Thursday June 21 Ag News

House Passes 2018 Farm Bill

Today the House passed the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2), critical legislation to address the economic challenges facing the nation’s farmers and ranchers, while making significant investments in opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Upon passage, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) issued the following remarks:

“Today’s vote was about keeping faith with the men and women of rural America and about the enduring promise of the dignity of a day’s work. It was about providing certainty to farmers and ranchers who have been struggling under the weight of a five-year recession and about providing our neighbors in need with more than just a hand out, but a hand up. I’m proud of what this body has accomplished, and now look forward to working with the Senate and the president to deliver a farm bill on time to the American people.”



 Smith Statement on Passage of House Farm Bill

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved its version of the 2018 Farm Bill. The House version will now await Senate action on its version before a conference committee is convened to reconcile differences between the two bills.

“I’m very happy to see the House move forward with its version of the Farm Bill, a major step toward giving our agriculture producers the certainty they deserve. After the turbulence we’ve seen recently in commodity prices, a long term Farm Bill will help to address the concerns I hear while traveling Nebraska’s Third District. I look forward to the Senate passing its version of the bill so we can move the process forward.”

The House version of the 2018 Farm Bill includes crop insurance, a vital safety net for Nebraska’s farmers, the creation of a vaccine bank to help protect our livestock industry, and modest but significant changes to SNAP intended to help more Americans experience economic opportunity.



Statement by Steve Nelson, President NE Farm Bureau, Regarding House Passage of Farm Bill

“Today, the members of the House of Representatives took an important step in moving Congress toward passage of the new farm bill. As I’ve stated on many occasions, food security is national security and the farm bill is the instrument that delivers that security for Americans.”

“While not perfect, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 achieves many of the provisions sought by Nebraska Farm Bureau and its members in a farm bill. The House adopted legislation that protects federal crop insurance, provides meaningful adjustments to commodity title programs, improves conservation programs, and provides funding for research, trade promotion, and rural development programs that will benefit farmers, ranchers, and virtually all citizens across our state and our nation. It also contains provisions to allow agriculture interests to work to address critical issues related to health care and health insurance.”

“We especially want to thank all three of Nebraska’s House members, Congressmen Fortenberry, Bacon, and Smith, as each one made their own individual mark on this vital piece of legislation.”

“It’s also important to note that we appreciate the work that has been done by Sen. Fischer and the Senate Agriculture Committee in advancing their version of a farm bill. We encourage the Senate to follow the lead of the House in moving promptly to deliver a farm bill that meets the needs of Nebraska’s farm and ranch families to aid them in providing food, fuel, and fiber for our country and the world.”



Secretary Perdue Statement on 2018 Farm Bill Passing the House of Representatives

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed their version of the 2018 Farm Bill:

“I applaud Chairman Conaway and the House Agriculture Committee for their diligence and hard work in passing their 2018 Farm Bill through the House of Representatives. American producers have greatly benefited from the policies of the Trump Administration, including tax reforms and reductions in regulations, however a Farm Bill is still critically important to give the agriculture community some much-needed reassurance. No doubt, there is still much work to be done on this legislation in both chambers of Congress, and USDA stands ready to assist with whatever counsel lawmakers may request or require.”



NCGA Commends House Farm Bill Passage, Looks Forward to Senate Action

The following is a statement from North Dakota farmer Kevin Skunes, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), on House passage of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2).

“Today’s vote is a big step forward to seeing a new farm bill this year. The House farm bill maintains a robust crop insurance program, ensuring it continues to be a viable risk management tool for farmers across the country.

“Now we will be looking toward the U.S. Senate and possible efforts to further strengthen the farm safety net, making it more equitable for our nation’s corn growers, as they bring the Senate Agriculture Committee’s farm bill to the floor.”



House Approves 2018 Farm Bill, With FMD Language

The National Pork Producers Council praised today’s passage by the House of the “Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018,” which includes several provisions important to U.S. pork producers, and urged the Senate to quickly pass its version of the 2018 Farm Bill.

