Friday February 8 Ag News

NEBRASKA 2018 ANNUAL CROP PRODUCTION SUMMARY

Corn for grain production in Nebraska based on year-end surveys is estimated at a record high 1.79 billion bushels, up 6 percent from 2017, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. A record yield of 192 bushels per acre is up 11 bushels from last year. Farmers harvested 9.31 million acres of corn for grain, up slightly from 2017. Corn for silage production is 4.62 million tons, up 13 percent from last year. Silage yield of 21.0 tons per acre is up 1.5 tons from last year. Corn for silage harvested acreage of 220,000 acres is up 10,000 acres from last year. Corn acreage planted for all purposes is 9.60 million acres, up 1 percent from last year.

Soybean production for 2018 totaled a record high 333 million bushels, up 2 percent from 2017. Yield, at 59.0 bushels per acre, is up 1.5 bushels from a year earlier. Area for harvest, at 5.65 million acres, is down slightly from 2017. Planted acreage totaled 5.70 million acres, unchanged from last year.

Sorghum for grain production in 2018 is estimated at 16.0 million bushels, up 38 percent from 2017. Yield, at 94 bushels per acre, is up 5 bushels from a year earlier. Area harvested for grain, at 170,000 acres, is up 31 percent from 2017. Sorghum for silage production is 220,000 tons, unchanged from last year. Silage yield of 11.0 tons per acre is unchanged from last year. Sorghum for silage harvested acreage of 20,000 acres is unchanged from last year. Sorghum acreage planted for all purposes is 230,000 acres, up 50,000 acres from last year.

Alfalfa hay production, at 3.66 million tons, is up 8 percent from a year earlier. The average yield, at a record high 4.30 tons per acre, is up 0.35 ton per acre from 2017. Area harvested, at 850,000 acres, is down 1 percent from 2017. Alfalfa haylage and greenchop production, at 100,000 tons, is down 25 percent from last year. Average yield, at 4.00 tons per acre, is down 2.70 tons per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 25,000 acres, is up 5,000 acres from last year. Seedings of alfalfa during 2018 totaled 120,000 acres, down 30,000 acres from a year earlier.

All other hay production, at a record high 3.33 million tons, is up 30 percent from last year. The average yield, at a record high 1.80 tons per acre, is up 0.25 ton per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 1.85 million acres, is up 12 percent from 2017. All other haylage and greenchop production, at 102,000 tons, is down 51 percent from last year. Average yield, at 6.80 tons per acre, is down 0.20 ton per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 15,000 acres, is down 15,000 acres from last year.

Proso millet production in 2018 is estimated at 2.85 million bushels, up 3 percent from last year's production. Yield, at 32 bushels per acre, is unchanged from a year earlier. Area harvested for grain, at 89,000 acres, is up 3 percent from 2017. Area planted, at 95,000 acres, is down 10 percent from last year.

Oil sunflower production in 2018 is 34.1 million pounds, down 8 percent from last year. Yield, at 1,420 pounds per acre, is up 120 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 24,000 acres, is down 16 percent from 2017. Area planted, at 25,000 acres, is down 17 percent from last year. Non-oil sunflower production of 13.3 million pounds is down 46 percent from last year. Yield, at 1,400 pounds per acre, is down 250 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 9,500 acres, is down 5,500 acres from 2017. Area planted, at 12,000 acres, is down 23 percent from last year.

Sugarbeet production is estimated at 1.41 million tons, down 2 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at a record high 31.9 tons per acre, up 0.1 ton from the previous year. Acres harvested are estimated at 44,100 acres, down 2 percent from the previous year. Area planted, at 45,500 acres, is down 600 acres from last year.

Dry edible bean production of 3.25 million cwt is down 17 percent from a year ago. Yield, at 2,480 pounds per acre, is down 40.0 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 131,000 acres, is down 15 percent from 2017. Area planted, at 140,000 acres, is down 22 percent from last year.
Fall potato production is 9.36 million cwt, up 4 percent from 2017. Yield, at a record high 485 cwt per acre, is up 10 cwt from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 19,300 acres, is up 300 acres from 2017. Area planted, at 19,500 acres, is up 500 acres from last year.



