Thursday February 16 Ag News

Rural Mainstreet Economy Records Slow Growth for February: Nine of Ten Bankers Gauge Ethanol as Important to Economy

For a third straight month, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) climbed above the growth neutral threshold, 50.0, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

Overall: The region’s overall reading in February remained above the growth neutral threshold. The February index declined to 50.1 from 53.8 in January. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.   

“The Rural Mainstreet economy continues to experience slow economic growth. Only 7.4% of bankers reported improving economic conditions for the month with 85.2% indicating no change in economic conditions from January’s slow growth,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.  

Farming and ranching: The region’s farmland price index decreased to 63.5 from January’s 66.0. This was the 29th straight month that the index has advanced above 50.0.   

Farm equipment sales: As a result of solid farm financial conditions, the farm equipment-sales index stood at 52.1, which was down significantly from January’s much stronger 61.4. The index has risen above growth neutral for 25 of the last 27 months.  

Ethanol: Not surprisingly, ethanol represents an important industry for the region, which contains 72.9% of the nation’s ethanol plants and accounted for 75.8% of U.S. ethanol capacity for 2022. Approximately 88.4% of bank CEOs reported having ethanol plants in their rural area. Roughly 91.3% of bankers with an ethanol plant in their economy indicated that it was an important industry for their local economy.  

To meet President Biden’s CO2 reduction goal contained in his Inflation and Deficit Reduction Act, ethanol plants would be required to reduce their CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030. This will likely mean the capture and sequestration of the CO2 or the closure of a high share of the plants.   

Bankers were asked for their position on the delivery of CO2 via pipelines for sequestration.  Regarding the capture and sequestration of CO2 from ethanol plants in their area, approximately 63.0% of bankers support this process assuming adequate compensation to farms over which the pipelines cross. Approximately 23.1% of bankers expect that the use of imminent domain will be required to allow underground pipelines to cross farmland in their area.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska Rural Mainstreet Index moved above growth neutral to 53.1 in February from 53.6 in January. The state’s farmland-price index for February declined to 64.6 from 69.5 in January. Nebraska’s February new-hiring index slumped to 49.9 from 53.7 in January. Nebraska, with 12.5% of the nation’s ethanol plants, accounted for 12.9% of U.S. ethanol capacity, and ranked second in the 10-state region in 2022 ethanol production.

Iowa: Iowa’s February RMI increased to 56.9 from 56.3 in January. Iowa’s farmland-price index fell to 63.7 from January’s 70.6. Iowa’s new-hiring index for February moved down to 48.8 from January’s 55.1. Iowa, with 21.4% of the nation’s ethanol plants, accounted for 27.0% of U.S. ethanol capacity, and ranked first in the 10-state region in 2022 ethanol production.

The survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. The index provides the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey and launched it in January 2006.



Nebraska Soybean Board Sponsors Truck Side Campaign Promoting Biodiesel

The Nebraska Soybean Board is proud to announce a truck side campaign promoting the use of biodiesel fuel in the state. This effort is aimed at raising awareness about a homegrown market and encouraging Nebraskans to ask for it and make the switch to this clean, renewable fuel source.

The campaign will run on select trucks traveling throughout Lincoln, Omaha and along the interstate out to North Platte, reaching a wide audience and spreading the message about the benefits of biodiesel.

The truck side campaign features eye-catching graphics and messages highlighting the many advantages of biodiesel, including lower emissions, improved fuel lubricity and increased performance. Biodiesel is made from domestically produced, renewable resources such as soybean oil and offers numerous advantages over traditional diesel fuel. Not only is it better for the environment, but it also supports local farmers and boosts the state’s economy, adding over 70 cents per bushel to the value of soybeans and a 4% reduction in overall diesel fuel prices (Trinity Consultants and Clean Fuels Alliance America).

“We’re proud to sponsor this important campaign and help raise awareness about one of the many versatile uses of soy,” said Wesley Wach, NSB demand and utilization coordinator. “We believe that by promoting the use of a product made with Nebraska soybean oil, we can help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and support our local farmers and communities.”

Biodiesel blends can be purchased at over 40 retail locations in Nebraska and is available for producers to have delivered on-farm. Contact your local fuel supplier about using a blended fuel in your operation.

The Nebraska Soybean Board is dedicated to supporting the state’s soybean farmers and promoting the use of soy-based products, including biodiesel. Learn more about biodiesel at biodieselNE.com.



