Friday December 13 Ag News

Statement by Steve Nelson, President - Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation On Legislature’s Tax Modernization Committee Report

“We appreciate the work of the legislature’s Tax Modernization Committee and the efforts of its members to gather statewide public input in preparing its report.”

"The members of Nebraska Farm Bureau continue to believe property tax relief should be at the forefront of tax reform talks and that notion was reinforced this week by delegates attending our annual meeting. We believe the Committee has identified pieces that could serve as the foundation for providing broader property tax relief.”

“Lowering the taxable value of agricultural land is something we encouraged the Committee to consider and are pleased to see included in the report.”

“The Committee’s suggestion of broadening the sales tax base to include consumer services is also one that also deserves further consideration, provided such expansion is in the context of using additional tax dollars for property tax relief.”

“We would encourage the legislature to consider growing its investment in the property tax credit program which provides direct, unfiltered relief to those who pay property taxes.”

“Outside of property taxes, we do appreciate the Committee’s interest in removing the sales tax on repair and replacement parts for agricultural machinery and equipment. Such policy would level the playing field by bringing Nebraska in line with tax policies of neighboring states.” 

“We look forward to working with the legislature to provide tax relief for Nebraska’s farm and ranch families and all Nebraskans.”



Weeks Named National Academy of Inventors Fellow for his Biotech Work

Donald P. Weeks, Maxcy Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, an honor given to esteemed innovators and inventors.  Weeks was recognized for distinguished contributions in plant and algal biotechnology and efforts to translate research discoveries into solutions that benefit society.

Election as an NAI fellow is a high honor bestowed on academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating inventions that have made an impact on quality of life, economic development and welfare of society. The 143 people elected 2013 NAI fellows represent 94 universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutions. Together, they hold more than 5,600 U.S. patents.

Internationally known for developing a novel approach to engineering herbicide-resistant crops, Weeks' research will significantly impact agricultural productivity in Nebraska and worldwide. He identified a soil bacterium that breaks down dicamba, a common herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds. By isolating the gene that inactivates dicamba and inserting a genetically engineered version of the gene into the plant chromosome, his team developed dicamba-resistant soybean plants, giving producers another important tool for controlling weeds, including several that are resistant to the widely used herbicide, glyphosate.

Weeks' discovery led to an exclusive licensing and research agreement that has supported work to develop other dicamba-resistant crops, including cotton, corn and tomato plants. Weeks holds 10 U.S. patents and 22 international patents. A UNL faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry since 1989, Weeks was named an American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow in 2009.

Weeks and other 2013 fellows will be inducted March 7 at the NAI's third annual conference in Alexandria, Va.

Weeks' selection marks the second year UNL faculty members have been named NAI fellows. The 2012 charter class included Brian Larkins, associate vice chancellor for life sciences and professor of agronomy and horticulture; Prem S. Paul, vice chancellor for research and economic development; and James Van Etten, William Allington Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology and co-director of the Nebraska Center for Virology.



Iowa Soybean Association celebrates achievements of farmer leaders with awards

From recognizing a high school senior just beginning his agricultural career to honoring a long-time farmer-leader who championed the Iowa soybean farmer, the third annual Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) awards banquet featured past, current and future industry leaders. Receiving awards at the Dec. 12 ceremony in Ankeny were:
·         Rising Star, sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America: Kolton Greiner of Keota
·         New Leader, sponsored by DuPont Pioneer: Kellie Blair of Dayton
·         Environmental Leader, sponsored by Monsanto: Steve Berger of Wellman
·         Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer, sponsored by Cargill: Dr. John Pesek, Iowa State University
·         Legacy of Leadership, sponsored by Stine Seed Company: Family of Raymond Heck of Perry

The Rising Star Award, presented to Greiner by Farm Credit Services of America, recognizes an ISA member’s son or daughter who’s active at the local, state and national level and preparing to continue ag studies in college. Greiner is the son of Lindsay and Shelley Greiner. The Keota High School senior class and student body president also serves as the leader of the Keota FFA chapter and Dutch Creek Flyers 4-H group. Agriculture and athletics run in Greiner’s blood. In addition to assisting with a family business raising and selling show pigs (and showing swine and sheep himself at the local, state and national levels), he’s been involved with football, basketball, track, golf and baseball. He plans to attend Iowa State University, majoring in animal science or agricultural engineering. 

