Friday April 5 Ag News

Nebraska Farm Service Agency Clarifies Conservation Reserve Program Emergency Use Provisions

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Nancy Johner today announced additional flexibility to the emergency use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres that is authorized for all Nebraska counties.

The release of CRP acres for emergency use was authorized in late March to address the impacts of recent adverse weather.

“FSA has a variety of disaster assistance programs to support farmers and ranchers through times of adversity,” Johner said. “The emergency use of CRP acres provides an option for producers to temporarily move their livestock from locations negatively impacted by the flooding, snowmelt and mud.”

The emergency use authorization is effective through April 30, 2019. Nebraska FSA is clarifying today that producers who choose this option can use a full CRP field, not only half of a field’s acres, as originally noted. CRP contract holders who are interested in using this emergency authorization must contact their FSA county office to complete required paperwork before allowing use to begin.

“It is important for CRP contract holders to work with their FSA county office before moving their own livestock onto these acres or allowing another producer to move livestock there,” Johner said.

CRP participants who use this option will need to obtain a modified conservation plan, which includes emergency use provisions, from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CRP participants can allow others to use their CRP acres under this emergency use authorization; however, the livestock owners also will need to complete FSA paperwork. There will be no reduction in CRP rental payments to CRP contract holders who use the emergency use authorization. CRP contract holders are not permitted to charge livestock producers for the emergency use option.

For more information on CRP emergency use, please contact your FSA county office. To find your local FSA office, go to https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. Visit USDA's disaster resources website to learn more about USDA disaster preparedness and response.



Support farmers and ranchers impacted by recent storms and flooding through local disaster relief funds

With recent storms and significant flooding impacting much of the state, Nebraska Corn is thankful for the outpouring of support at the local and national levels and said there are still opportunities for farmers to help in relief efforts.

During their next visit to their local grain elevators, farmers can donate proceeds from their grain sales to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund or the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. At the farmers’ discretion, grain elevators across the state will be able to collect and disperse the donations to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation or the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. Both of these disaster assistance programs are designed to help local farmers and ranchers by providing 100% of donations to those who need them the most.

“Farmers often help out neighbors in need,” said Dan Nerud, farmer from Dorchester and president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “These relief programs are great ways to extend the generosity of our producers. Farmers can simply deliver grain to their local elevator and designate the entire load or a percentage of the load to relief efforts. Farmers will get a receipt for their contribution and 100% of the dollars from the sale of that grain will go to help their neighbors in need.”

Interested donors can also help rural farmers and ranchers by making direct donations to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation or the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. Checks can be sent to the following addresses:

Make checks payable to: Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund
Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund
4611 Cattle Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521

Make checks payable to: Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation
Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation
Attn: Disaster Relief Fund
P.O. Box 80299
Lincoln, NE 68501-0299

“Recent storms and flood waters have been devastating, and it’s difficult to imagine what impacted farmers, ranchers and rural residents are going through,” said David Bruntz, farmer from Friend and chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “Fortunately, those involved in agriculture help those who are down on their luck. It’s impossible to undo what has happened, but when we all come together, we can make the devastation easier for many Nebraska families. We appreciate everyone’s efforts and contributions in keeping #NebraskaStrong.”



UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZES 52 FUTURE HUSKERS DURING FFA CONVENTION

On April 3, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln recognized 52 high school seniors from Nebraska FFA chapters who have committed to attend the university in the fall.

A signing ceremony was part of the 91st Nebraska FFA State Convention in Lincoln. FFA members, advisers, guests and several university leaders — including Chancellor Ronnie Green and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Harlan Vice Chancellor Mike Boehm — participated in the event at the Nebraska Coliseum.

"I want to congratulate you on what will be one of the best decisions you’ve made in your life,” Green told the future Huskers. “We’re here to help you be successful and get the best education you can get."

Green was a state FFA officer and member in Virginia.

Following the opening remarks, each student was announced with their hometown and intended major. As the names were announced, they were met with cheers from their fellow FFA members in the crowd. After the students signed a large "N," Green, Boehm and the other dignitaries lined up to congratulate them with high-fives.

