Friday March 31 Prospective Plantings, Grain Stocks, & Ag News

 NEBRASKA 2023 PROSPECTIVE PLANTINGS

Nebraska corn growers intend to plant 9.50 million acres this year, down 1% from 2022, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Soybean planted acreage is expected to be 5.75 million acres, unchanged from last year’s record high.

All hay acreage to be harvested is expected to total 2.20 million acres, up 3% from 2022.

Winter wheat acres seeded in the fall of 2022 are estimated at 1.15 million acres, up 17% from last year.

Sorghum growers in Nebraska intend to plant 260,000 acres, down 19% from a year ago.

Oat intentions are estimated at 140,000 acres, up 12% from last year.

Dry edible bean acreage intentions are estimated at 85,000 acres, down 26% from 2022.

Sugarbeet growers expect to plant 49,000 acres, up 5% from last year.

Sunflower producers expect to plant 37,000 acres, down 35% from 2022 and matching the 2018 and 2019 record low. Oil varieties account for 27,000 acres, down 46% from a year ago. Non-oil varieties made up the balance of 10,000 acres, up 43% from the previous year.

Dry edible pea acreage intentions are estimated at 32,000 acres, down 3% from last year. Estimates in this report are based on a survey conducted during the first two weeks of March.



IOWA PROSPECTIVE PLANTINGS REPORT

Iowa farmers intend to plant 13.1 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2023 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Prospective Plantings report. This is up 200,000 acres from 2022. Producers intend to plant 10.1 million acres of soybeans in Iowa this year. This is unchanged from 2022. Iowa farmers intend to plant 200,000 acres of oats for all purposes. This is up 70,000 acres from last year. Farmers in Iowa expect to harvest 1.07 million acres of all dry hay for the 2023 crop year. This is 130,000 acres below last year.

The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers' 2023 planting intentions. NASS's acreage estimates are based primarily on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March from a sample of approximately 72,900 farm operators across the United States with more than 2,800 from Iowa. Actual plantings will depend upon weather, economic conditions and the availability of production inputs at the time producers make their final planting decisions.



USDA Prospective Plantings - March 31, 2023

Corn planted area for all purposes in 2023 is estimated at 92.0 million acres, up 4 percent or 3.42 million acres from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected to be up or unchanged in 40 of the 48 estimating States.

Soybean planted area for 2023 is estimated at 87.5 million acres, up slightly from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is up or unchanged in 15 of the 29 estimating States.

All wheat planted area for 2023 is estimated at 49.9 million acres, up 9 percent from 2022. The 2023 winter wheat planted area, at 37.5 million acres, is up 13 percent from last year and up 2 percent from the previous estimate. Of this total, about 26.0 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 7.80 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.71 million acres are White Winter. Area expected to be planted to other spring wheat for 2023 is estimated at 10.6 million acres, down 2 percent from 2022. Of this total, about 9.95 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Durum planted area for 2023 is expected to total 1.78 million acres, up 9 percent from the previous year.

All cotton planted area for 2023 is estimated at 11.3 million acres, down 18 percent from last year. Upland area is estimated at 11.1 million acres, down 18 percent from 2022. American Pima area is estimated at 154,000 acres, down 16 percent from 2022.



NEBRASKA MARCH 1, 2023 GRAIN STOCKS

Nebraska corn stocks in all positions on March 1, 2023 totaled 683 million bushels, down 29% from 2022, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 385 million bushels are stored on farms, down 25% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 298 million bushels, are down 34% from last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions totaled 104 million bushels, down 31% from last year. On-farm stocks of 29.0 million bushels are down 15% from a year ago, and off-farm stocks, at 75.4 million bushels, are down 36% from 2022.

Wheat stored in all positions totaled 13.7 million bushels, down 48% from a year ago. On-farm stocks of 1.20 million bushels are unchanged from 2022, but off-farm stocks of 12.5 million bushels are down 50% from last year.

Sorghum stored in all positions totaled 4.06 million bushels, down 51% from 2022. On-farm stocks of 360,000 bushels are up 44% from a year ago but off-farm holdings of 3.70 million bushels are down 54% from last year.

On-farm oat stocks of 250,000 bushels are down 39% from 2022.

Barley off-farm stocks totaled 81,000 bushels, down 59% from 2022.



