Tuesday October 5 Ag News

Nebraska Startups Succeed in Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge

Three Nebraska startups were named in the top ten finalists in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag Innovation Challenge.

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, announced finalists of the Ag Innovation Challenge on Oct. 5, 2021. Three of the ten finalists are Nebraska-based startups, all of whom are part of The Combine Incubator program based in Lincoln. The finalists include Grain Weevil in Aurora, Birds Eye Robotics in Herman, and Marble Technologies in Lincoln. Nebraska Farm Bureau is proud to be a statewide sponsor of The Combine Incubator program, a program heavily involved in developing the next generation of agriculture technology in Nebraska.

American Farm Bureau’s Ag Innovation Challenge identifies top entrepreneurs who are addressing both traditional challenges farmers and ranchers face on their operation, such as access to labor, optimizing yield and reducing operating costs, to entrepreneurs who are addressing new challenges facing farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

“We are excited to see more interests coming from Nebraska-based startup businesses.  Agriculture is the largest driver of our state’s economy, generating one out of every four Nebraska jobs. Nebraska Farm Bureau is happy to support these entrepreneurs in their effort to solve the challenges farmers and ranchers face on their operations,” said Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement, Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Here is a brief background on each of the Nebraska-based start-up finalists.

Grain Weevil is an agricultural robotic company. A company spokesman said, "We are very excited to be selected as a semi-finalist for the Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. It is an honor to be recognized by an organization that has such a large influence on our industry. Nebraska should be proud of our ag innovation culture; three out of the ten national semi-finalists are robotics companies that call Nebraska home. We look forward to competing in Atlanta and representing Nebraska Farm Bureau members."

Birds Eye Robotics is an agricultural robotic company with a cutting-edge robot that is designed to assist in the daily care of poultry barns. The company was founded by Scott Niewohner, who is a serial inventor and entrepreneur with deep experience combining existing technologies into novel uses for adjacent industries.

Marble Technologies aims to resolve vulnerabilities in the food supply chain, stabilize markets for farmers, ranchers, and consumers, and make food industries more sustainable. "The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Using the latest advances in computer vision, artificial intelligence, and sensing technology, Marble automates tasks in food processing, beginning with the difficult tasks in meat processing,” said Britany Wondercheck, director of business development at Marble Technologies. “Marble is honored to be a finalist in the Ag Innovation Challenge and excited to pitch at the 2022 American Farm Bureau Convention."

The American Farm Bureau Federation will award $165,000 to ten businesses after the pitch-competition at their annual meeting in Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 7-12, 2022. The grand prize winner will receive $50,000 in startup funds

Invest Nebraska is a private, non-profit statewide venture development organization focused on high-growth companies in Nebraska and growing the state’s entrepreneurial economy. Invest Nebraska works directly with entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies to help commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses, and access needed capital. Invest Nebraska’s Combine Incubator is a statewide initiative focused on supporting high-growth agri-food entrepreneurs through mentoring, commercialization support, physical incubation space on Nebraska's Innovation Campus, and a network of supporting farmers and ranchers across the state.  



Extension record-keeping course for farmers and ranchers scheduled for November

The next session of “Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options,” Nebraska Extension’s four-part record-keeping course, will be held virtually from 9 to 10 a.m. Central time on Nov. 2, 9, 16, and 23.

Participants should plan on attending each of the four workshop dates. The course requires participants to have an internet connection.

This course is designed to help farmers and ranchers understand their current financial position and how big decisions like large purchases, new leases or changes in production will affect their bottom line. Participants will work through the financial statements of a case study farm, watching pre-recorded videos, completing assignments and participating in video chats. Upon completion of this program, participants will have a better understanding of how financial records can be used to make decisions and confidently discuss their financial position with their family, business partners and lenders.

The course fee is $20 per participant and class size is limited to 20 people. Register online at https://wia.unl.edu/know.  Registration closes Oct. 26.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2020-70028-32728.



