Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture! National Ag Week is March 19-25
Sherry Vinton, Director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Agriculture is more than the state’s number one industry. Agriculture is the heart and soul of Nebraska and worth celebrating every day, especially during National Ag Week, March 19-25. I started working for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in January and consider it a privilege to serve Nebraska’s ag industry as Director of NDA. I was born and raised in Nebraska and have been a part of Nebraska’s ag industry for many years. My family and I ranch south of Whitman in the Sandhills, so I know firsthand how important agriculture is for Nebraska and to the future of this great state. I’m proud to be part of Nebraska’s network of 45,000 farmers and ranchers who consistently deliver high quality ag products year after year.
Nebraska’s booming agricultural industry helps make this state’s economy strong. One in four jobs in Nebraska are connected to agriculture, and our state ranks number one in the nation in cash receipts per capita (2021, USDA).
Nebraska’s agricultural industry is in good shape because Nebraska farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses work hard, face challenges and come back stronger. We build on our past successes and look to the future in all that we do. With Nebraska agriculture, we have a lot to be grateful for and a lot to celebrate. Here are a few of Nebraska’s top national agriculture rankings compared with other states.
For beef, Nebraska is:
• #1 in commercial cattle slaughter (2021);
• #1 on all cattle on feed (tied with Texas) (Jan. 1, 2023); and
• #2 in all cattle and calves (Jan. 1, 2023), beef exports (2022), and commercial red meat production (2021).
Nebraska’s top national rankings feature beef, but at 3.5 million head and a number six ranking of all hogs and pigs on farms, the Nebraska swine industry is making its own mark (Dec. 1, 2022).
Our thriving livestock industry is only made better by our abundant and reliable supply of crops. In 2022, Nebraska ranked:
• #4 in the nation for corn production;
• #5 in grain sorghum production; and
• #6 in soybean production.
Nebraska’s abundant supply of crops is used for renewable fuels, too. In 2022, Nebraska ranked number two in ethanol production for a clean, reliable and renewable fuel source.
Boosted by strong crop production and top rankings in livestock production, Nebraska exported more than $9.3 billion in agricultural goods in 2021. That alone is a remarkable achievement. Remarkable and fitting, too, considering that Nebraska is the best place to grow agriculture. Nebraska has an abundance of natural resources including a unique landscape that supports all kinds of agriculture and a rich supply of water. Rangeland and seeded pastureland account for half of the land in our state. The High Plains Aquifer, also known as the Ogallala Aquifer, stretches through parts of eight states, but its most abundant water resource is in nearly two-thirds of Nebraska.
While Nebraska has everything needed to support all types of agriculture, our most important asset is our people. Nebraska is a land of pioneers. Determined, hardworking and inventive. Families still serve as the hub of the ag industry in Nebraska as Nebraska’s rich history of family farming has deep roots.
Many of Nebraska’s family farms have been in operation for generations. More than 9,000 Nebraska families have received the Aksarben Foundation’s Pioneer Award, which recognizes families who have held continuous ownership of their farm for at least 100 years, and more than 100 families have received the Heritage Farm Award, which honors those with a family-owned farm for at least 150 years (Nebraska Corn Board).
95 percent of farms in Nebraska are family owned (2017, USDA Census of Agriculture). Known for a hard-work ethic and a strong set of values, these families continue to produce the highest quality food products that help feed the world.
Nebraska farmers and ranchers are innovators, using precision agriculture, genetic advances in crops and livestock and modern equipment and methods to produce more using less resources. What happens in agriculture affects all of Nebraska and connects all of us, too. That’s why it’s important to share information about agriculture. Information helps people understand that agriculture is more than farming. It takes a whole industry of people to grow your food and get it to your table.
From the food on our tables to the fuel in our cars, agriculture is everywhere, and it’s an important part of our daily lives. In an ag state like Nebraska, agriculture is even more important to the people who live and work here in the good life.
Thank you for letting me use National Ag Week as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on Nebraska agriculture. During this week and always, remember to thank the farmers, ranchers and ag industry for providing us with the food, fuel and fiber that we depend on every day.
NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 6%
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.53 million cattle on feed on March 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 6% from last year. Placements during February totaled 435,000 head, down 12% from 2022. Fed cattle marketings for the month of February totaled 460,000 head, up 1% from last year. Other disappearance during February totaled 15,000 head, up 5,000 head from last year.
