Thursday November 1 Ag News

State of the Ag Economy, Tax Reform, and Food Technology – Key Issues at Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Convention

Delegates to Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention will discuss and form policy positions on several key issues that affect the well-being of Nebraska farm and ranch families. Farmers and ranchers will gather Dec. 2-4 at Kearney’s Younes Convention Center to establish policy for the organization on state issues and recommend policy on national matters to the American Farm Bureau, which holds its national meeting in January.

“Our annual meeting is about serving members, and our policy development process is critical to bringing together the collective voice of our members to help shape the public policies that directly affect the livelihood and our ability to raise food for a growing population,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.

Among the key issues for discussion at the convention will be the state of the ag economy, trade, tax reform, food technology, and rural broadband.

“Net farm income in Nebraska has fallen substantially in recent years and income for 2018 looks like it will at best remain steady to lower. Delegates will discuss policy regarding profitability in agriculture from a state and national perspective,” said Nelson.

We have been tackling the issue of property tax reform on the delegate floor and this year will be no exception.

“Property tax relief and reform is still high on the minds of our members, and our delegates will further discuss what they would like to see done in that area,” said Nelson.

Delegates will also consider resolutions targeting the labeling of synthetic meat and who should regulate the process United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Drug Administration (FDA) or both.

“Nebraska is a beef state and our delegates will consider a number of resolutions that examine the labeling of synthetic meat products. While our members aren’t necessarily interested in banning these products, they are worried about consumer confusion and want to ensure the good-will bought and paid for with producer dollars via checkoff programs, isn't harmed by this new technology. It should be a very good discussion on the delegate floor,” Nelson said.

Other issues for deliberation by delegates include topics such as private property rights and nuisance laws, the use of blockchain technology in agriculture as well as discussion surrounding the use of data to monitor and verify the source and origin of commodities and food from the farm through the processors, shippers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers, among other topics.

Outside of action on agriculture policy, attendees to the Annual Convention will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions designed to help farm and ranch families address operational needs. Sessions will be held to help attendees with issues surrounding the transfer of the farm or ranch from one generation to the next, gain insight on trade deals, and the impact the next farm bill will have on the agriculture economy.

“The Nebraska Farm Bureau was established many years ago to help Nebraska’s farm and ranch families deal with challenging issues, while the times and issues may have changed, our mission has not,” Nelson said.

Nebraska Farm Bureau’s Annual Convention will also serve as the backdrop for the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation’s Grower’s Gala event Dec. 3.

“Annual Convention will highlight the Grower’s Gala fundraiser, and there is no better place to capture what the Foundation is doing to broaden their reach and provide high quality agricultural literacy programming across the state. We welcome their insight on how to continue the excitement of an industry that provides necessities, quality of life, and exciting career opportunities. The future in Nebraska is bright because of our Foundation,” Nelson said.



Farmers Encouraged to “Keep the Stubble” During No-Till November

During a special month-long campaign called “No Till November”, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging Nebraska farmers to “keep the stubble” on their harvested crop fields and improve soil health.

The project is mirrored after the national cancer awareness “No Shave November” campaign. The “No Till November” campaign encourages farmers to keep a different kind of stubble by parking tillage equipment in their machine sheds this fall and keep crop stubble on their fields.

“No till farming is a cornerstone soil health practice, which also promotes water quality while saving farmers time and money,” said State Conservationist Craig Derickson. “One of the first soil health principles is ‘do not disturb.’ This campaign is a fun way to remind farmers about the important relationship between tillage and soil health.”

Improving soil health increases soil biological activity, which provides erosion control, nutrient benefits and can simulate tillage.

Nebraska State Conservation Agronomist Corey Brubaker says fall tillage disturbs soil and removes valuable cover that can leave soil exposed and unprotected during harsh winter months. Other field-disturbing practices like baling corn stalks also removes valuable cover and nutrients from the field.

“Farmers who bale cornstalks for livestock bedding or sell it to other livestock producers could be entering into a losing proposition due to the lost nutrient value and soil health benefits,” Brubaker said.

Based on current commodity prices and the nutrient value in each bale, Brubaker says farmers should leave crop residue in the field especially if the fields are highly erodible and subject to conservation compliance.

“The plant residue left in the field after harvest is a valuable resource,” says Brubaker. “The value in cornstalks can be better used for reducing soil erosion, providing extra organic matter content in the soil, and contributing nutrients back to the soil.”

