January 20, 2005; updated Jan. 26

Figure 1. Diplodia grain mold can appear as a dense mat of white cottony growth on the corn ear. Figure 2. When present, grain mold frequently develops on the butt of the ear.

Diplodia grain mold identified; check stored grain regularly

Figure 3. The fungus creates small black reproductive structures, called pycnidia, on the ear and kernels.

Several grain mold samples have been submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic and we have received additional reports of Diplodia grain mold caused by the fungus Stenocarpella maydis (formerly Diplodia maydis). In the field on the ear, this fungus can produce a dense mat of white cottony growth, called the mycelium (Figure 1). Infection frequently develops on the butt of the ear (Figure 2), but can quickly overtake the entire ear and cause it to feel lightweight, called a “mummy ear.”

Although there is no evidence that this fungus produces a toxin, it can significantly reduce grain quality by causing the kernels to turn gray or brown. The fungus creates small black reproductive structures, called pycnidia, on the ear and kernels (Figure 3) that feel like sandpaper. The fungus can grow rapidly in areas of a bin and create “hot spots”. For this reason, it is important to stir and aerate stored grain. Minimizing mechanical and insect damage to kernels also will help prevent the fungus from spreading to new kernels. After the bin is emptied, it is important to remove all remaining grain and plant debris that the fungus could survive on before it is filled again.

Climatologists at the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC) confirm that we are experiencing a “record-breaking” warm spell. An analysis of data collected from across the region shows that, starting December 23, 2005, much of the High Plains area has experienced the warmest period on record. Table 1 shows stations in six High Plains states where this warm spell now ranks first in the past 100 years of historical weather data.

The High Plains Regional Climate Center, with headquarters at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is one of six regional climate centers in the United States funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Weather data collected by the HPRCC in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming is analyzed and eventually placed in the national archive of the National Climatic Data Center.

As to impacts from the warmer temperatures, residents should watch for a possible early break of dormancy for perennial plants and for fall-planted winter wheat. Soil temperatures will be an indicator of whether conditions are right for plant growth. Winter wheat growth is inhibited if temperatures remain below 40ºF. Currently the weekly average soil temperature is from the low 20s in North Dakota to the low 40s in Kansas.

Warmer than normal temperatures also have had an impact on evaporation. Precipitation during the period was generally lighter and likely led to shallow penetration into the soil. This means that much of the soil moisture gained during the period was less effective and susceptible to surface evaporation. On the positive side, the warm weather has reduced heating requirements and heating bills may be noticeably lower than they would be in a normal winter. (Heating bills, however, may be higher than last year’s due to rate hikes.)

It’s not possible to predict how long the above normal conditions will continue. The Climate Prediction Center’s three-month outlook for the High Plains area for February through April calls for equal chances of above average, below average, or near normal temperatures.

Ken Hubbard, Director
High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC)

Note: Closer to spring planting, CropWatch will feature further information on how this mild winter may have affected crop pests and what producers need to be prepared for.

Brad Lubben IANR News Photo

In the former, budget talks will play out in a highly charged mid-term election year, while in the latter, international trade negotiations will continue. Little progress can be expected on the 2007 farm bill until those two complex processes reach some fruition, said Brad Lubben, University of Nebraska-Lincoln public policy specialist.

Discussions on the makeup of the next multi-year farm bill should begin this year, however. The secretary of agriculture already has gathered input on issues for the next bill. Congressional committees likely will begin field hearings this summer.

Lubben also has students tabulating survey results from producers across the United States that should give a sense of their hopes for future federal ag policy. He expects to unveil some preliminary survey findings in February at the Cornhusker Economics Management and Outlook Conferences sponsored by UNL Extension. Sessions are scheduled Feb. 13 in York; Feb. 14 in Sidney; Feb. 15 in Cozad; Feb. 20 in Norfolk; and Feb. 21 in Falls City.

On the federal-budget front, the Bush administration originally proposed budget cuts in commodity spending in February 2005. Congress responded with a budget reconciliation bill that largely placed spending cuts in conservation, rural development and research.

"The president will issue a new budget proposal in February," Lubben said. That proposal might look a lot like Bush's unsuccessful attempt to make significant cuts in commodity supports a year ago.

"They certainly will be back on the table again," Lubben predicted.

Whether that attempt would get more traction in 2006 depends much on the election-year landscape. Although Bush is not on the ballot in November, all 435 House seats and about one-third of the Senate seats are.

