Thursday January 12 Ag News

NEBRASKA ANNUAL CROP PRODUCTION SUMMARY

Corn for grain production in Nebraska, based on year-end surveys, is a new record high of 1.70 billion bushels, up slightly from 2015, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Yield of 178 bushels per acre is down 7 bushels from last year. Farmers harvested 9.55 million acres of corn for grain up 4 percent from 2015.

Soybean production for 2016 is a new record high of 314 million bushels, up 3 percent from 2015. Yield, a new record high of 61.0 bushels per acre, is up 3 bushels from a year earlier. Area for harvest, at 5.15 million acres, is down 2 percent from 2015.

Sorghum for grain production in 2016 is estimated at 17.9 million bushels, down 23 percent from 2015. Yield, at 102 bushels per acre, is up 6 bushels from a year earlier. Area harvested for grain, at 175 thousand acres, is down 27 percent from 2015.

Alfalfa production, at 3.11 million tons, is down 8 percent from a year earlier. The average yield, a new record high of 4.15 tons per acre, is up 0.2 tons per acre from 2015. Area harvested for dry hay, at 750thousand acres, is down 12 percent from 2015. Seedings of alfalfa during 2016 totaled
110 thousand acres, down 30 thousand acres from the year earlier. All other hay production, at 2.64 million tons, is down 11 percent from last year. The average yield, at 1.55 tons per acre, is down 0.05 tons per acre from last year. Area harvested of other dry hay is 1.70 million acres, down 8 percent from 2015. Total forage production from alfalfa and other hay was 5.88 million tons in 2016, down 9 percent from a year earlier.



IOWA ANNUAL CROP PRODUCTION SUMMARY

Corn for grain production in Iowa for 2016 is estimated at 2.74 billion bushels, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Production 2016 Summary report. This record high production is 9 percent above the previous record of 2.51 billion bushels set in 2015. Iowa has led the Nation in corn production for the last 23 consecutive years and 38 of the last 39 years. Iowa's corn for grain yield is estimated at 203 bushels per acre. This is the first time Iowa’s average corn for grain yield has been over 200 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain is estimated at 13.5 million acres, equal to the November 1 forecast but 450,000 acres above 2015. Corn planted for all purposes in 2016 is estimated at 13.9 million acres, equal to the November 1 estimate and the most planted acres since 2012.

Corn for silage production is estimated at 7.92 million tons, down 3 percent from 2015. The silage yield estimate of 24.0 tons per acre tied the record high, set in 2015. Producers harvested 330,000 acres of corn for silage, down 10,000 acres from 2015.

Soybean production is estimated at 572 million bushels in 2016. This is a record high production, topping the previous record of 554 million bushels set in 2015 by 3 percent. The Iowa soybean crop yielded 60.5 bushels per acre in 2016. This yield is also a new record high, 7 percent above the previous record of 56.5 bushels per acre set in 2015. The harvested acreage of 9.45 million is down 50,000 acres from the November 1 estimate, and 350,000 acres below 2015. Soybean planted acreage, at 9.50 million, is down 50,000 acres from November 1, and 350,000 acres below 2015.

All hay production for the state is estimated at 3.21 million tons, down 19 percent from the 3.94 million tons produced in 2015. Producers averaged 3.53 tons per acre, up from 3.40 tons in 2015. All hay harvested acres are estimated at 910,000, down 250,000 acres from 2015.

Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures production is estimated at 2.31 million tons, down 23 percent from 2015. Producers averaged 4.2 tons per acre, up 0.3 tons from 2015. This ties the record high yield previously set in 2004. Harvested acres are down 220,000 from last year, to 550,000. Iowa producers seeded 80,000 acres of alfalfa in 2016, down 10,000 acres from 2015.

Other hay production is estimated at 900,000 tons, down 4 percent from 2015. Producers averaged 2.5 tons per acre, 0.1 ton per acre above the 2015 yield. Harvested acres of other hay, at 360,000, are 8 percent below 2015.



NEBRASKA DECEMBER 1, 2016 GRAIN AND HAY STOCKS

Nebraska corn stocks in all positions on December 1, 2016 totaled 1.43 billion bushels, up 3 percent from 2015, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 870 million bushels are stored on farms, up 6 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 555 million bushels, are down 2 percent from last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions totaled 233 million bushels, up 9 percent from last year and a record high. On-farm stocks of 84.0 million bushels are 20 percent above last year, and off-farm stocks, at 149 million bushels, are up 3 percent from 2015 and a record high.

