Monday October 15 Ag News

New Guidance for Livestock Hauling

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), and agriculture producers throughout the state of Nebraska are working together to keep Nebraska roads safe and keep livestock moving.  The collaboration includes several key points that will assist livestock haulers in complying with the rules of the road.  It also provides for a system to rapidly address situations in which a livestock hauler is put out of service for various reasons.

“Thank you to the Nebraska State Patrol and the leaders in agriculture who helped collaborate on these livestock hauling resources for law enforcement who work with truckers in our farm and ranch industries,” said Governor Ricketts.  “This is a great example of the public-private partnerships we see all over our state.  This effort provides much-needed input from different perspectives related to both public safety and agriculture, Nebraska’s number-one industry.”

The commercial trucking industry is regulated to ensure that of Nebraska roadways are safe, but the Nebraska State Patrol understands that an enforcement action that places a truck out of service can have a direct impact on livestock haulers, including the health and safety of the livestock being transported.

“One goal in this partnership would be to help haulers stay up-to-date with the latest safety concerns before they take to the road,” said Captain Gerry Krolikowski, Commander of NSP Carrier Enforcement.  “This conversation has been important for all stakeholders to consider the priorities and challenges we all face in our day-to-day operation.”

Among the pieces of the partnership, NSP has developed a list of the most common violations found during inspections.  This list will assist livestock haulers in ensuring their truck and trailer are in safe, working order.

“Nebraska Cattlemen is very appreciative of this collaboration,” said Galen Frenzen, President of Nebraska Cattlemen.  “These proactive steps will help haulers comply with the law while also mitigating animal welfare concerns that arise when livestock trailers are put out of service.”

In the event that a truck and/or trailer has be placed out of service, the partnership also sets up a system of best practices for how to rapidly unload and move livestock to a safe location.

“I’d like to commend the farmers, ranchers, and livestock transporters that are safely transporting livestock through Nebraska each and every day,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman.  “This collaborative effort will allow those that transport livestock to be better prepared and equipped to deal with emergency situations that could potentially arise.”

The partnership includes numerous organizations including the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, University of Nebraska, Nebraska Farm Bureau, We Support Agriculture, Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Pork Producers, Nebraska Poultry Industries, and Midwest Dairy.



USDA Announces United Soybean Board Appointments

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of 16 members to serve on the United Soybean Board.  Producers newly appointed to serve three-year terms are:
    Nebraska – Tony Johanson, Oakland, Neb.
    Iowa – April Hemmes, Hampton, Iowa
    Arkansas – Jim Carroll III, Brinkley, Ark.
    Georgia – Walter L. Godwin, Pelham, Ga.
    Illinois – Lynn Rohrscheib, Fairmount, Ill.
    Indiana – Mark Alan Seib, Poseyville, Ind.
    Kentucky – Brent Gatton, Bremen, Ky.
    Louisiana – Garrett Marsh, Tallulah, La.
    Minnesota – Rochelle Krusemark, Sherburn, Minn.
    Missouri – Patrick Hobbs, Dudley, Mo.
    North Carolina – Benjamin Derek Potter, Grantsboro, N.C.
    North Dakota – Jay Myers, Colfax, N.D.
    Ohio – Jeff Magyar, Orwell, Ohio
    Pennsylvania – Andrew J. Fabin, Homer City, Pa.
    South Dakota – David Iverson, Astoria, S.D.
    Virginia – Robert W. White Jr., Virginia Beach, Va.

“I truly appreciate the time and expertise these individuals have agreed to give guiding the United Soybean Board,” said Perdue. “Their work is especially important as we work to improve international opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. Together we will help them thrive by increasing domestic and international demand for the nearly 90 million acres of soybeans produced by U.S. farmers.”

The board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Information Act and is composed of 73 members representing 29 states and Eastern and Western regions. Members must be soybean producers nominated by a qualified state soybean board.

More information about the board and a list of board members is available on AMS’ Soybean Research and Promotion Program webpage and the board’s website, unitedsoybean.org.



