Wednesday March 27 Ag News

Flood Recovery for Ag Information Meetings Set for Scribner, Fremont, Omaha
Dodge County FSA CED Bryan Ralston

We are working to implement programs that may aid you in your flood recovery.  We will be hosting a series of informational meetings next week.  Those meetings include:

Tuesday April 2, 2019-Scibner, NE-Mohr Auditorium---10:00 a.m.  Address 650 County Road 13 Blvd, Scribner, NE

Tuesday April 2, 2019-Fremont, NE-Dodge County Extension Office---2:00 p.m.  Address:  1206 W 23rd St, Fremont, NE

Wednesday April 3, 2019-Omaha, NE-Papio Missouri NRD Board Meeting Room---10:00 a.m.  Address:  8901 S 154th St, Omaha, NE

Presentations by Bryan Ralston-FSA, Jay Schroeder-FSA, Wes Finkner-FSA, NRCS Personal, Nathan Mueller, UNL Extension, Keith Glewen, UNL Extension.  

A Few Notes On the New Farm Bill....
For those of you who have been wondering about the 2018 Farm Bill and how you might be impacted, USDA Farm Service Agency recently released a couple of documents that highlight key changes in which you may be interested. You can review “What’s New: FSA and the 2018 Farm Bill” for a quick overview of the main programs you visit our office for, or you can access “The 2018 Farm Bill – What Is New and What Has Changed” for a more detailed explanation of program changes.

Many of you are asking about a timeline for program enrollments under the new Farm Bill. As you would expect, there is a fair amount of background work that needs to be completed before we can tackle things like Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC)/Price Loss Coverage (PLC) sign-up and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract applications. Watch your email inboxes for additional information on these and other programs via this GovDelivery communication tool. Please note that from what USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue has said publicly, sign-up action on these programs, in particular, won’t be until later in the year.

Folks also have been inquiring about the availability of FSA farm operating and ownership loans at the increased maximum loan limits that were approved in the new Farm Bill. Details on these loan limit increases can be reviewed in the documents highlighted above. Farm Loan Managers Jay Schroeder and Wes Finkner said they are hopeful all the pieces will be in place by the end of March to be able to obligate loans at these increased amounts.

Our office continues to be busy with farmers stopping by to update their farm records. If you’ve lost or added ground, changed financial institutions, addresses or phone numbers, or altered your business structure, please make an appointment to see us about these changes.



OATS AND ITALIAN RYEGRASS FOR HIGH QUALITY PASTURE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Good quality pasture might be in short supply this spring.  If you need some early pasture, plant oats and Italian ryegrass.

               I like oat forage.  It grows during spring when we are likely to receive rain and when moisture is used efficiently to produce forage.

               Oats can be grazed earlier than anything else you plant this spring.  Once it gets five or six inches tall, it quickly can shoot up to a foot tall in almost no time.  Unfortunately, once oats gets that tall it may not stool out, tiller, and regrow after grazing very well.  So it’s important to start grazing early when oats get six to eight inches tall to stimulate it to form new tillers.

               After this first grazing, keep oat regrowth between six and sixteen inches tall. Begin with a light stocking rate, about one animal every two acres.  Then adjust animal numbers as oat growth changes.

               For a longer grazing season, plant a mixture of oats and Italian ryegrass.  Oats comes on strong early while Italian ryegrass tends to wait until June before it grows rapidly.  Then it just keeps growing high quality leaves the rest of the year if moisture is available.

               For straight oats, drill at least three bushels per acre as soon as possible.  Oats will be 6 to 8 inches tall and ready to graze in about 6 weeks.  With good moisture and 40 to 60 pounds of nitrogen, oats can provide a couple months of grazing for 1 or 2 cows per acre.  For extended grazing, drill just a couple bushels of oats plus around twenty pounds of Italian ryegrass per acre.  Your stocking rate might need to be a little lighter at first, but with some timely moisture or irrigation you can continue to get great grass all summer and fall.

               Do you need reliable high quality pasture this year?  Oats, with or without Italian ryegrass, may be your best option.