DICAMBA USE DEADLINE TO REMAIN AS JUNE 30 IN NEBRASKA

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton recently sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) objecting to a label revision for the herbicide dicamba and a proposed early cutoff date for its use. Today, NDA was notified that the cutoff date for dicamba products in Nebraska will remain as June 30.

“At this late date, Nebraska producers have already made their 2023 planting decisions and have likely purchased seed and pesticide products to implement their plans,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “The proposed early cutoff date of June 12 for dicamba use would negatively impact this growing season for many farmers in Nebraska. We appreciate the EPA retaining the June 30 cutoff date for this year.”

Nebraska was one of six states that the EPA discussed the use of an early cutoff date with. NDA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Nebraska Pesticide Act. Under the Act and a cooperative agreement with EPA, NDA registers all pesticides used in Nebraska.'



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding the EPA’s Announcement on Dicamba’s Spray Cut Off Date

“Today’s EPA announcement to maintain the application deadline of June 30 for Nebraska farmers to use dicamba is welcome news. We thank State Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton for her efforts to oppose moving the dicamba application deadline to earlier than the June 30 cutoff.”

“Nebraska Farm Bureau has been a strong advocate for preserving the current dicamba spray window. As Nebraska’s largest farm and ranch organization, we represent producers who are reliant upon a diverse collection of crop protection products. Time and again our members have strongly supported its use and opposed efforts to move the application deadline earlier than the current June 30 cutoff.”

“Dicamba products are essential to address weed pressures in pre-plant and post-plant situations. Considering the need to manage weed threats effectively, all uses on the existing label, including over-the-top application, must also remain available to farmers. As resistance to some crop protection products has increased across the country, the need for diversification and innovation in this space cannot be understated. Again, we thank State Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton for partnering with Nebraska Farm Bureau to maintain the application deadline as June 30.”



Managing yards for cattle comfort
Alfredo DiCostanzo, UNL Beef Systems Extension Educator

Whether cold days are in store for the remainder of the winter of 2022-2023 is anybody’s guess. Watching weather patterns for the last two weeks and looking ahead at the forecast for the next 10 days shows little to no precipitation for northeast Nebraska.  That is certainly good news as cattle yards need time to recover from the effects of freezing rain and snow that accumulated since early December.  

Cattle feeders and managers indicated that, once December rolled in with precipitation, pen conditions deteriorated and performance was affected.  Cold effects on performance of cattle in the feedlot generally do not include reductions in feed intake.  Yet, some feeders have reported that intake suffered, particularly in cattle close to finishing weight. Cattle on high-energy diets experiencing cold conditions generally do not respond by reducing intake. Intake reductions by cattle on feed are likely the response to lot conditions leading to extreme discomfort caused by cold and wet conditions.

This observation leads one to understand the implications lot conditions can have on cattle comfort, which ultimately affect performance.  By the time lot conditions affect performance, it is too late to plan on adding more concrete surfacing or enhancing draining in the yard until the next spring or summer comes around.  Therefore, cattle feeders, managers and their crews are left with a single option:   managing yards for cattle comfort.  

If concrete surfaces within the pen (aprons and alleyways) are grooved, scraping these once or more weekly before and during cold and wet periods should aid cattle movement and access to water and feed while creating a relatively dry space for cattle to lay down when these areas are less used.  This is particularly important in pens where the terrain slopes towards the feed bunk.  Use of squeegee blades is recommended for most open lot applications as manure is extremely wet and difficult to control with a steel-only blade.

Any loafing area on high ground, surfaced or not, should also be considered for scraping, particularly after a snow fall.  Indeed, many feedlot managers remove snow from high areas using box scrapers.  Wherever possible, addition of bedding to these loafing areas, once free from snow, is recommended.  

Although building a long-term bed pack on loafing areas is not the objective, planning for bedding to build bedding height in a short time is.  Therefore, the initial application of bedding should be at the rate of 8 to 10 lb per head of cattle expected to use the loafing area; subsequent application rates of 4 to 6 lb per head twice or three times a week will be necessary to keep building the pack.  If cold and wet conditions last 120 days each winter, 200 lb bedding per head should be inventoried each fall to cover this need (one large round bale for every 8 head or 13 large round bales for each 100 head).  

More frequent scraping may help when insufficient bedding is available.  Bed packs should be removed as soon as pen conditions improve or if the pack is deteriorating rapidly because of moisture.  Moisture wicking is a clear indication that the pack is no longer effective at providing cattle comfort and must be removed immediately.

