Friday December 21 Ag News

Northeast Center for Enterprise schedules precision agriculture training sessions

Several precision agriculture training sessions will be offered in the coming weeks at four northeast and north central Nebraska locations by the Center for Enterprise at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. The instructor will be Lonny Mitchell, precision agriculture trainer at Northeast.

The sessions are targeted to those employed or involved in agricultural-based businesses and industries.

A three-year grant to Northeast from the National Science Foundation is providing increased training opportunities for these workers and operators, specifically in precision agriculture, he said. “Through this grant, we (Northeast) will be able to provide more of these type of events to be made available over the upcoming months and years,” he said.

“Precision agriculture is a management practice where management decisions are made at the sub-field level based on site-specific data,” Mitchell said. “This allows operators to place the right input, at the right amount in the right place at the right time, thereby increasing profit potential.”

The first training course, titled “Decisions Driven by Data: Utilize the Power of Your Data to Make Informed Decisions,” will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The class will be conducted in room 132 of the Maclay building on Northeast’s Norfolk campus and broadcast to three sites: ESU 17 in Ainsworth and Northeast’s campuses in O’Neill and West Point.

Mitchell said the training will help attendees better understand how to utilize large volumes of data, collected over multiple years, to make objective decisions in their crop and livestock operations.

Topics will include: How to spread the cost of data over multiple years; utilizing data to make objective decisions; sources of data that make a sizable impact on the bottom line; organizing data to be more easily used in the decision-making process; tools available to analyze operational data and assist in decision making; services available to help with data-driven decision making and incorporating multi-year data into the decision process.    

The next training, “Precision Agriculture Implementation: The Right Way for You,” will be offered at the same four locations from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

The focus will be on implementing the right precision agriculture practice into an operation. The session will cover such topics as precision agriculture and steps to implement the right plan; impacts of precision agriculture on an operation and purchasing new equipment versus modifying existing equipment.

The sites in Norfolk, Ainsworth, O’Neill and West Point will host a third training course from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.  Mitchell said the purpose of the “Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI): Possibly the Best Money You Can Spend” training will be to increase a producer’s understanding and realization that utilizing VRI helps address concerns by agricultural communities about water, the most critical resource on this planet.

Focus areas include reduced water usage; increased overall crop health; reduced movement of nitrates through the soil; reduced rounds by pivot systems during the season; reduced variability in crop health across a field; and the use of soil moisture probes and water meters.

The fee for each of these three trainings is $30.

Northeast’s West Point Campus will be the location of two additional trainings.

“Understanding Ag Data and Variability” will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. In this session, Mitchell will discuss the importance of accurately collected farm data and the role it plays when implementing a variable rate management plan.

The two-part “Soil Management Technology” training will be from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, March 7 and 14. Mitchell will discuss different types of technology that can be utilized in managing a soil profile. He also will cover the uses of EC data (a measure of the soil’s electrical conductivity), soil moisture and fertility sensors, and various soil sampling methods and technologies used in sampling.

The fee for each of these two West Point trainings is $80.

For more details on the precision agriculture training courses or to register, call the Northeast Campus in Norfolk at 402-844-7000.



Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Announces Availability of Youth Scholarships

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is accepting applications for scholarships from qualified youth in Nebraska who have an interest in the beef industry. These scholarships will be awarded for the 2019-2020 academic year and are provided through contributions received by the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. Applications are available on the Nebraska Cattlemen website (www.nebraskacattlemen.org) or can be obtained by calling the NCF office at (402) 475-2333.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship awards a $10,000 scholarship to an outstanding college junior, senior or graduate-level student. Eligible students must be residents of Nebraska and be enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry-related degree. The scholarship will be awarded based on student need, Nebraska beef industry involvement (past achievements and future plans) and academics. Students will be required to complete the written application (due in the NCF office by February 15, 2019) and finalists will be invited to an final interview with the selection committee.

NCF offers numerous other $1,000 minimum scholarships, awarded on the basis of academic achievement, beef industry involvement and goals/quality of application from the following funds. This application is due into the NCF office by March 15, 2019. Scholarship recipients must be a high school senior or college student, have a “C” or higher grade point average, and be enrolled or intending to enroll full time in a college or university that offers a bachelor degree, an approved vocation or trade school, or a state accredited junior college. Refer to the application for complete selection requirements.