Conservation Tree Windbreaks Provide Critical Protection for Cattle During Harsh Winter

Windbreaks have played an important role in the protection of livestock as Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers have worked to protect their cattle during a remarkably long and harsh winter.   Since 1972 Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) have worked with Nebraska landowners to plant over 96 million trees and shrubs.  Many of these plantings are multi-purpose windbreaks that shade and shelter homes, reduce soil erosion, protect crops and provide food and cover for wildlife.  But this winter, it was the protection windbreaks provided cattle that proved most beneficial to Nebraska farmers and ranchers.

Windbreaks provide benefits to feedlots, pastures, and calving areas by reducing wind speeds and providing the animals a reprieve from the harsh winter elements.  Protecting the animals from the elements not only reduces stress and mortality, it reduces feed requirements and saves the producer money. 

“The red cedar windbreaks on our ranch were critical in protecting our cows this winter” said, Justin Hammond, Nebraska Rancher and Middle Niobrara NRD board member.  “Without the windbreak protection, we’d have lost a large portion of our herd.”

NRD foresters say now is the time to rehab an existing windbreak or design plans for the planting of a new one.  According to the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), local NRDs have ordered nearly 400,000 trees and shrubs for landowners to plant this spring.

“Our NRD Tree Program offers landowners an inexpensive way to protect their property,” Mike Murphy, General Manager, Middle Niobrara NRD said. “NRD staff and foresters work with landowners to select the right trees for the property, design the space and we can even plant them for you.”

For around a dollar a tree, conservation trees shade and shelter homes, reducing energy costs, protect and increase crop yields, reduce soil erosion from wind and water, improve water quality, control snow and preserve winter moisture, protect livestock, provide food and cover for wildlife, control noise, capture atmospheric carbon, raise property values, and add beauty to our landscape.

Each of the 23 NRDs administer their own conservation tree program.  Tree and shrub options may vary from district to district depending on what grows well in different areas of the state.

“The local NRDs really work with landowners to determine what species best fit a landowners need,” Murphy said. “In some areas it may be eastern red cedar that offers the best protection, and in other areas it may be a combination of species.”

Trees arrive in early spring and many NRD Conservation Tree Program order deadlines are quickly approaching.  Contact your local Natural Resources District to complete your tree order.  You can visit  www.nrdnet.org to locate your local NRD.



NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during February 2019 totaled 8.47 million, up from 7.51 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska egg production during February totaled 201 million eggs, up from 177 million in 2018. February egg production per 100 layers was 2,373 eggs, compared to 2,353 eggs in 2018.

IOWA CHICKEN AND EGGS
Iowa egg production during February 2019 was 1.29 billion eggs, down 10 percent from last month but up 6 percent from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The average number of all layers on hand during February 2019 was 57.6 million, up 1 percent from last month and up 2 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for February were 2,245, down 11 percent from last month but up 4 percent from last year.

February Egg Production Up 3 Percent
United States egg production totaled 8.56 billion during February 2019, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 7.48 billion table eggs, and 1.08 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.00 billion were broiler-type and 80.3 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during February 2019 totaled 398 million, up 2 percent from last year. February egg production per 100 layers was 2,154 eggs, up 2 percent from February 2018.
                                   
All layers in the United States on March 1, 2019 totaled 399 million, up 2 percent from last year. The 399 million layers consisted of 336 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 59.4 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.47 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on March 1, 2019, averaged 76.6 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from March 1, 2018.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 6 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during February 2019 totaled 53.1 million, up 6 percent from February 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 53.4 million on March 1, 2019, down 5 percent from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 201 thousand during February 2019, up 31 percent from February 2018.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during February 2019 totaled 750 million, up 2 percent from February 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 694 million on March 1, 2019, up 2 percent from a year ago.

Leading breeders placed 7.96 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during February 2019, up 4 percent from February 2018.



Midwest Dairy and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Announce Second Annual Dairy Experience Forum

Hundreds of dairy farmers from across the nation will convene in Saint Paul, Minnesota July 16-18, 2019 for the second annual Dairy Experience Forum to gain a deeper understanding of today’s consumers and how their different values, shopping habits and consumption patterns impact how the industry can collaborate to build dairy demand. Building on the success of last year’s event, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin is joining Midwest Dairy in co-sponsoring the second annual forum to make a bigger footprint in the dairy community.

