Friday December 3 Ag News

 NDA ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF STATE VETERINARIAN
 
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is announcing the retirement of State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes. He started working for NDA in 1990 as a veterinary field officer and became state veterinarian in 2005. Hughes’ last day with NDA will be December 30.  
 
“As state veterinarian, Dr. Hughes has been instrumental in keeping Nebraska livestock healthy and the state’s agricultural industry strong,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “We want to thank Dr. Hughes for his years in public service and for his leadership at the state and national level. His dedication to agriculture and the livestock and poultry industry will be remembered.”  
 
During his tenure at NDA Dr. Hughes enforced state and federal livestock programs and became proficient in animal disease diagnostics.  As a field veterinarian, Hughes was instrumental in the eradication of pseudorabies and brucellosis from Nebraska swine and cattle herds.  As Nebraska state veterinarian, Dr. Hughes led several animal disease response events of concern to the livestock and poultry industry including avian influenza and bovine tuberculosis.   
 
Prior to his work at NDA, Dr. Hughes worked in two private large-animal practices in northeast Nebraska. He started his own practice in Battle Creek, Nebraska, and worked there until 1990 when he began his career in state government.
 
During his more than 30 years of employment with NDA, Dr. Hughes served as a member of the Livestock Emergency Disease Response System Veterinary Corps, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, the National Association of State Animal Health Officials, and the United States Animal Health Association.   
 
Deputy State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley will lead NDA’s animal health team until a new state veterinarian is named.



Fischer Calls for Assistance for Livestock Producers Affected by Drought
        
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently joined a group of her Republican colleagues in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to address a gap in coverage under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). In September, the USDA announced it would provide ELAP assistance for the cost of transporting feed to livestock, but producers who are transporting their livestock to feed are not eligible for the program.

“[W]e continue to hear from producers who have been severely affected by drought this year and have incurred costs related to transporting their livestock to feed sources instead of hauling feed to their livestock. Under current regulations, these producers are not eligible for ELAP transportation assistance. We respectfully request that FSA exercise its authority to further improve ELAP by providing payments to producers for a portion of the costs they have incurred from transporting their livestock to feed sources,” the senators wrote.

The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).



Nebraska Corn Board Seeks Candidates for Vacancies

Notice is hereby given that the terms for three members of the Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board (Nebraska Corn Board) will expire June 30, 2022, and Nebraska’s corn checkoff program is seeking candidates to petition for those districts. The open positions represent Districts 1, 4 and 5.
    District 1 – Includes the counties of Butler, Cass, Douglas, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders and Seward (Note: David Bruntz, the current District 1 director, has indicated he will not pursue reappointment).
    District 4 – Includes the counties of Burt, Cedar, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton, Thurston, Washington and Wayne (Note: Debbie Borg, the current District 4 director, has indicated she will pursue reappointment).
    District 5 – Includes the counties of Buffalo, Dawson, Hall, Howard and Sherman (Note: Adam Grabenstein, the current District 5 director, has indicated he will pursue reappointment).

Appointments to the board for Districts 1, 4 and 5 are made by the Governor of Nebraska. Any candidate seeking appointment may place his or her name on the candidacy list by filing a petition with the Nebraska Corn Board. Qualified candidates include those individuals who are citizens of Nebraska, reside in an open district, are at least 21 years old, have been actively engaged in growing corn in Nebraska for a period of five years and derive a substantial portion of their income from growing corn. Board members who currently represent these districts are also eligible to re-petition.

Petitions may be obtained by writing the Nebraska Corn Board (P.O. Box 95107, Lincoln, NE 68509-5107), by calling 402-471-2676 or emailing ncb.info@nebraska.gov. A candidacy petition must carry the signatures of at least 50 corn producers from that district. All petitions must be received by the Nebraska Corn Board no later than 5:00 p.m. central time on Friday, May 20, 2022. Faxed copies do not qualify.



