Thursday April 20 Ag News

2023 Nebraska Beef Passport Highlights Independent Restaurants and Meat Processors
 
The 2023 Nebraska Beef Passport, funded by Nebraska beef producers through their Beef Checkoff, is scheduled to launch May 1 featuring locations across the state that are known for offering outstanding beef. This year’s participants include 29 restaurants and 17 meat processors.
 
Now in its third year, the program encourages people to visit the featured locations where they can purchase beef items and earn points towards prizes offered by the Nebraska Beef Council. Passport holders are also eligible for special discounts at participating locations. The program is designed to highlight Nebraska’s robust beef industry while showcasing the quality beef offered at restaurants and meat processors throughout the state.
 
“This has really become a popular program and we’re excited to keep expanding it,” said Adam Wegner, director of marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. “This year we’ve partnered with the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors to include several of their member locations. Now passport holders can enjoy an outstanding beef dining experience and also take home fresh beef cuts or try house-made jerky and beef sticks. There will truly be something for everyone.”

Stops on the Passport Program include:
  - Popo’s Drive Inn, Pender
  - Michael’s Cantina, Norfolk
  - Blair Meat Market, Blair
  - Faltin Meat Market, Howells
  - Wahoo Locker, Wahoo
  - North Bend Locker, North Bend  
 
The Nebraska Beef Passports are free and can obtained at www.GoodLifeGreatSteaks.org. Digital passports can be set up from the convenience of a mobile device while paper passports can be printed directly from the website. Points earned on digital passports can be redeemed for prizes and each visit qualifies as an entry into a grand prize beef bundle give-a-way. Visits to any of the meat processor locations will qualify as an entry into a bonus beef bundle give-a-way offered by the Nebraska Association of Meat Processors.
 
Beef Passport holders can also join the Nebraska Beef Passport group on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest news and special offers. Members can gain access to additional information about the featured locations, share their photos and experiences with other members, and even become eligible to win additional prizes. The final date to collect points is September 30, 2023.
 
For a full list of prizes and contest rules, visit www.GoodLifeGreatSteaks.org or contact the Nebraska Beef Council office at 1-800-421-5326.



Nebraska Farm Bureau to House Subcommittee on Trade: Free Trade Agreements Vital to Farm and Ranch Families

The United States must tell the world it is open for business when it comes to agricultural trade. That was the message of Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) President Mark McHargue when he testified before House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, April 18. The hearing, Countering China’s Trade and Investment Agenda: Opportunities for American Leadership, focused on the current state of the trade relationship between the United States and China.

“China remains a vital market for Nebraska goods as a consistent top three market for Nebraska products, year in and year out. At the same time, America’s and Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers are aware and concerned about the current geopolitical and national security concerns that exist between our nations,” said McHargue.

According to analysis by NEFB using data from the United States Department of Agriculture, prior to 2018, Nebraska agricultural exports to China ranged from $936 million to $1.045 billion and generally equated to 15 percent of Nebraska’s total agricultural exports. That equates to roughly $19,300 per farm in Nebraska. Following substantial declines in 2018 and 2019, NEFB’s analysis showed farmers and ranchers saw substantial growth return due to the U.S.-China Phase 1 Trade Agreement. In 2020, China imported approximately $28.7 billion worth of U.S. agriculture and food products and $35.6 billion in 2021. In 2022, a new record of $40.8 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and food products was exported into China, equating to $55,790 per farm and ranch in Nebraska.

“Farmers and ranchers have the same geopolitical, national security, copyright, and trade law concerns that many elected officials and industries have. But, given China’s role as a significant consumer of raw U.S. commodities, whether we like it or not, China is an important customer. We need them and they need us,” said McHargue.

McHargue also noted in his testimony that Nebraska is “The Beef State” as the cattle sector remains the largest portion of Nebraska’s agricultural industry. NEFB analysis shows Nebraska is among the top beef exporting states to China in the U.S. However, China continues to make significant investments in other countries such as Brazil to move away from their dependence on U.S. agricultural and food products. According to NEFB analysis, China’s ag exports from all destinations topped $216.9 billion in 2022, an increase of 5.5 percent, or $11.4 billion, from the year before. McHargue called on the Biden administration to lessen barriers and improve trade relations with China.

“Given everything happening in the world today, the United States should be actively working each and every day to diversify our trading partners. While farmers and ranchers could talk all day about the problems we have with taxes or new regulations, the biggest disappointment we have with the Biden administration has been their nonexistent efforts to find new trading partners and pursue negotiations on any new free trade agreements,” said McHargue.

