NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 2 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.37 million cattle on feed on January 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 2 percent from last year. Placements during December totaled 450,000 head, up 15 percent from 2015. Fed cattle marketings for the month of December totaled 440,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 600,000 head on January 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from December 1, 2016, but down 3 percent from January 1, 2016. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 500,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month and down 18 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,100,000 head, down 1 percent from last month and down 11 percent from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during December totaled 104,000 head, an increase of 2 percent from last month and up 16 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 39,000 head, down 43 percent from last month and down 61 percent from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 143,000 head, down 16 percent from last month and down 25 percent from last year.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during December totaled 102,000 head, up 2 percent from last month and up 5 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 47,000 head, down 23 percent from last month but up 18 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 149,000 head, down 7 percent from last month but up 9 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 4,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Up Slightly
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on January 1, 2017. The inventory was slightly above January 1, 2016. The inventory included 7.02 million steers and steer calves, down 2 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 66 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 3.58 million head, up 5 percent from 2016.
On Feed: By State (1,000 hd - % of Jan 1, '17)
Colorado .......: 900 103
Iowa .............: 600 97
Kansas ..........: 2,170 104
Nebraska ......: 2,370 98
Texas ............: 2,420 100
Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.80 million head, 18 percent above 2015. Net placements were 1.74 million head. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 435,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 450,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 450,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 460,000 head.
Placements by State: (1,000 hd - % of Dec '16)
Colorado .........: 130 113
Iowa ................: 104 116
Kansas .............: 395 118
Nebraska .........: 450 115
Texas ...............: 375 123
Marketings of fed cattle during December totaled 1.79 million head, 7 percent above 2015. Other disappearance totaled 55,000 head during December, 29 percent below 2015.
Marketings by State: (1,000 hd - % of Dec '16)
Colorado .........: 135 104
Iowa ................: 102 105
Kansas .............: 430 116
Nebraska .........: 440 100
Texas ...............: 375 101
Nebraska Cattlemen Legislative Meeting Held this Week
Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) Board of Directors met in Lincoln for their annual legislative meeting this week. Six NC committee's brought numerous new Nebraska Legislative bills and resolutions to the board's attention.
Under close review, in accordance to NC Policy, the Board of Directors decided positions on each individual bill. Once again tax relief heads up the priorities for the organization.
Nebraska Cattlemen recognizes agricultural property owners pay a disproportionate share of Nebraska's total property tax liability. The Board voted to support and monitor a variety of bills related to tax reform and encourages the Legislature to consider a comprehensive plan that would reform and reduce that burden.
NC recommends a broad legislative package that would include lowering and/or capping agricultural land valuations of real property, increasing and protecting the Property Tax Credit Fund, shifting the current tax burden or modifying existing revenues to bring dollar for dollar property tax reductions, spending restraints and prudent management at all levels of government, and modifications to school funding that reduce the reliance on property tax dollars while still ensuring a high quality education for all Nebraska students.
"Our organization diligently reviewed bills in accordance to NC policy and took a stance on proposed legislation this week on behalf of members throughout the state. I am confident the decisions of Nebraska Cattlemen's Board of Directors will encourage our Legislature to pursue this comprehensive approach to provide meaningful, long term property tax relief for all Nebraskans," said Galen Frenzen, chairman of NC Legislative Committee.
For more information about a specific priority for Nebraska Cattlemen, please call the Nebraska Cattlemen office at 402.475.2333.
Bank stabilization project will provide protection along Elkhorn River
Since the flood of 2010, a unique local partnership has been building to protect northeast Nebraska from future flood events.
At their January meeting, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) board voted 12 to 1 to approve the Interlocal Agreement to move forward with the bank stabilization project that will protect the railroad and Highway 81 from future flood events on the Elkhorn River. The flooding in 2010 caused significant damage, including the collapse of a railroad bridge, which negatively impacted area businesses and industry. A railroad employee was killed when the bridge collapsed into the river.
