Tuesday February 1 Ag News

 NEBRASKA JANUARY 1 CATTLE INVENTORY

All cattle and calves in Nebraska as of January 1, 2022 totaled 6.80 million head, down 1% from January 1, 2021, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

All cows and heifers that had calved totaled 1.89 million head, down 3% from last year.

Beef cows totaled 1.83 million head, down 3% from last year.

Milk cows totaled 58,000 head, down 3% from January 1, 2021.

All heifers 500 pounds and over totaled 1.94 million head, down 2% from last year.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 2.54 million head, up 3% from last year.

Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 110,000 head, unchanged from last year.

Calves under 500 pounds totaled 320,000 head, down 9% from January 1, 2021.

All cattle on feed fed for slaughter in Nebraska feedlots totaled 2.82 million head, up 4% from
the previous year.

The 2021 calf crop totaled 1.69 million head, down 3% from 2020.



INVENTORYING REMAINING FORAGE SUPPLY
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension
Ground Hog Day traditionally pegs our midway point through winter, so now may be a good time to inventory your remaining hay and forage.

Our mostly drier winter conditions have likely stretched your corn stalks and crop residues. Still the question remains: Will you have enough hay and forage to last the remainder of winter?

When making your feed decisions, consider using ‘best’ and ‘worst’ case scenarios. Focus on completing a thorough inventory, accounting for all feed resources such as counting all bales available and calculate remaining silage. Estimate remaining forage grazing and assign economic values.

Compare what feed resources you have versus your herd needs. For example, each 1,200 pounds lactating cow may consume 32 pounds of forage per day, so an average 200 cow herds may need 3.2 tons of hay per day… not accounting for waste.

Focus on making the best use of your feed resources. Would it be financially wise to sell your excess higher quality forage and feed the rest? If mild winter conditions continue, selling extra forage could generate more cashflow toward paying taxes, land payments or other crop input costs.

If your cows are thin, consider the opposite; sell your lower quality forage and feed your higher quality.

Cows with lower condition scores need more protein and energy to keep from dropping body condition and maintaining their milk production.

Remember you can’t effectively manage; what you do not measure. If you need assistance, Nebraska Extension educational resources are available online at CropWatch, BeefWatch and beef.unl.edu



The Seed Source and Meristem Join Forces for Nebraska Farmers

Meristem Crop Performance Group and Lowell Schardt of The Seed Source, Inc., Wayne, Neb., today announced a new dealership agreement to serve farmers in Nebraska.

Under the new relationship, Lowell and his staff of The Seed Source will carry the Meristem Crop Performance product line and become Meristem’s ally in helping Nebraska farmers make the most of every dollar they spend on crop inputs.

“The Seed Source crew is well-known in Nebraska for providing solid agronomic advice that helps growers make the most of every seed they offer,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO, in announcing the agreement.  “We’re excited to be able to come alongside to help them serve their farmer-customers and also gain from their field experience and input as we add new products.”

Schardt says he views adding the Meristem portfolio as a logical next step in carrying out the The Seed Source mission of improving return on investment (ROI) for every farmer the company serves.

“We believe planting the right seed is just the beginning in achieving higher yields,” said Schardt, The Seed Source President. “Real success depends on having a sound crop management strategy and agronomic insight. Now we’ll be able to add high-quality Meristem products that will boost yields at a price point that will allow growers a better ROI.”

The Seed Source will add the Meristem product portfolio to their Maximum Profit System™, a proven system that continually aims at greater profitability for growers. Meristem’s product portfolio includes seed treatments under the brand RACEREADY™ and HOPPER THROTTLE™, REVLINE™ plant growth regulators, TRUTRACK™ drift control, AQUADRAFT™ water conditioners and surfactants, UPSHIFT™ starter fertilizers and HOMESTRETCH™ nitrogen stabilizers, micronutrients, and foliar nutritionals. Of special interest is a line of biologicals Meristem is bringing to market, including EXCAVATOR™, a new biological designed to break down tough crop residue.

“Our focus is to have farmers see the seed meet its potential,” says Schardt. “We’ve got world-class germplasm and genetics – we want to help farmers make the most of every seed they put in the ground. Meristem has high-quality products that can help us do exactly that.”

“We’ve set up Meristem to cut waste from the distribution channel while providing high-quality crop input additives to help American farmers increase yield and reduce costs, so they are more competitive in a global market,” adds Eviston. “Now, with the help of Lowell Schardt and The Seed Source, we’ll be able to connect with more of the farmers who can benefit.”



