Monday October 27 Ag News

A-FAN’s Annual Stakeholders’ Meeting Set for November 24 in Lincoln

The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN) has scheduled its 2014 annual stakeholders’ meeting for Monday, November 24 at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in downtown Lincoln.

All A-FAN partners and stakeholders are invited to the meeting, which begins at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and conversation, followed by the meeting at 9:00 a.m. A buffet luncheon, sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board, will follow the meeting.

Meeting highlights will include a year-end report on A-FAN activities by Willow Holoubek, A-FAN’s Executive Director, including communicating the organization’s key message to rural community leaders and consumers about the importance of animal agriculture to Nebraska’s economy.  “We will also talk about the future of livestock farming in the state, as well as our vision for building strong community economies through animal agriculture,” Holoubek said.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Kate Brooks, an extension livestock economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Brooks’ topic is entitled, “Opening the Gate of Opportunity with Livestock.” Discussion points will include the economic impact of diversity in agriculture today and into the future.

Dr. Brooks, an expert in the economics of meat and livestock production, received her B.S. in agribusiness from Kansas State University, her M.S. from Illinois State University, and her Ph.D. in agriculture economics from Oklahoma State University. Prior to coming to UNL, she served as a faculty member at West Texas A &M University.

Those interested in attending the stakeholders’ meeting to learn more about A-FAN and the future of animal agriculture in the state must RSVP to Emily Skillett by November 10th by calling (402) 421-4416 or by emailing emilyt@a-fan.org.



FCSAmerica – a Co-op Model Worth Celebrating
Jeremy Heitmann, chairman of FCSAmerica Board of Directors

October is National Cooperative Month. This as an ideal time to highlight the reasons why the co-op model at FCSAmerica works for agriculture.

I was in college when I started farming with my family in southeast Nebraska in 2000. My relationship with FCSAmerica began about the same time, through the AgStart program for young and beginning producers. Access to financing and credit is a lifeline for my family’s farm, just as it is for the vast majority of producers. As a cooperative whose sole mission is to serve agriculture, FCSAmerica is focused on the success of producers rather than the profits of private owners. This means we can finance our operations at competitive rates.

In our rural communities, we’ve all seen cooperatives fail because they adopted a least-cost business model that put patronage payments ahead of product and staff investment. At FCSAmerica, we have made it a priority to remain financially strong by offering great products and hiring outstanding people to deliver those products. Remaining profits are then returned to eligible producers. Since 2004, FCSAmerica has distributed $830 million in cash-back dividends. Farmers and ranchers pay taxes on this patronage. They also invest their dividends in their operations and their local communities.

Our cooperative model benefits producers and rural America in other important ways as well. The Board of Directors is passionate about FCSAmerica’s role in supporting rural organizations and programs through grants, including the Working Here Fund grant. More than 275 non-profit organizations have received Working Here Fund grants to address hunger and nutrition problems, support young and beginning programs, and agriculture education. The cooperative also stays politically connected, advocating at the federal, state and local levels on behalf of producers.

These are some of the benefits that come with ownership in our cooperative. But even producers who aren’t customer-owners gain from our business model. FCSAmerica’s existence helps keep the market in check, fostering competitive interest rates throughout our four states. That is reason to celebrate National Cooperative Month.



Protect Your Health with the Right Mask for the Right Job
Amy Timmerman – Extension Educator, Holt County

Wearing a properly fitted mask can help protect you from the harmful effects of aflatoxins and endotoxins in grain this harvest season. Aflatoxins are potent toxins produced by molds and endotoxins are potent toxins produced by bacteria.   Both can be found in corn and soybeans.

Where drought conditions are prevalent, particularly in dryland production areas, and where corn is moldy, assume all corn dust contains aflatoxin and wear respiratory protection, recommends the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health.

The Center, located at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, also recommends:
·    Wear a properly fitted N95 mask approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in any dusty condition.
·    Tractor cabs with poor filtering systems will not provide protection from mold spores. Wear a mask when combining moldy corn.
·    Clean and change cab filters regularly.

