Monday March 04 Ag News

Elkhorn Valley Cattlemen banquet

The Elkhorn Valley Cattlemen Association will host their association banquet on Saturday, March 30, 2024.  The location for this year’s banquet will be the at the Madison Co Fairgrounds in the 4-H Building.  We will kick off the evening with a social at 6:30 pm followed by a steak dinner at 7:00 pm.  Join us for an evening of fun, including an auction and catch up with beef industry friends and supporters.

Entertainment is Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason.  Matt is entertaining and engaging as he shares his experiences and poetry.

Please consider donating to help our association support youth scholarships along with promotion and education events in Madison and Stanton counties.

Banquet sponsorship levels:
Grand Champion $500 – includes 4 banquet tickets.
Reserve Champion $300 – includes 2 banquet tickets.
Purple Ribbon $200 – includes no banquet tickets.

Tickets to the banquet can be purchased for $45.  To purchase tickets, contact Allan Louthan 402-841-6601 louthanmaines@hotmail.com or Will McClymont 402 649-3195.  The deadline for ticket purchase is March 20.



Pillen & University Leaders Announce Food Animal Veterinary Scholarship Program

Governor Jim Pillen has announced a new scholarship program for Nebraska students aimed at growing the number of veterinarians serving livestock producers across the state.  The Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program provides financial support to Nebraska students pursuing degrees in animal science or veterinary science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Today, is the first day that applications are being accepted for the first cohort of students.

“The need for production animal veterinarians is undeniable. It’s an issue for Nebraska and other state’s as well,” said Gov. Pillen. “Through this collaboration with UNL, Nebraska will be a leader in boosting the number of graduates in this field.”

UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett voiced strong support for the program, which he said will help the university meet two key goals.

“The Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program aligns with two key aims of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln -- first, to attract, retain, and graduate Nebraska’s best and brightest students; and second, to contribute to resolving pressing issues within the state of Nebraska,” said Bennett. “The University appreciates Gov. Pillen’s leadership and the state’s support of this program that will impact not only UNL but all Nebraskans who benefit from veterinary services.”

Nebraska’s livestock industry contributes more than $6 billion annually to the state’s economy – an impact that is especially significant in rural counties and communities. Veterinarians play a critical role in keeping livestock healthy, improving herd health, and responding to disease and public health issues, among many other services, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Access to high-quality veterinary care improves profitability for livestock producers and contributes to peace of mind for producers when their animals need care.

But Nebraska and other states across the country are facing a steep shortage of food animal veterinarians. One reason for this is the cost of veterinary training, according to the USDA. The Elite 11 Program removes the barrier of cost for Nebraska students interested in food animal veterinary medicine.

Dr. Larry Marshall has been a vet in Bertrand for nearly 40 years. He says students tend to return to their home communities to practice, which is both a benefit and a hindrance when it comes to recruiting food animal veterinarians, especially if that hometown is in another state.

“The point is that my plight in trying to find an associate is shared up and down areas of rural Nebraska with other veterinarians. This is a plan that I think is going to get to the root of the problem and it’s going to help solve that problem,” shared Marshall. “Our goal is to find, cultivate, educate, mentor and lead these students down a path that will let them be successful food animal veterinarians in rural Nebraska.”

Up to 25 first-time freshmen will receive the Nebraska Aspiring Animal Production Veterinarians Program Scholarship, which covers 50% of their tuition for the first two years of their study in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

After the second year, up to 13 of the original 25 scholarship recipients will be awarded a continuation scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition for their third and fourth years of study at UNL. Ultimately, 11 students will be selected as part of the Elite 11. Those students will receive 100% of tuition and fees for UNL’s professional program in veterinary medicine, in which students complete the first two years of veterinary school at UNL, followed by two more years of schooling at the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. Students selected into the program will also receive mentoring and professional development throughout their studies.

“This program presents an incredible opportunity for Nebraska high school students who are passionate about agriculture and animal care to pursue careers in veterinary medicine without the burden of student loan debt,” said Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “This is an important program that will have a big impact on our state, our agriculture industry, and on the students who take part in it. I’m grateful to Gov. Pillen and the state of Nebraska for making this possible.”