Reinke Recognizes Grossenburg Implement with Gold Pride Award

Reinke has recognized Grossenburg Implement in Wayne with a Gold Reinke Pride award in recognition of the company’s marketing year success. The dealership was honored during Reinke’s annual convention in Spokane, Wash.

“I congratulate Grossenburg Implement on receiving this award,” said Reinke Vice President of North American Irrigation Sales Mark Mesloh. “Reinke appreciates the dedication they have to the growers in their community. We’re proud to work with them and have them representing Reinke in Wayne.”
Reinke dealerships from across the United States and Canada gather each year to attend the company’s sales convention. The convention’s awards ceremony recognizes select Reinke dealerships for their hard work and dedication to sales and marketing throughout the past year.

The Reinke Pride awards are determined as part of an incentive program that distinguishes superior achievement levels according to an evaluation based on a dealership’s exterior and interior housekeeping and maintenance, indoor and outdoor displays, safety, retail environment, merchandising, professionalism, promotions, event participation and market share.



NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during November 2018 totaled 8.57 million, up from 7.69 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Nebraska egg production during November totaled 209 million eggs, up from 195 million in 2017. November egg production per 100 layers was 2,443 eggs, compared to 2,534 eggs in 2017.

IOWA: Iowa egg production during November 2018 was 1.36 billion eggs, down 3 percent from last month and up 4 percent from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The average number of all layers on hand during November 2018 was 57.8 million, down slightly from last month but up 4 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for November were 2,363, down 2 percent from last month and up 1 percent from last year.

November US Egg Production Up 3 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.07 billion during November 2018, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 7.92 billion table eggs, and 1.15 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.06 billion were broiler-type and 81.7 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during November 2018 totaled 390 million, up 3 percent from last year. November egg production per 100 layers was 2,322 eggs, up 1 percent from November 2017.
                                   
All layers in the United States on December 1, 2018 totaled 392 million, up 2 percent from last year. The 392 million layers consisted of 331 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 57.6 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.25 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on December 1, 2018, averaged 77.7 eggs per 100 layers, up slightly from December 1, 2017.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 3 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during November 2018 totaled 46.9 million, down 3 percent from November 2017. Eggs in incubators totaled 50.8 million on December 1, 2018, up 9 percent from a year ago.  Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 260 thousand during November 2018, up 73 percent from November 2017.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 1 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during November 2018 totaled 767 million, down 1 percent from November 2017. Eggs in incubators totaled 688 million on December 1, 2018, up slightly from a year ago.  Leading breeders placed 7.33 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during November 2018, down 8 percent from November 2017. 



Nebraska Cattlemen Strongly Supports Proposed Clean Water Rule
Mike Drinnin, Nebraska Cattlemen President

"Nebraska Cattlemen strongly supports the Administration's announcement of a new clean water rule, which will protect our nation's waterways and drinking water while providing clear rules for Nebraska's livestock producers to follow."

"Clean Water Act jurisdiction greatly affects Nebraska's 19,000 cow-calf ranches and 1,000+ feedlots. Regulated waters should be easily identifiable by landowners and industry, allowing producers to seek a permit when appropriate and to act in accord with state and federal law without unnecessary delays."

"The proposed clean water rule will provide producers with this regulatory certainty while protecting our environment. Clean water is our way of life and preserving our land means healthy places to live, work, and play."



2018 Nebraska Cattlemen Convention and Trade Show Wraps Up 

Another successful Annual Nebraska Cattlemen Convention and Trade Show was held Dec. 5-7 in Kearney, Nebraska. Over 600 attendees participated in the many meetings, meals and social events that happened during the 2018 convention.

The annual convention is the time for the NC membership to review and discuss current and new policy during committee meetings that were held on Thursday.

The Animal Health and Nutrition Committee heard speakers address the need for planning for catastrophic disease outbreaks and how the processes would be implemented and tracing animals for diseases.  There was a presentation on an emerging disease, Bovine Congestive Heart Disease, that manifests itself differently than other heart diseases.  Policy was adopted on this issue and will be taken to National Cattlemen Beef Association’s meetings in late January.

The Brand and Property Rights committee had a panel with representation from the Nebraska Brand Committee, a process verified program administrator, an animal identification company and a government official to discuss the past, present and future of animal identification.  The roles of all these entities are changing and the future has great potential for utilizing identification systems that meet numerous needs.

The Education and Research committee heard from Nate Blum, NC Consulting Solutions, on The Coalition for 21st Century Innovation in Education.

