Friday December 23 Cattle on Feed, Hogs & Pigs, + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 1%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.61 million cattle on feed on December 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 1% from last year. Placements during November totaled 505,000 head, up 4% from 2021. Fed cattle marketings for the month of November totaled 480,000 head, up 7% from last year. Other disappearance during November totaled 15,000 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 630,000 head on December 1, 2022, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was up 2 percent from November and up 3 percent from December 1, 2021. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 530,000 head on feed, up 9 percent from last month but down 2 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,160,000 head, up 5 percent from last month and up 1 percent from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during November 2022 totaled 105,000 head, unchanged from October but up 12 percent from November 2021. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 94,000 head, up 40 percent from October and up 25 percent from November 2021. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 199,000 head, up 16 percent from October and up 18 percent from November 2021.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during November 2022 totaled 94,000 head, up 13 percent from October and up 2 percent from November 2021. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 47,000 head, up 4 percent from October but down 11 percent from November 2021. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 141,000 head, up 10 percent from October but down 3 percent from November 2021. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 3,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 3 Percent

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for  feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on December 1, 2022. The inventory was 3 percent below December 1, 2021.

On Feed, by State  (1,000 hd  -  % Dec 1 '21)
Colorado .....:                  1,040           91             
Iowa ............:                   630          103             
Kansas .........:                 2,330           94             
Nebraska .....:                 2,610          101            
Texas ...........:                 2,810           98             

Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.93 million head, 2 percent  below 2021. Net placements were 1.87 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 540,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 465,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 405,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 290,000 head, 900-999 pounds were  135,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 90,000 head.

Placements by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '21)
Colorado .....:                  145            91             
Iowa ............:                 105           112        
Kansas .........:                  420            97        
Nebraska .....:                  505           104          
Texas ...........:                  370            83          

Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.89 million head, 1 percent above 2021. Marketings were the highest for November since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 57,000 head during November, 7 percent below 2021.

Marketings by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '21)
Colorado .....:                  170           103           
Iowa ............:                  94           102             
Kansas .........:                  410            90            
Nebraska .....:                  480           107         
Texas ...........:                  410           103          



NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY down 4%

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2022, was 3.50 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was down 4% from December 1, 2021, but unchanged from September 1, 2022. Breeding hog inventory, at 400,000 head, was down 7% from December 1, 2021, and down 2% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 3.10 million head, was down 4% from last year, but up slightly from last quarter.

The September - November 2022 Nebraska pig crop, at 2.13 million head, was down 7% from 2021. Sows farrowed during the period totaled 185,000 head, down 5% from last year. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.50 for the September - November period, compared to 11.70 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 185,000 sows during the December 2022 - February 2023 quarter, down 3% from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intended farrowings for March - May 2023 are 185,000 sows, unchanged from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago.



IOWA HOGS & PIGS REPORT

On December 1, 2022, there were 23.6 million hogs and pigs on Iowa farms, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Hogs and Pigs report. Inventory was up 1 percent from the previous quarter but down 1 percent from the previous year.

The September-November 2022 quarterly pig crop was 5.89 million head, up 2 percent from the previous quarter but down 2 percent from last year. A total of 510,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.55 for the quarter.

As of December 1, producers planned to farrow 500,000 sows and gilts in the December 2022-February 2023 quarter and 515,000 head during the March-May 2023 quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Down 2 Percent

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2022 was 73.1 million head. This was down 2 percent from December 1, 2021, and down 1 percent from September 1, 2022.   

Breeding inventory, at 6.15 million head, was up slightly from last year, and  up slightly from the previous quarter.

Market hog inventory, at 67.0 million head, was down 2 percent from last year, and down 1 percent from last quarter.

Hog Inventory by State (1,000 hd - % Dec 1 '21)
Illinois ..............:           5,300.0              98   
Indiana .............:           4,350.0              100   
Iowa .................:           23,600.0            99   
Minnesota ........:           8,600.0               97   
Nebraska ..........:          3,500.0               96   
North Carolina ..:          8,200.0              103   

The September-November 2022 pig crop, at 33.7 million head, was down 1 percent from 2021. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.00 million head, down 1 percent from 2021. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 49 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.22 for the September-November period, compared to 11.19 last year.

