Thursday September 14 Ag News

Pillen Concludes Successful Trade Mission to South Korea and Japan

Governor Jim Pillen and delegation members concluded their successful trade mission to East Asia. During the 10-day journey to South Korea and Japan, the Nebraska delegation engaged in high-level meetings with government officials, key customers of Nebraska agriculture products, leaders of manufacturing companies and investors into Nebraska’s clean energy sector.

“Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers feed the world. Japan and South Korea are two of our largest, most dependable customers,” said Gov. Pillen. “During our trip, we were able to reinforce the unmatched sustainability and quality of Nebraska’s ag products. We built relationships that will open doors to new opportunities for Nebraska agriculture. We also strengthened ties with key international investors into our state’s growing clean energy industry.”

The delegation, led by Gov. Pillen, included Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), representatives from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), state commodity organizations, ag businesses, and energy companies.

On Tuesday, group members met with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Tokyo. They thanked Mitsubishi for investing in Monolith Materials (based in Hallam, Nebraska) to support the development of technologies to produce clean hydrogen. Leaders from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) provided an update on the work of the Mid-Continent Hydrogen Hub (MCH2). Nebraska established the MCH2 with Iowa and Missouri to encourage the production of renewable hydrogen and other clean biofuels in the Heartland.

“Just as Nebraska is a leader in ethanol production, we have an opportunity to develop and utilize clean hydrogen, hydrogen-enhanced fuels and ammonia to further diversify our ag sector and provide additional food security. Getting the chance to highlight this at the international level can help spur more growth and support in that sector,” noted NPPD Vice President of Customer Services and External Affairs Courtney Dentlinger. “Working collaboratively with our wholesale power partners and customers is a strength of public power, and we were able to showcase the successes of those collaborative efforts during this visit.”

Prior to their departure, Nebraska’s delegates attended the closing ceremonies of the 2023 Midwest U.S.-Japan Association (MWJA) conference. The MWJA gathering is held annually, rotating between Japan and the United States. The event includes governors from Japan as well as those from the Midwest. Gov. Pillen delivered a keynote address, noting mutual trade and educational ties with Japan. He also mentioned how Nebraska remains a leader in utilizing sustainable ag practices, to provide high-quality food products.

“They have more people than land mass, so they rely on our imports to help feed their families and provide feed for the livestock they raise,” added Gov. Pillen. “Nebraska ag has an incredible impact here. We are helping to provide food and goods they rely on day to day in a secure and sustainable way.”

“In Nebraska, we know that we are an ag state, but it is important to continue to promote our brand,” said Sherry Vinton, NDA director. “We need to reinforce to outside markets that our products are safer and higher quality.”

John Krohn, a board member with the Nebraska Corn Board said he quickly came to recognize how important it was for trade partners to meet with members of the Nebraska team.

“It is an essential part of their culture – to put a name to a face. Relationship-building has been a valuable aspect of this trip,” said Krohn. “Our trade partners in Japan view our products as having superior quality, and so hopefully, this will deepen their desire to seek out even more products in the future.”

During the trip, group members met with top leaders from Kawasaki, which next year, will be celebrating 50 years of manufacturing in Lincoln. The company employs around 2,400 people in and around the Capitol City.

“The business community of Lincoln is so excited to celebrate half a century of partnership and shared success with Kawasaki in Lincoln,” said Jason Ball, president and CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber and the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development join the Governor in thanking Kawasaki for their continued investments in Lincoln, and we look forward to the next 50 years of collaboration.”

The trade mission to East Asia is Governor Pillen’s second overseas trip to promote Nebraska. He led a team to Vietnam in July to market Nebraska’s food products to potential customers in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.    



Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund Grant Application Deadline Nears

The Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund (DGSHF) knows that the creativity and ideas of farmers, ranchers, teachers and students can often exceed the budget available for special projects. DGSHF is now accepting applications for grant funding to further charitable causes and organizations that are promoting education and educational practices related to soil health and regenerative agriculture, including but not limited to no-till farming, water conservation, tree conservation and planting cover crops.

