Friday December 16 Ag News

Fremont Corn Expo on Jan. 5 Scouts Ag Horizon and Offers Answers

Positioning your farm to be resilient and successful despite the current downturn will be among the timely topics to be presented at the Fremont Corn Expo Jan. 5.

“Choosing Your Row Ahead” is the theme of this year’s program. The theme keys off of the common phrase, “the road ahead.” Nebraska corn producers have a whole series of decisions they make during a growing season. Choosing the “row” ahead or best series of decisions is what the Fremont Crop Expo is about. To accomplish this speakers will address:
·    applying ag technology;
·    improving economic viability;
·    increasing resilience to extreme weather, and
·    enhancing soil and water resources.

Speakers will include University and Ag agency experts as well as business and industry leaders from the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Corn Board, and Colfax-Dodge County Corn Growers.

The event, sponsored by Nebraska Extension, Fremont Chamber, Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, and many local Ag business, will be from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Christensen Field Main Arena, 1730 W. 16th St. Forty-eight agribusinesses will be exhibiting at the expo throughout the day.

“The Expo is a one-stop shop for local corn growers to get the critical information they need to effectively manage locally-relevant corn production issues.” said Nathan Mueller, Nebraska Extension Cropping Systems Educator, planning coordinator, and host for the Fremont Corn Expo. “The topics at this year’s expo were driven by over 100 attendee responses in a survey mailed out after last year’s expo. This is a local corn grower guided event.”
 
Presentations will include:
·    Multi-Hybrid Planting Preparation with Joe Luck, Nebraska Extension precision agriculture engineer. If you’ve been seeing in-field variation of your corn crop, multi-hybrid planting may be one way to mitigate yield risk. Learn what researchers found when conducting multi-hybrid planting research on five fields in eastern Nebraska in 2016. Yield impacts, observations, and profit analysis by zone will be presented for discussion of hybrid and zone delineation accuracy.
·    Economic Outlook for US Agriculture with Brent Gloy, agricultural economist at Purdue University. While there’s no glass ball to perfectly forecast economic trends in agriculture, a closer look at several key factors can help you better position your operation. Learn what factors are driving the profit squeeze and what you can expect in 2017 and upcoming years.
·    With Phosphorus, You Have Choices! with Charles Shapiro, Nebraska Extension soil science and crop nutrient specialist. Decisions on when and where to apply phosphorus often are based on longer term economics as well as agronomic need. Is it best to apply a large load at once or spread the application across several years? Learn how to assess the factors pertinent to your farm when determining when to apply P.
·    Tools to Help Weather the Storms Ahead with Brian Smith, National Weather Service Meteorologist at Omaha/Valley. Severe weather, including hail, tornadoes, high winds and flooding, cause billions of dollars of damage annually to agriculture. Learn how to better weather these challenges. Learn about cloud features that accompany severe storms and how to interpret them as well as options for getting warnings.

In addition, a panel will look at what lies ahead for farm finances. Panelists will include:
·    Tina Barrett, executive director, Nebraska Farm Business Inc.,
·    Marty Krohn, ag lender, First National Bank, Fremont,
·    Al Vyhnalek, Nebraska Extension educator on cash rent and leases,
·    Charles Shapiro, Nebraska Extension soil science and crop nutrient specialist, and
·    Brent Gloy, economist, Purdue University.

The event is free and includes breakfast and lunch. For more information and a full list of sponsors and exhibitors visit www.croptechcafe.org, a blog by Extension Educators in east central and northeast Nebraska. A total of 2.5 CEUs will be available for the event.



NE Extension Hosts Land Application Trainings in Jan/Feb

Eight Nebraska Extension offices across the state will offer workshops in January and February providing livestock and crop farmers with information on how to turn manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment.

Livestock producers with livestock waste control facility permits received or renewed since April 1998 must be certified. A farm must complete an approved training every five years, and farm personnel responsible for land application of manure are also encouraged to attend. Re-certification will be held during the first two hours of the day-long land application training.

