Tuesday March 28 Ag News

Over 7,000 Blue jackets return to Lincoln for 95th Nebraska State FFA Convention

More than 7,000 students from across Nebraska will descend on Lincoln for the 95th Nebraska FFA State Convention this week. More than 7,600 members, advisors, and guests are registered for the convention.

From Kimball to Nebraska City, and Imperial to Norfolk, members from across the state will compete in a variety of agriculture and leadership focused contests that they have spent the past year working toward.

Leadership Development Events, or speaking events, will take place in various locations in Downtown Lincoln. Career Development Events, in which students participate in technical events, take place at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus. Top-placing individuals and teams will get the chance to compete at the National FFA Convention in October.

Sessions will feature keynote speakers, award presentations, and State FFA choir performances. They are chaired by the Nebraska State FFA Officer team and will take place at Pinnacle Bank Arena throughout the convention.

The 2022-2023 State Officer team has worked diligently assembling the details for this year’s convention.

The Nebraska State FFA President, Alexis Bodlak of Pender, has spent most of her freshman year of college promoting FFA and connecting with members across the state and beyond.

“My first year of college looked significantly different than most of my peers, but I would not have changed it for the world,” said Bodlak. “It is difficult to fully express the gratitude that I have for the students, state staff, agriculturalists, and my teammates that have helped me grow. As I move into my last week of state office, I can only hope that my gratitude is palpable both on and off of the stage.”

The Nebraska FFA Foundation hosts a Career and Business Expo also at PBA for students to explore during the convention, as well as various leadership and agriculture education workshops. A comprehensive schedule of the State FFA Convention can be found at nebraskastateffaconvention2.sched.com.



LENRD Board of Directors continue discussion on Battle Creek flood reduction options

On Thursday, March 23rd, the board of Directors met for their March meeting.  

The board opened the floor to discussion on the Battle Creek Flood mitigation project.  Mike Sousek led the discussion by talking about the concerns of some constituents about the downstream effects as well as the possibility of raising property taxes.  

Mike Sotak, Principal Engineer with Houston Engineering was invited to answer questions from the Board and clarify details of the cost and effects of the different plans currently being studied.
 
Board member Gary Loftis then floored a motion to instruct staff to negotiate a contract with Houston Engineering to place the alternative flood mitigation project that was developed in unison with Madison County into the WFPO plan and Complete the WFPO plan per NRCS guidelines.  This motion will direct the General Manager to negotiate a contract with Houston Engineering to incorporate additional alternatives into the watershed plan.  This contract will be considered at the April Board of Directors Meeting.  If the contract is approved it would incorporate the following alternatives analysis: a single dam with levee, a single dam with diversion channel and a single dam with detention cell.  

The discussion was then opened to the public.  Constituents from the town of Battle Creek, agricultural landowners as well as representatives from Norfolk industry downstream of the project were allowed to speak.  All speakers agreed that something must be done sooner, rather than later to protect the town of Battle Creek but opinions on how to do that varied.

Board member Mellissa Temple read a letter from Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning expressing the concern about the downstream effects on property and industry in and around Norfolk.  Moenning asked the board to reconsider plans that retain the water as opposed to channeling it directly into the Elkhorn River.

The motion by Gary Loftis was then put to a vote and the Board passed the motion 12 to 3.

In other news, LENRD General Manager Mike Sousek gave the monthly Administrative Report.  Sousek gave a report on the Washington DC conference which took place earlier in the week.  He talked with Nebraska representatives about the Inflation Reduction Act which was passed last August.  There were discussions on how to best utilize the funding for conservation and how to streamline the process to make it more accessible to producers.  Sousek also touched on the Farm bill currently being debated in congress and the proposed changes being made to it.

The Board of Directors approved the Logan East Rural Water System Advisory Committee recommendations which included funding for a 4-inch test well that will be used to analyze water quality and quantity parameters in search of a viable location for a new production well that can be utilized to provide water to community of Craig, Nebraska.

The final topic of the March meeting was the Enforcement Option for Non-Submittal of Flow Meter Reports.  LENRD Assistant Manager Brian Bruckner gave an update on irrigators who have not submitted flow meter readings for 2022. The board voted to send cease and desist orders to those who have not yet submitted the reports.



