Thursday July 5 Ag News

County Farm Bureaus Host Legislative District 16 Candidate Forum

Those interested in learning more about the candidates running for the District 16 seat in the Nebraska Legislature are invited to participate in a candidate forum sponsored by the Burt, Cuming, and Washington County Farm Bureaus. Candidates Ben Hansen and Chuck Hassebrook are both confirmed to participate.

The candidate forum will be held Wednesday, July 18 at the West Point Community Theater, 237 N. Main St., in West Point. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. The forum will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (CST).

The forum will provide an opportunity for the public to meet and ask questions of the candidates who are seeking to represent District 16 in the Nebraska Legislature. The event is free and open to the public.

The forum will also be broadcast live on KTIC 840 AM and 98.3 FM and www.kticradio.com from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Legislative District 16 encompasses all of Burt, Cuming, and Washington counties. The seat is currently held by Sen. Lydia Brasch, who is unable to seek re-election due to term-limits.



JULY 15 IS DEADLINE TO ENTER NDA’S ANNUAL POULTRY PHOTO CONTEST

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is encouraging 4-H and FFA members to share their passion for poultry by entering NDA’s annual Poultry Photo Contest. The contest highlights the state’s diverse poultry population and raises awareness of biosecurity measures for poultry owners. Entries must be postmarked by July 15, 2018.

“NDA hosts this annual contest to give 4-H and FFA members the opportunity to promote and support Nebraska’s poultry industry by taking photos of the wide variety of birds found in our state,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “It’s exciting to see how creative these photographers are and how committed they are to raising quality poultry and show birds.”

Winners of NDA’s Poultry Photo Contest will be announced during the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. NDA will feature winning photos throughout the year in promotional materials and on social media. NDA will also feature information on biosecurity measures that owners can take to keep their flocks healthy and prevent the spread of diseases.

Virulent or Exotic Newcastle Disease (VND) was discovered earlier this year in a backyard flock on the west coast. Bird owners should be aware of the basics, practice biosecurity measures to help prevent diseases like VND and avian influenza, and know what to do if an outbreak is suspected.

NDA staff members will judge the photo contest entries based on originality, composition and photographic skills. Contest rules and official entry forms are available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov.




Ag Estate Planning Workshop

July 31, 2018 - 9:15 am–3:30 pm
Platte County Extension Office, 2715 13th St., Columbus NE 68601-4916
Contact: Allan Vyhnalek, 402-472-1771, avyhnalek2@unl.edu

This event is designed to help anyone thinking about how they should proceed with plans to retire, exit, or transfer the farm or ranch business. Topics for the workshop will be the importance of having a plan, proper family communications, proper family negotiations, end of life documentation needed, estate planning options using wills, trusts, and/or other business entities.

Cost is $25 for up to two people, additional at $12.50 each. Register by calling 402-563-4901.



Husker researchers on cusp of swine industry protection

Researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are leading research to help producers across the globe fight a devastating swine virus.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a viral pathogen that causes abortion when infecting pregnant sows and pneumonia in young pigs. Additionally, the virus can suppress the pig's immune system, leading to enhanced susceptibility of pigs to other infectious diseases. When a pig contracts the virus, not only does the producer lose the production of that pig, but he or she also has to spend money treating nearby pigs and cleaning the facility. In the United States, PRRSV costs the swine industry over $640 million per year.

Fernando Osorio and Hiep Vu, researchers in the Nebraska Center for Virology, are focused on the development of a universal or broadly protective vaccine that could protect against multiple, if not all of the variants of the virus circulating in the field.

"The challenge to make an effective vaccine is that the virus can mutate, or change very fast. This leads to the co-circulation of many variant forms of the virus in the swine herd," said Osorio. Consequently, the currently available vaccines fail to protect pigs against all forms of the virus in the field.

The researchers have employed an innovative approach in which they combined bioinformatics and molecular techniques to generate a fully synthetic PRRSV strain. Data produced by the group demonstrate that this synthetic PRRSV strain shows tremendous promise in the possibility of developing a live-attenuated vaccine for clinical applications.

