Wednesday May 17 Ag News

 Congressman Flood Thanks Nebraska’s Cattlemen during Beef Month Speech

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood recently delivered short floor remarks thanking Nebraska’s beef producers, feeders, and processors as Nebraska celebrates May as Beef Month. Video of the remarks can be found by clicking here. News outlets are welcome to use the footage for their reporting purposes. The full text of the speech is below.

Mister Speaker, I rise today to honor our beef producers, feeders, and processors as we celebrate Beef Month in Nebraska.

Nebraska is the Beef State.

We are the top processing state, number one for cattle on feed, and the biggest state for beef exports to the European Union, South Korea, Kuwait, and Columbia.

Nebraska has more than three times the number of cows than people.

From the Lone Creek Cattle Company in Lincoln to Oak Barn Beef in West Point, we raise the best beef in the world right here in the First District of Nebraska.

It’s all because of our abundant natural resources, great cattle genetics, and a rich heritage that has been passed along for generations.

As we celebrate Beef Month, I want to give a sincere thank you to all our producers, feeders, and processors who raise and make the best beef in the world on our ranches and in our feed yards for consumers around the globe.



Older Tractors Still a Danger in Agriculture
Randy Saner, Extension Educator

Recently a small utility tractor rollover fatality in Southeast Nebraska is a wake-up call to the dangers involved in operating older tractors, without roll over protection.  The danger exists on farms and acreages, no matter what your age and experience.   It is so tragic to the family members, the first responders and the rural community.  It’s an image that is really hard to forget.  Today, older tractors that do not have roll over protection are a major safety issue in agriculture settings.

Beginning in 1986, American tractor manufacturers began voluntarily adding ROPS (Roll Over Protection Structure) on all farm tractors sold in the United States over 20 horsepower. Before that, ROPS was an option and many farmers due to economics didn’t choose to add them.  For information on tractor safety go to: https://go.unl.edu/ropsresources.

It only takes one second for a tractor to tip over backwards when trying to pull out a heavy object or stump hitched or chained too high on a tractor.  No one can act that fast to avoid a tractor accident in a tip over sidewise or backwards incident.

Because of their high center of gravity, tractors are more susceptible to rolling or turning over.  Always hitch loads at the drawbar, never higher.  Use front weights to increase tractor stability.

DID YOU KNOW (according to the The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health at the University of Iowa:    
-Tractor overturns are the leading cause of fatal injuries on US farms, resulting in an average of about 130 deaths each year?
-1 in 10 operators overturns a tractor in his or her lifetime.
-80% of deaths caused by tractor overturns involve experienced operators.
-1 in 7 farmers involved in tractor overturns is permanently disabled.
-7 of 10 farms will go out of business within 5 years following a tractor-related fatality.

Many tractors manufactured before 1986 are still widely used on farms and unlikely to have been retrofitted with ROPS. And often youth on farms are operating them putting them at risk. It could be moving hay bales, hauling irrigation pipe or many other farm tasks.

Extension Educators in Nebraska are teaching teens to be safe with tractors every year.  Randy Saner, University of Nebraska Extension educator, reports that a common cause of agricultural-related injuries and deaths in Nebraska is overturned tractors and ATVs. He emphasized that Extension classes are designed to train students how to avoid these incidents as well as many other hazards on the farm and ranch. The classes are May 22 to June 8 across Nebraska.  For more information: Go to https://go.unl.edu/tractorsafety2023.  



MITA’s 2023 World Trade Conference -- #TradeMatters

On Thursday, May 18, 2023, the Midwest International Trade Association (MITA) will host its annual World Trade Conference.  This is a one-of-a-kind event in this area that supports companies and professionals involved in international business and global trade. At this year’s Conference, we will address international expansion, development, and trade missions at the state level. Conference attendees will also hear from several speakers on various topics, including trade updates and current international hot topics from industry experts in Generative AI (aka ChatGPT), economics, economic development, international trade, and the Small Business Administration. In addition, a panel of experts will discuss international innovation right here in Nebraska.

