Friday April 12 Ag News

 Clemente awarded with Larry Tonniges Research Achievement Award

Tom Elmo Clemente, a distinguished figure in the realm of plant genetics and biotechnology, has been honored with the Larry Tonniges Research Achievement Award for his groundbreaking contributions to soybean research. The award, which was made possible by the family of the late Larry Tonniges, a longtime Nebraska farmer who was dedicated to production research as part of the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB), honors researchers who have made significant contributions to soybean research for NSB.

Serving as a principal investigator and professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Clemente has pioneered innovative research initiatives aimed at enhancing plant germplasm and incorporating genetic engineering to fortify crops against diseases and enhance value-added traits. Clemente oversees the Plant Transformation Core Research Facility (PTCRF), a cutting-edge establishment facilitating vector constructions, plant transformations and characterizations of transformants. His research spans across various crops including soybeans, wheat, maize and sorghum, showcasing his versatility and commitment to addressing pressing agricultural challenges.

His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an M.S. in Plant Pathology from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University. He then conducted postdoctoral studies at The Monsanto Company prior to joining the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Clemente has been instrumental in identifying a gene crucial for conferring resistance to the herbicide dicamba in broadleaf crops. This discovery has paved the way for the development of dicamba-resistant crops and has sparked further exploration into novel applications of this technology. Additionally, Clemente has spearheaded Nebraska Soybean Board-funded projects aimed at enhancing soybean germplasm through biotechnology, increasing oil content, improving disease resistance and exploring the integration of soybeans into fish diets.

Tom Elmo Clemente issued the following statement of gratitude on the award:

"It is truly an honor to be recognized by the Nebraska Soybean Board with the Larry Tonniges Research Achievement Award. My interactions with Nebraska soybean producers have been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career at the University of Nebraska. The knowledge gained from these interactions educated me on the economic sustainability challenges facing U.S. agriculture, which in turn, helped inform our research program on traits to target for the development of strategies to deploy to add genetic gains into soybean. These novel genetic gains developed and tested were designed to help improve yield, mitigate yield losses due to disease and abiotic stressors and add value to the harvest."

As the torchbearer of innovation and excellence in soybean research, Tom Elmo Clemente's receipt of the 2024 Larry Tonniges Research Achievement award stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing agricultural science and securing a sustainable future for the soybean industry.



Congressman Flood Cosponsors the EPA Accountability to Farm Country Act to Protect Nebraska Ag Producers

Recently, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood joined Congressman Brad Finstad (R-MN) and several other House Republicans in cosponsoring the EPA Accountability to Farm Country Act.

“Time and again, the Biden administration has used the regulatory power of federal agencies to impose new red tape on America’s ag producers. American farmers know better than any government agency what it takes to grow the food they need to successfully feed the world. It’s time for our hardworking farmers and ranchers to get more of a voice in the rulemaking process,” Rep. Flood said. “Thanks to Rep. Finstad and my Republicans colleagues for stepping up to deliver the EPA Accountability to Farm Country Act, and I urge the House to take it up quickly.”`

The act will require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and farmer stakeholders to review rules and regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that may impact the agricultural sector and provide recommendations on how to limit the impact. If the EPA does not mitigate the effect of their proposed rule, it would be unable to be finalized.



A-G Hilgers Joins 13-State Lawsuit to Stop the Biden Administration’s Hidden Electric Vehicle Subsidy and Defend Ethanol

Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined a 13-state coalition in a lawsuit to stop the Biden Administration’s hidden subsidy for electric vehicles and to defend ethanol.  

In his most recent assault on gas vehicles, President Biden is creating a rule that overstates the efficiency of electric cars by more than six times. This illegal bolstering of electric vehicles negatively affects car owners, car manufacturers, liquid-fuel producers, and the electric grid.

The rule in question is a manipulation of an incentive designed to increase fuel efficiency and support car manufacturers that produce vehicles running on gasoline, ethanol, biodiesel, or compressed natural gas. This incentive, originally used to benefit farmers and ethanol producers, is now being misused to favor electric vehicles, causing harm to the very industries it benefitted.

“Despite the Biden Administration’s attempts to coerce automakers into producing more electric vehicles, fewer Americans are even interested in buying them. The Department of Energy abused its authority to create a new rule that would force automakers to produce more electric vehicles or else face fines. This rule undermines the free market, and if it stands, Nebraskans will be left with higher costs and worse vehicles,” stated Attorney General Hilgers.

