Friday February 3 Ag News

Nebraska Farm Bureau Says Ag Land Valuation Bill Could Be Helpful, But Doesn’t Deliver Property Tax Reform

Nebraska Farm Bureau says a legislative proposal to change the way agricultural land is valued in Nebraska could be helpful, but the measure won’t deliver the property tax reform being sought by rural and urban Nebraskans who’ve seen their property taxes skyrocket over the last decade.

“LB 338 introduced by Sen. Lydia Brasch on behalf of Governor Ricketts is a step in the right direction to fixing a long-term issue we’ve had with the state using a market approach to valuing agricultural land for tax purposes, but the impact of the bill on property taxes will be minimal and it doesn’t provide tax reform that benefits all property taxpayers in Nebraska; a principle we believe must be considered as we work to correct an imbalance in our tax system,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.

LB 338 would change the way agricultural land is valued for tax purposes by moving away from the current market based approach to an approach where land is more closely tied to its ability to generate income. Farm Bureau supports the concept as a way to bring agricultural land values closer to true production capability while minimizing outside influences that can drive market values beyond production capability.

Nebraska Farm Bureau Senior Economist Jay Rempe conducted an analysis of LB 338 to evaluate the potential impacts of the bill.

“The bill does achieve part of the goal of trying to link agricultural land values closer to income conditions and it would bring Nebraska in line with other states in terms of how they value agricultural land. It might also provide some stability year to year in changes in agricultural land values, so there’s some good there in terms of trying to better value ag land, but in terms of trying to achieve overall property tax reductions, I don’t see much coming out of it in that regard,” said Rempe.

The Governor’s office estimates that had the income approach included in LB 338 been in place in 2017, taxable values for agricultural land would have been $2.2 billion lower statewide. According to Rempe, a $2.2 billion reduction in statewide agricultural land values using 2016 data equates to roughly a two percent reduction in agriculture land values.

“A two percent reduction in land values for most farmers and ranchers isn’t likely to translate into much property tax savings when you consider agricultural land values statewide increased more than six percent alone from 2015 to 2016 and more than 263 percent over the last ten years. When we talk about LB 338 and property tax reductions, we’re looking at a statewide reduction of $20 million out of $3.8 billion in property taxes levied statewide. The bill could be helpful in how we value agriculture land, but it’s not a big property tax savings bill,” said Rempe.

Rempe noted that if LB 338 passed, farmers and ranchers would see their valuations change in 2019, but wouldn’t see any potential property tax savings until 2020.

“Several bills have been introduced this legislative session that chart a path forward in providing meaningful property tax reform for all Nebraska property taxpayers and move us toward our goal of $600 million in property tax reductions statewide,” said Nelson.

Bills identified by Nebraska Farm Bureau as key measures to achieve property tax reform to this point include:

LB 545, Sen. Watermeier
Directs an additional $200 million per year over the next three years, to the state’s Property Tax Credit Fund to bring the annual appropriation to the fund to $824 million.

LB 569, Sen. Friesen
The bill creates a Community College Task Force related to evaluating duplication and funding sources for the Nebraska Community College System, and sunsets community college property tax levying authority on January 1, 2019.

LB 44, Sen. Watermeier
This bill would tax sales by online retailers without a physical presence in Nebraska. The measure could generate as much as $100 million in new revenue that could be used to reduce property taxes.

LB 312, Sen. Briese
Expands the sales tax base by eliminating certain sales tax exemptions, including those on many services. The bill could generate around $225-250 million that would be directed to reduce property taxes.

LB 313, Sen. Briese
Raises the state sales tax rate 1 percent, to 6.5 percent. The bill could generate an estimated $275 million to be used to reduce property taxes.

LB 570, Sen. Friesen
Provides a property tax exemption for all tangible personal property, including vehicles, trailers, business and agricultural inventory, and tangible personal property which is not depreciable.

LB 576, Sen. Brewer
Provides a landowner’s property tax bills in 2017 and 2018 shall not exceed their property tax bill in 2016. Places a ceiling on property taxes but allows them to go down if valuations decline.

LB 601, Sen. Erdman
Directs revenue generated from the internet sales tax to the Property Tax Credit Fund.

According to Nelson, property taxes account for roughly 48 percent of the total combined collections of property, state sales, and state income taxes in Nebraska.

“We’re looking for revenue neutral solutions that balance the tax burden and reduce the overreliance on property taxes to fund government services, including education,” said Nelson.



National Beef Ambassador Contest

Congratulations to Liz Loseke of Columbus, NE for making the National Beef Ambassador team!



