Wednesday June 14 Ag News

Gov. Ricketts, Ag Director Join Greater Omaha Packing to Load First Beef Shipment to China

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach joined Greater Omaha Packing (GOP) President Henry Davis to load the first box of beef from Nebraska destined for China.

“Nebraska is the country’s top beef processor as well as beef exporter, and China is the second largest importer of beef in the world,” said Governor Ricketts.  “From the beginning, my administration focused trade efforts on China to position Nebraska beef to be able to capture significant sales as soon as the market opened.”

Over the last two years, Governor Ricketts has strongly advocated to reopen China to American beef.  In 2016, the Governor led a trade mission to China to share the story of Nebraska beef with potential customers in anticipation of the market re-opening.

In 2015, the Governor visited Beijing to urge the Chinese government to reopen the Chinese market to American beef.

Last year, he visited with then candidate Donald J. Trump about the importance of the Chinese beef market to Nebraska.  The President subsequently pledged to make reopening the market a priority for his administration.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Nebraska and we are excited to continue the work we started years ago to develop and strengthen relationships with China,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach.  “When people around the world think about high quality, delicious beef, they think Nebraska, and we are now pleased to be able to offer those Nebraska beef products to China.”

Final details concerning export requirements to resume beef shipments to China were released Monday.  Among the requirements, U.S. producers must track the birthplace of cattle born in the United States that are destined for export to China.  Many Nebraska producers already do this.

“Chinese officials toured our company’s Omaha plant last fall to learn about our high international animal health and food safety standards and traceability and labeling protocols,” said GOP President Henry Davis.  “We’re excited to be shipping beef to China for the first time in 14 years.”

“Thank you to the countless federal, state, and industry partners who worked together to make this a reality,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Our recent trade missions to China and the efforts of Ag Director Ibach, Economic Development Director Dentlinger and their teams helped lay the groundwork for this success.  Access to the Chinese market allows Nebraska farmers and ranchers to sell our quality beef to 1.4 billion new customers, and this will help to grow our state for years to come.”

Beef exports will greatly complement Nebraska’s current successes in the Chinese marketplaces with soybeans, distiller’s products, and pork.  NDA and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will work to identify future promotional opportunities in a continued partnership with Nebraska’s beef community in an effort to increase the sales of Nebraska beef specifically in China. 

Since 2005, Nebraska’s share of the international U.S. beef sales have increased from 3.6 percent to more than 18 percent, and Nebraska’s market share in Europe has increased from 5 percent to nearly 50 percent of total sales.



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding Nebraska Shipment of Beef to China

“The fact that beef from Nebraska is being shipped to China today is great news for Nebraska’s farm and ranch families. China presents a tremendous market opportunity for Nebraska beef. As a top beef producer, Nebraska has much to gain from a market estimated to be worth $2.6 billion. While Farm Bureau’s primary focus continues to be securing full access for American and Nebraska beef into China, today is an important first step to making that a reality.”

“The development of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Certified Beef from Nebraska Program and other age and source verified programs are important to allowing Nebraska farmers and ranchers the ability to grow the presence of Nebraska beef into this critical market.”



CHANCELLOR GREEN TO BE AWARDED NATIONAL ASSOCIATION'S HIGHEST HONOR

When the American Society of Animal Science presents awards at its July 9 annual meeting in Baltimore, those in attendance can expect to hear the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s name announced frequently.

Five Nebraska faculty and administrators have earned national ASAS awards – including Chancellor Ronnie Green, who has been selected to receive the national association’s highest and most prestigious honor.

ASAS is the leading international scientific society supporting the careers of scientists and animal producers around the world. It fosters the discovery, sharing and application of scientific knowledge concerning the responsible use of animals to enhance human life and well-being and is the publisher of the world-leading Journal of Animal Science. Founded in 1908, ASAS has more than 6,000 members around the globe.

Green, an animal geneticist who became the university’s top administrator in 2016, will be honored with the Morrison Award. The honor is bestowed to an individual who has excelled in research of direct and international importance to livestock production. The association awards the Morrison Award to recognize important scientific contributions or discoveries in research revolving around animal science.

Green, who is widely published in the field of animal genetics, is an ASAS fellow and served the organization as president in 2010-11.

“I am truly humbled to be receiving this honor from the American Society of Animal Science, a society of tremendous minds throughout the world working for the advancement of animal science across disciplines,” Green said. “I will cherish this award and receive it on behalf of many colleagues, students and livestock producers who have been a part of this journey.”

