Wednesday October 23 Ag News

USDAs Farm Service Agency Issues CRP Rental Payments

Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) Director, Dan Steinkruger announced that USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska is distributing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) annual rental payments to participants this week.  Payments originally were scheduled to be issued earlier in the month, but were delayed due to the lapse in Federal funding.  

“Farmers, ranchers and landowners across Nebraska count on programs and the payment delays due to the shutdown created a burden to them,” Steinkruger said.  “USDA has prioritized making these scheduled payments without any further delay and FSA staff in all Nebraska offices are working hard to get the CRP payments out the door as quickly as possible,” he said.

Nebraska producers and landowners will receive more than $60 million in rental payments on more than 28,000 CRP contracts covering nearly 900,000 acres.  Nationally, CRP annual rental payments are being issued for 390,000 farms covering 26.8 million acres.  The current annual rental payment being distributed is for the contract year October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013.  In exchange for the yearly rental payment provided by USDA on contracts ranging from 10 to 15 years, participants enrolled in CRP agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant grasses, legumes and trees that improve water quality, reduce erosion, conserve water and improve waterfowl and wildlife habitat.

The 2008 Farm Bill, extended by the American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012, provided authority to enroll new land in CRP through September 30, 2013.  Legislation has not been enacted to reauthorize or extend this authority.  Effective October 1, 2013, FSA cannot approve or process new applications for CRP.

CRP annual rental payments are processed through FSAs Kansas City Office.  Individual questions on CRP payments should be directed to the local FSA Office where the CRP contract is administered.  For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit your local FSA Service Center or www.fsa.usda.gov.



Heineman Announces Members of the Ag Youth Council

Today, Gov. Dave Heineman and Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach announced the selection of the members of the 2013-2014 Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC). The council is comprised of college-aged students from throughout the state that exhibit and promote a passion for agriculture and educating others about the agricultural industry.

“It’s an exciting time to be involved in the agricultural industry, and each of these young adults has exhibited a passion for educating others about the importance of agriculture,” said Gov. Heineman. “These are the future leaders of our agricultural industry, and I am excited to see what these students accomplish during the upcoming year on the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council.”

The NAYC is entering its 43rd year with the installation of the new Council members. Throughout the year, the council coordinates several agricultural learning experiences for Nebraska youth including: visiting elementary classrooms to discuss where food comes from, taking urban youth to experience farms and what a day in the life of a farmer is like and visiting with high school students from across the state. The primary focus of the NAYC is to coordinate the annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, a five-day conference for current high school juniors and seniors.

This year’s council is comprised of 21 college-aged men and women. The 2013-2014 NAYC leaderships includes: Emma Likens, Swanton, Head Counselor; Will Miller, Culbertson, Head Counselor; Alyssa Dye, Alliance, President; Lauren Ibach, Sumner , Secretary; Samantha Schneider, Cozad, Vice President of the Communications and Social Media Committee; Trent Mastny, Howells, Vice President of the NAYI Improvement Committee; Michelle Dvoracek, Elba, Vice President of the Promotion Committee; Aksel Wiseman, Hershey, Vice President of the Sponsorship and Alumni Relations Committee; and Larissa Wach, Wauneta, Vice President of the Youth Outreach Committee.

Additional members are: Davis Behle, Kearney; Trevor DeVries, Fairfield; Johnny Ference, Ord; Steven Fish, Imperial; Hannah Gaebel, Ashland; Haley Harthoorn, Ainsworth; Jud Hoffschneider, Arlington; Toni Rasmussen, Albion; Elizabeth Rice, Murray; Railen Ripp, Kearney; Eric Wemhoff, Humphrey; and Morgan Zumpfe, Friend.