Working with the Iowa Ag Safety group, CSCASH has developed four videos with tips for buying, fitting, and caring for masks, as well as information on the types of organic particles that may cause problems during soybean and corn harvest and how they affect your lungs. In these short videos Carolyn Sheridan of AgriSafe Network talks with a farm husband and wife who add from their experiences.

For more safety and health information, visit www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash. 



Manure Spreader Calibration Improves Nutrient Use Efficiency
Amy Millmier Schmidt, UNL Extension Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer
As crops come out of the field, manure application equipment typically begins going in. While knowing the nutrient concentrations in your manure, the nutrient levels in the soil, and the nutrient needs of future crop needs are important, another critical component of the manure application process is using the right manure spreader setting, speed, and lane spacing during application. Combining all of these factors to optimize application efficiency is called calibrating the manure spreader.

A couple of different methods exist for determining the application rate of a manure spreader. You can determine average application rate by applying a known volume or weight of manure over a known area of ground and then simply dividing the volume or weight of manure applied by the area covered to reveal the application rate in gallons per acre, tons per acre, etc. With today’s GPS-enabled cell phones and similar devices, the distance traveled while spreading a load of manure is easily determined. Without such a device, measuring distance traveled and width of the application pattern by using a measuring wheel or tape, enables you to calculate area covered as Length of Area (ft) x Width of Area (ft). Divide this area by 43,560 to convert the area from square feet to acres. Determining application rate is then accomplished by dividing the volume or weight of manure applied by the area covered. So, as an example, if a solid manure spreader with a capacity of 6 tons travels 2,000 feet and applies manure over a 30’ wide path, the area covered is (2,000 ft x 30 ft)÷43,560 ft2/ac = 1.4 acres. If all of the manure is emptied from the spreader over this travel path, the application rate is 6 tons÷1.4 acres = 4.3 tons per acre. A handy mobile application is available from UNL Extension to make manure applicator calibration easier. The “Manure Application” app is available for download for 99 cents through the iTunes store.

The second method for calibrating a spreader involves laying out plastic sheets (for solid manure) or rain gauges/cups (for liquid manure) to catch manure as the spreader or center pivot moves across a field. This is a particularly useful method if the capacity of the manure spreader is unknown or if a center pivot system is being calibrated. For center pivot, place four to six rain gauges, buckets, or other straight-sided containers in line from the pivot center point out to the end of the pivot span at roughly even intervals. Run the pivot so that application begins before it reaches the rain gauges, and continues until the pivot is completely past the gauges. Measure the depth of liquid captured in each gauge or bucket, add the values together, and divide by the total number of gauges used to determine the average application rate across the entire span of the pivot. A similar method can be used with a traveling gun applicator by placing buckets in a line perpendicular to the pull lane of the gun and measuring the depth of liquid in each container once the gun has passed by.

For solid manure applicator calibration, you will need a five-gallon bucket, three to four sheets of plastic or tarp, and a scale capable of measuring the weight of the bucket and its contents. The plastic sheets or tarps should measure a 6.5 ft x 8 ft. 10.25, providing a total collection area of 66 square feet. Begin by weighing the five-gallon bucket with one tarp or plastic sheet inside of it. Lay the plastic sheets or tarps on the ground in a line in the direction that you will travel with the spreader, leaving a few feet of space between each sheet. Drive over the sheets while spreading manure at your normal operating speed. Pick up each sheet being careful not to let any of the manure fall off. Place the sheet and manure inside the plastic bucket and weigh the bucket again. Repeat this for each sheet. For each weight, subtract the weight of the bucket and sheet that you determined in the first step and record these values. Finally, divide the weight of manure collected on each tarp by 3. The result of this calculation will be the manure application rate in tons per acre. An average application rate can be determined by adding the rates you calculated for each sheet and dividing by the number of sheets used. By repeating this with three or more plastic sheets or tarps, a more accurate application rate can be determined than would be possible with just a single sheet being used.

Additional resources available for conducting calibrations of manure spreaders include:
• Manure Calibration Kits available at a number of UNL Extension offices across the state. To find one near you, visit: http://water.unl.edu/manure/calibration-kits.
• “Manure Applicator Calibration Guide” available at: http://go.unl.edu/calibration_guide.