Nebraska Cattlemen Members Adopt Policies at Annual Convention

Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention policy committees completed their work on December 2nd in Kearney, Nebraska. These committee meetings are conducted twice a year to develop and discuss policy which guides leadership and staff on legislative and regulatory issues brought forth on the state and federal level. This year, numerous actions were taken on policies across the six committees, including confirming interim policy and developing new resolutions and policy statements.

The committees heard from numerous speakers on timely and relevant topics to help inform and guide policy conversations. The Animal Health and Nutrition committee received updates on Beef Quality Assurance and cover crop research. They also heard from Galen Erickson on feeding strategies for a challenging year and Dr. Jared Walahoski gave an update on phenobarbital in rendering. Members reviewed and amended resolutions and policy statements.

In the Brand and Property Rights committee, policy was also discussed and reviewed. Speakers in this committee provided an overview of carbon credit markets and contracts. The Nebraska Brand Committee shared an update on the implementation of LB 572, and NCBA Vice President Todd Wilkinson emphasized the importance of holding the line regarding property rights and the federal government overreach.

During the Education and Research committee, members heard updates from post-secondary institutions, the UNL animal behavior and welfare club, and the US Meat and Animal Research center. Members developed a new policy to support agriculture education curriculum in schools.

The Marketing and Commerce committee welcomed Attorney General Doug Peterson to provide an update on the active and ongoing DOJ investigation into the beef packing and processing industry. Members confirmed interim policy regarding price discovery research, packers and stockyards act, maintaining competitive fed cattle markets, and fair carbon credit markets. New policy was drafted by members to encourage producer packing capacity incentives.

In the Natural Resources and Environment committee, members heard an update on the livestock friendly counties program and trends regarding nitrates in Nebraska’s groundwater. Committee membership discussed and adopted new policies calling for Nebraska Cattlemen to support prescribed burning.

During the taxation committee, members reviewed interim policy that opposes the realization of a capital gains. The committee also heard updates regarding federal tax proposals, the Blueprint Nebraska plan, and the Columbus School Funding plan.

Each year Nebraska Cattlemen Leadership and staff rely on the help of the membership to review and develop policy to ensure the Association’s policy book remains up to date and aligns with beef cattle industry priorities.



Nebraska Cattlemen Industry Service Award and Hall of Fame Recipients

Nebraska Cattlemen recognized two deserving individuals for the Hall of Fame and Industry Service Awards on December 2nd during the Annual Convention and Trade Show in Kearney. These individuals were selected based on their continuous dedication and contributions to Nebraska’s beef industry.

The Industry Service award recognizes those for their outstanding service to Nebraska’s beef industry through their dedication and commitment to helping shape the state’s beef industry. The 2021 Industry Service award winner is United States, Senator Deb Fischer.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the 2021 Nebraska Cattlemen Industry Service Award. The industry’s hard work every day feeds the world and contributes so much to Nebraska’s economy. I will continue to push for legislative solutions to the complex problems facing the cattle industry,” said Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Senator Fischer has been a long-standing friend of agriculture during her time in the U.S. Senate. She was the leader in pushing for more flexibility for livestock haulers through her HAULS act, which was recently signed by President Biden. She has long advocated for transparency and competition in the cattle market space through her Cattle Market Transparency Act. Senator Fischer has been a champion for eliminating animal waste emission reporting requirements and combating fake meat with the “Real Meat Act.”

“Nebraska Cattlemen applauds and sincerely thanks Senator Fischer for her long-standing and continued support to Nebraska’s Cattle industry.” William H. Rhea III-President, Nebraska Cattlemen

The Hall of Fame award highlights one Nebraska Cattlemen member annually who exemplifies an ongoing commitment to the beef industry. This award is the highest honor the organization can bestow on a member. The 2021 Hall of Fame Inductee is Craig Uden from Cozad, NE. Craig’s ongoing involvement is evident through his leadership on local, state, and federal levels. He is currently involved with Dawson County Cattlemen, Nebraska Cattlemen, and is a past president of the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award. This organization is like a second family and has always supported me in my career and numerous leadership positions.” noted Craig Uden

“Nebraska Cattlemen is honored and thankful to have dedicated leaders like Craig, who continue to give their time and efforts to our organization.” Stated Ken Herz-Past President Nebraska Cattlemen

Nebraska Cattlemen is proud to award these outstanding individuals for their dedication, commitment, and service to Nebraska’s Cattle Industry.



