Tuesday March 7 Ag News

McPheeters Appointed to Serve on Nebraska Ethanol Board

Scott McPheeters joins the Nebraska Ethanol Board as the business representative. He was appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts Feb. 9 and sworn in by the legislature March 3.

McPheeters has a family farm operation southwest of Gothenburg, producing food-grade white and yellow corn for Frito-Lay, as well as soybeans and alfalfa hay. His family also has rangeland for beef production. While little of his corn crop actually ends up in ethanol production, he is still passionate about promoting renewable fuels.

“I’m looking forward to working with a board that has been so effective at helping our state build 25 ethanol plants and increasing knowledge and promotion of ethanol use, because it is a win for all parties,” McPheeters said. “It’s good for farmers, livestock producers, consumers, and the environment.”

A founding member of KAAPA (Kearney Area Ag Producers Alliance), the only farmer-owned ethanol plant in Nebraska, McPheeters has been involved in ethanol since 2000. Currently, he serves on the KAAPA board of managers and on the board for a sister company, KAAPA Grains. He was also recently elected to the American Coalition for Ethanol board of directors in 2016.

“Consumers are influenced by a lot of misinformation, and they don’t realize they can save money and the environment by using more ethanol,” McPheeters said. “People are surprised to learn that ethanol is in 98 percent of the U.S. gasoline supply and they’ve been using it successfully.

My objective is simple: provide facts for consumers so they can be confident their cars love ethanol and they should use it every time. It starts with the fact that ethanol is the safest component in gasoline today.”

According to EPA’s Urban Air Toxics report to Congress, U.S. refiners increasingly boost octane by adding refining by-products such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene. Several of these chemicals are known and suspected carcinogens, and they’re more expensive additives.

“These products of oil refining, known as aromatics, can produce cancer-causing emissions,” McPheeters said. “Ethanol is much less expensive and burns cleaner than these toxic petroleum-based chemicals. Blending even just 10 percent ethanol in gasoline reduces tailpipe emissions that lead to smog. The inexpensive, renewable, octane-boosting capabilities of ethanol make it an indispensable part of the U.S. motor fuel supply.”

A study released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January shows that ethanol releases 43 percent fewer greenhouse gases (GHG) than gasoline. The report provides research that corn ethanol is a GHG-friendly alternative to fossil fuels while boosting farm economies.

“I look forward to helping farmers be profitable with additional markets for the corn we produce so efficiently,” McPheeters said. “Agriculture is a huge economic engine for us all, because when farmers make money, they spend it with businesses that put local people to work. We can keep more of our fuel dollars right here in the Corn Belt, rather than sending money to foreign nations.”

When not farming and advocating for ethanol, McPheeters and his wife, Patti, enjoy time with their four children and three grandchildren.

Paul Kenney, who farms near Kearney, Nebraska, preceded McPheeters as the business representative on the Ethanol Board. Kenney was recently elected to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents after serving eight years on the Nebraska Ethanol Board.

McPheeters joins current board members: Mike Thede, chairman (Palmer, Neb.); Jan tenBensel, vice chairman (Cambridge, Neb.); Mark Ondracek, secretary (Omaha, Neb.); Galen Frenzen (Fullerton, Neb.); Tim Else (Belvidere, Neb.); Randy Gard (Grand Island, Neb.); and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chemical Engineering Professor Hunter Flodman, who serves as the board’s technical advisor.

Members of the Nebraska Ethanol Board are appointed by the Governor to serve four-year terms. The seven-member board includes four members actively engaged in farming (general farming, corn, wheat and sorghum), one member representing labor interests, one member representing petroleum marketers and one member representing business. The Board’s technical advisor serves as a non-voting member.



GRAZING WINTER SMALL GRAINS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Small grains planted last fall are greening up and may be ready to graze in a few weeks.  This spring, let’s make sure these pastures are productive and safe.

               Did you plan ahead and plant rye or triticale or even wheat last fall to use as early pasture this spring?  If so, you soon will be rewarded.  Before long these fields will be ready to graze.

               These small grain pastures will be an extremely useful resource this spring.  They will relieve you from feeding hay, get your animals out onto clean green grass, and produce excellent gains.  They’ll also help you wait longer before turning onto your other pastures, giving them a chance to have good growth before grazing.

