NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 2 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.49 million cattle on feed on December 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 2 percent from last year. Placements during November totaled 440,000 head, down 7 percent from 2014. Fed cattle marketings for the month of November totaled 385,000 head, up 4 percent from last year. Other disappearance during November totaled 15,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,185,000 head on December 1, 2015, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. The inventory is up 3 percent from November 1, 2015 and December 1, 2014. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head had 630,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 555,000 head on feed, up 10 percent from last month and up 5 percent from last year.
Placements during November totaled 219,000 head, a decrease of 8 percent from last month and last year. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head placed 101,000 head, down 35 percent from last month and down 20 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 118,000 head. This is up 44 percent from last month and up 7 percent from last year.
Marketings for November were 173,000 head, down 13 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head marketed 107,000 head, down 5 percent from last month but up 13 percent from last year. This marks the highest November marketings for operations with a capacity of 1,000 or more head since estimates began in 1994. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 66,000 head, down 22 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Other disappearance for all feedlots totaled 6,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Down Slightly
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on December 1, 2015. The inventory was slightly below December 1, 2014.
Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.60 million head, 11 percent below 2014. Placements are the lowest for November since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.53 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 470,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 391,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 310,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 430,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.53 million head, 4 percent above 2014. Other disappearance totaled 74,000 head during November, unchanged from 2014.
Cattle on Feed by State (1,000 hd - % Dec 1 '14)
Colorado .......: 890 98
Iowa .............: 630 102
Kansas ..........: 2,140 102
Nebraska ......: 2,490 98
Texas ............: 2,510 98
Placements by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '14)
Colorado .......: 140 90
Iowa .............: 101 80
Kansas ..........: 305 95
Nebraska ......: 440 93
Texas ............: 315 82
Marketings by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '14)
Colorado .......: 125 104
Iowa .............: 107 113
Kansas ..........: 295 104
Nebraska ......: 385 104
Texas ............: 360 100
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Five flow meters now on the approved list for irrigation water management in LENRD
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) voted in November to amend the Groundwater Management Plan to require flow meters on all irrigation wells across the 15-county district. The Board is now preparing for the next public hearing that will take place on Thursday, January 14th at 6:30 p.m. to receive public testimony on modifications to the LENRD Rules and Regulations for Management of Groundwater that are necessary for implementation of this new requirement.
At their December board meeting, the board approved several additions to the flow meter list. The following meters are approved for installation across the district: McCrometer Propeller Flow Meters (All Models); McCrometer McMag 3000 Magmeter; Senninger Flo-Wise Ag Rotor Sensor System; Seametrics AG2000 Series Magmeter; and the Growsmart by Lindsay IM3000 Magnetic Flow Meter.
The board has not yet approved the deadline for when the meters need to be installed. They are considering a January 1, 2018 deadline. “The board will continue to work on the details of the rules and regulations and make further decisions after the public hearing in January,” said LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek.
The board also discussed groundwater allocations for the Quantity Subareas for 2016. It was decided to keep the same allocations that were in place for 2015.
Whether or not to allow new irrigated acres was also on the agenda. The board voted to allow no new irrigated acres under the standard variance process. However, under the Expedited Variance Process, they did approve 250 acres in the hydrologically connected area and 250 acres in the areas where the groundwater is NOT hydrologically connected. This would allow approval of applications of 10 acres or less if the addition of the requested acres will allow the applicant’s center pivot to finish its circle, or for qualified applications under the good cause variance process. Both of these situations are considered under the expedited variance process and the application period for this specific process is now open for 2016.
In other action, the Quantity Subarea education requirements were examined and the board voted to require producers to attend 4 hours of instruction over a four year period, with renewal every four years. “This is a shift away from the annual education requirement and should provide greater flexibility for everyone involved,” said LENRD Water Resources Manager, Brian Bruckner.
For more information, visit our website at www.lenrd.org.
GRASS-ALFALFA MIXTURES INSTEAD OF PURE ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
Are you going to plant a new hay field next spring? Instead of automatically planting pure alfalfa, think about mixing some grass into your planting.
