Wednesday August 16 Ag News

Ricketts Highlights Value-Added Ag Investment Successes, Growth Strategies

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts highlighted the continuing success of his administration in growing Nebraska through value-added agriculture.  The Governor’s comments came at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) annual conference held in Omaha.

“The ethanol industry is a prime example of how we can add value to the agriculture commodities that we grow right here in Nebraska,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Through the process of turning corn into ethanol, several other co-products are produced, including distillers grains, corn oil, corn syrup, and dry starch.  This is the type of value-added agriculture that helps create jobs, increase demand of locally-grown commodities and attract new businesses which is all part of growing Nebraska.”

Governor Ricketts, chairman of the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition, is a strong advocate of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) to help provide stability and certainty for partners in the ethanol industry.

Nebraska is the second largest producer of ethanol in the United States, with the industry continuing to invest in their facilities.  In the past two years, companies have invested more than $190 million in ethanol plants in Jackson, Fairmont, Adams, Columbus, and Kearney to increase capacity and product diversification.

“Nebraska has all the resources necessary for companies to be successful when they invest in our state,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Working with my agencies, we have been successfully pursuing several strategies to grow value-added agriculture.  These programs are designed to attract additional business and support private-sector firms adding value to Nebraska’s quality ag commodities.”

In addition to successes in the area of ethanol, Nebraska has seen millions of dollars of investments by other types of value-added agriculture firms. These investments include:
·       A $300 million dollar investment by Costco in a chicken processing facility near Fremont.
·       The Hendrix Genetics chick hatchery in Grand Island, a $40 million capital investment.
·       Novozymes, a company that produces enzymes for the production of ethanol, is investing $36 million to expand its current facility in Blair.
·       Evonik and their business partner, Royal DSM, are spending $200 million to build a facility in Blair to make omega-3 fatty acids.
·       Cargill, a well-established meat processor in Nebraska, is investing $111 million to convert its Columbus plant to a cooked meats operation, which will double the employment and size of the plant.

Representatives from a number of major value-added investments praised the work of state officials in making Nebraska a great place to do business:

“In Costco’s experience, Nebraska has earned its place as one of the best states in the country to do business.  We selected Nebraska for our first-ever poultry processing facility because of its welcoming communities, central location, and hardworking ag producers who have embraced our project.  As we considered locations, state officials made themselves available to our team, delivered a customer-friendly experience, and successfully made the case that Nebraska was the best place for us to build this value-added operation that will serve to grow our trusted brand for years to come,” said Jeff Lyons, Costco Senior Vice President GMM of Fresh Foods.

“Nebraska is a great place to do business for several reasons.  The people are outstanding.  Friendly, honest and hardworking.  We have developed a specific culture here at Novozymes, and that great culture is because of the people that come here every day, ready to make a difference.  Nebraska is also a great place to do business because of the support that we get from everyone in Blair and Washington County, all the way to Governor Ricketts who supports our industry every chance that he gets.  Lastly, I see our partnerships with other local companies as extremely helpful in delivering our product to our customers in an efficient, timely manner and with the best quality.  When you consider these and other reasons, Nebraska is clearly a great place to do business.” said Kyle Nixon, General Manager of Novozymes in Blair.

“As one of the nation’s top popcorn production states, popcorn is a high-quality, value-added product that creates new opportunities and jobs for Nebraska’s farm families.  Governor-led trade missions and Nebraska’s international trade team have helped Preferred Popcorn establish partnerships around the globe that are helping us grow our business and Nebraska,” said Norm Krug, CEO of Preferred Popcorn in Chapman.

During the news conference, the Governor and others outlined several of the strategies the state has been using to land new value-added agriculture investment.

Biofuels Infrastructure
The Nebraska Energy Office is supporting over $5 million of investment in order to make higher blends of ethanol available to Nebraska drivers. The total number of pumps offering E-15, E-85, and other high-ethanol blends are expected to nearly double statewide. Since 2015, 70 pumps at 19 retail outlets have received grant funding, using funds from USDA’s Biofuels Infrastructure Program.

“Nebraska is among the top states producing ethanol for motorists around the country, and the world,” said Energy Office Director David Bracht.  “Nebraska drivers now have more access to higher-ethanol blend fuels like E-85 and E-15, which burn cleaner than regular fuels and save money.”