United States hog producers intend to have 2.95 million sows farrow during the December 2022-February 2023 quarter, up 1 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period one year earlier, and up 1 percent from the same period two years earlier. Intended farrowings for March-May 2023, at 2.98 million sows, are up slightly from the same period one year earlier, but down 2 percent from the same period two years earlier.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 48 percent of the total United States hog inventory, up 1 percent from the previous year.



Nebraska Farmers Union Passes Six Special Orders of Business at Their 109th Annual State Convention

At their 109th State Convention held earlier this month at the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) passed six Special Orders of Business highlighting their organization’s priorities for the coming year.

NeFU President John Hansen said, “All six Special Orders of Business tie back to this year’s convention theme: ‘Building Rural Communities Since 1913.’  The mission of our organization is to improve the economic well-being and quality of life of family farmers, ranchers, and our rural communities.”

2022-2023 NeFU Special Orders of Business:  
    Ag Market Reforms
    Shaping Climate Change Policies
    2023 Farm Bill
    Net Metering
    Property Tax Relief
    Water Quality and Nutrient/Nitrate Policy

NeFU Vice President Vern Jantzen of Plymouth and NeFU Policy Chair said, “Our Legislative Delegates did a very thorough job of going through our policy on NeFU Policy Day before State Convention this year. They made good updates and edits. Also, our regular convention delegates were very thoughtful and deliberate as they considered the Policy Day recommendations. It was a pleasure working with so many well informed and thoughtful people. They take their responsibilities to set our grassroots driven state policy very seriously. That is the way our policy development process is supposed to work.”

“Our representative delegates have set our state policy and authorized our six Special Orders of Business reflecting our priorities for another year. It is a very forward looking policy that also reflects our long-standing values as the champions of our traditional system of independently owned and operated family farmer and rancher agriculture,” said NeFU President John Hansen.

“Now it is time for our Farmers Union members to get involved and help implement our policies and priorities at the state and national levels. The NeFU ‘can do’ spirit that organized hundreds of local cooperatives 109 years ago serves us well as we tackle ag market concentration, the need for a better Farm Bill, the need to update our state net metering law, our work on a more fair and balanced way to adequately fund our K-12 education system, and the emerging need to work with our neighbors and government officials to protect the quality of our state’s drinking water,” Hansen concluded.



Marshall County farmer Allen Burt elected to Iowa Farm Bureau State Board of Directors

Allen Burt of Marshalltown was elected to serve as an Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) board member, replacing Brian Feldpausch of Grundy County, who was recently elected vice president of IFBF.  Burt was elected to fulfill the remaining two years of a three-year term representing District 5, comprised of 11 counties in central Iowa: Webster, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Dallas, Polk and Jasper.

Burt grows corn and soybeans and also raises pigs and cattle.  He has been an active leader within Farm Bureau at both the Marshall County and state levels.  He currently serves as a county voting delegate and twice served as an Iowa delegate for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).  Additionally, he served on IFBF’s policy development committee and has done extensive work with IFBF’s Young Farmer Committee, both as a young farmer committee member and later as a mentor.  

Burt is a graduate of Iowa State University, and he and his wife, Dee, have four adult sons.  



Survey Reveals Important Information About Iowans & Beef

Every year, the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) conducts a state survey to see what Iowans' attitudes are toward beef and beef production. It also shows what Iowa beef trends are compared to trends on a national level.

The results help the IBIC make informed decisions on how best to use your checkoff dollars to promote beef, develop messaging, and reach consumers in Iowa.

This year’s key findings: Your checkoff is working
    Weekly beef consumption is strong in Iowa.
    Iowa consumers have positive views of beef and production.
    Consumer trust levels in the Iowa beef industry are strong.
    Iowans continue to want quick and easy recipes to encourage more beef consumption.