“Overwhelming Choice”, Nebraska Farm Bureau Endorses Jim Pillen for Governor

The Nebraska Farm Bureau has endorsed Jim Pillen for governor. Pillen is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination in the May 10 Nebraska primary election. According to Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) Chair, Sherry Vinton, Pillen was the “overwhelming choice” for the endorsement based on the results of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s grassroots selection process which involves gathering input from local County Farm Bureau’s across the state.

“Through our process, it was clear that our members believe Jim Pillen is the right person to lead our state into the future. We are proud to offer him our endorsement and support as he seeks the Republican gubernatorial nomination,” said Vinton.

"I'm honored to have the support of the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the thousands of farming and ranching families it serves. We share the same vision for Nebraska's future—one of growth and prosperity fueled by our world-class ag producers. I look forward to working with the Nebraska Farm Bureau to fix our broken tax code, strengthen our communities, grow our economy, preserve our family values, and make sure Nebraska farmers and ranchers can always be successful. When Nebraska farmers do well, all Nebraskans do better,” said Jim Pillen upon receiving the endorsement.

In referencing conversations he’s had with members, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue identified several reasons as to why Farm Bureau members gravitated towards Pillen.

“People tend to evaluate candidates based on who they are and what they stand for. Jim Pillen’s Nebraska roots run deep. He comes from agriculture. He’s built a successful family business here in our state. He understands the importance of strong communities. He brings public service experience to the table, serving on the UNL Board of Regents. He’s fiscally conservative, and people believe he’ll bring a commonsense approach to addressing key issues and leading our state,” said McHargue.

McHargue also noted that many of Pillen’s priorities align with those of importance to Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.

“The next Nebraska governor will have major issues to tackle. They’ll need to address tax and school funding reform. Jim supports education and is committed to fixing our broken tax system that’s relies far too heavily on property taxes. The next governor will need to continue to work to grow our state. That means working to ensure high-speed and high-quality internet service is available across Nebraska. Jim has made that a priority. It also means expanding markets for our Nebraska agricultural products, whether that’s supporting the development of businesses that add value to our products here in Nebraska or moving our products into international markets. Jim’s committed to helping our state and agriculture grow,” said McHargue. “We look forward to supporting Jim Pillen as he seeks the Republican gubernatorial nomination.”



USDA NASS TO CONDUCT FIRST-EVER AGROFORESTRY SURVEY

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the first-ever National Agroforestry Survey. Data collection begins February 1 and concludes April 5, 2022. NASS will mail the survey to approximately 200 farmers and ranchers in Nebraska to gather information on the five agroforestry practices used for climate, conservation and production benefits, including windbreaks, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping as well as forest farming and multi-story cropping.

“In this first-ever survey, ag producers have the opportunity to share the different ways they manage valuable agroforestry resources,” said Northern Plains Director, Nicholas Streff. “The data will inform programs and policy to benefit both the landowners and farmers as well as the environment.”

The survey is conducted cooperatively with the USDA National Agroforestry Center (NAC), which is a partnership between USDA’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. The NAC will release the summarized data in studies, press releases, and publications such as highlights. Highlights will give an overview of how agroforestry practices are used in regions across the United States.

“Information shared directly from farmers and ranchers is one of the best ways to learn what works and what doesn’t in agroforestry. We will use the data to discover the most effective, efficient and profitable ways climate-smart agroforestry practices are used, and share what we learn in a series of research reports to benefit U.S. farmers and ranchers,” said NAC Research Program Lead Matthew Smith.

Producers can respond to the survey securely online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. The survey will take no longer than 50 minutes to complete if producers have all five agroforestry practices on their operations. Response time will be shorter if there are fewer practices to report. The information provided by farmers and ranchers is protected by federal law (Title V, Subtitle A, Public Law 107-347), which keeps respondent identity, operation, and answers confidential. For more information, visit www.nass.usda.gov/go/Agroforestry. For assistance with the survey, please call (888) 424-7828.



Iowa Pork Regional Conferences Set for February 21-24

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is inviting the state’s pig farmers to attend one of four Iowa Pork Regional Conferences being held in February. The events are being held at different locations from Feb. 21 through Feb. 24.
 
In addition to the regional conference program that runs from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. each day, a separate morning session from 9 a.m. to noon will provide Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus® training. The PQA Plus training is sponsored by IPPA and provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO).
 
There are four topics for the afternoon sessions on swine health, economic issues, marketing opportunities, and ISUEO resources for pig farmers. “The farmer members of our producer education committee partnered with the Iowa Pork Information Center to select topics and identify relevant speakers,” says Jamee Eggers, IPPA producer education director.
 