Established as an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation, DGSHF raises funds to award grants twice per year that support education and programming for youth, current and future farmers, ranchers and others directly involved in agriculture in Nebraska and surrounding states.

A volunteer fund advisory committee that determines grant awardees prioritizes projects supporting current and future growers (adults or youth) in adopting practices that address water quality and soil health, such as cover crops, reduced tillage, complex crop rotations and nutrient management to reduce soil erosion, nutrient run-off and greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, the Battle Creek High School FFA chapter received $1,500 in October 2022 that they used to purchase a state-of-the-art, environmentally controlled grow room that was utilized for cover crop experiments. The group won a state FFA contest and qualified as a top 10 finalist for the 2023 National FFA Convention Agriscience Fair.

Ag teachers, agriscience innovators, educators, current and future farmers and ranchers are urged to apply for a DGSHF grant. Applications are being accepted now with a deadline of Oct. 1, 2023, for an award of up to $1,500. The application is a quick and simple one-page online form available at https://go.unl.edu/dggrant.

Questions may be directed to Randy Pryor, UNL Emeritus Extension Educator and Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund Advisory Chair at randy.pryor@unl.edu.



Nebraskans Profile Beef on MasterChef Indonesia

The Nebraska Beef Council, in collaboration with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, embarked on an exciting venture to promote beef on a global stage. Dr. Chris Calkins, Professor Emeritus of Meat Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, along with Nebraska ranchers Audra Allen and Matt Allen from Arthur, Nebraska, recently appeared on an episode of MasterChef-Indonesia, showcasing the high-quality beef produced in the Cornhusker State.

The idea for this culinary adventure sprung from a collaborative effort involving key players such as Jon Kerrigan from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Corn Board, and The Fort of Lincoln, with strong support from the Nebraska Beef Council. This initiative aimed to showcase Nebraska's premium beef to a vast audience in Indonesia, the fourth most populous nation in the world, renowned for its hospitality, tourism, and restaurant industry.

Indonesia's growing gross domestic product and culinary scene provide an ideal market for top-tier beef. Nebraska's ranchers and meat scientist Dr. Chris Calkins were eager to convey the message of exceptional beef quality to Indonesian chefs, producers, and importers. With the team from Nebraska on board, MasterChef-Indonesia, a show with a history of garnering 20 million views on social media, became the perfect platform for this promotional endeavor.

The impact of this trip is expected to be substantial, as it introduced Indonesian audiences to the distinct taste and quality of beef. As Dr. Calkins and the Allens extolled the virtues of Nebraska's beef production methods and the state's commitment to delivering top-notch beef, the potential for growth in beef exports to Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian market appears promising.

Jon Kerrigan, Agricultural Trade Representative for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, commented on the significance of this appearance.

“Indonesia is a critical market for Nebraska beef, and this collaboration with MasterChef-Indonesia has allowed us to make a lasting impression on a vast and influential audience,” said Kerrigan. “The engagement and feedback from Indonesian entrepreneurs, chefs, producers, and importers have been remarkable.”

As the positive outcomes of this international partnership continue to unfold, there is a growing desire to explore similar initiatives in the future. Other countries have already expressed interest in partnering with Nebraska to promote their products, further solidifying the state's reputation as a global leader in the beef industry. You can click here to watch the featured episode of MasterChef-Indonesia https://www.rctiplus.com/programs/2066/masterchef-indonesia-season-11/episode/43160/masterchef-indonesia-season-11-audisi-eps3?utm_source=Rplusmweb&utm_medium=share_wa&utm_campaign=programsMasterChef-Indonesia-Season-11-Audisi---Eps.3&fbclid=IwAR2LaAV0JR_ol2hkBQ6hUObTSsCQmCMsE4YWnTV37fGtsvfyiPDKNDDXzvY.