The state convention brought more than 8,000 FFA members, advisers, parents and guests to Lincoln. It featured educational sessions, workshops, a career fair, a leadership academy, interviews and leadership skill sessions. The events are designed to prepare high school students for careers in agriculture, Nebraska's largest industry.

"We need your help figuring out how to help propel the world forward as our population increases," Boehm said. "We look forward to you joining us on campus, whether you’re in ag, architecture, business or engineering."

The following is a list by hometown of students who were recognized during the signing ceremony and their intended major(s).
> Amherst: Sam Florell, grazing livestock systems
> Beatrice: Kelsay Schlichtman, animal science and pre-veterinary science
> Belvidere: Taralee Hudson, animal science
> Blair: Jaycie Meggison, agribusiness; Abby O’Brien, animal science, and agricultural and environmental sciences communication
> Bruning: Isaac Baysinger, computer engineering
> Carleton: Emilie Schardt, agribusiness
> Curtis: Tristin Smith, animal science; Sydney Veldhuizen, pre-veterinary science
> Decatur: Cassidy Farrens, undecided
> Deweese: Boone Svoboda, animal science and grazing livestock systems
> Elba: Kiaya Radke, agricultural and environmental sciences communication
> Elgin: Hunter Reestman, undecided; Kira Widger, undecided
> Genoa: Kate Mohr, animal science and pre-veterinary science; Kelsey Swantek, agricultural education
> Grand Island: Katie Eberl, agricultural education; Garret Laub, engineering; Peyton Traudt, business
> Hastings: Luke Krabel, civil engineering
> Hooper: Taylor Gregory, agricultural and environmental sciences communication
> Lincoln: Rieley Kowalski, animal science and pre-veterinary science; Erica Riley, biology; Jenifer Velzquez, environmental science
> Lyons: Nick Ronnfeldt, animal science; Brandi Simonsen, health sciences
> Mead: Bryn Hannan, undecided
> Minatare: Marco Martinez, computer science
> Mullen: Koby Walker, PGA golf management
> Norfolk: Mercedes Barg, animal science; Autumn Gubbels, agricultural education; Christopher Lidgett, grassland studies; Kenzie Radenz, animal science; Taylor Suhr, social sciences; Tori Wacker, animal science; Alison West, animal science
> Oak: Kalee Fanning, nursing
> Ohiowa: Glenn Meyer, animal science
> Petersburg: Lauren Seier, pre-veterinary science
> Plymouth: Alexis Gerritse, animal science
> Raymond: Rachael Lange, philosophy and Russian
> Shelton: Luryn Hendrickson, architecture; Anna Palmer, nursing
> Silver Creek: Lana Hebda, agribusiness
> Stanton: Sam Bates, animal science
> Sutton: Madison Nuss, nursing; Lacey Freking, animal science; Seth George, chemical engineering
> Valparaiso: Allissa Turnwall, animal science
> Wallace: Haylee Lopez, horticulture; Blake Pelster, agribusiness
> Yutan: Collin Morrissey, agribusiness



Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Announces 2019 FFA Advisors of the Year

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation selected two recipients for the FFA Advisor of the Year award. Jenny Kocian from David City High School and David Rocker from Franklin Public Schools were honored at the Nebraska FFA State Convention on Thursday, April 4, in Lincoln. The winning advisors received a plaque and a $1,000 donation to their FFA chapter.

The teachers were nominated by their own students and chosen based upon their school and community involvement, leadership development in their classroom, and their ability to keep their students involved in agriculture.

“Both teachers are exceptional educators, leaders, and role models for their students,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “Not only do these teachers go above and beyond for their students, they support the future of agriculture through encouragement of FFA leaders.”

Kocian is the FFA Advisor for the David City FFA Chapter. Kocian makes her students a priority and ensures the success of her students by making connections with local businesses, farmers, and cooperatives to assist students in any career path they choose to pursue. Kocian also brings speakers into the classroom environment to introduce students to different types of agriculture. Under the direction of Kocian, one of the biggest accomplishments of this year was that a previous chapter officer, Brooke Belle, was elected to the Nebraska FFA State Officer Team.

