Pro Farmer 2017 Crop Estimates
Corn: 13.953 billion bu.; Average yield of 167.1 bu. per acre
Corn +/- 1% = 14.093 billion bu. to 13.813 billion bu.; 168.8 bu. to 165.4 bu. per acre
Nebraska: 180.5 bu. per acre. Nebraska was a pleasant surprise. Whereas dryland pulled up the lower end of yields in recent years, this year it was the irrigated corn that lifted the estimate.
Iowa: 183 bu. per acre. Drought-stressed crops in Iowa performed better than expected. But corn in western areas has cannibalized to maintain yield. This could lead to quality issues. Plus it will take more kernels to make a bushel this year.
South Dakota: 138 bu. per acre. The crop was suffering from some of the same cannibalization issues as Iowa. And Tour hit the best areas.
Minnesota: 184 bu. per acre. This looks more like the 2015 crop than the 2016 crop... good, but not great.
Illinois: 181 bu. per acre. The crop will be down from year-ago... the question is by how much. Impressive yields were scarce. Yields and crop health improved as scouts traveled west. However, holes, nitrogen deficiency and replants dragged down crop potential.
Indiana: 171 bu. per acre. As with much of the eastern Belt, the Indiana corn crop took a punch from Mother Nature, but it got up off the deck. Weather helped out. Grain length was up from year-ago, ear counts were down and variability — once again — is an issue.
Ohio: 163 bu. per acre. A wet spring led to planting delays and replants, so Ohio had the most immature crop we measured. Cold is less of a factor in the state since it is somewhat protected by the Great Lakes.
Soybeans: 4.331 billion bu.; Average yield of 48.5 bu. per acre
Soybeans +/- 2% = 4.418 billion bu. to 4.244 billion bu.; 49.5 bu. to 47.6 bu. per acre
Nebraska: 56.5 bu. per acre. A decent crop is in the works, but it won’t be anywhere near last year’s. Storm damage and disease pressure are lacking.
Iowa: 53.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts from western Iowa were shockingly low. They were better for the eastern areas, but the big numbers were still missing. And the crop was far enough along that it will not build yield potential. Much of Iowa’s crop flowered during the hottest part of the summer.
South Dakota: 40.5 bu. per acre. We found a lot of flat pods in the state. The potential is there, but the crop needs multiple rains to finish the job.
Minnesota: 48.5 bu. per acre. We found somewhat disappointing pod counts based on the tall, rank plants that are common in southern areas of the state. Northern areas (where we don’t sample) have been dry.
Illinois: 55.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts remained variable in Illinois and the crop needs more rain and sunshine to finish. Crop health was solid and insect pressure was lacking, as was the case for much of the Tour.
Indiana: 54.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts were essentially even with year-ago, but lagging maturity is a concern once again. Heavy rains during Tour should help the crop, but more rain and sunshine will be needed.
Ohio: 53.0 bu. per acre. Ohio was the only state where pod counts were up from yearago. The yield factory is there, but warmth and water are needed to fill out short, flat pods. Double-crop acres are down.
Note: These estimates are based on assumptions for normal weather through September. Weather next month will be especially important as an earlier-than-normal frost/freeze would damage later-maturing corn and soybeans. They raised harvested soybean acres by 500,000 to 89.231 million acres. Initial Farm Service Agency Certified acreage indicated soybean acres will be higher than estimated than in the June Acreage Report. They made no change to corn acreage.
NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 3 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.16 million cattle on feed on August 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 3 percent from last year. Placements during July totaled 385,000 head, up 10 percent from 2016. Fed cattle marketings for the month of July totaled 445,000 head, up 3 percent from last year. Other disappearance during July totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED UP PERCENT
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 650,000 head on August 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was down 3 percent from July 1, 2017 but up 8 percent from August 1, 2016. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 460,000 head on feed, down 8 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,110,000 head, down 5 percent from last month and down 1 percent from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 60,000 head, a decrease of 17 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 40,000 head, up 11 percent from last month and up 60 percent from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 100,000 head, down 7 percent from last month but up 8 percent from last year.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 79,000 head, down 1 percent from last month but up 4 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 77,000 head, down 8 percent from last month but up 83 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 156,000 head, down 5 percent from last month but up 32 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 4,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Up 4 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on August 1, 2017. The inventory was 4 percent above August 1, 2016.
