Monday October 8 Ag News

Ricketts, Nebraska Ethanol Board Praise President Trump’s Approval of E15

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, the Nebraska Ethanol Board, and commodity groups praised news that President Donald J. Trump had directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the use of E15 year around.

“Thank you to President Trump for directing the EPA to commence the rulemaking process to approve the year-round sale of E15,” said Governor Pete Ricketts.  “Year-round sale of E15 is great news for Nebraska and our farm families as we continue to work to meet the challenge presented by low corn and soybean prices.  More consumption of E15 will increase demand for our commodities and expand the use of cleaner-burning fuel by American consumers.”  

This decision by the administration is in response to requests the State of Nebraska has been making, and delivers on a promise made by President Trump earlier this year.

“With this announcement, President Trump is showing his commitment to value-added agriculture, which strengthens local, state and national economies,” said Sarah Caswell, Administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board.  “Once E15 is approved for sale year-round, across the country, Nebraska ethanol stakeholders will have more opportunities to produce, buy and sell this proven, cheaper and cleaner fuel.”

“As a corn farmer and dedicated ethanol customer, I applaud the President’s support in increasing the availability of increased ethanol blends,” said Dan Wesely, President of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and farmer from Morse Bluff.  “By allowing for year-round sales of E15, consumers will soon experience the benefits of fueling with a locally-produced product, such as cleaner air, higher octane ratings and more money in their wallets.”

“E15 is the most tested fuel ever,” said David Bruntz, Chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend.  “Today’s announcement by President Trump is a win for corn farmers, the rural economy, motorists and anybody that likes to breathe clean air.  I want to thank President Trump, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, and our Nebraska congressional delegation who have been unwavering in their support to rural Nebraska and our corn and ethanol industries.”

Currently, E15 can be marketed September 16th through April 30th.  A final rule from the EPA would allow E15 to be sold all year long.



NEBRASKA SHEEP AND GOAT PRODUCERS ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS OCT. 27

The Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers Annual conference is scheduled for Oct. 27 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Animal Science Building in Lincoln. The event is open to both members and nonmembers.

The conference will cover a variety of topics including stress research, genetics, live animal evaluation, carcass evaluation and cool season grazing. Registrants will also tour the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center. An industry tour on Oct. 28th in the Lincoln area will follow the conference.

The Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Association represents and supports the interest of sheep and goat producers for the entire state of Nebraska.

Registration to attend the conference is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Additional family members may attend for $10. A special $10 registration fee is available for 4-H or FFA members. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register. After Oct. 19, registration will increase $10. To register, contact Nebraska Extension Educator Randy Saner at 308-532-2683, rsaner2@unl.edu or ne.sheep.goat@gmail.com.

For more information, visit https://nebraskasheepandgoat.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/nebraskasheepgoat/. 



OCTOBER ALFALFA HARVESTS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               I often discourage cutting alfalfa while it is winterizing to avoid potential winter injury.  Now, though, things are different.

               By mid-October the growing season is pretty much complete.  Many folks received some late season rain and some areas have had light frosts that left alfalfa plants mostly unaffected.  So, you might have a substantial, high quality alfalfa crop remaining in your field.

               Alfalfa that has had at least six weeks of regrowth in mid-October since the previous cutting will have developed adequate winter-hardiness for all but the most severe winters.  It also has begun to go dormant naturally because of shorter days and cooler temperatures so harvest is not likely to jeopardize stand persistence.  Not only that, October hay often has exceptionally high quality.  With high prices paid for dairy and horse quality hay, another cutting is very tempting.

               Hay harvest can be difficult, though, because alfalfa dries and cures very slowly in October.  If you do cut hay, be extra alert to weather reports, use a conditioner to speed dry-down, spread windrows wide for extra exposure to sunlight, and consider using a preservative to protect hay that's baled at higher than normal moisture levels.

               When possible, it’s better to harvest alfalfa as haylage in October.  Less drying is needed, and since drying is slower, haylage can be made at a more uniform moisture content than in summer.  October alfalfa also tends to preserve well as haylage.