Iowa Cattle on Feed Report
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 620,000 head on March 1, 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from February and unchanged from March 1, 2022. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 535,000 head on feed, unchanged from last month but down 9 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,155,000 head, unchanged from last month but down 5 percent from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during February 2023 totaled 105,000 head, unchanged from January but down 9 percent from February 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 50,000 head, down 14 percent from January and down 30 percent from February 2022. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 155,000 head, down 5 percent from January and down 17 percent from February 2022.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during February 2023 totaled 103,000 head, unchanged from January and unchanged from February 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 47,000 head, down 6 percent from January and down 24 percent from February 2022. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 150,000 head, down 2 percent from January and down 9 percent from February 2022. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 5,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Down 4 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on March 1, 2023. The inventory was 4 percent below March 1, 2022.
On Feed - by State (1,000 hd - % LY - % LM
Colorado ......: 1,010 90 98
Iowa .............: 620 100 100
Kansas ..........: 2,460 98 100
Nebraska ......: 2,530 94 98
Texas ............: 2,780 95 100
Placements in feedlots during February totaled 1.73 million head, 7 percent below 2022. Net placements were 1.68 million head. During February, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 345,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 315,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 470,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 424,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 130,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 50,000 head.
Placements by State (1,000 hd - % LY - % LM
Colorado ......: 140 80 85
Iowa .............: 105 91 100
Kansas ..........: 425 99 85
Nebraska ......: 435 88 89
Texas ............: 360 103 95
Marketings of fed cattle during February totaled 1.74 million head, 5 percent below 2022. Other disappearance totaled 58,000 head during February, 2 percent below 2022.
Marketings by State (1,000 hd - % LY - % LM
Colorado ......: 155 82 91
Iowa .............: 103 100 100
Kansas ..........: 405 90 94
Nebraska ......: 460 101 92
Texas ............: 340 101 92
Nebraska Farm Bureau Report: Corn Replaces Soybeans as Top Commodity in Agricultural Trade
Corn is king when it comes to agricultural exports from Nebraska with international sales of corn bringing home the greatest value to Nebraska agriculture. That’s according to a report released by the Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB), Thurs. March 16. The report, “Nebraska Agriculture and International Trade”, is the latest in a series of analysis highlighting the importance of agricultural trade to Nebraska farmers, ranchers, rural communities, as well as the state’s broader economy.
“At a time when the Biden administration has done little to expand agricultural markets around the globe, our analysis shows that trade is vitally important to the economic future of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families and work must be done to expand trade opportunities in the months to come,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president.
The report, issued annually since 2017, acts as a barometer demonstrating the importance of trade to farmers, ranchers, and Nebraska’s economy. The estimates are calculated using the 2021 USDA trade numbers released in October 2022.
The success of international trade has led to agricultural exports consistently accounting for roughly 30 percent of each dollar going into the pockets of Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers. The “Nebraska Agriculture and International Trade” report provides a comprehensive look at Nebraska agricultural trade, the dollar impact on individual agricultural commodities, and how that translates to farmers, ranchers, and Nebraska counties.
“Nebraska was once again the fifth-largest agricultural exporting state in 2021 with exported agricultural commodities worth $9.2 billion, the first time Nebraska exports of commodities exceeded $9 billion and only the fourth time Nebraska exports have exceeded $7 billion,” said Austin Harthoorn, NEFB economist.
According to the report, corn exports almost doubled last year, up 98 percent, hurdling soybeans and beef to become Nebraska’s top agricultural export. Corn accounted for $2.3 billion of the total agricultural exports, with Mexico as the largest buyer of Nebraska corn.
“Of all the corn exported from Nebraska, 89 percent went to Mexico. The country’s recent decree to ban bioengineered corn is a clear violation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). Nebraska’s corn producers have the biggest stake in ongoing trade negotiations with Mexico. Anything that would limit Nebraska’s corn exports is of great concern,” said McHargue.
The report shows Nebraska topped the nation in exports of beef, totaling more than $1.6 billion with China and Southeast Asia being top buyers of beef.
“Nebraska beef exports rose 40 percent in 2021 with the growth driven by increased purchases of U.S. beef by South Korea and Japan, up 39 and 22 percent respectively,” said Harthoorn.
