Friday May 24 Ag News

Nebraska Cattlemen announces national search for an Executive Vice President

The Nebraska Cattlemen board of directors has announced a national search for a new executive Vice President replacing Michael Kelsey who will leave June 30th to assume the top spot at the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.

"We are accepting resumes for this position until June 14th. At that time, our search committee will begin the process of interviewing the top candidates with a goal of having the successful candidate on staff September 1st," said NC president Dale Spencer.

"A job description for the position can be found on our website or interested individuals can call our Lincoln office and request a copy," Spencer added.

The board also approved the Executive Committee's recommendation to appoint Melody Benjamin, NC Vice President of Member Services as the interim EVP after Kelsey leaves in late June and until a new EVP is on board.

"We are blessed to have a very talented and professional staff that will keep us moving forward during this time of transition," remarked Spencer.



Report Shows Groundwater Levels Declined in 2012
            Groundwater levels declined last year in five wells assessed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Conservation and Survey Division.

            The findings, in a new CSD report, offer a snapshot of water level changes during the 2012 drought at selected locations in Nebraska.

            While the annual reports assess data from about 5,500 wells, only five wells were selected for this special report. The CSD chose these wells because they're in regions with a high density of irrigation wells and because of their historically significant water-level changes. The special report's findings are consistent with historical trends, but it is not intended to be a comprehensive study of the impacts of the 2012 drought, said Aaron Young, the groundwater resource coordinator for the CSD.

            All five of the selected sites discussed in the special report experienced a water-level decline from the spring of 2012 to the spring of 2013, ranging from 1.85 to 5.5 feet. Specifically, the Grainton Recorder well in Perkins County fell 1.85 feet; the Alliance Recorder well in Box Butte County fell 3.33 feet; the Elgin Recorder well in Antelope County fell 5.50 feet; the Shickley Recorder well in Fillmore County fell 2.87 feet, and the Aurora Recorder well in Hamilton County fell 5.00 feet.

            The CSD publishes the annual Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Reports each fall after the spring water level measurements have been taken and analyzed. This special spring report is in response to last year's drought and meant to help individuals and organizations prepare for the coming agricultural season.

            "Many people are concerned about how much groundwater levels declined due to the 2012 drought," said Young. "This report will give a rough idea of how water levels responded in areas with a high density of irrigation wells."

            The annual groundwater-level reports measure the change in Nebraska's water levels and reflect historical trends.

            Electronic copies of the spring special report are available free at http://snr.unl.edu/data/download/water/GWMapArchives/GWReports/ESN-9_2012.pdf.

            The annual Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Reports are available online at go.unl.edu/groundwater.  Paper copies of both reports are also available for purchase through the Nebraska Maps and More Store at 101 Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege Street, Lincoln, NE 68583-0961. Those interested in print copies of the annual reports or the special report may contact Nebraska Maps and More at 402-472-3471 or snrsales@unl.edu.



Laurel Biocomposite ramps up phase one production

In Northeast Nebraska, Laurel BioComposite announced it has completed construction of its new 12,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and is ramping up phase one production for Bio-Res PE.  Phase one is targeted to deliver an annual commercial production rate of about 7 million pounds, and is targeted to be completed in early June when production begins at the new facility.  Phase two will bring production levels up to 48 million pounds and should be completed in late fourth quarter 2013.

The bio-material is a high-performance, cost-effective replacement for traditional petroleum-based resins in a variety of manufacturing processes for plastics. Laurel BioComposite is taking delivery of equipment that includes an ENTEK E-Max 53mm twin screw extruder and an Amtek Microwave system to support phase one production, which started in April 2013.

According to the company, Bio-Res PE is able to economically raise the renewable or “green” content of plastic products by as much as 40 percent. The bio-material is available in a pellet form which blends easily with polyethylene, polypropylene, polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates matrices. The product has been tested to replace 20 to 40 percent of the neat resin reducing traditional petroleum-based resins in a variety of manufacturing processes for plastics by as much as 40 percent. Superior flow characteristics make the material unue in the bio additives market for thermoplastics. Bio-Res PE is especially suited for single use products as well as applications for a variety of industries including shipping, lawn and garden, agriculture and automotive.



