Thursday July 27 Ag News

 Ricketts: Renewable Fuels the “Here and Now Solution” for Freight Rail, Not Electrification

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) highlighted the efforts of railroads to reduce emissions while supporting the economy. Ricketts emphasized the important role biofuels play in reducing emissions while utilizing existing infrastructure.

“In some cases, renewable diesel and biodiesel can reduce carbon emissions by 25%,” Ricketts said. “Utilizing more renewable diesel and biodiesel is a win-win scenario. Renewable diesel and biodiesel are produced from agricultural by-products… Creating value through by-products sustains value for farmers across the country, decreases emissions, and supports renewable refining jobs across rural America. Renewable fuels are the here and now solution to maintain rail efficiency, while decreasing emissions.

Amid ongoing efforts to push toward the electrification of our entire rail system, Ricketts also called attention to the concerns and high cost of this federal regulation-driven approach.

“The deployment of unique locomotive technology (such as all-electric trains) would creative captive fleets that serve small geographic regions, harming the efficiency of railroad operations and disrupting entire supply chains,” Ricketts continued. “State and federal regulations cannot put the cart in front of the horse when it comes to reliability and safety.”

Ricketts also specifically highlighted the work Nebraska’s railroads are doing to innovate.

“I am supportive of, and excited for, the industry to lead innovation in this space,” said Senator Ricketts. “North Platte, Nebraska is home to Bailey Yard, the world’s largest classification yard. The Bailey Yard is responsible for sorting and building trains, covering 2,850 acres and including more than 300 track miles. The Bailey Yard will actually be home to four Battery Electric Locomotives in the coming years, where the feasibility, safety, and reliability will be put to the test through Nebraska’s hot summers and cold winters. This kind of industry-led innovation will ensure that our rail industry can make decisions that best support their workers, customers, and the supply chain, as well as the whole.”

Ricketts’ comments came during a Committee on Environment and Public Works Hearing entitled “Cleaner Trains: Opportunities for Reducing Emissions from America’s Rail Network.”

In Nebraska, 34.5 million tons of freight originated by rail in 2021 alone. The rail industry employs over 8,000 Nebraskans. On one gallon of fuel, a train can move one ton of freight nearly 500 miles, on average. Rail only accounts for 1.7% of emissions across the entire transportation sector. U.S. Railroads are also working with locomotive manufacturers and refiners to test higher percentage blends of low-carbon fuels, including biodiesel and renewable diesel, which could result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions.



Fischer Leads Bill to Address “Last Acre” Connectivity, Expand Broadband Access Across Farmland and Ranchland

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture and Commerce Committees, this week introduced the Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act. This legislation would create a new Last Acre Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development aiming to expand network connectivity across farmland and ranchland. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) co-led the introduction of the legislation.

Existing Rural Development programs support “last mile” broadband deployment, which connects broadband networks to rural households or businesses. USDA lacks a program focused on extending connectivity across rural acreage, reaching the “last acre.” This last acre connectivity is critical for farmers and ranchers looking to use precision agriculture technologies in their operations.

“It’s time for us to connect the last mile to the last acre. Producers looking to adopt precision agriculture technologies need network connectivity that extends far past their residences. They need to be able to make real-time decisions that increase yields and employ resources more efficiently. Our LAST ACRE Act will ensure that USDA has the strategy and resources needed to support last acre connectivity,” said Senator Fischer.

The LAST ACRE Act would establish the Last Acre Program at USDA to expand high-speed broadband internet access. This access would support ubiquitous last acre coverage across eligible agricultural land, including farmland, ranchland, and farm sites.

The bill would also direct USDA to update the Census of Agriculture to include questions that would discover insights into producers’ adoption of broadband internet access services. These updates would provide USDA with additional information about service speed and broadband usage purposes, including its use for precision agriculture technologies.

National Stakeholder Support:
“Equipment manufacturers are proud to provide American farmers and ranchers with innovative tools that will keep our agriculture sector competitive for generations to come. Farmers and ranchers cannot take advantage of the benefits of technology such as precision agriculture without reliable and affordable connectivity. We applaud Senators Fischer and Lujan for championing legislation that ensures all aspects of rural America are connected, from the hospital to the school and from the farmhouse to the field,” said Kip Eideberg, Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

“This bill will play a critical role in securing America’s rural communities and ensuring America‘s continued leadership in agriculture. Thank you to Senator Fischer and Senator Luján for their dedication and deliberate action for America’s farmers, ranchers, and the communities they support,” said Julie Bushell, CEO of Ethos Connected, LLC.

