Monday March 16 Ag News

Common Sense Nebraska Coalition Members Oppose Expanded EPA Regulation at U.S. Senate Hearing

Common Sense Nebraska coalition members provided testimony at the U.S. Senate Committee of Environment and Public Works hearing held at Hardin Hall Auditorium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Saturday. The field hearing, coordinated by Nebraska’s U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, was held to address the EPA’s attempt to expand its authority to regulate private waters under the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.Common Sense Nebraska representatives from Nebraska Cattlemen (NC), the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NRDs), Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) and Nebraska State Homebuilders Association spoke in opposition of the proposed rule.

Negative Agriculture Impact
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Nebraska is comprised of more than 77,000 square miles of area with over 92 percent of that area used for agricultural purposes. The proposed rule would bring nearly all bodies of water under federal regulation. Testimony addressed concerns over costly and unnecessary permitting requirements for agriculture producers utilizing their own lands.

“Nebraska agriculture producers pride themselves on being good stewards of our state’s natural resources,” said NC President-Elect Barb Cooksley of Anselmo, NE. “We maintain open spaces and healthy rangelands and provide wildlife habitat while feedling the world. But to provide all these important functions, we must be able to operate without excessive federal burdens.”

Negative Legal Impact
In addition to highlighting the rule’s burdensome requirements for agriculture producers across the state, testimony questioned the federal government’s legal authority to expand regulation under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

“The proposed rule does not merely codify existing judicial interpretations of navigable waters; it affirmatively expands the meaning to create federal controls that go far beyond what Congress intended when it adopted the Clean Water Act,” said Don Blankenau, a Lincoln-Nebraska environmental attorney speaking for the NRD’s. “Ultimately the proposed rule stretches the definition of navigable waters beyond credibility. There is no real problem the rule will solve. Instead, it is simply another example of the ever-growing federal erosion of state authority.”

Negative Local Government Impact
The proposed rule would impact county-owned and maintained roadside ditches, flood control channels, drainage conveyances, stormwater systems, infrastructure construction and maintenance. Speaking for NACO, Douglas County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson expressed the local government perspective.

“Any additional cost burdens are challenging to county governments, especially since rural counties have the most road miles and corresponding ditches,” said Borgeson. “Limited financial resources available to local governments pose significant implementation challenges. There must be local, state and federal partnership in crafting practical rules without impeding counties’ fundamental infrastructure and public safety functions.”

The rule would impose a blanket jurisdictional determination over thousands of acres of private property throughout the state and nation - whether or not the land is designated as agricultural. President of the Nebraska Home Builders Association Don Wisnieski said the rule would negatively impact his industry and Nebraska’s economic future.

In addition to testimony provided by Common Sense Nebraska coalition members, comments were provided by representatives from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, Izaak Walton of America and the Center for Rural Affairs.



Nebraska and California Program Blends Beef Production with Nutrition and Culinary Expertise

The Nebraska and California Beef Councils recently collaborated on a program to provide culinary dietitians with a taste beef production practices set in the ranching communities of Napa and Sonoma County California.  The 2 ½ day Nutrition and Dietetics’ Association conference focused on increasing food and culinary skills and knowledge on emerging trends and topics in the field of nutrition.  Included in those trends was an increased focus on agriculture--specifically, an inclusive conversation with the farmers and ranchers who grow the food with transparency on how it was raised.

To facilitate this conversation within the beef community, 45 participants travelled to Kunde Estates, home of the Sonoma Mountain Hereford ranch.  Marcia Kunde Mickelson, a fourth generation rancher and winegrower, provided a tour of operations at the ranch and was assisted in the sustainability discussion by Mike Smith of Harris Ranch and Chairman of the California Beef Council.   At the center of the discussion were the production practices that contribute to meeting a growing global beef demand while balancing environmental responsibility, social diligence, and food safety.  The dietitians were provided a walking tour of the ranch and given a hands-on approach to understanding the production cycle by interacting with newborn calves, cows, and production sale bulls.