Rocker has been the FFA Advisor for Franklin FFA Chapter for 33 years. Because of his dedication and leadership, the Franklin FFA Chapter is highly regarded in South Central Nebraska. Rocker works with fellow teachers to create learning opportunities to teach young people about agriculture. Through various programs and activities that Rocker leads, Franklin Public School students learn about agriculture and how it is important in their rural communities.

“I think every student has a talent - whether it’s welding, science, business, or mechanical - things not in a normal classroom,” Rocker said. “In agricultural education you get to seek out those strengths and build the student’s confidence in something they can have success in for the rest of their lives.”

“We had a number of exceptional nominations this year. All of the FFA advisors nominated make a positive difference every day,” Schafer said. “They invest in the students who are the future of our great state, and we are proud to celebrate their service.”



Ricketts Signs Bill Merging Agencies to Create New Department of Environment & Energy

Governor Pete Ricketts recently signed two bills to streamline and improve the operations of state agencies.

LB302 introduced by Senator Dan Hughes of Venango merges the Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Energy Office into a single agency as of July 1, 2019.  The new agency, named as the Department of Environment and Energy, will be under the direction of Jim Macy.  Macy presently serves as the Director of Environmental Quality and interim director of the Nebraska Energy Office.

“As with the mergers that created our Transportation and Veterans agencies in 2017, this merger will make our state government work more effectively and more efficiently,” said Governor Ricketts.  “The new Department of Environment and Energy that will allow the state to form a more unified vision and strategic plan for our work in these related areas.”

“The two agencies currently have a number of related functions and similar services which will be enhanced for Nebraskans by combining efforts,” said Director Macy.  “Thank you to the Legislature for supporting our work.”

David Bracht, who oversaw the Nebraska Energy Office from 2015 to 2018, also spoke of the benefits of the bill: “The combination of the agencies is going to allow for more resources to achieve the Energy Office’s mission by generating a number of efficiencies and synergies.”

The Governor also signed LB 301 to assign sole responsibility of the Boiler Inspection Act, the Nebraska Amusement Ride Act, and the Conveyance Safety Act to the Fire Marshal.  The bill’s sponsor, Senator John Lowe of Kearney, spoke of the wisdom of housing the inspections under one roof.

“Right now, the Department of Labor and the Fire Marshal have overlapping responsibilities and inspections within these three acts,” said Senator Lowe.  “This overlap can lead to the need for two different inspections, from two different state agencies, on the same item in a building.  This can lead to confusion if one agency approves a boiler or an elevator, but the next agency comes out on a different day and says that changes are needed on that same boiler or elevator.”

LB 302 received a vote of 45-0-4 on final passage.  LB 301 was given final approval with a vote of 44-0-5.



Nuisance Immunity for Confined Animal Feeding Operations Puts All Nebraskans At Risk

Legislative Bill 227, (AM 746), introduced into the agriculture committee on January 14, 2019, by Senator Dan Hughes and co-sponsored by Senators Tom Briese and Mark Kolterman, is slated for debate today/tomorrow in the Nebraska Unicameral and puts all Nebraskans at serious risk.

LB 227 elevates the private property rights of a protected landowner (confined animal feeding operation) over those of an unprotected one (family farmer or rural resident).  The bill allows a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) to substantially interfere with the use and enjoyment of another person’s property without repercussion.  Such a bill seriously weakens local control and puts our Nebraskans’ local decision-making authority at serious risk.

GC Resolve President Graham Christensen said, “Over the last 20 years our state has completely wiped out protections from large animal feeding operations putting both rural and urban Nebraskan’s at risk.  It feels as if some folks in leadership positions would be ok with eroding our strong rural culture, and putting thousands of Nebraskan’s health at risk.  LB 227 is a horrible idea and needs to be stopped in its tracks.”

When local control is weakened, downstream urban population centers take on new concerns with increasingly contaminated water as we have seen in Des Moines, and are seeing in communities across Nebraska already.  There are approximately 450 confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) being constructed in Nebraska to supply the Costco/Lincoln Premium Poultry plant in Fremont, the largest poultry operation in U.S. History.  Each CAFO will hold 47,500 chickens.  Litter generated by the birds is expected to be twice the volume of all human waste generated in the Omaha metro area daily.  In heavy rainfall events, these contaminants which include excess nutrients and increased pathogens run into our waterways where Nebraskans gather their water from.

