Tuesday March 15 Ag News

Grain States Soya/Soy Best welcomes new Technical Service Manager

Dr. Juan Pablo Russi joined Grain States Soya/Soy Best in West Point, NE as Technical Service Manager on March 1, 2022.

Dr. Russi grew up on a farm in Argentina. He graduated from High School in 1988 then attended the University of Buenos Aires graduating in 1995 in Agronomical Engineering. He received his Animal Nutrition M. Sc in 2001 at Aberdeen University in Scotland and his Doctorate in Veterinary Science from the University of La Plata Argentina in 2016.

Dr. Russi has continuously worked on and with the family farm since graduating from high school and is currently the President of the Board for the farm. In 2002 after finishing his Master’s Program, Dr. Russi began working as a consultant for dairy and beef farms in Argentina. In 2005 Dr. Russi started the mineral mixing company RUSITEC and in 2015 went on to buy the feed mill Nutrevill in Argentina. Dr. Russi currently leads a team of three Nutritionists in Argentina who not only advise farmers, but also innovate and develop new technologies in the industry.  Dr. Russi and his team have recently developed an App that measures manure scores to predict performance in beef and feedlot cattle. Dr. Russi is a partner of two companies in the United States that are owners of different IP’s including the Rumen-protected Carbohydrate which is now being sold in the United States as Gluco Best ®.

Dr. Russi has published several scientific research articles and abstracts. He writes periodically in a specialized magazine in Argentina. He is a member of the American Dairy Science Association and a Professional Animal Scientist.



Christopher Neale saluted with national award for irrigation science leadership

The American Society of Civil Engineers has awarded Christopher Neale, the director of research at the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska, a national award for his important contributions to irrigation science in the United States and globally and for his training of irrigation engineers.  

In honoring Neale with the 2022 Royce J. Tipton Award, the ASCE saluted him for his “significant contributions on the use of remote sensing for estimating evapotranspiration of agricultural crops, irrigation water management and hydrology, and the education of irrigation engineers.”

“During his decades-long career, Neale has established himself as a world-renowned authority on applications and advancement of irrigation and drainage engineering through exemplary accomplishments,” the organization said in announcing the award.  

Neale’s research interest has focused on developing remote sensing applications for irrigated agriculture, hydrology and natural resources monitoring. His work in irrigation engineering began in 1984, when he evaluated the performance of automated surface irrigation systems in the Grand Valley of Colorado. In 1988 he joined the faculty at Utah State University as a professor of irrigation engineering. There, he established the university’s Remote Sensing Services Laboratory.  

A low-cost airborne remote sensing system he developed is used in the western U.S. to map spatially distributed energy balance and evapotranspiration of riparian and agricultural vegetation.  

Neale joined the University of Nebraska in 2013 and oversees the Water for Food Institute’s research efforts, engaging faculty in new projects and initiating partnerships with organizations and universities worldwide. He holds a doctorate in agricultural engineering from Colorado State University and has led numerous national and international partnerships and projects to foster and improve irrigation management in the U.S., Middle East and North Africa, India, Brazil, and Kazakhstan.

His most recent international projects were in the Dominican Republic, where he used aerial photography and remote sensing to map and monitor irrigated agriculture and developed a comprehensive database of irrigation water users in a GIS environment.

Neale is president of the international Commission on Remote Sensing of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences. He is a founding partner and executive committee member of the Irrigation Innovation Consortium.

He has authored or co-authored 196 peer-reviewed publications, and they have been cited more than 5,700 times. He has served as the major advisor to 23 master’s students and 21 doctoral students.



GRASS-ALFALFA MIXTURES OR PURE ALFALFA
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator

Planting a new alfalfa hay field is a pretty routine undertaking. Have you considered putting some grass in that new alfalfa planting this year?

Putting a field back into alfalfa is a practice that often goes with little thought of alternative species. Every operation is different, so pure alfalfa may still be the best option. Some producers may want to seed smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, festulolium, or other grasses with the alfalfa. But why should you consider a mixture?

