Thursday May 11 Ag News

National Drought Summary for May 9, 2023

A strong area of mid-level low pressure, near the West Coast, resulted in anomalously wet weather during the first week of May throughout the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, Great Basin, and California. Scattered thunderstorms brought pockets of heavy rainfall (more than 2 inches), from May 2 to 8, to parts of Texas, central Nebraska, and the Midwest. However, much of Kansas, Missouri, and southern Nebraska missed out on this beneficial rainfall. Following a wet end to April across the East, drier weather prevailed this past week from the Mid-Atlantic south to Florida. 7-day temperatures, ending on May 8, averaged below-normal across most of the East along with California, the Great Basin, and Desert Southwest. Weekly temperatures averaged above-normal across the Great Plains.

Midwest
A rapid expansion and intensification of short-term drought is ongoing throughout Missouri with much of the central and northern parts of the state receiving less than two inches of precipitation during the past 60 days when seasonal temperatures begin to warm. Based on 30 to 60-day SPI, NDM's short-term objective drought blend, and CPC soil moisture, a 1-category degradation was made to a majority of Missouri. The addition of extreme short-term drought (D3) to central Missouri was supported by 60-day SPI, CPC soil moisture, USGS 28-day average streamflow below the 5th percentile, and NDM's short-term drought blend. Locally heavy rainfall (1.5 to 2 inches, or more) in parts of southwest and northern Missouri resulted in no change from the previous week or small improvements. Farther to the north across central to southeastern Iowa, heavy rainfall (1.5 inches or more) led to a decrease in abnormal dryness (D0). The exceptional drought (D4) was removed from the southwest corner of Iowa due the lack of support from long-term indicators. D0 was reduced across parts of Illinois and adjacent Indiana where rainfall amounts exceeded 1.5 inches this past week. A slight D0 expansion was necessary near Lake Michigan where less than 0.5 inch of rainfall was observed. Based on improving long-term indicators, D0 was reduced across northern Minnesota. Increasing short-term precipitation deficits led to a slight expansion of moderate drought (D1) for southwestern Minnesota. Although there are increasing 30 to 60-day precipitation deficits across eastern Kentucky, the consensus of indicators supports no addition of D0 at this time.

High Plains
Convective rainfall, typical for early May, occurred this past week across parts of Kansas and Nebraska. In areas such as central Nebraska, that received more than 2 inches of rainfall and there was a lack of support from SPI at various time scales and NDM's objective drought blends, a 1-category improvement was made. However, in areas that missed out on this rainfall, a 1-category degradation was necessary for parts of southern Nebraska and central to eastern Kansas. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 64 and 68 percent of the pastures and ranges for Kansas and Nebraska, respectively, are rated poor to very poor. Abnormal dryness (D0) was expanded westward near and along the Colorado Rockies based on SPIs at various time scales, while an increase in severe drought (D2) coverage was justified for parts of the High Plains of eastern Colorado that missed out on the recent heavier precipitation. Based on multiple indicators including Condition Monitoring Observer Reports, abnormal dryness (D0) was reduced across northern parts of North Dakota.

Looking Ahead
During the next five days (May 11 - 15, 2023), widespread moderate to heavy rainfall (1 to 5 inches, locally more) is forecast across the Great Plains with the heaviest amounts expected to occur from southwestern Oklahoma south to the Middle Rio Grande Valley. Lighter amounts are predicted for southeastern Nebraska, northeastern Kansas, and the Middle Mississippi Valley. Rainfall amounts are expected to vary throughout the Midwest and Southeast, while the Northeast remains mostly dry. Compared to the start of May, much drier weather is forecast for the West.

The Climate Prediction Center's 6-10 day outlook (valid May 16-20) depicts a highly amplified pattern with anomalous mid-level high pressure over the Northwest. Therefore, large probabilities for above-normal temperatures are forecast throughout the West. Associated with a wetter pattern likely for the south-central U.S. during mid-May, below-normal temperatures are favored for the Southern Great Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley. Below-normal temperatures are also favored across the Great Lakes, Eastern Corn Belt, and Northeast, while above-normal temperatures are more
likely across the Southeast. Above-normal precipitation is favored across the southern tier of the U.S. with the largest probabilities forecast for the Southwest which is typically dry during this time of year. Elevated probabilities for below-normal precipitation are forecast across the Northern to Central Great Plains, Upper to Middle Mississippi Valley, and Corn Belt.



