Tuesday April 18 Ag News

 CARET Delegates Meet with Nebraska’s Representatives on Capitol Hill

Each year the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources appoints delegates to meet with elected officials in Washington, D.C. and discuss initiatives that impact the university’s role as one of the nation’s leading land-grant universities. This year six delegates from the national Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching (CARET) accompanied IANR leadership to Washington D.C., to meet with lawmakers invested in Nebraska’s.  

“Sometimes, as end-users, we might not be familiar with putting the pieces together and knowing how research or Extension impacts ‘me,’” said Amber Burge, CARET delegate and marketing officer at Flatwater Bank in Gothenburg. “There is cutting-edge research at IANR to improve genetics and feed efficiency, and reduce our environmental footprint. The ability of our elected officials to hear directly from us as end-users really helps connect the dots.”

Founded in 1982 by the Association of Public Land-grant Universities (APLU), CARET aims to boost national support for agricultural research, Extension efforts, and teaching programs. The role of the university’s CARET delegates is to garner that support by sharing impactful stories about Nebraska and Nebraskans with elected officials. On this recent visit, delegates met with Sen. Deb Fischer, as well as with legislative aides for Sen. Pete Rickets and reps. Don Bacon, Mike Flood and Adrian Smith. These officials can advocate for funding, grants, programs and initiatives that benefit the university and state.

Topics of discussion with each official vary, but this year delegates focused on the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative; the Hatch Act, which oversees funding for federal programs; the Research Facilities Act, which helps fund agricultural research facilities; the Smith-Lever Act, which supports Extension efforts; Women and Minorities in STEM (WAMS), which creates support programs to recruit and retain women and minorities in the agriculture industry; and the university’s international programs.

“As we face 21st-century problems, we need innovative solutions to these problems,” said Bekah Bankson, another delegate, and a retail strategic account manager at Corteva Agriscience in Doniphan.  “Innovation will come from all voices, including those not traditionally represented in agricultural leadership today. Change and diversification is how we bring the best from everyone. Support structures are essential if we want to attract and retain top talent from all backgrounds.”

The benefits that stem from Nebraska’s increasing diversity threaded through many of the delegates’ discussions. Barbara Cooksley, former representative for congressmen Tom Osborne and Adrian Smith, spoke of the university’s international programs and how much experience students gain through their interaction with diverse individuals and cultures.

“These individuals shake hands, share names and stories, work side by side,” she said. “These people will be decision makers, and when international issues arise, they will remember the people they met. This could have trade impacts and national security impacts. Building relationships and goodwill may be the most important reason to keep these programs funded.”

While the trip often consists of running from one meeting to the next with only minutes to spare, the personal interactions between delegates and officials is worth the hustle. In 2020 and 2021, CARET meetings were held via Zoom. While important information was shared screen to screen, the in-person meetings of this visit accentuated the importance of face-to-face interaction and personal connection.

Participants: Tiffany Heng-Moss, CARET delegate Ben Steffen, CARET delegate Bekah Bankson, CARET delegate Bryce Doeschot, Derek McLean, CARET delegate Rebecca Sjostrand, CARET delegate Barb Cooksley, Charlie Stoltenow, CARET delegate Amber Burge, and Mike Boehm.

“I walked away from our brief time together feeling empowered that so many people care deeply for agriculture, Nebraska and the land-grant university system,” said Bankson.

Burge said: “I’m a believer that competition is a good thing and makes us all better. The AFRI funds I spoke about are not entitlement dollars, rather they are competitively awarded to the brightest and best researchers across the country. Nebraskans should be proud of the fact we are a leader in ag research, and we consistently rank among the top ag universities worldwide.”



EARLY SEASON ALFALFA IRRIGATION
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator

Early season irrigation may be delayed if there are limits for yearly irrigation amounts. However, if soil profiles are currently very dry, spring irrigation should be considered; especially since first cutting alfalfa may be twice as productive as any subsequent cuttings. For maximum season production, the first alfalfa cutting typically requires 6 to 7 inches of water. Since established alfalfa is a deep rooted perennial, the risk of excess water running off fields is low. Even if rains fall come after early spring irrigation, the water will likely be stored in the soil profile for use later in the growing season when summer heat increases water demand.

During the peak of summer heat and plant growth, alfalfa may use over one half inch of water per day. This compares to cooler spring days water usage of less than ¼ inch of water per day.

Still irrigation timing is important; and adequate subsurface moisture can help control weeds. If irrigation occurs before the alfalfa plants have begun to regrow after cutting, though, weed growth will be promoted instead. When summer heat arrives, alfalfa plants will likely draw moisture from their 8 feet rooting depths to maintain full forage production. Conversely, lower spring irrigation amounts may result in shallower rooting decreasing summer irrigation efficiency. For early season irrigation, the target is to refill the top six feet of subsoil profile for the late spring and summer.

More information is available on our UNL Extension website. Our free NebGuide G1778, “Irrigation Management and Crop Characteristics of Alfalfa” is available at: https://water.unl.edu.  