Many producers roll out bales for winter feeding, while others may grind different hays or feedstuffs. If more than 5 to 6 pounds of alfalfa is being fed to brood cows, that may be too little energy or TDN and too much protein. This is with a good quality alfalfa. If an alfalfa-grass hay is fed instead, the protein may be lower, but the TDN will be higher and better meet the energy requirements of those cows while not overfeeding protein. The mixing of the hay is done in the field while it grows instead of with the machinery in the winter.

Not every field is equal; just look at a soil map. Soil types or conditions may vary within a field and a mixture may result in a better overall stand. Alfalfa, for example, doesn’t like “wet feet” so the grass planted will do better in low lying areas where alfalfa can’t survive. Additionally, an alfalfa-grass mix usually dries down more quickly so it can get put up sooner. Typically, a mixture will yield the same or more than pure alfalfa on an annual basis, with most of the grass tonnage produced in the first cutting.

Mixtures do have to be managed differently than pure alfalfa stands, and some buyers may only want alfalfa, but for some operations, a mixture might be the perfect recipe.



PSC ISSUES ORDER ASSESSING CIVIL PENALTY IN SOUTH DAKOTA GRAIN DEALER COMPLAINT

The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued an Order (GDC-446) finding Banghart Properties, LLC, a.k.a. Fearless Grain Marketing Storage & Arbitrage, a.k.a. Fearless Grain Marketing, a.k.a. Fearless Grain of Gettysburg, South Dakota operated as a grain dealer in Nebraska without a license and assessed a civil penalty of $290,000.

“This company’s flagrant violation of Nebraska law along with its unwillingness to comply led to the conclusion that this civil penalty is warranted,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.

In October 2021, the Commission filed a complaint against Banghart Properties LLC, (and its various aliases), alleging numerous violations of the Nebraska Grain Dealer Act including operating as a grain dealer without a license (Nebraska Revised Statute §75-903 and 291 Nebraska Administrative Code §08-003.01.0) and violating regulatory requirements for documenting grain purchases and transactions.

A hearing on the complaint was held on January 5, 2022. Upon consideration of the evidence presented to the Commission, it finds the civil penalty (Nebraska Revised Statute § 75-156 ), totaling $290,000 is appropriate.

Commissioner Watermeier said, “The Order speaks for itself, we find it in the public good and we take our responsibility to protect Nebraska producers/sellers seriously.”

The Company has 30 days in which to appeal the Commission’s Order.



We've Got Your Brackets...for Pulled Pork Madness!
    
The March brackets are set. While lots of basketball fans around Iowa will be intently following NCAA tournaments, there’s one bracket that all Iowans can cheer for…it's Pulled Pork Madness!
 
For the fifth year, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is looking for the best pulled pork sandwich in the state. Restaurants around the state are facing off in a bracket-style competition similar to the NCAA’s college basketball tournament. The “Sweet 16” matchups that will leave all fans wanting more (pulled pork) were announced late Monday.
 
The entire bracket is based on fan nominations that took place earlier this month. Pork lovers have until 10 a.m. Friday, March 18 to determine who advances to the next round. Other voting deadlines are March 23 to determine the “Final Four” and March 28 to choose the championship bracket. The championship round ends March 31, with the winner announced April 1.

You can vote on IPPA’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/IowaPork/) or on the Pulled Pork Madness website page (https://www.iowapork.org/all-about-pork/pulled-pork-madness/) during each round. Also, keep up with the contest on social media using the #PulledPorkMadness hashtag.
 
IPPA received 622 nominations for 62 Iowa restaurants in the contest. The “Sweet 16” bracket was seeded based on the two restaurants with the most votes in each of IPPA’s eight districts.
 
“This is a fun contest for pork fans to participate in. Not only do they get to show their support for their favorite pulled pork, they are also introduced to other restaurants around the state,” said Hannah Spurr, IPPA’s consumer outreach director. “It’s just a great way to remind folks that restaurants in all parts of Iowa have pork on the menu!”
 
