Thursday April 11 Ag News

 ONLINE MAPPING SERVICE HELPS PROTECT WORKERS, SENSITIVE CROPS, POLLINATORS

Pesticides are used in agriculture to help farmers protect crops from pests, diseases, and weeds. Some crops, like fruit and vegetable specialty crops, and the pollinators of those crops, can be sensitive to pesticides. That’s why the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) contracts with FieldWatch™, an online mapping service designed to help pesticide applicators, commercial specialty crop growers and beekeepers communicate with one another to protect crops and pollinators from pesticides. Pesticides include all categories of pest control products such as herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

“NDA’s Pesticide program has a big responsibility in Nebraska and that’s to regulate the distribution, storage, and use of all pesticides in the state,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “We take these responsibilities seriously and use available tools, like online mapping resources, to help people in the ag industry work together to protect farm workers, specialty crops, and pollinators from pesticides.”

Included in the online mapping services of FieldWatch are commercial apiary sites, vineyards, orchards, fruit and vegetable grow sites, nursery and Christmas tree production sites, and certified organic and transitional organic crops.

Using services like FieldWatch may help satisfy certain requirements on pesticide product labels. Depending on the product, applicators may be required to check the FieldWatch map for specialty crops or beehives, survey the area adjacent to the application site for these crops, and use no-spray buffers or apply another day if the wind is blowing toward a commercial specialty crop.

In Nebraska, 710 growers have registered a total of 2,333 specialty crop and apiary sites in FieldWatch. Those sites are currently found in 84 of Nebraska’s 93 counties and contain approximately 147,000 acres of specialty crops. New sites are added frequently.

FieldWatch registration is voluntary, free, easy to use, and secure. Pesticide applicators can view maps, sign up for free email alerts and get the free FieldCheck™ app, or receive direct data feeds or downloads.

In addition, applicators registered in FieldCheck can benefit from viewing detasseling operation locations which helps ag applicators stay in compliance with label directions for worker safety. Approximately 143,700 acres of seed corn in 1,350 fields were displayed last year.

FieldWatch also integrates corn and soybeans with various herbicide traits into the mapping system. This enables row crop producers and pesticide applicators to work together to increase pesticide stewardship. When using the DriftWatch registry, producers create an account and map their fields.

Information about FieldWatch and its registries (FieldCheck, DriftWatch, BeeCheck and SeedFieldCheck) can be found at https://nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/fieldwatch.html or by calling NDA at 402-471-2351.



Public forums for Priority Candidate Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. announced

University of Nebraska System students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders will have the opportunity to meet Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., the priority candidate for president, ask questions, and hear about his leadership vision during a series of open forums.

Gold, the current executive vice president and provost of the University of Nebraska System and chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, was named the priority candidate for the University of Nebraska presidency on March 20, following a national search. As state law requires, he is undergoing a 30-day public vetting period. If, after the vetting period, the Board of Regents deems it appropriate, they will bring Gold’s appointment for consideration at a Board of Regents meeting.

University community members and the public are encouraged to submit feedback on Gold’s candidacy anytime during the vetting period by visiting nebraska.edu/president-search/feedback.

The forum schedule for Gold follows. All forums are open to all members of the university community and the public. Individuals are encouraged to attend the session(s) that best fit(s) their schedule.

Friday, April 12
    8:30am - UNK Forum #1 (Ponderosa Room A, Nebraskan Student Union)
    10:00am - UNK Forum #2 (Ponderosa Room A, Nebraskan Student Union)

Monday, April 15
    8:30am - UNL Forum #1 (Great Plains Room A, East Campus Union), join via Zoom: https://unl.zoom.us/j/94157912455
    10:00am - UNL Forum #2 (Swanson Auditorium, City Campus Union), join via Zoom: https://unl.zoom.us/j/94301800574
    11:30am - Office of the President Forum (Boardroom, Varner Hall)
    2:30pm - UNO Forum #1 (Centennial Room, The Thompson Alumni Center)

Tuesday, April 16
    9:00am - UNO Forum #2 (Centennial Room, The Thompson Alumni Center)
    10:30am - UNMC Forum #1 (Room 40120, Center for Nursing Science Building)
    12:00pm - UNMC Forum #2 (Room 3013, Maurer Center for Public Health)

As additional sessions are added, the president search webpage will be updated at nebraska.edu/president-search.



