Congressman Flood, Congresswoman Spanberger Lead Bipartisan Effort to Support Producers, Strengthen Agricultural Supply Chains, & Help Lower Food Costs
Recently, U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act. The bipartisan legislation would improve competition in the U.S. food system, support regional producers and food businesses, and help bring down food costs. The act will also assist Regional Food Business Centers by providing national coverage coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, producers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources.
“Agriculture is the backbone of America and the way our country helps feed the world. Research universities, such as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, do outstanding work helping support the next generation of research that’s making food production more efficient than ever before. Growing our country’s network of Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers will help spur even more innovation in the coming years,” said Flood. “I appreciate Congresswoman Spanberger for introducing this legislation and I encourage my colleagues to join in supporting this effort as it works its way through the House in the months to come.”
“When our agricultural supply chains are strong, the benefits are felt all the way along the line — from producers’ bottom lines to consumers’ wallets,” said Spanberger. “Agriculture is Virginia’s number one private industry, and our local producers keep our Commonwealth fueled and fed. By making Regional Food and Supply Chain Resource Centers a permanent resource to support our agriculture industry and production capabilities, our bipartisan legislation would make sure Virginia’s farmers and ranchers — and producers across our country — have the support necessary to expand their operations, increase competition along the food supply chain, and consequently lower costs for consumers. I’m grateful for Congressman Flood’s support in working to build more innovative, competitive food systems.”
“Today almost more than ever, consumers are interested in knowing more about where their food comes from and the farmers and ranchers who grow and raise it. We appreciate the efforts of Congressman Flood (NE-1) and Congresswoman Spanberger (VA-07) to introduce the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act in order to codify the USDA Regional Food Business Centers into law. If passed, this legislation will help continue to bridge the gap between our nation’s farm and ranch families and the families around the country who rely upon them to provide the safe, nutritious, and abundant food supply we currently enjoy,” said Mark McHargue, President, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation.
Nebraska Soybean Board to meet
The Nebraska Soybean Board will hold its next meeting on June 27-28, 2024 at the River’s Edge Conference Center located at 265 33rd Ave, Columbus, Nebraska.
Among conducting regular board business, the Board will review FY25 proposals and other new opportunities. The meeting is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for public discussion. The complete agenda for the meeting is available for inspection on the Nebraska Soybean Board website at www.nebraskasoybeans.org.
About the Nebraska Soybean Board: The nine-member Nebraska Soybean Board collects and disburses the Nebraska share of funds generated by the one-half of one percent times the net sales price per bushel of soybeans sold. Nebraska soybean checkoff funds are invested in research, education, domestic and foreign markets, including new uses for soybeans and soybean products.
Registration open for Iowa Farm Bureau’s economic outlook webinar to examine long-term planning considerations for farmers
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has opened registration for its upcoming webinar, “The Economic Outlook and Your Farm,” that will dive into current economic pressures stifling the ag economy and factors for farmers to consider when planning ahead for a possible recession in agriculture.
IFBF’s Economic Outlook webinar will be held July 16 at 1 p.m. Dr. Robert Dieli, president and founder of RDLB, Inc., an economic forecasting and management consulting firm, will offer insights into inflation and higher borrowing costs contributing to the downturned ag economy and provide helpful insight for farmers to consider while making long-term decisions for their farms.
“Declining commodity prices and ‘higher for longer’ interest rates continue to impact purchasing power and on-farm profitability, raising concern across the ag sector,” says Zach Brummer, Iowa Farm Bureau farm education program manager. “As farmers grapple with higher borrowing costs and inflationary pressures hitting close to home with layoffs in the meatpacking and manufacturing sector with companies such as Tyson, Firestone and John Deere, we want to provide as much insight as possible to help members navigate these turbulent waters.”
To register for the webinar, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com/events and select “The Economic Outlook and Your Farm Webinar.”
NSM study shows soymeal’s ‘true value’
Continually working to educate international customers about the benefits of purchasing northern-grown soy, Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) recently collaborated with two animal nutritionists – Lesley Nernberg of Lighthouse Agri-Solutions and Matthew Clark from FeedGuys Resources – to develop a feed formulation tool that illustrates the nutritional value and financial advantage of northern-grown soybeans. The formulation tool has been established and is now available for use to show soybean purchasers and end users of northern soybeans the enhanced quality profile and advantage in animal and aqua feeding programs.