Cattle on Feed - By State (1,000 hd - % of Aug 1 '16)
Colorado ......: 880 109
Iowa .............: 650 108
Kansas ..........: 2,180 103
Nebraska ......: 2,160 103
Texas ............: 2,650 105
Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.62 million head, 3 percent above 2016. Net placements were 1.57 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 360,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 235,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 385,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 370,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 190,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 75,000 head.
Placements by State - (1,000 hd - % July '16)
Colorado ......: 115 100
Iowa .............: 60 88
Kansas ..........: 430 97
Nebraska ......: 385 110
Texas ............: 380 100
Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.78 million head, 4 percent above 2016. Other disappearance totaled 48,000 head during July, 4 percent below 2016.
Marketings by State - (1,000 hd - % July '16)
Colorado ......: 160 107
Iowa .............: 79 104
Kansas ..........: 430 115
Nebraska ......: 445 103
Texas ............: 390 98
LENRD approves a lower tax levy for fiscal year 2018 budget
The 2018 fiscal year budget for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) once again calls for a lower tax levy.
The operating budget was approved by the board of directors at their August 24th meeting with a tax request of $4,270,002. The budget of all expenditures shows a 5.52% decrease of $477,863 from last year.
The estimated levy based on the property tax request is 2.327 cents per $100 of valuation, which is a 2.74% decrease from the fiscal year 2017 levy of 2.401 cents per $100 of valuation. For example, if a person owns a $100,000 house, the taxes owed to the LENRD would have been $24.01 in 2017, and will be approximately $23.27 in 2018.
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “It’s becoming more difficult to continue decreasing the tax levy year after year. This is the 6th year in a row for a decrease in property tax asking. This year valuations flat-lined, and our levy asking decreased 2.74%, which is a historic low for the district, the lowest tax levy in 45 years.”
The funds received by the LENRD are returned to the citizens of the district, through projects, programs, and studies across all or parts of 15-counties in northeast Nebraska. Some of these conservation benefits include: water quality and quantity programs such as groundwater management, flood control, and nitrate management; as well as erosion control, cost-share to landowners who apply for conservation practices, recreation areas and trails, urban recreation and community forestry programs, and many other benefits that protect our natural resources.
Sousek, added, “We are working together to create a budget that not only addresses our 12 responsibilities, but that also focuses on improving the quality of life for the citizens across our district. We are doing more with less, by focusing on efficiencies and streamlining processes to protect our natural resources. With multiple flood protection projects coming down the pipeline, I am proud of the budget the board has put together.”
In other business, the board members voted to schedule a public hearing in November to receive public input regarding the proposed integration of the LENRD’s Drought Mitigation Plan into the Groundwater Management Plan. The hearing is the first in a multi-step process, and consideration of the adoption (or modification) of the proposed changes would proceed at a later date. If adopted, the integration of the goals and objectives of the Drought Mitigation Plan into the Groundwater Management Plan, would allow the district to respond to the challenges of an acute drought situation. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st in the Lifelong Learning Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Visit our website to sign up for emails and special reminders for all upcoming meetings and events at www.lenrd.org
Sign up today for the LENRD Cover Crop Incentive Program
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to encourage landowners to participate in the Cover Crop Incentive Program, for land that is currently in a continuous no-till cropping system.
NRCS No-till Specialist, Dan Gillespie, said, “Cover crops enhance rainfall infiltration, drastically reduce soil erosion, and help prevent the development of ephemeral gully erosion in cropland.” He added, “Cover crops may be planted into corn, soybean or small grain fields. Highly Erodible Land (HEL) fields where corn has been cut for silage are not eligible.”
Each participant is eligible to enroll up to 80 acres with a $200 contract minimum.
Participants in this practice should apply at their local NRCS office each year, for up to three consecutive years. Applicants may pick from three cover crop seeding options and three cover crop seed mixture options.
Aerial application or ground application by hi-boy (system that can be used in standing crops) will be performed starting in the last week of August to third week of September. The optimum timing will be at or shortly before soybean and corn plant senescence or yellowing of the lower leaves.