Vu grew up on his parent's pork production farm in Vietnam. He has seen firsthand the deadly consequences of PRRSV, which is why he came to the university as a master's student in 2007 to work on the PRRSV vaccine. After completing his master's, doctorate and post-doctoral research with Osorio, Vu is now an assistant professor of animal science.

"I'm hopeful that the product we're able to develop here in the lab can one day be used to help my parents and pork producers everywhere," said Vu.

swine in penAs the project progresses, the researchers believe partners like NUtech Ventures will be critical in bringing their discoveries to industry. NUtech facilitates the commercialization and practical use of innovations generated through research at the university. The PRRSV team is a prior winner of NUtech's Breakthrough Innovation of the Year award.

Along with Vu and Osorio, researchers Asit Pattnaik and Fangrui Ma also contribute to this project, along with post-doctoral research associate Haiyan Sun. The research is conducted at the Nebraska Center for Virology, which combines the expertise of Nebraska's leading biomedical research institutions — the University of Nebraska– Lincoln, University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University — to focus on important viral diseases of humans, plants and animals.



Naig Encourages Farmers to Update Hay and Straw Directory Info

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory. The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw.

"The directory is a tool for both buyers and sellers and we hope farmers will take the time to review and update their information," Naig said. "This directory can serve as an important link between hay producers and those looking to buy, so we encourage Iowans to take advantage of this free directory."

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list.

Names are gathered throughout the year with added emphasis now that hay harvest has started. Sections within the Hay and Straw Directory include "Forage for Sale," "Forage Auctions," "Hay Associations," "Forage Dealers," "Hay Grinders" and "Custom Balers."

Farmers interested in listing should visit the Department's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov. An application form can be found by going to the "Marketing" link on the home page and then clicking on "Hay & Straw" on the right side of the page.

For those without internet access, please call the Hay/Straw Hotline at 800-383-5079. The Department will fax or send a printed copy of the application to be filled out.

The Department is also supporting the Iowa Crop Improvement Association's "Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage and Mulch Certification Program." Through this program Iowa forage and mulch producers can take advantage of many emerging market opportunities for "Certified Weed Free" products. For more specific information on this program producers should contact the Iowa Crop Improvement Association at 515-294-6921. More information can also be found by visiting www.iowacrop.org/Weed_Free.htm.



Ethanol Stocks Edge Higher

Domestic ethanol stocks edged higher for a second straight week during the week-ended June 29 while production eased modestly, Energy Information Administration data shows.

EIA reports ethanol inventories rose 301,000 barrels (bbl) to 21.975 million bbl during the week profiled, a nearly 2% year-over-year supply surplus.

Plant production declined 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.067 million bpd during the week-ended June 29, 5.2% higher than the same time in 2017. Four-week average production at 1.064 million bpd as of June 29 was 58,000 bpd higher than the corresponding four weeks in 2017.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand, increased 3,000 bpd to 950,000 bpd during the week-ended June 29, 5,000 bpd higher than a year ago. For the four weeks ended June 29, blending demand averaged 945,000 bpd, steady with the same period in 2017.



USGC Emphasizes Commitment To Trading Partnership Following Mexican Elections

The election of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a left-of-center populist, as Mexico’s next president on July 1 will add new elements to the already-complex U.S.-Mexico trading relationship, negotiations for a revised North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the global grains marketplace.

In the midst of this political and market ambiguity, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) remains committed to defending and maintaining the long-standing partnership with top customers in Mexico.

“Mexico is the most important global market for U.S. grains and related products, supported by the most valuable trade agreement in place for U.S. grain producers and exporters - NAFTA,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and chief executive officer. “Last year, Mexico was the top buyer for U.S. corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a strong market for U.S. sorghum and barley and an emerging market for U.S. ethanol.”

U.S. exports to Mexico benefit from geographic proximity and the duty-free access provided by NAFTA. Mexico set a new record as the largest export market for U.S. corn in 2016/2017, purchasing 13.9 million metric tons (547.2 million bushels) worth $2.5 billion. Mexico was also the top market for U.S. DDGS, importing 2.06 million tons in 2016/2017. Since NAFTA entered into force, Mexican imports of these two commodities have increased 845 percent and 945 percent, respectively.