“In recent feed formula simulations utilizing a broiler starter diet, in comparing soybean meal from South America (Brazil) vs. northern U.S. states (NSM), it was shown that an overall feed cost reduction of $4.30 per MT was possible,” Nernberg said. “There is some variation across the northern soy producing states, but a feed formulation advantage is possible through utilizing soybean meal from NSM member state. This advantage is possible due to the superior amino acid and energy profile of NSM soybean meal.”
The formulation tool also illustrates that the shadow pricing, or “true value” of NSM soymeal, is $16.84 over that of South American-derived soybean meal products. Also, in review of the nutrient content of the feed formulations, the crude protein of the broiler starters may be reduced while still maintaining the required amino acids for optimal broiler growth. This has various advantages to broiler production systems and can be a further method to show the effective value of NSM soybeans.
Summary of Financial Advantage of Northern USA Soybean Meal in Example Broiler Starter Diet
NSM and its member states – North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin – are redefining soy quality by promoting the quality, consistency and reliability of northern-grown soybeans and soymeal. By working with respected researchers and animal nutritionists, NSM is providing a more accurate picture of soybean feeding quality. The recent formulation tool is another resource that confirms NSM’s claims and can be used by international purchasers to make buying decisions.
“Over the months ahead, more simulations and feed formulations will be examined to have current and up-to-date pricing and economic details to provide to soybean crushers and soybean meal buyers,” Nernberg said. “Going forward, the use of these formulation tools will be utilized as value added information to illustrate the value of NSM soy products to key end users in Southeast Asia and globally.”
About Northern Soy Marketing
Northern Soy Marketing, LLC is the farmer-leader board formed by the soybean checkoff boards of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin. The board invests grower checkoff funds to conduct research on soybean quality and Critical Amino Acid Value (CAAV) levels in northern-grown soybeans and funds outreach to buyers around the world.
CropLife America Stresses Need for Balanced Approach in EPA's Final Herbicide Strategy
This week, CropLife America (CLA) sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addressing the Office of Pesticide Program’s April 2024 Update on the Agency’s Draft Herbicide Strategy. This update is part of EPA’s framework to meet its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). CLA’s letter lauds the Agency’s issuance of the Draft Herbicide Strategy and the extent to which it reflects significant input from interested stakeholders. Additionally, the letter offers recommendations on how the Draft Herbicide Strategy can be successfully finalized and implemented.
CLA emphasizes the necessity of pesticide use with the importance of protecting endangered species and their habitats, urging EPA to take realistic farming practices into consideration. Measures such as updating spray drift calculations for modern agricultural processes to add realism to application assumptions through geo-spatial information, crop layer, and usage data will help ensure EPA’s proposed mitigations are realistic and protect intended species as well as allow farmers to do their jobs.
“We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on measures that will impact the entire agricultural community. Understanding the needs and demands of our nation’s growers is imperative to the success of the ESA, and EPA continuing to provide opportunities for stakeholder feedback is vital. Any mitigations put in place will only work if real-world implications of how we farm are considered,” said Alexandra Dunn, CLA president and CEO. “Our comments are aimed at helping ensure that the EPA's plan is both practical and scientifically sound.”
Other key topics addressed in the letter include:
Overly conservative assumptions will drive unworkable mitigations with no environmental benefit for listed species when making refinements to the risk assessment.
Greater flexibility for growers and applicators with recognition of ongoing conditions and practices through the geography and topography of their farms, their compliance with state or local regulation, best practices or conservation programs, etc.
Clarity and certainty to maintain efficiency and timeliness for new product registrations.
Expanded public engagement to help identify issues and solutions that will aid in successful implementation of the EPA ESA Workplan.
CLA looks forward to continuing to work with EPA and other stakeholders as there are developments. EPA’s Herbicide Strategy is expected to be released to the public at the end of August 2024.
Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/21/2024
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending June 21, ethanol production scaled back 1.3% to 1.04 million b/d, equivalent to 43.81 million gallons daily. Output was 0.9% less than the same week last year but 1.4% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.6% to 1.05 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.13 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks declined 0.8% to 23.4 million barrels. Yet, stocks were 1.9% more than the same week last year and 6.2% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, weakened 4.4% to 8.97 million b/d (137.87 bg annualized). Demand was 3.6% less than a year ago and 1.3% below the five-year average.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol nudged down 0.4% to 927,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.25 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 3.3% more than year-ago levels and 2.6% above the five-year average.
