Tuesday August 10 Ag News

 Emergency Haying, Grazing of Conservation Reserve Program Acres Available to Help Livestock Producers Weather Drought

Agricultural producers impacted by drought can now request haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in certain Nebraska counties, while still receiving their full rental payment for the land.  

“Drought is heavily impacting livestock producers in parts of Nebraska and across the country, and emergency haying or grazing of lands enrolled in CRP is one more drought mitigation tool to help producers,” said Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “While CRP makes annual rental payments for land in conservation, under certain circumstances, FSA can allow the haying and grazing of these lands to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters without a reduction in payments. As part of our climate-smart agriculture efforts, we are working with all stakeholder groups to ensure that supplemental benefits of CRP acres, like emergency haying and grazing, can be accessed in a manner that is more universally beneficial.”

Outside of the primary nesting season, emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres may be authorized to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by a severe drought or similar natural disaster. The primary nesting season for Nebraska ended July 15. Counties are approved for emergency haying and grazing due to drought conditions on a county-by-county basis using the D-2 drought classification on the U.S. Drought Monitor as the main program trigger. Producers interested in emergency haying or grazing of CRP should contact their county FSA office to find out whether their county is eligible.

Producers can use the CRP acreage under the emergency grazing provisions for their livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage.

Producers interested in emergency haying or grazing of CRP acres must notify their FSA county office before starting any activities. This includes producers accessing CRP acres held by someone else. To maintain contract compliance, producers must have their conservation plan modified by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Emergency CRP Haying and Grazing Option
CRP emergency haying and grazing is available in eligible counties as long as the stand is in condition to support such activity subject to a modified conservation plan. Hay may be cut once in eligible counties each program year (October 1-September 30). Haying must be concluded prior to August 31 according to an approved conservation plan to allow time for regrowth prior to winter conditions and must be removed within 15 calendar days of being baled.

CRP emergency grazing is available in eligible counties as long as it does not exceed 90 days each program year (October 1-September 30) and must be stopped when the minimum grazing height is reached, as established within the modified CRP conservation plan or when the county is no longer eligible for emergency haying and grazing.

Non-Emergency CRP Haying and Grazing Option
For producers not in an eligible county, there are options available under non-emergency haying/grazing provisions outside of the primary nesting season, including:
·         Haying of all CRP practices, except for CP12 Wildlife Food Plots and several tree practices, not more than once every three years for a 25% payment reduction.
·         Grazing of CRP acres not more than every other year for a 25% payment reduction.

Livestock Forage Disaster Program Provisions
If the  Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) triggers in a county for 2021 grazing losses due to drought, the provisions for CRP emergency haying and grazing change. There may be restrictions on grazing carrying capacity and on which CRP practices can be hayed. Nebraska currently has five counties, Boyd, Cedar, Dixon, Holt and Knox, where LFP has triggered and where certain CRP emergency grazing restrictions may apply.

Additional Drought Assistance
Other programs are available for livestock producers. Producers who experience livestock deaths and feed losses due to natural disasters may be eligible for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). This program also provides eligible producers with compensation for expenses associated with transporting water to livestock physically located in a county that is designated as level “D3 Drought - Extreme” according to the Drought Monitor.

More information on disaster assistance programs is available on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance At a Glance brochure, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool, which can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.



Nebraska Soybean Board and Revolution Roof kick off “Soy to Shingle Giveaway”

Revolution Roof, an authorized Roof Maxx contractor based in Lincoln, is partnering with the Nebraska Soybean Board to provide one lucky property owner with an application of Roof Maxx, a revolutionary green roofing breakthrough that can save thousands of dollars by extending roof life. The “Soy to Shingle Giveaway” offers the chance to be the winner of a free application of the asphalt shingle rejuvenator. Revolution Roof and the Nebraska Soybean Board will provide a residential or commercial Roof Maxx treatment up to 5,000 sq. ft., a $4,500 value. Individuals can visit revolutionroof.com to enter.

Roof Maxx preserves asphalt roof shingles. Shingles have essential oils that allow for daily expansion and contraction and as they age this oil begins to dry out causing the asphalt to become brittle and slowly break apart. The product uses soy-fusion technology to preserve your roof, save homeowners money and is better for the environment.

“We are excited to promote the power of soybean oil in industrial applications across the state in this campaign,” said Catherine Jones, market development coordinator for the Nebraska Soybean Board. “Educating and building demand for sustainable services and treatments like Roof Maxx is good for the environment and you.”

The soybean checkoff partners with manufacturers to research and promote new soy-based products. Soybeans offer an abundant and renewable supply of ingredients that can be used in thousands of everyday products like shoes, tires, cleaning supplies, motor oil and roof rejuvenators. These products support Nebraska’s economy, Nebraska farmers and offer an environmentally friendly option for consumers and various industries.

Get more life for less money with Roof Maxx, a powerful fusion of science and soybeans.

Visit revolutionroof.com to enter the “Soy to Shingle Giveaway”



ADDING GRASS TO THINNING ALFALFA
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension
 
Do you have a thinning and low producing alfalfa stand; but are not quite ready to do a complete reseeding?  These stands can be rejuvenated by interseeding grasses to increase hay production in subsequent years or to convert them to pasture.
 