               Grazing is another option now, but be very cautious about bloat.  Also avoid grazing on wet soils, or stand damage could occur.

               Good alfalfa in mid-October doesn't have to be sacrificed to maintain winter survival.  Just be sure you had adequate time to develop winter-hardiness, and then select a good harvest method.



31 percent of rural households lack access to broadband internet, according to white paper

Of the more than 25 million households that lack access to broadband internet, 19 million of them are in rural areas according to a white paper from the Center for Rural Affairs. Released today, “Map to Prosperity” analyzes current accessibility and barriers to expanding broadband access in rural America.

Broadband is defined by the Federal Communications Commission as internet connections capable of 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) for download and 3 Mbps for upload speeds.

“We are now experiencing a digital revolution, however millions of rural Americans are being left behind,” said Johnathan Hladik, policy director at the Center for Rural Affairs and author of the report. “A closer look at adoption and accessibility in rural communities shows that the problem isn’t always money – it often comes back to policy.”

According to the analysis, access to broadband for rural households depends heavily on geography. Nationwide, 31 percent of rural households and 35 percent of Americans on Tribal lands lack access. In Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, Missouri, Mississippi, California, Arizona, and Alaska, more than 60 percent of rural areas lack access to broadband.

In Nebraska, internet speeds that qualify as broadband are available to 5 percent or fewer residents in 18 of the state’s 93 counties. Of these 18 counties, 10 do not have a single household with broadband access.

The inability of states to map existing service areas is highlighted in the white paper.

“A majority of state governments are now relying on erroneous data that grossly overestimates the number of households with broadband access,” Hladik said. “Improved mapping is an easy, cost-effective solution states can adopt to increase broadband access in rural areas.”

Currently, if a carrier reports providing a service to any one household within a Census block, the entire block is counted as “served.” For example, if one household out of eight in a one square mile section has broadband access, all eight are considered served. This is true even if the other seven have no ability to gain access.

On-farm access and usage, technological literacy, and small business entrepreneurship are also discussed in the publication. Additionally, examples of policy solutions are provided in the analysis.

To view the white paper, visit cfra.org/publications/MapToProsperity.



August Beef Exports Soar to New Heights; Pork Export Value Still under Pressure

U.S. beef exports set new records in August with export value topping $750 million for the first time, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). August pork exports were fairly steady with last year’s volume, but retaliatory duties in key markets continued to pressure pork export value.

August beef exports totaled 119,850 metric tons (mt), up 7 percent from a year ago, valued at $751.7 million – up 11 percent year-over-year and easily exceeding the previous record of $722.1 million reached in May 2018. For January through August, beef exports totaled 899,300 mt, up 9 percent from a year ago, while value climbed 18 percent to $5.51 billion.

For the third consecutive month, beef muscle cut exports set a new volume record in August at 95,181 mt (up 9 percent from a year ago), valued at $679.6 million (up 13 percent). Through August, muscle cut exports were 14 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (692,234 mt) and 21 percent higher in value ($4.93 billion).

August exports accounted for 13.2 percent of total beef production, up from 12.5 percent a year ago. For beef muscle cuts only, the percentage exported was 11.2 percent, up from 10.4 percent last year. For January through August, exports accounted for 13.5 percent of total beef production and 11.1 percent for muscle cuts – up from 12.8 percent and 10.1 percent, respectively, last year. Beef export value averaged $320.92 per head of fed slaughter in August, up 11 percent from a year ago. The January-August average was $318.66 per head, up 16 percent.

“U.S. beef exports continue to achieve tremendous growth, not only in our mainstay Asian markets but in the Western Hemisphere as well,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “USMEF is excited about the recent market access developments achieved by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and USDA, with favorable terms being preserved in Mexico, Canada and South Korea and trade talks getting underway with Japan. A trade agreement with Japan would bring opportunities for even greater expansion as U.S. beef becomes more affordable for Japanese consumers and is back on a level playing field with Australian beef.”

