Monday February 06 Ag News

 RURAL NEBRASKANS MORE PESSIMISTIC IN 2022, POLL SHOWS

Rural Nebraskans are more pessimistic about their current and future well-being, as well as changes in their communities, according to the 2022 Nebraska Rural Poll.

Since its beginning 27 years ago, the poll has asked respondents about their current situation, as well as their outlook on the future. This year, the proportion believing they are worse off than they were five years ago was 21%, up from 11% last year. This is the highest level since 2013, when 26% believed they were worse off.

However, the increase in pessimism about the future did not translate into increased pessimism about the present. This year, half of rural Nebraskans surveyed believe they are better off compared to five years ago, similar to the 52% reported last year. What did shift was the proportion saying they are about the same as they were five years ago. This year, three in 10 think they are about the same, a decline from nearly four in 10 last year.

The increased pessimism is also reflected in respondents’ expectations of their well-being 10 years from now, said Becky Vogt, manager for the Rural Poll. Respondents’ optimism about the future has declined slightly in the past three years. Forty-four percent of rural Nebraskans surveyed believe they will be better off in a decade. This has steadily declined from 52% in 2019, the highest proportion across all years of the study.

“While current conditions in rural Nebraska are challenging, respondents still have a favorable view of the future,” said Steve Schulz, associate professor of supply chain management at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The past three years have also seen an increase in feelings of powerlessness by rural Nebraskans. The proportions that either strongly disagree or disagree that people are powerless to control their own lives have steadily declined the past three years, from 54% to 47%. The proportion that either strongly agree or agree with the statement has steadily increased from 24% in 2019 to 34% this year.

As might be expected given the increased inflation rates at the time of the survey, respondents were less satisfied with their financial security during retirement and their current income this year. Satisfaction with their financial security during retirement decreased from 49% to 41%. Similarly, satisfaction with their current income level declined from 59% to 53%.

Rural Nebraskans surveyed are also less positive about the current change and expected future change in their communities this year. For the second year in a row, the proportion believing their community has changed for the worse during the past year was greater than the proportion saying it has changed for the better. In fact, the proportion saying their community has changed for the worse was 31%, the highest proportion in the survey’s history. Similarly, the proportion believing their community will be a worse place to live 10 years from now increased to 27% this year, the highest proportion in the survey’s history.

“This speaks to the reality that what worked for communities in the past may no longer be what people are looking for in the future,” said Amanda Tupper, Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension educator. “Yet as many communities have focused their efforts on attracting and retaining people, this changing community landscape opens the door to an opportunity to engage with current residents to identify those key factors impacting satisfaction with community change and reverse the negative trend.”

This year, rural Nebraskans surveyed are less positive about the leadership in their community. While 55% agreed their community leaders did a good job overall in 2015 — the first year the poll asked about leadership — only 48% agree this year. Respondents are also less likely to believe they are preparing youth to be effective community leaders.

Other findings from this year show that rural Nebraskans surveyed see technology as a tool that can be used by community leaders to engage more residents. Fifty-three percent agree or strongly agree that community leaders should use technology such as mobile apps or social media to better engage with residents. Younger Nebraskans specifically see the value in using technology. Respondents also believe getting more residents to take leadership roles in their community is critical to its future, as well as volunteering. Even so, many say they are volunteering less.

“Hope for rural communities is not a whimsical concept that is difficult to measure,” Schulz said. “Hope requires community members to recognize the will for improvement and the way or path for improvement in the future. Consistent perceptions about the importance of community leadership and growing pessimism about current leaders in rural Nebraska could create opportunities and challenges for the future. The development of the next generation of leaders in rural Nebraska will require increased community engagement and volunteerism to be successful”

This year, 1,105 rural Nebraskans completed the Nebraska Rural Poll — an 18% response rate.  

The poll, now in its 27th year, is sent to 7,000 households annually in rural communities across the state. It is the largest annual poll gauging rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 3%. Complete results are available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics conducts the poll with funding from Nebraska Extension.



NRCS and NRDs Partner on Dam Assessments

To ensure water infrastructure safety, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on several dam assessments across the state.

In 2022, nine floodwater reduction dam assessments were completed with four NRDs – Lewis & Clark, Lower Elkhorn, Lower Platte North and Lower Platte South. The cities of Norfolk and Plattsmouth were also joint local partners.

Dam assessments are detailed inspections that analyze the current hazard classification, determine if the dam meets current design standards and evaluate if any deficiencies are present. In some cases, corrective action may be listed to address deficiencies or to meet design standards. Dam assessments are funded under the NRCS Watershed Rehabilitation Program, which was authorized in 1981.

