Friday February 23 Ag News

 REP. SMITH SALUTES YEUTTER INSTITUTE’S WORK ON TRADE ISSUES, STUDENT SUPPORTS

Nebraska and the United States can benefit from engagement in the global economy through rules-based agreements that ensure enforcement and are grounded in science, Rep. Adrian Smith said in a Feb. 20 lecture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance is providing leadership in exploring such economic opportunities and helping students understand trade issues, he said.

“I salute the Yeutter Institute for elevating the conversation and the work the students are doing,” Smith said. “I salute all of you for really digging in and looking for a way forward that provides more opportunity.”

Smith, who has represented Nebraska’s Third Congressional District since 2007, chairs the House Ways and Means Committee’s Trade Subcommittee and is the senior member of Nebraska’s congressional delegation. He spoke at the Nebraska East Union in a lecture to honor the Yeutter Institute on its fifth anniversary.

Yeutter (1930-2017), a native of Eustis, Nebraska, served as U.S. trade representative and agriculture secretary and earned three degrees from the University of Nebraska: a bachelor’s degree; law degree; and doctorate in agricultural economics.

Yeutter was a central figure in the late 20th century in negotiating trade agreements that began significant reductions in trade barriers to American agricultural exports. Yeutter “was a giant in Nebraska agriculture and leadership and truly across America and around the world,” Smith said.

The Yeutter Institute last fall began an international trade minor open to any Husker student, regardless of major. The minor is tailored to students’ individual needs and emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach and experiential learning through in-class simulations.

Students participating in the institute’s trade minor were among the audience members who addressed Smith during a question-and-answer segment of his presentation.

Smith, a past Nebraska state senator from Gering, underscored the importance of innovation in agriculture and the university’s role in bolstering such advancement in Nebraska. It’s vital “to look at new ways of doing things, especially in agriculture,” he said. “I salute the university for the research that they do for agriculture.”

Adopting new production methods may involve “taking a risk from time to time, but achieving so much more in pursuing the latest and the greatest in technologies so that we can have record yield amidst the drought,” he said. Innovations in biotechnology, irrigation and no-till “have really spoken for themselves in terms of innovation and drive.”

Research by Husker faculty has pioneered advances in such innovations, and Nebraska Extension specialists work with producers across the state to share the research findings and their practical applications for agricultural production and environmental stewardship.

Trade, unlike some issues before Congress, stands out for offering significant opportunities for bipartisan agreement in Washington, D.C., said Smith, who last year received the Congressional Leadership Award from the Washington International Trade Association.

International trade, when governed by soundly constructed agreements, benefits U.S. consumers and provides needed inputs for U.S. manufacturers, Smith said. Overseas markets are vital for Nebraska agriculture, he said, noting that the Third District he represents ranks No. 1 in agricultural product value among U.S. House districts.

“I requested to be on the Ways and Means Committee,” which deals with trade issues, “because I know how important trade is to Nebraska and to American agriculture,” he said.

In January, Smith and three other House members announced the creation of the bipartisan Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus. The caucus aims to advance and promote policies vital to U.S. agriculture, including boosting agricultural exports, facilitating food and agriculture trade, and knocking down trade barriers.

Smith called on the Biden administration to become more active in seeking further market opening overseas. Potential bilateral trade agreements with the United Kingdom and Kenya offer promising opportunities, he said.

The revamp of the North America Free Trade Agreement under President Donald Trump was an example of bipartisan agreement on trade policy innovation, and the agreement’s enforcement mechanism is important now that the Mexican government is attempting to end imports of genetically edited corn from the U.S., he said.

Trade policy needs to be decided by scientific criteria rather than political considerations, he told the audience. This is particularly a problem with politically motivated non-tariff barriers that countries adopt, undermining U.S. ag export opportunities, he said.

The best results for trade policy happen when presidential administrations work constructively with Congress, and a U.S. shift away from China and toward friendly countries can help address current supply chain concerns, he said.



Annual Nebraska LEAD Recognition Banquet March 15 in Lincoln

Senator Fred Meyer (LEAD XIV) – District 41 of St. Paul will be the keynote speaker at the annual LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program Recognition Banquet Friday, March 15.

Meyer’s address will provide insight on leadership development while addressing the need for quality leadership at all levels and aspects of society. The banquet will be held to honor Nebraska LEAD Class 41 at the Nebraska East Union on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus.

