Tuesday November 27 Ag News

Confronting Cropping Challenges
Getting the latest information on issues facing crop farmers AND an opportunity to renew your private pesticide applicator license will all take place at a series of meetings in December. This is the third year for Confronting Cropping Challenges and responses from last year’s programs were very positive. This year the program will be offered at five locations in the area.
*  Monday, December 17 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon – Nielsen Community Center - West Point
*  Monday, December 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Pender Community Center - Pender
*  Tuesday, December 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Club Room, Ag Park - Columbus
*  Wednesday, December 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Madison Extension Office - Norfolk
*  Thursday, December 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Blair Public Library - Blair

Topics that will be covered this year include:
•    Crop Insect Update on Soybean Gall Midge, Western Bean Cutworm, and others
•    Crop Disease Update on Gray Leaf Spot and Frogeye and others
•    Hail Know Resources
•    Cover Crops 101
•    Resistant Weed Update and Herbicide Carryover
•    Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification

Anyone that just wants the crops information can attend the first five sessions and leave. If you need to have your private applicator license renewed (renewal only, not initial certification) in 2019, you can stick around for the final session to be recertified. Even though this training is being offered in 2018, you will not lose a year of certification on your license.

The cost for the program is $10 if you are only attending the first five sessions. If you are being recertified, the cost will be $50. The additional $40 is the same as you would pay to be recertified at a traditional private pesticide applicator training.

Pre-registration is appreciated but not required by calling Nebraska Extension at 402-374-2929.

Stay tuned for additional private pesticide training dates that will be held in the area during the first part of 2019.

For more information, contact your local Nebraska Extension office.



Reduce Hay Feeding Losses
Larry Howard, NE Extension Educator, Cuming County

Hay is expensive and many long hours go into harvesting, storing, and feeding it.   Don’t waste up to a third of it by using poor feeding practices. Cattle trample, over consume, manure on, and use for bedding 25 to 45 percent of your hay when it is fed with no restrictions.   No matter how inexpensive or cheap your hay might be, extra control in feeding can pay off big time.

First, don’t provide more than one day’s supply at a time.   Research has shown that when cows are fed a four-day supply, they will overeat and waste 20 to 30 percent more hay than when they are fed one day at a time.   This can add up to $25 to $50 more per cow over a four month feeding period.   The best is to feed only what the livestock will clean up in one meal so nothing is left over to be wasted.   Be sure to provide sufficient space, though, for all animals to eat at once so boss cows don’t stop timid cows from getting their fair share.

Another thing you can do is restrict access to the hay.   Use bale racks or rings to keep animals off the hay.   Especially useful are racks with barriers around the bottom that prevent livestock from pulling hay loose with their feet and dragging it out to be stepped on. If you unroll bales or grind and feed on the ground, position an electric fence alongside or above the hay to keep cows from trampling or bedding down on the hay.

As always, feed a balanced ration that provides sufficient energy and protein, but not too much.   Animals that eat more protein than they need will simply excrete it as extra nitrogen in their urine.   This is just as wasteful as directly trampling it into the ground.



Paying it Forward Ham by Ham this Holiday Season

Pig farmers across the U.S. understand the important role that they play in contributing to a better way of life in their communities, and this Giving Tuesday is no different. Today, U.S. pig farmers, the National Pork Board, the National Pork Producers Council and State Pork associations kicked off the third annual Hams Across America campaign. The program’s goal is to highlight the many diverse product donations the pork industry makes throughout the year.

“As pig farmers, our We Care ethical principles are the core of who we are as farmers, and it is important for us not only to talk about them but to live them out every day,” said Steve Rommereim, president of the National Pork Board and pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “Hams Across America allows me and other farmers to live the We Care ethical principles and share our love of the product that we produce.”

“All of us in our connected food system understand the importance of supporting our communities whether that’s someone next door or a world apart,” said National Pork Producers Council President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “With Hams Across America, we’re honored to share our products so others might enjoy delicious, wholesome meals this holiday season.”

