Thursday December 20 Ag News

NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP SLIGHTLY

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.60 million cattle on feed on December 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up slightly from last year.  Placements during November totaled 520,000 head, down 5 percent from 2017.  Fed cattle marketings for the month of November totaled 490,000 head, up 7 percent from last
year. Other disappearance during November totaled 20,000 head, up 5,000 head from last year.



IOWA: Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 700,000 head on December 1, 2018, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from November 1, 2018, and December 1, 2017. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 430,000 head on feed, up 6 percent from last month but down 17 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,130,000 head, up 2 percent from last month but down 7 percent from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during November totaled 106,000 head, down 1 percent from last month and down 13 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 70,000 head, up 35 percent from last month but down 31 percent from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 176,000 head, up 11 percent from last month but down 21 percent from last year.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during November totaled 104,000 head, up 12 percent from last month but down 5 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 43,000 head, down 4 percent from last month and down 38 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 147,000 head, up 7 percent from last month but down 18 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 4,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent
   
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on December 1, 2018. The inventory was 2 percent above December 1, 2017.

Placements in feedlots during November totaled 2.00 million head, 5 percent below 2017. Net  placements were 1.92 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 550,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 495,000 head,  700-799 pounds were 416,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 315,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 115,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 105,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.87 million head, 1 percent above 2017.  Marketings were the highest for November since the series began in 1996.  Other disappearance totaled 80,000 head during November, 13 percent above 2017.



NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY DOWN 3 PERCENT

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2018, was 3.50 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was down 3 percent from December 1, 2017, but up 1 percent from September 1, 2018.

Breeding hog inventory, at 440,000 head, was up 2 percent from December 1, 2017, and up 2 percent from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 3.06 million head, was down 3 percent from last year, but up 1 percent from last quarter.

The September - November 2018 Nebraska pig crop, at 2.18 million head, was down 5 percent from 2017. Sows farrowed during the period totaled 190,000 head, down 3 percent from last year. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.45 for the September - November period, compared to 11.70 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 190,000 sows during the December 2018 - February 2019 quarter, up 6 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intended farrowings for March - May 2019 are 195,000 sows, up 3 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago.



IOWA:  On December 1, 2018, there were 23.3 million hogs and pigs on Iowa farms, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Hogs and Pigs report. Inventory is up 2 percent from the previous year, and is a record December 1 inventory.

The September-November quarterly pig crop was 6.27 million head, down 112,000 head from the previous quarter but 2 percent above last year. A total of 560,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.20, equal to last quarter.

As of December 1, producers planned to farrow 520,000 sows and gilts in the December 2018-February 2019 quarter and 520,000 head during the March-May 2019 quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Up 2 Percent

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2018 was 74.6 million head. This was up 2 percent from December 1, 2017, but down 1 percent from September 1, 2018. 

Breeding inventory, at 6.33 million head, was up 2 percent from last year, but down slightly from the previous quarter.  Market hog inventory, at 68.2 million head, was up 2 percent from last year, but down 1 percent from last quarter.

The September-November 2018 pig crop, at 34.0 million head, was up 2 percent from 2017. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.16 million head, up 2 percent from 2017. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 50 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was a record high of 10.76 for the September-November period, compared to 10.74 last year.

United States hog producers intend to have 3.11 million sows farrow during the December-February 2019 quarter, up 2 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2018, and up 4 percent from 2017. Intended farrowings for March-May 2019, at 3.15 million sows, are up 2 percent from 2018, and up 4 percent from 2017.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 47 percent of the total United States hog inventory, unchanged from the previous year.



Record High Red Meat, Beef, and Pork Production for November

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.68 billion pounds in November, up 3 percent from the 4.55 billion pounds produced in November 2017.

Beef production, at 2.31 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.80 million head, up 1 percent from November 2017. The average live weight was down 4 pounds from the previous year, at 1,370 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.7 million pounds, 4 percent above November a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 55,500 head, up 31 percent from November 2017. The average live weight was down 50 pounds from last year, at 210 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.35 billion pounds, up 5 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.0 million head, up 5 percent from November 2017. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 285 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.8 million pounds, was up 4 percent from November 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 193,200 head, 3 percent above last year. The average live weight was 133 pounds, up 1 pound from November a year ago.

By State   (million pounds   -   % Nov '17)
Nebraska ........:       715.5            101     
Iowa ...............:       705.3            109      
Kansas ............:       504.3             98      

January to November 2018 commercial red meat production was 49.0 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 2017. Accumulated beef production was up 3 percent from last year, veal was up 2 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 5 percent.



HASKELL AGRICULTURAL LABORATORY KEY TO UNIVERSITY’S ENGAGEMENT IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA
Mike Boehm, University of Nebraska vice president for agriculture and natural resources and Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources:

Last summer, hundreds of northeast Nebraskans gathered over the course of a month in coffee shops, community centers, pole barns and at county fairs to participate in candid discussions of their needs.

Community members were clear: More collaboration between PK-12 schools and institutions of higher education is required, along with agricultural workforce development and improved water quality. They also weighed in on how the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory could help address these issues.

As a result of those conversations, I and other University of Nebraska-Lincoln leaders have concluded that HAL should play a key role in expanding the university’s engagement in the region.

Cuts in state funding in 2018 raised some doubts about the future of the laboratory, located near Concord, Nebraska. After HAL survived those cuts, university administrators decided the time was right to study how effectively the university was supporting northeast Nebraska.

By design, IANR representatives had no agenda during their visit to northeast Nebraska.

We wanted to hear from the 217,000 people who call northeast Nebraska home — so we let them drive the conversation. It was important for us to hear about the challenges they’re facing and how the university can better engage and serve their needs.

Since the listening tour, IANR leaders have been brainstorming about how best to implement those changes brought to us by the community.

For instance, leaders from the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, HAL and Nebraska Extension have connected with leaders at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Wayne State College, Northeast Community College, Nebraska Indian Community College, Little Priest Tribal College and Wayne Community Schools. They have begun to explore ways to build on each institution’s unique strengths. These innovative partnerships will help prepare Nebraska’s next generation by providing a seamless education and career pathways for lifelong learners.

