Friday June 3 Ag News

 EAST CAMPUS DISCOVERY DAYS BACK WITH MORE VENDORS, ‘BACKYARD FARMER’ ANNIVERSARY PARTY

For 150 years, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus has been an agricultural hub, the setting of much of Nebraska’s cutting-edge research, extension and ag education.

Over the decades, Lincoln has grown around the campus, which started as a working farm surrounded by prairie. Today East Campus is tucked into a neighborhood that includes homes, businesses, schools, restaurants, coffee shops and more.

This summer, for the second year, East Campus is working to bridge the agricultural community it serves with its Lincoln neighbors through East Campus Discovery Days and Farmer’s Market.

The event, which will take place on three Saturdays this summer — June 11, July 9 and Aug. 13 — includes vendors selling meat, popcorn, coffee, baked goods, crafts and more, as well as food trucks, live music and hands-on, science-based activities for youth and adults alike offered by various university departments. All events are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“East Campus has always been a space where people naturally congregate,” said Jessie Brophy, external relations director for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and one of the organizers of the Discovery Days events.

East Campus, she pointed out, is home to the UNL Dairy Store, Maxwell Arboretum and the Backyard Farmer Garden, all of which draw visitors from across Nebraska.

“We want to introduce more people to the beauty of East Campus and give them a taste of the research and discovery taking place here, all while supporting local agriculture,” she said.

Vendors and university departments will set up booths along the East Campus Mall, where campus visitors can shop and learn. Last year, for example, visitors could buy cookies, cheese and produce, among other products; learn about the inner workings of beehives via the Department of Entomology; see a futuristic farm robot at the Department of Biological Systems Engineering’s exhibit; or plant vegetable seeds at the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture’s booth.

“Backyard Farmer,” a television program jointly produced by Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Public Media, participated in the first-year East Campus Discovery Days in 2021 and is returning for the second year.

Last year’s events gave fans of the show an opportunity to meet its host and expert panelists in person, ask questions and tour the Backyard Farmer Garden. The tours were popular and attracted hundreds of “Backyard Farmer” fans, said program host and associate professor Kim Todd.

Todd said she appreciated the opportunity to have a two-way conversation with fans of the program, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary season this year.

“It’s really just several of us one-on-one, celebrating where we are,” she said.

Todd found that fans also wanted to share their experiences with “Backyard Farmer’s” host and panelists.

“We will have people coming, and their mother, their grandmother, their grandfather, their relatives watched ‘Backyard Farmer’ and took the advice, and now we have two or three generations later doing the same thing,” Todd said. “We want to hear those generational stories.”

In honor of the program’s 70th anniversary, Nebraska Public Media will host a booth with giveaways and a drawing. “Backyard Farmer” is also planning an anniversary party in the garden, complete with cupcakes.

“Backyard Farmer” is one of about 30 Husker programs, departments and other entities participating in the 2022 East Campus Discovery Days and Farmer’s Market. Another, the Loeffel Meat Lab, will sell frozen cuts of beef, pork and lamb, as well as smoked sausage, jalapeño popper brats, natural casing course-ground wieners and several varieties of snacking sausages, said Loeffel Meat Lab Manager Calvin Schrock.

The products for sale are produced by student workers studying meat science at Nebraska, Schrock said. Meat is available for sale at the lab from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fridays all year long, and Schrock estimates that has been the case for about 50 years.

“We’ve got a good number of regulars, but we still have people walk in on probably a monthly basis and say, ‘I’ve lived in Lincoln my whole life and my friend just told me about this place,’” Schrock said. “We’d just like to get a little more exposure.”

Todd Schmeeckle of TEAM Bean Coffee is one of about 16 independent vendors participating in East Campus Farmer’s Market and Discovery Days, and like Schrock, is looking to find a few new customers.

Schmeeckle has been roasting coffee in his home for about five years, starting first with small batches in a cast iron wok and upgrading to a popcorn popper and then to a rotisserie oven before investing in a coffee roaster.

He first roasted the coffee for himself, then began sharing with a few friends and providing coffee to a church and a few other nonprofits to sell for fundraisers. Now he can roast about 10 pounds of organic, free-trade coffee an hour.

Schmeeckle was drawn to the event in part because he is a graduate of Nebraska’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“I got a degree in agricultural economics, and I spent a lot of time on East Campus,” he said. “I think that had a lot to do with the appeal.”

And in part, it was just a good fit, he said. Schmeeckle’s business is small but growing. He and his wife have five adopted children and five foster children, several of whom have special needs. It’s important to him to spend as much time at home as he can, and TEAM Bean is helping him do that.

“I thought this would be a good step for me,” Schmeeckle said.

East Campus Discovery Days and Farmer’s Market doesn’t charge vendors for booth space, which makes it an ideal place for businesses considering giving a farmers market a try, Brophy said. In addition to the event’s nearly 50 vendors and activity booths, a rotating cast of popular Lincoln food trucks will have food available for purchase, and different bands will provide live entertainment at each event.

For more information, or to view participating vendors, campus entities, food trucks or musicians, visit https://discoverydays.unl.edu.




USDA Designates Cedar County, Nebraska, as Primary Natural Disaster Area

This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for 8 or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional.

Impacted Area: Nebraska
Triggering Disaster: Drought
Application Deadline: Jan. 13, 2023
Primary Counties Eligible: Cedar
Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
    Nebraska: Dixon, Knox, Pierce and Wayne
    South Dakota: Clay and Yankton

More Resources
On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Discovery Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.



Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee Announces Support for Jim Pillen

Thursday, the Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee (PAC) announced their support for Nebraska gubernatorial candidate, Jim Pillen.
 
Nebraska Cattlemen PAC Chairperson Brenda Masek stated, “We are pleased to announce our support for a fellow agribusinessman who shares our values and interests in preserving and promoting livestock agriculture in Nebraska.”
 
The process of selecting candidates supported by the Nebraska Cattlemen PAC includes input from members who represent every sector and scope of the beef cattle industry.