During the hearing, McHargue said the U.S. needs to work to ensure our national security and hold China accountable to WTO trade obligations, but also must make certain the U.S. doesn’t continue to lose access to a vital market. Farm Bureau also pushed for the need to rejoin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and reengaging with the UK as well as Kenya on free trade agreements.

Nebraska Farm Bureau thanks the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade and Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-NE) for the opportunity to testify on an issue vitally important to Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.



Rural Mainstreet Economy Records Moves Higher:
Bank CEOs Report Loss of Deposits, Two-Thirds Oppose Bailouts

After declining below growth neural for March, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index expanded above the threshold for the month, according to the April monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

Overall: The region’s overall reading in April climbed to 50.1 from March’s 45.6. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“The Rural Mainstreet economy continues to experience slow, to no, to negative economic growth. Only 8% of bankers reported improving economic conditions for the month with 84% indicating no change in economic conditions from March’s negative growth,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

Farming and ranching land prices: The region’s farmland price index rose to 64.6 from March’s 63.0. This was the 31st straight month that the index has advanced above 50.0.

Farm equipment sales: As a result of solid farm financial conditions, the farm equipment-sales index fell to a still solid 54.3 from 59.5 in March. The index has risen above growth neutral for 27 of the last 29 months.

Bank CEOs were asked several questions regarding the recent bank failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank:
-    More than three of four, or 76.2%, of bank CEOs oppose the recent Biden/Yellen/Fed bank bailout of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.
-    Two-thirds of bank CEOs oppose all bank bailouts (i.e., community, regional and multibillion dollar banks).
-    Approximately 29.1% support bailouts of all banks posing systemic risks.
-    Approximately 64% reported depositors exiting due to higher financial risks.

Confidence: The slowing economy, higher borrowing costs and labor shortages continued to constrain the business confidence index to a weak 38.0, down from March’s 39.1. “Over the past 12 months, the regional confidence index has fallen to levels indicating a very negative outlook,” said Goss.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI climbed above growth neutral to 52.7 from 48.3 in March. The state’s farmland-price index for April rose to 65.4 from March’s 63.4. Nebraska’s April new-hiring index grew to 57.8 from 46.8 in March. Over the past 12 months, the state’s Rural Mainstreet Economy expanded jobs by 4.8% compared to 1.2% for urban areas of the state.

Iowa: Iowa’s April RMI slumped to 44.8 from 46.7 in March. Iowa’s farmland-price index increased to 57.4 from March’s 55.6. Iowa’s new-hiring index for April moved higher to 44.8 from 37.1 in March. Over the past 12 months, the state’s Rural Mainstreet Economy expanded jobs by 0.7% compared to 2.0% for urban areas of the state.

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



USDA Farm Service Agency Offers Disaster Assistance to Nebraska Farmers, Livestock Producers Impacted by Drought

The Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is highlighting available assistance programs to help farmers and livestock producers address the ongoing drought. Producers being impacted should contact their county FSA office to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist them.

“A number of Nebraska counties have drought conditions already this season that are significant enough to trigger FSA assistance programs,” said Tim Divis, the acting state executive director for Nebraska FSA. “Producers whose operations are being impacted by the drought are encouraged to learn about available programs and then contact their county FSA office for assistance.”

A few key FSA drought assistance programs that have triggered in Nebraska counties include:
    Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP): LFP provides compensation to eligible producers who are suffering grazing losses for eligible livestock due to drought on privately-owned land, leased land where the producer has a risk in the grazing or fire on federally managed land. Producers in 55 Nebraska counties currently are eligible to apply for 2023 LFP benefits on small grains, native pasture, improved pasture, or forage sorghum.

    The 55 counties include: Antelope, Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Burt, Butler, Cedar, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Deuel, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker, Howard, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Lincoln, Loup, Madison, Merrick, Morrill, Nance, Perkins, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Rock, Saunders, Scotts Bluff, Stanton, Thomas, Thurston, Washington, Wayne, and Wheeler.

    These counties became eligible for LFP due to drought status as shown on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Counties trigger for this program when they reach level D2 (drought severe) intensity for eight consecutive weeks during the normal grazing period, or when they reach D3 (drought extreme) or D4 (drought exceptional) at any time during the normal grazing period. The listing of counties that have triggered for this program is updated each Thursday when the Drought Monitor is published.

    Several factors are considered regarding producer eligibility for LFP, including that a producer must have risk in both the eligible livestock and the eligible grazing lands.

    Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP): ELAP is available to eligible producers who have suffered above normal expenses for hauling feed or water to livestock or hauling livestock to forage/grazing acres due to the impacts of drought.