Nebraska Beef Council September Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will have a virtual meeting at the NBC office in Kearney, NE located at 1319 Central Ave. on Monday, September 25th, 2023, beginning at 12:00 p.m. CDT. The NBC Board of Directors will review a draft of the FY 2023-2024 Marketing Plan. For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org  



Nebraska Broadband Office Invites Comment on New Statewide Broadband Map

Today, the Nebraska Broadband Office announced the availability of the new Nebraska Broadband Availability Map. The GIS map represents all served, underserved, and unserved broadband serviceable locations across the state.

As part of the map availability, there will be ongoing public engagement across the state including a series of eight public meetings and an open comment period from Sept. 14 to Oct. 14. During the open comment period the public will be asked to provide comments on the broadband map, including searching their addresses to verify level of highspeed internet access at their homes/businesses.

Opportunities are available to submit public comments online https://ndot.info/community, or in-person at one of the following meetings hosted by the Nebraska Broadband Office:
    Omaha, Sept. 25, 4-6 p.m. - NDOT District 2 Headquarters, 4425 S 108th St.
    Norfolk, Sept. 26, 4-6 p.m. - Divots Conference Center, 4200 W Norfolk Ave.
    Grand Island, Sept. 27, 4-6 p.m. - Bosselman Conference Center, 700 E Stolley Park Rd.
    Lincoln, Sept. 28, 4-6 p.m. - NDOT Central Headquarters, 1500 Nebraska Pkwy.
    Valentine, Oct. 3, 4-6 p.m. - Niobrara Lodge, 803 E Hwy 20
    Gering, Oct. 4, 4-6 p.m. - NDOT District 5 Headquarters, 140375 Rundell Rd.
    North Platte, Oct. 9, 4-6 p.m. - Holiday Inn Express, 300 Holiday Frontage Rd.
    McCook, Oct. 10, 5-7 p.m. - Cobblestone Inn, 1301 US-83

 Meetings are open to the public and will include a map-focused discussion, as well as provide an opportunity to learn about broadband programs and buildout across the state and provide input into digital access, affordability and need for technical skills to create equitable distribution of resources.

For those who are unable to attend the meetings or open comment periods and want to learn more about high-speed internet access in Nebraska, visit https://ndot.info/community to review information and provide feedback.



RFA Welcomes Chief Ethanol as Newest Producer Member

The Renewable Fuels Association is proud to welcome its newest producer member, Chief Ethanol, a long-standing leader in Nebraska’s ethanol community. Chief Ethanol’s biorefinery in Hastings, Neb., is that state’s first dry-mill ethanol plant, in production since 1985. Since 2016, Chief has also operated a biorefinery in Lexington, Neb., and the two facilities have a combined production capacity of over 120 million gallons of renewable fuel annually.

“RFA is excited to officially welcome Chief Ethanol to our membership, and we look forward to working closely with them as our industry embarks on an exciting new chapter for low-carbon renewable fuels,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Chief Ethanol is one of the industry’s true pioneers, and they helped blaze the trail for today’s ethanol industry. The company is an excellent example of the constant innovation, evolution, and continuous improvement that has occurred across the renewable fuel sector over the past several decades.”

Chief Ethanol's General Manager, Wayne Garrett, now represents the company on the RFA board of directors. “Chief Ethanol is thrilled to align with the Renewable Fuels Association and collaborate on initiatives aimed at expanding the availability of higher blends of ethanol in the market,” Garrett said. “The Renewable Fuels Association is truly authentic and is playing a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of the sustainable renewable fuels and bioproducts industry. As a leader in the ethanol industry, Chief firmly believes that RFA’s dedication to advocacy, research, and innovation is the driving force behind the industry's success. With our mutual unwavering commitment, we are not just creating cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions; we are shaping a brighter, greener future for generations to come.”