The Business Innovation Act
The Business Innovation Act, which encourages and supports the transfer of Nebraska-based technology and innovation for statewide economic growth through a series of grants and investment programs, further prioritizes innovation in value added agriculture by making value added agriculture projects eligible for a lower matching requirement.

Companies like Quantified Ag, a precision livestock analytics company that makes beef supply better by providing feedlot workers with the tools to identify sick animals sooner and more accurately, have received Business Innovation Prototype and Academic R&D value added agriculture funding to develop and test their technology.

“The Prototype grant came in at just the right time.  With the funding from DED, product development was able to continue during the time before getting investment, which was really important to keep the company going,” said Quantified Ag CEO Vishal Singh.

IntelliFarm, a company that develops ag-based products designed to grow efficiency within Nebraska’s number one industry, received Business Innovation SBIR and Seed Investment funding to develop and commercialize agriculture decision-making technology.

“IntelliFarm’s ongoing work in research and product development is aligned with our company’s overall efforts to protect agricultural equipment, which is integral to a producer’s operational success,” said IntelliFarm CEO and President Steve Tippery.  “Having an opportunity to receive assistance from two of Nebraska’s Business Innovation Program funds has been an important component of our company’s growth in the past two years.”

International Trade Missions
Governor Ricketts has led four international trade missions over the last two and a half years, and is planning a fifth to Japan in September.  These missions have led to new direct foreign investment from international firms, including the investment from Novozymes mentioned above.

The state’s international trade programs have also supported IntelliFarm’s international efforts.  Intellifarm has participated in Nebraska’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration, to expand sales into international markets.  Through STEP participation, IntelliFarm has been able to conduct international market research, obtain helpful market feedback, and connect with industry partners regarding initial innovative product development projects.

Livestock Development
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) implements the Livestock Friendly County program and livestock siting assessment matrix.  These tools help county and local officials encourage appropriate development of cattle, hog, and poultry facilities.

“Development of new and expansion of existing livestock facilities generates additional revenue for Nebraska farm and ranch families, while also adding value to the abundance of row crops we grow in Nebraska,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach.  “Livestock development will continue to create new opportunities to grow Nebraska.”

Online Permitting
In an effort to expedite the permitting process and increase customer service, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has developed an online permit application process.  This effort has greatly reduced the time of the permitting process making it easier to begin construction.

Site and Building Development Fund
Another incentive that DED utilizes is the Site and Building Development Fund (SBDF).  As local economic development teams emphasize efforts to grow Nebraska’s workforce, recruiting and retaining skilled labor often work in tandem with a region’s overall industrial readiness.  The SBDF is a tool designed to help Nebraska communities and organizations with competitive attraction and expansion projects.

Murdock-based Oxbow Animal Health develops and markets fortified food and supplements dedicated to small animal nutrition in 35 countries.  In 2017, the company will celebrate the grand opening of its 247,000 square foot business campus in southwest Omaha.  Oxbow’s executive team worked with DED to secure a $200,000 Site and Building Development Fund Grant for the project, as well as $64,000 in Customized Job Training.

“Over the past 17 years, our company has grown from 20 to 140 employees,” said Oxbow Animal Health Founder and President, John Miller.  “Industry partnerships and state resources have both contributed to Oxbow’s growing workforce and global presence.  SBDF has enabled our company to move closer to a larger labor pool for additional access to skilled workers.”  

A STEP grant and The Nebraska Center Japan in Yokohama, Japan, helped Oxbow translate marketing materials that target Japanese customers, conduct market visits, form a strategic plan for doing business in Japan, and negotiate distribution agreements.

An Oxbow executive said these efforts contributed to a 92% increase in sales in Japan following the signing of a new distribution agreement in 2014.  Also the STEP grant opened up opportunities for Oxbow in Greece, where the company conducted seminars for top veterinarians, and developed customized marketing pieces, resulting in a 128% sales increase in the country.

During the past four years, Nebraska’s STEP Grant has assisted 77 small businesses with 453 unique activities, generating more than $42 million in increased exports to date.  Participation in the STEP Grant Program has assisted non-exporting small businesses enter international markets and opened new and expanding markets for current small business exporters.  STEP clients have identified international buyers as well as agents and distributors abroad.  Additional assistance has been provided to translate materials and websites, as well as support 3rd party product testing to meet the needs of our international customers.