NE Pork Mentoring Program Seeking Applicants

Come be a part of something amazing!  The Nebraska Pork Producers Association wants you to be a part of the Pork Mentoring Class of 2014. If you are connected to agriculture and believe in the future of the pork industry, apply today! $500 scholarships are available for college-age students who have an interest in the pork industry – you don’t have to be a pork producer! Applications are due December 5th. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!  Questions? Please contact Kyla at 402-472-2528 or kyla@nepork.org



Upper Big Blue NRD Dispels Myths and Rumors Surrounding Upcoming Public Hearing

The Upper Big Blue NRD will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at the York City Auditorium, located at the intersection of 6th Street and Nebraska Avenue, York, Nebraska.  An informational meeting, beginning at 1:30 p.m., will precede the hearing.  Recently, the NRD has been fielding comments and concerns about what exactly the proposed changes to RULE 5 means for producers:

1).  Allocation Trigger:  The Allocation Trigger on the Upper Big Blue NRD’s average groundwater level chart is already in place.  In fact, it has been since 1990.  Because of the 2012 drought, and subsequent heavy pumping of groundwater to irrigate crops, the average groundwater level in the Upper Big Blue NRD has seen its largest one year          decline since record keeping began in 1961.  “We could get to allocation in one dry season, or we might get a wet season or two, and not get there for a few years,” stated John Turnbull, General Manager of the Upper Big Blue NRD.

2).  Allocation Amount:  The proposed changes to Rule 5 will set the first allocation of 45 acre inches over five years.        You can choose how much or little water you need to use as long as it is 45 acres inches over the five year period.  The average is 9 acre inches per year, however a producer can choose to use 20” acre inches in year one, 20” in year two, 5” in year 3, and 0” in years four and five.

3).  Flow Meters:  The proposed changes require that ALL wells with a pumping capacity greater than 50 gpm be equipped with a flow meter. The proposed deadline for flow meter installation would be January 1, 2015.  Flow  meters are necessary to accurately record water use.  If a meter is not installed by the proposed date, and the District is under the allocation period, then no water can be pumped.

4).  NO RESTRICTION on expansion of irrigated acres; NO MORITORIUMS on well drilling: (Except for the already designated fully appropriated area in Northern Hamilton County).  Otherwise, there is no well drilling moratorium, and no restriction of expanding acres for irrigation with the proposed allocation.

5).  Groundwater Transfers Would CEASE:  Language has been included in the proposed changes to Rule 5 to allow for the cancellation of a groundwater transfer if the groundwater user does not comply with the transfer regulations or conditions placed on the authorization at the time it was issued.

6).  Certified Groundwater Use Acres and Pooling:  Proposed changes to Rule 5 provide for the combining of certified groundwater use acres into units.  A unit of groundwater use acres consists of acres in the same government survey section or irrigated by the same well that are under the control of      one groundwater user.  The term “pooling” refers to the combining of certified Groundwater Use Acres (irrigated acres) for the purpose of determining what lands will be assigned an allocation.

The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors value the comments and suggestions of the citizens they represent.  The public is strongly encouraged to attend the November 5 Public Hearing.  Written comments will be accepted following the public hearing until November 12, 2013, 5 p.m., at which point the public hearing process will close.

A copy of the proposed changes to Rule 5 is available upon request at the NRD office at 105 N. Lincoln Avenue, York, Nebraska, and on the NRD website at: www.upperbigblue.org.  Activities and projects of the Upper Big Blue NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected Board of Directors.  The Upper Big Blue NRD is one of 23 Natural Resources Districts across the state.  For more information please call (402) 362-6601. 



UNL Extension Says 2,200 Cattle Lost in Blizzard and More in South Dakota

(AP)  A new report says northwest Nebraska lost more than 2,200 cattle in the early October blizzard that swept through the region.

The loss totals in Sioux and Dawes counties were released Monday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's extension office in Chadron. The cattle deaths came little more than a year after wildfires damaged more than 900 miles of fence line and reduced the region's cattle population to less than 45 percent of its normal number.

Scott Cotton, an extension educator, says the numbers are not yet definitive.

Cotton says producers should document both their losses and the number of cattle they owned before the winter storm. He says donations to help the victims can be made to the First National Bank Community Foundation in Chadron.

In South Dakota, a South Dakota Stockgrowers Association official says there will be significant economic impact. The official says cattle in the area before the blizzard were worth $550 million, with a potential economic impact of $1.7 billion on the area.

