Wednesday September 19 Ag News

Nebraska Farm Bureau Works to Lower Health Costs for Farmers and Ranchers; Unveils New Large Group Association Health Plan

For the first time, individual farm and ranch families in Nebraska will have the opportunity to join Nebraska Farm Bureau’s (NEFB) new large group Association Health Plan (AHP) and avoid the higher cost of premiums in the individual health insurance market.  

NEFB has announced the formation of a new large group AHP for its farmer, rancher and, agribusiness members and a new partnership with Medica to be the carrier of health insurance products within the AHP. It will be officially marketed as the “Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan” and qualifying NEFB members can sign up for this more affordable health coverage during an Oct. 1 to Dec. 1, 2018 open enrollment period.

“I don’t think there has been a group of individuals hurt more by the high cost of health insurance than farm and ranch families. By establishing this new AHP for our qualified members, we know it will help cut costs associated with health insurance premiums,” NEFB President Steve Nelson said.

Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and those who work in agribusiness, have faced significant challenges with increasing costs tied to individual health insurance. In fact, nearly 400 farmers and ranchers who took part in NEFB’s listening sessions across the state this summer said the affordability of health care, health insurance, and access to both, was one of, if not the highest issue on their list of concerns.

“The last couple of years we have heard stories from farmers and ranchers about the high cost of health insurance for their families. When farm and ranch families in Nebraska are facing $25,000 to $40,000 per year for health insurance premiums, the financial stress on those family operations are extremely high, very emotional, and can easily impact whether they can stay in the business of agriculture.” Nelson said.

This is why NEFB established a new consortium of qualifying NEFB members, creating the Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Employee Insurance Consortium was created to sponsor and to manage the Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan and to help comply with state and federal laws for AHPs. The Consortium has partnered with Medica to provide this new health insurance option, which is a way to lower health insurance premiums by grouping farmers, ranchers, and certain agribusinesses so they can be in a larger more risk stabilizing pool, Nelson said.

“We have listened to the concerns of farmers and ranchers and believe this new AHP will present a great opportunity and we think the only opportunity of Nebraska farmers and ranchers to form a large risk group to help lower premiums,” Nelson said.

The Consortium is led by a seven-member board of employer members of NEFB located throughout the state. President of the Consortium, long-time Farm Bureau member Tom Schwarz of Bertrand, NE, knows that the cost of health insurance has been a real emotional and financial strain in agriculture the last several years.

“I am looking forward to seeing how much my family will save from this plan. As far as my own farm operation, we have literally lost employees because I could not offer them health insurance benefits because of their high costs. We think the opportunities created by this new Association Health Plan will give farmers and ranchers like me some opportunities to lower health insurance costs and recruit and retain employees. I certainly look forward to helping NEFB and the Consortium develop these new and more affordable health insurance products,” Schwarz said. 

Medica has developed coverage options, premiums, and other provisions for the Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan. They are working with Farm Bureau agents to sell the new and exclusive health care products. Farm Bureau agents will be available to help resolve benefit questions or issues and provide ongoing support to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan.

“We are delighted to bring another health coverage option to the farmers and ranchers in Nebraska because it gives them a greater say in their health plan choices moving forward,” said Geoff Bartsh, Medica vice president of individual and family business. “Nebraskans can be confident that the Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan will meet their needs and that Medica will continue to be in the state, earning their trust every single day.”

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan is a regulated AHP and is a fully insured product through Medica that provides consumer protections. It is available to all eligible NEFB members regardless of health status. If you are interested in learning more about the Nebraska Farm Bureau Member Health Plan contact any Farm Bureau Financial Services agent.

“We welcome Nebraska farmers, ranchers, or agribusinesses to join our organization and take advantage of the opportunities of our Association Health Plan in the years ahead,” Nelson said.  



New Director Named for Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University

An Iowa State University professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering has been named the new director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center.

Matt Helmers, professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and extension agricultural engineer, began his duties on Sept. 1. Helmers succeeds Hongwei Xin, assistant dean of research for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, who served as interim director since 2017.

Helmers joined Iowa State in 2003. He serves as the agricultural and biosystems engineering department’s associate chair for research and extension and holds the title of Dean’s Professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“Dr. Helmers is well-known among Iowa farmers and water quality researchers as an exceptional scientist and a trusted source of information about nutrient management,” said Joe Colletti, interim endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “His leadership of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center is a significant new chapter in addressing the goals set forth in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.”

Helmers was part of the scientific team that worked on the strategy’s Nonpoint Source Science Assessment, serving as its nitrogen team chair. He served on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board Agricultural Science Committee from 2016 to 2018.

