Tuesday January 10 Ag News

 Search firm named, advisory committee nominations sought for UNL chancellor search

University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter announced today that he has taken the first steps in the national search for the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Carter has hired AGB Search, a leading national executive search firm, to assist him in the process.

Carter also is inviting nominations for individuals to serve on the UNL Chancellor Search Advisory Committee. Members of the committee will gather and provide stakeholder input on the qualities the next UNL chancellor should possess, as well as key opportunities and challenges facing the university. The committee also will work with AGB Search to develop a position profile, identify potential candidates and review applications.

All members of the university community are invited to submit nominations for the Chancellor Search Advisory Committee to president@nebraska.edu. Nominations are requested by Jan. 24. Carter said the committee will be broadly representative of UNL’s key constituencies, including students, faculty, staff and the community.

Carter will soon announce opportunities for the public to provide input on the search, including a series of listening sessions.

Current UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green announced in December that he will retire in June 2023 after seven years in the role.

“Chancellor Green has graciously given us a runway that will allow for a smooth transition of leadership – a crucial advantage at a time when the growth and success of the University of Nebraska matters more than ever to our state,” Carter said.

“Our flagship university plays a leading role in delivering the workforce, research and service that Nebraska needs to grow and thrive. The chancellorship of UNL is an important and consequential leadership position for Nebraska, and I’m very pleased to be underway with a rigorous search process. We will benefit greatly from AGB Search’s expert counsel, the guidance of what I know will be an outstanding search committee, and the input of all University of Nebraska stakeholders.”

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is the largest institution in the University of Nebraska System, enrolling 24,000 students and employing 9,000 faculty and staff. A member of the Big Ten Conference, UNL includes the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Nebraska Extension, with a presence in every Nebraska county.



MID-WINTER CORNSTALK GRAZING
Jerry Volesky, NE Extension

Here in mid-winter, cornstalks remain a great forage resource for livestock producers.  Snow cover on cornstalks is generally not a problem for cattle as they are adept at digging their way through to get at the leaves, husks, and remaining corn that they are seeking.  However, if an icy crust develops on the snow, this will limit grazing and supplemental feed may need to be provided.  

Another important consideration is the stocking rate and how long they have been in a particular field.  Nutritional value of cornstalk residue is greatest at the beginning of a grazing period and declines with time as the most nutritious plant parts are consumed.  A general stalk grazing rule is there is about 30 cow days per 100 bushels of corn that the field produced.

Over the fall and winter, weathering can also play a role in reducing cornstalk quality.   Rain or melting snow soaks into dry corn stalk residue and leaches out some of the soluble nutrients.  Most serious is the loss of sugars and other energy-dense nutrients, which lowers the TDN or energy value of the stalks.

Another factor that affects cornstalk grazing is wind.  We have had our share of excessively high winds which easily blow corn leaves and husks off the field.  This of course, can impact the amount of feed, and after grain, those leaves and husks contain the highest nutritional quality.

Cornstalks are still a great and economical winter feed source.  Just be sure to closely monitor cow and field conditions while adjusting your supplementation program accordingly.   



Committee Assignments ratified in Nebraska Legislature

As bill introduction continues in the Nebraska Unicameral, the body took action to ratify the proposed slate of member to the various committees of the state legislature.  On Monday afternoon, the body approved the committee membership, including:

Agriculture - Rm. 1524 – Tuesdays
Halloran (C), Brewer, Hansen, Holdcroft, Hughes, Ibach, Raybould, Riepe

Natural Resources  - Rm. 1525 – Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays
Bostelman (C), Aguilar, Brandt, Cavanaugh, J., Fredrickson, Hughes, Jacobson, Moser



REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR LOCAL FOOD AND HEALTHY FARMS CONFERENCE

Registration is open for the 2023 Local Food and Healthy Farms Conference, Feb. 3-4 at The Leadership Center in Aurora, Nebraska. The conference is open to the public.

The Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society’s annual conference has been a mainstay for decades. For the second year, the conference is a partnership with Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Specialty Crop Growers to provide the most dynamic and comprehensive farming and local food systems conference in the state. The conference invites attendees to learn, connect and collaborate for a more resilient food future.

Conference highlights include:
> More than 30 sessions on topics that span the agricultural and local food system spectrum, including farm financial and transition planning, farm skills, field crops, livestock, farm and food policy, urban agriculture and local food access.