"It's an honor to have the support of the Nebraska Cattlemen, an organization that represents thousands of Nebraska ranchers and cattle feeders," said Pillen. "Both of us believe in the power of agriculture to grow Nebraska and make it a more prosperous state for us and our children. Together, we can fix our broken property tax system, grow our economy, and defend our conservative values."

As a farmer and veterinarian, Jim Pillen understands the grit and resiliency required to succeed in livestock agriculture.
 
“As someone who helped build a successful family livestock business in Nebraska, Jim understands the concerns of the agriculture industry because he experiences them firsthand.” Masek stated. “Jim won’t be a politician analyzing our industry from the outside and making crucial decisions on our behalf - he has walked in our shoes, knows our struggles, and will be a strong supporting voice in the Capitol and beyond.”
 
As governor, Jim Pillen will lead the charge in protecting the state’s economic engine by spearheading efforts to address Nebraska’s tax imbalances and supporting the unique needs of rural communities so Nebraska continues to thrive for decades to come.
 
“Jim has committed to controlling spending, balancing the “three-legged stool” of Nebraska’s tax code, valuing ag land fairly, and reforming state aid to education.” Masek stated, “Jim also understands that when farmers and ranchers prosper and our rural communities do well, our entire state benefits.”
 
Jim Pillen has spent his career building, hiring, and investing in rural Nebraska. Nebraska Cattlemen members look forward to having a farmer, veterinarian, and fellow agribusinessman in Nebraska’s executive office with vast experience in livestock agriculture.



Kansas City Fed Reports Farm Real Estate Debt Builds

Farm real estate debt at commercial banks grew modestly in the first quarter, while production loans remained steady. Alongside soaring farmland values, real estate loan balances increased at the fastest pace in nearly four years and drove an increase in overall agricultural lending.

Following a sharp pullback over the past two years, non-real estate lending was stable from a year ago. Farm loan performance also continued to improve, but performance at agricultural banks remained limited by compressed net interest margins and a glut of liquidity.

The farm economy remained strong alongside decade-high commodity prices that continued to support farm finances. Many producers have benefitted immensely from strong cash balances, but credit needs may rise as higher input costs weigh on profit margins.

Estimates of new loan activity among a sample of commercial banks showed that farm lending accelerated during recent months alongside an increase in the size of operating loans and many bankers have also reported expectations of higher loan demand in the months ahead.



Cow-Calf Producers Have Forage Alternatives

Cool temperatures and varying soil moisture have limited pasture and hay growth in northwest Iowa.

Each forage species has unique characteristics such as growing season, height, regrowth potential, yield, feed value, presence or absence of anti-quality components, and suitability for haying, grazing or silage, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“Fast-growing annual crops can provide short-term forage,” Doran said. “However, before making a final decision, producers are advised to check with their crop insurance agents about their forage plans.”

Traditional summer annual forages include sorghums and millets. Once soil temperatures are 65 degrees Fahrenheit and increasing, sorghums and millets can be planted up to early July and used during summer and autumn. They will be ready for first harvest or grazing about 50 days after emergence.

Pearl millet and sudangrass are best suited for grazing because they regrow rapidly. To encourage good regrowth, do not graze shorter than a 5- to 6-inch stubble height.

For an emergency hay crop, foxtail millet would be the forage choice due to rapid dry-down, but plan for only one hay harvest yielding 2-3 tons of dry matter per acre at maturity.

Teff is gaining popularity as a newer summer annual grass for haying with yields of 3-5 tons of dry matter per acre at maturity. It can be harvested 45-55 days after planting and has rapid regrowth. To encourage good regrowth the cutting height should be 4-5 inches high. Grazing is not recommended due to its shallower rooting.

For fall grazing, most cover crop species (cool-season annual grasses, cereals and brassicas) yield more forage when planted mid-summer. When planting after early September, cereal rye and triticale are better suited to the shorter growing season. Cereal rye has other advantages – it overwinters and is our earliest spring grazing crop.

If harvesting silage, forage sorghum and corn excel in yield and feed quality.

A word about anti-quality components: Prussic acid poisoning is a risk for sudangrass, hybrid sorghum x sudangrass, and forage sorghum when the plants are grazed or green-chopped at short heights (<18 inches for sudangrass; <24 inches for sorghum x sudangrass hybrids, and <30 inches for forage sorghum). Prussic acid also may be present during a severe drought or if grazing too soon after a frost. And if the growing season is dry, all annual forages can be high in nitrates.

Remember, summer annual grasses are warm-season grasses. Growth will be slower when temperatures are cooler. But if drought occurs, millets and sorghums are more drought tolerant.

See more information about these characteristics by downloading the free ISU Extension and Outreach publication Alternative Annual Forages. It's also available through your ISU Extension and Outreach county office. For more information, contact Doran at 712-737-4230 or doranb@iastate.edu.



IDALS Lifts Order Cancelling Live Bird Exhibitions Due to HPAI

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the March 23 order cancelling all live bird exhibitions at fairs and other gatherings of birds due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been lifted. It has been 30 days since USDA has confirmed a new infection of HPAI in domestic poultry in the state of Iowa.

“Today’s announcement is a welcome sign of continued progress in our state’s efforts to effectively manage the outbreak of avian influenza and protect Iowa’s poultry flocks,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “While efforts will continue to prevent additional virus spread, we are pleased to resume poultry sales and exhibitions; a step made possible by our ability to respond quickly from the start.”

All poultry exhibitions and sales must be registered with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at least 30 days before the event. The application for registered poultry exhibitions and sales is available online.



Iowa Cattlemen's Association presents 2022 Carcass Challenge awards

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) recently announced the results of its 2022 Carcass Challenge.

Founded in 2010, ICA’s Carcass Challenge was created to showcase beef cattle genetics, feedyard management, and modern  technology. Furthermore, Iowa’s only statewide fed-beef competition seeks to highlight continuous improvements within the cattle industry and provide cattlemen with a measurement of maximum cattle efficiency, carcass value, and net revenue of each steer.

In November, 73 steers averaging 770 pounds were delivered to Sieren Beef, located near Harper, Iowa. Mitch Sieren, of Sieren Beef, fed out the group. At time of harvest, the group averaged 1,344 pounds after 191-days on feed.  

