Tuesday May 31 Crop Progress + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending May 29, 2022, there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 26% short, 59% adequate, and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 17% very short, 37% short, 46% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 95%, near 97% last year and 94% for the five-year average. Emerged was 73%, behind 81% last year, and near 77% average.

Soybeans planted was 87%, behind 93% last year, but near 83% average. Emerged was 55%, behind 65% last year, but near 52% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 16% very poor, 17% poor, 38% fair, 25% good, and 4% excellent.  Winter wheat headed was 50%, near 46% last year and 49% average.

Sorghum planted was 55%, ahead of 43% last year, and near 52% average.

Oats condition rated 12% very poor, 14% poor, 28% fair, 39% good, and 7% excellent. Oats emerged was 93%, near 96% last year and 92% average.

Dry edible beans planted was 21%, near 18% last year, and ahead of 12% average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 15% very poor, 23% poor, 42% fair, 18% good, and 2% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT

A few days of welcome rainfall meant Iowa farmers had 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 29, 2022, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included planting, cutting hay, and applying chemicals.

Topsoil moisture conditions rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 2 percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.

Planting is almost complete, with 94 percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop planted, 13 days behind last year but equal to the 5-year average. Seventy-three percent of the corn crop has emerged, 6 days behind last year and 2 days behind the average. Iowa’s first corn condition rating of the crop year was 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 71 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

Eighty-five percent of soybeans have been planted, 11 days behind last year but 6 days ahead of the 5-year average. Forty-five percent of soybeans have emerged, 8 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average.

Ninety percent of the oat crop has emerged, 11 days behind last year and 1 week behind the 5-year average. Ten percent of the oat crop has headed, 5 days behind last year. Iowa’s oat condition improved to 82 percent good to excellent.

Fifteen percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition improved to 75 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition rose to 63 percent good to excellent. Pastures and hay growth were good as rains replenished soil moisture. Pastures are in good shape for livestock.



USDA Crop Progress Report: Corn, Soybean Planting Closes in on Normalcy

U.S. farmers were seemingly busy week last week, pushing corn planting to 86% completion and soybean planting to 66%, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Tuesday. The report is normally released on Mondays but was delayed this week due to Memorial Day.

CORN
-- Planting progress: 86% nationwide as of Sunday, May 29, up 14 percentage points from the previous week.
-- Crop development: 61% of corn was emerged as of Sunday, up 22 percentage points from the previous week and 7 percentage points behind the five-year average

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: 66% nationwide as of Sunday, up 16 percentage points from the previous week, and now just 1 percentage point behind the five-year average.
-- Crop development: 39% of soybeans had emerged nationwide as of Sunday, 7 percentage points behind the five-year average.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development progress: 72% of the winter wheat crop was headed nationwide as of Sunday, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average.
-- Crop condition: 29% of the winter wheat crop was rated good to excellent as of May 29, 2022, up 1 percentage point from the previous week and down from 48% a year ago.  Also, 40% of the crop is rated poor to very poor compared to just 19% a year ago. It is the lowest crop rating since the drought of 1989.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting Progress: 73% of the spring wheat crop was planted as of Sunday, up 24 percentage points from the previous week, but down 19 percentage points from the five-year average. Minnesota is 53% planted, up 41 points for the week, and North Dakota at 59% planted.
-- Crop Condition: 42% of the spring wheat crop had emerged as of Sunday, up 13 percentage points from the previous week, but 27 percentage points behind the five-year average.

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Youth Crop Scouting Competition - Connecting Youth with Crops

Looking for a fun club project? Want to unite your club members? Running out of ideas for club meetings? If you answered, “yes” to any of these questions, help is on the way! Nebraska Extension is pleased to present the 9th  annual Crop Scouting Competition for Nebraska youth. Youth interested in crops can learn about crop growth & development and basic crop scouting principles. 

Don’t know a lot about crops? Ask a local agronomist to assist by providing a short lesson on crop production. You can have the agronomist meet with youth a little during each meeting or outside of the meeting. This is one way to engage those youth interested in crops. 

This contest will be held at the Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center near Mead, Nebraska on August 3, 2022. The event will include both indoor and outdoor events. Teams of junior high and high school students (those completing 5-12th  grades) from across Nebraska are invited to participate. This event is limited to the first ten teams who sign-up! 

Clubs or other organizations may enter a team composed of three to five participants. An adult team leader must accompany each team of students. Team leaders could be FFA advisors, crop consultants, extension staff, coop employees, etc. 

