Thursday October 23 Ag News

2014 Nebraska Custom Farm Rates for Harvest
Nathan Mueller, PhD - Cropping Systems & Agricultural Technologies Extension Educator - UNL Extension in Dodge County

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln conducts a survey with custom operators for each crop reporting district in Nebraska on custom farm rates by operation (harvest, hauling, etc.).  Dodge County is located in the East Ag Statistics Reporting District.

A list of the most frequently asked operation rates based on phone calls to my office include:
-    Combining Irrigated Corn  including tractor and grain cart, flat charge per acre – Most common was $35/acre and average of $35.92/acre
-    Combining Dryland Corn  including tractor and grain cart, flag charge per acre – Most common was $35/acre and average of $32.65/acre
-    Combining Soybeans in including tractor and grain cart, flag charge per acre – Most common was $30/acre and average of $35.10/acre
-    Hauling grain with grain truck, flat charge per bushel, (average distance of 13 miles) – Most common was $0.10/bu and average was $0.10/bu

Please read the full survey report of the 2014 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates – Part II... http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/ec826/build/ec826.pdf. 



Johanns Continues Fight against Administration’s Misguided Water Rule

U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R- Neb), a member of the Senate Ag Committee, this week continued his fight against the Administration’s misguided efforts to redefine federal waters under the Clean Water Act. In two separate letters, Johanns pressed for more information on the proposed rule and asked for its immediate withdrawal.

“This entire proposal has been bungled from the get-go,” said Johanns. “Farmers, ranchers and American families are rightly concerned about the consequences this rule would have on their property. They see past the Administration’s lackluster – and sometimes outright dishonest – attempts to win over the support of the public. At the end of the day, it’s yet another egregious power grab by this Administration that must be stopped in its tracks.”

A letter, authored by Republican members of the Senate Ag Committee, highlights the proposed rule’s potential impact on agriculture. In addition to asking for an agriculture-specific portion of the rule to be withdrawn and an update on its proposed implementation, the letter highlights the confusion and uncertainty the rule would bring to farmers and ranchers. 

A second letter, led by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), calls into question the practices being used by EPA and other federal agencies in their public relations campaign on the proposed rule. The letter discusses how the Administration has been inconsistent, or even misleading the American public. As such, the letter calls on the Administration to immediately withdraw the proposal and work with stakeholders in future regulatory proceedings. 

Johanns has long been a vocal opponent of this proposal, as highlighted in a floor speech earlier this year. He previously cosponsored multiple pieces of legislation  to prevent EPA from finalizing the overreaching proposal. During the August work period, Johanns joined a coalition of Nebraska ag groups in a press conference highlighting the proposed rule’s dangers to the ag community.

EPA recently extended its comment period on this proposed rule to November 14, 2014.



Fischer Joins Letter Urging Administration to Withdraw Overreaching Clean Water Act Proposal

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined a group of 24 senators in expressing concern to the Administration regarding its attempt to significantly expand federal control over water through its proposed definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).  

In a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the senators outlined how the proposed rule displaces state and local officials in their primary role in environmental protection and imposes restrictions and uncertainty on private property owners.  These points were recently underscored by analysis conducted by Mike Linder, who served as the director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) from 1999-2013.

“Water is a treasured resource in Nebraska, one that we take great care to protect,” said Senator Fischer.  “This Administration’s WOTUS proposal would jeopardize the operation of our state’s current water protection programs and the stewardship efforts of private landowners.  It is unfortunate that EPA and the Corps intend to pursue this unprecedented overreach regardless of the consequences to states and Americans’ property rights.”

Former NDEQ Director Mike Linder wrote, “This rule would impose a blanket jurisdictional determination over thousands of acres of private property.  The effect would be to impose unnecessary property restrictions and uncertainty… In addition, the federal encroachment of what is now a state delegated program runs counter to the concept of ‘cooperative federalism’ which is a tenant of federal environmental programs.”

Other senators on the letter include John Barrasso (R-Wyo.); Ted Cruz (R-Texas); Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.); Pat Roberts (R-Kan.); David Vitter (R-La.); Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.); John Cornyn (R-Texas); Jim Risch (R-Idaho); Marco Rubio; (R-Fla.); Mike Crapo (R-Idaho); Roger Wicker (R-Miss.); Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.); Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.); Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa); Roy Blunt (R-Mo.); John Boozman (R-Ark.); Mike Johanns (R-Neb.); Tim Scott (R-S.C.); Orrin Hatch (R-Utah); Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Rand Paul (R-Ky.); Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah).