The states argue that the electric vehicle handout violates the Administrative Procedure Act and exceeds the Department of Energy’s authority.

Nebraska joined the lawsuit along with Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce.



RFA Thanks Lawmakers for Bipartisan Support of Summertime E15 Waiver

The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked 46 members of the House and Senate who separately sent letters to President Biden urging his administration to allow the lower-cost E15 fuel blend to be sold through the summer months. Without an emergency waiver in place soon, E15 won’t be available to drivers beginning June 1.

In the Senate, whips John Thune (R-SD) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) led an effort that included 18 other colleagues in a letter sent today. On the House side, 26 members, led by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD), also wrote the president.

“We thank these lawmakers, working across the aisle in both the House and Senate, for calling on the Biden administration to quickly take action to allow the nationwide sale of E15 through the coming summer,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “These senators and representatives understand that, with current fuel supplies lower than the last two summer driving seasons and the market pressures of ongoing geopolitical conflicts, it is imperative that consumers have access to this American-made supply of lower-cost, cleaner fuel.”

On April 3, nearly 1,000 farmers, ethanol industry workers and other supporters from across the country sent a letter to President Biden also urging immediate action on E15. In an RFA blog post earlier this month, Chief Economist Scott Richman estimated that U.S. sales of the E15 fuel blend hit a record 1.11 billion gallons in 2023. In late March, RFA and allies sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, calling on Administrator Michael Regan to act swiftly on an emergency waiver for E15 sales.

In February of this year, EPA granted a petition from eight Midwest governors to allow year-round sales of E15. However, the petition only applies to those eight states and does not go into effect until 2025, creating uncertainty about the status of E15 for the summer of 2024.



Iowa Retailers Call Upon Biden Administration to Issue Emergency Waivers to Sell E15 for 2024 Summer

Today, 15 Iowa retailers asked the Biden administration to issue waivers to permit the sale of E15 for the 2024 summer driving season. While the administration did approve the eight Midwest Governor’s E15 request for the 2025 summer season, the long-delayed authorization still puts uncertainty in front of consumers and retailers in the short-term.

“Daily, our customers are feeling the brunt of the fuel market and continue to see gasoline prices increase at the pump,” retailers said in the letter submitted to the Biden Administration today. “Iowans will not be able to find the needed relief in their pocketbooks without the ability to fill-up their family vehicle with E15.”

Almost two years after the eight Midwest governors submitted their request, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the solution in February 2024. Historically, the Biden administration issued emergency waivers for summer E15 use in 2022 and 2023.

“Now more than ever, we want to keep selling E15, and our customers want to keep buying E15 to save money. While we support the solution for 2025 and beyond, we are encouraging the administration to use its waiver authority to permit the sale of E15 fuel for the 2024 summer driving season and extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver from June 1 through September 15,” stated the letter.

The retailers who signed the letter were: Maverick/Kum & Go, Growmark FS, New Century FS, New Cooperative, Five Star Cooperative, Sundstop LLC, Zubs Shop, Cresco Fast Stop, Cubby’s, RocStop, RAM Inc., The Corner Store, Linn Coop Oil Co., Thomson’s Filling Station, and Farmers Mutual Town & Country.



Naig Invites Students to Enter the 2024 Choose Iowa Calendar Contest

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging school-aged Iowa students to participate in the 2024 Choose Iowa Calendar Contest hosted by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Choose Iowa is the state’s signature brand for Iowa grown, Iowa raised and Iowa made products.

Submitted artwork should feature at least one aspect of Iowa agriculture, with an emphasis on food, livestock or crop production. Submissions will be judged on creativity and connections to agriculture in everyday life. Entries are due June 3, 2024, and winners will be announced at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

“The Choose Iowa Calendar Contest is a fun way to showcase the importance of Iowa agriculture to all consumers while also recognizing some of our state’s most creative and artistic students,” said Secretary Naig. “We invite all students from across Iowa to submit their art for a chance to have it published in our popular statewide Choose Iowa calendar.”

Secretary Naig will recognize the winning artists during a special awards ceremony on Tuesday, August 13 in the Agriculture Building at the 2024 Iowa State Fair. Winning submissions will also be included in the 2024/2025 Choose Iowa calendar distributed by the Department during the Iowa State Fair and online at ChooseIowa.com.

School-aged Iowa students up to 18-years-old are invited to participate in the contest. Pictures should be drawn on plain white, 8.5 by 11-inch paper in a horizontal orientation using only black lines. The pictures should not be colored in. For creative inspiration, previous calendars may be viewed here.

