Friday October 4 Ag News

Nebraska Farm Bureau Survey Shows Farmers, Ranchers and Others Gouged by Affordable Care Act

According to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation (NFBF), Nebraska farmers, ranchers and others who purchase health care insurance direct from an insurer are seeing significantly higher premiums, deductibles and, in many cases, significantly higher overall costs associated with purchasing health care coverage due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The findings come through a non-scientific survey of Nebraska Farm Bureau members.

In less than a week, over 700 people responded to the NFBF survey inquiring about changes in member’s health care premiums, deductibles, overall costs and thoughts about ACA implementation. Respondents were asked to report whether they received health insurance through an employer or by directly purchasing through the open market. While most respondents who obtain health insurance from an employer indicated they were not yet certain of how the ACA would affect them, 75 percent of respondents who purchase health care coverage through the individual market reported higher costs, some significantly higher, in the form of higher premiums, deductibles or overall expenses.

“A large number of farmers, ranchers and others who do not get their health insurance from an employer purchase their health insurance through the open market. We’ve been concerned for a long time that mandating certain kinds of health care coverage would increase the cost of health insurance for these individuals. The implementation of ACA is proving those concerns were well founded,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson.

Under the ACA, farmers, ranchers and others who purchase their insurance in the individual market are required to purchase coverage for all ACA mandated coverages, such as maternity and mental health.

“Health insurance out of pocket costs are typically much higher for those that are self-employed and have to buy the coverage on their own. They do not have the benefit of their employer paying for part of their coverage. As a result, the ACA mandates and rules have a much greater impact on the price they pay for insurance. The survey has provided us with numerous examples that show ACA has raised health coverage costs on people in these situations,” said Nelson.

The survey responses show a wide array of impacts from ACA implementation.

“One of the reoccurring comments from survey respondents is that monthly premiums have climbed, and in some cases the premiums have doubled. In other cases some respondent’s premiums may have stayed flat or even decreased, but they now have a deductible that is two or three times what they had under their previous insurance plan. Other comments we received indicate co-insurance amounts have also increased, exposing respondents to considerably higher out-of-pocket expenses,” said Nelson.

Survey results also showed some differences in costs among age groups. While higher costs were reported across the age spectrum, survey respondents under the age of 50 were far more likely to report higher overall health insurance costs.

In addition to asking members about costs, the Nebraska Farm Bureau survey asked for general comments about the ACA and health care reform. Of those responding to the survey, 50 percent provided some kind of general comment about ACA. Of those commenting, 90 percent of the comments would be regarded as negative towards ACA.

“When you have self-employed individuals commenting that their monthly health care premium now exceeds their monthly mortgage payment and individuals over 50 years of age being required to pay for unneeded options like maternity coverage, it clearly points out ACA has major flaws that need to be addressed,” said Nelson.



UNL Animal Scientist Klopfenstein Named One of Top 50 Beef Industry Leaders

Longtime University of Nebraska-Lincoln animal scientist Terry Klopfenstein has been named one of the 50 most influential beef industry leaders in the last 50 years by a leading industry magazine.

Klopfenstein was included on the list in Beef magazine's September issue.

Klopfenstein, the magazine noted, "is an internationally recognized authority in beef cattle nutrition and the first to develop beef cattle diets using distillers grains as both a protein and energy source.

"Discovering the synergy that occurs when wet distillers grains replace corn in cattle finishing diets, his research served as the foundation of the 'golden triangle' of corn, ethanol and cattle feeding industries in the state of Nebraska," the magazine continued.

Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, noted that Klopfenstein is one of five people on the list of 50 with Nebraska ties.

The others are Frank Baker, former NU faculty member; Nebraska native Paul Engler, NU graduate, Texas cattleman and benefactor of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources' Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program; Fred Johnson, whose far-flung cattle operation included interests in Nebraska; and John Pollak, director of the Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center.

"Given the significance of the beef industry in Nebraska, it is hardly surprising the state is so well-represented among the most important leaders in the industry over the last 50 years," Green said.

"Terry is one of the most creative, original and insightful researchers in the area of beef cattle nutrition today," said Larry Berger, head of UNL's Department of Animal Science.

In addition to his groundbreaking research, Berger said, Klopfenstein is "without a doubt the most prominent adviser of graduate students in ruminant nutrition in the U.S."

He has advised more than 150 graduate students, many of whom now hold key positions in universities, government and industries around the world.