Marketing and Commerce committee discussed CME Live Cattle Contract Modifications and received an update on the ELD mandate.

The Natural Resources and Environment Committee adopted new policy to strengthen private property and nuisance protections for livestock producers under existing state law.

The Taxation committee heard a preview on the 2019 legislative session and state Senator Curt Friesen shared comments on working with a variety of coalitions to address property tax reform in the coming session.

Convention is not only a time to discuss policy, educate, socialize and network but it also offers membership the opportunity to nominate and elect new council and committee leaders. NC congratulates the following on their new and re-elected positions:

Officers:
President: Mike Drinnin, Clarks
President Elect: Ken Herz, Lawrence
Vice President: William Rhea III Arlington
Past President & Nominations Chair: Galen Frenzen, Fullerton
Member Services Vice Chairmen:
Region 1: Lewis Coulter, Bridgeport
Region 2: Kenneth Stephens, Valentine
Region 3: Tyler Weborg, West Point
Region 4: Steven Fish, Norfolk
Region 5: Jared Jaixen, Loup City
Region 6: Steve Stroup, Benkelman
Region 7: Ed Klug, Columbus
Region 8: Dawn Caldwell, Edgar
Region 9: Shannon Petersen, Gothenberg

Council Leaders:
Cow/Calf Chair: Nancy Peterson, DVM, Gordon
Cow/Calf Vice Chair: Frank Utter, Brewster
Farmer/Stockman Chair: Andy Reigle, Humphrey
Farmer/Stockman Vice Chair: Dan Egger, Columbus
Feedlot Chair: Dean Wilken, Bloomfield
Feedlot Vice Chair: Jerry Kuenning, Lemoyne
Seedstock Chair: Larry Dybdal, Newcastle
Seedstock Vice Chair: Larry Mach, Weston
Allied Industries Council Representative: Andrew Dorn, Minden

Committee Leaders:
Animal Health and Nutrition Chair: Jeff Fox, DVM, Beemer
Animal Health and Nutrition Vice Chair: Scott Langemeier, Stromsburg
Brand and Property Rights: Duane Gangwish, Wayne
Brand and Property Rights Vice Chair: Tom Hansen, North Platte
Education and Research Chair: Doug Smith, Curtis
Education and Research Vice Chair: Kelly Terrell, Gothenburg
Marketing and Commerce Chair: Stephen Sunderman, Norfolk
Marketing and Commerce Vice Chair: Hank Klosterman, David City
Natural Resources and Environment Chair: Chris Schluntz, Republican City
Natural Resources and Environment Vice Chair: Jacob Mayer, Weston
Taxation Chair: Dick Pierce, Miller
Taxation Vice Chair: Lavon Heidemann, Elk Creek
Member Services: Justin Jarecke, Kearney
NCW – Consumer Promotion and Education Committee Chair: Gina Hudson, Belvidere

During the annual banquet the Industry Service Award winners and Hall of Fame Honoree were recognized. This year the Industry Service Award was presented to Stanley Garbacz as well as to the late Jeffrey Biegert and Robert “Bobby” Gottsch.

Bill and Kathy Rhea of Arlington, Nebraska received the 2018 Hall of Fame Award. The award highlights Nebraska Cattlemen members who exemplify an ongoing commitment to the beef cattle industry. Presented only once annually, the Hall of Fame award is the organization’s highest honor.



Iowa State Offers Course on Preventive Controls for Animal Feed

A training course to become a Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance designated Preventive Controls Qualified Individual will be held in Ames, Iowa, Jan. 15-17. The two and a half day training will be held in the Scheman Building on the Iowa State campus.

This course is the standardized training required by FSPCA for facilities that are processing any type of animal food (complete feed or ingredients). It is sponsored by the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative.

The Food Safety Modernization Act requires processing facilities to comply with the new current good manufacturing practices and to implement a written animal food safety plan developed and overseen by a preventive controls qualified individual.

Individuals who operate an animal food facility are encouraged to attend the Preventive Controls for Animal Food course to obtain their designated PCQI training certification. Certifications will be given by the FSPCA to attendees who complete all sessions of the course.

The course is being taught by Charles Hurburgh, professor and extension grain quality and handling specialist with Iowa State University; Erin Bowers, associate scientist in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State; Connie Hardy, program specialist in Value Added Agriculture with ISU Extension and Outreach; and Kim Anderson, program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Pre-registration is required to attend this course. Registrations must be completed online prior to midnight, Jan. 8. For more information, contact Hurburgh at 515-294-8629 or tatry@iastate.edu or visit http://www.aep.iastate.edu/animalfood/.

