DARI LLC Receives Midwest Dairy CAPS Support in the Development of Innovative Fluid Milk Solutions to Consumers
DARI LLC a Midwest based firm backed by Tuls Dairies, a Nebraska based dairy, has received a grant from Midwest Dairy through the 2021 Cooperative and Processor Support (CAPS) program for the market development of their new flavored milk product. This grant money will be used by DARI LLC to further create a deeper appreciation with parents as to the nutritious value a whole, lactose free, no-sugar added flavored milk can provide to their children.
“We appreciate the support and confidence Midwest Dairy has shown in our marketing efforts in the launch of this product,” commented TJ Tuls, Co-Founder of DARI LLC and Co-Owner of Tuls Dairies. “It is through these types of cooperative efforts we can work together as an industry to create lifelong lovers of milk.”
Kids are not getting enough of the key nutrients they need to establish a strong foundation for growth and health. Recent data shows 40% of kids between the ages of 3-11 do not get enough calcium, 50% do not get enough potassium and 80% do not get enough vitamin D. An attractive, whole milk, lactose free beverage would be a great food to improve these numbers. In addition to these nutritional deficits, kids are also loading up on sugar with significant consequences. National averages show 13.9% of kids, ages 2-5, and 18.4% of kids, ages 6-11, are struggling with childhood obesity, which often follows most of them into their early teens creating both physical and emotional challenges.
“We are passionate about the value that milk can bring to a balanced diet for kids and how it can address the nutritional deficits we are seeing in the country. We also have a passion for our cows and passion for the consumers who drink our milk” remarked Todd Tuls, Co-Founder of DARI LLC and Co-Owner of Tuls Dairies. .
The CAPS program was established in 2021 and facilitated by Midwest Dairy. The purpose of the program is to support processors, farmer-owned cooperatives and dairy food/beverage manufactures to drive demand and trust for dairy products. Through this approach, Midwest Dairy strengthens dairy’s role in the food and beverage marketplace by fostering innovation to increase consumer demand for dairy products.
“We are excited that the first year of the CAPS program has been successful. The program enables Midwest Dairy to support processors working to bring new and innovative technologies and dairy products to the marketplace. Innovation is key to growing consumer confidence and demand for dairy products. By bringing programs like CAPS to our processors, we advance our commitment to dairy farmers in creating a sustainable future for the industry.” – Bob Lefebvre, Vice President Agricultural Affairs Midwest Dairy
Farm to Table Task Force Makes Recommendations to Iowa Legislature
A diverse group of local food experts from across the state submitted a set of recommendations to the Iowa Legislature that are intended to improve the farm to table supply chain.
The Farm to Table Task Force commissioned during the 2021 state legislative session and led by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach met over the last several months.
The charge was to identify strategies to improve the farm to table supply chain in Iowa, with a special focus on increasing sales to institutional purchasers, including schools. The task force consisted of 12 local food experts representing farmers, distributors, food pantries, small scale processors and customers.
“To meet this charge, it was important to understand our state’s challenges and strengths within the farm to table supply chain, to then be able to confirm priorities,” said John Lawrence, Iowa State University vice president for extension and outreach.
Staff from IDALS and ISU Extension and Outreach also connected with additional partners across the state to listen and understand challenges, successes and potential recommendations for the local and regional food system.
The task force began meeting in September, and in under four months its members produced five key recommendations that were shared with the Legislature in early December. The task force met three times throughout the fall of 2021, of which public comment was allowed at the end of each session.
“I want to thank the task force members and all the stakeholders who provided input during this process,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “The recommendations from the task force will help develop and grow markets for Iowa producers while also helping to strengthen our local and regional food systems. We look forward to continuing to work on building this important market into the future.”
Recommendations from the task force include:
- Improving sales of local foods to institutions, including farm to school and early care efforts, by increasing the efficiency of local food distribution and awareness of local options for institutional buyers.
- Developing and supporting expanded processing opportunities for local foods.
- Researching and increasing support for local food farming and scaling up local food agriculture.
- Revitalizing and expanding the Local Food and Farm Advisory Council.
- Increasing the usage of the Farm to Food Donation Tax Credit and exploring other food donation programs.
The Task Force also determined which of these recommendations would require legislative action, funding needs, and potential timeline for implementation.
Task Force members included:
Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture; Co-Chair.
John Lawrence, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Co-Chair.
Jan Libbey, One Step at a Time Gardens.
Bob Howard, Country View Dairy.
Corinne Rowe, Rowe’s Red Cows.
Penny Brown Huber, Prairie Rivers of Iowa.
Darrell Goering, Milo Locker.
Steve Winders, Loffredo Fresh Produce.
Jason Grimm, Iowa Valley RC&D; Grimm Family Farm.
Kelly Foss, Des Moines Farmers Market.