Today, the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council and the Iowa Pork Producers Association held a kickoff event where they served breakfast to clients of the Central Iowa Shelter and Services in Des Moines.

Several other events will be held in partnership with many state pork associations across the United States, including:
    Dec. 3 – Illinois Pork will make a large donation of pork products to the Greater Chicago Food Depository;
    Dec. 7 – Oklahoma Pork will pack and distribute backpacks for students in need as part of their Pork for Packs program;
    Dec. 10 – North Carolina Pork will make a large donation of pork products to the Central and Eastern North Carolina Food Bank;
    Dec. 12 – Pennsylvania Pork will partner with the Harrisburg Police Department to distribute holiday food boxes to individuals in the city;
    Dec. 14 – Nebraska Pork will donate hams to homeless shelters in the Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, area.

Also, on RealPigFarming.com, the campaign will highlight Minnesota Pork Producers Association’s Oink Outings food bank donations, Ohio Pork Council’s social challenge to producers to pay-it-forward during the campaign, as well as many other stories from across the industry.

Pig farmers and those involved in the pork industry are encouraged to extend Giving Tuesday through Dec. 23 with Hams Across America. Individuals can participate by purchasing a gift of ham and paying it forward to loved ones and those in need. Participants are encouraged to share their pay-it-forward stories on social media using #RealPigFarming and #HamsAcrossAmerica.

Each year the Hams Across America campaign kicks off on Giving Tuesday – the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This nationally recognized day promotes charitable giving and pay-it-forward programs.



Annual #HamsAcrossAmerica Campaign Kicks Off in Iowa

The first of many giving events that are part of the Hams Across America campaign is taking place in Des Moines on Nov 27. A breakfast that includes sausage and bacon is being served to clients of Central Iowa Shelter and Services. Members and staff of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), along with Fareway Stores, Inc., are sponsoring and serving the breakfast. They are being joined in that work by staff of the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council.

Central Iowa Shelter & Services provides meals and support services at no cost to adults experiencing homelessness.

Each year the Hams Across America campaign kicks off on Giving Tuesday - the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This nationally recognized day promotes charitable giving and pay-it-forward actions. Hams Across America extends through December 23, and many county pork producer groups in Iowa will take part in local giving programs during the next four weeks. These events are just part of the diverse ways Iowa pig farmers support their communities throughout the year.

"Iowa pig farmers understand the important role they play in contributing to a better way of life in their communities," says Trent Thiele, a pig farmer from Elma who is president-elect of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. "As pig farmers, our We CareSM ethical principles are the core of who we are as farmers, and it is important for us not only to talk about them, but to live them out every day," he says.

Jeff Cook, Fareway Vice President of Market Operations, says "At Fareway, we understand the importance of supporting our connected food system, our farmers, and our communities; and this campaign does this. Therefore, we are honored to work with Iowa's pig farmers in their Hams Across America effort."

Pig farmers and those involved in the pork industry are encouraged to extend the Hams Across America campaign in their local communities. Participants can then share their pay-it-forward stories on social media using #HamsAcrossAmerica in their posts.



USDA/FDA reach "Fake Meat" regulation agreement

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has been working to support United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversight of food safety and labeling regulations of lab-produced "fake meat". These efforts were rewarded with a November 16 announcement from the USDA and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A joint press release from the two agencies outlined how they plan to work together with each overseeing different aspects of production.

USDA will essentially have primary jurisdiction over the most important facets of lab-produced fake meat.The FDA will oversee cell collection, cell banks, and cell growth and differentiation. After cells are harvested, oversight will be transferred to the USDA. The USDA will then regulate production and labeling of fake meat products.

Prior to the November 16 announcement, ICA brought this issue to the national forefront by introducing policy at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s convention. In October ICA board member, Bob Noble, and staff member, JanLee Rowlett, gave comments in Washington, D.C. at a joint USDA/FDA public meeting regarding fake meat. ICA is also working at the state level to reinforce the federal level work on the issue.