IOWA GRAIN STOCKS REPORT

Corn stored in all positions in Iowa on March 1, 2023, totaled 1.32 billion bushels, down 9 percent from March 1, 2022, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service -- Grain Stocks report. Of the total stocks, 57 percent were stored on-farm. The December-February 2023 indicated disappearance totaled 719 million bushels, 13 percent above the 635 million bushels from the same quarter the previous year.

Soybeans stored in all positions in Iowa on March 1, 2023, totaled 301 million bushels, down 20 percent from March 1, 2022. Of the total stocks, 40 percent were stored on-farm. Indicated disappearance for December-February 2023 was 180 million bushels, 16 percent above the 155 million bushels from the same quarter the previous year.



U.S. Grain Stocks  

Corn stocks in all positions on March 1, 2023 totaled 7.40 billion bushels, down 5 percent from March 1, 2022. Of the total stocks, 4.11 billion bushels were stored on farms, up 1 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 3.29 billion bushels, are down 10 percent from a year ago. The December 2022 - February 2023 indicated disappearance is 3.42 billion bushels, compared with 3.88 billion bushels during the same period last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions on March 1, 2023 totaled 1.69 billion bushels, down 13 percent from March 1, 2022. Soybean stocks stored on farms are estimated at 750 million bushels, down slightly from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 936 million bushels, are down 21 percent from last March. Indicated disappearance for the December 2022 - February 2023 quarter totaled 1.34 billion bushels, up 11 percent from the same period a year earlier.

All wheat stored in all positions on March 1, 2023 totaled 946 million bushels, down 8 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 227 million bushels, up 30 percent from last March. Off-farm stocks, at 719 million bushels, are down 16 percent from a year ago. The December 2022 - February 2023 indicated disappearance is 366 million bushels, 5 percent above the same period a year earlier.

Grain sorghum stored in all positions on March 1, 2023 totaled 109 million bushels, down 47 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 9.34 million bushels, are down 21 percent from last March. Off-farm stocks, at 99.4 million bushels, are down 49 percent from a year earlier. The December 2022 - February 2023 indicated disappearance from all positions is 51.3 million bushels, 38 percent below the same period last year.



Six Teachers Honored as Finalists for Ag Teacher of the Year in Nebraska

On March 31, 2023 the Nebraska FFA Foundation, Nebraska Agricultural Education Association (NAEA) and Nationwide recognized six teachers as finalists for the 2022-2023 Agricultural Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award.
  - Amanda Hafer, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Lutheran High Northeast
  - Ashtyn Vivion, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Alliance
  - Brent Nollette, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Valentine
  - Chad Schimmels, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Eustis-Farnam
  - Randy Vlasin, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Hayes Center
  - Robyn Graham, Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at Humphrey

As finalists, each teacher was presented with a $500 cash prize and plaque in front of fellow teachers and students at the State FFA Convention during the sixth convention session at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Now, each finalist has the chance to be crowned as Nebraska’s Agricultural Educator of the Year.

Agricultural educators play a vital part in their communities, dedicating countless hours to equip students for fulfilling careers and help them follow their interests. To honor their contributions and support them with additional resources,

Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award in 2018 to recognize outstanding teachers across several states.

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, the Nebraska FFA Foundation, NAEA and Nationwide collected nominations for Nebraska’s top agricultural teachers from students, parents and community members across the state. Following the recognition of six finalists, a selection committee will honor one finalist as Nebraska’s grand prize winner and Agricultural Educator of the Year. The winner will receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to support the development of their program.

Nationwide supports the future of the agriculture community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to the Nebraska FFA to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.

“As a company deeply rooted in agriculture, we are proud to collaborate with our state partners to recognize outstanding agriculture teachers, who are not only critical to the communities they serve, but also to the farming industry as a whole,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We are extremely grateful for the contributions and dedication of these selfless public servants.”



Investing in Future Leaders for Careers in Nebraska Agriculture

Ten Nebraska FFA Chapters were recognized at the I Believe in the Future of Ag Forum hosted by the Nebraska FFA Foundation on March 30. Pleasanton and Johnson County Central were named the top two I Believe in the Future of Ag chapters based on receiving at least $500 and participating in the sponsor engagement contest with the 19 corporate sponsors. Both chapters gave brief remarks at the I Believe Forum at the DelRay 817 and received a banner during the fourth convention session in Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign serves as an outlet for local FFA chapters to receive donations for innovative projects in their classrooms, leadership programming, community service projects and field trips to advance agriculture education in their schools. Donors to the I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign chose which chapter they support, and 100% of each local donation was sent back to the designated chapter. Over $362,500 was donated to local FFA chapters this year.

