Introducing the Nebraska Beef Industry Labor Task Force
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Beef Systems Extension Educator
Firstly, two definitions: labor force is the total number of people who are willing and able to work while the workforce is the subset from the labor force who are engaged in economically productive activities. A recent article by the US Chamber of Commerce (Understanding America’s Labor Shortage | U.S. Chamber of Commerce (uschamber.com)), underscores the challenges facing employers in finding enough workers to fill open jobs.
According to the article, currently, there are 9.6 million job openings but only 6.4 million unemployed workers. A point is made in the article that the economic shutdown of 2020 increased the number of individuals not returning to the workforce: labor force participation rate dropped from 63.3% before the Pandemic to the current figure of 62.8%.
Labor force participation represents the number of individuals able and willing to work from the total civilian population that is not institutionalized. Interestingly, labor force participation dropped from 67% in early 2001 to 63.3% in early 2020. In other words, the drop in labor force participation (number of Americans sitting out of the workforce) averaged a yearly 0.185-point drop between 2001 and 2020 while it only averaged a yearly 0.135-point drop between early 2020 and now.
The desire to stay out of the workforce began in 2001. However, since the economic shutdown of 2020, Early retirements, stricter immigration law enforcement (between 2020 and 2021), lack of access to childcare, new business starts (drawing workers away to start their own business), and the combined effect of unemployment benefits, stimulus checks and savings resulting from staying home during the economic shutdown were cited as reasons why fewer individuals were interested in entering or re-entering the workforce.
Agriculture has not been spared these changes. Also, states with smaller populations are experiencing these challenges to a greater extent. Incidentally, those states represent the core of agricultural production in the nation. The state of Nebraska has 48 available workers for every 100 open jobs. Both North Dakota and South Dakota trail Nebraska with 45 and 38 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
If you have attended any commodity association, chamber of commerce, or even technical information meeting in the last 20 years, I am sure you have heard presenters and participants cite labor as a challenge to run a successful agricultural operation. This is why the University of Nebraska Extension is dedicating a unified effort to address labor issues in the beef industry. (if successful, these efforts could be extended to other agricultural operations).
Last week at the University of Nebraska Beef Innovation Hub, as a function of the workforce development strategic group, the Nebraska Beef Industry Labor Task Force unveiled its mission, vision, and goal:
Mission
The Nebraska Beef Industry Labor Task Force seeks to improve job satisfaction, which results in a labor force that is fulfilled both financially and emotionally, while cattle they care for and manage perform at their genetic potential while experiencing a comfortable life. Ultimately, these efforts should result in greater financial and socio-economic sustainability of cattle operations and the communities they influence.
Vision
Employees who report high levels of satisfaction from their job experience feeding and managing cattle in cattle feedyards, ranches and packing plants while cattle they care for lead a tranquil and rich life. These experiences should be the basis for attracting a retaining new generation of employees.
Goal
The Nebraska Beef Industry Labor Task Force seeks to support the efforts by and improve retention of feedyard and ranch employees by enhancing proficiency in accomplishing their daily tasks while recruiting from broader demographics, including supporting legal immigration, when appropriate, to sustain generational needs of employers and employees and to support vibrant local communities.
Much discussion occurred during the meeting, which led to various action items:
Promotion—work at a feedlot and ranch work is perceived to require long, hard hours with low pay. Videos depicting work at the ranch and feedlot will be used to create awareness through social media of the activities going on at cattle feedlots and ranches with information gleaned from surveys on pay ranges.
Safety—a series of infographics are currently being produced to distribute to cattle feedlots and ranches for training individuals in safe and effective operation of all equipment in cattle ranches and feedlots.
Immigration—extension meeting series will seek to host a lawyer to present about visa programs and visa issue strategies that may help cattle feedlots and ranches to attract and retain non-immigrant populations to work at the ranch or feedlot.
Training—a workshop is currently under planning to develop the curriculum and to devise an implementation plan (where and when to conduct it) to conduct a hands-on workshop to train new potential employees sought out from retired or semi-retired, urban and immigrant populations.
