Friday February 3 Ag News

Colfax County 4-H Market Beef Weigh Day was scheduled on Sunday Feb 5th.  It has been postponed to Sunday Feb 12.  Call 402-352-3821 for more information. 



NRCS PROVIDES $1.1 MILLION TO PROTECT NEBRASKA AG LAND

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that $1.1 million will be available through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) to protect agricultural land in Nebraska.  Nebraska conservation partner organizations and land preservation groups have until April 1, 2012, to apply.

The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program is a voluntary program that provides funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farmland in agricultural uses. Working through existing local farmland protection programs, USDA enters into a cooperative agreement with State, tribal, local governments, or nongovernmental organizations to acquire perpetual conservation easements from landowners.    

The easement allows landowners to continue agricultural operations, and the land remains the private property of the landowner.  The land also remains on tax rolls.

This program was originally intended to assist with urban sprawl around densely populated urban areas, but in Nebraska, the program has been valuable in protecting historically significant, culturally unique and wild and scenic places from development.

NRCS is seeking proposals from organizations interested in acquiring conservation easements on farms and ranches.  Applications may be submitted at anytime, but must be received by April 1, 2012, to be considered for fiscal year 2012 funding.  Proposals should be sent with attention to: Craig Derickson, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 100 Centennial Mall North, Federal Building Rm. 152, Lincoln, NE 68508.

To participate in FRPP landowners agree to limit the use of their land for nonagricultural purposes.  Landowners keep possession of their land, and work with NRCS to develop and implement a conservation plan.

Eligible proposals will be ranked on the following factors:
·         Percentage of prime, unique, and important farmland in the parcel to be protected;
·         Percentage of cropland, pastureland, grassland, and rangeland in the parcel to be protected;
·         Ratio of the total acreage of land in the parcel to be protected to average farm size in the county;
·         Decrease in the percentage of acreage of farm and ranch land in the county in which the parcel is located;
·         Percent of population growth in the county;
·         Population density;
·         Proximity of the parcel to other protected land; and
·         Proximity of the parcel to other agricultural operations and infrastructure.

The eligible farm or ranch must have the following components:
·         Contain productive soils or historic or archaeological sites;
·         Furthers a state or local policy consistent with the purposes of the program;
·         Be part of a pending offer from a nongovernmental organization, State, Tribe, or local farmland protection program;
·         Privately owned;
·         Covered by a conservation plan, and;
·         Large enough to sustain agricultural production, or serve as a buffer to protect an agricultural operation from development.

For more information about FRPP please contact Randy Epperson at (402) 437-4048 or visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/frpp.



Nebraska Dairy Princess Contestants Sought

Midwest Dairy Association’s Nebraska Division is currently seeking applicants for the title of 2012 Nebraska Dairy Princess.  The selection of the new princess and runner-up will be held Tuesday, March 13, during the 2012 Nebraska Dairy Convention at Divots Conference Center in Norfolk.

The Nebraska Dairy Princess represents both the dairy producers and the dairy industry through meetings, demonstrations, promotions, presentations, radio and television interviews, passing out trophies and ribbons, school visits and parades.

Candidates must be at least a high school junior and not yet 26 years old, be active or have a parent, guardian or grandparent active within the Nebraska dairy cattle industry, and have never been married.  A $750 scholarship will be provided to the winner and a $250 scholarship to the alternate. Complete information and the application, which is due by March 2, is available at midwestdairycheckoff.com.

The all-day selection event and coronation begins with a noon lunch on March 13, followed by interviews and contestant presentations in the afternoon. A formal introduction of the candidates and their escorts will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the banquet and coronation to follow.

Additional information may be obtained from Julie Meier, program coordinator, at 308-390-9338 or julie.meier@thrivent.com.

The outgoing Nebraska Dairy Princess is Chandra Mosel, daughter of Randy and Jolene Mosel of Mo-Day Farms, Inc., Neligh.  A junior at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Mosel is pursuing a degree in hospitality, restaurant and tourism management.  She has been a senator and president for her college dorm in Lincoln, appeared on the Dean’s List and is active in the 4-H and Dairy Ambassador programs at the University.

