Tuesday December 26 Ag News

 NASS seeks public input during survey program review

Upon the completion of the Census of Agriculture every five years, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts a thorough review of its estimating programs. The goal of the review is to ensure that the annual estimating programs target the commodities and states most relevant to U.S. agriculture. In addition to ag census data, NASS will consider all available information, including public input, when determining whether to add or remove specific programs and when selecting the individual states included in each commodity program.

With data collection for the 2022 Census of Agriculture now complete, NASS is beginning the program review process and is now seeking public feedback. Please send comments or other information for consideration about a specific NASS program, along with contact information, to nass@nass.usda.gov with NASS Program Review in the subject line by Jan. 5, 2024.



Iowa farmer named to American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee

Vanessa Trampel of Garner has been named to the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee (AFBF YF&R). Trampel currently serves as chair for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer program.

“My goal in Iowa has been to get more young people involved at the county Farm Bureau level,” says Trampel. “By sharing experiences and learning from each other, we can uncover new opportunities. Through involvement in Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, I’m eager to learn from peers nationwide and create a supportive environment where young farmers feel connected and heard.”

As a member of the AFBF YF&R, Trampel will provide input to long-term planning, assist with national young farmer events, engage in leadership training and act as a liaison between the national YF&R and state programs.

Trampel, along with her husband, Kody, and two children, raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cattle.  She also holds an off-farm job as an occupational health nurse and volunteers with Ag in the Classroom programs.



Research and Demonstration Farms Held More than 100 Field Days in 2023

The past year was one of transition and new beginnings for the Research and Demonstration Farms operated by Iowa State University.

At the leadership level, Kendall Lamkey was named research farms director and associate dean for facilities and operations for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in May. Lamkey’s appointment follows the retirement of director Mark Honeyman, who retired in 2022.

Lamkey previously served as chair of the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State, and said he looks forward to showcasing the farms and the work being done by specialists.

“The research farms are a huge asset for the university and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,” said Lamkey. “They’re an avenue for our faculty to execute their research, teaching and extension programs, and they’re also an avenue for our demonstration projects in extension.”
Beef cattle eating in barn.

Research topics
This year’s research included topics related to crop and livestock production, drought management, soil health and fertility, pasture management, fencing and grazing, as well as weed and insect management.

Iowa State held more than 100 field days at its 15 farms in 2023, with demonstrations led by specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The farms are located across the state, giving farmers and the general public the opportunity to interact with researchers and view the latest in modern agriculture.

“I see the farms as Iowa State outposts,” said Lamkey. “They are representations of what happens on campus and in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.”

Something for everyone
Lamkey said he was especially impressed with the turnout for the field days held at the Horticulture Research Station, just north of Ames. The Fall Field Day, held in September in partnership with Iowa Public Radio, drew more than 250 people.

He said the horticulture field days are popular among producers and also members of the community who simply want to learn more about horticulture and food production.

Tim Goode, research farms manager at Iowa State, said the farms continue to be a popular destination for people of all ages and backgrounds. Several events were youth-specific, exposing youth to careers in agriculture, as well as farm safety.

“Many of our Iowa youth don’t have grandparents on the farm anymore, so the research farms are a great way to expose them to where their food comes from and the work being done by Iowa State University,” said Goode. “Hopefully the field days inspire them and they may someday pursue an education or a career in agriculture.”

New facilities
This was the first full year that the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm utilized its newly constructed Research and Learning Center, an 80-by-60-foot facility that will be used to maintain and repair equipment, and also for hosting educational events. Rotary hote in action.

In north central Iowa, the Northern Research and Demonstration Farm is conducting a capital campaign to construct a new facility that will including a large multi-use area, offices for farm staff, a lobby and welcome area, as well as new restrooms and a kitchenette.

The Northern Research and Demonstration Farm is the oldest of the state’s research farms. This 173-acre farm conducts research that is essential to farmers and agricultural business partners across the region. Donations are still being accepted and information about how to donate is available online.

“We look forward to the many ways these new facilities will be put to use, and the improvements they will offer our staff and the public,” said Lamkey. “Agriculture continues to change, and so do the needs of society. These modern buildings will allow us to better work on and demonstrate today’s farm equipment, and educate Iowans about issues that impact their lives.”



Mercaris Murmurings: New Argentine leadership could impact organic soybean imports

Organic soybean imports in Nov. 2023 increased significantly to 28,000 MT, an increase of 56% y/y and 2200% m/m. Argentina was the largest source with 16,000 MT, followed by Turkey with 8,000 MT. Uruguay and Ukraine both sent 1,000 MT. This was the first month that Ukraine has exported organic soybeans to the United States since Oct. 2022.

Domestic organic soybean prices recovered in November. The price of feed-grade organic soybeans delivered to the U.S. Corn Belt averaged $22.00 during November, which is down $0.15 from the prior month and down $7.49 from a year prior. Organic soybean trading has been quieter than usual for this time of year but has picked up from recent months.

The recent election in Argentina, a major source of organic soybeans, has raised questions about the potential dollarizing of the Argentine economy proposed by the new president would affect exports. In recent years, the Argentine economy has been affected by significant inflation, which has made farmers hesitant to export their grain. Grain stored on farm will be paid for with U.S. dollars when exported to the U.S., so while held on farm the value is not affected by the persistent inflation. When farmers do sell the grain and convert the revenue into Argentine pesos, it then becomes vulnerable to inflation and can lose value quickly. Farmers are then incentivized to hold onto their grain for longer. If the Argentine economy was converted to U.S. dollars, then farmers would have less of an advantage to carrying grain rather than selling it for export. This could help to front end Argentine exports more heavily towards harvest. However, a recent increase of 3% points for export duties will hamper some agricultural exports.