This year LivestockMarket.com, BigIron Auctions, Central Valley Ag, CoBank, Green Plains, Aurora Cooperative, Bayer, Chief, Country Partners Cooperative, CPI, DEKALB, Farm Credit Services of America, Farmers Cooperative, Frontier Cooperative, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, Pinnacle Bank, Producers Livestock, Rembolt Ludtke and Valley Irrigation sponsored the I Believe campaign to provide resources for an education campaign and matching funds for the local chapters.

Nebraska FFA Foundation I Believe sponsor, Frontier Cooperative, knows the value in investing in Nebraska FFA chapters. Sophia Svanda, Frontier Cooperative Communications Manager said, “Agricultural education and FFA play a major role  in developing the next generation of ag leaders. We proudly support the I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign because it is a small way that we can provide resources to local FFA chapters, help create opportunities for students, and give back to the communities that support us.”

The I Believe Forum took place March 30 at the DelRay 817 at 5:00pm, and the Top I Believe Chapters and sponsor recognition happened at 7:00pm in Pinnacle Bank Arena.




Scoular hosting no cost, virtual conference focused on individual and leadership development for women in agribusiness

Women working in agribusiness who aspire to develop in their careers are eligible to attend a free, virtual conference hosted by Scoular’s women focused employee resource group, Scoular Women Influencing Culture, or SWIC.

SWIC is hosting and creating the live conference and relationship building opportunity, which will feature several industry leading experts and speakers. The event will take place on Sept. 8, with registration opening on June 1.

The announcement comes as Scoular wraps up its recognition of Women’s History Month, where SWIC led a number of development and educational events for employees and recognition opportunities for women leading at Scoular. A few of the elements driven by SWIC included speed networking for Scoular’s women employees, an all-employee fireside chat with Michigan State Volleyball Coach Leah Johnson, virtual coffees with women leading at Scoular focused on advice about key development topics, contributions to programs that support women focused non-profits and women-owned businesses, and more.

Megan Belcher, SWIC’s executive sponsor, notes that programs like SWIC’s Perennial Leadership Symposium for Women in Agriculture are needed because although women are graduating in near parity with men from relevant collegiate or other training programs in many relevant fields, they are not reaching leadership levels in agribusiness in the same numbers, with the percentage of women in leadership shrinking at each next incremental level.

“Scoular is not only interested in being the employer of choice for high talent women in agribusiness, we are equally interested in lifting up all women in agriculture,” said Belcher, Scoular’s Chief Legal and External Affairs Officer. “Leadership at Scoular understands that there is a significant opportunity to bring low cost, geographically accessible development opportunities to women in agriculture to help mitigate unconscious biases and narrow the representation gap, while also bringing our resources to bear to reduce or eliminate other potential hurdles. What better way to do that than to leverage our talent, our resources, and our networks to offer women in ag real and actionable development insights and tools as they dream a bigger dream for themselves, no matter where they work.”

Conference details:
    Open to women at any level in their career in agriculture and agribusiness, who aspire to grow and lead in new ways;
    Four sessions focused on individual and leadership development topics, with tangible take aways to help women unlock more of their career potential;
    Virtual setting to enable attendance from anywhere in the world;
    Programming run in sprints to enable pauses between attendance for workday demands;
    Opportunities for virtual speed networking to build industry relationships between sessions;
    Storytelling and insights from women leading across the supply chain in the agriculture industry; and
    Limited to 400 participants.

How to register: Follow Scoular on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for registration information, which will be posted on June 1. For women interested in joining Scoular’s Perennial Leadership Symposium for Women in Agriculture’s dedicated email list to receive a direct email when registration opens, please sign up here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/scoularperennial.



Trade Visit to Japan and South Korea Shows High Demand for Your U.S. Beef
Iowa Beef Industry Council

Where is your Iowa-raised beef exported to? Well, a large portion goes to Japan and South Korea. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) shared WISERTrade data indicating Iowa companies exported $551 million in meat products to Japan and $348 million to South Korea in 2022. “Japan and Korea are the two leading export destinations for our beef,” said Mike Anderson, Executive Director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council. “That is why it is so important for us to keep that communication and those relationships built.” In February, Anderson traveled to Japan and South Korea on a 16-member trade mission trip. The trip, which was led by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, was coordinated by the Iowa IEDA and included visits to meat processing plants, restaurants, supermarkets and more. The group was composed of representatives from various Iowa commodity groups, checkoffs and companies involved in meat and food processing.