Wheat stored in all positions totaled 81.3 million bushels, up 56 percent from a year ago and a record high. On-farm stocks of 7.50 million bushels are up 47 percent from last year, and off-farm stocks of 73.8 million bushels are up 57 percent from last year and a record high.

Sorghum stored in all positions totaled 14.9 million bushels, down 4 percent from 2015. On-farm stocks of 2.20 million are down 39 percent. Off-farm holdings of 12.7 million are up 6 percent from last year.

Oats on-farm stocks totaled 780,000 bushels, down 26 percent from 2015.

Hay stocks on Nebraska farms totaled 4.60 million tons, down 10 percent from last year.

Grain storage capacity totaled 2.10 billion bushels, up 8 million from last year. The total is comprised of 1.18 billion bushels of on-farm storage, unchanged from last year, and 923 million bushels of off-farm storage, up 8 million bushels from last year.



IOWA DECEMBER 1, 2016 GRAIN AND HAY STOCKS

Iowa corn stocks in all positions on December 1, 2016, totaled 2.41 billion bushels, up 10 percent from December 1, 2015, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. This is the highest total corn stocks on record, surpassing the previous record set in 1988. Of the total stocks, 61 percent were stored on-farm. The September 2016 - November 2016 indicated disappearance totaled 753 million bushels, 9 percent above the 689 million bushels from the same period last year.

Iowa soybeans stored in all positions on December 1, 2016, totaled 458 million bushels, slightly above the 456 million bushels on hand December 1, 2015. Of the total stocks, 40 percent were stored on-farm. Indicated disappearance for September 2016 - November 2016 is 151 million bushels, 11 percent more than the 135 million bushels from the same quarter last year.

Iowa oats stocks stored on-farm on December 1, 2016, totaled 1.30 million bushels, down 19 percent from December 1, 2015.

Dry hay stored on Iowa farms as of December 1, 2016, is estimated at 2.65 million tons, a decrease of 19 percent from December 1, 2015, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Disappearance from May 1, 2016, through December 1, 2016, totaled 1.18 million tons, compared with 1.36 million tons for the same period in 2015.

Iowa on-farm storage capacity on December 1, 2016, was 2.00 billion bushels, unchanged from December 1, 2015, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. Iowa’s 890 off-farm storage facilities have a storage capacity of 1.43 billion bushels, unchanged from the previous year. As of December 1, 2016, Iowa had a total of 3.43 billion bushels of storage capacity, the largest total storage capacity of any State.



NEBRASKA WINTER WHEAT SEEDINGS

Winter wheat seeded area for harvest in 2017 is estimated at 1.09 million acres, down from last year’s seeded area of 1.37 million acres, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. If realized this would be a new record low, below the 1.37 million acres planted for harvest in 2012 and 2016.



Fischer, Ernst Introduce Senate Resolution Against “WOTUS”

Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), both members of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, introduced a resolution that expresses the need to vacate the Obama administration’s “Waters of the United States” or WOTUS rule. The resolution signifies the senators’ intent to continue working to roll back the harmful rule once the new administration takes office.

“We all want clean air and clean water, but the federal overreach we saw with the WOTUS rule was completely unprecedented,” said Senator Fischer. “This rule would hurt all Nebraskans: families, communities, ag producers, and businesses. This resolution signifies our intent to quickly get to work to stop WOTUS in its tracks once the new administration takes office.”

“I’ve heard from farmers, manufacturers, and small business owners across the state of Iowa about the confusion and burdensome red-tape the expanded WOTUS rule creates, and the urgency for it to be scrapped immediately,” said Senator Ernst. “That’s why I led an effort in 2015 to disapprove this rule. It is imperative we relieve hard-working Americans from this power grab, and allow Iowans to care for their land without the heavy hand of the EPA determining their every move. Today’s action reaffirms that Iowans’ voice will be heard in Washington and stresses the need to protect our rural communities from this federal overreach.”

The senators’ resolution expresses a sense of the Senate that the final rule expanding the definition of WOTUS must be withdrawn or vacated. It also recognizes that the Clean Water Act (CWA) is critical to protecting water resources, but the final WOTUS rule goes too far, blatantly violating the original intent of the CWA.

