Wednesday December 19 Ag News

Fontanelle Hybrids Hosts AquaView Meeting

Fontanelle Hybrids of Fremont will hold a meeting on the use of AquaView irrigation management on Thursday, January 10, 2013, 10am to 1pm at the Nielsen Community Center in West Point.  The meeting will focus on the Irrigation Management they provide with the AquaView Initiative, and the Precision Ag aspect that is the Fields of the Future Initiative where they work with Crop Metrics on that incorporates Variable Rate Technologies like Irrigation, Seeding, Soil Sampling and More. 

Speakers: Nick Lammers – Fontanelle - AquaView Lead
                Kylen Hunt – Crop Metrics - Precision Ag and VRI Specialist

Please RSVP By January 7th to Chris Hansen if you plan to attend at:  Cell #: (402) 380-8351  -or-  Email: christopher.hansen@fontanelle.com



Historic Involvement of State Councils in National Checkoff Program Helps Assure Link to Grassroots
Craig Uden, Chairman - Federation of State Beef Councils, Beef Producer - Elwood, Neb.

Today’s Beef Checkoff Program got its start in 1985, when the Beef Promotion Act was passed by Congress. The Act established a $1-per-head assessment on the sale of each bovine animal in the United States, plus each imported animal or an equivalent on imported product, for the purpose of creating a promotion, research and education fund that would help increase demand for beef.

Most who pay into the program know this. What is less well-known is that grassroots producers at the state level not only helped make it possible, but had funded national beef promotion programs for many years prior to 1985, through the Federation of State Beef Councils. The Federation will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2013.

I believe the mandatory national checkoff wouldn’t have gotten off the ground if not for efforts at the state level that not only supported the effort, but provided assurances that producers from state councils would have a huge say in how the program was set up and run. It’s why Qualified State Beef Councils (there are 45) collect the $1-per-head assessment, and are allowed to retain control of half of the funds they collect. About 700 producers who sit on state beef council boards help make decisions about in-state promotions and supplements to national and international demand-building programs.

This decision-making process is another way we assure that ownership of the beef checkoff remains in the hands of producers who pay the dollar. It also increases confidence that the dollars collected will be used for what they were intended – to strengthen demand for beef.

There’s more, though. By law the Federation selects half of the members of the 20-member Beef Promotion Operating Committee (BPOC), which determines which national and international checkoff-funded programs will be funded, and at what amount. The decisions made by this body must be approved by the entire Cattlemen’s Beef Board, which administers the Beef Checkoff Program, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees it.

Representatives of State Beef Councils sit on committees that help determine which programs are recommended for funding. And, often the programs approved by the BPOC are implemented at the state level by State Beef Council staffs. So State Beef Councils are involved in the input, planning and development of beef checkoff programs – and the execution, as well. All of these elements are vital in a successful state/national partnership, which is crucial to a successful beef checkoff program.

None of this has happened by accident. Many states had already created their own checkoffs when the Federation got its start as the Beef Industry Council, a division of the National Live Stock and Meat Board, in 1963. Their councils, some formed in the 1950s, reflected the type of beef production in their state, and could focus on the specific needs of beef promotion that their citizens required.

When the Meat Board and the National Cattlemen’s Association merged to form the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in 1996, BIC became a division of NCBA. And that’s where it resides today.

Surveys show that more than 70 percent of producers support the checkoff, and I believe grassroots involvement by producers through their state beef councils is one of the reasons why. The Federation is proud to support beef council interests at the national level, and is excited about celebrating its 50th anniversary. Furthermore, we continue to find ways of maximizing the role of state councils in their tradition of service to this country’s producers, finding even more ways to increase consumer demand for beef.



Farm Food Safety Workshops Offered Across Nebraska in January and February

             University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension workshops in January and February will help fruit and vegetable growers comply with new federal safety law.

             The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, signed by President Obama earlier this year, enhances the traceability of fresh produce grown in the United States, as well as mandates greater responsibility for food safety on the part of producers. The bill requires producers to evaluate hazards to their products, take steps to prevent contamination and to develop written food safety plans.

