Thursday February 28 Ag News

IOWA CATTLE INVENTORY REPORT

All cattle and calves in Iowa as of January 1, 2019, totaled 3.95 million head, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle report. This was down 50,000 head from January 1, 2018. Beef cows, at 950,000 head, were unchanged from last year. Milk cow inventory was also unchanged at 220,000 head.

All heifers 500 pounds and over were down 1 percent to 845,000 head. Heifers for beef cow replacement were down 3 percent from 2018 to 160,000 head; heifers for milk cow replacement, at 125,000 head, were down 7 percent from the previous year; and all other heifers were up 2 percent to 560,000 head.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over were down 2 percent from last year at 1.36 million head. Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over remained at 70,000 head. Calves under 500 pounds on January 1, 2019, totaled 505,000 head, down 3 percent from last year.

The 2018 calf crop was estimated at 1.11 million head, up 2 percent from the 2017 calf crop. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in all feedlots on January 1, 2018, totaled 1.32 million head, up 2 percent from one year ago.



January 1 Cattle Inventory Up Slightly

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2019 totaled 94.8 million head, slightly above the 94.3 million head on January 1, 2018.

All cows and heifers that have calved, at 41.1 million head, were 1 percent above the 40.9 million head on January 1, 2018. Beef cows, at 31.8 million head, were up 1 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.35 million head, were down 1 percent from the previous year.

All heifers 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2019 totaled 20.2 million head, slightly above the 20.2 million head on January 1, 2018. Beef replacement heifers, at 5.92 million head, were down 3 percent from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 4.70 million head, were down 1 percent from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.60 million head, were 3 percent above a year earlier.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2019 totaled 16.6 million head, up 1 percent from January 1, 2018.

Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2019 totaled 2.26 million head, up slightly from January 1, 2018.

Calves under 500 pounds as of January 1, 2019 totaled 14.5 million head, up 1 percent from January 1, 2018.

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 14.4 million head on January 1, 2019. The inventory is up 2 percent from the January 1, 2018 total of 14.1 million head. Cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 81.3 percent of the total cattle on feed on January 1, 2019, up slightly from the previous year. The combined total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds (outside of feedlots) is 26.4 million head.This is 1 percent above January 1, 2018. 

Calf Crop Up 2 Percent
The 2018 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 36.4 million head, up 2 percent from last year's calf crop. Calves born during the first half of 2018 were estimated at 26.6 million head, up 3 percent from the first half of 2017. Calves born during the second half of 2018 were estimated at 9.80 million head, 27 percent of the total 2018 calf crop.



IOWA SHEEP & GOAT INVENTORY

All sheep and lambs inventory in Iowa as of January 1, 2019, totaled 153,000 head according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Sheep and Goats report. The sheep and lambs inventory is down 12,000 head from last year. Total breeding stock, at 103,000 head, was 10 percent below one year ago. Market sheep and lambs was unchanged from a year ago and totaled 50,000 head. The lamb crop for 2018 decreased 4 percent to 110,000 head. Wool production for the State was 760,000 pounds, with fleece weights averaging 5.4 pounds.

Milk goat inventory in Iowa as of January 1, 2019, was 32,000 head, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Sheep and Goats report. Iowa ranked third in total milk goats. The inventory was up 3 percent from January 2018. Total meat and other goat inventory was 37,000 head, a decrease of 7 percent from the previous year.



January 1 Sheep and Lambs Inventory Down 1 Percent

All sheep and lambs inventory in the United States on January 1, 2019 totaled 5.23 million head, down 1 percent from 2018. Breeding sheep inventory at 3.82 million head on January 1, 2019, decreased 1 percent from 3.87 million head on January 1, 2018. Ewes one year old and older, at 3.00 million head, were 1 percent below last year. Market sheep and lambs on January 1, 2019 totaled 1.41 million head, up 1 percent from January 1, 2018. Market lambs comprised 94 percent of the total market inventory. Market sheep comprised the remaining 6 percent of total market inventory.