"The workshops will help livestock producers put to use the nutrient management planning requirements of Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality regulations and increase the economic value of manure," said Leslie Johnson, UNL Animal Manure Management coordinator. Participants who attend the day-long event will receive NDEQ Land Application Training Certification.

The morning portion of the workshops will consist of a two-hour program including updates on changing regulations and other manure management topics, such as protecting herd health with biosecurity. Any farm staff responsible for implementing the farm's nutrient plan are encouraged to attend.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops. A $60 fee per operation (includes one representative) will be charged for the workshops plus a $15 fee for each additional participant to cover local costs including lunch. Register online.  The re-certification portion of the workshop is $30 for each participant.

Dates, times and locations include:
BEATRICE: Jan. 26, 9 a.m., Extension office, 1115 West Scott
LEXINGTON: Jan. 31, 9 a.m., Extension office, 1002 Plum Creek Parkway
SCOTTSBLUFF: Jan. 31, 9 a.m., Extension center, 4502 Ave. I
O'NEILL: Feb. 1, 9 a.m., Extension office, 128 N. 6th St., Suite 100
WEST POINT: Feb. 1, 9 a.m., Nielsen Center, 200 Anna Stalp Ave.
YORK: Feb. 2, 9 a.m., 2345 Extension office, Nebraska Ave.
COLUMBUS: Feb. 3, 9 a.m., Pinnacle Bank, 210 East 23rd St.
CONCORD: Feb. 7, 9 a.m., Haskell Ag Lab, 57905 866 Rd

These workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Extension Animal Manure Management Team which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize our states manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits.

For additional information on these workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit http://manure.unl.edu or contact Johnson at 402-584-3818, email ljohnson13@unl.edu.



USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Investments in Nebraska

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Dan Steinkruger today announced that up to 48,000 acres can be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Nebraska for critical wildlife and water quality efforts. This amount is in addition to the 122,000 acres of CRP Grasslands announced earlier in the month.

This announcement also includes approval of a new CRP State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program designed to create habitat beneficial to migratory birds.

“Over the past 30 years, CRP has helped farmers to offset the costs of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and strengthen wildlife habitat,” said Steinkruger. “Given the national cap of 24 million acres, it is more important than ever to pursue multiple benefits on each acre of CRP so that many acres are providing erosion prevention, water conservation, recreation for sportsman, habitat for pollinators, and protection of grazing land.”

Nationwide, farmers and ranchers now can enroll up to 1.1 million acres to restore high-priority wildlife habitat through the CRP State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program, wetlands restoration, or pollinator habitat improvements. In Nebraska, up to 14,000 acres are now available to enroll in the Tallgrass Prairie SAFE, a CRP practice designed to enhance habitat for greater prairie chicken, and up to 24,000 acres are now available to enroll in the statewide Upland Bird SAFE, a CRP initiative designed to develop habitat for pheasants and quail.

Nebraska also has been approved for up to 10,000 acres in a new SAFE proposal called Migratory Birds, Butterflies and Pollinators for Kansas and Nebraska. The project priority area in Nebraska is playa wetlands in the southern half of the state. More information will be coming soon on this new program.

USDA recently accepted more than 504,000 acres into the CRP Grasslands program, bringing the total to more than 600,000 acres. In Nebraska, FSA accepted 122,000 acres in the program, providing participants with financial assistance for establishing pollinators or grazing enhancements on pasture and rangeland that can continue to be grazed.



USDA’s VAPG Program Assists Food Entrepreneurs and Agricultural Producers

USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul has announced that Nebraska is reaching out to interested Value-Added Producers, Ranchers, and Businesses to discuss funding opportunities through the 2017 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.  The Value-Added Producer Grant program awards competitive grants that facilitate the creation and development of value-added, famer-owned businesses.

“The VAPG program is USDA’s premier rural development tool for producers and has seen a significant increase in funding due to the 2014 Farm Bill,” said Moul.  “USDA Rural Development Nebraska looks to build on its track record of helping agricultural producers across the state by enabling farmers, ranchers, and cooperatives to grow their businesses through the development and marketing of new and existing products.”