Each of the ASAS awards honor research excellence and are recognized by the National Research Council as prestigious. Other 2017 award winners at Nebraska are:

> Archie Clutter, dean of the Agricultural Research Division, will receive the Rockefeller Prentice Memorial Award in Animal Breeding and Genetics. The award recognizes research excellence in breeding and genetics with any class of large or small animals.

> Andrea Cupp, Omtvedt professor of animal science, will receive the Animal Physiology and Endocrinology Award. The research upon which the award is based is basic or applied research in physiology and endocrinology with all classes of large and small animals and published in the 10 years immediately preceding the award.

> Rick Funston, Nebraska Cow-Calf professor in animal science, will receive the Animal Management Award. The research upon which the award is based is basic or applied research in animal behavior, environmental science, economics or other biological or production management and published in the last 10 years immediately preceding the award.

> Lisa Karr, associate professor of animal science, will receive the Corbin Companion Animal Biology Award. The award is presented to animal scientists who have made great scientific contributions by teaching, research or service to companion animal nutrition or biology for a minimum of five years.

Deb Hamernik, Nebraska’s interim associate vice chancellor for research, is the association’s current president and will present the awards.



HIGH PRESSURE GRAZING
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               How are your pastures looking?  Grass got way ahead of many of us so change your grazing strategy to try and use it effectively.

               A big pasture management challenge is keeping grass from heading out, becoming less palatable and low quality.  This spring that wasn’t easy to do.  So now you might change how you graze the rest of the year.

               Normally cows might graze a paddock for two to ten days, then move to a fresh paddock.  If you do that now with all the headed out grass, they’d just strip some leaves, trample a lot of forage, and leave most of the stems standing.  They’d probably end up eating less than one-fourth of the potential forage available.

               So maybe you should pressure them into eating more of the plants by limiting how much choice they have.  Instead of giving them the entire paddock to graze for several days, use electric fence to limit them to very tiny areas at a time.

               How tiny you ask?  Well, one possible initial goal would be to put the equivalent of about 250,000 pounds of cattle on just one acre.  That equals about 150 to 200 cow-calf pairs per acre.  Obviously, it won’t take them long to finish off that small area, so expect to give them a fresh strip about three times a day.  With that high density of animals, they might eat over half of the forage compared to the one-fourth they would eat otherwise.

               Getting water to the animals can be a challenge so I suggest letting them walk back to water over previously grazed strips for a couple days before changing water locations.  It will take a little adjustment to get just the right size and water placement but after a couple days it should go smoothly.

               If all goes well, you’ll get more cow-days of grazing with less waste.



INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF FARMERS AND AG INDUSTRY LEADERS VISITING IOWA JUNE 16-22

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today said that 10 farmers and ag industry leaders from Australia, Brazil, England, Ireland, the Netherlands and New Zealand will be visiting Iowa June 16 to 22.  The group is visiting Iowa with Nuffield International, an international nonprofit organization that focuses on developing people to make a difference in the world of agriculture.

“I am excited to welcome this group of international leaders to Iowa and showcase our state.  Iowa has dynamic leaders in agricultural production, research, business and many other fields and this is an opportunity to highlight some of the leaders, businesses and organizations that play such an important role in agriculture in Iowa and internationally,” Northey said.

During their time in Iowa the group will visit Iowa and national ag organizations, ag businesses, the World Food Prize, Iowa State University and tour a number of farms.  Ed Kee, Delaware’s former Secretary of Agriculture and President of the Nuffield American group, is leading the tour.

Nuffield International includes organizations around the world, including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe and associate countries Brazil and United States of America. It also has a close affiliation with the Eisenhower Fellowship in the United States. Nuffield International provides general guidance and support to these member countries which manage their individual agricultural scholarship programs.  More information about Nuffield International can be found at http://nuffieldinternational.org.



Register by June 17th for discounted entry fee at Iowa Swine Day 2017

The deadline to receive the discounted registration fee of $50 to Iowa Swine Day is June 17th; thereafter, the fee rises to $75.  The registration fee includes entry to all sessions, a continental breakfast and pork lunch.  Iowa Swine Day takes place on June 29th in Ames.

Students may register at no cost until June 17th, after which their registration fee will increase to $45.

