NEBRASKA STATE FAIR 1868 FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPOINTS THREE BOARD MEMBERS
The Board of Trustees for the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation appointed three individuals to serve a three-year term on its Board of Directors, bringing the total number of Board Members to nine.
The Board of Trustees for the 1868 Foundation unanimously appointed Jill Staab, of Grand Island to serve a three-year term on the 1868 Foundation Board of Directors.
Staab has a vibrant history of maintaining strong community ties and supporting various charitable endeavors in the community. “Jill’s enthusiasm and passion for the Nebraska State Fair is exactly what the 1868 Foundation needs right now,” said Lindsey Koepke, Executive Director for the 1868 Foundation.
“The State Fair has been a family affair for Jill, her husband Dave and the entire Staab Family. It’s an honor to continue the family tradition and their family legacy with Jill’s commitment to serve on the 1868 Foundation Board.”
“Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated team of community leaders committed to providing strength, stability and a vibrant future for the Nebraska State Fair,” said Terry Galloway, Chairman of the 1868 Foundation Board of Directors. “We are excited to channel Jill’s talent, expertise and energy into furthering our mission and that of the Nebraska State Fair.”
“The fair has done so much for the community of Grand Island and for Central Nebraska,” Said Staab. “I look forward to serving alongside my fellow board members to do all that we can to help the fair which has brought so much goodness and growth to this community.”
Additionally, the Board of Trustees for the 1868 Foundation unanimously reappointed Terry Galloway of Johnson Lake and Donald Dunn of Lincoln to serve another three-year term on the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation Board of Directors. Currently Chairman of the Board, Galloway has served on the 1868 Foundation Board since 2015. Dunn was appointed to the 1868 Foundation Board in 2018 and is entering his second three-year term.
“We are so fortunate to have such a talented group of individuals serving on the board of directors,” said Koepke. “As we continue to strengthen our efforts and look to future for opportunities for growth, we will rely greatly on these individuals to keep the positive moment we are seeing moving in the right direction.”
The purpose of the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation is to raise funds and resources for improvements, renovations and revitalizations for the Nebraska State Fair. We are a charitable 501(c)(3) organization. For more information about the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation or to learn how to get involved, visit www.1868foundation.org.
Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska and Nebraska Extension Celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week 2021
Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska and Nebraska Extension join others across the country in celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week from Aug. 1-7, 2021 with the launch of a new tool to make it easy for Nebraskans to find nearby farmers’ markets. .
A new interactive map found online at gotogrow.org, allows Nebraskans to find details on farmers markets in communities all across the state. This website was developed from a USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant awarded to Nebraska Extension, in collaboration with Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska and the Center for Rural Affairs. A Spanish-language version website is available at vamosapoyar.org.
In the midst of a global pandemic, farmers markets — like all other small businesses — have innovated to stay open for the farmers and consumers that depend on them. Market managers have adapted rapidly to protect staff, customers and community. When conventional food supply chains had difficulties adapting at the start of the pandemic, farmers markets and local food systems clearly displayed the resiliency of short supply chains, and interest in local foods spiked nationwide. Now, farmers markets are headed into another year of building resilience in our communities and bringing people together.
“The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted that we need to shorten the food supply chain,” said Terri Mazza, owner of Food 4 Hope, a farmers’ market vendor near Beatrice. “When people buy at a farmers’ market, they have a reliable source of food. They know where their food is coming from, and they know they are getting it fresh.”
National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration of farmers markets coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition. This year’s campaign is centered around the essential role that farmers markets play in our local food systems.
In 2020, Nebraska markets pivoted rapidly to ensure that markets would stay open to the public by increasing online sales, adding safety precautions into their operations and eliminating non-essential activities like music and kids’ events. Those efforts, coupled with decreased attendance in 2020, have had a significant impact on Nebraska markets. Nationally, the pandemic strained farmers market organizations to keep markets open; 93% of markets reported added costs to operate while 74% reported decreased income.
In 2021 Nebraskans all over the state can support their farmers’ markets by grabbing their shopping bags and heading to the nearest market. Nebraska’s 99 registered Farmers’ Markets provide access to healthy, locally-produced food no matter where you are.
Markets increase their reach by accepting SNAP payments, as well as Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks. These and other initiatives ensure that more Nebraskans can benefit from local food. In 2021 the Kearney Area Farmers’ Market became one of the few farmers’ markets in the state to become authorized to accept SNAP payments from shoppers.
Created in 2019, the Nebraska Go to Grow/Vamos Apoyar project provides training, technical assistance and marketing to rural farmers’ markets across the state, while also supporting local producers who rely on farmers’ markets to sell their products. The Go to Grow/Vamos Apoyar team is also working with markets across Nebraska to increase access to Spanish speaking consumers, through translated signage and targeted outreach in local communities.
Farmers’ markets are an essential part of our state. They are spaces where food access, economic opportunities, community pride and health come together every week of the market season. Find your market, and go to grow Nebraska farmers markets by visiting gotogrow.org or vamosapoyar.org
Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska has been connecting consumers to locally grown food for 16 years. Its mission is to increase the demand of local food in the state, resulting in stable, thriving, direct-market farms, ranches and local food businesses. BFBLN accomplishes their mission through educational and promotional projects and resources. We are proud to be a program of the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center, and the Agricultural Economics Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Nebraska Native wins Junior Angus Herdsman
Miranda Raithel of Falls City, Nebraska, is recognized as 2021 Junior Herdsman of the year.
The Junior Angus Herdsman award is awarded to one National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) member who displays a strong work ethic, dedication to his/her animals and has the skill to prepare their cattle for exhibition. This year the 2021 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Junior Herdsman of the Year was awarded to Miranda Raithel of Falls City, Nebraska.
