Wednesday January 23 Ag News

NEBRASKA COVER CROP AND SOIL HEALTH CONFERENCE IS FEB. 14

Nebraska farmers can learn how to give their soil a little love at the Nebraska Cover Crop and Soil Health Conference on Valentine’s Day.

While there are many benefits to using cover crops, such as improved soil heath and reduced erosion, it’s the details that can present challenges. The conference offers problem-solving information for growers, from those just getting started to those already integrating cover crops in their operation.

The conference, Feb. 14 at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

“At the conference this year, we have a few speakers who are considered rock stars when it comes to their knowledge and expertise as it relates to soil," said Nebraska Extension Educator Keith Glewen. "I’m very confident that those who attend will leave with a better understanding and appreciation of soil and management factors that impact soil quality.”

Topics and presenters include:
  - “Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life,” David R. Montgomery, professor of geomorphology, University of Washington;
  - “Rebuilding and Maintaining Life in the Soil,” Jay Fuhrer, soil health specialist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bismarck, North Dakota;
  - “How My Farm has Responded to Cover Crops and Crop Rotation,” Ray Ward, founder, Ward Laboratories;
  - “Northeast Nebraska Farmer's Perspective on Cover Crops,” Jeff Steffen, Crofton farmer;
  - “How I Graze My Cropland Without Owning Livestock,” Scott Heinemann, Winside farmer;
  - A farmer panel — Discussion with growers, landowners and consultants.

For more information on speakers, visit https://go.unl.edu/tmj5.

There is no fee to attend, but individuals must pre-register by 5 p.m. Feb. 8 to ensure meals and resource materials are available. Seating is limited. To register, call 402-624-8030, email cdunbar2@unl.edu or use the form at https://go.unl.edu/tmj5.

This year's conference is sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the Nebraska Soybean Board, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Services, the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District and USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.



Registration Now Open for 2019 Emerging Issues Forum

There's only a few weeks left to get the early bird pricing for the Ethanol 2019: Emerging Issues Forum!

March 7-8, 2019
La Vista Conference Center
12520 Westport Pkwy
La Vista, NE 68128

Early Bird Registration: $200/person
Late Registration (After Feb. 15): $250/person

Agenda in progress, not finalized... http://ethanol.nebraska.gov/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Forum-Agenda-Revised-1.23.19.pdf. 
Select the link to register: REGISTRATION: https://events.egov.com/eventreg/NE/registrant.htm?action=new&_event=ethanol2019emergingissuesforum. 



Help available on new crop insurance options

The Center for Rural Affairs has a new helpline available for farmers and ranchers.  Farmers and ranchers need to manage risk, whether from weather, markets, or other forces. Crop insurance can be used to manage some of their risk.

“There can be several reasons why many farmers and ranchers don’t buy crop insurance,” said Anna Johnson, policy manager with the Center for Rural Affairs. “Maybe they haven’t found an option that covers their operation. Maybe they don’t know how to find a crop insurance agent to work with, or don’t know what questions to ask when they meet with an agent.”

Staff on the helpline can address questions on available crop insurance options, how crop insurance works, and how to decide which option is right for an operation. Farmers and ranchers may call the Center for Rural Affairs’ crop insurance helpline at 402.687.2100 ext. 1027 or 1012.

In early January, the Center for Rural Affairs hosted a three-part webinar series, covering crop insurance for beginners, an introduction to Whole Farm Revenue Protection, and livestock insurance options. Questions on these topics are also welcome on the crop insurance helpline. Recordings of the webinars can be accessed at cfra.org/crop-insurance-resources.

This project is funded in partnership by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Risk Management Agency, under award number RM18RMEPP522C015.



NRCS Nebraska Seeking Proposals for 2019 Conservation Collaboration Grants

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking Conservation Collaboration Grant proposals to help address natural resource concerns. Proposals are due Feb. 20.

According to NRCS, the purpose of these grant agreements is to leverage agency resources with partner organizations to improve soil health, improve water quality, provide wildlife habitat, improve agricultural land, and assist communities and groups with building local food projects that provide healthy food and economic opportunities.