Regrouping at the Kunde Estate winery, James Winstead, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for the California Beef Council, provided a nutrition presentation on the health aspects of lean beef while participants enjoyed a sampling of beef sliders and Kunde wines.  Assisting with the program was Mitch Rippe, Director of Nutrition and Education with the Nebraska Beef Council, “we are helping people to learn more about their food, not just about the nutrients in it, but how all the hard work and efforts by our farmers and rancher contribute to the high quality, nutritious beef we all enjoy.”  As the trusted health and nutrition resource, consumers look to Registered Dietitians to help them in choosing and selecting the most beneficial foods to feed their families, Rippe said.  “Therefore, it is important that we provide dietitians the opportunity to join us in the production experience, so they can see and understand the direct correlation between beef production and beef nutrition.”

The next day, over 120 dietitians attended a sustainability presentation by Dr. Kim Stackhouse, Director of Sustainability with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  Dr. Stackhouse spoke about the continuous improvement of balancing efficient agricultural production with environmental, social and economic attributes.  To do this, Stackhouse detailed the comprehensive assessment launched by the Beef Checkoff Program to quantify and benchmark aspects of beef industry sustainability.

To end the evening, a group of 20 dietitians traveled to Cakebread Cellars to partake in a beef and wine pairing excursion led by Winstead, Rippe, and Executive Chef Dave Zino of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.   Provided a walking tour of the winery, participants then gathered to enjoy a four meal sampling of culinary inspired beef dishes expertly paired with Cakebread Cellar wines.  The conference concluded Saturday with hands-on culinary sessions at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California. 



2014 Crop Insurance Projected Prices
Cory Walters, UNL Extension Crop Economist

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) uses the futures market to determine crop insurance projected prices. Average futures settlement prices during February determine both corn and soybean projected prices. Projected prices for 2015 are $4.15/bushel for corn and $9.73/bushel for soybeans. Compared to last year, prices are down $0.47/bushel for corn and $1.63/bushel for soybeans. From two years ago prices are down $1.50/bushel for corn and $3.14/bushel for soybeans. The impacts of lower projected prices are twofold. First, crop insurance revenue guarantees will decrease for the second time in two years. Second, producer paid premiums will also decrease.

If we hold yields constant at Actual Production History (APH) levels, we can calculate the crop insurance price floor (i.e., implied put price) using projected prices.  For example, with corn using an 85% coverage level the crop insurance price floor is $3.53/bu ($4.15/bu * .85 coverage level). If a producer's harvested bushels equal APH bushels, an indemnity would be paid if the harvest price falls below $3.53/bu.

As coverage levels decline, the crop insurance floor price also declines, reducing the probability of an indemnity being paid. As a result, higher coverage levels increase the probability of payments and the potential for larger payments, which in turn means higher premiums. Producers must balance the higher probability of payments with increases in premiums. For corn, each 5% decline in coverage level reduces the crop insurance price floor by $0.21/bushel and premiums decline. For soybeans, each 5% decline in coverage level reduces the crop insurance price floor by $0.49/bushel and premiums decline.

In addition to calculating projected prices, the RMA also determines the price volatility. Volatility is a measure of variation around an asset (the projected price), where a higher value implies more risk and a lower value indicates less risk. Price volatility is important because it's a component used in determining premiums, where lower volatility implies lower premiums. For 2015, price volatility for corn is 0.2 and for soybeans it is 0.16. Compared to last year, corn price volatility is up 0.01 for corn and up 0.03 for soybeans. Higher volatility implies more uncertainty where prices will end up this fall and therefore an otherwise higher premium. The overall effect on premiums will depend on whether the lower projected price more than offsets the increase in volatility from a year ago.



SESSION TO HELP PRODUCERS PREPARE FOR CATTLE BREEDING SEASON

Nebraska Extension's Mid-Plains Beef Educational Series will conduct a session on preparing for the upcoming cattle breeding season April 2 at the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.

