. This group accounted for 62 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.57 million head, down slightly from 2020.

On Feed - By State  (1,000 hd - % Jan 1 '20)
Colorado .......:               1,110          102                 
Iowa .............:                 610              91             
Kansas ..........:               2,500          103              
Nebraska ......:               2,550          104             
Texas ............:               2,870           97              

Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.84 million head, 1 percent above 2019. Placements were the second highest for January since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.78 million head. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 460,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 435,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 425,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 317,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 110,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 95,000 head.

Placements by State (1,000 hd - % Dec '19)
Colorado .......:                155             111               
Iowa .............:                 93               129             
Kansas ..........:                440             101             
Nebraska ......:                480             103             
Texas ............:                380              93              

Marketings of fed cattle during December totaled 1.85 million head, 1 percent above 2019. Marketings were the second highest for January since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 60,000 head during December, 10 percent below 2019.

Marketings by State (1,000 hd - % Dec '19)
Colorado .......:                170           117             
Iowa .............:                  91            101               
Kansas ..........:                 425            99                 
Nebraska ......:                 450            96              
Texas ............:                 395           108              



Nebraska Corn Board welcomes Jobman as president of NeCGA

On Jan. 21, 2021, Andy Jobman, a farmer from Gothenburg, was elected as president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) following the organization’s annual meeting. The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) congratulates Jobman on his new role, and Nebraska’s corn checkoff looks forward to working with Jobman and NeCGA for the betterment of the agricultural industry.

“Andy has been great to work with since he joined NeCGA in 2010,” said David Bruntz, chairman of NCB and farmer from Friend. “Throughout my time working with Andy, I’ve appreciated his level of engagement in various local, state and national meetings. He is always prepared and ready to tackle tough issues impacting our nation’s corn industry. He’s a great active listener and takes time to hear all viewpoints. He’ll definitely be an asset to the association throughout his term.”

Jobman will serve as president for two years before a new leader is elected, and he will then transition to chairman of the board.

NCB also thanks Dan Nerud, farmer from Dorchester, who completed his term as president of NeCGA, a position he’s held since Dec. 2018. He now serves as chairman of the board.

“It’s always exciting to welcome in new leadership, but it’s also bittersweet because we see great leaders conclude their service,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of NCB. “Working with Dan has been a pleasure over these last two years and the Nebraska Corn Board greatly appreciates his commitment to the industry. Fortunately, while he may be finishing his time as president, I know Dan will continue to be very involved in the corn industry at the local and national levels, and I know we’ll be seeking his expertise from time to time.”

Brunkhorst, who also serves as the executive director of NeCGA, encourages interested farmers to get involved with Nebraska’s corn industry by serving the checkoff or the association.



DROUGHT CLAUSES IN PASTURE LEASES
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension

If you rent or lease pasture, you know drought can cause big issues. With all of Nebraska currently experiencing drought conditions, is your lease prepared to deal with the possibility of dry conditions this summer?

Pasture leases can range from simple to complex, having a plan for adverse weather helps protect the landowner and tenant.  Without one, the landowner risks having the pasture over grazed, resulting in decreased future production and opening the door for weed issues.  The tenant runs the risk of poor cattle performance and depending on how the lease is negotiated, being taken off pasture early without a place for animals to go.

How and who decides when pasture utilization is complete and animals need to be removed is not easy, and I can’t give you a magic solution.  What I do know, is talking about it now and deciding on a framework that both parties can agree upon can save time and headache later on if conditions deteriorate.

Be sure to discuss how pasture condition and utilization will be assessed, any adjustments to grazing period length or stocking rate that low production will activate, adjustments to the rent payment, and how any insurance, disaster, or government payments will be handled.

These discussions may not be easy, but they are worth the effort.  Splitting drought risk between both landowner and tenant as much as possible is often best.  Make sure to write it down so there is no miscommunication later on.

Drought can play havoc with pasture leases, but by planning ahead and being prepared, you can be ready and avoid headaches later on.



Webinar to focus on adding value to livestock through certification programs

Nebraska Extension’s upcoming Farm and Ranch Management webinar will focus on strategies for livestock producers to add value through approved certification programs.

 Consumers are desiring more information about how their food is produced. Participation in an approved certification program is one way for producers to capture additional value at the time of sale. The webinar will review the historical financial performance of commonly used livestock programs and talk about current and future programs that producers can potentially participate in to continue to add value back to their operations.

