Monday December 8 Ag News

Nebraska Extension Seminars at Dec. 9-11 Farm Power Show

Agricultural research with unmanned aerial vehicles will be among the Nebraska Extension educational presentations at this year's Nebraska Power Farming Show. Dec. 9-11 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln.

Brian Krienke, Nebraska Extension soils educator, will discuss the use of unmanned aerial vehicles using a variety of sensor systems to investigate nitrogen and water stress of corn. Krienke also will be sharing preliminary information on other research uses of UAV-mounted sensor systems. UAV seminars will be daily in one of two seminar rooms north of the food court in Pavilion 3.

While the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) currently prohibits the use of all unmanned aircraft for commercial use without the agency's express approval, this presentation will provide the opportunity to learn more about how UAVs are being used in agricultural research.

Also be sure to stop by the UNL Market Journal booth in Pavillion 3, featuring Nebraska Extension experts working with Market Journal, the Nebraska On-Farm Research Program, and soybean cyst nematode testing and management.

Nebraska Extension Seminars
Kreinke is one of several Nebraska Extension experts speaking at this year's show. All presentations are in one of two seminar rooms north of the food court in Pavilion 3.

Tuesday, Dec. 9
11 – 11:45 a.m.  "Using UAVs to our Advantage in Agriculture" with Brian Krienke, Nebraska Extension Educator
12:30 – 1:15 p.m.  "Do Climate Signals Indicate the Potential for Record US Grain Production Once Again in 2015?" with Al Dutcher, state climatologist
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.  "Farm Bill Details and Decisions" with Brad Lubben, Nebraska Extension Policy Specialist

Wednesday, Dec. 10
11 – 11:45 a.m. "Do Climate Signals Indicate the Potential for Record US Grain Production Once Again in 2015?" with Al Dutcher, state climatologist
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. "Selecting and Managing Cover Crops" with Paul Jasa, UNL Extension Engineer
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. "Using UAVs to our Advantage in Agriculture" with Brian Krienke, Nebraska Extension Educator

Thursday, Dec. 11
11 – 11:45 a.m.  "Using UAVs to our Advantage in Agriculture" with Brian Krienke, Nebraska Extension Educator
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. "Selecting and Managing Cover Crops" with Paul Jasa, UNL Extension Engineer



Nebraska Farm Bureau President Says Nebraska Tax Structure and School Funding System “Broken”

Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation (NFBF) President Steve Nelson told more than 300 farmers and ranchers from across the state that Nebraska’s tax structure and school funding system is broken and a fix is needed. The remarks were made Mon. Dec. 8 during his annual address to members attending the organization’s 97th Annual Meeting and Convention in Kearney, NE.

“We have a new governor who has said property tax relief will be his top priority for the 2015 legislative session and we have newly elected state senators fresh off campaigns where property taxes were a major concern of constituents. The time for talk is over. It’s time to address the property tax problem and the state’s tax structure,” said Nelson.

Nebraska farmers and ranchers account for less than three percent of Nebraska’s population but pay roughly one-quarter of the total property taxes collected in the state. Nebraska farmers and ranchers also pay the third highest property taxes in the country.

Nelson told delegates to fix the property tax problem Nebraska needs structural tax reform that would establish a more balanced way of funding local obligations, including schools.

“We’ve been told for a long time that putting more money toward state aid to schools would provide property tax relief. It hasn’t happened. We’ve relied on an antiquated state aid system that uses land value as the only measure of wealth in distributing state aid for schools. The result is that a large number of rural schools no longer receive state equalization aid, while property taxes on agriculture land has climbed to unprecedented levels,” Nelson said.

Nelson, a farmer from Axtell, identified a list of legislative actions that could provide immediate property tax relief in the short-term. The list included lowering the valuation of agricultural land for tax purposes, putting more money in the property tax credit program that provides a property tax credit against property taxes paid, a limit on the growth of property taxes from year to year, and finding ways to capture state revenue increases for diversion to property tax relief.

