Monday May 06 Ag News

 Farmers and Firefighters Join Forces to Eliminate Forever Chemicals

Firefighters and farmers in Nebraska serve as the backbones of our local communities, united by a shared commitment to safety and service. As our first line of defense, firefighters face numerous risks navigating hazardous environments with smoke and carcinogens. Firefighters rely on various tools, including firefighting foam, to combat fires. However, traditional foams can pose risks, exposing them to harmful PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” With farmer investment, the safer alternative SoyFoam™ eliminates this exposure, prioritizing the well-being of our first responders.

Cross Plains Solutions’ SoyFoam™ TF 1122 is the first and only firefighting foam GreenScreen Certified® at the Gold level. This partnership between Cross Plains Solutions and the soy checkoff gives firefighters one less thing to worry about while keeping our communities safe. SoyFoam is 100% free of intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and is made with no fluorines. It’s also certified ready biodegradable by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development and is certified as 84% biobased through the U.S. Department of Agriculture BioPreferred® program.

"As farmers, we understand the importance of protecting our communities, and that's why we're proud to support innovations like SoyFoam™,” said Jason Penke, farmer and NSB chairman. “Knowing that our soybeans are contributing to safer firefighting practices, especially for those risking their lives on the front lines, gives us a sense of pride and purpose.”

Another benefit of SoyFoam for the soybean industry is that it’s made with soy flour. While soy-based products for biofuels, adhesives, coatings, lubricants and plastics primarily use soybean oil, SoyFoam uses the meal component of the soybean. With the growth of renewable diesel aiming to decarbonize the transportation sector, finding new demand streams for the increased soybean meal crush, which makes up 80% of the bean, remains top of mind. Cross Plains Solutions estimates the current applications of SoyFoam™ TF 1122 have the potential to use the protein from 12 million bushels of soybeans, and new uses for the product, beyond firefighting applications, are on the horizon.

“We are proud to partner with U.S. Soy to launch this breakthrough firefighting foam for use by fire departments across the nation,” said Cross Plains Solutions’ Managing Partner Alan Snipes. “Our manufacturing plant in Georgia is ready to produce SoyFoam now so fire departments can ask their suppliers to offer it. We also see demand for numerous additional applications, ranging from canisters to sprinkler systems.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports PFAS being found in water, air, fish, and soil at locations across the nation and the globe. Exposure is linked to several adverse health effects, including certain cancers, thyroid dysfunction, changes in cholesterol and small reductions in birth weight. So, mitigating forever chemicals through soy-based products can create real impact, not only for the safety of our first responders but to maintain the integrity of our local communities’ soil health, air quality and drinking water.

As we commemorate International Firefighters’ Day on May 4, the Nebraska Soybean Board urges local farmers to provide information to their local fire departments to use SoyFoam, not to only protect their firefighters but to safeguard their communities as well. To learn more about the product, visit crossplainssolutions.com.



Governor Pillen Declares May is Beef Month in Nebraska
 
Governor Jim Pillen last week proclaimed May as “Beef Month” in Nebraska highlighting the importance of Nebraska’s beef industry to the state’s economy by signing the proclamation in Lincoln on Wednesday.  Governor Pillen was joined by Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton, Nebraska Beef Council board member Mark Goes and Nebraska Beef Council Executive Director Ann Marie Bosshammer.

Goes said that the Beef Month proclamation is a great way to bring attention to this nutritious protein and how it partners well with the warmer seasons.

“What a wonderful time to enjoy a delicious, wholesome, nutrient-rich beef meal as we welcome the spring and summer grilling season,” said Goes. “From savory burgers and smoked brisket to a great steak off the fire, we can all celebrate an industry that impacts and enhances the very livelihood of our state.”

Agriculture is the number one industry in Nebraska and cattle production represents the largest segment of the industry. Nebraska consistently ranks as one of the top cattle-producing states in the country.

The Nebraska Beef Council will continue the Beef Month celebrations with the launch of the Nebraska Beef Passport Program. Entering its 4th year, the program highlights over 40 restaurants and meat processors throughout the state that offer outstanding beef products. Passport holders earn points when visiting the participating locations and can redeem the points for prizes from the Nebraska Beef Council. Passports are free and are available now at www.GoodLifeGreatSteaks.org.



Nebraska Beef Council May Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will meet at the NBC office in Kearney, NE located at 1319 Central Ave. on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, beginning at 10:30 a.m. CDT. The NBC Board of Directors will discuss foreign marketing. For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org.  