One idea being discussed by this group is the formation of an education compact, based upon similar initiatives elsewhere in the nation. A Northeast Nebraska Education Compact would bring together PK-12 public school superintendents and representatives from Nebraska colleges and universities. Compact members would work collaboratively on issues that matter to Nebraska families, such as high school graduation rates, postsecondary attainment, and improved community and economic vitality. The compact would also provide greater exposure to career opportunities in resilient food, energy, water and societal systems that address skill gaps in agriculture and natural resources.

Workforce development, specifically in feedlots, was another common theme during the listening tour. With more than 2 million cattle on feed across the state, beef cattle production has a $12.1 billion impact on Nebraska’s economy. Because northeast Nebraska is home to so many of these cattle, it is critical that the region’s workforce be adequate to manage the large number of cattle on feed. Using feedback from the listening tour, planning is underway to reactivate HAL’s feedlot, which could be used to provide technical training for future feedlot workers.

Water quality was another issue repeatedly raised by listening tour participants. A safe water supply is critical for all Nebraska residents and it is becoming ever more expensive to bring water supplies to healthy levels. Complementing existing efforts and in response to feedback received, IANR is partnering with three Natural Resources Districts to hire an extension educator who will be based at the Lower Elkhorn NRD to work with farmers on managing water and nitrogen, and to help communities address high nitrate levels.

HAL will be key to moving these initiatives forward. The lab is ideally positioned to serve as an experiential discovery center where learners of all ages can explore where their food comes from, how it is produced, and the importance of our taking care of our precious water and soils.

State funding for the university will be among the priorities discussed during the upcoming legislative session. With an ongoing focus on university resources, administrators expect to continue working with northeast Nebraskans to identify opportunities for collaboration.

The great conversations we had in northeast Nebraska this year were critical to shaping our engagement in that region. We look forward to working with communities to ensure that we’re meeting their needs today and into the future.



Rural Mainstreet Index Shows Growth for December:
More Than Half of Bankers Increased Farmer Collateral Requirements

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for December rose above growth neutral after slipping below the 50.0 threshold in January, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.    

Overall: The overall index climbed to 54.2 from November’s 49.9, its first sub-growth neutral reading since January 2018. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

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

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for December slipped to 35.7 from 35.9 in November. This is the 61st straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0. 

The December farm equipment-sales index increased to 37.1 from November’s 30.6. This marks the 64th consecutive month that the reading has moved below growth neutral 50.0.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for December expanded to 53.7 from November’s 49.5. The state’s farmland-price index slipped to 35.7 from last month’s 35.9. Nebraska’s new-hiring index fell to 54.9 from 64.1 in November. Over the past 12 months, Nebraska’s Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 0.4 percent pace, while urban areas in the state increased jobs by 2.1 percent.  

Iowa: The December RMI for Iowa rose to 53.7 from November’s 48.7. Iowa’s farmland-price index was unchanged from November’s 35.6. Iowa’s new-hiring index fell to 54.8 from November’s 60.7. Larry Winum, CEO of the Glenwood State Bank in Glenwood, said, “The early snow fall in the Omaha area certainly has hampered harvest. The great yields anticipated will certainly be impacted negatively.” Over the past 12 months, Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 0.6 percent pace, while urban areas in the state increased jobs by 2.0 percent. 

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

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



As farmers age, physical changes can lead to greater injury risk

Wrinkles aren’t the only thing that come with an aging body. No one – including farmers – is immune from the cardiovascular changes, weakened bones, slowed reflexes, memory loss, vision and hearing changes and more.

In the farming industry, staying healthy is a key to avoiding injury or death. As time takes its toll on a person’s physical condition, paying attention to health and working in a safe manner become even more important.

The average age of America’s farmers today is 58. At that stage of life, even if signs of aging aren’t obvious, physical changes are occurring.

In comparison to their younger counterparts, farmers advancing in age are more likely to experience events like tractor rollovers, contact with livestock, and slips, trips or falls.

“Falling from the steps of equipment is a very common injury among farmers who are 55 or older,” said Ellen Duysen, outreach specialist for the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health. “Some aspects of aging, which affect every person, include poorer quality sleep, which leads to increased fatigue during the day. Everyone experiences slower response times as they get older. Hearing and vision loss are common, and things like arthritis or a previous injury can restrict mobility.”

When movements become difficult or painful, the risk of injury around farm equipment increases significantly. Reduced grip strength and decreased ability to tolerate heat and cold also put any aging person at risk, especially farmers.

“For farmers taking care of livestock during calving season in January or February, our aging body doesn’t respond the same way it did when we were young,” Duysen said. “Certain medications can also affect our physical ability. We may see slowed reaction times, drowsiness or other physiological symptoms.”

Because brain function changes with age, farmers may find they struggle with depression more than they did in the early years of their career. Physical reflexes slow while distraction is more likely and coordination is less efficient.

“One of the most important things a farmer can do to protect their health is ensure that their health care provider knows about the work they’re doing on the farm,” Duysen said. “If a farmer is 70 or older, their health care provider may assume they’re no longer active on the farm. Often that’s not the case.”

Well-informed health care providers may be able to manage medications to help avoid drowsiness or other major physical symptoms that could put an active farmer at high risk for injury. A thorough physical examination also can help health care providers identify vision or hearing impairment and recommend or implement treatments to help improve those conditions.

“Balance can often be a problem for the entire aging population, but especially for farmers,” Duysen said. “Maintaining immunizations such as tetanus is something we may overlook as we age, but it’s very important to staying safe on the farm.”

Duysen emphasized the need for farmers to have a clear and ongoing plan for accessing help in the event of some kind of accident that renders them unable to use a cell phone or walkie-talkie.

“I know of a farmer in Missouri who lost his life because he couldn’t reach his cell phone to call for help,” Duysen said. “If there had been a plan for someone to check on him frequently, his life would have been spared. That scenario plays out too often on the farm.