Iowa Corn I-LEAD Class 11 Selected for Participation

Iowa Corn is proud to announce the members selected to participate in Class 11 of the Iowa Corn Leadership Enhancement and Development (I-LEAD) program, which focuses on increasing industry professionals’ knowledge and understanding of the corn industry. This reputable ag leadership program is a two-year intensive learning experience available through the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

I-LEAD Class 11 Members:
    Chandler Arnold, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach – Adams County
    Allison Berry, USDA
    Emily Callison, Iowa Corn
    Jamie Champion, Dallas County Farm Bureau Federation
    Levi Cook, Cook Family Farms
    Jeff Hazlewood, Pioneer & Schaaf Agronomy
    Brandon Hanson, POET
    Nathan Hohnstein, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
    Delaney Howell-Groth, Ag News Daily & AgCulture Marketing
    Katie Jorgensen, Channel & River Valley Ag
    Keaton Keitzer, Corn & Soybeans Farmer
    Derek Kemper, Corteva
    Nels Leo, Corn & Soybeans Farmer
    Brett Maier, Bunge North America
    Donna Meyer, Bayer
    Mason Meyer, Pivot Bio
    Matthew Nelson, Bayer
    Darin Proffit, Independent Seed Dealer
    Jamie Schechinger, Yara North America
    Logan Schmerbach, John Deere
    Rebekah Sletten, America’s Cultivation Corridor
    Gina White, Valero Renewables
    Kelli Wicks, National Pork Board

The I-LEAD class will meet ten times over the course of two years providing experience and training by Iowa Corn in areas such as leadership, effective communication, policy, advocacy, and global agriculture. The program includes an experience in Washington D.C., a domestic agricultural mission and an international mission.  

 For more information on the program, visit www.iowacorn.org/ilead.  



USDA Invests about $6.5 Million in Risk Management Education for Farmers, Including Underserved and Organic Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is awarding about $6.5 million to 22 organizations to educate underserved, small-scale, and organic producers on farm risk management and climate-smart farm practices. The funding from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) provides assistance through its Risk Management Education (RME) partnerships for organizations, such as nonprofits and land grant universities, to develop training and resources for producers about risk management options.

“This funding and these partnerships are integral to our outreach efforts in communities that historically have not had access to training about risk management options. Our Risk Management Education partnerships are part of USDA’s broader efforts to ensure equity and access to programs,” said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger while visiting the University of Nevada, Reno, a 2023 RME recipient. “As a farmer, I know first-hand that agriculture is a risky business. We need to work with growers, and livestock producers to provide them training and resources about risk management options and how to apply them to their farming businesses.”

This almost $6.5 million investment builds on the $6.5 million that RMA has already provided in partnerships since 2021. RMA advertised available funding in January 2023, and this year’s recipients include nonprofits, historically black colleges and universities, and university extensions, among others.

The University of Nevada, Reno will use funds to provide risk management education to producers throughout Nevada. “Our relationship with the Risk Management Agency is critical in identifying producers risk management needs and then working with RMA to address those needs is the key to success for Nevada producers,” said Staci Emm, professor and Extension educator at the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. “Increasing knowledge in risk management insurance products and programs gives Nevada producers more management options.”

