Thursday June 16 Ag News

Rural Mainstreet Economy Remains Weak for June:  Bankers Tighten Farm Loans

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for June increased from May’s very weak reading, though it remained below growth neutral, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.  

Overall: The index, which ranges between 0 and 100, rose to 43.9 from May’s 40.9. While remaining very fragile, the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) has increased four of the last five months.

“This is the 10th straight month the overall index has remained below growth neutral. Even though agriculture and energy commodity prices have increased recently, they remain well below last year’s prices and from their peak levels in 2011. Over the past 12 months, farm prices are down by 9.5 percent, grain prices are off by 4 percent, and livestock are down by 15 percent,”  said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University's Heider College of Business.

Due to reductions in farm income and agriculture commodity prices over the past three years, bankers have altered their farm lending practices. Almost three of four, or 73.5 percent increased collateral requirements, half boosted interest rates, more than one-third, or 35.3 percent rejected a higher percentage of farm loans. Approximately, 17.6 percent of the bankers reported that their banks reduced the average size of farm loans.

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for June climbed to 32.3 from 28.4 in May. This is the 31st straight month the index has languished below growth neutral 50.0.

As in previous months, there is a great deal of variation across the region in the direction and magnitude of farmland prices, with prices growing in some portions of the region.

Despite declines in farm income, the percentage of farmland cash sales have remained almost unchanged from February 2015, when approximately one-fifth of farmland sales were for cash.

The June farm equipment-sales index expanded to a dismal 12.8 from 10.7 in May. “Weakness in farm income and low agriculture commodity prices continue to restrain the sale of agriculture equipment across the region,” said Goss.

Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for June climbed to a regional high of 63.2 from 43.3 in May. The state’s farmland-price index advanced to 49.7 from May’s 44.5. Nebraska’s new-hiring index rose to 58.8 from 49.3 in May. Nebraska’s job growth over the last 12 months; Rural Mainstreet, 2.4 percent; Urban Nebraska, 1.0 percent.

Iowa: The June RMI for Iowa soared to 59.1 from May’s 40.3. Iowa’s farmland-price index for June climbed to 51.5 from 47.3 in May. Iowa’s new-hiring index for June advanced to 59.4 from 50.3 in May. Iowa’s job growth over the last 12 months; Rural Mainstreet, 1.9 percent; Urban Iowa, 0.9  percent.

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included. The survey is supported by a grant from Security State Bank in Ansley, Neb.

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



Farm Bureau Financial Services Announces Enhancements to Irrigation Coverage

Farm Bureau Financial Services announced changes to its irrigation equipment system coverages, which will allow client/members to bundle all equipment with the irrigation system and obtain replacement cost coverage, regardless of its age.

These enhancements come during storm season, when irrigation systems can be most vulnerable to damage. The changes will be available for policies with an effective date or renewal date of June 23, 2016, or later.

“We’re pleased to deliver this important coverage to our client/members in agriculture, and know that it gives them more value and more flexibility as they tailor their insurance plans to fit their specific operations,  said Ron Mead, Farm Bureau Financial Services Personal Lines and Agriculture VP. “We’re here to help our ag client/members protect everything that matters most, including their bottom line.”

Additional changes include expanded coverage for all types of irrigation equipment. For more details on these changes or to adjust your current coverage, contact your local Farm Bureau agent.



Smith Amendment to Keep Meat on the Menu for U.S. Troops Passes House

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) offered an amendment today to H.R. 5293, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2017, to ensure meat remains a dietary option for U.S. troops by prohibiting the Department of Defense from excluding meat from its food service program manual.  Both the amendment and H.R. 5293 passed the House.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy has cut meat consumption among cadets by 10 percent over the last three years, drawing concern about an expansion of anti-meat efforts throughout the Armed Services.

Congressman Smith said:
“Ideologically-motivated activists are working to take meat off the menu in institutions across the country, and they have included the U.S. military on their list of targets.  These restrictions would negatively impact the nutrition and morale of the men and women who protect our nation.

“Meat contains vitamins and nutrients not readily available in a plant-based diet.  My amendment is not a mandate or a prohibition – it simply ensures there is a meat option available to our troops each day.

“I am not willing to allow activist groups to tell members of our military, who risk their lives to keep us safe, they cannot enjoy a hamburger or steak on certain days of the week simply to advance an agenda against animal agriculture.”