In 1998 Raithel’s father was awarded the Angus Herdsman award at the National Western Stock Show. Now in 2021, it was only fitting that his daughter follows in his footsteps. Miranda Raithel was born on January 13, 2000, and by January 21, 2001, she had already been issued her official National Junior Angus membership.
Growing up, Raithel could be found in the show barn alongside her parents at Herbster Angus Farm. From nutrition to management, Raithel says she understands cattle from being mentored by her parents, Ed and Mandy, and Cash Langford.
"I’m actually really glad to be recognized in my home state during my last year," said Raithel. "Call it the stars aligning, but it’s pretty neat to win the herdsman’s buckle in your home state."
To be selected to receive the Herdsman Award, juniors must be in their last year of junior eligibility and are voted on by ballot by NJAA members exhibiting at the National Junior Angus Show. Junior members are asked to evaluate their peers throughout the week and turn their official ballot in to the show office by noon on Friday of the National Junior Angus Show.
Raithel said she has learned everything she knows from her dad, and together they make quite the father-daughter duo.
"It’s that guy that taught me how to be a herdsman," she said. "I’ve had people I’ve never known tell me they encouraged kids to vote for me, and that’s pretty cool."
With two semesters left of college, Raithel will be on to the next chapter soon.
Upon graduation Raithel will receive degrees in business administration and marketing from Peru State College. She previously received her associate degree in animal science from Redlands Community College. While at Redlands she was a member of the collegiate livestock judging team and the captain of the beef show team.
Bacon Buddies Pig Show Planned for Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair is for everyone, and that’s why the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is bringing the Bacon Buddies pig show back to the Swine Barn on Saturday, Aug. 14.
The Bacon Buddies show gives individuals who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (Buddies) the opportunity to take a pig into the show ring – a great Iowa State Fair tradition. Their mentors are 4-H and FFA youth who have volunteered to share that show ring experience with the Special Olympics participants who asked to be part of this opportunity.
“We care about all the people in our communities,” says IPPA President Dennis Liljedahl. “Pig farms have always been a part of Iowa’s rural communities. Bacon Buddies shares our values of being a good neighbor and making a positive contribution for better lives in Iowa.”
“This is a great opportunity for our Special Olympics athletes,” says John Kliegl, the president and CEO of Special Olympics Iowa. “They want to do what their peers are doing, and it’s great to work with the 4-H and FFA youth who see them as their equals.”
The Bacon Buddies show begins at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 14 in the east show ring of the Swine Barn on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Sixteen Buddies will show their pigs in groups of four, giving them an opportunity to interact with the judge and their animals. Mentors will be on hand with helpful suggestions as the Buddies walk their pigs around the ring.
When the first show was held in 2019, participants and spectators both noted the camaraderie and seeing participants find common ground in enjoying the experience. No show was scheduled for 2020 because of Covid-19, but this summer, some Iowa county fairs included a Bacon Buddies event to create that same opportunity locally.
Matthew Eddy Named to the National FFA Board of Directors
Matthew Eddy was recently named to the National FFA Board of Directors. He is serving as the NASAE representative, completing the term of Leon Busdeiker, who retired on June 30.
Eddy, who currently serves as an agricultural education consultant and state FFA advisor for Iowa, has served on the board in the past, as a teacher representative for the U.S. Department of Education. He finished his term in 2019.
"We are excited to have Matthew serve on the board once again," said National FFA Advisor and board chair Dr. James Woodard. "We are looking forward to his future contributions on guiding the National FFA Organization and helping FFA members become the next leaders and prepare for a lifetime of career success."
Eddy, who grew up on a diversified farm south of Osceola, Iowa, graduated from Clarke Community High School and attended Iowa State University. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1999 and his master’s degree in 2008.
Eddy is a CASE Certified Master Teacher and holds certification in agriculture, food and natural resources, animal science, plant science and biotechnology. He led a group to author the Governor's STEM Scale-Up Program grants, securing more than $3.1 million dollars for Iowa agriculture programs to participate in adopting the CASE model since 2012.
Eddy and his wife, Carol, live in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, with their four children.
Iowa Cattleman Implores Competitive Marketplace to Enhance Beef Supply Chain
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is dedicated to protecting Iowa’s beef business. Over the past two years, we’ve made a concerted effort to respond to extreme market disruptions that impact the legacies of Iowa cattlemen and our rural communities. We’ve elevated priorities of our members by:
Calling for concurrent investigations of meatpackers by USDA and the DOJ;
Leading the introduction of legislation to provide more price discovery to the fed cattle market; and
Pioneering thought and discussion regarding reportable information to the entire beef supply chain through Livestock Mandatory Reporting.
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee convened a hearing to discuss the vulnerabilities within the food supply chain. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association strongly urged committee members to include a producer witness on the panel. Jon Schaben, an Iowa Cattlemen’s Association member-leader and owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, in Dunlap, Iowa, and West Point Livestock, in West Point, Neb., testified on behalf of independent cattlemen.
Schaben kicked off the hearing by drawing attention to primary challenges in the cattle industry. Key areas of focus included: lack of price discovery and transparency, meatpacking concentration and competition, captive supply, and price manipulation and exercise of market power.
“Most recently, we’ve seen live values of cattle in the $1,500 to $1,700 range, but carcass values in the $2,500 to $2,700 range, a $1,000 difference between what the producer is getting and the end product coming out. If we process more than half a million cattle a week in the fed cattle industry, that is half a billion dollars a week that is eroded out of our rural economy. If we can bring a functioning cattle market back and bring the spread narrow down, that’s a way we can infuse more cash into our rural sector,” Schaben says.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) once again urged the Department of Justice, Department of Agriculture, and Federal Trade Commission to aggressively police anticompetitive activity, as concerns remain surrounding packers making profits and producers struggling to break even. “As the first link in our food supply chain, farmers and ranchers assume incredible risk for each crop and animal raised. Their livelihoods depend on receiving a fair price,” Senator Grassley says.