While shared jurisdiction over fake meat is an important step in the right direction, there is still a lot of work to do on this issue to ensure that real beef producers and consumers are protected and treated fairly. ICA will continue to stay engaged on this issue. USDA and FDA are accepting public comment until December 26. ICA will submit comments, continue to keep lawmakers informed, and work with the NCBA, the Administration and Congress at every opportunity to represent Iowa’s cattlemen.



Land Value Survey Results to be Presented at Dec. 12 News Conference

 Results of the 2018 ISU Land Value Survey will be announced at a news conference at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12 on the Iowa State University Campus in Ames.

The annual survey is conducted by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State and ISU Extension and Outreach. The news conference will take place in the Horton Room of the ISU Alumni Center.

Wendong Zhang, assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State, will lead the news conference and announce the 2018 findings. Printed material will be provided at the news conference, including Iowa land value data from 1950 to present, current land value data for all 99 counties and a summary of the 2018 results. Zhang will be available to reporters for follow-up questions or one-on-one interviews immediately following the presentation of results.

The ISU Land Value Survey is currently ongoing. Agricultural professionals knowledgeable about the farmland market who haven’t participated in this year’s survey, may participate in the survey online by Dec. 1 at http://bit.ly/landvalue2018. Responses are especially needed from ag professionals for land values in Crawford, Ida, Sac, Monona, Shelby, Buena Vista, Mills, Appanoose and Clarke counties.

Questions regarding the survey can be directed to Zhang at wdzhang@iastate.edu or 515-294-2536. Land value trends at the county, district and state level since 1950 can be viewed at the interactive Iowa Farmland Value Portal at www.card.iastate.edu/farmland.



Webinar Explains #NoTillb4Beans and #CoverYourBeans Campaigns

Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. about #NoTillb4Beans and #CoverYourBeans. The campaigns were launched by the Conservation Learning Group to highlight the potential for time and money savings with no-tillage and cover crops ahead of soybean.

Mark Licht, assistant professor of agronomy and extension cropping systems specialist, helped create the yearlong social media campaign to spread the word about cover crop and no-till benefits for soybean growers. The goal of the campaign is to initiate the conversation among farmers and landowners about the benefits, concerns and results of using cover crops and no-till for soybean.

Licht’s extension, research and teaching program is focused on how to holistically manage Iowa cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability and environmental goals. No-tillage and cover crop adoption are two practices that provide large environmental benefits for reducing phosphorus and nitrogen losses. The #NoTillb4Beans and #CoverYourBeans campaigns focus on these practices ahead of soybean as an easy entry point with no adverse effects on productivity.

“If Iowa’s nearly 10 million acres of soybean were no-till planted into a cover crop we would nearly reach the 10.5 million no-tillage and 12.5 million cover crop acres called for in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” stated Licht. “Cover crops ahead of soybean can lead to an average 8 bushel/ac yield advantage and no-till planting lowers input costs and saves time.”

To watch, go to www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars and click the link to join the webinar shortly before 12 p.m. on Dec. 12 to download the Zoom software and log in option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for watching at any time at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319).



NCGA Submits U.S.-Japan Objectives to USTR

National Corn Growers Association President Lynn Chrisp yesterday submitted NCGA’s negotiating objectives for a United States-Japan Trade Agreement to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Japan is the second largest market for U.S. corn exports and U.S. corn farmers have been a reliable supplier to this market for more than 50 years.

“Corn farmers have long counted on Japan as a leading export market and have spent decades developing this important partnership,” Chrisp wrote. “NCGA has been advocating for a formal trade agreement with Japan for years and we are pleased to see the Trump administration take this important step, one that we hope will be followed up with other trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region.”

NCGA’s top priorities for this negotiation are to secure this market access for corn amid intensifying competition from other corn suppliers, to improve market access for other corn co-products, and to address technical, sanitary and phytosanitary, and other non-tariff barriers to trade between the parties, allowing for more efficient trade flows.