One thing is for certain. Each of the individual members of the task force is aware they do not have all the answers regarding the question of how-to best address this complex issue. Yet, they understand that by working together they will identify issues that they can address collectively and, when necessary, by recruiting additional individuals or processes to the task force.
If you have any ideas, comments, or suggestions for how to best proceed on this issue or a specific action item listed, please feel free to reach out to me. Thank you.
GETTING THE MOST FROM GRAZING CORN RESIDUE
– Daren Redfearn, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Corn harvest is starting. That means corn residue will soon available for grazing. How should grazing be managed to get the most out of them?
When corn residue becomes available for grazing, several decisions need to be made. For starters, how soon should you move cows to graze the residue? Most years you probably should start grazing as soon as possible. The nutrient value of residue declines the longer it is exposed to weathering. Grazing residue right away will put more condition on cows and faster gains on stockers.
But be sure to check fields for excess grain before grazing. Fields with small ears or fields with wind damage may have more grain loss than usual. Too much corn can cause acidosis and founder. Adapt cattle to a higher grain ration before grazing if a problem is expected.
How to graze is another decision. Be careful, though, about forcing cows to eat the lower stalks. They won’t get much protein or energy from lower stalks and nitrate levels might be dangerously high. If heavy snow or mud occurs before you graze all areas, some good quality feed can be lost.
Whole-field grazing permits fast, early gains but more supplements are needed late in the season after all grain has disappeared. Strip grazing by giving animals only one or two weeks-worth of grazing at a time uses the residue more efficiently than leaving cattle in the same entire field for a couple months or longer. Strip grazing permits a higher stocking rate and provides a more uniform diet.
Whatever your grazing strategy, consider carefully what kind of nutrition animals are getting from the residue, so you neither underfeed nor overfeed expensive supplements.
Be sure to provide salt, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A free choice at all times. And once all the grain is gone, cows will need about half a pound per day of an all-natural protein to meet nutrient needs.
Corn residue grazing season is here. Make wise decisions to use it in best way possible.
Nebraska Beef Council Educates Family Consumer Science Programs Across the State & Country
The American Association of Family Consumer Sciences Fall Leadership Workshop put beef on center stage. Mitch Rippe, Nebraska Beef Council Director of Nutrition and Education, was a presenter at the workshop held in Washington D.C. Rippe said he was the only agricultural commodity representative at the conference where educators and administrators from 27 states were present.
“They realize they can connect with their local state beef councils, and find lessons to take back to their local chapters and classrooms, whether that’s beef in the classroom, educational materials, or grant programs,” said Rippe.
According to Rippe, approximately 80% of state beef councils across the U.S. work with FCS programs in some capacity. Hands on relationships with FCS programs are a vital part of consumer education and can lead to shopping and cooking lessons for how to properly prepare beef.
“The biggest lesson they do is brown ground beef, which is awesome because they are doing the foundational components of cooking,” said Rippe. “From there, they can build on using different cuts of steak or roasts and unique preparation methods. But just getting the foundational opportunity is an impactful experience for them.”
Across Nebraska, Rippe stays in touch with local FCS chapters throughout the school year, both in high schools and colleges, providing resources and occasional workshops. Most recently, he visited Chadron State College and presented to a foundational nutrition class.
“We do a unique preparation method with a reverse sear that doesn’t require the usual equipment for grilling or cooking, in case students are in an apartment or dorm,” said Rippe.
“We talk a lot about nutrition components, but we always tie that back into giving students a hands-on experience working with some type of beef cut.”
For more information and to learn more about the Nebraska Beef Council, visit www.nebeef.org.
Nebraska Corn Board Hosts South Korean Trade Team
The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) farmers recently hosted a trade team after the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) Global Ethanol Summit (GES) ended in Washington, D.C. The conference had a variety of concurrent panel discussions with experts on various topics within the biofuel industry.
After the conclusion of the conference, a trade team from South Korea made their way to Nebraska to tour supply chains, engage with the ethanol industry and meet with farmers. During the visit, the team visited Cooperative Producers, Inc. (CPI) before they traveled to Henderson and visited Jason Lewis’ farm. At the farm, the delegation discussed and was introduced to American agriculture including irrigated and non-irrigated corn and had the opportunity to ride in the combine with the Lewis family.