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association recognized the top 10 percent of steers based on the Retail Value Per Day on Feed (RVDoF), which highlights the profitability of a carcass. Carcass Challenge donors and participants were recognized on Wednesday, June 1 at the Carcass Challenge Banquet. Tanner Lawton, ICA director of field services, provided the following remarks at Wednesday’s event:

“This program showcases cattle in Iowa. It also teaches us what our livestock are doing, and how they are changing, adapting and growing. The data you are going to see talks about the cattle we are raising and the quality of (cattle) we have.”

This year’s champion steer had an RVDoF of $7.43. Steer 43 was donated by Lubben White Oak Farms and Devenish Nutrition, and bred by Dave Lubben.  

Our second place steer had an RVDoF of $7.31. Steer 61 was donated by Sterling Cattle Co. and bred by Allan Johnson.

The third place steer, with a RVDoF of $7.17, was steer 73. Steer 73 was donated by Manco Farms and Animat, and bred by Manco Farms.

Steer 15 landed in fourth place with a RVDoF of $6.87. The fourth place steer was donated by Community Bank and Trust, Cole Greiman, and Ross Land & Cattle, and bred by Doug Schroeder.

In fifth place, steer 55 had a RVDoF of $6.70. The steer was donated by Renew Ag Supply and Iowa Gold, and bred by Beth Baudler, Jason Christensen, and Baudler Farms.

Coming in sixth place was steer 41 with a RVDoF of $6.63 donated by Kossuth County Cattlemen and JD Morris, and bred by JD Morris.

Seventh place went to steer 20 with a RVDoF of $6.62, donated by Dan Delaney and Dennis Clarahan, and bred by Dennis Clarahan.

Other awards included: largest ribeye, high marbling, chef’s choice, and highest average daily gain. Award recipients are as follows:

The largest ribeye award went to steer 3, donated by Bill’s Volume Sales and Dunlap Livestock Auction. The steer was bred by Lawton Acres - Lawton Simmentals.

Steer 44 had the highest marbling with a score of 730. The steer was donated by Lyon County Cattlemen and VanZee Enterprises, and bred by Meyer Stock Farm.

The chef’s choice award, which recognizes the most economically efficient steer, went to steer 49. The steer was donated by Mosher Angus, Lauritsen Cattle Co., and United Bank of Iowa, and bred by Jim Mosher.

Lastly, the highest average daily gain award went to steer 73, with an ADG of 4.29 pounds per day. The steer was donated by Manco Farms and Animat, and bred by Manco Farms.

A special thank you to our program sponsors: Elanco Animal Health, Allflex, Gregory Feedlots, UltraInsights Processing Lab, Producers Livestock, Critical Insights - Bonnie Larson, Hueber Feeds, Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity, Lee Denzer, and the Animal Health Center in Albia.

Recruitment efforts for next year’s program will begin as soon as July 1, 2022. Interested parties should contact Madyson Thill at 515-296-2266 or madyson@iacattlemen.org.



Webinar to Discuss Simulation Scenarios for Cover Crops

The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place June 8 at noon CDT will feature Peter Kyveryga, affiliate associate professor with the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University and senior research scientist-analytics with the Iowa Soybean Association.

Kyveryga’s work focuses on developing online decision management and risk assessment tools, which can quantify the impact of management practices on soil health, water quality and ecosystems. These analytics tools are created to support the needs of stakeholders in making decisions regarding practice implementations. One such simulation program, the Interactive Cover Crop Simulator, will be discussed during the webinar.

Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.

In the webinar, “Interactive Cover Crop Economic Simulator,” Kyveryga will provide an overview of the simulation program and highlight the capabilities and features that can be used by farmers, landowners, crop consultants and agronomists to run what-if simulations for specific properties. Through scenarios looking at the same fields and farms, Kyveryga will demonstrate the facility and value of the Interactive Cover Crop Economic Simulator to help determine the most appropriate management practices by measuring and weighing the environmental, agronomic and economic outcomes of cover crops.

“Many producers take a very short-term look at management practices such as cover crops, looking solely at the direct cost of seeding,” said Kyveryga. “Using online tools such as this, it is easier to model the long-term benefits such as cover crops becoming a financial asset that can produce new income while mitigating input costs.”

Farmers, landowners and cover crop seed dealers can all benefit from using this simulator to understand the full spectrum of economic, agronomic and social benefits beyond short-term financial costs or gains.

Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Webinar access instructions  

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT June 8:
    To access online, click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172. Or go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.
    To join from a dial-in phone line, dial +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923, with meeting ID 364 284 172.
The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

Upcoming webinars in the series
    June 15: Matt Ruark and Abigail Augarten, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
    June 22: Chad J. Penn, USDA-ARS.
    June 29: Vince Sitzmann, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
    July 6: Jane Frankenberger, Purdue University.



Producer-Funded Research Explores Hairy Heel Wart

Iowa beef producers voted to reinstate the $0.50 cent per head Iowa State Beef Checkoff following a referendum facilitated by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association with collections beginning in March 2017. Beef production research was determined as one of five areas of priority for state checkoff funds. Shortly thereafter, a committee of Iowa Beef Industry Council board members and industry representatives assembled to review research proposal submissions, eventually selecting sixteen projects to fund. Iowa beef producers are now able to review and share in the fruits of their investment as manifested by the completion of a digital dermatitis research project facilitated by Dr. Terry Engelken, DVM, MS, Vet Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine.

Digital dermatitis (DD) is on the way to becoming the number one cause of lameness in U.S. feedlot cattle and a substantial problem for feedlot producers. The common name for DD is hairy heel wart. Digital refers to the claw and dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Simply put, there may be overlong hairs surrounding circular or oval lesions above the coronary hoof band on the back side of the foot.

The lesions are most common on the back side of the feet and are very tender to touch. Consequently, animals will walk on their toes, and the heel becomes abnormally long. If the lesion is on the front of the foot, animals respond by altering their weight bearing, which results in a long toe and greater wear on the heel.