Working smart is always important, but the physical changes age imposes make it even more critical for aging farmers. Since many farmers experience some kind of back injury or chronic pain by age 50, minimizing twisting and lifting activities reduces the risk of further injury.

“Make sure you know how to lift safely,” Duysen said. “Take frequent breaks if you’re doing a lot of lifting, and stay hydrated. Dehydration quickly leads to fatigue, which is a leading cause of injury on the farm.”

Bones naturally shrink in size and density over time. Changes in our bones also can result in greater potential for fractures. At the same time, muscles, tendons and joints may lose strength and flexibility. Replacing worn or high steps on tractors and equipment can reduce the chance of falls and sprains.

There’s nothing anyone can do to prevent changes to hearing that come with advancing age. But we can prevent further noise-induced hearing damage. Continuing to wear hearing protection – even if you have lost some hearing – is essential. Duysen reminded farmers to “save what you have left.”

Vision changes may include difficulty seeing in low-light conditions, perceiving colors differently or experiencing dry eyes. Duysen advised purchasing a pair of vented safety goggles to wear in windy or dusty conditions to reduce eye irritation.

The fat layer under our skin diminishes as we age, and we sweat less, making us more susceptible to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Couple that with the fact that aging bodies become less efficient in regulating body temperature, and it’s easy to see why high temperatures are dangerous for aging farmers.

Staying hydrated and maintaining proper electrolyte balances in high temperature situations are critical to avoiding heat-related illness.

Changing sleep patterns are another part of the aging process. Falling asleep and staying asleep may not be as easy.

“If you want quality sleep, keep the TV, your cell phone and your pets out of the bedroom,” Duysen said. “Those are the top three things that negatively impact everyone’s sleep.”

She said reducing stress, eating a balanced diet, practicing good sleep habits, continuing to actively learn new things, and drinking ample water are all ways to help reduce aging effects and be at our best as we work on the farm.



ISU Awarded Grant to Continue Hosting Regional Food Safety Center

Iowa State University has received a grant to continue hosting the North Central Region Center for FSMA Training, Extension and Technical assistance to help fruit and vegetable growers and processors comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) across the 12-state region.

The nearly $800,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture continues to fund Iowa State University Extension and Outreach faculty and staff's efforts to support the infrastructure of the national food safety program by communicating and coordinating information within the North Central Region related to the Food Safety Modernization Act's (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and Preventive Control Rule.

The grant will allow ISU Extension and Outreach specialists, in partnership with educators, regulators, farmers and processors in all 12 states, to expand the regional communication network, support the development of regional education materials designed to help farmers and processors comply with the rule, provide professional development to educators working with industry, and provide direct technical assistance to growers and processors in the North Central Region. The team will build on the current educational infrastructure and existing relationships with the other centers (Northeast, Southern, Western, Local Food, and Tribal), Food and Drug Administration, USDA and state Departments of Agriculture to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness and lay the groundwork for a safer food supply.

"The new funding allows us to expand on the great work that Angela Shaw and her team started three years ago," said Joe Hannan, commercial horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. "The FSMA Produce Safety Rule and Preventive Control Rule are now both in full effect and there has been a lot of education going on across the county. However, we are still in the early phase of implementing FSMA and creating a safer food supply. We have regular guidance and clarity of the rule that comes from the FDA. Farmers still need on-farm help getting compliant. There are a lot of people and organizations involved and we all need to have a consistent message when working with farmers and processors to help them be compliant with the law."

Hannan and Shaw, associate professor and extension specialist in food safety at Iowa State, are leading education efforts for the North Central Region Center for FSMA Training, Extension and Technical Assistance, which is based at Iowa State. Iowa State was awarded a $1.1 million grant in 2016 to set up the center.

"With the new funding comes quite a few changes," Hannan said. "This is not business as usual for us. We are adding an annual professional development conference for educators and regulators, topic specific webinars and a new look and feel for our website and newsletter. We also have an integrated relationship with the other regional centers to review supplemental materials and new curriculum and evaluate progress across the country."

FSMA was signed into law in 2011 and aims to strengthen the U.S.'s food safety system by preventing foodborne outbreaks before they occur. The produce safety rule, one of seven major rules under FSMA, requires fruit and vegetable growers to meet science-based minimum standards for safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding fruits and vegetables for human consumption.

This work is supported by the Food Safety Outreach Program from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.



Smith Joins President Trump for Signing of 2018 Farm Bill

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) made the following statement after joining President Donald Trump at the White House for the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill.

“I’m proud to support this Farm Bill to give certainty to our farmers and ranchers as the upcoming planting season quickly approaches. Over the past weeks and months, ag producers throughout Nebraska’s Third District have expressed to me, first-hand, the importance of a long-term Farm Bill and robust crop insurance. I thank President Trump for understanding the needs of our farmers and ranchers and appreciate his swift action to sign this bill into law.”



President Trump Signs 2018 Farm Bill Into Law

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today after President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law:

“Today is a great day for Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This bipartisan bill gives our producers a critical safety net, enhances our nation’s trade promotion programs, and helps deliver broadband to farm country. I thank President Trump for his support of our producers who feed the world.”



Statement from Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson Regarding President Trump Signing 2018 Farm Bill

“Today is a good day for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, for agriculture, and for all Americans. A country that can feed itself, is a country that is free. Since 1933, America has been passing farm bills knowing that food security is national security. The 2018 Farm Bill is no exception. This bill will help provide certainty to farmers and ranchers in navigating the challenges of today’s agriculture as they work to produce food for our country and the world.”

“This farm bill protects crop insurance programs and makes needed adjustments to commodity programs critical to managing risk associated with uncertainties of weather and markets. It improves federal conservation programs that aid farmers and ranchers in managing land and water resources. It delivers funding for trade promotion programs critical to improving access to markets outside the U.S. It also secures resources to expand broadband access in rural America allowing for the utilization of new technologies important to food production and environmental protection. Finally, it grants permanent funding for an expanded livestock vaccine bank to ensure America is prepared for the worst in the event of a catastrophic livestock disease occurrence. These elements are all critical to protecting our nation’s food security.”

