Thursday May 18 Ag News

Rural Mainstreet Banks Lose Deposits Again - Bank CEOs Expect Flat Farmland Prices Over Next 12 Months

After declining below growth neutral for March, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index expanded above the threshold for a second straight month, according to the May 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 May climbed to 55.8 from April’s 50.1. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“The Rural Mainstreet economy continues to experience slow economic growth. Only 11.5% of bankers reported improving economic conditions for the month, with 88.5% indicating no change in economic conditions from April’s slow growth,” said Dr. 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 dropped to 56.3 from April’s 64.6. This was the 32nd straight month that the index has advanced above 50.0.

Bankers reported that non-pasture farmland prices in their area grew by an average of 4.3% over the past 12 months. The bankers responded negatively about the future by reporting an average expected price growth of 0.0% over the next 12 months.

Farm equipment sales: As a result of sinking farm financial conditions, the farm equipment-sales index fell to a weak 50.2 from 54.3 in April. The index has risen above growth neutral for 28 of the past 30 months.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI advanced above growth neutral to 66.0 from 52.7 in April. The state’s farmland-price index for May sank to 58.0 from April’s 65.4. Nebraska’s May new-hiring index grew to 72.0 from 57.8 in April. Between the 2008-09 banking crisis and December 2022, Nebraska lost 39.9% of its banks through mergers and insolvencies, ending 2022 with 76 banks per million in population.

Iowa: Iowa’s May RMI expanded to 50.8 from 44.8 in April. Iowa’s farmland-price index sank to 50.6 from April’s 57.4. Iowa’s new-hiring index for May moved higher to 48.8 from 44.8 in April.  Between the 2008-09 banking crisis and December 2022, Iowa lost 36.3% of its banks through mergers and insolvencies, ending 2022 with 78 banks per million in population.

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.



This Week's Drought Summary
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

A complex, slow-moving storm system delivered heavy rain across much of the nation’s mid-section, but largely bypassed some of the country’s driest areas in southwestern Kansas and western Oklahoma, as well as neighboring areas. Still, the rain broadly provided much-needed moisture for rangeland and pastures, immature winter grains, and emerging summer crops. Significant rain spread into other areas, including the southern and western Corn Belt and the mid-South, generally benefiting crops but slowing fieldwork and leaving pockets of standing water. Excessive rainfall (locally 4 to 8 inches or more) sparked flooding in a few areas, including portions of the western Gulf Coast region. Little or no rain fell across much of the remainder of the country, including southern Florida, the Northeast, the Great Lakes region, and an area stretching from California to the southern Rockies. Warmth in advance of the storm system temporarily boosted temperatures considerably above normal across parts of east-central Plains, western Corn Belt, and upper Great Lakes region. Meanwhile, record-setting heat developed in the Pacific Northwest, setting several May temperature records.

 Midwest
Nearly all the region’s drought was confined to areas west of the Mississippi River, where pockets of heavy rain greatly reduced the coverage of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate to extreme drought (D1 to D3). Some of the heaviest Midwestern rain fell across southern Minnesota, where D0 and D1 quickly turned to flooded fields amid May 10-14 rainfall totals that locally reached 4 to 8 inches or more. East of the Mississippi River, there were several patches of D0, mainly in Illinois, with a few other areas being watched due to a short-term drying trend.

High Plains
Phenomenal rainfall totals led to significant reductions in drought coverage, especially from eastern Colorado and northwestern Kansas into western North Dakota. Goodland, Kansas, received consecutive daily-record totals of 1.50 and 1.12 inches, respectively, on May 10 and 11. Daily-record totals topped 3 inches on the 11th in Imperial, Nebraska (3.56 inches), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (3.18 inches). That marked the wettest May day on record in Colorado Springs, toppling 2.34 inches on May 30, 1935. In Denver, Colorado, where 2.92 inches fell on the 11th, it was the wettest calendar day since May 6, 1973, when 3.27 inches fell. Denver’s storm total (4.40 inches from May 10-12) represented more than 30 percent of its normal annual precipitation. During the week ending May 14, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported double-digit improvements in topsoil moisture rated very short to short in several states, including Nebraska (from 66 to 46%), South Dakota (from 38 to 19%), and Colorado (from 45 to 35%). The rain also helped to revive winter wheat and benefited emerging summer crops. Still, even with the rain, Kansas led the nation on May 14 with 68% of its winter wheat rated in very poor to poor condition. In addition, the rampant storminess largely bypassed some of the extreme to exceptional drought (D3 to D4) areas in a strip extending from southwestern Kansas into eastern Nebraska.