In Nebraska, cornstalk bales are currently selling for $45-80 per ton. The estimated cost of baling cornstalks, considering the value of the nutrients removed ($28/ton*), custom raking ($3/ton), and custom baling ($22/ton), is about $53 per ton. If bales are sold at the lower end of the current rate, farmers are not only losing money, but also the benefits of leaving residue on their fields.

Conservationists at the Natural Resources Conservation Service say the best thing producers can do for their cropland is to leave it undisturbed as much as possible. They encourage producers this November to not till their fields and keep crop residue in place to replenish the soil.

For more information on how to protect and improve soil quality, contact your local NRCS office or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Nebraska Extension to Offer Board Training for Nonprofits

Rural communities are supported by numerous nonprofits organized to manage local projects and events. It’s these projects that that make Nebraska the good life. Come fall, nonprofits prepare for a new year by recruiting new members.

While willing to serve in new leadership roles, many folks come onto boards with no familiarity or knowledge of how nonprofit organizations function let alone the legal requirements. Since rules and regulations governing nonprofits change, it’s important to update seasoned board members, too.

Nebraska Extension and the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands are partnering to bring Board Masters: Nonprofit Board Training to Fremont. The program will be held at the Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd Street on December 4.  It will run from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and a light dinner is included.

Presenters will provide the latest information all board members need to know to keep their nonprofit organizations compliant and boards operating smoothly. They will discuss:
·        Mission and Vision, Board Structure, and Meaningful Engagement
·        Finance and Compliance
·        Recruitment, Team Building, Improvement and Evaluation

There are multiple registration options and discounts for multiple board members to attend the training. Folks can register online and pay with a credit card at http://go.unl.edu/chd4 or they download a form to use for paying by check. The registration deadline for the Fremont Board Masters: Nonprofit Board Training is Friday, November 30th. Pre-registration is required to hold the program.

For more detailed information or an agenda, contact Jessica Jones at jessica.jones.@unl.edu or the Johnson County Extension Office, 402.335.3669 or Carroll Welte at cwelte1@unl.edu or the Burt County Extension Office, 402.374.2929.

Participants of the Extension nonprofit board trainings agree the information provided is valuable. So don’t hesitate. Go to http://go.unl.edu/chd4 and register for the nonprofit board training today.



 Land O'Lakes, Inc. announces expansion of its Cooperative Farmer Member Health Plan into Nebraska
Land O'Lakes, Inc. is the first organization to sponsor a self-insured multi-state group health plan under new Association Health Plan (AHP) Regulations that were issued this past summer. This self-insured arrangement now offers coverage to farmers of participating co-ops and individual dairy farmers within the Land O'Lakes network in Minnesota and now, Nebraska.

In 2017, a Minnesota-specific statute afforded Land O'Lakes the opportunity to develop a group health plan for individual farmers within its network. In 2018, through a partnership with Gravie, a Minneapolis-based benefits marketplace, this pilot group health plan was offered to 12 Minnesota-based Land O'Lakes co-ops and to its dairy farmers. In 2019, this plan is expanding to nearly 15,000 additional eligible farmers in Minnesota and 28,000 farmers in Nebraska who are members of cooperatives that opt-in to participating and offering coverage.

Farmers participating in the Land O'Lakes Cooperative Farmer Member Health Plan can choose from several ACA compliant plans – all of which cover each of the ten Essential Health Benefits (EHBs), have broad network coverage and are more affordable than plans offered in the current individual market. As ACA and ERISA compliant plans, those with pre-existing conditions are not barred from participation, nor will premiums be developed based on a particular participant's health condition.

"For years Land O'Lakes has recognized the need for affordable, comprehensive health care options for our producers and farmers. Now we have an option for those in Minnesota and Nebraska," said Pamela Grove, Sr. Director of Benefits.

"We know that our co-op members see the importance of this offering given that so many have opted to participate and provide access to these benefit plans for their member farmers. We look forward to partnering with the Nebraska Insurance Department and appreciate their work in helping us provide affordable and comprehensive health coverage to Nebraska farmers. We hope to work closely with other state regulators as we look to expand."

This is the second health plan sponsored by Land O'Lakes to specifically offer a health care solution to those in the Land O'Lakes system. In 2011, the company launched a fully-insured plan to certain agriculture member co-ops who wished to offer coverage to their employees. This plan now covers nearly 12,000 individuals in 13 states. The company intends to continue to grow this new solution for its member producers and farmers within its cooperative system.