“The dairy industry is a vital part of our world today.  Economically, we have just come through one of the toughest times in history.  However, we are resilient and need to be looking for solutions that will keep this from happening again,” says Mosel.   “I think that we need to continue to promote the health benefits of dairy products and we need to stress the importance of how these products are produced naturally and responsibly.”

The 2012 Nebraska Dairy Convention is free to all Nebraska dairy producers, families and guests.  Special room rates are available at the Norfolk Lodge and Suites by calling 1-800-230-4134.  Questions about the convention can be directed to Rod Johnson, Nebraska State Dairy Association, at 402-261-5482 or rod@nebraskamilk.org.  Attendee and sponsorship registration forms are available at nebraskamilk.org. The deadline to register is March 2.



NCBA:  Experts Project Tighter Cattle Supplies, Record Exports in 2012

As cattle supplies remain tight and global demand intensifies profitability for cattle ranchers will continue in the year ahead, CattleFax analysts told cattlemen during remarks delivered at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn.

“The economic signals are in place for restocking to begin this year,” said CattleFax Chief Executive Officer Randy Blach. “All we need now is a little encouragement from Mother Nature.”

Art Douglas, of Creighton University, set the expectation that, although there have been three months of near-normal rainfall in parts of Texas, drought will continue to play a role in determining if and when the cowherd expands. Douglas expects much of Texas to return to dry conditions by late-spring or early summer. He also predicts drought will spread into southern California, the Northern Plains and coastal areas of the southeast United States.

“By March a trough of low pressure should become established in the inland West and this will lower temperatures though precipitation will remain light at 75-90 percent of normal along the coast,” said Douglas. “These dry spring conditions will extend from the Pacific Northwest into the northern Plains. Dry spring weather is expected to persist in the Southeast where precipitation should run 80 percent of normal in coastal areas. Florida should show some improvement in moisture conditions by late spring.”

Despite shifting drought conditions, Blach told the audience he expects cattle inventory numbers will decline slightly in 2012 and reach a low point in 2013, before increasing in 2014 and beyond. Although herd growth may remain elusive, an increase in average carcass weights will partially offset the decline in inventory numbers, he said. The decline in cattle numbers means prices can be expected to move higher in 2012. Tight supplies of cattle and beef will be compounded by continued growth in the export markets, with expanded access into Japan and continued increases in the volume and value of beef being sold into export channels, according to Blach.

 “We anticipate additional good news from Japan, perhaps during the first half of the year,” said Blach of the effort to expand trade to include beef derived from cattle up to 30 months of age.

He said Japan won’t be the only export market to see significant growth during 2012. In fact, U.S. beef exports, which set records in 2011, will likely set new highs in 2012 as a result of strong overall global demand and continued weakness in the U.S. dollar.



Exports Lend Optimistic Tone to 2012 Cattle Industry Convention
More than 7,500 cattle producers gathered in Nashville this week for the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The turnout was the highest ever, with most attendees feeling very optimistic about the current state of the cattle industry.

Without question, record beef export performance over the past year is one of the biggest factors driving this positive outlook, as the percentage of U.S. beef production exported (including variety meat) approached 15 percent and export value equated to more than $200 per fed steer or heifer slaughtered.

“Our outlook for international markets across the globe is really exciting at this time," said Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation rancher from Parkville, Calif., who chairs the cattle industry’s Joint International Markets Committee. “I believe more and more producers across the nation are realizing the importance of our export markets and how they increase carcass value. For 2011, the value per steer and heifer slaughtered in the United States exceeds $200. That’s a huge boost to our profitability.”

The Joint International Markets Committee meets Friday afternoon, with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chairman Danita Rodibaugh offering opening remarks. Other USMEF presenters include:
-    Dan Halstrom, senior vice president for marketing and communications, will present an overview of the current international business climate.
-    Economist Erin Borror will lead a discussion of how exports impact producer profits.
-    USMEF-Mexico chef Max Covaliu will discuss opportunities and challenges in foreign markets.
-    Greg Hanes, assistant vice president for international marketing and programs will offer updates on the Fiscal Year 2012 Beef Checkoff Program authorization requests.

