Thursday December 27 Ag News

Northeast students gain global perspective on agriculture

Northeast Community College students had the opportunity recently to learn about agriculture from an international point of view.

As part of a partnership with Central Valley Ag (CVA), Deon van Staden, Somerset West, South Africa, met with Introduction to Agriculture Economics and International Agriculture classes at Northeast. In his first year in Nebraska with CVA, van Staden works in operations.

Clayton Hensley, recruiter for CVA and Northeast alum who presented with van Staden, said that due to Nebraska’s low unemployment rate and the high unemployment rates in other countries, CVA has expanded its hiring overseas in order to find qualified workers in a number of areas.

Van Staden gave a presentation on South Africa and its agriculture industry, which is remarkably diverse across its numerous climactic regions. This includes the Northern Cape where sheep and cattle are prominent, the Eastern Cape where corn and other crops are grown, and the northeast, where sugar cane dominates.

And even though they lie on opposite ends of the world, South Africa and the United States have a number of similarities, van Staden said.

“We’ve got basically the same equipment and technologies in South Africa. The main difference is we don’t produce on such a large scale.”

Michael Lechner, agriculture instructor at Northeast, stressed the importance of students learning about a country’s agriculture system directly from the source as the College strives to create a globally competitive workforce.

“When students have the opportunity to listen to a presentation, it should be from someone who is a citizen or someone who lived and interacted with the local population of the country. The students gain a much greater appreciation and understanding of a country from someone who worked in it directly rather than someone who simply vacationed there.”

“Often students, and Americans in general, do not appreciate the opportunities in the US compared to other countries. I believe that trade is about relationships and cooperation between countries.”

Northeast Community College grants the eighth highest number of associate degrees in agriculture in the nation and the most in Nebraska.



A peaceful Aggie campus
NCTA Dean Ron Rosati, Ph.D.    

This is a quiet time on the NCTA campus with most members of our college community at home with family enjoying the holidays and catching up on family events.

However, responsibilities continue at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in maintaining the Curtis campus and surrounding farm and livestock enterprises.

As a winter storm moves into Frontier County and much of Nebraska, several staff and students are tending to essential activities.

College livestock are fed and cared for by student employees who live locally. These NCTA Aggies look forward to the opportunity to earn some extra spending money during the University’s holiday break.

Others have the responsibility for the dogs, cats, furred and feathered pets, and exotic animals housed at NCTA. We maintain a large inventory of animals to meet the needs of our teaching programs in veterinary technology, animal science and equine management areas. As a result, student workers dedicate several hours a day to to maintaining facilities and food for the animals.

Some staff also provide oversight for those chores. Faculty and staff are on call throughout the year to handle any questions or emergencies which may occur with campus animals. Student employees have directions to call their on-call contacts if animals are sick, hurt or missing. Though infrequent, health situations can occur, regardless of the season or time of day.

Other college staff provide campus security throughout the year. And physical plant operators are on call to handle any emergencies at college facilities.

The NCTA campus is more than 100 years old and it still retains its original academic buildings. Occasionally our older infrastructure reminds us of its age when a water pipe breaks or a steam line fails. At times like that, alarms go off and employees are quick to arrive at campus to solve the problem. We appreciate the dedication of these employees and their knowledge and skill as they work to keep our campus functional.

NCTA’s statewide mission
Holiday breaks also provide us with an opportunity to reflect on the previous year and NCTA’s mission for the future. We check on our progress as an academic institution. Our leadership team designs  adjustments to our procedures, as needed, in a continuous effort to improve NCTA’s effectiveness at creating successful graduates.

On January 4, before classes begin the following Monday, the college will gather partners from across the state for an evaluation and planning activity. The NCTA Statewide Advisory Council comes to Curtis to join us in developing our next five-year strategic plan.

This advisory council consists of professionals from various constituencies across the state including higher education, state government, agricultural industries, secondary education, parents, alumni and students. The group will review a draft strategic plan which has been developed by various advisors, internally and externally, of our college community.

Annually, the Statewide Advisory Council convenes at NCTA,  and throughout the year communicates electronically, for input to campus. Next week, the group will make recommendations for improvement, addition or modification to the NCTA Strategic Plan.

We appreciate the assistance of our extensive college community from throughout Nebraska. We value their insights and the time they dedicate to NCTA in developing this important roadmap for campus facilities, services, staffing, and most importantly, the academic success of Aggie students.

NCTA strives to expediently respond to the emerging workforce development needs of Nebraska’s agricultural industries. The NCTA Statewide Advisory Council helps us achieve that mission.



FSA Offices Open Thru Dec 28th

During a government shutdown, agencies that have funds appropriated in prior years that are carried forward can continue to serve customers until that money is used up. As a result, FSA county offices will remain open through December 28th, according to an announcement on the USDA Farm Service Agency website.

As per the announcement, if you need to visit your FSA county office, please check our website or call your local office to ensure we are open before you make the trip. Farm loan services will be limited. You can find your local office by visiting https://www.farmers.gov/service-locator

As a reminder, signup for the Market Facilitation Program ends on January 15, 2019. You do not need to be finished with harvest to sign up. Farmers have until May 1, 2019 to certify production.