The 2018 lamb crop of 3.24 million head was up slightly from 2017. The 2018 lambing rate was 107 lambs per 100 ewes one year old and older on January 1, 2018, up 1 percent from 2017.

Shorn wool production in the United States during 2018 was 24.4 million pounds, down 2 percent from 2017. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 3.37 million head, down 2 percent from 2017. The average price paid for wool sold in 2018 was $1.75 per pound for a total value of 42.8 million dollars, up 16 percent from 36.8 million dollars in 2017.

Sheep death loss during 2018 totaled 216 thousand head, up 1 percent from 2017. Lamb death loss increased 6 percent from 367 thousand head to 388 thousand head in 2018.

January 1 All Goats and Kids Inventory Down 1 Percent
All goats and kids inventory in the United States on January 1, 2019 totaled 2.62 million head, down 1 percent from 2018. Breeding goat inventory totaled 2.15 million head, down 1 percent from 2018. Does one year old and older, at 1.60 million head, were 1 percent below last year's number. Market goats and kids totaled 474 thousand head, up 2 percent from a year ago.

Kid crop for 2018 totaled 1.64 million head for all goats, up slightly from 2017.

Meat and all other goats totaled 2.06 million head on January 1, 2019, down 1 percent from 2018. Milk goat inventory was 430 thousand head, up 2 percent from January 1, 2018, while Angora goats were down 5 percent, totaling 137 thousand head.

Mohair production in the United States during 2018 was 755 thousand pounds. Goats and kids clipped totaled 133 thousand head. Average weight per clip was 5.7 pounds. Mohair price was $5.25 per pound with a value of 3.96 million dollars.



Ethanol 2019: Emerging Issues Forum to Feature Experts on Biofuel & Renewable Chemical Policies, Regulations and Markets

Biofuel stakeholders and experts from across the nation will be in Omaha for the annual Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum at the La Vista Conference Center March 7-8. Governor Pete Ricketts will open the event and welcome attendees.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board organizes the forum, which is in its 14th year. The event brings together ethanol producers and others integrally involved in production, technology, policymaking and marketing of biofuels and its co-products. The event runs from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and 8:15 a.m. to noon Friday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of the most pressing federal policies, regulatory and legal actions, and markets affecting ethanol demand. Speakers will also discuss navigating the introduction and expansion of E15, as well as opportunities in emerging renewable chemical and co-product markets. The federal policy panel includes industry leaders from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, Novozymes and the Renewable Fuels Association.

Panelists at the forum will also provide insight on workforce needs and accessing trained workers at every level. These speakers include Scott Asmus, program manager with the Nebraska Department of Labor, Eric Zeece, innovation manager at Invest Nebraska Corporation; and John Pierce, instructor and chair of the Energy Generation Operations Program at Southeast Community College.

Other scheduled presentations include marketing experiences with expanding the availability of E15 and higher ethanol blends, as well as a discussion of regulatory considerations for renewable chemical production presented by Richard Engler, Ph.D., former senior staff scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics. Experts including Craig Willis, senior vice president of global markets at Growth Energy, and Kristy Moore of KMoore Consulting, will discuss trade, ethanol exports and new markets that are on the horizon for the ethanol and renewable chemical and co-products industries.

More than 150 ethanol industry stakeholders are expected to attend the forum. Online registration and a detailed agenda are available on the Nebraska Ethanol Board website. Scholarships also are available to college and university students and can be accessed online.

The Ethanol 2019: Emerging Issues Forum is presented by the Nebraska Ethanol Board with a range of local and national sponsors including: American Coalition for Ethanol, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group, BioNebraska, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, CoBank, Direct Automation, EcoEngineers, Farm Credit Services of America, Fluid Quip Process Technologies, Green Plains, Growth Energy, Hartland Renewable Fuels, Husch Blackwell, Kinect Energy Group, Kutak Rock, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center, Nebraska Corn Board, Novozymes, POET Ethanol Products, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Solenis, Urban Air Initiative and USDA Rural Development.