Value of International Trade
Beef is complex and each part of the animal has unique attributes, desired by different customers at different times of the year. Exports enable maximization of value of every animal produced, keeping the U.S. industry competitive, while also enabling U.S. consumers affordable access to their preferred steaks and burgers.

Japan and South Korea love your beef
When the group toured supermarkets and grocery stores, Anderson saw a great love for U.S. beef.  “Our beef is seen as a premium, high-end food product in those countries,” Anderson commented. “We saw the Beef Checkoff logo on many of the meat cases and big signage throughout different stores advertising Prime U.S. beef.” Anderson credits this love to the quality, grain-fed beef Iowans raise. “They love the taste of corn-fed beef. We have an excellent  product we produce and it’s in high demand over there.” The group inquired about other protein categories with interest in learning how foreign consumers view alternative proteins.  “Every business or facility we toured, we asked about consumer preference for meat alternatives,” Anderson stated. “Everyone said the same. Those products have not taken off in those countries. Their consumers still want a meat product, which is encouraging.”

Why your Beef Checkoff invests in these relationships
That is why a portion of your Beef Checkoff dollars are invested into maintaining and developing international relationships via the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.  International trade relationships return value to your operation. According to USMEF, in 2022 value per head of fed slaughtered totaled more than $440 dollars.  One way is by creating a market for variety meats not as popular in the U.S. “Consumers in Japan and Korea consume some meat products we don’t as much,” Anderson explained. “That adds substantial value to the beef carcass for our producers when you can export those.”  The work of the USMEF and trade mission trips also help gain an understanding of future consumer trends. “Similar to the U.S., they have more consumers wanting to know where their food comes from,” Anderson said. “Not just how it was produced, but who produced it. And so we saw a video display in a grocery store showing the farm or ranch where the meat product was produced.” Other consumer trends from this trip that Anderson noted are fresh, pre-packaged meals and home delivery services.  “This trip brought additional perspective and understanding of our export markets,” Anderson concluded. “Knowing these countries view our Iowa beef as a premium product drives home the importance of maintaining that market outlet moving forward.” To learn more about the USMEF and the work they do with our export markets on behalf of the Beef Checkoff, visit usmef.org. You can also discover more about the IEDA and any future trade missions they are planning at iowaeda.com.



Marshalltown Restaurant Voted Best Pulled Pork in Iowa
    
Pulled pork has gone from a rotating special to a menu favorite at The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown. Now, the classic sandwich has earned statewide attention as the winner of the sixth-annual Pulled Pork Madness, a social media contest sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).

The restaurant won the title after advancing through a bracket-style narrowing process similar to the NCAA’s college basketball tournament. The bracket was based on public nominations submitted earlier this month, and The Flying Elbow took down The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden, in the final matchup.

“This contest is a way to attract new pork fans and encourages everyone to road trip around Iowa to try different restaurants that are serving up some of the best pork in the nation,” said Hannah Spurr, IPPA’s consumer outreach director.

Nearly 160 pork fans nominated 63 Iowa restaurants for the top honor. The two restaurants with the most votes in each of IPPA’s eight districts made up the “Sweet 16” bracket. Voters then decided which moved on to the “Elite Eight,” “Final Four,” and championship round, which wrapped up March 30.

“Gosh, what a cool honor,” said Garrett Goodman, owner of The Flying Elbow. “Barbecue was kind of a Sunday tradition when I was growing up, and I love serving people the best food I can.”

The Flying Elbow started in 2017 as a wrestling-themed food truck, selling hot dogs. Burgers were later added to the menu. When the restaurant opened in its current location in September 2021, Goodman purchased a residential-sized smoker and began offering limited barbecue specials. He recently upgraded to a 300-gallon wood-fired smoker, cooking pork shoulders “the traditional way, using old-school techniques” — low and slow over oak and cherry wood.

Prior to smoking, pork shoulders are rubbed heavily with salt, pepper, and garlic. Plus, a little brown sugar is sprinkled on to help ensure a good bark, the flavorful black crust that forms on the outside of the meat during the cooking process, which is about 11 hours.

“Classic Pulled Pork” is served with pickles and homemade barbecue sauce on a Hawaiian-style sesame seed burger bun or Texas toast. The meat is topped with coleslaw by request.

