Thursday December 22 Ag News

 Pork Leadership Institute Announces Class of 2023
 
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the National Pork Board (NPB) are proud to announce the 19 pork producers selected to join the Pork Leadership Institute's (PLI) class of 2023. Each year, an elite group of producers are chosen to participate in the PLI program. NPPC and NPB staff work closely with state pork association executives and field representatives to identify key individuals across the country.
 
The PLI class of 2023 are:
    Aimee Supp from Howells, NE
    Alvaro Franco from Audubon, IA
    Ben Wikner from Farmersburg, IA
    Chad Stoterau from Sherman, SD
    Katie Brown from Morrisonville, IL
    Dylan Carden from North Prince George, VA
    Chris Coner from Concord, NC
    Andy Cook from Sleepy Eye, MN
    Aubrey Doherty from Sheboygan Falls, WI
    Jack Egan from Denver, PA
    Joe Grinstead from Lebanon, IN
    Aaron King from Greenville, OH
    Rogelio Mata from Corcoran, CA
    Jason Moore from Suffolk, VA
    Shelby Padgett from Amarillo, TX
    Alina Porta from Mooreland, OK
    Bill Prestage from Clinton, NC
    Anthony Russo from Curryville, MO
    Mitch Witteveen from Hamilton, MI

“PLI is vital to the success of pork producers because it develops knowledgeable industry ambassadors and future leaders,” said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC’s CEO. “Every pork producer should consider participating in PLI as graduates are able to tell the pork industry’s story from local communities to our nation’s capital.”
 
The comprehensive, year-long program consists of five sessions that include learning about the federal legislative and regulatory process, the importance of international trade, the roles of the national pork organizations and their state pork associations, and modern-day issues facing producers. They also go through comprehensive media and communications training to become effective grassroots advocates for the pork industry.
 
The Pork Leadership Institute (PLI) is a comprehensive joint training program of the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board.



Iowa Harvest Proclamation Extended

Wednesday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed an extension of the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through January 20, 2023. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.



ICGA Applauds the Confirmation of Alexis Taylor as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is pleased the U.S. Senate has confirmed Alexis Taylor as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA.

“ICGA congratulates Alexis Taylor on her well-deserved and long-overdue confirmation to serve as USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs,” stated ICGA President Denny Friest. “We are thrilled to see an Iowa native in this position who understands the importance of trade policy and promoting agriculture, corn, and biofuels in a global market. We look forward to the opportunity to work with Taylor in her new role.”

Alexis Taylor grew up on her family’s farm in Iowa and is a graduate of Iowa State University as well as an Army Veteran. Since leaving Iowa, she has held positions focused on agriculture with members of Congress including former Iowa Congressman Leonard Boswell, in USDA’s Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to open markets and promote exports, and most recently as the Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture.



USDA Nov Livestock Slaughter Record High Beef Production in November

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.79 billion pounds in November, down slightly from the 4.81 billion pounds produced in November 2021.

Beef production, at 2.42 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.91 million head, up 2 percent from November 2021. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 1,384 pounds.

Veal production totaled 4.5 million pounds, 2 percent below November a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 31,200 head, down 6 percent from November 2021. The average live weight was up 9 pounds from last year, at 251 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.35 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.9 million head, down 2 percent from November 2021. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 290 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.0 million pounds, was down 9 percent from November 2021. Sheep slaughter totaled 178,200 head, 9 percent below last year. The average live weight was 122 pounds, unchanged from November a year ago.

Red Meat Production, by State
                                million lbs   -  % Nov '21
Iowa ..........:               752.6             95       
Kansas .......:               530.6             99       
Nebraska ...:               703.1            103       

January to November 2022 commercial red meat production was 51.0 billion pounds, down slightly from 2021. Accumulated beef production was up 2 percent from last year, veal was up 3 percent, pork was down 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.



USDA Cold Storage November 2022 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on November 30, 2022 were down 4 percent from the previous month but up 10 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 6 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 11 percent from the previous month but up 13 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 35 percent from last month and up 116 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on November 30, 2022 were down 11 percent from the previous month but up 18 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 22 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 50 percent from last month but up 1 percent from November 30, 2021.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30, 2022 were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 1 percent from November 30, 2021. Butter stocks were down 17 percent from last month and down 5 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on November 30, 2022 were up 3 percent from last month and up 22 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 2 percent from last month and down 2 percent from a year ago.



ICASA Awards Grants to Improve Antibiotic Use in Livestock  

Optimizing the use of antibiotics in livestock improves animal welfare, combats antibiotic resistance and conserves resources. The International Consortium for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Agriculture (ICASA) awarded nine grants to develop management strategies that improve judicious antibiotic use in beef cattle and swine.

