State Line Shopper - February 22, 2021 by Authentic Ag

February 22, 2021

State Line Shopper

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State Line Shopper

Linin shares Kansas Wheat Commission’s success with Kansas Legislature

Brian Linin, past chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission, shared success stories related to exports, consumer outreach, research and more in testimony to the Kansas Legislature. Linin, who farms in northwest Kansas and northeast Colorado, testified virtually on January 27, 2021, before the House Committee on Agriculture and on February 4, 2021, before the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources. The

Kansas Wheat Commission included an annual report submission with verbal and written testimony. Research remains the central focus of the Kansas Wheat Commission. The organization recently celebrated seven years in the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, which was funded by farmers through the wheat assessment and now includes 37,000 square feet of laboratory and greenhouse space and a dozen full and part-time plant scientists. The commission also invested more than $1.3 million in research proposals for work that will help wheat farm-

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ers increase and improve profitability, plus ensure the quality and integrity of Kansas-grown wheat to end-users and consumers. “The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center represents the single largest investment by wheat producers in this nation, but it’s not the only way in which wheat farmers invest in wheat research,” Linin said. “Other Kansas Wheat-funded research projects are leading the way toward identifying genes that improve resistance to viruses, engineering resistance to pests and phenotyping wild wheat ancestors for drought, disease resistance and other traits.” The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center also houses a test kitchen and the Kansas Wheat Commission employs a fulltime nutrition educator — both pieces of the organization’s nutrition education efforts. Kansas Wheat also belongs to two national consumer-education organizations — the Wheat Foods Council and the Home

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Baking Association. “We are one of the few state wheat commissions to continue to make nutrition education a priority; this is vital as we continue to battle fad diets such as the low carb and gluten-free trends,” Linin said. “We have taken advantage of our test kitchen to videotape baking demonstrations videos to share with consumers and give tips on home baking.” Average monthly traffic to the commission’s EatWheat virtual campaign now totals nearly 65,000 visitors, boosted by COVID-19 pandemic consumer trends related to baking bread and cooking at home. Through EatWheat, the Kansas Wheat Commission shares farming practices and showcases the story of the American wheat farmer through recipes, crafts and profile stories. The EatWheat campaign reaches consumers within the United States, but the Kansas Wheat Commission also promotes Kansas hard red winter (HRW)

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wheat to international end-users through a partnership with U.S. Wheat Associates. Kansas farmers export roughly half of their wheat crop each year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas Wheat Commission and market development partner U.S. Wheat Associates switched from in-person programming to virtual trade teams and crop quality seminars. Kansas Wheat also works closely with the IGP Institute — conveniently located across the driveway from the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center — to provide additional educational opportunities for domestic and international milling groups, grain buyers and farmers. As a result of these activities and market dynamics, HRW wheat exports ended the year up eight percent from the prior year at 374 million bushels. Top customers Mexico, Nigeria and Japan continue to be steady buyers of HRW wheat, while Latin America had a nearly 20 percent increase in wheat imports. “Because of the im-

February 22, 2021

portance of exports, trade issues have been on the forefront of our efforts over the past year,” said Linin, who chairs the Joint International Trade Policy Committee for U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers. “We believe it is in the best interests of wheat farmers to renegotiate trade agreements and maintain relationships with our international customers.” Looking forward to 2021, Linin reported winter wheat seeded area is 7.3 million acres, up from last year’s 6.6 million acres. Increased acreage and a recent jump in prices provide optimism that this year’s crop potential will be realized and further shared with consumers at home and abroad. “We are hopeful that Mother Nature will help us grow a bountiful crop this year so that we can do our part to feed a hungry and growing world,” Linin said. “Thank you once again for your support, this opportunity to share with you our efforts and your leadership in the future as we continue to work together.”

The Deadline for our Next Issue is noon on WEDNESDAY, February 24. You may submit your ad by email to statelineshopper@gmail.com or by text/phone: 785-533-0104.