Colin Woodall, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said:
“Our military personnel should not be subject to radical political agendas like the ‘Meatless Monday’ campaign, which is not based on nutrition or sound science.  U.S. military personnel have the right to eat what they want and what is best for their bodies in the execution of their jobs.  This campaign is simply an anti-meat and anti-farmer policy agenda disguised as science, and we appreciate Rep. Smith for ensuring our military maintains the right to make the nutrition decisions that are best for them.”

John Weber, president of the National Pork Producers Council, said:
"NPPC applauds Congressman Smith for standing up to misguided attacks against U.S. livestock and poultry producers.  Our military members deserve the right to consume high-quality protein, including meat, in their diet.  No one should dictate what our military can and cannot eat.  We applaud Congressman Smith for standing up to these misguided attacks.”


NEBRASKA EXTENSION TO HOST WEED MANAGEMENT FIELD DAY JUNE 29

    Growers, crop consultants and educators are encouraged to attend Nebraska Extension's Weed Management Field Day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 29 at the South Central Agricultural Laboratory near Clay Center.

    The field day will include on-site demonstrations of new technology and new herbicides for corn, soybeans and sorghum. An early morning tour will focus on weed management in soybeans followed by a tour of weed management in corn and sorghum. Field experiments will provide information for weed control options using several herbicide programs.

    "Several new herbicides and technologies are coming to the market, including Enlist Corn and Soybean, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybean, Balance Bean and INZEN sorghum," said extension weed management specialist Amit Jhala.

    The field day will provide an opportunity to identify several broadleaf and grass weeds commonly found in corn and soybean fields in Nebraska.

    Three Certified Crop Advisor credits are available in the integrated pest management category.

    There is no cost to attend the field day, but participants are asked to register at http://agronomy.unl.edu/weedresistmgt.

    The South Central Agricultural Laboratory is five miles west of the intersection of Highways 14 and 6, or 13 miles east of Hastings on Highway 6.



Big Ideas Come on Small Posters at Corn Utilization Conference
   
A graduate student from Iowa State University took home the top prize in the National Corn Growers Association's Corn Utilization and Technology Conference 2016 Poster contest held in St. Louis, Missouri recently. Lei Fang received top honors in the Gary Lamie Student Poster Competition, sponsored by the Indiana Corn Marketing Council for his work on increased oil recovery during ethanol fermentation and downstream processing.

"This is a premier scientific conference on corn wet and dry milling and new uses for corn, so it is appropriate that we also have a high caliber poster competition like this," said NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Chairman Larry Hoffmann during the awards presentation. "The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to lend our support, encouragement and a cash stipend to young researchers who are shaping the future of this important industry."

The second place award was presented to David Orrego and Dahewan Kim of Purdue University. The Purdue Tandem are researching more efficient corn separation during processing which improves starch recovery, reduces enzyme use and saves energy during ethanol production. Their work is also designed to introduce cellulose ethanol production into an existing corn to ethanol facility by hydrolyzing and fermenting the pericarp or the top portion of a corn kernel to ethanol.

Third place went to Z.E. Carlson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This year's contest attracted 29 student entries. A panel of industry and academic experts evaluated the posters on their relevance to the corn industry, scientific originality, viable and supportable conclusions and oral and visual presentation. The judges reviewed entries that detailed research well above average in their significance to the industry.  Due to the impressive quality of the entries, multiple rounds of judging were necessary to select the winners.

 A separate poster session for research professionals addressing mycotoxins in corn was conducted concurrently with the student competition. The Mycotoxin Poster winners are:
1st Place - Joseph Noonan, Mississippi State
2nd Place - Tabyta Sabchuk, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
3rd Place - Felicia Parish, Mississippi State

Noonan's research focuses on identifying corn genes and proteins that are resistant to feeding by southwestern corn borer and fall armyworm as well as being resistant to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation. Significant aflatoxin contamination complicates the handling of corn and can reduces limit is marketability and value.

Addressing aflatoxin in DDGS, a high protein feed co-product from ethanol production, is the focus of Sabchuk's work. She is developing hydrothermal processing that uses heat to reduce aflatoxin as well as improving feed characteristics.

Held on a biennial basis, CUTC is recognized as an important forum for exchanging ideas and networking with an international audience of 250 experts from agricultural industry, academia, associations and government.



Iowa Hosts Team of Russian Meat Buyers

To encourage sales of U.S. pork, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in late May led a team of meat buyers from Russia and the Surrounding Region on visits to meat packing plants and farms in Nebraska and Iowa before attending the USMEF Product Showcase and Board of Directors meeting in St. Louis.