All counties in Nebraska have triggered for this program, except for Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson and Webster. These counties became eligible for ELAP due to drought status as shown on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Counties trigger for this program when they reach level D2 (drought severe) intensity for eight consecutive weeks, with the last week having to be inside of the normal grazing season, or reach D3 (drought extreme) or greater.

Producers must have risk in both eligible livestock and eligible grazing land in an eligible county to qualify for ELAP assistance. For ELAP losses, producers must submit a notice of loss to the FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent; producers in eligible counties should contact their county FSA office as soon as the loss of water resources or feed resources are known.

For ELAP eligibility, documentation of expenses is critical. Producers should maintain records and receipts associated with the costs of transporting water to eligible livestock, the costs of transporting feed to eligible livestock, and the costs of transporting eligible livestock to forage/grazing acres.

ELAP also has available assistance provisions for honeybee producers impacted by drought, and those producers should contact the county FSA office for more information.

    Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Emergency Haying and Grazing: Acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program may be authorized for emergency haying and grazing to provide additional hay resources for livestock producers affected by drought. Counties trigger for this emergency program by reaching D2 (drought severe) on the U.S. Drought Monitor or in a county where there is at least a 40 percent loss in forage production. Producers interested in haying or grazing of CRP acres must contact the county FSA office to determine eligibility prior to beginning any haying or grazing activity and to gain an understanding of specific program provisions.

    Emergency Loan Program: This program provides emergency loans to qualified producers to help with production and physical losses related to drought. These loans can be used to assist with production costs for the disaster year, essential family living expenses, reorganizing the farm operation or refinancing certain debts. Among other eligibility requirements, farmers and ranchers who apply for these loans must be unable to receive credit from commercial sources.

    This program has triggered in 55 Nebraska counties that received a USDA Secretarial primary drought disaster designation and an additional 23 Nebraska counties that border the disaster-declared counties. The disaster designations are based on conditions shown on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Producers have until December 1, 2023, to apply for these loans.

Other assistance programs that may be available to assist producers with drought impacts include the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to aid with expenses associated with pasture water resources, and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines lost during the drought.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops to protect against natural disasters that result in lower yields or crop losses, or prevents crop planting. NAP coverage must have been purchased by the application closing date ahead of the growing season. Producers with NAP coverage for 2023 crops are reminded they must file Notice of Loss with FSA when a crop or planting is affected by natural disaster. The filing deadline varies by crop, and producers should contact their county FSA office for details.

FSA also has a variety of loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan debt to FSA because of reasons beyond their control. This includes the Disaster Set-Aside Program.



Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund to Help Beef Cattle Producers Affected by Recent Fires

Today, leadership of the Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund announced they will be accepting monetary donations and relief applications to assist beef cattle producers who were impacted by recent fires.

Nebraska Cattlemen President Steve Hanson stated, “The cattle community must come together during challenging times to support our fellow producers affected by the recent fires. We are thankful for the dedication and bravery of first responders, including local volunteer fire departments, who are going above and beyond to contain these fires and keep Nebraskans safe.”

The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund will remain activated and accept donations until further notice by leadership of the Disaster Relief Fund.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations made to the Disaster Relief Fund may be tax deductible – a receipt will be sent upon deposit of funds. Those donating should consult with their tax advisor for final determination.

Funds will only be distributed to producers who experienced property loss or damage in areas where a fire was reported through the Nebraska Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Watch Center. As of today, disaster declarations have been issued for Jefferson (Rock Creek Fire), Cherry (McCann Fire), Garfield (Lowry Fire), and Custer and Blaine counties (Cooksley Complex Fire). Membership in Nebraska Cattlemen is not required for applicants to receive relief. Applications may be submitted from today until further notice. Relief funds will not be distributed until the application period closes.

Individuals who would like to donate either online or by mailing a check, please visit www.nebraskacattlemen.org/disaster-relief-fund.

To learn more about other ways to help beef cattle producers recover from the wildfires, please visit www.nebraskacattlemen.org/wildfire-resources/.

For any questions, please contact the Nebraska Cattlemen office at (402) 475-2333 or email disasterrelief@necattlemen.org.



SPRING GRAZING TO CONTROL WEEDS
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Educator

Given the drought conditions that Nebraska experienced in 2022, it is likely that many pastures will have an abundance of spring and summer weeds this year.

Drought last year also has led to the general recommendation of delaying turn out to pasture, but early flash grazing can be an option to capitalize on growth of some of those weeds.  Flash grazing is the process of quickly rotating through pastures early, before they are scheduled for their main summer grazing period.