HENNENFENT HIRED AS EMERGENCY MGT COORDINATOR FOR THE IA DEPT OF AG

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that Dr. Andrew Hennenfent has been hired as the new Emergency Management Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.  He will start with the Department on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 and will ensure the Department’s emergency response plans are up to date, organize disease response exercises and work with industry partners.

“We are excited for Dr. Hennenfent to get started and further strengthen our preparations for potential foreign animal disease outbreaks. With a number of African swine fever cases in China and Europe, along with ongoing concerns about avian influenza and foot and mouth disease, making sure our response plans are current and ready to be implemented is critically important,” Naig said.  “Dr. Hennenfent has broad experience as a public health veterinarian that will be a tremendous asset as he serves in this important role.”

Dr. Hennenfent grew up on a crop and livestock farm in Warren County, IL and has had a lifelong interest in animal and community health. He most recently served as the State Public Health Veterinarian for the District of Columbia. In this role he was responsible for supervising zoonotic disease investigation and response. He had previously worked as a Veterinarian in Orland Hills, IL.

Dr. Hennenfent graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.

The Department received a $250,000 appropriation from the Iowa Legislature this fiscal year to support preparations for a foreign animal disease outbreak. A portion of that funding is being used for this position.



Over 200 Farm, Food and Rural Groups Endorse Agribusiness Merger Moratorium Bills

Today, a broad-based coalition of 213 farm, food, rural, faith and consumer advocacy organizations delivered a letter to Congress endorsing food and agribusiness merger moratorium bills and urging members of the House and Senate to cosponsor the legislation. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) introduced the Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2018 companion bills this year (S.3404/H.R.6800).

“Corporate consolidation has long been one of the greatest challenges plaguing family farmers, ranchers and rural communities,” said National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson. “By allowing us to step back to evaluate and strengthen the United States’ antitrust framework, the merger moratorium is a meaningful first step in stemming the tide of concentration in the agriculture and food sectors. We applaud Senator Booker and Representative Pocan for introducing this legislation and urge other members of Congress to join the effort to pass this legislation.”

The legislation would impose an 18-month moratorium on the mega-mergers that have swept the agribusiness, food manufacturing and grocery industries. This wave of consolidation has contributed to falling farm prices, declining farm incomes, stagnant wages for food workers, raising food prices and economic stagnation in rural communities.

“There are now just a few colossal companies reaping profits from their control of every link of the food chain,” said Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. “Hyper-consolidation raises consumer prices while lowering the prices farmers receive. It eliminates choices for both farmers and eaters and undermines the resiliency and sustainability of the food system.”

The letter outlines why the legislation is sorely needed as the food and agribusiness industries have been on a merger and acquisition spree. Major seed, fertilizer, food processing and grocery chains have merged to form some of the biggest food and agribusiness companies of all time.

“With the recent onslaught of agricultural mega-mergers and acquisitions, including those of multinational giants like ChemChina and Syngenta, Bayer and Monsanto, and Marfrig and National Beef, there has never been a more pressing time for Congress to take action,” said Joe Maxwell, Executive Director of the Organization for Competitive Markets. “OCM is encouraged by the groundswell of organizational support and proud to stand with more than 200 groups calling for a crackdown on monopolistic corporate practices that hurt farmers, workers, consumers and our communities.”

The Booker-Pocan bill would put a strategic pause on merger combinations of over $176 million in sales or assets and establish a commission to study the impacts of consolidation in the food and agricultural sectors on farmers, rural communities and consumers. The commission would also recommend any necessary changes to federal antitrust statutes or other laws and regulations to restore a fair and competitive agricultural marketplace.

“The consolidation in the food and agribusiness sectors has disproportionately harmed smaller-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers that have had a harder time selling their farm products at fair prices to fewer, bigger corporate buyers,” said Lorette Picciano, Executive Director of the Rural Coalition. “The mega-merger trend also compounds a downward spiral in income, wages and working conditions for farmers, ranchers, farm and food chain workers, and small businesses, eroding rural economic vitality, creating less vibrant and less sustainable communities who are pitted against each other to survive. It is long past time for a pause to provide them the time and statutory tools they need to build the futures they want.”

The letter, signed by groups from 47 states, urged other Members of Congress to cosponsor the legislation to stop the mergers that threaten independent family farmers, consumers and communities.  Nebraska co-signers include:
  - Center for Rural Affairs
  - Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska
  - Nebraska WIFE
  - Nebraska Farmers Union

“The unchecked wave of food company mergers has enabled and encouraged large corporations to raise prices and manipulate research and development, to the detriment of farmers and consumers,” said Thomas Gremillion, Director of the Food Policy Institute at the Consumer Federation of America. “This legislation is sorely needed to prevent a tsunami of grossly anticompetitive, anti-consumer merger proposals.”



