Wednesday May 10 Ag News

 RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS APPLY TO ATTEND 2023 NEBRASKA AG YOUTH INSTITUTE

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) received a record-breaking number of applications from current high school juniors and seniors across the state to attend the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) this summer. NAYI brings together hundreds of students every year to learn more about Nebraska agriculture, network with ag leaders and explore career opportunities. This year, NAYI will be held July 10-14 on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus.

“NAYI is an incredible opportunity for young leaders to expand their knowledge of agriculture and connect with peers from around the state,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “I’m encouraged by the record-breaking number of students, 270 of them, who applied to attend NAYI. These students are the future leaders and innovators of Nebraska’s ag industry, and they will be the ones who will continue to help grow our state’s number one industry.”

NAYI is in its 52nd year, making it the longest running ag youth program of its kind in the nation. This year’s theme is “For the Future.”  NAYI features motivational speakers, discussions on agricultural issues, career development, networking opportunities, leadership activities, a farm management game, a formal banquet and a dance.

2023 Delegates
First    Last    School        Hometown
Tessa    Barthel     Ainsworth High School         Ainsworth
Jackson    Roberts    Boone Central        Albion
Dezyrae    Hausmann    Alliance High School        Alliance
Isabella    Ruda    Logan View        Ames
Breanna    Bosshamer    Amherst Public Schools        Amherst
Javelynn    Graham    Amherst Public School        Amherst
Chase    Lewandowski    Arcadia Public Schools        Arcadia
Grant    Nielson    Central City HS        Archer
Lizzie    Meyer    Arlington Public Schools        Arlington
Brooke    Hilgenkamp    Arlington Public Schools        Arlington
Rio    Remund    Arnold Public Schools        Arnold
Whitley    Rut    Arthur County High School        Arthur
Karli    Wagner    Arthur County        Arthur
Abigail    Thiele    West Holt        Atkinson
Jersie    Hermanson    Loomis        Atlanta
Emilia    Huls    Aurora High School         Aurora
Morgan    Bonifas    Aurora High School        Aurora
Sarah    Mead    Aurora        Aurora
Sarah    Springer    Aurora High School        Aurora
Joseph    Fickenscher    Axtell Community School        Axtell
Megan    Kindschuh    Axtell Community School         Axtell
Sam    Dierks    Adams Central        Ayr
Payton    Nolting    Bancroft-Rosalie         Bancroft
Zoie    Clause    Bayard High School        Bayard
Cambree    Schmaltz    Bayard High School         Bayard
Kammie    Harimon    Bayard High School        Bayard
Tatum    Schroeder    Diller-Odell        Beatrice
Kaydence     Jones     Omaha Bryan High School         Bellevue
JessaLynn    Hudson    Bruning-Davenport USD        Belvidere
Lilee    Chevalier    Our Lady of Fatima Home School        Bennet
Jesse    Grothendick    Bennington High School        Bennington
Bethany    Pelton    Betrand High School        Bertrand
Zach    Loy    Ansley        Berwyn
Kassi    Jones    Silver Lake        Bladen
Hannah    Mackie    Blair Highschool        Blair
Alexis    Warner    Blair High School        Blair
Austin    Back    Blair High School        Blair
Rylan     Blattert     Blair High School         Blair
Chase    Ostdiek    Blue Hill        Blue Hill
Justin    Dobrinski    Bridgeport High School        Bridgeport
Delaney    Pohl    Bridgeport High School        Bridgeport
Bethany    Nichols    Bridgeport High School        Bridgeport
Demetria    Lapaseotes    Bridgeport High School        Bridgeport
Peyton    Norine    Meridian Public School        Bruning
Avery    Kraus    Syracuse         Burr
Hayes    Jensen    Burwell Jr Sr High School        Burwell
Ethan    Joy    Burwell Jr Sr High        Burwell
Jaci    Larsen    Burwell Jr. Sr. High School        Burwell
Wyatt    Larsen    Burwell Jr-Sr High        Burwell
Miles     Wright     Burwell Jr Sr High School         Burwell