Gillespie continued, “If the producer is not able to get the aerial seeding performed by the third week in September they must no-till drill the cover crop immediately following harvest (by October 25).”
LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said “Participants may change seed mix alternatives and options during the three year period, but must have approval from the LENRD prior to planting the cover crop.” Becker added, “The producer is responsible for obtaining their own seed according to NRCS specifications and arranging for seeding either by pilot or ground application. Producers also must kill the cover crop per NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines, without inversion tillage.”
Funding is limited, anyone interested in applying for the Cover Crop Program should contact their local NRCS office for more details. A copy of the program guidelines is available on the LENRD website: www.lenrd.org/conservation/
CVA Purchased Green Plains – St. Ed Location
Central Valley Ag (CVA) has announced the purchase of the Green Plains Grain Company facility in St. Edward, Nebraska, expanding their ability to better serve member-owners.
The agreement between CVA and Green Plains Grain will finalize sometime prior to September 1, 2017. Following closing, CVA will operate the new facility in conjunction with their existing facility in St. Edward.
“We look forward to the opportunity to grow our business and serve the producers of St. Edward through our current facility, as well as the new acquisition,” said Matt Ashton, Senior Vice President of Grain at CVA. “With the purchase of this facility, CVA continues to make a strong commitment to the producers in the area to service their needs today and going forward.”CVA
TIPS ON MAKING GOOD SILAGE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
It's hard to believe, but summer is nearing an end and silage harvest time soon will be here. Let's talk today about making good silage.
Good silage can reduce feeding costs for your livestock. And to get good silage, it doesn’t matter whether its drought damaged, hailed, or a normal crop, the same techniques are used.
There are three keys to making good silage. The first is chop at the right moisture. Silage in bunkers should be about 65 percent moisture, and in upright towers around 62 to 65 percent is best. Bags work well between 60 and 70 percent. Silage chopped too wet will run or seep, carrying away many valuable nutrients, and it often has a sour, smelly, unpalatable fermentation. Silage chopped too dry usually develops some mold and the silage heats. Cattle eat it really well but protein and energy digestibility can be low in heat-damaged silage.
Next, you must eliminate oxygen. Proper moisture, tight packing, rapid filling, uniform distribution, and correct length of cut all help force air out of the silage. Then cover the top with plastic to prevent oxygen in the air from penetrating and spoiling the outside two or three feet.
Finally, encourage rapid fermentation to lower silage pH. Proper moisture at chopping and tight packing are a great start. Adding inoculants can speed fermentation and can help reduce storage losses. Sometimes they also improve silage feeding value. Inoculants are especially valuable with wet silage but they also can improve drier or proper moisture silage.
Good silage provides economical animal production. Correct moisture, a tight pack, and rapid lowering of pH can get you there.
Renewable Fuels Nebraska Launches HuskerFuel.com
Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) announced today that they have partnered with Husker IMG Sports Marketing to launch HuskerFuel.com, a website and brand campaign created to bring awareness to Nebraska-produced biofuels and higher ethanol blends, like E15 (a 15 percent ethanol blend), that are available to consumers across the state.
“We are excited to partner with Husker IMG Sports Marketing to promote biofuels in conjunction with the 2017-2018 Husker Football season,” said Ted Free, Renewable Fuels Nebraska chairman. “Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state in the country and we believe our partnership with Husker IMG Sports Marketing will help bring more awareness to a homegrown product that is good for our engines, good for the environment, and has helped our country become closer than ever to energy independence.”
HuskerFuel.com will provide the opportunity for Husker fans to learn more about E15 and help connect them to retailers across the state that offer the fuel blend. The campaign will also offer weekly prizes during the football season on HuskerFuel.com, radio advertising on the Husker Sports Network, Memorial Stadium branding, and other HuskerFuel.com branded materials that will be available to the campaign’s retail partners.
Nebraska is home to 25 ethanol plants across the state that produce 2 billion gallons of ethanol for fuel, and six million tons of distillers grains for high-protein, livestock feed. Over 30 retailers in Nebraska today offer E15, a fuel containing 15 percent ethanol that is approved for use in vehicles 2001 and newer.
Howard W. Buffett joins board of directors for the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska has gained a strong ally in its mission to ensure water and food security, welcoming Howard W. Buffett to its board of directors.
