Thursday August 08 Ag News

 Attorney General Hilgers and Attorney General Bird Lead Coalition Petitioning EPA to Enact Uniform Labeling Requirements

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird led an 11-state coalition petitioning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enact a rule that would create uniform labeling requirements across the country and preempt California’s Prop 65. Currently, States can require manufacturers to label products with health information that is inconsistent with the EPA’s findings about a product’s health effects. California’s Prop 65 presently requires manufacturers to label products containing glyphosate as likely carcinogenic even though the EPA has concluded that the herbicide does not present a risk to human health.

"One State should not be able to impose its ideologically-driven views on essential farming products on the rest of the country,” said Attorney General Hilgers. “If adopted, our proposed rule would streamline the labeling process, dispel consumer confusion, and ensure that those who help put food on our tables can do their jobs without getting caught up in the red tape of 50 separate States. Our proposed rule advances the rule of law and lifts a burden on the farming industry that drives Nebraska’s economy.”

The current system of patchwork labeling requirements has led to needless, years-long litigation. It has also left manufacturers and farmers unsure about their legal obligations and the health effects of certain products. The Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and multiple federal courts of appeals have recognized that the EPA has the power to enact a rule like the one proposed in the petition for rulemaking.

In addition to Attorney General Hilgers, attorneys general from the following States joined the petition for rulemaking: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and South Dakota.



Ricketts Praises Pesticide Petition by Attorneys General Hilgers & Bird

Wednesday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement praising the announcement from Attorneys General Mike Hilgers of Nebraska and Brenna Bird of Iowa that the states are leading a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the regulation of commonly-used pesticides:

“California’s glyphosate labeling mandate is anti-science and anti-agriculture,” Ricketts said. “Far-left bureaucrats in one state shouldn’t be able to force their radical agenda on another state like Nebraska. I thank Attorneys General Hilgers and Bird for their leadership on this issue. The EPA should embrace the petition and adopt science-based, nationwide pesticide standards.”



Smith Statement on Hilgers-Led Petition to EPA on Labeling of Critical Agriculture Input

Yesterday, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after a coalition of 11 state attorneys general led by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide federal guidance to prevent mislabeling of herbicides.

"In recent years, American agriculture producers have dealt with supply chain breakdowns, severe drought, and inflated input costs. Current ambiguity from the EPA puts the industry at further risk due to California’s spurious product labeling laws which perpetuate false narratives regarding a critical agriculture input. I applaud Attorney General Hilgers and this state coalition for calling on the EPA to provide guidance consistent with its own findings. Our hard-working farmers should never be hindered by anti-scientific state regulations."



Secretary Naig Welcomes Pesticide Petition by Attorneys General Bird, Hilgers

Following the announcement yesterday in Omaha by Attorneys General Brenna Bird of Iowa and Mike Hilgers of Nebraska that the states will jointly file a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the regulation of pesticides, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig provided the following comment:

“Effective crop protection tools and their safe usage are essential components to ensuring that farmers can be productive and feed and fuel consumers here and around the globe. Trial lawyers and environmental extremists are looking to pull any and all levers possible to make farmers’ jobs harder and end modern agriculture as we know it, and so I applaud Attorneys General Brenna Bird and Mike Hilgers for bringing forward this petition. I urge the EPA to promptly consider this action to prevent a patchwork of differing regulatory requirements across the nation and provide certainty and consistency for America’s farmers.”



EPA Highlights $307M in Climate Pollution Reduction Funding During Tour of Nebraska Farm

Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe joined Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, state officials, and agriculture representatives at Jacobsen’s Farm in Omaha, to highlight the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s (NDEE) selection for a $307 million EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG).

During the tour, EPA officials saw how farms such as Jacobsen’s Farm will benefit from CPRG funding awarded to NDEE to support clean investments in agriculture in the state.

“EPA is pleased to partner with Governor Pillen and the State of Nebraska to deliver community-driven solutions to address climate change, protect public health, and invest in neighborhoods, family farms, and communities across the Cornhusker state,” McCabe said. “The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s innovative plan will reduce emissions from agricultural production in rural communities, deliver financial assistance to low-income residents for energy efficiency upgrades, and reduce harmful pollution. These programs will pay public health dividends for generations to come and will provide critical information for others across the country to adopt and adapt to address these challenges in their own communities, especially rural communities.”

“The public outreach and statewide input that was received through this process allowed us to shape our application to make the greatest impact across the state,” Pillen said. “I am grateful to EPA for recognizing the uniqueness of our application and our great state. This grant will strengthen our rural communities, our agriculture industry, and allow Nebraska to fully realize the potential of full value agriculture. This grant signifies what can be done when we all come together for Nebraska and her citizens.”