AMMONIATING FORAGES
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator

With dry conditions across the state this summer, we may be low on forage reserves. Ammoniating low quality hay or crop residues may be a cheap way to stretch feed.

Ammoniation has been used for decades to improve the energy value or digestibility of low-digestibility forages. It also increases the crude protein (CP) content of the forage.

Overall, ammoniating corn residue increases the digestibility by about 10 percent units and the CP by about 5 percent units. Traditional corn residue bales that have been ammoniated are about 55 to 58 percent total digestible nutrients (TDN) and will have a CP content of 9 to 11 percent. Studies at Kansas State also show that dry matter intake can increase 22%.

How should we ammoniate bales? There are a few steps.
1) Scrape an area of ground leaving loose dirt to cover the edges of the plastic.
2) Weigh the bales in order to know how much anhydrous ammonia should be added. It takes about 60 lbs. of anhydrous per ton of dry matter.
3) Stack the bales in a 3 bale or 6 bale pyramid.
4) Cover and seal the row of pyramids with silage plastic.
5) Insert the pipe into the sealed bag. Make sure to have a shutoff valve on the pipe.
6) Slowly release the anhydrous until the plastic has swelled.
7) Shut off the valve and check the plastic for leaks.
8) Add the remaining anhydrous at a rate of 8-10 minutes per ton of forage.
9) Once completed, remove the pipe and seal up the hole.

It will take anywhere from one to eight weeks to complete the cycle depending on the air temperature. The warmer the temperatures are, the faster ammoniation will be.

Open one end of the stack three to five days prior to feeding to let the excess ammonia dissipate.

Ammoniating may be a cost-effective option for making low feed a higher quality feed.

 

LEAD Participants Receive Scholarships from Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation

In keeping with its mission to support the future of Nebraska agriculture, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation has awarded scholarships to four participants of the Nebraska LEAD program.

“These participants have stepped forward with a desire to serve in their communities,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “We are proud to support them and Nebraska agriculture.”

The LEAD Scholarship awards agriculture stakeholders that participate in the Nebraska LEAD program. The LEAD program improves leadership skills and abilities of Nebraska’s future agricultural leaders through exposure to diverse topics, issues, concerns, points of view, and innovative ideas. The winners of the LEAD Scholarship are current Farm Bureau members that commit to serving in a leadership role with Farm Bureau upon completion of the program.

The four winners are Maggie Dickey, Morrill County (Bayard); Melissa Haack, Franklin County (Upland); Tiffany Hemenway, Antelope County (Elgin); Mitchell Oswald, Hamilton County (Aurora).



Keep health in mind with Food in the Field
Brenda Aufdenkamp, NE Extension Educator
 
With 18+ hour workdays, the stress of the weather, markets, and limited healthy, one-handed dining options, it's easy to put health on the back burner during the busy seasons of planting and harvest. Here are some tips for making healthy choices during harvest, planting, as well as year round.

Start with field friendly fruits and vegetables: Eating a salad while driving a combine is not the easiest or safest choice, so consider more field friendly options. Sugar snap peas, carrots, cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, radishes and cucumbers are all able to be eaten raw and one-handed, making them great options for the field.

For fruits, choose those that don’t have to be peeled and aren’t overly juicy. Apples, grapes, berries and pre-sliced oranges fit the bill. Looking for even greater convenience? 100% juices count as a serving of fruits or vegetables and are a great option during harvest. Strive to include fruits or vegetables with each meal.

Small swaps can make all the difference: Sometimes boosting your health is as simple as making a small swap to a meal or snack you already enjoy.

When cooking with ground beef, use a lean 90/10 option most often. Choose whole grains for added fiber and nutrients in every bite.

One easy way to squeeze in half a cup of vegetables is to add lettuce, tomato and peppers to your sandwich, burger or wrap.