Restaurants in the “Sweet 16” are:
    District 1: The Roadhouse, Orange City vs. Smokin’ Hereford BBQ, Storm Lake
    District 2: Double M Sandwich Shop, Emmetsburg vs. Birdies, Burgers, & Brews, Graettinger
    District 3: Blue Barn BBQ, Cedar Falls vs. Starbeck’s Smokehouse, Cedar Falls
    District 4: Backwoods Bar and Grill, McGregor vs. Bents Smokehouse & Pub, Westgate
    District 5: Junction Café, Bedford vs. Boxer BBQ – Council Bluffs
    District 6: B Fabulous BBQ & Catering, Slater vs. ShortE’s BBQ, Johnston
    District 7: The Rib Shack, Knoxville vs. Bubba-Q’s, Ottumwa
    District 8: Smilee’s Ice Cream & More, DeWitt vs. Sugarfire Smoke House, Cedar Rapids

The top vote-getter will receive $250 and a “Pulled Pork Madness” plaque.
 
Previous winners include Smokin’ Butt Barbecue in Davenport (2021); Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew in Luther (2020); Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa (2019); and Moo’s BBQ in Newton (2018).



Veterinarians Investigating Unusual Bacterial Disease in Iowa Pigs

Iowa State University veterinarians have taken on the role of gumshoe detectives as they investigate how an aggressive bacterial strain has spread among central Iowa pork production facilities.

The bacteria, called Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP), has showed up in nine central Iowa pork production systems since late November. It attacks a pig's respiratory system and can cause death quickly after the first symptoms emerge. ISU veterinarians are sequencing the genome of the bacteria and, with funding from the Swine Health Information Center, piecing together clues indicating how the bacteria spread. They're also developing protocols to contain the bacteria and coordinating with pork producers and local veterinarians to minimize the disease's impact.

The U.S. pork industry has dealt with a number of serotypes, or strains, of APP since the 1960s, said Dr. Marcelo Almeida, a clinical assistant professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine. Producers and veterinarians learned to manage the disease, so it rarely causes serious problems, although some serotypes still circulate among herds. Almeida said the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirms between 70 and 80 cases of APP in pigs every year, but most years do not see an unusual outbreak like this one, which has caused mortality of up to 50% in infected herds.

The central Iowa outbreak is unusual because of its concentration, with all the affected production systems within a roughly 20-mile radius, said Dr. Derald Holtkamp, professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine. The bacteria most often spread via physical contact and generally don't survive long in the environment.

"It's a disease that, according to the textbook, shouldn't be very easily transmitted from one herd to another," Holtkamp said. "But in this case, it's moved around a fair amount."

The bacteria can be treated with an injection of antibiotics, but the disease strikes so quickly that pigs can die just hours after showing the first symptoms, which include fever, coughing and open-mouth breathing.

The serotype behind the central Iowa outbreak had not shown such virulence in the past, so the ISU veterinarians are working to sequence the whole genome of bacteria samples taken from affected production systems. The data generated from those sequences will help the veterinarians determine if the serotype has evolved or acquired new genes to make it more virulent than in the past. The veterinarians have gathered samples from each affected site and will compare the genomic data of each sample.

"It's likely we'll find some small differences in the samples, and we'll have to understand the intricacies of these bacteria to see what differences are relevant and which ones aren't," Almeida said.

The sequencing process, along with additional bioinformatics analysis of the genomes, will take two to four more weeks.

In the meantime, ISU veterinarians are working with producers and local veterinarians to shore up biocontainment procedures to keep the bacteria from spreading. That means reworking procedures and schedules so employees and equipment don't transport the bacteria from an infected location to an uninfected one. The ISU veterinarians are also sleuthing out all possible avenues that could have contributed to the outbreak. They're looking at feed delivery schedules, rendering processes, transport of animals, equipment maintenance and other possible contributing factors.