> Keynote addresses from Katie Nixon, food systems leader and co-operator of Green Gate Family Farm, a certified organic diversified market farm; and Bob Quinn, a leader in promoting organic and sustainable agriculture and co-author of the book “Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs and Healthy Food.”

> Several opportunities to network with other farmers, researchers, sponsors, service agencies and consumers, including a Friday evening reception and exhibit hall.

The cost is $70 per day or $130 for both days and includes meals and access to all conference events. Scholarships are available. Register by Jan. 27 at https://www.sustainablenebraska.org/2023conference-registration.html.

The conference is supported by several sponsors, including Grain Place Foods, Roberts Seeds, the Center for Rural Affairs, World Wildlife Fund, Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Buy Fresh Buy Local.



NEBRASKA POULTRY AND EGG DEVELOPMENT, UTILIZATION AND MARKETING COMMITTEE NOTICE OF MEETING
 
The Nebraska Poultry and Egg Development, Utilization, and Marketing Committee has planned a meeting for Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the River’s Edge Conference Center Ramada Inn - Columbus, Nebraska.

The current agenda of subjects to be discussed at this meeting is available for public inspection at the offices of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Poultry and Egg Division, 521 First Street, Milford, Nebraska.

This meeting will be held in conjunction with the Nebraska Poultry Industries Annual Conference.

Please contact the PED office at 402-761-2216 or alyssa@youraam.com if you have any questions.



50 Diverse Groups Urge Swift Enactment of American Beef Labeling Act

Today, 50 cattle, farm, rural and consumer groups sent a joint letter to U.S. Senate and House members who, during the last session of Congress, cosponsored the American Beef Labeling Act that restores mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.

The letter expressed the groups’ gratitude for the congressional members’ leadership and support of the American Beef Labeling Act during the last session of Congress and urged them to reintroduce the measure in the new Congress that started on January 3, 2023.  In their letter, the groups pledged their support to assist Congress in the swift enactment of the bill.

Referencing a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult, the letter states that 86% of American voters favor the American Beef Labeling Act and that it is a commonsense policy that has remained popular with the American people since Congress rescinded country of origin labeling for beef in 2015.

The letter was addressed to the American Beef Labeling Act’s bipartisan group of Senate cosponsors:  Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); and to its bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives: Reps. Lance Gooden (R-TX), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Morgan Griffith (R-VA).

The letter reveals the objective of the American Beef Labeling Act is to ensure that beef produced from U.S. born and raised cattle is distinguished in the marketplace and that consumers have accurate information as to the origins of the beef they purchase for their families.

Groups that joined the letter include: American Economic Liberties Project, American Grassfed Association, Buckeye Quality Beef Association (OH), Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform, Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, Cattle Producers of Washington, Coalition for a Prosperous America, Colorado Independent CattleGrowers Association, Consumer Federation of America, Dakota Rural Action, Farm Action Fund, Farm Aid, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Food & Water Watch, Government Accountability Project Food Integrity Campaign, Hometown Credit Union in Kulm, ND, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota, Independent Cattlemen of Missouri, Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska, Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, Kansas Farmers Union, Missouri Rural Crisis Center, Montana Cattlemen's Association, Montana Farmers Union, National Dairy Producers Organization, National Family Farm Coalition, National Farmers Union, National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE), Nebraska Chapter of WIFE, Nebraska Farmers Union, Northern Plains Resource Council, Oglala Sioux Livestock & Landowners Association, Oklahoma Independent Stockgrowers Association, Organization for Competitive Markets, Pennsylvania Farmers Union, R-CALF USA, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, Rural Vermont, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, Southern Colorado Livestock Association, Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association (WA), Texas Animal Protein Producers Prosperity & Security Group (TAPPPS Group), United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), United States Cattlemen's Association, and Western Organization of Resource Councils.



Inaugural Educational Conservation and Drainage Expo to be held in Des Moines, Iowa

The Soil and Water Enhancement Committee is excited to introduce the inaugural North America Conservation and Drainage Expo (NACADE). A first-of-its-kind event, NACADE brings together professionals from all aspects of the drainage industry for a wholistic educational experience. NACADE will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, from January 17-19.

“This expo is truly the result of collaboration across the conservation industry to reach end-users and it couldn’t have come to fruition at a better time,” says Jason Brown, NACADE spokesperson and founder. “The conservation and drainage industry has changed significantly over the past 5-10 years, more than doubling in size. And while advances in equipment, technology and best practices have placed increased emphasis on the role of contractors, our platforms for engaging potential customers, influencers and end users lagged behind. We’re here to change that.”