"Is deficit control going to be a popular stand in this election cycle? Generally speaking, yes -- until you actually come up with proposals for what you're going to cut," Lubben said. "Promises can get you elected. Actual legislation tends to only disappoint certain audiences."

Federal budget cuts often seem to be a bit of a shell game. In a typical move, for example, Congress in 2003 approved cuts in future conservation spending to pay for disaster relief. Those funds later were reinstated. In late 2004, Congress again dipped into future conservation funding for emergency assistance.

"It's politically been very easy to, in a sense, borrow money from future promises," Lubben said.

Ultimately, though, that approach has a real impact on programs. In this case, the process has slowed implementation of the Conservation Security Program, which provides funding to farmers and ranchers who promote conservation on their land. Even if cuts are implemented in agricultural programs this year, they may come with the understanding that they could be reinstated as part of the farm bill negotiations, Lubben said.

International trade negotiations can be full of even more twists and turns than U.S. budget discussions, but they, too, will play a key part in U.S. farm policy. A World Trade Organization ministers' meeting in December in Hong Kong succeeded in large part because it didn't fall apart as have previous gatherings, Lubben said.

Ministers from the 149 countries did agree to end farm export subsidies by 2013 but have much work ahead this year.

"For the U.S., this is a simple argument because we've essentially stopped using those subsidies already," Lubben said. For the European Union, it's a major shift.

Members of the Geneva, Switzerland-based trade group next need to address domestic subsidies and market access, two exceedingly thorny issues.

"If the WTO comes to some agreement -- and they will come to some agreement because they can't afford not to -- it's likely to be pretty watered down," Lubben said.

Still, farm-bill negotiators in this country will "wait out the WTO and see where we stand" before beginning their work in earnest, he added.

"The future farm bill will have to make some real changes," Lubben said. "That doesn't mean we will spend less money; it just means we will have to change how we spend the money."

Cost of the Cornhusker Economics Management and Outlook Conference is $25 and preregistration is necessary by contacting Sandy Sterkel at (800) 535-3456. The conference begins at each site with registration and refreshments at 9 a.m. local time, with the first session at 9:30 a.m. and the last one ending at 3:30 p.m.

The sixth annual Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Conference and Trade Show will be Feb. 1-2 at the Midtown Holiday Inn in Grand Island. The theme of this year's conference is using technology to manage water and nutrients, said University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator Dave Varner.

"Conference participants will learn how to employ technology to improve irrigation efficiencies and maximize their crop nutrient investments," Varner said.

One of the featured speakers at the 2006 conference will be University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign specialist Tony Grift, who is pioneering the use of robots to conduct field scouting. His talk will focus on the economic, environmental and social impacts of large scale bioproduction automation; what has been done in Europe and Japan; the feasibility of building mechanical ecosystems of cooperating robots; and the potential impact on small farms.

UNL soils specialists will share the latest nitrogen management strategies based on research conducted on Nebraska farms and around the world. Fine-tuning nitrogen application using sensors, soil sampling, and economics will highlight this part of the conference.

Participants may choose from 15 concurrent sessions that address topics such as spatial weed management, setting up wireless farm networks, interpreting yield maps, evaluating GPS auto guidance systems, using variable rate technology to reduce fertilizer inputs, employing Ebay as a marketing tool, farming with electronic spreadsheets, and numerous irrigation water management technologies.

Advance registration is $85 if postmarked by Jan. 28 and $110 thereafter for NeATA members, $110 and $135 respectfully for non-members. Those planning to attend can register by sending their name, address, phone number, e-mail address and payment to the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association Inc., 1206 W. 23rd St., Fremont, Neb. 68025-2504. Conference brochures are available at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices.

Six Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available to conference participants.

The conference will be held at the Midtown Grand Island Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center. Call (800) 548-5542 for reservations.

The conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association (NeATA) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, a division of the University's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. For more information, call Varner at (402) 727-2775 or e-mail dvarner1@unl.edu.

“Irrigation Management Strategies with High Cost Fuels” will be offered January 24-27 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at four locations:

Jan. 24, Chances R Restaurant, 124 W. 5th St., York

Jan. 25, Blarney Stone Restaurant, 432 E. Douglas St., O'Neill

Jan. 26, Ag Center, 1308 Second St., Holdrege

Jan. 27, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Scottsbluff.

