Thursday May 25 Ag News

 Statement by Mark McHargue, President, regarding the Unicameral’s passage of Governor Pillen’s historic tax and education package

“The Nebraska Farm Bureau has been fighting for property tax relief for rural Nebraskans for decades, and today marked a major victory for every tax paying Nebraskan. The legislature’s approval of LB243, LB583, and LB754 is transformational for the entire state, and especially for our farmers and ranchers. We thank the senators for their tireless efforts to get this package across the finish line in this unique year, and we thank Governor Jim Pillen for his visionary and aggressive approach in tackling the state’s most pressing issue.”

“The property tax burden placed on our farmers and ranchers has long been inequitable and in need of reform. That disparity was evident within the public-school funding formula, the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, or TEEOSA. The Governor’s historic tax and education package delivers needed education funding reform and tax relief in several ways:
    Increasing state funding for public schools through foundation aid, special education funding, and a dedicated fund to ensure sustainability of this new funding;
    Placing a reasonable and workable cap on how much public schools can ask of property taxpayers for school funds;
    Removing community college property tax asking authority and replacing that financial resource with state funds that grow responsibly over time;
    Expanding the Property Tax Credit Fund, which is the largest source of property tax relief in the state, and allowing for further growth in the Refundable Income Tax Credits recently created; and
    Reducing the corporate and personal income tax rate from 5.84% to 3.99%.”

“Only ten years ago, there were elected leaders who were unaware that high property taxes in Nebraska were an issue. To see the size and scope of relief delivered in today’s votes shows a massive amount of will of the elected officials and the voters of this state. We thank the senators that supported this measure and Governor Pillen for working with the key stakeholders to arrive at this monumental solution. To say that electing the first Governor rooted in agriculture in nearly a century was key to this success is an understatement. Nebraska’s lifeblood is agriculture, and we are seeing the state’s largest industry supported with this legislation.”



International delegation visits producers in Nebraska

A diverse delegation from at least nine different countries recently had the opportunity to interact with Nebraska agriculture firsthand as part of the Water for Food Global Conference.

The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska hosted the conference May 8-11 in Lincoln, Neb. and brought together those from academia and research, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and non-profits, policymakers and growers from around the world to focus on solutions for food and water security. Touting Nebraska as the perfect destination for such a conference due to its rich agricultural landscape, cherished water resources, and world-class university research, the institute also showcased the state outside of the conference room by hosting a farm and feedlot tour.

After three days of discussing solutions for food and water security, nearly 30 attendees stayed an extra day to visit Nebraska producers and learn about the innovation and technology in the state. Attendees represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Peru and Rwanda, as well as the United States. In collaboration with the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Soybean Board, and the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, the group toured Weber & Sons Feedlot in Dorchester, as well as Allan Tiemann’s row crop farm in Seward.

The group varied in background, from a wheat breeder in the U.S., a crop specialist in Peru to a meteorologist in India. At Weber & Sons Feedyard, they met with owner/operator Joel Weber and University of Nebraska - Lincoln professor of animal science Galen Erickson, who shared the intertwining factors of animal care, sustainability, water and nitrogen management, and economic margins that are taken into account within a Nebraska feedlot operation.

At Alan Tiemann’s row crop farm, attendees viewed a combine and planter up close and talked with Jennifer Swanson, liaison for the Nebraska Association of Resource Districts, about Nebraska’s unique water management and how nitrates are being addressed across the state.

A panel of three area farmers also spoke with the group, including Alan Tiemann, a Seward farmer, former Nebraska Corn Board member and former chairman of the US Grains Council; Jason Lewis, Nebraska Corn Growers Association board member and co-chair for the research and stewardship committee for Nebraska Corn; and Ruth Ready, Scribner farmer, livestock producer, and District 3 director and Community Engagement Committee chair for the Nebraska Soybean Board.

“This group of people from all over the world is engaged in working toward solutions for food security and water management,” said Arianna Elnes, communications specialist for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. “As a result of the event, they came away with impactful new insights into a farmer's inputs and challenges; where there are shortages and where modernization has given a necessary edge. This was a great opportunity to share the great collaborative efforts, commitment, and innovations here in Nebraska. It’s one thing to talk about it, but it’s another thing entirely to see it in the field.”

“From nutrient management to Natural Resources Districts, we have unique solutions to meet our water and agricultural challenges in the state that can applied to similar challenges in other parts of the world. To see that in person, and at scale, is a wow factor for many,” said Elnes. “At the same time, it’s validating to see that though we are from all different parts of the world, we are all working toward the same things, and share the same goals.”



 National Stockmanship and Stewardship Events Coming to Nebraska  

Nebraska cattle producers have the opportunity to attend one of two, full-day Stockmanship & Stewardship events this June. 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,” said Jesse Fulton, Livestock Systems Educator & Director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance. “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.”   

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. 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 14th 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 13th and 15th events, attendees will enjoy a Certified Angus Beef ® strip steak lunch courtesy of Cargill Animal Protein and Certified Angus Beef. During lunch, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) will share how they are using BQA certifications to share 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 its partners care about animal welfare,” 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 consumers.”   

During the event, attendees will watch live low-stress cattle handling demonstrations and witness effective cattle handling on foot and horseback. Other sessions include a market outlook, grazing management, and 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, attendees will have the opportunity to become BQA certified, or renew an expired certification at the end of the day!  