NEW PACKING PLANT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY WOULD GIVE BEEF PRODUCERS ACCESS TO MORE OF THE RETAIL BEEF DOLLAR

Legacy Beef Co-op today announced a new packing plant investment opportunity that would give family farm beef producers in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota access to a larger portion of the retail beef dollar.

Legacy Beef Co-op is affiliated with Cattlemen’s Heritage Beef Company, a 2,000-head-per-day plant to be built east of Omaha-Council Bluffs. Legacy Beef Co-op members will share in the processing plant’s profitability. In addition, members would become suppliers to the Cattlemen’s Heritage facility and enjoy pricing options typically available only to large corporate feedlots.

“This is a forward-thinking way for cattlemen to better control their destiny,” said Joe Kerns, president of PFPAg, which is consulting with Legacy Beef Co-op. “The cattlemen’s share of the retail beef dollar has dropped from 63% to 37% since 2014. Participating in Legacy Beef Co-op allows a cattleman a new way toward sustainable income.”

Legacy Beef Co-op is hosting a series of informational meetings for beef producers. Upcoming meetings include:

Monday, May 22 Meetings
    O’Neill, NE – Library – 10 a.m.
    Wisner, NE – Library – 4 p.m.

For more information, visit legacybeefcoop.com.



Nebraska researchers conduct largest biochar field trial in the state

Compared to other soil amendments, biochar stands out. This material, produced by pyrolysis of waste wood or other organic waste material, can reliably increase soil organic matter content in the long-term without needing repeated applications and has exciting potential to enhance carbon sequestration in soil. Despite receiving increased attention both from researchers and the public, biochar is still relatively new and the effectiveness of this treatment for larger-scale agricultural operations remains underexamined.

A University of Nebraska–Lincoln research team led by Michael Kaiser, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture, in collaboration with the City of Lincoln and with biochar sourced from Oregon Biochar Solutions, identified this knowledge gap and sought to bridge it by expanding upon previous research efforts involving biochar and regenerative agricultural practices such as cover cropping and no-till. While Kaiser has previously led projects involving biochar, the size of this experiment — 16 acres in total, of which eight acres were applied with biochar — was a step up in scale and represents the largest biochar field trial in Nebraska and is among the largest in the United States.

The trial began in April and consists of 16 acres of City of Lincoln-owned farmland in northeast Lincoln. It is innovative not only in scale but also in the system studied. The experiment is designed specifically to probe the effect of biochar in combination with biosolids, a form of organic fertilizer sourced from urban wastewater treatment and recycling. Combining biochar and biosolids may help maximize the benefits of both. More than 64 tons of biochar, enough to fill eight truckloads, was applied using a manure spreader and disc tiller — techniques familiar to many Nebraska producers.

Funding for this project comes from the University of Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research and the Nebraska Forest Service, with biochar provided by Oregon Biochar Solutions and biosolids sourced from the City of Lincoln’s biosolid program. Researchers on the project include Arindam Malakar, a research water scientist with the Nebraska Water Center; Katja Koehler-Cole, a soil health management extension educator; and Britt Fossum, an agronomy doctoral student.

Applying biochar to an acreage requires significant logistical coordination. Department of Agronomy and Horticulture’s Jenny Stebbing, Joshua Reznicek, Ronnie Janssen and TJ McAndrew contributed technical expertise with agronomic equipment. David Smith, Biosolids coordinator, and the staff of the Northeast Treatment Plant assisted with the transport and delivery of biosolids. The site is managed by Adam Thien of Thien Farm Management.

The project is embedded in the Lincoln Biochar Initiative, which is a collaboration of the City of Lincoln, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Nebraska Forest Service and other stakeholders in the development of a biochar production facility in Lincoln. Results from this project will be used to support the use of biochar in Nebraska and the project represents an important milestone in the development of a nascent biochar industry in the Midwest.

More details at: https://go.unl.edu/03mn.  



USDA’s CLEAR30 Offers Producers with Expiring Conservation Contracts Longer-Term Options

Agricultural producers and landowners with certain expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts can receive additional rental incentives and extend that land’s role in conservation for another 30 years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the signup period for its Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers enrollment (CLEAR30) now through July 31, 2023. CLEAR30 is a part of the CLEAR initiative, which prioritizes water quality practices as a part of Continuous CRP enrollment and is one of several CRP enrollment opportunities.