During the banquet, the Nebraska LEAD Alumni Association will also be presenting the 2024 “Dr. Allen G. Blezek Friend of LEAD” award. “This very prestigious award is presented annually to an individual or organization who has a distinguished history of providing outstanding support to the Nebraska LEAD Program. The award honors Dr. Blezek, the long-time director who passed away in 2020.” according to LEAD Program Director Dr. Terry Hejny. This year’s recipient is Donna Hutchens, long-time friend, and supporter of LEAD.

Prior to the banquet, the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council will conduct its annual meeting at 4:30 p.m. The council will elect 2024-25 officers to its board of directors.

Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the 6:30 p.m. banquet.

Banquet reservations are $30 and may be made by calling the Nebraska LEAD Program office at (402) 472-6810 no later than March 8.

Nebraska LEAD 41 Fellows by hometown that are completing the two-year leadership development program are:
ALBION: Amanda Berg
ARTHUR: Karina Christensen
ATKINSON: Amber Shane
BATTLE CREEK: Brian Schwartz
BEATRICE: Abby Lineweber
BRADY: Steve Vaughn
DICKENS: Caleb Ayers
GORDON: Anna Shadbolt
HEBRON: Lance Pachta
IMPERIAL: Jakob Burke, Jon Lechtenberg
KEARNEY: Makayla Fox, Rhett Montgomery
KIMBALL: Jamie Bright
LINCOLN: Tyler Wellman
MILFORD: Allissa Troyer
NORTH BEND: Joe Ruskamp
NORTH LOUP: Luke Zangger
OMAHA: Easton Eggers
SCRIBNER: Chris Beerbohm

The Nebraska LEAD Program includes men and women, currently active in production agriculture and agribusiness and is a two-year leadership development program under the direction of the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, in cooperation with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

For more information, or to request an application for Nebraska LEAD 43, contact the Nebraska LEAD Program, 104 Agricultural Communications Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0940, telephone 402-472-6810 or email the Nebraska LEAD Program at leadprogram@unl.edu. The application deadline is June 15.



Ricketts, Fischer, Marshall Call on EPA to Appeal Dicamba Decision, Protect Access to Crop Production Tools

Recently, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) joined 18 Republican colleagues in calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to appeal an adverse court decision and protect farmers from losing access to dicamba crop protection tools.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona released a decision to vacate certain Dicamba registrations at a time when farmers have already made planting decisions for the spring. The letter asks the EPA to not only appeal the decision but also to seek a stay pending the appeal. It also asks them to modify its current existing stocks order so farmers, retailers, and manufacturers won’t be impacted this spring.

“U.S. farmers are already coping with record input costs, crippling interest rates, and lackluster commodity prices, wrote the senators.  “USDA is forecasting a major decline in 2024 farm income as well as a record agricultural trade deficit. The last thing farmers need now is to lose access to critical crop protection tools in which they have already invested thousands of dollars and on which they have based this year’s planting decisions. Crop protection tools like dicamba are vital to making no-till farming practical and efficient at a commercial level. If these tools are not available, farmers will be forced to revert to full tillage methods, which would ultimately set yields and conservation efforts back decades.”

In addition to Ricketts and Marshall, the letter was signed by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), James Lankford (R-OK), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Thune (R-SD), and Todd Young (R-IN).



Year-Round E15 Sale Approved For Nebraska Starting in 2025

The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) welcomes the final rule published today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will approve a request from several Midwest governors, including Nebraska. The rule equalizes E10 and E15 regulations, allowing the year-round sale of E15 in the governors’ respective states beginning in 2025.

“We’re excited that the continued persistence of Gov. Pillen and his colleagues has paid off,” NEB Executive Director Reid Wagner said. “Consumers deserve the option of low-cost, low-carbon E15 year-round. It’s great news that Nebraska drivers will have that option permanently beginning in 2025. Unfortunately, this rule also leaves those same drivers without an option for the summer 2024 driving season. We look forward to working with the EPA on ways that we can secure the uninterrupted sale of E15 for this summer.”

Eight Midwest governors originally requested year-round E15 sales from the EPA in 2022, including then-Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. Various delays in the approval process eventually resulted in Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers suing the EPA last year. The EPA published the final rule today, effectively clearing the last hurdle on the long‑awaited change.