Join MITA as we celebrate the importance of international trade on the region's economy and network together to share collective expertise on expanding your business.  The Conference will conclude with a reception hosted by First National Bank of Omaha.

Thomas Peace
  International Sales Manager
  Preferred Popcorn
  Topic:  Struggles, Successes and Tips
·         The Preferred Popcorn story.
·         Biggest export struggles.
·         Current successes.
·         Tips for small businesses.
 
Dan Pische
   National Director of Trade Finance
   U.S. Small Business Administration
   Topic:  Bringing the Exports into the Mainstream
·         How the SBA is harnessing domestic lenders to support exports.
·         SBA updates.
 
Innovation in Nebraska Panel Discussion
Panelists:
Jill O’Donnell
Haggart-Work Director & Professor of Practice
Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Rob Owen
Executive Director
Bio Nebraska
Ben Williamson
Managing Director, Burlington Capital Ag-Venture
Principal & General Counsel, Invest Nebraska Corporation
Invest Nebraska and the Combine Group
Laurel Oetken
Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Greater Omaha Chamber (Moderator)
 
Sudhir Gajre
Director, AI and Data Services, Neudesic (an IBM Company)
Adjunct Professor, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Topic:  Generative Artificial Intelligence (aka ChatGPT) and Its Business Implications
·         Explore what Generative AI (aka ChatGPT) is, why it matters, and how it works.
·         What business leaders need to understand and take immediate action on in this cutting-edge echnology.
 
·         Provide a recipe for leveraging Generative AI to enhance business productivity while onsidering its ethical implications.
·         Equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to stay ahead of the curve and drive innovation in your indstry.
·         Latest advancements in AI and learn how to integrate this groundbreaking technology into your usiness strategy without leaving anyone behind.
 
Dr. Phani Tej Adidam
Chairman & Executive Education Professor
University of Nebraska-Omaha
Topic:  Leveraging Innovations in Response to Global Trends

         Innovations and how these are measured.
·         Global Consumer Trends in 2023 and beyond.
·         How can Nebraska businesses leverage innovations in response to these trends.
 
Grant Leach
Partner
Husch Blackwell
Topic:  2023 Sanctions Outlook for Russia, Belarus and Ukraine
·         An overview of the latest updates to the constantly expanding export controls and trade sanctions which restrict transactions between U.S. persons and Russia, Belarus and certain regions of Ukraine.
·         Discussion of “red flags” that exporters should be aware of which indicate when bad actors might be trying to divert their goods or services in violation of U.S. law.
·         Overview of potentially available authorizations for transactions with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine related to agriculture, medicine and other humanitarian purposes.

Cobus Block
Director of International and Business Recruitment
Department of Economic Development
Colby Angst
Export Consultant
Department of Economic Development
Topic:  Nebraska Department of Economic Development
·         About the Department of Economic Development.
·         Department of Economic trade activities and goals.
·         Grants and trade support.
 
“We have an exciting line up of local, regional, and national speakers and we know our attendees learn from each of them. For 55 years, MITA has actively promoted international trade throughout the Midwest. The World Trade Conference offers networking and educational opportunities which give timely information on relevant trade topics that help our attendees stay current in our ever-changing, and always-connected world!” said Karen Pinkall, President of the Midwest International Trade Association (MITA).  “As the world continues to evolve post pandemic, our mission is to ensure that we bring in top leading industry experts to learn more about global trade issues and policies.  Attendees will gain insight in how to navigate what the possible future holds for them.”

Sponsors of this year’s event are:  AIT Worldwide Logistics/Cargo Zone LLC, Allianz Trade, Commerce Bank, Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis, Crane Worldwide Logistics, Dvorak Law Group, First National Bank of Omaha, Goba Capital Inc., Husch Blackwell, JZW International, Laufer Group International, Lyncstream, Metropolitan Community College, Scarbrough International and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The World Trade Conference will be held at Tiburon Golf Club & Banquet Facility, 10302 South 168th Street, Omaha, Nebraska.



USDA seeks feedback from producers about 2023 crops, stocks, inventories, and values

Over the next several weeks, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will contact nearly 4,700 producers across Iowa to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2023.

