Friday May 8 Ag News

HASTENING HAY DRY-DOWN
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Haying season is just about upon us.  Weather reports soon will be the most important news of the day.  Fortunately, there are ways to hasten hay dry-down to beat the weather.

               Do you get nervous about potential haying weather following the wet, cloudy weather of recent days?  Worry about wetness you probably understand, but why worry about clouds and hay dry-down.  Well, the reason is that, other than rain itself, the most important weather factor that affects rate of hay dry-down is sunlight.  Temperature, humidity, wind speed, and soil moisture content all are important, but solar radiation has the greatest impact on drying rate.  In fact, research has shown as much as a 10-fold increase in drying rate as solar radiation changes from heavy cloud cover to full sunlight.  No other factor, other than rain itself, affected drying rate even half as much.

               So how do you use this information?  Obviously, you can’t control how much sunlight you receive.  But, you can watch weather reports and try to cut hay during sunny weather.  Okay – that’s stating the obvious.  Another thing you can do, though, is spread your cut hay out in as wide a swath as possible.  This will expose more of your hay to direct sunlight, enabling it to absorb as much energy from the sun as possible to evaporate moisture out of your hay.  This may cause a little more sun bleaching than thick windrows, but most of the time fast dry-down is more valuable than green color.

               Also, mechanically conditioning your hay and turning it gently after the top gets dry to expose moister hay underneath the swath will help hasten dry-down.

               Make hay while the sun shines is an old, old saying but today’s science has shown how true it really is.



Midwest Farmers Cooperative announces plans for rail shuttle facility in Otoe County, NE

Midwest Farmers Cooperative announced plans today to construct a rail shuttle facility in rural Otoe
County, Nebraska. This facility, located southeast of Syracuse on the Arbor Rail Line will serve the
membership’s grain and fertilizer needs by gaining competitive access to global markets. The initial
phase of development will involve building a grain facility designed to receive grain by trucks at the rate of 40,000 bushels per hour and capable of loading out 110 railcars in less than 15 hours. The facility will be serviced by a newly constructed loop track connecting to the Arbor Line main railroad. Agreements and permits are in place to allow groundbreaking to occur by July 1. Completion of the grain facility is scheduled for October of 2016.

Board of Directors Chairman, Neil Stedman stated, “The Board of Directors of Midwest Farmers Cooperative are excited to announce plans to build a high capacity, high speed grain handling facility with rail access near Syracuse, Nebraska. This location is central to the geography we serve and will help us better serve our members in the global marketplace. It will provide room for expansion that could include accessing fertilizer by rail in the future. Our mission at Midwest Farmers Cooperative is to provide the highest level of customer service, aligning products and technology to create customer and cooperative success. This project will help us better fulfill the cooperative’s mission to our patron owners.”

“As the global markets continue to evolve, we continue to search for ways to add value to our
members’ needs and this project is a vital link to meet those needs,” stated Dale Piper, Chief Executive Officer of Midwest Farmers Cooperative. “This is an exciting time for not only Midwest Farmers Cooperative, but also for the entire agricultural community in Southeast Nebraska. This state of the art facility will provide additional value to the crops in the region and will provide quality employment opportunities during construction and for many years to come”.



UNL STUDENT PREPARES FOR SUMMER INTERNSHIP ON CAPITOL HILL

Maci Lienemann, a junior animal science major from Princeton, has been selected to participate in a science policy summer internship program sponsored by the American Society of Animal Science.

Lienemann is one of four individuals selected nationwide to participate in the program. She will begin her internship with U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., on May 26.

The application and placement process involved an essay on her views on issues relevant to animal agriculture and a phone interview with committee heads of ASAS. After receiving offers from multiple offices, Lienemann accepted the internship offer from Sasse in April.

"My background and main interest is in livestock, so this is a great opportunity for me to learn from a U.S. senator who is serving as the chairman of the Livestock, Marketing and Agriculture Security Subcommittee," she said.

Lienemann said she wants to learn more about policy, specifically regarding livestock biotechnologies.

"I have a unique set of interests when it comes to livestock, science and policy, so I hope this internship will give me a glimpse of how I can combine those into a future career," she said.

The internship will allow Lienemann to work with congressional staff and federal agencies on preparing research and legislative briefings. She will also interact with agricultural constituents.

"I'm looking forward to meeting with groups such as Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Farm Bureau," she said.

The oldest of four children, Lienemann is part of a registered Angus operation. In addition to helping with the family business, she has her own herd of 20 registered Angus that she is in charge of managing and marketing. Lienemann would like to help improve or develop biotechnologies to help livestock producers be more efficient, profitable and sustainable.