The Lower Elkhorn NRD will host an Open House at their new location Oct. 26th

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) moved to their new location this summer and will host an Open House on Friday, October 26th.  The public is invited to visit their new offices from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The LENRD board members voted last December to purchase the former Sterling Computer building at 1508 Square Turn Boulevard in Norfolk.  The LENRD moved out of the Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) on the campus of Northeast Community College on May 25th, where they had been since the center was constructed 20 years ago.

LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “Our new location offers several advantages that were important to our board members.  They saw the need to provide a more efficient layout and smoother work flow, while allowing for a future increase of staff to effectively manage the ever-increasing workload.  The new space has ample storage as well as a building for vehicles and equipment on-site.”

Sousek added, “The LLC was a great location for us to grow and expand our programs, and we hope our move provides new opportunities for the college in creating available space at the learning center for other potential partners.”

Sousek said the staff made a smooth transition to the new facility and are providing the same high-level of public service to the citizens of the district at their new location.  He added, “If you haven’t made it over to see the new place yet, stop by and see us on October 26th.”



Crop Residue Exchange Continues to Link Growers and Grazers 
Daren Redfearn - NE Extension Forage Crop Residue Specialist

In Nebraska, it is common to see cattle grazing corn residue. In addition to providing a winter feed resource, this practice can be used as a management option to increase the amount and rate of corn residue breakdown.

Some crop producers, however, have been concerned about possible negative effects to the next crop after grazing. In our research when corn residue was grazed at proper stocking rates (15% residue removal), crop production after grazing was not reduced. In fact, small, positive impacts of grazing corn residue on subsequent soybean yield occurred.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln recommendations for establishing corn residue stocking rates are based on 50% utilization of leaves and husks (8 pounds per bushel or 20% of the total corn residue). Some additional corn residue disappears through trampling and wind loss, but we have not found increased erosion when only 40% to 50% of the corn residue is removed through grazing. Other factors such as fencing and water availability can be issues with corn residue grazing. Lack of access to cattle is another common reason that corn residue is not grazed.

The Crop Residue Exchange http://cropresidueexchange.unl.edu/ was designed to increase the convenience and accessibility of grazing crop residues. This online exchange assists corn and other crop producers to market crop residue to cattle producers.

A new feature is the “Other” category where producers can list forage cover crops for grazing. This interactive, online tool helps farmers and cattle producers connect and develop mutually beneficial agreements to use crop residue and forage cover crops for grazing.

After establishing a log-in account, farmers can list cropland available for grazing by drawing out the plot of land available using an interactive map. They can then enter basic information about the type of residue, fencing situation, water availability, and dates available and provide their preferred contact information. Livestock producers can log in and search the database for cropland available for grazing within radius of a given location of interest.

Grazing rates listed have ranged from $0.75 to $1 per head per day for fields that were fenced or partially fenced and included water and animal care. In one case the rate was set at $18 per acre.

Development of the Crop Residue Exchange was made possible with funding support from the Nebraska Extension Innovation Grants Program.



2019 Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Retail Value Steer Challenge

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is seeking donations of steers for its Annual Retail Value Steer Challenge (RVSC) feeding competition. This is the primary fund raiser for the Foundation and by participating in the RVSC you join other Nebraska cattle producers to support NCF projects. Funds from this event support:
-    Youth and Adult Leadership Programs
-     NCF Education Programs - Scholarships
-    NCF Research Programs and Infrastructure Projects
-    History Preservation
-    Judging Teams at UNL Lincoln, NECC Norfolk, and NCTA Curtis

Your involvement ensures these programs succeed. You also receive complete carcass data on your steer or steers and the chance to win prize money. And, you are helping the state's leading industry sponsor programs that benefit our industry. Contributors should contact their tax professional as to the tax deductible status of this contribution. NCF is a 501 (3) C entity.

NCF welcomes steer donations by individuals, businesses, groups of individuals or businesses and NC affiliates. Participants can donate their own steer or purchase a steer from the Foundation for $1,100.   Steers need to be delivered to Darr Feedlot at Cozad prior to November 1.

Winners will be announced at the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Conference in June, 2019.

