Thursday June 9 Ag News

Nebraska Extension's Resistant Weed Management Field Days
Amit Jhala, Assistant Professor/Extension Weed Management Specialist
You are invited to attend Nebraska Extension’s Weed Management Field Days.

Weed Management Field Day
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Clay Center, NE

Resistant Palmer amaranth Management Field Day
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Shickley, NE

The events are free, but pre-registration is required, so plans can be made for the complimentary meal, teaching resources, and tour logistics.

Please see attached flyers or learn more and register now at http://agronomy.unl.edu/weedresistmgt.



American Ethanol Night at the Races: Maintaining a NeCGA Tradition

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) is bringing back a summer tradition fueled by American Ethanol. This summer six different speedways will play host to American Ethanol Night at the Races sponsored in part by NeCGA. Local corn grower associations and NeCGA staff will be on hand to talk with race fans about the benefits of homegrown American Ethanol.

American Ethanol Night at the Races schedule:

Saturday, June 11th at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction is the kick-off event. Grandstands open at 5 PM and the races begin at 7 PM.  Admission for members is free with postcard invitation OR NCGA membership card. Sponsored by the York County Corn Growers and Blue River Corn Growers Associations.

Thursday, June 16th at US 30 Speedway near Columbus. Grandstands open at 6 PM and races start at 8 PM. Admission is free for members if they bring the postcard invitation. Sponsored by the Dawson County Corn Growers, Custer County Corn Growers, and South Central Corn Growers Associations.

Friday, June 17th at the Boone County Raceway in Albion. Grandstands will open at 6 PM and the races will start at 8 PM. As with US 30 Speedway, admission is free with postcard invitation. Sponsored by the Central Plains Corn Growers Association.

Sunday, June 19th at Lexington Raceway in Lexington. The grandstands will open at 4 PM and the races will begin at 6 PM. Admission for members is free with postcard invitation OR NCGA membership card. Sponsored by the Central Plains Corn Growers Association.

Friday, July 15th at I-80 Speedway near Greenwood. Gates open at 5:30 PM and racing will begin at 7:15 PM. Sponsored by the Saunders County Corn Growers Association.

Friday, August 12th at Beatrice Speedway in Beatrice will wrap up the summer. Pit gates open at 5:30 PM and racing begins at 7:30 PM. Sponsored by the Southeast Corn Growers Association.

The American Ethanol Night at the Races tradition is a chance for local corn growers, family, and friends, to get together on a fun night and help promote homegrown fuel. American Ethanol helps promote cleaner air for our environment, creates job opportunities in rural communities, and is an industry supported by Nebraska corn farmers.



Applications Being Taken for New Nebraska Corn Specialty License Plates

Nebraska is known as the Cornhusker State—and now corn will become even more prominent as it is featured on a new specialty license plate available to the public.

The license plate, developed by the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) features a large golden ear of corn against a ready-to-harvest field and bright blue Nebraska sky.

“You don’t have to be a member of NeCGA to purchase one of these attractive license plates,” said Larry Mussack of Decatur, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “Anyone who grows corn, does business with corn farmers, grew up on a corn farm, or simply wants to show their support for Nebraska’s corn industry can apply.  Corn is Nebraska’s number one commodity, so we expect to see a lot of these plates on vehicles all across the state.”

Cost for the Nebraska Corn specialty license plate is $70, which is in addition to the standard fees for licensing one’s vehicle in Nebraska.  This additional fee is due with the initial application and is subject to annual renewal.   Credit cards will be charged an additional five percent processing fee.

The Nebraska Corn license plates can be used on a wide range of vehicles and equipment including passenger vehicles, pickups, farm trucks, semi-trailers, motorcycles, trailers and mobile homes.

Customized “vanity” plate messages are not available, and the plates will not carry a county designation.   The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles will assign plate numbers as applications are submitted.

There is no limit to the number of Nebraska Corn specialty plates one can order.

NeCGA must gather a minimum of 500 applications with payment before the plates will be manufactured through the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. NeCGA has currently received over 260 applications.

