Friday June 16 Ag News

Costco To Break Ground on $300M Poultry Processing Facility

On Monday, company executives, elected officials and project partners will celebrate the groundbreaking of Costco’s first-ever poultry processing plant, hatchery and feed mill, Lincoln Premium Poultry. A new endeavor to meet the needs of Costco as they start to build a network of producers in eastern Nebraska.

This event will take place at the construction Site in south Fremont, Nebraska. 



Ricketts Comments on WOTUS Rollback

Friday, Governor Pete Ricketts sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commenting on the pending rollback of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. 

“Our state remains concerned about the proposed expanded definition of WOTUS adopted in 2015, both because of its expansive reach and because of the difficulty in determining what water or land may be considered jurisdictional under the existing regulation.  That is why Nebraska joined with a majority of states to legally challenge that rule on both procedural and substantive fronts.  We continue to be committed to preserving our authority over our land and water resources,” wrote Governor Ricketts in the letter.



FORAGE FOLLOWING WHEAT
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Once your wheat is gone, how do you plan to use that ground after harvest?  With good moisture and lots of growing season left this year there are many forage possibilities.

               Wheat harvest soon will be here.  Afterwards, there will be lots of growing season remaining for producing more forage.

               For example, with good moisture an early maturing corn is one possibility for silage if you plant it thick.  A better dryland choice might be a high grain producing forage sorghum if chinch bugs and other insects are not a problem.  Sunflowers can be a surprisingly good choice for a short-season silage.  They survive light frost and yield well under many conditions.

               If hay is preferred, plant sorghum-sudan hybrids, teff, or pearl or foxtail millet when chinch bugs aren't a problem.  A hay crop exceeding two tons per acre can be grown easily if planted soon after harvest and rain is timely.  Another hay or silage alternative is solid-seeded soybeans.  A couple tons of good forage can be grown from taller, full season varieties planted after wheat.  Oats planted in early August is another option.  Yields over two tons are common when moisture is good, fertility high, and your hard freeze comes a little late.

               Definitely consider turnips, as well as oats, for fall pasture planted into wheat stubble in late July or early August.  With a few timely rains in August and September, both oats and turnips produce much high quality feed in a short time.  And, they are relatively inexpensive to plant.

               Don't automatically let your wheat ground sit idle the rest of the year, especially if you could use more forage.  When moisture is available, there are many forage options.  One might be right for you.



IPPA invites consumers to jump on 'Iowa Pork Tenderloin Trail'

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is set to launch the most delicious trail in Iowa by making it easier for consumers to find and enjoy some of the best tenderloins in the state.

IPPA has developed the "Iowa Pork Tenderloin Trail" that recognizes and promotes the juicy and delicious breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches available at 14 cafes, restaurants or pubs around the state. IPPA hand-selected these sandwiches and invited the establishments to participate in the trail. IPPA encourages all pork-loving connoisseurs to take on this journey.

"I hate to say we're copycats, but we were inspired by the popularity of so many other food trails and thought to ourselves: 'This is Iowa, the number one pork producing state in the country. It needs a pork trail!' and that's what we did," said Kelsey Sutter, IPPA marketing/program director.

To participate in the Iowa Pork Tenderloin Trail, consumers will need the official passport. It can be downloaded at www.iowapork.org or the Travel Iowa website at www.traveliowa.com. Passports also can be picked up at the IPPA office in Clive or at any of the restaurants along the trail.

Trail explorers will receive a stamp in their passport for each tenderloin they enjoy and when they've achieved 10 stamps, they will be awarded an "I Conquered the Iowa Tenderloin Trail" tee shirt from the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Additional details are available on the IPPA website.

"The pork tenderloin is very much a Midwest legend. It can be found on almost every small-town menu in Iowa, but is largely unheard of outside the Midwest," Sutter said. "The tenderloin trail celebrates the authenticity of the tenderloin sandwich, the local Iowa restaurants that prepare them with expertise, and the rich heritage of the Iowa pork industry."

The trail features some fun favorites, including Gov. Kim Reynolds' pick, the IPPA staff's favorite that is enjoyed often on Tenderloin Tuesdays, and the favorite of the "Pursuing Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches" Facebook group that has more than 14,000 members.

This delicious project is made possible by the devoted and passionate pig farmers around the state who are committed to producing safe, delicious and affordable pork.