Looking Ahead
Showers and thunderstorms will linger for the next couple of days across the lower Southeast, in the vicinity of a weakening cold front, with an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain possible in some areas. Meanwhile, another cold front will race eastward across the northern U.S., generating showers before reaching the Atlantic Coast on Saturday. Rainfall associated with the Northern cold front will be short-lived, with most locations receiving less than an inch. However, late-week thunderstorms may become heavy along the tail of the cold front, with 1 to 3 inches of rain possible in central and southern sections of the Rockies and Plains. Elsewhere, little or no precipitation will fall during the next 5 days along and near the Pacific Coast. The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for May 23 – 27 calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and precipitation across most of the country. Cooler-than-normal conditions will be confined to parts of the South, while drier-than-normal weather should be limited to the Pacific Northwest and an area stretching from the mid-South and lower Midwest into the Northeast.



USDA Offers Livestock Disaster Program Flexibilities in Response to Those Impacted by Drought, Winter Storms

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing additional flexibilities and further enhancing disaster recovery assistance provided by the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) in response to needs expressed by livestock producers who have experienced significant feed, forage, animal and infrastructure loss from pre-existing, long-term drought conditions further compounded by unprecedented snowfall and winter storms.

These livestock disaster program policy enhancements include an extended June 2, 2023, deadline to submit notices of loss and applications for payment for 2022 losses. The deadline extension and program flexibilities are available to eligible producers nationwide who incurred losses from a qualifying natural disaster event.  

“Potentially impacted producers are encouraged to contact their FSA county office to gain an understanding of these program enhancements and determine whether the changes are applicable to their operation,” said Tim Divis, Acting State Executive Director for FSA in Nebraska.

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (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. ELAP also may be available to assist with the above normal costs of feed during natural disasters, including during extreme winter weather. ELAP triggers on a county-by-county basis. Normal ELAP policy is that, as part of the application process, producers must report these impacts to FSA within 30 days of when those impacts are apparent. However, this 30-day notification requirement has been waived in some situations to allow for late applications for 2022 impacts and for 2023 impacts that occur before June 2, 2023. Producers with questions about possible benefits through ELAP for 2022 impacts or 2023 impacts through June 2, 2023, should contact their county FSA office.

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that died, above normal mortality, because of a qualifying natural disaster event. Normal LIP policy is that, as part of the application process, producers must report these deaths to FSA within 30 days of when these deaths are known. This 30-day notification requirement has been waived for 2022 losses. FSA is now accepting 2022 Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) notices of loss and applications for payment through June 2, 2023, for all covered livestock that may have been eligible in 2022.  

Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides benefits for grazing losses due to a qualifying drought or wildfire. FSA recently revised the program to allow additional animals as qualified for the program, including livestock that contribute to the commercial viability of an operation and are maintained for the purpose of pleasure, roping, pets or show. Because of this change, FSA is accepting LFP applications for these newly eligible covered livestock through June 2, 2023. Producers who have questions about whether their livestock may be eligible for LFP should contact their county FSA office.

Revising 2022 Applications  
Producers who have a 2022 ELAP, LIP or LFP application on file with FSA as of the program deadline or were placed on an approved register, may revise their application with the newly updated eligible livestock no later than June 2, 2023. 

More Information 
Producers can apply for ELAP, LFP and LIP benefits at their local FSA county office. For more information or to submit a notice of loss or an application for payment, please contact your local FSA office or visit farmers.gov/recover. 



National Stockmanship and Stewardship Events Coming to Nebraska

Continuing education is important to every field, including ranching. Nebraska cattle producers can attend one of two, full-day Stockmanship & Stewardship events this June.

Stockmanship and Stewardship is offered through a partnership between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Beef Checkoff, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and Merck Animal Health. With a commitment to cattle care, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) joins the Stockmanship and Stewardship Nebraska events as an additional partner. The two Nebraska locations are in Norfolk on Tuesday, June 13, at the Lifelong Learning Center and Ag Complex and McCook on Thursday, June 15, at the Red Willow Fairgrounds.