Chief among the important provisions is language establishing and funding a Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine bank. FMD is an infectious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals, including cattle, pigs and sheep; it is not a food safety or human health threat. Although it was last detected in the United States in 1929, the disease is endemic in many parts of the world and would be financially devastating to U.S. agriculture if an outbreak were to occur here.

“Pork producers are pleased that the House approved its 2018 Farm Bill,” said Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio, and president of NPPC, which has been the leading advocate for an FMD vaccine bank. “But we need adequate funding in it to protect the livestock industry and the American economy.”

NPPC is asking lawmakers for funding in each year of the next Farm Bill of $250 million – $150 million for the vaccine bank, $70 million for state block grants for disease prevention and $30 million for the network of laboratories that provide disease diagnostic support.

The House version of the five-year agricultural blueprint includes those amounts only for the first year; for each of the other years, it has $30 million for state block grants and $20 million to be used at the Agriculture secretary’s discretion for the grants, labs and the vaccine bank. While the Senate legislation calls for an FMD vaccine bank, it includes money only for the labs.

“The United States is not prepared for an FMD outbreak, so we really need to have the full five-year mandatory funding,” said Heimerl. “We hope the Senate heeds our plea. We can’t afford the financial devastation this disease would wreak on farmers and the U.S. economy.”

The House bill also includes funding for the NPPC-supported Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program, both of which help support exports markets for U.S. goods. The programs are consolidated as the International Market Development Program. Additionally, the measure has money for feral swine eradication. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are an estimated 5 million feral swine in at least 39 states; the cost of controlling them and the amount of damage they do is about $1.5 billion annually.



NCBA Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill

Today National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Kevin Kester issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representative's 213-211 vote to approve H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act:

"Today’s vote means that American cattlemen and women are one step closer to having the certainty they need to continue running their operations and contributing to rural economies. We are glad the House-passed bill addresses a number of priorities for producers, including authorization and funding for a national vaccine bank that prioritizes Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) prevention. The bill also strengthens conservation programs and improves USDA’s foreign market development activities. House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway and all those who voted ‘yes’ deserve a great deal of thanks for their support.”



American Soybean Association Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill

After weeks of negotiations hinging not just on differences over nutrition support programs, but also on immigration policy, the House of Representatives passed its version of a new farm bill on a 213-211 vote. The Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 would replace the current Agricultural Act of 2014 when it expires at the end of September.

American Soybean Association (ASA) President John Heisdorffer, a soybean farmers from Keota, Iowa, applauded the successful effort to reconsider the House bill, saying, “Farmers need the long-term certainty and stability that passing a new five-year farm bill will provide. Right now, the economic future of our industry is clouded by low crop prices and farm income, and by volatility in foreign markets. We call on the Senate to follow suit and pass its version of the farm bill next week so Congress can complete the 2018 farm bill in July.”

Heisdorffer added that, “With key programs including crop insurance, farm support programs, and export promotion funding for market development programs on the table, ASA urges Congressional leaders to continue pushing forward for final approval.”



House Farm Bill Passage a Win for Farmers
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

“Passage of the House farm bill today is a big win for America’s farmers and ranchers. Our grassroots Farm Bureau members clearly made their voices heard. By approving the 2018 Farm Bill today, members of the House recognized the serious economic challenges facing farmers and ranchers across the country.

“As crafted by Chairman Conaway, this bill recognizes what is working well, but it also makes much-needed improvements in risk management and crop insurance programs at a time when farm-income levels have slumped to decade lows. This would not have been possible had it not been for Speaker Ryan making the farm bill a congressional priority, and for all the hard work invested in the process by Chairman Conaway and other members of the House Agriculture Committee.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Senate Agriculture Committee leaders Roberts and Stabenow as they move forward. The Senate bill also addresses the challenges our farmers and ranchers are facing today. We will also continue to focus our attention on other areas important to farmers, such as finding a solution for the very serious ag labor shortage, increasing market opportunities through trade and cutting the burdens of regulations that have piled up during previous administrations.”