"We hope this trail will continue to grow the connection between Iowa and delicious pork and encourage both citizens and travelers to explore new establishments across the state and indulge in an Iowa tenderloin," said Dave Struthers, chair of the IPPA Restaurant and Foodservice Committee.



 ASA Provides Input to USDA, FDA on Advances in Biotechnology

The American Soybean Association (ASA) submitted comments this week to both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding regulations in response to advances in genetic engineering.

ASA included in comments to USDA, that biotechnology is an essential tool in farmers’ quest to produce enough food to meet the needs of 9.7 billion people by 2050, creating the need for a clear, science-based regulatory system in the U.S. as an example and standard for regulatory systems of biotechnology internationally.

While applauding USDA’s efforts to “reduce the burden on regulated entities,” ASA expressed concern that aspects of the rule as proposed will increase the regulatory burden and stifle research and innovation.

Additionally, ASA’s comments to FDA cheered USDA’s proposal to exclude certain genome-editing techniques from requiring pre-market approvals because they are low risk and could be found in nature or achieved through traditional breeding methods.

ASA concluded its support saying, “Technological advancements such as genome editing offer an additional tool to combat threats while also improving sustainability in production agriculture.”



 Perdue Names Leadership in Acting Roles as USDA Reorganization Takes Shape

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today named three individuals who will take on leadership roles as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues the reorganization announced on May 11, 2017.  In accordance with a directive in the 2014 Farm Bill, USDA created a new Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs as part of a realignment of several mission areas.  The reorganization also included a reconstituted mission area reporting to a newly-named Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.  The U.S. Forest Service, given its size and importance, will be the only agency to report to the Under Secretary for National Resources and Environment.  For these three mission areas, Perdue has named Acting Deputy Under Secretaries, who will serve in their roles until the Senate confirms permanent presidentially-nominated appointees.

“Today we continue our progress of making USDA the most effective, the most efficient, and the best managed department in the U.S. government,” Perdue said.  “These three career USDA employees have already shown the leadership and expertise needed to deliver the highest quality service to our customers – the people of American agriculture.  I welcome them to the leadership team and I thank them for their dedication to agriculture.”

Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
Jason Hafemeister, until now serving as the Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, will now be Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.  He has been involved in agricultural farm and trade policy for over 25 years, including almost 20 at USDA and with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.  Hafemeister’s responsibilities have included serving as the lead U.S. negotiator on agriculture in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Doha Round negotiations, the Central America Free Trade Agreement, and China’s accession to the WTO.  He was instrumental in finalizing the recent agreement to allow the importing of U.S. beef to China.  Hafemeister received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, a master’s degree from the University of California at San Diego, and a law degree from Georgetown University.

Agricultural trade is critical for the U.S. farm sector and the American economy as a whole.  U.S. agricultural and food exports account for 20 percent of the value of production, and every dollar of these exports creates another $1.27 in business activity.  Additionally, every $1 billion in U.S. agricultural exports supports approximately 8,000 American jobs across the entire American economy.  As the global marketplace becomes even more competitive every day, the United States must position itself in the best way possible to retain its standing as a world leader.

Farm Production and Conservation
Dr. Robert Johansson will serve as the Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, while also concurrently remaining USDA’s Chief Economist, a position he has held since July 2015.  Since 2001, he has worked as an economist at USDA, in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget, and at the Congressional Budget Office.  In 2011 he was appointed senior economist for energy, environment, and agriculture on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers where he also participated in the White House Rural Council and the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Dr. Johansson served as Deputy Chief Economist at the USDA from 2012 to 2014.  He received B.A. in economics from Northwestern University and then served with the U.S. Peace Corps as an extension agent in several African countries from 1990 to 1995.  After returning to his home State of Minnesota, he entered the graduate program in Agricultural Economics at the University of Minnesota and received his M.S. in 1997 and Ph.D. in 2000. His research has spanned a wide range of issues, including biofuels policy, water quality and quantity policies, regulatory economics, food security, and regional modeling of agricultural systems.

The Farm Production and Conservation mission area will focus on domestic agricultural issues.  Locating the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service under this domestically-oriented under secretary will provide a simplified one-stop shop for USDA’s primary customers, the men and women farming, ranching, and foresting across America.

