Friday August 11 Ag News

Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Awards First Rural Radio Foundation Scholarship

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation awarded the Nebraska Rural Radio Foundation Scholarship in Honor of Max & Eric Brown to Sasha Taylor of Ainsworth.

The $2,000 scholarship awards non-traditional students, age 25 or older, living in Nebraska’s rural communities. Taylor is pursuing a nursing degree through Mid-Plains Community College at the Valentine Extended Campus.

Taylor’s long term goal is to remain on the family farm with her husband and children and continue to raise them in the rural lifestyle. After her youngest child starts kindergarten, she wants to make a positive commitment to the quality of life in rural Nebraska by providing access to healthcare close to home.

“There is a need for nurses in my community, and I have a passion for helping people,” Taylor said. “This scholarship will help me pursue training to be a nurse in my home community, and I am grateful for the support of my education and my community’s continued success.” she continued.

“Sasha has shown a commitment to rural Nebraska and agriculture,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “It is because of outstanding individuals like Sasha that the future of Nebraska is in good hands.”

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation took over the Nebraska Rural Radio Foundation Scholarship in Honor of Max & Eric Brown when the Nebraska Rural Radio Foundation dissolved in April of this year.



AWI Urges Defunding, Closure of USDA’s Meat Animal Research Center Following Appalling New Inspection

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is calling on Congress to permanently revoke all research funding of the USDA’s Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska. The request follows a July 2017 inspection report—recently published on the USDA’s website—that details multiple instances of direct non-compliant veterinary care and animal handling resulting in significant animal suffering. This appalling inspection further validates allegations brought to light in a January 2015 New York Times investigative story about the facility.

“MARC is one of the most high profile cases of research on animals gone awry to date,” said Cathy Liss, AWI president. “Despite over two and a half years of adverse publicity and multiple site visits, the facility continues to severely mistreat the animals under its care. After the revelations about MARC surfaced in 2015, Congress sent a strong message that animal abuse at federal agencies will not be tolerated. We are now asking Congress to permanently revoke MARC’s funding and work toward closure of the facility.”

The July 11–13 inspection report summarizes the findings of four inspectors, including the regional director. It details outrageous incidents and circumstances of animal cruelty, including
·         an untreated lamb unable to bear weight on his right rear limb;
·         two lame bovines who were left untreated;
·         observed medical issues during the inspection that were not documented nor conveyed to the attending veterinarian;
·         several animals in the feedlot area showing symptoms of severe heat distress—including open mouth breathing with tongue protruding, excessive drooling, and increased respiratory rate; and
·         pigs who were lame and pigs who had sustained numerous, untreated fight wounds on their head, neck and bodies because no attempt was made to minimize aggression and competition during co-mingling.

Upon release of the New York Times article, which described indefensible acts that have taken place at MARC over the past several decades, AWI wrote to former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. In its correspondence, AWI recommended an immediate investigation with appropriate corrective action, including possible closure of the facility. Members of Congress also wrote to the secretary to decry the deplorable conditions at MARC.

Vilsack responded by convening a four-member independent panel to examine MARC’s policies, procedures, animal handling and research oversight—but in an announced site visit, not an unannounced inspection. Not surprisingly, the panel found “no evidence of poor animal handling, animal abuse, or inadequate veterinary care.”

Congress was unimpressed with this cursory review, and responded by withholding 5 percent—$57 million—of funding from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), citing its “continue[d]...deep disappointment” with the USDA’s response. Five months later, Congress expressed continued frustration with the USDA, stating in report language accompanying the omnibus spending bill that “despite having nearly a year … the Department has provided a wholly inadequate public response to the allegations of animal mistreatment at MARC and it has been delinquent in providing necessary information and updates to the Committees.”

A subsequent, heavily redacted audit by the USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) concluded that the ARS provided insufficient oversight of animal welfare at MARC; nonetheless, the OIG claimed it “did not find evidence indicating a systemic problem with animal treatment and care.”

However, the inspection report made public today clearly demonstrates there is a systemic problem at MARC—and apparently has been for years. Because of this, AWI—in addition to asking Congress to permanently revoke research funding for MARC—is urging all federal agencies conducting animal experimentation to be subject to unannounced inspections and oversight by the USDA. Currently, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) exempts federal research facilities from such oversight, placing AWA compliance with the federal agency conducting the research—an enormous conflict of interest.