Craig Derickson, NRCS state conservationist said, “The goal of these projects is to build collaboration between the already strong group of conservation partners here in Nebraska. Working together toward common goals like improving soil, water, wildlife and access to healthy food helps everyone’s resources go further and benefit more Nebraskans.”

An emphasis will be placed on projects that build capacity and collaboration between NRCS and partner organizations to implement Farm Bill conservation programs and help local partners develop and implement effective projects.

Nebraska NRCS anticipates up to $2.5 million will be available for projects lasting between 1 and 3 years. Individual projects are eligible to receive a minimum of $20,000 and no project will be awarded more than $1 million.

Complete application packages must be submitted to NRCSNEBProposals@nrcs.usda.gov by Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. CST. The opportunity number USDA-NRCS-MULTI-STATE-CENTRAL-19-01 is posted on www.grants.gov.

For more information on how to apply, contact Julie Crew at (402) 437-4131 or Julie.Crew@usda.gov, or visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ne/programs/financial/?cid=nrcseprd1439645. 



Conaway Announces House Ag Republicans for the 116th Congress

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) today announced the Steering Committee has made its recommendation of the Republican members to serve on the House Agriculture Committee for the 116th Congress.

“After successful completion of the 2018 Farm Bill, I’m pleased to have a great group of new and returning members on the Agriculture Committee who will continue the work of restoring prosperity to our nation’s farmers and ranchers and all of rural America. We have a great deal of work to do, including implementing and protecting the new farm bill, continuing to press for a roll back of harmful regulations that hurt our farmers and ranchers, and leveling the global playing field to create more market access for U.S. agriculture products. I’m confident in the team we have assembled, and I look forward to working alongside my new colleagues in championing rural America and our country’s farm and ranch families.”

The new House Agriculture Committee members are as follows:
Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-AL)
Rep. Jim Baird (IN-4)
Rep. Jim Hagedorn (MN-1)

Below is the complete House Agriculture Committee Republican roster for the 116th Congress:
Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11)
Rep. Glenn 'GT' Thompson (PA-15)
Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8)
Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-1)
Rep. Scott DesJarlais (TN-4)
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4)
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-1)
Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13)
Rep. Ted Yoho (FL-3)
Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12)
Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12)
Rep. David Rouzer (NC-7)
Rep. Ralph Abraham (LA-5)
Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-1)
Rep. James Comer (KY-1)
Rep. Roger Marshall (KS-1)
Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2)
Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-2)
Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-AL)
Rep. Jim Baird (IN-4)
Rep. Jim Hagedorn (MN-1)



Groups Urge Administration To Lift Metals Tariffs

A diverse, ad hoc coalition of more than 45 groups representing many sectors of the U.S. economy joined the National Pork Producers Council in calling for an end to U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican aluminum and steel imports so that America can take advantage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The Trump administration on June 1, 2018, imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent duty on aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. Both countries subsequently retaliated against a host of U.S. products.

In a letter sent today to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the business and agricultural organizations urged the administration to lift the metals tariffs so that Canada and Mexico will rescind their duties on U.S. goods. The groups want the metals dispute resolved soon so they can turn their undivided attention to generating congressional support for the USMCA, negotiations on which were concluded last fall.

“For many producers,” said the groups in their letter, “the damage from the reciprocal trade actions in the steel and aluminum dispute far outweighs any benefit that may accrue to them from the USMCA. We urge the administration to work with the Canadians and Mexicans on a prompt resolution of the metals issue.”

Said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Ohio, “The metals tariffs are undermining the ability of the private sector to lobby for passage of the USMCA deal. For many sectors, the duties are a hair-on-fire issue that is draining resources that otherwise would be focused on passage of the USMCA.”

Farmers and food companies have been particularly hard hit by the Canadian and Mexican retaliation. Mexico’s 20 percent punitive tariff on U.S. pork, for example, has inflicted severe financial harm on America’s pork producers. According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, the Mexican tariff is costing producers $12 per animal, meaning industrywide losses of $1.5 billion annually.