“We thank Senators Fischer and Lujan for their leadership in ensuring America’s dairy farmers have meaningful access to high-speed broadband and wireless network technology. The LAST ACRE Act harnesses USDA’s efforts to expand high-speed broadband in rural communities and the recommendations developed by the Precision Ag Connectivity Task Force to provide farmers and ranchers with the connectivity and infrastructure that will help their hard work and innovation continue to drive agricultural production and advancement,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

“Competitive Carriers Association commends Senators Fischer and Luján on the bipartisan introduction of the ‘Last Acre Connection Act of 2023.’ This bill recognizes the critical role wireless connectivity plays in rural America and provides opportunities to expand and augment those networks. The precision agriculture applications increasingly relied on in rural farmland, ranches, forests, and other areas require enhanced mobile and wireless connectivity. The Last Acre Connection Act of 2023 can help federal USDA support programs provide the ubiquitous wireless connectivity our country’s agriculture community’s diverse needs demand. I thank Senators Fischer and Luján for their unwavering commitment to fully connecting rural communities,” said Tim Donovan, President and CEO of the Competitive Carriers Association.

The full list of bill endorsements includes: The American Farm Bureau, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Competitive Carriers Association, Ethos Connected, Farmers Union, John Deere, National Corn Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Milk Producers Federation, and the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association.



NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Cardinal Inn Hotel (2588 State HWY 14) in Albion, Nebraska.

The Board will conduct regular board business. The meeting is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for public discussion. A copy of the agenda is available by writing to the Nebraska Corn Board, 245 Fallbrook Blvd. Suite 204, Lincoln, NE 68521, sending an email to renee.tichota@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2676.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of ½-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities.



NCGA Interns Reflect on Summer Experiences

Every summer, Nebraska Corn Growers Association/Nebraska Corn Board sponsors two interns to work at the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) offices in Washington, D.C. and St. Louis. This year, the two interns selected were Lexi Bodlak and Hannah Roebke. With just two weeks left before their internships end, and on this National Intern Day, they share reflections on their time with NCGA.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to jump start my career in agricultural policy in the private sector with the National Corn Growers Association. Nebraska Corn Board staff saw something in me that I’m still not sure I see in myself, but I’m working on finding it. As I embrace the grey areas and major question marks with my next internship, I will tell my own story with just as much confidence as I do the agriculturists and professionals that I was fortunate enough to meet this summer,” said Bodlak.  “I know you must be at least 25 years old to be a member of Congress, so that percentage of government officials with an agricultural background might stay the same for a few more years, but not for long. Rest assured, there is a whole generation of agricultural leaders like myself that are ready to make a difference in the lives of farmers and the rest of the country by putting pen to paper.”

Lexi and Hannah had the opportunity to work together during the summer, even though in different offices. The first was at the third annual Women and Mentor’s Retreat. Both interns also got to work together while attending Corn Congress in Washington, D.C. They both sat in on the Membership and Consumer Engagement Action Team (MCEAT) meeting and took over the Nebraska Corn social media pages for a couple days. Lobbying Nebraska congressmen on Capitol Hill as well as enjoying dinner with other Nebraska Corn members and staff were memorable highlights of the event.

“It was fun to connect with Lexi again and hear about her summer in D.C. while also expanding my leadership skills and connecting with other women in ag,” said Roebke. On one of the nights, Hannah and Lexi went to the Fall Out Boy Concert in St. Louis. It was a great opportunity to hang out and connect on a more personal level.

“When I applied for an internship with Nebraska Corn and NCGA last Fall, I honestly just wanted to give communications for a company a try. My previous internships have been at news stations working in broadcast news as well as with Husker athletics working with content creation and livestream video work, so I wanted to try corporate communications and see what that realm was like,” said Roebke. "Now as my time comes to an end, I can say that I am glad I gave corporate communications a chance. This past summer has been an amazing experience and has taught me so much. It has been nice to get exposure to social media content creation and management, farm video shoots, Corn Congress, and everything in between. I am thankful that I got to work with such a passionate group of people and continue to share the story of agriculture with consumers.”