A new feature this year, sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, is a free noon luncheon specifically for students.  Dr. Joe Schwarcz from prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Canada, will discuss “Sense, nonsense and science.” He will explore how science is used, and sometimes abused and misused in our day-to-day lives. Students of all ages are welcome, including high school, college and university.

This will be the 6th annual Iowa Swine Day.  It is expected that about 500 pork producers, as well as people working in the pork industry, will be in attendance. As in past years, there will be a plenary session in the morning, and 3 concurrent sessions in the afternoon.  Mark Greenwood, Senior Vice-President at AgStar Financial Services, Dr. Dhamu Thamodaran, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commodity Hedging Officer at Smithfield Foods and Bruce Vincent, Executive Director of Provider Pals are included in the plenary session. Dr. Joe Schwarcz will also speak in the plenary session on the topic of “Countering misperceptions about the use of science in meat production.”

Afternoon sessions will consider such topics as: gene editing in animal agriculture; an update on PRRS, PED and Seneca virus; a discussion on how implementation of the new VFDs is progressing; and challenges and emerging needs for the next generation of swine production facilities. The program will also consider pig nutrition and water quality, and margins that every producer should have. One concurrent session will be devoted to new research results at Iowa State University, and will include such topics as: changes in labelling of processed meats; the impact of lipid peroxidation impacts on pig performance; biosecurity and risk assessment; and heat stress. In total, there will be 12 afternoon presentations for attendees to choose from, in addition to the morning plenary session.

Following Iowa Swine Day, a barbecue will be held featuring food from Smoky D’s, and a very special guest speaker, Steve Prohm, head basketball coach at Iowa State University.

Iowa Swine Day is jointly organized by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, including its Extension and Outreach office, the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University and the Iowa Pork Producers Association.  It will be held on June 29thin the Scheman Building on the Iowa State Center, with check-in and onsite registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The first session will start at 9:00 a.m. The full schedule, sponsor list and registration information are available on http://www.aep.iastate.edu/iowaswineday/.



The 2017 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting

General Session Speaker
Eric Baumgartner -Executive Vice President of VML, A Global Marketing and Ad Agency

Over the past five years the way consumers research, choose, shop and buy has radically changed. Eric Baumgartner will provide insight into those changes and what it means for beef. He will walk us through the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), data, social media and other technologies that are changing how we purchase virtually everything from hamburgers to cars to vacations.

Want to know more? Visit our website for registration details, schedule of events, hotel and travel information... http://www.beefusa.org/cattleindustrysummerbusinessmeeting.aspx. 



Select Sires to Acquire Accelerated Genetics

Two of the biggest names in the dairy and livestock artificial insemination industry will soon be joining forces. In a joint release on Tuesday, the Ohio-based Select Sires announced it will acquire the assets of Accelerated Genetics, headquartered in Wisconsin, pending the approval of Accelerated's delegates.

Accelerated Genetics CEO Janet Keller told Wisconsin Ag Connection that talks between the two cooperatives began several weeks ago and that each of their boards recently reached a unanimous decision to unify the companies.

"It's still too early to know if all Accelerated Genetics employees and independent sales reps will be retained after the transition, but we do know that Select Sires liked the fact that our company had strong personal ties with our customers," Keller said. "Our main goal is to ensure that all of our customers have access to the best genetics and other products available on the market and this transition will help make that a reality."

Company officials with Select Sires went on to say that the decision to blend the two firms coincides with an already collaborative business relationship that began over 16 years ago.

"Since 2001, [we have] each shared ownership of World Wide Sires, Ltd. World Wide Sires serves as the international marketing arm for both companies in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania," the companies said in a statement. "The goal is to create a unified cooperative that is second-to-none in the market place dedicated to the producer."

Delegates of Accelerated Genetics will meet on June 22 to vote on the proposal. If approved, the co-ops say their member-producers can expect to work with 'highly qualified, passionate individuals who know and understand the cattle breeding industry.'



Little Movement Seen in Fertilizer Prices

 Average retail fertilizer prices continued to see little movement the first week of June 2017, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.

Of the eight major fertilizers, half were slightly higher in price compared to a month prior. These were DAP, MAP, potash and UAN28. DAP had an average price of $438 per ton, MAP $469/ton, potash $339/ton and UAN28 $246/ton.