The US Beef Industry is in the driver seat
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Educator

Much is written about challenges the US beef industry faces.  Sometimes, it seems, little attention is given to the size and strengthen of it, particularly when we realize it is truly a grassroots effort:  many operations, numbering close to 750,000 producers, produce cattle that yield 22 to 28 billion pounds of beef yearly.  Two segments of the industry concentrate on cattle:  feedlots and packers. The result is a wholesome, safe, and abundant supply of beef, mostly for consumption by the US population.  Yet, our long-standing trading partners:  Japan, Korea, Canada, and Mexico import a significant amount of beef, which contributes greatly to adding value to US beef and cattle producers.  

The key here is that from 87% to 90% of the beef produced in the US is consumed in the US.  This statement does not dismiss the economic importance of exports; however, as the main customer of the US beef cattle producer, the US consumer is responsible for a greater proportion of the value of beef than any foreign consumer.  

The significance of this observation is not truly understood until one realizes what it takes to produce a commodity that is consumed mainly or mostly by foreign markets.  Two cases in point were highlighted by the recent visit by Uruguayan and Argentinean cattle feeders and their feed companies to our area last week.  Up to 70% of the beef produced in Uruguay is sold in the export market to China, the European Union, and the US while government policies in Argentina keep most of the beef for internal consumption by fixing beef prices internally.  

Though the Argentinean approach might seem to favor a situation similar to that of the US beef industry, it is the price fixing that hurts the industry.  This leads to stagnation of the industry. Alternatively, although government policies in Uruguay favor modernization of their beef industry, reliance on foreign customers to maintain a viable, local beef industry also lead to moderation of interventions by cattle producers to invest in their industry enthusiastically.  

An analysis of the US beef cattle cycle reveals that every ten years, the beef cow inventory expands and contracts by some 3 million head.  This is not observed in the beef cow inventories of Uruguay or Argentina (or Australia for that matter).  The reason:  value discovery of beef is dependent on foreign appetite for beef (Uruguay) or government policy (Argentina).  The case for the Australian beef industry is similar to that for the Uruguayan beef industry: they both depend on foreign markets.

The reason the US cattle cycle has such wide swings in cattle inventory is the interaction between internal supply and demand.  The reason cattle cycles in Uruguay (and Australia) is more “moderate” is that their industry depends on demand for beef by nations outside their borders.  The composite response of this demand is fairly flat over time; therefore, the supply (cattle inventory in Uruguay) is also flat.

Although a flat inventory cycle lends a certain predictability to output (pounds of beef), because foreign markets for beef are fickle, this arrangement does not predict price. Therefore, although we might be inclined to complain about the swings in cattle prices resulting from cattle inventories, we should remind ourselves that it is because of the freedom that results from having production and consumption in our own country.  Cattle cycles open opportunities for improvement in our operations when prices are good and entry by younger, less financially stable individuals, when prices are not so good.



IANR state engagement tour kicks off April 3

Leaders from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and the Agriculture Builders of Nebraska will visit communities across Nebraska during a statewide listening tour in April and May.

The listening tour, which will kick off on Tuesday, April 3, will present an opportunity for the public to share their thoughts and visions for the future of Nebraska, their communities, and the state’s agriculture industry with university leadership including Mike Boehm, NU vice president for agriculture and Harlan vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The tour is being conducted in conjunction with IANR’s Celebration of Innovation, which marks the 50th anniversary of IANR, as well as the 150th anniversary of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.  

“As we reflect on the first 50 years of UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, we also want to look toward the future,” said Boehm. “Nebraskans have a key role in framing IANR’s next chapter, and this listening tour is an important step in co-creating our shared future vision.”

Tour dates include:
Dinner and Round Table Discussion - Wayne
April 4, 2023
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Elkhorn Valley Bank and Trust
411 E 7th St, Wayne, NE

Lunch and Round Table Discussion - Fremont
April 5, 2023
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Fremont Golf Club
2710 N Somers Ave, Fremont, NE

Lunch and Round Table Discussion - Columbus
April 26, 2023
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
The Evans House
2204 14th St, Columbus, NE

Other stops include
Dinner and Round Table Discussion - Beatrice - April 3, 2023
Breakfast and Round Table Discussion - Hastings - April 4, 2023
Lunch and Round Table Discussion - Ord - April 4, 2023
Round Table Discussion - North Platte - April 12, 2023
Lunch and Round Table Discussion - Scottsbluff - April 13, 2023
Dinner and Round Table Discussion - Valentine - April 24, 2023
Dinner and Round Table Discussion - Broken Bow - April 25, 2023
Dinner and Round Table Discussion - McCook - May 2, 2023

These events are free and open to the public, though advance registration is requested for each participant.