Hay growers in our area often plant new fields to alfalfa without even thinking about other alternatives. For lots of folks, pure alfalfa is the best choice, but for many of you, mixing in some grass, like orchardgrass or festulolium, with your alfalfa might be better.
Let’s look at some advantages of a grass-alfalfa mixture. If you regularly feed more than five or six pounds of alfalfa per day to stock cows during winter, they probably are getting too much protein but maybe not enough TDN. Mixing grass with alfalfa usually lowers the protein but increases slightly the TDN content of hay. So your cows actually could receive a more balanced diet. Also, if you sometimes graze your hay fields, grass will reduce the risk of bloat.
In the field, grass can grow in areas where alfalfa is not well-adapted or fill in spots as alfalfa dies out. This is better than having weeds invade bare areas. Grass-alfalfa mixtures dry out more rapidly after cutting than pure alfalfa so you might get more hay made without rain damage. And if it does rain, the mixture usually suffers less damage, both in the windrow and in the bale.
Yield-wise, protein yield per acre will be less with the mix, but total tonnage will be about the same or slightly higher. Most of the grass yield will come at first cut, so regrowth will be mostly alfalfa. Selling a mixture can be more difficult because dairies prefer pure alfalfa and grass is more difficult to grind.
You know alfalfa is good, but maybe for you, mixing it with grass is better.
Current National Drought Summary
The Mississippi Valley, Great Plains and High Plains - www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu
A broad swath of moderate to heavy precipitation was observed in part of the Plains from Iowa and eastern Nebraska southward through most of Kansas, the southeastern Plains, and the western side of the Mississippi Valley. Between 2 and 4 inches fell on these areas, with amounts closer to 6 inches measured in southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas. Prior to this week, dryness only affected a few portions of this broad area…but where it did, conditions were significantly relieved. Abnormal dryness was removed from northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and adjacent Wisconsin while the broad abnormally dry area across central and eastern Kansas was reduced to two relatively small areas in the central and east-central parts of the state (where moderate drought existed last week). Precipitation totals for the first half of December exceeded 4 inches in a broad area from southeastern Nebraska and Iowa southward through the southeastern Plains and Mississippi Valley, with amounts of 8 to locally 20 inches drenching eastern Oklahoma and surrounding areas.
In other parts of the region, light to moderate precipitation had little effect on the existing dryness and drought in the Dakotas and adjacent Minnesota, the northern and central High Plains, and a few spots in central and southern Texas, including the southern Big Bend region; however, moderate drought was improved to D0 in part of central North Dakota, and a few small areas of abnormal dryness popped up along the Rio Grande River in southern Texas.
Looking Ahead
During December 17 – 21, storminess should continue across the Pacific Northwest, northern California, most of Idaho, and adjacent parts of surrounding states. Precipitation totals in most of the area should be moderate, ranging from about an inch to a few inches, but areas from the Cascades to the West Coast will likely get soaked again. More than a foot could fall on parts of coastal Oregon. Farther east, light to moderate precipitation, with isolated amounts of up to 1.5 inches, are expected across the areas of dryness and drought in the East. From the Appalachians to the Rockies and in the Southwest, existing dry areas shouldn’t expect much relief, with only a few tenths of an inch at best anticipated. Temperatures are forecast to average several degrees above normal from the Plains to the East Coast, and near normal in most other locations.
The odds favor wet weather across almost the entire contiguous 48 states during the ensuing 5 days (December 22 – 26), with the highest likelihoods covering areas from the Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians in the East, and the central and northern Rockies, northern and central Intermountain West, and Oregon in the West. Very mild weather is possible across the eastern half of the country, but unusually cold weather is anticipated in Alaska.
NE Brand Fees as of January 1, 2016
A hearing was held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled quarterly-meeting of the Nebraska Brand Committee, December 9. It was to address raising fees charged by the Committee. The Committee projects a short fall in the coming months that will reduce their reserves.
The Committee members voted to increase the brand recording fees that they still had statutory authority to raise. Pending a ruling by the Nebraska Attorney General, the per head inspection fee will also be raised.