The remaining four fertilizers were slightly lower in price from last month. Urea had an average price of $338/ton, 10-34-0 $435/ton, anhydrous $503/ton and UAN32 $278/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.37/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.44/lb.N and UAN32 $0.44/lb.N.

Retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. Half of the eight major fertilizers are still double-digits lower.

10-34-0 is 22% lower from a year ago, anhydrous is 13% less expensive, UAN32 is 11% lower and urea is down 10%. DAP is 8% less expensive, UAN28 is 7% lower and both MAP and potash are 6% less expensive.



Ethanol Stocks, Output, Demand Up

Energy Information Administration data for the week-ended June 9 shows a build in total domestic fuel ethanol inventories while plant production and implied demand also increased week over week.

The EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report for the week profiled shows fuel ethanol stockpiles rose about 500,000 barrels (bbl), or 2.3%, to 22.5 million bbl, with inventory up 6.1% year-over-year.

Domestic plant production rose 3,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.002 million bpd last week, 11,000 bpd lower than the corresponding week in 2016. For the four weeks ended June 9, ethanol production averaged 1.008 million bpd versus 981,000 bpd during the same four week period in 2106.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a gauge for ethanol demand, increased 22,000 bpd, or 2.4%, to 931,000 bpd during the week-ended June 9, which was 9,000 bpd higher than a year ago. For the four-week period ended June 9, blending demand averaged 935,000 bpd, up 19,000 bpd from the corresponding four-week period in 2016.



NAWG Commends Perdue for Defending Agriculture

On Tuesday, June 13th, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue testified at the Senate Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies on the Administration's FY2018 proposed budget. During the hearing, Secretary Perdue discussed concerns with cuts included in the Administration's proposed budget.

"NAWG commends Secretary Perdue for standing up for agriculture and expressing concern over the deep cuts to crop insurance, research, rural development, and international food aid," stated NAWG President David Schemm. "If implemented, the Administration's FY 2018 budget would not only inhibit growth in the wheat industry but the entire U.S. agriculture sector."

"Crop insurance is a critical safety net for producers across the country. When unexpected disaster hits a producer, crop insurance can be the difference of whether or not that grower stays in business," Schemm continued.

"The U.S. is a worldwide leader in agriculture and eliminating the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program could mean losing our competitive edge in the global market. NAWG supports the Secretary's remarks and his work to ensure rural America and farmers have the right tools and resources to move us forward."



Roberts, Stabenow Announce Witnesses for Ag Research Hearing

U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Tuesday announced witnesses for the Committee's upcoming hearing on agriculture research.  The "Agricultural Research: Perspectives on Past and Future Successes for the 2018 Farm Bill" will include two panels:

Panel I
- Dr. Ann Bartuska, Acting Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education & Economics, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy, Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Sally Rockey, Executive Director, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Washington, D.C.

Panel II
- Dr. John Floros, Dean and Director, College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
- Mr. Gary McMurray, Division Chief, Food Processing Technology Division, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, Ga.
- Dr. Kerry Hartman, Academic Dean and Sciences Chair, Environmental Sciences, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, New Town, N.D.
- Steve Wellman, Farmer, Wellman Farms Inc., Syracuse, Neb.

The hearing is June 15 beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Russell Senate Office Building. The hearing will be webcast live on ag.senate.gov.



ACE encouraged by Senate hearing on RVP legislation

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is pleased the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee is holding a full committee hearing today on bipartisan legislation S. 517, the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to clarify that E15 and higher blends should be allowed for sale from June 1 through Sept. 15.

“Senators Fischer (R-NE), Ernst (R-IA), and Duckworth (D-IL), all members of the EPW Committee, are providing timely leadership in making sure this priority issue gets the attention it deserves in Congress,” said Brian Jennings, ACE executive vice president.  “We’re encouraged that today’s hearing can be the first step toward enactment of legislation to give retailers the choice to offer E15 and higher blends to their customers year-round.”

In 2011, EPA approved the use of E15, a fuel with lower Reid vapor pressure (RVP) emissions than E10 and straight gasoline. Unfortunately, EPA refuses to apply the same RVP standard for E15 that applies to E10, handcuffing gas station owners like Mike Lorenz of Sheetz  Inc. who wants to offer the fuel to his customers year-round. ACE is delighted Lorenz will be among those testifying during the hearing to provide his firsthand retailer experience as proof that this commonsense legislation is needed to relieve him and other retailers of the RVP regulatory burden.