The New Leader Award, presented by DuPont Pioneer, recognizes an ISA member’s outstanding involvement and commitment to promoting the soybean industry and agriculture. Blair is an advocate for agriculture through her blogging work on a personal blog and her participation with CommonGround, a group of female farm bloggers across the state. Blair, her husband, AJ, and children, Charlotte and Wyatt, grow corn and soybeans and raise dairy heifers and pigs. She’s a certified crop advisor and technical service provider with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and works as an agronomist for The Maschhoffs’ environmental department. Blair is dedicated to sharing information about agriculture, leading her to be involved with ISA’s Ag-Urban Initiative and hosting several farm tours for food editors, legislators and other groups.

The Environmental Stewardship Award, presented by Monsanto, was awarded to Berger for his commitment to caring for his land through tillage reduction methods. He raises soybeans, corn and hogs and uses no-till and cover crops to protect soil and water quality. Berger farms with his father, Dennis, and the two work closely with experts from Iowa State University, Iowa Learning Farms and ISA’s On-Farm Network. Berger is a certified crop advisor and past director of the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board.

The Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award, presented by Cargill, went to Dr. John Pesek, Emeritus Professor of Agronomy and a Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. Pesek is nationally known for his research in soil fertility, crop production and the economics of fertilizer use. His work has increased the understanding of how management practices influence the environment and yields. For more than 20 years, Pesek has worked with ISA members and staff, offering research advice, support and recommendations. His insight and knowledge has led to the investment of millions of checkoff dollars into production agricultural research.

The Legacy of Leadership Award, presented by Stine Seed Company, was awarded posthumously to Raymond Heck for his passionate and relentless commitment to growing the Iowa soybean industry. Heck began farming near Perry in 1946 and worked continuously to champion Iowa soybean farmers until his passing in September. He served as ISA president in 1984 and supported the farmer vote to successfully raise the soybean checkoff. His son, Ron, farmed with his father and has served in a number of ISA positions, including president.



Leaders Ask for Iowa Hearing on Proposed RFS Changes

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds Thursday joined Sens. Charles Grassley and Tom Harkin, Congressmen Tom Latham, Steve King, Dave Loebsack and Bruce Braley, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in sending a letter expressing strong opposition to the EPA's proposal that would negatively lower levels in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to President Barack Obama, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and U.S. Department of Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack.

The Iowa elected leaders also urged the federal government to host a hearing in Iowa to hear directly from Iowans on the EPA's proposal, which would have a harmful effect on the agriculture, agri-business and biofuels industries in Iowa.

In the bipartisan letter, the leaders noted:
"As elected officials from a leading agricultural and biofuels state, we write to express our strong opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to reduce renewable fuel volume obligations and weaken the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and we request further opportunities for citizens from rural America to inform your decisions. Biofuels have diversified America's energy portfolio, strengthened our national security by reducing reliance on foreign oil, reduced transportation fuel emissions, given consumers lower cost options, and energized rural America by increasing family farm incomes and creating high-skilled, rewarding careers."

The letter is found here: https://governor.iowa.gov/. 



USDA Soil Health Webinars Cover Range of Ag Production
The National Soil Health and Sustainability Team, located at the USDA NRCS East National Technology Support Center, is  offering the following soil health webinars in 2014. The monthly webinars will begin at 1 p.m. central.

    Jan. 16 — An Experimental Case Study for Soil Health
    Feb. 11 — The Biology of Soil Compaction
    March 11 — Soil Health and Production Benefits of Mob Grazing
    April 8 — Managing for Soil Health on Dryland — A Farmer's Perspective
    May 13 — Using RUSLE2 to Evaluate Soil Health Planning Principles
    June 10 — Managing for Soil Health in the Piedmont Area of the Southeast — A Farmer's Perspective
    July 8 — Managing for Soil Health when Raising Potatoes — A Farmer's Perspective
    Aug. 12 — Managing for Soil Health on an Organic Farm — A Farmer's Perspective

To access these and a number of archived webinars, visit the USDA Science and Technology Training Library for resources on Conservation of Natural Resources.  To access these and other planned webinars visit their Conservation Webinar website... http://www.conservationwebinars.net/documents/planned-conservation-webinars. 



Vilsack Traveling to China to Advance U.S. Trade and Investment Priorities

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is traveling to China with Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman this week (December 19 and 20). Pritzker and Froman will co-chair the 24th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Beijing. Pritzker says the commission is a critical component of U.S. engagement in Asia and an important mechanism in efforts to further build on the U.S.-China bilateral relationship. According to Ambassador Froman - the joint commission provides an important platform to address wide-ranging issues in the bilateral trade relationship with China. He says the focus this year is on making progress in areas like market access for goods and services and removal of regulatory barriers. Vilsack says work on critical trade matters with the Chinese can help open even more markets for U.S. exports - in line with the President’s commitment to increase U.S. exports under the National Export Initiative.