The fees that will change January 1, 2016 are as follows:
- Brand Transfer Fee - Increasing from $35.00 to $40.00.
- Brand Lease Fee - Increased from $1.00 to $100.00. (Renews on renewal date of the brand)
- Brand Research - Increased from $15.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour. $1.00 per copy stayed the same.
- Local Inspection Research - Increased from $15.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour. $1.00 per copy stayed the same.
- Grazing Permits - Increased from $10.00 per year to $15.00 per year.
- Out-of-State Branding Permit - Increased from $25.00 per permit to $50.00 per permit.
NCGA Announces 2015 Yield Contest Winners
Improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2015 National Corn Yield Contest. Entrants continued to far surpass the national average corn yield, setting a contest record with a new all-time high yield of just over 532 bushels per acre. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.
The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 51st year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members. Participation in the contest remained strong in 2015, with 7,729 entries received.
“The contest does more than just provide farmers an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates information that shapes future production practices across the industry,” said Brent Hostetler, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques contest winners first develop grow into broad advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes how innovation, from growers and technology providers alike, enables us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 386.4 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 169.3 bushels per acre in 2015. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories topped out at 532.0271.
This record was set by David Hula of Charles City, VA.
“The National Corn Yield Contest drives so many corn farmers to initially join NCGA,” said Patty Mann, chairwoman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team. “While they may initially join to gain contest entry, these members become increasingly involved and supportive as they learn more about the breadth of activities NCGA carries out on farmers’ behalf. Just as the contest promotes the on-farm techniques developed by many single growers to benefit all corn farmers, NCGA’s grassroots efforts join the single voices of members together to create positive change and real opportunities for our industry.”
State & Class Results
(rank - Name - Town - Brand - Variety - Yield bu/acre)
A Non-Irrigated - Nebraska
1 Mike Scholting Louisville Pioneer P1257AM™ 329.6426
2 Steve Johnson Ithaca Pioneer P1690AM™ 263.1387
3 Leroy Keller Papillion Pioneer P1498AM™ 260.6186
AA Non-Irrigated - Iowa
1 Mike Kaufman Dysart Pioneer P1498AM™ 328.6876
2 Dave Price Clarinda DEKALB DKC62-08RIB 320.7105
3 David & Mason Hansen Crescent Pioneer P2088AMX™ 303.6087
A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated - Nebraska
1 - Marvin and Glenn Wiles - Plattsmouth - DEKALB DKC 62-78 RIB - 269.3104 bu/acre
2 Dave Schmit David City Pioneer P1197CHR 266.2877
* Marvin and Glenn Wiles Plattsmouth DEKALB DKC67-57RIB 265.5488
3 Dean Stevens Falls City Pioneer P1257AM™ 264.7180
AA No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated - Iowa
1 Tim, Dan & Joe Durick Council Bluffs Pioneer P2089AM™ 317.7469
2 Robert Jensen Neola DEKALB DKC64-89RIB 302.4527
3 Doug Bowen Malvern Pioneer P1197AM™ 282.4162
No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated - Nebraska
1 Scott Bunger Axtell Pioneer P1197AM™ 335.0399
2 Bruce Schmit Bellwood Producers Hybrids 7268STXRIB 302.8699
3 Rex Peterson Riverdale Pioneer P0801AM™* 301.2757
No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated - Iowa
1 Greg Lynott Hawarden Mycogen Seeds 2G685 280.8727
2 Roy Folkerts Inwood Pioneer P1197AM™ 258.9077
3 Todd Folkerts Inwood Pioneer P1197AM™ 257.9772
Irrigated - Nebraska
1 John Panowicz Cairo Pioneer P1690CHR 306.7681
2 Mike Soneson Holdrege Pioneer P1197AM™ 306.5131
3 Bob Panowicz Cairo Pioneer P1690CHR 304.7956
Irrigated - Iowa
1 David Bockman Everly DEKALB DKC57-75RIB 264.9708
2 Matt Lorimor Tabor Pioneer P1197CHR 261.6051
3 Kim Dummermuth Elgin Pioneer P1197AM™ 257.4533
For more than half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.
Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In New Orleans, during the 2016 Commodity Classic, winners will be honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast.
Please visit National Corn Growers Association website www.ncga.com for the complete list of National and State winners. National winners will be announced at 9 a.m. CST, and State winners will be announced at 10 a.m. CST.
Manure Applicator Training Begins Jan. 5
Iowa manure applicators, confinement and commercial, should plan now to complete training to renew their certificates by March 1.
Commercial applicators can take advantage of a Jan. 5 program offered from 9 a.m. to noon at 74 Iowa and three out-of-state locations. Please register with the local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office by Dec. 30.
Confinement site applicators can check the Extension training schedule for a convenient training time and location from Jan. 11 to Feb. 29.
New this fall, online training and fee payment are also available through the DNR's www.iowadnr.gov/manureapplicator website.
Seven workshops in February are designed for applicators who work with mostly dry or solid manure from poultry, cattle or hog operations. They are open to both confinement and commercial applicators.
Once training is complete, submit applications and fees to the DNR prior to March 1 to avoid a $12.50 late fee.
Find training times and locations at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html. More information about applicator certification is available at www.iowadnr.gov/afo/. Testing is available at six DNR field offices in lieu of training.
The DNR administers the applicator certification program. In 2015, there were 2,714 commercial and 2,350 confinement site certified applicators in Iowa. ISU Extension and Outreach provides training opportunities. Certified applicators must complete a training session or pass an exam.
State law requires certification for manure applicators who handle, transport or apply manure from a confinement (totally roofed) facility with more than 500 animal units.
Iowa Soybean Association Research Conference Feb. 16-17 in Des Moines
Partnerships advancing progress in research, water quality and soybean production will be featured during an expanded Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Research Conference to be held Feb. 16-17 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
The conference will focus on expanding dialogue among ag and urban stakeholders about Iowa agriculture and the environment as well as provide relevant insight on production issues to improve farmer competitiveness. Registration is open now at www.isafarmnet.com.
“Fifteen years of in-field and edge-of-field agronomic and conservation research will be combined with external research and technical assistance programs to foster conversation around key topics impacting farmers and our state,” said Ed Anderson, ISA senior director of supply and production systems.
In addition to its new location, a half-day program has been added for Feb. 16 emphasizing the on-going collaboration between Iowa’s urban and rural stakeholders to improve water quality. Presenters from the U.S. Water Alliance, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa League of Cities and the Greater Des Moines Partnership will highlight examples of urban and rural cooperative implementation projects and share innovative solutions working for a stronger Iowa future.
“These sessions provide a discussion forum about the water quality partnerships taking place in Iowa,” said Roger Wolf, ISA director of Environmental Programs and Services. “We look forward to learning about and highlighting urban-rural projects that are working across the state.”
The conference’s second day features nearly 35 breakout sessions on topics including on-farm research results, basic and applied soybean research, ag technology, soil and water quality, natural resources management and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
“The conference has been a must-attend event over the past several years,” said ISA President Wayne Fredericks. “Farmers are facing lower grain prices and struggles with the high cost of production; the conference will provide insights on ways to better compete in the year ahead.”
Registration prior to or on Feb. 4 is $150 for the full two-day conference; $175 after Feb. 4. Individual day prices are also available. Certified crop advisers will be eligible to receive credit for sessions attended.
For additional event information or to register, visit www.isafarmnet.com or call 800-383-1423.
November Milk Production in the United States up 0.6 Percent
Milk production in the United States during November totaled 16.6 billion pounds, up 0.6 percent from November 2014. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,787 pounds for November, 4 pounds above November 2014. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.31 million head, 29,000 head more than November 2014, but unchanged from October 2015.
IOWA: Milk production in Iowa during November 2015 totaled 387 million pounds, up 1 percent from the previous November according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during November, at 210,000 head, was the same as last month but 2,000 head more than a year ago. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,845 pounds, up 10 pounds from a year ago. This is the highest monthly milk per cow for November on record for Iowa.