The session will draw upon the expertise of Richard Randle, doctor of veterinary medicine and UNL Extension beef veterinarian, who will discuss breeding soundness exams and trichomoniasis testing for bulls. Kate Brooks, extension livestock economist, will talk about economic decisions of keeping vs. culling -- late calf heifers, no calf or last calf cow. Extension educator Allan Vyhnalek will discuss pasture leasing provisions. 

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the program ends at about 3:30 p.m. Cost is $10 by March 27 or $15 at the door. Make checks payable to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lunch and handouts will be provided.

The Mid-Plains BEEF Educational Series is an effort by a team of southeastern Nebraska Extension educators.

To register or obtain more information, contact: Lindsay Chichester, Saunders County, 402-624-8030; Steve Tonn, Washington County, 402-426-9455; or Monte Stauffer, Douglas/Sarpy counties, 402-444-7804.



USING COMPANION CROPS WHEN PLANTING ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Are you planting some alfalfa this spring?  Using oats or another companion crop?  In a moment, let's examine the advantages and disadvantages of your options.

               Alfalfa often is seeded with a companion crop like oats to

control weeds and erosion.  Clear seeding alfalfa alone, without a companion crop, also works well.  A preplant herbicide like trifluralin or Balan or Eptam often is sprayed and incorporated first to control weeds in a clear seeding, but herbicide isn't always necessary.  So – which method is better?

               Your own needs and objectives determine whether a companion crop or a clear seeding is better for you.  I tend to prefer clear seeding where erosion is unlikely because alfalfa production begins sooner, with 2 to 4 tons possible the seeding year.  Companion crops reduce alfalfa yield the first year, and often they cause thinner stands.  Also, yields and stands in following years almost always are better with a successful clear seeding than when using a companion crop.

               Have you noticed that I call oats a companion crop instead of a nurse crop?  That's because companion crops like oats don’t nurse.  They act like weeds, robbing alfalfa seedlings of moisture, sunlight, and nutrients during the seeding year.  However, on erosive ground a companion crop can be necessary or alfalfa may not start at all.

               So if you want alfalfa, plant only alfalfa.  But, if erosion is a problem, include about half a bushel of oats with your alfalfa.  Then kill oats early using Poast Plus or Select herbicide, or Roundup if your alfalfa is Roundup Ready.  Next best is to hay oats early rather than taking grain.  Likewise, if you want oats, plant only oats.  Then seed alfalfa into oat stubble next August if soil moisture is good.  Your alfalfa will be better because of it.



State Standards Proposed for Livestock

(AP) -- A sharp decline in the number of Nebraska dairy farms while neighboring states prosper is driven by inconsistent local zoning regulations, some county officials say, and a measure moving through the Legislature aims to rectify the issue with a mandatory set of standards.

Producers looking to settle livestock operations in Nebraska are deterred by regulations that vary across 93 counties, Merrick County zoning administrator Jen Myers said. State agriculture department data shows that since 1999, Nebraska has lost 553 dairy farms, and is down to 195 licensed operations. And in the past decade, the number of cows in Nebraska decreased by 11 percent, while South Dakota, Kansas, and Colorado have grown by by 14, 20 and 38 percent respectively.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse is sponsoring a bill that would allow the agriculture department to create a matrix of statewide permitting standards to be used by a new seven member, governor­appointed board in reviewing county decisions to grant or deny special­use permits for livestock expansion.

"If you look at the makeup of a lot of these county commissioner and county zoning people, they don't have a lot of livestock experience and they're turning to someone else to ask these questions," Watermeier said. "So we're going to give them something that's black and white to answer some of the fundamental questions."

Opponents are concerned the board wouldn't have residents' best interests at heart, but supporters say current standards limit agricultural development.

When public or personal biases prevent a community from supporting an operation, county boards can block the special­use permit by adding conditions outside the previously stated zoning regulations, Myers said. "That industry alone has put it out there that zoning is not friendly, especially for dairy farmers in Nebraska, so they have gone to other states," she said.

