Smith Works to Rein-in EPA
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) this week became an original cosponsor of H.R. 5961 introduced by Congresswoman Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) on June 19, 2012. The legislation would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from conducting aerial surveillance of agricultural land when enforcing the Clean Water Act unless the Agency has obtained voluntary written consent, provided public notice, or received court-ordered certification of reasonable suspicion.
“The EPA’s use of aerial surveillance to enforce the Clean Water Act and the Agency’s failure to adequately address my concerns raises questions about the privacy and property rights of producers across the country,” said Smith. “I am proud to support this bill as a commonsense solution to safeguard the privacy of property owners while giving the EPA the flexibility it needs to ensure the quality of our resources.”
On May 29th, the Nebraska delegation, including Congressman Smith, wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson requesting information on the Agency’s use of aerial surveillance to enforce the Clean Water Act. The delegation sent a follow-up to Jackson on June 11th.
The bill would mandate the EPA operate within its Congressionally issued authority while enforcing the Clean Water Act. Furthermore, it would improve transparency by requiring the Agency to engage stakeholders and respect the privacy of agricultural producers.
DELEGATES SELECTED TO ATTEND THE 41ST ANNUAL NAYI
Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach today announced the selection of 156 Nebraska high school students selected to attend the 41st annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). This year’s Institute will be held July 9-13 on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus.
“This year’s NAYI will feature excellent speakers and a multitude of activities that will really showcase the number of various career options available to the delegates in the agricultural industry,” said Ibach. “The week will provide the delegates with an opportunity to network with industry leaders and other agricultural representatives.”
The theme for the 2012 NAYI is “We’re Growing Places.” For five days, delegates will participate in agriculture policy discussions, agricultural career explorations, and group discussions on industry topics. Motivational speakers, a farm management program, along with a media experience will help the delegates develop their leadership potential, strengthen their pride in Nebraska’s agricultural industry, and help them to tell the story of Nebraska agriculture.
Since its founding in 1971, NAYI has reached over 5,000 youths from across the state of Nebraska. The Institute is the longest-running agricultural youth institute of its kind in the nation. Delegates are able to attend the Institute free of charge, because of the donations of numerous agricultural organizations and individuals.
Mr. Conner Kozisek Ainsworth
Ms. Brandie Janssen Alma
Ms. Rebecca Stonerook Arapahoe
Ms. Ashley McCoy Arapahoe
Ms. Shaely Thiele Atkinson
Ms. Autumn Lemmer Atkinson
Mr. Cole Gibbens Atkinson
Mr. Joshua Janzen Aurora
Mr. Harrison McMahon Ayr
Mr. Marty Kreitman Bassett
Mr. Roger Carpenter Bassett
Ms. Erin Blum Benedict
Ms. Morgan Jones Benkelman
Ms. Haley Bledsoe Blair
Ms. Mariah Utter Brewster
Ms. Kayla Obermiller Cairo
Mr. Justin Ross Callaway
