Thursday March 16 Ag News

Newly Elected Leaders of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Look Forward to Future

New officers for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) were elected during the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Board meeting on March 6, 2017.

Jim Bendfeldt from the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) was re-elected as President of the association. Bendfeldt is a retired farmer/feeder from Kearney. He has been a member of the Central Platte Natural Resources District Board for 13 years and served as Vice-President from 2014-16 and Secretary-Treasurer from 2012-14. In 2011, Bendfeldt was awarded the NARD Director of the Year. Currently, Bendfeldt also serves on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Board as a land acquisition member.

“The Natural Resources Districts have helped protect Nebraska’s natural resources for the last 45 years,” President of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Jim Bendfeldt said. “I’m honored to serve as the NARD President and look forward to the future.”

The NARD Board re-elected Larry Reynolds from Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (TBNRD) as Vice-President. Reynolds has been a member of the TBNRD Board for 32 years and served in the United States Air Force for eight years and in the Nebraska Air National Guard for 18 years. Reynolds currently farms and helps manage the family cow/calf operation near Lexington. Reynolds served as Secretary-Treasurer from 2014-16.

“The NRDs are making huge strides when it comes to creating a sustainable Nebraska,” Vice-President of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Larry Reynolds said. “I’m honored to be a part of an organization that’s the envy of the nation.”

The NARD Board elected Shane Rippen as Secretary/Treasurer. Rippen has served as the Middle Republican Natural Resources District (MRNRD) representative to the NARD Board since January 2016. Rippen was elected in 2015 to the Middle Republican NRD Board. He farms with his father near Culbertson. The irrigated and dryland operation includes cattle, soybeans and corn. Rippen is the fourth generation on the family farm.

“Every day, the NRDs work to conserve the state’s natural resources,” Secretary/Treasurer of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Shane Rippen said. “I’m excited to be a part of such an innovative and hard-working organization.”

The officers serve on the NARD executive committee along with chairs from the Information and Education committee, Legislative committee and the past NARD Board President. Bendfeldt re-appointed Jim Johnson from South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) as chair of the Information and Education committee and Jim Meismer, Twin Platte Natural Resources District (TPNRD), as chair of the Legislative and Government Affairs committee.

Terry Martin from the Upper Republican Natural Resources District (URNRD), will serve on the executive committee as the past NARD Board President. Martin has served 17 years on the URNRD Board and currently is board Chairman. He has served 10 years as an NARD Board representative. Martin previously held the President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer positions.

The NARD Board consists of representation from each of the 23 local NRDs. The board members meet five times throughout the year and help guide the association and the NRDs in decision-making that protects lives, protects property and protects the future of Nebraska’s natural resources.

At the March 1, 2017 NRD Managers meeting, Mike Sousek, Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Manager, was elected as Chair of the Managers Committee and John Berge, General Manager of the North Platte Natural Resources District (NPNRD), was elected Vice-Chair of the Managers Committee. The Managers Committee includes managers from all 23 districts. The committee meets five times a year to coordinate NRD activities with state and federal agencies, conservation partners and other parties to protect natural resources.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION ADDRESSES PETROLEUM PIPELINES IN NEW PUBLICATION

A new publication from Nebraska Extension focuses on one of the nation's most debated topics: petroleum pipelines.

"Assessing Petroleum Pipelines – Facts and Safety" was written by Steven S. Sibray, geoscientist at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, and Douglas R. Hallum, hydrogeologist at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte. The publication does not take sides or answer every question about pipelines, according to the authors. Rather, it gathers factual information to facilitate discussion.

Readers will find sections on the historical and social context of pipelines; some basic facts about construction, engineering and preventive safety measures; a look at the human and environmental impacts of spills and leaks; and ways to detect and respond to spills.

Many miles of pipeline run beneath Nebraska, Sibray said. In many locations, they cross surface water bodies such as streams and rivers. Many existing pipelines are natural gas lines that people rely on to heat their homes, he said.