In­state producers say they're affected, too. Lana Bushhousen and her husband applied for a special­use permit in 1999 to house up to 1,000 head of cattle in Howard County, where their family owned a parcel of land.

It was initially approved, but the county overturned the decision after a group of residents petitioned against the permit, Bushhousen said, which delayed the process for more than a year and led her to apply in a different county.

"They just didn't want it there," Bushhousen said, adding she believes opposition was concerned about large­scale livestock feeding operations. "It all came down to a philosophical disagreement."

The Nebraska Farm Bureau has worked with Watermeier and the Nebraska Association of County Officials to craft legislation to protect producers who invested in facilities believing they would be approved, said Jay Rempe, the bureau's vice president of governmental relations.

The state board would have the power to overturn county decisions. Two members would represent livestock interests, three would speak for economic development and two would come from a list approved by the Nebraska Association of County Officials.

"The concept behind the bill was to allow a disinterested party to look at a decision that was made at the local level and to get away from some of the local emotions that flare up," Rempe said.

But that's not the case, current Howard County Zoning Administrator Cherri Klinginsmith said, because zoning commissioners avoid allowing public opinion to sway their judgment.

Klinginsmith did not hold her position during the Bushhousens' permitting process.

Vern Jantzen of the Nebraska Farmers Union said he's wary of a bill that originated from commercial producers and worries statewide changes will be difficult to change. "Can you back the train up and switch to a different track, or have we torn the tracks up behind us so we're stuck?" the former hog and dairy farmer from Plymouth said.

Sen. Dave Bloomfield of Hoskins said the bill strips local authorities of tailoring decisions to each county's geography and population. He was one of two people in the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee to vote against advancing the bill for debate.

Longtime residents who don't want to live near a farm with thousands of hogs have a right to fight commercial livestock proposals, he said.

"If they were successful at the county level, why should the state be able to come in and say, 'Oh no, you can put it in their backyard if you want to'?" said Bloomfield, who added he'll filibuster if necessary to block the bill.

Watermeier has designated the measure his priority bill, increasing chances that senators will debate it this year.



Nebraska Farmers Union Spring District Meeting Schedule

District 5 Spring Meeting
Saturday, March 21, 2015, 2:00PM meal on own during or after
P K’s Restaurant, 304 Sherman St, Benedict, NE 68316
NFU Delegate Ben Gotschall and President John Hansen will report on the NFU Convention, President Hansen will report on national issues and state legislative issues.
For more information, call Zack Hamilton (402) 875-1433

District 6 Spring Meeting
Sunday, March 22, 2015 , 5:00 PM meeting with supper on your own
The Office Bar & Grill, 121 Main Street, Hooper, NE
NeFU District 6 Director Dennis Buse and President John Hansen will report on the NFU Convention, President Hansen will report on national issues and state legislative issues.
For more information, call Paul Poppe (402) 380-4508

District 3 Spring Meeting
Friday, March 27, 2015, 6:30PM supper with meeting to follow
The Speakeasy Restaurant, 72993 S. Rd, Holdrege, NE 68949
AGENDA: District 3 Leader Darrell Buschkoetter will give a report and NeFU President John Hansen will report on the NFU Convention, national issues, and legislature issues.
For more information, call Darrell Buschkoetter  (402) 469-3451

District 1 Spring Meeting
Saturday, March 28, 2015, 10:30AM morning meeting, noon meal to follow
Meadow Lark Café, 102 Bell Avenue, Bridgeport, NE
AGENDA: NeFU District 1 Director Mike Sarchet and President John Hansen will report on the NFU Convention, and President Hansen will report on national issues and state legislative issues. 
For more information, call Mike Sarchet at (308) 631-6171

District 2 Spring Meeting
Saturday, March 28, 2015, 6:30PM Potluck Supper with meeting to follow
Carol Schooley’s house, 2603 S. August, Grand Island, NE
NeFU District 2 Director Carol Schooley and President John Hansen will report on the NFU Convention, President Hansen will report on national issues and state legislative issues.
For more information, call Carol Schooley at (308) 382-0971

