Thursday December 27 Ag News

EPA ADMINISTRATOR LISA JACKSON TO LEAVE CABINET AFTER STATE OF UNION

Statement from Jackson: 
I want to thank President Obama for the honor he bestowed on me and the confidence he placed in me four years ago this month when he announced my nomination as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. At the time I spoke about the need to address climate change, but also said: “There is much more on the agenda: air pollution, toxic chemicals and children’s health issues, redevelopment and waste-site cleanup issues, and justice for the communities who bear disproportionate risk.” As the President said earlier this year when he addressed EPA’s employees, “You help make sure the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat are safe. You help protect the environment not just for our children but their children. And you keep us moving toward energy independence…We have made historic progress on all these fronts.” So, I will leave the EPA confident the ship is sailing in the right direction, and ready in my own life for new challenges, time with my family and new opportunities to make a difference.

Statement by President Obama: 
Over the last four years, Lisa Jackson has shown an unwavering commitment to the health of our families and our children. Under her leadership, the EPA has taken sensible and important steps to protect the air we breathe and the water we drink, including implementing the first national standard for harmful mercury pollution, taking important action to combat climate change under the Clean Air Act, and playing a key role in establishing historic fuel economy standards that will save the average American family thousands of dollars at the pump, while also slashing carbon pollution. Lisa has been an important part of my team, and I want to thank her for her service in my Administration and her tireless efforts to benefit the American people. I wish her all the best wherever her future takes her.

Vilsack on Resignation of Jackson
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement on the resignation of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson from President Obama's cabinet:
"Lisa Jackson has served our country well as she balanced improving the environment and the health of the American people - while ensuring our country's economic competitiveness - because they are intrinsically linked. Throughout her tenure, she listened to stakeholders, including farmers and ranchers, and took their concerns into account while considering policies that impacted rural America. She was a friend to me and to those who live and work in rural America and her leadership will be missed."

RFA Statement on Jackson's Resignation
Statement by Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), on the announced resignation of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson:
"Administrator Jackson put into action the Obama Administration's commitment to ethanol and other biofuels. During her tenure, she cleared the way for E15 giving consumers more choice and savings at the gas pump and she protected the progress that has been made in reducing our dependence of foreign oil by recognizing the importance and inherent flexibility of the RFS. The ethanol industry thanks her for her service and looks forward to working with her successor to continue the growth of America's domestic renewable fuels industry."



NCGA Thanks Departing EPA Administrator for Support of Biofuels, Farmers

The National Corn Growers Association thanks Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson for acting on the Obama Administration's commitment to ethanol and other biofuels during her tenure. This statement comes on the heels of today's public announcement of her forthcoming resignation in January.

"Administrator Jackson worked with NCGA to support the ethanol industry and promote science-based regulations during her tenure," said NCGA Chairman Garry Niemeyer, a farmer from Auburn, Ill. "Upon the announcement of her departure, we thank her for the action she took on behalf of the Administration to advance E15, support the RFS and for her willingness to work with America's farmers. We hope to continue working in this cooperative, productive manner with her successor."

During her tenure as EPA Administrator, Jackson approved E15, a 15 percent ethanol blended-fuel, for consumer availability. In doing so, she helped decrease our nation's dependence upon foreign oil while offering consumers a wider range of fuel choices and potential savings at the gas pump.

More recently, Jackson also reinforced the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard, while recognizing its inherent flexibility, in her decision to deny requests for a waiver of its provisions. The decision both demonstrated the Administration's commitment to renewable, domestically-produced biofuels and its confidence in the standard.

NCGA worked closely with Administrator Jackson on several issues in addition to biofuels, including EPA's decision to maintain existing rural dust standards, a science-based commitment to maintaining the continued registration of atrazine, and an expedited special review of AF-36, a product that shows promise with aflatoxin mitigation in corn and other crops.



Drought Tops Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Top 5 Agriculture Stories of 2012

The dry conditions that began in May and then escalated into a drought of historic proportions is the state’s top agriculture story of 2012, Nebraska Farm Bureau said in releasing its annual list of the Top 5 Nebraska Agriculture News Stories of the Year.

