Friday September 24 Cattle on Feed, Hogs & Pigs Report, + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UNCHANGED

 Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.28 million cattle on feed on September 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was unchanged from last year. Placements during August totaled 560,000 head, up 11% from 2020. Fed cattle marketings for the month of August totaled 470,000 head, up 8% from last year. Other disappearance during August totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.



IOWA CATTLE ON FEED

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 590,000 head on September 1, 2021, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service - Cattle on Feed report. This was down 2% from August and down 3% from September 1, 2020. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 450,000 head on feed, down 1% from last month and down 7% from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,040,000 head, down 1% from last month and down 5% from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during August totaled 78,000 head, up 39% from July and up 4% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 54,000 head, up 42% from July and up 29% from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 132,000 head, up 40% from July and up 13% from last year.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during August totaled 86,000 head, up 62% from July and up 4% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 56,000 head, down 8% from July but up 4% from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 142,000 head, up 25% from July and up 4% from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 5,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 1 Percent

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on September 1, 2021. The inventory was 1 percent below September 1, 2020. This is the second highest September 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

By State - On Feed  (1,000 hd - % Oct 1 '20)
Colorado .......:             1,080          104                 
Iowa .............:               590           97                   
Kansas ..........:             2,470          100                
Nebraska ......:             2,280          100                   
Texas ............:             2,700           95                    

Placements in feedlots during August totaled 2.10 million head, 2 percent above 2020. Net placements were 2.05 million head. During August, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 405,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 310,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 480,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 534,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 275,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 100,000 head.

Placements by State  (1,000 hd - % Aug '20)
Colorado .......:                 215           119             
Iowa .............:                   78           104             
Kansas ..........:                 530            98             
Nebraska ......:                 560           111             
Texas ............:                 395            90               

Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 1.89 million head, slightly below 2020.  Other disappearance totaled 59,000 head during August, 7 percent above 2020.

Marketings by State  (1,000 hd - % Aug '20)
Colorado .......:               170           110   
Iowa .............:                86           104     
Kansas ..........:               460            98     
Nebraska ......:               470           108    
Texas ............:               400            93     



NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY DOWN 4%

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2021, was 3.65 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was down 4% from September 1, 2020, but unchanged from June 1, 2021.

Breeding hog inventory, at 460,000 head, was up 7% from September 1, 2020, and up 2% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 3.19 million head, was down 5% from last year, and down slightly from last quarter.

The June - August 2021 Nebraska pig crop, at 2.33 million head, was up 11% from 2020. Sows farrowed during the period totaled 200,000 head, up 11% from last year. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.65 for the June - August period, compared to 11.70 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 200,000 sows during the September - November 2021 quarter, up 5% from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intended farrowings for December 2021 - February 2022 are 195,000 sows, up 11% from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago.



IOWA HOGS & PIGS REPORT

 On September 1, 2021, there were 24.4 million hogs and pigs on Iowa farms, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service - Hogs and Pigs report. Inventory is up 2% from the previous quarter but down 2% from the previous year.

The June-August 2021 quarterly pig crop was 5.76 million head, down 1% from the previous quarter and down 9% from last year. A total of 505,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.40 for the quarter.

As of September 1, producers planned to farrow 490,000 sows and gilts in the September-November 2021 quarter and 480,000 head during the December 2021-February 2022 quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Down 4 Percent

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2021 was 75.4 million head. This was down 4 percent from September 1, 2020, but up 1 percent from June 1, 2021.  Breeding inventory, at 6.19 million head, was down 2 percent from last year, and down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 69.2 million head, was down 4 percent from last year, but up 1 percent from last quarter.

The June-August 2021 pig crop, at 33.9 million head, was down 6 percent from 2020. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.05 million head, down 7 percent from 2020. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 49 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.13 for the June-August period, compared to 11.06 last year.

United States hog producers intend to have 3.00 million sows farrow during the September-November 2021 quarter, down 4 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period one year earlier, and down 6 percent from the same period two years earlier. Intended farrowings for December 2021-February 2022, at 2.96 million sows, are up 1 percent from the same period one year earlier, but down 3 percent from the same period two years earlier.