Additionally, registered producers can also attend a grazing workshop on June 14 in Norfolk at the Lifelong Learning Center where speakers will cover grazing management to promote soil health, settling cattle on pasture and virtual fencing.

During the June 13 and 15 events, attendees will enjoy a Certified Angus Beef ® strip steak lunch courtesy of Cargill Animal Protein and CAB. During lunch, CAB will share how they are using BQA certifications to validate every cattleman’s commitment to raising healthy, nutritious and high-quality beef with consumers and the brand’s licensed partners. BQA is a national program that offers educational programming on proper management techniques, with a commitment to quality through every segment of the beef industry.

"Certified Angus Beef cares about animal welfare because it’s an important facet of our supply chain," says Bruce Cobb, CAB executive vice president of production. "We know producers do a great job caring for their livestock and BQA is a great way to verify that commitment with our partners and consumers."

During the event, attendees will watch live low-stress cattle handling demonstrations on foot and horseback. Other sessions include a market outlook, grazing management, cattle nutrition and herd health. Additionally, attendees will hear from CAB and their stakeholders about consumer concerns on sustainability, why it matters at the ranch and how BQA can help ease the conversation. Plus, there will be an opportunity to become BQA certified or renew an expired certification.

"Producers have a great story to tell about the attention and care they put towards their beef animals as they bring them from pasture to plate, but sometimes they need help telling that story," says Jesse Fulton, livestock systems educator and director of Nebraska BQA. "By becoming BQA certified or keeping up with their certification, producers can use the BQA program to help tell their story to the average beef consumer. Plus, attending one of the Nebraska Stockmanship and Stewardship events allows cattlemen to participate in a robust education event and become BQA certified or recertified all at the same time."

Both events will offer the opportunity for individuals whose primary language is Spanish to participate in sessions as well.

"We are excited to be able to offer many of the sessions presented at these two events in both English and Spanish," says Fulton. "We know it is important for those whose primary language is Spanish who work on cattle operations daily to have industry-relevant education available to them as well."

You can find out more, see a full agenda, and register for the event online at stockmanshipandstewardship.org/events/nebraska-2023. Pre-registration is required to ensure adequate food and space is arranged.



NC Farmer Stockman Council Summer Tour Hosted by South Central Cattlemen
Tuesday, June 20

10:30 a.m.
U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC)
State Spur 18D
Clay Center, NE 68933

12:00 p.m.
Lunch at U.S. MARC

1:15 p.m.
Hastings Equity Manufacturing
1900 Summit Ave
Hastings, NE 68901

2:30 p.m.
Green Cover
918 Rd X
Bladen, NE 68928

4:30 p.m.
Superior Industries
1100 E 6th St
Superior, NE 68978

5:30 p.m.
Steak Dinner & Cash Bar
Sponsored by: South Central Cattlemen
Elk Creek Country Club
877 S Main St.
Nelson, NE 68961

*Please note that transportation will not be provided. All participants are responsible for their own transportation and will meet at each tour stop.

Please RSVP to Bonita Lederer by Thursday, June 15 at (402) 450-0223, or by email at blederer@necattlemen.org.



Third Annual Tech Hub LIVE is Back in Des Moines July 24-26
 
Tech Hub LIVE is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated event, bringing together tech-enabled, data-driven agriculture practitioners for a groundbreaking conference. Scheduled to take place July 24-26 in Des Moines, Iowa, this must-attend event promises a unique experience that combines knowledge sharing, learning opportunities, and valuable networking.

Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo, powered by CropLife Media Group™, the nation’s leading voice for the ag retail industry, attracts the largest gathering of ag retailers, distributors, consultants, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the ag supply chain, all committed to leveraging the latest tech innovations for practical business advantages on the farm.
    
The event kicks off with an exciting 1990s-themed welcome party, sponsored by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, on July 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Ricochet, just a short walk from the Iowa Events Center. This lively event sets the stage for attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and speakers to connect, enjoy themselves, and celebrate the start of an unforgettable event.
 
Central to the unique event experience is the exhibit hall, where leading companies showcase their latest products and services. Attendees can explore cutting-edge tools and technologies to revolutionize their businesses. Whether searching for solutions to enhance farm data management or insights into autonomous equipment and robotics, the exhibit hall caters to every attendee's needs.
 
