Friday September 24 Cattle on Feed + Ag News

NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 4%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.37 million cattle on feed on September 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 4% from last year. Placements during August totaled 570,000 head, up 3% from 2021. Fed cattle marketings for the month of August totaled 510,000 head, up 10% from last year. Other disappearance during August totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.



Iowa Cattle on Feed

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 590,000 head on September 1, 2022, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was up 2 percent from August but unchanged from September 1, 2021. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 480,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month but unchanged from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,070,000 head, unchanged from last month and unchanged from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during August 2022 totaled 89,000 head, up 48 percent from July and up 16 percent from August 2021. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 38,000 head, down 32 percent from July and down 36 percent from August 2021. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 127,000 head, up 9 percent from July but down 7 percent from August 2021.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during August 2022 totaled 78,000 head, up 34 percent from July but down 8 percent from August 2021. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 44,000 head, down 47 percent from July and down 21 percent from August 2021. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 122,000 head, down 13 percent from both July and August 2021. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 5,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Up Slightly

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on September 1, 2022. The inventory was slightly above September 1, 2021. This is the second highest September 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

On Feed by State  (1,000 hd - % Sept 1 '21)
Colorado .......:              1,030           95                 
Iowa .............:                 590          100           
Kansas ..........:               2,380           96             
Nebraska ......:               2,370          104            
Texas ............:               2,820          104             

Placements in feedlots during August totaled 2.11 million head, slightly above 2021. Net placements were 2.06 million head. During August, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 430,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 320,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 465,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 532,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 270,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 95,000 head.

Placements by State  (1,000 hd - % Aug '21)
Colorado .......:                  180            82                
Iowa .............:                    89           116              
Kansas ..........:                  535           101                
Nebraska ......:                  570           103              
Texas ............:                  430           109            

Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 2.00 million head, 6 percent above 2021. Other disappearance totaled 53,000 head during August, 10 percent below 2021.

Marketings by State  (1,000 hd - % Aug '21)
Colorado .......:                  185           106               
Iowa .............:                   78              92              
Kansas ..........:                  485           105             
Nebraska ......:                  510           110           
Texas ............:                  450           113      



Preventing and Responding to Combine Fires
Amy Timmerman - Extension Educator

As we move into fall harvest, a majority of Nebraska is in moderate to exceptional drought conditions. Fire is of high concern due to weather conditions conducive for fires to move quickly throughout the landscape.

Beyond conducive weather conditions, equipment has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades. Compared to older machines, today’s equipment is bigger, more complex, and carries more oil and fuel. On combines, shields, panels and fuel tanks used to be made out of metal but are now mostly synthetic, which can easily catch on fire. When smoldering crop residue meets a hydraulic leak or fuel, a fire quickly starts and spreads throughout the machine.

It is important to note that improvements have been made on newer equipment to reduce fires. Radiator fans have increased in power over the years, with many spinning at 60 mph to keep debris off hot engine components.

For example, John Deer moved the air intake of the radiator on its 70 series combine to the top in 2007, compared to the 60 series where the air intake was lower down on the side, allowing flammable crop residue to more easily enter.

A study of about 9,000 combine fires completed several years ago confirmed that crop residue typically starts the fire by coming into contact with hot manifold, exhaust or turbocharger. The majority of fires — 76.7% — start in the engine area of the combine (Venem, M.T. et al 2002). However, the most devastating fires spread rapidly to other areas of the machine.

Fires become especially severe when fuel lines rupture from the heat or when a fire burns through a hydraulic hose. Soon the combine becomes an inferno, especially if the engine is still pumping out fuel or hydraulic fluid under pressure. Typically, when fires ignite one or more tires, the result is complete loss of the machine. Availability of fire extinguishers and quick response from local fire departments can prevent total loss.

The following is a guide that can help ensure a smoother and safter harvest season without fire emergencies.

Preventing Combine Fires

Keep Combines Clean
Keeping your equipment clean is the best way to prevent fires, especially around the engine, turbo charger and exhaust system. Keep in mind that the majority of fires are caused by crop residue. It is easy for crop residue to accumulate on the engine, wiring harnesses, lights and other cracks and crevices.  The majority of combine manufactures recommend cleaning the machine after shutting down at the end of the day at least. Battery or gas-powered leaf blowers are great tools to provide high quantities of air to move debris off the machine while out in the field. If machines are returned to the shop between fields, large air compressors can also be used to clean machines.