It’s not too late! Dairy Ambassador Applications are DUE on December 15!
Tracy Behnken, Midwest Dairy

This opportunity is for college students AND our newest opportunity (Junior Dairy Ambassadors) is for high school juniors and seniors. The applicants do NOT need to be from a dairy farm or any farm. Applicants just need to have an interest in leadership, dairy promotion and a willingness to represent Nebraska dairy farmers during the one-year program – 2022 calendar year. After successful completion of the program, Dairy Ambassadors are eligible to apply for a $1,000 scholarship while the Junior Dairy Ambassadors are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship.

Please share with all young leaders who might have an interest.

GENERAL Information about Nebraska Ambassador Program https://www.midwestdairy.com/young-dairy-leaders/ambassador-program/nebraska-ambassador-program/

NEBRASKA DAIRY AMBASSADORS (College Students) Application CLOSES December 15
Information and application for the Dairy Ambassador Program  https://www.midwestdairy.com/young-dairy-leaders/ambassador-program/nebraska-ambassador-program/nebraska-ambassador-application/  FYI – Application Select State … Nebraska

NEBRASKA JUNIOR DAIRY AMBASSADORS (High School Juniors and Seniors) Application CLOSES December 15
Information and application for the Junior Dairy Ambassador Program https://www.midwestdairy.com/young-dairy-leaders/ambassador-program/nebraska-ambassador-program/nebraska-junior-ambassador-application/  FYI – Application Select State … Nebraska - JUNIOR



Northeast Community College holds 36th Livestock Classic

Over 260 head of livestock were shown during the 36th Annual Northeast Community College Livestock Classic held over the Thanksgiving Day weekend.  Michael Roeber, Northeast agriculture/livestock judging instructor and event organizer, said exhibitors from five states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota) took part in the two-day event at the Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex.

“Numbers were down slightly from 2019 when the show was last held; a year that we also had to deal with snow and ice,” he said. “Compared to an average year, we were down about 75 head. Even though numbers were down, the quality was still very high on both days.”

The Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer was an Angus shown by Cassidee Stratman, West Point. The Reserve Supreme Breeding Heifer was a Simmental shown by Hallie McCollough, Vail, Iowa. Other placements include Adam Alfs, Shickley, Chianina, (3rd place); Landon Tibken, Wiota, Iowa, Main Angus (4th Place); Addison Baumert, Harper, Iowa, Mainatiner (5th Place); Kiera Bremer, Fullerton, Hereford (6th Place); and Jaycee Schomberg, Pierce, Foundation Simmental (7th Place).

The Champion Market Animal was shown by Cassidee Stratman, West Point, (Maine Anjou). The Reserve Champion Market Animal was shown by Haidyn Suhr, Anita, Iowa, (Chianina). Other placements include 3rd Place Market Animal - Aubrey High, Smithfield, (Crossbred); 4th Place Market Animal - Taylor Halverson, Sioux Center, Iowa, (Crossbred); 5th Place Market Animal - Cassidee Stratman, West Point, (Market Heifer); 6th Place Market Animal - Colin Vrbka, Shelby, (Market Heifer); 7th Place Market Animal - Berren Strope, O’Neill, (Maine Anjou).          

The Champion Market Heifer was shown by Cassidee Stratman, West Point. Colin Vrbka, Shelby, showed the Reserve Champion Market Heifer.

The judge for the market portion of the show was Doug Smith, Curtis.      