Registration Opens for 2024 Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting

Last week Nebraska Cattlemen launched registration for its 2024 Midyear Meeting in Ogallala, Nebraska. This year's meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 12 and Thursday, June 13.

"From farm bill proposals and federal rulings to property tax reform, there are many policy issues Nebraska's beef cattle producers need to discuss," said Nebraska Cattlemen President Jerry Kuenning. He continued, "To make a difference and keep our industry strong, it's crucial for cattlemen to show up and get involved. Midyear is a great opportunity to make your voice heard and learn more about the topics shaping the beef cattle industry."

The full schedule and registration is now available online at www.nebraskacattlemen.org/midyear-meeting. As more details become available they will be added to Nebraska Cattlemen’s website. For questions or inquiries, please contact the Nebraska Cattlemen office at (402) 475-2333.



First Tuesday at 9 Weather Webinar Series

Join Eric Hunt, agricultural meteorology and climate resilience extension educator, at 9 a.m. CT/8 a.m. MT on the first Tuesday of each month to hear insights on weather conditions across the state of Nebraska and Midwestern region, and updates on the long-range outlook. First Tuesdays at 9 will include a Q&A session near the end of the webinar for participants.

First Tuesday at 9 webinars are recorded and available to view on this page within 24 hours.

To attend the next First Tuesday at 9 webinar, please signup here https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3CoNoe8MG73DFWu. A link to the webinar will be sent to the email address provided.



Nebraska Extension Offers Introductory-level Crop Scout Training May 21

A Tuesday, May 21 Nebraska Extension training course is scheduled for industry representatives and corn and soybean growers wanting to learn how to better manage corn and soybean pests.

The introductory-level crop scout training is designed for entry-level scouts who are working for crop consultants, industry agronomists or farm service centers in Nebraska and neighboring states. The training is also ideal for growers who scout their own fields or are interested in improving productivity, as well as for students being employed by agribusinesses.

The course, which will be held in-person, is from 8:55 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the University of Nebraska's Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033.

“We look forward to providing participants a hands-on, in-person experience focusing on important crop scouting skills,” Nebraska Extension Educator Aaron Nygren said.
Closeup of plant in container sitting on table
Crop disease identification exercises are one of the many training opportunities provided at extension's annual crop scout training course.

Topics covered during the day include:
    Scouting tips and understanding corn and soybean growth and development.
    Crop diseases and quiz.
    Scouting techniques — soil, tissue, disease samples and drone best practices.
    Identifying weeds — morphology, using a key to identify weed seedlings.
    Corn and soybean insect scouting, identification, management.
    Nutrient deficiencies in corn and soybeans.
    Hands-on practice.

Some of the benefits past registrants stated the training provided included practical/working knowledge and better accuracy in field scouting. Other participants appreciated the hands-on, practical format. Past participants have consistently given the training high marks and state that the knowledge gained from attending improved their scouting skills.

Cost for the program is $100, which includes lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials and a three-ring binder instruction manual. The take-home instruction manual includes a variety of reference materials that provide resources for crop scouting. For those attending the daylong training that don’t want a copy of the instruction manual, the fee is $60. Attendees should pre-register to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session.

Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are being applied for, with six credits in pest management, one in crop management and .5 in fertility/nutrient management.

To register or for more information, visit the ENREEC site https://enreec.unl.edu/fieldcropscouttraining, or contact Nebraska Extension at (402) 624-8030 or Aaron Nygren. Pre-registration requested by Friday, May 17 for meal planning purposes.



Nominations Open for the 2024 Women Impacting Agriculture Awards

Nominations have officially opened for 2024 Women Impacting Agriculture, a program that celebrates women making positive contributions to Iowa agriculture.

The honorees will be celebrated on Dec. 5 at the Women in Ag Leadership Conference, organized by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Women in Ag program and the Leadership Conference Advisory Team Committee.

Iowans are invited to nominate women engaged in the agricultural industry by filling out an online application https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8qZVdyGGDDOUwXY. The deadline for submissions is May 31 at 5 p.m. Details on eligibility criteria are available on the Women in Ag website. A selection committee composed of former honorees, past conference attendees and extension staff and partners will review the nominations.

Now in its ninth year, the program has honored 39 women who have made significant impacts.

“It is truly rewarding to honor women’s roles in agriculture through the Women Impacting Agriculture awards,” commented Madeline Schultz, manager of the ISU Extension and Outreach Women in Ag program. “There are amazing and deserving women in every neighborhood, so be sure to nominate someone you know.”