NMPF Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill as Crucial Step Toward Final Enactment in 2018

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) today commended House passage of the Farm Bill as a key step toward enacting a bipartisan, bicameral bill into law by Sept. 30.

Among the provisions of significance to the U.S. dairy industry are improvements to the dairy safety net. The measure raises the maximum covered margin in the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) to $9/cwt. and provides increased flexibility in the amount of milk that can be insured. NMPF said the changes will improve the program for dairy producers of all sizes. The bill also includes provisions to improve milk price risk management, reflecting an agreement reached between NMPF and the International Dairy Foods Association on changes to federal milk marketing orders.

“While there are a few issues that will need to be addressed when the House reconciles its version of the Farm Bill with the one the Senate is considering, we are pleased that the process continues to move forward with this vote,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern.

While today’s vote was largely divided along party lines, Mulhern said the bill’s dairy provisions were the product of bipartisan efforts. “We thank Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) for their continuing work to improve dairy risk management programs.”

The House bill also addresses several other NMPF priorities. The conservation title will help producers access technical and financial assistance to carry out multiple conservation practices on their land and water. The bill includes an amendment from Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) to increase the emphasis on nutrient recovery technologies within the conservation title.

Under the trade title, the Farm Bill authorizes the trade promotion programs that are critical to dairy farmers and their cooperatives. The bill also features helpful provisions intended to increase fluid milk consumption, including an amendment by Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) to expand the varieties of milk offered in schools.



NAWG Responds to House Passing its 2018 Farm Bill

Today, with a vote of 213-211, the House of Representatives passed its version of the 2018 Farm Bill. In response, NAWG President Jimmie Musick made the following statement:

 “NAWG commends the House of Representatives for working to move the Farm Bill forward and passed out of the Chamber. It’s vital for a final Farm Bill to be reauthorized before the September 30th deadline, so that farmers can have access to these beneficial programs.

“Crop insurance is a unique risk management tool available for farmers and ranchers.  NAWG continues to advocate for a strong crop insurance program and continued choice between ARC and PLC in the final version of the bill.

“NAWG continues working to ensure that a final Farm Bill includes provisions that provide financial incentives for farmers to adopt conservation practices into their operations. We also support continued reauthorization of the Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative and other important research programs which could lead to innovative technologies to help growers combat pests, disease, and even drought.

“Additionally, NAWG is pleased that the legislation includes funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program and will continue to advocate for increased resources for both.

“We hope to see similar movement in the full Senate soon and will continue to work with members once both bills go to conference.”  



Statement of NCFC President Chuck Conner on House Farm Bill Passage

“The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives applauds House passage of H.R. 2, the farm bill, this afternoon. We look forward to the Senate taking up its version of the bill in the very near future. Assuming Senate approval of its measure, we urge both chambers to move quickly to a conference committee to work out differences in a bipartisan fashion. America’s farmers and ranchers deserve the certainty that a new farm bill will provide ahead of the expiration of current law on September 30.”



ICBA Applauds House Passage of Farm Bill

Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement on the House’s passage of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2).

“ICBA and the nation’s community bankers appreciate that the full House was able to pass the farm bill today. Although there are sharp partisan differences regarding nutrition and other programs, we believe that a bipartisan compromise can eventually be reached by Congress as the House and Senate bills move forward.

“Such an outcome is necessary to ensure producers and their lenders have a degree of price protection and predictability for the next five years. Producers and other stakeholders in our rural communities need the safety net that a farm bill provides given the sharp drop in net farm income in recent years and the uncertainties over trade issues.

“ICBA has urged Congress to maintain commodity price protections and a strong crop insurance program. ICBA also supports the bill’s increase for guaranteed farm loan limits to $1.75 million from $1.39 million, in addition to other important programs, and opposes granting the Farm Credit System new lending powers.”