Presenters will include Elliott Dennis, assistant professor of livestock marketing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Tom Brink, CEO of the Red Angus Association of America; and Andrew Dorn, Global Product Marketing Manager at Allflex Livestock Intelligence.

The Extension Farm and Ranch Management team is based in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics. Webinars in the series are hosted every Thursday at noon and aim to assist producers and other agricultural professionals in their decision-making.

Registration is free at farm.unl.edu/webinars.



PRIME Class V Applications Due Next Friday

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association's PRIME Program is designed for younger or newer producers who want to increase their knowledge and improve themselves and their operations in every aspect. All sessions are focused on maximizing the long-term viability of the operation through the latest research, emerging technologies, farm management practices, and peer relationship. The experience provides relevant, current and bottom-line information that is the best the industry has to offer.

The PRIME Program consists of three 2-day sessions plus attendance at the annual meeting of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA). You can expect a time commitment of 6 to 8 days away from the farm over a 12-month period. Session locations are determined once class participants have been selected. A maximum of 12 corn farmers are selected to participate each year.

Applications should be sent to the Director of Grower Services, Morgan Wrich, at mwrich@necga.org by next Friday, January 29.



Central Life Sciences Partners with Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation to Provide Scholarships to Nebraska Youth

Central Life Sciences is proud to partner with the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation in support of Nebraska’s future agriculture leaders through the creation of a new Central Life Sciences Scholarship. This scholarship(s) will be dedicated to a Nebraska student(s) pursuing a degree in an agriculture related field of study and will be awarded in June during the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting.

“We at Central Life Sciences are excited to support our future leaders with their educational efforts and are thrilled to be working with the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation to make it happen” said Paul Kropp, National Account Manager for Central Life Sciences.”

“The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation believes in the importance of a sound education for the next generation of industry leaders and appreciates the generosity of Central Life Sciences in provided funding to the Foundation in order to provide scholarships to Nebraska youth” said Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation president Mark Jagels.

Central Life Sciences, makers of Altosid® IGR feed-through fly control, is launching a program to reward scholarship dollars based on purchases of Altosid® IGR included beef products within the state of Nebraska. As a producer, you can support local students with your purchase of feed or mineral that contains the feed-through horn fly control of Altosid® IGR. For every ton purchased between January 1st and May 31st, 2021, Central Life Sciences will donate $10/ton to a scholarship fund established by the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation.

Visit AltosidIGR.com/rebate to submit proof of qualifying purchases by May 31, 2021.



 Upcoming Communicating with Farmers Under Stress webinar workshop to build farmer stress awareness

Stress seems to be prevalent in the agriculture sector, with even more concerns arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Nebraska Extension, in partnership with Michigan State University Extension, presents a free online webinar, “Communicating with Farmers Under Stress” on Thursday, Jan. 28 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. CDT.  This workshop is designed for individuals who work with farmers and ranchers on a regular basis, such as bank lenders, ag suppliers, educators and consultants, healthcare professionals, and anyone involved with the lives of farmers and ranchers.

Many farmers and ranchers are facing financial problems and marketing uncertainties, along with regular challenges such as production risks, farm transfer issues and more. When temporary stress turns into chronic stress, it can impact physical health and mental wellness.

Individuals may personally know farmers and ranchers who struggle with stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, indecision or suicidal thoughts. This workshop will help individuals recognize and respond when it is suspected that a farmer, rancher, or rural family member may need help.  

The workshop aims to:  
    Build awareness around potentially stressful conditions affecting some farmers and ranchers.
    Learn stress triggers, identify signs of stress, and review helpful techniques for responding.
    Learn techniques for identifying, approaching, and working with farmers who may not cope with stress effectively.
    Learn where to find additional help.

Those interested in the free online workshop can register at: go.unl.edu/farmstress21.  

    For more information, contact Nebraska Extension Educators Glennis McClure, gmcclure3@unl.edu or Jean Ann Fischer, jfischer@unl.edu.



Nebraska Corn to host virtual February Forum Series

Farmers, ranchers and agricultural industry representatives across the state are invited to the first February Forum Series, offered virtually by the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA). These hour-long Zoom webinars will take place each Thursday throughout the month and will begin at noon central time. Each session will offer unique content relevant to the state’s corn industry.