“The June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey are two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS conducts,” explained Greg Thessen, Director of the NASS Upper Midwest Regional Field Office. “When producers respond to these surveys, they provide essential information that helps determine the expected acreage and supply of major commodities in the United States for the 2023 crop year. The results are used by farmers and ranchers, USDA, exporters, researchers, economists, policymakers, and others to inform a wide range of decisions.”

Producers can respond to the June Agricultural Survey online at agcounts.usda.gov, by phone, or mail. They will be asked to provide information on planted and harvested acreage, including acreage for biotech crops and grain stocks. For the June Area Survey, agency representatives will interview farm and ranch operators in randomly selected segments of land over the phone or in person. Producers will be asked to provide information on crop acreage, grain stocks, livestock inventory, land values, and value of sales.

“NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents, by keeping all individual information confidential and publishing the data in aggregate form only to ensure that no operation or producer can be identified,” said Thessen. “We recognize that this is a hectic time for farmers, but the information they provide helps U.S. agriculture remain viable and capable. I urge them to respond to these surveys and thank them for their participation.”

NASS will publish the data in a series of USDA reports, including the annual Acreage and quarterly Grain Stocks reports June 30, 2023. These data also contribute to NASS’s monthly and annual Crop Production reports, the annual Small Grains Summary, annual Farms and Land in Farms and Land Values reports, various livestock reports, including Cattle, Sheep and Goats, and Hogs and Pigs, and USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

These and all NASS reports are available at nass.usda.gov/Publications/. For more information, call the NASS Upper Midwest Regional Field Office at (800) 772-0825.



Free, Online Course Discusses Risk Management for Agritourism, On-Farm Visitors

With fewer people growing up on farms, agritourism can be an excellent way for farm visitors to connect with where their food comes from and with Iowa’s agricultural heritage. While inviting visitors to the farm is a valuable experience for both farmers and the public, some risks are associated with the practice.

A free, online course from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team is available to help those with on-farm visitors regarding risk management and liability concerns.

“Risk management is an important consideration on every farm, especially those who invite visitors on their property,” explained Kendra Meyer, agriculture and natural resources extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Mitigating risk on your farm ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.”

The course contains seven different modules, each discussing a different aspect of risk management for farms with on-farm visitors. Each module contains a video, short activity and a brief quiz, and modules can be completed at your own pace.

Topics covered include:
    Loss Control and Identifying Hazards in Agritainment.
    Beyond the Fine Print: Considering Legal Risks for Specialty Producers.
    Farm Emergency Preparedness Training.
    Protecting Animals and Humans from Biosecurity Risks.
    Food Safety Best Practices: Food, Farm and Consumer.
    Navigating the Food Licensing Process to Farmers Interested in Developing Value-Added Products.
    Pesticide Safety/

While inviting the public to a farm can be rewarding for both visitors and farmers alike, it is essential to be aware of risks and safety concerns, and to have a plan in place to mitigate these risks. To sign up for the free, online course, visit https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/15787.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/12/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 12, ethanol production expanded 2.3% to a four-week high of 987,000 b/d, equivalent to 41.45 million gallons daily. The volume produced was 0.4% less than the same week last year yet 3.1% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate slipped 0.9% to 974,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.93 billion gallons (bg) and a 16-week low.

Ethanol stocks declined 0.4% to 23.2 million barrels, which is the leanest weekly inventory since the end of Nov. 2022. Stocks were 2.5% less than a year ago but 3.2% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 4.2% to 8.91 million b/d (136.56 bg annualized). Demand was 1.3% less than a year ago but 0.9% above the five-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 1.3% to 909,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.93 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.2% less than the same week last year but 3.1% above the five-year average.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 23rd consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of March 2023.)