“Harvest is the perfect time for trade teams to see first-hand the corn leaving the field that will soon be exported to them or in the products they need,” said Jason Lewis, a farmer from Henderson. “The work we put into the crops each year is able to be seen during harvest, and to have trade teams ride in the combine allows them an experience that may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I learn about what is important to them and how the crop I grow best fits their needs.”
During the remainder of the group’s visit to Nebraska, they toured Green Plains, an ethanol plant in Wood River, Bosselman’s Fuel in Grand Island, Magellan Fuel Terminal in Doniphan and visited a Pump and Pantry location that offers ethanol blended fuels. The trade mission interacted with the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Nebraska Farm Bureau and Nebraska Department of Agriculture during their time.
The GES was an education and trade forum that sought to elevate bioethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. More than 350 ministerial-level officials and industry leaders, bioethanol producers and refiners from more than 40 countries attended this year to learn about the numerous environmental and human health benefits of globally expanding the use of biofuels.
Nebraska Extension webinars to cover stress recognition, management for ag producers and professionals
Nebraska Extension’s Rural Wellness team will host two webinars focused on identifying and managing stress for farmers, ranchers and professionals who work with agricultural producers, at 12:15 p.m. Central time, on Nov. 1 and Nov. 29.
“Mending the Stress Fence” will build awareness of the signs and symptoms of stress in rural communities and cover the eight dimensions of wellness. Attendees will learn how to ask open-ended questions to recognize someone’s stress levels. The webinars will also teach participants how to improve their awareness of warning signs of suicide and provide available resources to support someone in need.
The presentations are geared toward agricultural producers, business owners, managers, and other agricultural industry professionals.
“At times, stress seems to be even more prevalent in rural communities, which can affect our overall health and make us more prone to accidents,” said Glennis McClure, an educator with Nebraska Extension’s Rural Wellness team. “It’s important that we learn how to manage our own stress levels and identify signs and symptoms of stress in others so that we can best manage during hectic times.”
Nebraska Extension’s Rural Wellness team focuses on identifying effective strategies and resources to reduce family stress and promote wellness in rural communities. The team’s charge is to share resources and identify ways to collaborate and enact positive change in rural communities; particularly communities adversely impacted by stress.
The webinars are free, but registration is required for either date at https://ruralwellness.unl.edu/stressfence.
'So You've Inherited a Farm ... Now What?' workshops scheduled
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability will present a series of workshop in central and eastern Nebraska for those planning and involved in farmland succession who want to learn more about the best strategies for managing and owning this asset and how it may impact the transition plan.
“So You’ve Inherited a Farm … Now What?” will cover Nebraska land industry topics for farms and ranches. Those include evaluating current trends in land values and cash rents, strategies for successful land transitions, lease provisions, legal considerations and managing communication and expectations among family members. Creating and adjusting estate plans will also be covered.
“We hear all the time from people who engaged in various stages of transitioning land involved in a farm or ranch,” said Jim Jansen, an agricultural economist with Nebraska Extension. “The dynamics surrounding succession differ for each operation, and this workshop provides the best management concepts and strategies for an effective transition.”
“So You’ve Inherited a Farm … Now What?” Workshop Schedule
Nov. 28 in Mead, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Saunders County, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Nebraska. Register by Nov. 27 at 402-624-8030.
Nov. 29 in Norfolk, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Midwest Bank (Main Branch), 2601 W. Cooper Drive. Register by Nov. 28 at 402-370-4040.
Nov. 30 in York, 1-4 p.m., at Cornerstone Bank, 529 Lincoln Ave. Register by Nov. 29 at 402-362-5508.
Dec. 4 in Lexington, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Dawes County, 1002 Plum Creek Parkway. Register by Dec. 3 at 308-324-5501.
Dec. 6 in O’Neill, 1-4 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Holt County, 128 N. 6th St., Suite 100. Register by Dec. 5 at 402-336-2760.
Dec. 7 in Ord, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Valley County, 801 S St. Register by Dec. 6 at 308-728-5071.