A Word on Water
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

For well over a year, I have been discussing my concerns with the administration’s attempts to expand federal control over water in Nebraska and all across the country. A wide-ranging coalition of Nebraskans has joined forces to spread the word regarding the negative and far-reaching impacts this rule will have on the lives of all Nebraskans.

To assert greater federal control over state-owned resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have proposed changing the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. Making this definition broader – beyond “navigable” waters – will extend Washington’s regulatory reach over almost any water, from farm ditches to residential ponds.

I’ve led a number of efforts to enhance public input on the rule and have pushed for more answers directly from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. I’m also supporting legislation to scrap the rule all together.

Most recently, I joined a group of 24 senators in a letter to EPA and the Corps outlining how the proposed rule displaces state and local officials in their primary role in environmental protection. We also discussed how the rule imposes restrictions and uncertainty on private property owners. These same points were recently underscored in an analysis conducted by Mike Linder, who served as the director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) from 1999-2013.

In his analysis, Linder wrote, “This rule would impose a blanket jurisdictional determination over thousands of acres of private property. The effect would be to impose unnecessary property restrictions and uncertainty… In addition, the federal encroachment of what is now a state delegated program runs counter to the concept of ‘cooperative federalism’ which is a tenant of federal environmental programs.”

Linder’s analysis focused on the negative impact the WOTUS proposal would have on Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers – dictating land practices and undermining cooperative conservation efforts. While many have been focused on the harm the rule would cause to agriculture – the backbone of Nebraska’s economy – it’s important to realize that the rule will also have a dramatic effect on many others, including road builders, home builders, manufacturers, and even cities and counties.

Omaha is a perfect example. Many Nebraskans – particularly those with rising water bills in Douglas and Sarpy counties – have closely followed news about wastewater sewer upgrades. Under their existing Clean Water Act authority, the EPA and the Corps are forcing the City of Omaha to invest in a $2 billion project to develop a “combined sewer overflow” plan.

The Public Works Director for the City of Omaha recently stated in public comments submitted to EPA and the Corps that, “Omaha has been increasing rates significantly to address this mandate, and the rates will become a burden on many citizens within the wastewater service area.”

Keep in mind that this is all under EPA’s existing authority. Now, with the proposed WOTUS rule, EPA is trying to broaden its statutory control over even more area, meaning more time and resources must be spent by state and local officials to obtain more federal permits. Omaha’s Public Works Director explained that complying with these permits “is already extremely cumbersome, time consuming, and expensive. Expanding the geographic jurisdiction of the federal government increases the likelihood that more permits would be required.”

It’s possible that, under the proposed WOTUS definition, these permits will be needed for simple, routine maintenance of Omaha’s water infrastructure. The bottom line for the residents of Sarpy and Douglas counties: another unfunded mandate by the federal government, with Nebraskans stuck footing the bill.

It’s not just Omahans – it’s all Nebraskans who will be impacted by this unprecedented federal overreach. We will all pay for the increased costs, whether it’s through our water bills or higher prices for goods and services.

Water is a treasured resource in Nebraska – one that we take great care to protect. The Obama Administration’s WOTUS proposal would only jeopardize the operation of our state’s current water protection programs and the stewardship efforts of private landowners. Thank you for taking part in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.



Nebraska and Kansas Work Together On Water Issue

An agreement reached Wednesday gives Nebraska 100 percent credit for augmentation water NRDs are pumping this year to maintain compliance with the Republican River Compact, and ensures water being stored in Harlan County Reservoir for compliance purposes won’t go to waste.

The agreement approved by the Republican River Compact Administration in Denver could be a precursor to a similar deal for 2015 and illustrates a new, positive working relationship between Kansas and Nebraska that benefits water users in both states. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and the Kansas Department of Agriculture should be commended for proactively working with Nebraska officials to navigate difficult issues and ultimately reach agreement that benefits both sides.

“The resolution approved by the RRCA allows water now being held in Harlan County Reservoir to be released to Kansas during the 2015 irrigation season when it can be beneficially used, without compromising Nebraska’s ability to maintain compact compliance,” said Jim Schneider, deputy director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources who chaired the RRCA meeting on Wednesday. “The ability of the states to work together in resolving these issues is a significant step forward.”