In Iowa, the group toured JBS in Marshalltown, then stopped at the farm of Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) Director Roger Zylstra, a corn soybean and hog farmer in Jasper County. The trade delegation consisted of buyers and producers from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

"We hoped to provide this trade team a broader understanding of the U.S. meat industries and the safety measures we use to ensure high quality products," said Zylstra. "We showed them our hog finishing and grain operation. My biggest takeaway was how different our free-market system functions compared to their collective system. They had difficulty grasping the concept of individual farmers owning their own land and equipment. They expressed their surprise in learning that U.S. farmers wear many hats including grain marketer, accountant and laborer. In their countries, these would be individual roles. Truly, their purpose was to try to understand our business structure."

Zylstra said the team wanted to know how the U.S. system functioned to see if they could move to more of a similar system of individual ownership and diversification. "They appeared impressed by the labor efficiency, the attention to detail and the overall management we provide in growing the product. The tour served as a great opportunity to interact with potential customers. Once they understood how the U.S. pork industry works they became more comfortable with doing business with us."

The decline in Russia's meat imports have impacted the pork and beef trading patterns worldwide. Just three years ago, Russia was a brand new WTO member and a nearly $600 million market for U.S. red meat. But U.S. beef was locked out of the market due to ractopamine restrictions in early 2013, and access for U.S. pork was also very limited. U.S. products now face additional obstacles due to an import embargo imposed by Russia in August 2014, as well as a weak ruble and declining consumer purchasing power. Due to this, Russia has aspirations of achieving self-sufficiency in pork production and is working to export their pork as well.



Producer Optimism Shines through at the 2016 World Pork Expo

This year’s World Pork Expo reflected an optimistic tone as more than 20,000 producers and ag professionals, including 1,100 international guests from 35 countries, convened at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines, June 8-10. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the 28th annual Expo featured the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, a range of educational seminars and issue updates, and another Junior National swine show that filled the barns to capacity. The Big Grill served up more than 10,000 lunches; allied industry hospitality tents lined the streets of the Iowa State Fairgrounds; and MusicFest provided an evening of fun and fellowship.

“World Pork Expo is a place where pork producers can network and share ideas, see the latest innovations for their businesses and broaden their expertise through a range of educational seminars and updates,” says John Webber, NPPC president and pork producer from Dysart, Iowa. “U.S. pork producers are optimistic by nature and are looking forward to new packing capacity coming online. Some are upgrading facilities and expanding production, and all are hoping to continue to supply high-quality pork to the world through further export growth.”

Trade show aisles overflow with innovation
The World Pork Expo trade show offers pork producers from throughout the world a one-stop opportunity to shop for the latest products, services and technologies for their businesses. As the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, this year’s offering involved 435 commercial exhibits from companies based in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea, Denmark, China, Canada and Australia. A newly renovated outdoor exhibit space showcased even more allied industry displays and hospitality tents this year. Exhibitors reported good traffic flow of producers who were upbeat and shopping for new products as well as upgrades for existing facilities.

As long-time Expo exhibitor, VAL-CO’s representatives have watched producers navigate a range of ups and downs over the years. “This is one of the better years I’ve seen. Producers all seemed optimistic,” says Joseph Ulicny, marketing specialist with VAL-CO, New Holland, Pennsylvania. “Producers are pretty consistent in their business approach; they want to get the most out of their barns and animals by providing the proper nutrition, environment and daily care.” 

Ulicny reports Expo attendees were inquiring about equipment for new construction as well as retrofitting and upgrading existing barns. “Producers come to Expo to see innovations, to see what’s new and to see how we can help them maximize efficiencies,” he adds.

A new exhibitor to Expo this year was Biofence, with a new product – The Biofence VS-1: Portable vehicle sanitizing system.

“In terms of exhibitors and producers attending Expo, there is a good mix and representation of the industry,” says Teresa Esler, vice president of Biofence, Minneapolis, Minnesota. “It’s always good when you can come together and have conversations with other people in the industry about solving problems, and biosecurity is a high-priority issue that people are interested in addressing.

“We have had some very good conversations with people, developed more awareness of our product and gotten a lot of positive feedback,” she adds. “We’re excited to expand our contacts; and we’ll come back to Expo.”

