Thursday May 24 Ag News

Coalition Focuses on Protecting Nebraska Water Users

The Lower Platte River Basin Coalition, which includes all seven Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) in the Loup, Elkhorn, and Lower Platte River Basins, and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR) has, after several years of work, adopted and now initiated implementation of a voluntary basin-wide water management plan that sets criteria for managing new water development in the Lower Platte River (basin). The jointly-developed plan implements goals and objectives that work to protect the existing domestic, agricultural, and industrial water uses in the Basin.  The Coalition partners worked to use the best available science to evaluate the balance of supply and demands in the Basin that begins in Nebraska’s water-rich sandhills and ends at the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers, covering more than 25,000 square miles, or nearly one-third of Nebraska.

This unique Basin provides water for irrigation that sustains the area’s agricultural economy, drinking water for more than half of Nebraska’s residents, as well as other important industrial and instream water demands.

“This proactive partnership worked to voluntarily develop a plan for the future conjunctive management of the groundwater and surface water systems in this important river basin,” Russell Callan, General Manager, Lower Loup NRD, said.  “Nebraska’s locally-driven groundwater management system, through NRDs, is a unique and strong approach for our state. This comprehensive basin-wide plan is another example of local and state jurisdictional entities working in partnership to protect all of Nebraska’s water users, protecting lives, Nebraskans’ property and our economic future, Callan said

For more than 45 years, locally-elected NRD boards have successfully worked to address local groundwater quantity and quality management challenges. Water managers have recognized that what occurs in the sandhills of the upper portions of the Loup and Elkhorn Basins impacts the Lower Platte River Basin near Lincoln and Omaha’s water supplies in the lower portion of the Basin. Likewise, changes in a variety of water demands in the lower part of the Basin can impact the upper portion of the Basin. This Basin planning effort improves the collaboration between groundwater and surface water jurisdictions and managers across the whole Basin and establishes a framework for continually assessing impacts and identifying opportunities for more efficient uses of Nebraska’s water. The plan also encourages local NRD and stakeholders to work together with the state to consistently gather and share data, apply technical analyses that will be used for long-term monitoring, and establish benchmarks to maintain water sustainability across the entire Basin.

“The fact that seven locally elected boards with varying local priorities were able to voluntarily sit down with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and develop a plan that works to protect all water uses now and for the future, as a foundation to grow our economy, while also ensuring our most precious natural resource is protected, is a valuable outcome for all water users in the state,” said Jeff Fassett, Director of NeDNR.

Results from the water balance study that was developed by the Coalition indicated that, on an average annual basis, supply in the Basin exceeds the existing demands. Recognizing the opportunity this presents, but also wanting to be always aware of periodic droughts and protective of the long-term sustainability of the Basin’s water supply, the Coalition partners developed a measured, incremental approach to allowing additional new uses. The adopted plan developed targets for allowable development at no more than 10% of the current identifiable long-term average excess waters during the first five-year increment of the plan. It is up to each local NRD board, along with NeDNR, to determine if and how they want to allow for the development of any new groundwater and surface water uses. The plan also lays out a process for annual collection and reporting of important data that will be used to monitor the plan’s implementation. Each member will report to the Coalition annually on any new water uses and their associated streamflow depletions or projects developed to mitigate streamflow depletions.

“While this first increment uses the best science available today, an incremental approach ensures we will continue to use the best available science,” Mike Sousek, General Manager, Lower Elkhorn NRD, said. “We want Nebraskans to benefit from the available excess water, but we also want to avoid a situation where we exceed the available secure and reliable water supplies. This careful, incremental approach and annual reporting will allow us to continually assess changes, adapt, and adjust as needed to ensure existing users are protected,” Sousek said.

While the long-term historic Basin streamflows highlight the overall positive balance in the Basin, unfortunately, much of the identified usable supplies occurs during the non-peak water use season, or fall and winter months, when demands for the excess water are much less. But to water managers in the Basin, this average excess supply represents an opportunity for implementing more effective management strategies going forward.

“This plan is a proactive approach to address sound water management, which is the number one priority in the world,” said John Winkler, General Manager, Papio-Missouri River NRD.  “By capturing and storing some of the water during the non-peak period, those flows can be retimed for delivery during the peak demand periods, not only helping to meet demands during times of drought or when dry conditions warrant, but also mitigating flood potential during extreme excess flow events,” Winkler said.