The bank stabilization project brings together public and private partners, including: the Madison County Railroad Transportation Safety District, Nebraska Central Railroad, Nucor, Vulcraft, Elkhorn Valley Ethanol, Norfolk Iron & Metal, and the LENRD.
Norfolk City Administrator, Shane Weidner, said, “I’m thankful to the LENRD board and all the partners. This has truly been a team effort from our industrial partners, our major industries, the Railroad Transportation Safety District and the LENRD.”
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “This has been a great collaborative effort between Madison County, the City of Norfolk, the industries, and the LENRD. I’m happy the board moved forward with this. It’s going to provide great protection for all of us in Northeast Nebraska. I’m looking forward to getting the contract in place and getting the project built.”
The project has seen a decrease in cost from $2.4 million to the current estimate of $750,000. The LENRD will share $250,000 of the cost as a partner in this project.
In other action, the board elected new officers for 2017.
The board elected Dennis Schultz of Wisner as their new chairman. Mike Krueger of Pierce was voted in as vice-chairman, Mark Hall of Norfolk as secretary, and Bob Huntley of Norfolk as treasurer. Other positions filled were Kurt Janke of Wayne as the voting delegate of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, and Gary Loftis of Craig as the alternate NARD delegate.
Sousek, said, “I’m looking forward to working with the new officers. This gives them a chance to demonstrate their leadership skills as we work through various issues and challenges together.”
The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, February 23rd at 7:30 p.m.
Regarding President Trump Considering 20 percent Tariff on Imports from Mexico
Steve Nelson, President, NE Farm Bureau
“While a 20 percent tariff on imports from Mexico into the U.S. would have limited impact on prices for Nebraska agriculture commodities, the possibility of retaliatory tariffs enacted by Mexico could be devastating to Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and Nebraska’s overall economy.”
“In 2014, Nebraska shipped more than $1 billion in agriculture products to Mexico. Mexico is the 3rd largest consumer of all U.S. agriculture goods, where Mexico is the 2nd largest consumer of U.S. corn, 3rd largest purchaser of U.S. soybeans, and the 4th largest consumer of U.S. beef; all commodities produced in Nebraska.”
“Any disruption of export markets would result in continued downward pressure on farm incomes and farm financial health. Those negative impacts won’t just affect farmers and ranchers but the state as a whole as has been clearly demonstrated by the shortfalls in state revenues resulting from the existing and ongoing downturn in the agriculture economy.”
“Today, the value of agriculture exports account for roughly one-third of farm income, making trade critical to agriculture. Any actions jeopardizing Nebraska’s ability to access international markets is of great concern to our members.”
CONFERENCE TO HIGHLIGHT LATEST AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY
The annual Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association (NeATA) conference will be held Feb. 1-2 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Dr., Lincoln.
The first day of the conference will be a full-day symposium on aerial imagery in agriculture. Six speakers, from both private industry and governmental agencies, will discuss satellite, plane and UAV platforms for capturing imagery, before participating in a panel discussion. Tours of the Food Processing Center and Greenhouse Innovation Center will be offered at the end of the day.
Day two speakers include Nebraska Extension Associate Dean Dave Varner and Jeremy Wilson, technology specialist for Crop IMS. Attendees will also be able to choose from 16 break-out offerings, covering topics including soil management, water management, data management, and machinery and hardware. The closing keynote speaker will be Agrifood innovation expert and data strategy consultant Lisa Prassack. Prassack will discuss assembling the precision agriculture puzzle for farm profit.
The conference begins at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1 and ends at 4 p.m. on Feb. 2.
The registration fee is $200 per person for both days or $125 for one day only. Students may register for $75 per person. There is no registration deadline.
The Nebraska Agricultural Technologies Association is a membership network that provides a venue for members to share agricultural research experiences and knowledge related to current and emerging technologies in agriculture. Membership is not required to attend the conference.