NCGA Statement on Environmental Groups Petition to the EPA on Land Use

The following is a statement from Nebraska farmer Lynn Chrisp, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), on a petition filed by environmental and conservation groups regarding land use.

“The acreage data is very clear: farmers are planting fewer acres to corn today than we did when the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was expanded,” said Lynn Chrisp, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “And it’s not just corn acres that have fallen. The area planted to principal crops is shrinking nationwide. The reality of what is happening on today’s farms is not accurately portrayed in the petition.”

Farmers planted fewer acres to corn in 2018 (89.1 million) than they did when the RFS was expanded in 2007 (93.5 million). During that same time, ethanol production expanded from 6.5 billion gallons to 15.8 billion gallons. Overall, the area planted to principal crops in the U.S. has fallen from 328.6 million acres in 2000 to 322 million acres in 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

“How is it possible that farmers can use less land today to produce more corn than they did 10 years ago?  The answer is productivity,” said Chrisp. “The average corn yield has increased by more than 25 bushels per acre since 2007, resulting in an abundant corn supply that meets food, feed and fuel needs with significant bushels to spare.”

While farmers today produce more corn on fewer acres, they are also doing so with fewer resources and improved farming practices. Farmers have doubled yields while the cutting use of primary nutrients per bushel in half between 1980 and 2014.  NCGA’s sustainability initiatives, such as our Soil Health Partnership, are helping farmers advance production practices that further improve soil health, resulting in more carbon sequestration, erosion protection and nutrient storage.

“Renewable fuels burn cleaner than the fossil fuels they replace, reducing harmful pollutant emissions that impact human health.  Ethanol blending in fuel last year reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the same amount as taking more than 11 million vehicles off the road for a year,” said Chrisp.  “Farmers are proud of our progress toward being more productive with fewer resources, and we stand behind ethanol’s environmental benefits.  Our improved production practices have made ethanol an even lower-carbon fuel, when compared to gasoline, and will continue to improve ethanol’s benefits.”

Chrisp welcomed new dialog with environmental organizations.

“Environmental groups recognized the emissions reductions and health benefits of biofuels when they backed the RFS. This energy and environmental policy has been a success, delivering GHG reductions, improving air quality, saving consumers money at the pump and reducing our dependence on oil,” said Chrisp.  “Farmers stand ready to help these groups understand today’s corn and ethanol production and demonstrate how we all benefit from renewable fuels.”



America’s Pig Farmers Embrace One Health Day Principles

In celebration of global One Health Day on Nov. 3, America’s pig farmers will reaffirm their commitment to use antimicrobials responsibly as they do their part to reduce antibiotic resistance. This action supports producers’ core values of continuous improvement and doing what’s right for the health of people, pigs and the planet.

“Every day, U.S. pig farmers work diligently to ensure their animal’s health and well-being while embracing environmental stewardship to mutually benefit all,” said National Pork Board President Steve Rommereim, a pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “One Health Day is a good opportunity to share with the public that we are committed to using antibiotics responsibly and to doing our part to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.”

One Health Day (#OneHealthDay) goals include drawing attention to the One Health Global Initiative (#OneHealth), which is a collaborative effort to cultivate the connection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment to achieve the best health outcomes for all.  A specific example within pork production is the focus on responsible antibiotic use among animal, human and environmental health disciplines and institutions to minimize antimicrobial resistance.

“There is no single factor driving antimicrobial resistance; it is a complex issue with human, animal and environmental health all contributing to the outcome,” said the National Pork Board’s Heather Fowler, DVM, Pork Checkoff director of producer and public health. That’s why a transdisciplinary approach like One Health is essential to ensure optimal health well into the future.”

As part of the third annual One Health Day, Fowler will present the keynote lecture at the 2018 Iowa One Health Symposium on Nov. 3, at Iowa State University. The daylong event will bring together veterinary, medical and public health students and related professionals to discuss how the One Health approach can drive positive change across all sectors.

Fowler points to the pork industry’s embrace of One Health’s tenets as a major reason for her career path that’s led her to the National Pork Board.

“It was certainly a driving force behind my interest as a public health veterinarian to seek out proactive organizations, such as the National Pork Board, that take their responsibility to heart to meet important issues such as antimicrobial resistance head-on.”