Broad Ranging Nebraska Coalition Offers Support for the EPA and U.S. Army Corps’ Revamped Clean Water Rule

A broad ranging Nebraska-based coalition representing interests from agriculture, business, and rural power, to homebuilders, golf course managers, and local government entities have registered support for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) newly proposed Clean Water Rule. Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson offered supportive testimony on behalf of the “Common Sense Nebraska” coalition during the agencies’ field hearing on the proposal, February 28 in Kansas City, Kansas.

“Our coalition partners want a rule that provides a framework for clean water protection, but also clearly identifies waters subject to federal jurisdiction. We believe the EPA and Corps have moved in the right direction with this new proposal on those fronts,” Nelson told agency officials.

The proposal would replace the agencies’ Obama era, 2015 “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule that drew fierce opposition from the Nebraska coalition.

“Our coalition partners are committed to protecting the land and water resources under our stewardship, however, the 2015 WOTUS rule was not about clean water, but instead about a massive expansion of federal authority over private lands and infringement upon individual property rights,” said Nelson.

In his testimony, Nelson highlighted several key points demonstrating the improvement the new rule makes over the previously proposed WOTUS rule. Included among those points were:

    The proposal respects the historical limits of the federal Clean Water Act by regulating the ‘navigable waters’ that have long been recognized as falling under federal authority.

    It provides a clear list of waters and land features which are exempt from federal regulation, including, ground water, ditches, and ephemeral drainage areas where water only runs during rainfall events. The WOTUS rule opened the door for federal regulation of all these features.

    The proposal respects the state of Nebraska’s rights to regulate state waters as originally intended by Congress.

“America’s farmers, ranchers, and other landowners shouldn’t need a team of attorneys and consultants to tell them what they can and can’t do with their property. This new proposal eliminates regulatory uncertainty brought by the 2015 WOTUS rule,” said Nelson.

Common Sense Nebraska Coalition members include:
Association of General Contractors - NE Chapter
Farm Credit Services of America
Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association
National Federation of Independent Businesses/Nebraska
Nebraska Agribusiness Association
Nebraska Association of County Officials
Nebraska Association of Resource Districts
Nebraska Bankers Association
Nebraska Cattlemen
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Nebraska Club Management Association
Nebraska Cooperative Council
Nebraska Corn Board
Nebraska Corn Growers Association
Nebraska Farm Bureau
Nebraska Golf Course Superintendents Association
Nebraska Grain and Feed Association
Nebraska Grain Sorghum Association
Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board
Nebraska Pork Producers Association
Nebraska Poultry Industries
Nebraska Rural Electric Association
Nebraska Soybean Association
Nebraska State Dairy Association
Nebraska State Home Builders Association
Nebraska State Irrigation Association
Nebraska Water Resources Association
Nebraska Wheat Board
Nebraska Wheat Growers Association
Nemaha Natural Resources District
Pawnee County Rural Water District #1



U.S. SENATE RECOGNIZES UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

A resolution recognizing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s 150th anniversary was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate Feb. 27. Introduced by Sens. Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse, the resolution highlights the university’s leadership in the areas of water, agriculture, early childhood education and research in rural development, national security and defense.

During her remarks on the Senate floor, Fischer said the university holds a dear place in her heart as a UNL graduate. She discussed the university’s accomplishments over the past 150 years.

“The university has grown over the last 150 years to an enrollment of over 25,000 students, providing over 5,000 new graduates to the workforce each year and over $2 billion in annual economic impact for Nebraska,” she said. 

The university was chartered on Feb. 15, 1869, after the Morrill Land-Grant College Act provided Nebraska with land to establish a college focused on agriculture and mechanic arts.