The Howard G. Buffett Foundation Donates "Invest An Acre" Tractor to 2013 Cattlemen's Ball

First it was a 60th anniversary Corvette.  Then it was a Ford F150 King Ranch pickup.  Now the 2013 Cattlemen's Ball has added another high-value item to its list of auction items—and this one is a doozy.

A John Deere tractor valued at nearly $309,000 has been donated to the Cattlemen's Ball by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, a private family foundation that fights hunger in America.  The John Deere 9360R tractor will be auctioned off during the Saturday, June 8th festivities held between Paxton and Sutherland, Nebraska.

In addition to bidders at the Cattlemen's Ball, television viewers across the United States will have the opportunity to bid on the tractor.  RFD-TV will broadcast the tractor auction live from the Cattlemen's Ball site between Paxton and Sutherland, Nebraska, from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Saturday, June 8, enabling those not in attendance to bid via phone.

Those interested in bidding remotely are required to register and get a buyer's number. To register, call Superior Livestock Auction at 1-817-378-3320.

The 360 horsepower "Invest An Acre" John Deere tractor comes with deluxe cab, active seat, PST transmission, touch screen display, three point hitch, 480/80R46 duals, deluxe light kit, radar and additional extras. 

Invest An Acre is a program to encourage farmers across the country to donate one acre or more of crop proceeds to help fight hunger in their own communities.  The program is a partnership between ADM, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Monsanto and Feeding America.  (More information can be found at www.InvestAnAcre.org.)

In addition to the tractor auction, a limited number of raffle tickets are available for the chance to win a 60th Anniversary Corvette donated by Harchelroad Motors, Inc. of Imperial, Nebraska; and a Ford F150 King Ranch Pickup donated by Woodhouse Auto Family of Nebraska.  Scores of other live and silent auction items will be available during the event.

The 2013 Cattlemen’s Ball will take place June 7 and 8 on the Hanging H Ranch on U.S. Highway 30 between Sutherland and Paxton, Nebraska. The event is co-hosted by the Ralph and Beverly Holzfaster family and the Neal Hansen family. The Cattlemen’s Ball is the state’s premier fundraiser for the fight against cancer, with 100% of the dollars raised staying in Nebraska.  This year's theme is "On the Trail to a Cure."

For those interested in attending the event itself, Top Hand tickets are $75 each and include all events beginning at noon Saturday, June 8, including entertainment, auctions, fashion show, prime rib dinner, concert performance by country music legends Lone Star and a post-concert dance.  A limited number of tickets remain.

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

For information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.cattlemensball.com.  Tickets may also be purchased at Adams Bank & Trust in Ogallala, Nebraska, or by calling 308.284.7883.



IFB Lauds Progress on Water Quality, Soil Conservation, Property Taxes

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization, says priority issues approved by this year's legislature, including new funding for water quality and soil conservation, landowner liability protections, property taxes, and bioscience research will benefit many sectors of the state for years to come.

The legislature made a commitment to soil conservation and water quality through the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget appropriations. Included for next year is $2.4 million funding for the implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy plan and an additional one-time $10 million which will focus on priority watershed efforts over the next several years. The legislature also agreed to allocate an additional $7 million to go towards the conservation cost-share backlog.

"Farmers know a 'one size fits all' approach doesn't work when it comes to conservation measures, but they do know what works best on their land," said IFBF President Craig Hill. "Conservation measures such as buffer strips, terracing and other soil protection and water quality measures have helped Iowa farmers reduce erosion by more than 30 percent since 1982, but requests for cost-share dollars to implement them have been grossly underfunded."

While only 4 percent of Iowans farm today, many Iowans and out-of-state visitors seek farm tours to learn more about the many ways Iowa farmers lead the nation in food production; that's why the bi-partisan passage of HF649 was welcomed by Farm Bureau members and many other Iowans. Lawmakers restored the Recreational Use Liability Protection to protect farmers and landowners who allow visitors onto their farm for recreational purposes such as fishing, hunting, and field trips. The measure resulted from an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in February and opened farmers and private landowners up to liability if someone were injured while on their land for recreational purposes. "This is a big win for Iowa farmers and all Iowans who want to experience and learn more about life on the farm," said Hill. "By restoring this liability protection that farmers have had for four decades, the Legislature took a common sense approach that will be good for all Iowans."

