Friday February 5 Ag News

 Farm, Business Leaders Say Passage of LB 176 a “Win” for Nebraska

Nebraska farm and business leaders say the Legislature’s passage of a bill allowing Nebraska-based pork processors to own hogs in Nebraska is a win for farmers, but also for the state’s broader economy. Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval to Legislative Bill 176, Fri., Feb. 5, with a 34-14 vote. The measure eliminates a ban that was put in place in 1998 to prevent pork processors in Nebraska from owning hogs in the state and in turn prevent them from entering into agreements with Nebraska farmers to feed and care for processor owned hogs. The practice is common in other states and Nebraska is the last in the U.S. to prevent pork processors from owning hogs.

“This bill has always been about giving farm families the opportunity to partner with Nebraska pork processors to produce pigs here at home. For far too long, Nebraska farmers could only watch their neighbors in surrounding states take advantage of these opportunities. This is about opportunities for Nebraska farm families and giving them the tools to compete in today’s world,” said Al Juhnke, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

“This is an important step forward for Nebraska agriculture,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson. “Pork production is a critical part of our state’s agriculture economy, but our pork sector has struggled to keep pace with neighboring states because we’ve limited these type of opportunities. We have to provide opportunities for future generations and this bill does that for pork producers. ”

Current state law already allowed pork processors with facilities located outside of Nebraska to own hogs in the state, meaning the restrictions on pork ownership only applied to Nebraska processors.

“This is a common sense measure that evens the playing field for Nebraska companies. It’s critical that we don’t tie the hands of Nebraska-based companies relative to their competitors in other states. These are companies who pay Nebraska taxes and employ Nebraskans,” said Barry Kennedy, Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce and Industry president.

“We have farmers who are looking to diversify their operations and custom feeding hogs is a popular way for that to occur. LB 176 allows Nebraska processors to own hogs, which means they can participate in those types of agreements. That only furthers opportunities for investment in Nebraska businesses,” said Richard Baier, Nebraska Bankers Association president and CEO.

A number of agriculture and business organizations support the bill citing the numerous positive impacts of expanded pork production in the state.

“On behalf of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Soybean Growers Association, Nebraska Bankers Association and the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we thank all of those in the legislature who have helped moved this initiative to the Governor’s desk.”

LB 176 was introduced and prioritized by Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala. Senators voting to support LB 176 included: Baker, Campbell, Coash, Craighead, Ebke, Friesen, Garrett, Gloor, Hadley, Harr, Hilkemann, Hughes, Johnson, Kintner, Kolowski, Kolterman, Krist, Kuehn, Larson, Lindstrom, McCollister, Mello, Murante, Fox, Pansing-Brooks, Riepe, Scheer, Schilz, Schumacher, Seiler, Smith, Stinner, Watermeier, Williams.



Unicameral votes for Meatpackers over Family Farmers and Ranchers

Today, the Nebraska Unicameral voted for final passage of LB 176, legislation introduced by Senator Ken Schilz in 2015 that will rescind Nebraska’s statute prohibiting meatpacking corporations from owning hogs prior to slaughter. The bill will now be sent to the Governor for his consideration.

Debate over the bill was halted when 34 Senators voted in favor of invoking cloture and ending debate. The bill was passed on final reading by a vote of 34 to 14. Senators Davis, Bloomfield, Schnoor, Sullivan, Groene, Chambers, Brasch, Bolz, Cook, Crawford, Hansen, Howard, Morfeld, and Ken Haar stood in opposition to final passage of LB 176.

“I am unable to describe how disappointing this vote is to me, and to the independent, family farm and ranch livestock producers that I know and have worked with. Corporate money spoke out on this issue and too many Senators listened,” said Traci Bruckner, Senior Policy Advocate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “Meatpackers want to own hogs because that’s where the profit is. They’d rather someone else did all the work of raising the pigs, stood all the risk, and debt-financed the buildings.”

