Agriculture Shorts

Laying hens in Nebraska numbered 8.50 million in June,up from 8.03 million the previous year according to the USDA's National Agricultural StatisticsService (NASS).Nebraska egg production during the month totaled 209 million eggs, up from 200 million in 2023 . . . Milk production in Nebraska during April-June totaled 318 million pounds, down 8% from last year according to the NASS. The average number of milk cows was 51,000 head, 4,000 head less than last year . . . Concerned about wildfire smoke and crop yields? Mark Jeschke, agronomy manager for Pioneer says "There are multiple mechanisms through which wildfire smoke could cause reductions in crop yields but it's unlikely that smoky conditions experienced of the past few years have had a measurable impact in most areas."