CLEAR30 allows producers and landowners enrolling certain water quality practices to enroll in 30-year contracts, extending the lifespan and strengthening the benefits of important water quality practices on their land. Like other CRP enrollments, CLEAR30 is a voluntary, incentive-based conservation opportunity offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

“The foundational value of CLEAR30 enrollment is right there in its name: Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers—there is nothing more essential to all things on the planet, including agriculture, than clean water,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “CRP is one of the world’s largest voluntary conservation programs, and our CLEAR initiative and CLEAR30 enrollment gives our producers and landowners a great option to continue their conservation practices well into the future.”

Cropland and certain pastureland that is currently enrolled in Continuous CRP or the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and is also dedicated to an eligible water quality practice, such as the establishment of riparian buffers, contour strips, or grass waterways, may be eligible for CLEAR30 if their contracts are expiring by September 30, 2023.  

CLEAR30 contracts will be effective beginning October 1, 2023. These long-term contracts ensure that conservation practices remain in place for 30 years, which improves water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient runoff and helping prevent algal blooms. Conservation in riparian areas also provides important carbon sequestration benefits. Traditional CRP contracts run from 10 to 15 years.

Annual rental payments for landowners who enroll in CLEAR30 will be equal to the current Continuous CRP annual payment rate plus a 20 percent water quality incentive payment and an annual rental rate adjustment of 27.5 percent.  

To sign up for CLEAR30, landowners and producers should contact their local USDA Service Center by July 31, 2023. Contact information can be found at farmers.gov/service-locator. Additionally, fact sheets and other resources are available at fsa.usda.gov/crp.   



VanOverbeke named UNL Animal Science Department Head

University of Nebraska-Lincoln alum Deb VanOverbeke has been selected as the university’s next Animal Science Department head. She will begin in the position on July 31.

VanOverbeke comes to UNL from Oklahoma State University, where she currently serves as assistant dean for academic programs in the Ferguson College of Agriculture and as a professor of animal and food sciences.

VanOverbeke received her bachelor’s degree in animal science and a minor in agricultural leadership from UNL. During her time on campus, she was active in many student organizations, including Block and Bridle. After graduation, she worked for the Nebraska Cattlemen, where she expanded and coordinated the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Program. She enrolled in Colorado State University where she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in animal science with a focus on meat science. After completing her doctoral degree, she joined the animal science faculty at the University of Minnesota prior to making the move to Oklahoma State.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. VanOverbeke home to Nebraska,” said Mike Boehm, NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Deb is a gifted scholar who brings a deep understanding and passion for animal agriculture to the position, as well as a demonstrated focus on designing student opportunities that improve their success both in the classroom and beyond. I am excited to see the department soar under her leadership.”

VanOverbeke said the UNL Animal Science Department’s long-standing reputation as a national research powerhouse; the support of Nebraska’s livestock, dairy, and poultry producers and processors; and the strength of department’s faculty, staff, and students were the driving factors that drew her to the position.

“When I look at UNL’s Animal Science Department, I see an unprecedented commitment to Extension, world-class research, and passionate, hard-working students,” she said, “I’m looking forward to building on the department’s firm foundation and working with colleagues and partners to take the department to the next level.

VanOverbeke succeeds Clint Krehbiel, who led the department from 2017 until December 2022. UNL Animal Science Professor Tom Burkey led the department in the interim. For more information on UNL’s Department of Animal Science, visit animalscience.unl.edu.



USDA Mails 2023 Agricultural Resource Management Survey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is collecting data from approximately 3,600 Nebraska farmers and ranchers for the first phase of the 2023 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). The annual survey looks at all aspects of U.S. agricultural production, the well-being of farm households, farm finances, chemical usage, and various farm production characteristics. The survey also collects detailed information on production practices, costs, and returns for different commodities on a rotating basis. In 2023, the survey will take a closer look at barley, oat, peanut, and soybean production in the United States.

“The annual data from ARMS are used to gauge the financial health and resource use of today’s producers,” said NASS Nebraska State Statistician Nicholas Streff. “The information gives us an annual snapshot of the role of the farming industry in the U.S. economy.” The information producers provide through the survey will inform national and state policy decisions. In addition, ARMS data are used to calculate the farm sector portion of the Gross Domestic Product, which is an important measure of the U.S. economy.