Combined, the Rock Creek Augmentation Project in Dundy County operated by the Upper Republican NRD and the NCORPE augmentation project in Lincoln County operated by the Upper Republican, Middle Republican and Lower Republican NRDs in 2014 will add approximately 63,500 acre feet of water to the Republican River system. Had the agreement approved Wednesday not been approved, Nebraska would get credit for just 37,000 acre feet.

“This agreement reflects the intent of the compact settlement, giving the appropriate credit for augmentation and allowing our downstream neighbors every opportunity to use the water that the  irrigators and taxpayers in the Basin paid to provide through the projects implemented under the settlement agreement. The agreement should provide Nebraskans assurance that water being added to streams in 2014 effectively prevented a shutdown of more than 300,000 irrigated acres in the basin this year and that we aren’t being required to do more than what we should under the agreement. The fact Kansas and Nebraska were able to reach an agreement that accomplishes this and at the same time benefits both Kansas and Nebraska water users should be commended,” said Jasper Fanning, General Manager of the Upper Republican Natural Resources District.

Had the agreement not been struck, Nebraska potentially would have been forced to release roughly 30,000 acre feet of water now stored in Harlan County reservoir for compliance purposes downstream to Kansas during fall and winter months when it couldn’t be used by irrigators, as well as passing inflows through the reservoir for the rest of the year.

Under the agreement approved Wednesday by the three states party to the compact, Kansas water users could get 20,000-25,000 acre feet next year, and the balance could be used by irrigators in the Nebraska Bostwick Irrigation District.

The agreement Wednesday comes on the heels of oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court last week regarding a special master’s recommendations that 300,000 acres of irrigated land in the Republican Basin not be permanently shut down as Kansas had requested and that Nebraska pay a penalty of $5.5 million for overuse in 2005 and 2006 instead of the approximately $80 million Kansas had sought. A final decision by the court on that matter is expected by the end of June.    



European Sustainability Mission to U.S. Extends to DC and Iowa

The U.S. Soybean Export Council hosted a delegation of European feed manufacturer representatives in the U.S. from October 6-10.  The group of six representatives toured farms on the East Coast before visiting Washington, D.C. and Iowa.

According to USSEC International Market Access Director/Greater EU & MENA Regional Director Brent Babb, who escorted the team, the mission’s aim was to showcase common U.S. conservation practices and the sustainability of U.S. soy to the European visitors.

The team consisted of:  Ruud Tijssens, European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) chair and Agrifirm’s director of corporate affairs, The Netherlands; John Kelley, chief operation officer at Agricultural Industries Federation (AIC), United Kingdom; Anton Einberger, Nutreco general manager and FEFAC presidium member, Germany; Hermann Josef Baaken, director general of German Feed Association, Germany; Jorge de Saja, director, Spanish Feed Association (CESFAC), Spain; and Eddy Esselink, program manager, sustainable development, MVO (Dutch Vegetable Oil Association), The Netherlands.

Mr. Babb explained that the purpose of the mission was to show the EU team common U.S. conservation practices and to convince them U.S. farming is “sustainable.”  The concept of sustainability is very strong in the feed industry, Mr. Babb said, and FEFAC has declared that, as of 2015, 100 percent of its soybean needs must come through “certified sustainable practices.”

With sustainability in mind, USSEC took the visitors on tours of U.S. farms in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, where they were able to see firsthand how U.S. farmers work to protect the environment through their use of conservation practices such as strip tilling.

The delegation next headed to Washington, D.C., where they met with the president of Field to Market, a multi-stakeholder conservation group for consumer goods, manufacturers and retailers; the World Wildlife Federation; the American Soybean Association (ASA); the North American Grain Export Association (NAEGA); the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA); staffers who worked on the farm program; the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS); and the National Resource Conservation Service.  The National Resource Conservation Service is the organization responsible for U.S. agricultural conservation and has over 2200 offices and an investment of $6 billion annually.

In Iowa, the delegation talked about the next steps that need to be taken by FEFAC’s Responsible Soy Program and the U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol.  The European team traveled to DuPont Pioneer’s corporate headquarters to discuss conservation efforts with that company’s sustainability / biotechnology team and next visited to the Iowa Soybean Association to talk about that group’s strong focus on conservation programs, highlighting key sustainability programs and partners, before visiting a local farm.

