Wednesday August 25 Ag News

 LATE SUMMER PASTURE WEEDS
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Late summer always seems like a time when weeds can become quite noticeable in pastures.  Are you prepared to handle this late-summer nuisance?

Perennial weeds like western ragweed, ironweed, and verbena, as well as annual weeds like horseweed, sunflowers, snow-on-the-mountain, and buffalo bur can be plentiful in some pastures.  In areas of pastures that have relatively thin grass stands, where animals congregate, or if overgrazing has occurred, weeds can be very visible.

Spraying weeds now does little good.  Many weeds are too large to kill with herbicide. On both annual and perennial species that produce seed, herbicides might only reduce some seed production.  If the goal is to improve appearance, shredding areas that have an abundance of weeds might actually be the best option, and may reduce some seed production too, if it’s not already too late.

Two other approaches are better for long-term weed control.  First, focus on the grazing management of your pastures.  This includes using the proper stocking rate and developing a good rotational grazing plan.  An important objective is to increase the health, vigor, and density of your grass.  Healthy, competitive grass stands are essential to reduce weed populations economically over time.

Second, target herbicide applications for when they will do the most good.  Both perennial and annual species can be better targeted with a spring application when plants are smaller and able to be controlled.  For perennials, if a second application is needed, waiting closer to a killing frost is best.  This provides the double whammy of stressing the plant heading into winter and allows more product to be translocated down to the shoots and roots as nutrients are pulled down for winter storage. Proper identification of your problem weeds is crucial when making these application timing decisions.

Pasture weeds may look unsightly now, but hold off on spraying. Improve grazing management and time herbicides for the best window of control so herbicides won’t be needed as often in the future



Rob-See-Co Acquires Masters Choice Independent Seed

Two seed companies will become one after the announcement that Rob-See-Co, Elkhorn, Neb., the acquisition of Masters Choice, Anna, Ill.

"We are honored to build on the seed legacy that Masters Choice has created in the premium animal feed business," Rob Robinson, Rob-See-Co CEO said in the news release. "Rob-See-Co and Masters Choice are family-owned companies that both value putting our customers and relationships first. This makes for a seamless and collaborative transition as we welcome the Masters Choice team to the Rob-See-Co family."

The Masters Choice dealer network will remain intact as well as the company's headquarters in southern Illinois will remain the hub for the business unit.

"We are handing the company over in trust and good faith," Lyn Crabtree, Masters Choice president. "We encourage our dealers to embrace the Rob-See-Co family and are confident that Rob-See-Co will continue to offer high quality, high value feed products for animals."

Masters Choice developed its MPG Index as part of its focus on silage production. The MPG Index was designed as a hybrid evaluation system to evaluate the silage product's statistical milk production advantage over the competitive hybrids.

"We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings for both companies," Jim Robinson, Rob-See-Co corn and soybean manager. "The animal feed business is underserved and there are not enough companies focused on development of seed products to support animal feeders. This gives us an opportunity to utilize our research and product testing abilities to continue offering Masters Choice premium, high quality animal feed products."



Challenge to California's Prop 12 Dismissed by Iowa Court

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa has ruled against the Iowa Pork Producers Association and several industrial pork producers in their challenge to California's Proposition 12, a ballot measure passed in 2018 with roughly two-thirds of the vote.

The Humane Society of the United States led the campaign to pass Proposition 12, a measure that they claim ensures egg-laying chickens, mother pigs and calves used for veal can stand up, lie down, turn around and extend their limbs, and provides minimum space requirements to allow the animals to move.

The Iowa pork producer plaintiffs sued the state of California, but District Court Judge C.J. Williams dismissed the case, holding that it was improper for the producer plaintiffs to bring this case against the California defendants in the Iowa court. Accordingly, Judge Williams also denied the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction to stop Proposition 12 from going into effect.



Amid Drought, Rules for Good Corn Silage Still Apply

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates continuing drought in northwest Iowa.

Corn fields are beginning to dry down, but appearance can be misleading when making corn silage, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She reminds producers that the rules for good corn silage still apply.

