Tuesday January 3 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the month of December 2016, temperatures averaged two to six degrees below normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation in the form of snow and rain was recorded during the month. High winds on Christmas day caused damage to numerous pivots in south central counties. At the end of the month, snow cover was limited to northern Panhandle counties. This allowed good use of stalk fields for winter grazing in other areas. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 12 percent very short, 22 short, 64 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 26 short, 62 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 44 fair, 41 good, and 5 excellent.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 17 fair, 71 good, and 11 excellent. Cattle and calf death loss rated 0 percent heavy, 54 average, and 46 light.

Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 20 fair, 72 good, and 7 excellent. Sheep and lamb death loss rated 0 percent heavy, 75 average, and 25 light.

Hay and roughage supplies rated 0 percent very short, 3 short, 91 adequate, and 6 surplus.

Stock water supplies rated 0 percent very short, 8 short, 91 adequate, and 1 surplus.



Nebraska Cattlemen Reflect on 2016

Aside from the cattle market and a continued battle with property taxes, Nebraska Cattlemen looks back at 2016 seeing some major accomplishments.

Almost a year ago, in January NC Board of Directors gathered together kicking the year off at the annual legislative meeting. During two days of reviewing and discussing bills and resolutions NC designated 4 bills as priorities for the organization. NC's voice was heard and our hard work paid off having 3 of the 4 priority bills passed during the session. LB 977 which changed provision relating to weight limits for implements of animal husbandry on highways passed unanimously during the session. Two other priority bills LB 958 & 959 also passed after senators worked long and hard with the Governor's office to amend and approve both bills. Great accomplishments came from the last session and we hope the same for the coming year.

The Nebraska Cattlewomen were also hard at work with many programs across the state from beef in the classroom, promoting the school beef lunch program, and hosting the Nebraska Beef Ambassador contest. This program provides an opportunity for youth, ages 14 - 24 years old, to become spokespersons and future leaders for the beef industry. They have two competitive divisions, senior and collegiate, that were judged upon three different areas of the industry consisting of a mock consumer promotional event. This year the judges included Kyla Olson, Mitch Rippe, Sallie Atkins, Ginny Lee and Tricia Grabenstein. The winner of the collegiate division and Nebraska's representative at the National Beef Ambassador Contest in February 2017 is Elisabeth Loseke and the winner of the senior division was Sydni Lieneman.

An exciting addition to the NC Calendar this year was the Cow Calf tour held in September near Ashby. The tour participants were served lunch and had the opportunity to hear from Kelly Bruns, Pate Reece and Chip Ramsey. They also toured JHL Beef, a commercial cow operation that works "on the ranch and on the rail", emphasizing the importance of good females. The Cow Calf council was excited about the great attendance and hope to continue this in the future.

Less than a month later the NC Board of Directors met for their October meeting. The Southeast Community College (SCC) Bond proposal that was to be on the November voting ballot for 15 counties in the southeast part of the state, was brought to attention. After much discussion, the NC Board voted to oppose the $369 million SCC bond issue. The final decision was not taken lightly as NC is very supportive of education and job training at the community college level. With an ongoing effort to find property tax relief for members across the state NC could not support a bond that would increase the tax burden in the 15-county area.

With great success in some arenas came hardship in others for NC members. 2016 continued to bring challenging conditions for the cattle market. In an effort to discuss first hand with members across the state, NC leadership and staff, being very thoughtful and aware of the situation, held multiple marketing forum meetings. Topics of discussion included fundamental market factors, the deterioration of the bid-and-offer price discovery process and negotiated cash volume in the nation's fed cattle trade, CME Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures contract specifications and increased levels of volatility in both markets, and the evolving role of USDA's Mandatory Price Reporting platform amid changing market dynamics.

Most recently, the Office of Inspector General released an audit following an extensive and thorough investigation of the animal handling procedures of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center. The audit results prove the high internal standards of the dedicated and talented scientists and researchers at U.S. MARC have been and continue to be upheld. U.S. MARC is driven to provide food security and sustainability to producers and the growing world population. NC members genuinely appreciate and thank the dedicated staff at U.S. MARC that have endured this unfortunate incident.