Transportation Innovation Act
Last year, Governor Ricketts successfully championed the Transportation Innovation Act, which included the Economic Opportunity Program overseen by the Nebraska Department of Transportation.  The objective of the program is to finance transportation improvements to attract and support new business and existing business expansions in the state.



FALL CONTROL OF WINTER ANNUAL BROMES
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Did you have downy brome, cheatgrass, or wild oats in your pasture this spring?  Although difficult, they can be controlled and your pasture revitalized.

               Winter annual bromes often invade thin or overgrazed pastures in fall and early spring.  Livestock dislike grazing them, so over time they can take over and make large patches of pasture nearly worthless.

               By far the most effective chemical control method is to spray six to eight ounces of Plateau or imazapic herbicide per acre during September.  This pre-emerge treatment will prevent most annual bromes from developing.

               If spraying gets delayed into October, however, it is likely that some, or maybe a lot of these grass seedlings will have already emerged.  When this situation exists, add an adjuvant like a non-ionic surfactant or methylated seed oil to the spray mix for better control of emerged seedlings.  Expect a bit of injury to your perennial grasses, however.

               In warm-season grass pastures and rangeland, there is another option.  You can use glyphosate herbicides after top growth of these grasses has died due to a hard freeze or two.  This can kill emerged annual brome seedlings without harming the desirable grasses.  However, do not use glyphosate in cool-season pastures because it will injure or kill the pasture grasses as well.

               These treatments may need to be repeated for a couple years to prevent reoccurrence of these weedy grasses.  But with proper grazing management and other practices, your pastures can develop thicker, more competitive stands of the more desirable grasses.

              It takes a long, dedicated process to recover pastures overtaken by winter annual bromes.  There are no shortcuts.



NSP Board Re-elects Officers and Members

The National Sorghum Producers board of directors elected officers and re-appointed three individuals to the board last week during its annual August board meeting.

NSP board member Don Bloss of Pawnee City, Nebraska, was re-elected chairman and board member Dan Atkisson of Stockton, Kansas, was re-elected vice chairman. Kendall Hodgson of Little River, Kansas, was elected treasurer.

Additionally, Atkisson, Larry Dahlsten of Lindsborg, Kansas, and Tom Willis of Liberal, Kansas, were all re-elected to three-year terms on the board.  

“These three gentlemen have been a huge asset to the NSP board of directors, each bringing in a wealth of leadership and knowledge," Bloss said. “We look forward to their continued leadership in moving the sorghum industry forward.”

Atkisson is a farmer and rancher in northwest Kansas and grows 500 acres of sorghum. He is an active member of many other boards in his state and region and was a member of Kansas Agricultural and Rural Leadership Class XI. Atkisson has helped bring producer energy to the board, which he feels is a critical component to future momentum during this pivotal stage in the sorghum industry.

Dahlsten is a sorghum producer from central Kansas. He is an active member of his community, region and state having served on the Bethany Lutheran Church board, the Smoky Valley Rural Electric Cooperative Board and many others. He enjoys agriculture and the challenges and opportunities it presents and looks forward to continuing to serve and advance the sorghum industry.

Willis is the CEO of for Conestoga Energy Partners LLC and grows sorghum in southwest Kansas. He has, and will continue to, play an integral role in increasing the value of sorghum and communicating its potential as a feedstock to other producers. 

Changes to the NSP board of directors are effective October 1, 2017.



Farmers elected to Iowa Soybean Association board of directors

Seven farmers have been elected to advance the competitiveness of the Iowa and U.S. soybean industries as directors of the Iowa Soybean Association.

Newly elected to three-year terms on the board are: Casey Schlichting, Clear Lake (District 2); Jeff Frank, Auburn (District 4); and Tom Adam, Fairfield (District 9).

Re-elected directors include: Chuck White, Spencer (District 1); Morey Hill, Boone (District 5); Lindsay Greiner, Keota (At Large); and Steph Essick, Dickens (At Large).

They will be officially seated at the association’s September board meeting.

Retiring directors are: Wayne Fredericks, Osage and Mark Jackson, Rose Hill. Randy Souder of Rockwell City served one term representing farmers in District 4.