Most alfalfa fields start to lose stand and production potential after cutting hay for several years.  Orchardgrass is the grass most commonly interseeded into alfalfa, but other grasses like endophyte-free tall fescue, smooth or meadow brome, festulolium, and wheatgrasses also can be used.  In fact, if the field will be used as pasture, a mixture of several grasses may be best since it adds diversity to your animals' diet.
 
Interseeding after a mid- to late August hay harvest can be excellent timing if you have moisture to start the new seedlings.  Alfalfa regrows more slowly this time of year so it won’t compete as aggressively with your new grasses.  Still, if your alfalfa is relatively thick, you probably will need to take another cutting in about four weeks, or as soon as the alfalfa starts to form a full canopy.  This allows sunlight to continue to reach new grass seedlings below the alfalfa.
 
The seeding rate of the grasses will vary depending on the species that is used and how thick the existing alfalfa is.  With orchardgrass for example, as little as 3 lb./acre might be adequate in a relatively thick alfalfa stand or up to 6 lb./acre in a very thin alfalfa stand.
 
Next spring you will need to judge how well established your new grasses have become.  If they seem a little weak, cut hay early to again open the canopy for better light penetration.  After that, you should be able to hay as you choose, but keep in mind that grass regrowth in the heat of the summer will be less than that of the alfalfa.



AFTER A DECADE VACANT, RELLER PRAIRIE MAKES A COMEBACK

About 20 minutes southeast of Lincoln, off the well-worn gravel roads, is a grass and dirt path leading into the Reller Prairie Research Station.

After standing relatively vacant for a decade — save for its wildlife occupants, some curious humans and a handful of academic researchers — faculty and staff from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's schools of Global Integrative Studies and Biological Sciences are breathing new life into the property.

The rehabilitation began two years ago when Sophia Perdikaris, director of the School of Global Integrative Studies, learned about the Reller Prairie through Jon Garbisch, associate director of the Cedar Point Biological Station near Ogallala. She’d been looking for resources and locations to boost experiential learning in classes and field schools, so she and William Belcher, associate professor of anthropology, drove out to take a look.

The property was in need of some updates. The building, which was originally built as a storage shed, would require some renovations to be used for classes again, and the trees and brush had become overgrown. Despite the work involved, Perdikaris immediately saw its potential as an indoor/outdoor classroom where students could do anthropological digs and testing, and biological sciences students could see plant and wildlife ecosystems up close.

“It had kind of been forgotten,” Perdikaris, Happold Professor of anthropology, said. “I’m an environmental archaeologist. I have a soft spot for things that are old, and as time goes by, they get scarred by the passage of that time and are forgotten. They provide incredible opportunities for knowledge and discovery and I get great pleasure in sharing that with colleagues, students and the community.”

As an institutional research area, the property has a long history. Perdikaris and LuAnn Wandsnider, associate director of the School of Global Integrative Studies, traced it back to the 19th century. A large piece of land that includes what is now Reller Prairie was first granted to Brown University in 1866 through the Morrill Act. There are few records of Brown’s use of the area, but it was eventually purchased by the Reller family. The family gifted an 80-acre parcel to the University of Nebraska Foundation for use by the University of Nebraska State Museum in 1970. Eventually, it became a research and education station for the School of Biological Sciences. Paul Hanson, professor of geology, located aerial photos from the 1940s to today, showing how the property has changed.

Its mission for the university has changed, too, over the years. Garbisch noted that as the museum’s mission changed, Reller was merged into the School of Biological Sciences and was used heavily for research and classes from 1985 to 2000.

“I found a lot of vegetation plots from studies that were done at Reller in the 1970s and ’80s,” Perdikaris said.

But then it went mostly unused for a decade. The first time Perdikaris entered the classroom building, there were still notes on the blackboard from 2011, the last time a class had been held there. On another blackboard, someone had left notes and a map showing the last controlled burn of the parcel in 1985.

Perdikaris was determined to make Reller Prairie Research Station functional again as a teaching space. She asked colleagues in Global Integrative Studies, Biological Sciences and the School of Natural Resources for their expertise and help in cleaning up the property, along with evaluating the preservation and conservation strategies for the proper restoration and recovery of the prairie, forest and building facilities. Groups of volunteers spent at least one Saturday per month helping gut the building, trim trees and brush, mow paths and remove invasive cedar. Perdikaris also donated her own funds to purchase new signage and picnic tables for outside and new furniture and hardware for the indoor classroom.

“I took some money from my start-up (funds), some happy volunteers and we got to work,” she said. “The grasses were taller than I am, and we had to redo the structure. I’m so thankful to our volunteers because it wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Garbisch helped advise the group on which invasive species needed to be removed and worked alongside the volunteers during the cleanup. Perdikaris also had regular help from Wandsnider; Belcher; Kat Krutak-Bickert, unit coordinator for the School of Global Integrative Studies; and Michael Herman, director of the School of Biological Sciences.

The work of the group, which often included additional colleagues and students, paid off when Belcher taught Forensic Anthropology at Reller, where students excavated simulated burials, and Wandsnider brought the Lithics course to flint knap and make stone tools in fall 2020.

In June, Phil Geib, assistant professor of practice, led the first School of Global Integrative Studies archaeology field school on the property.

And just as Perdikaris had hoped, the larger community is benefiting from Reller, too. Belcher taught a field training course on forensic recovery for the Omaha Police Department.