Mr. Matthew Stengel Carleton
Ms. Paige Benner Central City
Ms. Morgan Rezac Ceresco
Mr. Wyatt Matulka Ceresco
Mr. James (JD) Isaac Ceresco
Ms. Sarah Gramlich Ceresco
Mr. Trent Mastny Clarkson
Ms. Kasie Bruss Clatonia
Ms. Emma Hart Clearwater
Mr. Devin Heusinkvelt Cortland
Mr. Tyler Block Cozad
Ms. Samantha Schneider Cozad
Ms. Kellie Parks Crete
Ms. Jeana Rezac Crete
Mr. Matthew Scholz Crete
Mr. Keith Towne Curtis
Mr. Riley Garey Curtis
Mr. Jeffrey Hornung Davey
Mr. Lukas Fricke David City
Mr. Kaleb Scheffler David City
Ms. Amanda Clymer David City
Ms. Dana Eikmeier Dodge
Ms. Kaydee Caldwell Edgar
Mr. Abe Dush Elba
Ms. Katelyn Melton Elsie
Mr. Grant Rahjes Elwood
Mr. Morgan Smith Eustis
Ms. Joy Larsen Eustis
Mr. Clay Easterday Eustis
Mr. Trevor DeVries Fairfield
Mr. Caleb Schlick Fairfield
Ms. Whitney Lovegrove Fairmont
Ms. Rachelle Uldrich Fairmont
Ms. Lindsey Schwartz Fairmont
Ms. Laura Gorecki Farwell
Mr. Clark Rathman Farwell
Ms. Morgan Zumpfe Friend
Mr. Jared Segner Friend
Mr. Kyle Lenneman Garland
Ms. JuliAnna Capek Geneva
Ms. Megan Schiermeyer Geneva
Mr. Gator Schott Gibbon
Ms. Bailey Gibbens Gothenburg
Mr. Kerry McPheeters Gothenburg
Ms. Madison Costello Gothenburg
Ms. Peyton Maline Gothenburg
Ms. Morgan Kowalewski Gothenburg
Ms. Baylee Laub Grand Island
Ms. Kimberly Johnson Hampton
Mr. Erich Vogel Hastings
Mr. Austin Weyers Hay Springs
Mr. Adam Lawson Hayes Center
Ms. Kerbie Large Hayes Center
Ms. Halsie Large Hayes Center
Ms. Taylor Cooper Hayes Center
Ms. Morgan Fangmeier Hebron
Mr. Garrett Winz Holdrege
Mr. Dylan Dam Hooper
Mr. Derek Hoetfelker Hooper
Mr. Tommy Geisler Hooper
Ms. Stephanie Teten Johnson
Mr. Isaac Richter Kearney
Ms. Railen Ripp Kearney
Mr. Adam Heier Kenesaw
Ms. Hailey Keller Kimball
Ms. Shelby Anderson Lakeside
Mr. Tyler Schindler Laurel
Mr. Seth Kopf Lexington
Mr. Ian Biehl Lincoln
Ms. Emma Schultz Lincoln
Ms. Logan Sieck Martell
Mr. Dillon Brown Maywood
Mr. Daniel Bauer McCool Junction
Mr. Terry Salyer McCool Junction
Mr. Coleman Cogswell McCool Junction
Mr. Jacob Saathoff Miller
Ms. Taylor Ruzicka Morse Bluff
Mr. Sam Glasshoff Murdock
Ms. Emily Glasshoff Murdock
Ms. Elizabeth Rice Murray
Ms. Toni Rasmussen Newman Grove
Ms. Hollie Skibsted North Bend
Ms. Elizabeth Uehling Oakland
Ms. Mattie McCabe O'Neill
Ms. Taylor Hornickel Ord
Ms. Breanna Johnson Osceola
Ms. Stephanie Steele Osceola
Ms. Austin Gabriel Osceola
Ms. Morgan Walker Parks
Ms. Taylor Walker Parks
Mr. Merritt O'Conner Paxton
Ms. Lexy Nuesch Pierce
Mr. Clayton Lienemann Pierce
Ms. Abigail Wehrbein Plattsmouth
Ms. Jenna Martin Pleasanton
Ms. Melani Fisher Pleasanton
Ms. Alyssa Stubbs Pleasanton
Mr. Dillon Rickett Ponca
Ms. Hayley Clark Potter
Mr. Justin Korth Randolph
Mr. Paul Bauer Ravenna
Mr. Aman Miller Ravenna
Mr. Aaron Studebaker Raymond
Ms. Caitlin Ohnoutka Raymond
Mr. Eric Rasmussen Riverdale
Mr. Stephen Thiltges Rulo
Ms. Nicole Cargill Scotia
Ms. Chrisinda Scheideler Scotia
Mr. Glen Ready Scribner
Ms. Skyler Adamek Seward
Ms. Emma George Seward
Ms. Courtney Libra-Catlin Shelton
Ms. Whitney Walters Shickley
Ms. Jennifer Keyes Springfield
Ms. Emily Long Springfield
Ms. Kelsey Scheer St. Paul
Mr. Nathan Pflueger Staplehurst
Mr. Matthew Erickson Sterling
Mr. Benjamin Fox Stratton
Ms. Jordan Paxton Stuart
Ms. Shelby Paxton Stuart
Ms. Sydney Todd Union
Mr. David Walla Valparaiso
Mr. Braden Forker Verdigre
Ms. Kelsey Knigge Verdigre
Ms. Rebekah Spader Waco
Ms. Andrea Konecky Wahoo
Mr. Taylor Nielson Wallace