The mission of the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative is to create knowledge and provide information that will improve the efficiency of traditional commodity grain markets and assist emerging markets for user-specific grains. For more information, visit iowagrain.org.



GRANTS AVAILABLE TO HELP PROMOTE SPECIALTY CROPS

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is again accepting applications for grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program.  The grants are available to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Iowa.

“The Specialty Crop Block Grant program has funded many valuable projects over the years that are focused on supporting our specialty crop farmers and helping build markets for these products. Funds are again available to support projects around food safety, research and marketing efforts,” Naig said.  “Specialty crops are a very important part of Iowa agriculture as they allow farmers to diversify and give customers access to locally grown products.”

The final funding level for the 2019 Iowa Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is yet to be announced by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, administer of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, but should be similar to last year’s $334,269.77 funding.

Grant funds shall be used for projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and that benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole and will not be awarded for projects that directly benefit a particular product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. These projects can include marketing and promotions, research and development, expanding availability and access to specialty crops and addressing local, regional and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers.

Iowa agencies, universities, institutions, and producer, industry and community-based organizations are all eligible to apply for funding to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.  In addition, single organizations, institutions and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

Grant awards will be considered up to a maximum of $24,000 and projects can have a duration of up to 30 months (2.5 years).

“Specialty Crops” that are eligible under this program are fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.  Both fresh and processed specialty crops are eligible.

Proposals must be received on or before Friday, March 1, 2019.  Additional information is available at www.IowaAgriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/specialtyCropGrant.asp.

The Department is again establishing a Review Committee to help review, evaluate and make recommendations on grant proposals submitted to the Department.

Those interested in participating in the Review Committee should have knowledge of specialty crops, and/or grant writing or grant management experience, and the ability to devote the necessary time to complete the review process.  Additional information about reviewer responsibilities, meeting dates and an application form can also be found at www.IowaAgriculture.gov/Horticulture_and_FarmersMarkets/specialtyCropGrant.asp.

Applications to participate in the Reviewer Committee are due Feb. 5, 2019.

The Department is asking specialty crop stakeholders and organizations to submit public comments on program priorities.  The comments will help identify priorities, establish the criteria used to evaluate the projects proposed for funding and determine how the reviews are conducted.

Comments can be submitted by email to HorticultureAndFarmersMarkets@IowaAgriculture.gov or by mail to Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Specialty Crop Block Grant, 502 East 9th, Des Moines, Iowa, 50319.  Comments received by March 1, 2019 will be presented to the review committee to assist in prioritizing projects.



LIVESTOCK HAULERS NO LONGER REQUIRED TO USE ELDS

The U.S. Department of Transportation this week permanently suspended the requirement that livestock haulers use electronic logging devices (ELDs) in their trucks. As part of the 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act mandated that drivers of commercial motor vehicles replace by Dec. 18, 2017, their paper logs with ELDs, which record driving time, engine hours, vehicle movement and speed, miles driven and location information.

The National Pork Producers Council requested on behalf of the U.S. pork industry and other livestock sectors a waiver from the requirement. The organization also asked for an exemption from the regulation, citing the incompatibility between transporting livestock and DOT’s Hours of Service rules. Those regulations limit truckers to 11 hours of driving daily, after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and restrict their on-duty time to 14 consecutive hours, which includes nondriving time.

NPPC was granted the waiver, but a permanent fix was not determined. NPPC applauds the Trump administration’s commitment to U.S. agriculture, marking this as a huge win for U.S. livestock producers and haulers.



USDA Cold Storage November 2018 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on November 30, 2018 were down 6 percent from the previous month but up 4 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down slightly from the previous month but up 6 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 11 percent from the previous month but up 1 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 38 percent from last month and up 5 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on November 30, 2018 were down 13 percent from the previous month but up 2 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 4 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 38 percent from last month and down 5 percent from November 30, 2017.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30, 2018 were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 7 percent from November 30, 2017.  Butter stocks were down 33 percent from last month and down 3 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on November 30, 2018 were down 7 percent from last month and down 6 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 5 percent from last month and down 9 percent from a year ago.



Perdue Applauds USDA’s 2018 Accomplishments

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the accomplishments made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the past year. USDA has continued enacting President Trump’s goals of regulatory reform, streamlining government, and refocusing USDA to be customer oriented.