               To maximize grazing from small grain pastures, wait until grass is 4 to 8 inches tall before starting to graze.  Then stock heavily enough to maintain plant height between 6 and 12 inches.  To accomplish this, either adjust the number of animals according to grass growth or sub-divide the pasture into smaller paddocks and graze rotationally.  Grass stands, soils, fertility, and moisture all will affect stocking rate, so adjust stock numbers for your conditions.  With careful management and proper stocking, you could graze all the way to mid-June.

               One concern when grazing small grain pasture is animal death from grass tetany.  Tetany is more common in lactating cows than in dry cows or young stock.  Reduce tetany risk by starting to feed magnesium oxide supplements mixed with salt, molasses, or grain at least a couple weeks before starting to graze.  Monitor consumption carefully and adjust the mixture so cattle consume about one-quarter pound of magnesium oxide per cow each week.                                               

               Small grain pastures can be convenient and profitable.  Just use good management to optimize production and prevent livestock losses.



RURAL FUTURES INSTITUTE LAUNCHES FACULTY, COMMUNITY FELLOWS PROGRAM
                   
Innovation is most likely to occur where disciplines intersect and when a diverse and inclusive group of stakeholders is working hard on an issue or opportunity. The Rural Futures Institute (RFI) at the University of Nebraska has employed this fundamental principle to launch a distinctive fellows program dedicated to research, teaching and application with and in rural communities in Nebraska and beyond.

Fifteen faculty researchers from the University of Nebraska and other institutions as well as 10 community practitioners from across Nebraska have assembled to think strategically about opportunities in rural business, health care, education, technology and more.

“Rural communities and their leaders face a complex, interwoven universe of factors that cannot be neatly split apart for observation and lone actions,” said RFI Executive Director Chuck Schroeder. “RFI Fellows already understand this and have been working diligently throughout their careers to create solutions and opportunities for rural people and places.

“By bringing various disciplines of researchers together with community leaders in this purposeful way, we not only intend to help rural residents thrive, but to also give rural America a significant and consistent voice, and position it as vital to the future of our country.”

Through their work, RFI Fellows will connect with partners from across the University of Nebraska system, scholars from other academic institutions and experts in the public and private sectors to strengthen their capacity for research and application. They will foster student experiences in concert with communities, strengthening the community-by-community presence of RFI throughout Nebraska, the Great Plains and the world.
 
2017 RFI Faculty Fellows
RFI Faculty Fellows are professors and researchers who have contributed significantly to rural communities and people through research, teaching and outreach and intend to continue to strengthen the statewide, national and international knowledge resource of rural.
-    Todd Bartee, Professor, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kinesiology and Sports Sciences
-    Robert Blair, Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Public Administration, Public Affairs, and Community Service
-    Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Extension Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Panhandle Research and Extension Center
-    Randy Cantrell, Rural Sociologist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
-    Jim Cavaye, Professor, Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Queensland, Australia
-    Bree Dority, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Economics
-    Gregory Karst, Executive Associate Dean, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Allied Health Professionals
-    Peter Longo, Professor, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Political Science
-    Bradley Lubben, Extension Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Agricultural Economics
-    Athena Ramos, Community Health Program Manager/Instructor, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, Center for Reducing Health Disparities
-    Kyle Ryan, Associate Professor, Peru State College, Exercise Science
-    Jessica Shoemaker, Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Law
-    Eric Thompson, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Business Administration, Economics
-    Kim Wilson, Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Architecture
-    Amanda Witte, Project Manager, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools

2017 RFI Community Innovation Fellows
RFI Community Innovation Fellows are community leaders, alumni and professionals from both the private and non-profit sectors working to advance rural people and places. This group represents rural places that have creatively partnered with RFI to inform outreach and programming efforts while connecting research and resources directly to communities and leaders. They are innovators in their industries and the communities they represent.
-    Tiffany Crouse, Director, Hastings Downtown Center Association, Hastings, Neb.
-    Marty Fattig, CEO, Nemaha County Hospital, Auburn, Neb.
-    Melissa Garcia, Community Affairs Manager, Black Hills Energy, Broken Bow, Neb.
-    Rachel Herpel, Assistant Director, Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.
-    Don Macke, Co-Founder, Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, Lincoln, Neb.
-    Greg Ptacek, Director, Economic Development, City of Neligh, Neligh, Neb.
-    Reshell Ray, Assistant Director of Student Involvement, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb.
-    Robert Stowell, J.D., Stowell & Geweke, P.C., L.L.O., Ord, Neb.
-    Milan Wall, Co-Director, Heartland Center for Leadership Development, Lincoln, Neb.
-    Jeff Yost, President and CEO, Nebraska Community Foundation, Lincoln, Neb.



