Thursday April 25 Ag News

Fortenberry Helps Introduce Bipartisan Initiative to Support New Generation of Farmers

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today joined Reps. Tim Walz (D-MN), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee, and Chris Gibson (R-NY), to introduce the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is designed to help young people and beginning farmers establish careers in agriculture. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate today.

"Agriculture is essential to our country's wellbeing. Good agricultural policy is critical to America's economic security, energy security, and even national security. Given the average age of the American farmer today is 57 years old, we should work to ensure that the next generation of farmers and ranchers have the opportunity to overcome the financial barriers unique to agricultural operations," said Fortenberry (R-NE). "I'm proud to support this legislation, which provides a variety of support options involving access to farm credit for young producers, cost-saving conservation practices, emerging market opportunities such as locally and organically raised foods within regional foods systems, and increased outreach on agricultural job opportunities for our nation's veterans."

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act seeks to ready a new generation of American ag producers by modifying and improving upon existing farm programs to help reduce the steep financial burdens of setting up an agricultural business.

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act will invest in the next generation of American producers by:
-    Enabling access to land, credit, and crop insurance for new producers.
-    Assisting new producers to launch and strengthen new farm and value-added businesses.
-    Helping new producers become good stewards of the land.
-    Providing training, mentoring, and research that beginning farmers and ranchers need to be successful.
-    Conducting outreach on agricultural job opportunities for military veterans.

Fortenberry is a member of the Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Agricultural Appropriations. He is a former chairman of the Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Credit.



Center for Rural Affairs applauds Beginning Farmer and Rancher Bill

The Center for Rural Affairs applauded today’s reintroduction of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act, a cross-cutting initiative aimed at helping the next generation of farmers and ranchers enter into agriculture and take advantage of emerging markets.

Representatives Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Tim Walz (D-MN), Chris Gibson (R-NY) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) reintroduced the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act in the U.S House of Representatives. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) took the lead on introducing the same legislation in the Senate.

“We are delighted to see these members of Congress acknowledge the fact that the Farm Bill should be creative and address beginning farmer and rancher issues,” said Traci Bruckner, Assistant Director for Rural Policy of the Center for Rural Affairs. “With this bill and the farm bill debate going on this year we are going to invest in creating a new generation of farmers and ranchers.”

“Agriculture is essential to our country’s well-being. Good agricultural policy is critical to America’s economic security, energy security, and even national security,” said Representative Jeff Fortenberry, co-sponsor of the bill. “Given that the average age of the American farmer today is 57 years old, we should work to ensure that the next generation of farmers and ranchers has the opportunity to overcome the financial barriers unique to agricultural operations.”

“This legislation will help families and individuals across our nation apply their talents, motivation, and dedication to start and continue farm and ranch operations and revitalize rural America,” Senator Harkin said. “Beginning farmers and ranchers will benefit from practical assistance in this bill, including effective training and mentoring, better access to and careful use of credit, enhanced support for conservation, and help in starting and succeeding in profitable enterprises such as value-added businesses.”

“I’m proud to sponsor the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Opportunity Act, which provides a variety of support options involving access to farm credit for young producers, cost-saving conservation practices, emerging market opportunities such as locally and organically raised foods within regional foods systems, and increased outreach on agricultural job opportunities for our nation’s veterans,” continued Fortenberry.

“We commend Representative Fortenberry, Senator Harkin and the other sponsors for introducing this bill. Their legislation is smart, cost-effective public policy that will create jobs and invest in the future of rural America,” Bruckner added. “It addresses key obstacles that often prevent beginning farmers and ranchers from getting their operation started.”

According to Bruckner, the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act contains multiple crucial provisions, including:
-    Reauthorizing the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, a beginning farmer and rancher training and support initiative. It would provide $20 million in annual mandatory funding through 2018 to help meet growing demand for the program, and include a new priority on agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training programs for military veterans, as well as food safety training.
-    $20 million in annual funding for the Value Added Producer Grants Program and will retain the priority for projects benefiting beginning farmers and ranchers as well as a set-aside of program funding for these projects.
-    Creating savings and enhancing lending provisions that help beginning farmers and ranchers access credit and establish a pattern of savings.
-    Providing conservation incentives to assist beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to establish conservation practices and sustainable systems on their farms and ranches.

“Creating a new generation of family farmers and ranchers is a long row to hoe, but there are proven strategies that create real opportunities for beginners,” explained Bruckner. “And the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act was written to invest in those strategies and help new farmers and ranchers overcome barriers and take advantage of emerging markets.”