“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”, said Fulton “By becoming BQA certified or keeping up with their certification, producers can utilize the BQA program to help them tell their story to the everyday beef consumer. By attending one of the Nebraska Stockmanship and Stewardship events, producers can participate in a robust industry-related education event and become BQA certified/recertified all at the same time!”  

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!



103 Nebraska FFA Chapters Attend COLT Conference in Aurora

The Nebraska FFA Association spent the second part of May hosting statewide Chapter Officer Leadership Training, better known as COLT to the FFA members who attend.

COLT is an annual conference where 103 FFA chapters from across the state gathered at the Leadership Center in Aurora to work on the leadership and communication skills they will need for the upcoming school year. The sessions were each led by the 2023-2024 Nebraska State FFA Officer Team, composed of seven recently graduated high school seniors who will dedicate the next year to serving Nebraska FFA members.

State FFA President Thomas Perrin of Ogallala said this year’s theme for the conference and training sessions was “the secret ingredient.”

“We try to base our theme around cooking, being in the kitchen, and being a five-star officer,” said Perrin. “Like five-star foods, there’s ingredients that go into making us top-notch officers for our chapters for the year.”

Perrin said his favorite part of the experience has been getting to know members.

“This week is really about meeting more members from across the state,” said Perrin. “It is a great time for us state officers, and my teammates to really get out there and make our first impression on members and really get to know as many people as we can.”

FFA chapter officers broke into groups according to their individual office to work through leadership presentations on things like group communication and conflict resolution. Chapters were also given time to work together to plan for the year ahead.

Lily Srajhans, president of the Fillmore Central FFA Chapter, made her third trip to COLT this year. Srajhans said that each attendance has been beneficial for her and her chapter.

“We worked through a lot of things like how to negotiate, which is good because you can’t always get everything you want,” said Srajhans. “My chapter is using this time to set everything up for the year to help it run smoothly. If we have questions about things, we are addressing them now.”

The COLT conference was held from May 18-27 with 4 separate, 2 day sessions. Other summer activities for Nebraska FFA include Supervised Agricultural Experience home visits, county fair activities, and other volunteer opportunities that individual chapters decide to participate in.



Lindsay Corporation and Pessl Instruments Announce Strategic Partnership

Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, and Pessl Instruments, a global manufacturer and leading provider of advanced agricultural technology solutions under the METOS® brand, announce a strategic, global partnership focused on combining Pessl's field monitoring systems with Lindsay's FieldNET® remote irrigation management platform.

Through this partnership, growers will be able to access certain Pessl field monitoring systems, such as weather stations and soil moisture probes, within the FieldNET platform, providing real-time insights into crop water needs and enhancing growers' ability to remotely monitor, control, analyze and apply irrigation recommendations. The addition of Pessl's field monitoring solutions will allow growers to monitor and adjust operations based on key atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, rainfall, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture. Furthermore, growers utilizing FieldNET Advisor® will be able to utilize Pessl's field monitoring systems to enhance the predictive analytics provided by the solution.

"We understand the challenges that farmers face in managing the irrigation for their field, and at Pessl, we are deeply committed to providing them with the tools they need to make their operation efficient and sustainable," said Gottfried Pessl, CEO & Founder of Pessl Instruments. "This partnership will leverage the combined expertise of Pessl and Lindsay; it will combine cutting-edge technologies and revolutionize how farmers manage their irrigation, logistics and plant protection. Pessl and Lindsay as partners will enable farmers not only to understand what their crops need, but also to help them make the right decisions at the right time, saving them time and resources."

"Through our partnerships with growers worldwide, we have learned that in-depth analytics are critical to informing key decisions before, during and after the growing season. Adding the additional capabilities in soil moisture and weather monitoring that Pessl has developed and field–tested will enable our growers to gain even greater confidence in the irrigation management decisions they make using FieldNET and in the recommendations provided by FieldNET Advisor, utilizing predictive analytics to determine where, when and how much to irrigate," said Gustavo Oberto, President of Global Irrigation at Lindsay.



Natural Resources Conservation Service Assists Flood Damaged Properties

With current drought conditions spanning the state it may be hard to remember that just a few years ago Nebraska was recovering from catastrophic flooding. The spring of 2019 brought rapid snow melt coupled with frozen-solid ground. This left nowhere for water to go except sideways pushing blocks of river ice the size of houses downstream destroying roads, bridges, and washing away livestock and entire communities. Two Nebraskans lost their lives.

Since that time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been assisting communities with recovery through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program’s Floodplain Easements.

This program provides landowners the opportunity to voluntarily sell flood-damaged land to NRCS through an easement. This provides the agency the ability to restore and enhance the floodplain’s functions and values.

A healthy floodplain enhances fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, flood water retention, and ground water recharge while making it more resilient to flooding and erosion.

Three new easements, located in Knox and Richardson counties were completed through this program. By restoring over 100 acres to natural conditions these floodplain easements will protect the water quality of the Missouri and Niobrara rivers in perpetuity.

NRCS Nebraska State Conservationist, Robert Lawson, said, “Landowners across Nebraska have faced significant challenges from flooding and natural disasters. These easements are a long-term solution for preventing future damage from flooding. This program offers an option that alleviates the stress of operating in a floodplain while retaining ownership of the property. We are proud to have completed these three floodplain easement projects and look forward to continuing work with local communities to protect natural resources.”



FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS HELP NEBRASKA STUDENTS EAT FRESH, LOCAL FOODS

A growing number of Nebraska school districts are sourcing ingredients for their school meals from local farmers.

In a state like Nebraska, that makes sense, said Jordan Rasmussen, an Extension educator with Rural Prosperity Nebraska. But as much as the farm-to-school movement is a logical extension of the state’s robust ag economy, it’s also a holistic approach to improving Nebraska’s communities.

“Not only does it address a community’s physical health, but also economic, educational and social health,” Rasmussen said.

Hosted jointly with Nebraska Extension, the Nebraska Department of Education’s annual Farm-to-School Institute trains communities on the logistics of farm-to-school programs. Workshops, lectures and seminars not only help connect schools with producers, but focus on goals, action plans and grant opportunities.

Jay Wolff, co-owner of Wolff Farms Produce in Norfolk, attended the institute during the pandemic.

“The training helped in filling out (bids for larger schools),” he said. “They also talked about insurance requirements, food safety requirements. We did a little bit of sales to schools before the training, but it really helped out a lot after.”

While knowing the ins and outs is important, the heart of farm-to-school centers on Nebraskans.

Cafeteria
The cafeteria is where farm-to-school is most apparent. Working with Rasmussen and fellow Extension Educator Kayla Hinrichs, Burwell Public Schools recently received two U.S. Department of Agriculture grants of nearly $130,000, which allowed them to replace and upgrade kitchen equipment. Pius X High School in Lincoln, which also attended the institute, used grant funds to purchase immersion blenders and make other upgrades to their kitchen, allowing them to process and store the produce that comes in abundance in autumn.

“During the fall, we’ll get lots of tomatoes,” said Carmen Goeden, Pius X’s director of nutrition services. “We can’t go through all of those tomatoes fresh, so we’ve learned to process them. We’ll blend them, and then freeze them and use them for sauces or soups.”

Burwell and Pius X have also received the Nebraska Department of Education’s Local and Indigenous Foods Training grant, which brings Extension educators into schools to teach about the benefits of local foods. Hinrichs calls these visits the “Chef’s Table,” where she has made roasted turnips and Moroccan meatballs with students. Recently, Pius X taste-tested bison pizza.

“Ultimately, we want students to eat a variety of healthy foods,” Hinrichs said. “If they’re exposed to them in school, I think that’s a great start to building good nutrition throughout their life.”

But it goes beyond produce, Goeden said. After connecting with producers through the institute, Pius X has embraced introducing children to healthy foods by serving eggs from local growers, as well as cheese from Jisa Farmstead in Brainard, and whole grain breads from Rotella Bakery and milk from Hiland Dairy, both in Omaha.

Classroom
While some schools bolster their menus from local sources, others serve produce grown on their own grounds. At Southern High School in Wymore, Brady Meyer teaches an agriculture education class in which students grow produce in a greenhouse and with hydroponic towers.

“We’ve got a bunch of peppers out there right now that we’re going to harvest at the end of the week, and the kids are going to make a salsa,” Meyer said.

Classes such as these help students step away from the theory and engage in the practice. In Burwell, high school students visited Trotter’s Garden Shoppe and Learning Center in Litchfield, where they harvested produce. Recently, Alan and Jeanette Koelling, owners of Simply Sunflower farms, presented on the sunflower oil-making process to Burwell Elementary School students. And at Overton Public Schools, Julie Loudon, an agriculture educator, uses ag-centered object lessons in pre-existing classroom curriculum.

“It’s just being a little bit more purposeful about connecting the things we already teach to the cafeteria,” she said. “That’s the most tangible place for food for kids. That’s the first connection from cafeteria back to the classroom.”

In Macy, farm-to-school at Umónhon Nation Public School focuses on students’ connection to food and food’s connection to community. Delberta Frazier and Brenda Murphy teach the Let’s Go Outside program, which includes in-class lessons and hands-on experiences.

“We grew a lot of carrots and radishes, parsley and lettuce,” Frazier said. “We grew tomatoes and taught students about artificial pollination, so the kids did the pollinating.”

Part of the program also includes helping students connect with their language and culture. For one lesson, students dry and bottle herbs, label them with their scientific and Indigenous names, and report on how the herbs can be used for food and medicine.

Ted Hibbeler, the Native American engagement coordinator for Rural Prosperity Nebraska, said the Umónhon Nation Public School students give the produce they grow directly to families in the community and to the school’s lunch program.

Community
Farm-to-school serves another purpose beyond students. It supports local businesses and keeps money in the local economy.

“Keeping that money here in Nebraska is huge,” said Mark Roh, owner of Abie Vegetable People and co-owner of Lone Tree Foods, a produce distributor to schools in the Lincoln and Omaha metro areas. “Those are the end goals for the local food movement — not just one-off sales, but can farms and families start to design how we cash-flow our entire year on (programs) like this?”

Farm-to-school also presents opportunities for smaller farms, said Gary Fehr, owner of Green School Farms in Raymond. With only one acre dedicated to produce, Fehr works with about six small schools per year.

To expand statewide, Fehr believes Nebraska’s farm-to-school movement will require investments in infrastructure to help farmers with processing and storing.

“That’s a huge topic in the local farms community,” Fehr said. “Can we get some shared infrastructure in place, where we can take a butternut squash to a certified kitchen, dice it up, freeze it and then offer that to schools? But that’s a whole different industry and enterprise.”