The locations of the conferences are:
    Monday, Feb. 21 – Orange City at the Sioux County Extension Office, 400 Central Ave. NW, Suite 700
    Tuesday, Feb. 22 – Osceola at the Clarke County Fairgrounds Events Center, 2070 W. McLane St., Hwy. 34
    Wednesday, Feb. 23 – Nashua at the Borlaug Learning Center, 3327 290th St.  
    Thursday, Feb. 24 –  Washington at the Washington County Extension Office, 2223 250th St.
 
Topics and speakers for the afternoon conferences are:
    Swine Health Update – Dr. Chris Rademacher of the Iowa Pork Industry Center will provide an update on current swine health issues, such as PRRS, E. Coli, African swine fever, vaccines and biosecurity  
    Economic Issues Update – ISU Extension Livestock Economist Dr. Lee Schulz will give an overview of some economic decision tools that ISU has developed for pig farmers, including tools coming from the Pig Survivability project.
    The Greatest Marketing Opportunity in the History of Agriculture is at Your Doorstep – Joe Kerns, Partners for Production Agriculture will review grain and livestock markets, layered over weather and trade situations that may offer opportunities to save on your feed budget and take advantage of greater pork demand.
    Finding the Right Resources – A review of decision-making tools that Iowa State University Extension Swine Specialists can provide for you to solve production problems and other issues on your pig farm.

Check-in starts 30 minutes before the start of the conference. Pre-register for the conference and/or PQA Plus certification training to ensure adequate materials are available to all. To pre-register:
    Go online to IowaPork.org/IPPA-Regional-Conferences, or
    Call IPPA at  (800) 372-7675, or
    Email croepke@iowapork.org.



Robbins Land & Cattle, LLC Named Region III ESAP Winner

Robbins Land & Cattle, of Scranton, Iowa, is among one of six regional honorees of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program, organized by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Justin and Lacie Robbins, owners of Robbins Land & Cattle, LLC, received Region III honors at the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention, in Houston, TX.  

The Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) annually recognizes the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers. Regional winners are commended for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while operating profitable cattle operations. Robbins Land & Cattle, LLC received the Region III ESAP award for the following efforts:

Robbins Land & Cattle, LLC, which runs along the North Raccoon River, is committed to improving the land and natural resources. For nearly two decades, Justin Robbins has dedicated a lot of time and energy to enhancing his farming operation. From rebuilding and implementing farm ponds on pasture ground to establishing cover crops on a large portion of his row crop acres, Justin strives to “leave the land better today” than how he found it yesterday.

For instance, Justin Robbins first incorporated cover crops in 2013. He primarily seeded cover crops on harvested corn acres, but now works to establish cover crops on at least 50 percent of his farming operation. “Building soil health is the long game,” Justin says. Cover crops benefit soil structures in generating nitrogen, reducing erosion, supporting earthworms, and suppressing weeds. Additionally, cover crops provide another forage source. In utilizing cover crops and other corn residue, Justin has slashed feed costs, which can quickly add up when feeding 200 registered Angus cows.  

In 2020, Robbins Land & Cattle, LLC started to sell their naturally raised, homegrown beef through an online store. The couple saw the value-added opportunity as a way to share their story of environmental stewardship with their community and local customers. One year after opening their online store, Robbins Land & Cattle, LLC saw tremendous growth, doubling its sales despite a global health pandemic.

Robbins Land & Cattle will now compete for national honors. The national ESAP recipient will be announced in late July.



USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 539 million bushels in December 2021. Total corn consumption was up 4 percent from November 2021 and up 12 percent from December 2020. December 2021 usage included 92.5 percent for alcohol and 7.5 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 4.74 million bushels, down 1 percent from November 2021 but up 28 percent from December 2020. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 486 million bushels, was up 4 percent from November 2021 and up 13 percent from December 2020. Corn consumed in December 2021 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.0 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 2.07 million tons during December 2021, up 4 percent from November 2021 and up 16 percent from December 2020. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.42 million tons in December 2021, up 7 percent from November 2021 and up 30 percent from December 2020.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 285,387 tons during December 2021, up 2 percent from November 2021 but down 8 percent from December 2020. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 214,346 tons in December 2021, up 1 percent from November 2021 and up 16 percent from December 2020.

Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.95 million tons (198 million bushels) in December 2021, compared with 5.72 million tons (191 million bushels) in November 2021 and 5.79 million tons (193 million bushels) in December 2020. Crude oil produced was 2.32 billion pounds up 4 percent from November 2021 and up 4 percent from December 2020. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.64 billion pounds during December 2021 decreased 1 percent from November 2021 but increased 4 percent from December 2020.