The bill is smart, cost-effective public policy that will create jobs and invest in rural America’s future through training, mentoring, business planning and other services for farm and ranch startups. It will also fund the highly effective Value Added Producer Grants program with emphasis on projects benefiting new farmers and ranchers, Bruckner concluded.



CRP Meetings Scheduled in May

Public informational meetings are scheduled across the state in May so landowners can learn about the May 20-June 14 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup.

CRP is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits in exchange for rental payments and cost-share assistance.

The meetings are free and no registration is required. The following is a list of meetings by date:

April 30 – Dakota City, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) office, 1505 Broadway, 1 p.m.

May 7 – Scotia, Community Hall, 102 S. Main St., 10 a.m.; Ord, Lower Loup Natural Resources District (NRD), 2620 Airport Drive, 1 p.m.; Bloomfield, Community Center, 101 S. Broadway, 2 p.m.; Loup City, Community Center, 803 O St., 5 p.m.; Ogallala, USDA Service Center, 1605 E. 1st St., 7:30 p.m.; Neligh, UNL Extension Service, 501 Main St., 7:30 p.m.

May 8 – Pawnee City, Library, 735 8th St., 1 p.m.; O’Neill, UNL Extension Service, 128 N. 6th St., Ste. 100, 5 p.m.

May 9 – Hartington, VFW, 126 E. Main St., 2 p.m.; Lincoln, UNL Extension Service, 444 Cherry Creek Road, 2:30 p.m.; Bartlett, Wheeler County Fairgrounds, 3 p.m.; Newcastle, Fire Hall, 205 Mary St., 7 p.m.; Stapleton, Community Center, 236 Main St., 7:30 p.m.

May 10 – Beatrice, Homestead National Monument, 8523 Nebraska Hwy. 4, 1 p.m.

May 13 – Alliance, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 124 E. 24th St., 10 a.m.; Omaha, Chalco Hills Recreation Area, 8901 S. 154th St., 1 p.m.; David City, Hruska Memorial Library, 399 5th St., 7:30 p.m.

May 14 – Rushville, American Legion, 206 Sprague St., noon; Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., 2 p.m.; Pleasanton, Community Center, 202 N. Sycamore St., 5 p.m.; Imperial, Mid-Plains Community College, 1324 Broadway, 7 p.m.; May 14 – Albion, Cornerstone Bank, 240 S. 3rd St., 7 p.m.; Wahoo, Lower Platte North NRD, 511 Commercial Park Road, 7:30 p.m.; Wallace, American Legion, 217 S. Commercial Ave., 7: 30 p.m.

May 15 – Fairbury, Union Bank and Trust, 1313 K St., 9 a.m.; Franklin, Franklin County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m.; Bridgeport, USDA, 902 Main St., 11 a.m.; Lexington, Library, 907 N. Washington St., noon; St. Paul, The Gathering Place, 612 Howard Ave., 7 p.m.; Benkelman, Farm Service Agency, 1303 A St., 7 p.m.; Seward, The Cattle National Bank, 104 S. 5th, 7:30 p.m.

May 16 – Sidney, South Platte NRD, 551 Parkland Drive, 9 a.m.; North Platte, UNL West Central Research and Extension Center auditorium, 402 W. State Farm Road, 7:30 a.m.; Blue Hill, Senior Center, 555 W. Gage St., 10 a.m.; Wilber, UNL Extension Service, 306 W. 3rd St., 2:30 p.m.; Sargent, Community Center, 314 W. Main St., 4:30 p.m.; Broken Bow, Mid-Plains Community College, 2520 S. E St., 6 p.m.; Pawnee City, Library, 735 8th St., 7 p.m.; Grant, Library, 246 Central Ave., 7 p.m.

May 17 – Scottsbluff, North Platte NRD, 100547 Airport Road, 9 a.m.

May 20 – Trenton, USDA, 36465 U.S. Hwy. 34, 6 p.m.

May 21 – Chadron, Country Kitchen, 1250 W. 10th St., noon; Hayes Center, American Legion, 603 Tate St., 6 p.m.

May 22 – Alma, Johnson Center, 509 Main St., 10 a.m.; Beaver City, Community Building, 318 10th St., 2 p.m.; McCook, 4-H Meeting Room, 1400 W. 5th St., 6 p.m.



First Nebraska Farm to School Summit a Success

Over 30 agriculture producers and representatives from several Nebraska school districts met Wednesday, April 3 in Kearney for the first ever Nebraska Farm to School Summit.  The event brought together farmers, ranchers and food service directors to help one another link kids with healthy, local food.

