Weekend Ag News Round-up - December 11

 2022 Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo

December 15th – Nebraska Soybean Day & Machinery Expo – Saunders County Fairgrounds, Wahoo – 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

The expo, which begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 2:15 p.m., will be in the Gayle Hatton Pavilion at the Saunders County Fairgrounds in Wahoo.

The event opens with coffee, donuts and the opportunity to view equipment and exhibitor booths. Speakers start at 9:10 a.m.

This program is sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the Nebraska Soybean Board, Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization and private industry.  

Presenters include university researchers and specialists, Nebraska Soybean Checkoff representatives, soybean growers and private industry representatives:

Tricks & Tools to Survive Drought, War, Inflation and Long Tails
Alan Brugler, Brugler Marketing & Management LLC

Nebraska Soybean Checkoff Update & Association Information
Nebraska Soybean Board and Nebraska Soybean Association

Farm Transition or Succession, There is a Difference!
Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator

Soybean stem borer: Does it pay to treat for this insect?
Bob Wright, Nebraska Extension Specialist

Producers will be able to visit with representatives from seed, herbicide, fertilizer and equipment companies and during a 30-minute break at 10:15 a.m.  

The Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization requests that each participant bring one or more cans of nonperishable food that will be donated to the local food pantry.

Complimentary noon lunch will be served. Registration is available the day of the expo at the door. For more information about the program or exhibitor information, call 402-624-8030 or e-mail anygren2@unl.edu.  

Information online at: https://enrec.unl.edu/nebraskasoyexpo. There is no registration fee.



Farmers Tax Guide Now Available

Farmers can better understand their 2022 tax returns with help from a guide available through the IRS. The 2022 Farmers Tax Guide has illustrated examples, a sample return, and explains how the federal tax laws apply to farming.

The tax guides are in and are free to local producers. They can be picked up at the Cuming County Extension Office, area tax preparers, or any Cuming County bank.



Extension ag land management, leasing workshop scheduled in West Point

Nebraska Extension will host a workshop covering agricultural land management and leasing considerations for 2023 in West Point from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on December 20, at the Nielsen Community Center, 200 Anna Stalp Ave.

It will offer updated leasing information relevant to landlords and tenants, including tips for communication and negotiating. It will address topics like equitable rental rates, managing and adjusting farmland leases, landlord-tenant issues, pasture leasing, crop share leasing and other management considerations.

The presentation will be led by Allan Vyhnalek, an extension educator specializing in farm and ranch transition and succession, and Jim Jansen, an extension agricultural economist. Both are with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability.

The meeting is free to attend, but registration is required with Nebraska Extension in Cuming County at 402-372-6006.



Nebraska Farmers Union 109th Annual State Convention Completed

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) held their 109th annual state convention at the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln December 2-3. The convention theme was: “Building Rural Communities Since 1913.”  NeFU delegates re-elected two NeFU Board of Directors, three delegates, and three alternates to attend the 2023 National Farmers Union convention, and three members of the NeFU Foundation Board of Directors. The members and guests heard reports on the 2022 organizational activities for the farm organization, its Foundation, and its Political Action Committee.    

NeFU Election Results:   
Delegates re-elected Mary Alice Corman of Edgar in District 3 and Art Tanderup of Neligh in District 7 to serve on the NeFU Board of Directors for a three-year term. In addition, the NeFU Board appointed Ron Todd-Meyer of Lincoln in its pre-convention meeting to fill the NeFU District 5 Board vacancy due to a resignation.

Three delegates from the membership were elected delegates to the 121st National Farmers Union convention to be held March 5-7, 2023 in San Francisco, California.  Keith Dittrich of Tilden, Marci Regier of Beatrice and Don Schuller of Wymore were elected to represent NeFU as delegates.  Gus Von Roenn of Omaha, Julie Hindmarsh of Fremont, and Darrel Buschkoetter of Lawrence were elected first, second and third alternates.

Three NeFU Foundation Board members were selected. Doug Dittman of Raymond was elected by the membership, Al Davis of Hyannis was elected from the NeFU Board of Directors, and Justin Orem of Raymond was elected from the NeFU District Presidents.    

President’s Award Winner:
The President’s Award is NeFU’s highest award, and is presented to individuals who provide outstanding service and leadership to family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities at the state or national levels.