“This minor fix would be a major relief to retailers offering E15 today and would remove one of the biggest barriers for other retailers who want to offer E15,” Lorenz said. “For consumers, it would provide year-round access and increased availability of E15. Consumers should also benefit from this rule update, since E15 typically sells for less than regular unleaded gasoline and is cleaner burning and higher octane.”

Sheetz is among the increasing number of retailers to offer E15 and higher ethanol blends at their stations. Today, E15 is sold at more than 800 retail outlets across 29 states.

ACE has made lobbying the enactment of legislation to extend the one-pound RVP waiver to E15 and higher blends a priority for years. It’s been the focus of the organization’s messaging to Congress, including two advertisements running in today’s POLITICO and Roll Call newspapers featuring Good & Quick Companies store owner Charlie Good.



Growth Energy Statement on Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act Hearing

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today released the following statement regarding the legislative hearing on the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517) being held today by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works at 10 a.m. Eastern time.

S. 517 was introduced in March and has 18 bipartisan sponsors, including Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). The bill would extend the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15), allowing retailers to offer E15 without restriction from June 1 to September 15.

“E15 is increasingly popular in 29 states and counting – it has more octane, it costs less, and it’s cleaner. This bill will lift a needless burden on retailers so consumers can pick their own fuel and continue to open new market opportunities for the next generation of low-carbon, homegrown biofuels. Growth Energy is rallying all our friends in the environmental, retail, consumer, and advanced biofuel community to ensure that America’s fuel options aren’t limited by outdated regulations.”



Growth Energy Applauds Advanced Biofuels Groups’ Letter in Support of Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act

On June 12, a group of advanced biofuels stakeholders led by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the Advanced Biofuels Business Council (ABBC) sent a letter to Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) asking for support of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517). The bill was introduced in March and has 18 bipartisan sponsors, including Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and would extend a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) waiver to fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15), allowing it to be sold year-round. 

The RVP control season stems from an outdated regulation that hasn’t been updated since 1990, forcing gas stations to restrict their sales of E15 to flex fuel vehicles only, or remove it from sale altogether between June 1 and September 15. A key waiver that was extended to fuels containing zero to 10 percent ethanol in 1990 – in large part because these fuels lowered tailpipe emissions and carbon monoxide – was not extended to E15 simply because higher blends were not yet conceived when the law was written.

In response to the letter, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement.

“Growth Energy commends this group of advanced biofuels producers and trade associations for their support of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. Securing a permanent, legislative solution to the RVP issue is critical not only for consumer choice at the pump and the environment, but also for the growth of the advanced biofuels industry.

“This legislation adds two words to the 1990 law, extending the RVP waiver to fuel with 10 or more percent ethanol which would allow E15 to be sold year-round. Expanded consumer access to E15 will provide a strong market for the next generation of cellulosic biofuels produced from agricultural waste and other natural materials. The advanced biofuel industry continues to drive innovation in the transportation fuels space, and we are starting to see more cellulosic gallons in the market. Expanded access to E15 will allow cellulosic ethanol to compete at the pump and make environmental gains for generations to come. 

“E15 provides motorists a choice at the that reduces harmful emissions, boosts engine performance, and saves them money at the pump. An RVP waiver is a common-sense solution that will make this option more available across the U.S., as well as provide a healthy market for cellulosic biofuels. Growth Energy stands firmly with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the Advanced Biofuels Business Council, and the other signatories of this letter in support of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.”



 ASA, Fellow Farm Groups Urge Appropriators to Adequately Fund FSA Loan Programs

 In a letter this morning to leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the American Soybean Association (ASA) and a coalition of farm, food and rural advocacy groups led by the National Farmers Union encouraged lawmakers to adequately fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency to provide a robust risk management framework for farmers in the current lagging farm economy.

“With the farm economy only expected to worsen, access to credit, specifically credit provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan programs, is critical,” the groups wrote.

Highlighting the continued outlook for trouble in the farm economy, the groups noted that funding will be essential as farmers look to secure operating loans in the coming seasons. “The outlook for 2017 grain and livestock prices appears to be no better than in 2016, likely meaning FSA loans will be even more vital to the financial viability of farm and ranch operations. The added funding will help FSA avoid backlog issues faced last year and during the beginning of this year,” the groups state in the letter.



NAWG Calls on Congress to Fully Fund Key Farm Loan Programs in FY 2018

Today, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), along with a broad array of other agriculture organizations, sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders calling on Congress to fully fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan programs in FY 2018.

