Wednesday November 14 Ag News

Register NOW for the NC 2018 Convention and Trade Show

You're invited to join Nebraska Cattlemen for a good time during the 2018 Annual Convention and Trade Show!

This year Cattlemen's College will kick off the fun on Tuesday, December 4th at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. The afternoon is filled with updates on livestock transportation, beef quality assurance, new technology and so much more. Cattlemen's College will reconvene on Wednesday for even more educational opportunities.

Wednesday will also be the start of the convention program. Some things you will not want to miss include the Young Cattlemen's Round Table, discussion during council meetings, and the general session. Wrap up the day mingling with new friends and old friends alike during the welcome reception at the trade show.

Thursday will be a busy day for trade show goers, policy discussion during committee meetings, and a brief break midday for the Foundation Luncheon. Plus, the evening banquet is always a popular attraction!

Register Now here... https://nebraskacattlemen.org/convention-form/. 

Sadly, convention will come to an end on Friday after the business meeting. But have no fear, we will meet again for Midyear 2019!



Dairy Programs Set for Sac and Pocahontas Counties

A pair of Dairy Directions seminars will be held in December, providing information on how to best manage a dairy operation. The first seminar will be held on Dec. 11 at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Sac County office, with the second taking place on Dec. 12 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the program begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. A free lunch is included and the program will adjourn at 1:45 p.m.

“Dairy producers in these areas will have the opportunity to have the most current researched-based dairy information presented by experts,” said Fred M. Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Topics will include a discussion of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Dairy Revenue Protection program and other risk management tools by Robert Tigner, agricultural economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Brett Stanley, special investigator with the Department of Homeland Security, will share information on legal requirements when dealing with immigrant labor. Mark Olsen, farm financial associate with ISU Extension and Outreach, will review of the benefits of using accrual accounting records to manage the dairy enterprise and Hall will give his dairy market outlook.

With the current climate around labor and immigration, there is no hotter topic in the dairy industry. Stanley will share his insights as a Department of Homeland Security investigator and walk producers through what they need to do to protect their business in case of an audit.

The old saying that “you can’t manage what you don’t measure” has never been more true in the current era of low milk prices and tight cash flows. Olsen will help producers understand how accrual accounting differs from the cash system and how it will help manage the enterprise more effectively.

While there is no registration fee, pre-registration is required to reserve a seat and guarantee a free lunch. Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Sac County office at 712-662-7131 or ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office at 712-335-3103 to register. The Sac and Pocahontas offices will host the program and provide the lunch and Alltech has provided additional sponsorship.



R-CALF USA Substantiates Claims the NCBA Calls “Phony”

In a recent statement, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) took exception to claims made by R-CALF USA regarding its beef checkoff litigation, calling those claims “phony allegations.”

R-CALF USA’s CEO Bill Bullard stated in their Nov. 5, 2018 news release that state beef councils were sending about $10 million in checkoff funds each year directly to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a political lobbying group, to fund the NCBA Federation of State Beef Councils (NCBA Federation), and those monies are not subject to the same fiscal controls imposed on the national checkoff program’s Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB).

‘By redirecting their money to the CBB rather than to their state beef councils, cattle producers can reduce the amount of money now flowing to the NCBA under the group’s pay-to-play scheme, which we believe is a form of money laundering,’ Bullard stated.

Bullard says there is nothing at all phony about his allegations. Referencing the NCBA Federation of State Beef Councils 2017 Investor Report (NCBA Report), Bullard said it is clear that in 2017 state beef councils sent over $10.5 million in producer checkoff dollars not to the CBB-controlled beef checkoff program; but rather, to the NCBA Federation, with over $145,000 of those dollars earmarked specifically for the NCBA.

According to a beef checkoff-sponsored slide presentation, the NCBA Federation makes its own independent financial decisions, meaning its decisions regarding where they spend their money are not subject to the fiscal controls imposed on the CBB under the national beef checkoff program.