GRASS TETANY
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Fresh spring growth is a welcome site for producers looking for animal forage.  However, lush spring growth may be the perfect condition for a case of grass tetany.  While turn out may be a ways off, mitigating this risk starts now.

Grass tetany is the result of low levels of magnesium in an animal’s blood stream.  Low magnesium levels in lush, newly growing grass are often a main cause. In lactating animals, low dietary magnesium paired with a drain on calcium from milk production increases risk even more. Calcium aids in magnesium absorption. This means, high milk producing and older animals are most at risk for developing tetany.

To prevent tetany problems this spring, it’s best to wait till grass in pastures has grown to at least 6 inches high before grazing.  Legumes like alfalfa or clover, are a good source of magnesium, so grazing mixed grass and legume pastures can help balance mineral demands.

While cultural practices can reduce risk, providing correct and adequate mineral supplementation may be the most certain remedy.  Cattle should be consuming 3-4 ounces daily of mineral containing supplemental calcium and 10-13% magnesium oxide. This should start at least 30 days before grazing begins, to ensure proper intake has been established.

Most high magnesium minerals utilize magnesium oxide, which is bitter tasting and can reduce animal consumption.  Mix magnesium fortified mineral with salt into a complete package or feed with a highly palatable protein or energy supplement to improve intake

High magnesium mineral should be provided for animals until cool season grasses slow down growth and the levels of lush, fresh forage are reduced, around mid-May.

Dealing with grass tetany in the spring doesn’t have to negatively impact your herd. Plan now to adjust grazing management or mineral supplementation for a tetany-free spring.



 Northeast Education Compact hones plan to boost support for students, teachers

A northeast Nebraska educational partnership that includes the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has taken major steps forward, developing a set of goals to bolster teacher support and expand student learning opportunities in agricultural and natural resources fields. Broad input by member school districts and private industry will be vital for the success of those efforts, the partner organizations agreed during their March 21 summit at Wayne State College.

The gathering was the first in-person session in which the compact’s membership met for strategic planning. Follow-up events this year will include an in-person teacher summit on June 12 at the Haskell Ag Lab in Concord, and meetings of the compact membership via Zoom on Sept. 12 and Nov. 14.

The Northeast Nebraska Agricultural Science and Natural Resources Education Compact, created in 2019 and expanding in membership in 2022, is a first-of-its-kind regional educational partnership for the state. The overarching goal of the compact is to meet the educational needs of youth and lifelong learners in agriculture and natural resources, in order to meet current and future workforce demands.

“I think it could be very positive for us,” said Brendan Calahan, superintendent of Ponca Public Schools. The Ponca district is small and rural, without a current ag or FFA program, he noted. “As we explore how to get that off the ground, this is the ideal place for us to build those connections and build that network.” The resources and partnerships made possible through the compact can “make sure that any ag program we want to put in place is sustainable for the long term for us.”

“I'm really excited about this compact in bringing thought leaders together from industry and academic institutions,” said Kurtis Harms, marketing director for DNA Genetics and Pillen Family Farms, both based in Columbus. The collaboration and communication enabled by the compact can play an important long-term role in helping companies meet workforce needs, said Harms, who participated in the summit’s discussion group on workforce development.

The compact’s work can make a significant contribution in helping Nebraska retain young people and keep rural communities healthy, he said.

A priority from the summit is to assemble relevant online resources about agricultural and natural resources education, as well as relevant workforce development, into a coherent, easily accessed form. At present, that information is scattered widely among websites for educational institutions, government agencies, businesses and commodity associations.

Creating such a viable online resource can provide teachers with useful instructional information and help students understand the wide range of careers in modern agriculture and natural resources fields, summit attendees said. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln lists more than 300 such career options for students, said Mark Balschweid, professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. Creative online strategies the compact hopes to create for information-sharing and collaborations can be a tremendously important tool for helping small school districts that lack resources and for supporting ag teachers early in their careers, discussion groups agreed.  