NACADE is designed to help bridge the information gap between research and implementation. The Soil and Water Enhancement Committee’s primary goal is to educate as broad of an audience as possible about the current state of the conservation industry.

“We aim to reach not only the contractors and practice installers, but also the farmers, end users and decision makers — like farm managers, ag lenders and other organized committees and groups,” says Brown.  Breakout session topics were developed by taking the latest research and cross-referencing it with conservation professionals’ most asked questions.

NACADE is an all-inclusive, interactive and insightful event that:
Educates farming customers on the importance of conservation.
Unites contractors and customers behind common conservation initiatives.
Shares latest research findings relating to conservation.
Identifies funding sources for conservation best practices.
Hosts round-table discussions with various stakeholders relating to choosing contractors, the real cost of mains and tenant-paid improvements.

For more information and to register for the event, visit nacadexpo.com.



Panels to Explore the Future of Biodiesel and Biofuels Policy at Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit

New federal and state policies are reshaping the biofuels landscape and creating new market opportunities for ethanol and biodiesel. Leading experts will share their thoughts on the future at the 2023 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.

A federal and state policy panel will delve into the policies and regulations driving innovation and change throughout the biofuels industry. Panelists include:
·      Jake Swanson, President, High Yield Strategies and former policy advisor to Gov. Kim Reynolds
·      Brain Werner, Executive Director, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association
·      Geoff Cooper, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association
·      Kurt Kovarik, Vice President for Federal Affairs, Clean Fuels Alliance America
·      Moderator: Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

Another panel, Crystal Ball: The Future of Biodiesel, will peer into emerging market opportunities as a wide spectrum of industries work to lower costs and carbon emissions. Speakers include:
·      Scott Fenwick, Technical Director, Clean Fuels Alliance America
·      Matt Herman, Senior Director of Renewable Products Marketing, Iowa Soybean Association
·      Moderator: Tom Brooks, General Manager, Western Dubuque Biodiesel

The 2023 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit will take place at the Community Choice Convention Center on February 7, 2023. The Summit is free to attend and open to the public, but registration is required. To register or learn more about the Summit, please visit: IowaRenewableFuelsSummit.org.



Naig Presents 2023 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards to Growmark FS and Kwik Trip | Kwik Star

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that Growmark FS and Kwik Trip | Kwik Star are the winners of the 2023 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. The awards were created to recognize fuel marketers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to promote and sell renewable fuels. The award winners were spotlighted during the FUELIowa annual meeting held today in Des Moines.

“Iowa’s renewable fuels industry continues to thrive, creating value-added markets for our crops, employing thousands of Iowans, and offering cleaner and more affordable fuel to consumers,” said Secretary Naig. “Growmark FS is being honored for their efforts to market ethanol and Kwik Trip | Kwik Star is receiving recognition for their biodiesel marketing. I want to thank both of those companies and their employees for continuing to build demand for Iowa produced renewable fuels.”

Secretary’s Ethanol Marketing Award – Growmark FS
Since the 1920s, the Growmark FS (Fast Stop) has been providing fuels across the Midwest. Today, they are a leading supplier of refined and renewable fuels and operate 19 Fast Stop locations in northwest Iowa. Through those Fast Stop locations, over 4.5 million gallons of refined fuels are sold each year. Fast Stop operates in communities with a size of 264 residents in Yale, Iowa, to 24,912 residents in Fort Dodge. Fast Stop offers E15 at all 19 locations. At seven of these locations, they offer higher blends of ethanol such as E30 and E85. 

Secretary’s Biodiesel Marketing Award – Kwik Trip | Kwik Star
Kwik Trip was founded in 1965 with headquarters in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They opened their first Iowa location under the name Kwik Star in 1993. Kwik Trip | Kwik Star has been selling biodiesel in all their diesel gallons in Iowa since 2016. They offer separate diesel islands at over 300 of the 800+ locations across the Midwest. Kwik Trip has embraced including biodiesel blends from 5 percent - 20 percent across Iowa and only purchases biodiesel that meets or exceeds the ASTM D6751 standard and BQ-9000 quality protocol. Since 2020, Kwik Trip has been awarded over 25 biodiesel grants through the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program to update existing infrastructure to sell biodiesel blends at locations across Iowa.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Industry
Iowa leads the nation in production of ethanol and biodiesel and is the first state in the country to have an E15 standard. Based on 2021 analysis, the renewable fuels industry accounted for over $5 billion of Iowa GDP, generated $2.6 billion of income for Iowa households and supported nearly 46,000 jobs throughout the entire Iowa economy.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program offers cost-share grants to help fuel retailers with the installation, replacement and conversion of motor fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure for E85 ethanol blends, registered E15 ethanol blends, and biodiesel from equipment that is B20 compatible. The program also provides grant incentives to biodiesel terminal and storage facilities. The program is managed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and, to date, the state has invested approximately $60 million while private industry has invested over $200 million.