Lanie    Lechtenberg    Boyd County High School        Butte
Kendal    Knuth    Center Public Schools        Cairo
William    Ford    Centura        Cairo
Taylor    Ross    Callaway Public Schools        Callaway
Madelyn    Thomas    Cedar Bluffs Public School        Cedar Bluffs
Kaylee    Powell    Nebraska Christian        Central City
Olyvia     Korthanke     Raymond Central High School         Ceresco
Hailee    Nelson    Raymond Central High School        Ceresco
Claire     Woeppel     Chambers Public School         Chambers
Esperanza    Lesiak    High Plains Community Schools         Clarks
Mario    Lesiak    High Plains Community         Clarks
paige    williams    Mead High School        Colon
Adyson    Groteluschen    Lakeview        Columbus
Mason    Roberts    Scotus Central Catholic        Columbus
Whitney    Klug    Scotus Central Catholic         Columbus
Morgan    Finecy    Lakeview        Columbus
Regan    Schroeder    Cozad High School        Cozad
Shea    Johnson    Oakland-Craig High School        Craig
Kara     Peterson     Oakland-Craig High School        Craig
Anastasia    Widick    Oakland-Craig High School         Craig
Kyler    Gortsema    Crawford High School        Crawford
Alexa    Tollman    Crawford High School         Crawford
Roman    Gilmore-Metz    Crawford High School        Crawford
Hannah    Ogan    Lakeview        Creston
Cassidy    Meinke    Crete High School        Crete
April    Guenther    Crofton High School        Crofton
Addi    Crockett    Bruning Davenport         Davenport
Keetyn    Valentine    David City Secondary School        David City
Barrett    Andel    David City Secondary School        David City
Jordyn    Bohuslavsky    Aquinas         David city
Sierra    Heckenlaible    Lyons-Decatur Northeast        Decatur
Meg    Anderson    West Point-Beemer        Dodge
Elijah    Niemeier    Elwood         Elwood
Drew    Knoerzer    Elwood High school         Elwood
Zoey     Evans     Elwood High School        Elwood
Leah     Schutz     Bertrand High School        Elwood
Skyler    Oberg    Eustis-Farnam High School        Farnam
Hallee    Sheffield    Medicine Valley        Farnam
Grant     Kahrs    Franklin Public Schools        franklin
Evan    Hartman    Logan View        Fremont
Jacob    Weber    Friend Public Schools        Friend
Melinda    Pickrel    Fullerton Public School        Fullerton
Carter    Meysenburg    Fullerton Public Schools        Fullerton
Carson    Asche    Fillmore Central High School        Geneva
Lilly     Srajhans    Fillmore Central High School        Geneva
Hadlee    Peterson    Minatare High School        Gering
Mackenzie    Liakos    Bridgeport High School        Gering
Skyler    Summers    Shelton High School        Gibbon
Abigail    Nelson    Hay Springs High School        Gordon
Alexa    Tonjes    Hay Springs High School        Gordon
Gage    Andersen     Gothenburg Public Schools         Gothenburg
Emma    Peterson    Gothenburg        Gothenburg
Maggie    Fisher    Perkins County         Grant
Caitlyn    Dolezal    Perkins County         Grant
Kirsten     Jensen    Aurora High School         Hampton
Rebecca    Reece    Sioux County High School        Harrison
William    Skavdahl    Sioux County High School        Harrison
Karli    Bruning    Hartington Newcastle Public School        Hartington
Kylie     Lancaster    Adams Central         Hastings
Abigail    Russell    Hay Springs High School        Hay Springs
Braydon    Binger    Hay Springs High School        Hay Springs
Marah     Dornhoff     Minden High School         Heartwell
Ella     Booth     Tekamah-Herman         Herman
Chase    Casper    Wilcox - Hildreth Public Schools        Hildreth
Samuel    Gruwell    Wilcox-Hildreth High School        Hildreth
McKaden    Smith    Kearney High         Holdrege
Ashley    Abrahams    Logan View        Hooper
Kaden    Gregory    Logan View         Hooper
Miles    Wulf    Logan View Public Schools        Hooper
Gavin    Ruwe    Logan View         Hooper
Kolton    Kriete    Logan View        Hooper
Kaylee    Hilbers    Logan View        Hooper
Kason    Stateler    Lutheran High Northeast        Hoskins
Jake    Connell    Hyannis High School        Hyannis