Nebraska Cattlemen Applauds the Passage of the Omnibus Bill
Nebraska Cattlemen applauds the bipartisan passage of the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill, today. There are several provisions in the legislation important to members of Nebraska Cattlemen.
Repeal of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) was vital to stop the retaliatory tariffs going into effect from two of our largest beef trading partners, Canada and Mexico. With Nebraska being the largest exporter of beef and pork, this is of economic importance to the state. Further, a voluntary COOL system provides consumers with pricing options and producers with marketing options.
Nebraska Cattlemen feels it is positive that the omnibus maintains Congressional oversight ensuring that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans remain within the scope of nutrition and health. The most recent process excluded sound scientific evidence and brought social issues into the process.
The provision telling APHIS to conduct timely audits of trade countries' animal health status is among the positives of this bill. Keeping current on reviews is important to ensure protection of our livestock from disease.
The bill prohibits the use of any funds appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate rules for mandatory reporting of "greenhouse gases" by producers. Further, no funds can be used to promulgate rules for mandatory reporting of methane, carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide resulting from the biological process of cattle production. Unfortunately, the EPA's "Waters of the United States" rule is not addressed in the omnibus. However, the nation-wide stay is still in place currently.
Also, good news for Nebraska farmers and ranchers is the passage of tax extenders legislation. The tax provisions to extend charitable deduction for capital gains of real property for conservation purposes will allow producers more options in their conservation choices. Additionally, the conservation easement tax credit is made permanent. Of particular interest in Nebraska is the permanent extension of the Section 179 at $500,000, up from $25,000 previously.
"There are many parts to this bill that are positive for Nebraska cattle producers," states President, Barb Cooksley. "We thank our Congressional delegates who voted for the Omnibus bill.
Obama Signs Budget Bill
President Barack Obama on Friday signed a $1.1 trillion budget bill that is chock-full of key provisions for farmers, equipment sellers, biofuel producers and other businesses.
The U.S. Senate on Friday passed the combined omnibus appropriations and tax extenders bill by a vote of 65 to 33. The House had passed the omnibus earlier Friday and passed the tax extenders bill on Thursday.
Vilsack on the Country of Origin Labeling Requirements for Beef and Pork
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement regarding the language in the omnibus bill repealing the country of origin labeling requirements for beef and pork products.
"The omnibus bill repealed the country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork, and ground beef and pork. Effective immediately, USDA is not enforcing the COOL requirements for muscle cut and ground beef and pork outlined in the January 2009 and May 2013 final rules."
USDA will be amending the COOL regulations as expeditiously as possible to reflect the repeal of the beef and pork provisions. In addition, all imported and domestic meat will continue to be subject to rigorous inspections by USDA to ensure food safety.
Congress Repeals ‘COOL’ Meat Labeling Provision
With today’s passage of a fiscal 2016 catch-all federal spending bill that includes repeal of the meat labeling provision of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law, the United States avoided harmful retaliation from its two biggest trading partners. The National Pork Producers Council, which last week drafted and sent to congressional lawmakers a letter signed by 248 other organizations urging labeling repeal, welcomed the move.
The COOL statute requires meat to be labeled with the country where the animal from which it was derived was born, raised and harvested. (It also applies to fish, shellfish, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables and certain nuts.)
Canada and Mexico brought cases against COOL to the World Trade Organization, which ruled that it violated U.S. international trade obligations, discriminating against Canadian and Mexican livestock sent to the United States to be fed out and processed. The decision authorized Canada and Mexico to put retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods going to those countries – the No. 1 and No. 2 U.S. export markets. The WTO set the retaliation level at $1 billion annually.
Congress approved the so-called omnibus bill with language repealing the labeling provision for beef and pork, thus avoiding retaliation. The Senate and House Agriculture Committee chairmen, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, were instrumental in getting the repeal language added to the spending measure.
“America’s pork producers are grateful that lawmakers, particularly Chairman Roberts and Chairman Conaway, recognized the economic harm we faced from retaliation because of the WTO-illegal COOL law,” said NPPC President Dr. Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “I know tariffs on U.S. pork would have been devastating to me and other pork producers.”