Overall, this summer has been a great opportunity for both college students. Hannah and Lexi plan to stay in contact throughout the year and continue to advocate for agriculture. They thank Nebraska Corn and NCGA for this opportunity.



Second Round of SHIC Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Projects Funded

The Swine Health Information Center’s Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Research Program, funded in collaboration with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff, has selected five additional projects for funding after review of round two proposal submissions. This brings the total number of projects awarded by the program to 15 for addressing a significant biosecurity gap in US swine production. Institutions receiving awards in the second round are Lowe Consulting, Pipestone Research, Texas Tech University, University of Missouri, and University of Montreal. Real-time results of all projects will be shared as quickly as they become available.

The Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program reflects SHIC’s responsiveness to an identified swine health vulnerability and collaborative efforts to stretch SHIC’s producer Checkoff funds to safeguard the health of the US swine herd. Proactively enhancing wean-to-harvest biosecurity will help control the next emerging disease in the US pork industry, part of SHIC’s mission.

The updated research priorities in the second round of proposal solicitation focused on site and transportation biosecurity in five targeted areas: 1) personnel biocontainment and bioexclusion, 2) mortality management, 3) truck wash efficiency, 4) alternatives to fixed truck wash, and 5) packing plant biocontainment. “These key areas were identified as research priorities in which new tools and technologies were needed to develop a comprehensive biosecurity approach for the pork industry,” remarked SHIC Associate Director Dr. Megan Niederwerder. Proposals underwent a competitive review process by a task force of industry stakeholders with funding recommendations approved by the SHIC Board of Directors, FFAR, and Pork Checkoff during their June 30, 2023, meeting.

“Each of the awarded research projects take a unique and novel approach to enhancing personnel or transport biosecurity. Investigations will determine the efficacy of new tools or validate novel technologies to reduce the risk of disease spread through these routes,” Dr. Niederwerder explained. “For example, they will look at updating protocols, such as the entry bench, and addressing farms’ labor challenges by reducing the number of individuals entering barns. Projects were reviewed for their value to pork producers and their ability to provide cost-effective biosecurity solutions on the farm.”

Titles of round two Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program projects awarded are:
    Self-vaccinating pigs to save labor, improve efficacy and enhance biosecurity: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, influenza A virus, ileitis, and erysipelas evaluations
    Determining the economical and epidemiological benefit of cleaning and disinfecting market haul trailers within the US swine industry
    Comparison of a rail-mounted automated power washer to a commercial manual power washing crew in terms of cleanliness, manpower, and water usage efficiency
    Development of an effective and practical biosecurity entrance system
    Using sensors and psychological profile to increase compliance of wean to market barn biosecurity

SHIC, FFAR, and Pork Checkoff launched the two-year Wean-to-Harvest Biosecurity Program in the fall of 2022. The first call for research proposals was announced in October 2022 with the goal of investigating cost-effective, innovative technologies, protocols, or ideas to enhance biosecurity during the wean-to-harvest phases of swine production. Round one projects launched in March 2023. Round two proposals were due in late April 2023 and are expected to begin in July-August 2023. A pool of approximately $2.3 million is available for the program, with approximately $1 million being awarded to the first round of projects.



STINE SEED COMPANY TO EXPAND ITS RETAIL BRAND INTO CANADA

U.S.-based Stine Seed Company is pleased to announce its expansion into Canada. Initially launching in Ontario, the following retail businesses -- all of which are affiliated with The Agromart Group -- will sell Stine soybean seed: Alliance Agri-Turf, Harvex Agromart, Lakeside Grain & Feed, Scotland Agromart, Southwest Agromart and Sprucedale Agromart.

Headquartered in Adel, Iowa, Stine, the retail arm of Stine Seed Farm Inc., is one of the industry's largest corn and soybean breeding and development companies, selling high-performance corn and soybean seed throughout the U.S. The company is a well-known leader in soybean genetics.

"As we celebrate our brand's 45th anniversary, Stine continues to expand its presence beyond the U.S. and is now truly a global brand," says Myron Stine, company president. "We're thrilled to begin offering our exceptional seed products to Canadian growers, and we look forward to working alongside these Canadian retail businesses."