Ethanol exports were estimated at 72,000 b/d (3.0 million gallons/day), or 5.3% less than the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 40th consecutive week.
Anhydrous, UAN32, Urea Lead Retail Fertilizer Prices Lower
Average retail prices for seven of the eight major fertilizers were lower than last month during the third week of June 2024 with prices for three of those down significantly, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. The price of the eighth fertilizer was unchanged.
The three fertilizers that saw significant price drops, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more, were anhydrous, urea and UAN32. Anhydrous was 10% less expensive compared to last month with an average price of $705 per ton. Urea was 8% lower than a month ago with an average price of $510/ton. UAN32 was 7% less expensive with an average price of $389/ton. Prices for four other fertilizers were down just slightly from last month. DAP had an average price of $778/ton, MAP $827/ton, potash $507/ton and UAN28 $350/ton.
One fertilizer was unchanged in price from a month earlier. 10-34-0 had an average price of $642/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.55/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.63/lb.N and UAN32 $0.61/lb.N.
All fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago. MAP is 1% lower, DAP is 6% less expensive, anhydrous is 7% lower, both 10-34-0 and UAN28 are 13% less expensive, UAN32 is 17% lower and both urea and potash are 18% less expensive compared to a year prior.
NCGA Joins Other Organizations in Filing Latest Lawsuit Challenging Administration’s Vehicle Mandates
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Texas Corn Producers Association (TCPA), along with other groups, filed a lawsuit today in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard for model year 2027-2032 passenger cars and light-duty trucks.
The CAFE rule mandates stringent new standards that appear designed to phase out liquid fuel-powered vehicles. Today’s filing follows two recent lawsuits led by NCGA, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Petroleum Institute and auto dealerships challenging the EPA’s light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle rulemakings.
“Once again, we have a federal agency trying to force a one-size-fits-all solution on the American consumer through the final NHTSA CAFE rule and fuel efficiency standard, which favors electric vehicles,” said Minnesota farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Harold Wolle. “Because ethanol effectively lowers greenhouse gas emissions and combats climate change, it accounts for one-third of corn growers’ demand. We are concerned that NHTSA could be putting the country on the path to eliminating this demand, which would be a major financial blow to corn growers.”
The Texas Corn Producers Association also weighed in on the development.
“On behalf of Texas corn farmers – and family farms across the nation, TCPA is joining this petition on the NHTSA CAFE final rule that threatens existing fuel infrastructure, including ethanol,” said TCPA President Jim Sugarek. “Not only does this rule endanger the ethanol demand that is important to our corn farmers’ markets, it poses a risk to the liquid fuel industry as a whole. We simply can’t allow a federal agency to dictate rules that jeopardize the viability of both the agriculture and energy sectors that drive the Texas economy.”
The American Petroleum Institute, American Farm Bureau Federation, Texas Farm Bureau and a group of six auto dealers representing sixteen brands and collectively operating dozens of dealerships in major markets across the country joined NCGA as co-petitioners in today’s lawsuit.
NHTSA’s final CAFE rule for passenger cars and light trucks requires passenger cars to reach 66.4 miles per gallon by 2032 and light trucks to 46.2 MPG, an overall fleet fuel economy average of 51.4 MPG. Comparatively, current CAFE standards for model years 2021-2026 require an overall average of 40 MPG by 2026.
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative applauds bill to increase milk levels in WIC
Edge applauds Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) and Josh Harder (D-CA) in their bipartisan effort to return the amount of milk available to WIC families to the maximum monthly allowance for low-income moms and babies to previous levels. The bill, known as the Protecting Mothers and Infants Access to Milk Act, would restore the maximum daily limit of dairy products allowed in the WIC program previously reduced through a proposed rule put forth by the Biden Administration.
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“Providing adequate amounts of dairy products to the WIC program is fundamental to ensuring families have healthy and nutritious choices at home,” said Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative President Brody Stapel. “We applaud Reps. Stefanik, Van Orden and Harder’s leadership in putting the dairy levels back where they need to be. We appreciate their common-sense approach to this legislation and extend our support to their efforts. As we move into more farm bill discussions, we need more bipartisan and supportive actions like this to come forward.”
The bill introduced looks to reverse the rule, “Specialized Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): Revisions in the WIC Food Packages” which substantially reduced the amount of milk available to WIC families. The final rule went into effect on June 17, 2024.
