Robert Pore - Ag & Business Reporter

12/04/2017

Ricketts names Steve Wellman as state ag director

Steve Wellman is the new director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). He operates a fourth-generation family farm near Syracuse.

11/30/2017

Sen. Fischer applauds EPA’s rule: http://www.theindependent.com/agriculture/sen-fischer-applauds-epa-s-rule/article_40d4351e-d63c-11e7-9d48-7fb04aba4663.html

11/22/2017

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) noted the arrival of the first DDGS containers in Vietnam. Vietnam banned U.S. DDGS in October 2016 after they discovered a contaminated shippment.
USGC said Vietnam received 7,850 metric tons of U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles). Vietnam also agreed to ease fumigation requirements for U.S. corn and wheat imports.

11/22/2017

Consumers are paying less and farmers are receiving less for this year’s Thanksgiving feast, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) said in this year’s annual holiday food surveys.
Farmers and ranchers are receiving 11.4 cents for every dollar that consumers spend for Thanksgiving dinner, according to the NFU Farmer’s Share publication. The Thanksgiving Farmer’s Share compares the Thanksgiving retail food prices to what farmers receive.
The AFBF 32nd annual price Thanksgiving Day survey found the average cost for a meal for 10 is $49.12. That’s a 75-cent decrease from last year’s average of $49.87.
The survey said a 16-pound turkey cost $22.38 this year, a decrease of 2 cents per pound compared to 2016.
Thanksgiving comes after the fall harvest, but many farmers have been in a financial pinch the past few years.
“It’s a time to recognize and give thanks to family farmers and ranchers,” said Rob Larew, NFU’s senior vice president for public policy and communications. That’s important, Larew said, because as consumer food costs have declined, income has dropped for farm and ranch families.

11/22/2017

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said U.S. retail regular-grade gasoline will averaged $2.57 per gallon (gal) this Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That's up 41 cents/gal from the same time last year. Thanksgiving 2017 gasoline price is the third-lowest since 2008.
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the heaviest travel times of the year. AAA forecasts 50.9 million people will be traveling 50 miles or more for the holiday this year. That's 1.6 million more travelers than last year and the most since 2005. AAA expects that 45.5 million will drive, an increase of 1.5 million over last year.

11/17/2017

The USDA reported that agricultural exports totaled $140.5 billion in FY 2017. That's $10.9 billion more than the previous year and the third-highest level on record.
U.S. agricultural had a trade surplus at $21.3 billion. That was up 30 percent from last year’s $16.6 billion.
China was the U.S.'s largest export customer at $22 billion. Canada was second at $20.4 billion. U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico reached $18.6 billion. That's a six-percent gain from last year. Japan grew 12 percent, to $11.8 billion.

11/17/2017

Nebraska soybeans are heading to Bulgaria.
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has signed letters of intent with nine soybean processing companies in Bulgaria. The agreement is to promote the use of Nebraska soybeans and soybean products in their facilities.
“This is a great opportunity which is growing demand for Nebraska soybeans,” said Gov. Pete Ricketts. “Bulgaria is a country with a high demand for quality protein and is a relatively untapped market."

11/13/2017

The Nebraska State Fair High School Rodeo and Showcase was named Rodeo of the Year by the Nebraska High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA). The top high school rodeo participants determine the award,
Bill Angell, Nebraska State Fair livestock superintendent said, "We have a great team that puts in a lot of hard work to make this happen. It’s good for them to be recognized.”
The Nebraska State Fair High School Rodeo and Showcase takes place the Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend. The 2018 Nebraska State Fair runs August 24 through September 3.

11/13/2017

Farmers have harvested 86 percent of Nebraska corn crop as of Monday, reported the USDA . That is behind 92 last year, and near 90 for the five-year average. Sorghum harvested was 85 percent, behind 96 last year and 93 average.

11/13/2017

Nebraska's winter wheat condition Monday rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 29 fair, 54 good, and 9 excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 95 percent, near 98 both last year and average. Pasture and range conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 11 poor, 43 fair, 38 good, and 6 excellent.

11/10/2017

Rodney Schroeder induction into the Nebraska Cooperative Council Hall of Fame will be Nov.15. It will be at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Cooperative Council in Kearney. Schroeder grew up on a farm near Leigh. He became CEO of the Aurora Cooperative in 1984. He served as CEO for 18 years. During his tenure the sales of the cooperative grew from under $1 million per year to $162 million. During that same period, the cooperative grew from three locations to 23 locations.

11/10/2017

The USDA reported Thursday a record Nebraska soybean production. The report said it will be 328 million bushels. Area for harvest, at 5.65 million acres, is 10 percent above 2016. Yield is forecast at 58 bushels per acre, down 3 bushels from last year.