Thursday April 11 Ag News

USDA Designates 89 Counties in Nebraska as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Surrounding Counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 89 counties in Nebraska as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.  The counties are:
Adams    Colfax    Gosper    Lancaster    Sarpy
Antelope    Cuming    Grant    Lincoln    Saunders
Arthur    Custer    Greeley    Logan    Scotts Bluff
Banner    Dakota    Hall    Loup    Seward
Blaine    Dawes    Hamilton    McPherson    Sheridan
Boone    Dawson    Harlan    Madison    Sherman
Box Butte    Deuel    Hayes    Merrick    Sioux
Boyd    Dixon    Hitchcock    Morrill    Stanton
Brown    Dodge    Holt    Nance    Thayer
Buffalo    Douglas    Hooker    Otoe    Thomas
Burt    Dundy    Howard    Perkins    Thurston
Butler    Fillmore    Jefferson    Phelps    Valley
Cass    Franklin    Johnson    Pierce    Washington
Cedar    Frontier    Kearney    Platte    Wayne
Chase    Furnas    Keith    Polk    Webster
Cherry    Gage    Keya Paha    Red Willow    Wheeler
Cheyenne    Garden    Kimball    Rock    York
Clay    Garfield    Knox    Saline   

“Our hearts go out to those Nebraska farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Nebraska producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”

Farmers and ranchers in Nemaha, Nuckolls and Pawnee counties in Nebraska also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota and Wyoming in also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties include:

Iowa
Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Pottawattamie, Woodbury



Train Trip to Take Passengers from Omaha to 2013 Cattlemen's Ball

The Cattlemen's Ball, in partnership with Union Pacific, is offering a unique and stylish way to travel to this year's event, being held June 7 and 8 between Paxton and Sutherland.

A limited number of passengers who make qualifying contributions to the Cattlemen's Ball will travel from Omaha west on Union Pacific's private executive coach and then spend the weekend attending the wide variety of activities and entertainment during the 2013 Cattlemen's Ball.

The train departs Durham Museum in downtown Omaha at 8:30 a.m. CDT June 7 bound for arrival at North Platte at 2:45 p.m. A continental breakfast will be served on three historic and elegant dining cars – the Colorado Eagle, City of Denver and Overland. Lunch also will be served on the dining cars, and the lounge cars will be open in the afternoon for cocktail service and afternoon snacks. The trip includes two nights lodging at North Platte and "Trail Boss" admission to the Cattlemen's Ball.

Upon arrival at North Platte, passengers will board a deluxe motor coach for transport to the Cattlemen's Ball site on the Hanging H Ranch between Paxton and Sutherland to enjoy the Friday night reception, auction and dance. Saturday activities include a champagne brunch, luncheon, fashion show, art show, live and silent auctions, wine tasting, ranch rodeo and other activities. The evening ends with a prime dinner with all the trimmings, a concert by country music legends Lonestar, and a post-concert dance.  Sunday morning return travel to Omaha will be via deluxe motor coach.

Due to limited space, all tickets sales are being handled personally through the Cattlemen's Ball office at (308) 239-4338.

The Cattlemen’s Ball is hosted by a different Nebraska ranch or feedlot every year. This year's event is co-hosted by the Ralph and Beverly Holzfaster family and the Neal Hansen family. This year's theme is "On the Trail to a Cure."

Its mission is to raise money for cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center 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.

The Cattlemen’s Ball is the state’s premier fundraiser for the fight against cancer, with 100 percent of the dollars raised staying in Nebraska. For information and to purchase tickets to the Cattlemen's Ball event itself online, visit www.cattlemensball.com. Tickets may also be purchased at Adams Bank & Trust at Ogallala, or by calling (308) 284-7883.



Opinion:  How Would You Like a 1 Percent Tax Rate?
George Beattie, President & CEO, Nebraska Bankers Association

As the debate about our national debt continues, our society and government need to determine how best to live within our means. We must decide what we can afford and who should be the recipients of tax credits.

Omaha-headquartered Farm Credit Services of America made $485.9 million in pre-tax profits in 2012 (up from $465.8 million in 2011). They provided for just $4.8 million in total federal and state taxes -- just under 1 percent of their pre-tax income. If you look at their 2012 annual report, Farm Credit Services of America would have paid as much as $174 million in federal income taxes alone in 2012 if they were taxed like banks. Instead, the federal government provides them a significant tax advantage: profits Farm Credit Services of America earns on its real estate loans are tax exempt.