Also consider power-washing to remove grease and oil, which can allow a small fire to spread rapidly.  By removing excess grease and oil, this aids in improving machine efficiency and keeps equipment cool.  The exhaust components and turbochargers can reach 1,000-1,200oF, with surface temperatures reaching around 900oF. Crop residues have been reported to ignite at approximately 500oF and above.

Don’t Park Equipment Near Flashy Fuels
Let combines cool down before parking them inside a machine shed after harvesting all day. If leaving the combine in the field at the end of the day, try to park on a fire-resistant surface rather than in the middle of a harvest field. Sparks and malfunctions can occur at any time, and crop debris can continue to smolder if the machine is not cleaned at the end of the day. Parking combines in a recently disked part of the field or a grassy area away from standing stubble and the unharvested crop is advised. Alternately, consider disking a fire break around parked equipment if parking in areas with heavy fire fuels.

Reduce Combine Engine Load
Increasing harvest speed and putting combine engines under a lot of stress increases the chances of fires. It is important to note that new combine engines have been designed to meet new emission standards, which has resulted in higher engine temperatures. The new exhaust systems use diesel particulate filters to trap pollutants. As the filter become filled with pollutants, the engine cleans the filter by burning the soot out. In return, we get a very clean but extremely hot exhaust, especially during diesel particulate filter regenerations.

Keep Bearings Cool
A study out of Spain conducted in 2018 and 2019 found that bearings and belts caused 18% of combine fires. One way to ensure bearings are operating efficiently and staying cool is using an infrared thermometer with lasers, which can be purchased for around $50.

Check bearings once the machine has warmed up. Bearings typically run between 125-150oF. Once bearings are reaching temperatures above 180oF, damage can occur. If bearing reach temperatures above 300oF, shut the machine off immediately.

Avoid Harvesting During Extreme Fire Weather
Postponing harvest because weather is conducive for fires when it is hot, dry and strong winds are occurring can be very challenging. A study conducted by Venem, M.T., et al found that 48.5% of combine fires occurred between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. when temperatures have peaked, and relative humidity is the lowest. Days when wind speed is greater than 20 mph, temperatures are at or above 90oF and relative humidity below is 30% are more conducive to combine fires and crop fires.

Preparation Before a Fire Happens
    Start harvesting a field on the downwind side. If a fire does occur, the flames will be pushed toward the harvested portion of the field.
    Always carry a cell phone or alternative for communicating with others in case of a fire.
    Carry a minimum of one 10 lb ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher (Figure 2) stored in or near the cab of the combine if the fire can be easily reached from the ground. Do not climb onto a burning machine to put it out. It is not worth the risk of the loss of your life or severe injury.

    Remember to PASS when using the extinguisher:
        Pull the pin.
        Aim the nozzle.
        Squeeze the trigger.
        Sweep across the base of the fire.
            Note: All fire extinguishers should be checked by the fire department or other agency annually to ensure they are fully charged and ready. Once an extinguisher has been used, it must be recharged. During the harvest season, invert and shake the extinguisher canister once or twice to prevent machine vibration from consolidating the dry chemicals at the bottom of the canister.
    Know the location of the field in relationship to letter or numbers on county roads.
    Have a tractor hooked to a disk near the field you are harvesting but located where it wouldn’t be affected if a field fire should occur.
    Have a large water tank with water near at the field.

Putting Out a Fire
    Immediately pull the machine, if possible, into adjacent areas that have already been harvested.
    Turn the machine off. The air intake systems and fans keep providing oxygen to the flames if machine continues running.
    Call 911 before trying to extinguish the fire yourself. Depending on your location, it may take up to 30 minutes or longer before the fire department can reach the scene. The sooner they are aware, the sooner they can be on-scene. Adrenaline is flowing but provide dispatch with as much detail regarding your location as possible. Include county road names and numbers or precise description, i.e., five miles east and four miles north of Farmer Brown’s house. The advantage of volunteer fire departments is their knowledge of where people live in the area. However, several departments called out to a fire located “northeast of town” must look for the smoke to locate the fire and can be delayed.
    If a combine fire is beyond control, focus on keeping it from spreading to the surrounding vegetation by either putting a disc line around it or wetting down the surrounding area.

Summary
Even with all the machine maintenance, sanitation, preparedness and awareness, fires can still occur.  Key points to remember:
    Clean the machine of crop residue at least once a day.
    Be aware of the risk with higher engine/exhaust temperatures on today’s engines.
    Make sure everyone on the harvesting crew can communicate with each other.
    Park equipment in areas devoid of potential fire fuels if possible.
    Monitor bearing temperatures and replace when getting too hot.
    Have a tractor hooked to a disk or water tanks located at the field when fire risks are high.
    No piece of equipment is worth risking your life for.