August pork export volume was down 1 percent from last year at 182,372 mt, while export value fell 3 percent to $494.1 million. Pork muscle cuts fared better in August, increasing 5 percent to 148,736 mt, but value still declined 1 percent to $414.7 million. Pork variety meat exports declined sharply in August in both volume (33,636 mt, down 20 percent) and value ($79.4 million, down 15 percent).

For January through August, combined pork and pork variety meat exports remained 1 percent ahead of last year’s record pace at 1.63 million mt, while value increased 3 percent to $4.32 billion. For pork muscle cuts only, exports increased 6 percent from a year ago in volume (1.31 million mt) and 4 percent in value ($3.58 billion).

August exports accounted for 21.9 percent of total pork production, down from 23.1 percent a year ago, while the percentage of muscle cuts exported held steady at 19.2 percent. For January through August, exports equaled 26.3 percent of total pork production (down from 26.9 percent a year ago), while the percentage of muscle cuts exported was 22.8 percent (up from 22.4 percent). Pork export value averaged $44.29 per head slaughtered in August, down 8 percent from a year ago, while the January-August per-head average dropped 1 percent to $53.28.

U.S. pork currently faces retaliatory duties in two markets: China and Mexico. China’s duty rate on pork muscle cuts and variety meat increased from 12 to 37 percent in April and from 37 to 62 percent in July. Mexico’s duty rate on pork muscle cuts increased from zero to 10 percent in June and jumped to 20 percent in July (pork variety meats continue to enter Mexico duty-free). Beginning in June, Mexico also imposed a 15 percent duty on sausages and a 20 percent duty on some prepared or preserved hams and shoulders.

“Pork exports have posted an impressive performance in 2018, but the retaliatory duties are a clearly a significant obstacle,” Halstrom explained. “The fact that U.S. trade officials were able to secure duty-free access for U.S. red meat in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is critically important, and we are hopeful that duty-free access for U.S. pork entering Mexico will be restored soon. Tariff relief in China may not come as quickly, but USMEF continues to work with industry partners to keep as much product as possible moving to China while also working aggressively to expand exports in other key markets, including Korea, Central and South America, the ASEAN region and Australia.”

U.S. beef also currently faces retaliatory duties in two markets: China and Canada. China’s duty rate increased from 12 to 37 percent in July, with the higher rate applying to all eligible products. Canada’s 10 percent duty, which also took effect in July, applies to cooked/prepared beef products. All other U.S. beef still enters Canada duty-free.

Beef exports to Korea already near last year’s value record
August beef exports to South Korea were up 42 percent from a year ago in volume (24,482 mt) and set another new value record at $176.4 million (up 60 percent). This pushed January-August exports to 161,379 mt, up 39 percent from a year ago, while export value reached $1.15 billion – up 54 percent and just short of the 2017 full-year record of $1.22 billion. These results included a 30 percent increase in chilled beef exports to 35,683 mt, valued at $343.7 million (up 41 percent). Through August, U.S. beef accounted for 58 percent of Korea’s chilled imports. Under the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) that took effect in 2012, Korea’s duty rate on imports of U.S. beef has declined from 40 to 21.3 percent and will be eliminated by 2026. These terms are preserved in the revised KORUS agreement signed Sept. 24.

Beef exports to leading market Japan climbed 8 percent from a year ago in August to 33,548 mt, including a post-BSE record for muscle cuts (28,863 mt). August export value was $209.3 million, up 5 percent from a year ago and the highest since 1996. For January through August, exports to Japan were up 7 percent from a year ago in volume at 224,785 mt, while value increased 11 percent to $1.42 billion. This included a slight increase in chilled beef to 100,952 mt, valued at $807.2 million (up 9 percent). U.S. beef accounted for nearly 50 percent of Japan’s chilled imports through August.