Other efforts by the Lower Platte South, Lower Platte North, and Papio-Missouri River NRDs, in partnership with the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD), the Lincoln Water System, and NeDNR are looking at opportunities to further address drought periods and when peak demands overlap periods when streamflows are at their lowest.

“The Basin-Wide Plan is really a step forward for everyone in the Basin,” Paul Zillig, General Manager, Lower Platte South NRD, said.  “In conjunction with our own drought mitigation planning, the plan allows for potential upstream development, while protecting existing and future municipal, industrial, and instream water demands downstream.”



Ricketts Welcomes Indonesia’s Consul General to Nebraska

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts welcomed Indonesia’s Consul General, Rosmalawati Chalid.  Ms. Chalid serves as the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Chicago.

“Nebraska and Indonesia not only share important trade relationships, but also partner to address global challenges related to food shortage, water conservation, and land use,” said Governor Ricketts.  “The State of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska will continue working together to deepen our trade and research ties.”

Nebraska exported around $82 million in products to Indonesia in 2016, over three-quarters of which were agricultural or food-related, such as beef, soybeans, and animal feed.  Indonesia has the world’s fourth-highest population, which is expected to increase to 322 million by 2050, giving Nebraska products great growth opportunities.  The population’s consumption of beef, for example, is anticipated to double.

Consul General Chalid expressed her country’s desire to deepen the trade and investment relationships between Indonesia and Nebraska.

"Indonesia would like to develop more strategic trade partnerships with Nebraska, as well as seek potential products for export and import cooperation on both sides,” the Consul General said.

During the visit, Ms. Chalid invited Nebraska business leaders to attend an upcoming international trade conference. 

“To familiarize themselves with Indonesia’s best products, as well as to explore trade and investment opportunities and establish networking with Indonesian business leaders, I would like to invite Nebraska businesses to attend the 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia on October 24-28, 2018,” the Consul General said.

Nebraska and Indonesia share a history of collaboration.  With half of Indonesia covered in pristine natural forests, its government is committed to maximizing local agricultural yields to support the growing population, while minimizing impacts to the environment.  Nebraska’s agricultural expertise has been valuable to this effort.

In 2016, Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture recruited researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), led by agronomist Patricio Grassini, to deploy a cutting edge technique used in countries around the world to increase crop production.  The “Global Yield Gap Atlas,” developed by UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), can estimate gaps between crop potential and actual yields on a given piece of land, based on soil and water conditions.  This helps researchers identify regions with the greatest potential for crop intensification.  It can also help governments gain a better understanding of quantities of food that can be grown at home, versus amounts that need to be imported.  Today, the Atlas is being used in at least 15 Indonesian provinces to intensify rice and corn production.

In 2016, researchers from Indonesia’s Agency for Agriculture Research and Development visited Lincoln for a six-week agricultural training program, learning about techniques such as crop modeling and soil analysis, and interacting with farmers and equipment manufacturers to gain firsthand experience.

“The research partnerships that have evolved between Indonesia and Nebraska have been invaluable in our efforts to ensure a sustainable, secure food system to support our growing population, while safeguarding our environment,” said Chalid. “They have also helped all parties involved gain more expertise working together to solve problems that impact the world as a whole.”

Following a meeting with Governor Ricketts and a press conference, Ms. Chalid and her delegation visited with representatives from IANR, LI-COR Biosciences, and the U.S. Grains Council.  Topics centered on strengthening the trade and agricultural partnerships between Indonesia and Nebraska.



Record High Pork Production for April

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.28 billion pounds in April, up 8 percent from the 3.97 billion pounds produced in April 2017.

Beef production, at 2.12 billion pounds, was 8 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.64 million head, up 7 percent from April 2017. The average live weight was up 9 pounds from the previous year, at 1,334 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.1 million pounds, 4 percent above April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 42,800 head, up 10 percent from April 2017. The average live weight was down 12 pounds from last year, at 245 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.14 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.99 million head, up 7 percent from April 2017. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 287 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.4 million pounds, was up 8 percent from April 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 181,000 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 137 pounds, up 9 pounds from April a year ago.

By State            (million lbs    -    % April '17)
Nebraska ........:          635.6            107      
Iowa ...............:          630.5            111      
Kansas ............:          453.4            110      

January to April 2018 commercial red meat production was 17.4 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2017. Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent from last year, veal was up 1 percent, pork was up 5 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 4 percent.