            The workshops will help fresh produce growers or farmer's market managers complete the Good Agricultural Practices training. They will be presented by UNL Extension educators, with support from the University of Nebraska Rural Futures Institute.  At the end of the workshop, participants will better understand GAPs, and how they can complete their own farm food safety plans.

            The topics that will be covered will help producers enhance worker sanitation, harvesting, handling, packaging, storage and transportation standards of fresh produce from the farm operation to markets, schools, restaurants and retail stores. By completing a Farm Food Safety Plan, producers can differentiate themselves in the marketplace and appeal to many customers who perceive this training as an added benefit.

            The one-day workshops will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The fee is $65 per operation, which covers educational materials, lunch and breaks. Extra participants per operation will be charged $10 each for additional breaks and meals. Registration is due one week before the workshops; a $5 late fee will be charged for registrations after that date.

            Registrations can be made by calling the UNL Extension Office in Hall County, 308-385-5088, or by mailing a check, made out to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension – Hall County, 3180 W. Highway 34, Grand Island, NE 68801-7279. Specify which workshop the registration is for.

The schedule:
            – Sidney, Jan. 15 (deadline Jan. 8), South Platte Natural Resource District, 551 Parkland Drive
            – Lincoln, Jan. 17 (deadline Jan. 10), Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A
            – Ord, Jan. 18 (deadline Jan. 11), Valley County Extension Office, 801 "S" Street, Suite 1 – Fairgrounds.
            – Hastings, Jan. 24 (deadline Jan. 17), Adams County Extension Office, 300 N. St. Joseph Avenue
            – Wayne, Feb. 20 (deadline Feb. 13), Meadowlark Room – Student Center, Wayne State College, 
            – Beatrice, Feb. 20 (deadline Feb. 13), Gage County Extension Office, 1115 W. Scott



Smith and Terry Seek Farm Bill in Fiscal Cliff Package

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) requesting the inclusion of farm policy in any year-end legislative package considered by the House of Representatives.  Smith’s letter also was signed by Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE).

“As negotiations to resolve the fiscal cliff continue, I hope farm policy will be included as part of a larger deal,” said Smith.  “While agriculture remains one of the lone bright spots in the economy, farmers and ranchers continue to struggle with severe weather and uncertain public policy.  By responsibly addressing the fiscal cliff and the Farm Bill, Congress can provide certainty to producers and taxpayers as they plan for the coming year.”

Click here to see a copy of the letter....  http://adriansmith.house.gov/sites/adriansmith.house.gov/files/documents/Final%2012-19-12.pdf.  



NCGA Action Team about More than "Grower Services"

The National Corn Growers Association's Grower Services Action Team focuses on three areas for the organization: membership, leadership and communications. In each of these areas, 2013 will continue to bring exciting programs and re-energized efforts under the leadership of the 14 growers who, along with state and national staff assistance, keep a sharp eye on program efforts in these three areas.

Following the meetings, GSAT Chair Brandon Hunnicutt, a grower from Nebraska, discussed and what NCGA members can expect to see in 2013.

"Over the past few years, our team has really become excited about some of the new communications projects that we have launched like the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, CommonGround and the Corn Farmers Coalition," said Nebraska corn farmer Brandon Hunnicutt, who chairs the team. "Most recently, NCGA launched the Corn Farmers Action Network, which will help us gain valuable insight and enable us to really activate our membership in the future in defense of this industry that we love."

During the December meetings, the teams and committees hosted a variety of expert speakers who provided insight into issues facing the industry and the organization. From presentations on specific issues from other stakeholder viewpoints to group exercises designed to expand perspective, the presenters helped team members develop a fuller, multifaceted understanding of the issues facing corn farmers.

"We had an expert speaker also as Phil Bruno addressed the group and led an exercise to explore our views on generational difference and on change," said Hunnicutt. "Each team member shared as we delved into how Baby Boomers, Gen X'ers and Millennials view one another. In examining our views on the strengths and weaknesses of and differences between these groups, we gained valuable insight that will be of use as we move forward in growing our membership and activating our grassroots."

Summarizing what might interest growers most, he expressed hope for the future rooted in the growing willingness to take on the part of farmers to stand up and speak out.