Since that time, the Center for Rural Affairs has received positive feedback from a number of producers that attended the summit. One attendee in particular followed-up with over 10 schools in his area and has begun to build relationships with the nutrition programs there, resulting in the ongoing development of a Farm to School Program.

“The inaugural summit was a success for everyone,” said Bailey Mahlberg, Nebraska Farm to School Coordinator with the Center for Rural Affairs. “The energy was evident as food service directors and local farmers, ranchers, and producers talked about ways to bring fresh, local, healthy food to children in school. One way to encourage children to eat healthy foods is to model the behavior through school meals.”

Kicking off the event was a presentation by Kathie Starkweather, Rural Opportunities and Stewardship Program Director for the Center for Rural Affairs, along with Mahlberg on the background of Farm to School, the current programs in Nebraska, and how to connect to local resources.

Sharon Davis, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services with the Department of Education, spoke about the rules and regulations of Farm to School. Other presenters included Jewel Marco, food service director of Central City Schools; Linda Truscott, food service director of Norris Public Schools; and Cindy Oldemeyer, a farmer from Firth, NE. Oldemeyer currently provides produce for the Norris Farm to School program.

After the preliminary presentations was an informal “speed-dating” session which allowed individuals to quickly meet with others in their geographic area and discuss the steps to develop a Farm to School Program in their community. An open discussion followed allowing participants the opportunity to air ideas and network with other attendees.

“This was likely the most beneficial portion of the Summit because attendees were speaking with like-minded people and everyone was excited about Farm to School,” said Mahlberg.

According to a survey administered at the summit, respondents reported an 18% increase of understanding farm to school programs, a 22% increase awareness of farm to school program related resources and opportunities, and a 5% increase of likeliness to participate in a farm to school related program.

"I am very pleased with the Summit turnout, both from the producers and from the schools. A true spirit of cooperation was exhibited as experienced farmers and ranchers shared their knowledge of working with schools. Information on how to sell to school districts, good handling practices, good agricultural practices, and food safety was provided to all,” Mahlberg concluded.

The Nebraska Farm to School Summit was hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s College of Business and Technology. Other sponsors included: Pinnacle Bank, Security First Bank, the Buffalo County Farm Bureau, and the Nebraska Farmer’s Union.

For more information on Farm to School, visit http://www.cfra.org/community-food.



NCBA Awards State Partners for Outstanding Recruiting Efforts

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) awarded three state cattlemen’s associations for their outstanding recruitment efforts during the Spring Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., last week. In all, 14 states met the criteria to qualify for the award drawing for the choice of one-year lease for either a New Holland BR7090 round baler or a New Holland T6 175 tractor.

NCBA recognizes the importance of a strong partnership with its state affiliate organizations and in an effort to recognize the efforts of state partners has joined forces with New Holland Ag to reward recruiters for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the national organization. Vice President of New Holland North America Abe Hughes emphasized the importance of working together on behalf of the beef industry and the company’s commitment to helping strengthen all of agriculture.

“New Holland is proud to support the membership successes of NCBA state affiliates with the equipment lease program. We are committed to help NCBA grow in 2013 and accomplish their goals to protect and strengthen the cattle industry,” said Hughes.

The 14 state affiliates which reached NCBA’s recruitment goals and qualified for the drawing for a one-year lease for a New Holland tractor or baler were:  Arizona Cattle Feeders, Arkansas Cattlemen’s, California Cattlemen’s, Colorado Livestock,  Hawaii Cattlemen’s, Kansas Livestock, Nebraska Cattlemen, North Carolina Cattlemen, Ohio Cattlemen’s,  Oklahoma Cattlemen’s, Texas Cattle Feeders, Utah Cattlemen’s, Washington Cattle Feeders and Wisconsin Cattlemen’s.

A random drawing of qualifying states was held during the Spring Legislative Conference and Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and the Utah Cattlemen’s Association were each awarded with their choice of one-year lease on either a New Holland BR7090 round baler or a New Holland T6 175 tractor to be used to support their efforts on behalf of members of their state associations.

The top five states in NCBA membership recruitment from Jan. 1, 2013 through Mar. 31, 2013 were, in reverse order:  Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and Nebraska Cattlemen. The top recruiter during the period was Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, which was also awarded with a one-year New Holland tractor or baler lease in recognition of their outstanding recruitment efforts on behalf of NCBA.