Top-scoring teams win prizes: $500 for first, $250 for second, $100 for third place. Top two teams will be eligible for regional competition held virtually this year.

Teams will be expected to know the basics of scouting corn and soybean fields. This includes crop staging; looking for patterns of crop injury; disease, insect and weed seedling identification; etc. Other topics may include but are not limited to, pesticide safety, nutrient disorders, and herbicide injury. 

More information about the crop scouting competition and instructions on how to  register  a team are available online at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth. Register at:  https://go.unl.edu/cropscoutingreg.

Teams must be registered by July 15. This program is sponsored by Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association, Ward Laboratories and Nebraska Extension.



Cuming County 4-H Hosting Entrepreneurship Camp

This summer, Cuming County 4-H is hosting an entrepreneurship camp for youth ages 12 – 15 as of January 1. This camp will be held on July 12-14, 19 and 21. This event will be held in the Cuming County Courthouse Meeting Room from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The cost is $25.00.

Youth will use their creativity to solve community problems. They will dive into their strengths and how they can be entrepreneurial in anything they do. During this camp, they will start a business and meet new people. They will work with a team to develop a business idea and products to sell, with the help of startup funds from an investor.

This camp is a 2-week commitment, and the registration fee includes daily lunch and additional materials. Prior to the camp, there will be an orientation meeting for parents/guardians. Space is limited so register today!

This camp will be led by Melissa Nordboe, Extension Assistant in Cuming County, and Tayler Wickham, 4-H Extension Educator in Washington County (her Accountability Region serves Cuming County).



USSEC’s Middle East/North Africa Dairy Nutrition Conference Delivers Industry Value

The nutritional advantages of U.S. Soy in dairy cow feed were on full display at USSEC’s recent annual Regional Dairy Nutrition conference in Jordan. Farmers from major dairy operations and feed millers in the Middle East/North Africa region joined in training that covered the sustainability, health, feeding and milk yield of dairy cows.

The Middle East/North Africa region is home to 6 percent of the global population and the countries of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria were the fastest growing feed industry in the world last year.

Dennis Fujan, a soybean farmer from Prague, Nebraska and American Soybean Association Director, presented an overview of his fourth-generation family farm, sustainability practices, soybean growing season and how his soybeans are transported from field to market.

“Attendees showed a lot of interest with good questions and comments,” Fujan said, “One gentleman told me how grateful he was for this conference because of changes he made to his operation from knowledge he gained at previous conferences.”

Nearly 100 participants from a dozen countries including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United States were on hand for the four-day conference which brought key stakeholders together to learn more about how U.S. Soy can benefit dairy operations in the region.

“The FAS (Foreign Agricultural Service) office in Amman is very proud of USSEC’s work in organizing and executing a business oriented, scientific based, and much needed gathering of regional dairy businesses,” said Mohamed Khraishy, FAS Senior Agricultural Specialist. “Although it was convened at the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea – it came at a time of high demand, while representing the high caliber of the U.S. Soy industry.”

Customers and presenters alike were appreciative for the opportunity to be learning together in person.

“These types of activities help us to reconnect with some of our current buyers after two years of isolation,” said Daniel Secondi, Director International Merchandising at Perdue Agribusiness. “There is triangle between U.S. suppliers, overseas buyers and USSEC and a conference like this definitely helps us strength these relationships.”

Participants from Egyptian Milk Producers Association expressed their appreciation to USSEC and the speakers for the expertise shared at the conference, which will enable them to improve production and animal health. Egypt is the third largest soybean export market for the U.S., and home to a USSEC Soy Excellence Center.

“I am pleased to have had the opportunity to attend and learn how we can enhance animal health through quality feed and other factors,” said Ahmad Abd Elkhabir, Area Manager of Animal Nutrition at IFFCO Group.

Along with hearing soy market updates, USSEC’s regional customers learned about the added value of soy products in animal feed and the advantages of U.S. Soy’s nutrient content, consistency, sustainability, reliability and quality.



SPRING SPURGE CONTROL
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Yellow-green patches in a pasture might look pretty for the uninitiated, but the tell-tale bloom of leafy spurge is not a spring sight many of us want to see.

While there are many plants livestock producers may consider pasture weeds, one that is held in particular dislike is leafy spurge.  Besides being on the Nebraska noxious weed list and requiring control, this hardy perennial spreads aggressively through seeds and root buds.  With an extensive root system that can reach depths up to 15 ft., once established spurge is hard to control.