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SUSPENDS GRAIN DEALER LICENSE OF REDWOOD COMMODITIES GROUP OF MISSION, KANSAS
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has immediately suspended the grain dealer license for The Redwood Commodities Group, LLC of Mission, Kansas. As a result of this action, Redwood Commodities Group is forbidden to operate as a grain dealer within Iowa until further order of the Department and must surrender any grain dealer certificates to the Department.

The suspension is based upon the company’s failure to file the required information with the Grain Warehouse Bureau in accordance with Iowa Code 203. The Redwood Group’s license was suspended in accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 203.  A hearing on the Department’s action is set for June 25, 2018.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Grain Warehouse Bureau regulates and examines the financial solvency of grain dealers and grain warehouse operators. The functions of the Bureau include: warehouse licensing, warehouse examination, grain dealer licensing and grain dealer examinations.



Farm And Ethanol Plant Tours Highlight Biofuel Opportunities For Asian Buyers, Regulators

Following the Ethanol Summit of the Asia-Pacific held this week in Minneapolis, visitors from more than 17 countries in Asia and Oceania are touring the U.S. Midwest to learn how the U.S. ethanol industry developed and helps meet the country’s – and the world’s – biofuels goals.

Four teams of producers, traders, government officials and business people are in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsin, hosted by state corn organizations and local ethanol facilities, sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), which works to develop overseas demand for U.S. feed grains and their products, like ethanol.

Their visits follow the Summit activities, hosted with Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association, that offered participants access to high-level U.S. ethanol industry members and extensive information on how ethanol is used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), improve air quality, and provide economic benefits to ethanol stakeholders.

“We appreciate our state partners hosting these important groups of high-level officials from Asia so they have a better understanding of our ethanol story in the U.S.,” said Deb Keller, U.S. Grains Council Chairman and Iowa farmer. “Allowing these representatives to see the entire ethanol value chain – from farmers to industry – will give them a clearer idea of how ethanol contributes meaningfully to the environmental, human health and economics benefits of those who use them.”

The post-Summit tours provide an on-the-ground experience including stops at gas stations, feedlots, farms and, of course, ethanol plants.

A team including participants from China, Korea and Taiwan is visiting Iowa; a team including participants from India, Bangladesh and the Philippines is visiting Kansas; a team with participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam is visiting Nebraska; and a team with participants from Australia, Myanmar, Pakistan and New Zealand is visiting Wisconsin.

“The U.S. Grains Council has been working with many of our Asian partners for years, and while there are occasional trade hurdles to surpass, each understands how important open and ongoing trade efforts are, especially regarding ethanol,” said Keller. “We appreciate just how helpful our Asian partners are in developing the ethanol markets in this region of the world,” said Keller.

The U.S. Grains Council is working strategically in international ethanol market development with partners including Growth, RFA, corn state checkoffs and others in the U.S. ethanol industry. This builds on nearly 60 years of work in overseas offices building demand for U.S. corn, sorghum and barley growers as well as ethanol and DDGS producers.

“The combination of global presence, market access and market development works to ensure this long-standing partnership between the United States and our Asian trading partners is here to stay,” said Keller. 



Senior Administration Officials to Address Pork Producers at World Pork Expo

Ambassador Gregg Doud, chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and Greg Ibach, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, will address investors of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) at World Pork Expo on June 6 and 7. Under Secretary Ibach speaks on June 6; Ambassador Doud speaks on June 7. Hosted by NPPC in Des Moines, Iowa each year, World Pork Expo is the world’s largest pork sector gathering of its kind.

“We are honored to have Ambassador Doud and Under Secretary Ibach join us at World Pork Expo,” said Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio and president of the National Pork Producers Council. “We look forward to hearing from two senior Trump administration officials who play a major role in setting policy and creating export opportunities at a time when U.S. pork’s growth prospects have never been greater.”

Ambassador Doud’s confirmation as USTR’s chief agricultural negotiator on March 1, 2018, was widely supported by pork producers and other American farmers. He previously served as president of the Commodity Markets Council and was a senior aide to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Ambassador Doud grew up on a farm in Kansas.

Mr. Ibach’s confirmation on October 26, 2017, as USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs was also widely supported by American agriculture. He is responsible for facilitating domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensuring the health of animals and plants. He oversees the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. A farmer from Nebraska, Mr. Ibach previously served as Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture.



House to Vote Again on Farm Bill on June 22

The House on passed a resolution that action on the farm bill "may continue to be postponed through the legislative day of Friday, June 22, 2018."

The resolution follows the House's failure to pass the farm bill last Friday and the introduction of a motion to reconsider the bill. A roll call vote on Friday was interrupted, but the measure to postpone action was included in a rule on other legislation.