So far there's been no federal aid. A relief fund set up after the Oct. 4 blizzard that dumped up to four feet of snow in the region has about $300,000 in donations so far. Christen says money has come from people in 48 states and three countries.

Ranchers in northwestern Nebraska and southwestern North Dakota also suffered heavy cattle losses.



Nine Nebraska co-ops among nation's largest

Nine Nebraska cooperatives ranked among the top 100 in the country last year, according to a report released Tuesday by National Cooperative Bank.  The NCB Co-op 100 list ranks the top co-ops in the country based on revenue.

Ag Processing Inc. of Omaha was the largest co-op domiciled in Nebraska, and the seventh largest in the country, with 2012 revenue of $4.92 billion, up from $4.36 billion in 2011.

Affiliated Foods Midwest, a grocery co-op based in Norfolk, came in No. 33. It was the only nonagriculture-related Nebraska co-op on the list.

Other Nebraska co-ops on the NCB Top 100 list were: Aurora Cooperative Elevator Co, 52nd; Cooperative Producers Inc. of Hastings, 54th; Farmers Cooperative of Dorchester, 61st; FCS of America of Omaha, 66th; Central Valley Ag Cooperative of Oakland, 81st; Frenchman Valley Farmers Co-op of Imperial, 88th; and United Farmers Cooperative of York, 90th.



Agriculture Secretary Announces Record Sales, Income and Assets for Agriculture and Fishery Cooperatives in 2012

In recognition of October as National Cooperative Month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that U.S. farmer, rancher and fishery cooperatives set records for sales, income and assets in 2012, buoyed by strong prices for grain, farm supplies and many other agricultural commodities. Sales by agricultural and fishery co-ops of nearly $235 billion surpassed the 2011 record by $18 billion, an 8.3 percent gain. Record net (pre-tax) income of $6.1 billion was up nearly 13 percent over the $5.4 billion recorded in 2011.

"Agricultural cooperatives are a driving force in the nation's thriving farm economy. Because they are farmer-owned and operated businesses, the sales dollars and income generated are much more likely to be returned and spent in rural areas and communities," Vilsack said. "Ag cooperatives are also vital to the rural economy because they support 185,000 full- and part-time jobs, and are often the major employer in many rural towns."

Vilsack has signed an October 2013 National Cooperative Month Proclamation that salutes not only agricultural and fishery co-ops, but the entire co-op sector – which includes utility, financial, food and many other types of co-ops – for helping to boost the economy and create jobs. Reading from the proclamation, Vilsack said: "Cooperative businesses, arising from a sense of community and common cause, are the ultimate economic self-help tool, helping member-owners market and process their crops and other products, obtain needed services and acquire high-quality, affordable supplies."

USDA's annual survey of the nation's more than 2,200 agricultural and fishery cooperatives shows that grain and oilseed sales by co-ops increased more than $7 billion in 2012. Taken together, bean and pea, fruit and vegetable, nut, poultry and sugar sales by co-ops increased at least 3 percent over 2011 levels. Farm and ranch supply sales by co-ops were up by $7 billion, primarily due to rising energy prices. Fertilizer, feed and petroleum sales by co-ops each increased by at least $1 billion.

Net assets owned by agricultural co-ops – which range from local grain elevators and farm supply stores to major food and beverage processing plants – also showed a dramatic increase in 2012, rising to $82.9 billion, up 4.4 percent from $79.4 billion in 2011. Owner equity gained $1.8 billion. Equity capital remains low, but is clearly showing an upward trend, with a 6.5 percent increase over the previous year.

USDA recently released its annual list of the nation's 100 largest agricultural cooperatives. The list shows that Farmway Co-op Inc., a grain co-op based in Beloit, Kan., made the largest upward jump on the Top 100, rising from 114th place in 2011 to 62nd on the 2012 list. The next biggest "gainer" was West Central Cooperative, in Ralston, Iowa, a co-op that handles grain and farm supplies, which climbed from 69th to 41st place in 2012. As a sector, the biggest upward jumps on the Top 100 list were made by grain and grain/farm supply co-ops. Eight of the 10 biggest co-op gainers on the list in 2012 were grain or grain/farm supply co-ops.