Once again, Farm Credit Services of America has been making a big deal about the "dividends" they are paying customers who borrow from them (by the way, only 29 percent of their total loans are to Nebraskans). Farm Credit Services of America portrays their dividend program as giving back to their "customer-owners" and the communities they call home.

On behalf of the more than 220 taxpaying banks across our state, I take exception to this. Just like you, banks in Nebraska pay their fair share of both federal and state taxes and at a much higher rate. Tax contributions from Nebraska banks help support our federal government and ensure that our children receive a high-quality education and that our communities are vibrant and healthy. We honor our commitment to Nebraska because we believe in the future of our great state and our country.

Instead of publicizing dividends to a limited number of Nebraskans, Farm Credit Services of America should pay their fair share of taxes.



Corn Growth and Development Publication Celebrates Two Years of Success

Students, corn producers and agronomists are taking an in-depth look at corn, from the moment the seed is planted to maturity, with Corn Growth and Development (PMR 1009), a publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

In 2011, the ISU Extension and Outreach corn production team completed this publication, which serves as the standard reference on corn growth and development for many. It has been highly successful in its first two years in the ISU Extension and Outreach online store.

The publication takes much of what is known about crop physiology and combines that with field agronomics to provide students, corn producers and agronomists the current and technical information they want and can apply to real world production. Authors of the publication are Lori Abendroth; Roger Elmore, ISU Extension corn specialist; Matthew Boyer, former agronomy graduate student; and Stephanie (Marlay) Bowden, agronomy specialist.

Corn Growth and Development replaced How a Corn Plant Develops, the previous industry standard. To develop the new publication, the team conducted multiyear research trials, synthesized research papers, grew hundreds of plants for photography sessions and spent months working with editors and designers. The publication weaves the newest scientific facts regarding corn growth and development throughout the pages in a way that is concise and easily applicable for people in production agriculture. Key features include:
-    More than 90 images, including whole-plant images from emergence to maturity
-    Detailed descriptions of vegetative and reproductive development
-    New dry matter and nutrient accumulations figures
-    Clarification of corn development staging methods
-    A list of end notes with agronomic research references

The publication is available in a print version in both English and Spanish, and in an e-version in English. Each image from the publication also can be electronically downloaded.

“A primary goal for the publication was to help equip students, agronomists, corn producers and scientists throughout the Midwest. I think it is geared really well toward clientele and students who want a comprehensive understanding of corn development that can serve as the foundation for understanding production agriculture and how management practices may impact crop yield. I am thrilled at the publication’s success to-date and hope we can continue to reach more individuals,” said Abendroth.

The publication provides students with the deep knowledge of the crops they will work with in the field, said Abendroth. It provides an overall foundation for understanding corn production.

“Corn is a highly versatile crop and is fairly uniform in its development across a wide geographic range,” said Abendroth. “We worked hard to make this publication accessible regarding the data and information presented so that many audiences would find it useful, as well as providing several different formats for them.”

The English print version has sold more than 12,000 copies in more than 20 states, the English e-books have sold more than 350 copies worldwide. The Spanish print version and digital images have sold less, but with price adjustments recently made on the images, the team is optimistic. Overall, more than 12,600 copies of the publication have been sold.

The publication is $14 in both print versions, the e-version is $5 and the digital images sell for various prices. Bulk discounts are in place for book orders of 100 or more. To purchase the publication in its various formats, visit the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach online store.



ASA Opposes Proposed Cut to Crop Insurance, Restructuring of Food Aid in President’s FY14 Budget

Proposed cuts to crop insurance and a restructuring of the nation’s food aid programs drew criticism from the nation’s soybean farmers today as the American Soybean Association (ASA) weighed in on the proposed 2014 budget from President Barack Obama. Included in the budget is a proposed $7.4 billion reduction in the federal crop insurance program.

“As ASA has said many times over, soybean farmers are willing to do our part to address the nation’s fiscal challenges, and we have a vested interest in ensuring that the cuts needed are made in a strategic manner, with all potential consequences taken into account. As many farmers still struggle to recover from the worst drought in generations, now is not the time to make such a deep cut to the federal crop insurance program,” said Danny Murphy, ASA President and a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss.

“Farming is an industry grounded in uncertainty, whether with regard to markets, prices, drought or rainfall, and we assume a huge risk when we put seed in the ground each planting season,” Murphy stated. “Farmers are not alone in assuming that risk. The crops we plant produce a variety of foods and other products that Americans depend on every day. Crop insurance is a critical tool to ensure that not only are part of the risks covered for American farmers, but also for the millions of Americans who count on what we produce.”