District 7 Spring Meeting
Sunday, March 29, 2015, 6:00PM supper on own, meeting to follow
Valentino’s Pizza—Meeting Room, 1025 South 13th Street, Norfolk, NE
NeFU President John Hansen and District 7 leader Keith Dittrich will report on the NFU Convention, national issues and state legislative issues.
For more information, call Keith Dittrich (402) 368-7786 or (402) 990-7570

District 4 Spring Meeting
Tuesday, March 30, 2015, 6:00PM with buffet on own and meeting to follow
Valentino’s, 701 Court Street, Beatrice, NE
AGENDA: NeFU District 4 Leader Karen Sysel and District 4 Director Vern Jantzen will give a report and President John Hansen will report on the NFU Convention, national issues, and legislature issues.
For more information, call Karen Sysel (402) 946-6561 or (402) 381-8047



LEAD FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR GROUP 35

Fellowship applications for Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Group 35 are now available for those involved in production agriculture or agribusiness.

“Up to 30 motivated men and women with demonstrated leadership potential will be selected from five geographic districts across our state," said Terry Hejny, program director.

In addition to monthly three-day seminars throughout Nebraska from mid-September through early April each year, Nebraska LEAD Fellows also participate in a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a two-week international study/travel seminar.

Seminar themes include leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, agricultural policy, leadership through communication, Nebraska's political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing, advances in health care and the resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle, Hejny said.

The Nebraska LEAD Program is designed to prepare the spokespersons, problem solvers and decision makers for Nebraska and its agricultural industry.

In its 34th year, the program is operated by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, a nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and in cooperation with Nebraska colleges and universities, businesses and individuals throughout the state.

Applications are due no later than June 15 and are available via email. Please contact Lauren at lszalkiewicz2@unl.edu. Those interested can also request an application by writing Room 318 Biochemistry Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68583-0763 or by calling 402-472-6810. For information about the selection process, visit http://www.lead.unl.edu.

Nebraska LEAD Program offices are in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.



FFA Student Leaders Share Message of Agriculture on Capitol Hill

This week, 36 state FFA officers will gather at the nation's capital to celebrate National Ag Day. This is the 42nd anniversary of National Ag Day, which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country.

Organized by the Agricultural Council of America, events during Ag Day mark a nationwide effort to tell the story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is all around us. Those expected to participate include producers, agricultural associations, corporations and student and government organizations involved in agriculture.

Goals for the day include encouraging Americans to understand how food and fiber products are produced; to appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products; to value the role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and to encourage people to consider career opportunities in the industries of agriculture, food and fiber.

"Agriculture plays a key role in all of our everyday lives," Kent Schescke, director of government and nonprofit relations for the National FFA Organization, said. "FFA is pleased that we can play a role in helping others know the importance of agriculture, especially during the National Ag Day program."

FFA members, along with students from 4-H, Agriculture Future of America and Student NAMA (The National Agri-Marketing Association), will take the message of the importance of agriculture and agricultural education to Capitol Hill and visit their congressional leaders.

FFA officers who are participating in the event include: Matthew Smith of Russellville, Ark.; Jessy Stanavage of Colchester, Conn.; Abrah Meyer of Ankeny, Iowa; Mackenzie Lewis of Ankeny, Iowa; Willow Krumwiede of Pittsfield, Ill.; Andrew Klien of Amboy, Ill.; Jacob Mueller of Trafalgar, Ind.; Derek Berkshire of Trafalgar, Ind.; Darilyn Browning of Taylorsville, Ky.; Jenell Eck of Henderson, Md.; Alexandria Schut of Belding, Mich.; Ethan Haywood of Hastings, Mich.; Brady Wulf of Starbuck, Minn.; Morgan Walkup of Gower, Mo.; Claire Silvers of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; Hailey Clark of Carthage, Miss.; Tyler Presley of Ripley, Miss.; Allie Nelson of Great Falls, Mont.; Anthony Scala of Raleigh, N.C.; Joseph Jenkins of Stony Point, N.C.; Benjamin Rice of Firth, Neb.; Manuel Catala of Brentwood, N.H.; Maria Suzanne Daneault of Alton, N.H.; Kyle Fisher of Hancock Bridge, N.J.; Benjamin Wainwright of Cream Ridge, N.J.; Sydney Snider of Moscow, Ohio; Ellen Minihan of Brandon, S.D.; Nick Baker of Cookeville, Tenn.; Elena Smith of Drummonds, Tenn.; Zach McMeans of Austin, Texas; Katie Holt of Austin, Texas; Zach Jacobs of Swoope, Va.; Brittany Bowman of Blacksburg, Va.; Megan Miller of Bonney Lake, Wash.; Maya Wahl of Lind, Wash.; and Alison Wedig of Darlington, Wis.