The survey is conducted in three phases from May 2023 through April 2024. The current (first) phase screens participants to ensure they have the commodities of interest that are needed to accurately represent the entire U.S. farm sector. During the second phase, NASS will collect information on production practices and chemical use for specific commodities. In the final phase, NASS will survey producers on farm income and production expenditures.

“We strongly encourage every producer contacted for ARMS to participate, as their response represents not just their own farm but many other similar operations across the country,” added Streff. “For maximum convenience, producers should complete the survey online at agcounts.usda.gov with the survey code mailed to them. Online reporting is fast and secure. Producers may also mail or fax their completed questionnaire to us.”

NASS is the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture and is committed to providing timely, accurate and useful statistics in service to U.S. agriculture.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

All information from respondents is kept confidential, as required by federal law, and reported so that no individual operation or producer can be identified. For more information on how NASS protects information, visit www.nass.usda.gov/confidentiality.

ARMS is a joint effort of NASS and USDA’s Economic Research Service. For more information about the survey, visit nass.usda.gov/go/ARMS. For information on how these data are used in this region, or if you have any questions about this survey, please call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at (800) 582-6443.



HEUERMANN LECTURE FOCUSES ON COMPLEXITIES OF REPORTING AG DATA

How can American ag producers be helped to meet ever-more-detailed reporting obligations for field data? What can be done to give farmers confidence that data-sharing processes will treat them fairly? Are there entrepreneurial opportunities to make data handling more efficient for producers and provide them with financial incentives for data sharing?

A May 10 Heuermann Lecture and an accompanying panel of experts recently addressed those questions at the start of a three-day national conference at Nebraska Innovation Campus.

Producers are already familiar with reporting their ag data for crop insurance or farm payment purposes. But the future is likely to bring reporting obligations requiring far greater detail and complexity, said Heuermann lecturer Ben Craker, portfolio manager at the global nonprofit AgGateway and president of the Ag Data Coalition.

Barcode advancements and associated reporting requirements will enable traceability down to the field level. A growing number of producers are looking at possible eligibility for carbon credits. In both cases, Craker said, farmers will need to meet data-reporting requirements well beyond the current norm.

Craker’s nonprofit, AgGateway, works to help ag producers navigate the complex data-reporting environment. So does Alabama-based GreenPoint Ag Holdings, whose vice president of business innovation and agronomy, Amy Winstead, spoke on the conference’s ag-data panel.

Given the outreach capabilities of organizations like   Nebraska Extension, program specialists could consider ways they might contribute as “concierge to all this new technology,” said Cynthia Parr, assistant chief data officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Research, Education and Economics Mission Area.

The speakers offered their analysis on the opening day of the inaugural conference of the National Agricultural Producers Data Cooperative. That initiative, funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is working to create a network of national ag data repositories, ending the disconnect that currently separates multiple, incompatible platforms.

A group of University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty members is at the forefront of the effort, which involves a range of universities and stakeholder organizations. A key leader of the initiative, Jennifer L. Clarke, a professor of statistics and food science and technology who directs the university’s Quantitative Life Sciences Initiative, moderated the conference panel.

Data sharing can have particular value when the combining of data provides a “missing piece” that helps address a practical agricultural challenge, said Tom Eickhoff, chief science officer leading the science organization at Climate and digital farming at Bayer Crop Science. Eickhoff is a Husker alumnus, with a Bachelor of Science in agronomy and master’s and doctoral degrees in entomology.

Several speakers noted the room for new types of agricultural service providers as data sharing becomes more complex. One example is precision application, Eickhoff said.

Parr noted that airlines, plane manufacturers and the Federal Aviation Administration have worked constructively to share data in an effort to promote air safety. That approach could provide a general template for agriculture, she said.

One trust-building option, Craker said, would be for local farmers to adopt a cooperative-style approach, “putting them in the driver’s seat” of working collectively with entities higher up the supply chain. There also is the potential for startup companies to specialize in helping producers find value from sharing their ag data. “There should be some value coming back to the farmer for doing this,” Craker said. “That’s where I think a lot of the economic driver is.”

He had similar thoughts regarding reporting requirements for environmental sustainability. If “that farmer is going to go through all the effort to document what he’s doing, there’s got to be a premium on what he’s doing,” Craker said. “Otherwise, there is no incentive for them to do that.”