“Based on my own experience, I know how academically demanding it is to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. It’s becoming even harder to find students who are interested in large animal care,” said Gov. Pillen. “This program aims to close that gap and produce experts in the field who can ably work with farmers and ranchers and continue to ensure Nebraska’s place in providing quality food products across the globe.”

Graduates of the Elite 11 Program are required to stay in Nebraska and practice as a production-animal veterinarian for eight years. Application instructions for the first cohort of the program are now available at casnr.unl.edu/elite11. Applications will be accepted through April 12. Scholarship recipients will be notified in late May.

“The Elite 11 Program brings together two of the things we are most passionate about at UNL – supporting Nebraska students and fulfilling our land-grant mission,” said Mike Boehm, NU Vice President and Harlan Vice Chancellor for UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “It’s truly a win-win.”

“As a rural senator representing District 44, as well as a cattle producer, I introduced LB1062 to address and support the demand for more rural veterinarians,” said State Senator Teresa Ibach. “Iowa, Kansas and Missouri all offer incentive programs that work to attract students, and their practicing veterinarian numbers well exceed ours. I am pleased that the Governor, the university and the legislature recognize the urgency to meet the needs of our ever-growing agriculture industry. This venture champions and supports students across our state who will serve this vital industry into the future.”

"This is a great example of collaboration between the state and university that will benefit agriculture and all Nebraskans,” said NU Interim President Chris Kabourek. “With the Elite 11 program, we will address important workforce needs while creating more opportunities for our young people to pursue their dreams right here in Nebraska. I'm grateful to Dean Tiffany Heng-Moss for her vision and leadership on this effort, and we thank Governor Pillen for his strong partnership on our shared goals for Nebraska's growth and competitiveness."



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for March

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in March. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates
    Tuesday, March 5 — Fairbury
    Thursday, March 7 — Norfolk
    Thursday, March 28 — Norfolk

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



2024 Soybean Gall Midge Multi-State Webinar

April 5th: 9 to 11 am CST
Registration Link: z.umn.edu/SGM24 or soybeangallmidge.org

Register now for the 2024 Soybean Gall Midge Multi-State Research Webinar on April 5th from 9 to 11 am CST. This webinar will consist of several short presentations with updates on soybean gall midge biology, ecology, and management strategies. We have also built in plenty of time for questions.

The webinar is free, but you must be registered to attend.



Iowa Plant Shutdown Reflects Need for Stronger RFS Volumes

Chevron Renewable Energy Group (Chevron REG) announced the company will indefinitely idle its biodiesel plant in Ralston, Iowa, and another in Wisconsin citing poor market conditions resulting from weak biodiesel volumes under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.
 
Grant Kimberley, Iowa Biodiesel Board executive director, made the following statement:
 
“While we are disappointed to learn of the idling of the Chevron REG biodiesel plant in Ralston, we have not heard of plans for any other Iowa biodiesel plant in the state to go off-line. However, the industry warned EPA about the possibility of plant closures when it set the federal Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations well below our overall capacity. RIN values have suffered as predicted and that hurts the bottom line of biofuel plants.
 
“We will continue to work with EPA to try to increase biodiesel blending requirements, which is clearly more in line with the Biden administration’s stated decarbonization goals. With improved profit margins, biodiesel producers will have healthier businesses and perhaps the Ralston plant would reopen, benefiting the Iowa economy and national decarbonization efforts alike.”
 
Suzanne Shirbroun, Iowa Soybean Association president and soybean farmer from Farmersburg, added the following:
 
“Farmers are already experiencing a profit squeeze, with rising production costs and tightening margins. Low biodiesel sales further put the farm economy at risk. A strong Iowa biodiesel market helps farmers weather difficult economic times and supports Iowa’s thriving agriculture industry. By increasing soybean oil value, biodiesel supports 13% of the per bushel price soybeans. It also lowers the price of soybean meal, a key ingredient for livestock producers and the food supply.
 
