Thursday June 1 Ag News

Nebraska Beef Council Provides Support for China Reopening

The Nebraska Beef Council (NBC) Board of Directors met last week and discussed the recent progress regarding the reopening of China to U.S. beef. An overarching principle for the NBC Board is to ‘put the money where the people are’ and maximize beef checkoff dollars. Because of the importance of this market to the U.S. beef community the NBC committed $300,000 to support the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) efforts in enhancing demand for beef.

“The discussion about supporting USMEF in this marketplace was positive and an obvious place for us to invest beef checkoff dollars,” said Buck Wehrbein, NBC Chairman and cattle feeder from Mead. “With the equivalent of over 2600 head of cattle per day being exported from Nebraska alone, we know the significance of this market and want to show our support.”

The commitment of these dollars fell right in line with the discussions held at the USMEF Spring Conference held last week in Arlington, VA. Joel Haggard, USMEF Senior Vice President for the Asia Pacific, said, “This funding comes at an opportune time and is a great up-front investment from Nebraska that will help us get deep into our plan for reentering the Chinese marketplace.”

Although the final details are still being put into place, the NBC Board chose to provide this support now to enable USMEF to make plans and move forward when the Chinese market opens.

“The USMEF team has a variety of strategic activities proposed and these dollars allow them to take action as we move closer to this opening that the beef community has waited for so long to happen,” said Wehrbein.



Nonprofit Cattle Group Files Lawsuit Against Nebraska Brand Committee

(AP) - A nonprofit representing ranchers with Nebraska feedlots has requested a federal judge to rule the Nebraska Livestock Brand Act unconstitutional and prevent the state from enforcing it.

The Nebraska Beef Producers Committee filed a lawsuit against the Nebraska Brand Committee and executive director William Bunce in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.

The Brand Committee records ranchers’ brands, inspects cattle to verify ownership and investigates missing livestock and cattle rustling. The Brand Act requires cattle being moved outside a designated brand area or sold within it to be inspected.

Katherine Spohn, attorney for the beef producers, says the evolution of the cattle industry has made the act ineffectual.



Iowa Dairy Princess Candidates Sought - Application Deadline is July 1

Midwest Dairy Association’s Iowa Division is seeking candidates to serve as Iowa’s 64th Dairy Princess. The entry deadline is Saturday, July 1.

The Iowa Dairy Princess serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy industry, helping communicate with people about dairy farmers’ stewardship for animals and natural resources, the safety and wholesomeness of dairy products, and the economic importance of dairy to Iowa’s economy.

Eligible candidates include young women from 16 to 22 years old from active Iowa dairy farms, who work on a dairy farm or whose parents are employees of an Iowa dairy farm. Young women who live in counties with a local princess contest managed by a dairy promotion board must be nominated through their county program. However, candidates who live in counties without an active princess contest can apply to represent their own county. A full list of eligibility requirements can be found at MidwestDairy.com/ForFarmers/DairyPrincessContests.

Potential candidates can learn more about the contest and dairy princess program at the Dairy Iowa Youth Communications Workshop Thursday, June 8, 2017, at the Heartland Acres Agribition Center in Independence, Iowa. The session will include an interactive workshop for high school and college students and an overview of the state princess contest. Learn more or register by contacting leanne.philips@gmail.com or calling 712-551-7918.

Judging will be held August 8-9, 2017, in Ankeny, Iowa. Selection is based on communications skills, general knowledge of the dairy industry and enthusiasm for dairy promotion. The 64th Iowa State Dairy Princess will be crowned Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 8 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the state fairgrounds in Des Moines.

The 2017-18 Iowa Dairy Princess and Alternate will both receive $1,000 scholarships from Midwest Dairy Association’s Iowa Division.

For complete rules and application materials, contact LeAnne Philips at 712-551-7918 or leanne.philips@gmail.com or visit MidwestDairy.com/ForFarmers/DairyPrincessContests.



June 2 is #FarmersThankDominos Day!

At the Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit last month, Tim McIntyre from Domino’s Pizza spoke about the company’s refusal to give in to the demands of activist groups and decision to support farmers and ranchers as experts in animal welfare. Since then, the brand has received a lot of positive recognition in the ag media and on social media. Activists have responded with negative articles and petitions based on Tim’s comments at the Summit.