For more information or to enter a steer contact Lee Weide at 402.475.2333, lweide@necattlemen.org  or Jana Jensen, NC Foundation Fundraising Coordinator, at 308.588.6299, janajensen@nebcommfound.org.



Republican Farmers and Rancher for Krist Formed

Republican Farmers and Ranchers for Krist is a new Political Action Committee (PAC) formed due to the complete lack of attention to the property tax crisis by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts.

This rural PAC represents a departure from norms across rural parts of Nebraska which are dependably Republican in nature and demonstrates just how strongly rural Republicans feel about the extreme inequality of the property tax burden.

The PAC will utilize radio and newspaper advertising across rural Nebraska to send the message change is needed in the governor's office. The PAC will focus fundraising efforts on farm and ranch families, who are angered over the refusal of Governor Ricketts to implement significant tax reforms.

"Those with Nebraskan ag interests pay the highest property taxes, per capita, in the nation,” said David Wright, Republican Farmers and Ranchers for Krist treasurer. “By comparison, Nebraska farmers and ranchers pay more than $22,000 per capita, which is $9,000 more than their counterparts in California and $13,000 more than the average Iowa farmer," said Wright. “Calculating additional input costs for fertilizer and irrigation, Iowa farmers turn profits at a much lower price per bushel than Nebraskans.”

Nebraska homeowners are also expressing frustration as having to pay the seventh highest property tax rate in the country. Wright ranches in Holt County, Nebraska, lives in Neligh and serves on the Neligh-Oakdale Public School Board of Education. He is acutely aware of the lack of state resources provided to most rural schools by the state, forcing boards of education to rely on property taxes for the bulk of school funding.

"Nebraska provides a meager amount of state aid per capita," Wright said. "We rank 49th of 50 states for state aid, with 175 of the 245 districts in the state receiving no equalization aid, and the remaining 70 districts receiving nearly $1 billion.” And even Nebraska homeowners are distressed, paying the 7th highest property tax in the country."

According to Wright, some Nebraska farmers pay in excess of $110 per acre in property taxes while cow-calf producers are required to kick in more than $100 per each calf raised.

In 2013, the Nebraska Legislature conducted a tour of the state with a plan to modernize the state's tax structure. The leading recommendation from that study was to address the issue of outlying property taxes. Since that time, the problem has only escalated. Although Ricketts has introduced some legislation, featuring property tax relief, his primary focus has been on reducing individual and corporate state income tax.

Wright and the eight members who formed Farmers and Ranchers for Krist, claim Ricketts is uninterested in rural Nebraska and a reform of the state tax structure is long overdue.



Two truckloads of Prairie Fresh pork produced by Seaboard Triumph Foods headed to Florida

Two truckloads of Prairie Fresh pork will head out Tuesday from the Seaboard Triumph Foods Sioux City pork processing plant to Panama City, Fla., to support Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) in providing hot barbecue meals to those affected by Hurricane Michael.

OBR mobilizes barbecue cook teams into natural disaster areas to provide hot barbecue meals to those impacted and the many people who come to help. OBR expects to serve nearly 40,000 meals a day this week at its two deployment sites located in Panama City and Tallahassee, Fla. Prairie Fresh Pork is the official pork supplier to OBR. In addition to these two truckloads — about 220,000 hot barbecue meals when cooked, STF and its parent companies Seaboard Foods and Triumph Foods shipped additional Prairie Fresh products to Florida this weekend and prior to the deployment, which began serving hot meals on Oct. 12.

OBR completed a 16-day deployment on Oct. 1 in Wilmington, N.C., following Hurricane Florence with more than 300,000 meals served. During that deployment, OBR served a milestone 2 millionth meal since it was founded in 2011. With back-to-back major deployments, OBR volunteers’ spirits and commitment to provide hope, compassion and friendship one hot barbecue meal at a time remains strong. However, the organization is in need of monetary donations and more volunteers. To donate or volunteer, go to OBR.org .