“Our outgoing directors have shown outstanding dedication and service during their terms, and we are grateful,” said Bill Shipley, ISA president elect. “We congratulate the newly elected directors and welcome the fresh perspectives they bring to the work of our board.”

Joining Shipley and the recently elected directors on the ISA board are: ISA President Rolland Schnell, Newton (District 5); Mark Vosika, Pocahontas (District 1); April Hemmes, Hampton (District 2); Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg and Rick Juchems, Plainfield (District 3); LaVerne Arndt, Sac City (District 4); Robb Ewoldt, Blue Grass and Dave Walton, Wilton (District 6); Jeff Jorgenson, Sidney (District 7); Warren Bachman, Osceola and Randy Miller, Milo (District 8); Pat Swanson, Ottumwa (District 9); Brent Renner, Klemme and Tim Bardole, Rippey (At Large).



Iowa Cattlemen and Friends raise $3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities

Records were broken at the 35th annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show, which raised over $274,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.  This year’s event featured the highest selling auction, including breaking the cumulative $3 million mark. The money raised benefits the Ronald McDonald Houses of Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City.  All of the houses are located near hospitals and provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children.  The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sponsor the annual steer show and auction, which was hosted by Governor Kim Reynolds on August 12, 2017 in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair.

Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has raised over $3.2 million for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.  This year’s event included 25 steers, the Iowa youth that raised them, and celebrity showpersons, including Governor Kim Reynolds, who competed for the title of “Judge’s Choice.”

The official steer show judges for this year’s show included Mark Core and Bailey Boyert from Pleasantville, Iowa. The judges selected the steer “Smokin’ Willie,” shown by Governor Kim Reynolds, for overall grand champion honors. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sponsored the steer and McDonald’s of Iowa City, Coralville, Ames and Des Moines (including JKB Restaurants and J&D Restaurants) purchased the steer for $17,000. There was additional support from Governor Kim Reynolds for $1,000 and Cody Von Glan Friends and Blazin ‘B’ Ranch for $500. The steer was raised by Cody Von Glan of Vail.

The steer raised and shown by 11-year-old Alec Gotto of Dyersville was selected by the crowd for the title of “People’s Choice.”  Alec, who is paralyzed from the neck down, led the steer, “Thanks A Million,” from his wheelchair. Alec’s family has personally used the Ronald McDonald House Charities in the past and was eager to “give back” to a charity that helped them. The steer was sponsored by the Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities and purchased by Briarwood Healthcare Center – Iowa City for $11,000.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, earned the Showmanship Award from Cassie Johnson, who served as the event’s Showmanship Judge.  Northey’s steer, “Hershey,” was sponsored by the Friends of Floyd County and Corporate Farmer.  The steer was raised by Jayden Jorgensen of Rudd and purchased by Friends of Floyd County & Corporate Farmer for $14,700 along with additional support from Dunlap Sale Barn for $450.

Emcees for the show were farm broadcaster Bob Quinn, WHO Radio, and Michelle Rook, WNAX Radio. A special guest appearance from Ronald McDonald kept the show lively.  The auctioneers for the auction were Phil Schooley from Bloomfield, Will Epperly from Dunlap, Russele Sleep from Bedford, and Jared Miller from Leon.  Catching bids alongside the auctioneers were Mike Sorensen, Austin Brandt, and Ross Butler of Livestock Plus, Tom Rooney of The Midwest Marketer, and Jason Lekin of Tama Livestock Auction.



Sukup Mfg. to Open New Iowa Office

Sukup Manufacturing Co. announced it will open an office location in the Iowa State University Research Park in Ames, Iowa, after September 1.

"Sukup Manufacturing has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, which has created the ideal time to grow in locations. We view opening this new office in Ames as an opportunity to capitalize on the engineering and technical expertise of both students at Iowa State University and professionals at the Iowa State University Research Park. Proximity to these exceptional institutions will only allow Sukup Manufacturing to leverage additional talent and realize further growth and success," said Charles Sukup, company president.

"Precision agriculture is the future of the industry," said Emily Schmitt, general counsel for Sukup Manufacturing. "Innovation and technology are key to our company's future. What better place than the Iowa State University Research Park to access the skills, knowledge, and resources to bring technology to farmers and help them be more productive than ever before?"