The company continues to stand strong that farmers and ranchers are experts in animal care. To send a loud and clear message that the agriculture community appreciates Domino’s support, farms and ag businesses are encouraged to order pizza from Domino’s for lunch or dinner on June 2nd and post on social media using the hashtag #FarmersThankDominos and tag @dominos. Also consider giving your local Domino’s restaurant a thank you note for their support. Feel free to share this with other contacts and encourage everyone to join in with #FarmersThankDominos!

Animal sales banned on Facebook
Last month Facebook gave into pressures from animal rights groups and began enforcing a policy of "no animal sales or trades" in the Facebook marketplace and private groups. The stated motivation for this is to prevent animal cruelty and mostly with pets in mind. However, farmers have used Facebook marketplace and groups to network and exchange livestock. Facebook has cut these small farms off from even local private trade or sales.  The Animal Agriculture Alliance plans to contact Facebook to express our concerns with the unintended consequences of this policy on animal agriculture.
   
New group to watch: Balanced
AAA has identified “Balanced” as a new group to watch as an anti-animal agriculture activist group. According to Balanced, “food companies should sell food that reflects federal dietary guidelines and the best nutrition evidence. That means more whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits, and fewer servings of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and carcinogens, such as meat and eggs.” They want to make plant-based options more accessible and mobilize consumers to demand this change.



USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 488 million bushels in April 2017. Total corn consumption was down 5 percent from March 2017 but up 8 percent from April 2016. April 2017 usage included 90.8 percent for alcohol and 9.2 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 2.99 million bushels, up 12 percent from March 2017 and up 11 percent from April 2016. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 433 million bushels, was down 6 percent from March 2017 but up 8 percent from April 2016. Corn consumed in April 2017 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 89.1 percent and 10.9 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.75 million tons during April 2017, down 12 percent from March 2017 but up 2 percent from April 2016. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.30 million tons in April 2017, down 7 percent from March 2017 but up 3 percent from April 2016.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 346 thousand tons during April 2017, down 2 percent from March 2017 but up 13 percent from April 2016. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 284 thousand tons in April 2017, down 8 percent from March 2017 and down 6 percent from April 2016.



USDA Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.49 million tons (150 million bushels) in April 2017, compared to 4.80 million tons (160 million bushels) in March 2017 and 4.75 million tons (158 million bushels) in April 2016. Crude oil produced was 1.73 billion pounds down 7 percent from March 2017 and down 6 percent from April 2016. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.30 billion pounds during April 2017 decreased 7 percent from March 2017 and decreased 4 percent from April 2016.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 164 thousand tons in April 2017, compared to 185 thousand tons in March 2017 and 137 thousand tons in April 2016. Canola crude oil produced was 141 million pounds down 10 percent from March 2017 but up 18 percent from April 2016. Canola once refined oil production at 127 million pounds during April 2017 was up 1 percent from March 2017 and up 9 percent from April 2016. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 48.1 million pounds during April 2017 was down 3 percent from March 2017 but up 14 percent from April 2016.

Edible tallow production was 73.0 million pounds during April 2017, down 8 percent from March 2017 and down 4 percent from April 2016. Inedible tallow production was 289 million pounds during April 2017, down 10 percent from March 2017 but up 5 percent from April 2016. Technical tallow production was 89 million pounds during April 2017, up 7 percent from March 2017 and up 5 percent from April 2016. Choice white grease production at 98 million pounds during April 2017 decreased 11 percent from March 2017 and decreased 11 percent from April 2016.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for June 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for June 2017. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for June is 1.125 percent, up from 1.000 percent in May.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during June is 2.125 percent, up from 2.000 percent in May.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for June are as follows, 1.500 percent with three-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.500 percent in May; 1.875 percent with five-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.875 percent in May; 2.125 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.125 percent in May; 2.375 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.375 percent in May and; 2.375 percent with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.375 percent in May.



ASA Joins SHIP Coalition, Supports Pilot Program to Improve Trucking Efficiency

The American Soybean Association (ASA) joined the Safer Hauling & Infrastructure Protection (SHIP) coalition efforts to improve trucking efficiency through modernization of truck weight limits on federal interstates.