In addition to the proposed cuts to crop insurance, ASA reiterated its strong opposition to a proposed restructuring of the nation’s international food aid programs. The proposed change would replace in-kind aid with cash vouchers for purchases of food aid from foreign suppliers instead of commodities grown by American farmers. The proposal would shift jurisdiction over $1.5 billion from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to Foreign Operations, and provide that only 55 percent of food aid be purchased from American farmers.

“Federal food aid programs provide nutrition to impoverished people in developing countries, and we remain absolutely opposed to the replacement of in-kind aid with cash, which takes a key market away from American producers and places aid recipients at risk by allowing purchases from suppliers whose safety and quality are unknown. The proposal would also adversely affect shipping and logistics providers, packaging companies, and private voluntary organizations,” Murphy added.

Murphy did point out that not all was negative in the President’s budget. Several of ASA’s top priorities were reflected in the proposal, including both agricultural research and infrastructure. “A significant positive in the budget is the investment in agricultural research, including $383 million for competitive grants through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI),” Murphy said. “Also encouraging is the President’s $50 billion commitment to ports and inland waterways through his ‘Fix It First’ program, and the goal of cutting timelines in half for major infrastructure projects, including ports and waterways.”



Obama’s Budget Proposes to Increase Federal Lands Grazing Fee

According to the Public Lands Council (PLC) and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), President Barack Obama’s proposed budget includes an increase in the public lands grazing fee assessment that would put many family ranches out of business. Dustin Van Liew, PLC executive director and NCBA director of federal lands, said increasing the grazing fee through an arbitrary tax is unwarranted and is further evidence that the president and his administration are out of touch with production agriculture and rural economies of the west.

“This proposal came as no surprise to us—it’s a repeat of last year’s arbitrary fee increase proposal, only this time includes not only Bureau of Land Management permittees but also the U.S. Forest Service. Judging by the president’s plan to levy a 74 percent tax on the grazing fee and make extreme cuts in BLM and USFS range funding, we think it’s safe to say this administration does not understand American agriculture. Federal lands ranchers are and always have been willing to pay a fair price to graze livestock on public lands. They willingly invest significant amounts of money to manage and improve the range,” Van Liew said. “The current grazing fee is fair. In fact, most public lands ranchers already pay market price for their federal forage, when considering factors such as added regulatory costs, increased predation, ownership and maintenance of water rights and improvements and the difficulties of managing livestock in rough, arid rangelands. Arbitrarily increasing the grazing fee via a tax will do nothing more than impose unnecessary costs on the ranchers working every day to produce safe and affordable food and fiber.”

Specifically, the president’s budget calls for the BLM and USFS to impose a $1 per animal unit month (AUM) increase above the grazing fee to cover administrative costs. Van Liew said that ranchers should not bear the burden of paying for “bureaucratic administrative costs” that are out of their control, including costs such as attorneys fees paid from agency budgets to radical enviro-litigators. He added that the president’s budget outline is just a proposal and that it is up to Congress to determine final budgetary allocations.

“The president’s lack of understanding for the federal lands grazing industry, as evidenced by his proposed 74 percent tax on federal land ranchers, is extremely disappointing. Effectively increasing the grazing fee during these times of economic uncertainty will unnecessarily increase burdens on livestock producers and hamper their ability to create jobs and generate economic growth in their communities. We are not going to stand by and let that happen,” Van Liew said. “PLC and NCBA will continue working with members of Congress to do what’s in the best interest of ranchers, and thereby our nation’s natural resources, to ensure a sustainable future for our industry and rural America.”



EU Trade Talks Top of Mind for ASA at U.S. Chamber Forum

As part of the European Union (EU)-United States High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Forum held today in Washington, American Soybean Association (ASA) Executive Committee member and Greenwood, Del., soybean farmer Richard Wilkins spoke on the importance of including the unique nature of American agriculture and of soybean farming in upcoming negotiations over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

Wilkins noted the importance of the EU as an export market for American soybeans and soy products, but also cited the significant drop in recent exports as a result of EU policies.

“In 1997, we exported 10.3 million tons of [soy] products to EU Member States. However, by 2012 the volume of exports had fallen by over 81 percent to 1.9 million tons. We believe an important cause for this sharp decline is the EU’s requirements that food products derived from agricultural biotechnology enhancement be labeled, and more recently the EU’s discriminatory policies on biofuel feedstocks under its Renewable Energy Directive (RED),” said Wilkins.