"This opportunity will allow us to deliver first-class soybean genetics from the industry's premier soybean brand -- STINE," says David Moore of Alliance Agri-Turf. Stine is a family-owned and independently operated company with management and business practices closely aligned with these Canadian retail businesses, which will work well together to make sound and timely decisions that will benefit customers.

"This group of Canadian retailer businesses will offer another option for growers in their quest for high yields and will be good stewards of our brand" says Stine.

45 years of innovation and growth
For 45 years, Stine has been providing corn and soybean growers with the best genetics available in the industry. Being one of the largest independent seed companies in the industry means Stine has both ample resources and the flexibility to make timely decisions that ensure its research, products and programs are leading edge.

While headquartered in the heart of the Midwest, Stine has grown to now have a global footprint. The company has a presence in 14 different countries around the world, with a goal to expand its international reach in the future.



Structure, Management Practices, and Production Costs of U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Farms
USDA Economic Research Service

The cow-calf segment of the U.S. beef industry is diverse in farm size, structure, and location, with farms located in every State and ranging from very small to very large. Modest structural change has occurred in this segment over the past two decades, resulting in moderately fewer farms that produce more animals and are more specialized in cow-calf production.

A new report issued today by USDA’s Economic Research Service, Structure, Management Practices, and Production Costs of U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Farms, examines how cow-calf farms compare in terms of adopting advanced technologies, management practices, and production systems.

Here are a few key findings from the report:
    Cow-calf production is unique among major U.S. agricultural segments in that it is suitable for a wide variety of climates and land types and can be adapted to relatively small-scale farms.
    Though cow-calf farms are becoming more specialized, the adoption of most advanced technologies, management practices, and production systems has been relatively slow or stagnant.
    Regional differences in cow-calf production are notable. For example, larger scale operations tended to be greater adopters of advanced technologies, management practices, and production systems, which are largely located in the North Central and West regions.

For more information, please refer to the full report https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=107012.



NCBA Member Testifies in Support of Black Vulture Relief Act

Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association member and Missouri cattle producer Charlie Besher testified before the House Natural Resources Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in support of the Black Vulture Relief Act. Besher, the chairman of NCBA’s Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee, shared how predatory black vultures take a toll on cattle producers’ livestock and livelihoods.

“Black vultures play a role in the ecosystem, and cattle producers have no desire to eradicate the species, but to continue managing them under such a restrictive system is ludicrous. The species is abundant across the continent, and no longer a conservation concern. These birds are extremely vicious predators and their attacks on cattle are devastating, both emotionally and financially,” said Besher. “As a cow-calf producer who has invested for years in voluntary conservation in Missouri, I’m proud to testify in support of the commonsense Black Vulture Relief Act. On behalf of NCBA and the thousands of producers who are losing cattle each year to black vultures, I urge Congress to pass this legislation to give farmers and ranchers more tools to protect their livestock.”
 
After 50 years of federal protections, black vultures now number 190 million strong and are an abundant species across the country. Even though a growing number of producers lose calves each year to black vulture depredation, the current framework for lethal take is overly restrictive and burdensome.

Introduced by Rep. John Rose (R-TN) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), the Black Vulture Relief Act is bipartisan legislation that would allow cattle producers to take vultures without a permit, when there is an immediate need to protect their livestock from injury or death. Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues black vulture depredation permits to states and states issue sub-permits to producers, but these permits only allow for take of three individual animals per year. Given that black vultures can attack multiple times a month in flocks as large as 50, the current permits are completely insufficient to address the problem. Black vulture numbers are also on the rise, and they attack cattle in a particularly vicious way, usually targeting calves hours or even minutes after birth.

The Black Vulture Relief Act is also supported by numerous NCBA state affiliates.



Economic Update Analyzes Pork Industry Issues and Dynamics
 
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) released its third quarter pork industry economic update to provide a snapshot of top pork industry issues, current trends, and marketing conditions impacting U.S. pig farmers.