Ms. Larissa Wach Wauneta
Ms. Erica Peterson Waverly
Mr. Jaden Clark Wellfleet
Mr. Tyler Bollish Wellfleet
Ms. CaLee Thomsen Wolbach
Mr. Jared McKeever Wymore
Mr. Michael Dorcey York
Ms. Jessica Tonniges York
Valero Idles Albion Ethanol Plant in Neb. on Poor Margins
Valero Energy Corp. temporarily shut down a 110 million gallon per year ethanol plant in Albion, Nebraska, yesterday due to poor profit margins. All employees will remain on hand for maintenance while the plant is idle. The plant is expected to restart operations before the fall corn harvest. None of the company's other 10 ethanol plants have been shut down at this time. Valero reports margins were particularly poor in Nebraska, saying In that part of the country, corn prices are actually higher, and the plant has been operating with negative margins for some time. This is the second plant within a week to make such an announcement. NEDAK Ethanol said Friday afternoon in a news release it has temporarily suspended ethanol production at its 44 million gallon per year plant in Atkinson, Neb.
Iowa Food & Family Project advisory team to lead ag awareness efforts
The Iowa Food & Family Project has convened a 17-member advisory team to guide and implement activities that inspire stronger relationships, awareness and trust between rural and urban Iowans.
“As stated by our theme, the Iowa Food & Family Project is uniting farmers and consumers by creating opportunities for engagement through conversations and activities,” says Aaron Putze, director of communications and coordinator of the Iowa Food & Family Project for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). “It’s an opportune time to make these connections, given the renaissance of interest in food, its quality and how it’s produced.”
The Iowa FFP (www.facebook.com/foodnfamilies), launched last year by the ISA, is a purpose-driven initiative involving nearly 30 dedicated and committed partners, including farm organizations, food retailers, businesses and food relief associations. It’s dedicated to inspiring greater awareness, understanding and trust between farmers and consumers through personal engagement and advocacy.
The advisory team helps the Iowa Food & Family Project accomplish its mission by providing strategic input, surfacing issues, prioritizing activities and developing long-term partnerships with like-minded organizations.
Advisory team members include: Nancy Degner, Iowa Beef Industry Council; Linda Dunshee, LINK Associates (Des Moines); Wayne Fredericks, Iowa Soybean Association; Kim Abels and Clarence Hudson, Iowa Sports Foundation; Michelle Hurd, Iowa Grocery Industry Association; Joyce Hoppes, Iowa Pork Producers Association; Julie Kenney, Pioneer H-Bred International; Gretta Irwin, Iowa Turkey Federation; and Jim Knuth, Farm Credit Services of America.
Also: Kent Lehs, Midwest Dairy Association; Greg Rinehart, Rinehart Family Farm (Ogden); Seth Shannon, American Institute of Architects — Iowa Chapter; Catherine Swoboda, World Food Prize; Tony Wilson, Applied Art & Technology, Des Moines; Jordan Vernoy, Iowa Food Bank Association; and Kevin Vinchattle, Iowa Poultry Association.
The Iowa Food & Family Project proudly serves as presenting sponsor of the Iowa Games and supporter of Live Healthy Iowa, and conducts innovative activities including “Be Our Guest, Be A Farmer” and “U on the Farm” contests and one-of-a-kind agricultural experiences at the Iowa State Fair.