Harvest at the optimum moisture. This would be 65-70% moisture for a bunker silo or 60-70% for a bag. Silage that is too wet will become putrid and seep excessively. If too dry, the silage does not pack well and will mold.

Increase the cutting height. Corn plants are traditionally cut 6 inches above the soil surface, but this is not a traditional year. To reduce nitrate levels in the chopped material, cutting height should be 12 to 18 inches. Yield is reduced, but so are the nitrate levels.

Adjust the length of cut for the chopper. Corn silage harvested with a conventional chopper (without a corn processor) should have a three-eighths-inch theoretical length of cut. If a kernel processor is used, the optimum length is three-quarters of an inch.

Kernel processing increases starch digestibility. The value of kernel processing increases when the moisture content is below 67%. Another plus for kernel processing is the reduction in cob sorting when the silage is fed.

Consider an inoculant. Inoculants can reduce the pH of the silage and inhibit yeast and mold growth. This helps increase the storage life of the silage.

Packing is critical. Dry matter loss during storage increases as the density of the silage decreases. The recommended minimum density of wet corn silage is 14 pounds per cubic foot.

Cover silage in bunkers, trenches and piles. Do this as soon as possible after filling and anchor the plastic with dirt, tires or other heavy items to protect it from wind damage.

Allow time for silage fermentation. Normal silage takes a minimum of three weeks, but drought-stressed corn silage may take longer. Although fermentation can reduce nitrate levels by 40%, test the silage before feeding to determine the nitrate level.

Be careful with green-chopped corn. Adapt cattle to green-chop slowly, have them full before green-chopped corn is introduced into the diet, and deliver only what they can eat in several hours. Cut the corn plant above the 12-15 inch height and feed immediately. Do not hold it over for the next feeding, as nitrate levels will increase.  

For more information, contact Doran at doranb@iastate.edu or 712-737-4230, or your extension beef specialist.



Same Time New City for 2022 Cattle Industry Convention

The 2021 Cattle Industry Convention may have just wrapped up after moving to August, but the 2022 event is returning to its regularly scheduled time slot in February. The 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show will be held Feb. 1-3, in Houston, with the theme of “Gone to Texas”. With only a few short months until the next convention, planning is already underway to create a unique experience in a new host city.  

“This is the first time the convention will be held in Houston, and we are extremely excited about offering new opportunities for attendees,” said Kristin Torres, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association executive director of meetings and events. “The city has amazing facilities, making it convenient for everyone to fully enjoy all activities.”

The annual convention continues to be one of the industry’s largest events where thousands of cattlemen and women gather to learn, conduct business, network and have fun. The 2022 convention marks the 124th anniversary of the legendary event, and one that will offer a variety of activities that are appropriate for all ages.

Cattlemen’s College, which immediately precedes convention, will bring thought-provoking, stimulating sessions that provide producers with information they can put to work on their farms and ranches. The convention’s world-class NCBA Trade Show will feature more than seven acres of indoor and outdoor displays as well as live cattle handling demonstrations, educational sessions and entertainment. Trade show booths are already 95 percent sold out and exhibitors will offer products and services such as animal health products, equipment, irrigation technology, software, trailers and so much more.

Registration will open on Nov. 1, 2021. Additional information will be available soon at https://convention.ncba.org.



United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Down 1 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 113 million head on July 1, 2021, down 1 percent from the 114 million head on July 1, 2020. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 45.4 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago.
                        
All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2021, totaled 101 million head, down 1 percent from July 1, 2020. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 40.9 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of July 1, 2021, totaled 12.3 million head, up slightly from the 12.3 million head on July 1, 2020. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 4.54 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago.

This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the number of cattle and calves by class and calf crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the United States cattle industry to provide producers additional information about potential beef supplies. United States inventory numbers were previously released on July 23, 2021. Canadian inventory numbers were previously released on August 23, 2021.