Common symptoms of DD include lameness in heavy cattle close to marketing and an unpleasant hoof odor. However, not all animals with DD will exhibit lameness, and they rarely develop swelling of the foot.  Production losses involve the cost of prevention or treatment, decreased average daily gain, increased days on feed and reduced profitability.

Despite much research, the exact organisms responsible for DD are unknown, which complicates development of a vaccine and leaves little course other than treatment.  Treatment for an animal with advanced lesions involves topical treatments and incorporating a footbath for periodic use can help to prevent DD.  Prevention is attainable but it comes with significant management and biosecurity measures.

Listening to the needs of Iowa beef producers and aligning the state beef checkoff with university and extension agents poised on pursuing relevant, practical production research is paramount. The Iowa State Beef Checkoff is committed to investing in research that supports the Checkoff’s mission and more importantly, arming producers with up-to-date research to make well-informed decisions that supports the future of Iowa’s beef business.

We teamed up with Iowa State University Extension and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to host a Hairy Heel Wart and Lameness Symposium to tackle these key issues for feedlot operators. Join us on Tuesday, June 28 at the Terrace View Event Center in Sioux Center, Iowa for the Hairy Heel Wart and Lameness Symposium.

To register, fill out this online form, contact the Iowa Beef Industry Council at 515-296-2305 or email beef@iabeef.org.  There is no cost to attend this event.  Lunch will be provided at 11:00 a.m. with the program from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Livestream will be available with registration.



Fischer: Biden Admin.’s Contradictory Approach to Biofuels is Undermining RFS, Hurting Rural America

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after the EPA announced the final Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2020 (retroactive), 2021, and 2022.

“It’s always one step forward, three steps back with the Biden Administration and biofuels.

While the 2022 RVOs are significant, retroactively lowering the 2020 RVOs directly undermines these gains and contradicts Biden’s campaign promises. Making matters worse, the administration has decided to postpone small refineries’ compliance with the RFS, which hurts the integrity of the whole system.

Cushioning these bad announcements with the release of long-overdue COVID assistance for producers that was available over a year and a half ago doesn’t change the facts. The President’s actions demonstrate he isn’t committed to supporting rural America or pursuing an all-the-above energy strategy.

Looking to the future, it is imperative that the administration set robust 2023 RVOs in a timely manner. Doing so will ensure the country is leveraging the power of biofuels to lower costs at the pump and provide consumers with needed financial relief,” said Sen. Fischer.



Final EPA Rule Increases RFS Blending Levels, but Door Open for Future Revisions

Today EPA released the long-awaited final rule to set Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending levels for 2021 and 2022. The solid 2022 blending level is in line with Congressional intent and the 2021 number was increased from the earlier proposal. However, in an unprecedented move, the EPA also reopened and reduced the 2020 RFS rule that was finalized in December of 2019.

“IRFA appreciates the Biden EPA getting the RFS back on track in 2022 and increasing the 2021 blending target compared to the proposal,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “But we also cannot ignore that today’s final rule creates uncertainty. Any of these numbers that look good today could be revised downward in the future. But we’re going to plan for the best, and today, this rule means greater use of lower-cost biofuels to help save consumers money at the pump.”

Refinery Exemptions are Denied
While long expected, formal action was also taken to deny 72 unjustified RFS refinery exemptions, many dating back to the Trump Administration.

“The Biden EPA is to be commended for restoring sanity to the refinery exemption program,” said Shaw. “These exemptions have never been justified and were simply being used to illegally undermine the RFS. We are grateful this long nightmare is over.”

2016 Remand Gallons
In a separate rule also released today, EPA addresses the D.C. Circuit Court 500 million gallon “remand.” The Court found the Obama EPA illegally reduced the 2016 conventional blend level by 500 million gallons and “remanded” the case back to EPA to restore those gallons. EPA plans to add half of those remanded gallons to the 2022 RFS level and says it will do the other half in 2023.

“For five years IRFA has been calling on EPA to address this remand and we give the Biden EPA credit for taking action, especially after four years of intransigence on this issue from the Trump EPA,” Shaw said.

Biomass-based Diesel and Advanced Biofuels
The final rule also increases the biomass-based diesel category and advanced biofuel category to a total of 5.05 billion gallons in 2021 and 5.63 billion gallons for 2022.

“We are encouraged to see EPA recognizes the growth occurring in the biodiesel and renewable diesel markets,” Shaw said. “The RFS must keep up with the increased production capacity that is coming online. After all, Congress intended the RFS to be market moving, not just reactive.”

2020, 2021 Ethanol Blend Levels Reduced
While the 2022 conventional biofuels blend level corresponds with the statutory 15 billion gallons, the rule sets the 2021 conventional level – traditionally filled by cornstarch-based ethanol – at 13.79 billion gallons, 1.2 billion gallons below the level set by Congress. The rule also reopens the finalized 2020 RFS rule to lower the conventional blend level by 2.5 billion gallons, setting it at 12.5 billion gallons.



2022 Renewable Fuel Volume Rule Will Lower Fuel Prices and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The final 2022 renewable fuel volumes released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will support access to higher blends of ethanol, saving consumers money at the pump and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

For 2022, the final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume of 20.63 billion gallons includes an implied 15 billion gallons of ethanol, following the law. EPA also added a supplemental 250 million gallon requirement for 2022, responding to a 2017 Court decision finding EPA improperly waived past volumes. EPA finalized the delayed 2021 volume at 18.85 billion gallons, including an implied 13.79 billion gallons for ethanol, tracking retroactive renewable fuel consumption for the year.

In a separate action, EPA finalized denial of 69 pending RFS exemption petitions. Closing the books on RFS exemptions helps restore much-needed integrity to the forward-looking volumes set today.

“More ethanol in the fuel supply saves Americans money at the pump and lowers greenhouse gas emissions,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chris Edgington. “Higher renewable fuel volumes for this year, which will increase and diversify our fuel supply, come at a crucial time as policymakers are working to lower fuel prices.”

Ethanol is priced $1.42 less per gallon than unblended gasoline at wholesale today, and drivers currently save up to 20 cents or more per gallon where E15 is available. Ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 50% compared to gasoline and replaces the most toxic gasoline components to cut air pollution.

