Wednesday May 24 Ag News

Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Names Loseke as the 2023 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholar

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) announced Mr. Carsten Loseke of Columbus, Nebraska, as the 2023 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholar.  

Carsten will be a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall where he is majoring in Agricultural Economics and minoring in Animal Science, Engler Entrepreneurship, and the Krutsinger Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars Program. Last summer Carsten took an internship with Cactus Feeders at a feedlot in southwest Kansas, and this summer he will serve as a superintendent for the Platte County Beef Show. Carsten has also held various leadership positions in 4-H and FFA, while remaining involved in his family’s feedlot operation north of Columbus, Nebraska.

Carsten Loseke said, “I am honored to be the recipient of the Beef State Scholarship. I would like to thank the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation for the opportunity to apply for this scholarship, and more importantly, the generous donors including those involved in the Retail Value Steer Challenge for their support of young Nebraskans interested in careers in the beef industry. Growing up on a family farm and feedlot operation in Eastern Nebraska, I have been privileged to work with some of the hardest working people in the state, and I am excited to build a career feeding cattle. This scholarship will be beneficial to my education, where I will seek opportunities to give back to the Nebraska beef industry.”

Loren Berger, Vice President of the NCF stated, “We are proud to name Carsten Loseke as this year’s Beef State Scholar. Mr. Loseke is a dedicated and accomplished student who will use his education to strengthen the beef industry. Carsten is well deserving of this honor and we look forward to watching his impact on the beef cattle industry for years to come.”

Besides the Beef State Scholarship, the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation also awarded an additional $64,500 in scholarships to fifty-nine students furthering their education in the 2023-2024 academic year. Carsten Loseke, along with all scholarship recipients, will be recognized at the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting in North Platte on Thursday, June 8, during the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Lunch.

To donate or for more information concerning the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, contact Lee Weide, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Secretary at (402) 475-2333 or Jana Jensen, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Fundraising Coordinator at (308) 588-6299.

Background
Established in 2014, the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship is the premier Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation scholarship providing a $10,000 award to an outstanding junior, senior, or graduate level Nebraska resident student enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry related degree.



Smith, Himes Introduce Legislation to Initiate Trade Agreement Negotiations with the UK

Today, Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) introduced the Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism (UNITED) Act, a bill to authorize the administration, in consultation with Congress, to negotiate and enter into a comprehensive trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

The members released the following statements:
"American manufacturers, agriculture producers, and consumers alike stand to benefit greatly from proactive and tangible action maximizing trade opportunities with our allies," said Chairman Adrian Smith. "Building on our outstanding, historic relationship with the United Kingdom provides a valuable opportunity to mutually enhance economic resiliency, strengthen supply chains, and increase market growth. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement showed what can be achieved through bipartisan efforts to advance trade opportunities. I thank Rep. Himes for his cooperation on this bipartisan bill and Sens. Thune and Coons for their introduction of the legislation in the Senate."

"As a global economic leader, we should be improving and strengthening our trade partnerships, particularly with our closest allies," said Rep. Jim Himes. "The UNITED Act paves the way for a comprehensive free trade agreement which will expand opportunities for domestic businesses and workers, improve supply chain resilience, and reduce costs for American consumers. This bipartisan legislation offers an opportunity to deepen our special relationship with the United Kingdom under mutually beneficial terms, laying the groundwork for decades of prosperity and cooperation."


 
Nebraska Wheat Board announces June budget meeting

The Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB) will hold its next meeting Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the West Central Research & Extension Center, 402 W State Farm Rd, North Platte, NE. The meeting will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. An executive session is tentatively slated for 2:30 p.m.

The meeting will include a first and second-reading of funding proposals and establishment of a budget for fiscal year 2023-2024. It will also include a current fiscal year financial review, reports from NWB board members, contractor reports, and a review of upcoming events and travel. The public is welcome to attend any open portion of the meeting. Interested individuals may contact the NWB office for a copy of the detailed agenda or for more information.

The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the excise tax of 0.5% of net value of wheat marketed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds in programs of international and domestic market development and improvement, policy development, research, promotion, and education.



USDA OFFICIAL VISITS UNL TO DISCUSS $25M GRANT FOR RURAL PROSPERITY NEBRASKA

Jennifer Lester Moffitt, under secretary of agriculture for marketing and regulatory programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, visited the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus on May 23 to participate in a roundtable discussion on the $25 million grant awarded to Rural Prosperity Nebraska to create the Heartland Regional Food Business Center.

Led by Mary Emery, Rural Prosperity Nebraska will work with 33 partners to create a resource hub for regional food systems that serves residents of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The center is one of 12 that the USDA is establishing across the country with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“Yes, we need this incredibly efficient food system that is feeding our nation,” Moffitt said. “We also need a really strong local and regional food system — one that is bringing and adding more economic value to farmers and ranchers in our community; making sure that we’re providing great, nutritious food to our communities; strengthening our local and regional markets; and strengthening our rural communities by bringing jobs into the communities.”

