Tuesday March 21 Ag News

Fremont Chamber Excellence in Ag Awards Program

Governor Pete Ricketts spoke today at the Fremont Chamber’s Excellence in Agriculture awards luncheon.  He thanked farmers for the work they do each and every day.  He thanked the community of Fremont for being forward-thinking to partner with Lincoln Premium Poultry to initiate a poultry enterprise in the state and help “Grow Nebraska” agriculture.  Ricketts also thanked Dodge County for being the first in the state to adopt the Nebraska Department of Ag’s livestock siting matrix as a tool to expand livestock production.

Another guest speaker was Dr Steven Waller, Dean of the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources at UNL.  He highlighted some of the many contributions given by Nebraskans to agriculture overall, from genetics research and development of nutrition information and innovative production practices.  Waller says Nebraska is pushing agriculture innovation world-wide, as UNL researchers are consistently in the top 10 with their projects.

The Fremont Chamber recognized three enterprises for their outstanding contributions.  The Terry Rassmussen Family was recognized as the Farm Family of the Year.  He is a 5th generation crops and livestock producer near Arlington.  With family ties to the land dating back to the 1880’s, Terry is very proud that generations six and seven are also living on the farm!

The Ag Business of the Year is Monke Fertilizer based in Fontanelle, along with offices throughout their trade area of Dodge, Washington, Saunders, and Douglas counties.  And finally, the newest award, the Ag Innovator of the Year award, was presented to Seitec Genetics of Fremont.



Nebraska Corn Growers Association Accepting Applications for FLAGship Program

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association is now accepting applications for the second class of the FLAGship Program. The FLAGship Program is a scholarship program for future ag leaders in Nebraska. The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) will award up to 5 $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors or college freshman in the state of Nebraska. The NeCGA Future Leaders in Ag Scholarship Program (FLAGship Program) is open to Nebraska high school seniors or college freshman who are continuing their education in state and pursuing a degree in an ag-related field.

“We were blown away by the applicants for the first class of the FLAGShip Program,” said Dan Nerud, Chairman of the Grower Services Committee. “It is exciting to see how many great young people are interested in entering the agricultural field.“

To be eligible for this scholarship students must be a member of NeCGA or the son/daughter of an NeCGA member. The application for the FLAGship Program must include two letters of recommendation, a current resume, as well as proof that the student is continuing their education. The students are also asked to explain why they are seeking a degree in the agricultural field as well as what issues they feel the ag industry is currently facing.

Applications must be postmarked by May 5th, 2017. Packets can be mailed to 1111 Lincoln Mall, Suite 308, Lincoln, NE 68508 ATTN: Scholarship, or emailed to mwrich@necga.org. Recipients will be notified in May 2017 and scholarships will be distributed in December 2017. For more information about the scholarship and an application, please visit necga.org or call (402) 438-6459.



USE CARE WHEN BURNING GRASSLANDS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Prescribed burning CRP or pasture can improve stands, prepare them for interseeding, control weeds and trees, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve forage quality.  But it must be done safely.

               Fire improves many grasslands, but it can be dangerous.  Wildfires occur easily when it is hot, dry, and windy.  And when is it not windy in Nebraska?  So if you decide to burn, do it safely.

               Fire is useful on CRP or other fields that are overgrown with much dead growth from previous years.  This mulch can smother plants and new seedlings, causing stands to get thinner.  Fire removes this mulch, enabling stands to thicken, and it improves wildlife habitat.  Fire also can reduce the invasion of woody plants like cedar trees, weeds, or cool-season grasses invading warm-season grasslands.  These less desirable plants are injured or killed by a well-timed burn.  This can be especially useful for summer pastures.

               Timing is important, though.  Right now is a bit too early to burn warm-season grasses.  Burning now will open up the ground for weeds to invade, soil to erode, and moisture to evaporate.  The best time to burn warm-season grasses is when they just start to grow, usually mid-April to early May.  Burning then will result in rapid greenup and thickening of desirable warm-season plants.