Within his presentation, Wilkins highlighted three major areas in which EU biotech regulations and policies must be discussed during TTIP negotiations, including correcting the EU approval process for new biotech enhancement traits such that approvals are subject to deadlines and based only on scientific criteria; the establishment of commercially-feasible international standards for the Low Level Presence of unapproved biotech traits in commodity shipments; and addressing the unlawful practice of prohibiting imports of biotech-enhanced commodities that have been approved by EU Commissioners.

Wilkins also raised farmer concerns with the Renewable Energy Directive, or RED, which places inaccurate and unscientific greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable land use benchmarks on American soybeans, restricting their use as a feedstock for biodiesel production in Europe, and significantly hampering the potential in the European marketplace.

“The U.S. soy industry has worked with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to initiate negotiations with the EU on a bilateral agreement under which documented  producer compliance with U.S. conservation laws would be deemed as achieving the RED’s sustainability requirements,” said Wilkins. “If the U.S. is to maintain even its current limited access to the EU market for soybean exports, the TTIP must guarantee that negotiations on an aggregate bilateral agreement will go forward, as provided for under the RED.”

Finally, Wilkins cited the soybean industry’s opposition to the EU’s proposed Ecologically-Focused Areas (EFA) program which ASA believes would nullify and impair U.S. access to the EU market for soybeans and soybean meal and violate the Blair House Agreement reached at the end of the Uruguay Round negotiations.

“We understand that the goal of this Forum and of the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations is to identify and work to harmonize areas where our respective regulations and laws currently restrict bilateral trade,” concluded Wilkins in his address. “However, unless regulations, laws and interpretation of laws are addressed, access to the EU market will continue to be impaired, and exports of U.S. soybeans and soy products will remain below historical levels.”



Rail System Investment Needed to Meet Ag's Needs

As millions of bushels of U.S. soybeans crisscross America's roads, rails and waterways on their way to export markets, a soy-checkoff-funded study says more would ship more cheaply and efficiently by rail -- and fewer by trucks -- if the U.S. railway system were up to the task.

"The U.S. soy industry needs a transportation system that runs smoothly in order to move our soybeans to markets, and railways are a major part of that," says Jared Hagert, a soybean farmer from Emerado, N.D., and coordinator of the United Soybean Board (USB) International Opportunities target area. "A big key to growing markets, both domestic and international, is being able to deliver our soybeans in an efficient manner."

The study, titled "Maintaining a Track Record of Success," examines the U.S. railway system and its ability to handle future growth in agricultural production and exports. This report suggests that if rail infrastructure investments are adequate to support growth, there will be a gradual shift from truck transportation to rail transportation each year, an action that could save fuel and money along the transportation chain. According to the study, rail uses about one-third of the fuel per ton-mile compared with trucks and can reduce road congestion and the need for highway repairs.

Funded by the soy checkoff and coordinated by the Soy Transportation Coalition, this study also examined the private investment anticipated to be made by railroad companies and the shippers and receivers that use it. In addition, the report looks at the soybean sector's challenges in becoming more efficient with its rail movements.

U.S. soybean exports are increasingly dependent on rail, as well as other pieces of the infrastructure for transport, between September and February. Fluid rail capacity to handle the surge in volume during those months is critical to the soy industry continuing to maximize the farm value of soybeans.

Increasing private and public investment in soy transportation modes remains a priority of the soy checkoff.



NPPC Urges U.S. To Comply With WTO Rules

In comments filed today, the National Pork Producers Council expressed concern that Canada and Mexico could retaliate against the United States because proposed regulations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture may not make a meat labeling law compliant with U.S. international trade obligations.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) last year ruled that the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law violates U.S. trade obligations under the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. Canada and Mexico brought cases on COOL to the WTO in 2011.

The international trade body gave the United States until May 23, 2013, to make its meat labeling law compliant with WTO rules. In the wake of the WTO decision, USDA issued proposed regulations changing the labeling law.

In discussing the proposed regulations, Canadian officials this week threatened retaliation against U.S. products because they maintain the regulations won’t make COOL comply with WTO rules.

“The United States must avoid retaliation from Canada and Mexico,” said NPPC President Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Edgerton, Minn. “The United States should make sure our meat labeling law complies with our international trade obligations. Retaliatory tariffs on pork by Canada or Mexico would be financially devastating to U.S. pork producers.”