Jecca    Yaw    Chase County Schools        Imperial
Kathya    Aragon    Chase County High School        Imperial
Abigail    Hodges    Johnson Brock        Julian
Ben    Morgan    Kearney Senior High        Kearney
Kelsie    Dunbar    Kearney High School        Kearney
Brodie    Peterson    Kearney High        Kearney
Tanner    Grubbs    Kearney High School        Kearney
Grace    Softley    Kearney High        Kearney
Claire    Gangwish    Kearney High School        Kearney
Harrison     Brummels     Kearney High School        Kearney
Joyel    Marisch    Amherst High School         Kearney
Alyssa     Schumacher     Blair High School        Kennard
Taylor    Arp    Arlington public school         Kennard
Presley    Nowak    Ogallala High School        Keystone
Regan    Anderson    Hyannis High School        Lakeside
Audrey     Wilson    Audrey County High School         Lemoyne
Jaedin     Johns     Arthur County High School         Lemoyne
Buddy    Otto    Lincoln Southwest        Lincoln
Olivia     Vanderford    Lincoln High School         Lincoln
Austin    Kamm    Lincoln Southwest        Lincoln
Micah    Fuller    Pius X High School         Lincoln
Phoebe    Ford    Lincoln Southwest         Lincoln
Brayden    Korth    Raymond Central         Lincoln
CadiJohn    Rivera    Lincoln Northwest        Lincoln
Marissa    Staben    Louisville Public Schools         Louisville
Camryn    Brehmer    Lyons-Decatur Northeast         Lyons
Sydney    Olsen    Lyons-Decatur Northeast        Lyons
Colten    Miller    Lyons-Decatur Northeast        Lyons
Lauren    Sousek    East Butler Public School        Malmo
Marlie    Mundt     Nebraska Christian         Marquette
Adeline     pope    Lincoln Southwest         Martell
Levi    Huffman    Maxwell High School         Maxwell
Conner    Snyder    McCook Senior High        McCook
Charlie    Bortner    McCook Senior High        McCook
Creyton    Line    Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Public Schools        Miller
Dakota    Taylor    Minatare Highschool         Minatare
Tanner    Ellis    Minden high school        Minden
Brent    Senff    Axtell Community Schools        Minden
Peggy    Huss    Kearney High School        Minden
Paige    Drueke    Boyd County High School        Naper
Brianna    Johnson    Nebraska City High School        Nebraska City
Mallory    Belitz    Neligh-Oakdale         Neligh
Hailey    Johnson    Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools         Neligh
Leonardo     Luna-Duran     Neligh-Oakdale         Neligh
Abby    Kerkman    Neligh-Oakdale        Neligh
Tristen    Buss    Lutheran High Northeast        Norfolk
Ella    Gaes    Pierce High School         Norfolk
Carleigh    Tietz    Lutheran High Northeast High School        Norfolk
Jacob    Henry    North Platte Highschool        North Platte
Ceiden    Childears    Hershey High School        North Platte
Brylie     Robinson    Wallace Public School         North Platte
Kenneth     Smith    North Platte Highschool        North Platte
Isabella    Benne    Oakland-Craig        Oakland
Carlee    Warren    Oakland-Craig        Oakland
Fabiola    Popoca    Oakland Craig        Oakland
Luke    Richards    Oakland-Craig High School        Oakland
Kali    Clabaugh    Oakland-Craig Public School         Oakland
Abby    Stallbaumer    Callaway High School        Oconto
Caleb    Most    Ogallala High School        Ogallala
Thomas    Perrin    Ogallala High School        Ogallala
Morgan    Lile    Ogallala Public High School         Ogallala
Carter    Behnken    Bennington High School        Omaha
Sarah    Heaton    Blair        Omaha
Alan    Mora-Bernal    Omaha Bryan High School        Omaha
Ashley    Pischel    Summerland High School        O'Neill
Karter     Otte    O'Neill Public Schools        Orchard
Reagan    Choat    Plainview Public Schools        Osmand
Lorelei    Walters    Nebraska City High School        Otoe
Violet    Nelms    Overton High School        Overton
Dylan    Pooschke    Overton Public School        Overton
Kyleigh    Muller    Palmer Public School        Palmer
Lucie    Lautenschlager    Palmer Public School        Palmer
Alysa    Myers    Palmyra        Palmyra