“NRCS is pleased to provide technical and financial assistance to partners like NRDs and communities for addressing dam safety,” said Nebraska State Conservationist Rob Lawson.  “Our purpose is to help local sponsors identify any needed improvements to ensure long-term structural integrity.”

NRCS’s first focus is to complete assessments on dams that provide flood protection upstream of towns and cities. Because of their location, these structures are classified as “high hazard” by the state of Nebraska and thus receive top priority for review.

“While local sponsors have done a great job operating and maintaining dams over the years, repairs or alterations may be needed as infrastructure ages,” said NRCS Dam Safety Engineer Bob Sullivan. “Many of these structures were built 40 to 60 years ago.”

On behalf of participating NRDs, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) coordinates the dam assessments with NRCS and local engineering firms.

“Completing these assessments is the first step in securing additional federal funding to help address any dam deficiencies that may be found,” said NARD Executive Director Dean Edson. “This program is vital in helping NRDs protect the lives, property, and future of Nebraskans.”

This partnership will continue in 2023 with 18 additional dam assessments planned across Nebraska.



Elkhorn Valley Cattlemen to host Banquet April 1
Allan Louthan, President

The Elkhorn Valley Cattlemen Association is excited to announce that they are bringing back their association banquet. Please make plans to join us on Saturday, April 1, in the Community Building at the Stanton Co Fairgrounds. We will kick off the evening with a social at 6:30 pm followed by a prime rib meal at 7:00 pm. This banquet is an opportunity for friends of the beef industry to share in an evening of education and fun.

Please consider donating to help our association support youth scholarships along with promotion and education events in Madison and Stanton counties. Banquet sponsorship levels:
 - Grand Champion $500 – includes 4 banquet tickets.
 - Reserve Champion $300 – includes 2 banquet tickets.
 - Purple Ribbon $200 – includes no banquet tickets.

If you would like to support our organization, please mail your check to:
    Elkhorn Valley Cattlemen
    Allan Louthan
    84488 569 Ave.
    Stanton NE 68779
    402-841-6601

Tickets to the banquet can be purchased for $45. To purchase tickets, contact Allan Louthan 402-841-6601 louthanmaines@hotmail.com or Will McClymont 402 649-3195. Deadline for ticket purchase is March 20. We look forward to seeing you on April 1st!



Carter names UNL chancellor search advisory committee

University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter announced today that he has appointed a 16-member committee of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to help guide the search for the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The search committee will be chaired by Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Other members are:
·         Jason Ball, president, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
·         Mike Cassling, chairman and CEO, Cquence Health Group.
·         Lawrence Chatters, executive associate athletic director for strategic initiatives, Husker Athletics.
·         Jacob Drake, UNL student body president/student regent and a senior political science major.
·         Megan Elliott, Johnny Carson Endowed Director in Emerging Media Arts, UNL.
·         Alex Fernando, assistant director of recruitment for UNL’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
·         Venn Jemkur, executive vice president of UNL’s Graduate Student Assembly and a graduate student in appeal design.
·         Kelli Kopocis, UNL Faculty Senate president-elect and an assistant professor of practice in the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction.
·         Lisa Lunz, president, Ag Builders of Nebraska.
·         Mark McHargue, president, Nebraska Farm Bureau.
·         Debbie Minter, UNL Faculty Senate president and an associate professor in the Department of English.
·         Marilyn Moore, board president, Nebraska Alumni Association.
·         Moises Padilla, director of UNL’s Nebraska College Preparatory Academy.
·         Don Voelte, board chair, University of Nebraska Foundation.
·         Catherine Wilson, associate professor in the Nebraska College of Law.

Carter thanked all members of the university community who submitted nominations for the committee.

“I’m excited to bring together this broad group of Nebraskans who care deeply about the next chapter for our flagship university,” he said. “They will play a crucial role in our search for the right person to lead UNL forward. We thank them in advance for the commitment, input and leadership they will bring to this important process.”

Among other duties, members of the search advisory committee will help gather and provide stakeholder input on the qualities the next chancellor should possess and key opportunities and challenges facing the university. The committee also will work with AGB Search, the firm hired by Carter to assist with the chancellor search, to develop a position profile, identify potential candidates and review applications.

All members of the university and broader communities are invited to attend a series of listening sessions this week to provide input on the chancellor search. Listening sessions begin Tuesday and include both in-person sessions on the UNL’s City and East campuses as well as Zoom sessions. 

Feedback on the search may also be submitted directly at https://go.unl.edu/unl-chancellor-search.



PASTURE LEASING RATES
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator

Pasture rental rates are predicted to increase by 3.5% in 2023; pegging the third consecutive year of significant rental increases. Establishing fair pasture rates can be a challenge. The most popular method is using ‘current market rates’ based on average county rental rates for each county or region of the state. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service provides annual average county pasture values each August. In 2022, Nebraska regional rates ranged from $14 in Northwest to $40 in Southcentral to $89 in the Northeast.

The UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability also provides updated pasture rental values in the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Survey. Values are provided as cash rental rates along with cow-calf pairs and stocker rates. For current rates visit the Nebraska Farm Real Estate website at: http://cap.unl.edu/realestate

Those in severe drought impacted regions might consider pricing leases based on grazing animal unit months (AUM’s) OR rent per head per month of grazing; rather than flat rates per acre or cow-calf pair. A clause might be added to cover livestock water in case water sources go dry. Typically, pasture weed control is a landlord expense; but if the pasture was overgrazed due to drought; weed control costs might be shared between land owners and tenants.

Finally, stocker or feeder cattle producers might consider a rent per pound of gain method For example, the tenant might pay 50 to 60 cents to the pasture owner for each animal pound gained during the pasture grazing.

More educational resources such as the new Nebraska Extension Budget sheets are available online at: cap.unl.edu; cropwatch.unl.edu or beef.unl.edu. 



Nebraska Agri-Business Association Holds 65th Annual Exposition and Announces Industry Awards

The 65th Nebraska Agri-Business Exposition was held January 24-25, 2023 for the first time in Kearney, Nebraska at the Younes Conference Center North. This day-and-a-half event consisted of educational training in conjunction with the Nebraska Extension’s Crop Production Clinics and a show of vendor exhibits.

The Nebraska Agri-Business Association (NeABA) honored industry leaders at its annual convention in Kearney on Monday, January 23. Steve Wellman, 27th Director of Agriculture was awarded the 2022 Association Partner Award. This award highlights individuals outside the association’s membership, who have contributed to agriculture in a significant way through their profession. Under Director Wellman’s guidance, his department provided leadership and clear communication with industry leaders during challenging issues, including flooding and COVID supply chain disruptions.

Gene Liebig was recognized with the “Award of Industry Distinction.” This special honor is not given annually and is reserved for individuals who have been dedicated to the mission of the Association during his lifetime. Gene lives in Kearney. His over 40-year career included working for Cornbelt Chemical, United Suppliers, Meridian Ag Distribution and Simplot.

Gene served in many leadership roles for the Association, including two terms on the Board of Directors. He was active on numerous committees and spent time traveling to Washington DC to advocate for the industry.

Gene’s greatest impact on the Association was his dedication to attending, supporting and encouraging others to be involved. The Association could always count on Gene to step up when support was needed. He believed in the mission and was an advocate for the importance of having a strong organization representing the ag retail industry. He continually worked to grow the membership, participation, and involvement of others.

These awards were presented by Shannon Harney, Chairman of the Association and an Oakland, Nebraska resident. Shannon is the location manager for Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC in Oakland and Ashland, Nebraska.

Presented by Michael Killinger, Association Board Member was the “Robert L. Anderson Industry Person of the Year” award. This award honors a member of the Nebraska Agri-Business Association for their exemplary service to the industry. The recipient is Jesse Trotter of Trotter Grain & Fertilizer in Arcadia, Nebraska. Jesse officially joined the family business in 1987 and currently has the role of managing the fertilizer operation and coordinating the Trotter ag retail locations in Central Nebraska. As a hands-on manager, Jesse certainly wears many hats that have contributed to the success and growth of Trotter Grain & Fertilizer.

In the last 30 years Trotter has expanded their fertilizer operation in Ord to include a bulk liquid storage facility, creating the need for Trotter Trucking. Additional fertilizer storage and plants were added at Litchfield and Merna, bringing their fertilizer operation to 16 locations.

The first “Applicator of the Year” award was presented to Jason Majors of George Brothers Fertilizer & Propane in Sutton, Nebraska. This award was established to recognize a commercial applicator providing outstanding service, good stewardship in their community and exceptional leadership through mentoring or training.

Jason started his application career in 1994 with Sutton Coop Grain. In 2004, he joined George Brothers as an applicator and over the last 10 years, has added the role of training new applicators to his duties. Jason enjoys being a mentor for new applicators and sharing his knowledge of the machine and expectations of a quality application. He is a great role model, teacher, and source of information for the next generation of applicators.

In addition to receiving the association award, Scott Bieck of Landmark Implement awarded Jason with a Hagie jacket.

Four years ago, the Nebraska Certified Crop Adviser (NeCCA) program began honoring those Certified Crop Advisers with longevity in the program with specially designed lapel pins. This year was no different with eighteen Nebraska CCAs becoming 25-year veterans in the program. They are Darren Barker, Mitch Brase, Keith Byerly, Kelly Clevenger, Timothy Dozier, Arlis Eitzmann, Troy Frank, William Nejezchleb, Steven Nelson, Timothy O’Brien, Randall Pierce, Joseph Potts, Ronald Rickert, Monte Roetman, Galen Samuelson, John Skalsky, Darren Sudbeck, and Michael Wilkens.

