Wednesday February 3 Ag News

IBACH URGES TOP FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO EXPEDITE EFFORTS TO OPEN UP BEEF EXPORTS TO CHINA, MAINTAIN MOMENTUM ON KEY TRADE AGREEMENTS

In letters to two top U.S. federal government officials, Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach is requesting efforts to facilitate the movement of U.S. beef to China be expedited, and calling for continued activity on pending trade agreements with European and Asian countries.

Ibach hand-delivered the letters this week as he chaired the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) winter policy meetings in Washington, D.C.  Ibach is president of NASDA, and the group heard from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, as well as Darci Vetter, who is the lead agriculture negotiator for U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, during its meetings.

In the letters, Ibach specifically mentioned a pending resolution between the United States and China that would open up increased opportunities for Nebraska beef exports.

“It is my understanding the United States and China have reached agreement on the parameters, with only the specific protocols to be finalized. I urge you both to complete these export protocols as soon as possible,” Ibach said.

In addition, Ibach urged continued efforts to finalize the pending multi-nation trade agreement known as TPP.

“The recently completed negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership will open even greater access for our nation’s and Nebraska’s agriculture interests,” said Ibach in the letters to Vilsack and Froman. “The State of Nebraska and its agricultural leaders remain strong supporters of these types of agreements and will continue to advocate for the approval of this and other trade agreements.”

Ibach went on to point out the importance of the continuing negotiations on another critical trade agreement.

“In addition, ongoing talks regarding another ambitious and important multicontinental agreement, the TransAtlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, should be heightened so that forward momentum will not be lost,” Ibach said. “I am excited about the opportunities for free and fair trade between Europe and North America, should this agreement reach a successful conclusion.”



March 1, 2016 Deadline for Soybean Farmers Interested in United Soybean Board Nominations

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) is looking for soybean farmers interested in filling two of Nebraska's four director positions with the United Soybean Board (USB).

USB is made up of 70 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

Any farmer interested in applying needs to meet the following criteria:
1. Be involved in a farming operation that raises soybeans.
2. Be a resident of Nebraska.
3. Be at least 21 years of age.

To be considered for the national leadership position, interested farmers need to submit a USDA Background Information Form before the March 1, 2016 deadline, to obtain this form, contact Victor Bohuslavsky at the Nebraska Soybean Board office at 402-432-5720.  

The NSB Board of Directors will submit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture a "first preferred choice nominee" and "second preferred choice alternate" for the open positions. The Secretary of Agriculture will make the final appointments. The USDA has a policy that membership on USDA boards and committees is open to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. The chosen individuals will begin serving a three-year term in December 2016. Each individual appointed is eligible to serve a total of three terms.

For more information about the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org/.  



NCGA Welcomes TPP Signing

The following is a statement from National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling regarding today’s signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

“After five years of negotiations, we are pleased to see the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement take another step forward today. The National Corn Growers Association supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership because it would give America’s farmers and ranchers greater access to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies. This agreement is good for both corn farmers and our friends and partners in the livestock industry. We all want to see more American grains, meat and dairy on dinner tables around the world.

“This agreement will strengthen America’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region and set the tone for future international trade agreements, such as with the European Union. By supporting TPP, Congress can send a powerful message: the United States will lead on trade. That’s why NCGA members will be going to Capitol Hill in the coming months, asking Congress to vote in favor of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in 2016.”



FARMERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO MONSANTO’S ROUNDUP READY 2 XTEND™ SOYBEANS IN 2016

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) today announced its commercial launch plans for its Roundup Ready2 Xtend™ soybeans after it received import approval in China. This technology has been highly anticipated by farmers and is now available in the United States and Canada in time for the 2016 season.

“We are pleased to bring Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans to the market,” said Brett Begemann, Monsanto President and Chief Operating Officer. “After a decade of development, the new and elite germplasm in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans can provide growers with outstanding performance in their efforts to produce the best crop possible.”

Monsanto’s Asgrow®, Channel® and regional brands, along with Corn States licensees, expect to introduce more than 70 soybean products across eight maturity groups with agronomic traits including resistance to nematodes and phytophthora root rot. Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans are broadly licensed to more than 100 seed brands.

Although Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans are tolerant to both glyphosate and dicamba herbicides, the use of dicamba herbicide over the top of Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans remains in late stage of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) review and is not currently approved by the EPA. Once approved, the Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System – including Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton – will offer growers a vital tool for managing tough-to-control and glyphosate-resistant weeds.

