Friday November 14 Ag News

Beef and Pork Quality Assurance Training Dec. 2

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension will be offering a Beef Quality Assurance and Pork Quality Assurance re-certification and training Dec. 2 at the Lancaster Extension Education Center.

Registration and evening meal will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the programs beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Participants will complete an interactive training and quiz in order to certify/re-certify. Each session will last about two hours.

Rob Eirich, UNL Extension educator and Nebraska BQA director, will teach BQA. There is an additional $20 fee for the BQA certification (checks can be made payable to Nebraska BQA). This certification is good for two years. The BQA certification is free to youth and full-time college students.

Amy Schmidt, UNL assistant professor, livestock bioenvironmental engineer and Nebraska PQA+ trainer, will teach the PQA session.

There is no additional fee for this certification, and it is good for three years. The PQA certification is the adult certification only.

This program is designed for anyone who wants more information on good production practices of beef and/or pork and for persons who raise, market, and/or sell beef and/or pork animals. There will be time to visit with the speakers on an individual or small group basis.

Cost is $10 and includes the meal and all materials. Pre-registration is requested by Nov. 26 to ensure an accurate head count for the meal. Please indicate attending the BQA or PQA session.

To register or obtain more information, contact: Lindsay Chichester, Saunders County, 402-624-8007 or Cole Meador, Lancaster County, 402-441-7180.



Coalition Files Comments, Water Rule “Unlawful Expansion” of EPA Authority

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule is an “unlawful expansion of federal agency jurisdiction” and the agency should “immediately withdraw the rulemaking,” according to members of the Common Sense Nebraska coalition. The comments were made as part of the groups’ official public comments to EPA on the regulatory proposal. The public comment period ends Fri., Nov. 14.

“Since our initial review we’ve been concerned this rule reflects a massive expansion of EPA power that would cause major hardships on Nebraskans. Expert analysis and legal reviews of this proposal since that time have done nothing but confirm our concerns with the rule,” said Joel Grams, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association.

In 14 pages of comments to EPA, the groups outlined numerous legal and practical problems with the proposal ranging from EPA’s use of broad and ambiguous terms to flaws in the use of scientific data to justify the need for the regulation. Such actions would lead to the rule not only affecting jurisdiction over wetland permits but also Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting related to basic land management practices.

In addition to submitting the group’s comments, the organizations have filed more than 1,500 letters in opposition, which were collected from Nebraskans across the state.

“We’ve worked very hard to inform and engage Nebraskans on this regulatory proposal as it has implication for farmers and ranchers, home builders, general contractors, county governments, energy providers, golf courses and virtually anyone who takes a shovel to turn the soil. We encourage Nebraskans who have yet to comment on this rule to make sure they do so,” said Grams.

The groups filing the comments include:
Associated General Contractors-Nebraska Chapter
Farm Credit Services of America
Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association
Nebraska Agri-Business Association
Nebraska Association of County Officials
Nebraska Association of Resource Districts
Nebraska Bankers Association
Nebraska Cattlemen
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Nebraska Club Managers Association
Nebraska Cooperative Council
Nebraska Corn Board
Nebraska Corn Growers Association
Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation
Nebraska Golf Course Superintendents Association
Nebraska Grain and Feed Association
Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association
Nebraska Pork Producers Association
Nebraska Poultry Industries
Nebraska Rural Electric Association
Nebraska Soybean Association
Nebraska State Dairy Association
Nebraska State Home Builders Association
Nebraska State Irrigation Association
Nebraska Wheat Board
Nebraska Wheat Growers Association

Common Sense Nebraska is a Nebraska-based coalition consisting of organizations and entities that have come together in response to EPA’s “Waters of the U.S.” Rule; a regulatory proposal that would harm both rural and urban Nebraskans through expansion of EPA’s powers and authorities under the federal Clean Water Act. The coalition’s purpose is to build awareness and understanding of the EPA proposal and the impacts it would have to Nebraskans.



