Thursday February 18 Ag News

 Processing Newborn Calves
Connor Biehler, NE Extension Educator, Saunders County
 
 Producers anticipate calving season by working relentlessly to make sure their herd is properly managed, healthy, fed, and vaccinated. Once a cow has calved ideally there is a healthy calf to tend to, and a new set of protocols are administered for raising that calf. Due to the broad scope of the U.S. beef industry, producers’ strategies after weaning may vary. But before that time comes, specific procedures need to be conducted to properly manage the calf through weaning and prepare them for the next stage of production.

Calving should be attempted to be conducted in a clean and dry environment, and out of the elements if possible. Calving in confinement has its advantages, but if the environment is muddy or dirty newborn calves can develop scours or respiratory issues. Once a newborn calf is dry it is important to make sure that they receive colostrum within the first 12 hours of birth to help administer antibodies that calves are born without and will build up their immune system.

Colostrum is a source of immunoglobins, energy, vitamins, and minerals that transfers immunities from the cow to the calf to help prevent illness. Maximum antibody exposure from colostrum is the greatest within the first four hours post-calving. Weak calves should be tube fed stored colostrum if they have not nursed within the first four hours. After 12 hours the offspring’s ability to absorb the immunoglobins in colostrum drastically decreases.  

Producers should work closely with their veterinarian to develop a herd health protocol tailored to their operation. Some protocols that should be administered in the first 24 hours include dipping the newborns navel in iodine, tagging, and weighing the calf. Dipping the navel as soon as possible after birth helps to prevent bacterial infections. Tagging works as a temporary and early identification system to easily determine the dam of a calf if pairs were to get separated. Weighing calves is important for purebred/seedstock producers to record EPDs. Cows should also be checked to see if they have cleaned up their afterbirth. If a cow retains her placenta, contact a veterinarian, or administer a long-acting antibiotic, but DO NOT try pulling it out. Pulling those membranes does more harm than good and can cause issues such as delayed heat cycles.

After 24 hours post-calving, calves should look perky and well fed. Calves will sleep a lot in the first week of life, but when they are up, observe for signs of weather stress, lethargy, or starvation. Remember to check calves more frequently in instances of severe weather. After 72 hours all pairs that are doing well should be moved from calving area to pasture. Keeping pairs on large, well-drained pastures reduces incidence of scours.

For more information on processing newborn calves reach me at my office (402)624-8007 or my cell (402)413-8557 or follow my twitter page @BigRedBeefTalk for more information on Nebraska Beef Extension. Wishing you all a safe and prosperous calving season!



Rural Mainstreet Economy Expands Again: Economic Outlook Soars to Highest Level since 2011
 
For the fourth time in the past five months, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above growth neutral. According to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, the index increased to its highest level since January 2020.          

Overall: The overall index for February rose to 53.8 from January’s 52.0. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Sharp gains in grain prices, federal farm support, and the Federal Reserve’s record-low interest rates have underpinned the Rural Mainstreet Economy. Only 8% of bank CEOs indicated economic conditions worsened from the previous month. Even so, current rural economic activity remains below pre-pandemic levels,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.  

Farming and ranching: For a fifth straight month, the farmland price index advanced above growth neutral. The February reading climbed to 60.0, its highest level since May 2013, and up from 56.3 in January. This is first time since 2013 that Creighton’s survey has recorded five straight months of above growth-neutral farmland prices.

Bank CEOs estimated 2021 cash land rent for non-irrigated, non-pastureland at $218.  

The February farm equipment-sales index rose to 62.7, its highest reading since February 2013, and up from 54.5 in January. After 86 straight months of readings below growth neutral, farm equipment bounced into growth territory for the last three months.    

“As a result of the rapidly improving farm economy, bankers expect farm equipment sales to expand by 3.8% over the next 12 months. This is up significantly from October when bank CEOs estimated that farm equipment sales would fall by an additional 3.1% over the same period,” said Goss.  

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for February expanded to 58.4 from January’s 55.6. The state’s farmland-price index climbed to 62.3 from last month’s 56.1. Nebraska’s new-hiring advanced to 55.2 from 45.4 in January. Over the past 12 months, Nebraska’s Rural Mainstreet economy has lost 2.4% of its nonfarm employment compared to a 2.2% loss for urban areas of the state.   

Iowa: The February RMI for Iowa increased to 54.0 from January’s 51.2. Iowa’s farmland-price index rose to 60.1 from 55.9 in January. Iowa’s new-hiring index for February advanced to 53.0 from 46.6 in January. Over the past 12 months, Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet economy has lost 4.1% of its nonfarm employment compared to a 4.2% loss for urban areas of the state.   

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities, and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included.   

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



NPPC APPLAUDS USDA FOR EXTENDING COVID VACCINE SUPPORT

Declared essential by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the onset of the COVID pandemic, hog farmers, veterinarians, livestock haulers, harvest facility employees and other workers across the pork supply chain play a vital role in our nation’s food security and rural economies. Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced plans to deploy qualified personnel across several states to assist in the administration of the COVID vaccine. NPPC applauds the USDA for taking this special action. The following statement is attributable to NPPC President Howard “A.V.” Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin.

“The U.S. pork industry takes its role as an essential economic sector seriously and has made considerable investments to ensure the safety of its workers while maintaining its commitment to the nation’s food security. Of course, vaccination is the best defense against COVID-19 and we are grateful to the USDA for making personnel available to accelerate this national priority.”

Yesterday, NPPC launched a campaign, “You’re Essential, So It’s Essential,” to encourage U.S. pork industry workers to get vaccinated as soon as possible. For more information, visit https://nppc.org/essential/.



CattleFax Cow-Calf Survey Released

CattleFax has introduced its annual Cow-Calf Survey. Information requested in the survey provides participants and the rest of the industry with valuable data regarding industry benchmarks and trends.

Survey participants will receive a results summary packet, with useful benchmarking information that will allow managers and owners to evaluate their own operations. Items such as cow-calf profitability, tendencies of high and low return producers, regional data, and other valuable material are included. To receive the summary packet, a valid email address must be submitted. All individual results will be confidential and remain anonymous.

By completing the survey and submitting a valid email address, participants will also be entered in a drawing to win a $700 CattleFax voucher. The credit can be used for any CattleFax memberships, registration fees for education seminars (Corporate College and Risk Management Seminar), and/or registration fees for the annual Outlook and Strategies Session.

The survey can be accessed by going to CattleFax.com, selecting the About tab at the top of the page, and then clicking on 2020 Cow-Calf Survey on the sidebar. The deadline to complete the survey is Feb. 22, 2021.



Grain Bin Safety Week is February 21-27

Grain Bin Safety Week is a collaborative effort with industry leaders and agricultural professionals to raise awareness about grain bin dangers and provide education and share best safety practices to reduce the number of preventable injuries and deaths associated with grain handling and storage.

GRAIN BIN INJURIES AND FATALITIES: THE STARTLING FACTS
         Suffocation is the leading cause of death in grain accidents.
         In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without help.
         Nearly 400 grain entrapments have been recorded in the past 10 years. It’s estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.
         In 2019, there were 38 grain entrapment cases – a 27% increase over 2018 and a four-year high.
         70% of grain entrapments have occurred on farms vs. commercial facilities.
         Many of these incidents involve young people who often lack a good understanding of the potential dangers and proper safety procedures.

Sources: 2019 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities and United Press International



Green Plains Announces Carbon Sequestration Partnership with Summit Carbon Solutions

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE), today announced that three of its biorefineries have entered into a long term carbon offtake agreement with Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS), a subsidiary of Summit Agricultural Group. SCS today announced a carbon capture and sequestration project that will create the infrastructure to transport CO2 from Iowa to North Dakota for deposit into geologic storage. Capturing and storing carbon is widely viewed as a key technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change. With this announcement, the biorefineries attached to the pipeline can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of their biofuels. In addition, Green Plains’ Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil and other sustainable products will become true low carbon ingredients for aquaculture, pet food, dairy and poultry companies and low carbon feedstocks for renewable diesel.

“The partnership with Summit Carbon Solutions aligns with our ongoing transformation to lead the way in sustainable biorefining,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer of Green Plains. “The future is low carbon, and while we have already made enormous strides in improving the efficiencies and sustainability of our processes through Project 24 and Fluid Quip’s extensive IP suite, taking advantage of the advancements in carbon sequestration is the next logical step of our evolution.”

“By capturing and sequestering the carbon dioxide from our biorefineries, we are able to reduce our CI score by as much as 50%, comparable or lower than other low carbon fuels available in the market today, and position our renewable fuels for low carbon markets globally,” added Becker. “Based on current LCFS markets, we believe we can achieve a minimum of 15 cents per gallon margin uplift as well as potential for carbon credits, 45Q tax incentives and direct returns on our investment in the pipeline and SCS.”

Green Plains will initially connect the biorefineries at Fairmont, Minn., Fergus Falls, Minn. and Superior, Iowa, and have the option to expand to additional locations as the pipeline network grows. When completed, SCS is expected to have infrastructure capable of capturing and sequestering 10 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, the equivalent of removing over two million cars from the road each year.

“Combined with growth in sustainable Ultra-High Protein, clean sugar production and renewable corn oil, carbon capture and sequestration will usher in a new era for our biorefinery products,” added Becker. “We believe this puts ethanol on a path toward achieving carbon neutrality. Collaborating with SCS on this project will help to address the urgent global need for decarbonization, while contributing to the infrastructure necessary to launch full scale carbon capture and sequestration for biorefineries across the Midwest.”

Green Plains will make an initial investment in Summit Carbon Solutions to help fund the development of the project, and expects the pipeline to begin operation in late 2024.



Summit Agricultural Group Announces Creation of Summit Carbon Solutions and World’s Largest Carbon Capture and Storage Project

Today, Summit Agricultural Group announces the creation of Summit Carbon Solutions, a new business platform that will address the global challenge of decarbonization by developing the world’s largest carbon capture and storage project.  In doing so, Summit Carbon Solutions will accelerate the transition toward sustainable, renewable energy by dramatically lowering the carbon footprint of biorefineries and other carbon dioxide emission sources throughout the Midwestern region of the United States.