“In 2018 we have fought for American farmers, ranchers, and producers by delivering new and improved trade deals like USMCA and a re-negotiated KORUS agreement, provided trade assistance to farmers due to illegal trade retaliation, and helped our fellow citizens through devastating natural disasters,” Perdue said. “I am proud to say that every day at USDA we do our best to live by our motto to “Do Right and Feed Everyone.”
SNAP Reform

USDA made major strides in reigning in dependence on government assistance by beginning the rule making process to move more able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to self-sufficiency. With today’s strong economy and more jobs available than there are workers, USDA’s proposal helps ensure the 3.8 million individual ABAWDs receiving SNAP benefits get back to work and on the path to self-sufficiency.

Hurricane Response
USDA has significant roles to play in helping agricultural producers recover from hurricane-related damage and improve agricultural resilience to disasters. USDA provided a broad range of assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities at large following Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018. This assistance has included providing children affected by Hurricane Florence access to free meals, help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients replace food lost due to power outages and provide disaster food assistance to low-income families affected by storms who would not normally be eligible for the regular program but because of disaster related expenses have need for assistance, assistance to producers suffering damage to working lands and cattle mortality, helped businesses and utilities by considering requests to defer principal and/or interest payments, and provided emergency farm loans to impacted operations. In addition to offering similar assistance following Hurricane Michael, USDA also held workshops in the area where the hurricane made landfall to help connect producers with USDA programs that can help them rebuild their operations. Finally, USDA provided subject matter expertise to the FEMA Emergency Support Functions responding to these and other disasters as part of the whole-of-government effort.

Wildfires
In the past year, the USDA Forest Service treated more than 3.5 million acres to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health through timber sales and prescribed fire. The USFS treated an additional 2.5 million acres to improve watershed conditions, ecosystems, infrastructure, and provide clean water for millions of Americans. Additionally, the USFS fought multiple major wildfires in 2018 conjointly with local authorities.

Customer Service
USDA successfully merged the Agricultural Marketing Service, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, and the Farm Service Agency’s Commodity Operations programs to better meet the needs of farmers, ranchers, producers, and consumers while improving customer service and maximizing efficiencies.

USDA stood up a new Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area, which encompass the USDA’s domestic-facing agencies: FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. The Department also launched the FPAC Business Center in 2018, which will eliminate redundant administrative support functions, including human resources, information technology, finance, procurement, and property management. USDA strives to be the most customer focused and customer-oriented department in the Federal government.

USDA also made other efforts to improve customer service across the agencies:
-    Created “Tell Sonny” Online Feedback Tool: Through collaboration with the Centers of Excellence, USDA built an online feedback tool, called “Tell Sonny,” which captures citizen feedback on how USDA is doing.
-    Optimized Infrastructure: USDA achieved $21.5 million in cost savings/avoidance by optimizing its Enterprise Data Centers, and by consolidating and closing a total of 23 data centers as part of the Data Center Optimization Initiative.
-    Strengthened Cybersecurity: USDA decreased the number of critical vulnerabilities per endpoint by 62 percent and the number of high vulnerabilities by 73 percent, decreasing USDA’s weaknesses in software or hardware that can be exploited by a hacker.
-    Reduced Fleet Size: After reviewing the motor fleet, USDA reduced its fleet size by over 4200 vehicles, which will potentially avoid an estimated $26 million in costs in fiscal year 2019.

Trade
Through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the United States made major strides towards strengthening its highly productive and integrated trade relationship with its North American neighbors, ensuring preferential access for U.S. agricultural exports and solidifying commitments to fair and science-based trade rules.

USDA efforts to break down barriers and pursue export opportunities resulted in new or expanded market access for numerous U.S. farm products in 2018. These included dairy and poultry to Canada under the USMCA, as well as lamb and goat meat to Japan, beef and pork to Argentina, poultry to India and Namibia, lamb to El Salvador, beef and poultry to Morocco, eggs to South Africa and dairy to Turkey.

Foreign Agricultural Service staff around the globe assisted U.S. exporters in releasing hundreds of shipments that were detained at foreign ports. This ensured that more than $77 million of perishable U.S. products arrived safely at their final destinations. Among them were beef to Bulgaria, cherries to Taiwan, cranberries to China, lobsters to the United Arab Emirates and squid to Peru.
Trade Assistance to Farmers

In 2018, USDA provided a range of assistance to farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation by foreign nations. To help ensure this assistance reaches those affected, FSA is facilitating the Market Facilitation Program to provide payments to corn, cotton, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, and wheat producers; AMS is managing a Food Purchase and Distribution Program to purchase up to $1.2 billion in commodities that will be distributed through nutrition assistance programs and child nutrition programs; and FAS is making available $200 million to develop foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products.