Miriam Paris, U.S. Soybean Marketing Manager, says demand for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans has been strong. “To date, we’ve had significant pre-orders from farmers and are excited to move forward with commercialization,” she said. “Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans are built on the same high-yielding germplasm as Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans, which continue to deliver a greater than four bushel per acre advantage as compared to the original Roundup Ready® soybeans.  Pending dicamba approval, growers will continue to maximize their yield opportunity through the weed management recommendations and incentives provided by Roundup Ready PLUS® Crop Management Solutions.”



Adoption of Refuge in a Bag Products is Simplifying Grower IRM Compliance

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is pleased to see continued increase in adoption of refuge- in-a-bag (integrated refuge) products, simplifying growers’ refuge requirements in the Corn Belt. According to the annual Compliance Assurance Program (CAP) results, all growers surveyed in the Corn Belt planted at least one refuge in a bag product, and many growers planted exclusively refuge-in-a-bag products.

The CAP, implemented by Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee (ABSTC), is designed to improve compliance with EPA-mandated Insect Resistance Management (IRM) requirements, and includes on-farm refuge assessments, an online survey, IRM education and awareness.

Adoption of refuge in a bag products results in automatic compliance in the Corn Belt
Highlights of the survey indicate a strong adoption of refuge-in-a-bag products, which include Bt and refuge seed interspersed in a single bag or container. “We are pleased to see that growers have rapidly adopted refuge-in-a-bag products to meet refuge requirements. Refuge compliance, whether through planting structured refuges or using refuge-in-a-bag products, is important to help preserve Bt corn technology durability” said Mark Kimm, ABSTC IRM subcommittee co-chair.

Survey shows that most growers are in compliance
In 2015, the majority of growers surveyed planted the required refuge size on their farms and planted it within the required distance for all of their Bt corn fields. Furthermore, the survey indicated that the percentage of growers not planting any refuge acres continues to be low.

The ABSTC continues to promote educational programs and strategies to preserve the efficacy of Bt technology. In addition, the ABSTC partners with NCGA to ensure that NCGA’s membership and networks are fully informed of refuge requirements and the CAP. A collaboration supporting insect resistance management and the use of best management practices for corn rootworm (CRW) has provided readily accessible information at www.ncga.com/cornrootworm.  The campaign also includes advertisements and editorials in local publications that include best management practices on how to help protect fields from corn rootworm.

“This type of collaboration is vital to the industry’s efforts to showcase the benefits of best management practices – such as crop rotation, scouting, and trait selection,” said John Linder, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team. “The industry is committed to the success of the grower. The availability of refuge in bag products and educational programs provide our growers options that help manage challenging on-farm situations, as well as durability and stewardship of the industry’s trait technologies.”



Action Team Focuses on Building Demand through Trade, Increasing Access to Technology

Today, the National Corn Growers Association's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team wrapped up its spring meeting in Long Beach, Calif., where team members reviewed recommendations coming out of NCGA's Priority and Policy Conference held earlier in January and met with representatives from across the value chain to explore upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Looking at a variety of issues, including goals set out in NCGA's strategic plan can be achieved, the team used their in-depth knowledge of the subject matter to develop the nuanced, strategic suggestions needed to help the Corn Board guide NCGA policy effectively.

"During the winter months, it can begin to feel like farmer leaders spend a large amount of time participating in meetings for a variety of agricultural groups," said Team Chair John Linder, a farmer from Ohio. "As my involvement has increased, I have come to even more fully appreciate the breadth and scope of the myriad issues facing farmers today.  By developing teams with specialization in major areas of opportunity and taking the time to analyze the issues in a critical, thorough manner, we are able to most effectively provide input on how, in our area, the Corn Board can shape NCGA policy and, subsequently, maximize the effectiveness of farmer-funded market development activities to increase demand."

The team also delved deeply into a variety of areas certain to impact the future of corn farming through presentations and discussions with industry representatives. Through these discussions, the farmers gained up-to-the-minute information that they will scrutinize and, as events unfold, incorporate into future recommendations.

Meetings included a tour of shipping facilities at the Port of Long Beach, where they took an up-close look at the logistics of trade.

In addition to Linder, team members include Vice Chair Don Duvall of Illinois, Corn Board Liaison Kevin Ross of Iowa, Mike Beard of Indiana, Chris Edgington of Iowa, Janna Fritz of Michigan, Robert Hemesath of Iowa, Wayne Humphreys of Iowa, Jon Miller of Ohio, Jim Raben of Illinois, Jay Reiners of Nebraska, Chad Wetzel of Texas, Tim Wiersma of Minnesota and Patrick Pfingsten of the Indiana Corn Growers Association. NCGA staff in attendance included Director of Biotechnology and Crop Inputs Nathan Fields, Director of Public Policy Zach Kinne and Administrative Assistant Maggie Fogerty.