"Farmers of most commodities are experiencing lower than normal prices. Wheat prices, in particular, have been on the decline for the past couple of years, and are expected to remain low in the foreseeable future," stated NAWG President and Kansas grower David Schemm.

"As part of the 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress provided additional funding for FSA’s Farm Loan programs. With prices continuing to remain low, FSA loans will continue to be in high demand to support struggling farm and ranch operations," continued Schemm.

"NAWG will continue to work with both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure key agriculture programs like FSA's Farm Loan programs are fully funded and able to function as Congress intended."



NFU, Farm Groups Push for Strong Farm Safety Net

Amidst the sharpest decline in the farm economy in well over a decade, National Farmers Union and a coalition of 21 prominent farm groups are urging Congress to provide a strong safety net for family farmers and ranchers.

In a letter to U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees today, the coalition called on the committees to provide adequate resources for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA), so that it can adequately meet high demand for farm loans and provide mediation services to struggling producers.

“Farmers and ranchers have been facing difficult economic conditions for several years,” noted the coalition letter. “ With the farm economy only expected to worsen, access to credit, specifically credit provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Farm Loan programs, is critical.”

The coalition thanked appropriators for providing additional funding for FSA’s Farm Loan programs in 2017, noting that the increase was an important and necessary step in ensuring access to credit.

“The outlook for 2017 grain and livestock prices appears to be no better than in 2016, likely meaning FSA loans will be even more vital to the financial viability of farm and ranch operations.  The added funding will help FSA avoid backlog issues faced last year and during the beginning of this year.”

But the group stressed that there is no end in sight to the depressed farm economy, and loan demand is expected to be as high, if not higher, than last year.

“Metrics associated with farm health, including debt to asset ratios, working capital, and cash flow, are projected to weaken further in 2017 or stay even from last year,” noted the letter. “As a result, we expect demand for new or revised loans to at least match 2016, which was a record year for the portfolio. In order to meet demand, FSA will need additional resources for FY-2018.”

“Low commodity prices have reduced net farm income by over 50 percent in the past four years, and FSA loans serve as an important lifeline for many distressed producers. Inadequately funding FSA would be a disservice to our hardworking farmers and ranchers, who are dedicated to feeding our nation and the world.

“We appreciate your attention in this matter and stand ready to provide any needed assistance,” concluded the letter.



NMPF Board of Directors Supports NAFTA Modernization

The National Milk Producers Federation Board of Directors voted unanimously today to support modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in a way that enhances and protects the United States’ current dairy market access opportunities and addresses Canada’s constant use of trade-distorting measures.

At its June meeting here, NMPF’s board passed a resolution outlining goals for the upcoming NAFTA renegotiation process. These include confronting Canada’s use of policies that hinder trade, such as its harmful Class 6 and 7 pricing schemes that negatively impact U.S. dairy exports. The resolution also requests that no harm be done to trade with the United States’ largest dairy export market, Mexico. It also calls for special attention to preserving and enhancing the protection of foods using common names, and strengthening rules related to sanitary and phytosanitary commitments with Canada and Mexico.

“Trade negotiations are always a balancing act, and the renegotiation of NAFTA will be another example of that dynamic,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “NMPF’s membership recognizes NAFTA’s essential role in expanding access to the Mexican market, where we export more than $1 billion annually in dairy products. We need to build on that market, and at the same time use the modernization effort to obtain more access to the Canadian market for our products, and roll back anti-competitive trade schemes used by Canada’s dairy sector.”

The NMPF resolution singled out Canada’s exorbitant dairy tariffs and pervasive use of policy tools like its Class 6 and 7 schemes, which were introduced last year. The new programs have been used to displace American exports of milk proteins to Canada and undercut U.S. dairy exports in overseas markets.

In May, the Trump Administration formally launched the NAFTA modernization process when it notified Congress that it plans to proceed with renegotiating the 24-year-old trade pact. NMPF will be actively engaged in this process through the submission of recommendations on the priorities of interest to U.S. dairy farmers, meetings with U.S. and foreign government officials, and close interaction with supporters in Congress.

“Exports are extremely important to the U.S. dairy industry,” Mulhern said, “accounting for $5 billion in sales annually and up to 100,000 jobs in areas tied to dairy farming and processing. NAFTA has contributed to this success, supporting tens of thousands of farm and dairy manufacturing jobs, as well as those in related industries.”