Farm Bureau Calls for Extension of Renewable Fuel, Short Line Railroad Tax Incentives

Farmers and ranchers are urging congressional lawmakers—recently returned to Capitol Hill for their lame duck session—to tackle several outstanding issues, including the extension of lapsed biodiesel and short line railroad tax incentives.

Tax credits for biodiesel, renewable biodiesel and second-generation biofuel, along with the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property tax credit, expired on Dec. 31, 2017. These cleaner-burning renewable fuels provide expanded markets for farm commodities.

Similarly, the tax credit for short line railroads, which farmers and ranchers depend on to deliver their products to market and to supply them with the inputs they need to run their businesses, also expired at the end of last year. The tax incentive for track maintenance helps to upgrade and continue local rail service that connects over 10,000 rail customers to the national mainline rail network.

The lapse of these tax credits, along with many others, has created confusion for the numerous industry sectors that use them and support thousands of jobs in the U.S. economy, the American Farm Bureau Federation and a diverse coalition of more than 55 other organizations said in a letter to House and Senate leaders.

“The continued uncertainty with regard to eventual congressional action on tax extenders is undermining the effectiveness of these incentives and stands as a needless barrier to additional job creation and economic growth in the private sector,” the groups wrote. They urged lawmakers to, at a minimum, retroactively extend the provisions through the end of 2019 before the 115th Congress adjourns.



Weekly Outlook: Tracking the Pace of Corn Consumption

The December corn futures contract closed lower for the third straight week on Friday. Weakness in soybean and oil markets continues to place bearish pressure on corn prices. Despite the price weakness, University of Illinois agricultural economist Todd Hubbs says the pace of corn consumption remains relatively robust thus far in the marketing year.

"Analysis of corn consumption for the marketing year that began in September indicates the pace is still on track to match current USDA forecasts for consumption," he says.

The USDA projects marketing-year corn exports at 2.45 billion bushels, 12 million bushels more than exported last year. With one reporting week left in the first quarter of the marketing year, cumulative export inspections exceed those of a year ago by 80 percent. Last year, however, weekly export inspections were relatively small early in the year with the first half of the marketing year averaging 28.2 million bushels per week.

The strength in exports during the last half of the marketing year, with a weekly average of approximately 58 million bushels, continued into the early part of this year. To date this marketing year, export inspections averaged 42.8 million bushels per week. Census Bureau export estimates for September came in at 207 million bushels and exceeded export inspection estimates by 23.5 million bushels.

"If that margin stayed constant through Nov. 22, exports sit at 539 million bushels and need to average nearly 47.4 million bushels per week during the final three quarters of the year to reach the USDA projection," Hubbs explains.

Unshipped export sales as of Nov. 15 came in at 463 million bushels, 111 million less than outstanding sales a year earlier. Export commitments (shipments plus outstanding sales) are 1.5 percent higher than those of the previous year. "The current pace of corn exports is encouraging, but sales and shipments need to continue the strength seen early in the marketing year," Hubbs adds.

The USDA projects feed and residual use of corn during the current marketing year at 5.5 billion bushels, 202 million bushels (3.8 percent) more than used last year. The pace of use can only be measured based on the USDA's quarterly estimate of corn stocks. The estimate of stocks at the end of the first quarter of the marketing year, Dec. 1, will be released on Jan. 11, 2019. Until then, the pace of feed use of corn is derived mainly from estimates of livestock slaughter and inventories. Weekly broiler chick placements continue to run about 1 percent below placements of a year earlier.

As of Nov. 1, the number of cattle in feedlots with capacity of at least 1,000 head was up 3.2 percent, but placements came in at 93.9 percent of last year and eased concerns about cumbersome supplies in the first quarter of 2019. Similarly, Hubbs says the number of hogs slaughtered in October was up 6 percent from that of last year, but frozen pork in storage came in 5 percent lower than last year. "While large livestock inventories point to increased feed use of corn, the magnitude of residual use is difficult to anticipate," he says.