Animal Ag Alliance Debuts 'Meat Matters' Campaign

The Animal Agriculture Alliance unveiled a new campaign focused on promoting the role of meat and poultry in a healthy, balanced diet. The Meat Matters initiative counters claims made by activist groups about the nutritional value of animal protein, as well as the sustainability of meat and poultry production.

"We've heard a lot of concern over the years from our members about activists pushing the 'Meatless Mondays' movement in their local schools and communities," said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. "This misleading movement is another tactic to eliminate consumer choice--the ability that we each have to determine the right food choices for ourselves and our families. Our new campaign will help consumers sort through the myths and misinformation to understand the true value of meat and protein in their diets."

The Alliance has produced and maintained consumer-facing resources explaining the truth behind “Meatless Mondays” for nearly a decade, and the new Meat Matters materials take that content to a new level with eye-catching graphic design and easily digestible information.

Campaign materials include print and web versions of a poster filled with facts and statistics about meat's role in a healthy diet intended for distribution to consumers or decision-makers in communities being pressured by the Meatless Mondays movement.

For more information and to take the Meat Matters pledge, visit www.animalagalliance.org/engage/#meatmatters.



National Pork Industry Forum to Be Held March 3-5

Delegates from across the United States will gather in Indianapolis, March 3-5 for the annual National Pork Industry Forum.

The 15 producers who serve as members of the National Pork Board and Pork Checkoff staff leadership will hear directly from the forum delegates appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Each year the Pork Act Delegates confer, vote on resolutions and advisements and provide valuable direction on the important issues facing pork producers and the industry.

The theme for the annual pork forum – Inspiration Starts Here – is in reference to the passionate pork producers, savvy retailers and creative cooks who are all ready to share pork’s story of inspiration who have helped fuel the incredible demand that has been seen domestically and internationally for U.S. pork.

“As we continue our work on the 2020 strategic plan that is centered on the goals of building consumer trust, driving sustainable production and growing consumer demand, our work at Pork Forum has never been more important,” said Derrick Sleezer, president of the National Pork Board and a producer from Cherokee, Iowa. “Pork producers, processors, food service and retail leaders will need to work together to focus on elevating pork as the global protein of source by continuously and cooperatively working to do what’s right for people, pigs and the planet.”

In advance of the annual meeting, members of the National Pork Board also will convene their March board meeting. The agenda for that meeting will include updates on 2016 plans to enhance pork demand, increase market opportunities, improve pork production practices and invest in research priorities.

Included on the 2016 Pork Forum agenda will be opportunities for pork producers to become trained in the pork industry’s Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) certification process, as well as learn more about pork industry programs.

The full agenda is available at www.porkindustryforum.com. As the event draws near, the website will be updated with current information and links to the Pork Forum manual and videos of candidates nominated for industry positions.



Zoetis Collaborates with the National Pork Board to Extend Access to its Longstanding Pig Care Training Program
Starting this month, Zoetis will be working with the National Pork Board to help extend the reach of Individual Pig Care, an in-barn education and training program from Zoetis. For nearly 10 years, this program has highlighted the importance of early identification of sick pigs, which can improve treatment outcomes and reduce herd mortality.1 Ultimately, this knowledge helps ensure producers are supplying safe, high-quality pork and more pigs are reaching their full market potential.

“Since we introduced Individual Pig Care in 2005, our technical service veterinarians have helped train hundreds of caregivers and production managers on the importance of walking the pens to check every pig every day,” said Dr. Rick Swalla, senior veterinarian, Pork Technical Services, Zoetis. “We want to help bring this program to more pork producers and pig caregivers, which is why this collaboration with the National Pork Board is so important.”

With new support from the National Pork Board, more pork producers and pig caregivers across the United States will have access to the Individual Pig Care program. Trained veterinarians, extension agents and PQA Plus trainers will deliver the same Individual Pig Care training that has been conducted and owned by Zoetis.

Those who participate will learn how to properly monitor pig health on an individual basis. This helps ensure any sick pigs are identified early, so they may be treated appropriately, as directed by the herd’s veterinarian, and in a timely manner.  Pigs exhibiting signs of illness are rated by using a classification system:
·         A pig = Acute illness
·         B pig = Subacute illness
·         C pig = Chronic illness
·         E pig = Humanely euthanize

The classification system allows caregivers to communicate a pig’s health condition more clearly to their managers and herd veterinarians. By doing so, pigs needing treatment are provided care at the right time with the right product and according to veterinarian-directed protocols. This essentially is the cornerstone of responsible antibiotic use.