Of the 33 partners contributing to the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, nine attended the roundtable discussion in person and five via Zoom, representing universities, extension programs and regional nonprofits. The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration, focusing on the need to draw from the expertise and connections of each partner for the center to be successful. In addition to farmers, farmers markets and food processing hubs, attendees also discussed food deserts in rural regions, food scarcity in urban settings, and nutrition education programs.

“Regional food systems are like puzzle pieces,” Emery said. “The Heartland Regional Food Business Center will help put those puzzle pieces together. In this process, we’ll see more clearly where the system is strong, where there’s room for improvement and where there are opportunities to collaborate and try to find new ways to increase access to fresh, healthy local and regional foods.”

The regional food business centers will not have physical locations but be online portals where anyone involved in regional foods can find information, resources and connections to further their involvement in, and contribution to, their region. Farmers can connect with local schools about meal programs, farmers markets can connect with community leaders, and rural residents can connect with locally owned grocery stores.

Mike Boehm, NU vice president of agriculture and natural resources and Harlan Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, emphasized that the center is not simply an expensive website. It will be the nucleus of a network that will, as people contribute to it, become more intricate, more robust and more impactful for individuals.

“When you think about the push that we make in production agriculture at land-grant universities, that’s important,” he said. “The science and the engineering and the business models are all critical. But really this all comes down to people. It’s about meeting people where they are, and it’s about doing better with the amazing resources that we have.”

In addition to connecting the various players within a regional food system, the center will provide planning assistance for small- and mid-size food and farm businesses, as well as financial assistance for those seeking to expand their operations to meet the food and nutrition needs within their regions.

“We’re very excited about these regional food business centers, and we’re really excited about the partners on the ground,” Moffitt said. “I believe very strongly in locally led solutions, that we do more when people who are trusted in the region, who know the region, who already have partnerships in the region, are empowered and have the funding to be able to come together to overcome complex challenges and find creative solutions.”



April Hired Workers Up 3 Percent; Wage Rate Increased 5 Percent from Previous Year

There were 651,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on the Nation's farms and ranches during the week of April 9-15, 2023, up 3 percent from the April 2022 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $18.08 per hour during the April 2023 reference week, up 5 percent from the April 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $17.26 per hour, up 5 percent. Livestock workers earned $16.48 per hour, up 4 percent. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $16.99 per hour, was up 4 percent from the 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 40.6 hours during the April 2023 reference week, up 2 percent from the hours worked during the April 2022 reference week.

Cornbelt II:  During the reference week of April 10-16, 2023, there were 27,000 workers hired directly by farms in the Cornbelt II Region (Iowa and Missouri). Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage rate of $18.25 per hour during the April 2023 reference week, 27 cents below April 2022. The number of hours worked averaged 39.7 for hired workers during the reference week, compared with 36.0 hours in April 2022.



Updated Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Dashboards Indicate Measurable Water Quality Progress

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the three principals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, today jointly announced that the online dashboards that report the results of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy have been updated to reflect the latest reporting period. Today’s announcement coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Adoption of conservation practices continues to increase, and progress is expected to continue to build over the next decade as water quality and conservation practice implementation accelerate.  The dashboard can be found here: https://nrstracking.cals.iastate.edu/tracking-iowa-nutrient-reduction-strategy.  

“The detailed dashboards demonstrate that the Nutrient Reduction Strategy is working, and Iowa’s water quality is improving. This comprehensive reporting shows that real progress is being made, but we are far from satisfied and will continue our efforts to scale up Iowa’s adoption of conservation practices,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “We have always known that this is going to be a collaborative effort that will take everyone – both public and private partners in urban and rural areas – working together for decades to come. As conservation practice implementation continues to accelerate in priority watersheds in the years ahead, it will be exciting to see the additional water quality progress that can be achieved.”

 “As we reach the 10th anniversary of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, we are pleased to release the complete set of data dashboards,” said Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon. “This tool will allow us to track progress and measure the impact of our efforts more quickly, providing valuable insights to guide our work moving forward. We are committed to transparency and accountability, and this dashboard is a key tool in achieving those goals."

“Iowa State University is committed to bringing the very best science and technology, through research and extension, to bear on always improving our understanding and capacity for management of water resources in Iowa and beyond,” said Daniel J. Robison, holder of the endowed dean’s chair in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. “Our college supports land-use and water quality initiatives in its work to enhance agricultural and conservation management that makes a difference, and is to the benefit of farmers, landowners, communities and industries.”