Klopfenstein, now a professor emeritus, took a position with the University of Nebraska in 1965, after completing his Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition at Ohio State University. He has won dozens of state, regional, national and international awards and honors during his career.

The complete Beef magazine list is at http://beefmagazine.com/business/beef-honors-50-top-industry-leaders.



Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Speak in Lincoln Nov. 5

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will discuss "Rural America:  New Markets, New Understanding, Unlimited Opportunity" when he presents the second lecture of the Heuermann Lectures season at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the Grand Ballroom of The Cornhusker, 333 S. 13th in Lincoln.

This Heuermann Lecture is jointly sponsored with the University of Nebraska's Rural Futures Institute.

"We all know rural America plays a tremendous role in our country, providing abundant, affordable food, clean drinking water, outdoor recreation opportunities, renewable energy and much more, " said Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan vice chancellor in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  "But rural America also faces modern challenges to growth and opportunity.  We look forward to hearing Secretary Vilsack speak on these issues."

Vilsack will lay out his vision for an innovative rural economy that unleashes new opportunity and provides even greater benefits for the U.S. economy in the long term.  He will discuss USDA and Obama Administration efforts to expand markets for American agriculture products at home and abroad, while strengthening local and regional markets for farmers and ranchers.

The secretary will discuss new income opportunities and stronger climate solutions through natural resources conservation, and he will outline the potential to expand advanced renewable and bio-based product creation in rural America.

He'll also focus on the need for new, innovative partnerships to help rural America achieve great things across all these priority areas.

Vilsack, chair of the first-ever White House Rural Council, and USDA are taking steps to strengthen services for rural businesses and entrepreneurs, exploring new ways to partner with other federal agencies and private business to spur investment.

After the lecture the secretary will participate in the RUPRI State Rural Policy Initiative Roundtable following the Rural Futures Conference.

"This Heuermann Lecture also is a keynote address for the national Rural Futures Conference," Green said. "Heuermann Lectures focus on providing and sustaining enough food, natural resources and renewable energy for the world's people, and on securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs. All these are part of the secretary's lecture."

Heuermann Lectures in IANR are free and open to the public. They're made possible by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, long-time university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

Lectures stream live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu, and are broadcast on NET2 World at a date following the lecture.



AGRICULTURE’S CLEAN WATER ALLIANCE PROMOTES UPDATED CODE OF PRACTICE

As Iowa farmers implement the tools outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) is supporting the work with updates to its Code of Practice for Nitrogen Fertilizer. The updates were approved at the group’s fall meeting.

“The ACWA code, which has existed since 2000, emphasizes the careful and calculated application of nitrogen fertilizer by farmers,” said Harry Ahrenholtz, ACWA president. “It has always been aligned with the goal of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, using science- and systems-based approaches to agriculture and conservation.”

ACWA Code of Practice is a formal agreement among the retailers stating they will delay fall anhydrous applications without a nitrification inhibitor until soil temperatures are 50 degrees F and trending lower. ACWA members use the county soil temperature and forecast maps compiled by Iowa State University, available at http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/NPKnowledge, as a reference point for soil temperatures.

The Code of Practice is a condition of ACWA membership.

“Farmers rely on ACWA members for information, service and products that, in turn, help them manage their farms to perform agronomically, as well as reducing negative impacts on the water.  The Code of Practice demonstrates how the ag supply chain can voluntarily align with the public mission programs such as the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” added Roger Wolf, ACWA executive director.

ACWA encourages farmers in targeted subwatersheds to adopt nutrient management enhancements to maximize nutrient use efficiency and help protect the watershed’s water quality. Nutrient management enhancements include use of nitrogen stabilizers, slow release fertilizers, incorporation or injection, soil nitrate testing and other technologies that minimize loss of nitrogen to surface or ground water sources. Special NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds are available for eligible farmers in these areas.

Other practices to reduce nitrate flow from tile systems include tile line denitrification bioreactors, constructed wetlands, conservation stream buffers and fall cover cropping systems. More information on these targeted watershed initiatives is available at www.acwa-rrws.org/.



Iowa Celebrates National 4-H Week Oct. 6-12

National 4-H Week is Oct. 6-12 and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is celebrating 4-H youth who make an impact on Iowa communities, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.

