Monday March 6 Ag News

Governors Ask President Trump to Take Steps to Support the Nation’s Biofuels Industry

        Three leaders of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition outline steps to expand the states’ and the nation’s renewable fuel industry.

        The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition today sent a letter to President Trump asking him to support several initiatives to expand the states’ biofuel production and to help the states “harvest its economic and environmental benefits.” The governors also wrote to President Trump shortly after he was elected.

        “We write on behalf of governors from states across the nation who believe that two of America’s great treasures are agriculture and renewable fuels,” the governors wrote. The letter is signed by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard.

        “Our states are the home to over 200 biorefineries that are producing tens of thousands of jobs, sequestering tons of carbon, saving millions of barrels of foreign oil, and making enormous financial contributions to our states’ and the nation’s economies. We agree that one of the best ways to meet the nation’s energy needs is to expand renewable energy production and to continue to harvest its economic and environmental benefits.”

        The governors called on the President to direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take the following actions:
-    Remove barriers to the use of higher ethanol blends
-    Enforce the Renewable Fuel Standard as approved by Congress
-    Update biofuels’ lifecycle carbon findings that are a decade old and do not accurately reflect biofuels’ environmental benefits
-    Correct the motor vehicle emission model’s (MOVES) mistaken conclusions about ethanol’s contribution to air pollution.



UNL Extension Tractor Safety Classes Offered Across Nebraska

Nebraska Extension Tractor Safety & Hazardous Occupations Courses will take place at nine Nebraska locations this year. Teens 14 or 15 years of age who will work on a farm should plan to attend.

Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from working on a farm for anyone other than parents or legal guardians. Certification received through this course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with specific mechanized equipment.

The most common cause of agricultural-related death in Nebraska is overturned tractors and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Extensive training on Tractor and ATV safety occurs during in-class lessons with hands-on activities. Instilling an attitude of ‘safety first’ and respect for agricultural equipment are primary goals of the course.

The course consists of two days of instruction plus homework assignments. The first day of classroom instruction includes hands-on demonstrations, concluding with a written test.  Students are required to pass the test before taking the driving test on day two. Classroom instruction will cover the required elements of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program. Students will complete homework assignments that will be due on day two. The second day will include a driving test, equipment operation, and ATV safety lessons. To receive certification, students must demonstrate competence in hitching and unhitching equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized course.

Two locations, Gordon and McCook, will offer online course instruction to replace the first day of the two-day course. Students complete this at their convenience before attending the driving component of the course on-site.

All on-site classes begin at 8:00 A.M. and end times will vary, depending on the number of participants. Dates, locations, and Site Coordinator phone numbers are as follows: 
  - May 30 & 31 - Kearney Fairgrounds (308) 236-1235;
  - June 1 & 2 – Auburn Fairgrounds (402) 245-4324;
  - June 6 & 7 – Valentine Fairgrounds (402) 376-1850;
  - June 13 & 14 – North Platte West Central Research and Extension Center (308) 532-2683;
  - June 15 & 16 – Gering Legacy Museum (308) 632-1480;
  - June 19 & 20 – Wayne Fairgrounds (402) 584-2234;
  - June 22 – Gordon Fairgrounds (308) 327-2312;
  - June 23 – McCook Fairgrounds (308) 345-3390;
  - July 10 & 11 – Grand Island College Park (308) 385-5088.
   
Participants must submit registration forms to the location they will attend at least one week before the course.  The registration form is available online: . Cost of the course is $60, which includes educational materials, instruction, supplies, and lunches. For more information, contact the Extension Office of the location where student will attend.



Plan to Attend the 2017 World Pork Expo, June 7-9

The 2017 World Pork Expo — the world’s largest pork-specific trade show — offers hundreds of exhibitors, free educational seminars, live hog shows and sales, networking opportunities and much more, making it a must-attend event for all pork professionals. Brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), World Pork Expo takes place from Wednesday, June 7 through Friday, June 9 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

This year, the National Pork Producers Council is excited to announce the new World Pork Expo website. With its user-friendly design, the website has everything you need to easily register for Expo and plan a successful visit — including event schedules, exhibitor information, lodging and travel information and much more.