Nebraska Hosts Beef Experience Tour

The Nebraska Beef Council hosted the 2022 Beef Experience Tour on September 14 and 15 giving influencers from across the county a first-hand look at how beef is raised in Nebraska. This marked the first time the Beef Council has hosted a pasture-to-plate tour since 2019.   

This year’s attendees included dietitians, food bloggers, chefs, and schoolteachers who travelled from California, New York, Tennessee, Maryland, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania to learn about the beef production process. The attendees were selected through the help of other state Beef Councils and were identified for their ability to impact a larger group of people through their networks.  The tour helps explain the beef lifecycle and how producers across the country work together to get beef from pasture to plate.   

The tour started with a visit to Loseke Farms new Columbus where the attendees got to see corn and silage being harvested. They learned how corn is utilized to produce highly marbled and flavorful beef. The group then visited RB Angus near Newman Grove where they learned how the beef lifecycle begins and the importance of genetics when raising cattle for beef. The tour continued to Columbus Livestock Pavilion to explain how cattle trade hands within the various sectors of the industry. The next stop was at Grass Valley Farms, a feedyard near David City where the group learned how cattle are finished on grain rations giving the beef desired flavor & tenderness.    

“Everyone is always amazed at how well cared for the animals are and how the feedyard setting actually allows for efficiencies that reduce the use of natural resources and the impact on the environment,” said Adam Wegner, director of marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. “There were a lot of comments on how much more room the cattle had and how content they were.”   

The final stop of the tour was a visit to Greater Omaha Packing where cattle are processed and shipped to restaurants and grocery stores around the world. Much like the experience at the feedyard, the attendees were amazed by the efficiency, the attention to animal welfare, and the safety practices in place to ensure a safe, wholesome product for the consumer.   

“Giving these folks this hands-on experience hopefully helps them recognize some of the misinformation that’s out there so they can help us share the true story of beef production,” said Wegner. “We’ll continue to be a resource for these folks as they go back to their jobs and interact with consumers. These are valuable relationships that help us build confidence with consumers and where their food comes from.”   



UNL CAP Webinar: Planning Ahead for Hay Purchases
Randy Saner and T.L. Meyer, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educators.
Time - Sep 29, 2022 12:00 PM
Presented by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska

Hay production has been reported to be 50% of average or less in many areas of Nebraska and the U.S. hay supply is at a 50-year low. Couple this information with rising costs, and it becomes prudent to plan fall, winter, and next spring’s hay needs sooner rather than later.

This webinar will cover the importance of Inventorying your feed and hay resources now to know what you need and describe how checking prices and availability now will go a long way to reducing the anxiety of what we will feed our cows this fall and winter.

Get more information and register at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for October

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in October. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates
    Friday, Oct. 7 — Norfolk
    Wednesday, Oct. 26 — Norfolk
    Thursday, Oct. 27 — Valentine
    Monday, Oct. 31 — Fairbury

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



Crop Insurance Workshop Oct. 19 in Grand Island

Nebraska Extension will host a crop insurance workshop for agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, 700 E. Stolley Park Rd.

The event aims to help attendees improve their risk management strategies and boost their understanding of crop insurance. Crop and livestock producers, insurance agents, marketing consultants, agricultural educators and other risk management service providers are encouraged to attend.

Topics covered during the daylong workshop will include livestock risk protection, expectations for the 2023 Farm Bill, outlooks for crop and livestock markets, how crop insurance fraud is investigated, macroeconomic trends and climate trends. Lunch will be provided.

The workshop is presented as part of a series produced in collaboration between Nebraska Extension, Kansas State University Research and Extension and Colorado State University.

Registration costs $100 and is required by Friday, Oct. 14. A late fee of $20 applies to registrations received after Oct. 14.  Register and see more info here.... https://cropinsure.unl.edu/.  



Returning to the Farm workshop for families in transition is December 9, 10 in York

The Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present Returning to the Farm, a workshop series for families who are in the transition process of bringing members back to the farm or ranch. It will begin with a two-day workshop in York for multi-generational families on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave.   

The series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs. It will guide families in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals and improving the communication process between family members.  

“Returning to the Farm gives families the tools and resources to have a successful transition with more family joining the business,” farm and ranch transition extension educator Allan Vyhanlek said. “We really want to have two or three generations come to this together and take that time, as a family, to sit down, learn together and start these important processes.”  