When fully developed, Summit Carbon Solutions will have an infrastructure network capable of capturing and permanently storing more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is equivalent to taking 2 million cars off the road per year.  In addition to the project’s positive environmental impact, it will enhance the economic sustainability of the biofuels and agriculture industries, while providing tremendous benefits to communities across the Midwest in the form of significant private investment and job creation.  Expected to be operational in 2024, Summit Carbon Solutions will be the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world.

Summit Carbon Solutions has partnered with a select group of leading biorefiners located in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota to execute the first phase of the project, which will put them on the path of ultimately delivering a net-zero-carbon fuel.  In addition to biorefiners, Summit Carbon Solutions will partner with other industries throughout the Midwest that have carbon reduction goals to help them capture and store their carbon emissions.

“This is a giant leap forward for the biofuels industry,” said Bruce Rastetter, CEO of Summit Agricultural Group. “Carbon capture and storage is a future-focused solution that allows the biorefiners to lower their already attractive carbon footprint by up to 50 percent.”

“Simply put, this will be the most impactful development for the biofuels industry and Midwestern agriculture in decades,” Rastetter added. “We are grateful for our partnership with a significant group of forward-thinking biorefiners who have agreed to partner with us on this exciting new venture.”

Summit Carbon Solutions is proceeding with initial engineering, design and permitting associated with the project, which will permanently store carbon dioxide in underground saline geologic formations.

“Summit Carbon Solutions is a truly transformational project,” said Summit Ag Investors President Justin Kirchhoff. “This opportunity helps satisfy the urgent global need to decarbonize and meets the ever-growing demand for low carbon fuels by collaborating with leading biorefineries to capture and store carbon on a scale not yet achieved anywhere in the world.”



New CCS Venture Puts Ethanol on Path to Net-Zero Emissions

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings issued the following statement after the announcement of a new carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project called Summit Carbon Solutions:

“ACE welcomes the announcement of this ambitious and important project which recognizes the incredible potential ethanol holds to help achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the U.S. by capturing the CO2 from corn ethanol fermentation and transporting it via pipeline to a final carbon sequestration site.    Given improvements occurring in corn farming and within ethanol facilities, corn ethanol’s carbon intensity (CI) continues to drop, and this project would harness the added benefit of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) which puts ethanol on a path to attain net-zero emissions.

“ACE looks forward to supporting our members who participate in this endeavor to increase the value of their ethanol by improving their carbon footprint, supporting their rural communities, and helping the nation reach net-zero carbon emissions by midcentury.”



Weekly Ethanol Production for 2/12/2021

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending February 12, ethanol production slowed by 2.8%, or 26,000 barrels per day (b/d), to a 20-week low of 911,000 b/d—equivalent to 38.26 million gallons daily. Production remained 12.4% below the same week last year. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 1.0% to 929,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.24 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks scaled 2.1% higher to 24.3 million barrels, which was 2.0% below a year-ago. Inventories built across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, jumped 7.0% to 8.41 million b/d (128.88 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 5.7% less than a year ago.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 0.5% to 789,000 b/d, equivalent to 12.10 bg annualized. This was 11.9% 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 December 2020.)



NBB Calls RFS Waiver Requests Unnecessary, Unjustified

Today, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) filed comments on requests from refiners, several state governors, and an environmental organization that the Environmental Protection Agency waive 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. Nothing the parties have described in their petitions meets the criteria EPA has established for granting a general waiver of RFS volumes, NBB writes.

Kurt Kovarik, NBB's Vice President of Federal Affairs, states, "It's unclear why EPA – in the final days before the transition to a new administration – invited public comment on these meritless waiver requests. None of the petitions provides the required evidence that the RFS itself is causing economic or environmental harm. In fact, the requests point to the continuing coronavirus emergency as the cause of economic harm, rather than the RFS.

"The argument that the RFS general waiver provision should be twisted to allow specific fossil fuel interests to skirt the program requirements is particularly absurd. It is simply a ploy to continue destroying demand for advanced biofuels like biodiesel, similar to unwarranted small refinery exemptions.

"Biodiesel and renewable diesel production generates economic opportunity for communities across the country. Moreover, cleaner, better fuels provide carbon and criteria pollutant reductions that benefit everyone. The petitions discount the economic harm that small biodiesel producers experience when the RFS program is delayed and destabilized. EPA should reject the petitions."

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. Biodiesel production supports approximately 13 percent of the value of each U.S. bushel of soybeans.



RFA: RFS General Waiver Requests are Unjustified and Illegal

The Renewable Fuels Association today filed comments with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to earlier requests from oil refiners and the governors of six oil-producing states seeking a general waiver from 2019 and 2020 renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“These waiver requests, which were rushed out the door by EPA one day before President Joe Biden was sworn in, never should have seen the light of day,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “They do not satisfy any of the criteria established by the statute and they do not comply with past EPA guidance. Continuing this charade now shows a clear misunderstanding of the statutory waiver provisions and demonstrates a complete lack of knowledge regarding how the RFS actually works. The governors themselves acknowledge that the real source of economic harm experienced by refiners in 2020 was COVID-19, not the RFS. That admission alone should immediately disqualify these requests from any further consideration.”

In his comments, Cooper laid out several reasons why EPA must reject the waiver requests, including the following:
-    The harm experienced by refineries in 2020 was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, not the Renewable Fuel Standard itself. EPA requires petitioners seeking a general waiver to show that the RFS caused severe harm to the economy of a state, region, or the United States.
-    The request by a group of small refiners that they alone be excepted from RFS requirements is clearly contrary to the law, which states that any waiver be national in scope.
-    A waiver would have no impact on renewable fuel volumes or transportation fuel prices during the compliance years for which it was requested, since they are in the past. A substantial inventory of renewable identification numbers (RINs) was carried over into 2019 and 2020 that would be available to small refineries and other obligated parties to use for compliance.
-    Academic research and the EPA’s own statements establish that refiners pass along the cost of RINs via the price they charge for fuels in the wholesale market.
-    The petitioners did not provide any economic analysis substantiating the need for a waiver, as explicitly required by the EPA’s 2008 guidance on future requests for waivers.

“It’s time for refiners to stop playing games and deal with the reality that the Renewable Fuel Standard is the law of the land—and has been so for 15 years now,” Cooper said. “The RFS promotes energy security, boosts the rural economy, and has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by almost 1 billion tons just since 2008. We are confident that the new administration will implement the RFS as intended by Congress and finally put an end to the refiners’ efforts to skirt their renewable fuel obligations.”



ACE Urges EPA to Ditch Unwarranted RFS Waiver Petitions

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) request for comments on petitions received for a waiver for refiners from their blending obligations under the 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). EPA is not proposing to grant any of the waiver petitions but is rather seeking comment to “inform future decision-making.”

In ACE’s comments, CEO Brian Jennings highlighted the lack of merit behind the petitions from refiners, oil-state governors, and the National Wildlife Federation to waive the RFS and detailed how these requests fail to satisfy the statutory evidentiary requirements and precedent from 2008 and 2012 which require EPA to determine that the RFS itself must be proven to be the cause of “severe economic harm” to justify a waiver, not outside factors such as the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary argument made by the parties.

Jennings noted, “the pandemic-related shutdowns caused comparable economic harm to ethanol producers and virtually every other sector of the U.S. economy,” and further described the devastating impacts on the ethanol industry, mentioning ACE’s April 3 letter outlining three immediate steps EPA could have taken under the Trump administration to help curb the economic losses but ultimately did nothing.

ACE detailed the following topics in its comments to help inform future EPA decision-making regarding the RFS:

    Existing precedent regarding the “severe economic harm” criteria in the general wavier authority compels EPA to reject recent waiver petitions because COVID-19 is the latest cause of economic harm.
    RIN prices are not the cause of severe economic harm to these refineries and cannot be used as any justification to trigger the general waiver provision of the RFS.
    Prior abuse of small refinery exemptions undermines arguments for general waivers.
    The RFS reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, and EPA should replace its wildly outdated corn ethanol lifecycle analysis with the latest GREET model assumptions.



NMPF Statement on Proposed Immigration Reform Legislation

In response to the immigration bill introduced today in Congress, NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern offered the following statement:
 
“As a leader in agricultural labor reform efforts, NMPF knows all too well that immigration policy is one of the most controversial and difficult issues to solve. We applaud President Biden, Representative Sanchez, and Senator Menendez for stepping up and leading with the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, making clear that immigration legislation is a significant, immediate priority. Still, reforms to our immigration system must include changes crucial for the dairy workforce. These include extending to current workers and their families the legal protections they have earned and enabling dairy farmers to use a guest worker program to supplement their domestic workforce when needed.
 
“NMPF looks forward to continuing to work with our policy champions in Congress in a bipartisan manner, as well as the administration, to get ag labor reform across the finish line and secure the stable, legal workforce dairy needs to continue producing affordable nutritious food to feed our country and our world.”



Study Shows Grain Exports Support $64.5 Billion In Economic Output, 295,000 Jobs

Access to international markets for U.S. grain supported an additional $41.8 billion in business sales during 2018 over and above the value of the grain sold, according to a study commissioned by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) - highlighting the importance of new market access and robust market development for the profitability of U.S. grain farmers.

The study - the fourth in a series conducted by Informa Economics/IHS Markit - pegged the direct value of U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, the grain components of ethanol, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and certain meat products at $22.7 billion, for a total economic output of $64.5 billion in 2018.

This analysis and that preceding it based on 2014, 2015 and 2016 sales help make the case for trade as a top priority for U.S. agriculture and the new administration's outreach to the global community.

"Exports are a driver for our economy in general, but nowhere is that more important than in agriculture," said Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the Council, which works in more than 50 countries to build export markets for U.S. grains and grain products.

"We know that demand today from our overseas customers helps support price and basis for farmers throughout the United States. Demand tomorrow will come from the growing populations in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Putting a dollar figure to the impact that demand has here at home just highlights how important it is to keep working with our customers around the world."