“We’re in the midst of a season that would typically be jam-packed with a variety of winter meetings for farmers and ranchers,” said David Bruntz, chairman of NCB and farmer from Friend. “We’re excited about these February Forum webinars because they’re a good way for people to easily learn about relevant topics important to them from the comfort of their own homes.”

In each webinar event, guest speakers from national associations and agricultural trade organizations will provide updates on several topics, including international trade (Feb. 4), biofuels (Feb. 11) agricultural policy (Feb. 18) and carbon markets (Feb. 25). Presenting organizations include U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation, National Corn Growers Association and Renewable Fuels Association.

“I’ve been hearing a lot of questions relating to how the new Biden Administration will impact agriculture,” said Andy Jobman, president of NeCGA and farmer from Gothenburg. “Nebraska Corn’s webinar series will be an ideal time to listen to experts in a variety of sectors lay out what they know so far and identify how agriculture can work together to achieve common goals. If you wanted to log in and listen, please do, but we also encourage active participation, and there will be time for questions at the end of each session.”

The virtual series is free of charge to attend, but people must register in advance to obtain the Zoom login information. To register, visit NebraskaCorn.org and click on the “February Forum Series” banner at the top of the page.



NDA’S SPECIALTY CROP GRANT PROPOSALS DUE JAN. 31

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is seeking proposals for projects designed to strengthen the specialty crops industry in Nebraska (i.e. fruits, vegetables, nuts, honey). NDA administers the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), which is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The deadline for submitting proposals is Jan. 31, 2021.

“Nebraska’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program supports the research, development and marketing of specialty crops in the state,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “Through the years, we’ve seen many unique and creative projects that have helped producers and consumers alike. One common theme found in all the projects is that specialty crops add value and variety to Nebraska agriculture.”
For the 2021 SCBG program, NDA anticipates approximately $700,000 will be available to fund new projects. Producers, organizations and associations, as well as state and local agencies, educational groups and other specialty crops stakeholders are eligible to apply.

Last fall, several organizations in Nebraska received more than $800,000 in USDA grants. This year’s proposals will be reviewed and scored using select criteria. Applicants who make it through the first round will be asked to submit additional information. NDA and USDA will announce the projects receiving funding in the fall.

Instructions for submitting a proposal, proposal applications, performance measures and program guidelines are available on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/scbgp/index.html. All proposals should be saved as a Microsoft Word .docx file and sent electronically to casey.foster@nebraska.gov by the Jan. 31 deadline.

For additional information, contact SCBG Program Manager Casey Foster at 402-471-4876, or by the email listed above. To view a comprehensive list of eligible specialty crops and examples of projects funded, visit USDA’s website at ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp.



Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Series starts Jan. 29

The spring Agronomy and Horticulture Seminar Series begins Jan. 29 with “Management of Herbicide-resistant Palmer Amaranth in Minor and Specialty Crops Within the High Plains,” presented by University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Nevin Lawrence.  

Lawrence, assistant professor and Weed Management Specialist will present on herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth’s recent arrival to the Panhandle of Nebraska and surrounding regions and how many of the crops grown within the region have limited herbicide options. Lawrence will review the previous five years of research and extension efforts he has undertaken to better understand Palmer amaranth, and to provide stakeholders with options to manage a difficult but increasingly common weed species.

This seminar will be streamed and recorded. The series will continue every Friday. Dates and topics are listed below.

    Feb. 5: “Oil Palm Production and Conservation of Natural Resources: Can We Get It All?,” Patricio Grassini, associate professor and cropping system specialist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

    Feb. 12: “Soil Health – How Management is Affecting the Pulse of Soil,” Alan Franzluebbers, USDA-ARS, Raleigh, North Carolina.

    Feb. 19: “Coexisting with Fire in Rangelands,” Victoria M. Donovan, postdoctoral research associate, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

    Feb. 19: “People, Fire and Global Biome Divergence in the 21st Century,” Rheinhardt Scholtz, affiliate in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    
    Feb. 26: “Aerial Application in the United States: Best Practices and Future Directions,” Bradley Fritz, Agricultural Engineer and Research Leader, Aerial Application Technology Research Unit, USDA-ARS, College Station, Texas.    

    Note: This presentation video will not be posted to the website.
    