Vilsack Speaks to National Farmers Union Convention in Wichita Monday

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today announced $97 million in programs to support the continued development of farmers markets, farm to school efforts and rural economies and will also expand risk management tools for specialty crops and limited-resource farmers.

“Increasing market opportunities for local food producers is a sound investment in America’s rural economies, while also increasing access to healthy food for our nation’s families,” Vilsack told the more than 470 attendees at the 113th anniversary national convention of the National Farmers Union (NFU) in Wichita, Kansas.

“There are over 400 school systems in this country that are purchasing locally and this is a tremendous opportunity to help rebuild the rural economy,” said Vilsack, the 30th Secretary of Agriculture.  He noted that the 2012 Census of Agriculture indicated more than 160,000 farmers and ranchers nationwide are tapping into growing consumer demand by selling their products locally.

“Consumer demand for local, healthy food is skyrocketing in schools, hospitals and wholesalers. These grant opportunities allow farmers and ranchers to meet this demand, and feed our nation’s kids.”

Vilsack, who is a member of the Iowa Farmers Union, said that NFU was fortunate to have strong leadership in the nation’s capital and had been very successful in reminding those in Washington about the value of family farms.  “Farmers Union leaders are on top of things. They are passionate, persistent and relentless in getting their message out to have policies and programs to support family farmers and ranchers. “

Vilsack pointed out that the farm to school movement and other innovative approaches to directly marketing fresh healthy food to consumers was a “vibrant growth area that is drawing young people back to rural communities, generating jobs and improving quality of life in rural communities,” and has been a priority for USDA over the last few years.

For the nation’s specialty crop farmers, beginning farmers and limited-resource producers who have lacked adequate risk management tools for generations, Secretary Vilsack also announced changes in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to help increase access to much-needed resources.  “The Farm Bill is focused on making sure the next generation of farmers gets the help they need,” allowing new farmers to pay lower premium costs when starting up.

NFU President Roger Johnson praised the additional funds, noting, “the Secretary has been a very good friend to family farmers and ranchers and these new investments in rural America will pay off in spades.”

Vilsack once again noted that he remains a strong advocate of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  “I love the RFS – I’m for RFS,” he said. “It’s taken a long time in part because the market is fluctuating so dramatically.” 

“We need to make sure Congress doesn’t do anything to damage it or repeal it or make it difficult to use. We need to be advocates, spokespeople for this industry. We need to go out and tell folks this is the right thing to do,” he said.

Vilsack urged the crowd to continue to educate the public about the potential of weaning the nation from foreign oil imports and highlighting the potential of renewable fuels.  He pointed to areas of the economy, like the military, that were converting to home grown fuels.  “Navy is starting to look at renewable fuels. I am optimistic about this. We need to be advocates for this industry. We don’t want to lose this amazing marketing opportunity.”

“Secretary Vilsack has left behind a lasting legacy of commitment to agriculture and has helped plant the seeds of future prosperity that will benefit America’s family farmers and ranchers for generations,” said Johnson.