United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Down 2 Percent

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for June 2021 was 89.9 million head. This was down 2 percent from June 2020, but up slightly from June 2019. The breeding inventory, at 7.49 million head, was down 1 percent from a year ago and down 2 percent from 2019. Market hog inventory, at 82.4 million head, was down 2 percent from last year and up slightly from 2019. The semi-annual pig crop, at 82.2 million head, was down 1 percent from 2020 but up 1 percent from 2019. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 7.38 million head, down 1 percent from last year and down 1 percent from 2019.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2021 was 75.7 million head. This was down 2 percent from June 1, 2020 but up 1 percent from March 1, 2021. The breeding inventory, at 6.23 million head, was down 2 percent from last year, but up slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 69.4 million head, was down 2 percent from last year, but up 1 percent from last quarter. The March to May 2021 pig crop, at 33.6 million head, was down 3 percent from 2020 and down 3 percent from 2019. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.07 million head, down 3 percent from 2020 and down 2 percent from 2019.  

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on July 1, 2021 was 14.2 million head. This was up 1 percent from July 1, 2020 and up 2 percent from July 1, 2019. The breeding inventory, at 1.26 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 3 percent from 2019. Market hog inventory, at 13.0 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 2 percent from 2019. The semi-annual pig crop, at 15.3 million head, was up 5 percent from 2020 and up 9 percent from 2019. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.27 million head, up 2 percent from last year and up 4 percent from 2019. .

This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the total hogs, breeding, market hogs, sows farrowed, and pig crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the United States hog industry to provide producers additional information about potential hog supplies. United States inventory numbers were previously released on June 24, 2021. Canadian inventory numbers were released on August 23, 2021.



RFA Testimony to EPA Calls for Inclusion of High-Octane Low-Carbon Fuels

In a hearing today on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed greenhouse gas emissions standards for 2023-2026 light-duty vehicles, the Renewable Fuels Association is spotlighting the role high-octane, low-carbon fuels like ethanol can and must play in increasing fuel efficiency and reducing GHG emissions.

“If our nation is to reach its goal of net-zero GHG emissions by mid-century, we’ll need both cleaner, more efficient cars and cleaner, more efficient fuels,” RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in prepared remarks. “That’s why RFA’s member companies recently committed to achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2050 or sooner.”

RFA expressed its disappointment that EPA’s proposed GHG standards continue to focus solely on engines and vehicles, while ignoring the important influence of fuels on emissions and mileage.

“Unfortunately, EPA’s proposal fails to recognize that the fuels we put into our engines can have as much—or more—impact on fuel economy and GHG emissions as the engine technologies themselves,” Cooper said, noting that the proposal assumes automakers will increase production of certain engine technologies that rely on higher-octane fuels. “The proposed rule counts on broad deployment of high-compression ratio engines that will require high-octane fuel but does nothing to ensure those high-octane fuels will actually be produced and available in the marketplace.”

Cooper concludes by calling on EPA to use the current rulemaking, as well as the upcoming process to set GHG standards for 2027 and beyond, to create a higher octane standard for gasoline.

“Action by the EPA will be necessary to catalyze the development and introduction of cleaner, more efficient fuels into the marketplace, just as EPA action was required to eliminate lead, limit benzene, and reduce the sulfur content of our gasoline and diesel fuel,” he said. “We respectfully ask that EPA use the current rulemaking process and future rulemakings to establish the roadmap for increasing the required minimum octane rating of our nation’s light-duty vehicle fuel.”



Growth Energy’s Bliley Testifies Before EPA on Proposed Emissions Standards

Today, Growth Energy’s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during its hearing on the proposed rulemaking, Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards.

Earlier this month, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed greenhouse gas standards to further decarbonize light-duty vehicles starting in model year 2023. In response, Growth Energy called for an increase in the use of low-carbon, sustainable biofuels like ethanol in our nation’s fuel supply.

Today, Bliley echoed that sentiment before EPA. In his testimony, Bliley urged EPA to consider the vital role that environmentally sustainable fuel options such as ethanol will play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the current and future vehicle fleet.  

“We appreciate EPA’s work to reshape the nation’s transportation mix to make it more sustainable as it is a central driver for our industry as well. Vehicles and fuels operate as a system and liquid fuels will continue to play a dominant role in the transportation sector for decades to come, even as alternative technologies flourish. As such, it is imperative to consider the vital role that environmentally sustainable fuel options such as ethanol will play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the current and future vehicle fleet.”