There’s still work to be done, Perdikaris said, but she is happy with how much the group has accomplished and is excited to continue improvements, including more signage, more brush and cedar removal, and installation of insulation in the classroom to allow year-round use. She is actively seeking additional funding, including grants and other financial and materials donations.

“We want to have Reller as an outdoor training and community learning node,” Perdikaris said. “We have been talking with the Science Focus Program of the Lincoln Public Schools, and we're hoping to have community groups such as Scouts and Montessori schools use it, along with our classes. It’s a great collaborative environment where everyone can bring the richness of their discipline and students from different disciplines can interact with one another and collaborate in the field.”



Fischer Votes in Favor of Core Infrastructure Bill with Key Provisions for Nebraska
        
Today, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation to invest in America’s core infrastructure by a vote of 69 to 30. U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee and the top Republican on the Surface Transportation Subcommittee, voted in favor of the bill. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“This bipartisan bill makes long-awaited investments to rebuild and develop our nation’s core infrastructure. While not perfect, it includes resources for Nebraska in the key areas I wanted to see such as roads, bridges, water infrastructure, airports, and broadband.

“I am also pleased that the bill includes provisions I pushed for such as increased flexibility for livestock haulers and assistance for communities in rural America to meet transportation needs.

“Additionally, the final bill included my bipartisan amendment that would create an online mapping tool for viewing the progress of federal broadband deployment projects all in one place. This will avoid duplication, maximize federal funding dollars, and help connect as many households as possible,” said Senator Fischer.

More information on the bill, known as the INVEST in America Act:

Roads and Highways:
-          $110 billion in new spending for investments in the national highway system
o   This includes $2.5 billion for Nebraska to maintain and repair its roads and highways
-          $2 billion for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program

Water and Ports:
-          $17.4 billion for ports and waterways, including funding increases for Army Corps infrastructure programs
-          $55 billion for water infrastructure
o   Includes $216 million to Nebraska for water revolving funds through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
o   This bill provides opportunities for funding for many water infrastructure projects in Nebraska

Airports:
-          $15 billion for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides grants to improve aircraft operations such as runways and taxiways
o   In May, Nebraska received over $12 million from the AIP
-          Also funds $1 billion annually for a new Airport Terminal Improvement Program

Bridges:
-          $40 billion in funding for bridge construction, maintenance, and repairs
o   Of that, roughly $27.5 billion will be apportioned by formula to ensure every state’s bridges are provided for
-          Nebraska currently has 15,348 bridges, including 1,302 classified as “structurally deficient”

Broadband:
-          $65 billion to address broadband availability and accessibility—expanding networks to unserved and underserved areas and helping connect Americans to the internet
-          $42.5 billion in grants to states provided by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
o   Grants would be allocated to states, which would develop statewide deployment plans for which Nebraska is well situated

Multimodal and Freight Transportation:
-          Authorizes $15 billion for a National Infrastructure Project Assistance grant program for nationally and regionally critical projects
-          Authorizes $15 billion for a Local and Regional Project Assistance Program, formerly known as BUILD grants

Reducing Red Tape:
-          Streamlines the government approval process for large infrastructure projects
-          Ensures that a single federal agency will be the point of contact for a project sponsor for environmental permits
-          Sets a goal for completing environmental reviews within two years

Additional Fischer Provisions:
-          Fischer Amendment 2164—Passed unanimously during the Senate’s consideration of the infrastructure package, the amendment increases transparency for all federal funding that supports broadband infrastructure deployment through the creation of a publicly accessible, online mapping tool
o   This will maximize responsible use of federal dollars among different agencies and avoid duplication, ensuring funding reaches as many households as possible that are in need of internet connectivity

-          HAULS Act—Includes a critical part of S. 972, the HAULS Act, to allow for an additional 150 air miles on the destination of a livestock hauler’s haul to ensure they can transport their critical goods safely and efficiently
o   Senator Fischer has long been a leader in pushing for livestock hauler flexibility and championed inclusion of this provision

-          ROUTES Act—Authorizes the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Office at USDOT, which Senator Fischer authored in her S. 1985 legislation.

-          Blocked crossings portal—Authorizes the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) blocked railroad crossing portal, allowing the public to provide information to the FRA on blocked crossings; Senator Fischer introduced S. 700, the legislation this provision was pulled from

-          SCOPE Act—Requires NHTSA to finalize a rule requiring vehicles with keyless ignitions to automatically shut off after a certain period of time
o   Senator Fischer worked on this legislation with Sharon Shore, an Omaha woman whose parents died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a keyless car



Sasse Statement in Opposition to Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, a member of the Senate Finance and Budget Committees, issued the following statement opposing the $1 trillion infrastructure bill.

“This $1 trillion infrastructure bill continues to spend money our country doesn’t have — and contrary to lots of Enron-style accounting claims, no, it won’t pay for itself. As a backdrop, U.S. consumer prices are the highest in 13 years — and this out-of-control inflation isn’t slowing down. Washington just spent $2 trillion in March; Majority Leader Schumer and Speaker Pelosi are spending another trillion here; and they’re teeing up Bernie Sanders’ $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill tonight. This is more money than Washington has ever spent before. Net net: yes, infrastructure is important, but doing it the right way is more important.”