In addition, the Iowa Food & Family Project also coordinated the recently-completed “Special Delivery: Homes. Help. Hope. For Haiti” campaign co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Ag Secretary Bill Northey. It generated more than $400,000 in contributions to the Global Compassion Network for the purchase of soy-based Meals from the Heartland and more than 60 Safe T Homes® designed and constructed by Sukup Manufacturing Co.
EPA Announces New Members of Agricultural Advisory Committee
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced new members of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC) for its 2012-2014 term. The FRRCC is an independent committee that advises EPA on a wide range of environmental issues that are important to agriculture and rural communities.
“The committee has provided thoughtful and substantive insights on agricultural and environmental issues over the past two years,” said Lawrence Elworth, agricultural counselor to the administrator. “We have appreciated the contributions of the committee members and look forward to continued constructive engagement on key issues as the new committee begins its work.”
Committee members were selected from a large number of applicants responding to a request for nominations published in the Federal Register on Feb. 13, 2012. New members include representatives from the academic community, industry, non-governmental organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments.
The FRRCC will engage in discussion over the next two years on a wide range of specific and cross-cutting environmental issues that are important to agriculture.
The FRRCC will operate under the rules of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). As required by FACA, the FRRCC will hold open meetings and expects to meet approximately two times each year, generally in Washington, DC.
More information on FRRCC members: http://epa.gov/ofacmo/frrcc/members.htm.
Video Series Helps Boost Production, Profit Potential
To make the most of every acre, U.S. soybean farmers need the latest production research and management information. One thing that can help them get it is the soy checkoff-funded "Focus on Soybeans" webcast series. And with the new, quicker summary versions, U.S. soybean farmers can get the latest information they can use on the farm in five minutes or less.
"The webcasts provide valuable information to help soybean farmers better manage pests, diseases and other crop stresses," says Jimmy Sneed United Soybean Board (USB) communications chair and Hernando, Miss., soybean farmer. "They also bring to U.S. soybean farmers new developments in production practices, irrigation management, seeding rates, seed-quality preservation and others that are included in the series, too."
Now the webcasts are available in a shorter format. And although that provides more convenience for some farmers, the full-length versions, which include a lot more science-related information, still remain available for soybean farmers who prefer the longer format.
The webcast series, developed by Plant Management Network (PMN) in partnership with the soy checkoff, feature updates on applied and practical soybean research projects. On the last Monday of each month, the soy checkoff posts new webcasts to www.UnitedSoybean.org, accessible via the "Focus on Soybeans" sign on the homepage. All U.S. soybean farmers have free access to the full-length webcasts for two months. The five-minute summary versions will be accessible at all times.
"We are pleased to work with the USB and the soy checkoff on this effort to help U.S. farmers, crop consultants and others to manage their soybean crops more profitably," says Greg Tylka, Ph.D., professor and extension specialist at Iowa State University and chair of the Focus on Soybeans editorial committee. "Through this convenient, practical outlet, we provide research-based crop production and protection information to help U.S. farmers increase soybean yields in this growing season and beyond." PMN serves as an Internet-based resource owned and operated by the American Phytopathological Society and jointly managed by the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America. The website can be accessed at www.PlantManagementNetwork.org.
"With cuts in resources such as extension, it becomes increasingly important that farmers have other resources to turn to help us boost our production," says Sneed. "That boost in production can help increase the profitability of every U.S. soybean farmer, which has always been a goal of the soy checkoff."
The soy checkoff has funded "Focus on Soybeans" since 2010, providing access to 12 webcasts per year.
PLC, NCBA Hail House Passage of Grazing Improvement Act
June 19, 2012, legislation to improve stability and efficiency in the federal lands grazing permit process was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of an omnibus package of lands bills. The bipartisan, 232 to 188, vote signals the strong, broad-based support for the Grazing Improvement Act (H.R. 4234), introduced by Congressman Raúl Labrador (R-Idaho). This legislation, should the Senate choose to pass it, would provide certainty for today’s public lands ranching industry and for future generations of ranchers, according to Public Lands Council (PLC) President John Falen.