In keeping with their ongoing path of continuous improvement, U.S. pig farmers have allocated about $6.5 million of Checkoff funds to research related to antibiotic studies since 2000. In 2018 alone, the Pork Checkoff funded nearly $400,000 across multiple research areas to evaluate antibiotic alternatives and other methods to minimize on-farm antibiotic use.

The Pork Quality Assurance® Plus certification program, now approaching its third decade, is another example of the pork industry’s long-term commitment to antibiotic stewardship while maximizing animal health and well-being. The National Pork Board also continues to collaborate with the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Challenge (#AMRChallenge). The yearlong effort provides an avenue for governments, private industries and non-governmental organizations worldwide to make formal commitments that further the progress against antimicrobial resistance.

“It’s in everyone’s best interests to maintain the effectiveness of antimicrobials because they are extremely valuable tools,” Rommereim said. “Pig farmers are committed to raising healthy hogs and to supplying safe, nutritious, affordable pork for U.S. and global consumers. We’re all in this together.”

One Health Day helps broaden the discussion and shares pig farmers’ message with the public.

“You don’t have to be a health professional to participate or make an impact,” Fowler added. “Pork producers implement One Health practices every day as they make production decisions on their farms and work to make a positive impact on the health of people, pigs and the planet.”



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 501 million bushels in September 2018. Total corn consumption was down 7 percent from August 2018 but up 1 percent from September 2017. September 2018 usage included 91.7 percent for alcohol and 8.3 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 2.81 million bushels, down 21 percent from August 2018 and down 21 percent from September 2017. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 449 million bushels, was down 7 percent from August 2018 but up 1 percent from September 2017. Corn consumed in September 2018 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 91.5 percent and 8.5 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.95 million tons during September 2018, down 11 percent from August 2018 but up 5 percent from September 2017. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.30 million tons in September 2018, down 1 percent from August 2018 but up 1 percent from September 2017.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 293,548 tons during September 2018, down 10 percent from August 2018 and down 9 percent from September 2017. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 229,183 tons in September 2018, down 11 percent from August 2018 and down 18 percent from September 2017.

Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.08 million tons (169 million bushels) in September 2018, compared with 5.09 million tons (170 million bushels) in August 2018 and 4.36 million tons (145 million bushels) in September 2017. Crude oil produced was 1.94 billion pounds down slightly from August 2018 but up 14 percent from September 2017. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.47 billion pounds during September 2018 increased 1 percent from August 2018 and increased 6 percent from September 2017.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 178,162 tons in September 2018, compared with 170,472 tons in August 2018 and 193,523 tons in September 2017. Canola crude oil produced was 152 million pounds up 9 percent from August 2018 but down 8 percent from September 2017. Canola once refined oil production at 161 million pounds during September 2018 was up 46 percent from August 2018 and up 8 percent from September 2017. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 43.3 million pounds during September 2018 was down 5 percent from August 2018 but up 13 percent from September 2017.

Edible tallow production was 77.2 million pounds during September 2018, down 16 percent from August 2018 and down slightly from September 2017. Inedible tallow production was 330 million pounds during September 2018, down 1 percent from August 2018 but up 11 percent from September 2017. Technical tallow production was 109 million pounds during September 2018, down 9 percent from August 2018 but up 27 percent from September 2017. Choice white grease production at 104 million pounds during September 2018 decreased 8 percent from August 2018 but increased slightly from September 2017.

Flour Milling Products
All wheat ground for flour during the third quarter 2018 was 233 million bushels, up 3 percent from the second quarter 2018 grind of 227 million bushels but down 1 percent from the third quarter 2017 grind of 234 million bushels. Third quarter 2018 total flour production was 108 million hundredweight, up 3 percent from the second quarter 2018 but down slightly from the third quarter 2017. Whole wheat flour production at 5.72 million hundredweight during the third quarter 2018 accounted for 5 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the third quarter 2018 was 1.63 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the third quarter 2018 was 1.64 million hundredweight.

Durum wheat ground for flour and semolina production during the third quarter of 2018 totaled 16.7 million bushels, up 6 percent from the second quarter 2018 and up 3 percent from the third quarter 2017. Third quarter 2018 durum flour and semolina production was 7.88 million hundredweight, up 3 percent from the second quarter 2018 and up 1 percent from the third quarter 2017. Whole wheat durum flour and semolina production was 135 thousand hundredweight, up 4 percent from 130 thousand hundredweight in the second quarter 2018 but down 30 percent from 194 thousand hundredweight in the third quarter 2017. Third quarter durum wheat millfeed production was 113 thousand tons and the daily 24-hour milling capacity for durum and semolina production was 123 thousand hundredweight.