The VAPG program contributes to business creation in rural areas, while also enhancing food choices for consumers.  Independent agricultural producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and producer controlled entities are eligible.  VAPG grants may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to producing or marketing a value-added product.

Robinette Farms was awarded two VAPG working capital grants, one in 2011 and another in 2016.  “USDA's Value Added Producer Grant has been a very valuable tool for our farm,” said Alex McKiernan, co-owner of Robinette Farms.  McKiernan went on to say that, “Creating and marketing value added products has the potential to significantly enhance our farm's profitability, but this is no easy task.  Our VAPG funds will help pay for processing, marketing, distribution and sales of our pasture-raised chickens and eggs, as well as microgreens that we grow near Lincoln, NE.”  Without the assistance of the VAPG program it would be very difficult for small farming operations like Robinette Farms to develop new products and access higher-value markets.

Since the inception of the program Nebraska’s USDA Rural Development has awarded 121 Value-Added Producer Grants totaling $13.2 million.

To discuss applicant and project eligibility or for more information on the VAPG program, please contact the following Business Program Specialist Brant Richardson, brant.richardson@ne.usda.gov or (402) 437-5568.



Soybean farmers act on conservation, taxes during annual ISA policy meeting

Farmers serving as Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) delegates largely reaffirmed existing policy while tweaking language pertaining to cover crops, pollinator habitat and taxation during the association’s annual meeting and policy conference held Dec. 15.

 Delegates from all regions of the state called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources and Conservation Service to establish and enforce a seed inspection and certification policy. It’s needed, they agreed, to ensure that seed used for cost share habitat and cover crop programs is free from noxious weeds.

“The policy reinforces the importance of applying conservation practices that first do no harm,” said Roger Wolf, director of ISA’s Environmental Programs and Services. “Conversation needs to work in our production system.”

Delegates also agreed that as Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts expire, future CRP and pollinator agreements should focus only on sensitive lands. They voiced support for current federal policy allowing haying and grazing of CRP ground in exchange for a reduced rental payment.

Overall, the delegate session was void of contention or lengthy deliberations. That wasn’t surprising to ISA President Rolland Schnell of Newton.

“Soybean farmers are diligent and do considerable work in advance of the meeting,” he said. “The process starts with farmers gathering in small groups around the state and having discussions. They make sure existing policy is updated and add language that keeps our resolutions current.”

Carol Balvanz, ISA policy director, was pleased with the meeting’s outcome.

“The participation and input of farmers is what makes the policy process successful and we are very grateful to all of our delegates,” said Balvanz. “Priorities for 2017 will be finalized in January as we look forward to kicking off the new legislative session.”

In other action, delegates approved:
-    The Commodity Futures Trading Commission releasing daily trading reports to provide transparency so producers are able to better see changes in market trends.
-    Palmer amaranth be added to Iowa’s noxious weed list as a primary noxious weed.
-    National Renewable Fuels Standard includes 4.75 billion gallons for advanced biofuels in 2017 and 2.5 billion gallons of biomass-based biodiesel in the renewable volume obligation of the RFS for 2018.



Outstanding farmer leaders recognized by Iowa Soybean Association

An up and coming high school student, innovators in research and environmental conservation, a dedicated farm family that’s hosted the Chinese president and the state’s top executive were recognized by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) during its annual awards banquet held Dec. 15 in Ankeny.

Those credited for outstanding service to the soybean industry and Iowa agriculture were:
    Rising Star — Kaleb Miller, Lacona
    New Leader — Andrew Lauver, Lake City
    Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer — Gov. Terry Branstad
    Environmental Leader — Rob Stout, Washington
    Innovator in Production Research — Steve Killpack, Beebeetown
    Legacy of Leadership — Rick and Martha Kimberley, Maxwell

The Rising Star Award, presented to Miller by Farm Credit Services of America, recognizes an ISA member’s son of daughter who’s active at the local, state and national level and preparing to continue ag studies in college. Miller, the son of Randy and Shelia Miller, is a senior at Southwest Warren High School and is involved in multiple sports, speech, the National Honor Society, FFA and 4-H. Miller plans to attend Iowa State University (ISU) to major in ag studies and minor in agronomy, ag business and animal science. The award includes a $1,000 stipend provided by Farm Credit to assist Miller with educational expenses.

