USDA Announces $824 Million to Protect Against H5N1

The USDA announced it’s taking several additional actions to ensure the health and viability of the nation’s livestock and poultry. The agency is adding an additional $824 million in emergency funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation to bolster these efforts. It’s also launching a new voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program to give producers more options to monitor the health of their herds and move cows quickly while providing ongoing testing and expanding USDA’s understanding of the disease. The main benefit for farmers who enroll in the voluntary pilot program is that they can prove their herds are free from H5N1 with results from a National Animal Health Laboratory Network facility. If the herds test negative for three consecutive weeks, farmers will be able to move animals without additional pre-movement testing currently required under the federal order. Producers from participating states can begin enrolling the week of June 3.

ND Supreme Court Sides with Summit

A North Dakota Supreme Court ruling favored Summit Carbon Solutions, a pipeline company currently in a dispute with landowners over the right to access properties to survey the land. The decision affirms a lower court ruling that the pipeline company didn’t need permission from landowners before they accessed property to determine a possible route for the company’s carbon pipeline. Yahoo says some landowners refused to grant Summit access to survey their property as Summit continues trying to build a carbon capture pipeline. Summit says it’s secured over 80 percent of its proposed North Dakota route through voluntary easements, but some landowners refused. North Dakota law doesn’t require written notice to landowners for survey access and allows crews access for projects that would benefit the public to show up at any time. Attorneys representing the landowners say the owners should get compensated, and written notice should be required upfront before getting access.

Make Ag Safety a Priority

Accidents will happen, and taking the extra time to plan safety precautions can save lives. The agriculture industry is filled with risk, injury, and danger at about every turn. Cultivating Caution is a monthly webinar series exploring the latest research, recommendations, and tips for staying safe and healthy while working in today’s agriculture industry. The series is cosponsored by the University of Illinois, FarmDoc, and University of Illinois Extension. In the monthly webinar, experts will cover a different safety topic and share resources from various concepts around machinery safety, farm stress, mental health, and the future of ag safety. Topics include Heat Stress and Illness, Injury Surveillance Efforts, Farm Safety for Youth, Crisis Resources for Farmers, Addressing Mental Stress and Health, and the Future of Ag Safety. Sessions will begin at 11 am Eastern Time on the third Tuesday of the month, starting on June 18 and ending on November 19.

Lambventures Grill-off Heats Up

The American Lamb Board is kicking off its new summer promotion highlighting delicious and nutritious American lamb, perfect for grilling, smoking, and outdoor entertaining. ALB is recruiting nine consumers from across the country who love to cook and entertain those summer parties and compete in the Lambventures Grill-off. Consumers can sign up now to participate in one of three categories: Patio Party Planner, Fit Foodie, or Outdoor Adventurer. If selected, applicants will throw a party for ten friends in June. Competitors will craft a lamb dish and menu, host a themed party, and capture photos to be submitted to ALB for public voting beginning on July 1 on the americanlamb.com website. “The Lambventure Grill-off is a way to inspire consumers to grill American lamb for summer gatherings,” says Jeff Ebert, ALB Chair. The host with the most votes wins the grand prize Dream Culinary Prize Pack valued at over $1,000.

Ethanol Output Hits Two-Month High

The Energy Information Administration says ethanol output reached its highest level in almost two months while inventories dropped during the seven days ending on May 24. Production rose to an average of 1.068 million barrels per day, up from 1.019 million a week earlier. The agency’s report says that’s the highest level since the week ending on March 29. The Midwest, which produces more ethanol than any region in the country, saw its production rise to an average of 1.007 million barrels a day, up from 94,000 a week earlier. Gulf Coast output increased to 27,000 barrels a day from 23,000 a week earlier. West Coast production rose to 10,000 barrels from 9,000 the week earlier. East Coast and Rocky Mountain production was stable at 12,000 barrels and 11,000 barrels, respectively. Ethanol stockpiles during the week ending on May 24 were reported at 23.207 million barrels, the lowest since December 15.

Culver’s Makes Large Donation to FFA

Culver’s firmly believes in supporting U.S. dairy farmers, and they put that support into action. During National Dairy Month in June, the restaurant chain is encouraging people to support dairy farmers by enjoying their favorite frozen dairy treat, Culver’s Fresh Frozen Custard. Culver’s has long credited its relationships with farmers who produce quality dairy for the success of its Fresh Frozen Custard. “Every dish, cone, shake, malt, and Concrete Mixer we serve is a result of the farmers working every day to bring them to our tables,” says Culver’s co-founder Craig Culver. To deepen its long-standing support for the next generation of farmers, Culver’s is pledging an additional $25,000 donation to the National FFA Organization to help fund dairy-specific programming and lesson plans. With the donation, Culver’s hopes to inspire and equip future dairy farmers with the tools they need to continue providing the nation’s growing population with high-quality dairy.

Monday Watch List

Markets

Back from the weekend, traders will check on the latest weather forecasts and will also read what members of OPEC+ decided regarding oil production at Sunday's meeting. Early Monday, world reports of manufacturing indices will roll in with the U.S. index due out at 9 a.m. CDT. USDA's report of weekly export inspections is at 10 a.m., followed by NASS's Fats and Oils report at 2 p.m. and weekly Crop Progress report at 3 p.m.

Weather

A system moved into the Plains over the weekend and continues east into the Midwest on Monday, spreading scattered showers and thunderstorms through the western half of the region. The front to the system extends down into the Southern Plains, which will also be active with showers and thunderstorms. Both regions could see pockets of severe weather developing Monday. Another system is moving into the Canadian Prairies and will bring more showers there and to the Northern Plains as well.