Important statistics from the survey:
    79% of consumers in Iowa eat beef weekly.
    39% of Iowans claim to have knowledge of the beef industry versus 27% nationally.
    85% of consumers in Iowa have a positive perception of beef compared to 71% nationally.
    91% of Iowans believe beef is great tasting and is good for many types of meals.
    73% of consumers in Iowa believe beef is safe to eat versus 62% nationally.
    71% of Iowans recognize the Iowa Beef Checkoff brand or logo.

For more information on this study and consumer research, reach out to your area leaders. The IBIC will re-evaluate consumer trends and attitudes to ensure your checkoff dollars continue driving beef consumption in Iowa.



New learning tool adds new dimension to ISU animal science lab course

Big things are happening in Iowa State University's animal science 214 lab. Usually taken in tandem with the animal science 214 lecture class, the lab provides students with detailed examination of organs and biological systems of domestic animals. Instructor Karl Kerns, who also is assistant professor of animal science, is excited to introduce a new tool, called the Anatomage Virtual Dissection Table, to lab students.

“The learning tool is called the Anatomage Virtual Dissection Table,” he said. “It is preloaded with hundreds of labeled anatomical system images, as well as the ability to read native MRI or CT Scan files which makes it invaluable for topics like the circulatory system and the skeletal system.”

This cutting-edge technology uses 3D anatomy visualization with images that replicate what it looks like in a living species, Kerns said. Students can see the blood move throughout the heart and body in real time, with the valves opening and closing, which give a different perspective from a traditional specimen.

The table can lie flat like an actual table and can stand like a monitor, to fit different learning circumstances. It also has a touch screen surface for interactive learning and the entire assembly is on wheels to move from classroom to classroom.

Just a few months into its use, Kerns said the device has proved to be an invaluable learning mechanism. It offers an alternative tool for students unable to participate in traditional methods, such as those with allergies.

Kerns learned of the table from animal science faculty colleague and meat science professor Elisabeth Huff Lonergan.

“There was nothing else remotely like it on the market and she brought it to our attention as a possible learning tool for the lab,” Kerns said. “The goal is to have it supplement other animal science courses, such as ANS 270, foods of animal origin.”



Final Funding Bill Allocates Millions of Dollars to Key Ag Initiatives

Congress passed legislation today that will fund the government through September 2023 and allocate millions of dollars to support key agricultural initiatives.

The bill funds several of the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) top priorities, including research to address aflatoxin, a mycotoxin that has been costly to U.S. corn growers, disaster mitigation efforts and climate change initiatives.

“We are very pleased to see that Congress and the president have prioritized programs that are important to corn growers,” said NCGA Vice President of public policy Brooke S. Appleton. “We are appreciative of our allies who made sure these important initiatives were included in this legislation.”

One of the biggest wins for corn growers was the allocation of $1 million to fund aflatoxin research through NCGA’s Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence, in conjunction with Texas A&M. Aflatoxin can cost corn growers between $52.1 million to $1.68 billion in annual losses, according to a 2016 study.

The development was praised by state corn grower leaders.        

“For years, the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence has provided funding to projects focused the mitigation and amelioration of aflatoxin in corn,” said Texas Corn Producers Executive Director David Gibson. “Having Congress recognize the severity of this issue by providing additional funding through the Agricultural Research Service via appropriations is a tremendous step forward in our efforts.”

The funding bill also continues ad hoc programs that aid farmers reeling from adverse weather conditions.

It includes $3.74 billion to extend the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Relief Program to assist producers who suffered losses due to natural disasters in 2022, including drought.

Also included in the package was an agreement between House and Senate leaders on the Growing Climate Solutions Act and the SUSTAINS Act. The Growing Climate Solutions Act directs USDA to establish a program to register entities that provide technical assistance and verification for farmers, ranchers and foresters who participate in voluntary carbon markets with the goal of providing information and confidence to producers.

The SUSTAINS Act would allow corporations and other private entities to contribute funding for conservation projects and authorizes USDA to match the donations.