“The drought has gripped Nebraska from border-to-border and every farmer and rancher in the state has been impacted in some form or fashion,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president. “It was and is still clearly on the minds of our members as they look at the prospect of continued drought into 2013.”

The drought created challenges across the different segments of agriculture with Nebraska’s livestock farmers feeling the tightest squeeze of the 2012 drought. Drought conditions decimated grazing lands used by farmers and ranchers to sustain cattle herds and left areas in Central and Western Nebraska to battle wildfires that destroyed pastures, fences and homes. The drought also created shortages in other forages and field crops used to feed livestock, such as corn and soybeans where statewide total yields were down significantly from 2011 levels.

“The shortage in feed supplies for livestock put cattle, pork, poultry and dairy farmers in the position of having to make difficult decisions about their farms and ranches as feed costs escalated due to the drought conditions. Many farmers had to choose whether to purchase higher priced feeds to try and maintain livestock numbers or to reduce or liquidate livestock numbers altogether.”

For those raising field crops, the 2012 drought brought its own issues. Farmers without access to irrigation watched crops wither away resulting in total losses or significant yield reductions. Those with access to irrigation were able to raise crops, but not without major increases in energy costs, as the irrigation season was prolonged due to the lack of moisture.

The other Top 5 stories, in no specific order, are:
·        The U.S. Department of Labor withdrawing proposed regulations on children working on farms. In April, the U.S. Department of Labor pulled a proposed regulation that would have significantly limited and prevented some of the most basic of activities associated with children working on American farms and ranches.  “The fact that agriculture interests, particularly here in Nebraska, were able to come together to make their voice heard in Washington was clearly a win for farm and ranch families across the country. It was also a win for anyone who is interested in making sure there is a next generation of farmers and ranchers who have the know-how to raise our food.”

·        Nebraskans elect farmers and ranchers to key leadership positions. In November, Nebraska voters elected Cherry county rancher and state legislator Deb Fischer to the U.S. Senate to replace the departing Ben Nelson (D-NE). Nebraska voters also elected two farmers to the University of Nebraska’s Board of Regents. Voters elected Lavon Heideman, a farmer from Elk Creek, to the District 5 seat and Jim Pillen, a pork producer from Columbus, to the District 3 seat.  “Given that farmers and ranchers represent less than two percent of America’s population, but provide the bulk majority of our food, it is extremely important that we have people in leadership that can relate and understand agriculture issues and bring an agricultural and rural perspective to Washington D.C. and to our state’s land grant institution.”

·        The failure of Congress and the President to pass a new-five year Farm Bill.  “The fact that Congressional leadership in Washington has not come together to pass a farm bill is extremely disappointing. Passage of a farm bill is critical to restoring disaster programs that will help livestock farmers coping with the drought. A farm bill rooted in a strong crop insurance program that helps farmers deal with managing their risk is equally critical,” said Nelson.

 ·        Uncertainty surrounding federal tax policy affecting farm and ranch families. Numerous tax provisions of interest to agriculture are set to expire at the end of 2012 including estate taxes, capital gains taxes, personal income tax rates, renewable energy tax credits and many other tax deductions that affect farmers.  “Everyone has and continues to hear about the fiscal cliff, but failure to come to a resolution on some key tax issues like estate taxes and capital gains taxes has the ability to significantly alter the landscape of agriculture. Particularly for farm and ranch families that are looking to bring family members back to the farm or for older generations looking to transfer their farm to the next generation.”



New Flex Fuel Pumps Open in Hartington

Two new flex fuel pumps are now open at the Stop N Go in Hartington, Neb. A grand opening is planned for a later date.

These flex fuel pumps are located at 605 North Robinson in Hartington, and are two of approximately 80 E85/flex fuel pumps in Nebraska that offer fuel blends that include renewable ethanol. Flex fuel vehicles owners will find E30 and E85 at this location. These pumps will also offer unleaded and E10, the most commonly sold fuel in the state. To find a list of retailers that offer E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends, visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board website at www.ne-ethanol.org or check the Nebraska Corn Board website at www.NebraskaCorn.org.