According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, the average U.S. pork producer currently is losing money on each hog marketed, and those losses would have been exacerbated significantly under retaliation from Canada and Mexico.
Federal Appropriations Bill Passes; Holds Key Provisions for Cattle Producers
With bipartisan support, Congress passed the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill today, which funds much of the government through fiscal year 2016. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Philip Ellis said the bill contained several victories for cattlemen and women.
Coming within days of facing retaliation from two of our largest trading partners, the bill repeals mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling for beef; a significant victory for America’s cattle producers.
“COOL has plagued our industry for many years now, costing us millions and driving us to the brink of retaliation from two of our largest trading partners,” said Ellis. “Cattle producers have had to bear the cost of this failed program for far too long, and we commend the leadership of Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway and Representative Jim Costa (D-Cali.) for ensuring the United States is brought back into compliance with our trade obligations.”
The omnibus maintains Congressional oversight to ensure the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans remain within the scope of nutrition and health and are based on the latest nutritional evidence. Kristina Butts, senior executive director of government affairs, said the guidelines serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy and that it is critical the recommendations are based on the latest science.
“Americans should enjoy a well-balanced diet with foods they enjoy,” said Butts. “Beef is an excellent source of several key nutrients like zinc, iron and protein, and numerous studies have shown positive benefits of lean beef in the diet. We’re pleased Congress continues to be engaged in the process. It is important the role of the Dietary Guidelines continues as Congress intended – to provide nutrition advice based on sound science.”
Additionally, Ellis said the bill requires a more stringent regulatory process for allowing beef imports from regions with a history of animal disease outbreaks.
“America’s cattle producers are strong supporters of trade,” said Ellis, “but we must have strong safeguards in place and do our due-diligence to ensure the health and well-being of our domestic herd is not sacrificed.”
Continued assurance on several environmental regulations is also maintained in the bill. Specifically, the bill keeps the overzealous Environmental Protection Agency in check by continuing to prohibit the agency from requiring livestock producers to obtain Clean Air Act permits or report greenhouse gas emissions on livestock operations. Unfortunately, EPA’s “Waters of the United States” rule is not addressed in the omnibus. However, the nation-wide stay is still in place currently, and NCBA will continue to push back on the rule through the courts.
Brenda Richards, Public Lands Council president, said the increase in wildfire management funds is critical as the recent drought and lack of federal forest management has ignited several massive fires this year.
“Wildfires are a significant threat to our forests and rangelands as well as our homes and lives,” said Richards. “When a fire does break out, however, we need the appropriate resources to put it out. Additionally, we appreciate the continued blocking of the Sage Grouse listing, which will give producers more flexibility to address prescriptive Resource Management Plans. Livestock grazing is one of the best management tools we have to maintain healthy landscapes, reducing the risk of wildfire and allowing our natural resources to thrive.”
Richards added the bill also continues to block the Secretarial Order 3310, preventing the Department of Interior from designating de facto wilderness areas, which diminishes multiple-use on our nation’s public lands.
Also key for cattlemen and women is passage of tax extenders legislation, passed in the House on Thursday and the Senate today. Section 179 is permanently extended at $500,000, up from $25,000 previously. Bonus depreciation is set at 50 percent for property acquired during 2015, 2016 and 2017 and phases down, with 40 percent in 2018, and 30 percent in 2019. Additionally, the conservation easement tax credit is made permanent.
“These provisions are vital to providing a stable environment for farmers and ranchers like myself to plan for the future,” said Ellis, a Wyoming rancher. “We have had to rely heavily on last-minute tax extender legislation over the past several years, but making these provisions permanent will allow businesses to invest in equipment and property with the financial certainty required.”
The comprehensive bill passed by both the House and Senate is positive news for the cattle industry. NCBA and PLC urge President Obama to sign the omnibus bill without delay.
NMPF Praises Inclusion of COOL Repeal, Tax Relief for Farmers In Year-End Federal Government Spending Bill
Several crucial items for dairy farmers were approved by Congress in a massive year-end spending bill adopted Friday, including permanent tax relief for agricultural equipment purchases and the prevention of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. dairy products, the National Milk Producers Federation said today.