Sukup Manufacturing Co. is the world's largest family-owned and operated grain storage, drying and handling equipment manufacturer headquartered in Sheffield, Iowa, and covers 1,000,000 sq. ft. of office, manufacturing and warehouse space. The company employs over 600 people, making it one of the largest employers in North Central Iowa. Three generations of the family are now active in the business.

Sukup's product line includes on-farm and commercial grain bins, portable and tower dryers, centrifugal and axial fans and heaters, stirring machines, bin unloading equipment and bin floors and supports. Sukup also manufactures a line of material handling equipment that includes bucket elevators, drag conveyors and chain loop conveyors, as well as a line of steel buildings.



SHIC Works to Validate Methods to Monitor Feed for Swine Pathogens

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) recently funded a study to be conducted by Kansas State University researchers to investigate using dust samples to monitor for swine pathogens in US feed mills. There is potential for the findings to lead to development of a diagnostic laboratory panel of assays where a single submitted swab of feed mill dust could be analyzed for multiple feed-based bacteria and viruses – a low-cost tool that could be used to help address feed safety.

This research will use Senecavirus A (SVA) to validate detection techniques. Transmission of SVA needs more research, including if feed plays a role, but this project will offer a look into prevalence and high-risk locations for SVA entry into the feed system, adding another piece of information about the virus. At the same time, this research could possibly lead to development of centralized protocols for dust sampling that can be a convenient and cost-effective surveillance tool for feed-based pathogens.

While the implications for the US industry are clear, researchers are equally as interested in the outcomes in a broader application. These same tools and strategies can be employed to minimize the risk of Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) entry into feed mills – including for other viruses such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Funded by America’s pork producers to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd, the Swine Health Information Center focuses its efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research for the benefit of swine health. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org.



Pruitt Urges Ranchers to Submit WOTUS Comments

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association today released a video featuring Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, in which Pruitt urges farmers and ranchers to submit official comments on the repeal of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule before the Agency's deadline of Monday, Aug. 28, 2017.

"When comments are made a part of a record - as rule-making - we have an obligation to review them," Pruitt says in NCBA's video. "It helps inform our decision-making process; it helps us make better decisions. And so we want farmers and ranchers across this country to provide comments."

The video was filmed during a visit that Pruitt and his senior staff made earlier this month to the Frasier Ranch, located just outside Last Chance, Colorado. During the visit, part of the Administrator's nationwide "State Action Tour," Pruitt met with and solicited input from several dozen local ranchers about how to proceed after the Obama-era WOTUS is repealed.

"We're trying to fix the challenges from the 2015 rule, where the Obama Administration re-imagined their authority under the Clean Water Act and defined a Water of the United States as being a puddle, a dry creek bed, and ephemeral drainage ditches across this country, which created great uncertainty... and we are fixing that, and then we're hearing from stakeholders about how to get it right as we go forward," Pruitt said.

NCBA has helped lead the charge against the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. rule, and cattle producers can file official comments through the group's website at www.BeefUSA.org or at http://www.beefusa.org/newsreleases1.aspx?newsid=6381.

NCBA's video with Pruitt can be viewed at: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTVd54WyhDQ&hd=1.



Price of 10-34-0 Up From Previous Month; All Other Fertilizer Prices Lower

Average retail prices for all but one of the eight major fertilizers were lower the second week of August 2017 compared to a month earlier, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.

The average price of 10-34-0 was $440 per ton the second week of August, up 2% from $431 the second week of July.

Prices for all other major fertilizers were lower from the previous month, with anhydrous showing the largest drop. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $419 the second week of August, down 7% from $451 the second week of July.

UAN28 also showed a fairly significant drop in price from the previous month. The fertilizer had an average price of $224 the second week of August, down about 5% from its average price of $235 the second week of July.

The remaining five major fertilizers all saw smaller price declines from the previous month. DAP had an average price of $434/ton, MAP $462/ton, potash $339/ton, urea $311/ton and UAN32 $258/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.34/lb.N, anhydrous $0.26/lb.N, UAN28 $0.40/lb.N and UAN32 $0.40/lb.N.

Prices for all retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. Five of the eight major fertilizers are double digits lower.

Anhydrous is 20% lower than a year ago, 10-34-0 is 17% lower, UAN32 is 14% lower, UAN28 and urea are both 10% lower, DAP and MAP are both 4% lower, and potash is about 2% lower.