"Today natural gas is plentiful and relatively cheap as a result of the development of horizontal drilling combined with hydraulic fracturing," Sibray said.

Pipelines date back to the 19th century. Natural gas has been extracted since 1821, but natural gas pipelines didn't become important nationally until after World War II. More than 25 million miles of pipeline run underneath the United States.

According to the publication, residential natural gas pipelines are present in much of the United States and distribute natural gas to customers in 79 counties in Nebraska. Large interstate petroleum transmission lines cross under large parts of Nebraska and surrounding states.

"When we build new pipelines, we're modernizing the overall ability to transport petroleum across the country," Hallum said.

The topic of spills, leaks and their consequences is also included in the publication. It features a list of selected pipeline spills and various incidents from 1950 through 2015, including about a half-dozen Nebraska occurrences. Several case studies describe spills and leaks, and their consequences, in more depth.

The human role in pipeline monitoring is vital, the authors said, even with advanced leak-detection technology. The publication notes that modern pipelines are cleaner and safer than they used to be. The volume of spilled material has declined by more than 70 percent in the past 50 years.

Sibray and Hallum said they hope the new publication is a meaningful contribution to the pipeline discussion.

"The goal was to create a succinct document that had a lot of information that would allow a casual reader to spend five minutes and get something out of it, but also have enough information that you could spend a significant amount of time and really dig into the meat of what's going on,” Hallum said.

To view the publication online, visit http://go.unl.edu/uhbf.



USDA Confirms Second Avian Flu Case in Tennessee

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed a second case of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza in a commercial breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tenn. This H7N9 strain is of North American wild bird lineage and is the same strain of avian influenza that was previously confirmed in Tennessee. It is NOT the same as the China H7N9 virus that has impacted poultry and infected humans in Asia. The flock of 55,000 chickens is located in the Mississippi flyway, within three kilometers of the first Tennessee case.

Samples from the affected flock, which displayed signs of illness and experienced increased mortality, were tested at Tennessee's Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory and confirmed at the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.

USDA is working with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture on the joint incident response. State officials quarantined the affected premises, and depopulation has begun. Federal and State partners will conduct surveillance and testing of commercial and backyard poultry within a 10 kilometer (6.2 mile) radius of the site.

The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world, and USDA works with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.

USDA will be informing the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as well as international trading partners of this finding. USDA also continues to communicate with trading partners to encourage adherence to OIE standards and minimize trade impacts.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is working directly with poultry workers at the affected facilities to ensure that they are taking the proper precautions to prevent illness and contain disease spread. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ?F kills bacteria and viruses.

Wild waterfowl are natural hosts for avian influenza, including H5 and H7, and can shed the virus without appearing sick. These low pathogenic viruses can mutate to highly pathogenic forms after introduction to poultry. People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through their state veterinarian or through USDA's toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.



Wilkins Testifies to House Ag on Importance of Research Funding in Farm Bill

American Soybean Association (ASA) Chairman Richard Wilkins, a soybean farmer from Greenwood, Del., testified Thursday on the significant role that public-sector research plays in continuing the stream of technological innovations that drive the agriculture industry. Wilkins testified in his capacity as vice president of the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research (NCFAR) before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research.

In his testimony, Wilkins spoke to the user-driven nature of the public-sector research industry, and how stakeholders from all points in the farm-to-consumer supply chain benefit from robust agricultural research.

“Tools provided through publicly funded research, extension and education are needed to help achieve safer, more nutritious, convenient and affordable foods delivered to sustain a well-nourished, healthy population; more efficient and environmentally friendly food, fiber and forest production; improved water quality, land conservation, wildlife and other environmental conditions; less dependence on non-renewable sources of energy; expanded global markets and improved balance of trade; and more jobs and sustainable rural economic development,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins advocated continued funding and support for the intermural and extramural research functions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To accomplish these funding goals, Wilkins noted the active role that NCFAR as a customer-led coalition plans on the research title of the 2018 Farm Bill.