Lauver was presented the New Leader Award with the help of DuPont Pioneer. It recognizes an ISA member’s outstanding involvement and commitment to promoting the soybean industry and agriculture. Lauver was raised on a fifth-generation family farm near Lake City. An ISU graduate, Lauver is active in ISA, 4-H, Farm Bureau, the Agriculture Future of America Alliance and Iowa Corn Growers Association. Lauver is pursuing his Master of Agribusiness from Kansas State University, farms and is a sales representative for DuPont Pioneer.

The Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award was presented to Branstad, with the support of Cargill, for championing farming’s importance to Iowa’s economy and quality of life. ISA priorities — including market development, improving soil and water quality and spurring additional opportunities in the bio- and life-sciences arena — are also priorities for Branstad. His focus on building and maintaining strong relationships with important global ag trade partners — chief among them, China — has had a direct and immediate impact on the competitiveness of Iowa’s farm families.

The Environmental Leader Award, presented by Monsanto, was awarded to Stout for his commitment to conservation and championing water quality practices. He has been heavily involved in conservation since he returned to his family soybean, corn and livestock operation in 1978. Stout is also highly involved with ISU and ISA research. He’s involved in a 10-year research project on cover crops, participates in numerous On-Farm Network® trials and late spring nitrogen tests and helped start the West Fork Crooked Creek Watershed Group. Stout has installed a robust set of conservation practices on his farm near Washington including no-till and cover crops, water ways, terraces and buffer strips. In 2015, Stout installed a bioreactor — the first in southeast Iowa.

The new Innovator of Production Research award was presented to Killpack of Beebeetown. Sponsored by John Deere, the award recognizes leadership in the use of production technology to discover, validate and effectively manage practices to improve efficiency, profitability and competitiveness of Iowa soybean farmers. On their 100 percent no-till farm, Killpack and his father implement new concepts and research on an annual basis, including seeding trials, soil fertility studies and crop rotations. The duo is responsible for numerous innovations within the agriculture industry and hold a patent on agriculture system management.

The Legacy of Leadership Award, presented by Stine Seed Company, was awarded to the Kimberleys of Maxwell. Fifth-generation farmers, their contributions to ISA are immeasurable. They have hosted more than 25 Chinese delegations, helping cultivate personal relationships with those involved in international marketing. The Kimberleys also serve as positive spokespeople for the ISA and agriculture — locally and internationally — even welcoming now President Xi Jinping of China to their home in February 2012.



COURT DISMISSES CASE ON STRINGENT NUTRIENT STANDARDS FOR MISSISSIPPI BASIN

In a big victory for agriculture, a federal court Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by environmental activists that would have forced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to impose stringent nutrient standards on farmers in the Mississippi River Basin, the world’s second largest, draining nearly 2 million square miles in 31 states. Environmental groups wanted the agency to impose regulations on the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous that could be in waters in the basin. (The Clean Water Act assigns responsibility for such pollution control to the states.

EPA did set so-called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay and its 64,000-square-mile watershed, regulating mostly farm and agricultural storm water runoff. The National Pork Producers Council, the American Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural groups and business organizations challenged the regulation in federal court, but it was upheld.)

EPA declined the environmentalists’ petition for a regulation for the Mississippi River Basin, explaining that the most effective way to address water pollution in the basin would be to build on its earlier efforts and to work cooperatively with states.

The environmental groups claimed the agency’s denial was arbitrary, capricious and not grounded in the [clean water] statute, arguing that EPA was required to make a determination on whether to promulgate a regulation based on scientific data. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana disagreed and granted EPA’s motion to dismiss the case.

NPPC organized and lead a coalition of 44 state and national agricultural groups that intervened as parties in the litigation to defend EPA’s initial denial of the rulemaking petition and prevent a backroom, sweetheart “sue-and-settle” agreement between the Obama administration and environmentalists such as the kind that lead to the Chesapeake Bay TMDL regulation.