Senate Infrastructure Bill’s Tunnel Vision on Electric Vehicles Misses Carbon Reduction Opportunity with Biofuels

Today the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that provides funding for road and bridge repairs and broadband access. The bill also included $7.5 billion in funding for an electric vehicle (EV) charger network while ignoring infrastructure needs to increase consumer access to higher blends of biofuels.

In response, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

“The singular focus on EVs instead of carbon reduction is hurting the environment, the Midwest economy and farmers specifically. Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel made here in Iowa are reducing carbon emissions by roughly 50 percent or more today. And unlike EVs, biofuels are on the path to being carbon negative in less than a decade. Coastal elites should embrace multiple solutions to our environmental challenges instead of DC-based ‘one size fits all’ approach. This was a huge missed opportunity to expand consumer access to a low-cost, low-carbon fuel for the vehicles actually on the roads today.

“While disappointed with the outcome, we want to thank biofuel champions like Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst for bringing forward amendments to address the concerns of farmers and biofuels producers. While these amendments were not allowed a vote in the Senate, we’ll continue to work with Iowa’s delegation to push for pro-biofuel changes when the bill goes to the House.”



Senate Infrastructure Package is a Step in the Right Direction

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) issued the following statement in response to the Senate passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

“We are pleased to see the Senate has passed an infrastructure package that will benefit American cattle producers. Investments in infrastructure are critical to ensure that those in rural America, including farmers and ranchers, have the necessary resources to operate the businesses that serve as the backbone of rural economies,” said Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera. “We see this legislation as a step in the right direction and will continue working with Members of Congress to ensure that the needs of cattle and beef producers are included in a final infrastructure bill.”  



 ASA Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Package

Soybean farmers are pleased the United States Senate, after months of across-the-aisle negotiations, voted to pass the bipartisan infrastructure package (H.R. 3684) by a vote of 69-30.

Kevin Scott, American Soybean Association (ASA) president and soybean farmer from Valley Springs, South Dakota, said, “ASA and its farmer leaders are very supportive of this bipartisan legislation, which makes historic investments across all aspects of our nation’s infrastructure, including roads and bridges, waterways and railroads. Throughout this Congress, ASA has engaged with lawmakers to express how important these investments in critical infrastructure are to farmers. We also appreciate our leaders in Washington addressing the truck driver shortage, expanding broadband connectivity across farm country, and incorporating a pilot project that highlights the benefits of biobased construction materials containing soy.”

The final infrastructure package did not make any changes to stepped up basis on capital gains taxes or 1031 exchange provisions, which would negatively affect farm families. ASA looks forward to this package moving through the House and will continue to oppose harmful funding mechanisms that would have an adverse impact on soy growers and their families.



NCGA: Passage of Senate Infrastructure Bill a Positive Development that Would Benefit Farmers

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds the U.S. Senate for today’s passage of the bipartisan infrastructure package, which includes investments in important areas to corn growers.    

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime investment in America’s infrastructure, and we are extremely pleased that it includes funding for priorities that are important to farmers and rural America,” said President of the National Corn Growers Association John Linder. “The legislation will benefit agriculture for years to come, and it is encouraging for corn farmers to see Senators working together on a bipartisan basis.”

Among the items included in the bill:
    $17.3 billion for the nation’s ports and inland waterways. With 60% of corn exports utilizing these waterways, NCGA and coalition partners have a track record of advocating for these key resources.
    $65 billion for broadband internet access, including $2 billion specifically for rural broadband, which will provide more farmers and residents of rural areas with high-speed internet access. An estimated 29% of farmers don’t have access to internet service, an important tool for marketing crops and planning for planting season.

“Whether it’s shipping corn and corn products on America’s highways and waterways or using technology to order supplies or sell crops, farmers rely on a safe, stable and reliable national infrastructure,” Linder said. “Corn growers need these investments in infrastructure to continue to be successful and competitive globally.”

While NCGA supports many aspects of the bill, NCGA was disappointed the Senate did not take up important amendments to fund infrastructure to support the use of higher ethanol blends and to provide a narrow fix to ensure continued full market access for ethanol blends at 15% of the volume of gasoline year-round (E15), Linder said.

“Greater market deployment of higher ethanol blends would immediately lower greenhouse gas emissions and help clean the air, and higher blends save consumers money at the pump,” he said. “We will continue to work with members of Congress and the Biden Administration on pathways to include infrastructure and other support for higher blends of biofuels as an effective clean energy solution.”

Linder said he thanks Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) for submitting a biofuels infrastructure amendment and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Deb Fischer (R-N.E.) and 11 bipartisan co-sponsors for filing an amendment to ensure continued year-round access to E15.

The legislation, which does not include tax increases for individuals or corporations as previously proposed, now goes to the House of Representatives.



INVEST in America Act Passes the Senate

In a 69-30 vote, the U.S. Senate today passed the INVEST in America Act, which would allocate $1.2 trillion towards updating national infrastructure. The package would benefit family farmers and rural communities by improving roads and bridges, expanding broadband access, protecting watersheds, and building resilience to climate change.