Previous Action  
In 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) developed more stringent fuel economy and greenhouse gas standards for vehicles. Growth Energy, recognizing the need for a high-octane solution for automakers to meet these more stringent standards, submitted an E30 fuel for vehicle certification as well as for consumer use as the agencies went through the process of setting standards.

In 2013, as EPA was putting together its proposal for Tier 3 fuel regulation, Growth Energy again pushed to have midlevel ethanol blends be used for vehicle certification, and Growth Energy was successful in getting EPA in the final rule to allow automakers to use alternative fuels for certification.

When the Obama administration undertook their mid-term evaluation of the vehicle standards, and again when the Trump administration moved to reconsider future vehicles standards, Growth Energy participated by echoing our call for high octane, midlevel ethanol blends as a necessary solution to meet vehicle standards.



EPA Urged to Increase Usage of Biofuels, NFU Testimony States  

Today, Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union, testified before the EPA in a hearing for the agency's planned revision of the Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards. As automakers refine vehicle technology, the opportunity exists to reduce GHG emissions in internal combustion engines through the increased use and development of biofuels.

Higher ethanol levels not only increase engine productivity, they also reduce criteria pollutants and air toxics like benzene, toluene, and xylene once fully deployed. NFU has long supported biofuels, such as E30, that can be realized in new and existing internal combustion engines. From President Larew’s testimony:

“NFU has been a strong supporter of the increased use of biofuels as an important and vital component of this nation’s energy policy. NFU has long urged EPA to support rural America by promoting higher-level blends of ethanol as a cost-effective means of achieving required and improved octane levels.

“NFU asks EPA to again acknowledge the potential for high octane, low carbon fuels, such as E30, to reduce GHG emissions from light-duty vehicles today. NFU also understands this proposal to be the first of several regulatory actions to address vehicle air emissions. In finalizing this rule and developing these proposals, EPA also must consider the economic benefits increased use of mid-level ethanol blends as a high octane, low carbon, cost-effective fuel will bring to struggling rural communities, while also benefitting consumers.”



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/20/2021

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 20, ethanol production slowed by 40,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 4.1%, to 933,000 b/d, equivalent to 39.19 million gallons daily and the lowest level in 22 weeks. Production was 0.2% above the same week last year, which was affected by the pandemic, but was 10.1% below the 2019 level. The four-week average ethanol production volume decreased 2.0% to 976,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.96 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks shrank 1.6% to a six-week low of 21.2 million barrels. Stocks were 4.0% above the year-ago level but 7.7% below the same week in 2019. Inventories tightened across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, increased 2.6% to 9.57 million b/d (146.74 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 4.5% above a year ago but 3.3% below the same week in 2019.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol climbed 0.5% to 926,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.20 bg annualized. Net inputs were 8.4% above a year ago but 3.0% less than the same week in 2019.

Imports of ethanol arriving into the West Coast were 8,000 b/d, or 2.35 million gallons for the week. This marks the first imports in four weeks. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of June 2021.)



No Major Price Increases as Fertilizers Maintain Upward March

It's a baby step for the constantly higher retail fertilizer market. No fertilizer had a significant price increase for the first time in nearly nine months.

DTN, which surveys nearly 1,700 fertilizer retailers each week, considers a price change of 5% or more from the month before to be significant. In the third week of August, DTN found that while prices of the eight major fertilizers increased, most were by 1% or less.

Last winter, DAP and MAP prices surged higher on tariffs on imports coming from Morocco and Russia. Nitrogen prices rallied through spring planting, and in recent months, it's been potash pushing considerably higher.

It's the first time since the first week of December 2020 that none of the eight major fertilizers had a significant price increase to report, although potash was close. At $564 per ton, it's 4% more expensive than last month.

The rest saw minor changes. DAP had an average price of $695/ton, MAP $755/ton, potash $564/ton, urea $556/ton, 10-34-0 $631/ton, anhydrous $743/ton, UAN28 $369/ton and UAN32 $420/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 $0.66/lb.N and UAN32 $0.66/lb.N.