When flash grazing mixed cool- and warm-season grass pastures, we do want to be a little more cautious as to not overgraze any desirable cool-season grasses.  In areas where cheatgrass or downy brome is a problem, grazing at strategic windows, such as during the cheatgrass elongation phase right before seed set, appears to be the best time to apply grazing.  Grazing at this time matches diet preference by grazing animals with the cheatgrass growth period and limits over use on perennial cool-season grasses growing at the same time. Targeted grazing is a long-term management option that can utilize cheatgrass as a forage resource and limit the potential seed proliferation within a system.

In warm-season grass pastures, an abundance of early weeds will remove moisture that could be used for grass growth later on and they remove valuable nutrients from the soil.  Early weeds also can develop so much growth that they can shade, smother, and reduce early growth of your summer pasture grasses.

While early flash grazing of some pastures will not eliminate all the weeds, it can actually make for some pretty timely and valuable pasture.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during March 2023 totaled 6.91 million, down from 8.49 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska egg production during March totaled 174 million eggs, down from 213 million in 2022. March egg production per 100 layers was 2,512 eggs, compared to 2,515 eggs in 2022.

IOWA: Iowa egg production during March 2023 was 1.16 billion eggs, up 11 percent from the previous March, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during March 2023 was 45.4 million, up 12 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for March 2023 was 2,552, down 1 percent from a year ago.

March Egg Production Down 3 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.21 billion during March 2023, down  3 percent from last year. Production included 7.88 billion table eggs, and 1.33 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.23 billion were broiler-type and 106 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during March 2023 totaled 383 million, down slightly from last year. March egg production per 100 layers was 2,408 eggs, down 2 percent from March 2022.
                                    
Total layers in the United States on April 1, 2023 totaled 383 million, up 2 percent from last year. The 383 million layers consisted of 314 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 64.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 4.00 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on April 1, 2023, averaged 77.9 eggs per 100 layers, down 2 percent from April 1, 2022.



Red Meat Production Down 1 Percent from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.91 billion pounds in March, down 1 percent from the 4.98 billion pounds produced in March 2022.

Beef production, at 2.40 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.94 million head, down 3 percent from March 2022. The average live weight was down 18 pounds from the previous year, at 1,366 pounds.

Veal production totaled 4.2 million pounds, 15 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 26,200 head, down 20 percent from March 2022. The average live weight was up 15 pounds from last year, at 277 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.49 billion pounds, up 1 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.5 million head, up 2 percent from March 2022. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 292 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.7 million pounds, was up 3 percent from March 2022. Sheep slaughter totaled 198,800 head, 6 percent above last year. The average live weight was 126 pounds, down 4 pounds from March a year ago.

Prod By State  (million lbs  -  % March '22)
Nebraska .......:          672.7             96       
Iowa ..............:          799.7            103       
Kansas ...........:          517.1             98       

January to March 2023 commercial red meat production was 13.9 billion pounds, down slightly from 2022. Accumulated beef production was down 3 percent from last year, veal was down 10 percent, pork was up 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 5 percent.



North American Meat Institute Recognizes Environmental Achievement Award Winners

The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) today recognized more than 200 meat and poultry plants at the 2023 Environmental, Labor and Safety+ Conference in Carlsbad, California for their positive environmental impact achievements. Fifteen additional establishments that went above and beyond were granted Environmental Achievement Awards for their progress with emissions reduction, energy conservation, packaging/food waste reduction, technological innovation, and water conservation.

“NAMI congratulates these companies and their leadership for ensuring their products contribute to a sustainable food system,” said NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Their hard work and innovation will ensure the meat and poultry industry continues to employ the highest standards and latest technology to produce wholesome, safe, nutritious products that consumers can be proud to put on their plates.”

The NAMI Environmental Achievement Awards are given to NAMI member companies that go beyond environmental compliance by designing and successfully implementing an innovative plant upgrade or environmental program. The Environmental Achievement Award winners represent establishments operated by JBS, Pilgrim’s, Smithfield and SugarCreek. The winners are as follows:

Category  
Emissions Reduction
- 1st Place JBS – Tolleson - 2nd Place Smithfield – Sioux Falls - 3rd Place Pilgrim’s – Canton Complex

Energy Conservation
- 1st Place JBS – Green Bay - 2nd Place JBS USA Hyrum Beef - 3rd Place SugarCreek Packing Co. – Cambridge City

Packaging and/or Food Waste Reduction
- 1st Place Smithfield Packaged Meat – Kinston - 2nd Place JBS USA Grand Island Beef - 3rd Place Smithfield – Des Moines

