Country Financial Insurance Agent Josh Thill says some harvest risks can be reduced with good, well-maintained equipment.

“Just make sure you go through everything, [making sure] that equipment is well-maintained,” Thill told Brownfield Ag News. “That’ll help prevent accidents.”

This year’s harvest will be just as unusual as the planting season that stretched into mid-summer. Changes from the routine can result in dangerous attention lapses. During National Farm Safety and Health week, Thill tells Brownfield it’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re working.

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Harvest is approaching and there will be more farm vehicles on the roadways. 

In this Managing for Profit, Jeanna LeMaster with Indiana Farmers Insurance says now is the time to make sure any vehicle inspections and maintenance have been completed and are ready for this busy time of year.  

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Here is another in a series of reports on how Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is “Powering Nebraska”. On today’s program, we’ll get an update from NPPD director of research Alan Dostal on work being done at the Energy Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dostal says the Energy Center’s focus is to help create economic opportunities for Nebraskans, many of whom are NPPD’s end use customers in rural Nebraska.

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Farmers want to see big yields every year regardless of the technology they use.

In this Managing for Profit, Dan Puck an Enlist Field Specialist says by utilizing new herbicide-trait technologies farmers can reduce weed pressure and maximize both yield potential and their return on investment.  

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·This week in the markets – Fed cattle prices are down nearly $3 this week and feeder cattle markets were $2 to $8 lower this week. We did see some recovery in futures prices with the live cattle future contract up $3.10 and the October feeder cattle futures closed up $3.75. The Choice Box beef price retreated this week by nearly $7, with loins and ribs dragging prices lower. The cash barrow and gilt prices were down $4.25. The October lean hog contract was up $3.40 this week. The pork cutout value lost $2.17, with bellies showing the largest weakness. 

·Consumer sentiment – The September Consumer Sentiment data show a 2.4 percent rebound from the August decline, yet remains 8 percent below the same period a year ago. Consumer expectations continue to drag the overall index lower.

·Retail Prices – The August Choice Beef price fell $.07 from a month ago, which leaves it a penny below year-ago levels. The Pork retail price was $.03 lower relative to July, but remains $.08 August of 2018. The boneless sirloin steak price is now $.43 below where it was a year ago. 

·Wholesale-to-farm spread widened substantially in August. – In fact, it grew by nearly by 25 percent.

·The USDA’s Supply and Demand report came out this week – Scott recaps the WASDE numbers and Scott and Meghan detail the impact the report could have on livestock producers.

·Next week’s reports: Livestock Slaughter on Thursday and Cattle on Feed on Friday. 

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Farmers are increasingly relying on data analytic tools to make key farm management decisions to help maximize performance. 

In this Managing for Profit, we’ll hear about field trials conducted this season with DEKALB and Asgrow farmers using the Climate FieldView™ digital platform.

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Farming is risky, and that risk jumps when children too young are allowed to do tasks that call for judgement beyond their years and experience. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says more than two million youth under the age of 20 are exposed to agriculture related hazards every year. Country Financial insurance agent Sarah Bloom tells Brownfield before assigning tasks and chores to young people, consider age and experience.

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Farm safety is a top priority for farmers in the US – but it’s also at the forefront of the minds of insurance carriers.

In this Managing for Profit, Jeanna LeMaster with Indiana Farmers Insurance shares some tips to keep farm workers safe.  

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Here is another in a series of reports on how Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is “Powering Nebraska”. On today’s program, we’ll visit with NPPD Senior Environmental Specialist Jim Jenniges about the Cottonwood Ranch, which is located along the Platte River in central Nebraska. NPPD purchased the ranch in 1992 to improve habitat for threatened and endangered species, including whooping cranes. Jenniges talks about the numerous improvements that have been made over the years and some of the results they’re seeing. 

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·This week in the markets - Cash live cattle traded $4.25 lower this week. Feeder cattle markets were $1 to $3 lower on limited test given the holiday week. The October live cattle futures contract closed $3.65 lower, while the October feeder cattle futures contract gained $.60, the lower corn prices helped provide support to the feeder cattle market. Choice box beef price was $4.60 lower this week with ribs being the biggest loser. Cash barrow and gilt prices were $1.60 lower this week. October lean hogs closed $.40 lower. Pork cutout value lost $.50, driven by lower rib and belly prices. 

·Monthly Trade Data – July shipments of pork were the highest ever recorded. With US pork exports to China showing a nearly six-fold increase. Pork exports to Mexico were 19 percent higher than a year ago. Beef exports in July fell 2.9 percent. Japan was much of the reason for the decline, as beef exports to the country slowed. Year-to-date beef exports are trailing year-go levels by 52.5 million pounds, while pork exports are now 58.5 million pounds above year ago levels. Primarily due to gains in the last two months. 

·Jobs Report – 130,000 jobs were added in August, that was below the pre-report expectation of 150,000. The lackluster jobs report highlights the concerns of a potential economic slowdown. The latest number from the New York Federal Reserve has the change of a recession in the next 12 months at 39 percent. The highest level since the global meltdown of 2008 to 2009.

·Next week’s reports – USDA’s Supply & Demand, Retail Prices, and Consumer Confidence.  

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