"We thank ISA advocate-members for their continued engagement with lawmakers to help grow biofuels and better position the industry moving forward.”



Nominations Open for Iowa's Pulled Pork Madness Bracket
    
March Madness is almost here for college basketball fans, and that means it’s time for Pulled Pork Madness for Iowans who love delicious pulled pork sandwiches. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is accepting nominations for the restaurant that serves up Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich. The annual contest started Friday morning. Nominations can be made at the Iowa Pork Producers Association website, IowaPork.org.

“This contest is a lot of fun and is great at highlighting delicious pork on menus across the state,” said Hannah Spurr, consumer outreach director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “It’s also a great way to attract new pork fans and encourages everyone to road trip around Iowa to try different restaurants that are serving up some delicious pork!”

Now in its seventh year, Pulled Pork Madness highlights the best of the best when it comes to serving up delicious Iowa-made pulled pork. Whether your favorite pulled pork is sandwiched between two buns, open-faced, or smothered in cheesy goodness, we want you to tell us where to find it. The winning restaurant receives $250, a plaque, and statewide bragging rights!

We all enjoy a good March Madness basketball bracket, but let’s be real - a pulled pork bracket is a slam dunk. The Iowa Pork Producers Association competition follows a bracket-style narrowing process like the NCAA Tournament. Based on fan nominations through March 8, the field will then be narrowed to a “Sweet 16”, which represents the top two picks in each of the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s eight districts.

Here is the Pulled Pork Madness timeline:
Nomination period open: 8 a.m. March 1 — 11:59 p.m. March 8.
Vote for Elite 8 (from “Sweet 16” nominations): 5 p.m. March 11 — 10 a.m. March 15.
Vote for Final Four: 5 p.m. March 15 — 10 a.m. March 20.
Vote for Final Two: 5 p.m. March 20 — 10 a.m. March 25.
Vote for champion: 5 p.m. March 25 — 10 a.m. March 29.

CHAMPION ANNOUNCED MARCH 29!

Previous winners include The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown (2023); Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls (2022); Smokin’ Butt Barbeque in Davenport (2021); Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew in Luther (2020); Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa (2019); and Moo’s BBQ in Newton (2018).

Past winners cannot be nominated. Pulled pork must be from a restaurant that is typically open year-round with regular hours. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal establishments, and catering businesses are not eligible. No email or social media nominations will be counted.



Iowa Corn Farmers Attend Commodity Classic in Houston

Iowa Corn farmer-leaders participated in the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas. The delegation from Iowa consisted of Iowa Corn directors, Iowa Corn farmer voting delegates and alternates, Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team members, and grassroots leaders. A key task for the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) at Commodity Classic is advocating in support of policies and actions for the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) to implement and establish at the federal level to benefit Iowa’s farmers as well as corn farmers across the country.

“Each year, the policy process starts with our grassroots farmer-members through our membership survey and input gathered at our local roundtable meetings held across the state. The resolutions then move to the ICGA Annual Grassroots Summit held in August, and then on to the national policy development during NCGA’s Corn Congress at Commodity Classic,” said Jolene Riessen, ICGA President and farmer from Ida Grove, Iowa. “While at Commodity Classic, our ICGA delegates, presented resolutions that set the framework for our federal legislative efforts and directly influence our direction for years to come.”

The Iowa resolutions passed by the NCGA delegate body include:
    We do not support e-RIN’s to be associated with the RFS RIN’s.​
    ​We support producer data protection legislation included in the Farm Bill requiring that data can only be released as aggregate data.​

In addition to policy, the Iowa Corn Growers Association were rewarded the NCGA Numeric Growth Recognition award. The Iowa Corn Growers Association took top honors with the highest numeric membership increase in the past year and posted a 2023 closing total of 7,032 members versus a 2022 close of 6,807 members.

“When we collectively use our voices, we become stronger in advocating for policies that benefit corn farmers both at the state and federal level,” said Adam Bierbaum, ICGA Grassroots, Network and Membership Committee Chair and a farmer from Cass County. “We have not received an award like this in several years, and I couldn’t be prouder of the growth that we have seen as an organization.”