The metals tariffs also are hurting U.S. manufacturers that depend on steel and aluminum imports, increasing costs for American industrial and consumer goods.



Prices of 8 Major Fertilizers Move Higher

Fertilizer prices have been trending higher for several months now, and that trend continued this week with prices of all eight major fertilizers moving higher, according to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the second week of Jan. 2019.

While all fertilizers were higher compared to last month, none of the fertilizers were up a notable amount, which DTN considers a price move of 5% or more. DAP had an average price of $512/ton, up $4; MAP $534/ton, up $2; potash $383/ton, up $6; urea $407/ton, up fractionally; 10-34-0 $462/ton, up $5; anhydrous $580/ton, up $15; UAN28 $270/ton, up $5; and UAN32 $305/ton, up $1.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.44/lb.N, anhydrous $0.35/lb.N, UAN28 $0.48/lb.N and UAN32 $0.48/lb.N.

All eight major fertilizers are now higher compared to last year. MAP is 9% higher, potash is 11% more expensive, DAP is 12% higher, 10-34-0 is 14% more expensive, urea is 15% higher, UAN32 is 18% more expensive and both anhydrous and UAN28 are 20% higher compared to last year.



“Inspected and Passed”? No, Despite What Labels Say

New data obtained by Food & Water Watch under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reveals that hundreds of meat plants, including two involved in recent recalls announced by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), had inadequate inspection staffing in 2018 to complete required inspection tasks. The vast majority of the 6,400 plants listed in the FSIS directory reported non-performed inspection tasks over the same period.

“Food inspections are suffering under the government shutdown. But even before the shutdown, we’ve found that facilities had significant staffing problems and incomplete inspections that may have directly led to contaminated meat being released into the food supply,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch.

On January 17, FSIS announced the recall of 68,244 pounds of chicken nuggets produced on October 25, 2018 by the Perdue Foods plant located in Perry, Ga. (establishment number 33944) because consumers reported there were pieces of wood in the product.

Based on the documents secured by Food & Water Watch, FSIS was not properly staffing that plant with adequate inspection personnel to complete routine inspection tasks. Inspectors assigned to that plant cited the following reasons why they could not complete their inspection tasks during FY 2018:

Perdue Foods:
-    Administrative duties (listed 2 times)
-    Assigned other duties (listed 81 times)
-    Double covered assignments (listed 11 times)
-    Higher priority task took precedent (listed 2 times)
-    Not enough time to complete the task (listed 7 times)
-    Short staffing (listed 2 times)
-    Triple covered assignments (listed 4 times)
-    Working the slaughter line (listed 5 times)

On January 18, 2019, FSIS announced the recall of 48,371 pounds of raw ground pork patties produced by Johnsonville, LLC located in Sheboygan Falls, WI (establishment number 34225) because consumers reported finding pieces of rubber in the product. The products were packaged on September 27, October 17, and October 18, 2018.

The inspection data for this particular plant reveals that inspectors could not complete their tasks for the following reasons:

Johnsonville LLC:
-    Double covered assignments (listed 16 times)
-    Higher priority task took precedent (listed 15 times)
-    Not enough time to complete the task (listed 24 times)
-    Short staffing (listed 11 times)
-    Too many plants to physically go to each plant (listed 2 times)
-    Triple covered assignments (listed 3 times)

“There needs to be an investigation into the management of the inspection staffing at FSIS,” said Tony Corbo, Senior Lobbyist for the food program at Food & Water Watch. “When FSIS inspectors cannot fully complete their inspection tasks, it means that critical checks are delayed or missed, such as taking samples for pathogen testing or thoroughly evaluating production processes.

“‘Drive-by’ inspections are not enough to ensure the safety of products put into commerce,” continued Corbo. “That these plants were permitted to use the USDA inspection legend ‘inspected and passed’ on their product packaging when there was inadequate inspection is tantamount to fraud.”

Food & Water Watch has filed an annual Freedom of Information Act request with FSIS for the monthly vacancy rates for field inspection personnel since 2005. The agency has responded every year to that request except for fiscal year 2018, for which it has thus far failed to produce the data.