Other states - total inventory
                               (million hd  -  % Oct 1 '20)
Illinois ..............:           5,450         101  
Indiana .............:           4,300          97  
Minnesota ........:           9,000          99  
North Carolina ..:           8,300         86  

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 49 percent of the total United States hog inventory, up 2 percent from the previous year.



Open house held to gather input from stakeholders for the Maple Creek Watershed Plan

An open house was held September 15, 2021, at the Howells Ballroom for the Maple Creek Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment.  The improvement project area spans across parts of Stanton, Platte, Cuming, Colfax, and Dodge counties in northeast Nebraska.

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to complete the plan with the goal of identifying palatable options for providing flood damage reduction to the watershed.  The open house was hosted by the LENRD to provide landowners and other stakeholders with information about the plan, but most importantly, it was a time to gather input from the public and receive their ideas to help protect the watershed.

The event drew a large crowd with LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, welcoming nearly 250 attendees to the open house followed by a brief overview of the effort.  Sousek reminded the audience that the LENRD has not taken any steps towards the initiation of any project in the watershed and that the planning effort needs to be driven by the stakeholders.  He said, “We are not promoting or pushing any specific project, especially if it’s unaccepted by the landowners.  This plan is yours to develop.  We want to hear your thoughts and work with you to put your ideas into action to protect the watershed.”

A presentation on the project was given by several team members from FYRA Engineering, who is the hired consultant preparing the plan.  Time was provided after the conclusion of the formal presentation for general question and answers from the audience, which was proceeded by breakout sessions which allowed attendees to visit stations around the ballroom to discuss specific project and planning process questions. An important component of this planning effort is to obtain feedback from landowners and stakeholders in the watershed.  While many in attendance took advantage of the opportunity to engage in oral conversations with LENRD and FYRA representatives, written comments carry equal weight and comment cards were available for attendees who opted to leave written comments.

LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said, “We are requesting your ideas and want to work with you to formulate this plan.  Dams are not the only option.  We can work together to get other flood reduction and conservation practices on the land, including buffer strips, detention cells, wetland enhancement, and levee and channel improvements.”

The LENRD is requesting that any landowner who is interested in supporting a project of any type on their property reach out to LENRD Project Manager, Curt Becker, at 402.371.7313 or cbecker@lenrd.org

A recording of the presentation and the group question and answer session is provided on the project website along with example project locations: https://fyra.mysocialpinpoint.com/maple-creek.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Leaders Express Deep Concern Over Threat of Massive Tax Increases and Massive Spending in Reconciliation Package

Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors expressed its opposition to the reconciliation package that has been working its way through Congress, in a letter to President Biden and Congressional leaders this week.

“Given what the federal government has spent over the past 21 months, combined with the threat of massive tax increases that look to put the future of family farms and ranches at risk, we simply cannot support this legislation. Unfortunately, it is clear to us this package is a work of party politics rather than sound public policy,” said Mark McHargue, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Congressional Democrats along with the Biden White House are still negotiating the $3.5 trillion package which combines substantial increases in federal spending, utilizing Senate rules that would allow the bill to pass with only a simple majority vote. The House Agriculture Committee recently marked up their portion of the bill which included $7.75 billion for research, extension, education, and urban agriculture projects; $18 billion for rural development, energy, biofuels, and broadband projects; and $40 billion for forestry projects. However, controversy erupted in the committee when democratic leaders failed to detail $28 billion in conservation and climate funding claiming the funds would be added in at a later date.

“The House Agriculture Committee alone failed to provide any detail on $28 billion in conservation/climate that is planned to be included but only promises that it will be added later. This is just one of many examples where it is clear the desire to quickly pass this legislation due to political expediency is surpassing sound public policy decision,” McHargue said.

In order to utilize Senate reconciliation rules, the bill includes significant tax increases in order to meet the requirement that it be budget neutral. Earlier versions of the legislation had included capital gains tax increases via the elimination of capital gains tax provisions known as stepped-up basis and 1031 like-kind exchanges. Both provisions are strongly supported by farmers, ranchers, and other businesses. Following pressure from agriculture and business groups, House lawmakers have thus far left those provisions out of the legislation.

