Tuesday June 14 Ag News

Smith Stresses Importance of Biotechnology in Agriculture Trade Hearing

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) stressed the importance of biotechnology in today’s Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee hearing on U.S. agriculture trade.

“With 96 percent of the world’s consumers living outside our country, trade agreements hold great promise for U.S. agriculture,” Smith said.  “However, in ongoing and future negotiations, we must work to end arbitrary restrictions on U.S. biotech products in large economies such as China and the European Union.  Today’s hearing reinforced the advantages of biotechnology, such as increasing yields while preserving finite resources, as well as the challenges of misinformation and unscientific policies we must overcome to enable U.S. producers to feed the growing global population.”   

Last week, Smith wrote an op-ed for The Hill entitled “Assaults on Modern Agriculture,” in which he discussed the necessity of biotechnology in feeding the world and the need to bring an end to unscientific attacks on agriculture. 



SUCCESSFULLY SEEDING FORAGES INTO WHEAT STUBBLE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Wheat stubble can be an excellent seedbed to plant forages into using no-till.  It may take some advance planning, though, to be successful.

               What is the most important step in double-cropping forages after wheat harvest?  If you answered – getting a good stand – congratulations, you’re absolutely right.  Without a good stand, nothing else you do is going to make much difference.

               Sounds simple enough, right?  So what’s the trick to getting good stands?  Well maybe, just maybe, it’s planting no-till immediately after combining the wheat.

               Spotty stands often result from top soil drying out rapidly after wheat has been combined.  This may not be a serious situation under irrigation, but it can ruin dryland stand establishment.  Fortunately, there usually is moisture near the soil surface during combining.  Plant without delay before this moisture evaporates for better stand success.

               No-till planting of turnips, summer annual grasses, or other cover crops into wheat stubble has many advantages.  Most importantly, soil moisture is conserved.  In addition, erosion is reduced, weed seeds remain buried, and tillage expenses are eliminated.

               Of course, there are other challenges to getting a good stand.  Planting equipment must be adjusted and operated properly when planting into heavy straw residue.  Another challenge is weeds, either annual weeds that develop after wheat is combined or volunteer wheat that sprouts later in the summer.  Be ready with post-emerge herbicides like Select Max or Poast Plus when appropriate for latter emerging weeds or volunteer wheat.

               Wheat stubble makes a good seedbed but it takes a good plan to make it a success.



New Coop Foundation Donates to 4-H & Harrison County Ag Soc.

On Thursday June 2nd, 2016 the NEW Cooperative Foundation, in cooperation with the Land O’ Lakes Foundation presented a check to the Harrison County Agriculture Society for the amount of $2,000. The money will be used towards the construction of a new show arena on the fairgrounds.  The fair board is finishing up the construction of their new show arena which youth can use to exhibit their 4-H and FFA livestock projects.  The building will be ready for use July 26-30th during the Harrison County Fair in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

The goal of the NEW Cooperative Foundation is to help support youth, agriculture and community betterment organizations in our members’ local communities. It is with great pleasure that the NEW Cooperative Foundation was able to help The Harrison County Ag Society reach their goal of providing quality facilities and services to local 4-H chapters and other organizations that use the Harrison County Fairgrounds.

Recently, the NEW Cooperative Foundation also donated about $40,000 total to area 4-H clubs. The money is donated for half of each youth’s dues in NEW Cooperative’s trade territory, which includes Webster, Calhoun, Carroll, Greene, Franklin, Sac, Pocahontas, Humboldt, Hamilton, Kossuth, Cherokee, Plymouth, Monona, and Woodbury counties.

NEW Cooperative takes great pride in supporting our area youth 4-H programs. They strongly feel that 4-H helps these youth build the foundation to become future leaders in our local communities and gain all of the valuable skills and knowledge the 4-H program offers.



ICA BeefMeets Bring New Policy Development Process and State Checkoff Discussion

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is a grassroots membership organization, with a dedication to “Grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education.”

This year’s policy development process will begin at the regional BeefMeets in June. In addition to several educational sessions, a full tradeshow and opportunities for networking, cattlemen will have the opportunity to share policy and industry issue concerns with ICA leaders. BeefMeets will be held June 22 in Spencer, June 23 in Independence, June 28 in Atlantic and June 29 in Riverside.