“We thank President Trump for signing this bill into law, as well as the members of the U.S. House and Senate who helped craft it. We especially want to thank Sen. Deb Fischer, Sen. Ben Sasse, Congressman Fortenberry, Congressman Bacon, and Congressman Smith for their support and efforts to secure passage of this critical legislation.” 



Iowa Cattlemen Applaud Passage of Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill, which was passed by the U.S. House and Senate on December 12, was signed by by President Trump on December 20.

"The Farm Bill offers crucial certainty for Iowa's cattle producers and farmers. We are encouraged to see ICA's priorities addressed, including authorization and funding of a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank, investment in trade promotion and market access, and reauthorization of key conservation programs," said David Trowbridge, ICA President.

The bipartisan bill includes funds of $120 million for animal health and disease preparedness. A minimum of $5 million per year allocated to the National Animal Disease Preparedness Program with the remainder given to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and funding the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank.

Additionally, $500 million will be apportioned to the Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation program which includes full funding to the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program. Each will receive a minimum of $200 million and $35.5 million respectively. These funds are crucial in promoting U.S. beef globally and help stretch producer investments in the Beef Checkoff through matching programs.

The 2018 Farm Bill also reauthorizes conservation programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program). While CSP funds were decreased, EQIP got a boost, giving the programs an overall increase in funding. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) got an increased acreage cap, going from 24 million to 27 million acres. A minimum of two million CRP acres will be exclusively for grazing. In order to alleviate negative effects of CRP on production lands, rental rates and incentive payments will be reduced.

The 2018 Farm Bill will also maintain research funding. Mandatory funds of $185 million will be given to the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. It also supports more than $600 million of funding for land grant schools like Iowa State University to continue a variety of research and extension projects.



Trump signs Farm Bill into law

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement regarding President Trump signing the new Farm Bill into law.

“The Farm Bill provides long-term stability as farmers plan for the next growing season and beyond. To have the certainty that a strong crop insurance program remains in place is critically important as farmers continue to deal with tremendous volatility in both weather and markets. The strong conservation title will ensure USDA remains a key partner as we continue to expand efforts to protect our soil and improve water quality. The bill also maintains important market development programs within USDA and provides new funding for foreign animal disease response efforts, including a vaccine bank for foot and mouth disease, to help protect our critically important livestock industry.

“I want to thank President Trump for his support for our farmers as he signs the Farm Bill into law. I also want to commend leaders in both the House and Senate who were able to work together to get this bipartisan bill passed so it can be in place before the end of the year.”



Statement of Secretary Perdue on President Trump’s Signing of the Farm Bill

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today celebrated President Trump’s signing of the 2018 Farm Bill and issued the following statement:  

“This is a great day for our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers, as President Trump’s signature on this bill is a Christmas present to American agriculture.  Farmers take financial risks every year as a matter of doing business, so having a Farm Bill in place gives them peace of mind to make their decisions for the future.  Since early talks on this Farm Bill began back in 2017, I’ve always believed it would be more evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, and that has borne out to be true.

“The bill bolsters farm safety net programs, protects federal crop insurance, and maintains strong rural development and research initiatives. The legislation reinvents the Margin Protection Program for dairy producers, providing a boost to coverage levels and a reduction in premiums after the program fell short in the 2014 Farm Bill.  The bill also includes a new Animal Disease Prevention and Management program, providing annual funding for three animal health programs.  This includes a new vaccine bank focused on foot-and-mouth disease and extended funding of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network to protect our borders and improve food safety.

“While we would have liked more progress on forest management reforms and work requirements for certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, we look forward to using our authorities to make improvements in those areas.  All told, this is a Farm Bill that should be welcomed by producers, and at USDA we will eagerly implement its provisions.  At USDA, we were pleased to provide a tremendous amount of technical assistance to Congress as legislators wrote the bill.  I thank the President for his leadership on this legislation, and commend the Senate and House Agriculture Committees for their many months of hard work.”



2018 Farm Bill Signed

President Donald Trump today signed the 2018 Farm Bill (the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018) into law with NCGA President Lynn Chrisp and Chairman Kevin Skunes in attendance. Today's action follows last week's overwhelming bipartisan support for the bill in both the House and Senate.

"NCGA is very pleased that our farmers will be able to look forward to a new year with the certainty of a new farm bill. Between depressed commodity prices, record low farm incomes and tariffs and trade uncertainty, today's signing is very welcome news."

NCGA's members took an active role in the 2018 Farm Bill's development, ensuring organization priorities like continued support for crop insurance and improvements to the ARC-CO program, were included in the final legislation. Members visited with their representatives and sent emails and made phone calls to Capitol Hill offices stressing the importance of getting a new farm bill signed into law this year.

Chrisp thanked NCGA members for their efforts, especially during busy planting and harvest seasons, to get the bill across the finish line. He also thanked Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson, as well as President Trump and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue for their support for American agriculture.



Soybean industry pleased 2018 farm bill formally enacted

The American Soybean Association (ASA) applauds President Trump and Members of the House and Senate for quickly finalizing the “Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.” ASA leaders Davie Stephens, president and Kentucky soy grower, and John Heisdorffer, chairman and grower from Iowa, were among those attending the farm bill signing ceremony Thursday afternoon at the White House.

“This is a success for agriculture to have this legislation passed before the end of the year,” said Stephens. “We appreciate the level of assurance the bill provides and will now be able to better focus on working with the Administration and Congress on other issues affecting the competitiveness and profitability of U.S. beans.”

ASA is pleased with provisions in the bill that maintain the ARC and PLC program; a strong crop insurance program; funding for the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program and Market Access Program (MAP) within the Agriculture Trade and Facilitation Program; baseline funding of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP); acreage limit increases for the Conservation Research Program (CRP); continued authorization for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and support of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) consensus report data; and enactment of the Ag Connectivity Provision that expands rural broadband connections, including mobile coverage.