We are in a new era with an extreme approach that threatens Nebraska’s independent way of life.  Recently at the Governor’s Ag Conference, Governor Ricketts announced another Costco/Lincoln Premium Poultry processing plant is slated for Central Nebraska.  In addition, Hormel in Fremont was recently sold to WholeStone/Pipestone, and they have announced plans to double hog production necessitating more hogs.  Maschhoffs and Cactus Farms are both mega industrial feeding companies currently looking for more hog growers in Nebraska.  All would utilize large, environmentally hazardous CAFO operations.  

What this means is an unprecedented amount of CAFOs are coming to Nebraska in a short amount of time.  With further weakened regulations Nebraska’s rural residents have no process to protect themselves.  LB 227 is an unprecedented overreach by industrial agriculture to strip rights from adjoining landowners by granting nuisance immunity to CAFO owners.   



Iowa Farm Bureau unites farming neighbors, friends with online exchange to help Iowa flood victims

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest grassroots farm organization, launched the Farming Community Disaster Exchange where Iowans can offer help to those impacted by the floods or to seek assistance. The online exchange, which can be found at IowaFarmBureau.com/floods, is a place where Iowans can offer goods and services to those who need it most.

“As Iowans fight their way through this $2 billion devastation, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open, and that’s what we are offering through our online exchange,” says IFBF President Craig Hill.   “We’ve had calls from around the country from folks willing to donate goods and services. This exchange is a way to connect those people with farmers and Iowans in need impacted by the floods. It’s not just what they need right now, such as assistance for clean-up, hay for their livestock or fresh water for their homes if their wells were contaminated.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), flooding may peak again once snow melts make their way down river, and other needs such as sump pumps or heavy excavation equipment to move sand off their flooded fields may also be needed.  We hope the Exchange will be the place where Iowans and others come together to help each other.”

The latest damage estimates from IFBF crop experts show the areas impacted are more extensive than the 2011 Missouri River flooding, where more than 127,000 crop acres were lost.

This year’s planting challenges may not be the only thing impacting agriculture.  “Iowa livestock farmers are also having a tough time navigating flood-damaged roads to feed their animals or to take them to market.  Maybe their trucks got stuck in the mud or their tractors got damaged from floods.  All these challenges can also be opportunities for Iowans to embrace the ‘see a need/fill a need’ approach, which will help us all get through this,” says Hill.



Apply for NFU's Beginning Farmer Institute

Applications for National Farmers Union's (NFU's) 2019-20 Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) cohort are open through April 15. BFI is a free training program that prepares beginning farmers of all ages and operation types for a successful future in agriculture.

NFU Beginning Farmer Institute participants will attend three in-person learning sessions over the course of the year, one each in Washington, D.C., Northern California, and Savannah, Georgia. The sessions include farm tours as well as seminars on a variety of beginning farmers issues, such as business planning, USDA programs, and accounting. Each year's curriculum will be tailored to the participants' needs as determined by a pre-attendance survey.

A typical session is four to six days long. NFU will cover the majority of the remaining costs of the NFU Beginning Farmer Institute including travel, lodging, and most meals during the event. NFU's expectation is to have each institute graduate become an inspiration to and actively mentor similar individuals in their area, or to become candidates for local boards and other community opportunities. NFU plans to provide ongoing support to participants after they return to their farms.

There is no age limit for the BFI program -- anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to apply. Applicants should be currently farming or planning on starting within the next year. You do not need to be a member of National Farmers Union or a state Farmers Union to apply.

Learn more about the program, past attendees, and apply to the NFU Beginning Farmer Institute at: nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute/.

If you have any additional questions, please contact Emma Lindberg elindberg@nfudc.org



New Study Exposes Absurdity of NWF Land Use Change Claims

A new study published in the academic journal Biomass and Bioenergy exposes the fatal methodological flaws and erroneous conclusions regarding biofuels and land use change (LUC) found in recent studies paid for by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). In addition, the new analysis found that U.S. biofuels expansion has not caused a detectable increase in the U.S. food prices.