Flour Milling Products
All wheat ground for flour during the fourth quarter 2021 was 235 million bushels, up 2 percent from the third quarter 2021 grind of 231 million bushels and up 1 percent from the fourth quarter 2020 grind of 231 million bushels. Fourth quarter 2021 total flour production was 108 million hundredweight, up 2 percent from the third quarter 2021 and up 1 percent from the fourth quarter 2020. Whole wheat flour production at 5.26 million hundredweight during the fourth quarter 2021 accounted for 5 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the fourth quarter 2021 was 1.70 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the fourth quarter 2021 was 1.59 million hundredweight.



Anhydrous Hits All-Time-High Price Record at $1,492

Most retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN continued to rise during the fourth week of January, while several of them continued to hit all-time highs. Seven of the eight major fertilizers were slightly higher, although none of them saw significant increases as determined by DTN to be 5% or more.

Anhydrous led all fertilizers with a 4% spike, reaching at an all-time high $1,492 per ton, a jump from $1,433 the prior week. UAN28 saw a 3% jump to an all-time-high price of $601/ton, shattering the previous high of $585/ton. UAN32 continued its record pace this week, coming in at $699/ton, an increase of about 2% and also an all-time high.

After hitting the $800/ton level for the first since March 2012 last week, 10-34-0 increased by about 2% to $817/ton.  DAP had an average price of $877 per ton, MAP $936/ton and potash increased slightly to $814/ton.

Urea was the only fertilizer price to fall, by about 1% to $910/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.99/lb.N, anhydrous $0.91/lb.N, UAN28 $1.07/lb.N and UAN32 $1.09/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.  MAP is now 61% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 67% higher, DAP is 76% more expensive, potash is 115% higher, urea is 125% more expensive, UAN32 is 171% higher, UAN28 173% is more expensive and anhydrous is 205% higher compared to last year.



NPB Announces New Staff Leadership Positions

The National Pork Board (NPB) today announced recent staff leadership changes to help ensure its ability to deliver on pork producer priorities for their Checkoff: to build trust in, and add value to, U.S. pork while also protecting the industry’s freedom to operate.

Dustin (Dusty) Oedekoven, DVM, will join NPB as the organization’s new chief veterinarian on Feb. 25, 2022. Dr. Oedekoven will lead a team of veterinarians and swine production experts in Pork Checkoff-funded work to deliver on the No. 1 concern for pork producers – foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness and protecting the U.S. herd from African swine fever (ASF).
Chief Veterinarian

Dr. Oedekoven most recently served as State Veterinarian and Executive Secretary for the South Dakota Animal Industry Board where he provided strategic leadership and direction for the state’s animal health agency – a seven-member, governor-appointed board of livestock producers with responsibility for all animal health programs and disease control efforts in the state. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University and Bachelor of Science degree from South Dakota State University.

Dr. Patrick Webb, DVM, will now serve as NPB’s assistant chief veterinarian. Webb will continue implementing Pork Checkoff-funded FAD prevention and preparedness efforts, including AgView software adoption for disease response and advocating for Secure Pork Supply plans. In addition, he will play a key role in developing a unified swine industry approach for managing and responding to FAD threats and serve as a primary point of contact for the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Program (US SHIP) during the pilot program.

“From our 15-member producer board of directors to the leaders I talked to at the state pork associations and within the veterinarian and allied industry communities, I know we all agree on the importance of these roles,” said Bill Even, National Pork Board CEO. “Preventing ASF from entering the U.S. and addressing endemic disease, such as PRRS, are tall orders, but I am confident we have the leadership and talent to tackle these challenges in Drs. Oedekoven and Webb.”

Additionally, Brett Kaysen, Ph.D., who most recently served as the senior vice president of sustainability for NPB, has taken on the role of senior vice president of producer and state engagement. Under his leadership, Kaysen has elevated the industry’s sustainability platform, which is rooted in the We Care® Ethical Principles. In his new role, Kaysen will continue to oversee the sustainability team – now led by Sara Crawford, Ph.D., vice president of sustainability – and assume responsibility for the team charged with building grassroots leadership and partnerships among state pork associations and producers. Kaysen’s team also now includes those responsible for the industry’s award-winning Pork Quality Assurance® Plus training certification program as well as operation of NPB’s Service Center and coordination of the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence.

“U.S. pork producers continue to operate in a rapidly changing environment. From market dynamics, disease threats and increasing calls from the supply chain for demonstration of our sustainability practices, we need experienced, dedicated leaders who can nimbly navigate these changes on behalf of Checkoff payers due to their deep understanding of our industry,” said Even.