A portable, nutritious take on a classic sandwich is a field friendly BLT wrap. Start with a whole grain tortilla, spread on a thin layer of mayo and load with dark leafy greens and tomato slices. Add two slices of cooked bacon and roll up.

Boost your energy with breakfast: Most farmers are out the door before breakfast, but some thoughtful planning ahead can make a big difference during hectic, early mornings.

Harvest is not the best time to completely overhaul you’re eating pattern, but it is a great time to get creative and make small swaps towards a healthier you. When you eat better, you feel better, and are more prepared to handle stressful situations.

If you would like more information for your farmer and family, go to food.unl.edu/foodinthefield and access Nebraska Extension’s Food in the Field Nutrition Program.



Iowa farmer Chris Edgington Takes Over as NCGA President

Today, National Corn Growers Association President and Iowa farmer Chris Edgington held a news conference with the media to outline his goals for his year as president.

Edgington told reporters, “Making family farms like ours better is what drives me. It’s why I ran for the Corn Board, and it’s why I ran to be president of NCGA. And just like it is for our farm, my goal as president is to make NCGA the best team it can be. That starts with staying focused on our top priorities. These include Growing demand for our products; Protecting the profitability of our businesses; and Building trust in our sustainable production methods.”

Edgington acknowledged that there’s a lot of work to tackle in the year ahead. “The thing about this job is there will always be issues to work on - good ones, bad ones and others that fall somewhere in between. I can’t say for sure what they’ll be or when we’ll be confronted with them, but I know our chances of success are greater if we are on the same team.”



Barchart Cuts Crop Production Forecasts and Yield for U.S. and Canada

Barchart, a leading provider of data services, software and technology to global commodity buyers, agriculture, and the food supply chain, has released their October 2021 Yield and Production forecasts for U.S. and Canadian field crops.  This latest report indicates a decrease in U.S. crop production for both corn, soybeans and hard red winter wheat, as well as a decrease in Canadian production forecasts for spring wheat and soybeans.

“As we near the end of the 2021 growing season, our forecasts have adjusted to show a decrease in yield for U.S. corn (182.3 bu/ac vs. 183.4 in September) and soybeans (51.3 bu/ac vs. 51.6 bu/ac in September),” said Barchart CEO Mark Haraburda. “We are also seeing a decrease in yield for Canadian Spring Wheat (46.3 bu/ac vs. 47.8 bu/ac in September), while there has been a slight increase in yield for Canadian Soybeans (42.2 bu/ac vs. 42.1 bu/ac in September).”

Specifics of the forecasts:
    U.S. Corn Production - Forecast at 15.3B bu with a yield of 182.3 bu/ac.  This compares to the USDA’s 15.0B bu of production and 176.3 bu/ac yield.
    U.S. Soybean Production - Forecast at 4.4B bu with a yield of 51.3 bu/ac.  This compares to the USDA’s 4.4B bu of production and 50.6 bu/ac yield.
    U.S. Hard Red Winter Wheat Production - Forecast at 45.5 bu/ac.  This compares to the USDA’s yield forecast of 50.2 bu/ac (includes all winter wheat varieties).
    Canadian Spring Wheat Production - Forecast at 746.5M bu with a yield of 46.3 bu/ac.  This compares to the AAFC’s 668.0M bu of production and 38.7 bu/ac yield (includes spring wheat and winter wheat, excludes durum wheat).
    Canadian Soybean Production - Forecast at 223.1M bu with a yield of 42.2 bu/ac.  This compares to the AAFC’s 216.4M bu of production and 40.9 bu/ac yield.



August DMC Margin Lowest Ever
NMPF Newsletter

The August margin USDA announced for the Dairy Margin Coverage program, $5.25/cwt., fell to its lowest-ever since margin protection became the main federal dairy safety net in 2014, slipping below the previous low of $5.37/cwt. margin from May 2020. A $0.20/cwt. drop in the U.S. average all-milk price from a month earlier, to $17.70/cwt., and a $0.24/cwt. rise in feed costs, mostly due to a higher corn price, produced the August margin.