The program provide methods to help irrigators get the most effective use of their irrigation water and energy dollars by focusing on obtaining top pumping plant performance and applying the optimum amount of water as uniformly as possible.

A highlight of the meeting will be an introduction to Water Optimizer, a decision-support tool that allows the user to set specific parameters such as soil type and irrigation method to calculate what crops will be most profitable, given costs and available water. Hands-on training will be provided for Water Optimizer. Other topics will include:

• Lowering energy costs with top performing pumping plants;
• How much water can I afford to pump?
• Soil Moisture Monitoring Systems -- A key to getting the most from limited water;
• Strategies for Getting the Most Bang for Your Energy Buck with pivot and furrow irrigation systems;
• Subsurface drip irrigation; and
• Sprinkler package selection.

Irrigators will have an opportunity to visit with University of Nebraska-Lincoln irrigation specialists from across the state, specialists in furrow, subsurface, sprinkler and general irrigation management.

To register or for more information, contact Gary Zoubek for the York meeting at (402) 362-5508; Chuck Burr for the Holdrege meeting (308) 995-4222; Ralph Kulm for the O'Neill meeting (402) 336-2760 or Jim Schild at 308-632-1480 or Dean Yonts at 308-632-1246 for the Scottsbluff meeting. Cost is $25. Pre-registration is requested by Friday, January 20, to get a lunch count.

Program topics include:

• Lowering Energy Costs with Top Performing Pumping Plants;
• How Much Water Can I Afford to Pump?;
• Soil Moisture Monitoring Systems – A Key to Getting the Most from Limited Water;
• Strategies for Getting the Most Bang for Your Energy Buck with Pivot and Furrow Irrigation Systems;
• Subsurface Drip Irrigation; and
• Sprinkler Package Selection

Reasons for this might include bad pump design or excessive wear on pumps. Bad pump design may be due to pumping conditions that have changed since the pump was installed. Examples include: a pump designed to pump water for a gated pipe system is now being used to pump water through a center pivot or a pump designed for a high pressure sprinkler package that is now being used for low pressure nozzles.

All pumps pump some sand, but some pump far more than others. Sand wears away at the impellers and the internal seals that are necessary for efficient pump operation. Finally, internal combustion power units wear out and become less efficient over time. With high energy prices, it is vitally important for irrigators to identify pumping plants with low efficiencies so these can be corrected before irrigation season begins.

"Some crop producers believe no-till won't work on their farm," said Keith Glewen, UNL Extension educator. "Some have failed with their no-till attempts. Yet, others have successfully implemented this process and increased their profits. This conference will help producers be successful."

Speakers include no-till farmers, university specialists and industry representatives.

Jill Clapperton of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lethbridge Research Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta is the featured speaker at both locations. She will speak on research findings and discuss how soil biology and ecology interact with cropping and soil management systems to facilitate long-term soil quality and productivity.

Other topics/speaks and their locations include: making no-till work in southwest Iowa, David Dukes, grain and livestock producer, Bedford, Iowa, ARDC only; water infiltration study in no-till and tilled Nebraska fields, Paul Hay, UNL Extension educator, both locations; residue management, Paul Jasa, UNL Extension engineer, Holdrege only; payments for sequestering carbon in Nebraska, Randy Pryor, UNL Extension educator, both locations; 10 years experience no-tilling in irrigated crop production, Mark Watson, grain producer, Alliance, Neb., Holdrege only; and the value of no-till education, both locations Dan Gillespie, state no-till specialist, will speak in Holdrege and Mike Kucera, state resource conservationist, at the ARDC.

Pre-registration is due Feb. 1. For more information or to register at the ARDC location, call (402) 624-8030, (800) 529-8030 or e-mail kglewen1@unl.edu. For more information or to register at the Holdrege location, call (308) 995-4222 or e-mail cburr1@unl.edu. Online registration is available at http://ardc.unl.edu/notill.htm.

The free event is sponsored by UNL Extension in the University's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nebraska Soybean Board, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Services Agency, Farm Credit Services of America and John Deere Risk Protection.

This year’s theme, "Myths versus Reality," will shed light on several myths associated with no-till as well as the many real benefits of adopting a no-till system, including increased profits, time savings and a healthy environment.

More than 50 transition sessions will address how to increase profitability, cut production costs, reduce risks, gain better agronomic understanding of soils and their reactions to fertility, new crops that help spread workload and potentially improve the bottom line.