“Even before the pandemic, farmers and ranchers witnessed the prices of their cattle fall while the price of boxed beef from the processor increased. The market is clearly not working fairly when demand is extraordinarily strong and supply, at the same time, is strong.”
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association recognizes the importance of producer involvement in supply chain discussions. Market disruptions pose risks to our food supply, threaten producer livelihood, and create serious concern for rural communities.
We appreciate the attention the Senate Judiciary Committee has provided on this matter. We expect members to direct the Department of Justice to provide a swift update regarding the ongoing antitrust investigation of the four largest meatpackers.
NeFU Commends Senate Judiciary Committee for its Hearing on Ag Market Concentration
Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) commended the Senate Judiciary Committee for holding a hearing on market concentration in the livestock industry “Beefing Up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain.”
Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen said, “Let’s hope that today’s refreshing and positive bipartisan support for ag market reform measures is not just political theater and posturing. We need a genuine commitment to re-think failed public federal and state policies, the operating premise of the Anti-Trust Division of the Justice Department that encourages market concentration, and the need to update and reinvent the competition enforcement capacity of the 100 year old USDA Packers and Stockyards Administration. President Biden’s Executive Order on Competition should be supported by everyone who supports competition in the market place. It can also be used to speed up the USDA rule making process for clarifying and updating Packers and Stockyards definitions and terms.”
Hansen praised the choice of Hearing witnesses representing agriculture, including NFU President Rob Larew and Jon Schaben, owner of the Dunlap, Iowa and West Point, Nebraska Livestock Auction markets. “They did an outstanding job of explaining how healthy markets should work, the level of concentration in today’s non-competitive livestock markets, and measures that need to be taken to bring competition back to livestock markets. George Slover, Senior Policy Counsel for Consumer Reports provided excellent insights into the benefits of competitive markets and competition legal and policy issues. Today, our independent livestock producers are going broke, meat consumers are getting overcharged, and meatpackers are making excessive profits because of failed government regulatory oversight that favors market consolidation and concentration instead of competition,” Hansen said.
NeFU said in the short term Congress needs to renew the Mandatory Price Reporting authority, and expand and include contract prices as well as cash sales on a daily basis.
NeFU supports asking Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack to undo Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s hurtful movement of USDA Packers and Stockyards from its independent historical housing in USDA into the Agricultural Marketing Service.
NeFU supports re-starting the USDA ag market reform rule making process started by then Secretary of Ag Vilsack in the Obama Administration that were scrapped by Secretary of Ag Perdue scrapped when he walked in the door, and additional provisions to protect livestock producers from meatpacker retaliation for practicing their free speech rights or criticizing non-competitive marketing practices.
House Agriculture Hearing Echoes NCBA Push for More Hook Space
Today, the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to examine urgent challenges within the beef supply chain. After hearing testimony from agriculture economists, land-grant university faculty, and cattle industry stakeholders, many members of Congress echoed the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's (NCBA) longstanding call to expand processing capacity.
Members also noted the need for greater transparency in cattle markets to create conditions that support both a reliable, affordable supply of U.S. beef and the continued financial viability of American cattle farmers and ranchers.
"The roadblocks that are depressing profits for our cattle producers and endangering the steady supply of affordable beef have really captured the attention of lawmakers," said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. "The continued momentum we are seeing on expanding processing capacity, both on Capitol Hill and at USDA, is a positive sign. We are grateful to Chairman Costa and Ranking Member Johnson for prioritizing this issue. We look forward to continuing to work with members of the House Agriculture Committee to advance solutions like the Butcher Block Act that would alleviate some of the chokepoints that are hurting our producers."
Cattle industry concerns have seen increased attention recently from both sides of the aisle as NCBA has advocated for commonsense solutions that address the most urgent challenges facing producers. In recent months, NCBA has engaged with Congress and the administration to:
Secure the introduction of legislation to help small, independent processors expand capacity and improve marketing options for cattle producers.
Reform the "Product of the USA" beef label in a way that benefits both consumers and producers.
Defend family farms, ranches, and rural communities against devastating proposed tax hikes.
Deliver critical progress on much-needed flexibility under hours-of-service regulations for livestock haulers.
Ensure that the "America the Beautiful" or 30x30 conservation plan prioritizes the input of agricultural producers and respects private property rights.
Experts Agree: Livestock Markets Not Broken; Affected by Supply and Demand
With cattle futures reaching new multi-year highs this week, The North American Meat Institute today submitted testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee underscoring the supply and demand fundamentals of beef and livestock markets and opposing further government intervention that will result in unintended consequences.
“Industry experts, market participants and economists testifying before three different congressional committees in the past two months have found that beef and cattle markets have behaved predictably given supply and demand pressures,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. “These witnesses join the Meat Institute in maintaining the beef and cattle markets are dynamic, with recent challenges being due to labor shortages and the COVID pandemic rather than market structure.”
The Meat Institute submitted written testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing called, “Beefing up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain.” Senate testimony may be found here.
In addition to debunking claims about market concentration, the testimony includes important new analysis which shows that the beef market is rebounding:
“Beef demand remains high: the total volume of beef sales in 2021 from January through mid-June remained more than 4 percent higher than the pre-pandemic levels over the same period in 2019. This increase in beef demand in 2020 happened while the packing sector’s ability to process cattle was experiencing operational constraints, and has continued into this year while labor availability has similarly affected the packing industry’s ability to operate at full capacity. Meanwhile, the supply of fed cattle remained large. In short, COVID-19 created a significant “kink in the chain” that took time to straighten.
“Early in the pandemic the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) commissioned the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and several distinguished agricultural economists to examine the impact COVID-19 was having and was expected to have on the beef cattle industry. That paper warned ‘the timeline for market recovery from COVID-19 is unknown, and cow-calf losses could expand into 2021 when the summer and fall 2020 calf crops would be marketed.’