    March 5: “Teaching Landscape Systems,” Dan Uden, assistant professor, School of Natural Resources, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Center for Resilience in Agricultural Working Landscapes, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

    March 12: “The Summing Up: One Person’s Life with Small Grains,” P. Stephen Baenziger, professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Nebraska Wheat Growers Presidential Chair.

    March 19: “The Physiological Basis for Greater Growth and Improved Persistence of Alfalfa Fertilized with Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K),” Jeffrey J. Volenec, professor, Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

    March 26: “How Can Transferable Biology and Breeding Contribute to Improving Food Systems and Climate Change?,”Edward Buckler, professor, USDA-ARS, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

    April 2: “From Plant Proteins and Metabolites to Protein Networks and Metabolic Pathways,” Sophie Alvarez, research associate professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Director of the Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility, Nebraska Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

    April 9: Ruth Wagner, Head of Data Science & Analytics at Bayer Crop Science, St. Louis, Missouri.

Note: This presentation video will not be posted to the website.

    April 16: “Management of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds: Challenges and Opportunities,” Rodrigo Werle, assistant professor and extension cropping systems weed scientist, Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    April 23: “Increasing Pasture Productivity and Quality to Support Grazing Livestock,” John A. Guretzky, associate professor and grassland systems ecologist, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

    April 30: “Expanding the Breeding Toolbox to Develop Soybean Cultivars,” Asheesh Singh, professor, Department of Agronomy, Bayer Chair in Soybean Breeding, Associate Chair for Discovery and Engagement, Director of Graduate Education (Plant Breeding), R.F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences Institute, Iowa State University, Ames.



 Ag Industry Leader And Grains Council Trade Policy Director Floyd Gaibler Passes Away

Floyd Gaibler, the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) longtime director of trade policy and biotechnology, passed away Jan. 21 following complications during surgery.

“Floyd was a good man who loved his work at the Council and in the agriculture community,” said USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand. “We are deeply saddened by his loss and grateful for the many contributions he made to our industry over a lifetime of work.”

In his role with the Council, Gaibler worked with government officials and the White House to address trade policy issues related to the export of U.S. feed grains and their co-products.

Gaibler’s service to the agricultural sector was long and devoted, spanning more than 30 years in both the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. federal government and numerous positions in the private sector.

He served as deputy undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In that capacity, he provided leadership and guidance to programs administered by the Farm Service Agency, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Risk Management Agency and major international and food trade issues affecting the Foreign Agricultural Service.

He also worked for House Committee of Agriculture; the Agriculture Retailers Association; the International Dairy Foods Association; the National Cheese Institute/American Butter Institute; and others.

Gaibler was born and raised on the family farm in Farnam, Nebraska, and held a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska.

He is survived by his wife and two children as well as relatives in Nebraska and many devoted friends and colleagues.



Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll Shows Farmers' Beliefs on Climate Change Are Shifting

Climate change is impacting Iowa agriculture and negative impacts are expected to increasingly threaten agricultural productivity in the state. There are many ways, however, that farmers and landowners can increase the resiliency of production systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and even capture carbon.

The 2020 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll survey explored farmers’ perspectives on climate change and ways that farmers can address its impacts on agriculture. The project is supported by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.

“We’ve asked questions about climate change three times over the last decade, so we can now look at changes in perspectives over time,” said project director J. Arbuckle, professor and extension sociologist at Iowa State University.

According to the poll, also known as the Farm Poll, farmers’ climate change beliefs shifted substantially between 2011 and 2020. In 2020, 81% of farmers indicated that climate change is occurring, up from 68% in 2011. That number is higher than for the general public in Iowa, which recent research shows is 67%.

Half of farmers indicated that they believe that extreme weather will become more frequent in the future. Over half reported that they are concerned about the potential impacts of climate change on their farm operations; an increase from 35% in 2011. Nearly 60% agreed that they should take steps to protect the land they farm from increased precipitation.

“Farmers have experienced a lot of extreme weather since 2011, from droughts to extreme wet, and it’s likely that’s driving some of the changes in perspectives,” said Arbuckle. “Of course, farmers are closer to the weather than most folks, and that extreme weather can really make it difficult to plant, raise and harvest high-quality crops.”