NePPA Hosts Pork Expansion Meetings

The Nebraska Pork Producers are hosing a series of meetings for those farmers currently growing crops who would be interested in building a finishing barn and getting into pork production. 

This is part of an effort that dates back in 2016, when it was noticed that Nebraska was sending a lot of hogs out of state to be finished, then having to ship them back to Nebraska to be processed.

They are not looking for a 100 people. They are looking for a few row crop producers that are highly interested and motivated to put up finishing barns.

The Aurora Meeting will be Monday June 25 at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds 4-H building. There will be 14 different entities there that will discuss their roles in the pork industry and how they interact with farmers. Each will have 3 minutes to give a short introduction to their company.  After each company finishes their introduction, there will be 5 questions that each company answer. Then it will be kind of like a trade show where the producers have the opportunity to talk to the companies that have interested them.

Based off the Meeting in Aurora we may change some things for Wayne,  but it will be on Thursday July 12 and The 4th Jug meeting room in Wayne.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION SOIL HEALTH TRAINING JULY 18

Nebraska Extension will host a clinic on July 18 for the public to learn more about the components of soil health. The training will take place at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center (ENREC) located near Mead.

According to Nebraska Extension Educator Keith Glewen, this outdoor training experience will be of value to home and acreage owners, farm operators and industry consultants.

“One of our objectives of this training is to communicate with participants the dynamics of the soil which includes physical, chemical and biological properties. Hopefully this information will aid urban and rural stewards of the soil to implement practices to improve soil health,” Glewen said.

Topics to be addressed include: management considerations to improve soil health; measuring bulk density, porosity, and infiltration and the impact on soil health; the importance of physical soil properties on soil health; cover crops and how they impact soil health; soil biology and what you can do to change it; soil characteristics, productivity and landscape position; and chemical soil properties.

In addition to the hands-on experience, attendees will receive a resource notebook for future reference. Trainers include University of Nebraska- Lincoln faculty and resource personnel from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Participants will meet at the August N. Christenson Research and Education Building at ENREC (formerly the Agricultural Research and Development Center).

A total of 6.5 Certified Crop Adviser credits in soil and water management have been applied for and are pending approval for this clinic.

Early registration is recommended to reserve a seat and resource materials. Cost is $95 for those registering one week in advance and $120 after.

For more information or to register, contact the Nebraska Extension CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033, call (800) 529-8030, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit https://enre.unl.edu/crop.

This session is part of Nebraska Extension’s crop management diagnostic training. Other training includes the Midwest Soybean Production Clinic on Aug. 22 and the Midwest Corn Production Clinic on Aug. 23.



NDA TO HOST AG FORUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 21-22

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) will host an ag forum in Washington, D.C., June 21-22, to promote Nebraska agriculture and provide opportunities to discuss trade and other ag issues. The forum will give top agricultural leaders from the state opportunities to meet with federal policy makers and foreign Embassy dignitaries.

“Agricultural trade is important to Nebraskans,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “Since trade policies and regulations start at the federal level, this forum is an important way to connect Nebraska farm and commodity groups to the federal government and to the foreign markets we serve.”

Wellman and NDA Agricultural Trade Representative Stan Garbacz will attend the forum along with representatives from Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Pork Producers, Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Soybean Association, Nebraska Wheat Board and the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.

On June 21 in the morning, the Nebraska delegation will hear an update from US Grains and meet with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Governor Pete Ricketts will then join the delegation and host a luncheon, funded by the Nebraska Corn Board, for Foreign Ambassadors. After lunch, the delegation will meet with Sen. Deb Fischer and then attend an evening Congressional reception at the Capital Visitor’s Center.

On June 22, the delegation will meet with a national food manufacturer in the morning and the Chinese Embassy next before hosting a lunch for Chinese Ambassadors. Afternoon meetings are being finalized and will include additional federal leaders and Embassy dignitaries.