The committee meeting wraps up a busy week in Nashville for the USMEF delegation. On Thursday, Rodibaugh, Hanes and Halstrom met with many of the agricultural and business reporters in attendance for radio, television and newspaper interviews. USMEF’s trade show booth has been extremely active, with producers anxious to learn more about global marketing programs for U.S. beef and the state of the international markets. At the trade show opening on Wednesday, chef Covaliu welcomed producers with samples of chili-rubbed top round – a popular entree in Mexico and other Latin American markets.

“It’s been an excellent convention and a very exciting week,” Rodibaugh said. “But even with the positive business climate, a major concern we continue to hear is that cattle numbers remain low and we need to find ways to attract young people to the industry. I feel very strongly that meat exports can play a big role in that respect. International trade is one of the best sources of optimism that we have, and can serve as a catalyst for expansion of beef, pork and lamb operations.”



NCBA:  EPA Questioned by Cattlemen on CAFO Reporting Rule

Ellen Gilinsky with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faced a roomful of cattlemen and women at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s annual convention held in Nashville, Tenn. Gilinsky, who serves as a senior policy advisor to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, received questions regarding the proposed Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 308 CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) Reporting Rule. The center of concern stems from what was referred to as a serious overreach of EPA’s authority. NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon said the proposed rule could put the nation’s food system at risk of increased terrorist attacks.

“EPA should pull this rule. The agency needs to redirect its focus to working with states and other partners to attain already publicly available information that would allow them to work toward their goal of improved water quality,” said Lyon. “This can be done in a way that does not put our food system at increased risk.”

According to concerns raised, this rule was developed through a consent decree with environmental groups. Cattlemen voiced their deep concern that more and more regulations are coming from these type of agreements where cattle producers don’t have a seat at the table. The proposed rule requires all cattle operations meeting the regulatory definition of a CAFO to report a long list of information about their operations to EPA, including latitude and longitude (or street address) of the production area, acres available for land application of manure, type and number of head and contact information for the owner or authorized representative. EPA would place this information on the agency’s website in an easily searchable database, where Lyon fears extremists could access the information with the intent to do harm to cattle operations or the nation’s food system. Gilinsky said EPA received a number of comments on the proposed rule prior to the closing of the comment period on Jan. 19. She said the agency understands the cattle industry’s biosecurity and privacy concerns.

“We are very interested in working with you. We want to work in partnership,” said Gilinsky. “We heard your concerns about biosecurity. We are very open to ideas on how to get information. We just want the information. We worked really closely with USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and what we came up with was actually a result of our work with USDA.”

Gilinsky said the final rule will be released on July 13, 2012. If finalized as proposed, Lyon said any non-compliance with the rule would be a violation of the CWA and be subject to fines of up to $37,500 per day. Lyon also said she was encouraged by the comments made by Gilinsky. 



IFB Webinar Discusses 2012 Crop Insurance, Marketing

As farmers' costs of production increase, risk management tools, including crop insurance and marketing decisions, are vital to the success of their operations. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Margin Management webinar series highlights these topics and tools at its next webinar offered Feb. 8 from 1-2 p.m. at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

The free, live webinar features Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager, and William Edwards, Iowa State University professor of economics.

"In these volatile times, risk management is more important than ever. Farmers need to understand their options as they look forward to marketing and protecting that next crop," said Kordick. "The webinar will address the changes for 2012 in crop insurance, which is a main component in crop risk management. We will also discuss how crop insurance can be used to enable farmers to be more confident in marketing the crop before harvest."

Participants can pre-register and access the free webinar at www.iowafarmbureau.com. For more information, contact Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org or 515-225-5433. The seminar will be recorded and available on the IFBF website, www.iowafarmbureau.com, starting the following day, for Farm Bureau members to view the information on their farm/home computer.



ASA Points to Multiple Positives in Proposed Reauthorization of Highway Bill

As the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moves to mark up the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012 (H.R. 7) released by Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) this week, American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman underscored multiple high points within the bill’s initial language:

“ASA applauds Chairman Mica’s proposal, which included multiple soybean farmer priorities, including the renewal of an agricultural harvest time exemption from the hours-of-service rules that limit the number of hours truck drivers may operate, as well as the chairman’s proposed inclusion of provisions enabling states to allow increased truck weight limits if an additional axle is used.  ASA is disappointed with efforts during the mark-up to block the provisions to allow increased truck weight limits.