Even so, it’s a conversation Nebraskans are already having. In 2017, the Nebraska Department of Education hired Sarah Smith as the first farm-to-school coordinator. In 2022, the state legislature passed LB396, the Adopt the Nebraska Farm-to-School Program Act, which provided funding opportunities specifically for schools and farmers involved in farm-to-school.

“This is an exciting time for the farm-to-school movement in Nebraska,” Fehr said. “It’s kind of taking it from the one-on-one grassroots level and expanding it to get a lot broader participation.”

Logistics aside, farm-to-school is already having an impact on communities across the state, Rasmussen said. She believes that as the programs grow, Nebraska will benefit.

“It’s not a magic wand, where all of a sudden we’re going to eat 100% fruits and vegetables,” she said. “Farm-to-school programs aim at the fundamentals. If students are starting their day with a belly full of good, nutritious food, as opposed to junk food, it makes a big difference in how those students perform in the classroom, on the athletic field and in life in general.”

To learn more about farm-to-school programs in Nebraska, visit https://foodsystems.unl.edu/farm-to-school.



Clean Fuels Applauds Governors’ Letter on RFS BBD Volumes

Today, Clean Fuels Alliance America welcomed a letter sent by Govs. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Mike Parson (R-MO), and Jim Pillen (R-NE) to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, asking the agency to substantially increase the biomass-based diesel (BBD) and advanced biofuels volumes in the Renewable Fuel Standards for 2023, 2024 and 2025. The letter points out that the Environmental Protection Agency proposed BBD volumes below 3 billion gallons through 2025, even though the U.S. industry produced more than 3 billion gallons in 2022. EPA is expected to finalize the RFS volumes by June 14.

“Considerable investments by biodiesel and renewable diesel producers, oilseed processors, and farmers in our states will be put at risk without a true upward trajectory for the RFS volumes,” the governors write.

“Limiting rural economic development and hindering opportunities for farmers in our states is the wrong approach,” the letter continues. “Adding to the supply of fuel, expanding agriculture markets, and supporting rural economies is the right thing to do right now.”

The letter is available for download on cleanfuels.org.

“Domestic biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel producers, soybean growers and processors, and many other allied industries are looking to EPA to deliver on the promise of an upward trajectory for RFS volumes,” stated Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels. “Our members have made significant investments to grow the industry, and those investments are already paying off.”

“We thank Governors Reynolds, Parson and Pillen for highlighting the imbalance between EPA’s promised trajectory for the RFS and its proposal,” Kovarik added. “In the first three months of 2023, the clean fuels industry increased biodiesel and renewable diesel production enough to completely fill the meager space that EPA proposed for the next three years. EPA must significantly expand the RFS volumes to support the continued growth and availability of advanced biofuels.”

Dave Walton, a member of Clean Fuels Alliance America’s governing board and a farmer from Wilton, IA, stated, “A year ago, our industry cautiously celebrated what EPA called a ‘jumping off’ point that would put RFS volumes on an upward trajectory. But EPA’s proposal did not deliver on that promise; it wouldn’t provide any growth at all if you weigh it against the current pace of industry expansion. Biodiesel producers, oilseed processors and farmers face real-world consequences from low RFS volumes. There are 19 soybean processing projects in the Midwest to expand or build new facilities. As drafted, EPA’s proposed rule could put these investments at risk.”

Missouri Soybean Association President Matt Wright, a soybean grower from Emden, MO, said, “Planned growth of the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry promises substantial economic opportunities for farming communities. Biodiesel production adds nearly $500 million to the value of our state’s soybean crop and supports thousands of jobs. Expected growth has encouraged investment in additional soybean processing capacity that will keep more value of our soybean crop here in our local communities. As capacity and production grows, the economic benefits will increase – unless EPA fails to get the RFS volumes right.”

Greg Anderson, also a member of the Clean Fuels governing board and a farmer from Newman Grove, NE, added, “Homegrown biodiesel and renewable diesel production meets every one of the goals for the Renewable Fuel Standard – cleaner air, energy security, rural economic growth and opportunity. And it is providing drivers a break on fuel prices at the pump by increasing the supply. EPA has no reason to set low goals for the advanced biofuel sector.”



Iowa Corn is a Proud Supporter of Beef

Iowa Corn is proud to celebrate its support of the Iowa cattle industry during May Beef Month. Through continued partnerships with organizations like the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Beef Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Iowa Corn can share the value of corn beyond the kernel as a valuable feed source for livestock.

“Corn-fed beef is the most widely produced type of beef in the U.S. In fact, 103 million bushels of corn went directly to corn-fed beef cattle in the U.S. last year,” said Dean Meyer, a farmer from Rock Rapids and the U.S. Meat Export Federation Chair. “Iowa Corn invests with our partners to be a part of the plate here in Iowa, the U.S., as well as the global table. As farmers, we put an emphasis on the work we do together to add value to the commodity we grow.”

By investing in programs such as the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Iowa Corn works to expand markets for red meat exports. In 2022, U.S. beef and pork exports contributed $202 per acre of corn resulting in over 90 million bushels of corn usage for Iowa’s corn farmers. “Iowa Corn’s mission is to increase long-term profitability for Iowa’s corn farmers and the market development programs in collaboration with our livestock customers do just that.”  