"First and foremost, they should know that our membership is growing," stated Hunnicutt. "While many organizations are going through a contraction phase right now, we are actually expanding. I find it exciting to see how many corn farmers out there are willing to put their name on the line and speak out for the industry."

In addition to Hunnicutt, team members include Vice Chair Tom Haag, Corn Board Liaison Don Elsbernd, Roscoe Eggers, Lori Feltis, Robert Hemesath, Gary Hudson, Ken Kleinschmidt, Larry Mason, David Merrell, Herb Ringel, Mark Scott and Matt Habrock of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association.



Webinars for Ranch Advisors to Focus on Drought Planning

            A spring webinar series will provide drought planning techniques and technologies to advisors seeking to help Great Plains ranchers manage through drought. The webinars are scheduled from January through May 2013, on the last Wednesday of each month.

            "What happens from January through May will be really critical," said Lynn Myers, a Sandhills rancher who will be one of the January presenters. "For example, it could determine whether there are cattle in the western Sandhills in 2013."

            Each one-hour webinar will start at 10 a.m. (CT) with a briefing on current drought status and what to expect in the foreseeable future, followed by a session on a specific technique related to drought planning, and question-and-answer time. The webinars will be led by ranchers and advisors with hands-on experience in drought planning and range management.

            Jerry Volesky, a range and forage specialist at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, Neb., will introduce the series by talking about why ranchers need drought plans.

            "It leads to earlier and more effective management decisions that can have positive economic benefits," he said. "Additionally, ranchers that have well-developed plans indicate that their plans have made the drought event less stressful and it gives them a sense of confidence."

Dates, topics and presenters in the series are:

            Jan. 30: Managing Drought Risk on the Ranch: The Planning Process, by Jerry Volesky, range and forage specialist at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, Nebraska, and Lynn Myers, owner of Tippets-Myers Ranch in western Nebraska.

            Feb. 27: Avoiding Analysis Paralysis: Monitoring and Setting Critical Dates for Decision Making During Drought, by Dwayne Rice, rangeland management specialist, NRCS, Kansas; Ted Alexander, owner of Alexander Ranch in south-central Kansas; and Cal Adams, owner of Adams Ranch in north-central Kansas.

            March 27: The New Cumulative Forage Reduction (CFR) Index: for Assessing Drought Impacts and Planning a Grazing Strategy, by Pat Reece, owner and senior consultant of Prairie Montane Enterprises and professor emeritus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

            April 24: Using a Drought Calculator to Assist Stocking Decisions, Stan Boltz, state range management specialist, NRCS, South Dakota and Jeff Printz, rangeland management specialist, NRCS, North Dakota.

            May 29: Economic Factors to Weigh in Making Decisions during Drought, by Matt Stockton, agricultural economist at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte.

            The sessions are free and open to the public. Registration is required to receive the Adobe Connect webinar link. To register, go to http://go.unl.edu/uwk.

            More information can be found at the Managing Drought Risk on the Ranch website, at http://drought.unl.edu/ranchplan. Please contact Tonya Haigh, National Drought Mitigation Center and SARE project coordinator, thaigh2@unl.edu, 402-472-6781, with any questions.

            The webinars are sponsored by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The series was developed with support from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed within do not necessarily reflect the view of the SARE program or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.



Feedlot Forum 2013 Focuses on New Issues and Information

The Feedlot Forum 2013 focuses on all things new, beginning with a new location. Beth Doran, beef program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, said the forum will be held on Jan. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Terrace View Event Center just south of Sioux Center off Highway 75.

“There are a variety of new beef issues – animal welfare audits, new feed processing methods, global trade and formula pricing – facing feedlot producers in 2013,” Doran said.  “We also will see new developments in environmental inspections and age and source verification programs.”

Keynote speaker for the program is Andrew Gottschalk, owner of HedgersEdge.com LLC and senior vice president of RJ O’Brien and Associates. In his presentation, “Beyond Our Borders,” he’ll talk about market outlook and global demand for U.S. beef.

“As a long-time market analyst and second generation family member involved in beef cattle and grain production, he has personally experienced the huge transition in the beef industry,” Doran said. “Attendees will benefit from that knowledge.”