The Nebraska Agri-Business Association represents ag retailers, major manufacturers and distributors of fertilizer, crop protection, seed, equipment, and other ag inputs. Nebraska Agri-Business Association provides unified leadership and influence creating tangible economic and educational value for Nebraska’s crop production industry professionals.

The Nebraska Agri-Business Association is a trade association representing agricultural retailers, applicators, distributors and manufacturers of agriculture input products, supplying and servicing Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers. Our members produce, sell and provide custom application of fertilizer and crop protection chemicals.



Workshop series for veterans focuses on poultry farming

Military veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops highlighting a poultry producer specializing in egg production.

This course is free for active military service members and military veterans.

Hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs, the 11-session series, “A Year in the Life of a Poultry Producer,” runs Feb. 22 to Aug. 26. The workshops are presented in English and will rotate between online classroom sessions and on-farm sessions with an online option.

“In our classroom sessions, participants will hear from experts and learn business and financial skills and resources applicable to any type of agricultural operation,” said Kirstin Bailey, senior project associate for the Center. “During the on-farm sessions, an experienced farmer will go through the ins and outs of poultry production, as they demonstrate knowledge of a particular enterprise on their farm.”

Session topics include obtaining proper equipment, maintaining adequate facilities, setting up grazing systems, working with a butcher, and more.

Farmer-leaders with experience in various types of agriculture (such as poultry, pork, beef, beekeeping) will be available to assist participants throughout the course’s online platform.

For more information or to register, contact Bailey at 402.870.2390 or kirstinb@cfra.org.

Participant stipends are available to cover approved expenses such as travel, meals, and child care. Individuals are welcome to attend with family members. For on-farm events, physical accommodations may be made upon request.

Find a detailed schedule, including dates and times of sessions, at cfra.org/events.



Nebraska Wheat Board Calls for Funding Proposals

The Nebraska Wheat Board issued its call for funding proposals for consideration for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM Central Time on Friday, February 17, 2023 and must be in the form of a proposal – not a contract. Proposals must specifically state the planned activity, goals and objectives relating to the mission of the Nebraska Wheat Board.

The Nebraska Wheat Board invests the excise tax levied at the point of first sale. Nebraska Wheat Board priorities include wheat production research, trait development in wheat, white wheat development, advancement of hybrid wheat, improvement of spring wheat varieties, nutrition education, and wheat promotion.

First reading of all proposals will be held in February, second reading will take place in June, along with funding announcements. All questions regarding the funding proposal process should be directed to the Nebraska Wheat Board office.



Holding the Line Against Mexico’s GMO Corn Decree: NCGA’s Capitol Hill Congressional Briefing

A major disruption to the market for U.S. corn is set to take effect in one year, as a decree by Mexico’s President would ban the import of GMO corn effective January 31, 2024.

Historically, Mexico is the number one market for U.S. corn, and so it should surprise no one that the National Corn Growers Association has been active in pushing back, with strong support from the Biden administration in Washington.

NCGA is urging the administration to hold the line and file a dispute settlement under the USMCA to hold Mexico accountable to their obligations under that trade agreement.

In order to build awareness of the issue in Congress, on January 31 NCGA held a well-attended briefing for Congressional staffers with an all-star panel of experts:
    Rep. Adrian Smith from Nebraska, chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade
    Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Jason Hafemeister
    NCGA President Tom Haag
    Nebraska grower Andy Jobman

And the discussion was moderated by NCGA Vice President of Communications Neil Caskey.



USDA Settles Packers and Stockyards Act Case with Robert Lenz, d.b.a. Lenz Livestock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reached a consent decision with Robert Lenz, doing business as Lenz Livestock (Lenz) of Carroll, Iowa, on Sept. 13, 2022, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.

An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that Lenz failed to pay timely for 118 head of livestock purchased for $98,368 between Jan. 19, 2022, and Feb. 1, 2022. Lenz’s payments were between 26 and 93 days late.

In addition, on Jan. 19, 2022, Lenz issued a check in payment for 30 head of livestock for $30,313, which was returned unpaid by the bank. The financial institution returned the check because Lenz did not have sufficient funds in the account.

Under the consent decision, Lenz agreed to cease and desist from failing to pay, when due, the full purchase price of livestock and issuing insufficient checks for his livestock purchases. Lenz is suspended as a registrant under the Act for two years. However, Lenz is permitted to engage in salaried employment by another registrant or packer properly and adequately bonded.