Education, innovation and networking
In 2016, more than 20,000 producers and agriculture professionals, including 1,100 international guests from 35 countries, participated in the three-day exposition. NPPC officials anticipate similar attendance this year.

“Anyone involved with pork production, including owners, managers, veterinarians, employees and allied industry, should attend World Pork Expo,” says John Weber, NPPC president and Iowa pork producer. “Expo is truly an international show and offers a great opportunity to interact with producers and companies from other countries, which helps us better understand the global reach of U.S. pork production.”

The trade show is the centerpiece of Expo’s international connection, featuring hundreds of companies from throughout the world. The ever-expanding trade show, with both indoor and outdoor displays, presents more than 310,000 square feet of commercial exhibits specific to pork production. Attendees can visit the trade show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8. Trade show hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 9.

A particularly valuable part of Expo is the chance for attendees to learn about new and changing developments in pork production during the numerous free educational seminars. Experts on topics such as business planning, swine management, herd health and marketing will present the most up-to-date information at the business seminars and Pork Academy on Wednesday and Thursday.

Food and fun at World Pork Expo
Of course, Expo always includes time for fun, fellowship and plenty of tasty pork. Allied industry tents provide a spot for producers to interact with each other as well mingle with representatives from a range of companies. Along the Grand Concourse on Thursday, attendees can enjoy a summer evening with MusicFest’s live music, grilled pork and refreshments.

Another activity not to be missed is the Big Grill, which serves free pork lunches each day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year, the Big Grill, staffed by Iowa’s Tama County pork producers, provided more than 10,000 pork lunches.

“Anyone who hasn’t been to World Pork Expo is missing out,” Weber says. “Whether you’re the boss or an employee, taking some time off to attend Expo can pay back the business in a variety of ways because there’s always something to learn.”

Swine shows
The World Pork Expo swine shows will kick off Expo week with activities beginning on Monday, June 5. Hosted by the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) and Team Purebred, the Junior National has evolved into one of the nation’s premier youth swine shows. It combines educational programs such as judging contests, a Skillathon and certification programs with live hog competitions through Friday, June 9. Continuing its record-setting pace, the 2016 show involved 2,351 hogs exhibited by 948 youth from 30 states.

Also located in the swine barn, the open shows will take place on Friday, June 9, with breeding-stock auction sales scheduled for Saturday morning, June 10. Last year, more than 1,090 purebred and crossbred gilts and boars were exhibited.

Register today and save
Online registration is now available. Individuals heading to Expo can register online through June 1 and receive a discounted rate of $10 per adult (ages 12 and up), which covers all three days of Expo. On-site registration will be $20 per adult, with a special Friday-only rate of $10.

Stay up-to-date on all the latest World Pork Expo news by following us on Twitter (#WPX17) and connecting with us on Facebook. Whether you’re looking to shop the trade show, sit in on the seminars or interact with fellow pork professionals, it’s not too early to start planning your trip to the 2017 World Pork Expo, June 7-9.



Mid-Sized Feedlots Exit the Industry
Katelyn McCullock, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation

February's Cattle on Feed Report provides some unique insight of the previous year's feedlot capacity.  The daily livestock report highlighted some of the key points last week.  The monthly cattle on feed report provides numbers of those feedlots with 1000 of more head.  However, this represents only 7% of the industry's capacity.  There are just over 30,000 feedlots in 2016, and 93% of them held less than 1000 head.  Those 7% however, marketed more than 87% of the total cattle sold.

Smaller sized feedlots did increase capacity adding 2,000 lots (locations) compared to 2015 and increasing the number of head marketed during 2016 by just over 200,000 head year-over-year. This relatively large increase in small feedlots is driven by cheap feed, but is unlikely going to be a long term trend.  Over the last decade feedlots with 1000 head or less have fallen by 65%. The largest increases have been in feedlots with 50,000 head or more, up 28% since 2006.