Other speakers and their topics include Stephen Pollard with EPA Region 7 AFO/CAFO inspection program; Doug Bear of Iowa Beef Industry Council and Kellie Carolan of Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Beef Quality Assurance program and age/source verification; and Iowa Beef Center director Dan Loy, alkali treatment of corn stover to improve digestibility.

The event also includes a trade show featuring the latest in facilities, pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, consulting services and agricultural lending. A flyer with registration form is available on the IBC website.

Registration is $25 per person, which includes the noon meal and is due Jan. 16 at the Sioux County Extension Office. For more information, contact Doran at 712-737-4230 or e-mail doranb@iastate.edu.



ICA Board Selects New Directors at Annual Meeting

A Garner, Iowa cattle producer will be the new president of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. Ed Greiman, who is involved with both a feedyard and cow-calf operation, became ICA President at the end of the ICA Annual Meeting. He has served on the ICA board since December 2009. Greiman replaces Ross Havens, Wiota, whose term had expired.

During the ICA Convention, which was held in Altoona, the ICA Board of Directors elected Phil Reemtsma, DVM, of DeWitt as president-elect. He has been a member of the board of directors since December 2006. Reemtsma feeds cattle and is a large animal veterinarian. He previously was the Southeast Iowa regional vice president.

Newly elected to the position of associate vice president is Brent Henningsen of Ames. He is Senior Territory Manager for Pfizer Animal Health. He replaces Mike Sexton, Rockwell City.

Other members of ICA's Executive Committee are Al Johnson, Northwood, Northwest regional vice president, re-elected this fall by his region; Larry Johnson, Maquoketa, Northeast regional vice president; and David Trowbridge, Tabor, elected this fall as Southwest regional vice president to replace Scott Hansen, Adel, who stepped down after serving his second term.

The positions of president, president-elect, and associate vice president are all one-year terms. Those serving in the positions can serve a maximum of two terms. Regional vice presidents serve two-year terms, and may serve a maximum of three terms.

The ICA Executive Committee will appoint a replacement for Reemtsma, who will serve until an election is held at the Southeast Regional meeting in the summer of 2013.



Lilienthal joins ISA as communications manager

Heather Lilienthal has joined the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) as communications manager.  Lilienthal helps lead the association’s communication efforts to the group’s members, media and public. She serves as the primary contact for media requests and writes news releases and stories for the association’s newsletters and publications to provide up-to-date news about ISA and soybean production. Lilienthal also works with the association’s social media efforts, including ISA’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/IowaSoybeans) and Twitter feed (@IASoybeans).

“I’m excited to be a part of this dynamic farm organization that is dedicated to helping its members succeed in new and existing markets for their products and empower these farmers to become industry leaders,” Lilienthal says. “It’s all about telling the stories of our soybean farmers in every way we can, whether that’s done through traditional newsletters or taking things to Twitter. I’m honored to serve them.”

Lilienthal has been involved with Iowa agriculture for more than a decade, working as a writer and senior communications specialist with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. She has also operated a freelance writing business and served as a staff writer for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. She and her husband and two children live in Ankeny. She is a member of the Waldorf College alumni board, graduate of the Ankeny Leadership institute and is involved in her church and community. 



Informa Economics Sees U.S. Corn Acreage Reaching 99 Million

Informa Economics is calling for corn to be planted on 99 million acres next year, while soybeans will be planted on nearly 79 million acres, according to its December acreage estimate released Wednesday. Informa lowered its estimate of winter wheat seedings from last month, and now estimates 42.2 million winter wheat acres.

The aggregate crop area is relatively unchanged, and Informa noted that "survey indications suggested a stronger desire to plant corn and cotton than previously indicated by Informa's analysts of relative crop economics."

Informa's production projections are 14.8 billion bushels for corn, 3.4 bb for soybeans and 15.0 million bales for all cotton. Hard red winter wheat production was pegged at 947 million bushels while soft red wheat production was forecast at 468 mb.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 12/14/2012

According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 822,000 barrels per day (b/d) – or 34.52 million gallons daily.  That is down 2,000 b/d from the week before.  The four week average for ethanol production stood at 821,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 12.56 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol stood at 20.8 million barrels. That is a 4% increase from last week and the highest since the week ending 6/22/2012.