For January through August, other highlights for U.S. beef exports include:
-    Exports to Mexico were up 1 percent from a year ago in volume (158,496 mt) and were 8 percent higher in value ($693.9 million). Mexico is the leading destination for U.S. beef variety meat exports, which have trended lower in recent months to fall 8 percent below last year’s pace at 64,642 mt. Variety meat value to Mexico remained steady with last year at $148.7 million.
-    While beef shipments to China/Hong Kong slowed in the summer months, January-August exports remained 6 percent higher than a year ago in volume (79,584 mt) and 30 percent higher in value ($638.8 million). Exports to China, which reopened to U.S. beef in June of last year, were 4,580 mt valued at $39.8 million.
-    Beef exports to Taiwan soared 36 percent above last year’s pace in volume (38,923 mt) and 40 percent higher in value ($359.9 million). Chilled exports to Taiwan were up 32 percent in volume (15,676 mt) and 41 percent in value ($197.1 million), as the United States captured 74 percent of Taiwan’s chilled beef market – the highest share of any Asian destination.
-    Strong growth in the Philippines pushed beef exports to the ASEAN region 11 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (29,261 mt) and 23 percent higher in value ($160.7 million).
-    Led by sharply higher exports to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and El Salvador, export volume to Central America increased 26 percent from a year ago to 9,519 mt, while value climbed 22 percent to $51.6 million.

Japan, Korea and Latin America bolster August pork exports
August pork exports to leading value market Japan increased 10 percent from a year ago to 34,935 mt, valued at $146.8 million (up 5 percent and the highest of 2018). For January through August, exports were up 2 percent from a year ago in both volume (265,250 mt) and value ($1.1 billion).

Pork exports to Korea continued to surge in August, increasing 39 percent in volume to 11,303 mt and 40 percent in value to $31.3 million. This pushed January-August exports to 159,536 mt (up 43 percent) valued at $455.6 million (up 49 percent). Exports of pork variety meat, including bungs and feet, have contributed significantly to this growth. Through August, pork variety meat exports to Korea increased 84 percent from a year ago in volume (10,358 mt) and more than doubled in value to $32.4 million (up 111 percent). Most U.S. pork products enter Korea duty-free, and this will continue under the revised KORUS agreement.

August pork exports to leading volume market Mexico fell 4 percent from a year ago to 62,319 mt, while value dropped 21 percent to $103 million. Through August, exports to Mexico remained 2 percent ahead of last year’s record pace at 532,034 mt, but value declined 6 percent to $921.1 million.

August exports to the China/Hong Kong region fell 43 percent from a year ago to 19,732 mt, with value dropping 32 percent to $52.9 million. For January through August, exports were down 24 percent in volume (257,939 mt) and fell 13 percent in value to $615.9 million.

January-August highlights for U.S. pork exports include:
-    Led by strong growth in Colombia and Peru, exports to South America increased 29 percent from a year ago in volume (82,153 mt) and 24 percent in value ($204.4 million). A slow start to the year kept exports to Chile below last year’s record volume pace, but shipments regained momentum in July and August.
-    Following a record performance in 2017, pork exports to Central America surged 20 percent higher in volume (52,528 mt) and increased 17 percent in value ($123.8 million). Pork exports to all seven Central American nations have achieved double-digit growth in 2018.
-    Exports to the Dominican Republic continue to gain momentum, increasing 30 percent in volume (29,480 mt) and 25 percent in value ($64.5 million).
-    Led by strong growth in the Philippines and Vietnam, exports to the ASEAN region increased 29 percent in volume (39,021 mt) and 28 percent in value ($100.1 million). The ASEAN is an especially important destination for pork variety meat, with these exports nearly doubling from a year ago in both volume (14,273 mt, up 99 percent) and value ($24.2 million, up 94 percent).
-    Exports to Australia were 9 percent ahead of last year’s record pace in both volume (51,070 mt) and value ($147.5 million). Australia is the third-largest destination for U.S. hams exported for further processing, trailing only Mexico and China/Hong Kong.