In an ideal world, 24 square feet of surface should be planned for loafing by each animal in the pen.  The reality is that, in many situations, being able to set aside that much space for loafing may not be realistic.  This is why it is important to keep concrete alleyways and aprons clear of mud and wet manure.  

Bales reserved for use as bedding are generally laid out as temporary wind breaks around pens, they will be delivered onto for bedding.  Bale delivery does not need to be complicated but net wrap removal is highly recommended (not the easiest task or one without risk).  Net wrap will get caught in manure spreader beaters reducing spreading effectiveness.  Use of telehandlers to deliver unwrapped bedding bales to the bedding site, although slow, permits reaching loafing areas from alleyways or aprons.  Bale grinders work well but must be driven to within 20 to 30 feet of the loafing area.

Could feedlot pens in Northeast Nebraska benefit from adding concrete surfaces?  The answer to this question is complex and depends on situations specific to the feedlot and pen.  Pens with flat surfaces may benefit more than those with slopes.  Yet, excessive slopes should not be surfaced for various reasons.  Regardless, when one considers surface preparation and concrete surfacing, the costs of laying a concrete pad with rebar range from $6 to $8/square foot.  Adding 24 square foot of concrete surface per head to extend an apron, add an alleyway (leading towards the back of the pen or water tank) or surfacing a loafing area would cost $168/head with concrete work at $7/square foot.  

Not considering other costs (bedding, if appropriate, or labor to scrape) and depreciating this investment in 20 years leads to a yearly cost of $8.40 per head space or $0.023 per head space daily.  At an average fed cattle price over 20 years of $1.25/lb, one would require having 7 lb extra gain per head space per year to cover this cost.  Assuming this investment in concrete is to surface a loafing area and 200 lb of bedding are needed yearly adds another $10 for bedding cost.  Without considering the costs of labor to deliver bedding and remove the pack for land application, investing in surfacing and bedding a loafing area has projected costs close to $20 per head space per year.  An additional 16 lb of gain per head space per year would be needed to cover this extra cost.  

Although the labor costs of bedding delivery and removal along with manure application were not included in this determination, fertilizer value of manure derived from bedding removed from the pen was not included either.  When fertilizer prices are high, the value of manure from bed packs has reached $60 per head space per year.  Therefore, it is quite possible that costs associated with bedding labor and returns derived from manure application derived from bedding cancel each other out.  This leaves a need to justify adding concrete for an expected additional gain of 16 lb per head space per year.



National Drought Summary for February 14, 2023
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Summary
An active weather week over much of the South, Southeast and portions of the Midwest allowed many locations in eastern Oklahoma, northern Arkansas, central Mississippi, northern Florida, southern Georgia and into coastal areas of South Carolina to record above-normal precipitation. Dry conditions dominated the West and northern Plains. Temperatures were well above normal in the northern Plains and upper Midwest, with departures of 15-20 degrees above normal. Most areas east of the Missouri River were above normal for the week with departures of 5-15 degrees above normal common. Cooler-than-normal temperatures dominated the intermountain West and into the Four Corners region where temperatures were 5-10 degrees below normal for the week.

Midwest
An active storm pattern through Missouri and into Illinois and Michigan was the focus of the widespread precipitation through this portion of the region. Areas of the upper Midwest as well as the eastern extent of the region were quite dry for the week. In the storm track, most areas were well above normal for weekly precipitation and some recorded over 400% of normal for the week. Temperatures for the week were well above normal for the entire region with areas of the upper Midwest 12-16 degrees above normal. The active weather over some of the drought areas allowed for improvements this week. Most of Missouri had a full category improvement with just some lingering moderate drought in the southwest and in the far northwest corner of the state. Abnormally dry conditions were removed from southern Illinois and improvements were made in western and northern portions of the state. Southern portions of Iowa also saw enough improvement in the indicators to show improved conditions. The region was also being impacted by widespread precipitation after the data cutoff for this week, and this new information will be analyzed in the next map.