USDA has still not begun to announce the revised margins using 100 percent dairy quality alfalfa, a change to the program’s feed-cost calculation made in August at NMPF’s urging. Incorporating the change, which will be retroactive to 2020, would set the August margin at $5.03/cwt.

USDA reported that, as of Sept. 27, the 19,009 operations enrolled in this year’s DMC program are expected to receive $817,171,664 in payments, based on previously announced margins.  Margins for the remaining five months in 2021, including August, are not included in this total.  Dairy futures continue to indicate further DMC payments for $9.50/cwt coverage for every month remaining this year.

CWT-Assisted Export Dairy Sales Through September Top a Billion Pounds
CWT member cooperatives secured 40 contracts in August adding 2.3 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 5.5 million pounds of whole milk powder, 567,000 pounds of anhydrous milkfat and 891,000 pounds of cream cheese to CWT-assisted sales in 2021. These products will go customers in Asia, Middle East-North Africa, Central America, Caribbean and South America, and will be shipped September 2021 through February 2022.

CWT-assisted 2021 dairy product sales contracts year-to-date total 37.7 million pounds of American-type cheese, 12.7 million pounds of butter, 6.1 million pounds of anhydrous milkfat, 10.4 million pounds of cream cheese and 24 million pounds of whole milk powder. This brings the total milk equivalent for the year to roughly 1.056 billion pounds on a milkfat basis.



Ranch Group Applauds Senate Reintroduction of OFF Act

Last week a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Rand Paul, (R-Ky.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act (OFF Act). The OFF Act will reform all checkoff programs, including the beef checkoff program.  

Preceding the Senate bill’s reintroduction, a bipartisan companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2021. The House version of the OFF Act is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.); and is cosponsored by Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.), and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.).

R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair and South Dakota Stockgrowers Association president-elect Vaughn Meyer issued the following statement regarding the bipartisan legislation.

“The OFF Act will provide the necessary enforcements to prevent producers’ hard-earned checkoff dollars from being used against them.

“As an example, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) audit reveals that the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association receives nearly 82% of their revenue from mandatory producer-paid beef checkoff funds and, in turn, often supports policies that many cattle producers view as contrary to their interests and their livelihoods.

“Efforts to secure a producer referendum vote have failed throughout the Beef Checkoff program’s 35-yearlong history. This is an example of how producer-funded checkoff programs have evolved into mandatory government programs with little to no producer guidance or representation.

“The legislation is aimed at creating accountability and transparency in the USDA’s various commodity checkoff programs, including the Beef Checkoff program.

“We at R-CALF USA believe passage of the OFF Act will instill accountability and transparency through prevention of the misuse of checkoff funds. We thank these Senators and Representatives for introducing this bill aimed at creating long overdue industry safeguards.”



New Texas A&M Report: Government Interference in Beef & Cattle Markets has Unintended Consequences; Will Cost Producers Billions

In response to a bipartisan request from the House Agriculture Committee, Texas A&M University has completed a comprehensive report on the U.S. cattle and beef markets written by leading economists across the country. Among its key findings is that proposals increasing government intervention and mandates will cost livestock producers billions of dollars.

“Thursday the House Agriculture Committee will hold the fourth Congressional hearing this year on beef and cattle markets. It is no surprise that the Texas A&M analysis reflects the expert testimony at each hearing: supply and demand have the most influence on the price of cattle and goods for consumers,” said Meat Institute President and CEO, Julie Anna Potts.

The analysis is a 180 page book called “The U.S. Beef Supply Chain: Issues and Challenges,” and is the result of a collaboration with Texas A&M’s Agricultural and Food Policy Center, national experts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“The Texas A&M book went one step further and examined current legislative proposals and found these proposals’ unintended consequences will harm those they are meant to protect: cattle producers," Potts said. "This book should be required reading for Members of Congress who want to help livestock producers and consumers.”