Iowa Beef Center to Survey Corn Silage and Earlage Use by Iowa Producers

Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University is working on a project to characterize how Iowa producers produce and use silage and earlage for cattle feed. A two-pronged approach led by Russ Euken, extension beef specialist, will use results from a current survey of producers and lab analysis of silage and earlage samples. The combined results will better inform educational efforts by Iowa State as well as provide current data to update existing silage publications.

Euken said producers can request a printed copy of the survey or complete the survey online. Because both versions are identical, people should complete only one format. Some producers will receive the survey in the mail. Producers can access the online survey through a link on the Iowa Beef Center website. The survey will take only a few minutes to complete.

"A limited number of free silage or earlage lab analyses will be available to producers who complete the survey," Euken said. "Those interested in the analysis can provide their name and contact information on the survey and they will be contacted on how to submit a sample for analysis. The project ends in July and the limited free samples we’re able to offer are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so producers are encouraged to complete the survey as soon as possible."

A summary of the information collected will be available through Iowa Beef Center later this year. No individual responses will be identified, and all responses will be aggregated when it is made available.

Those with questions or interest in the project or would like a printed copy of the survey can contact any extension beef specialist.



 Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Symbol of Excellence Sales Kick-Off in March

This year marks the 32nd annual Symbol of Excellence Sales and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is offering yet another set of superior cattle. Over the past few decades, ICA has built a strong foundation for the sale with cosigners, sellers and buyers that are invested in enhancing the cattle industry through genetics and breeding.

ICA will kick-off their annual Symbol of Excellence cattle sales on March 20th at the Bloomfield Livestock Market, March 31st at the Dunlap Livestock Auction and May 5th at the Tama Livestock Auction. These sales will offer an outstanding variety of bulls and heifers in many for customers to choose from.

Phil Schooley is the owner of Bloomfield Livestock Market and has been involved with the sales since their formation. Phil has seen the sales evolve into what they are today and sees how the Iowa cattle industry has benefited from the Symbol of Excellence cattle sales. He comments “The ICA Bull Performance Evaluation Program has raised the bar for ALL seedstock producers.”

The Symbol of Excellence sales are part of ICA’s Bull and Heifer Evaluation program, which is designed to serve the needs of commercial and seedstock producers. This program offers producers an array of performance data for comparison and benchmarking as well as superior genetics to bring back to their operations.

Clay county cow/calf producer Will Jones has a long standing family tradition of buying bulls at ICA sales and sees great value in incorporating ICA sale genetics into his herd. Will comments, “I am 30 years old and we don’t have a bull that isn’t from one of the ICA sales.”

Bulls and heifers sold at each sale go through stringent testing and must meet very specific guidelines in order to be sale eligible. All animals that are entered are put on trial for several months leading up to the sale and only those that are in the top 75% of the test will be sale eligible.

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association’s Seedstock Manager Carrie Horman oversees the program and is eager to show off the high quality animals that have been selected for this year's sales. Carrie views the Bull and Heifer Evaluation Program as a valuable tool for producers. “Our sales are a useful way for producers to see how proven genetics can be of great benefit to their operations.”

Each sale presents its own unique set of breeds and genetics with the goal to offer producers quality animals to bring back to their herd in order to increase their bottom line. The first of the three sales begins in Bloomfield where a set of Angus yearling bulls as well as a group of 18-month senior yearling bulls will be offered.

At the next sale, an array of options will be available with Angus, Red Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Simmental and Simm Composite bulls at the Dunlap Livestock Market. To round out our sales for the spring in Tama, Elite Open Heifers along with Angus, Charolais, Red Angus, Simmental and Simmental Composite bulls will be on the sale order.

The Bull and Heifer Evaluation program and the Symbol of Excellence sales were designed to serve cattle farmers in Iowa while providing a competitive playing field for producers to market their own genetics.  Buyers, sellers and consignors alike have ample opportunity to attain successful cattle businesses by being a part of the Symbol of Excellence Sales.

For more information about ICA Symbol of Excellence Sales or to request a catalog, please visit www.iacattlemen.org or contact Seedstock Manager Carrie Horman at 515-296-2266 or carrie@iabeef.org.