Lamb variety meat exports surge in August, but muscle cuts trend lower
August exports of U.S. lamb reached the largest monthly volume this year (1,353 mt, up 105 percent from a year ago), due primarily to large shipments of lamb variety meat to Mexico. August export value was just under $2 million, up 16 percent year-over-year. Lamb muscle cut exports took a step back in August, totaling just 142 mt – down 32 percent from a year ago and the lowest since January.

Through August, lamb exports were 60 percent ahead of last year’s pace in volume (8,033 mt) and 20 percent higher in value ($15.4 million). This growth was fueled mainly by stronger variety meat demand in Mexico, but muscle cut exports increased significantly to the Caribbean, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the Philippines.



Scientists, Biosecurity Research Institute study African swine fever to prevent outbreak in US

African swine fever virus threatens to devastate the swine industry and is positioned to spread throughout Asia. The virus has spread throughout the Caucuses region of Eastern Europe and was reported in China in August. It recently was detected in wild boar in Belgium.

Kansas State University researchers and the Biosecurity Research Institute have several projects focused on African swine fever. Their research topics vary, but they share the same goal of stopping the spread of African swine fever and preventing it from reaching the U.S.

If African swine fever enters the U.S., it could cause billions in economic losses to swine and other industries, animal disease experts say. It would devastate trade and international markets.

There is no vaccine or cure for the disease, which causes hemorrhagic fever and high mortality in pigs. It does not infect humans.

"African swine fever's introduction into China, poses an increased threat to the U.S.," said Stephen Higgs, director of the Biosecurity Research Institute. "Introduction of African swine fever virus into the U.S. would have an enormous impact on our agricultural industry. Research, education and training at the Biosecurity Research Institute help to improve our understanding and preparedness for this threat."

In 2013, the Biosecurity Research Institute became the first non-federal facility to be approved for work with African swine fever virus, Higgs said. The university projects at the Biosecurity Research Institute are part of research that can transition to the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, or NBAF, once it is fully functional. African swine fever is one of the diseases slated to be researched at NBAF, which is under construction adjacent to Kansas State University's Manhattan campus.

The African swine fever projects at Kansas State University are funded in part by the $35 million State of Kansas National Bio and Agro-defense Facility Fund and also have received support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the pork industry.



 Rain and Hail Sign Multi-Year Agreement with Bushel

Rain and Hail, a division of Chubb's agriculture business, the leading crop insurance franchise in the United States, signed a multi-year agreement with Bushel™, the grain industry's first software platform that allows grain elevators, cooperatives and ethanol plants to connect with their growers digitally, providing them with an efficient way to automate the sharing of scale tickets from participating elevators, grain buyers and ethanol facilities with their crop insurance agent.

The Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) program, which is insurance coverage designed to help protect growers from a variety of potential losses, requires growers to report the quantity of crops they harvest to their crop insurance agent each year, which can be a time consuming process.

"Chubb is committed to the agriculture business and is continually looking for ways to simplify the crop insurance program for growers," said Scott Arnold, President of Rain and Hail. "The addition of Bushel™ to our platform provides growers and agents a quick and efficient way to report critical production information that can help save them time during their busy harvest seasons."

The automated sharing service will be available through a pilot program to growers in the North Central United States in 2018 and will be expanded to the entire country in 2019. For additional information about Chubb's new feature, please visit www.rainhail.com/d/ps/bushel.



Honey Bee Colonies Stabilizing Despite Elevated Loss Rates

In 2006, large and mysterious losses of honey bee colonies led entomologists to classify a set of diagnostic symptoms as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and spurred major efforts to measure, quantify, and understand pollinator loss.

New data show that, between 2007 and 2013, winter colony loss rates in the United States averaged 30 percent, which is approximately double the loss rate of 15 percent previously thought to be normal.

Elevated winter colony losses, however, have not resulted in enduring declines in colony numbers. Instead, the number of U.S. honey bee colonies is either stable or growing depending on the dataset being considered.

At the state level, loss rates are uncorrelated with year-to-year changes in the number of colonies, suggesting that beekeepers are able to replace lost colonies within the course of a calendar year. In other terms, the data indicate that beekeepers are adding colonies at similar or higher rates than they are losing them to CCD or other causes.