Selected honorees will be invited to attend the annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference in Ames.

"I enjoyed the opportunity to be with the incredible women who gathered for this conference and found it very meaningful to be chosen as an honoree amongst that group,” said Joanne Roepke Bode, the 2023 nominee. “There were so many talented women there, representing a wide variety of ag and farm-related careers and many who are true trailblazers in their field. It was a special and memorable event, and I am proud to have been a part of it."

Hosted annually, the Women Impacting Agriculture awards aims to highlight and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in the agricultural sector. These awards not only recognize women who have made significant impacts through their leadership, innovation and community involvement, but also serve as an inspiration for future generations to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in agriculture.

For more information, Lisa Scarbrough can be reached at lscarb@iastate.edu or contact Madeline Schultz at schultz@iastate.edu
 


March Pork Exports Steady with Year-Ago; Beef Export Value Highest in Nine Months

March exports of U.S. pork were steady with last year’s volume and edged higher in value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were below last March’s large volume, but export value was the highest since June 2023.

Korea shines in March as pork exports close excellent first quarter
Pork exports totaled 260,430 metric tons (mt) in March, up 0.1% from a year ago, valued at $740.8 million – up 2% year-over-year and the seventh highest on record. March shipments to South Korea were among the largest on record, while exports also increased substantially to Central America, Colombia, Oceania, Vietnam and Malaysia. Pork export value per head slaughtered averaged $70.85, the highest in nearly three years and the fifth highest on record.

“Another strong month on the pork side, and one that illustrates the importance of export market diversification,” noted USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Shipments to Mexico cooled a bit, reflecting the earlier timing for Easter, and yet the global total remained very robust through increases to Korea, Colombia, Central America and Australia. When export value exceeds $70 per head slaughtered, that’s welcome news for pork producers and the entire supply chain.”

Through the first quarter, pork exports increased 6% to 762,784 mt, while export value climbed 7% to $2.11 billion. Although shipments to leading market Mexico trended lower in March, first-quarter exports to Mexico were still ahead of last year’s record pace.

March bright spots for U.S. beef include Caribbean, Middle East, Mexico
March beef exports totaled 108,218 mt, down 10% from the large volume posted a year ago but still the highest of 2024. Export value was $889.9 million, down slightly from a year ago (-0.3%) but the highest in nine months. March export value equated to $454.62 per head of fed slaughter, the highest since mid-2022. March highlights included the third largest volume on record to the Caribbean, including an all-time high to the Dominican Republic, and shipments to the Middle East strengthened significantly. While March volumes to South Korea and Mexico were below last year, export value still trended higher.

“Beef demand in the Caribbean was outstanding in March, and we continued to see a strong rebound in the Middle East as well as some positive signs in Korea and Japan, where the foodservice recovery is making progress,” Halstrom said. “It’s a challenging situation in terms of supply availability, but the value U.S. beef commands internationally is very encouraging – as evidenced by March export value climbing to more than $450 per head.”

January-March beef exports totaled 311,865 mt, down 4% from the first quarter of 2023, but export value increased 6% to $2.48 billion. Markets achieving first quarter value growth included South Korea, Mexico, Hong Kong, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, the Philippines and Singapore.

First quarter lamb exports lower in volume, but value trends higher
March exports of U.S. lamb were 35% below last year at 246 mt, while export value fell 5% to $1.5 million. But March shipments to the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada all trended significantly higher than a year ago. First quarter lamb exports fell 5% in volume to 819 mt, but value increased 19% to $4.7 million. Value growth was led by the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada, but exports also trended higher to Taiwan and the ASEAN.



USDA Previews New School Nutrition Guidelines to Include Meat for Breakfast
NPPC
 
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service recently previewed a final rule on new nutrition standards for school lunch and breakfast programs, requiring a reduction in added sugars and sodium and more flexibility for schools to offer meat — a huge win for pork producers. The standards, which will be gradually updated between fall 2025 and fall 2027, will be consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. USDA is required to set standards for the foods and beverages served through the school meal programs that align with the goals of the dietary guidelines.
 
The current School Breakfast Program requires fruits, grains, and milk. Meat and meat alternates are not required meal components. However, the new standards establish a combined grains and meat-meat alternates component in the program. Schools may offer grains, meat-meat alternates, or a combination of both, to meet the requirement.