Clapperton is a soil ecologist at Lethbridge Research Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. An internationally known and respected lecturer, she presents research findings and promotes an understanding of how soil biology and ecology interact with cropping and soil management systems to facilitate long-term soil quality and productivity.

Program topics will include “Soil Biology and Soil Management for Soil Biological Fertility” and “Transition to No-till Based on Soil Biology Model.” Clapperton will discuss how soil organisms affect soil fertility. It is estimated that soil biological processes are responsible for approximately 75% of available nitrogen and 65% of available phosphorus in the soil.

In the no-till discussion, participants will be introduced to how soil organisms affect the cycling and availability of nutrients to crops, disease cycles, weed management and soil structure. Clapperton also will address bio-diversity of soil organisms and how their activity is influenced by soil management practices as well as how producers can take advantage of this soil biological fertility for improved production.

Other speakers include:

• John Doran, UNL Professor emeritus, who will discuss soil quality indicators. Doran is internationally known for his work at the University of Nebraska on microbial ecology as it relates to the development of sustainable management systems which enhance soil quality, economic crop production and environmental quality.

• Bob Wright, a UNL Extension entomologist, who is one of a team of researchers who just received a grant to study organic production systems in Nebraska. He will discuss goals of the grant and its potential benefit to sustainable agriculture in Nebraska and will be seeking audience input regarding grand studies.

• Martin Kleinschmit of the Center for Rural Affairs who will be discussing carbon sequestration. A northeast Nebraska producer, Kleinschmit has been studying carbon sequestration for several years.

“Empowering agriculture” will feature a panel of three speakers relating their entrepreneurial ventures into alternative agriculture. Jerry Haynes of Crook, CO, will share his experiences in developing his ranch into a hunting acreage for handicapped people. Judy Durnal of Bayard, who raises longhorn and angus cattle, will speak about her ladies cattle drive. Kris Vencel of Sterling, CO, will describe the Blue Sky Riding Organization.

A panel on landlord-tenant relations will be moderated by UNL ag economics research analyst Paul Burgener and include Gary Lancaster of Julesburg, CO, Steve Nein of Chappell, Cookie Dickinson of Crook,CO, and Mary Cave of Chappell. Luncheon speaker Sally Hauff of Kearney’s talk is entitled “Finding Your Rainbows Every Day.”

Other speakers and topics include:

“Where Do Cookies and Chips Fit” by Extension Educator Jeanne Murray;
Container gardening by Extension Educator Karen DeBoer;
USDA Farm Service Agency’s FSA Online

For more information, contact Karen DeBoer at the University of Nebraska Extension Office in Cheyenne County at (308) 254-4455 or toll-free at (866) 865-1703.

Topics will include grain and livestock marketing, land markets and leasing, risk management, crop production costs, agricultural economics and agribusiness opportunities, agricultural policy, agricultural law and new agricultural opportunities. Also, hosts of the UNL Extension program "Market Journal" will lead a roundtable discussion of local agricultural leaders regarding key issues for 2006.

Brad Lubben, UNL public policy specialist, said this year's conference is the first in what could become an annual series conducted by UNL's Department of Agricultural Economics. Attendees will have a chance to hear from UNL experts on issues that affect both short-term decision making and longer-term strategies.

"It will be a fast-paced, information-packed discussion of key issues and decisions for producers in 2006," he said.

Cost is $25 and preregistration is necessary by contacting Sandy Sterkel at (800) 535-3456 or the individual contact people listed in the schedule below. The conference begins at each site with registration and refreshments at 9 a.m. local time, with the first session at 9:30 a.m. and the last one ending at 3:30 p.m. Lunch is included.

The schedule, locations and contacts are:

• York, Feb. 13, 4-H Building; Gary Zoubek, (402) 362-5508.
• Sidney, Feb. 14, Holiday Inn; Karen DeBoer, (308) 254-4455.
• Cozad, Feb. 15, Elks Club; David Stenberg, (308) 324-5501.
• Norfolk, Feb. 20, Lifelong Learning Center; Tim Lemmons, (402) 370-4040.
• Falls City, Feb. 21, Elks Lodge; Sarah Heidzig-Kraeger, (402) 245-4990.