The study showed in detail the importance of grains exports to the U.S. economy and jobs. It determined the export of grain products supported U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by $27 billion over what would have occurred without such exports, with roughly 295,000 jobs linked directly or indirectly to grain exports.

“This look at the economic contributions provided by each U.S. state and 52 Congressional districts will allow NCGA and our corn grower members to effectively demonstrate to lawmakers the need for policies that support U.S. agriculture’s competitiveness around the world,” said NCGA CEO Jon Doggett.

U.S. food and agriculture support up to 20 percent of all U.S. economic activity, making the industry one of the country's most important. The grain industry data show the positive impacts of grain exports extend well beyond the farm gate into wholesale trade, real estate, oil and natural gas extraction and pesticide and chemical manufacturing as well as local hospitals and restaurants supported by dollars that start with agricultural producers.

"Grains exports are a way to bring the wealth of the world home to U.S. farmers' local communities," LeGrand said. "We often tell our farmer members that the world is their market, and this study goes a long way to proving that.”

Telling the story of trade’s impact on the farm sector and the wider economy is a critical part of gaining support for trade policy enforcement and development as well as engagement with overseas customers.

“Agriculture trade is a great story for the American farmer. We’re optimistic about the many opportunities to expand our trading relationships before us today that will continue to enable U.S. agriculture to be a vital part of the U.S. economy,” Doggett said.    



Helena Readies Production of Empyros Corn Herbicides

Corn weed control gets a fresh take this season as production starts on three Empyros™ corn herbicides from Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC. Empyros, Empyros Triad and Empyros Triad Flex recently received federal registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These groundbreaking pre- and early post-emergence herbicides provide excellent control of broadleaf weeds and grasses with novel combinations of the newest HPPD inhibitor to hit the U.S. corn market.

Empyros corn herbicides are built on tolpyralate, or what Mark Wayland, Manager of Herbicide Brands at Helena, calls a “backbone chemistry.” It’s combined with industry-standard herbicides, s-metolachlor and atrazine, to create exclusive two- and three-way pre-mixes. Together, these highly complementary active ingredients broaden the weed control spectrum and offer more versatility across geographies and planting conditions.

“When we talk to customers about what they want in a new herbicide, they often tell us flexibility, and that’s what we’re providing with the Empyros family,” says Wayland. “Each formulation is tailored for different needs across the country, and with long application windows, they can be applied on your schedule.”

Empyros is a pre-mix of tolpyralate and s-metolachlor, while Empyros Triad and Empyros Triad Flex add atrazine to the mix. Three years of research show Empyros herbicides rival and often exceed the performance of market-leading two-, three- and even four-way corn herbicide pre-mixes. With the introduction of tolpyralate, Empyros herbicides take a different approach to weed control with selectivity that provides strengths lacking in other corn herbicides.  

“Tolpyralate is very strong from a post-emergence perspective, so along with activity on pigweeds, ragweeds and other common broadleaf weeds, we’re also able to get really good grass control that you don’t see with some of the other HPPD herbicides currently in the market,” says Dr. Michael Cox, Crop Protection Specialist for Research and Development at Helena. “When we couple that with a residual herbicide, we get a really complete product that gives a nice punch from one formulation.”

Empyros, Empyros Triad and Empyros Triad Flex will be available for the 2021 growing season, pending approval by state regulatory agencies. Customers are encouraged to contact their Helena representative or an authorized Empyros dealer to secure their orders now. Empyros herbicides are labeled for use in pre- and early post-emergence applications in corn.

Wednesday February 17 Ag News

Applications open for one-of-a-kind feedyard management internship

The Timmerman Feedyard Management Internship is a nationally renowned feedyard management training program, exclusive to the University of Nebraska­­–Lincoln, which has been producing feedyard management and industry leaders since 1988.  

Designed for students interested in pursuing a career in beef feedyard management or other related agribusiness areas, the program trains students through comprehensive feedyard and personnel management classes and with real-world experiences in established Midwest feedyards.

“We’ve had students from 20 states, and we’ve worked with 50 feedyards and numerous interns who have completed the program in the past 30 years,” said Galen Erickson, Nebraska Cattle Industry Professor of Animal Science, and UNL feedyard extension specialist.

“This is the perfect way for students to get into agriculture, get your foot in the door to learn skills so you can continue at the feedyard you intern at or take them somewhere else.”  

As the only internship program in the nation designed specifically to develop business and experiential skills necessary for the feedyard, interns who come to Nebraska will have a unique seven-month experience. The tri-segment program begins in late May with six weeks of class discussions and industry field trips.  

From July through December, interns are assigned to a Nebraska feedyard, which is tailored to their specific goals and interests. Once placed at a feedyard, interns will have the opportunity to experience each facet of the business - from animal health, economics, waste management, working with rations at the feed mill, personnel management and bookwork.  

Finally, students will return to campus in December for two weeks to review their experiences at feedyards and learn from the experiences of other students in the program.

“After the internship I’ve agreed to continue working at Brothers Feedlot in Spalding, Neb., where I am now, and continue working in the industry,” said Melissa Losby, Timmerman Feedyard Management Intern.

“Even if I wouldn’t continue at the feedyard, I think this would have been a super valuable experience. I’ve learned a lot of skills that I think can transfer to a lot of different areas in agriculture.”  

The program works to fill the growing need of trained, responsible individuals who can enter into management positions in feedyards. That’s why the program opened its doors to accept students from two-year institutions for the first time, such as from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.  

Terry Klopfenstein, Emeritus professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, pioneered the Timmerman Feedyard Management Internship, and has mentored hundreds of graduate students in his 47-year career at Nebraska.

“The need for young people in agriculture is great, Klopfenstein said. “We really need an employee that can work into management. We know the demand is there. Our job at Nebraska is to produce the supply.”

Timmerman Feedyard Management Internship applications close March. 1. For more information, visit https://animalscience.unl.edu/unl-feedyard-management-internship.  



DECIPHERING A HAY TEST: TDN
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator

Last week we looked at ADF and NDF and how it is used to measure a hay sample’s fiber content which affects digestibility and forage intake which help predict animal performance. Today, we will look at Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN).

Often, the terms TDN and energy are used interchangeably when discussing forages and feeds, but realistically TDN is only one measurement of energy.

TDN is a combination of digestible fiber, lipids, soluble carbohydrates, and proteins. Acid detergent fiber or ADF is usually the least digestible part of the forage and is used to calculate TDN. The assumption is that the lower the ADF, the higher energy the forage. Knowing TDN is useful especially for diets that are primarily forage. TDN is one of the most important values to know from our hay test. In cases involving brood cows, TDN is often overlooked. Without consideration, diets may be lacking energy as much or more than crude protein because protein often receives more focus from producers.

Values for TDN vary with forage type and maturity. For example, alfalfa can range from 60 to 70% TDN with cool-season grasses having 55 to 68% TDN, and warm-season grasses with lower TDN values of 45 to 65%.

Understanding energy is important for the health and nutrition of livestock. Use TDN to calculate forage energy availability and meet animal needs.



Online beekeeping class set for March

Nebraskans interested in learning about the role and importance of bees are invited to a beekeeping workshop hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs. This free event will be offered in English and Spanish.

“Explore Beekeeping” will occur online, on Wednesday, March 10, from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Beekeeping is a rewarding hobby with business opportunities,” said Kirstin Bailey, Center for Rural Affairs senior project associate. “It offers you a chance to connect with a large community and you can engage your family. Beekeeping is a physical and intellectual activity that strengthens your connections to nature, and furthers your understanding of natural systems.”

Attendees will learn about bee biology, how the hive functions as a system, start-up costs, and the process of getting started.

Registration is required by March 10; visit cfra.org/events. For more information, contact Bailey at 402.367.8989 or kirstinb@cfra.org.




ACT NOW! Tell EPA We Need Atrazine!
Call to action from NE Farm Bureau

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comment on draft Endangered Species Act biological evaluations relative to the potential effects of atrazine on threatened or endangered (listed) species and their designated critical habitats.

Atrazine is an important tool for weed mitigation in several crops, including corn and sorghum. The use of atrazine, especially in corn and sorghum production enables added environmental benefits for farmers seeking to utilize conservation tillage and no-till practices that conserve soil, preserve and increase nutrients, improve water quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Without atrazine, many farmers would not be able to utilize these methods, which result in positive environmental outcomes.

The methodology used in EPA’s draft biological evaluation led to inaccuracies such as determining atrazine was likely to adversely affect already extinct species. EPA should ensure the process used to make these determinations is transparent and based on the best available science. How the EPA responds to these findings based on this biological evaluation methodology will have a broad impact on the future availability of atrazine and other active ingredients equally important to the agriculture industry.

Submit your comments to the EPA now advocating for the continued use of atrazine in crop production here... https://p2a.co/WF4GM6K... Comments due Feb. 19 by midnight.  



DAP, Urea Prices Surge 21% Over Last Month as Fertilizer Prices Spike

Retail fertilizer prices continued to climb sharply higher the second week of February 2021, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.  For the second week in a row, all eight of the major fertilizers' prices were higher by a significant amount, which DTN designates as 5% or more.

DAP and urea led the way higher. Both fertilizers were a staggering 21% more expensive compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $588 per ton, up $102, while urea was at $453/ton, up $80.

MAP was 17% more expensive, looking back to the prior month. The phosphorus fertilizer had an average price of $642/ton, up $91.  Behind MAP, was UAN28 and UAN32, which were both 16% more expensive, looking back to last month. UAN28 had an average price of $243/ton, up $33, and UAN32 $285/ton, up $38.

Anhydrous was up 10% compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer has an average price of $524/ton, up $50.  Starter fertilizer, 10-34-0, was up 9% looking back to last month. The average price for 10-34-0 was $512/ton, up $43.  And, finally, potash was up 7% compared to the prior month. Potash had an average price of $398/ton, up $25.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.49/lb.N, up 2 cents from last month; anhydrous $0.32/lb.N, up 1 cent; UAN28 $0.43/lb.N, unchanged; and UAN32 $0.45/lb.N, up 3 cents.