Brie    Bruns    Pender High School        Pender
Taylar    Clark    Pender High School        Pender
Delana    Harmon    Pender Public Schools        Pender
Allie    Luedert    Pender High School        Pender
Jaleigh    Hallsted    Wisner-Pilger Jr. Sr. High School        Pender
Brink    Stawniak    Conestoga        Plattsmouth
Keiser    Dixon    Pleasanton High School        Pleasanton
Kyleigh    Farley    High Plains Community        Polk
Aleyna    Cuttlers    Raymond Central        Raymond
Jaden    Kohl    Raymond Central High School        Raymond
Leslie    Bos    Raymond Central        Raymond
Rachel    Bos    Raymond Central        Raymond
Alexa    Carter    Shelby-Rising City Public School        Rising City
Rylie    Carter    Shelby-Rising City        Rising City
Hannah    Klein    Ord Jr.-Sr. High School        Scotia
Natalie    Poss    St. Paul        Scotia
Grace    Schlueter    Logan View        Scribner
Rachel    Kuss    Seward High School        Seward
Callee    Carman    Shelton High         Shelton
Lydia    Ziemba    Twin River High School        Silver Creek
Kirk    Hebda    Twin River Public Schools        Silver Creek
Lane     Schoff    Bertrand Community School        Smithfield
Allyson     Schoff    Bertrand High School         Smithfield
Brynn    Almgren    Boyd County High School        Spencer
Jean    Cumming    St. Edward Public High School        St. Edward
Jacob    Warm    Centennial Public School        Staplehurst
Elizabeth    Fetty    Stapleton High School        Stapleton
Caleb    Burnside    Stapleton Public School        Stapleton
Kennedi    Mccasland    Dundy County Stratton         Statton
Leah     Christen     Lewiston Consolidated        Steinauer
Sydney    Estill     Stuart Public School        Stuart
Addison    Karo    West Holt Public Schools        Stuart
Trenadi    Dodds    Stuart High School        Stuart
Ryan    Arbuthnot    Sumner-Eddyville-Miller        Sumner
Emily    Holz    Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca        Syracuse
Abbygail    Geiser    Syracuse High School        syracuse
Hailey    Kirchhoff    Syracuse        Syracuse
Lacey    Petersen    Tekamah-Herman        Tekamah
Ryan    Braniff    Tekamah-Herman        Tekamah
Emilia    Evasic    Tekamah Herman High School        Tekamah
Hannah    Rief    Tekamah-Herman High School        Tekamah
Kirsten    Frey    Pender High School        Thurston
Alex    Boudreau    Minden High School         Upland
Cora    Payne    Centennial        Utica
Lauren    Schoonveld    Mullen High School        Valentine
Miranda    Strizek    East Butler        Valparaiso
Jaelynn    Kliment    Raymond Central High School        Valparaiso
Ben     Kliment     Raymond Central High School         Valparaiso
Cora    Hoffschneider    Centennial        Waco
Clinton    Turnbull    Centennial        Waco
Reagan     Pelster    Wallace High School        Wallace
Clara    Johnson    Palmyra High School        Walton
Mandy    Sandoval    Wauntea-Palisade High School         Wauneta
Hannah    Kleinschmit    Bloomfield Jr/Sr High School        Wausa
Brooklyn    Ahrens    Weeping Water public school        Weeping Water
 Blake     Henderson     Weeping Water High School         Weeping Water
Logan     Consbruck    West Point-Beemer Public        West Point
Halle    Kreikemeier    Guardian Angels Central Catholic        West Point
Sydney    Hutchinson    Guardian Angels Central Catholic        West Point
Grace    Meiergerd    West Point Beemer        West Point
Max    Leth     Hyannis High School        Whitman
Alexa    Orf    Lincoln Southwest        Wilber
Makayla    Johnson    Wilcox-Hildreth        Wilcox
Quinn    Morgan    Pender High School         Winnebago
Cameryn    Bellar    Wisner-Pilger        Wisner
Trey    Stewart    Wisner-Pilger High School        Wisner
Addisyn    Albers    Wisner-Pilger High School        Wisner
August    Scholting    Wisner-Pilger        Wisner
Emma    Heller    Wisner-Pilger High School        Wisner
Karl    Steinmeyer    Wisner-Pilger Public Schools        Wisner
Braeden    Humphreys    Diller Odell        Wymore
Tessa    Haahr    Cedar Catholic High School         Wynot
Chisum    Wilson    Bishop Neumann High School        Yutan

NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC), which is comprised of 21 college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. During NAYI, NAYC members provide valuable insight and advice about agriculture, college coursework and career-building.

To learn more about NAYC or NAYI 2023, visit nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/. Follow NAYI activities on Facebook by searching and liking the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute and on Instagram by following @the_nayc or #NAYI23.

NDA, agri-businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations sponsor NAYI so those selected to attend can do so free of charge.  Anyone interested in helping sponsor NAYI is encouraged to reach out to NAYC Advisor Christin Kamm at christin.kamm@nebraska.gov.  Potential sponsors are also encouraged to visit, nda.nebraska.gov/NAYIsponsors/ to learn more about the opportunities available to support the youth attending NAYI.



AFAN Announces the 2023 Nebraska Pork Expo  

Anyone involved in the pork industry is invited to the Nebraska Pork Expo set for July 19 in York, Neb. 

The program will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holthus Convention Center. Admission is free and lunch will be provided. Registration is requested by July 5, 2023. 

The day will begin with a tradeshow and free breakfast from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Attendees will hear sessions on current USDA programs, swine health, loose sow housing, research updates, along with much more throughout the day. The Nebraska Pork Producers Annual Meeting will take place during lunch. There will also be a class offered to those seeking continuing education credits. A free social hour, with door prizes, will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to round out the day.  

The event is sponsored by the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN), the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, and York County Development Corporation. 

“Pork Production in Nebraska continues to see success and growth in the industry. We are excited to offer those currently involved in the industry, and those considering pork production, a day of networking and learning about topics pertinent to their operation” said Steve Martin, AFAN Executive Director. “Producers will find valuable information from both our vendors and the informational sessions.” 

More information for attendees and vendors can be found by visiting www.becomeafan.org. Specific questions can be sent to mindyr@a-fan.org or by calling the office at 402.421.4472.  



Specht awarded with first-ever Larry Tonniges Research Achievement Award

Dr. Jim Specht, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln emeriti professor and Scottsbluff native, was recently awarded the first-ever Larry Tonniges Research Achievement award. The award, which was made possible by the family of the late Larry Tonniges, a longtime Nebraska farmer who was dedicated to production research as part of the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB), honors researchers who have made significant contributions to soybean research for NSB.

Dr. Specht, who began at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976, is internationally recognized for his work in modern plant biology and genetics for soybean improvement. Research by his “walking soybean encyclopedia” includes soybean response to drought and irrigation, planting times, planting depth and tillage. His research has helped with specific growing conditions for the various regions of the state.

In addition to his research, Dr. Specht has also been an active member of the soybean industry in Nebraska. Specht was part of a national research team that developed the first soybean genetic map of 20 linkage groups. He was also a member of a research team that sequenced the soybean genome. He also discovered the differences in soybean genotypes, delineating them into slow and high water users. Recent accomplishments involved using genomics to search for genes that govern soybean seed protein and oil content and Specht was the principal investigator in developing the national Nested Associated Mapping Populations that will serve as a resource for the soybean genetics and physiology research community for years to come. In addition, Dr. Specht has served as a scientific expert and liaison for Nebraska soybean producers, through his research and generous research advisory work with NSB for over 45 years.

“I am both humbled and honored to be selected by NSB to be the first recipient of the Larry Tonniges Research Achievement Award,” said Dr. Specht. “It has been my great pleasure to provide the Board and their constituent Nebraska soybean producers with scientific research advice and genetic and physiological technical assistance over the course of the last decade. Larry was a friend and colleague with whom I spent time each year reviewing and evaluating research proposals submitted to the North Central Research Program for which Larry was the NSB representative. Larry’s passing was unexpected and he is still sorely missed by all who knew and worked with him.”

The Larry Tonniges Research Achievement award, which will run for five years, will be handed out each March at NSB’s traditional production and crop research meeting. Each year, a researcher, staff or individual from the industry who shows the same level of passion Larry brought to NSB, will be chosen to receive the award.

NSB is proud of Dr. Jim Specht's achievements in soybean genetics and physiology, which have made him a leader in the industry and a deserving recipient of the 2023 Larry Tonniges Research Achievement Award.



CAP Webinar: Fire Up Your Farm and Family Finances!
May 18, 2023 - 12:00 PM  
Paul Stoddard, Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

This webinar, presented with the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Program, will offer actionable steps to empower you to build a better financial future for your farm and your family.

Paul Stoddard is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He teaches courses in Agricultural Marketing, Food and Agribusiness Management, Personal Financial Planning, Farm Management, and Negotiation. Over 10, 000 students have enrolled in Paul’s courses since 2001. He has received numerous teaching awards, was selected as a member of the ACES Academy of Teaching Excellence, and has been recognized for 40 consecutive semesters on the U of I’s List of Teachers Ranked Excellent.

Paul joined the University of Illinois full-time in 2012 following a 30-year career in agricultural real estate, commodity trading, farm management, and agricultural lending. He spent 14 years with Farm Credit Illinois, most recently serving as Chief Appraiser. In addition to his academic duties, Paul operates a consulting, brokerage, management, and appraisal business specializing in agricultural real estate. He also provides Hedging & Options Training within the Farm Credit System. Paul is a resident of Monticello, Illinois where he grew up on the family farm. He has served as both Lead Facilitator for the LeaderShape national leadership program and Mentor for the Illinois Leadership Center.

Information and registration are available here: https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



2023 LMA Annual Convention & WLAC to be hosted in Florida

The 59th World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) is set to take place in conjunction with the Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) Annual Convention June 7-10, 2023, in Punta Gorda and Arcadia, Fla.  
 