“There are many who have tried to mischaracterize these tax provisions as ones only used by the super wealthy, that simply isn’t true. Eliminating stepped-up basis alone would subject many farm and ranch families to a new tax burden, lead some to have to sell portions of their operation to pay the tax bill, further consolidation in agriculture, and would put our nation’s food security at risk,” McHargue said.

House lawmakers are still working with the Senate to create a package that would be able to withstand the united opposition of Republicans on both sides of Capitol Hill. While the elimination of stepped-up basis and 1031 like-kind exchanges have thus far been left out of the latest version of the reconciliation package, Nebraska Farm Bureau is working to ensure they are left out of whatever final package is put together.

“Nebraska Farm Bureau contends that no farm or business should find itself in the position of needing to sell a part of their land or operation just to pay capital gains taxes,” McHargue said

Related: Reconciliation Bill a Trojan Horse for American Agriculture
Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee, upon review of the recently revealed reconciliation text, criticized the measure as an affront to the Farm Bill process and a Trojan Horse for American agriculture:
 
“This bill is an attack on the Farm Bill process by extending narrow, partisan priorities beyond their expiration while leaving production agriculture hanging by the vine. This is what happens when congressional committees are held hostage by party leaders who have zero interest in protecting the individuals and communities who feed, clothe, and fuel this great nation.
 
“It is no wonder why Democrats chose to keep this text from their own rank-and-file members, let alone Republicans. This text and process will have significant political and financial ramifications, and further shows just how out of touch Democrats are with rural America and the needs of production agriculture. Rural communities certainly won't be 'thanking anyone later' for leaving farmers high and dry.”



Webinar planned on Growing Climate Solutions Act, ag carbon credits

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability will host a webinar offering analysis of the Growing Climate Solutions Act and what it could mean for farmers and ranchers participating in carbon markets. It will begin at noon on Sept. 30.

On June 24, the U.S. Senate adopted S. 1251, the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021. Co-sponsored by 54 senators, including Nebraska’s Sen. Deb Fischer, S. 1251 seeks to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to participate in voluntary carbon credit markets, and to get a fair share of the carbon credit revenue they generate. If adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed by the president, S. 1251 would go a long way in facilitating effective producer participation in US carbon markets.

The webinar will be presented by Dave Aiken, professor and agricultural law and water specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

To register for the webinar, visit the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.



Northeast Community College agriculture instructor selected as a Nebraska LEAD Fellow

A Northeast Community College agriculture instructor is one of 40 individuals who has been selected to participate in the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) program.

Trentee Bush is among the newest members of Nebraska's premier two-year agricultural leadership development program, each of whom are involved in production agriculture and/or agribusiness in Nebraska.

"Once again, it appears that Class 40 is filled with outstanding individuals from throughout our state and I am excited to get started with them, said Terry Hejny, LEAD program director. “Our task will be to prepare and motivate them for future leadership roles in their community, our state and beyond.”

The Nebraska LEAD Program began 40 years ago to develop agricultural leaders from Nebraska's future generations. Hejny said constant changes that occur in agricultural policy, marketing, economics and technology point to the need for strong leaders to advocate for the heart of Nebraska's economy--agriculture. Now in its third decade of forming pioneering agricultural leaders, it has have evolved into one of the nation's premier agricultural leadership development programs.

LEAD Fellows will participate in 12 monthly three-day seminars across Nebraska, a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a 14-16-day international study/travel seminar. The goal of the program is to develop problem solvers, decision makers and spokespersons for Nebraska agriculture and beyond.

Seminar themes include: leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, leadership through communication, agricultural policy, international trade and finance, Nebraska’s political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social and cultural issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing, information technology, advances in health care, the resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle and other areas designed to develop leaders through exposure to a broad array of current topics and issues and how they interrelate.

Bush grew up on the family ranch near Whitman. She attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and a master’s degree in Public Horticulture Administration and Leadership Studies (minor). She completed her PhD in Educational Administration in 2019.

Bush taught horticulture, math, and a variety of other courses at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis from 2010 to 2019. In 2019, she transitioned to Northeast Community College to teach horticulture and agriculture courses.

The Nebraska LEAD Program is sponsored by the non-profit Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council in cooperation with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 12 other institutions of higher education throughout Nebraska.