Dec. 12 in West Point, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Nielsen Community Center, 200 Anna Stalp Ave. Register by Dec. 11 at 402-372-6006.
Dec. 13 in Beatrice, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Gage County, 1115 W. Scott St. Register by Dec. 12 at 402-223-1384.
Dec. 19 in Dakota City, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Dakota County, 1505 Broadway. Register by Dec. 18 at 402-987-2140.
Jan. 24 in Hastings, 1-4 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Adams County, 2975 S. Baltimore Ave. Register by Jan. 23 at 402-461-7209.
Jan. 25 in Wayne, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Wayne Fire Hall, 510 Tomar Drive. Register by Jan. 24 at 402-375-3310.
Feb. 1 in Kearney, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County, 1400 E. 34th St. Register by Jan. 31 at 308-236-1235.
Feb. 6 in Lincoln, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County, 444 Cherrycreek Road. Register by Feb. 5 at 402-441-7180.
Feb. 21 in Central City, 1-4 p.m., at Nebraska Extension in Merrick County, 1784 Fairgrounds Road. Register by Feb. 20 at 308-946-3843.
The program is free to attend, and lunch or refreshments will be provided at each location. Pre-registration is requested by one day prior to each workshop.
This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021-70027-34694.
Farm Poll Examines Farmers' Use and Opinions of Precision Agriculture
One of the biggest keys to farm profitability is being efficient. Farmers are constantly looking for ways to improve yields while managing their inputs, and one of the ways they’ve done this for the past several years is by using precision agriculture.
Although this term can be defined many ways, the United States Department of Agriculture calls it a suite of technologies that can reduce input costs by providing the farm operator with detailed spatial information, that can be used to optimize field management practices.
In essence, it's producing more with less. But precision agriculture is a diverse field, and farmers approach it differently.
To better understand farmers’ use and opinions of precision agriculture, the 2022 Iowa Farm Poll asked questions about specific types of precision ag. The report, authored by extension sociologist J. Arbuckle, rural sociology graduate student Joe Hollis, and assistant professor of rural sociology Katie Dentzman, examines farmers’ use of precision agriculture, their views on potential benefits, as well as their concerns about potential downsides.
According to the poll, 66% of responding farmers said they use global positioning system yield monitors or maps, followed by 56% who use GPS guidance systems, such as autosteer, and 56% who said they use variable rate equipment such as sprayers and fertilizer equipment.
On the other hand, some technologies, like use of data from online decision tools, show less usage currently, but a strong likelihood of being adopted in the future. In 2021, 30% of farmers said they used this technology, while 21% said they plan to do so within the next three years and 25% said they are open to the technology in the future.
“We know that farmers have been using precision agriculture for some time, but what we have not always known is which types, to what extent and what the barriers to adoption may be,” said J. Arbuckle, rural sociologist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and lead author.
Trends among farmers
The survey of nearly 1,000 farmers measures the practices farmers are already using and the practices they intend to use in the future.
According to Arbuckle, adopting new technology is a process that starts with farmers knowing that it exists and then forming favorable opinions that lead to adoption.
“First, a farmer has to be aware of the technology, then consider the potential pros and cons of use, and then based on results of their research, form an intention to try it,” he said.
The survey results indicated that many of the farmers who were not using different precision agriculture technologies were open to use or actually intended to try them in the near future. Farmers were especially interested in adopting drones and on-farm sensor technology, as well as data from online decision tools.
According to the results, 18% of farmers plan to use drones within the next three years, while 29% are not planning to use drones but are open to using them down the road.
Benefits and barriers
The survey also asked farmers about potential benefits and downsides of precision technologies. While most farmers agreed or strongly agreed that precision agriculture could increase efficiency related to inputs, and nearly 80% agreed that the same technology could increase yields for individual crops, there is still a wide range of opinions about some aspects of precision technology.
More than half of farmers expressed concern over what their data might be used for, with 52% concerned their data could be used for regulatory purposes, and 41% concerned corporations would use the data for their own benefit, and not for farmers.
More than 70% were concerned that precision agriculture would lead to fewer and larger farms.