Grain Marketing Educational Forum March 24 for Iowa Farm Women

Surviving and Thriving in Challenging Times, A Grain Marketing Forum for Women  will be held Friday, March 24 in Ames, Iowa. The day-long forum, organized by the ISU Extension and Outreach Women in Ag program, begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Scheman Building of the Iowa State Center.

In an era of price volatility, how well farmers are paid for a year’s worth of work can be wrapped up in just a few marketing decisions. During challenging times, farmers must re-assess marketing tools and approaches to survive. Weather, policies and economics are only a few of the many influences on supply and demand. Agricultural commodity growers generally face lower crop prices and higher production costs. This grain marketing forum will help women understand market trends and shifts.

Economists, climatologists and policy leaders will guide women in the use of tools and strategies to achieve marketing goals. The grain marketing forum for women is all about surviving and thriving in challenging times.

Forum speakers include:
-    Sharon Chism – Hertz Farm Management
-    Chad Hart - ISU Extension and Outreach
-    Laurie Johnson – Farmer
-    Steve Johnson – ISU Extension and Outreach
-    Gayle Klever – Farmer
-    Angie Setzer – Citzen’s LLC
-    Elwynn Taylor – ISU Extension and Outreach
-    Julie Ward – RJO’Brien and Associates LLC

“It can be difficult to market grain profitably in challenging times,” said Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension and Outreach Women in Ag program manager. “This forum is an opportunity to interact with other farm women facing similar challenges. This is a great way to renew yourself.”

Women attending this forum will attend breakout sessions and learn ways to develop successful grain marketing strategies. They will also hear what successful farm women are doing to stay profitable through up-and-down market trends. Registration for the forum can be made online at www.aep.iastate.edu/grain.

“Speakers will share their personal experiences and knowledge to help women become better business partners and owners,” said Schultz.

Financial sponsors of the forum include Landus Cooperative, Hertz Farm Management, Inc., Farm Credit Services of America and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. For more information, contact Madeline Schultz at 515-294-0588 or e-mail Schultz@iastate.edu.



Dakota Access Funds Iowa State University Research of Pipeline Installation Effects on Farmland

Iowa State University will conduct a five-year research project that will study the impact of pipeline construction on crop production and soil compaction.

Researchers began collecting initial data last fall on university-owned farmland near Ames on an approximately two-acre site following construction activities for the Dakota Access Pipeline. The overall goal of the project is to quantify the impact of construction utilities equipment, field traffic and deep tillage on crop yield and soil compaction.

“The pipeline installation is an opportunity for field-based research that investigates the impact of utility construction and restoration practices on farmland, especially related to long-term crop yield and soil productivity,” said Mehari Tekeste, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, who leads the project along with Mark Hanna, extension agricultural engineer.

The research project, which will collect data through 2021, is funded by Dakota Access Pipeline LLC. Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners is building the $3.8 billion pipeline, which runs through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. In Iowa, the pipeline will cross about 5,740 acres of cropland, according to Dakota Access.

“We hope our research will develop data to support future recommendations on the restoration of agricultural soil and crop productivity to pre-construction conditions,” said Tekeste. “This will be of benefit to industry and governmental institutions, as well as other researchers and extension specialists.”

The research site in Story County will be planted in a corn-soybean rotation. ISU research farm staff will maintain normal crop practices throughout the growing season, from tillage, planting, pest management applications and harvest.

The pipeline’s route crosses about 18 acres of farmland owned by the university or university-affiliated organizations. Dakota Access completed construction and remediation activities last November, following the state-approved Agricultural Impact Mitigation Plan for farmland in Iowa.



2017 Pork Act Delegates Elect Candidate Slate, Approve Advisements

The U.S. pork industry held its annual business meeting, the National Pork Industry Forum, March 1-3 in Atlanta. At the meeting, Pork Act Delegates ranked eight candidates for the National Pork Board and submitted the list to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The candidates, ranked in order by delegate voting results, are:
-    Brett Kaysen, Colorado (second-term incumbent)
-    Steve Rommereim, South Dakota (second-term incumbent)
-    Scott Phillips, Missouri
-    Heather Hill, Indiana
-    Deborah Ballance, North Carolina
-    Todd Erickson, North Dakota
-    Kristine Scheller-Stewart, North Carolina (second-term incumbent)
-    Charles Wildman, Ohio

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will select five members from the slate elected by the delegates to fill the roles of outgoing board members effective July 2017. The five nominees will each serve a three-year term. Fifteen pork producers serve on the National Pork Board, each limited to serving no more than two concurrent terms.