“What we believe is a form of money laundering is the NCBA Federation’s pay-to-play scheme which is described in the NCBA Federation Division Investment Schedule (NCBA Schedule). Unlike the CBB whose representation is based on the number of cattle in each state, representation on the NCBA Federation is based on how much money the state beef councils send to the NCBA. According to the NCBA Schedule, even states with small numbers of cattle must pay 10 percent of the checkoff payments they collect from producers if they want any representation at all on the NCBA Federation.

The NCBA Schedule also shows the top 15 cattle producing states, several of which are now included in R-CALF USA’s beef checkoff case, each pay $32,000 to the NCBA for their first three seats on the NCBA Federation. Based on the NCBA Schedule and the NCBA Report, those states must then pay about $263,000 each for their fourth and fifth seats and $526,000 for their sixth seat. Then, if a state sends the NCBA $1 million or more, it is entitled to a leadership position on the NCBA Executive Committee.

Three of the states now in R-CALF USA’s beef checkoff case paid the NCBA more than $1 million to buy representation on the NCBA’s Executive Committee.

“This looks like a classic case of money laundering to us,” Bullard said adding, “The NCBA is free to admit or deny these allegations and the facts we are presenting but it certainly looks crystal clear to us.”

“If we prevail in our lawsuit, producers will be able to choose if they want their money flowing to the NCBA, which lobbies in favor of corporate interests over independent producer interests, or to the national beef checkoff program’s CBB,” he added.

In a recent audit conducted by the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG), the OIG stated “we could not determine that all (beef checkoff) funds were collected, distributed, and expended in accordance with the Act and the Order.”

“This does not provide adequate assurance to independent cattle producers that their hard-earned money is not being deflected by the NCBA and used for inappropriate purposes and that’s why we want to give producers the option to choose where they want their money to go,” Bullard concluded.



Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Down for Third Straight Year

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 33rd annual survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $48.90, or less than $5.00 per person. This is a 22-cent decrease from last year’s average of $49.12.

“Since 2015, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner has declined steadily and is now at the lowest level since 2010,” said AFBF Chief Economist Dr. John Newton.

The featured food on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – cost slightly less than last year, coming in at $21.71 for a 16-pound bird. That’s roughly $1.36 per pound, down 3 percent from last year. The survey results show that retail turkey prices are the lowest since 2014.

“Thanks to an ample supply, turkey remains affordable for consumers, which helps keep the overall cost of the dinner reasonably priced as well,” Newton said. 

The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.

Foods showing the largest decreases this year in addition to turkey were a gallon of milk, $2.92; a 3-pound bag of sweet potatoes, $3.39; a 1-pound bag of green peas, $1.47; and a dozen rolls, $2.25.

Several items saw modest price increases this year including cranberries, pumpkin pie mix and stuffing. A 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries was $2.65; a 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix was $3.33; a 14-ounce package of cubed bread stuffing was $2.87; two nine-inch pie shells came in at $2.47 and a 1-pound veggie tray was $.75. A group of miscellaneous items including coffee and ingredients necessary to prepare the meal (butter, evaporated milk, onions, eggs, sugar and flour) was also up slightly, to $3.01.

There was no change in price for a half-pint of whipping cream at $2.08.

The stable average price reported this year by Farm Bureau for a classic Thanksgiving dinner tracks with the government’s Consumer Price Index for food eaten at home. But while the most recent CPI report for food at home shows a 0.1 percent increase over the past year (available online at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm) the Farm Bureau survey shows a decline of less than 1 percent.

After adjusting for inflation, the cost of this year’s Thanksgiving dinner is $19.37, the most affordable in more than a decade.

New this year, to capture the diversity in Thanksgiving meals across the U.S., American Farm Bureau also checked prices on a 4-pound bone-in ham, 5 pounds of Russet potatoes and 1-pound of frozen green beans.