“We have a terrible situation already because the protections offered by the Animal Welfare Act are denied to farm animals used in agricultural research,” added Liss. “The animal suffering is intensified when federal agencies are required by current law to self-police, making them virtually unaccountable for the suffering they inflict. MARC is a clear example of this broken system. Funded by taxpayer dollars, these agencies need to be held accountable.”

To view the inspection report, visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/awa/Inspection_Reports/ARS/AWA_IR_ARS-NE_G_secure.pdf.



Ricketts, Trade Delegation Return from Canadian Trade Mission

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska trade delegation returned from a trade mission to Canada which highlighted the positive relationships Nebraska has developed with its largest export partner.  The Governor and his team are enthusiastic about growing opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers in the state.

“As Nebraska’s largest export market and fourth largest agriculture export market, Canada is our state’s best customer,” said Governor Ricketts.  “This trade mission allowed us to express our thanks to our best customer, and promote additional ways for companies looking to do business and help grow Nebraska.”

The trade delegation included officials from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), and representatives from agricultural and economic development groups including Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Corn Growers, Nebraska Cattlemen Association and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

“As Nebraska’s largest export market for ethanol and second largest for pork, Canada is a key market for growing agriculture,” said NDA Director Ibach.  “The meetings and events held throughout the trade mission allowed Nebraska’s ag producers to make the case firsthand for Nebraska’s quality commodities.”

During the trip, delegates traveled to Toronto and Ottawa where they participated in a U.S. Consulate briefing and met with the Ontario Ministry of International Trade as well as the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.  Delegates also held a roundtable discussion with the U.S. Consul General for Toronto, as well as attended a reception and meal hosted by the Minister Counselor for Agricultural Affairs that featured Nebraska beef.

DED Director Courtney Dentlinger’s presentation, “Why Nebraska,” showcased the state’s central location, quality products, and dedicated workforce as ideal for Canadian companies looking to do business for the first time here or expand their current operations.

“Nebraska businesses have built strong relationships in Canada,” said Dentlinger. “We have significant investment from Canadian companies in our state.”

The Governor’s trade mission to Canada took place before the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations begin at the federal level, giving the Nebraska delegation and its Canadian hosts the opportunity to talk about NAFTA while looking for ways to modernize and improve the agreement.



Nebraska farmers encouraged to submit comments to the EPA regarding WOTUS and RFS

Nebraska corn farmers now have an opportunity to share their opinions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on two issues impacting agricultural policy and regulation. Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of the open comment period to show their support of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and call for the repeal of the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

The 2015 WOTUS rule has been widely criticized for unconstitutionally overextending the reach of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Through this regulation, critics say the government has too much power to control smaller bodies of water, such as puddles on farmland and in ditches.

“As farmers, we must align together to repeal the 2015 WOTUS rule,” said Dan Wesley, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “Many of us have small puddles on our farms that we only see after a heavy rain, which are unnecessarily regulated. The WOTUS regulations make it difficult and expensive to farm our lands by requiring unnecessary permits and environmental assessments.”

The RFS has promoted economic growth for farmers and rural communities through the development and enhancement of biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol. The amount of renewable fuels blended into the U.S. fuel supply is set by the RFS. In addition to making strides towards energy independence, the RFS has been successful in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the RFS also establishes GHG reduction criteria.

The EPA is responsible for ensuring the fuel sold in the U.S. contains the correct volume of renewable fuel. Each year on November 30, the EPA sets the annual renewable volume obligation (RVO) for the following year. For the 2017 year, the RVO was calculated at 15 billion gallons for conventional ethanol, which is in line with RFS statute and Congress’ intent.

“We’ve made great progress with corn-based ethanol,” said David Merrell, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “Ethanol is produced more efficiently than ever, it’s high performing and is cleaner burning than ever before. EPA must maintain the progress of the RFS and issue the 2018 RVO on time and in accordance with the law.”

Through the National Corn Growers Association’s website, farmers have an opportunity to take advantage of the open comment period to voice their opinions on WOTUS and the RFS. To comment on the repeal of the 2015 WOTUS rule, farmers can visit www.ncga.com/wotus by August 28, 2017. To comment on RFS and RVO, visit www.ncga.com/rfs by August 31, 2017.



INVENTORY AND RATION AS PASTURES DRY
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Pastures are drying up rapidly following our hot July temperatures with little rain in many areas.  How will your grazing plans change if you don’t receive any more rain this growing season?

               Many years as August rolls around we can pretty much tell how much longer are pastures will be able to provide adequate grazing.