A total of 31 semi-finalist auctioneers will compete in the championship event. The auctioneering contest will begin with the interview portion of the competition where each WLAC semi-finalist must clearly establish and demonstrate their knowledge of the livestock marketing industry. The second part of the competition will take place during a live sale at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Fla., where contestants will sell cattle to actual bidders in the seats.
 
Contestants who qualified to compete are Andy Baumeister, Goldthwaite, Texas; Neil Bouray, Webber, Kan.; Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.; Dakota Davis, Waukomis, Okla.; Shannon Davis, Winnsboro, Texas; Justin Dodson, Welch, Okla.; Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta; Philip Gilstrap, Pendleton, S.C.; Michael Imbrogno, Turlock, Calif.; Brennin Jack, Virden, Manitoba; Marcus Kent, Dunnellon, Fla.; Lynn Langvardt, Chapman, Kan.; Ed Leist, Gaylord, Mich.; Wade Leist, Boyne City, Mich.; Lane Marbach, Victoria, Texas; Jacob Massey, Petersburg, Tenn.; Brandon McLagan, Elmer, Mo.; Jeremy Miller, Fairland, Okla.; Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio; Ben Morgan, Organ Cave, W.Va.; Sixto Paiz, Portales, N.M.; Chris Pinard, Swainsboro, Ga.; Jack Riggs, Glenns Ferry, Idaho; Troy Robinett, Decatur, Texas; Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, Ky.; Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kan.; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; Andrew Sylvester, Wamego, Kan.; Seth Waldroup, Westminster, S.C.; Curtis Wetovick, Fullerton, Neb.; and Tim Yoder, Montezuma, Ga.
 
Reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Will Epperly, will be in attendance, along with many other former World Livestock Auctioneer Champions. Each will sell cattle during the Parade of Champions, a portion of the WLAC sale between the semi-finalist and finalist rounds.
 
If you are interested in viewing WLAC, tune into the live, online broadcasts. The interviews will be on Friday, June 10, and can be viewed live on www.LMAauctions.com or the LMA Facebook Live starting at 3:00 p.m. (ET). The auctioneering competition will be at Arcadia Stockyard beginning at 8:00 a.m. (ET) and will also be streamed on www.LMAAuctions.com and LMA Facebook Live. Following the event, WLAC will be broadcast as a special, one-hour show on RFD-TV.
 
To learn more about the 2023 LMA Annual Convention and WLAC, visit https://www.lmaweb.com/Events/WLAC/2023-wlac-event.



Corn States, National Come Together for Water Quality Wins

This April, state and national corn staff came together in Omaha, Nebraska for a biannual meeting addressing water quality topics.

Focus during these discussions included WOTUS, Farm Bill Title II priorities and Climate-Smart Commodity Grants.

"It is so meaningful for the work I do to come together with other states and share our successes, challenges and new ideas regarding these important topics," said Rachael Whitehair, director of innovation and stewardship for the Nebraska Corn Board.

The group also toured Midwest Laboratories and Valmont Industries, where they gained a deeper understanding of precisely how they run relevant testing for farmers and how irrigation pivots are made, respectively.

Importantly, the meeting provides a forum to share lessons learned from state policy efforts and innovative agricultural nutrients and water quality efforts. States attending included: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. NCGA staff including Rachel Orf, Colleen Willard and Cathryn Wojcicki were also in attendance.



Bioreactor and Cover Crop Field Day To Be Held June 6 Near Ireton

A bioreactor and cover crop field day will be held on Tuesday, June 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ron Vos’ farm near Ireton. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

The event is organized by Iowa Learning Farms, a conservation program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Bioreactors, and similar edge-of-field practices, have been prioritized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as they are some of the most cost-effective methods to improve water quality. These practices can be located within existing filter strips and are designed to work with the field's drainage system.

When partnered with cover crops in the field, farmers and landowners can take advantage of their additional benefits, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil. Numerous programs with financial and technical assistance are now available to encourage farmers and landowners to install these critical practices.

Participants will learn more about how bioreactors work through the demonstration of the Conservation On The Edge trailer and a site visit to Vos’ bioreactor installed in 2022. Vos will share his experience with the bioreactor, as well as how he has been able to incorporate cover crops into his system. Ryan Johnson, Iowa Soybean Association conservation agronomist, will share best management practices for the northwest region of Iowa, and Colton Meyer, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship environmental specialist, will share program opportunities for cost-share related to bioreactors and cover crops.

The field day will be at 2766 450th Street in Ireton (Sioux County). The farm is located on the north side of Highway 10, about 3 miles west of Highway 75. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.



