Tuesday June 5 Ag News

NE Extension Feedlot Webinar on Antimicrobial Resistance, June 27
Nebraska Extension is offering a new way to get information on timely beef topics in a series of hosted webinars. The webinars will be on select Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST, and will feature discussions from participants to determine educational needs on new topics, presentations by experts, and updates on current activities. The educational presentations will be recorded and posted at beef.unl.edu for later viewing.

Past webinar topics and speakers included:
•    February 28 – Impact of BRD on Subsequent Performance, Dr. Clint Krehbiel
•    March 28 – Heat Stress Preparedness, Terry Mader
•    April 25 – Runoff Pond Monitoring Requirements, Amy Schmidt
•    May 30 – Fly Control in the Feedyard, Dave Boxler

The final webinar in the series is set....
•    June 27 – Antimicrobial Resistance: Is it Everywhere?   Speaker:  Terry Arthur

To join the webinars live visit, https://unl.zoom.us/j/801256438. To access the webinars using a telephone, dial 408-638-0968 or 646-876-9923. The meeting ID is 801-256-438.

For more information, contact Galen Erickson at 402-472-6402 or gerickson4@unl.edu.



NeBC Director's Conference Call

The Nebraska Beef Council will host a Board of Director's conference call on Friday, June 8, 2018 beginning at Noon central to discuss foreign marketing. For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org.



NE Jr. Beef Expo Results

June 2-3, 2018
Northeast Community College, Norfolk, NE

Kolton Rasmussen, Newman Grove, NE, received Supreme Market Animal honors. Kolton represented the Chianina breed and received $200 from the NJBE. Cassidee Stratman, West Point, NE, received Reserve Supreme Market Animal honors. Cassidee represented the Chianina breed and received $125 from the NJBE.

Congratulations to Berren Strope, O'Neill, NE, for the Supreme Overall High Percentage Breeding Female. Berren represented the Maine Anjou breed and received $200 from the NJBE. Congrats also to Abby Nelson, Valparaiso, NE, for the Reserve Supreme Overall High Percentage Breeding Female. Abby represented the Simmental breed and received $125 from the NJBE.

Congratulations to Abby Nelson, Valparaiso, NE for the Supreme Overall Low Percentage Breeding Female. Abby represented the Maine Anjou breed and received $200 from the NJBE. Congrats also to Jaclyn Frey, Albion, NE, for the Reserve Supreme Overall Low Percentage Breeding Female. Jaclyn represented the Chianina breed and received $125 from the NJBE.

Abby Nelson, Valparaiso, NE also won the Supreme Bred & Owned with the same ½ blood Simmental/Maine Anjou in the Bred & Owned Division and received a $200 check from the NJBE and Berren Strope, O’Neill, NE, won Reserve Bred & Owned and received a check for $125 at the NJBE.

Winning Supreme Sr. Showmanship was Abby Nelson, Valparaiso, NE, representing the Simmental breed.  She won a $200 check from the NJBE and Reserve Supreme Sr. Showmanship honors went to Tejlor Strope, O’Neill, NE representing the Shorthorn breed. Tejlor received a $125 check from the NJBE.

Winning Supreme Jr. Showmanship was Berren Strope, O’Neill, NE, representing the Maine Anjou breed.  He won a $200 check from the NJBE and Reserve Supreme Jr. Showmanship honors went to Dylan Russman, Wisner, NE representing the Charolais breed. Dylan received a $125 check from the NJBE.

Receiving the 2018 NE Jr. Beef Expo Overall Supreme Honors- Senior Division in all contests held on Saturday went to Trisha Dybdal, Newcastle, NE representing the Charolais breed. She received a jacket sponsored by Citizens State Bank, Ericson, NE. 

Reserve Overall Supreme Honors -Sr. Division in all contests held on Saturday went to Abby Nelson, representing the Simmental breed. She received a jacket sponsored by G-S Livestock Productions, Greg and Susan Gehl, Ericson, NE.