Approximately one in five Iowa school-age youth participate in 4-H programs, said Keli Tallman, 4-H youth development specialist. In other words, more than 105,000 young Iowans are involved in 4-H clubs, special interest groups, school enrichment, camping and other 4-H programs each year.

Iowa 4-H programs are headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames and available through ISU Extension and Outreach offices in all Iowa counties. During National 4-H Week, local 4-H programs are hosting open houses and special events, and inviting youth to learn about and enroll in 4-H.

“4-H prepares Iowa’s youth to be successful, contributing members of society,” Tallman said. “We empower youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences.”

4-H youthIowa 4-H’ers Tell Their Story
“4-H’ers are kids who learn by doing. We’re ‘hands-on’ with projects that range from citizenship to communication, foods and nutrition, leadership — even science and technology. We’re developing life skills today — to become Iowa’s leaders tomorrow,” said Black Hawk County 4-H’er Mitch Juhl. “We have fun, work hard and learn from our adult mentors. 4-H also provides opportunities for us to ‘give back.’ Experiences like these are the foundation of 4-H’s success.”

“4-H is an organization that has taught me how important it is to be involved in my community and I am committed to staying involved as I grow older,” said Sac County 4-H’er Renae Drey.

“4-H has given me the chance to hold countless leadership positions, not just in my county, but also statewide through 4-H council and nationally,” said Webster County 4-H’er Rebecca Nellis.

 “I’ve developed leadership and teamwork skills that will be immensely beneficial when I go to college and begin looking for a job,” said Van Buren County 4-H’er Grace Westercamp.

Volunteers and Partners Are Essential
More than 7,500 adult volunteers contribute their time, energy and expertise to engage youth in hands-on learning experiences in healthy living; science, technology, engineering and math; citizenship and leadership; and communication and the arts.

ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development partners with nearly 3,000 organizations, associations, businesses and school districts to strengthen local 4-H programs, including long-term learning experiences with youth through 4-H clubs and shorter-term learning through camps, special events and in-school and out-of-school programs. Nearly 1,000 4-H afterschool programs serve approximately 17,000 children and youth in grades K-12.

“We fully support long-term learning experiences for youth through 4-H clubs. However, we offer a range of short-term to long-term experiences for youth, including clubs as well as after¬school programs, camps, events, and in-school programs. We offer our programs in multiple ways in order to reach more youth,” Tallman explained.

“4-H will continue to focus on positive youth development combined with a strong educational foundation for Iowa’s youth,” she said.

Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are
-    Nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities,
-    Two times more likely to pursue healthy behaviors and
-    Two times more likely to engage in STEM programs during out-of-school time.

4-H National Youth Science Day Is Oct. 9
Also during National 4-H Week, hundreds of thousands of youth from all around the nation will complete a single, innovative experiment on 4-H National Youth Science Day, on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The 2013 National Science Experiment, 4-H Maps & Apps, will introduce youth to the importance of geographic information systems (GIS) and geographic positioning systems (GPS). Youth will design and map their ideal park, use mapping to solve community problems and contribute data to the U.S. Geological Survey National Map Corps project. For more information about 4-H National Youth Science Day, visit http://www.4-h.org/NYSD/.



Cows' Carbon Hoofprint Smaller Than Thought

The carbon hoofprint of dairy cows may be smaller than previously thought, report Cornell researchers.

Cows and other ruminants are the ultimate recyclers, and they deserve some credit for helping the environment while providing high-quality nutrients through their dairy products, says Michael Van Amburgh, professor of animal science.

Addressing a Sept. 12 food policy symposium hosted by International Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Van Amburgh explained that cows are often fed byproducts from human food and biofuel production processes that would be costly to dispose of otherwise.

In fact, the alternative -- incineration -- directly contributes to environmental degradation, so cows actually help reduce the impact of the human food supply and make that food supply affordable.

An example, he said, is the California almond industry that relies on cattle to consume four billion pounds of shelled almond hulls each year.

In addition, cows make use of land not suitable for food crops. And thanks to complex modeling -- some of which was developed at Cornell -- dairy farmers can precisely calculate the carbon output of their cows and adjust their diets accordingly.

"We can't change the cow's methane production by much, but we can change efficiencies, milk per unit of gas," Van Amburgh said.

Animal products provide an important source of nutrients, especially for children and older adults, that should not be discounted, he said. Even if we switch to a more plant-based diet, we would need an environmentally sound system of disposal for matter not consumed.