Pulled pork also is featured in “souped-up” versions of the Classic sandwich, Goodman noted. “Pig Show” includes cheddar and Havarti cheeses, macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and green onion. “Razor’s Edge” is what Goodman calls “an upscale version of a Cuban,” with pulled pork, shaved pit ham, Havarti cheese, honey mustard barbecue sauce, dill pickles, and pickled red onion, served on cheddar jalapeño cornbread.

“Pulled pork is a versatile product — you just get such a great flavor and a nice juicy meat,” Goodman said. “We try to offer the classic versions of things for customers, but then also, I like to take classic ingredients and give them new life and use them different ways.”

The Flying Elbow is currently averaging about 120 pounds of pulled pork per week. Before starting the food truck business, Goodman spent 11 years in a corporate information technology position.

The Flying Elbow will receive $250 and a Pulled Pork Madness plaque.

See a full list of the 2023 Pulled Pork Madness restaurants that competed in the bracket.

Past winners are Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls (2022); Smokin’ Butt Barbeque in Davenport (2021); Whatcha Smokin’? BBQ + Brew in Luther (2020); Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa (2019); and Moo’s BBQ in Newton (2018).



IOWA PRICE REPORT

The average price received by farmers for corn during February 2023 in Iowa was $6.83 per bushel according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report. This was 9 cents above the January price and 72 cents above February 2022.

The February 2023 average price received by farmers for soybeans, at $15.00 per bushel, was 40 cents above the January price and 50 cents above the February 2022 price.

All hay prices in Iowa averaged $173.00 per ton in February. This was $4.00 above the January price and $19.00 above the February 2022 price. The February 2023 alfalfa hay price, at $179.00, was $1.00 above the previous month and $23.00 above February 2022. The average price received for other hay during February was $152.00 per ton. This was $1.00 below the January price but $8.00 above February last year.

The average price for milk was $19.60 per cwt, $1.60 below the January price and $4.50 below February 2022.



February Prices Received Index Up 1.7 Percent

The February Prices Received Index 2011 Base (Agricultural Production), at 126.7, increased 1.7 percent from January and 5.7 percent from February 2022. At 120.7, the Crop Production Index was up 2.3 percent from last month and 5.6 percent from the previous year. The Livestock Production Index, at 133.3, decreased 2.3 percent from January, but increased 5.6 percent from February last year. Producers received higher prices during February for soybeans, corn, cattle, and cauliflower but lower prices for market eggs, milk, celery, and strawberries. In addition to prices, the volume change of commodities marketed also influences the indexes. In February, there was increased monthly movement for cattle, milk, broilers, and greenhouse & nursery and decreased marketing of corn, soybeans, wheat, and tobacco.

Crop production: The February index, at 120.7, is 2.3 percent higher than January and 5.6 percent higher than February 2022. The grain & oilseed and other crop index increases more than offset the fruit & tree nut and vegetable & melon index decreases.

Grain and oilseed: The February index, at 116.7, is up 2.7 percent from January and 6.5 percent from February 2022. Oilseed and feed grain index increases more than offset the lower food grain index.

Feed grain: The February index, at 113.4, increased 2.5 percent from last month and 12 percent from a year ago. The corn price, at $6.80 per bushel, is up 16 cents from last month and 71 cents from February 2022.

Food grain: At 120.4, the index for February decreased 2.1 percent from the previous month but increased 0.1 percent from a year ago. The February price for all wheat, at $8.53 per bushel, is 29 cents lower than January and 63 cents lower than February 2022. The February price for rice, at $18.50 per cwt, is 60 cents lower than January but $2.90 higher than February 2022.

Oilseed: At 120.5, the index for February increased 4.0 percent from January and 2.4 percent from February 2022. The soybean price, at $15.10 per bushel, is 60 cents higher than January and 40 cents higher than February a year earlier.

Livestock production: The index for February, at 133.3, decreased 2.3 percent from the previous month but increased 5.6 percent from February a year earlier. Dairy and poultry & egg index decreases more than offset the higher meat animal index.

Meat animal: At 124.3, the February index increased 1.7 percent from the previous month and 7.0 percent from a year earlier. At $59.60 per cwt, the February hog price is $1.10 higher than January but $9.00 lower than a year earlier. The February beef cattle price of $158.00 per cwt is $2.00 higher
than the previous month and $21.00 higher than February 2022.

Dairy: The index for February, at 107.5, is down 6.4 percent from the previous month and 13 percent from February a year ago. The February all milk price of $21.60 per cwt is $1.50 lower than January and $3.10 lower than February 2022.