In October 2015, the Sixth Circuit federal court of appeals issued a stay immediately blocking the implementation of WOTUS nationwide. The ruling demonstrates the dubious legality of the rule and further underscores the need for the rule to be withdrawn.



Regarding Governor Ricketts State of the State Address
Comments by Steve Nelson, President, NE Farm Bureau

"Today, as part of his state of the state address, Governor Ricketts outlined his ideas for providing property tax relief to Nebraskans. While we appreciate his continued interest in property taxes and willingness to bring ideas to the table, including his proposal related to agricultural land valuation, the actions outlined today fall short of moving Nebraska toward overdue tax reform that reduces Nebraska’s over-reliance on property taxes to fund government services.”

 “The Nebraska Farm Bureau has made it clear to the Governor and others that smaller, band-aid solutions, that provide minimal property tax relief, are not the solution to the property tax problem. As I’ve said on numerous occasions, property taxes account for 48 percent of the total combined collections of property, state sales, and state income taxes, while sales tax accounts for only 19 percent of the burden. Nebraska Farm Bureau’s solution to the property tax problem is not increased taxes and spending. It is revenue neutral tax reform, where Nebraska’s tax policy better balances the tax burden among these three tax sources.”

 “I understand politics, but I also understand good public policy. Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Governor agree we should not raise taxes, which is why we have proposed a revenue neutral approach of broadening the sales tax base to secure equal dollar-for-dollar reductions in property taxes for all property owners as a way to balance the tax burden. It is important to remind everyone that politics as usual is what has led Nebraska homeowners, businesses, and farmers to pay the seventh highest property tax rate in the nation.”

“It’s time for major solutions. It’s critical the Legislature and Governor Ricketts demonstrate to the vast majority of Nebraskans who want property tax reform that they’ve not only heard the message, but are willing to show leadership to act on property tax reform to make Nebraska a better place for Nebraska families to live and grow their businesses. Far too many elected officials have promised to fix our state’s flawed tax structure that places a disproportionate burden on property taxpayers when campaigning, only to turn their backs on the issue once in office.”

“We look forward to continuing the dialogue with the Governor, the Legislature, and others as we work to secure tax reform for Nebraska’s property taxpayers.”



POESCHL URGES ALL TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN FEEDING THE WORLD

 In the next 50 years, the world needs to double the amount of food it produces in order to feed a growing population. That responsibility doesn't lie only with farmers and scientists, but with everyone, according to Mark Poeschl, chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation.

"If there's a blemish on an apple, accept it," Poeschl said. "The amount of food that is wasted on a daily basis because it isn't perfect is staggering."

Society demanding "perfect food" was just one of the topics discussed when Poeschl presented his thoughts on sustainably feeding the world during a Heuermann Lecture Jan. 10 at Nebraska Innovation Campus. He also talked about challenges with water conservation, land availability, infrastructure and deploying innovation.

According to Poeschl, the amount of food wasted in the world today is enough to feed 3.2 billion people.

"There's 1 billion people in the world that are malnourished today …," he said. "Maybe one solution is to get on the bandwagon and figure out how to address food waste."

Water conservation is another issue that needs to be addressed to feed 9 billion people by 2050. Poeschl, who said he believes wars will be fought over water in his lifetime, commended the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska for its work in this area.

"I want to tip my hat to the university for the work that's being done globally to understand our resources, how we can utilize water more effectively for crop production and how we can be more conservative in the nature that we use water," he said.

Poeschl also discussed the challenges of land availability and infrastructure. While there are huge sections of land available in Africa for agricultural production, the equipment, fertility, seeds to grow in those environments and education are missing. One of Poeschl's priorities as CEO of the National FFA Organization is to recruit and retain more agriculture instructors, something he views as a priority for the viability of FFA and sustainably feeding the world.

Even if more land in Africa is developed for agriculture, transporting food can be difficult.

  "Roads are critical," Poeschl said. "The inadequacy of getting food from point A to point B in developing countries is a huge hurdle."

Poeschl said he believes innovation and technology will play a huge role in solving these issues. He credits STEM education with furthering these developments. Genetically modified organisms often come up in a controversial way in discussions about innovation but that doesn't sway Poeschl from starting a conversation about them.

"Genetically modified organisms are one of the most misunderstood developments in agriculture," Poeschl said. "If we don't deploy technologies like GMOs, then we can't feed everybody."