For more information about the conference or to register, visit neata.org or contact Nathan Mueller with Nebraska Extension at 402-727-2775 or Nathan.mueller@unl.edu.
Rep. Bacon Named to Subcommittees for Ag and Small Business
Earlier this week, Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2) was appointed to the General Farm Commodities & Risk Management and Biotechnology, Horticulture & Research Subcommittees for the Agriculture Committee, and will serve on the Agriculture, Energy & Trade Subcommittee and Investigations, Oversight & Regulations Subcommittee for the Small Business Committee for the 115th Congress.
The General Farm Commodities & Risk Management Subcommittee governs policies, statutes, and markets relating to commodities including corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, and wheat, which all are Nebraska products; the Commodity Credit Corporation; risk management policies and statutes, including Federal Crop Insurance; as well as producer data and privacy issues. The Biotechnology, Horticulture & Research Subcommittee has jurisdiction over policies, statutes, and markets relating to horticulture, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and ornamentals; bees; and organic agriculture; policies and statutes relating to marketing and promotion orders; pest and disease management; bioterrorism; adulteration and quarantine matters; research, education, and extension; and biotechnology.
“The state’s largest industry is agriculture, including the large agriculture processing and commodity industry in Omaha, which is why the Farm Bill is a critical piece of legislation,” said Congressman Bacon. “I will also work to ensure affordable crop insurance so our ag producers can be assured they will be able to stay competitive and have the financial security to stay in business. Our state is also a leader in biotechnology and agriculture research and I look forward to working on these issues on the subcommittee.”
The Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade addresses policies that enhance rural economic growth, increasing America’s energy independence and ensuring that America’s small businesses can compete effectively in a global marketplace. The Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations will examine the efficient operation of government programs that affect small businesses, including the SBA, and develop proposals to make them operate in a more cost-effective manner. This Subcommittee also reviews the regulatory burdens imposed on small businesses and how those burdens may be alleviated.
“Serving on these two sub-committees will enable me to address excessive red-tape that stifles economic development and growth for small businesses. Once we get the bureaucrats out the way, our small business community can grow,” added Congressman Bacon. “Further, I look forward to meeting with our Nebraska businesses, farmers, ranchers, and producers to find ways to empower them through my representation on these committees.”
NCTA tuition to be same for all students
Starting this fall, tuition rates at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture will be alike for resident and non-resident students.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the same-rate tuition plan on Friday at a meeting in Lincoln.
“This is excellent news for NCTA in providing a low-cost affordable education for all students, particularly those who are residents of nearby states to Nebraska, and who are seeking a customized agriculture in a two-year degree program,” said Ron Rosati, NCTA dean.
NCTA had proposed the equal rate of $121 per credit hour to assist in recruiting students to the Curtis campus for all of its technical programs, but particularly for academic degrees and certificates in specialized workforce development.
The all-agriculture college is targeting many agricultural professions and notes some newer areas where industry demand was a driving force in creating degrees, certificates or transfer programs for irrigation technology, welding, agricultural education and next fall dairy production.
“While there is strong competition for our graduates of agriculture and veterinary technology experiential learning, NCTA strives to be responsive to all of industry through the many unique courses and programs we can offer here at Curtis, along with partnerships we share with other educational institutions,” Rosati said. “Nonresident students will increase the number of graduates available to Nebraska industries.”
Academic agreements with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln include an A to B transfer program for associate to bachelor’s degrees. A partnership has recently been announced with South Dakota State University in dairy production.
The college is fully accredited, and has received national rankings such as a Top 2% College by WalletHub, Top 15% by the Aspen Institute, and Top 50 of colleges offering Applied Associate of Science degrees by Community College Week.
“NCTA is an outstanding institution not just because of its nationally ranked academic programs but because it is also a cost-effective college option for Nebraska residents,” Rosati said. “An analysis of three years of financial aid record shows that more than 90 percent of Nebraska residents attending NCTA received financial aid and the average grant and scholarship component of the financial aid award exceeded the cost of tuition and fees by $700 per year.”