Key takeaways from the Q3 update include:
    California Proposition 12 creates significant challenges and market uncertainty for pig farmers across the country and has far-reaching implications beyond the pork industry.
    Persistently high production costs continue to be a major challenge to pig farmers’ profitability. Average cost and breakeven levels are 9% higher than one year ago and have increased 60% over three years.
    So far this year, negotiated hog and pork cutout values, on average, have been about 20% below the same week last year. Prices have gained seasonal momentum over the past three months but remain below year-ago levels.
    Hog slaughter and pork production increased an estimated 1.2% and 0.3% respectively through mid-July 2023. USDA is now projecting a 1.4% increase in pork production this year, while domestic pork availability is expected to drop 2.5% to 49.8 pounds per capita for 2023.
    Inflation has cooled to 3.1%, though the prices of many consumer necessities like food and housing continue to increase more rapidly than the pre-pandemic average. Inflation, rising interest rates, and other macro-level factors may continue to strain consumer purchasing power, which impacts demand for meat and pork.

“The U.S. pork industry is incredibly important not only to agriculture but to the entire U.S. economy,” said Scott Hays, NPPC president and pork producer from Missouri. “As producers face an unprecedented economic environment caused by dynamic market conditions and exacerbated further by California Proposition 12, our industry is incredibly resilient as demonstrated by generations of farm families who continue to take pride in producing affordable, nutritious protein for consumers.”



Persistently High Retail Prices, Soft Demand Cloud Outlook for U.S. Pork Producers

U.S. pork producers are facing an increasingly challenging economic environment that is likely to persist through the remainder of 2023. The combination of elevated operating costs and depressed hog values are evaporating producer returns and limiting overall industry growth. While hog prices have risen this summer, they have not kept pace with skyrocketing costs for feed, labor, construction and other expenses, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.

Soft domestic demand for pork and a murky outlook for U.S. pork exports are compounding the market challenges. Persistently high retail pork prices and a decline in food-at-home spending in the U.S. are limiting domestic consumption growth. Globally, demand for U.S. pork has come under pressure as China’s hog supplies have rebounded from the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). The totality of adverse market conditions, which include higher borrowing costs, will limit U.S. herd expansion and tighten hog supplies.

“Ultimately, these challenges all fall on the shoulders of pork producers,” said Brian Earnest, lead animal protein economist for CoBank. “In addition to pressuring hog and pork supplies, the current market conditions are derailing hog producers’ expansion plans. And even if the cost structure warranted additional production, demand is a part of the puzzle that needs addressing.”

Per capita U.S. pork consumption has remained essentially flat since 1990 and averaged 50 pounds annually over the last decade. In the meantime, chicken consumption nearly doubled from 57 pounds in 1987 to 102 pounds. in 2022. Roughly two-thirds of domestic pork winds up in processed items like bacon, sausage or hams, which have performed relatively well in recent years. However, key meat case items like pork loins are struggling to gain the same attraction that boneless skinless breast meat or ground beef enjoy.

Outside of bacon, pizza toppings and breakfast-type items, pork is usually consumed at home. And pork thrived during the pandemic-era lockdowns of 2020-2021, when food options were either take-out or at home cooking. But as food service has fully reopened in 2022-2023, moving retail case pork items has become more challenging.

Exports have long played a key role in the U.S. pork industry. Approximately 25% of U.S. pork goes to export markets, the most of any of the U.S. processed animal proteins. When ASF decimated China’s domestic hog herd in 2018, annual U.S. pork exports to China tripled in 2019, and then doubled the following year. Since then, China’s need for U.S. pork imports have rapidly declined as its domestic herd rebounded.

Fortunately, Mexico has been a bright spot for U.S. pork. Exports to Mexico eclipsed 2.3 billion pounds in 2022, a record high for any single destination that accounted for about 37% of all U.S. pork exports. And today’s export volume to Mexico represents a 45% jump from 2016 levels. Nonetheless, uncertainty surrounding China, the world’s largest pork importer, and concerns about deteriorating global economic conditions cloud the outlook for U.S. exports.

“Some of the challenges facing pork producers will linger for the foreseeable future,” said Earnest. “But longer term, if retail pork prices begin to return to a normal level it should help domestic demand recover. Also, the popularity of backyard barbecuing has encouraged consumption of some cuts of pork that have historically struggled, which has been helpful in an otherwise difficult situation.”



USGC Summer Meeting Continues with Focus On Grain And Ethanol Outlooks And Shipping Logistics Updates

The U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC’s) 63rd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Calgary, Canada, continued today with discussions around shipping and grain reports, as well as closing remarks from Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand.

The first general session of the day began with USGC Vice President Brent Boydston acknowledging the close trading relationship between the U.S. and Canada.