IOWA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Corn for grain production in Iowa for 2018 is estimated at 2.51 billion bushels, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Production 2018 Summary report. Current year production is 4 percent less than the previous year’s 2.61 billion bushels. Iowa has led the Nation in corn production for the last 25 consecutive years and 40 of the last 41 years. Iowa's corn for grain yield is estimated at 196 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain is estimated at 12.8 million acres, 100,000 acres below 2017. Corn planted for all purposes in 2018 is estimated at 13.2 million acres.

Corn for silage production is estimated at 5.54 million tons, down 20 percent from 2017. The silage yield estimate of 20.5 tons per acre is down 0.5 ton per acre from 2017. Producers harvested 270,000 acres of corn for silage, down 18 percent from 2017.

Soybean production is estimated at 565 million bushels in 2018. This is down fractionally from the record of 567 million bushels set in 2017. The Iowa soybean crop yielded 57.0 bushels per acre in 2018. The harvested acreage of 9.91 million is down 30,000 acres from the November 1 forecast and 2017. Soybean planted acreage, at 10.0 million, is unchanged from November 1, and 2017.

All hay production for the state is estimated at 3.00 million tons, down 8 percent from the 3.27 million tons produced in 2017. Producers averaged 3.19 tons per acre, up from 3.08 tons in 2017. All hay harvested acres are estimated at 940,000 acres, down 120,000 acres from 2017.

Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures production is estimated at 2.29 million tons, down 9 percent from 2017. Producers averaged 3.70 tons per acre, up 0.20 ton from 2017. Harvested acres are down 100,000 from last year, to 620,000 acres. Iowa producers seeded 105,000 acres of new seedings of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures in 2018, up 31 percent from 2017.

Other hay production is estimated at 704,000 tons, down 6 percent from 2017. Producers averaged 2.20 tons per acre, equal to the 2017 yield. Harvested acres of other hay, at 320,000, are down 20,000 acres from 2017.



USDA Crop Production 2018 Summary

Corn for grain production in 2018 was estimated at 14.4 billion bushels, down 1 percent from the 2017 estimate. The average yield in the United States was estimated at 176.4 bushels per acre, 0.2 bushel below the 2017 record yield of 176.6 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain was estimated at 81.7 million acres, down 1 percent from the 2017 estimate.

Sorghum grain production in 2018 was estimated at 365 million bushels, up 1 percent from the 2017 total. Planted area for 2018 was estimated at 5.69 million acres, up 1 percent from the previous year. Area harvested for grain, at 5.06 million acres, was up less than 1 percent from 2017. Grain yield was estimated at 72.1 bushels per acre, up 0.4 bushel from 2017.

Soybean production in 2018 totaled a record 4.54 billion bushels, up 3 percent from 2017. The average yield per acre was estimated at 51.6 bushels, up 2.3 bushels from 2017, but 0.3 bushel below the record yield in 2016. Harvested area was down 2 percent from 2017 to 88.1 million acres.

All cotton production is estimated at 18.4 million 480-pound bales, down 12 percent from 2017. The United States yield is estimated at 838 pounds per acre, down 67 pounds from last year. Harvested area, at 10.5 million acres, is down 5 percent from last year.



NEBRASKA DECEMBER 1, 2018 GRAIN AND HAY STOCKS

Nebraska corn stocks in all positions on December 1, 2018 totaled 1.45 billion bushels, down 1 percent from 2017, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 910 million bushels are stored on farms, unchanged from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 539 million bushels, are down 2 percent from last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions totaled 298 million bushels, up 13 percent from last year. On-farm stocks of 120 million bushels are up 24 percent from a year ago, while off-farm stocks, at 178 million bushels, are up 7 percent from 2017.

Wheat stored in all positions totaled 62.1 million bushels, down 6 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks of 3.70 million bushels are down 10 percent from 2017, and off-farm stocks of 58.4 million bushels are down 6 percent from last year.

