Friday May 12 Ag News

Ricketts Applauds News that China Plans to Reopen Market to American Beef

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued a statement following news that American and Chinese officials had struck a deal that will allow American beef into China for the first time since 2003.

“We welcome China’s announcement to allow U.S. beef into the Chinese marketplace again,” said Governor Ricketts.  “As Governor, I along with my team at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture have worked to forge relationships with the Chinese government and business community to help grow Nebraska in the Chinese marketplace.”

In 2016, the Governor led a trade mission to China to share the story of Nebraska beef with potential customers in anticipation of the market re-opening.

In 2015, the Governor visited Beijing to urge the Chinese government to reopen the Chinese market to American beef.

“We have been anticipating this announcement and have already been working to build key partnerships in China for Nebraska beef,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach.  “We will be reaching out to our state’s beef community to ensure that we continue to position Nebraska to play a key role in the Chinese market.”

According to the Governor’s Office, NDA’s International Trade Officer Stan Garbacz will be in China next week to ensure that the state maximizes the potential opportunity for the Nebraska beef community.

The Chinese market has been closed since 2003.  At the time of closure Chinese beef imports were $64 million, which has since grown to $2.5 billion in 2016.

As the nation’s leader in commercial red meat production and the number one exporter of US beef, Nebraska agriculture stands to benefit greatly from the opening of this marketplace.



Nebraska Cattlemen Welcome Historic Reopening of China to U.S. Beef

Nebraska Cattlemen is very excited the Trump Administration has reached an agreement with China to restore market access for U.S. beef.  Nebraska's beef producers have been waiting for this moment for 13 years.  

"Nebraska leads the United States in red meat production, and trade drives our economy.  Opening up the Chinese market will allow our beef to compete in a market estimated at $2.6 billion for the U.S. beef industry.  This is tremendous news for Nebraska's livestock producers, and Nebraska Cattlemen is thrilled to have played an active role in reestablishing our economic relationship with the Chinese," said NC President Troy Stowater.

Chinese officials have been in our state numerous times over many years to learn more about the high quality beef produced in Nebraska.  Nebraska Cattlemen members have stepped up repeatedly to help foster a growing relationship with China.

Last fall, then NC President Barb Cooksley and then NCBA President-Elect Craig Uden helped host a Chinese delegation focused on resuming market access for U.S. beef.  The Chinese witnessed firsthand that because of our state's resources, Nebraska's producers are able to deliver some of the best beef grown in the world.

Last November, NC President Troy Stowater participated in a Nebraska delegation to China, led by Governor Pete Ricketts.  The trip's primary focus was reopening market access to U.S. beef, which closed in 2003.  This successful trip helped Chinese officials gain confidence in restoring beef trade between the two countries.

Because of the numerous harvest plants in Nebraska, this announcement will impact all Nebraska beef producers more than any other state in the U.S.  Currently, product equivalent of 2600 head of cattle is exported worldwide from Nebraska every day. Click here for Nebraska Exports Infographic. 

China's middle class has grown exponentially in recent years.  By 2022, an estimated 73% of China's population will be middle class.  Presently, the Chinese people eat roughly 12 pounds of beef per year.  However, research has long shown that, as disposable income grows, people tend to consume more protein.

According to the Trump Administration, there is one more round of technical consultations before U.S. beef arrives in China by July 16, 2017. Nebraska Cattlemen will actively continue to support the U.S. government in accomplishing this goal as soon as possible.



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding Resumption of U.S. Beef Trade with China

"The Commerce Department's announcement of an agreement to ship U.S. beef to China no later than July 16 is welcomed news for Nebraska's beef industry. As a top producer of beef, Nebraska has much to gain from a market estimated to be worth $2.6 billion. With Nebraska beef exports alone reaching $1.126 billion last year, Nebraska's cattlemen and women stand ready to meet the growing demand in this new market.”

“We thank the Trump administration and all of those who helped move us closer to reopening beef trade with this important customer. With May being national beef month, there is no better way to celebrate than to confirm Nebraska beef producers will have access to a critical market that has been closed for more than a decade. It is our hope that the Chinese market remain fully open to the benefit of all Nebraska cattle producers.”