Strategic Considerations for Choosing a Corn Silage Hybrid

Reviewing guidelines for selecting an ideal corn silage hybrid is the focus of a June 21 webinar with the dairy team from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The program will be presented from noon to 1 p.m. by Adam Krull, a dairy veterinarian and nutritionist currently working for Pioneer.

“Adam will emphasize the significance of basic agronomic traits in ensuring yield stability, as well as a focus on dry matter and starch yield,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Additionally, the presentation will underscore the crucial role of growing conditions in influencing fiber digestibility, discouraging the selection of corn silage hybrids solely based on their genetic potential for high digestibility. It will highlight that prioritizing kernel processing to enhance silage quality is more important than solely focusing on a hybrid's genetics related to starch digestibility.

Adam Krull is a dairy veterinarian and nutritionist currently working for Pioneer, where he provides technical support to dairy producers, optimizing forage production, harvest, storage and preservation to enhance animal productivity and health.

Trained at Iowa State with expertise in dairy science, veterinary medicine, and veterinary microbiology, he brings extensive experience as a general dairy practitioner and former clinical assistant professor at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Krull's passion extends to his hobby farm, where he and his wife Amanda raise a herd of registered black Angus cattle.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, preregistration is required at least one hour before the webinar. Preregister online at https://go.iastate.edu/GXKBSQ.

For more information, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach dairy field specialist in your area: in northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in east central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.



USMEF Conference Examines Industry Challenges, Opportunities for U.S. Market Share Gains

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference got underway Wednesday in Minneapolis, with USMEF senior staff updating members on industry efforts to expand the international footprint for U.S. red meat and bolster demand for underutilized pork, beef and lamb cuts.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen welcomed a strong turnout of producers, exporters, packers, processors and traders from across the nation, praising their collaborative efforts to advance U.S. agriculture by building global demand.

“I really wasn’t a ‘feed-the-world’ type of person when I started as commissioner,” Petersen said. “But as you get out on trade missions and see the world – big cities like Bogota and Lima, and even London and Manila – you realize there’s just a lot of people that need to be fed. This association and others do really good work to bring that forward.”

USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom followed with an overview of the competitive landscape, identifying and detailing a number of opportunities for U.S. market share gains. This included a discussion of the sharp decline in European pork production, which fell nearly 6% last year. With this trend continuing in 2023, Halstrom explained that the U.S. pork industry is in an outstanding position to capitalize on a favorable price and supply situation, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

“One of the largest suppliers of pork in the world is down and is likely to remain hamstrung,” Halstrom said. “And when you look at the whole global protein pie, this has implications for beef as well. I’m a marketing guy, and I see this as a big opportunity for the U.S. industry.”

Halstrom noted that exports of U.S. beef began the year considerably lower than a year ago, due in part to tight supplies, but began regaining momentum in March. He said consumer demand in markets such as Mexico and the Caribbean has strengthened with the rapid recovery in travel, tourism and foodservice activity, but the COVID pandemic’s impact has lingered longer in many Asian markets.

“There are parts of the world where COVID is well in the rearview mirror,” he said. “We just need to get Asia the same way.”

Halstrom then introduced attendees to USMEF’s top culinary experts, which included Mexico-based Corporate Chef Germán Navarrete, ASEAN Director Sabrina Yin, ASEAN Chef Jonathan Neo, Chilean Chef Sebastian Gre and Caribbean Representative Liz Wunderlich. Halstrom explained that maximizing carcass value is a global objective for USMEF, with the pork loin and beef round as featured primals in these market development efforts. The panelists described how USMEF partners with importers and distributors to educate customers in the foodservice sector on the versatility and adaptability of underutilized cuts for use as center-of-the-plate items in both traditional cuisine and new menu concepts.

Wunderlich described how the focus on underutilized cuts is driving marketing efforts in the Caribbean for U.S. lamb, which is more expensive than product from Australia and New Zealand. The most popular cuts in the region are lamb rack and leg of lamb, but USMEF is actively promoting alternative cuts such as sirloin, Denver ribs and bellies in dishes that highlight the flavor and tenderness of high-quality American lamb.

USMEF’s commitment to promoting underutilized cuts is especially critical during times of tight supplies, Yin added. She noted the importance of USMEF’s consistent staff presence for gaining the confidence of importers and distributors who often need assistance educating customers on the attributes of lesser-known cuts.

The session closed with a joint presentation by Joel Haggard, USMEF’s longtime senior VP for the Asia Pacific, and his successor Jihae Yang. After overseeing very successful efforts to expand demand for U.S. beef and pork in South Korea, Yang has taken on the expanded role of Asia Pacific vice president as Haggard moves toward retirement.

Haggard recapped the U.S. industry’s decades of investment in Asian markets, laying the groundwork for future demand even when market access was severely limited by high tariffs and other obstacles. As these barriers eased over time, U.S. pork and beef exports achieved tremendous growth in major destinations such as Japan, South Korea and China, but always with an eye on potential expansion in emerging markets. Yang detailed the prospects for continued growth in Asia with a particular focus on the ASEAN. She explained that the region’s enormous consumer base has a growing need for high-quality protein at a time when domestic livestock producers are challenged by high input costs and significant animal health issues.

The conference continues Thursday with a general session examining the current state of U.S.-Mexico trade relations. This will be followed by meetings of USMEF’s standing committees, which focus on issues specific to the organization’s pork, beef, exporter and feedgrains and oilseeds sectors. At Friday’s closing session, former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson will provide an update on development of the next Farm Bill.