Both UAN28 and UAN32 are now 3% more expensive, both potash and anhydrous are 7% higher, 10-34-0 is 11% more expensive, urea is 25% more expensive, DAP is 42% higher and MAP is 48% more expensive compared to last year.



Soy Farmers Seek to Protect Phosphate Choices

The American Soybean Association (ASA) has filed joint comments to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) regarding a petition by the Mosaic Company to enforce countervailing duties on Russian and Moroccan imports of phosphate fertilizer.

Kevin Scott, ASA president and soybean farmer from Valley Springs, South Dakota, said, “We believe countervailing duties on these imports will have a negative impact on the availability of phosphate fertilizer in the United States and, in turn, adversely affect crop production and farmer livelihoods.”

Phosphorus is one of several main macronutrients necessary for plant growth and is vital to crop production. Adequate levels of phosphorus in the soil benefit early season root development and help provide the energy crops need to maximize growth and production. Phosphate fertilizers are widely used by soybean, corn, cotton and other crop producers throughout the United States.

Mosaic’s petition in support of countervailing duties is not in the best interest of a healthy U.S. agriculture marketplace, jeopardizing domestic availability of phosphate fertilizer and reducing the competition and choices available to farmers.

ASA joined National Corn Growers Association and National Cotton Council of America in filing the comments to USITC Feb. 17.



United Soybean Board Leaders Meet Virtually to Set 2022 Investment Directions

The 78 farmer-directors serving on the United Soybean Board met virtually today to define strategies and goals to strengthen soy’s position in the U.S. and global marketplaces for the checkoff’s next year of investments related to soybean meal, oil and sustainability.

“We all look forward to meeting in person hopefully in the coming months once conditions merit doing it safely,” said Dan Farney, USB Chair and soybean farmer from Morton, Illinois. “Until then, the Executive Committee and directors will continue our roles as stewards of the soybean checkoff program, meeting virtually to make decisions committed to research, promotion and education that serve to benefit the more than 515,000 U.S. soybean farmers.”

USB’s financial stewardship and program development responsibilities include investing in projects to promote the sustainability of U.S. soy as a market differentiator domestically and to build new markets abroad. In addition, the soy checkoff funds education to enhance end-user awareness of soy products as well as research to strengthen the resilience of soybean production, improve meal quality and develop new uses for soybean oil.

Early highlights for fiscal year 2021 investments to date for meal, oil and sustainability included:
    Meal: Market promotion efforts conducted by the soybean industry’s international market-building organizations have all successfully transitioned to a virtual format with record audiences in attendance. Nutrition research continues to create opportunities for soy, including product differentiation in the marketplace around factors such as meal quality (amino acids and energy) with key partners.
    Oil: Opportunities continue to expand for soybean oil. High oleic variety planting contract opportunities continue to increase to meet demand for refined high oleic oils by end users in the food sector. Innovations for industrial uses include motor oil and asphalt.  
    Sustainability: Supply partnerships and education initiatives advance in collaboration with regional soybean research boards and extension education efforts. USB’s partnerships are well-positioned to increase understanding and adoption of sustainable soil practices, ultimately leading to carbon neutrality and consumer benefits.

Prior to the meeting, as part of the soy checkoff’s Value Creation Framework process, USB farmer-leaders convened with their assigned Target Area Work Groups. The groups discussed insights and context to inform the strategic approach to accomplish the checkoff’s objectives in FY22. Direction from the work groups defines the areas of greatest importance to guide future investments.

“Farmer-leaders determine investments to positively impact key audiences related to supply, marketplace and demand,” said USB Strategic Management Committee Chair Jim Carroll III and soybean farmer from Brinkley, Arkansas. “In the months ahead, we look forward to reviewing a variety of project proposals that increase the preference for U.S. soy but also bring value to our farmers’ bottom line.”

Nearly 500 proposals were submitted across the three target areas to achieve checkoff objectives in research, education and promotion. The shared goal of all selected proposals is to strengthen U.S. soy’s reputation and competitive advantage when it comes to nutrition, quality and sustainability.

Between now and USB’s next meeting in July, checkoff farmer-leaders will review proposals in detail to determine strategic fit ahead of making their final FY22 project portfolio recommendations.



AMS Announces New Dealer Statutory Trust to Protect Livestock Sellers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced a new Dealer Statutory Trust to Protect Livestock Sellers. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed on December 27, 2020, amended the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act by adding Section 318 to establish a “Dealer Statutory Trust” for the benefit of unpaid cash sellers of livestock.

“USDA supports transparency in pricing throughout the supply chain to ensure farmers and livestock producers are getting a fair price, and we look forward to working with Congress and the federal family to improve price discovery and protect against unfair treatment,” said Robert Bonnie, USDA Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy.

Much like the existing packer and poultry trusts, the amendment requires livestock dealers to hold all livestock purchased, and if livestock has been resold, the receivables or proceeds from such sale, in trust for the benefit of all unpaid cash sellers of livestock until full payment has been received by those sellers. Dealers whose average annual livestock purchases do not exceed $100,000 are exempt.

Livestock sellers who do not receive timely payment from a dealer may file claims on the dealer statutory trust. To be valid, trust claims must be filed within 30 days of the final date for making payment, or within 15 business days after the seller receives notice of a dishonored payment. Dealers who receive a trust claim notice are required to give notice within 15 days to anyone holding a lien on the livestock held in the trust.



Costa Applauds Announcement of New Dealer Statutory Trust to Protect Livestock Sellers

Today, following a release from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Jim Costa of California applauded the agency’s move to protect unpaid livestock sellers through a Dealer Statutory Trust:

“I am pleased that USDA has taken the necessary steps to put these protections in place for the benefit of livestock sellers throughout our country. I co-led bipartisan bills to establish this trust in the 115th and 116th Congresses, and I look forward to working with the experts at USDA to ensure farmers and ranchers are not left bearing the costs of dealer defaults.”

Modeled after the existing Packer Statutory Trust, the new Dealer Statutory Trust was authorized through the Consolidated Appropriations Act that was signed into law last December.  



RFA Honors Former Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson
    
Citing his decades of service to farmers and ethanol producers, the Renewable Fuels Association today honored former Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), longtime chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, with the RFA Industry Award. The award was presented in conjunction with RFA’s 26th annual National Ethanol Conference, held digitally this year due to the pandemic.

“This year, I am proud to recognize someone whose contribution to the U.S. ethanol industry cannot be measured in a single development or discovery, but for a career dedicated to value-added agriculture and policies laying the foundation for the U.S. ethanol industry,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Congressman Collin Peterson, or ‘The Chairman,’ as anyone involved in agriculture knows him, has been the ethanol industry’s most effective and passionate advocate in the House of Representatives for decades.”

Among his achievements, Peterson helped form the Congressional Biofuels Caucus and fended off attacks on the tax incentive available to gasoline marketers for ethanol-blended fuels. He also was instrumental in defeating efforts to eliminate the reformulated gasoline oxygen standard that helped build ethanol demand nationally. In the early 2000s, he worked tirelessly to promote a more robust and progressive ethanol policy, which would become known as the Renewable Fuel Standard. And, Cooper added, “…the dramatic expansion and extension of the RFS in 2007 would not have happened without Chairman Peterson’s masterful negotiating efforts and dedicated advocacy.”  Most recently, Peterson led efforts in Congress to bring more transparency and integrity to the RFS small refinery exemption program; and, as COVID ravaged ethanol markets in 2020, he ensured that assistance for ethanol producers was included in the House-passed HEROES Act.

“I've been working on ethanol for a long time. I believe in it, and it's been a passion of mine and it's just been a pleasure for me to be able to lend a hand to make sure this industry is successful and moves ahead,” Peterson said in accepting the award. “I'm not going to walk away from ethanol, and now that I'm not in office I don't know exactly what I'm going to do yet, but I will stay engaged in advocating for agriculture in some way, shape or form. You're going to have my help— whether you want it or not.”



National Use of Livestock Insurance Products Offered by USDA-RMA
Elliott Dennis, Livestock Extension Economist, Dept of Ag Econ, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

The changes to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance plan took effect on January 20, 2021, for the crop year 2021 and succeeding crop years. These changes included: (a) increasing livestock head limits for feeder and fed cattle to 6,000 head per endorsement/12,000 head annually and swine to 40,000 head per endorsement/150,000 head annually; (b) modifying the requirement to own insured livestock until the last 60 days of the endorsement; (c) increasing the endorsement lengths for swine up to 52 weeks; and, (d) creating new feeder cattle and swine types to allow for unborn livestock to be insured. These changes, in addition to the dramatic changes in subsidy levels and allowing premiums to be paid at the end of the coverage endorsement period, should significantly improve the use of LRP. How much so likely depends on several factors including an understanding of risk protection, personal attitudes towards risk, previous experience with risk management tools, and competing risk management options, among others.

How frequently is LRP used compared to other USDA-RMA offered insurance products?
Cattle can be insured through various existing USDA-RMA products. Options include Livestock Gross Margin (only fed cattle), Livestock Risk Protection (fed and feeder cattle), and Whole Farm insurance (fed and feeder cattle). Federally subsidized insurance was first offered in 2003. Between 2003-2010, the total liability of LRP fed and feeder cattle represented $722 million dollars, and 25,000 policies covering 0.94 million head. Between 2011-2019, the total liability of fed and feeder cattle under LRP represented $1,950 million dollars, and 51,000 policies sold covering 1.65 million head. LGM is used much less frequently compared to LRP. Between 2003-2010, the total liability of LGM fed cattle represented $32 million dollars, and 616 policies covering 50,000 head. Between 2011-2019, the total liability of fed and feeder cattle under LRP represented $27 million dollars, and 301 policies sold covering 20,000 head.