While concerns remain, co-author Dentzman said this information about farmers’ openness to precision agriculture can be useful for private and public sector entities that work to help farmers increase productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.
“Farmers see many benefits from precision agriculture, but they have important concerns as well,” said Dentzman. “This is useful information not only for farmers, but for those who are researching and developing the future of precision agriculture.”
About the poll
The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll survey is conducted by Iowa State University Extension Sociology, in partnership with Iowa State’s Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology. It is supported by ISU Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station.
Central Iowa Chefs Create Pork Recipes That Pair Well With Wine
A Des Moines caterer claimed the top prize at a professional competition that challenged local chefs to deliver the best pork and wine pairing.
Pork + Pinot, a Winefest Des Moines event presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), offered swine-centric cuisine from six central Iowa chefs, with each dish complemented by a different pinot noir, a type of red wine. Nearly 160 attended the third-annual culinary contest and social soiree last week at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.
Amara Sama, of Des Moines-based Palm’s Caribbean Cuisine, took home the first-place honors. Sama also received the People’s Choice award by those attending Pork + Pinot. Chef participants could use pork belly, shoulder, or loin as a main ingredient.
Sama’s winning Jerk Pork Taco featured pork shoulder marinated for 48 hours in Jamaican jerk seasoning, then smoked over a wood and charcoal mixture. The meat was topped with mango salsa, jerk chipotle sour cream, and cotija cheese.
“This is always a fun event, to network with people and get feedback to motivate us,” said Sama, a repeat contender. Palm’s fuses Caribbean and West African fare, and can be found at festivals, farmers markets, and other large gatherings across the state.
Sama received an IPPA gift package for each award and a total of $650.
The judges selected Mariela Maya, of Panka in Des Moines, for second place. Maya concocted a Pork Shoulder Sandwich with Relish, Onions, and Peruvian Spicy Sauce. She received $150 and an IPPA gift.
Kelsey Sutter, IPPA’s marketing and programs director, noted that October is National Pork Month, which salutes all of those who have a hand in pork production.
“We want to remind people that pork doesn’t just show up at these events,” Sutter said. “Our farmers work tirelessly behind the scenes to get delicious pork to distributors and restaurants for chefs to explore their innovation and creativity.”
Other chefs and their dishes were:
Chawn Choun, Sarinade in Waukee, Pork Belly and Pineapple Egg Rolls.
Brandon Liss, Aura Restaurant & Lounge in Clive, Pork Belly and Potato Croquette.
Dominic Iannarelli, Splash Seafood Bar & Grill in Des Moines, Slow Smoked Bacon Wrapped Shoulder Tenders.
Brandon Persaud, Fresko in Des Moines, Braised Pork Shoulder.
IPPA’s event sponsorship included $500 for each chef to cover the costs of the food that was prepared.
USDA Bolsters Investments in International Trade and Food Aid
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $2.3 billion to help American producers maintain and develop markets for their commodities and use U.S. commodities to bolster international food aid.
Consistent with a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, USDA is utilizing funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to address challenges related to trade and food insecurity impacting U.S. farmers and the international community. USDA will use:
$1.3 billion for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and support for specialty crop industries to diversify export markets.
$1 billion to help address global hunger.
“The Commodity Credit Corporation continues to address the needs of American producers as significant and unpredictable challenges arise, including impacts to international commodities markets and global food insecurity in the wake of ongoing conflict and a changing climate,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The Commodity Credit Corporation and USDA’s market development and aid programs are critically important at this time, and with this additional support we can strengthen U.S agriculture’s presence in existing markets, open up new market opportunities, and build on our relationships and connections to ensure that high-quality American agriculture and food products reach where they are needed in the world.”
Secretary Vilsack made today’s announcement as part of the World Food Prize’s Borlaug Dialogue that is held in Des Moines, Iowa each October and brings together world leaders and experts to address global food security issues. This announcement comes on the heels of the 90th anniversary of the CCC, which was incorporated on October 17, 1933 in response to the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl’s devastation on producers and their operations. For 90 years, the CCC has stabilized markets, supported farm income and prices, and enhanced the ability of farmers to market their commodities.
