Tuesday December 13 Ag News

Nebraska Cattlemen Convention Highlights:  New 2017 Board of Directors
President: Troy Stowater, Wayne
President Elect: Galen Frenzen, Fullerton
Vice President: Mike Drinnin, Clarks
Past President & Nominations Chair: Barb Cooksley, Anselmo

Member Services Vice Chairman
Region 1: Jerry Underwood, Alliance
Region 2: Brenda Masek, Purdum
Region 3: Ron Coufal, Howells
Region 4: Steven Fish, Norfolk
Region 5: Lin Jeffres, Burwell
Region 6: Jolene Messinger, McCook
Region 7: Ed Klug, Columbus
Region 8: Richard Hollman, Hallam
Region 9: Shannon Petersen, Gothenberg

Council Leaders
Cow/Calf Chair: Clark Gotschall, Atkinson
Cow/Calf Vice Chair: Nancy Peterson DVM, Gordon
Farmer/Stockman Chair: John Lange, Bruning
Feedlot Chair: Jerry Kuenning, Imperial
Feedlot Vice Chair: Dean Wilken, Bloomfield
Seedstock Chair: Mark Goes, Odell
Seedstock Vice Chair: Larry Dybdal, Newcastle

Committee Chairman
Animal Health & Nutrition: John Widdowson, Kearney
Brand & Property Rights: Terry Cone, Burwell
Education: Sarah Werner, Carleton
Marketing & Commerce: John J. Schroeder, Cozad
Natural Resources & Environment: Chris Schluntz, Republican City
Taxation: Ken Herz, Lawerence
Member Services: Gregg Wiedel, Hebron

Nebraska Cattlemen Awards
Industry Service Award Recipient: Mike Johanns
Hall of Fame Inductee: Jay Wolf

Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Awards
Nebraska Range & Conservation Endowment Award: Dr. Doug Smith
Nebraska Beef Industry Endowment Award: Dr. Dennis Burson, Jo Bek, Mike Roeber
Cattlemen's Legacy Society: Bill Briggs Family, Jim & Helen Gran, Todd Ricebaw
Friend of the Foundation Award: Al & JoAnn Svajgr



Nebraska Farm Bureau Names 2017 Leadership Academy Class

Ten farmers and ranchers from across Nebraska have been selected for Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 2017 Leadership Academy. The selected farmers and ranchers will begin a year-long program Jan. 26-27 in Kearney.

“The goal of the academy is to cultivate the talents and strengths of the participants and connect their passion for agriculture to opportunities of service within the Farm Bureau organization. Great leaders have a clearly defined purpose; purpose fuels passion and work ethic. By developing leadership skills, academy members can develop their passions and positively impact their local communities and the state of Nebraska.” said Adam Peterson, 2017 Leadership Academy facilitator. Audrey Smith, Farm Bureau’s director of generational engagement will help Peterson facilitate the program.

The members of the 2017 Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy class are:

Ibby Allan of Alda, a Hall County Farm Bureau member. Allan actively contributes to her family's farming and cow-calf operation where they raise corn, beans, alfalfa, and hay. Additionally, she is the Marketing Coordinator at Green Line Equipment, a nine-location John Deere dealership.

Tom Waldo, a Junior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and a Saline County Farm Bureau member. Waldo is studying agricultural economics with an emphasis in agricultural policy. Waldo grew up on a seedstock hog farm near DeWitt that also includes about 1,500 acres of corn and soybeans.

Cadrien Livingston, a student at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and a Knox County Farm Bureau member. Livingston and her mother own 200 head of registered Gelbvieh-Angus cattle and sell bulls private treaty February through May each year.

Mark Lundeen of Axtell, a Kearney/Franklin County Farm Bureau member. Lundeen is the sixth generation on his family farm in the Minden area. Lundeen grows corn and soybeans on the family farm and also sells seed for Producers Hybrids.

Heath Reimers of Clarks, a Merrick County Farm Bureau member. Reimers runs a cow/calf operation and farms. He also works for his father-in-law on his farm.

William Lechtenberg of Spencer, a Boyd County Farm Bureau member. Lechtenberg runs a cow/calf to finish operation, buys some feeder cattle, provides corn and feedstocks for the cows and feedlot, and sells soybeans off the farm. Lechtenberg is also a partner in a Pioneer dealership that sells to customers in a three county area.