Dodge County Cattlemen Meeting
November 18
Z's Bar, Scribner
Social at 6:30 sponsored by Nebraska Vet Services.
Meal at 7:30 followed by the program: We Support Ag Executive Director Jolanda Junge



NCBA Submits Comments on Beef Grading to USDA
(from NE Cattlemen newsletter)

On August 15th USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) issued a request for comments on U.S. Standards for Grades of Beef.  The National Cattlemens Beef Assoc. submitted comments by the November 13th deadline. The agency wanted industry input on whether changes in the beef carcass yield grade standards and the methodology for maturity assessment should be made and if so – what should those changes look like.  The Agency is also seeking input on a review of USDA’s beef instrument-grading program that was conducted by the American Meat Science Association in response to the Office of Inspector General’s report issued in July 2013.  Should AMS feel there is enough interest to warrant changes to the grade standard they will publish another notice in the Federal Register with the specific changes and allow opportunities for stakeholders to comment.

It’s important to note that NCBA did not request any grade changes and with the Agency’s interest in this important issue NCBA’s Ag and Food Policy Committee leadership created a technical working group representing different sectors of the cattle industry as well as different regions of the US along with different cattle types.  The working group includes Bill Rishel, North Platte.

NCBA has invited AMS to speak at the Ag and Food Policy Committee meeting in San Antonio in Februay.



2,382 Iowa Farmers Invest $13 Million on Conservation Practices

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today highlighted the 2,382 Iowa farmers that used state cost share funds to install conservation practices during the state's 2014 fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014. These farmers contributed $13 million while the state contributed $9.5 million in cost share and administrative support provided by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

A copy of the soil conservation cost share annual report can be found www.IowaAgriculture.gov under the "Hot Topics" section.

"The state cost share program has been around for more than 40 years and we continue to see very strong demand from farmers and landowners who more than match the state investment to install conservation practices," Northey said. "Thanks to investments by farmers and the state funds, more than $22 million was used to build conservation structures and adopt conservation practices that prevent erosion and improve water quality."

The report shows 58 percent of funds used for cost share supported construction of terraces, 11 percent for grade stabilization structures, 9 percent for grassed waterways, 7 percent for water and sediment control basins and 2 percent for other practices. In addition, 13 percent of the funds supported management practices such as cover crops, no-till and strip-till that reduces erosion.

The report also details how farmers can work with their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices to apply for cost share assistance. Iowa has 100 SWCD offices across the state, one in each county and two in Pottawattamie, that set priorities and use the funds to work with farmers that are doing conservation on their land.

The Department has more than $6.75 million this fiscal year to help farmers and landowners install conservation practices through the state cost share program. Conservation practices eligible for assistance through this program include terraces, waterways, ponds, buffers, cover crops, and several other conservation practices.

Field office staff with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship partners with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service to assure the technical quality of the practices that are built and help farmers develop conservation plans for their farms.



USDA Reports 55.3 Million Acres of Irrigated U.S. Farmland

There were 229,237 farms with 55.3 million irrigated acres in the United Sates, according to the 2013 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey results, published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report also showed that the number of farms with irrigation declined from the 235,715 published in the 2008 irrigation survey.

"The 2013 irrigation survey expands on the data collected about irrigation during the 2012 Census of Agriculture and provides the most comprehensive source of up-to-date information regarding on-farm irrigation and water use in the United States," said NASS Administrator Joseph Reilly. "The latest report reveals key data on the agriculture industry's use and stewardship of our nation's water resources."

The 2013 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey followed up with 35,000 producers who indicated in the 2012 Census of Agriculture that they irrigate. To ensure the most accurate and complete results, NASS made an additional effort to include nursery and horticulture producers in the 2013 Irrigation Survey. Producers provided information on water sources and amount of water used; acres irrigated by type of system; irrigation and yield by crop; and system investments and energy costs.