One of the most significant findings was regarding government mandates included in proposed legislation by Members of Congress (called the 50/14 or 30/14 proposals) to require minimum negotiated cash market purchases. Dr. Stephen R. Koontz, Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University found:

“The short-term impact for a policy most like that being considered is a $2.5 billion negative impact in the first year and a cumulative negative impact of $16 billion over 10 years, inflated to 2021 dollars. This cost is leveled mainly on cattle producers,” said Koontz. “The 50/14 proposal would have these negative impacts and the 30/14 would have similar negative impacts albeit approximately halved.” (Page 104)

Similar to the experts and economists who have testified before Congress, the book’s introduction contains this warning:

“In the meantime, we would urge extreme caution in making changes to a system that has grown organically over time to reward high-quality beef production in a way that acknowledges regional differences throughout the country.” (emphasis added) Page ix

The book contains the following critical arguments:

Regarding Concentration
“While not necessarily a popular position, most economic research confirms that the benefits to cattle producers due to economies of size in packing largely offset the costs associated with any market power exerted by packers. Research indicates that there is market power, but its effect has been small.” Page x

Fed Cattle Pricing:
“Innovation via AMAs (alternative marketing arrangements) originated with feeders who were attempting to capture value associated with improved quality. There has been tremendous variability in the adoption of AMAs, with the Texas-Oklahoma-New Mexico region by far being the largest users of AMAs.” Page x

“Reliance on formula pricing significantly reduced transaction costs associated with negotiation and induced predictability in the supply chain.” Page x

Regarding Price Discovery:
“Among the cattle market economists consulted, there was general agreement that price discovery in fed cattle markets is still robust despite the fact that less than 30% of the transactions are negotiated (or cash).” Page x

In Chapter 2 of the Study, John D. Anderson, Professor and Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas, Andrew M. McKenzie, Professor and Associate Director of the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas, and James L. Mitchell, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas and an Extension Livestock Economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture wrote: “The reliance of formula prices on negotiated prices is reason enough to pay particular attention to the manner in which prices are established in the market. Negotiated prices not only reveal information about supply and demand fundamentals in the fed cattle market; they also contribute substantially to formula prices that control two-thirds or more of fed cattle trades. For both of these reasons, negotiated trades in the fed cattle market have some characteristics of a public good; therefore, market participants have a strong interest in ensuring that negotiated trades occur in sufficient quantity to fulfill this public good role (Koontz and Purcell, 1997).  Theory and empirical work, as reviewed in this volume, suggest that the figure may be quite small – smaller than market participants (at least on the selling side) are apparently comfortable with.” Page 61

Requiring Minimum Cash Transactions:
“While some argue that imposing mandatory minimums on negotiated (or cash) transactions would improve price discovery in the fed cattle markets – accruing benefits to the cow/calf producer in the process – authors in this book argue it could have the opposite effect, potentially imposing huge costs that are passed down to cattle producers in the form of lower prices.” Page xi

Regarding Capacity
“The experts consulted in this study repeatedly stressed the cyclical nature of the cattle business. While cattle supplies have outpaced available packing capacity, that will not always be the case. As a result, anyone who decides to build additional capacity must understand those market dynamics and be aware that packer margins can plummet with that cycle. The decline in packing capacity has occurred over several decades; it is not just a recent event.” Page xi



August Exports of U.S. Ethanol Bounce Back and Distillers Grains Exports Jump to Six-Year High
Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst, Renewable Fuels Assoc.
    