For an application form or to mail your completed application form with payment, contact NeCGA at 1111 Lincoln Mall, Suite 308, Lincoln, NE 68508.  You can also call 402.438.6459 or email mwrich@necga.org.



Rep. Adrian Smith Op-Ed - Assaults on Modern Agriculture

Rejecting scientific advancements in agriculture may be in fashion, but this fad poses great dangers to the affordability and accessibility of food domestically and worldwide.

In three weeks, the second-smallest state by population is set to create chaos in the U.S. food supply chain. Vermont’s mandatory labeling law for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) takes effect on July 1, with Maine and Connecticut planning to follow suit.

If states move forward with their own labeling laws using varying standards and definitions, this legal patchwork will force farmers to implement costly new procedures and equipment. Retailers will have to alter ingredients and distribution chains or face financial penalties.

These costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers, with the biggest burdens falling to those who can afford them least.

As our global population grows, we should be celebrating producers’ ability to make safe, affordable foods available to more people while preserving our finite resources. Laws such as Vermont’s seek to vilify the very technology making these advancements possible.

With biotechnology, producers can increase yields using less land, less water and fewer chemicals. The American Farm Bureau Federation reports today’s farmers produce 262 percent more food with 2 percent fewer resources compared to 1950.

This is not only good for the environment, it also lowers the cost of food at a time when 1 in 8 people worldwide suffers from chronic malnutrition. By 2050, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations projects the global demand for food to increase by as much as 60 percent.

Not only are biotechnology crops necessary to feed the world, study after study also reaffirms their safety. On May 17, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released a lengthy report based on 20 years of data, finding “no substantiated evidence of a difference in risks to human health between current commercially available genetically engineered (GE) crops and conventionally bred crops.”

Scientists can even develop biotechnology crops containing more nutrients than their non-modified counterparts.

“By inserting genes into crops such as rice and wheat, we can increase their food value,” the FAO says. These advancements are crucial to fighting malnutrition in developing countries.

In addition to human health, the National Academies’ report found no evidence of GMOs causing harm to the environment. In fact, a 2014 study by researchers at Germany’s Goettingen University found a 37 percent reduction in chemical pesticide use in agriculture due to the rise of biotechnology.

With science on the side of GMOs, Vermont’s law is being sold as a boon for consumer choice. But the marketplace already incentivizes organic manufacturers to label their products, allowing consumers to discern which foods contain ingredients produced through biotechnology and make informed decisions about purchases.

To provide certainty for producers and consumers, we passed legislation in the House of Representatives that would establish uniform national standards for voluntary labeling. But action is needed from both houses of Congress before one state’s mandatory labeling law disrupts food production for the entire country and beyond.

We must also empower producers to communicate more actively with consumers, giving them a better understanding of where their food comes from — and who provides it.

In Congress I represent Nebraska’s 3rd District, the top-producing agriculture district in the country. Anne, a central Nebraska cattle feed yard owner, recently contacted me about her desire to give people a window into the operation she runs with her husband, Matt, and their three children.

“It’s important to Matt and I that we are judicious users of resources on our farm,” Anne says. The couple repurposes the manure from their cattle and the water runoff from their land to decrease the farm’s environmental impact.

They also know the quality of their products depends on raising healthy animals, and they regularly consult with a ruminant nutritionist and a veterinarian to provide unique care to up to 3,000 cattle. “We try to set our animals up so they can behave naturally. That limits the stress on them and allows them to stay as healthy as possible,” Anne explains.

It comes down to shared priorities. As Anne concludes, “We all care about our families, the environment, and where our food comes from.”

Stories like this are common in Nebraska agriculture and across the country. I encourage more farmers and ranchers to share their practices to help consumers make informed decisions.

America’s producers can meet growing global demand for agriculture products, but only if we replace fads and fearmongering with science-based policies that support their efforts to provide high-quality, safe and affordable food.