On the group’s last day, they heard a presentation from the University of Arkansas’s Dr. Marty Matlock about U.S. soy’s sustainability goals before visiting The Nature Conservancy.

The Europeans import a total of 30 million tons of soybeans per year, with about 5 to 6 million tons coming from the U.S.  A large portion of the EU’s soybean demand is currently met with imports from South America; however, Europeans are concerned about rain forests and a lack of conservation there.



CALCIUM PRODUCTS OPENS WORLD HEADQUARTERS AND R&D LAB

North America's leading producer of precision soil amendments that improve soil quality to maximize nutrient uptake and strengthen yields -- recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters located at the Iowa State University Research Park. Included is a new research and development laboratory and customer support center. Company CEO Mike Hogan also announced the expansion of Calcium Product's sales force to support increased demand for its products in the US and Canada.

"Our new headquarters and R&D lab is located in the heart of the Midwest and right next door to Iowa State University, a worldwide leader in agriculture practices and soil sciences," says Hogan. "Managing soil quality is now a critical component of profitable farming as growers optimize their nutrients to maximize yields and return on their investment. Our new facilities will help us accelerate the development of more precision soil amendments that enable crops to absorb more nutrients and produce greater yields while protecting the environment at the same time."

Calcium Products' headquarters were previously located in Gilmore City, Iowa, one of its five (5) North American manufacturing and distribution facilities.

For more than 25 years, Calcium Products has been recognized as a leader in precision, high quality soil quality improvement products. These products effectively neutralize acidic soils and other soil quality issues while providing beneficial secondary nutrients for plants and grasses. The company's products are specially engineered to spread evenly in the field, break down quickly and reduce dust pollution.



USDA:  Red Meat Production Up 1 Percent From Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.96 billion pounds in September, up 1 percent from the 3.94 billion pounds produced in September 2013.

Beef production, at 2.07 billion pounds, was slightly below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.53 million head, down 3 percent from September 2013. The average live weight was up 31 pounds from the previous year, at 1,344 pounds.

Veal production totaled 7.2 million pounds, 16 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 42,300 head, down 33 percent from September 2013. The average live weight was up 57 pounds from last year, at 291 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.87 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.83 million head, down 2 percent from September 2013. The average live weight was up 10 pounds from the previous year, at 283 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.3 million pounds, was up 5 percent from September 2013. Sheep slaughter totaled 191,900 head, 4 percent above last year. The average live weight was 128 pounds, up 2 pounds from September a year ago.

January to September 2014 commercial red meat production was 35.1 billion pounds, down 4 percent from 2013. Accumulated beef production was down 6 percent from last year, veal was down 13 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down slightly.

By State  (million pounds, % of Sept 2013)
Nebraska ....:     628.3            104      
Iowa ...........:     531.1            104      



FARM Program Report Shows Continued Widespread Adoption of Animal Care Practices

Dairy farmers nationwide continue to demonstrate widespread adoption of industry standards that assure high-quality care for their animals, according to a report released today by the National Milk Producers Federation.

The summary report, issued annually, quantifies practices by farmers participating in the industry’s responsible care program, known as the National Dairy FARM Program (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management). A copy of the report can be found online.

“The latest report shows dairy farmers continue to demonstrate their extensive commitment to the well-being of the animals in their care through adherence to the standards in the FARM program,” said Jamie Jonker, NMPF’s vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs. The report quantifies the results of more than 12,000 dairy farm evaluations conducted during the previous three years. All the data collected by second-party evaluators who visit each of those farms is catalogued, and provides a baseline of the breadth of adoption of the program’s care practices.

For example, the report found nearly 95 percent of farms enrolled in the program train their employees to properly move animals that cannot walk, and more than 98 percent train employees to handle calves with a minimum of stress. Other findings included:
-    99 percent of farms observe animals daily to identify health issues for early treatment;
-    93 percent develop protocols with veterinarians for dealing with common diseases, calving and animals with special needs;
-    92 percent train workers to recognize the need for animals to be euthanized.

At the same time, the report found some areas still need improvement. For example, 84 percent of farms in the program have a valid veterinarian-client relationship, and 84 percent also conduct annual training in animal care for employees. However, both of these areas have shown an increase in industry adoption, up from 80 percent and 83 percent, respectively, since the first annual report two years ago.

Overall, according to the report, participation in the FARM Program increased to more than three-quarters of the nation’s milk supply, up five percentage points from the previous year.