Retail fertilizer prices compared to a year ago show all fertilizers have increased significantly. 10-34-0 is now 36% more expensive, urea is 56% higher, potash is 60% more expensive, UAN32 is 62% higher, DAP is 63% more expensive, both UAN28 and anhydrous are 67% more expensive and MAP is 74% higher compared to last year.



USDA Establishes Dairy Donation Program Part of Continuing USDA Pandemic Assistance

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh today announced the establishment of a $400 million Dairy Donation Program (DDP) on a call with Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow. The DDP, established by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in accordance with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, aims to facilitate timely dairy product donations while reducing food waste.
 
The establishment of DDP is part of $6 billion of pandemic assistance USDA announced in March and follows last week’s announcement of $350 million Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program for dairy farmers on August 19. It is the second part of an over $2 billion comprehensive package to help the dairy industry recover from the pandemic and improve or establish programs to make it more resilient to future challenges.
 
Under the DDP, eligible dairy organizations will partner with non-profit feeding organizations that distribute food to individuals and families in need. Those partnerships may apply for and receive reimbursements to cover some expenses related to eligible dairy product donations. DDP was inspired in part by the donations made by Michigan Milk Producers Association in conjunction with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in response to the Flint water crisis.
 
“The benefits of the Dairy Donation Program are twofold – it supplements other financial support for producers while providing nutritious dairy products to American families,” said Deputy Secretary Bronaugh. “When there is surplus milk production, we encourage the milk be donated instead of being dumped. Together we can help someone in need, minimize food waste and support the U.S. dairy industry.”
 
“The Dairy Donation Program is a win-win for farmers and families. It will be easier for dairy farmers to donate milk and other dairy products, which in turn helps feed vulnerable Americans, including our children,” said Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. “Michigan dairy farm families and food banks continue to lead by example. I am proud of the role they played in pioneering this initiative which has become a model for the nation.”
 
The Michigan Milk Producers Association stated, “MMPA is excited for the launch of this new program, which builds on the significant donation partnerships we have been undertaking in Michigan for the last several years. Our dairy farmer members and others in the dairy sector have long supported giving back to our communities, and this program helps expand our efforts. We thank Senator Stabenow for her leadership in getting this program enacted into law, and we applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its work in implementing this new program, which will aid hunger relief efforts across the country while reducing food waste and supporting local dairy farmers.”
 
“This program comes at a time when the need has never been greater for fresh foods to help Michiganders,” said Dr. Phil Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. “Michigan’s agricultural community, especially the state’s dairy farmers, have come alongside of us throughout the pandemic. Their partnership means fresh, nutritious food and milk for families, children and seniors.”
 
Dairy farmers, cooperatives, or processors that purchase fresh milk or bulk dairy products to process into retail-packaged dairy products and meet other requirements are eligible to participate. Costs reimbursed through the program include the cost of milk used to make the donated eligible dairy product and some of the manufacturing and transportation costs. Reimbursement of these costs is designed to help offset some of the costs associated with processing and donating eligible dairy products.
 
Program details are available at www.ams.usda.gov/ddp. Interested partnerships must apply by completing and submitting a Dairy Donation and Distribution Plan. Upon plan approval, partnerships will be able to submit claims and supporting documentation to obtain reimbursement for eligible dairy products donated since January 1, 2020.
 
Entities participating in the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program (MDRP) will be automatically enrolled in the Dairy Donation Program.
 
The interim final rule formalizing the program will soon be published in the Federal Register and will provide eligible handlers and cooperatives procedures on how to participate in the program. The program becomes effective one day after it is published in the Federal Register. A preview of the interim final rule is posted on USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website.
 
Today’s announcement is part of a broader package to help the dairy industry respond to the pandemic and improve or establish programs to be more resilient. Upcoming additional announcements will include $580 million for Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage for small and medium farms. Outside the pandemic assistance funding, USDA will also make improvements to the Dairy Margin Coverage safety net program updating the feed cost formula to better reflect the actual cost dairy farmers pay for high quality alfalfa. This change will be retroactive to January 2020 and is expected to provide additional retroactive payments of about $100 million for 2020 and 2021. Unlike the pandemic assistance, this change will also be part of the permanent safety net and USDA estimates it will average about $80 million per year or approximately $800 million over ten years for dairy headed into the upcoming Farm Bill. Full details on these additional actions to support dairy farmers will be provided when regulations are published in the coming weeks. Dairy farmers should wait until these details are available to contact their local USDA Service Center for more information.  