Receiving the 2018 NE Jr. Beef Expo Overall Supreme Honors- Junior Division in all contests held on Saturday went to Madison Hirschman, St. Paul, NE representing the Red Angus breed. She received a jacket sponsored by Citizens State Bank, Ericson, NE. 

Reserve Overall Supreme Honors -Jr. Division in all contests held on Saturday went to Dax Behmer, representing the Charolais breed. He received a jacket sponsored by G-S Livestock Productions, Greg and Susan Gehl, Ericson, NE.

Winning the $500 scholarship from the NJBE was Neleigh Gehl, Ericson, NE.  Her parents are Greg and Susan Gehl, Ericson, NE.



NAYI PROMOTES LEADERSHIP, CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN AG

The Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) is a unique experience for students interested in agriculture to learn about leadership, personal growth and ag-related career opportunities. More than 200 Nebraska high school juniors and seniors will serve as delegates at this year’s 47th annual NAYI, July 9-13, in Lincoln. NAYI is sponsored in part by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

"NAYI is an excellent way for Nebraska's youth to explore agricultural career opportunities and increase their knowledge and passion for agriculture,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “NAYI is the longest running program of its kind in the nation, helping to ensure that there are enough young professionals interested in ag-related careers to meet the growing needs of agriculture in the future.”

During the five-day Institute held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus, delegates participate in agriculture policy and group discussions as well as career development activities. Motivational speakers and a farm management program help delegates grow their leadership potential and strengthen their pride in Nebraska agriculture. The week also provides delegates an opportunity to network with industry leaders, top-notch speakers and ag representatives.

Since its start, NAYI has shared the importance of agriculture with nearly 6,200 youth from across the state. Delegates apply for and are selected to attend the Institute free of charge due to numerous donations from agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations.

“I thank all of our sponsors for their investment in Nebraska youth and agriculture and for their continued support of NAYI,” said Wellman. “Their generous contributions have helped make NAYI a strong foundation for the youth of Nebraska and the future of our farming, ranching and ag-related industries.

NAYI events and additional youth learning opportunities throughout the year are organized by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC). NDA selects Council members who are passionate about agriculture and who want to teach young Nebraskans about the state’s leading industry. This year’s Council is comprised of 21 college-age men and women from across the state. To learn more about NAYC or NAYI, visit the NAYI website at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi/. Or, keep an eye on NAYI activities on Facebook by searching and liking the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, and/or on Twitter, by following the_nayc or #NAYI18.



Formation of Nebraska Food Council leads to statewide food assessment

In Nebraska, residents spend nearly $5 billion annually on food. Approximately 90 percent of that money leaves the state, according to a 2015 Center for Rural Affairs report.

The study prompted Center staff to take a deeper look into food systems in their home state. Staff hosted a public panel and discussion alongside expert Mark Winne, a community food systems and food policy council expert. The conversation centered on what makes strong, regional food systems and how food policy councils inform the public and policymakers.

“Food and economic security in rural communities is directly related to community development,” said Sandra Renner, project specialist at Center for Rural Affairs. “We found, in many rural areas, food purchased at grocery stores is imported, and dollars spent for this food ultimately end up out of state.”

As a result of the dialogue, partners from across the state formed the Nebraska Food Council. Members include Robert Bernt, Clear Creek Organics, Spalding; Katie Jantzen, West End Farm, Plymouth; Vern Jantzen, Nebraska Farmers Union, Plymouth; Brent Lubbert, Big Muddy Urban Farm, Omaha; Shawn Koch, ASC Lockers, West Point; Denny Hogeland, KDK Meats, Bridgeport; Beth Kearnes Krause, Nebraska Food Cooperative, Julian; Nazim Khan, executive chef, Bryan Medical Center, Lincoln; Nathan Morgan, The Big Garden, Omaha; Jessica Davies, Panhandle Public Health, Hemingford; Ashley Frevert, Community Action of Nebraska, Lincoln; Chuck Francis, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln; Vanessa Wielenga, University of Nebraska Extension, Lincoln; and Terrell McKinney, Nebraska Appleseed, Omaha.