Larger feedlots continued to add both capacity and numbers, increasing the number of lots with 50,000+ by 2, and the number of head marketed increased by 710,000.  The number of head marketed in this largest capacity category represents 34% of the total cattle marketed.  The smallest proportions of cattle were marketed in feedlots with 1,000-31,999 head capacity.  The number of lots increased in several of these capacity categories: 1,000-1,999, 2,000-3,999, 4,000-7,999, 8,000-15,999 each added 10 new lots last year.  Feedlots with 16,000-49,999 lost 12 lots total.

Larger feedlots have an easier time weathering negative margins using economies of scale. But, as we saw in 2016, inexpensive feed/ weak calf prices enticed farmer feeders (<1000 head) to hold animals and use their own feed.  These facilities on farmer feeder operations are fluid and tend to operate when the market conditions are favorable.  When conditions are less favorable those facilities remain empty and producers sell calves and corn. Mid-sized operations have less flexibility.  In the smaller mid-sized categories, feedlots added capacity as seen in the 1,000-15,999 head capacity groups.  In the larger mid-sized categories (16,000-49,999 head capacity), those that could not grow, exited.  These categories are never completely stagnant and change as the markets calls for.



Innovation Propels Soybean Industry Success

Every day, farmers make decisions to drive their farms forward despite volatile markets and unpredictable weather. Just like the farmers who compose it, the soybean industry’s success depends on a commitment to innovation.

The soy checkoff recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication to the U.S. soybean industry with the United Soybean Board’s Outstanding Achievement and Excellence in Innovation awards. John Becherer and David Green received these awards at the American Soybean Association’s annual banquet on Friday, March 3, held during Commodity Classic.

Outstanding Achievement Award – John Becherer, United Soybean Board CEO
John Becherer earned the Outstanding Achievement Award for his relentless focus on developing profit opportunities for farmers, creating partnerships, and leveraging resources alongside industry and government leaders.

In his tenure as CEO of the United Soybean Board, Becherer has served as a catalyst in many industry-wide changes. His work on behalf of farmers brought the checkoff into the 21st century through innovation and technology adoption in board governance.

“John has focused on bringing all sectors of agriculture together to collaborate and bring benefits to farmers,” says Brett Begemann, president and COO of Monsanto. “He has quietly led the United Soybean Board to be one of the top checkoff organizations in the industry.”

Past USB chair Don Latham agrees. “John has helped farmer-leaders put our unique ideas into action to improve profitability,” he says. “And he has kept a consistent focus on bringing opportunities back to farmers by partnering with industry.”

Excellence In Innovation Award – David Green, president of Greenhouse Communications
David Green received the Excellence in Innovation Award for his contributions to the soybean industry’s reputation abroad in the area of biotechnology.

The European Union is a key player in varietal success for U.S. soybeans as EU trade approval signals a significant step toward global approval of traits. Green, an expert on the intricacies of biotechnology adoption in the EU, is regularly called on to lend his voice to conferences and publications on food safety and technology acceptance abroad. He also has led trade missions to Europe on behalf of soybean farmers through the U.S. Soybean Export Council.

“David has been a key asset to the U.S. soy industry for more than two decades, championing farmer profit opportunities in biotechnology and market access in the EU and other overseas markets,” says Doug Winter, a USB farmer-leader who nominated Green for the award.

“John has invested time, energy and talent in the agriculture industry, and the return on his investment is more opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers to succeed,” says John Motter of Jenera, Ohio, who serves as the USB Chair. “Similarly, David’s leadership and expertise have opened doors overseas that continue to expand international markets for reliable, sustainable, high-quality U.S. soybeans.”



CWT Assists with 4.6 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 23 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and Tillamook County Creamery Association. These member cooperatives have contracts to sell 4.616 million pounds (2,094 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses to customers in Asia, Central America, North Africa, and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from March through June 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 15.579 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 1.375 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 12 countries on four continents. The sales are the equivalent of 174.734 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



‘Get Out of My Space’ Theme Promoted During Agricultural Safety Awareness Program Week

Farm Bureaus across the nation are recognizing Agricultural Safety Awareness Program Week (March 5-11) by encouraging respect for spaces around farm equipment and tasks.