Rural Mainstreet Economy Expands for June: Rate of Farm Loan Rejections Almost Doubles Among Banks 

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral in June for a fifth straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. This is the first time since July 2015 the survey has recorded five straight months of overall indices above growth neutral.   

Overall: The overall index slid slightly 56.1 from 56.3 in May. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Surveys over the past several months indicate the Rural Mainstreet economy is trending upward with improving, and positive economic growth. However, the negative impacts of recent trade skirmishes has yet to show up in our survey results. While agriculture commodity prices have improved recently, prices remain below breakeven for a large share of grain farmers,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. 

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for June rose to a weak 42.7 from May’s 42.2. This is the 55th straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0. 

Bankers were asked to project the average change in farmland prices in their area over the next 12 months. On average, bankers expect farmland prices to sink by another 2.1 percent over the next year. This is an improvement from last year at this time when a 3.1 percent decline was expected. 

The June farm equipment-sales index plummeted to an anemic 36.3 from May’s 43.8. This marks the 58th consecutive month the reading has moved below growth neutral 50.0.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for June decreased to 55.9 from May’s 56.0. The state’s farmland-price index increased to 42.6 from last month’s 42.0. Nebraska’s new-hiring index rose to 55.0 from 52.8 in May. Nebraska’s Rural Mainstreet job growth over the last 12 months was minus 0.3 percent. 

Iowa: The June RMI for Iowa climbed to 55.9 from 54.0 in May. Iowa’s farmland-price index for June increased to 42.6 from May’s 42.1. Iowa’s new-hiring index for June expanded to 54.8 from May’s 53.5. Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet job growth over the last 12 months was minus 0.7 percent.

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included.  

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



USGC Welcomes New Member Nebraska Corn Growers Association

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is pleased to welcome the Nebraska Corn Growers Association as a new member.  The Nebraska Corn Growers Association is committed to enhance and expand the use, marketing and efficient production of corn. The association works to create and increase opportunities for Nebraska corn farmers through advocacy, education, partnerships and leadership development. The vision of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association is: Enhancing Demand. Adding Value. Ensuring Sustainability.



Record High Red Meat and Pork Production for May

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.50 billion pounds in May, up 5 percent from the 4.28 billion pounds produced in May 2017.

Beef production, at 2.31 billion pounds, was 7 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.91 million head, up 6 percent from May 2017. The average live weight was up 8 pounds from the previous year, at 1,315 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.4 million pounds, 1 percent above May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 46,400 head, up 18 percent from May 2017. The average live weight was down 38 pounds from last year, at 237 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.17 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.2 million head, up 3 percent from May 2017. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 285 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.4 million pounds, was up 14 percent from May 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 196,800 head, 9 percent above last year. The average live weight was 137 pounds, up 6 pounds from May a year ago.

By State           (million lbs.   -   % May '17)
Nebraska ...:            677.2            100      
Iowa ..........:            646.3            110      
Kansas .......:            514.0            115      

January to May 2018 commercial red meat production was 21.9 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 4 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 6 percent.



Webinar Series Discusses Handling Stress on Dairy Farms

Farming is often listed as one of the most stressful occupations in the United States. This is particularly true for dairy farmers as they experience an extended period of low milk prices.

To help dairy farmers deal with stress, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a series of three webinars that discuss how to recognize the signs of stress, how dairy farm families can manage stress, analyzing a dairy for profits, the profitability of various dairy systems and what FINBIN says about production costs.

The webinars will be held on three consecutive Tuesdays, July 10, July 17 and July 24, at 12 p.m. They will be conducted by extension specialists from ISU Extension and Outreach, the University of Wisconsin, University of Illinois and University of Minnesota. ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialists Larry Tranel, Fred Hall and Jenn Bentley will present during the webinars, as well as John Shutske, extension specialist with the University of Wisconsin, Jim Salfer, extension dairy specialist with the University of Minnesota, and Phil Cardoso, extension dairy specialist with the University of Illinois.