“Members of the council hope to provide opportunities for local food system leadership to the general council membership, local councils, and members of the ad hoc committees,” said Renner. “The council focuses on issues like equitable food access, land access, capital needs for beginners, developing markets, and distribution networks.”

The partners will also concentrate on engaging underserved voices in the food system, supporting food councils across the state.

The first project is a statewide food system assessment conducted in partnership with Megan McGuffey, a Ph.D candidate studying food and farm issues at University of Nebraska - Omaha. Results will be released this fall.

For more information, or to get involved, contact Sandra Renner at sandrar@cfra.org or 402.687.2100 ext. 1009 or visit cfra.org/growing-healthy-food-systems. Upcoming workshops for local food system leaders will be posted at cfra.org/events.

The Nebraska Food Council is supported by a steering committee, Center for Rural Affairs, and Nebraskans for Peace, and is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Food Systems planning grant.



WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS TO RESULT FROM NEW RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MONSANTO AND IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Monsanto Company, along with its subsidiary, The Climate Corporation, today announced a partnership with the Iowa State University (ISU) Department of Agronomy to create an infrastructure project designed to monitor water quality and downstream nitrate loss. The project will provide researchers with valuable information on management practices that help keep nitrogen fertilizer from entering surrounding waterways.   

 Monsanto and The Climate Corporation invested more than $300,000 to fund the initial installation of the infrastructure, which features a system of drainage tiles and water monitoring equipment on 30 acres of ISU research plots. The installation will be owned and operated by the University.

 “We are fortunate to partner with Iowa State University on agricultural research that advances innovation to solve challenges like water quality,” said Sam Eathington, chief science officer of Monsanto and The Climate Corporation. “Insights from this research will help stakeholders across the industry better understand how modern agriculture practices and technologies drive productivity, optimize the use of key inputs and deliver sustainability benefits on the farm.”

 Nitrogen is a nutrient critical for plant growth and development, and the addition of nitrogen fertilizer is a common practice in crop management. Climactic conditions such as heavy rainfall and temperature changes, combined with the natural soil processes can lead to situations where nitrogen is susceptible to loss to nearby waterways. The research conducted within this new infrastructure will produce water samples, flow information and weather data against a backdrop of different farming application practices and nitrogen use in order to better understand which practices can reduce nitrate runoff.

 “Farmers are the primary benefactors of this partnership with Monsanto and The Climate Corporation,” said Dr. Kendall Lamkey, department chair of the Iowa State University Department of Agronomy. “Our goal is always to conduct research that makes their lives easier, more productive and more profitable while minimizing the impact to our natural resources.”

 The ISU Department of Agronomy is currently in the process of identifying the best site for this project. Under consideration are three ISU-owned farms located between Ames and Huxley, Iowa.



GLISAN HIRED AS STATE CLIMATOLOGIST FOR THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that Dr. Justin Glisan has been hired as the new State Climatologist within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. He started on May 29, 2018. He replaces Harry Hillaker, who retired earlier this year following a 37 year career with the Department.

“The weather is always a lively topic of conversation and we are excited to have Dr. Glisan on board in this important role. The State Climatologist ensures we have comprehensive weather records for the state so we can put current weather events in the correct historical context,” Naig said.
As the State Climatologist, Dr. Glisan will compile and process Iowa climate data for current and future weather data research needs. This includes preparing the weekly weather summary for the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from April 1 through Nov. 30 and the monthly Iowa weather summary.

Dr. Glisan graduated from Iowa State University in 2012 and continued as a post-doctoral atmospheric scientist until he was hired as a research atmospheric scientist by Iowa State. He’s also participated in many research projects at Iowa State University and the University of Missouri, including in-depth research on extreme precipitation and temperature extremes and their causal mechanisms.