Current National Drought Summary
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Heavy rainfall in parts of the Southeast brought relief to dry areas in the Mid-Atlantic States. Parts of eastern Tennessee, western Maryland, northwest Virginia, and West Virginia all saw a one category reduction of D0-D1 areas. Other parts of the eastern U.S. didn’t fare as well. Warmer than normal temperatures and seasonally low rainfall accumulations led to the expansion of D0 in parts of central Massachusetts and western New York, the introduction of moderate drought in southern parts of New Hampshire and Maine, and the persistence of D0-D1 conditions in other areas. In the West, temperatures were 6 to 15 degrees above normal, leading to the expansion of D0 across the Pacific Northwest. Other changes include the introduction of D2 in southern Arizona and along the South Dakota-Wyoming border.

The Plains
Texas was once again the recipient of heavy rains keeping the state drought-free. Missing out on the rains, west Texas saw some localized expansion of D0. Continued dryness has begun to stress crops near the tri-border area of South Dakota, Minnesota, and North Dakota resulting in a small pocket of D1 being introduced in the area. Likewise, the recent dryness has been affecting vegetation and raising fire concerns near the Black Hills resulting in the introduction of D2 and the expansion of D0 bleeding into northeast Wyoming, southeast Montana, and southwest North Dakota.

Looking Ahead
Next week’s forecast (June 9-16) calls for hot and relatively dry conditions as a ridge moves across the Great Plains, Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, and Southeast. Significant rainfall accumulations are expected across the upper Midwest as thunderstorms move through the region. The National Weather Service 7-Day forecast also calls for dryness across much of California and northwestern Montana and accumulations of generally less than a half an inch across the lower elevations of the West. The Climate Prediction Center 6-10 day outlooks call for a continuation of above normal temperatures June 14-18 across the western two-thirds of the contiguous U.S. and Alaska and a relief to the recent warmth in the Pacific Northwest and New England. As for precipitation, the odds favor above-normal accumulations in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the South while the Plains and Northeast are likely to be below normal.



Beef Producers Reminded to Set and Check Heat Mitigation Strategies

Summer is here and the temperatures are starting to increase. A cool spring that felt good to some has left many cattle with remnants of a winter hair coat and not adapted to warmer weather. Grant Dewell, extension beef veterinarian at Iowa State University, reminds producers that for these animals, the increasing temperature will be an unwelcome change.

Temperatures are expected to reach mid- to upper 90s across Iowa this weekend, June 10 - 11. Although cattle should be able to tolerate this heat, it's a good reminder that more is yet to come and a cool spring may turn to a hot dry summer.

Dewell said this early heat event is a good opportunity to make sure that producer mitigation strategies will be functional for the rest of the summer. The Iowa Beef Center website, www.iowabeefcener.org , has information and details on proper heat abatement strategies such as shade and sprinklers.

"Also, pay close attention to cattle this weekend as the rapid change in temperature may catch some at-risk cattle (cattle at end of feeding period, cattle with previous respiratory disease and cattle that have not shed out) dealing with excessive heat stress," said Dewell.

For more information, consult a 4-page publication by Dewell,  'Heat Stress in Beef Cattle,' which is available as a free download and follow the USDA ARS 7-day heat stress forecast.



ADDITIONAL FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH “FUELING OUR FUTURE 100” INITIATIVE

    Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that approximately $400,000 in uncommitted funds are now available through the “Fueling Our Future 100” initiative.  Interested retailers in Iowa can apply for cost share funding to assist with the purchase and installation of blender pumps and underground storage tank (UST) infrastructure for higher blends of ethanol.

    Applications must be received at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s office by 4 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016.  Pumps and tanks funded through this program are currently required to be operational by December 30, 2016.

    “Iowa retailers have shown a willingness to invest in infrastructure to deliver renewable fuels and customers have shown they are interested in choosing to increase the amount of clean burning, homegrown renewable fuels they use.  Through this program we have supported the installation of more than 200 blender pumps and 24 underground storage tanks and now have some additional funds to add even more,” Northey said.