And while corn and beef exports grew in 2021, soybeans remained steady with values largely unchanged. Soybeans slipped from the top exported Nebraska commodity to the second largest exported Nebraska commodity. Beef was the third largest exported Nebraska commodity.
To help bring the value of agriculture trade closer to home for farmers and ranchers, the report outlines the per-farm/ranch, and per county implications of international trade, as well as examining the value of trade on a commodity-by-commodity basis for each Nebraska county.
“We found that the value of international trade translates to a per-unit value of $7.26 per bushel of soybeans, $1.70 per bushel of corn, $3.80 per bushel of wheat, $260 per head of beef, and $85 per head of pork. When you look at the price of individual commodities, you get a strong sense of the importance of trade,” said Harthoorn.
According to Nebraska Farm Bureau, much of Nebraska’s agricultural trade success can be tied to free trade agreements such as USMCA.
“Farmers and ranchers are without a doubt one of the largest winners in most free trade agreements as the eventual elimination of tariffs creates new markets for U.S. grown agricultural products. Those expanded international markets help Nebraska’s farm and ranch families economically, while also helping them provide food, fiber, and fuel to families around the globe,” said McHargue.
Nebraska Farm Bureau’s “Nebraska Agriculture and International Trade 2021” report is available online at www.nefb.org.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit www.nefb.org.
No Change in Dicamba Cutoff Date in Nebraska for 2023
Amit Jhala - NE Extension Weed Management Specialist
Dicamba-resistant soybean, also known as Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybean, or XtendFlex soybean are grown in Nebraska. Three dicamba-based herbicides — Engenia, Tavium, and XtendiMax — are labeled for application in Roundup Ready 2 Xtend and XtendFlex soybean. XtendiMax can be applied pre-plant, pre-emergence or post-emergence until R1 (beginning of flowering) soybean growth stage or June 30, whichever comes first. In-crop application of Tavium can be made over-the-top of dicamba-resistant soybeans through V4 growth stage or up to and including June 30, whichever comes first.
A recent change in dicamba cut-off date by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in a few states created questions among soybean growers in Nebraska about cutoff date of dicamba in Nebraska for 2023 growing season.
As per the new label, cutoff date for over-the-top dicamba application in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana will be June 12 or the V4 soybean growth stage, whichever comes first. The label sets the new application cutoff date for South Dakota is on June 20, rather than the previous cutoff of 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,” Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton said. “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 U.S. EPA retaining the June 30 cutoff date for this year in Nebraska.”
Therefore, there is no change for applying these three dicamba products in soybean and the cutoff date of June 30 will continue for the 2023 growing season in Nebraska.
Note that dicamba products (Engenia, Tavium and XtendiMax) are Restricted Use Pesticides — for use only by certified applicators. Dicamba spray application training is required before applying these products. Here are the links for online training:
Engenia: https://www.engeniaherbicide.com/training.html
Tavium: https://www.syngenta-us.com/herbicides/tavium-application-stewardship
XtendiMax: https://www.roundupreadyxtend.com/stewardship/pages/default.aspx
Innovative Youth Corn Challenge Contest 2022 Results
Brandy VanDeWalle - Extension Educator
Since 2012, the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge has engaged 212 youth with in-depth, experiential learning. This partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Extension has created an awareness of agronomic-related career opportunities and successfully involved youth in rigorous hands-on inquiry-based learning through completion of on-farm research or demonstration plots in corn fields across Nebraska. This year, nine teams signed up with five teams able to glean harvest data from their plots to complete the program.
2023 challenge winners
The winning team from 2022 growing season was Aaron Fuchs and Braden Monke from the Arlington FFA Chapter, with Kali Agler as their advisor. This team added supplemental sulfur to increase plant health. Through this trial, they were able to show a way to increase available sulfur that can then be utilized within the corn plant, which added test weight and slightly increased the yield of the corn crop by two bushels. Given current economic conditions, the sulfur paid for itself.