“When President Biden visited an Iowa ethanol production facility in April, he said ethanol reduces our reliance on foreign oil, creates choice and competition at the pump for better prices, creates good-paying jobs and reduces greenhouse gas emissions,” said Edgington. “Farmers agree, and the increased RFS volumes for 2022 and denial of pending refinery exemptions will advance these objectives and move renewable fuels forward.”

While Edgington praised EPA for the strong forward-looking 2022 renewable fuel volumes, he expressed disappointment the agency made an unnecessary retroactive reduction of 2020 RFS volumes. The RFS already self-adjusts for declining fuel use, such as occurred in 2020, and this further reduction rewards the use of more oil at the expense of the environment.



EPA’s 2022 Biofuel Blending Requirements—and SRE Stance—Appreciated by Soy Growers

While slightly lower than originally anticipated in December, soybean farmers remain pleased with the blending volumes announced June 3 by the Environmental Protection Agency, which include the largest-ever renewable volume obligation for biomass-based diesel and clear a troublesome backlog of small refinery exemption, or SRE, requests.

The 2022 finalized rule aligns with levels previously determined by Congress, setting the 2022 BBD volumes at 2.76 billion gallons, up from 2.43 billion for 2020 and 2021. The 2022 overall volumes are set at 20.63 billion gallons and retroactive volumes for 2021 at 18.84 billion gallons, 2020 at 17.13 billion gallons. These are the largest-ever volumes for total renewable fuels and specifically for BBD since the renewable fuel standard was created.

Brad Doyle, American Soybean Association president and soybean farmer from Weiner, Arkansas, said, “We are happy to see these RVOs that are so important to the soy industry being set significantly higher than in previous years and take this news as a sign of support for the Renewable Fuel Standard going into 2023. Additionally, we greatly appreciate the administration sticking to its commitment to no longer allow small refinery exemptions to continue being a means to skirt blending requirements."

EPA denied 72 pending petitions from small refiners, clearing the backlog of SREs. Going forward, the agency will require new methodology for evaluating petitions. The final rule also confirms EPA will restore the 500 million gallons of biofuels that were wrongly waived in 2016, with 250 million supplemented in 2022 and the other half in 2023.

In addition to EPA’s announcement, USDA also announced nearly $700 million in payments for biofuel facilities it said will support the maintenance and success of the biofuels market for soy and corn producers, along with those biofuel producers, following COVID-19 hardships.

ASA has vocally supported both increased annual blending requirements and the denial of waivers, which erode the integrity of the RFS. Biodiesel is a key market for soy that uses soy oil at the same time soy meal can be used for protein-packed animal feed, and it is a clean-burning fuel alternative that likewise demonstrates soy growers’ commitment to using their U.S.-grown beans in more places more sustainably.



National Farmers Union Supports President Biden's Raising of Ethanol Blending Mandates

Today, President Biden announced an increase in ethanol blending mandates for 2021. The increase is above the figure proposed in December and will more accurately align with U.S. consumption levels.

Additionally, the Administration denied small refinery exemptions (SREs), getting the SRE program back on track after the previous administration inappropriately granted SREs.

National Farmers Union (NFU) has long advocated for the increased use of biofuels based on economic and environmental benefits and has urged the EPA to rethink prior retroactive cuts on volumes.

NFU supports today's announcement, while noting use of higher-level blends of ethanol, like E30, would add additional benefits to the economy, the environment, and America’s farmers.

"We are encouraged that the EPA is taking biofuels policy in a promising direction," said Jeff Kippley, NFU Vice President. "Farmers and biofuels producers need certainty in the industry, and we thank the EPA for recognizing the critical need to increase ethanol blending mandates.

"This announcement provides much-needed relief for consumers at the gas pump market and economic stability to America’s farming and rural communities," Kippley added.

In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its 2020, 2021, and 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). As released, the new standards raised volumes moving forward; they also retroactively lower the already finalized 2020 volumes.



EPA’s Forward-Looking Renewable Fuel Volumes for 2022 Ensure American Families Have Greater Access to Lower-Cost, Lower-Carbon Fuel at the Pump

Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released a statement in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rulemaking under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which sets the 2022 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for conventional biofuels at 15 billion gallons, a move that sets a baseline for strong future biofuel blending levels under the RFS, ensuring drivers have greater access to lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel at the pump.

“These last six months have been a rude awakening for those who have grown complacent about U.S. energy supplies. EPA’s 2022 renewable fuel blending requirements will deliver savings at the pump for working families, slash carbon emissions, and strengthen U.S. energy security by bringing more American renewable fuel into our fuel supply.

“In just the last few months, E15 has been a shield against skyrocketing fuel prices, saving drivers almost $0.60 per gallon in some areas while American biofuels cut greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent compared to gasoline.

“We applaud President Biden and his EPA for this action, which will set the direction of total and advanced renewable fuel volumes for 2023 and beyond. By setting conventional implied 2022 RVO volumes at 15 billion gallons, coupled with restoring the first 250 million gallons that had been illegally waived in the 2016 RVO, EPA underscores the critical role biofuels play – and will continue to play – in mitigating climate change and lowering prices at the pump. Moreover, it sends a positive signal as the agency works through its new rule – “the Set” – that picks up where Congress left off and establishes multi-year renewable fuel blending requirements for 2023 and beyond.  

“In addition to the 2022 volumes, today’s action from EPA halts all improper small refinery exemptions, a move that will return much needed certainty to the biofuels industry and the entire fuel supply chain.  

“EPA does fail to address bipartisan concerns about volume requirements for the 2020 and 2021 RVOs. Nevertheless, we take the 2022 volumes as a strong signal of EPA’s commitment to getting the RFS back on track and we will remain vigilant in ensuring that volumes are met in a timely manner.”  