ASAS fosters the discovery, sharing and application of scientific knowledge concerning the responsible use of animals to enhance human life and well-being. The purpose of the internship is to provide experience for undergraduates or graduate students in legislative, regulatory or administrative science policy activities in Washington, D.C., that affect animal science and animal agriculture to enhance their careers in academia or industry.



Lienemann Receives Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Keith R. Olsen Ag Policy Internship

Maci Lienemann of Princeton, Neb., was selected as the most recent recipient of the Keith R. Olsen Agricultural Policy Internship Award at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Lienemann is a member of the Lancaster County Farm Bureau and is studying animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  The Olsen Internship Award will enable her to intern in a public policy position in Washington, D.C., this summer. The monetary award helps cover the living and housing expenses for the recipient.

“I'm honored to have the support of the Nebraska Farm Bureau for my summer internship experience in Washington DC and I look forward to gaining first-hand experience with the federal legislative process,” Lienemann said.

Lienemann has accepted an internship in the office of Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, who serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; the Senate Joint Economic Committee; and the Senate Special Committee on Aging.

“I am excited that Senator Sasse is the new chairman of the Senate Ag Committee’s Livestock, Marketing and Agricultural Security Subcommittee and I believe my knowledge, skills and direct experience as a Nebraska agricultural producer will be extremely valuable to the office,” Lienemann said.

"Maci will be a great addition to our office this summer and I trust that her hard-work and background in agriculture will serve Nebraskans well," Sasse said.

The Keith R. Olsen Agricultural Policy Internship Award was established in 2011 by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation to honor Olsen, who served as Farm Bureau president from 2002-2011 and on the board of directors for nearly 20 years. Olsen had emphasized creating opportunities in agriculture for young people during his years with the organization.

The award provides up to $3,000 to a UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources junior or senior to work as an intern in a Nebraska Congressional office, a Congressional Committee or approved agricultural organization.

Debra Wray of Ord, Neb., Audrey Smith of Walla Walla, Wash. and Bryce Vaughn of Alliance, Neb., were the previous winners of the Keith R. Olsen Agricultural Policy Internship Award.



SEVEN PROBABLE CASES OF HPAI IN WRIGHT, BUENA VISTA, CHEROKEE, SAC AND PALO ALTO COUNTIES

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to seven probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry farms in Osceola and Cherokee counties.  These seven new cases would join 37 cases of the disease in Iowa that were previously announced. State officials have quarantined the premises and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

    Wright 2 – Commercial laying operation with an estimated 2.9 million birds that has experienced increased mortality.  Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Wright 3 – Commercial laying operation with an estimated 1.1 million birds that has experienced increased mortality.  Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Buena Vista 11 – Turkey farm that has experienced increased mortality.  An estimate on the number of birds at the site is still pending. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Buena Vista 12 – Turkey farm with an estimated 42,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Cherokee 5 – Turkey farm that has experienced increased mortality.  An estimate on the number of birds at the site is still pending. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Sac 3 – Turkey farm that has experienced increased mortality.  An estimate on the number of birds at the site is still pending. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Palo Alto – Turkey farm that has experienced increased mortality.  An estimate on the number of birds at the site is still pending. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    As the Department receives final confirmations of the disease updated information will be posted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.iowaagriculture.gov/avianinfluenza.asp.



Senators Call for Increased Action to Address HPAI Outbreak

In a letter sent this week to leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator John Hoeven joined a bipartisan group of 14 other senators in requesting additional support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to proactively address the ongoing highly virulent avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak.

As of now, HPAI has been detected in nearly 20 states across the country. Although the virus poses minimal risk to humans, it has serious implications for U.S. poultry producers. To control the virus, many poultry farmers have been forced to eradicate their flocks, resulting in the loss of millions of birds to date. The letter was led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

"The HPAI outbreak has already forced American poultry producers to eliminate millions of birds," Hoeven said. "This is a real challenge to the farmers who have been affected. It's also creating uncertainty throughout the industry, and the prospect of higher prices at the market for consumers. Given that this outbreak is projected to continue into the fall, it is important that we are proactive in addressing it. We must ensure that APHIS receives the support it needs to continue its critical avian influenza response measures in the next fiscal year."

APHIS has partnered with the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and state and local agencies to combat the avian influenza outbreak. The APHIS program conducts avian influenza surveillance, reporting and control efforts, and also distributes indemnity payments to poultry producers who have been affected by the outbreak.



REMINDER: JUNE 1 DEADLINE FOR IOWA CENTURY AND HERITAGE FARM OWNERS TO APPLY
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today reminded eligible farm owners that the deadline to apply for the 2015 Century and Heritage Farm Program is June 1, 2015.  The program recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.