Calibrating a manure spreader will allow you to be more certain of how much fertilizer is being applied when you know the nutrient content of the manure, helps ensure that manure is applied in an environmentally responsible manner, and helps provide maximum utilization of the nutrients in the manure.



ISU Pro-Ag Outlook and Management Seminars

The Pro-Ag Outlook and Management Seminars are designed to provide agribusiness leaders with a concise evaluation of current market conditions, expected trends in crop and livestock income potential and management implications. Participants will also receive an overview of the agricultural industry and learn how changes may affect Iowa producers.
Programs and speakers will vary by location. Highlights include:

    • Corn & Soybean Market Outlook & Management Considerations
        - Dr. Chad Hart, Extension Grain Marketing Specialist

    • Swine & Beef Outlook & Management Considerations
        - Dr. Lee Schulz, Extension Livestock Economist or Shane Ellis, Extension Field Specialist

    • 2014 Farm Bill
        - Dr. Alejandro Plastina, Extension Economist or Extension Field Specialists

Pro Ag Outlook 2015 in Carroll County
Pro Ag Outlook 2015 will be hosted by the Carroll County ISU Extension and Outreach office and will be held on November 13, 2014 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is $25/person. Call Julee at 712-792-2364 to pre-register.



ISU Integrated Crop Management Conference Highlights Research and New Technologies

Iowa State University’s Integrated Crop Management conference will be held Dec. 3-4, 2014, at the Scheman Building on the ISU campus. The conference program provides an in-depth look at cutting edge topics, explains the latest research findings and provides practical, take-home information to use in Iowa crop production, according to Alison Robertson, plant pathologist and planning committee chair.

“The latest information on crop production and protection technologies will be presented, giving producers and agribusiness professionals new information to use in their operations,” said Robertson. “Speakers from across the state, the Midwest and the nation will share their expertise, providing an opportunity for attendees to learn what’s new at one event."

The annual conference will include more than 30 workshops offering the latest information in crop production. Led by Iowa State faculty and staff, and invited speakers from around the Midwest, the event draws nearly 1,000 participants each year.

The crop management section features discussions on the role and opportunities in “Big Data” along with emphasis on weather tools, understanding the new farm bill and grain quality. Fungicide resistance, sudden death syndrome, protecting pollinators and pesticide drift stewardship highlight the pest management area. Other topics include agribusiness partnerships with water quality programs, fertilizer price outlook, cover crops, strip-tillage and understanding CSR2.

“Our goal is to provide a program that is of great interest and value for Iowa farmers and ag professionals. Break-out sessions include topics that are current and relevant to Iowa,” said Brent Pringnitz, program services coordinator. “Enrollment to the conference is limited and we encourage people to register early. Past events have filled before the conference date."

Go to the conference website at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/icm to register. Early registration is $200 and runs until midnight, Nov. 21 when the fee increases to $250. Pre-registration is required and no registrations will be accepted at the door. Registrations will be accepted, as space allows, until noon, Dec. 1. Qualifying attendees can obtain Certified Crop Advisor as well as recertification for Commercial Pesticide Applicators in categories 1A, 1B, 1C, 4 and 10.

The Integrated Crops Management Conference is hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Agronomy, Economics, Entomology and Plant Pathology and Microbiology.



Travelers Motor Club and Association Motor Club Support E-15 “Our members have not reported any problems with E-15”

Gene Hammond and Mark Muncey, co-owners of Travelers Motor Club and Association Motor Club Marketing, which serve vehicle owners in all 50 States, today announced their support for the new E-15 fuel blend (15 percent ethanol and 85 percent petroleum in motor gasoline).

Hammond, who has worked in the auto club business for 40 years said, “Not one of our over 18 million members has called us with a problem related to the new E-15 fuel or any ethanol blend. Travelers Motor Club and Association Motor Club Marketing support the use of E-15 in vehicles as a safe and affordable alternative to gasoline.”

