Friday October 13 Ag News

 CVA announces Doug Rowse as SVP of Feed

Central Valley Ag (CVA) is pleased to announce Doug Rowse as Senior Vice President of Feed. In his new role, Rowse will be responsible for leading CVA's feed division, focused on providing high-quality nutrition programs, top-notch customer service, and the best-quality feed products in the market.

Rowse has devoted 19 years to the cooperative system, during which he served in various roles, including VP of Feed. He spent six years as a Feed Sales Specialist at Farmland Industries, and most recently, he worked 13 years as the Regional Sales Manager for Hubbard Feeds.

"We are excited to get Doug back into the cooperative system," said Carl Dickinson, President/CEO of Central Valley Ag, "He has a proven track record of growing business and developing people, and I have full confidence in his ability to successfully lead our feed division."

CVA's Feed team is dedicated to utilizing technology, maintaining quality standards, and providing excellent customer service.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead CVA's feed division and serve its member-owners with high-quality products and service," said Rowse, "I am thankful to be back in the cooperative system and to take on this role as SVP of Feed."

In his free time, you can find Rowse fishing and hunting at his family's cabin on the Missouri River. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and ten grandchildren.



Nebraska Pork Announces New Ambassador Program

Choosing a career path can be difficult and with unlimited occupational options, it is helpful to receive a little guidance along the way. With that premise in mind, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA), under the direction of Education Director, Sophia Lentfer announces a new Pork Ambassador Program. The Pork Ambassador Program is a career development program that will provide a variety of hands-on experiences to promote career development.

NPPA is seeking college-age students to be a part of the Pork Ambassador Program. If students are connected to agriculture and believe in the future of the pork industry, they are encouraged to apply. Eligible applicants must be between 18-23 years of age, be enrolled full-time in a Nebraska post-secondary school. The yearlong program will run from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025. During that time students will attend seminars where they will learn about the various and varied career opportunities of the pork and agriculture industries. Applicants do not have to be a pork producer to apply.

As a Pork Ambassador you will job shadow pork industry professionals, promote agriculture, and the pork industry, improve your leadership, team building, and communications skills. You’ll travel to the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA, the Nebraska Pork Expo, and other exciting industry tours, and group events. Upon successfully completing the program, students will receive a $750 scholarship toward their education expenses. Students will not be responsible for any expenses to participate in the program.

“The ambassador program has been such an incredible learning experience meeting with experts from all sides of the industry,” said Kristen Herrick, a Junior at UNL from Franklin, Nebraska. “I can make connections, advocate, learn, and share my passion all in one.” Interested students should complete the application on www.nepork.org and submit an up-to-date resume by November 10.

Applications will be reviewed, and selection notifications will be sent by December 15. For more information, contact Sophia Lentfer: sophia@nepork.org or 531-500-3423.    



Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship Available

The Nebraska Pork Producers Director of Education, Sophia Lentfer has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Larry E. Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship. College students enrolled as full-time undergraduate or graduate students at a fully accredited Nebraska college, university or technical college in an agriculture related degree program are encouraged to apply.

The scholarship established in 2017 honors Larry E. Sitzman, who retired in 2016 as Executive Director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. Sitzman learned patriotism, service to our country, and respect for our leaders from his parents. While in high school, he heard John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, in which he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This address increased his desire to serve.

Agriculture has always been his passion. Throughout his life he has provided service in various forms of leadership. Sitzman is known for sharing his voice defending perspectives and asking challenging questions. He served on many state and national agricultural boards before being named the Director of Agriculture for Nebraska in 1991.

The Larry E. Sitzman Youth in Nebraska Agriculture Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to one deserving applicant.

Eligibility Requirements:
Must be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a fully accredited Nebraska college, university, or technical college in an agriculture related degree program
Must have at least one full year of study remaining toward a degree
Must have plans to work in the agriculture industry upon graduation

Interested students should complete the application on www.nepork.org and submit an up-to-date resume by November 10. Applications will be reviewed, and selection notification will be sent by December 15.

For more information, contact Sophia Lentfer: sophia@nepork.org or 531-500-3423.



Nebraska Extension Provides Cover Crop Grazing Conference Nov. 7

Nebraska beef producers and corn growers can enhance their operations by attending the 2023 Cover Crop Grazing Conference. Scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 7, the conference will take place at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska.

The conference kicks off with registration, refreshments and a trade show at 8:30 a.m. in the August N. Christenson Building. Educational programs are from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and include a producer panel session and live field demonstrations.