“There are many schools across the United States, but no state is so closely associated with its university as Nebraska is,” Sasse said. “We live in the greatest state in the nation — we’re a place of hard work, of grit and of perseverance. We took the Great American Desert and turned it into the breadbasket of the world. That’s the innovative pioneering spirit that you see today from the university. This is an anniversary to celebrate.” 

The university celebrated its 150th year with Charter Week Feb. 11-15. Events included an appearance by Sasse for a student-led discussion of civility in public discourse. The sesquicentennial celebration continues through the year with a lecture series focused on exploring the university’s rich history. An N150 commission has been appointed to help chart the university’s course for the next 25 years.

“Nebraska’s university is dedicated to the same land-grant mission it was created to achieve 150 years ago — making higher education accessible, conducting extraordinary research and sharing those discoveries and knowledge with the state, nation and world,” Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “On behalf of our campus, and alumni across the world, I want to thank Senators Fischer and Sasse for this great honor by the U.S. Senate.”



Iowa Farm Bureau Federation young farmers raise much-needed funds for Iowa food banks

Iowa farmers, heralded around the globe for their ability to grow an abundance of food, are coming together to help the state’s residents most in need: families who must rely on food banks to fill their pantries. Because of overwhelming demand, the shelves are emptying out at food banks across the state, which is why hundreds of young farmers from Iowa Farm Bureau came together and raised $5,515 for the Food Bank of Iowa.

More than 550 farmers attended the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) Young Farmer Conference in early February and many donated to the Food Bank of Iowa by purchasing special farm-themed merchandise. Even though tight margins affect farmers across the state, helping the hungry has always been a priority.

“One in eight Iowans are hungry. One in every five Iowa children are ‘food insecure,’ meaning they don’t have consistent access to enough food, or the kind of food needed to be healthy and active. That just won’t do,” says Mike Jackson, IFBF young farmer chairperson. “Iowa farmers find pride in raising livestock and crops that feed their communities, and it’s important to us that fellow Iowans are fed. Supporting food banks throughout the state is another way of accomplishing that.”

For every dollar raised, 4.5 meals are provided to hungry Iowans, meaning Iowa Farm Bureau’s young farmers have helped provide nearly 25,000 meals for hungry Iowans this winter.



NCGA and BASF Announce William C. Berg Scholarship Recipients

The National Corn Growers Association and BASF awarded the William C. Berg Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship to five aspiring agriculture students pursuing degrees in an agriculture-related field today at the 2019 Commodity Classic in Orlando, Fla. The scholarship was created to honor William C. Berg, an Ohio farmer and retired postal worker who passed away in 2012.

Five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to the following students:
-    Catherine Jones, a senior from Bellevue, Nebraska, studying agriculture and environmental sciences communications at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln
-    Osler Ortez, a Ph.D. student from Nicaragua, pursuing a master’s in agronomy and horticulture from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln
-    Amber Oerly, a sophomore from Booneville, Missouri, studying agriculture business at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College
-    Krista Russell from Jerseyville, Illinois, obtaining her master’s degree in environmental science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
-    Kayla Beechinor, a junior from Walla Walla, Washington, majoring in agriculture biotechnology and field crop management at Washington State University

BASF and NCGA are dedicated to supporting the next generation of agriculture leaders.



Farm Bureau Statement on Confirmation of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall

“Farm Bureau welcomes the Senate’s confirmation of Andrew Wheeler as EPA administrator. This is a tribute to his deep experience and the expertise he brings to the office.

“Mr. Wheeler knows first-hand the impact EPA policies have on America’s economy from his previous work in the private sector and as chief of staff of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The U.S. government needs more people like him. We look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Wheeler and his staff on issues critical to farmers and ranchers.”



RFA Statement on Senate Confirmation of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler

Today, the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be the 14th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper had the following statement:

"We congratulate Administrator Wheeler on his Senate confirmation. RFA looks forward to continuing to work with him to implement a strong Renewable Fuel Standard, make year-around E15 a reality and to repair the damage done as a result of the unprecedented number of small refiner waivers granted by his predecessor."