“The NEB has long pushed for a permanent fix to E15 regulation,” Wagner said. “Although this rule will allow year-round E15 sales in only the eight Midwestern states who originally requested it, this is a major step in allowing consumers to choose E15 throughout the year without the need for temporary waivers or other measures. We will continue to push for a nationwide legislative fix to allow E15 year-round, and urge Congress to swiftly adopt legislation to resolve this issue beyond the Midwest.”



Congressman Flood Welcomes E15 Expansion, Calls for More

Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement following news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allow eight states to begin selling E15 year-round starting in 2025.

“While I am pleased that the EPA granted the governors’ request, this announcement still falls short of year-round E15 for all and delays implementation until 2025. E15 has had proven benefits for years, and it’s time to tear down remaining regulatory barriers, so every American can access this affordable fuel that helps clean up our air while growing our rural communities. If the Biden administration isn’t going to find a way to get this done, Congress must act to deliver year-round E15 for all Americans.”



Smith Statement on EPA's E-15 Rule

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), a co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its rule allowing year-round sale of E-15 in eight states beginning in 2025:

"Although year-round sale of E-15 is welcome news for midwestern consumers looking for more options and price relief at the pump, it remains clear that we need a permanent solution to allow the year-round sale of E-15 nationwide. Farmers, ethanol and petroleum producers, retailers, and consumers need long-term certainty which the U.S. Supreme Court has said can only come through legislation, and I will continue to work to codify uninterrupted, nationwide E-15 through the bipartisan Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act and urge President Biden to fully support this commonsense policy."



Fischer Statement on EPA’s E-15 Announcement

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule approving a request from a group of Midwest governors to allow the year-round sale of gasoline with higher blends of ethanol, effective in 2025.

“While I appreciate that the EPA has finally approved the year-round availability of E-15, the limited geography and needless delay until 2025 still complicates its sale. Congress must pass my legislation that will at last provide a nationwide, permanent solution for the sale of this blend that benefits consumers, producers, and the environment,” said Senator Fischer.



Ricketts Statement on EPA’s E-15 Announcement

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a longtime champion of Nebraska biofuels, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule approving a request from Midwest governors to allow the year-round sale of gasoline with higher blends of ethanol in 2025:

“Today’s announcement is a welcome step toward year-round availability of E-15. Higher blend ethanol saves consumers money at the pump, it makes us more energy independent, and it creates good-paying jobs right here in Nebraska. The next step is for Congress to pass legislation allowing for the permanent sale of E-15 nationwide.”



Unnecessary Delay in Final Approval of Requests by 8 Governors for Year-Round E15 Leaves Consumers Facing Fewer Choices and Higher Gas Prices This Summer

Today, the EPA finalized a rule implementing the decision by a bipartisan group of eight Midwest governors to allow year-round sales of E15. Already over a year and a half past the statutory deadline to take action, in EPA’s final rule the agency delayed implementation from 2024 to 2025, essentially making it two and a half years late.

“Obviously we’re glad there’s a final rule implementing the governors’ action under the Clean Air Act to allow year-round sales of E15,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “But the last-minute delay in implementation means motorists face fewer options and higher prices at the pump this summer. This further delay is unnecessary and unjustified. During recent court filings on this topic, the Department of Justice stipulated that the governors had the power to make the requests, that the governors made the requests properly, that the governors submitted proper documentation with their requests, and that the EPA should have acted a year and a half ago. This additional delay feels like a slap in the face to Midwest motorists.”

The eight Midwest governors submitted their requests on April 28, 2022. The EPA was required by law to take action within 90 days. Defying the Congressional deadline, EPA waited until March 6, 2023, almost a year after receiving the petition, to propose approval of the request. After taking public comment, the draft rule was only sent to the OMB for inter-agency review in December of 2023.

“With the rule final, our attention now turns to both a solution to protect consumers during this summer as well as a national fix in Congress,” stated Shaw. “While our work is not done, it’s important to note that we wouldn’t have the progress today without the leadership of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who organized the bipartisan group of 8 governors to exercise their authority under the Clean Air Act back in 2022. IRFA members are deeply thankful for her unrelenting work on this issue. We also want to thank Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird who sued the EPA to protect the governors’ rights. We know they will be with us as we continue to work on a 2024 summer solution and to take this Midwest victory nationwide.”