ASA supports expanding truck weight limits on federal interstates to a minimum of 91,000 pounds with the addition of a sixth axle. ASA joined other organizations on a letter encouraging the Appropriations Committee to include language in the FY 2018 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations bill to create a voluntary program under which 10 states could opt-in to allowing 91,000 pound, six-axle, bridge formula compliant trucks on Federal Interstate Highways within their borders.

This pilot program would provide additional safety data that could support nation-wide adoption of increased truck weights in the future.

To enable carriers to recoup the investment of an additional axle, the proposed pilot program would be for 15 years, which is the average life span of a commercial trailer. As the letter indicates, such a pilot will provide critical information that is currently lacking, but necessary to determine if significant benefits affiliated with this configuration can be realized in a way that preserves or enhances the safety our nation’s roads.



Fertilizer Prices Still Stable

It was another week of extremely steady retail fertilizer prices the fourth week of May 2017, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN. No fertilizer prices were significantly higher or lower from the previous month.

Of the eight major fertilizer, five were slightly lower in price compared to a month earlier. These were DAP, urea, 10-34-0, anhydrous and UAN32.

DAP had an average price of $436 per ton, urea $343/ton, 10-34-0 $436/ton, anhydrous $503/ton and UAN32 $280/ton.

The remaining three fertilizers were slightly higher in price from last month, but again, none were up a sizable amount. MAP had an average price of $471/ton, potash $340/ton and UAN28 $249/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.37/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.44/lb.N and UAN32 $0.44/lb.N.

Retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. Half of the eight major fertilizers are still double digits lower.

10-34-0 is 22% lower from a year ago, anhydrous is 14% less expensive, UAN32 is 13% lower and urea is down 10%. UAN28 is 9% less expensive, DAP is 8% lower, potash is 7% less expensive and MAP are 6% lower compared to year earlier.



E15 Summer Sale Restrictions Underscore Need for Congress to Act

Consumer choice at the pump takes a step backward today as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) restriction on summertime E15 ethanol sales goes into effect, underscoring the need for Congress to pass the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act and restore consumer choice year-round.

An arcane regulatory barrier limits the ability of fuel retailers to offer 15 percent ethanol blends in most of the country from June 1 to September 15.

“This regulation handcuffs fuel retailers who want to offer E15 to customers year-round,” said Ethanol Action Team Chair Paul Jeschke, a farmer from Mazon, Illinois. “And, because E15 typically costs less per gallon than regular gas, consumers lose the opportunity to save money during the summer driving season when they make more stops to fill up.”

Federal law and regulations limit the amount of evaporative emissions from vehicle fuel, which is measured by its Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). Fuels blended with up to 10 percent ethanol have a one pound RVP waiver because ethanol-blended fuels reduce tailpipe emissions. To date, the EPA has declined to grant a similar waiver for 15 percent ethanol blends, although new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is reviewing the agency’s legal authority when it comes to changing this regulation. E15 produces lower emissions than regular gasoline, and E15 can be sold year-round in areas with air quality challenges.

The bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517, H.R. 1311) clarifies that blends greater than 10 percent, such as E15, should receive the same RVP treatment as E10, eliminating this annual consumer confusion at the pump. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced the Senate bill, and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska) and David Loebsack (D-Iowa) introduced the House bill. Enacting this legislation would lead more retailers to offer E15, give consumers a choice that saves money, enhance vehicle performance, and improve the environment.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to hold a hearing on this legislation in June, and NCGA urges the Committee to approve and advance the legislation this summer.

“We applaud the Senate co-sponsors of this legislation for getting this bill on the agenda this summer, and we ask Senators to back this common-sense solution,” said Jeschke. “The RVP issue is a significant hurdle to expanding consumer access to higher ethanol blends. Congress should step up and remove this barrier so consumers can have more choice, and more savings, at the pump all year long.”



RVP Period Begins Today, Highlights Need for Legislative Solution to Provide Consumer Access to Higher Ethanol Blends

Today, the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) control season begins in nearly 70 percent of the country, severely restricting the ability of retailers to sell and consumers to buy E15 fuel from June 1 to September 15. In response to the RVP restrictions going into effect, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement:

“This issue is a classic example of a hopelessly out of date regulation negatively impacting the free market,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “E15 is a federally approved fuel for all cars 2001 and newer that boosts octane, saves consumers up to 10 cents per gallon at the pump, and improves the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and displacing toxic additives in gasoline. Consumers have recently surpassed over 1 billion miles driven on the fuel, and it is now available at over 800 retail sites across 29 states. Drivers are demanding E15, and more retailers are offering it every day.