               Be careful, though.  Never burn unless weather conditions, topography, and other factors enable you to control the fire.  Plus, make sure your burn is legal.  You must obtain a burn permit from your local fire chief.  And finally, never burn unless someone experienced in prescribed burning is part of your burning crew.

               Fire is a valuable tool.  But like any other tool, in the wrong hands it can be dangerous.



NDA ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2017 AG POSTER CONTEST

It’s National Ag Day, and all across America people are celebrating the food, feed and fuel that farmers and ranchers produce every day.  To celebrate the day, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced the winners of the Department’s annual youth poster contest.  The contest, open to first through sixth grade students in Nebraska, featured the theme “Good Life, Great Roots.” and received over 1,850 entries.

“Agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry, and the poster contest gives students the opportunity to learn more about agriculture and showcase their creative sides,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach.  “A number of teachers across the state use this contest as a way to help their students learn more about where their food comes from and the essential role it plays in our day to day lives.”

The posters were judged in three separate categories.

In the 1st and 2nd grade division:
•           1st place: Kimber Boyer, 2nd grade, Norris Elementary in Firth
•           2nd place: Allie Dirkschneider, 2nd grade, Howells Dodge Consolidated in Dodge
•           3rd place: Emily Schack, 2nd grade, Dundy County Stratton in Benkelman
•           Governor’s Choice:  Ella Gabriel, 2nd grade, Seward Elementary

In the 3rd and 4th grade division:
•           1st place:  Bree Pojar, 3rd grade, St. Wenceslaus School in Dodge
•           2nd place:  Gage Rasmussen, 3rd grade, Johnson-Brock Elementary in Johnson
•           3rd place:  Lucas Urbanski, 4th grade, St. James Seton School in Omaha
•           Governor’s Choice:  Braelynn Renz, 4th grade, Heartland Community Schools in Henderson

In the 5th and 6th grade division:
•           1st place:  Daisy Villatoro, 5th grade, Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island
•           2nd place: Bryana Vargas-Paiz, 5th grade, Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island
•           3rd place:  Frances Hoover, 6th grade, Saint Margaret Mary in Omaha
•           Governor’s Choice: Sophia Harding, 6th grade, Saint Margaret Mary in Omaha

The winning posters and the names of the schools submitting entries are on NDA’s website at www.nda.nebraska.gov/kids.


IA Egg Prod Down 10%

Iowa egg production during February 2017 was 1.24 billion eggs, down 10 percent from last month, but up 33 percent from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The average number of all layers on hand during February 2017 was 55.8 million, up slightly from last month, and up 24 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for February were 2,220, down 11 percent from last month, but up 8 percent from last year.

U.S. February Egg Production Up 2 Percent
United States egg production totaled 8.10 billion during February 2017, up 2 percent from last year. Production included 7.08 billion table eggs, and 1.02 billion hatching eggs, of which 941 million were broiler-type and 74.7 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during February 2017 averaged 375 million, up 3 percent from last year. February egg production per 100 layers was 2,157 eggs, down 2 percent from February 2016.
                                   
All layers in the United States on March 1, 2017 totaled 375 million, up 2 percent from last year. The 375 million layers consisted of 317 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 55.1 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.43 million layers producing egg-type
hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 2017, averaged 76.9 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from March 1, 2016.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 5 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during February 2017 totaled 48.2 million, down 5 percent from February 2016. Eggs in incubators totaled 51.5 million on March 1, 2017, up 2 percent from a year ago.  Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 180 thousand during February 2017, down 5 percent from February 2016.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 2 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during February 2017 totaled 730 million, down 2 percent from February 2016. Eggs in incubators totaled 667 million on March 1, 2017, up 3 percent from a year ago.  Leading breeders placed 7.83 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during February 2017, down 3 percent from February 2016.



Nominations for 12th Annual BQA Awards Now Being Accepted

Nominations for the 2018 national Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are now being accepted. The beef checkoff-funded program, now in its 12th year, recognizes five winners in the areas of beef and dairy beef production, marketing and education.