Topics, times and presenters, all from UNL's ag economics department unless otherwise specified, are:

• Grain and Livestock Marketing, 9:30-10:20 a.m., Darrell Mark, Dillon Feuz and Matt Stockton.
• Land Markets and Leasing, 10:20-10:50 a.m., Bruce Johnson and Aaron Raymond.
• Risk Management, 10:50-11:10 a.m., Doug Jose and Roger Selley.
• Crop Production Costs, 11:10 a.m.-noon, Selley and Stockton.
• Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Opportunities, 12:45-1 p.m., Alan Baquet.
• Agricultural Policy, 1-1:30 p.m., Lubben.
• Agricultural Law, 1:30-2 p.m., David Aiken.
• "Market Journal" Live, 2-2:45 p.m., Jose and Cheryl Griffith.
• New Agricultural Opportunities, 2:45-3:30 p.m., Vincent Amanor-Boado, Kansas State University, and Al Prosch.

"No other input is as vital, or unpredictable, to successful crop production as water, yet most of us don’t really understand the nature of water and how it interacts with soils and plants," write the conference organizers. This conference will teach basic principles about water and plant productivity, how our climate affects the interaction between water and the environment, and how to better manage water for successful crop production in the highly variable and unpredictable environments of western Nebraska.

One-day conferences will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations and dates:

• Tuesday, Feb. 21, Rushville, Legion Club, 206 Sprague St.
• Wednesday, Feb. 22, Sidney, Holiday Inn, I-80, Exit 59
• Thursday, Feb. 23, Super 8, 748 E. 12th St., Imperial

• Precipitation Variations in the Central Great Plains
• Properties of Water as they Relate to Crop Growth and Development
• Water and Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Interactions
• Taking the "E" out of ET
• Crop Management for Risky Environments
• Hard White Wheat -- The Color of the Future
• How Climate Impacts Wheat Diseases
• When and How Much to Water Winter Wheat
• Managing Fertilizer and Costs for Wheat Production
• Risk and Returns for Dryland Crop Rotations

• Karen DeBoer, Cheyenne County, (308) 254-4455 or toll-free, (866) 865-1703
• Bill Booker, Box Butte County, (308) 762-5616 or email wbooker2@unl.edu
• Tom Dill, Chase County, (308) 882-4731 or email tdill1@unl.edu
• Cindy Tusler, Sheridan County, (308) 327-2312 or email ctusler2@unl.edu

For the 2006 crop, Jagalene accounted for 23.8% of the acreage while Pronghorn and Alliance were each planted on 10.1% of the acreage. Millennium dropped to fourth place at 9.5%. Wesley remained fifth with 5.8%.

Jagalene was the most popular wheat variety in all crop districts except the Northwest and Central. Pronghorn came in first in the Northwest, helping it remain the second most popular variety planted in the state.

Alliance’s strong presence in the Northwest and Southwest, helped it move up to third. Millennium was the second most popular variety in the South and Southwest districts, resulting in a fourth place finish. Wesley was the most popular in the Central District for the second consecutive year, helping it remain fifth overall.

Participants can attend one or both days. Registration for the two days is $55 or for individual days, $30. Additional members of the same family can attend both days for a reduced rate of $45. For more information contact one of these Extension educators: Carol Ringenberg, (402) 873-3166; Jim Hruskoci, (308) 385-5088 or Gary Zoubek (402) 362-5508. For an additional fee of $25 each, participants can attend the All Nebraska dinner at the Lewis & Clark Center, which includes historical re-enactments and entertainment.

Program topics on Friday and Saturday's schedule of concurrent sessions include:

Session 1:
UNL Organic Research Grant -- What are the Benefits?
Finding Your Niche in Sustain Agriculture
Farmstead First -- A Partnership between NCDC and Local Farmers
Session 2
Biotechnology -- Pros and Cons, Good or Bad? What's it all About?
Sustainable Swine Production
Commandments for Making Kids Love the Farm
Session 3
Agri-tours of Nebraska City Area
Soil Quality -- A New Frontier in Soils
The Farm Friendly Producer
Session 4
Agri-tours of Nebraska City Area
Livestock Wastes on the Small Farm -- A Valuable Resource
A Chef's View of Sustainable Agriculture
Session 5
Agri-tours of Nebraska City Area
Crop Rotation of Cereals
Tallgrass Prairie Restoration
Session 6
Potential of Biological Control for Crop Insects
Grass Based Dairy Opportunities
Romancing the Next Generation
Session 7
Irrigation Management Tools for the Small Farm
Community Supported Agriculture
The Farm Friendly Patron
Session 8
Conservation Security Program
Pastured Poultry -- What is the Difference
Local Food Initiatives -- Nebraska Food Cooperative Buy Fresh Buy Local
Session 9:
Tallgrass Prairie Restoration
Organic Farming and Gardening
Farm Friendly Policy