NAWG Applauds President Trump Signing the 2018 Farm Bill into Law

Today, President Trump officially signed The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the Farm Bill, into law. The signing ceremony was held in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House. NAWG President and Sentinel, OK wheat farmer Jimmie Musick was invited to attend the official signing of the bill and made the following statement:

“Today marked a historic event not only for wheat growers but all of American agriculture. The 2018 Farm Bill provides farmers with the certainty and stability they need to continue producing a safe and nutritious food supply, while using fewer resources, and maintaining healthy soil for their crop.

“Our growers began developing priorities for the Farm Bill over two years ago in order to put ourselves in the best possible position to advocate for changes to programs that would benefit the nation’s wheat farmers. They’ve been continually engaged with Members of Congress since then to not only advocate for our priorities but to also provide feedback as comprises had to be made in order to finish the bill. This is a good bill which will provide support for farmers at a time when economic and growing conditions are uncertain.

“NAWG would like to thank the Senate and House Agriculture Committee Members and their staff for their hard work, time, and patience they put into getting a bill finalized and to the President’s desk for signature. We are looking forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the 116th Congress in 2019 to implement this bill.”



2018 Farm Bill Signed into Law

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 was signed into law today by President Trump at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. National Sorghum Producers Chairman Dan Atkisson, a sorghum farmer from Stockton, Kansas, attended the event and released the following statement:

"Today's signing is a culmination of hard work, commitment and intelligent planning by Congress to get the bill across the finish line before the end of the year. We know this bill invests in the future of agriculture and NSP would like to thank the Administration as well as the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and their staffs for their leadership.

"NSP has been engaged in the farm bill process since hearings began in 2017. We have witnessed both chambers make focused efforts to meet the needs of rural America and applaud the resulting legislation. The 2018 Farm Bill contains policy that will maintain and enhance opportunities for sorghum producers and all of U.S. agriculture and we look forward to working with the Administration through its implementation."



NMPF Thanks President Trump for Signing Farm Bill

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) thanked President Donald Trump for signing a farm bill that enacts necessary reforms for dairy farmers. The organization looks forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to quickly implement several new programs.

With NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney in attendance, Trump praised the hard work of American farmers and noted Congress’s efforts to assist them. Dairy has been noted as a big winner in the bill, with new programs that assist dairy producers facing low prices. Important policy reforms include:
-    Much more affordable and higher coverage levels in the new Dairy Margin Coverage program (DMC) (renamed from the Margin Protection Program) that will allow all dairy producers to insure margins up to $9.50/cwt. on their Tier I (first 5 million pounds) production history
-    Lower-cost $5.00 margin coverage, allowing farm operations wishing to cover more than 5 million pounds of production to have a higher level of affordable catastrophic protection
-    Expanded access to additional risk management tools, which allows producers to participate in the DMC along with options including the Livestock Gross Margin insurance program and the new Dairy Revenue Protection program.

“By signing the farm bill, the president has acknowledged the problems dairy producers face and has put his stamp on improving their circumstances,” said Mooney, who operates Mooney Dairy in Rogersville, Missouri, with his wife Jan. “That only increases momentum for USDA to put these programs in effect quickly, assisting producers in a time of need.”

USDA earlier this week highlighted implementation of the dairy programs as an early priority. Once USDA draws up rules to administer its initiatives, producers will sign up for their coverage retroactive to Jan. 1.

NMPF again thanked Reps. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), the chairman and ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, as well as Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, for their work on reaching a final agreement.



USMEF Statement on Approval of 2018 Farm Bill

With President Trump signing the 2018 Farm Bill, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

USMEF thanks President Trump for approving the new Farm Bill and the senators and representatives who supported this legislation.

The Farm Bill contains many provisions that are critical to the success and competitiveness of American agriculture. One important aspect of the bill is its continued support for international promotion of U.S. agricultural products, as the bill maintains funding for the USDA Market Access Program and the USDA Foreign Market Development Program. Support from these programs is an important tool for expanding global demand for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, as well as many other U.S. products.



Farmers Union Applauds 2018 Farm Bill Approval

President Donald Trump today signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, authorizing and funding America’s farm and food programs through fiscal year 2023.

National Farmers Union (NFU), on behalf of its nearly 200,000 farm family members, supported passage of the bill, as it provides some certainty to family farmers struggling with low farm prices. It also funds and improves programs that encourage conservation and the development of diverse markets for family farmers. Additional details about wins in the 2018 Farm Bill can be found in NFU's informational two-pager and infographic.

NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the signing of the bill:

“Farmers Union members are relieved to have the support of the farm bill heading into an uncertain future for American agriculture. Agriculture committee leaders and staff—despite being hamstrung by congressional leadership—delivered on much needed improvements to the previous farm bill and continued support for programs that aid family farm sustainability and emerging markets.

“Moving forward, we must build on the platform the farm bill has provided for the family farm safety net. We’re entering a sixth year of devastatingly low farm prices, leading to substantial financial stress for farm families and forcing many out of business. This pain is exacerbated by the administration’s mishandling of international trade and biofuel policies, which are further depressing farm prices. As we head into 2019, Farmers Union will continue to push for a stronger farm safety net that reflects the realities of the current farm economy and its implications for the viability of family farm agriculture in the United States."



Farm Bill Signing Secures Benefits for All Americans
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

“The Agriculture Improvement Act—H.R. 2—is now law. Enactment means risk management tools, foreign market development and environmental stewardship programs continue to be available, and on terms that reflect a much tougher farm economy than the one we faced when the last farm bill became law.

“The farm bill helps to ensure the food security and economic security of our nation. Directly or indirectly, it benefits everyone in towns large and small. This farm bill:
             Brings another five years of certainty to farm and ranch families;
             Upholds fiscal responsibility by being budget neutral;
             Improves risk management programs;
             Protects crop insurance;
             Funds much-needed trade development;
             Invests in the future with funding for ag research and beginning farmer programs; and
             Continues nutrition assistance (three-quarters of total farm bill funding) for lower-income Americans.