Naig Comments on EPA’s Delayed Final Approval of Midwest Governors’ Year-Round E15 Petition

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) belatedly announced a final rule authorizing year-round sales of E15, with additional delays, in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin:

“EPA’s final rule authorizing year-round E15 sales in eight states will eventually help consumers save money at the pump, but this result would not have happened without the strong leadership and action of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and her fellow Midwestern governors. While we appreciate this decision, EPA’s final rule is long overdue, it does not apply until 2025, and it took a lawsuit led by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird to help force the action. EPA must now use its authority to issue an emergency E15 waiver for the summer of 2024 or Iowa drivers will needlessly experience higher fuel costs and fewer fuel choices beginning on June 1.”



ICGA Applauds Governor Reynolds and Welcomes the Addition of EPA’s Final Decision to Access Year-Round E15

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) welcomes EPA’s final decision on access to year-round E15 for Midwest states and applauds Governor Reynolds for leading this effort alongside ICGA. In early March of 2023, the EPA delayed the implementation of a plan, created by a group of bipartisan Midwest Governors, including Governor Reynolds, that would allow for the sale of E15 year-round in each respective state until April of 2024. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will grant the request beginning in the summer of 2025.

“We are very appreciative for all Governor Reynolds has done in leading the charge for access to higher blends of ethanol at the pump. With the EPA’s official ruling we can ensure all consumers across the state can save money and utilize products we grow right here in Iowa,” said Jolene Riessen a farmer from Ida Grove and Iowa Corn Growers Association President. “ICGA will continue to advocate alongside the National Corn Growers Association and our biofuels partners for a solution to the 2024 driving season to provide drivers access to E15, the more affordable fuel by 15-16 cents a gallon.Uninterrupted access to E15 year-round is vital for consumers and farmers alike.”



Corn Growers Welcome Decision by EPA on Access to Year-Round E15 While Calling for Legislation to Eliminate Nationwide Patchwork on Ethanol

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will grant the request by eight Midwestern governors to allow the year-round sale of fuel with a 15% ethanol blend, or E15, in their states beginning in the summer of 2025.

The announcement was welcomed by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), which has been fighting to break down barriers to the environmentally friendly biofuels.

“We are glad to hear this decision from EPA, as it puts us on the road to providing more certainty to America’s corn growers and consumers who will save money at the pump,” said NCGA President and Minnesota Farmer Harold Wolle. “However, given that this decision will not take effect until the summer of 2025, we question and are concerned about the implications of the timeline for growers and consumers this summer.”

The sale of E15 has been banned during the summer months to meet federal clean air standards that have been shown to be unnecessary and outdated. The U.S. EPA has granted waivers over the last few years to allow drivers continued access to environmentally friendly and affordable E15.

Even after today’s announcement, NCGA says a permanent legislative fix is still needed.

“While we are pleased with today’s decision, we still need a law that codifies access to higher levels of ethanol and that eliminates the patchwork of state regulations on the issue,” said Wolle. “That is why we are pushing for the passage of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act in the Senate to solve this issue once and for all.”



Weekly Ethanol Production for 2/16/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending February 16, ethanol production was nearly unchanged at 1.08 million b/d, equivalent to 45.53 million gallons daily. Output was 5.3% more than the same week last year and 13.1% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 6.8% to 1.05 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.07 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks slipped 1.2% to 25.5 million barrels. Stocks were 0.3% less than the same week last year but 4.3% above the five-year average. Inventories declined in all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, edged up 0.4% to 8.20 million b/d (125.70 bg annualized). Demand was 8.0% less than a year ago and 4.2% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol fell 3.0% to 836,000 b/d, equivalent to 12.82 bg annualized. Net inputs were 2.1% less than a year ago and 1.3% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 170,000 b/d (7.14 million gallons/day), which was 58.9% above the prior week and the highest level since mid-December. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 22nd consecutive week.



Commercial Red Meat Production Up Slightly from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.77 billion pounds in January, up slightly from the 4.76 billion pounds produced in January 2023.

Beef production, at 2.28 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year.  Cattle slaughter totaled 2.73 million head, down 3 percent from January 2023.  The average live weight was up 9 pounds from the previous year, at 1,389 pounds.

Veal production totaled 3.9 million pounds, 12 percent below January a year ago.  Calf slaughter totaled 22,600 head, 26 percent below January 2023.  The average live weight was up 45 pounds from last year, at 294 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.47 billion pounds, 2 percent above the previous year.  Hog slaughter totaled 11.4 million head, 2 percent above January 2023.  The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 292 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 10.6 million pounds, was 4 percent above January 2023.  Sheep slaughter totaled 171,700 head, 5 percent above last year.  The average live weight was 121 pounds, down 2 pounds from January a year ago.