The tuition rate of $121 per credit hour is subject to change by Board of Regents action.
IOWA SUPREME COURT ISSUES RULING IN DES MOINES WATER WORKS CASE
In a case with potential implications for other farm states, the Iowa Supreme Court Friday ruled that state law immunizes county drainage districts from legal claims sought by the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW), another government entity. The drainage districts were instituted in Iowa to allow wetlands to be turned into productive farmland by moving water off of fields.
DMWW, which provides drinking water to about half a million people, sued the drainage districts of Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac counties, claiming they allowed nitrates from agricultural lands to get into the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers. DMWW is required to meet certain federal water-quality standards, including a maximum level of nitrates.
Relying on 100 years of Iowa law, the state high court ruled that the drainage districts have “a limited, targeted role – to facilitate the drainage of farmland in order to make it more productive” – and are, therefore, immune from damages claims and from injunctive relief claims other than ones to compel it to perform a statutory duty.
The court’s decision, however, did not deal with claims DMWW has brought under the federal Clean Water Act or the state’s water pollution control law. Those are being considered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.
Iowa Supreme Court ruling on Des Moines Water Works Lawsuit
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued the following statement regarding the Iowa Supreme Court ruling on four certified questions of law that the Court received from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa that is hearing the full case. The full Supreme Court decision can be found at http://www.iowacourts.gov/About_the_Courts/Supreme_Court/Supreme_Court_Opinions/Recent_Opinions/20170127/index.asp.
“This decision is a significant loss for Des Moines Water Works. Their failed strategy seeks to circumvent well-established Iowa law with more than 100 years of precedent. Unfortunately, it has already cost Des Moines Water Works ratepayers more than $1 million dollars on lawyer fees that could be better spent improving their infrastructure and serving their customers. While Iowans have continued to take on the challenge of improving water quality and investing in additional conservation practices, the lawsuit has been a needless distraction from our collaborative, research-based approach that is working with Iowans in rural and urban areas across the state to improve water quality.”
Iowa Supreme Court decision puts momentum behind making real progress in improving water quality
Iowa Soybean Association President Rolland Schnell issued the following statement regarding today’s decision rendered by the Iowa Supreme Court prohibiting Des Moines Water Works from seeking damages from drainage districts in three northwest Iowa counties.
“Today’s Iowa Supreme Court decision rejecting key claims in the Des Moines Water Works’ lawsuit bodes well for those serious about improving water quality in Iowa.
“As predicted, the litigation advanced by Des Moines Water Works has diverted critical time and money from strategies and practices proven to have a positive impact on water quality. It has divided Iowans, reflected poorly on our state and done nothing to make Iowa’s water cleaner.
“Water quality improvement in Iowa is warranted. Today’s decision by the court provides momentum in the appropriate direction. It renews hope that the Federal District judge will dismiss the case and Des Moines Water Works will abandon its expensive and divisive litigation. It also renews optimism that the utility will re-engage in a cooperative approach with rural Iowa to make real and long-lasting improvements in water quality.
“Iowa soybean farmers remain focused on advancing real solutions to better water. They include watershed planning, reducing tillage, increasing cover crop plantings and targeting installation of conservation practices where they have the most impact on the quality of our rivers, lakes and streams.
“These efforts, advanced by the Iowa Soybean Association, farmers and landowners, and are generating results:
- Cover crop use will likely grow to 750,000 acres this year, an increase from about 500,000 acres in 2015 and approximately 10,000 acres in 2010;
- Iowa Soybean Association tile water monitoring conducted last year documented a 29 percent nitrate concentration reduction in fields with cover crops;
- Iowa Soybean Association monitoring of bioreactors has shown a 20-50 percent reduction in nitrate concentration; we are increasing the number of bioreactors deployed statewide as well as the installation of saturated buffers.