Entries can be submitted via the form found on the Choose Iowa website, emailed to chooseiowa@iowaagriculture.gov or mailed to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Attn: Coloring Calendar, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, Iowa, 50319. Each submission should include the registration sheet also found at chooseiowa.com/kids-teachers with basic information about the artist, including the artist’s name, age, grade, school, hometown as well as the name, email and phone number of a parent or guardian. If the artwork is submitted by the student’s teacher, then the teacher’s name and contact information should be included.

To be eligible for consideration, artwork submissions must be received by the Department by June 3, 2024.



April is good time for swine barn ventilation inspection and maintenance

Properly functioning ventilation systems are vital to today’s pork production facilities, and following a regular process for maintaining their operation can pay big economic dividends. Iowa State University extension agriculture and biosystems engineer Brett Ramirez said as the weather starts to get warmer, it’s critical to get barns ready for summer to help fans run efficiently which will reduce electricity costs and decrease the negative impacts of heat stress on the pigs.

“Routine equipment inspections and maintenance will pay dividends in long run, not only by extending the life of the equipment, but also creating a good environment inside the barn,” Ramirez said. “In the spring, producers can have a lot of things to do, and a checklist helps keep things organized inside the barn.”

The summer ventilation checklist publication from Iowa Pork Industry Center is a great tool for this seasonal job. Look for Summer Ventilation Checklist AE3553A, available as a free download from the ISU Extension store https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/16839.

“Some of the tasks and checkpoints listed might not be intuitive for everyone, so having a detailed list with a place for notes is an excellent guide,” Ramirez said. “Laminating a printed copy to keep in the barn also allows a person to mark what they found, and then easily clear it for the next year."

Ramirez cautioned producers that because each barn, each system, and other contributing factors may be different, not all recommendations listed might be appropriate for every location.



USDA Publishes Kansas State University Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program Assessment Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published an assessment report conducted by Kansas State University to assess market information provided by the Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program (CCL) today on AMS’ Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program webpage https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain/cattle-contracts-library. The assessment report also identifies probable impacts of the CCL on the fed cattle market and provides recommendations that aid in fed cattle market transparency.

USDA is currently reviewing the findings and recommendations included in the assessment report.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103, March 15, 2022) directed AMS to establish a Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program to increase market transparency for cattle producers. The library makes it clear what terms contracts have in common and their key differences and includes relevant volume numbers to provide context for those terms. AMS published the final rule implementing the pilot in the Federal Register Dec. 7, 2022, with an effective date of Jan. 6, 2023. Public access to the pilot began Jan. 31, 2023.



ASA Voices Concerns on LCFS Updates

This week the American Soybean Association participated in a public workshop hosted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to discuss updates to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The workshop addressed CARB's proposed regulatory amendments, which ASA had engaged with over three years of stakeholder involvement. While ASA supported several aspects of the proposed changes, such as acknowledging the importance of liquid transportation fuels and chain-of-custody reporting for waste feedstocks, the organization expressed concerns over the absence of a vegetable oil feedstock cap and the potential impact of certain proposals on the competitiveness of agricultural feedstocks.

As noted in ASA’s February comments, CARB did not include a vegetable oil feedstock cap for biofuels included in the LCFS program. ASA spent over a year pushing back on this concept, and while it was not included in the amendment package, CARB’s Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (EJAC) once again advocated for the cap in the workshop. Of note, CARB highlighted in its presentation that implementing the EJAC vegetable oil cap proposal would directly result in 900 million additional gallons of fossil diesel use in California.

One notable proposal by CARB was the prohibition of virgin palm oil in the LCFS due to concerns about deforestation. Additionally, CARB suggested a "sustainability guardrail" for crop-based feedstocks, which ASA criticized for its potential cost burden, regulatory overreach through on-farm audits of production practices unrelated to carbon intensity, and selective application only to agricultural feedstocks. ASA plans to explore alternative solutions to address sustainability concerns while maintaining competitiveness for agricultural feedstocks.

ASA remains actively involved in shaping the LCFS updates to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of agricultural feedstocks in California's fuel market.



SHIC/AASV Webinar Will Address HPAI in Livestock and Risk to Swine

For the first time in the US, highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) has been identified in domestic livestock including goats and dairy cattle. To understand the threat this virus poses to domestic livestock species, and to inform producers on actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of infection on-farm, the Swine Health Information Center in collaboration with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians will host a webinar on influenza A viruses on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm CST.