David Smigo, Cornell College Dining; Bon Appetit.
Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, Harlan CSD Food Service; Farm Table Delivery.
Matt Unger, Des Moines Area Religious Council.
Aaron Lehman, Iowa Farmers Union.
The full report is available online http://iastate.app.box.com/s/ua104v71fz0mfx0o8bv4l5ytxq22adam.
Skyrocketing Fertilizer Costs Show Need for 'Fairness for Farmers'
In the face of skyrocketing fertilizer costs, the Iowa Farmers Union calls for renewed action to address anti-competitive behavior in agribusinesses.
"Now more than ever we need drastic action to address monopolistic behavior that hurts farmers and consumers alike," said Aaron Lehman, Iowa Farmers Union president. "Price increases in fertilizer are far above and supply and demand issues. The companies in control of the industry are simply finding a way to take a bite out of farmer profitability."
In just a year, potash prices have increased by 129%, urea prices are up 143%, and anhydrous ammonia prices are up 208%.
The Farmers Union "Fairness for Farmers" project details the massive damage done to farmers, rural communities, and consumers resulting from the unprecedented concentration of economic power in agribusiness. To learn more or get involved in the movement, visit https://nfu.org/fairness-for-farmers.
Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Manure Spill Prevention and Response
The Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation webinar taking place Jan. 5 at noon will feature Kevin Erb, director, Conservation Professional Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension.
Erb has more than 29 years of experience working with for-hire manure applicators and nutrient management and leads Wisconsin extension’s education, training and outreach programming for for-hire manure applicators. His manure related research and projects include manure spills and incidents, reducing the impact of heavy manure equipment on rural roads and low-cost GPS systems for knowing where you are in the field when applying manure. He has also been responsible for creating more than 20 intentional manure spills (as training exercises) across the Midwest.
In the webinar, “Root Causes of Manure Spills: 15 years of Oops, Oh Crap!, and ‘how the heck did that happen???’,” Erb will offer a real-world overview of accidental manure spills that happen every year during transport, application and storage. Noting that spills will occur, Erb will provide insights into why they happen and steps to prevent them. He will also discuss educational programs that help operators take steps to not only reduce spill chances, but reduce the environmental harm when an accident does occur.
“Accidental manure spills happen,” said Erb. “It’s what you do next that makes the difference between a minor inconvenience and being the lead story on the 6 o’clock news. We want operators to recognize spills, take immediate action to contain and clean up, and only then get back to the fields to continue with applications. I am eager to share our research that helps us know why spills happen, which is the first step to preventing problems. For example, simple steps such as visually inspecting tankers and storage regularly or understanding the correlation between manure spills and stop signs – and why the majority of accidental valve openings occur within one-tenth of a mile of an intersection, can mean the difference between a good day and the makings of a very bad day.”
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Jan. 5:
Click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.
Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.
Or, join from a dial-in phone line: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923, with meeting ID 364 284 172.
The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
NFU Disappointed EPA Did Not Include a Pathway to Higher Level Blends of Ethanol in EPA's Final Rule on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Passengers Cars and Trucks
This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized new greenhouse gas emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks without including requirements that could have increased the use of ethanol. The rule updates GHG Emissions standards through Model Year 2026.
“The EPA missed an opportunity by not including a pathway to high octane fuels, like higher level blends of ethanol, in the final rule,” said Rob Larew, NFU President. “NFU has long advocated for increased use of biofuels due to their tremendous environmental benefit and the much-needed market alternatives and economic stability biofuels provide to America’s farming and rural communities.”
“We are disappointed that the benefits of high octane fuels continue to be ignored and urge the administration to include it in the next rule making for Model Year 2027 and beyond,” added Larew.
NFU has long felt this rulemaking presented an opportunity for a pathway to higer level blends of ethanol. In June 2020, NFU, along with a broad coalition of ethanol, agriculture, and public interest groups, filed a legal challenge against the EPA’s for its Safer Affordable Fuel Efficiency Vehicle Rule (SAFER) on the grounds that it ignored the efficiency and health benefits of higher ethanol blends and failed to realize the promise of increased octane in gasoline.
USDA Cold Storage November 2021 Highlights
Total red meat supplies in freezers on November 30, 2021 were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 4 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 4 percent from the previous month but down 4 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 8 percent from the previous month and down 3 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 117 percent from last month and up 8 percent from last year.
Total frozen poultry supplies on November 30, 2021 were down 17 percent from the previous month and down 18 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 16 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 53 percent from last month and down 26 percent from November 30, 2020.
Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30, 2021 were down 2 percent from the previous month but up 5 percent from November 30, 2020. Butter stocks were down 24 percent from last month and down 16 percent from a year ago.
Total frozen fruit stocks on November 30, 2021 were down 8 percent from last month and down 12 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 2 percent from last month and down 2 percent from a year ago.