Receiving second place was the Platte River Kids 4-H Club, with Andy Swanson as their advisor. This 4-H Club consisted of Kylin and Kassie Swanson, Alexis Cummings, Aubrynn Swanson, Braxton Kaiser, Brooklyn Kaiser, Chasity Mueller, Ella Powell, Ester Powell, Grayson Mottl, Hallie Mottl, Hayden Kloke, Isabllea Streff, Izabella Connealy, Jayden Cordell, Julia Streff, Justin Kucera, Kinley Mottl, Lane Mehaffey, Macey Mueller, Madison Moyer, Mia Beebe, Mollie Powell, Montana Mueller, Owen Kloke, Peter Moyer, Phillip Streff, Sam Beebe, Samantha Cummings, Spencer Cummings, Vanessa Cummings, Carter Vrana and Hudson Vrana.
The Platte River Kids 4-H Club used 32% UAN+ Thiosul through their irrigation systems as part of a way to “spoon feed” nitrogen to their corn plants through multiple applications throughout the growing season to see if more efficiency could be gained. They looked at a different form of nitrogen in a liquefied AMS. Their trial seemed to indicate that the liquefied AMS was a superior nitrogen form in 2022. The yield of two sections of AMS were 12 bushels, and 23 bushels better than the check section. Pricing of the product is the most restrictive part of the study with given current prices, it still had a positive return on investment.
The third-place team was the Spradlin Farm Team with Dawson County 4-H'ers, Rieker and Mollie Spradlin and Amanda Spradlin as their sponsor. They observed the effects on yield and soil health using PrairieFood. In their test plot, they had a side-by-side test of the same hybrid. They concluded from their study that they didn’t gain enough yield from applying a side dress fertilizer or from the PrairieFood application to have a positive return on investment.
Other teams who completed their studies were from York County 4-H and the Cozad FFA Chapter. The Crop Science Investigation (CSI) Team from York consisted of Luke Otte, Kate Otte, Annah Perdue, Lane Perdue, Levi Mau, Marta Renner, Naomi Renner, Breckyn Hatfield, Conner Uffelman, Carly Uffelman, Hailey Uffelman, and Bridget Kavan, with Jenny Rees as their advisor. Their test consisted of a randomized and replicated study with Pivot Bio with a full nitrogen rate and one with a reduced nitrogen rate.
The Cozad FFA team consisted of Bryant and Austin Feik with Alison Feik as their advisor. Their irrigated test looked at the effects of yield versus cover crop/erosion prevention. With the capability of trying seven different options for cover crops, they were able to see the bushels produced from being planted in those plots.
Other teams that participated but due to a variety of circumstances were unable to finish their project included Fillmore Central FFA Chapter, Kornhusker Kids 4-H Club from Cuming County, and the Sumner-Eddyville-Miller and Centennial FFA Chapters.
As a team, youth worked with an adult mentor throughout the process. Mentors can be extension faculty, ag teachers or other qualified agronomy professionals.
Other awards handed out during the banquet held on UNL’s East Campus included:
The Extra Mile Award had a tie and went to both York County 4-H and the Spradlin Farm Team.
The Ag Literacy Award was presented to the Arlington FFA Chapter.
This program was lowered the age to eight as of Jan. 1 in 2023.
Prizes for participation in this project include first place — $1,000, second place — $500, third place — $250, “Extra Mile” Award $250, Ag Literacy Award $250 and $50 for completion of the project. In addition, each team receives a crop scouting kit valued at over $200, plot sign and the opportunity to engage with UNL agronomic professionals.
For more information about this program and to register in 2023, go to the Innovative Youth Corn Challenge site https://cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge. Registration is due Saturday, April 1. Contact Brandy VanDeWalle at (402) 759-3712 for details about this program.
NEBRASKA HONEY PRODUCTION
Honey production in 2022 from Nebraska producers with five or more colonies totaled 1.50 million pounds, down 16% from 2021, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
There were 34,000 honey producing colonies in Nebraska during 2022, down 11% from 2021. Average yield was 44 pounds per colony, down 3 pounds from 2021. Producer stocks were 598,000 pounds on December 15, 2022, up from 536,000 pounds a year earlier.
Prices for the 2022 crop averaged $2.82 per pound, up from $2.48 per pound in 2021. Prices were based on retail sales by producers and sales to private processors and cooperatives. Total value of honey produced in 2022 was $4.22 million, down 5% from 2021.