As we near 2017 Nebraska Cattlemen leadership and staff look forward to another rewarding year working for the entire membership.



Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Announces Availability of Youth Scholarships

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is accepting applications for scholarships from qualified youth in Nebraska who have an interest in the beef industry. These scholarships will be awarded for the 2017-2018 academic year and are provided through contributions received by the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. Applications are available on the Nebraska Cattlemen website (www.nebraskacattlemen.org) or can be obtained by calling the NCF office at (402) 475-2333.

Scholarship recipients must be a high school senior or college student, have a "C" or higher grade point average, and be enrolled or intending to enroll full time in a college or university that offers a bachelor degree, an approved vocation or trade school, or a state accredited junior college. Refer to NCF application(s) for complete selection requirements.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship awards a $10,000 scholarship to an outstanding college junior, senior or graduate-level student. Eligible students must be residents of Nebraska and be enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry-related degree. The scholarship will be awarded based on student need, Nebraska beef industry involvement (past achievements and future plans) and academics. Students will be required to complete the written application (due in the NCF office by February 15, 2017) and finalists will be invited to an interview with the selection committee.

NCF offers numerous other $1,000 scholarships, awarded on the basis of academic achievement, beef industry involvement and goals/quality of application from the following funds. These completed applications are due into the NCF office by March 15, 2017.
    Robert F. Lute II Memorial Scholarship (high school senior or higher)
    Frank and Shirley Sibert Scholarship (high school senior or higher)
    Bell Heller Memorial Scholarship (high school senior or higher)
    Donavan Yoachim Memorial Scholarship (high school senior or higher)
    Cattlemen's Open Scholarship (high school senior or higher)
    Clarence and Lois Jean Hartmann Scholarship (high school senior or higher)
    Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship(s) (high school senior or higher)
    Todd Ricenbaw Memorial Scholarship (high school senior or higher, UNL agriculture major)
    Col. Melvin Huss Memorial Scholarship (high school senior or higher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) animal science major)
    Ron and Shirley Huss Scholarship (high school senior or higher, UNL animal science major)
    Jim & Helen Gran Scholarship (sophomore or higher, NCTA production agriculture major)
    Bill Briggs Family Memorial Scholarship (college junior or higher, beef industry major in Nebraska)
    Bill Pullen Scholarship (college junior or higher, UNL agriculture major)
    Vance Uden Memorial Scholarship (college junior or higher, member of UNL Senior Livestock Evaluation Team)
    Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit Scholarship (college junior or higher, meat/food science major in Nebraska)
    Martin Viersen Range Management/Conservation Memorial Scholarship (college junior or higher, range management/conservation/grazing systems major in Nebraska)



SAVE HAY BY REDUCING FEEDING WASTE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Much expense and many long hours go into harvesting and storing hay for winter feeding.  So why waste it!  Hay feeding waste can be reduced.

               Cattle can waste as much as 45 percent of their hay when it is fed without restrictions.  How can you reduce these losses to minimize costs and maintain an adequate hay supply?

               Your first step should be to limit how much hay is available.  Research shows that cattle fed hay with free access every four days needed about 25% more hay than cattle fed daily.  Daily feeding reduces the amount of hay refused, trampled, fouled, over-consumed, or used for bedding.

               A second step is to restrict access to the hay by using hay racks, bale rings, electric fences, feed bunks, or anything else that will keep animals off the hay.  It’s especially important to limit the amount of hay accessible to trampling.  So use racks or bale rings with solid barriers at the bottom to prevent livestock from pulling hay loose and then dragging it out to be stepped on.

               If you feed hay on the ground, either as loose hay, unrolled round bales, or as ground hay, it is especially important to follow these guidelines.  Limit the hay fed to an amount animals will clean up in a single meal.  Anything left over will be stepped on, fouled, or used for bedding instead of as feed.  And if you can – use an electric wire or other barrier to restrict access to only one side of the feed on the ground.  But also be sure to distribute that hay enough so all cows have access to it at the same time.