“The research title of the farm bill represents the nation’s signature federal investment in the future of the food and agricultural sector,” Wilkins said. “In fact, the success of every other title in the farm bill and those who are charged with carrying out their respective missions is arguably dependent in significant part on scientific outcomes and tools generated by programs authorized through the research title, and then funded by Congress.”

Wilkins testified to the danger that the current lack of attention to the public research system presents in terms of missed opportunity for innovation.

“We as a nation are not investing enough in in publicly funded research to permit discovery necessary to regain and then maintain our nation’s place as the leader in agricultural research,” Wilkins said. “Federal funding for food and agricultural research, extension and education has been essentially flat for over 20 years despite much greater demonstrated needs, and has reportedly declined by about 25 percent in real terms since 2003. At the same time support for other federal research has increased substantially. Our nation’s competitiveness in global markets is at risk, as investments in food and agricultural science by our global competitors have been growing rapidly.“



Ag groups conduct 'substantive, productive' meeting with Trump administration on trade

Executive staff leaders from 11 major U.S. agricultural and agribusiness organizations commended the Trump administration for engaging in a substantive and productive meeting yesterday focused on the importance of continued growth of U.S. food and agriculture exports.

The meeting followed a series of written communications to the Trump administration from the broad-based U.S. Food and Agriculture Dialogue for Trade, as well as a number of the individual organizations, stressing the importance of agricultural trade. Those communications also have expressed an eagerness on behalf of the food and agriculture sector to work actively and constructively with the administration in preserving the major benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement to the sector while seeking further improvements to modernize the 23-year-old accord, as well as to reinvigorate trade negotiations with important U.S. agricultural trading partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn participated in the meeting with representatives from the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Corn Refiners Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Grain and Feed Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Export Grain Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and USA Rice.

"It is clear from this meeting and other interactions that the Trump administration understands the importance, and intends to pursue expansion, of U.S. food and agriculture exports, which contribute to U.S. manufacturing, job creation and economic growth," the groups said following the meeting. "We are committed to offering substantive proposals and ideas, and look forward to further opportunities to work with the administration and its trade team as they develop specific strategies for engaging in trade negotiations with our most important trading partners. We are pleased that we received assurances from the Trump team that it will take us up on that offer."

During the meeting, the agricultural organizations noted that 95 percent of their potential customers live beyond the U.S. border, and that the diverse food and agriculture sector supports more than 15 million U.S. jobs, creates more than $423 billion in annual U.S. economic activity, and is the single largest U.S. manufacturing sector, representing 12 percent of all U.S. manufacturing jobs. 



NAWG Expresses Concern about President’s Budget Proposal

Today, President Donald Trump issued his first budget proposal, covering Fiscal Year 2018, “America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again.”  After reviewing the budget document, NAWG President David Schemm, a wheat grower from Sharon Springs, Kansas issued the following statement:

“While we’re pleased that this budget outline doesn’t include any cuts to crop insurance or Title 1 farm programs, we are very concerned about the impact that the deep discretionary cuts, particularly at USDA, will have on wheat farmers across the country,” said Schemm.  “Many of the proposals in the budget blueprint would have an outsized impact on rural America, particularly the possible cuts to agricultural research and to USDA county offices. Given the rough economic conditions and perpetual low prices, now is not the time to make such drastic cuts.”

The budget blueprint, which is the President’s recommendation to Congress about areas to prioritize funding, includes a reduction from the FY 2017 level of $22.6 billion down to $17.9 billion in discretionary spending, a 21 percent reduction, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  NAWG is concerned about what these cuts could mean for wheat research, the functionality of farm programs resulting from cuts to NASS and USDA county offices, rural infrastructure programs, and anti-hunger programs like the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education Program.  The blueprint also contains a 31 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  While NAWG believes the EPA needs to be reined in, NAWG wants to ensure that the agency is funded at a level that allows for timely work on registration review of crop protection tools and evaluation of new products.  Growers rely on EPA to evaluate the safety of crop protection tools and they need to do so in an efficient and effective manner.