Iowa Honey Production Report
Honey production from producers with five or more colonies in Iowa totaled 2.45 million pounds in 2022 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Honey report. This was 17 percent higher than the 2.09 million pounds produced in 2021. The number of honey producing colonies in the state, at 48,000, was up 10,000 from 2021. This number does not include producers with fewer than five colonies or producers who did not harvest honey. Yield per colony in Iowa averaged 51 pounds, compared to 55 pounds per colony in 2021. Iowa ranked 16th nationally in honey production, unchanged from 2021. Colonies which produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted. On December 15, 2022, producer honey stocks in Iowa, excluding stocks under government loan programs, were 710,000 pounds, 41 percent higher than 2021. The state's 2022 honey crop was valued at $6.88 million, up 34 percent from the previous year's $5.12 million. The average price per pound for all marketing channels in Iowa was $2.81, up 36 cents from 2021.
United States Honey Production Down 1 Percent in 2022
United States honey production in 2022 totaled 125 million pounds, down 1 percent from 2021. There were 2.67 million colonies producing honey in 2022, down 1 percent from 2021. Yield per colony averaged 47.0 pounds, unchanged from 2021. Colonies which produced honey in more than one State were counted in each State where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted. Colonies were not included if honey was not harvested. Producer honey stocks were 23.3 million pounds on December 15, 2022, down 1 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.
Honey Prices Up 12 Percent in 2022
United States honey prices increased 12 percent during 2022 to $2.96 per pound, compared to $2.65 per pound in 2021. United States and State level prices reflect the portions of honey sold through cooperatives, private, and retail channels. Prices for each color class are derived by weighting the quantities sold for each marketing channel. Prices for the 2021 crop reflect honey sold in 2021 and 2022. Some 2021 crop honey was sold in 2022, which caused some revisions to the 2021 crop prices.
Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for March
Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in March. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.
The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.
Clinic Dates
Monday, March 20 — Norfolk
Wednesday, March 22 — Greeley
To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258. Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.
Nebraska Soybean Board to meet
The Nebraska Soybean Board will hold its next meeting on March 21-22, 2023 at the Embassy Suites located at 1040 P Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Among conducting regular business, the Board will review FY24 research proposals and other new opportunities. The meeting is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for public discussion. The complete agenda for the meeting is available for inspection on the Nebraska Soybean Board website at www.nebraskasoybeans.org.
Nebraska Extension sets ‘Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options’ financial record-keeping course for April
The next session of “Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options,” Nebraska Extension’s four-part record-keeping course, will be held virtually from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Central time on April 5, 12, 19 and 26.
Participants should plan on attending each of the four workshop dates. The course requires participants to have an internet connection.
This course is designed to help farmers and ranchers understand their current financial position and how big decisions like large purchases, new leases or changes in production will affect their bottom line. Participants will work through the financial statements of a case study farm, watch pre-recorded videos, complete assignments and participate in video chats. Upon completion of this program, participants will have a better understanding of how financial records can be used to make decisions and confidently discuss their financial position with their family, business partners, and lenders.
The course fee is $20 per participant and class size is limited to 20 people. Register the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, https://wia.unl.edu/know. Registration closes March 29.
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2020-70028-32728.
I-29 Moo University Presents How to Bring Skilled Professionals to Your Farm Using the Visa Programs Webinar On April 13
The I-29 Moo University 2023 Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, April 13 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT with a focus on how to bring skilled professionals to your farm using the visa programs. The program will be presented by Miguel Rangel, DVM.
“Listeners will gain a better understanding of what visa are available to them when hiring qualitied employees,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. Miguel Rangel, DVM will discuss the process of using the U.S. visa programs to bring skilled professionals to U.S. dairy operations from foreign countries. This discussion will cover the most common visas available for dairy producers and will include: in which situations each visa may be used, who qualifies for the visa, the benefits of various visas, and the requirements to qualify for different visas. Dr. Rangel will also discuss the application process, rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, and will clarify common misconceptions.
Dr. Rangel received his veterinarian degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City. As an employee recruiter and recipient of a TN visa himself, he knows the process and the industry firsthand.
Dr. Rangel has been the owner/operator of Optimum Dairy Consulting and Recruiting since 2021, specializing in maximizing profits in dairy operations and the recruiting of skilled professionals. Prior to that, he spent 16 years working in various aspects of the dairy industry, including managing the ISU Dairy Farm from 2018 to 2021.
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/TQ86YG.
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.