American Farm Bureau Establishes 2023 Policies

Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 104th Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2023. Key topics ranged from expanding risk management programs and improving dairy pricing transparency to battling hunger.

Delegates were polled regarding their farms at the beginning of the voting session. The results show almost 99% (334 delegates) of those who cast votes operate family farms and almost 65% represent small- to mid-size farms as defined by USDA.

“Delegates demonstrated the strength of Farm Bureau by coming together to represent hard-working farm families from all 50 states and Puerto Rico,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “There’s a lot of work to do in 2023 as Congress drafts the next farm bill, and the policies set forth today will guide AFBF as we work to ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to meet the growing needs of families in America and around the world.”

Delegates to the American Farm Bureau business meeting voted to modernize the farm bill by expanding baseline funding, developing more flexible disaster relief programs and extending protection to more specialty crops.

They also voted to bring more transparency to the federal milk pricing system. Several changes to policy include support for more USDA audits of processing costs to ensure data remains accurate, and a Federal Milk Marketing Orders voting procedure that requires cooperatives to communicate more clearly with members regarding proposed changes. The results of an FMMO forum hosted by AFBF in October served as a guidepost for policy changes.

Recognizing growing food insecurity in the United States, delegates approved new policy to support access to nutrition programs including connecting farms directly with food banks, increasing the number of SNAP-approved food sales outlets, and other efforts to make produce available to families living in food deserts.

On trade, delegates added policy for USDA to continue working with the Mexican government to drop a proposed ban on imports of biotech corn. The new policy also encourages USDA to urge the Mexican government to accept established science on the safety of U.S. biotech products.

Voting delegates also formalized Farm Bureau’s position opposing the 2022 Waters of the U.S. rule and a proposed Securities and Exchange Commission rule if it requires Scope 3 emissions reporting from farms.

Beyond policy changes, delegates also elected members to serve on the AFBF board of directors and national program committees.

Chris Hoffman, president of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Wayne Stafford, president of Maryland Farm Bureau (Northeast Region) were elected to fill one-year terms on the AFBF board of directors. Joe Newland, president of Kansas Farm Bureau (Midwest Region); and Scott Mugrage, president of Alaska Farm Bureau (Western Region) were elected to two-year terms on the AFBF board of directors.

Fifteen other state Farm Bureau presidents were re-elected to two-year terms to represent their regions on the board.

Midwest Region
Rich Guebert, Illinois
Randy Kron, Indiana
Brent Johnson, Iowa
Dan Glessing, Minnesota

Northeast Region
David Fisher, New York
Joe Tisbert, Vermont

Southern Region
Tom McCall, Georgia
Jim Harper, Louisiana
Mike McCormick, Mississippi
Shawn Harding, North Carolina
Rodd Moesel, Oklahoma
Eric Mayberry, Tennessee
Russell Boening, Texas

Western Region
Stefanie Smallhouse, Arizona
Jamie Johansson, California

National Program Committees
Matt Fimon of Virginia was elected chair of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, taking over the position in March at the end of the Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference for a one-year term. Heather Graham of Kentucky was elected vice chair and Joel Currier of Colorado was elected secretary. They will each serve one-year terms.

Isabella Chism of Indiana was re-elected chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee and Lorenda Overman of North Carolina was re-elected vice chair, each for a two-year term. Lou Nave of Tennessee (Southern Region), Lisa Wherry of Pennsylvania (Northeast Region), Marieta Hauser of Kansas (Midwest Region) and Shawn Wood of Arizona (Western Region) were re-elected to two-year terms.

Daryn Westergard of Utah was elected chair of AFBF’s Promotion & Education Committee;  Alan Clark of Idaho was elected vice chair. Both will serve two-year terms beginning in March.

AFBF thanks the more than 60 speakers and nearly 5,000 registered attendees who helped make the 2023 Convention such a success. Registered attendees may view selected workshops and sessions on-demand on the convention virtual platform for the next 90 days.

Planning for the American Farm Bureau’s 2024 Convention has already begun. Mark your calendar to meet us Jan. 19-24, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah.