Beef. It's What's For Dinner. brand announces Tony Romo as new spokesperson

The iconic Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and funded by the Beef Checkoff, announced a new partnership with celebrity athlete and former football star Tony Romo at the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention. The partnership, which will last one year and tap into Romo’s vast fanbase, will promote all things beef – from beef nutrition, to how beef is raised, and of course beef’s great taste.   

“Kicking off this partnership in early 2022 is the perfect time to gear up for summer nutrition and grilling, spending time with friends and family and of course, tailgating,” said Sarah Reece, Senior Executive Director of Brand Marketing. “From his nutrition expertise to his love of beef and family, Romo is the perfect spokesperson for the brand.”

“I’m really excited to be your new spokesperson,” said Romo. “Me, my wife and the kids eat beef all the time and I think we’re going to eat it even more if that’s even possible at this point. Hearty and sustainable beef is my new team.”

In addition to the general consumer appeal associated with celebrity spokespeople, Romo will be featured promoting beef in photo and video advertisements on digital and traditional media platforms. Additionally, social media content will be developed for organic and promoted posts across the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. social channels and on Romo’s personal pages.



USDA Announces February 2022 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2022, which are effective Feb. 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans
FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. FSA also offers emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine.  For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for historically underserved producers, including veterans, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for February 2022 are as follows:
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 2.250%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 2.875%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 2.500%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.250%

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.
You can find out which of these loans may be right for you by using our Farm Loan Discovery Tool.

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 1.375%
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:
        Three-year loan terms: 1.125%
        Five-year loan terms: 1.375%
        Seven-year loan terms: 1.625%
        Ten-year loan terms: 1.625%
        Twelve-year loan terms: 1.750%
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 2.000%



RFA Thanks Bipartisan Group of Senators for Standing Up for the RFS

The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked a bipartisan group of 14 Senators for urging EPA to swiftly issue final regulations that restore integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard and put the program back on track.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the senators outlined several actions that “…can quickly restore integrity, stability, and growth to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector while ensuring that the program continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify our fuels, drive down gas prices, strengthen our national security, and drive rural economic opportunity.”

The letter is in response to EPA’s December proposal setting renewable volume obligations and reforming the small refinery exemption program.

“We thank this bipartisan group of senators for their efforts to protect and defend the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “These senators understand that the RFS is the most powerful and effective tool we have to immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, keep consumer gas prices in check, and support a vibrant rural economy. RFA proudly stands with them in calling on the Biden administration to follow through on its commitments to put the RFS back on track.”

The letter was signed by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Thune (R-SD), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Roy Blunt (R-MO).

Specifically, the senators asked EPA to:
    Maintain the blending requirements for 2022 at the proposed levels, including half of the court-ordered 500-million-gallon remand;
    Deny all pending small refinery exemptions and finalize its proposed change in approach to SRE eligibility;
    Eliminate the proposed retroactive cuts to the 2020 RVOs; and
    Set the 2021 renewable obligation volumes at the statutory levels.

EPA’s public comment period on its proposals to cut the 2020 RVO and establish RVOs for 2021 and 2022 ends on Friday, February 4. RFA will be submitting extensive comments to EPA aimed at ensuring the forthcoming final rules provide certainty and growth for the U.S. ethanol industry.



Growth Energy Applauds Bipartisan Call for EPA to Fix and Finalize RVOs

Today, in a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, a bipartisan coalition of 14 U.S. Senators urged Administrator Regan to quickly finalize strong 2022 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO), set 2021 volumes at the statutory levels, reject retroactive cuts to the 2020 RVO, and deny all pending small refinery exemptions (SREs). The letter was led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement thanking the Senators for their support:

“The final versions of the recently proposed 2020, 2021, and 2020 RVOs will have an immense impact for years to come on not only the biofuels industry, but also on the environment as our nation works to achieve net-zero emissions,” said Skor. “We applaud our Senate champions for showing leadership in this bipartisan call for EPA to finalize strong RVO levels and eliminate any proposed retroactive cuts. By doing so, EPA would be making meaningful progress in the Biden Administration’s commitment to move toward more low carbon alternatives in our transportation sector while supporting farmers and biofuels producers.”  



ACE Thanks Bipartisan Group of Senators for Urging the EPA to Prioritize the RFS

Yesterday, a bipartisan group of senators urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prioritize the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by maintaining the blending requirements for 2022, denying all pending Small Refinery Exemptions, eliminating proposed retroactive cuts to the renewable volume obligations (RVOs), and setting 2021 RFS volumes at the statutory levels. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings issued the following statement thanking the senators:

“As EPA prepares to make several important announcements regarding the RFS this year, the bipartisan backing and leadership of these senators is greatly appreciated. By taking the senators’ recommendations to abandon the after-the-fact cut to 2020, maintain robust volumes for 2021 and 2022, and reject pending small refinery exemption waivers, EPA can fully utilize the RFS for its enacted purpose, to replace petroleum with low carbon alternatives, which will help grow demand for biofuels that benefit rural America as well as the Administration’s decarbonization goals.”