“The market is rebounding. This week Feeder Cattle futures reached contract highs for the August through March 2022 contracts. On Monday, July 26, the Feeder Cattle contract closed at its highest since March 2016. Live Cattle futures prices so far in July have averaged higher than the same month in 2017, 2018, and 2019, all pre-pandemic. This reflects a smaller supply of cattle, which according to USDA’s mid-year cattle inventory report released last week, is down 1 percent from last year. Also, it reflects the recovery in cattle processing capacity.”
In the testimony, the Meat Institute also offers a primer on market fundamentals at all stages of production:
“From ranch to the slaughter plant rail, live cattle typically change ownership two to three times. Cow-calf producers market their cattle to feeders, or to backgrounders who in turn move those cattle to feeders, who then market to packers. The price for cattle at any of those three most common points of transactions is a function of how many cattle are in each respective market segment. In other words, the price is determined by supply of cattle to sell from one segment and the demand for buying cattle by the next segment. That explains why each segment can experience different margins and why there is a futures contract for two types of cattle: feeder cattle and fed cattle. When any of those segments are out of balance, prices move, and the moves can be dramatic, as witnessed by the COVID-spurred retail beef demand, which represents the final segment of the entire pasture to plate value chain, and the COVID-imposed imbalance within various segments of the cattle sector.”
In response to calls for more “transparency,” The Meat Institute’s testimony provides more information about mandatory price reporting and other requirements for packers to be transparent with industry data:
“There is robust price discovery in the cattle and beef markets. Congress established and USDA administers the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act (LMR) program to facilitate open, transparent price discovery and provide all market participants, both large and small, with comparable levels of market information for slaughter cattle and beef, as well as other species.
“Under LMR, packers must report to AMS daily the prices they pay to procure cattle, as well as other information, including slaughter data for cattle harvested during a specified time period and with net prices, actual weights, dressing percentages, percent of beef grading Choice, and price ranges, and then AMS publishes the anonymized data.
“AMS publishes 24 daily and 20 weekly cattle reports each week. Weekly reports start Monday afternoon and end the next Monday morning. These reports cover time periods, regions, and activities and the data include actual cattle prices.
“Further, packers report all original sale beef transactions in both volume and price through the Daily Boxed Beef Report. This data is reported twice daily, at 11:00 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. The morning report covers market activity since 1:30 p.m. of the prior business day until 9:30 a.m. of the current business day. The afternoon report is cumulative, including all market activity in the morning plus all additional transactions between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and is on the USDA DataMart website. The boxed beef report covers both individual beef item sales and beef cutout values and current volumes, both of which are derived from the individual beef item sales data.
“Stepping back for a moment, it is unimaginable in virtually any other industry participants in a free market would be required to report such data on an on-going, daily basis, and that the data would then be published by the government for competitors and other market participants to view, analyze, and use as a basis for strategic decisions. And yet, despite all of the onerous, mandated reporting requirements already in place, some people claim there is no market transparency and there needs to be more price discovery. Where does it end?”
AFBF Applauds Hearings on Beef Supply Chain
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearings on the current state of the beef supply chain.
“American Farm Bureau appreciates the work of the committees in both houses of Congress to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of our country’s food systems, specifically livestock markets.
“We welcome the discussion held by the Judiciary Committee to restore a competitive playing field for America’s farmers and ranchers. It was also important for the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture to explore and call attention to the difficult trajectory cattle markets have followed over the last two years. Prices at the grocery store continue to rise while ranchers receive the bare minimum prices for their livestock.
“AFBF continues to urge Congress to reauthorize Livestock Mandatory Reporting, create a beef contract library, and publicize the results of the Department of Justice investigation into livestock markets to ensure farmers and ranchers have the best tools at their disposal when it comes to selling their livestock.
“We will continue to work with Congress and the administration to ensure all farmers and ranchers receive a fair price for their products while producing the safest, most affordable food in the world.”
Dominican Republic Confirmed Positive for African Swine Fever
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the Dominican Republic (DR) has confirmed cases of African swine fever (ASF). The cases were confirmed as part of a cooperative surveillance program between the United States and the DR. The United States remains free of ASF – an animal disease affecting only pigs with no human health implications – and imports no pork, animal feed or other pork production-related products from the Dominican Republic.
“The United States has significantly bolstered biosecurity to protect the U.S. swine herd since ASF broke in China nearly three years ago and began spreading to other parts of the world,” said Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian with the National Pork Producers Council. “We are thankful for steps taken by the USDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including strengthened border inspection and the implementation of an active surveillance program designed to quickly detect and eradicate ASF. These measures are particularly important now that ASF has been detected in the Western hemisphere for the first time in approximately 40 years.”
Dr. Wagstrom added, “We thank the USDA and CBP for the additional measures they are taking to prevent the spread of ASF to the United States.”
NPPC noted the following measures for U.S. pork producers:
Use caution when hosting on-farm visitors from an ASF-positive region of the world; follow downtime recommendations from USDA's Plum Island Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
Review your biosecurity protocols to ensure consistent practice of appropriate safeguards.
Fill out the Foreign Animal Disease Preparation Checklist found here and enroll in the Secure Pork Supply program.
Visit with your feed suppliers to discuss the origin of the feed ingredients they are using in your diets.
Vacation and other travelers to the Dominican Republic should know that it is illegal to transport specialty meat products or other agriculture products from the DR to the United States.
For additional information on ASF biosecurity, please visit www.nppc.org/asf.
Consumer Research Unpacks Protein Perceptions
The United Soybean Board released new consumer data shedding light on consumer perceptions around protein. More than half of consumers (56%) say it is extremely or very important that plant-based proteins be complete, offering nutrition comparable to animal protein. Soy protein is uniquely positioned to help the food industry capitalize on current trends and consumer interests due to its protein quality, versatility and sustainability benefits.
