Thursday October 18 Ag News

Rural Mainstreet Index Expands for October: Bankers Expect Farmland Prices to Continue Decline

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral in October for a ninth straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.    

Overall: The overall index expanded to 54.3 from 51.5 in September. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Our surveys over the last several months indicate that the Rural Mainstreet economy is expanding outside of agriculture. However, the negative impacts of tariffs and low agriculture commodity prices continue to weaken the farm sector,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. 

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price for October sank to 34.8 from 37.5 in September. This is the 59th straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0.

Bank CEOs were asked to estimate the change in farmland prices over the past 12 months and for the next 12 months. On average, bankers estimated that farmland prices declined by 4.0 percent over the past 12 months and expect farmland prices to fall by another 3.2 percent over the next 12 months.

The October farm equipment-sales index fell to 33.3 from September’ 35.9. This marks the 62nd consecutive month that the reading has moved below growth neutral 50.0.
 
Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for October rose to 54.2 from 52.0 in September. The state’s farmland-price index fell to 34.9 from last month’s 37.6. Nebraska’s new-hiring index increased to 64.5 from 64.2 in September. Nebraska's Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 1.2 percent pace over the past 12 months.

Iowa: The October RMI for Iowa improved to 53.5 from September’s 51.2. Iowa’s farmland-price index for October sank to 34.6 from September’s 37.3. Iowa’s new-hiring index for October dipped to 59.8 from September’s 61.1. Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 0.8 percent pace over the past 12 months.

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included. 

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION FUNDS APPROACHING

Farmers and ranchers interested in preventing erosion, improving soil health, conserving water and wildlife, or making any other natural resource conservation improvements to their property are encouraged to apply now for funding available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Those interested in receiving funding should sign up before Nov. 16, 2018.

According to Craig Derickson, state conservationist for NRCS in Nebraska, there are several options available to producers.

“NRCS has a whole suite of conservation programs available to farmers and ranchers looking for assistance in improving and protecting the natural resources on their ag land. These programs provide funding on cropland and rangeland, as well as for animal feeding operations and establishing or enhancing wildlife habitat and wetlands. NRCS staff can help landowners and operators identify their options,” Derickson said.

One of the most widely applied conservation programs in Nebraska is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Through this program, conservation practices were installed on over 400,000 acres in Nebraska during 2018 with over 900,000 acres currently under contract statewide.

The goal of EQIP is to provide a financial incentive to encourage landowners to install conservation practices that protect natural resources, resulting in cleaner air and water, healthy soil and more wildlife habitat.

Individuals interested in entering into an EQIP agreement may apply at any time, but the ranking of applications on hand to receive funding will begin Nov. 16, 2018. The first step is to visit your local NRCS field office and complete an application.

For more information about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and other conservation programs, visit your local NRCS field office or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



This Week's Drought Summary - Oct 18
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

A wet weather pattern persisted across most of the nation, as the active Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Seasons continued. Hurricane Michael rapidly intensified just prior to slamming ashore in the Florida Panhandle, producing heavy rain across portions of the Southeast but causing fatalities as well as widespread, locally catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and agriculture. Out west, moisture associated with Hurricane Sergio triggered additional moderate to heavy rain across the lower Four Corners Region. Abundant moisture associated in part with the remnants of Sergio also led to another round of heavy rain from Texas northeastward into the middle Mississippi Valley. Likewise, rain and snow afforded drought relief from the central and northern Rockies into the upper Midwest. The unsettled conditions continued across the southern U.S. after the period ended; any rain that fell after 12z Tuesday morning (8 am, EDT) will be incorporated into next week’s analysis.

 High Plains
The overall trend toward improving conditions continued, with rain and snow on top of last week’s precipitation offering many of the region’s lingering driest areas additional much-needed moisture. In the Dakotas, moderate to heavy snow (nearly 6 inches reported at the NWS office in Grand Forks, ND, on October 10th) afforded a reduction to Abnormal Dryness (D0) to Extreme Drought (D3); two-week precipitation (liquid equivalent) has totaled 1 to 3 inches across the central and eastern Dakotas. Farther south, another wet week in Kansas pushed two-week totals to locally as high as 10 inches, supporting an additional reduction to the state’s Moderate (D1) and Severe Drought (D2). The western flank of this week’s rain added to the recent totals in southeastern Colorado, with 60-day precipitation surpluses of 1 to 4 inches supporting the reduction of D0, D1, and D2. Across the region, the recent rain and snow are helping to recharge water reserves and soil moisture while aiding pasture recovery and improving prospects for winter wheat establishment.

