Volume 31 Number 52 • April 25, 2020
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The Weekly News Source for Wyoming’s Ranchers, Farmers and AgriBusiness Community • www.wylr.net
A Look Inside NCBA continues its support of the cattle industry as a whole during the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging with government officials...........................Page 2 Economic disaster plagued the country from 1918-19 as the flu, WWI and weather events raged across the country...................................Page 6 Potassium application and cutting schedules can improve alfalfa productivity for producers across Wyoming....Page 10 Emerging technology can be tricky, but couldn’t replace Lee Pitts as a writer.............Page 12
Quick Bits USDA NRCS NRCS announced it will extend deadlines for project proposal submissions to May 29 for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFAs). Originally deadlines were mid-May, but NRCS wants to provide additional time because of the coronavirus pandemic.
USDA supports rural communities As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the U.S., the USDA is continuing its support of farmers, ranchers and consumers alike as unemployment and economic uncertainty rises.
“During this time of national crisis, President Trump and USDA are standing with our farmers, ranchers and all citizens to make sure they are taken care of,” Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Per-
due says. “The American food supply chain had to adapt, and it remains safe, secure and strong, and we all know that starts with America’s farmers and ranchers.” At the direction of
President Trump, the USDA has rolled out the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). According to USDA, “This new USDA program will take several actions
Please see USDA on page 5
Sheep and goats
Reproduction
COVID-19 has impact across the sheep and goat markets Like many other markets worldwide, the COVID-19 virus has begun to affect both traditional and non-traditional sheep and goat markets throughout the states. During a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension webinar, Extension Specialists Reid Redden, David Anderson and William Thompson discuss the issues facing these markets. U.S. sheep and goats “First and foremost, in times like these, I think it is important to look at production and processing infrastructure so we know where the majority of the country’s sheep are,” states Redden. “It is also important to take a look at trade.” Redden then goes on to explain Texas is the largest sheep producing state in the U.S. and the majority of those sheep are marketed non-tradition-
ally. “For the traditional western market structures, the majority of lambs are harvested in Colorado, California or the upper Midwest,” he says. “Texas is far and away the biggest meat goat state in the U.S.,” he says. “In fact, Texas produces more meat goats than the next 12 states.” Comparing markets Thompson then notes the differences between traditional and non-tradition lamb and goat markets. “Non-traditional marketed sheep are typically not sent to a feedlot. Instead, they are pulled right off the mother,” Thompson explains. “They are also not typically sent to large centralized processors. There are numerous smaller processors that handle these sheep instead.” Please see MARKETS on page 4
Wheat Prices Wheat prices soared after Black Sea exporting powerhouses Russia and Ukraine announced a curb to exports to ensure domestic wheat availability amid coronavirus lockdown measures. The ICE Dollar Index rose 0.23% amidst global economic uncertainty, providing a cap for gains.
Wyoming goats – In Wyoming, goats are most popularly used to graze down unwanted plant species and are often raised in conjunction with other livestock, such as sheep and cattle. Carolina Noya photo
Estrus synchronization can be beneficial when used with natural service For many producers, estrous synchronization is an appealing practice with obvious benefits. However, most producers only associate the practice with artificial insemination (AI), and by the time they gather and run their cattle through the chute several times, they don’t believe the added benefits of synchronization outweigh the cost of the extra labor, time and handling. However, according to Nebraska Extension Beef Educator Aaron Berger, former Nebraska Extension Educator Bethany Johnston and Reproductive Physiologist at the West Central Research and Extension Center Dr. Rick Funston, synchronization can be a simple and advantageous practice even in herds that use natural service breeding. “A lot of producers say half the benefit of an AI program is the synchronization protocol, and oftentimes, producers don’t think about synchronizing their cattle unless they AI,” states Funston during an episode of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) BeefWatch podcast published April 20. “HowPlease see BREEDING on page 11
Red Meat Total red meat production for the United States totaled 55.1 billion pounds in 2019, 3% higher than the previous year. Red meat includes beef, veal, pork and lamb and mutton. Red meat production in commercial plants totaled 55 billion pounds. On-farm slaughter totaled 93.1 million pounds. Beef production totaled 27.2 billion pounds, up 1% from the previous year.
Stock Market Global stocks wobbled as looming U.S. jobs data and historic economic weakness in Europe overshadowed renewed U.S.Iran tensions that could limit oil availability. Dow futures edged 31 points or 0.13% lower to 23,325 points as opposing economic forces struggled to offset one another.
WSGA urges investigation The Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) joined with 22 other state cattle associations across America in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr expressing the need for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work with more intent and with sharper timelines with the USDA Packers and Stockyards Division regarding an investigation of beef pricing margins. WSGA requested the evidence of any fraudulent business practices within the meatpacking industry be identified quickly and rectified immediately. Two recent market situations prompted the call for this investigation. In both cases, the outcome was windfall profits for the beef packing industry while the production sector dealt with multi-year market-low prices for calves, yearlings and fed cattle. As fears of the COVID-19 pandemic spread during the month of March, boxed beef prices rose over 16 percent. During that same time frame, live fed cattle prices declined by 12 percent and the April cattle futures contract declined by over 30 percent. In August of 2019, following a fire that shut down Tyson’s Holcomb, Kans. beef harvest facility, while increased production at other plants maintained the level of harvest, fed cattle prices dropped from $150 to $200 per head. In commenting on this significant action by WSGA, President Scott Sims of McFadden stated, “The system is broken. Ranchers pride themselves on their independence and the ability to be successful by their own creativity and smart decisions. All we want is to be able to market livestock on a fair playing field. Controlling expenses is very important, but a fair marketing system is vitally important as well. That is why this investigation Please see WSGA on page 3
Agriculture confidence drops According to the latest Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index Report, farmer attitudes have hit a historic low at a measly 67 points. The previous report reported 164 points, a 97-point drop from the previous report and a 43-point drop from spring 2019. This record was previously held by the August 2016 report where falling crop prices and a divisive election sent farmer confidence into a nose dive. The survey The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index is conducted three times a year - early spring before planting, late summer just prior to harvest and just before
the end of the year, during tax preparation time. The telephone survey is conducted with at least 500 farmers who identify as being actively engaged in the farm operation. The current index survey took place in early April, just as social distancing and other pandemic precautions were being implemented. Those taking the survey answered a series of financial and income questions that compare the present to how they expect conditions to be in the coming year. A score is given to rate their pres-
periodical
periodical
Please see SURVEY on page 4