SIRE and GEVO Agreement to Measure, Report, Verify Carbon Intensity
Gevo, Inc., based in Colorado and with a facility in Luverne, Minn., announced Thursday that it has entered into a joint development agreement with Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) to measure, report and verify carbon intensity (CI) through the entire value chain, inclusive of climate-smart agriculture practices to lower the carbon footprint of SIRE’s product portfolio.
Utilizing the Verity Tracking platform under Gevo's newly created Verity Carbon Solutions business, this joint development agreement will focus on implementing tracking technology and developing the market for carbon inset credits that will help farmers and biofuel producers quantify the CI reductions for their products. This initiative plans to track reductions of CI to produce fuels and nutritional products through the use of “climate smart” agricultural practices, improvements in energy efficiency and potential use of defossilization of the input energy. With these tools in place, companies like Gevo and SIRE should then be able to source low-carbon grain from farmers and reward them for their contributions to overall CI reductions.
“We are excited about our partnership with SIRE to track carbon intensity reductions through the entire value chain, creating high quality carbon insets. Unlike carbon offsets where the carbon reduction value is transferred to a value chain that may not be related, the carbon inset approach here allows carbon intensity reduction to be quantified throughout the value chain from the bushel to the gallon to drive continuous improvement,” said Dr. Paul Bloom, Gevo’s Chief Carbon & Innovation Officer. “For end customers who want to reduce their carbon footprint within the value chains in which they participate, this effort aims to provide measurable improvement and trust in verification of those efforts.”
Mike Jerke, SIRE CEO stated, “Farmers have always understood that their livelihood is directly tied to the land, and they are quick to adopt practices that benefit the soil for the long-term. SIRE is pleased to be working alongside Gevo to introduce our farmers to the Verity platform. This tool should allow participating farmers to track, prove, and ultimately monetize, the carbon reduction on their acres."
This partnership between Gevo and SIRE will provide a market driven approach to tracking reductions of CI through the use of climate smart agricultural practices, energy efficiency projects and potential defossilization of the input energy for the production of agricultural based products including biofuels, food, animal feed, and renewable chemicals. Farmers and other value chain participants who contribute to lowering CIwill be financially rewarded for their efforts while companies like Gevo and SIRE are able to continue to make improvements on the path to net-zero carbon emissions energy, liquid transportation fuels, and renewable chemicals.
Gevo’s mission is to transform renewable energy and carbon into energy-dense liquid hydrocarbons. These liquid hydrocarbons can be used for drop-in transportation fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel and diesel fuel, that when burned have potential to yield net-zero greenhouse gas emissions when measured across the full life cycle of the products. Gevo uses low-carbon renewable resource-based carbohydrates as raw materials, and is in an advanced state of developing renewable electricity and renewable natural gas for use in production processes, resulting in low-carbon fuels with substantially reduced carbon intensity (the level of greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard petroleum fossil-based fuels across their life cycle). Gevo’s products perform as well or better than traditional fossil-based fuels in infrastructure and engines, but with substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to addressing the problems of fuels, Gevo’s technology also enables certain plastics, such as polyester, to be made with more sustainable ingredients. Gevo’s ability to penetrate the growing low-carbon fuels market depends on the price of oil and the value of abating carbon emissions that would otherwise increase greenhouse gas emissions. Gevo believes that its proven, patented technology enabling the use of a variety of low-carbon sustainable feedstocks to produce price-competitive low-carbon products such as gasoline components, jet fuel and diesel fuel yields the potential to generate project and corporate returns that justify the build-out of a multi-billion-dollar business.
Gevo believes that the Argonne National Laboratory GREET model is the best available standard of scientific-based measurement for life cycle inventory or LCI.
SIRE is an Iowa limited liability company located in Council Bluffs, operating a 130 million gallon per year ethanol plant. SIRE began production in February 2009 and sells its ethanol, distillers grains, condensed corn distillers syrup, and distillers corn oil primarily in the continental United States. SIRE consumes over 44 million bushels of corn feedstock annually from producers within a 40-mile radius of the facility. Locally owned, SIRE provides farmers with an important market and gives investors ownership in a facility that generates environmentally friendly products in a sustainable way.
Growth Energy Honors Kelly Nieuwenhuis with America’s Fuel Award
Today at its annual Executive Leadership Conference (ELC), Growth Energy, the nation's leading biofuels trade association, awarded member Kelly Nieuwenhuis with its highest honor, America’s Fuel Award. America’s Fuel Award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty as a champion for the renewable fuels industry. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor congratulated Iowa farmer and longtime ethanol advocate Kelly Nieuwenhuis on his award and thanked him for his years of service to the biofuels industry.