Natural Resources and Environment
Dan Jiron will fill the role of Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.  With more than 29 years of public service and natural resources management, Jiron was appointed Associate Chief of the Forest Service in July 2016.  Prior to this appointment, Jiron served in many leadership positions, including Regional Forester of the Rocky Mountain Region; Deputy Regional Forester in the Pacific Southwest Region; Forest Supervisor of the Santa Fe National Forest; District Ranger on the Salt Lake Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest; District Ranger on the South Park Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forest, Comanche, and Cimarron National Grasslands; Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs of the Intermountain Region, National Press Officer in Washington, D.C.; and aide to United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado.  Jiron earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and a Master’s degree from Regis University of Denver.

Under the reorganization plan, the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment will retain supervision of the U.S. Forest Service.

Rural Development
As previously announced, Perdue has named Anne Hazlett to lead the Rural Development agencies at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Hazlett, whose title will be Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, will oversee the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Business Service, and the Rural Housing Service.  She most recently served as Chief Counsel to the Majority on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Hazlett’s position represents an elevation of Rural Development, which had previously been in the portfolio of an under secretary, who in turn reported to the deputy secretary of agriculture.  Instead, Rural Development will now report directly to the Secretary of Agriculture.



U.S. Policy Reversal on Cuba Eliminates Opportunity for Family Farmers

During a speech today in Miami, Florida, President Donald Trump announced plans to roll back an Obama-era detente with Cuba, a move that will tighten export restrictions and create roadblocks in the distribution of goods, complicating agricultural trade with Cuba.

Trump said on Friday he was rolling back some of President Barack Obama's steps to liberalize relations with Cuba because they had not led to more liberal social policies and democracy there.

"We will very strongly restrict American dollars flowing to the military, security and intelligence services that are the core of Castro regime," Trump said.

"They will be restricted. We will enforce the ban on tourism. We will enforce the embargo. We will take concrete steps to ensure that investments flow directly to the people, so they can open private businesses and begin to build their country's great, great future -- a country of great potential."

But Trump did not move to close the U.S. embassy in Cuba or the Cuban embassy in Washington, and did not end direct commercial airline flights or cruise ship stops.

Highlighting the economic opportunity that open Cuban markets would provide for family farmers and ranchers, NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statement:

“At a time when family farmers and ranchers are enduring a steep decline in net farm income, it is disheartening to see President Trump complicate an opportunity to expand U.S. agricultural markets. Today’s decision unfortunately sets us in a backwards trajectory, moving away from increasing market share in a country of 11 million people just 90 miles away from U.S. shores.

“NFU has been working for decades to break free from 50 years of failed policies that have created barriers to the Cuban market. We expected that the U.S. would finally tear down these self-imposed barriers when the Obama administration signaled the U.S. would work towards normalized relations with Cuba. Instead, it now seems the Trump administration is determined to look to the past instead of leading us into the future. We are very disappointed with this regressive approach.

“NFU will continue to work with congressional leadership to end the embargo and put in place fair trade relations with Cuba.”



Soy Growers Oppose Rollback of Cuba Normalization Policy

The American Soybean Association (ASA) opposes the executive order released late Friday from President Donald Trump that rolls back provisions to further open Cuba to American investment and trade put in place by his predecessor, Barack Obama. In a statement, ASA Vice President and Iowa farmer John Heisdorffer pointed to the lost potential for American soybean farmers in Cuba as the United States takes a step back in its effort to increase opportunities for trade with the island nation.

“Today’s action by the White House to roll back the progress made by the Obama Administration to open the Cuban marketplace to American investment is troubling. As the farm economy continues to lag, we should be increasing our opportunities, not limiting them.

“This decision has put in jeopardy the progress we’ve seen to date in Cuba, and stifles our future success in that market by limiting our ability to create normal business and trade relationships with importers in Cuba, just like we do with almost every other nation. These include normal banking, credit, and market development relationships.

“Soybeans lead the nation in agricultural trade because we’ve been successful in cultivating trade relationships with large markets and small markets alike. We export our soybeans, and the products that our soybeans go into, like meat and cooking oils and others. For us to continue developing and expanding upcoming markets like Cuba, we need a progressive attitude from the White House on trade, not a knee-jerk reaction to what a previous administration has done.

“We sincerely hope the White House will reconsider its course on Cuba, and we’re more than willing to sit down and explain what a more productive course might include.”



U.S. Grains Council Statement On Cuba Announcement

A statement from U.S. Grains Council (USGC) President and CEO Tom Sleight on changes to Cuba policy, announced Friday:

“The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has worked in Cuba for nearly two decades to help capture grain demand and develop its livestock industry within the confines of U.S. policy. While the announcement today will make our efforts in Cuba more difficult – and almost certainly cost U.S. corn farmers sales in the short term – we have every intention of continuing our work there to build long-term, mutually-beneficial trade.