This year there were two President’s Award winners.  Retired DTN Senior Meteorologist Bryce Anderson was honored “For 31 years of outstanding leadership and dependable service to family farm agriculture and rural America.” Anderson provided the keynote banquet address “Making Sense of Extremes.” Also honored was retiring State Senator John McCollister “for 8 years of outstanding leadership and service to family farm agriculture and rural America while protecting and serving our non-partisan Nebraska Legislature.” McCollister was not able to attend because of a COVID infection. His award will be presented later.

“These two highly intelligent and independent individuals have both in their own way left our state the better for their courage and service to their state communities. Both are truly community builders,” said NeFU President John Hansen. “They both did the right things the right way, and led by example.”

NeFU delegates set policy.  NeFU Policy Chair Vern Jantzen led NeFU delegates through both NeFU Policy Day December 1st and at Convention as they adopted the 2022-2023 NeFU policy and six Special Orders of Business highlighting this year’s priorities. The NeFU State policy is posted on the NeFU website at:   www.nebraskafarmersunion.org.

 

Future Beef Industry Leaders Attend NYBLS Event

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln hosted the annual Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS) for over 40 high school students at the Animal Science Complex December 2-4, 2022. Tenth, Eleventh, and twelfth graders from across the state applied for this program to learn about career opportunities, current issues facing the beef industry, and to develop their leadership skills. The Nebraska Beef Council has been a long-time supporting sponsor of the symposium offering education sessions on beef’s nutritional benefits as well as insights into marketing beef through retail and foodservice.   

The attendees heard from a variety of speakers including the Nebraska Beef Council’s director of nutrition and education, Mitch Rippe, and director of marketing, Adam Wegner. Rippe shared information on beef’s nutritional advantages, how beef nutrients play an important part in overall human health, and best practices for communicating those messages with consumer audiences. Wegner addressed current consumer trends at foodservice and what factors come into play when consumers are deciding what to order at a restaurant.     

 The symposium also included a small group project where participants worked with a local product development chef to create a new beef menu item, identify the proper restaurant concept for that item, and then develop a marketing plan to reach a targeted consumer base. Each group had the opportunity to prepare the dish and present it to a panel of judges.   

 “Every year I’m impressed by the creativity and attention to detail that these students put into their projects,” said Wegner. “It’s great to see young people that are passionate about the beef industry, who also want to understand consumer behavior. Having that broad perspective will serve them well as they pursue their career paths.”   

 The NYBLS program provides an opportunity for young people to broaden their perspective on the complexities of the beef industry, while stimulating creativity and enhancing their leadership skills. Each year, CASNR scholarships are awarded to eight of the NYBLS participants.



IDALS & APHIS Confirm Multiple Cases of HPAI

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Sunday have confirmed positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Cherokee County, Iowa and Buena Vista County, Iowa. The affected sites are both commercial turkey flocks.

On Friday, IDALS and APHIS confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Sac County, Iowa.  That affected site is a commercial turkey flock.

Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available at iowaagriculture.gov/biosecurity. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products. An internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses.



Smith, Kildee Lead Members in Effort to Hold Mexico to Their USMCA Commitments

Today, Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Dan Kildee (D-MI) led members of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in a letter to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. In the letter, the members raise concerns about the Mexican government’s failure to adhere to their biotechnology commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the need for immediate enforcement action.

Key excerpts:
We write to express concern regarding recent actions taken by the Mexican government that are inconsistent with Mexico’s United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agricultural biotechnology commitments.
 
We recognize that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) continues to monitor a series of concerning developments in Mexico. We appreciate the work done so far regarding implementation and enforcement of labor, energy, and environment USMCA obligations. We are committed to enforcing all parts of the Agreement, including the agriculture provisions related to biotech. Unfortunately, the Mexican government has not lived up to its biotech-related commitments in the USMCA. Accordingly, we urge USTR to promptly request dispute settlement consultations with Mexico on these issues.

The Mexican government has not maintained a science-based biotech regulatory system for the past four years and is moving forward with the implementation of a presidential decree to phase out the importation of genetically engineered corn by January 2024. These policies are not based on science and may decrease the supply of corn in North American agricultural supply chains. These actions, in addition to going against the terms of the USMCA, could increase food prices and food insecurity caused by Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine.
 
Mexico’s failure to maintain a science-based and transparent biotech regulatory regime goes beyond its treatment of corn and will have impacts across the agriculture industry. Cotton, canola, and soybeans products with biotech traits have also been hampered by inconsistency and uncertainty in Mexico’s regulatory system, which also has an impact on the price of food and goods.
 