“However, due to an outdated regulation that hasn’t been updated since 1990, gas stations are forced to restrict their sales to flex fuel vehicles only, or remove it from sale altogether between June 1 and September 15. That means that when gas prices are at their peak, consumers are denied the choice of an affordable, cleaner option at the pump. A key waiver that was extended to fuels containing zero to 10 percent ethanol in 1990 – in large part because these fuels lowered tailpipe emissions and carbon monoxide – was not extended to E15 because higher blends were not yet conceived when the law was written.

“Fortunately, the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S.517/H.R.1311) was introduced by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA), in March that simply adds two words to the 1990 law, extending the RVP waiver to fuel with 10 or more percent ethanol, allowing retailers across the country to offer more biofuel choices to customers year-round. Growth Energy strongly supports this bill, as well as consumer choice in the retail fuels marketplace.”

RVP is a measure of how quickly fuel evaporates, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates vapor pressure/RVP to prevent increased ozone or smog from vehicle emissions. Congress granted gasoline with 10 percent ethanol (E10) an RVP waiver; however, the same volatility waiver does not apply to any ethanol-blended fuel above E10 even though these fuels have a lower vapor pressure.



ACE joins fuel retailers in calling for E15 RVP relief

Today marks the beginning of the EPA-imposed low Reid vapor pressure (RVP) season, effectively banning the sale of lower-cost, higher-octane E15 until Sept. 15, even though E15 has lower RVP and lower emissions than the gasoline sold in those markets each summer. E15 is an unleaded gasoline that can be used in all cars and light trucks model years 2001 and newer, and typically costs five to 10 cents less than regular gas.

Other fuels receive a one-pound RVP waiver during the summer months, and the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has made encouraging EPA to extend that waiver to E15 a priority for many years. ACE has also called upon Members of Congress to enact legislation (S. 517 and H.R. 1311) clarifying once and for all that E15 and higher blends of ethanol should be allowed for sale June 1 through Sept. 15.

“Many customers who bought E15 yesterday are seeing a “FLEX FUEL ONLY” label on that pump today, and that can be confusing for people who just started using E15 at one of the stations that opened in the past year,” said Ron Lamberty, senior vice president of ACE. “On top of the extra hassle of re-labeling fuel dispensers twice a year and telling customers why they can’t buy the less-expensive, higher-octane fuel they bought last week, retailers tell us the confusion carries over, and keeps some drivers from switching back to E15 when it’s ‘legal’ again in mid-September.”

ACE believes it’s important to double down on efforts to make this commonsense RVP fix, with expanding E15 availability and both legislative and administrative options on the table. ACE also wants to make it clear that the rule change is supported by leading fuel retailers, who are making the switch to E15 to provide drivers with a lower-cost, higher-octane fuel option.

“This minor fix would be a major relief to retailers offering E15 today and would remove one of the biggest barriers for other retailers who want to offer E15,” said Mike Lorenz, the executive vice president of petroleum supply for Sheetz  Inc. “For consumers, it would provide year-round access and increased availability of E15. Consumers should also benefit from this rule update, since E15 typically sells for less than regular unleaded gasoline and is cleaner burning and higher octane.”

Sheetz is among the increasing number of retailers to offer E15 and higher ethanol blends at their stations. Today, E15 is sold at more than 800 retail outlets across 29 states.

“These gas stations are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to allow them to do what the agency’s name says it does, and ‘protect the environment’ by selling a cleaner fuel during the busiest time of the year. Yet, EPA refuses to do so,” Lamberty adds. “Hopefully, we can get this fix done through EPA or Congress, and this will be the last time retailers have to jump through these hoops to keep E15 available for their customers.”



World Milk Day Shines Light on Important Public Health Role of Dairy Foods

As part of the commemoration June 1 of World Milk Day, the National Milk Producers Federation said the public health case for the consumption of milk and other dairy foods is stronger today than ever – a fact that is increasingly recognized by health experts and consumers in the United States and across the globe.