Rye ground for flour during the third quarter of 2018 was 443 thousand bushels, down 6 percent from the second quarter 2018 but up 9 percent from the third quarter 2017. Rye flour production during the third quarter of 2018 was 211 thousand hundredweight, compared to 225 thousand hundredweight in the previous quarter and 206 thousand hundredweight in the same quarter for the previous year. The daily 24-hour milling capacity for rye milling was 9.79 thousand hundredweight for the third quarter 2018.



Sharing The Octane Advantage Of Ethanol With World Markets
US Grains Council

Global markets vary greatly in their experiences with ethanol, from fully realizing the advantages of increased ethanol use to continued reliance on expensive and environmentally harmful fossil fuel additives. The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) wants countries around the world to look to ethanol when their government and industries think about octane.

Depending on the octane of the base gasoline in the fuel, refiners use additives to boost octane levels to enhance engine performance. Many international markets rely on methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as an additive despite water quality problems and associated clean-up costs exhibited in the United States and other countries. Additionally, refiners often use aromatics such as benzene, toluene and xylene, collectively known as BTX. Aromatics have high levels of particulate matter emissions that negatively impact human health and are expensive.

With one of the highest octane ratings of any fuel additive at 113 AKI (anti-knock index, which measures the fuel's ability to resist knocking during combustion), ethanol provides economic benefits by boosting octane ratings of subgrade gasoline. Markets that do not allow ethanol blending within their national fuel specifications do not capture this octane advantage, cost-savings and other benefits of ethanol for their fuel oxygenation requirements, typically due to the lack of policies effectively governing national fuel standards. Many of these governments simply do not know a reliable alternative to MTBE or aromatics exists and is readily available.

From a straight price perspective, U.S. ethanol is cheaper than other components of gasoline - including MTBE and aromatics - and in some cases, gasoline itself. Using ethanol also reduces refining costs, allowing use of a sub-grade of gasoline, adding more savings. Octane value and cost savings are especially important in price-sensitive markets where fuel demand is more elastic.

Countries with excess refining capacity stand to further benefit from using ethanol in the finished gasoline product to other countries. South Korea and India both have significant refining sectors to service their own markets and export finished product to other markets. Singapore is also a major transshipment point for other countries in the Asian region, including Indonesia, which has annual gasoline demand of nearly 12 billion gallons.

The Persian Gulf, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and other European countries with excess oil refining capacity are exporting finished gasoline products to the West Africa region. These countries are taking advantage of the octane benefits of ethanol and passing them on to customer countries.

In its work to promote ethanol use globally, the Council encourages countries without the ability to produce their own feedstock to develop biofuels policies that include a role for ethanol imports. Countries that produce ethanol domestically can also benefit from trade that helps reliably fulfill the total ethanol demand needed to meet national fuel mandates.

More than 65 countries already have biofuels policies in place, with 11 markets announcing significant policy expansions in the last year. The Council continues to educate ministry and industry officials on the benefits of using ethanol and developing policies with a role for trade.



USDA Dairy Products September 2018 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.06 billion pounds, 3.1 percent above September 2017 but 2.0 percent below August 2018. Italian type cheese production totaled 451 million pounds, 4.3 percent above  September 2017 but 1.1 percent below August 2018. American type cheese production totaled 419 million pounds, 3.9 percent above September 2017 but 1.7 percent below August 2018. Butter production was 134 million pounds, 0.1 percent below September 2017 but 0.3 percent above August 2018.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with September 2017)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 106 million pounds, down 21.0 percent.
Skim milk powder - 48.7 million pounds, up 67.3 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with September 2017)
Dry whey, total - 71.3 million pounds, down 21.9 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 87.9 million pounds, down 7.4 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 42.2 million pounds, up 9.1 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with September 2017)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 58.0 million gallons, down 4.3 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 34.6 million gallons, down 1.7 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.07 million gallons, down 6.4 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.41 million gallons, down 3.2 percent.



CF Industries Eyes More American Corn

(Dow Jones) -- CF Industries forecasts strong demand for its products next year, thanks in part to a big boost to US corn plantings. The fertilizer company sees farmers planting 93M acres of corn in 2019, up from 89M this year, along with higher wheat plantings, according to its latest earnings report. Both crops rely on nitrogen fertilizer to grow, contributing to CF's outlook for robust global demand through the first half of the year. The shift to corn comes as a direct consequence of the US-China trade war, which has sapped demand for US soybeans from China, the world's largest buyer.