By State      (million lbs.  -  % Jan '23)
Nebraska ......:     664.6            102       
Iowa .............:     811.5            103       
Kansas ..........:     485.0             97       



Farmers Ask for Stability in Milk Prices

The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union sent a letter today requesting that USDA bring stability to Class I milk prices. The letter, sent jointly by AFBF President Zippy Duvall and NFU President Rob Larew, asks Secretary Tom Vilsack to issue an interim final decision to return the Class I mover formula to the “higher of” the Class III or IV calculations, as it was before the 2018 farm bill.

The letter states, “Dairy farmers remain stuck with current pricing regulations until USDA publishes a final rule. Current market dynamics underscore the need for expedited return to the ‘higher-of’ Class I mover. The current Class I mover was a well-intentioned but misguided policy that has reduced dairy farmer income. Emergency implementation of the ‘higher-of’ Class I mover formula will staunch persistent losses associated with a policy that has left dairy farmers struggling to make ends meet.”

The 2018 farm bill included a provision that swapped the higher-of the advanced Class III or IV skim milk price formula for the simple average-of advanced Class III and IV skim milk formulas plus 74 cents. Farmers addressed the challenges of the formula in a Federal Milk Marketing Forum organized by AFBF in 2022, identified the issue in a special order of business at the 2023 NFU Convention, and testified in USDA hearings that began in 2023. “The current formula was based on a quick legislative decision and not based on a hearing record of demonstrated need,” the letter continues. “It has also not turned out to be revenue neutral for dairy farmers. A return to the ‘higher-of’ is supported by the record in the current hearing, as well as by the rulemaking at the time it was first established in 2000.”



National FFA Officers Visit Japan, Engage in Multicultural Partnership

The 2023-24 National FFA Officer Team recently returned from Japan, where they participated in an international program in conjunction with sister organization Future Farmers of Japan (FFJ), strengthening a partnership that dates back to 1950. This is the first time the national officer team has been able to continue this tradition of traveling to Japan since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.

Throughout their ten-day trip, the six officers engaged in a variety of cultural and agricultural experiences, including:
    Briefing with Senior Agriculture Attaché Mark Wallace at the U.S. Embassy in TokyoMeeting with FFJ students at Tokyo Metropolitan Engei High School and Osaka Prefectural Engei High School
    Meeting an 88-year-old daikon (radish) farmer in Kagoshima, Japan, specifically on Sakurajima Island, home to a 26,000-year-old volcano
    Visiting the Miyajima Cattle Farm, an F1 Hybrid cattle farm with over 1,000 F1 cows (first-generation offspring produced by crossing two purebred parental breeds)
    Strawberry picking at Takenouchi farm
    Visiting Koiso Japanese Tea Company and processing facility
    Visiting JA Kagoshima Mirai Kagoshim-Sakurajima citrus sorting site
    Touring the Aeon Supermarket
    Visting Zen Noh Silo

The annual trip provides National FFA Officers the chance to experience firsthand how agriculture transcends geographical boundaries.

 “From farm succession to hydroponics, and tea farming to trade ports, it was impactful to see firsthand how different, yet similar, the world operates,” said National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Morgan Anderson, who is from Ohio. “Culturally, the world is expansive and diverse, but there is one common factor between all of us – agriculture. I feel a deeper sense of unity knowing that we all are working to feed the world no matter how that looks.”

Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, the National FFA Organization selects six student members to represent the organization as National FFA Officers. The primary responsibility of a national officer is to serve the organization in local, state, national and international activities in a way that will inform, motivate and inspire FFA members, advisors, state staff, teachers and others to achieve the mission, strategies and core goals of the organization. The officers will share knowledge gained from their experience in Japan with state chapter members, including during National FFA Week (February 17-24), during which they will travel across the country to meet with state representatives.

“I was honored to join the National FFA Officer team for their International Experience Program to Japan this year,” said Scott Stump, CEO for the National FFA Organization. “Throughout our travels, the officers gained a larger understanding of agriculture as a global industry. I’m excited for these young adults to continue advocating for agriculture, and I know they already recognize just how special FFA is to offer experiences like this.”

 National officers dedicate one year of service to the organization. The time is spent representing student membership during meetings with the National FFA Board of Directors, facilitating workshops that bring leadership and knowledge to FFA members, delivering motivational speeches, and serving as advocates for FFA on a global scale.