Van Amburgh pointed out that every food has an environmental impact, and that we should consider how many nutrients we get in return for the greenhouse gas emissions generated in its production.

For example, a 2010 Swedish study calculated the nutrient density -- the nutrient content and number of nutrients per serving -- of several beverages in relation to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production, manufacturing, packaging and transportation. Milk rated very highly, with a high nutrient density index per equivalent carbon emission of 53.8 per 99 grams greenhouse gas emission. Soy drinks and red wine, by comparison, have a nutrient density index of 7.6 per 30 grams and 1.2 per 204 grams of emissions, respectively.

Van Amburgh has also found in a study (not yet published) that carbon dioxide and methane emissions from byproducts included in animal feed are considerably lower when fed to dairy cattle than when incinerated.

Byproducts most often used in the American dairy industry include distillers' grains from ethanol production, citrus pulp from juice production, almond and soybean hulls, soybean meal, cottonseed, extracted canola meal and even baked goods and candy.

Their inclusion in animal feed not only helps the environment, but can boost nutrients and enhance yield and provide an economic opportunity for the byproducts that in many cases greatly reduces the cost of food to the consumer, Van Amburgh said.



Informa Ups Corn, Soy Estimates

Informa Economics, a private forecaster, said U.S. corn and soybean production will be higher than the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated last month due to improved yields for both crops, according to traders.

Informa on Friday forecast corn production this year at 14.01 billion bushels on yields of 158.8 bushels an acre, traders said. Informa pegged soybean production at 3.176 billion bushels on yields of 41.7 bushels per acre.

The Memphis, Tenn.-based firm's projections for corn production were higher than the U.S. Department of Agriculture's September forecast of 13.843 billion bushels, and its yield outlook topped the government's forecast of 155.3 bushels an acre. The corn-output estimates by both Informa and the USDA would rank as all-time records, surpassing the 2009 corn crop that totaled 13.1 billion bushels.

Informa's soybean output estimate was slightly higher than the 3.149 billion seen by USDA last month and its yield forecast topped the government prediction of 41.2 bushels an acre. The U.S. soybean crop was hit harder than the corn crop by hot, dry weather in parts of the Midwest in August and September.

But as much as six times the normal amount of precipitation fell in parts of western Iowa and the eastern half of Nebraska in the last two weeks of September, according to the National Weather Service, improving yields just before many farmers began harvesting their corn and soybeans.

"Corn ratings, which had been declining since mid-August, improved in late September," Informa said in the report, according to traders. "Soybean condition has improved in the two most recent [USDA crop-progress] reports so that the crop is now rated equal to the five-year-average rating for this date."

Informa lowered Argentina's wheat production by 2.7 million metric tons from its last report, mainly because of reduced plantings and lower yield, traders said. Australian output was lowered by 300,000 tons because of lower-than-normal rainfall in South Australia.



CSX Rated as Top Performing Railroad among Grain Shippers
For the first time, CSX Transportation was selected as the top performing railroad by leading U.S. agricultural shippers in the fourth annual Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) Railroad Report Card.  Union Pacific Railroad, the top ranked railroad in 2011 and 2012, finished in second place. Norfolk Southern Railway climbed to third place from its fourth place ranking in 2012.  Survey respondents ranked Canadian Pacific in last place for the third year in a row.

The survey was completed anonymously by agricultural shippers of various sizes and scale of operations and has been comprised of the same eleven questions since the report card’s inception. The questions are categorized under:  1.) On Time Performance; 2.) Customer Service; and 3.) Costs. For most questions, participants were asked to rate each of the seven Class I railroads on a scale from 110 with ten being the highest and one being the lowest.  The 2013 survey had the largest number of participants in the history of the report card.

After combining the results from the eleven survey questions, CSX received the highest overall rating. The company ranked first in six out of the eleven questions. Overall, railroads received, on average, a 2.5 percent higher score than in 2012. Canadian Pacific, rated as the lowest performing railroad, received a last place ranking in four out of the eleven questions.

Soy Transportation Coalition Rail Customer Satisfaction Index - Overall Ratings:
1.) CSX Transportation
2.) Union Pacific Railroad
3.) Norfolk Southern Railway
4.) Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
5.) Canadian National Railway
6.) Kansas City Southern Railway
7.) Canadian Pacific Railway

“We are encouraged that agricultural shippers are overall more satisfied with the rail service they receive,” expressed Pat Knouff, a soybean farmer from Minster, Ohio, and chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition. For U.S. farmers to be profitable, having a responsive and reliable freight rail system is essential. This reliance on railtransportation is only expected to continue. It is therefore important for farmers, agricultural shippers, and railroads to work together to ensure we can continue to satisfy the needs of a growing and hungry world.”