    Iowa received a $5 million competitive grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) program to support the initiative.  These funds must be matched by non-federal funds, including $2.5 million from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP).  The fueling sites applying for assistance will also be required to provide a minimum of $2.5 million.

    Pumps and tanks funded through this program are currently required to be operational by December 30, 2016 and continue operations for the intended purpose of dispensing higher blends of ethanol through December 31, 2021.

    More information about the program, a copy of the application and other materials can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov under “Hot Topics.”

    This new program is a partnership across state government, including collaboration between the Governor’s office, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Transportation, and Iowa Economic Development Authority.



Ricketts, Ethanol Advocates Call On EPA to Fulfill RFS Promise

Today, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and ethanol advocates called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and to scrap a proposal that would slash the nation’s renewable volume obligation (RVO) for the second consecutive year.

Testimony on the proposed changes is being heard in Kansas City, MO where Governor Ricketts, Vice Chair of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition (GBC), testified against proposed changes on behalf of the State of Nebraska and GBC members.

“A strong RFS means more jobs here at home, greater energy security, and a cleaner environment,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. “The biofuels industry supports more than 852,000 American jobs and creates fuel we need to help our country become energy independent.  It also stimulates investments in states like Nebraska, where we are on the forefront of research, development, and infrastructure for first- and second-generation biofuels.”

“Ethanol is an excellent example of the type of industry that can grow Nebraska by adding value to and supporting Nebraska’s other agriculture industries like corn and cattle production, increasing job opportunities for Nebraska workers, and supporting Nebraska communities,” added Nebraska Energy Office Director David Bracht.  “Nebraska currently is working to double the number of blender fuel pumps through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to serve the nearly 200,000 flex fuel vehicles in the state.”

“It is important to Nebraska the EPA recognize the benefits of corn based ethanol and fulfill the commitment made by the federal government to the industry as they determine the Renewable Volume Obligations.”  said Nebraska Director of Agriculture Greg Ibach.  “While providing consumers with a high quality, clean burning, domestic energy source, a strong ethanol industry is a valuable contributor to Nebraska's economy.  The ethanol industry creates economic vitality for Nebraska's rural communities through the creation of jobs, local markets for commodities, and co-products for our livestock industry.”

"It is important to remind the EPA that Congress intended for the RFS to provide a robust schedule for the production and marketing of renewable biofuels like ethanol,” said Nebraska Ethanol Board Administrator Todd Sneller.   “As the second largest ethanol producing state, Nebraska has clearly demonstrated the productive capability to meet the law.  The EPA should not undermine our collective potential to produce renewable fuels that create economic growth, cleaner air, lower fuel costs, and more diverse fuel choices for consumers."

“Although the EPA has increased the RVO from last year, we continue to be frustrated that they once again are proposing requirements below statute,” said Nebraska Corn Board Chairman David Merrell, a farmer from St. Edward.  “The Renewable Fuel Standard is working for America.  It has helped make our air cleaner, spurred investment in rural communities, and created high-tech jobs.  Any reduction in the statutory amount takes us backwards and ultimately hurts Nebraska’s corn farmers. ”

“The EPA continues to incorrectly claim that ‘supply’ is somehow synonymous to ‘demand’ and ‘distribution capacity,’” said KAAPA Ethanol CEO Chuck Woodside of Minden.  “Congress’ intent was crystal clear: if the physical supply of renewable fuels is available to fulfill the statutory volumes, then refiners are obligated to distribute those volumes to consumers.  The EPA’s proposal continues to allow refiners to avoid part of this legal obligation.  The EPA may grant a general waiver based on an ‘inadequate supply’ of renewable fuel only if the biofuels industry lacks the capability to produce the required volumes of renewable fuel needed to meet the statutory requirements.  That is clearly not the situation today.”



Biofuel Advocates Rally for Higher Blends at EPA Field Hearing

The nation’s leading biofuel advocates spoke out today at an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) field hearing on proposed 2017 targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Surrounded by supporters from across the country, they urged the EPA to make more ethanol and other biofuels available to consumers in next year’s fuel mix.
 
