Thursday December 29 Ag News

 Ricketts Announces Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced recent appointments he has made to fill Nebraska’s boards and commissions.  Among today's appointments are:

The following appointees are unpaid and are not subject to Legislative confirmation:

Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board
Adam M. Grabenstein, Farnam

Nebraska Craft Brewery Board
Joshua Charles Christensen, Fort Calhoun
Anthony G. Gillick Jr., Omaha
Nikolai Knezovich, Lincoln
Mark R. Kraus IV, Holdrege
Ryan T. Penke, Omaha
Eric Schafer, Lincoln
J. Zac Triemert, Omaha

Nebraska Dairy Industry Development Board
Douglas D. Nuttleman, Stromsburg
Kent W. Pulfer, Wayne
Douglas Temme, Wayne

Nebraska Potato Development Committee
Chase Engel, Scottsbluff
Timothy May, Imperial

Wheat Development, Utilization and Marketing Board
Mary L. Kimberly Eisenzimmer, Big Springs

The following appointees are unpaid and subject to Legislative confirmation:

Nebraska Brand Committee
Steven F. Stroup, Benkelman
Marie A. Farr, Moorefield

Nebraska Ethanol Board
Bradley B. Bird, Blair
Michael S. Thede, Palmer

Nebraska State Fair Board
Dawn Caldwell, Edgar
Beth Smith, Lincoln

Nebraska Hemp Commission
Rory D. Cruise, Pleasanton

Nebraska Invasive Species Council
Craig Reece Allen, Ph.D., Lincoln
Mitch Coffin, Lincoln
Steven Jara, Lincoln
Justin King, Columbus
Brent Meyer, Denton
Jonathan Nikkila, Kearney
Kevin L. Pope, Lincoln
Dennis Schroeder, Lincoln
Kristopher Stahr, Lincoln
Kimberly L. Stuhr, Springfield
Arnold Stuthman, Platte Center
John Thorburn, Holdrege
Kim Todd, Lincoln
Arnold Stuthman, Platte Center

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission
Daniel (Dan) L. Steinkruger, Lincoln

Thank you to the many Nebraskans that give generously of their time and talent to make a difference in our state.  These appointments will provide crucial insight and expertise to their respective boards, committees, and commissions.  To learn about openings and apply to serve on a board or commission, go https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req.



USDA Reminds Livestock Producers of Assistance Available for Those Impacted by Recent Adverse Weather

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director John Berge is reminding the state’s producers who suffered livestock losses due to the recent adverse weather, they may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

“The Livestock Indemnity Program provides producers with a safety net to help them with the financial impact of livestock losses due to extreme or abnormal weather,” said Berge. “December has been marked by blizzards and extreme cold and high winds, which has really had a significant impact on some livestock producers. We encourage them to reach out to their local FSA office.”

LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to an adverse weather event, which can include blizzards and extreme cold, among other weather events, or reduced sale prices for owned livestock due to injury from an eligible loss condition. The payment rate is based on 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock.

A livestock producer must file a Notice of Loss within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is first apparent. For 2022 losses, producers also must file an application for payment by March 1, 2023.

Livestock producers must provide evidence that the death of livestock was due to an eligible adverse weather event or loss condition. In addition, livestock producers should bring supporting evidence, including documentation of the number and kind of livestock that died, photographs or video records to document the loss, purchase records, veterinarian records, production records, and other similar documents. Owners who sold injured livestock for a reduced price because the livestock was injured due to an adverse weather event must provide verifiable evidence of the reduced sale of the livestock.

Producers should contact their local FSA office for additional program details, to submit a Notice of Loss, and to apply for LIP benefits. To find the nearest FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-center-locator.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 12/23/2022

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending December 23, ethanol production scaled back 6.4% to an 11-week low of 963,000 b/d, equivalent to 40.45 million gallons daily. Production was 9.1% lower than the same week last year and 5.6% below the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production decreased 1.3% to 1.032 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.82 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks rose 2.4% to a 37-week high of 24.6 million barrels. Stocks were 19.2% more than a year ago and 11.0% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, jumped 7.0% to 9.33 million b/d (142.98 bg annualized), the highest level since September. Demand was 4.1% less than a year ago but 5.8% above the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol expanded 4.6% to a 9-week high of 916,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.04 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.7% more than a year ago and 5.7% above the five-year average.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the third consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of October 2022.)