“The report shows that dairy farmers take their animal care responsibilities very seriously,” said Jonker. “They’re performing dozens of practices each day that increase the well-being of their animals.”

Available to all U.S. dairy farmers in the United States, the FARM program is now in its fifth year. It is a voluntary, national set of guidelines designed to demonstrate farmers’ commitment to outstanding animal care and a quality milk supply. Cooperatives, milk processors, and individual producers use the program to assure consumers that the dairy foods they purchase are produced with integrity.

Participants are given training materials and are evaluated by a veterinarian or another trained professional. Evaluators provide a status report and, if necessary, recommend areas for improvement.

Each year, a nationwide sample of dairy farms in the program is randomly selected for visits from third-party “verifiers” to assure that the observations recorded by veterinarians are valid. A certified auditing company, Validus, conducts the third-party verification process.

The third annual verification of the FARM program reflects adoption of select practices as of December 2013. As of this month, more than 60 cooperatives and milk processors participate in the program, as well as dozens of individual dairy producers.

Also today, NMPF released the new 2015 edition of its safe use manual for antibiotics and other animal drugs. The Milk and Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Manual permits producers to quickly review those antibiotics approved for use with dairy animals. It can also be used to educate farm managers in how to avoid drug residues in milk and meat. The manual, available online, is updated annually.

“Today, the use of antibiotics and other drugs in livestock is more intently scrutinized than ever,” said Jonker. “To maintain consumer confidence, we must show we are using these medicines properly, legally, and judiciously. This manual shows dairy farmers’ commitment to just that.”

The residue prevention manual was sponsored by Elanco Animal Health, DSM Animal Nutrition and Health, Charm Sciences, IDEXX Laboratories and Zoetis.



EIA shows Annual US Ethanol Plant Capacity DN 1.2% on Year

The Energy Information Administration released data on Thursday, Oct. 23, showing the U.S. ethanol industry began 2014 with 187 ethanol plants with annual nameplate capacity of 13.681 billion gallons, or 892,000 barrels per day.

The report shows U.S. ethanol plant capacity was reduced 10,000 bpd, or 1.2%, from the start of 2013, when annual industry capacity was 13.852 billion gallons or 903 million bpd.

The majority of those plants -- 167, or 89% -- are located in the PADD 2 Midwest region, where the majority of the nation's corn is grown. Corn is the feedstock for U.S. ethanol.



ASA Comments on Gulf Fishery Aquaculture Rule
The American Soybean Association has submitted comments to the Federal Register supporting the Fishery Management Plan developed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

“ASA is pleased to see this proposal move forward; we have supported efforts to develop offshore aquaculture in the Gulf for many years,” the comments state. “The promise of building this industry in the United States is unrealized: new jobs along our coasts, working waterfronts, and for soybean farmers, the opportunity to feed sustainably-produced U.S. soybeans to a growing industry here at home.”

ASA’s comments raise concerns about both the proposed permitting process as creating permits that are too short in length, at just 10 years, as well as harvest limits that fall below commercial viability. The full text of the comments is available here. The comment period closes on Monday, Oct. 27



NFU Says WTO Ruling On COOL Shows USDA Moving in Right Direction, Points Out No Need for Congressional Involvement

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said that the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) recent ruling on Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) clearly shows U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is headed in right direction.

“This ruling demonstrates the legitimate nature of the COOL objective and finds that the current labeling rule is an improvement over the original rule, but it remains unbalanced between consumer information and production costs,” said Johnson. “This decision, as it has been issued, will likely be modified on appeal and NFU strongly urges USTR to appeal the ruling.”

Johnson moderated the panel discussion, and was also joined Danni Beer, president of U.S. Cattleman’s Association, Patrick Woodall, research director at Food & Water Watch, and Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, to discuss the details and implications of the WTO ruling.

On Monday, the WTO released the long-awaited, 200-plus page ruling that found the regulatory goal of COOL was WTO-compliant, and that the new 2013 labels provided better, more accurate information for consumers.

“The ruling gives USDA and USTR the opportunity to redefine the rule without the need for Congress to get involved,” said Johnson. “There may well be a more clear way to define ‘born, raised, slaughtered’ such that it cleans up the confusion which was in the decision.”