Omaha to host ANCW Joint Regional Meeting

The joint meeting of American National CattleWomen regions III and VII will be held May 18-20th in historic downtown Omaha near The Old Market, world famous zoo, Iowa Casinos, Orpheum Theatre, etc. The accommodations will also be historic at the Magnolia Hotel.

Thursday begins with shopping in the Old Market, registration, and supper at Spaghetti Works. Friday and Saturday will consist of a range of speakers from an award winning poet/quilter, a nutrition update, presidents' updates, sponsor product research, and some more surprises! A very special supper will be held at the original, family-owned, famous Johnny's Cafe (featured in magazines and even a movie) near the Omaha Stockyard!

Please, look forward to more information coming your way as they make final preparations!  More information will be posted to www.ancw.org as well. 



Vote Now for the 2017 Cattle Feeders HoF Industry Leadership Award

The 2017 nominees for the Industry Leadership Award have contributed to the cattle-feeding industry through outstanding advocacy and leadership. Their efforts embody our core beliefs and help us communicate our message within the industry and to American families.

Industry Leadership Award nominees include....

Dee Griffin 
Dee Griffin, D.V.M., is the feedlot production management professor at the University of Nebraska’s Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center. Dr. Griffin has developed and taught techniques for BQA and production monitoring in the packing plant.

Dr. Kenneth Eng 
Dr. Kenneth Eng hasled a successful career as a pioneering consulting nutritionist and rancher. He became one of the early consulting nutritionists who helped boost the efficiencies of a surging commercial cattle-feeding industry in the Southern Plains and western United States.  In 2013, Dr. Eng started the Kenneth S. and Caroline McDonald Eng Foundation, which provides an endowment of two million dollars to fund research in cow efficiency.

Willard Wall 
Willard Wall helped bring together Livestock Supply – a company he started in 1954 – with nine other companies to form Walco International Inc., which later became Animal Health International Inc. Many cattlemen recognize Willard as a mentor and credit him for their success.

Vote here....  http://cattlefeeders.org/vote-ila/. 



Ricketts Announces Schedule for this Year’s Governor’s Ag Conference

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the agenda for the 29th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference, an important event for farmers, ranchers, ag leaders and key agri-business managers in Nebraska. The conference is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14-15, 2017, at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney.

“As we celebrate Nebraska’s 150th birthday this year, we praise the pioneers who worked the land and gave the state such a solid foundation.  It took Nebraska grit for our ancestors to come to what was then considered as the Great American Desert and turn it into some of the most valuable agricultural land in the world,” said Governor Ricketts. “This conference is a way to support Nebraska’s producers by identifying new opportunities and promoting the Nebraska brand of ag products to keep the state’s number one industry growing for the next 150 years and beyond.”

The Governor’s Ag conference speakers understand the importance of Nebraska agriculture and the role it plays in the economic well-being of the state. The theme, “Riding the Nebraska Brand” through domestic and international trade, will be a prevailing topic throughout the conference. Speakers will also address economic development in rural Nebraska; the importance of effective partnerships.

“Agriculture is the backbone of this state,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach. “The Governor’s Ag Conference is an opportunity to keep current in our industry and to network with colleagues, share ideas and concerns, and prepare for the future. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in agriculture to attend.”

The conference starts Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. with welcomes and remarks from Governor Ricketts and Director Ibach.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda is a panel discussion on economic development in rural Nebraska. The panel features Broken Bow’s community leaders from city government, the Chamber of Commerce, and agriculture, including specialists in purchasing, production and finance.

The annual “Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture” reception begins at 6:00 p.m. on March 14 and features a mix of Nebraska food products and entertainment by leadership expert and author Rhett Laubach.

The conference resumes on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, featuring the following speakers and topics:
·      Doug Carr, senior account executive at Firespring, who will discuss domestic trade and the value of a brand;
·      Bobby Richey, Jr., deputy administrator of USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service,

Discussing working with USDA/Foreign Ag Service and Nebraska’s international branding efforts;
·      Dr. Michael Boehm, vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UN-L and vice president for NU’s Agriculture and Natural Resources who will discuss people, places, partnerships and possibilities. 

Anyone interested in agriculture issues is invited to attend. A $100 registration fee covers participation at activities on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Registration and additional information is available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov, or by calling NDA toll-free at (800) 831-0550.



Nebraska Pioneer and Heritage Farm Award Applications Now Available

The AKSARBEN Foundation is currently accepting applications for the annual Nebraska Pioneer and Heritage Farm Awards. Sponsored by AKSARBEN Foundation and Nebraska Farm Bureau, the program honors farm families in Nebraska whose land has been owned by members of the same family for 100 years (Pioneer) and 150 years (Heritage). To date, more than 9,000 families in all 93 Nebraska counties have been honored at their respective county fairs. Each farm honoree receives one engraved plaque and one gatepost marker as permanent recognition of their milestone.