“As the budget process gets underway, we will work with the House and Senate to ensure a common-sense approach to their proposals for FY18 Budget and Appropriations,” said Schemm.  “We will also work with the Trump Administration regarding support for important farm safety net programs to ensure they are not subject to mandatory spending cuts or limitations as additional budget details are released this spring. Let’s also remember the $23 billion in deficit reduction over 10 years that was generated by the 2014 Farm Bill.  USDA programs generated budget savings and continue to do so, as shown by the recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate that the 2014 Farm Bill actually reduced spending by $100 billion over ten years.”



President’s Budget Shuns Rural America with Deep Cuts to Agriculture, Programs Serving Rural America

President Donald J. Trump issued his fiscal year 2018 federal budget blueprint today, calling for a drastic reduction in spending on agriculture and rural related agencies and programs. Lamenting further cuts being proposed for agriculture, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson issued the following statement:

“Family farmers and ranchers are currently enduring the worst farm economy in well over a decade and an inadequate safety net that is hamstrung by $23 billion in budget cuts. The last thing our members need right now is more cuts to agencies and programs that provide incredibly important work, especially in the midst of the current farm crisis. These cuts and the message they send to rural America are deeply disappointing.

“President Trump’s budget blueprint calls for a $4.7 billion cut to USDA, which equates to a 21 percent drop for programs that serve rural and farming communities across the U.S. This huge cut to discretionary spending will put rural development, food safety, conservation and research programs on the chopping block.

“The proposal recommends eliminating the Senior Community Service Employment Program that provides job training for older unemployed Americans. This program serves older Americans across the country, but is critical at addressing the challenges faced by older people in rural America.

“The President’s blueprint also provides for a $2.6 billion cut to EPA funding. This 31 percent drop guts the agency’s ability to provide very important environmental services and pesticide approval. It even limits the administration’s ability to rewrite or remove the unnecessary regulations that the President promised to address. Regulatory relief comes from having a system that works.

“To this point, the president has put the needs of rural America and agriculture on the backburner, and, in many cases, on the chopping block. We call on Congress to reject these budget cuts and adopt funding levels that ensure the success and vibrancy of farming communities and rural America.”



Saudi Arabia Ramps Up U.S. DDGS Purchases
US Grains Council

A recent sale of U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to Saudi Arabia is an example of an increasingly diverse number of markets interested in the feed product and the impact of sustained market development in areas showing potential for long-term growth.

Last month, Saudi buyers purchased 18,000 metric tons of U.S. DDGS, a relatively large amount and a dramatic increase from total sales of just 8,400 metric tons in 2014.

While the dairy and poultry sectors in Saudi Arabia are large and modern with an estimated annual compound feed demand of 6.9 million metric tons, the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) progress in persuading the Saudi industry to utilize DDGS has been limited by shipping distance and local subsidies that did not incentivize use of the product.

Now, those policies are changing, and DDGS is priced well in the market. As a result, Saudi buyers - and others in the region including in Egypt, Turkey, Morocco and Pakistan - are taking a closer look at U.S. DDGS.

The recent purchase is a clear signal to the Council to continue market development, training and marketing efforts in Saudi Arabia to help capture the half million tons of estimated DDGS demand from buyers there.

Ramy Hadj Taieb, USGC regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, will visit Saudi Arabia in March as part of the Council's efforts to promote U.S. grains and co-products to Saudi importers and end users. In addition, the Council is working with agribusiness members on logistical challenges.

“The timing of the purchases by Saudi Arabia could not be better,” said Kurt Shultz, USGC senior director for global strategies. “The DDGS export market has been under pressure with a slowdown in exports to key markets like China and Vietnam. However, other countries like Saudi Arabia are helping to fill that void.