The new law also includes two important pesticide provisions. It reauthorizes the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022, which includes an increase in registration and maintenance fees to support a more predictable regulatory process and provides important resources for farmworker safety and health care provider training, in addition to other services that advance the safe and effective use of pesticides. Additionally, it requires EPA to comply with numerous registration process improvements to access additional funding levels and requires manufacturers to phase-in bilingual labels on pesticides products over the next 8 years.

The legislation extends the deadline for EPA to complete registration review decisions.

EPA is facing a significant backlog of pesticide registrations due to a variety of factors over the past several years, which has potential implications for continued access to numerous crop protection tools. The agency will be allowed to continue its registration review work through October 1, 2026, as a result of this extension.

President Biden is expected to sign the legislation by December 23.



Statement by Secretary Vilsack on the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement today after the U.S. Senate and U.S. House passed the fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, sending to President Biden’s desk several crucial investments to advance the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) priorities for rural America:

“As we wrap up a successful year advancing USDA’s priorities to build more, new and better markets for producers, tackle food and nutrition insecurity, and ensure wealth is created and stays in rural communities, I’m pleased that Congress has come together to pass the Omnibus bill that delivers some resources crucial to continuing our work on behalf of the American people.

“This funding package will support USDA’s operations and wide reach into every community across the nation and help make USDA more efficient, effective, and better equipped to advance racial justice, equity and opportunity for the customers we serve. With increases in agricultural research and investments in Rural Development, this Administration will continue to prioritize economic development and growth in rural America, and put producers at the heart of solutions to climate change, including through our Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, infrastructure, and fairer, more resilient food systems.

“I'm particularly excited to see the creation of a permanent, nationwide summer EBT to ensure kids receive healthy meals year-round. We will also be able to continue carrying out our critical wildfire suppression and management work, through additional funds for fire suppression and extension of the firefighter pay cap waiver, and support producers grappling with climate disasters through new disaster assistance funds. The bill provides increases for food safety and research, as well as several increases for rural housing programs to fund all expiring rental assistance contracts, for multi-family housing construction and rehabilitation and an expansion of the Tribal Housing Relending Demonstration program. The bill fully funds nutrition programs at a critical time when these programs are all the more important as inflation has increased the cost of groceries for American families.

“I also want to thank the Senate for taking action on nominees crucial to USDA's mission, including Alexis Taylor, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs; Jose Emilio Esteban, Ph.D. as Under Secretary for Food Safety and Doug McKalip, who is departing USDA, but will serve in a crucial role as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

“USDA is ready to hit the ground running in 2023 to keep expanding our economy from the bottom up and middle out and ensure that rural communities, farmers, ranchers, and producers are empowered with the tools necessary to thrive.”



Omnibus Bill Passes with Pesticide Registration Resources for U.S. EPA

Congress reauthorized the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 that received final approval today. The reauthorization of PRIA has been a major priority for CropLife America (CLA) as one tool for strengthening and improving the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) pesticide registration process.

“The EPA’s scientists work diligently to comply with the multiple laws that govern pesticide registration, but in recent years, the agency has had fewer and fewer scientists available to do this work,” said Chris Novak, CLA president and CEO. “The reauthorization of PRIA is a first step in improving the efficiency of the pesticide registration process and in providing more certainty for farmers, consumers, and CropLife’s member companies that EPA will meet its statutory obligations.”

PRIA provides critically needed resources to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP). The amended law supplements federal appropriations funding for OPP by increasing industry-paid fees that support pesticide registration, registration review, and other regulatory actions vital to providing farmers and consumers with new pesticide products and uses. This increased funding, coupled with a variety of process and information technology improvements, will allow OPP to increase staffing and better meet pesticide registration timeframes to give farmers, consumers, health care professionals, and pesticide stakeholders the tools they need to manage pests, microbes, and germs in and around their homes, farms, and communities. The bill will also increase funding for farm worker and clinician training programs and require Spanish translations of pesticide labels. The current version of PRIA was set to expire on September 30, 2023. The new law takes effect retroactively on October 1, 2022, and will expire on September 30, 2027.