February Prices Paid Index Unchanged
The February Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 138.9, is unchanged from January 2023 but up 5.2 percent from February 2022. Lower prices in February for nitrogen, diesel, supplements, and other machinery offset higher prices for feeder cattle, concentrates, feed grains, and other services.



Joint Statement From U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association Regarding Japan’s New Rule On Ethanol

Background:
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released its final proposed rule for partial amendment of the Act on Sophisticated Methods of Energy Supply Structures on March 30, 2023 – in place through 2028 – that allows the country to further contribute to its climate targets through consumption of lower-carbon ethanol and, for the first time, will allow U.S. ethanol to successfully access 100% of the Japanese biofuel market.

The Act, which is reviewed every five years, featured timely and scientific updates regarding the life cycle assessment of U.S. corn-based ethanol.

Japanese regulators revised the U.S. corn ethanol carbon intensity score that allows U.S. ethanol to fully access the entire bioethanol market - up from 66% access in 2021 based on continued improvement in reduction of carbon emission by the U.S. ethanol industry.

The target volume for Japanese bioethanol consumption remains at 217 million gallons per year at an ethanol blend level of 1.9% utilized in the form of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE).

Statement:
U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor and Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said jointly:

“The U.S. ethanol community applauds the Japanese government for joining other countries in recognizing the role ethanol can play in the global effort to address climate change at the same time it takes steps to decarbonize its transportation sector. Countries around the world are recognizing that biofuels like ethanol are a simple, inexpensive and effective solution they can deploy today to help them lower their carbon emissions and meet their climate goals. We will continue to work closely with Japan and other nations to find more ways for us to collaboratively decrease carbon emissions. The U.S. ethanol industry will engage with Japan on additional ethanol consumption efforts both within the on-road and sustainable aviation sectors as the country implements its new regulation.”



USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Amendments to the U.S. Standards for Soybeans to Remove Soybeans of Other Colors as a Grading Factor

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced that the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) has published a proposed rule seeking public comment on amendments to the U.S. Standards for Soybeans that would remove “Soybeans of Other Colors” (SBOC) as a grading factor for determining soybean quality.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2023.

Under the authority of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA), USDA established the soybean standards to help in the marketing of soybeans. Currently, these standards include SBOC as a grade-determining factor for describing the quality for soybeans (e.g., U.S. No 1 Yellow soybeans, U.S. No. 2 Yellow Soybeans, etc.).

Historically, SBOC levels are low, rarely impacting the grade of soybeans. In 2021 and 2022, the soybean industry experienced an increased presence of SBOC, which made it more difficult for shippers of U.S. soybeans to meet contract grade requirements.

USDA received numerous requests from representatives of U.S. soybean producers and grain traders to remove SBOC as a grading factor. Additionally, at the request of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (GIAC), FGIS conducted a study to evaluate whether the presence of SBOC had an impact on the quality of soybean protein and oil. The study found no significant differences in official protein or oil content.

In response to the requests for changes to the soybean standard and to the findings of the study, USDA has proposed to amend the soybean standards, accordingly. In addition to the proposed amendments, USDA is seeking comments on the proposal to implement any changes effective Sept. 1, 2023.

AMS invites public comment through May 1, 2023. Comments should be submitted online at www.regulations.gov.



USDA Announces 2023 Marketing Assistance Loan Rates

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced the 2023 Marketing Assistance Loan rates.

Marketing Assistance Loans provide interim financing to producers so that commodities can be stored after harvest when market prices are typically low and sold later when market conditions may be more favorable. The 2018 Farm Bill extended the Marketing Assistance Loan program, making production for the 2019 through 2023 crops eligible for loan benefits.

T­­he 2023 Marketing Assistance Loan rates are available on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website and below:
Wheat    $3.38 per bushel
Corn    $2.20 per bushel
Grain Sorghum    $2.20 per bushel
Barley    $2.50 per bushel
Oats    $2.00 per bushel
Soybeans    $6.20 per bushel
Other Oilseeds    $10.09 per hundredweight (cwt.) for each "other oilseed"

    National loan rates for 2023 crop year wheat, feed grains, and oilseeds are the same as 2022 crop year levels. County loan rates for these commodities are available at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website.

    Marketing assistance loans for the 2023 barley, canola, crambe, flaxseed, oats, rapeseed, sesame seed, and wheat crops are available through March 31, 2024, and for the 2023 corn, grain sorghum, mustard seed, safflower, soybean and sunflower seed crops through May 31, 2024.