U.S Beef Access to Chinese Market Takes Step Toward Restoration

On Thursday May 11, the Trump Administration announced an important new development in the restoration of U.S. beef access to China. With market access closed for U.S. beef to China for the past 13 years, this comes as welcomed news for American beef producers. The beef community thanks the President for making U.S. beef trade a priority and appreciates the work of the Trump Administration on this effort.

While this is an important step forward in gaining access to the second largest beef importing country in the world, American beef will not be immediately available to Chinese consumers. One more round of technical consultations between the U.S. and China must take place for final details to be arranged.

For Iowa cattle producers and their fellow cattlemen around the country, getting U.S. beef into China means increased sales and greater value for the product they work hard to produce. China is home to one-fifth of the world’s population, with a growing middle-class that is larger than the entire U.S. population. These middle-class consumers are buying record amounts of protein and China is becoming one of the greatest importers of beef in the world. Access to the Chinese market results in increased demand, not only for commonly recognized cuts like rounds and chuck rolls, but also opportunity for sales of other cuts like tongues, intestines, short ribs.



Statement of Secretary Perdue Regarding Trade Breakthrough with China

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today hailed the agreement between the United States and China on several key trade issues, most notably the return of American beef to the Chinese market after a hiatus that began in 2004.

Secretary Perdue issued the following statement:
“This is tremendous news for the American beef industry, the agriculture community, and the U.S. economy in general.  We will once again have access to the enormous Chinese market, with a strong and growing middle class, which had been closed to our ranchers for a long, long time.  I commend the persistence of President Trump, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, the U.S. Trade Representative’s officials, and our own USDA professionals.  I also thank our Chinese counterparts, who worked so hard to get this agreement into place.  When the Chinese people taste our high-quality U.S. beef, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’ll want more of it.”



Administration’s 100-Day China Plan a Step Forward for Soybeans

The American Soybean Association (ASA) welcomes details today from the Department of Commerce regarding the Trump Administration’s 100-Day Action Plan of the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue. ASA particularly cheered the inclusion of commitments to address the current backlog of approvals of new biotechnology traits for import into China, and also welcomed the commitments to restart U.S. beef exports to China.

“Clearly, we’ve been frustrated for some time now with the slow and unpredictable nature of China’s biotech approval process that has hampered the ability of U.S. soybean farmers to adopt the latest biotech traits. This week’s announcement that the Chinese have committed to ruling on eight outstanding traits is a major step forward,” said ASA President and Illinois farmer Ron Moore. “We recognize and greatly appreciate the administrations of both President Trump and President Xi for coming together and establishing a dialogue that we hope will yield more progress on biotech traits and larger market access issues in China in the future.”

China is by far the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans. American farmers sent more than $14 billion in soybeans, meal and oil to China, or roughly one in every four rows of beans produced in the U.S. Under the 100-day plan, China’s National Biosafety Committee (NBC) has committed to conduct science-based evaluations of the eight outstanding traits, and either approve or offer justification for—and next steps to resubmit following—rejection for each.

“There’s not a soybean farmer in the country that doesn’t recognize the importance of the Chinese market to his or her success,” Moore added. “The Chinese are our most significant trading partners, and while we understand that this step only clears the current backlog of unapproved traits, we hope that it will signal progress in opening and clarifying China’s approval process.”

Moore also commended the administration, including the Department of Commerce, USDA and USTR for their role in moving the plan forward.

“President Trump and Secretary Ross deserve a great deal of credit for putting together a level-headed, results-based plan with their Chinese counterparts,” he said. “We appreciate their work, and look forward to what’s next.”

As part of the 100-day plan, China will also begin the process of allowing imports of U.S. beef into that country, a development that will benefit soybean farmers given that soybean meal is a component of cattle feed rations domestically.



HARVESTING SMALL GRAIN CEREALS FOR HAY OR SILAGE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               The rye, triticale, and other small grains you planted last fall are starting to grow tall.  Harvest as hay or silage should occur soon.

               Small grain cereals can be made into quite useful silages or hay.  Now, I’m not going to try and mislead you into thinking they are just as good as corn silage or alfalfa hay.  However, they can provide good feed when harvested and fed correctly.

               Tonnage and forage quality are affected most by stage of plant maturity at harvest.  Plants that contain ten to twelve percent crude protein when in the boot stage may only have seven or eight percent protein when they reach soft dough.