Nebraska Extension is uniquely suited to bring farmers unbiased and research-based information that will be shared at this conference. The 2023 conference features annual forage production and grazing strategies with keynote speakers Dr. Bart Lardner, University of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This expo will help first-time or experienced farmers looking to fine-tune their cover crop grazing management utilizing cover crops as an alternative forage source. Speakers and panelists will address important issues for Nebraska farmers and ranchers and provides one-on-one discussion with local, private industry exhibitors and sponsors.

Please pre-register online by Wednesday, Nov. 1. Agenda, details and map/directions are also at the website https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enreec/cover-crop-grazing-conference/.

A $20 registration fee is payable via cash or check at the conference, or checks can be mailed in advance to 2023 Cover Crop Grazing Conference, Nebraska Extension, 1071 County Rd. G, Ithaca, NE 68033. The fee covers lunch and refreshments throughout the day. When paying by check, payable to University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Agribusiness stakeholders are being sought as sponsors and trade show exhibitors. Please contact Connor Biehler at 402-624-8007 for more details.



Nebraska Beef Summit Set for November 9

The Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will hold its annual Nebraska Beef Summit on November 9 near Mead, Neb.

Senior students in the Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars minor program plan the event, with support from Nebraska Cattlemen, as part of their ASCI 481 "Beef Summit" class. The students have conversations with faculty members, beef producers and industry professionals to discuss potential topics for the event, identify and schedule the speakers, and build the agenda, based on those discussions.

"Those conversations allow them to interact with internal and external audiences," said Rick Rasby, professor and extension specialist in the Department of Animal Science. "This class allows our students to get further engaged in the industry and build connections that will benefit them, and the industry as a whole, moving forward."

Sessions for this year's event include:
    Genetic Tools for the Cow/Calf Producer
    Beef Industry Dynamics When Calf Number/Supply is Low
    Grazing Corn Residue
    Transition Planning - Initial Steps and Considerations
    How to Manage Severe Weather Events

The summit will be held at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center (ENREEC), 1071 Co Rd G, Ithaca, NE 68033, from 9 a.m., to 3:30 p.m.

Register online by October 30 at https://go.unl.edu/beefsummit. Registration is $40, or $30 for students. Registration will also be available on the day of the event. Lunch is included in the registration fee and will be catered on-site.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Says Proposed EPA Pesticide Restrictions Too Aggressive, Changes Needed

Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) is urging farmers and ranchers to join the organization in submitting comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed new rule that heavily increases limitations and regulations on pesticides. Earlier this year, the EPA released the “Draft Herbicide Strategy Framework” in response to extensive litigation about the agency’s noncompliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NEFB says the more than 90-page proposal outlines a new method of pesticide labeling, adding highly burdensome restrictions to herbicide use in many areas.

“Herbicides are essential for farmers to maintain the highest sustainability standards, affordable food prices, and conservations efforts. The limits imposed by this rule are overly restrictive and have the potential to negatively alter the economy. The removal of tools from our crop protection product toolbox will greatly affect farmers ability to be economically successful,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president.

For years and years, farmers have just been able to look at the pesticide label and the label will give specifics for how to apply the products. This new proposal changes the labels to a point system that producers attain by adopting certain practices.

According to NEFB, there are a number of producer level problems that are created by this proposed plan including spray buffer zones are unreasonably large with an up to 500-foot buffer required for aerial applications and an up to 200-foot buffer required for ground applications, incentivizing larger spray droplet sizes while also incentivizing reduced application rate, which is contradictory, and incentivizing incorporation of the herbicide into the soil, which is contrary to the environmentally beneficial no-till practices, largely utilized in Nebraska.

The proposed rule also creates Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs), which includes the majority of Nebraska, subjecting producers to even greater restrictions. The PULAs are based on the ESA listed species that live in the area, and what types of plants are considered their habitats. These areas cover the vast majority of Nebraska, requiring more points to apply specific herbicides and many of the point options are not available to all producers.

“Many of the proposed mitigation measures simply don’t work in Nebraska and could force growers to adopt outdated farming practices that are costly, burdensome, and irrelevant to modern agriculture. Some farmers may not be able to comply at all, potentially opening farmers and ranchers up to legal charges,” said McHargue.

Currently, the EPA proposal is open to public comment until October 22, 2023, and NEFB strongly encourages farmers and ranchers to voice their thoughts on the measures. Producers can submit a comment by visiting www.nefb.org, highlighting the advocacy tab at the top, and clicking on the 'Action Alerts' button under the action center.



South Korea Visits Prove Essential for Beef Industry Trade and Relations
 
South Korea, a dynamic partner of the beef industry, recently hosted multiple Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors on two separate occasions. Rosemary Vinton Anderson of Hyannis, toured the country that was the #1 exporter of beef from the United States in 2022 with the U.S. Meat Export Federation Heartland Team. Separately, Jeff Rudolph of Gothenburg, was part of Governor Pillen’s trade mission, in which the Nebraska Beef Council directors felt it was important to be represented, Rudolph said.               