The vision for the Dairy Experience Forum is to facilitate conversation and learning among farmers, dairy experts and partners as they discuss useful insights and ideas that can be used in their ongoing work to help ensure a successful future for dairy. As part of the program, attendees will hear from leaders, both from within and outside of the dairy industry, who are translating consumer insights, relevant to variety of generations, into innovative products that meet the needs of consumers of all ages.

The event will provide opportunities to engage with leading experts from research institutions, food companies, retailers and processors, cooperatives and dairy farm operations. It will also allow a platform for dairy farmers to hear from consumers firsthand what attributes and values are important to them as they make purchasing decisions related to the dairy products they enjoy.

“With the mutual goal of sparking new thinking and innovation, we’re excited to collaborate with Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin to co-lead this forward-looking event with an even broader audience, said Midwest Dairy CEO Lucas Lentsch. “By convening a larger representation of the dairy community, we can all gain an even greater perspective on the roles consumers play in driving our industry into the future.”

“We are thrilled to be working together to help farmers and dairy companies better understand consumer mindsets as well as what is driving massive shifts behind product innovation and the way people buy and consume dairy products,” said Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin CEO Chad Vincent. “It is essential we understand what consumers are looking for and how we can meet their needs to drive demand. Anyone from the farm community that is interested in learning how to adapt to these trends is encouraged to attend.”

A confirmed agenda and registration for the forum will be available late April.



Soybean Growers Unhappy with President Trump’s Comments on Keeping Tariffs in Place under a China Agreement

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is not pleased with recent comments from President Trump that he could leave tariffs in place under an agreement with China. ASA has always considered the lifting of the Section 301 tariffs by the U.S. in exchange for China removing its retaliatory 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybean imports as essential to any initial agreement between the two countries.

Davie Stephens, president of ASA and a soybean grower from Clinton, Kentucky, said, “The President’s statement that the tariffs should remain in place to ensure China’s compliance with the terms of a deal, rather than being rescinded as a part of that deal, is confounding. If reciprocal tariffs have generated current pressure to reach an agreement, why wouldn’t removing the tariffs and relieving that pressure be a necessary part of any initial deal? How can the U.S. and China reach any deal without doing so?”

Stephens continued, “We do understand the President’s concern regarding enforcement of other provisions of a deal, given China’s past record of walking back its commitments. And we would understand why the President would want to include a “snap back” mechanism to re-impose tariffs in the event other parts of any agreement were not honored, but we are tired of being collateral damage in this ongoing trade war and suffering because of these tariffs.”

ASA has gone on record in prior statements that it is has not been enough for China to make one-off “good will” purchases of U.S. soy over the last three months. Any longer-term plan to “manage” soybean trade under which China would guarantee to buy specified amounts of soybeans over an extended period of months or years—but still keep its 25 percent tariff in place—is not an acceptable alternative to full market access.

Soybean farmers continue to suffer from restricted access to China, by far the industry’s most important foreign customer. With depressed prices and unsold stocks forecast to double before the 2019 harvest begins in September, producers need China reopened to U.S. soybean exports within weeks, not months or even longer.

Any agreement reached between the U.S. and China that does not include removal of China’s 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans would not be acceptable to American soybean farmers. Bypassing elimination of China’s soybean tariff should not be on the table.



Mixed Moves in Retail Fertilizer Prices

Retail fertilizer price movement continued to be mixed the third week of March 2019, according to retailers surveyed by DTN. This marked the fourth week in a row in which at least some prices declined.

Prices for half of the eight major fertilizers were slightly lower compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $509 per ton, MAP $533/ton, urea $401/ton and UAN28 $270/ton.

The other half of fertilizers were slightly higher in price. Potash had an average price of $386/ton, 10-34-0 $470/ton, anhydrous $597/ton and UAN32 $318/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.44/lb.N, anhydrous $0.36/lb.N, UAN28 $0.48/lb.N and UAN32 $0.50/lb.N.

All eight of the major fertilizers are now higher compared to last year with prices shifting higher. MAP is 6% more expensive, both DAP and urea are 9% higher, potash is 10% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 11% higher, UAN28 is 14% more expensive, UAN32 is 18% more expensive and anhydrous is now 19% higher compared to last year.



January U.S. Ethanol Exports Strong, Distillers Grains Exports Subside
Ann Lewis, Research Analyst, Renewable Fuels Association
   
U.S. ethanol exports totaled 127.9 million gallons (mg) in January, according to government data released this morning and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). This reflects an 8.5% decline from December and the lowest monthly volume in four months, but it represented an increase from the 88.3 mg shipped in January 2018.