Earlier in the week, NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council jointly filed comments on the NAFTA modernization process with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.



Dow AgroSciences Announces Launch of Enlist™ Corn for 2018 Planting

Enlist™ corn will be commercially available in the United States for the 2018 growing season. Dow AgroSciences announced the launch today after the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved the import of grain produced from corn containing the Enlist trait.

“We are very excited to bring the Enlist system to farmers in the U.S. and Canada,” says Tim Hassinger, president and CEO, Dow AgroSciences. “The feedback on the performance during our Stewarded Introduction has been extremely positive, as growers have been very impressed with both the weed control as well as the formulation advancements we have made, reducing the potential for drift and volatility.

“We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. and China governments under the 100 Day initiative,” says Hassinger. “We look forward to continuing to work with China and their regulatory process for additional trait approvals so we can bring farmers new and much needed technology.”

By enabling the use of in-crop applications of Enlist Duo® herbicide for effective and economical weed control, the Enlist corn trait helps protect yield. The Enlist corn trait will be available as both SmartStax® Enlist and PowerCore® Enlist hybrids, offering an industry-leading package of weed control and insect protection. Growers can begin ordering Enlist™ corn from Dow AgroSciences seed companies, including Mycogen Seeds, Brodbeck Seeds, Dairyland Seed, Pfister Seeds, and Prairie Brand Seed, later this summer. Dow AgroSciences also will license the PowerCore Enlist trait technology.

U.S. farmers applaud availability, benefits of Enlist corn
Weed control challenges have grown steadily worse since the first glyphosate-resistant weeds were discovered in 2001. According to a 2016 Stratus Ag Research study, resistant and tough weeds currently infest more than 100 million acres of American farmland. To meet farmers’ needs for additional weed control solutions, Dow AgroSciences developed the Enlist weed control system.

“Not only are we ready for the Enlist system, we need it,” says Todd Hanten, a farmer from Goodwin, South Dakota, who has grown Enlist corn and applied Enlist Duo herbicide as part of a stewarded program.

“Enlist Duo gives us an additional effective mode of action in corn and works well in conjunction with our current weed management practices,” Hanten says. “We think it’ll be a good fit for our farm.” 

Developed for use with Enlist™ corn, cotton and soybeans, Enlist Duo herbicide is designed to manage herbicide-resistant and hard-to-control weeds. A highly anticipated and differentiated solution, Enlist Duo herbicide has been optimized for on-target application using proprietary Colex-D® technology by Dow AgroSciences. Among other benefits, Colex-D technology minimizes the potential for physical drift and provides near-zero volatility. Enlist Duo herbicide is currently registered in 34 states.

Prior to full commercialization, select farmers gained experience with the Enlist system as part of a stewarded introduction of Enlist corn. Iowa farmer Steve Bireline grew Enlist corn and was impressed with how the Enlist system performed on his farm.

“With the Enlist product, you can maximize every acre of farm ground you have and get it into production,” he says. “Enlist Duo really impressed me. With no weed competition, it’s going to let that plant thrive and produce the best yield possible.”

Enlist™ soybean plans
Dow AgroSciences is ready for full commercialization of Enlist Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybeans and Enlist E3™ soybeans and is considering options for the 2018 season as it awaits final import approvals from China and the European Union.

In 2017, production of Enlist E3™ soybeans and Enlist Roundup Ready 2 Yield soybeans continues as part of the Dow AgroSciences Field Forward™ program. The program provides growers an opportunity to experience the company’s newest technologies before they are commercially available. Dow AgroSciences manages the seed production throughout the season, including handling and storage after harvest.

Expanded offering of cottonseed varieties with the Enlist trait
The Enlist cotton trait was launched in 2016 in PhytoGen® brand cottonseed varieties. This year, more farmers are experiencing Enlist cotton as well as the weed control of Enlist Duo with an increased number of varieties containing the Enlist™ trait in the PhytoGen line-up. These varieties range from very early to mid-maturities and are also stacked with WideStrike® 3 Insect Protection (W3FE).

Farmers from across the Cotton Belt who planted PhytoGen W3FE varieties are now seeing the benefits of Enlist Duo® herbicide and continue to report outstanding results with the system. Given strong grower demand, PhytoGen anticipates that its W3FE portfolio will continue to grow in the 2018 season.