The vast majority of consumers recognize that protein is important to maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, with 82% of consumers ages 50 and under agreeing that it is extremely or very important. “General health and wellness” was given as the No. 1 reason for adding protein (animal- or plant-based) to their diets.
“As one of the few widely available complete plant proteins that has all essential amino acids in the recommended amounts, soy offers the food industry an opportunity to deliver on consumer demands without compromising the flavor of a dish or packaged food,” said USB consultant Jean Heggie. “Soy can help companies meet the needs of most diets, including flexitarians and omnivores who are seeking to incorporate more plant-based foods.”
The study also found the following:
While the majority of U.S. consumers (79%) eat meat, 65% of the population is open to eating plant-based “flexitarian-friendly” food, with higher numbers reported among younger generations.
Just under half (44%) identify as omnivores, eating meat including seafood and chicken on a regular basis and eating plant-based foods on occasion.
About one in six consumers (16%) identify as “flexitarian,” described as choosing plant-based foods on most occasions but not excluding meat from their diet entirely.
Openness to plant-based foods is strong across all demographic groups; however, younger consumers (50 and under) are significantly more likely to identify with an eating style that includes plant-based foods (72%), as compared to 55% of older consumers.
“Soy protein provides the highest percentage of protein per calorie compared to other plant protein sources,” said Keenan McRoberts, Ph.D., vice president of science and program strategy for USB. “The high protein density of soy protein readily contributes to meeting requirements for protein and the amino acids that make up protein. In addition, the soybean oil (fat) component in soybeans contributes to meeting essential fatty acid requirements.”
Weekly Ethanol Production for 7/23/2021
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending July 23, ethanol production eased by 14,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 1.4%, to 1.014 million b/d, equivalent to 42.59 million gallons daily. Production was 5.8% above the same week last year but was 1.6% below the 2019 level. The four-week average ethanol production volume declined by 1.0% to 1.037 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.90 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks rose 1.0% to a 22-week high of 22.7 million barrels. Stocks were 12.1% above the year-ago level but 7.1% below the same week in 2019. Inventories built across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, increased 0.3% to 9.33 million b/d (142.95 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 5.9% above a year ago but 2.4% below the same week in 2019.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol improved by 2.5% to 930,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.26 bg annualized. Net inputs were 9.0% above a year ago but 3.0% less than the same week in 2019.
Imports of ethanol arriving into the West Coast were 36,000 b/d of ethanol, or 10.58 million gallons for the week. This marks the fourth time in six weeks that imports were reported. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of May 2021.)
Four Years Later, EPA Has Failed to Restore 500 Million Lost RIN Gallons
Today marks the four-year anniversary of the July 2017 ruling in Americans for Clean Energy v. EPA. The 2017 ruling required EPA to address its improper waiver of 500 million gallons for 2016 renewable fuel blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). To date, EPA has failed to reconsider the 2016 RVO and has not restored the 500 million lost RIN gallons. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement on the case:
“Four years ago to the day, EPA was directed by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to address 500 million improperly waived gallons of biofuels,” said Skor. “This is a frustrating anniversary for America’s farmers and biofuel producers, as the Court has required EPA to update it on the status of these lost gallons on a regular basis, to no avail. EPA must take responsibility for these inappropriately waived gallons and follow the D.C. Circuit Court’s ruling. EPA owes it to America’s biofuel producers to return the gallons as a part of its commitment to cleaner, renewable fuel.”
Background
In the July 2017 ruling in the case Americans for Clean Energy et al. v. EPA et al., the court invalidated the EPA’s improper waiver of 500 million gallons in the 2016 RVO rule and ordered EPA to revisit the rule. The court held that EPA’s interpretation of the “inadequate domestic supply” waiver provision “runs contrary to how the Renewable Fuel Program is supposed to work.”
Growth Energy joined a coalition of farm groups and biofuel producers that filed a motion in November of 2020 asking the court to enforce its 2017 decision, and in January 2021, rejected EPA’s excuses for delays.
Potash Retail Price Up 15% From Last Month; UAN Prices Slightly Lower
Retail fertilizer prices appear to be moving in two different directions the third week of July 2021, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. For the first time since the third week of January 2021, or six full months ago, some retail fertilizer prices were actually lower than the previous month.
Both UAN28 and UAN32 are slightly lower, as was the case the third week of January. UAN28 had an average price of $365 per ton while UAN32 was at $419/ton.
For the fifth week in a row, potash led the increase in fertilizer prices. Potash was a whopping 15% more expensive compared to last month and had average price of $543/ton. Prices for the remaining five fertilizers saw just slight increases. DAP had an average price of $695/ton, DAP $750/ton, urea $553/ton, 10-34-0 $632/ton and anhydrous $736/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.60/lb.N, anhydrous $0.45/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.
Retail fertilizer prices have all increased significantly from a year ago. 10-34-0 is now 36% more expensive, potash is 51% higher (last week was at 39%), urea is 54% more expensive, UAN32 is 59% higher, anhydrous is 60% more expensive, UAN28 62% higher, DAP is 71% more expensive and MAP is 75% higher compared to last year.
Vilsack Speech In Iowa Launches U.S. Grains Council Hybrid Summer Meeting
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) brought members together in person Wednesday for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, launching its summer annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, and online through a virtual meeting platform.
Joining for his first in-person meeting since taking on his role as U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack addressed attendees on the status and future of U.S. agricultural trade.
Vilsack began his remarks by calling the U.S. grains industry the “secret sauce” of trade, noting that its members understand the importance of partnership to growing export demand.
“We are in the process at USDA to build back better for trade,” Vilsack said. “We’ve been working on removing barriers to trade and are ready to engage more frequently and closely with our counterparts in other countries. American agriculture is at the center of that work because if something happens internationally, U.S. ag will feel that change. We are prepared and ready to look for more opportunities and diversity in trade partners.”