“Data-driven, science-based solutions are key to achieving water quality improvements. We’ve just begun this important, collaborative work, are energized about the results achieved and the role Iowa soybean farmers will play in deploying more conservation practices on more acres.”
IFBF pleased with Iowa Supreme Court ruling on the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) members are pleased that the Iowa Supreme Court is upholding a century of precedent and established Iowa law by rejecting those aspects of the Des Moines Water Works’ lawsuit against drainage districts in Sac, Calhoun and Buena Vista counties, which were referred to the court.
“The lawsuit has done nothing to improve water quality and has impeded that conservation progress. Iowa farmers are taking on the challenge of improving water quality, but the challenge is bigger than farmers. That’s why farmers partnered, prior to the lawsuit, in key areas of the state to improve water quality. That work will and must continue. The best solution moving forward is to embrace collaborative efforts and practices designed and measured by ISU researchers which will sustain the land and water for all Iowans," says IFBF President Craig Hill.
The ruling today means northwest Iowa drainage districts, farmers and rural citizens will not be held liable for damages from rainfall and a number of other factors, which can impact their naturally fertile land. “With one in five jobs directly tied to agriculture, rural Iowa has much at stake with this lawsuit, which from the beginning, had the potential to impact not just every farmer in Iowa, but agriculture throughout the United States,” says Hill.
Progress in water quality is measurable; over the past 20 years, Iowa farmers have nearly doubled the acres of conservation tillage and Iowa leads the nation in areas devoted to grass filters and buffer strips, which help catch nutrients and protect rivers and streams from runoff. Last fall Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced that 1,800 Iowa farmers committed $3.8 million in cost share funds to install nutrient reduction practices and Iowa continues to see increases in the adoption of practices, such as cover crops and bioreactors.
IFBF hopes the Federal District Court will dismiss the remaining aspects of the case, and collaborative work to improve water quality and fund those continued efforts can be the unified focus of all Iowans, moving forward.
IOWA SUPREME COURT OPINION IN THE DES MOINES WATERWORKS LAWSUIT
Kurt Hora, Iowa Corn Growers Assoc
The Iowa Supreme Court answered four legal questions posed by the Federal District Court in the Des Moines Waterworks Lawsuit today. The opinion stated that Iowa law has provided immunity to drainage districts for over a century, especially as it relates to another public entity, the Des Moines Water Works.
The lawsuit was brought against the drainage districts in Sac, Calhoun and Buena Vista counties in Northwest Iowa accusing them of contributing nitrates into the Raccoon River.
Iowa’s rural communities and farm families are used to rallying together to face tough challenges. Lawsuits and finger pointing are not the way we as Iowans come together. We as farmers, want the safest, best quality water for Iowa. The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and our farmer-members will continue to use cooperation and collaboration in proactively solving our water quality issues.
The lawsuit is not yet over. While this is an important step in the lawsuit, it means good news for farmers. The legal issues in this lawsuit could restrict our ability to farm, both practically and economically. A favorable outcome in the lawsuit will allow us to continue to try new ways of improving soil and water conservation.
In answering the questions posed by the Federal Court, the Iowa Supreme Court said that “drainage districts have a limited targeted role – to facilitate the drainage of farmland in order to make it more productive. Accordingly, Iowa law has immunized drainage districts from damage claims for over a century. The immunity was reaffirmed unanimously by the Iowa Supreme Court four years ago.” (Page 3)
This opinion will then go back to the Federal Court to make a ruling on the remaining ten counts brought on by the Des Moines Water Works. Iowa Corn Growers Association will continue to invest and support both public and private partnerships to accelerate the adoption of water quality practices outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy as developed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Iowa State University.