“In the long-term we need bold and fresh ideas for addressing the way we fund schools and other local government subdivisions that now rely on property taxes. There might not be an overnight fix, but we need to find solutions to balance what is now an unbalanced tax burden on Nebraska farm and ranch families,” said Nelson.

In his address Nelson also spoke to other key agriculture issues. Among those was the need for farmers and ranchers to work together with local communities to help bring home the next generation in agriculture.

“We have the ability in each of us to do things to help the next generation come home. We need to create a climate that encourages that to take place and we need policies that help make it a reality,” said Nelson.

More specifically, Nelson pointed to livestock farming as an opportunity for the next generation.

“We know the large capital investment in land and machinery can be a major hurdle to get started in crop farming, which is why we’re seeing more and more families look to livestock as another avenue to bring the next generation home. We need to work collectively as farmers and communities to embrace these opportunities for our young people,” said Nelson.

Nelson also spoke to the challenges Nebraska farmers and ranchers have faced in light of a slew of federal regulations targeted toward agriculture families.

“Whether it’s EPA’s “Waters of the U.S. Rule or regulatory proposals to prevent children from working on farms, we must remain committed to being the collective voice for agriculture when it comes to pushing back against regulations that fail to meet the common sense test,” said Nelson.



Farmers National Company Marks Anniversary With Record Growth

Marking its 85th anniversary, employee-owned Farmers National Company is celebrating record growth in an industry that has been fueled by record commodity prices, outside investment, strong export markets, ethanol production, and low interest rates. Company officials attribute its success to targeted diversification, excellent client service and the ability to adapt to the changing agricultural landscape.

“Farmers National Company has stayed true to the farm management concept it created 85 years ago, but has also become a leader in other agricultural arenas, through strategic diversification, resulting in expanded service offerings to landowners,” said Jim Farrell, President and CEO. “Reaching beyond our traditional roots has enabled us to better serve the market. We’ve increased our adaptability by broadening our base, which has created stability and profitability. For instance, our oil and gas management business has seen unprecedented growth.”

In Nebraska, Farmers National Company has 53 offices (plus a headquarters in Omaha) and currently manages 350,165.01 acres for non-operating landowners. Over the years, the company has added to  its service offerings ‘above and below the ground’ to include insurance, appraisals, oil and gas management, recreational leases, forest resource management, lake management and ag stock services. The company operates in 40 states and recently expanded into Canada.

Company officials say diversification has led to remarkable growth since 2004, including:
•    The number of acres managed has increased 122 percent.
•    Real estate sales volume has risen 138 percent.
•    Appraisal numbers have jumped 476 percent.
•    Mineral interests managed have soared by 1,650 percent.
•    The number of insurance policies written has increased by 90 percent.
•    Staff size has grown by 100 percent.

 “The company’s ability to fill market needs has fueled our growth,” said Blake Florrel, AFM Farmers National Company vice president for our Western Area. “When we started 85 years ago our only offering was farm management, but we have expanded into many other areas to become a comprehensive landowner services company. We are always looking for new opportunities that make sense and would be beneficial to our clients and the entire industry.”



Local farmers, citizens and businesses deserve praise for sustaining our natural resources

On behalf of Nebraska’s 23 natural resources districts (NRDs), the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) would like to praise the efforts made by our local farmers, citizens and businesses that will result in sustaining our natural resources for generations to come. Two recent activities have illustrated this commitment: Regional and national news coverage highlighting how Nebraska’s efforts to preserve water are ahead of the curve; and successful efforts working with neighboring states regarding the Republican River Compact.  

By working with the local NRDs, farmers, citizens and businesses have helped develop water management plans and projects that protect the economy and water resources for current and future generations.

The N-CORPE stream flow enhancement project in Lincoln County and the Rock Creek Augmentation Project in Dundy County are examples of projects that have protected the local economy, maintained compliance with the Republican River Compact and shielded all Nebraskans from potentially severe financial risks of noncompliance with the Compact.  The projects increase stream flow with water that otherwise would have been used for irrigation. The water is available to downstream surface water irrigators and allows for local groundwater irrigators to have enough water to sustain their operations.