Because rural areas are home to a disproportionate share of our country’s outdated infrastructure, National Farmers Union (NFU) has been pushing legislators to invest in modernization for many years. In response to the bill’s passage, the organization’s president, Rob Larew, issued the following statement:

“Family farmers depend on our roads and bridges to deliver their goods to market, our watersheds to grow their crops, and high-speed broadband to reach customers and access information about markets and the weather. But much of our infrastructure is crumbling – particularly in rural communities. Our dilapidated roads, weak internet connections, inadequate cybersecurity, poor drinking water, and outdated inland waterway system’s ports and dams are undermining residents’ physical safety and financial wellbeing, risks that will only grow with climate-related pressures.

"National Farmers Union is relieved that our legislators are finally paying attention to this crisis. The INVEST in America Act will help modernize our antiquated infrastructure, bolstering rural economies and preparing them for the challenges ahead. More specifically, we are pleased with the inclusion of provisions that would address the affordability of broadband, expand disaster relief and emergency assistance for extreme weather events, improve the resilience of watersheds, and update hours-of-service exemptions for agricultural and livestock haulers.

"We can’t waste any more time–the House must take up this legislation as soon as possible to build stronger, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure.”



Infrastructure Package to Help Rural Communities Compete

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Senate passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“AFBF appreciates the Senate for working together in a bipartisan manner to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The pressing infrastructure issues facing our nation are too important to ignore, particularly in rural communities where modernization is desperately needed.

“Farmers and ranchers depend on millions of miles of roadways and waterways to get their products to America’s dinner tables, and they rely on ports to ship food, fiber and fuel to countries around the world. Improvements in transportation infrastructure, as well as repair and upgrades to the aging western water infrastructure, will ensure farmers can continue to keep this nation fed.

“Extending digital access to rural America is just as important as paved roads and solid bridges. Increased funding to bring broadband to hundreds of thousands of farms that currently have no access to the internet will help farmers meet the demands of a growing world while using emerging technologies to build on climate-smart practices.

“We thank the Senate for working toward solutions while preserving important tax provisions that make it possible for farmers to pass the family business to the next generation.

"We urge leaders in the House to follow the Senate’s lead by leaving tax rates and stepped-up basis unchanged. Through bipartisan efforts we can continue to find commonsense solutions. We are closely watching the progress of this important legislation and will continue to work to protect the future of farming while creating opportunities for rural America.”



NGFA commends Senate for passing bipartisan infrastructure deal  

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended Senate lawmakers for passing with a 69-30 vote the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), which provides much-needed investments to modernize the U.S. transportation system.

“NGFA members rely on a robust and competitive transportation system, including U.S. highways, bridges, inland waterways, ports and railways, to efficiently and competitively serve domestic and global markets,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products resulting in substantial contributions and opportunities for U.S. economic growth and trade.”

The bipartisan legislation would increase infrastructure spending by $550 billion over five years, including an additional $110 billion in U.S. roads and bridges, $65 billion for broadband, and $17.3 billion for ports and waterways. The latter includes $2.5 billion specifically for inland waterways construction projects.

“This bipartisan agreement also includes a number of necessary and overdue provisions designed to boost the resiliency of the agricultural supply chain, including investments in cybersecurity and an apprenticeship pilot program to address the nationwide truck driver shortage,” Seyfert said.

NGFA sent an Aug. 9 letter in support of the infrastructure deal to Senate leaders. The Association urges swift enactment of the comprehensive infrastructure bill in the House.



Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement following Senate passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill will now go to the House for consideration.

“Last month, President Biden stood with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress at the White House to announce the framework of an infrastructure deal that will benefit all Americans. Today that legislation takes an important step towards becoming law and creating good-paying jobs and growing our economy for decades to come.

“Rural America stands to benefit from this historic long-term investment in our infrastructure and economic competitiveness. From tackling some of the greatest challenges we face today, to making long-term investments in the rural areas that are the heart of our nation, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will ensure we build back better, stronger, and more resilient and equitable than ever before.

“For rural communities that lack adequate access to high-speed internet, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act delivers broadband to rural homes, communities and businesses across the country – increasing access to jobs, education, health care, banking, and markets for farmers and rural small businesses. It also upgrades our power infrastructure, improves drinking water, and connects rural communities through upgraded roads and bridges.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act invests in building resilience to climate change, while creating good-paying jobs to safeguard our communities at risk. The bill helps farmers grappling with intensifying drought and makes the West’s water infrastructure more resilient. Importantly, the bill will increase the scale of wildfire mitigation, funds reforestation projects, and improves post-fire restoration activities so we can better support communities recovering from fire, better manage our forests, and do more to protect our natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities. With investments in environmental remediation, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also advances economic opportunity for hard-hit rural communities affected by legacy pollution such as brownfields and abandoned mines.

“When we work together as Americans, we can lay the foundation for decades of prosperity, especially in rural communities. When rural America reaches its full potential, all of America is better positioned to compete in a global economy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is evidence that this is achievable and I look forward to working alongside President Biden and Congress to see to it that all of the benefits of this bill touch every corner of our Country.”



Thousands Gather in Tennessee for Annual Cattle Industry Convention

The largest annual beef industry event begins today in Nashville, where more than 6,000 cattle producers, industry partners and stakeholders will gather for the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. The event, which continues through Aug. 12, provides a platform for education, policy development and networking.