Railroads, on average, achieved significantly higher ratings in 2013 on their ability to provide quality customer service and to resolve problems to the satisfaction of customers. Agricultural shippers rated railroads noticeably lower in providing adequate notification when price increases occur.

Class I railroads are the largest railroads in the country with an annual operating revenue exceeding $378 million. Seven railroads are classified as Class I's: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway, and Union Pacific Railroad.  Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway are also considered Class Is due to their significant trackage lines in the United States. 

Each year, over 900 million bushels (27.5 million tons) of U.S. soybeans are transported by rail. By the year 2020/2021, the volume moved by rail is estimated to increase to 1.4 billion. 



Shoppers Find Higher Prices for Poultry and Dairy Products in AFBF Marketbasket Survey

Shoppers are paying slightly more for food items at the grocery store compared to the first half of 2013. Higher retail prices for meat items such as boneless chicken breasts and dairy products, among other foods, resulted in a slight increase in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s latest Semi-Annual Marketbasket Survey.

The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $53.20, up $1.66 or about 3 percent compared to a survey conducted about six months ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, 11 increased and five decreased in average price.

“Several poultry and dairy product items increased in price during the second half of the year, accounting for much of the increase in the marketbasket,” said John Anderson, AFBF’s deputy chief economist. “As anticipated, food prices have increased by about 3 percent so far during the year, which is slightly higher than the average rate of inflation over the past 10 years,” he said.

Items showing retail price increases included chicken breasts, up 61 cents to $3.93 per pound; Russet potatoes, up 49 cents to $3.18 for a 5-pound bag; bacon, up 43 cents to $4.71 per pound; whole milk, up 25 cents to $3.71 per gallon; vegetable oil, up 20 cents to $3.12 for a 32-ounce bottle; orange juice, up 19 cents to $3.47 per half-gallon; white bread, up 18 cents to $1.83 for a 20-ounce loaf; toasted oat cereal, up 18 cents to $3.09 for a 9-ounce box; bagged salad, up 12 cents to $2.83 per pound; shredded cheddar cheese, up 4 cents to $4.51 per pound; and flour, up 4 cents to $2.66 for a 5-pound bag.

These items showed modest retail price decreases: deli ham, down 68 cents to $4.71 per pound; sirloin tip roast, down 28 cents to $4.35 per pound; ground chuck, down 5 cents to $3.69 per pound; apples, down 4 cents to $1.59 per pound; and eggs, down 2 cents to $1.82 per dozen.

The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (http://www.bls.gov/cpi/) report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.

“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Anderson said.

Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $53.20 marketbasket would be $8.51.

AFBF, the nation’s largest general farm organization, conducted an informal quarterly marketbasket survey of retail food price trends from 1989 to 2012. In 2013, the marketbasket series was updated to include two semi-annual surveys of “everyday” food items, a summer cookout survey and the annual Thanksgiving survey.

According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world. A total of 79 shoppers in 25 states participated in the latest survey, conducted in September.



Panamanian Government Exploits Loophole in FTA, Restricts US Corn Imports
As the U.S. Grains Council weathers the storm created by the lack of a farm bill and the partial U.S. government shutdown, an unsettling trade barrier is brewing in Central America. On Sept. 27, 2013, the Panamanian government published the regulations governing quota administration for three products (powdered milk, rice and corn) governed by the auction system as part of the Panama-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement. Unfortunately, the Panamanian government decided to exploit a loophole in the agreement and closed the imports of U.S. corn for three and a half months (January through April 15, 2014)—a move that is counter to the spirit of the free trade agreement (FTA).

Upon learning of the issue, the Council immediately began working with the U.S. Trade Representative, USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service in Panama, the Panamanian government, and the Panamanian poultry industry to find resolution. While the FTA outlines dispute settlement procedures, everyone is hopeful to find resolution to the issue informally. Unfortunately, due to government furloughs, key employees of the USTR and FAS-Panama are unable to do their job in keeping markets open for U.S. products.