Categories for the award are:

BQA Cow-Calf, BQA Feedyard and BQA Dairy awards recognize producers who best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as part of day-to-day activities on their respective operations;

The BQA Educator Award is open to individuals or companies that provide high quality and innovative training to individuals who care for and handle cattle throughout the industry chain; and

The BQA Marketer Award is open to livestock markets, cattle buyers and supply-chain programs that promote BQA to their customers and offer them opportunities to get certified.

Nominations for the national BQA Awards are submitted by organizations, groups, or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy beef producer, marketer or educator. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, although nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application. While applications from past nominees are encouraged, previous winners may not reapply.

Winners of the BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA-certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups.

For the application and nomination requirements, go to www.bqa.org. Applications are due by June 2, 2017, and should be submitted to Grace Webb at gwebb@beef.org.



NPPC Farm Bill Priority: FMD Vaccine Bank

The U.S. pork industry’s top priority for the next Farm Bill is establishing a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank, the National Pork Producers Council told a House Agriculture subcommittee in testimony today.

“If this country ever had an FMD outbreak, it not only would devastate my farm and the whole livestock industry but the entire U.S. economy,” said NPPC Vice President David Herring, a pork producer from Newtown Grove, N.C., who testified on behalf of the organization before the agriculture panel’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

To address a potential FMD outbreak, which would cost the beef, corn, pork and soy bean industries alone an estimated $200 billion over 10 years, NPPC wants the 2018 Farm Bill to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to:
-   Contract with an offshore, vendor-maintained vaccine bank that would have available FMD antigen concentrate to protect against all 23 of the most common FMD types currently circulating in the world.
-    Maintain a vendor-managed inventory of 10 million doses of vaccine, which is the estimated need for the first two weeks of an outbreak.
-    Contract with an international manufacturer or manufacturers for the surge capacity to produce at least 40 million doses.

“We need the capacity to produce enough FMD vaccine to quickly control, then eradicate the disease, and we need the funds to make that happen,” Herring said.

Herring, who also is vice president of Hog Slat Inc., which makes hog farm equipment, told the subcommittee that pork producers want a Farm Bill that supports the U.S. pork industry rather than hinders its ability to continue producing safe, lean and nutritious pork for the global marketplace.

In addition to an FMD vaccine bank, he said the next Farm Bill should include policies for disease surveillance, research and trade promotion, which would help pork producers. Among policies that could hamper producers, said Herring, are the pending Farmer Fair Practices Rules and the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. NPPC wants the Trump administration to withdraw both regulations.



NCBA President Testifies on Cattlemen’s Priorities for 2018 Farm Bill

In testimony on Capitol Hill today, Craig Uden, a fourth-generation cattle producer from Nebraska and the president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, called on Congress to authorize $150 million a year over five years for a “stronger and more adequate foot-and-mouth disease (FMB) vaccine bank” as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. Uden testified before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

“Foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and has the potential to spread widely and rapidly, debilitating our herds,” Uden warned subcommittee members in his oral testimony.  “Analysts estimate that an FMD outbreak in the United States could potentially cost our nation’s livestock producers billions of dollars in the first 12 months alone. An FMD outbreak has the potential to cause enormous economic losses to not only livestock producers, but also to auction markets, slaughterhouses, food processors and related industries.”  

Uden also testified that the vast majority of cattlemen oppose the federal government’s involvement in determining how their cattle are marketed – whether through vehicles like Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA’s) interim final rule on competitive injury or through mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL.)

“Our analysis of the (GIPSA) rule leads us to believe that if this rule is implemented, the packers will offer one price for all cattle, regardless of quality,” Uden testified. “We believe this rule would eliminate value-based marketing programs and negatively impact producers, making it more difficult to provide the types of beef products that consumers are clamoring for.”