In addition to passing PRIA, Congress also appropriated $140.45 million for OPP. This spending increase—up from $129.37 million in Fiscal 2022—marks the largest increase in PRIA appropriations in the history of PRIA and the highest funding level for the Agency in more than a decade. This is a first step in the right direction, but due to increased workload and declining resources at the Agency, CropLife America is committed to work with the Agency, Capitol Hill, and our partners in subsequent fiscal years to ensure the Agency is funded adequately.

“The passage of PRIA and the corresponding increase in EPA/OPP appropriations represents a collaborative effort between the pesticide industry, environmental advocacy groups, and farm organizations who worked together for the passage of these provisions. CropLife America is grateful to House and Senate leadership and our partners for ensuring broad and bipartisan support for PRIA,” added Novak. “Providing EPA with the resources needed to do its job is an important step, but systemic changes are needed for the agency to meet its obligations. We look forward to working with Congress, the EPA, and key stakeholders in implementing the new law and working to improve the pesticide registration and Endangered Species Act consultation processes.”



McKalip Confirmation Crosses Finish Line Before Christmas

The U.S. Senate has delivered another Christmas gift to soy growers! Doug McKalip, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, has been confirmed to the post. This, on the heels of the Senate’s Dec. 21 confirmation of Alexis Taylor as USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, is great news for agriculture.

“These two votes cap off months of advocacy by ASA and other agricultural groups to see McKalip and Taylor confirmed to key agricultural trade positions. Their responsibilities within those roles, and how they work with farmers to help us with trade, markets and more, are essential to our day-to-day jobs out on the farm—and touch every farm state in the country,” said Daryl Cates, ASA president and soybean farmer from Illinois.

ASA thanks the Senate for its work to confirm both McKalip and Taylor before the clock started over on the nomination process. Soy farmers and staff at ASA look forward to working with both of these qualified individuals as we advance U.S. soy in the global marketplace.



NMPF and USDEC Praise Senate Confirmation of Doug McKalip as Chief Ag Negotiator

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) today welcomed the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Doug McKalip as chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

“The role of the agriculture ambassador is critical to elevating U.S. agricultural priorities within USTR and with our trading partners,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Today’s Senate confirmation of Doug ensures that American dairy farmers will be strongly represented at the negotiating table as the U.S. pursues full implementation of USMCA dairy terms and engages in trade discussions with Indo-Pacific partners and others. Doug understands the value that comprehensive trade agreements have brought to American farmers and ranchers, and we encourage him to be a vocal advocate for new agricultural market access opportunities.”

“USDEC commends the U.S. Senate for taking an important step today in confirming Doug McKalip to serve as U.S. agriculture’s top trade official,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “Doug’s impressive career as a public servant working on a wide breadth of agricultural issues brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this key role. We believe he will serve as an advocate for a forward-leaning trade policy agenda that brings tangible results to U.S. dairy producers, processors and workers throughout the dairy supply chain.”

The confirmation comes at a time when international demand for dairy is at a record high. However, headwinds persist for U.S. dairy exporters, whether in the form of tariffs that put U.S. suppliers at a competitive disadvantage or through a variety of nontariff barriers. McKalip’s confirmation is an important step to addressing the hurdles and ensuring U.S. dairy exports continue their strong growth into the future.



McKalip Confirmed as Ag Negotiator with USTR

The U.S. Senate today voted to approve the nomination of Doug McKalip to serve as chief agricultural negotiator with the United States Trade Representative.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) supported approval of the nomination.

“We are pleased that the Senate voted to confirm this nomination,” said National Corn Growers Association Vice President of public policy Brooke S. Appleton. “We look forward to working with Mr. McKalip as we address Mexico’s looming decree that would ban imports of biotech corn.”

McKalip has worked on agricultural policy and trade for over 28 years. He most recently served as senior advisor to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The position is charged with conducting and overseeing international negotiations related to trade in agricultural products.



Wheat Industry Welcomes Senate Confirmation of Doug McKalip as USTR Ag Negotiator

Following almost two years without a Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are very glad that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Doug McKalip to fill the position.

“Mr. McKalip’s work in conservation, with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and recent negotiations with the Mexican government on biotech issues match up perfectly with some of the most important agricultural trade barriers,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “He is well prepared for this position, and we look forward to working with him to open and grow overseas markets for U.S. wheat.”