One in 10 Nebraska motorists currently own a flexible fuel vehicle that can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, up to E85, yet many drivers don’t realize it. To confirm if a vehicle is flex fuel, drivers can check their owner’s manual, their gas cap, look for the flex fuel emblem on their vehicle or visit the website www.ne-ethanol.org/ffv.

“We are seeing more flex fuel pumps going in across Nebraska because of the flexibility for motorists and also for the retailers,” said Kim Clark, director of biofuels development with the Nebraska Corn Board. “Every vehicle filling up is able to use flex fuel pumps, not just flex fuel vehicle owners, and retailers have started to recognize this.”

Todd Sneller, administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, said, “Nebraska is the nation’s second largest producer of ethanol, and when drivers fill up on E85 and other ethanol blends, they’re strengthening Nebraska’s economy, making our country more energy independent and going easier on the environment. Ethanol is also a less expensive alternative to gasoline.”

These flex fuel pumps were supported in part from a grant funded by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska’s 23,000 corn farmers. For more information about this grant, visit www.NebraskaCorn.org.

Sign up for the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s FFV club for updates of new E85 locations and other announcements. Go to www.ne-ethanol.org/ffv to sign up now.



Nebraska Farmers Union Calls on Speaker Boehner To Do His Job

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) called upon House Speaker Boehner to be the Speaker of the entire House of Representatives and use all of the votes available to him in both political parties in the House of Representatives to accomplish those major unfinished tasks currently bottled up in the House of Representatives, including the Farm Bill, the Production Tax Credit for wind energy, and the fiscal cliff.

Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen said, “Our farmers and ranchers are facing the economic consequences of the worst drought in 50 years, and the alarming prospects that drought may be continuing into 2013.  Farmers are rightly wondering why their Congress is failing to respond to their situation, why they have allowed the 2008 Farm Bill to expire September 30th, and why they are unwilling to give the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the funding and program authorization it needs to respond to their situation, particularly livestock producers.”

“The Senate and House Ag Committees have done their job by sending a Farm Bill proposal with bi-partisan support to their respective bodies for consideration.  The Senate has done its job by voting for their version of the Farm Bill.  The problem in the House is that Speaker Boehner refuses to put the farm bill proposal from the House Ag Committee on the House agenda for a vote. ”

“Folks should rightly be asking, why not?  Is it because the House of Representatives lacks the votes to support the Farm Bill?  No, that is not the reason.  If the Speaker would count all the Democratic votes and moderate Republican votes, there are enough votes to pass the Farm Bill, and likely most of the other issues also languishing in the House of Representatives dungeon.  Tragically, Speaker Boehner refuses to assume his responsibilities to be the Speaker of the House who is supposed to lead both political parties.  Instead he continues to count and consider his own Republican Party caucus votes.  Speaker Boehner allows the minority Tea Party block within his party to control the agenda because they are opposed to the Farm Bill along with the Production Tax Credit for wind energy development, and most of the budget proposals tied to dealing with the fiscal cliff.  As a result, the will of the majority of House voters is being denied by a relatively small minority group of House Republicans.  That is difficult to accept.”

“Speaker Boehner knows the votes within his own party caucus may be lacking, but he also knows there are enough Democratic and moderate Republican farm state votes to pass the Farm Bill if allowed to do so.  Speaker Boehner must step up to the plate and assume the responsibility to govern that comes with being the Speaker of the House of Representatives as the Founding Fathers intended.  We encourage voters to contact their member of the House of Representatives and ask them to put pressure on the Speaker to put the Farm Bill on the agenda before the end of the year,” Hansen concluded. 



Lonestar to Perform at 2013 Cattlemen’s Ball

Organizers of the 2013 Cattlemen's Ball have announced that country music superstars Lonestar will be the featured performers during this year's event, scheduled for June 7-8, 2013, at the Hanging H Ranch between Paxton and Sutherland, Nebraska.