The P&S Act requires subject entities to issue the full payment for livestock by the close of the first business day following purchase and transfer of possession. Failure to timely pay for livestock purchases and failure to deliver livestock for which payment has been accepted are unfair trade practices and are violations of the P&S Act.

The P&S Act is a fair trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat, and poultry industries.



Naig Encourages Applications for the 2023 Century & Heritage Farm Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1.

The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

“Iowa’s multi-generational farm families are the backbone of our state and the Century and Heritage Farm Program recognizes their hard work, strength, resilience and perseverance,” said Secretary Naig. “Each year I look forward to recognizing these families, hearing their stories, and celebrating their legacies at the Iowa State Fair.”

To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program. Please complete the application and return it to:
Century and Heritage Farm Program
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. Ninth St.
Des Moines, IA 50319

You may also send a written request for an application to the address above, or contact Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or kelley.reece@iowaagriculture.gov.

To be included in the 2023 Century or Heritage Farm Program, completed applications must be received by the Department by 11:59 pm on June 1, 2023.

This year marks the 47th anniversary of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 20,000 farms from across the state have received this recognition.

This is the 17th anniversary of the Heritage Farm Program. More than 1,600 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006. To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit centuryfarms.iowaagriculture.gov/. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Department’s website.

The ceremonies recognizing the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 17 in the historic Livestock Pavilion.



An Assessment of January 1, 2023, USDA Cattle Report
Stephen R. Koontz, Dept of Ag and Resource Economics, Colorado State University

The USDA releases the Cattle report on the last day of January. This information is as of the first of the year. The report is the most thorough look at the inventory of cattle and calves in the country. This is the inventory base from which all marketing of beef for the coming years will be sourced. The January version of this twice per year report is the more comprehensive. Cattle producers in all 50 states are surveyed. And it is good to remember that this information is based on a survey. The USDA samples producers and then extrapolates the sample responses to the population of producers. The appropriateness depends on the representativeness of the sample and the sample response. In this context we see that several statistics from the prior year were revised. All cattle and calves and the calf crops from the January and July reports in 2022 were revised. The first slightly higher and the second slightly lower. Both changes were fractions of a percent, but exercise reinforces the idea of a sample versus the underlying population.
 
The inventory of all cattle and calves were estimated to be 89,274.1 thousand head on January 1, compared to 92,076.6 thousand head on the same date in 2022. This is a reduction of 3.0%. The states with the largest inventories are Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California, and Oklahoma. Thirty-four states showed reductions in inventories, six showed essentially no change, and ten states showed increases in inventories. The nationwide drought is and has been impacting inventories and has been having the greatest impact on states with the largest numbers. Oklahoma showed a 11.5% decline, North and South Dakota showed 6.4% and 6.6% reductions. Iowa, Ohio, and Mississippi were all down 5.5% or slightly less. California, Arizona, and New Mexico were steady. And increases were only in Missouri, Hawaii, and states with more dairy animal numbers.

There is a difference between what is occurring in the beef herd and the dairy herd. Beef cows that have calved were down 3.6% from 29,983.1 to 28,917.9 thousand head. While dairy cows that have calved were up 0.3% from 9,377.1 to 9,402.5 thousand head. So in total all cows and heifers that have calved were down 2.6% from 39,360.1 to 38,320.4 thousand head. This is the sharpest drop in beef cow numbers and all cow and heifer numbers in over 20 years.

Cow numbers are down sharply and heifer numbers are more sharply. All heifers 500 pounds and over are down 3.7%. And within this inventory number, beef cow replacements are down 5.8% from 5,481.5 in 2022 to 5,163.7 thousand head on January 1 this year. Milk cow replacements are down 2.3% and other heifers are down 3.2%. Beef cows have been liquidated largely because of drought and forage costs while heifers have been placed on feed and sold into the beef production system.

Reflections on the calf crop reveal tightening, of course, and more substantial tightening of numbers in the second half of last year. The calf crop in the first half of 2022 was estimated to be down 1.6% while the smaller calf crop in the second half of the year was down 3.2%. And finally, feeder animal supplies available on January1 – these are animals under 500 pounds and animals over 500 not categorized as being herd replacements – are 25,266.5 thousand head and down from 25,990.2 on January 1, 2022. This is down 2.8%. This number was only tighter in 2014-15 and roughly as tight during 2012-13. It is reasonably clear that when cattle producers think about herd building or rebuilding it will be from starting conditions that are tighter than was the case in 2012-13.



Students to Celebrate Agriculture and Leadership Around the Country

This month, FFA members around the country will celebrate agriculture and FFA during National FFA Week.

Today, FFA provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world. As the nation’s top school-based youth leadership development organization, FFA helps young people meet new agricultural challenges by encouraging members to develop their unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. FFA members are our future leaders, food suppliers, innovators and more!