Iowa Learning Farms Webinar on Creating Conservation Legacy through Farm Lease

An Iowa Learning Farms webinar will cover how to leave a conservation legacy by writing conservation into farm leases and how to incorporate cover crops on acres with manure application. The webinar will air Wednesday, June 20 at 12 p.m.

Sara Berges, project coordinator with the Allamakee Soil and Water Conservation District, has worked for the Allamakee SWCD for eight years coordinating different watershed and county-wide projects. Berges is currently funded through a grant with the Leopold Center that allows her to work with landowners to add conservation in farm leases by updating conservation plans. As an extension of this work, she helps producers write legacy reports that document their conservation efforts and goals for their land.

“Conservation is often left out of lease discussions, but it is vital for ensuring that the land is able to be farmed for years to come,” Berges said. “I want people to look outside the conservation box, start with a conversation, and brainstorm about what can work and why.”

Another part of the project involves helping producers figure out how to include cover crops on acres that have manure application.

“Cover crops are the biggest topic in conservation practices right now but are often not planted on acres with manure application due to timing issues,” Berges said. “This project’s focus is working with landowners and producers to figure out how to make these different things work for their operations.”

The Iowa Learning Farms webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of the month. To watch, go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ shortly before 12 p.m., June 20 and log in through the guest option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for watching at any time at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.



U.S. Pork Producers Respond to Mexican Retaliation

Mexico today levied punitive tariffs – 10 percent effective today, escalating to 20 percent on July 5 – on unprocessed pork (not including variety meats) in retaliation for tariffs on its metal exports to the United States. Mexico’s decision follows similar retaliation in early April by China, which imposed additional 25 percent tariffs on U.S. pork, reducing live hog values by as much as $18 per animal on an annualized basis. The following statement may be attributed to Jim Heimerl, NPPC president and a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio.

“The toll on rural America from escalating trade disputes with critically important trade partners is mounting.  Mexico is U.S. pork’s largest export market, representing nearly 25 percent of all U.S. pork shipments last year. A 20 percent tariff eliminates our ability to compete effectively in Mexico. This is devastating to my family and pork producing families across the United States.

“We appreciate the variety of interests and issues the Trump administration is balancing in its trade negotiations with Mexico, China and other countries. While producers are trying to be good soldiers, we’re taking on water fast. The president has said that he would not abandon farmers. We take him at his word.”

The U.S. pork sector sustains more than 500,000 jobs across rural America. More than 110,000 of these jobs are directly tied to exports of American pork.



Farmers for Free Trade Statement on Mexican Retaliation on 232 Tariffs

Farmers for Free Trade Deputy Director Angela Hofmann released the following statement after the immediate imposition of tariffs of 10 and 20 percent on U.S. ag exports in retaliation for steel and aluminum tariffs.

“These tariffs will exact immediate and painful consequences on many American farmers.  Hog, apple, potato and dairy farmers are among those suddenly facing a 10 or 20 percent tax hike on the exports they depend of for their livelihoods. Farmers need certainty and open markets to make ends meet. Right now they are getting chaos and protectionism.

“The Mexican market has been a windfall from American farmers. Over the last 25 years, American exports to Mexico have increased fivefold. Escalating trade tensions that have resulted in today’s tariffs put that growth at risk.

“These are self-inflicted wounds. Farmers deserve better.”



USDA and FDA Announce Key Step to Advance Collaborative Efforts to Streamline Produce Safety Requirements for Farmers

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing effort to make the oversight of food safety stronger and more efficient, USDA and FDA today announced the alignment of the USDA Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices Audit Program (USDA H-GAP) with the requirements of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA’s) Produce Safety Rule.

The new step is part of an ongoing effort to streamline produce safety requirements for farmers. The joint announcement was made by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., during a visit by the Secretary to the FDA’s White Oak campus in Silver Spring, Md.