Commodity Classic Early Bird Registration Ends January 20

Only a few days remain to take advantage of early registration discounts for the 2023 Commodity Classic to be held March 9-11 in Orlando.

Friday, January 20, 2023, is the last day the early registration discount will be in effect.

“Going to Commodity Classic is an investment in any grower’s operation,” said George Goblish, a Minnesota farmer, ASA member, and co-chair of the 2023 Commodity Classic. “The registration fees are a very small cost for everything you get: top-notch educational sessions, the latest farming technology, and the opportunity to network with thousands of farmers from all over the country. And signing up by January 20 allows growers to take advantage of the best prices.”

Registration fees vary depending on the number of days attended. Full registration covers all three days of the event, and one-day registrations are also available. Members of the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Association of Wheat Growers, and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers receive additional discounts on registration.

All registration and housing reservations should be made online at CommodityClassic.com. Maritz is the official registration and housing provider for Commodity Classic. In order to stay at an official Commodity Classic hotel, reservations must be made only through Maritz to ensure favorable rates, reasonable terms, and confirmed hotel rooms.

The 2023 Commodity Classic will be held at the Orange County Convention Center West Concourse in Orlando, Florida. The convention center will house all Commodity Classic events, including the Welcome Reception, General Session, Evening of Entertainment featuring .38 Special, Trade Show, Learning Center Sessions, and What’s New Sessions. A detailed schedule of events is also available on the website.



NCGA President to EPA: Biofuels Can Contribute More to Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Reduce Fuel Prices and Improve Energy Security

In the face of high fuel prices and global uncertainties, expanding access to renewable fuels may be even more relevant today than it was almost two decades ago when the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was enacted, the president of the National Corn Growers Association told the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today.

His comments came during an EPA public hearing on the proposed RFS volume rule for 2023-2025.

“We support the growth trajectory in EPA’s proposal; however, with continued pressure on energy security and costs and the need to accelerate carbon emission reductions, biofuels can contribute even more,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We ask EPA to continue working with us on complementary policies that advance higher ethanol blends, enabling ethanol to do more to cut both emissions and costs.”
 
Haag said corn growers also urge EPA to simply adopt the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab GREET model for lifecycle GHG assessment to most accurately account for the GHG emission reductions from biofuels like ethanol and the RFS. Today’s ethanol cuts GHG emissions by 50 percent compared to gasoline.

“EPA acknowledges that its 2010 modeling framework is old and requires updating,” he noted. “Yet instead of adopting the federal government’s most robust and updated analysis, EPA included outdated estimates and proposed more reviews.”
 
In addition, he said corn grower leaders continue to review EPA’s proposal for generating RFS credits from biomass electricity to ensure consistency with RFS crediting for other energy sources.

“Corn growers are proud to supply low carbon feedstocks for low-cost, low-emission ethanol,” said Haag. “We stand ready to work with EPA to build on the growing biofuel volumes proposed to continue to make the RFS an energy, environmental and economic success.”



RFA: EPA’s 2023-2025 RVO Proposal a ‘Firm Foundation’ for Future of RFS

Proposed volume obligations for 2023-2025 bolster the Renewable Fuel Standard and provide growth opportunities for the ethanol industry, the Renewable Fuels Association said this morning in verbal testimony provided at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing.

“Overall, we believe the proposed ‘Set’ rule establishes a firm foundation for the future of the RFS and creates a pathway for sustainable growth in the production and use of low-carbon renewable fuels,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Once finalized, the rule will further enhance our nation’s energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen the rural economy.”

Cooper also stated that RFA strongly supports EPA’s approach to small refinery exemptions, including its assumption that zero exemptions will be granted in 2023-2025. He agreed with EPA’s recent response to a fundamentally flawed GAO report on RFS compliance costs. The agency’s analysis demonstrated that small refineries actually paid slightly less than large refineries for D6 RINs.

When it comes to the idea of expanding the RFS to include renewable electricity made from biomass, Cooper said that EPA should maintain a level playing field and consistent approach to RIN generation for all renewable fuel pathways under the RFS.

RFA will provide more substantive written comments about EPA’s proposal by the Feb. 10 filing deadline.



Growth Energy CEO Testifies at EPA Virtual Hearing on RFS Set Proposal

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, testified today at a virtual hearing hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its 2023-2025 plan for biofuel blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In her remarks, Skor recommended that EPA approve a backlog of renewable fuel pathways and urged the agency to leave room in its final rule for the innovation taking place in the American biofuels industry.