On a related point, the discussion group on teacher support called for developing creative ways to provide mentoring to ag and technical skills teachers.

“We have a few examples where mentorship is occurring within schools, which is essential,” said Monty Larsen, an ALEC lecturer who provides outreach support for agricultural and skilled technical science educators. “But it’s also worthwhile to maybe have mentorship outside of the school. That way, a young teacher can have a sounding board where they can talk to a teacher in another school district” or have additional online connections to provide support.

Developing such creative solutions are essential if the compact is to effectively help meet the needs of northeast Nebraska’s tribal communities, which lack resources in various ways, summit attendees stressed. To help achieve that goal, the compact’s governance structure and operating culture will need to ensure that “all voices are at the table” in planning and decision-making, attendees said.
Stuart Fischer, outreach and education coordinator for Little Priest Tribal College, said he was encouraged by the summit’s emphasis on addressing the needs of tribal communities.

“This northeast compact is just what it needs to be,” he said. “It needs to be representative of all the people that live in this part of the state."

The workforce development discussions involved much focus on the constructive role digital badges can play in helping students develop skills and helping employees achieve credentialing in practical work skills. The compact also can help by developing strategies so that such credentialing facilitates an employee’s ability to regularly grow in a range of competencies. Such an approach would enable long-term professional growth over the person’s “education life cycle,” said Ron Loggins, dean of Wayne State’s School of Science, Health and Criminal Justice.

The summit had few representatives from private industry, but it’s crucial for the compact to have robust input from the private sector, attendees stressed. Strong communication and interaction with private companies and commodity associations can help educational institutions stay current on real-world needs and trends, facilitating workforce development, attendees said.

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Nebraska will be one of the resources for students and teachers in the compact. The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has begun a newsletter that helps compact members understand available resources among the partner organizations, along with events held by the members.  

Another IANR asset for the compact is the Haskell Ag Lab, 15 miles north of Wayne, providing experiential learning for students. The 550-acre site includes extensive cropland, farming and ranching facilities, an arboretum, pollinator gardens and beehives.

The compact’s original membership from 2019 consisted of CASNR, Little Priest Tribal College, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Nebraska Indian Community College, Northeast Community College, Wayne Community Schools and Wayne State College.

In March 2022, the compact’s membership expanded to include Educational Service Units 1, 7 and 8 along with these school districts: Ainsworth, Allen, Battle Creek, Boone Central, Crofton, Elkhorn Valley, Emerson-Hubbard, Homer, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Neligh-Oakdale, O’Neill, Ponca, South Sioux City, Stanton, Summerland, Umonhon Nation, Walthill, Winnebago, Winside and Wisner-Pilger.



Sullivan Auctioneers, a BigIron company, Drives One Of The Largest Consignment Auctions In Company's History
 
The recent partnership between BigIron Auctions and Sullivan Auctioneers, a BigIron company, drove one of the largest consignment auctions in the company's history with 1,600 lots.  
    
After two of the largest online ag equipment auction companies combined forces in July 2022, BigIron Auctions and Sullivan Auctioneers, a BigIron company, solidified their position as one of the largest unreserved online auction businesses serving rural America. With locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska – and more than 500 thousand registered bidders – the combined organization drives price performance for their sellers, while providing bidders access to equipment across the United States.  

During the week of March 20, 2023 the combined organization sold over 40 million in Agricultural and construction equipment, Farmland, Livestock, Trucks and classic cars. The legendary Sullivan consignment auction in Hamilton, IL brought sellers from hundreds of miles away. This two day event featured equipment from estates, implement dealers and other national partners.  

"Listings continue to come in at a record pace, and it's our responsibility to ensure we provide bidders, buyers and sellers the best possible auction experience, while securing top dollar for their land and equipment," Dan Sullivan, of Sullivan Auctioneers, said. 

Seller Garrett Shank, with Penn Mechanical Group, talked about why he trusts Sullivan Auctioneers with his equipment, "We've been doing business for the last seven years with Sullivan Auctioneers on their quarterly consignment sale. Their exposure is some of the best in the business which is why I never hesitate to buy or sell with their no-reserve policy. From the days of standing in the cold, to sitting in my warm office for their online only platform, I will continue to place my trust in Sullivan Auctioneers, a BigIron company." 

