News Update

August 4, 2017

2016 U.S. Total Farm Production Expenditure Highlights

Farm production expenditures in the United States are estimated at $346.9 billion for 2016, down from $362.8 billion in 2015. The 2016 total farm production expenditures are down 4.4% compared with 2015 total farm production expenditures. For the 17 line items, five showed an increase from previous years, while the rest showed a decrease.

The four largest expenditures at the United States level total $171.4 billion and account for 49.3% of total expenditures in 2016. These include feed, 16.0%; farm services, 12.0%; livestock, poultry and related expenses, 11.5%; and labor, 9.8%.

In 2016, the United States total farm expenditure average per farm is $169,035, down 4.1% from $176,181 in 2015. On average, United States farm operations spent $27,092 on feed; $19,491 on livestock, poultry and related expenses; $20,319 on farm services; and $16,616 on labor.

For 2015, United States farms spent an average of $28,408 on feed; $20,202 on-farm services; $22,047 on livestock, poultry and related expenses; and $15,443 on labor. Total fuel expense is $11.3 billion. Diesel, the largest subcomponent, is $7.4 billion, accounting for 65.5%.

Read the full USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report online.

— Adapted from a release by USDA NASS.

Take Action Now — Tell EPA to Kill WOTUS

July 27 marked the start of the 30-day comment period on the EPA’s proposal to withdraw the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

The deadline for comments is Aug. 28 and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is encouraging those wanting to comment to do so now.

Step 1 - Go to: www.regulations.gov/comment?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0203-0001
Step 2 - Copy and paste (or modify) the following sample comments.

I am writing to support the proposal to repeal the 2015 “Waters of the U.S.” rule.

As a cattle producer, I strongly support this effort. Water is important to me and my family farming operation. I am glad that you recognize the flaws of the current WOTUS rule. It is overly broad and creates heavy burdens and costs, legal risk and tremendous uncertainty for farmers, ranchers, and others, like me, who depend on the land. Under the 2015 rule, farmers, ranchers and other landowners across the country face new roadblocks to ordinary land-use activities.

I applaud EPA for taking this important first step toward developing a new definition of waters of the United States that will protect water quality while also promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and respecting the proper roles of Congress and the states under the Constitution. …

For the complete comment, view the NCBA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Legendary Seedsman Don Funk
Re-launches Midwest Seed Genetics

Don Funk, founder of Channel Bio Corp, is leading a team of entrepreneurs to launch Midwest Seed Genetics across the Corn Belt for the 2017/2018 growing season. In 2001, Funk purchased Midwest, a small, sleepy seed company, and turned it into a regional powerhouse. He is re-acquiring the brand for the purpose of providing farmers meaningful choice in the dynamic future that awaits agriculture.

“Over the last several years, we’ve been closely watching the seed industry, spending a great deal of time listening to both farmers and seed industry professionals,” says Funk. “While there is great excitement for what the future holds, there is also frustration and dissatisfaction. The people of agriculture are being left behind. We will put them first again.”

“Most importantly, we will bring unique, high-performance, product choice to the American farmer. We’re also stripping away the complexity, gimmicks and inefficiency the industry has created, so we can put more money into our customer’s pockets ... money that is theirs to begin with.”

In preparation for the launch, Funk is assembling a core team to drive Midwest into the future.

Read more of this news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Midwest Seed Genetics.

Late-winter Snow Storm Blasts Midwest

On April 29-30, 2017, an unexpected spring snowstorm plastered parts of eastern New Mexico and Colorado, the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles, and western Kansas and Nebraska with 12 inches (in.) to 24 in. or more of snow and 60 mph wind gusts.

While this region of cattle country is no stranger to harsh and sometimes erratic weather patterns, the devastation of the storm surprised most people in its path. The storm’s mid-spring timing and cocktail of wet snow and harsh wind left a trail of lost and dead cattle, power outages, downed tree limbs and, in some places, 8-foot (ft.)-high snow drifts.

Ranch hand for Larson Angus Ranch and ABS Global Representative Brady Larson of Sharon Springs, Kan., says 8 in. of snow blanketed the ground when he woke up Saturday, April 29. He didn’t think much of it because by end of day the snow had melted. However, Sunday morning’s weather conditions surprised him.

“Gosh, you looked outside and there was probably 18-20 inches on the ground,” he describes.

With a ground temperature of around 60° F, Larson suspects the snow was melting on the bottom and piling up on the top, so he’s unsure of just how much accumulation his area actually received.

Continue reading this Angus Journal article online.

— Adapted from an article by Paige Nelson, Angus Journal.

Local Ranching Event Scheduled for August 15 in Ben Wheeler

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) will host a ranch gathering on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, at Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler, Texas. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a complimentary beef dinner.

The event is free and open to the public.

TSCRA Special Ranger Larry Hand and Jimmy Dickson will provide a law enforcement update and offer ranchers information on how they can keep their livestock and equipment safe and secure. Attendees will also receive an update on the recently concluded 85th Texas Legislative Session, developments in private property rights and tax reform prospects. Other areas of interest to cattle raisers and the community will be discussed, as well.

For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.

— Adapted from a release by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.

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