While biological and cultural control methods may provide some reduction in growth and seed production, those wanting complete control might consider an herbicide treatment as the best option.

Multiple chemicals have action on spurge, however for spring treatments, control at bud or true flower stage is recommended.  Early application at the bud stage is limited to 2,4-D ester or a Picloram/2,4-D mix.  A later flower stage application opens up or options to Curtail/Cody/Stinger, Streamline, a mix of Sharpen + Plateau or a mix of Overdrive + Tordon.

Unfortunately, a single treatment will not control spurge, so continued monitoring and retreatment is necessary. An effective strategy is pairing spring applications that prevent seed production with a fall treatment to control new growth.

Leafy Spurge can easily take over a pasture, but with vigilance and regular treatment, control can be achieved.



Events Announced for World Pork Expo 2022

This year’s World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds from June 8-10 is presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), marking the organization’s 34th annual event. Thousands of producers and industry professionals will gather to learn the latest technologies and innovations in the field.

The World Pork Expo is well-known for its networking opportunities, educational seminars, packed trade show floor, and events. Attendees are encouraged to plan ahead so they don’t miss out on the packed programming.

Here’s a look at some events taking place at this year’s Expo:
● Explore the Trade Show. Attendees don’t want to miss visiting the hundreds of vendors and exhibitors displaying the latest pork production technologies, products, and services throughout the Varied Industries Building, Hospitality Tents, and more. The trade show is open Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Check out the list of exhibitors here.

● Stop by a Seminar. This year’s line-up of programming through Business Seminars and the Pork Academy gives producers the opportunity to learn about critical topics such as sustainability, data, industry collaborations, nutrition, and more.

● Breakfast at the McRig. Expo attendees can grab breakfast at the McRig, courtesy of McDonald’s, on June 8 and 9 from 8-10 a.m. Snag a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit or sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit with a side of hash browns. The McRig is located at Grand Avenue, west of the main entrance.

● Get Your Fill at the Big Grill. Attendees are also invited each day to stop by the Big Grill for a free lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The Big Grill is located in the grassy area south of the Varied Industries Building.

● Get Grillin’ with the Grillologists. Self-proclaimed “Grillologists,” Mad Dog & Merrill® entertain and educate thousands of backyard enthusiasts every year with the finer points of grill’n. Attendees can join in the laughs and a filming of Mad Dog & Merrill Midwest Grill’n® at booth G162 on June 8 at 2:00 p.m. and again on June 9 at 10:30 a.m.

● Networking lounge. Lounge Hours are held in Meeting Room B from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and again from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for opportunities to network with staff experts from the National Pork Board and answer questions about sustainability and disease preparedness.

Visit www.worldpork.org to view a full schedule of events.
 
Register By June 2 and Save
Online registration is still available www.worldpork.org. Registered attendees get access to all three days of the Expo, including networking opportunities. All attendees who pre-register online by Thursday, June 2 receive a discounted rate of $10 per adult (ages 12+) and $1 for children (6-11 years old). Children 5 years and under are free. Registration on-site will be $20 per adult. There is an on-site Friday-only option for $10.
 
Enhanced Biosecurity Measures
Four biosecurity checkpoints will be set up around the show, requiring all attendees to pass through the foot baths before entering. These are located: south of the main entrance at Gate 15 and the Animal Learning Center, SW of the Jacobson Exhibition Center, SW of the Varied Industries Building, and at the west end of Grand Ave before you reach the hospitality tent area. More information on all biosecurity measures can be found on our website www.worldpork.org.



ISU Research and Demonstration Farm Reports Available for 2021

The latest version of Iowa State University’s Research and Demonstration Farms summary reports are now available online and in print.

Nine farm reports are available, with a new look that includes larger headings, expanded tables and color photography.

“I think the public will be excited by the new look, but they will also appreciate the fact that the reports contain the same data and the same information people are used to, just in a modernized package,” said Tim Goode, director of research and demonstration farms at Iowa State.

The reports date back to the early 1930s and were part of the agreement made with farmers and Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, when the first research farm was established in north central Iowa.

“Part of the agreement was that we would publish site-specific research from each area, and that is what these publications do,” said Goode. “The reports provide replicated, unbiased, site-specific research that is published annually.”

The reports can be downloaded from the Iowa State Extension Store and are also available at research farm field days and association meetings. They contain summary articles about crop and livestock research, including row crops, small grains, forages, specialty crops and other research being conducted across the state.