“We continued to be amazed by the commitment and dedication of OBR and its volunteers, especially after just completing a record-breaking long deployment in North Carolina,” says David Eaheart, Prairie Fresh sr. director of communications and brand marketing. “With a hot barbecue meal comes comfort that not only nourishes the body but the soul, especially during the tough times people are facing following Hurricane Michael. OBR is truly living its mission to bring hope, compassion and friendship one hot barbecue meal at a time.”



From soybean crop to pork chop, pig farming sustains demand for oilseed

With Iowa’s soybean harvest expected to total nearly 600 million bushels, the partnership between soy and pork takes on added importance as production booms and trade disputes linger.

“Iowa soybean farmers depend on domestic and global demand for pork,” says Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) President Lindsay Greiner. “That’s always been true, but never more evident than right now.”

Iowa’s status as the nation’s leading pork producer depends on soybean farmers. About seventy-five percent of Iowa soybean crop is converted into soybean meal. The average pig consumes nearly 120 pounds of it — or the equivalent of 2.5 bushels of soybeans according to the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

“That appetite for soy is critical to the competitiveness and success of soybean farmers,” says Greiner, who grows soybeans and raises hogs near Keota, “Considering there are nearly 20 million pigs on feed at any given time in Iowa, the result is a strong demand for Iowa soybeans.”

Dave Struthers, a soybean farmer who raises hogs near Collins, says both industries play off each other and add to Iowa’s agricultural productivity and economic success.

“I always say hakuna matata, it’s the circle of life. The beans are used as feed for the hogs, then the hogs produce the fertilizer to put back on the field,” says Struthers.

Why are soybeans and swine so BIG in Iowa?
-    Feed to fertilizer: One 4,800-head pig farm will generate enough plant food for 600 acres of a corn/soybean rotation.
-    Farming legacy: Iowa has more than 6,000 pig farms and 40,000 soybean farmers, and 94 percent of Iowa’s farms are family-owned.
-    Jobs, jobs, jobs: The two industries combined contribute $12.3 billion to Iowa’s economy and support more than 230,000 Iowa jobs.
-    Exports: Iowa is the top state for pork exports, totaling more than $1.1 billion in 2017, according to the National Pork Producers Council.

Join the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Pork Producers Association in celebrating October Pork Month by using #Porktober18 on social media. Celebrate an entire month dedicated to celebrating the most popular meat in the world, according to the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service.

“If you’re wondering how to best celebrate pork month and support Iowa farmers,” Struthers advises, “the answer is to eat more pork!”



Livestock Groups Petition Department of Transportation for Hours of Service Flexibility

Today organizations representing livestock, bee, and fish haulers across the country submitted a petition to the Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting additional flexibility on Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. The petition asks for a five-year exemption from certain HOS requirements for livestock haulers and encourages DOT to work with the livestock industry to implement additional fatigue-management practices.

Current rules limit drive time to 11 hours and limit on-duty hours to 14. Instead, the organizations request that livestock haulers be granted approval to drive up to 15 hours with a 16-hour on-duty period, following a 10-hour consecutive rest period. Any livestock hauler wishing to operate under the extended drive time would be required to complete pre-trip planning and increased fatigue-management training.

“We are concerned that the 11- and 14-hour rules were not drafted with livestock haulers in mind and thus do not accommodate the unique character of their loads and nature of their trips,” the organizations wrote. The current requirements “place the well-being of livestock at risk during transport and impose significant burdens on livestock haulers, particularly in rural communities across the country.”

The strong safety record of livestock haulers demonstrates their ability to ensure the well-being of both live animals and other drivers on the road. A 2014 analysis by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that livestock haulers were underrepresented in truck-involved fatal crashes. Data cited in the petition also shows that, between 2013 and 2015, livestock haulers accounted for 6.6 percent of all commercial drivers but less than one percent of crashes involving large trucks.

Australia already implements rules for livestock haulers that focus on safety outcomes, not prescriptive limits. The petition encourages DOT to work with industry to develop and implement similar measures.

The petition was signed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Livestock Marketing Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association, and the National Aquaculture Association.