Farm Bill
USDA provided over 2,000 items of technical assistance to members of Congress during the 2018 Farm Bill legislative process. In order to serve America’s farmers, producers, and ranchers to the best of our ability, USDA worked hand in hand with legislators to give technical assistance for dozens of programs affected by this year’s Farm Bill.

Eradication of Pink Bollworm and Other Invasive Species
In October, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that U.S. cotton is free — after more than 100 years — of the devastating pink bollworm. This pest cost U.S. producers tens of millions of dollars in yearly control costs and yield losses. Thanks to rigorous control and regulatory activities carried out by USDA, state departments of agriculture, the U.S. cotton industry, and growers, pink bollworm was eliminated from all cotton-producing areas in the continental United States. As a result, USDA lifted the domestic quarantine for pink bollworm, relieving restrictions on the domestic and international movement of U.S. cotton. APHIS and its partners also successfully eliminated feral swine from Maryland and New Jersey, and three additional States (Iowa, Maine, and Oregon) saw significant reductions in feral swine populations. Additionally, in FY18, APHIS declared two Ohio communities free of Asian longhorned beetle, in Monroe Township after a seven-year eradication effort and in Stonelick Township after a six-year effort.

National School Lunch Program
To make school meals more appealing to children, reduce food waste, and ease operational burdens, USDA published a final rule allowing for more flexibilities in the food served through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. This action is part of USDA’s Regulatory Reform Agenda, developed in response to President Trump’s Executive Order to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens.

Veterans
Secretary Perdue launched a USDA initiative to provide comprehensive and timely support to veterans interested in opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and in rural America. USDA wants to ensure veterans looking to return home, or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. The resources include a veterans website and a USDA-wide AgLearn curriculum to allow all employees to understand the unique opportunities offered to our nation’s veterans.