Kelsey Knigee of Broken Bow, a Custer County Farm Bureau member. Knigee is currently employed at Adams Land and Cattle in Broken Bow as a Cattle Health Assistant and Necropsy Specialist.

Katherine Kubacki of Valentine, a Cherry County Farm Bureau member. Kubacki manages the Sandhills Cattle Association where she represents the cattle and resources in the Sandhills of Nebraska and South Dakota.

Matthew Fiechnter of Stapleton, a McPherson County Farm Bureau member. Fiechnter helps on the family owned cow/calf operation and operates a small trucking business.

Cale Pallas of Stromsburg, a Polk County Farm Bureau member. Pallas sells Pioneer Seed.

Academy members will participate in sessions focused on leadership skills, understanding the county, state, and national structure of the Farm Bureau organization, including Farm Bureau’s grassroots network, and policy work on agriculture issues. Also, the group will travel to Washington, D.C. in September for visits with Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and federal agency representatives.

“We congratulate this group of diverse individuals and thank them for their willingness to step up and out of their comfort zone to learn more about how they can influence their community, state, and world for the better,” said Audrey Smith.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION OFFERS 2017 TRAINING FOR COMMERCIAL, NONCOMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATORS

Training dates are set for Nebraska's commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification, or recertification of their license, to use or purchase restricted use pesticides in 2017. The statewide training is coordinated through the Nebraska Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

Again this year the training is offered at a variety of locations from January through April, said Clyde Ogg, Nebraska Extension pesticide safety educator.

Commercial and noncommercial applicators whose certifications expire in April are to be mailed a schedule booklet showing certification information and dates. The booklet also is available at local extension offices; by phoning PSEP at 800-627-7216 or 402-472-1632; or by visiting http://pested.unl.edu/commercialschedule.

In 2017 approximately 3,700 commercial and noncommercial applicators will need to be recertified. They include fumigators, ornamental and turf applicators, exterminators and others.

“Commercial applicators are those using restricted use pesticides, and in some cases, general use pesticides, on a contract or for-hire basis,” Ogg said. "Noncommercial applicators are those applying these same pesticides to sites owned by an employer or for a governmental agency or political subdivision of the state."

Advance registration is required for all initial commercial and noncommercial applicator training, as well as for most other training sessions. Each applicator pays a $60 fee, regardless of the number of training sessions. Required initial training study materials range from $10 to $30 per manual, depending on category.

Initial certification requires passing a general standards exam, Ogg said, in addition to one or more specific applicator categories. Applicants can study by themselves although for best results Ogg recommends combining training with study materials.

"Training combined with individual study has the best track record for preparing someone to take the state license exams," Ogg said.

Recertification opportunities are available at extension offices in February and March, and at several annual conferences and trade association meetings early in 2017. The best opportunity for commercial applicators to rectify in the agricultural plant category and demo/research subcategory, other than by examination, will be at Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics in January.

Extension conducts the training programs, while the Nebraska Department of Agriculture issues the licenses. NDA testing is offered at initial training locations; new this year is computer-based testing for several categories at various testing centers. For information about this testing, see http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/pearson_vue_testing.html. Questions about individual applicator license status should be directed to NDA by calling 402-471-2351 or 877-800-4080.

Initial certification in several categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the schedule booklet or website for details. Those seeking initial certification must pre-register for one of the following training sessions and purchase study materials at least 10 days in advance. Pre-registration is required athttp://pested.unl.edu .
               >Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 21.
               >Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 2.
               >Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 9.
               >Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Highway 34, Feb. 2 and 28.
               >Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Feb. 9 and 28, April 13.
               >Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 2, March 2.
               >North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, Feb. 9, March 2 and 21, April 13.
               >Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, Feb. 2, March 2, April 13.
               >O’Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, April 20.
               >Scottsbluff: Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 9 and 28, March 2, April 13.
               >Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, March 21.

Recertification in several applicator categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Pre-registration is required at http://pested.unl.edu:
               >Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 16, March 14 and 23.
               >Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 23.
               >Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 28, March 14.
               >Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 7 and 16.
               >Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 14, March 30.
               >Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 7 and 23, March 30.
               >Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 7 and 16, March 14.
               >North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 14, and 16, March 23.
               >O'Neill: Holt County Courthouse, 204 4th St., Feb. 14, March 23.
               >Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 14, March 21 and 30.
               >Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 7 and 23, March 14.
               >Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, Feb. 23.

Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics also are a great way to recertify in the agricultural pest control -- plant category (01). Pre-register online for $65 at http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc to attend one of the following:
               >Jan. 4 – Gering, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
               >Jan. 5 – North Platte, Sandhills Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers
               >Jan. 6 – York, Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave.
               >Jan. 10 – Beatrice, Classics Country Club, 1301 Oak St.
               >Jan. 11 – Hastings, Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore
               >Jan. 12 – ARDC, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca
               >Jan. 17 – Atkinson, Atkinson Community Center, 206 W. 5th St.
               >Jan. 18 – Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.
               >Jan. 19-20 – Kearney, Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Rd. (Recertification Day is Jan. 19, fee of $65. Two-day conference fee is $150.)

Recertification also is available through attending annual trade organization conferences. Conferences offering these opportunities for specific categories include:

- Nebraska Turf Conference: Jan. 10-12, La Vista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway, La Vista, recertification in ornamental and turf pest control category. Pre-register at http://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com/events/nebraska-turf-conference, or call the Nebraska Turfgrass Association at 402-472-5351 with questions.

- Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference: Feb. 21-22, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., Lincoln, recertification in structural/health-related pest control and wood-destroying organisms. Pre-register at http://nspca.org or call the Nebraska State Pest Control Association, 402-476-1528 for copies of the program and registration information.

- Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Convention: Feb. 20-22, Holiday Inn, 110 S. Second Ave., Kearney, recertification in aerial pest control category. For more information, email nata@windstream.net or call the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association, 402-475-6282.



Mike Cline, Elgin, to lead Iowa Cattlemen's Association

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association welcomed a new president at their annual meeting on December 10 in Ames.

Mike Cline is a fifth generation cattle producer. He attended Iowa State University for one year before returning to his family farm to live out his passion of beef calf production. Cline, along with his wife Linda, operate a crop and Angus based commercial cow-calf herd in Fayette and Clayton counties in Northeast Iowa. 

Cline first became involved with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association in 1993 by attending the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program, which still plays a vital part in the association today.  Since 2008, Cline has been a member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association board of directors. He has served as chairman of the Beef Products policy committee and for the past two years has served as president-elect. 

Before agreeing to serve on the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association board of directors, Cline had been elected in 1993 to the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) Board. While on the IBIC board he served in all officer positions and also represented Iowa on the National Cattlemen’s Board of Directors and the US Meat Export Federation. In 2001, Cline was appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board where he served two years on their Executive Committee and two years on the Operating Committee.

Cline believes that we need to continue to position Iowa cattle producers as a source of high quality beef, using environmentally safe production practices. As economies grow around the world, so will the demand for our high end product. While environmental regulations and other policies need our constant attention, Cline believes that, “Access to international markets is key for continued growth in Iowa’s beef industry.”

Working together with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association members and board of directors, Cline will lead the association for the next year.



Cattlemen tackle tough issues at inaugural Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit and ICA Annual Meeting

Market challenges, Foreign Animal Disease, beef import safety, the state beef checkoff and estate tax garnered the most attention at last week’s Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit.

The summit, which was held on December 10 in Ames, combined educational sessions with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association policy committee meetings and annual meeting.

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has three policy committees: Beef Products, Business Issues and Cattle Production. The committee meetings are open to any ICA members, and generate organizational positions related to important topics affecting Iowa’s beef business. These policies drive the efforts of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and are used by staff and leaders in discussions with local and national elected officials and regulatory agencies.

Policy discussions this year revolved around cattle marketing, foreign animal disease preparedness, beef import safety, the state beef checkoff and estate tax.
 
Beef Products:
In the Beef Products Committee, significant discussion surrounded the safety of imported beef from countries with known cases of Foot and Mouth Disease. Cattlemen are concerned that the inspection of imported beef is not robust enough to safeguard against foreign animal diseases that may be introduced to our country through beef products. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association passed a resolution encouraging the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to work with USDA to enforce the same inspection rules on imported beef that are currently being used on U.S. produced beef, to identify imported products through a certification system, and to ensure that imported beef is free of foreign disease at port of origin.