U.S. ethanol exports in August saw substantial improvement from the prior month’s slump, expanding 56% to 80.48 million gallons (mg). Canada was the top destination for the fifth straight month with imports of 33.9 mg, the largest volume since March (representing 42% of the August U.S. ethanol export market). Given that former key destinations Brazil, China, and India were again nearly absent from the market, the scope of U.S. ethanol exports extended to a broader range of customers than has been the norm. Larger markets included South Korea (9.9 mg, up 86%), the United Kingdom (up fivefold to a two-year high of 6.7 mg), Peru (6.2 mg, up from zero), Nigeria (5.0 mg, up from zero), the Netherlands (4.9 mg, up 22%), and Mexico (4.0 mg, up 83%). Shipments over the first eight months of the year were 796.3 mg, down 10% from the same period in 2020.

The U.S. imported 9.6 mg of undenatured ethanol from Brazil, along with a minimal volume of denatured ethanol from South Africa and Canada.
 
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants—spiked 17% to 1.24 million metric tons (mt). This marks the highest volume of U.S. DDGS exports since Aug. 2015, with much of the growth occurring outside of our largest markets. Exports to Mexico, our top customer for the last eleven months, declined by 18% to a four-month low of 203,666 mt (representing just 16% of all U.S. DDGS shipments in August). DDGS sales to Vietnam jumped 29% to 194,667 mt, its second-largest monthly purchase to date. Exports to Turkey slowed after a large bump in July, down 43% to 86,772 mt. Substantial export volumes also landed in Canada (86,238 mt, up 23% to the largest volume in over a decade), South Korea (79,859 mt, down 10%), Indonesia (64,853 mt, down 3%), China (56,573 mt, up 61% to the largest volume in more than four years), Thailand (55,554 mt, up 153%), and New Zealand (50,000 mt, up from zero). Total DDGS exports through August were 7.73 million mt, which is 10% ahead of last year at this time.



Midwest Dairy Producers Showcase Sustainable Dairy Farming at United Nations Food Systems Summit
 
In late-September, the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) brought together key stakeholders from around the globe to discuss the critical need for more sustainable food production. With 130 countries participating in the summit as part of the UN General Assembly, the goal was to discuss solutions that strike the balance of adequately nourishing a growing population while also caring for the earth—a conversation where the U.S. dairy industry plays a leading role thanks to its 2050 Net Zero goals and work throughout the supply chain to ensure the long-term viability of agriculture throughout the world.
 
At the UNFSS, Minnesota dairy farmers Charles Krause and deb Vander Kooi shared their authentic stories, insights and first-hand knowledge about sustainable farming to showcase the ways in which dairy is a viable nutrition source that has the power to both provide nourishment to underdeveloped populations and drive economic impact in communities around the world.
 
Over the past 18 months, both Krause and Vander Kooi, who are strong advocates for the dairy industry, have joined in conversations with UN Member States and constituencies for discussions about the future of food and agriculture. Representing a diverse group of leaders including food producers, Indigenous Peoples, researchers and more, over 51,000 stakeholders from 193 countries virtually joined the Summit to workshop solutions and action items for creating sustainable and nourishing food systems across the globe.
 
“It was an honor to be one of several dairy farmers from the United States who had the opportunity to participate in this very important global event,” said dairy farmer deb Vander Kooi. “Our industry’s Net Zero goals are paving the way for agriculture practices around the world, and we are proud to ensure that the voices of Midwest Dairy farmers were part of these crucial conversations. Our participation in an event like this ensures that dairy can continue to lead the way for sustainable agriculture on a worldwide scale.”
 
In the months leading up to the summit, Krause and Vander Kooi participated in virtual meetings and discussions, sharing their insights and stories on social media and adding their voices to the ways in which Midwest dairy farmers have a positive impact on the global food system and the environment. They also received training on how to address foreign dignitaries, as well as people from other countries and cultures, ensuring that dairy’s story is shared in a way that is accurate and impactful during these important discussions.
 
“As a dairy farmer, sustainably producing milk has always been a top priority, and these efforts go well beyond our local communities and states – we’re coming together to help feed the world,” said Krause. “As a viable, sustainable nutrition source, dairy has more power than any other food source to provide nourishment to underdeveloped populations while driving economic impact in communities around the globe. What we do every day on our farm matters. I’m proud that our dairy community is leading the way for the future of sustainable agriculture and sustainable nutrition.”