“Government should make things easier for our customers whenever possible and these important improvements help accomplish that goal,” said Secretary Perdue. “Specialty crop farmers who take advantage of a USDA Harmonized GAP audit now will have a much greater likelihood of passing a FSMA inspection as well. This means one stop at USDA helps producers meet federal regulatory requirements, deliver the safest food in the world and grow the market for American-grown food. This is an important first step. We look forward to continuing to work with FDA, other government agencies and especially our state partners to ensure proper training of auditors and inspectors, and to help producers understand changes in the audit.”

While the requirements of both programs are not identical, the relevant technical components in the FDA Produce Safety Rule are covered in the USDA H-GAP Audit Program. The aligned components include areas such as biological soil amendments; sprouts; domesticated and wild animals; worker training; health and hygiene; and equipment, tools and buildings. The alignment will help farmers by enabling them to assess their food safety practices as they prepare to comply with the Produce Safety Rule. However, the USDA audits are not a substitute for FDA or state regulatory inspections.

“We’re committed to working with USDA to pursue our shared goal of advancing food safety in a way that is efficient and helps farmers meet our regulatory standards. By working together, our two programs can advance these efforts more effectively,” said Commissioner Gottlieb. “Today’s announcement will help FDA and states better prioritize our inspectional activities by using USDA H-GAP audit information to prioritize inspectional resources and ultimately enhance our overall ability to protect public health. Inspections are key to helping to ensure that produce safety standards are being met, but they only provide a snapshot in time. Leveraging the data and work being done by USDA will provide us with more information so that we can develop a clearer understanding of the safety and vulnerabilities on produce farms as well as concentrate our oversight and resources where they are most needed.”

The Produce Safety Rule, which went into effect on Jan. 26, 2016, establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The rule is part of the FDA’s ongoing efforts to implement FSMA. Large farming operations were required to comply with the rule in January 2018. However, the FDA had previously announced that inspections to assess compliance with the Produce Safety Rule for produce other than sprouts would not begin until Spring 2019. Small and very small farms have additional time to comply.

The USDA Harmonized GAP Audit Program is an audit developed as part of the Produce GAP Harmonization Initiative, an industry-driven effort to develop food safety GAP standards and audit checklists for pre-harvest and post-harvest operations. The Initiative is a collaborative effort on the part of growers, shippers, produce buyers, audit organizations and government agencies, including USDA. The USDA Harmonized GAP audit, in keeping with the Initiative’s goals, is applicable to all fresh produce commodities, all sizes of on-farm operations and all regions in the United States. For more information visit: www.ams.usda.gov.

Today’s announcement builds on a formal agreement signed earlier this year outlining plans to increase interagency coordination regarding produce safety, inspections of dual-jurisdiction facilities and biotechnology activities. The FDA and USDA are committed to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure that the requirements and expectations of the USDA H-GAP Audit Program remain aligned with the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule.

Farmers who are interested in learning more about this alignment and what they can do to prepare for compliance with the Produce Safety Rule can contact their regional representative of the Produce Safety Network or find more information at www.FDA.gov.



Ag Transportation Summit to focus on linking growing U.S. ag production  with expanding demand

"Connecting Growing Supply with Growing Demand" will be the theme and focus of the third Agricultural Transportation Summit conference to be conducted on July 25-26 at the Westin Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Va.

Jointly hosted by the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), and sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service, this year's conference will occur at a particularly pivotal time as the U.S. transportation network is challenged to move increasing volumes of agricultural products and other freight.

The summit will bring together leaders from agricultural producer and commodity organizations, agribusinesses, Congress and government agencies to focus on the importance of rail, inland waterways, ports and truck transportation to the competitiveness and profitability of U.S. agriculture. Another goal of the summit is to galvanize stakeholders to proactively promote modernization of the U.S. transportation infrastructure and to develop and coordinate strategies for pursuing future enhancements. The conference will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, and conclude on Thursday, July 26.

