Lice are more common in cattle during the winter because of the cold weather, long hair, and close quarters, which create ideal conditions for the insects to thrive. While you may have treated for lice in the fall, there is a good chance you could see them begin to reemerge depending upon the product you used and when you timed your application. It’s important for cattle producers to understand there are two types of lice of concern: blood sucking and chewing. When it comes to blood sucking lice, systemic treatments work to kill these pests and, while topical treatments will kill both blood sucking and chewing lice, in either case, only the adults are killed, leaving the eggs to hatch and reinfest the herd. Injectable formulations are effective primarily against bloodsucking lice. Pour-on formulations are effective against biting and bloodsucking lice.  Because application is easy and less stressful for the treated animal, the pour-on method has become a popular way to apply insecticides. Lice can cause anemia, poor feed efficiency, and lower weight gain and milk production. 

As we close another year, we look back and wonder what we could have done differently; nothing really, everything maybe.  Mother Nature was the biggest obstacle.  The weather started out too cold and too dry, then it changed to too wet, then back to too dry again.  It was a vicious cycle of setbacks.  I think we just need to stay the course and keep trying to do what we do best.  Grow crops and raise livestock. 

A lot of fertilizer got applied this fall which is a very good agronomic decision.  It is a good time to get your spring fertilizer needs locked in. Locking in your fertilizer needs now will guarantee you have the product this spring when you need it.  Seed decisions and chemical programs are being made now with cash discounts and programs that are very appealing to the grower.  Your local agronomist can help you with these decisions to assure you get the right product for the right acre.

With all the emphasis on prepay and locking in products for spring, let’s not forget about the holiday season that is upon us now.  Enjoy the season with family and friends.  Embrace the time with the elderly and make memories with moms, dads and siblings and most of all grandchildren. Have a safe and joyous holiday season.  And most of all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

The grain markets didn’t seem to be much in the Christmas Spirit this week as Corn lost about 3 cents and Soybeans gave away about 32 cents. In fact it seems that the markets want to engage in the Season of Festivus. For those that aren’t fans of the Classic Sitcom Seinfeld, Festivus was a holiday featured in an episode during the Christmas Season. Festivus is a secular holiday, an alternative to the pressures and commercialization of the Christmas season. One of the traditions during Festivus is the ‘Airing of Grievances.’ As George Costanza’s father blurted at the Supper table, “I have a lot of problems with you people and you’re gonna hear about it.”

In this case it is the grain markets with which I am taking issue and the ways they have disappointed as of late especially Soybeans. Negative headlines permeated the trade as Guidance on 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit continues to be delayed. Trade is concerned that soy crush margins could be impacted negatively if the US Treasury fails to issue regulations on biodiesel as the credit expires by the end of the year. The trade is putting more focus on a Brazil Soybean crop that looks like it could be near 170MMT or more of production. However, Soybeans are oversold short term on the charts and could be poised for a bit of a recovery soon. However, take advantage of opportunities to market any unpriced soybeans on decent price strength or rallies.

Corn on the other hand has shown ‘Feats of Strength’ this week (Another Festivus Term) even as Soybeans disappointed. Corn’s demand story is keeping it in good spirits and supported price wise. Like soybeans it could use guidance on 45Z legislation to keep demand well supported going forward. Corn used for Ethanol Production is still running slightly above the USDA’s newly increased estimate in the December WASDE Report. Export Shipments remained strong this week and on a better pace need to achieve the USDA estimate in the December WASDE Report. The Corn market, however, could be held back from much of a rally above $4.55- $4.65 March futures, without getting some assistance from the soybean market. That price level seems like a good target to market additional corn bushels for the moment.

in other news this week, US legislators wrestled this week with passing a stop gap spending Bill in an effort to keep the Government Open. Included in the Bill is the Farm Act which is a temporary extension of the current Farm Bill while new Farm Bill legislation awaits passage. There is a provision for $10 billion in economic assistance for eligible producers. Details on how those payments will be distributed will be announced at a later date.

If you want to discuss marketing plans or just ‘Air Your Grievances’ with the grain markets, please reach out to your local CFC originator and they would be happy to have a conversation. As always, we genuinely appreciate your consideration in doing business with CFC and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!