Beef Products to Pay $450,000 for Clean Air Act Violations

Beef Products Inc. (BPI) has agreed to pay a $450,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of Clean Air Act regulations in Waterloo, Iowa, the Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

As part of a consent decree lodged today in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, BPI has agreed to conduct third-party audits of its compliance with the Clean Air Act's Risk Management Program requirements at the company's South Sioux City, Neb., facility. BPI will then have 90 days to submit a plan to EPA that will correct identified violations within one year.

The settlement stems from a 2007 incident at the now-closed Waterloo, Iowa, facility that released more than 1,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into a production area occupied by BPI workers. The anhydrous ammonia trapped two BPI employees resulting in the permanent disability of one worker and the death of the other. During the response to the release, BPI directed its employees to enter the facility while dangerous levels of airborne anhydrous ammonia remained present.

After the 2007 incident, EPA gathered information about the release and facility operations through information requests and an inspection. Based on these activities, EPA determined that BPI did have a risk management program on paper, but failed to implement the program at the Waterloo facility, contributing to the 2007 incident.

"The implementation of a risk management program is integral to the safe operation of facilities where anhydrous ammonia is used," Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. "The 2007 incident in Waterloo demonstrates that having a plan only on paper increases the risk of accidental exposure to both employees and first responders."

In 2005, with a goal of preventing accidents and helping regulated entities understand their obligations in accordance with environmental laws, EPA Region 7 published an Accident Prevention and Response Manual for Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration System Operators. That guide, now in its third edition, is available online.

Anhydrous ammonia is considered a poisonous gas but is commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems. Exposure to its vapors can cause temporary blindness and eye damage and irritation of the skin, mouth, throat, respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure to anhydrous ammonia vapor at high concentrations can lead to serious lung damage and death.



Beef Trade Explored with Central America

Iowa beef producer Steve Rehder, Hawarden, participated in an Iowa Meat Trade Mission to Central America and Mexico in April. Rehder, a director on the Iowa Beef Industry Council, said that including El Salvador and Honduras on the mission was to identify opportunities for U.S. beef in those two countries.

"Price is the biggest issue in all three countries as so much of their population lives in poverty. Importers have discovered that high quality grain-fed beef is more tender and flavorful than their domestic grass-fed beef, and as their economy improves, there will be potential to increase their imports of U.S. beef," said Rehder. The Central American Free Trade Agreement allows U.S. Choice and Prime beef to enter both El Salvador and Honduras without a tariff, because it does not compete with their own grass-fed beef.

The most desired cuts include rounds, skirt steaks, and top sirloin caps, the Iowa trade team learned as they met with meat processors, government agencies, and importers in San Salvador, San Pedro Sula and Mexico City. The group toured processing plants and retail supermarkets.

Mexico is an especially valued customer for U.S. beef, as it is the third largest export market in value and the largest in volume in 2012. U.S. brands are well received in all three countries, and their citizens like beef. All three countries are also suffering from the same challenges as the U.S. with declining numbers of cattle and increased cost of feed.

"The market development activities of the U.S. Meat Export Federation are impressive," Rehder said. "They not only develop joint U.S. meat promotions but are committed to education and training programs in meat cutting, product safety, handling and preparation to help the companies be successful in selling U.S. beef and pork long term. I'm pleased to see my checkoff at work in this way and to know that beef exports added about $216 to the value of each head of my cattle."

The Meat Trade Mission was coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Other attendees included members of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Partial funding for the mission was provided by the beef checkoff.



NGFA, STC to Host Ag Transportation Summit

On July 30-31, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) will host the first ever Ag Transportation Summit, "A Modern Infrastructure for Modern Agriculture," in Chicago.  The goals of the summit are to:
-    Raise the awareness of the importance of transportation to the success and profitability of U.S. agriculture;
-    Precipitate and motivate further action to promote a transportation infrastructure that better serves the interests of U.S. agriculture;
-    Provide a venue for U.S. agriculture advocates to network and develop collaborations to promote transportation needs; and
-    Build bridges between government and agriculture interests that will result in more effective promotion of agricultural transportation issues.



Farmers Purchase Crop Insurance While Hoping for the Best
(from NCIS)

Although it is early in the year, farmers are already purchasing their crop insurance policies. As of April 22, 2013 more than 236,000 policies have been purchased, protecting nearly 87 million acres representing nearly $20 billion in liabilities, accounting for $800 million in farmer paid premium.  These numbers will continue to grow as we move further into spring.

In 2012, farmers invested more than $4.1 billion to purchase more than 1.2 million crop insurance policies, protecting 128 different crops.