Whether through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about the National FFA Organization’s role in developing future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.

National FFA Week always runs from Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, George Washington's birthday. This year, the week kicks off on Feb. 18 and culminates on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, to recognize Washington's legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, and the organization has been influencing generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more.

“National FFA Week is a meaningful week for members across our country as we celebrate the organization, share the message of positive youth development through FFA and promote agriculture,” said National FFA Advisor Dr. Travis Park. “During this week, FFA chapters across the country celebrate agriculture while thanking their supporters — their local alumni chapters, agriculture teachers, or local businesses. Today, FFA and agricultural education continue to play a key role in developing the next generation of leaders and those who will fill the ever-growing need in the talent pipeline across our food systems.”

National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to share agriculture with their fellow students and communities. During FFA Week, chapters also give back to their communities through various service projects.

The six national FFA officers will connect with chapters across the country throughout the week — delivering keynotes, greetings, workshops and more.

President Andrew Seibel will visit with FFA members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Western Region Vice President Ryan Williamson will visit FFA members in Delaware and West Virginia. Eastern Region Vice President Gracie Murphy will visit with FFA members in Mississippi and Louisiana. Central Region Vice President Karstyn Cantrell will visit with FFA members in Alabama and Tennessee. Southern Region Vice President MacKenna Clifton will visit with FFA members in Indiana and Michigan. National FFA Secretary Jess Herr will visit with FFA members in Oregon and California.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.



The Plant-based Lie That Needs to Die
National Milk Producers Federation

There it was, #5 on a New York Times list of “10 Nutrition Myths Experts Wish Would Die.”

“Plant Milk is healthier than dairy milk.”

“It’s just not true,” said Kathleen Merrigan, professor of sustainable food systems at Arizona State University and a deputy secretary of agriculture under President Barack Obama, in the article. But indeed, the myth persists, despite how plant-based beverages have much-lower protein, numerous additives of dubious value, and a lack of uniform quality that should give anyone pause.

It’s also not shocking the misinformation continues. Money talks, and the plant-based sector is well-funded, with plenty of media allies and a ready-made base of support in a vegan community that insists a diet that’s impossibly difficult to follow and prone to malnourishment should be adopted by everyone. It also comes down to the names of the products themselves. If (whatever substance of the moment) is put in front of the word “milk,” then a false impression of nutritional equivalence, if not superiority, is easy to create. If that weren’t the intention, the plant-based beverage peddlers wouldn’t be doing it.

The good news is, nutrition experts are seeing through it – hence endorsement of integrity in dairy labeling from the American Academy of Pediatrics and others. And consumers are seeing through it, which is why we’re seeing data like this, in which after years of gains, the plant-based tide is starting to recede.
But we still have the problem of the federal government -- specifically the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- which often lags behind science and citizens.

Until the FDA enforces its own standards of identity for milk by getting dairy terms right – reserving them for the real thing to distinguish them from the nutritionally deficient concoctions that hide behind milk’s health halo – the lie of “healthy” plant-based “milk” is likely to persist. And as we’ve seen, that lie is proving difficult to eradicate.

For the sake of well-informed consumer choice, and better health and nutrition, it’s important that the government do its job to dispel the lie of plant-based beverages masquerading as “milk.” On that list, labeling integrity is #1.  



USDA’s Farm Service Agency Helps Farmers and Ranchers Tackle Challenges

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has worked to assist distressed borrowers, improve land access for underserved producers and provide disaster assistance and relief for producers impacted by natural disasters. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also gave producers and landowners tools to help with climate-smart land management and made great strides in supporting USDA’s priorities of improving equity in program delivery and helping producers rebound and recover after natural disasters, the pandemic, and other challenges in the past two years.

“Although we are always considering ways to improve our programs and looking for growth opportunities, I am extremely proud of the extra effort and ingenuity our employees have put forth over the past couple of years – exceptionally difficult years defined by an economic-crippling pandemic and catastrophic natural disasters – to ensure agricultural producers received the quality service they have come to expect and deserve from FSA,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.  “For 2023, FSA remains committed to continually evaluating how we can deliver our programs in a manner that is meaningful to the farmers and ranchers we serve and demonstrates our ongoing dedication to improving customer service and enhancing equity in program delivery.”

Key highlights from the past two years include:
    In 2022, FSA provided nearly $800 million in assistance to distressed borrowers with direct and guaranteed loans to help cure delinquencies and resolve uncollectable farm loan debts. Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act provided $3.1 billion for USDA to deliver this relief for distressed borrowers and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. FSA is currently working with borrowers to address complex cases and help producers with cashflow challenges. In 2023, additional opportunities for financially distressed borrowers to receive payments will begin. FSA will start by contacting direct borrowers, or a guaranteed borrower’s lender, to validate payment amounts.