Several measures passed in this legislative session which provided property tax relief, without shifting the burden from one class of property to another. By reducing the statewide taxable valuation growth for agricultural and residential classes of property from 4 percent to 3 percent a year, taxable valuations across the state will grow slower yet still provide growth to local governments to afford needed infrastructure and public safety services.

An increase of $31 million for property tax credits also gives Iowans needed property tax relief. The legislature also approved a measure that will reduce the impact of future property tax increases within the school aid funding formula. Moving forward, any increase in the school aid funding formula will be covered by the state, avoiding the reliance on additional property taxes.

The legislature did not increase the state's fuel tax, which means the state still has an annual shortfall of approximately $215 million to meet the critical needs of our deteriorating roads and bridges. The result is more local governments turning to bonding to pay for their roads and bridges, leaving taxpayers with the burden of paying it back. "While many long-term investments in our state were made during this legislative session, the much needed improvement of roads and bridges remains unresolved. Our aging infrastructure is important to Iowa's economy, and we will continue to work next year to increase the constitutionally- protected fuel tax as the most equitable means to meet those needs," said Hill.



High School Teams Should Register by June 1 for Crop Scouting Competition

A crop scouting competition for high school youth is scheduled for Aug. 1 at the Iowa State University Extension Farm near Boone. High school students (those completing grades 9-12) are invited to compete and showcase their scouting abilities in corn and soybean during this one-day event. The competition is conducted by the Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program with support from the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and DuPont Pioneer.

“The crop scouting competition gives high school students a chance to learn crop scouting and principles of integrated pest management,” said Daren Mueller, ISU Extension IPM specialist. “Teams are provided IPM study materials to prepare for the competition. The day of the competition they will complete a knowledge test as well as a crop scouting field exercises.”

Schools, clubs or other organizations may enter a team composed of three or four participants. Each team of students must be accompanied by an adult team leader. Teams have the opportunity to gather information, solve problems and make decisions related to crops and their pests with consideration for the environment and economy. Competition judges will consist of ISU Extension specialists and agribusiness personnel.

“Iowa’s FFA and 4-H chapters are filled with incredibly talented individuals,” ISA President Mark Jackson said. “This Crop Scouting Competition allows them to showcase those talents and mingle with crop professionals and industry representatives. The Iowa Soybean Association is proud to again be a part of this unique event.”

Teams must register by June 1
The registration form and competition preparation instructions are available at www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/cropscouting. Registration is $50 per team; the fee will be refunded when the team attends the competition. Payment by check is due along with the registration form by June 1.



Iowa Swine Day 2013 Will Address Valuable Production Topics

A world of information will be available to pork producers at the Iowa Swine Day Thursday, June 27. The event at the Scheman Building at Iowa State University in Ames will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is the second year Iowa State, Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Pork Industry Center have organized the one-day event for the swine industry.

The morning plenary session will feature internationally recognized swine specialists speaking on the animal rights agenda, global success in pork production, impact of disease on grow-finisher pig digestibility, metabolism and tissue accretion, and employee engagement and productivity, according to John Patience, event co-chair and animal science professor at Iowa State.

“This year’s conference program targets specific producer needs and brings in highly qualified specialists to address technical aspects of the topics,” Patience said. “This conference is designed to help producers make informed production system decisions.”

Participants will select five of 18 afternoon sessions – including management strategies, production input data collection, employee retention, effects of heat stress, swine influenza and housing management. Participants will receive a binder with all presentations. Full program details can be found at the event website www.aep.iastate.edu/iowaswineday.

Online registration is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/iowaswineday. Registration fee is $60 if made before midnight June 14; late registration is $80. Student registration fee is $25. Registration includes lunch, refreshments breaks and a copy of the conference notebook.



Irlbeck named World Pork Expo GM by NPPC

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has named Alicia Irlbeck as the new general manager of World Pork Expo, the world’s largest pork-specific trade show. In this role, Irlbeck will oversee the strategic planning and management of all programs, exhibits and activities starting with the 25th anniversary World Pork Expo, June 5-7, in Des Moines, Iowa. She continues to serve as NPPC’s director of projects and events.