IRFA to Biden: If you walk away from ethanol, you walk away from Iowa

Today the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing concerns over media reports that his administration intends to reduce the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) conventional biofuel levels for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The letter highlighted today’s Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, which found 85% of Iowans recognize that ethanol is important to Iowa’s economy and action to reduce blend levels would be devastating to the state. Renowned pollster J. Ann Selzer described the ethanol support as “a giant majority of Iowans.”

Noting that biofuels support nearly 40,000 jobs in Iowa and the strong bipartisan support, IRFA’s letter stated: “In short, if you walk away from ethanol, you walk away from Iowa.”

IRFA also implored Biden to live up to his campaign promises concerning the RFS by setting strong blend levels.

“During your campaign you said the RFS ‘marks our bond with our farmers and our commitment to a thriving rural economy.’ We are asking you to keep that bond intact by keeping the RFS strong.”



Naig Announces New Farmer Mental Health Support Programs

As part of National Farm Safety and Health Week, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has been awarded a $500,000 grant to expand farmer mental health support programs in Iowa. The Department will partner with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to help raise awareness about mental health and wellness resources, and help make them more accessible to farmers and rural communities.

“We all need help from time to time and farmers and landowners are no exception. Some of the challenges they face are unique, like long-term financial stress, unpredictable weather and market uncertainty. We want anyone dealing with added stress and mental health challenges to know that they are not alone,” said Secretary Naig. “We are proud to partner with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to help make mental health and wellness resources more accessible to farmers and our rural communities.”

“While commodity prices have improved over the last year, the derecho a year ago and the drought that has spanned both years has impacted many Iowa farmers. These resources can help farmers and farm families deal with the added stress,” said John Lawrence, Iowa State University vice president for extension and outreach. “Those who work with farmers will have access to tools to help them recognize mental health concerns and offer appropriate assistance.”

Through this grant, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff will offer community outreach and programming to individuals involved in agriculture and those who support them. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will also conduct facilitator training for programs focused on strengthening families. Farmer resource packets will be available with information on how to access stress assistance, wellness and family finance programming.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship applied for this grant through the “Farm and Ranch Assistance Network” program. Funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA).

The initiative builds upon recent Iowa State University Extension and Outreach efforts in this area, including:
    expanding Mental Health First Aid and Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) facilitators and training,
    providing Mental Health First Aid and QPR to those involved in agriculture, their advocates and youth professionals serving rural areas of the state,
    developing a web-based presence to support resource and information sharing, and
    developing a “culture of agriculture” training program directed to mental health and healthcare providers.

Farmers and farm families can find more information about the mental health and wellbeing programs and resources offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach at extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/mental-health-and-wellbeing and extension.iastate.edu/sfp10-14/. The Iowa Concern Hotline is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-447-1985.



NPPC WORKING TO KEEP LIVESTOCK PRICE REPORTING GOING

Staff from the National Pork Producers Council have been working with the Biden administration, Congress and other livestock groups to ensure that authorization for the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act (LMRA) does not lapse should the government shutdown. LMRA provides market information and critical transparency on pricing, contracting for purchase and supply-and-demand conditions for hogs; current authorization is set to expire Sept. 30. A lapse of funding and authority could halt USDA’s ability to publish reported prices, which would negatively affect pork producers.

TRICHINAE PROGRAM TO BE ELIMINATED; NPPC BACKS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) this week announced it is eliminating the Voluntary Trichinae Certification Program, an action intended to benefit the swine industry by removing any confusion about the trichinae-free status of exported pork. The U.S. commercial swine herd is free of trichinae, parasitic roundworms found in many warm-blooded carnivores and omnivores, including swine. NPPC has been working with USDA on a national surveillance program for trichinella that can be used to demonstrate that the U.S. pork industry meets the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s Codex standards for trichinella negligible risk.



USDA Announces Intent to Establish an Equity Commission, Solicits Nominations for Membership

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it will establish an Equity Commission and is requesting nominations for membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture. The Notice represents an important step towards implementing President Biden’s commitment to create an Equity Commission and the American Rescue Plan Act provision that directs USDA to "address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector… [through] one or more equity commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs."