The Beef Checkoff Partners with Little League® to Keep Athletes Fueled with Beef on the Plate

With baseball and softball season underway and the kickoff to summer grilling season fast approaching, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, funded by the Beef Checkoff, is excited to announce the perfect partnership between beef and baseball/softball as a proud partner of the Little League® World Series this year.

“This partnership provides a unique opportunity to reach a younger audience and their families with facts about beef and recipes they will love,” said Dan Gattis, NCBA Federation Division Chair. “With approximately two million players annually, Little League teams account for 70% of youth baseball in the U.S. and makes them an ideal partner for the Beef Checkoff.”

The partnership, which will name Beef as the official sponsor of the Perfect Home Plate with Little League, will include a variety of advertising opportunities, including a digital video series to inspire consumers to choose beef. It will culminate with a beef dinner the night before the opening game of the Little League Baseball® World Series to fuel the young athletes with high quality protein and help them prepare for 11 days of competition.

Beef is always a crowd pleaser, but nutrition is key when fueling young athletes and busy families. This partnership will help educate consumers about beef’s unmatched nutrition package of high-quality protein and 10 essential nutrients, helping them keep their families nourished throughout the day and introducing the next generation to the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand.

To see recipes and more content from the partnership, visit our Little League webpage on BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.



FARM Evaluator HPAI H5N1 Biosecurity Best Practices
WEBINAR - Thursday, May 9, 2024 - 12-1 PM EDT
 
Join the National Dairy FARM Program for a webinar to discuss the latest Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza information related to FARM Program implementation. Evaluators and Program Participant staff are invited to learn about FARM Program Participant expectations, protocols for safely conducting evaluations and ongoing National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) industry support.
 
REGISTRATION (REGISTER HERE https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Uxpf6FBJQ_S3sV76HPmajw)
This session is specifically intended for FARM Evaluators and Program Participant staff members. The FARM Program reserves the right to deny participation in this webinar to non-program participants.
 
SPEAKERS
Danelle Bickett-Weddle, DVM, MPH, PhD, DACVPM is a veterinarian with over 25 years of experience promoting livestock health through action. She contributed to the development of the Secure Milk and Beef Supply Plans and more recently, she consulted with NMPF in the creation of the FARM Biosecurity resources.
 
Beverly Hampton Phifer currently manages the day-to-day operations of the National Dairy FARM Animal Care Program. Her responsibilities include overseeing the Animal Care Evaluator certification process, Program Participant relations, farmer resource development, and outreach with the internal dairy industry.
 
Miquela Hanselman joined NMPF in 2019 as its director of regulatory affairs, leading NMPF’s regulatory-focused efforts on nutrition and public health, including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. She is also the program lead for FARM Biosecurity, focused on protecting the health of dairy farmers’ herds and employees.
 
Theresa Sweeney-Murphy serves as the senior director of communications and outreach for NMPF. In this role, she manages regular member communications, including the organization’s news alerts, newsletters, member alerts, toolboxes and more. She also manages NMPF’s website and social media accounts, and leads NMPF’s National Young Cooperators Program.
 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Visit nmpf.org/hpai for the latest updates on HPAI in dairy cattle.



Midwest’s Premier Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference set for June 5 and 6

Learn the latest information in dairy nutrition and management by attending the 2024 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference on June 5 and 6 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. This premier conference will feature the latest information to improve productivity and profit.

Balchem’s pre-conference symposium the morning of June 5 will focus on amino acid nutrition. Mark Hanigan, Virginia Tech will cover amino bioavailability. Dr. Alex Hristov, Penn State, will talk about Histamine as a limiting amino acid and Chan Lee, Ohio State will be discussing cow response to lysine. Dr. Jose Santos, Florida State, will help participants learn about amino acid balancing for early lactation cows.

Four State conference speakers include Michigan State’s Dr. Mike VandeHaar discussing feeding and managing cows for high production and health. Bill Weiss, Ohio State University, will talk about feeding to reach higher peaks and Jose Santos will talk about feeding to prevent mineral related diseases in early lactation.

The other general session includes Dr. Rick Grant, Miner Institute, will discuss the optimum ratio of corn silage and alfalfa: grass in dairy diets. Alex Hristiv will cover how feeding strategies can reduce the carbon footprint of milk and Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, University of Wisconsin, will talk about how different forage physical and chemical characteristics influence ration performance.

Select breakout topics include:
    Balancing for milk protein and butterfat in lactation diets.
    Understanding ketosis: beyond the norm, before the storm.
    Feeding strategically throughout lactation to promote milk and health.
    Overcrowding and response to the formulated ration.
    Impact of dry matter intake during the transition period on uterine health and fertility.
    Fatty acid supplementation strategies for early lactation cows.
    Optimizing IVP embryo transfer in dairy herds.
    Strategies to improve heifer reproductive performance and reduce heifer rearing costs.