Technological Innovation
- 1st Place JBS – Plainwell - 2nd Place Pilgrim’s – Talmo Hatchery - 3rd Place SugarCreek Packing Co. – Washington Court House

Water Conservation
- 1st Place Pilgrim’s – Arcadia - 2nd Place Smithfield Packaged Meats – Carroll - 3rd Place Smithfield – Milan

The Environmental Recognition Awards honor a company's dedication to continuous environmental improvement, as witnessed by the development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems. The Environmental Recognition Award winners include establishments throughout North America operated by: American Foods Group, Caviness Beef Packers, CS Beef Packers, Clemens Food Group, FPL Foods, Golden State Foods, JBS, Land O’ Frost, Maple Leaf Foods, OSI Group, Pilgrim’s, Smithfield Foods, SugarCreek Packing, Triumph Foods and West Liberty Foods.

Companies that earned these awards also reported data in 2022 for The Protein PACT, which is uniting the largest-ever industry effort to strengthen animal protein’s contributions to healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment.



Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference is May 17

A robust farm economy, soil health and land values are topics that will drive discussion at the 95th annual Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference May 17 in Ames.

The average acre of Iowa farmland increased roughly 17% last year, according to results of the Iowa State University Land Value Survey, released in November. Many variables that have supported that growth continue to evolve in today’s agricultural landscape and will be part of the discussion at the conference.

This year’s conference will be offered in person at Iowa State University’s Scheman Building from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The in-person registration fee is $150.

Planting soybeans in Iowa.“This year’s program will examine several hot topics in rural property management, appraisal and transactions, as well as topics impacting the overall agricultural economy, such as animal disease outbreaks and the weather outlook,” said Chad Hart, professor in economics and extension economist at Iowa State. “The speakers for the conference provide a great mix of information on the science, policy and practical application on these issues.”

Five major current issues and their implications to soil management and land valuation will be discussed. The topics include the U.S. and global agricultural economy and policy outlook, a panel discussion on soil health research and programs, a weather outlook and its impacts on agricultural production, a session on animal diseases and government responses to those outbreaks, and an update on federal and state changes to agricultural laws and tax codes.  In addition, there will be shorter sessions exploring the land value forecasts of the participants and the outlook for crop prices over the past year.

The conference offers networking opportunities for professionals who have an interest in agricultural land, land management and land valuation. Additionally, participants have the opportunity through an online survey pre-conference to “gaze into their crystal balls,” and will be asked to provide their estimates of future land values in Iowa and corn and soybean prices via an online survey distributed before the conference.

Sponsored by Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and ISU Extension and Outreach, the Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference is intended for farm managers, rural appraisers, real estate brokers and others interested in the land market in Iowa. This is the longest running conference at Iowa State in both research and extension with 2023 being the 95th annual meeting in this series.

If approved by the relevant boards, participants can receive 6.5 hours of real estate continuing education credits from the Iowa Real Estate Commission, and 7 hours of appraiser continuing education credits from the Real Estate Appraiser Examining Board.

Other presenters from Iowa State will include Marshall McDaniel, associate professor in agronomy, and Kristine Tidgren, director of the Center for Ag Law and Taxation and adjunct associate professor in agricultural education.

Register online at https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/smlv/register/.

For questions regarding the conference content, contact Chad Hart at 515-294-9911 or chart@iastate.edu.



Organic Farmers in Iowa Seek Extension of Crop Insurance Planting Deadline

Organic farmers in Iowa are advocating for an extension of the planting deadline to qualify for crop insurance coverage. Currently, both conventional and organic farmers have until the end of May to plant their crops. However, organic farmers in Iowa face specific challenges that require them to plant later. To ensure that their seeds emerge quickly, organic farmers need warmer soil temperatures. Additionally, they have to avoid contamination from nearby conventional farmers.

Noah Wendt, an Iowa crop insurance salesman and owner of A&W Organic Farms, explained that organic farmers use fewer chemicals, which is why they plant their crops two to three weeks later than conventional farmers. This delay increases the chances of missing the crop insurance deadline and being penalized.

Wendt believes that an extension would allow organic producers in Iowa to plant when soil conditions and weather are ideal, rather than when they're under pressure to meet the deadline.

Kelsey Willardson, policy associate at the Center for Rural Affairs, is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency to provide more time for organic farmers in Iowa to plant without losing their insurance coverage.

The Center for Rural Affairs believes that an extension would level the playing field and protect organic producers in Iowa who are taking extra effort to care for and responsibly manage their land. The Risk Management Agency has set the planting deadline based on crop and location. However, an extension could be beneficial for organic farmers in Iowa, who face unique challenges that conventional farmers do not.