“I am pleased that cattlemen and women can come together in person once again,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jerry Bohn. “Producers from across the country and their families look forward to convention every year, but I think it means even more following the pandemic’s disruptions.”

Carrie Behlke, winner of the 2021 NCBA National Anthem Contest, will open the convention in patriotic style by singing the “Star-Spangled Banner”. The convention then kicks off in Music City fashion with country music singer and songwriter, Kix Brooks. Brooks, who was recently recognized as the National On-Air Personality of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, will talk about his experiences in country music as well as his passion for creating award-winning wines.

Over the next few days convention participants will gain insights on market trends during the CattleFax Outlook Seminar, hear a “State of the Industry” update from NCBA, learn about the cattle industry’s role in sustainability, and wander through the NCBA Trade Show – the industry’s largest, with more than 350 exhibitors on more than seven acres.

Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also be held. In addition, the National Environmental Stewardship Award winner will be honored at a special reception on Tuesday, Aug. 10, and winners of the Beef Quality Assurance awards will be recognized on Thursday, Aug. 12.

The final day of convention includes two general sessions, one of which offers a panel discussion on sustainability. Sustainability continues to be a hot topic, with environmental stewardship often making the headlines, but economic viability and social responsibility play roles as well. Session speakers will discuss how the cattle industry offers solutions to the climate change conversation.

The Closing General Session on Thursday, Aug. 12, will feature speaker Jason Brown, a former professional football player who turned in his cleats for a tractor. Brown left the NFL to serve others through farming and he will talk about his life-changing journey from the football field to the vegetable field.

Additional educational opportunities include the Learning Lounge, which offers classroom sessions on the trade show floor providing busy attendees valuable educational tips. The Stockmanship and Stewardship demonstration arena provides unique educational experiences featuring live animal handling and horsemanship demonstrations. And, back by popular demand is the Chutes and Scales Showdown where producers can watch cattle run through chutes, side-by-side, then get hands-on experience with the equipment. Campfire Chats also provide attendees the opportunity to engage with fellow producers and industry leaders in interactive roundtable discussions.

Entertainment also abounds throughout the event, including a NashBash BBQ on Wednesday, Aug. 11 and Cowboy’s Night at the Opry on Thursday, Aug. 12. The exclusive event at the Grand Ole Opry will feature country music’s brightest stars and greatest legends including Mark Wills, Crystal Gayle, Ashley McBryde, Ricky Skaggs and Lauren Alaina.

“This is a great time to come together and not only conduct the business of the industry, but also to reconnect and network with one another,” Bohn concluded.

On-site registration is open for those who still would like to attend, and single day and trade show only tickets are available. For more information, visit https://convention.ncba.org.  



Cattle Producer Education Experience Draws Big Crowd

Hundreds of cattlemen and women attended the 28th annual Cattlemen’s College in Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 9-10, which was held before the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, is one of the cattle industry’s premier educational events and brings stimulating sessions that can help generate better returns for operations.

The first day included four workshops featuring hot topics selected by producers themselves, such as parasite and dewormer resistance, factors affecting breeding success in heifers, making effective decisions, and vaccination strategies in beef cows. Speakers also addressed risk management and informed producers how they can capitalize on opportunity, manage marketing decisions and start the discussion on Livestock Risk Protection.

In addition, the live animal demonstration focused on genomic tools for heifer selection, breeding and marketing decisions. Dr. Tom Short and Dr. Kent Andersen provided this thought-provoking demonstration about genomic technology and offered insights to help better inform selection decisions with genetic selection tools that enhance production efficiency throughout the beef supply chain. The day wrapped up with a Taste of Tennessee reception, with beef provided by Certified Angus Beef.

Day two started with keynote speaker, Dr. Jayson Lusk from Purdue University who discussed industry impacts from COVID-19 and keeping beef at the center of the plate. Lusk also provided the latest research regarding the potential impacts of emerging alternative proteins and current challenges facing the cattle industry.

The second day also featured 18 sessions and six educational tracks for producers to choose from including making better decisions for better outcomes, cattle breeding & selection, maintaining a healthy herd, practical nutrition, sustainability and hot topics such as preparing for activist threats. The event concluded with a networking lunch where producers had the opportunity to engage with speakers and each other.

“Every year we work with producers to identify the best topics then invite industry leaders to provide valuable information,” said Josh White, executive director of producer education & sustainability with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “The wealth of information offered not only helps current producers, but future generations as well.”    

On demand videos from Cattlemen’s College will be available online for registered attendees, and for a fee to non-attendees, following the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show at https://convention.ncba.org/events-meetings/cattlemens-college.  



Dairy Industry Commends Introduction of Ocean Shipping Reform Act

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) offered their support for bipartisan legislation introduced today by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.

The dairy industry, as well as other exporters, has faced substantially increased costs to ship their goods overseas, challenges obtaining containers and other equipment to deliver their goods to ports and beyond, and often incur booking cancellations or delays for vessel space. Owing in part to the Covid-19 change in American online orders, imports have affected vessel operations and container availability, diminishing export options for American dairy products. Ocean carriers have exacerbated this situation with high detention and demurrage charges, the increased shipment of empty containers back to Asia, and other unfair practices.