High Plains
Temperatures for the week were warmest over the eastern and northern extent of the region with departures 10-15 degrees above normal while the western areas were 5-10 degrees below normal in portions of Wyoming and Colorado. Most of the region was dry this week with the exception of eastern Kansas where over 200% of normal precipitation was recorded for the week. As temperatures warmed up and the benefits of the snowpack over portions of southern South Dakota and northern Nebraska started to be observed, improvements were made this week to the drought intensity levels along the South Dakota and Nebraska borders. A full category improvement was also made to conditions in eastern Kansas where more moderate drought was eliminated and improvements to severe and extreme drought were made in southeast portions of the state. Some slight degradation was introduced in Wyoming where severe drought was expanded in the east and southwest portions of the state.

Looking Ahead
Over the next 5-7 days, a storm system will track out of the Four Corners region and onto the Plains, bringing with it widespread precipitation from Colorado, through the Plains and into the Midwest. Widespread precipitation is also expected throughout the South and into the Mid-Atlantic where up to 2-3 inches of rain is anticipated. Much of the southern and northern Plains as well as the West will be dry during this time. Temperatures are expected to be above normal over much of the southern Plains, Midwest and eastward with departures of 8-10 degrees above normal. Cooler-than-normal temperatures are expected over the central to northern Plains, and over the West where departures of up to 15 degrees below normal will be expected over Wyoming.

The 6–10 day outlooks show above-normal chances of below-normal temperatures over the northern Rocky Mountains, the Pacific Northwest and much of the West. The best chances of above-normal temperatures will be over the Southeast and through much of the South and Mid-Atlantic. Most of the country is showing above-normal chances of recording above-normal precipitation with the best chances over the Great Basin and in the Mid-Atlantic. South Texas and the peninsula of Florida are still showing a better likelihood of below-normal precipitation.



NE A-G Hilgers Joins Multistate Lawsuit against EPA to Protect States’ Sovereignty Over Water and Land

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined a coalition of more than 20 states in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers, asking a federal court to vacate the newly published final rule redefining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and declare it unlawful.

The new final rule is the culmination of a decades-long rulemaking process to define the geographic reach of the EPA's and Army Corps of Engineers' authority in regulating streams, wetlands, and other water bodies under the Clean Water Act. It follows the Trump Administration's 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which offered a more restrained vision of federal jurisdiction under the CWA.

Most notably, the new rule redefines "navigable waters" to include ponds, certain streams, ditches, and other bodies of water under the CWA, as determined by the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers.

According to the coalition, the flawed and unlawful rule will affect farmers who may need to get permission from the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to fill or dredge wetlands or waterways, depending on whether those features fall under the federal government's purview. Developers, miners, and other property owners wishing to use their land will also face implications.

The lawsuit noted that the EPA and Army Corps rushed to issue the final rule even though the Supreme Court is expected to issue a key decision on the scope of WOTUS in just a few weeks' time.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments last October in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, a years-long battle over the reach of the CWA. Nebraska joined a 26-state coalition in support of the petitioners, Michael and Chantell Sackett.

The coalition's lawsuit indicated that "if the final rule is left in place, then ranchers, farmers, miners, homebuilders, and other landowners across the country will struggle to undertake even the simplest of activities on their own property without fear of drawing the ire of the federal government."

"Landowning Americans of all stripes will thus be left with a choice: (a) fight their way through an expensive and lengthy administrative process to obtain complex jurisdictional determinations and permits or (b) face substantial civil and criminal penalties. The Final Rule's ambiguous environmental benefits do not justify any of this," according to the lawsuit.

Nebraska joined Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming in the lawsuit.



Nebraska FSA Reminds Producers of Application Period for New Natural Disaster, Pandemic Assistance Programs
 
Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding producers of the availability of two programs announced by USDA earlier this year that wrap-up and fill remaining gaps in previous natural disaster and pandemic assistance. The Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 and the 2020 Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) are revenue-based assistance programs, and producers who are interested in applying will need to use information from their tax documents or other personal financial records as part of the application process.

The application period is open now through June 2, 2023.

“Producers have faced a host of crises in recent years,” said John Berge, Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency state executive director. “ERP 2 and PARP are different from other FSA disaster programs. They focus on the revenue of the producer in order to fill in gaps previous assistance programs may have missed. It’s a holistic approach that will help provide producers with the support they need to continue feeding our communities.

“Unlike most FSA disaster program applications, those for ERP 2 and PARP rely heavily on a producer’s personal financial records,” Berge said. “It will require some effort on the producer’s part to generate the financial information necessary to determine program eligibility and complete the application or applications.”