Uden continued on the issue of mandatory, government-dictated, country-of-origin labeling: “Repeal of the previous mandatory program was necessary since, after six and a half years of implementation, it provided no market benefit to beef producers or consumers.  On top of that, it also violated trade agreements with two of our largest and vital trading partners.”

Uden concluded his Farm Bill testimony by stressing the importance of international trade to the American beef industry.

“Trade is vital to the beef industry, and protecting trade promotion programs such as the Foreign Market Development and Market Access Programs within the 2018 Farm Bill are important,” Uden said. “Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers reside outside U.S. borders. We recognize that the growth and profitability of the U.S. cattle and beef industry is closely tied to our ability to market our products to those consumers.”



USDA Announces $6 Million to Aid Fire-Affected Farmers and Ranchers in Midwest

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the availability of more than $6 million in funding to implement practices that will help private farmers, ranchers and forest landowners affected by the wildfires blazing in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

“We have seen the devastating effects of these wildfires on agricultural operations and the funding announced today can help communities of farmers and ranchers start the process of recovery,” said Acting Deputy Agriculture Secretary Michael Young. “USDA is here to offer assistance, and I encourage producers who experienced losses to take full advantage of our financial and technical assistance to aid in their recovery efforts and alleviate part of the financial burden caused by these tragic events.”

The funding, made available by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will assist local producers as they begin to restore scorched grazing land, rebuild fencing, protect damaged watersheds, and implement various conservation measures to mitigate losses.

EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to help plan and implement conservation practices that address priority local and state resource concerns. Producers must submit a complete program application, establish “farm records”, and other documentation to support eligibility to be considered for financial assistance through EQIP. Step-by-step assistance can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getstarted.

States will begin accepting applications in the near future. Producers in the affected counties are encouraged to check with their local NRCS service centers for additional information.



2017 Renewable Volume Obligations Go into Effect Today

In November 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the final 2017 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for conventional biofuel at a level of 15 billion gallons under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The 2017 RVO rule aligned with bipartisan Congressional intent to increase the amount of transportation fuel that comes from renewable sources. President Trump issued a regulatory freeze memorandum in January to give his administration the opportunity to review a host of regulations before they were implemented, including the 2017 RVO rule. Today, the 2017 RVOs go into effect. In response to this positive news, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement:

“In November 2016, Growth Energy was pleased to see the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) rule achieve the 15-billion-gallon statutory volume for conventional biofuel that Congress originally intended. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is America’s most successful energy policy, and it continues to guarantee competition and consumer choice in the vehicle fuels marketplace, while also lowering prices at the pump and reducing harmful emissions. Strong RVOs are integral to a robust RFS, the vibrancy of rural America, and the continued value that ethanol brings to drivers across the United States.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with the EPA, Administrator Pruitt, and the Trump Administration to ensure that the biofuels industry continues to thrive, and that rural America remains vibrant and strong.”



Farmer Fair Practices Rules Needed to Address Lack of Competition in Livestock and Poultry Sectors, NFU Testimony States

Highlighting the iniquities of today’s extremely consolidated livestock and poultry sectors, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson submitted testimony today to the U.S House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

The testimony advocates for the adoption of the Farmer Fair Practices Rules to offer family farmers and ranchers basic protections from anti-competitive and abusive practices.

“Farmers and ranchers are subject to both monopolistic practices in the agricultural inputs sector and monopsonistic practices in the agricultural production sector,” states Johnson. “For years, USDA has attempted to address the anticompetitive behaviors of the meatpacking industry most recently by promulgating the Farmer Fair Practices Rules. These rules are long overdue.”

Johnson notes that the livestock sectors are more consolidated today than they were 100 years ago. In 1916, the top five slaughterhouses controlled 82 percent of the cattle market and 61 percent of the hog market. Today, just four companies control 85 percent of the beef industry and 74 percent of the pork industry.