The 100 largest agricultural cooperatives reported revenue of $162 billion in 2012, a new record and an increase of more than 9 percent over 2011, when revenue was $148 billion. Net income for the 100 top cooperatives also set a new record in 2012, reaching $3.5 billion, up from the previous record of $3.1 billion in 2011.

Further details about the top 100 largest agricultural cooperatives are available in the September/October 2013 issue of Rural Cooperatives magazine.

Vilsack noted that today's announcement is another reminder of the importance of USDA programs for rural America. A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy. He said that's just one reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill done as soon as possible.



Study Shows Pork Is Fastest-Growing Protein in Foodservice

Pork was the fastest-growing protein in the foodservice industry for the past two years, according to Technomic, Inc.’s 2013 Volumetric Assessment of Pork in Foodservice. Total pork sold through foodservice outlets reached a record-breaking 9.25 billion pounds, up 462 million pounds from the previous 2011 survey. The 2.6 percent increase outpaced the total protein growth average of 0.8 percent and the 1.5 percent total growth of the foodservice industry itself.

“We’re pleased to see such positive growth in foodservice, especially carnita meat, shoulder/butt and pulled pork,” said Stephen Gerike, director of foodservice marketing for the Pork Checkoff. “The volumetric study shows that foodservice operators are leveraging pork’s versatility.”

Since 2011, fresh pork has driven growth of the total pork category, increasing by 3.5 percent on an annual basis. Sales of processed pork grew 2.3 percent, largely driven by sales of ham, breakfast sausage and bacon. The study also showed that of the 24 pork product categories reviewed, 22 demonstrated positive growth in sales.

On a per-pound basis, bacon grew the most between 2011 and 2013, up 102 million pounds. Carnita meat, shoulder/butt and pulled pork grew the fastest by percent, with a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent, 6.6 percent and 6.4 percent respectively. Ground pork, Canadian bacon, whole loin, Italian specialty meats and ribs also demonstrated notable growth.

“When it comes to the three major foodservice day parts – breakfast, lunch and dinner – pork is almost equally represented, but sales grew most aggressively in the areas of breakfast proteins and snacks,” Gerike said.



Checkoff Changes Marketing Direction in FY14

Millennials and other beef consumers can now see and hear the tantalizing sights and sounds of “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” messages without putting down their mobile devices or leaving the comfort of their keyboards and social-media circles.

That’s thanks to a Sept. 25 decision by the 20-member Beef Promotion Operating Committee to make a major shift in strategic direction for the checkoff’s promotion and marketing efforts. Beginning this month, digital marketing will lead the way in sharing beef’s message about nutrition, health and research and creating a forum for consumers to publically share and celebrate their love for beef.

In recognition of the importance of marketing via electronic devices -- such as smartphones, tablets, cell phones, computers and consoles – the committee approved the shift from an print and radio campaign to digital marketing via multi-media beef messages on email, blogs and social networks.

Research indicates that there are two types of consumers:  those who are actively seeking out information, often via Web searches or by opening an email, text message or Web feed and those who prefer to get their messages passively, by using, for example, targeted display advertising on websites and news blogs.

“Digital marketing allows us to be extremely selective about who receives our messaging, using technology called ‘geo-targeting,’” says Polly Ruhland, Beef Board CEO. “Because your every online twitch can be tracked, digital marketing experts (like checkoff contractor staff and the checkoff’s new digital marketing agency) know a great deal about you: your favorite food, clothing and widgets, your hobbies, your hometown, your family, your friends.”

Using geo-tracking, the checkoff can send marketing messages to a very tight target audience whose preferences, food likes and lifestyles fit the checkoff’s target audience. In other words, the checkoff can pinpoint exactly who it wants to reach with beef messages.

    For instance, real-time slow cooker beef recipes can be delivered to Millennial moms, in a particular geographic region, who have purchased a crockpot online, who are actively searching for simple weeknight meals at that very moment.