USDA Agency Accomplishments
USDA is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country. While each mission area’s accomplishments may be found by using the links below, notable accomplishments are as follows:
-    Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) collaborated across USDA agencies to develop and implement a program to purchase targeted commodities to assist farmers and ranchers affected by unfair trade tariffs.
-    Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists at the Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research Unit in New Orleans, Louisiana, developed TACgauze™ – a domestically-produced, nonwoven, cotton gauze made of greige (raw, unbleached) cotton. In comparison to standard crinkle-type gauzes made of processed cotton, TACgauze was found to be 33 percent lighter and 63 percent more absorbent in trials. It also promoted clotting more quickly. Commercialized in November, military services organizations are evaluating TACgauze for use by our warfighters on the battlefield and civilian organizations are exploring its widespread use in treating wounds.
-    Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) played a vital role to ensure the free flow of agricultural trade by keeping U.S. agricultural industries free from pests and diseases. An example of this critical work is APHIS’ recent efforts to prevent African Swine Fever from entering the United States through a series of interlocking safeguards that includes working with producers, states and industry to ensure they are following biosecurity recommendations, restricting pork and pork imports from affected countries, and working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to train inspection dogs and increase screening vigilance for passengers and products arriving from affected countries.
-    Economic Research Service (ERS) conducted a study on how agricultural production has shifted to much larger farming operations over the last three decades, even as the number of very small farms grows. Based on detailed farm-level data, Three Decades of Consolidation in U.S. Agriculture measured trends in consolidation and tracked developments in farm-level specialization as well as the organization of farming businesses.
-    Farm Service Agency (FSA) added seed cotton as a covered commodity under the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2018 crop year, which provides cotton producers access to USDA risk management tools that provide other covered commodities much-needed protection from low markets.
-    Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspected more than 160 million head of livestock and 9.47 billion poultry carcasses. FSIS Inspectors also conducted 6.9 million food safety and food defense procedures across 6,500 regulated establishments to ensure meat, poultry and processed egg products were safe and wholesome.
-    Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provided almost 13 million pounds of USDA Foods, valued at $18.6 million, and $5.6 million worth of infant formula and baby food, to ensure those whose lives were disrupted by disaster have the food they need as they got back on their feet.
-    Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) facilitated $2 billion in exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia through the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program. FAS rolled out the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, which helps to mitigate the effects of other countries’ trade barriers by helping U.S. agricultural exporters develop new markets. A total of 71 organizations have applied for the program, submitting requests totaling more than $600 million, for funding that will be allocated in early 2019.
-    Forest Service (USFS) made improvements in environmental analysis and decision-making to cut costs by $30 million, and reduced analysis time by 10 percent. The USFS worked with sister agencies to update policies and processes for more efficient application and implementation of mineral extraction and energy production projects. The agency also reformed wildland fire systems to prioritize risk-based resource allocation and lower costs while protecting lives, property, and resources.
-    National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) launched a new, improved online survey questionnaire for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The new system is now in use for nearly 50 percent of NASS surveys with the remainder coming online as they are conducted. The user-friendly questionnaire is accessible on any device, calculates totals automatically, and skips questions that do not apply. In addition to being more convenient for respondents, it streamlines data collection and analysis for USDA.
-    National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) delivered grants to the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development and Purdue Extension to host a quarterly webinar series, Combating Opioids, to make a difference in addressing opioid misuse and abuse, especially in rural communities. There have been over 575 participants from across the country on 5 webinars and over 1,000 views to archived presentations and materials housed on the project’s website
-    Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided technical assistance to more than 900,000 land managers, and comprehensive planning assistance to over 100,000 producers in 2018. This work resulted in conservation plans for nearly 28 million acres. NRCS actions in 2018 also resulted in 33.3 million acres being treated with conservation practices to improve water quality, with estimated reductions of nutrient loss of 47,732 tons of nitrogen and 7,821 tons of phosphorus on cropland.
-    Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) (PDF, 130 KB) in October, USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a joint agency formal agreement (PDF, 578 KB) launching the Winning on Reducing Food Waste initiative. This new agreement will improve coordination across federal agencies to better educate Americans on the impacts and importance of reducing food loss and waste.
-    Risk Management Agency (RMA) provided more than $61 million in coverage following Hurricanes Florence and Michael. RMA paid more than $1.99 billion in claims for causes of loss related to drought for the 2018 reinsurance year. Claims for 2018 coverage totaled more than $3.29 billion.
-    Rural Development (RD) invested in new and improved high-speed e-Connectivity for more than 45,000 rural homes and businesses, modernized rural electric infrastructure for more than 7 million customers, invested in new and improved water and wastewater infrastructure for nearly 3 million rural customers, and invested in new and improved community infrastructure including streets, transportation, aviation, ports, and water and storm water resources for 1.2 million rural Americans.



Perdue Announces ERS, NIFA Site Selection Criteria

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the criteria the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed to evaluate the 136 Expressions of Interest received from parties in 35 states vying to become the new homes of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).  Secretary Perdue announced in August 2018 that most ERS and NIFA personnel would be moving to outside of the National Capital Region by the end of 2019.

“We don’t undertake these relocations lightly, and we are doing it to improve performance and the services these agencies provide,” Perdue said.  “We will be placing important USDA resources closer to many stakeholders, most of whom live and work far from Washington, D.C.  We will be saving money for the taxpayers and improving our ability to retain more employees in the long run.  And we are increasing the probability of attracting highly-qualified staff with training and interests in agriculture, many of whom come from land-grant universities.”

USDA is following a rigorous site selection process, with leadership from USDA, ERS, and NIFA involved.  USDA has retained Ernst & Young (EY), a leading provider of professional services with a dedicated Construction and Real Estate Advisory Services practice, to assist in the relocation efforts.  EY provides real estate advice to organizations across industries, including the federal government.  USDA will leverage EY inputs to support and facilitate USDA’s site selection process.

Based on the Expressions of Interest submitted in response to the USDA Notice of Request for Expression of Interest for Potential Sites for Headquarters Office Locations dated August 15, 2018 and extended through October 15, 2018, EY and USDA developed initial criteria for site selection.  USDA will apply a set of guiding principles, including locations meeting USDA travel requirements, locations with specific labor force statistics, and locations with work hours most compatible with all USDA office schedules.

Additionally, using the high-level criteria posted in the Federal Register (transportation logistics, workforce, community/quality of life, and capital and operating costs), USDA has defined criteria to apply to the Expressions of Interest:
-    Quality of Life: Subcategory examples include Diversity Index, Residential Housing Costs, Access to Healthcare, and Home and Community Safety Ranking.
-    Costs (Capital and Operating): Subcategory examples include Cost of Living Adjustment, Commercial Real Estate Costs, Land Costs, and Wage Growth Rate.
-    Workforce: Subcategory examples include Labor Force Growth Rate, Unemployment Rate, and the Labor Force Population.
-    Logistics / IT Infrastructure: Subcategory examples include Lodging Availability, Proximity to Stakeholders, and Travel Time to / from DC.