The must-pass omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year 2016, coupled with a major tax package, together were used as catch-all vehicles for a number of items important to the dairy sector, including:
• Repeal of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef and pork, the existence of which threatened to generate new tariffs on U.S. dairy products exported to Canada and Mexico;
• A permanent extension of the Section 179 tax credit, which allows farms and other small businesses to write off capital purchases immediately, instead of over time;
• A five-year extension of the 50% bonus depreciation, which allows companies to lower the cost of capital for investment in qualified assets while increasing the cash flow for their businesses.
The House and Senate each approved the combined spending and tax bill on Friday.
“The package features key items that will help make Christmas a little merrier for the nation’s dairy farmers,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “In particular, the tax measures will help farmers’ budgets in a year when they’ve been squeezed financially by low milk prices. Making the Section 179 credit permanent is a very welcome outcome after several years of short-term extensions of the provision.”
Mulhern said the COOL repeal was important “to prevent new tariffs on U.S. dairy products at a particularly challenging time for our industry, given the depressed global market.”
“Repealing the six-year-old Country-of-Origin Labeling program for beef and pork prevents the loss of millions of dollars of U.S. dairy exports that would have resulted from the World Trade Organization ruling,” Mulhern said.
The WTO said earlier this month that parts of the COOL labeling program violate international trade rules, and that Canada and Mexico could respond by penalizing U.S. exports by more than $1 billion. Both countries had indicated their intention to include American dairy products on their retaliation lists.
The spending bill omitted other important policy objectives sought by NMPF, including a federal preemption of mandatory state GMO labeling laws; reforms to child nutrition programs to ensure increased access to nutritious dairy options in schools; halting the EPA’s efforts to enforce the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule; and a proposal creating a manure nutrient recovery tax credit.
Mulhern said NMPF will work with Congress to address these and other issues in the new year. Senate agriculture leaders have already pledged to work on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act early in 2016, while the WOTUS rule is likely to face continued opposition in Congress, even as its implementation is suspended nationwide for the time being because of a federal court challenge.
Year-End Tax Bill Benefits Farmers
On Friday, Congress passed Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH), a bill that includes two important provisions affecting farmers. The bill will permanently cap small business deductions for capital expenses at $500,000, up from the previous limit of $25,000.
The PATH Bill also extends the existing bonus depreciation for the purchase of new capital assets for another 5 years at 50 percent for 2015-2017, 40 percent in 2018 and 30 percent in 2019. NCGA has advocated for these two tax provisions for years and applauds Congress for these important changes to the tax code and support for America’s farmers.
“These tax provisions allow farmers to reinvest in their operations – and that has a ripple effect across the entire agriculture industry and rural communities,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling.
Bowling urged Congress to continue pressing ahead in 2016.
“When Congress returns to Washington next January, we hope they will roll up their sleeves and tackle important issues for agriculture,” said Bowling. “Let’s all renew our commitment to working together and finding common ground as we advance the national agenda.”
LANGUAGE DIRECTS USDA, HHS TO STICK TO DIET, NUTRITION IN 2015 DIETARY GUIDELINES
Fearing that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are expected to be issued soon, will recommend eating less meat and delve into areas unrelated to diet and nutrition, congressional lawmakers included in the fiscal 2016 catch-all spending legislation – the so-called omnibus bill – language prohibiting the release and implementation of the guidelines unless they’re based on significant scientific agreement and adhere to the statutory mandate of the law that requires them. That mandate calls for the guidelines to include information on diet and nutrition.
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in February made recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, which write the guidelines, that urged less consumption of red and processed meat, excluded lean meat from the profile of a healthful diet and opined that a plant-based diet was more sustainable than one that includes animal products. Many ag groups, including the National Pork Producers Council, criticized the recommendations and raised concerns about the scientific integrity of the process for developing the dietary guidelines, which form the basis of federal nutrition programs, nutrition standards and nutrition education for the general public. The omnibus bill includes $1 million to be used for reviewing the dietary guidelines process.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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