“We are grateful to President Trump for his support. We also thank Chairmen Roberts and Conaway and Ranking Members Stabenow and Peterson for producing legislation that passed with strong, bi-partisan support. We look forward to working with Agriculture Secretary Perdue as he and his team at USDA implement this law and put new program provisions in place quickly.”



Ricketts Applauds Farm Bill Signing, Proposed SNAP Work Requirements

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) applauded news that President Donald J. Trump had signed the Farm Bill into law.

“Thank you to the entire Nebraska federal delegation for their support of the Farm Bill and to President Trump for signing it into law.  With an extended period of low commodity prices, a new five-year Farm Bill gives Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers much-needed stability and certainty.  This is a win for the people of Nebraska who help feed the world,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Additionally, Nebraska appreciates President Trump’s proposal to allow for work requirements for able-bodied adults participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  I want to specifically thank Senator Ben Sasse for his leadership in this area.  Nebraska has a voluntary program to help SNAP families get better jobs and to become more financially independent.  Giving more flexibility in this area can help states as we work to encourage more people to take advantage of the great opportunities we have available.”

“The 2018 Farm Bill supports nutrition programs, international trade, research, animal disease prevention programs, and conservation,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman.  “It’s a long-term investment in agriculture and it provides producers with tools to help them succeed.  I appreciate the work done by Senator Deb Fischer and Representative Don Bacon on their respective ag committees to help move this bill forward to President Trump’s desk.  Passage of the bill ensures that farmers, ranchers, and consumers have access to critical programs and services and the certainty of a safety net in a struggling ag economy.”



USDA to Restore Original Intent of SNAP: A Second Chance, Not A Way of Life

At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a proposed rule (PDF, 300 KB) intended to move more able-bodied recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to self-sufficiency through the dignity of work. The rule is meant to restore the system to what it was meant to be: assistance through difficult times, not lifelong dependency. Over time, without any changes in the underlying welfare reform legislation of 1996, that ideal has been watered down by out-of-control administrative flexibility in SNAP.

“Long-term reliance on government assistance has never been part of the American dream,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “As we make benefits available to those who truly need them, we must also encourage participants to take proactive steps toward self-sufficiency. Moving people to work is common-sense policy, particularly at a time when the unemployment rate is at a generational low.”

The rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focuses on work-related program requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). The rule would apply to non-disabled people, between the ages of 18 and 49, with no dependents. The rule would not apply to the elderly, the disabled, or pregnant women.

Under current SNAP requirements, ABAWDs must work or participate in an employment program for at least 20 hours a week to continue to receive benefits for more than three months over a 36-month period. States may request to waive the time limit in areas with an unemployment rate above 10 percent or where there are ‘not sufficient jobs,’ which current regulations primarily define as an unemployment rate 20 percent above the national average. With today’s strong economy, that could include areas with unemployment rates of under 5 percent – a rate normally considered to be full employment. In 2016 there were 3.8 million individual ABAWDs on the SNAP rolls, with 2.8 million (or almost 74 percent) of them not working.

“Americans are generous people who believe it is their responsibility to help their fellow citizens when they encounter a difficult stretch,” Perdue said. “That is the commitment behind SNAP. But like other federal welfare programs, it was never intended to be a way of life.”

USDA’s proposal would help to ensure that work provisions are waived only when necessary, encouraging states to renew their focus on helping SNAP participants find a path to self-sufficiency. In a recent letter to the nation’s governors (PDF, 109 KB), Secretary Perdue explained, “These waivers weaken states' ability to move the ABAWD population to long-term self-sufficiency because they do not require ABAWDs to engage in work and work training.”

USDA encourages all interested parties to provide input on the proposed rule, which will be posted to the Federal Register in the coming days. The comment period will be open for 60 days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register.

USDA’s FNS works to reduce food insecurity and promote nutritious diets among the American people. The agency administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.



Sasse Praises Department of Agriculture’s Proposed Rule on SNAP Work Requirements

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to pursue regulatory reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that promote work requirements for able-bodied adults. Earlier this week, Sasse led a group of fourteen Senators urging the Department to promote work requirements for SNAP and update regulations governing state waivers. Today the Department of Agriculture did exactly that.

“The stuff that makes life great – families, communities, and work – doesn’t come from government, but Washington should help by rolling back bad policy and promoting the dignity of work,” said Senator Sasse. “Nebraskans want to make sure that we help folks who need it most and that federal policy encourages meaningful work that gets our family and neighbors back on their feet. A few days ago, we urged Secretary Perdue to make these SNAP reforms. Sonny gets it, and the Department of Agriculture is doing the right thing. This is good news.”



Establishing the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law, passed by Congress in July of 2016, directed USDA to establish this national mandatory standard for disclosing foods that are or may be bioengineered. The Standard requires food manufacturers, importers and certain retailers to ensure bioengineered foods are appropriately disclosed.

“The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard increases the transparency of our nation’s food system, establishing guidelines for regulated entities on when and how to disclose bioengineered ingredients. This ensures clear information and labeling consistency for consumers about the ingredients in their food,” said Secretary Perdue. “The Standard also avoids a patchwork state-by-state system that could be confusing to consumers.”

The Standard defines bioengineered foods as those that contain detectable genetic material that has been modified through lab techniques and cannot be created through conventional breeding or found in nature. The implementation date of the Standard is January 1, 2020, except for small food manufacturers, whose implementation date is January 1, 2021. The mandatory compliance date is January 1, 2022. Regulated entities may voluntarily comply with the Standard until December 31, 2021.

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) developed the List of Bioengineered Foods to identify the crops or foods that are available in a bioengineered form throughout the world and for which regulated entities must maintain records. The records will inform regulated entities on whether the food must have a bioengineered disclosure to be communicated to consumers. Regulated entities have several disclosure options: text, symbol, electronic or digital link, and/or text message. Additional options such as a phone number or web address are available to small food manufacturers or for small and very small packages.