Application details must be verified by the county fair board in which the land is located prior to submission to AKSARBEN Foundation. The 2017 Nebraska Farm Award applications are due to county fair boards no later than April 21, 2017. Application forms can be obtained:
    Online: http://www.aksarben.org/p/coreinitiatives/agriculture/264
    Email: Jody Siedelmann at Siedelmannj@aksarben.org
    Phone: 402-554-9600, ext. 107
    Mail: 6910 Pacific St, Ste 102, Omaha, NE 68106



Iowa Century and Heritage Farm Owners Encouraged to Apply

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encouraged eligible farm owners to apply for the 2017 Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize the hard work and commitment by these families that is necessary to keep a farm in the same family for 100 or 150 years," Northey said. "If you consider all the challenges and unexpected obstacles each of them would have had to overcome during their life on the farm, it gives you a greater appreciation of the dedication and perseverance of each of the families being recognized."

Applications are available on the Department's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under "Hot Topics."

Applications may also be requested from Becky Lorenz, Coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program via phone at 515-281-3645, email at Becky.Lorenz@IowaAgriculture.gov or by writing to Century or Heritage Farms Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.

Farm families seeking to qualify for the Century or Heritage Farms Program must submit an application to the Department no later than June 1.

The Century Farm program was started in 1976 as part of the Nation's Bicentennial Celebration. To date more than 19,000 farms from across the state have received this recognition. The Heritage Farm program was started in 2006, on the 30th anniversary of the Century Farm program, and more than 900 farms have been recognized. Last year 320 Century Farms and 103 Heritage Farms were recognized.

The ceremony to recognize the 2017 Century and Heritage Farms is scheduled to be held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 17 in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.

"Century and Heritage Farm recognitions at the Iowa State Fair are a great celebration of Iowa agriculture and the families that care for the land and produce our food," Northey said. "I hope eligible families will take the time to apply and then come to the State Fair to be recognized."



Livestock Master Matrix Adopted in 88 Counties

Once again, 88 of 99 Iowa counties notified DNR in January that they plan to evaluate construction permit applications and proposed locations for animal confinements by using the master matrix.

With 11 exceptions, all counties will use the matrix during the next 12 months. The following counties will not use the matrix in 2017: Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Keokuk, Lee, Mahaska, Osceola, Plymouth, Wapello, Warren and Washington.

Animal producers in these counties must meet higher standards than other confinement producers who also need a construction permit. They qualify by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on air, water and the community.

Counties that adopt the master matrix can provide more input to producers on site selection, and proposed structures and facility management. Participating counties score each master matrix submitted in their county and can recommend to approve or deny the construction permit. They can also join in DNR visits to a proposed confinement site.

While all counties may submit comments to DNR during the permitting process, counties that adopt the master matrix can also appeal a preliminary permit to the state Environmental Protection Commission. The deadline for enrolling in the program is Jan. 31 of each year.

Find more information, including a map of participating counties by searching for Master Matrix at www.iowadnr.gov/afo.

The master matrix applies to producers who must get a construction permit to build, expand or modify a totally roofed facility. Generally, these are confinement feeding operations with more than 2,500 finishing hogs, 1,000 beef cattle or 715 mature dairy cows.



IA Producers:  Verify Calibration and Distribution When Applying Manure

Liquid manure application in Iowa typically happens in spring and fall each year. The majority of liquid manure application takes place using a tank or a dragline applicator, providing additional nutrients to crops.

Tank applicators transport manure from the livestock facility to agricultural fields and apply manure using a tank-mounted tool-bar. For fields that are close-by, manure can be pumped directly to the dragline-mounted tool-bar. In either case, a pre-determined application rate is used to pump manure through a manifold, which distributes manure to the application points across the tool-bar.     

“Environmental regulations require producers to make sure manure is being applied to agricultural fields in accordance with their manure management plans,” said Dan Anderson, assistant professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist with Iowa State University. “It is important to ensure that the nutrients for use by the crops are being applied in appropriate proportions.”

Variations in tank capacities, manure densities and the presence of foam can cause the application rate to be different from the target number, as can variations in drive speed. Application rate should be verified, and both tank and dragline applicators need to be calibrated to ensure accurate application.

Both distribution of manure and calibrating the applicators are covered in a pair of new ISU Extension and Outreach publications. “Distribution of Liquid Manure Application” (AE 3600) and “Calibrating Liquid Tank Manure Applicators” (AE 3601A) are both available through the Extension Store. A “Calibration Worksheet for Liquid Manure Tank Applicators” (AE 3601B) also is available.