USMCA Breaks New Ground with Better Geographical Indications Policy as Defending Common Food Names Becomes a U.S. Priority

Companies in North America that produce foods that bear generic names are praising the U.S. government for the seminal language included in the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regarding geographical indications (GI) policy and the protection of common food names.

"USMCA marks a sea change in GI policy, recognizing the equal importance of the protection of distinctive products through GIs, and the defense of generic terms long used in the marketplace," said Jaime Castaneda, Executive Director of the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN). "The U.S. Administration demonstrated great leadership in pushing forward many key concepts for effective GI policy, which are of benefit to consumers and producers throughout North America, and which CCFN has long promoted and worked on with government leaders. These include commitments on transparency and the ability for stakeholders to object to pending GIs that may infringe on their rights to use generic terms."

The USMCA marks the first time the United States has specifically included reference to the rights of generic name users within a trade agreement - a goal CCFN has been working toward for many years. The deal establishes a non-exhaustive list of commonly used cheese names that may not be restricted by Mexico moving forward, including "mozzarella", "cheddar", "provolone" and others. In addition, Canada and Mexico will be adopting GI parameters that make it more difficult for any nation to register new GIs that are common food names, and common name users will be able to oppose GI applications that would monopolize use of generic terms.

"These explicit considerations safeguarding generic terms are essential," said CCFN Chairman Errico Auricchio, president of BelGioioso Cheese, "because the EU continues to move the lines on which names of cheeses, meats, wines and other products are fair game when it comes to abusing GI policies and monopolizing common names and terms."

While praising U.S. government leadership in safeguarding generic terms, CCFN remains disappointed in the Mexican government for succumbing to pressures by the EU to give up a number of highly used common names within the Mexico-EU free trade agreement, demonstrating that CCFN's work in the region is not yet done.

"The confiscation of these generic terms is disruptive to commerce and to pre-existing trade relationships, and in the end does not benefit Mexican retailers, producers or consumers," Castaneda said. "We continue to work with the U.S. government and others to ensure that current trade to Mexico is minimally affected."



 CHS Foundation awards cooperative education grants

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), announced today it has awarded more than $440,000 in cooperative education grants to projects that will help students learn about the cooperative business model and what makes cooperatives unique.

"October is co-op month to raise awareness about cooperatives; what better time to celebrate how the CHS Foundation has supported the development of cooperative education projects for more than 20 years?" says Nanci Lilja, president, CHS Foundation.

In 2018, more than 20 grants were awarded to 15 organizations supporting next-generation-focused projects. There was a new emphasis on projects that reach the next generation of cooperative leaders using fresh, innovative concepts and incorporate new technology. As a result, the CHS Foundation partnered with the National Association of Agriculture Educators on a new initiative My Local Cooperative. The initiative puts agriculture teachers in the driver's seat, helping teach students about cooperatives through a series of testimonials, videos and virtual fieldtrips.

"Cooperatives were founded on the principles of education and training," Lilja said. "We are proud to demonstrate our commitment to the cooperative system by supporting projects that engage youth."

Productive, proven methods are also an essential piece of the education puzzle. The CHS Foundation supported cooperative camps in conjunction with National Farmers Union and seven state farmers unions. Additional cooperative education projects were supported with long-term partners such as the Association of Cooperative Educators, Cooperative Development Foundation, Cooperative Network and the Ralph K. Morris Foundation.

"Most kids haven't grown up as close to cooperatives as their dads or grandads," says Lilja. "The cooperative system has a rich history and a unique story to tell. The CHS Foundation will continue to support projects that demonstrate that value."

For more information about how the CHS Foundation develops a new generation of ag leaders for life long success, visit chsfoundation.org.

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., is focused on developing a new generation of agriculture leaders for life-long success. Together, with our partners, we are igniting innovation and driving excellence in agriculture education, cultivating high-impact programs for rural youth and accelerating potential for careers in agriculture. Learn more at http://chsfoundation.org.