Delegates also elected Bryn Jensson, Iowa, and William Knapke, Ohio, to fill the two open positions on the Nominating Committee. The committee recruits and screens candidates for the National Pork Board and does not require approval by the Secretary. In other business, delegates approved two non-binding directives for the National Pork Board. The approved advisements read:

    2017 – DE 1 Export – submitted by Minnesota Pork Board. In order to support the National Pork Board Strategic Goal and to offer more revenue opportunities for pork producers, the Minnesota Pork Board recognizes the National Pork Board for its efforts to increase investments in exports and encourages continued budget prioritization and spending on export programs in 2017 and 2018 budgets. (Approved by delegates)
    
    2017 – ST 1 Research – submitted by Indiana Pork Producer Association. The National Pork Board is advised to facilitate and provide financial resources toward a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary research effort aimed at improving current industry livability rates from conception to slaughter. (Referred to Animal Science Committee)

Reports on advisement progress will be delivered to delegates attending the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, March 1-2, 2018.

Additionally, the Pork Checkoff hosted the annual producer update session immediately preceding the Pork Act Delegate session. More than 300 pork producers attended the event titled Real Change: A Live Discussion of On-Farm Antibiotic Use. Hosted by The Supermarket Guru® Phil Lempert, the 30-minute broadcast brought together experts in pork production, retail and animal care and welfare for a live, web-based conversation. The pork industry’s leadership in responsible antibiotic use and its implementation of new strict guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was the focus of discussion.

A replay of the broadcast can be viewed online at RealChangeOnFarms.org. For more information on the National Pork Board’s efforts to assist farmers and others who want to learn more about responsible on-farm antibiotic use, visit pork.org/antibiotics.



United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Up 2 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 106 million head on January 1, 2017, up 2 percent from the 104 million head on January 1, 2016. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 45.3 million head, were up 2 percent from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2017, totaled 93.6 million head, 2 percent above the 91.9 million head on January 1, 2016. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 40.6 million head, were up 3 percent from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of January 1, 2017, totaled 12.1 million head, up slightly from the 12.0 million on January 1, 2016. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 4.79 million, were up slightly percent from a year ago.



United States and Canadian Sheep Inventory Down 2 Percent

All sheep and lambs in the United States and Canada combined totaled 6.01 million head on January 1, 2017, down 2 percent from the 6.13 million on January 1, 2016. Breeding sheep, at 4.48 million head, were down 2 percent from a year ago and market sheep and lambs, at 1.54 million head, were down 1 percent from last year.

All sheep and lambs in the United States as of January 1, 2017, totaled 5.20 million head, 2 percent below the 5.30 million head on January 1, 2016. Breeding sheep, at 3.86 million head, were down 2 percent from a year ago, while market sheep and lambs, at 1.35 million head, were down 1 percent from last year.

All sheep and lambs in Canada as of January 1, 2017, totaled 815 thousand head, down 1 percent from last year's number of 826 thousand. Breeding sheep, at 620 thousand head, were down 2 percent from last year. Market sheep and lambs, at 194 thousand head, were up 1 percent from a year ago.



United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Up 3 Percent

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for December 2016 was 85.2 million head. This was up 3 percent from December 2015, and up 5 percent from December 2014. The breeding inventory, at 7.34 million head, was up 1 percent from a year ago and up 2 percent from 2014. Market hog inventory, at 77.9 million head, was up 4 percent from last year and up 6 percent from 2014. The semi-annual pig crop, at 78.7 million head, was up 2 percent from 2015 and up 5 percent from 2014. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 7.34 million head, up 2 percent from last year and up 1 percent from 2014.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2016 was 71.5 million head. This was up 4 percent from December 1, 2015 and up slightly from September 1, 2016. The breeding inventory, at 6.09 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, and up 1 percent from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 65.4 million head, was up 4 percent from last year, and up slightly from last quarter. The pig crop, at 32.3 million head, was up 5 percent from 2015 and up 6 percent from 2014. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.04 million head, up 4 percent from 2015 and up 2 percent from 2014. 