February 22, 2021

5 Ways to Reduce Feed Costs This Year

By Chris Hostetler, Ph.D., Director of Animal Science, National Pork Board

It may still only be February, but it’s clear the year won’t be without challenges for U.S. pig farmers as feed costs continue to rise. As both corn and soybean meal prices surge, finding ways to reduce their impact on your bottom line is critical since combined they typically make up nearly 65% of the cost of production. Regardless of the strategies producers use to lower feed costs, it’s critical to rely on the professional advice of swine nutritionists and other production experts. The focus should be on practices that optimize feed costs and efficiencies while maximizing profitability and maintaining a nutritionally balanced diet for the pigs. 1. Find alternative feed ingredients. Although you may find alternative feedstuffs and byproducts locally, you may need to look further for available sources. Many of the alternatives, outlined in the Pork Checkoff ’s Alternative Feed Ingredients in Swine Diets booklet, have become competitively priced during times of high grain prices as is the case with distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS). Regardless of the alternative feedstuff you

find, determine its nutritional profile and feeding value at the price quoted before you decide to use it. Also, make sure to understand the form in which it will be delivered so extra labor or machinery is not required to make it practical. Examples of alternative feedstuffs include bakery products, glycerin (byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing), poultry fat, etc. You should work closely with a swine nutritionist when making decisions about alternative feeds so that you continue to feed a nutritionally balanced diet to your animals. Sows and older market hogs can utilize higher percentages of DDGS in their ration than other pigs. However, high levels of DDGS in market hogs may negatively affect carcass quality. Jim Pettigrew, animal science professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, suggests the following: • Buy DDGS from a plant where you have a good relationship • Buy only light-colored DDGS • Buy only DDGS with lysine at 2.8% minimum crude protein • Avoid DDGS with a high level of “syrup balls” For additional tech-

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nical information on feeding DDGS to livestock, go the University of Minnesota’s Biofuels Co-Products in Animal Feeds website. Much of this work was funded by Pork Checkoff and is summarized in this report. 2. Use more crystalline amino acids and less animal protein. The costs of many feed ingredients fluctuate over time. This is true of many crystalline amino acids such as lysine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine, valine, and isoleucine. They have significantly decreased in price over the years and are now cheap enough to allow for the replacement of a substantial amount of soybean meal in the diet. The results can be a nutritionally balanced diet for the pigs at a real cost savings. For starter pig diets, it pays to be very particular about animal protein ingredient sources and costs. For example, a starter diet can be nutrient-dense and high performance but still lower cost by using reduced levels of key ingredients. These include spray-dried animal plasma, soy protein concentrate, spraydried blood meal and dried whey when high energy hulless oats and hard red spring (HRS) wheat are selected as basal grains. 3. Replace broken or damaged feeders and

keep feeders in proper adjustment. Broken or damaged feeders can result in excess costs due to feed wastage or inadequate feed supply, resulting in poor pig performance. Consider replacing older or inefficient feeders with well designed, efficient feeders that minimize feed wastage and promote maximum pig performance. Adjusting feeders to reduce feed wastage should be a routine practice. Minor adjustments of feed bins and transport systems can also result in big savings. Kansas State University recommends the following steps for proper feeder adjustment: Close feeder completely after cleaning before putting any feed in the feeder. Open feeder just enough to start small feed flow. Shake feeder to increase amount of pellets or meal in pan (to cover 1/3 of pan). Clean corners daily instead of increasing feeder adjustment to increase feed flow. Prevent moisture damage and spoilage in feed systems and storage. Eliminate all rodents, birds and other pests. As a reference, these feeders show how much feed should be in the pans of properly adjusted feeders for nursery, grow-finish and lactation phases.