“ASA is also particularly encouraged that the proposed bill includes stated support for the Realize America’s Maritime Promise Act, which will ensure sufficient funding for dredging of inland waterways and port maintenance activities.

“This reauthorization is certainly overdue, and the soybean industry stands to gain much from a new, comprehensive transportation solution. Not only farmers stand to gain from a renewed commitment to transportation infrastructure, however; the lower energy and transportation costs that result will benefit all Americans.

“Our industry and agriculture as a whole needs reliable and modern roads and highways, rail infrastructure, inland waterways and ports to ensure that American farmers can move their products to market as quickly and efficiently as possible. The steps taken this week by Chairman Mica and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are productive ones toward this ultimate goal.”



ASA Cheers Department of Labor Decision to Re-Write Controversial Child Labor Regulations

In response to a Wednesday’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor that it will re-examine draft rules that relate to youth working on farms, American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman releases the following statement in support of the move:

“The American Soybean Association is pleased that the Department of Labor has agreed to re-write onerous draft rules that would have negatively impacted the ability of youth to work on family farms and gain agricultural experience.  The soybean industry and agriculture as a whole puts safety at the vanguard of our operations. A successful farm is a safe farm, and ASA supports efforts to ensure that children are kept out of potentially hazardous situations in the farm workplace. We also know that on-farm experience is a great teacher and part of the rural tradition that has made our country and farm families strong. ASA was concerned that the Labor Department’s proposed rules would have greatly impacted the ability of youth to gain these experiences, so we are pleased that the rules now will be rewritten.”



Farm Bill On the Move: Groups Meet; Senate Hearings Set
(from NAWG newsletter)

The agriculture community took a number of important steps toward a 2012 Farm Bill this week, with commodity groups meeting in Washington to discuss the issues and the Senate Agriculture Committee announcing a hearing schedule.

Farmer and staff leaders of 13 commodity groups met in Washington, D.C. Tuesday and Wednesday to build relationships and consensus around farm policy priorities.

At the session, they confirmed their commitment to work together in the coming process and their common belief that a new farm bill should be completed this year to provide certainty to farmers and the industries they support.

“American agriculture stands out as one of the few sectors of the economy that has, throughout the economic downturn, still contributed positively to our nation’s balance of trade while helping to create jobs and put this country back on its economic feet,” the groups said in a joint statement following the meeting.

“And we have accomplished these things with a farm policy that also stands out as consistently under budget over the past 10 years and for leading the way on deficit reduction, contributing disproportionately and, in some cases, even alone, in the effort to get our nation’s fiscal house in order.

“The economy is fragile, unemployment is high, and Americans are worried. Given the need for economic growth and deficit reduction, for our part, we have offered to do more with less. If Washington provides America’s farmers and ranchers with some certainty, we can continue to help lead our nation’s economic recovery.”

The groups with leadership in the sessions represent the vast majority of commodity producers who participate in programs offered under Title I of the 2008 Farm Bill.

They included NAWG, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, US Canola Association, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and USA Rice Federation.

On Wednesday, Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) announced her Committee will hold four hearings in February and March on farm bill issues.

A hearing set for Feb. 15 will cover energy issues; a hearing set for Feb. 29 will cover conservation issues; a hearing set for March 14 will cover nutrition issues; and a hearing set for March 21 will tackle what is expected to be the biggest road block to quick completion of the bill, risk management and commodity title policies.

The Committee announcement said witness lists and times will be released at a later date. It is widely expected the Senate Committee will complete its work on a new farm bill first, perhaps before the work of the House Agriculture Committee officially begins.

Farm bill watchers got another piece of interesting data this week from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which provides the official estimates, or scores, of costs associated with proposed government programs.

In its Budget and Economic Outlook, released Tuesday, CBO said mandatory spending for agricultural support is expected to rise very slightly and remain stable over the next 10 years, accounting for $15 billion in 2011 and a projected average of $16 billion per year between 2012 and 2022. In 2013, CBO suggested mandatory agriculture spending will fall to about $13 billion.