               With a little foresight and careful management, you can stretch your hay further.



NATIONAL FFA LEADER TO DELIVER HEUERMANN LECTURE

Mark Poeschl, chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization and the National FFA Foundation, will deliver the next Heuermann Lecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The free talk, "Sustainability and Survivability: The Balancing Act to Feed the World," is 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive. The Heuermann Lecture series is organized by Nebraska's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Poeschl is responsible for the operations and long-term success of the National FFA organization and foundation. Together with National FFA's board of directors and the board of trustees, he assures FFA's relevance and service to agriculture and agricultural education. He assumed this role in August 2016.

Prior to his role with FFA, Poeschl was vice president and group director, stakeholder engagement, at Cargill Animal Nutrition, where he was involved in developing and executing their global 2020 strategy. Poeschl played a key role in talent selection and career development in the company and was instrumental in collaborating and implementing long-range business strategies. In 2016, he began working on sustainable and responsible animal protein production issues with key stakeholders.

Poeschl earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Nebraska in 1983. A former FFA member, he served as Nebraska State FFA president from 1978-79. He and his wife, Nancy, were volunteer judges in recent years at the National FFA Convention and Expo, and established a scholarship endowment for FFA members through the National FFA Foundation. Poeschl also assists in the oversight of a family farming operation in Nebraska.

The Heuermann Lecture series focuses on providing enough food, natural resources and renewable energy for the world's people, along with securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs. The lectures are funded by 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.

The lectures are streamed live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and air on campus channel 4. The talks are recorded and air on NET World.



Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to hold educational forums

Continual improvement is an important part of farm management, especially when profitability challenges arise.  That is why the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) is holding educational events around the state in January.

Cow/Calf Forums
Two free seminars for cow/calf producers in northeast Iowa will be held on January 19. The speakers at this year’s Cow/Calf Forums will focus on herd health including strategic deworming and vaccinations. The events will also include a question and answer session with area veterinarians.

“Anytime you can improve the health of your cattle, you’re also going to improve your profits,” says Eric Smith, who serves on the ICA board of directors, representing Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette and Clayton counties. “We’re excited to host this event for the second year in a row, and hope that it brings a lot of value to our area cattle producers.”

Any cattle producers or dairy producers are welcome to attend the events, which are free of charge and include a meal. Producers need not be members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to attend.

Oelwein Cow/Calf Forum
Thursday, January 19, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Generations (above Leo's Italian Restaurant) 29 South Frederick, Oelwein, IA 50662
RSVP by Friday, January 13 to 515.296.2266 or tristen@iabeef.org

Rossville Cow/Calf Forum
Thursday, January 19, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Old Rossville Store, 851 Volney Rd, Rossville, IA 52172
RSVP by Friday, January 13 to 515.296.2266 or tristen@iabeef.org

Feedlot Forums
Feedlot Forums, educational events for feedlot operators, will be held in Sioux Center and Carroll the same week.

The Feedlot Forums will both cover topics important to Iowa’s cattlemen and women. “We’ve heard concerns about the markets from feedlot operators over the past several months, so we will be sure to cover risk management strategies at both events,” says Merle Witt, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Western Iowa Membership Coordinator. “We’ll also talk about rule changes that affect cattle producers, like the Veterinary Feed Directive and changes to manure management rules, and give an update on the Iowa beef checkoff, which will be reinstated in March.”

The first Feedlot Forum, held in partnership with ISU Extension, will take place on January 17 in Sioux Center. Topics covered include the Veterinary Feed Directive, feedlot assessments, market volatility, market prices and industry updates.

Registration for the Sioux Center Feedlot Forum is $25 per person, with a special reduced rate of $10 for students. Registration includes a steak dinner and $10 beef certificate. Register at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office by Jan. 12. For more information, call the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office at 712-737-4230.

On January 18, another Feedlot Forum will be held in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn from 9:00 - 3:00. Topics there will also be timely and important to the future success of Iowa’s feedlot producers. Market volatility, prices, changes to DNR manure rules, and the Iowa beef checkoff will all be discussed.