Highlights from the Updated Dashboards:
    Estimates from more than a decade ago suggest that there were as few as 10,000 acres of cover crops planted in the state. In 2021, the number jumped to more than 2.8 million acres.
    Through the more recent development of edge of field practices, coupled with emphasis by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and partners to foster more installations, the cumulative number of acres protected by these practices, including saturated buffers and bioreactors, is 194 times higher in 2021 than it was in 2011.  
    Because of increased, dedicated funds to expand water quality wetlands, the cumulative number of acres protected by wetlands has grown from 2,500 to 139,200 acres.
    Due to continued focus of public sector programs and increased interest from landowners, the cumulative acres in Iowa protected by structural erosion control practices continues to grow. These practices include terraces, ponds, grade stabilization structures, and water and sediment control basins. In addition to acres protected before 2010, nearly 290,000 additional acres from 2011 to 2021 have been protected using public sector program investment.
    Iowa farmers’ utilization of no-till on crop acres has grown from 6.2 million acres in 2010 to 9.5 million acres in 2021.
    The majority of commercial Nitrogen applied to corn acres continues to occur in the spring. Of the acres with fall Nitrogen applied, an estimated 86 percent is put on with a Nitrogen inhibitor. Improved fertilizer management continues to be a priority and the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative is one example that seeks to modernize and optimize the Nitrogen recommendations for farmers in order to maximize productivity while reducing the risk of nutrient losses to the environment.
    Total state and federal funding working in support of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy continues to climb higher, with both categories hitting record amounts in the last year. Private investment by farmers and landowners continues to rise as well, boosting the impact of the record-level public investment.
    The flow-weighted nitrate load, measured in tons per inch of flow per year, was 15,000 in 2021 which is the lowest in the monitoring period from 2000-2021. The flow-weighted nitrate load metric considers precipitation and water quantity factors that can fluctuate data significantly from year to year. Despite recent years showing a drop in nitrogen export in part due to dry conditions, there is still much more work to be done to reduce nitrogen loss.
    From 2015 to 2021, the number of point-source facilities meeting their nitrogen load reduction targets has improved from 10 facilities to 47 facilities.
    From 2015 to 2021, the number of point-source facilities meeting their phosphorus load reduction targets has improved from 3 facilities to 23 facilities.
    63 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants have committed to constructing upgrades to remove nutrients.

About the Logic Model Dashboards
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach developed and is deploying a logic model to track progress of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The logic model was introduced to set measurable indicators of progress and adopted by the Water Resource Coordinating Council in 2015. The four categories of the model include Inputs, Human, Land, and Water. As Iowa State University explains, “To affect change in water quality, there is a need for increased inputs, measured as funding, staff, and other resources. Inputs affect change in outreach efforts and human behavior. This shift towards more conservation-oriented attitudes among farmers, landowners, point source facility operators, and other stakeholders is a desired change in the human dimension of water quality efforts. With changes in human attitudes and behavior, changes on the land may occur, measured as conservation practice adoption and wastewater treatment facility upgrades. Finally, these physical changes on the land may affect change in water quality, which ultimately can be measured through both empirical water quality monitoring and modeled estimates of nutrient loads in Iowa surface water. The model outlines measurable parameters that can be tracked year-to-year.



IFBF & Fareway launch "Sizzlin' Summer Giveaway"  

Iowa Farm Bureau’s Sizzlin’ Summer Giveaway kicks off today in partnership with Fareway Meat and Grocery, giving Iowans a chance to win a $200 Fareway meat gift card from each of the grocery stores’ 113 locations in Iowa. Additionally, one grand prize winner will receive a Traeger Pro 22 Smoker Grill, a $500 Wagyu meat bundle, a Grizzly soft-sided cooler and other backyard barbeque gear.

Iowans can enter for a chance to win by visiting www.iowafarmbureau.com/SizzlinSummer and answering five multiple choice questions about how farmers provide nutrient-dense meat, dairy and eggs, while also caring for their animals and the environment. One entry per email address is allowed; contest ends June 25.

“This contest is part of our Real Farmers. Real Food. Real Meat. initiative which celebrates the nutritional value of animal protein and the farmers who provide it,” says IFBF President Brent Johnson. “Summer in Iowa is the perfect time of year to gather with friends and family, while grilling or smoking the real meats Iowans love and our local farmers are proud to raise.  Livestock farmers continue to find ways to focus on sustainability while promoting animal care, and this contest is a great way to show that commitment.”

Animal-based proteins are high-quality, complete proteins, according to Dr. Ruth MacDonald, professor of food science and human nutrition at Iowa State University. Meat, eggs and dairy are the only natural source of Vitamin B12, which promotes brain development in children and proper nervous system function. Red meat and poultry also provide the majority of zinc in American diets to support immune health.