The new NCGA policy document will be posted at iowacorn.org/membership/policy-development when it becomes available. For more information on upcoming policy development meetings in your area, contact the Iowa Corn office at (515)225-9242 or email at corninfo@iowacorn.org.



USDA Launches New Bobwhite Conservation Pilot and Announces General Conservation Reserve Program Signup

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of a new conservation initiative – Working Lands for Wildlife’s Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project, as well as the signup dates for USDA’s General Enrollment signup in the Conservation Reserve Program (General CRP), which opens March 4. Both conservation opportunities give producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health.      

Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, announced these opportunities today at Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic in Sioux Falls, S.D. The General Conservation Reserve Program signup will run from March 4 to 29, 2024. The Working Lands for Wildlife Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project is a new effort supporting voluntary conservation of private working lands to benefit northern bobwhite quail and East-Central grasslands conservation.      

“The USDA has a long track record of fostering and supporting the vital relationship between agriculture and conservation, and the Conservation Reserve Program and new Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project help our producers be good stewards of their lands and boost wildlife populations at the same time,” Bonnie said. “These efforts demonstrate the power of USDA’s Farm Bill conservation programs to conserve wildlife habitat, protect clean water and address climate change in partnership with farmers, ranchers, forest owners and conservation organizations, like Pheasants Forever, across the country.”      

General CRP  
As one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, CRP offers a range of conservation options to farmers, ranchers and landowners. It has been an especially strong opportunity for farmers with less productive or marginal cropland, helping them re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and support wildlife habitat.      

General CRP, offered through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees. Additionally, General CRP includes a Climate-Smart Practice Incentive to help increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping producers and landowners establish trees and permanent grasses, enhance wildlife habitat and restore wetlands.          

Landowners and producers interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before their deadlines.     

Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project   
The Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project, offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through Working Lands for Wildlife, provided dedicated funding of $13 million -- for fiscal year 2024 -- in new assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. This is for producers to help the bobwhite and other game and non-game species by managing their working lands for early successional habitat while meeting their lands natural resource and production goals.      

This new pilot also includes funding to support producers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.     

NRCS accepts applications year-round for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Interested producers from eligible states should contact the NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.     

The Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project supports the 5-year, 7-million-acre goal of the Working Lands for Wildlife Northern Bobwhite, Grasslands and Savannas Framework for Conservation Action unveiled in 2022 by USDA. Recently, NRCS expanded the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities that qualify for funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. Those funds will also be critical to Working Lands for Wildlife’s success in reaching its long-term goals.     

The Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project advances USDA’s efforts in climate-smart agriculture with almost 20 climate-smart practices being deployed voluntarily on private lands, including field borders, brush management, tillage management, prescribed burning, prescribed grazing, forest stand improvement and herbaceous weed treatment. More than 17 conservation practices that support climate smart mitigation are included in the Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project.      

More Information    
Producers and landowners interested in either opportunity should contact the FSA and NRCS at their local Service Center. Those interested in General CRP should apply by March 29, 2024. Those interested in Northern Bobwhite Pilot Project should contact NRCS to sign up now.   



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 477 million bushels in January 2024. Total corn consumption was down 10 percent from December 2023 and down 3 percent from January 2023. January 2024 usage included 92.8 percent for alcohol and 7.2 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 4.00 million bushels, up 5 percent from December 2023 but down 34 percent from January 2023. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 434 million bushels, was down 10 percent from December 2023 and down 2 percent from January 2023. Corn consumed in January 2024 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.4 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.76 million tons during January 2024, down 10 percent from December 2023 but up 3 percent from January 2023. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.30 million tons in January 2024, down 7 percent from December 2023 but up 3 percent from January 2023.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 225,691 tons during January 2024, down 8 percent from December 2023 and down 16 percent from January 2023. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 200,086 tons in January 2024, down 5 percent from December 2023 and down 4 percent from January 2023.

Oilseed Crushings
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.84 million tons (195 million bushels) in January 2024, compared with 6.13 million tons (204 million bushels) in December 2023 and 5.73 million tons (191 million bushels) in January 2023. Crude oil produced was 2.29 billion pounds, down 4 percent from December 2023 but up 2 percent from January 2023. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.59 billion pounds during January 2024 decreased 7 percent from December 2023 and decreased 8 percent from January 2023.