“These ICASA grant-funded projects are investigating novel and potentially high-impact solutions to promote targeted antibiotic use and advances in animal health and welfare,” said Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin, FFAR executive director. “The projects’ high level of public-private industry partnership speaks to the need to accelerate antibiotic stewardship research to improve the health and welfare of beef cattle and swine.”   

Five of the projects address liver abscesses in feedlot cattle. The exact cause of liver abscesses is unknown. However, once abscesses form, they are highly susceptible to the Fusobacterium necrophorum (F. necrophorum) bacterium, resulting in major economic loss to producers due to impaired cattle performance and lower carcass value. The bacteria are currently controlled and prevented using antimicrobial drugs.

— Dr Raghavendra Amachawadi of Kansas State University (K-State) received $125,000 to identify specific bacterial species in cattle liver abscesses beyond the primary species, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and determine their prevalence and involvement in abscess formation, especially in the under-studied hindgut segment of the gastrointestinal tract. This research could help identify new interventions to minimize the occurrence of liver abscesses in cattle. Micronutrients Corporation, Cargill Incorporated and Phibro Animal Health Corporation are contributing additional funding for a total $280,000 investment.

— Dr. Rand Broadway of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) received $85,700 to develop a minimally invasive model that induces liver abscesses and improves researchers’ ability to study the development and mitigation of the abscesses, while reducing the time necessary to generate enough animals to study. West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), ARS and K-State are contributing additional funding for a total $180,922 investment.

— Dr. Vinicius Machado of Texas Tech University (TTU) received $97,400 to investigate how beef cattle immune systems react throughout the lifecycle of F. necrophorum. Machado’s research is identifying potential pathways in which the bacteria subvert the hosts’ defenses during the development of liver abscess to lay the foundation for the formation of novel approaches, such as alternative drugs, that can potentially replace antimicrobials in liver abscess control and prevention strategies. TTU is contributing additional funding for a total $195,140 investment.

— Dr. Kristen Hales of TTU received $125,000 to investigate the gastrointestinal location, concentration and movement of F. necrophorum and Salmonella enterica, as well as the other organisms that live in the intestines of cattle with liver abscesses. This first phase of Hales’ research will inform a methodology to reduce F. necrophorum through a direct-fed microbial. TTU is contributing additional funding for a total $250,000 investment.

— Dr. Kendall Samuelson of WTAMU received $266,748 to develop a unique, repeatable method that induces liver abscesses in feedlot cattle to further investigate the relationship between acids in the rumen, the first chamber of a cow’s four-chamber stomach, and liver abscesses. Samuelson is also developing a scoring system to evaluate rumen health, updating the current liver scoring system to characterize liver abscess prevalence and developing a benchmark between these factors for future study. WTAMU and Cactus Feeders are contributing additional funding for a total $542,475 investment.

ICASA also funded a project that improves the collection, analysis and reporting of feedlot antibiotic usage data, which can potentially impact how corporations and regulatory agencies formulate policies on antimicrobial use in beef cattle.

— Dr. Michael Apley of K-State received $200,000 to develop a sustainable, practical system for individual beef producers to evaluate and report their antimicrobial usage in context of others across the beef feedlot industry. K-State is contributing additional funding for a total $400,022 investment.   

Additionally, ICASA awarded three grants to develop management strategies in the prevention and treatment of Mycoplasma hyosynoviae (M. hyosynoviae) in swine. This ubiquitous bacterium causes respiratory disease and lameness in pigs, contributing to economic loss and decreased animal welfare, and is a major driver of antibiotic use in swine production.  

— Dr. Tim Johnson from Purdue University College of Agriculture received $140,001 to investigate using fecal microbiota, or stool, transplants to reduce post-weaning diarrhea and antibiotic use in swine. Post-weaning diarrhea is caused when bacteria invade the gut, which becomes weakened from the diet change, transportation and change in environment that occurs during weaning. Johnson is administering the fecal transplants though a feed amendment with freeze-dried fecal microbiota, a less labor-intensive method than traditional oral gavage and better suited for commercial settings. If effective, the results could be optimized for other animal species like poultry and cattle and be developed into proprietary feed additive-type technologies by the animal health industry. Purdue University and the National Pork Board are contributing additional funding for a total $311,354 investment.  