Nebraska Beef Council May Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will meet at the Nebraska Cattlemen office in Lincoln, NE. located at 4611 Cattle Drive on Monday, May 1, 2023 beginning at 1:30 p.m. CDT. The NBC Board of Directors will discuss foreign marketing. For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org.  



Iowa Farm Bureau appoints new district representatives to young farmer committee

Michael McEnany and Ashley Thompson of Nevada, Matt and Hilary Lanman of Fremont and Tyler and Abby Woodward of Hamburg have been appointed to Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Advisory Committee. The couples will serve a three-year term as district representatives.

The committee is tasked with uniting young farmers, ages 18 to 35, in local and statewide networking and educational events. This includes planning the annual Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference which brings in more than 500 farmers and agriculturalists from across the state.

Tyler and Abby Woodward, District 9, southwest Iowa
The Woodwards raise corn and soybeans on their fourth-generation farm.

Tyler is vice president of the Fremont County Farm Bureau and is participating in Iowa Farm Bureau’s Ag Leaders Institute. He also serves as a volunteer firefighter, Grape Community Hospital Foundation board member and helps with local Boy Scouts events.

Abby is involved in P.E.O., a philanthropic organization centered on higher education for women, and volunteers at school events throughout the year. The couple are members of St. John’s Lutheran Church and have a one-year-old daughter.

Matt and Hilary Lanman, District 7, southeast Iowa
The Lanmans raise meat goats and run a lawncare business.  

Matt works for Nutrien Ag Solutions and is a volunteer firefighter in Hedrick.

Hilary is the Jefferson County Youth Coordinator for the local extension office and is colloquially known as the “4-H lady.” She is involved with Ag in the Classroom and Fairfield FFA Alumni and volunteers with her church.

Michael McEnany and Ashley Thompson, District 5, central Iowa
McEnany and Thompson raise cow-calf pairs and direct market beef.

Michael works for a local farmer, growing corn, beans, hay and rye. Ashley works as a program specialist at Iowa State University and at Whatcha Smokin,’ a popular barbecue destination in Luther.

Michael is the Story County Farm Bureau voting delegate, and the duo both serve on the Story County Cattlemen’s board. They are committed to helping local youth learn more about livestock care from hands-on learning with FFA students to working with kids interested in showing calves at the county fair.

To learn more about how to get involved in the young farmer program, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com.



Farm Safety Expert Reminds Iowans to Share the Roadways

Steve Freeman is a professor and safety research expert at Iowa State University, where he teaches classes related to occupational safety, including farm and rural safety. He grew up on a diversified farm/ranch in eastern Colorado. He holds a Ph.D. in agricultural engineering from Purdue University and has written numerous research articles about occupational safety.

Q: You’ve been an expert in farm and rural safety for more than 30 years. What motivates you to work in this area?
A: Growing up, I knew a lot of neighbors who had been injured while working on a farm. It was considered part of the price of farming and every time the old farmers gathered, the conversation often included stories of their injuries or of injuries to others. But when children were injured or killed, it was often ignored – just too painful to talk about and revisit. I knew there had to be a better way. Every farm injury is preventable. We have made progress, but still have work to do.

Q: Farm equipment and motor vehicles have improved significantly in terms of better lighting, signage and visibility, yPlanter on rural roadway.et we still continue to have incidents and injuries. How important is this technology and what must we do to get the most from it?
A: First, we need to make sure that we maintain the technology and ensure that the technology is working correctly. Second, we need to make sure that we don’t over rely on the technology. We still need to ensure that our youth and workers are properly trained to complete all farm tasks safely. Technology has made farming easier and safer, but safety is still a matter of our behavior and actions.

Q: What is the single biggest thing that farmers and non-farm motorists should do to safely share the roadways?
A: Everyone needs to be patient and accept that we share our rural roadways. Farmers need to ensure that their equipment is visible and they need to be cautious when moving equipment on roads. Motorists need be aware of the possibility of farm equipment and to slow down. The difference in speed between cars and farm equipment often catches drivers by surprise. Drivers should not try to pass farm equipment unless they are sure the road is clear and the farmer is not planning on turning off the road to the left. Finally, farmers should not try to pull off the side of the road to let vehicles pass unless they know the side of the road is stable and safe.

Q: We remind people about roadway safety with farm machinery every year. Why is this necessary?
A: While farm equipment is a common sight on rural roads during specific times of the year (for example, planting season and harvest season), it is still relatively rare throughout the year. We all become complacent and forget about hazards that we don’t deal with every day. These yearly reminders create awareness and remind everyone that we need to share the roads and work together, to keep our rural roads safe.

Freeman offers the following advice for both farmers and rural motorists.

Tips for the rural driver
-    Be prepared for farm vehicles. Farm vehicles travel significantly slower than automobiles. You may only have a few seconds to react and slow down before overtaking a farm vehicle. Be prepared to slow down and follow; you may not have room to pass.
-    Slow down and keep your distance. Don’t assume that the farmer can pull over and let you pass. Shoulder conditions may make it unsafe for the farmer to pull heavy equipment to the side of the road.
-    Be sure of the farmer’s intentions before passing. Don’t assume that a farm vehicle is turning right or pulling over to let you pass if it pulls to the right side of the road. A farmer may have to swing right in order to make a left turn. Wait until you know what the farmer is planning to do.
-    Be patient and enjoy the scenery if you find yourself following a farm vehicle. Even if you have to follow a farm vehicle for a couple of miles, it will only take a few minutes of your time.
-    Be especially alert in the evenings; farmers are returning from the fields and dusk makes farm vehicles more difficult to see.