NCBA Recognizes 2016 Top Hand Club Winners at Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show
 
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s 2016 Top Hand Club celebrated today the recruitment of 499 new NCBA members, all recruited by NCBA members over the past year.

The Top Hand Club was initiated in 1982 as NCBA’s member-recruit-a-member program that recognizes volunteer leaders for their commitment in growing a strong national association. To become a Top Hand Club member, individuals must recruit at least three new NCBA members. To remain in the club, members must recruit two new members each subsequent year. The Top Hand Club recruitment year runs Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. The program is sponsored by Case IH and Roper, Stetson, Tin Haul.

Each year, three high achieving Top Hands are recognized for their recruitment efforts, as those members who signed on the most new NCBA members. Again this year, the Top Hand Club sponsored an additional award which recognizes the Top Hand who recruited the most in dues revenue. Congratulations to the 2016 Top Hand Club top three recruiters and the top recruiter for revenue.

2016 Top Hand Club Champion and Top Recruiter for Revenue – Billy Flournoy, California Cattlemen’s Association
Billy Flournoy of Likely, California is the 2016 Champion Recruiter for Membership and the Champion Recruiter for Revenue, bringing in 63 recruits adding up to $12,800.00 in revenue during the 2016 Top Hand Club year.  Flournoy has earned airline tickets, housing and registration for the 2016 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade show, boots and apparel from Roper, Stetson, Tin Haul, and an exclusive personalized Top Hand Red Bluff Buckle. 

2016 Top Hand Club Res. Champion– Melody Benjamin, Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association
With 40 recruits, Melody Benjamin of Lakeside, Nebraska is the 2nd Top Recruiter for the 2016 Top Hand Club year. This is Melody’s thirteenth year as a Top Hand Club recruiter. Melody has also received prizes for her recruiting efforts including $500 in Cabela’s gift cards and registration to annual convention.

2016 Top Hand Club 3rd Place Recruiter – Ryan Higbie, Kansas Livestock Association
Third Top Recruiter goes to Ryan Higbie with 32 recruits. This is Ryan’s eleventh year in the Top Hand Club. His recruiting efforts have earned him a variety of prizes including boots from Roper, Stetson and Tin Haul as well as Cabela’s gift cards.

In addition to being the 2016 Top Hand Club sponsor, Case IH added an additional incentive for recruiter’s ­– $15,000 toward a Case IH purchase. Those who recruited five or more members were entered into a drawing for this grand prize, and for every five additional recruits, they received an extra entry into the contest. This year’s winner, drawn on stage at the annual Best of Beef awards breakfast, is Charlie Swanson of Oklahoma. Case IH announced today that they are proud to sponsor this same promotion for the 2017 recruitment year.



Five Beef Quality Assurance Awards Presented

On February 2, three producers were honored with the checkoff’s annual national Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award and Dairy Beef Quality Assurance (DBQA) award, which were created to recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers from across the country who incorporate BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their operations. In addition, key cattle industry influencers who promote BQA principles on a daily basis were honored. One individual was recognized with the BQA Marketer Award, and one individual received the BQA Educator of the Year Award.

2017 winners were:
-    Robyn Metzger, Wulf Cattle Company from Morris, Minn. (BQA Cow-Calf Award)
-    Steve Gabel, Magnum Feedyards from Wiggins, Colo. (BQA Feedyard Award)
-    Tricia Adams, Hoffman Farms from Shinglehouse, Penn. (BQA Dairy Award)
-    John & Leann Saunders, IMI Global from Castle Rock, Colo. (BQA Marketer Award)
-    Bob Smith, Veterinary Research and Consulting, Oklahoma (BQA Educator of the Year Award)

“Our 2017 award winners are exemplary models for promoting beef as a quality product from the local to the national level,” says Chase Decoite, associate director of BQA. “They are working diligently to implement the newest, safest, most efficient animal health, handling, daily management and record-keeping practices. They are truly examples of sharing the BQA story!”



Insider Shares Political Realities at Record-Breaking Cattle Industry Convention

Actions of the new administration are like “a dog on ice chasing a marble,” Dana Perino told an audience at the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 3. “You have to expect the unexpected.”

Perino spoke to many of the more than 9,000 cattlemen and women at the event – a record number of attendees for any cattle industry convention – at Friday’s general session. The previous convention record was in Nashville in 2014, at just under 8,300.