— Dr. Meghann Pierdon from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) School of Veterinary Medicine received $127,703 to identify factors that cause swine lameness to determine whether management factors like floor type, pen size and nutrition underlie common lameness problems. Little is known about the incidence and causes of lameness in swine. If lameness is caused by non-bacterial factors, alternative methods of prevention can be identified, reducing antibiotic usage. Penn and PIC, are contributing additional funding for a total $268,493 investment.

— Dr. Maria Pieters from University of Minnesota (UMN) College of Veterinary Medicine received $149,748 to identify the optimal time for vaccine application against M. hyosynoviae, which will result in significant prevention of lameness development in grow-finish swine and translate into reduced use of antibiotics for disease control. Newport Laboratories, Tyson Foods, Pipestone Veterinary Services, UMN and Boehringer Ingelheim are contributing additional funding for a total $359,618 investment.



New Report Lays Out Priorities for Dairy Reform

A new report compiled by the American Farm Bureau Federation lays out priorities, principles and recommendations for dairy policy reform.

The Farm Bureau Dairy Working Group, comprised of 12 dairy farmer representatives (three from each of the four Farm Bureau regions), explored options for strengthening the dairy industry through the 2023 farm bill and modernizing the current Federal Milk Marketing Order system. AFBF also received input from a first-of-its-kind industry-wide Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum held in Kansas City, Missouri, in October 2022. The forum was hosted and led by AFBF.

When FMMOs were last reformed in 2000, the U.S. exported less than 5% of annual milk production, compared to 18% today. Per capita milk consumption has grown in the United States by almost 10%, but there are almost 50% fewer dairy operations now than in 2003.

“America’s dairy farmers continue to meet the challenges of growing demand for milk products, even while the number of dairy farmers in the United States continues to shrink,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The recommendations put forth by the 2022 Dairy Working Group convey the needs of dairy farmers across the country. The report provides guidance to USDA as the department prepares for future hearings to modernize the FMMO system and to lawmakers as they begin drafting the next farm bill.”  

The report reflects the consensus of Dairy Working Group members and informs AFBF’s grassroots policy development process.

Priorities for FMMO reform include:
    Return the Class I mover to a “higher-of” formula;
    Increase Class I differentials to reflect changes in the marketplace;
    Make cost surveys mandatory and audited by USDA;
    Tighten pooling provisions;
    Update make allowances routinely with mandatory cost surveys;
    Expand the number of products used in USDA’s pricing survey;
    Simplify milk checks; and
    Use modified block voting instead of bloc voting.

Non-FMMO priorities include:
    Increase catastrophic margin levels within the Dairy Margin Coverage program;
    Clarify AFBF production history policy within the Dairy Margin Coverage program;
    Support premium alfalfa milk cost updates within Dairy Margin Coverage;
    Support a change in dietary guidelines to include whole milk and full-fat dairy products; and
    Shift jurisdiction of food programs for children in schools (including milk) to the Committee on Agriculture.

Read the 2022 Dairy Working Group report here... https://www.fb.org/files/2022_AFBFDairyWorkingGroupReport.pdf.  



Annual RFA Survey: Virtually All Automakers Endorse E15
    
The Renewable Fuels Association’s annual review of vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements indicates that E15 is explicitly approved by the manufacturer for use in the vast majority of model year 2023 cars and light trucks. Notably, for the first time, Mitsubishi lists E15 as an approved fuel in some of its 2023 vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use of E15 in all vehicles built in 2001 or later, representing more than 96 percent of the vehicles on the road today, but automakers only began listing E15 as a recommended fuel in 2012.

According to the RFA analysis of model year 2023 vehicle owner’s manuals and warranty statements and current market share data, more than 94 percent of new light-duty gasoline vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use E15. Only Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, and Volvo do not list E15 as a recommended fuel in their owner’s manuals, even though E15 is legally approved by EPA for use in all vehicles built since 2001. Mitsubishi lists E15 as an approved fuel for the 2023 Outlander, but the fuel does not appear in owner’s manuals for other models.

Notably, BMW and Mini continue to approve the use of gasoline containing up to 25 percent ethanol in their vehicles. New for 2023, Toyota’s GR Supra—co-developed with BMW—also follows suit by allowing E25.

When it comes to the E85 Flex Fuel blend, however, the story remains vastly different. Far fewer models are reported available as flex-fuel vehicles, or FFVs, that run on fuel blends containing up to 85 percent fuel ethanol. As was the case in 2022, only Ford and General Motors now offer FFVs in the United States, most of which are for fleet purchases only. For model year 2023, the only FFVs available to consumers are select Ford Explorer, F-150 and Transit models. As recently as model year 2015, more than 80 different FFV models from eight manufacturers were available to consumers.