Background
The agency’s final rule lowers conventional ethanol volumes to 12.5 billion gallons for 2020, advanced biofuel at 4.63 billion, and cellulosic at 510 million. In addition, the rule sets conventional ethanol at 13.79 billion gallons in 2021 and 15 billion gallons in 2022, while setting advanced biofuels at 5.05 billion gallons in 2021 and 5.63 billion gallons in 2022, including 560 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel in 2021 and 630 million gallons of cellulosic biofuel in 2022. The rule adds a supplemental 250 million gallons that had been illegally waived in the 2016 RVO and denies 72 pending small refinery exemption requests before the agency. EPA’s announcement also provides important guidance to limit the abuse of small refinery exemptions in the future.

From the onset of the Renewable Fuel Standard, each year through 2022, EPA is required to issue a rulemaking establishing volumes of renewable fuel (the “renewable volume obligation” or “RVO”) that obligated refiners and importers must blend to ensure that annual renewable fuel volume requirements established by statute are met. Failure to issue RVOs on time undermines the RFS by eliminating prospective, market-forcing blending obligations, and by creating uncertainty in the market for obligated parties and renewable fuels producers alike. For more information on RVOs, click here for FAQ.

For 2023 and later, and as it has already done for the 2020-2022 RVOs under its “reset” authority, EPA, in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), is required to “set” these renewable fuel volume requirements through one or more rulemakings, taking into consideration six statutory factors, including environmental impacts economic impacts, and energy security. EPA is required to set volume requirements for 2023 at least 14 months prior to the calendar year in which it is to take effect. In addition, EPA is constrained by the statute to ensure that, for each year starting in 2023, the advanced renewable fuel requirement is at least the same percentage of the total renewable fuel requirement as it was in 2022.

In December 2021, Growth Energy submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a notice of intent to sue (“NOI”) regarding its failure to timely fulfill the agency’s statutory obligation under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to issue the 2022 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) and in turn, the potentially multi-year “set” rulemaking process for renewable fuel volumes for 2023 and beyond. The RVOs for 2022 were due by November 30th, 2021, an annual deadline set by Congress in the RFS. Additionally, the final “set” rulemaking was due on November 1, 2021. Growth also previously submitted a NOI for EPA’s failure to timely issue the 2021 RVO, which was due on November 30, 2020.

In response to the NOI, Growth Energy and EPA reached agreement to enter into a consent decree to finalize the delayed 2021 and 2022 RVOs by no later than June 3, 2022. EPA then issued a notice of the proposed consent decree for public review and comment. After the close of the comment period on March 25th, EPA and Growth then jointly filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking approval of the consent decree, which the court granted on April 22, 2022.  



ACE Statement on EPA’s Final RFS Rulings

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance years and retrospective volumes for 2020, including plans to restore the 500 million gallons in remanded volume by the DC Circuit Court in 2017, as well as confirmed denial of pending RFS small refinery exemption (SRE) petitions. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings issued the following reaction to EPA’s package of final actions:

“While we strongly object to the unnecessary retrospective cut EPA is making to 2020 volumes, we are pleased the Agency is upwardly revising the 2021 volumes to align more closely with actual consumption and upholding base conventional volume of 15 billion gallons for 2022, along with 250 million supplemental gallons to address the DC Circuit court order in 2017. ACE members are also thankful EPA is reining in the abusive use of SRE waivers pioneered under the last Administration.

“When taken as a whole, today’s actions begin to get the RFS back on track and fulfill Administrator Regan’s commitment to follow the law and science when it comes to this program. However, continued vigilance is required to undo prior and prevent future mismanagement of the RFS — the only tool at EPA’s disposal to replace expensive foreign fossil fuel with low-cost, low-carbon and homegrown biofuels such as ethanol. Given pump prices remain at record high levels and the need to decarbonize the transportation sector, it’s particularly important to leverage the program’s full potential.

“We encourage EPA to utilize the upcoming RFS ‘set’ rule for post-2022 volumes to make good on Administrator Regan’s statement that ‘biofuels will be part of the solution for climate change and lowering prices at the pump.’”



Clean Fuels Welcomes RFS Volumes for 2021 and 2022

Today, Clean Fuels Alliance America welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule for the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes. The final rule recognizes the continued growth of biodiesel, renewable diesel and other clean fuels and establishes readily achievable program obligations. Clean Fuels supports EPA’s decision to deny pending small refinery exemptions and its consistent finding that the program benefits Americans without hardships for refiners.

“Clean Fuels and its members appreciate EPA Administrator Regan’s recognition that homegrown, clean fuels offer a better solution to high fuel prices stemming from high oil prices and supply shortages,” said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for Clean Fuels. “We support EPA’s efforts to get the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track and to finalize 2022 volumes as a jumping off point for future growth. We stand ready to work with the agency to move forward and set volumes for 2023 and beyond. And we encourage the agency to quickly finalize new feedstocks pathways, such as that for canola oil.”

“Biodiesel and renewable diesel are essential to keeping the U.S. economy moving right now, meeting more than 5 percent of the nation’s need for heavy duty transportation and shipping fuel. The clean fuels industry increased production and supply even during the economic emergency of the last few years, helping Americans save 4% on the cost of diesel fuel and all the other consumer items that rely on diesel fuel for shipping,” Kovarik added.

A recent study from the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Service shows that U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production generates a 4 percent decrease in the price of diesel fuel. The WAEES study is available for download on cleanfuels.org.

Kovarik continued, “EPA’s denial of pending small refinery exemptions for 2019 through 2021 assures our industry that the volumes set today will be fully met, even with compliance flexibilities. This is an important first step in restoring integrity to the program.”

Today’s rule meets EPA’s consent decree with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to finalize the 2021 and 2022 rules. EPA is currently taking comment on a proposed consent decree to finalize the 2023 RFS volumes and standards by April 2023.

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. Biodiesel production supports approximately 13 percent of the value of each U.S. bushel of soybeans.



RFA: Today’s Actions on RFS Restore Order, Provide Solid Foundation for Growth

The final regulatory actions taken today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) bring order and certainty back to the Renewable Fuel Standard and provide a solid foundation for future growth in the production and use of low-carbon renewable fuels, according to the Renewable Fuels Association. The actions will also lead to lower gas prices for consumers and greater energy security, RFA said.