“In 1921, Congress passed the Packers and Stockyards Act ‘to regulate the sale of livestock by farmers to the more economically powerful livestock buyers,’” says Johnson. “With the Farmer Fair Practices Rules, the USDA is attempting to clarify the P&S Act, it’s scope, and the rights of farmers and ranchers.”

Johnson also notes that more than half of the poultry industry is dominated by just four firms, and the development of contract farming as the model in the poultry and hog sectors has institutionalized the “monopsony/monopoly relations between farm and agribusiness and the ability of the latter to unfairly capture value by the producer through price manipulation.”

“The two parties that negotiate the contract are not equal,” says Johnson. “This asymmetrical power results in undue influence over contract farmers.”

Johnson says that judicial decisions have weakened the original Act, providing farmers and ranchers with less protection in a more challenging marketplace.

“Family farmers and ranchers operating in an extremely consolidated marketplace should have the full protection of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921,” says Johnson. “The Farmer Fair Practices Rules will go a long way to make sure that farmers and ranchers can continue to operate with basic protections under the law.”



House Passes Pesticide Registration Bill in Time for Ag Day

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1029, the Pesticide Registration Enhancement Act of 2017, by a voice vote. The bill reauthorizes the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003 (PRIA). The current authority for PRIA, the pesticide industry’s fee-for-service program, will expire on September 30, 2017. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research, noted in his announcement of the bill yesterday that, “This bipartisan legislation improves PRIA to ensure transparency, consistency, and efficiency remains within the pesticide registration process.”

“We are pleased to see undivided support for PRIA, especially in time for National Ag Day,” stated Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CropLife America (CLA). “Ag Day inspires us to come together, as one national community, to support our farmers and their dedication to keeping farmland productive for generations. Industry, users of pesticides, state and federal regulators, and the NGO community alike have all shown their support for PRIA. We thank Chairman Davis and others on the House Ag Committee for championing this bill, and we look forward to similar bipartisan support in the Senate. A better funded, stable and predictable Environmental Protection Agency regulatory program represented by PRIA ensures that investment in tomorrow’s innovative products can continue!”

National Ag Day is an annual celebration of the food, fiber and fuel grown by American agriculture. Each year, producers, government officials and ag-related organizations hold and attend events to recognize how much agriculture contributes to our daily lives. The Agriculture Council of America helps to organize events and promote National Ag Day, including through an essay and photo contest which focuses this year on the theme, Agriculture: Food for Life. For more information on National Ag Day and to see the winning entries, visit www.AgDay.org. 



NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY, 2017 - A PROCLAMATION
DONALD J. TRUMP, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

America's farmers and ranchers help feed the world, fuel our Nation's economy, and lead global markets in output and productivity.  The efficiency of American agriculture has provided this country with abundance our ancestors could not have imagined.

The agriculture sector of the United States is endlessly innovative.  It continuously builds on its centuries of progress through advances in science, research, technology, safety, production, and marketing to meet the demands of changing consumer needs and complex world markets.  The agriculture sector provides jobs across our Nation, not just for farmers and ranchers, but for foresters, scientists, processors, shippers, firefighters, police, and retailers.

American agriculture is the largest positive contributor to our Nation's net trade balance, generating 10 percent of our exports and millions of American jobs.  America's farmers and ranchers provide a safe and plentiful domestic food supply, which is vital to our national security.  Moreover, they safeguard our sustainable resource base for future generations.  As my Administration fights for better trade deals, agriculture will be an important consideration so that its significant contributions will only increase in the years ahead.

American farmers and ranchers are the heart and soul of America and they represent the determined, self-reliant character of our Nation.  We are proud of American agriculture and we recognize agriculture's critical role to our Nation's bright future.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 21, 2017, as National Agriculture Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in Americans' daily life, acknowledging agriculture's continuing importance to our country's economy, and expressing our deep appreciation of farmers and ranchers across the Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.



ISU Extension and Outreach Celebrates National Ag Day

Agriculture is more than a way of life in Iowa. 85 percent of the state’s land is used for agriculture, with its products accounting for approximately 25 percent of Iowa’s economy.