“In the first eight months of this marketing year, Cuba purchased more than 250,000 metric tons (9.8 million bushels) of corn from the United States, about 30 percent of their total demand. This shows both that Cubans want our product when its competitive to other origins and that we have significant room for growth given the right policy environment.

“The changes announced today are concerning because they could cut off these near-term sales while also stymieing the economic development that will drive long-term demand growth. Neither of those outcomes is favorable for the U.S. ag sector or the Cuban people, who do not have access to sufficient meat, milk and eggs.

“Cuba has historically been a 900,000 metric ton (35.4 million bushel) corn market; based on recent export sales, it would be our 11th largest customer if we could capture that demand. Free flow of grain to Cuba could also help us capture sales to the Dominican Republic and even Puerto Rico, an estimated $315 million in lost demand each year.

“In the past two years, our work in Cuba and with Cuban grain buyers has shown us that the only hindrance to progress there is U.S. policy. While we are concerned about the announcement today, we are steadfast in our support of the market and our Cuban customers.”



American Farm Bureau Cautions on Cuba
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:

“We urge the administration to exercise caution in rolling out any new restrictions on doing business with Cuba that would limit our agricultural export opportunities. We should be doing more, not less, to encourage U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. Our farmers and ranchers and the Cuban people would benefit from increased sales of high-quality, American-grown food and feed. The American Farm Bureau will continue to work with the administration and Congress to maintain and improve the conditions for agricultural trade with Cuba.

“Cuba is a $2 billion annual food-import market. Currently, because of some remaining restrictions, the United States sells about $200 million in agricultural products to Cuba, but that nation represents the kind of growth opportunity America’s farmers and ranchers need during this challenging economic period.

“Self-imposed trade restrictions have kept America’s farmers and ranchers from competing on a level playing field and have closed off one of our nearest ag export markets. Cuba has not purchased any rice or wheat from the U.S. in many years, instead buying from other countries around the world. As we cope with the biggest drop in farm prices in decades, we need to be opening up markets for American farm goods, not sending signals that might lead to less access.”



NCGA Statement on Changes to U.S.-Cuba Policy

The following is a statement from Texas farmer Wesley Spurlock, president of the National Corn Growers Association, in response to today’s announcement on U.S. policy toward Cuba.

“Cuba should be an easy market for U.S. corn farmers. Instead, that market has gone to our competitors—costing us an estimated $125 million in lost opportunity each year. If trade with Cuba were normalized, it would represent our 11th largest market for corn. Instead, we have just 11 percent market share in a country only 90 miles from our border. At a time when the farm economy is struggling, we ask our leaders in Washington not to close doors on market opportunities for American agriculture.”



U.S. Wheat Organizations See Hope in Growing Public Support for Cuban Trade

Even as President Trump announces changes to current travel and trade rules with Cuba, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are hopeful that the increasing public and congressional support for more open trade will lead to an eventual end to the U.S. embargo.

“This is a political process and that means there are going to be steps forward and back,” said USW President Alan Tracy. “Our organizations support measures that move toward ending the embargo. Cuba is a significant wheat importing nation and our farmers can supply high-quality wheat at a lower cost than Cuba pays now to import European and Canadian wheat. Wheat is an important food grain that should be above politics, but the embargo will likely have to end before wheat farmers can help meet the increasing demand for agricultural products to help feed the Cuban people.”

“Wheat growers are facing significant economic hurdles and need more markets,” said David Schemm, a wheat farmer from Sharon Springs, KS, and NAWG President. “NAWG supports the effort to end the embargo on Cuba because it is what is best for our farmers. Farmers know that agricultural trade is a proven way to foster stronger and more productive ties with folks who live outside the United States.”



Ocean Freight Rates Continue to Fall

The ocean freight rate for shipping bulk grains from the U.S. Gulf to Japan was $36 per metric ton, a 3 percent drop over the past 2 weeks and 13 percent below the year-to-date peak of $40.50 per mt on April 20.

Shipping bulk grains from the Pacific Northwest to Japan was $18 per mt, down 5 percent over the past 2 weeks and 19 percent below the year-to-date peak of $22.25 per mt on April 13.

The bulk shipping market could not sustain the rally that occurred during the early part of the year, as excess vessel supply persists amid lagging demand for moving bulk materials, including grains.