EPA today finalized a strong renewable volume obligation (RVO) for 2022, requiring the statutory volume of 15 billion gallons of conventional renewable fuel and 5.63 billion gallons of advanced biofuels. In accordance with a court order, the agency also finalized a supplemental requirement of 250 million gallons in 2022 to offset illegally waived volume from the 2016 RFS. In addition, EPA set the 2021 RVO for conventional renewable fuel at 13.79 billion gallons, based on the latest estimates of actual consumption. Finally, EPA finalized the denial of 69 pending small refinery exemption petitions, ensuring that all refiners are held accountable and equally obligated to blend lower-carbon, lower-cost biofuels.

“At long last, the RFS is being put back on track. Today’s actions by EPA and the Biden administration restore integrity and stability to the RFS program after several years of wanton mismanagement and abuse by the previous administration,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The combination of a strong RVO for 2022, restoration of illegally waived volume from 2016, and a new direction for the SRE program puts the RFS program on solid footing for the future. We thank Administrator Regan and President Biden for honoring their commitments to implement the RFS in a way that is fair, transparent, and focused on growth.”

Cooper also noted that today’s package couldn’t have come at a more important time, as consumers are facing record-high gas prices driven by instability in global energy markets. “By requiring petroleum refiners to blend larger volumes of low-cost biofuels like ethanol, today’s actions will put downward pressure on gas prices and provide economic relief to American families facing record-high pump prices,” he said. “In the last few days alone, wholesale ethanol prices have been as much as $1.30 per gallon lower than gasoline, leading to significant savings at the pump for consumers of ethanol-blended fuels like E10, E15, and E85.”

The association today released an explainer documenting how ethanol reduces prices at the pump, due to its lower cost and the fact that it augments the overall fuel supply.

RFA also underscored the important role a robust RFS plays in enhancing energy security. “Ukraine is 5,000 miles away, but American consumers are feeling the economic impacts of war in Eastern Europe every time they pull up to the pump,” Cooper said. “This is a poignant reminder that the very purpose of the RFS is to increase domestic fuel production, diversify our fuel supply with lower-carbon alternatives, and reduce demand for petroleum imports. Just imagine how much higher gas prices would be without the addition of 15 billion gallons of low-cost ethanol to our fuel supply.”

The only blemish on EPA’s package of regulatory actions is the agency’s decision to reopen and retroactively lower RFS requirements for 2020, Cooper said. “While today’s package of actions collectively marks a major step forward for the RFS program, it isn’t perfect, and we remain disappointed by the approach EPA took on 2020. But we are committed to working with EPA and other stakeholders to continue moving the RFS program forward and growing the market for low-carbon renewable fuels like ethanol.”



AFBF Welcomes EPA Announcement on Renewable Volume Obligations

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“Today’s EPA announcement is welcome news for farmers and ranchers as well as America’s families who are dealing with record-high fuel prices. AFBF appreciates that the Biden administration has upheld the promise to honor the critical role that renewable fuels play in supporting the rural economy.

“The use of homegrown renewable fuels provides an affordable option at the pump, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions the equivalent of taking 18 million cars off the road per year. With wholesale prices for ethanol currently lower than gasoline in many regions of the country, increased blending should lead to lower prices at the pump. Homegrown ethanol and biodiesel are especially important as we face global uncertainties.

“We remain committed to working with the EPA on blending requirements and supporting our partners up and down the supply chain as they work to enhance U.S. energy independence while continuing to ensure a reliable and affordable food supply.”



NASCAR Reaches 20 Million Miles Driven on Renewable Fuel

NASCAR and Official Partner Growth Energy boast a significant milestone this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, celebrating 20 million NASCAR miles driven on Sunoco Green E15, a fuel blended with 15-percent bioethanol.

Growth Energy, the world’s largest trade association representing U.S. bioethanol producers and supporters, has partnered with NASCAR since 2011. Together, they have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent across NASCAR’s three national touring series while also increasing horsepower on the racetrack.

“We’re fortunate to have great partners like Growth Energy and Get Bioethanol who are dedicated to NASCAR and helping us minimize our impact on the environment,” said Michelle Byron, Vice President of Partnership Marketing, NASCAR. “This weekend is a testament to Sunoco Green E15 and its ability to fuel world-class competition for more than a decade, all while reducing emissions in pursuit of a more sustainable sport.”

Bioethanol blends like Sunoco Green E15 continue to increase in popularity with consumers as NASCAR and other key leaders showcase its benefits, including the ability to withstand the demands of NASCAR competition each weekend.  

"Twenty million NASCAR miles driven on Sunoco Green E15 is a significant milestone for our environment and NASCAR’s sustainability platform initiative,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Since our partnership began in 2011, every car on the track has reduced its carbon emissions by switching to engine-smart, earth-kind Sunoco Green E15, which is high octane and blended with 15 percent bioethanol. Mile after mile, E15 has also proven its ability to flawlessly perform in the most demanding driving environments, both on the track and for drivers across America. This weekend’s race and celebration is a reminder that filling up with E15 both on and off the track continues to be the smart choice for drivers who care about high performing engines, reducing emissions, and saving money at the pump.”

In recognition of the milestone, Austin Dillon will run the No. 3 Get Bioethanol Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing this weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway. All cars will also feature a special “20 Million Miles” decal with a green flag emblazoned with Get Bioethanol, honoring the achievement at the NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 presented by TicketSmarter.



USDA Has Provided $700 Million to Restore Sustainable Fuel Markets Hit by Pandemic

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Department has provided $700 million to help lower costs and support biofuel producers who faced unexpected market losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are being made available through the Biofuel Producer Program, which was created as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The investments include more than $486 million for 62 producers located in socially vulnerable communities.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to rebuilding the rural economy after the impacts of the pandemic,” Vilsack said. “That’s why USDA is targeting resources and investments to improve the strength and resiliency of America’s sustainable fuel markets. The investments we’re announcing today will pave the way to economic recovery for America’s biofuel producers, stimulate a critical market for U.S. farmers and ranchers, and support our nation’s transition to a clean-energy economy.”