Mexico continues to rank as the top U.S. corn market in the 2017/2018 marketing year (September 2017-April 2018), increasing purchases by eight percent from last year despite ongoing NAFTA talks. Mexico is also the number one buyer of U.S. DDGS with purchases of 1.43 million tons thus far to meet the need for high-quality feed from the country’s livestock sector.

The Council has maintained an office in Mexico City for more than 35 years, working closely with Mexican traders, feed industry members and livestock producers to develop mutually-beneficial trading relationships and integrated supply chains. Programs throughout the country are continuing to seek additional untapped demand, including from the country’s rapidly-growing livestock sector, large industrial and small craft brewers and an evolving energy sector looking closely at biofuels.

The Council’s team in Mexico will continue long-term market development work and new outreach to incoming agricultural and other agency leaders as the government prepares for López Obrador to assume the presidency later in 2018. The proposed minister of agriculture, Victor Villalobos, is a plant scientist and former official at the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food, familiar to U.S. agriculture organizations.

“The Mexican election was historic and also injects new elements into the already complicated U.S.-Mexico trading relationship and global grain markets,” Sleight said. “While a cause for vigilance, it is also the best reason to continue our strong engagement in Mexico, talking with customers, working with local government officials and communicating with leaders there and back here in the United States to emphasize how critical this relationship is to our success as an industry.”

"As this new uncertainty enters the marketplace and NAFTA negotiations, our staff in Washington and Mexico City will continue working closely with all stakeholders to ensure – as best we can - our trade remains open, fair and beneficial to all parties."



Scandal-Plagued EPA Administrator Pruitt Resigns

(AP) — President Donald Trump says he has accepted the resignation of scandal-plagued Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Pruitt had become a constant source of embarrassment to a president who had entered Washington promising to “Drain the Swamp.”

Pruitt has faced an array of ethical questions about his travel spending, security costs, dealings with industry lobbyists and misuse of government resources.

He had denied wrongdoing in the face of multiple congressional and oversight inquiries.

Despite the scandals, Trump has been approving of Pruitt’s efforts to reduce regulations that the administration says curb business growth. Trump writes on Twitter, “Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job.”

Activists have argued those cuts have endangered the environment.

Trump tweets that Deputy Administrator Andrew Wheeler will assume the acting administrator position Monday.



NCGA Statement on EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s Resignation

The following is a statement from North Dakota farmer Kevin Skunes, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s resignation.

“It’s no secret corn farmers have been frustrated with Scott Pruitt’s ongoing actions over the past year that have seriously undermined the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“Even with this leadership change at the EPA, our priorities do not change. We will continue to push the EPA to stop granting unjustified RFS waivers. We expect the EPA to account for the more than 1.6 billion gallons the agency waived from 2016 and 2017 RFS obligations, and we will continue ask EPA to follow through on the president’s commitment to remove outdated regulations to allow higher blends of ethanol like E15 to be sold year-round. We are hopeful Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler will work with America’s corn farmers to give consumers more options at the pump to save them money and reduce emissions and provide farmers with certainty in the marketplace that comes with RFS integrity.”

Quote from Emily Skor, CEO, Growth Energy
“Administrator Pruitt’s tenure as administrator of the EPA put a heavy strain on this administration’s relationship with supporters, farmers, and biofuel producers across the heartland. We urge the EPA under the new leadership of acting Administrator Wheeler to reinforce those bonds and work as a partner to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the White House in efforts to revitalize rural communities and unleash American biofuels. He can start today by reversing the demand destruction caused by EPA waivers, acting on the president’s pledge to unlock E15, and upholding a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).”



Farmers for Free Trade Releases Statement from Indiana Soy Farmer and FFT Executive Director as China Trade War Escalates

Farmers for Free Trade today released two statements on the coming imposition of Section 301 and corresponding retaliatory tariffs between the U.S. and China.

Statement from Brent Bible soy and corn producer in Romney, Indiana:
“For soybean producers like me this is a direct financial hit. This is money out of my pocket. These tariffs could mean the difference between a profit and a loss for an entire year’s worth of work out in the field, and that’s only in the near term. Over the long haul, soybean producers are deeply concerned that China will continue to substitute American soy with soy from our global competitors. The losses these tariffs represent can't and shouldn't be made up by government programs. Frustration is growing quickly in the heartland, we need this solved now.”