A dialogue about these technologies and other difficult topics such as food waste, water conservation, land availability and infrastructure needs to happen, Poeschl said.

"We need to talk to people who may not agree with us, and we need to be willing to have critical dissemination of information to figure out how to feed everyone," he said.

Poeschl, a native of Mead, is responsible for the operations and long-term success of the National FFA. Together with the board of directors and the board of trustees, he assures FFA's relevance and service to agriculture and agricultural education. Prior to this role, he was vice president and group director, stakeholder engagement, at Cargill Animal Nutrition. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Nebraska in 1983.

"FFA is the best in the world at leadership development, and we do that so we can create a talent pipeline for the industry of agriculture to help us address the issues that we're facing to feed everyone," Poeschl said.

Heuermann Lectures in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are possible through a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips. The Heuermanns are longtime university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people. Lectures are streamed live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and air live on campus channel 4. They are archived after the event and later air on NET2 World.



USDA Releases New Report on Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Balance of Ethanol

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the release of a report studying the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of corn ethanol. The report, A Life-Cycle Analysis of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Corn-Based Ethanol, finds that GHG emissions associated with corn-based ethanol in the United States are about 43 percent lower than gasoline when measured on an energy equivalent basis. Unlike other studies of GHG benefits, which relied on forecasts of future ethanol production systems and expected impacts on the farm sector, this study reviewed how the industry and farm sectors performed over the past decade to assess the current GHG profile of corn-based ethanol.

"This report provides evidence that corn ethanol can be a GHG-friendly alternative to fossil fuels, while boosting farm economies" said Vilsack.

This report found greater lifecycle GHG benefits from corn ethanol than a number of earlier studies, driven by a variety of improvements in ethanol production, from the corn field to the ethanol refinery. Farmers are producing corn more efficiently and using conservation practices that reduce GHG emissions, including reduced tillage, cover crops and improved nitrogen management. Corn yields are also improving—between 2005 and 2015, U.S. corn yields increased by more than 10 percent.

Between 2005 and 2015, ethanol production in the U.S. also increased significantly—from 3.9 to 14.8 billion gallons per year. At the same time, advances in ethanol production technologies, such as the use of combined heat and power, using landfill gas for energy, and co-producing biodiesel helped reduce GHG emissions at ethanol refinery plants.

By 2022, given current trends, the GHG profile of corn-based ethanol is expected to be almost 50 percent lower than gasoline primarily due to improvements in corn yields, process fuel switching, and transportation efficiency.

The report also examines a range of factors that could enhance the GHG benefits of corn ethanol production and provides estimates of how those factors change ethanol's lifecycle GHG emissions. For example, the report examined the benefits of improving the efficiency of ethanol refinery plants and adoption of additional conservation practices on corn-producing farms. In a scenario where these improvements and practices are universally adopted, the GHG benefits of corn ethanol are even more pronounced over gasoline, about a 76 percent reduction.

There are several reasons this report found greater lifecycle GHG benefits from corn ethanol than a number of earlier studies. Previous estimates anticipated that growing corn to produce ethanol would result in "indirect land use change"—in other words, land would be converted from grasslands and forests to commodity production as a result of increased demand for corn used in ethanol production. But based on new data and research, there is compelling evidence that while land use changes have occurred, the actual patterns of changes and innovation within the farm sector have resulted in these indirect emissions being much lower than previously projected.

Recent studies of international agricultural land use trends show that that the primary land use change response of the world's farmers from 2004 to 2012 has been to use available land resources more efficiently rather than to expand the amount of land used for farming. Instead of converting new land to production, farmers in Brazil, India and China have increased double cropping, expanded irrigation, reduced unharvested planted area, reduced fallow land and reduced temporary pasture. Much of the international attention on supply of corn for ethanol has focused on Brazil, where earlier estimates anticipated conversion of rainforests to commodity production. But between 2004 and 2012, at the same time U.S. corn ethanol production increased more than 200 percent, deforestation in Brazil's Amazon decreased from 10,200 to 2,400 square miles per year.

The report also demonstrates the added GHG benefits of on-farm conservation practices like reduced tillage, nitrogen stewardship, and cover crops—the same practices outlined in USDA's Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry strategy, which aims to reduce GHG emissions by over 120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2025.