               In order to time harvest for the best use in your own operation, first determine what livestock will be fed this forage.  Calves, stockers, replacement heifers, and especially dairy cows need a fairly high quality forage to gain weight as rapidly as desired or produce milk, so hay and silage should be harvested while plants are in the boot to early heading stage.  Dry cows, though, won’t need such high quality so harvest can be delayed until dough stage to achieve higher yields and still have acceptable protein levels.

               Think twice, though, about making hay from rye, triticale, or wheat that has formed seed heads.  These seed heads produce rough awns that can irritate and injure the eyes and mouth parts of livestock.  To avoid problems from awns, either cut hay before seed heads emerge or make silage from the more mature plants to soften and break these awns.

               I also suggest testing the hay or silage for nitrates as well as for protein and energy before beginning to feed it.  This will help you feed more safely and efficiently.

               Last fall’s cereal planting is about ready to harvest.  Time it right to get the best feed for your livestock.



Statement from the Leopold Center regarding the decision of the Iowa legislature and Governor

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed into legislation on May 12, 2017, Senate File 510, a bill that included language to "eliminate the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture." However, he vetoed this segment of the bill, sparing it from elimination. Although the Leopold Center remains, Gov. Branstad approved moving its funding to the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University.

The Leopold Center, named in honor of renowned Iowa-born naturalist Aldo Leopold, was created as part of the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act, also signed by Governor Branstad.

"For 30 years, the Leopold Center has offered hope, new knowledge and significant research findings to Iowa and the nation," said Director Mark Rasmussen. "While we appreciate that the name and the Center will remain, the loss of all state funding severely restricts operations and our ability to serve our many stakeholders."

More than 30 new grant projects were approved to begin in February and their management will transfer to the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which has been charged with winding up the Center's affairs by the end of the 2017.  Over the past three decades, the Leopold Center sponsored more than 600 grants involving research, education and demonstration on a wide range of agricultural topics as outlined in its educational mission in the Iowa Code.

Researchers investigated many of the practices years before being enshrined in Iowa's Nutrient Reduction Strategy, including: buffer strips, bioreactors, prairie strips, cover crops, payments for ecosystems services, integrated pest management, early spring nitrate tests, crop rotations, and rotational grazing.  Local foods systems were just getting started in Iowa as the Leopold Center promoted farmers markets, grape production for wineries, food hubs, and immigrant garden projects.  Thousands of investigators, graduate students, farmers, community members, agency staff and interested Iowans have participated in Leopold Center research and outreach.

To all those who collaborated with the Center, to faithful advisory board members and grantees, to the ISU personnel who worked on so many projects and shared the results of their Leopold Center funding, we offer sincere thanks and appreciation. Your efforts on behalf of sustainable agriculture were and are valuable. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of supporters who contacted their legislators, signed petitions, and testified in favor of keeping the Leopold Center doors open at the public hearing on April 17. We appreciate the many emotional letters and opinion pieces you have written to news outlets and social media on behalf of the Center and on the future of sustainable agriculture in Iowa.

Special thanks go to advisory board members Aaron Lehman, Doug Gronau, and Gail Hickenbottom for going the extra miles in support for the Center.  Former Center director Jerry DeWitt was tireless in his efforts to rally support for the Center in the last month. Angie Carter, along with other former sustainable agriculture graduate students, led grassroots efforts of support. We salute the wisdom and courage of Paul Johnson, Ralph Rosenberg, and David Osterberg, the three legislators who shepherded the Leopold Center into existence in 1987.

The Leopold Center has been true to its mission and transparent in its operations. It also has given Iowa a wealth of gifts to continue the work of sustainable agriculture into the future.



Celebrate June Dairy Month in Iowa - Multiple dairy open house opportunities across state

June is dairy month and the public is invited to celebrate the efforts of Iowa’s dairy farmers who deliver a wholesome and nutritious supply of milk and dairy products, making a significant contribution to the state’s economy. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering several educational opportunities across the state to learn about dairy farming first-hand.

“Our goal is to create the next generation of dairy lovers,” said Leo Timms, Morrill professor of animal science and extension dairy specialist with Iowa State University. “We’re giving visitors an opportunity to get inside a dairy barn and see our commitments to animal well-being, environmental stewardship and production of high quality, safe milk and dairy products. Consumers need to know about local dairy products and the work it takes to make Iowa 12th in the nation for milk production.”

Dairy is the fifth-largest agricultural business in Iowa, generating $4 billion a year in economic activity according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2012 Census of Agriculture. There are about 1,400 dairy farms in the state and about 99 percent of them are family-owned.