Tech Hub LIVE continues to enhance its offerings by developing new elements with Fireside Tech Chats showcasing top retailers and industry leaders sharing experiences, case studies, and best practices. Additionally, Roundtables Discussion Groups will be available each morning providing the opportunity for more focused conversations with industry experts and innovators. There’s also more dedicated time available to explore companies in the exhibit hall and listen in on 10-minute Tech Talks to learn more about the technologies and solutions developed to improve operations.
 
The conference sessions themselves span a wide range of subjects, including optimizing digital strategies, the Ag Retailers' playbook, drones, scouting and imagery tools and techniques, innovations in application equipment, attracting and retaining top talent, farm data management best practices, and advancements in autonomous equipment and robotics. Additionally, there will be sessions dedicated to ag tech risk and reward, achieving clean data collection in the field, soil sampling insights, and actionable takeaways from the 2023 Purdue/CropLife® Retail Precision Adoption Survey.
 
Tech Hub LIVE has announced a groundbreaking addition for 2023, the inaugural meeting for Women in Ag Tech on July 24 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. This crucial initiative fosters connections, engagement, and community building among women in the ag tech industry.
 
An essential gathering for the ag retail supply chain, Tech Hub LIVE attracts advanced in-field practitioners, trusted advisers, and precision experts, making it the ultimate destination for professionals seeking to embrace technology in helping them better serve their grower customers.
 
To learn more and register for Tech Hub LIVE, visit TechHubLIVE.com. Take advantage of Early Bird discounts by registering before May 19.



EPA Region 7, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa Announce Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm Conference

Today, the U.S. EPA Region 7, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa announce an upcoming conference titled Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm – Optimizing Environmental and Economic Outcomes for Rural Communities and Beyond. EPA and the universities will host the conference Nov. 6-8, 2023, at the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa. Anaerobic digestion is the natural process in which microorganisms break down organic materials.

“Anaerobic digestion offers many environmental and economic benefits,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “This conference will bring together government, academic, and private sector experts, stakeholders, and interested parties to advance understanding of anaerobic digestion and policy implementation.”

“Anaerobic digestion, an old technology now made new, can create energy value on farms while offering a variety of manure, biomass crop, crop residue and waste management options,” said Dan Robinson, Iowa State University Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “It’s a great platform for further R&D and potential near-term adoption. Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is enthusiastic to be working with EPA Region 7 and the University of Iowa to develop this potential.”

“Innovation in anaerobic digestion is a focus area of the Iowa Wastewater and Waste to Energy Research Program (IWWERP) at the University of Iowa,” said Martin Scholtz, University of Iowa Vice President for Research. “Diversion of waste organics into digesters will mitigate methane emissions and the digital twin approaches developed by Professor Just’s team will increase efficiency and profitability.”

EPA, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa also invite interested experts to submit conference presentation proposals via a call for abstracts. Information on submitting an abstract is available on the conference website linked above.

In addition to presentations, exhibits, panel sessions, and virtual tours of anaerobic digestion facilities, the conference will feature several keynote speakers, including Rudi Roeslein and Marcelo Mena-Carrasco. Additional keynote speakers may be announced in the future.

Mr. Roeslein is founder and CEO of Roeslein & Associates (1990) and sister company Roeslein Alternative Energy (2012). Roeslein and RAE develop and operate renewable energy production facilities that convert agricultural and industrial wastes, along with renewable biomass feedstocks, into renewable natural gas and sustainable co-products.

Mr. Mena-Carrasco is CEO of the Global Methane Hub, an international alliance for developing and implementing global methane reduction solutions. In 2021, he launched the Global Methane Pledge, with over 110 countries, including the U.S., signing on to reduce methane emissions by more than 30% by 2030. Previously, Mena-Carrasco served as climate change advisor and practice manager for the World Bank, as minister and vice minister for the environment in Chile, and as co-chair for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.

Additional information regarding the upcoming conference is available on the conference website https://www.epa.gov/ia/forms/anaerobic-digestion-farm-conference.



NPPC Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Animal Health Bill
 
NPPC applauds the introduction of the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2023. The legislation reauthorizes animal disease prevention and management programs.
 