Nebraska FSA is coordinating with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Agricultural Profitability for an educational webinar on these two programs. It is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 2. Registration for the webinar is free and can be found at cap.unl.edu/webinars. FSA officials also briefly will highlight other disaster assistance programs during this webinar, including those designed to address the ongoing drought.

To be eligible for ERP Phase Two, producers must have suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue in 2020 or 2021 due to necessary expenses related to losses of eligible crops from a qualifying natural disaster event. Assistance will be primarily to producers of crops that were not covered by federal crop insurance or NAP, since crops covered by federal crop insurance and NAP were included in the assistance under ERP Phase 1. However, producers who received ERP Phase 1 payments are not prohibited from applying for ERP Phase 2.

To be eligible for PARP, an agricultural producer must have been in the business of farming during at least part of the 2020 calendar year and had a 15 percent or greater decrease in allowable gross revenue for the 2020 calendar year, as compared to either 2018 or 2019, whichever year the producer selects to use as the baseline year. 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. When calculating gross revenue, this program will account for previous pandemic-related assistance payments made to producers, such as Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 1 and 2 payments and Emergency Relief Program Phase 1 payments, among others.

For more information, producers should contact their local USDA service center or reference the ERP Phase Two Fact Sheet, PARP Fact Sheet or the ERP Phase Two-PARP Comparison Fact Sheet. Websites for each program can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/emergency-relief and www.farmers.gov/coronavirus/pandemic-assistance/parp.    



Fischer Announces Appropriations Subcommittee Assignments

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today announced her subcommittee assignments for the Senate Appropriations Committee, which helps shape the federal government’s spending policies.

“Nebraska is proudly one of the top agricultural producers in the country. We are home to a number of critical military facilities like Offutt Air Force Base. Issues like broadband deployment, law enforcement funding, and EPA overreach are also important to communities across the state. These subcommittee assignments will ensure Nebraskans have greater input into the programs and agencies that directly impact our state on a regular basis,” said Sen. Fischer.

Sen. Fischer will serve on the following Appropriations Subcommittees:
    Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
        Has jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
    Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
        Has jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Justice.
    Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
        Has jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
    Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
        Has jurisdiction over U.S. Department of Defense facilities and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Legislative Branch (Ranking Member)
        Has jurisdiction over the U.S. Capitol Police, Architect of the Capitol, Congressional Budget Office, and Library of Congress.

Sen. Fischer will continue to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee; the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; and the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Fischer also retained her membership on the Senate Rules Committee, where she will be Ranking Member.

 

I-29 Moo University Presents Dry-off Can Be More Than Just Dry Cow Therapy Webinar On Mar. 9

The I-29 Moo University 2023 Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, March 9 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CST with a focus on new research for the complete management of the dairy cow at dry-off. The program will be presented by Dr. Luciano Caixeta.

“Listeners will learn about the best management practices for dairy cow dry-off resulting from this new research,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Dr. Caixeta will present and discuss data from a field trial investigating the use of an acidogenic bolus (Bovikalc Dry) at dry-off. In the study we enrolled almost 1,000 cows in the upper Midwest and analyzed the impact of this management strategy at dry-off on udder health, milk production, reproductive performance, and herd removal of cows. In addition, he will discuss the economic impact of this new management strategy.

Luciano Caixeta is an Assistant Professor of Dairy Production Medicine at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Luciano was born and raised in Brazil where he was involved in beef cattle production from a young age. He obtained his DVM degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the Universidade Federal de Goiás in his home town of Goiânia, Brazil. Upon completing his DVM training, he moved to Cornell University where he completed a residency in production medicine and a clinical fellowship at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. He also obtained his PhD degree in animal sciences from Cornell University. Before joining the U of M in 2017, Luciano was a clinical instructor in Dairy Population Health Management at the Colorado State University for 2 years.

Dr. Caixeta’s research program focuses on investigations about metabolic and infectious diseases during the transition period, the development and utilization of immunotherapeutics, and in the use of holistic approaches to understand the networks that form the complex biological systems of living animals (dairy systems biology).

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, preregistration is required at least one hour before the webinar. Preregister online at: https://go.iastate.edu/PEXNVY.

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Heidi Carroll, 605-688-6623.



USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Signup for 2023

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023. CRP is a cornerstone voluntary conservation program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and a key tool in the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to address climate change and help agricultural communities invest in the long-term well-being of their land and natural resources.  