'Ignite' your inner chef at Iowa Farm Bureau's 59th Annual Cookout Contest

Backyard chefs across Iowa are invited to showcase their culinary skills and compete for the title of "Grand Champion" at Iowa Farm Bureau’s 59th Cookout Contest.

The event is held Tuesday, Aug. 15 during Farm Bureau Day at the Iowa State Fair. The Cookout Contest is a celebration of Iowa farmers who raise real meats with animal care and sustainability as their number one priority. Since its inception in the mid-60s, more than 2,000 people have taken part in this competition prominently located on the grand concourse.  

First priority for competition spots are given to grilling and smoking enthusiasts who are named the overall winner of a county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest. Iowans who cannot make a county Cookout Contest qualifying event but are interested in competing in lamb, poultry, turkey or the youth division (ages 13-18) at the Iowa State Fair are encouraged to sign up online. Spots for these specialty categories are limited, and participants will be notified of their selection by July 25.

“While people are often familiar with Iowa being a hog-producing state, they may be surprised to learn we also rank top 10 in the nation for beef, turkey and sheep production and have a growing meat chicken industry,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “The cookout contest celebrates the diversity of Iowa’s family farms and the benefits of the animal protein they provide—in a way that brings creativity and taste to the forefront.”

Each first-place category winner will win $400. The Grand Champion will take home an additional $1,000 prize. The winner of the youth division will receive $300 and a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association.

For rules, county contest locations or specialty category sign ups, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/CookoutContest.



ABA Applauds Introduction of ACRE Act of 2023
Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO

“The American Bankers Association applauds today’s introduction of the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy Act of 2023, and we want to express our thanks to the bill’s lead sponsors, Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Wiley Nickel (D-NC). This bipartisan legislation will provide critical economic support to rural communities by lowering the cost of credit for rural Americans looking to buy a home or farmland. The ACRE Act would deliver approximately $1.4 billion in annual interest expense savings to farmers, ranchers and rural families in 2023, driving down costs and increasing access to credit for rural communities across the country. We urge all members of the House to cosponsor this critically important piece of legislation.”



ICBA Strongly Supports Bipartisan ACRE Act Offering Tax Relief for Rural Lending

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today expressed its strong support for the House introduction of the Access to Credit for our Rural Economy (ACRE) Act (H.R. 3139) to support farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners.

Authored in a bipartisan fashion by Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.), the bill would exempt from taxation interest income on farm real estate and rural mortgage loans, allowing community banks to lower loan rates and more efficiently serve these borrowers.

“With community banks making 80 percent of banking industry agricultural loans, ICBA strongly supports the ACRE Act to help community banks offer lower rates to certain rural borrowers and homeowners," ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said.

"This important legislation will help revive and sustain rural economies struggling to overcome the impact of higher interest rates while providing community bank lenders with benefits they can pass on to customers, similar to other rural credit providers. ICBA and the nation’s community banks thank Reps. Nickel and Feenstra for coming together to provide a common-sense solution that benefits rural Americans, especially young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers.”

With rural America and the agricultural sector facing continued challenges, the ACRE Act would:
-    Give lenders a strong incentive to remain in the rural farming and housing markets, thereby boosting local economic activity.
-    Offer community banks greater flexibility to work with farmers who may have trouble servicing their debt.
-    Exempt from taxation loans secured by agricultural and aquaculture real estate.
-    Provide similar relief to interest on loans secured by rural single-family homes that are the borrower's principal residence in towns with populations under 2,500 and below the value of $750,000.
-    Assist those seeking to remain on the farm or acquire a home loan in rural communities by providing borrowers with more competitive rates and loan terms.

ICBA looks forward to advocating for the ACRE Act’s passage on behalf of rural community bankers and the customers and communities they serve.



NCBA Backs DIRECT Act to Expand Opportunities for Small Meat Processors

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reiterated support for the Direct Interstate Retail Exemption for Certain Transactions (DIRECT) Act, introduced by Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Peter Welch (D-VT), to expand marketing opportunities for smaller meat processors.

“American consumers are buying beef in new ways, whether it is directly from local farms and ranches or online through e-commerce,” said NCBA President-Elect Mark Eisele, a Wyoming cattle producer. “The DIRECT Act allows smaller processors to sell beef in different and innovative ways, supporting cattle producers while also ensuring the safety of our product. NCBA is proud to support the DIRECT Act and we thank Sens. Marshall and Welch for their efforts to strengthen the cattle and beef industry.”