“A strong RFS means more jobs here at home, greater energy security, and a cleaner environment,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. “The biofuels industry supports more than 852,000 American jobs and creates fuel we need to help our country become energy independent. It also stimulates investments in states like Nebraska, where we are on the forefront of research, development, and infrastructure for first- and second-generation biofuels.”
  
“Missouri is the proud home of six majority farmer-owned ethanol plants, providing a vital market for our crops and affordable fuel options to our consumers,” said Richard Fordyce, Missouri director of agriculture. “As a fourth-generation farmer, I know how important these jobs are to our community. It is vital that the EPA aim higher to ensure the continued growth of America’s domestic energy supply, protect economic growth, and meet the environmental objectives of the RFS.”
 
“The EPA’s proposed targets would needlessly undermine America’s most successful clean energy program,” said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “At a minimum, we must hit the statutory levels set by Congress to slash U.S. dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save consumers money at the pump. From any objective standpoint, the choice should be simple – more clean, American energy and less foreign oil.”

“Our call to action has never been more important,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “Ethanol is an earth-friendly biofuel that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and displaces chemicals in gasoline that form potent carcinogens when burned. Most importantly, ethanol offers consumers affordable options and a choice at the gas pump. It’s vital that the EPA meet the statutory biofuel targets for America’s 2017 fuel mix.”
 
“Farmers, along with the ethanol industry and U.S. Department of Agriculture, have invested millions in new ethanol pumps and fuel infrastructure so that drivers can access affordable, renewable fuel choices,” said Chip Bowling, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “Now it’s up to the EPA to deliver on its promises. We have the resources to meet all our needs, spur investment in rural communities, and create more high-tech jobs.”
 
“The ethanol market provides financial stability to our family farm and guarantees that we can pass on our traditions to future generations,” said Chris Soules, Iowa farmer and star of The Bachelor. “American consumers are winners from this policy, too. Protecting choice at the pump means offering consumers a clean, homegrown, and less expensive product. Ethanol emits 40-90 percent less carbon emissions than the toxic additives it replaces in gasoline. I urge EPA to issue a final rule at statutory levels to keep this policy on track.”

“By protecting America’s domestic energy producers from manipulation, the RFS allows communities in the heartland to flourish,” said Annette Sweeney, Iowa farmer and former state representative. “Thousands of family farms like mine are helping to provide consumers with clean, affordable options that saved drivers anywhere from $.50 to $1.50 a gallon when prices last peaked. The time is right to move forward, not backward.”
 
“One hundred percent of the winners on our tournament trail use an ethanol blend in their tanks because they take pride in using the best equipment and the best fuel,” said Brian Sowers, co-host of Crappie Masters TV. “For many anglers, having better choices at the fuel pump is all about protecting lakes, rivers and other recreational waterways. Ethanol helps to reduce the pollutants that fossil fuels leave behind, preserving the environment and marine life for future generations to enjoy.”
   
Supporters who could not testify at the hearing are urged to submit comments to the EPA by July 11, when regulators will start writing a final rule.



ASA Calls on EPA to Improve RFS Proposed Rule

The American Soybean Association (ASA) today called on the Environmental Protection Agency to increase the proposed volumes for biomass-based diesel to 2.5 billion gallons for 2018 in the Proposed Rule for Renewable Fuel Standard at an EPA national public hearing.

Former ASA chairman and Iowa soybean farmer Ray Gaesser said, “We think EPA should enthusiastically support more aggressive, but easily achievable, volume targets for biodiesel. We see no reason why EPA should not, at a minimum, support biomass-based diesel volumes of 2.5 billion gallons for 2018.”

The U.S. biodiesel industry provides energy, economic and environmental benefits, ranging from significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased domestic energy production and expanded markets for farmers and livestock producers.

By not increasing biomass-based diesel levels, Gaesser explained that “the EPA and Administration are missing an easy opportunity to help the ag and rural economy while at the same time achieving greater greenhouse gas emission reductions – a high priority for EPA and this Administration.”