“As a member of the United States - Mexico – Canada agreement, Canada is our third-ranked partner for grains in all forms for the 2021-2022 marketing year," said Boydston.

"It’s our top trading partner for ethanol, our second-highest market for barley and our fourth-highest market for both corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles, so we are very pleased to be here and learn more about the opportunities Canada offers.”

Attendees got an outlook on Canadian feed grains by USGC Canadian Consultant Tom Dowler, followed by updates on the current state of ocean freight by Jay O’Neil of HJ O’Neil Commodity Consulting.

Elizabeth Hucker, assistant vice president of sales and marketing at Canadian Pacific Kansas City, wrapped up the morning’s programming with information on the logistical and environmental benefits of the company’s rail network that runs from Canada to Mexico.

The afternoon’s general session began with analysis of upcoming soy crush capacities from Peter Meyer, crops and advanced feedstocks economist at S&P Global Insights.

Council Secretary-Treasurer Verity Ulibarri, who lead the session, introduced a panel covering the Council’s global strategy for ethanol market growth featuring LeGrand, Council Vice President Cary Sifferath and Council Director of Global Ethanol Export Development Mackenzie Boubin.

LeGrand took to the podium afterwards to share the state of the Council’s operations in his closing address.

“Despite facing a number of challenges in markets like Mexico and Colombia, there is a lot to be excited about for U.S. grains in all forms,” LeGrand said. “You can rest assured our staff is working day in and day out to make this another profitable year for U.S. agriculture exports.”

The meeting concludes tomorrow with attendees participating in the Board of Delegates meeting where they will elect USGC officers and Advisory Team (A-Team) and sector leaders will offer their recommendations and reports regarding the future direction of the Council.

More from the meeting is available on social media using the hashtag #Grains23 or through the website www.grains.org/event/calgary/.



New Campaign Exposes ASPCA and Humane Society For Hoarding Money in the Caribbean

The Center for the Environment and Welfare (CEW) this month kicked off  a new paid media campaign to expose the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for stashing millions of dollars in the Caribbean.

Most recently published tax returns show that the groups have a combined $70 million in offshore accounts.

The campaign to expose these “Charity Pirates” and their offshore bank accounts is the latest in CEW’s ongoing effort to educate donors and the public. Key elements of the campaign include a national television ad airing on stations across the country, paid digital ads on Twitter and Facebook, and the website CharityPirates.com.

New TV ad exposes HSUS and ASPCA’s offshore accounts
The site reveals disturbing facts about ASPCA and HSUS, including:
    The Humane Society of the United States is unaffiliated with local humane societies and does not run a single pet shelter.
    The ASPCA is unaffiliated with local SPCAs.
    Both groups give only 1-2% of the money they raise to local shelters.
    ASPCA CEO Matt Bershadker makes nearly $1 million per year.
    HSUS CEO Kitty Block makes nearly $500,000 per year.
    Polling reflects donor confusion around how ASPCA operates - 81% of people mistakenly think that the ASPCA is an umbrella organization for local SPCAs; 77% mistakenly believe that ASPCA contributes most of its money to local organizations that care for pets.

The effort to hold the ASPCA accountable has quickly gained public support. A Change.org petition, “Tell the ASPCA to Stop Hoarding Money Instead of Helping Local Shelters” has garnered over 80k signatures. The petition has become one of the platform’s top-performing petitions in less than two months, trending on the site and earning a homepage feature.

CEW’s petition gained over eighty thousand signatures in less than two months

CEW Executive Director Jack Hubbard had this to say about the effort:
    “Every year, thousands of well-intentioned Americans donate to groups like the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States, believing that their donations are going directly to local shelters. In reality, these donations are supporting sky-high CEO salaries with only 1-2 percent being distributed to local shelters. The millions being housed offshore raises serious questions and donors deserve answers.

We are calling on both groups to explain their “investments” and immediately distribute their massive offshore holdings to local shelters that are on the front lines of rescuing animals and preventing euthanasia. It is unethical for charities to hoard millions of donor dollars when one million cats and dogs are being euthanized each year.”

BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year, CEW launched the first phase of a sustained effort to expose the duplicity of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). As part of this effort, CEW released a bombshell report that details the disturbing truth about the ASPCA. CEW encourages donors to support local shelters and rescues.