Continuing to support adoption of these practices on farms will further reduce GHG emissions associated with agriculture—as well as benefiting the positive trends in lifecycle GHG balance of corn-based ethanol.



USDA Analysis: Ethanol Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Corn ethanol achieves a 43 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared to the 2005 baseline for gasoline, according to a new analysis released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Based on current trends in crop production and ethanol production efficiency, the study projected that by 2022, corn-based ethanol will achieve a 50 percent reduction in GHG emissions compared to the gasoline baseline. The study was conducted by ICF International.

Today’s announcement reaffirms the importance of ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard, said National Corn Growers Association President Wesley Spurlock, a farmer from Stratford, Texas.

“Ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard are a true American success story. Corn farmers and ethanol producers are using less energy than ever before to produce cost-effective, clean and renewable fuel for consumers across the country and around the world. Today, USDA has reaffirmed what we already know: ethanol does more than just save consumers money at the gas pump, it’s also better for the environment.”

The report also demonstrates the added GHG benefits of on-farm conservation practices including reduced tillage, nitrogen stewardship and cover crops—the same practices promoted by NCGA’s Soil Health Partnership.



Corn Ethanol Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 43 Percent Compared to Conventional Gasoline Says USDA Lifecycle Analysis

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a peer reviewed report examining the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from corn-based ethanol. The report found that corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent compared to conventional gasoline today, would further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2022, and has the potential to reduce emissions by as much as 76 percent.

Growth Energy CEO, Emily Skor, issued the following statement regarding the report:

“This USDA report clearly demonstrates what we have known for years – that biofuels like ethanol are the most effective alternative to fossil fuel and a critical tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. Ethanol is an earth-friendly biofuel produced in America that not only significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also improves engine performance and saves consumers money at the pump.

“As the report notes, corn ethanol has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 76 percent when accounting for advancements in production efficiency techniques and sustainable agricultural practices. The ethanol industry works every day to improve production processes, ensuring that ethanol will continue to provide even greater benefits well into the future. The ethanol industry is proud to provide a product that helps clean our air, improves engine performance, and saves consumers money when they fill up their tank.”



U.S. Ethanol Exports Up 85 Percent In First Quarter of 2016/2017 Marketing Year

Exports of U.S. ethanol are off to a strong start for the first quarter of the 2016/2017 marketing year and are at their highest levels during that time frame over the past five years, according to data recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS).

Exports totaled 353.2 million gallons for the months of September, October and November 2016, the first quarter of marketing year 2016/2017.

Brazil, Canada and China were the top customers for U.S. ethanol, respectively. India, Peru, South Korea and Mexico were the next largest markets with U.S. ethanol exports totaling 62.4 million gallons over the same time period. These top seven markets accounted for 88 percent of U.S. ethanol exports in the first quarter and are markets the U.S. Grains Council and its industry partners are currently or will be working in to develop demand for U.S. ethanol.

Exports of U.S. ethanol to Brazil have increased substantially to 111.6 million gallons in the first three months of the current marketing year, representing nearly a third of total U.S. ethanol exports, the second highest volume of U.S. ethanol exports to that country over the last decade. Enforceable government ethanol mandates are driving the increases in Brazilian imports of U.S. ethanol, as Brazilian sugarcane has been diverted to sugar production to capture a price premium. To enforce its mandates, Brazil ramped up imports of price-competitive U.S. ethanol, highlighting the important role of trade in meeting ethanol mandates globally.

U.S. ethanol exports to Canada totaled 87.8 million gallons during the first quarter of the 2016/2017 marketing year. This is the highest level of U.S. ethanol imports by Canada during this time frame, with a 26 percent increase in imports over the first quarter of marketing year 2015/2016.

The U.S. Grains Council along with its partners in global ethanol market development, Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), recently conducted technical workshops in Asia and Latin America describing the positive environmental and public health benefits of increased ethanol use. USGC also uses trade missions to target countries, trade teams bringing stakeholders to the United States, and industry working groups to support the development of the global ethanol market.



Weekly Ethanol Production Increases

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production averaged an unprecedented 1.049 million barrels per day (b/d)—or 44.06 million gallons daily. That is an increase of 6,000 b/d from last week’s now-broken record. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 1.039 million b/d for an annualized rate of 15.93 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol stood at 20.0 million barrels. That is a significant 7.1% increase from last week.