USTR must ensure all our trading partners maintain science-based biotech regulatory systems so that our farmers can utilize American innovation to sustainably feed the world. Ignoring Mexico’s disregard for its USMCA commitments sends a signal to our other trading partners that they may take similar actions without repercussions. Improved dispute settlement provisions were a major reason for the overwhelming congressional support for the USMCA. For the reasons stated above we ask you to take enforcement action without delay.

The letter was also signed by Reps. Arrington (R-TX), Buchanan (R-FL), Danny Davis (D-IL), DelBene (D-WA), Estes (R-KS), Evans (D-PA), Ferguson (R-GA), Hern (R-OK) Kelly (R-PA), Kind (D-WI), Kustoff (R-TN), LaHood (R-IL), Carol Miller (R-WV), Murphy (R-NC), Panetta (D-CA), Pascrell (D-NJ), Plaskett (D-VI), Jason Smith (R-MO), Sewell (D-AL), Smucker (R-PA), Suozzi (D-NY), and Mike Thompson (D-CA).



Bipartisan Members of House Ways and Means Committee Call on USTR to Act on Trade Dispute with Mexico

Twenty-four members of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee sent a letter today to Ambassador Katherine Tai, calling on her to act to resolve a lingering trade dispute with Mexico over biotech corn imports. Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) led the bipartisan effort.

“We have been working closely with Congress on this issue, and it’s inspiring to see congressional champions from both parties faithfully taking up the mantle,” said National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Tom Haag. “These members of Congress are now looking to Ambassador Tai to uphold the integrity of USMCA.”

The letter is the latest development and response from U.S. officials as the ag community braces for the fallout if President Andrés Manuel López Obrador follows through with a promise to ban biotech corn shipments beginning in early 2024. Ninety percent of U.S. corn is biotech corn.

NCGA has been sounding the alarm on this issue for months. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack traveled to Mexico City last week to meet with President López Obrador. During the meeting, the secretary told the Mexican president that absent an acceptable resolution on the issue the U.S. would consider all options, including “taking formal steps to enforce our legal rights under the USMCA.”

NCGA has been asking the Biden administration to set a timeline for negotiations and to move forward with a formal complaint under USMCA if the reasonable solution is not reached.



American Soybean Association, Plains Cotton Growers Engage in Oral Arguments in Dicamba Lawsuit

The American Soybean Association and Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., argued before the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 8 in American Soybean Association v. EPA (D.C. Cir. 20-1441). The two groups urged the court to clarify jurisdictional rules under FIFRA and to require the Environmental Protection Agency to use the best available science when evaluating dicamba pesticide registrations and potential impacts to species protected under the Endangered Species Act.

The groups filed the lawsuit against EPA in November 2020 on the five-year registration for the use of dicamba on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. Growers argued EPA’s flawed approach led the agency to impose arbitrary and overly burdensome buffers and application cutoff dates, which have harmed grower operations. The agency’s arbitrary requirements have forced many growers to take land out of agricultural production, prevented their ability to use important practices like double-cropping, and made it more difficult to control damaging herbicide-resistant weeds, among other harms.

Alan Meadows, American Soybean Association Regulatory Committee Chairman and a soybean grower from Halls, Tennessee, said, “Growers need herbicides like dicamba to protect crops and maintain important conservation practices, for example, reduced tillage. By failing to use good science and data, EPA is unnecessarily making the farmer’s job harder and hurting our bottom line. We are hopeful the court will agree and require the agency to redo these assessments using the science and data it has available.”

“Producers need a vast array of tools at their disposal as they strive to maintain a healthy crop while also adopting conservation practices as good stewards of the land,” said Kody Bessent, Plains Cotton Growers Chief Executive Officer. “A nationwide arbitrary cutoff date imposed by EPA could prevent a grower from making a timely application of weed control product, negatively affecting their bottom line.”

ASA and PCG are asking the court to remand these portions of the registration back to EPA for reconsideration with the direction to use the science and data available to the agency. The groups are hopeful the court will rule on this matter in the coming months.



Beef Checkoff Partners with Tony Romo to Highlight Beef for the Holidays

The Beef Checkoff has scheduled television advertising in December encouraging consumers to beef up their holiday gameplan with Tony Romo's Holiday Playbook. The ad campaign will feature broadcast announcer and former football star, Tony Romo as the commentator at a family holiday dinner giving the play-by play as the prime rib is being served. A second commercial features Tony as an unlikely guest at a festive holiday company party, reveling at the delicious beef appetizers.   

