Friday December 6 Ag News

World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Qualifier in West Point

West Point Livestock, West Point, Neb., will host the final of three regional qualifying events for the 2017 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The midwestern regional qualifying event will be January 16, with opening ceremonies beginning at 11:00 a.m. CST. A total of 31 contestants will compete for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the 2017 WLAC at Public Auction Yards in Billings, Montana.

The reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Andy White, will attend the qualifier as event emcee.

In conjunction with the contest, West Point Livestock will host a special preconditioned feeder cattle sale. More information, including a list of consignments, can be found at  www.westpointlivestock.com.



Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic

The 26th Annual Nebraska Cattlemen's Classic will be held February 18th - 26th in Kearney, NE.  The Classic On The Road meetings will be in the following communities:

Monday, January 23rd - Harlan Co. Fairgrounds - Orleans, NE
Tuesday, January 24th - KO Bar Grill- Bladen, NE
Wednesday, January 25th - Broken Bow Country Club - Broken Bow, NE
Thursday, January 26th -  Ole's Steakhouse- Paxton, NE
Monday, January 30th -  Sokol Hall, Wilber NE
Tuesday, January 31st - Nielsen Community Center, West Point NE

Social Hour will be 6 pm and Beef Supper served at 7pm.



Nebraska On-Farm Research Network  2017 Annual Results Update meetings

Feb. 20 | Agricultural Research and Development Center, near Mead | 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 21 | Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, Norfolk | 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Registration begins ½ hour prior to the start times listed above.

The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network is a statewide on-farm research program addressing critical farmer production, profit­ability and natural resource questions where growers take an active role in the research.  Come hear about research projects conducted in 2016 by farmers across the state in cooperation with Nebraska Extension.  Research topics include: Variable Rate Seeding, Multi-Hybrid Planting Applications, Tools for Sidedress Nitrogen Management, Precision Seed and Fertilizer Application, Starter Fertilizer, Fungicide Applications, Row Spacing, Planting Populations, Cover Crops, Seed Treatments, Project SENSE (crop canopy sensor directed in-season nitrogen application), AND MORE!  

There is no cost to attend.  Please pre-register at least 2 days in advance for meal planning purposes.  Contact: onfarm@unl.edu or 402-624-8030. 



NePPA Accepting Applications for Pork Leadership Program

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association believes in, and is committed to helping develop agricultural leaders. If you are connected to agriculture and believe in the future of the pork industry, you are encouraged to apply for the Pork Leadership Program. Interested participants may apply for this opportunity online by visiting the youth tab on www.nepork.org, or request an application by emailing kyla@nepork.org, Applications are due January 15, 2017.

The Pork Leadership Program serves as a resource for talented people who want to contribute to the future of Nebraska’s pork industry. The Pork Leadership Program will build awareness, interest, and involvement in the pork industry at the state level. Program participants will develop their skills as leaders and will naturally emerge as the next wave of active and engaged members of committees and board of directors.

The year-long program runs from February to February. During that time, the Pork Leadership Program participants will engage in six meetings and activities where they will learn about various aspects of the pork and agriculture industries and will also promote Nebraska’s pork industry. Program participants will not be responsible for any expenses to participate in the program.



CVA Welcomes Tom Palmertree as SVP of Marketing

Central Valley Ag (CVA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Tom Palmertree as Senior Vice President of Marketing. He will be responsible for the marketing and communication efforts of CVA.  Palmertree comes to CVA from Reinke Manufacturing Co., Inc. where he worked as the Director of Marketing overseeing the strategic marketing and corporate communications efforts for the company.

“We are excited to have Tom join our team, his background and experience will be a valuable addition to our Senior Team and organization,” said Carl Dickinson, CEO of Central Valley Ag. “We look forward to the contributions Tom and our marketing team will make towards CVA’s future.”

Palmertree, along with the marketing team at CVA, work to communicate the CVA brand message, market leadership position, and value with clarity and effectiveness. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, media studies from Boise State University in Boise, Idaho.



STUDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN NDA’S ANNUAL POSTER CONTEST

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is once again asking kids to channel their creativity and enter this year’s poster contest highlighting the state’s ag industry. The contest, open to all Nebraska students in grades 1-6, is in its 14th year. This year’s theme is “Good Life. Great Roots.”

“The word ‘roots’ has many positive links to agriculture,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “From the nourishing roots of a plant, to defining who we are through our past and into our future, all of us are rooted in some way to agriculture.”

The poster contest is divided into three age categories: first and second grade students; third and fourth grade students; and fifth and sixth grade students. The deadline to submit entries is March 1, 2017.

Since agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry, NDA will announce the winners of the poster contest during National Ag Week, March 19-25, 2017. National Ag Week highlights the diversity of agriculture and celebrates the food, feed and fuel that farmers and ranchers provide every day.