"Together we are better," said Mark Stock, BigIron CEO. "We're focused on discovering where our combined knowledge, tools and passion can be leveraged for a better customer experience." 

"Our business is a people business," commented Maverick Woodside of Sullivan Auctioneers. "There is no greater example of this than our quarterly consignment sale. We have the privilege to work with sellers, buyers, and bidders from all walks of life and from coast to coast. Our staff at Sullivan Auctioneers takes that privilege with great responsibility and we work hard to ensure consignors' equipment is described, photographed, and positioned with accuracy and transparency. This effort, combined with our large bidder base, is what continues to make these auctions a huge success." 



Farmers Can Earn Cash Back When Filling Up Tanks Through IRFA On-Farm Biodiesel Credit Program

Today the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is re-launching the statewide On-Farm Biodiesel Credit program to give back to Iowa farmers. Farmers who buy a biodiesel blend can receive up to 50 cents per gallon for filling an on-farm tank in Iowa used in agricultural operations.

“This is a great way for farmers to try a B11 blend or bump up to B20,” said IRFA Marketing Director, Lisa Coffelt. “IRFA is thrilled to be able to re-launch this program with $45,000 in available funding for 2023. Last year we exhausted $35,000 in cash-back credits to almost 100 farmers who used higher biodiesel blends on their farm.”

The Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Biodiesel Board continue to partner with the program, providing $10,000. Biodiesel producers Western Iowa Energy, Western Dubuque Biodiesel and Chevron Renewable Energy Group each contributed $5,000. IRFA provides $20,000 in funding and manages the program.

“Biodiesel is a win for agriculture on multiple levels as it adds value to soybean oil, corn oil, and animal fats,” says Coffelt. “It is supported by John Deere and CASE IH engines. We are looking forward to putting more money in farmers pockets this year as we expand biodiesel distribution.”

Response to the first round of funding in 2022 was positive. “We use biodiesel year-round on my farm – B20 in the summer and B5 in the winter and have had absolutely no problems,” said Randy Miller, a soybean farmer from South Central Iowa. “The biodiesel credit is just one more example of the benefit that is out there for farmers to use to get started using biodiesel.”

Farmers will earn 25-cents per gallon for filling up with B11 (11 percent biodiesel) and 50-cents per gallon with B20 (20 percent biodiesel) up to a maximum credit of $500. Program funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible, farmers must meet the criteria and follow the procedures outlined at: https://iowarfa.org/iowa-on-farm-biodiesel-credit-program/.  



SHIC Pursues More Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research

The Swine Health Information Center is soliciting a second round of proposals for its Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program with funding from the Center, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, and Pork Checkoff. The program proactively enhances wean-to-harvest biosecurity to help control the next emerging disease in the US pork industry and improve US swine herd health.

“As a veterinarian, I am constantly tasked with, asked about, and challenged on biosecurity processes or protocols – what is the ‘right’ way, what is the value or ROI, what is the science behind this, does this even work?” commented Jeremy Pittman, DVM, senior director of US veterinary services for Smithfield Foods and SHIC board member. “While there has been a lot of good scientific biosecurity work reported, we need more to answer these and other questions more confidently and to get better as an industry.”

The first round of research proposals was funded in February 2023. This second round of research will investigate cost-effective and innovative technologies, protocols, or ideas to develop solutions for biosecurity gaps that were not adequately addressed in the first round of projects. Approximately $1.3 million is available for this second round of research.

“The swine industry has traditionally focused on breeding herds, boar studs, and live haul transportation for much of the biosecurity work. But recently, grow-out sites and market haul transportation have started to get more attention in response to both domestic and foreign animal disease prevention and mitigation,” Dr. Pittman remarked. “This type of focused research will help the industry continue to get better and for biosecurity practices to be more effective and efficient.”

The updated research priorities in the second round of solicitation continue to focus on site and transportation biosecurity. They cover five targeted areas: 1) personnel biocontainment and bioexclusion, 2) mortality management, 3) truck wash efficiency, 4) alternatives to fixed truck wash, and 5) packing plant biocontainment. “We are seeking novel tools in any of the five areas to help result in comprehensive biosecurity enhancement,” remarked SHIC Executive Director Dr. Paul Sundberg.