On a national level, the new BIWFD Tony Romo Holiday videos will air on the Hallmark Channel the six weeks leading up to Christmas.  In addition to Hallmark, BIWFD Holiday ads will run across a variety of digital advertising platforms including YouTube, Google Search, SiriusXM Radio, Nativo Native Advertising, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. The holiday campaign videos will also be shown on popular Connected TV networks, such as CBS, Fox and AMC.  Consumers in Kansas City, San Francisco, Orlando and Minneapolis will also be delivered billboard advertising to compliment the television campaign.   

 In Nebraska, the holiday television ads can be seen on NTV, central Nebraska’s largest ABC affiliate station, and KOLN 10/11, the CBS affiliate station in Lincoln. Additionally, the video commercials will be delivered to Nebraskans who utilize digital streaming television services like Hulu and YouTube TV. The Nebraska Beef Council Facebook and Instagram platforms will also showcase beef holiday content through the remainder of the year.     

 Through this campaign, consumers will be encouraged to visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com where they can find delicious beef recipes for every occasion from quick-and-easy weeknight meals to tried-and-true classic holiday dinners. The website also provides tips and trick for preparing the perfect holiday roast as well as instructions for serving beef appetizers and utilizing beef leftovers.



Chairman David Scott Statement on U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement Beef Safeguard Provisions

House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the statement below following USTR’s announcement regarding beef safeguard provisions of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement:

“Japan is a top export destination for U.S. beef and today’s announcement marks an important development for the U.S. beef industry. The exchange of letters formalizes the updated beef safeguard mechanism agreement that Japan approved in November, allowing our beef producers to expand their export opportunities and meet Japanese demand for high-quality U.S. beef,” said Chairman David Scott.

“International trade is critical for our producers, and this announcement is a further indicator of the Biden Administration’s commitment that we continue to engage with our trading partners to find additional avenues for American agricultural products in foreign markets,” Chairman David Scott continued.



Retailers Continue to Benefit from RFA Experience in USDA Higher Blend Grant Process

With the U.S. Department of Agriculture concluding its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, or HBIIP, for 2022, the Renewable Fuels Association is proud to have helped dozens of retailers with the program this year, which will help expand the availability of higher blends of ethanol like E15 and E85 Flex Fuel.

RFA hosted webinars with more than 250 participants, thanks to the assistance of state retail organizations from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa. At the conclusion of the brief 90-day application window, the organization had helped over 40 companies with their applications. With the generous assistance from the National Corn Growers Association, RFA filed grant applications totaling more than $36 million, with matching retailer funds totaling more than $150 million. This level of investment means that the shift towards higher blends is real—and that they are here to stay, noted RFA Director Market Development Cassie Mullen; the grant applications represent $200 million in infrastructure funding that could lead to 1,000 more dispensers at more than 220 new E15 locations across 19 states.

“Another successful round of funding has come and gone, and RFA is excited about the enormous impact this could have on the industry,” Mullen said. “One exciting aspect of this round was the interest we saw from applicants in non-traditional ethanol states such as California. RFA helped retailers apply for 10 locations in California, and there may have been more than 100 sites that applied statewide. This could make a significant impact in a state where high fuel prices and environmental stewardship are major topics of conversation.”  

Sheetz, which offers E15 and E85 at many of its locations across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina, worked with RFA to apply for funding at 67 new locations. “Over the last few months, we worked side-by-side with RFA and could not have gotten this over the finish line without their hard work and dedication,” said Sheetz Senior Petroleum Scheduler Joshua Jadlock. “This process is not always an easy one, but with our partners at RFA we were able to submit our application and hopefully bring a lot more ethanol into the marketplace.”

RFA has had a perfect success rate in assisting retailers to apply for and receive grants under this program; since 2020, RFA-supported grants led to infrastructure projects by 35 companies, totaling $74 million and covering 260 retail operations spanning 21 states. Going into 2023 and beyond, Mullen noted, more funds will become available for retailers thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides an additional $500 million for high blend infrastructure. For more information, contact Mullen at cmullen@ethanolrfa.org.



Deere & Company Raises Dividend Six Percent

The Deere & Company Board of Directors today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.20 per share payable February 8, 2023, to stockholders of record on December 30, 2022.  The new quarterly rate represents an additional 7 cents per share over the previous level, an increase of approximately 6 percent per share.