“Pork producers are proud of how they care for their pigs,” said Bill Winkelman, vice president-producer and industry relations, National Pork Board. “We’re continuously collaborating with others to improve animal husbandry and focus on a bright future for pork. By bringing the Individual Pig Care program to more producers, we can have an industrywide, consistent method of care that results in healthier pigs.”

To learn more about the Individual Pig Care in-barn education and training program, please contact your local Zoetis representative or visit zoetisUS.com/IPC.



The Search Is on for America’s Pig Farmer of The Year

National Pork Board is accepting applications for its 2016 America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM award through March 13 at americaspigfarmer.com. The award recognizes a U.S. pork producer who demonstrates excellence in raising pigs using the We CareSM ethical principles and in sharing his or her story with the public.

“As an animal lover and the leader of the country’s first national humane organization, I am honored to have been asked to serve as a judge for America’s Pig Farmer of the Year,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Association. She was a member of the judging panel that selected the 2015 America’s Pig Farmer of the Year.

“The American Humane Association celebrates all those, including our nation’s farmers, who care for animals and work hard to ensure they are treated humanely,” Ganzert said. “Today, more than ever it is important not only to point out where progress is needed, but to recognize when we get it right. I look forward to learning about these farmers who are working to give America’s families food that is safe, affordable, abundant, and in line with their values.”

Keith Schoettmer, a pig farmer from Tipton, Indiana, was selected as the first America’s Pig Farmer of the Year in 2015. He has participated in several events since earning this distinction last October. In the past four months, Schoettmer took part in a media tour in New York City, spoke at a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C., and urged fellow farmers to share their stories through presentations at several state agriculture association meetings.

“I encourage every pig farmer to apply to be America’s Pig Farmer of the Year,” Schoettmer said. “This is a much-needed program that allows us to open our barn doors and show consumers what is really happening on pig farms across the U.S.”

Any U.S. pig farmer, who is 30 years of age or older on Jan. 1, 2016, can apply through March 13. Anyone that knows of a deserving pig farmer can also nominate a producer for this award. Instructions and frequently asked questions can be found at americaspigfarmer.com or via a link on pork.org.

Objective, third-party judges, along with the American public, will help determine the final award recipient, with the winner announced during National Pork Month in October. In early September, videos of the award finalists will be displayed at americaspigfarmer.com and on the Pork Checkoff’s social media outlets so people can vote for their favorite.



Ethanol Stocks Hit 4-Year High

The Energy Information Administration released data for the week-ended Jan. 29 on Wednesday, Feb. 3, showing a decline for domestic ethanol production and weaker implied demand while total inventories surged to the highest level since April 2012.

The data showed total inventories increased 926,000 barrels (bbl), or 4.3%, to 22.4 million bbl last week, raising the year-over-year surplus to 1.4 million bbl, or 6.6%.

Plant production fell for the third straight week, down 2,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 959,000 bpd last week, while down 1.3% year over year. Blender inputs, a proxy for ethanol demand, fell 50,000 bpd, or 5.8%, to 815,000 bpd for the week.



Informa Sees Big South America Crops

Private analytical firm Informa Economics sees larger corn crops in Brazil and Argentina and maintains its forecasts for large soybean crops.

The firm also presented forecasts for Argentine production in 2016 that highlighted a big shift to corn following changes in the government's export tax policies.

Informa raised its forecast for Brazilian corn production to 81.6 million metric tons, slightly higher than USDA's 81.5 mmt estimate. In Argentina, the group calls for 26 mmt, more than USDA's estimate of 25.6 mmt, based on its recent survey of producers.

On soybeans, USDA sees Brazilian farmers harvesting 100.5 mmt, which is 900,000 metric tons below Informa's previous forecast but still higher than USDA's latest estimate. Argentine farmers are likely to harvest 60 mmt of soybeans, which is 1.5 mmt higher than last month's estimate and 3 mmt higher than USDA's last estimate.

Informa released early forecasts for next year's crop mix in Argentina, calling for 30 mmt of corn production and 56 mmt of soybean production. That's a big shift to corn from beans, and reflects the new president's decision to lift export taxes completely on corn while only gradually reducing them on soybeans.



CWT assists in capturing 8.4 million pounds of dairy product export sales contracts

National Milk Producers Federation’s Cooperatives Working Together members gained 37 contracts in January to sell 4.288 million pounds of cheese, 2.866 million pounds of butter and 1.866 million pounds of whole milk powder to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, North Africa, Oceania and South America. The product will be shipped from January-July 2016.