The DIRECT Act would allow state-inspected meat processors to sell beef across state lines, in limited quantities and through e-commerce, direct to consumers. Many of these marketing methods increased in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and consumers have recognized the convenience of buying local beef online. Most importantly, the DIRECT Act protects food safety by ensuring a paper trail exists for tracing and containing potential food safety issues.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/5/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 5, ethanol production declined 1.1% to a four-week low of 965,000 b/d, equivalent to 40.53 million gallons daily. The volume produced was 2.6% less than the same week last year but 2.7% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate edged 0.1% higher to 983,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.07 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks eased 0.3% to a 22-week low of 23.3 million barrels. Stocks were 3.5% less than a year ago but 4.5% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and Midwest (PADD 2).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, perked up 7.9% to 9.30 million b/d (142.61 bg annualized). Demand was 6.9% more than a year ago and 6.7% above the five-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slipped 1.5% to 897,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.75 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.8% less than the same week last year yet 3.0% above the five-year average.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 22nd consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of March 2023.)



NFU President Rob Larew Asks EPA to Promote Higher-Level Ethanol Blends

NFU President Rob Larew advocated for ethanol to play a larger role in the transition to low-pollutant vehicles during an Environmental Protection Agency hearing today.

“NFU has long urged EPA to support rural America by promoting higher-level blends of ethanol as a cost-effective means of achieving required and improved octane levels, and we ask Administrator Regan to stand by his commitment to work with the agricultural community,” President Larew said in his testimony. “Increased use of mid-level ethanol blends will provide added and significant GHG emissions reductions as well as reducing harmful and cancer-causing pollutants, such as PM and air toxics.”

President Larew expressed concern that the EPA’s proposed rule for “Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles” gives unfair advantage to electric cars, while failing to take advantage of ongoing vehicle improvements that allow for reduced greenhouse gas emission using high-octane fuels like mid-level ethanol blends.

NFU continues to be a strong supporter of higher-level blends of ethanol, which can contribute to a green energy transition and provide economic opportunities to rural communities.



USDA Announces New Steps to Enhance Organic Markets and Support Producers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking additional steps as part of its commitment to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative, launched in fall 2022, which is a suite of offerings to help existing organic farmers and those transitioning to organic production and processing.

“As USDA works to help make our nation’s food system more resilient and create more options for producers and consumers, we recognize the important role the organic industry can play in expanding opportunities for value-added agriculture, strengthening supply chains and generating revenue for farmers,” Vilsack said. “For many farmers, the transition period before attaining organic certification can be cost-prohibitive, so USDA is also helping mitigate the risk involved for farmers who want to be able to grow and market organic crops.”

Consumer demand for organically produced goods surpassed $67 billion in 2022, and multi-year trends of strong growth in the sector provide market incentives for U.S. farmers across a broad range of products. However, through public comment and listening sessions USDA has heard that producers may be less willing to commit to the three-year transition to organic certification because of risks related to inadequate organic processing, storage, and handling capacity, cost barriers due to limited markets for rotational crops, a lack of certainty about market access, and insufficient supply of certain organic ingredients. The organic livestock and processed product markets depend heavily on imported agricultural products for feed grains and key ingredients. These are longstanding market issues that were brought into sharp focus due to the impacts of the pandemic and international conflicts in critical overseas organic supply regions, resulting in limitations on certain domestic organic products in the face of rising demand. Both opportunities announced today help to address these challenges.

Organic Market Development Grants Program
Through the new Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) Program, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will issue up to $75 million in competitive grants. Eligible entities include business entities who produce or handle organic foods, non-profit organizations, tribal governments, and state and local government entities to fund projects designed to expand and improve markets for domestically produced organic products. OMDG is intended to increase the consumption of domestic agricultural commodities by aiding in the expansion of markets or development of new markets, marketing facilities, and uses for such commodities. For example, applicants may seek funding to develop and launch new consumer products using rotational grains, or invest in infrastructure like processing equipment to give producers better access to markets.

Through OMDG, AMS encourages applications that serve smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers and underserved communities.

AMS is accepting applications for the program now through July 10, 2023.

Cost Share for Organic Certification
As part of USDA’s broader effort to support organic producers and in response to stakeholder feedback, this year the Farm Service Agency increased the cost share amount under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which helps organic producers cover organic certification costs, to the maximum amount allowed by statute.

Specifically, FSA will cover up to 75% of costs associated with organic certification, up to $750 for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees (California only). OCCSP will cover costs incurred from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.

FSA begins accepting applications for OCCSP Monday, May 15. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2023. To apply, producers and handlers should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center. As part of completing the OCCSP application, producers and handlers will need to provide documentation of their organic certification and eligible expenses. Organic producers and handlers may also apply for OCCSP through participating state departments of agriculture.