The Garamendi-Johnson legislation is the result of a concerted effort by NMPF and USDEC, along with other agriculture producers and exporters, to highlight the challenges U.S. exporters face with port congestion and the unfair practices and charges implemented by ocean carriers. NMPF and USDEC are urging Congress and the executive branch to take swift action to address these critical problems.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act would provide new authority to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to address unjust and unreasonable practices by ocean carriers. It would institute new penalties against ocean carriers and marine terminal operators for violations of the Shipping Act, require expanded public disclosure from the FMC and carriers, and establish a series of new regulations against unfair carrier practices.

The bill also offers new oversight of carriers’ charges and fees and will permit the FMC to dedicate collected penalties as restitution to impacted exporters. NMPF and USDEC appreciated the opportunity to work closely with both Congressional offices as the legislation was drafted and are pleased to endorse the bill.

“We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership from Congressmen Garamendi and Johnson in developing and introducing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “Dairy producers and manufacturers have faced unreasonable costs and unfair practices from ocean carriers that negatively affect U.S. exports, increasing costs and putting at risk established trading relationships. This legislation will hopefully curtail those abuses and encourage better export-oriented behavior moving forward.”

“Dairy exporters have faced unfair detention and demurrage charges, unreliable and unfair booking practices and cancellations, and unwarranted challenges trying to obtain containers and other equipment,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “While some of these challenges are due to Covid-19 changes in retail purchases, carriers have abused the situation to their advantage. Our members need the U.S. government to act, and we welcome the introduction of this legislation as an important, positive step.”

The economic effects from these challenges are significant – the average cost of transporting a container is estimated to have increased by approximately 200% over the past year, while the estimated impacts to dairy producers from just January to May 2021 include over $200 million in added shipping and related costs, approximately 10 percent of the export value during the same period.

This legislation represents an important step toward implementing both short and long-term solutions, yet NMPF and USDEC continue to urge the importance of additional measures as well to address the challenges plaguing U.S. food and agricultural exporters expeditiously and fully. The organizations urged Congress to swiftly approve the Ocean Shipping Reform Act while at the same time championing the need for additional administrative solutions that could be implemented more immediately to address the ongoing shipping crisis.  



CP, KCS Railroad Bidding War Back On

(AP) -- Canadian Pacific has upped its offer for Kansas City Southern to approximately $31 billion, potentially reigniting a bidding war with rival railroad Canadian National.

Kansas City Southern is the smallest of the remaining major U.S. railroads, but it also controls critical cross-border routes with Mexico.

Its size has long piqued the interest of other railroads as any bid could be the most likely to be approved by U.S. antitrust regulators long wary of signing off on railroad mergers.

But its cross-border rails give Kansas City a high premium in the eyes of bigger railroads hungry to expand, particularly now as the U.S. economy is emerging from a pandemic-induced recession and demand for goods has snarled supply chains.

Canadian National looked as though it would take ownership of Canadian National with a $33.6 billion takeover bid in May when Canadian Pacific refused to increase its own $25 billion bid. Canadian Pacific has urged shareholders of Kansas City Southern to reject the higher bid from Canadian National because, it says, it faces a tougher antitrust fight with regulators who will also consider the potential for increased rail congestion around Chicago.

On Tuesday Canadian Pacific said its new proposal now has terms similar to those in Canadian National's offer but that its bid provides "significantly higher regulatory certainty."

Canadian Pacific said Tuesday that its cash-and-stock proposal includes 2.884 Canadian Pacific common shares and $90 in cash for each share of Kansas City Southern stock held. It also includes the assumption of $3.8 billion of outstanding Kansas City Southern debt. The bid values Kansas City Southern at $300 per share.

According to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission last month, Kansas City Southern began talks of a potential takeover last summer when an unnamed group of investors first offered to buy the railroad for $195 cash per share. The railroad continued to negotiate with those investors, and also Canadian Pacific, all of last year and in to 2021.

After several rounds of rising bids, Kansas City announced a merger agreement in March with Canadian Pacific that put the railroad's value at $275 per share.

However, rival Canadian National tried to break up that deal with an offer valuing Kansas City Southern at roughly $325 per share.

Canadian National appeared to have won the bidding war in May when it sweetened the offer to include more of its stock and vowed to cover any breakup fee that Kansas City Southern would have to pay for walking away from the agreement with Canadian Pacific.

The bid Tuesday from Canadian Pacific may upend that story.

Canadian National did not immediately respond early Tuesday for a request for comment from The Associated Press.



Conab Trims Corn Forecast

Brazilian crop agency Conab cut its forecast for the country's total corn production for the 2020-2021 growing season after a drought hit the winter crop.

Brazilian farmers will produce 86.7 million metric tons of corn this season, the agency said Tuesday. In July, the agency forecast a crop of 93.4 million tons. Brazil produced 102.6 million tons of corn in the 2019-2020 season.

Brazil's mild winters allow its farmers to produce two crops per year, one in the southern hemisphere summer and then another, normally larger crop, in the winter. Drought conditions in many agricultural areas since earlier this year, along with unusually cold weather in some places, have reduced crop yields for the winter harvest, which is currently underway.

The winter corn crop will produce 60.3 million tons this season, down from the 67 million tons Conab forecast in July and down from 75.1 million tons in the 2019-2020 season.

Conab raised slightly its estimate for the 2020-2021 soybean crop, to a record 136 million metric tons, up from its July estimate of 135.9 million tons. In 2019-2020 Brazil produced 124.8 million tons of soybeans.