The Iowa Nutrient Research Center has committed $8.7 million to 76 research projects since it was created in 2013 by the Iowa Board of Regents in response to legislation passed by the Iowa Legislature. The center funds research by scientists at Iowa State, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa to address nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient losses to surface waters. They pursue science-based approaches to areas that include evaluating the performance of current and emerging nutrient management practices and providing recommendations on implementing the practices and developing new practices.

Helmers is involved in research and extension and outreach activities in the areas of water management and water quality. One focus area is subsurface drainage and the impacts of agricultural management on nutrient export from subsurface drained lands. Another focus is surface runoff from agricultural areas, including the strategic placement and design of buffer systems focusing on how buffer systems can be used to minimize environmental impacts.

He is faculty adviser to the Iowa Learning Farms, a partnership of farmers, non-farmers, urban residents, educators, agencies and conservationists to promote a renewed commitment to a Culture of Conservation. This year he was presented the Outstanding Achievement in Extension Award by the Iowa State College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and received its Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research in 2017.

Helmers earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State in 1995; a master’s degree in civil engineering in 1997 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; and a doctorate in agricultural and biological systems engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2003.



Theme of 2019 National Ag Day Announced

The Agriculture Council of America will host National Agriculture Day on March 19, 2019. This will mark the 46th anniversary of National Ag Day which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country. The theme for National Ag Day 2019 is "Agriculture: Food for Life."

On March 19, 2019, the ACA will host major events in the nation's capital including an event at the National Press Club as well as a Taste of Agriculture Celebration. Additionally, the ACA will bring approximately 100 college students to Washington to deliver the message of Ag Day to the Hill.

These events honor National Agriculture Day and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. A number of agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America. The ACA is a nonprofit organization composed of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society.

In addition to the events in Washington, DC on March 19, the ACA will once again feature the Ag Day Essay Contest. The winning essay will be presented on National Ag Day.

Visit www.agday.org for more information on National Ag Day in 2019.



Growth Energy, USGC, RFA Submit Comments to UK Department of Transport on Benefits of E10

Earlier this week, Growth Energy, the U.S. Grains Council, and the Renewable Fuels Association jointly submitted comments to the United Kingdom's (UK) Department of Transport as it considers implementing a nationwide E10 ethanol blend. The comments, submitted on Sept. 16, highlight the proven benefits of ethanol for fuel and draw on the experience of the United States in implementing a similar nationwide E10 fuel blend.

"Ethanol has a number of proven benefits including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, reductions in harmful tailpipe pollution such as carbon monoxide and particulates, consumer cost savings, as well as job and agriculture development," according to the comments. "In the UK, there are 31.3 million vehicles on the road and only 250,000 deemed to be incompatible with an E10 blend. There is no reason to deny the benefits of ethanol to British consumers."

In addition, the joint comments strongly support moving directly to an E10 blended fuel, as the overwhelming majority of gasoline-powered vehicles are approved for this fuel. Doing so would offer benefits for consumers and ensure certainty for UK producers.

"It is imperative that the government move E10 forward to give these producers a predictable market for their fuel," the comments noted. "Just this week, we saw the largest ethanol producer in Britain announce that they are ceasing production simply because they do not have a market and because the government has not moved fast enough in its adoption of E10."

By submitting these comments, Growth Energy, the USGC, and the RFA aim to achieve the goal of substantially reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions to combat global climate change and provide consumers with more affordable, cleaner fuel.



Growth Energy Welcomes House Biofuels Caucus for Voicing Support for RFS, E15

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today thanked 24 members of the House Biofuels Caucus, led by Co-Chairs Kristi Noem (R-SD) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), who sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging the administration to lift summertime regulations on E15 and uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In addition, the letter calls on the agency to “put an end” to secretive refinery waivers that “hurt farmers and prevent market growth of ethanol.”

“We’re deeply grateful to our rural champions for standing united behind a strong RFS and fighting for better, more affordable options at the fuel pump,” said Skor. “It is vital that the EPA uphold President Trump’s commitment to American biofuels and immediately tear down outdated regulatory barriers against the summertime sale of E15. Opening the market to year-round competition will help to revitalize farm income and restore growth in rural communities hit hardest by the agricultural downturn.”

Last week, Growth Energy launched an E15 Now bus tour that will carry the same message to local events across the Midwest.

“EPA waivers have destroyed billions of gallons of biofuel demand and cut a key market for U.S. farmers,” noted Skor. “To reverse the damage, the EPA should listen to rural lawmakers, restore those gallons, and unlock E15 – a move that could create demand for two billion bushels of American corn.”



August Milk Production in the United States up 1.4 Percent

Milk production in the United States during August totaled 18.3 billion pounds, up 1.4 percent from August 2017.  Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,946 pounds for August, 27 pounds above August 2017.  The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.40 million head, 4,000 head less than August 2017, but 5,000 head more than July 2018.