The importance of agriculture on Iowa and the rest of the United States cannot be understated. Celebrating the efforts of American agriculture and reminding citizens that agriculture is part of all of us is the focus behind the 2017 National Ag Day - March 21.

“We take a big tent approach to what we do,” said John Lawrence, director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Agriculture is very diverse in this state. We cover everything from local foods to biotechnology.”

ISU Extension and Outreach carries its land grant mission throughout the state, working to provide science-based research and information to all Iowans.

“We try to tie university research to the practice taking place in the Iowa field,” Lawrence said. “We have great people in place who believe very strongly in being objective and finding true solutions. They are the best in the nation at what they do, and they bring that to bear on Iowa’s challenges and opportunities.”

ISU Extension and Outreach saw its impact felt through a variety of avenues in 2016:
-    Over 5.7 million people visited ISU Extension and Outreach webpages.
-    Specialists made 2,600 presentations at meetings, workshops and field days, coming in contact with over 209,500 people.
-    109,000 people subscribe to 33 ISU Extension and Outreach newsletters.
-    ISU Extension and Outreach specialists created 762 articles, with over 331,000 print publications being distributed and downloaded. Specialists also contributed to 1,223 popular press articles.
-    Face-to-face connections remain popular, with 6,861 meetings between specialists and their clients.

All these efforts are aimed at building a stronger Iowa, one that is able to confidently move forward to face the new challenges and opportunities presented in agriculture.



National Agriculture Day Reflects New Hope of the Year Ahead

Today, the National Association of Wheat Growers celebrated American wheat farmers as part of National Agriculture Day.  Hosted by the Agriculture Council of America, National Agriculture Day is held to tell agriculture’s story and the role farmers play in producing safe, abundant and affordable food.

“It couldn’t be more fitting that National Agriculture Day is being celebrated at the beginning of spring,” said NAWG President David Schemm, a wheat farmer from Sharon Springs, KS.  “Farmers are facing a lot of economic challenges, but with spring comes renewed hope for producers all across the country as they prepare for the crop year ahead.  American wheat farmers are some of the best in the world, producing high quality wheat demanded throughout the world and widely demanded right here at home.  National Agriculture Day is a recognition of all the work my fellow wheat farmers do year in and year out to feed the world.”

Wheat is a one of the most important crops around the world.  Right here at home, wheat flour is used in approximately three quarters of all U.S. grain products.  One bushel of wheat yields approximately 42 pounds of white flour or 60 pounds of whole-wheat flour.  And each of those bushels also goes into 42 one-and-a-half pound commercial loaves of white bread or 90 one-pound loaves of whole wheat bread.



Statement from Agriculture Acting Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young on National Agriculture Day

Acting Agriculture Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young today released the following statement:

"Today is National Agriculture Day, set aside to pay tribute to the farmers and ranchers of our nation.  The work of American producers and growers ensures consumers in our country have plenty of safe food and a wide variety at a cost lower than much of the world.

“Through their efficiency, they are able to produce more food and fiber than is demanded in our country, generating a trade surplus in agricultural products for the United States.  As President Trump noted in the Presidential Proclamation declaring today National Agriculture Day, ‘American agriculture is the largest positive contributor to our Nation’s net trade balance, providing 10 percent of our exports and millions of jobs.’

“Farmers and ranchers also play a role in helping sustain rural communities in the face of shifting populations and economic challenges.  In these and many other ways, agriculture is a key part of the American economy.

“So today, the employees of USDA thank our farmers and ranchers for all they do to feed our nation and the world, for their work conserving and preserving the land, and for being actively engaged in their local communities."



NFU Salutes Family Farmers and Ranchers on National Ag Day

Highlighting the important roles family farmers and ranchers play in ensuring food security, National Farmers Union (NFU) joined the agriculture community today in celebrating National Ag Day.

“Family farmers and ranchers play a critical role in providing food, fuel, feed and fiber to both our country and the global population,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “In order to ensure our food security for future generations, we need to be fostering the next generation of family farmers and ranchers today.”