Although the Summit took place last week, these conversations were only the beginning. As part of their participation, both Krause and Vander Koi will continue participating in meetings, events and sharing more about their discussions online and through social media, further amplifying dairy’s role in this very important global conversation.  

“Farmer voices are incredibly impactful, and Charles and deb are showcasing the many ways in which Midwest dairy farmers are having an impact globally,” said Midwest Dairy CEO Molly Pelzer. “Both have given their time to not only show the ways in which dairy is leading the way for sustainable agriculture, but also to ensure that dairy has a strong and influential voice when it comes to the global transformation of our world’s food systems, and in setting guidelines and standards for sustainable agriculture moving forward.”



2022 Commodity Classic Exhibit Space Still Available for Nearly Sold-Out Show

Sign up now to exhibit at America’s largest farmer-led agricultural and educational experience while space is available. There is still time for exhibitors to submit a proposal by October 15 to sponsor “What’s New” and “Mini What’s New” sessions.

Commodity Classic is excited to bring the agriculture industry together again in-person March 10-12, 2022, in New Orleans for the annual showcase of ag technology, crop production science, marketing intelligence, and farm innovation.

“As in past years, the Commodity Classic trade show floor is nearly sold out,” says Kristi Burmeister, Commodity Classic Trade Show Manager. “We do have some exhibit space left for companies who are looking to reach the world’s top producers who are serious about investing in their farming operations.”

Additionally, agricultural companies looking to showcase their latest technologies or launch new products are encouraged to sponsor educational sessions at the show. All 2022 exhibiting companies are invited to submit proposals by October 15 to sponsor one or more “What’s New” 30-minute presentations and “Mini What’s New” sessions: 5-minute, back-to-back presentations in a fast-paced 90-minute window.

These educational opportunities are designed for new and emerging companies looking to introduce ideas and technology to a captive audience of early adopters. Available booth space and educational session information can be found at www.CommodityClassic.com.

Registration and housing for the 2022 Commodity Classic will open in mid-November 2021. Attendees can sign up now to receive email updates at CommodityClassic.com. Watch social media for additional details.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.



EPA Releases Draft Strategic Plan to Address Climate Change and Advance Environmental Justice and Equity

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that its Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2026 EPA Strategic Plan has been published in the Federal Register and is available for public comment through November 12, 2021. The Strategic Plan communicates and provides a roadmap to achieve EPA’s and the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities over the next four years.

For the first time, EPA’s plan includes a strategic goal focused solely on addressing climate change, as well as an unprecedented strategic goal to advance environmental justice and civil rights. At the foundation of the plan is a renewed commitment to the three principles articulated by EPA’s first Administrator, William Ruckelshaus — follow the science, follow the law, and be transparent, while adding an additional fourth principle: advance justice and equity.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the Strategic Plan that EPA is putting forth today, rooted in the principles that have guided our mission since day one, and only enhanced by a new focus on justice and equity,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is at the center of the Biden-Harris administration’s agenda on climate change and environmental justice, and so it’s critical that our strategic direction reflect those priorities and values.”

The Strategic Plan outlines seven goals and four cross-agency strategies. The strategies articulate essential ways of working to accomplish EPA’s mission outcomes — instilling scientific integrity in decision making; considering children’s environmental health protection; advancing organizational excellence and workforce equity; and strengthening partnerships, including early, meaningful involvement with Tribes and states and on-the-ground engagement with communities.

The plan also includes a suite of measures that will help the agency monitor progress and ensure accountability for achieving its priorities to protect human health and the environment. The plan builds on work already begun under President Biden’s Executive Orders 13985: Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government and 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

The final plan will be issued in February along with EPA’s FY 2023 Budget.

More information on EPA’s Strategic Plans can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/planandbudget/strategicplan.