The relationships involved in ag data-sharing are like a chain, said Graham Plastow, professor of livestock genomics and CEO of Livestock Gentec at the University of Alberta. Just as oil enables a chain to function properly, he said, trust-building among all participants in an ag data network can prevent friction and promote constructive relationships to everyone’s benefit.

In addition to Clarke, Husker faculty members with key duties for the ag data initiative are Joe Luck, precision agriculture and biological systems engineering; Laura Thompson, ag extension and farm research; Matt Spangler, beef genetics; Scout Calvert, University Libraries; Hongfeng Yu, advanced cyberinfrastructure and high-performance computing; and Trenton Franz, hydrology and water management.



Center for Rural Affairs Selects SW Iowa Schools for Farm-to-School Program

The Center for Rural Affairs, based in Lyons, Nebraska, has chosen five schools in southwest Iowa to participate in its new farm-to-school program. The selected schools are Carroll, Fremont-Mills, Logan-Magnolia, East Mills, and Stanton. The program aims to bolster agricultural education by promoting food production on school grounds and increasing student participation in growing food.

The schools were required to submit proposals outlining their ideas for on-site food production and their commitment to receiving technical assistance and attending the Iowa Farm to School Conference. The schools will receive a $2,000 mini-grant, which can be used to establish or expand school gardens and greenhouses, among other things.

The program hopes to involve K-12 students and at least one teacher at each school, with the aim of having 20 students engage in growing food. The Center for Rural Affairs will provide binder curriculum and other resources to help schools secure grants and sustain their program

The program seeks to strengthen education while providing an accessible location for schools to procure local food. The Center for Rural Affairs hopes to continue the program annually.



Supreme Court Ruling Affirms Dismissal of Lawsuit Over California Proposition 12

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a meat industry challenge to California law Proposition 12, which bans extreme confinement in animal agriculture in California, as well as the sale in California of products derived from these practices. The pork industry has challenged Proposition 12 in four separate lawsuits. Every court to consider each of the cases, at both the trial and appellate level, has ruled against the industry. Today’s Supreme Court ruling is the industry’s latest in that string of losses.

Proposition 12 set minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens, mother pigs, and baby cows raised for veal in California, such that these animals cannot be confined in the industry-standard cages, which are barely bigger than their bodies. Prop 12 also requires that any eggs, pork, or veal sold in the state comply with these space requirements, regardless of where those products were produced. The lawsuit before the Supreme Court challenged the latter aspect of the law, arguing that out-of-state pork producers should be able to sell pig products in California without complying with Prop 12’s space requirements. The case was thrown out by two lower courts, dismissals that were affirmed in today’s Supreme Court ruling.

Prop 12 was enacted directly by voters in a California ballot proposition with nearly 63 percent of the vote.



Pig Farmers 'Frustrated' By Supreme Court Opinion on Prop 12

On May 11, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge to a California law that mandates more space for breeding pigs, also called Proposition 12. The justices upheld a decision to dismiss a lawsuit by the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation that sought to invalidate the law, which could force industrywide changes and raise the cost of pork products nationwide. The following statement may be attributed to Trish Cook, a pig farmer from Winthrop, Iowa, and president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

“The health and safety of their pigs are a top priority for Iowa pig farmers, and we are frustrated to see the Supreme Court uphold Prop 12. This ruling sets a bad precedent, enabling other states to regulate commerce outside their boundaries. Consumers, especially low-income ones who rely on affordable nutritious pork to feed their families, will ultimately suffer due to higher food prices. Some small and medium-sized producers who are already dealing with high feed costs and inflation, will also sadly go out of business as they struggle to comply.”



Naig Comments on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement today after the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of National Pork Producers Council v. Ross:

“Having the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food supply in the world is foundational to the American way of life. Today's Supreme Court’s decision in National Pork Producers Council v. Ross undermines that firm foundation. While today’s ruling is focused on agricultural production, it will certainly creep into other industries. This disappointing decision sets a concerning precedent and opens the door for the largest states to dictate the laws and regulations for consumers and businesses to the rest of America. This sets the stage for a state-by-state patchwork of ever-changing and costly requirements that will increase the cost of production and drive higher costs for food and other consumer products.”