Fertilizer Prices Moving in Two Directions

Retail fertilizer prices moved in opposite directions the second week of May 2023, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Half of the fertilizers are higher compared to last month, while the other half is lower. One fertilizer is considerably higher, and another is notably lower. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Urea was 6% higher compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $664 per ton, back above $600/ton after one week of being below that level for the first time in a year and a half. Slightly higher was DAP, MAP and UAN32 looking back to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $828/ton, MAP $826/ton and UAN32 $517/ton.

Leading fertilizer prices lower was anhydrous. The nitrogen fertilizer was 9% less expensive compared to last month, and it had an average price of $910/ton. Three other fertilizers (potash, 10-34-0, UAN28) were slightly lower looking back a month. Potash had an average price of $627/ton, 10-34-0 $739/ton and UAN28 $423/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.72/lb.N, anhydrous $0.55/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.81/lb.N.

All fertilizers are now lower double digits compared to one year ago. 10-34-0 is 18% less expensive, DAP is 22% lower, MAP is 24% less expensive, both potash and UAN32 are 29% lower, UAN28 is 33% less expensive, urea is 34% less expensive and urea is 41% lower compared to a year prior.



USDA Seeks Nominees for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (Cattlemen’s Beef Board) to succeed 27 members with terms that expire in March 2024. The deadline for nominations is July 10, 2023.

Nominees are needed to succeed members in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Southwest Unit (California and Nevada) and Importer Unit assuming no changes are made because of the pending Reapportionment of the Board’s membership.

The Cattleman’s Beef Board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 101 members representing 34 separate states, four units of geographically grouped states, and one importer unit.

Beef producers within the United States who own cattle or any importers that import cattle or beef may be nominated. Producers and importers must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.

A list of certified producer organizations, the nomination form and information about the Cattlemen’s Beef Board are available on the AMS Cattlemen’s Beef Board webpage and on the board’s website, https://www.beefboard.org/. For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn at (202) 713-6918 or Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov.



NCBA President Testifies Before Congress on State of the Livestock Industry

Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson testified before the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry at a hearing titled “A Review of Animal Agriculture Stakeholder Priorities.” Wilkinson, a second-generation cattle producer from South Dakota, highlighted stronger market conditions in the cattle industry and discussed new challenges facing farmers and ranchers from burdensome regulations and inflation.
 
“Many of you have said it before, and I wholeheartedly agree, food security is national security,” Wilkinson testified. “Working together, we can ensure the long-term success and viability of those on the front lines providing said crucial food security. We owe it to the next generation to get it right.”
 
Wilkinson explained that the cattle industry faces challenges including the threat of a foreign animal disease, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s overreaching Packers and Stockyards rules, and activist attacks against the Beef Checkoff.
 
Wilkinson’s testimony also focused on key priorities for the cattle industry during the 118th Congress including:
    Passing the 2023 Farm Bill with provisions to protect animal health, promote voluntary conservation programs, reinforce disaster programs, and support risk management programs.
    Nullifying the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s harmful Packers & Stockyards rule that injects heavy-handed government mandates in cattle producers’ businesses.
    Defending the Beef Checkoff, which supports the cattle industry’s long-term success and is supported by the majority of producers.
    Reauthorizing the Animal Drug User Fee Act to protect the efficient Food and Drug Administration review of animal drugs that keep livestock healthy.
    Recognizing that cattle producers are America’s original conservationists and that cattle play an important role in strengthening grasslands and upcycling forages that are inedible to humans into wholesome beef.
    Supporting new trade opportunities by reauthorizing Trade Promotion Authority and seeking a trade agreement with the United Kingdom.
    Reducing regulatory burdens producers face from the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act.
    Reauthorizing Livestock Mandatory Reporting to provide cattle producers with consistent, timely, and transparent market information.
    Expanding beef processing capacity through legislation like the DIRECT Act without jeopardizing food safety.



NPPC Outlines Pork Industry Priorities in House Ag Subcommittee Hearing
 
Scott Hays, a fifth-generation pork producer from Missouri and President of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), testified before the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry as part of its hearing on "A Review of Animal Agriculture Stakeholder Priorities."
 
NPPC appreciated the opportunity to advocate and discuss policy priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill – ranging from funding that supports the programs that safeguard the nation’s food supply against threats posed by foreign animal diseases to key initiatives that expand foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products.