    “The deadline for families with a Century or Heritage applications is quickly approaching and I hope those with an eligible farm will take the time to apply,” Northey said.  “This program is a great way to highlight the deep history and strong heritage of agriculture in our state.”

    Farm families with a century or heritage farm must submit an application to the Department no later than June 1, 2015 to qualify for recognition this year.

    Applications are available on the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under “Hot Topics.”

    Applications may also be requested from Becky Lorenz, Coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program via phone at 515-281-3645, email at Becky.Lorenz@IowaAgriculture.gov or by writing to Century or Heritage Farms Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.

    The program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.  The ceremony to recognize the 2015 Century and Heritage Farms is scheduled to be held at the Iowa State Fair on Thursday, August 20th.

    The Century Farm program began in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration and 18,328 farms from across the state have received this recognition.  The Heritage Farm program was started in 2006, on the 30th anniversary of the Century Farm program, and 736 farms have been recognized.

    Last year 344 Century Farms and 86 Heritage Farms were recognized.



Did You Know Foreign Beef Marketing Audio Shorts

Did you know ... Japanese parents and children participated in a recent U.S. beef educational event that was funded, in part, by the beef checkoff? Toward educating consumers about the unique quality and nutritional attributes of U.S. beef and introducing bone-in items – which are new to the market – this family event centered on cooking U.S. T-bone steaks. Combining the old with the new, the event featured a traditional Japanese flavor, but used U.S. beef. 

Did you know ... In the Caribbean, FY15 checkoff efforts include initiatives to eliminate trade-restrictive policies and requirements, so two recent seminars in the Cayman Islands provided a systematic overview of the U.S. beef industry to a group that included veterinarians and chief veterinary officers? A team funded partially by the beef checkoff also met with the largest U.S. beef-selling retailer in the Caymans to review its fabrication and storage facilities and provide guidance for improvements. Caribbean retail outlets are transitioning from frozen to chilled beef products, and retailers working with fresh beef experience handling issues, such as shrink and inconsistent cold-chain infrastructure. The team also reviewed the meat case setup, pricing and product labeling and offered counsel on how to address common customer questions about U.S. meat products. 

Did you know ... The American Beef Club (ABC), a concept that the checkoff helped pioneer in Europe and Russia, has been re-launched in the Philippines? ABC members – typically restaurants and hotels – must serve at least 80 percent U.S. beef, and it must be graded USDA “prime” or “choice.” U.S. beef exports to this vibrant foodservice sector in the Philippines, and its highly competitive market is fostered by the assurance of impeccable quality beef from America to draw in consumers. Membership in the club provides an incentive for restaurants to continually feature U.S. beef.

To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



NPPC Critical Of Dietary Recommendations

In comments submitted today to the secretaries of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS), the National Pork Producers Council criticized recommendations related to meat in the diet from a committee informing the creation of new federal guidelines for healthy eating.

In a February report to USDA and HHS, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) recommended that people consume less red and processed meat, and it omitted lean meat from its recommended dietary pattern. Additionally, the panel of health and nutrition professionals concluded that a diet higher in plant-based and lower in animal-based foods would be more environmentally sustainable.

USDA and HHS every five years write new dietary guidelines, which affect all federal food purchasing programs, including the School Lunch program. The 2015 guidelines are expected to be issued late this year.

NPPC pointed out in its comments that there is ample scientific evidence supporting the nutritive value of meat and noted that previous dietary guidelines recognized and supported the critical role animal proteins play in ensuring a nutritionally optimal American diet. The organization said the DGAC recommendations on meat were reached “on tenuous grounds.”

It also was critical of the committee for not reviewing the “full breadth of scientific research that supports the inclusion of meat into healthy dietary profiles” and for relying extensively on information sources from outside USDA’s Nutrition Evidence Library, a repository of nutrition information. The DGAC acknowledge that the NEL was used to develop about a quarter of its conclusions.

On the issue of sustainability, NPPC wrote that the DGAC had “neither the mandate nor breadth of expertise needed to do this topic justice.” Consideration (and inclusion) of sustainability was a significant overreach, said NPPC.

The organization pointed out that meat, including pork, includes a number of critical vitamins and minerals, including B12, Heme iron and potassium, which often are lacking in many American diets. It also noted that lean, nutrient-rich meat is versatile, affordable and accessible, making it easy to incorporate into the diet.

NPPC asked USDA and HHS to “ensure that pork retains its rightful place on the American plate.”

Comments echoing NPPC’s also were submitted by 27 state pork associations.