The implementation of the Standard concludes a rulemaking process begun in July 2016. AMS gathered information needed to develop the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard and program, in part, through a public comment period. More than 14,000 comments were received and taken into consideration during the rulemaking process. Prior to this, AMS received over 112,000 comments in response to 30 questions provided on the AMS website regarding establishment of the Standard.

The final rule will be published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2018. Following publication of this rule, USDA will provide outreach and education to inform regulated entities and the public about the new disclosure terms. The entire record of the rulemaking is available at www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/21/2018-27283/national-bioengineered-food-disclosure-standard.



Soybean Growers Support USDA’s Bioengineered Food Disclosure Rule

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its final rule for implementing the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS), which will inform consumers of the presence of bioengineered genetic material in their food.

“Soybean farmers are pleased that USDA took the time to do this rule the right way. We believe that it allows transparency for consumers while following the intent of Congress that only food that contains modified genetic material be required to be labeled bioengineered under the law, with food companies having the option of providing additional information if they choose,” said Davie Stephens, soy grower from Kentucky and president of the American Soybean Association.



NCGA Pleased by USDA Issuing Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard Labeling Rule
   
Key agricultural and farm groups today praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) public release of the final rule implementing the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.

Designed to inform consumers about the presence of bioengineered genetic material in their food for marketing purposes, USDA’s disclosure standard stands firmly with science in that it validates the fact that there is no health, safety or nutritional difference between bioengineered crops and comparable conventional or organic crops. This is a position held by nearly every major national and international scientific and health organization, including the American Medical Association, the National Academy of Sciences and the World Health Organization.

“America’s corn farmers need a consistent, transparent system to provide consumers with information without stigmatizing important, safe technology. Thus, we are pleased with the issuance of these rules and look forward to reviewing the details in the coming days,” said NCGA President Lynn Chrisp, a farmer from Nebraska. “NCGA came together with stakeholders from across the value chain to support enactment of the Bioengineered Food Disclosure Act, because it prevented a state-by-state patchwork of labeling laws, that would have cost U.S. consumers, farmers and manufacturers billions of dollars. We are hopeful that this rule will be a major step in achieving our important, shared goals.”

NCGA will be reviewing the rule in greater detail over the coming days.



NMPF Statement on the Bioengineered Food Disclosure Rule
Jim Mulhern, President and CEO

In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement today of its National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern offered the following comments:

“NMPF is pleased with the bioengineered food disclosure rule’s re-assertion that milk from animals that consume bioengineered feed shouldn’t be subject to mandatory GMO labeling. NMPF told Congress that any regulation requiring the labeling of bioengineered products must be science-based and acknowledge that feeding farm animals grains developed through biotechnology has no effect on the animals or products derived from them. This rule codifies our position.

“It’s important to remember that bioengineered food disclosure rules should be founded in science, and are a measure to regulate food marketing, not food safety. Also, the rule doesn’t fix every problem regarding the labeling of bioengineered products in the marketplace. Misleading absence claims may persist even under this rule, and we urge USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to focus their energy on examining voluntary disclosures and their potential to be false and misleading.”

NMPF is a member of the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, a group of farm and food organizations that worked together to help pass the labeling law in 2016.



Farm Bureau Statement on USDA Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

“The rule is a victory not only for consumers who want transparency but for the entire food value chain, from the farmer to food manufacturers. It provides clarity to the marketplace so that consumers can make informed decisions on the issues that matter to them, and protects the innovation that is critical to the sustainability of agriculture. Secretary Perdue and Undersecretary Ibach should be commended for this rule, which follows the intent of Congress while protecting future agricultural innovation.”



EPA Continues to Undermine RFS with Hardship Waivers

According to recent reports, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “financial hardship waiver” to a refinery owned by Exxon Mobil Corp, exempting it from requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  Exxon Mobil is the largest American oil and gas company, reporting earnings upwards of $20 billion last year.

The RFS exists to drive investment in American-grown biofuels. However, the EPA has consistently misappropriated RFS waivers to large oil refiners, ultimately cutting demand for biofuels by 2.25 billion gallons in 2016 and 2017 and undermining the intent of the law. NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the report:

“We are deeply disappointed by the ongoing mishandling of the Renewable Fuel Standard. Farmers and rural communities rely on the RFS to create market opportunities, a role that is particularly important as they endure low commodity prices and large surpluses. Yet the EPA continues to bungle the enforcement the law and erode its function.

“With farm economy at its weakest state in nearly three decades, it is frankly disgusting that multibillion-dollar corporations are receiving government handouts at the expense of struggling family farmers and ranchers. The EPA must not only halt the misappropriation of these so-called ‘hardship waivers,’ but they also must work to find other mechanisms to account for the billions of gallons of demand they have already destroyed.”



Strong U.S. Soy Exports to Europe and Middle East/North Africa Markets
US Soybean Export Council

The Europe and Middle East/North Africa market has been a bright spot for U.S. Soy exports this marketing year, as soy exports to the region are up 140 million bushels over last year at this time.

This represents a 210 percent increase in whole soybeans and a 17 percent increase in soybean meal exports for the U.S. Soy industry.

USSEC recently held an major regional U.S. Soy Trade Exchange in Spain, attended by 300 participants, which increased focus in other key markets in the region.

Countries with largest bushel increases this marketing year include Egypt (30 million), Spain (23 million), Netherlands (15 million), Italy (12 million), and Portugal (10 million).



R-CALF USA to ITC:  The Proposed USMCA Will Substantially Harm U.S. Cattle Producers

Today, R-CALF USA filed its final submissions to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), culminating the group's efforts to ensure the ITC's upcoming report to the President and Congress will accurately describe the likely impacts the recently proposed U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will have on the U.S. cattle industry.

"The likely impact of the USMCA on the U.S. cattle industry will be substantial, and it will be substantially negative," R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard said in oral testimony before the ITC.

The Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 requires the ITC to submit to the President and to Congress a report assessing the likely impact of the USMCA on the United States economy and on specific industry sectors. The ITC's investigation and report must be completed within 105 days after the President signed the agreement.