“This contest is a great opportunity for students to be creative and to share what agriculture means to them,” said Ibach. “It’s also gives teachers a chance to talk about where food comes from and the effort, skill and care it take to produce it.”

NDA will feature winning entries on its website and in promotional materials and publications.

Contest rules and official entry forms are available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov/kids. For more information, contact Christin Kamm at (402) 471-6856 or by email at christin.kamm@nebraska.gov.



GREEN TO LEAD NATIONAL UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATION'S FOOD, RESOURCES COMMISSION

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green has been appointed to lead the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities' Commission on Food, Environment and Renewable Resources.

    The commission, known as CFERR, focuses on issues related to agriculture, food, fiber, human sciences, natural resources, oceans, atmosphere, climate and veterinary medicine in the functional areas of research, extension and teaching.

    The group works to formulate and implement an integrated federal-relations program and create congressional budget recommendations in high-priority areas of national concern, as well as forge partnerships with government agencies.

    "I am pleased to be able to provide national leadership in an important area of engagement for land-grant universities," said Green, who served as the university's Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Nebraska system for six years before being named Nebraska's chancellor in April 2016. "It has never been more important, as we seek to sustainably feed and fuel a growing world population while improving the health of our natural resources."

    With a membership of 236 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations, the APLU works to increase degree completion and academic success; advance scientific research; and expand engagement. Every year, APLU member institutions enroll 4.8 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.2 million degrees, employ 1.2 million faculty and staff and conduct $43.2 billion in university-based research.

    Representatives from the association's councils and commissions, six president/chancellor representatives and five elected officers constitute the APLU board. Each representative is elected to a three-year term, with the exception of the officers, who are elected to one-year terms. Green's term ends in 2018.

    "Chancellor Green will chair this commission at a critical time. We face urgent questions surrounding climate change; healthy populations; antibiotic resistance; feeding the world's growing population; developing research, education, and extension and outreach priorities for a new administration and Congress; and much more," said Ian Maw, APLU's vice president for food, agriculture and natural resources. "Chancellor Green is the perfect choice to help guide our nation's colleges of agriculture collective work on these issues."

    In addition to Green, the association's 2017 board of directors includes Teresa Sullivan, University of Virginia; Bernadette Gray-Little, University of Kansas; Robert Caret, University System of Maryland; Michael Drake, Ohio State University; Mildred Garcia, California State University, Fullerton; Jay Akridge, Purdue University; Mark Becker, Georgia State University; Angel Cabrera, George Mason University; Rita Cheng, Northern Arizona University; Waded Cruzado, Montana State University; Andrew Furco, University of Minnesota; David W. Harris, University of New Mexico; Susan Herbst, University of Connecticut; Pradeep Kholsa, University of California, San Diego; Harold Martin, North Carolina A&T; Jack Martin, University of Washington; April Mason, Kansas State University; Sethuraman Panchanathan, Arizona State University; Stacy Rastauskas, Ohio State; Edward Ray, Oregon State University; Lori Reesor, Indiana University; Kevin Rome, Lincoln University; Mark Rosenberg, Florida International University; Kirk Schulz, Washington State University; Satish Tripathi, University at Buffalo, SUNY; Laura Voisinet, Georgia State; and M. Roy Wilson, Wayne State University.



USDA SEEKS DISMISSAL OF PORK. THE OTHER WHITE MEAT LAWSUIT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) against the agency over the sale by NPPC to the National Pork Board of the Pork. The Other White Meat trademarks. National Pork Producers Council sold the trademarks to the Pork Board in 2006 for about $35 million. It financed the purchase over 20 years, making the Pork Board’s annual payment $3 million. The sale was an arms-length transaction with a lengthy negotiation in which both parties were represented by legal counsel, and USDA, which oversees the federal Pork Checkoff program administered by the Pork Board, approved the purchase.

In 2012, HSUS, a lone Iowa farmer and the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement filed suit against USDA, claiming the trademarks were overvalued and seeking to have the sale rescinded. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Circuit dismissed the suit for lack of standing, but a federal appeals court in August 2015 reinstated it, sending the case back to the District Court. But before any proceedings on the merits of the lawsuit, USDA inexplicably entered into settlement talks with HSUS. USDA conducted a valuation of the trademarks, finding their current worth is between $113 million and $132 million. Despite the nearly four-fold increase in value, HSUS decided to continue its lawsuit.

In its a motion for summary judgment filed with U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Circuit, USDA argues that the HSUS lawsuit lacks merit, is barred by the six-year statute of limitations, that the plaintiffs failed to establish standing to file the lawsuit or show that they were harmed by the sale of the Pork. The Other White Meat trademarks and that the agency’s evaluation of the sale of the trademarks showed they provided significant value to the pork industry. 