“I have a greater appreciation for the decades of work building relationships and rebuilding that has gone into our current successes in the South Korean market,” said Rudolph. “It’s also rewarding to have the South Korean people truly appreciate our visit and to see their eyes light up when you tell them we raise the beef they are buying.”      

The Governor’s Trade Mission included meetings with US Embassy and USDA representatives, a beef customer appreciation dinner hosted by TREX that included a group of beef buyers, food service, retail and e-commerce representatives, and a tour of Homeplus. Homeplus is a large-scale retail discount store with 135 outlets and 600,000 daily visitors. The company features U.S. beef exclusively from Grand Island under the 1855 brand name.             

In 2022, South Korea was a $2.7 billion market for U.S. beef producers. It is still the number one market for producers according to USMEF’s most recent data. Rudolph also mentioned how most South Koreans love golf, and had beef offerings co-packed with a sleeve of golf balls to purchase in stores.             

Highlights for Vinton Anderson’s Heartland Team, which consisted of producers from across the U.S., included meeting at the USMEF offices, where they received briefings from the US Embassy. Taking a tour of the Hangyul LS Plant, as well as a boutique store, where they saw the processing, packaging and sale of beef in thinly-sliced, small-portioned strips that is favored in South Korea. It also included a cooking demonstration of the increasingly popular Home Meal Replacement and Restaurant Meal Replacement Kits, and touring Frank Burger.             

“Every chance to create relationships on a face-to-face level leads to greater trust, substance and validation; developing international trade opportunities is the perfect example of this,” said Vinton Anderson. “I thought it was important to represent Nebraska beef producers in Korea to learn about the market and show how much we value it.”             

John Hinners of USMEF was also present on the Heartland Team trip. Hinners highlighted how influential foreign visits from producers can be, as well as the reasoning for the growing desire of beef in markets like South Korea.            

“We have interactions with key importers and buyers to talk about our products, talking about what we’re doing on the ranch, and in the feed yards,” said Hinners. “They’re so interested because of the awesome, rich flavor they receive from our red meats with corn and soybean fed product.”

For more information and to learn more about the Nebraska Beef Council, visit www.nebeef.org.



Cliff's Place in Manning Wins 2023 Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin

A new tenderloin has been crowned Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin. You can devour this year’s champion at Cliff’s Place in Manning, an hour and a half northwest of Des Moines.

The 21st annual contest is presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and managed by its Restaurant & Foodservice Committee.

“Thick and juicy or thin and crispy—people travel crazy distances to sink their teeth into different versions of this Midwest staple,” says Kelsey Sutter, IPPA’s marketing and programs director. “Tenderloins connect people from all over the world, and it just takes one bite to understand why they’re such a hit!”

A Cliff’s tenderloin starts with 6 ounces of pork, sliced from a never-frozen boneless loin and tenderized to achieve the desired texture and thickness. Hand-breaded to order, the meat is dredged through a mixture of flour and Flavor-Crisp’s “Chicken on the Run” Find Grind seasoned breading, dipped in buttermilk, and coated a second time in the dry flour before being deep fried to a golden brown.

The $6 sandwiches are served with pickles on a toasted Rotella’s Italian Bakery bun, and halved for easier handling. Lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, and cheese can be added for a slight upcharge.

“We don’t glorify anything on it,” said Jim Waterbury, who owns the nearly 50-year-old restaurant with his brother Jon. “It’s all about the pork—that’s what we want you to taste.”

And that’s exactly what earned high marks from Chef Phil Carey, a tenderloin finalist judge.

“The breading just complemented the pork so well, and the tenderloin didn’t overwhelm the bun,” Carey said. “It was a perfect combination, juicy to the final bite, and a very enjoyable sandwich to eat.”

Cliff’s typically serves about 70 tenderloins a week. When Jon Waterbury learned the restaurant had claimed the title, he joked, “I’ll sharpen my knife,” in preparation for an uptick in orders. Winning restaurants have reported selling five to 10 times more sandwiches for at least a month following the announcement, according to IPPA’s Sutter.

Cliff’s Place started in 1976 when the Waterburys’ parents Cliff and Vicki purchased a tavern there. Eight months later, they opened a kitchen in what had been a storage room. And in January 1987, the business expanded into an adjacent storefront, to add a dining area and private space for meetings or parties.

Jim and Jon Waterbury took over in 2008 following the death of their father, but Vicki Waterbury still works daily at the restaurant, preparing food for the salad bar and tending to customers.