House leadership's plan to bring up the farm bill for another vote appears to be dependent on the resolution of conflict among House Republicans over how to handle the immigration issue. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Texas, said he is staying on the sidelines of the immigration battle but watching it closely, Politico reported.

Meanwhile, the Food and Environment Reporting Network said today that Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told a Bloomberg reporter that the markup on the committee's farm bill will be June 6.

A Roberts spokesperson said no date has been set, but Roberts said last week he hopes that he and Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., can make a joint announcement this week on a date for the markup of a bipartisan bill.



H-2A Agricultural Worker Visa Modernization Joint Cabinet Statement
Secretary Acosta, Secretary Nielsen, Secretary Perdue, and Secretary Pompeo

When President Trump addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation in January of this year, he reminded the audience that his commitment to our farmers has been clear since the day his Administration began:  “From that day on, we have been working every day to deliver for America’s farmers just as they work every single day to deliver for us.” 

In keeping with that commitment, our Departments are working in coordination to propose streamlining, simplifying, and improving the H-2A temporary agricultural visa program – reducing cumbersome bureaucracy and ensuring adequate protections for U.S. workers.

The Trump Administration is committed to modernizing the H-2A visa program rules in a way that is responsive to stakeholder concerns and that deepens our confidence in the program as a source of legal and verified labor for agriculture – while  also reinforcing the program’s strong employment and wage protections for the American workforce.  In addition, by improving the H-2A visa program and substantially reducing its complexity, the Administration also plans to incentivize farmers’ use of the E-Verify program to ensure their workforce is authorized to work in the United States.

As the agencies tasked with administering or facilitating the H-2A visa program, and thus closest to farmer and labor stakeholders, the Departments of State, Agriculture, Labor, and Homeland Security are embarking on a process to modernize the H-2A visa program by clarifying and improving the regulations governing the program.  We look forward to delivering a more responsive program soon.



Sorghum Checkoff Announces Leadership Sorghum Class IV

The Sorghum Checkoff is pleased to announce the members of Leadership Sorghum Class IV. Leadership Sorghum is a program hosted by the Sorghum Checkoff designed to develop the next generation of sorghum leaders and advocates.

“The success of any industry lies within its ability to create leaders,” said Verity Ulibarri, Sorghum Checkoff Chairwoman. “With the growing population and demand for agricultural products, we need producers to promote our industry in a positive, well-informed way, and Leadership Sorghum serves this purpose.”

Fourteen farmers from five states have been selected to participate in the program’s fourth class:
Auden Aranda - Keyes, Oklahoma
John Bergkamp - Garden Plain, Kansas
Jon Berning - Scott City, Kansas
Dustin Borden - Gruver, Texas
Michael Brooks - Walsh, Colorado
Matthew Davis - Manhattan, Kansas
Jaden DeVore - Cheney, Kansas
Jace Gibbs - Dighton, Kansas
David Junker - McCook, Nebraska
Larry Kendig - Osborne, Kansas
Kevin Pshigoda - Perryton, Texas
Cole Rohr - Quinter, Kansas
Tony Watson - Healy, Kansas
Matthew Winters - Canyon, Texas

“Leadership Sorghum benefits the sorghum industry by developing leaders for tomorrow and prepares the producer to advocate on a local, regional and national platform,” said Shelee Padgett, Leadership Sorghum program director. “Producer leaders are essential to moving our industry forward, and we are excited for the opportunity to work with Class IV so they can become better equipped to advocate for their operation and our industry.”

Through both hands-on and classroom-style education, participants will gain an understanding of how sorghum moves through the value chain, how checkoffs and interest groups interact on behalf of the industry and what the future holds for the crop. Leadership Sorghum also provides professional development training and networking opportunities. For more information about the Leadership Sorghum program, visit www.LeadSorghum.com.



IGC Shaves Down 2017-2018 Global Grain Forecast

The International Grains Council (IGC) said Thursday that it has trimmed its forecast for global grain production in 2017-2018 to 2,091 million metric tons due to lower expected soybean production.

The new forecast is a decrease of 2 million tons from the previous 2,093 million-ton forecast and a 2.3% drop from the previous season's record 2,139 million tons, the IGC said.

The IGC raised its 2018-2019 production forecast, upping last month's estimate by 1 million tons to 2,089 million tons. That figure would mark a second season of declining production after 2016-2017's record high. The IGC data revealed that an increase in corn and rice forecasts outweighed reduced soybean and wheat predictions.