USDA Hosts Roundtable on Food Waste Solutions in the U.S. and Abroad

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host a virtual roundtable on September 15 (11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EDT) titled Exploring Food Waste Solutions: Success Stories from the U.S. and Beyond, to showcase innovative policies and approaches to reducing food waste in the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom.

“Food loss and waste reduction is an international priority – the United Nations has set a goal to cut food waste in half by 2030 as well as reduce food loss earlier in the supply chain,” said USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison Jean Buzby. “The United States also has a national goal to reduce food loss and waste by 2030. It’s important to share the work of the people and organizations who are making this goal a reality in their communities.”

The roundtable will feature public and private leaders in the food waste prevention sector followed by a Q&A session. Speakers include:
    Jean Buzby, USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison
    Emily Broad Leib, Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic, will serve as moderator
    Josh Kelly, Vermont State Waste Management and Prevention Division, will discuss the state’s Universal Recycling Law and consumer food waste education efforts.
    Todd Lawrence of the Urban Green Lab (Nashville, Tennessee) will showcase their mobile laboratory that delivers sustainable living education citywide.
    Sarah Feteih of the San Diego Food System Alliance will highlight an online social competition that has engaged residents in food waste tracking challenges and reduced household-level food waste by 38 percent.
    Wayne Hubbard, Chief Executive Officer of ReLondon, will share the success of London’s partnership to improve waste and resource management and accelerate their transition to a low-carbon city.
    Filippo Gavazzeni, Milan Urban Food Policy Pact Secretariat, Milan Municipality, will review the consortium’s holistic approach to addressing systematic issues within the food supply chains, including addressing food loss and waste.

Registration is free but required to attend this event. Register online https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_x0ktiQA_TeK1jXoDIGb-CA. The roundtable will be recorded and will be available on the USDA website after the event.

The roundtable is hosted by USDA with participation from interagency food loss and waste partners, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The event is among the individual and collective efforts of USDA, EPA and FDA to work towards the national goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 percent by 2030. Learn more about USDA, EPA, and FDA programs and resources to reduce food loss and waste.



GROWMARK and Indigo Ag Join Forces to Expand Farmers' Access to Carbon Farming Opportunity

GROWMARK, a farmer-owned cooperative focused on the success of its customers, and Indigo Ag, a company leveraging nature and technology to unlock economic and environmental progress in agriculture, today announced a joint effort to spur participation in the growing market for agricultural carbon. Under this collaboration, the GROWMARK System's network of FS branded retailers will help farmers navigate an increasingly complex soil carbon market and confidently get started on their carbon farming journey with the only high-quality, third-party verified credit program in operation today: Carbon by Indigo.

The GROWMARK System and Indigo together will provide farmer owners with the end-to-end support necessary to succeed in the agricultural carbon opportunity. Participating FS retailers will help farmers evaluate and enroll in Carbon by Indigo and implement beneficial farming practices proven to sequester carbon and abate greenhouse gas emissions. Upon enrollment, Indigo will leverage its advanced capabilities for measuring and verifying on-farm environmental impact at scale to translate the effects of farmers' efforts into a new source of revenue in the form of premium carbon credits.

"The opportunity for farmers to benefit from public demand for high-quality carbon credits is tremendous," said Mark Orr, Vice President, Agronomy, GROWMARK. "We're proud to work with Indigo to provide our farmer partners with a simple and informed path to generate maximum revenue for their efforts."

The two companies are joined in a mutual effort to ensure farmers are equipped with informed guidance as they contemplate participating in the carbon market and, if they do choose to enroll, are supported with the resources and knowledge to maximize their agronomic, environmental, and financial success. Building on Carbon by Indigo's distinct focus on ensuring informed decision making, the GROWMARK System partnership enables farmers to confidently work with partners they know and trust to help them make the right decisions for their unique operation. Combining the extensive expertise of the GROWMARK System's network of trained agronomists with Indigo's experience operationalizing the demanding measurement and third-party verification standards set by leading global credit registries, the industry collaboration provides a simple and viable path for farmers to succeed with carbon in the long-term.

"FS retailers in the GROWMARK System are proven industry leaders in offering trusted expertise to help farmers interpret and simplify the complexities of modern agriculture, and they do so over a broad geographical footprint," said Chris Harbourt, Global Head of Carbon at Indigo Ag. "We are excited to be working with GROWMARK and FS retailers to help further farmers' understanding of the fast-growing carbon farming landscape and support the development of the market to adequately reflect the value of farmers' environmental contributions."

As demand for voluntary ag carbon credits grows into an estimated $42 billion farmer opportunity, Indigo and the GROWMARK System—which continues to focus on identifying and supporting new paths for climate positive practices under its Endure sustainability initiative—are working to ensure farmers maximize the long-term profitability potential of their participation. A focus on high-quality credit generation is critical to this effort and to carbon credits' effectiveness as an outcomes-based approach to catalyze adoption of beneficial farming practices at scale. Carbon by Indigo's work to generate premium credits has in turn cultivated a network of premium credit buyers (including global brands like JPMorgan Chase, Ralph Lauren Corporation, The North Face, and Barclays) and resulted in a 35% increase in the price of Carbon by Indigo credits over the last year.