 Midwest
While much of the Midwest remained free of drought, well-placed rain and snow eased or eliminated lingering dryness in southwestern and northwestern portions of the region. Rain totaled 1 to 4 inches (locally more) from southcentral Missouri northward into eastern Iowa and western Illinois, reducing or eliminating Abnormal Dryness (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1). However, longer-term deficits lingered, with 6-month precipitation locally less than 70 percent of normal in the D1 areas of central and southern Missouri. Meanwhile, the first widespread snow event of the season supplied beneficial moisture to the driest areas of northern Minnesota; snow depths topped 4 inches, with snow-water liquid equivalent locally in excess of one inch supporting a reduction of D0 and D1.

Looking Ahead
Mostly dry conditions will prevail across the contiguous U.S., with the threat of additional heavy rain confined to Texas. Showers will accompany a strong cold front over the eastern third of the nation Friday into Saturday, but amounts will be generally light. This same front will bring sharply colder weather on gusty winds as well rain and high-elevation snow showers to the northeastern quarter of the nation. In contrast, high pressure will maintain mostly dry weather across the central and western U.S., save for lingering rain and snow showers over the Four Corners States. The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for October 23 – 27 calls for near- to above-normal precipitation over much of the nation, with the greatest likelihood of wetter-than-normal conditions in the Pacific Northwest, southern Plains, and eastern Gulf Coast. Drier-than-normal weather will be limited to the Great Lakes and Northeast. Warmer-than-normal weather across the eastern half of the nation — save for warmth across the central and eastern Gulf Coast — will contrast with above-normal temperatures from the northern Plains to the Pacific Coast States.



ANTELOPE CREEK REMOVED FROM IMPAIRED WATERS LIST

City, State and federal officials today announced that Antelope Creek, which runs for 11 miles through Lincoln, has been removed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Impaired Waters list.   Only 90 creeks in the nation have been removed from the list in the last 15 years, and only 14 of those are in urban areas. 

Antelope Creek was first added to the Clean Water Act List of Impaired Waters by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) in 2004.  At that time, levels of E.coli bacteria were more than 25 times the water quality standard.  A creek, stream, river, pond or lake can be removed from the Impaired Waters list only if they meet water quality standards set by the NDEQ and approved by the EPA.

Improving Antelope Creek and the surrounding area has been a collaborative project for more than 20 years involving the City, Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD), University of Nebraska, NDEQ, Nebraska Environmental Trust and other partners and local businesses. The Antelope Valley Project, which reduced flooding, improved traffic flow and spurred revitalization in the core of the City, also exposed the creek water to more sunlight, which helped break down the E.coli bacteria. 

 “The Antelope Creek project symbolizes the kind of can-do spirit that energizes Nebraskans to work together to solve tough problems and be good stewards of our natural resources,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts.  “Because of this project, homes and businesses are protected from floods, traffic flows more smoothly, new projects are flourishing along the stream corridor, and new venues for recreation were created. Thank you to the numerous partners who helped make today a reality.”

E.coli, which can be found in any body of water, is a species of bacteria specific to fecal material from people and warm-blooded animals and can occur naturally.  Since the mid-2000s, Antelope Creek has benefitted from about 15 stormwater quality improvement projects and two major flood control projects with funding from local, state and federal sources.  Residents and businesses along and near Antelope Creek have installed sustainable landscaping projects, including the installation of 119 residential rain gardens.  Permeable pavers and rain gardens have been installed in key locations throughout the creek area.  Other projects have included Assurity Life Insurance Company’s green roof and the Lincoln Children’s Zoo’s installation of rain gardens and special storm drain inlets designed to filter animal waste and sediment.

“Improving and preserving our environmental resources for future generations is difficult, but it is essential,” said Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler.  “Every single one of us must commit to changing our routines.  And if you’ve ever wondered if your small actions on a daily basis make a difference, remember Antelope Creek.  Consistent effort by many parties has made a huge difference. As a result, residents who come in contact with Antelope Creek won't have to worry as much about E. coli infections. Pets are safer if they accidentally drink from the stream. And one more waterway that feeds our recreational water system just got cleaner.”

“The removal and de-listing of Antelope Creek for E.coli contamination is a tribute to the vision, courage and tenacity of the many local, state and federal partners who coordinated efforts to create a safe, healthy and vital resource for the City of Lincoln,” said NDEQ Director Jim Macy. “This is a historic accomplishment for Nebraska and among only a handful of similar successes in the Nation.”

“The removal of Antelope Creek from the U.S. EPA Impaired Waters list is a result of strong commitment to the environment by many agencies and groups and the Lower Platte South NRD is proud to be involved in keeping Lincoln a safe and healthy place to live,” said LPSNRD Board Chair Ray Stevens.