IPPA’s Restaurant & Foodservice Committee will officially present the best tenderloin award at the restaurant today. Cliff’s will receive $500, a plaque, and a large weatherproof banner to display.

This year’s runner-up is The Roadhouse in Orange City, in the northwest corner of the state. That designation comes with a $250 prize and plaque from IPPA. As announced earlier this month, other finalists, listed alphabetically by town, have earned top five plaques:
    Duncombe — Stumpy’s Bar & Grill
    Harpers Ferry — Spillway Supper Club
    Jamaica — Tojo’s Bar & Grille

IPPA received a record of more than 9,000 nominations for 774 restaurants this past spring. IPPA members and industry affiliates anonymously visited the top 40 locations this summer, scoring each on pork taste and quality, physical characteristics, and eating experience.

The Restaurant & Foodservice Committee used those evaluations to select five contenders to advance to the next round. From there, a team of judges traveled to each to determine first and second place.  

The tenderloin contest recognizes Iowa dining establishments that offer a hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloin as a regular menu item. To win, businesses must be open year-round. The winners are announced every October as part of National Pork Month, which honors the hard work and dedication of America’s pig farmers.



USDA Extends Milk Loss Program Assistance Deadline to Oct. 30

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program (MLP) to Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, allowing more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed, weather-related disaster recovery assistance.  

Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), MLP compensates dairy producers who, because of qualifying weather events, dumped or removed milk without compensation from the commercial milk market in calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Eligible causes of loss also include consequences of these weather events, such as power outages, impassable roads and infrastructure losses. FSA opened MLP enrollment on Sept. 11, 2023; the original MLP deadline was Oct. 16, 2023.  

“We recognize that MLP benefits are critical to the financial recovery of dairy operations significantly impacted by weather-related disasters that inhibited their ability to deliver or store their milk in one, or even multiple years,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We also understand that dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment. We hope the application deadline extension ensures that all dairy farmers in need of assistance will now have adequate time to apply.”

How to Apply 
To apply for MLP, producers must submit: 
    FSA-376, Milk Loss Program Application
    Milk marketing statement from the:
        Month prior to the month milk was removed or dumped.
        Affected month.
    Detailed written statement of milk removal circumstances, including the weather event type and geographic scope, what transportation limitations occurred and any information on what was done with the removed milk.
    Any other information required by the regulation.

If not previously filed with FSA, applicants must also submit all the following items within 60 days of the MLP application deadline: 
    Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.  
    Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.   
    Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).   
    Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs (if applicable).   
    Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, (if applicable).
    A highly erodible land conservation (sometimes referred to as HELC) and wetland conservation certification (Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification) for the MLP producer and applicable affiliates.  

Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms already on file. But those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms can contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center.

For more information on eligibility and payments, view the MLP fact sheet https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/emergency-relief-program/pdfs/mlp_factsheet_2023-update.pdf.  



NPPC Asks to Intervene in CAFO Rule Court Case
 
The National Pork Producers Council has teamed up with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, and the United Egg Producers (UEP) requesting the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to allow their intervention in a lawsuit filed by environmental and animal rights extremists against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the regulation of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).
 
In August, led by Food & Water Watch, a large group of environmental and animal rights extremist organizations filed suit after EPA denied their 2017 petition, which sought to substantially revise EPA’s longstanding CAFO rules. EPA’s CAFO Rules set strict zero-discharge limitations for manure from livestock farms and impose significant penalties for any violation. When first proposed by EPA, the rules included a requirement that all CAFOs apply for and receive a permit from EPA. NPPC successfully challenged those provisions with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit declaring the provision to be illegal in in 2010.
 
The 2017 petition, along with a similar 2021 petition led by Earthjustice and HSUS, demanded that EPA reverse these court orders and once again require livestock farms to seek CWA permits. After EPA denied both petitions, in large part because they requested EPA to undertake actions that are illegal, the extremists filed their lawsuit.
 
For nearly 20 years, livestock producers have been regulated under EPA’s CAFO Rules, which enforce a strict “zero-discharge” standard for managing manure from livestock operations. Violations of the rule carry fines of up to $56,460 per day, per violation. Adding unnecessary (and illegal) paperwork and other requirements onto the existing rules would place heavy burdens on livestock producers and provide no water quality benefit.
 
In their motion to intervene in the court case, NPPC, AFBF, U.S. Poultry, and UEP pointed out that the environmental and animal rights extremist groups — in their 2017 petition and through the current legal challenge — “are seeking to compel EPA to promulgate several new regulatory requirements, all of which would considerably burden” the members of the agricultural organizations and which have previously been found to be illegal.