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4. Be timely on culling sows, especially at weaning. Injured animals, sows with irregular estrus, open sows and sows with reproductive abnormalities are costly to keep. Sow caregivers can be a critical help in identifying these unwanted cases. This makes teaching employees to be observant and to make daily observations so important. Be consistent in pregnancy diagnosis to remove non-pregnant females as quickly as possible. Likewise, identify and market non-select gilts early before their growth curves change significantly making them more costly to feed for the gain realized. Marketing these animals early also prevents them from reaching a market weight out of the ideal range for your packer. This will help reduce some of these avoidable costs. If pigs start off as poor performing, they tend to stay that way. Because of this, it often pays to be aggressive in culling of these animals before or at weaning since they are more likely to contract disease, grow more slowly and take more feed to reach an acceptable market weight. While sick pigs may, improve after treatment, some may show little or no improvement. This makes timely euthanasia critical. Conversely, you can also try to market them in a lower weight channel. To help standardize this process, create a standard operating procedure that prescribes the conditions under which pigs should be sorted or euthanized

PAGE 3

to reduce losses and improve herd performance and economic returns. 5. Keep barn environments optimal for growth. Don’t underestimate the importance that a pig’s environment plays in its ability to stay healthy and use less feed to grow to its full potential. Stocking density, air quality (in terms of ammonia levels), ventilation, air flow, humidity and ambient temperatures at pig level, all affect pig performance and comfort. To keep tabs on these variables, be sure to review all ventilation settings to ensure they are appropriate for the pigs at each stage of production. Train employees and all caregivers to observe signs of pig discomfort such as piling or huddling. Similarly, they should check for drafts, gaps in building curtains and excess humidity levels. On a regular basis, make sure all equipment is running at maximum efficiency and is appropriate for the job. This is especially true for any ventilation equipment and supplemental heating units to ensure proper environmental control and animal performance. Stay Vigilant and Be Open to New Ideas These are just five management practices that you can use to reduce feed costs during times of elevated grain prices. There are many more to consider, but the more important point is to review all management practices on a regular basis to identify areas of inefficiency so you can address them quickly. Doing so can mean the difference between black or red ink on your ledger.

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February 22, 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

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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

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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.

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February 22, 2021

State Line Shopper

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

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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

PAGE 5

Plains Manufacturing, Inc., Kubota, New Holland, Pioneer, Precision Planting and Valent U.S.A. Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

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State Line Shopper

Students Set to Celebrate National FFA Week This week, more than 760,000 FFA members across the country will share the story of agriculture as part of National FFA Week. National FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses February 22, George Washington's birthday. This year, the week kicks off on February 20 and culminates on Saturday, February 27. The National FFA Board of

Classified Ads are $5.00 for the first ten words, then $0.25 per word thereafter. Please pre-pay classified ad when you mail it to: State Line Shopper PO Box 118 Phillipsburg, KS 67661 PLEASE NOTE: Our next Deadline is WEDNESDAY by noon.

Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, recognizing Washington's legacy as a farmer. During FFA Week, the six national FFA officers will connect virtually with chapters across the country. National FFA Week is also a time for alumni and supporters to advocate for agricultural education and FFA. Alumni and Supporters will

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celebrate Alumni Day on Tuesday, February 22, and on Thursday, February 25, the National FFA Foundation will celebrate Give FFA Day, a 24-hour campaign encouraging the public to support various needs impacting FFA members. Friday, February 26, all FFA members and supporters are encouraged to wear blue and show their FFA pride.

February 15, 2021

Farm Futures Survey Shows Farmers Planting More Corn in 2021 A new survey from Farm Futures shows that U.S. corn producers will increase their acreage by 4.1 percent compared to last year. The projected total is 94.7 million acres of corn this year. If farmers reach that number, that will put 2021 corn acreage at its third-highest amount over the past 75 years, trailing only 2012 at 97.3 million acres and 2013’s 95.4 million. A conservative trendline yield estimate of 177.4

bushels per acre would put corn production at 15.3 billion bushels. That would top the record of 15.1 million bushels harvested in 2016, which was the highest U.S. corn output ever recorded. While the January 2021 survey shows farmers favoring more corn planting this spring, planting intentions for both corn and soybeans are higher than 2020 levels. Plus, a good number of farmers plan to stick with their

normal crop rotation. The Farm Futures survey shows farmers will increase soybean acres by 1.4 million, to 84.5 million. Uncertainty remains as farmers look ahead, ranging from dry South American weather forecasts to Chinese demand and pandemic-induced volatility. The survey says farmers are betting on a post-COVID recovery that boosts ethanol output and rising global export demand.