In addition, Vilsack emphasized the continued need for biofuels in the future, including for aviation and marine use.
“It will be a long time before we’re in the position where we won’t need biofuels. We need to take a look at creative ways that we can use bio-based products. If we can do this, I think we’ll see a bright future for American agriculture," he said.
USGC Chairman Jim Raben, a farmer from Illinois, began the 61st Annual Board of Delegates Meeting by thanking the industry for their perseverance during the global pandemic.
“Over the last year, our members provided customers around the world a virtual, behind-the-scenes look at their operations and ensured our global partners that the United States would continue to provide them a reliable, high-quality product, despite these uncertain times,” Raben said.
“Likewise, our staff – time and time again – have stepped up to the plate and trade has continued despite the pandemic keeping us at home and the technology challenges we’ve all encountered and had to overcome.”
USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand offered his assessment of where markets stand for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol.
“During this time, we were challenged to think in new ways, figure out how we could use technology to keep servicing our customers and to keep markets open,” he said. “I can definitively say we have been successful. We’ve had record sales of U.S. corn and U.S. sorghum during this period. While it’s still a challenging trade horizon beyond our shores, it’s one that holds great promise.”
Nearly 400 in-person and online attendees also heard a recorded presentation by former World Trade Organization (WTO) Deputy Director-General Ambassador Alan Wolff and a live presentation by futurist Christopher Kent of Foresight Alliance, who shared his vision for what U.S. trade may look like in a post-COVID world.
World Food Prize winner, Ohio State University distinguished professor and soil scientist Dr. Rattan Lal spoke on the role of agriculture in sustainability as the world emerges from the global pandemic.
In the afternoon, attendees spent time in one or more of seven Council Advisory Team (A-Team) meetings. Each A-Team has a specific focus – including Asia, Ethanol, Innovation and Sustainability, Middle East/Africa/South Asia, Trade Policy, Value-Added and Western Hemisphere – allowing members the chance to offer input, set priorities and help determine the Council’s course of action over the coming year.
On Thursday, Council programming is scheduled to focus on selected markets around the world in which it works - including Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, South Asia, Mexico and China. The meeting will culminate on Friday with the Council’s Board of Delegates meeting, appointment of new A-Team leaders and election of members of the 2021/2022 Board of Directors.
U.S. Dairy Welcomes Progress and U.S. Leadership in UN Food Systems Pre-Summit
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) today commended U.S. leadership at the UN Food Systems Summit (UN FSS) Pre-Summit ministerial meeting in Rome. The Pre-Summit has generated dialogue on a multitude of ideas, proposals, and perspectives, some of which are not evidence-based or practical. Overall, however, there is strong global support for a process that raises the bar on sustainability ambitions – an area where U.S. dairy producers and processors are well positioned to shine. The organizations welcomed progress toward ensuring that agricultural innovation, science-based policies and sustainably produced animal-sourced foods remain at the center of healthy and sustainable food systems around the world.
NMPF and USDEC joined the U.S. delegation, led by U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jewel Bronaugh, in supporting UN FSS outcomes that advance innovation and evidence-based approaches to increase agricultural productivity and reduce environmental impact. In the months leading up to the Pre-Summit, NMPF and USDEC highlighted to U.S. government officials U.S. dairy’s leading role in implementing sustainable food production practices including those that adapt to and build resilience to climate change by committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon.
“U.S. dairy farmers are taking voluntary action to achieve carbon neutrality, optimize water use, and improve water quality, delivering dairy’s future today,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “We are proud to champion nutrient-dense, sustainably produced U.S. dairy as a food security and environmental solution for the UN FSS and beyond.”
“It has never been more important for the world to adopt solutions like those implemented by U.S. dairy farmers and processors that leave a positive environmental footprint, nourishing people and the planet today and for future generations,” said Krysta Harden, President and CEO of USDEC. “We support the summit in its efforts to make global food systems more sustainable and offer the world a source of choice for responsibly produced, high quality, and nutritious dairy products.”
U.S. dairy farmers and processors lead across all three elements of sustainability defined by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – economic, social, and environmental. Two industrywide U.S. Dairy initiatives have been submitted to the UN FSS as game-changing solutions: (1) the Net Zero Initiative, through which U.S. dairy aims to become carbon neutral or better by 2050; and (2) the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, as part of a One Health approach ensures that science-based stewardship informs on-farm, socially responsible principles for exceptional care of animals and the planet.
NMPF and USDEC will continue to engage actively in the Food Systems Summit, which next meets in September and contribute to efforts to accelerate achievement of global sustainable development goals.
USDA Cattle and Cattle on Feed Reports
Stephen R. Koontz, Dept of Ag Economics, Colorado State University
Last Friday saw the release of the monthly Cattle on Feed report and the mid-year Cattle report. The reports communicate a wealth of information that will impact the supply side of market assessments for some time to come. The impacts of the situation seen in the Cattle on Feed report will playout for the remainder of the year and into some of next. The Cattle report with its inventory information will explain long-term impacts over the next several years. It was anticipated that both reports would be bullish, that is the case, and surprises reinforce bullish news.
Let’s examine the Cattle on Feed report first. Placements were down and modestly lighter than expected. Marketings were up and modestly stronger than expected. And on-feed inventories were down and modestly lighter than expected. Placements over the month of June were 92.9 percent of the prior year and pre-report expectations were for placements to be between 90.4 and 96.8 percent of the prior year. Lower than the average of 94.2 percent but within the range of expectations. Marketings over the month of June were 102.7 percent of the prior year and pre-report expectations were for marketings to be between 99.6 and 103.4 percent of the prior year. Modestly higher than the average of 102.3 percent but within the range. On-feed inventories as of July 1 were 98.7 percent of the prior year. The average pre-report expectation was 99.0 percent with a range between 98.2 and 99.7 percent. Again, placements were lighter, marketings were heavier, and resulting inventories were lighter. All these supply changes suggest the possibility of price strength. Cattle on feed over 120 days are also down sharply from the prior month and prior year. The prior year is likely a problematic comparison given the inventory numbers following the plant operations problems due to COVID-19. But, as with all the information as compared to the prior year, this issue should be understood by market analysts constructing the expectations. The important point with the calculated 120-day on feed inventory is that the long-fed inventories are being cleaned up.