The Beef Products Committee also passed policy regarding the state beef checkoff, stating that ICA would continue to gather input from producers around the state on industry needs and work with the Iowa Beef Industry Council to fulfill those needs. Mark Putney, chair of the Beef Products Committee, was pleased that the referendum to reinstate the state beef checkoff passed. “Last year, we passed a directive to move forward with the state beef checkoff referendum process and it is gratifying to see that it was a success. We gathered producer input throughout the entire process and we will continue to do so as plans are made to invest the new state beef checkoff fund in beef promotion, production research and more.”

Cattle Production:
The Cattle Production Committee tackled market challenges and foreign animal disease response. “The topics covered in the Cattle Production Committee meeting have been on the minds of producers around the state for some time. Cattle marketing is the highest priority of the association this year, and input on the policies discussed has been come from cattlemen across the state through listening sessions, phone calls, emails and more. While this is not an easy topic to address, the ICA Feedlot Council has done a great job gathering ideas and facts to initiate association policy discussions on live cattle marketing policies,” says Isaiah Shnurman, Cattle Production Committee chair.

The committee, with input from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association’s Feedlot Council, amended and adopted policies aimed at increasing price discovery, limiting market volatility, and reforming the CME’s Live Cattle Futures Contract.

ICA policy now includes resolutions:
-To eliminate all daily fed cattle reports in Mandatory Price Reporting, compile all price and volume data into weekly reports and delay the release of those reports at least one week
-To alter the CME’s Live Cattle Futures Contract by lowering the weight spec on steers to 1500 lbs, increasing the choice spec to 70%, and increasing the yield spec to 63%
-To work with NCBA to explore a long demand option and dynamic contract specifications for settlement of the CME Live Cattle Futures Contract
-To require producers in all major cattle feeding regions to market 50% or more of their cattle on negotiated cash trade
-To encourage members to utilize voluntary price reporting of fed cattle prices
-That the Packers and Stockyards Administration assure the fed cattle market is a fair and competitive marketplace with robust weekly participation by all packers
-That Iowa producers should not agree to cash negotiated cattle sales further than two weeks out and if cattle are held past the agreed two weeks, the buyer will pay a daily fee

The committee also approved policy related to foreign animal disease including:
-That the USDA place a high priority on the development of improved and validated FMD vaccines, including funding for production of an adequate supply and surge capabilities of the vaccines
-Support for mandatory Premise ID registration with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for the purposes of animal disease surveillance, control, eradication and indemnification
-Education on biosecurity practices
-Development of rapid, practical diagnostic and surveillance tools for foreign animal diseases
-Additional funding at the state level for animal disease preparedness

Business Issues:
The Business Issues committee reinstated several expiring policies and strengthened the existing estate tax policy to support a complete repeal of federal and state estate taxes.

At the end of the day, ICA members ratified the new and amended policies at the annual meeting. Outgoing president Phil Reemtsma also turned over the leadership of the association to Mike Cline from Elgin, IA, who will serve as president of ICA for one year.

“We’ve got a lot on our plate for next year, with a new administration at the national level, uncertainty with trade, and market challenges. But there are a lot of positive signs, as well. The passage of the state beef checkoff referendum shows that people believe in our industry, and overall, the mood is still positive. As we face challenges in the future, we can all help and pitch in. Working together with our executive committee, our board of directors and our members, we will continue to strengthen Iowa’s beef business just as we have in the past,” says Cline.



Broadening Our View On Beef Promotion
Steve Hanson, Elsie, Nebraska
Chairman, Federation of State Beef Councils
Member, U.S. Meat Export Federation Executive Committee

                You’ve heard it before: 96 percent of the world’s consumers live outside of United States borders. The statistic has been shared so often it’s become cliché.

Lesser known but equally powerful is the fact that millions of consumers in many other countries are increasing their standards of living and buying power every year. Clearly, if the U.S. beef industry is to maximize its profitability, significant focus must be placed on consumers internationally.

                The Federation of State Beef Councils and our partners in state beef councils throughout the country recognize this critical point. Through our partnership with both the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the U.S. Meat Export Federation, we are allocating many beef checkoff resources in those foreign markets that have the greatest potential for increasing demand for beef. This allocation includes checkoff funds from the national half of the $1-per-head mandatory beef checkoff assessment, which is invested through the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, and the state-directed half of the checkoff dollar, which comes through individual state councils and the Federation of State Beef Councils.