Tips for the farmer
-    Only allow licensed, or appropriately trained, operators to take farm machinery onto the road. Youth who are able to operate machinery in the field may not be able to deal safely with traffic and other road hazards.
-    Make sure farm machinery is equipped with the lighting and marking safety devices recommended by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and required by state and local laws. Be sure to remind all operators to use the appropriate hazard lights and turn signals when traveling on roads.
-    Minimize total vehicle width and secure equipment in the transport position before entering roadways.
-    Watch for approaching traffic and vehicles trying to pass. If possible, pull over and let traffic pass safely, but be alert for roadside hazards.
-    Obey all traffic laws and signs.
-    Signal intentions to motorists and avoid sudden or unexpected maneuvers.
-    Exercise additional care when entering roadways, approaching unsigned or “blind” intersections, crossing narrow bridges, going around sharp corners or going over hills.



RFA to Senate Subcommittee: Ethanol is a Cleaner Fuel for Cleaner Vehicles

In advance of a Senate subcommittee hearing today on the importance of cleaner vehicles, the Renewable Fuels Association stressed the importance of renewable fuels like ethanol in providing “an effective and immediate solution for reducing carbon emissions from liquid fuels across all segments of the transportation sector.”

This afternoon, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works’ Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety will hold a hearing entitled “Cleaner Vehicles: Good for Consumers and Public Health.”

“We encourage the subcommittee to remember this simple fact: We can’t have clean vehicles without clean fuels,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper in a letter to Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), who are chair and ranking member, respectively, of the subcommittee. “Fuels and vehicles operate as integrated systems; examining the carbon impacts of one in isolation of the other leads to distorted and flawed comparisons. For example, the carbon footprint of certain battery electric vehicles operating on fossil-fuel generated electricity is no smaller—and can sometimes be larger—than the carbon footprint of modern internal combustion engine vehicles operating on today’s ethanol-blended liquid fuels. It should not be assumed that an electric vehicle is a ‘clean vehicle’ or a ‘zero emissions vehicle’ simply because it does not have a tailpipe.”

Cooper emphasized the pledge made by RFA members to reach net-zero carbon emissions, on average, by 2050 or sooner, and laid out how independent research verifies how the industry is well on the way to that attainable goal:
    According to the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, typical corn ethanol provides a 44 percent GHG savings compared to gasoline, even when unverifiable emissions from direct and indirect changes in land use are included.
    When corn ethanol is compared directly to gasoline (i.e., no indirect emissions included for either fuel), Argonne finds that corn ethanol reduces GHG emissions by 52 percent, on average, versus gasoline.
    Similarly, researchers affiliated with Harvard University, MIT, and Tufts University concluded that today’s corn ethanol offers an average GHG reduction of 46 percent versus gasoline.
    The California Air Resources Board has certified that ethanol produced from the cellulosic biomass found in corn generally reduces GHG emissions by 70-80 percent compared to gasoline.

RFA’s letter called on the federal government to work toward low-carbon goals using technology-neutral approaches that promote fairness and consistency in the methodologies used for measuring the carbon footprint of different fuels and vehicles; removes unnecessary regulatory barriers that block the use of higher levels of low-carbon ethanol, such as E15; and provide equitable incentives for the production of all cleaner vehicle technologies—including flex-fuel vehicles that can operate on fuels containing up to 85 percent ethanol.

“Any clean vehicle policies at the federal level should be carefully crafted and designed in a way that avoids picking technology winners and losers, and instead drives the greatest GHG emissions reductions at the lowest cost.”



Apply for Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge by May 12

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online for the 2024 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 10th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

Farm Bureau is offering $165,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition, which will culminate in the top 10 semi-finalists competing in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Applications remain open through May 12, and the 10 semi-finalist teams will be announced Sept. 12. Each of the semi-finalist teams will be awarded $10,000 and a chance to compete to advance to the final round where four teams will receive an additional $5,000 each. The final four teams will compete to win:
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, for a total of $50,000
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, for a total of $20,000
    People’s Choice Team selected by public vote, for an additional $5,000 (all 10 semi-finalist teams compete for this honor)

Prior to the live pitch competition, the top 10 semi-finalist teams will participate in pitch training and mentorship from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business faculty, and network with representatives from the Agriculture Department’s Rural Business Investment Companies.

Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include NORDEF, a company that developed technology to produce diesel exhaust fluid at the point of use (2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner) and Grain Weevil Corporation, a grain bin safety and management robot that improves farmer well-being by controlling risks and costs (2022 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner). Other examples of successful Ag Innovation Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines and the competition timeline, can be found at fb.org/challenge.

Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved#join to learn about becoming a member.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 12.