Vyhnalek will lead the workshops with Jessica Groskopf, an agricultural economist with Nebraska Extension. Presenters will include other extension experts as well as agribusiness and legal professionals. During the program, participants will:
    Learn communication strategies
    Set both personal and professional goals
    Develop a farm or ranch transition plan
    Identify estate planning issues and develop effective strategies for planning
    Review financial feasibility and financial tools

The workshop fee is $70 per person, which includes dinner on Dec. 9 and lunch on Dec. 10. It also includes two follow-up workshops, to be held virtually, in the evenings on Jan. 9 and Feb. 2. Hotel accommodations are not included.  

Registration may be completed before Dec. 2 at https://cap.unl.edu/rtf22.  



Thousands of Iowans Contribute to #Porktober22 Achievements
    
There are 147,000 Iowans working every day to make pork production in Iowa the envy of the world. Their jobs are spread over several sectors; farmers, of course, but also those who work in animal nutrition and health, transportation, equipment manufacturing, meat processing, food safety, and retail.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) salutes all those Iowans during #Porktober22 (you may know it as October Pork Month). We know that each of you is doing your part to produce a safe, nutritious pork product to feed the world.

Iowa is the country’s top pork-producing state. Again, that achievement is a testament to the work done by the women and men who work in the pork industry. If all 147,000 Iowans working to support the pork industry were aggregated into one place, they would create the state’s third largest city!

“October is a celebration of real stories, real farms, and the real way people feel when they enjoy the taste of pork and the way it brings them together,” says IPPA President Kevin Rasmussen of Goldfield.

“Pork is the leading animal protein for consumers across the globe, but our most important consumers will always be those here at home,” he says. “Porktober22 is when we highlight the people, the product, and in today’s climate, the sustainability successes by those in the pork industry.

Learn more about pork and Iowa’s pig farmers at www.IowaPork.org/Porktober22. There, you’ll find quick and affordable pork recipes, stories about Iowans who are part of the pork industry, as well as information about the sustainability of pork production.



New Public-Private Partnership Seeks Iowa Farmers to Advance Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations

Iowa State University has partnered with agricultural service providers, Iowa farmers and their advisers to launch the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative – a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership that will leverage on-farm data to generate continuous improvements in resource use efficiency. The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative is currently recruiting Iowa farmers to join the network of on-farm trials.

Using the latest advances in precision agriculture, in close collaboration with Iowa farmers, the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative will deploy hundreds of on-farm, scientifically robust trials every year. Data from these trials will enable Iowa State scientists and engineers to apply the latest advances in super-computing and quantitative modeling to improve nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for the benefit of productivity, profitability and environmental performance.

“Iowa farmers depend on the best science when making decisions about crop inputs including nutrient management,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “I encourage farmers to consider participating in this important initiative that will deliver valuable data and recommendations from experts at Iowa State University.”

Nitrogen fertilizer is among the most critical inputs to crop productivity – and one of the costliest. When applied at the optimum rate, nitrogen boosts productivity and profitability while minimizing losses to the environment. However, the optimum rate is incredibly difficult to forecast and can vary by more than 100% from field-to-field and year-to-year.

Current nitrogen fertilizer recommendations do not address factors that contribute to this variability, such as weather or the multitude of decisions farmers must make each year like seed selection and soil management.

Participation and collaboration with Iowa farmers through the on-farm trials will make this project a success. Approximately 150 preliminary trials were conducted in 2022 and researchers seek to increase this number to over 400 for 2023.

Participating in the nitrogen trials is easy. Farmers commit to reserving a small portion of their farm field (four to seven acres) for a personalized variable rate nitrogen prescription. All other farming decisions, including the nitrogen application for the rest of the field, remain with the farmer.

“My farm participates in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative trials, because I want to better understand the science behind what my corn crop needs and how I can improve water quality,” said Roger Zylstra who farms in Jasper County and chairs the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council. “Participation is easy since we already use yield monitors and variable rate nitrogen application.”

Researchers are seeking the help of Iowa farmers to meet their goal of 400 trials in 2023. The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative’s network of farmer participants enables researchers to gather data on real-world scenarios, develop decision support tools with input from the people who will use them, and return information to farmers about optimum rates on their farms. The trials can be included in any Iowa corn field – regardless of the management.

Farmers, certified crop advisers and custom fertilizer applicators interested in participating should contact Melissa Miller, project director for the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, at millerms@iastate.edu or 515-567-0607. Learn more at agron.iastate.edu/ini.