Growth Energy to EPA: Unlock Midwest E15 Now

Growth Energy, the nation’s leading biofuels trade association, today filed formal comments urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to swiftly allow for permanent year-round sales of E15 in eight Midwest states. The comments address EPA’s proposed response to Midwest governors seeking equal treatment of E10 and E15 fuels under federal Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) limits – a change that would extend access to cleaner, more affordable biofuel blends.

“For motorists, the value proposition of E15 is clear,” wrote Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Growth Energy. “It gives consumers an additional choice at the pump that allows an additional pathway to market for homegrown ethanol.”

In the letter, Bliley also highlighted E15’s advantages in terms of enhancing U.S. energy security and decreasing volatility in the American fuel market. “Reliance on petroleum energy sources can lead to substantial swings in fuel prices, as seen during the 2022 summer driving season as prices skyrocketed in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, inflation, and other factors,” he said. “During this period, E15 provided consumers with a significantly lower-cost fuel option at the pump, with savings of $0.16/gallon nationwide and up to $0.96/gallon in certain locations. If E15 were to replace E10 on a nationwide basis, consumer spending on motor fuel would decrease by $20.6 billion.”

Bliley also emphasized that EPA must act quickly, given that the agency has already missed a key deadline established by the Clean Air Act.

“EPA should mitigate its violations of the Clean Air Act timing requirements by promptly finalizing the proposed regulations with an effective date as soon as practicable,” added Bliley. “Further unlawful delay would continue to harm consumers, air quality, and the climate. In the interim, it is critical that EPA immediately issue an emergency one-psi waiver. This action would provide relief, flexibility, and certainty in the fuel markets as we are seeing continued high gasoline prices in the petitioning states.”  



RFA to EPA: Don’t Wait Until 2024, Implement Governors’ Request on Year-Round E15 Now

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should implement a regulation allowing the lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 fuel blend to be sold in eight Midwest states this summer, rather than waiting until 2024 as proposed, the Renewable Fuels Association said in formal comments filed today.

“There is no economic, environmental, or legal justification for the Agency to defer implementation another year,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “If there is any problem with implementing the governors’ requests this summer, it is one of the administration’s own making, which is not a legitimate reason for further delay.”

Cooper pointed out that because the original governors’ petition requesting year-round E15 was submitted in April 2022, EPA had a legal duty to approve and implement it by the end of July of last year. Even though the law clearly establishes a 90-day deadline for implementing a petition from governors, “the administration did not act on the petition for nearly a year, and now EPA is using this delay as an excuse to defer implementation for another year. This is creating considerable uncertainty in the marketplace and putting at risk hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure investment by fuel retailers, ethanol producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other stakeholders.”

In addition to emphasizing EPA’s statutory obligations, RFA’s comments focused on three other points:

    EPA did not demonstrate that implementing the year-round E15 regulation this summer would cause an insufficient supply of gasoline in the petitioning states; an insufficient supply is the only permissible justification for delaying implementation.
    EPA mischaracterizes RFA-commissioned studies from MathPro and ICF that indicate implementation of the governors’ request in 2023 is expected to be manageable.
    Any difficulty in implementing the regulation starting this summer, rather than in 2024, would likely be a result of the EPA’s lengthy delay in responding to the governors’ petitions.

RFA concluded by citing its new analysis of the savings that E15 provides to consumers. “Unless EPA acts quickly, many Midwest drivers will soon lose the ability to purchase E15, a fuel that has saved American consumers an average $0.27 per gallon since the beginning of last year—a time of record gasoline prices.”



ACE Submits Feedback to EPA on E15 Rule for Midwest States in 2024, Urges Action for 2023
 
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) submitted feedback to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule in response to the requests from eight Midwest governors to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends containing 10 percent ethanol in their states. EPA is proposing to remove the 1-psi waiver in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin starting in 2024 – a delay from the original request for implementation in 2023.
 
While ACE appreciates EPA finally taking action on the governors’ petitions, CEO Brian Jennings explained if EPA chooses not to implement the rule in 2023, the Agency’s “legally questionable delay to 2024 will force millions of people in conventional gasoline areas of the U.S. to pay much more at the pump during this year’s summer driving season – on the heels of last year’s record-high gasoline prices and continued inflationary pressure on American families.”  
 