Muncey, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the motor club business said, “We decided to research the road service data from our members. Today, four years after EPA approved E-15 and two years after AAA declared it was premature, we can say for certain that our members have not reported any problems with E-15. We support the use of E-15 in vehicles approved by EPA to use the fuel.”

“Our focus is on providing unmatched service to our motor club members, and in our eyes, real- world experience trumps a study paid for by opponents of ethanol every time. In addition to no service calls or complaints about E-15, the fact is that winter gas line freeze problems have virtually disappeared due to the increased use of ethanol. If you drive a vehicle that has been approved for the use of E-15 and want to try it, we encourage you to try it with confidence,” said Hammond.



ACE thanks motor clubs for embracing E15

American Coalition for Ethanol Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty today thanked Travelers Motor Club and Association Motor Club Marketing for setting the record straight on E15. The two motor clubs, with members in 50 states, today announced that since E15 became available in the marketplace, none of their 18 million members has reported a problem related to E15.

Lamberty called it “eerily appropriate” for the auto clubs to speak out so close to Halloween. “Ethanol opponents have done a masterful job of devising E15 horror stories, and we appreciate these two motor clubs shining the light on the campaign being waged by Big Oil and AAA, and showing drivers that the E15 monsters aren’t real,” said Lamberty.

“Real-world results trump ghost stories, and the real-world findings of these two auto clubs mirror what we have heard from fuel station owners who sell E15: they’ve had no customer complaints, no breakdowns, and no repair bills from drivers who fill-up with E15,” Lamberty said. “In fact, because E15 is a higher-octane fuel that costs less than regular, stations with E15 are gaining customers and E15 has become the second highest volume fuel in most of the stations that sell it.”

Lamberty said the motor clubs’ announcement, coupled with last week’s U.S. Court of Appeals ruling rejecting an E15 lawsuit filed by Big Oil, automakers, and the small engine lobby, “offers hope that truth will win out over fear-mongering,” Lamberty said, “The court pointed out - several times - that there was no evidence to support claims of misfueling or damage, and at one point called claims against E15 ‘conjectural’ and ‘hypothetical.’ That’s a three judge panel saying that – not me.”

“With all the time, money, and lobbying anti-ethanol groups have put in to this E15 ghost story, if there were any cars stranded because of E15, or if there was a single warranty claim denied because of E15, we would have heard about it by now,” Lamberty said. “The car owner would be a household name. It hasn’t happened, and it’s not going to happen.”



Certified Hereford Beef Sets New Record Volume

Certified Hereford Beef LLC experienced a record year of growth during fiscal year 2014 with 50.2 million lb. of product sold- a 2% increase compared to the previous year's total. Since 2008, CHB LLC has increased beef sales by 43%.

"Once thought of as a start-up branded beef program, the 19-year-old CHB brand has weathered many storms including the growing complex of Angus beef programs that have proliferated foodservice, export, fast food and even beef jerky and pet food brands," says Craig Huffhines, American Hereford Association executive vice president. "What's made the difference for the American Hereford Association's flagship commercial marketing brand are its unique name, its consistent quality and the fine people who own the brand - the more than 5,000 AHA members."

CHB LLC staff, along with the program's marketing partners, tout the advantages of CHB product in marketing differentiation when compared to "Angus brands," along with the fact that it is a consistently tender, juicy and flavorful beef product.

These advantages are fueling the brand's advance in both food service and retail markets.



NASS Announces New Dates for Several Census of Agriculture Reports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service continues to provide valuable statistics from the 2012 Census of Agriculture. The following list includes the publication names and new planned release dates:
-    Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey - November 13, 2014
-    Watersheds - November 24, 2014
-    Race, Ethnicity, and Gender County Profiles - December 2014
-    Congressional District Rankings - January 2015
-    Typology - January 2015
-    Specialty Crops - February 2015

For the full list of all published and upcoming Census of Agriculture products, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov/publications/2012.



New Web Tool Allows Users to Visualize, Analyze Agriculture Data

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) now offers the Ag Census Web Maps application, a dynamic online tool that gives users rapid access to Census of Agriculture maps and data about crops and plants, livestock and animals, economics, farms, and operators in more than 3,000 counties across the United States.