                On Nov. 1 the Federation Executive Committee, recognizing the struggling cattle market and the increasing supply of beef in this country, voted to reach into Federation reserves to boost beef export promotion conducted by USMEF by $640,000. The source of Federation reserves is voluntary investments from state beef councils for enhancement of national and international programs.

Of the total, $400,000 will be invested in national and regional retail promotions for U.S. beef in Japan, the largest value destination for U.S. beef. The Federation also invested $200,000 in a U.S. beef promotion with South Korean discount chains. Korea represents an increasingly attractive market for U.S. beef. Meanwhile, another $40,000 was allocated to an Asian island promotion that targets the quickly growing tourist trade in that region. All told, these promotions could move about 15 million additional pounds of U.S. beef.

The Federation Executive Committee also allocated $300,000 in reserves to a promotion targeting millennial consumers in larger U.S. cities through an app for smart phones called Ibotta, which encourages greater beef purchases in U.S. retail stores by sharing beef information with consumers and allowing them to obtain cash rebates based on their retail beef purchases. In total, the Federation is investing nearly a million dollars in short-term promotions designed to increase immediate demand for beef.

This was a prime example of the state/national beef checkoff partnership at work, and it happened at an impressive pace. Export projects were researched and recommended by USMEF, whose mission is to put U.S. meat on the world’s tables, and plans and funding were reviewed and finalized by the Federation Executive Committee, which deliberated on which projects would do the most good, and do it the most quickly.

Through my association with USMEF, I have seen how valuable our outreach to consumers in other countries can be. The nonprofit organization has offices in more than a dozen countries, and does work in more than 80 countries to develop markets for beef and other U.S. meats. They have found that foreign consumers respect U.S. beef, and will purchase it when they have the opportunity. More important, however, is that when given the opportunity the U.S. beef industry can very successfully compete in the world market.

Promoting beef to consumers – both in the United States and abroad – is important to improving our bottom lines. Working as a team of volunteers and professionals, we’re stepping up to get that work done.



DOE Data: Half of United States Broke Through So-Called “Blend Wall” in 2015

Recent data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) shows that gasoline consumed in 25 states and the District of Columbia contained more than 10.0 percent ethanol on average in 2015, demonstrating that the so-called “E10 Blend Wall” continues to crumble. The national average ethanol blend rate was 9.91 percent according to the DOE data. According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the data completely undermine legislation proposed by Reps. Bill Flores (R-Texas) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) that suggests the gasoline market cannot withstand more than 9.7 percent ethanol content.

The data show that ethanol comprised 12.5 percent of the gasoline pool in Minnesota in 2015. Not coincidentally, ethanol flex fuels like E85 are available at roughly one out of every eight stations in the Gopher State. In Iowa, gasoline contained an average of 11.5 percent ethanol in 2015, up from 10.3 percent in 2014 and just 9.5 percent in 2013. The 2015 data is the latest available and was just published by DOE’s Energy Information Administration.

Ethanol also exceeded 10.0 percent of gasoline consumption in 2015 in coastal states like California, Oregon, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and even Louisiana. For the first time ever, not a single state had average ethanol content below 9.0 percent in 2015, the data show. Vermont ranked last in average ethanol concentration at 9.18 percent.

In 2014, the national average ethanol content was 9.83 percent and 22 states (plus the District of Columbia) were above 10.0 percent on average.

RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen said the DOE data underscore that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is working as intended to drive increased use of ethanol and other biofuels. “As E15 and ethanol flex fuels like E85 have gained in popularity in recent years, the so-called blend wall has been reduced to a pile of rubble,” Dinneen said. “This data clearly shows that the RFS is delivering on its promise to expand consumer access to lower-cost, cleaner fuel options at the pump. And with EPA putting the RFS back on track in 2017, the share of renewables in our nation’s motor fuel will only continue to grow.”



NRCS Joins Ag Organizations in Agreement to Promote Ag Technology and Natural Resource Stewardship

Today, nine private sector agricultural organizations gathered at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC, to sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The agreement will “establish a collaborative framework for cooperative activities intended to enhance and accelerate the transfer and adoption of technologies and approaches for improved agricultural production and natural resource stewardship” through activities such as “employee training, producer outreach, joint projects, and communications efforts.” Goals within the agreement include:
-    Developing case studies with a focus on soil health and the 4Rs (Right source, Right rate, Right time, Right place) of nutrient management.
-    Hosting a national orientation and training event.
-    Creating a joint recognition program for highlighting successful, local partnerships.