“We are greatly encouraged by EPA’s strong Set proposal with implied conventional biofuel volumes at 15 billion gallons for 2023 and increasing to 15.25 billion gallons for 2024 and 2025,” Skor said. “Moving forward, our opportunities for growth across both conventional and advanced biofuels are linked, so it is important that the proposed volumes reflect industry growth and innovation. Specifically, we ask that EPA clear the backlog of pathway approvals for renewable fuels, including cellulosic biofuels from kernel fiber, advanced biofuels from corn oil produced at bioethanol wet mills, and bioethanol produced using carbon capture technologies.”

“We also ask that EPA account for the innovation in the biofuels industry, which requires updated lifecycle emissions modeling to reflect the best available science on low-carbon bioethanol that will be used not only to decarbonize our on-road fleet, but also for sustainable aviation fuel,” she added.

Skor also used her remarks to push the agency to allow the sale of lower-carbon, lower-cost fuels like E15 (a blend of gasoline and 15% ethanol) all year round.

“While not directly addressed under this proposal, EPA must continue to work to allow the sale of E15 year-round and finalize its proposal to broaden use of existing retail infrastructure and simplify E15 labeling,” she said. “We can maximize biofuels’ ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving consumers money at the pump by allowing the sale of E15 year-round.”

EPA released its Set proposal in December, outlining the agency’s plan to require fuel in the U.S. to be blended with a certain amount of renewable fuels like ethanol. Under the terms of a consent decree with Growth Energy, EPA must finalize its proposal by June 14, 2023.



ACE Testimony Emphasizes Key Areas to Grow Biofuel Demand in EPA's RFS Set Proposal

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings testified today during a virtual public hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rulemaking for 2023 through 2025 compliance years.

Jennings testified in support of EPA 1) setting an effective conventional biofuel requirement of 15.25 billion gallons for 2023 through 2025, 2) projecting no small refinery exemptions (SREs) for 2023 through 2025 and reiterating refineries are able to pass on RIN costs to their customers, and 3) conceding its antiquated greenhouse gas (GHG) model needs to be updated.

The testimony highlighted concern over EPA’s proposed inadequate advanced biofuel blending targets and “alternative approach” to reduce conventional biofuel blending below 14 billion gallons for 2024 and 2025. Jennings encouraged the Agency to “increase [advanced] volumes consistent with new production capacity scheduled to come online” and “clarify it does not intend to issue retroactive waivers of volumes or reduce conventional biofuel requirements in the final rule.”

Jennings also implored EPA to adopt the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab’s GREET model for its lifecycle modeling, consistent with direction under the Inflation Reduction Act for the Treasury Department regarding implementation of the new 45Z clean fuel production tax credit.

Lastly, EPA rightfully noted in its proposal that climate-smart agriculture practices can measurably reduce corn ethanol’s carbon intensity. ACE continues to move forward with its USDA project, in partnership with top land-grant scientists and Sandia National Lab, to validate current model results showing significant GHG benefits of climate-smart farming practices on ethanol’s carbon footprint. “We have briefed top EPA leadership on this project and want to work in collaboration with the Agency to ensure corn ethanol's benefits are acknowledged by EPA as part of the climate solution,” Jennings concluded.



Clean Fuels Expresses Frustration with EPA’s RFS Proposal for 2023 - 2025

Today, Clean Fuels Alliance America and its members testified at the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Public Hearing for RFS Standards for 2023–2025 and Other Changes,” held via teleconference. Clean Fuels staff expressed frustration with the proposed volumes for biomass-based diesel because they do not match the volumes that are already in the market and do not account for expected growth in capacity and feedstocks.

“The proposed rule significantly undercounts existing biomass-based diesel production and fails to provide growth for investments the industry has already made in additional capacity, including for sustainable aviation fuel,” Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen stated in testimony to EPA.

According to data from EPA’s Moderated Transaction System, the U.S. market exceeded 3 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2021 and 2022. The Energy Information Administration’s Short Term Energy Outlook, which until this proposal has informed EPA’s decisions on annual RFS volumes, projects a 500-million-gallon increase in biodiesel and renewable diesel consumption for 2023. But EPA’s proposed volumes for the biomass-based diesel category limit growth in the category to 65 million gallons per year through 2025 and do not reach 3 billion gallons even in the final year.