NPPC supports an approach to labeling that provides important information to consumers, complies with U.S. international trade obligations and does not undermine U.S. meat supply chains and unnecessarily raise costs. Specifically, NPPC supports an approach that will treat as “U.S. origin” hogs, pork and other meat products that have value added at federally inspected facilities. The requirement that producers gather and maintain information on where livestock was born and raised should be eliminated.

At a minimum, said NPPC in its comments – the deadline for which was today – if USDA moves forward with the proposed regulations, it should establish an effective date that is 180 days after the latter of issuance of final regulations, or of a determination by the WTO that the final regulations are consistent with U.S. international trade obligations.



Expansion of Checkoff-funded New Product and Culinary Innovation Center Provides Flexibility, Adds Capabilities

Beef has a long history of tremendous popularity with the American public. Keeping it current with modern trends and tastes, though, requires constant attention.

Beef checkoff-funded recipe and product development got a boost recently when the New Product and Culinary Innovation Center received an expansion and update. The test kitchen facility in Centennial, Colo., located at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA),  a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program, is used by a team of professionals that creates beef recipes and shows how to best utilize beef products.

Space for the New Product and Culinary Innovation Center was significantly increased, while updated equipment was added, providing additional flexibility and capabilities to the checkoff-funded team, according to Steve Wald, executive director of beef innovations.

“We’ve become even more productive in creating new recipes and developing innovative beef ideas,” says Wald. “This is giving us more credibility among our various audiences, and improving our ability to showcase beef at its best.”

Consumer test stoves and ranges have increased from three to four (two each of electric and gas), while commercial equipment also has been enhanced. Refrigeration space has doubled, and storage space has also been increased. While previously there was only space for one or two testers, now up to four recipe testers can be working on beef recipes at the same time.

Proud History
The kitchens already had a tremendous reputation, according to Debra Baughman, director, test kitchen services. It began at the National Live Stock and Meat Board in Chicago, which conducted recipe testing from the time the organization was established in the early 1920s until it merged with the National Cattlemen’s Association to form NCBA in 1996. NCBA continued to utilize the Chicago test kitchens until 2009. In 2010, those offices closed and beef testing was moved to the NCBA offices near Denver.

Thousands of recipes were developed during the early years to use in meat promotions throughout the country. When the Beef Industry Council of the Meat Board was established in 1963, its efforts each year relied on the work of the Meat Board Test Kitchens to assure dependable and accurate recipes that consumers and food professionals could trust.

Today, hundreds of tests are conducted to produce from 80-100 recipes every year, says Baughman, providing information for numerous beef checkoff-funded programs in new product development, retail, foodservice, consumer food public relations, as well as for requests from media, state beef councils and others.

Crucial Element
In fact, the recipe development and testing function is crucial to the overall beef marketing and promotion effort conducted through the Beef Checkoff Program, according to Cevin Jones, an Idaho cattle feeder and farmer and chair of the checkoff’s Joint Domestic Preference Committee.  “Without the ability to really connect with the consumer, recognizing their tastes and how they’re eating and what kind of equipment they’re using, we have limited ability to get them to increase their beef usage,” says Jones. “Our beef testing facilities are fundamental to that process.”

For instance, the checkoff’s new Easy Fresh Cooking® (EFC) program promotes quick and simple meal solutions to consumers at the meat case. The recipe concepts for the program are developed by the culinary team focusing on the latest trends and at least Triple Tested™ on multiple types of equipment to provide assurances they will work consistently and dependably. The equipment and ingredients used are the types that are common and popular with consumers.

Each recipe in the EFC program uses no more than six ingredients and can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Labels featuring EFC recipes are proven to make beef easier to shop for and easier to stock.

Recipes are also provided on retail on-pack recipe labels through the checkoff-funded “Beef Made Easy” program.  About 200 million Beef Made Easy labels are distributed to retail stores annually.

Foodservice recipes, too, get attention from the beef checkoff-funded Culinary Innovations Team. Created by well-known industry chefs, the recipes are reviewed by the team’s professionals, who can ensure the recipes are practical. Recent collaborators include Tim Cushman, chef/owner of O Ya and 2012 James Beard Foundation award winner, and Steve Schimoler, chef/owner of Crop Bistro & Bar.