Renowned ag broadcast journalist Max Armstrong emceed the event, and introduced National Cattlemen’s Beef Association incoming president Craig Uden of Nebraska. Uden briefly visited with Armstrong about his vision for the organization and the industry. High Fidelity, a Nashville a capella singing quartet sang patriotic songs to open and close the event.

Perino was the press secretary for President George W. Bush for seven years and is now a panelist on The Five, which airs daily on the Fox News Channel. Her exposure to the Washington scene brought an insider’s knowledge as keynote speaker at the general session, which was sponsored by Laird Manufacturing. Having grown up in Colorado and Wyoming, she said she felt “right at home” in front of the audience of thousands of cattlemen and women.

Perino said the recent presidential election was unique. The odds of getting an inside straight are 254 to 1, she told the audience, and those are the kind of odds Trump beat to win the presidency. “It was a hard hand to play, and he played it perfectly,” she said. While Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, she didn’t win states she needed, including Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. For two years she didn’t visit Wisconsin, Perino said, and she should have listened to her volunteers in the state, instead of her statisticians, who said the state was safe.

According to Perino, cattle producers should work to make sure they “get in front of the administration as much as possible” on things like trade. She suggested giving away the upper hand in trade to China through destruction of the TPP was not a good idea, but “he (Trump) can change his mind.”

“Government doesn’t work just like a business,” she said, adding that she hoped “things would settle down for them.”  Donald Trump “thrives on chaos,” according to Perino.  At some point, however, things will get calmer “or the chaos will take over.”

Perino was also confident that the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the country’s highest court would be successful. “Mark my words,” she said, “he will get confirmed to the Supreme Court.”



BILL INTRODUCED TO CLARIFY WASTE LAW DOESN’T COVER NUTRIENT APPLICATION

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., this week introduced legislation to clarify congressional intent on applying the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 to agricultural activities. RCRA deals with the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste; it does not cover agriculture, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency RCRA regulations state that the statute doesn’t apply to agricultural waste, “including manure and crop residue, returned to the soil as fertilizers or soil conditioners.” But some courts have allowed citizen lawsuits against farmers over application to cropland of manure.

The “Farm Regulatory Certainty Act” would:
·         Reaffirm and clarify congressional intent that RCRA should not cover agricultural byproducts.
·         Codify EPA regulations on the treatment of agricultural byproducts under RCRA.
·         Prevent farmers who are engaged in legal action or making an attempt to work with the state or federal government to address nutrient management issues from being targeted by citizen suits.

Newhouse sponsored similar legislation in the last Congress.



AgriPro® brand wheat varieties break records for 2016 yields and top lists of acres planted

A dedication to continued research and development from the largest private wheat breeding program in North America is reaping results for wheat growers across the country. In 2016, growers proved that they are recognizing the benefits of AgriPro® brand wheat varieties from Syngenta through increases in acreage planted and with record-breaking yields.

In Kansas, SY Wolf winter wheat achieved the highest wheat yield (109.38 bushels per acre) in the 2016 Kansas Wheat Yield Contest for the Central region. In Michigan, new SY 100 winter wheat topped the 2016 Michigan State University Wheat Performance Trial with a yield of 124.8 bu/A.

“We’re proud of the record-breaking performance of AgriPro wheat in 2016 and expect to see this trend continue,” said Darcy Pawlik, product marketing manager for Syngenta Cereals. “Our investment and expertise in wheat breeding is paying off, allowing Syngenta to bring to market new and better varieties with strong agronomic characteristics and higher top-end yield potential. We are pleased to see growers benefiting from our investment by choosing to plant more acres of AgriPro varieties than ever before.”

In 2016, AgriPro varieties were the top planted in five key wheat growing states. SY Wolf was the number one planted winter wheat variety in both Nebraska and South Dakota. In South Dakota, SY Wolf comprised 32 percent of all winter wheat planted. In Nebraska, SY Wolf comprised 7.4 percent of winter wheat planted with 94,000 acres.

In North Dakota, SY Soren and SY Ingmar were the top two spring wheat varieties planted with 15.4 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively, of the 6.30 million acres of the state’s spring wheat. In Washington, SY Ovation has become the number one planted winter wheat variety with 248,368 acres, 13 percent of the total winter wheat acres planted. SY Ovation was also the number one planted winter wheat variety in Idaho.

Syngenta is an industry leader in the development of superior wheat varieties, offering growers consistent performance in the field. AgriPro brand wheat varieties target high yield potential, good test weights, quality grain and superior disease protection. From seed to harvest, Syngenta supports the cereals market with a robust portfolio of seed and crop protection solutions. The unique portfolio breadth enables us to innovate and deliver integrated solutions to help farmers start strong and ultimately grow more wheat.