“Congratulations to Doug McKalip for filling this critical role,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. “I know Doug very well from his decades of public service at the USDA, and he will be an absolute asset to USTR, wheat growers and the ag community. With half the wheat grown in the United States destined for foreign markets, it is essential we have these key trade roles filled and we look forward to having Doug advocate for U.S. wheat farmers.”



NCBA Congratulates Key Agricultural Nominees on Senate Confirmation

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) congratulated two key agricultural nominees on their Senate confirmation to senior positions at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“NCBA extends our congratulations to Doug McKalip on his confirmation as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. NCBA is pleased that the Senate confirmed such a qualified nominee who can now get to work promoting new trade opportunities that benefit American cattle producers,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “We look forward to working closely with Mr. McKalip in his new role.”

The Senate also confirmed Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban to an Under Secretary position at USDA.

“NCBA congratulates Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban on his confirmation as USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety. Dr. Esteban’s role is critical for ensuring consumer confidence in the beef industry. Dr. Esteban has an extensive background in food safety through his work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USDA, and we are pleased that the Senate confirmed such a highly qualified nominee. NCBA has worked closely with Dr. Esteban in his position as Chairman of the Codex Committee for Food Hygiene and we look forward to future collaboration in his new role,” said Lane.



USMEF Statement on Senate Confirmation of Doug McKalip

Thursday the U.S. Senate confirmed Doug McKalip to serve as chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:

USMEF congratulates Ambassador McKalip on his confirmation and thanks the U.S. Senate for taking this action. With the U.S. currently engaged in negotiations with several key trading partners, filling this important position was absolutely essential. We look forward to working with Ambassador McKalip and wish him well in his new role at USTR.



McKalip Confirmed As Chief Ag Negotiator

The U.S. Grains Council offered this reaction to the Senate’s confirmation of Doug McKalip as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR):

“We welcome and are very much looking forward to working with Doug McKalip in his pivotal role. Combining his extensive international experience and more than 28 years of government service at the USDA, his strong background in farm and trade policy and his knowledge of biotechnology will be very helpful to advance trade priorities and open markets for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and co-products.”



NGFA congratulates Doug McKalip on confirmation as USTR chief ag negotiator and Alexis Taylor on confirmation as USDA trade undersecretary

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) commended the Senate today for the confirmation of Doug McKalip to serve as chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) as well as the recent confirmation on Dec. 21 of Alexis Taylor to serve as undersecretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Congratulations to Doug McKalip on his confirmation in this critically important trade position to the U.S. agricultural economy. He is exceptionally qualified to lead in this role, which NGFA members have been eager to see filled so that U.S. agriculture can be better represented and promoted in trade negotiations around the world,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert.

“We also congratulate Alexis Taylor on her confirmation as undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at USDA. Her experience and leadership make her incredibly well-qualified for this important trade position. NGFA members look forward to working with Mr. McKalip at USTR and Ms. Taylor at USDA to continue to build markets for U.S. agriculture.”

Mr. McKalip has been a key ag policy official for close to 30 years and is currently a senior advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. He has served in numerous leadership positions in USDA and represented American farmers, ranchers and agriculture around the world while advocating for U.S. agricultural products and technology.

Ms. Taylor is currently the Oregon Director of Agriculture and oversees the state’s efforts in food safety and consumer protection, natural resource protection and the promotion of Oregon products in the United States and around the world. She served a tour in Iraq as a member of the Army Reserves and has worked for several members of Congress.

Both nominees were easily advanced on a bipartisan basis by Senate committees earlier this year.

In a Nov. 29 letter to Senate leadership, NGFA and nearly 60 other agricultural groups urged the Senate to confirm both nominees by the end of this year.



RFA Thanks Missouri Gov. Parson for Acting to Secure Year-Round E15

The Renewable Fuels Association today applauded Missouri Gov. Mike Parson for notifying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that he is taking action to allow the year-round sale of lower-carbon, lower-cost E15 in the Show-Me State. Missouri is the tenth state to send such a notification to EPA.