The call for proposals encourages collaborative projects including pork industry, allied industry and/or academic public/private partnerships, demonstrating the most urgency and timeliness of completion, and showing high value to pork producers with efficient use of funds. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. CDT, April 28, 2023. SHIC, FFAR and Pork Checkoff anticipate release of all research project results as they are made available.

The Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program aligns with SHIC’s mission to analyze swine health data and support targeted research to benefit the US pork industry. SHIC-funded Swine Disease Monitoring Reports’ aggregate data show breeding herd breaks of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus tend to follow breaks in wean-to-harvest sites. A SHIC-funded project detailed how PRRS and PED negative pigs placed on wean-to-harvest sites become infected after placement. SHIC’s Rapid Response Program investigation of the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae outbreak in the Midwest exposed deficiencies of wean-to-harvest biosecurity that contributed to disease spread.



FFAR, NPB Seek to Improve Air Quality on Pig Farms

While air quality within and around swine farms and its impact on nearby individuals are commonly studied environmental health issues, there is a lack of technology that can reliably and objectively measure the level of particles in the air so advancements can be made to remove them to improve air quality. To remedy this problem, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), in partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB),  launched in 2022 the Improving Swine Production Air Quality Program. Last summer, the program solicited applications to fund research that develops objective particulate matter measurement technologies for large-scale assessments of particulate levels on and near swine farms. Today FFAR and NPB announced that Dr. Jiqin Ni, professor of Agriculture and Bioengineering at Purdue University and Dr. Xufei Yang, assistant professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University were awarded grants totaling nearly $1 million, $500,000 from FFAR, with matching funding from NPB.   

Reliable air quality assessments, generated using objective methods and metrics, are critical for understanding the source of swine production particulates and developing continuous improvement efforts. Currently, air quality measurements specific to swine farms are lacking. Most existing air quality assessment methods are developed to measure particulate matter found in indoor environments that are different from that found in swine farms or to measure particulate matter found in ambient air. Particulate matter found in swine farms is different from ambient particulate matter in several ways including particulate matter source, size, composition and concentration amongst others. Existing particulate matter measurement methods are costly, complex, slow and can introduce bias. Lack of reliable measurements is preventing improved air quality.

“Poor air quality can have harmful effects on farm workers, their animals and the neighboring communities,” said Dr. Constance Gewa, FFAR senior program director. “In order to improve air quality on swine farms, the current amount of particulate matter on and around farms needs to be accurately and reliably measured. However, current particulate matter measurement methods are not specific for agriculture.”

The Improving Swine Production Air Quality Program is developing objective particulate matter measurement technologies for large-scale assessments of particulate levels on and near swine farms. As part of this Program, FFAR and NPB awarded grants to Dr. Jiqin Ni, professor of Agriculture and Bioengineering at Purdue University and Dr. Xufei Yang, assistant professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University.

Ni received $500,086 to develop an innovative Particulate Matter Monitoring Station (PMMS) for exposure monitoring. The PMMS will be portable, fast-response, sensitive, low-cost and easy to operate. The PMMS will be calibrated against U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated particulate matter measurement methods.

“Particulate matter from swine production facilities has been long perceived as a farm hygiene issue and a nuisance by farm workers and neighboring communities,” said Ni. “This research will enable obtaining large amount of objective and reliable particulate matter concentrations and their distributions. These concentration data will help the producers understand the actual issues with particulate matter at swine production and take appropriate protection or mitigation measures.”

Yang received $499,817 to develop a swine farm particulate matter measurement technology designed to be reliable, low-cost and user-friendly. The project relies on obtaining large amounts of high-quality particulate matter measurement, which are essential to developing and calibrating predictive models of particulate matter emissions that can assess worker and community safety and health risks. The new predictive models and measurement protocols can be used to develop and evaluate particulate matter mitigation methods and technologies.

Producers, farmers and regulating agencies could then use the resulting methodologies and technologies on a large scale to quantify particulate exposure and reduce associated health and safety risks.  