NFU Supports Bill to Add USDA to Foreign Investment Committee

U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) today introduced a bill to add the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). The bill, known as the Foreign Investment and Economic Security Act of 2017, also directs CFIUS to consider U.S. food and agriculture systems when determining whether or not to approve foreign investment in U.S. companies.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson lauded the bill, citing the importance of maintaining food security for the sake of U.S. national security.

“Food security is vital to national security. As we’re seeing across the world, food shortages and disputes are leading to massive international crises. Without stability and certainty in our food systems, we can expect similar crises on our own soil.” said Johnson. “Consequently, global and domestic food security should be a primary consideration for those tasked with ensuring our national security.”

In a letter sent Wednesday to Rep. DeLauro, Johnson highlighted the risk of increased foreign investment in the U.S. agricultural sector, including the purchase of Smithfield Foods by Chinese firm Shuanghui International Holdings, Ltd., the acquisition of Syngenta AG by Chinese-government owned group ChemChina, and the proposed acquisition of Monsanto by German company Bayer AG.

“Given the changing environment due to an increasing global population and a rapidly changing climate, the role of CFIUS must reflect new concerns about national security,” noted Johnson. “NFU is pleased Rep. DeLauro is calling for increased consideration of food security, and we call on Congress to adopt this commonsense legislation.”



NFU Condemns Trump Administration Approval of Dow-DuPont

Perpetuating the disturbing consolidation trend in the agriculture sector, the U.S. Department of Justice today approved the $142 billion merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. The deal will create the largest agriculture biotechnology and seed firm in the United States.

Condemning the move as a continuance of failed national economic policy, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson released the following statement:

“Clearly, the Trump Administration is content allowing our country’s consolidation complex to continue. This is deeply disappointing, as it is this consolidation complex that has allowed for money and power to be drained from family farm operations and rural communities. What’s resulted is lost jobs, lowered wages, inflated costs, decreased economic opportunity, depleted resources and services, depopulation, and an inability for those that remain in rural America to decide their economic future.

“The combination of Dow and DuPont, coupled with other pending mergers, leaves family farmers with less competition and choice in the seed and agrichemical sectors. This drives up costs for farmers’ inputs, and it reduces the incentive for the remaining agricultural input giants to compete and innovate through research and development.

“Dow and DuPont produce essential, high quality seeds and products that farmers need. While we condemn the administration’s decision to allow the merger, we set our sights on ensuring the resulting seed and biotech firm keeps the promises made by Dow and DuPont to American family farmers and ranchers. This includes delivering localized solutions in seed and crop chemical innovation, increasing the productivity of American farmers and, most importantly, ensuring their profitability.”



MONSANTO RECEIVES KEY IMPORT APPROVAL TO ENABLE 2018 LAUNCH OF VISTIVE® GOLD SOYBEANS

The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture recently granted approval for the import and food/feed use of Monsanto’s MON 87705 soybean. This approval is for a key component of Monsanto’s Vistive® Gold soybeans that produce a low-saturate, high-oleic soybean oil. With this approval, Monsanto will now begin commercial preparation for the full-scale launch of Vistive Gold soybeans in 2018.

Vistive Gold soybeans contain the low-saturate, high-oleic trait which will enable food companies to produce foods with lower saturated fat levels and low levels of trans fat as compared to other cooking oils.

Vistive Gold soybean oil has enhanced storage and processing stability, and an improved nutritional profile and food functionality. Vistive Gold soybeans were developed with input from leading food companies over the last decade and can benefit consumers as well as farmers.

“Oil produced with Vistive Gold soybeans is a beneficial cooking oil,” said Lisa Streck, Monsanto’s soybean launch lead. “It can be used cost effectively as a cooking oil that is low in saturated fat with zero grams trans fat per serving. Vistive Gold soybean oil also delivers the same great taste and texture that people expect from cooking oils, as well as shelf life that is equal to, or better than, traditional oils.”

Vistive Gold soybeans represent one of the first crops developed through the combination of biotechnology and traditional breeding that enable farmers to help food companies bring an improved cooking oil to consumers. The soybeans will be built upon the proven performance of Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans, giving farmers a strong yield opportunity and may provide the ability to earn a premium for the nutritionally improved oil.

“Vistive Gold soybeans is a unique product that we’ve been working to bring to market,” Streck adds. “We continue to establish partnerships with processors and are preparing for commercial launch in 2018.”