"U.S. farmers continue to demonstrate an ability to feed a growing and hungry planet," said STC Chairman Gerry Hayden, a soybean, corn, wheat and cattle producer from Calhoun, Ky. "However, to remain profitable, we must not only produce what customers demand but also be able to transport it to them in a cost effective, reliable manner. Several aspects of our transportation system are under some stress in that regard, and those challenges must be addressed for U.S. agriculture to remain competitive."

"Each of our transportation modes is facing challenges that we need to work collaboratively to address," added NGFA Chairman Eric Wilkey, president of Arizona Grain Inc., Casa Grande, Ariz. "Over the past year, the lack of predictable, reliable rail service has affected shippers and receivers adversely in several regions, leading to plant shutdowns or slowdowns in several instances. Also looming is the continued challenge of rehabilitating the locks and dams on the inland waterways system that are well beyond their 50-year life span. There also are challenges facing the motor carrier industry, whether it be the condition of our roads and bridges, costly regulatory requirements or access to drivers in a tight labor market."

NGFA and STC emphasized the importance of agricultural shippers and receivers, and agricultural producers, as well as representatives of the transportation sector, attending this year's event.  

"It's important that agricultural stakeholders, transportation providers from all three modes and government come together to ensure that the U.S. transportation system remains a key competitive advantage for U.S. agriculture," NGFA and STC said.

Overview of Ag Transportation Challenges: An overview of the conditions and challenges confronting agricultural transportation will be presented by Ken Eriksen, senior vice president for energy and transportation at Informa Economics, Memphis, Tenn.

Rail Session: Key executives U.S. Class I railroads will engage in an interactive question-and-answer session on ways to ensure sufficient rail capacity is available to serve U.S. agriculture. Confirmed speakers include representatives from BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, CSX Transportation Co., Norfolk Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Canadian National Railway also has been invited to participate. Surface Transportation Board Chairman Ann Begeman, whose agency is responsible for regulatory oversight of the freight rail industry, also is confirmed to address the summit on key rail policy initiatives.

Inland Waterways and Ports: The top official for the federal agency responsible for construction, operations and maintenance of the inland waterways system and ports - Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works R.D. James - will headline the waterways and ports session. Other confirmed speakers include Michael Toohey, president and chief executive officer of Waterways Council Inc., which represents the barge and towboat industry. The conference also will feature a port panel consisting of Sean Duffy, executive director of the Big River Coalition, Tom Capozzi, chief sales officer for the Port of Virginia, and Mark Wilson, executive director of the Port of Kalama, Wash. The port session will be moderated by Jim Walker, director of navigation policy and legislation for the American Association of Port Authorities.

Motor Carrier Focus: A top executive officer of one of the nation's leading motor carrier companies has been invited to discuss the technology changes occurring in trucking, as well as the labor and regulatory challenges being confronted by the sector. In addition, a panel of state transportation department directors from Iowa, Michigan and North Dakota will discuss how their states are approaching transportation infrastructure needs, including highways, rural roads and bridges, and inland waterways.

Innovation Sessions: The summit also will feature two sessions on emerging technology and innovations in transportation. Sal Litrico of American Patriot Holdings LLC, Miami, Fla., will discuss a new technology for shipping containers. Another session will examine the use of block chain technology in the transportation sector, as well as a project being developed by NGFA to enable barge shippers to utilize electronic transmission of barge-trading documents, including bills of lading.

Special Workshop on Prioritizing Ag Infrastructure Projects: As an add-on to the formal program, there also will be a luncheon and special workshop conducted on July 26 from noon to 4:30 p.m. by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service concerning a research project being conducted on how to prioritize future transportation infrastructure investment for agricultural export supply chains. Importantly, this will be the final opportunity for agricultural stakeholders to provide input on the research before the project concludes. The research is being conducted for USDA by Washington State University and Texas A&M University's Transportation Institute and AgriLife Extension.

Registration: The early bird registration fee is $295 per person until July 7. Onsite registration is $350 per person. Register and get more information online here at www.ngfa.org.