Johnson also offered the inclusion of value-added meat in the rule in order to make it WTO-compliant. “By rule, we could include a number of value-added meat products that heretofore, have not been included,” said Johnson. “The WTO decision says that essentially the costs side that the producers have to bear are more than the benefit side that the consumers get… To the extent that you can increase the amount of the product that is labeled, you nullify that argument.”

Johnson also discredited the economic issues raised by COOL opponents.He noted that the U.S. was heading into a recession, the U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate dramatically changed, and energy costs were starting to skyrocket. All of this caused a decrease in imports, not just across Canada and Mexico, but for all countries and commodities.

“There is a very strong conviction among all of us that the COOL statute needs to remain in place. The WTO, in all of the decisions that have been rendered on this case so far, have always said the law is ok. We have a right to do this.”



Global Buyers Applaud Innovation, Technology in Ag Production

Biotechnology benefits farmers and consumers worldwide, and innovation in plant science is essential to meet the world’s rapidly growing demand for food, said Dr. Howard Minigh, president and chief executive officer of CropLife International, when he presented to the nearly 500 attendees of Export Exchange 2014 on Wednesday.

Minigh addressed the crowd of international buyers and domestic traders gathered in Seattle, Washington, for the biennial conference meant to help the two constituencies build relationships to facilitate grain trade in the coming years. The event is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

Since being commercially introduced in the mid-1990s, the economic benefits of plant biotechnology at the farm level have exceeded $117 billion, according to PG Economics. In 2013, 18 million farmers in 27 countries – more than 90 percent of them lower-income farmers in the developing world – planted biotech crops.

Despite the widespread adoption of this technology, it is controversial and, in some markets, unpredictable regulatory frameworks often influenced by political forces have created challenges to global trade. The timelines for approval in large importing countries are increasing, although this trend is not confined only to those who buy grain. Even the United States, which as recently as 2008 was a global leader in biotech approvals, now trails Canada, Brazil and Argentina on this measure.

“The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that the world needs to increase food production 70 percent by 2050, which means we must grow more with less,” said Ron Gray, USGC chairman. “To meet this demand, we need better technology of all types, and we also must continue to embrace trade as a path to food security. These are critical topics to discuss at meetings like Export Exchange.”

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, stated, “Too often people forget that the ethanol industry produces more than just fuel, it also produces distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) – a high protein feedstock. Last year alone, the industry created enough DDGS to produce seven hamburgers for every single person on the planet. It’s clear that the American ethanol industry is helping both fuel and feed the world.”

With more than 200 foreign attendees representing more than 40 countries and an additional 200 U.S. attendees representing every sector of the coarse grains value chain, Export Exchange is a premiere global grain trade conference.

Those participating on Tuesday and Wednesday also heard presentations on the global supply and demand situation, economic drivers affecting the global feed grains trade, and the latest developments in shipping, financing and the policy environment.



Los Angeles City Council Votes to Explore Ban on GMO Plants

The Los Angeles City Council voted this week to move forward with a plan to ban on GMO plants within the city limits. This vote comes just two years after the voters of California rejected Proposition 37, which would have forced the labeling of GMO foods. Only a slim majority of Los Angeles voters, 52 percent, approved Proposition 37. The city ordinance, if fully drafted and passed, would be largely symbolic since it would apply to seeds and plants, not the final food products, and there is little agriculture inside Los Angeles. Click here to read the full article care of the LA Times.... http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-council-gmo-discussion-20141020-story.html.  



Novozymes increases expectations for full-year profit after strong Q3

Novozymes, the world’s largest producer of industrial enzymes, today announced its 2014 third quarter results. Organic sales increased by 8% compared with the first nine months 2013. EBIT grew by 16%, and the EBIT margin was 27.4%, when compared with the first nine months of 2013. Approximately half of the EBIT margin is due to the one-time positive impact from The BioAg Alliance, and the other half due to improved underlying earnings. As a result, expectations for full-year EBIT growth, EBIT margin, net profit growth, ROIC and free cash flow have increased.

“We continue to see a good development in our business nine months into the year, and we increase the outlook for profit and cash flow for the full year,” says Novozymes’ CEO Peder Holk Nielsen. “Innovation has been a key driver of top and bottom line, and recent currency developments are contributing positively to the outlook. Sales have been in line with expectations, and we narrow in the outlook for organic sales growth to the middle of the range. Uncertainties remain in a number of markets and in the macro environment, but our strong and diversified portfolio is broadly positioned for growth, and that is expected to prove valuable yet again.”