NMPF Lauds Establishment of Dairy Donation Program to Fight Food Insecurity

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) today commended USDA for finalizing rules implementing the new Dairy Donation Program enacted by Congress last year. The program will help expand partnerships between dairy organizations and food banks to provide a wide range of dairy products to food-insecure households.

“We thank USDA leadership for their work to bring the Dairy Donation Program to fruition. This important program will help dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own to do what they do best: feed families nationwide,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Dairy stakeholders are eager to enhance their partnerships with food banks and other distributors to provide dairy products to those experiencing food insecurity, which the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated.”

NMPF championed the proposal throughout the legislative process and worked closely with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), who led the effort to include this new program in COVID-19-related legislation enacted last year. The new Dairy Donation Program expands the original Milk Donation Reimbursement Program and has one-time funding of $400 million to reimburse farmers, cooperatives, and other dairy organizations for the full cost of raw milk needed to make finished dairy products for consumers.  

NMPF worked closely with USDA to ensure that the program addresses additional costs, such as processing and transportation, as well as other elements that make the program more viable. The provision covering the cost of processing is a significant enhancement from the previous program. NMPF also worked closely with Feeding America to support the program and recommend approaches to ensure its effectiveness.

“We are grateful to USDA for helping ensure wholesome dairy products can be provided to food banks and other food distributors by reimbursing for some of these costs,” said Mulhern. “We have also been pleased to work with Feeding America to advance the partnership approach taken by this program as it will help to target dairy donations in a manner that effectively meets on-the-ground demand.”

“Feeding America applauds today’s announcement implementing the Dairy Donation Program, which has the potential to connect millions of additional pounds of dairy donations through food banks to the people we serve. We look forward to working with USDA and our dairy partners to make this program a success now and in the future,” said Vince Hall, Interim Chief Government Relations Officer at Feeding America.

Mulhern said NMPF appreciates Chairwoman Stabenow’s leadership in securing the program’s enactment last year, as well as the support for dairy donation offered by other key members, including Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA).

“We commend Chairwoman Stabenow for her leadership in authoring this program and look forward to working with Congress to secure additional funding for this program in the future to continue to minimize food waste by providing nutritious dairy products to those who need them most,” Mulhern said.



USDA Celebrates Landmark Agricultural Legislation’s Century of Service by Committing to Maximum Enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today issued new guidance regarding how it will enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act in light of the final rule issued on December 10, 2020, in a continuing effort to modernize and enforce the 100-year old authority to the full extent of the law. The updated enforcement policy is one piece of USDA’s robust agenda to deliver on President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. The Executive Order launched a whole-of-government approach to strengthen competition, and directed USDA to, among other things, “address the unfair treatment of farmers and improve conditions of competition in the markets for their products” under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

The enforcement policy, in the form of “frequently asked questions (FAQs),” is a significant pivot from the previous administration and commits USDA to defending farmers to the maximum extent possible. In particular, the policy highlights how problematic provisions of the 2020 Undue Preferences rule will not apply to cases that seek to protect producers from a range of circumstances such as retaliation and racial discrimination by giant agribusinesses. They also highlight USDA’s long-standing position that a violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act does not require a show of harm to competition. USDA is signaling its intent to use every weapon in its arsenal to ensure that growers and producers are protected from harm, even while the agency engages in the rulemaking process to update its rules.

The new enforcement policy follows USDA’s July announcement that it will be issuing three proposed rules to support enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The proposed rules will strengthen USDA’s enforcement of unfair and deceptive practices and undue preferences, address the poultry grower tournament system, and make it easier for USDA to bring enforcement actions under the Act. The FAQs will help strengthen Packers & Stockyards Act enforcement while USDA completes those new rulemakings. USDA also announced in July that it would be investing directly in enhancing competition in livestock and poultry markets with $500 million of support for new entrants into meat processing.