The Cattlemen’s Ball is the state’s premier fundraiser for the fight against cancer, with 100% of the dollars raised staying in Nebraska. The 2013 Cattlemen’s Ball is being held on the Hanging H Ranch on U.S. Highway 30 between Paxton and Sutherland, Nebraska, and is being co-hosted by the Ralph and Beverly Holzfaster family and the Neal Hansen family.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary and reuniting with original lead singer Richie McDonald, Lonestar is known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals. Lonestar has amassed RIAA-certified sales in excess of ten million album units since their national launch in 1995 and achieved ten #1 country hits including "No News," "Come Crying To Me," and their crossover smash "Amazed" (which was also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first record since 1983's "Islands in the Stream" to top both charts). The band's awards include a 1999 ACM Single of The Year for “Amazed” (the song also won the Song of the Year award) and the 2001 CMA Vocal Group of the Year.

The Cattlemen’s Ball is hosted by a different Nebraska ranch or feedlot every year.  Its mission is to raise money for cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, while showcasing rural Nebraska and promoting beef as part of a healthy diet.  Since its inception, the Cattlemen’s Ball has raised more than $6.3 million.  In addition to providing funds to the Eppley Cancer Center, a portion of the funds is also targeted for local healthcare organizations.

For information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.cattlemensball.com.



Groups Urge Vigorous Review of JBS Merger

Five statewide cattle groups and R-CALF USA joined in a letter with 37 U.S.-based farm and consumer groups to collectively urge the U.S. Department of Justice (Justice Department) to "undertake an expanded, probing, and in-depth investigation into the proposal by JBS USA to acquire two U.S.-based beef packing plants owned by Canadian-based XL Four Star Beef."

JBS reportedly has an option to purchase two meatpacking plants from XL Four Star Beef, one in Nampa, Idaho, and the other in Omaha, Neb.

In their letter, the groups state that they believe the proposed merger would reduce competition and seriously harm both cattle producers and consumers.

The group's letter called the 2008 enforcement action by the Justice Department that blocked the then proposed JBS and National Beef Packing Company merger "a historic event that marked a long-awaited turning point in the heretofore unmitigated trend toward price-distorting, oligopolistic meatpacking concentration nationally."

"The Justice Department must not retreat from the historically significant effort it started in 2008 to curb the pervasive erosion of competition in both the U.S. cattle market and the consumers' beef market," the letter continued.

Specifically, the groups urged the Justice Department to request additional information from the proposed merger participants to determine the cattle procurement practices in all of the regions where the merger participants presently operate and the level of competition that currently exists in those regions.

The groups also want the Justice Department to determine "the number of occurrences where employees or agents of either of the merger participants have cooperated or coordinated their cattle-buying activities among or between each other or with other meatpackers or feedlots, and the historic price differential for the types of cattle procured in the marketing regions of the merger participants compared to the prices paid for comparable cattle in other regions."

"We therefore request that no early termination of the antitrust evaluation regarding the acquisition of the two U.S.-based beef packing plants be granted and that the Justice Department make a second request for information to extend the investigation," the groups wrote.



Iowan to Lead Farm Policy Discussions for NCBA

Dave Petty, Eldora, has been named chairman of the Agriculture and Food Policy Committee of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.  The committee reviews farm program policy relevant to cattle producers across the country.  Petty, who has both a cow-calf and feed yard operation, will serve a two-year term as chairman of the committee beginning January 2013.  NCBA policy committee leadership is selected by NCBA's officer team.  Petty had been serving as vice-chairman of the committee for the past two years.



A Farmer’s Farm Show: The Latest Innovations Right in Your Own Backyard

Want to see the latest and greatest innovation in farm equipment? You don’t have to leave the Midwest. The Iowa Power Farming Show is the first and best opportunity to get the scoop on new products that can boost your operation to greater efficiency and profitability.

