Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - September 2024

/

Developments

Kansas corn harvest is getting underway next week, and while every field will be different, reports from across the state range from better than expected to a great crop. Prices, however, are “just ugly,” notes the Kansas Farm Bureau.  “A better than expected harvest after six weeks of no rain isn’t easy to deal with,” says KFB’s Greg Doering. “The excitement from a bumper crop is still dampened by low prices. It’s a testament to the faith growers have in the weather, markets and their own ability to look beyond today’s results and believe tomorrow’s will be better. Whether corn harvest is just starting or already wrapped up, one thing’s for certain. There’s always next year.” 

Agriculture Future of America (AFA) and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) have formed CORE Synergy to cultivate a steady stream of skilled, well-prepared individuals entering the agriculture workforce. CORE Synergy has also teamed with BASF, a global leader in chemical and natural resources, for guidance developing transformational training opportunities that equip participants with practical skills and knowledge, and preparing them to tackle pressing issues in agriculture. “At AFA, we believe that the future of agriculture is built by cultivating innovative leaders who are passionate about making a difference,” said Mark Stewart, AFA CEO. “CORE Synergy is an exciting collaboration that will allow us to deepen our impact by connecting students and professionals with critical resources and transformative training. Together with MANRRS and BASF, we are committed to empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial spirit needed to address the challenges of tomorrow’s agriculture industry.” Scott Kay, Vice President of U.S. Agricultural Solutions at BASF said, “We are committed to empowering young leaders who are not just the architects of tomorrow but also the stewards of today.”

Kansas State University plant pathologists and entomologists are reporting the first known case of corn stunt disease in Kansas, coming on the heels of reports in neighboring Oklahoma and Missouri. Row crop plant pathologist Rodrigo Onofre said that as of August 29, corn stunt disease and associated symptoms have been confirmed in field corn in Sedgwick, Pratt, Stafford and Edwards counties – and in sweet corn in Riley County. “The incidence of disease is low overall,” said  Onofre, “and much of the corn crop is in its later stages of maturity.” Corn stunt is a bacterial disease that results in severely stunted plants that often produce multiple small ears with loose or missing kernels.  

The August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 13 points from July to a reading of 100, matching levels not seen since fall 2015 to winter 2016 – during the early stages of a significant downturn in the U.S. farm economy. The Index of Current Conditions also dropped 17 points to 83, while the Index of Future Expectations decreased by 11 points to 108. Weakening farm income prospects weighed on farmers’ sentiment as the outlook for a bountiful fall harvest was more than offset by declining crop prices. August’s decline in the barometer and related indices provide a signal that farmers are concerned about the possibility of extended weakness in farm incomes, similar to what took place from 2015 to 2019.  August’s survey results indicate a shift among farmers’ primary concerns, with 30% of respondents identifying lower commodity prices as their primary concern, compared to 33% who chose high input costs.

The Kansas Beef Council (KBC) has created a series of educational booklets, called beef readers, for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers to use to connect the principles they are learning in class with cattle industry practices and innovations. The readers are designed for STEM classes like biology and environmental sciences for sixth to 12th grade. KBC’s booklets address how the cattle industry works to be sustainable, land and water use, and upcycling. The readers also highlight the multitude of careers that are possible in the cattle industry. Students can delve further into specific topics they are interested in through additional links and QR codes directing them to peer-reviewed and science-backed resources. At the end of each booklet, they can do experiments in the classroom to apply what they have learned. More information about the booklets, with corresponding teacher guides and student worksheets, is available at www.kansasbeef.org .

U.S. net farm income in 2024 was $137 billion, falling slightly from USDA’s September forecast and $9 billion lower than the 2023 figure, according to the latest update of the annual U.S. farm income and consumer food price report by The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri. Further declines in income are projected in 2025 as some moderation in production expenses and high cattle prices are not enough to offset the impact of lower crop prices. Pat Westhoff, FAPRI director, notes that these lower projections should be viewed with the appropriate context of historical farm finance conditions. “When adjusted for inflation, we anticipate the decline in farm income between 2022 and 2025 to be $67 billion,” said Westhoff. “However, despite a 35% drop, inflation-adjusted net farm income remains above the levels we experienced from 2015 to 2020.” FAPRI’s projections indicate a $32 billion drop in 2024 crop receipts (due to lower prices for many grains, oilseeds and other field crops) while livestock receipts see a healthy $19 billion increase with higher cattle prices. Overall farm production expenses are expected to decline in 2024 after seeing increases in 2022 and 2023. Looking ahead, farm income is projected to decline further in 2025, with a modest recovery in 2026. For the third straight year, payments under the price loss coverage (PLC) and agriculture risk coverage (ARC) programs will be below $1 billion in 2024. The fall in crop prices since 2022 sees payments under these programs rise to $5 billion in 2025 and 2026. “From the consumer perspective, we’re also anticipating a slowdown in food inflation,” said Westhoff. “Our projections indicate a rate of 2.2% in 2024, dropping down to 1.6% in 2025.” 