ASA to EPA: Withdraw Waters of the United States Rule

The American Soybean Association requested earlier today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency withdraw its controversial proposed definition of Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act because of ASA's serious concerns regarding the scope and potential impact of the rule.

"We believe that this rule creates new legal jeopardy for individual farmers, causes uncertainty where none existed, and produces substantial problems for agriculture that will not achieve benefits to our nation’s waters," wrote ASA President and Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser in the comments.

In its comments, ASA pointed out the association's key problems with the ruling, based on four major inconsistencies, including the incorrect application of the "nexus" test, significant confusion around the issue of tile drainage, questions regarding jurisdiction over prior converted cropland, and discrepancies concerning the amount by which the EPA's jurisdiction would actually expand under the new definition.

Additionally, ASA recognized the need for clarity on jurisdictional issues within the Clean Water Act, and acknowledged the call for such clarification by EPA handed down from the Supreme Court, but reiterated that the association believed that neither goal is accomplished by the WOTUS definition. Moving forward, ASA encouraged EPA to engage with agriculture early to correct and avoid the types of issues raised in the rule's current state.

"We ask that the EPA consult broadly with agricultural stakeholders before any new rule is proposed, and that any new proposed rule address the problems and inconsistencies that have come to light in our and other agricultural groups’ review of this proposed rule," added Gaesser.



Encourage Your Senators and Representatives to Support a Tax Extenders Package in the Lame Duck

The American Soybean Association urges all members to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives and express support for enactment of a tax extenders package during the lame duck session that includes extension of the $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit, restoring the maximum amount of expensing under Section 179 to $500,000 as it was previously set in 2013, and reinstatement of the expired 50 percent bonus depreciation for the purchase of new capital assets, including agricultural equipment.

During the current lame duck session of Congress one of the few items expected to be considered is a tax extenders package. The tax extenders package is a collection of provisions that are not permanent law and expired as of Dec. 31, 2013.  Earlier this year, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would extend the expiring provisions for two years, while the House has proposed making some of the provisions permanent and/or limiting the extension of the temporary credits to one year.  Renewing all of the breaks that expired Dec. 31, 2013, for one year would cost about $54 billion in total, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The Senate’s two-year package of 51 breaks would cost $84.1 billion, spread over 10 years.

Delaying consideration until the next session of Congress in 2015, as some lawmakers are advocating, would be problematic for tax filing season. The issues to be decided by congressional leadership include: whether or not to vote on tax extenders during the lame duck session, whether the package should be for one or two years, whether to make some provisions permanent, and whether to drop some provisions from the package.

Biodiesel Tax Credit - The biodiesel tax credit is worthy of extension given the many benefits it provides, including support for jobs, economic development in rural communities, diversity in our energy and fuel sources and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, among others. The tax credit plays an important role in the competitiveness of the developing biodiesel industry with the long-standing, mature and entrenched petroleum industry.

Section 179 Expensing and Bonus Depreciation – Agriculture requires large investments in machinery, equipment and other depreciable assets and because of this, farmers are significantly impacted by tax code provisions such as Section 179 small business expensing and bonus depreciation. Section 179 allows them to write off capital expenditures in the year that purchases are made rather than depreciate them over time. The ability to immediately expense capital purchases also provides an incentive for farmers and ranchers to invest in their businesses and offers the benefit of reducing the record keeping burden associated with the depreciation. Section 179 small business expensing provides agricultural producers with a way to maximize business purchases in years when they have positive cash flow. Under the expired law the maximum amount that a small business can immediately expense when purchasing business assets, instead of depreciating them over time, is $25,000 adjusted for inflation.  ASA supports restoring the maximum amount of expensing under Section 179 to $500,000 as it was previously set in 2013. ASA also supports reinstatement of the expired 50 percent bonus depreciation for the purchase of new capital assets, including agricultural equipment.