2023 Fats and Oils Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
As part of the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program, the 2023 Annual Summary of the Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks contains data and annual totals for January through December of 2023. Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 67.5 million tons in 2023, an increase of 3 percent from 2022.  Crude oil production was 26.6 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2022.



EPA launches new office to strengthen engagement with agricultural and rural communities

Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is establishing a new office to expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities. The creation of the first-ever EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs represents the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving environmental stewardship and economic opportunity for America’s farmers and ranchers, as well as strengthening the vitality of small towns and rural communities.  

“Farmers and ranchers are crucial partners as we work together to deliver clean air, clear water, and climate solutions, all while playing the critical role of ensuring an abundant fiber, fuel and food supply,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “With the launch of this new office, we are ensuring agricultural and rural stakeholders will continue to have a seat at the table for many years to come.”  

Administrator Regan announced the creation of the new office alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack while delivering remarks at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, the largest farmer-led annual convention in the country. He is the first EPA Administrator in history to attend the seminal event.  

The new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will be led by Rod Snyder, who has served as Administrator Regan’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture since October 2021. The new office will expand on the work of the Ag Advisor and increase coordination with a network of existing agriculture policy advisors located in all ten EPA regional offices across the country.  

In close coordination with EPA’s program offices and regions, the office will forge practical, science-based solutions that protect the environment while ensuring a vibrant and productive agricultural system. In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Rural Partners Network, the new office will also collaborate with small, underserved towns and rural communities that are seeking federal investments in infrastructure upgrades and other community improvement opportunities.

Additionally, the new office will facilitate closer coordination with relevant federal and state partners such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and state departments of agriculture. The office will also house EPA’s existing Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The Committee provides independent policy recommendations to Administrator Regan on a range of policies that impact agriculture and rural communities.

EPA will be launching an Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs website with more information.




NCGA: EPA’s Move to Establish Agricultural Office is Positive Development

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan said Frida that his agency will create the Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs at the agency to focus on issues important to farmers. Rod Snyder, a former lobbyist for the National Corn Growers Association who currently serves as advisor to the administrator, will head the office.
 
The announcement, which was made at Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas, was met with praise by NCGA.

“We are exceptionally pleased that there will be a program at EPA that is tasked with ensuring the voices and concerns of farmers are heard loud and clear,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “And the administrator could not have found a better person to lead this office than Rod Snyder. Anyone who has worked with Rod will tell you he is a smart, stellar professional who thoroughly understands the agricultural community.”

The announcement comes as EPA deals with a host of issues that will impact American farmers, including the regulations of crucial crop protection technologies and the long-term viability of the ethanol market.
 
“We look forward to working with Rod and his colleagues in the coming days to ensure that the regulations that EPA puts in place will not hinder the work of farmers,” Wolle said. “Crop protection is essential to farming and has had a positive environmental impact by preventing over-tilling and reducing the need for chemicals during the planting process, among many other things.”



AFBF Welcomes Creation of EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented Friday on the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

“AFBF appreciates Administrator Michael Regan for creating a new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in EPA. Mr. Regan recognizes the important role farmers and ranchers play in preserving the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with.

“We look forward to working with Rod Snyder as he directs the new office, and we encourage him to collaborate with families in rural America to ensure their voices are heard and they are treated as partners.”



Corn Grower Leaders Re-Affirm Stance on Use of GREET Model in Determining Tax Credits for Sustainable Aviation Fuels

As Treasury considers how to measure greenhouse gas emissions as it allocates tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels, the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress, meeting in Houston, Texas, reaffirmed their support today for the use of the GREET model in making that determination.

“Corn grower leaders across the country have made it clear that the GREET model is the most reliable measure in determining reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as it weighs the environmental impacts from the farm to the car or plane,” said NCGA President Harold Wolle. “We strongly encourage the administration to embrace this model, and its accurate and fair calculation of corn’s environmental picture.”
 