Recipes developed by the team show up everywhere. For example, there are more than 400 recipes on the checkoff-funded “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner” website that were developed in the kitchens. Recipes are featured in consumer advertising and consumer media, on in-store displays in grocery stores, and in national free-standing newspaper inserts that reach 30-50 million households with each insertion. Bloggers see them and use them; regional publications, newspapers and websites do, too. They are shared on Twitter and Facebook and used as food samples at events and for inspiration by independent recipe developers – and by consumers looking to experiment with something new.

At the state level, expertise from the national culinary team is also invaluable, according to Kaiti George, registered dietitian with the Nebraska Beef Council. “We use culinary center-developed recipes for blogs, ads, health professional communication and consumer education,” she says.” I am proud to be able to tell health professionals and consumers that all recipes are triple-tested. In addition, the team is always on top of the latest food trends and develops recipes that both ‘foodies’ and the everyday cook can enjoy.”

“It’s impossible to fully gauge the reach of the recipes we develop through the checkoff program,” according to Jones. “The fact is, though, recipes are what bring beef to Americans. They inspire, motivate and elevate the eating experience for beef, and have the power not only to bring out unexpected flavor, but surprise people with how beef’s great taste can be easy to prepare and good for them at the same time.”

Based on Science
That inspiration isn’t solely emotional, says Baughman. Extensive market research is conducted to make sure current food, equipment and ingredient trends are followed. An extensive “pantry study” is accessed regularly, for instance, to help the culinary team use concepts that feature the most common tastes and techniques. 

“Our work has evolved as consumers have evolved,” says Baughman, who has been doing work for the beef industry through the Beef Checkoff Program for 25 years. “We’re able to keep on top of flavor, consumer and beef industry trends. At the same time, we capture the scientific data needed to assure that all of our tests and measurements are flawless.”

Part of that scientific data involves the nutritional properties of beef. Since most recipes developed today incorporate lean beef cuts with whole grains and vegetables in sensible portions, they are easy to apply to educational materials shared with health professionals on the checkoff-funded BeefNutrition.org website and through various health events by both national program staff and state partners.

“Recipes help us communicate the nutrition information that the checkoff generates using nutrition research,” says Jeanne Harland, an Illinois cow-calf producer and chair of the Joint Nutrition and Health Subcommittee. “It puts the science into practice for both health professionals and consumers.”

According to Shenoa French, associate director of the New Product and Culinary Innovation Center, new product ideas and recipes can be showcased to industry audiences in the Centennial offices, which provides additional idea promotion and visibility to the Center. The commercially inspected and approved kitchen is sometimes also utilized by beef industry partners, giving even more opportunities for new beef ideas to reach consumers.

“We’re proud of this new space and how it will help beef producers further present their products,” says French. “Our team and its more than 70 years of collective experience can certainly better utilize its skills with these improvements.”



Rolling Billboards Travel 2 Million Miles Promoting U.S. Beef, Pork in Seoul

TV ads only work if you are tuned to the right channel. Billboards don’t move. Even Internet advertising is only effective if you visit a particular website. USMEF-Korea is taking a different approach: cooperating with local meat distributors in a cost-effective measure that repeatedly brings the message of quality U.S. beef and pork directly to the more than 10 million people who live in Seoul: ads on delivery trucks.

Inspired by Korea’s application of mandatory country of origin labeling for meat products, USMEF initiated the truck ad program in the summer of 2011 to give more visibility to U.S. products to both end-users as well as consumers. Since that time, USMEF has negotiated for 33 Korean delivery trucks to be wrapped with mouth-watering, full-color images of American pork and another 29 trucks with the ads for U.S. beef.

At an average of about 33,000 miles traveled per truck per year, these moving billboards cover about 2 million miles per year through business districts and neighborhoods as U.S. red meat is delivered to restaurants, butcher shops and other outlets. And while gridlocked traffic is a curse for Seoul residents, where growing road congestion has driven average driving speeds from 19.1 miles per hour in 1990 to just under 10 in 2009, it is a boon to USMEF when these rolling advertisements populate the streets.

The concept of advertisements on trucks and mass transit vehicles isn’t new, but what makes these state-of-the-art truck-wrapping ads even more appealing is the cost: USMEF paid for the wraps – about $700 per truck, with financial support from the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) as well as the Pork Checkoff and the Beef Checkoff Program. In return the companies agree to pay all costs to maintain their beautified vehicle that advertises one of the key products they distribute: American “World Class Pork” and “World Class Beef.”