The topics discussed in the webinars are:
-    July 10 – Recognizing and Managing Stress of Dairy Farmers
-    July 17 – Knowing Your Cost of Production and Where the Dairy Industry Is Headed
-    July 24 – Making Production Decisions During Challenging Times

To join the webinars, log onto https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/isuedairy. For more information contact Tranel at tranel@iastate.edu or 563-583-6496, Bentley at jbentley@iastate.edu or 563-382-2949, or Hall at fredhall@iastate.edu or 712-737-4230.

The webinars are sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach, University of Minnesota Extension, University of Illinois Extension and University of Wisconsin Extension.



NPPC: Do More To Reign In Costly Regulations

America’s pork producers, currently facing declining incomes, a growing labor shortage and market volatility caused by trade disputes, don’t also need to contend with red tape and unfunded mandates from Washington, the National Pork Producers Council testified today at a congressional hearing on the impacts of regulations on small businesses and farmers.

“Regulations add to the cost of doing business. And right now, the pork industry certainly doesn’t need more costs,” NPPC Past President John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa, told the House Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade. “Because of trade disputes with China and Mexico and the tariffs they’ve put on U.S. pork, hog farmers could lose $2 billion this year.”

The U.S. pork industry has had to contend with several ill-conceived, burdensome and potentially costly regulations over the past 10 years, including ones related to the buying and selling of livestock, labeling meat, trucking, air emissions, clean water, antibiotics use and organic livestock production.

“Many of the rules we’ve seen coming out of Washington have had harmful unintended consequences, including stifling innovation and impeding the inherent motivation of farmers and small business people to get better and more efficient at what they do,” said Weber.

The Trump administration and Congress have done a good job of beginning to reign in the red tape from Washington – NPPC’s written testimony mentions the White House rescinding several burdensome rules and directing agencies to eliminate two existing regulations for each new one proposed – but “more needs to be done,” Weber told the small business panel.

NPPC is urging Congress to take steps to ease the federal regulatory burden, including updating the Administrative Procedures Act, which governs the rulemaking process; increasing public participation in developing regulations; and requiring congressional approval for all major regulations – those with an economic impact of $100 million or more.

“Certainly, there must be rules,” said Weber, “but eliminating expensive, confusing and time-consuming regulations and making sure the ones that are necessary aren’t too burdensome will go a long way to ensuring that farmers like me can continue to produce the safest, most abundant food supply in the world.”



Farmer Co-op Manager Discusses Impact of Federal Regulations at House Subcommittee Hearing

Craig Martins, Operations Manager for Three Rivers FS in Dyersville, IA, today testified on behalf of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) and GROWMARK, Inc., at a hearing held by the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade. The hearing examined how federal regulations were impacting America’s small farmers and agricultural cooperatives.

Three Rivers FS is a locally owned agricultural cooperative serving producers in Northeast Iowa that is affiliated with GROWMARK, a regional co-op based in Bloomington, Ill., and a member of NCFC.  As operations manager, Martins’ responsibilities include developing and leading the sales, operations and service teams within Three Rivers FS.

“I applaud this Subcommittee for taking a closer look at how federal regulations affect small businesses,” Martins testified. “Expensive and confusing regulations are detrimental to all small businesses, including farmers and their co-ops.”

Martins highlighted two issues in particular that were impacting the business operations of Three Rivers: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Crane and Derricks in Construction Rule as it applies to propane suppliers and the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Rule for storage of anhydrous ammonia.

OSHA’s Crane Rule would require propane technicians to undergo certification if they use a knuckle-boom or telescoping crane truck to deliver propane tanks to what OSHA considers “constructions sites” or if the technician conducts what are deemed construction activities.

“According to OSHA, a construction site is considered any property where construction activity is taking place whether or not it is associated with or even located near the delivery location,” Martins emphasized. “For example, a technician might need to be certified if he were dropping off a tank on the ground at a house where a second floor bathroom was being remodeled or at a farm where the barn was being painted.”