“The University of Nebraska has an opportunity to lead the way in sustainably feeding the world. It’s an ambitious vision and we need the right people around the table to achieve it,” said NU President and DWFI Board Chair Hank Bounds. “Howard W. Buffett is one of those people. He has broad experience in agricultural development, policy, philanthropy, international relations and academia. He is well-connected and highly regarded. He cares deeply about the mission of the Daugherty Institute and the vital role higher education plays in solving the most urgent global challenges. Howard’s talents and guidance will be a great benefit to the Institute – and to the Nebraskans and people around the world we serve.”
DWFI leverages the university’s expertise in agricultural research and water management, expanding it through strong international partnerships with other universities, businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Buffett will join a prestigious team of advisors on the board, including NU President Hank Bounds, Robert B. Daugherty Foundation Chair Mogens Bay and Chancellor of The City University of New York James B. Milliken. Together with more than 120 NU Faculty and Global Fellows, DWFI works through research and policy development, education and communication to enhance knowledge, build capacity and develop innovative solutions to sustainably manage water and increase food security.
“We are delighted to gain Howard’s valuable input and leadership on our board of directors,” said Peter G. McCornick, executive director of the DWFI. “We have ambitious goals to further advance our research and policy impacts and Howard’s experience, international perspective and broad network will accelerate our success. Having been a farmer himself, Howard understands the many challenges to agricultural production and the urgent need for effective water management.”
“Agriculture is one of the most important industries in the world,” said Howard W. Buffett. “Ensuring global food security may sound like an impossible goal, but it can be done. The Daugherty Institute at the University of Nebraska is leading the way in work and research toward this goal. I look forward to working with the institute, university leaders, faculty and students, as well as partners across borders, to create innovative and lasting solutions.”
Howard W. Buffett lectures on international food security, foreign aid, and agricultural policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also a lecturer in international and public affairs at Columbia University. He was previously the executive director of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which distributes more than $100 million annually to initiatives that improve the lives of impoverished and marginalized populations across the world. Buffett also led agriculture-based economic stabilization and redevelopment programs in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Department of Defense. For his work, he received the highest civilian honor presented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the request and approval of the combatant commanders. Buffett also served as a policy advisor in the White House, where he co-authored the President’s cross-sector partnerships strategy, and launched the White House Energy Innovation Conference Series. Prior to that, he was a member of the 2008-2009 Presidential Transition Team, serving on the Technology, Innovation, and Government Reform Policy Working Group in the Office of the President-Elect.
Buffett earned a BS from Northwestern University and an MPA in Advanced Management and Finance from Columbia University. He is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, and has served in advisory capacities for the Aspen Institute, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the United Nations Office for Partnerships, Toyota North America Inc., and others. With his father, Howard G. Buffett, he co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, “40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World.”
Farmers: Get the Scoop on Soil Health!
What will improve soil health to make farmland more productive, efficient and sustainable for the next generation, and how does it impact the business side? Get the scoop from area farmers and other experts at a field day on Sept. 6 in Shelby, Neb. The event will focus on:
· Cover crops
· Equipment
· Soil Pit Observations
· Weed Management
Soil Health Partnership farmer Greg Whitmore will host area growers, cover crop experts and neighbors at the event, which takes place:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Central Valley Ag Coop
340 Oak Street
Shelby, NE 68662
An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the Soil Health Partnership works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, industry, foundations, federal agencies, universities and well-known environmental groups toward common goals.
“Healthy soil is more resistant to extreme weather, and provides water and air quality benefits,” said Jacob Ness, the SHP field manager working with Whitmore. “Our farmer-partners are innovators and pioneers, and make our best teachers for sharing good soil health practices with their peers.”
Lunch will be served for registrants. Please register prior to the event at soilhealthpartnership.org.
Hendrix Genetics expands US distribution of laying hens
One of Hendrix Genetics most recent development projects is completed. On August 15, they celebrated the grand opening of a brand new layer hatchery at Grand Island, Nebraska, in the US. The project is an important step in strengthening the distribution capacity in the US market.