“Arguments by proponents that the bill was needed for reasons of constitutionality, increasing hog production or complaints about the messages they received from constituents and organizations in opposition to LB 176 were little more than sleight-of-hand, excuses for taking what will be the unpopular position of voting against family farmers and ranchers, arguments that were completely unfounded,” Bruckner continued.

This bill was a legislative solution in search of a problem, and make no mistake, this was about the bottom-line of meatpacking corporations. This bill offers nothing to family farmers and ranchers, creates no opportunities. In fact, it does the opposite, it slams the door in the face of farmers and ranchers, especially young farmers trying to get started in livestock production, and instead offers them the chance to become virtual serfs to meatpacking companies, added Bruckner.

Bruckner applauded the determined efforts of a core group of Senators that stood in opposition to the meatpacking corporations.

“Senator Davis, Senator Bloomfield, Senator Schnoor, Senator Sullivan, Senator Groene, Senator Chambers, and Senator Ken Haar… these Senators had the courage to stand up for farmers, ranchers and small town Nebraska. And they were heroic in their efforts. Senator Davis, in particular, was a true champion for rural Nebraska and the family farms and ranches that are the backbone of our rural economy,” Bruckner continued.

“This legislation is not about helping family farmers, it is not about jobs, nor rebuilding communities. If consolidation and vertical integration created jobs and healthy communities, rural Nebraska would be a paradise today. But in truth, this bill will result in fewer farmers, declining rural population and shrinking small town economic opportunities,” said Traci Bruckner, Senior Policy Advocate for the Center for Rural Affairs. “We believe in a bright future for rural Nebraska, with vibrant small towns surrounded by thriving family farms and ranches. But advancing the cynical vision of LB 176 will only serve to make achieving that future that much more difficult.”

“Sadly, as bad as this bill is for current and future hog farmers, the matter is made even worse because, in our opinion, this starts the clock ticking for a time when proponents of this legislation will seek to repeal the prohibition on packers owning cattle as well. Maybe it will be a year, or five years, before that happens but the handwriting is on the wall now,” Bruckner concluded.



PVC Plan 2 Events in February
Jared Drinnin, President, Platte Valley Cattlemen

 Be sure to bring your Valentine for a post Valentine night out Monday, February 15, at Wunderlich’s Catering. The night’s meeting will include The Rose Colored Glass Wine Tasting Room of Stromsburg. The social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the meal to follow at 7:00 p.m. Thank you to Performance Plus for Sponsoring the social hour and First National Bank for sponsoring the meal.

Additionally, the 2016 Banquet is set for Saturday, February 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Platte County Ag Park. The night’s entertainment is Damion Mason (comedian). Tickets are on sale now for $30 each and are available from any Platte Valley Cattlemen Director.

We hope you and your spouse can join us for both events. And especially, be sure to tell your friends that the place to be Saturday, February 20, is Ag Park in Columbus.



USDA to Invest $150 Million through Conservation Stewardship Program to Help Improve Working Lands

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced yesterday that $150 million in funding is available for agricultural producers through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), USDA’s largest conservation program that helps producers voluntarily improve the health and productivity of private and Tribal working lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to add an estimated 10 million acres to the rolls of CSP during fiscal 2016.

“The Conservation Stewardship Program is one of our most popular programs with producers because it results in real change on the ground by boosting soil and air quality, conserving clean water and enhancing wildlife habitat,” Vilsack said. “With this investment, we’ll be able to build on the already record number of acres enrolled in USDA’s conservation programs, enabling producers to achieve higher levels of conservation and adopt new and emerging conservation technologies on farms, ranches and forests.”

NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers should submit applications by March 31 to USDA service centers to ensure they are considered for enrollment in 2016.

Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire on Dec. 31, 2016, have the option to renew their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher levels of conservation on their lands. Applications to renew are also due by March 31.

According to Craig Derickson, NRCS state conservationist, “CSP has been a very successful program for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers. Over 2,500 CSP contracts occur in all 93 counties and cover nearly 5 million acres in Nebraska.”