Irlbeck has been actively involved with the planning and execution of World Pork Expo since joining NPPC in 2005, first serving as an administrative assistant, and then becoming meeting coordinator and database administrator. Before that, she worked for the Des Moines Marriott Downtown. She earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel, restaurant and institution management from Iowa State University.

“My biggest priority is making sure every last detail is addressed and communicated to make World Pork Expo the best it can be for the nearly 20,000 producers and industry enthusiasts who attend each year,” Irlbeck says. “Expo is a huge team effort, and it’s my pleasure to work with the amazing group of dedicated people who are the backbone of the show.”

Joining Irlbeck on the Expo team are fellow NPPC staffers: Doug Fricke, director of trade show marketing, manages exhibits; Craig Boelling, director of industry resource development, manages sponsorships; Greg Thornton, director of producer services, coordinates pre-Expo tours and special activities; and Lauren Swanson, executive administrative assistant, manages attendee and exhibitor registration.

More information about World Pork Expo is available at www.worldpork.org. 



ASA Urges Firm Opposition to Sen. Cruz’s Anti-Checkoff Amendment

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) filed an amendment Wednesday that would make the United Soybean Board and all national checkoff programs and promotion boards voluntary. This is similar to an amendment filed by former Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) last year, which the American Soybean Association vocally opposed.

ASA opposes the Cruz amendment because checkoff programs are paid for and guided by the farmers they serve, and cost the government zero dollars. Even USDA oversight of the soy checkoff is funded by soybean farmers. Furthermore, farmers already have the chance to vote via referendum every five years whether to continue such checkoff programs. Support for the checkoff remains overwhelmingly strong among soybean farmers. In the most recent request for referendum in 2009, less than one-tenth of a percent of the farmers required for an actual referendum participated.



Barrasso Introduces Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act in the Senate

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), along with Sens. David Vitter (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and 23 other cosponsors, has reintroduced legislation that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) from finalizing the Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdictional guidance document, and prevent any rulemaking that is based on the substance of the guidance. Barrasso introduced the Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act (S. 1006) on Thursday.

The CWA guidance would increase the number of waters, streams and wetlands under the jurisdiction of the 1972 law. Fighting the implementation of the guidance, which has been at the White House Office of Management and Budget for more than a year, is a top priority for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), which says that potential expansion of the CWA could cripple cattle operations across the country.

“EPA and this administration still do not seem to realize that implementing the CWA guidance will negatively effect cattlemen and women and their businesses. Expanding the federal government’s role in regulating all types of waters would hamper the ability to maintain clean waters and is not the solution here,” said NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley McDonald. “This attempt by the government to increase the reach of the CWA by expanding the definition of ‘navigable’ is just another way to increase its control over farmers and ranchers. What’s next, the agency regulating puddles and mudflats?”

The Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act contains the same language that recently failed as an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The amendment received the 52 votes in the Senate, but needed 60 votes to pass. NCBA issued a statement last week saying that “it is a tragedy that those who voted against this amendment refuse to recognize the devastating effect this guidance will have on farmers and ranchers across the country.”

“Last week the Senate failed to address this important issue by not passing Senator Barrasso’s amendment to WRDA, and we thank him for working on behalf of farmers and ranchers not only in Wyoming but across the country to stop the federal government from implementing what would be one of the biggest federal land-grabs in history,” McDonald said. “We hope that this time Congress will do its job and set jurisdictional limits on the CWA.”



House Ag Holds First Hearing in Process of CFTC Reauthorization

The House Agriculture Committee met Tuesday for the first in a series of hearings related to the coming reauthorization of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.  The statutory authorization for the regulatory body expires at the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30. 

The hearing this week included testimony from major exchanges, futures industry trade associations and a futures commission merchant. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) said the Committee will hold additional hearings to get perspective from a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers and CFTC officials.



Weller Nomination for NRCS Chief
Twenty farm groups and ag stakeholders have written to President Barack Obama in support of the nomination of Jason Weller to be Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Weller has been serving as Acting Chief since December. In that capacity he attended Commodity Classic at ASA’s request to meet with grower leaders and discuss conservation policy issues.