While there was a large increase in LRP use over the last decade, LGM cattle products have decreased. Further, the levels of liability, policies sold, and head covered are small compared to other programs and commodities such as the Dairy Margin Coverage for milk, LRP Lamb, and LGM for swine. Comparing the total number of fed and feeder cattle insured using USDA-RMA products to the total number of cattle in the United States show that coverage still represents a small fraction of total production. Approximately 0.50% of fed and feeder cattle are insured using either LRP or LGM. These shares are comparable to swine and dairy. Lamb producers have historically been heavy significant users of USDA-RMA products. In some years, upwards of 60% of total lamb production was insured using LRP. The high use is likely because lamb producers have very few other available market options to manage output price or feeding margin risk.

LRP and LGM Use and Performance Varies Geographically and Through Time
A small number of states make up the majority of LRP fed and feeder cattle sales. Since 2003, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, North Dakota, and Missouri have made up 80-85% of all policies sold and the total number of head insured. The relative share of use by these states have remained constant over time. LRP fed cattle sales show similar patterns. The geographic distribution of policies sold is even more pronounced for LGM fed cattle. Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin account for nearly 95% of all policies sold and the total number of head insured. This is slightly misleading given that only 16 policies were sold in 2019 and 155 at its peak in 2007.

Possible Explanations for LRP and LGM Use (or lack thereof)
Policy premiums and performance are two reasons explaining the use of LRP and LGM, or lack thereof. For LRP, premiums are comparable to an “at-the-money” or “out-of-the-money” put. As such, all premiums costs are entirely attributed to the “time value” of the option (i.e. the farther we are away from contract expiration = the higher the premium). Figure 1 shows how these premiums curves look at different coverage rates and endorsement lengths for a representative day. It shows that the longer the endorsement length, the more expensive the premium ($/cwt.). In other words, the curves shift vertically up the farther one is away from contract expiration. Producers choosing to manage price risk using options must choose between using USDA-RMA’s LRP or CME put options. How similar these premiums are, both with and without subsidies, is currently being studied.

How reliable a market instrument is as managing price risk is another important consideration. If LRP is unreliable as a market instrument over time, then this may reduce the trust and ultimately use of the product. Loss ratios are one method used to determine how well an insurance product is functioning. One way to interpret loss ratios are for every dollar paid into the product, how much is paid out. Loss ratios below one “hurt” producers since they are paying more than what they get back in coverage while loss ratios > 1 “hurt” the insurer since the product is paying too much out compared to premiums received. Ideally, long-term loss ratios should be equal to one. The loss ratio for feeder and fed cattle under LRP does vary considerably across locations and through time. Some states have either historically high or low loss ratios. For LRP feeder cattle, 4 out of the 37 states have long-term loss ratios between 0.90-1.10, 28 states have loss ratios < 0.90, and 5 states have loss ratios > 1.10. LRP and LGM fed cattle are less promising. All states that have used LGM or LRP fed cattle have loss ratios below 0.80. Few states having long-term loss ratios at or near 1.0 is one reason why the use of LRP or LGM has been low. Three animations are available from LMIC or available upon request from me that showing loss ratios by state between 2003-2019. These animations show that LGM and LRP (fed and feeder cattle) have both expanded in use but loss ratios have tended to vary significantly over time.
 
Industry Implications
The industry has lobbied the USDA-RMA to increase the subsidy levels of LRP as a solution to market volatility experienced during COVID-19. Industry representatives have cited the subsidy differential between crop insurance and livestock insurance as the primary justification for increasing subsidy levels and suggesting that subsidy levels were the primary barrier to risk management adoption for smaller producers. Newly established subsidy levels should increase the use of LRP fed and feeder cattle. Whether the future use of LRP is by large operations switching from CME options to LRP or if small producers using LRP for the first time remains to be seen. The ability to insure unborn cattle and having premiums due at the end of the endorsement period are likely to be larger contributors to increasing the use of LRP than changes in the subsidy levels since they significantly reduce logistical barriers for producers. As with all risk instruments, LRP is still meant to be used to minimize downside price due to market shocks and not as a tool to improve market prices after market shocks have occurred. Thus, LRP, either fed or feeder cattle, will only work to mitigate future market shocks similar to COVID-19 if producers have risk management in place prior to the market shock.



Top Agribusiness Executives Featured in Live Roundtable Discussions During 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic

What do the next 20 years look like in American agriculture?  Attendees at the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic will have the opportunity to hear some of the top executives in agribusiness answer that question.

Three Executive Roundtables will be held during the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic that will be delivered digitally March 2-5, 2021.  Each roundtable will be presented live and then archived for future viewing through the end of April.  More information is available at CommodityClassic.com.

The first Executive Roundtable takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Central on Wednesday, March 3, and features top executives from the ag equipment industry, including John Deere, AGCO, Case IH and Kubota, discussing how changing farm demographics, consumer demands, and technology may impact the ag equipment industry and agriculture in general. The panel will be moderated by Charlene Finck of Farm Journal.

The crop production industry will take the digital stage on Thursday, March 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Central.  Executives from Bayer Crop Science, Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta and BASF will be on the panel to discuss how climate, environmental regulations and innovative technologies may impact crop production and influence the future of agriculture. Greg Horstmeier of DTN will moderate.

The final Executive Roundtable will take place Friday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Willie Vogt of Farm Progress will moderate a panel of top executives from Valent, New Holland and the United Soybean Board who will discuss what to expect in the coming years as the ag industry wrestles with recent turmoil.

The Executive Panels are among more than 50 educational sessions scheduled during the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic, which kicks off at noon Central on Tuesday, March 2.

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, the first 5,000 farmers who register can do so at no charge.  All other attendees can register for $20.  The registration fee includes access to the entire week’s program as well as access to archived sessions through April 30, 2021.



Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Announces 2021 Inductees

The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame has announced its 2021 inductees and award winners who will be recognized at its 12th annual banquet to be held Aug. 9, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Johnny Trotter, president and CEO of Bar-G Feedyard in Hereford, Texas, and Steve Gabel, founder of Magnum Feedyard in Wiggins, Colorado, are the newest inductees into the Hall of Fame, which annually honors two leaders who have made lasting contributions to the cattle feeding industry.

Gary Smith, visiting professor in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University, is the recipient of the Leadership Award. George Eckert of Green Plains Cattle Company in Leoti, Kansas, and Gaspar Martinez of Harris Feeding Company in Coalinga, California, were named Service Award winners.

These inductees and award winners will be recognized at the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show to be held Aug. 10-12 in Nashville.

"Through their dedication and leadership, these honorees have made lasting contributions to our industry," said Cliff Becker, vice president of publishing for Farm Journal Media and Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame board member. "It is an honor to recognize their achievements which have helped advance the cattle feeding industry."

Tickets for the 2021 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet can be purchased as part of the Cattle Industry Convention registration and will be available in June. Event sponsorship and table sponsorships are also available. Founding sponsors of the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame include Merck Animal Health, Drovers magazine and Osborn Barr Paramore (OBP).

All proceeds from ticket sales and corporate sponsorships will benefit future initiatives for the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame. All funds from tickets purchased by cattle feeders will be donated in full to the Hall of Fame.



Syngenta, university researcher advocate holistic approach to maximize yield potential and minimize future obstacles

For every grower, maximizing yield to increase potential return on investment is the ultimate goal. As farmers know, there are many factors affecting their yields that require constant monitoring and action throughout the year. Syngenta sat down with Stevan Knezevic, Ph.D., weed management specialist at the University of Nebraska, to discuss his “10 Commandments” of weed management that growers can reference to make sure all their bases are covered this coming season.

According to Knezevic, his “10 Commandments” are as follows:
·       Commandment 1: Know your weeds and understand their lifecycles and biologies. This is the foundation for all of the commandments. “A full understanding of the weeds in your region and how they may interact with your crops is an important step in managing an efficient and successful operation,” said Knezevic.

·       Commandment 2: Rotate your crops. “Crop rotation is a key component in an effective weed resistance management strategy,” said Mark Kitt, corn herbicide technical product lead for Syngenta. “It will extend the range of available herbicides and agronomic practices.”

·       Commandment 3: Rotate your herbicide sites of action. “By having extra sites of action, you are widening the spectrum of weed control,” said Knezevic.

·       Commandment 4: Use premixes with multiple effective sites of action. “Within the Syngenta portfolio, Acuron® corn herbicide is a great example,” said Kitt. “It provides protection through its four active ingredients, including the Syngenta-exclusive bicyclopyrone, and three effective sites of action.” This formulation provides powerful weed management that leads to higher yield potential — 5 to 15 more bushels an acre than any other corn herbicide.*

·       Commandment 5: Use full labeled rates of herbicides. “Full label rates will provide a full length of residual activity that should cover the critical period of weed control,” said Knezevic. “By reducing the label rate, you’re in danger of not killing the weed, but only crippling it. A surviving weed that is growing after a herbicide application has a chance to potentially produce herbicide-resistant offspring.”

·       Commandment 6: Scout your fields. “Go out and scout those fields,” says Knezevic. “Look for survivors, and look for regrowth because that regrowth can most likely carry a resistance gene, so you will have problems next year.”

·       Commandment 7: Apply post-emergent applications, ideally before new weed growth is discovered. Overlapping residuals can help prevent these weed escapes.

“Halex® GT herbicide is the perfect product to use post-emergence to provide that overlapping residual and post-emergence management when applied in a system where a foundation rate of a preemergence herbicide is used,” Kitt said.

·       Commandment 8: Use cultural practices to manage weeds, and don’t overlook your field borders. “This is where employing sound agronomic practices will prove to be especially beneficial, including tillage and crop rotation,” said Knezevic. “Any uncontrolled weeds will produce seeds. If you don’t control them well and let them drop seeds, you’re going to fight them for at least three to five more years into the future.”

·       Commandment 9: Use clean equipment, especially during harvest, to manage weed seed. “Over the last 10 years or so, we have seen a rapid spread of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, which were not spread by weeds, animals or wind. They were spread by combines during harvest,” cautioned Knezevic.