Illinois Pig Farmer Shares Perspective of Gene Editing on Animal Agriculture

Science and ethics experts took part in a first-of-its-kind conference on the role of gene editing. CRISPRcon – a summit named for the genome editing technique creating Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) – brought together a diverse set of panelists to discuss this emerging technology.

CRISPR technology allows for precise changes to be made to the DNA of living cells, which holds the potential to eradicate diseases, transform agriculture and enable massive leaps forward in environmental and life science. Through a series of keynote speakers, panels and interactive discussions, CRISPRcon offered a single forum for those with a stake in gene editing to share ideas, ask and answer questions and explore the path forward.

Included on the panel of speakers at the two-day event was Thomas Titus, a pig farmer from Illinois. Titus was one of only two farmers who presented among the scientific experts, physicians, patients, environmentalists, consumers and community leaders to explore a wide range of potential applications for gene editing. The future of gene editing spans many aspects of life – from human and animal health to agriculture and conservation.

“Gene editing will have great impact on the future of farming, and especially on livestock production,” Titus said. “Although in its very early stages of development and acceptance, gene editing could ultimately be used to make pigs resistant to diseases, thereby improving food safety, animal welfare and the environmental impact of agriculture.”

Titus, who raises pigs and also grows grain on his Illinois farm, was part of a panel discussing where CRISPR technology could take society by 2050. His appearance was supported by the Pork Checkoff and National Pork Producers Council. Other panelists included representatives from the Center for Genetics and Society, the Institute for the Future, PICO National Network and The Breakthrough Institute.

“Today’s consumer is educated, and asking questions about where their food comes from and how it is raised,” Titus said. “That’s why I welcome every chance I get to talk about today’s pork production. I appreciated the opportunity to once again open my barn doors to share how I raise pigs with these key influencers in food production.”

Other topics addressed during the conference included societal perception and acceptance of CRISPR application in surgery, human health and food production and conservation.



U.S., Canadian and Mexican Farm Groups Support Modernized NAFTA

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and Mexico’s Consejo Nacional Agropecuario (CNA) today sent a joint letter to Canadian, United States and Mexican government officials reiterating their calls that NAFTA re-negotiations should aim to modernize the agreement, rather than dismantle it.

The AFBF, CFA, and CNA agree that agriculture represents one of NAFTA's biggest success stories. Agricultural reciprocal trade between the three countries has grown exponentially since the agreement was implemented more than 20 years ago.

CFA President Ron Bonnett, strong in his support of the agreement, says that “NAFTA has boosted the incomes of millions of farmers and has facilitated the development of profitable export markets.”

In their discussions, the three Presidents agreed on the need to build on the original agreement's success by looking for ways to increase trade volumes.

“When it comes to overall positive results for North America’s farmers and ranchers, NAFTA has proved itself as a solid foundation for trade. Just as farmers have new tools and technology for food and fiber production, we believe that an updated NAFTA agreement can help the three nations become even stronger trading partners,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said.

CNA President Bosco de la Vega, reflecting on the economic benefits of trade, said it is very clear, “The NAFTA agreement has had a positive impact for the agricultural sector, including the exponential increase in trade flows between its partners; currently NAFTA markets are characterized by high level of complementarity, the possibility to face the challenge of food security in a better way, an open trade system with clear and fair rules. Taking these into account, we believe that today the NAFTA members have a big opportunity to even increase this positive outcome.”

All parties further commit to meeting with their governments to insist that NAFTA re-negotiations should be built on the principle of "doing no harm."

NAFTA discussions should seek:
1. Increased and improved regulatory alignment.
2. Improved flow of goods at border crossings.
3. Further alignment of sanitary and phytosanitary measures using a science-based approach.
4. Elimination of non-science based technical barriers to trade.
5. Revisions that reflect technological advances since implementation such as digital trade, etc.

Agriculture industries in each NAFTA country would greatly suffer from disruptions to trading relationships developed over the last 23 years. Farmers have increased productivity and improved their competitiveness to address the rapidly growing demand worldwide for healthy and sustainable food products. Losses due to NAFTA changes would severely stunt this progress.

AFBF, CFA and CNA are committed to working with their respective administrations to ensure that a modernized NAFTA continues to be a success story for all farmers.