“USDA is committed to advancing equity throughout our Department,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Equity Commission is an important step in dismantling barriers historically underserved communities have faced in accessing USDA programs and services, especially with regard to access and inclusion in USDA agricultural programs and services. The Equity Commission will be an invaluable advisor on USDA’s continuing march towards justice and equity; we look forward to receiving a wide-ranging and diverse set of nominations from the public to serve on this transformational commission.”

“Today truly is a historic day at USDA. We are serious about our efforts to end discrimination across all areas of the Department and to improving access to services for key stakeholders,” said Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh. “The American Rescue Plan supports USDA’s effort to address equity issues through the creation of an Equity Commission; we understand the importance of involving the public in this process of continuing to build trust among our customers and ensure fair and equitable programming, benefits, and services.”

The Equity Commission will advise the Secretary of Agriculture by identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities. The Subcommittee on Agriculture will be formed concurrently and will report back to the Equity Commission and provide recommendations on issues of concern related to agriculture. Subsequent subcommittees will focus on other policy areas, such as rural community and economic development. The Equity Commission will deliver an interim report and provide actionable recommendations no later than 12 months after inception. A final report will be generated within a two-year timeframe.

USDA is soliciting nominations to consider membership on both the Equity Commission and the Subcommittee on Agriculture. Both seek to reflect a diversity in demographics, regions of the country, background, and in experience and expertise. The Equity Commission and Subcommittee on Agriculture will require substantial representation from those whose mission is to serve or advocate for underserved communities, minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, rural communities, and LGBTQI+ communities. Other perspectives to capture include those from the small business community, higher education institutions, farmworker groups, and members of the American population and communities who bring their personal experiences to the discussion.

Nomination for the Equity Commission and the Subcommittee on Agriculture membership is open to the public and any interested person or organization may nominate qualified individuals for membership. The Equity Commission and the Subcommittee on Agriculture will each be comprised of 15 members. The Deputy and the Secretary will designate a Co-Chair to serve along with the Deputy Secretary as co-chairs of the Equity Commission.

President Biden signed an Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government and committed to creating an Equity Commission as part of his rural agenda and commitment to closing the racial wealth gap and addressing longstanding inequities in agriculture. Section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan directed USDA to create the Equity Commission and funded the effort along with an additional $1 billion in funding to support forward-looking activities that will advance equity and opportunity for historically underserved farmers, ranchers, forest land owners. The funding will be utilized to remove gaps that currently exist in USDA program benefits, improve access to resources, and restore trust and confidence in the Department for groups that have not had equal access to such resources through a combination of grants, loans, pilot programs, technical assistance, cooperative agreements, and more. In June, USDA published a Request for Information on Racial Justice and Equity and held over 15 hours of listening sessions with a wide-range of stakeholders to learn about experiences and receive feedback about its programs and services. The information collected will serve as a strong foundation for both the Equity Commission and to ensure these funds are deployed effectively and in response to the needs and priorities of underserved communities.



Novozymes’ BioAg business strengthens its roots in the U.S.

Novozymes, the world leader in biological solutions, is launching five powerful biological solutions that address key challenges for North American growers and setting up a new sales team to directly serve U.S. customers. The innovative products will enable farmers to improve yield and fertility, and increase the application of biocontrol, while the expanding product portfolio brings new options for the agricultural industry in dealing with issues of nutritional availability and efficiency.

“We have harnessed the power of nature’s problem solvers – living soil microbes – to address the biggest challenges facing North American farmers through the power of biology,” says Darrell Wolkowski, Novozymes BioAg’s Regional Commercial Lead for the Northern U.S. and Canada. “Our expanding portfolio brings farmers new options in dealing with issues of nutritional availability and efficiency, nodulation and nitrogen fixation, stress tolerance, and broad-spectrum fungal control, through unique modes of action and novel combinations of biological actives.”

Five new biological solutions in the U.S.
The new Novozymes products available in the U.S. include BioniQ, an inoculant for row crops that combines three biological actives that together help promote stronger roots, greater nutrient availability, and better yield. TagTeam BioniQ Pro and TagTeam BioniQ  Chickpea, for pulse and chickpea crops, are inoculants that combine four active biologicals for improved stress tolerance, nutritional availability and efficiency, and enhanced yield.