Landowner Wins Case against Army Corps
Earlier this week, landowners scored a victory when a federal district court ruled against the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for incorrectly claiming jurisdiction over private property. The Corps had claimed a piece of property owned by Hawkes Company, and used by Hawkes to harvest peat, was a “waters of the United States” which requires a federal dredge and fill (404) permit under the Clean Water Act.
In March 2016, NCBA filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to support Hawkes’ private property rights and argue that jurisdictional determinations should be reviewable by courts. In a resounding victory, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of Hawkes, setting a precedent that landowners may challenge the Corps’ jurisdictional determinations. The case was then remanded back to the district court for a final decision on the facts, which found the Corps failed to prove that a WOTUS was present on Hawkes’ land.
“This week’s district court decision is the cherry on top of a significant legal victory for landowners,” said Scott Yager, NCBA environmental counsel. “This case highlights the subjectivity of how the agencies determine the presence of a WOTUS. It also gives landowners the option to use the courts for impartial review when confronted with questionable WOTUS determinations. Before Hawkes, the Corps had a rubber stamp on WOTUS determinations.”
The Hawkes case involved three companies engaged in mining peat in Minnesota. Due to the difficulty inherent in determining the need for a 404 permit, the Corps allows property owners to obtain a jurisdictional determination if a particular piece of property contains a WOTUS and therefore requires a 404 permit before using the land. Upon receiving an approved jurisdictional determination that their land did contain a WOTUS, the companies exhausted the administrative remedies available and then filed suit in Federal District Court challenging the Corps’ jurisdictional determination.
“Not only is the Hawkes decision a significant victory itself, it adds to the momentum of getting the flawed WOTUS rule fixed” said Yager. “NCBA is litigating the WOTUS rule, lobbying Congress, and working closely with the new administration to roll back this flawed rule.”
Major Research Development to Help Honey Bees
A new honey bee testing service announced this week will allow beekeepers to more effectively identify and address diseases plaguing bee colonies, according to the National Agricultural Genotyping Center (NAGC).
NAGC conducted the research and developed the testing panel with the support of the National Corn Growers Association and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. The testing service called “Bee Care” will launch in February 2017.
“It’s the first time we have a panel of the most common honey bee diseases in North America all in one test,” said Pete Snyder, president and CEO of the NAGC. “So we can diagnose problems, get results in 30 days and allow beekeepers to pursue the right treatment.”
NAGC has begun contacting beekeeper groups nationwide with information on the BeeCare testing service and how to submit samples for testing.
“Supporting this research work at the NAGC is just part of Corn Growers overall effort to assure healthy bee populations. BeeCare is an important tool that will allow beekeepers to evaluate and address health issues in a timely manner,” said Carson Klosterman, a farmer from Wyndmere, North Dakota and member of NCGA’s Stewardship Action Team. “We are also actively engaged in the Honey Bee Health Coalition (HBHC) which has the goal of reversing recent declines in honey bee health and ensuring the long-term health of honey bees and other pollinators.”
HBHC, comprised of beekeepers, researchers, government agencies, agribusinesses, growers, conservation groups, manufacturers and consumer brands, seeks to improve and sustain honey bee health at all levels of beekeeping, identifying and implementing novel and proven solutions to major honey bee health challenges, enhancing effective communications, and collaboration among diverse private and public sector stakeholders with interests related to beekeeping, pollination, and agriculture production.
The BeeCare disease panel has been validated through test samples from Central North Dakota and Eastern Missouri. It includes testing for:
- Acute Bee Paralysis Virus
- Black Queen Cell Virus
- Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus
- Deformed Wing Virus
- Israeli Acute Bee Paralysis Virus
- Kashmir Bee Virus
- Lake Sinai Virus #1
- Lake Sinai Virus #2
- Slow Bee Paralysis Virus
- American Foulbrood Bacteria
- European Foulbrood Bacteria
“American agriculture relies upon healthy pollinators. Recent problems like Colony Collapse Disorder are very complex and have a multitude of possible causes. Unfortunately, some groups are quick to blame row crop farmers and immediately attack crop protection products,” Snyder said
TRUMP REGULATORY FREEZE PUTS HOLD ON ‘GIPSA,’ ORGANIC LIVESTOCK RULES
Shortly after he was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump issued an order freezing federal regulations still in the rulemaking process and delaying for 60 days beyond their effective date those that recently took effect. Among the regulations put on hold are two of particular concern to the National Pork Producers Council: the Farm Fair Practices Rules and the organic livestock and poultry rule. NPPC wants the rules, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to be rescinded.