Total Red Meat Production Down in April

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.20 billion pounds in April, down 8 percent from the 4.54 billion pounds produced in April 2022.

Beef production, at 2.07 billion pounds, was 11 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.54 million head, down 10 percent from April 2022. The average live weight was down 19 pounds from the previous year, at 1,354 pounds.

Veal production totaled 3.6 million pounds, 21 percent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 21,900 head, down 22 percent from April 2022. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from last year, at 280 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.12 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.77 million head, down 3 percent from April 2022. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 291 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.0 million pounds, was down 11 percent from April 2022. Sheep slaughter totaled 185,900 head, 6 percent below last year. The average live weight was 117 pounds, down 6 pounds from April a year ago.

By State    (million lbs  -  % April '22)
Nebraska .....:     569.6             89       
Iowa ............:     698.7            101       
Kansas .........:     450.7             89       

January to April 2023 commercial red meat production was 18.1 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2022. Accumulated beef production was down 5 percent from last year, veal was down 13 percent, pork was up 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up slightly.



Cattle Producers Rejoice in Supreme Court Ruling on WOTUS Case

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the Sackett family in Sackett v. EPA – the court’s most recent consideration of which features are subject to federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. In its holding, the court soundly rejected the contentious “significant nexus” test. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supports this ruling and is currently engaged in a litigation against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Biden Administration’s WOTUS definition.

"Cattle producers across the country can breathe a sigh of relief today. Since EPA’s adoption of the “significant nexus” test, cattle producers have had to retain costly legal services to determine if water features on their property are federally jurisdictional,” said Todd Wilkinson, South Dakota cattle producer and President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Today’s Supreme Court opinion refocuses the Clean Water Act on protecting our water resource through regulatory clarity. We look forward to working with the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as they implement the Court’s new Continuous Surface Connection standard."
 
NCBA submitted an amicus brief in the Sackett case, encouraging elimination of the Significant Nexus test in exchange for a more practical standard. “In its brief to the Court, NCBA highlighted the unconstitutionality of imposing criminal penalties for violations of vague standards under the Clean Water Act. The Court recognized and reversed the Significant Nexus test, in part due to the constitutional due process risk that it created,” said Mary-Thomas Hart, Chief Counsel for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

NCBA has been heavily involved in litigation surrounding the WOTUS rule since 2015. NCBA filed suit against the Obama-era WOTUS definition, defended the Trump-era definition that brought more clarity to what water features are included under WOTUS, and filed suit against the Biden administration's WOTUS rule that did not include critical agricultural exemptions.



Fischer Statement on SCOTUS Ruling in Sackett v. EPA

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court released its ruling in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which significantly narrowed the authority the federal government has over states and private citizens to regulate “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act:

“Today, the Supreme Court took much-needed action to roll back the scope on what the federal government can regulate as Waters of the United States.

“Since my first term in the Senate, I have fought against overreaching and disastrous rules that represent the federal government at its worst.

“It’s clear that this administration needs to finally listen to the bipartisan majority in Congress and the Supreme Court, and rescind its overreaching WOTUS rule that harms families, communities, and businesses.”



Smith Statement on WOTUS Ruling

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Vice Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus, released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision:
 
“Today’s ruling is a win for farmers, ranchers, and all of rural America,” said Rep. Smith. “The Biden administration’s WOTUS rule would devastate communities, hardworking families, and small business owners across Nebraska – which would inevitably lead to even higher costs for consumers. Now that the Supreme Court has issued its unanimous decision, President Biden should immediately withdraw the administration’s proposed rule.”



Congressman Flood’s Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Blocking Biden’s WOTUS Rule

Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA, a case relating to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

“President Biden’s expansion of WOTUS has perpetrated uncertainty and confusion for landowners and job creators across the country. Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court provides welcome relief for America’s farmers, ranchers, businesses, and many others who have been burdened repeatedly with aggressive WOTUS overreach. This isn’t over yet. We’ll keep pushing back against activists and fighting to ensure that Americans have consistent and commonsense application of the Clean Water Act that respects the rights of states and private property owners.”

Congressman Flood is a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 27, a measure that repeals Biden’s WOTUS expansion. He is also a member of the Western Caucus, which advocates for rural policy issues in Washington, D.C.



Bacon Statement on WOTUS Ruling

Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today issued a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA, a case relating to the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

“The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Sackett v. EPA is a victory for rural America. The EPA’s WOTUS, which is about as clear as mud - by the way, under the WOTUS rule, does a muddy puddle count as water? - is nothing but a regulatory burden. Today, the Supreme Court helped cut through the bureaucratic red tape that hurts farmers and ranchers.”



Statement by Mark McHargue, President, regarding U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion on Sackett v. EPA

"Today is a good day for farmers, ranchers, and for private property rights. This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court issued their opinion on Sackett v EPA. Yet again, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must go back to the drawing board to write a new rule that protects water, but also respects the rights of states and private property owners, both foundational principles of our great nation.”

“As we've said time and again, Farm Bureau and the farm and ranch families we represent remain willing to help EPA craft a new rule that respects landowners, state regulatory authority, and our nation's waters.”