IOWA:  Milk production in Iowa during August 2018 totaled 442 million pounds, up slightly from the previous August according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during August, at 220,000 head, was unchanged from last month but 1,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,010 pounds, unchanged from last August.



Fertilizer Prices Shift Higher Again

Over the past several weeks, retail fertilizer prices appeared to be beginning their seasonal move lower, but that trend reversed this week. All eight major fertilizer prices tracked by DTN increased in the second week of September compared to last month.

The price of urea jumped significantly higher compared to last month, breaking with the trend of only minor price movements. Urea is up 5% compared to the second week of August with an average price of $380 per ton.

The remaining seven fertilizers were all higher from last month, but their move to the high side was fairly small. DAP had an average price of $491/ton, MAP $518/ton, potash $362/ton, 10-34-0 $449/ton, anhydrous $487/ton, UAN28 $238/ton and UAN32 $278/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.41/lb.N, anhydrous $0.30/lb.N, UAN28 $0.43/lb.N and UAN32 $0.43/lb.N.

All eight major fertilizers are now higher compared to last year with prices pushing higher throughout the year. Both potash and 10-34-0 are now up 8%, UAN32 is 12% higher, UAN28 is 13% more expensive, both DAP and MAP are 14% higher, anhydrous is up 18% and urea is 23% higher compared to last year.

The remaining three fertilizers are lower in price compared to a year prior. Both 10-34-0 and UAN32 are 1% lower while UAN28 is 2% less expensive looking back a year.



EIA: Ethanol Stocks Down

 Domestic ethanol stocks decreased during the week-ended Sept. 14 despite a 3% gain in production as East Coast ethanol supplies dropped nearly 8%, Energy Information Administration data released Wednesday shows.

EIA reports ethanol inventories decreased 148,000 barrels (bbl) during the week reviewed to 22.746 million bbl, 1.6 million bbl, or 7.6%, higher than supply held during the same week in 2017.

Plant production rose 31,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.051 million bpd during the week ended Sept. 14, nearly 2% above the corresponding week in 2017. Four-week averaged production was 1.057 million bpd versus 1.045 million bpd during the corresponding four week period in 2017.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol increased 10,000 bpd to 928,000 bpd during the week-ended Sept. 14, 3.3% more than a year ago. For the four weeks ended Sept. 14, blending demand averaged 935,000 bpd, 16,000 bpd more than the same period in 2017.



Canada to Resume NAFTA Talks as Republicans Lose Patience

High-level NAFTA negotiations are set to resume in Washington, where Republicans are warning time is running out for Canada to join the U.S. and Mexico in a trilateral deal. Bloomberg reports that Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland will arrive in the U.S. capital Tuesday evening and talks with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are due to resume Wednesday. Only a few days likely remain until a handshake deal would need to be reached in order to generate text of an agreement by Sept. 30, which is the deadline to allow a new version of the North American Free Trade Agreement to be signed before Mexico’s incoming president takes office.

While Canada has signaled it’s not in a rush to accept a bad deal -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday the two sides aren’t yet at a “decision point” -- a top Republican lawmaker indicated Tuesday that patience is thin.

“There is a growing frustration with many in Congress regarding Canada’s negotiating tactics,” House Majority Whip Steve Scalise said in a statement. “While we would all like to see Canada remain part of this three-country coalition, there is not an unlimited amount of time for it to be part of this new agreement.”

Freeland confirmed her trip after a cabinet meeting in Ottawa. Bloomberg reported on her plans earlier Tuesday, citing four people familiar who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Canadian dollar climbed on the news, trading 0.4 percent higher at C$1.2991 per U.S. dollar at 1:39 p.m. Toronto time.

The U.S. is barreling down on the Nafta deadline as a trade fight with China escalates. The precise cutoff point for a handshake agreement is unclear, but a Canadian official believes it’s Thursday.

Trudeau touted progress in the talks at an event Monday night but said the timeline remains unclear. “Every time we get momentum, every time we work together, we do knock off a few more things and move closer,” the Canadian leader said in a televised interview with Maclean’s magazine. “There were points in the spring where we thought we were perhaps days or weeks away; turned out not to be the case. We might be days or weeks away now, it might not be.”



Harvesting? Don’t Forget to Complete National Yield Contest Harvest Entry
   
With harvest already underway in many parts of the country, the National Corn Growers Association reminds farmers that National Corn Yield Contest entrants must report within two weeks of their final yield check or by Nov. 16, whichever comes first.

The online harvest entry is available to both farmers and seed representatives using the same login process as the initial entry. Login does require submission of the entrant’s NCGA membership number.

To complete, entrants will upload weigh tickets and yield calculations worksheet that details the number of rows harvested and length of each pass. Prior to upload, both documents must be signed by the contest supervisor. A tutorial video is available online.