The dairy month open house schedule includes face-to-face conversations with farmers and on-farm milking demonstrations. Open house activities vary by location and may include a meal or samples of dairy products, a kid friendly area to meet calves and visit educational exhibits, and a guided farm tour allowing families to milk a cow and see robotic milking machines.

June Dairy Month open houses
-    Friday, June 9, 6-11 a.m. – ISU Dairy Farm Open House and Ag Discovery Center, 52470 260th St., near Ames.
-    Saturday, June 17, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – 7th Annual Breakfast on the Farm at Iowa’s Dairy Center, 1527 Hwy 150 South, near Calmar.
-    Wednesday, June 28, 4-7 p.m. – 9th Annual Western Iowa Dairy Alliance Open House, Summit Dairy (5564 390th Street near Primghar).

Events are held in partnership with the Midwest Dairy Association, Iowa State Dairy Association, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance, Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation, Northeast Iowa Community College and various agriculture and commodity group sponsors and supporters in the local communities.

Visitors are asked to take precautions and follow biosecurity policies if they have been at another livestock operation. Those who have recently returned from a trip abroad are asked to wait five days before visiting farms with animals. Visitors are asked to change clothing and footwear if going from farm to farm and to refrain from bringing any food items to the farm. For more information contact the farm manager of the dairy operation.



June Dairy Month Celebrates Dairy Products and Dairy Farmers

More than 75 years since the annual celebration began, June Dairy Month continues to recognize dairy products and the farmers who produce them. The festivities will kick off with World Milk Day on June 1. Initiated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Milk Day marks the importance of milk as part of a healthy and balanced diet and the dairy industry’s global contributions to economic development and agriculture, including the one billion people who derive their livelihood from it, as well its commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment. Throughout the month, people, companies and communities will continue to recognize dairy’s positive impact on nutrition and the planet.

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines affirms dairy’s important place in the diet in its recommendation that people ages nine and older consume three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods every day. Dairy products including milk, cheese and yogurt provide important nutrition to families, including a high-quality protein which supports healthy muscles and promotes fullness. Additionally, with only three ingredients listed on the label – milk and vitamins A and D – and about a 48-hour journey from the farm to the grocery store, milk is a local food which fits easily into the clean eating trend.

Dairy’s contribution to healthy eating would not be possible without the people behind the dairy products: dairy farmers. Dairy farmers work hard to minimize their impact on the environment, consistently focusing on recycling practices so that they use as little water and energy as possible in the daily management of their farms.

 “June is a time when we can show our appreciation for the 7,400 dairy farm families in the Midwest,” says Midwest Dairy Association CEO, Lucas Lentsch. “Dairy farmers demonstrate the highest commitment to producing nutritious milk while protecting the land on which they live and work, as well as fund research that leads to dairy product innovation.”

Midwest Dairy offers the following ways for you to celebrate June Dairy Month:
-    Get to know a Midwest dairy farm family by attending a June Dairy Month event in your state or meeting a Midwest dairy farm family online.
-    Take the Dairy 3 For Me pledge where you commit to enjoy three servings of dairy every day.
-    Include dairy as part of meals and snacks. To start, try this Raspberry-Strawberry Smoothie made with milk and yogurt.

For more dairy recipes, and dairy nutrition and farming information, visit MidwestDairy.com.



SHIC Funded Study Suggests Potential for Pathogen Transmission Via Feed

 In preliminary findings, a study conducted by Pipestone Applied Research and South Dakota State University shows the potential for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and other viruses to contaminate and survive in feed ingredients, including soybean meal (SBM) and dried distillers grains (DDGs). The study is based on a model simulating the transboundary movement of contaminated ingredients that was developed to identify “high risk combinations” of viruses and feed ingredients. The entire white paper is available at http://www.swinehealth.org/pathogen-transmission-white-paper/.

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) is interested in discovering potential risks to the US pork industry and has provided significant funding for this ongoing work. The SHIC Swine Disease Matrix was used to identify target viral pathogens for evaluation in the study. Researchers used “surrogate viruses” in some instances which allowed study of closely related and structurally similar viruses.