·       Commandment 10: Know the cost of poor weed management. “The culmination of the commandments is that in managing cost versus yield, understand that it is much more expensive if you spend less money and do not kill the weeds,” concluded Knezevic. “A general rule of thumb is that for every stage of delayed weed control, there is a 2% loss of potential yield.”

Collaborating with leading university researchers and sharing information are ways Syngenta works to help local agronomists and their growers combat the unique weed pressure they face each season. “It all starts with solid agronomics,” Kitt said. “We want to provide our retailer partners and growers with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively manage their top weed pressures so they can maximize their yield potential next season and for many seasons to come.”   

When you start with agronomics and your end profitability goal in mind, you can better assess what practices and products will get you there. Before you commit to a season-long “deal” that may limit your choices, do some math and see how everything pencils out — because better yield is the better deal.



New ruminant meta-analysis from Alltech addresses protein challenges, carbon footprint and profitability

The tightening of global protein supplies is creating uncertainty for producers and the feed industry alike as to where this year’s protein supply will come from. Add to that the ever-increasing pressure on producers to meet the growing global demand for milk and meat while also reducing their environmental impact and remaining financially viable. While striking a balance between these seemingly conflicting goals may seem impossible, Alltech has released data from a new meta-analysis for ruminants that proves otherwise.

The results showed that Optigen®, a non-protein nitrogen ingredient, can replace vegetable protein sources and enable dairy and beef producers to simultaneously improve animal performance, reduce their carbon footprint and increase profitability. The new data from the meta-analysis examining the effects of Optigen supplementation in dairy cows is based on the results of 17 studies carried out in six different countries, while the beef study was based on the results of 17 studies carried out in nine different countries.

“The responsible sourcing of protein for animal feeds is a crucial global issue in the livestock supply chain, and the use of plant protein sources in animal diets can be restricted based on availability, price volatility and associated environmental impact,” said Dr. Saheed Salami, research fellow at Alltech. “These meta-analysis studies have confirmed that Optigen is a viable substitute for plant protein sources in ruminant rations, resulting in improved feed efficiency, profitability and environmental sustainability for dairy and beef production.”

Dairy research key findings:
    The use of Optigen in dairy diets resulted in a carbon savings of around 54 g of CO2-eq/kg milk.
        When extrapolated to the annual milk output of the Dutch dairy sector, for example, this would be equivalent to a carbon emission reduction of 574,004 tonnes of CO2-eq. Such a carbon saving represents 10% of the entire reduction target for agriculture and land use sectors required by the Dutch government by 2030.
    Optigen partially replaced approximately 21% of soybean meal across all diets.
    Dry matter intake (DMI), protein intake and nitrogen intake decreased through space “saving” in the diet
    Milk yield increased, and feed efficiency was improved by 3% in Optigen diets.
    Nitrogen utilization efficiency in dairy cows increased by 4%, thanks to improved nitrogen capture in the rumen. This translates to a reduction of the manure nitrogen excretion by 12 to 13 g of nitrogen/cow/day.
        This data suggests, for example, that the use of Optigen could reduce the annual manure nitrogen excretion from Germany’s dairy sector by an average of 17,028 tonnes of nitrogen based on the annual milk output.
     The environmental benefits Optigen brings are through the substitution of soybean and other high protein concentrates in combination with improved production efficiency.

Beef research key findings:
    The meta-analysis highlighted how the partial replacement of vegetable protein with Optigen exhibited a consistent improvement in the liveweight gains and feed efficiency of beef cattle.
    There was an 8% average increase in liveweight gain and an 8% improvement in feed efficiency with the inclusion of corn silage, enhancing the effects of Optigen.
    A simulation analysis based on these benefits indicated that feeding Optigen to 1,000 head of cattle with the goal of each animal gaining 440 pounds would:
        Reduce time to slaughter by nine days.
        Lower feed costs by $18,000.
        Decrease the carbon footprint of the beef unit by 111.5 tonnes of CO2-eq, contributing to a nearly 2.2% reduction in the carbon footprint of beef production.

“Vegetable protein sources are volatile; they fluctuate in price and their nutritional composition is incredibly variable, while Optigen is the opposite and provides consistency in the rumen-degradable protein supply that is critical for rumen function,” said Dr. Vaughn Holder, ruminant research group director at Alltech. “These new meta-analyses on both beef and dairy animals show the depth of our research in both areas, as well as the versatility of the product across dietary raw materials and global geographies.”  

As a concentrated nitrogen source, Optigen takes up less space in the diet compared to other nitrogen sources, such as soybean meal and rapeseed meal, leaving room for more rumen-friendly materials, such as homegrown forages. This additional space can also aid in allowing more energy into the diet. In some cases, dietary crude protein levels can also be decreased, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of nutrient wastage. These studies reaffirm that feeding Optigen offers unique economic and environmental benefits to dairy and beef production and positively impacts our food supply chain.



Altosid® IGR, the Industry Standard for Horn Fly Control, Announces Lower Price To Protect Cattle And Bottom Lines

Altosid® IGR, the industry-leading feed-through insect growth regulator for horn fly control, is now available at a price of 2 to 3 cents per animal, per day. This lower price point improves the cost efficiency of Altosid® IGR, a solution proven to dramatically lower horn fly populations on pasture and improve weight gains in treated cattle by as much as 15.8%.

“Altosid IGR has truly represented the gold standard for horn fly control for nearly 50 years, and we’re excited to make the best value in the industry even better,” said Mark Upton, director of sales for the Feed Additive Group at Central Life Sciences. “Horn flies are the number one economic pest threat to cattle on pasture, so it was important to us to make Altosid IGR accessible to more operations of all sizes.”

Horn flies infest cattle on pasture with populations that can reach as high as 4,000 flies per animal in untreated herds. Even populations of 200 horn flies per animal can inflict up to 28,000 bites per day, which equates to a loss of two gallons of blood over the entire season. These losses from horn flies cost the industry an estimated $1 billion each year due to the stress they inflict and cattle disease they spread, inciting weight loss as high as 50 pounds per yearling.

“Producers using Altosid IGR for horn fly control are not just protecting their cattle, they’re protecting their bottom line,” said Upton. “We’ve conducted studies that have shown that at this new price, increased weight gains from treated cattle could potentially produce a return on investment of as much as 13:1 with Altosid IGR.”

Altosid® IGR is a feed-through fly control solution that passes through the digestive system and into manure where horn flies lay their eggs. It was designed specifically to break the horn fly life cycle by preventing pupae from developing into biting adults. Able to exert its effect at very small concentrations, Altosid® IGR is an ideal fly control choice for today’s environmentally responsible producer. For greatest effectiveness, Altosid® IGR should be used as the foundation of an integrated pest management (IPM) program including proper sanitation, maintaining physical structures, incorporating naturally occurring fly enemies and using chemical controls.

“While many products tout an “all-in-one” approach that will control all fly species, we like to remind customers that there is no silver bullet when it comes to fly control,” said Upton. “For horn fly infestations on pasture cattle, the best results are going to come from a product designed specifically to control horn flies— Altosid IGR.”

Altosid® IGR is available in mineral blocks, tubs, liquid feed supplements, and as a premix that can be top dressed or mixed into feed.



Zoetis Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

Zoetis Inc. (NYSE: ZTS) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020 and provided full year guidance for 2021.

The company reported revenue of $1.8 billion for the fourth quarter of 2020, which was an increase of 8% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $359 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, compared with $384 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $438 million, relatively flat compared with the fourth quarter of 2019, or $0.91 per diluted share, a decrease of 1%. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 excludes the net impact of $79 million for purchase accounting adjustments, acquisition-related costs and certain significant items.

On an operational basis, revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020, excluding the impact of foreign exchange, increased 9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased 3% operationally, excluding the impact of foreign exchange.

For full year 2020, the company reported revenue of $6.7 billion, an increase of 7% compared with full year 2019. Net income for full year 2020 was $1.6 billion, or $3.42 per diluted share, an increase of 9% and 10%, respectively.

Adjusted net incomefor full year 2020 was $1.8 billion, or $3.85 per diluted share, an increase of 5% and 6%, respectively. Adjusted net income for full year 2020 excludes the net impact of $206 million for purchase accounting adjustments, acquisition-related costs and certain significant items.

On an operational basis, revenue for full year 2020 increased 9%, excluding the impact of foreign exchange. Adjusted net income for full year 2020 increased 10% operationally, excluding the impact of foreign exchange.



Opening Brief Filed in Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Expansion of Bee-killing Insecticide Sulfoxaflor

Yesterday, Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity filed the opening brief in their lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the pollinator-killing insecticide sulfoxaflor.

The two groups sued the Trump administration in 2019 over its decision to approve the use of sulfoxaflor on pollinator-attractive crops across more than 200 million acres. Today’s brief argues that the EPA failed to consider sulfoxaflor’s harms to the nation’s endangered and threatened species, bumblebees, and all other native pollinators, which play critical roles in maintaining biodiversity.  

“Our bees and pollinators are dying, and yet EPA went ahead and allowed another toxic insecticide to be sprayed across America without any care for their well-being. We are in court so to ensure that our bees can have a chance to survive,” said Sylvia Wu, senior attorney at Center for Food Safety and counsel on the case.

The EPA originally approved sulfoxaflor use back in 2013, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals subsequently vacated the approval for failing to comply with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or FIFRA. The EPA issued the 2019 approval of sulfoxaflor even though its own scientists still found the insecticide could threaten honeybee colonies and injure non-honeybees.

Prior to issuing the 2019 registration, the EPA also refused to consider sulfoxaflor’s effects on federally protected endangered species. The 2019 decision expanded sulfoxaflor’s use to a wide range of crops that attract bees, including strawberries, squash, and citrus.

“In the midst of an insect apocalypse, it’s just astounding that the EPA is continuing to fight to expand the use of this poison and can’t even be bothered to consider its impacts on the nation’s most vulnerable bees and butterflies,” said Stephanie Parent, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity and counsel on this case. “Amazing and once common creatures like monarch butterflies and the American bumblebee are now heading towards extinction, and we can’t let the agency get away with this.”