NCBA Urges Secretaries to Reject Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Flawed Recommendations  
 
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association submitted comments today to the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture on the flawed advice in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s report. The report serves as a set of recommendations to the Secretaries of HHS and USDA as they finalize the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. However, the misleading recommendations are inconsistent with decades of scientific evidence and data within the report. Along with NCBA, numerous scientific organizations and individual scientists, including several former Advisory Committee members have also raised similar concerns in their public comments.

NCBA President Philip Ellis said he hopes the Secretaries will carefully review the science and draft a final report that reinforces lean beef’s role in a healthy lifestyle.

“The Advisory Committee ignored the overwhelming body of scientific evidence that shows lean red meat plays an important role in a healthy dietary pattern and ultimately made an unsubstantiated decision to remove lean meats from a healthy dietary pattern for Americans,” said Ellis. “To date, there are nearly 20 randomized controlled trials including the BOLD study showing healthful dietary patterns with 4-5.5 ounces of lean red meat daily supports good health. The Advisory Committee ignored this evidence, and instead relied heavily on weaker forms of science, such as observational evidence.”

Dr. Shalene McNeill, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Scientist with NCBA said the report contradicts itself with qualitative messaging that states American diets should be lower in red meat, while providing quantitative data that shows lean red meat consumption is within the recommended amounts and that an increase in lean beef consumption fits into a healthy dietary pattern. Total beef consumption contributes five percent of the total calories and 10 percent or less of the total and saturated fat in American diets, yet it supplies more than five percent of eight essential nutrients including potassium, an under-consumed nutrient and iron, a lacking nutrient for adolescent females. 

“The Secretaries need to step back and look at the real world application of these recommendations,” said McNeill. “Americans have already moderated their red meat servings, and science reinforces that current consumption is within amounts needed to promote good health, protecting the population from a shortfall of nutrients and providing a satisfying form of nutrition. Rather than cutting back, Americans need to be encouraged to eat lean meat more often with vegetables, fruits and whole grains.”

The charge of the Advisory Committee is to evaluate the latest nutrition research and make science-based recommendations to help mold the dietary guidelines, yet the Committee excluded sound research, made unsubstantiated recommendations and then went as far to as to venture into topics that are outside of their scope and expertise, Ellis said.

“The U.S. cattle industry welcomes an evidence-based discussion on the significant achievements of the overall environmental and social footprint of the beef industry,” said Ellis. “Our producers have a great story to tell on sustainability and beef is an ideal protein for a healthy diet, but those are separate conversations. The topic of sustainability is outside the scope of the Dietary Guidelines and we urge the Secretaries to reject any recommendations beyond health and nutrition.”



AgriBank Reports First-Quarter 2015 Financial Results

 Today St. Paul-based AgriBank announced financial results for the first quarter of 2015 with continued strong net income, strong credit quality, and robust liquidity and capital.

Highlights:
    Net income remained strong: Net income decreased $7.2 million to $123.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, but remained strong. While net interest income remained stable, the decrease was primarily driven by lower mineral income due to continued lower oil prices.

    Credit quality remained strong: Loan portfolio credit quality remained strong, as acceptable loans stood at 99.7 percent.

    Liquidity and capital remained robust: Cash and investments totaled $15.9 billion at March 31, 2015, compared to $16.4 billion at the end of last year. End-of-the-quarter liquidity was 183 days, well above requirements established by the Farm Credit Administration (FCA), the Bank’s independent regulator. Driven by capital of $4.9 billion, regulatory capital ratios also remained above FCA minimums.

"AgriBank began the year with continued strength in both earnings and credit quality," said Bill York, AgriBank CEO. "Given price declines for major commodities across our territory, we continue to expect that earnings and credit quality will return closer to long-term averages over time. However, AgriBank, affiliated Associations and borrowers have built solid financial positions to mitigate the impacts of potentially volatile markets."

First Quarter 2015 Results of Operations
Net income decreased $7.2 million, or 5.5 percent, to $123.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Net interest income increased slightly to $128.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $127.0 million for the same period in 2014, primarily due to growth in loan volume year-over-year. The positive impact of the higher loan volume was offset by our changing earning asset mix, driven by increases in our liquidity investment portfolio, which carries lower spreads than our retail loan products, as well as compressing spreads on the AgDirect equipment and retail loan portfolios due to competitive pressures.

Provision for loan losses was $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2014.

Non-interest income decreased to $26.5 million, compared to $29.5 million for the same period in 2014. This decrease was primarily driven by lower mineral income due to continued lower oil prices.