“Success stories like this don’t happen without partnership,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford. “Local solutions and partnership can lead to big changes in water quality. The City of Lincoln, the Lower Platte Natural Resources District, NDEQ, and the University of Nebraska - the whole team should be proud of what they’ve accomplished in Antelope Creek.”

Antelope Creek runs from 84th and Highway 2 north to 14th Street and Cornhusker Highway.  The City has about 11 miles of bike paths along the creek that connect to more than 131 miles of trails in Lincoln.  The Creek is a major feature of Union Plaza, a linear park east of downtown.

Nebraska’s water quality standards describe the desired condition of a body of water. Water bodies are assigned beneficial uses such as recreation, aquatic life and water supply. Antelope Creek has a recreation water quality standard which is used to protect human health, aquatic life and all beneficial uses of the creek.



Managing Wet Soybeans in a Late Harvest

With only about 20 percent of Iowa’s soybean harvest complete as of Oct. 14, this year has already entered the record books as the state’s latest soybean harvest. This was caused by prolonged heavy rains in September and early October, resulting in increased instances of field losses, abnormally high harvest moisture content and moldy soybeans.

Combating these issues is difficult, but there are steps farmers can take to improve their crops this fall. This information is the focus of an article posted to the Integrated Crop Management (ICM) website titled “Managing Wet Soybeans in a Late Harvest.”

The article is written by Charles Hurburgh, professor and extension ag health and safety specialist at Iowa State University, Steve Johnson, farm management specialist, and Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“Harvest conditions this fall are very unusual,” Hurburgh said. “Harvest went from potentially abnormal early to the latest on record in just over a month. In-field quality has decreased, harvest losses have increased and high moisture beans present both a handling and marketing challenge.”

The article details current soybean conditions found in the field and how to store harvested soybean to maximize its storage shelf life. Soybeans that have molded in the field should be dried, preferably with air or very low heat addition, and then marketed as soon as possible.

Farmers anticipating delivering significant amounts of wet or damaged soybeans should work closely with their soybean merchandiser about the specifics of their dried weight calculations and damage discounts.

“Additionally, farmers should contact their crop insurance agent to determine if they are eligible for a quality adjustment as part of their insurance coverage,” Johnson said. “They also need to keep good records during harvest. These are deemed “soft records” such as yield monitor data (with calibration), weigh wagon or scales on grain carts, scale tickets and self-measurement of grain bins.”

These “soft records” can be used on the new Market Facilitation Program (MFP) application administered by local USDA FSA offices. If a crop insurance loss occurs, then “hard records” such grain bin measurements, warehouse receipts or settlement sheets will be required.



USTR Formalizes New Trade Talks With Important Feed Grain Markets

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) notified the U.S. Congress this week it intends to negotiate trade agreements with Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom, officially beginning a new wave of work toward expanding market access for U.S. businesses, including U.S. grain farmers and exporters.

The official announcement came Tuesday after months of speculation about which markets the Trump Administration would target first in its push for new trade talks and after several rounds of preliminary discussions with all three trading partners.

Notifying Congress of the intent to develop new trade agreements is an important sign of progress, since it also marks the first step in the process of negotiating an agreement that will be guaranteed up-or-down consideration by Congress through Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

"Over the past two years, we have talked extensively with officials at USTR and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about how important new trade agreements are to our sector and our members," said U.S. Grains Council (USGC) President and CEO Tom Sleight. "Seeing movement in these markets is a very tangible sign those needs are being addressed and encouraging to us as a part of our industry focused on new market access and finding new demand."

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with his counterparts from the European Union at last month's United Nations' General Assembly in New York. That round of discussions continued efforts started earlier in the year between President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and has been followed by several meetings between U.S. and EU officials since.

Lower-level trade ministers from the United States and United Kingdom have also met and have more talks scheduled for November in Washington.

Also last month, the U.S. and Japan announced there would be talks between their trade ministers, following a meeting between the two countries' leaders.

All three markets are important for producers of U.S. grains and their related products. Japan, for example, is the second largest buyer of U.S. feed grains in all forms now and the European Union as a block is a major corn importer. Both the European Union and then United Kingdom have trade barriers, especially related to biotechnology, that could be effectively addressed in trade negotiations.

The Council, which operates market development programs in 50 countries for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley and related products including ethanol, maintains an office in Tokyo and runs programs in the European Union and United Kingdom through its regional office in Tunisia.