By contrast, mandatory spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, came to about $77 billion per year in 2011, and is projected to remain in that range through 2022.

CBO’s projections of farm policy spending will be essential components of finalizing a farm bill in 2012, as overall program spending is expected to decline, putting pressure on policy makers to design a better safety net with ever-fewer dollars.

The Obama Administration is scheduled to release its budget proposal in mid-February, which will begin official budget discussions for the coming fiscal year.



CHS and Cargill Expand TEMCO Grain Export Operations

Cargill and CHS Inc. announced the two agribusiness companies are expanding the scope of their TEMCO LLC, grain export terminal joint venture to include other Pacific Northwest export assets owned by the companies.

TEMCO, which operates an export facility in Tacoma, Wash., is a 50-50 joint venture between CHS and Cargill. The expanded joint venture will include the Tacoma facility along with an export terminal in Kalama, Wash., and the Cargill Irving Elevator at Portland, Ore. The expanded joint venture company will export feed grains, oilseeds, and wheat to Asia-Pacific markets.

Cargill and CHS both said they are confident the long-term expansion will result in the assets, infrastructure and volume necessary to meet global demand. Country elevators and producers will benefit from the strong global connections and logistical and distribution expertise.



John Engelen Joins CHS Inc. as Vice President, Government Affairs

CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, today announced John Engelen has been named vice president of Government Affairs, effective Feb. 20.  Engelen will lead the company's  federal and state government affairs, serving as CHS lead representative on a wide range of energy, grain, agriculture, cooperative and other issues with Congress, and federal and state agencies.  He will also manage the company's Washington, D.C., government affairs office.  Engelen will be based at CHS headquarters in St. Paul and report to Patrick Kluempke, executive vice president, Corporate Services.

"We are very pleased to have John join CHS," said Kluempke.  "He brings significant insight and experience on many issues that are important to CHS diverse energy, grains and foods business portfolio, and to our member cooperatives and producer owners."

Engelen brings more than 25 years experience managing a wide range of legislative issues at the federal, state and local level.  Most recently, he served as vice president, Office of Governmental and Community Affairs, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., where he focused on policy issues, including health care, higher education, research, energy, food safety, public and global health, animal welfare and transportation.  Prior to joining Emory University, he directed federal relations for the University of Minnesota where he implemented a comprehensive federal relations program to advance advocacy for the land-grant research university.  He has also held government relations positions at two Fortune 500 companies, and served on U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger 's (R-MN) legislative policy staff.

Engelen earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.



Hormel Ending Tight Pig Confinement

(AP) - Hormel Foods Corp.'s company-owned farms are phasing out the use of small metal crates for confining pregnant hogs by the end of 2017 -- a move welcomed Thursday by the Humane Society of the United States, which had pushed for the change.

The Humane Society has been campaigning across the country for an end to the use of gestation crates, saying they severely restrict the animals' movements. Hormel -- the maker of Spam canned meat, Cure 81 hams and Black Label bacon -- is the society's latest claimed success. Six weeks ago, the world's largest pork producer, Smithfield Foods Inc., said it would stop using gestation crates at its facilities by 2017.

Matthew Dominguez, public policy manager for the society's farm animal protection campaign, said the first word his group got of Hormel's change in policy was at the company's shareholders meeting in Austin, Minn., Tuesday night when he asked CEO Jeffrey Ettinger when the company would stop allowing gestation crates in its supply chain. He said Ettinger replied that Hormel's company-owned farms would phase them out by the end of 2017.

It wasn't immediately clear when Hormel made the policy change. The company's media relations department pointed to a section of its online 2010 Corporate Responsibility Report explaining its plans. The section on hog operations was updated at some point to reflect the change since one version of the report was issued last year, but the company did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on when it made the change or whether it was in response to pressure from the Humane Society.

In both versions, Hormel says the breeding sows at its company-owned farms in Arizona will be transitioning to group housing by the end of summer this year and at its farms in Colorado before 2018.