“Even more problematic is how OSHA defines a construction activity,” he continued. “A technician would not need certification if the tank is simply left on the ground without connecting it to piping. However, if the propane tank is placed on the ground, the boom put away and the technician then connects it, that would be considered a construction activity.”

Martins urged House members to co-sponsor H.R. 5988, the Common Sense Certification Reform Act, which provides regulatory relief for propane field technicians from certification when appropriate.

He also testified about DHS’s regulation of facilities storing and selling anhydrous ammonia to farmers for use as fertilizer. Martins noted that DHS’s guidance was often ambiguous and without explanation, in contravention to DHS’s own rules outlining the Department’s responsibilities in the process. He urged DHS to provide clarity and to provide better tools and resources to help small businesses comply.



NCGA Thanks House Democrats for Renewable Fuel Standard Support

The National Corn Growers Association commends House lawmakers who serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Agriculture Committee for asking EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to stop manipulating the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by granting small refinery exemptions to refiners who are making millions of dollars in profits.

Yesterday, these lawmakers submitted a letter to Administrator Pruitt asking him to provide more information and transparency about RFS exemptions granted and the process for granting those exemptions, calling on him to be more transparent and to stop undercutting the renewable fuels market. They pointed out that taking this action is “inflicting further economic pain in rural communities and throughout the agriculture sector.”

The 12 Representatives who signed on to the letter include: Dave Loebsack – Iowa, Cheri Bustos – Illinois, Paul Tonko – New York, Collin Peterson – Minnesota, Bobby Rush – Illinois, Ann McLane Kuster – New Hampshire, Diana DeGette - Colorado, Tim Walz – Minnesota, Scott Peters - California, Richard Nolan - Minnesota, John Sarbanes - Maryland, and Tom O’Halleran – Arizona.



ACE addressing retail ethanol questions in Mexico again as tribunal overturns blending injunction

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty returned to Mexico this week for the third time this year to speak at a meeting of Mexican petroleum equipment installers and retailers in León about equipment compatibility and other practical considerations when implementing and selling up to E10 blends for the first time. This meeting is part of U.S. Grains Council’s series of technical workshops that ACE has been participating in to address questions from local station owners about how to utilize and profit from using ethanol, and it’s the first workshop being held since a Mexican tribunal overturned an injunction which applied to state-owned oil company Pemex blocking ethanol blending from climbing to 10 percent from 5.8 percent.

“Like we’ve seen as ethanol expanded in the U.S., ethanol’s competitors in Mexico have created roadblocks to higher ethanol use,” Lamberty said. “Those roadblocks cause uncertainty for fuel marketers, delaying their decision to add ethanol. One of those roadblocks was removed last week, when a Mexican court overturned the injunction on Pemex.”

The two workshops Lamberty spoke at this spring took place in Monterrey and Tijuana. The sessions focus on questions that have emerged about using ethanol following changes in Mexican law that took effect in June 2017 and allow up to an E10 blend outside of three major cities (Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara). Last June, shortly after the blend level was raised to 10 percent, was when a judge granted the Pemex injunction which is now overturned. Ethanol opponents are expected to continue litigating the expansion of ethanol in the country.

“Now that E10 is a real possibility in most of Mexico, and “the math” of adding ethanol is so attractive, I explained to these station owners how they can differentiate themselves from competitors and still make better margins,” Lamberty added. “Interest seems to increase each time one of these events is held and it looks like the León workshop has higher attendance than any of the previous events.”

Last year at the request of USGC, Lamberty traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, to meet with members of Association Mexicana De Empresarios Gasolineros (AMEGAS), Mexico’s largest group of gasoline station owners, to discuss challenges and opportunities with offering ethanol blended gasoline. Based on data from the Mexican government, a nationwide E10 blend could create a 1.16 billion gallon per year market for ethanol. ACE will continue to work with USGC to provide information to retailers and others who want to sell more ethanol.