USDA is making payments to 195 biofuel production facilities to support the maintenance and viability of a significant market for agricultural producers of products such as corn, soybean or biomass that supply biofuel production. These biofuel producers experienced unexpected market losses on a combined 3.7 billion gallons as a result of COVID–19.

For example:
    In Iowa, Southwest Renewable Energy LLC is receiving a payment of $3 million. It suffered a market loss on 14.3 million gallons of ethanol due to the pandemic.
    In Illinois, Adkins Energy is receiving a $774,000 payment. Its biomass-based diesel production suffered a market loss on almost 3.5 million gallons due to the pandemic.
    In Texas, White Energy Holding Company is receiving a $21 million payment for production at two facilities. Its ethanol production suffered a market loss on 98 million gallons due to the pandemic.

The investments USDA is making today will support biofuel producers in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.



Growth Energy Thanks Secretary Vilsack for Delivering on Biofuel Producer Assistance

Today, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor thanked U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack for delivering on the Biofuel Producer Assistance program and providing direct relief to biofuel producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful to Secretary Tom Vilsack for seeing the Biofuel Producer Assistance program through from start to finish and ensuring biofuels producers receive the pandemic assistance they were promised at the height of the pandemic,” said Skor. “Biofuels producers were some of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and, like many industries across the country, continue to feel the economic ripple effects like delayed supply chains and high supply costs. To address these issues, producers were allocated assistance almost two years ago to keep the industry online, and we thank Secretary Vilsack today for getting that assistance directly to those who needed it most.”

Background
After a year of advocacy efforts by Growth Energy and our industry partners, USDA announced in December 2021 the availability of $700 million in direct payments to biofuel producers adversely impacted by the pandemic. These funds were authorized through COVID-19 aid legislation which was signed into law in late 2020.



U.S., TAIWAN TO BEGIN TRADE TALKS

The United States and Taiwan Wednesday announced they soon will begin negotiations on improving their economic and trade relationship. Representatives from the two countries are expected to meet later this month. The “U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade” will help facilitate more trade, including agricultural trade and trade by small and medium enterprises; advocate sound, transparent trade regulations; establish anti-corruption standards; support the environment and climate action; and address “non-market” policies and practices that could be hindering trade. The announcement comes a week after the Biden administration launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, an Asia-Pacific trade initiative that does not include Taiwan.  

 

NEW ZEALAND WANTS MORE TRADE WITH U.S.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this week met with President Biden in Washington to discuss trade between her country and the United States and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the U.S.-led trade initiative launched last week by the Biden administration. It was rumored that Ardern also might broach a U.S.-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to blunt China’s trade overtures in the region. Currently, the Kiwis have only a trade and investment framework agreement with the United States. (TIFAs provide strategic frameworks and principles for dialogue, providing a forum for the United States and other governments to meet and discuss issues of mutual interest with the objective of improving cooperation and enhancing opportunities for trade and investment.) The prime minister also met with members of Congress, urging lawmakers to ask the administration to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership. The 11-member CPTPP, which includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, is the successor of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, of which the United States was a part until withdrawing in early 2017.  



USDA Dairy Products April 2022 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.16 billion pounds, 0.1 percent above April 2021 but 4.5 percent below March 2022. Italian type cheese production totaled 489 million pounds, 1.2 percent above April 2021 but 5.5 percent below March 2022. American type cheese production totaled 465 million pounds, 2.7 percent below April 2021 and 1.8 percent below March 2022. Butter production was 181 million pounds, 1.0 percent below April 2021 and 10.3 percent below March 2022.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with April 2021)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 196 million pounds, up 1.0 percent.
Skim milk powder - 35.6 million pounds, down 36.5 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with April 2021)
Dry whey, total - 82.8 million pounds, up 7.0 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 101 million pounds, up 2.8 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 45.9 million pounds, down 8.1 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with April 2021)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 65.4 million gallons, down 4.9 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 38.3 million gallons, down 10.8 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.24 million gallons, down 20.6 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.83 million gallons, down 1.2 percent.



MCDONALD’S BOARD REJECTS ANIMAL-RIGHTS ACTIVISTS

Late last week, McDonald’s shareholders rejected Carl Icahn’s bid to get two animal-rights activists on the fast-food restaurant’s board. The billionaire investor wants to force the company to stop buying pork from hog farmers who use individual pens for sows. Several other food firms, including Wendy’s, Papa John’s, and Dine Brands Global, which owns Applebee’s and IHOP, recently have rebuffed similar moves.

The National Pork Producers Council has worked with the restaurant industry to address concerns it has with pork production practices, and they support the right of producers to use sow housing systems that are best for their animals and operations. It has pointed out that the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians both recognize individual and group housing as appropriate for providing for the well-being of sows during pregnancy.

 

LINAMAR DEAL TO ACQUIRE SALFORD CLOSES

Salford Group, a global leader in high-quality tillage and application equipment is excited to announce that the deal to be acquired by Linamar Corporation (TSX:LNR), an advanced manufacturing company based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada has closed effective June 3, 2022.

Salford Group will join MacDon Industries Limited, a manufacturer of combine headers and self-propelled windrowers in Linamar’s agricultural manufacturing division.

“Increasing volatility in food security, combined with a rapidly progressing mindset on how our food is produced, is bringing about major technological developments in ag equipment,” said Geof Gray, President of Salford Group. “Being part of Linamar’s agriculture group will allow for cross-collaboration, leveraging the best practices and ideas that Linamar, MacDon, and Salford have to offer. This allows us to continue leading the way in developing products that help feed the world, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

The acquisition positions Linamar as a leading Canadian-based agriculture equipment shortline OEM on the global stage. With agriculture being a key area of focus for Linamar’s 2100 strategic roadmap, the company expects to build its presence in the market in the years to come.

“We are very pleased to complete this acquisition,” said Linda Hasenfratz, Linamar’s Executive Chair and CEO. “Salford is an outstanding brand in farm tillage and crop nutrition application. Together with our current agriculture division, MacDon, we have a solid foundation from which to execute our agriculture strategy going forward. We are thrilled to welcome the Salford Group into the Linamar family today.”