Time has been set aside at each BeefMeet for ICA districts to gather and provide input. “Our district breakouts will allow cattle producers to weigh in on topics that matter to their operations,” says ICA’s Director of Government Relations, Justine Stevenson. “As a grassroots organization, our policy is developed by members for members, and provides guidance for staff and leaders as we work on behalf of the industry.” All cattle industry stakeholders are invited to attend BeefMeets and learn more, but only current ICA members are allowed to participate in the policy development

One of ICA’s priorities in 2016 was to update portions of the Iowa beef checkoff code.  Input gathered from an ICA members survey spurred the need for legislative changes. Branstad signed the changes into law in March of this year. 

Based on an 80% approval rating from members, the ICA board is making efforts to now hold a producer referendum on the state checkoff. To initiate the producer vote, a petition to conduct a referendum needs to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture, along with 500 producer signatures. Iowa Cattlemen’s Association staff and leadership plan to start collection of signatures at the 2016 BeefMeets and will continue collection over the summer months.

Upon receiving the petition to conduct a referendum the State Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct the referendum providing an official voting place(s) in each county.  Producers will have the opportunity to vote in person on Wednesday, November 30, or request an absentee ballot to cast their vote starting mid-September. Absentee ballots will need to be postmarked by Wednesday, November 30 to be included in the final tally.  Votes will be tabulated in the first half of December by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. If a simple majority (50%) is in support of reinstating the Iowa Beef Checkoff, collections will begin January 2, 2017.

One of the sessions at each of the four BeefMeets will be devoted to information regarding the proposed state checkoff and referendum process. To register for BeefMeets, visit www.iacattlemen.org.



Beef Feedlot Assessment Field Days Set for Akron and Spencer

Beef producers in northwest Iowa who haven’t yet completed a feedlot assessment are invited to learn about the process at one of two remaining field days offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in July.

ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Beth Doran said these Beef Feedlot Assessment Field Days are provided in partnership with the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and focus on educating feedlot operators about the Beef Quality Assurance feedyard self-assessment.

“We will score the processing area for working cattle, bunk and water management, and animal and pen cleanliness, and discuss the importance of a veterinary-client-patient relationship,” she said. “At the conclusion of the field day, each participant will be Beef Quality Assurance certified.”

Doug Bear, director of industry relations for the Iowa Beef Industry Council, said the field days will build on the success of earlier BQA training sessions, including two held in northwest Iowa in early June.

“All of the participants at the first two feedlot assessment field days reported they now understand the importance of the feedlot self-assessment,” Bear said. “BQA is more than a marketing tool. The self-assessments help improve animal performance, increase employee morale, and assure the consumer that the beef they eat is produced sustainably and with care to ensure animal welfare.”

Each field day begins at 10 a.m. and lasts for an hour. Doran encouraged people to preregister to ensure adequate supplies and refreshments for all attendees.

Field day dates, locations and preregistration information follow.
-    July 8.  Winter Feedlots, Inc., 17638 Fir Avenue, Akron. RSVP to Janelle Johnson, Plymouth County ISU Extension and Outreach, 712-546-7835.
-    July 13.  Ron and Clayton Christensen feedlot, 3965 170th Avenue, Spencer. RSVP to Sarah Dirks, Clay County ISU Extension and Outreach, 712-262-2264.

For more information, contact Doran at 712-737-4230 or Bear at 515-296-2305.



Iowa Soybean Association slate for director elections

Farmer members across Iowa will vote to elect seven directors to the ISA Board of Directors in July. The slate includes:
District 3 — Kevin Glanz, Manchester; Rick Juchems, Plainfield
District 4 — LaVerne Arndt, Sac City; Jeff Frank, Auburn
District 5 — Greg Eibs, Laurel; Rolland Schnell, Newton
District 6 — Brad Buchanan, Cedar Rapids; David Walton, Wilton
District 7 — Scot Bailey, Anita; Bill Shipley, Nodaway
District 8 (two seats open) — Warren Bachman, Osceola; Randy Miller, Lacona; Rob Vos, Pella; Robert Witt, Macksburg
At Large — Chris Gaesser, Lenox; Brent Renner, Kelmme; Greg Rinehart, Boone;  and Tom Vincent, Perry.