“The response from the company owners to this sales channel partner initiative has been very positive,” said J.R. Lee, marketing manager for USMEF-Korea. “They see these truck wrappings as a benefit – an endorsement from one of their best suppliers that helps them advertise one of their products. And for us, it is a very efficient and inexpensive way to get our message in front of thousands of consumers each day.”

One truck, operated by importer/purveyor Haro FS, has carried the “World Class Beef” message more than 33,000 miles over the past year as it delivers U.S. beef to Western-style restaurants throughout the region. Fabricator/purveyor SJ Meat has driven its truck with the “World Class Pork” ad more than 31,000 miles in just 10 months as it visits pork barbecue and soup restaurants to deliver Boston butt for pork bulgogi and stir-fried spicy pork as well as kimchi soup.

“There’s probably not a person in Seoul who hasn’t seen at least one of these trucks as they roam through the city,” said Lee. “These are excellent reminders – both to consumers on the street as well as to the restaurants these trucks serve – that world class U.S. beef and pork are coming to a business near them.”



Wheat Exports Grow as Brazil Waives Tariff

A temporary tariff change in Brazil is signaling an opportunity for U.S. wheat farmers to regain competiveness in South America’s largest wheat importing market.

The Government of Brazil recently announced that it is waiving the 10 percent common external tariff (CET) for up to 1.0 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat from April 1 through July 31, 2013. Brazil introduced the new duty free wheat quota due to a shortage of wheat from countries included in the Mercosur Agreement.

“We are happy to see Brazil lower the tariff for non-Mercosur countries and provide a market opportunity for U.S. wheat in addition to providing an affordable and high quality food supply to its citizens,” said U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Vice President of Policy Shannon Schlecht.

Brazil is one of the top three wheat-importing countries in the world but trades the commodity mostly with Mercosur members (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) thanks to the free trade provisions in the agreement. Argentina has the vast majority of the market share, averaging around 80 percent according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the government has lifted the CET before in years when these countries had a shortage of wheat and Brazil chose to import a noticeable amount from the United States. For example, supported by frequent contact with USW, U.S. commercial sales to Brazil were about 907,000 MT between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2008, while the CET was waived, yet sales only reached 25,000 MT in the entire, more average, marketing year of 2006/07 with the CET in effect.

Thanks to a good relationship between Brazilian millers and bakers and USW, this duty free wheat quota should encourage a similar pattern of increased U.S. wheat imports into Brazil.

“It is important to stay engaged with Brazil’s buyers, keeping them informed about our crops and supporting them with technical information,” USW President Alan Tracy said. “Experience shows that with that knowledge, they quickly turn to the dependable U.S. wheat store when the need is there.”

Aside from the fiscal advantage of the duty free wheat quota, many of Brazil’s buyers are also in a good location to import U.S. wheat. Several important flour mills are located in northeast Brazil and its northeastern port is the same distance away from southern U.S. ports as it is from Argentina’s ports. This leaves U.S. wheat at no disadvantage when it comes to shipping costs and Brazil’s buyers are responding again. Commercial sales of hard red winter and soft red winter to Brazil as of March 28 for 2012/13 are more than 400,000 MT compared to commercial sales at the same time in 2011/12 of only about 112,000 MT.

Though Brazil’s duty free wheat quota is only temporary, it provides an opportunity for the U.S. wheat industry to gain new market access — important for U.S. wheat farmers who rely on export markets to consume nearly half of their total annual production. In addition, expanding markets has a positive effect on the overall U.S. economy with each additional billion dollars in agricultural export creating 8,000 to 9,000 jobs, according to USDA.

A more permanent elimination or reduction of Brazil’s CET would greatly benefit the U.S. wheat industry. USW works closely with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure favorable terms for wheat exports in all negotiations.



Make Plans Now to Experience the “Center of the Dairy Universe”

World Dairy Expo is inviting dairy producers and industry professionals from around the globe to make plans now to experience the “Center of the Dairy Universe.” Expo provides a unique opportunity to see world-class dairy cattle and experience the largest dairy-focused trade show in one great venue. Producers looking for a one-stop dairy event will want to be sure that World Dairy Expo is on their “must attend” event list for 2013.

Expo is the place to exchange ideas with fellow dairy operators, gather cutting-edge information from dairy industry experts and investigate the newest products and technologies. Dairy cattle enthusiasts can take in the action above the famed colored shavings as more than 2,500 head of the finest show cattle in North America compete for the coveted Supreme Champion title. Producers can choose to attend industry-leading Expo Seminars, Virtual Farm Tours and Dairy Forage Seminars featuring dairy researchers and producer colleagues. A trip to World Dairy Expo is a great option for a family trip or incentive for employees.