NPPC Statement on SCOTUS Opinion on California Proposition 12
— Scott Hays, National Pork Producers Council president, and Missouri pork producer
 
"We are very disappointed with the Supreme Court's opinion. Allowing state overreach will increase prices for consumers and drive small farms out of business, leading to more consolidation. We are still evaluating the Court's full opinion to understand all the implications. NPPC will continue to fight for our nation's pork farmers and American families against misguided regulations.”



North American Meat Institute: SCOTUS Decision to Uphold Lower Court Ruling on Prop 12 Disappointing

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to affirm the ruling of the Ninth Circuit in National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation v. Ross regarding the constitutionality of Proposition 12 (Prop 12 or the law):

“Prop 12 remains a costly burden to producers and provides no benefit to animals or consumers,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “We are disappointed in the Court’s decision and will carefully study the ruling to determine next steps.”



Supreme Court upholding California’s Proposition 12 sets a dangerous precedent

Today, the Animal Agriculture Alliance released the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on California’s Proposition 12:

“Animal rights extremist organizations have been pushing for state-level legislation banning frequently-used animal care practices, such as gestation stalls for pregnant sows or cages for laying hens, for years. The true motive of these changes is to make it less efficient and more expensive for farmers to raise animals for food, driving up the cost of meat, dairy, poultry, and eggs for consumers, forcing them to make tough choices about what they can afford to feed their families and forcing farmers to make costly changes that may make it impossible to keep their business afloat.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision on California’s Proposition 12 sets a dangerous precedent for animal rights extremist groups to target other states with similar ballot initiatives. The Humane Society of the United States is a prime example of a group that focuses efforts on states that will be minimally impacted by the legislation, knowing they will receive less resistance within the state while setting a precedent. In California, specifically, farmers in the state raise less than 1% of pigs in the U.S. yet consume 13% of the pork.  This means that a significant majority of California’s pork is produced in other states, who will now be expected to comply with regulations passed by voters outside of their own state.

“Other states should prepare for similar initiatives, particularly those that allow for legislation to be passed via ballot measures. Ballot initiatives allow these extremist groups to bypass the traditional legislative process to go straight to voters on issues that the general public typically has little knowledge of and that tend to be oversimplified in ballot measure wording. This is particularly effective when it comes to emotional issues such as animal welfare. It’s extremely costly for the animal agriculture community to push back against ballot initiative campaigns, as the target audience is the state’s entire population rather than a limited number of state legislators. We need to be proactive in communicating and building trust with the public to reduce the effectiveness of these animal rights extremist-led campaigns that attempt to capitalize on misinformation.

“Animal care is too important of a topic to be dictated by oversimplified legislation based on emotion. Rather, it needs to be based in science and research.



Chairman Thompson and Chairman Mann Express Concern Regarding SCOTUS Prop 12 Ruling

Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled to uphold California’s Proposition 12, which mandates a variety of animal production standards and would specifically ban the in-state sale of pork from hogs not raised in accordance with the California law, even if those hogs were raised in other states. Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, and Tracey Mann (KS-01), Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, released the following statements:

"I certainly respect the authority of the individual States and I appreciate the Supreme Court’s instinct to exercise caution when adjudicating conflicting state interests. That said, I am disappointed in today’s decision on California’s Proposition 12. U.S producers simply cannot operate in a system where one state can dictate production standards for the entire country," said Chairman Thompson. "I will continue to review today’s decision and explore solutions that ensure the hardworking farmers and ranchers who put the food on the tables of the American people can do so without being unduly burdened by excessive regulation."

“States have the right to govern affairs within their borders, but today’s ruling is a gross misstep by the Supreme Court as it not only threatens the livelihoods of American hog farmers, but also sets a terrible precedent for interstate commerce,” said Rep. Mann. “This decision opens the door to unthinkable, unscientific regulatory overreach against all producers. Today it’s the pig pen, tomorrow it’s the whole barnyard.”



Fight the Animal Rights Groups Infiltrating Our Industry
Todd Wilkinson, President, National Cattlemen's Beef Assoc.

Over the past few weeks, I have seen news articles and social media posts lying about our industry, attacking our association, and endangering the programs that generations of farmers and ranchers worked hard to establish—and I am fed up.
 