"We appreciate Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Representatives Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Don Bacon (R-NE), Jim Costa (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN) and Don Davis (D-NC) for introducing this critical legislation to protect animal health," said NPPC President and Missouri pork producer Scott Hays. "With threats of African swine fever and other foreign animal diseases to livestock and poultry industries, having these provisions in the farm bill will ensure the U.S. remains positioned to deliver safe and affordable food to consumers worldwide."
 
NPPC is advocating for a farm bill that fully funds critical programs safeguarding the nation's food supply against threats posed by foreign animal diseases (FAD). These include the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program.
 
"A FAD outbreak would immediately cripple the entire agricultural sector," added Hays. "Funding these programs is vital for our success as they support efforts to prepare, prevent and mitigate any FAD threats."



NCBA Endorses Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Animal Health

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for H.R. 3419/S. 1666, the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2023. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would continue making critical investments in foreign animal disease response programs currently overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) and in the House by Reps. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), Angie Craig (D-MN), Jim Costa (D-CA), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Don Davis (D-NC).

“The threat of a foreign animal disease outbreak in the United States represents an existential threat to every cattle producer. It would also threaten this nation’s food and national security. We must act now to ensure we are prepared to combat a potential crisis before it happens,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer. “As a cattle producer, it is reassuring to see bipartisan support for legislation like the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act, which will help our industry prepare for, and ultimately prevent a national crisis.”

The Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act would provide additional funding for three important animal health programs established through the 2018 Farm Bill including the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).

“Together, the vaccine bank, NADPRP, and laboratory network form a ‘three-legged stool’ that represents our strategy for protecting the cattle and beef industry from a foreign animal disease outbreak,” said Tom Portillo, D.V.M, chairman of NCBA’s Cattle Health and Well Being Committee. “To protect the cattle industry, Congress must provide adequate funding for each of these three important programs.”

In addition to NCBA, this legislation is supported by our state affiliates across the country.

Background
The NAVVCB was established thanks to NCBA’s advocacy efforts during the 2018 Farm Bill and currently houses foot-and-mouth disease vaccines and diagnostic test kits. The NADPRP supports programs like the Secure Beef Supply plan, which develops continuity of businesses resources to help farms, ranches, processors, and retailers continue to safely operate in the event of a foreign disease outbreak. Finally, the NAHLN conducts essential research, disease monitoring, and testing. All three programs are strongly supported by NCBA and our affiliates.



Updates to Mississippi River Infrastructure, Key to Corn Growers, Begin North of St. Louis

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a groundbreaking ceremony today marking the beginning of repairs to a lock and dam on the Upper Mississippi River that is crucial to the shipment of corn and other commodities.
 
Lock and Dam 25, which is almost 50 miles North of St. Louis, has not been extensively repaired since it was constructed in the early part of the 20th century, but thanks to decades of advocacy, funding for the project was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act when it passed in 2021. Now, thanks to that federal funding, updates to the structure have begun.

Lock and Dam 25 is crucially important to corn growers as 60 percent of America’s corn and soybean exports are transported on the Mississippi River. The river is also important in shipping products to key markets in the U.S. and abroad. When barges are delayed because of problems with aging locks and dams, farmers are economically affected.



RFA Efforts Pay Off; EIA to Add Ethanol Export Data to Weekly Report

The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Energy Information Administration that fuel ethanol export estimates will now be included in EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report. Over the past decade, RFA has tirelessly advocated for the inclusion of ethanol export estimates in EIA’s weekly report to provide market participants with a more complete picture of current supply/demand conditions. According to EIA, the June 1, 2023, weekly report will be the first to include ethanol export data.

“This is a critically important improvement to EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report. A major data gap is finally being filled,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “For years, the exclusion of ethanol export data in EIA’s weekly report created uncertainty and put ethanol buyers and sellers at a disadvantage in a competitive marketplace. Historically, ethanol export estimates have lagged other ethanol supply and demand data by 6-8 weeks, leaving market participants in the dark regarding overall ethanol consumption conditions. At long last, EIA is adding the missing puzzle piece to provide the market with a complete picture.”

RFA began pressing EIA to add ethanol export data to the weekly report in 2011, as rising export volumes began to represent a significant component of ethanol’s supply and demand balance. Most recently, RFA’s Chief Economist Scott Richman sent a letter to EIA Administrator Joseph DeCarolis again urging the agency to add weekly ethanol export data. After sustained engagement and communications between RFA, EIA, and other stakeholders over the years, EIA has now secured approval to add ethanol exports to its weekly regime.