Junior National continues its strong showing
This year, the World Pork Expo Junior National started on Monday, June 6, to accommodate the ever-expanding program. Hosted by the National Junior Swine Association and Team Purebred, the Junior National of has evolved into one of the nation’s premiere youth swine shows and educational events. In all, 948 youth from 30 states participated in showmanship, swine judging and live-hog competitions through June 10. Other activities during the week included Youth PQA Plus® certification and a Skillathon, which tests contestants’ pork production knowledge.

The Junior National shows included 2,351 hogs this year, up slightly from 2015’s record setting numbers. Juniors also can join other swine breeders and enter their hogs in the open shows, which took place on Friday, June 10, with more than 1,090 crossbred and purebred boars and gilts. Hog sales on Saturday morning wrapped up the live-hog exhibition, offering Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland China, Spotted and Yorkshire, as well as crossbred gilts and boars. The sale total exceeded $1.1 million. Individual results for the open shows and sales for the various breeds can be found online at the National Swine Registry blog or at Certified Pedigreed Swine.

A venue to exchange information and ideas
Expo gives pork producers the opportunity to collect and share information, whether it occurs one-on-one, within a seminar or consulting with one of the nation’s leading pork experts. More than a dozen free business seminars and PORK Academy presentations this year updated pork producers on ways to maximize their competitive advantage from the farrowing house to the global marketplace. Expo sessions also addressed some cutting-edge topics, outlining the importance of cyber security, how to prepare for a common industry audit and the upcoming changes to on-farm antibiotic use beginning Jan. 1, 2017.

Enhancing Expo’s social aspect, MusicFest provided a festive evening of free music and an abundance of tasty pork on Thursday, June 9. Rounding out the offering of savory grilled pork, volunteers from Iowa’s Tama County Pork Producers Association served up more than 10,000 free lunches from the ever-popular Big Grill during Expo’s 2 1/2 days.

Market outlook presentations, discussions on international trade issues and the impact on pork exports provided a long-term outlook to help with producers’ strategic planning.

“World Pork Expo has so much to offer that it’s easy to find a program or activity that fits your needs,” NPPC’s Webber says. “I would encourage pork producers to bring family members and employees to next year’s Expo. It’s a great place to find practical solutions, visit with allied industry [and] see what’s new and plan for the future.”

NPPC has announced dates for the 2017 World Pork Expo: June 7-9, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Save the dates – it’s never too early to start making plans to attend.



New Event for the Feed and Grain Industry Comes to Iowa

Feed & Grain proudly announces that registration is now open for the inaugural Feed & Grain LIVE conference, taking place Aug. 22-23. Feed & Grain LIVE will be held in the heart of the grain belt at the Prairie Meadows Hotel in Altoona, Iowa.

The conference will feature breakout educational sessions centered on three tracks: Feed, Grain, and Safety & Management. Sessions will be delivered by experts in their field including Richard Sellers, senior vice president of public policy and education, American Feed Industry Association; Dr. Erin Bowers, post-doctoral researcher, Iowa State University; John Foltz, special assistant to the president for agricultural Initiatives, University of Idaho; and Whitney Romero, regional account manager, Environmental and Safety Investigations, Inc.

“Feed & Grain LIVE was developed to reach, connect and engage members of the industry and equipment and service providers, as well as provide an educational lineup with immediate take-home value,” said Arlette Sambs, publisher of Feed & Grain.

Feed & Grain LIVE will also feature a trade show with more than 40 exhibitors and designated expo hours before and after the breakout educational sessions. Feed & Grain LIVE offers something for everyone, no matter their position in the grain handling or feed manufacturing industries, including a networking reception on the opening night with complimentary food and beverages.

The opening keynote speaker is Rod Paulson, vice president of CHS Processing within the retail division of CHS, the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative. Paulson will present “Capturing Opportunity in Challenging Times’’ to attendees, while other highlights include an opening reception, a past cover story panel discussion and a closing keynote address. To view the Feed & Grain LIVE schedule, click here...  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/feed-grain-live-tickets-18543643537. 

Early-bird registration for Feed & Grain LIVE is $160 until June 30. Regular price registration is $260 after July 1. One-day passes are available for $120. To register, click here.

Follow the conversation on Twitter and Facebook with #FGLIVE and visit the event website, LIVE.feedandgrain.com.

Feed & Grain magazine is part of IDEAg Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Farm Bureau Federation. The publication serves corporate and operating management, general administration, nutrition & research, and development personnel in the commercial feed, grain and allied processing industries.