“Adding these foods to the classic Thanksgiving menu increased the overall cost slightly, to $61.72 or about $6 per person,” said Newton.

A total of 166 volunteer shoppers checked prices at grocery stores in 37 states for this year’s survey. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices, without taking advantage of special promotional coupons or purchase deals, such as spending $50 and receiving a free turkey. Shoppers with an eye for bargains in all areas of the country should be able to purchase individual menu items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages.

Farm Bureau also surveyed the price of a traditional Thanksgiving meal available from popular food delivery services. This revealed that the convenience of food delivery does have a larger price tag. A 16-pound turkey was nearly 50 percent more expensive at nearly $2 per pound when purchased from a food delivery service. Nearly every individual item was more expensive compared to the Farm Bureau average and the total cost of the dinner was about 60 percent higher at about $8 per person.



Environmental Defense Fund, National Corn Growers Association Launch First-of-Its-Kind Partnership

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership between an environmental organization and commodity crop association. The partnership aims to address one of the most pressing challenges for today’s farmers, rural communities and natural resources – how to improve environmental outcomes while optimizing productivity and profitability.

“Many practices that increase soil health and water quality also boost farmers’ bottom lines,” said Suzy Friedman, senior director of agricultural sustainability at EDF. “EDF and NCGA have worked together for many years to align economic incentives and environmental outcomes. Formalizing our partnership was a natural next step to accelerate progress toward our shared goals.”

“The public expects greater stewardship and transparency from farmers, and it’s critical for the agricultural sector to show leadership on conservation,” said Nathan Fields, vice president of production and sustainability at NCGA. “EDF and NCGA are stronger together. We have different expertise and perspectives, and combining them is a real opportunity.”

The partnership will elevate the importance of continuous improvements for water quality and climate resilience, while strengthening yields and profitability. Priority work streams include:
-    Data and measurement to improve tracking of water quality, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions, and scale user-friendly technology solutions for data reporting and analysis.
-    On-farm engagement to increase farmer and agronomist knowledge about innovative conservation tools and practices.
-    Policy advocacy to support voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs with measurable environmental outcomes.
-    Finance and economics to explore and grow opportunities for farmers to benefit economically from conservation practices such as cover crops and conservation tillage.
-    Outreach and communications to build bridges between farmers and consumers.

Agricultural and environmental communities celebrated this unexpected partnership.

“Farming is a tough business with tight margins. Stewardship has always been a way of life for us, but we also have to stay profitable and productive. EDF was the first environmental group to reach out to farmers and listen to our perspectives. I’m excited to see what EDF and NCGA can accomplish together,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, Nebraska farmer and member of NCGA’s Corn Board.

“Achieving supply chain sustainability goals requires close collaboration throughout the value chain. This partnership between EDF and NCGA promises to be a powerful way to help translate corporate sustainability commitments into on-farm conservation that works for farmers and the environment,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market.



Anhydrous Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the first week of November show the continued trend of higher prices.  Anhydrous prices increased 6%, the most significant price move this week. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $517/ton, up $29 per ton from the same time last month. It's $108/ton higher than last year.

The seven remaining fertilizers were also higher, although less significantly. Urea prices increased $14/ton from last month to $407/ton.  Both UAN28 and UAN32 prices gained $7/ton to $245/ton and $287/ton respectively.  The prices of MAP and 10-34-0 each rose $6/ton. MAP was $529/ton, while 10-34-0 was $458/ton.  At $506/ton, DAP prices increased $5/ton.  Retail potash prices, up $3/ton from last month, were $368/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.44/lb.N, anhydrous $0.32/lb.N, UAN28 $0.44/lb.N and UAN32 $0.45/lb.N.

All eight of the major fertilizers are now higher compared to last year with prices showing significant gains in recent months. UAN32 is 6% higher; potash is 8% more expensive; both 10-34-0 and UAN28 are 14% higher; MAP is 15% more expensive; DAP is 17% higher; urea is 20% more expensive and anhydrous is now 27% higher compared to last year.