Sorghum stored in all positions totaled 11.7 million bushels, up 20 percent from last year. On-farm stocks of 2.80 million bushels are up 65 percent and off farm holdings of 8.91 million bushels are up 11 percent from last year.

On-farm oats totaled 410,000 bushels, down 32 percent from 2017.

Hay stocks on Nebraska farms totaled 4.50 million tons, up 8 percent from last year.

Grain storage capacity in Nebraska totaled 2.15 billion bushels, up 40.0 million bushels from December 1, 2017. Total grain storage capacity is comprised of 1.20 billion bushels of on-farm storage, up 20.0 million bushels from last year, and 950 million bushels of off-farm storage, up 20.0 million bushels from last year.



IOWA GRAIN & HAY STOCKS REPORT

Corn stored in all positions in Iowa on December 1, 2018, totaled 2.18 billion bushels, down 9 percent from December 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. Of the total stocks, 63 percent were stored on-farm. The September - November indicated disappearance totaled 803 million bushels, 11 percent above the 726 million bushels from the same period last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions in Iowa on December 1, 2018, totaled 528 million bushels, 8 percent above the 487 million bushels on hand December 1, 2017. Of the total stocks, 47 percent were stored on-farm. Indicated disappearance for September - November is 124 million bushels, 6 percent below the 132 million bushels from the same quarter last year.

Oats stored on-farm in Iowa on December 1, 2018, totaled 850 thousand bushels, down 51 percent from December 1, 2017.

Iowa on-farm storage capacity on December 1, 2018, was 2.10 billion bushels, unchanged from December 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. Iowa’s 870 off-farm storage facilities have a storage capacity of 1.50 billion bushels, up 30 million from the previous year. As of December 1, 2018, Iowa had a total of 3.60 billion bushels of storage capacity, the largest total storage capacity of any state.

All hay stored on Iowa farms as of December 1, 2018, is estimated at 2.06 million tons, a decrease of 10 percent from December 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Disappearance from May 1, 2018, through December 1, 2018, totaled 1.30 million tons, compared with 1.62 million tons for the same period in 2017.



USDA: Corn Stocks Down 5 Percent from December 2017
Soybean Stocks Up 18 Percent
All Wheat Stocks Up 7 Percent

Corn stored in all positions on December 1, 2018 totaled 12.0 billion bushels, down 5 percent from December 1, 2017. Of the total stocks, 7.45 billion bushels are stored on farms, down 4 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 4.50 billion bushels, are down 7 percent from a year ago. The September - November 2018 indicated disappearance is 4.61 billion bushels, compared with 4.34 billion bushels during the same period last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions on December 1, 2018 totaled 3.74 billion bushels, up 18 percent from December 1, 2017. Soybean stocks stored on farms totaled 1.94 billion bushels, up 30 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 1.80 billion bushels, are up 7 percent from last December. Indicated disappearance for September - November 2018 totaled 1.25 billion bushels, down 20 percent from the same period a year earlier.

All wheat stored in all positions on December 1, 2018 totaled 2.00 billion bushels, up 7 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 504 million bushels, up 28 percent from last December. Off-farm stocks, at 1.50 billion bushels, are up 1 percent from a year ago. The September - November 2018 indicated disappearance is 390 million bushels, 1 percent below the same period a year earlier.

Grain sorghum stored in all positions on December 1, 2018 totaled 246 million bushels, up 8 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 36.8 million bushels, are up 9 percent from December 1 last year. Off-farm stocks, at 210 million bushels, are up 8 percent from a year earlier. The September - November 2018 indicated disappearance from all positions is 154 million bushels, down 9 percent from the same period in 2017.



NEBRASKA WINTER WHEAT SEEDINGS

Winter wheat seeded area for 2019 is estimated at 930,000 acres, down from last year's seeded area of 1.10 million acres, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

U.S. Winter Wheat Planted Acres Down 4 Percent
Winter wheat seeded area for 2019 is expected to total 31.3 million acres, down 4 percent from 2018. Approximate class acreage breakdowns are: Hard Red Winter, 22.2 million; Soft Red Winter, 5.66 million; and White Winter, 3.44 million.