Brazil remained the top U.S. customer for the second straight month at 38.5 mg, buying 3% more than in December and capturing 30% of global sales. India’s purchase of U.S. ethanol more than doubled (108%) in January at 20.0 mg. Canada sharply reduced its U.S. imports at 19.97 mg (-29%), its smallest purchase in a year. Exports to South Korea ticked up to 13.5 mg, while Colombia expanded to a record 9.5 mg. These five countries accounted for roughly 80% of January exports of U.S. ethanol.

January exports of U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol thinned by 10.1% to 69.6 mg. Over half the shipments (38.5 mg) were destined for Brazil, a slight increase over December volumes. India increased its offtake by 22% to 9.3 mg, and South Korea purchased 7.4 mg, a 22-month high. Other markets for undenatured fuel product included Mexico (4.0 mg), the Netherlands (2.2 mg), Norway (2.1 mg), and the Philippines (2.1 mg).

American producers exported 53.5 mg of denatured fuel ethanol in January, 4.7% under prior month sales. U.S. shipments to Canada weakened by 28% to 18.9 mg. Exports to India intensified to 10.7 mg following an absence of activity in December, effectively nabbing its second-highest monthly offtake. Colombia also stepped up with record U.S. imports of 7.6 mg, up 165%. South Korea (5.7 mg, down 55%) and the Philippines (4.5 mg) were other significant destinations.

The global market for U.S. ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage purposes lost traction in January with 22% lower sales at 4.8 mg—the majority (89%) was undenatured. Japan (1.8 mg), Canada (1.0 mg), Colombia (0.8 mg), and Saudi Arabia (0.7 mg) were significant destinations.

January was absent of any fuel ethanol imports for the first time in six months. Imports have averaged less than 6 mg per month over the past four years.

January exports of U.S. dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry mill ethanol plants—slid 9.4%. Sales of 806,615 metric tons (mt) of DDGS were the smallest monthly volume to ship since Aug. 2017. Notably, Thailand cut its purchases significantly in January to just 34,969 mt (down 64%) for the lowest U.S. DDGS imports since Sept. 2015. However, exports to Mexico recovered from a December slump as 50% more animal feed crossed the border; a record 199,312 mt of DDGS purchased by our top customer was equivalent to a quarter of global sales in January. The UK & Ireland (101,370 mt, up 13%), Indonesia (90,291 mt, down 12%), South Korea (89,364 mt, up 13%), and Vietnam (89,356 mt, down 21%) were key markets with the remaining 30% of exports dispersed among 30 additional countries.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 3/22/2019

Here is the weekly ethanol supply-and-demand data for the week ended 3/22/2019. Please note that some of the statistics were affected by the terrible flooding in the Midwest.

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production fell 29,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 2.9%, to an average of 975,000 b/d, equivalent to 40.95 million gallons daily. This was the lowest production rate since the week ended Feb. 1, which in turn was the lowest level since Oct. 2017. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.3% to 1.002 million b/d—equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.36 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol were 24.4 million barrels. Although stocks increased only 0.1% from the previous week, this still represented a new record high.

There were no imports for the 19th week in a row. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of January 2019.)

Gasoline supplied to the market slumped 3.0% to 9.124 million b/d (383.2 million gallons per day, or 139.87 billion gallons annualized), essentially returning to the level experienced before last week’s jump. Notably, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol increased 1.2% to 920,000 b/d—equivalent to 14.10 billion gallons annualized.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production ticked upward to 10.69%.



House Letter Supporting USDA’s Proposal to Relocate ERS and NIFA

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and committee member Rep. Vicky Hartzler (MO-4) today led 30 of their colleagues, including all House Agriculture Republicans, in a letter to House Agriculture Appropriators supporting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) plans to relocate the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) out of the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Conaway and Hartzler were joined in their letter by Reps. Neal Dunn (FL-2), Roger Marshall (KS-1), Ann Wagner (MO-2), Trent Kelly (MS-1), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), Don Bacon (NE-2), Mike Bost (IL-12), Joe Wilson (SC-2), Kevin Brady (TX-8), Ralph Abraham (LA-5), Rick Crawford (AR-1), Doug LaMalfa (CA-1), James Comer (KY-1), Sam Graves (MO-6), Bill Flores (TX-17), David Rouzer (NC-7), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Jackie Walorski (IN-2), Austin Scott (GA-8), Ted Yoho (FL-3), Jim Hagedorn (MN-1), Jim Banks (IN-3), Scott DesJarlais (TN-4), Jim Baird (IN-4), Trey Hollingsworth (IN-9), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3), Greg Pence (IN-6), Denver Riggleman (VA-5), Rodney Davis (IL-13) and Rick Allen (GA-12).