U.S. Farmers In EU Stress Need For Predictable Biotech Regulatory System
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) combined forces this week for a series of meetings in Brussels to raise concerns about delays in approvals for soybean and corn biotech events and exhorting the need for a predictable, transparent and science-based regulatory system in the European Union.

Dean Taylor, a USGC delegate from the Iowa Corn Growers Association and leader of the USGC Biotechnology Advisory Team, partnered with Belden, Nebraska soybean farmer and USSEC Vice Chairman Jim Miller in meetings with European Parliament members, European Commission officials and European Food and Feed Chain representatives.

Both farmers described their experiences using biotechnology and other innovative technologies, sharing how adopting these tools has helped them to improve their economic and environmental sustainability. They both told the European stakeholders they met that they will continue to readily adopt and take advantage of new events as they are approved in the United States and in other key markets with workable and functioning regulatory systems.

Creating an opportunity for U.S. farmers to share these positions directly is critical to forward movement in the European market, with the EU having delayed final approval of three soybean events and one corn event that have already gone through the risk assessment and risk management processes but have still not cleared the final hurdle by the European Commission.

The European Parliament has complicated this process further by voting on resolutions of disapproval for events that have been cleared for final approval. While non-binding, this action adds further uncertainty to the biotech approval process.

"The uncertainty created by the EU's unpredictable regulatory system keeps farmers globally from adopting the best new technology to produce the corn and soybeans customers need," Taylor said. "It also creates trade barriers that prevent willing feed and livestock users in the European Union from importing U.S. corn and soybeans, which doesn't benefit anyone and ultimately raises costs for EU consumers."

In meetings with European Commission departments covering agriculture, trade and health, both USGC and USSEC representatives reiterated they are not seeking to change the EU's biotech approval laws and regulations or reduce existing levels of protection, but are seeking improvements to the EU approval system to bring it in line with EU-legislated timelines as well as a more practical approach to situations of low-level presence of yet-unapproved traits in grain shipments to the EU.

"Our meetings this week were a unique opportunity to not just make the case for the pending events to be approved, but to provide an on-the-ground perspective on why biotechnology works for the entire ag value chain," Taylor said.

The Council and USSEC shared the findings of these meetings with stakeholders who make up the European Feed and Food Chain and agreed on the need for continued collaboration and communication on these critical policy issues.



Censky Reiterates Call for Senate Solution on GMO Labeling
American Soybean Association (ASA) CEO Steve Censky again called on Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow to come to an agreement on legislation to set a national standard on the labeling of food products containing biotechnology. Censky indicated that as a steering committee member of the Coalition for Safe, Affordable Food, ASA will support a compromise struck by Roberts and Stabenow to move a solution forward.

On a press call alongside Grocery Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pam Bailey, Food Marketing Institute President and CEO Leslie Sarasin and National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO Chuck Conner, Censky pointed to the looming threat of reformulation away from biotechnology-enhanced food ingredients, specifically including products including GMO soybean oil and meal, and the impacts of such reformulation on an already-teetering farm economy.

“Markets for the crops that our farmers are growing today will be lost, and value of farmers’ crops will be diminished,” said Censky. “Farmers will lose, and ultimately consumers will lose as a safe and valuable tool for sustainable food production is driven from the marketplace by activists who got a state to pass ill-conceived legislation that devastates farmer livelihoods and raises food costs for all Americans.”

“The lack of Senate action really threatens the livelihoods of the farmers we represent,” continued Censky. “Their crops are in the ground and growing, and they have leveraged their farms to take out operating loans in a depressed agricultural economy.”

Censky also highlighted the benefits to conservation and sustainability lost as a result of the potential reformulation away from biotech.

“Agricultural biotechnology has helped to make both insect pest control and weed management safer while safeguarding crops against disease,” Censky said. “It has allowed for a significant reduction in the use of pesticides, and promoted no-till or reduced tillage agriculture systems that help preserve topsoil from erosion and enhance water quality. Today over 90 percent of the soybeans, corn, cotton, and sugarbeets grown by U.S. farmers are biotech enhanced because of these very benefits.”

“Farmers are used to responding to the market. The U.S. and world markets have told farmers that they want farmers to produce safe and healthy crops to feed growing U.S. and world populations,” concluded Censky.

“Health agencies from around the world repeatedly have affirmed the safety of biotech crops. Yet because of the lack of Senate action we are on the verge of having one state with a bit over 600,000 people dictate nationwide food policy and stigmatization of biotechnology through on-pack labeling.”