USFRA Debuts New Communications

At CES, the largest consumer electronics show in the world, U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) introduced a new communications concept, called SMART Farm, aimed at bridging the gap between the acceptance of innovation that's a part of consumers' everyday lives with the science and technology happening on today's farms and ranches.

"Science and technology are embraced by consumers in all aspects of their lives," said Brad Greenway, USFRA chairman and South Dakota crop and pig farmer. "We want to demonstrate that farmers and ranchers are using similar technology to produce food in a way that is good for the soil, air, habitat and water on and around our farms and ranches -- without compromise on cost, quality or taste."

Today's SMART Farms use data and technology to help farmers and ranchers become more efficient, nimble, and more equipped to protect the planet's resources while producing food. While at CES, USFRA and its partners will showcase a few examples of these innovations that, for example, result in better care for animals, fewer trips across the field and more precise application of water and crop inputs like fertilizer and pesticides.

"Media, influencers and consumers all understand the notion of 'smart' as a descriptor for the innovation and technology that helps improve their lives -- the smart phone, the smart home, the smart classroom," said Randy Krotz, USFRA Chief Executive Officer. "Just like every other forward-thinking industry, American agriculture is employing science and technology to help build an ever-improving version of the American farm."

In the coming year, USFRA will incorporate programs and activities, such as 360 videos, infographics, events, speaking opportunities and more, to demonstrate SMART Farming practices.



Roberts Again Tapped to Lead Ag Committee

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has been tapped to lead the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry during the 115th Congress, continuing his efforts to put the concerns of farmers and ranchers first.

"I am humbled to be chosen by the Senate Republican Conference to lead the Agriculture Committee as we head into the 115th Congress," said Roberts. "We just wrapped up a productive two years in the Agriculture Committee, and I look forward to an even busier schedule as we point our focus to completing a new Farm Bill. We're going to take a hard look at what is and isn't working, and we'll start by listening. As I said when I first became Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, we must to listen to farmers and ranchers first. My focus remains the same."

"Times are tough right now in farm country. We have low commodity prices and a tightening credit situation. We have immediate supply and demand challenges to address as well. Farmers and ranchers are asking me what can be done, especially for new and beginning producers just starting their operations. We will see what dials can be turned up or down in the current Farm Bill to provide some relief.

"We will also work with the Trump Administration to roll back regulations that have left those in farm country feel ruled, not governed.

"But we must also look ahead -- way ahead -- to the challenges agriculture faces in feeding the world. Too often the Congress looks in the rear view mirror. We need to look out over the dash at long term problems that we cannot ignore like water management, energy use and production, and the promise of developing agriculture technology."

Republican members of the Senate Agriculture Committee were announced this week. They include:
- Joni Ernst, Iowa
- Chuck Grassley, Iowa
- Thad Cochran, Mississippi
- Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
- John Boozman, Arkansas
- John Hoeven, North Dakota
- Jeff Sessions, Alabama
- John Thune, South Dakota
- Steve Daines, Montana
- David Perdue, Georgia



ASA, Farm Groups Stress Importance of Agricultural Trade with Trump Administration

In a letter to President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence Friday, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and a coalition of 15 other farmer organizations called on the incoming administration to protect and enhance the positive impact of agricultural trade on jobs and growth in rural America. The groups also noted the special importance of trading relationships with China, Canada and Mexico, U.S. farmers’ and ranchers’ first, second and third largest export markets.

“We know that securing positive benefits for American farmers, ranchers, and workers in trade will be a priority in your Administration. This includes enforcing existing agreements so that other countries abide by their commitments, as well as expanding market access for U.S. producers through new agreements. As the Trump Administration assembles its team and policies, U.S. agricultural trade interests must be maintained, not only in existing markets but by expanding access to new markets,” wrote the groups. “Existing markets include China, Canada, and Mexico— U.S. farmers’ first, second, and third largest foreign customers. U.S. agricultural exports in FY-2016 were nearly $27 billion to China, over $24 billion to Canada, and nearly $19 billion to Mexico. Disrupting U.S. agricultural exports to these nations would have devastating consequences for our farmers and the many American processing and transportation industries and workers supported by these exports.”

The groups further highlighted the significant economic contributions and job creation of the U.S. farm sector, as well as the critical nature of expanding overseas markets for American agricultural products.

“Agriculture and agriculture-related industries contributed $835 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2014, a 4.8 percent share. Our industry employs millions of hard working Americans. In 2014, 17.3 million full and part-time jobs were related to agriculture – about 9.3 percent of total U.S. employment. Food manufacturing accounts for 14 percent of all employees – the largest single sector,” wrote the groups in the letter.