The text of the letter follows:
We write in strong support of Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s goal to improve customer service, strengthen offices and programs, and save taxpayer dollars by relocating the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) outside of the National Capital Region.

Key functions of the USDA such as the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are already located outside of the Washington, D.C. area and have a strong track record of providing quality service to America’s farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and research and extension stakeholders. We believe relocating ERS and NIFA would build upon USDA’s capacity and improve the agency’s ability to recruit top talent from universities across the nation while being closer to rural America and reducing taxpayer expenditures.

We commend the Secretary for his commitment that no ERS or NIFA employee will be involuntarily separated during this transition, and that employees will be offered relocation assistance and will receive the same base pay as before. We also appreciate USDA’s notice and attention to its important research, extension, and education mission. It is clear that the Secretary remains committed to mission-delivery both during this transition and once the relocation effort is complete.

For the above mentioned reasons, we request that no relocation limitation be included in the FY 2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

While we understand Congressional oversight is appropriate, we are ready to work with you to ensure any logistical complications or issues that may arise are overcome. We appreciate your time and attention to this matter and strongly support this effort.



Hearing Highlights Impacts of ERS, NIFA Relocation on Family Farmers, Consumers, Researchers

Highlighting concerns among legislators, farmers, rural residents, consumers and researchers for the proposed reorganization and relocation of two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research agencies, the U.S. House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee today held a hearing to examine the impacts of such a move. USDA has initiated a process to move the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) outside of the nation’s capital and place the ERS under the purview of the Chief Economist.

On the heels of the meeting, National Farmers Union (NFU), the nation’s second largest general farm organization and a strong proponent of public agricultural research, urged USDA to stop the move. NFU sent a letter to USDA in September highlighting the NFU Board of Directors opposition the ERS and NIFA proposal.

NFU Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications Rob Larew issued the following statement shortly after the hearing:

“ERS and NIFA play an important role in helping family farmers and ranchers improve productivity, steward our nation’s natural resources, and access global markets and trade. As the economic and environmental challenges facing family farmers and ranchers mount, it is critical that USDA prioritize the work of the agencies and maintain the integrity and impact of public research. Farmers Union urges USDA to end the relocation of these two important agencies.”



ICBA Supports Bill Offering Tax Relief for Rural Lending

The Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) today expressed support for legislation to support farmers, ranchers and rural homeowners. Authored by Rep. Steve Watkins (R-Kan.) and co-sponsored by Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America Act (H.R. 1872) would allow community banks to lower loan rates and more efficiently serve borrowers by exempting interest income on farm real estate and rural mortgage loans from taxation.

“ICBA strongly supports the Enhancing Credit Opportunities in Rural America Act, which will allow community banks to offer lower rates to rural borrowers and homeowners in communities across the nation,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “Community banks, which make 80 percent of all agricultural loans across the banking industry, should play on the same level playing field as other providers of credit in rural America that already enjoy these same advantages.”

Under ECORA, interest earned on loans secured by agricultural real estate would not be taxable. The bill would provide similar relief to interest on loans secured by rural single-family homes that are the principal residence of the borrower in towns with a population of less than 2,500. Together, these provisions will offer community bankers greater flexibility to work with farmers who may have trouble servicing their debt while giving lenders a strong incentive to remain in the rural farming and housing markets.

The legislation would implement a recommendation in ICBA’s Community Focus 2020 policy platform, a multifaceted agenda designed to promote greater access to financial services and economic opportunity throughout local communities.



NEW REGULATION IMPROVES SCRAPIE ERADICATION PROGRAM

A long-awaited scrapie rule was published this week in the Federal Register. The rule - which was first proposed in 2015 by U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service - has been anticipated by the American sheep and goat industry since 2016.

