Friday July 28 Ag News

CPM Hoop Barn Tour

Date: August 1st, 2017
Purpose: To network with other producers that have hoop buildings or that are inquiring about building one
Event Organizer: Cody Sweeter-Beef Cattle Consultant, Central Plains Milling in Howells and Columbus

Tentative Agenda
8:45- Meet in Brainard
9:00- Leave from Brainard Location

9:15-10:00- First stop at Victor Bohuslavsky, Brainard
From the south edge of Brainard by the baseball field.  Go West on the black top and follow the curve south.  Continue 1 mile south of the curve to Road 29 and then go west 1 mile to Road R and then go north and you will see on the west side of the road.  (There is no house there, but there are some other out buildings and grain bins.)

10:15- 11:00- Steve & Tyler Rezac, Valparaiso
From Valparaiso.  Go north on Highway 79 2 miles to County Road D and then go West for 1 mile to County Road 29.  Go north a little over ½ mile and you will see it on the east side of the road.

11:30-12:15- Lunch in Wahoo

12:30- 1:15- Meduna Family Farms, Colon
From Colon.  (North of Wahoo)  Go north on the black top road for 3 miles to County Road T.  Go East for 1 mile to County Road 15 and you will see it on the east side of the road.

1:30-2:00- Dave & Andy Chvatal, Malmo
From Malmo.  Go north 1 mile to County Road P.  Go east 1 mile to County Road 21 and then go north about ¾ of a mile and you will see it on the east side of the road.

2:45-3:30- Daryl Crook, Rising City
From Rising City.  On Highway 92 go east of Rising City 1 mile to Road F.  Then go north 1 ¾ miles and he is on the east side of the road.  You can see his place.

4:00-5:00- Columbus Feedmill

5:00- Dinner @ Columbus

If you are interested in going on the tour, please contact Cody Sweeter, cell: (402) 367-2840 or email: codys@cpmfeed.com to inform him if you are interested in riding the van or following along in your own vehicle.  The event is free to attend. You will be responsible for any meals purchased during planned meal stops.



MIDWEST FORAGE CLINIC

Maximize Your Forage Quality by Attending The Midwest Forage Clinic, hosted by Central Plains Milling in Howells and Columbus. 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10th, 2017 - RAMADA INN – COLUMBUS, NE

EVENT SCHEDULE
10:00am Check In and Donuts/Coffee
-    Proper Forage Preparation
-    Daily Bunker Management
-    Bunker Sizing
-    Bunker De-Facing
-    Bunker Nutrient Profiles
-    Silage Nutrient Testing
-    Mixing and Delivery System
-    Why Forage Preservatives
12:00    FREE Burger Buffet
1:30     Adjourn

*RSVP BY AUGUST 3rd BY CALLING AMBER AT 402-564-3261.*



BQA Workshop Offers Certification for NW Iowa Producers

Major beef packers are requiring that feedlot producers who sell cattle to their plants must be Beef Quality Assurance certified. To help northwest Iowa cattle producers accomplish this, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Beef Center, Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are co-sponsoring a BQA workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County office from 10 a.m. to noon.

ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist Beth Doran said that while the certification is mandatory for producers in order to sell to packers, the information producers receive from the BQA session is valuable in and of itself.

“Consumer surveys indicate that consumers want to know how the beef they eat is raised,” Doran said. "The BQA program addresses this and provides best management practices regarding cattle care and handling, management of feed ingredients and medication, biosecurity and record keeping."

Other topics featured at the workshop include feedlot self-assessments, current and future trends in beef production, and results from the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit. This audit focused on cattle transportation, animal identification, carcass quality and animal well-being. One message from the audit was consistent and important – BQA is an important strategy to increase consumer confidence. The program flyer has all the details for the session.

Workshop participants will obtain their BQA certification, which will be effective three years from the training date. To maintain integrity of the BQA program, all BQA certification in Iowa is administered by the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but participants are encouraged to preregister to assure adequate materials by contacting Doran by phone at 712-737-4230 or doranb@iastate.edu.



IFBF Park at '17 State Fair showcases agriculture's presence in everyday life

The 2017 Iowa State Fair is right around the corner and fairgoers will have a chance to win great prizes and play games at Farm Bureau Park while learning how “Farmers Help Produce More than Produce.” This year’s theme is designed to show Iowans that Iowa agriculture provides numerous products we rely on every day.