Doggett Selected Interim NCGA CEO
   
Today, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) board has selected Jon Doggett, NCGA Executive Vice President, as Interim CEO. Jon will start in his new capacity on August 1, upon the departure of Chris Novak.

Jon has served as EVP since 2014. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Public Policy, and continues to manage the organization’s 11-person Washington office and lead its public policy efforts.

Raised on his family’s Montana ranch, Doggett has substantial knowledge of production agriculture and more than 30 years of agricultural policy experience.

Before joining NCGA, Doggett served 11 years at the American Farm Bureau Federation, where he was the Bureau’s lead lobbyist on a number of public policy issues, including ethanol, climate change, land use, conservation, and endangered species.

While in Washington, Doggett also worked for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association/Public Lands Council and served as senior legislative assistant for former Montana Congressman Ron Marlenee.

An announcement regarding the formal search process for a permanent CEO will be made at a later date.



USDA Names Jennifer Tucker Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Tucker as Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), part of the Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area.

“Dr. Tucker’s work to strengthen enforcement and improve customer service has already earned her the respect and trust of the program’s many diverse stakeholders,” said AMS Administrator Bruce Summers. “Under her leadership as Deputy Administrator, I am confident that this trusted program will continue to meet the evolving needs of farmers, businesses and American consumers in this rapidly growing agricultural sector.”

Dr. Tucker has served as Associate Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program since 2011. Before joining USDA, she served as a group facilitator and organization development consultant, working primarily with scientific and technical government and non-profit organizations. She earned a B.A. in Environmental Science from Wesleyan University, an M.S. in Management from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Tech.

NOP is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service that develops and enforces national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards for production and distribution. The growth and continuing demand for organic products can be attributed to the strength of the organic standards and trust in the organic industry and seal. Organic products are now found in the majority of U.S. households with Americans spending nearly $50 billion in organic purchases annually. In 2017, certified organic operations grew seven percent in the United States (26,400 operations) and 11-percent across the globe (41,000 operations).

Learn more at www.ams.usda.gov/organic.



 AGCO Expands Canada Parts Facility Expediting Next-Day Parts Delivery for Customers

AGCO Parts, a division of AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, opened a 25,000-sq. ft. expansion to the existing parts distribution centre (PDC) in Regina, Saskatchewan on June 19. The Regina facility is the largest PDC by footprint and inventory value outside of the two North American master facilities located in Kansas City, Mo., and Batavia, Ill., and represents a significant investment in Western Canada by AGCO.

To facilitate faster parts delivery, and decreased equipment downtime for Western Canadian farmers, AGCO Parts increased inventory at the facility by 38 percent. “Our mission is to provide unparalleled customer support. One way we do this is by ensuring we have the right parts at the right place, every time,” said Bill Hurley, vice president of AGCO Aftersales, Customer Support and Distribution Development for North America. “Using historical data on parts inventory movement and the age of machines in the field, we determined which parts our customers use regularly and designed the expansion around that.”

The Regina PDC also will house parts for the new Fendt® IDEALTM combine, the industry's first clean-sheet combine design in 30 years. Other product lines for which parts will be stocked include Massey Ferguson, Challenger®, and Fendt®.

The Regina PDC is one of seven North American parts distribution centres. With the expansion, AGCO is targeting to fulfill 90 percent of order lines out of the PDC for Regina-facing dealers — a fifty percent improvement in only four years. Most important to AGCO customers, though, is that the Regina PDC will now have several options to acquire parts quickly:
-    Local customers can visit the Regina PDC for parts pickup with only a two-hour notice;
-    Parts can be drop shipped;
-    Same-day shipping will be available to 52 of 56 AGCO dealers located in a geographic proximity to the Regina PDC; and
-    There will be weekend service during peak seasons.

The Regina parts distribution centre was established in 1991 and AGCO Parts broke ground on the expansion in September 2017. The facility currently employs eight full-time AGCO Parts staff and eight temporary staff with the potential to add additional employees.

For more information about AGCO or to find a local dealer, visit www.agcocorp.com.