Nebraska Cattlemen Applauds Supreme Court Ruling on WOTUS Case

Following the Supreme Court unanimously ruling in favor of the Sackett family in the Sackett v. EPA case, Nebraska Cattlemen issued the following statement:

"Today’s Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA takes a large and unnecessary regulatory burden off of the shoulders of Nebraska’s beef cattle producers. Cattlemen now have a clear and limited WOTUS rule which will protect our water resources without burdensome bureaucratic red tape. As the original conservationists, we celebrate this commonsense ruling."



Naig Comments on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Sackett v. EPA

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement today after the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of Sackett v. EPA:

“The Supreme Court’s decision is a step in the right direction, by finally addressing significant regulatory uncertainty that has lingered for far too long. The decision better defines the regulatory scope of the federal government as it relates to America's land and water. Curtailing this expensive and burdensome federal overreach gives Iowa farmers the confidence to continue using modern farming practices and will allow further acceleration of important conservation work across our state.”



Pork Producers Celebrate SCOTUS Ruling on WOTUS
Duane Stateler, NPPC vice president and Ohio pork producer
 
"The Supreme Court's historical decision to define the limits of EPA authority under the Clean Water Act is a tremendous victory for America's pork producers who have played a leading role for almost two decades in opposing the agency's heavy-handed efforts to micromanage our farms. This ruling is a clear punctuation point after decades of attempts by activists and the EPA to expand the federal government's power and control over private land. Farmers are the originators of conservation and are taught the key to preservation is to protect our natural resources. We can now proceed with certainty to use all our conservation assets to best farm our land so we can deliver healthy food to our customers for generations to come."



NCGA Applauds Supreme Court WOTUS Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court today handed a huge win to landowners, including farmers, in a case involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s jurisdiction over Waters of the United States, often referred to as WOTUS.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded the decision.

“This sensible ruling preserves protections for our nation’s valuable water resources while providing clarity to farmers and others about the process of determining federal jurisdiction over wetlands,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “This is a great day for corn growers.”

In the decision, the court narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction by clearly rejecting the vague "significant nexus test," upending the Biden administration’s overreaching WOTUS rule.

A 5-4 majority on the court issued an opinion, written by Justice Samuel Alito, that significantly narrowed the definition of adjacent wetlands, saying that to be adjacent and therefore a WOTUS, the wetland must have a continuous surface connection to a relatively permanent body of water connected to a traditional navigable water. The four-justice minority disagreed in an opinion, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, saying that a continuous surface connection test is too narrow, and overturns decades of precedent followed by both Republican and Democratic administrations.

NCGA, which has long said that EPA’s broad definition of WOTUS creates pervasive uncertainty and confusion for the agricultural community and farmers trying to manage land they own and operate, has spoken out forcefully on the issue and joined other agricultural groups in filing an amicus brief as the Supreme Court considered the case.

EPA is now expected to issue a revised WOTUS rule, since its current rule relies heavily on the significant nexus test.



Supreme Court Reaffirms Limits of Clean Water Rule

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA.

“AFBF appreciates the Supreme Court justices for their careful consideration of the implications of Sackett v. EPA. The EPA clearly overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act by restricting private property owners from developing their land despite being far from the nearest navigable water.

“The justices respect private property rights. It’s now time for the Biden administration to do the same and rewrite the Waters of the United States Rule. Farmers and ranchers share the goal of protecting the resources they’re entrusted with, but they deserve a rule that provides clarity and doesn’t require a team of attorneys to properly care for their land.”



NAWG Responds to SCOTUS Ruling in Sackett v. EPA Case

Today, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Sackett v. EPA that narrows the extent of federal jurisdiction over bodies of water under the Clean Water Act.

“NAWG is pleased with the rule the Supreme Court issued today that rejected the confusing and expansive “significant nexus” test that broadened the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “The Supreme Court ruling sided with a narrower definition of the Clean Water Act jurisdiction and limited the number of wetlands that would come under the regulation of the Clean Water Act.”

Last year, NAWG joined several other agriculture groups in filing an amicus brief with the Supreme Court stating the complexity of the definitions and impact on agriculture. NAWG will continue to advocate that any regulation is limited in scope to navigable waters and provides farmers clarity on which waters are jurisdictional.



What to Do and Things to See at World Pork Expo 2023

The world's largest pork-specific trade show is back for its 35th anniversary in just under two weeks. The World Pork Expo returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, June 7-9. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), this year’s Expo will give attendees a packed schedule of events, including an expansive tradeshow, educational seminars, and numerous networking events.

“World Pork Expo has always been about networking, education and innovation,” said NPPC Board President Scott Hays. “As we celebrate 35 years of the show, whether you are a producer or a partner in the industry, World Pork Expo will continue offering opportunities to discover how to propel your businesses forward.”

Here’s a look at what to expect from this year’s Expo:
 
Visit the Trade Show Spanning More than 300,000 Square Feet
With close to 700 vendor booths, the pork industry’s newest and most innovative products will be on display for all three days of the event. To see the updated event schedule, visit the trade show and activities page of the World Pork Expo website. You can also view the exhibitor list and trade show floor plans online.
 
Network With Other Industry Experts
Alongside the trade show, you'll find more than 50 hospitality tents conveniently situated on the fairgrounds plaza. Expo attendees can drop in and visit company representatives to learn about the latest innovations and developments. Leave enough time to take advantage of these valuable networking opportunities.
 
Start Each Day Off Right
Expo attendees can grab breakfast at the McRig, courtesy of Lopez Foods, Fulton Market Group, and McDonald’s, on June 7 and 8 from 8-10 a.m. to help fuel your day of learning and networking. The McRig will be located on Grand Avenue, west of the main entrance.
 