Growth Energy Urges New EPA Administrator to Uphold Biofuel Commitments

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement on the U.S. Senate confirmation of Mr. Andrew Wheeler to serve as the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

“We congratulate Mr. Wheeler on his confirmation,” said Skor. “As the head of EPA, Administrator Wheeler can improve our emissions regulations to encourage competition and innovation, and give American drivers access to affordable and renewable fuel choices. That starts with following through on the president’s commitment to allow E15 sales year-round on June 1 or sooner.

“The previous administrator granted an unprecedented number of refinery exemptions under the RFS, destroying demand for billions of gallons of U.S. ethanol. Administrator Wheeler must work quickly to repair that damage to the rural economy and restore more than 2 billion gallons of lost biofuel demand.

“We look forward to continuing our work with EPA on these priorities and more to ensure a bright future for America and homegrown biofuels.”



ACE reaction to Andrew Wheeler’s confirmation as EPA chief

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate cast their vote confirming Andrew Wheeler to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

“We congratulate Andrew Wheeler on his confirmation to formally lead EPA and encourage him to expeditiously release a legally-defensible rulemaking for E15 use year-round and recommit to finalizing the rule by the June 1 summer driving season. There are less than 100 days until June 1, leaving no time for EPA to waste in publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register for public comment and to finalize the rule before the low-RVP season kicks-in. We restate our recommendation that EPA decouple potential Renewable Identification Number (RIN) reforms from the E15 rulemaking.

“We also call on Administrator Wheeler to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as the law of the land by reallocating the 2.25 billion gallons of ethanol blending unlawfully waived by former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.”



NBB Thanks Senators Grassley and Wyden for Proposed Extension of Biodiesel Tax Incentive

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today thanked Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), chairman, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, for introducing legislation to provide a two-year extension of expired temporary tax incentives, including the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive. The legislation also includes important tax provisions for those impacted by natural disasters.

“NBB and its members are grateful to Senators Grassley and Wyden for taking action to extend the expired biodiesel tax incentive,” Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s Vice President of Federal Affairs, stated. “We hope that both House and Senate will address the expired tax provisions as soon as possible.

“Congress renewed the biodiesel tax incentive in February 2018, but only retroactively for 2017. Biodiesel producers have counted on the credit to secure blending contracts and financing for plant expansions and upgrades. But they are now facing the longest period of uncertainty ever, as the tax incentive remains expired two full months after the start of the year. The uncertainty is already forcing producers to put plans for facility upgrades and expansions on hold.

“NBB continues to appreciate the strong bipartisan support in Congress for biodiesel and renewable diesel industry workers. Biodiesel is the most widely commercially available advanced biofuel, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits. Stable long-term tax policy is important to continue the nation’s path to cleaner fuels and energy security.”

With plants in every state, the U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports more than 60,000 jobs, paying more than $2.5 billion in annual wages and generating more than $11 billion in economic impact. Every 100 million gallons of biodiesel production supports 3,200 jobs.

The U.S. biodiesel market has grown from about 100 million gallons in 2005, when the tax incentive was first implemented, to more than 2.6 billion gallons annually since 2016. The biodiesel tax incentive helps producers across the country continue to invest in capacity for future growth.



United States Wins WTO Dispute Finding China Provides Excessive Government Support to its Grain Producers

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel found that China has provided trade distorting domestic support to its grain producers well in excess of its commitments under WTO rules.  China’s market price support policy artificially raises Chinese prices for grains above market levels, creating incentives for increased Chinese production of agricultural products and reduced imports.

This panel report is a significant victory for U.S. agriculture that will help American farmers compete on a more level playing field.  This dispute is the first to challenge China’s agricultural policies that disregard WTO rules and shows that the United States will take whatever steps are necessary to enforce the rules and ensure free and fair trade for U.S. farmers, ranchers, workers, and businesses.