The Missouri Department of Agriculture recently announced that 17 projects will receive funding through the Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant Program. The competitive grant program will provide up to $50,000 per project to address food insecurity in urban areas. Grant funds may be used to increase food production and availability within an urban area; demonstrate growth of local economic communities; increase local economic impact; increase availability of food to local residents; or enhance already established areas within a community and provide assistance to the community. More information about the Food Insecure Cost-Share Grant can be found at  www.Agriculture.Mo.Gov.

People

Agriculture Future of America added Savannah Peterson to staff as a marketing specialist. A recent Kansas State graduate, she brings multimedia production and social media management experience.

Ben Travlos has been hired as director of policy for the Missouri Soybean Association. He was previously the director of state and local legislative affairs at the Missouri Farm Bureau and has also held positions with the Missouri Department of Agriculture
and Missouri Corn Growers Association.

Lenexa, KS-based Farm Journal, has named Chris Seper as Executive Vice President, Farm Journal brands. He will lead the company’s audience center of excellence, which includes the editorial, broadcast, audience development, events, content studios and product development teams.

Kansas Farm Bureau  Legal Foundation has named three new attorneys as recipients of the organization’s Rural Law Practice Grants. Paige Harding, Clarissa Ratzlaff and Jack Roenne are eligible to receive up to $16,500 each to help defray the cost of their education as they begin practicing law in rural areas of Kansas. All three graduated from the Washburn University School of Law. “Kansas farmers and ranchers need sound legal advice across a broad range of issues, especially as operations expand and become more complex,” Wendee Grady, Kansas Farm Bureau Legal Foundation director, says. “I’m excited KFB’s Legal Foundation is helping three new attorneys begin their careers in roles that impact the quality of life for farmers, ranchers and rural Kansans.”

Events

Kansas Rural Center (KRC) is celebrating 45 years of conservation, diversification, and innovation at the 2024 Food and Farm Conference, Saturday, November 16, 2024 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM CST. The event will take place at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita. More information at (866) 579-5469 or events@kansasruralcenter.org .

The University of Missouri’s Wurdack Extension and Education Center 2024 field day will be held Friday, October 4, focusing on cattle management strategies for reproduction, feed and forage. “Cattle and forage management should be top of mind for any beef producer in Missouri,” said Gatlin Bunton, director of MU Wurdack Center, a 1,200-acre research and demonstration farm on the Meramec River in the northeastern Ozarks. “This field day will allow participants to gain new perspectives on reproductive strategies in beef cattle and a better understanding of forage options beyond tall fescue.” The field day begins at 9:30 a.m. and wraps up with a free lunch at noon. Register for this free event at www.cvent.com/d/hzqvl5/4W.

Registration for the 2024 Kansas Livestock Association’s Convention & Expo now is open. This year’s event will be November 20-22 in Manhattan at the Hilton Garden Inn & Convention Center. Online registration is available at www.kla.org  or call the office at (785) 273-5115 to register. The Hilton Garden Inn, which is convention headquarters, is sold out. However, rooms still can be reserved at the Fairfield Inn at (785) 539-2400, Holiday Inn Express & Suites at (785) 320-7454, Bluemont Hotel at (785) 473-7091 and Courtyard Manhattan-Aggieville at (785) 587-1972. Be sure to tell the hotel you are with KLA to receive the convention room rate.

The 44th Missouri Agricultural Lender Seminars, hosted by the Agricultural Business and Policy Extension Program, The Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute and the Rural & Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri, get underway in November  with series of six programs.  Lenders supporting Missouri’s farmers and ranchers are invited to attend one of six regional seminars hosted across the state. Topics covered include these:

  • Crop and livestock market outlooks

  • Input costs and enterprise budgets

  • Updates on agricultural policy

  • Land values and cash rental rates

For more information contact Ben Brown, 660-492-7574 or bpbrown@missouri.edu.

Kansas State University - Olathe will hold a hybrid professional development seminar on Artificial Intelligence in Animal Health Diagnostics on October 9 from 1:30-4:30pm, "Enhancing Diagnostics Through the Power of AI.” Info and registration are here.

K-State Olathe will also host a series of webinar info sessions on their academic programs, which include:

  • Data Analytics and Insights in Animal Health (certificate) | Noon on Sept. 25 | Register now

  • Animal Health Regulatory Affairs (certificate) | 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 | Register now

  • Veterinary Biomedical Science (master's degree) | Noon on Oct. 16 | Register now

All of the University's upcoming events can be found here.