The Carroll event is free of charge and includes lunch. RSVP by Friday, January 13 to 515.296.2266 or tristen@iabeef.org.

Later events
ICA will also host three Feedlot Forums in eastern Iowa in March, as well as regional BeefMeets in LeMars, Creston, Ottumwa and Dubuque in June. Pasture walks and grazing seminars are also planned. These events are all part of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association’s mission to grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education.



USDA Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.12 million tons (171 million bushels) in November 2016, compared to 5.28 million tons (176 million bushels) in October 2016 and 4.97 million tons (166 million bushels) in November 2015. Crude oil produced was 1.96 billion pounds down 3 percent from October 2016 but up 3 percent from November 2015. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.44 billion pounds during November 2016 decreased 6 percent from October 2016 but increased 1 percent from November 2015.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 209 thousand tons in November 2016, compared to 213 thousand tons in October 2016 and 129 thousand tons in November 2015. Canola crude oil produced was 178 million pounds up 1 percent from October 2016 and up 65 percent from November 2015. Canola once refined oil production at 164 million pounds during November 2016 was down 2 percent from October 2016 but up 67 percent from November 2015. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 47.0 million pounds during November 2016 was down 6 percent from October 2016 and down 5 percent from November 2015.

Edible tallow production was 78.5 million pounds during November 2016, up 17 percent from October 2016 but down 6 percent from November 2015. Inedible tallow production was 304 million pounds during November 2016, up 7 percent from October 2016 but down slightly from November 2015. Technical tallow production was 125 million pounds during November 2016, up 13 percent from October 2016 and up 19 percent from November 2015. Choice white grease production at 129 million pounds during November 2016 increased 11 percent from October 2016 and increased 10 percent from November 2015.



USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for beverage alcohol in November 2016 totaled 3.36 million bushels, up 6 percent from October 2016 and up 13 percent from November 2015. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 452 million bushels, was down 1 percent from October 2016 but up 4 percent from November 2015. Corn consumed in November 2016 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90.2 percent and 9.78 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.96 million tons during November 2016, up 2 percent from October 2016 and up 3 percent from November 2015. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.28 million tons in November 2016, down 1 percent from October 2016 but up 1 percent from November 2015.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 309 thousand tons during November 2016, down 10 percent from October 2016 and down 4 percent from November 2015. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 327 thousand tons in November 2016, up 9 percent from October 2016 and up 13 percent from November 2015.



Ag Producer Confidence Index Reveals Hope

Farmers have put tremendous hope in the new presidential administration to make their lives better, despite expectations of continued low commodity prices, relatively high production costs and the threat of trade wars with key commodity importers, this according to the latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Ag Confidence Index (ACI).

The overall producer confidence index for December returned to neutral territory, rising to 98 compared to a value of 72 in the August survey. An index value of 100 is neutral. Values above 100 indicate optimism, while values below signify pessimism.

“But the real story in the results from our latest survey is not in the overall index, it's in the numbers behind that index,” said DTN Editor-In-Chief Greg Horstmeier. “Those numbers are unprecedented in the history of the Index.”

The attitudes of farmers surveyed in late November and early December were at historic lows: survey results put farmers' rating of their present situation at a record 44.2. That’s a significant drop from the August present condition score, which was the then-record low of 56. In December 2015, farmers put their present condition at 81.7.

When asked about their confidence for the coming year, farmers’ answers revealed a huge jump in optimism, with a future expectations score of 126.6. That’s the highest future expectations score in the history of the index.

“That swing, from record pessimism, and significantly more pessimistic than any other time in our index history, to a record level of optimism, simply defies logic,” Horstmeier said. “While most farmers have adjusted to lower commodity prices and are working on strategies to see them through tougher times, there is nothing on the horizon, not world grain supplies, not weather, not signs of new commodity demand, that would justify such optimism. To the contrary, from the standpoint of global grains and livestock price expectations, prices look flat at best for 2017.