In addition to NPPC, the coalition of intervenors included the Illinois Pork Producers Association, Indiana Pork, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, the Missouri Pork Association, the Tennessee Pork Producers Association and the Wisconsin Pork Producers Association.

LANGUAGE IN CR ELIMINATES RESTRICTION ON ‘34-HOUR RESTART’ PROVISION
Included in the Continuing Resolution (CR) legislation approved last week by Congress to fund the government through April 28, 2017, was a provision that eliminates a troublesome trucking rule. NPPC and other agricultural organizations and businesses supported the language in the CR.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2003 “34-hour restart” provision let drivers, who are allowed to drive 70 hours in a week, “restart” the week by taking a 34-hour break, including two, back-to-back periods of rest between 1 and 5 a.m. But a 2013 regulation limited restarts to once a week and required drivers to be off duty at least two nights from 1 to 5 a.m. In December 2014, Congress suspended that rule until Sept. 30, 2015, and required the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to conduct a study to determine if the regulation actually decreased driver fatigue.

NPPC and other groups got language included in the Senate’s fiscal 2017 transportation funding bill that would have retained the 2003 restart provision regardless of the outcome of the FMCSA study, which is being conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. The language in the CR permanently repeals the 2013 regulation.



DYK Beef Checkoff Shorts - Consumer Information

Did you know ... the beef checkoff provided beef web content to the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon? The content will be used to refresh Amazon’s beef category page as part of the enhanced Amazon Fresh Prime program for Prime members. This is the second campaign where Amazon used the checkoff’s consumer videos, recipes and photography to motivate more online steak, roast and rib sales throughout the holiday season. Checkoff content will rotate on the Amazon Fresh homepage to help keep beef top of mind with Amazon customers.

Did you know ... more than 300 applications have been received for the three beef immersive experiences that the checkoff is offering for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educators in 2017? Beyond these STEM programs, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, a checkoff contractor, will host a one-hour gathering of beef-industry representatives during the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville for anyone interested in educating youth about the beef industry. The purpose of the event will be to create a dialogue with key influencers, identify collective needs, share resources, address key messaging, and effectively leverage current checkoff resources.

Did you know ... the national checkoff partnered with the New York beef council to oversee the Bold Taste of Nutrition Contest? The contest encouraged registered dietitians in the Northeast to enter their best lean beef recipes for a chance to win prizes. The contest garnered nearly 315,400 impressions and 2,000 engagements through blog postings and social media outreach.

Did you know ... checkoff staff recently met with editors at TIME, Inc. publications to share ideas and inspiration for heart-smart cooking with lean beef? Dr. Shalene McNeill, a registered dietitian and head of the checkoff’s nutrition research program, shared information about beef’s nutrient package, while Chef Richard Chamberlain, author of The Healthy Beef Cookbook, prepared several heart-smart holiday meals to show editors how easy it is to prepare delicious and nutritious meals with beef. Dr. Kevin Campbell, a cardiologist from the University of North Carolina, also addressed the important role that beef can play in a heart-healthy diet, as many of the editors participating were contemplating content for their February “Heart Health Month” issues.

For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



New USDA ARS System Affords Greater Flexibility on Using Phosphorus from Manure 

U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists and their collaborators have developed a mobile system for removing phosphorus from cow manure that may offer dairy farmers greater flexibility in where, when, and how they use the nutrient to fertilize crops.

Manure can be spread onto crop fields as a source of phosphorus, nitrogen, and other nutrients important to plant growth. But applying too much manure can lead to excess phosphorus that ends up in lakes, rivers, ponds, and other water sources, degrading their quality.

The idea behind the Manure Phosphorus Extraction System (MAPHEX) is to remove the phosphorus and concentrate it in a form that's easier to manage, according to Clinton Church, an environmental chemist with USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at University Park, Pennsylvania.

Hauling manure off the farm to new locations where it can be spread isn't always practical or economical. However, transporting concentrated phosphorus from the new treatment method could offer a less costly alternative, adds Church. He is with ARS's Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit.