Sr Showmanship: Champion - Jacob O'Dea, Indianola; Reserve Champion - Berren Strope, O'Neill.  
Jr Showmanship: Champion - Morgan Kliment, Valparaiso; Reserve Champion - Leighton Wailes, Wiota, Iowa.                 
Intermediate Showmanship: Champion - Josie Ritter, Beemer; Reserve Champion - Baker Behmer, Hoskins.     



Vote to choose IFBF 'Grow Your Future' Award three finalists

Five semi-finalists for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) Grow Your Future Award have been announced, and the public has the chance to narrow this contestant pool down to three. In its fourth year, the Grow Your Future Award elevates young farmer entrepreneurs and provides an opportunity for them to expand their ag-related business with cash prizes.

Online voting opens Dec. 6 and runs through Dec. 12 for the following businesses:
    Melissa Nelson of Hungry Canyon in Woodbury County creates agriculturally-accurate greeting cards, gifts and apparel and has a special collection— “Wait For Me”— that puts an emphasis on child farm safety.
    Jade Moret of Holland Flower Farm in Sioux County specializes in custom-cut flowers, selling through farmers markets, flower “subscriptions,” private floral arrangement workshops and bulk blooms for events.
    Lillie Beringer of Beringer Family Farms Beef in Jones County is a 3rd generation farmer who raises 21-day, dry-aged Angus beef she sells direct-to-consumer through local pickup and “beef boxes” which she ships across the United States.
    Ashley and Zachary Wenke of Pleasant Grove Homestead in Poweshiek County raise slow-raised American Guinea hogs, broiler (meat) chickens, egg-laying chickens and turkeys on pasture. They also sell a variety of homegrown fruits and vegetables and produce their own honey.
    Tanner Sanness of Reconnected Farms in Allamakee County grows between 5,000 to 8,000 pounds of organic gourmet Lion’s Mane and Oyster mushrooms every year sold into grocery stores, farmers markets and local restaurants.

The three finalists who emerge from the public voting period will participate in a “pitch-off” in front of a judging panel in early January 2022. Winners will be announced on Jan. 29 at IFBF’s Young Farmer Conference in Des Moines with the first-place winner receiving $7,500 cash prize; 2nd place $5,000; and 3rd place $2,500.

“We continue to be impressed by the caliber of entrepreneurs who compete in the Grow Your Future Award,” says Amanda Van Steenwyk, IFBF farm business development manager. “We encourage all Iowans to vote for their favorite business. Iowa agriculture is incredibly diverse, and we especially see that in the vision of our state’s young farmers who honor Iowa’s proud ag heritage while also paving their own unique path.”



SHORT-TERM FUNDING BILL EXTENDS MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING

Senate and House lawmakers Thursday approved another short-term funding bill that keeps government programs, including USDA’s twice-daily reporting of livestock data, going until Feb. 18, 2022. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act (LMRA) requires meatpackers to report purchases and sales of livestock and livestock products to USDA, which then publishes reports that include information on pricing, contracting for purchase and supply-and-demand conditions for livestock. LMRA expired Sept. 30, 2020, but was extended several times, most recently to Dec. 3, under congressional continuing resolutions that provide temporary funding for federal programs.



EPA ASKS COURT TO RETURN FARM AIR EMISSIONS RULE

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to return to the agency for revision regulations that exempt livestock farmers from reporting to state and local authorities routine emissions from their farms. Environmental and animal-rights groups in 2018 brought a lawsuit against the Fair Agricultural Reporting Method (FARM) Act, which Congress approved with overwhelming bipartisan support after a federal appeals court rejected a 2008 EPA rule that exempted farmers from reporting routine farm emissions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Known as the “Superfund Law,” CERCLA is used primarily to clean hazardous waste sites but also includes a mandatory federal reporting component. The appeals court ruling would have forced tens of thousands of livestock farmers to “guesstimate” and report emissions from manure on their farms to the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Response Center and subjected them to citizen lawsuits from activist groups. In implementing the law, EPA also clarified that farmers did not need to report routine emissions to state and local first responders under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) – an adjunct to CERCLA. First responders have been clear they consider such reports unnecessary and burdensome.