"With nearly 75 percent of our company-owned sows moving to group sow housing at our farms in Arizona and Colorado, for the purposes of consistent animal handling practices, employee training, personnel transfer and reporting processes, we will also begin the transition to group sow housing at our company-owned farms in Wyoming before 2018," the updated passage reads. "By including our Wyoming farms with our operations in Arizona and Colorado, all Hormel Foods-owned farms will be 100 percent group sow housing before 2018."

The earlier version did not mention plans for Wyoming, and neither version says whether Hormel is asking the more than 775 independent farmers across the Midwest who supply the company with hogs to end the use of gestation crates.

Dominguez noted Hormel acknowledged the policy change just six weeks after competitor Smithfield, and just days after the Humane Society announced the results of an undercover investigation at two Oklahoma facilities that use the crates.

"The science is clear on this, the competitive landscape is clear and public sentiment is clear that gestation crates have to go," he said.

According to the Humane Society, Hormel has 54,000 breeding pigs at its facilities in Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming. Hormel did not immediately confirm that figure. Eight states have passed bans on gestation creates including Arizona and Colorado, where the bans take effect by the end of the 2012 and 2017 respectively. But Wyoming has no such law, the society pointed out.

"This decision brings us closer to the day when the cruel confinement of pigs in gestation crates will be a bygone era for the entire pork industry," Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle said in a statement. "We thank Hormel for making this decision and urge the company to also apply it to any contract pig breeders it may use. We also urge Hormel's competitors such as Tyson, Triumph, Prestage and Seaboard to stop lagging behind and get on the gestation-crate free pathway."

Dominguez plans to raise the issue when he attends the Tyson Foods Inc. annual meeting in Springdale, Ark., on Friday.



Farm Bill Realities Examined at National Farmers Annual Ag Business Meeting

Speaking at National Farmers annual ag business convention in West Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday, Dr. Daryll Ray, University of Tennessee, painted a less rosy price picture for agriculture during a year of Farm Bill focus.

The Director of Agricultural Policy Analysis Center at the University of Tennessee said the current economic expectation is that extremely low prices won’t happen again, because of a hungry world, combined with ethanol production. He said the most popular Farm Bill policy direction is toward revenue insurance as the best option.

But, Ray noted that reality could clash with that positive picture...
-    Producers should not expect the rate of ethanol growth experienced the last few years to continue.
-    The U.S. may benefit less than anticipated from the 70 percent world food demand growth forecast for the next four decades because major population growth areas will expand their own production.
-    There are no price floors.
-    A possible outcome from the first three keypoints could be excess worldwide production capacity, causing years of relatively low prices.
-    High-price periods are the worst times to write a Farm Bill because of a tendency to focus on provisions that work well during those elevated price periods only.
-    Insurance is not well suited for incidents that affect an entire pool of insurance clients.
-    Revenue insurance only works well when prices are high, but does not provide a safety net when low prices occur — an upside down safety net.

“Relative to history, crop prices are extremely high, they (writers of the Farm Bill) come up with solutions that are just fine when prices are high,” Ray said. “But this is the worst time to write a Farm Bill.”

Ray noted that while the U.S. has participated in the export markets, it has not lived up to the expectations that people have talked about. “We have been extremely flat as far as the tonnage of grain goes.”

National Farmers Organization Members Re-elect Olson as President, Install Riniker as Vice President
National Farmers members re-elected dairy producer, Paul Olson, Taylor, Wis., to his fourth term as president of the commodity marketing organization.  Olson has led the organization in growth initiatives, expansion and refining of risk management services, and growing relationships with other agricultural associations. Olson is the sixth president of National Farmers and a third generation dairy producer. He joined National Farmers in 1969, and operates a 500-acre diversified organic farm. Paul, and his wife, Judy, own a 100-head Holstein dairy herd, with a total cattle herd of about 250.

“I am pleased to continue the initiatives the members have supported during my leadership of the organization, focusing on marketing and risk management, and returning revenue to our members across the country as they produce grain, dairy and livestock for consumers around the world,” he said.