Turning to the Cattle report, many of the categories of beef cattle herd inventories are lower and lower than expected. These stocks are not impacted by market disruptions due to COVID-19 but are impacted by drought this year. Calves under 500 pounds are 98.6 percent of the prior year, the average of the pre-report expectation was 99.5 percent, and the range of expectations was 99.3 to 99.6 percent. This is lower than expected and outside of the range. Steers weighing 500 pounds and more are 98.6 percent of the prior year, the average expectation was 99.6 percent, and the range of expectations were between 99.3 and 99.7 percent. Again, lower than expected and outside of the range. Heifers weighing 500 pounds or more – that are not beef cow replacements nor dairy replacements – were 97.4 percent of the prior year. The average expectation was 99.8 percent, and the range was between 98.7 and 101.3 percent. Lower than expected and below the range. Beef cow numbers are 98.0 percent of the prior year, the average expectation was 98.9 percent, and the range of expectations was 98.3 to 99.4 percent. Lower than expected and below the range.
Finally, all cattle and calves are 98.7 percent of last year, the average expectation was 99.5, and the range between 99.3 and 99.7 percent. The beef cow herd and all cattle numbers are tightening. Heifers held as beef cow replacements are down 2.3 percent and beef cow numbers are down 2 percent. Calf numbers are down slightly less. Reductions in inventories of 1-2 percent this year will result in something close to reductions in supplies of beef of a similar magnitude. The further into the future you consider then the tighter the supplies. And there is little to no bearish news on the demand side. This of course can change. But, for example, packer margins are outstanding, trade volumes are excellent, and wholesale/retail prices remain very firm.
ADM Reports Record Second Quarter Earnings per Share of $1.26, $1.33 on an Adjusted Basis; Expects Momentum to Continue in Second Half, Leading to Very Strong Full-Year Outlook
ADM (NYSE: ADM) today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
“It was yet another excellent quarter for ADM, as our team delivered record earnings, with strong year-over-year profit growth across all three business units,” said Chairman and CEO Juan Luciano.
“This is a very different ADM than even a few short years ago, and our transformation is far from over. Our productivity efforts are powering our execution, and — combined with our unparalleled global footprint and strong risk management — supported outstanding results in both Ag Services & Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions. And we’re driving innovation, which helped support record top-line and bottom-line results in Nutrition; in fact, we are now raising our expectations of full-year profit growth for Nutrition to 20 percent.
Q2 net earnings of $712 million; adjusted net earnings of $754 million
Segment operating profit up more than 40%
ROIC of 9.7%, significantly higher than the prior-year period’s 8.1%
27% year-over-year Q2 operating profit growth in Nutrition, raising segment’s OP growth expectations for full year to 20%
“We’re excited about our growth trajectory as we continue to expand our participation in large and fast-growing categories, from alternative proteins to renewable green diesel to plant-based biosolutions, with all of our strategic efforts underpinned by our unique opportunity to use ADM’s integrated value chain to advance decarbonization of the food and agriculture industries. Given our great start to the year and our expectation of continued momentum in the second half, we are confident in delivering very strong full-year earnings, and we remain well-positioned for robust, sustained growth in the years to come.”
Quarterly Results of Operations
Ag Services & Oilseeds delivered operating profits almost 40 percent higher than the previous year’s quarter.
Ag Services results were higher year over year. The North American origination business effectively managed its positions in a dynamic pricing environment, and also delivered significantly higher export volumes, driven by corn sales to China. South American origination was impacted by slower farmer selling and high commodity prices, which impacted contract fulfillment. Global trade performance was lower than the strong second quarter of 2020, with results driven partially by timing impacts that should reverse.
Crushing had substantially higher year-over-year results. The business executed well in an environment of strong vegetable oil demand to deliver higher execution margins in North American soy and EU softseeds. Results were partially offset by weaker soybean crush margins in South America. In addition, there were approximately $70 million in net incremental negative timing effects, which should reverse in the coming quarters.
Refined Products and Other results were significantly higher than the prior-year period, driven by continued recovery in foodservice as well as positive timing effects in North America, partially offset by impacts of the reduction in Brazilian biodiesel mandates.
Equity earnings from Wilmar were higher year over year.
Carbohydrate Solutions results were almost double those of the prior-year period.
Starches and Sweeteners, including ethanol production from our wet mills, delivered substantially higher year-over-year results, driven by about $90 million in positioning gains across the ethanol complex in a highly dynamic environment, as well as more normalized results from corn oil. Sweetener volumes were higher, reflecting the beginnings of a recovery in demand from the foodservice channel. Ethanol margins improved versus the prior-year period, driven by a resurgence in driving miles in the U.S.
Vantage Corn Processors results were much higher than the second quarter of 2020, supported by the resumption of production at our two dry mills, improved fuel ethanol margins and favorable performance in USP-grade industrial alcohol from our Peoria complex.
Nutrition delivered a record Q2, with 15 percent revenue growth and 27 percent higher year-over-year profits.
Human Nutrition revenues were 13 percent higher than the second quarter of last year on a constant currency basis, and operating profits were up 24 percent. In North America and EMEA, the flavors business delivered strong volumes and improved product mix, particularly in the beverage segment. Specialty Ingredients delivered strong sales growth in specialty proteins, though results were lower due to certain one-time costs, mainly in texturants. In Health & Wellness, stronger sales and margins in probiotics were offset by higher costs in fibers due to planned facility downtime.