Imports of ethanol remained flat at zero b/d for the 20th week in a row.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 355.7 million gallons (8.470 million barrels) daily. Refiner/blender input of ethanol averaged 806,000 b/d.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 12.38%.



Dairy Farmer and Dairy Foods Groups Support Senate Bill Prompting FDA Enforcement of Milk Labeling Standards

New Senate legislation to enforce the proper labeling of imitation dairy products drew an endorsement today from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), which together agreed that steps need to be taken to defend the integrity of federal food labeling standards and prevent the misbranding of dairy imitators.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) DAIRY PRIDE Act would protect the integrity of food standards by prompting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce existing labeling requirements, specifying foods labeled as “milk” and “cheese” have to come from dairy animals. The Baldwin bill would require FDA to issue a guidance for nationwide enforcement of these definitions within 90 days. It also would require FDA to report to Congress two years after the bill’s enactment to hold the agency accountable for this update in their enforcement obligations.

According to NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern, “For too long, the FDA has turned a blind eye to the misbranding of imitation dairy products, despite the decades-old federal law that milk comes from animals, not vegetables or nuts. None of these imitators provides the same high quality and quantity of nutrition offered by real milk. Sen. Baldwin’s DAIRY PRIDE Act will simply ensure that FDA enforces current law by requiring marketers of these imitation products to call them something other than milk.”

FDA regulations (CFR 131.110) define milk as a product of a cow, with a similar stipulation for yogurt and cheese. Though existing federal policy is clear on this subject, FDA has not challenged the incorrect use of the terms “milk,” “yogurt” and “cheese” on imitators that have proliferated during the past two decades, according to the dairy industry.

“These plant-based products are imitations, but they are not substitutes for the comprehensive nutrient package offered by real milk,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA.  “The reason we have food standards is to preserve the integrity and consistency of what’s inside the packages. Milk should be milk.”

The lack of enforcement of proper dairy terms in the U.S. market stands in sharp contrast to how the matter is handled in similar nations, which actually police the matter. While the term “almond milk” is seen on products sold in the U.S., it is absent from the same brand of almond beverage also sold in Canada and the United Kingdom.

The Baldwin legislation comes one month after Reps. Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Peter Welch (D-VT), supported by a bipartisan coalition of 32 other members of the House, sent a letter to FDA urging the agency to more aggressively police the improper use of dairy terminology.



U.S. Tractor Sales Were Up in December

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturer's monthly "Flash Report," the sale of all tractors in the U.S. in December 2016, were up 6% compared to the same month last year.

For the twelve months in 2016, a total of 211,245 tractors were sold which compares to 205,223 sold thru December 2015 representing a 3% increase year to date.

Agri Marketing magazine reports that for the month, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) were up 18% from last year, while 40 & under 100 HP were up.8%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP were down 19%, while 4-wheel drive tractors were down 41%.

For the twelve months, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) are up 12% over last year, while 40 & under 100 HP are down 4%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP are down 22%, while 4-wheel drive tractors are down 26%.

Meanwhile, combine sales were down 29% for the month. Sales of combines for the first twelve months totaled 3,972, a decrease of 26% over the same period in 2015.



USDA Announces Farm Service Agency Cooperative Agreements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced cooperative agreements with 46 partners to educate producers, including those who have been historically underserved by USDA programs, about Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs that provide financial, disaster or technical support. Nearly $2.5 million will go to nonprofits and universities that will provide training and access to FSA programs, financial resources and other information.

“We’re always innovating to find new ways for our programs to reach more producers and create more jobs in agriculture,” said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “The organizations selected as part of this effort share USDA’s priority of helping more Americans build successful farms and ranches.”

Cooperative agreements totaling nearly $2.5 million and encompassing 24 states, will range from $25,000 to $99,999 each. This additional investment builds on the $2.5 million in cooperative agreements awarded in 2016.  A list of awardees can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/cooperativeagreements.

Over the past eight years, USDA has taken big, bold steps to forge a new era for civil rights and ensure all Americans who come to USDA for help are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. Through coordinated outreach and consistent engagement, USDA is forming new partnerships in diverse communities and regaining trust where it was once lost.  Learn more about our progress during the Obama Administration to increase access to opportunity for all Americans, and to create a more equal and inclusive USDA in Chapter 8 of our yearlong results project: The People’s Department: A New Era for Civil Rights at USDA.