The information is used by farmers, seed companies, veterinarians and nutritionists – essentially anyone who is involved with agriculture.

Specialists with Iowa State conduct research at the farms year-round, with field days held during the spring, summer and fall. About 20,000 people visit the farms each year, including school-age youth. More than 130 Iowa State faculty members use the farms for teaching, research and extension.

Goode said the COVID pandemic presented some unique challenges for the farm, and during 2020, most outreach was done remotely. However, the research continued mostly as usual, with the same results delivered each year since the pandemic.

He said he’s looking forward to the in-person field days and educational events this year, and collecting data that will be included in next year’s reports.

“Another season is already starting and as data is compiled throughout the year, we’ll be ready to publish yet another research farm report,” said Goode.

The following 2021 farm reports available include:
    Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm and Allee Demonstration Farm - https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/16464
    Western Research and Demonstration Farm - https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/16419
    Armstrong Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm Neely-Kinyon Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm (SW Iowa) - https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/16420




Robotic milking system webinar is June 15

The I-29 Moo University 2022 Dairy Webinar Series continues Wednesday, June 15 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. with a focus on asking the right questions before you commit to an automated milking system.

Tune in with Jim Salfer to learn if investing in a robotic milking system will help you achieve your goals and to discover the key management skills needed for success.  Salfer is a Regional Extension Educator with University of Minnesota Extension. He is well-known across the country for his expertise and knowledge in automated milking systems.

“A robotic milking system is an expensive investment,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Is it the right decision for your dairy? Your long-term goals and management style are two factors to consider. Jim Salfer will share that and more.”

Dairy producers and allied industry reps are invited to join the webinar. There is no fee to participate; however, preregistration is required at least one hour before it begins. Preregister online at https://go.iastate.edu/YTINPV.

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Heidi Carroll, 605-688-6623.

I-29 Moo University is a consortium of Extension dairy specialists from the land-grant universities in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The I-29 Moo University is a multi-state learning collaboration and connects Extension dairy staff with the dairy community to share research, information and management practices through workshops, webinars, e-newsletters, podcasts, and on-farm tours.



Billion-Dollar Livestock Facility Planned for Western South Dakota

Plans are in development to construct a $1.1 Billion next-generation livestock processing facility in western South Dakota. The one-million-square-foot facility will process beef and include a specialty bison line. Kingsbury and Associates and Sirius Realty of Rapid City, South Dakota, are currently in the research and development phase of the project. “We aim to restore competition in American meant processing,” says Megan Kingsbury. “I’m a fifth-generation producer and know how difficult it is right now for us to be profitable. We want to fix that.” Kingsbury says they want to compete with the Big Four meatpacking giants and be that all-important second bidder in the cash market. The proposed facility will focus on bringing in and developing new technologies in robotics and artificial intelligence to make processing easier, safer, and more efficient. “We will focus on procuring American cattle and feeding American citizens affordable, high-quality protein,” Kingsbury adds.



U.S. Agricultural Exports in Fiscal Year 2022 Forecast Up $7.5 Billion to a Record $191.0 Billion; Imports at $180.5 Billion
USDA Economic Research Service

U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2022 are forecast at a record $191.0 billion, up $7.5
billion from the February forecast, led by increases in corn, cotton, and soybeans. Corn exports
are forecast $2.2 billion higher to $19.1 billion due to record volumes and higher unit values.

Overall grain and feed exports are projected $3.8 billion higher at $46.7 billion, with gains
across all commodities except rice. Cotton exports are forecast at a record $9.0 billion, up $1.0
billion from the previous forecast, driven by higher unit values. Soybean exports are projected
up $1.0 billion to a record $32.3 billion as higher volumes more than offset lower unit values.
Total oilseed and product exports are forecast $700 million higher to a record $44.3 billion.

Overall livestock, poultry, and dairy exports are projected to increase by $1.2 billion to $40.4
billion, with gains across all major commodities except pork. Beef and veal exports are projected
to increase by $700 million on higher unit values as demand in East Asia is expected to remain
firm. The projection for ethanol exports is forecast at a record $3.8 billion, up $900 million from
the previous forecast due mainly to higher unit values. Horticultural exports are unchanged at
$38.5 billion.

The forecast for China is unchanged at $36.0 billion from February, and a record if realized.
Exports to the Western Hemisphere are projected $6.5 billion higher, with Mexico and Canada
forecast up $2.5 billion each. China is forecast to remain the largest U.S. agricultural market in
FY 2022, followed by Mexico and Canada.