We must ensure women, infants, and children are fed and healthy, which is why I am proud to join Rep. Stefanik in introducing this legislation to restore the WIC maximum monthly allowances for milk, which should have never been cut in the first place, said Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) in a release.
Cost of Summer Cookout Reaches Record High
Families celebrating the 4th of July holiday will continue to find stubbornly high prices at the grocery store. An Independence Day cookout will cost $71.22 for 10 guests this year, based on the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey.
The grocery bill is up 5% from 2023, and almost 30% from just five years ago. A $7.12 per-person cost represents a record high since AFBF began the survey in 2013. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
“Higher prices at the grocery store reflect a number of challenges facing America’s families. Lower availability of some cookout staples and inflation are hitting people in their wallets,” said AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan. “Farmers are also feeling the effects of high prices. They’re price takers, not price makers. Their share of the retail food dollar is just 15%, but they still pay elevated fuel, fertilizer and other supply prices.”
The marketbasket survey shows a year-to-year double-digit increase in the cost of beef and lemonade, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts and potato salad.
The retail price for 2 pounds of ground beef increased 11% to $12.77. Lemonade will cost $4.19, up 12% from 2023. Several factors influence these increases, which reflect the sort of challenges farmers face on a regular basis. Drought conditions in recent years forced ranchers to sell many of their cattle early last year, reducing the amount of beef available for the summer grilling season. Higher lemon prices can be attributed to citrus greening, which has spread to California after devastating Florida’s citrus industry.
Our survey found two exceptions to the price increases. Chicken is down 4% from last year, at $7.83 for 2 pounds. Potato salad is also 4% less expensive than last year, at $3.32. Chicken supplies have stabilized, and potato crops have recovered from the previous year’s poor weather.
Although historically high at $7.12 per person, when put in a global context, Americans dedicate a smaller percentage of their spending to food than any other country.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “As we celebrate this nation’s independence, we also celebrate America’s food independence. And while all families in America are paying more for food than before, we still have one of the most affordable food supplies in the world. In the United States, we are blessed with the tools to grow the food, fiber and renewable fuel to meet the needs of every family across the country.
“The success of America’s farmers is due in part to partnerships in research, conservation and farm safety net programs that are made possible through a strong farm bill. It’s crucial that as we celebrate the holiday we also urge members of Congress to return to Washington and pass a new, modernized five-year farm bill. We cannot afford more delays and short-term extensions. Farmers, and every family in America, are relying on them to get the job done to ensure America continues to lead the world in agriculture.”
Individual Prices, AFBF 2024 Summer Cookout
2 pounds of ground beef, $12.77 (+11%)
2 pounds of chicken breasts, $7.83 (-4%)
3 pounds of pork chops, $15.49 (+8%)
1 pound of cheese, $3.57 (+1%)
1 package of hamburger buns, $2.41 (+7%)
2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.32 (-4%)
32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.49 (+2%)
16 ounces of potato chips, $4.90 (+8%)
13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.99 (+2%)
½ gallon of ice cream, $5.65 (+7%)
2 pints of strawberries, $4.61 (+1%)
2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.19 (+12%)
The federal government’s broader Consumer Price Index report for food at home shows an overall increase of 1% compared to a year ago. Farm Bureau’s informal marketbasket survey examines only those foods commonly associated with summer cookouts.
The July 4th cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey of common food staples Americans use to prepare a holiday meal at home.
Volunteer shoppers across the country, including Farm Bureau members and others, collected data from stores in every state and Puerto Rico.
Meristem Launches EXCAVATOR® AMS: First All-in-One Surfactant, Water Conditioner, Residue Breakdown and Nutrient Release Product
Meristem Crop Performance® today announced EXCAVATOR® AMS, a new, more convenient formulation of EXCAVATOR powered by patented MICROBILIZE™ designed to break down residue and cover crops faster, speed nutrient release, reduce labor and improve the efficacy of herbicide applications. The new formulation includes ammonium sulfate (AMS), making it the first all-in-one surfactant, water conditioner, residue breakdown and nutrient release product.
"We just put our MICROBILIZE Technology on steroids when we put the AMS with it," explained Joe Gednalske, Meristem's Product Development Lead. "And this formulation has a duplicate of our best AQUADRAFT formula, so you are truly getting it all: the best surfactant, water conditioner and the nitrogen to speed decomposition."