USDA Announces $252 Million Available for Regional Conservation Partnership Program

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today invited potential conservation partners, including private industry, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, water districts, and universities to submit project applications for federal funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

Through this fourth RCPP Announcement for Program Funding (APF), USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will award up to $252 million dollars to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. Applicants must match or exceed the federal award with private or local funds.

"Through unprecedented collaboration, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program has established a new paradigm for working lands conservation that yields unparalleled results," Vilsack said. "Working together, RCPP projects in every state are demonstrating the ways in which locally-led initiatives can meet some of our most pressing natural resource concerns."

Created by the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP connects partners with producers and private landowners to design and implement voluntary conservation solutions that benefit natural resources, agriculture, and the economy. By 2018, NRCS and its more than 2,000 conservation partners will have invested at least $2.4 billion in high-impact RCPP projects nationwide.

For example, three existing RCPP projects bring together more than 40 partners, including USA Rice, Ducks Unlimited, California Rice Commission, the Walmart Foundation and The Mosaic Company, to accelerate conservation on rice lands in six states facing water quality and quantity challenges. These projects, collectively called the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership, aim to conserve water and wildlife habitat while sustaining the future of rice farming in the United States. With unique technical expertise and needs, each state is leading a partner-driven, local approach to conservation in rice agriculture.

In its most recent RCPP awards, NRCS last month announced that 88 high-impact projects across the country will receive $225 million in federal funding, with more than double that investment from partners. The new Gulf of Mexico – Forest to Sea RCPP project will conserve Florida's pristine "Big Bend" area along the northeastern Gulf by implementing innovative conservation solutions with private working forest owners. Using an impact investment approach, The Conservation Fund and 12 partners will implement an easement and restoration plan on large forested tracts to address the natural resource concerns while allowing sustainable timber harvesting and maintaining local jobs. The project will serve as a model for further conservation and impact investing in the region and beyond.

NRCS Chief Jason Weller encourages partners to consider conservation finance and environmental markets as they develop RCPP project applications. "The growing field of conservation finance provides opportunities to inject significant investment capital into projects that protect, restore and maintain our natural ecosystems," says Weller.

USDA is now accepting proposals for Fiscal Year 2018 RCPP funding. Pre-proposals are due April 21.



MONSANTO AND NRGENE ANNOUNCE GLOBAL LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR BIG DATA GENOMIC ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGY

Monsanto Company (NYSE:  MON) and NRGene announced today that the companies have reached a non-exclusive, multi-year global licensing agreement on NRGene’s genome-analysis technology to enhance Monsanto’s ability to predict, compare and select the best genetic makeup from its vast data sets of genetic, genomic and trait information.

NRGene’s platform, GenoMAGICTM, was developed by a unique mix of highly experienced algorithm designers, software engineers, plant breeders and plant geneticists and is used by seed companies and major academic and research institutions around the world.

“Monsanto employs best-in-class data analytics technologies to help unlock the genetic potential of our research and development pipeline for our farmer customers,” said Tom Osborn, Monsanto’s Molecular Breeding Technology Director. “Our focus on data is allowing us make better decisions than ever before – and with GenoMAGIC, we expect to provide our plant breeders with a more comprehensive view to improve their analyses and decisions.”

“Monsanto is a global leader in technology that provides farmers with high-yielding seed hybrids and varieties, and we are proud that they have selected GenoMAGIC as a tool to support their advanced breeding programs,” says Dr. Gil Ronen, NRGene Chief Executive Officer. “Partnering with companies like Monsanto – combined with our recent achievements, including being the first to map the wheat genome – are significant milestones on our roadmap to become the worldwide leader of genomic big data solutions.”

Both companies noted their dedication to developing technologies that support farmers as they work to grow better harvests, protect their crops and deliver more to society in the face of mounting environmental challenges. Monsanto’s research and development (R&D) pipeline is focused on providing solutions to those challenges through plant breeding, plant biotechnology, crop protection, ag biologicals, and data science.

With nearly half of Monsanto’s annual R&D investment focused on plant breeding, the use of leading genome analysis technologies like GenoMAGIC – along with the industry’s largest testing capability and scale and premier discovery technologies – are expected to increase current genetic gain. Monsanto may expand its relationship with NRGene into a longer-term commitment following an in-depth evaluation of the technology. The GenoMAGIC platform extends Monsanto's capabilities for genome selection, trait discovery, and genome enhancement.