Secretary Naig Seeks Proposals for Water Quality Implementation Projects

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting applications for water quality implementation and demonstration projects. Selected projects will help deliver outreach and technical assistance to farmers and landowners to advance the implementation of conservation practices proven to protect and enhance water quality.

“We have set records for conservation implementation each of the last two years, we know these conservation practices are effective, and we have long-term dedicated funding to keep making progress. We are actively seeking more projects with more partners to get more practices in place, and we are asking Iowans from across the state to join with us to keep building the water quality momentum,” said Secretary Naig. “By working within targeted watersheds with the help of both urban and rural public and private partners, we can accelerate the adoption of water quality practices that will get us closer to achieving our Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals.”

Since the launch of the Water Quality Initiative in 2013, the Department has supported and led 79 different watershed projects. Currently, the Department has 29 active Water Quality Initiative watershed projects working within 56 different counties. These projects are in addition to the numerous other statewide programs, cost-share resources, more than 100 urban conservation projects, multiple “Batch and Build” agreements, wetlands partnerships with numerous conservation groups, and much more.

Implementation and demonstration projects should focus on outreach and technical assistance that will directly lead to the adoption of water quality focused conservation practices. Successful applicants will need to exhibit a proven track record of delivering the necessary planning, development, and design of projects and practices. Strong partnerships with stakeholders that have or will be contributing significant resources to the project are also critically important.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), counties, county conservation boards, other units of government, not-for-profit non-governmental organizations, public water supply utilities or watershed management organizations are eligible to submit applications. Applicants are also encouraged to partner with additional stakeholders that can assist with outreach and technical assistance.

The applications must be received by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024. Project application guidance can be found here https://iowaagriculture.gov/sites/default/files/soil/RFPs/March%202024%20Targeted%20Practice%20Implementation%20RFP.pdf or can be requested by contacting the Department’s Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality at 515-281-5851.



Norton Named Director of Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute

The newly named director of the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute brings nearly a decade of experience to the position.

Erin Norton has been with the institute since 2015 and was named director in March of 2024. In the new role, she will oversee a team of four staff and four student employees, with the goal of educating and improving Iowa’s wine industry.

“Our mission is to help the grape and wine industry across the Midwest through research, education and laboratory services, and we do all of this in hopes of helping to figure out how to grow successful grape varieties in Iowa and the multi-state region,” she said.

The Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and is housed within the Food Science Building at Iowa State University.

Norton developed a passion for winemaking and chemistry during her college years. She grew up in Canada, near Niagara Falls, and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Waterloo, Ontario; and a master’s in chemistry from the University of Windsor. She earned a Ph.D. from Iowa State in food science and technology, in 2022.

“Erin Norton cares about quality and takes our businesses’ concerns seriously, exploring practical research projects that help our industry improve,” said Anne Zwink, president of the Iowa Wine Growers Association. “Erin is not afraid to ask for input from both peers and everyday folks in the Iowa wine industry – that's what makes her such a standout leader.”

The Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute has experienced significant growth and modernization over the past few years, including new tests for wine and beer, new research capacity and new workshops for the industry.

The institute operates its own laboratory, housed in the Food Science Building, and can test for such things as acidity, sugar, percent alcohol, sulfur dioxide, acetic acid and IBUs for beer. The laboratory has recently modernized its equipment and expanded offerings to now include more than 20 different tests.

“I want to continue the mission of expanding on what we originally set out to do,” said Norton. “I think as the industry matures and we know how to make decent wine from these Iowa grapes, the next question becomes how do we go further and address more fundamental questions about grape and wine composition.”

“I think we’re just kind of going to get deeper and deeper into the subject as we go, while at the same time maintaining the same core education for those new wineries and new breweries,” she continued.