    Or, when a food blogger writes a positive piece about beef, the checkoff can increase the visibility of the story to reach a targeted older Millennial consumer within the online spaces they visit every day. “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner,” the iconic tagline of more than 20 years, will be reenergized through a new audience and new strategy – the growing and important Millennial, through comprehensive digital engagement.

“It’s a brave, new world and we are now an integral part of it,” says Ruhland. “I’ve been asked this: ‘Why Millenials, and why not Baby Boomers, a similarly sized audience?’ Several good reasons exist for focusing checkoff investments this way."

    At the core of this plan, is the new consumer target: older millennial parents. They are part of the largest and most connected generation ever. By 2020, their spending will hit $1.4 trillion dollars a year.
    Millennials will make beef-buying decisions for the next 40-plus years.
    As much as it stings to think about it, the much-loved, much catered to (by consumer products) Baby Boomers soon will be a shrinking generation with decreasing influence over others.
    Boomers don’t shout each day’s activities from the rooftops. Millennials do:  They are more likely to share their experiences widely, especially through social networks. We have to put our money where the consumers and influencers are.

The ability to geo-target means that producer and importer investments in the checkoff will be focused tightly on consumers who are most likely to move the needle on beef demand. Social and digital media provide the beef checkoff a clear and focused way to deliver beef-centric information, enabling consumers to select and prepare beef enthusiastically.

“Change is always a little intimidating, but I am inspired by the opportunities for beef in the new plan,” says Ruhland. “The explosion of social and digital media presents great opportunities for us with our powerful target market and our relatively small marketing budget.”

For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



USMEF Develops International Beef Cuts Nomenclature Guide

As more and more countries adopt regulations requiring that U.S. red meat exports include labels printed in the language of the country of destination, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) – contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program – has completed an International Nomenclature Guide of Beef Cuts that provides equivalent names for the most common U.S. beef cuts for 33 different countries and regions, as well as comparable names for lesser-known value cuts in selected Latin American markets.

“Globalization of the meat industry and the multiplicity of terms used in international meat trade has complicated our industry,” said Dr. Nelson Huerta Leidenz, director of technical services for USMEF-Latin America, who spearheaded the project with USMEF staff and industry support from the U.S., China, the EU, Japan, Mexico, the Middle East, Panama, Russia, South America, South Korea and Taiwan. “Our goal is to give exporters a ready reference for those cuts that are most commonly traded so that bilingual labeling will not be an issue.”



Weekly Ethanol Production for 10/18/2013

According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 897,000 barrels per day (b/d) — or 37.67 million gallons daily. That is up 28,000 b/d from the week before and the highest of the year. Last week’s output was the highest since 6/15/2012. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 854,000 (column G) b/d for an annualized rate of 13.44 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol stood at 15.5 million barrels. That is a 0.5% increase from last week.

Imports of ethanol were zero b/d for the third week in a row.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 369.5 million gallons daily, down from last week.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 10.20%.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 13.601 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 100,108 metric tons of livestock feed, 89,247 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.67 million pounds of corn oil daily.



ASA Cheers Overwhelming House Passage of WRRDA, Urges Timely Conference and Enactment

In a vote of 417 to 3 this evening, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The American Soybean Association (ASA) supports the bill, and congratulated House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership following its passage.

“ASA welcomes tonight’s passage of the WRRDA bill and commends Chairman Shuster and Ranking member Rahall, as well as Subcommittee Chairman Gibbs and Ranking Member Bishop, for their persistence and support in the process of addressing our waterways infrastructure,” said ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. “As tonight’s vote illustrates, this bill enjoys broad bipartisan support in the House, as it does in the Senate and within the administration. With that in mind, we call on the House and the Senate to convene the conference committee as soon as possible so that a final bill can be passed and sent to President Obama before the end of this year.”

The WRRDA bill includes provisions to streamline environmental reviews; establish hard deadlines and cost caps on project studies; allow non-federal interests to contribute funds to expedite project components; annually increase the amount of funding that is provided from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) for port maintenance and dredging; and free up money and increase the capacity of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF)  and requiring the Corps to study and report on bonding, user fees, and other potential funding sources.