    The Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program invests up to $300 million in funding to support projects that enabled underserved producers to access land, capital and markets. Land access is critical to the success of agriculture. Underserved producers have not received the amount of specialized technical support that would benefit the launch, growth, resilience and success of their agricultural enterprises. USDA accepted applications for the program through Nov. 18, 2022 and anticipates announcing selections in 2023.

    In 2022, USDA launched the Loan Assistance Tool to help farmers and ranchers better navigate the farm loan application process. FSA experiences a high rate of incomplete or withdrawn applications, particularly among underserved customers, due in part to a challenging and lengthy paper-based application process. This uniform application process helps to ensure all farm loan applicants receive equal support and have a consistent customer experience with FSA regardless of their individual circumstances. Access the Loan Assistance Tool at farmers.gov/farm-loan-assistance-tool.

    FSA administers several programs designed to help agricultural producers recover from the impacts of natural disasters including drought, winter storms, hurricanes and more. Over the past two years, FSA has paid more than $3.5 billion through these disaster programs and has made several policy enhancements to better meet the recovery needs of producers who have suffered significant production and physical losses on their operations.  FSA expanded the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program to 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 to transport feed to livestock impacted by qualifying drought. FSA also updated the Livestock Indemnity Program payment rates to better reflect true market value of non-adult beef, beefalo, bison and dairy animals. In the wake of devastating tornadoes and derechos in 2021, FSA designed a new program to deliver direct assistance to producers who lost critical grain storage facilities and struggled to meet their on-farm storage capacity needs. USDA also just announced expanded program benefits and improvements to several conservation, livestock and noninsured crop assistance programs to ensure these programs are reaching all producers in need including underserved producer groups.   

    Building on the existing suite of USDA disaster assistance programs that help offset losses and manage risk incurred as a result of natural disaster events USDA rolled out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP). In 2022, FSA implemented ERP Phase One, which delivered more than $7 billion in payments to commodity and specialty crop producers. FSA also delivered more than $600 million through ELRP to livestock producers who experienced losses to drought and wildfire in calendar year 2021.   USDA recently announced additional relief through ERP Phase 2 for producers who suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue in 2020 or 2021 due to losses of eligible crops from a qualifying natural disaster event.  

    In 2022, FSA took steps to improve coverage through the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), especially for small- and mid-sized dairies. This included offering a new Supplemental DMC (SDMC) program and updating its feed cost formula to reflect the actual costs dairy producers pay for high-quality alfalfa hay. For 2022, SDMC paid producers nearly $3 million.  DMC provided $76.6 million to dairy producers who had coverage in 2022, and the signup for 2023 closed on Jan. 31, 2023. In additional safety-net support, FSA provided more than $2.1 billion in critical support through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs to mitigate fluctuations in either revenue or prices for certain crops.

    FSA updated the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to improve their environmental benefits while expanding the reach of the program. In 2021, FSA added a Climate-Smart Payment Incentive and higher payment rates for CRP as well as tweaked CREP to allow for added staffing capacity and to better include organizations including Tribes. Just this past year, FSA enrolled about 5.6 million acres into the CRP through its General, Continuous and Grassland signups in 2022. This surpassed the 3.9 million acres expiring this year. Grassland CRP had its largest signup in history, enrolling 3.1 million acres.

Producers can explore all FSA farm loan and disaster assistance options at www.farmers.gov or by contacting their local USDA Service Center.



APHIS Celebrates 2022 Accomplishments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is celebrating the Agency’s many successful efforts to protect American agriculture and natural resources over the past year.

“APHIS has worked hard this year to safeguard U.S. agriculture and natural resources.” said Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “Whether it was preparing for or responding to foreign animal disease outbreaks, providing funds to protect plant health, updating regulatory processes, or any of our other accomplishments, our work this past year has reflected the goals of protecting producers and ensuring consumers have access to safe, nutritious and affordable food.”

Some of the Agency’s major accomplishments this year include:

Responding to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Since February 2022, APHIS has fought what has become the largest foreign animal disease outbreak in U.S. history—the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in 47 States, affecting more than 57 million birds.  As an experienced emergency response agency, APHIS effectively worked with state partners to set up a national response aimed at quickly identifying new cases of HPAI and working to stop the spread of the virus.  The Agency worked to respond to the changing situation, including developing strategies to meet hiring and deployment needs for emergency responders, and streamlining various response processes including testing and surveillance.