This month, USDA also commemorates the centennial of the Packers and Stockyards Act which was signed into law in 1921 after a Congressional investigation found that the incumbent meat packers had “attained such a dominant position that they control at will the market in which they buy their supplies, the market in which they sell their products, and hold the fortunes of their competitors in their hands.” A century later, USDA recognizes the continued critical importance of the Packers and Stockyards Act for our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and consumers.

“Since 1921, the Packers and Stockyards Act has protected fair trade practices, financial integrity, and competitive markets for livestock, meat, and poultry. Over the last 100 years USDA has defended producers by adapting to changes in the livestock industry—from terminal stockyards, to livestock auction markets, to internet and video auctions. Our legacy for the next century must also include similar bold, decisive and adaptive actions on behalf of farmers and the American people. As President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy made clear, USDA is committed to taking bold action to defend producers and growers and ensure the competitiveness of our agricultural markets over the century to come,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The December 2020 Final Rule to Define Undue or Unreasonable Preferences or Advantages under the Packers and Stockyards Act provides four criteria that will be considered when determining if an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. These criteria are not exhaustive, nor do they limit the scope of additional criteria. The FAQs released today shed more light on additional criteria that may be utilized in undue preferences cases brought by the Packers and Stockyards Division against packers, swine contractors, or live poultry dealers, and also distinguish circumstances that will be handled outside of the four criteria.

The FAQs also showcase examples designed to signal USDA’s intent to utilize the Packers and Stockyards Act across a range of different circumstances. Circumstances highlighted include:
    When a farmer faces discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status;
    When a farmer faces retaliation for participating in an association, speaking to the media, Congress, or governmental agencies;
    When a poultry company threatens to terminate a grower’s contract unless she upgrades her broiler houses;
    When a grower faces potential deception in the provision of inputs for poultry growing;
    Around whether a poultry grower has sufficient information to determine accuracy of pay, highlighting that payment and settlement records must be provided to the grower upon request;
    Around location of disputes, to protect growers from being forced to travel to distant courts.
    Around deception and manipulation between cash negotiated markets and formula contracts in cattle;
    Around refusal to engage in cash negotiated transactions, if the packer is treating the producer differently from others, including where producers can meet terms of delivery cooperatively;
    Clarifying that Packers and Stockyards Act does not force all cattle to be priced the same way, using organic as an example to show differences in quality;
    Around retaliation in the context of air and water pollution relating to hogs
    How to report a complaint; and
    How to offer further comments on Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement.

“The Packers and Stockyards Act has long stood as a beacon of hope for farmers and ranchers seeking relief from unfair and anti-competitive practices, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to strengthening its enforcement for the future,” Secretary Vilsack said. “Our upcoming rulemakings under the President’s EO, together with these FAQs, demonstrate our intent to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act to the greatest extent possible with every tool we have. Just as the Packers and Stockyards Act met the challenges faced a century ago, more authority would help reaffirm and modernize the commitment to farmers, ranchers and consumers.”



NFU Welcomes New USDA Guidance on Enforcement of Packers and Stockyards Act Provision

Today, USDA issued a guidance document on how the Department will enforce the final rule on “Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages” under the Packers and Stockyards Act as it composes new rules to bring fairness to the marketplace for farmers and ranchers.

National Farmers Union (NFU) continues to strongly support strengthening the Packers and Stockyards Act to protect livestock producers from unfair treatment and practices by meatpackers and integrators. NFU submitted comments on the Undue Preferences rule, finalized in December 2020, pointing out that the rule fell short of protecting family farmers and ranchers.

In response to the issuance of the guidance document, NFU President Rob Larew made the following statement:

“We welcome USDA’s newly released guidance, which demonstrates a further commitment to strong enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The guidance provides helpful clarifications on the scope of the 2020 Undue Preference final rule and is essential, especially when considering the rule’s shortcomings. It is also encouraging to see USDA reiterate its intention to issue three new proposed rules that could help further strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act.

“Family farmers need fair and competitive markets, and the Packers and Stockyards Act remains a critical tool to achieve this. We appreciate USDA’s new guidance, which continues to demonstrate its commitment to fulfilling the vision laid out in President Biden’s ‘Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy.’”