Economist Says Livestock Producers Need Insurance American livestock producers need the equivalent of crop insurance. The Hagstrom Report says American Farm Bureau Chief Economist John Newton made that statement in front of the recent Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau Meeting. Newton says that in the 2023 Farm Bill, we will need “careful consideration as to how we are reaching the livestock sector with crop insurance-like policies.”

Newton says there are ways the farm bill can written to help get crop insurance money more widely utilized. With the increasing frequency of bad weather, Newton says the farm bill can also be used to develop policies to address situations like the derecho windstorm in Iowa as well as hurricanes and after-harvest disasters. He also told attendees that dairy revenue policies have become a top ten crop

insurance product because the crop insurance industry is very efficient in delivering those policies. Adequate labor, immigration reform, the Renewable Fuel Standard, possible changes to the Clean Water Rule that’s also known as Waters of the United States, regulatory reform, and the application of swampbuster rules are all Farm Bureau priorities.

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February 22, 2021

State Line Shopper

Governor’s Biofuels Coalition Asks President Ag Credit Survey: Farm Economy Rebounds Sharply Biden to Support Biofuels Sector

The Governors' Biofuels Coalition is calling on President Joe Biden to ensure the future of the biofuels sector. The coalition includes governors from 22 states throughout the U.S., including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who led this week's action in a letter to President Biden. Walz states, "the once flourishing industry is now in jeopardy, threatened by trade wars, a liti-

gious petroleum industry, and shrinking demand caused by the pandemic.” The letter noted that technological advances will significantly benefit the nation overall, but could have a devastating impact on the ethanol industry. The governor proposed two administrative actions to ease that transition, including an executive order banning the use of aromatics in gasoline, and

adopting new Renewable Fuel Standard regulations. The letter says banning aromatics use would allow for the substitution of cleaner octane additives for aromatics, expanding the market for ethanol. Regarding the RFS, Walz cautioned that its regulations, particularly the waiver provision, have been manipulated and distorted “to keep the RFS from meeting its full potential.”

The agriculture economy rebounded in the fourth quarter of 2020, according to the latest Ag Credit Survey from the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank. The average price of grains increased more than 20 percent from the previous quarter and reached six-year highs in December. Livestock prices, while still less than a year ago, also improved from lows reached earlier in the year. Government payments provided broad support through the year, and, together with recent price increases, the near-term outlook for the farm sector improved dramatically.

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The survey represents conditions in the Federal Reserve’s Tenth District, including Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming. A majority of bankers in the District indicated that farm income was higher than a year ago for the first time in eight years, boosting liquidity and loan repayment capacity and providing renewed support for farm real estate. Overall, agricultural conditions in the first quarter of 2021 in the Kansas City Fed region were poised to remain strong for the first time since 2013.

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RFA Releases 2020 Reports on Ethanol, Distillers Grains Exports The Renewable Fuels Association this week released two reports summarizing 2020 U.S. ethanol and distillers grains export and import data. The reports show exports continue to be a major demand driver, as they approached $5 billion in 2020. The export/ import trade summary provides data on U.S. ethanol exports, highlighting the fact that more than 1.3 billion gallons, ten percent of the ethanol produced in the U.S., were exported in 2020. While this is nine percent lower than 2019, it remains the fourth largest

export volume in history. This ethanol, valued at $2.3 billion, was shipped to 90 countries on six continents. Canada was the top export destination, taking in nearly a quarter of U.S. ethanol exports, followed by Brazil and India. The second report covers U.S. exports of distillers grains, which totaled 10.9 million metric tons in 2020, a slight improvement on 2019 and the seventh straight year exceeding ten million metric tons. U.S. distillers grains exports had an aggregate value of $2.33 billion in 2020, the fifth-highest on record.

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