U.S. Pork Industry Seeks 2019 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow

The National Pork Board is searching for the next Pig Farmers of Tomorrow, with applications now open through Nov. 12 at www.pigfarmersoftomorrow.com. The award recognizes, inspires and connects with the next generation of American pig farmers.

“It is important for the Pork Board to connect with future pork industry leaders,” said National Pork Board President Steve Rommereim, a pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “We want to encourage young pig farmers to share their farm stories with the public to help put a face on farming.”

Up to three award recipients will be selected, with winners invited to speak at National Pork Board events, including the March 2019 National Pork Industry Forum in Orlando. The winners also will provide content for the pork industry’s social media program, #RealPigFarming.

Future farm leaders who intend to make pig farming their life’s work and who are committed to the U.S. pork industry and to raising pigs using the pork industry’s We CareSM ethical principles, are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be actively involved in raising pigs in the United States on a full- or part-time basis and be between the ages of 18 and 29 as of Jan. 1, 2019. Students currently enrolled in a college program also are invited to apply.

If applicants haven’t completed a Common Swine Industry Audit, they must be willing to have one conducted and paid for by the Pork Board. Applicants must submit up to five photos that represent them as a Pig Farmer of Tomorrow. The Pork Board selection committee will name up to eight semi-finalists to be interviewed by a panel of judges, The judges will select the finalists, with the winners chosen based on a combination of all application materials.



CWT Assists with 1.4 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) member cooperatives accepted eight offers of export assistance from CWT that helped them capture contracts to sell 1.448 million pounds (657 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese, contracted for delivery in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa for the period from November 2018 through March 2019.

CWT-assisted member cooperative 2018 export sales total 49.719 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 12.962 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 52.188 million pounds of whole milk powder to 36 countries on five continents. These sales are the equivalent of 1.132 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Feed Grain Buyers, Suppliers Head to Minneapolis Next Week for Export Exchange 2018

A cadre of international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products from more than 35 countries are scheduled to arrive in Minneapolis next week for Export Exchange 2018, ready to meet with U.S. suppliers and service providers across the value chain.

Export Exchange is an educational and trade forum for U.S. feed grains that will host approximately 200 participants organized into 21 USGC trade teams. The biennial conference, scheduled for Oct. 22 to 24, is sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy.

“At a time when we have just agreed to a new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, highlighting the importance of international trade can be no better illustrated than by Export Exchange and the trade team visits before and after the event,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and chief executive officer.

“It is essential for us to strengthen the bonds between suppliers and partner countries, and the connections made at this critical event will not only help propel our industry this year, but for years to come.”

The Export Exchange conference is the conduit between buyer teams from countries interested in purchasing U.S. feed grains and U.S. suppliers. The meeting brings these groups together to help each broaden their networks and forge new relationships by facilitating trade of U.S. corn, distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), sorghum and other commodities.

“Next week’s event allows producers to promote the many benefits of ethanol and its coproducts like DDGS to key foreign markets like Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, South Korea and many others,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We’re excited for the opportunity to tell the story of how they are produced and how they can support agriculture at home and abroad.”

During the conference, speakers – including Roger Watchorn, Group Leader at Cargill, Dr. Robert Johansson, Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Kelly Davis, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at the Renewable Fuels Association will speak about the state of the agricultural supply chain, the 10-year PS&D outlook for feed grains and food safety regulations for DDGS manufacturers, respectively, among other topics including transportation options for U.S. feed grains.

“Trade is incredibly important to our industry, as nearly one out of every three tons of animal feed produced by the U.S. ethanol industry is exported,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The Export Exchange provides an excellent opportunity for U.S. producers to strengthen relationships with current customers in the international market, as well as to cultivate new partnerships. We’re looking forward to another exciting and productive event.”

Before and after the conference, trade teams from countries around the globe will travel to various grain-producing states where they will engage in specialized farm visits, tour the 2018 corn harvest, as well as explore ethanol plants and get a better understanding of transloading facilities so they have a clear picture of the U.S. value chain for these commodities.