Loan Portfolio
Total loans declined 2.6 percent to $75.5 billion, primarily due to the decrease in wholesale loans, which was driven primarily by seasonal paydowns, annual repayment cycle and decreases in retail loan activity at affiliated Associations. The strong liquidity and equity positions of many borrowers are reflected in the continued favorable credit quality of AgriBank’s loan portfolio. The portfolio had 99.7 percent acceptable-rated loans at March 31, 2015 and at the end of last year. Acceptable loans represent the highest quality assets. Credit quality has been steadily improving since 2009 and remains consistent with the position as of December 31, 2014; however, these are strong positions that are expected to revert to more normal levels over time.

While credit quality has remained strong, nonaccrual loans increased slightly from year end to $42.6 million at March 31, 2015, primarily due to low commodity prices and current economic conditions. In addition, the allowance for loan losses has increased slightly from year end to $13.5 million at March 31, 2015.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (USDA-ERS) projects U.S. aggregate net farm income (NFI) to decline from the forecasted $108.0 billion in 2014 to $73.6 billion in 2015. The overall decline in 2015 NFI is driven by the expected decline in crop prices and a retreat from the record livestock and dairy prices of 2014. Production cost increases are expected to moderate in 2015, partially due to lower energy costs, but are still projected to show a minimal 1.0 percent increase. Despite the significant expected decline in 2015 farm incomes, the U.S. farm economy entered 2015 in perhaps its strongest financial condition in over 50 years. The U.S. farm sector debt-to-asset ratio, a measure of overall farm financial health, reached an all-time low level of 10.6 percent in 2014 and is projected to increase only slightly to 10.9 percent for 2015.

While the outlook for corn, soybean and wheat producers’ income remains generally negative, the strong financial condition of the borrowers comprising the District’s crop portfolio is expected to mitigate the initial impact of lower or negative margins. Given current price projections, producers may benefit from commodity title programs under the Agricultural Act of 2014. However, some areas may experience financial stress if projected conditions are realized during the coming year.

Numerous cases of avian influenza have been reported in the United States since the beginning of 2015, mainly impacting commercial turkey flocks and chickens for egg production; however, risk to human health is believed to be negligible. Regardless, many countries have imposed export restrictions for certain regions in the United States, which are a driver in the expected reduction in turkey exports by 10.4 percent in 2015. The District concentration in poultry is limited at approximately 2 percent. As poultry remains a highly price-competitive protein source, the corresponding increase in domestic supply due to the reduction in exports has not modified the District outlook for the industry in 2015. This situation remains very fluid and could change quickly because the source of the avian influenza has not yet been determined.

Capital Resources and Liquidity
Total capital increased $31.9 million during the period to $4.9 billion, driven primarily by net income, partially offset by patronage and dividends.

Cash and investments totaled $15.9 billion at March 31, 2015, compared to $16.4 billion at the end of last year. The Bank’s end-of-the-period liquidity position represented 183 days coverage of maturing debt obligations, well above the 90-day minimum established by the FCA.

About AgriBank
AgriBank is one of the largest banks within the national Farm Credit System, with more than $90 billion in total assets. Under the Farm Credit System’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 17 affiliated Farm Credit Associations. The AgriBank District covers America’s Midwest, a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. About half of the nation’s cropland is located within the AgriBank District, providing the Bank and its Association owners with expertise in production agriculture. For more information, visit www.AgriBank.com.



MAIZALL Announces New President
MAIZALL, the international maize alliance, this week announced the election of Sergio Bortolozzo as its new president. A farmer from Brazil, Bortolozzo succeeds U.S. Grains Council Past Chairman Julius Schaaf, who had served as president since the formation of MAIZALL in 2013.

“I want to begin by thanking Julius Schaaf of the Council for his leadership in establishing MAIZALL,” Bortolozzo said. “We will continue as a partnership of three countries presenting the growers’ perspective in international discussions on technology and trade.”

MAIZALL is a strategic partnership formed by the Council, the National Corn Growers Association, ABRAMHILO and MAIZAR, the major corn producer organizations of the United States, Brazil and Argentina. Each of the three counties has equal representation on the Board with the presidency rotating among them.

In its first two years, MAIZALL worked closely with the agricultural and foreign ministries of all three member countries to urge cooperation on regulatory issues and expanded market access for exporters. The organization has also met with government and industry leaders in China, Korea and the European Union, as well as officials at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to encourage improvements in the biotechnology approval process in key export markets.

MAIZALL is also a participant in the Global Low Level Presence Initiative (GLI), an international working group that is seeking to encourage greater synchronicity in biotech event approvals and to develop trade enabling protocols regarding the low-level presence of unapproved events.