In addition to the University of Nevada, Reno other recipients include:
    AgriLogic Consulting, LLC – Provides a risk management overview at the Farmer Veteran Coalition annual meeting and nine webinar sessions on risk management topics.
    Annie’s Project – Concentrates on reaching women who are involved in urban agriculture, traditional commodities, underserved commodities and specialty crops to teach risk management.
    Center for Rural Affairs - Develops educational materials in English and Spanish on crop insurance options for organic and specialty crop operations.
    Clemson University – Supports production risk management by increasing crop insurance and participation in USDA Farm Service Agency disaster programs and reducing premiums through risk pooling.
    Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology – Educates producers how to mitigate risks and manage decisions about enterprise diversification, climate-smart conservation methods, and effective business and marketing practices.
    Custom Ag Solutions – Provides a digital learning platform, including a simulator that teaches youth about risk management and business considerations for owning and operating a farm or ranch. Provides training for crop insurance professionals.
    Daitaas, LLC – The program, launching as a pilot called T.E.A.M. (Technology Empowerment Action Measurement), educates, measures and optimizes financial management on a farm-by-farm and ranch-by-ranch basis.
    Farmer Campus – Continue building courses, resources and a network to help with wildfire risk management in California. Farmer Campus was a previous awardee, working on on-farm climate and wildfire resilience in the West.
    Iowa Organic Organization – Provides underserved Iowa farmers with education and technical support to manage organic production risks.
    Iroquois Indian Tribal Confederacy, Inc. - Promotes risk management tools and SWOT analysis in crop risk management.
    Michigan Food & Farming Systems – Delivers curriculum for Farm Business Management for the Global Majority training to new-to-early-stage socially disadvantaged producers in Michigan.
    Montana State University – Develops new risk management delivery tools through the climate hub partnership, to prepare farmers and ranchers to adapt to extreme weather.
    Napa Valley Grapegrowers – Provides climate risk management education in English and Spanish to Napa winegrape producers.
    National Crop Insurance Services – Teaches participants about features of Whole Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm insurance options and provides risk management and marketing plans for limited resource and underserved producers.
    North-South Institute – Continues the expansion of risk management education to small-scale specialty crop and underserved producers in Florida using selected insurance and non-insurance-based tools.
    RMA SE Ambassador – Cultivates relationships within the agriculture communities to champion outreach to the traditionally underserved producers throughout the Southeastern United States.
    Rural South Institute – Promotes crop insurance and risk management education opportunities among producers of color. Provides financial and marketing education and on-farm demonstrations to promote climate-smart agriculture and conservation practices.
    Seven Rivers Resource and Conservation Development Council – Assists beginning and limited-resource specialty crop and livestock producers on financial literacy, heirs property and estate planning, and the Micro Farm Program policy.
    Society for Range Management – Delivers in-person and virtual training on market risk management and available risk management tools for cattle producers.
    The Gleaning Network of Texas - Offers in-person workshops on risk management assistance to North Texas farmers, focusing on specialty crop growers.
    University of Connecticut – Offers workshops on how crop insurance can minimize the impact of crop loss and its effect on the financial health of a business.



Naig Announces Grant Opportunity for the Development of Livestock Vaccines

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the formation of the Livestock Protection Innovation Grant Program. The program will provide grant funding to assist Iowa-based companies in the development of safe and effective vaccines that may help protect Iowa livestock from foreign animal diseases.

Though the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remains high, prevention and preparedness measures are also being taken to respond to risks posed by African Swine Fever (ASF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is working in collaboration with farmers, producers, industry partners, and federal, state, and local officials to be ready to swiftly respond to any threat.    

“Protecting Iowa’s nation-leading livestock industry from devastating foreign animal diseases is enormously important to the farm families and local communities that benefit from its $13 billion-dollar impact,” said Secretary Naig. “Vaccine development is one of many steps we are taking to help safeguard our farm animals because it is important to have tools available to effectively respond to disease and protect our food supply.”

Innovation is constant in agriculture and Iowa, as America’s Cultivation Corridor, is home to many companies that are developing advanced and cutting-edge tools and technologies that can positively impact this global industry. The Iowa Legislature, with the support of Governor Reynolds, appropriated $250,000 for livestock vaccine development within Iowa during the last legislative session. Applications will be reviewed and scored via a competitive process and grant awards will be made up to $250,000.

Eligible grant recipients must meet the following requirements:
    The company must be based in Iowa and develop vaccines for livestock and other animals.
    The company must have a prior relationship with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This includes, but is not limited to, a collaboration with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service or by having a product registered with the USDA-Center for Veterinary Biologics.
    The company must have a vaccine platform that is viable for a foreign animal disease response.

To apply, interested Iowa companies must fill out an application and submit it to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship by no later than Tuesday, October 10.

For more information, visit www.IowaAgriculture.gov/vaccine.



Cattle Industry Consortium Funds Research Aimed at Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions

Today, the Greener Cattle Initiative (GCI), a multi-partner international consortium investing in research mitigating enteric methane, awarded additional grants to reduce enteric methane emissions from cattle. The grants aim to understand how mitigating methane emissions impacts cows’ biology, performance and health, and if selective breeding can result in cows that produce less enteric methane.