“Fareway has long recognized nutritious meat comes from dedicated, responsible farmers,” says Fareway Vice President of Market Operations Jeff Cook. “This contest not only celebrates the hard-working men and women in our state who bring food from gate to plate, but it also celebrates food as an experience. Good memories are made around the grill, and Fareway is humbled to be a part of that.”



Lighter Carcass Weights and Shrinking Supply
Paul Dykstra, Director of Supply Management & Analysis at Certified Angus Beef

Now, we're well into the second quarter of 2023, but backing up to the first of the year, there have been two overriding trends in the fed cattle supply. The first of which has been those fewer headcounts that we've seen harvested on a weekly basis, down about 2.7% year to date as well.

Carcass weights have shown the effects of winter weather as seen across the northern tier of the cattle feeding region. That has brought carcass weights to about 15 to 20 lbs. under a year ago for the same time period. These two factors combined have reduced fed cattle supplies so far in 2023 by about 5%. Now, those dramatically lower carcass weights have had some impact on quality grade, but we've been impressed at how well quality grades have held up under the pressure of these lighter weights.

Later into the spring, we've seen more, lesser-finished cattle being harvested. At the same time, the Prime quality grade has shown some effects and has been lower since last fall than we'd like to see as demand for Prime beef has been exceptional the last few years. Even so, the USDA Prime percentage has faltered by one to even two percentage points compared to a year ago. In total, that's affected total Prime volume by about 10% of tonnage.

The Choice quality grade has fared much better, capturing a greater proportion of carcasses –some of those just narrowly missed Prime. And as a result, the USDA Choice grade has captured a record large proportion of those fed steer and heifer carcasses this season.

Premium Choice quality is essential to the Certified Angus Beef ® brand tradition label, which has benefited from richly graded carcasses that were just below Prime. In total, we've captured more than 40% of those Angus-eligible cattle into the Certified Angus Beef ® brand several weeks since the first of the year and consequently have touched those record-high acceptance rates during that same period. As we moved into spring, we've seen the shorter cattle supplies and higher beef demand push fed cattle and cutout values to record levels.

As we move forward, we expect the lower quality grades in May and lighter carcass weights combined with shorter fed cattle supplies to continue to drive premiums into the high-quality cattle and beef markets for the next number of weeks.



Driving Consumers to a Higher Ground

The National Pork Board is collaborating with retailers to expand their in-store ground pork offerings and boost demand for the product. The growing popularity has resulted in wider distribution, making it more accessible to consumers as an everyday choice. Digital ads paired with recipes and examples of how ground pork can be used are encouraging consumers to purchase ground pork while they shop online.  

Ground Pork Promotion Key Results:
➡️ Ground pork volume is up 3.4% per year for the last 3 years
➡️ 16% sales increase for one major Southeast retailer
➡️ 100% increase in incremental sales for one major club store
➡️ 4% sales increase for one major Midwest retailer

​​​​​​​​Sources:
210 Analytics – Power of Meat 2023 Report
NPB Pork Checkoff Partnerships with Numerator Consumer Panel Data, Total US, 52 weeks Ending 1/29/23
NPB Pork Checkoff funded Proprietary Research – 2022 Retail Meat Case Benchmarking Study conducted by QMS



House committee approves bills to improve trucking transportation

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) commended lawmakers on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for advancing several bills that would increase trucking capacity and allow more flexibility to address the shortage of truck drivers.

“Our members rely on a strong trucking transportation system to move America’s food, fuel and fiber,” NGFA noted. “By supporting these bills, Congress can achieve positive benefits for the environment while improving the economic competitiveness of the United States. We look forward to working with lawmakers to ensure these provisions are passed into law.”

Over the past week, members of the NGFA contacted lawmakers to support the following items, which were approved by the committee during a markup on May 23.

Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safety and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act of 2023 (HR 3013) sponsored by Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill.
•    The bill eliminates regulatory barriers and addresses truck driver shortages by making permanent commonsense waivers issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) during the Trump administration in response to COVID-19 and extended by the Biden administration. The bill allows states and third-party examiners more flexibility in administering CDL tests and allows a state to administer driving skills tests to any out-of-state CDL applicant, regardless of where the applicant received driver training.

10% Axle Variance for Dry Bulk, sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark.
•    The provision does not increase the overall Federal Gross Vehicle Weight limit but allows for a 10 percent axle variance for “Dry Bulk.” This language passed the committee in the past two Congresses. Dry bulk is defined as “homogenous unmarked nonliquid cargo being transported in a trailer specifically designed for that purpose.” When dry bulk loads shift, they may not easily redistribute across axles. The natural motion of the truck causes the load to be improperly distributed.

Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Safe Integrity Act, sponsored by Rep. Crawford.
•    The bill supports 18- to 20-year-old Commercial Motor Vehicle drivers and the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act’s three-year pilot program. The bill increases FMCSA reporting requirements for the pilot program to ensure greater transparency as the program is implemented. Barring sufficient data, the bill says the Department of Transportation shall move forward with regulations to allow 18 to 20-year-old CMV drivers to operate across state lines one year after the pilot program ends.

91,000- lb. Weight Exemption Pilot Program, sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D.
•    The bill establishes a voluntary 10-year pilot program for states to increase truck weights on federal interstates up to 91,000 pounds on six axles. The program must comply with the Federal Bridge Formula and does not include Longer Combination Vehicles, such as doubles or triples.



USDA Cold Storage April 2023 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on April 30, 2023 were up slightly from the previous month but down 5 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 6 percent from the previous month and down 16 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 6 percent from the previous month and up 6 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 5 percent from last month and up
39 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on April 30, 2023 were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 9 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 3 percent from the previous month but up 8 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 9 percent from last month and up 11 percent from April 30, 2022.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on April 30, 2023 were up slightly from the previous month but down 1 percent from April 30, 2022. Butter stocks were up 6 percent from last month and up 10 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on April 30, 2023 were down 8 percent from last month but up 9 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks on April 30, 2023 were down 6 percent from last month but up 4 percent from a year ago.



Most Fertilizer Prices Lower Again Third Week of May 2023

Average retail prices for most fertilizers were lower again the third week of May 2023, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Prices for five of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to last month. Only one fertilizer was substantially less expensive. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Leading fertilizers lower in price was anhydrous. The nitrogen fertilizer was 10% less expensive compared to last month with an average price of $895 per ton. Four other fertilizers (potash, urea, 10-34-0, UAN28) were slightly lower looking back a month. Potash had an average price of $627 per ton, urea $619/ton, 10-34-0 $739/ton and UAN28 $421/ton.

The remaining three fertilizers were slightly higher in price than a month ago. DAP had an average price of $829/ton, MAP $831/ton and UAN32 $514/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.67/lb.N, anhydrous $0.55/lb.N, UAN28 $0.75/lb.N and UAN32 $0.80/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 23% less expensive, potash is 29%, UAN32 are 30% lower, UAN28 is 34% less expensive, urea is 38% less expensive and urea is 41% lower compared to a year prior.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/19/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 19, ethanol production dipped 0.4% to 983,000 b/d, equivalent to 41.29 million gallons daily. The volume produced was 3.1% less than the same week last year but 1.4% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.4% to 978,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.99 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks plunged 5.0% to a 27-week low of 22.0 million barrels. Stocks were 7.0% less than a year ago yet 0.4% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4), including a 15.7% drawdown in the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) and a 55-week low in the West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, jumped 5.9% to a four-week high of 9.44 million b/d (144.67 bg annualized). Demand was 7.3% more than a year ago and 5.8% above the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 2.2% to 929,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.24 bg annualized and the largest volume since mid-August 2022. Net inputs were 1.5% more than the same week last year and 5.0% above the five-year average.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 24th consecutive week. The latest monthly export data for ethanol is as of March 2023, but weekly export data will start being included in next week’s EIA report.



As Summer Travel Season Kicks Off, UNL88 Offers Drivers a Way to Reduce Costs, Emissions

With drivers expected to hit the roads in near pre-pandemic numbers this Memorial Day weekend, Growth Energy—the nation’s largest biofuels trade association—urged travelers to fill up with Unleaded 88 (UNL88), a fuel blend with 15 percent ethanol, to save money at the pump and reduce their emissions over the holiday.

Memorial Day weekend travel is expected to increase to by around 7% over last year with nearly 90% of that travel taking place on the roads, according to AAA, signaling a strong start to summer travel season.

With travel on the rise, consumers looking to save money on fuel should look at UNL88, also known as E15. In total, UNL88 has the potential to save drivers more than a combined $12 million just this weekend. That means more money in consumers' pockets that they can spend on cookout supplies, fireworks, or maybe just a longer vacation.

Last summer, when the national average for a gallon of gas was more than $4, drivers were able to save 16-cents per gallon on average by using UNL88. UNL88 can also be used in 96 percent of vehicles on the road today and contributes to cleaner air, reducing smog-forming pollutants and lowering emissions of particulate matter up to 50 percent compared to gasoline.

“UNL88 makes it easy for drivers to save money at the pump and reduce their carbon emissions all in one step,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “As the summer travel season officially begins we hope all consumers take advantage of the cost savings and environmental benefits of filling up their cars and trucks with fuel that’s at least 15% ethanol.”