Crop insurance policies protect more than 281 million acres, with insured acreage now equal to 86 percent of planted cropland in 2012.

$30 billion: Farmers have spent more than $30 billion out of their own pockets to purchase crop insurance since 2000.

To date, Kansas, Texas, California, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Florida lead the way in the number of crop insurance policies purchased.



Senators Tell EPA to Drop Clean Water Act Guidance

In an effort to prevent overreaching regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its interpretation of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 30 Republican senators sent a letter to the agency asking Acting EPA Administrator Bob Perciasepe to scrap its controversial CWA guidance. The proposed guidance would increase the number of waters, streams and wetlands under the jurisdiction of the CWA, which was enacted in 1972, has been stalled at the White House Office of Management and Budget for more than a year.

The Obama administration is still deciding whether or not it wants to move forward with issuing the guidance. Republican members of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee such as Sen. John Barrasso (R - Wyo.) are encouraging EPA to drop the guidance and subsequent rulemaking.

"Leaving the guidance in place would further frustrate any potential rulemaking process," they wrote in the letter. "Given the significance of redefining jurisdictional limits to impose CWA authority, a rulemaking process provides a greater opportunity for public input and greater regulatory certainty than a guidance document."

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley McDonald said the urging by the 30 senators to not move forward with the CWA guidance is a positive step forward for farmers and ranchers who have already been overburdened by EPA regulations.

“In this guidance, EPA has expanded the scope of the term ‘traditional navigable waters’ to cover any water body that can support waterborne recreational use, such as floating a canoe. That puts a huge burden on cattle producers, who would be required to obtain a permit for common, everyday activities like cleaning out a ditch,” said McDonald. “This guidance would amount to one of the largest ever land-grabs by the federal government. It is also a severe infringement on Americans’ private property rights granted by the U.S. Constitution. NCBA appreciates the efforts by these 30 senators in urging EPA to drop these nonsensical regulations which would negatively affect agricultural operations nationwide.”



Commercial Red Meat Production Down From Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.99 billion pounds in March, down 4 percent from the 4.17 billion pounds produced in March 2012.

Beef production, at 2.04 billion pounds, was 6 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.59 million head, down 6 percent from March 2012. The average live weight was up 14 pounds from the previous year, at 1,313 pounds.

Veal production totaled 9.2 million pounds, 8 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 62,700 head, up 5 percent from March 2012. The average live weight was down 31 pounds from last year, at 252 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.93 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.32 million head, down 2 percent from March 2012. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 277 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.8 million pounds, was down 3 percent from March 2012. Sheep slaughter totaled 196,100 head, 3 percent above last year. The average live weight was 141 pounds, down 8 pounds from March a year ago.

January to March 2013 commercial red meat production was 12.0 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2012. Accumulated beef production was down 2 percent from last year, veal was down 5 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 3 percent.

State, million pounds, % of last year
Nebraska .......:     571.9             94      
Iowa ..............:     546.6             97      
Kansas .........:     424.3             96      



G-8 Ag Leaders Set to Meet and Open Data to the World

With a goal of uniting scientific activities across borders to feed the world, agricultural leaders from the G-8 countries will begin a two-day conference in Washington on Monday. G-8 leaders will meet to discuss the challenges and develop policies for online global platforms to share data from publicly funded agricultural research. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will head the United States government delegation and USDA's Chief Scientist, Dr. Catherine Woteki, will act as alternate head of delegation and provide scientific guidance.

"The Obama Administration is committed to opening data to the public and the research community," said Vilsack. "Open data for agriculture offers unlimited opportunity both at home and abroad. We've seen it drive economic growth in the past through the development of navigation systems, weather forecasting and other tools that were revolutionary when created, but that consumers now take for granted. Sharing data will do the same for facing the enormous challenges of reducing poverty, improving nutrition, and sustainably intensifying agricultural production to meet the demand of feeding nine billion people by 2050."

Highlights of the conference include:
-    Remarks by Secretary Vilsack to open the first day of the meeting;
-    Video remarks by Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation;
-    Panel discussions including participants such as Dr. Rachel Kyte, VP, World Bank and Todd Park, White House Chief Technology Officer;
-    Lightning presentations by developers of apps currently in use for agricultural production;
-    Presentations by key agricultural scientists on the technical details of governments opening data to the public, implications for developing countries and best practices.
-    Announcements of new open data releases from government and private sector.