“Today’s celebration – which coincides with the start in the United States of national June Dairy Month – acknowledges the inimitable role that milk and other dairy foods play in our diets,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “The undeniable good news about dairy products starts with its unmatched value as a superfood – no other food source comes close to providing the same nutrition.”

Mulhern noted that each glass of milk represents the No. 1 source in children’s’ diets of nine essential nutrients: Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin and niacin. Over the years, “this consistent nutritional package has earned dairy its unparalleled wholesome reputation – a healthy halo – that consumers recognize and trust. Meeting government nutrient recommendations is extremely difficult without including milk and dairy in your diet.”  

He said that the federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee found that when foods from the milk family were not part of people’s eating habits, intakes of many key nutrients fell below federal recommendations. In fact, Mulhern said, “milk is the top food source for calcium, potassium and vitamin D, three of the four ‘nutrients of public health concern’ — nutrients that many Americans, including children, are most lacking in their diets,” according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

“Since more than 90 percent of the U.S. population falls short of the recommended three daily servings of milk and milk products, including this fresh, simple and wholesome beverage at mealtimes can play an important role in healthy eating and well-being through adulthood,” he said.

When measured by the price per serving, milk is also one of the most cost-effective means to deliver a wide range of nutrition. Mulhern pointed to research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which found that dairy is among the most economical foods across a variety of metrics, and that milk was among the lowest-cost sources of protein, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin B-12 and riboflavin.  If families try to replace dairy in their diets, “they will likely have to spend more in order to maintain the same nutrient intake,” he said.

Promoting the irreplaceable nutritional value of milk has been part of NMPF’s focus for the past six months as it has urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strictly enforce food labeling regulations intended to distinguish between real and imitation dairy foods. FDA regulation says that anything labeled “milk” must be from an animal, but the agency has not enforced this rule “as plant-based food companies continue to co-opt dairy-specific terminology on their nutritionally inferior products,” Mulhern said. “Ignoring food product standards can mislead consumers into believing ‘fake food’ products offer the same nutrition as cow’s milk, which they definitely do not.”

In January, in support of NMPF’s efforts, a bipartisan group of senators and congressmen introduced the DAIRY PRIDE Act (DPA), which would require the FDA to take action to enforce food labeling regulations. NMPF, along with other dairy organizations, continues to build support in the House and Senate for the DPA.

“World Milk Day offers us a great opportunity to remind consumers here at home, and around the world, of the important benefits of real milk. It may have its imitators, but no other product can duplicate or replace the same unprocessed, natural goodness of the real thing,” Mulhern said.



Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on President Trump’s Paris Accord Announcement

“President Trump promised that he would put America first and he has rightly determined that the Paris accord was not in the best interests of the United States.  In addition to costing our economy trillions of dollars and millions of jobs, the accord also represented a willful and voluntary ceding of our national sovereignty.  The agreement would have had negligible impact on world temperatures, especially since other countries and major world economies were not being held to the same stringent standards as the United States.

“The Earth’s climate has been changing since the planet was formed – on this there is no disagreement.  At USDA, we rely on sound science and we remain firmly committed to digging ever deeper into research to develop better methods of agricultural production in that changing climate.  Floods, droughts, and natural disasters are a fact of life for farmers, ranchers, and foresters.  They have persevered in the past, and they will adapt in the future - with the assistance of the scientists and experts at USDA.  To be effective, our research and programs need to be focused on finding solutions and providing state-of-the-art technologies to improve management decisions on farm and on forest lands.”



U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Accord Shirks Science, Neglects Devastating Impacts to Food System, Family Farms, and Future Generations

President Donald Trump announced today that the U.S. will withdraw from the historic Paris Agreement, an accord among 192 nations to combat the potentially devastating impacts of climate change.

Echoing concerns raised in a recent letter to President Trump, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said the President’s decision rejects science and U.S. leadership in an effort that requires global attention. Family farmers and ranchers are already enduring consequences of climate change, and projections indicate these effects will worsen without an immediate and significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Today’s decision by the Trump Administration is shameful, and it fails to recognize the very real and immediate threats of climate change to family farmers, ranchers, and our nation’s food security,” said Johnson. “We can not sustain a viable food system if climate change is left unchecked. By refusing to limit U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and lead the world in this space, President Trump is allowing increasingly unpredictable and destructive weather to wreak havoc on family farm operations, future generations, and food prices and availability for years to come.