Without these projects, irrigation would have been shut down on up to 300,000 acres in the Republican Basin in 2014 including portions of Lincoln County. The local economy, tax base, and funding for schools and counties would have been in serious jeopardy. A periodic shutdown of 300,000 irrigated acres would erode the tax base in the Republican Basin by more than $500 million. Further, without the projects Nebraska taxpayers could have faced up to $80 million in damages to Kansas.   

Two groundbreaking agreements that show a new spirit of cooperation have been reached between Kansas and Nebraska recently. The agreements allow Nebraska to get full credit for water provided by augmentation in 2014 and 2015. The result is a reduction in the amount of augmentation water that will have to be pumped and prevents thousands of acre feet of water being held in Harlan County Reservoir from being sent downstream to Kansas during the fall and winter when it can’t be used.

The farmers in the basin should be applauded for coming up with a plan to build and finance the projects through fees on irrigated land.  Under this set-up, the water users pay for the projects to keep the water resources sustainable and protect the local economy – not the general taxpayer. 

In future years, the N-CORPE project will provide water to the Platte River for compliance with the Platte River Recovery Program, which includes Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska.  Once the pipelines are built, water can be provided to the Platte River, boosting supplies for all Nebraska water users in the Platte – domestic, municipal, agriculture, manufacturing and recreation.  Without the project, irrigation in Lincoln County and Keith County would have to be severely curtailed to meet the terms of the program which would unnecessarily harm the local economy, tax base, and funding for schools and counties.

The NARD commends all the farmers, businesses and citizens in the Platte and Republican River Basins for helping develop local solutions to water issues that help protect the water resources and the economy of Nebraska.  The involvement of local citizens with the NRDs to develop common sense solutions to our water challenges again proves that Nebraska is a leader on resource management.  Thanks to all of you for helping protect our water resources and the economy for current and future generations!



December Farm Finance and Legal Aid Clinics

One-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics will be held at several sites this month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters.

December Clinic Sites and Dates
    Elm Creek — Monday, Dec. 8
    North Platte — Thursday, Dec. 11
    Fairbury — Friday, Dec. 12
    Lexington — Thursday, Dec. 18
    Norfolk — Monday, Dec. 22

To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.



Farm Bill, Fescue and Efficiency to Headline 2015 Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference

The premier Iowa educational event for cow-calf producers is offering attendees a comprehensive information package next month. The popular Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference has provided timely, accurate and important information to the state’s beef cattle industry for more than 40 years. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Patrick Wall said this year’s conference, set for Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa, will continue that successful tradition.

“The Cornbelt Cow-Calf Conference has been, and will continue to be, successful because it provides current information relevant to Iowa cow-calf producers,” Wall said.  The 2015 program targets a variety of topics designed to help producers of all ages and production goals. Sessions ranging from selection for maternal efficiency to fescue management strategies and farm transition planning will be led by Midwest professionals from universities, private industry and cow-calf production. They will offer attendees valuable information to put into practice on their farms. Conference admission is free.

“The first of our three keynote speakers is Congressman Frank Lucas, chair of the house agriculture committee and key author of the most recent farm bill. He’ll talk about key areas of the bill specific to livestock producers, the future of CRP and young farmer programs,” Wall said. “Ron Bolze will describe how to use EPDs and other genetic tools to select cattle that fit your environment, and Dan Shike of the University of Illinois will present recent research regarding cow efficiency.”

Afternoon breakout sessions include a panel discussion with representatives from Iowa’s beef packing industry (Tyson Foods, Iowa Premium Beef and Lime Springs Beef) as they describe what they desire to buy from Iowa’s cow-calf sector. ISU Extension and Outreach cow-calf specialist Patrick Gunn will teach producers how to interpret a forage analysis and apply it to their nutritional program.

Two talks will feature producers with experience managing fescue. David Hall from Ozark Hills Genetics will describe how he manages fescue tolerance and Darrell Franson will present his experience in Missouri with novel-endophyte tall fescue. William Edwards, retired professor of economics at Iowa State, will unveil a new “Corn vs. Cows” decisions tool and lay out how to budget alternatives for land use in southern Iowa. Steven Bohr, founder of Farm Financial Stategies, will share strategies for future uncertainty and discuss how recent economic issues affect farm succession.