One of the regulations in the Farm Fair Practices Rules – also known as the GIPSA Rule (after USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration) – would broaden the scope of the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) of 1921 related to the use of “unfair, unjustly discriminatory or deceptive practices” and “undue or unreasonable preferences or advantages.” Specifically, it would deem such actions inherent violations of federal law even if they didn’t harm competition or cause competitive injury, prerequisites for winning PSA cases. NPPC and other livestock groups are concerned that the regulation would restrict the buying and selling of livestock, lead to consolidation of the livestock industry and increase consumer prices for meat. It was set to take effect Feb. 21.
The organic rule adds animal welfare standards to the nation’s organic food production law. It would strictly dictate how organic producers must raise livestock and poultry, including during transport and slaughter, and specify, without scientific justification, which common practices are allowed and prohibited in organic livestock and poultry production, thereby eliminating producers’ discretion to make sound decisions about animal care. It also would establish unreasonable indoor and outdoor space requirements for animals. NPPC, which in July submitted comments in opposition to the regulation, said the welfare standards are not based on science and are outside the scope of the organic food production law, which limits consideration of livestock as organic to feeding and medication practices. Additionally, the organization pointed out, animal welfare is not unique to organic production. Some of the standards even could jeopardize animal and public health, said NPPC in its comments to USDA. The provision on outdoor access, for example, is in conflict with best management practices to prevent swine diseases that pose a threat to animal and human health. The regulation was set to take effect March 20.
‘WOTUS’ LAWSUIT PUT ON HOLD WHILE SUPREME COURT DECIDES JURISDICTION
The U.S. Court of Appeal for the 6th Circuit in Cincinnati this week granted a motion from the National Pork Producers Council and dozens of other agricultural organizations, businesses and municipalities to hold in abeyance its decision on a lawsuit against a Clean Water Act regulation until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a jurisdictional issue related to the case. The high court last week agreed to consider whether jurisdiction rests with the federal district or appellate courts to hear the lawsuit over the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.
The regulation, which took effect Aug. 28, 2015, was proposed in April 2014 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the agencies’ authority over various waters. That jurisdiction – based on several Supreme Court decisions – had included “navigable” waters and waters with a significant hydrologic connection to navigable waters. But the WOTUS rule broadened that to include, among other water bodies, upstream waters and intermittent and ephemeral streams such as the kind farmers use for drainage and irrigation. It also covered lands adjacent to such waters.
The 6th Circuit in October 2015 issued a stay on implementation of the regulation pending disposition of numerous lawsuits filed in U.S. district courts around the country. Last year, the appeals court consolidated the suits under its jurisdiction. NPPC and other groups in November submitted briefs to the 6th Circuit, arguing that the agencies promulgated the WOTUS rule without following federal rulemaking procedures, the regulation is arbitrary and capricious or contrary to law and the agencies exceeded their authority under the Clean Water Act and the U.S. Constitution. (With just days left in the administration, the Obama EPA filed its brief in defense of the rule with the 6th Circuit.)
The groups also argued that EPA and the Corps of Engineers failed to reopen the public comment period after making fundamental changes to the proposed rule and withheld until after the comment period closed the scientific report on which the rule rested. The agencies also refused to conduct required economic and environmental analyses, engaged in a propaganda campaign to promote the regulation and to rebuke its critics and illegally lobbied against congressional efforts to stop implementation of the rule.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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