"Not many products exist in the fuel market today that allow drivers to both save money and lower their carbon emissions at the same time," said Jennifer Forbess, Fuel Supply and Trading Manager at Midwest fuel retailer Kwik Trip, Inc. "That's what makes UNL88 such a popular, high-value fuel, and we hope our customers take advantage of this more affordable, lower-carbon product as they hit the road this holiday weekend."

Travelers can plan their road-trip and locate gas stations selling E15 and other ethanol blends using Get Biofuel Fuel Finder. To date, Americans have driven approximately 75 billion miles on UNL 88. Since 2018 the number of miles has increased by an astounding 543%, according to Growth Energy calculations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently took an important step to allow continued sales of UNL88 (E15) throughout this summer and has proposed allowing year-round sales in eight Midwestern states beginning next year. Growth Energy and its member companies have urged the EPA to allow year-round sales of UNL88 to provide continued cost savings, increased energy independence, support for rural jobs, and immediate emissions reductions from automotive travel.



USDA, DHS Cut Ribbon on National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility

Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials celebrated the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) at Manhattan, Kansas. This facility, which offers the highest level of biocontainment laboratories and safety protocols, is the first of its kind in the United States and will allow scientists to study and diagnose critical animal diseases.

“America’s farmers, ranchers and consumers count on our researchers to understand, monitor for and develop solutions to combat a variety of high-consequence animal pathogens, and a facility of this magnitude positions us to respond,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This new, innovative facility will give USDA scientists access to cutting-edge, safe and secure technology so they can continue to lead the world in animal health research, training and diagnostics to protect our food supply, agricultural economy and public health.”

The valuable scientific information delivered by researchers at NBAF will also allow America to remain a leading contributor of countermeasures that will protect agriculture, economies and citizens across the globe.

NBAF will replace DHS’ Plum Island Animal Disease Center, which is a biosafety level-3 facility in New York that is more than 68 years old. Both departments have collaborated on the requirements for this next-generation science facility since 2006, and Manhattan, Kan. was selected as NBAF’s site in 2009. DHS led NBAF’s design and construction, and USDA will own and operate the facility.

“NBAF is a historic investment for agriculture and our Nation in ensuring the health, safety and security of the U.S. food supply,” said Under Secretary and USDA Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young. “As the first facility of its kind in the United States, the innovative and cutting-edge solutions our scientists and partners can produce here will lead efforts to protect public health and address new and emerging diseases for many years to come.”

“This new facility highlights USDA’s commitment to taking every step possible to protect the United States from transboundary, emerging, and zoonotic animal diseases,” said Under Secretary for USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Moffitt. “Through investments like these, we can ensure our country has the tools to keep the American people and our agricultural animals safe, and to prevent diseases costly to farmers.”

With more than 400 employees, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will share NBAF’s operational responsibilities. ARS will primarily focus on research to understand high-consequence and emerging animal diseases and develop countermeasures, such as vaccines and antivirals. APHIS will focus on prevention, surveillance, diagnosis and response to these diseases, including the expertise to manage two vaccine banks and train state and federal veterinarians to recognize livestock diseases.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the facility today highlighted the state and local community's support. City of Manhattan Mayor Mark Hatesohl, Kansas State University President Dr. Richard Linton, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, and former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts also addressed the crowd during the ceremony.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack provided closing remarks. Dr. Simon Liu, USDA ARS Administrator, also led a moderated conversation with Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary; Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics; and Julie Brewer, DHS S&T Executive Director of Innovation & Collaboration. Katie Zenk, Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, also participated in the program.

“NBAF’s Midwest location offers researchers and diagnosticians closer proximity to develop key partnerships with the animal health industry and several academic institutions,” said NBAF Director Dr. Alfonso Clavijo. “NBAF will create opportunities between scientists and animal health companies to enhance and expedite the transition of new veterinary countermeasures from research to market to protect the nation’s agriculture if needed.”

Adjacent to Kansas State University and on the Western edge of the largest concentration of animal health companies in the nation, the 48-acre NBAF campus includes more than 700,000 square feet of total building space. The main building, at 500,000 square feet, includes containment laboratories, animal holding facilities, office spaces, facility support areas and required safety systems — such as redundant high efficiency particulate air filter and waste decontamination systems.



$13.6 Million Grants Boost Technical Assistance for Farmers Adopting Cover Crops Through Farmers for Soil Health

Farmers adopting cover crops through Farmers for Soil Health can look forward to enhanced technical assistance. The recent $13.6 million grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation mark a significant step forward for farmers who plan to enroll in the program later this year. The grants, a key component of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $95 million Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities, will offer personal, on-the-ground technical support to farmers in 19 states.

Farmers for Soil Health is a collaboration between the National Corn Growers Association, National Pork Board and United Soybean Board with the goal to advance conservation practices to improve soil health across the U.S., including doubling cover crop acres in the U.S. to 30 million acres by 2030.