Doors will open for this year’s conference at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa at 8 a.m. on Jan. 31. The official welcome is at 9 a.m., followed by two general session speakers, lunch and exhibit viewing. The afternoon begins with Congressman Lucas in the auditorium, followed by two repeating breakout sessions with five choices. Admission is free, and includes a copy of the show guide and conference proceedings. No preregistration is necessary. See and download the conference brochure at www.iowabeefcenter.org/events/2015CCCC.pdf. 



Variety Meat Demand Boosts October Beef, Pork Exports

Strong variety meat exports helped offset lower volumes for beef and pork muscle cuts in October, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

October beef exports were up 2 percent from a year ago to 109,858 metric tons (mt), while export value was a record-high $687.1 million – up 22 percent from a year ago. Muscle cut volume was down 2 percent to 76,472 mt, but still increased 19 percent in value to $596.5 million. Variety meat exports increased 14 percent in volume (33,386 mt) and 39 percent in value ($90.6 million).

For January through October, beef export volume was up 3 percent from a year ago to just over 1 million mt. Export value reached $5.87 billion – 15 percent ahead of last year’s record pace.

October pork exports were down 2 percent in volume (182,363 mt), but still achieved a 5 percent increase in value ($567.2 million). These results were also bolstered by strong variety meat exports, which were up 24 percent in volume (51,440 mt) and 23 percent in value ($101.9 million) from a year ago. Pork muscle cut exports were down 10 percent in volume (130,923 mt), but increased 2 percent in value to $465.3 million.

Through the first 10 months of 2014, pork export volume was 4 percent higher than a year ago at 1.83 million mt. Export value is on a record pace, up 13 percent to $5.61 billion.

USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng said that while the slowdown in muscle cut volumes is concerning, October results were solid overall.

“Although global demand for beef and pork muscle cuts remains strong, the U.S. industry is facing some headwinds,” Seng said. “Lower slaughter numbers have impacted available supply, and the U.S. dollar continues to strengthen relative to the currencies of a number of our key competitors and import customers. On the pork side, we continue to see large volumes of European product entering Asian markets at lower-than-normal prices. This is likely to continue until the EU’s trade impasse with Russia is resolved.”

Seng added that the October results serve as a reminder of the importance of variety meat exports to the U.S. meat and livestock industries.

“Strong demand for variety meat is very positive news for the industry because these products contribute significantly to the profitability of U.S. producers and processors,” Seng said. “USMEF has also heightened the focus on alternative muscle cuts in many of our educational workshops and seminars. Familiarizing buyers with these economically priced cuts has been helpful in addressing price and exchange rate concerns.”

Japan, Korea, Hong Kong drive beef export growth
October beef exports equated to 15 percent of total production and 11 percent of muscle cut production, compared to 13.5 percent and 11 percent, respectively, a year ago. For January through October, exports equated to 14 percent of total production and 11 percent for muscle cuts (up from 13 percent and 10 percent). Export value per head of fed slaughter was $321.28 in October (up $70 from a year ago) and $287.32 for January-October (up $42.80).

Exports to leading market Japan were exceptionally strong in October, increasing 25 percent in volume (22,586 mt) and 54 percent in value ($164 million). For January-October, exports totaled 206,879 mt (up 2 percent) valued at $1.33 billion (up 11 percent).

Other January-October beef highlights include:
-    Exports to South Korea were up 12 percent in volume (96,040 mt) and 41 percent in value ($674.9 million). October export volume was the largest of the year at 11,167 mt.
-    Exports to Hong Kong have already set a new annual value record of $898 million, easily surpassing the 2013 full-year total of $823.3 million. October export volume was the largest ever at 16,779 mt.
-    Led by strong growth in the Dominican Republic, exports to the Caribbean were up 20 percent in volume to 19,042 mt and 26 percent in value to $124 million – just short of the full-year value record ($127 million) set in 2012.