Gov. Parson is exercising the authority granted to state governors under the Clean Air Act, and his action will result in equality in the regulation of E15 and E10 volatility during the summer months. This would allow retailers and marketers in Missouri to sell E15 unincumbered year-round. The letter from Gov. Parson follows a similar move in late April by a bipartisan group of eight governors from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Ohio joined the effort in early June.

In his letter to EPA, Gov. Parson thanked Administrator Michael Regan for taking emergency action to allow continued sales of E15 last summer but noted that emergency waivers are “not a long-term solution for Missouri’s fuel retailers, farmers and ethanol producers, consumers, or the environment. Thus, I am joining other Midwest states in seeking a permanent solution to allow year-round E15 and further reduce emissions.”

“We applaud Gov. Parson for joining many of his Midwest peers in a multi-state effort to permanently open the market to E15 and keep fuel prices lower for the region’s consumers,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This simple regulatory solution will allow consumers in Missouri to benefit from E15’s lower cost and lower emissions throughout the year. We continue to call on other states to take similar action so that the benefits of E15 can be permanently enjoyed by drivers across the nation.”

According to a recent analysis by RFA, drivers choosing E15 saved an average of $0.30 per gallon last summer during a period of record-high gas prices. Cooper also highlighted recent research from refining sector experts that showed the action sought by the governors would impact gasoline refining costs by just 1.5 cents per gallon or less in the Midwest.



Ranch Group Praises USTR’s Rejection of WTO Decisions

This week, the Biden Administration, through the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), issued a scathing rebuke of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) recent ruling against the United States. The WTO ruled the U.S. violated international trade rules by requiring products from Hong Kong, China to be labeled as products of China. The U.S. imposed this labeling requirement in response to the People’s Republic of China’s action to erode Hong Kong, China’s autonomy and the democratic and human rights of its people, an action the USTR stated was a threat to the national security interests of the United States.  

According to a statement by USTR spokesperson Adam Hodge, the U.S. strongly rejects the WTO’s ruling and does not intend to remove the labeling requirement; the WTO has no authority to second-guess the United States’ ability to respond to a threat to its security and will not cede its judgment over matters involving national security to the WTO; and the WTO is in need of fundamental reform.

“We fully agree with and appreciate the Biden Administration’s summary dismissal of the WTO’s authority to interfere with the United States’ sovereign right to protect its security interests,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard adding, “And we believe the WTO committed the same contemptuous overreach when it ruled against the United States’ ability to require a country of origin label (COOL) on imported beef.”

Bullard said the relevance of the WTO in today’s geopolitical environment “is finally being called into question at the highest levels of our government, and it’s happening frequently.” He pointed to a very similar rebuke against the WTO made earlier this month when the USTR expressed the ‘need to fundamentally reform the WTO dispute settlement system’ and stated, ‘The United States strongly rejects the flawed interpretation and conclusions’ of the WTO’s ruling against the U.S. on its imposition of Section 232 measures on steel and aluminum, an action the United States took to protect its steel and aluminum industries from unfair imports.

Bullard also pointed to another scathing rebuke of the WTO by the USTR this summer when the WTO was described as a ‘broken system that emboldens Members to litigate for the sake of litigation’ and, as now, the Biden Administration called for ‘meaningful WTO reform.’

“The overreach and misconduct of the WTO is the only reason Americans are deprived of COOL labels that would inform them of where their beef comes from,” Bullard said. “And this too is a national security issue as undifferentiated beef imports are threatening the economic viability of America's cattle farms and ranches, which are among America’s most important food sources."

Earlier this year, R-CALF USA issued white papers to Congress and the Administration. The first paper reinforces the appropriateness of USTR’s strong rejections of the WTO’s overreaching rulings and the second paper explains how Congress can reinstate mandatory COOL for beef through negotiation.  

“We fully support USTR’s ongoing efforts to protect the United States’ critical interests and to meaningfully reform the WTO. We will continue urging both USTR and Congress to work together to swiftly enact mandatory COOL for beef,” Bullard concluded.