The range of presenters and attendees cover the spectrum of leadership from government and industry. Howard Shapiro, Global Director of Plant Science and External Research, Mars Incorporated will be a lightning presenter, as will Shaifali Puri, from Scientists without Borders, a public-private partnership led by The New York Academy of Sciences. Conference attendees will hear from representatives of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Global Harvest Initiative, Johns Hopkins University and top officials from federal agencies including the Department of Commerce, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Millennium Challenge Corporation and others.

Each day of the conference will include announcements from the G-8 countries and the U.S. government representatives about the data they are releasing.

"Taking data that taxpayers have already funded and making it public in useable formats will fuel economic growth and help drive the agricultural innovation needed to meet our global food security challenges," said Woteki. "We will provide a one-stop shop for all of our public agriculturally relevant data that can be used by entrepreneurs, scientists and agricultural leaders to build applications, conduct analyses, and perform research. This is the first step into a new, 21st century arena of accelerating agricultural research."



Japan Corn Outlook Conference: Focus on US Productivity

In today's interconnected world, it is increasingly difficult to show an expert audience something it hasn't seen before ... difficult but not impossible, as Illinois farmer Ron Gray demonstrated last week in Japan.

Currently the U.S. Grains Council's Secretary/Treasurer, Gray traveled to Tokyo last week to provide a producer's perspective at the annual Japan Corn Outlook Conference. Gray's presence was particularly opportune as his farm in southeastern Illinois was in one of the hardest hit areas in last summer's drought, and the prospects for a strong U.S. rebound was a key concern of the 140 Japanese attendees.

Emphasizing the commitment of U.S. producers to the export market and strong planting intentions for this year, Gray scored additional points with detailed, GPS-mapped field data on soil conditions and yield. "Attendees were impressed by Ron presenting the data from his farm using GPS," noted USGC Director Tommy Hamamoto. "Most people were seeing the real data for the first time."

The attendees -- Japanese grain traders, feed millers, food industry representatives, academics, and government officials -- were especially eager to learn about the cost/benefit of GPS equipment and management tools available from the University, Gray noted. "They were also quite interested in our view of TPP [the Trans-Pacific Partnership]. In addition, the feed industry there is state of the art, and a systematic corn price risk mitigation process is desired."

The Corn Outlook Conference is the largest recurring Council event in Japan, which is the largest U.S. corn export market. Japanese buyers are keenly interested in U.S. production trends, crop quality, and trade policy issues, and the Conference is an important opportunity to reassure our best customers about the capacity, reliability and resiliency of the U.S. grain production system.



Council Ramps up DDGS Promotion Efforts in Southern Mexico

U.S. Grains Council staff and consultants were in southern Mexico this week meeting with grain importers and livestock producers as part of a program to promote distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Despite being the second-largest importer of U.S. DDGS, importing 1.5 million metric tons in 2012, an assessment conducted in 2012 revealed that southern Mexico was an underserviced area.

Julio Hernandez, USGC director in Mexico commented, "Even under conservative estimations, the region holds the potential to utilize more than 1 million tons of DDGS per year." The area contains a large beef population of more than 4 million head, which would be the primary drivers of demand. Through the meetings with the regional livestock associations, feed millers and importers, the Council is putting together a joint marketing program which would develop this market.

"The Council is using its role as a catalyst to bring several key players in the region together and unite them in developing this feed market and expanding DDGS sales to this region," said Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of global trade.

Upon completion of this week, the Council will draft a 2-3 year marketing program to present to its Mexican partners. The plan will ask them to join the Council in developing the market not only for U.S. DDGS, but compound feeds, which will represent a significant new business opportunity for both U.S. and Mexican industries.



Outcomes at National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments Disappointing to NMPF

For the second time in two years, state public health and agriculture department officials participating in the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) turned down a proposal to reduce the maximum allowable level of somatic cell counts in milk. A lower level of somatic cells indicates higher quality milk.

At its meeting in Indianapolis this week, the NCIMS voting delegates – a group of state regulators overseeing milk safety rules – considered a proposal sponsored by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) to reduce the maximum threshold of allowable somatic cells in milk at the farm level from the current 750,000 cells/mL, down to 400,000, starting in 2015. But on a close vote, the delegates rejected the proposal, meaning that the status quo threshold of 750,000 will remain for domestic milk production – putting the U.S. “behind the curve when it comes to milk quality standards,” according to Jerry Kozak, NMPF President & CEO.

On a related decision with trade policy implications, the NCIMS delegates approved a proposal to permanently allow foreign dairy marketers to participate in the U.S. Grade A program, by permitting required sanitation evaluations of overseas dairy farms and processing facilities to be carried out by third-party, non-governmental inspectors.