Pork exports to Mexico set new value record
October pork exports equated to 24 percent of total production, which was steady with last year, but just 18 percent of muscle cut production – down from 20 percent in October 2013. For January-October, exports equated to 27 percent of total production (up from 25.6 percent) and 22 percent for muscle cuts (up from 21.5 percent). Export value per head slaughtered was $56.99 in October (up 10 percent from a year ago) and $63.63 for January-October (up 19 percent)

Exports to leading volume market Mexico continue to shine, with January-October volume reaching 563,601 mt – up 12 percent from a year ago. Export value was up 35 percent to $1.3 billion – already breaking the full-year value record ($1.22 billion) set in 2013. Since USMEF launched efforts to bolster overall pork consumption in Mexico in 2011, demand has increased significantly and exports are on pace to set a new volume record for the third consecutive year.

“Mexico’s per capita pork consumption has increased an average of 3.3 percent in each of the past three years, and now exceeds 16 kilograms,” Seng explained. “So we feel this campaign has definitely enhanced the image of pork in the minds of consumers and had a very positive impact on demand.”

Other January-October pork highlights include:
-    After a down year in 2013, exports to Korea have rebounded. Export volume was up 42 percent to 108,187 mt, while value increased 64 percent to $345.4 million.
-    Led by export growth to Colombia, exports to the Central/South America region remain on a record pace, increasing 7 percent in volume (99,349 mt) and 19 percent in value ($277.4 million) from a year ago.
-    Muscle cut exports to leading value market Japan were down 4 percent in volume (328,338 mt) but value was steady with last year at $1.54 billion. As noted above, Japan is one of the markets in which large volumes of relatively inexpensive European pork have limited U.S. growth.

Lamb exports still trending upward
U.S. lamb exports continue to recover from a slow start in 2014, achieving a year-over-year increase for the fourth consecutive month. January-October exports were still down 15 percent in volume (8,956 mt) and 1 percent in value ($23.5 million), but posted solid growth in the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates, Panama and the Philippines.

Lamb muscle cut exports were 5 percent below last year’s pace in volume (2,432 mt), but increased 7 percent in value to $14.3 million.



NFU Submits Beef Checkoff Comments; Urges Major and Immediate Reforms to Split Checkoff-Funded Organization from Lobbying Organization

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture today urging major and immediate changes to the current beef checkoff program including a clear separation between any organization receiving checkoff funds and those that lobby. 

“NFU believes a very clear separation must exist between all taxpayer-supported, checkoff-funded organizations and related commodity organizations which advocate and lobby for policy positions. In the case of the beef checkoff, such a line of separation does not exist,” said Johnson. 

Johnson suggests that there should be a new beef checkoff program that, like every other checkoff program, is devoted to research and market development, but divorced from all political, policy advocating organizations. “Every other commodity checkoff program has separated the policy organization from the non-political, promotional entity. Under this popular model, checkoff dollars are used exclusively for research, market promotion and product improvement.”

Johnson points out that the beef checkoff is the only program that has failed to embrace this new paradigm, which has caused an enormous rift in the industry. “Ranchers dislike that their checkoff dollars are being controlled by a lobbying organization that is fighting against the very policies many of these ranchers support. All other commodity checkoff programs have gone to this model, and it is time for beef to follow suit,” he said.

Johnson notes that the current beef checkoff is controlled by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), an organization that has “aggressively lobbied against a number of very important producer and consumer programs, frequently placing themselves in direct opposition to the very producers they purport to represent.”

Johnson says a long list of such examples abound, including NCBA’s aggressive opposition to Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) in court, at the World Trade Organization and in Congress; NCBA’s opposition to the Renewable Fuel Standard; and NCBA’s opposition to the 2014 Farm Bill, including provisions written specifically to aid livestock producers suffering from disastrous, weather-related livestock losses. “Such actions undermine producer confidence in the check-off program because cattle producers know that NCBA also controls the check-off program, which is required to operate in a strictly non-political, independent fashion,” he said.

Johnson points out that the current beef checkoff program is inflexible and unable to adapt to effectively market U.S. beef domestically and internationally. “While the checkoff has remained unchanged for the past 30 years, the beef industry has experienced many changes. The current checkoff program does not have sufficient flexibility to address industry changes such as changes in purchasing trends, demographics, or production systems,” he said.