For example, did you know soybeans are being used to make antifreeze for vehicles and toilet seats, or that cattle help make buttons for clothing and the bristles of paint brushes?  With the help of special “decoder” glasses, state fairgoers will see many more examples like these at Farm Bureau Park, as they view large displays of livestock and farm equipment that have hidden images on them made from Iowa-grown crops and livestock.

“We encourage fairgoers to stop by Farm Bureau Park to see how agriculture weaves its way unexpectedly into our everyday lives. Farm Bureau members will also be on-hand to answer questions pertaining to agriculture, and share information about how they grow and raise food today, as well as how agriculture impacts all our lives,” says Craig Hill, IFBF president.  “This year we will also be celebrating the recognition of 353 Century Farms and 114 Heritage Farms that have been in the same family for 150 years or more.  This longtime history of farming embraces qualities important to all Iowans like hard work, innovation and love of family.”

Visitors to Farm Bureau Park will have a chance to play free games to win great prizes, including $500 in groceries.  Those who sign up to join Iowa Farm Bureau at the fair can also win $2,000 in ethanol fuel. Current members are encouraged to bring their ‘member thank you coupon’ from the Spokesman to receive a special gift while supplies last. They can also enter various drawings to win a zero-turn John Deere lawn tractor, a Fisher Price Power Wheels F-150 or a 24-month lease on a 2017 Ford F-150 or a Morton Building and Cat® compact track loader.

There is something for all ages at Farm Bureau Park.  Every day a variety of health screenings such as blood pressure, hearing, skin cancer and lung health checks will be available. During Farm Bureau Day on Tues., Aug. 15, chefs from across the state will bring their best recipes, grills and smokers to the Grand Concourse for the 54th annual IFBF Cookout Contest, hoping to win bragging rights with a category prize or to be named the overall Cookout Champion. On Thurs., Aug. 17, Iowa’s next batch of entrepreneurs are invited to the Park for a free business consultation with IFBF’s Renew Rural Iowa program director and associates. Find a full schedule at www.iowafarmbureau.com/News/Iowa-State-Fair.  



Smith Statement on Japan Raising Tariff on U.S. Beef
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement today after Japan announced it will raise its tariff to 50 percent on frozen beef from the U.S. and other countries with which it does not currently have trade agreements.

“U.S. beef producers have already been placed at a competitive disadvantage in the Japanese market due to our country’s inaction on trade,” Smith said.  “Australia’s trade agreement with Japan has brought the tariff on its frozen beef down to 27 percent, compared to the nearly 40 percent tariff applied to U.S. beef.  Now, with this hike to 50 percent, our producers will face nearly double the tariff as their Australian counterparts.

“We know U.S. beef tastes better, and our efficient producers can meet demand from Japanese consumers if trade barriers are removed.  We can’t afford to wait any longer to work on a bilateral agreement with Japan, which is why I introduced a resolution in the House to urge the Trump administration to begin the process of establishing a trade agreement with this top trading partner.”

Smith serves on the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade policy.  He introduced H. Res. 236, his resolution calling on the Trump administration to begin the process of establishing a trade agreement with Japan, in March.



Ricketts Comments on Japan Beef Tariff Increase

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued a statement following news that Japan had raised their tariff to 50 percent on frozen beef from the United States.

“I call on Congress and the Trump Administration to redouble their efforts to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with Japan to address the beef tariff rates as well as other agricultural market access issues similar to what would have been covered under the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” said Governor Ricketts.  “As announced, I will be leading a trade mission to Japan in early September.  Our beef community can rest assured these tariffs rate increases will be at the forefront of our discussions in Japan.”

The Governor went on to say that the announcement that Japan has decided to raise its tariff on frozen beef from the U.S. will have a serious economic impact on Nebraska’s beef community.  Japan is Nebraska’s number one export market for beef products with a value of over $316 million in 2016 alone.

This increase in the tariff rate will place Nebraska beef exports at an even greater competitive disadvantage with other countries that Japan has free trade agreements with like Australia and the newly announced European Union agreement.  It is anticipated that this will shift purchases from frozen to fresh triggering beef safeguard tariff increases on fresh beef as well later this year compounding the impact to Nebraska’s beef exports.