    For the most part, the industry will not notice much of a difference in the scrapie eradication program, but some segments will see a change. Particularly, changes will be noticed by goat producers and those moving animals in slaughter channels or transporting unidentified sheep or goats.

    Importantly, the rule incorporates into regulation APHIS' long-standing policy to use genetic testing to identify genetically resistant or less susceptible sheep for exemption from destruction and as qualifying for interstate movement. The rule takes effect on April 24, 2019.

    Producers are asking the American Sheep Industry Association how the rule affects them. As mentioned before, most producers will not notice a change to their current practices. However, goat producers and those who move animals in slaughter channels or who move unidentified animals will be affected by the rule changes.

 Identification and Records Requirements in Interstate Commerce
    A foundational component of the scrapie eradication program is the ability to trace diseased animals to their flock of origin. The new rule makes the identification and recordkeeping requirements for goat owners consistent with those requirements that sheep owners have followed for many years. Like sheep producers, producers of goats for meat or fiber and slaughter goats more than 18 months of age will be required to officially identify their animals to their flocks of birth or flocks of origin, and to maintain certain identification records for five years. There is flexibility in the type of official identification that can be used, but the device or method must be approved in accordance with USDA regulations.

    A sheep or goat must be identified to its flock of origin and to its flock of birth by the owner of the animal (or his or her agent) before commingling the animal with sheep or goats from any other flock of origin. This includes unloading of the animal at a livestock facility approved to accept unidentified sheep or goats and that has agreed to act as an agent for the owner to apply official identification. The animal must be identified prior to commingling with other animals from other flocks of origin. When transporting unidentified sheep, the owner or the owner's agent must have an owner/hauler statement that contains the information needed for the livestock facility to officially identify the animals to their flock of origin and - when required - their flock of birth. Ownership changes also require the sheep and goats to have official identification.

    APHIS notes that if the flock of birth or flock of origin is not known because the animal changed ownership while it was exempted from flock of origin identification requirements, the animal may be moved interstate with individual animal identification that is only traceable to the state of origin and to the owner of the animals at the time they were so identified. However, to use this exemption the person applying the identification must have supporting documentation indicating that the animals were born and had resided throughout their life in the state.

    Sheep and goat producers who are new to the program and are requesting their flock identification number for the first time may receive some assistance in obtaining tags. Currently, APHIS will provide up to 80 plastic flock ID tags, free of charge, to producers who have not received free tags from APHIS in the past. APHIS will discontinue the availability of no-cost metal tags for producers. For more information, visit USDA's Sheep and Goat Identification page on their website: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/sheep-and-goat-health/national-scrapie-eradication-program. To request official sheep and goat tags, a flock/ premises ID or both, call 1-866-USDA-Tag (866-873-2824).
 
Owner/Hauler Statements
One of the purposes for the changes to the current scrapie eradication program is to ensure that all potential pockets of infection are captured so that the United States can be officially declared free of scrapie. Full eradication of the disease will ultimately reduce producer costs and improve trade opportunities for American sheep and goat products.

    A key part to this effort is identifying all sheep and goats that are moved in interstate commerce. Fortunately, the majority of sheep and goats that are moved in interstate commerce are already identified back to their flocks of origin and birth, but there are some populations that have not been previously included. The new regulation makes some changes to capture animals that previously were not required to be identified.

    APHIS will now require that those individuals - or their agents - who move unidentified sheep or goats to a market or other premises where they will then be identified and those moving animals in slaughter channels to have an owner/hauler statement that indicates specific information needed for official identification and recordkeeping. This includes the name, address and phone number of the owner and the hauler (if different), the date the animals were moved, the flock identification number or the PIN that is assigned to the flock or premises of the animals, the number of animals, and the species, breed and class of animals. If breed is unknown, the face color for sheep must be recorded and for goats, the type (milk, fiber or meat) must be recorded.

    The name and address of point of origin - if different from the owner address - and the destination address must also be included in the owner/hauler Statement. If moving individually unidentified animals or other animals required to move with a group/lot identification number, the group/lot identification number and any information required to officially identify the animals must be included on the owner/hauler statement. For animals in slaughter channels, the owner/hauler statement must indicate that the animals are in slaughter channels (except wethers that are less than 18 months of age).