The letter states, "…we believe it is important for NRCS and for farmers’ and ranchers’ conservation efforts that his appointment as Chief be finalized as soon as possible. There is much to be done in support of conservation in agriculture and we are ready to work with Mr. Weller to this end."

Weller previously served as Acting Associate Chief for Conservation and as Chief of Staff at NRCS; he also worked for the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.

The letter was signed by these groups...
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Farmland Trust
American Soybean Association
California Farm Bureau Federation
CropLife America
Delaware Maryland Agribusiness Association
Irrigation Association
Maryland Grain Producers Association
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Corn Growers Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
Public Lands Council
United Egg Producers
USA Rice Federation
US Cattlemen’s Association



Educating Chefs and Culinary Audiences

The beef checkoff’s culinary staff has the opportunity to attend numerous events throughout the year, such as the Midwest American Culinary Federation Conference, where they have the opportunity to work hands-on with chefs and culinary educators who are in charge of menu development. Beef checkoff executive chef Dave Zino says,  “I kind of call them our frontline influencers – you know they determine menus, they determine costs – and with our current economic situation and beef prices a little high, I think it’s important for us, for the checkoff, to be in front of them. Showing them that we have alternate cuts, there’s alternate ways to menu things, there are ways to extend the menu in ways that it keeps beef front and center as well as helps their bottom line.”

Chef Zino explains why this is such a critical audience for the checkoff.  He says, “Oftentimes a lot of restaurant chains feel that it’s critically important that their folks get an education in beef. What’s interesting is is that when you’re around it for as long as I’ve been, you assume that everyone knows as much as you do regarding beef. I’m always amazed, especially with chefs, at how much they don’t know and how willing they are to get the information.”

Most recently, Chef Zino held a beef and wine pairing seminar that showcased three beef dishes. He explains that as consumer taste palettes change and economics change, the beef industry continues to adapt menu offerings to fit....  “First and foremost, it would probably be how they can menu it cost-effectively and with all the work the checkoff has done throughout the years with muscle profiling studies, we’ve got a lot of ammunition in the tank to go out there and provide them with the tools they need to manage it. One of the great things is that we provide choices whether it be conventionally raised beef, grass-fed beef, natural beef, organic beef… the restaurateur, the chef, has many options to provide their customers with choices in beef that are right for their environment.”



USDA APHIS Requests Comments on Revised Structure for the NAHLN

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced that it is accepting comments on a concept paper for the revised structure of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). The NAHLN is a nationally coordinated network and partnership of federal, state, and university-associated animal health laboratories. NAHLN laboratories provide animal health diagnostic testing to detect biological threats to the nation’s food animals, thus protecting animal health and the nation’s food supply.

Since its inception in 2002, the NAHLN has expanded from 12 to over 50 currently active participating laboratories, each with varying diagnostic capabilities. The NAHLN is overseen and administered by USDA with operational oversight provided through APHIS.

The concept paper describes the roles and responsibilities of the NAHLN Coordinating Council and offers a revised structure for the NAHLN that would clarify opportunities for participation by state-based NAHLN laboratories. Inclusion of state-based laboratories in the NAHLN allows for greater proximity to and linkages with producers and veterinarians that is critical to the early detection of foreign animal and emerging diseases.

“This concept paper presents a structure that will give the NAHLN increased capacity and flexibility to detect and respond to emerging animal diseases,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons.  “It also ensures the continuation of the NAHLN’s founding principles while responding to the need for additional flexibility and capacity to address identified gaps in the nation’s surveillance, detection and response capabilities.”

Simmons added that the document offers a revised structure for the NAHLN that would clarify opportunities for participation by state-based NAHLN laboratories.



ACE shows Congress ethanol is improving while oil gets worse

In response to the release of the third white paper from the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) entitled “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Environmental Impacts,” the Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Brian Jennings submitted comments today about the benefits of the RFS for clean air, innovation, and sustainability.

With respect to the environment: “…petroleum represents the most harmful source of transportation fuel while renewable fuels such as ethanol represent the safest.  Recent crude oil spills have killed fish, animals, and plant life.  Ethanol, on the other hand, is derived from plant life and ethanol coproducts are fed to fish and livestock.  At the same time ethanol’s lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and production efficiencies are dramatically improving, extracting and processing crude oil into gasoline is becoming more expensive, inefficient, and destructive to the environment.”