A copy of the letter can be accessed here. The bipartisan letter, led by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), was signed by Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.).



Merck Animal Health Introduces SenseHub Feedlot

     Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA (NYSE:MRK), today announced the release of SenseHub® Feedlot, an Allflex Livestock Intelligence product. The state-of-the-art technology is proven to detect sick cattle earlier, more efficiently and more accurately than traditional visual observation. SenseHub Feedlot features an illuminating electronic ear tag that makes it easy to identify and sort cattle needing attention with less labor and minimal disruption to other animals.

     “SenseHub Feedlot offers those who manage and care for cattle an innovative new approach to detecting illness, including bovine respiratory disease (BRD),” said Jason Nickell, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVPM, director of insights and outcomes at Merck Animal Health. “Cattle’s defense mechanisms mean they often hide symptoms of illness, making it very challenging for even experienced pen riders to find sick animals. SenseHub Feedlot assists the pen rider by removing the guesswork. Animals can be pulled and treated more quickly and more accurately.”

How SenseHub Feedlot works
     The electronic ear tag tracks behavioral and biometric data to monitor the health of each animal. Body temperature is captured by an infrared thermistor, and a built-in accelerometer measures animal activity. Using collected data, SenseHub Feedlot applies proven machine learning algorithms to identify individual calves that vary from baseline norms.

     Caregivers receive a daily pull list on their mobile device and/or computer that includes individual animals identified by the system for further assessment. In parallel, an LED light on the respective sick animals’ tags illuminates and flashes, so pen riders can spot them at a glance. After an animal is pulled, the caregiver determines the cause – BRD, lameness or whatever the issue may be – and provides appropriate treatment.

Research proved SenseHub Feedlot reduces mortality and saves labor
     Research at an Oklahoma feedyard showed that monitoring market cattle with the SenseHub Feedlot system significantly reduced mortality due to BRD, compared with traditional pen rider observation. In the first 60 days on feed, BRD mortality was lower for cattle monitored with SenseHub Feedlot, even though disease incidence was higher for that group.

     In addition, the Oklahoma trial demonstrated significant labor savings with SenseHub Feedlot. Riders who observed cattle visually entered an average of 18 pens per day, compared with only 5.3 pens per day on average when assisted by SenseHub Feedlot – a 71% reduction.  

     Nickell noted, “The technology is like having another employee monitoring cattle 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even with ‘feedlot’ in the product name, the product also has application in backgrounding/stocker operations or cow/calf operations retaining calves.

     “Current users of the technology have reported lower treatment costs, as it allows them to pull sick animals earlier and only treat sick animals,” Nickell added. “They’ve also reported less mortality, fewer retreats and improved treatment outcomes due to earlier intervention.”

Implementing SenseHub Feedlot
     SenseHub Feedlot requires minimal hardware and is easy to implement on any size operation. It consists of the ear tag, which is reusable, and an antenna placed strategically on site. A gateway collects, stores and sends data to a data platform. The system has a range of up to 2 miles.

     “This technology is another innovation from Merck Animal Health that enables cattle producers to monitor and gather real-time, actionable data to help them better care for and manage cattle,” said Paul Koffman, North America lead, Allflex Livestock Intelligence. “In times when labor supply is short, SenseHub Feedlot is even more helpful as it allows caretakers to more efficiently and accurately assess animal care needs, resulting in better outcomes for cattle and a positive impact to the bottom line for producers.”

     SenseHub Feedlot is now available as a part of a limited rollout, with plans to expand availability this summer. For more information on SenseHub Feedlot, visit SenseHubFeedlot.com.



Tractor Supply Co. Opens its 2,000th Store Location

Tractor Supply Company announced it has surpassed 2,000 stores and plans to continue its ongoing expansion. The company is set to open 75-80 new stores in 2022, including relocating a store this month in Minot, N.D., home of the original Tractor Supply location.

Tractor Supply Company began in 1938 as a mail-order business focused on providing quality tractor parts to farmers at fair prices. Charles E. Schmidt Sr. ran the business from his Chicago kitchen table before opening a retail store one year later in Minot. Schmidt selected the town for its central location between Texas and Saskatchewan, two hubs for tractor owners.

In 2011, after 72 years in business, Tractor Supply celebrated the opening of its 1,000th store. It added another thousand just ten years later and recently celebrated the grand opening of the 2,000th location in White House, Tenn.