With the sense of urgency about the fast-approaching June 1, 2023 summer driving season and market access for E15 in all areas of the country, including conventional gasoline areas, Jennings urged the Agency to take emergency action in ACE’s comments. “Given the pressing need for consumers in conventional gasoline areas of the country to have access to the lowest-cost fuel available to most vehicles on the road this summer, we strongly urge EPA to take emergency steps pursuant to Section 211(c)(4)(C)(ii) to allow E15 for the 2023 summer driving season, similar to the steps taken by yourself and President Biden last year.”
 
“The conditions used by the administration to justify invoking this emergency statutory authority last year persist today – in fact some market indicators are more concerning today,” Jennings added.
 
ACE’s comments argue how EPA’s proposal favors refiners and their “anticompetitive behavior” over consumers, retailers and the environment.
 
Jennings concluded by reiterating if there are real concerns related to the gasoline supply chain relative to a 2023 implementation date, they are problems of EPA’s own making. “…if the Agency had responded to the eight petitioning states within the statutorily required 90 days there would be no need to fret about refiner concerns with timing.”
 
“EPA should balance the interests and side with consumers, retailers and the environment instead of refiners by finalizing a regulation removing the volatility waiver in these states for the 2023 summer driving season, consistent with the governors’ 2022 request and the statute,” Jennings wrote.



USDA Highlights Critical Role of Agricultural R&D at G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists

USDA’s Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young led the U.S. delegation to the Meeting of G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists (G20 MACS) in India this week where leaders from around the world convened to discuss critical global agricultural science and technology issues. At the meeting, Jacobs-Young stressed the importance of investments in agricultural research, development, and deployment, as well as the importance of forging strategic partnerships, to tackle the overlapping global challenges of food insecurity and climate change.

“G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists facilitate the advancement of agricultural research and innovation for climate change mitigation and adaptation,” said Jacobs-Young. “Research collaborations between countries and partnerships between the public, private and philanthropic sectors expedite the development of regionally tailored solutions and the ability to implement these innovations at a global scale.”

Jacobs-Young highlighted key international progress toward common goals including the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), co-led by the United States and United Arab Emirates, which seeks to catalyze greater investment and support for climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.

“AIM for Climate continues to grow rapidly, and we look forward to hosting the AIM for Climate Summit this May in Washington, D.C., as a steppingstone underscoring the importance of investing in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation at COP28 later this year,” Jacobs-Young said.



U.S. Dairy Announces New Collaboration to Lead on Climate

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) announced today the signing of a set of principles and a new partnership with the National Agricultural Organizations (FARM) from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Colombia to constructively engage governments and international organizations around the world on the issues of livestock, agriculture, climate and trade.

Far too often, global convenings and climate proposals reflect ideologies at the expense of science, ignore progress that the industry has made in reducing emissions, and try to impose one-size-fits-all approaches on an industry they do not fully understand.

In collaboration with the National Agriculture Organizations (FARM), and the Pan-American Dairy Federation (FEPALE), USDEC and NMPF will coordinate and support engagements with government officials and international organizations in promoting policies that encourage sustainable productivity growth while taking into consideration the unique needs of the livestock industry as well as profitability for farmers.

To launch this important strategic collaboration, USDEC, NMPF, FARM and FEPALE co-hosted a seminar on April 19 and 20, 2023, on “The Road to Sustainability in Livestock Production in the Americas,” bringing together influential leaders from across the livestock sectors of the MERCOSUR and South America region. Attendees heard from global experts and discussed ways to reduce the livestock sector’s greenhouse gas emissions while remaining viable for the next generation of farmers.

Both the partnership and meeting are being organized with an eye toward the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment and COP28, where the organizations will play a role in shaping the discussion around agriculture’s role in a sustainable future.



Council Publishes New Guide For High Protein Corn Co-Products To Aid Importers

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently released a handbook about new and evolving high-protein corn co-products produced by the U.S. ethanol industry. It is meant to update international customers on the nutritional profiles of these products and their applications in animal feed.

The Council is proud and excited to have led the creation of the handbook, which will articulate the differences between traditional distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and newer, higher-protein corn co-products.

“Considering the increasing popularity and usages of U.S. DDGS, plus the new high-value corn co-products now entering the market, we believe this handbook will help buyers and end users stay informed on these high-quality feed ingredients,” said Kurt Shultz, USGC senior director of global strategies. “The Council has a robust catalog of information about U.S. corn co-products that will help international producers incorporate them into their animal rations.”

The high-protein handbook is a supplement to the Council’s existing series of DDGS user handbooks, which have been a resource for U.S. DDGS importers around the world since 2007.