Weekly Ethanol Production for 12/17/2021
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending December 17, ethanol production slackened by 36,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 3.3%, to 1.051 million b/d, equivalent to 44.14 million gallons daily. Production was 7.7% above the same week last year, which was affected by the pandemic but 3.0% less than the same week in 2019. The four-week average ethanol production volume decreased 0.7% to 1.066 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.34 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks drew down for the first time in five weeks, decreasing 0.9% to 20.7 million barrels. Stocks were 10.6% below the year-ago level and 3.6% less than the same week in 2019. Inventories thinned across all regions except the West Coast (PADD 5).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, shrank 5.1% to 8.99 million b/d (137.76 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 12.0% above a year ago but 3.4% below the same week in 2019.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol increased 0.3% to 882,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.52 bg annualized. Net inputs were 10.0% more than a year ago but 6.0% below the same week in 2019.
There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the eighth consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of October 2021.)
Three Fertilizers Continue Significant Price Increase Trend
Retail fertilizer prices continued to rise the second week of December 2021, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. There are signs, however, that the climb may be slowing somewhat.
Only three of the eight major fertilizers showed a significant move higher; DTN designates a substantial move as anything 5% or more. This is the first time since the third week of September 2021 that fewer than five fertilizers were appreciably more expensive.
Anhydrous led the way, up 16% from a month prior. The nitrogen fertilizer's average price was at $1,420/ton, which continues to be at its all-time high in the data DTN has collected since November 2008.
10-34-0 was 7% more expensive compared to last month. The starter fertilizer's average price was at $790/ton.
Urea was 5% more expensive compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $901/ton, which was also an all-time high.
The remaining five fertilizers had just slight price increases compared to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $858/ton, MAP $935/ton, potash $796/ton, UAN28 $579/ton and UAN32 $663/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.98/lb.N, anhydrous $0.87/lb.N, UAN28 $1.03/lb.N and UAN32 $1.04/lb.N.
Retail fertilizer prices compared to a year ago show all fertilizers have increased significantly, with several fertilizers having well over 100% price increases. 10-34-0 is now 71% more expensive, MAP is 79% higher, DAP is 84% more expensive, potash is 121% higher, urea is 149% more expensive, UAN32 is 162% higher, UAN28 175% is more expensive and anhydrous is 215% higher compared to last year.
Massachusetts Delays Effective Date of Question 3
Following approval by the Massachusetts Legislature, Gov. Charlie Baker today signed into law a compromise measure delaying until Aug. 15, 2022, implementation of the state’s Question 3 initiative to prohibit the sale of pork that doesn’t meet new prescriptive animal production standards. The National Pork Producers Council, which worked tirelessly to secure this much-needed solution for pork producers and the entire pork supply chain, applauded the legislative relief.
The 2016 ballot initiative – similar to California’s Proposition 12 – will ban the sale of pork from hogs born to sows housed in pens that don’t comply with Massachusetts’ new standards. It applies to any uncooked pork sold in the state, whether it’s produced there or outside its borders. Nearly all pork currently produced in the United States fails to meet Massachusetts’ arbitrary standards.
“Question 3, like Prop. 12, lacks any scientific, technical or agricultural basis and only will inflict economic harm on America’s pork producers and even jeopardize the well-being of their animals,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson. “We’re grateful the legislature listened to our concerns and delayed implementation of Question 3 so that at least producers in and outside the state can have more time to consider their options and continue to supply pork to Bay Staters.”
In addition to delaying the initiative’s implementation, the compromise measure requires the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to write rules and regulations for the law, in consultation with the state’s attorney general – who originally was given authority – within six months.
NPPC has pointed out that, like California’s 2018 ballot initiative, Question 3’s supporters claimed it would improve animal welfare and food safety. But the measure’s requirements will have no effect on either and may negatively affect both, according to numerous studies on animal housing.
“Pork producers with decades of experience using various housing systems know it’s not the type of housing that affects the health and well-being of pigs but the individual care – the animal husbandry – that’s given to them day in, day out,” Sorenson said. “These ballot measures actually make it harder and more dangerous to practice good animal husbandry.”
NPPC and the American Farm Bureau Federation have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to take their case against California’s Prop. 12. The agricultural organizations are challenging the constitutionality of one state imposing regulations that reach outside its borders, arguing that it stifles interstate and international commerce.
USDA Issues Final Rule on the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule that amends the Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order included in the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. The Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Order governs the American Lamb Board.
The final rule published in the on Federal Register on Dec. 22, 2021, requires market agencies to collect and remit assessments to the American Lamb Board when lamb sales occur at market agencies. The final rule will not increase assessment rates.
Enforcement of the final rule will begin on March 22, 2022. The final rule is available for review at www.Regulations.gov. For more information contact Jason Julian, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, at jason.julian@usda.gov or (202) 731-2149.
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