“Dairy farmers in the world’s major milk producing regions have made great strides in reducing somatic cell count levels. Regulatory systems around the world have moved to incorporate these lower somatic cell count levels, and the U.S. needs to be on board with that process, not be left watching from the side of the road by the failure to update our standards,” said Kozak. “We continue to be perplexed by the inconsistency of those state regulators who voted to make it easier to import Grade A dairy products into the United States by outsourcing mandatory inspections, while at the same time rejecting efforts to facilitate the export of American dairy products,” Kozak said.

A similar somatic cell count proposal was defeated by the NCIMS in 2011. Since then, the European Union has moved ahead with a somatic cell count limit of 400,000 for dairy products being exported by the U.S. to EU member countries.

“While the NCIMS has performed admirably in protecting the safety of Grade A milk and dairy products for more than 60 years, we are now in a global dairy marketplace and the Conference needs to recognize this reality,” said Kozak.

“Our farmers are doing their part by continuing to provide ever-higher quality milk, but they are not getting credit for it with overseas customers because we are at the mercy of a regulatory mechanism that seems unwilling to maintain the same pace of improvement. Unfortunately, NCIMS is currently the only national regulatory forum at which to resolve these important issues for the dairy industry,” he said.

NMPF also expressed disappointment at the NCIMS delegates’ rejection this week of a resolution calling for the enhanced enforcement of federal labeling regulations affecting the marketing of imitation Grade A dairy products, such as soy, hemp and rice “milks,” and soy and rice “yogurt.”  The recommendation was also opposed by representatives of the dairy processing community.

“Without the backing of state and federal regulators, and the dairy processing community itself, the nation’s dairy farmers remain the sole advocates for enforcement of proper labeling on imitation dairy products. It is disappointing that the leadership of the dairy processing industry spoke out against the labeling enforcement resolution,” Kozak added.



CME Launching RIN Futures May 13

CME Group said on Thursday that it plans to launch new futures contracts for Renewable Identification Numbers on May 13.

RINs, the credits used by refiners, blenders and importers to show compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard, will include contracts for D4 biomass-based diesel, essentially biodiesel; D5, advanced biofuels such as sugar-based ethanol, cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel; and D6 renewable fuels, primarily starch-based ethanol.

"With the recent increase in volatility in RINs prices, we've seen strong interest from our customers and other market participants for cost-effective ways to manage their risk in this market," said Gary Morsches, managing director global energy, CME Group.

He said as the actively traded marketplace for RBOB gasoline and ultra-low sulfur diesel contracts, RINs futures contracts will "be a strong complement to our existing suite of products."

These contracts will be financially-settled based on Argus Media's prices for RINs.

These contracts will be available on the CME Globex electronic trading platform, for over-the-counter clearing through CME ClearPort and open outcry on the trading floor in New York, beginning with the May 2013 contract month.

CME exchanges offer a range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes, including futures and options for energy.



CME Selling Kansas City Grain Exchange Building

CME Group Inc has put the building that houses its grain exchange in Kansas City, Missouri, up for sale, as its storied trading floor prepares for closure at the end of June.

No sales price was listed for the 166,000-square-foot building, which also includes an indoor parking garage, according to a statement from Holly Duran Real Estate Partners, one of the firms handling the sale.

CME, which took over most of the Kansas City Board of Trade building when it purchased the grain exchange for $126 million last year, will shut down face-to-face trading of Kansas City's wheat contracts after June 28 and move trading to Chicago. Electronic traders will have access to the Kansas City trading floor through the end of September.

The sale reflects the shift to electronic trading that has swept commodities exchanges, making it less attractive for exchange operators to own real estate for traditional open-outcry pits.



IGC: Global Corn Output Up in 2013-14

The International Grains Council said Thursday that increased plantings and better yields will likely lift the global wheat crop by 4% in 2013-14, to 680 million metric tons, led by gains in the European Union and former Soviet Union.

This was down 3 million tons on its previous forecast for 2013-14.

The London-based body added that a slight fall in feed use will likely be outweighed by improved food and industrial demand, allowing only a slight rise in global stocks, to 181 million tons.

The IGC forecast that global corn output will increase by 10% in 2013-14, to 939 million tons, with harvested area and average yields both projected to be higher.

It added closing corn stocks are set to increase sharply, by 27 million tons, rising to an above-average level in 2013-14.

The IGC said that delayed corn sowings and relatively attractive soybean prices could influence planting decisions in the U.S. over coming weeks, after the USDA's prospective plantings report indicated a near unchanged area.