Perdue Details USDA Functions in the Event of a Lapse in Federal Funding

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today detailed which functions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will remain available in the event of a lapse in government funding.

“There may be a lapse in funding for the federal government, but that will not relieve USDA of its responsibilities for safeguarding life and property through the critical services we provide,” said Secretary Perdue.  “Our employees work hard every day to benefit our customers and the farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers who depend on our programs. During a shutdown, we will leverage our existing resources as best we can to continue to provide the top-notch service people expect.”

Some USDA activities will be shut down or significantly reduced and some USDA employees will be furloughed.  However, certain USDA activities would continue because they are related to law enforcement, the protection of life and property, or are financed through available funding (such as through mandatory appropriations, multi-year discretionary funding, or user fees).  For the first week of a potential shutdown, 61% of employees would either be exempted or excepted from shutdown activities.  If the shutdown continues, this percentage would decrease, and activities would be reduced as available funding decreases.

USDA activities that would continue in the short-term include:
-    Meat, poultry, and processed egg inspection services.
-    Grain and other commodity inspection, weighing, grading, and IT support services funded by user fees.
-    Inspections for import and export activities to prevent the introduction and dissemination of pests into and out of the U.S, including inspections from Hawaii and Puerto Rico to the mainland.
-    Forest Service law enforcement, emergency and natural disaster response, and national defense preparedness efforts.
-    Forest Service employees will continue to work on managing and maintaining the current forest system lands and sustaining the health and safety of the lands for their continued use.
-    Continuity and maintenance of some research measurements and research-related infrastructure, such as germplasm, seed storage, and greenhouses.
-    Care for animals, plants and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research and to comply with the Wild Horses and Burros statute.
-    Eligible households will still receive monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for January.
-    Most other domestic nutrition assistance programs, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, WIC, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, can continue to operate at the State and local level with any funding and commodity resources that remain available.  Additional Federal funds and commodities will not be provided during the period of the lapse.
-    The Child Nutrition (CN) Programs, including School Lunch, School Breakfast, Child and Adult Care Feeding, Summer Food Service and Special Milk will continue operations into February. Meal providers are paid on a reimbursement basis 30 days after the end of the service month. Carryover funding will be available during a lapse to support FY 2019 meal service.
-    Minimal administrative and management support, including to excepted IT systems and contracts, will be maintained to support the above activities.
-    Provision of conservation technical and financial assistance (such as Conservation

Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and easement programs).
-        Some farm payments (including direct payments, market assistance loans, market facilitation payments, and disaster assistance programs) will be continued for the first week of a shutdown.
-        Market Facilitation Program payments.
-        Trade mitigation purchases made by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
-        Agricultural export credit and other agricultural trade development and monitoring activities.
-    USDA’s Market News Service, which provides critically important market information to the agricultural industry.

The following USDA activities would not be continued and would be shut down in an orderly fashion during a government funding lapse.  These activities include:
-    Provision of new rural development loans and grants for housing, community facilities, utilities and businesses.
-    All recreation sites across the U.S National Forest System, unless they are operated by external parties under a recreational special use permit.
-    New timber sales.
-    Most forest fuels reduction activities in and around communities.
-    NASS statistics, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, and other agricultural economic and statistical reports and projections.
-    Investigation of packers and stockyards related to fraudulent and anti-competitive activities.
-    Assistance for the control of most plant and animal pests and diseases unless funded by cooperators or other non-appropriated sources.
-    Research facilities except for the care for animals, plants and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research.
-    Provision of new grants or processing of payments for existing grants to support research, education, and extension.
-    ERS Commodity Outlook Reports, Data Products, research reports, staff analysis, and projections.  The ERS public website would be taken offline.
-    Most departmental management, administrative and oversight functions, including civil rights, human resources, financial management, audit, investigative, legal and information technology activities.
-    Mandatory Audits (Financial Statements, FISMA, and potentially Improper Payments) will be suspended and may not be completed and released on the date mandated by law.
-    After the first week, farm loans and some farm payments (including direct payments, market assistance loans, market facilitation payments for those producers who have not certified production, and disaster assistance programs).