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding Japan Increasing Tariff on Frozen Beef

“The Japanese government’s announcement today to increase its tariff on frozen beef is a big blow to Nebraska’s beef producers. In 2016, Nebraska exported over $316 million in beef and beef products to Japan which accounted for 16 percent of the total U.S. beef exports to this important customer. What makes this action worse is that the United States recently walked away from an agreement, the Trans Pacific Partnership, which would have rendered this action meaningless. Now is the time for the Trump administration to follow through on their promise for a “better deal” for Nebraska’s cattlemen and women, and now is the time for a bilateral agreement with Japan.” 



Statement of Secretary Perdue Regarding Japan's Planned Increase of Tariff on U.S. Frozen Beef

The government of Japan has announced that rising imports of frozen beef in the first quarter of the Japanese fiscal year (April-June) have triggered a safeguard, resulting in an automatic increase to Japan's tariff rate under the WTO on imports of frozen beef from the United States.  The increase, from 38.5 percent to 50 percent, will begin August 1, 2017 and last through March 31, 2018.  The tariff would affect only exporters from countries, including the United States, which do not have free trade agreements with Japan currently in force.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement:

“I am concerned that an increase in Japan's tariff on frozen beef imports will impede U.S. beef sales and is likely to increase the United States’ overall trade deficit with Japan.  This would harm our important bilateral trade relationship with Japan on agricultural products.  It would also negatively affect Japanese consumers by raising prices and limiting their access to high-quality U.S. frozen beef.  I have asked representatives of the Japanese government directly and clearly to make every effort to address these strong concerns, and the harm that could result to both American producers and Japanese consumers.”

U.S. exports of beef and beef products to Japan totaled $1.5 billion last year, making it the United States’ top market.



NCBA Responds to Japan Raising Tariff on U.S. Beef Imports: "Underscores Urgent Need for Bilateral Trade Agreement"

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Craig Uden issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the Government of Japan is triggering the safeguard tariff increase on frozen beef imports:

“We're very disappointed to learn that the tariff on frozen beef imports to Japan will increase from 38.5 percent to 50 percent until April 2018. Japan is the top export market for U.S. beef in both volume and value, and anything that restricts our sales to Japan will have a negative impact on America’s ranching families and our Japanese consumers. NCBA opposes artificial barriers like these because they unfairly distort the market and punish both producers and consumers. Nobody wins in this situation. Our producers lose access, and beef becomes a lot more expensive for Japanese consumers. We hope the Trump Administration and Congress realize that this unfortunate development underscores the urgent need for a bilateral trade agreement with Japan absent the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

Background: Japan was the top export market for U.S. beef, valued at $1.5 billion in 2016. According to data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, first quarter U.S. beef sales to Japan increased 42 percent over 2016. In addition to the United States, the 50 percent safeguard tariff also applies to imports from Canada, New Zealand, and other countries that do not have a free trade agreement with Japan.



KOREA ASKS U.S. TO POSTPONE KORUS REVIEW

South Korea this week requested that the Trump administration postpone any review of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) until its new trade minister is appointed. The request comes after USTR Ambassador Robert Lighthizer requested a review of the agreement in a July 12 letter to Korea’s former minister of trade. In response, South Korea suggested that both sides “objectively examine, analyze and assess the effects” of KORUS before this meeting takes place. Based on the trade agreement, the two countries must meet within 30 days of the initial request, or by Aug. 11.



NCGA Applauds Decision on 2014-16 Renewable Volume Obligations

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled today in favor of the National Corn Growers Association and other renewable fuels advocates, agreeing with the petitioners that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) erred in how it interpreted and used the “inadequate domestic supply” waiver in the Renewable Fuel Standard law in setting renewable fuel volumes for 2014-2016. 

In Americans for Clean Energy et al v. Environmental Protection Agency, the Court vacated EPA’s decision to reduce the total renewable fuel volume requirement in 2016 and remanded the rule to EPA for further consideration.

The following is a statement from the National Corn Growers Association:

“Today’s Court decision is a win for farmers, the biofuels industry, and consumers. This ruling affirms our view that the EPA did not follow the law when it reduced the 2014-2016 renewable fuel volumes below levels intended by Congress. The Court held that EPA was wrong to interpret the phrase ‘inadequate domestic supply’ to mean ‘inadequate domestic supply and demand.’ We agree with the Court that effectively adding words to the law through this interpretation simply exceeds EPA’s authority.