“The only thing we can put our finger on is the presidential election,” Horstmeier said. “Farmers and rural America played a large role in Donald Trump’s victory, and farmers must feel he’s going to make the world right for them.”

The confidence index, which surveyed 500 crop and livestock producers between Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, measures their sentiments about the overall agriculture sector. Producers also rate current and long-term input prices and net farm income to gauge their attitudes toward the present situation and future expectations. Since 2010, DTN/The Progressive Farmer has conducted the ACI three times a year – before planting, before harvest and just before the end of the calendar year after harvest.

“The timing of the latest survey, right after the election and during the run up of the Dow Industrial Averages and other markets, had to play into the ratings,” Horstmeier said.

The trend of current pessimism and future optimism held true across geographical regions. Midwest farmers pushed the pessimism of those trends, with those farmers creating 40.5 present situation and 118.2 future expectation scores. The Southeast was slightly more in the middle, and the Southwest had the highest level of optimism all around, with a 46.7 current condition and a 132.0 score for future expectations.

“Talking to farm leaders, the consistent point of optimism we heard was the promise by President-elect Trump to roll back a number of regulatory rules, including the Clean Water Act policy known as the waters of the United States rule. When we pushed Trump supporters on issues such as trade with Mexico, China and Japan, on the Refined Fuels Standard and the increasing value of U.S. dollar, which could hurt exports, they cautioned us to take a wait-and-see attitude on the president-elect.

“So you can begin to deduce from those comments that farmers who supported him are more concerned about existing regulatory issues such as WOTUS and the Endangered Species Act than they are about the potential for a trade war with key export markets like China,” Horstmeier said.

The only variance from the trend in producer ratings was across income levels. Farmers in the $100,000-$249,999 and $250,000-$499,999 income levels had future expectation ratings of 112.6 and 129.9, respectively. Farmers with incomes of $1 million or more were a decidedly more pessimistic, giving future expectations a 79.

“Are higher income farmers less concerned about those regulatory issues, and more worried about commodity prices if we get into trade wars?” Horstmeier asked. “Or are those farmers also carrying relatively higher debt loads, so are changes like the Federal Reserve beginning to increase interest rates tempering their enthusiasm? It could be a combination of many things, but there’s a distinct difference in attitudes there.”

Other key ACI findings include:

·         Crop farmers were on the extremes of the December trends, with an overall rating of 97.1, based on a present condition score of 38.1 and a future expectation score of 130.9. Livestock producers’ levels were 97.5 overall, 60.0 for present situation and 115.7 for future expectations.

·         Slightly more than half (51 percent) of respondents expect farm income to be worse in the coming year, with 23.4 percent expecting better incomes, 25.6 expecting incomes to be the same as in 2016.

·         Expectations of all household income were similar: 51.8 expecting worse, 19.8 better and 28.4 the same as the previous year.

·         Input price expectations also were mostly pessimistic, with 51.2 percent expecting worse, 25 percent better and 23.8 percent the same.

Agribusiness Confidence Index
Agribusiness confidence remains more pessimistic, and more in line with higher income farmers.

According to the latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agribusiness Confidence Index, which measured the sentiments of 100 agribusinesses Nov. 28 through Dec. 2., the businesses that serve farmers remain pessimistic at 88.4, down slightly from 90.6 in August, and below the 97.6 level in December 2015.

Agribusiness owners gave their current condition a rating of 89.4, down significantly from 105 in August and 108.7 in December 2015.

Future expectations for business success returned toward neutral territory, at 87.5, up from 79.7 August and near the year-end 2015 level of 89.4.



Applications Now Open for 2017-18 Pork Industry Scholarships

The National Pork Board announces the opening of applications for its pork industry scholarships for the 2017-18 academic year. The eight-year-old program is open to juniors and seniors in college who plan to pursue a career in swine production management or a related field, or will be seeking to attend veterinary or graduate school and major in a discipline with an emphasis on swine. This year, the National Pork Board will award up to 21 scholarships totaling $48,000. The top applicant will receive $5,000, the second-ranked applicant will receive $3,500 and all others will receive $2,000.