“We’re happy to see automakers continuing to embrace lower-cost and lower-carbon E15,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “As we saw throughout 2022, higher blends of ethanol provide great value to drivers and are better for the environment, the climate and public health. Today’s ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by half compared to gasoline, and we’re well on the way to net-zero ethanol. As great as the support is for E15, American consumers need more options at the gas pump, and we will continue to encourage automakers and the Biden administration to recommit to FFV production to help us reach carbon neutrality by mid-century, and to provide drivers a practical and affordable high-performing fuel option.”

At present, more than 5,600 gas stations sell E85 and other flex fuels in the United States, and over 2,800 offer E15.  



Risk Management Tools Must be a Farm Bill Priority

In a time of volatility, managing risk remains a priority for farmers and ranchers, and new analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation examines several farm bill risk management tools included in Title I, explaining their impact and importance to farmers. The analysis is part of a Market Intel series dedicated to farm bill programs, designed to inform discussions about renewing the farm bill.

“Title I of the farm bill, known as the commodity title, has provided certainty and predictability to eligible producers by reauthorizing and improving commodity, marketing loan, sugar, dairy and disaster programs,” economist Shelby Myers explains in this analysis, which is the third Market Intel focused on Title I. This article breaks down the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs, which provide risk management coverage based on price and revenue targets for farmers and ranchers growing commodities.

“Farmers and ranchers face risk every day,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s just part of the job. And we’re price takers, not price makers, so we can’t adjust prices to absorb losses. That’s why Congress authorized tools to help manage that risk, so the folks who keep our country fed, clothed and fueled can focus on growing their crops, taking care of their livestock, and being good stewards of the land and water we are entrusted with.”

The analysis provides historical perspective, including changes made in the 2018 farm bill to reauthorize and strengthen the PLC and ARC price and revenue programs for crop years 2019-2023. These programs were created in the 2014 farm bill to provide shallow-loss risk management coverage to producers of covered commodities.

Myers concludes in the analysis that one factor remains consistent as farmers and ranchers faced unprecedented circumstances in recent years: the need for a variety of risk management options, such as ARC and PLC, that fit farmers’ and ranchers’ unique situations. Risk management tools like these are vital to farmers and ranchers being able to mitigate the unpredictable nature of farming.



AFBF Congratulates Senate and House Agriculture Committee Leadership

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the completion of leadership elections for the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

“AFBF congratulates Rep. David Scott for today’s election to serve as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee and Rep. GT Thompson for his recent selection as Chairman. Both congressmen have demonstrated a commitment to agriculture and willingness to reach across the aisle to work on behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers.

“The Senate Agriculture Committee is also in good hands under the continued leadership of Sens. Debbie Stabenow and John Boozman, as Chairwoman and Ranking Member, respectively. These experienced leaders each have more than a decade of service on the committee and a keen understanding of the issues facing farmers and ranchers. They’ve continued the strong tradition of bipartisanship in the committee and that’s important.

“Strong leadership in both committees will be more important than ever as lawmakers draft the 2023 farm bill and work to address the many other issues facing rural America. We look forward to working with Sens. Stabenow and Boozman and Reps. Thompson and Scott to ensure farmers and ranchers can meet the challenges of growing the food, fuel and fiber for our nation and world.”



Chairman David Scott Statement on Election as Ranking Member of House Agriculture Committee

House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the following statement after being elected to serve as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee for the 118th Conrgess:

“I am very pleased to have been elected by my friends and Democratic colleagues to serve as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee for the next Congress,” Chairman David Scott said.

“From the beginning of my tenure as Chairman, I have made it a point to shine a light on the issues facing our country’s agriculture industry and our farmers, ranchers, and foresters. I have held hearings on topics like climate change, broadband, and support for our new, small, and underserved producers to help steer our Committee’s focus in a direction that would allow the agriculture industry in our country to thrive and compete in the 21st century. I am proud of the discussions we were able to have, and the funding we were able to secure for our industry in major pieces of legislation such as the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act,” Chairman David Scott continued.

“This Committee will have so many important issues to tackle in the coming months, and as Ranking Member, my level of advocacy for Democratic priorities will be no different. Under my leadership, I believe we have accomplished important groundwork leading into the 2023 Farm Bill and I am looking forward to working across the aisle to ensure that we are doing our best to meet the needs of producers and consumers in this important legislation. Serving as Chairman of the Committee has been an honor, and I look forward to continuing to advance the great and important work of the Committee in my new position as Ranking Member,” Chairman David Scott added.