An owner/hauler statement is not required if the animals are not in slaughter channels and are officially identified or are traveling with an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, commonly called a health certificate.

    Animals moved from one premises owned by the producer across state lines to another premises owned or leased by the producer - such as for grazing - will need an owner/hauler statement unless an ICVI is required.

    ASI will keep the industry informed as it continues to evaluate the changes to the scrapie eradication program regulations, and its impact on producers. Additional educational material will be available soon to help producers comply with the regulation changes.



National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) Holds Annual Washington Fly-In to Discuss Research Priorities for Wheat

This week a group of researchers, growers, and millers took to Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of wheat research and appropriations priorities for FY 2020. The National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC) is composed of 24 voting members whose mission is to communicate, educate and advocate on behalf of the scientific well-being of the U.S. wheat industry. In addition to meeting with the majority and minority staffs for the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees and Agriculture Committees, the NWIC members met with most of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee Member offices, with over 60 meetings in total.

“To maintain an adequate food supply and food safety, ensure farmers can battle disease and pest pressures, and to keep the United States as the world’s source of premier quality wheat, we must have robust and stable federal, state, and private investment in wheat research,” said NAWG President and Lavon, TX farmer Ben Scholz. “We very much appreciate the support of Congress for continued investments in research over the years, and in particular for key provisions in the Farm Bill research title that will help wheat farmers.”

During the 2018 Farm Bill deliberations, NAWG and our member states and other stakeholders were successful in getting a funding authorization increase for the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) from $10 million to $15 million annually. During its meetings, the Committee advocated for full funding and pushed for the Administration to move forward with implementation of a Farm Bill provision capping indirect costs for the USWBSI at 10 percent.

The NWIC also requested increasing the funding levels for the NIFA Hatch Act to $250 million, maintaining Smith-Lever Formula Grants at $300 million, and increasing the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative to $445 million. Moreover, the Committee supports a funding increase of a total of $940,000 for the ARS Small Grains Genomic Initiative (SGGI) to bring appropriated levels to the total $3.44 Million. 

“Through the use of these tax dollars for research, the American consumer has one of the lowest cost of disposable income expense for safe and high-quality food of any nation in the world,” continued Scholz. “Whether it be in the form of a Land Grant or ARS facility, congressional investments in agricultural research has a reach into all districts. NAWG urges Congress and the Administration to prevent cuts to funding levels for these research programs as they are vital to the entire wheat value chain.”



DEKALB®, Asgrow® and Deltapine® Brands To Celebrate Agronomy Week April 1st to April 5th
 Whether providing seed recommendations, monitoring crop progress or helping to evaluate harvest results, farmers depend on the expertise of their agronomic team throughout the growing season.
The DEKALB®, Asgrow® and Deltapine® brands will celebrate Agronomy Week again this season, giving farmers the opportunity to recognize the key role played by their agronomists, seed dealers and crop consultants. Now in its third year, Agronomy Week will be held April 1-5, 2019, as an industrywide celebration.

Recognizing the parallels between farming and racing in terms of season-long performance and the importance of a trusted support crew, NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer will again encourage farmers to participate in the program, appearing in a series of “It’s Time to Perform” social media videos.
And, for the first time, he and his agronomic support crew on Bowyer’s farm outside Charlotte, North Carolina, will enter the NCGA National Corn Yield Contest. “After two years of talking agronomy, I’m excited to throw my hat in the ring and compete in two seasons this year – racing and farming,” he said.

During Agronomy Week, farmers, regardless of the seed brand they choose to plant, can pay tribute to their agronomic team by nominating up to three individuals. Farmers who nominate their teams will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a daily prize, as well as the grand prize: Clint will host that winner and three guests ages 18 and older for a mid-season celebration on his farm.

“Over 1,500 farmer entries were received in the first two years of the program, and we’re very excited to celebrate Agronomy Week again in 2019,” said Pete Uitenbroek, DEKALB® Asgrow® and Deltapine® Brand Lead. “We invite farmers to join us in saluting agronomic professionals for their expertise and dedication in promoting farmer success and a strong agricultural industry.”

Eligible farmers can view sweepstakes rules and nominate their agronomic professionals at AgronomyWeek.com from April 1-5 or by posting the professionals’ names on the DEKALB Asgrow Facebook, Instagram or Twitter page with #AgronomyWeek and #contest.