“We invite any student who meets the scholarship criteria to submit an application,” said Chris Hostetler, animal science director for the Pork Checkoff. “This is an excellent opportunity for the next generation of young people studying in swine-related fields to get some needed recognition among their peers and get some financial assistance.”

The guidelines for the scholarship application and the online form can be found at www.pork.org/scholarship. The deadline for application submission is Feb. 17, 2017. Recipients will be notified in April and the related funds will be available for the Fall 2017 semester.

“The pork industry is committed to continual improvement in producing safe, wholesome protein,” Hostetler said. “Key to achieving this goal is identifying and developing the next generation of leaders and decision-makers, which is the driving force behind this scholarship program.”

Approximately 80 percent of previous pork industry scholarship winners have pursued advanced degrees as they prepared to serve the industry as veterinarians, nutritionists, reproductive biologists and management consultants.

Specific questions about the Pork Industry Scholarship program should be directed to Chris Hostetler at chostetler@pork.org or (515) 223-2606.



Commodity Classic Early Registration Discount Ends January 12

Only a few days remain to take advantage of early registration discounts for the 2017 Commodity Classic to be held March 2-4, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. Thursday, January 12, 2017, is the last day the discounts will be in effect.

Registration fees vary depending on the number of days attended. Full registration covers all three days of the event, and one-day registrations are also available.  Members of the sponsoring commodity associations receive additional discounts on registration.

All registration and housing reservations should be made online at www.commodityclassic.com.  Experient is the official registration and housing provider for Commodity Classic.  In order to stay at an official Commodity Classic hotel, reservations must be made only through Experient to ensure favorable rates, reasonable terms and confirmed hotel rooms.

The 2017 Commodity Classic will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.  The convention center will house all Commodity Classic events, including the Opening Reception, General Session, Evening of Entertainment, Trade Show, Learning Center Sessions and What’s New Sessions.

A detailed schedule of events is also available on the website.



AFBF on the Nomination of Robert Lighthizer for USTR
Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation

“The American Farm Bureau Federation looks forward to working with United States Trade Representative nominee Robert Lighthizer. Mr. Lighthizer has had a long and distinguished career in trade, working in the White House, Senate and private sector to assure favorable trading conditions for American goods and services.

“America’s farmers and ranchers know unfair regulations, steep tariffs and senseless non-tariff barriers undermine our exports. We must work together to remove these obstacles to prosperity and identify new global opportunities that will benefit American agriculture.

“Economic growth in rural America depends on maintaining and increasing access to markets outside the United States. Since more than 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside our borders, expanding access to international markets is essential for our future success. We trust Mr. Lighthizer will work tirelessly to assure it.”



NMPF, USDEC Statement on Selection of New U.S. Trade Representative
Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF
Matt McKnight, Senior Vice President of Market Access, Regulatory and Industry Affairs for USDEC

“America’s dairy farmers and processors welcome the opportunity to work closely with Robert Lighthizer as the new U.S. Trade Representative. The role of the U.S. Trade Representative is critical to successful U.S. engagement with growing global markets. Mr. Lighthizer’s previous experiences as Deputy USTR, Chief of Staff for the Senate Finance Committee, and his direct private sector engagement in enforcing trade rules on behalf of his clients will serve him well in forging a path forward on trade policy that will benefit this country.

“The U.S. dairy industry, like most other agricultural sectors across America, has significantly benefited from the agricultural provisions of prior U.S. free trade agreements. At the same time, however, we face a growing wave of nontariff barriers that threaten to impede overseas sales. Our NAFTA partners epitomize both sides of that story: Our dairy agreement with Mexico has created an export market worth well over $1 billion a year, while on the other side of the border Canada has at every opportunity decided to flout its dairy trade commitments to the U.S.

“A focus on preserving and growing what is working well, while cracking down further on what is not, will help to expand global markets for U.S. dairy farmers and the companies that turn their milk into nutritious dairy products shipped all over the world. Given that every $1 billion in U.S. dairy exports translates into over 23,000 jobs in the dairy sector and related industries, expanding dairy sales abroad is a strong job-creation strategy.