Biodiesel is a domestically-produced, renewable fuel that is proven to achieve emissions reductions ranging from 50 - 86 percent better than petroleum diesel. Accounting for approximately half of the feedstock used, soybean oil remains the largest source of oil for biodiesel production.

ASA believes the Proposed Rule should implement a more aggressive biomass diesel program, especially considering the existing production capacity, feedstock availability and price, and the growing volumes of imports.

“Given the economic and environmental benefits for biodiesel, we believe that the soybean industry and the EPA should be allies on RFS issues,” Gaesser concluded.



Reducing the RFS, Bad for the Environment and Economy, Farmers Tell EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency must protect the Renewable Fuel Standard as Congress originally defined it nearly a decade ago, Iowa farmer Randy Caviness told the EPA at a public hearing today. He testified on behalf of Iowa Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"EPA's decision not to follow the intent of Congress in the 2007 RFS is highly disappointing to all of agriculture," said Caviness, who also serves as a member of AFBF Issue's Advisory Committee on Energy. "This decision strikes a blow to conventional ethanol production and dampens the prospects for the further development of advanced biofuels."

Caviness is a firm believer in clean energy, and his farm is proof of it. He has farmed for 28 years without energy-intensive tilling and leads initiatives to install wind turbines in his home county of Adair and neighboring Cass County.

Caviness told EPA that renewable fuels are an American success story and critical to keeping our nation moving forward in reducing dependence on foreign oil and providing well-paying jobs in rural America. EPA's proposal to reduce the RFS would hurt agriculture and rural economies at a time when farmers are already struggling with a down-turned economy.

"Our nation's farmers can grow more bushels of corn and soybeans on fewer acres to feed and fuel the world," Caviness said. "But if these reduced volumes are finalized, this decision will stall growth and progress in renewable fuels as well as the broader agricultural economy."



RFA, Growth Energy Applaud Court Decision Annulling U.S. Ethanol AntiDumping Duty

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy are pleased with today’s decision by a European court to annul the European Union’s (EU) countrywide 9.5 percent antidumping duty on all ethanol imported from the United States. The duty had been in place since February 2013.

The EU General Court ruled that the five-year antidumping duty, of $83.03 per metric ton, was invalid because the European Commission was required by EU law to give each sampled U.S. company its own antidumping rate. Instead, the EC based its countrywide rate on all parties, even though the majority of them were never properly sampled, in direct violation of both the European Commission’s own rules and longstanding WTO precedent.

In May 2013, RFA and Growth Energy filed a joint complaint, outlining violations by the European Commission in its antidumping investigation. The antidumping duty had effectively shut out U.S. ethanol producers from accessing the European market, which before the penalty was imposed had represented a 300 million gallon market for our industry.

“The antidumping duty should have never been assessed,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “We feel vindicated and thank the EU General Court for its commonsense ruling.”

“From the beginning, we believed the implementation of an EU duty on imported ethanol violated EU law,” said Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO. “We would like to thank the EU General Court for its fair and logical ruling, and are pleased with their decision.” 

However, the antidumping duty remains in place, pending a possible appeal by the EU. The EU has approximately two months to file an appeal.



Pork Checkoff Ignites the Summer Grilling Season

This summer, the Pork Checkoff is encouraging consumers to fire up the grill through a multi-platform media campaign that highlights why pork is the undisputed star at every barbeque. For the first time, America is witnessing grilling from the perspective of The Grill and Gloria, co-stars and “spokes-grills” for the Grill For It! campaign.

“We are building on our target’s love of pork with a fun campaign that celebrates all the ways to make pork on the grill,” said Randy Brown, chair of the Pork Checkoff Domestic Marketing Committee and a pig farmer from Nevada, Ohio. “To stand out, we’re offering inspired meal ideas from the grills to consumers.”

Through Labor Day, the Checkoff is featuring the two grills in an integrated marketing campaign across both general and Hispanic markets. The campaign includes radio and online advertising, print and digital media buys and public relations efforts.