“We appreciate the Court honoring Congress’ intent. Congress created the Renewable Fuel Standard to help increase American energy independence and provide cleaner fuel choices for consumers by opening a closed fuel market and forcing the oil industry to allow competition in. Whether there is an adequate supply of renewable fuel to meet volume standards is not the same as how much fuel is used. Or, in the Court’s own words, ‘The fact that a person is on a diet does not mean there is an inadequate supply of food in the refrigerator.’

“Corn farmers have done our part to help expand the supply of renewable fuel, as well as help support use of renewable fuels with retailers and consumers. We look forward to working with the EPA to ensure that going forward, the Agency follows the law when implementing the RFS.”



Growth Energy: Court Decision on 2016 RVOs Is a Win for Consumers

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia today struck down the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) flawed methodology used to reduce the 2016 total Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

This decision was in response to a joint petition filed in January 2016 to hear a challenge to the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standards for 2014, 2015, and 2016. Growth Energy along with Americans for Clean Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, and the Renewable Fuels Association filed this petition.

“We’re very pleased with the court’s ruling, which restores Congressional intent and will ensure that renewable fuels continue to play a growing and important role in America’s fuel mix,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said.

“This is a major win for consumers, who save money when American biofuels can compete at the pump with foreign oil. Every year, American biofuels get more affordable and more sustainable. Ethanol slashes greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent, and biofuel production supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the U.S. We appreciate the court recognizing the value of the RFS, and we look forward to working with the EPA to make sure that America’s biofuel targets reflect the goals set down in law.”



Crude Futures Settle at 2-Month Highs

Spot-month oil futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange had their biggest weekly gains this year, and September West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude oil on the IntercontinentalExchange settled at their highest price points since May with RBOB and ULSD futures registering settlement highs last reached in mid-April.

The rally was underpinned by signs the domestic oil market is heading toward rebalancing supply with demand, while the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is reaffirming their efforts to cut the global supply overhang through an 18-month agreement capping their production.  Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Nigeria all pledged to further curb crude exports and production starting as early as next month.

Midweek data from the Energy Information Administration showed total U.S. petroleum stocks were drawn down by 9.5 million barrels (bbl) as products demand edged up 110,000 barrels per day (bpd) to above 21.0 million bpd.

U.S. crude oil inventories fell 7.2 million bbl to 483.4 million bbl during the week-ended July 21, the lowest since the first week of January, and supply dropped to a 1.4% deficit versus the same week in 2016. Total U.S. crude production fell 19,000 bpd to 9.41 million bpd during the week reviewed, up 900,000 bpd year-over-year, EIA said.

EIA also reported midweek that gasoline demand neared a record weekly high during the week ended July 21.



Showcase Helps Expand Red Meat Exports to Rapidly-growing Latin American Region

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) held its seventh annual Latin American Product Showcase July 26-27 in Cartagena, Colombia. This year’s event was the largest to date, with 56 exporting companies welcoming about 140 meat buyers from 18 countries throughout Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The showcase was conducted with funding support from the Nebraska Beef Council, the Beef Checkoff Program and the Pork Checkoff.

“This event just continues to gain momentum year after year,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF senior vice president for marketing. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for U.S. exporters, because visiting personally with the range of buyers we have here would require a month or more of travel on their own – but here, they can do it in two days. And it’s not just the number of buyers attending, it’s the quality of buyers – real decision-makers who are here to conduct business.”

This sentiment was echoed by Josy Castro, lead sales manager for Latin America for Atlanta-based trading company Interra International, a longtime USMEF member.

“This year I have really noticed that all of the customers who are here are very qualified – people who are already importing products and have experience with the process,” she explained. “This is always a productive event for Interra, but I want to extend a big kudos to USMEF for attracting such a strong lineup of customers this year.”

“We serve every type of foodservice establishment, from family-owned restaurants to large restaurant chains to all-inclusive hotels,” said Pablo Salazar of Atlantic Foodservice, Colombia’s largest beef importer and one of the country’s largest buyers of imported pork. “We have good relationships with our suppliers, but an event like this allows us to build on those existing relationships as well as to meet with traders and explore new options for our customers. I can save two or three months of travel with a showcase like this, so it’s a very worthwhile event for our company.”