Throughout his testimony, Hays outlined the tough economic challenges for pig farmers with hog prices having moderated significantly since 2022. Current losses are largely due to record-high production costs that have increased by about 50 percent since 2020. On top of that, the industry has faced trade retaliation, supply chain issues, labor shortages and threats from foreign animal disease outbreaks and the U.S. Supreme Court's recent unfavorable decision on California Proposition 12.
 
"This is putting a pinch on the pork industry and could drive consolidation at the farm-level, as producers may be forced to exit the industry due to this economic reality," said Hays. "We are committed to ensuring our consumers have food on the table, our pork producers and family farms are strong, and working with champions to address implications from unnecessary and unscientific measures that restrict producers' ability to take care of their animals.”
 
Hays said NPPC is hopeful the 2023 Farm Bill fully funds programs that are vital to ensuring animal health across species.
 
"The growing threat of foreign animal disease, specifically African swine fever, is of particular concern, and farmers need the tools to prevent and rapidly respond to an outbreak, should one ever occur, said Hays. "The ‘three-legged stool’ of animal health laid out in the 2018 Farm Bill has set the course for what pork producers need in the upcoming farm bill."
 
Hays outlined the additional perspective on the U.S. pork industry's policy priorities that include:
    A one-year extension of Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting as the industry gathers input from producers in advance of a full reauthorization.
    NPPC opposes the proposed changes under the Packers and Stockyards Act and requested that USDA works with the industry to find meaningful reforms that provide greater transparency for pork producers.
    Absent meaningful trade access, increased funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program through the farm bill are critical to building commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products.
    Address the ongoing labor shortage by improving and updating the H-2A visa program to grant access to year-round agriculture industries.

As Hays rounded out his remarks, he noted: "While the industry is facing many challenges, pig farmers, like me, and our industry allies are committed to working together to maintain the strength of the U.S. pork industry. We are proud of the work we do and appreciate the opportunity to help feed America's families."



Bipartisan Group of Members of Congress Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Common Name Protection in Upcoming Farm Bill

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) and allied organizations commend today’s introduction of the Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act to promote the protection of common names in the 2023 Farm Bill. Led in the Senate by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and led in the House by Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Jim Costa (D-CA), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), the language would explicitly direct USDA Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) to work with the U.S. Trade Representative to include the protection of commonly used terms like “parmesan”, “chateau” and “bologna” as a priority in international negotiations. This is the first farm bill effort on common names.

“The lack of strong action by previous administrations has allowed the European Union to misuse and abuse its geographical indications, hurting U.S. exporters in several markets,” said Jaime Castaneda, Executive Director of CCFN. “This new emphasis on protecting common names is a much-needed step in the right direction to ensure that our producers can sell their products in markets around the world.”

The proposed language would amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to define “common names” and direct the Secretary of Agriculture to coordinate with the U.S. Trade Representative to proactively defend the right to use common names for agricultural commodities or food products in international markets.

“For years, the European Union has been using illegitimate GIs to boost its own producers at the expense of others, putting a tremendous political priority on giving European companies a leg up over producers in the U.S. and other countries,” noted Castaneda. “It is time that our government takes a more proactive approach to tackling this challenge so that we can turn the tide to stand up for food and beverage producers relying on common names.”
    Many agricultural producers in the United States and around the world depend on common food and beverage terms – such as parmesan, chateau, or bologna – to market and sell their products.
    Since 2009, the EU has used trade negotiations and intellectual property rules to confiscate common names for their own producers – essentially monopolizing certain products in specific markets.
    For American farmers and producers, this leads to lost opportunities overseas and expensive fights domestically, in addition to fewer choices for consumers.
    Recently, there has been significant efforts from the private sector to defend common names, including a favorable U.S. Court of Appeals ruling and actions by congressional champions on Capitol Hill.



Planting and Application Reports: FieldView Customers Gain Access To New Capabilities

As the U.S. planting season starts wrapping up, the “reporting season” for many farmers quickly follows. Building on new features and equipment compatibility, Climate FieldView™ customers have access to enhanced planting and application reporting capabilities.