Cows and other ruminant animals produce enteric methane as part of their natural digestive process. This methane is the single largest source of direct greenhouse gases in the beef and dairy sectors. As the global demand for animal products, such as milk and meat, is expected to increase by more than 60% in the coming decades, livestock production will need to expand as well, further increasing enteric methane emissions. Reducing these emissions is critical to slowing the effects of climate change while also helping the dairy and beef sectors meet their sustainability goals. However, more research is needed to determine how to safely, sustainably and productively reduce the amount of methane cows produce.

“The challenge of enteric methane emissions from beef and dairy cattle is complex,” said Nikki Dutta, FFAR interim scientific program lead for Advanced Animal Systems. “As a result, we need innovative and interdisciplinary research to advance our understanding of enteric methane emissions and inform the development of interventions that provide dairy and beef producers with safe, practical options to reduce enteric methane emissions."

Microorganisms in the rumen, the large fermentation vat that serves as the first compartment of the ruminant stomach, use hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce large volumes of methane. Dr. Roderick Mackie, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (University of Illinois) received $2,494,394 to lead an international research study on how diets and different additives affect hydrogen production and utilization in the rumen of both beef and dairy cattle and how these changes in hydrogen dynamics affect the amount of enteric methane produced. The University of Illinois is contributing additional funding for a total $3,221,254 investment.

Additionally, Dr. Francisco Peñagaricano, assistant professor in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, received $2,301,499 to conduct research combining interventions that address selective breeding, data on milk composition, and rumen microbes to reduce enteric methane emissions. His research focuses on evaluating cattle genome for methane traits, including those for methane production and residual methane production. The goal of his research is to be able use this new knowledge to inform the selective breeding of U.S. dairy cattle with lower emissions. The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) is contributing additional funding for a total $3,301,496 investment.

“The research investments announced today can potentially deliver new mitigation options and long-term benefits,” said Dr. Juan Tricarico, senior vice president and distinguished scientist for environmental research at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “Studying hydrogen production and utilization in the rumen can uncover new pathways for development of yet unexplored mitigation options, and generating the information needed to selectively breed low methane-producing cattle can lead to permanent improvements that accumulate over time.”

In August, GCI awarded its initial grant to Penn State’s Distinguished Professor of Dairy Nutrition Dr. Alexander N. Hristov to develop new enteric methane inhibitors, naturally occurring or synthetic compounds that when ingested by cows can decrease enteric methane emissions. Hristov’s research is also exploring ways to deliver inhibitors to cattle efficiently.



NAWG Hosts Farm Bill Fly-In

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) completed the second part of its 2023 summer Farm Bill fly-ins. The first round of hill visits happened earlier this summer in July.

During the hill visits, wheat growers from across the country reinforced NAWG’s core priorities and underscored the need for Congress to work together to ensure farmers can continue to provide safe and affordable food for all Americans. Between both summer fly-ins, wheat growers met with over 110 offices. On Tuesday and Wednesday, growers from 14 states met with their delegations, staff from the four corners of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and leadership offices in efforts to continue to educate lawmakers and advocate for an effective farm safety net. Additionally, during the July visits, our growers met with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson, along with other members of Congress to discuss priorities in the Farm Bill.

In these meetings, NAWG continued to underscore the need to get a Farm Bill done, which works for wheat growers and rural America. These conversations included:
    Protecting crop insurance that serves as the cornerstone of the farm safety net.
    Working to strengthen and enhance Title I and crop insurance to protect farmers better.
    Supporting financial and technical assistance through voluntary conservation cost-share programs for producers in all climates and wheat-producing regions.
    Encouraging additional investment in agricultural trade promotions and US commodities as part of the Farm Bill’s trade title.
    Supporting wheat research programs authorized under the Farm Bill and robust funding as part of the annual appropriations process.
    And how wheat growers can continue to help educate members of Congress and be a resource as Farm Bill discussions continue.