Dairy Market Report: Rising Domestic Use Supports Prices

Domestic commercial use of milk in all products continued to strengthen during the August–October period, providing some support for prices even as production is increasing as well. U.S. milk production has increased year-over-year each month from July through October, at generally diminishing rates, while U.S. dairy cow numbers have increased steadily relative to a year earlier, indicating potentially greater increases in milk production in upcoming months.

Meanwhile, total U.S. dairy exports have exceeded the equivalent of 18 percent of U.S. milk solids each month since February this year, keeping the industry on track to surpass last year’s current record of 17.3 percent by this measure. Milk prices this year will set a new record for an entire calendar year, projected at to be at least $25.50 per cwt, well above 2014’s record of $24.00 per cwt. The Dairy Margin Coverage program margin may dip back below $9.50 per cwt in December and likely will remain below that level well into 2023.

Read the full report here.... https://www.nmpf.org/dairy-market-report-rising-domestic-use-supports-prices/.  



Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Following the Swearing in of Alexis Taylor to Serve as Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement after the swearing in of Alexis Taylor to serve as the Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Alexis Taylor has a deep-rooted and impressive career working on matters related to agriculture, trade, and enhancing export opportunities for American farmers. She has not only spent her career serving the American people through her work in U.S. agricultural and trade policy, but also as a Veteran of the U.S. Army. I am confident Alexis is the right person to lead as we continue to address global food security challenges, promote American exports across the globe, and strengthen trade relationships with our global partners. I look forward to working with Alexis to further USDA’s mission to better serve farmers and ranchers and link U.S. agriculture producers to expanded global market opportunities."



FAS: U.S. Beef Exports to East Asia Again on Record Pace
Keith Good, University of Illinois  

In a report yesterday from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), “U.S. Beef Exports to East Asia on Record Pace,” Ivan Lee indicated that, “U.S. beef exports to East Asia in 2022 are again on record pace after a record year in 2021. Despite economic uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued global supply chain challenges, and a competitive global beef market, U.S. beef exports to East Asia, both in value and volume, were outstanding in the first half of 2022. East Asia’s relatively robust middle class has supported the demand for high-quality beef, and a developed e-commerce retail sector has provided flexible avenues for suppliers to promote beef products during the pandemic.”

Lee explained that, “East Asia is the top regional market destination for U.S. beef exports. During the first three quarters of 2022 (January – September 2022), U.S. beef exports to East Asia, including the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Japan, China/Hong Kong, and Taiwan, were a record $6.6 billion, exceeding last year’s exports of $5.4 billion, a 22 percent increase on a value basis. On a volume basis, exports were up 6.4 percent. Despite surging food prices in recent months, higher-volume shipments indicate a continued demand for beef products and that East Asia’s relatively stable middle class with high disposable household income has been willing to absorb the rising costs.”

The FAS report added that, “U.S. beef exports to China/Hong Kong surpassed $2 billion for the first time in 2021. Exports in 2022 have already reached $2.0 billion by September 30, a 34.1 percent increase in value during the same period last year; exports on a volume basis increased 23.2 percent. Unlike competition in other East Asian economies, where the United States and Australia are the two main suppliers, in China/Hong Kong the United States competes with several South American suppliers, namely Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.”

“From a policy perspective, how economies combat inflationary pressure will have an impact on East Asia’s demand for beef imports,” the FAS report said.

In other news regarding beef demand, Tony Briscoe reported on the front page of Wednesday’s Los Angeles Times that, “Could ordering a McChicken, as opposed to a Big Mac, help in the fight against climate change?”

Briscoe pointed out that, “In a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., researchers polled more than 5,000 adults nation- wide to gauge whether placing climate-impact labels on fast-food menus might persuade customers to make more environmentally friendly choices.