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in 2022, calls for the allocation of $1.25 for each gallon of sustainable aviation fuel in a qualified mixture. To qualify for the credit, biofuels must reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%.

NCGA has aggressively called on the Biden administration in general and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in particular to use GREET, formally called Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation, which was developed by the U.S. government and accurately shows the greenhouse gas emissions of corn ethanol.
 
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, speaking at Commodity Classic in Houston on Friday, said Treasury will render the decision in the coming weeks.



ACE Statement on Delayed Guidance and GREET Model for SAF Tax Credit

On Friday it was announced that the Biden administration will miss its self-imposed March 1 deadline to issue updated modeling and clarity on whether feedstocks like corn ethanol will qualify for the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit created under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) via an updated version of the Energy Department's Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model. ACE CEO Brian Jennings released this statement in response:
 
"We are grateful for the leadership and tenacity of USDA Secretary Vilsack as the Interagency Working Group continues to work through key details of how the GREET model will be modified for the new 40B SAF and 45Z clean fuel production tax credits.
 
“Since 40B and 45Z are based on lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, every single point of carbon intensity has value, which makes it essential to get the details around any modifications to the GREET model right. That’s why we wrote the Interagency Working Group earlier this week to emphasize the importance of a GREET model for 40B and 45Z which includes meaningful carbon credits for climate-smart agriculture practices as illustrated by ACE’s multi-year project supported by USDA’s NRCS RCPP program. We also cautioned the Interagency Working Group against a final model approach which arbitrarily inflates land use change penalties that have been disproven by real-world observations of what is actually occurring.”



RFA Calls on Administration to Expeditiously Finalize GREET Modifications

Officials from the Biden administration Friday announced that they will miss a self-imposed March 1 deadline to complete modifications to the GREET model for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The model is critically important for determining eligibility for the Inflation Reduction Act’s “40B” SAF tax credit.

“While we are pleased to hear progress is being made on the modified GREET model, we are disappointed by this additional delay,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “RFA is calling on the Interagency Working Group to complete this process as expeditiously as possible, while maintaining scientific integrity and honoring the commitment to incorporate a broad range of carbon reduction strategies. To meet the Biden administration’s SAF goals, the marketplace needs certainty and clarity. Investment and innovation in SAF technologies will remain frozen until the model is finalized and additional guidance is issued.”

Cooper added, “Getting the modeling right could open the door for America’s farmers and ethanol producers to participate in an enormous decarbonization opportunity. But getting it wrong will strand investments and assure the failure of the Biden administration’s climate objectives.”



Growth Energy Comment on Delay of 40B Modeling Updates

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement Friday in response to reports that the Biden administration would be delaying the release of its carbon modeling updates for the 40B Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tax credit:

“The administration made a clear commitment to finalize this guidance no later than March 1. This delay is frustrating, but we’re optimistic that it’s happening for a productive reason. Ultimately, what’s most important is getting it right, and making sure that the resulting updates provide real opportunities for American farmers to contribute to the SAF market. Officials should follow the science behind Argonne-GREET, the most accurate model and the only one that accounts for all of the climate-smart innovations happening on farms across America’s heartland. American bioethanol producers must be allowed to compete in the SAF marketplace. The alternative is making SAF from Brazilian sugar cane, or used cooking oil imported from China, instead of renewable crop-based feedstocks grown on American farms.”  



USDA Announces March 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for March 2024, which are effective March 1, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.   

“I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.   

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans    
FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.  

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for March 2024 are as follows:        
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 4.875%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.250%   
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.250%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500%  
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%  

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.     

To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.    

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans   
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.       

Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 5.875%  
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:    
        Three-year loan terms: 4.250%  
        Five-year loan terms: 4.125%   
        Seven-year loan terms: 4.125%   
        Ten-year loan terms: 4.125%   
        Twelve-year loan terms: 4.250%  
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 4.375%     

Farm Loan Program Process Improvement
FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made various improvements, including:    

    The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features, including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents, such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan.  
    The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process.   
    An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local Service Center to pay a loan installment.
    A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.