This week, a group of animal rights activists and those who do their bidding sent a letter to Congress in support of the deceptively named “Opportunities for Fairness in Farming” or OFF Act. Well let’s call it what it really is: the Obliterating Family Farms Act. The bill is nothing but an attack on cattle producers who have worked hard to build a program that promotes our wholesome American beef while also strengthening our family farms and ranches. The unholy alliance that supported this letter is stunning: Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc., a group that says because of animals’ feelings we should no longer eat meat; Attorneys for Animals, a law firm that sues to treat animals as individuals; Four Paws, a group trying to end livestock hauling in Europe; Mercy for Animals, whose mission is ending “the exploitation of animals for food." Also included are groups that claim to support producers but have turned their backs on our industry by hiring animal rights activists like former Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) staffers Joe Maxwell and Angela Huffman. R-CALF has even joined this dubious group, hoping again to use an alliance with animal rights activists to tear down the Checkoff. How can anyone who raises livestock or eats meat put their name on the same letter as groups that dream about seeing our farms and ranches shut down for good?
 
At the same time, we have seen animal rights activists infiltrating conservative organizations like FreedomWorks. The new Chief Operating Officer of FreedomWorks is Marty Irby and before he took up his latest post, he worked for the disgraced leader of the Human Society of the United States, the animal rights activist group Animal Wellness Action, and the Center for a Humane Economy. Irby is no friend of animal agriculture, and he has turned FreedomWorks into a lobbying machine for the OFF Act and for ending our way of life.
 
Proponents of the OFF Act say it’s about reform, oversight and saving family farms and ranches, but make no mistake, that’s completely false. One part of the OFF Act being about reform and oversight that really irritates me is that we’ve already been down this road. In 2021, cattle producers overwhelmingly denied a referendum to end the Checkoff, and the legality and implementation of this vital program has been upheld by multiple courts. The agenda behind passing the OFF Act is about undermining the producers who direct the Beef Checkoff program, stopping critical research, education and promotion, and anti-meat animal rights activists using government regulation to kill our industry with a thousand cuts.

I want all cattle producers to know about this latest attempt at extremists trying to hijack our industry and livelihoods. Don’t align yourself with groups that say they have your future in mind but back politicians and activists who think our way of life is morally wrong.
 
We need to reject the activist groups pushing for the OFF Act and I hope you give your member of Congress an earful about why they should say no to activists and say NO to the OFF Act.

Todd Wilkinson is a cattle producer from South Dakota and the president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.



Clean Fuels, Transportation Industries Ask EPA for Strong Growth in RFS BBD Volumes

Today, Clean Fuels Alliance America released a letter from five trade associations encouraging EPA Administrator Michael Regan to substantially raise the biomass-based diesel and overall advanced biofuel volumes in the Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023-2025. The letter highlights the need for strong RFS volumes to support the goals of the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. The letter is joined by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, American Trucking Associations, Association of American Railroads, and the National Energy & Fuels Institute, which represent growing markets for biodiesel, renewable diesel, and Bioheat® fuel.

“The administration’s policies and programs are designed to leverage private sector investments to increase use of clean fuels and decarbonize the nation’s supply chain. Our industries continue to make significant investments in producing, distributing, and using low-carbon fuels, but much more can be done,” the letter states.

“Our industries need these fuels to decarbonize air transport, long-haul shipping and trucking, and home heating and meet the needs of our customers and supply chain partners,” the letter continues. “The proposed [RFS] volumes are simply inconsistent with the investments our industries have made and plan to make to expand production and commercial availability of these fuels by 2025.”

The letter is available for download on cleanfuels.org.

“The Biden administration has launched major initiatives to reduce carbon and particulate matter emissions economy wide, including the National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization,” stated Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels. “The United States cannot achieve the blueprint’s goals without immediate, substantial increases in production and use of low-carbon, drop-in fuels. Demand for biodiesel, renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and Bioheat® fuel is growing rapidly and U.S. producers are investing to keep pace. EPA must support that investment with higher RFS volumes.”

“As railroads work in earnest to meet their ambitious emission reduction targets, low-carbon fuels offer immediate, tangible results that keep the industry on track,” said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “By ensuring an adequate supply of sustainable, low-carbon fuels for all modes of transportation, the Administration has the opportunity to deliver on its decarbonization promises, power our economy and put the transportation sector on track toward a cleaner future.”