The new layer hatchery will produce 24 million female chicks per year and create around 45 new jobs for local people. Key contract growers will rear and house the birds during production. They will invest in new barns with a capacity of 40 000 birds for each barn. Together this will complete the new ‘national production hub’ for Hendrix Genetics in the US.
“We ensure that our high production standards are maintained throughout the ‘hub’. Construction of eight of the eleven new barns is already complete.” Says: Ron Jöerissen, Production Director Layers.
Perfect layers for a changing market
Hendrix Genetics’ layer breeds are ideally suited to the changing US market. The demand for cage-free systems is growing, driven by animal welfare concerns. White birds are easier to manage in a cage-free environment. They produce a high number of first-class quality eggs. The Dekalb White in particular thrives in any system demonstrating outstanding laying capabilities.
With excellent livability and nest behavior, the breed is social and shows less stress and feather pecking behavior. All are particularly important factors in cage-free systems. Consumers in Europe have traditionally associated brown eggs/hens with cage-free production, and white eggs/hens with cage production. This perception is changing. White birds are becoming the preferred choice in many European countries. Hendrix Genetics expects that this will also happen in the US.
Meeting market demands
Construction of the new ‘production hub’ in Nebraska will enable Hendrix Genetics to meet another 10% of the total US layer market needs. It is one of many exciting development projects underway at Hendrix Genetics.
Sioux City pork plant slaughters first hogs
The first hogs have been slaughtered at Sioux City's new pork plant as officials continue to test equipment ahead of a Sept. 5 opening.
Mayor Bob Scott said Seaboard Triumph Foods processed about 100 hogs at the Sioux City plant Wednesday.
The 925,000-square-foot plant, which will start with a single shift and up to 900 production workers, will have the capacity to process about 10,500 hogs per day initially. Two-thirds of the animals will come from the plant owners, a joint venture between Guymon, Oklahoma-based Seaboard Foods and St. Joseph, Missouri-based Triumph Foods. The rest would be purchased on the open market from independent producers.
The $300 million plant, announced in May 2015, has been under construction for nearly two years in Sioux City’s Bridgeport West Industrial Park.
“We are testing equipment to make sure that everything is going smoothly on the line and calibrating equipment,” Seaboard Triumph Foods spokesperson Tori O’Connell said Thursday. “We have a lot of state-of-the-art technology in there — a very technologically advanced facility — (and we’re) making sure those machines are set to proper specs.”
O'Connell confirmed commercial production is set to begin on Sept. 5, the day after Labor Day.
To operate its first shift at full capacity, Seaboard Triumph needs about 900 hourly workers, along with 200 office staff.
While metro Sioux City’s unemployment rate remains at historic lows, Scott said he has heard the company has been making steady progress on the hiring front.
Company officials have said they intend to start with a few hundred workers and quickly ramp up to about 1,100 for the first shift. A second shift, anticipated to begin in late spring or early summer of 2018, would require hiring an additional 900 production workers, bumping total employment to around 2,000.
With a second shift, the slaughter capacity would grow to about 21,000 hogs per day, or 6 million per year.
Iowa Water Summary Update Shows Improvements
Recent rains have improved conditions across most of the state, but 2 percent of Iowa is still experiencing extreme drought conditions, mostly in Clarke and Wapello counties.
Released Friday, the monthly Water Summary Update shows dry areas extending from northwest to southeast Iowa, including significant areas of moderate drought. Through the first three weeks of August, rain totals were as high as 9.51 inches at Guthrie Center, with totals of 6 inches or more widespread over much of northwest, west central and southwest Iowa. This was also the coolest start to August since 2004.
"Recent rainfall has helped to alleviate concerns in some areas of Iowa, but drought conditions still remain across parts of south-central Iowa," said Tim Hall, who coordinates DNR's hydrology resources. Substantial rainfall in the southwestern two-thirds of Iowa in the last two weeks has improved shallow groundwater conditions in northwest, central, and parts of southeast Iowa. Shallow groundwater conditions in the Skunk and lower Des Moines River watersheds are still in a moderate drought classification, and parts of Buena Vista, Clay, O'Brien and Cherokee counties are still in slight drought.
For a thorough review of Iowa's water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
Growth Energy Files Comments to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Support of High-octane Ethanol Blends
Growth Energy filed comments today with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as it prepares an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year (MY) 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles.