U.S. Grains Council Statement On Start Of NAFTA Modernization Talks
President and CEO Tom Sleight

"As formal renegotiation discussions for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) begin in Washington, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) will be engaging closely to help achieve a conclusion that provides our members and our customers long-term certainty and creates a new platform for growth and integration of our regional feed and fuel industries.

"The Council has worked diligently for decades in both Canada and Mexico, building trusted relationships that are supported by strong policy in NAFTA. This agreement and the trade it has spurred have been critical to the growth of the U.S. feed grains industry. It is a foundational agreement in our global trade policy.

"Both farmers and negotiators must understand how important these markets - and free trade - are to agriculture’s profitability. We appreciate our government's receptiveness in acknowledging that NAFTA is and will continue to be critical to our sector and hearing the improvements we would make to the 23-year-old pact. We look forward to these continued conversations as the trilateral negotiations evolve.”



 NFU Urges Smooth, Transparent Transition to a Fair Trade Framework
Trade representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico will meet here today to begin an official renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The renegotiation provides the Trump Administration with an opportunity to fulfill one of the president’s top campaign promises – a reset of the U.S. trade agenda.

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson urged the administration to restore balanced trade and domestic sovereignty that have been traded away in past agreements, noting NFU has long supported a transition to a fair trade framework.

“For decades, farming and rural communities across the country have suffered lost jobs, lowered wages, and fleeting economic liberty as a result of our nation’s free trade agenda,” said Johnson. “The Trump Administration must use this opportunity to reset that agenda by instituting a new, fair trade framework that works for family farmers, ranchers, and rural residents. NFU urges them to do so in a fashion that is transparent to the American public and does not upset the positive trade relations the U.S. agriculture community relies upon.”

Over the past several decades, the United States entered into free trade agreements with 20 countries, maintaining a trade agreement framework that advanced the interests of multinational corporations at the expense of family farmers, ranchers, and rural workers. This free trade framework began with the U.S. entering into NAFTA in 1994.

“NAFTA established a set of trade parameters that have benefitted corporate America at the expense of rural American communities and economies,” said Johnson.

Johnson noted that NAFTA was the first U.S. trade agreement to include the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) arbitration procedure, which allows foreign companies to sue governments over laws that undermine their profits. These suits go before foreign tribunals, and their results can ultimately dictate U.S. laws.

“Provisions like ISDS tip the scales in favor of multinational corporations, consolidating money and power into the hands of few. They need to be eliminated through this renegotiation process to support vibrant family farm operations and rural communities,” he said.

Johnson noted the president also has the opportunity to restore facets of U.S. sovereignty, like the ability to implement Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) on meat products. Just two years ago, a challenge from Canada and Mexico ultimately convinced Congress to repeal the COOL law, which was supported by more than 90 percent of American consumers.

“We can not allow the interests of foreign governments and multinational corporations to dictate our laws here at home,” said Johnson. “The repeal of COOL is a perfect example of just how much of our sovereignty we’ve traded away through trade deals. This issue must be addressed in the NAFTA renegotiation. Any provisions keeping the U.S. from instituting COOL or any other commonsense law need to be struck from all of our trade agreements moving forward.”

 “National Farmers Union supports the President’s stated intent to reset our flawed trade agenda,” said Johnson. “We will remain adamant that this process must produce a fair trade framework that balances trade and benefits the livelihoods of all Americans.”



Alliance releases report from 2017 Animal Rights National Conference

The Animal Agriculture Alliance released a report today detailing observations from the Animal Rights National Conference, held August 3-6 in Alexandria, Va. The event was hosted by the Farm Animal Rights Movement and sponsored by Compassion Over Killing, Mercy for Animals, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and The Humane League, along with other animal rights activist groups. According to conference organizers, nearly 2,000 individuals were present at the event, described as “dedicated to the vision that animals have the right to be free from all forms of human exploitation.”

“The speakers at this year’s Animal Rights National Conference made their goals clear – ending all forms of animal agriculture, regardless of how well animals are cared for,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Their persistent focus on pressure campaigns targeting restaurant, retail and foodservice brands is of great concern to the Alliance and our members. We encourage anyone with a vested interest in producing, processing or selling meat, poultry, eggs and dairy, to read this year’s report and hear how determined these groups are to eliminate food choices and make our society vegan.”