Widespread Concern Increases Over Lack of Evidence for Controversial USDA Upheaval of Research Arm

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s reorganization plan, which would relocate a key agricultural research agency outside Washington, DC, has drawn increasing criticism from those who know and depend on its economic and statistical analyses. First announced during Congress’s summer recess in August, the reorganization plan for the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has been closed off to congressional input and public comment—in stark contrast to other recent federal agency reorganization plans.

Despite the USDA’s claim that it has conducted an internal cost-benefit analysis showing numerous benefits, the agency has failed to share these findings with those who rely on ERS research—notably agricultural economists, policymakers and farmers. At the same time, many organizations and former USDA officials have warned that, instead of delivering benefits, the USDA plan jeopardizes the quality of the ERS’s work to the likely detriment of the food, agriculture and rural economies.

Lacking access to USDA’s analysis, the American Statistical Association researched and compiled responses to the agency’s publicly stated rationale for the reorganization. The USDA’s three main reasons for the relocation are: (i) “to improve USDA’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified staff”; (ii) “to place these important USDA resources closer to many of its stakeholders”; and (iii) “to benefit the American taxpayers.” A second shift—an organizational restructuring that would see the ERS move into the office of the chief economist—will “enhance the effectiveness of economic analysis at USDA,” the agency says.

But experts on USDA and federal statistical agencies say the move will most likely undermine ERS’s high-quality and important work for three main reasons. First, there will be substantial loss of experience and expertise from the many staff unable or unwilling to relocate. Second, by removing the bulk of ERS staff from the nation’s capital, the ERS will be less connected to the national discussion on agriculture. Many agriculture and food organizations are based in DC because of the proximity to policymakers and other agencies and expert groups. Finally, by moving ERS from the research arm of USDA to a policy-supporting arm in the secretary’s office, its reputation as a policy-neutral agency is threatened.

“The USDA’s case for moving and realigning the Economic Research Service fails to justify the uprooting and disruption of such an important, effective and well-run agency,” said ASA President Lisa LaVange.

“It’s hard to look at USDA’s rationale and not ask, ‘Where’s the beef?’,” said ASA Executive Director Ron Wasserstein. “The American public deserves a better understanding of the alleged problems being addressed and the ramifications of the ‘fix.’ As the number three–ranked agricultural economics institution in the world, the Economic Research Service clearly ain’t broke.”

“For the sake of good government and transparency,” said LaVange, “Congress should put a stop to USDA’s plans until we know more. Federal statistical agencies are the bedrock of US data infrastructure and evidence-based policymaking in the public and private sectors. With their unique and vital role of information decision-making so broad, Congress and the administration should be strengthening these agencies.”

As an indication of the gravity of the situation, the former chief statistician of the United States who held the position for 24 years, Katherine Wallman, has called USDA’s proposals for ERS “the biggest threat to a federal statistical agency in many years.”



NGFA's Country Elevator Conference returns to St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 2-4

The National Grain and Feed Association's 2018 Country Elevator Conference and Trade Show, to be conducted Dec. 2 - 4 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., will feature experts in the global agricultural economy, pioneers of new business models within the grain industry framework, as well as an exclusive roundtable of NGFA-member company leaders.

"During the 2018 Country Elevator Conference, sessions will be focused on helping country elevator managers and their companies adapt to a rapidly changing business environment," said Brian Gordon, chief executive officer of Ritzville Warehouse, in Ritzville, Wash., who chairs NGFA's Country Elevator Committee. "One of the highlights will include NGFA industry officers taking the stage to discuss the trends influencing markets and their companies in an interactive roundtable format. In addition to the latest merchandising and grain market information, breakout meetings will feature a question-and-answer session with hiring and recruiting experts; managing merchandising risks in an uncertain market environment; and blockchain and other digital information technology and how it may affect supply chains."