Activist groups sued to have the FARM Act regulations vacated and to force farms to immediately begin reporting emissions. If EPA’s request to the District Court is granted, farmers would not be required to take any new action until the agency completes a new rulemaking. Livestock groups, as well as environmental and animal rights groups, have until Dec. 23 to respond to EPA’s motion. A decision from the court is expected in early 2022.



NPPC TO COMMENT ON PROP. 12 REVISED REGULATIONS

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) this week revised and submitted for public comment proposed regulations to implement Proposition 12, which, beginning Jan. 1, 2022, will prohibit the sale of pork from hogs born to sows raised in housing that does not comply with California’s highly prescriptive standards. It applies to any uncooked pork sold in the state, whether produced in California or outside its borders. Nearly all pork currently produced in the United States fails to meet California’s arbitrary standards. The National Pork Producers Council will submit comments on the revised regulations by the conclusion of a 15-day comment period.

In comments on earlier proposed regulations, NPPC pointed out that the rules would require unworkable annual certification of hog farmers’ compliance with the Prop. 12 requirements; create a complex accreditation process for entities allowed to conduct such certifications; impose burdensome and unnecessary recordkeeping requirements on farmers, meat packers and others throughout the pork supply chain; and impose unnecessary and problematic labeling requirements for pork. NPPC has requested that the effective date for Prop. 12 be delayed at least two years from the date regulations are finally promulgated.

In addition to the revised regulations being issued, a coalition of animal welfare groups has filed suit in California state court over CDFA’s efforts to implement the law. NPPC, which has brought legal challenges against Prop. 12, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up and consider the constitutionality of the measure. California has been ordered by the high court to respond to NPPC’s lawsuit by Dec. 8. A decision from the Supreme Court on whether to accept the case for hearing likely will be made in early January.



Government Grants Reprieve on Potash Sanctions Providing Win for Farmers

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Controls this week agreed to provide a reprieve through April of next year on sanctions on potash fertilizers imported to the U.S. from Belarus.

“This is a win for the American farmer,” said Iowa farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington. “Farmers are having a very hard time securing fertilizers, so a positive development like this couldn’t come at a better time.”

NCGA and other groups initiated dialogue in November with the Treasury Department expressing concern that sanctions on potash were resulting in fertilizer shortages across the country.

As farmers have struggled to secure and pay for fertilizers and other inputs, NCGA has been sounding the alarm saying that tariffs and sanctions on imports only make a bad situation worse.

“The American farmer should not have to suffer for the trade practices of foreign governments or for disagreement between multi-national corporations,” Edgington said.  “Yet, that is exactly what happens when sanctions or tariffs are put in place. Farmers pay the price while others profit.”



USDA Dairy Products October 2021 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.15 billion pounds, 0.9 percent above October 2020 and 1.1 percent above September 2021. Italian type cheese production totaled 490 million pounds, 3.5 percent above October 2020 and 0.8 percent above September 2021. American type cheese production totaled 457 million pounds, 0.6 percent below October 2020 but 2.0 percent above September 2021. Butter production was 159 million pounds, 1.6 percent below October 2020 but 11.2 percent above September 2021.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with October 2020)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 125 million pounds, down 11.7 percent.
Skim milk powder - 58.3 million pounds, down 7.9 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with October 2020)
Dry whey, total - 78.2 million pounds, up 4.0 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 97.0 million pounds, up 11.7 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 46.6 million pounds, up 13.8 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with October 2020)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 55.3 million gallons, down 12.6 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 33.7 million gallons, down 11.8 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.12 million gallons, down 26.4 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 2.61 million gallons, up 5.0 percent.



Growth Energy Testifies Before EPA on RVO Compliance Extension  

Today, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley testified before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance date extension proposal.

“The intent of the RFS is to blend more biofuels into our nation’s transportation fuel supply. Period,” said Bliley. “It is not meant to reward oil companies for suing to prevent higher blends and then demand that the agency further delay compliance.    