“This action also has enormous implications for our nation’s credibility,” he added. “It is nearly inconceivable that the U.S. would repudiate sound science that the rest of the world has accepted and abdicate our leadership on an issue of such great importance.”

Under the Paris Agreement, the U.S. pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26 percent by 2025. Many of the actions that would have helped the U.S. achieve that goal would have stimulated economic growth in rural communities. This prompted NFU to be a vocal proponent of the agreement since its ratification in December 2015.

“When properly incentivized, farmers, ranchers, and forest owners have tremendous potential to sequester carbon and contribute to the mitigation of climate change,” said Johnson. “By taking away the opportunity for such revenue streams, the President has stripped rural America of valuable opportunities to confront the current farm crisis and stem the exodus of young people from rural communities.”

The President’s move leaves the U.S. without an effective strategy for climate resilience, exposing family farmers and ranchers to the worst effects of climate change. “This will have devastating consequences for family farming and ranching operations and all those who rely on them for food, feed, fuel and fiber,” said Johnson.

“NFU will seek opportunities to collaborate with nonprofits and private industry to address climate change productively. Decisive action is urgently needed to avoid catastrophic climate impacts on the food system,” he concluded.



Largest Chinese Animal Vaccine Company to Build in Kansas

The largest animal vaccine company in China announced Wednesday that it will open a research lab and offices in the Kansas State University Office Park, which is on the north side of the Manhattan campus.

Officials for Jinyu Bio-technology Co. Ltd. said that this is the first time that the company has established facilities in the United States. The company will focus on the research and design of vaccines for swine and cattle, as well as developing educational materials for Chinese companies and veterinarians.

"When university-focused companies like Jinyu Bio-technology locate adjacent to K-State's campus, partnerships develop with faculty expertise and research to promote real-world application and discovery," said Greg Willems, Kansas State University Foundation president and chief executive officer. "The K-State Office Park advances opportunity for these current and future collaborations to boldly move K-State and the needs of a global community forward."

Jinyu plans to employ four to six scientists. The company has researched the Manhattan location for nearly two years and was drawn to its connection with the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, which stretches from Manhattan to Columbia, Missouri. It is home to more than 300 animal health companies, which account for more than half of the sales generated annually by the global animal health industry.

"The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor's international reputation is a strategic advantage for more and more animal health companies," said Kimberly Young, corridor president. "We are thrilled to welcome Jinyu to our corridor community and look forward to the company's leadership and effort."

Chongyu Zhang, Jinyu chairman, said the company's decision was based on a belief that Manhattan and Kansas State University are in the forefront of animal health research that is relevant to Chinese animal agriculture and the world.

"Manhattan is the home to many world renowned scientists in the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Biosecurity Research Institute and the future National Bio and Agro-defense Facility," Zhang said.

He added that Jinyu is growing quickly internationally and is looking forward to developing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with partners in the region. The company may add manufacturing facilities in the future.

"The addition of Jinyu Bio-technology to the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor is truly a partnership of innovation and expertise," said Antonio Soave, secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. "We, as a state, must continue to engage excellent biotech companies like Jinyu, as Kansas continues to become one of the leading locations for bioscience in the nation."

Many organizations played a key role in attracting Jinyu to the region, including the state of Kansas and the Kansas Department of Commerce; city of Manhattan and Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce; Kansas State University, Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization, KSU Foundation, College of Veterinary Medicine and the university's U.S.-China Center for Animal Health; the Kansas City Area Development Council; and the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor.

"Jinyu has state-of-the-art pilot production and manufacturing facilities, strong financial support for research and development, and great market penetration in China," said Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. "This partnership is the first for K-State with a Chinese animal health company. It will accelerate the commercialization of novel discovery and development ideas generated by K-State scientists."

Tammy Beckham, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said the agreement supports the university's interest in research and development of biopharmaceuticals.

"In addition, Jinyu's expansion to Manhattan will help support economic development through the addition of jobs and partnerships," she said. "I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Jinyu to the state of Kansas and look forward to a long and robust partnership."

Peter Dorhout, Kansas State University's vice president for research, said the university's strength in animal health research helps attract large companies to the region and contributes to the economic impact in Riley, Geary and Pottawatomie counties, which amounted to $882 million in fiscal year 2015.