“Kelly has lived the ethanol success story—he has experienced first-hand the value that bioethanol offers for his farm, his family, and the future of agriculture. And he pays it forward,” said Skor. "With a tireless commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of the industry and certainty for the rural economy, Kelly has spent the majority of his working life in the service of biofuels.”
“With deep roots in agriculture, a staunch belief in the power and potential of biofuels, and an eye toward what’s possible, Kelly Nieuwenhuis embodies the best of what our industry has to offer,” she added.
Nieuwenhuis is chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Ethanol Action Team, where he leads the effort to increase ethanol demand through research, infrastructure partnerships, and sound public policy. He’s also a member of the U.S. Grains Council Ethanol Committee, Chairman of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board—and, in 2016, former Iowa Governor and past America’s Fuel Award winner Terry Branstad (R) appointed him to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure board where he helped lead the effort to issue grant incentives for retailers converting equipment for the expanded use of renewable fuels. Current Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (R) reappointed him to this position in 2021. Nieuwenhuis has also spent nine years on the Board of Directors of the Siouxland Energy Cooperative, serving as its president in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Past winners of America’s Fuel Award include Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, and many others that have made significant contributions to the U.S. bioethanol industry.
Companies Assisted by RFA Received $36 Million in Latest Round of USDA Infrastructure Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently concluded the latest round of its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), and once again the Renewable Fuels Association helped dozens of retailers apply for, and win, grant awards that will expand the availability of higher ethanol blends like E15 and E85 flex fuel.
During the latest round, RFA hosted eight webinars with petroleum marketing groups from Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota and Iowa, and worked with more than 40 retailers on applications. All tallied, RFA helped companies file grant applications resulting in almost $36 million in funding for facilities in 17 states: Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, California, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. This funding that RFA helped secure is expected to result in almost 1,000 new E15 and E85 compatible dispensers installed at nearly 200 locations from coast to coast.
“We are proud to have assisted over 40 retailers across the country who are dedicated to growing the market for cleaner-burning higher ethanol blends,” said Cassie Mullen, RFA Director of Market Development. “Grant opportunities like this enable businesses to plan for the future and join the crusade to provide cleaner, more affordable fuel options at the pump. RFA thanks USDA for its continued commitment to expanding opportunities for our nation’s ethanol producers, farmers, fuel retailers, and consumers.”
RFA has had a 100 percent success rate in assisting retailers in applying for and receiving grants under this program and has now secured more than $275 million in public and private resources for the expansion of higher ethanol blend infrastructure. The latest round of projects under the HBIIP program will add almost 2,300 dispensers at over 450 locations in 21 states across the country.
AFBF Hails Bipartisan Effort to Freeze Flawed Wage Rate
The American Farm Bureau Federation urges Congress to pass newly-introduced legislation to freeze the flawed 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which distorts labor costs for farmers across the country who hire nearly 400,000 employees through the H-2A program.
The bipartisan Farm Operations Support Act, introduced by Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), temporarily resets the AEWR at 2022 levels, providing much need wage relief to farm families and giving Congress an opportunity to deliver a fair and reasonable solution.
The 2023 AEWR rule missed the mark by such a wide margin that farmers in some states experienced required wage increases of more than 10% after smaller increases last year. In Michigan and Florida, for example, wages have increased 13 percent and 15 percent compared to 2022 rates. Furthermore, DOL’s newly published rule in February 2023 will raise costs even higher for certain occupations on farm.
The AEWR has significantly outpaced increases in the national average wage for most workers in America for most of a decade. In fact, it has outpaced the overall U.S. Employment Cost Index in eight of the last 10 years.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “Farmers are committed to paying their employees a fair wage, but the new AEWR rule used flawed data to reach a flawed conclusion. Requiring farmers to pay their workers far more than the average domestic worker is earning just makes no sense, especially in the face of high supply costs, inflation and a global food shortage. I commend Sens. Ossoff and Tillis for standing up for farmers and urge Congress to pass this critical legislation.”
The Farm Operations Support Act ensures valued farm employees are paid a consistent and fair wage without demanding farmers exceed the wage rates paid to other workers in America.
No comments:
Post a Comment