More information is available through ASA’s online advocacy portal, the Soy Action Center, at SoyGrowers.com/learn/soy-action-center. You put in your zip code, and the Soy Action Center generates phone numbers for both of your senators and your representatives, and provides you with simple talking points to use on your call.



Informa Estimates Both 2015 Corn, Soybean Acres at 88.3 Million

Private analytical firm Informa Economics projects that farmers will plant equal acres of corn and soybeans in 2015, at 88.3 million acres each.

Informa Economics said that they expect U.S. farmers to plant 88.33 million acres to corn and 88.32 million acres to soybeans in 2015.  If true, it would be the first time that soybean plantings have equaled or exceeded corn acres since 1983 and is a bearish early fundamental forecast for soybeans in 2015.

Informa's corn estimate is up 560,000 acres from its October projection, but it's well below last year's 90.9 million planted acres. Currently, USDA forecasts a 2 billion bushel carryout with a 15.2% stocks-to-use ratio for the 2014-15 crop year.

Implied production for 2015 based on acreage projections and trend yields is 13.45 bb.

The soybean acreage projection of 88.3 ma would be a record if realized. Informa's estimate is down 190,000 acres from last month, but its 4.1 ma above 2014's acreage. Double-crop soybean acreage is estimated at 5.6 million acres, slightly lower than last year.

Informa said implied soybean production is 3.94 billion bushels for 2015.

Soybeans continue to have higher net revenue prospects than corn, Informa said. Informa's spring crop acreage projections are "dominantly driven by subjective evaluation of prevailing economics with substantial weight given to the relative revenue calculations among cropping alternatives."

Soybeans have a net revenue premium over corn of about $20 per acre, Informa said. That premium is a little smaller than it was in October.



NMPF CEO Joins American Humane Association, Other Food Producers In Reviewing Importance of Responsible Food Animal Production

National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern yesterday joined the country’s oldest humane animal treatment organization, a top chef and others involved in food production in a discussion about the commitment that farmers are making to proper animal care.

Mulhern represented the dairy industry at a Capitol Hill briefing themed “The Humane Table, Celebrating the American Heartland” organized by the American Humane Association.

According to AHA President and CEO Robin Ganzert, the briefing was meant to “celebrate and give thanks to those working to build a better world for people and animals” and to encourage support for humane farming practices, especially during the upcoming holiday season. Mulhern said a commitment to humane care is not only good for dairy cows but for consumers and dairy farmers as well.

“America’s dairy farmers have a long history of providing excellent care to their dairy cattle,” Mulhern said. “In addition to the moral imperative of quality animal care, well-treated cows are the key factor in the production of high quality milk upon which diary farmers’ livelihoods depend.”

“Simply put,” Mulhern added, “what’s good for cows is good for the farmers who milk those cows. And this industry-wide commitment to proper animal health care provides millions of consumers with a safe, wholesome high quality milk supply.”

NMPF has led the development since 2008 of an industry-wide dairy animal care program. Called Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, or FARM, it combines a comprehensive set of best practices with education, evaluation and third-party verification to assure the standards are being adhered to on farms. Today, nearly 80 percent of the milk produced in the United States is produced by farmers meeting those standards.

NMPF recently improved the reach of the FARM program by requiring all farms that supply companies participating in the program be enrolled and participate in evaluations of their practices.

The American Humane Association, founded in 1877, directed consumers to its website, which lists more than 40 major dairy, egg and meat producers certified as meeting AHA humane treatment standards. The AHA-certified label represents approximately 8,000 individual farms.

“We must end abuse and discourage poor farming practices,” said AHA President and CEO Robin Ganzert. “But it is also important to praise those who get it right and encourage other farmers and ranchers to follow best practices.”

AHA also released a survey showing overwhelming support for humanely raised foods and unveiled a public service announcement urging all Americans to support humanely raised foods.

Also participating in the briefing were prominent Sonoma County, California Chef Douglas Keane, Animal Agriculture Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith, Eggland’s Best CEO Charles Lanktree and several individual farmers.