Weekly EIA estimates indicate that ethanol production in September and October of this year exceeded that of last year by approximately 1 percent. Ethanol production from the beginning of the marketing year through Nov. 16 was 0.7 percent larger than during the same period last year. Ethanol production during the first quarter of the 2018-19 marketing year is likely about 0.7 percent larger than during the same quarter last year. Corn used for ethanol production may have been up slightly more than 0.6 percent for the quarter, which places corn use in ethanol at approximately 1.4 billion bushels for the quarter.

For the marketing year, the USDA has projected corn used for ethanol production at 5.65 billion bushels, only 0.8 percent more than used last year. Hubbs says corn use over the next three quarters of the year would have to be 0.9 percent more than the use of a year ago to meet that projection.

"Domestic ethanol consumption may plateau during the current marketing year following an increase last year. A continuation of lower crude oil and gasoline prices places pressure on ethanol profitability margins. At this juncture, it appears likely that corn used for ethanol production requires another strong year of ethanol exports," he says. Total ethanol exports during the 2017-18 marketing year reached a record 1.635 billion gallons, up 18 percent over the previous marketing year. Ethanol export data is currently available for September and shows an increase of 6.7 percent over last year.

The USDA will update the projections of marketing-year corn consumption on Dec. 11. "The current pace of use suggests that the forecast of total consumption will be little changed from the November projection. Corn prices will continue to struggle without a resolution of trade issues with China or price recovery in energy markets," Hubbs says.



New Joint Venture Formed to Convert Pig Poop to Power

(AP) -- The world's largest pork company is teaming up with a major energy company to turn pig manure into renewable natural gas.

Smithfield Foods and Dominion Energy announced a joint venture partnership Tuesday to trap methane from hog waste and convert it into power for heating homes and generating electricity.

Smithfield previously announced that its company-owned and contract farms over the next decade will cover waste-treatment pits to capture the gas and keep out rainwater. The gas will be channeled to processing centers and converted into natural gas.



Nearly 150 Business Groups Ask White House to Capitalize on G20 Meeting and End Trade War Ahead of Looming New Year's Day Tariff Increase

Americans for Free Trade today sent a letter to President Trump urging the White House to resolve the ongoing trade war with China during the President's meeting with Chinese President Xi at the G20 meeting this week.

"Mr. President, we urge you to capitalize on your upcoming meeting with President Xi to reach an agreement that addresses China’s unfair trade practices and policies in order to remove the 2018 tariff increases, forgo the January 2019 tariff increase and avoid an additional round of tariffs on the remaining $267 billion worth of everyday consumer products and manufacturing inputs. Millions of American farmers, business owners, companies, workers, and families are counting on you to make a deal," the coalition said.

Today's letter follows months of negative nationwide economic consequences caused by the impact of tariffs on American businesses, workers and families. Americans for Free Trade is holding townhall events across the country as part of the Tariffs Hurt the Heartland campaign. The town halls bring local businesses and farmers together to tell their stories of how tariffs are hurting them.

"Tariffs are leading to fewer opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers to compete in overseas markets and less income to provide for their families," the coalition added in today's letter. "For U.S. companies importing manufacturing inputs or finished products, these significant costs will result in higher prices, fewer jobs, slower wage growth and reduced investment. We will continue to see the cost of the trade war ripple through the U.S. economy and reverse this year’s economic progress."

Americans for Free Trade and the Tariffs Hurt the Heartland campaign have also been releasing monthly data on the impact of tariffs on imports and the damage retaliatory tariffs have had on American exports.

Americans for Free Trade will continue to use its diverse coalition of employers in communities across the country to press for resolution of ongoing trade disputes with China. Americans for Free Trade is also working with Farmers for Free Trade on a grassroots nationwide campaign to illustrate the impacts of tariffs on American businesses, families, farmers and manufacturers.



LEADERS IN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY DECRY PROPOSED USDA Reorganization

Twenty-one leaders from the US agricultural community, including two former US Department of Agriculture (USDA) chief scientists and undersecretaries of agriculture for Research, Education and Economics (REE) today sent a letter to Congress expressing concern about the decision to relocate two USDA research agencies outside Washington, DC.

The Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) would be affected by the move, and ERS—a statistical agency—would be realigned outside the REE mission area to a policy-supporting office, threatening its role as a policy-neutral agency. These two agencies are indispensable sources of agricultural and food research as well as objective national data and analysis for the $1 trillion food, agriculture and rural economies.

“The proposed restructuring is a major disruption in the USDA research arm that provides invaluable support for American food and agriculture,” said Gale Buchanan, former USDA chief scientist and undersecretary for REE. “The decades of planning and adjustments that have optimized the work of REE will be dismantled in a matter of months if this proposal is carried out as planned. Congress should block such an upheaval of our nation’s food and agriculture enterprise support system.”

The letter outlines numerous risks associated with relocating NIFA and ERS outside the Washington, DC, area. Among them are the following:
-    The loss of direct engagement with the broader scientific funding research community, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)
-    The undermining of USDA funding of research, which has stagnated for the last 40 years
-    The weakening of the coordination of NIFA and ERS with their sister REE agencies, the ARS and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

The full impact has not been thoroughly examined, according to the signers of the letter who are urging Congress to intervene.

“The USDA did not consult stakeholders, Congress or the scientific community prior to this decision, and it is unclear what problems the USDA seeks to address with the relocation of these agencies,” said Catherine Woteki, also a former USDA chief scientist and undersecretary for REE. “The high quality of work that these agencies produce will be jeopardized by the substantial staff loss that will occur as a result of the relocation. In addition, moving ERS out of REE to a policy-supporting office is likely to jeopardize the policy-neutral work of the agency.”

The group, along with the American Statistical Association (ASA) and others, is calling on Congress to protect ERS and NIFA as independent statistical agencies so they maintain the quality, credibility and integrity of their research and statistical programs.

“The ASA is supporting the efforts of these agriculture experts and leaders in the broader food, agriculture and rural community who whole-heartedly oppose these ill-conceived changes to the USDA’s research structure and function,” said Ron Wasserstein, the ASA’s executive director. “The integrity of the work being done by these highly specialized and experienced professionals is at risk, and the community as a whole is standing up in their defense.”

Milo Shult—vice president for agriculture emeritus, University of Arkansas, and a signer of the letter—added, “Since the birth of our nation, there have been certain things that our central government must provide. In addition to a strong military, it is critical that we have a system that provides the food security necessary for the health and quality of life for the nation’s citizens. The system has grown, of necessity, to a multidisciplinary nationwide effort cutting across agricultural science, food science, medical science, social science, environmental science, and further. We are the envy of the world in those programs. We are highly concerned that the removal of NIFA and ERS from the location in our nation’s capital could be the beginning of a dismantling of our agricultural progress.”

Signers of the letter to Congress include the following:
Gale Buchanan, Former USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics; Dean and Director Emeritus, University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Catherine E. Woteki, Former USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics
Daniel Arp, Dean Emeritus, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University
Kathryn J. Boor, Robert P. Lynch Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University
Daniel Bush, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, Colorado State University
Neville Clarke, Director Emeritus, Texas Agricultural Experiment Director; Former Executive Director, Southern Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors; Chair, Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP)
Helene Dillard, Dean and Professor, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis
Dan Dooley, Former Vice President, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
Robert Easter, President Emeritus and Dean Emeritus, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois
John D. Floros, President, New Mexico State University
Alan L. Grant, Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech
Bret W. Hess, Interim Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Director, Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Wyoming
Cathann A. Kress, Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University
Michael D. Lairmore, Dean and Distinguished Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis
Daryl Lund, Former Dean of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Rutgers University and Cornell University; Former Executive Director of the North Central Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Stations
Bobby Moser, Former Vice President, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University
Jack Payne, Senior Vice President, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida
Thomas L. Payne, Vice Chancellor and Dean Emeritus, College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, University of Missouri
Gene Sander, President Emeritus, Former Vice President, and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona
Milo Shult, Vice President for Agriculture Emeritus, University of Arkansas
Lynn Wooten, Dean, The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University