Funding is available for more than 100 kinds of enhancements nationwide to help participants:
-    Improve soil quality through use of cover crops, conservation crop rotations and other activities that increase soil productivity.
-    Use water wisely and improve water quality through enhancements such as more efficient irrigation systems and weather monitoring.
-    Restore habitat for wildlife and pollinators such as the greater sage-grouse, lesser prairie-chicken and monarch butterfly through the use of better grazing systems and improved plant management.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program is compatible with their operation. As part of the application process, applicants will work with NRCS field personnel to complete a resource inventory of their land to determine the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities. The applicant’s conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments.

Through CSP, USDA has provided more than $4 billion since 2009 in assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest managers to enhance conservation on more than 70 million acres. For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit your local NRCS office or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Dairy Transition Cow Field Days Coming in March

Dairy producers in northeast Iowa will learn how to improve and manage their transition cow program at the 2016 Transition Cow Field Days hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists. The program is scheduled at seven Iowa locations in March.

dairy cows“While transition cow management encompasses only 20 to 30 percent of the herd, it can ultimately influence the milk production and health of the entire herd,” said Jennifer Bentley, ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialist.

Larry Tranel, ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialist, added “We want to inform producers on how to achieve better milk quality, how to improve calving and provide best management practices for record keeping.”

Transition Cow Field Days will be offered at seven Iowa locations: 
    Wednesday, March 2 - LeMars, 10 a.m. to noon; hosted by Plymouth Dairy, 23505 K-49
    Thursday, March 24 - Cascade, 10 a.m. to noon; hosted by producer, Marv Lynch, 24764 Highway 151
    Thursday, March 24 - Dyersville, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; hosted by producer, Tom Pasker, 1415 330th Ave.
    Tuesday, March 29 - Fort Atkinson, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; hosted by Einck Dairy, 1140 227th Ave.
    Wednesday, March 30 - Stacyville, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; hosted by Brumm Dairy, 2370 465th St.
    Thursday, March 31 - Dundee, 10 a.m. to noon; hosted by producer, Chad Demmer, 1419 140th St.
    Thursday, March 31 - Elkader, 12:30-2:30 p.m.; hosted by producer, Dennis Bergan, 16618 290th St.

The two-hour workshops are free of charge and do not require preregistration. For more information contact an ISU Extension and Outreach county office or an area dairy specialist.



Grassroots Grazing Program for Young and Beginning Graziers Expands

The first-ever Grassroots Grazing program for young and beginning graziers was such a success last year that Joe Sellers, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist, said the program is being expanded this year.

“This grazing management series is designed for young and beginning graziers, although anyone interested in basic grazing management is welcome to attend,” he said. “Grassroots Grazing is a three-part series at two new locations, Corning and Ames. The Corning location begins Monday, Feb. 22, and the Ames location starts the following day, on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Session times are slightly different, so be sure to note the start time for your preferred location.”

All participants will receive a resource manual for use throughout the course and at their farms. The first session includes discussion on controlling feed costs, goal setting for individual grazing systems and comparing various grazing programs. The second and third sessions will include pasture walks and additional meetings on dates determined by the participants.

“There is no fee to attend, but we strongly encourage preregistration to plan for the meal and ensure adequate materials for everyone,” Sellers said. “Please register by Feb. 19 regardless of the location you will attend.”

The date, time, address and contact information for the initial session at each location are listed below, along with a link to the specific session flier.

Corning, Feb. 22, 6:30-9:30 p.m.  - St. Patrick’s Church, 607 6th St. (four blocks west of Casey’s)
    Contact:  Joe Sellers, sellers@iastate.edu or 641-203-1270
    Chris Clark, caclark@iastate.edu or 712-250-0070
    Chris Nelson, Adams County Extension Office, 641-322-3184
    Brian Peterson, 641-322-3228

Ames, Feb. 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m. -  ISU's Hansen Ag Student Learning Center, 2508 Mortensen Road
    Contact:   Joe Sellers, sellers@iastate.edu or 641-203-1270
    Erika Lundy, ellundy@iastate.edu or 515-294-9881

The series is provided by ISU Extension and Outreach and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialists will lead sessions with assistance from other producers and volunteers. In Corning, additional local sponsors are the Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee and the Adams County Cattlemen’s Association.