U.S. agricultural imports in FY 2022 are projected at $180.5 billion, up $8.0 billion from the
February forecast. This increase is primarily driven by rising unit values.

The forecasts in this report are based on policies in effect at the time of the May 12, 2022,
World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) release, and the U.S. production
forecasts thereof. Additionally, Russia’s recent military invasion of Ukraine significantly
increased the uncertainty of agricultural supply and demand conditions in that region and
globally. The forecasts in this report represent an ongoing assessment of the short-term impacts
resulting from this action.



ADC seeks answers from Sec. Vilsack on pricing changes, hearing criteria

American Dairy Coalition sent a letter this week to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack seeking answers, dairy farmer representation, working group formation, and action on a national federal milk pricing hearing.
 
The letter also addresses the industry discussion of ‘make allowance’ adjustments.
 
“Farmers experience the same areas of input cost increases as processors,” the ADC board states in its letter. “We believe any move to increase the make allowance credits for processors should be linked to achieving adequate, transparent milk pricing for farmers. The linkage helps ensure farmer representation.”
 
During a Wisconsin dairy farm visit in December 2021, the Secretary said the dairy industry must reach a consensus before USDA will consider a national hearing on federal milk pricing changes.
 
“We ask you to provide us with the specific requirements that will meet your expectations,” the ADC letter requests, noting there is an industry-wide consensus that the Class I milk pricing change made in the 2018 Farm Bill needs amending, though there are differences in how this should be accomplished.
 
ADC points out that this change was made legislatively without a vetted hearing process.
 
“Our voice was pre-empted in the last Farm Bill… and our dairy farmer members paid the price for that. We do not want to see this happen again,” the letter confirms.
 
“Dairy farmers share a strong consensus that ‘righting this wrong’ is a great place to start in opening an FMMO hearing,” ADC relates in the letter, explaining how the organization has met virtually with dairy farmers across the country over the past 20 months, conducted surveys, spoke with industry experts and conducted two well-attended Future of Federal Milk Pricing Forums in 2022.
 
“It is necessary to return to the previous Class I mover formula now, while the industry continues building consensus about what milk pricing might look like in the future,” the letter declares, noting the change from the ‘higher of’ to an ‘average-plus’ formula for Class I milk has resulted in the inequitable loss of $3B to dairy farmers -- including the $750 million cumulative devaluation of Class I since May 2019, which created an environment for massive de-pooling and negative PPDs further affecting farm milk in all classes. The letter cites additional losses by farmers for premiums paid on risk management tools that failed to protect them from the dysfunction that ensued and has undermined their confidence in these tools.
 
The letter cites language from the 2018 Farm Bill legislation, which provided for the formula to be changed via USDA administrative hearing two years after its 2019 implementation.



American Agri-Women Release Farm Bill Recommendations

American Agri-Women (AAW) released the recommendations of their Farm Bill Task Force this week. AAW President Heather Hampton+Knodle said their philosophy is to focus on fundamentals of on-farm flexibility, access to capital and programs, and promotion of US-grown products.

“Innovation happens every day on farms and ranches. Our members were concerned by prescriptive requirements in conservation programs that limit their abilities to manage on-the-ground, real-time decisions that will ultimately be the best for the soils, plants and animals in their local environment,” said Hampton+Knodle.

AAW recommends conservation programs that allow farmers and ranchers flexibility in selecting their choice of private industry technical experts and service providers that meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) technical criteria and qualifications. Members also endorsed removing criteria from easements that limit livestock grazing patterns during hunting seasons. Enabling joint research capabilities between NRCS and institutions of higher learning with qualified agriculture programs and setting easement rates below local cash rent rates were other points within the Conservation section.

Hampton+Knodle noted that another example of flexibility to farm can be seen with the expansion of precision agriculture technologies and their ability to tailor cropping patterns and land management decisions within fields. She said that’s a reason why the organization supports applying conservation funding to accelerate adoption of technologies for varied farm sizes and applications in conjunction with expanded on-farm research trials.

AAW highlighted the need to have consistent definitions for terms of ‘disadvantaged’, ‘rural’, and ‘underserved’ through USDA programs. Hampton+Knodle said, “Our members also want the government to abide by eligibility requirements that recognize women as disadvantaged farmers and consider any young farmer who may have experience earning income from farming or ranching through their high school and college years as eligible for ‘beginning farmer’ grant and loan programs.”