The lively voice of The Grill is actor and comedian David Koechner, known for his roles in the movie, “Anchorman,” and the TV series, “The Office.” In addition to videos, consumers can follow The Grill’s commentary on all things grilling on his blog, GrillForIt.com. The Grill is documenting his summer of pork grilling adventures and interactions with his neighbor, who is a grill named Gloria.

The Grill For It! integrated campaign was adapted to ¡Prende el Sabor! for the Hispanic market. The campaign is encouraging Latinos to turn up the flavor on the grill via a series of video vignettes. The vignettes feature Gloria, voiced by Mexican actress, comedian and singer Angelica Vale. In May, Vale showcased pork with 21 media outlets and will team with the Checkoff this summer for a food and entertainment media event in Los Angeles.

The integrated campaign has already garnered consumer attention. The YouTube video view completions for the first three weeks of the campaign exceeded 5.8 million. Hispanic media coverage to date has generated 390 media stories. Campaign elements can be found at PorkBeInspired.com and PorkTeInspira.com.

“A creative, fun approach to marketing is a great way to break through all of the seasonal clutter to resonate with consumers,” Brown said. “The Grill and Gloria are proving to be the perfect pair to bring pork to more summer get-togethers.”



U.S. Pork 2016 Export Data Shows Impressive Progress

For the first four months of 2016, U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports totaled $1.8 billion in value and 1.26 billion pounds in volume, down 9 percent in value and unchanged in volume compared to the same time period last year.

“U.S pork exports are gaining strength this year but will still face challenges with increased global competition and a stronger U.S. dollar,” said Becca Nepple, vice president of international marketing for the Pork Checkoff. “The Checkoff is committed to bolstering its partnership with international customers through additional funding of in-country promotions of U.S. pork with the U.S. Meat Export Federation.”

Looking at April data alone, U.S. exports to China (excluding Hong Kong) surpassed export volume to Japan for the first time. Combined exports to China and Hong Kong for the first four months of 2016 were up 78 percent in volume (up 117 percent for China alone) and 54 percent in value.

“Central America also has been an emerging and important destination for U.S. pork exports as the U.S. pork industry has focused on market development and value-added promotions,” Nepple said. For January through April, exports to the region were up 22 percent in volume and 23 percent in value compared to 2015.

“However, exports in volume to Mexico, Japan and South Korea were below last year during the same time period. Development and relationship-building programs are working toward regaining lost market share due to the West Coast port slowdown, ongoing competition and currency challenges,” said Nepple.

On average through April, 2016 U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports accounted for 24 percent of total pork production. Export value averaged $45.73 per head back to pork producers.

The top U.S. pork export markets during the first quarter of 2016 were Mexico (470.4 million pounds and $355.9 million in value), Hong Kong/China (389.2 million pounds and $330.6 million in value), Japan (281.8 million pounds and $489.9 million in value), Canada (139.3 million pounds and $239.1 million on value), South Korea (113 million in pounds and $129.4 million in value) and Central/South America (81.5 million pounds and $86.7 million in value).



New Film Looks at American Aquaculture

A new film funded by the Soy Aquaculture Alliance and the United Soybean Board examines the question of why Americans aren’t growing our own fish. The Working Waterfront, a new film from Living Ocean Productions, aims to educate consumers on the current status of aquaculture.

The Working Waterfront looks at four established farms raising catfish in Alabama, salmon in Washington state, and oysters and mussels in Maine. The farmers talk about their commitment to environmental responsibility, economic benefits to their communities, and producing locally grown, high quality products for their customers. They also discuss challenges to growing a robust U.S.-based aquaculture community.

Over 90% of the seafood Americans eat is imported from overseas, and half of that amount is from aquaculture. The U.S. has ample coastlines, infrastructure, and research and development capability to produce all of the seafood the country demands in an environmentally sound manner. Lack of consistent, coordinated permitting processes and a lingering outdated perception of aquaculture are cited as obstacles to increasing the supply of locally grown fish and seafood.