ISU Mid-Season Crop Management Clinic Looks at Seasonal Crop, Pest Issues

Agribusiness professionals and crop producers have the opportunity to learn about in-season crop management practices from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists at the Mid-Season Crop Management Clinic, July 13-14. The focus of the clinic will be to assess current growing conditions and discuss how to manage current and future crop issues for the 2016 growing season.

The two-day clinic will consist of 30 and 60 minute sessions for presentations, demonstrations and discussion. ISU Extension and Outreach specialists will cover the four primary areas of crop management, pest management, nutrient management, and soil and water management. This clinic qualifies for 13 continuing education credits for Iowa Certified Crop Advisers, subject to approval.

“The mid-season crop management clinic is our main clinic that focuses on what’s been going on in the field up until this point of the season,” said Warren Pierson, ISU Extension and Outreach Field Extension Education Laboratory coordinator. “We’ll also discuss what crop pests to look for throughout the growing season, and changes that could be made next spring to solve issues that may have occurred this year.”

Issues such as cover crop management and adjusting planters when planting cover crops will be discussed during the clinic, along soil and water management information. Presenters also will talk about how common corn and soybean pests can affect management decisions, such as pesticide applications, and decisions to harvest earlier than expected.

The Field Extension Education Laboratory is located at 1928 240th St., Boone, Iowa. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. on July 13, with opening comments at 8:55 a.m. and adjournment at 4:50 p.m. On July 14, class will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4:15 p.m.

Advance registration is required to attend this clinic. Registrations must be received by midnight July 6, 2016. Registration is $250 and includes refreshments, lunches, and course materials and publications. Single-day registration is not available. Additional workshop information and online registration with credit card is available at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/cmc.

For assistance with registration, receipts, cancellation or questions on the status of your registration contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or anr@iastate.edu.




Iowa State University Joins 12 Public and Private Universities Calling for Increased Federal Investment in Agricultural Research in Response to Modern Challenges

Iowa State University is one of 13 prominent research institutions in the United States that joined the SoAR Foundation today in calling for a surge in federal support of food and agricultural science. Retaking the Field, the report released by this coalition, highlights recent scientific innovations and illustrates how U.S. agricultural production is losing ground to China and other global competitors.

“We need to think differently about how we call for a common message in support of making food, agricultural and natural resources research a higher national priority,” said Wendy Wintersteen, Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State. “The Retaking the Field report illustrates the kind of innovative research ongoing at our universities and the benefits possible for the public good if the nation invests more in this critical area of research.”

Retaking the Field looks at the importance of agriculture and its related industries to the U.S. economy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this sector was responsible for nearly 1 in 10 jobs in 2014 and contributed $835 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product. Even though every public dollar invested in agricultural research provides $20 in economic returns, the federal budget for agricultural research has remained flat for decades. Today, the U.S. trails China in both agricultural production and public research funding.

In the Retaking the Field report, Iowa State researchers Lisa Schulte Moore and Matthew Helmers outline efforts to protect soil and water by interspersing strips of native prairie in corn and soybean crops. The practice of STRIPS — Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips — helps to improve water quality by reducing sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus in runoff without sacrificing row crop production. The practice also provides habitat for pollinators.

“Farmers respond to data,” said Schulte Moore, an associate professor of natural resource ecology and management. “It’s our job to provide them with the best possible information for managing their fields to meet a variety of goals. Our next step is to work with additional farmers and partners in Iowa and beyond to implement the practice and monitor results.”

“Researchers are discovering incredible breakthroughs, helping farmers produce more food using fewer resources, and keeping our meals safe and nutritious,” said Thomas Grumbly, president of the SoAR Foundation. “However, the science behind agriculture and food production is starved of federal support at a time of unprecedented challenges. A new surge in public funding is essential if our agricultural system is going to meet the needs of American families in an increasingly competitive global market.”

Farming has never been an easy endeavor and today’s challenges to agricultural production are daunting. The historic California drought continues and U.S. production is also threatened by new pests and pathogens, like the 2015 avian influenza outbreak that led to the culling of 48 million birds in 15 states and $2.6 billion in economic damages.