“Get Out of My Space!” is the theme of the week, noted Kalena Bruce, chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. Grain bins, grain wagons, manure pits, tractor seats and livestock flight zones are all “spaces” on farms and ranches that require caution to avoid injury.

“It’s easy to take these spaces for granted when you work around them every day on the farm and ranch, but it only takes a split-second for disaster to occur,” Bruce said.

Farm Bureau is collaborating with U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers in sharing resources and messages related to the daily themes of the week:
  - Monday, March 6 - Confined Space
  - Tuesday, March 7 - Animal Space
  - Wednesday, March 8 - Equipment Operator Space
  - Thursday, March 9 - Electrical Space
  - Friday, March 10 - Driver Space

Join the movement and share your own safety messages on social media using these hashtags:
  - #KeepFarmsSafe
  - #ASAP17
  - #USAgCenters

Visit the centers’ YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/USagCenters) for new content and fresh ideas about how to stay safe while working in agriculture, forestry and fishing.



NFU Commences 115th Anniversary Convention

National Farmers Union (NFU) officially convened its 115th Anniversary Convention this morning in San Diego, California. More than 450 Farmers Union members from across the country are gathered for the annual event, which runs through March 8.

“As a farmer-driven organization, NFU’s convention is the organization’s most important event of the year. Attendees learn and collaborate through breakout sessions, thought provoking panel discussions and a local farms tour, and delegates from each of our state divisions will set the stage for NFU’s policies and priorities in the year ahead,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

Over the next several days, attendees will hear from two high-level panels on the upcoming Farm Bill and conservation in agriculture, and industry experts focusing on consolidation in the agricultural sector, renewable fuels, and sustainable food production.

The information learned will provide context for the policy discussions and line-by-line policy review by Farmers Union delegates in the final days of the convention.

“The policy adoption process truly embodies NFU’s strong grassroots network, and is very important to deciding the policy we bring to the table in Washington, D.C.,” Johnson explained.

“This year’s deliberations will be especially important, as family farmers and ranchers face a depressed farm economy, waves of consolidation, a new administration, and upcoming farm bill negotiation,” Johnson added. “We look forward to our members setting positions that are representative of policy solutions that work for family agriculture and rural communities.”

The convention will also feature a local farms tour, award ceremonies, and a number of NFU education programming events.

“We’ll host breakout sessions on soil health, dairy marketing programs, and NFU history, as well as a local farms tour that showcases organic production and small-plot urban farming in San Diego,” said Johnson. “We’re proud to be an organization representative of the diversity in American family agriculture and bring together folks of all different backgrounds and operation types to drive the future of agriculture.”



Court Rejects Animal Rights Groups' Bid For Cage-Free Egg Labels

A U.S. appeals court in San Francisco rejected a bid by two animal welfare groups to require egg carton labels to show whether the egg-laying hens were cage-free. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the Food and Drug Administration and three other federal agencies met the legal standard for acting reasonably when they considered but rejected the groups' request for label requirements.

The Cotati-based Animal Legal Defense Fund and Washington, D.C.-based Compassion Over Killing wanted the agencies to set rules for labels specifying "Free-Range Eggs," "Cage-Free Eggs" or "Eggs from Caged Hens."

The groups argued that some current labels, such as those advertising "natural" eggs, are misleading and that consumers are entitled to know because free-range eggs are allegedly more nutritious and less likely to carry a risk of salmonella contamination.

The organizations sued the agencies in federal court in San Francisco in 2013 after rule-making petitions submitted to the agencies by Compassion Over Killing in 2006 and 2007 were unsuccessful. The appeals court upheld a summary judgment issued by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in favor of the agencies in 2015.

The four agencies "each acted reasonably in denying plaintiffs' rule-making petitions," the appeals court said.

The Food and Drug Administration had told the animal welfare groups that given its limited resources, it chose to pursue individual enforcement actions against misbranded eggs instead of developing an industry-wide rule on labeling standards.