Many soil and water conservation practices can help to make farm operations more resilient in the face of climate change, and the Farm Poll survey asked farmers whether they had made management changes in response to weather variability and its impacts. Most farmers reported multiple adaptation actions. The most prevalent was scouting for pests and disease, with 52% of farmers reporting a moderate or major increase in that activity. Increased use of many recommended conservation practices was common, with 43% reporting increases in use of no-till and 22% reporting an increase in use of cover crops. On the down side, 32% reported increased use of pesticides.

“Soil and water conservation practices, especially those that reduce erosion or increase organic matter and water infiltration and holding capacity, make farms more resilient,” Arbuckle said. “They protect the soil from extreme rains, and help crops cope better with dry spells.”

It is increasingly recognized that agriculture can play an important role in combating climate change. Through practices such as no-till and cover crops, carbon can be captured and stored it in the soil, reducing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide while simultaneously building soil health and resilience.

“A lot of work is going into development of programs and markets to help farmers make ‘carbon farming’ a part of their farm enterprises, so we put a question about that in the survey,” said Arbuckle. “Thirty-seven percent of farmers agreed that such initiatives should be pursued, compared to 17% who disagreed.”

The results showed that nearly half were uncertain, which Arbuckle said makes sense given that such programs are hypothetical at this point.

“To me these results signal an openness to strategies that help make individual farms more sustainable while also addressing the climate crisis,” Arbuckle said. “Iowa’s dominant cropping systems face a lot of sustainability challenges. Income from carbon capture could be a great step in several right directions.”

The most recent poll was published in December 2020 and is available online at the ISU Extension Store.

The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll survey has been conducted since 1982, and is the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation. Questionnaires were mailed in February and March 2020, and 1,059 farmers responded to the statewide survey.



Pork Industry Forum Will be a Virtual Event

After much consideration and guidance from health officials, the Board of Directors for the National Pork Board has decided the Pork Act portion of the 2021 Pork Industry Forum, scheduled for March 3-5, 2021, will be virtual.

All pork producers and media are invited to attend the Pork Act Delegate Session. A detailed agenda and registration details will be available soon.

The 2022 Pork Industry Forum will be held in Louisville, Kentucky.



Prepare Livestock for Cold Weather

The colder temperatures of the winter season are on the way and livestock producers should make sure their animals are well cared for.

Access to clean water, ample feed and a well-maintained shelter, windbreak or facility are common requirements for all livestock during cold weather.

Chris Rademacher, extension swine veterinarian and associate director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University, said the biggest thing with swine is to make sure they are warm, dry and draft-free.

This time of year is a good time to check for cracks or crevices in the doors, walls or curtains. Pigs will naturally huddle together to stay warm, but drafts can affect this behavior.

“One of the biggest objectives in modern swine housing during the winter months is to ensure that the building’s ventilation system is working properly,” said Rademacher. “In the winter season, the goal is to keep the building warm, while using the minimum amount of ventilation to exhaust the gases and excess moisture.”

Grant Dewell, extension beef veterinarian at Iowa State, said cattle are usually cold tolerant but extreme temperatures are still dangerous.

Windbreaks, extra bedding and feed are a critical strategy to ensure the cows are still maintaining a healthy body temperature. It also is beneficial to feed at a certain time of day.

Feeding cows in the late afternoon will help them get through cold overnight temperatures as rumen heat production peaks about six hours after being fed. During periods of continual cold weather cows will need approximately an extra pound of corn for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of cold stress below 20 F.

This is also a good time to check that waterers are working correctly.

Cooler winters are sometimes favored by livestock producers, compared to volatile freeze-thaw cycles, but subzero temperatures can make for extra work, and stress on animals. Younger and thin livestock are often most susceptible, and the cold stress can cause increased issues with production, and overall animal health.

When in doubt, work with your nutritionist or veterinarian to ensure the welfare of your livestock and your operation. Additional information for cattle producers is also available in the January edition of the "Growing Beef Newsletter."



Farm, Biofuels, and Environmental Group Oppose SAFE Rule

An alliance of farm, biofuels, and environmental organizations last night filed an amicus brief in objection to the Safer Affordable Fuel Efficiency Vehicle (SAFE) Rule on the grounds that it both fails to account for toxic pollution from aromatic-laden fuel as well as ignores the important role that ethanol can play in improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Finalized last April by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the SAFE Rule reversed an Obama-era rule that called for a 5 percent improvement in vehicle efficiency. In its place, it established a much more meager 1.5 percent increase in efficiency each year for light-duty vehicles. In the notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA requested information on octane levels and how they could be increased in accordance with the Clean Air Act, but ultimately failed to address these concerns in the final rule.