“Every year, the director of national intelligence testifies before Congress that our national security is threatened by hunger in unstable regions,” said Grumbly. “As the number of people on our planet continues to grow, we must produce more food. This cannot be done with yesterday’s science. We need a larger infusion of cutting-edge technologies.”



National Pork Board Elects New Officers

Jan Archer, a pork producer from Goldsboro, North Carolina, was elected as president of the National Pork Board at the organization’s June board meeting in Des Moines, Iowa. The National Pork Board is comprised of 15 farmer-directors representing America’s pig farmers.

“I want to thank my fellow board members for the confidence they are placing in me and I see much opportunity for our industry in the year ahead,” Archer said. “I have been involved in pork production for more than 40 years, and I have never seen a greater level of consumer interest in pig farming. I am proud of the work we do every day on our farms and look forward to sharing our stories of responsible animal production with packers, retail and foodservice customers and consumers.”

Archer and her husband Jack are owners of Archer Farms LLC. The sow farm markets 28,000 weaned pigs annually and raises corn, soybeans and hay. She also operates Archer Consulting, an enterprise that provides personnel training to the pork industry, including certification in Pork Quality Assurance Plus® (PQA Plus®), Youth PQA Plus® and Transport Quality Assurance® for producers and allied industry representatives.

Serving with Archer on the board as vice president is Terry O’Neel, a pork producer from Friend, Nebraska. Steve Rommereim, a pork producer from Alcester, South Dakota, was named treasurer. Derrick Sleezer, a pork producer from Cherokee, Iowa, will serve as immediate past president. The four executive officers will serve one-year terms in their positions beginning July 1.

“We face many challenges, from the threat of emerging diseases to the responsible use of antibiotics,” Archer said. “But each issue can be managed from our platform supporting scientific research, producer education and pork promotion.”

Both Archer and O’Neel were confirmed to serve a second three-year term. Also appointed to the National Pork Board were Gene Noem Ames, Iowa; Alicia Pedemonti, Hopkinton, New Hampshire; and Michael Skahill, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Additional Biographical Information
Jan Archer was elected to a second term as a producer-member of the National Pork Board, having recently served a 2015-2016 term as vice president. She currently serves on the Wayne Community College Agriculture Advisory Board and the Sale of Champions Scholarship Board. Archer also has served on the National Carolina Pork Council executive committee.

Terry O’Neel, and his wife Diane, own and operate O’Neel Farms in Friend, Nebraska. They have two grown children that are both involved in the pork industry. O’Neel Farms is a farrow-to-finish operation that markets 12,000 pigs annually. In addition to pigs, O’Neel Farms also grows corn and soybeans on 700 acres.

O’Neel, also elected to a second board term, served as treasurer in 2015-2016. O’Neel serves on the Domestic Marketing and Pork Quality, Safety and Human Nutrition committees. He has hosted farm tours for the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, The International Water for Food Project and various service, student and youth groups. He served as president of the Nebraska Pork Producers Board in 2007.

Steve Rommereim is the owner, manager and operator of Highland Swine in South Dakota. Highland Swine markets 10,000 pigs annually. He also grows corn, soybeans, and alfalfa on his farm. Rommereim is currently serving his first term as a producer-member of the National Pork Board and is on the Swine Health and Domestic Marketing committees. He is an Operation Main Street speaker and has served as a South Dakota delegate to the Pork Industry Forum since 2003. Rommereim was on the National Pork Board’s plan of work task force in 2009. He is past president of the South Dakota Pork Producers Association, serving on its board from 2001 to 2011. He also is past-president of Agriculture United for South Dakota.



State Councils Join Forces with National Beef Checkoff Program to Increase Online Advertising

              Seven state and regional beef promoting organizations have joined forces with the national Beef Checkoff Program in a summer campaign targeting millennial consumers in five high population states. State beef councils in Illinois, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Oklahoma, along with the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative, are funding extended promotion of the online checkoff-funded flagship web site BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com, along with the brand’s online videos, into California, Florida, New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

                The Top 5 State Media Campaign started in mid-May and will run through Aug. 31, 2016. Collectively, the five states targeted account for more than 100 million consumers, or about one-third of the total U.S. population.