“This is a great example of a bipartisan majority coming together to pass commonsense legislation,” said Falen, who is a cattle rancher from Nevada and member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “This legislation extends the life of grazing permits from 10 to 20 years and provides greater certainty to ranchers by codifying annual, bipartisan appropriations language that allows for permit renewal despite the regulatory backlog. This bill will benefit the environment, while also saving taxpayer dollars. Stability in the federal grazing permit renewal process keeps the associated private base-property lands economically viable as ranching units, which in turn prevents the fragmentation of open space.”
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) introduced a companion Grazing Improvement Act (S. 1129), which was considered during a March 22, 2012 hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests.
“We encourage Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to bring the companion bill to the Senate floor and pass it without delay,” said Falen.
Joe Guild, Chairman of NCBA’s federal lands committee, said it is time for Congress to stand firm with the providers of food for this country.
“This bill reduces bureaucratic red tape and limits the potential for costly, excessive lawsuits,” said Guild. “The radical environmental groups trying to demagogue this important legislation realize that improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public lands management reduces their opportunities to drive their anti-grazing agenda through process-based lawsuits.” He added, “We commend the House for passing H.R. 4234, free of the ill-conceived amendment to raise the federal grazing fee, which would have served only to destabilize the ranching industry, harming jobs, the rural tax base, as the wildlife and resources that depend on ranchers’ management.”
US Ethanol Stocks Up, Output Down
Domestic ethanol inventories jumped 519,000 barrels (bbl), or 2.5%, to 21.185 million bbl during the week-ended June 15 after being drawn down during the prior two weeks, according to data released today from the Energy Information Administration.
With the stock build, total ethanol supply now stands 8.6% above the level seen a year ago.
Ethanol production from domestic plants eased last week after rising for two straight weeks. Production fell 20,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 2.2%, to 900,000 bpd last week while down 0.1% from the year-ago level.
Implied demand, as measured by refiner and blender net inputs, slid 27,000, or 3.1%, to 839,000 bpd for the week-ended June 15 while up 1.9% from a year ago level.
Elsewhere, the EIA reported that implied demand for motor gasoline eased last week after rising in the prior week, falling 437,000 bpd to 8.693 million bpd for the week-ended June 15. Four-week average gasoline demand at 8.9 million bpd was down 5.0% from the level seen a year ago.
Forage Genetics International & Syngenta Announce Launch of NEXGROW Alfalfa
Forage Genetics International (FGI), one of the world’s leading alfalfa seed providers, and Syngenta announce the launch of NEXGROW™ alfalfa, a new brand equipped to bring growers the traits and technology they need – now and in the future. The brand will be managed by FGI and sold through existing Garst®, Golden Harvest® or NK® brand alfalfa resellers.
“Growers will see this new brand as a continuation of FGI’s 20 year collaboration with Syngenta in coordination with our leadership in diverse genetics and critical industry traits,” said Brent Johnson, NEXGROW™ alfalfa brand manager. “The only change for growers is the new brand name. They will have the same great service through their Garst, Golden Harvest or NK brand alfalfa reseller when purchasing alfalfa for fall planting.”
NEXGROW™ alfalfa brings producers the same top yield potential, high forage quality and exceptional persistence they have come to expect from Syngenta and NK brand alfalfas – now unified under one name.
“NEXGROW™ alfalfa has all of growers’ favorite Syngenta and NK brand alfalfa varieties, plus seven new varieties,” said Grant Ozipko, Syngenta crop portfolio head. “Grower favorites like 6422Q, the top winner at World Dairy Expo’s 2011 World Forage Analysis Superbowl, will be available along with varieties that are glyphosate tolerant or highly resistant to potato leafhopper.”
The new alfalfa brand will also offer elite next generation glyphosate tolerant varieties, such as Revolt. Superior late fall dormant varieties with exceptional winter hardiness which dramatically increases yield potential will also be available.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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