DuPont Announces a $400,000 Grant to Iowa State University’s Science Bound Program

DuPont announced today a $400,000 grant to Iowa State University (ISU) for its Science Bound program that encourages youth in the state’s urban communities to consider careers in agriculture and science.

The grant will help the ISU Science Bound program to increase the number of ethnically diverse Iowa students pursuing careers in agriculture, science, technology, mathematics and engineering.  The grant, funded through the company's advanced seed and genetics business DuPont Pioneer, is expected to impact more than 500 Iowa students over the next five years.

“We are so pleased that DuPont Pioneer, an early and strong supporter of Science Bound, has expanded their commitment with their most recent and very generous gift,” said Connie Hargrave, Science Bound director and an ISU associate professor of education. “This will make a tremendous difference to our state and nation by increasing the number of young people who are contributing to our nation's needs in agriculture and industry.”

“Building tomorrow’s leaders in science, food and agriculture must begin today,” said Paul E. Schickler, president of DuPont Pioneer.  “We are proud to support the Science Bound program as they develop the students who have the imagination, creative thinking, and enthusiasm needed to feed the world.  In order to advance food security around the world, we need to inspire and engage young people in this great challenge.”

The DuPont Pioneer grant will go toward two of Science Bound’s major efforts:
-    The George Washington Carver Summer Internship program is offered to high school and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to gain real-life research experience in a professional work environment.
-    The Learn & Earn program is a four-week summer experience offered to Science Bound students as high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors.  The program polishes and sharpens math, language arts and science skills for students who participate.

Science Bound began over 20 years ago as a way to draw students from middle and high schools in Des Moines, Denison and Marshalltown toward careers in agriculture, science and technology.  The program currently has 378 students currently enrolled.

DuPont Pioneer is a lead supporter of Science Bound and first became involved with the program in 1999 through the donation of an endowment. The latest grant will be announced at Science Bound’s Des Moines-area graduation ceremony on Thursday, April 25, at the Pioneer campus in Johnston.



Novozymes reports 5% organic sales growth in Q1

Novozymes, the world leader in bioinnovation and industrial enzymes, today reported a first quarter of 2013 in line with expectations. Organic sales growth was 5% (4% DKK, 5% LCY) compared with Q1 2012. EBIT grew by 4%, and the EBIT margin was 24.9% – on par with the first quarter of 2012. The outlook for full-year 2013 sales growth in DKK is increased from 4-7% to 5-8%. All other expectations are maintained.

“Overall, the first quarter was as expected. We're off to a satisfactory start in 2013, and we maintain the full-year outlook,” says Peder Holk Nielsen, who took office as Novozymes' CEO on April 1, 2013. “Organic sales growth came in at the lower end of our full-year guidance, and we remain confident that it will pick up during the course of the year. We’ve executed well, and we’re pleased that we can deliver an EBIT margin at this high level in the first quarter despite a little headwind from currency and acquisition costs. These are exciting times for Novozymes as we steer Novozymes forward in our quest to change the world together with our customers."



Cool, wet soils challenge crop establishment

With winter-like conditions continuing unseasonably late this spring, famers are facing several challenges in getting their seed in the ground. In a cool, late spring, getting off to a strong and quick start is vitally important for crops. Farmers can apply PROTINUS® Seed Nutrition to give their seed a nutrient boost that optimizes emergence and early-season development.

“Whether you grow corn, soybeans, canola or cereals, PROTINUS is a good investment to get your crop up and out of the ground this spring,” says Jennifer Bailes, Wolf Trax director of seed products. “In tough growing conditions, PROTINUS shows dramatic results. With this season’s slow start, farmers should give their crop every chance possible to emerge quickly and catch up.”

Young plants have difficulty accessing needed nutrients in cool, wet soils. PROTINUS delivers a balanced ratio of nutrients that are important in early plant development, including zinc and manganese, directly to the seed.

Through replicated company and third-party research conducted in a wide range of crops across numerous soil and growing conditions, PROTINUS is proven to deliver:
1.       Quicker, more even emergence;
2.       Larger seedlings with longer, more developed roots; and
3.       A better ability to cope with cool, early-season growing conditions.

In trials since 2008, on average, PROTINUS-treated seed out-yields the check. In corn, results from more than 400 comparisons show the yield boost averages eight bushels per acre.

Farmers can contact Wolf Trax at 855-237-9653 to check the availability of PROTINUS-treated corn or canola seed near their location, to learn more about equipment for on-farm applications, and for the opportunity to qualify for a free seed treater.