Clean Fuels Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik stated at the hearing, “Clean Fuels is once again frustrated that EPA has the wherewithal needed to determine current production, the knowledge of the investments being made, and the resources to accurately determine feedstock availability -- yet proposes a no growth scenario.” Clean Fuels members highlighted investments that have been made to increase biodiesel and renewable diesel production and distribution capacity, pointing to the successful USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program as one source of investment.

Clean Fuels members also highlighted the availability of additional supplies of feedstocks such as soybean oil and canola that will result from more than $4.75 billion in new investments in processing capacity.

Rehagen added, “In addition to growing volumes above and beyond the proposed rule, the clean fuels industry is meeting and exceeding all of the statutory factors that EPA is supposed to consider when setting BBD volumes. Increasing production of clean fuels through the RFS improves U.S. energy security, lowers diesel fuel prices, and generates carbon and emission reductions today that are necessary to meet future national environmental goals. Additionally, our members are generating new jobs and increasing economic opportunities for growers, fuel producers and other economic sectors.”

Kovarik concluded his testimony by stating, “In finalizing the overdue rules for 2021 and 2022, Administrator Regan committed to increase availability of homegrown fuels, put the RFS program back on track, and deliver certainty and stability. Today, however, EPA is failing to follow through. Where the 2022 volumes were supposed to be a jumping off point for growth in advanced biofuels, the proposed 2023 volumes return to the same flat line we experienced in prior years.”



USDA Expands Eligibility, Enhances Benefits for Key Disaster Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made updates to several conservation, livestock and crop disaster assistance programs to give more farmers, ranchers, and tribes the opportunity to apply for and access programs that support recovery following natural disasters.  Specifically, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) expanded eligibility and enhanced available benefits for a suite of its programs. These updates will provide critical assistance to producers who need to rebuild and recover after suffering catastrophic losses of production and infrastructure due to natural disasters.

FSA has updated the following programs: The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP), the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).  

“As I meet with producers across the country, I have gained a better understanding of the ways in which our programs work—and the ways in which they can be improved to better support all producers, especially those who are working to rebuild their operations after a disaster,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “This set of updates to our disaster assistance programs reflects FSA’s commitment to listening to producers and responding to their needs wherever we have the authorities to do so. We are confident that these changes will increase the both the accessibility and efficacy of our disaster assistance programs, consistent with our goal to build equity into the fabric of our work at the FSA.”

Conservation Disaster Assistance Updates
 FSA updated ECP to:
    Allow producers who lease Federally owned or managed lands, including tribal trust land, as well as State land the opportunity to participate.
    Provide advance payments, up to 25% of the cost, for all ECP practices before the restoration is carried out, an option that was previously only available for fence repair or replacement. The cost-share payment must be spent within 60 days. 

Additionally, Congress also authorized the Federal government to pay 100% of the ECP and EFRP cost for damage associated with the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in New Mexico. This fire burned over 340,000 acres from April 2022 to June 2022 and was the largest wildfire in recorded history in New Mexico. ECP and EFRP cost-share assistance is typically capped at 75%.  This policy change for 100% cost-share applies only to those locations impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

ECP and EFRP provide financial and technical assistance to restore conservation practices like fencing, damaged farmland or forests.

Livestock Disaster Assistance Updates
FSA also expanded eligible livestock under ELAP, LFP and LIP. Specifically, horses maintained on eligible grazing land are eligible for ELAP, LFP and LIP. Many family farms and ranches use their forage to raise horses to augment their other agriculture endeavors. FSA recognizes that animals maintained in a commercial agriculture operation, add value to the operation and could be available for marketing from the farm. FSA regulations have been updated to include these animals as eligible livestock 

Horses and other animals that are used or intended to be used for racing and wagering remain ineligible.

Ostriches are also now eligible for LFP and ELAP. FSA is making this change because ostriches satisfy more than 50% of their net energy requirement through the consumption of growing forage grasses and legumes and are therefore considered “grazing animals”.

This change for ostriches is effective for the 2022 program year for both LFP and ELAP. ELAP requires a notice of loss to be filed with FSA within 30 days of when the loss is first apparent.  Because this deadline may have passed for 2022, FSA is extending the deadline for filing notices of loss through March 31, 2023.

LIP and ELAP reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that died as a result of a qualifying natural disaster event or for loss of grazing acres, feed and forage. LFP provides benefits for grazing losses due to drought and eligible wildfires on federally managed lands. 

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance
NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters. Basic NAP coverage is equivalent to the catastrophic level risk protection plan of insurance coverage, which is based on the amount of loss that exceeds 50% of expected production at 55% of the average market price for the crop. 