Ricketts Calls New York Congresswoman’s Plan to Abolish Beef Production “Shockingly Ignorant”

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued a statement following news that New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx) had proposed a “Green New Deal” that would abolish cattle production.

“As the Governor of the Beef State, this announcement is shockingly ignorant.  Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez’s plan to end cattle production would kill our state’s number one industry, and destroy countless middle class jobs and family businesses.  I urge congressional leaders to kill this resolution swiftly and decisively to send a message to anti-agriculture socialists that we will fight for our way of life.”



Statement from NFBF Regarding Congress “Green New Deal”
Steve Nelson, NE Farm Bureau President

“Yesterday’s announced ‘Green New Deal’ is totally unrealistic. It is clear its authors and supporters have spent no time in rural areas or even have a basic understanding of how food is produced. The proposal is a blatant and unscientific attack on livestock production as well an assault on Nebraska’s agricultural economy due to our sensitivity to even slight energy price increases. When the House of Representatives attacked agriculture in 2009 with ‘Cap and Trade’, Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers fought back. We intend to do the same thing again.”  




 NEFB Calls Out Conservation Compliance Rules

“Because conservation compliance programs operate as regulatory programs, they should operate with all the duties and rights that a regulatory program entail. Equally important, all guidance, policy and interim rules must match up with federal law,” Nebraska Farm Bureau wrote in comments submitted to USDA this week.

For too long the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had been making regulatory determinations based primarily on guidance and policy that was not put through the required public process – an error Farm Bureau says permeates the wetland identification and appeals process.

Among the issues raised by Nebraska Farm Bureau in comments were:

1. USDA’s need to fix its repeated application of an incorrect standard for determining the applicability of conservation compliance programs, specifically efforts counter to federal law stating that compliance is exempt for wetland conversions “commencing” before Dec.23, 1985. USDA’s practice has been to say only wetland conversions having “occurred” (finalized) before Dec.23, 1985 qualify for the exemption.

2. USDA must follow Congressional direction that once a parcel has been determined to be a converted wetland, it cannot lose that designation.

3. USDA must provide clear definitions of new and important terms in the regulations. The agency’s proposal amends the definition of “farmed wetland” and “prior-converted cropland” in a way inconsistent with federal law giving the agency broad ranging determination authorities.

4. USDA’s newly added discretion in determining that a decades-old map is no longer sufficient quality to uphold a certified wetland determination which is inconsistent with federal law. “Wetland determinations certified prior to USDA’s adoption of new mapping techniques should be exempt from being determined as invalid due to changes that only new imaging technology can detect,” Farm Bureau commented.

“USDA has an opportunity to both clarify the Interim Rule and promulgate new rules that could provide much needed transparency and certainty for the farmers regulated by the conservation compliance program. USDA should take a hard look at the discretion it has granted to itself, determine if it is in-line with federal law, and adopt new rules that are consistent with Congressional intent and that provide clear, reasonable requirements for farmers and ranchers,” Farm Bureau concluded in comments.



DEPUTY SECRETARY OF AG TO DELIVER HEUERMANN LECTURE

Stephen Censky, deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will discuss leadership and the future of agriculture in the Feb. 14 Heuermann Lecture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

The free lecture, “Leading Today for America’s Tomorrow,” is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Auditorium, 2020 Transformation Drive. Boxed lunches will be served. Reservations can be made at https://heuermannlectures.unl.edu.

“We’re thrilled to have the deputy secretary of agriculture coming to our campus,” said Chancellor Ronnie Green. “Agricultural production and trade are critical issues to Nebraska’s economy and way of life. And, UNL is and has been a groundbreaking leader in agricultural sciences and natural resources research.  “What a tremendous opportunity for our community to hear from the second-highest ranking official at the USDA on issues that are vital to our state and university.”

The lecture is being held during Nebraska’s Charter Week celebration, which celebrates the university’s 150th anniversary as a Land Grant institution.

Censky has served as the deputy secretary of agriculture since Oct. 11, 2017. He previously worked for 21 years as chief executive officer of the American Soybean Association, a national nonprofit trade association representing U.S. soybean farmers on policy and trade.