"Beginning with our first store in Minot, Tractor Supply Company established a commitment to meeting and exceeding the needs of our customers, and we have upheld that commitment for more than 80 years," said Hal Lawton, Tractor Supply's President & CEO. "By never losing sight of our purpose, we have grown far beyond what Mr. Schmidt could have ever imagined. While we are proud of our history and all that we have accomplished, we are even more excited about the future and the many ways we can continue to support our neighbors who share our passion for Life Out Here."

Tractor Supply stores provide a one-stop shop for the community, serving farmers, livestock and pet owners, ranchers, part-time and hobby farmers, gardeners, homeowners and others. Tractor Supply customers can access a wide range of products including pet supplies, animal feed, propane tanks, fencing, tools and outdoor power equipment, apparel, gifts and decor and more.



 AGCO to Showcase New Equipment & Hands-On Experiences at 2022 World Ag Expo

AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, will showcase equipment from its Fendt®, Massey Ferguson®, Hesston by Massey Ferguson® brands, as well as other implements at the 2022 World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA, on February 8-10. Highlighting AGCO’s appearance will be the debut of the new Hesston WR Series windrower, the interactive FendtONE™ Experience Center, and a wide array of popular tractors and Ride & Drive opportunities. AGCO’s booth is located between Q and R streets on North Street.

After a digital-only show in 2021, the 55th World Ag Expo is “Back in AgTion” this year and will feature more than 95 special events, seminars, equipment displays, and livestock demonstrations. “We’re tremendously excited to be back in Tulare this year,” said Darren Parker, AGCO’s vice president of Massey Ferguson NA. “Shows like World Ag Expo provide critical opportunities for farmers to share their needs and learn how AGCO equipment make their operations more efficient and profitable.”

AGCO’s large and dynamic booth fits prominently in the show’s proceedings and will feature new equipment and interactive experiences from across its brand lineup that make it a must-see stop for all attendees:

Massey Ferguson 8S Series Tractor: New to World Ag Expo! The 8S Series tractor opens a new era for Massey Ferguson’s storied brand and World Ag Expo attendees will be the first on the West Coast to see it! The 8S project began from a blank page and built a complete farming solution based on an in-depth “Voice of the Customer” study, which included one-on-one interviews with operators around the globe. The result is a revolutionary and powerful tractor with a spacious cab, less noise and vibration, and better visibility for more productive operations.

Hesston WR Series Windrower by Massey Ferguson: Debuting at World Ag Expo! Hesston’s hay and foraging solutions have long been the equipment of choice for farmers across the United States and attendees will be the first to see the new WR Series self-propelled windrower. Larger fuel capacity and hydraulic efficiencies means the new WR Series offers more uptime, more power, and more comfort to maximize hay production and quality. The WR Series is a smarter, more powerful way to better hay.

Hesston Balers and Rakes: Hesston by Massey Ferguson has produced the industry’s leading balers and rakes for generations, and both will be on-hand for up-close inspection. Available on the lot will be Hesston’s 2200 Series large square baler, 1800 Series small square baler, and RK Series rotary rakes.

FendtONE Experience Center: New to World Ag Expo! The Fendt Mobile Experience Center is an innovative digital experience that educates farmers on the unique capabilities of Fendt’s latest technology and equipment. The highly-customized platform offers multiple interactive displays that highlight Fendt tractors, combines, planters and application machinery, including informative video, customer experiences, and benchmarking results. The highlight of the experience is a complete and fully-functional FendtONE cab for visitors to operate and gain a unique hands-on user experience. The FendtONE Experience Center will be open for all attendees to enjoy.

Fendt Ride & Drive: New to World Ag Expo! Fendt’s Ride & Drive experience at WAE will provide hands-on opportunities of some of its newest and most powerful tractors. The Fendt 700 will feature its innovative CargoProfi loader for demonstrations and the new 1167 Vario MT and 942 Vario will be available for attendees to experience the latest in Fendt cab technology, operator ergonomics, and high-end features and capabilities.

Massey Ferguson Ride & Drive and Backhoe Challenge: These popular hands-on events return with GC backhoes, CUE tractors, and ground tools and implements. Attendees will be able to dig, scrape, blade and have fun experiencing the usefulness of the compact utility lifestyle!

A Wide Array of Tractors and Implements: Both Fendt and Massey Ferguson will showcase tractors and implements that are ideal for the vineyards, orchards, and produce operations in the western US. Many Fendt tractors displayed will be new to World Ag Expo attendees and range from the FT 300 Vario’s 113HP to the FT 1167 Vario MT’s staggering 673HP. Massey Ferguson’s wide-ranging lineup will vary from the compact GC1700 all the way up to the new 8S Series tractor and the 8700 S workhorse.