Hemp Farming Now Legal Through Farm Bill Provision

Vote Hemp, the nation's leading grassroots hemp advocacy organization working to change state and federal laws to allow commercial hemp farming, announced the federal legalization of hemp farming in the U.S., after nearly 2 decades of the organization's advocacy and policy leadership on the issue.

The 2018 Farm Bill, passed by Congress on December 12, and signed into law by the President on December 20, includes Section 10113 titled "Hemp Production," which removes hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, places full federal regulatory authority of hemp with USDA, and allows State departments of agriculture to file hemp programs plans and regulate hemp cultivation per their State specific programs.

"This bill constitutes a momentous victory for the movement in support of hemp farming, and will have far-reaching positive impacts on rural economies and farming communities, increase availability of sustainable products for American consumers, and create new businesses and jobs in the hemp industry," said Eric Steenstra, President of Vote Hemp. "Now that we have lifted federal prohibition on hemp farming, it's time to invest our energy in expanding hemp cultivation and the market for hemp products across the country so that all can reap the benefits of this of this versatile, historic American crop," said Steenstra.

In addition to defining hemp as cannabis that contains no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight, the bill asserts a 'whole plant' definition of hemp, including plant extracts; and removes roadblocks to the rapidly growing hemp industry in the U.S., notably by authorizing and encouraging access to federal research funding for hemp, and removing restrictions on banking, water rights, and other regulatory roadblocks the hemp industry currently faces.



National Pork Board Celebrates El Sabor of Holiday Traditions

This season, the National Pork Board is ready to spread cheer by bringing Latinos across the country together to do what they love most -- savoring the flavor of family traditions. It's much more than "lechón;" it's a taste of home.

A National Pork Board study revealed that 62 percent of Hispanics prefer foods that remind them of their family's traditions. For many U.S. Hispanics, pork is the essential protein for any holiday gathering.

"Pork continues to be a Hispanic staple and a must-have for some of our favorite traditional holiday dishes," said Jose de Jesus, director of multicultural marketing at the National Pork Board. "In fact, our recent study indicates that 65 percent of Hispanics have consumed fresh pork at home in the last two weeks. Additionally, Nielsen data shows that Latinos spend 7 percent more on fresh pork than the average household in the U.S."

Knowing that the majority (66 percent) agree, "Food is a way to show others I care about them," for many Hispanics, pork is more than a staple; it's a symbol of love.

To add flavor to the traditions Latinos hold most dear this holiday season, the National Pork Board recommends these traditional pork dishes:

- Pork Pozole a la Poblana - This traditional Mexican stew is perfect to keep you warm, and a must for a New Year's Eve celebration.

- Roasted Pork Loin with Mojo Criollo and Mashed Yucca - This Latin-inspired dish is perfect for hosting a small holiday dinner where flavor becomes the number one guest.

- Whole Hog Roast in La Caja China - There is nothing like roasting a pig in La Caja China. This Caribbean favorite, perfect for outdoor gatherings, is a true family feast and a crowd-pleaser.



Perdue to Address 100th AFBF Annual Convention

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will give the closing general session keynote address at the 100th American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 14, 2019.

More than 6,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation are expected to gather in New Orleans Jan. 11-16 to hear from distinguished leaders and participate in a grassroots policy-setting process that will guide AFBF through 2019.

Perdue has served as U.S. agriculture secretary since 2017 and joined Farm Bureau members at the 2018 Annual Convention. Prior to his appointment to the Trump administration, he served as governor of Georgia from 2003-2011 and as a Georgia state senator from 1991-2002.

“We are honored that Secretary Perdue will join us as a keynote speaker,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Well before his first day in office in Washington, D.C., the secretary has been a champion for farmers and ranchers. We are excited to kick off Farm Bureau’s 100th year hearing from such a strong advocate for agriculture in the administration. He truly understands how trade, regulations and labor shortages affect a farmer’s bottom line and ability to stay in business from one season to the next.”

Farm Bureau members can register for the 100th AFBF Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show through their state Farm Bureaus or online through AFBF at http://annualconvention.fb.org.



Dairy Strong speakers address challenges, offer insights

One of the Midwest's premiere conferences for the dairy community will be held Jan. 23 and 24 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wis.

Dairy Strong 2019 will bring together more than 700 farmers, corporate professionals and government and university representatives to explore the future of an integral part of the culture and economy of Wisconsin and the nation.

The conference will include a dynamic discussion about the changing landscape of export markets and the role of agricultural commodities in trade negotiations. Gregg Doud serves as the chief agricultural negotiator, in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Ken Schmidt, the former director of communications for Harley-Davidson and now a highly sought-after communications consultant, will be a featured speaker. Schmidt played an active role at Harley-Davidson in one of the most celebrated turnarounds in corporate history. He will talk about how to improve competitiveness and reach out to new customers in completely non-traditional ways, which is a timely discussion for the dairy community. Schmidt was a featured speaker at the first Dairy Strong conference in 2015.