Johnson notes that NFU supports voluntary checkoff programs that safeguard the interests of family farmers. The following conditions were adopted by delegates at NFU’s most recent national convention:
?         Control of the program is held by producers who are actively involved in production agriculture; 
?         Promotion of exclusively domestic product;
?         Exclusion of processors from positions of leadership and financial responsibility;
?         Review referendums executed by USDA every five years offering a program recall in the event of a simple majority vote; and
?         Prohibition preventing assessment funds from going to organizations engaged in lobbying.

NFU has a significant number of members who produce dairy and beef cattle, making this issue extremely important to both the organization and the family farmers it represents.



Brazil Soy Planting 92% Complete

Brazilian farmers had planted 92% of their soybean crop as of Friday, some seven percentage points ahead of last week but two points behind the year before, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

With planting drawing to a close in the south and center-west of the country, the focus is turning to field work in the fast-growing Cerrado regions of the northeast where rain has been scarce.

Rains, however, were generally good across Mato Grosso, the No. 1 soybean state, where planting is now 96% complete. According to AgRural, ample soil moisture is generally favoring the development of the crop in Mato Grosso and the rest of the center-west region.

In Parana, the No. 2 soybean state, planting is 97% complete. Showers were rare across the state's soybean belt last week, but soil moisture levels are generally fairly high. The big-producing west of the state needs some more rain.

The No. 3 state Rio Grande do Sul is 89% planted. The crops do need more rain after only scattered showers last week, but soil moisture humidity remains good, said AgRural.

However, the weather forecasts contain no more than light rains for Rio Grande do Sul and Parana over the next week.



USDA Announces 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum Speakers, Theme "Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century"

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced speakers for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century," to be held from Feb. 19-20, 2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va. The forum's plenary speakers and sessions will take a global, modern look at different aspects of today's agriculture industry.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and European Commissioner of Agriculture & Rural Development Phil Hogan will engage in a far-ranging roundtable discussion on agriculture. Dr. Richard N. Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, will address "Food, Foreign Policy and International Order." USDA's Chief Economist Joseph Glauber will deliver the 2015 Agricultural & Foreign Trade Outlooks.

The plenary panel focuses on "A Discussion on Innovation, Biotechnology, and Big Data" with wide latitude for panelists to talk about the intersection of these issues. Moderated by Secretary Tom Vilsack, the panel includes: Cory J. Reed, Senior Vice President, Intelligent Solutions Group, John Deere and Company; Dr. Robert T. Fraley, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto; Mary Kay Thatcher, Senior Director, Congressional Relations, American Farm Bureau Federation; and Dr. Robert Sutor, Vice President, Mobile, Solutions, and Mathematical Sciences, IBM Corporation.

Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will welcome the plenary audience and also moderate an afternoon session titled "Tomorrow's Opportunities," focused on the potential of agriculture as a career, and the importance of new and beginning farmers and ranchers.

The Forum's dinner speaker will be Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Speaking at the 25 breakout sessions and five topical luncheons will be more than 100 distinguished experts. Breakout session topics on the agenda include: Perspectives on Global and U.S. Trade; Big Data's Impact on U.S. Agriculture; Commodity Situation and Outlooks; Food Price and Farm Income Outlooks; Moving Feed, Food and Fuel to Market; Opportunities in the Bio-Economy; Antimicrobial Resistance; and Bee/Pollinator Issues Facing Agriculture.

Additional breakout sessions will cover: Conservation and Regulatory Program Updates; Water Issues and Drought, Climate Change; Nutrition Trends and New Opportunities for Producers; Regional Approaches to Rural Growth; Local Food Marketing Trends; The 100th Anniversary of USDA Market News; and Reducing Food Waste.

Registration is available at www.usda.gov/oce/forum. First held in 1923, the Agricultural Outlook Forum provides farmers and ranchers, government, and agribusinesses with sound information for decision-making. Attendees are expected to include members of farm organizations, food and fiber firms, academia, foreign governments, and the news media.