The trade situation between the United States and China and a burgeoning 2018 harvest are having a profound impact on grain basis, carries, trade flows and transportation. Will Secor, an economist in CoBank's Knowledge Exchange Research Division, Denver, Colo., will share how a grain system designed to export more than 1 billion bushels of soybeans per year to China is recalibrating to new trade flows and what that means for grain elevators in 2019.

Current NGFA industry officers will discuss their thoughts on the direction of the U.S. grain, feed, processing and export industry. Roundtable topics will include: perspectives on the most significant changes each has seen in the last five years and what they anticipate for the next five; the role they see the country elevator sector playing in the future; and the most important keys for building and maintaining a successful agribusiness in today's market.

Keynote speaker Mitzi Perdue - an accomplished businesswoman, daughter of Sheraton Hotels co-founder and widow of Perdue Farms founder, Frank Perdue - will share specific techniques used by Frank Perdue to build a powerful and effective company culture, which he used to grow his company from a father-son operation to one that now employs 22,000, as well as actionable and innovative ideas for inspiring career-long loyalty from employees. The conference will close with an informative and inspiring address on a case study of a company that used seemingly insurmountable adversity as a catalyst for new thinking and capturing new opportunities on its way to success.

There's much more included on the full agenda, which can be found on the Country Elevator Conference and Trade Show website.



FFA Launches “FFA Today” on RFD-TV

Fresh off the tremendous success of the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo, which featured a visit from President Donald Trump and a concert by Garth Brooks, FFA announces a brand-new, student-led national television program to air on RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel.  “FFA Today,” presented by Dish will premiere on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. ET.  The weekly program will feature students living the FFA motto of “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve.”  Each week, FFA Today, hosted by FFA members will showcase their peers’ accomplishments in the classroom, in their community, and in agribusiness.

"RFD-TV is continually seeking to produce new programming that not only serves rural America, but helps reconnect city with country at the same time."  stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of RFD-TV.  "FFA TODAY is such an opportunity.  There is so much "good" going on at FFA all over the country, that a weekly news program devoted just to FFA is easily justified.  We look forward to expanding RFD-TV's relationship and support of the National FFA Organization."

“We are thrilled that RFD-TV will continue telling the story of agricultural education and FFA through this new television program,” said Mark Poeschl, CEO of the National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation. “FFA Today is a tangible way to reach a broad audience featuring the activities of our members and reflecting what FFA and agricultural education are doing to provide the next generation of leaders that will change the world. We are confident that RFD-TV’s viewers will find the content interesting, educational and inspiring.”

For more than 20 years RFD-TV has broadcast more than 30 hours of gavel-to-gavel coverage at the National FFA Convention.  This year, coverage was expanded to include The Cowboy Channel and RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM Channel 147.

The new television program complements FFA Today that is broadcast on RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM Channel 147 on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. ET and 11 a.m. ET as well as 6:30 p.m. on Sundays.



New Holland Announces Partnership Agreement with Custom Vehicle Builder and Social Media Personality Dave Sparks aka ‘Heavy D’

New Holland has formed a year-long strategic relationship with Dave Sparks, also known as ‘Heavy D’, who is an entrepreneur, custom vehicle builder and social media personality. Sparks also stars in the Discovery TV series, Diesel Brothers.

“Partnering with Heavy D was a natural choice – he has been a user of New Holland Construction equipment for years,” says Kimberly Weidman, Brand Marketing Communications Manager for New Holland, North America. “Additionally, Heavy D cares deeply for his family, community and charitable efforts, which reflect the values of the New Holland brand.”

Sparks is using a variety of New Holland Agriculture and Construction equipment at his Salt Lake City-based shop, at his new home construction site, and his community-focused land development project, Fremont Island, in Great Salt Lake.

“New Holland’s equipment is top-notch – it’s the perfect blend of innovation, operator comfort and power to get the job done,” says Sparks. “I’ve been a fan of their equipment for a while and am excited to be welcomed into the New Holland family.”