Previously, to be eligible for NAP coverage, a producer had to submit an application (Form CCC-471) for NAP coverage on or before the application closing date. For 2022, if a producer has a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (Form CCC-860) on file with FSA, it will serve as an application for basic coverage for all eligible crops having a 2022 application closing date and all NAP-related service fees for basic coverage will be waived for these producers. 

FSA will notify all eligible producers who already have the CCC-860 certification form on file of their eligibility for NAP basic coverage for 2022. To potentially receive NAP assistance, producers who suffered losses due to natural disasters in 2022 should file an acreage report as well as a notice of loss with the FSA at their local Service Center. 

Producers who are interested in obtaining NAP coverage for 2023 and subsequent years should also contact their local FSA county office for information on eligibility, coverage options and applying for coverage. 

Reporting Losses
Producers impacted by a natural disaster should report losses and damages and file an application with their FSA county office. Timelines for reporting losses and applying for payments differ by program. 

For LIP and ELAP, producers will need to file a Notice of Loss for livestock and grazing or feed losses within 30 days and honeybee losses within 15 days. For LFP, producers must provide a completed application for payment and required supporting documentation to their FSA office within 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the grazing loss occurred.

For NAP, producers should contact their local FSA office for guidelines on submitting a notice of loss and filing an acreage certification.

More Information 
The updates to these programs build on other Biden-Harris administration efforts to improve disaster assistance programs, including additional flexibility in obtaining Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) basic coverage for socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource and veteran farmers and ranchers.    

Previous enhancement to the ELAP provide program benefits to producers of fish raised for food and other aquaculture species as well as cover above normal expenses for transporting livestock to forage and grazing acres and transport feed to livestock impacted by qualifying drought. And earlier updates to the LIP payment rates better reflect the true market value of non-adult beef, beefalo, bison and dairy animals. 

Yesterday, FSA announced it would begin accepting applications for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two and the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) on Jan. 23, 2023, through June 2, 2023. ERP Phase Two is designed to fill gaps in the delivery of program benefits not covered in ERP Phase One and improves equity in program delivery to underserved producers.  PARP will help address gaps in previous pandemic assistance, which was targeted at price loss or lack of market access, rather than overall revenue losses.



ADM introduces new crop biostimulant to boost nutrient use efficiency and yields

ADM, a global leader in agricultural origination and processing, today announced the introduction of its new agricultural biostimulant that boosts corn yields by improving nutrient use efficiency. In multiyear trials hosted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, NeoVita™ 43 biostimulant, plus with liquid starter fertilizer, increased corn yields up to seven bushels/acre versus starter fertilizer alone.

“NeoVita 43 can help farmers capture more value from available nutrients by supercharging microbial activity in the rhizosphere, thereby making more nutrients accessible to plants,” said Graig Whitehead, ADM director of biologicals and new technology. “For farmers using liquid in-furrow treatments at planting, this offers an easy and cost-effective way to boost yields and optimize fertilizer use efficiency.”

NeoVita 43 is formulated to closely mimic the plant root exudate that supports soil microbial activity to promote nutrient availability and uptake by the plant. By increasing the availability of these key nutrients to the soil microbiome early in the growing season, developing plants can increase nutrient uptake and get off to a stronger start, which can lead to higher yields.

ADM collaborated with the University of Illinois to design, implement and analyze research trials to evaluate the performance of NeoVita 43.  In every trial across multiple years and locations, NeoVita 43 boosted yields over the untreated check when used alone or with starter fertilizer. Following this consistently positive performance, ADM expanded testing efforts to precommercial on-farm trials with ADM Fertilizer customers in 2022.

“The University of Illinois has been collaborating for multiple years with ADM and others to test biostimulant products to help ensure their efficacy,” said Fred Below, Ph.D., professor of plant physiology, University of Illinois. “Biostimulant products like NeoVita 43 – ones’ whose performance claims can be validated by third-party data – show great promise to help improve the sustainability of farming by improving use of available nutrients and increasing yields.”

The new biostimulant can be applied with liquid starter fertilizer at planting and does not require additional mixing or special handling. It will be available in 275-gallon totes through ADM Farm Direct Fertilizer and participating ag retailers. The MSRP is expected to be less than $8 per acre.

ADM anticipates expanding university testing in 2023 to evaluate the opportunity for NeoVita 43 in other crops. The company is also developing additional proprietary biostimulant blends to further boost yields and agricultural sustainability.