Roberts and Stabenow have indicated that they continue to make progress toward a solution, however only a handful of legislative work days remain for the Senate prior to the Vermont law’s July 1 implementation deadline.



Congress Pressures Department of Labor on H-2A Applications

Last week, Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led a bipartisan letter of 102 Members of Congress to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Leon Rodriguez discussing the need to address problems with the administration of the H-2A agricultural guest worker program.  There has been widespread reports across the country about serious delays in the processing of applications and visa petitions.  This has resulted in significant delays in the arrival of workers to farms that have significant labor needs.  The Congressional letter includes several recommendations and urges the agencies to expeditiously process H-2A applications before farmers’ dates of need for labor.



Soy Growers Ask For Sulfoxaflor Registration

The American Soybean Association (ASA) this week urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to add soybeans to a proposed registration of the pesticide sulfoxaflor and expressed several concerns with the label.

“Our experience in trying to manage soybean aphid, in particular, requires different modes of action and a commitment to insect resistance management. Sulfoxaflor is an important part of that strategy,” ASA states in the letter. “While it is has come under scrutiny for adverse effects on honeybees, in fact sulfoxaflor is a more pollinator-friendly product than other alternatives.”

ASA pointed out that the pesticide is better than its alternatives because it is non-toxic to fish and has low risk to mammals and birds.

“Sulfoxaflor fits well as a critical tool in Integrated Pest Management programs, replacing multiple applications of compounds with a higher risk to humans and/or non-target organisms,” the letter states. “Due to its unique chemistry and lack of cross-resistance to the neonicotinoid and other classes of insecticides, sulfoxaflor can be a valuable tool in managing pesticide resistance.”

ASA also expressed concerns that the proposed registration attempts to manage off-site risk to pollinators with a proposal to require a downwind 12-foot buffer, particularly that it would led to additional applications to control the pests that were not sprayed in an initial application.

“Finally, the proposed registration asks for comment on restricting tank mixes. ASA opposes restrictions on tank mixing for the many reasons EPA acknowledges in the registration documents,” the letter states.



NBB Launches Promotional Advertising Campaign

The National Biodiesel Board announced today that the advanced biofuel industry trade group has launched a promotional media campaign for the fifth straight year. With a theme of “More is Less,” the ads illustrate that Americans can significantly reduce carbon emissions and other pollution by using more biodiesel in our vehicles and fleets.

“Using more biodiesel means less fossil fuel, less carbon emissions, less carcinogens, less environmental impact,” said Donnell Rehagen, NBB’s Chief Operation Officer and Interim CEO. “Even if you don’t drive a diesel vehicle or operate heavy machinery, we are showing consumers that biodiesel is working for you, cleaning the air and improving the environment.”

According to the 2016 Fleet Purchasing Outlook study conducted by NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry – biodiesel is now the most commonly used alternative fuel option on the market. Survey data show 18 percent of fleets use biodiesel now – up from 15 percent in 2015.  And in terms of future alternative fuel interest, biodiesel also took top honors, with more fleets planning to acquire or continue using biodiesel than any other alternative fuel option. The increased demand comes as the EPA and California Air Resources Board have affirmed that biodiesel ranks among the lowest carbon fuels on the market and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80 percent or more compared with petroleum diesel.

Produced by PCI Communications, the 30-second television commercial features Medford Township (New Jersey) Public School buses weaving their way through town while a narrator explains the district’s history with biodiesel. (http://www.americasadvancedbiofuel.com) In May, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented Medford with the 2016 Environmental Champion Award at a ceremony in New York City. The award honors Medford’s outstanding commitment to protecting and enhancing environmental quality and public health. Medford’s leadership in the use of biodiesel alone has eliminated 123,376 pounds of smog-forming emissions, 2,408 pounds of diesel particulate matter and reduced its fleet operation costs by over $170,000.

The 2016 NBB campaign also includes a new website at a familiar address: AmericasAdvancedBiofuel.com. There, visitors can view vignettes on prominent biodiesel users from across the country, including:

+    City of New York: In 2013, New York City planned for their 9,000 diesel-powered municipal fleet vehicles to biodiesel blends. It began with the Parks Department, which found compliance so easy it soon upped its biodiesel use to B-20 in its vehicles. Other departments followed suit, including the Department of Sanitation, which began using biodiesel in all of its fleet vehicles. With Sanitation consuming 80% of New York City’s fleet fuel, its move to biodiesel has paid dividends. The city has experienced a 19% reduction in carbon emissions since 2005, on track to reaching an 80 percent reduction by 2050.