Proposed Changes to the National List for Organic Crops and Handling

The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) identifies the synthetic substances allowed and the natural substances prohibited in organic farming. It also identifies nonagricultural and nonorganic agricultural substances that may be used in organic handling. Any change to the National List requires a recommendation from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)—the federal advisory board charged with advising USDA leadership about the National List and other matters—and then USDA rulemaking with multiple opportunities for public comment.

USDA today published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List, part of the organic regulations overseen by the NOP. The proposed changes are based on October 2020 and April 2021 recommendations from the NOSB.

This proposed rule would:
    Allow paper pots for use as a planting aid in organic crop production.
    Allow low-acyl gellan gum for use as a thickener, gelling agent, or stabilizer in organic food processing.
    Correct a spelling error on the National List to change “wood resin” to “wood rosin.”

USDA welcomes comments on the proposed amendments. The 62-day comment period will close on April 4, 2022.



Annual Cattle Industry Convention Kicks Off in Houston
 
The largest annual beef industry event begins today in Houston, where thousands of cattle producers, industry partners and stakeholders have gathered for the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. The convention, which continues through Feb. 3, provides a platform for education, policy development and networking.

“This is the first time Houston has hosted convention, and this cosmopolitan city has a lot of charm,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jerry Bohn. “With a great mix of education and entertainment, this year’s event has something for everyone.”

Stephanie Nash, winner of the 2022 NCBA National Anthem Contest, will open the event in patriotic style with the singing of the “Star-Spangled Banner”. Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, is back by popular demand as convention emcee and will interview George Foreman, legendary boxer and famous griller, during the Opening General Session.

Over the next few days convention participants will gain insights on market trends during the CattleFax Outlook Seminar, hear a “State of the Industry” update from NCBA, learn about the beef business climate around the world, and wander through the NCBA Trade Show – the industry’s largest, with more than 350 exhibitors on nearly 10 acres under one roof.

Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also be held. In addition, the Environmental Stewardship Award regional winners will be recognized at a special reception.

A new high-profile session on Thursday morning includes Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Under Secretary of Agriculture Robert Bonnie and British Ambassador, Dame Karen Pierce, providing an update on the beef business climate in the United States and around the globe. The Closing General Session celebrates the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program and BQA award winners and features two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Theismann.

Additional educational opportunities include the Learning Lounge, which offers classroom sessions on the trade show floor providing busy attendees valuable educational tips. The Stockmanship and Stewardship demonstration arena provides unique educational experiences featuring live animal handling demonstrations. Back by popular demand is the Chutes and Scales Showdown where producers can watch cattle run through chutes, side-by-side, then get hands-on experience with the equipment. New this year is RanchHOW, a hands-on workshop offering a unique way to learn and network with attendees and trade show exhibitors.

Entertainment is plentiful throughout the event, including “Rocket to the Rustic” on Wednesday evening with live music, local food and a lot of fun. Convention wraps up Thursday evening with the Cowboy Comedy Club featuring headliner Jim Gaffigan, a Grammy nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, best-selling author, Emmy-winning performer, and multi-platinum-selling recording artist who is known around the world for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life.



Cattle Producers Converge in Houston for Education Experience
 
Hundreds of cattlemen and women attended the 29th annual Cattlemen’s College in Houston, Texas, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, which was held before the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, is one of the cattle industry’s premier educational events and brings stimulating sessions that can help generate better returns for operations.

The first day of Cattlemen’s College included four workshops featuring hot topics such as global cattle industry trends, communicating continuous improvement, risk management resources and the beef x dairy trend. Live cattle sessions also explored balancing genetics and phenotype, and emerging genetic predictors of phenotype that can help producers achieve their breeding objectives.

The second day featured 15 sessions and five educational tracks for producers to choose from including protecting your bottom line, improving efficiency and herd health, practical nutrition management, trending now and sustainability applied. The event concluded with lunch and a panel discussion featuring Jason Osterstock, vice president of Precision Animal Health at Zoetis and Jamie Kovicak, loaders commercial manager at Caterpillar. Panelists discussed the greatest threats facing the cattle industry, and how incorporating cutting-edge technologies provided by innovative companies can be the real solution for producers in the future.

“The content for Cattlemen’s College is driven by producers,” said Josh White, executive director of producer education & sustainability with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “We work with producers throughout the year to identify important topics and industry leaders, creating a world-class education experience.”    

On demand videos from Cattlemen’s College will be available online for registered attendees, and for a fee to non-attendees, following the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show at https://convention.ncba.org/events-meetings/cattlemens-college.