ADM Reports Second Quarter Earnings per Share of $1.70, $1.89 on an Adjusted Basis

ADM this week reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

“Through our second quarter results, ADM has once again shown that the diversity of our business portfolio and our integrated value chain have enabled our team to consistently deliver excellent results, even in very dynamic market conditions. Our pursuit of trend-based innovation and our relentless focus on driving efficiencies across the enterprise continue to create value for our customers and shareholders,” said Chairman and CEO Juan Luciano.

“Ag Services & Oilseeds leveraged recent investments in infrastructure and operations to achieve record origination volumes in Brazil, while Carbohydrate Solutions delivered excellent results across global starches and sweeteners. Nutrition achieved strong results in Flavors and drove continued expansion of the customer base and opportunity pipeline, while actively addressing softer demand within other parts of the segment. We continued to make progress advancing our strategic initiatives connected to decarbonization, which are helping us build additional earnings power and growth for ADM. Based on our strong first-half results, increased confidence in second-half performance, and our team’s demonstrated ability to execute, we are raising our earnings expectations for full-year 2023.”

Quarterly Results of Operations

Ag Services & Oilseeds results were strong, but slightly lower than the second quarter of 2022.
    Ag Services results were in-line with the strong second quarter of 2022. South American origination results were higher year-over-year, as the team delivered record volumes and higher margins on strong export demand, leveraging our strategic investments in port capacity to capitalize on the record Brazilian soybean crop. Results for North America origination were slightly lower year-over-year, driven by lower export volumes due to large South America supplies. Our execution in Destination Marketing as well as effective risk management continued to deliver strong Global Trade results, though lower than last year’s record quarter.

    Crushing results were much lower than the record result from the second quarter last year. Global soy crush margins remained strong, but were lower year-over-year in all regions due to softer demand for both meal and oil and a tight US soybean carryout. This was partially offset by strong softseed margins and higher volumes, supported by a strong Canadian canola crop and use of our flex capacity in EMEA. Additionally, there were approximately $195 million of negative mark-to-market timing effects in the current quarter that are expected to reverse as contracts execute in future periods.

    Refined Products and Other results were significantly higher than the prior-year period, achieving a record second quarter. North America results were higher, driven by strong food oil demand and improved biodiesel volumes. In EMEA, strong export demand for biodiesel and domestic food oil demand supported stronger margins. Additionally, there were approximately $90 million of positive mark-to-market timing effects in the current quarter that are expected to reverse as contracts execute in future periods.

    Equity earnings from Wilmar were lower versus the second quarter of 2022.

Carbohydrate Solutions delivered strong results in Q2, but lower than the record second quarter of last year.
    The Starches and Sweeteners subsegment, including ethanol production from our wet mills, capitalized on a solid demand environment during the quarter. North America starches and sweeteners delivered volumes and margins similar to the prior year, and ethanol margins were solid as industry stocks moderated, though lower relative to the prior year. Q2 results were negatively impacted due to unplanned downtime at one of our corn germ plants. In EMEA, the team effectively managed margins to deliver improved results. The global wheat milling business posted higher margins, supported by steady customer demand.

    Vantage Corn Processors results were lower due to lower year-over-year ethanol margins. The prior year period also included a one-time $50 million benefit from the USDA Biofuel Producer Recovery Program.

Nutrition results were significantly lower year-over-year versus the record prior-year quarter.
    Human Nutrition results were in-line with the second quarter of 2022, as the team effectively managed a challenging demand environment. Flavors results were significantly higher than the prior year due to improved mix and pricing in EMEA and improving demand in North America. Specialty Ingredients results were lower year-over-year due to softer demand for plant-based proteins, particularly in the meat alternatives category in North America and Europe, partially offset by strong performance in texturants. Health & Wellness results were similar versus the prior year as lower demand for fibers offset lower SG&A costs.

    Animal Nutrition results were much lower compared to the same quarter last year due to significantly lower contribution from amino acids, pockets of softer global feed demand affecting volumes, and continued demand fulfillment challenges and inventory losses in Pet Solutions.

Other Business results were significantly higher than the prior-year quarter due to improved ADM Investor Services earnings on higher net interest income. Captive insurance results improved on premiums from new programs partially offset by increased claim settlements.