“The Conservation Reserve Program is one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, offering a range of conservation options to farmers, ranchers and landowners,” Vilsack said. “CRP has and continues to be a great fit for farmers with less productive or marginal cropland, helping them re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat. Under this administration, we have made several updates to the program to increase producer interest and enrollment, strengthen the climate benefits of the program and help ensure underserved producers can find a pathway to entry into CRP.”  

Producers and landowners enrolled more than 5 million acres into CRP through signups in 2022, building on the acceptance of more than 3.1 million acres in the largest Grassland CRP signup in history. There are currently 23 million acres enrolled in CRP, with 1.9 million set to expire this year. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is aiming to reach the 27-million-acre cap statutorily set for fiscal year 2023.  

General CRP
General CRP helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Additionally, General CRP includes a Climate-Smart Practice Incentive to help increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping producers and landowners establish trees and permanent grasses, enhance wildlife habitat, and restore wetlands.  

Continuous CRP
Under Continuous CRP, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap. The Climate-Smart Practice Incentive is also available in the Continuous signup.  

FSA offers several additional enrollment opportunities within Continuous CRP, including the Clean Lakes Estuaries and Rivers Initiative (CLEAR30), the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) Initiative, the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP), and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The CLEAR30 Initiative, which was originally piloted in twelve states in the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay watershed, has been expanded nationwide, allowing producers and landowners to enroll in 30-year CRP contracts for water quality practices. Under this administration, FSA also moved SAFE practices back to the Continuous CRP signup, giving producers and landowners more opportunities to participate in the initiative. Through the FWP, producers and landowners can enroll land in CRP as part of their efforts to restore previously farmed wetlands and wetland buffers, to improve both vegetation and water flow.  

This administration has also made significant improvements to CREP, which leverages federal and non-federal funds to target specific State, regional or nationally significant conservation concerns. Specifically, USDA made significant improvements to CREP to reduce barriers and make the program more accessible to a broad range of producers and new types of partners. These updates included flexibility for partners to provide matching funds in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or technical assistance, along with an investment in additional staff to work directly with partners. Through CREP, for the first time ever, three Tribal Nations are now partnering with USDA to help conserve, maintain, and improve grassland productivity, reduce soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat.  

Grassland CRP
FSA will announce the dates for Grassland CRP signup in the coming weeks. Grassland CRP is a working lands program, helping landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland and pastureland and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as working grazing lands. Protecting grasslands contributes positively to the economy of many regions, provides biodiversity of plant and animal populations, and provides important carbon sequestration benefits to deliver lasting climate outcomes.   

How to Sign Up
Landowners and producers interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before their deadlines.  

Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land.



Wheat Growers Encourage Additional MAP and FMD Funding

As Congress gears up for Farm Bill reauthorization, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) are announcing advocacy tools and resources to engage with their legislators on the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act (S. 176) and Agriculture Export Promotion Act (H.R. 648), which the wheat industry welcomed. Because half of the wheat grown in the United States is exported, wheat growers have a deep understanding of the importance of trade and market development.

Earlier this month, lawmakers introduced this bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would strengthen the effectiveness of the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD). MAP’s authorized funding has not changed since 2006 and FMD funding has remained the same since 2002, so inflation and sequestration have significantly eroded the ability to compete with other countries who are steadily investing more in their agricultural export promotion efforts.

If enacted, this legislation would double funding for these agricultural export market development programs administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). The Expanding Agricultural Exports Act was originally introduced by Senators Angus King (ME), Tina Smith (MN), Joni Ernst (IA), Chuck Grassley (IA) and Susan Collins (ME). The Agriculture Export Promotion Act was originally introduced by Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA), Jim Costa (CA), Tracey Mann (KS), Kim Schrier (WA), Ashley Hinson (IA), Jimmy Panetta (CA), Brad Finstad (MN) and Chellie Pingree (ME).

The wheat industry applauds Congress’s efforts to invest in these crucial programs. To highlight the importance of enacting this legislation, NAWG launched a grassroots campaign to help wheat growers encourage their Members of Congress to support these legislative efforts and have them included as part of the 2023 Farm Bill. Individuals can click here to participate in our grassroots advocacy campaign. Wheat growers are strongly encouraged to participate in the campaign to let their Members of Congress know how vital supporting these marker bills are to advancing agricultural exports.