Representatives from each organization were present to sign the agreement. Signatories include USDA NRCS; the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD); the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA); The Fertilizer Institute (TFI); the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA); the American Society of Agronomy (ASA); the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA); the Crop Science Society of America; Syngenta; and CropLife America (CLA).

“Public-private partnerships help accelerate conservation adoption,” stated Jason Weller, Chief of NRCS. “NRCS has a long history of collaborating with private organizations to increase conservation on private lands. Through this agreement, we will expand these partnership efforts with the agriculture industry, helping us extend the reach of NRCS’ technical and financial assistance. By connecting the strengths and skills of our various partners, we will be able to better help the people who grow food and fiber, maintain the viability of farming and ranching, and conserve the natural resources for future generations.”

Leaders from each partner organization joined NRCS in sharing their hope for the agreement.

“We are pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort, bringing together government, NGO and agribusiness partners,” stated Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “The CropLife Foundation is already deeply involved in projects to advance eco-conscious technologies, such as through our work with Iowa University on prairie strips integrated with row crops. By aligning our efforts with the other signatories, we can multiply our impact, improve efficiency, and increase access to and awareness of increasingly advanced farming technologies.”

“NACD is thrilled to be partnering alongside NRCS with some of the leading agricultural businesses, retailers and associations in the U.S.,” NACD President Lee McDaniel said. “NACD and the nearly 3,000 conservation districts we represent nationwide – including the 17,000 people who serve on their governing boards – look forward to sharing the expertise we’ve gained in the areas of soil health and water conservation in the eight decades since the Dust Bowl.”

NASDA CEO Dr. Barbara P. Glenn said, “This joint partnership reaffirms years of public-private partnerships helping fuel conservation adoption by farmers and ranchers. NASDA is committed to the goal of natural resource stewardship. By leveraging these partnerships and diverse funding streams, we will advance conservation adoption.”

“For agriculture in this nation to continue to be successful and prosperous, government, industry, and all stakeholders need to come together around common goals,” said Chris Jahn, president of The Fertilizer Institute. “This MOU is a great step in our mutual collaboration, and I believe it will help as we all work to implement 4R Nutrient Stewardship in an effort to improve nutrient management, soil health and water quality around the nation.”

“The Agricultural Retailers Association is proud to join this collaborative effort to promote and expand conservation programs,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “As a trusted resource, ag retailers are in a prime position to advise farmers on implementing conservation methods and tactics that improve nutrient stewardship, sustainability and profitability.”

Ellen Bergfeld, CEO of ASA, CSSA and SSSA, said, “We are excited to strengthen our partnership with NRCS in an effort to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of America’s farmers. Certified crop advisers play an important role in advancing practices and technologies to enhance natural resource stewardship.”

“This is a rare combination of government, conservation groups, industry associations and agribusiness, along with scientists and agronomists, working together toward a common goal. To improve farm production, to preserve our precious land and to stimulate agricultural innovation,” said Jeff Sands, manager of federal government relations at Syngenta. “We've been working on this project for nearly five years, since the last Farm Bill, and it’s rewarding to see it finally come to fruition. But the real payoff will be for the generations to come.” 



CWT Assists with 3 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 13 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and United Dairymen of Arizona. These member cooperatives have contracts to sell 2.518 million pounds (1,142 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and 440,925 pounds (200 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from December 2016 through March 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 51.399 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 12.399 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 21.316 million pounds of whole milk powder to 23 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 908.992 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



NSP Announces Annual Yield Contest Winners

National Sorghum Producers is proud to announce the winners of the 2016 NSP Yield Contest. Farmers from 28 states entered to win this year’s contest. Producer yields are highlighted in 10 different categories with this year’s top yield at 208.40 bushels per acre.

"The sorghum yield contest provides incentive for growers across the nation to go the extra mile to improve yield on their operation," said NSP board of directors Chairman Don Bloss."I congratulate the winners of the 2016 yield contest and look forward to meeting each one at Commodity Classic this coming year."