Famed geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan will serve as the economics keynote and closing speaker. Zeihan's worldview marries the realities of geography and populations to a deep understanding of how global politics impact markets and economic trends.

A keynote by sports agency trailblazer Molly Fletcher will kick off the conference. As one of the top agents, she has represented sport's biggest names, including Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, PGA TOUR golfer Matt Kuchar, broadcaster Erin Andrews, and basketball coaches Tom Izzo and Doc Rivers. While Fletcher negotiated more than $500 million in contracts and built lasting relationships, she also observed and adopted the traits of those at the top of their game. She will draw parallels to the dairy community by identifying the traits that allow successful leaders to lean in to challenging times, emerging better on the other side.

Newly elected Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has been invited to deliver the state legislative keynote at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24.

In addition to keynotes, the event will feature track sessions and shorter presentations on the Innovation Stage, presented by CWAS Global, located in the trade show area. Topics range from risk management to advocating for dairy on social media and breakthroughs in dairy nutrition.

New this year is the Wisconsin wine and cheese tasting and pairing stage, presented by HUB International, featuring experts from Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin for cheese education, pairing ideas, fun facts and more.
 
CURRENT AND FUTURE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
Dairy farmers, along with other commodities, are desperate to make sense of the challenges and opportunities that lie in global markets. We know that trade is a critical solution to this prolonged period of low prices.

As farmers, we often focus on what needs doing today, but it's never been more critical to understand and advocate for trade and global markets. With this in mind, the chief agriculture negotiator for the office responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries will discuss current trade negotiations and future goals. This presentation will take place from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24.

Leading the discussion will be Gregg Doud, from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Together with 30 key appointed officials, Doud supervises trade negotiations, monitors trade disputes, enforces laws and keeps a constant flow of communication with Congress, industry, nongovernmental organizations and the public on U.S. trade policy.

Doud will call on his first-hand experience with recent trade negotiations, and audience members will have the opportunity to ask pointed questions. The session is open to all registered attendees of Dairy Strong and will be available to view on YouTube after the event via dairystrong.org.
 
TRACK SESSIONS
Track 1: Consumer Trends
    "Research roundup: Understanding our consumers", presented by Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Animal Agriculture Alliance. Sponsored by Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.
    "Consumers are driving change in today's food culture", presented by Madlyn Daley, Dairy Management Inc. and Helen Lundell, the Hartman Group. Sponsored by Quality Liquid Feeds.

Track 2: Dairy Technology
    "Revealing the benefits of precision technology on your dairy", presented by Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, Alltech. Sponsored by Alltech.
    "Results of a bedding dryer; Healthier cows with dryer bedding", presented by Lee Kinnard, Kinnard Farms and Rob Plank, McLanahan. Sponsored by McLanahan.

Track 3: Business Development
    "Best approaches to managing risk and improving dairy business performance". Sponsored by K·Coe Isom.
    Featuring:
        Liz Griffith, Tuls Dairies, Avalon, Wis.
        Dan Rice, Prairieland Dairy, LLC, Firth, Neb.
        Doug Grotegut, Grotegut Dairy Farm, LLC, Newton, Wis.
    "Value-added dairy: On-farm processing opportunities, challenges and insights".  Sponsored by Compeer Financial.
    Featuring:
        James Baerwolf, Sassy Cow Creamery; Columbus, Wis.
        Mark Crave, Crave Brothers Farm, LLC; Waterloo, Wis.
        Jerry Jennissen, Jer-Lindy Farms/Redhead Creamery; Brooten, Minn.

INNOVATION STAGE, presented by CWAS Global
The Innovation Stage takes place directly on the trade show floor. This space features timely presentations in a concise 20-minute format focused on emerging technologies and innovations.

Presentations include:
    "Risk management: MPP, LGM and new programs", Aaron Gransee, Investors Community Bank. Sponsored by Investors Community Bank.
    "Giving your calves the best start", Rick Roden, Roden Echo Valley, LLC. Sponsored by Calf-Tel.
    "Navigating the new tax landscape", Patrick Erickson, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP. Sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.
    "So, you're thinking about a digester? Talk to me first, please", John Haeckel, Clean Fuel Partners. Sponsored by Clean Fuel Partners.
    "The new biogas paradigm", Ryan Murray, Eisenmann Corporation. Sponsored by Eisenmann Corporation.
    "Make it, shake it, feed it", Tom Oelberg, Diamond V. Sponsored by Diamond V.
    "Practical solutions for improving fiber digestibility in your silage crop: Keys to driving forage levels in the diet that support high production and performance", Bill Powel-Smith, Pioneer. Sponsored by Pioneer.
    "Changing dairy: Starting with how we advocate,"Jess Peters, Spruce Row Farm & Katie Dotterer-Pyle, Cow Comfort Inn Dairy. Sponsored by Cargill Animal Nutrition

About Dairy Strong
In its fifth year, Dairy Strong is a conference where all aspects of the dairy community come together to coalesce around a commitment to what's important today and tomorrow. Farmers representing farms of all sizes and business philosophies are joined by any number of related businesses and partners to learn, engage and explore. For more information about Dairy Strong including the complete schedule and registration information, go to dairystrong.org.