Protecting Crops and Natural Resources from Invasive Pests and Diseases
APHIS allocated more than $70 million to support 372 projects under the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation; to safeguard the nursery production system; and to respond to plant pest emergencies. Universities, states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and Tribal organizations are carrying out selected projects in 49 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. These projects include Asian giant hornet research and eradication efforts in Washington and other states; exotic fruit fly survey and detection in Florida and California; and forest pest detection tools, control methods development, or outreach in 19 states, including Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. APHIS also set aside $15.5 million to rapidly respond to invasive pest emergencies.

Supporting Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Activities
In 2022, APHIS made $24.5 million in funds from the 2018 Farm Bill available for projects under the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. This funding is part of an overall strategy to help prevent animal pests and diseases from entering the United States and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions through advance planning and preparedness. The funds will support cooperative or interagency agreements between APHIS and States, universities, livestock producer organizations, Tribal organizations, land-grant universities, and other eligible entities.  It will also support the nationally coordinated network and partnership of Federal, State and university-associated animal health laboratories.

APHIS invested an additional $30 million in the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, which allows APHIS to stockpile animal vaccines and other related products.  This serves as an effective insurance policy in the extremely rare chance of an outbreak of certain high-consequence foreign animal diseases, like foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Enhancing Awareness of African Swine Fever Through the ‘Protect Our Pigs’ Campaign
APHIS launched new efforts to help prevent the introduction and spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the United States through an outreach and awareness campaign called “Protect Our Pigs.” The United States is one of the world's largest pork producers and the second largest exporter of pork globally. If this deadly, highly contagious, viral disease arrives here, it is estimated it could cost the nation $50 billion dollars over 10 years. Commercial pork producers, veterinarians, and pig owners are among the nation’s first line of defense against ASF. The Protect our Pigs campaign deployed a variety of outreach efforts to support these critical stakeholders, including downloadable fact sheets and posters, instructional videos, shareable social media graphics, and a new interactive biosecurity guide. To date, these efforts have appeared in people’s social media feeds over 38 million times and led to nearly 150,000 visits to the Protect our Pigs web page. APHIS will continue these efforts in 2023 to support our stakeholders and keep this deadly disease off our shores.

Hosting Second African Swine Fever Action Week
APHIS hosted its second African Swine Fever (ASF) Action Week from October 10-14, 2022. While ASF has never been detected in the United States, the 2021 detection in the Dominican Republic and Haiti was the closest to the U.S. in decades. APHIS partnered with industry and states to enhance already strong safeguards to protect U.S. swine from this costly disease. During ASF Action Week, APHIS hosted a Live Twitter Q&A with subject matter experts and a live webinar on the latest APHIS and industry prevention actions.  APHIS reached 8,000 stakeholders with detailed information on ASF detection and prevention via the Twitter Q&A and APHIS social media posts on ASF were viewed by more than 37,000 stakeholders.

Updating the Biotechnology Regulatory Process
When APHIS updated its biotechnology regulations in 2020, it included a new process to evaluate plants developed using genetic engineering for plant pest risk.  This process, known as regulatory status review, focuses on the properties of the plant rather than on its method of production and ensures the biotechnology regulations keep pace with the latest science and technological advances.  In 2022, APHIS completed seven regulatory status reviews – first on a new tomato variety followed by six other plant varieties.  This streamlined process allows APHIS to better focus Agency resources on the prevention of plant pest risk.

Protecting Animals and the Public from Rabies
APHIS continued its annual distribution of RABORAL V-RG®, an oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait, in the eastern United States to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies into America’s heartland. In August, APHIS Wildlife Services and its operators began distributing ORV baits across rural areas by airplane and in suburban or urban areas by helicopter, vehicle and bait station. APHIS distributed baits in Maine, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. Rabies is a serious public health concern. While rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it also is 100% preventable and APHIS will continue its efforts to control it.

Finding New Solutions to Chronic Wasting Disease
In 2022, APHIS provided over $9 million in CWD funding to 27 States and 6 Tribes or Tribal organizations, continuing its support of chronic wasting disease (CWD) management.  They will use this funding to further develop and implement CWD management and response activities in wild and farmed cervids (e.g. deer, elk). CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to the death of the affected animal. New tools and approaches will help our partners better manage wild and farmed cervids at risk for the disease.

Strategic Planning with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Protect the Nation’s Agriculture, Trade, and Commerce
APHIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released the 2022 – 2026 Joint Agency Strategic Plan for their shared Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) program. The AQI program plays a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture and the environment by preventing the introduction and spread of potentially devastating plant pests and animal and plant diseases. APHIS and CBP work together at the Nation’s borders and ports of entry to carry out AQI program activities to intercept and exclude any foreign agricultural pests that could affect U.S. agriculture, trade, and commerce. In this joint mission, the strategic plan will guide program activities and set the program’s focus for the next 5 years, driving planning and setting mission priorities.