Also on Wednesday, the second edition of the Three-Minute Student Thesis (3MT) contest with a poster component will be held. Master’s and PhD students from the four partner universities will present their posters and present three-minute presentation on research they have completed.

Perdue’s post-conference symposium the afternoon of June 6 includes Dr. Geoffrey Zanton, USDA Dairy Forage Research Center talking about the latest research in dairy cows response to protein and amino acid supplementation. Dr. Kein Harvatine, Penn State University, will discuss the importance of de novo fatty acids in driving milk fat synthesis and Dr. Adam Lock, Michigan State University will provide insight into the importance of preformed fatty acids in driving milk fat synthesis.

In addition to the educational program, there is a trade show with over 40 companies exhibiting their latest products, evening receptions and plenty of time to network with other participants. CEU credits are available.

This conference is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

For more information and to register, visit fourstatedairy.org or contact the Extension dairy specialist in your state: in Northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in Northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in East Central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu; in Ames, Dr. Gail Carpenter, 515-294-9085 or ajcarpen@iastate.edu.




NCGA: Commerce Actions at Mosaic Corporation’s Request Could Drive Up Fertilizer Prices, Shorten Supply

Leaders at the National Corn Growers Association said that they are worried about the availability and price of inputs after the Commerce Department announced plans to raise tariffs on phosphorous fertilizers imported from Morocco from 2.12% to 14.21%.

Commerce’s actions come after the domestic fertilizer company Mosaic requested action from the agency in 2023 over an import dispute with another multi-national company.

“The price of corn has dropped, and input costs are already high, so the Commerce Department’s decision is the last thing farmers need,” said Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Harold Wolle. “If fertilizers continue to go up in price and are hard to secure, farmers will only have Mosaic and the Commerce Department to thank.”

The proposed new rate would be the final retroactive tariff for 2022 imports and serve as the new provisional rate required to be deposited with U.S. Customs for imports from November 2024 and onward until the conclusion of the next administrative review, if requested.

NCGA has spent the last two years sounding the alarms on the issue and lobbying to lower the tariffs or eliminate them altogether.



March U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Exports Hit Highest Levels in Nearly Two Years

U.S. ethanol exports intensified in March, up 15% to a 23-month high of 159.3 million gallons (mg), with 97% bound for just ten markets. The largest share transferred to Canada (30%), our top customer for the 36th consecutive month despite a 1% decrease from February. Denatured fuel ethanol accounted for 93% of the 47.6 mg crossing the border. Exports improved by 61% to India (21.5 mg) and doubled to the European Union (20.0 mg)—primarily shipped to the Netherlands. Other larger markets included the United Kingdom (19.0 mg, -10%), Singapore (13.5 mg, +124% to a record high), Colombia (12.0, -20%), and South Korea (7.5 mg, +99%). Brazil remained absent from our export market, continuing a 22-month run. Year-to-date ethanol exports totaled 448.3 mg, which is 27% more than last year at this time.

The U.S. imported 1.1 mg of undenatured fuel ethanol from Brazil. This was the first time since November that any meaningful imports entered our borders.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, expanded 7% to 1.06 million metric tons (mt)—the largest volume since June 2022. Shipments to Mexico scaled back 34% to 171,815 mt yet were robust enough to secure its position as our largest customer for the third straight month. Exports bolstered to other larger markets, including South Korea (up 8% to 142,829 mt), Turkey (quadrupled to 122,027 mt), Indonesia (up 29% to a 4-year high of 111,044 mt), Vietnam (up 39% to 90,807 mt), Colombia (doubled to a record 73,304 mt), and Canada (up 13% to 55,967 mt). The remaining 30% of U.S. DDGS exports were dispersed across 32 countries worldwide. Year-to-date DDGS exports totaled 2.94 million mt, 21% ahead of last year at this time.



NPPC’s Zieba Represents U.S. Pork in Taiwan Trade Negotiations
 
The U.S. and Taiwan held another round of trade negotiations under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade. The sides focused on issues not resolved in the agreement finalized last summer, including agriculture, labor, and environment, among others.
 
National Pork Producers Council Vice President of Government Affairs Maria C. Zieba traveled to Taipei to participate in the negotiations. Taiwan had been a growing market for U.S. pork until non-tariff barriers to trade were enacted several years ago, including border and county inspections, a country-of-origin labeling (COOL) scheme, and a partial ban on the internationally approved feed additive ractopamine.
 