The average age of the American farmer is 58 years old, and, according to the 2012 Ag Census, 57 percent of the nation’s farmers are within 10 years of retirement age or older. The good news is that the number of young people who said farming was their primary occupation increased by 11 percent between 2007 and 2012.

“The influx of new farmers is a welcome sign in an occupation as critical as food, feed and fuel production,” said Johnson. “Now we need to keep the momentum up by encouraging more new family farmers and ranchers, and providing them with the tools they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced business environment.”

New farmers and ranchers who entered the industry in the past five to ten years have had to deal with the worst farm economy in well over a decade. In fact, net farm income this year is projected to be less than half of what it was just four short years ago.

“While all of us in agriculture grapple with prolonged periods of low prices, it is beginning farmers and ranchers that are the most vulnerable during these periods,” said Johnson. “We need to be doing all we can as policymakers, mentors, neighbors and colleagues in family agriculture to ensure the success and economic well-being of the next generation of farmers and ranchers.”

Johnson noted that NFU provides a bevy of education programs designed to encourage and develop future leaders in American agriculture.

“NFU’s education programs focus on community engagement, leadership development and youth outreach,” said Johnson “Many of those who have participated have indeed gone on to be farmers, leaders in agriculture, key decision-makers in international food and aid organizations and even elected officials.”



BASF investments aid growers and local communities

BASF today announced the completion of its Beaumont, Texas, facility expansion, the only dicamba manufacturing facility in the U.S. for the agriculture industry. The Beaumont site received more than $270 million in capital improvements in the last three years, making it BASF’s largest agricultural products facility investment in company history.  In addition, BASF has invested more than $290 million in its eight other North American agricultural products production sites and facilities that support its agricultural business, helping to provide solutions for growers and contributing to the economic development of the communities it serves.

“Our commitment to North America is clear. The agricultural market is changing, and growers are demanding the newest and most effective technologies to increase profitability,” said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, Crop Protection, BASF North America. “BASF responded to growers’ needs by making significant investments in production to deliver effective solutions to help farmers manage weed resistance and produce higher yields. We could not have done this without our skilled workforce in Beaumont and across North America who not only help growers, but also help drive our economy.”

BASF has more than 50 years of technical experience with the active ingredient dicamba and today is the market leader in global dicamba supply. With glyphosate-resistant weeds identified on more than two-thirds of U.S. crop land, it is crucial for growers to have new tools to build effective weed control programs that utilize multiple sites of action.

Engenia™ herbicide, BASF’s newest innovation, is part of a complete weed control system, providing a simple and reliable herbicide option following a residual herbicide. The herbicide features a completely new dicamba molecule, BAPMA salt, which is designed specifically for dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. This innovative formulation is unique to BASF and contains a heavier weight and stronger bond relative to DGA and DMA dicamba formulations. The advancements in formulation and application reduce volatility and off-target movement of the dicamba molecule.

“Of the many hurdles growers face each season, weed resistance has become a top challenge in recent years,” said Matt Huie of Texas-based 1349 Food & Fiber. “We rely on innovative, new technologies to help us control weeds and maximize crop output. The current environment makes high yields an absolute necessity and that is only accomplished with clean, weed-free fields.”

As part of the Engenia herbicide launch, BASF is also offering in-person and online training through the On Target Application Academy (OTAA). This one-of-a-kind educational opportunity provides extensive training that promotes correct and effective herbicide application.

“We expect the demand for dicamba and herbicides like Engenia to increase and the Beaumont facility will be critical in meeting this need,” said Thomas Bereswill, Director, BASF AP Manufacturing Americas. “This expansion not only served our customers, but our community as well. We were able to hire 700 contractors in addition to the current 175 on-site employees to complete the project on time.”

BASF has completed similar expansion projects at eight of its other North American agricultural production facilities, including its Hannibal, Missouri, and Sparks, Georgia, sites.