The brief, which is being led by National Farmers Union (NFU), also includes support from the Clean Fuels Development Coalition, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, Montana Farmers Union, North Dakota Farmers Union, Siouxland Ethanol LLC, South Dakota Farmers Union, Urban Air Initiative, and Glacial Lakes Energy.

“As written, the SAFE Rule puts the interests of oil corporations ahead of those of the renewable fuel industry, the environment, or the public at large,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Not only will it increase the overall emissions from the U.S. transportation industry, but it will also delay and disincentivize the development and adoption of renewable fuels and cleaner, more efficient vehicles – all of which will erode air quality, contribute to climate change, worsen health outcomes, and increase fuel costs for consumers.”

In June, NFU joined a coalition of ethanol, agriculture, and public interest groups to dispute the rulemaking, filing a petition for review in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. However, in light of President Joe Biden’s recent executive order directing federal agencies to review the SAFE Rule, NFU voluntarily dismissed itself from the case. Instead, the group will redirect its resources to other pro-ethanol initiatives the incoming administration may be inclined to support. Although it is no longer a petitioner, NFU still stands in support of the remaining petitioners and shares their concerns, as is detailed in the brief.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 1/15/2021

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending January 15, ethanol production increased 0.4%, or 4,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 945,000 b/d—equivalent to 39.69 million gallons daily and a four-week high. Production remained 9.9% below the same week last year. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.8% to 938,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.38 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks declined 0.3% to 23.6 million barrels, which was 1.7% below a year-ago. Inventories drew down across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, jumped 7.7% higher to 8.11 million b/d (124.36 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 6.3% less than a year ago.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol climbed 4.0% to 778,000 b/d, equivalent to 11.93 bg annualized. This was 10.0% below the year-earlier level as a result of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of November 2020.)



Dozens of Ethanol Plants Remain Idle in Early 2021

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) recently estimated that about two dozen of the 200 ethanol plants in the U.S. are idled and another two dozen have reduced their production rates.

Additionally, Scott Richman, chief economist for the RFA, noted, "The corn market started moving higher a month ago and has spiked over the past couple of days." With the higher prices of corn and the worsening impact of the pandemic on fuel consumption, ethanol plant margins turned negative in early December, he said, and had recently started to return to break-even levels when the most recent corn price spike hit. "This latest move in the corn rally will likely have a negative impact on margins," he stated.

Higher corn prices from the most recent rally and their expected negative impact on ethanol industry margins in the New Year are coming on the heels of the ethanol industry's deep downturn in 2020, Richman said. The RFA estimates that the ethanol industry had $4 billion in foregone revenues from March through November because of the coronavirus.

"The ethanol industry is quite resilient, but financial losses were substantial," he noted.

Richman said that it's a little early to know how ethanol plants are going to react to the recent spike in corn prices. Some plants try to price their corn in advance, he stated, but eventually the higher corn prices are going to work their way through the ethanol processing system and raise feedstock prices. The winter months are also a time when margins for ethanol plants are a little bit weaker because of lower fuel consumption.



Tyson Foods to Settle Price-Fixing Suit

Tyson Foods Inc. said it has agreed to pay $221.5 million to settle with plaintiff groups of poultry buyers that sued it for price-fixing claims, helping resolve a four-year legal battle over alleged collusion in the $65 billion chicken industry.

Restaurant chains, supermarket operators and food distributors have accused Tyson, the largest U.S. meat company by sales and the nation's top chicken supplier, and other major chicken companies of coordinating production and pricing to boost prices for staples such as chicken breasts, tenders and wings. Chicken suppliers have pushed back in court, pointing to economic factors they said drove poultry prices.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Tyson said it reached the settlement with plaintiffs including direct purchasers, commercial and institutional indirect purchasers and end-user consumers. It didn't admit any liability as part of the settlements and said the settlement is subject to court approval.

The settlement doesn't cover lawsuits filed separately by individual plaintiffs. Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride Corp. and other U.S. chicken suppliers still face continuing lawsuits from some of their top customers, including chicken-sandwich company Chick-fil-A Inc., supermarket operators Walmart Inc. and Kroger Co. , and food-service distributors Sysco Corp. and US Foods Holding Co.