Church, together with his ARS and Pennsylvania State University colleagues, developed and tested MAPHEX as a way for farmers to not only "mine" phosphorus from their manure stores, but also market the nutrient as a value-added product.

To do this, the team mounted an auger press, centrifuge, vacuum-filter unit, and other components atop two trailer beds so that the entire system could be driven to a farm and operated onsite, either on a daily or rotational basis depending on the size of the dairy operation.

According to Church, the system can service 10 small farms on a 10-day rotational basis. On a larger farm, such as one with 2,000 cows, the system could operate over 24 hours. MAPHEX works quickly. In about 10 minutes, for example, it can extract 99% of the phosphorus from 250 gallons of manure. It also removes the odor from the manure.

The MAPHEX team began demonstrating its patent-pending system on a working dairy farm this September and welcomes inquiries on its commercial potential.

ARS is USDA's principal intramural scientific research agency. Read more about the research in the December 2016 issue of AgResearch.



ASA Tells EPA that Glyphosate is Instrumental on Farms

This week, former ASA Governing Committee member and Wisconsin farmer Kevin Hoyer provided public comments on behalf of the American Soybean Association in front of an Environmental Protection Agency Scientific Advisory Panel regarding EPA's evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate.

In his testimony Hoyer said, “Scientific studies conducted over decades have overwhelmingly shown that when used according to the label, glyphosate does not present an unreasonable risk of adverse effects to humans, wildlife or the environment.”

"I want to impress upon the panel how important glyphosate is to the pursuit of what I believe is our common goal: continually improving the environmental sustainability of crop protection, while growing a safe and abundant food supply."

Hoyer conclude his remarks by noting how glyphosate has been instrumental in conservation practices and urged the Agency to conduct a timely and science-based review of glyphosate that takes into account the decades of research demonstrating the safety of the herbicide and its important benefits to agriculture sustainability.



Favorable Rain Boosts Brazil Crops

Private Brazil crop analytical firm Safras and Mercado put a new benchmark on Brazil soybean production at the end of the week. The projection from this firm is 106 million metric tons -- a new record and well-above the 96.50 mmt crop estimate for the 2016 harvest. The Safras projection is 4 mmt above the latest USDA figure in its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report.

The big reason for this hefty number is definitely more favorable crop weather than a year ago. The 2015-16 crop year in Brazil was one marked by very dry conditions in the central and northeastern areas of the country. This year, the situation is much different. Portions of the far northeast are still dry -- the result of a multi-year drought -- but, otherwise, precipitation graphics feature a lot of blue and green, indicating generous rainfall. That certainly holds true in the largest soybean-producing state of Mato Grosso. Much of Mato Grosso has had rainfall totals of well in excess of 40 inches (500 millimeters) since September. It's a much more favorable soil moisture situation this season than last.

Brazil corn production in 2016 was more than 20% below the previous year because of drought.



Dairy Organizations Applaud Congressional Letter to FDA Asking for Stricter Enforcement of Milk Labeling Standards

A new congressional effort to prod federal regulators to crack down on the inappropriate labeling of products designed to imitate milk drew support today from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), which thanked lawmakers for speaking out on the issue.

In a letter written by Reps. Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Peter Welch (D-VT), and cosigned by a bipartisan coalition of 32 other members of the House, lawmakers urge U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf to more aggressively police the improper use of dairy terms, which are used on the labels of many products that have no real dairy ingredients.

Federal standards of identity stipulate that milk and related foods have to be made from animal sources to use these established dairy terms. Thus, plant-based foods and beverages made of nuts and grains are “misleading to consumers, harmful to the dairy industry, and a violation of milk’s standard of identity,” the letter said.

“We request that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exercise its legal authority to investigate and take appropriate action against the manufacturers of these misbranded products.”

Dairy organizations have voiced similar concerns in the past, urging FDA to restrict the use of dairy terms on labels of plant-based imitation products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.

“You haven’t ‘got milk’ if it comes from a seed, nut or bean,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “In the many years since we first raised concerns about the misbranding of these products, we’ve seen an explosion of imitators attaching the word ‘milk’ to everything from hemp to peas to algae. We don’t need new regulations on this issue, we just need FDA to enforce those that have been on the books for years.”

Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA, said that while “imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, dairy imitators do not naturally provide the same level of nutrition to the people buying them as milk does.” He noted that non-dairy beverages “can mislead people into thinking these products are comparable replacements for milk, when in fact most are nutritionally inferior.”

The congressional letter points out that while consumers are entitled to choose imitation products, “it is misleading for manufacturers of these items to profit from the ‘milk’ name.  These products should be allowed on the market only when accurately labeled.”

Welch and Simpson noted that the European Union offers an example of how product terminology can be altered to make it less misleading. Regulators in the EU allow the use of the term “soy drink,” but prohibit “soy milk.”

Addressing this issue, the letter concluded, “will provide consumers with the accurate information they expect.”



 NFU Board Calls on Congress to Assist Struggling Dairy Producers

As U.S. dairy producers continue to struggle with multi-year price lows and an inadequate safety net, National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on Congress to provide meaningful support for the nation’s dairy sector.

NFU’s Board of Directors released a resolution calling on legislators to provide the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the authority to provide direct assistance to struggling producers, and to refund dairy Margin Protection Program premiums.

“U.S. dairy farmers are experiencing an extended period of very low milk prices which, unless corrected, will force thousands of farmers out of business,” the resolution states. “NFU calls on Congress to advance spending legislation that includes relief for dairy farmers through additional authority for the USDA to provide direct assistance as an alternative to dairy product purchases and a refund of 2015 Margin Protection Program premiums.”

The resolution notes that dairy prices have fallen by more than 40 percent in just the past two years, and that the Dairy Margin Protection Program has not performed as expected. The USDA provided initial relief to the dairy sector in recent months through purchases of surplus cheese, but the modest price rebounds have not been enough to stem the amount of producers draining their capital reserves or going out of business.

“NFU has been appreciative of USDA’s willingness to provide support to struggling dairy producers, but the agency has run out of options for providing additional relief,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Congress needs to act quickly to allow USDA to directly support our nation’s dairy farmers who are struggling to stay in business.”

NFU Board of Director’s resolution follows repeated requests from both NFU and members of Congress, who have all called on the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives appropriations committees to provide critical, short-term support to U.S. dairy producers.

“NFU, as well as a number of other farm groups and legislators, have been sounding the alarm for months, and we have yet to see any meaningful action from the appropriations committees that would deliver support to family dairy producers,” said Johnson.

“While the ultimate aim of Congress should be to improve the long-term safety net contained in the farm bill, failing to provide short-term relief risks doing even more harm to a sector already reeling from low prices and business closures,” the resolution concludes.



Five Tips to Ensure Immunization

Vaccinating calves against disease is one management practice that can improve calf health and help avoid financial losses in the future. However, simply vaccinating your calves is not enough to ensure immunization. Follow correct storage, handling and administration practices in order to provide an opportunity for the animal to respond with an adequate immune response.

Dr. Doug Ensley, professional services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI), recommends following these five tips to receive the full benefit from your vaccinations:
-    Store vaccines according to the label, generally 35°F to 45°F. Follow label directions.
-    Protect vaccines and filled syringes from sunlight and heat.
-    Use modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines within an hour of mixing.
-    Change needles often (about every 10 animals).
-    Discard bent, burred or broken needles.
-    Clean syringes with hot, distilled water (at least 212°F). Use care not to burn your skin with hot water. Do not use soap or disinfectant because they can kill the MLV.

In addition to correct handling and administration of the vaccine, Ensley also recommends ensuring the calves are properly prepared to respond. “We know that many animals today are transported over long distances,” he said. “Once the animal is on your operation, it’s important to do everything you can to help them adjust. Let them get a good night’s rest in a dry area, and provide plenty of high quality water and feed.”

He explained the importance water intake and proper nutrition have on achieving an immune response.

“It is imperative that we handle vaccines properly, we administer them with the best techniques possible and prepare our animals so that we can achieve the kind of response from those vaccines to reduce disease. Don’t just vaccinate, immunize,” Ensley stressed.