               This year, I’m pretty lucky.  My pastures in southeast Nebraska have received adequate rainfall.  As I walked or drove through most of my pastures last weekend, I estimated the grazing days I expect from my remaining brome regrowth, my warm-season grass pastures, and the amount of regrowth I think will occur even without more rain.  With careful management, I think they will last until October, maybe even November.

               I emphasize the words “careful management”.  Cool-season grasses basically are done growing unless they receive quite a bit of rain in late August and September.  Warm-season grass pastures aren’t much different.  With adequate moisture, plants will continue to get taller as they form seedstalks but they’ll produce only a little new leafy growth.  That helps hay yield but doesn’t do much for grazing.

               That means we may need to get by with what we currently have available.  Stretching grazing for as long as possible takes planning.  And the sooner, the better.  Plans on how the remaining pasture forage will be rationed to the animals is especially important.  One of the best ways to stretch pasture is to limit access to just a couple days worth of grazing at a time to reduce trampling waste.  I am using temporary electric cross fences to do this.  Extra tall grass might be windrowed and grazed to reduce trampling.  Managed effiently, pastures will last much longer.

               My planning just about guarantees I’ll have pasture until corn stalks are ready.  What about you?

SECRETS FOR DRYING SORGHUMS AND MILLETS
               What’s the secret to getting sorghums, sudans, and millets dry enough to bale?  I hear that question every year and you know what, there is no secret.

               Most summer annual forage grasses have large, coarse stems that dry slowly when cut for hay.  It is not unusual for windrows to lay in the field for two weeks and still not be dry enough to bale safely.  So it’s important to use every method known to get them dry.

               Begin by cutting when plants are only about 3 feet tall to reduce volume and have smaller stems.  Now may be too late for that advice this year, however.  Also, be sure to crimp the hay as it is being cut to crack open stems and allow moisture to escape more easily.

               I like to cut high, leaving 8 to 10 inches of stubble to hold hay off the ground for faster drying and to encourage more rapid regrowth.  But, some growers prefer to cut as short as possible to slow down regrowth, hoping of get the hay dry before regrowth grows into it.

               When you first cut the hay, spread it out in as wide a swath as possible.  This exposes more of it to sunlight energy that is critical for drying.  After the exposed top surface is mostly dry start raking to turn and expose wetter portions to sunlight and wind.  Effective raking probably is more skill and art than it is science, but do your best to just flip the windrow over and keep it loose and fluffy.  And lay newly raked hay onto dry ground if at all possible.  It usually takes several rakings to fully dry these annual grasses.

               It’s really hard to tell when the stems are dry enough to bale so it often helps to use a propionic acid-based preservative when baling to reduce the risk of mold and heat damage to the hay.

               Annual grasses are difficult to dry.  By using these steps, and with a little luck with weather, it can be done.



Animal scientist joins NCTA faculty

Beef cattle and animal nutrition are among specialties for a new faculty member at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Meredith (Bremer) Cable of rural Bertrand joins NCTA on Monday as an assistant professor of animal science, and starts work with students as classes begin Aug. 21, said Doug Smith, chair of the NCTA Animal Science and Agricultural Education division.

“We welcome Meredith Cable to our academic faculty where she will assist NCTA faculty this fall semester while transitioning into a full teaching load in January,” Smith said.                                                                                                                     

Cable will concentrate on range management and other duties while training with Jo Bek who ends her 39-year teaching career at NCTA in December.

Cable’s responsibilities will include teaching, sponsoring student clubs such as Collegiate Cattlemen, and assisting Smith with initiatives such as meats science, the NCTA beef cattle teaching herd and campus feedlot.

“I enjoy research and livestock nutrition, and the opportunity to be in a teaching setting with the college’s farm laboratory here in Curtis and the grazing initiatives in off-site partnerships and resources,” Cable said.

She received her bachelor’s degree in animal science and master’s in ruminant nutrition from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is a native of St. Edward, Nebraska, where she was raised in a diversified operation of crop, cow-calf and feedlot enterprises.

From 2015-2016, Cable served as the  Beef Systems Extension Educator in the Nebraska Extension four-county area of Sheridan, Dawes, Box Butte and Sioux  Counties. For the past year, she has been the business manager for JKS Farms north of Kearney.

She also is a volunteer advisor with the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition, a non-profit statewide organization of education and technical assistance for operators of grazing lands.

Cable and her husband, Cory, live south of Bertrand, where in her limited free time she enjoys horseback riding and playing the guitar.