“The United States proved that China for years provided government support for its grain producers far in excess of the levels China agreed to when it joined the WTO.  China’s excessive support limits opportunities for U.S. farmers to export their world-class products to China.  We expect China to quickly come into compliance with its WTO obligations,” said Ambassador Lighthizer.

“We know that America’s farmers and ranchers thrive in a market-oriented, rules-based global economy.  That means all countries must play by the rules, which is why this finding is so important to U.S. agriculture,” said Secretary Perdue.

Background:
In December 2016, USTR requested that the WTO establish a dispute settlement panel to consider whether China provides “market price support” for Indica (long-grain) rice, Japonica (short- and medium-grain) rice, wheat, and corn in excess of China’s domestic support commitments.  Market price support programs are some of the most trade-distorting agricultural policies, and are therefore subject to clear limits under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and a WTO Member’s specific commitments.  Under WTO rules, China may provide non-exempt support up to the de minimis level of 8.5 percent of the value of total production of a particular commodity, a commitment set out in China’s WTO accession agreement. 

The panel report agreed with the United States that China provided domestic support to its agricultural producers in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, well in excess of its WTO commitments.  Specifically, the panel found that China had provided support in excess of permitted levels for Indica (long-grain) rice, Japonica (short- and medium-grain) rice, and wheat, in every year.  Each finding individually established that China broke its overall agricultural domestic support commitment for agricultural producers.  For corn, the panel declined to make findings on the support provided to corn in 2012-2015 given that China had apparently changed its program in 2016, just prior to the WTO’s establishment of the panel.       

Compliance with WTO rules will lead to a reduction in the excessive support provided to China’s grains producers and should increase market forces in China, leading to a more level playing field.



WTO Dispute Panel Confirms China’s Domestic Agricultural Support Exceeds Limits, Distorts Trade

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) welcomes the ruling today by a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute panel that Chinese government payments to farmers for wheat exceed China’s aggregate measure of support (AMS) commitments and significantly distort global wheat trade. The panel was formed after the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) challenged China’s domestic agricultural support programs for wheat, corn and rice through the WTO dispute settlement process in September 2016. 

“We are very pleased that the Trump Administration has continued to support this dispute and a second case that challenges China’s administration of the 9.6 million metric ton (MMT) tariff rate quota (TRQ) on imported wheat that its government agreed to when it joined the WTO,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “U.S. farmers have been hurt by China’s overproduction and protectionist measures for too long and it’s past time for China to start living up to its commitments.”

According to a 2016 Iowa State University study sponsored by USW, China’s domestic market support price for wheat at the time of almost $10 per bushel cost U.S. wheat farmers between $650 and $700 million annually in lost income by preventing export opportunities and suppressing global prices. As a result, the Chinese government has purchased and stored enormous stocks of domestic wheat. USDA now estimates that by June 2019, China will hold 140 million metric tons of wheat, accounting for 52 percent of global ending stocks. Not coincidentally, this hugely disproportionate stock holding is almost the same as the cumulative 130 MMT of wheat that China has not purchased under its WTO TRQ since 2001. This is a fundamental supply factor that continues to depress market prices. It also hurts Chinese flour millers who are forced to purchase over-priced, low-quality domestic wheat from these stocks, as well as their customers who pay more for the flour.

“The past two decades have been a lost opportunity for the WTO negotiating function as major countries like China have refused to take on new responsibilities,” Peterson said. “Perhaps this unfortunate situation will be the wake-up call countries need to realize that restricting trade and unfairly advantaging domestic industries in global markets winds up hurting everyone. Meanwhile, we applaud the use of the WTO dispute settlement and counter notification processes to push back when countries violate rules on agricultural support.”



MSU lands $5M NIH grant to connect dots between pesticides and Parkinson’s

A Michigan State University researcher is hoping to make a connection between pesticides, olfactory impairment and early symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases among aging farmers.