The 2016 first place winners of the NSP Yield Contest were
Jim Boehlke – Bell-Key Farms of Idaho in the Irrigated Conventional-Till category - 208.40 bu/acre;
Robert Santini, Jr. of New Jersey in the Dryland No-Till category - 178.04 bu/acre;
Winter Johnston of Pennsylvania in the Dryland Conventional-Till category - 184.80 bu/acre;
Rob Robinson of Nebraska who won the Irrigated Reduced-Till category - 197.68 bu/acre;
Sam Santini, Jr. of New Jersey in the Dryland Double Crop category - 198.36 bu/acre;
Travis Walker of Missouri in the Dryland Reduced-Till category - 184.59 bu/acre;
Jeffrey Barlieb of New Jersey in the Irrigated Double Crop category - 176.33 bu/acre;
Robert & John Reznik of Texas in the Irrigated No-Till category - 188.90 bu/acre;
Triple Creek Farm of North Carolina in the Non-Irrigated Food-Grade - 122.89 bu/acre;
and Ron Robinson of Nebraska in the Irrigated Food-Grade category -  197.68 bu/acre.

"The future looks really bright for the sorghum industry because of the way we've seen our national average yield increase and as we get closer to the 250 bushel per acre goal in this contest," Bloss said. "It is exciting to see producers work toward bettering their yields, which pushes sorghum to be an even more competitive crop."

The national winners will be further recognized at Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, on March 3, 2017, at an awards dinner sponsored by DuPont Pioneer.

To see a complete list of the NSP Yield Contest national, state and county results, or to learn more about the contest, visit http://sorghumgrowers.com/yield-contest/.



Santa’s reindeer cleared for flight after annual veterinary exam

Following a thorough veterinary exam at the North Pole, Rudolph and all of the other reindeer have been given the green light to guide Santa’s sleigh once again this year.

Dr. Tom Meyer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and official veterinarian of the North Pole, examined the reindeer earlier this month to ensure that Santa’s team of nine were up-to-date on their vaccinations, free of disease and healthy enough to make their annual trek around the globe.

“After thorough examination, I can tell you that Santa’s reindeer are perfectly healthy, in great shape and ready for their upcoming flight,” Meyer said.

(To see video of Meyer’s reindeer inspection, visit https://youtu.be/u-ECVemg5NQ.)

The reindeer’s annual exam includes a health check about a month prior to their Christmas Eve flight to make sure they’re healthy and not showing any signs of disease—such as brucellosis, tuberculosis or chronic wasting disease—that can be transmitted to other animals around the world.

“Santa’s reindeer need to be in tip-top shape to complete their Christmas Eve flight on time, so it’s vital that they receive a pre-trip veterinary exam to make sure they are free of any injuries that might slow them down,” Meyer said. “Because the reindeer will be visiting all corners of the globe, we need to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations and free of disease so they don’t pick up or spread any infections to other animals around the world.”

In addition to presents for children around the world, Santa is required to bring with him an official “North Pole Certificate of Animal Export” that allows him to freely cross borders and ensure health officials that his reindeer are no threat to animal or public health.

Meyer will make a follow-up trip to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to provide a pre-flight checkup and to inspect the reindeer upon their return on Christmas morning.

For kids who want to help the reindeer on their journey, Meyer recommended leaving a plate of graham cracker reindeer cookies, their favorite snack, for Santa to feed them between stops.

Meyer’s work is consistent with the role veterinarians play every day to ensure the health of animals, people and the environment around the globe. Far from just being “dog and cat doctors,” veterinarians work with all kinds of species, in all types of environments, to make the world a healthier place for all forms of life.

While only one veterinarian can be official veterinarian of the North Pole, every veterinarian can help the cause by volunteering to be part of Santa’s emergency veterinary staff on Christmas Eve. AVMA members can download a badge to let their clients know they are part of Santa’s Emergency Landing and Veterinary Expert System (E.L.V.E.S.) support team. Veterinarians are invited to help spread holiday cheer by displaying their official E.L.V.E.S. badge on their clinics’ social media channels and educating clients on the various ways that veterinarians help keep all animals healthy—even reindeer.

While unavailable for comment due to his busy work schedule, Santa issued a statement, saying, “Without my reindeer, there simply would be no Christmas. Proper veterinary care ensures that, year in and year out, my team and I are able to deliver presents to boys and girls around the world. It’s safe to say that Dr. Meyer is on the “Nice List” this year.”

For more information on Meyer’s role as official veterinarian of the North Pole, including answers to kids’ questions about reindeer, visit avma.org/Santa.