“With recent research showing that greenhouse gas emissions from corn ethanol are 46 percent lower than gasoline, it makes no sense why EPA would continue to allow further delays for oil companies to demonstrate compliance with their blending obligations.  

“Instead, EPA should take immediate steps to restore integrity to the RFS, restore lost biofuel demand, and remove remaining hurdles to E15 and higher biofuel blends.”



RFA to EPA: Stop the RFS Delays, Resist Oil Refiner Pressure

The Renewable Fuels Association today strongly urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to move forward on enforcing the Renewable Fuel Standard and reject proposals to again delay annual RFS compliance deadlines. EPA today is holding a public hearing on its proposal to extend compliance deadlines for renewable volume obligations for 2019 through 2021.

EPA argues that the compliance deadline extensions are necessary because dozens of 2019 and 2020 small refinery exemption petitions have not yet been decided, and proposed standards for 2021 have not yet been published.

“EPA has had ample time to decide pending 2019 and 2020 SRE petitions following the Supreme Court’s June 2021 decision in the HollyFrontier v. RFA case, which left intact two important holdings from the Tenth Circuit Court’s January 2020 decision in the RFA v. EPA case,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper in prepared testimony. “We strongly encourage EPA to immediately decide the remaining 2019 and 2020 SRE petitions in a manner consistent with the unappealed holdings of the Tenth Circuit decision. And immediately upon deciding those petitions, EPA should require compliance with the final 2019 and 2020 standards.”

RFA also urged EPA to resist pressure from the refining industry to retroactively reopen and revise the 2020 standards to account for the impact of COVID on fuel markets. Cooper pointed out that the RFS already includes flexibility and a self-adjusting mechanism to account for marketplace anomalies like COVID. “EPA’s RVO is a percentage-based standard that already accommodates fluctuations in the actual consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel,” he said. “No further adjustment to the 2020 RVO is necessary or legally permissible.”

Finally, Cooper urged EPA to take three steps to ensure stability for the fuel marketplace.
-    Decide the pending 2019 and 2020 SRE petitions immediately, and ensure that those decisions comply with the requirements of the Tenth Circuit Court decision;
-    Upon deciding those SRE petitions, immediately require compliance with the 2019 and 2020 standards; and
-    Immediately issue the long-overdue proposals for 2021 and 2022 RVOs.

“RFA fully understands that the previous administration left the RFS program in disarray and failed to meet its deadlines for deciding SRE petitions and issuing RVOs,” Cooper said. “Mismanagement of the RFS program under the previous administration created significant turmoil and uncertainty in the marketplace and undermined the purpose and intent of the RFS. Extending the compliance deadlines again would only exacerbate the uncertainty and instability created by the past administration.”



ACE Testimony Encourages EPA Get the RFS Back on Track

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty testified today during a virtual public hearing on the Proposed Extension of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Compliance Deadlines the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed in November.

Lamberty’s testimony pointed out that if EPA would have finalized the 2021 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) on time last November and predicted gas volumes would return to 2019 levels, the 2021 percentage would have assured refiners their renewable fuel requirements would again fall or rise as petroleum volumes remained flat or grew.

“Instead, the reason EPA has to propose delaying compliance reporting and attest engagements for 2021 and 2022 is EPA’s own failure to establish annual Renewable Volume Obligations when they are supposed to be established,” Lamberty’s testimony reads.

The testimony makes clear that even if EPA’s proposal to extend RFS compliance goes into effect, “it should in no way be viewed as implicit acceptance of EPA’s failure to do its job and establish RVOs by November 30 of each year for the following year.” Lamberty emphasized that failing to meet the statutory deadlines is not acceptable and the proposal “would be unnecessary if EPA had simply followed the law.”

Lamberty’s testimony concluded by encouraging “EPA to rule on pending SREs, issue 2021 and 2022 RVOs and get the program back on track as quickly as possible to provide the certainty needed by refiners and ethanol producers alike.”