EXTENDED:  ISU Extension and Outreach Wants to Hear from Iowans through Online Survey

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is conducting a statewide audience assessment.

“As technology continues to evolve, we want to learn how Iowans prefer to access, receive and engage with extension education – both in person and virtually,” said John Lawrence, Iowa State’s vice president for extension and outreach.

Through this survey, Iowans can tell ISU Extension and Outreach about the technology they prefer to use, the topics they want to learn more about and the issues they think will be important to the people in their communities over the next two years.

The survey is available online, www.extension.iastate.edu/survey, and will remain open a little bit later than origionally announced, now through late October. Iowans may contact their ISU Extension and Outreach county office for more information.

“The more Iowans we can survey, the better we can engage all Iowans in research, education and extension experiences to address current and emerging real-life challenges,” Lawrence said.

ISU Extension and Outreach is part of the federal Cooperative Extension Service — a network of more than 100 land-grant institutions, including Iowa State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture serving communities and counties across the United States. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level.

For more information about ISU Extension and Outreach, visit www.extension.iastate.edu or contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office.



NPPC Wants Kenya to Eliminate Tariff, Non-tariff Barriers to U.S. Pork
 
In comments submitted late last week to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the National Pork Producers Council urged U.S. trade negotiators to use the recently launched Strategic and Investment Partnership with Kenya to eliminate that country’s unjustified restrictions on U.S. pork imports.

With a population of more than 50 million, an expanding middle class — and relatively strong tourism-driven demand from the hotel, restaurant, and institutional food service sector — the African nation has the potential to be a significant export market for U.S. pork products, NPPC noted in its comments.

But Kenya has tariff — a 25% duty — and non-tariff barriers, including complex, opaque, and costly requirements that limit U.S. pork imports. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service reports that all imports of certain agricultural products, including meat, must be physically inspected and tested at the port of entry to ensure conformity with relevant Kenyan standards.

NPPC requested that Kenya eliminate its onerous testing and inspection requirements for U.S. pork, eliminate non-science-based sanitary and phytosanitary barriers, and recognize the equivalence of U.S. pork production practices and the U.S. food safety inspection and approval system for pork slaughter, processing, and storage plants.



EPA Withdraws Glyphosate Interim Decision

Today, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its withdrawal of all remaining portions of the interim registration review decision for glyphosate. Pesticide products containing glyphosate continue to remain on the market and be used according to the product label and are unaffected by this action.
 
Glyphosate is undergoing registration review, a periodic reevaluation of pesticide registrations to ensure that existing pesticide products continue to perform their intended function without unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), each pesticide must be reviewed every 15 years. 
 
On Feb. 3, 2020, EPA published the Glyphosate Interim Registration Review Decision (ID). The ID did not identify any human health risks of concern from exposure to glyphosate but did identify potential ecological risks. The ID included interim risk mitigation measures in the form of label changes, including labeling to manage spray drift and herbicide resistance. It concluded that the benefits of glyphosate outweigh the potential ecological risks when glyphosate is used in accordance with the labels.
 
On March 20, 2020, the glyphosate ID was challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Petitioners challenged EPA’s analysis of human health and ecological risk, the weighing of such risks against the benefits of glyphosate and the interim risk mitigation measures and alleged that EPA violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA). On May 18, 2021, EPA sought partial voluntary remand without vacatur of the ecological portion of the ID so the Agency could revisit aspects of its analysis in light of EPA’s November 2020 draft biological evaluation for glyphosate and recent court decisions for other herbicides, among other reasons.  
 
On June 17, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated the human health portion of the glyphosate ID and held that EPA’s registration review decision under FIFRA was an ‘action’ that triggered ESA obligations. The court also granted EPA’s request for voluntary remand, without vacatur, of the ecological portion of the ID but imposed an Oct. 1, 2022, deadline for EPA to issue a new ecological portion. EPA sought relief from this deadline, which the court denied on Aug. 5, 2022.
 
EPA has determined that withdrawal of the glyphosate ID is appropriate in consideration of the Ninth Circuit’s June 17, 2022, decision. The Agency is unable to finalize a new ecological portion in a registration review decision for glyphosate by the court-imposed Oct. 1, 2022, deadline because of the time needed to address the issues for which EPA sought remand of the ecological portion and satisfy ESA requirements. EPA initiated formal ESA consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (the Services) for glyphosate in November 2021, and consultation is ongoing. Moreover, before issuing any decision, EPA must first prepare a proposed decision, publish for a 60-day public comment period, and consider any comments received. EPA cannot complete these processes by the court-imposed deadline.
 