Regarding agricultural sustainability: “The RFS provides a market-based incentive for scientists and farmers to innovate – delivering nearly 20 bushels of more corn on an acre of existing land than before the RFS.  Over the last several years improvements in corn yield have corresponded with increased ethanol production under the RFS.  Moreover, a body of emerging data indicates that since enactment of the RFS, corn yields and farming practices have advanced to capture more soil organic carbon which improves corn ethanol’s lifecycle GHG emissions.”

Regarding how ethanol’s clean octane and the RFS can further reduce automotive tailpipe emissions: “The RFS wasn’t enacted to make oil companies more comfortable or to reward them for damaging the environment, it was enacted to replace fossil fuel use with domestic, clean, renewable fuels.  Continued implementation of the RFS, GHG-CAFE requirements, and proposed Tier III standards help signal to oil companies and automakers that future vehicle technologies will need to be capable of taking advantage of ethanol’s clean octane and the many other benefits that ethanol-blended fuels have to offer.”



Opening Doors for US Corn and DDGS in Algeria
Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains Council Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa

Continuing the successful four year effort by the U.S. Grains Council, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and Algerian partners to eliminate high taxes on corn and DDGS, USGC is working to ensure the future for U.S. distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed (CGF) in Algeria. Because the Algerian poultry industry favors "reddish" Argentine corn, the Council also organized a program to educate key Algerian feed companies about the benefits and uses of U.S. corn as well as DDGS.

As is the case with many business professionals, people enjoy learning methods of success in like organizations. The Council was able to bring together Algeria feed millers with the neighboring Morocco Feed Millers Association to hear firsthand experiences using DDGS and CGF. The Algerians were able to ask questions on use and procurement and discuss cost saving methods in their industry. They were surprised to learn of the immediate savings they could have by using DDGS. For example, Nutrimag could have a 20 percent saving cost should they start using DDGS. Groupe ONAB discovered they would have a significant savings, the equivalent of roughly $1.4 million for 30,000 metric tons of feed produced, if they used DDGS.

While there are still large premiums for U.S. corn and more education is needed on the benefits of DDGS and CGF, this program is an important strategic step for introducing U.S. corn co-products into Algeria. The Council is hopeful for the first sale of DDGS and CGF into Algeria in the future.



Hormel Recognized as Top Employer for Vets, Recent Grads

Hormel Foods Corporation announced it has been recognized with two top employer accolades, including Military Times EDGE magazine's Best for Vets Employers list, and Experience's Best Places to Work for Recent Grads list.

This is the first time that Hormel Foods has been recognized by Military Times EDGE on their Best for Vets Employers list, joining 52 other companies selected as those doing the most for service members and their families. This accolade follows the company's debut on G.I. Jobs magazine's Top 100 Military Friendly Employers list, which was announced earlier this year.

To determine the Best for Vets Employers list, Military Times EDGE surveyed more than 1,000 major companies and government contractors about their recruiting and hiring policies, social recognition for veterans as well as pay and benefits for reservists. The annual list is considered one of the leading resources for military/veteran recruitment.

Further, the company has also been recognized among the Best Places to Work for Recent Grads by Experience, a ConnectEDU company and the world's largest education network. Twenty-five employers from across the country were recognized on the 2013 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads list, demonstrating excellence in recruiting, hiring and retaining young professionals. In particular, Hormel Foods was recognized for its outstanding company culture, competitive compensation and benefits package, as well as the opportunity for career growth and diversity.

Experience and ConnectEDU invited employers from across the country to participate in the 2013 Best Places to Work for Recent Grads survey to identify and recognize the best employers for recent college graduates. For more information on Experience's Best Places to Work for Recent Grads, please visit http://www.connectedu.com/best-places-to-work-2013-winners.

"It is an honor to be recognized by both of these fine publications," said David P. Juhlke, vice president of human resources at Hormel Foods. "For both veterans and recent college graduates, we strive to make Hormel Foods a company where people want to work and build long-term careers. These recognitions are greatly appreciated by our entire organization."