Duo of dietitians to tackle food myths at Alliance Summit

Two dietitians will address attendees at the 2017 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit in a panel titled “Food History: Fact vs. Fiction and Dispelling Myths About Food.” The panel will focus on how to debunk myths about food and farming that frequently circulate online and in the media. Panelists include Leah McGrath, corporate dietitian for Ingles Markets and Amber Pankonin, a registered dietitian nutritionist and adjunct professor.

The 2017 Summit, themed “Connect to Protect Animal Ag” will be held May 3-4 in Kansas City, Mo. The conference will build on the 2016 Summit’s focus of taking action to secure a bright future for animal agriculture. Speakers will give the audience actionable solutions to take home and implement on their farm or in their business. Early registration rates are available through April 3rd by visiting www.animalagalliance.org/summit.

Leah McGrath is a corporate supermarket dietitian and former Army and public health dietitian. She is also the founder of “Build Up Dietitians,” a social media movement emphasizing evidence-based information and encouraging dietitians to “#StandForScience.” For the past five years, McGrath has worked to increase her knowledge about agriculture and farming by visiting farms and writing blogs and articles about her experiences to educate consumers and peers. She is proud to consider herself an “agvocate.”

Amber Pankonin is a registered dietitian nutritionist passionate about food, nutrition science and agriculture. She works as a nutrition and agriculture communications consultant and adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Pankonin loves good food, Nebraska agriculture and building community. She shares the stories of farmers and ranchers through recipes on her blog, Stirlist.com.

“This year’s Summit theme is all about connecting, and that includes connecting with people outside of traditional animal agriculture,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Consumers are turning to dietitians and nutritionists for advice and information about food, so we are thrilled to have two representatives of that profession joining us at Summit. I am confident this panel will be both engaging and useful for our Summit attendees.”

Be sure to check the Alliance website for the most up-to-date Summit information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA17 and #ActionPlease2017 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

Make your plans to attend:

The early registration rate of $425 is available through April 3rd. Discounted rates are available for Alliance members, government officials, university representatives and students. To see all rates and register, visit http://animalagalliance.org/summit/register.cfm. Complimentary registration is available for reporters covering the event for media outlets. Contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@animalagalliance.org for details. 

The Summit will once again be held in Kansas City in 2017 with all events taking place at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Rooms are available at a discounted rate of $175 as supplies last. Rooms must be booked by April 3rd to receive this rate. For hotel booking instructions, visit http://animalagalliance.org/summit/index.cfm?PageID=8.



CropLife America Meets with Delegation from Chinese Ministry of Agriculture

A delegation of pesticide program officers organized by the Institute for the Management of Agrochemicals, China Ministry of Agriculture, met with senior leaders from CropLife America (CLA) today to learn more about the regulation of pesticides in the U.S. Led by Deputy Director-General Yan Duanxiang, the fifteen officers sought to learn about pesticide registration, sale and marketing, and risk assessment to better inform regulations, reevaluation and policy-making in China. The Center for Sustainable Development and Policy (CSDP) at the University of California, Davis, is hosting the group as part of its mission to promote dialogue and educational programs that build capacity for sustainable development and effective government.

“We are pleased to meet with Chinese agricultural officers and share information on the regulation of crop protection products in the U.S.,” stated Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “Our nation has one of the most advanced food systems in the world, built upon a solid pesticide regulatory system that uses the best available science and is based on the sound principles of risk assessment. Farmers around the globe rely on crop protection technology to grow nutritious and affordable food, making it vital for our industry to continue to advance these products and meet farmers’ needs.”

Dr. Janet E. Collins, executive vice president of science and regulatory affairs at CLA, added, “The crop protection industry in the U.S. is constantly striving to develop products that more precisely target crop threats. We are always pleased to meet and speak with groups both from around the U.S. and from different countries to inform the innovation of crop protection technology.”

The mandate of the Institute for the Management of Agrochemicals (also translated as the Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals) includes pesticide/agrochemical registration, quality testing, biological monitoring/evaluation, residue analysis, marketing regulation as well as information dissemination and public outreach.