Women in Agriculture Say Barriers to Equality Persist, Removal Could Take Decades, 17-Country Study Reveals

Women in agriculture around the world, whether in developing or developed countries, say widespread gender discrimination persists and poses obstacles to their ability to help feed the world, according to a new study from Corteva AgriscienceTM, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont.

The study was released to coincide with today’s celebration of the International Day of Rural Women. Corteva Agriscience commissioned the 17-country study to underscore the importance of women in agriculture and to identify barriers to their full and successful participation. The study included 4,160 respondents living in both the developed and developing world on five different continents.

“We conducted this study to further understand the current status of women farmers around the world - from the largest farms in the most advanced economies to the smallest subsistence farms in the developing world - and to create a baseline from which we can measure progress going forward,” said Krysta Harden, Vice President External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer of Corteva Agriscience.

IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
The survey’s findings reveal that although women are overwhelmingly proud to be in agriculture, they perceive gender discrimination as widespread, ranging from 78 percent in India to 52 percent in the United States. Only half say they are equally successful as their male counterparts; 42 percent say they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts, and only 38 percent say they are empowered to make decisions about how income is used in farming and agriculture.

Almost 40 percent of the respondents reported lower income than men and less access to financing. High on the list of concerns were financial stability, the welfare of their families and achieving a work/life balance.

Many said they need more training to take advantage of the agricultural technology that has become essential for financial success and environmental stewardship. This desire for training emerged as the most commonly cited need among the respondents for removing gender inequality obstacles. The numbers significantly exceeded 50 percent for all 17 countries, with Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, Mexico and South Africa leading the way.

REMOVING THE OBSTACLES
The majority of women reported progress toward gender equality, but 72 percent said it would take one to three decades or more to achieve full equality. Five key actions, according to the respondents, were identified to remove obstacles to equality:
-    More training in technology (cited by 80 percent)
-    More academic education (cited by 79 percent)
-    More support – legal and otherwise – to help women in agriculture who experience gender discrimination (cited by 76 percent)
-    Raise the public’s awareness of the success women are achieving in agriculture (cited by 75 percent)
-    Raise the public’s awareness of gender discrimination in agriculture (cited by 74 percent)

“While we know women make up almost half of the world’s farmers, this study validates challenges continue to persist, holding back not only the women in agriculture but also the people who depend on them: their families, their communities, and the societies. Identifying the existence of these challenges is the first step in removing obstacles for rural women farmers to achieve their full potential,” said Harden.



College Scientists: Earn Scholarship to National Biodiesel Conference & Expo

University-level science majors interested in learning about all aspects of the biodiesel industry can apply for a travel scholarship to attend the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Jan. 21 - 24 in San Diego. The application process is open to members of the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel for travel scholarships. Some students will be selected to present on their research or outreach activities.

Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel is a National Biodiesel Board program intended to foster professional relationships between budding and established scientists, share accurate information and increase collaboration with academia and the biodiesel industry.

Student opportunities include a poster session and breakout session to present their research, a preconference biodiesel educational overview and a private mentoring mixer with prominent biodiesel scientists.

Last year, more than 20 students attended the event from schools including Yale University and the University of Idaho. Many of the students, who came from a wide range of disciplines, noted the impact the event made on them.

“As an environmental science student, the sustainability aspects and greenhouse gas reductions of biodiesel were most significant to me,” said Tami Alexander, who received a travel scholarship while pursuing her master’s degree at Wichita State University. “I previously saw biofuels as merely a stepping point on the path to a greener, more sustainable society. Now, after learning more about the production and use of biodiesel, I am convinced that it is a long-term solution.”

Alexander works part-time for the Metropolitan Energy Center in Wichita while finishing her degree.

The National Biodiesel Board, the United Soybean Board and the National Biodiesel Foundation sponsor the scholarships, which amount to a $600 travel reimbursement and complimentary registration (a $1,200 value). Apply by Nov. 19 at biodiesel.org/ngsb/.



EXTENDED: Submit Nominations for Annual Soy Recognition Awards Through Friday, Oct. 26

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 extended through Friday, Oct. 26, 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. All nominations must be received online, no later than Friday, Oct. 26, 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.