Norton looks forward to meeting and interacting with additional Iowa wine makers and grape growers, and learning more about how the institute can better serve their needs. For more information, contact the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute at wine@iastate.edu or 515-294-3308.



UAN28 Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to slowly climb the first week of April 2024, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. For the second consecutive week, prices for all eight major fertilizers were up from a month ago.

Despite the increases across the board, the price of only one fertilizer jumped significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more. UAN28 was 5% higher than a month ago, with an average retail price of $362 per ton. The remaining seven fertilizers were slightly more expensive compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $780 per ton, MAP $828/ton, potash $514/ton, urea $577/ton, 10-34-0 $633/ton, anhydrous $794/ton and UAN32 $405/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.63/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.63/lb.N.

Most fertilizer prices are lower compared to one year ago, but one is now slightly higher. The price of MAP is 2% compared to a year. Prices for the remaining fertilizers are lower. DAP is 5% less expensive, urea is 8% lower, 10-34-0 is 15% less expensive, UAN28 is 14% lower, potash and UAN32 are 20% less expensive, and anhydrous is 21% lower compared to a year ago.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 4/5/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending April 5, ethanol production scaled back 1.6% to 1.06 million b/d, equivalent to 44.35 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 10.1% more than the same week last year and 17.8% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.8% to 1.06 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.20 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks shrank 0.8% to 26.2 million barrels. Still, stocks were 4.3% more than the same week last year and 8.7% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2), which again reached record-high weekly reserves.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, recoiled 6.8% to a 6-week low of 8.61 million b/d (132.02 bg annualized). Demand was 3.6% less than a year ago but 4.7% above the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol declined 0.8% to 886,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.58 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.6% less than a year ago but 8.1% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 156,000 b/d (6.6 million gallons/day), or 119.7% above the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 29th consecutive week.



Ethanol Industry Submits Joint Comments Seeking Permanent Removal Of Brazilian Tariff On Imported U.S. Ethanol

This week, Growth Energy, the U.S. Grains Council, and the Renewable Fuels Association, jointly submitted comments within the Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) regarding the Brazilian tariff on imported U.S. ethanol.

Background:
In October 2023, ABICOM (the Brazil association of fuel importers) formally requested to drop the ethanol duties because data showed the tariff raised fuel costs for domestic consumers.

In anticipation of this open comment period, the U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association mobilized a diverse set of stakeholders - including government agencies - to seek a permanent removal of the Brazilian tariff on imported U.S. ethanol. As of January 1, 2024, the current duty stands at 18% on all incoming U.S. ethanol, while Brazilian ethanol imported into the U.S. enjoys free access within the U.S. market.

Joint Comments:
The three organizations’ joint comments, submitted in Portuguese, included the following:

“Considering this significant discrepancy in our historically productive commercial relationship between countries, we would like to stress that the U.S. industry will continue to advocate for restrictive measures to entry for Brazilian ethanol into the U.S., in the case that the Brazilian government does not rethink the current tariff policies…. Despite the promising opportunities emerging new ethanol export markets could bring to both countries, we stress that we are not willing to cooperate with Brazil in any possible partnerships, nor with technology transferring or within new uses for ethanol such as SAF, in case the market is not completely open for free trade for ethanol. We strongly consider the permanent reinstatement of the duty-free access for ethanol as a window of opportunity to strengthen the bilateral agenda and stimulate trade cooperation between Brazil and the United States.”

Our organizations will continue to monitor the situation and report back to our respective members as we learn more after the comment period.



EPA Water Regulations Unfairly Target Rural America

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, which sets maximum contaminant levels at 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS and 10 parts per trillion for PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA.

“Rural America shares the goal of ensuring the water we use to raise our families and grow our crops is healthy. Unfortunately, EPA’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation will disproportionally impact small communities, which lack the resources of large metropolitan systems, but will still be on the hook to pay the exorbitant costs of treating their water for PFAS chemicals.

“While we acknowledge the effort EPA has made in providing flexibility and support to small and rural systems, more needs to be done to lessen the burden of this rulemaking. We all want clean drinking water, but there are households that will not be able to afford this.”