He began his career working as a legislative assistant for Sen. Jim Abdnor (R-South Dakota). Censky later served during the Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations within the USDA. His tenure includes working as administrator of the foreign agricultural services, which included involvement in running the nation’s export programs.

Censky received a Bachelor of Arts in agriculture from South Dakota State University and a postgraduate diploma in agriculture science from the University of Melbourne, Australia. He is originally from Jackson, Minnesota.

Heuermann Lectures are sponsored by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Feb. 14 talk is being held in partnership with the Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance.

The lecture series is funded by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips. The Heuermanns are longtime university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska’s production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

The Yeutter Institute connects academic disciplines related to law, business and agriculture to prepare students for leadership roles in international trade and finance, supports interdisciplinary research and furthers public understanding of related issues.

Lectures are streamed at https://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and air live on campus channel 4. Lectures are archived after the event and are later broadcast on NET2.



CattleFax elects Officers for 2019

CattleFax elected a new slate of officers at this year’s annual business meeting Jan. 31, 2019, in New Orleans, La., held in conjunction with the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The new CattleFax president is Don Quincey of Chiefland, Fla., a 5th generation rancher and cattle feeder in Florida and past president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

Elected president-elect was Mark Frasier of Fort Morgan, Colo. Frasier is a cow/calf, stocker operator and cattle feeder in Eastern Colorado and is active in his community and local cattlemen’s association. He is a past president of the Colorado Livestock Association and serves on and has chaired the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Resolution Committee.

The newly elected finance director is Chris Kalkowski of Omaha, Neb. Elected to serve four-year director terms were Mark Frasier as the intermountain director, Pono Von Holt of Kapaau, Hawaii, as northwest director and Jeff Sparrowk of Clements, Calif., as the western director.

Re-elected executive vice president was Randy Blach of Centennial, Colo. 

Other directors currently serving terms for CattleFax are: Todd Allen of Newton, Kan., Jerry Adams of Broken Bow, Neb., Dale Smith of Amarillo, Texas and Nick Hunt of Atlantic, Iowa.



Soy Growers Push for Biodiesel Tax Credit in D.C.

ASA Directors serving on the Biodiesel & Infrastructure Advocacy Team participated in more than 30 meetings with targeted congressional offices this week to push for a multi-year extension of the biodiesel tax credit.

Several of the directors also participated in meetings with key Administration officials on the importance of maintaining anti-dumping and counter-vailing duties on unfairly subsidized biodiesel imports.

ASA grower-leaders participating in the fly-in included Rob Shaffer, Chair (IL); Chris Hill (MN); Gerry Hayden (KY); Dean Coleman (IA); Ken Boswell (NE); Morey Hill (IA); Matt Stutzman (MI) and Brad Kremer (WI).



Funk to Lead IFBF Research

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has named Dr. Sam Funk their director of agriculture analytics and research. Dr. Funk is responsible for serving IFBF’s statewide membership by conducting original research and economic analysis on agricultural issues. Dr. Funk succeeds David Miller who has retired after more than 20 years of service.

“We are very excited to have Sam on our staff to provide the leadership and experience in economics, research management and program leadership that Iowa Farm Bureau members have long relied on,” said Joe Johnson, IFBF executive director. “Sam’s background and experience, along with his knowledge of farming, will help us to continue to serve our members with economic analysis, global trade insight and agricultural policy knowledge.”

Dr. Funk is no stranger to agricultural analysis, having served as chief economist for the United Soybean Board, presenting in front of Congress and at the annual U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Outlook Forums. As the former economic and natural resources analyst for the Illinois Farm Bureau, Dr. Funk is also familiar with working with Farm Bureau members to connect them with government officials and external stakeholders to provide perspectives from the family farm on impacts of proposed legislation or regulations.

Dr. Funk later became Administrator of the Kansas Farm Management Association at Kansas State University, the same university where he earned his doctorate in agricultural economics. During this time, he provided insights to Congress leading up to the 2008 farm bill and collaborated with his colleagues to produce extension publications to inform farmers and stakeholders on drivers impacting federal farm policy.