With world demand for energy growing faster than crude oil is being produced, Nebraskans will have to continue to budget more money for gasoline and diesel expenses, said Dennis Conley, agricultural economist in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Unleaded fuel soared to more than $3 a gallon in 2005 and diesel to about $2.75. Prices have dropped but consumers shouldn't expect big price declines in 2006. Even before hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf States this fall, crude oil prices and wholesale gasoline prices were increasing, Conley said. It was Hurricane Katrina then Hurricane Rita that damaged many Gulf Coast oil refineries that really spiked prices.

"This created severe shortages. In terms of production capacity in the world market the amount of carryover is still at its lowest levels ever," Conley said.

Limited supplies and reduced refining capacity mean even a minor disruption in 2006 will again send prices soaring. Conley said gasoline and diesel prices are following similar patterns. He expects unleaded gas prices to be around $2-$2.30 and diesel prices to be around $2.40-$2.60 in 2006.

Fuel prices actually were relatively low for much of the 1990s, Conley said. Today's prices seem high compared with the recent past but they're actually comparable to early 1980s prices.

"Paying $2.40 for gas is the price we saw 22 years ago in the early 1980s if we were to figure in inflation," he said. "Since that period, prices were a lot lower."

Crude oil, diesel and gas prices all are trending upward, he said. However, world demand should decline somewhat in 2006.

"With the rise in price people aren't buying as much gas anymore," Conley said.

While most fuel prices are trending higher, natural gas prices should go down in 2006. Natural gas is plentiful and price increases reflected distribution disruptions caused by the hurricanes.

"When the hurricanes hit, natural gas went up to $14 per thousand cubic feet because it disrupted wells, pipelines and delivery," he said.

Now, natural gas is down to $12 per thousand cubic feet, and the projection for 2006 is around $8 per thousand cubic feet. It is difficult to project how natural gas prices will impact nitrogen fertilizer prices, Conley said, but fertilizer prices are still going to be higher in 2006 than in 2005.

Sandi Alswager Karstens
IANR Newswriter

2006 winter wheat seedings down from last year

Subsoil moisture supplies were mostly adequate to short as fall planting began and this condition continued until planting was completed. Weather conditions since planting have left the crop condition rated 64 percent good and excellent, identical to last year but well above two years ago.

Grain and hay stocks

Soybeans stored in all positions on December 1, 2005 totaled 182 million bushels, up 13% from last year and the largest total ever. On- farm stocks are a new record at 68 million bushels, up 3% from last year. Off-farm stocks of 114 million bushels are also a record high, up 20% from 2004.

Wheat stored in all positions on December 1, 2005 totaled 39.5 million bushels, down 13% from a year ago. On-farm stocks of 8.5 million bushels are up 20% from 2004. Off-farm stocks, at 31.0 million bushels, are down 19% from last year.

Sorghum stored in all positions on December 1, 2005 totaled 25.0 million bushels, down 16% from 2004. On-farm stocks are 5.4 million bushels, down 36% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 19.6 million bushels, are 7% less than a year earlier.

Hay stocks on Nebraska farms totaled 4.6 million tons on December 1, 2005, up 5% from 2004.

Nebraska cattle on feed up 6%, nationally up 4%

Placements during December totaled 350,000 head, down 10% from 2004 but equal to 2003.

Fed cattle marketings for the month of December totaled 305,000 head, down 20% from last year and 10% below December two years ago. This is the lowest December marketings since the series began in 1994. Other disappearance during December 2005 totaled 15,000 head, compared with 10,000 head both last year and two years ago.

Nationally, cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.8 million head on January 1, 2006. The inventory was 4% above January 1, 2005 and 5% above January 1, 2004.

Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.88 million, 3% above 2004 and 8% above 2003.

Marketings of fed cattle during December totaled 1.72 million, 3% below 2004 and 1% below 2003. Other disappearance totaled 91,000 during December, 1% below 2004 but 1% above 2003.

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Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska

Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture

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