                The campaign utilizes internet search advertising on Google and YouTube video advertising to hit the consumer at the point of inspiration, encouraging beef interest and purchases. While the national campaign focuses on millennials throughout the United States, this campaign enhances checkoff-funded efforts in top U.S. consumer markets.

                “This effort leverages our current national checkoff media buy and extends it more fully into the high population geographies that arguably need it the most,” according to Martin Roth, executive director, creative and digital media for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. “Our goal is to provide consumers with inspiring beef meal ideas and the tools, tips and recipes they need to act upon their passion for beef.”

                This goal is accomplished through a two-pronged media approach. First, Google search advertising helps drive thousands of consumers to the BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com web site for checkoff-funded recipes, beef cooking techniques and beef cut information. The campaign also leverages advertising on the popular YouTube consumer video site to promote checkoff-funded beef videos, including six “no recipe recipe” videos that deliver beef ideas and information to consumers. Two new videos are in production, while additional informational videos are being produced by independent video providers.

                The 30 second and one minute videos are promoted in consumer YouTube searches through thousands of purchased keyword combinations, such as “easy meals” or “steak.” When those keywords and combinations are used, the beef ads move to the top of the list.

In addition, keywords typed into the YouTube site trigger a visual and link to Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner web site, inviting consumers to watch how easy beef can be to prepare. “Pre-roll” advertising, where consumers can elect to view a 30 second beef video prior to viewing their selected YouTube video, is also being used.  

               These video pre-roll ads are charged to an advertiser only when a viewer watches either 30 seconds of a video, the full video (if under 30 seconds) or clicks on a link within the video at any point. On Google, advertisers only pay when a searcher clicks on their site.

             “That’s the beauty of online advertising – you only pay when people engage with your content,” Roth says. He points out that the national beef advertising gets information to consumers at about 10 cents per view.
 
Building on Success
                The Top 5 State Media Campaign repeats a successful 2015 summer campaign that on Google delivered more than 4.1 million impressions and 188,000 clicks to the beef web site, which resulted in almost 369,000 page views on the site. On YouTube, ads delivered 1.2 million impressions and received about 363,000 video views – at a cost-per-view of 8 cents.

                State beef councils are getting together in other ways to extend the campaigns as well. For example, in 2015 councils in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas got together to promote six beef checkoff videos online, generating more than 350,000 views and nearly 1,500 clicks from consumers in their states, at a cost of only 13 cents per video view. Other councils have also expanded their online consumer advertising to better leverage national advertising efforts and reach older millennial consumers who seem to be “always digitally connected,” Roth says.

               “Many more consumers will see the ads, thanks to the initiative of these states,” says Roth. “It’s a great way to leverage our resources and materials, and get them to more consumers.”

                 It’s especially important to states that have more cattle than consumers, says Heather Buckmaster, executive director of the Oklahoma Beef Council. “We only have 1.2 percent of the U.S. population in Oklahoma, and the directors on our council realize it,” she says. “They believe it’s very important that we drive Oklahoma checkoff dollars to where they will make the most difference. Focusing on these kinds of promotional efforts to consumer-heavy states makes sense, and fits with the strategy our directors have established for Oklahoma checkoff funds.”

                 Ann Wittmann, executive director of the Wyoming Beef Council, agrees. “We have about two-and-a-half cows for every consumer in Wyoming, so this kind of program fulfills our funding philosophy of spending the dollars where they’ll do the most good,” Wittmann says. “Advertising where consumers are is critically important to our strategies and the overall success of the Beef Checkoff Program.”

                 Leaders at the Pennsylvania Beef Council agree with this strategy. “Pennsylvania ranks 6th in the nation in number of consumers, but 19th in cattle, so we’re pleased to participate in this campaign, which helps us reach large population centers in our state,” says Bridget Bingham, PBC executive director. “There is no stronger force for the beef checkoff than this kind of appropriate and practical state/national partnership.”

                State-by-state detailed analytics from the campaign will be provided to both participating state beef councils and councils in targeted states midway through the campaign to show progress, and at the end of the campaign to measure success.



Ongoing Soil Health Initiatives, Sustainability Work Highlighted by New Paper

Farmers, environmentalists and consumers alike have expressed a growing interest in sustainability and soil health recently. Yet, many wonder what precisely is being done to actively advance this important cause?