“The RFS has played a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions from home heating oil, which remains a source of heat and comfort for nearly five million homes in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states,” said NEFI Vice President Jim Collura. “By incentivizing use of renewable fuels such as biodiesel and Bioheat®, the RFS is helping these states achieve ambitious climate goals while supporting small Main Street energy businesses. However, the RFS must keep pace with production capacity and fuel demand in these states, and so we urge EPA to increase proposed volumes through 2025.”

“The trucking industry plays a crucial role in our nation’s supply chain. To effectively decarbonize, we need a significant boost in the production of low-carbon fuels that have environmental benefits and can deliver meaningful emissions reductions today,” said Jacqueline Gelb, Vice President of Energy and Environmental Affairs at the American Trucking Associations.



Four Corners Issue Joint Statement on Farm Bill White House Meeting

Following a meeting with President Biden and Secretary Vilsack, Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, Ranking Member David Scott, Senator John Boozman, and Senator Debbie Stabenow issued the following statement:

“Today, the four leaders of the Agriculture Committees had a conversation with President Biden and Secretary Vilsack on the importance of passing a bipartisan Farm Bill this year. The Farm Bill is a jobs bill. It is a safety net for farmers and consumers, and it is an investment in our rural communities and the health of the American people. The Agriculture Committees have a long tradition of bipartisan cooperation, and we look forward to continuing that tradition through our work on the 2023 Farm Bill.”  



International Aquaculture Conference Brings Together Global Aqua Professionals

Last week in Morocco, aquaculture industry professionals from around the world came together for the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) International Aquaculture Conference. The conference covered topics including the nutrition of various aquaculture species; raw material procurement; aquafeed ingredient properties; biosecurity; pellet quality and extrusion technologies.

This workshop not only acted as an educational opportunity for aqua professionals, but it also allowed the Council to strengthen its ties with Moroccan aqua feed industry professionals, specifically, as the organization connected them to international industry professionals. The Council sees the aquaculture industry as a catalyst to leverage and raise demand for U.S. corn co-products, especially corn-fermented protein.

“The Council has been promoting the use of U.S. DDGS in aquafeed rations recently to expand the number of commercial feed manufacturers using the product,” said Ramy Taieb, USGC regional director for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

“These types of events enable the Council’s EMEA regional office to join forces with Council staff from offices in Southeast Asia, Latin America, China and Mexico, and work to achieve common goals in support of U.S. producers. Aquaculture is a growing industry in the world, and it’s extremely important for stakeholders to understand the quality and availability of U.S. feed grains as they expand their operations and increase output,” Taieb said.

In addition to the two-day conference, the Council’s EMEA staff led the group on a tour of a local fish farm and organized a visit to the National Institute for Fisheries Research.

Moving forward, the Council plans to continue promoting and highlighting the benefits of U.S. corn co-products, especially corn-fermented protein products, in aquafeed ration. The Council hopes its work in Morocco this past week is only a starting point for U.S. added-value products reaching the aquaculture industry in the EMEA region.



Registration opens for the 2023 Golden Harvest Go for the Gold Challenge

Registration for the 2023 Golden Harvest Go for the Gold Challenge is open now through June 30, 2023. The contest recognizes farmers who achieve top yields with eligible Golden Harvest® soybeans during the 2023 growing season. The winning farmers will be awarded a trip to the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas.

“We’re thrilled to host the second annual Go for the Gold Challenge,” said Ryan Dunsbergen, Golden Harvest soybean product manager. “Last year, we had the honor of recognizing 14 soybean farmers who achieved top yields with Golden Harvest soybeans; and this year, we’re excited to see how farmers continue to push yields by pairing elite Golden Harvest soybean genetics with innovative agronomic management practices.”

Soybean farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin who plant eligible Golden Harvest Gold Series soybean varieties in a 5-acre continuous block are encouraged to enter. The top-yielding farmer from each participating state will be awarded a trip for two to the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, including airfare, hotel accommodations and event registrations. Winners will be announced in December after entrants have submitted their yield results.

“At Golden Harvest, innovation is driven by farmer success,” said Dunsbergen. “With the Go for the Gold Challenge, we have the opportunity to recognize farmers who push the envelope with Golden Harvest products and strengthen the relationship with these farmers to help them succeed year after year.”

To register for the 2023 Go for the Gold Challenge, reach out to your local sales representative or Seed Advisor, or visit GoldenHarvestSeeds.com/GoForTheGold.