The comments consist largely of study and analysis that Growth Energy filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of the use of a high-octane, midlevel ethanol blend.
"It has long been recognized that vehicles and fuels operate as a system, and to undertake significant changes and increases in the stringency of tailpipe GHG standards without an examination of potential changes in the fuel used by these vehicles makes little sense," Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley said.
"Ethanol is a proven high-octane fuel that significantly reduces emissions. Policymakers should examine the literature about the benefits of using a high-octane midlevel ethanol blend in conjunction with modern engines to achieve future fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards."
NMPF Says New Food Labeling Regulation in Development by USDA Should Not Disparage Biotechnology, Mislead Consumers
As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepares to develop a regulatory standard for the labeling of bioengineered food ingredients, it must ensure that consumers receive clear, accurate information about the foods they eat, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).
In comments filed today with USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service, NMPF said it supports a strict, science-based approach in determining how foods made using bioengineering should be regulated. Since bioengineered foods have repeatedly been found to be completely safe by both domestic and international science and research organizations, NMPF said the new standard under review by USDA should focus on providing consumers accurate information, while discouraging misleading marketing tactics or meaningless absence claims.
NMPF’s comments were among many submitted to USDA today by a variety of farm and food organizations that worked together last year through a broad coalition to help pass the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in July 2016.
There is “irrefutable scientific evidence that such foods are safe and not materially different from their conventional counterparts,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. However, he said, too many food companies utilize “fear-mongering” to vilify food biotechnology, as they seek to profit from the consumer confusion surrounding its use.
“We’ve long stood unequivocally behind the science that foods made through approved biotechnology techniques are completely safe, and have been since the first government approvals more than 20 years ago,” Mulhern said.
In its comments, NMPF emphasized that Congress clearly recognized in the new law that giving farm animals grains developed through biotechnology has no effect on the meat and milk derived from those livestock. Thus, Mulhern noted, “dairy foods are not genetically modified products and therefore there is nothing to label.” More than 60 other nations around the world have biotech disclosure requirements, and none have labeling requirements on milk or meats from animals that may have consumed bioengineered grains.
National Milk stressed that the bioengineered food disclosure standard is really a measure to regulate food marketing, not food safety. Therefore, in determining the level of a substance needed for a product to be considered bioengineered, NMPF suggested that USDA use the same 5-percent threshold employed by the National Organic Program (NOP), another marketing program administered by the department. Under this approach, the minimum disclosure level for bioengineered ingredients would be 5 percent, below which mandatory label disclosure would not be required.
“USDA should consider a threshold that supports continued use of bioengineered ingredients or substances and is consistent with other recognized standards,” according to NMPF’s comments.
To avoid consumer confusion and the use of ambiguous labels, NMPF suggested that only two designations be used to disclose bioengineered foods: “contains bioengineered ingredients” and “may contain bioengineered ingredients.” It also insisted that any disclosure be “non-disparaging” to bioengineering technology.
“A food label should not be designed to scare consumers into purchasing certain products, especially when such labels suggest a distinction in which there is no real difference. It’s not fair to try to manipulate consumers through unfounded fears, nor is it fair to the other food companies that don’t engage in such dishonest marketing,” said Mulhern. “We support honest labeling practices in the marketplace, and hope USDA will heed our comments to accomplish this goal.”
Year-to-Date Grain Barge Movements Consistent with 2016
For the week ending August 12, year-to-date grain barge movements on the locking sections of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers were 25.53 million tons, 0.41 million tons higher than the same period in 2016.
Corn barge movements were 15.6 million tons, 0.53 million tons lower than last year. Soybean barge movements were 8.13 million tons, an increase of .77 million tons over 2016..
In addition, there were slight increases in YTD barge shipments of wheat and other grains (sorghum, barley, and oats) as compared to last year.
Throughout the year, river conditions have been generally favorable for navigation, however, there have been sporadic disruptions on the river system due to lock and dam maintenance and repairs.
At present, there are significant delays at Illinois River La Grange Lock and Dam and at Ohio River Locks and Dam 52.
Due to the on-going repairs, La Grange Lock will be closed 10 hours each day and opened to traffic for 14 hours each day.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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