R-CALF USA has been participating in the ITC's investigation since October 15. On October 29 the group submitted its pre-hearing brief. It provided oral testimony during the ITC's November 16 hearing and submitted its post-hearing brief on December 19. Today the group submitted its final summary regarding the USMCA's likely impact on the U.S. cattle industry.

In its submissions, the group explained that because the USMCA adopts the same provisions in the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) regarding cattle and beef trade, the likely impacts of the new agreement can be assessed by reviewing the impact that the NAFTA had on the industry during the past 24 years.

The group stated the impact of those NAFTA provisions were disastrous to independent cattle producers because they empowered multinational beef packers to indiscriminately displace domestic cattle and beef production with cheaper, undifferentiated imports of both cattle and beef. This, the groups said, has substantially weakened the U.S. live cattle supply chain and has caused the dismantling of the domestic supply chain's critical marketing channels and infrastructure, which has substantially reduced competition for the industry and is contributing to the hollowing out of America's rural communities.

The group identified 10 indices of harms the NAFTA agreement has wrought on the U.S. cattle industry. Those indices include:
    Twenty percent of all U.S. beef cattle operations exited the industry from 1994 to 2012, based on latest available census data.
    Seventy-five percent of all U.S. cattle feedlots exited the industry from 1996 to 2017.
    By 2014, the U.S. beef cow herd declined to the lowest level in seven decades and today is nearly three million head less than it was in 1994.
    Forty-eight U.S. beef packing plants exited the industry between 1995-2014, and there have been very few new entrants into the sector or new packing plants built.
    The average annual returns per bred cow for U.S. cow/calf producers declined from an average of $50 during the seven years prior to 1994 to only $37 from 1994 through 2017.
    The only years cow/calf returns per bred cow exceeded the NAFTA period's $37 average were in 2004-2005 when the U.S. banned Canadian cattle imports; and after the 2009 implementation of country-of-origin labeling (COOL).
    Under NAFTA, the U.S. cattle industry suffered on average an annual $1.4 billion deficit in the trade of cattle, beef, beef variety meats and processed beef, resulting in a cumulative NAFTA trade deficit of negative $31 billion.
    In 2014, the U.S. cattle industry suffered a 41 percent value-based import surge from Canada and Mexico, resulting in the collapse of U.S. cattle prices beginning in 2015.
    The U.S. cattle producers' share of every consumer beef dollar declined from 56 percent the year before NAFTA to just 45 percent in 2017; consequently, packer margins reached unprecedented levels in recent years, averaging $216 per head from 2016 through mid-2018.
    Average returns to U.S. cattle feeders during the past 18 years under NAFTA were a negative $20.40 per head per month. 

In its post-hearing brief, R-CALF USA refuted what it called baseless and false claims made by the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). The group refuted what it called false claims by the NCBA that exports have returned $320 per fed animal to U.S. cattle producers, that country-of-origin labeling (COOL) did not benefit the U.S. cattle industry, and that the greatest threat to the U.S. cattle industry is labor.

For example, R-CALF USA stated the NCBA deceptively uses wholesale beef prices received by beef packers and beef exporters to calculate its $320 per head benefit from exports.

"Proceeds from export sales are not based on cattle prices paid to domestic cattle producers," they are based on what packers and other wholesalers receive and that is why packers are now earning record margins while U.S. cattle prices remain depressed," said Bullard.

The group also explained how the testimony by the NAMI and NCBA actually proves R-CALF USA's position that NAFTA has displaced domestic cattle and beef production.

In conclusion, R-CALF USA stated that because the USMCA incorporates NAFTA's fundamentally flawed provisions, it should be expected that the USMCA will now cause the elimination of the critical mass of competitive marketing channels and industry infrastructure needed to sustain an independent family farm and ranch system of cattle production in the United States. Thus, the new USMCA will accelerate the destruction of the U.S. cattle industry as we know it today.



BASF #MonarchChallenge concludes its 2018 migration

The BASF Monarch Challenge, a biodiversity initiative seeking to restore the monarch butterfly population, recently completed its year-long migration, along with the monarchs’ migration from Canada to the oyamel fir forests of Mexico. Stopping in seven locations across the U.S., BASF worked with farmers, farm families and golf courses to promote the planting of milkweed, which is essential for the monarch’s survival.

“As we stopped at each event, we found the idea of helping the monarch population really resonated with farmers,” said Chip Shilling, Sustainability Strategy Manager, BASF. “They want to leave a legacy for future generations, and one of the ways farmers can do this is to plant more milkweed on their land.”

Milkweed, the essential plant for the monarch butterfly life cycle and the sole food source for the monarch caterpillar, has become less common over the years. The Monarch Challenge encourages the planting of milkweed in non-crop areas of a farmer’s land and out-of-play areas of golf courses.

With the support of many this year, the challenge successfully garnered more than 2,600 farmers, farm families and others interested in monarch conservation, and led to partnerships with more than 70 golf courses. This increased awareness in the challenge helped Living Acres plant over 32,000 milkweed seedlings across the U.S in 2018.

Many stories were shared along the Monarch Challenge’s migration this year, but one that stood out came from Hunter Grills, a ninth-generation farmer in northwest Tennessee. Wanting to help the initiative, he reached out to BASF and together with his two nieces, decided to plant a milkweed habitat on his farm this fall to be ready for next spring’s migration.

“As farmers, we understand weeds can be detrimental, but they are also essential to many insects and animals,” said Grills. “We are maintaining our crops so we can produce an adequate amount of food but also being good stewards of the land, and the Monarch Challenge provides us a way to do that.”

The Monarch Challenge first spread its wings in 2016 as part of the BASF Living Acres biodiversity program. Since taking flight, over 4,000 participants have signed up for the Monarch Challenge, and 45,500 milkweed plants have been established on farm lands and golf courses from Rhode Island to Idaho.

“We want to continue growing the Monarch Challenge,” said Shilling. “There are many more milkweed plants to establish, and many more conversations to have on the importance of milkweed to the monarch population.”