“Total DDGS exports are down only 2 percent from last marketing year, highlighting the importance of the Council’s marketing efforts and the ability to respond quickly to changing trade flows.”



National Biodiesel Day gives communities something to celebrate

Rudolf Diesel couldn’t have imagined how far his vision would have come by 2017. In the U.S., nearly 3 billion gallons of clean, renewable fuel replacing its petroleum counterpart. A thriving and growing diesel vehicle market. And 64,000 jobs supported by biodiesel, many the highest paying jobs in the area.

Diesel, who invented the engine that bears his name, ran early models on peanut oil, and was an ardent believer in vegetable oil-based fuel. That’s why the biodiesel industry honors Diesel by making his birthday, March 18, National Biodiesel Day.

“For National Biodiesel Day, we’re highlighting the people who make this industry great. American biodiesel has infused jobs and prosperity in communities throughout the nation,” said Donnell Rehagen, National Biodiesel Board CEO. “Rudolph Diesel would be proud.”

Here are just five of the impressive stories from the manufacturing sector of America’s Advanced Biofuel:

    Lead Technician, Hero BX. Jim Wilwohl serves as a shift foreman, overseeing a four-man crew at biodiesel producer Hero BX in Erie, Penn. With a capacity of more than 45 million gallons per year, the plant employs about 50 people. Born and raised in Erie, Wilwohl says the plant has some of the best manufacturing jobs in the area. “I like that my job is part of a green industry,” Wilwohl said. “It’s nice to work in a modern facility, and we have what I consider great pay, benefits and profit sharing.”

    Owner, Emergent Green Energy. Matthew Jaeger grew up on a Kansas farm, and his brother Luke’s vision of producing fuel for their equipment spurred the beginning of EGE Biodiesel. Based in Minneola, Kan., EGE is a family agricultural-based business specializing in the delivery of American biodiesel to local and regional customers. With multi-feedstock capabilities, the company partners with local farmers, and with restaurants to recycle cooking oil and grease for use in the production of biodiesel. “Our success in producing biodiesel has led us in other directions of business, all connected back to the goal of helping farmers and adding value to what they do for other customers,” said Matthew Jaeger.

    Plant Chemist, Louis Dreyfus Company. Mike Morgan heads special projects, testing method development and validation in the laboratory for the largest fully integrated soybean processing and biodiesel plant in the U.S.  Located in Claypool, Ind., the annual capacity for biodiesel production is 110 MGPY. Morgan first became passionate about biodiesel while in college at Utah State University, serving as a co-chair of NBB’s Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel program. He also used biodiesel he made at USU to set record speeds on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

    Quality Consultant. Kent Bullard has served as an auditor for BQ-9000, the biodiesel industry’s voluntary quality assurance program, since 2004. With a master’s degree in quality assurance, he has audited 38 producers, marketers and labs. Auditors like Bullard have helped the program become a success; certified producers now account for more than 90 percent of the U.S. biodiesel volume. As a user himself, Bullard is also considered a biodiesel pioneer. While serving as fleet manager at Channel Islands National Park off the coast of Los Angeles, he led one of the first biodiesel programs at a national park, from 2000 until he retired in 2012.

    General Manager, Western Iowa Energy. An accountant by trade, Brad Wilson spent several years as a financial auditor, mainly auditing grain cooperatives. He became president and general manager of the facility in Wall Lake, Iowa, in 2016. The multi-feedstock plant recently grew from 30 to 45 MGPY and employs 30 people, many with young families in the town of about 800 residents. “It’s gratifying to me knowing that we provide green jobs with good pay in a community that benefits greatly from the economic development that brings,” Wilson said. “Our workers in turn support the schools and local housing market, among other things. Our plant also contributes to other businesses in the area, from family farms, to truckers to the railway.”

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the nation’s first domestically produced, commercially available advanced biofuel. NBB is the U.S. trade association representing the entire biodiesel value chain, including producers, feedstock suppliers, and fuel distributors, as well as the U.S. renewable diesel industry.