Importers from Brazil attended the showcase for the first time, with Brazil having opened to U.S. beef earlier this year. Buyers from Ecuador returned to the event this year, as Ecuador recently eliminated temporary import duties that had made it a difficult market for U.S. exporters to serve.

Dawn Caldwell, a cattle producer who serves on the Nebraska Beef Council and as vice chair of the Federation of State Beef Councils, attended the showcase for the first time. She noted that the experience confirmed the Nebraska Beef Council’s decision to help fund the Latin American Product Showcase when it was first launched in 2011.

“Nebraska Beef Council has supported this event from the get-go, and we’ve always had great reports from producers who have attended,” Caldwell said. “So I’m glad that I now get to see the showcase for myself, and what a great investment it has been. We as producers don’t always understand everything that’s involved in getting our beef on the consumer’s plate, especially in another country. So I have really learned a lot here, talking with meat exporters and traders of every size and scope.”

Missouri pork producer Everett Forkner represented the National Pork Board at the showcase, and expressed similar feelings about the return on investment it provides for the U.S. pork industry.

“A real highlight of my tenure with the National Pork Board has been the alignment we’ve had with USMEF and the marketing effort that they are making worldwide,” Forkner said. “This showcase is a great example of that effort. Being able to attend this event has really opened my eyes to the tremendous opportunities we have, not only in Colombia but in all of Latin America. I also had a chance to visit cold storage facilities here in Colombia that are as modern and up-to-date as any in the world and to visit a retailer that has 435 outlets carrying U.S. pork. Seeing this modern infrastructure makes me feel very good about the amount of U.S. pork we are going to be able to market internationally.”

Larry Marek, an Iowa producer of soybeans, corn, cattle and hogs, traveled to the showcase representing the United Soybean Board. He said the level of activity gave him added confidence in the soybean industry’s investments in red meat exports.

“I’ve never attended an event like this before, so I’m really impressed and surprised at the demand for our products and the magnitude of activity,” Marek said. “A large volume of U.S. red meat is already entering this region and there’s definitely going to be growth in the future.”

In addition to the main showcase and ample networking opportunities for both buyers and exporters, the event also included educational seminars. Representatives of Midan Marketing, a Chicago-based firm that services meat industry clients, shared insights designed to help businesses in the Latin American region successfully merchandise more U.S. red meat. Michael Uetz and Maggie O’Quinn discussed trends in consumer behavior in their “Modernization of Retail and Foodservice Marketing” presentation. This included a discussion of recent changes in shopping and dining practices, and how companies can capitalize. The Midan team’s second presentation, “Digital Marketing: Proven Strategies to Drive U.S. Red Meat Sales,” underscored the value of a meat distributor or retailer being able to tell its unique story online in the digital age.

Prior to joining Midan Marketing, O’Quinn represented Certified Angus Beef (CAB) in Latin America for many years. She was very impressed with the growth in U.S. exports to the region and with the high level of interest in U.S. products.

“For me this event was a real homecoming, and it’s just amazing to see the exponential growth in the amount of business for U.S. exporters,” she said. “I appreciate the investment the exporters are making in this region, and it’s so exciting to see red meat importers in these countries rewarding the United States with a lot of business. It certainly sends a great economic signal back to U.S. cattle producers and hog farmers that these buyers appreciate the great quality of U.S. meat and they need more product.”

USMEF representatives in the region, including Gerardo Rodriguez (Central America), Jessica Julca (South America) and Elizabeth Wunderlich (Caribbean) also presented valuable information in the educational seminars, discussing emerging demand trends in the foodservice, retail and processing sectors. USMEF Chef German Navarette provided guidance on how to prepare beef and pork variety meat items and other underutilized cuts.

“Product-wise, these presentations provide a lot of great information,” said importer Jose Escobar of El Salvador-based food distributor Diaco. “It is very helpful to know about pricing trends and the availability of different cuts. For example, I’m taking back a couple of products such as pork rib tips and brisket bones, that I wasn’t familiar with before.”