“U.S. farmers are dedicated to implementing sustainable practices that will not only feed and fuel a growing population but also protect our environment,” said Jack Cornell, director of sustainable supply for the United Soybean Board. “Adopting cover crops is one way farmers can continue to pursue best management practices. These grants provide technical assistance from crop advisors familiar with each state’s agronomic and production environment. The advisors will help farmers select cover crops that offer the most soil health benefits, minimize issues during planting and add value to their overall production efforts.”

Regionally based technical assistance is important as farmers work toward economic and long-term success. The grants ensure that the technical assistance providers are trusted partners that have established relationships with farmers.

"We are excited to offer this opportunity to our state partners and affiliated organizations,” said Nathan Fields, National Corn Growers Association vice president of production and sustainability. “We recognize that the success of Farmers for Soil Health will be determined by these partners who work tirelessly on the front lines and have already earned the trust and support of their local farming communities. It’s a privilege to provide them with the resources they need to carry out this important work.”

Grantees will also help farmers enroll in a digital platform facilitating the marketing of crops to end users interested in sustainably produced corn and soybeans.

For more information on Farmers for Soil Health and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants, visit farmersforsoilhealth.com or nfwf.org/programs/farmers-soil-health.



The National Wheat Foundation Partners with My Plate

The National Wheat Foundation is pleased to join the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion as a MyPlate National Strategic Partner. The partnership presents a wealth of resources and collaborative opportunities, aimed to enlighten individuals about the advantages of incorporating wheat into their dietary choices.

At its core, MyPlate is a scientifically grounded initiative, crafted to impart knowledge on the merits of wholesome eating and encourage adjustments in our dietary habits that can yield significant long-term benefits.

“We are looking forward to working with MyPlate as we help educate the benefits wheat can have in a person’s diet by empowering individuals to make informed dietary choices,” said Bernard Peterson, Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation and wheat farmer from Kentucky. “By teaching people about the benefits of incorporating wheat into their eating habits, we have the opportunity to positively impact their lives and foster a healthier future for everyone.”

To learn more about MyPlate, we invite you to explore MyPlate.gov or use the Start Simple app. We also encourage everyone to embark on their journey with the MyPlate Quiz, offering an engaging and informative way to begin this transformative eating endeavor.



Livestock Industry Leader Testifies Before House Natural Resources Committee

Today, Nevada Department of Agriculture Director J.J. Goicoechea, D.V.M., testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations regarding the Biden administration’s burdensome regulations on public lands, including the highly controversial proposed rule entitled “Conservation and Landscape Health” issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
 
“The proposed rule would give conservation – and these leases – the ability to prevent other users from accessing and using public lands if the use is ‘incompatible’ with the conservation lease. This is a power no other multiple use has,” Goicoechea testified. “Hikers, bikers, grazers, hunters, fishermen, energy development – including wind and solar – would all be at risk the way this rule is written. That means that the $29 billion derived from BLM lands each year in Nevada would also be at risk.”
 
Major concerns with the proposed rule include the BLM’s claims that the rule would not have a major economic effect, and the agency’s attempt to implement it without Congressional direction or oversight.
 
“[The Nevada Department of Agriculture] interprets this as BLM circumventing Congress’ ability to represent the best interests of their constituencies and denying other federal agencies the opportunity to ensure BLM is adequately considering the full breadth of stakeholder impacts,” Goicoechea testified.
 
Goicoechea, a regional policy vice chair for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and a board member for the Public Lands Council (PLC), also highlighted concerns with the utilization of the Antiquities Act to designate large national monuments. The last three presidents have each used the Antiquities Act to change the management of at least 1,507,751 aces in the State of Nevada alone, occurring without local consultation and creating challenges for agriculture and land management.
 
“Western ranchers and rural communities face a unique set of challenges that bureaucrats in Washington simply do not understand,” said PLC and NCBA Natural Resources Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “The BLM should hear the concerns voiced by Director Goicoechea and reverse course on their extremely overreaching proposed rule that clearly targets public lands ranchers.”
 
Prior to his current position, Goicoechea served as Nevada’s State Veterinarian. He is a past president of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and has also served on the board of the Nevada Association of Counties, chaired the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Council, and operated a veterinary practice for over 20 years. Goicoechea is a fourth generation cattle producer stewarding both his family’s private land and public lands managed by the BLM and U.S. Forest Service.



Meat Institute Partners with IT-ISAC to Improve Cybersecurity with New Food & Ag ISAC

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today announced a new partnership with the Information Technology-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC) on the launch of a Food and Agriculture ISAC to enhance cybersecurity for the meat and poultry industry.