+    Salt River Project, electricity provider to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area: Biodiesel provides power for more than 900 of the company’s vehicles. Since its biodiesel pilot program began in 1999, SRP has converted 41% of its fleet to B-20. Of its nearly 2,300 vehicles, 950 run on biodiesel. By using more B20 in its fleet, SRP has saved money and upheld its environmental stewardship.

In addition to the stories of biodiesel use from local enthusiasts, visitors to the website are invited to learn more about biodiesel and even take a fun quiz to “Test Your Bio-Q.”



NMPF Endorses New Legislation Creating Tax Incentive for Investments in Biogas and Nutrient Recovery

Legislation introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives will help dairy farmers increase their investment in technologies, such as manure digesters, that improve the environment, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said today in support of the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act.

The new bipartisan legislation, introduced Thursday in the House by Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Tom Reed (R-NY), will enable dairy farmers to find new ways to reduce their environmental footprint, both on their farms and in their communities.

“This measure recognizes the value that biogas systems can have as dairy producers continue improving the sustainability of their farms, large and small, across the country,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF.  “Importantly, the creation of this new investment tax credit also addresses the value of nutrient recovery technologies, which can transform manure into fertilizer for crops and bedding for cows. This bill will help dairy farmers to utilize these new, often expensive technologies on their dairies.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, just over 250 biogas systems are operational or under construction on dairy and hog farms, but as many as 8,000 farms have the potential to use them.  In recent years, federal and state regulators have encouraged the entire agriculture sector to reduce farm nutrient output to improve water quality in crucial watersheds including the Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes region and the Pacific Northwest.

The Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act is also being sponsored by the bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Dairy Farmer Caucus. NMPF sent a letter today thanking the sponsors for their efforts to move this legislation through Congress. A similar bill is expected to be introduced this year in the Senate.

The legislation was also endorsed by the American Biogas Council: "For a healthy economy, we need healthy soils and clean watersheds. Biogas and nutrient recovery systems contribute to cleaner, healthier soil and water and the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act will make these systems possible,” said Patrick Serfass, Executive Director of the council. “We thank Congressmen Reed, Kind and the other co-sponsors of this bill for recognizing the far reaching benefits of sustainable farming where organic material and nutrients are recycled to create beneficial soil products, baseload renewable energy and jobs."

NMPF’s Mulhern reiterated that the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Act removes a potential stumbling block to more widespread use of digesters “by creating incentives to make biogas and manure resource recovery technologies more affordable, in the same way that tax incentives are used to encourage investments in other renewable energy sources. This benefits society by decreasing nutrient runoff in waterways, decreasing farm odors, and improving water quality. Dairy farmers are environmental stewards who take great pride in the land, air and water quality on and around their farms.”

Dairy farmers and their dairy community partners continue to work to embrace the best possible environmental practices. In 2008, the dairy industry voluntarily set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fluid milk by 25 percent by 2020, and has since undertaken several projects intended to help meet that goal.



USFRA 'Faces of Farming' Class Participants Sought

U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is looking for the new Faces of Farming & Ranching. Producers who grow and raise an assortment of foods through various methods, on differing scale and across all regions of the country, are encouraged to apply for the program.

Coordinators say they are seeking standout farmers and ranchers who are proud of what they do and strive to be sustainable and technology-driven, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement and are actively involved in sharing those stories in public and on social media to help put a real face on agriculture.

To apply, entrants must submit a completed application form, references, and a brief video by July 10. For more information, call 636-449-5086 or go to www.fooddialogues.com.



WLC Instills Importance of Growth, Leadership, Community Service

Thousands of FFA members from throughout the country are converging on Washington, D.C., this summer to analyze their personal skills and interests, develop leadership skills and create a meaningful community service plan that will make a difference in their home communities.

More than 2,100 students are registered for the 2016 Washington Leadership Conference, the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year. Created in 1969 and held annually in Washington, D.C., this year’s conference began June 7 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Since 1969, the National FFA Organization has hosted this student leadership event. From June 7 to July 30, members will spend a week under the guidance of professionals, counselors and FFA staff members. In workshops, seminars and small groups, students will focus on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals while undergoing comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters.