Buyers and exporters also had an opportunity to tour the Port of Cartagena, one of Colombia’s busiest ports. Several participants in the tour were impressed with the advances in automation at the port and other methods being used to move cargo quickly and efficiently.

The Latin American region is a destination of increasing importance for U.S. red meat. Last year the region accounted for nearly 180,000 metric tons (mt) of U.S. pork exports, valued at $438 million. U.S. beef exports in 2016 totaled about 59,000 mt valued at $332 million.



Study Finds Essential Oils Help with Livestock Digestion

Kansas State University researchers have found that essential oils can play a role in livestock health.

Essential oils are removed from plants and distilled into concentrated forms that distributors say support immunity and other functions of the body.

In a study, professors Evan Titgemeyer and T.G. Nagaraja found that limonene, which is in lemon oil, and thymol, which is in thyme oil, help combat a harmful bacterium in cattle stomachs. The bacterium, Fusobacterium necrophorum, makes dietary protein less available to the animal.

The results have been published in the Journal of Dairy Science and the Journal of Animal Science.

The Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance to minimize the use of some antibiotics in livestock. The FDA's guidance aims to avoid exposing people's food to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to Nagaraja, a university distinguished professor of microbiology in the university's College of Veterinary Medicine.

As the researchers started studying alternative treatments to antibiotic use, one of their team members, Eman Elkaweel, who was then a graduate student in animal science, suggested a substance that was new to the professors.

"She wanted to test some products that might have the potential to be used in her home country of Egypt, so we contacted a company that sold products containing essential oil components," said Titgemeyer, who is a professor and graduate program director in the animal sciences and industry department in the College of Agriculture.

With funding from DSM Nutritional Products Inc., which supplies nutritional solutions for animal health, Nagaraja and Titgemeyer tested five essential oil components: eugenol, guaiacol, limonene, thymol and vanillin. They wanted to determine the compounds' ability to inhibit growth of Fusobacterium necrophorum. Limonene and thymol performed best. Follow-up testing between the two showed that limonene was slightly more effective than thymol and nearly as effective as tylosin, a commonly used antibiotic and feed additive used to hinder bacterial growth and the incidence of liver abscesses in cattle.

"While livestock producers often turn to antibiotics, our study shows that some essential oils also can inhibit microbial growth," Titgemeyer said. "Certain essential oil compounds can target specific bacterial populations and optimize animal health."



Tax Reform Crucial for America’s Farmers, Ranchers

Congressional leaders and administration officials have released a statement on tax reform that addresses many issues of importance to America’s farm and ranch families. The following statement about that action may be attributed to Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation:

“America’s farmers and ranchers are encouraged to see that key congressional leaders and the administration understand how important tax reform is to all Americans. Fixing our tax system now is crucial to creating economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and other family-owned businesses. This is especially important as farmers continue to face down tough economic challenges.

“This move sets the stage for Congress to put tax reform on its agenda. Not only will reform strengthen our economy, but by addressing key issues like overall tax rates, capital gains taxes and enhanced expensing, it will be good for farms and other businesses.

“Our farmers and ranchers face numerous challenges and it is important to recognize this creates special circumstances in regard to taxes. We look forward to working with Congress to move tax reform forward and do it in a way that benefits farm and ranch families and all Americans.”



Share Your Conservation Story and You Could Be a Winner

Share the story of how conservation is part of your farm operation, and you could be the next winner of a Conservation Legacy Award. This awards program showcases farm management practices of U.S. soybean producers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable.

All U.S. soybean farmers are eligible to enter to win a Conservation Legacy Award. Entries are judged on soil management, water management, input management, conservation, environmental management and sustainability. Three regional winners and one national winner are selected.
Award Winners Receive:
• An expense paid trip for two to Commodity Classic, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif.
• Recognition at the ASA Awards Banquet at Commodity Classic.
• A feature on your farm and conservation practices in Corn & Soybean Digest and a special online video.
• Potential opportunity to join other farmer-leaders on a trip to visit international customers of U.S. soybeans.

The Conservation Legacy Awards are sponsored by the American Soybean Association, BASF, Corn & Soybean Digest, Monsanto, the United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff and Valent U.S.A.

More information on past winners of the award and how to submit your application is available here....  https://soygrowers.com/award-programs/conservation-legacy/.  All applications must be submitted by Sept. 8, 2017.