“Challenges facing many farmers and rural communities at this time can be very difficult, so it is imperative to provide credible information, data and analyses to help farmers make informed decisions,” Dr. Funk said.

Dr. Funk was raised on a family farm in Missouri and spent time farming in Kansas where he served on his county Farm Bureau board of directors and chaired a Kansas Farm Bureau Livestock Advisory Committee.  Dr. Funk and his wife, Karisa, have ten wonderful children ranging in age from nine months to 19 years of age. They are huge supporters of 4-H describing themselves as a “4-H loving family.” The Funks are excited to move to the Des Moines area and be a part of the tremendous agriculture scene in Iowa.



GROUPS FILE PETITION FOR HOURS OF SERVICE EXEMPTION

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration this week announced that it has received and will begin reviewing a petition filed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Livestock Marketing Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association and the National Aquaculture Association requesting an exemption from certain provisions under the Hours of Service rules. The groups are seeking to expand the regulations under which livestock haulers can operate from the current 11-hour limit in a 14-hour workday to 15 hours over the course of a 16-hour workday. Comments on the request for exemption are due March 8, 2019.



Grain Barge Tonnages Dropped in 2018

In 2018, total annual grain barge shipments along the locking portions of the Mississippi, Arkansas, and Ohio rivers were 37.98 million tons, 7 percent lower than last year and 5 percent lower than the 3-year average.

Total soybean movements in 2018 were 1.67 million tons, 24 percent lower than 2017 and 18 percent lower than the 3-year average; mainly due to reduced sales to China.

Total wheat movements in 2018 were 12.82 million tons, 20 percent lower than last year and 22 percent lower than the 3-year average.

On the other hand, the total corn movements were 22.24 million tons, 5 percent higher than last year and 6 percent higher than the 3-year average.



Illinois Scientists Find New Resistance in Waterhemp

Waterhemp has just thumbed its nose at another group of herbicides.

Waterhemp resistant to Group 15 herbicides (very long chain fatty acid inhibitors) has officially been found in Illinois research plots. It is the first dicot (broadleaf) weed in the world to outmaneuver herbicides within the Group 15 chemical family. While scientists aren't sure how widespread the issue is, University of Illinois weed scientist Aaron Hager said the discovery is yet another warning to change weed management behaviors now.

"Waterhemp has now shown the ability to resist seven different herbicide sites of action," Hager said. "Farmers have been leaning heavily on the Group 15 herbicides across all crops as they battle resistant weeds. This is another example of how important it is to diversify weed control approaches to keep the effectiveness of this tool," Hager said.

What makes this discovery unique is the Group 15 herbicides have been fairly resilient. Worldwide, there are only five cases of grass weeds that have been confirmed resistant to very long chain fatty acid inhibitor (Group 15) herbicides. Most of those cases are in wheat and rice. The only confirmed Group 15 resistance in the United States had been in monocot (grass) in Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

The Illinois discovery is the first confirmed case in the world in a dicot (broadleaf) weed species and the first case of Group 15 resistance known associated with corn and soybean production, according to the International Survey of Herbicide Resistance.



Farm Bureau Calls Bernhardt Excellent Choice for Interior
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

“The president’s nomination of David Bernhardt as Secretary of the Interior is great news for American agriculture. He understands the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers and is an excellent choice for Interior Secretary.

“Bernhardt’s proven leadership while serving in the roles of deputy and acting secretary for the Interior Department has helped restore the multiple use of America’s public lands, through regulatory efforts to reform the outdated and ineffective Endangered Species Act, streamline the National Environmental Policy Act, and promote outcome-based grazing across our nation’s rangelands. Additionally, Bernhardt has been successful in leading a comprehensive reorganization of the Interior Department to improve the effectiveness and transparency of DOI bureaus.

“We look forward to working with Bernhardt as secretary to promote actions that reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, which has ravaged rural America and threatened infrastructure critical to farmers and ranchers. We urge the Senate to confirm him soon.”