Nebraska Farmers Union Says Preferred Pipeline Route is Still a Risky Shortcut

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) urges Nebraskans with interest in the proposed Keystone XL routes to go to the Nebraska Public Service (PSC) website to view the three primary routes under consideration:  http://www.psc.nebraska.gov/natgas/Keystone_Pipeline.html

NeFU says that a view of the three Keystone XL routes proposed by the foreign pipeline company TransCanada including the Preferred Route under consideration by the Nebraska Public Service Commission shows that the three routes share similar geological characteristics. All three routes go through miles of sandy porous soils subject to wind erosion, leaching, and overlay water tables close to the surface, and are shortcuts through sandy soils.

“All three routes, the Sandhills Alternative Route, the Keystone Mainline Alternative Route, and the Preferred Route pose similar threats to groundwater, especially during the spring of the year when the pipes carrying the tarsands oil would be at or below the groundwater levels.  When the leak occurs, it will cause immediate contamination of both the underground and surface waters because of the porous soils and high water levels.  That is why it is so important to get the route right in the first place,” said John Hansen, NeFU President.

NeFU says all three proposed routes are physical shortcuts through parts of the Sandhills stemming from TransCanada’s desire to take advantage of Nebraska because the Legislature had not yet established a state siting and routing process for oil pipelines.  “TransCanada asserted the Nebraska Legislature could not establish a state process for oil pipelines because siting and routing was a federal issue, notwithstanding the fact that they were already working with other states along the pipeline route that had state siting and routing processes for oil pipelines in place.  That was a purposeful deception made for financial gain,” said NeFU President John Hansen who represents NeFU in the Legislature.

John Hansen asks the PSC to remember that TransCanada actively lobbied against all of the Legislature’s efforts to establish a state siting and routing process.  “They undermined their own credibility in the lawmaking process when they knowingly misrepresented the legal fact that oil pipeline and siting is a state responsibility and obligation.  They did so after NeFU and the Nebraska Sierra Club circulated an on point Congressional Research Service legal study that concluded that siting and routing was the responsibility of the Nebraska Legislature.  They undermined their credibility with landowners when they misrepresented simple facts as to who had signed easements, the eminent domain process, and their own legal status by threatened to use the eminent domain process when they had no such authority.  The way TransCanada has treated Nebraska landowners is shameful.  Nebraska should not reward such inappropriate corporate behavior,” Hansen said.

NeFU urges the Nebraska Public Service Commission to reject TransCanada’s Preferred Route.   The route is a foolish and unnecessary shortcut that endangers the world’s largest underground water supply, the fragile and remote Niobrara River basin, Nebraska’s agricultural economy, and the downstream water consumers.  The Public Service Commission should force TransCanada to use the established, safer, more appropriate route they already have in place in eastern Nebraska.  



Iowa Farmers Union to Host Farm Bill and Rural Issues Sessions

As Congress begins to set the direction of farm policy that will impact farmers, rural residents, and consumers, the Iowa Farmers Union will be holding Farm Bill Listening Sessions at three locations in Iowa. The general public is invited to voice their opinion to help set the agenda for rural America and the 2018 Farm Bill.

"These sessions are designed to hear the goals and concerns of Iowans as we enter the farm bill debate," said Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman. "Farm income is expected to drop for the fourth consecutive year. The recent massive wave of consolidation in agribusiness results in fewer choices for farmers and consumers. Farmers are being asked to do more and more to protect our landscape and water. We have big challenges to address and we want to hear the concerns of Iowans."

Each session will focus on a different topic: safety net issues in Decorah and conservation issues in Washington and Orient. All Farm Bill and rural issues will be open for discussion at every session. Practical Farmers of Iowa and Center for Rural Affairs are co-sponsors and will help provide expertise and guidance to the discussion.
- Decorah -- Aug. 23, 1 p.m. -- Decorah Public Library, 202 Winnebago St.
- Washington -- Aug. 24, 10 a.m. -- Washington Public Library, 115 W. Washington St.
- Orient -- Aug. 25, 10 a.m. -- Wallace Country Life Center, 2773 290th St. (Located just off the Henry A. Wallace Road (P-33). From I-80, take Exit 93 at Stuart and travel south 12 miles to Highway 92.Turn west and travel 2 miles, then south 5 miles on the Henry A. Wallace Road. The Center is 1/4 mile west on 290th St.)



Farm Economy May Be Starting to Stabilize

The prolonged downturn in the farm economy continued in the second quarter of 2017.

However, data from the Kansas City Fed’s Survey on Agricultural Credit Conditions shows the farm economy may finally be starting to stabilize.  While economic conditions did continue to weaken in the second quarter, the pace of that deterioration has slowed.