This research examined multiple viruses for their ability to survive under shipping conditions coming into the US. Preliminary data indicate the survival of viruses and surrogate viruses including the Seneca Virus A (surrogate for FMDV and of interest itself), Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (surrogate for Pseudorabies virus), and PRRSV (using PRRSV 174) during the 37-day study period. Ingredients frequently supporting virus survival include SBM, lysine, choline, and Vitamin D, and, in some cases, DDGs. Other products were not shown to consistently support viral survival during the 37-day study period. In the process, a subset of viruses has also been recovered from pork casings and different kinds of pet food. None of the viruses survived the 37-day incubation period in the absence of a feed component matrix.

These results suggest a subset of contaminated feed ingredients could serve as vehicles for foreign animal disease, other transboundary introduction in the US and possibly circulation of viruses within the US. In particular, the PRRSV data may provide new insights and areas of further study on the role of area spread.

Further mitigation research has already begun. This process will include testing of a variety of feed additives that might be able to neutralize these pathogens when added to feed during milling or other processes that may help mitigate risk.

Heat treatment during corn processing into DDGs and soybean conversion into SBM should neutralize pathogens present on the corn kernel or bean prior to processing. However, research at Kansas State University has shown the potential for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) contamination of feed during the milling process if PEDV is present within the feed mill emphasizing the need for feed mill biosecurity plans (https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v24n3/v24n3p154.pdf). Although, more information is needed about oral viral infective doses to accurately assess risk.



ASA Encourages Safe Use of Seed Treatment

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is reminding growers to take special care to keep treated seeds from entering the supply of U.S. grains and oilseeds. Treated seeds in commodity shipments are a multi-commodity problem that warrants the attention of the entire supply chain and directly jeopardizes U.S. markets, both foreign and domestic

Maintaining the stellar U.S. reputation for appropriately managing all pesticides is one key element of providing customer satisfaction and official acceptance of exports. Few concerns can be as damaging to supplier reputation for quality and safety of agricultural products as the presence of seed treatment compounds in commodities intended for use in food and feed.

Growers with questions are encouraged to visit The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship, an industry-wide initiative to promote the safe handling and management of treated seed. Endorsed by ASA and other ag groups, the guide provides farmers and seed companies with critical information and up-to-date guidelines for managing treated seed effectively to further minimize the risk of exposure to non-target organisms.



EPA Extends Timeline for Pesticide Applicators Rule

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt Thursday announced a 12-month extension for implementation of the revised final Certification and Training of Pesticide Applicators (C&T) rule. EPA received feedback from states and stakeholders that more time and resources are needed to prepare for compliance with the rule. The extended timeline will enable EPA to work with states and provide adequate compliance and training resources.

"In order to achieve both environmental protection and economic prosperity, we must give the regulated community, which includes farmers and ranchers, adequate time to come into compliance with regulations. Extending the timeline for implementation of this rule will enable EPA to consult with states, assist with education, training and guidance, and prevent unnecessary burdens from overshadowing the rule's intended benefits," said Administrator Pruitt.

Last month, Administrator Pruitt met with Missouri Governor Eric Greitens to discuss the C&T rule, among other issues.

Administrator Pruitt recently launched his Back-to-Basics agenda for returning EPA to its core mission: protecting the environment by engaging with state, local, and tribal partners to create sensible regulations that enhance economic growth. Thursday's action is the latest evidence of Administrator Pruitt's commitment to cooperative federalism and getting the EPA back to basics.



NPPC CHIEF VETERINARIAN PARTICIPATES IN ANTIBIOTICS MEETINGS

National Pork Producers Council Chief Veterinarian Dr. Liz Wagstrom was busy in Washington last week as she participated in the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) meeting. The meeting focused on incentives for developing diagnostics, vaccines and new therapeutic products. Veterinarians and animal health manufacturers were on hand to help educate the PACCARB panel on livestock farming, veterinary care and development of new drugs and vaccines.

Also last week, Wagstrom met with officials from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The National Pork Board, Association of Swine Veterinarians and Swine Health Information Center joined the meeting, which addressed progress in the APHIS Veterinary Service sector.

Additionally, Wagstrom on Tuesday held briefings for House and Senate staff on responsible antibiotic use in animals and humans. She pointed out that pork producers recognize the importance of using antibiotics responsibly to protect the health and well-being of both while striving to reduce the overall need for the use of antibiotics in pork production and to maintain their efficacy for future generations.



Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program Targets Youth

As a part of ongoing efforts to reach a broader audience of beef producers, a new multispecies youth quality assurance training platform is now available: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). The BQA program was involved in the development of training curriculum and content during the development phase of the program and now supports the program through its online and in person training components. The curriculum is designed for students and youth, ages 8-21, raising livestock. For information and training visit www.YQCA.org.



Bill Would Help Farmers Improve Irrigation Systems

Passage of the Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 519) would help farmers and ranchers more efficiently operate mutual ditch, irrigation and water companies, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a letter to Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), the measure’s sponsor, "Mutual ditch, irrigation and water companies are important to agriculture because they allow farmers, ranchers and others to form collaborative businesses to install and maintain vital irrigation infrastructure."

Current law requires capital improvements be 85 percent shareholder financed, which can be limiting. The bill would multiply the sources from which mutual ditch, irrigation and water companies can obtain capital to expand and improve their water systems.

Specifically, the legislation would allow mutual water and storage delivery companies to retain their nonprofit status even if they receive more than 15 percent of their revenue from non-member sources. Under the act, additional non-member revenue raised must be used for maintenance, operations and infrastructure improvements.



NGFA and NAEGA outline importance of two-way trade in comments to Trump administration

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) this week submitted a joint statement to the U.S. Trade Representative's Office and U.S. Department of Commerce emphasizing U.S. food and agriculture's contribution to the U.S. economy and importance of trade to and from the United States.

The comments were submitted May 10 in response to a request for input to inform the U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce in their preparation of an Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits for President Donald Trump.

"The U.S. food and agriculture experience is one of generating significant trade surpluses that have benefited the U.S. balance of trade, job creation and economic growth," said the NGFA and NAEGA in their statement.

The organizations cited data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as analyses conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, showing that the food and agriculture sector supports more than 15 million U.S. jobs, creates more than $423 billion in annual U.S. economic activity, and represents the single largest U.S. manufacturing sector - constituting 12 percent of all U.S. manufacturing jobs. Every dollar in U.S. agricultural exports generates an additional $1.27 in U.S. economic activity, they noted.

The comments also outlined key areas that would preserve and enhance U.S. agricultural competitiveness. Specifically, the NGFA and NAEGA cited the need to:
-    maintain and expand market access and tariff concessions;
-    improve regulatory coherence and cooperation, including by implementing enhanced science-based sanitary and phytosanitary rules;
-    remove non-tariff barriers that lack scientific merit;
-    increase transparency and cooperation in approving modern agricultural production technologies, including seed-breeding innovations;
-    more closely align standards; and
-    enable innovation of information technologies to improve implementation of logistics and regulatory systems.

"While we understand the need to examine the underlying causes of trade deficits to various sectors of the U.S. economy, it also remains essential that the United States continue to recognize the economic principle of comparative advantage and the benefits that two-way trade contribute to advancing U.S. and world economic well-being and global security," the comments stated. "For example, within the agricultural space, imports of farm inputs, such as fertilizer, may lower U.S. production costs and enable U.S. food and agricultural exports to remain competitive."

The NGFA and NAEGA said they are eager to assist the Trump administration in identifying "opportunities to update and modernize existing U.S. trade agreements and relationships with other countries - and to initiate new agreements, particularly with Asia-Pacific countries - while preserving the core benefits that have helped the U.S. food and agriculture sector support U.S. economic growth and job creation."

Separately, the organizations noted that they are eager to work with newly confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in his central role in developing and coordinating U.S. international trade policy and leading trade negotiations with other countries.



Alltech acquires Montana-based WestFeeds

Strengthening its commitment to bringing the latest field-proven technologies to Western U.S. livestock producers and companion animal owners, Alltech has purchased WestFeeds, a leading animal nutrition company in Montana.

“WestFeeds has a strong reputation of providing producers with high quality animal nutrition products,” said Michael Castle, COO of Alltech.  “We believe there is great benefit for our customers in our teams joining forces for the future.”

With state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in Billings and Great Falls, as well as outlets in Billings, Dillon, Great Falls, Lewistown and Miles City, Montana, WestFeeds has a demonstrated commitment to local support.

“Our WestFeeds team is embracing the opportunity to join Alltech because we can see very clearly how our companies’ strengths complement one another, to the benefit of our customers,” said Jerry Begger, general manager of WestFeeds.

Begger will continue leading WestFeeds, assisted by ten-year Alltech veteran Kyle Klimpke.