Imports of ethanol showed 37,000 b/d, essentially tripling last week’s total.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 362 million gallons daily, the highest in a month.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 9.54%.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 12.464 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 91,738 metric tons of livestock feed, 81,785 metric tons of which were distillers grains.  The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal.  Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.28 million pounds of corn oil daily.



United States Milk Production November 2012

Milk production in the 23 major States during November totaled 14.9 billion pounds, up 1.1 percent from November 2011. October revised production at 15.2 billion pounds, was down slightly from October 2011. The October revision represented an increase of 1 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.  Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,758 pounds for November, 19 pounds above November 2011.  The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.47 million head, 3,000 head less than November 2011, but 8,000 head more than October  2012.

Milk production in Iowa during November 2012 totaled 367 million pounds, up 14 million   pounds   from November 2011, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report.   The average number of milk cows on hand during the month, at 205,000 head, was up 5,000 head from November 2011.  Production per cow averaged 1,790 pounds, up 25 pounds from November 2011.



CWT Assists with 8.9 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 41 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Foremost Farms, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell 7.547 million pounds (3,423 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 1.318 million pounds (598 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered December 2012 through June 2013.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 123.2 million pounds, butter totaling 72.4 million pounds, anhydrous milk fat totaling 127,868 pounds and whole milk powder totaling 171,961 pounds. The product is going to 36 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 2.718 billion pounds.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by helping to maintain inventories of cheese and butter at desirable levels. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.



NSP Announces 2012 Yield and Management Contest Winners

National Sorghum Producers is proud to announce the winners of the 2012 NSP Yield and Management Contest. Farmers from 22 states entered to win this year’s contest. Producer yields are highlighted in 11 different categories, including the new Double Crop Irrigated and Non-Irrigated categories, with this year’s top yield at 213.33 bushels per acre.

The national winners will be further recognized at Commodity Classic in Kissimmee, Fla., on March 1, 2013.

The 2012 first place winners of the NSP Yield and Management Contest were Tom Taylor of Kansas who won the Reduced-Till Irrigated category with a yield of 213.33 bushels per acre; Bob Shearer of Pennsylvania in the No-Till Non-Irrigated category with a yield of 140.85 bushels per acre; Mike Shearer of Pennsylvania in the Mulch-Till Non-Irrigated category with a yield of 131.94 bushels per acre; Gage Porter of Iowa in the Conventional-Till Non-Irrigated category with a yield of 144.29 bushels per acre; Ki Gamble of Kansas in the Conventional-Till Irrigated category with a yield of 210.85 bushels per acre; Tim King of Tennessee in the Double Crop Non-Irrigated category with a yield of 131 bushels per acre; and Reznik and Sons Inc., of Texas in the Double Crop Irrigated category with a yield of 147.72 bushels per acre.

Ki Gamble of Kansas is the Irrigated National Food-Grade category winner with a yield of 196.48 bushels per acre, and James Vorderstrasse of Nebraska won the Non-Irrigated National Food-Grade category with a yield of 119.23 bushels per acre. Tom Taylor of Kansas won the Irrigated Bin Buster Award category with a yield of 213.33 bushels per acre, and Steve Feight of Kansas yielded 160.37 bushels to win the Non-Irrigated Bin Buster Award.

“I congratulate all of the winners on their sorghum yield success in 2012,” said NSP Chairman Terry Swanson. “This contest is a great way to showcase the achievements of producers using best management practices, while demonstrating the yield potential of grain sorghum even in years when drought has plagued much of the nation’s cropland.”

To see a complete list of the NSP Yield and Management Contest national, state and county results or to learn more about the contest, visit www.sorghumgrowers.com. 



Census Provides Opportunity to Grow the Future of Agriculture
2012 Census of Agriculture Arriving in Mailboxes across America

It's not every day that a walk to your mailbox leads to an opportunity to help shape farm programs, boost rural services and grow your farm future. But for producers across the country, that opportunity will soon become a reality. The 2012 Census of Agriculture, the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation, is currently being mailed to millions of farmers and ranchers across the United States.

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Census provides detailed data covering nearly every facet of U.S. agriculture. It looks at land use and ownership, production practices, expenditures and other factors that affect the way farmers do business and succeed in the 21st Century.