ISU veterinarians are also continuously coordinating with local vets to stay on top of new cases. The Swine Medicine Education Center at Iowa State organized a webinar with various stakeholders to help producers strengthen their biocontainment measures and preparedness.

Holtkamp stressed that the bacteria has never been shown to pose a threat to humans, nor does it make pork unsafe to eat.



EPA Approves Label Amendments to Over-the-Top Dicamba in MN,IA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved label amendments that further restrict the use of over-the-top dicamba in Minnesota and Iowa. The amendments, requested by pesticide registrants in consultation with those states, are intended to reduce risks from the use of over-the-top dicamba, an herbicide used to control certain types of broadleaf weeds.

The revised labeling prohibits over-the-top dicamba application:
    On dicamba-tolerant crops after June 20 in Iowa;
    On dicamba-tolerant crops south of Interstate 94 after June 12 in Minnesota (the cut-off date for land north of Interstate 94 remains June 30); and
    When the air temperature is over 85 degrees at the time of application or if the forecasted high temperature of the nearest available location exceeds 85 degrees in Minnesota.

These restrictions are intended to reduce the likelihood of volatility and offsite movement of over-the-top dicamba by avoiding application on days with high temperatures. Among other requirements, the product registrants must add the amended labeling to their training and educational materials and disseminate this information to pesticide authorities and agricultural extension services to assist users in their local area. These label amendments demonstrate EPA’s ongoing commitment to help states address issues related to incidents in their jurisdictions. EPA’s highest priority is to protect human health and the environment, and all pesticide decisions must be consistent with this principle.

In December 2021, EPA released a summary of dicamba-related incident reports from the 2021 growing season obtained from pesticide registrants, States, the general public, and non-governmental organizations. Despite the control measures implemented in EPA’s October 2020 dicamba registration decision, incidents from the 2021 growing season show little change in number, severity, or geographic extent of dicamba-related incidents when compared to the reports the Agency received before the 2020 control measures were required. EPA received approximately 3,500 dicamba-related incident reports from the 2021 growing season, including approximately 711 incidents reported in Minnesota and 528 incidents reported in Iowa. Additionally, more than 280 incident reports came from counties where additional restrictions are required to protect endangered species when dicamba is applied to dicamba-tolerant soybean and cotton crops, including approximately 34 incident reports in Minnesota and 69 in Iowa.

Based on prior research and numerous stakeholder meetings, EPA has reason to believe the number of incidents reported significantly understates the actual number of incidents related to dicamba use. For example, in a 2020 memo, EPA estimated that one in 25 dicamba incidents was reported to EPA. No evidence available to EPA suggests that underreporting has changed.

Given the incident information obtained from the 2021 growing season, EPA is reviewing whether over-the-top dicamba can be used in a manner that does not pose unreasonable risks to non-target crops and other plants, or to listed species and their designated critical habitats. EPA is also evaluating all of its options for addressing future dicamba-related incidents.

As EPA considers the regulatory tools available to further address dicamba-related incidents, the Agency continues to work with states and registrants to assess and implement additional restrictions. If a state wishes to further restrict or narrow the over-the-top uses of dicamba, it may use FIFRA section 24(a) to do so, or like this action, it may work with registrants to submit a label amendment containing state-specific restrictions for EPA approval.

To view the label amendments, visit docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2020-0492 at www.regulations.gov.



Growth Energy Calls on DOE to Set the Record Straight on Anti-Ethanol Study

Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm calling on the department to address the most recent inaccurate and misleading study by Tyler Lark and others that claims to have been partially funded by the department.  

The study directly contradicts conclusions from DOE’s own Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model, which has been tracking the impacts of corn-ethanol's lifecycle emissions since 1996. Last May, DOE’s Argonne National Lab stated that, “for the United States, biofuels like corn ethanol can play a critical role in reducing our carbon footprint.”