Visitors are encouraged to make plans now to attend. Hotels are quickly filling for World Dairy Expo 2013. A list of hotels with information including room availability, rates and amenities is located on the World Dairy Expo website at http://www.worlddairyexpo.com/pages/Hotel-Availability.php. It is best to make your reservations as soon as possible.

For the best prices on air travel, book early! Flights also fill quickly. World Dairy Expo recommends the following airports for travel to the show: The Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), located 20 minutes from World Dairy Expo. General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a 1 ½ hour drive from Madison. O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois is a 3 hour drive from World Dairy Expo.

There will be plenty to experience at the “Center of the Dairy Universe”, World Dairy Expo, which will be October 1 through October 5 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Admission is $10 daily or $30 for a season pass, parking included. The trade show is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit www.worlddairyexpo.com for the latest schedule details or follow Expo all year long on Facebook at facebook.com/worlddairyexpo.



Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto Cross-License Advanced Corn Trait Technology, Designed to Provide Exceptional New Tools for Weed and Insect Management

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) and Dow AgroSciences LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), have reached new cross-licensing agreements for creation of the next generation of advanced weed and insect control technology in corn. Monsanto will license Dow AgroSciences’ new Enlist™ Weed Control System herbicide-tolerant trait for use in field corn. Dow AgroSciences will license Monsanto’s third generation corn rootworm technology, Corn Rootworm III, which is presently under development by Monsanto and offers a new mode of action for rootworm control. The agreement paves the way for introduction (pending regulatory approvals) of next-generation products that build off the current SmartStax® platform, which includes Dow’s Herculex® and Monsanto’s insect resistance and herbicide-tolerance traits. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

These technologies are expected to be introduced in each company’s respective elite, proprietary germplasm and sold competitively by both companies as next-generation weed and insect control products. The agreements build on the competitive standard set by SmartStax®* for stacked-trait corn offerings in providing added value for farmers in their ongoing need to secure higher yields despite wide-ranging pressures from damaging pests. This creates the opportunity to bring together for the first time three different modes of action for below-ground insect control in a corn product.

Stacked trait products are particularly valuable for combating pest resistance and preserving trait durability. Weed resistance is also a challenge facing agriculture, and Enlist is a next-generation system that combines innovative traits providing tolerance to 2,4-D and FOPs, novel herbicides and stewardship, offering two modes of action for weed control to deliver performance that farmers need now. Monsanto is the first licensee of the Enlist trait in corn.

“This agreement takes the outstanding value offered by SmartStax technology to a new level, allowing growers increased flexibility with highly effective new modes of action for weed and insect management,” said Antonio Galindez, Dow AgroSciences president and CEO. “Adding advanced new traits to SmartStax – including our Enlist corn trait – delivers on our company’s business objective of providing better solutions for the growing world.”   

“This agreement builds on the success we had with the original SmartStax agreement, showing that as both companies innovate, we’ll continue to bring the best products to farmers,” said Brett Begemann, Monsanto’s president and chief commercial officer. “We continue to look for additional modes of action that offer benefit to our farmer customers and complement our existing offerings while ensuring the sustainability and durability of the Roundup Ready® system. Dow’s Enlist trait is an excellent addition, specifically in its FOPs tolerance offering. We’re also pleased this paves the way to make Monsanto’s Corn Rootworm III trait available in SmartStax in the future as well as in Dow’s corn products.”

Under the agreements:
-    Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences will license to each other, under royalty-bearing agreements, traits for weed control as well as insect protection in corn. Specifically:
     +   Dow AgroSciences will license to Monsanto its proprietary Enlist corn herbicide-tolerant trait on a non-exclusive basis. 
     +   Monsanto will license to Dow its third generation corn rootworm technology, Corn Rootworm III, on a non-exclusive basis.
-    The agreement paves the way for U.S. introduction (pending regulatory approvals) of new, next-generation SmartStax products by the end of the decade.
-    Monsanto will represent both parties for joint third-party licensing of the next-generation SmartStax corn to third-party seed companies through its Corn States business, allowing farmers access to cutting edge technology in the brands they prefer.
-    Dow AgroSciences will out-license the rights to the Enlist trait technology. 
-    Both parties will retain the right to independently stack additional trait technologies.