China was the largest supplier of U.S. goods imports and the third-largest market for U.S. exports in 2012. U.S. goods exports to China were 110-billion dollars in 2012 - up 583-percent since 2000.



Senators Call on Vilsack, Froman to Address Pork Export Barriers

A group of 31 Senators - led by Indiana’s Joe Donnelly and Iowa’s Chuck Grassley have written a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack about the importance of addressing barriers to market access for American pork producers in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The letter notes the importance of exports to the economic well-being of pork producers and the U.S. economy as a whole - stating that U.S. pork production supports an estimated 550-thousand domestic jobs - with 110-thousand of those directly resulting from exports. The Senators also pointed out that pork exports now make an annual surplus contribution of nearly five-billion dollars to the overall U.S. trade balance. The Senators - pointing to numerous market access barriers for U.S. pork in TPP participant countries - insisted that all tariffs and non-tariff barriers on pork in TPP partner nations be eliminated as part of the TPP agreement.

The other Senators signing on to the letter were Amy Klobuchar, Deb Fischer, Tom Harkin, Roy Blunt, Carl Levin, Pat Roberts, Tim Johnson, Mike Johanns, Robert Casey, Richard Burr, Tammy Baldwin, Rob Portman, Debbie Stabenow, Mark Kirk, Mark Udall, John Thune, Claire McCaskill, John Barrasso, Sherrod Brown, James Inhofe, Richard Durbin, John Cornyn, Michael Bennet, Tom Coburn, Mark Pryor, Patrick Toomey, Jerry Moran, Ron Johnson and Mike Lee.



Sorghum Checkoff Invests $1.85 million to Further Producer Productivity, Profitability

The United Sorghum Checkoff Program board of directors invested $1.85 million to fund proposals targeted at furthering sorghum growers’ productivity and profitability. The commitment, which was approved at a Dec. 10 board meeting, concludes the request for proposal that started June 2013. The Sorghum Checkoff board, external committee members and staff dedicated the past several months to reviewing projects in the crop improvement, high value and renewable priority areas.

The Sorghum Checkoff received 86 requests totaling $16.8 million dollars.

“Response from this RFP process reflects the energy sorghum growers are generating in both our public and private research communities,” said Florentino Lopez, Sorghum Checkoff executive director. “Producer leaders take seriously their responsibility to move the industry forward through investing dollars in the right projects.”

The Sorghum Checkoff board of directors worked through proposals in a committee and board leadership process that included advice and expertise from external committee members.

“External committee members and staff are critical to the process,” said Jeff Casten, Sorghum Checkoff board member from Quenemo, Kan. “Advancing the sorghum industry requires technical science, which requires specific expertise. As a producer, I am grateful for the time and energy our external members and staff dedicate to this important process.”

During the Sorghum Checkoff’s December board meeting, producer leaders made a final decision on the projects to address key priorities for the sorghum industry. The Sorghum Checkoff approved the following 16 projects:

    Dr. Gary Pederson, USDA ARS was funded $100,000 for new genetic introduction.
    Dr. William Rooney, Texas A&M AgriLife Research was funded $264,885 for new genetic introduction.
    Dr. Patrica Brown, University of Illinois was funded $29,906 for new genetic introduction.
    Dr. Nancy Turner, Texas A&M AgriLife was funded $9,000 for food development.     
    JPZ Consulting was funded $69,800 for the companion animal industry development.
    Dr. Bob Goodband, Kansas State University was funded $64,865 for livestock nutrition.
    Dr. Sung Woo Kim, North Carolina University was funded $98,103 for livestock nutrition.
    Dr. Vicki Schlegel, University of Nebraska was funded $226,696 for food development.
    Dr. Davina Rhodes, University of South Carolina was funded $26,000 for food development.
    Dr. Rebecca Lochmann, University of Arkansas was funded $29,628 for livestock nutrition.
    Dr. Sajid Alavi, Kansas State University was funded $68,550 for the companion animal industry.
    Greg Aldrich, Kansas State University was funded $119,700 for the companion animal industry.
    Dr. Gillian Eggleston, USDA ARS was funded $19,600 for biofuels enhancement.
    Dr. Robert Moreau, USDA ARS was funded $314,083 for coproduct enhancement.
    Joseph James, Agri-Tech Producers was funded $275,000 for biofuels enhancement.
    Dr. Donghai Wang, Kansas State University was funded $140,000 for biofuels enhancement.

Funding of these proposals is contingent on approval from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.

“The funded projects are a key part of the Sorghum Checkoff strategy to moving the industry forward,” said Stewart Weaver, Sorghum Checkoff chairman and grower from Edmondson, Ark. “The board is excited to see the dividends that our investment in these projects pays to sorghum farmers.”