Activists in attendance were encouraged to be as extreme as necessary to advance their goals. “Breaking the law can often be a good thing to do,” said Zach Groff, Animal Liberation Collective. Groff spoke about the ‘nature of confrontational activism’ such as “protests, open rescues from farms without permission, vigils…” According to Groff, “this is a type of activism that can often upset people, it can rile people up.”

A major focus of this year’s conference was on pressuring restaurant, retail and foodservice brands to adopt certain policies, with the end goal of forcing them to stop selling animal products. In one session on “Engaging Institutions,” a speaker from The Humane League said the group had “basically harassed” one national sandwich chain with a campaign. When an audience member commented about ‘humane’ policies not being as good as complete liberation, Krista Hiddema, Mercy for Animals (Canada), hinted at no animal products being sold as the end goal, stating “we’re never going away.” Hiddema also stated that “we [the animal rights movement] are winning against the largest organizations in the world,” and “they are terrified of us.”

Other speakers shared Hiddema’s confidence in the movement’s success, with Jon Camp, The Humane League, stating “they [food companies] don’t make policies due to altruism, they do it because of the pressure.” David Coman-Hidy, also with The Humane League, told attendees to research companies before launching a campaign, asking “what can we use to make them look like hypocrites?” Coman-Hidy emphasized “we are not here to negotiate,” and activists “are essentially a pain in the neck for companies.” He suggested that attendees should attempt to damage companies’ brand reputations, stating “I recommend putting blood drips on their logo.”

Consistent with previous years, another key message from conference speakers was for attendees to focus efforts on eliminating farms of all types and sizes, not only the large-scale, modern operations (declared to be “factory farms”) that have historically been targeted. “Please, stop saying “factory farming” – it’s done its job,” said Hope Bohanec, projects manager, United Poultry Concerns as she emphasized that farms of all sizes are equally cruel. Bohanec continued to accuse the food industry of “humane washing” and trying to “dupe the public.” Bonahec touched on recent movements to go ‘cage-free,’ stating that all animal agriculture is bad, regardless of what labels say.

One speaker was ridiculed by the audience for his ‘Reducetarian’ approach, which encourages people to reduce, but not necessarily eliminate, meat consumption. An audience member stated that veganism is a lifestyle, not a diet, and that “’reducetarianism’ is the animal rights version of greenwashing” (trying to make an organization seem more environmentally responsible than it actually is).

Several speakers and panels also discussed animal agriculture’s impact on the environment, a talking point the Alliance has seen animal rights activist groups relying on more heavily in recent years. Jeffrey Cohan, Jewish Veg, stated that “we know animal agriculture is the leading cause of pollution on our planet.” Lisa Kemmerer, author, Sister Species and Eating Earth, said “eating hamburgers is like driving a bulldozer over the rainforest” and “being an environmentalist who is not vegan is nonsense on stilts.”

Also speaking at the conference were: Nick Cooney (founder of The Humane League) and Vandhana Bala, Mercy for Animals; Ingrid Newkirk, PETA; Erica Meier, Compassion Over Killing; Steven Wise, Nonhuman Rights Project; Anita Krajnc, Toronto Pig Save; Bruce Friedrich, Good Food Institute; and Paul Shapiro, Josh Balk and Kristie Middleton, all with the Humane Society of the United States.

The 2017 Animal Rights National Conference Report, which includes personal accounts of speaker presentations and general observations, is available to Alliance members in the Resource Library on the Alliance website. The Alliance also has reports from previous animal rights conferences accessible to members on the Alliance website.



Smithfield Foods Acquires KC Sausage Company

Smithfield Foods has bought out the remaining stake in private-label sausage manufacturer Kansas City Sausage Company, after investing in a 50-50 joint venture back in 2013.

The sausage maker has operations in Des Moines, Iowa -- where it produces premium raw materials for sausage, as well as value-added products including boneless hams - as well as in its home town of Kansas City, Missouri.

Its Kansas City plant is the newest and most modern sausage processing facility in the US, Smithfield said, and is designed to deliver optimum efficiency to the company's retail and foodservice customers.

The move comes after Smithfield revealed investment of $25 million in Chef'd, joining the likes of Campbell's and online grocery company Fresh Direct in putting money behind the U.S. meal kit provider.