To answer that question, Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture released the paper Exploring Opportunities to Advance Soil Health: The Role of Commodity Crop Supply Chains in Maintaining and Improving the Health of Our Nation's Soil, which discusses the importance of soil health in the sustainability conversation and explores the current knowledge and status of testing and tools. Additionally, this paper provides information and guidance as to how Field to Market's Metrics and the Fieldprint© Calculator can be used to advance conversations about soil health in supply chain projects.

The publication is available on the Field to Market website. This paper came forth from the Alliance's work to help inform how U.S. agriculture can improve soil health. Designed by a subgroup of the Field to Market Metrics and Goals Working Groups, the paper continues an ongoing conversation in agriculture about soil health that includes discussion of the state of science and considers options for aligning tools with soil health objectives.

The Soil Health Partnership currently augments these efforts to further soil health by encouraging use of the Fieldprint Calculator and collaborating on the development of soil health metrics. An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the SHP works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, federal agencies and well-known environmental groups toward common goals.

NCGA is also proud to be a member of Field to Market, a collaborative multi-stakeholder group involving producers, agribusinesses, food and retail companies, conservation organizations and university and government partners striving to develop a supply chain system for agricultural sustainability.

Field to Market focuses on these specific, critical outcomes: increasing agricultural productivity to meet future nutritional needs while decreasing impacts on the environment, including water, soil, habitat, air quality and climate emissions, and land use; improving human health through access to safe, nutritious food; and improving the social and economic well-being of agricultural communities.



U.S. Pork Needs Exports; TPP Would Boost Them

The U.S. pork industry must continue to grow its exports and do so through free trade agreements such as the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, which would eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. products, the National Pork Producers Council reiterated today in congressional testimony.

NPPC President John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa, told the House Committee on Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee that the 12-nation TPP would open and expand to exports of U.S. pork markets that include nearly half a billion consumers and help create more than 10,000 U.S. jobs tied to those pork exports.

“TPP is the biggest commercial opportunity ever for the U.S. pork industry,” said Weber, “and NPPC strongly supports its passage and implementation.”

The TPP, negotiations on which were initiated in late 2008 and concluded last October, is a regional trade deal that includes the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, which account for nearly 40 percent of global GDP.

Weber pointed out to panel members that the TPP has become the de facto global trade vehicle, with other countries in the region already asking to join it, and would set the new international trade rules and the bar for future trade agreements, including the deal now being negotiated between the United States and the European Union – the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

He expressed concerns about the United States rejecting the TPP Agreement, pointing out that other countries are negotiating free trade deals in the Asia-Pacific region without the United States, including the China-led, 16-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

“We cannot afford either economically or geopolitically to walk away from the fastest growing region in the world,” Weber said. “If we do turn our backs on that region, some other country … will write the rules for global trade, and the United States not only won’t realize the benefits of TPP, it will lose market share in those 11 countries as other nations negotiate free trade agreements with them.

“Congress must pass TPP, and it must do so soon.”

On the TTIP, Weber told the subcommittee that U.S. pork producers’ support for a final agreement is conditioned on the EU eliminating all tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. pork, an outcome achieved in every other U.S. free trade agreement.



NMPF Chairman Calls for Strict Trade Agreement Enforcement; Expresses Strong Concerns with Future of TTIP Negotiations

At a congressional hearing Tuesday on Capitol Hill, National Milk Producers Federation Chairman Randy Mooney said that well-negotiated trade agreements have the potential to increase export opportunities for America’s dairy farmers, but he warned that the terms of free trade agreements must be tenaciously enforced.

Mooney, a dairy farmer from Rogersville, Missouri, told the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee today that U.S. dairy sales in foreign markets have risen dramatically in the 21st century, increasing 435% since 2000.  In addition to helping boost milk prices, these exports have “supported more than 120,000 American jobs solely at the dairy production and manufacturing levels,” he said.  He cited the World Trade Organization’s GATT agreement, NAFTA, CAFTA, and the agreement with South Korea as examples of trade deals that have benefited America’s dairy farmers.