EPA’s underlying scientific findings regarding glyphosate, including its finding that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans, remain the same. In accordance with the court’s decision, the Agency intends to revisit and better explain its evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate and to consider whether to do so for other aspects of its human health analysis. For the ecological portion, EPA intends to address the issues for which it sought remand, including: to consider whether additional or different risk mitigation may be necessary based on the outcome of ESA consultation for glyphosate, prepare an analysis of in-field effects of glyphosate on monarch butterfly habitat, consider whether there are other aspects of its analysis of ecological risks and costs to revisit, and consider what risk mitigation measures may be necessary to reduce potential risk following completion of analyses left outstanding in the ID. EPA also intends to complete ESA consultation with the Services, make a determination under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, and respond to an administrative petition regarding glyphosate before issuing a final registration review decision.
 
A copy of the Withdrawal of the Glyphosate Interim Registration Review Decision is posted to the glyphosate registration review docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0361 at https://www.regulations.gov. For more information about glyphosate, visit EPA’s website.   



Wheat Growers Welcome Introduction of CREAATE Act Supporting Increased Export Promotion Funding

U.S. wheat growers have a long history of recognizing the value of export market development by supporting the successful public-private partnership with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). That is why U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome the introduction of the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act of 2022 in the U.S. Senate.

This legislation, introduced by Senators Tina Smith (MN), Angus King (ME), Joni Ernst (IA), and Charles Grassley (IA), would double funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, agricultural export market development programs administered by FAS.

Each year, wheat growers contribute a portion of their wheat sales which qualifies USW to apply for MAP and FMD program funds along with more than 60 other U.S. agricultural export promotion organizations. Unfortunately, inflation, sequestration and administrative costs have sapped the value of the program funds over many years.

“MAP funding has not been increased from $200 million since 2006 and FMD funding has not changed from $34.5 million since 2002, but our foreign competition in most global markets including wheat has grown,” said USW Chairperson Rhonda K. Larson, a wheat grower from East Grand Forks, N.D. “To manage that challenge over the years, USW has closed offices and reduced staff to protect wheat export demand in our top markets. With additional MAP and FMD funds, we could expand our promotion effort to more commercial markets.”

USW also uses MAP and FMD funding to enable greater use of U.S. wheat in food aid programs that have taken on increased significance with the disruption of global wheat trade by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Our food aid programs are the best suited for U.S. wheat to help support the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict and for on-going food insecurity,” said Nicole Berg, NAWG President and a wheat grower from Paterson, Wash. “Looking ahead to the 2023 Farm Bill legislation, our food aid programs must receive continued support and MAP and FMD programs dollars must be enhanced to support the effort to promote U.S. wheat and other agricultural products.”

A recent econometric study conducted by agricultural economists at IHS Market and Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports over the 2024 to 2029 time period. This would directly benefit farmers, livestock producers, dairy operators and small businesses as they work to maintain and expand their global presence. Read more at www.AgExportsCount.org.

The CREAATE legislation must now be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee.



Merck Animal Health to Acquire Virtual Livestock Fencing Developer Vence

Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement under which Merck Animal Health will acquire Vence from its founders and shareholders. Vence is an innovator in virtual fencing for rotational grazing and livestock management. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Vence, a privately held company, provides enhanced technology for producers and ranchers to track, monitor and manage the movement of cattle through a high-tech platform of virtual fencing solutions. Using a computer or smartphone, customers have the capability to manage cattle movement and facilitate rotational grazing. Vence's virtual fencing technology can reduce the need for fencing to subdivide pastures and allows producers and ranchers to manage their cattle and grass inventory, while reducing costs of labor and fencing materials.

"The acquisition of Vence will broaden our portfolio with complementary products and technologies to advance animal health and well-being as well as outcomes for our customers," said Rick DeLuca, president, Merck Animal Health. "Vence is a natural fit with Merck Animal Health's growing portfolio of animal intelligence products that include identification, traceability and monitoring products. This new technology will give cow-calf producers the ability to track their cattle and the ability to move them from pasture to pasture."

"I believe that Merck Animal Health is the best long-term home for this technology and our team. Their unparalleled expertise in the livestock space, ability to develop and scale hardware products, high-quality customer support, and a strong global footprint to expand Vence's market reach make us really excited to join Merck Animal Health," said Frank Wooten, founder and CEO, Vence.

Vence technology is currently available in the United States and parts of Australia.