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on January 1, 2017 was 13.7 million head. This was up 2 percent from January 1, 2016 and up 4 percent from January 1, 2015. The breeding inventory, at 1.25 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 2 percent from 2015. Market hog inventory, at 12.5 million head, was up 2 percent from last year and up 4 percent from 2015. The semi-annual pig crop, at 14.3 million head, was down 2 percent from 2016 but up 5 percent from 2015. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.27 million head, down 1 percent from last year but up 2 percent from 2015.



US January Ethanol Exports Up 40% From Year Ago

The U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday that U.S. exports of goods and services in January totaled $192.1 billion, up $1.1 billion from December. Imports totaled $240.6 billion, up $5.3 billion from December. USDA later filled in more details for exports of ethanol, biodiesel, and distillers grains.

USDA said that U.S. exports of ethanol totaled 121.8 million gallons in January, up 40% from a year ago. Brazil was the top customer again in January, accounting for 48% of all exports and followed by Canada and India. 

U.S. exports of biodiesel totaled 6,066 metric tons in January, up 2% from a year ago. Peru was the top destination for biodiesel exports in January, taking 56% of the total with Canada second. 

U.S. exports of distillers grains totaled 937,628 metric tons in January, up 17% from a year ago. Mexico was the top export destination in January, accounting for 19% of total exports, followed by Turkey and China. China’s January purchase of 87,310 metric tons was down 60% from a year ago.



Soil Health Partnership to Expand to 100 Farm Sites for 2017
   
This year, 35 more farms will join a revolutionary research effort that hopes to show U.S. farmers how sustainability through soil health can also lead to increased profitably. The Soil Health Partnership announced the planned expansion to 100 farms at the 2017 Commodity Classic, March 2 - 4 in San Antonio.

This is the largest farmer-led soil health research project of its kind, said Nick Goeser, SHP director.
"We believe our long-term data on real, working farms will result in a better understanding of the links between soil health and our farmers' crop yields, economic investments and environmental risk," Goeser said. "Our enrolled farmers are the backbone of this project, both for their participation in the data collection process, and for serving as ambassadors in this agricultural shift."

The organization soon begins its fourth year identifying, testing and measuring farm management practices that improve sustainability through soil health. These practices include:
-    Growing cover crops to improve water infiltration, prevent erosion and prevent nutrient losses, 
-    Implementing conservation tillage like no-till or strip-till improve aggregate stability and soil structure, and
-    Using advanced, science-based nutrient management techniques to reduce nutrient loss to air and water.

An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the program's goal is to quantify the benefits of these practices from an economic standpoint, showing farmers how healthy soil benefits their bottom line.

Recent financial commitments from organizations and companies with common interests in sustainability through soil health are making it possible for SHP to expand to 100 farms a full year ahead of schedule. This includes a $4 million pledge in 2016 from the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative, backed by Cargill, the Environmental Defense Fund, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Monsanto, PepsiCo, Unilever, Land O' Lakes, The Nature Conservancy, Walmart and the World Wildlife Fund.

Most farmers enrolled in SHP live in the key states of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, with additional sites in Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri and North Dakota. The new farm sites, when identified, will likely expand beyond the current nine Midwestern states.

The data collection process is scientifically rigorous, led by a Scientific Advisory Council and executed by SHP's team of field managers and agronomists. The staff has recently expanded, hiring a fifth field manager and an operations manager.

"The momentum behind this effort is nothing short of exhilarating," Goeser said. "We look forward to releasing early data of this monumental effort soon."



Jobs and Money Take Top billing with American Biodiesel

When it comes to American biodiesel, jobs and economic opportunities are the hot tickets. In town from across the nation, biodiesel industry leaders are meeting with key influencers to spotlight America’s advanced biofuel.

“It’s simple. Biodiesel can continue to grow American jobs and prosperity in communities throughout the nation,” said Donnell Rehagen, National Biodiesel Board CEO. “Our members are making real investments and significant impacts across America, and they want to do more.”

The American biodiesel industry currently supports 64,000 jobs across the US. Many are the highest paying and most affluent jobs in the county or region.

“These aren’t just jobs; they’re great jobs. But American biodiesel will not reach its full potential under the current regulatory framework,” Rehagen said. “Changes that ensure American tax dollars and American programs support American production are just common sense.”