Panama produces approximately 85,000 metric tons (3.3 million bushels) of corn annually with annual imports totaling more than 350,000 tons (13.8 million bushels). Historically, the Panamanian government closed the market each year to imports from January to April to protect local corn producers. It was believed that under the FTA, this pattern of closing the market would no longer be acceptable.

In fact, in 2013 the market was not closed for corn imports. In 2014, however, the government chose to announce the closing of the market.

"This time period coincides with the harvest of the local corn crop and is an obvious effort to subvert the FTA in order to protect local corn producers and force the Panamanian feed industry to buy local corn," said Floyd Gaibler, USGC director of trade policy and biotechnology.

"Not only does this regulation go against the spirit of the FTA, which is intended to open markets and reduce barriers to trade, but it also creates a tremendous burden on the local livestock industry. The FTA was intended to simplify trade, but the Panamanian government has set up several technical barriers which make the situation worse for the feed industry, increasing the cost of importing U.S. corn and actually making U.S. corn less competitive."

Despite the partial shutdown and the difficultly to resolve the issue without the support of the U.S. government, the Council will actively pursue the issue on behalf of its members. However this issue highlights once again the how important USDA and the USTR are to the US agricultural community in helping to protect and enforce existing trade agreements.



Farm Groups Meet on Tax Changes

A coalition of agricultural stakeholders met earlier this week to share information about continuing work in the House of Representatives toward a broad tax reform package. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) has said that his committee will pass a reform bill by year’s end, and Member-only meetings are reportedly taking place.

The American Soybean Association was part of a coalition that wrote to Senate leaders in June regarding their work on a reform package. That letter referenced a discussion draft circulated in the House that could force larger farms that have used cash accounting into the accrual method.

“The discussion draft also recommends harmonizing farm and ranch cash accounting rules with other businesses resulting in the termination of cash accounting for family farm corporations with average gross receipts between $10 million and $25 million… Cash accounting combined with the ability to accelerate expenses and defer income gives farmers and ranchers the flexibility they need to manage their tax burden,” the coalition stated in the letter.

At this time, there is no clear path in the Senate on a tax reform bill. However, the House is reportedly still considering the changes in cash accounting they floated earlier this year.

ASA will remain engaged in the tax reform debate as it progresses this fall.



Brazil Creates Task Force to Study Possible Trade Retaliation Against US

Brazil's government has created a special task force to study possible trade retaliation against the U.S. over a lingering dispute involving American subsidies to cotton growers, the country's National Trade Council said Thursday.

The council, known as Camex, said in a statement that the government will also send a letter to the U.S. president's special trade representative "expressing Brazil's indignation over suspension of cotton payments" to it.

The issue stems from a 2004 World Trade Organization ruling that found U.S. subsidies to cotton growers to be illegal under international trade agreements.

The WTO awarded Brazil the right to more than $800 million in retaliatory measures. They could include tariffs on U.S. exports to Brazil or suspension, by Brazil, of patent protection rights for certain U.S. products.

In 2010, however, Brazil and the U.S. reached an agreement under which Brazil suspended retaliation in exchange for annual U.S. payments of $147 million to Brazilian cotton entities, among other concessions.

Because of the U.S. budget crisis, however, the administration of President Barack Obama made only a partial payment to the Brazilian cotton entities in September and has suspended payments beginning in October.

Camex said the Brazilian intergovernmental task force will present its recommendations on possible retaliation to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff by Nov. 30.



ASA Wraps Up Very Successful Membership Year
American Soybean Association membership continues its membership climb and ended its FY 2013 year with 22,436 members. The FY 2013 total is a 6 percent increase with an addition of 1,238 more members from FY 2012. This is the second consecutive year of positive growth for ASA.

“We thank our recruiters and state associations for their efforts in achieving this increase,” said Bob Worth, ASA Member and Corporate Relations Chairman.

Twenty two state associations reached or exceeded their annual membership goal in 2013. These include the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association who is the top overall membership growth state with an increase of 357 members and the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association with the top percentage membership growth at 223 percent (143 member increase).

ASA also congratulates its top member recruiters for 2013. These top nine recruiters, three from Level 1 (1,000 + members), three from Level 2,300 to 999 members), and three from Level 3 (50 to 299 members) were the top drivers that helped ASA cap off a very successful year.