“EIA should be applauded for its efforts," Cooper said. "We sincerely thank EIA officials—especially Administrator DeCarolis, Tom Leckey and Mike Conner—for taking our input to heart and working with industry stakeholders to implement this crucial enhancement to the weekly report. EIA’s weekly report will now provide stakeholders around the world what they’ve been looking for—a comprehensive picture of ethanol supply and demand conditions.”

As a percentage of ethanol production, ethanol exports have nearly doubled over the last decade, from 4.6 percent in 2013 to 8.8 percent in 2022, with a high of 10.4 percent in 2018.



Abandoned fields and low yields underscore Wheat Tour 2023

The 2023 Wheat Quality Council’s Hard Winter Wheat Tour across Kansas wrapped up on May 18. During the three days of wheat scouting, tour participants traveled six routes from Manhattan to Colby to Wichita and back to Manhattan. This year’s tour hosted 106 people from 22 U.S. states plus Mexico, Canada and Colombia, in 27 vehicles while traveling across the state.

The three-day average calculated yield for the fields that will be harvested was 30 bushels per acre.

While an estimated 8.1 million acres of wheat were planted in the fall, the Kansas wheat crop has suffered from a multi-year drought, which has robbed the state’s yield potential and resulted in many abandoned fields.

The official tour projection for total production of wheat to be harvested in Kansas is 178 million bushels, indicating that tour participants thought abandonment might be quite a bit higher than normal at 26.75%. The production number is the average of estimated predictions from tour participants who gathered information from 652 fields across the state. Based on May 1 conditions, NASS predicted the crop to be higher at 191 million bushels, with a yield of 29 bushels per acre and abandonment at 18.5%.

On Thursday, yields in areas between Wichita and Manhattan were better than what participants had seen earlier on the tour, improving as they moved north, averaging 44.1 bushels per acre.

For fields that have not yet headed out, scouts use an early season formula model to calculate the potential yield of the fields. The model uses an average head weight based on 2013-2022 Kansas wheat objective yield data. For the fields that had already headed, attendees were able to use a late-season formula to calculate yields, based on number of wheat heads, number of spikelets and kernels per spikelet. These formulas are provided by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The formulas do not take into consideration variables such as weed pressure, disease and pests. Tour scouts didn’t see much disease pressure this year with the drought conditions.

The tour captures a moment in time for the yield potential for fields across the state. These fields are still 3-6 weeks from harvest. A lot can happen during that time to affect final yields and production.

The tour is sponsored by the Wheat Quality Council, which is a coordinated effort by breeders, producers and processors to improve wheat and flour quality. The primary goals of the tour are to make connections within the wheat industry, allow participants to meet wheat farmers and see the growing crop and to highlight the agriculture industry.



Ranking Member David Scott Responds to House Republican Plan to Slash Agriculture Department Funding

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott today released the below statement following the announcement of a bill by Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee that would make devastating cuts to the United States Agriculture Department and the programs it administers.

“The proposal by House Republican appropriators to slash over $6.25 billion from Agriculture Committee funds is a direct assault on rural communities across America. Rural small businesses, economically distressed farmers, rural utilities, and electric cooperatives, as well as the farm bill process, all stand to lose big time if this reckless Republican plan moves forward.

“House Republicans say they want to cut spending, but this plan is not strategic or reasonable in scope—it simply takes money from programs already benefitting our rural constituents to mask the cuts our colleagues would otherwise be forced to show.  And this at the same time that the Agriculture Committees are working on the new farm bill.

“They also limit the Secretary of Agriculture’s hands when it comes to addressing emergency situations.  The last time they played this game, the only people who lost were our cotton farmers.

“This Republican bill will make our rural communities poorer by attacking programs critical to American agriculture and way of life.”

The cuts include:
    $500 million from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
    $3.25 billion intended for rural electric cooperative funding.
    $2 billion in assistance to distressed borrowers through the Farm Service Agency.

The Republican bill also puts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at risk for nearly a million Americans struggling to put food on their tables. Taking food away from people in need does not encourage work. It only serves to make life harder for people raising children, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers who might lose a job or have unpredictable and inconsistent hours.

Additionally, the bill would severely limit the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to assist farmers by curtailing his use of the Commodity Credit Corporation—taking away a tool from farmers.