“We are grateful for the leadership of several of our members who helped found the Food and Agriculture ISAC to better prepare the industry to fight against the increasing threat of cyber attacks on our nation’s critical food infrastructure,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “As a partner, the Meat Institute will support the Food and Ag ISAC and will promote its value among our membership. It is important to collaborate across all of agriculture because we all make significant contributions to each of production in the food value chain.”

An ISAC is a non-profit established by critical infrastructure owners and operators to foster information sharing and best practices about physical and cyber threats and mitigation. These member-lead organizations collaborate with each other, partners such as the Meat Institute, other sector ISACs, the Department of Homeland Security, academics and other stakeholders.

The Food and Ag-ISAC provides threat intelligence, analysis, and effective security practices that help food and agriculture companies detect attacks, respond to incidents, and share indicators so they can better protect themselves and manage risks to their companies and the sector.

Food and Agriculture industry companies may apply to join the Food and Ag-ISAC and those who are already members of the IT-ISAC can join the newly launched center for no additional cost. Founding Board members of the Food and Ag-ISAC are Bunge Limited, Inc., Cargill, Conagra Brands, Corteva Agriscience, Inc. PepsiCo, and Tyson Foods.



Grant Trains African Scientists to Improve Regionally Important Crops

Africa’s population is projected to quadruple this century, making food security a pressing need for the continent. While Africa is abundant with crops, African farmers need crop breeding tools and training to be self-sustainable and achieve nutritional security. To advance crop breeding and mobilize innovation for regional crops, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is awarding a $1 million grant to University of California, Davis (UC Davis) to create and deliver a CRISPR Course on gene editing through UC Davis’ African Plant Breeding Academy, an initiative of the African Orphan Crops Consortium (AOCC). The Course is training 80 African scientists to develop improved regional crop varieties with the characteristics required for successful crop production and nutrition. UC Davis, Bayer Crop Sciences and Syngenta Seeds are providing matching funds for a total $2 million investment.
 
“Africa is rich with local crops that have the potential to provide accessible, affordable nutritional security for millions,” said Dr. Saharah Moon Chapotin, FFAR executive director. “This research helps ensure food security by advancing the nutritional value and other desired traits in local crops, while also bolstering the scientific workforce across Africa. This project is a win-win for local communities across the continent.”
 
CRISPR, which enables targeted gene edits to promote desired traits in crops, is an efficient process that is democratizing crop breeding around the world. UC Davis, in partnership with Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI, UC Berkeley), CIFOR-World Agroforestry and the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), seeks to broaden the acceptance of the technology in Africa and expand its application to the continent’s regional crops. UC Davis has recruited 11 scientists from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Nigeria and Sudan to participate in an intensive five-year program that enhances knowledge and skills to fast-track development of new sources of vital traits in food crops using CRISPR technology. The first of five classes began in January 2023 and will graduate in October 2023.
 
The Course is led by Director of Capacity Development and Mobilization for the AOCC, Dr. Rita Mumm, with key instructors Dr. David Savage of IGI and Dr. Leena Tripathi of IITA. Through interactive classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory training delivered by world-class experts and practitioners, participants receive the knowledge and skills needed to successfully promote desired traits – such as disease resistance, stress tolerance, added nutrition and prolonged shelf life – in regionally relevant crops. The Course encourages participants to work with a crop aligned to their national and institutional priorities. Furthermore, the Course is also a “train the trainer” program, preparing participants to teach others with the goal of developing a community of practice across the continent.
 
Recruitment outreach is aimed at representing and providing benefits to as many African countries as possible and equal gender representation. Graduates of the program will receive up to $15,000 to enhance their current labs with equipment to jumpstart gene editing in their programs. They will also receive postgraduation mentorship for at least one year.
 
“CRISPR can be a powerful tool for improving regional crops and making them more resilient to diseases and a changing climate. Programs like this ensure that these new approaches can be accessed by plant breeders and farmers where they are needed most,” said Dr. Jennifer Doudna, 2020 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Professor at UC Berkeley and founder of IGI.
 
Other partners include the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD, UM6P Ventures, Morrison and Foerster, International Livestock Research Institute and Biosciences for Africa.  
 
Dr. Allen Van Deynze, director of the UC Davis Seed Biotechnology Center and Scientific Director for the AOCC, said, “This course directly complements our African Plant Breeding Academy that has trained now 153 African Plant Breeders. CRISPR graduates are connected to these plant breeders from National Agricultural Research System programs (NARS) to create an international community of practice on plant breeding that amplifies their impact.”  
 
Building a network of scientists skilled in CRISPR editing will help position Africa as a key contributor on the global stage in this frontier of crop development. In turn, U.S. scientists, plant breeders, growers and consumers will benefit from access to improved germplasm, new trait sources and enhanced technologies for a diverse set of crops to broaden American diets.