"The 2012 Census of Agriculture provides farmers with a powerful voice. The information gathered through the Census influences policy decisions that can have a tremendous impact on farmers and their communities for years to come," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "I strongly encourage all farmers, no matter how large or small their operation, to promptly complete and return their Census, so they can voice to the nation the value and importance of agriculture."

Vilsack added that in addition to affecting policy decisions, Census information also influences community growth and development. Many companies review Census data when determining where to establish or expand their businesses, as well as where they can go for supplies of locally-produced food and agricultural products, which further emphasizes the importance of supplying accurate information. Information from the Census also is valuable to explain the many ways farming is important to urban or non-farming residents and decision-makers.

"Along with their accomplishments as business men and women, farmers know about the challenges they face in their local areas," said Vilsack. "Taking part in the Census is increasingly important to farmers and every community in America because it provides important information and helps tell the true story about the state of agriculture in the United States today."

All farmers and ranchers should receive a Census form in the mail by early January. Completed forms are due by February 4, 2013. Farmers can return their forms by mail or online by visiting a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov. Federal law requires all agricultural producers to participate in the Census and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential.

For more information about the Census, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov or call 1-888-4AG-STAT (1-888-424-7828). The Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future, your responsibility.



Victory for Public Land Ranchers in Arizona Lawsuit

The Public Lands Council (PLC), Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association (ACGA) and several individual Arizona ranchers announced victory in a recent case where a radical anti-grazing environmental group challenged in court the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) decision to continue livestock grazing on eight Arizona grazing allotments. The challenge was originally filed with the Arizona U.S. District Court by Western Watersheds Project (WWP) in August 2011. Represented by Mountain States Legal Foundation, PLC, ACGA and two ranchers filed as intervenors in support of USFS and asked the court to grant summary judgment on the eight decisions, which allowed grazing to continue under the “categorical exclusion” parameters of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake ruled in favor of USFS and the defendant intervenors, granting summary judgment on seven of the eight grazing allotments in question, including the Casner Park/Kelly Seep, Pine Creek, Seven C-Bar, Twin Tanks, Chino Valley, Cosnino and V-Bar allotments. On the eighth allotment, the Angell, he ruled that USFS’ documentation of the impacts of grazing was insufficient, and asked the parties to submit proposed forms of judgment by early January.

According to PLC Executive Director Dustin Van Liew, the judge’s ruling on the seven allotments is a major win for the livestock grazing industry, which depends on efficiencies granted under NEPA’s “categorical exclusion” provisions and subsequent appropriations language for timely reauthorization of grazing. In the absence of these provisions, excessive regulatory red tape and unnecessary analysis would increase the opportunity for litigation by predatory special interest groups, with no added benefit to range health, he said.

“Under ‘categorical exclusion’ provisions and the protections offered through appropriations language, land management agencies are able to reauthorize grazing that is simply continuing under existing conditions, and rightfully so,” said Van Liew. “Continuing grazing on western lands that, in many cases, have been grazed for more than a century does not constitute a ‘major federal action’ or fall under the agency’s ‘extraordinary-circumstances’ definition that would require full NEPA review.”

ACGA Executive Vice President Patrick Bray said the decision will benefit not just the ranchers in his state, but will potentially have positive west-wide implications.

“Federal land management agencies face a daunting backlog of regulatory paperwork under NEPA which, in the absence of the congressional language allowing for categorical exclusions, threatens ranchers’ grazing rights— which could ultimately kill their businesses,” Bray said. “With this and other similar challenges across the West, Western Watersheds Project makes a business out of adding burden to already-strained agency resources. Their taxpayer-funded strategy is focused on wiping out livestock grazing along with the families and communities that depend on it,” said Bray.

Van Liew said the livestock industry is encouraged by the fact that Judge Wake determined USFS’ use of categorical exclusions to be in keeping with Congress’ intent when it enacted NEPA and subsequent provisions in appropriations bills.

“The livestock industry is involved in similar challenges across the West and has seen several victories,” he said. “We’re encouraged by this ruling, as it reinforces the rights of ranching families in Arizona and the West.”