Corporate Leaders and National FFA Announce Transformational Initiative Addressing Emergent Agricultural Challenges

Top technology and agriculture companies have announced a partnership with the National FFA Organization to empower and educate nearly 670,000 FFA student members. Amazon Web Services, BASF, Blue River Technology (a John Deere company), Cargill, Corteva, Elanco, FMC, Merck Animal Health and Sealed Air are joining forces at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo on Oct. 24-27 in Indianapolis. This comprehensive partnership focuses on introducing the most cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches available and necessary to confront and inspire solutions to the world’s current and future food, nutrition and production challenges.

More than 65,000 FFA student members and guests are anticipated to attend this year’s national FFA convention and expo, the nation’s largest student convention. Students will experience an unmatched corporate synergy at the unveiling of The Blue Room, a 17,000-square-foot interactive experience centered on evolving sustainability, innovative efficiency and providing sustainable nutrition to a growing and changing global population.

This partnership includes top sponsors Microsoft and AgriNovus Indiana, as well as some of agriculture’s most influential and innovative companies. The 3-day event is specifically focused on bringing transformational innovation to three primary challenges: respecting the planet, feeding the world and improving lives.

    Amazon Web Services is rapidly growing and innovation is driving this expansion. Recognizing the need to develop future industry innovations that will feed and nourish the growing population, they offer solutions that add value for agricultural companies globally.

    BASF is one of the world’s leading chemical companies providing innovative crop inputs, biological solutions and seed solutions and treatments.
    
    Blue River Technology, a John Deere company, focuses on machine learning, systems software, autonomous vehicles and precision agriculture, with an overarching goal to improve farm production and protect the environment.

    Cargill works relentlessly to achieve their purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. They connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.
    
    Corteva understands that the future of farming depends on innovation. They provide tools to help farmers meet the demands of our food system while conserving resources and sustaining the land.
    
    Elanco provides comprehensive products and knowledge services to improve animal health and food-animal production in more than 90 countries. They are committed to raising awareness about global food security and celebrating and supporting the human-animal bond.
    
    FMC is focused on opportunities for growers to cover more ground in less time—saving water, fuel, labor and time. They understand that farmers need to produce more food using less resources, especially in areas with water shortages.
    
    Merck Animal Health offers an innovative portfolio of products, services and technologies to prevent, treat and control disease across major livestock and companion animal species. They work to build strong partnerships in an effort to improve the health of animals around the world. 

    Sealed Air is a leading global manufacturer of materials and systems for protective, presentation and fresh-food packaging and performance solutions in the industrial food and consumer markets.

“The Blue Room allows our FFA members to experience 21st-century technology and innovation in agriculture that can be life-changing for our students,” says Mark Poeschl, chief executive officer of the National FFA Organization. “These partners will showcase cutting-edge ideas and concepts that will provide FFA members an opportunity to envision the impact they can have on the future of the agriculture industry.”



Lawsuit Claims Chipotle Has Deceived Customers Over GMO Claims

Chipotle announced last spring that it would no longer serve food made with genetically modified ingredients. But last week, a law firm filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court claiming that the Mexican-style, fast-casual chain’s marketing is misleading and deceptive because it still sells lots of foods made with GMOs.

According to the complaint, Chipotle’s meat, cheese, and sour cream is made from animals fed with GMO soy and corn, and the soft drinks it serves are made with corn syrup made from GMO corn. The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of California on behalf of California consumers who have purchased food from Chipotle since April 27, the day the company announced that it was “G-M-Over it.” Kaplan, Fox, and Kilsheimer filed the lawsuit.

Fortune Magazine reports that the law firm issued a statement attributed to attorney Laurence D. King that read in part: “Chipotle’s advertising in its stores should have accurately informed customers about the source and quality of its ingredients and should not mislead consumers that they are serving food without GMOs when in fact they are.”

When reached for comment, King wrote in an email that beyond the complaint, “we have no comment at this time; rather we will let the complaint’s allegations speak for themselves.”