“Through this grant, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will deliver innovative environmental solutions that work for rural and urban Nebraskans across the Cornhusker State,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meghan A. McCollister. “We are proud of the effort undertaken by NDEE to secure this grant and share their goal of partnering with agriculture, industry, and neighborhoods to find common-sense solutions to environmental issues.”

NDEE will fund measures to increase the adoption of climate-smart and precision agriculture and reduce agricultural waste from livestock. The selectee will also fund projects to improve energy efficiency in commercial and industrial facilities and low-income households, as well as deploy solar and electrify irrigation wells.



Nebraska Beef Council August Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will meet at the NBC office in Kearney, NE located at 1319 Central Avenue on Monday, August 19, 2024 beginning at 8:00 a.m. CDT and Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 7:30 a.m. CDT. The NBC Board of Directors will listen to presentation from outside contractors for the fiscal year 2024-2025 on Monday. Funding decisions will be conducted on Tuesday. For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org  



Hefty Seed Co Summer Meeting Aug 20 in WP

You're invited to the Hefty Seed Co 2025 update meeting on Tuesday, August 20 at our store near West Point, NE (Nielsen Center: 200 Anna Stalp Ave, West Point, NE 58788) beginning with lunch at 12:30 and the meeting at 1 pm – 2:30 pm. Here are some of the topics we’ll be covering.

· Input costs for the 2025 growing season. Some products will be at or near their all-time low prices by September. Should you buy everything this fall for 2025? When it comes to seed, fertilizer, and crop protection costs moving into next year, we’ll talk about what will happen with prices and programs and when is the best time to buy in order to keep your expenses down.

· Weed control. Doesn’t it seem like weed issues are getting worse? We’ll talk about how to achieve 100% weed control even on waterhemp and other resistant weeds in soybeans, corn, and wheat.

· Fertility. How can you fertilize for maximum yield yet still keep your costs down?

· Seed traits. XtendFlex, Enlist, conventional…how do you decide what to plant next season in soybeans? Will dicamba be labeled again? In corn, there are lots of options, as well! While it may seem confusing, we will help you simplify things heading into next year.

· New varieties. Which new seed varieties have better drought or disease tolerance? How about standability and most importantly, yield?

· Industry news. If dicamba gets banned, what’s next? How will government policies on carbon, energy, and interest rates impact farms in the short-term and beyond? Why is there so much negative press about agriculture when the U.S. has more food than ever, while still at the lowest cost in the world, and at the same time farmers have reduced erosion, fertilizer applied per bushel, and most any other environmental concern?

There is a lot to talk about right now in our industry, and they’ll help you sort through all these questions and more. Despite the challenging weather in many areas this year, they are super-excited for this coming season, and they’ve got some great things to share with you. Please spend a couple hours to help you prepare for the end of the 2024 season and get ready for 2025. If you can make it, please RSVP at https://heftyseed.com/storemeetings or give them a call at 402-372-9900 so they have enough food and chairs for everyone.



Nebraska Extension - Soil Health Field Day on Aug 28th and Corn and Soybean Clinic on Aug 29th

Nebraska Extension is pleased to bring you two back-to-back days of training at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center on August 28th and 29th.

On Wednesday, August 28th join us for the Soil Health Field Day, which will feature in-the-field, hands-on sessions that will center around innovative practices for those interested in regenerative, sustainable farming. Topics include cover crop species selection, in-field soil heath assessments, equipment demos, and prairie strips.  A total of 3 CCA credits have been applied for and are pending covering 1 Soil & Water, 1 Crop Mgt., 1 Sustainability.

There is no registration fee to attend the Soil Health Field Day thanks to support from USDA-TOPP and USDA-SARE.

Please register by clicking on this link: https://go.unl.edu/cmdc2024.

On Thursday, August 29th join us for the Nebraska Corn and Soybean Clinic, which will feature in the field, hands-on sessions centered on a variety of topics related to corn and soybean production. Topics include corn and soybean growth and development, 4R's nutrient management, insect management, weed management, irrigation, and plant diseases.  A total of 6.5 CCA credits have been applied for and are pending covering 2-Crop Mgt., 1-Nutr. Mgt., .5 Soil & Water, 3-Pest Mgt.

There is a $50 registration fee to attend the Corn and Soybean Clinic, which includes training, lunch, and reference materials.

More information on both programs can be found at : https://go.unl.edu/2024cmdc.