"We look forward to engaging negotiators at USTR and USDA in the coming months as they begin the important work of developing new policy with markets that offer us significant potential," Sleight said. "The product these talks produce will be an important supplement to our existing cadre of agreements and also platforms for new agreements in frontier markets in Southeast Asia and Africa."



University research demonstrates increased starch digestibility and energy availability with Enogen® Feed silage

Profitability in dairy production requires managing inputs and increasing efficiency regardless of milk price. University research has shown that one opportunity to improve profit potential is through rations with more available energy.

A Farm Journal webinar on Thursday, October 25, will discuss these findings and how Enogen® Feed hybrids from Syngenta, fed as silage, can help dairy producers increase feed efficiency. Participants can register at www.dairyherd.com/resources/webinars. A recording of the webinar will be available after October 25 at this same link.

“Good corn silage is about 35 percent starch on a dry matter basis,” said Duane Martin, Ph.D., commercial traits manager for corn and soybean product marketing at Syngenta. “Because of the in-seed amylase technology in Enogen Feed corn, starch is easier for cattle to digest. Improved starch utilization can result in more available energy, and can help increase the feed value of silage in a ration.”

Research at leading universities and Rock River Laboratory demonstrates that Enogen Feed silage provides excellent starch digestibility through higher total starch and significantly more small particle starch than other corn hybrids. This has resulted in feed efficiency gains of five percent, on average, in research trials.

Total digestible nutrients (TDN) is a measure of energy provided by feed components and includes the sum of digestible fiber, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate components of a ration. A higher level of TDN in silage means more available energy. A more digestible ration improves feed intake. 2017 university replicated plot trials showed higher levels of TDN for Enogen Feed silage than other hybrids, including BMR hybrids.

“Higher energy, higher TDN silage allows nutritionists to put together rations with more energy that are better able to support the needs of the cow,” said Randy Shaver, Ph.D., Professor, Dairy Nutrition, Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison. “The response we’ve seen in research trials with Enogen Feed silage on TDN is largely coming through the starch side, with greater starch digestibility, which has resulted in improved feed efficiency. Increases in feed efficiency, through more available energy, can enable nutritionists to utilize higher energy in a variety of ways, including a potential reduction in feed costs.”

Kansas State University (KSU) research has also shown that Enogen Feed silage is less prone to spoilage, due to a higher level of acetate. In addition, silage in the KSU trial reached a lower pH level more quickly, which means high quality Enogen Feed silage may reach stability sooner and be less prone to spoilage than other silage.



DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA INVESTS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Companies around the globe are leveraging innovative technologies and artificial intelligence to make more informed decisions and better run their businesses. This week, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national cooperative owned by dairy farm families across the U.S., announced an investment in SomaDetect, a dairy technology startup that will help farmers utilize artificial intelligence to more closely monitor the health of their herd and improve milk quality.

“This is a potentially game-changing technology for our farmers and the industry as it allows dairy farmers to know the health of each cow and quality of milk in real time,” says David Darr, president, farm services at DFA. “With access to better data, our farmers can make more knowledgeable decisions, which is a huge value.”

With SomaDetect’s technology, farmers can easily evaluate components of interest in raw milk, including fat, protein, somatic cells, progesterone and trace antibiotics. While the technology continues to be refined for commercialization, the platform provides cost-effective, instant analysis, which enables farmers to make rapid and proactive decisions related to the overall health and management of their cows.

SomaDetect recently completed the 2018 Sprint Accelerator program, which is also sponsored by DFA. The Accelerator is a 90-day, immersive program that helps accelerate and grow startup businesses.

“DFA and their members have been a great mentor and partner for us, and we’re excited to continue working with them to help bring the SomaDetect platform to dairy farmers across the country,” says Bethany Deshpande, Founder and CEO at SomaDetect. “Dairy farmers have been our greatest teachers and allies throughout the development of our company and technology, and our goal is to show them the same care they show their herd.”



Eye-Popping H-2A Figures Posted in FY2018
www.fb.org

In July 2018, after the third quarter H-2A program data was released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification, we predicted an extremely large number of positions would be certified in the fourth quarter, pushing DOL certifications over the 240,000 mark in fiscal year 2018. With DOL certifying more than 49,000 positions in July, August and September – an increase of over 23 percent from fourth quarter 2017—that projection has been proven correct. A strong fourth quarter brought the total number of certified positions in FY 2018 to 242,762 – an increase of more than 21 percent over FY 2017.