National Farmers members Thursday elected Paul Riniker, Greeley, Iowa, to be their new vice president. Riniker owns a 1,200 head cattle operation, and runs a 480-acre grain operation supporting the livestock. Riniker, and his wife, Janet, also own and operate a custom silage bagging business.  Riniker has long capitalized on and advocated National Farmers and its marketing and risk management services. “As vice president, I will continue to support our group marketing, price negotiation and risk management programs. I’m a firm believer in spreading out risk, and marketing together,” Riniker said. He has served on National Farmers National Board of Directors, and in many other capacities.



USDA Announces Funding for Two Renewable Energy Programs

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of funds for Fiscal Year 2012 for two key programs to encourage the use of renewable biomass and production of advanced biofuels. About $25 million will be made available through each program.

"President Obama has laid out a new era for American energy—an economy fueled by homegrown and alternative energy sources that will be designed and produced by American workers," said Vilsack. "These programs support that vision by helping biorefineries use renewable biomass as a replacement fuel source for fossil fuels and supporting advanced biofuel producers as they expand production."

The Repowering Assistance Program provides approximately $25 million in funding to biorefineries that have been in existence on or before June 18, 2008. The purpose of the program is to provide a financial incentive to biorefineries to use renewable biomass in place of fossil fuels used to produce heat or power. By providing this assistance, USDA is helping these facilities install new systems that use renewable biomass.

The amount of the payment will be based on (1) the cost effectiveness of the renewable biomass system; and (2) the percentage reduction in fossil fuels used by that biorefinery. The maximum amount an individual biorefinery can receive under the Notice is 50 percent of total eligible project costs up to a maximum of $10 million.

Eligible costs must be related to construction or repowering improvements, such as engineering design, equipment installation and professional fees. The application deadline for this program to receive funds for Fiscal Year 2012 is June 1, 2012. For additional details, please see pages 5232 through 5234 of the February 2, 2012, Federal Register, or go to http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-02/pdf/2012-2244.pdf.

USDA also announced the availability of up to $25 million to make payments to advanced biofuels producers who expect to produce eligible advanced biofuels at any time during Fiscal Year 2012. To be eligible for these funds, an advanced biofuels producers must have enrolled in the program by October 31, 2011, even if the producer has an existing contract with the Agency.

Payments will be made to producers of advanced biofuels derived from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. These include cellulose, sugar and starch, crop residue, vegetative waste material, animal waste, food and yard waste, vegetable oil, animal fat, and biogas.

Contract payments will be made quarterly. For additional details, please see pages 5229 through 5232 of the February 2, 2012, Federal Register, or go to http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-02/pdf/2012-2240.pdf.

Both of the programs referenced in the Federal Register are important parts of achieving the Obama Administration goal to increase biofuels production and use.



Healthier Meals for our Nation’s Children
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

This month marked an important step forward for the health and well-being of our nation’s youngsters. USDA announced changes to improve the quality of school lunches that are served to 32 million American children each day. This will help them learn and better prepare them for the jobs of the 21st century.

These new standards – based on the most up-to-date science – will make the same kinds of practical changes that many parents are already encouraging at home:

They’ll make sure students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week – and increase opportunities to eat whole grains. They’ll substantially reduce the amount of saturated fat, trans-fats and salt in meals. And they’ll ensure appropriate portion size, limiting calories based on how old a child is. To drink, kids will be offered fat-free or low-fat milk.

These changes are the result of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, which passed Congress more than a year ago. It was supported by the Obama administration – and by a broad coalition of parents, teachers, school lunch professionals, doctors, and even retired generals who wanted to make sure that America’s children are healthy enough to be able to serve in our armed forces.

To unveil the changes to school meals, First Lady Michelle Obama and I went to a local elementary school in Virginia and had a chance to eat a meal the meets the new, improved standards. We ate turkey tacos with brown rice and corn salsa. There was a side of fresh fruit. It was all delicious, and the students at my lunch table agreed.

Most importantly, it was the sort of well-balanced meal that our children need to grow up healthy and strong. That means kids can concentrate, learn, and do their best in class. It means they’ll have the skills and education they need to compete in the global economy and win the jobs of today and tomorrow.

A healthy nation with a strong economy built to last depends on the health of our children. And last week we took an important step towards raising a healthier generation of Americans.