Vilsack on Proposals for USDA Action Following Summit on Agricultural Coexistence

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement after the successful conclusion of the Stakeholder Workshop on Coexistence hosted by North Carolina State University March 12 and 13, and proposed USDA actions discussed by conference participants:

"USDA recognizes that we need diversity in agriculture and supports the successful coexistence of the different forms of production. Each one contributes to the overall health of farming and rural communities throughout the United States.

"By bringing together diverse stakeholders, USDA can gather thoughtful input and feedback from all points of view and take concrete steps that in turn can help expand market opportunity at home and abroad for all kinds of American agriculture.

"When everyone can come together and share their perspectives as well as to listen to others, it can only lead to better understanding and result in positive steps forward. That's our goal, and we appreciate North Carolina State University for hosting this next step. We're looking forward to receiving additional comments from the public to help us as we continue to work to expand opportunities for all kinds of American producers at home and abroad."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture held the Stakeholder Workshop on Coexistence at North Carolina State University on March 12-13 in Raleigh, North Carolina. USDA had initially announced that public comment on the workshop and proposed USDA actions workshop participants discussed would be open until March 27, but based on feedback from workshop participants, USDA is extending the public comment period an additional two weeks. For additional information, please visit the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's website.



Tonsager Joins Wheat Growers’ Policy Team

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) announces the addition of agriculture policy veteran Joshua Tonsager to lead the organization’s Washington-based government affairs team. Tonsager will serve as legislative director for NAWG, overseeing the policy team and will be working on transportation and research and technology issues.

“Joshua’s knowledge of the issues affecting agriculture and his legislative experience in Washington will position him well to represent the policy interests of our member growers,” said NAWG CEO, Jim Palmer. “The future for the wheat industry and the National Association of Wheat Growers is bright, and I believe Joshua will be an integral part of this future success. We are pleased to welcome him into the wheat family.”

Most recently, Tonsager served as a Legislative Assistant in the Office of Former Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota. His issue portfolio included agriculture, trade, economic development and appropriations. Prior to joining the Senator’s staff, Tonsager served as a Research Assistant for Former Senator Johnson. Tonsager received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of South Dakota.



Rabobank Dairy Quarterly Q1: Not Out of the Woods Yet

Despite a rally in the price of dairy commodities in recent months from their January lows, the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group’s Q1 2015 Dairy Quarterly report finds suppliers are not out of the woods yet.

“We have passed through the worst for dairy market fundamentals, but things aren’t likely to be as tight through the middle of the year as the market is currently factoring in,” says Rabobank Global Diary Strategist and report author Tim Hunt.

Global prices remained lifeless throughout the first half of Q1, before a surprisingly vigorous bounce starting in mid-February. By mid-March, Whole Milk Powder prices were up 42 percent  up on mid-December levels in U.S. dollar Oceania trade, with butter and Skim Milk Powder up 20 percent (cheese remained largely unmoved).

Rabobank notes the strength of the recent rally is hard to justify based on current fundamentals.

New Zealand experienced a dry period in February/March, while tighter margins and penalties for exceeding quotas have brought an end to a wave of milk supply growth in the EU. But the supply tap remains on in the U.S., there is little improvement in demand in key surplus regions, and China and Russia are leading the first demand driven contraction in international trade since the 2009 financial crisis.

“In the nearer term, we consider some loss of pricing entirely possible,” notes Hunt. “Unfortunately for suppliers, the market is likely to want to deliver the signal to restrain production growth as we progress through the middle of the year.”

As 2015 progresses, Rabobank analysts expect supply growth will continue to slow, lower prices will unlock better consumption growth, and stronger buying elsewhere will help offset the weakness of China and Russia.

“We continue to look for a gradual tightening to occur in this market, leading to modest upward price pressure in the second half of 2015,” says Hunt. “By Q4 2015 we expect to be back in positive margin territory for most dairy farmers in key export regions of the world, but it will take time to get to that point. Producers are not out of the woods yet.”

“Low prices were required to help clear a market still dealing with exceptionally strong supply growth, a rising U.S. dollar, a weak economic environment and reduced buying from China and Russia,” concludes Hunt.