The organizations’ lawsuit, filed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, contends that before approving the sweeping new uses of sulfoxaflor, the EPA violated its duty to ensure that its approval of sulfoxaflor doesn’t jeopardize the continued existence of endangered species by consulting on the effects of its actions with wildlife experts at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service. The EPA also failed in its legal duty to show that the approval would not result in unreasonable adverse effects on the environment, as required under FIFRA.

In October of last year, more than a year after the two organizations sued the EPA, the agency admitted that it had failed to conduct any assessment of sulfoxaflor’s harm to the nation’s federally protected species, in violation of the Endangered Species Act.

But instead of removing the unlawful pesticide from the market, the EPA asked the court to permit the continued sale and use of sulfoxaflor while the agency took at least seven years to complete the required assessment. The 9th Circuit refused the EPA’s request last month, allowing the case to proceed.

The EPA will file its answering brief to the 9th Circuit on March 30, 2021. The 9th Circuit has expedited oral argument for the litigation upon completion of briefing.

Tuesday February 16 Ag News

 FALL DORMANCY IN ALFALFA
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

The time for spring planting alfalfa is just around the corner and two traits often confused, are fall dormancy and winter survival.  Last week we covered winter survival, let’s look at fall dormancy today.

Fall dormancy is a measure of an alfalfa plant’s ability to regrow in the fall after harvest and spring following winter. It is scored on a scale ranging from 1 to 11 with 1 being most dormant and 11 the least.  Higher dormancy means a harvested plant will focus its resources in the fall more on building reserves to survive the winter and less on new growth.

This tendency toward slower regrowth manifests throughout the year, with less dormant varieties typically recovering faster in the spring and producing overall higher yields.  Another role dormancy plays is keeping plants from starting growth during the random warm-ups in the fall and winter months. Plants that break bud during these periods are subject to winterkill.

Finally, fall dormancy can impact the harvest timetable.  Lower dormancy ratings means a plant regrow slower.  This translates into more time to remove forage from the field before “windrow disease” and field traffic become a concern.

In the past, fall dormancy traits were linked with winter survival. With new varieties, this isn’t always the case, so fall dormancy needs to be evaluated on its own.

Variety selection depends upon your management, production goals, and ability for a stand to make it through winter without sacrificing additional yield.  If you have regular issues with stand winterkill, a lower rated variety with improved dormancy.  In Nebraska, we recommend dormancy ratings 1 through 5.  



Naig Requests Funding to Support Recommendations from the Economic Recovery Advisory Board Ag Working Group

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig met with the Iowa House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee today to review the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s proposed FY2022 budget. Secretary Naig used this opportunity to discuss some of his priority initiatives that help protect animal health, continue to improve soil health and water quality, and create new markets for Iowa farmers.

“I was proud to co-lead the Governor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board Agriculture Working Group. Input from those stakeholders helped shape some of the Department’s legislative priorities,” said Secretary Naig. “The Ag Working Group identified strategies to support a value-added agriculture program, increase the demand for higher blends of renewable fuels, and continue to lead the state’s ongoing conservation, environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. Funding to support these initiatives is reflected in the Department’s FY2022 budget request.”

Value-Added Agriculture Grant Program
New this year, Secretary Naig has requested $500,000 to establish a value-added agriculture grant program. If this funding is approved, the Department will provide grants that incentivize, reduce some financial risk and create networks so producers feel empowered to explore new product offerings, expand production and test alternative marketing strategies. The Department successfully pilot-tested similar grant programs using CARES Act funding in 2020.

Secretary Naig also requested increased funding to support the following ongoing initiatives:

Foreign Animal Disease Prevention and Response Planning
Iowa’s livestock market contributes more than $13 billion to the state’s economy. If a foreign animal disease breaches U.S. borders, it could be devastating to Iowa’s livestock herds, international trade markets, and agriculture-based economy. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has been working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), farmer-led livestock groups, and other livestock-producing states to apply the lessons learned during previous animal disease outbreaks and develop plans to prevent, contain and eradicate any future outbreaks as quickly as possible.

Since 2019, the Department has held a series of workshops to prepare for an African Swine Fever outbreak and test its Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination strategy. The state has purchased equipment and developed resources to help producers formulate on-farm response plans, and created an online training program to increase the number of public and private veterinarians who are available to assist with a disease outbreak.

Secretary Naig has requested an additional $500,000 from the Iowa Legislature to continue building upon these efforts.

Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program
The renewable fuels industry is a cornerstone of Iowa’s economy. According to a recent study commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, the production of ethanol and biodiesel accounts for nearly $4 billion in state GDP, supports 37,000 direct and indirect jobs, and boosts Iowa household income by $1.8 billion. The renewable fuels industry was also hit hard in 2020 by travel restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Secretary Naig has requested an additional $2 million for the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) to help fuel retailers and dispensers convert their equipment to offer more and/or higher blends of renewable fuels at convenience stores and travel centers. When fuel retailers invest in infrastructure that supports higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel, drivers gain access to more affordable, cleaner-burning fuels at the pump.

To date, the RFIP program has distributed or obligated more than $38 million to help fund 335 E85 dispensers/blenders, 362 biodiesel dispensers/blenders, 72 E15 projects, and 143 biodiesel terminals in Iowa.

Soil Health and Water Quality Initiative
2020 was a record year for conservation efforts in the state of Iowa. With continued, long-term water quality funding, the Department will continue working alongside farmers, landowners and municipal leaders to support the adoption and completion of conservation practices in priority watersheds to advance the goals outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These rural and urban projects improve soil health and water quality, provide wildlife habitats, and support recreational opportunities, like hunting and fishing. To learn more about the Department’s ongoing soil health and water quality initiatives, visit CleanWaterIowa.org.



NCBA’s Winter Reboot Features Unique Educational Sessions

The 2021 Cattle Industry Convention Winter Reboot is a two-day virtual event and will be held Feb. 23-24, featuring 15 unique educational sessions. The title sponsor of the event is Corteva Agriscience.

The Winter Reboot will kick off each day with general sessions followed by a series of educational sessions. Day one includes a two-part General Session, sponsored by Central Life Sciences, featuring National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall and NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane to discuss the state of the cattle industry and expectations in Washington, D.C., over the next four years. Part two will include a D.C. issues update with NCBA’s Washington D.C., staff to share their work and the conversations they are having on both sides of the aisle to fight for the interests of U.S. cattle producers. The General Session on day two will feature a market update presented by CattleFax and sponsored by Zoetis and Purina Animal Nutrition.

“During the Winter Reboot, producers not only have an opportunity to hear from some of the leading experts in topics that impact their cattle operations every day, but they also have the chance to interact with those experts and ask questions,” said NCBA Executive Director of Producer Education & Sustainability Josh White. “The wide variety of sessions offers something for every producer and this virtual experience will provide vital industry updates and education. We encourage cattlemen and women to take advantage of this informative and educational program.”

The Winter Reboot experience will also feature a Cattlemen’s College convention preview with Jayson Lusk Ph.D., titled “The COVID Effect. Are Consumers Still Hungry for Beef?”, sponsored by Zoetis.

Winter Reboot attendees can expect to learn more about genetics and reproduction. John Genho and Darrh Bullock, Ph.D., will lead a session to help cattlemen and women navigate how to best invest resources in making wise decisions that drive positive, productive change including how to best utilize EPDs, selection indexes, genomics, crossbreeding and other decision-making tools. Anna Taylor, Ph.D., and Dusty Abney, Ph.D., will discuss the value of appropriate nutrition through targeted and strategic supplementation during the different stages of reproduction to improve producers’ short- and long-term goals. These sessions are sponsored by Neogen and Cargill, respectively.

Attendees can also dive deeper into the topic of sustainability through a session with Jason Sawyer, Ph.D., and Myriah Johnson, Ph.D. They will provide an overview of the latest, science-based information supporting beef’s critical role in a sustainable food system. This session is sponsored by Diamond V.

Other educational topics featured during the Winter Reboot include a discussion, sponsored by Popular Ag Finance, with Dan Childs and Jason Bradley from the Nobel Research Institute to discuss how to market cattle with intention to add value. Attendees will also learn more about technology tools being used by every sector of the cattle industry from Justin Sexten, Ph.D., and Jacob Gilley. This session is sponsored by Fort Supply Technologies.

NCBA Washington, D.C., team members Danielle Beck, Allison Rivera, and Kaitlynn Glover will lead a discussion on how to build and maintain working relationships with Congress, sponsored by Norbrook.

Additional information about the Winter Reboot experience, can be found at convention.ncba.org/winter-reboot.



Agriculture Makes Gains in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions

New analysis of EPA data highlights agricultural emissions reductions and the importance of developing new research and technologies to capture more carbon in cropland and pastureland. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s latest Market Intel also reviews trends in U.S. carbon sequestration as climate-smart farming practices increase.

The report reveals that U.S. carbon sinks offset 12% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and sequestered 764 million metric tons during 2018. The largest carbon sink involved U.S. forestry lands.

It also highlights the fact that cropland productivity has increased by nearly 50% since 1990 while the net emissions “flux” – the net of carbon emissions and carbon sinks associated with land use and land-use changes – has remained consistent. This builds on existing evidence that farmers and ranchers are raising more food, fibers and producing more renewable fuels using fewer resources and utilizing smarter practices.

“Farmers and ranchers have made great strides in climate-smart practices, yet we’re always looking for ways to do better,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Agriculture has been proactive in working toward sustainability goals and we’re looking for partners to help us do even more through market-based, voluntary programs. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance, which we co-founded, has 40 recommendations for lawmakers as they consider climate policy. We encourage new allies to join us as we build on climate-smart advances while ensuring farmers continue to provide safe, affordable food for America’s families.”

The Market Intel reports an almost 34-million-acre reduction in forestland and cropland since 1990, with a 28-million-acre growth in housing and commercial development.

New research and technologies are needed to achieve climate goals without jeopardizing production of the world’s food, fiber and fuel.