Gednalske led Meristem's development of MICROBILIZE™ Technology, and is credited with 41 US and international patents for adjuvants, spray application technology and other crop inputs. He's spent his lifetime helping farmers and applicators hit their target with exactly the right surfactant, drift control and water conditioner and says this new product has three key improvements:
- A more aggressive biological consortium to break down crop residue faster than any other similar product,
- AMS and a non-ionic surfactant to make burndown of weeds and cover crops more effective and more convenient, and
- EXCAVATOR® and AQUADRAFT® PREMIUM in one tote or jug, reducing mixing hassles and opening more space on the spray trailer.
"It's time to fight back and take cost out of your synthetic fertilizer spend by unlocking the plant nutrition you already own," said Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO in announcing the new formulation. "Additionally, we are giving the farmer a best-in-class water condition and surfactant system for free and a nitrogen kicker making EXCAVATOR AMS the best residue breakdown product one the market."
In the past five years, one of the fastest growing practices farmers have adopted is residue management with biologicals that's paying out in plant nutrition, reduced tillage, improved stands. "Many farmers we work with are seeing $60 to $80 of value an acre by spending less than $15 per acre," Eviston says. "EXCAVATOR AMS is another step-change, allowing all those benefits, plus saving another $2 per acre on adjuvant and nitrogen with this all-in-one product. It's what we're all about—more bushels for less."
Better plant nutrition is why Iowa farmer Kelly Garrett says he has made EXCAVATOR a standard practice in his crop production systems. "After 230 bushel per acre corn, there's over 200 pounds of potassium in that residue and that potassium is so much better than potash you would apply," Garrett, an XtremeAg farmer says. "And the phosphorus you get from that residue is so much better than what you get out of 11-52-0. That's the kind of nutrition that we want for our crops."
Peter Rousonelos, Senior VP of Business Development for Meristem, who coined the phrase "Biology Is Fertility™," wants farmers to understand that investing in EXCAVATOR AMS is investing in better plant nutrition. "It's really a fertilizer spend," he says. "Independent research shows that EXCAVATOR releases 40 to 60 pounds of NPK from residue 45 to 60 days after application." He adds that the formulation with AMS will work even better and be even more convenient to use. "We know our farmer customers want to go fast," he smiles. "With EXCAVATOR AMS, they can go even faster."
Josh McClain, farmer and owner/operator of Firebolt Ag near Norton, Kansas, sees Meristem's products going hand in hand with sequestering carbon and bringing farmers a win-win: improved ROI and a better carbon score. "Reducing tillage is a quick way to qualify every acre, and it pays out extremely well in the carbon industry," says McClain. "So, if a farmer uses EXCAVATOR® AMS and cuts out a tillage pass, that offsets the cost of that product plus amps up their bottom line."
"Take $30 to $50 out of your fertilizer budget and use it to ignite this 'biology-is-fertility' system," urges Rousonelos. "You will improve your ROI (return on investment), and an added benefit is how it meshes with the regenerative agriculture approach already approved by many who are buying carbon credits from farmers." Rousonelos offers a step-by-step plan:
1. Take Out Cost and Make The Most of Nutrients You Already Own.
"Timely unlock and make available to the growing crop valuable pounds of NPK bound up in crop residue and cover crops with EXCAVATOR® AMS, powered by MICROBILIZE™. You can save fuel and labor with one less tillage pass. This stuff works."
2. Manage Nitrogen for Just-in-time Delivery.
"Meristem's MAINTAIN™ ELITE captures and maintains more nitrogen in the upper root zone, increasing nitrogen uptake and utilization by the plant and N-GEAR™ DUAL-ACTION provides the same benefits paired with the additional protection of nitrogen from volatility loss."
3. Boost the Plant's Focus on Building Massive Root Systems.
"At planting, use REVLINE® HOPPER THROTTLE™, powered by ETHER™ Enzyme Technology, to deliver active, lively microbes to build massive root structures and boost nutrient availability. Growers that have liquid systems on the planter should use UPSHIFT® C liquid fertilizer concentrate to dramatically reduce the cost compared to traditional starters and jumpstart biologicals that make nutrients available."
While Meristem's "Biology Is Fertility" approach is drawing favor from many who are boosting their carbon sequestration and adopting more regenerative agriculture concepts at field level, Meristem Founder Mitch Eviston says the mission remains clear: helping farmers raise more bushels for less.
"We know our high-yield farmers are facing headwinds in the coming year and we're doing everything we can to help them take out costs and still swing for the fences," he says.
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