“We are grateful for the work being done in Congress to lay the foundation for a strong 2023 Farm Bill that invests in programs that promote U.S. wheat and other agricultural products,” said NAWG President and Washington wheat farmer, Nicole Berg. “However, even with these marker bills that invest in the MAP and FMD program, we still have a long way to go in educating Members of Congress on why these resources are needed. We need wheat growers to help spread the word and tell the story of why this programmatic investment is necessary and how it would help grow our national economy. The campaign makes it easy for growers to contact their legislators, which truly makes a difference in how these decisions are made and votes are cast. I hope all growers participate, so our voices are heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill.”

“Our organization wants to thank our friends at NAWG for focusing on the need to increase MAP and FMD funding in the next Farm Bill,” said Rhonda K. Larson, USW Chair and a wheat farmer from East Grand Forks, Minn. “Studies have shown that the return on investment from MAP and FMD is very strong – but our activities overseas and impact are limited today by the erosion of these resources over time.”

A recent econometric study conducted by agricultural economists at IHS Market and Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports over the 2024 to 2029 time period. This would directly benefit farmers, livestock producers, dairy operators and small businesses as they work to maintain and expand their global presence. Read more at www.AgExportsCount.org.

The Agriculture Export Promotion Act must now be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee and House Agriculture Committee.



EPA Proposes Rule to Protect Farmworkers and Pesticide Handlers from Exposures

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule that would improve and modernize the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) requirements under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS), reaffirming the Agency’s commitment to protecting farmworkers, pesticide handlers, their families, and agricultural communities from pesticide exposure during National Pesticide Safety Education Month.

“EPA’s top priority is to protect public health and the environment, and today’s proposal is a significant step forward to further protect the farmworkers, farmers and pesticide handlers who deliver the fuel, fiber and food that runs America,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Farmworker justice is environmental justice, and we’re continuing to take action to make sure these communities are protected equally under the law from pesticide exposure.”

Application Exclusion Zone
The Worker Protection Standard regulations offer protections to over two million agricultural workers and pesticide handlers who work at over 600,000 agricultural establishments. In 2015, EPA made significant changes to the standard to decrease pesticide exposure among farmworkers and their family members. Less pesticide exposure means a healthier workforce and fewer lost wages, medical bills and absences from work.

Among the changes, the revised standard included a new provision requiring agricultural employers to keep workers and all other individuals out of an area called the AEZ during outdoor pesticide applications. The AEZ is the area surrounding an ongoing pesticide application that people must not enter to avoid exposure. An AEZ moves with the equipment during applications to protect farmworkers and bystanders that could be contacted by pesticides.

In 2020, the previous administration published a rule specific to the AEZ requirements, limiting the applicability of the protections to the agricultural employer’s property and shrinking the AEZ size from 100 feet to 25 feet for some ground-based spray applications. Prior to the effective date of the 2020 AEZ Rule, petitions were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the 2020 Rule (now consolidated as case number 20 Civ. 10642). The SDNY issued an order granting the petitioners’ request for a temporary restraining order. As a result, the 2020 AEZ Rule has not gone into effect, and the AEZ provisions in the 2015 WPS remain in effect.

Through its review, EPA has determined that the provisions in the 2020 AEZ Rule that weakened protections for farmworkers and nearby communities from pesticide exposure should be rescinded to protect the health of farmworkers, their families, and nearby communities.

Proposed Changes and Flexibilities
With today’s action, the Agency is proposing to reinstate several provisions from the 2015 WPS to strengthen protections for farmworkers and bystanders including:
Applying the AEZ
        beyond an establishment’s boundaries; and
        when individuals are within easements (such as easement for utility workers to access telephone lines).
Establishing AEZ distances for ground-based spray applications of
        25 feet for medium or larger sprays when sprayed from a height greater than 12 inches from the soil surface or planting medium; and
        100 feet for fine sprays.

Additionally, EPA is proposing to retain two provisions in the 2020 AEZ Rule that the Agency believes are consistent with the intent of the 2015 WPS AEZ requirements and are supported by information available to the Agency to provide more clarity and flexibility for farming families. EPA proposes to retain:
    a clarification that suspended pesticide applications can resume after people leave the AEZ; and,
    an “immediate family exemption” that allows only farm owners and the farm owners’ immediate family to remain inside enclosed structures or homes while pesticide applications are made, providing family members flexibility to decide whether to stay on-site during pesticide applications, rather than compelling them to leave even when they feel safe remaining in their own homes.