More than 750 ag-related companies will be on hand to receive the expected 20,000 visitors in the heart of farm country. Knowledgeable sales staff at 1,840 engaging exhibitor booths can show you the latest in farm equipment and precision ag electronics. Put on your walking shoes and explore three state-of the-art facilities with six floors of displays.

“We hope that farmers will take time out of their busy schedules to allow themselves to be wowed by the new innovations at the Iowa Power Farming Show. Only the best companies are represented, and the show is designed for maximum exposure for the least time investment by our visitors,” said Tom Junge, event organizer. “The central location of this show at the intersection of Interstates 80 and 35 will make it possible for farmers and producers to attend.”

The 2013 Iowa Power Farming Show is January 29-31 at the Iowa Events Centerlocated in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Iowa Power Farming Show is owned and managed by the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, which represents over 400 agricultural and outdoor power equipment dealers throughout Iowa and Nebraska.

For complete show information and directions, visit www.iowapowershow.com.



Americans Say Food Production Headed in Right Direction, Widespread Misperceptions Remain

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®) recently released findings of a survey conducted about Americans’ perceptions on food production. The survey, conducted to share with consumer media prior to The Food DialoguesSM: New York, revealed Americans increasingly believe food production is heading in the right direction.

However, the survey also found Americans still have widespread misperceptions about how today’s food is grown and raised. Key survey findings include:
·  53 percent of Americans believe food production is heading in the right direction — an increase from the 48 percent who believed the same in a benchmark 2011 USFRA survey.
·  More than one in four Americans (27 percent) admit they often are confused about the food they are purchasing. Young adults (18-29 years old) are more likely than any other age group to say they are often confused about food purchases (38 percent).
·  Three in five Americans would like to know more about how food is grown and raised, but don’t feel they have the time or money for that to be a priority (59 percent).
·  When it comes to dining out, Americans prioritize quality (48 percent), cost (42 percent) and taste (38 percent). When purchasing groceries, Americans prioritize cost (47 percent), quality (43 percent) and healthiness/nutrition (21 percent).
·  While Americans want to learn about organic farming and ranching (27 percent), nearly all report that it’s most important there are healthy choices available, even if they’re not organic or local options (91 percent).
·  Americans overall (84 percent) believe that farmers and ranchers in America are committed to improving how food is grown and raised. Half of Americans (50 percent) think farmers and ranchers are missing from the media conversation around food these days.

USFRA also surveyed farmers and ranchers on their perceptions of consumers’ attitudes towards food production and what they want in a dialogue with consumers. Findings indicated: 
·  Three-quarters of farmers and ranchers believe that the average consumer has very little to no knowledge about food production in the United States (76 percent).  In fact, nearly three out of five farmers and ranchers believe consumers have an inaccurate perception of today’s agriculture (59 percent). 
·  Farmers and ranchers want to see more of an emphasis on sustainability and the environment (42%) and transparency with consumers and customers (36%).
·  Farmers and ranchers report topics best represented to American consumers include those related to family-owned farms (34%), commitment to food safety (23%) and the education level of farmers and ranchers (20%).

USFRA helps farmers and ranchers answer consumers’ and influencers’ questions, including the tough ones, about food production. Examples of this include: 
·  Food DialoguesSM – USFRA has conducted three national Food Dialogues events in a 14-month timespan. These events compelled key customers, influencers and detractors to join the dialogue with farmers and ranchers about today’s food production. 
·  FoodSource - USFRA FoodSource on www.fooddialogues.com gives consumers the opportunity to learn more about how food is grown and raised by providing information from third party experts, including researchers and scientists at leading universities, into one easy-to-navigate website.
·  Faces of Farming and Ranching - In 2012, USFRA launched a search for the face of farming and ranching in America. One hundred eighteen farmers and ranchers applied by speaking boldly of their passion for agriculture and their individual operations.   USFRA will announce the winners on January 22, 2013, and will launch an aggressive national consumer media outreach effort.

To learn more about USFRA’s survey results, visit the News and Information section of www.fooddialogues.com.