Announced earlier this year, FieldView users are able to create reports for all planting and application activities from any year and crop. Now they can export those reports to PDF or CSV format and share via email or text directly from the FieldView app to simplify crop insurance acreage reports ahead of the July 15 deadline, support farmland leasing or rental agreements, or more easily share planting and application reports with third parties who are not using FieldView.

“Tracking and sharing operational information is crucial to farmers’ operations, and small inconveniences can have a big impact on our customers’ time and operations,” said Brandon Rinkenberger, Chief Commercial Officer, Climate LLC and Digital Farming for Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “We’re constantly in touch with FieldView customers – both farmers and their agronomic partners – to understand how we can improve their user experience and put the right tools in their hands to maximize the data they collect on the farm.”

In addition to the new reporting capabilities in the main FieldView app, customers can continue to use the FieldView Cab app to track and report details from crop protection applications, such as wind speed, application rate, and products applied.

FieldView is the flagship product of Climate LLC, the digital farming arm of Bayer. Initially launched in the United States, FieldView is on more than 220 million subscribed acres globally, giving farmers a deeper understanding of their fields, so they can make more informed operating decisions to optimize yields, maximize efficiency and reduce risk. Contact your local FieldView dealer or visit climate.com for more information.



Truterra Pays Over $9 million to Farmers for Sequestering 462,000 Metric Tons of Carbon in First Two Years of Program

Truterra, LLC, a leading agricultural sustainability business that offers consultation, tools and solutions for the ag and food value chain, today announced the results of its carbon program for 2022, which paid more than $5.1 million to farmers for approximately 262,000 metric tons of carbon stored. With these results, Truterra's carbon program has paid more to farmers, resulting in more sequestered metric tons of carbon as compared to another leading program. In the first two years of the program, Truterra has paid more than $9 million to farmers for over 462,000 metric tons of carbon.

Two-thirds of Truterra employees are farmers or have a family member who farms, so they understand the unique needs of farmers and have crafted programs to foster our farmers' success. Truterra's differentiated approach includes:
    Access to the Truterra™ sustainability tool and agronomic support from trusted advisors, with ag retailers as an essential channel for the program;
    Offering qualified farmers optimal earning potential by paying based on actual carbon stored rather than a set per acre payment; and
    No costs for data collection or verification for farmers.

"Farmers are fast realizing that Truterra's farmer-friendly approach aims to strengthen the connection between sustainability and profitability," said Tom Ryan, President of Truterra. "By working with and through farmer's trusted advisor, the carbon program has continued to achieve great success in its second year, and we look forward to continuing to meet farmers where they are in their sustainability journey in order to help them make the best agronomic, economic and environmental decisions for their farms."

Other notable results from Truterra's 2022 carbon program include:
    273 farmers participating in the 2022 carbon program;
    An average total payment per participating farmer of over $18,000.

"I had read about carbon programs without giving it much thought until GreenPoint Ag mentioned they work with Truterra and it's a real thing that I could enroll in and could not only help with my bottom line, but also the sustainability of my farm," said Robert Walters, a farmer in Alabama.

"At the end of the day, it's Truterra's farmer focus that makes us preferential to their carbon program and sustainability solutions, and we are dedicated to helping farmers in their sustainability journey in lock step with the Truterra team," said Daniel Mullenix, Director of Ag Technologies at GreenPoint Ag.

Beyond Truterra's leadership and differentiation in carbon, Truterra also offers a range of solutions to meet farmers wherever they are in their sustainability journey, from a soil health assessment, which provides a comprehensive report with actionable insights for farmers to understand the biological, chemical and physical health of their fields, and then create a roadmap for improving their soil health, to our farmer-centric, retail-driven carbon program. Sustainability is not a one-sized-fits-all approach and Truterra is committed to supporting farmers with customized tools, insights and pathways to plan, make and maintain regenerative practices on their operations for the long-term. To learn more about the range of services visit https://www.truterraag.com/enroll.