Robert Nelsen (Minn.) earned top recruiter for Level 1 with 129 members recruited. Jim Miller (Neb) placed second with 68 members recruited and Jeff Sollars (Ohio) placed third with 50 members recruited.

Marvin Wahl (Kansas) earned the top recruiter for Level 2 with 98 members recruited. Marvin was also the top recruiter for Level 2 in 2012. Joe Schefers (S.D.) placed second with 75 members recruited and Harvey Morken (N.D.) placed third with 74 members recruited.

Tommy Hines (Va.) earned the top spot for Level 3 with 61 members recruited. Hines is a five-time winning recruiter for Level 3 (2009 – 2013). Todd DuMond (N.Y.) placed second with 17 members recruited and M.D. Floyd (S.C.) placed third with 10 members recruited.

Nelsen, Wahl and Hines along with representatives from Minnesota and New York state associations will be honored at the ASA Awards Banquet during Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, Friday, February 28, 2014.

“The efforts of these recruiters in growing ASA membership, increases ASA’s influence to impact national policy and promote market opportunities and protect the interests of U.S. soybean farmers,” added Worth.



NCBA Spring and Summer Public Policy Internships Application Deadline Extended

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for spring and summer 2014 public policy internships. The deadline to submit an application for these opportunities has been extended to Oct. 14, 2013.

“NCBA’s public policy internship gives college students a one-of-a-kind view into the policy making process in Washington, D.C., while helping them prepare to transition from college to career,” said NCBA Executive Director of Legislative Affairs Kristina Butts. “We are looking for college students with an interest in the beef industry, public policy and communications to help NCBA represent cattlemen and cattlewomen in Washington, D.C. The internship is designed to work closely with the lobbying team on Capitol Hill and assist with NCBA’s regulatory efforts.”

The full-time spring internship will begin Jan. 6, 2014, and end May 9, 2014. The full-time summer internship will begin May 19, 2014 and end Aug. 22, 2014. To apply, interested college juniors, seniors or graduate students should submit the application, a college transcript, two letters of recommendation and a resume to internship@beef.org. More information and the internship application are available on NCBA’s website.

“This isn’t a ‘check-the-box’ style of internship. NCBA’s public policy interns work alongside NCBA staff on critical issues ranging from agriculture policy to trade, the environment and more.” Butts said. “If you or someone you know is interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.”



Dow AgroSciences Advancing Two Bt Protein Soybean Varieties  

Soybean farmers can look forward to a new solution to protect their crops thanks to a novel insect-resistant trait being developed by Dow AgroSciences. Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), announces it is advancing an insect-resistant trait that, when commercialized, will provide soybean farmers with the broadest spectrum for insect control against lepidopteran pests. The company’s insect-resistant soybean trait is the first to be submitted for approvals that expresses two Bt proteins. This will provide broader in-plant protection of lepidopteran pests, as well as improve sustainability of the technology compared to other soybean technologies being advanced in the market with only one Bt protein. Extensive research has shown that the company’s trait provides broad in-plant protection against lepidopteran pests such as fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), soybean looper (Pseudoplusia includens), velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis), soybean podworm (Helicoverpa gelotopoeon), and tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) as well as Rachiplusia nu.

Submitted to regulatory authorities for approval in key soybean countries as part of the global authorization process, the trait is initially targeted for commercialization in South America.  Brazil represents the largest opportunity where insect pressure results in significant yield loss every year. Argentina soybean farmers also face significant impact to their soybean yields due to insects. The company plans to broadly license the technology to regional seed companies in these countries to provide wide access for farmers.

Upon regulatory approvals, the soybean insect-resistant trait will be offered as a stack with the company’s innovative Enlist™ soybean traits in elite and high-yielding varieties. This integrated solution will provide much-needed insect control as well as tolerance to multiple herbicides for improved weed management, allowing crops to maximize yield in a highly efficient and sustainable manner.

“Our insect-resistant soybean trait is a major advancement of outstanding technology that will help farmers who struggle more every season to control significant lepidopteran pests,” says Rolando Meninato, global leader, Seeds Traits, and Oils, Dow AgroSciences. “By developing this new technology in combination with the Enlist Weed Control System, we will be able to provide a significant, multi-trait product with the broadest pest control package that enables both insect and weed control so soybeans can deliver their yield potential.”

Pending regulatory approvals, the trait package is expected to be available in elite and high-yielding soybean varieties for the Brazilian and Argentinean markets in the next three to five years.