Driving the fall in the 2017-2018 global grain forecast was a 3 million-ton drop in expected soybean production, now seen at 336 million tons. Corn forecasts shed 2 million tons to 1,044 million tons and the IGC's rice estimate rose by 2 million tons to 488 million tons. The report said estimated wheat production remained at 758 million tons.



Bushel Announces $7M Investment

Bushel™ today announced a $7 million private investment round to accelerate its patent-pending digital platform for the grain industry.

The funding was led by private investors in the agriculture and software industries. The investment will be used to expand Bushel’s reach; accelerate new features, research and development and customer success; and continue evaluating strategic acquisition opportunities.

Nearly a year following its launch in June 2017, Bushel has expanded its footprint from ten pilot locations in North Dakota to more than 400+ elevator and ethanol plant locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. More than 20,000 growers have access to Bushel-powered apps today.

"This investment will allow us to continue the acceleration of Bushel’s product roadmap, while continuing to onboard and serve grain facilities on the Bushel platform,” said Jake Joraanstad, Bushel CEO and co-founder. “Our vision for Bushel is to be the number one digital platform for the grain industry that strengthens, and makes more efficient, the relationship between grain buyers and growers.”

Bushel has been adopted by many of the leading grain elevators, cooperatives and ethanol plants in the U.S. and Canada, including Landus Cooperative, Agtegra and Flint Hills Resources. These companies provide branded versions of Bushel’s mobile platform to growers so they can access real-time information on scale tickets, contract settlements, cash-bids and more. Growers are quickly adopting Bushel because it is a free, convenient and efficient way to do business online with their trusted grain buyers.

“Over the last two decades software for grain facilities has not changed much,” said Ryan Raguse, Bushel chairman and co-founder. “Our Bushel platform embarked on a journey to change that. Our software feels easy to use because it was thoughtfully designed and built by highly collaborative software engineers, designers, and a team full of people who understand the fundamentals of farming.”

Bushel incorporates a wide variety of technologies to power the robust, efficient and scalable digital platform. The incorporated technologies allow fragmented systems to better interact, a secure cloud-based infrastructure, an API to scale for an evolving and expanding ecosystem and best-in-class communication capabilities.

Bushel’s last funding round raised $1.5 million in June 2017 through private investors. In December 2017, Myriad Mobile acquired Omaha-based iNet Solutions Group, including their FarmCentric agribusiness platform. Just last week, Bushel launched eSignature capabilities within the Bushel platform as a premium feature add-on. Myriad Mobile’s custom software development division will continue to provide ongoing strategy, design and development services, with a particular interest in agriculture-based client work.



Brookside Agra Establishes Product Protocol for Safe, Odor-free Composting of Animal Carcasses

With increasing concerns over ground water contamination, aesthetics and expenses associated with traditional burying, burning and pick-up of animal carcasses, today's animal farmers are turning to a more acceptable, cost-effective method of carcass disposal -- composting.

Turning the carcasses of poultry, swine, horses, cattle and other animals into a rich humus that can be used/sold as a fertilizer or soil amendment has become a profitable solution for many animal farmers; the downside is the strong odors, insects and varmints that can accompany carcass composting.

Brookside Agra has formulated an all-natural solution with its Advanced Bio Pro Concentrate™ and composting protocol. Advanced Bio Pro Concentrate is an innovative, all-natural proprietary liquid blend of stable, highly active microorganisms, enzymes and bio-stimulants  that degrade  ammonia ions, amines, hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans. When mixed with water and applied to animal carcasses, Advanced Bio Pro Concentrate works to increase the activity rate of both naturally occurring and bio augmented microbes to:
-    Remove 95% of odor within three days
-    Absorb odors until bacteria can digest organics
-    Reduce composting time by 30-50%
-    Reduce ammonia emission by 50% within minutes
-    Control hazardous gases
-    Help meet discharge parameters
-    Eliminate fruit fly and mosquito larvae

Advanced Bio Pro Concentrate is also safe and effective for eliminating odors and controlling insects and varmint in swine buildings, poultry houses, manure piles, pet runs, food processing areas, garbage holding areas, processing plants, barns, trailers and more.  Advanced Bio Pro Concentrate is recognized on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list which is approved by the FDA and AAFCO.

Brookside Agra has developed an effective, simple protocol for using Advanced Bio Pro Concentrate to compost animal carcasses. A video explaining the process can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2_bysyZoXY.