Two new rules will be implemented in 2018. First, a recheck of 1.2500 acres or more using the same harvest pattern in the rows next to the completed harvest plot is required if the first check yields 300.000 bushels per acre or higher. Secondly, all yields of 325.0000 bushels per acre or higher require the supervisor to contact NCGA to report the first yield as well as the recheck yield.

Two clarifications of note will be implemented in 2018. There will be two testing options for obtaining moisture percentage. Contestants may do so through a state-certified moisture tester at a grain handling facility. In this case supervisor(s) must be present when the grain handler runs the representative sample of corn through the moisture tester. Moisture percentage must be printed or written on the weigh ticket that contains the supervisor(s) signature approval. One moisture reading listed on the certified scale printout is acceptable.

The second testing option is to use a non-certified moisture tester (including portable moisture meter). Portable testers MUST be calibrated. Supervisor(s) must be present when the representative sample of corn is tested. The same sample of corn must be run three times. The average of the three moisture readings will stand as the final moisture percentage. All three readings must be written on the weigh ticket that contains the supervisor(s) signature approval.

Additionally, the rules have been amended to more clearly define the differences between entries in the non-irrigated and irrigated categories.

For access to contest information and a detailed list of the entry and harvest rules, click here... https://membership.ncga.com/Mobile/CYC/Login.html. 

For half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.

Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. The winners will be honored during Commodity Classic 2019 in Orlando, Florida.



Less Than 30 Days Left to Nominate for Annual Soy Recognition Awards

The American Soybean Association (ASA) wants to recognize exceptional soy volunteers and leaders—and we need your help. During ASA’s annual awards banquet, individuals will be recognized and honored for state association volunteerism, distinguished leadership achievements and long-term, significant contributions to the soybean industry. The nomination period is open through Oct. 15, 2018. The Recognition Awards categories are:
-    ASA Outstanding State Volunteer Award–Recognizes the dedication and contributions of individuals who have given at least three-years of volunteer service in any area of the state soybean association operation.
-    ASA Distinguished Leadership Award–Distinguished and visionary leadership of ASA or a state soybean association is recognized with this award to either a soybean grower-leader or association staff leader with at least five-years of leadership service.
-    ASA Pinnacle Award–An industry-wide recognition of those individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of contribution and lifetime leadership within the soybean family and industry.

Please consider and submit a nomination for one or more of the award categories. For more information and to submit nominations, click here.... www.soygrowers.com.

All nominations must be received online, no later than Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. No nominations by telephone, email or fax will be accepted. A judging committee will be assigned to make the final selections.

Recipients will receive their awards at the ASA Awards Banquet on Friday, March 1, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. at Commodity Classic.



 Agricultural Retailers Open to Helping Farmers Learn About Cover Crops, Still Face Challenges

A new study found that 89 percent of agricultural retailers have offered cover crop products and services in the past two years, and 94 percent say they want to expand these offerings in the future.

Despite this willingness, however, the industry faces barriers to making cover crops a prominent business segment, according to the study conducted by Datu Research, LLC.

Farmers plant cover crops to keep the soil anchored between growing seasons, reaping benefits in soil erosion, fertility, water retention, weed and pest control, and biodiversity. While the practice is growing in popularity, cover crop acreage in the United States remains low.

“Ag retailers and Certified Crop Advisers are a trusted go-to source for farmers,” said Dr. Angel Cruz, lead author of the study. “We wanted to understand their role in promoting cover crops and see what it would take to expand that role.”

The survey, developed in cooperation with the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), was distributed to ARA members and Certified Crop Advisers in the Midwest. Many respondents reported offering their customers cover crop advisory services (83%), selling cover crop seed (56%) and cover crop termination services (44%).

Still, these products and services account for less than five percent of total revenue, the study found. Many respondents described mutually reinforcing challenges: a lack of customer demand, insufficient evidence of cover crop benefits in their region, and “uncertain or negative profitability.”

Despite the low revenue they generate, cover crop services were cited by 60 percent of respondents as a way “to diversify your product and service offerings.” Respondents also cited “to stay ahead of the competition” (40%), and “to grow your customer base” (39%) as justification for incorporating cover crop products into their business model.

“We apparently have a long way to go,” said Cruz. “These results will be useful in developing a business case for ag retailers to integrate cover crops.”

The study recommends engaging state agribusiness associations, along with increased collaboration between agricultural retailers and agricultural conservation professionals such as local soil and water conservation districts and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Even more important, to increase customer demand will likely require providing farmers more solid answers on the economics of cover crops and how to manage them for local conditions.

"Ag retailers have always worked to assist their farmer customers in conservation practice implementation," said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. "The adoption of cover crops will continue at a slower rate until farmers can see the true value in the practice. Our retailer members appreciate the survey results and any subsequent findings to work with their customers in making the best decisions for their operations and the environment."