“Soybeans are the nation’s leading farm export, and each bushel we export depends on our waterways infrastructure, whether that’s in the form of a river channel, a lock and dam, or a port,” added Murphy. “Unfortunately, in recent years, each of those elements has begun to suffer due to lack of upkeep and investment, and this bill takes a great step to reversing that trend.”

The House bill will now move on to conference with the Senate’s Water Resources Development Act (S. 601) to iron out areas in which the two bills differ. S. 601 includes similar provisions supported by ASA to annually increase the amount of funding that is provided from the HMTF for port maintenance and dredging; to streamline the process for Corps of Engineers projects and reduce project completion times; and to free up money and increase the capacity of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF).

Additionally, the Senate version includes an amendment supported by ASA that would exempt small farms that store oil in aboveground tanks from federal oil spill regulations. The amendment would set storage tank thresholds below which agricultural operations would be excluded from U.S. EPA's Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Rule (SPCC).



STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H.R. 3080 - Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013

The Administration supports investing in the Nation's water resources to build the foundation for long-term economic growth, to address significant risks to public safety, and to protect and restore our environment.  The Administration's key policies and principles will help meet our Nation's water resources challenges in a fiscally responsible way.  The Administration supports House passage of H.R. 3080 as it would advance some of these policies and principles, but it should be improved with additional reforms and modifications of problematic provisions.

Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has a $60 billion construction backlog and increasing operation and maintenance costs of existing infrastructure.  The Administration supports provisions in the bill to de-authorize projects that no longer meet the Nation's needs or have become too costly.  The bill, however, would authorize the Corps to construct several new projects that the Administration has not recommended for authorization due to their marginal return on investment or other concerns.  The Administration would like to work with Congress on authorizations of projects and studies that provide high economic and environmental returns to the Nation, or address a significant risk to public safety, within the Corps' three main missions: flood and storm damage reduction; commercial navigation; and aquatic ecosystem restoration.

Creating and maintaining our Nation's water resources infrastructure is a shared responsibility between federal and non-federal beneficiaries and requires that the management, use, protection, and restoration of our water resources continue to evolve to meet the Nation's future needs.  H.R. 3080 would enable non-federal parties to move forward with certain water resources projects on their own more easily.  However, it would also weaken key reforms enacted by the Congress in the landmark Water Resources Development Act of 1986.  For example, the bill would shift significant costs to the taxpayer that are now the responsibility of barge operators on inland waterways, and would expand the Federal role in the maintenance of coastal ports to areas that have historically been a non-federal responsibility.

The Administration is concerned that the project permitting and delivery provisions in H.R. 3080 may slow project approval and do not adequately protect communities, taxpayers, or the environment.  The Administration appreciates the omission of financial penalty provisions for agencies; however, the bill includes provisions that could constrain science-based decision making, increase litigation risk, and undermine the integrity of several foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.  The Administration is making significant progress to improve the efficiency of Federal permitting and reviews in a manner that encourages early collaboration, stakeholder engagement and better environmental outcomes while not jeopardizing bedrock environmental laws.  The Administration urges the House to reaffirm the current foundational environmental review framework for all water resources projects that fosters transparency, informed decision-making, and strong environmental outcomes, and to encourage the Corps to continue efforts to evaluate the full range of reasonable alternatives, including the use of natural infrastructure where appropriate, and to promote better environmental stewardship.

The Administration supports efforts to enhance resilience in light of future risks of substantial storm and flood damage, including from a changing climate.  Federal policies and investments should encourage and incentivize improved management of water and related land resources at the local level to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance the resiliency and natural functions of floodplains and coastal areas and the communities in them, advance public safety, and promote efforts to preserve and restore aquatic ecosystems.

The Administration also urges reform of the laws governing the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which a proposal in the President’s FY 2014 Budget would accomplish.  The proposal would establish an annual per vessel fee to raise $1.1 billion in additional revenue over 10 years from the commercial users of the inland waterways.  It would support economic growth, and reflect actual costs incurred by the Corps on their behalf.



Release of 2012 Census of Agriculture Data Delayed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will delay publication of the 2012 Census of Agriculture from February 4, 2014 as a result of the work stoppage caused by the recent lapse in federal funding.  A new release date has not been set.  NASS is working to set a new schedule that ensures the highest quality data. 