Invited to speak at a public stakeholder session by USTR, Zieba highlighted the importance of the agreement to both parties, the need to facilitate trade and market access, and the importance of promoting science-based agricultural trade>.
 
NPPC's take: NPPC would support agreements with Taiwan under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade if the country eliminates the numerous barriers to trade for U.S. pork exports. With nearly 24 million people and a cultural preference for pork, Taiwan should be a better market for the U.S. pork industry. Last year, Taiwan imported only $54.6 million of U.S. pork. By comparison, Australia, with 26 million people, imported $247 million of U.S. pork in 2023.
 
The U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, launched June 1, 2022, is intended to develop a roadmap to deepen the economic and trade relationship between the US and Taiwan, advance trade priorities, and promote innovation and economic growth for workers and businesses. Most important, the text and outcome could set a precedent for future agreements with the U.S.



U.S. Ethanol and SAF Industry Leaders Seek to Intervene in Legal Challenge to EU Sustainable Aviation Fuel Regulation

Leaders of the U.S. ethanol industry are seeking to intervene in a legal challenge of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which effectively bans the use of renewable, crop-based biofuels like corn ethanol as a feedstock for decarbonizing the aviation sector. Collaborating in the intervention are Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, U.S. Grains Council, and LanzaJet. Earlier this year, LanzaJet opened the world’s first ethanol-to-jet biorefinery, in Georgia.

The application to intervene in the proceedings supports a challenge brought by ePURE, a trade association representing European ethanol producers, and Pannonia Bio, one of Europe’s largest ethanol producers. Their application seeks to annul the relevant provisions of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which was adopted by the EU in 2023 and is set to take effect in 2025. A similar challenge was brought against the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, and members of the U.S. ethanol industry are seeking to intervene there, as well.

With regard to the new petition, the groups argue it will have a detrimental effect on the U.S. ethanol industry.

“[T]he Contested Provisions give rise to a de facto ban on the supply of crop-based biofuels to the aviation sector in the EU,” the organizations argue.  “Due to the substantial difference in cost between biofuels and fossil fuels in the EU – which the Regulation expressly acknowledged – aviation fuel suppliers will not purchase biofuels instead of fossil fuels unless they are obliged or incentivised to do so.  Since using crop-based biofuels will not help aviation fuel suppliers meet their obligations under the Regulation, they will not purchase those biofuels.”



Ag Supply Chain Asia Conference 2024 Leads To Sales

The Ag Supply Chain Asia (ASCA) Conference recently took place in Bangkok, Thailand, highlighting sustainability and innovation as integral components shaping the future of agriculture. The conference provided a significant platform for discussions centered on the theme, "Integrating Sustainability and Innovation for Future Agricultural Excellence."

Organized by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and U.S. Wheat Associates, this event drew more than 370 attendees from 20 countries, representing more than 170 companies.

According to participant feedback, the conference facilitated transactions and negotiations estimated at 1.5 million metric tons (MT) of U.S. agricultural products. This positions the event as a key gathering within the agricultural sector in Southeast Asia. The transactions encompassed approximately 180,000 MT of corn (7,086,240 bushels); 340,000 MT of distiller's dried grains with solubles (13,385,120 bushels in corn equivalent); 335,000 MT of soybeans (12,309,140 bushels); 385,000 MT of soybean meal (17,824,074 bushels in soybean equivalent); and 220,000 MT of wheat (8,083,614 bushels).

“Bringing together buyers from across the Southeast Asia and Oceania region, along with U.S. suppliers of feed grains, oilseeds and corn co-products, is what leads to these types of export sales transactions, which is a benefit for both sides of the business transactions coming from this conference,” said USGC Chairman Brent Boydston.

USGC Vice President Cary Sifferath also emphasized the importance of supplying sustainable ingredients across sectors during the event.

“There is a growing global momentum toward sustainability observed not only in the feed and livestock industry but also in corn processing and other sectors regionally and globally. This shift reflects the collective global effort to address consumers' demands and choices, not just in Southeast Asia, but also final end-users of some of those food products that the corn and corn co-products end up in the global food supply chain,” Sifferath said.

By facilitating pivotal discussions and offering insightful perspectives, the event provided a holistic view of the future landscape of agriculture, underlining the indispensable role of sustainable practices and technological advancements in attaining agricultural excellence.