Regional Agricultural Promotion Program
The FY23 agricultural trade deficit is $19 billion, and USDA has projected that it will grow to $27.5 billion in FY24. There is also increased competition in our export markets in Asia and Africa. Therefore, additional investments in market development need to be made to keep ahead of the competition. Analysis has shown that for every $1 invested in export market development, exports are increased by $24.50. Increased agricultural exports means income directly back to producers. Trade promotion investment helps keep existing markets open and creates access to new markets. Further, investing in non-traditional markets will help the United States diversify away from dependence on a handful of large markets.
The new $1.3 billion investment in a Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, or RAPP, will enable exporters to break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets. Further, an investment in providing targeted technical assistance to the specialty crops industry will help it enter and expand markets that often impose onerous non-tariff barriers on their products. Five years ago, in reaction to the trade war with China, USDA developed the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help exporters diversify their markets. The funds from ATP will expire next year and with that, many exporters are already curtailing their activities. Without being on the ground in markets, it is nearly impossible to build the trust and relationships needed to create opportunities. The RAPP will address this critical loss and ensure continuity of the relationships key to market development.
International Food Aid
Recent challenges to supply chains and on-going conflicts have exacerbated what was already a dire situation of increased numbers of people experiencing food insecurity globally. An estimated 205 million people need life-saving food assistance, and some 768 million people are facing chronic hunger, according to the Global Report on Food Crises and FAO. American agriculture is well positioned to help fill these gaps. The United States produces more commodities than are consumed, and therefore has the opportunity to extend this food, via a USDA donation, to those who are in need.
USDA will purchase commodities and work with USAID, who is the lead federal agency on international emergency food aid programs, to ensure they reach those most in need around the world. The $1 billion donation will bolster ongoing efforts to address global hunger, as well as support U.S. agriculture through the purchase of surplus commodities. U.S. agriculture stakeholders are eager to assist in addressing hunger that continues in some areas of the world due to conflict, droughts and other challenges. Given the exceptionally high food needs around the world at this time, these additional commodities will fill critical resource gaps.
ASA Welcomes Trade & Food Aid Support from USDA
The American Soybean Association applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts to strengthen U.S. trade and food aid by providing funds to maintain and develop markets and address global hunger. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $2.3 billion will be allocated from the Commodity Credit Corporation, $1.3 billion of which will go toward the Regional Agriculture Promotion Program and diversification of specialty crop export markets, the balance toward international food assistance.
ASA President Daryl Cates, who grows soybeans in Illinois, said, “America’s soybean farmers rely on strong existing export markets and opportunities to open and build new markets. It can take decades to grow markets for our beans and only a matter of days in some cases to lose them, so having the funds to sufficiently support export promotion programs is something ASA and soy growers have consistently championed. And, as both an industry that participates in food aid programs and as human beings, we are pleased to see the administration looking for additional ways to help us address global food insecurity.”
Cates says he and others in the soy industry are happy to see USDA acknowledging the uncertainty that surrounds agriculture and challenges that arise from that unpredictability, and that the department has conveyed through its funding infusion the importance of market development programs.
“USDA has demonstrated that it recognizes the importance of market promotion programs. We are thankful USDA sees value in the collective efforts of the Foreign Agricultural Service and agriculture cooperators like the American Soybean Association, which are stewards of market development funding and bring vital aid programs and market expansion projects to life,” said Cates.
ASA remains committed to its trade and food aid efforts and will continue to push for doubling of Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program funding in the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization.
ASA utilizes funds from USDA to support the U.S. Soybean Export Council, which develops and expands markets for U.S. soybean farmers, and ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health, which work to find new and build emerging markets for soy.
NCGA Applauds Ag Secretary, U.S. Senators, for International Trade Funding
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded Secretary Tom Vilsack’s announcement today that his agency is releasing $1.3 billion in funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support trade promotion to diversify and develop markets for commodities and specialty crop industries.
Vilsack’s decision, which will help growers break into new markets in Asia and Africa, was strongly supported and encouraged by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.).