Optimize FXC for soybeans improves upon Optimize XC by using fortified LCO resulting in higher yields and better nitrogen fixation, accessibility to soil nutrients, and water absorption. Finally, Taegro 2 for fruit and vegetable crops is a broad spectrum, foliar fungicide, which provides protection against a wide range of soilborne and foliar pathogens.

"Having already seen the benefits of our new BioniQ technology with Canadian growers over the last season, where in pulse crops farmers have achieved an average yield increase of 3.4 bushels per acre in peas with a 77% win rate and an average yield increase in lentils of 1.1 bushels per acre with a 80% win rate, I am excited that we are able to bring the same to our U.S. customers,” says Wolkowski.

New sales team to deliver industry-leading service
Novozymes has also established a new go-to-market strategy for the U.S. and now sells directly to distributors here.

“We have expanded our team in the U.S., and we aim to deliver products and services that lead the industry. With warehousing points located strategically around the country, our goal is to achieve a three-day turnaround on orders,” says Jason Ward, Novozymes’ North American Commercial Operations Lead for BioAg. “We are in pursuit of great customer service, and we will excel at talking to and working with customers to be the most reliable supplier in the industry. Our service is the foundation for our business!”

Novozymes maintains production facilities for the agriculture industry in Salem, Virginia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Saskatoon, Canada. Having North American manufacturing sites helps mitigate global supply chain challenges experienced by synthetic chemistries. The quick turn-around of Novozymes microbial fermentation production affords supply chain advantages for the company.

“Looking to the future, our U.S. customers can expect continued bioinnovation delivered with exceptional service by our dedicated, experienced, and hard-working team,” finishes Ward.



Shell Rotella® Celebrates National Farmer’s Day with First Ever SuperTractors Competition

For 39 years Shell Rotella has honored the best-looking trucks in North America at Shell Rotella SuperRigs®, now it’s time to recognize the best-looking tractors. Shell Rotella will be hosting the first-ever virtual tractor beauty contest, SuperTractors.

Farmers are the backbone of North America, and their tireless work ethic deserves to be acknowledged. Farmers throughout North America will have the opportunity to register their unique farm equipment starting on September 20th for a chance to win $250 dollars and 10,000 MyMilesMatter points as part of the SuperTractors competition. Fans can vote for their favorite tractor beginning on October 1st once a day at https://www.mymilesmatter.com/supertractors/peopleschoice. The contestant who received the most fan votes will be announced as the winner by the Peterson Farm Brothers via Shell Rotella social media channels on National Farmer’s Day – October 12th.

“There is a saying, ‘if you ate today, thank a farmer’ and that saying rings true to us at Shell Rotella. That’s why it is important to us to honor farmers and celebrate their dedication with the first-ever Shell Rotella SuperTractors,” said Heather Wales, North American Brand and Communications Manager, Shell Rotella. “Farmers’ dedication drives them from sunup to sundown. They are undoubtedly an integral part of our day-to-day lives in North America.”

Key Dates:
    Participants can enter the competition during the following time frame:
        Start date: September 20, 12:00 p.m. CT
        End date: September 30, 5:00 p.m. CT
    Consumer voting will last for ten days:
        Start date: October 1, 2021, 10:00 a.m. CT
        End Date: October 11, 2021, 5:00 p.m. CT
    The winner will be contacted directly by an authorized representative and the news will be announced on National Farmers Day – October 12th – by the Peterson Farm Brothers on the Shell Rotella social media channels

“Farming has been in our blood for generations. We are incredibly proud of our craft, and we couldn’t do it without our tractors powered by Shell Rotella products,” said the Peterson Farm Brothers. “We understand all the sacrifices that farmers make on a daily basis. It is an honor to help host the first ever Shell Rotella SuperTractors to give farmers the recognition that they deserve.”

Shell Rotella is committed to supporting the dedication of farmers. Shell Rotella SuperTractors seeks to recognize the importance of hard working people that help keep North America moving forward. Farmers in North America who wish to participate can submit a picture explaining why their tractor should be selected as the winner at https://super-tractors.mymilesmatter.com/peopleschoice.