“There have been so many advances in biology and technology over the past two decades which have made aquaculture so much more sustainable than when it first started 40 years ago,” said Sebastian Belle, Executive Director of the Maine Aquaculture Association. “There’s a real need forgot word – did you want to say need? to educate consumers that aquaculture today has less of an environmental impact of any other form of protein production… and that the resulting products are among the healthiest foods anyone can eat.”

The video was funded by the Soy Aquaculture Alliance (SAA) and the United Soybean Board to educate the public about the advances made by U.S. aquaculture. SAA is a founding member of the Coalition for U.S. Seafood Production (CUSP), an informal association of aquaculture producers, suppliers, seafood distributors, retailers, and restaurants that support efforts to grow domestic aquaculture.

“One of the key advances that has made aquaculture more sustainable has been new feed formulations that replace wild-caught fishmeal with plant proteins, especially U.S. soy,” said Bridget Owen, Executive Director of the Soy Aquaculture Alliance. “The far-reaching benefits of a domestic aquaculture industry can extend up the supply stream to feed ingredient farmers, and down through communities by creating green jobs. But our belief is that healthy, locally raised food would benefit American consumers the most.”



PUT GRAIN MARKETING PLANS IN PLACE NOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SUMMER AND FALL

There’s a lesson to be learned from the commodities markets’ reaction to the May 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), according to Matt Bennett, the grain marketing consultant for Channel® Seed. The lesson, he says, is to be proactive with your grain marketing strategies, so you can take advantage of unforeseen surges in prices.

The May WASDE report estimated a much lower than expected soybean carryover of 305 million bushels (100 million bushels lower than expected) and predicted increased demand for U.S. soybeans due to a number of factors, including poor weather in South America and a softer U.S. dollar. This caused a significant surge in the markets - July contract soybeans closed more than 57 cents higher on May 10, the day the report was released, at $10.84. July corn also edged up 12 cents per bushel, closing at $3.81. Smart grain marketers might not have predicted these prices, but they were prepared to take advantage of them just the same.

“Seasoned grain marketers had offers in ahead of time, because they understand that whenever there is a report coming out, there is typically very high volatility associated with that,” Bennett explains. “In that situation, there will always be a chance for opportunities. The key is to be proactive and be prepared.”

As a grower himself, Bennett knows firsthand the challenges that growers navigate every year. He was born and raised on a farm in Windsor, Illinois, and his family also owned a grain elevator, which is where he initially developed his knowledge about merchandising grain and managing risk.

Bennett recommends that a grower’s marketing strategy should follow these three tips:

Tip 1 - Know your break-even prices. Bennett suggests that growers should start by determining the farm’s break-even price and profitability potential.

“Especially in years when the profitability margin is so slim, I’m a big advocate of knowing what your break-even prices are early in the season,” says Bennett.

Bennett advises growers to take their average yield amount and plug it into the Profitability Calculator he developed, which is available at http://www.channel.com/Markets/Pages/Profitability-Calculator.aspx. The Calculator is a valuable tool that helps growers figure the cost of production and calculate break-even prices in a simple format.

Tip 2 - Have a plan. Once growers have calculated the break-even price, they will know when to sell their grain for optimum profitability.

“Growers need to have a game plan in place,” said Bennett. “Then, if the markets present an opportunity to lock in some profitable prices, he knows when to take advantage of possible sales. For example, if soybeans get to the grower’s price objective, he can go ahead and sell an increment of the crop.”

Tip 3 - Be flexible and proactive. Bennett also recommends that growers reuse the Calculator as they progress through the growing season to reflect what is happening in the field and in the markets, to make sure grain marketing decisions are based on the most current data.

“I always encourage growers to continue to update their break-even pricing because it can definitely help them to look at hard numbers and make decisions that are more business-based than emotional,” he says. “Being flexible, adjusting your grain marketing strategy, and being prepared in advance are the keys to successful grain marketing.”

To learn more about Bennett’s recommendations, sign up for his e-newsletter at www.channel.com/Markets. The e-newsletter contains exclusive content plus tools and tips to turn Bennett’s advice into actionable business decisions.