“I want to thank all of the members of Congress, their staff, and wheat growers who took the time over the summer to meet in D.C. and talk about the Farm Bill,” said NAWG President and Oregon wheat farmer, Brent Cheyne. “It is so important for wheat growers to tell their story and share their needs and concerns with lawmakers to help formulate policies and programs that benefit wheat growers and the ag industry.”

During the meetings, lawmakers and their staff expressed optimism about being able to proceed with a Farm Bill later this year. However, Congress must first pass a fiscal year 2024 appropriations package before federal funding runs out at the end of the month. While we are encouraged with the optimism to work towards finishing the Farm Bill in a timely manner, a common concern was the availability of new resources to make additional investments that could further improve the farm safety net.



 Ethanol Industry Associations Ask Treasury Secretary To Use GREET Model For Scientific Accuracy

This afternoon, U.S. ethanol organizations including the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledging global actions to decarbonize the aviation transportation sector using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and encouraging the use of updated scoring in the U.S. Department of Energy’s GREET model instead of carbon intensity scoring used in the CORSIA model for corn-based ethanol SAF.

The U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association said in their joint letter:

“We strongly support the adoption of the DOE’s GREET model by the U.S. Treasury as the standard for carbon intensity scoring of conventional aviation fuels and SAF. The latest DOE GREET model relies on the most current information and highest-resolution data regarding the energy use, carbon emissions and potential land use impacts associated with the corn ethanol-based SAF process. By incorporating the DOE GREET model into its evaluation framework, the Treasury can unlock the full potential of agriculture to meet the growing demands of the global aviation industry while simultaneously reducing its carbon footprint.”



COMBINE WEAR PARTS LINE OFFERS OPTIONS TO PROTECT AND EXTEND THE LIFE OF CASE IH AND NEW HOLLAND COMBINES

As harvest begins, it’s essential for farmers to keep combines rolling with minimal downtime. CNH Reman has them covered with their new line of enhanced wear parts by Ihle Fabrications, covering the combine from front to back.

More Options for Repair
Although remanufactured parts continue to be a staple in this line, CNH Reman now offers enhanced wear parts, including liner kits, that protect the combine and save the farmer time and money on repairs.

CNH Reman Dealer Development Manager Nick Borchers said dealer demand led the team to investigate additional parts that extend the overall lifespan of the combine.

“Remanufacturing has always been our niche business, but after we launched our Reman extended wear transition cone by Ihle Fabrications, we started considering the value of other wear parts and began looking at their entire portfolio.” Borchers said.

Quality Steel for Reduced Wear
CNH Reman enhanced wear parts have a longer wear life than standard OEM parts due to more robust metals used in the remanufacturing process. Parts with the highest areas of wear are made with Hardox® 450, a high-grade steel that lasts up to 2.5 times longer than standard steel. Other wear parts receive metals such as Strenx® 110 and other types of thicker-grade steel to improve durability.

Easier Installation to Reduce Time and Labor
CNH Reman also offers liner kits as part of this product line, which allows farmers to repair a part of the combine without replacing the whole component, reducing the time and cost of repair.

Installing liner kits before damage can help preserve the quality of the combine and protect it from further damage. Replacement liners can be installed without removing components such as a grain tank – a process that can take anywhere from 40 to 60 hours, whereas a grain tank liner kit can be installed over a span of about 8 hours.

“If a customer were to put this product in before the combine component has a hole in it, it would protect the original integrity of their equipment,” Borchers said. “Once the liner starts to wear, they can replace the liner and don’t have to worry about the whole combine taking on any damage.”

The wear parts in this line help farmers reduce time away from the field during harvest and keep them up and running until harvest is complete. Farmers can feel confident knowing they’ve saved now and later when the enhanced wear parts last longer than normal and they don’t incur the cost of replacement as early as they anticipated.

CNH Reman wear parts by Ihle Fabrications are now available through your local Case IH and New Holland dealerships. To learn more, visit www.mycnhreman.com/wearparts.