NFU Opposes FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill as Passed by House Subcommittee

Today the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee passed its Fiscal Year 2024 agriculture funding bill. The legislation includes harmful provisions that would prevent USDA from completing long-awaited Packers and Stockyards Act rules to protect family farmers and ranchers from abuses of market power by the meat industry. The bill also makes unacceptable cuts to funding that would help distressed borrowers, address climate change, and ensure the food and nutrition security of our communities.

“Family farmers and ranchers should be allowed to do what we do best: sustainably produce food, feed, fiber, and fuel. But we can’t do this without fair and competitive markets,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “Our markets are heavily consolidated, with few buyers and sellers, and are ripe for manipulation. That’s why we are dismayed by the proposal in the House Agriculture Appropriations bill to halt ongoing rulemakings that would strengthen and modernize enforcement of the Packers & Stockyards Act.”

The bill includes several other harmful provisions, including:
·     Cutting funds that would support distressed borrowers of Farm Service Agency loans.

·     Rolling back funding for programs that help address climate change and promote the growth of renewable energy on farms and ranches.

·     Tightening requirements for low-income individuals to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is an essential antipoverty and food assistance program.

“Several proposals in this bill damage the farm economy, prevent us from tackling climate change, and harm our communities,” Larew added. “We urge Congress to reject these changes and to make fairness for farmers a priority.”

With today’s passage by the House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee, the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations bill now awaits consideration by the full committee. NFU will work to ensure these harmful provisions are not part of the final House bill and that similarly harmful provisions are not included in the Senate agriculture appropriations bill.



AG ENERGY COALITION OPPOSES CUTS TO REAP, NEW ERA IN AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS

Today, the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) voiced opposition to proposed cuts to crucial agriculture programs in draft fiscal year 2024 appropriations for Agriculture and Rural Development, which will be marked up this morning by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture. The draft bill would slash agriculture, nutrition and rural development program funding by more than a third – fully $9 billion below 2023 funding. The agriculture community has not seen support levels this low since 2006.

“USDA’s Rural Development programs enable rural communities and businesses alike to make essential investments in affordable, reliable, clean energy while improving energy security, the environment, public health and helping all of America address climate change,” said Lloyd Ritter, Ag Energy Coalition Executive Director. “Congress made historic investments in agriculture and rural electrification programs last year. Maintaining and growing resources for rural communities is fundamentally important to ensure all Americans have equal access to clean energy.”

“The Rural Energy for America Program is sound public policy that has helped more than 20,000 farms and rural businesses access affordable, renewable energy and energy efficiency systems,” Ritter continued. “The popularity of this program has left some technologies underutilized and underfunded. REAP grants and loans are in demand across rural America and have brought particular benefit to farmers, ranchers, dairy and other rural businesses.”

In the Inflation Reduction Act, Congress provided much-needed funding for the oversubscribed Rural Energy for America Program, including dedicated funding for underutilized technologies. Congress also provided historic funding for rural electrification that is supported by NRECA and the Rural Power Coalition; USDA this week announced funding availability for the New ERA program. The draft legislation would rescind funding for those programs.

AgEC particularly opposes the following provisions of the bill:
    Section 722: would rescind $500 million of unobligated funds made available through the Inflation Reduction Act for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
    Section 733: would rescind $3.25 billion of unobligated funds made available through the Inflation Reduction Act for USDA assistance to Rural Electric Cooperatives.

The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) represents a diverse set of interests in agriculture and renewable energy, including farmers, advanced biofuel and bio-based manufacturers, clean tech, rural lenders, and environmental NGOs.  



Thompson, Scott Statement on the Passing of U.S. Congressman Charles Stenholm

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson and Ranking Member David Scott today released the following statement upon learning of the passing of former Committee Ranking Member Charlie Stenholm:

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman Charles Stenholm, a distinguished public servant who dedicated more than 26 years of his life to the people of Texas and the United States. Charlie had an intimate understanding of American agriculture and a lifelong commitment to supporting rural communities. He will be greatly missed by many. Our hearts go out to his wife Cindy and his family. They will be in our prayers.”

Stenholm was a Member of Congress from the state of Texas, serving in the House of Representatives from January 1979 to January 2005. He was the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee from January 1997 to January 2005 and served as a chair of several subcommittees during his many years of service to American agriculture.