Pre-Solicitation Announcement for Section 32 Purchase of Pork Products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase Pork Products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. Potential materials may include 111061 - PORK LOIN ROAST FRZ CTN-6/5 LB, 100891 - PORK HAM WATERAD SLC FRZ PKG-20/2 LB, 100182 - PORK HAM WATERAD FRZ CTN-12/3 LB and 111030 - PORK PATTY CKD PKG-20/2 LB. Purchases will be made under the authority of Section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, with the purpose to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce.

Solicitations will be issued in the near future and will be available electronically through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system. A hard copy of the solicitation will not be available. Public WBSCM information is available without an account on the WBSCM Public Procurement Page. All future information regarding this acquisition, including solicitation amendments and award notices, will be published through WBSCM and on the Agricultural Marketing Service's website.  Interested parties shall be responsible for ensuring they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The contract type is anticipated to be firm-fixed-price.  Deliveries are expected to be to various locations in the United States on a Freight on Board (FOB) destination basis.

Pursuant to Agricultural Acquisition Regulation 470.103(b), commodities and the products of agricultural commodities acquired under this contract must be a product of the United States and shall be considered such a product if it is grown, processed and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States. Packaging and container components under this acquisition will be the only portion subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements, as addressed by FAR clause 52.225-5.

Offerors are urged to review all documents as they pertain to this program, including the latest:
    AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements (MSCP), effective November, 2023.
    Applicable commodity specification(s) identified in the subsequent solicitation(s).
    New Vendor Qualification Checklist (pdf), effective October 6, 2021.

These documents are available on the AMS Commodity Procurement webpage.

To be eligible to submit offers, potential contractors must meet the AMS vendor qualification requirements. The AMS point of contact for new vendors is Andrea Lang or Diana Dau David who can be reached by phone at (202) 720-4237 or by email at NewVendor@usda.gov. Details of these requirements are available online. Once qualification requirements have been met, access to WBSCM will be provided. Bids, modifications, withdrawals of bids and price adjustments shall be submitted using this system. Submission of the above by any means other than WBSCM will be determined non-responsive.



Linamar Acquires Seeding Expert Bourgault Industries, Significantly Bolstering its
Agriculture Business

Linamar Corporation (TSX: LNR) today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Bourgault Industries Ltd. of St. Brieux, Saskatchewan, further enhancing its Industrial segment’s diversified offerings and advancing its position as a leading short-line agriculture equipment manufacturer. Bourgault is a world-class agriculture equipment manufacturer regarded as a market and technology leader in broad acre seeding. Linamar’s existing agricultural brands include harvesting specialist MacDon, and tillage and crop nutrition expert Salford. Bourgault is highly complimentary to these existing divisions and enables Linamar to increase its market position as it now possesses a full lineup of products in the broader crop production cycle, from field preparation, to seeding, crop nutrition, harvest and post harvest.

The transaction, representing the purchase of 100% of the equity interest of Bourgault, is for CAD $640 Million, subject to customary adjustments. Bourgault will become part of a new Linamar Agriculture division within the broader Industrial Segment. The industrial segment also includes Skyjack, a manufacturer of aerial work platforms. This new Agriculture group will continue to operate the shortline brands of MacDon, Salford, and Bourgault independently while maximizing overall growth opportunities globally, better enabling future Agriculture technologies, improving the overall farm customer experience, as well as enhancing product support. The acquisition includes Bourgault’s Highline Manufacturing division which produces hay handling and livestock feeding equipment, as well as roto-moulding producer Free Form Plastics.

Linda Hasenfratz, Linamar Executive Chair and CEO said “We are thrilled to welcome Bourgault Industries into the Linamar family. Bourgault is another Canadian manufacturing success story that draws many similarities to Linamar’s history of entrepreneurism and technical innovation. The Bourgault name is synonymous with broad acre agricultural seeding innovation and offers a tremendous opportunity for Linamar to further diversify and grow our agriculture platform, as well as our Industrial segment overall. It also further enhances our powerful synergistic diversification strategy whereby our Industrial businesses benefit from purchasing leverage, global footprint and access to industry leading lean manufacturing expertise from our Mobility businesses, while our Mobility business benefits from the strong cash generation and brand expertise of our Industrial businesses. Together our business model provides an excellent formula for consistent, sustainable growth with strong margins and excellent balance sheet strength.”

Jim Jarrell, Linamar’s President and COO added, “Bourgault is our third strategic acquisition of 2023, following two previous transactions within the Mobility sector earlier this year. This work is the result of a well-defined strategy to grow our business with diversified product offerings, creating a larger potential addressable market and new pathways for future revenue growth. Bourgault strengthens our short-line agriculture platform with strong brand recognition, a portfolio of advanced seeding technologies and an operational footprint that will enable us to better serve the core Western Canadian and US Midwest farm base.”

Bourgault President Gerry Bourgault commented, “Bourgault was started by my father and has a rich history in agriculture. The Bourgault family is incredibly proud of the legacy we have created both here in in St. Brieux, Saskatchewan, but also around the world. We are excited to have our team of over nine-hundred people in Saskatchewan, and over one thousand worldwide, join the Linamar family. Linamar has a proven track record for not only successfully integrating acquired companies, but also for their manufacturing expertise and business execution overall. I am confident Linamar will take the Bourgault brand to new heights in its next chapter, while also allowing Bourgault to maintain and build upon its deep-rooted connections to its stakeholders in Saskatchewan and around the world.”