U.S. Wheat Associates Welcomes Suspension of Vietnam Wheat Import Tariff

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is grateful to the Biden Administration and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) for their work alongside Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance to reduce the cost of wheat for Vietnam’s millers and consumers. As part of a bilateral package announced during Vice President Kamala Harris’ Indo-Pacific trip, Vietnam will reduce or eliminate import tariffs on several U.S. commodities including wheat. The tariff suspensions are expected to be implemented soon and will help reduce food costs for the Vietnamese people. It will also help make U.S. wheat more competitive in Vietnam’s growing wheat market.

Vietnam, like many countries this year, has seen significant food and feed price inflation due to the rise in global commodity prices and COVID impacts on supply chains. Vietnam’s government should be commended for taking this proactive step to assist their domestic millers and consumers.

The newly announced reduction follows one from July 2020, when Vietnam reduced its tariff on imported U.S. wheat (excluding durum) from 5% to 3% in a revision of its Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rates.  Vietnam is the last remaining Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) country applying a tariff against U.S. wheat imports but not against Canadian and Australian wheat, making today's announcement particularly noteworthy for U.S. wheat growers.

Despite the tariffs, Vietnam’s imports of U.S. hard red winter (HRW), soft white (SW) and hard red winter (HRW) wheat exceeded 500,000 metric tons in marketing year 2020/21, second in volume only to Australia. Vietnam currently imports an average of more than 3 million metric tons of wheat per year.

The suspension was granted because of the dedicated work between USDA/FAS, cooperator organizations and the Vietnamese importers who petitioned their government to reduce or eliminate certain MFN tariffs to help hold down rising food and feed prices.



FFAR Grant Uses Corn Protein to Improve Meat Alternatives

Plant-based protein alternatives are a rapidly expanding market—the use of soy protein is estimated to grow almost 10 percent per year between 2019 and 2025. Soy and pea proteins can closely replicate the texture of meats, but they lack the chewy quality of meat, known as viscoelasticity, which creates a tender bite. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), with additional funding from Open Philanthropy, is awarding a $387,556 grant through its Plant Protein Enhancement Project to Purdue University to study the viscoelasticity of a corn protein, zein, to develop a new commercial meat substitute.

Corn zein is a low-cost and plentiful byproduct of the ethanol industry and has unique textural properties that soy and pea protein lack. This research is teasing out zein’s potential to revolutionize the experience of eating plant protein

“Additional research can help plant-based meat alternatives, whose production is more environmentally sustainable than meat, replicate the sensations of consuming meat,” said Dr. Jeff Rosichan, director of FFAR’s Crops of the Future Collaborative. “Using a cheap, abundant ingredient to make these products more attractive to consumers will increase incentives to grow high-protein plants as well as invest in further research to improve their nutritional value.”

Zein has a viscoelasticity similar to wheat gluten, which is often used in meat substitutes. However, on its own zein is too dense and tough to be an acceptable meat substitute. Previous research from Purdue University researchers, led by Dr. Bruce Hamaker and including Drs. Osvaldo Campanella and Owen Jones, developed zein to mimic gluten. This project builds on that work to develop blends of zein and soy or pea to provide the viscoelasticity needed for plant protein to imitate meat more closely.

To start, the researchers are finding ways to improve zein for consumption by removing its yellow color and corn aroma. The team is also blending a variety of concentrations and ratios of zein and filler material and soy or pea protein to discover the combinations that optimize viscoelasticity in the blends. This work includes examining how changes to zein structure affects its properties as a meat substitute. Finally, the researchers are developing food product prototypes.

"We are excited about this project, with some of our new findings showing natural plant-based ingredient formulations with textural profiles similar to commercial meat (e.g. burger patties, chicken tenders) and cheese products," said Dr. Hamaker.

FFAR launched the Plant Protein Enhancement Project through its Crops of the Future Collaborative in 2019 to enhance the protein yield of plant-based staple crops and decrease costs. This competitive research program funds grants to enhance the supply chain for plant-based protein in a profitable and sustainable manner. Applicants were not required to secure matching funds.