Attend Educational Sessions to Expand Your Industry Knowledge
Included with the cost of admission, attendees can take advantage of various business seminars and Pork Academy sessions. These offerings cover wide-ranging topics such as profitability, production processes, and more. These seminars provide valuable insights into many areas of the pork industry to help producers take their businesses to the next level.
 
Grab Lunch at the Big Grill
All event attendees receive a complimentary pork lunch from the Big Grill each day! The Big Grill can be found west of the Jacobson Exhibition Center and will operate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.
 
Final Online Registration Deadline Is June 1
Hurry! The online registration deadline is approaching quickly. Secure your spot at this event by registering online before June 1. Visit our website www.worldpork.org for the latest updates and details to plan your visit and find important information, including nearby hotels, maps and exhibitors.

Remember to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram too! Share your World Pork Expo experience using #WPX23 and #35YearsofWPX.



RFA Launches 2023 Summer Contest with Free Fuel as the Prize

Our country is again experiencing fuel supply issues and high fuel prices, and everyone is looking for a break at the pump. Ethanol has been providing savings for years, but even more so this summer as the availability of lower-cost E15 and E85 grows.

To further highlight those savings and educate U.S. drivers on ethanol’s value proposition, the Renewable Fuels Association is again hosting its annual Ethanol Days of Summer Contest with weekly chances to win free fuel. This year’s contest will allow consumers more ways to win! Each week, RFA will award $250 in free fuel from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

There are two ways to enter the contests and win:
    Submit prices to E85prices.com. Register for an account or log in at E85prices.com or use the E85prices.com mobile app. Submit retail station prices for higher blends of ethanol like E15 and E85.

    Submit pictures of higher blend prices on Twitter. Pictures can be of the fuel dispenser or price sign and should include, at a minimum, regular unleaded (E10) and E15 and/or E85. Include station name, city, and state. Tag @EthanolRFA and include the hashtags: #ethanol #E15 #E85 and #fuelprices (unless those words are already mentioned).

Contestants who follow one of the two methods above will be entered into a random weekly drawing for a pre-paid credit card to be used for fuel purchases.

More than 5,700 stations are now selling E85 across more than 3,000 cities, and more than 2,900 stations in 31 states offer E15. Among other information, E85prices.com contains a nationwide map of E85 and E15 stations and historical pricing. An ethanol savings calculator is also featured, allowing users to see how much money they can save by using higher ethanol blends.

“It’s time for summer and another year of our summer contest,” said RFA Vice President of Industry Relations Robert White. “The popularity of this contest has grown each year and we expect it to be even more popular this year. Ethanol lowers the price that consumers pay, while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions and harmful air pollution. We are adding new stations that offer E15 and E85 each week, and we want consumers to find those stations, save some money and have some fun doing it.”

No purchase is necessary to participate, and more information can be found at EthanolRFA.org/summer-contest.



ADC sends letter of support for USDA hearing on NMPF petition

American Dairy Coalition sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking USDA to grant a hearing and call for proposals on the petition filed by National Milk Producers Federation.

“ADC appreciates the work of NMPF in putting together a package of proposals that is comprehensive and seeks to balance needs within the dairy sector,” said ADC CEO Laurie Fischer. “We specifically want to see the Class I mover addressed, and we applaud the work of the American Farm Bureau bringing stakeholders together and hosting the forum last October where returning the Class I mover to the ‘higher of’ method received universal consensus.”

As a grassroots dairy farmer organization, ADC has been focused on several of the items addressed in the NMPF proposals, especially the Class I mover.

“Our farmers agree this should be restored to the previous ‘higher of' method as soon as possible. In the 50 months of USDA’s implementation of the ‘average of’ method, farmers lost $920 million in net cumulative Class I value,” said Fischer. “The asymmetric risk borne by farmers in the ‘average of’ method, and the impact on FMMO participation are additional concerns.”

The letter also urges USDA to understand make allowance updates should be based on mandatory audited cost surveys so that the cost data from all price-reporting plants are included, which relate to only those products that are used in the FMMO pricing formulas.

“If the value of a product is not captured and used in the milk component prices, then the cost to make that product should not be included in the embedded ‘credit’ known as the ‘make allowance,’” said Fischer. “All of the other products that are NOT captured in the end-product pricing formulas can be sold by processors at prices that cover their costs without coming back to the farmer for it.”
 
The NMPF proposals seeks to remove the 500-pound barrel cheese pricing from the FMMO formula for protein. “We’ve asked USDA if a bulk product replacement, such as 640-pound block cheese, could be evaluated,” she added.

The ADC letter to Vilsack expresses support for raising standard milk component levels in classified pricing to more accurately reflect the higher components in milk today. However, the letter points out that only the protein and skim solids are included in the NMPF proposal. Raising the standard butterfat levels are excluded and would not change how farmers are paid, but it could be evaluated for updating as relevant to how minimum prices are communicated and compared on net milk checks.

With concerns farmers have about price discovery and milk check transparency, ADC is also looking into potential legislative or administrative changes that could expand reporting. “A farmer should be able to follow market trends, understand in real time the value of their milk, and be able to look at their final payment after four to six weeks of shipping milk out the driveway and clearly see how it was calculated to determine their net payment,” said Fischer.