Statement from Brian Kuehl, Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade:
“The evidence of pain from a now multi-front trade war is multiplying every day. From China canceling soybean orders, to cheese exports to Mexico plummeting, to farm equipment prices rising, the stories of financial loss are now rolling in from farms across America. Today’s actions will only create more nightmare stories of farmer’s livelihoods being squeezed.

"American farmers want trade, not tariffs. They want to compete and win, not be “protected” by Washington D.C. from the foreign markets they’ve dominated for decades. This won’t get solved by subsidies or blank checks. We need this Administration to end the trade war and to open new markets so farmers can get back to doing what they do best: selling made in America ag products across the globe."



USDA Dairy Products May 2018 Production Highlights
Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.09 billion pounds, 1.4 percent above May 2017 and 1.7 percent above April 2018.  Italian type cheese production totaled 457 million pounds, 1.1 percent above May 2017 and 0.4 percent above April 2018.  American type cheese production totaled 443 million pounds, 0.1 percent below May 2017 and 0.1 percent below April 2018.  Butter production was 168 million pounds, 2.8 percent above May 2017 but 4.2 percent below April 2018.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with May 2017)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 160 million pounds, down 4.5 percent.
Skim milk powder - 50.4 million pounds, down 1.3 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with May 2017)
Dry whey, total - 85.6 million pounds, up 3.2 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 93.5 million pounds, down 0.2 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 41.5 million pounds, down 0.2 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with May 2017)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 65.7 million gallons, down 9.0 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 45.6 million gallons, down 0.3 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.54 million gallons, down 1.2 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 5.38 million gallons, down 6.7 percent.



Inspection and Testing Ensures Accuracy of Grain Moisture Meters

The weights and measures program at the Kansas Department of Agriculture has announced that they have renewed efforts to ensure accuracy of commercial grain moisture meters across the state. KDA inspectors have been working with industry and service companies throughout the spring and summer to emphasize the importance of annual testing.

As of July 1, 2018, commercial grain moisture meters which are used to determine grain moisture dockage must have had an inspection and test performed by a licensed service company within the past year. Inspection and testing will need to be performed at least once every 365 days thereafter. KDA inspectors will determine, during their routine inspections, whether grain moisture meters are present and if used commercially the inspectors will verify the required inspection and test have been performed.

At the time of the inspection the service company is required to leave an inspection report which must be kept on site for five years. The service company shall also keep a copy for five years and send a copy to KDA. A list of service companies licensed to inspect and test grain moisture meters in Kansas can be found at agriculture.ks.gov/WMdocuments.

Inspecting and testing moisture meters will protect equity in the marketplace, ensuring both sellers and buyers are getting accurate grain moisture measurements which meet industry standards. Commercial grain moisture meters can be found at grain elevators, feed lots, flour mills, feed mills, food processing plants, and ethanol plants. Grain moisture meters may also be considered commercial for some farm uses such as determining crop shares or determining grain storage or handling fees in some cases.

The weights and measures program plays an important role in KDA’s mission to serve Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses and provide consumer protection. For more information please contact Doug Musick, KDA weights and measures program manager, at doug.musick@ks.gov or 785-564-6681.



USDA Announces United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board Appointments

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of four members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board.

Producers newly appointed to serve three-year terms are:
    Craig A. Poore, Alton, Kansas
    Boyd Funk, Garden City, Kansas
    Jim Massey IV, Robstown, Texas
    Adam Schindler, Reliance, South Dakota (At-Large)

“The United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board works to help increase demand for sorghum both domestically and internationally. Last year, more than $1 billion of U.S. sorghum was sold in more than 21 countries around the world” said Perdue. “I truly appreciate the time and expertise these individuals have agreed to give to guide their industry and help it thrive.”

The 13-member board is composed of nine sorghum farmers who represent Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma, the three states with the largest sorghum production, and four at-large national representatives. More information about the board is available on AMS’ United Sorghum Checkoff Program page and on the National Sorghum Board website.