“To remain competitive globally, American farmers need our policymakers to make the necessary investments that will help ensure a strong global market for our crops,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We are deeply appreciative of Secretary Vilsack as well as Sens. Stabenow and Boozman for making this funding a reality.”
Analysis has shown that for every $1 invested in export market development, exports are increased by $24.50, according to USDA.
The funding comes as NCGA pushes for increased investments for two key trade programs: the Market Access Program, which provides support in marketing activities abroad, and Foreign Market Development, which helps create and maintain long-term export markets. MAP's authorized funding has not changed since 2006 and FMD funding has remained the same since 2002.
“It has been almost 20 years since we have had an increase in funding for these crucial trade programs,” Wolle said. “We are falling behind other countries that are being more aggressive in their international market development programs. This announcement is welcome news, but it is equally crucial that Congress increases funding for MAP and FMD as it reauthorizes the farm bill.”
NCGA partners closely with the United States Grains Council to develop trade markets for corn globally.
USMEF Statement on Regional Agricultural Promotion Program Funding
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA will utilize $1.3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to fund a Regional Agricultural Promotion Program aimed at diversifying export markets for U.S. agricultural products.
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:
USMEF thanks Secretary Vilsack and the staff at USDA for prioritizing international market development by making these funds available through the Commodity Credit Corporation. The USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program have a proven track record of providing excellent, value-added returns to U.S. producers, and more recently the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) helped U.S. agriculture overcome trade obstacles and develop new markets. With ATP funding coming to the end, new investments in foreign market development are very timely and much appreciated. We also thank Congressional leaders for their support of this program and for their continued support of MAP and FMD funding.
NMPF and USDEC Commend Significant New Investment in Export Market Promotion
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) praised today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it plans to devote $2.3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation to promoting better market opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers and expanding food aid to support communities in need around the world.
The expanded export support program and food aid were requested by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, and Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman, R-AR, in late August. USDA will devote $1.3 billion to establishing a Regional Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, and $1 billion to commodity-based international food aid.
“The U.S. dairy community is grateful for the USDA’s decision to invest in supporting the cultivation of enhanced international market opportunities for America’s dairy farmers and cooperatives. We thank Senators Stabenow and Boozman for their initiative in encouraging USDA to pursue this course of action,” said NMPF president and CEO Jim Mulhern. “Now more than ever, the U.S. dairy industry relies on exports. If distributed to those sectors that are presently underfunded such as dairy, the new export promotion funding will put us in a better position to compete globally and grow our consumer base. NMPF encourages Congress to build on today’s announcement by USDA to also deliver additional funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program in the development of the next Farm Bill.”
NMPF, USDEC and other agricultural leaders are advocating for Congress to double funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program – the two programs have not received a raise in over 16 years, despite offering consistent returns on investment.
“Farmers, manufacturers and workers up and down the dairy supply chain benefit from expanded trade opportunities that help the industry thrive in today’s global economy,” said USDEC president and CEO Krysta Harden. “We’re thankful that USDA is taking this important step to support American Agriculture and appreciate Senators Stabenow and Boozman elevating the importance of using CCC resources to fund programs that will strengthen the U.S. dairy industry through the creation of new markets and the promotion of nutritional dairy-containing products in food aid. We look forward to continuing to work together to level the playing field for America’s dairy farmers and producers.”
USGC Reacts To USDA's Announcement Of Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP) Market Development Funds
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its plan to use Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to create the Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP) - a $1.3 billion program to assist agricultural groups in marketing their commodities overseas. In addition, and under the RAPP program, USDA will also provide $1 billion in commodity-based international food aid.
In response to the announcement, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) thanked the USDA:
“The U.S. Grains Council thanks Secretary Vilsack and the USDA for continuing to promote market development through providing a new program funding source,” said USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand. “The success of the Council would not be possible without its partners in both the public and private sector, and we look forward to expanding exports of corn, sorghum, barley and their co-products with this new source of funding, however, there is still a need to increase long-term funding of the MAP and FMD programs in a new farm bill.”
Like the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) funds that were first distributed in 2019, RAPP funding from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will supplement the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) funds the Council relies on annually to help its members expand markets for grains in all forms and its international partners to serve their local consumers.
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