Ethanol Industry Generated $35 Billion in GDP, Supported Over 300,000 Jobs in 2020

Even after experiencing a sudden drop in demand due to the COVID pandemic, the U.S. ethanol industry still had a significantly positive impact on the U.S. economy in 2020, according to the annual ethanol industry economic impact study released today by the Renewable Fuels Association.

The economic analysis was prepared for the RFA by John M. Urbanchuk, Managing Partner of ABF Economics.

“Despite the disruptive effects of the COVID pandemic, economic and regulatory challenges in 2020, the ethanol industry continued to make a significant contribution to the economy in terms of job creation, generation of tax revenue, and displacement of crude oil and petroleum products,” Urbanchuk writes. “The importance of the ethanol industry to agriculture and rural economies is particularly notable.”

In 2020, more than 62,000 U.S. jobs were directly associated with the ethanol industry, which supported an additional 242,600 indirect and induced jobs across all sectors of the economy. The industry created $18.6 billion in household income and contributed $34.7 billion to the national gross domestic product. This was 19 percent below 2019’s GDP contribution, primarily as the result of lower output and lower prices.

“Even though the pandemic created enormous headwinds for our industry in 2020, the resilience of the men and women who work in the U.S. renewable fuels sector shined through,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The ethanol industry certainly was not spared from the devastation that beset the entire U.S. economy in 2020, but the nation’s 200-plus ethanol biorefineries continued to provide good-paying jobs in scores of rural communities. And those essential workers did more than produce renewable fuel and livestock feed in 2020—they also made virus-killing sanitizers and the dry ice used to ship millions of doses of life-saving vaccines.”



Vilsack Confirmation, Ag Climate Hearing and Delay for USTR Nominee

The Senate will vote to confirm Tom Vilsack as Agriculture secretary, on Tuesday, February 23.  The Senate made the decision on Saturday after the vote on former President Donald Trump's impeachment. The Senate has not set a time for the confirmation of Vilsack, who served as Agriculture secretary in the Obama administration.

Both the Senate and the House are out of session this week following the Presidents Day holiday.

House Ag to Hold Climate Hearing Next Tuesday
The House Agriculture will hold a hearing, Climate Change and the U.S. Agriculture and Forestry Sectors, on Tuesday, February 23.

The hearing will be the committee's first since Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., became chairman of the committee.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. as a hybrid meeting held in Room 1300 of the Longworth House Office Building and via Cisco Webex.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, House office buildings are closed to the public, but the hearing will be available on YouTube.

Grassley: No Hearing on USTR Nominee Likely Until mid-March
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who chaired the Senate Finance Committee in the 116th Congress, said today he does not expect Katherine Tai, President Biden's nominee for U.S. trade representative, to get a committee confirmation hearing until mid-March.

Speaking to rural reporters, Grassley said that Tai might get a Senate floor confirmation vote before the congressional break that begins March 26 for two weeks because she is not considered to be a controversial nominee, but that her confirmation vote might not come until April.



Top Agribusiness Executives Featured in Live Roundtable Discussions During 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic

What do the next 20 years look like in American agriculture?  Attendees at the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic will have the opportunity to hear some of the top executives in agribusiness answer that question.

Three Executive Roundtables will be held during the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic that will be delivered digitally March 2-5, 2021.  Each roundtable will be presented live and then archived for future viewing through the end of April.  More information is available at CommodityClassic.com.

The first Executive Roundtable takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Central on Wednesday, March 3 and features top executives from the ag equipment industry, including John Deere, AGCO, Case IH and Kubota, discussing how changing farm demographics, consumer demands and technology may impact the ag equipment industry and agriculture in general. The panel will be moderated by Charlene Finck of Farm Journal.

The crop production industry will take the digital stage on Thursday, March 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Central.  Executives from Bayer Crop Science, Corteva Agriscience, Syngenta and BASF will be on the panel to discuss how climate, environmental regulations and innovative technologies may impact crop production and influence the future of agriculture. Greg Horstmeier of DTN will moderate.

The final Executive Roundtable will take place Friday, March 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Willie Vogt of Farm Progress will moderate a panel of top executives from Valent, New Holland, and the United Soybean Board who will discuss what to expect in the coming years as the ag industry wrestles with recent turmoil.

The Executive Panels are among more than 50 educational sessions scheduled during the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic, which kicks off at noon Central on Tuesday, March 2.

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors, the first 5,000 farmers who register can do so at no charge.  All other attendees can register for $20.  The registration fee includes access to the entire week’s program as well as access to archived sessions through April 30, 2021.



Former U.S. Ambassador Gregg Doud Joins Aimpoint Research

Aimpoint Research®, a global, strategic intelligence firm, today welcomes former U.S. Ambassador Gregg Doud as Vice President of Global Situational Awareness & Chief Economist. Doud most recently served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and is one of the primary architects of the U.S.-China "Phase One" trade agreement.

Aimpoint Research specializes in providing superior intelligence to the agri-food value chain and Doud brings an unparalleled global perspective and economic expertise to the team. He will work closely with members of the Executive Intelligence Network (EIN) and play a major role as the organization tackles its thought leadership priorities, including Farmer of the Future, Next Gen Consumer, Mobility of the Future, and more.

"We are thrilled to bring Gregg onto our team," said Brett Sciotto, Aimpoint Research CEO. "His economics background, experience in trade and commodity markets and his global perspective will be an extraordinary addition as we serve our clients in the agri-food industry. Gregg will also bring tremendous insights to our thought leadership platforms and Executive Intelligence Network."  

Doud cited the company's approach to intelligence and core values for his decision.

"Aimpoint Research is built on the foundational principals of military intelligence and the core belief that food power is essential to national security," said Doud. "I was drawn to those values, as well as to their distinctive approach to intelligence. They are doing fantastic things in the agri-food industry as they work to build resiliency and competitive advantage for their clients. I'm honored to join them in their mission."

Prior to his role with the U.S. Trade Representative Doud served as President of the Commodity Markets Council, the leading trade association for commodity futures exchanges and their industry counterparts, where he worked to lead the industry in addressing global market and risk management issues.

As a senior staff member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Doud helped craft the 2012 Senate Farm Bill working on international trade, food aid, livestock, and oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Doud served as Chief Economist for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association for eight years and is a former market analyst for the U.S. Wheat Associates.

Raised on a dry-land wheat, grain sorghum, soybean, swine, and cow-calf operation near Mankato in North-Central Kansas, Doud continues to be involved in his family's 100-year-old farm and is a partner in a commercial cow-calf operation. He received a B.S. in Agriculture with an emphasis in animal science, as well as a M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University. He currently resides with his family on their horse farm in Lothian, Maryland.



Brazil's Slow Soybean Harvest Widens U.S. Export Window

Harvesting delays in Brazil, the world's top soybean producer, are prompting buyers led by China to rely on rival exporter the United States for longer than usual in 2021, according to government data and traders.

Reuters reports that sustained demand for U.S. soybeans is accelerating an historic drawdown of U.S. supplies of the oilseed and could further drive up soybean prices at a time of rising food inflation as countries hoard staples during the pandemic.

Concerns over tight global soybean supplies after China dramatically increased purchases in recent months ignited a 4.5% U.S. soybean futures rally last month to a 6-1/2-year high.

Brazil usually harvests its soybeans in the first three months of the year, marking an end to the dominance of U.S. exports. However, that process has been delayed by a drought last year that slowed plantings, and rainfall at harvest time.

The country's shipments of soybeans in January were 28 times lower than a year before at 49,500 tonnes, an amount insufficient to fill up a single vessel, Brazilian trade data showed.

In contrast, the United States, its biggest rival in global markets, inspected some 8.9 million tonnes for shipment in the month, the highest on record, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.



DEI Joins Fight Against Sudden Death Syndrome in Soybeans with First-ever Biological Agent

American soybean growers will now have a tough new EPA-registered seed treatment option for guarding crops from sudden death syndrome (SDS) and improving their yields. It will be made available in the U.S. for the first time through Direct Enterprises, Inc. (DEI), the Indiana-based seed treatment experts.

“We’re pleased to be the first to bring CeraMax® to American farmers,” says Bill Haubner, DEI co-founder and president, in announcing the new product’s availability. “CeraMax is the tool today’s soybean producers need in the war against Fusarium, the fungal disease causing SDS.”

Containing the active ingredient Natamycin, CeraMax empowers the genetic potential of soybean seeds to increase early-season vigor for a stronger, more uniform emergence and maximum yield potential according to research findings. Haubner says DEI sought to bring the product to the US after seeing yield trials.

“Across research trials in 10 states, where CeraMax was added to Acceleron Standard seed treatments, beans showed significantly lower SDS disease incidence and an average yield increase of 4.3 bushel per acre,” explains Haubner. More than 50 field trials were accomplished and compared with an Acceleron-only control treatment. CeraMax also bested hard chemical alternatives ILEVO® and Saltro® in plant vigor tests with no signs of phytotoxic stress on the beans.

DEI is well known for their custom seed treatment blends of hard chemistry, growth promotors and flowability Agents as well as their multi-strained Brady Rhizobia inoculant N-Force™.

The company expects to place 20,000 units of the new CeraMax biological in a variety of growing conditions throughout soybean producing areas hardest hit by SDS in years just past.

“We’ve seen the heartache SDS has brought US soybean farmers and this is an effective, yield-enhancing alternative that is much better from an environmental stewardship standpoint,” says Dennis Tauchen, DEI co-founder and COO. CeraMax was discovered and is produced by Ceradis, a spin-off of Wageningen University & Research in The Netherlands. After looking into Ceradis, developers of CeraMax, Tauchen and Haudner felt this was a logical offering for DEI.

“Farmers in the USA are under pressure by regulators and consumers to move to biological products, but they also wish to keep their yield in doing so,” says Willem-Jan Meulemeesters, CEO of Ceradis. “Now, with CeraMax, farmers can achieve both.”

Meulemeesters says CeraMax is another example of Ceradis’ green innovations – technology to help reduce chemical pesticides. “We are fully committed to making CeraMax a success in the US with our partners at DEI.”