Biotech Working Group Members Meet in Wilmington, DE

American Soybean Association’s (ASA) Biotech Working Group braved the snow to travel to Wilmington, Delaware last week for their annual winter meeting.

During the meeting, members participated in discussions about Emerging Technologies in Biotech Creation with Jane DeMarchi, Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, ASTA; Food Labeling – Next Steps and Implications featuring Kelly Johnston, Vice President of Government Affairs, Campbell Soup Company; and an update from the U.S. Biotech Crops Alliance.

DeMarchi’s presentation focused on the new technology behind precision plant breeding techniques, and together with the group discussed the need over the coming months to establish messaging that will adequately explain in common terms what is a very in-depth and technical concept. A key challenge, said DeMarchi, is going to be ensuring that the new technology doesn’t fall victim to the rhetoric that has engulfed the discussion over GMOs in the U.S.

Campbell Soup’s, Johnston provided the group with an extensive overview of his company’s new position on the labeling of GMO content in its products, including consumer data and reasoning behind the Campbell’s shift on the position.

Grower members of the Biotech Working Group also had the opportunity to tour Stine-Haskell Research Center.

ASA’s Biotech Working Group provides a consultative forum for the soy biotech industry with key soybean industry and association grower leadership on a consistent basis. The forum provides grower leaders the opportunity to review the progress of individual company traits, engage in dialogue and provide feedback along with the needed support and advocacy to advance approvals for new technologies.

The next meeting of the Biotech Working Group will be in early fall 2016.



Energy Bill on Senate Floor Draws Anti-RFS Amendments, Expands Farm Bill Energy Title Program

This week the U.S. Senate is considering S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act (EPMA), a comprehensive energy bill that includes provisions ranging from energy efficiency to modernizing the nation’s electricity transmission grid and funding for energy research.  There has also been 231 amendments filed so far, including several aimed at eliminating ethanol from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) or eliminating the RFS entirely.   Senate leaders hope to pass the bill this week with a strong bipartisan vote and are trying to fend off any controversial amendments.  The RFS related amendments are among the controversial amendments that are not expected to be brought up for a vote.  The American Soybean Association (ASA) and our biodiesel industry partners are monitoring the bill and the amendment process.

The bill’s provisions to increase energy efficiency, modernize the nation’s electric grid, and increase federal funding for energy research are designed to lower energy costs, improve reliability, and make the U.S. economy more competitive internationally and they enjoy bipartisan support. However, there are some partisan and geographical differences regarding the conflicting interests of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources as well as issues unrelated to energy policy that threaten to derail the bill.

The underlying bill includes revisions to the Biomass Research & Development Initiative (BRDI), a program that is authorized under Section 9008 of the Farm Bill Energy Title.  The EMPA would amend the BRDI program to provide research assistance and grants for the development of woody biomass heat and biopower projects, as well as a provision specifically including oilseed crops as eligible for the new grant program.  The BRDI is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Among the many amendments that have been filed is one from Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) that would establish a federal education program to ensure landowners are given all of the federal conservation options available to them when choosing to put their land into a conservation easement.  There is no indication as of yet whether the Rounds amendment will be considered.



Vilsack Denies Cottonseed Request, Defers to Congress

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack denied a request to include cottonseed as an eligible oilseed under the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs. Vilsack said the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not have the legal authority to authorize such a change, shifting responsibility to Congress, which supporters of the measure called into question. Vilsack also said Congressional authority would be needed to use the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation to provide payments to cotton growers.