The guide was written by Dr. Jerry Shurson, a professor of animal nutrition at the University of Minnesota. Shurson also authored all four editions of the Council’s standard DDGS handbook, providing a consistent and digestible library of information about U.S. feed product options.

Contents of the handbook include chapters explaining the nutritional composition of high-protein corn co-products and details about feeding applications for a wide variety of animals, as well as in aquaculture diets. A chapter is also dedicated to wet and dried corn fiber/bran and solubles (CBS), de-oiled DDGS, and corn distillers oil (CDO) to give buyers and end-users even more information about the latest developments in U.S. corn co-products.

“In periods of higher global grain prices, U.S. corn co-products are one tool to lower feed costs,” Shultz said. “There are many excellent alternative feed ingredients produced by the U.S. ethanol industry. When included in properly formulated feeds, it results in outstanding animal health, performance and feed product quality.”



What of This mRNA Injection?
Commentary by Bill Bullard, CEO, R-CALF USA

Pharmaceutical companies and our government have made a huge blunder by not providing clear, factual, and concise information to the public about messenger ribonucleic acid or mRNA, and by not allowing the public adequate time to consider factual information and to ask questions. As a result, the question of whether mRNA injections are safe for livestock and humans is one of today’s hottest issues.

Now this is a complicated issue, steeped in biological and genetic theory and understanding. But we have to get to the bottom of this so R-CALF USA is working with a team of medical doctors, a biological researcher, and veterinarian Dr. Robert Thornsberry from Missouri to learn four basic things about mRNA.

Here’s what we’re trying to learn:
    What is mRNA?
    What does it do?
    What are the potential risks to humans and livestock?
    What should people be doing about it?

And here is our understanding to date:

So, what is mRNA? First, it’s not a vaccine as we typically understand vaccines. So, for the rest of this discussion, I’ll refer to it as an injection. It’s an injection of a laboratory-produced substance into humans or livestock that is coded with a particular virus, such as COVID-19, that produces an immune response against the particular virus.

And what does mRNA do? Well, it hijacks living cells, tricking them into producing some level of immunity against human viruses like COVID-19 and livestock viruses such as foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease. It does this by rewriting the instructions from the body’s DNA.

And what are the potential risks to humans and livestock? The truthful answer is we don’t yet know the long-term effects of mRNA injections in either humans or livestock. It is being used in humans as a means of controlling COVID-19. It is also being used under limited conditions for swine. But it has not yet been approved in the United States for cattle.

There is great concern that living cells excrete the mRNA over time and the mRNA can then be transferred to animals and humans that have never received the mRNA injection. It is believed, for example, that humans can contact mRNA by eating meat from livestock that have received the injection.

The reason mRNA is an issue today is that pharmaceutical firms have found that it takes very little of it to hijack a cell, and it can be produced cheaper than typical virus vaccines.

We understand that mRNA is in use or about to be in use in cattle in foreign countries, Australia, New Zealand, and China have been mentioned. We understand that China is injecting mRNA coded for the spike protein in the COVID-19 virus into dairy cows for the purpose of exposing consumers of dairy products to the mRNA. And we’re concerned that people who eat meat from an mRNA-injected animal may become exposed to the mRNA that may be coded for foot-and-mouth disease or lumpy skin disease as it is believed to be absorbed in the intestinal tract of those consuming the meat.

Again, the most important takeaway is that we don’t yet know precisely what mRNA does to livestock or humans, particularly the long-term impact of the injections.

So, what should people be doing about it? Well, first and foremost, people should be given a choice as to whether to purchase food from animals or even plants that have been injected with mRNA. There is a bill in the Missouri legislature, HB 1169, that would require any food product from an animal injected with mRNA to be labeled as such. A total of five states are reported to be considering similar legislation.

Even though the United States has not approved mRNA injections in cattle, if we import beef from countries where such injections are allowed, then it’s possible that the meat from those animals are making their way into U.S. grocery stores. But people have no way of knowing where the meat was produced because Congress repealed the law that once required country of origin labels on all beef sold in grocery stores.   

This is why people should contact their congressional delegations to urge them to enact mandatory country of origin labeling or MCOOL so they can begin choosing whether to purchase beef from a foreign country where mRNA injections are being given to cattle and other livestock. Only with mandatory country of origin labeling can consumers distinguish from which country their beef was produced.

A bill has been introduced in Congress to do just that. It’s the American Beef Labeling Act, S.52, and it would require beef sold in U.S. grocery stores to be labeled as to where the animal from which the beef was derived was born, raised, and slaughtered.

Please call your members of Congress and urge them to enact the American Beef Labeling Act so you know from which country your beef is from.