The proposed changes are a critical part of EPA’s efforts to protect the health of farmworkers and support the Agency’s priority to advance equity and justice for all communities. Learn more about EPA’s extensive efforts to train, support and enhance safe working conditions for agricultural workers at local, state, and national levels on EPA’s website.

Upon publication of the federal register notice, the proposed rule will be available for public comment for 60 days in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0133 at http://www.regulations.gov/.



USDA Extends Comment Period to May 1, 2023, for Proposed Revisions to the Procedures related to Red Meat Instrument Grading

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending to May 1, 2023, the deadline for receiving comments on its procedures related to the use of instrument technology in the official meat grading program. AMS announced on January 4, 2023, that it was seeking comments on several key enhancements to ensure USDA grading is delivered with the highest levels of consistency and accuracy. The original deadline for comments was February 17, 2023.

AMS is proposing more clarity about when new (or previously approved instruments that have undergone major changes) must go through a complete review process and how the instrument must perform. For example, AMS is proposing that all cameras be reviewed in evaluating both USDA Quality and Yield grade factors. In addition to updates to existing protocol, AMS is proposing several new requirements. For example, AMS has outlined in a new document the installation process for entities that will use the technology as an aid for USDA grading (e.g., packers). Additionally, AMS has developed new guidance for continual in-plant monitoring and for improved data sharing. These new procedures address issues related to performance in a production environment to ensure ongoing confidence in the technology and the USDA grading program as whole. AMS is also making administrative changes and is proposing to consolidate five previous guidance documents into one new document entitled “Instrument Approval Process, Instrument Grading Systems for Beef Carcasses”.

These proposed changes are, in part, based on recommendations from the American Meat Science Association (AMSA) Grading Committee. This committee was tasked with reviewing and providing recommendations to AMS for measures to ensure consistency, accuracy, and integrity in the grading system. AMS is also making recommendations based on its experience in administering the USDA meat grading program with the use of instrument technology for nearly 15 years.

In addition to ensuring reliability as a tool for official grading, AMS’s Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act and regulations require that, before the purchase, packers must make known to the seller the details of the transaction. Details include, when applicable, the expected date and place of slaughter, carcass price, condemnation terms, description of the carcass trim, grading to be used, accounting, and any special conditions. Any instrument used to assign what is commonly referred to as a “House Grade” falls under Section 201.99(e) of the P&S regulations.

Documents outlining the proposed changes can be found on AMS’s website at Carcass Instrument Grading | Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov). AMS welcomes feedback from all interested stakeholders.  Comments should be submitted to Dr. Willy Horne, AMS Livestock and Poultry Program, at Willy.horne@usda.gov by May 1, 2023. Questions regarding P&S compliance should be referred to Will Arce, Packers and Stockyards Division, at William.arce@usda.gov.



Zoetis Releases New Implant Applicator Exact10®

Zoetis has announced a new advanced implant applicator designed specifically for user ease and precision. The Synovex® Exact10® applicator features multiple design improvements* that allow for user comfort and ease, no matter what type of cattle operation. The Exact10 is compatible with every Synovex implant cartridge and makes the implantation process efficient and productive.

“We recognized the need for an applicator that was highly efficient and comfortable for extended use,” said Paul Parker, senior marketing manager, Zoetis. “Zoetis is committed to beef producers and innovation across the industry, so creating a tool that beef producers enjoy using was a top priority. The Exact10 applicator was crafted for comfort and ease of use without compromising precision.”  

The Synovex Exact10 applicator is specifically designed for implantation success and user satisfaction. The highlights of this design include:
    Ergonomic grip to give comfort and grip to all hand sizes.
    Balanced handle placement to reduce strain while maximizing control with ease.
    Pull-back t-handle that lets the user cock and advance without switching hands.
    Ambidextrous design allows users to operate the applicator with their preferred dominant hand.
    Retractable needle that reduces error and guesswork while implanting.
    Automatic last-dose alert to let the user know when it is time to change implant cartridges.
    Universal product usage across the entire Synovex implant portfolio.

The Exact10 complements the comprehensive line of Synovex implants offering growth enhancement options for every production phase from suckling calves to stockers to fed cattle.  

For more information on how the Exact10 applicator and Synovex implants fit your operation, consult your nutritionist and visit with your Zoetis sales representative. Find out more about Synovex implants and the Exact10 applicator at www.synovex.com.

Refer to individual labels for complete directions for use, precautions, and warnings. Reimplant only if and as directed in labeling.

*As compared to the SX10 Precision Applicator from Zoetis.