“They found customers were 23% less likely to order red meat at a fast-food restaurant if the menu had labels warning that those meals had a negative effect on the climate. Customers were nearly 10% more likely to order a more climate- friendly option, such as chicken or fish, if those items had labels promoting them as climate-friendly.”

Meanwhile, Reuters writer Naveen Thukral reported today that, “Chicago soybean futures rose on Wednesday, gaining for a third consecutive session, as a lack of rains in key supplier Argentina and dismantling of COVID-19 restrictions in China underpinned the market.”

“For the wheat market, strong winds and temperatures well below freezing levels have threatened dormant hard red winter wheat crops across the U.S. Great Plains, especially where a lack of snow cover leaves the plants vulnerable to damage from the cold,” the Reuters article said.



Dale Moore and Larry Wooten Receive Top Farm Bureau Honors

The American Farm Bureau Federation will present its highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award and the Farm Bureau Founders Award, to former AFBF Executive Vice President Dale Moore and former North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten, respectively, during the 2023 American Farm Bureau Convention, Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

AFBF established the Distinguished Service Award in 1928 to honor individuals who have devoted their careers to serving the national interest of American agriculture. Established in January 2017, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Founders Award for exemplary leadership, service or contributions to Farm Bureau is presented in recognition of outstanding achievements and work in the interest of Farm Bureau.

Moore, a Kansas native raised on a family farm, has been a champion for agriculture in the public and private sectors for more than 40 years. His influential and accomplished career included stints on Capitol Hill, at several agricultural trade associations and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he served under four secretaries. His tenure included helping shape seven farm bills starting in 1985 through the current legislation enacted in 2018. His early work in Washington included more than a dozen years in various staff positions for the House Agriculture Committee and on the personal staff of former Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kans.) when he was in the House of Representatives.

“When I stop and think about all the success, the joys, the blessings I’ve had in my career, I can’t put enough chairs around the table to see all the people who were an important part of that process,” Moore said.

Most recently, Moore was executive vice president at AFBF from 2018-2022, after serving as vice president of public affairs, deputy executive director for public policy, and manager of the agriculture and trade policy team for the organization. At AFBF, he was well-known for both his encyclopedic knowledge of historical farm policy and its implications for farmers and ranchers, and his mentorship of young staff new to D.C. and agriculture.

“Coming from rural Kansas and the opportunities he’s had to serve in so many different areas representing agriculture have been such a benefit to all of us, particularly American Farm Bureau,” said Rich Felts, immediate past president of Kansas Farm Bureau.

Wooten’s Farm Bureau career spans more than 50 years, starting when he was a farmer member and later president of Pender County (North Carolina) Farm Bureau. At NCFB, he served on several committees including Young Farmers & Ranchers, Tobacco Advisory and Resolutions. From 1994-1999, he served as assistant to the president (administrator) at NCFB. In 1999, he was elected president of NCFB, a position he held until 2019 while also serving as president of all corporations and affiliates. Under Wooten’s leadership, NCFB grew to more than 577,000 family memberships.

A commitment to developing agriculture leaders for the future is a hallmark of Wooten’s career, including support for collegiate Farm Bureau, YF&R and other leadership development programs. “I think this is what separates Farm Bureau from a lot of other ag organizations,” Wooten said. “We’ve made a conscious effort to develop leadership for the future.”

Wooten’s international experience includes extensive travel in Europe, Africa and South America promoting trade and U.S. agriculture. He also chaired AFBF’s Trade Advisory Committee. His additional AFBF leadership experience includes serving on the AFBF board of directors during his tenure as NCFB president, and as a member and chair of the national YF&R committee.

Shawn Harding, current president of NCFB, praised Wooten’s team-oriented leadership style. “He has the ability to make everyone feel a part of the team and a part of the vision of what we are doing,” Harding said. Wooten led NCFB during several legislative and policy successes, including the initiation of the Tobacco Buyout Program and the passage of state laws protecting farmers’ right to farm, among many others.

Moore was nominated by the Kansas Farm Bureau for the DSA. Wooten was nominated by North Carolina Farm Bureau for the Founders Award. A national Farm Bureau committee selected each of the winners.