Animal Nutrition revenue was 17 percent higher year over year on a constant currency basis and profits were up 44 percent as improved demand and margins in amino acids, strength in feed additives and ingredients, and better performance in EMEA more than offset COVID-19 and labor-related impacts in other regions.
New Holland adds T7 Heavy Duty with PLM™ Intelligence to series of agricultural tractors
New Holland North America introduces its T7 Heavy Duty Tractor with PLM™ Intelligence to the line of agricultural tractors. The refreshed operator environment and introduction to PLM™ Intelligence technology sets the new benchmark in this category of tractors – creating a range of customization features that enable operators to personalize their tractor to their individual preferences.
The new T7 HD maintains the powerful performance, exceptional agility and outstanding versatility that are the hallmark of this tractor and delivers a superior working experience with the brand-new Horizon Ultra cab and next-generation PLM Intelligence features. It is ideal for contractors who need to multi-task in a variety of field and transport applications, and look for a boost to their comfort, efficiency and productivity.
“The T7 Heavy Duty with PLM™ Intelligence series was developed with the customers needs at the forefront,” says Ken Paul, High Horsepower Marketing Manager for New Holland Agriculture North America. “We listened and addressed first-hand feedback from operator in what key items they are looking for in their equipment. Integrating the new generation of PLM™ Intelligence to the T7 HD only elevates the tractor. Farmers now can easily do more in their operation and be remotely connected to dealers and support services increasing overall efficiency and profitability.”
“The T7 HD might seem the same from outside, with the same compact, stylish appearance,” explains Oscar Baroncelli, New Holland Agriculture Tractors Product Management Leader Global, “but it’s totally new inside: just 2% of parts are carry-overs from the previous model! It is more connected than ever and sets a new record as the quietest in the industry with just 66 dBA. We believe it is going to transform our customers’ experience when they work in the field.”
The T7 HD maintains the T7 range “family feeling” while offering a spacious work environment where the driver feels far less enclosed by the cab structure. The cab has been lengthened to provide additional room for the passenger and more floor space. Customers will appreciate the ample storage available: a 30-liter storage space behind the seat that will comfortably hold the driver’s carry-on items; a 12-liter capacity cooled compartment; covered storage behind the passenger seat with a USB charging point and a mains voltage socket; open storage trays on the right side of the cab, and a netted storage bin within the roof bezel. The redesign has further improved visibility to the front and down to the rear hitch and implement, while cameras keep a safe watch on the area around the tractor. A new work light package with up to 24 LED lights ensures visibility around the tractor and implement is maintained into the night.
The spacious cab provides a supremely comfortable work environment with clean, uncluttered surfaces and intuitive operation with ergonomically located controls on the new SideWinder Ultra armrest and user-friendly IntelliView 12-inch display. The controls can be configured to match the operator’s preferences, and customization is as simple and extensive as desired. The CentreView display placed in the centre of the steering wheel – an industry first – provides a clear line of sight. The new class-leading automatic climate control system with zone selection, which has 35% more capacity than the previous model, easily maintains a comfortable temperature in all seasons. The top-of-the-range Auto Comfort seat features lateral suspension and a climate control system that extracts moisture on hot days or warms on cold mornings. The Horizon Ultra cab’s advanced connectivity enables customers to bring their digital life on board effortlessly, as their mobile device automatically connects to the screen and can be operated with a button on the armrest.
PLM Intelligence: towards agriculture 4.0
The T7 HD introduces the next-generation PLM Intelligence, which represents a step forward in New Holland’s Precision Land Management strategy. It marks the shift from traditional farming practices to agriculture 4.0., where Precision and Interconnected Farming assists farmers to plan all operations in advance, manage in real time the behavior and performance of each machine, and achieve maximum precision and efficiency.
“These new developments are the result of New Holland’s strategy to be more and more connected to our customers,” says Carlo Lambro, New Holland Brand President. “Servitization and digitalization are the gates to the future. They have made possible to integrate the physical presence at the wheel with an array of digital services that mean we can always be at our customer’s side, helping them to get the job done.”
The next-generation PLM Intelligence is a new electronic architecture that will be adopted in all New Holland next-generation equipment, so that customers will find the same logic when switching machines and easily access data to get the job done more efficiently. This is part of New Holland’s strategy to integrate digital technologies to deliver a smart and connected agriculture, with easy-to-use solutions that make farming more sustainable and productive. They include the traditional precision farming applications aimed at making the operator’s life easier while optimizing yield and input costs; solutions based on connectivity and monitoring focused on improving the machine’s productivity; and cloud-based solutions based on data analysis and planning to facilitate farm management decisions.
Through the MyNewHolland App, customers can register their machine and retrieve its technical information, and access the MyPLMConnect portal, where they can manage their fleet and farm data in a single environment. The MyPLMConnect system enables them to receive dynamic information in real time from individual machines at work in the field and analyze the data to make informed decisions.
New Holland is also introducing the new PLM Cygnus receiver, which is core to the enhanced autoguidance architecture on its tractors featuring PLM Intelligence. It provides reliable position, compensating for terrain variations, and helps acquire guidance lines very quickly, delivering accurate and reliable guidance. The receiver also supports New Holland’s satellite-based correction sources, in addition to the highly accurate RTK correction distributed through the brand’s PLM RTK+ network.
New Holland’s advanced connectivity also helps customers minimize downtime. The machine is connected to the farmer and the dealer, who can monitor the location and status of the registered connected units. They are able to conduct remote diagnostics via the New Holland Remote Assistance tool as well as supporting the operator in the cab with the IntelliView Connect feature which enables them to share screen sessions. The machine is also connected to New Holland’s Control Room, which alerts the dealer about error codes, suggests solutions, and can even prevent possible failures.
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