“Failing to address this research’s inconsistencies and departure from mainstream science could have negative consequences in our nation’s quest to decarbonize the transportation sector—both on the ground and in the air. According to recent research by the Rhodium Group, our industry’s contributions in reaching net-zero emissions targets and decarbonizing the transportation sector will be necessary,” wrote Skor.  

“The ethanol industry is continually finding new ways to innovate and reduce emissions throughout its production cycle, including by creating new applications for hard-to-decarbonize industries like aviation. We must rely on the best and most widely accepted science to achieve our climate goals and attain net-zero emissions by 2050.”



Clean Fuels ushers in new era of sustainable energy with home heating oil community

The National Biodiesel Board recently unveiled its new name and new brand, Clean Fuels Alliance America, during the opening session of the 2022 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. The transformation to Clean Fuels helps further the organization’s position as a proven, innovative part of America’s clean energy mix and helps the industry represent all its industry members: biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels.

For nearly three decades, the trade association has worked tirelessly and passionately with notable petroleum organizations such as the National Oilheat Research Alliance, National Energy Fuels Institute, Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers, Energy Marketers of America, Independent Liquid Terminals Association and countless state oil heat associations on the local level.

"Together we have enjoyed countless successes together as we spearheaded the commercialization of biodiesel and Bioheat® fuel,” said Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels. “Today we wish to share our new brand with you and our continued commitment to offer our professional expertise to our partners as we pursue opening markets for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuels nationwide."

The clean fuels industry has seen and will continue to see significant growth as the world further prioritizes clean energy. With the support of the downstream supply chain, Clean Fuels is confident that the industry will help the nation meet its energy needs while lowering carbon and air pollutants.

"Clean Fuels is excited about working closely with the home heating oil community as it pursues its goal to decarbonize over the next decade,” said Paul Nazzaro, Clean Fuels’ longtime petroleum liaison and founder of the Nazzaro Group, LLC. “Building on more than a decade of market development, Clean Fuels stands ready to help regional state heating oil associations and its members to navigate the commercialization of Bioheat® fuel."

"We are an integral part of the solution for sustainable energy that’s not only affordable but also scalable and available now,” Rehagen said. “Further, our new name and brand represents the connected energies of our members and positions our industry for a clean fuels future."



2021/22 Sorghum Quality Report Released By U.S. Grains Council

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has published its 2021/2022 Sorghum Quality Report and for the third year in a row, U.S. sorghum was, on average, graded above necessary requirements for U.S. No. 1.

Protein content in sorghum was up eight percent year over year, with readings coming in at 11.3 percent, up slightly from last year’s crop.

“Protein content in sorghum is very valuable when evaluating sorghum against other feed grains,” said Paige Stevenson, USGC manager of global trade. “In a market environment where protein demand is high, every percentage point counts in animal diets.”

The report, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA’s FAS) Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program, provides international customers and other interested parties accurate, unbiased information about the 2021 U.S. sorghum crop.

To generate the report’s findings, a total of 97 samples were collected from 13 participating elevators located in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota between Sept. 20, 2021 and Feb. 16, 2022 and were analyzed by the Amarillo Grain Exchange and the Cereal Quality Lab at Texas A&M University. Scientists there calculated averages and standard deviations for each quality factor tested and reported results for the U.S. aggregate.

Total sorghum damage came in at just 0.0 percent in the aggregate, and broken kernel and foreign material (BNFM) was only 1.5 percent, both similar to last year’s results, highlighting how hard the grain is and how well it holds up during handling and storage.

For the second year in a row, 100 percent of the samples tested undetectable for tannins.

“Many other growing regions that raise red sorghum have tannins in the grain,” Stevenson said. “However, here in the U.S., we grow a non-tannin red variety. This is proven again in this year’s report and is a positive for livestock producers using it, as high-tannin sorghum can interfere with nutrient absorption by livestock.”

This report is the third one completed since the 2016/2017 sorghum crop. The Council plans to roll out the information through webinar distribution around the world.