“The Ag Census Web Maps give farmers, ranchers, researchers, planners, non-profits, and industry easy access to important data that impact nearly every aspect of agriculture,” said NASS Administrator Joseph T. Reilly.

The Ag Census Web Maps application is interactive. Users can navigate to an area of interest, print the map, display and extract a county’s data, download maps and accompanying data for use with common software programs, and integrate the web map services with other mapping applications to visualize and analyze 2012 Census of Agriculture data in a geospatial context. NASS developed the application in collaboration with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS).

The Census of Agriculture provides a detailed picture every five years of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the United States. Census data are used to make decisions about many things that directly impact farmers and ranchers, including:
-    community planning
-    store/company locations
-    availability of operational loans and other funding
-    location and staffing of service centers
-    farm programs and policies

“The Ag Census Web Maps application is one tool in USDA’s shed to better serve rural America, the nation, and future generations,” said Reilly. “As we pursue innovation at home and abroad, we are considering how advances in technology and knowledge management systems can help users access the information they need to better accomplish their goals. We believe the Ag Census Web Maps application will help users of our data do just that.”

The application includes county-level maps and statistics in five broad categories:
-    Crops and plants
-    Economics
-    Farms
-    Livestock and animals
-    Operators

Information about harvested acreage, agricultural sales, enrollment in crop insurance programs, natural resources use, statistics on cattle, demographics about farmers and ranchers, and much more can be visualized and analyzed using the Ag Census Web Maps application.

Anyone can access and use the Ag Census Web Maps data. An application programming interface (API) is also available for developers.

The Ag Census Web Maps application is available at: http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/Online_Resources/Ag_Census_Web_Maps/Overview. 



Potash Corp. Reports Lower Earnings

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. reported third-quarter earnings of $0.38 per share, bringing the total for the first nine months of 2014 to $1.33 per share ($1.1 billion). Although potash and nitrogen performance improved over last year's third quarter, higher tax expenses and weaker contributions from offshore equity investments weighed on results. On a comparative basis, both the quarterly and nine-month amounts trailed last year's totals of $0.41 per share ($356 million) and $1.77 per share ($1.6 billion), respectively.

Gross margin increased to $589 million, significantly exceeding the $484 million generated during thirdquarter 2013. For the first nine months, gross margin of $1.9 billion trailed the $2.3 billion earned in the same period last year - largely the result of lower potash prices and weaker phosphate performance.

Cash from operating activities for both the quarter ($574 million) and first nine months ($1.9 billion) were below last year's comparative period amounts ($616 million and $2.6 billion). With declining capital expenditures, free cash flow2 for both periods surpassed 2013 totals.

Lower contributions from offshore investments were the result of reduced potash earnings at these companies. Investments in Arab Potash Company (APC) in Jordan, Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL) in Israel and Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) in Chile contributed $24 million to third-quarter earnings and brought the nine-month total to $179 million.



The Mosaic Company Celebrates 10 Years of Helping the World Grow the Food It Needs

In its first decade, The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) and its 8,900 global
employees have helped the world grow the food it needs—by mining, manufacturing and delivering nearly 150 million finished phosphate and potash product tonnes to customers and farmers in approximately 40 countries.  Throughout October, Mosaic is celebrating its important work, as well as the company’s commitment to social responsibility, with local facility events and one-time gifts of $10,000 to nonprofit organizations designated by each Mosaic location.

“From our beginning, we have been driven to build a world-class company; one that has a noble mission and deeply ingrained values. I am proud to say we’ve made that vision a reality,” said Jim Prokopanko, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Mosaic Company. “Each individual who works for us, and with us, has played an important role in our success. As we reflect on a decade of outstanding achievements, we are more energized than ever before to continue building in the years to come.”

Mosaic was formed through the combination of Cargill’s crop nutrition unit and IMC Global. The company’s first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange was October 25, 2004. In the decade since, Mosaic has delivered a track record of success, due primarily to exceptional teamwork, innovation, and an unrelenting commitment to operating safely and responsibly.