NCGA Hosts Chinese Ministry of Agriculture Team

Yesterday, the National Corn Growers Association hosted a Chinese agricultural delegation for a morning of informative presentations and discussions about the U.S. corn crop, agricultural associations and the seed and biofuels industries. The group, organized by Monsanto, included officials from China's Seed Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture and 16 officials from provincial seed administration stations.

"While NCGA hosts a number of teams interested in biotechnology and the corn crop outlook, this breadth of topics in which this team showed interest was somewhat unique," said NCGA Marketing Manager Joe Hodes. "Working together, our staff was able to provide them with insight into a number of sectors which influence U.S. corn production and markets."

Team members initially requested this meeting in order to gain a better understanding of how agricultural organizations benefit farmers. Following a in-depth examination of NCGA's history, mission and structure, they also had an opportunity to examine U.S. harvest conditions in 2013, the role corn plays in the U.S. biofuels industry and to take a comprehensive look at the U.S. corn seed industry.

"U.S. corn farmers benefit when we work with international partners to advance understanding of their industry abroad," said NCGA Director of Biotechnology and Economic Analysis Nathan Fields. "They have an incredible story to tell. Using cutting edge technology and with an eye toward continuous improvement, America's farmers grow a more abundant crop using fewer resources than ever before. By opening our industry for the world to see, we build relationships that open markets and increase opportunities on farms across the country."



Export Exchange 2014 Confirmed for Seattle, Oct. 20-22

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) are pleased to announce that Export Exchange 2014 will take place Oct. 20-22 in Seattle, Wash.

Held every two years by USGC and RFA, Export Exchange is the nation’s premier international trade conference focused on the export of U.S. coarse grains and co-products. Last year’s record-breaking event attracted buying teams from 33 countries, including all of the top U.S. international markets.

In 2014, approximately 150 foreign buyers of U.S. coarse grains and co-products are expected in Seattle – eager to meet and build relationships with more than 300 domestic suppliers in attendance – over two days of educational sessions and networking opportunities at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

“Export Exchange 2012 exceeded all expectations,” said USGC Chairman Julius Schaaf, “and many of our foreign guests have already expressed their intent to return in 2014. Buyers will converge in Seattle next October, ready to make contacts and do business. We’re really looking forward to this event.”

Export Exchange focuses on bringing international buyers of U.S. coarse grains and distiller’s dried grains with solubles together with U.S. producers and agribusiness professionals.

“There is an increased global demand for DDGS (distiller’s dried grains with solubles) and Export Exchange connects the dots by bringing interested buyers and sellers together to help grow the international market,” said President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association Bob Dinneen.

“U.S. grains sellers and ethanol producers can expect to rub shoulders with more than 80 percent of the world’s top buyers at Export Exchange,” Schaaf said. “Key stakeholders will surely benefit from attending.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in pre- and post-conference missions to view the U.S. production and export complex and learn more about the capacity, reliability and quality of the United States as a long-term supplier.

Additional information regarding Export Exchange 2014 can be found at: www.exportexchange.org.



Cargill to Shutdown Texas Cattle Feedlot

Cargill Inc said it will close its Lockney, Texas, feedlot next summer due to shrinking supplies of cattle and high feed costs. The pending closure comes months after the company shut one of its Texas beef packing plants also because of fewer cattle.

"Due to the drought-depleted beef cattle supply in the region, and after a careful examination of the region's overall beef production situation, Cargill determined that it could no longer justify the operation of its Lockney, Texas, feedlot," Cargill spokesman Mike Martin said on Thursday.

According to Reuters, the feedlot, with a one-time capacity of 62,000 head, or 120,000 cattle annually, is one of three Cargill feedlots in Texas. The other two are in Dalhart and Bovina.

The closure marks the second Cargill property in Texas to shut down recently. Cargill, the third largest U.S. meatpacker, idled its Plainview beef processing plant in February for the same reasons. The Lockney feedlot primarily supplied cattle to the shuttered Plainview plant located 15 miles away.