Students will also analyze the needs of their communities back home, develop a wide-ranging and high-impact community-service initiative and implement their plan with the help of their FFA chapter upon return home. Students in recent years have promoted agricultural literacy; brought awareness to abuse; collected and distributed shoes to individuals in Haiti; created an awareness plan on hunger, and more.

During their time in D.C., FFA members will also experience the history of the nation's capital, touring landmarks including the Washington Monument, War Memorial, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol, among others. Students will also have an opportunity for congressional visits during the week.

The 2016 Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored through the National FFA Foundation by title sponsors Monsanto and CSX and weekly sponsors, Farm Credit, Growth Energy and Express Professional Employment. For more information visit www.FFA.org/WLC.



DOJ Concerned Over Mergers

A top Justice Department official on Thursday pledged continued vigilance against mergers in concentrated industries, a warning sign for health-insurance companies and others seeking approval of major deals in the last months of the Obama administration.

"Mergers between substantial competitors, especially in already concentrated industries, can give companies far too much power over the markets in which they operate, threatening the principles of freedom and fairness that undergird our economy," Bill Baer, the acting associate attorney general, said in a speech to the American Antitrust Institute.

Baer, who headed the department's antitrust division before a recent promotion to the department's top leadership, added, "Competition is not free when companies are allowed to purchase their main rivals to avoid competing with them, and it is not fair when merged companies use their new-found power to harm the interests of American consumers."

The U.S. remains in the midst of a merger wave and "some of the country's most important industries are faced with the possibility of substantial consolidation," Baer said.

"Especially in this environment, we cannot afford to let up our efforts," he said.

He referenced the government's continued review of two health insurance mergers -- Anthem Inc.'s proposed takeover of Cigna Corp. and Aetna Inc.'s deal for Humana Inc. -- as well as their investigation into "major consolidation among large agricultural, chemical and seed manufacturers," a reference to deals including the planned merger of DuPont Co. and Dow Chemical Co.

His comments Thursday suggested the insurance companies as well and Dow and DuPont are likely to face skepticism from the department as they seek antitrust approval for their deals.



Syngenta announces 69 new corn hybrids for the 2017 growing season

Continuing its commitment to bring new genetics and innovative technology to corn growers, Syngenta will offer 69 new hybrids for the 2017 growing season. The Syngenta hybrids, including Golden Harvest®, NK® and Enogen® corn, complement a portfolio developed with the grower in mind to provide agronomic solutions for a wide range of field types, soil characteristics and weather conditions.

Each of the new hybrids is a product of the Y.E.S. Yield Engineering System™, which enables Syngenta scientists to tap into a global pool of genetics to create hybrids that match U.S. growers’ individual field needs. Using state-of-the-art molecular markers and analytics, the Y.E.S. Yield Engineering System has helped Syngenta produce hybrids with top-of-the-line yield potential.

“We understand that every field is unique and that the right genetics can positively impact yield potential,” said Eric Boersma, product marketing manager, corn seed at Syngenta. “Considering the likelihood of unpredictable weather patterns, coupled with varying pest pressures and soil types, these new hybrids are designed to help growers be prepared for whatever 2017 has in store.”

The new hybrid class features high-performing Agrisure® traits. Growers will have access to:
-    Forty-six hybrids available as E-Z Refuge® options. These integrated, single-bag refuge offerings provide an added level of grower convenience.
-    Fourteen Agrisure Artesian® hybrids, which help maximize yield when it rains and increase yield when it doesn’t. Artesian™ hybrids can help manage the unpredictability of weather and improve yield consistency by converting water to grain more effectively than other hybrids.
-    Eighteen hybrids with the Agrisure Viptera® trait. Agrisure Viptera is the best above-ground trait in the industry for insect control, resulting in more high-quality grain.
-    Sixteen hybrids with the Agrisure Duracade® trait, which features a unique mode of action to control corn rootworm that makes it an essential tool in an integrated CRW management program.

In addition, Syngenta will offer three new Enogen hybrids. Enogen corn enzyme technology, an in-seed innovation exclusively from Syngenta, is the industry’s first and only biotech corn designed specifically to enhance ethanol production. Enogen corn growers are eligible to receive a premium of 40 cents per bushel (on average), and ethanol communities benefit from keeping enzyme dollars local.

“At the end of the day, the Syngenta portfolio of corn hybrids helps growers produce more corn and maximize their return on investment – no matter what their fields’ unique situations are,” Boersma said.