“USDEC and NMPF look forward to continuing our dialogue with the incoming Administration on the importance of pursuing well-negotiated trade agreements that bolster our ability to serve consumers in foreign markets.”



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for January 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for January 2017. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for December is 0.875 percent, up from 0.750 percent in December.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during January is 1.875 percent, up from 1.750 percent in December.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for January are as follows, 1.500 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 1.125 percent in December; 1.875 percent with five-year loan terms, up from 1.375 percent in December; 2.250 percent with seven-year loan terms, up from 1.750 percent in December; 2.375 percent with 10-year loan terms, up from 2.000 percent in December and; 2.500 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 2.000 percent in December.



Bayer to Acquire BIVI's Bovine Endectocide Product Line

Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) announced have signed an agreement under which Bayer will acquire BIVI's CYDECTIN bovine and ovine endectocide products in the U.S.

Once completed, the deal includes the transfer of CYDECTIN Pour-On, CYDECTIN Injectable and CYDECTIN Oral Drench.

These endectocides, with the active ingredient moxidectin, offer persistent killing of internal parasites at multiple stages, including the economically devastating Ostertagia ostertagi (brown stomach worm) parasite, and control of external parasites such as lice, grubs and psoroptic mange mites on beef and dairy cattle, according to the announcement.



Amasil formic acid approved for US poultry market

BASF and Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ:BCPC) received FDA approval to launch Amasil® formic acid in poultry diets in the United States.

Amasil was recently introduced in the U.S. for swine, and has been successfully used in poultry diets around the world. It is considered the most potent organic acid for feed acidification.

By lowering the feed pH, Amasil creates a less favorable environment for bacteria, which reduces feed-borne pathogen populations and decreases microbial intake. A reduction in pH also lowers the buffering capacity, which can improve the efficacy of many digestive enzymes and lead to improved feed efficiency and growth.

"With the highest molecular density of any organic acid approved in the U.S., Amasil provides a best in class value for feed acidification," said Christian Nitschke, BASF Regional Head, Animal Nutrition North America. "With Balchem, we can now deliver the benefits of Amasil to poultry and pork producers throughout North America."

"We are excited about this new opportunity to impact feed efficiency and growth for our poultry customers," notes Tom Powell, Director of Monogastrics, Balchem Animal Nutrition & Health. "Amasil delivers the feed hygiene benefits we need to meet consumer demands for a safe food supply."



Purple Plow Challenge Makes Learning Fun

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has launched a fun, new online platform for middle-school educators highlighting makerspace education.

The Purple Plow Challenge site encourages students to research scenarios related to food, hunger and sustainability. Students also are encouraged to build their own prototypes to solve problems. The resources – provided for facilitators, students and volunteers – are written by teachers, aligned to national learning standards and reviewed by industry experts.

“The Purple Plow Challenge is a great fit for individuals, groups and classes in grades 6, 7 and 8. It’s perfect for makerspaces, after-school programs, in-school lessons, 4-H clubs, library learning, scout troops and more,” said Angela Mayfield, education director of the Foundation.

The Purple Plow Challenge contest will run seasonally beginning in January 2017. Interested teachers, mentors and students should check out the website (www.purpleplowchallenge.org) after Jan. 1 for the announcement of the spring Purple Plow challenge. Resources will be available for free download. Spring submissions are due May 1. See the website for complete details.

“The Purple Plow Challenge was designed to support maker learning everywhere,” Mayfield explained. “The maker movement hinges on the concept that young people learn, and have fun learning, when they can solve a problem and share their solution with others.

“Critical thinking associated with making and solving problems is just as important as the end result,” Mayfield said. “Makerspaces and maker challenges encourage kids to be excited about solving problems while applying the knowledge they gain.”

Purple Plow is a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The resources are made possible through the generous support of the title sponsor, DuPont Pioneer.

Follow along in the journey on Twitter and Instagram @ThePurplePlow.