While the farm loan repayment rate continued to decrease, the change from a year ago wasn’t as sharp as it’s been in recent years. 37 percent of bankers surveyed in the Tenth District reported a decrease in repayment rates from a year ago, which is the lowest rate since mid-2015.

In a similar situation to credit conditions, farm sector income continued to weaken but not as rapidly as in recent years. Most Tenth District bankers expect the decline in farm income to be slower this year than in 2016. 85 percent of those same bankers say the decline in farm income continues to pressure economic activity in rural areas.

Farmland values also continue to trend lower along with the decline in farm income. The value of cropland and ranch land continued to drop in the Tenth District for the sixth straight year.



House Looks to Debate Ag Spending Bill in September

The House Rules Committee announced Monday a plan to debate the final eight remaining fiscal 2018 appropriations bills, including agriculture, in a single package upon return from the August recess. House Rules Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) has said the panel will issue a deadline for amendment submission prior to the end of the August recess. Sessions said amendments would not be allowed to move money from one part of the bill to the other. The Rules Committee is expected to limit the number and type of amendments that get debated.



U.S. Tractor Sales Up in July, Combines Down

The Association of Equipment Manufacturer's monthly "Flash Report" shows that the sale of all tractors in the U.S. in July 2017, were up fractionally compared to the same month last year.

For the seven months in 2017, a total of 135,267 tractors were sold which compares to 128,105 sold through July 2016 representing a 6% increase for the year.  Two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) were up 3% from last year, while 40 & under 100 HP were up 4%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP were down 24%, while 4-wheel drive tractors were unchanged.  Meanwhile, combine sales were down 4% for the month.

For the year, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) are up 11% over last year, while 40 & under 100 HP are down .4%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP are down 16%, while 4-wheel drive tractors are down 6%.   Sales of combines for the year total 2,079 a decrease of 6% from 2017.



NGFA commends FDA for delaying animal food facility inspections under FSMA

The NGFA today commended the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its decision to delay until the fall of 2018 inspections of the hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls requirements implemented under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Director Dr. Steve Solomon on Aug. 10 announced the one-year delay from the upcoming Sept. 18, 2017, compliance date in place for large animal food facilities (facilities that are part of a company with 500 or more employees) during the opening day of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) annual meeting in Bellevue, Wash.

"We believe it is both prudent and appropriate for FDA to delay inspections of this portion of the FSMA animal food rule to provide additional time for FDA to develop and issue guidance - which now isn't expected to begin until early next year - and to enable companies to focus on implementing the current good manufacturing practice provisions, which form the foundation of an effective animal food safety plan and which for the first time will apply to all animal food manufacturers," said NGFA Senior Vice President for Feed Services David Fairfield.  "The NGFA continues to receive questions from member companies about certain aspects of the hazard analysis and preventive controls requirements that need to be addressed by FDA through guidance, and this extension of the inspection date will be useful in improving the prospect for successful education, training and inspection efforts to bring about compliance."  

During his AAFCO remarks, Solomon also provided an update on the agency's work to publish guidance on the FSMA animal food rule, stating the agency hopes to issue final current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) guidance by the end of this year and the first portion of draft preventive controls guidance by "early" next year. FDA's guidance for the preventive controls will consist of several separate documents, with the first document addressing food safety plans, hazard analysis, animal food hazards, preventive controls and preventive control management components.

In addition, consistent with the delay of inspections for the preventive controls requirements, Solomon said FDA will not start inspections at animal food entities covered by the FSMA-related foreign supplier verification program (FSVP) rule until the fall of 2018. Solomon stressed that importers of foreign animal food products should be working now to obtain their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of complying with the new requirements.

In a related development, FDA recently provided more information about upcoming FSMA compliance dates. In a question-and-answer article posted on the agency's website, Jenny Murphy, consumer safety officer at FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, explained what animal food facilities can anticipate in the next phase of implementation. Murphy noted there will be an increased level of FDA oversight of CGMPs with more routine inspections occurring after the September compliance date. The Sept. 18, 2017, date is when small animal food facilities (facilities that are part of a company with less than 500 employees) are to be in compliance with the CGMPs. FDA expects to conduct at least 500 animal food CGMP inspections during fiscal year 2018, which runs from Oct. 1, 2017, through Sept. 30, 2018. While large companies also will be required to meet the preventive controls requirements on Sept. 18, she noted FDA will not be conducting routine regulatory inspections for those requirements until the fall of 2018.