Poll: Chesapeake Bay Residents Do Not Trust Federal Regulation, Putting Local Farmers in Federal Regulatory Peril Is Biggest Concern

Nearly three in four residents of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed say state and local government authority over water resources should trump federal authority. When health, safety and environmental regulations are needed, nearly half say they trust state and local governments, compared to only 28 percent who trust the federal government.

Those were two key findings of new Morning Consult polling conducted Jan. 21-24 of 1,042 registered voters who reside within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The poll was sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"Residents of the Chesapeake Bay region believe their local governments should have authority when it comes to protecting their water, and, understandably, they trust state and local authorities much more than they do the federal government," said Ellen Steen, general counsel for AFBF.

The Morning Consult poll looked at voter opinion on a range of issues related to the Environmental Protection Agency's regulatory "blueprint" for the Chesapeake Bay that sets strict federal limits across the region for local land uses such as farming, forestry and development. AFBF has asked the Supreme Court to review the EPA rule, which it believes to be unlawful. The case is American Farm Bureau Federation v. EPA (15-599) http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/american-farm-bureau-federation-v-epa/. 

According to the poll, 48 percent of respondents said that when health, safety and environmental regulations are needed, they trust state and local governments more than the federal government. Just 28 percent said they would trust the federal government more. When it comes to ensuring the quality of rivers, streams and creeks, 74 percent said that state and local communities should be primarily responsible and only 18 percent said the federal government should have the primary responsibility.

More than three in four respondents (77 percent) said local or state governments should be most responsible for regulating how people use land or produce food. Only 14 percent favored the federal government.

While six in 10 voters familiar with the EPA's regulations initially expressed their support, after being informed of how the rules might affect them locally, that support plummeted to just 39 percent, with 45 percent of the voters opposing them.

"In these days when people place a high value on local food, 62 percent of the respondents said they were less likely to support the EPA's Bay regulations because they would put a number of local farmers out of business due to restrictions and high regulatory costs," Steen said. "That's what this rule is all about; imposing federal restrictions that will make it impossible for many local farmers to continue to farm in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

"We all support better water quality in the Bay, but people living in the watershed care about local farmers, jobs and communities, too. There are better, more affordable and less intrusive ways for states to take the lead and get this important job done that also save room in the watershed for the people producing local food."

Results from the full survey have a margin of error of ±3 percent. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of registered voters based on age, race, gender and educational attainment.



Insurance companies increase focus on child ag safety: survey

Insurance companies are becoming more involved in farm safety, as revealed in a survey by the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.

You might think liability drives the increased interest in farm safety, but it is not the top reason, according to the survey results and discussions with insurance professionals.

“Our company has been promoting farm safety for several years, because working to help keep children safe on farms is the right thing to do,” said Eric Vanasdale, senior loss control representative at Country Financial, Bloomington, Ill.

 More than 75 percent of insurance professionals indicated that they felt their clients would be pleased if they supported child farm safety programs, according to a survey given at the 2015 National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) Agricultural Risk Inspection School in West Des Moines, Iowa.

The survey assessed current practices and future opportunities to promote childhood ag injury prevention. Ninety-six of 170 attendees (loss control specialists, underwriters, managers and supervisors) completed the survey. Additional highlights:
-    85 percent of respondents indicated they communicate safety messages to farmers
-    83 percent adjust premiums based on loss control surveys
-    75 percent want to strengthen their company’s focus on child ag safety      

The survey also revealed that insurance professionals believed they would need additional farm safety resources in the future, and identified the topics they felt would be most important to address, including ATVs, operating tractors and skid steers, working with animals, agritourism, and extra riders on farm equipment.

“When talking with insurance personnel, however, many were unsure where to find the information and resources they need,” said Marsha Salzwedel, survey co-author and National Children’s Center youth safety specialist. “I was happy to tell them that we could help.”

The National Children’s Center offers free safety resources, and will work with interested insurance companies to provide information, resources and any other materials they need, Salzwedel said.