The document features support for cornerstone programs of the Farm Bill such as continuing food and nutrition programs, sustaining crop insurance as a risk management tool, and investing in research at a range of universities and USDA labs as well as recommendations for rural development programs and active forest management. The Task Force engaged members ranging from west coast wineries and timber production, sunbelt produce growers, to canned vegetable bean, sugar beet, cotton, wheat, soybean and corn production in the Midwest and exporters, meat and potato processing on the east coast.

AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of women in farming, ranching and agribusiness, representing women in 42 states. The 2022 version of the 2023 Farm Bill Recommendations can be found at www.americanagriwomen.org or directly at https://americanagriwomen.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-FARM-BILL-2023-WHITE-PAPER.pdf.



USDA Sets Dates for Honey Packers and Importers Research and Promotion Program Continuance Referendum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced today that it will conduct a referendum Aug. 8-26, 2022, for eligible first handlers and importers of honey or honey products to decide whether to continue the Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order.

The Order shall continue if it is favored by a majority of first handlers and importers voting in the referendum and a majority of volume voting in the referendum, who, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, have been engaged in the handling or importation of honey or honey products.

To vote in the referendum, first handlers and importers must have handled or imported 250,000 pounds or more of honey or honey products during the representative period Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2021, and are subject to assessment under the program.

AMS will conduct the referendum by express mail and electronic ballot. AMS staff will express mail ballots and voting instructions to all known eligible first handlers and importers of honey or honey products before the voting period. Any eligible first handler or importer who does not receive a ballot by Aug. 8, 2022, should contact referendum agent Katie Cook, Marketing Specialist, at (202) 617-4760 or (202) 720-9915, or email Katie.Cook@usda.gov. Completed ballots delivered to AMS via express mail or electronic means must be delivered no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 26, 2022.

The Federal Register Notice was published in the Federal Register on May 31, 2022.

The referendum, known as a continuance referendum, is required by law to be held every seven years. More information about referendum procedures is in Subpart B of the Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order. For more information about the Board, visit the National Honey Board page.




Shell, INDYCAR To Introduce 100% Renewable Race Fuel in 2023

Shell and INDYCAR are continuing their sustainability journey together by announcing a lineup of additional energy solutions for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) ahead of the prestigious Indianapolis 500. Together and separately, the organizations have designed a variety of sustainability initiatives that will help to reduce the carbon footprint within INDYCAR and power progress toward more sustainable motorsports in North America.

“The fuel and lubricant, and energy solutions developed through our strategic relationship with INDYCAR and Penske Corporation can ultimately help accelerate reduced carbon emissions from transport in many sectors of the economy,” said Carlos Maurer, executive vice president of Sectors and Decarbonization at Shell. “Shell’s motorsports technical alliances around the world provide a testing ground for fuel and lubricant technologies and products in demanding road conditions.”

Shell 100% Renewable Race Fuel
Building on the sponsorship contract renewal and extension announced on May 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Shell will be the official fuel, motor oil and lubricant sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Beginning in 2023, Shell will produce a new race fuel for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. This new product consists of a blend of second-generation ethanol derived from sugarcane waste and other biofuels to create a fuel that is 100% comprised of feedstocks categorized as "renewable" under the applicable regulatory frameworks.

The fuel developed by Shell is set to make the NTT INDYCAR SERIES the first United States-based motorsports series to power racing with 100% renewable race fuel and enables at least 60% greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared to fossil-based gasoline.

“This race fuel development for INDYCAR is a great example of how fuels technology is pivotal in helping decarbonize the sport,” said Dr. Selda Gunsel, president of Shell Global Solutions. “Today’s development takes us one step closer to that goal.”

The second-generation ethanol will be sourced from Raízen, a Brazilian Joint-Venture created in 2011 by Shell and Cosan. Raízen is one of the largest sugarcane ethanol producers in the world and owner of the first commercial second-generation ethanol plant.

“It is an honor for Raízen to contribute advanced ethanol to this renewable race fuel, and it’s an exciting introduction to one of the most iconic motorsport categories,” said Ricardo Mussa, Raízen CEO.

“Motorsports has always been at the forefront of innovation and technology, and today INDYCAR is furthering this tradition in a very important and transformational way,” said Mark Miles, president & CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “We are proud to become a leader in sustainability and decarbonization as we work towards becoming the first U.S. motorsport series to run on renewable fuel. With industry-leading organizations like Shell and Penske sharing the same ambition for a cleaner energy future, remarkable progress can be made.”