NBB governing board and executive staff members are in DC this week meeting with key leaders to discuss reforming the biodiesel tax incentive as a domestic production credit. The move would open the door for the industry to support an impressive 81,600 U.S. jobs and $14.7 billion in total economic benefit. 

Under the current “blender’s” structure of the incentive, foreign fuel imported and blended with petroleum diesel in the U.S. is eligible for the tax incentive. In 2016, importers brought in more than one billion gallons of fuel under the program, making up nearly a third of the U.S. market.

In addition to tax reform, leaders will push for additional growth in the Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations. Biodiesel producers have more than 1.5 billion gallons of unused production capacity that stands ready to be utilized.



NMPF Recommends Changes to Margin Protection Program to Make It Viable Safety Net for Farmers

The National Milk Producers Federation Board of Directors today unanimously approved a series of recommended changes to the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) that will restore several key elements first proposed by NMPF during development of the 2014 Farm Bill. These changes to the MPP will ensure an effective safety net for the nation’s dairy farmers – if the recommendations are adopted by Congress.

The recommendations range from changing the way dairy feed costs are calculated, to providing farmers greater flexibility in signing up for coverage and using other risk management tools. The four-point plan was developed by NMPF’s Economic Policy Committee, and reflects feedback from dairy producers, economists and members of Congress. It reflects several features originally proposed by NMPF that were subsequently weakened or eliminated as the 2014 farm bill was finalized.

“Improving the MPP to make it a more realistic, effective safety net is a key focus for our membership in 2017,” said NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney. “For dairy farmers to have confidence in the MPP, we need Congress to make these corrections as soon as possible.”

As the conversation about the 2018 farm bill begins to take shape on Capitol Hill, Mooney said that NMPF is hoping for congressional action to implement its proposed changes at the earliest opportunity. Correcting the current program’s deficiencies “will require legislative changes,” he said.

The overall concept of a margin insurance program was developed by NMPF in response to the dairy financial crisis of 2009. The MPP allows farmers to insure against low margins – the gap between milk prices and feed costs – with participants paying higher premiums for higher levels of coverage. Congress incorporated the margin insurance program into the 2014 farm bill, but made several significant alterations that reduced the degree of financial protection farmers can obtain from the MPP, especially as another wave of depressed milk prices hit in 2015-2016.

NMPF’s proposal includes a series of adjustments that will affect the way both feed prices (including corn, alfalfa and soybean meal) and milk prices are calculated. The most needed improvement is restoring the feed cost formula to the one originally developed by NMPF. During Congress’s deliberations on the 2014 farm bill, it implemented a 10-percent cut to the weightings of all three feedstuff components of the MPP feed cost formula, based on an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. The resulting feed formula understates the price to farmers of producing 100 pounds of milk, thereby overstating the real margins farmers are experiencing.

“Just fixing the feed formula so it returns to its originally-proposed level would have a noticeable impact on the way margins are calculated. That’s the first step in improving the value of the MPP, although there are other changes that will also make a difference in the future,” Mooney said.

In addition to changing the overall feed formula, NMPF also recommends changing the data source for how USDA determines the individual monthly prices of corn, soybean meal and alfalfa hay, as well as how it measures the national average price farmers receive for milk.

Another element in need of change involves the accuracy and affordability of MPP premiums. NMPF is asking for an adjustment to premiums paid into the program for coverage above the basic, $4 margin level.  This is necessary to incentivize additional participation by farmers. In 2017, only 7% of farms enrolled in the MPP have elected to purchase coverage above $4, and those farms represent only 2% of the milk supply.

“This is a significant drop in supplemental coverage since the program started in 2015, and undermines the viability of MPP as a national safety net option,” Mooney said. “MPP has become more expensive for producers than commercial risk management programs.”

Other recommendations include determining margins monthly, rather than bimonthly, and issuing payments on a more frequent basis when margins drop. NMPF is also suggesting to place the deadline for annual enrollment toward the end of the year prior to the calendar year for which they want coverage.

Finally, NMPF recommends that the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) program be expanded and that producers be allowed to use both the MPP and LGM simultaneously. Under current regulations, farmers who participate in the MPP cannot also utilize the LGM program for the remainder of the 2014 farm bill, creating a disadvantage for producers. The LGM should complement the risk management offered by MPP, and farmers should be allowed to utilize both tools, Mooney said.

NMPF will be sharing these recommendations with members of the Senate and House Agriculture committees, and urging them to implement these improvements as soon as possible.