Cattle rancher and influencer Natalie Kovarik returns to 2024 College Aggies Online program

Nebraska cattle rancher and social media influencer Natalie Kovarik is set to return as a mentor in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 College Aggies Online (CAO) program. CAO is open to undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional students as well as collegiate clubs and classes in the U.S. More than $20,000 in scholarship awards is available for participants. More information here.... https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online/.

CAO connects college students from across the country who are passionate about sharing positive, factual information about animal agriculture. Participants receive nine interactive and educational weeks of content to help them become confident and effective communicators for agriculture with guidance from industry and farmer mentors. Help spread the word about the program by referring a friend to sign up. Referrers must be signed up for the program as well. Each referral will be entered to win a $100 gift card.

“Myths surrounding food and farming are prevalent on college campuses as many students are making their own food purchasing decisions for the first time. Animal rights groups know this and are actively seeking to pressure students to eliminate meat, dairy, poultry, eggs, and seafood from their diets,” said Emily Ellis, manager, communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “College Aggies Online equips students, clubs, and classes with the tools needed to navigate conversations surrounding food and farming to bridge the gap and ensure campus peers can make informed decisions in the grocery store.”

Kovarik is one of several mentors who will provide guidance on engaging with consumers during the program. She is a fourth-generation cattle rancher turned social entrepreneur who weaves western and rural living to feature agriculture in a unique and alluring fashion. She is also the dynamic co-host of the popular podcast Discover Ag. Alongside her husband, Kovarik owns and operates Kovarik Cattle Co, a cow-calf business with a growing registered herd. Through visual storytelling and thought-provoking conversations Kovarik works to bridge the rural/urban gap while empowering farmers and ranchers to amplify their voices and ensure a resilient agriculture legacy for generations to come.



Carroll and Jasper county pasture walks to feature virtual fencing

New technology in the grazing world may be impossible to see, yet the positive applications are clearly visible. Beth Reynolds, Iowa Beef Center program specialist, said virtual fencing may provide opportunities for more grazing areas.

“The livestock industry has really taken an interest in precision ag, and hearing from others with firsthand experience is invaluable when deciding if and how different technologies can be utilized within our personal operations,” she said.

IBC and the Iowa Forage and Grazing Council will host two pasture walks featuring NoFence, a virtual fencing company, to highlight new technology in the grazing world. This virtual fencing technology could give producers more options for grazing harder to fence areas, in addition to adding much more flexibility to rotational grazing systems.

“Virtual fence is a newer technology that has seen large advancements in the last few years," Reynolds said. "Opportunities to hear from producers utilizing this technology are still few and far between. The potential for this technology to improve grazing management and forage utilization for all livestock species is huge.”

The discussion at each location will offer insights into the host producer’s experience with virtual fencing with both cattle and small ruminants. Other discussion topics include weed management, multispecies grazing, potential applications for virtual fence, and other technologies in the grazing world. Speakers include the host producers, a representative from NoFence, the virtual fencing company used by these producers, and Iowa State University extension specialists.

The first pasture walk is Sept. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m., and will be hosted by Brice Hundling at 11879 Birch Ave, Breda. His operation utilizes virtual fence collars on both sheep and cattle. Brice will share how utilizing the collars has expanded the opportunities to graze corn residue for their operation. Supper will be provided onsite for program attendees.

The second pasture walk is Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon, and will be hosted by Daniel Faidley at 7128 52nd Ave W, Colfax. He uses virtual fence on goats grazing for vegetation management, and as a cattle producer will share his insight on weighing the cost and benefits virtual fence may provide. The Jasper County Cattlemen will be onsite grilling a hamburger meal for lunch.

Both field days are free.  RSVPs are encouraged by Sept. 9 to help with meal planning. To RSVP for the Breda location, call the Carroll County extension office at 712-792-2364. To RSVP for the Colfax location, call the Jasper County extension office at 641-792-6433. Or, for either location email the Iowa Beef Center.



Beef Export Value Climbs in June; Pork Trends Lower in June but Posts Strong First Half

June exports of U.S. beef reached the highest value in nearly two years, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While June pork exports were lower year-over-year, shipments through the first half of the year remained ahead of the record value pace of 2023.

Japan, Taiwan, Canada lead strong June performance for beef export value
Beef exports totaled 110,155 metric tons (mt) in June, down 4% from a year ago but the second largest of 2024. Export value reached $938.3 million, up 3% year-over-year and the highest since August 2022. Exports trended higher to Japan and were the third largest on record to Taiwan, while shipments to Canada were the largest in nearly a decade. June exports to South Korea were below last year but rebounded compared to May. Through the first half of the year, beef export value climbed 5% from a year ago to $5.22 billion, despite a 4% decline in volume (643,733 mt).