To register for the webinar, click here... https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oLCqNDisQ-GBr1NmwM7GAA#/registration.

The recent detection and confirmation of HPAI H5N1 in domestic livestock by USDA has raised questions regarding the emerging threat and potential risks for swine herds.  During the webinar, presenters will provide the latest information on influenza A virus, including an overview of the pathogen, global and domestic distribution, research outcomes for HPAI H5N1 experimental infection in swine, experiences, and perspectives of the dairy industry from the current outbreak, and an outbreak investigational tool for identifying and mitigating biosecurity risks.

Presenters confirmed to date for the webinar include:
    Dr. Amy Baker, USDA ARS
    Dr. Bailey Arruda, USDA ARS
    Dr. Jamie Jonker, National Milk Producers Federation
    Dr. Derald Holtkamp, Iowa State University

Presenting timely and responsive webinars to inform the swine industry on potential emerging disease threats is part of SHIC’s mission to protect the health of US swine.

The Swine Health Information Center, launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the US swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at mniederwerder@swinehealth.org or Dr. Lisa Becton at lbecton@swinehealth.org.  



Status of Panama Canal
Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director, Soy Transportation Coalition

Conditions at the Panama Canal have moderately improved over the past couple months.  The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) recently increased daily transits from 24 to 27.  The ACP credits some additional rainfall, along with the organization’s water management initiatives, for allowing the additional increase in allowable transits.  Under normal conditions, the Panama Canal accommodates 36-40 daily transits.

The Panama Canal has also experienced month to month increases in transits.  In March of 2024, there were 747 monthly transits.  This is a 12.8% increase from February (662 transits) and a 6% increase from January (702 transits).  However, year to year transit numbers are still considerably lower.  The 747 transits during March of 2024 are 33% lower than the 1,113 transits in March of 2023.  Source: https://pancanal.com/en/.

Dry bulk vessels that accommodate soybeans, grain, and other commodities have been among the customer segments most impacted by the transit restrictions since transit limits were instituted.  Toll rates paid by agricultural shippers ($200,000 to $250,000) are modest compared to the $750,000 - $800,000 (or greater) tolls that container ships pay.  As a result, the limited number of transit slots will be apportioned to those customers that pay higher tolls and provide more revenue to the canal throughout the year.  Moreover, agricultural exports do not operate with the same degree of departure and arrival precision that container vessels, automobile carriers, cruise ships, etc. operate under.  As a result, these other vessel types are better able to schedule a transit slot far in advance compared to agricultural exports.

Agricultural exporters located in the Mississippi Gulf region have had to resort to utilizing the Cape of Good Hope route along the southern tip of Africa.  The Suez Canal, unfortunately, is not a viable option given the attacks on shipping by the Houthi rebels near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.  The below chart from the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlights the three maritime shipping routes from the Mississippi Gulf to Japan.  Having to route vessels via the Cape of Good Hope continues to be an additional cost to U.S. agricultural exporters.  A recent example from a U.S. agricultural exporter is as follows:
    Mississippi Gulf to Japan via the Panama Canal: $65 per metric ton (including Panama Canal toll) with a journey of 26-30 days (assuming no or minimal delays at the Panama Canal).
    Mississippi Gulf to Japan via the Cape of Good Hope: $73 per metric ton with a journey of 48 days.

These figures can vary per exporter, but the consensus is that the Panama Canal option being severely limited to agricultural exports is resulting in a more costly and lengthy supply chain for serving many of our international customers.

Since temperature variability in Panama is quite limited throughout the year, the two main seasons in the country are the dry season (mid-December through the end of April) and the wet season (May though mid-December).  Average monthly rainfall amounts during the dry season are 1-3 inches.  During the wet season, average monthly rain totals are 10 inches or greater – usually culminating in over 20 inches of rain during the month of November.  The Panama Canal Authority is hoping for sufficient amounts of rainfall once the wet season commences in order to return canal operations to some degree of normalcy.

This decrease in transits has a significant impact on revenue for the Panama Canal Authority.  Tolls for dry bulk vessels (soybeans, grain, etc.) are frequently $200,000 - $250,000.  Tolls for container vessels are frequently $750,000 - $800,000.  Cruise ships are frequently $1 million or greater.  Using a modest $500,000 toll cost, ten fewer transits per day (from the normal 36-40 to the current level of 27) results in $5 million in decreased revenue.  $5 million X 365 days = $1.825 billion in annual lost revenue.  Exporters are obviously not the only ones anxious to have a return to normalcy at the Panama Canal.