“Being the third consecutive report, this valuable information helps fulfill the Council’s mission by providing in depth information about the U.S. sorghum crop and allows buyers around the world an opportunity to see trends in U.S. sorghum quality,” Stevenson said. “We hope the 2021/2022 Sorghum Quality Report helps give our valued trade partners confidence in the sorghum U.S. producers are raising.”



AGCO to Exhibit at Celebration of Modern Agriculture on National Mall, March 21-22

AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, announced today its exhibit on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on March 21-22, as part of the Association of Equipment Manufacturer’s (AEM) Celebration of Modern Agriculture event.

Agriculture equipment manufacturers and AEM partners in the Washington D.C. ag community will showcase how “innovation enables sustainability” in the nation’s capital. The event will take place outside USDA headquarters between the Smithsonian Museums and will feature America’s farmers, ranchers and agriculture innovators on the cutting-edge of science and technology.

“AEM is pleased to provide a forum for showcasing these fascinating displays of the innovations that are enabling modern agriculture to sustainably provide for a growing world, as it will serve as an opportunity to help educate policymakers on the sustainability of today’s producers,” said AEM Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs Nick Tindall.

On display will be innovations in such product categories as: autonomous robot concepts, combines, applicators, windrowers, data management, in-field conservation practices, creative chemistry, tractors big and small, and much more. All the exhibits will feature the advancements that drive American agriculture’s long history of producing more while shrinking its environmental footprint.

“‘Ag on the Mall’ is a great opportunity to showcase how AGCO is helping farmers develop more productive, efficient, and sustainable practices to feed a rapidly growing world,” said Robert Crain, AGCO SVP of Customer Experience and AEM chair. “Visitors will see revolutionary products that have won awards for engineering excellence, such as the Fendt Rogator 900 Series Applicator and Massey Ferguson 8S Series Tractor. And we’re very excited to demonstrate our Project Xaver Planting Robot concept, which represents the industry’s most cutting-edge autonomous technology as AGCO leans into the future of farming.”

“Bringing the ag community together for National Ag Day to tell this important story couldn’t happen at a more critical time, as USDA is in the process of developing its Climate-Smart Agriculture & Forestry Partnership Program and environmental sustainability continues to be hotly debated in Congress and the media,” said Tindall. “Highlighting how innovation enables sustainability will be vital to ensuring policies allow farmers and ranchers to produce and innovators to innovate.”

National Agriculture Day is Tuesday, March 22.



Louis Dreyfus Company Enters Plant Proteins Market and Inaugurates Dedicated R&D Center

Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. (LDC) announced today the creation of a new Plant Proteins business as part of its commitment to helping shape a strong and sustainable food system. Having hired a dedicated team composed of business developers, researchers and engineers in 2021, today the company inaugurated a new R&D facility dedicated to its plant proteins business in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, US.  

“As part of our strategic growth plans to move further downstream and diversify revenue through more value-added products, we see an opportunity to participate in the rapidly-growing plant-based foods market through plant protein extraction and food & beverage application formulation, leveraging our existing origination and industrial capabilities,” said Michael Gelchie, LDC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Growing health, environment and animal welfare concerns are driving strong demand for plant-based alternatives to animal proteins. Food companies are rapidly innovating to solve the protein challenge and meet demand for sustainable and affordable products with great taste and nutritional profile.

“LDC’s Plant Proteins business aspires to be the partner of choice for food companies and innovative brands who wish to incorporate more sustainable proteins in their products,” said Thomas Couteaudier, Chief Strategy Officer for LDC. “We will enter the market with a first range of non-GMO plant protein isolates by the end of 2022, with an initial focus on North America, aiming ultimately to offer global customers a multipurpose portfolio of products and application solutions.”

The new Plant Proteins business will be managed by Dr. Manoj Kumar, LDC’s Vice President for Plant Proteins, supervising a team of experts based in California.

“The facility inaugurated today is a critical foundation for the new business, supporting its R&D and commercial program. It will serve as a laboratory and pilot plant to develop products, validate their technical and commercial value, and build know-how for future applications,” said Dr. Kumar.