Honglei Chen, a professor of epidemiology whose research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, will use a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Institutes for Health to investigate the role pesticides might play in olfactory impairment and their relevance to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

“Our battle against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s may depend on early disease identification and intervention, and poor olfaction has been identified as an early warning for these diseases,” Chen said. “This grant will allow us to connect the dots by identifying factors that contribute to poor olfaction among older adults and evaluating how this sensory deficit may progress to early stages of neurodegenerative diseases.”

In preliminary analyses, researchers found a correlation between high pesticide exposure and self-reported poor sense of smell. In this project, researchers will objectively assess the olfaction of around 2,200 farmers using a standard smell test.

Using a scratch-and-sniff method, participants will need to correctly identify 12 common smells such as smoke, lemon, cinnamon or gasoline. Researchers will then conduct home visits of approximately 450 farmers to assess cognitive function and motor symptoms. 

“We are trying to put everything into context with the ultimate goal of understanding the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases and factors involved,” Chen said. “This project focuses on pesticides because earlier studies show their potential connections to neurodegenerative diseases. Now we want to define what role they play.”

The study is being conducted using resources from the Agricultural Health Study and in partnership with researchers from Duke University, University of Chicago, Penn State University and NIH investigators of the Agricultural Health Study.



Case IH Rolls Out New Solutions for Planting 2019

Case IH is expanding the capabilities of the Early Riser® planter lineup for spring 2019. New layers of high-definition (HD) data are now available with 2000 series Early Riser planters through The Climate Corporation FieldView® Cab app with FieldView Drive™ technology. The new setup option removes the need to purchase a display exclusively for FieldView and allows for row-by-row data visualization, mapping, autoguidance line sharing and more. It is available today for producers who operate a 2000 series Early Riser planter paired with a Case IH tractor that is equipped with Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) AccuGuide™ autoguidance (NavII/III controller, AFS 372 receiver and AFS Pro 700 display).

“Early Riser planters already offer a rugged row unit and industry-leading planting accuracy — now we’re adding another mapping technology option that meets the high-tech needs of producers,” said Tony McClelland, Case IH planter marketing manager. “Producers are always looking for easy planter data visualization tools to help them make informed agronomic decisions. We can now visualize singulation and liquid fertilizer layers directly from the planter to the FieldView Cab app.”
     
With compatible equipment and a FieldView subscription, all a producer needs to do is plug the FieldView Drive hardware into the Case IH AFS Pro 700 display and start planting. FieldView Drive offers standard map layers for the Case IH 1200 and 2000 series Early Riser planters, with additional map layers available for 2000 series Early Riser planters. Standard map layers include hybrid variety, population and planting speed data. Additional map layers available for the new 2000 series Early Riser planters include singulation, spacing, DeltaForce® hydraulic down force, liquid fertilizer and granular chemical layers, making Case IH the first original equipment manufacturer to deliver liquid fertilizer and granular chemical data layers to FieldView. Then, data is automatically stored to the producer’s FieldView cloud account, allowing for easy storage and data management. The additional map layers are compatible with 2000 series Early Riser planters connected to Case IH Steiger®, Magnum™, Optum™ and Puma® series tractors that are equipped with AccuGuide.

“This is a great solution for producers looking to maximize time in the field by optimizing row-by-row planter settings and then making more informed decisions throughout the rest of the growing season,” said McClelland.

In addition to HD mapping, FieldView also enables autoguidance line sharing between multiple Case IH tractors that are fully equipped with AFS AccuGuide (NavII/III controller, AFS 372 receiver and AFS Pro 700 display). Producers can use the FieldView Drive and their corresponding FieldView subscription to share straight A/B and heading guidance lines.

HD mapping is accessible on any iPad with The Climate Corporation FieldView app. No additional display is required. The technology is compatible with all Early Riser planters.