Precision Farming Market Worth $4.55 Billion by 2020

According to a new market research report "Precision Farming Market - by Technology (GPS/GNSS, GIS, Remote Sensing & VRT), Components (Automation & Control, Sensors, FMS), Application (Yield Monitoring, VRA, Mapping, Soil Monitoring & Scouting) and Geography - Global Forecasts to 2020", published by MarketsandMarkets, the total value of precision farming market is expected to reach $4.55 Billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2014 to 2020.

The need for precision farming products is evolving and growing continuously. The precision farming techniques are utilized for site specific farming, which means better efficiency, high yield, and profitability with optimum usage of resources. Precision farming products have a special place in different agro-based applications. Precision agriculture techniques find its major applications in yield monitoring, Variable Rate Application (VRA), mapping, soil monitoring, and crop scouting.

The precision farming market is expected to benefit from emerging market investments that are lifting the standards of agriculture, while the developed markets are expected to continue investing in more efficient precision farming techniques, systems, and procedures, which offer high yields and profits. The increasing demand for food is pushing the growers to adopt precision farming techniques and optimize their resources efficiently with minimum wastages.

MarketsandMarkets report provides a detailed segmentation by technology, component, and application. The geographic analysis covers all existing and emerging technologies in the Precision Farming Market. The market based on technology is segmented into guidance system, remote sensing, and Variable Rate Technology (VRT). The market based on components is segmented into automation & control systems, sensing and monitoring devices, and Farm Management System (FMS). The report also covers major applications of precision farming techniques such as yield monitoring, filed mapping, Variable Rate Application (VRA), soil monitoring, and crop scouting with qualitative and quantitative industry insights.

One of the objectives of the report was to analyze market trends for each of the Precision Farming Market segments and their respective growth rates. Apart from market segmentation the report also covers an in-depth analysis such as Porter's five force analysis, supply chain with a detailed process flow diagram, and market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the precision farming market.

The market size for precision farming is included in the report in four geographic splits, namely- Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). North America is estimated to account for a major share in the precision farming market, which is expected to be followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. Moreover, the Asia-Pacific market for precision farming is expected to grow at a high rate.

Some of the major players in the precision farming market are AgJunction Inc. (U.S.), Ag Leader Technology (U.S.), Dickey-John Corporation (U.S.), Teejet Technologies (U.S.), Deere & Company (U.S), Trimble Navigation System (U.S.), Precision Planting Inc. (U.S.), ACGO Corporation (U.S.), Topcon Precision Agriculture (U.S.), and Raven Industries Inc. (U.S.).



Billboard Exposes Humane Society of the United States for Stiffing Pet Shelters

Today, HumaneWatch.org, a project of the Center for Consumer Freedom, unveiled a new billboard near Green Bay taking aim at the deceptively named vegan activist group Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Despite its name, HSUS is not affiliated with local humane societies, though most of the public mistakenly thinks otherwise, according to public polling.

The billboard, which is located at Highway 41 south of Creamery Road, reads: “You thought the frozen tundra was cold. What’s really cold? The fact that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) only gives 1% of its budget to pet shelters. Give Local!” An image is available here.

According to HSUS’s most recent tax return (2012), the organization only made 3 grants to help Wisconsin groups care for pets. The grants totaled a pitiful $2,900, or 0.002% of HSUS’s $120 million budget.

“HSUS tricks Americans with deceptive advertising into believing that their donations will be used predominantly to care for cats and dogs,” said Will Coggin, CCF’s Senior Research Analyst. “However, that money is often used to attack livestock farmers and promote veganism—with the hope of putting Wisconsin’s dairy farmers in the breadline.”

The billboard comes on the heels of increasing scrutiny of HSUS. In March, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt opened an investigation into HSUS’s fundraising. In May, HSUS settled a federal racketeering and bribery lawsuit for up to $15.75 million. And in June, Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator, revoked its rating of HSUS and issued a “Donor Advisory” against the group.

“Wisconsinites who care about pets should give to their local shelter directly,” continued Coggin. “The only thing HSUS should receive from the Badger State is an official demand that it cease its deceptive actions that harm animal-loving donors and local pet shelters.”