However, Mooney expressed concern that the benefits to dairy farmers from trade agreements are eroded if they are not carefully negotiated and then continuously and judiciously enforced.  One recent example of such a situation is in Canada, where efforts to restrict market access for American milk products are growing, apparently in anticipation of the enactment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

“NMPF supports TPP. We believe this agreement could deliver important benefits to U.S. dairy farmers provided that it’s properly implemented and enforced,” Mooney said, adding that the pending agreement contains ground-breaking sanitary and phytosanitary, and geographical indication, provisions.

But if TPP partners are allowed to erode existing access in order to undermine future U.S. TPP gains, “it is hard to see how this agreement will live up to its potential to move us forward,” Mooney said. This is particularly a concern with Canada, he indicated.

“We are drawing the line here. This recent action by Canada is a clear violation of their prior trade commitments, as well as the spirit of Trans-Pacific Partnership, and it cannot be permitted,” said Mooney, referring to a decision by Ontario’s provincial government to favor domestic milk proteins designed for use in Canadian cheese manufacturing in a way that disadvantages U.S. milk exports.  The regional Ontario milk pricing policy may soon also be implemented across Canada.

Mooney also used his presentation to reiterate NMPF’s concerns with the trade agreement being negotiated between the U.S. and Europe, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).  Rather than serving as a means to remove trade barriers and increase free trade of agricultural products, he said that the European Union “not only is maintaining their existing barriers, but also is actively pushing in TTIP to impose new barriers through special geographical indications provisions.”

Mooney indicated that the EU’s trade negotiation strategy centers on using agreements to extend the application of geographical indications to restrict certain food names exclusively for products made in European nations, even though many such foods are commonly produced and sold around the world, and have been for many years.

“The TTIP cannot be an agreement that expands EU dairy exports while failing to resolve barriers to U.S. dairy exports,” Mooney said. “That is why negotiators need to focus on the underlying problems we face in accessing the EU market, not the isolated symptoms of it.”

Mooney showed members of the Trade Subcommittee a basket full of American agricultural products, from Valencia oranges to asiago cheese to various meat products. Among the food items in the basket are “several of the common name products that the United States currently cannot export to Europe or other foreign markets. Compounding those serious export challenges, the EU is now working to prevent us from selling products with these common food names even in the United States as well,” Mooney said.

Given that European food companies already enjoy a major export advantage to the U.S., “America’s dairy farmers will not support a TTIP agreement that incorporates policies aimed at artificially increasing the $1.5 billion transatlantic dairy trade deficit. A solid deal must level the playing field for U.S. dairy exports.”



 Balanced Trade is Best for Family Farmers and Ranchers, NFU Testimony States

The nearly 200,000 family farmer and rancher-led National Farmers Union (NFU) continued to advocate for fair and balanced trade in official testimony submitted for the record to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade. Today, the subcommittee held a hearing to discuss expanding U.S. agriculture trade and eliminating barriers to U.S. exports.

“Trade is very important to family farmers and ranchers, but market access does not equal market share. Modest increases in agriculture export opportunities that come from trade agreements can be severely overshadowed by the resulting massive increases of imports in agriculture and in other sectors,” NFU President Roger Johnson explained in his testimony.

While Washington officials have continued to promote the boon of agriculture exports as a selling point for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), NFU has questioned the merits of a trade agreement modeled after failed trade agreements of the past, Johnson explained.

"Vague promises of market access do not offset opening our border for even larger amounts of foreign-produced goods to enter our markets. In addition, TPP fails to address the mounting U.S. trade deficit and the practices of currency manipulation, which both have negatively impacted agriculture and rural communities,” he added.

As the trends that have characterized the past 20 years of failed trade agreements would likely continue under the TPP, NFU encourages lawmakers to rethink the trade agreement.

“The measure of the success of a trade agreement has to be its benefit to U.S. agriculture and specifically of its producers’ net income. We must do better because these deep trade deficits are crippling America,” Johnson concluded.



Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins Wednesday, June 15, 2016.

“Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice. Their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs,” said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers across the spectrum of American agriculture, to get involved in this year's elections. We have seen an increase in the number of qualified nominees, especially among women and minorities, and I hope that trend continues.”

To be eligible to serve on a FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an FSA administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where they are nominated.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. 2016 nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2016.

FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 7, 2016. Ballots must be returned to the local county office via mail or in person by Dec. 5, 2016. Newly-elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1, 2017.

Nationwide, there are approximately 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. These individuals make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, and other agricultural issues. Committees consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers, and members serve three-year terms.



NFU Urges Military Biofuels Exemption to Be Removed from Defense Spending Bill

Repeated attempts to undermine the national security benefits of advanced biofuels through previous defense spending bills have been unsuccessful. As House lawmakers meet today to debate the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2017, National Farmers Union (NFU) is hopeful that a provision exempting the U.S. military from biofuels use will not be passed into law.

“Biofuels aid national security by reducing our nation’s foreign energy dependence and contributing to our Administration’s broader climate goals. The recurring attempts to quietly neutralize biofuels through the defense appropriations process are disappointing,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “I am hopeful this provision will be successfully removed in further negotiations over the bill.”

The appropriations bill, as written, would exempt the military from Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which prohibits federal agencies from making bulk purchases of synthetic fuels with a larger greenhouse gas footprint than traditional petroleum. The military’s use of biofuels has been a long-standing source of encouragement for new technologies that are held out of transportation fuel markets by the exploitative practices of Big Oil.

“Section 526 is an important aspect of the Energy Independence and Security Act, one that has tremendous implications for family farmers’ ability to protect food security in a changing climate. I encourage lawmakers to carefully weigh the benefits of biofuels as they consider this provision,” Johnson concluded.



National FFA Foundation Creates Endowment to Honor Retiring CEO W. Dwight Armstrong

At the end of June, Dr. W. Dwight Armstrong will retire as chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization and Foundation, but his legacy in agricultural education and FFA will live on in a newly created endowment called "The Dwight Armstrong Legacy Endowment."

During his seven-year tenure with the National FFA Organization, Armstrong has overseen an era of dramatic growth and success. The organization has achieved an all-time record high membership of 629,367 and he solidified close collaboration and complementary strategic direction for both the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation.

"Dwight brought vision and leadership to our organization that has inspired our members, staff and volunteers across the country," said Molly Ball, President of the National FFA Foundation. "This fund will honor his legacy at FFA and continue his vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening American agriculture."

The Dwight Armstrong Legacy Endowment has two platforms. The first is the CEO Innovation Endowment platform. It establishes a fund that will provide future National FFA CEOs with a discretionary platform to pursue unique opportunities that promote leadership development for staff or to provide starter funds to further the FFA mission. The second platform, career success, will help fund the vision of "My Journey" which serves FFA members and partners with a direct pipeline to jobs and talent across the country.

“With his many years of being deeply involved in the agricultural industry, we hope his friends and associates will find this endowment to be a wonderful opportunity to honor Dwight and give back to an organization they care about,” Ball said.

Those interested in supporting the endowment can make a one-time gift or distribute the funding over the course of three to five years. Visit https://www.ffa.org/legacy for more information.



Monsanto Rejects Bayer's Latest Offer

Bayer AG's bid to buy Monsanto Co. for more than $60 billion has hit an impasse that could pose a challenge for the blockbuster agriculture tie-up. Bayer has offered to buy the U.S. seed giant for $62 billion including debt, or $122 a share, which Monsanto last month rejected as too low.

In an effort to bring Monsanto to the negotiating table, Bayer in recent days sent the company a letter saying it has lined up financing for the deal and is confident any regulatory obstacles can be overcome, reports Market Watch.

It sought access to detailed business information, known as due diligence, which Bayer said could lead to a higher offer. Bayer didn't increase its bid.

Monsanto, which considered the proposal little changed, responded by refusing to grant such access until Bayer raises its bid, the people said. Monsanto also told the German company that in addition to more money, it needs clarity on other matters including regulatory risks before agreeing to a deal, the people added.

The deal would combine Monsanto, the biggest seed provider with a leading position in biotech crop development, with Bayer, which has a robust lineup of pesticides but a smaller presence in major crops like corn and soybeans. Rivals Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. are pursuing their own combination and Syngenta is working toward a $43 billion sale to China National Chemical Corp.

Bayer has secured more than $60 billion in debt financing for the deal from a handful of banks, people familiar with the matter have said. It would have to assume about $8 billion in Monsanto debt.