“June beef exports performed very well in Japan, which was great to see given the significant headwinds U.S. beef has faced there this year,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Export value also rebounded nicely in Korea and shipments to Taiwan and Canada were outstanding. This made for another strong month in terms of export value per head slaughtered, which was nearly $460 in June.”

June pork exports lower, but bright spots include Korea, Central America, Caribbean
June pork exports totaled 224,392 mt, down 9% from a year ago and the lowest since September, while export value fell 5% to $659.7 million. June exports to leading market Mexico were modestly lower year-over-year but still increased in value, while shipments to Korea remained very robust. Other top performers for U.S. pork in June included Central America, the Caribbean and Canada. January-June pork exports reached 1.52 million mt, 3% above the first half of 2023, while export value increased 5% to $4.26 billion.

“June was a slower month in a few of our key destinations for U.S. pork, including Mexico and Colombia, where exports have been on a blistering pace and buying accelerated again in July,” Halstrom said. “But June was another terrific month for U.S. pork in Korea, where exports could be record-large this year. Shipments also trended higher year-over-year to Central America and Canada, and it was encouraging to see export value per head slaughtered hold firm in the $66 range.”

Lamb export volume trends higher in June
June exports of U.S. lamb totaled 191 mt, up 26% from a year ago, although value declined 16% to $827,000. Through the first half of 2024, lamb exports increased 12% in volume (1,485 mt) and 19% in value ($8 million), with shipments trending higher to the Caribbean, Mexico, the ASEAN region, Canada and Taiwan, while exports were steady to Japan.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/2/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 2, ethanol production dropped 3.8% from a record high to 1.07 million b/d, equivalent to 44.81 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 4.3% more than the same week last year and 6.8% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.3% to a record high of 1.09 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.82 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks tapered 0.9% to 23.8 million barrels. Still, stocks were 3.9% more than the same week last year and 6.1% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and Rocky Mountains (PADD 4).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slipped 3.1% to 8.97 million b/d (137.84 bg annualized). Demand was 3.6% less than a year ago and 3.9% below the five-year average.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 0.8% to a 6-week high of 926,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.23 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.5% more than year-ago levels and 0.9% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 210,000 b/d (8.8 million gallons/day), nearly quadruple the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 46th consecutive week.



Smithfield Foods and Feed the Children Distribute Food and School Supplies in Local Communities

Smithfield Foods is teaming up with leading anti-hunger organization Feed the Children this back-to-school season to provide children and families with wholesome food items, backpacks, shelf-stable food, household essentials and more in three communities where Smithfield Foods operates as a local employer.

Together, the organizations are holding three resource rallies, each serving approximately 400 families, to help take a bite out of hunger in local communities. The first rally was held in Crete, Nebraska, on Aug. 6, and future rallies are planned in Monmouth, Illinois, on Aug. 13, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Aug. 26. The rallies are made possible by a $100,000 donation from Smithfield Foods.

Smithfield Foods is also donating thousands of pounds of much-needed protein to the families served at the events, including products such as Smithfield® bacon, hams, ribs and loins.

“Having access to safe and wholesome food is key to starting the school year off on the right foot,” said Steve Evans, vice president of community development for Smithfield Foods. “We’re proud to partner with Feed the Children to ensure that local children and families have the support they need for success in and out of the classroom.”

“Children cannot thrive unless their basic needs are met,” said Travis Arnold, president and CEO of Feed the Children. “A widespread issue like childhood hunger will only be solved when enough people work together. Partners like Smithfield Foods are vital to our mission as we serve communities across the U.S.”

At each of these events, families will receive a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food including canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese and cereal. Families will also receive a 15-pound box of household essentials containing items such as shampoo, laundry detergent, razors and toothpaste. In addition, children will receive backpacks that contain a variety of school supplies such as notebooks, folders, glue sticks, crayons, pens and pencils as well as a shelf-stable meal kit.

With one in five children in the U.S. experiencing food insecurity, hunger remains a serious issue in many communities, especially during summer months and the back-to-school season. With the cost of supplies steadily increasing, it can be difficult for many families to send their children to school with the materials they need to learn and grow in the classroom.

Smithfield also recently donated $500,000 to fund SUN Bucks in North Carolina, a newly established, permanent USDA program that provides food assistance to children and families during the summer, and $100,000 to two pay-what-you-can cafés in Missouri and North Carolina.

Smithfield's hunger relief program, Helping Hungry Homes®, has provided hundreds of millions of servings of protein all 50 U.S. states, as well as in Poland, Romania and Mexico, since 2008. Smithfield donated nearly 28 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs across the U.S. in 2023 and has pledged to donate 200 million servings of protein by 2025.