These CWT-assisted transactions will move the equivalent of more than 113 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis to customers in 11 countries on five continents.

Helping CWT member cooperatives gain and maintain world market share through the export assistance program expands the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them. This positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.

The amount of dairy products and related milk volumes reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. CWT will pay export assistance to the bidders only when export and delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

“In light of the ongoing weakness in world market prices, CWT is again proving to be a very important program to help move U.S. dairy products overseas, thereby improving the supply-demand balance in the domestic market,” NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said.



USDA Dairy Products December 2015 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.02 billion pounds, 1.2 percent above December 2014 and 2.8 percent above November 2015.  Italian type cheese production totaled 453 million pounds, 3.1 percent above December 2014 and 3.4 percent above November 2015.  American type cheese production totaled 397 million pounds, 0.7 percent above December 2014 and 5.3 percent above November 2015.  Butter production was 177 million pounds, 4.3 percent above December 2014 and 17.0 percent above November 2015.

Dry milk powders (comparisons with December 2014)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 147 million pounds, down 10.2 percent.
Skim milk powders - 45.4 million pounds, up 5.1 percent.

Whey products (comparisons with December 2014)
Dry whey, total - 94.0 million pounds, up 25.1 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 87.4 million pounds, down 5.2 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 40.0 million pounds, down 14.8 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons with December 2014)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 55.0 million gallons, up 5.4 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 24.3 million gallons, down 10.9 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.18 million gallons, down 16.2 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.68 million gallons, down 0.8 percent.



USDA To Offer Certificates for Farm Commodities Pledged to Marketing Loans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that producers who have crops pledged as collateral for a marketing assistance loan can now purchase a commodity certificate that may be exchanged for the outstanding loan collateral. The authority is provided by the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, legislation enacted by Congress in December. Commodity certificates are available beginning with the 2015 crop in situations where the applicable marketing assistance loan rate exceeds the exchange rate. Currently, the only eligible commodity is cotton.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) routinely provides agricultural producers with marketing assistance loans that provide interim cash flow without having to sell the commodities when market prices are at harvest time lows. The loans allow the producer to store and delay the sale of the commodity until more favorable market conditions emerge, while also providing for a more orderly marketing of commodities throughout the marketing year.

These loans are considered “nonrecourse” because the loan can be redeemed by delivering the commodity pledged as collateral to the government as full payment for the loan upon maturity. Commodity certificates are available to loan holders having outstanding nonrecourse loans for wheat, upland cotton, rice, feed grains, pulse crops (dry peas, lentils, large and small chickpeas), peanuts, wool, soybeans and designated minor oilseeds. These certificates can be purchased at the posted county price (or adjusted world price or national posted price) for the quantity of commodity under loan, and must be immediately exchanged for the collateral, satisfying the loan.



USDA to Gather New Data on Organic Ag Production

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has begun conducting the 2015 Certified Organic Survey to gather up-to-date data on certified organic crops and livestock in the United States. This special survey effort is critical to help determine the economic impact of certified organic agriculture production in the United States.

NASS is mailing the survey to all known organic farms in the United States. The form asks farmers to provide information on acreage, production, and sales for a variety of certified organic crop and livestock commodities. In addition, NASS is gathering information about organic farmers’ production and marketing practices. The agency urges all participants to respond by Feb. 19. After this date, NASS will follow up by mail, phone and personal interviews with those who have not responded. Producers can return their forms by mail or complete the survey online at www.agcounts.usda.gov.

"In recent years, U.S. farms have experienced tremendous growth in organic agriculture sales. Last year, NASS reported that U.S. certified and exempt organic farms sold a total of $5.5 billion in organic products in 2014, up 72 percent since 2008," said Adam Cline, NASS Census section head and member of the USDA Organic Working Group. "As farm sales from organic agriculture products increase, demand for accurate statistics about organic farming grows as well. This survey will be another step forward by USDA in its commitment to helping organic agriculture thrive and will ensure that future decisions impacting the industry stem from factual information."

Agriculture statistics are frequently used by business and policy decision makers, and in this case farmers themselves stand to reap the most benefits. The 2015 Certified Organic Survey will provide data for USDA’s Risk Management Agency to evaluate crop insurance coverage to help provide adequate pricing for organic producers. The report, to be released September 2016, will also assist farmers, suppliers and others in the private sector in planning the production and marketing of new products to help sustain industry growth.

As is the case with all NASS surveys, information provided is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified, as required by federal law.