The end of the fiscal year presents a good opportunity to compare growth in H-2A use among different states and crops. In FY 2018, Georgia had the largest number of certified positions, surpassing Florida, which led the nation in certified H-2A positions in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Georgia was able to capture the title for the first time with an incredible 38 percent increase in certified positions between 2017 and 2018. As is highlighted in Figure 2, all of the top five H-2A utilizing states experienced position growth between 2017 and 2018. Even more incredible is the increase over the last five years. Between 2014 and 2018, Georgia, Florida, Washington, North Carolina and California experienced growth rates of 212 percent, 125 percent, 174 percent, 50 percent and 213 percent, respectively. Louisiana, Kentucky, New York and Arizona, all among the top 10 states over the last five years, also experienced growth in FY 2018, increasing by 14 percent, 3 percent, 11 percent and 24 percent, respectively. The state of Michigan completes the top 10  list with 8,359 positions, a growth of 24 percent from 2017. Michigan’s position as the seventh-largest user of the H-2A program is especially impressive given that it only just made the top 10 list for the first time in 2017.

Among crops, growers of berries continue to be the largest users of the H-2A program. Growers of blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries, the primary berry crops, had more than 25,000 positions certified in FY 2018 – a 16 percent increase over FY 2017. The same crops have been in the top five for the last three years – berries, general farm work, tobacco, apples and melons -  though the relative order has changed significantly. In FY 2018, after berries, general farm workers were the second most requested and certified worker position. In FY 2018, DOL certified more than 100 percent additional general farm worker positions than in FY 2017. The number of certified positions for tobacco, apples and melons positions grew by 49 percent, 18 percent and 29 percent, respectively, from FY 2017 to FY 2018.

As previously mentioned, DOL certified nearly a quarter of a million positions in FY 2018. This is 108 percent more than the number of positions certified in FY 2014, just five years ago, ands more than double the number of positions in a very short time span--with no sign of a slow down any time soon.



Trump Administration Launches “Winning on Reducing Food Waste” Initiative

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the signing of a joint agency formal agreement under the Winning on Reducing Food Waste initiative.  The agreement is aimed at improving coordination and communication across federal agencies attempting to better educate Americans on the impacts and importance of reducing food loss and waste.  Signing the joint agency agreement were U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, and FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D.  

In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply. This figure, based on estimates from USDA’s Economic Research Service of 31 percent food loss at the retail and consumer levels, corresponded to approximately 133 billion pounds and $161 billion worth of food in 2010.  Wasted food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills and represents nourishment that could have helped feed families in need.  Additionally, water, energy, and labor used to produce wasted food could have been employed for other purposes.  Effectively reducing food waste will require cooperation among federal, state, tribal and local governments, faith-based institutions, environmental organizations, communities, and the entire supply chain.

While there have been significant actions taken and commitments made through public-private partnerships to date, such as the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions initiative, which aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, there is still much work to be done.  The Trump Administration commends the 23 organizations and businesses which have joined the U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions, including the three most recent companies – Kroger, Hilton, and MGM Resorts International– which joined today.  There are tremendous economic opportunities and possible cost savings for businesses and individual households that can result from reducing food waste. And while businesses are a critical component of food waste reductions, consumer education is also key to the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative.

“An unacceptable percentage of our food supply is lost or wasted,” said Secretary Perdue.  “As the world’s population continues to grow and the food systems continue to evolve, now is the time for action to educate consumers and businesses alike on the need for food waste reduction.  I am pleased to be joined by my Trump Administration colleagues on this important, common sense issue.  The future of food depends on action from us now, which is why we have established this formal partnership among USDA, EPA, and FDA.”

“EPA is proud to partner with USDA and FDA to enhance food recovery efforts and educate the public on the need for improved food waste management,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Redirecting excess food to people, animals, or energy production has tremendous economic and social benefits, and that is why the Trump Administration is working closely with businesses and consumers to prevent food loss and maximize the inherent value of food.”

“Sadly, each day too many American families struggle to meet their nutritional needs and we at the FDA recognize the important role that reducing food waste can play in filling this critical gap,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “By taking steps to address obstacles that food donation and recovery programs may face in giving unsold foods a second opportunity and helping food producers find ways to recondition their products so that they can be safely sold or donated, our aim is to both reduce food waste and nourish Americans in need. We are delighted to be collaborating with our federal partners on the Winning on Reducing Food Waste initiative as we continue to explore additional ways to reduce food waste and make safe, nutritional foods available to all.”

This joint announcement was unveiled at the USDA’s headquarters and was followed by a panel discussion on fostering change to reduce food waste in the U.S. The panel moderated by Barry Breen, Acting Assistant Administrator of the EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management.

The agencies collectively look forward to hearing feedback from stakeholders about how they can work together at the federal level and leverage partners throughout the supply chain to have national impact on reducing food loss and waste in the long term.