“Throughout the campaign, Mr. Trump and Gov. Pence committed to having farmer voices at the table when decisions are made that affect our industry. Nowhere is the potential effect more serious than in our trading relationships and as such we look forward to partnering with the Trump Administration on these issues,” said Illinois soybean and corn farmer Ron Moore, who serves as ASA’s president. “As we noted in the letter, exports account for more than 60 percent of domestic soybean production, as well as over 70 percent of U.S. production of tree nuts and 50 percent of rice and wheat. As go our trading partnerships, so goes the success of our farm economies.”

ASA has committed to engaging with the incoming administration on the important nature of trade, as well as many other issues that impact soybean farmers as it transitions in the coming weeks.



NMPF Joins Farm Groups Touting Benefits of Agricultural Trade in Letter to Incoming Trump Administration

The National Milk Producers Federation today joined 15 other farm organizations in sending a letter to President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Michael Pence highlighting the importance of trade to America’s farmers.

Echoing points made in NMPF’s own letter to the President-elect last month, the producer groups’ Jan. 6 letter stated: “We know that securing positive benefits for American farmers, ranchers, and workers in trade will be a priority in your Administration. This includes enforcing existing agreements so that other countries abide by their commitments, as well as expanding market access for U.S. producers through new agreements. As the Trump Administration assembles its team and policies, U.S. agricultural trade interests must be maintained, not only in existing markets but by expanding access to new markets,” wrote the 16 groups.

NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern noted that farm groups must continue to emphasize that “the health of U.S. agriculture depends on our ability to sell our products outside of the United States. The growth of America’s dairy sector is directly tied to our ability to export. We have a positive trade balance in agriculture, and don’t want to see those hard-earned export markets eroded.”

Mulhern said the U.S. dairy sector exports 14 percent of its milk production, “which last year was worth over $5 billion, in the process generating more than 120,000 jobs in dairy farming, manufacturing and related sectors. Any disruption in exports of dairy and other food products would have devastating consequences for our farmers, and the many American processing and transportation industries and workers supported by these exports.”



LEGISLATION WOULD REPEAL ‘DEATH’ TAX

Legislation to permanently repeal the federal estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes was introduced this week in the House by Mac Thornberry, R-Texas. The estate tax is levied on the net value – less an exemption – of an owner’s assets transferred at death to an heir or heirs.

For the 2016 tax year, the exemptions for the estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes are $5.45 million for an individual and $10.9 million for couples. Transferred estates valued at more than those figures are subject to a maximum tax rate of 40 percent on the amount of assets above those levels. Individuals and couples who give property during their lifetimes also are subject to the top tax rate of 40 percent for “gifts” that exceed the lifetime exemption amounts. But individuals and couples for 2017 may make gifts of up to $14,000 and $28,000, respectively, without reducing their lifetime exemption amounts, which for 2017 are $5.49 million and $10.98 million. (An individual who in 2017 gifts $25,000 to a relative, for example, would reduce his or her lifetime exemption by $11,000 – from $5.49 million to $5.38 million.) The generation-skipping tax applies to gifts and transfers in trust to, or for the benefit of, unrelated persons who are more than 37.5 years younger than the donor or to related persons more than one generation younger than the donor, such as grandchildren. The top tax rate of 40 percent is applied only if such gifts or transfers avoid the gift or estate taxes.



NCBA, PLC Praise Senate Effort to Curb Abuse of Antiquities Act

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council applaud the introduction of the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act, championed by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). The bill, which has 25 co-sponsors, would require congressional and state approval for the designation of any new monument. 

“Executive branch abuse of the Antiquities Act has moved far beyond its original intent, with devastating effects for local economies – particularly in rural areas of the West,” said Tracy Brunner, NCBA president. “It’s unacceptable for any President to have this much unilateral authority over land management decision-making; impacted local communities and the American people deserve a seat at the table as well.”

Under the 1906 Antiquities Act, the President has the power to unilaterally designate national monuments without the consent of Congress, state or local governments, or impacted stakeholders. These designations often come with overreaching and restrictive management provisions in the name of environmental protections. President Obama has taken full advantage of his executive power, using the Antiquities Act more than any other president before him and locking up millions of acres. 

 “Public land ranchers own nearly 120 million acres of private land and manage more than 250 million acres of land under management of the federal government,” said Public Lands Council President Dave Eliason. “These ranchers provide food and fiber for the nation, protect open spaces and critical wildlife habitat, and promote healthy watersheds for the public. Sen. Murkowski’s bill is critical to protecting local input into decisions that can make or break a community.”

NCBA and PLC urge the Senate to pass the Improved National Monument Designation Process Act without delay.