New Nationwide Poll: Voters Want E15 Available Year-Round

As the Biden administration and Congress consider taking action to allow continued sales of lower-cost E15 this summer, a new poll shows overwhelming support among voters for ensuring the popular fuel blend remains available year-round and nationwide.

With retail gas prices remaining elevated, nearly 70 percent of poll respondents support increasing the availability of E15 to help lower fuel prices and support energy independence. Just 13 percent of those surveyed did not support expanded availability of E15. Meanwhile, 62 percent support recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would allow the lower-carbon E15 blend to be sold year-round nationwide. Only 15 percent of respondents do not support the legislation, while 23 percent had no opinion. Morning Consult polled 1,978 registered voters March 20-23, across all demographics, for the Renewable Fuels Association. Click here for the topline data.

“We are pleased to see these new poll results, but not surprised,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “They match what we observe every day; drivers continue to embrace an American-made fuel that is more affordable and lower in carbon emissions. Simply put, consumers want greater access to E15. Last summer, E15 sold for 20 to 30 cents per gallon less than regular gasoline, on average, saving American families three to five dollars every time they filled up. Those savings will disappear on June 1 unless our leaders in Washington take action. They need to act quickly to ensure that lower-cost E15 is available at the pump throughout the summer driving season.”

Additional results:
    Ethanol favorability and support for the Renewable Fuel Standard have reached record highs; 69 percent of respondents have a favorable opinion of ethanol, while 66 percent support the RFS. These are the highest numbers since RFA kicked off baseline polling in June 2016.
    The Next Generation Fuels Act, which would establish a high-octane, low-carbon fuel standard, is supported by 64 percent of respondents, an increase of four percentage points from December.
    69 percent of respondents believe it to be important for the U.S. government to promote the production and sale of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States.
    Voters strongly oppose government mandates related to their vehicle purchase options. Banning the sale of new liquid-fueled vehicles with internal combustion engines is opposed by 61 percent of respondents, while mandating that buyers purchase electric vehicles is opposed by 63 percent.

An October 2022 analysis found that allowing E15 sales in the summer of 2022 saved American drivers nearly $60 million.



ADM to offer BiOWiSH® Fertilizer Enhancement to improve nutrient efficiency

ADM and BiOWiSH Technologies, Inc. (BiOWiSH) today announced ADM will offer a BiOWiSH® Fertilizer Enhancement as an option to urea, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and NPK blends. The new product will be available from ADM Farm Direct Fertilizer as well as the company’s wholesale business.

“We’re extremely excited to partner with ADM,” said BiOWiSH CEO Graham Beesley. “Together we will ensure that more farmers in the U.S. will be able to experience the benefits of high-quality biologically enhanced fertilizers, which are designed to increase crop production economically, safely and sustainably.”

The BiOWiSH Fertilizer Enhancement is a blend of proprietary microbial cultures coated onto dry fertilizer or mixed with liquid fertilizers to create an enhanced efficiency fertilizer. ADM plans to offer it as an option to be coated onto dry fertilizers sold through several of its terminals for the 2023 season.

The BiOWiSH Fertilizer Enhancement is specifically designed to optimize yield potential by improved nutrient uptake and to improve soil conditions for increased plant vigor. Featuring BiOWiSH’s proprietary HoloGene 3™ technology, BiOWiSH endophytic Bacillus delivers soil nutrients to crops through the rhizophagy cycle, creating a symbiotic relationship between the plant and soil microbes. This unique mode of action, combined with the product’s industry-leading shelf life, is proven to achieve consistent desired results across a broad range of operating conditions, climates and environments — all at a low cost to farmers.

“ADM is committed to delivering solutions that will enhance farmer profitability and help them sustainably meet growing demand for agricultural products. BiOWiSH is one of those solutions,” said Graig Whitehead, ADM director of biologicals and new technology. “It is an easy addition to a fertility program for farmers looking to benefit from improved nutrient use efficiency and increased yield potential.”

The BiOWiSH Fertilizer Enhancement is available at the following U.S. ADM Fertilizer terminals:
    Blytheville, Arkansas
    Camanche, Iowa
    Madison, Illinois
    Ottawa, Illinois
    Owensboro, Kentucky
    St. Paul, Minnesota
    Winona, Minnesota

Additional locations in the U.S. and Canada are expected to offer the enhancement soon.