“The real-world data showed no evidence of food price increases or other lands converting to agriculture because of biofuel,” according to the study, which was conducted by scientists at the University of Idaho and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The research was funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and USDA Office of the Chief Economist.

The new analysis found that the type of satellite data relied upon by NWF is error-prone, unreliable, and “misleading.” According to the report, “The automated [satellite] land use classification errors were biased towards classifying ambiguous land as agriculture.”

Specifically, the authors manually inspected actual land uses to see if the satellite imagery used by NWF correctly classified the land use. The researchers found that 10.9% of actual non-agricultural land was misclassified as agricultural land by the satellite data. Further, while automated classification using the satellite data showed an 8.53% increase in agricultural land from 2011-2015, the manual classification indicated no significant land use change at all.

“The use of satellite data is prone to error in classifying certain land uses, such as distinguishing between cropland used to grow hay, and pasture land for grazing…Although an automated satellite image classification provides a convenient way to quantify land use change, the results could be misleading if not carefully verified,” the authors explained.

As an example of the problems associated with relying on satellite data for land use change analysis, the paper includes a captivating image showing how satellite tools mistakenly characterized large tracts of urban housing in Lemoore, Calif., as “cropland.”

The CropScape satellite data tool characterized the yellow areas as “cropland” in 2015, when aerial photography clearly shows the area is in the middle of urban or suburban housing.

“This latest analysis joins a growing body of real-world evidence showing that cropland area has continued to shrink and food prices have continued to trend lower since the Renewable Fuel Standard was adopted,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Recent studies from University of Illinois, USDA, Iowa State University, Purdue University, the Department of Energy, and others have all found that initial predictions of biofuel-related land use change were grossly overstated. Actual empirical evidence shows that farmers have responded to increased demand by using existing cropland more efficiently.”



Montana is Latest State to Regulate Lab Grown Meat Labels

Another state has made the decision to ban lab-grown food from being labeled as meat. Rep. Alan Redfield of Montana sponsored the 'Real Meat Act,' which has passed the state's House and Senate and now goes to Gov. Steven Bullock for his signature.

Missouri became the first state to ban the labeling of such products in 2018. Other states with similar rules on the books include Arkansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The National Conference of State Legislatures is tracking legislative action on the state level to regulate lab-grown meat alternatives. At the federal level, USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services have agreed to a joint regulatory framework for the lab products.



Pesticide Industry Leaders Discuss Innovation, Sustainability at 2019 CropLife America & RISE Regulatory Conference

This week, more than 400 leaders from the pesticide industry gathered to discuss innovation, sustainability and the role of regulation at the 2019 CropLife America and RISE Regulatory Conference. This year’s conference programming featured experts addressing issues that ranged from the importance of risk-based regulation to pollinator health to the importance of communicating science in an approachable way to consumers and allies.

"Each year, we have the opportunity to hear from the scientists who drive agricultural innovation. These innovations will help us enhance food safety, increase productivity and sustainability, and protect human health,” said Chris Novak, president and CEO of CropLife America (CLA). "By providing a forum that allows scientists and regulators to understand the benefits of these innovations, we are hopeful that we can maintain an efficient regulatory process that strengthens consumer confidence in our pesticide products.”

“Once again at this year’s conference, we’ve seen strong corporate and academic commitment to developing solutions to pest challenges here in the U.S. and around the world,” said Aaron Hobbs, president of RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment)®. “The full stakeholder chain, including regulators, is dedicated to developing the most effective and precise products possible through cutting-edge science. An efficient and transparent regulatory process ensures we can continue to advance specialty pesticide products that protect our homes, our places of work and all the public spaces we enjoy.”

Since 2009, the Regulatory Conference has provided a forum to discuss the evolving science and regulation behind crop protection and specialty pesticide products. Each year, interactive sessions encourage open discussion among industry, stakeholders and federal regulators about the issues facing the crop protection and specialty pesticide industries. The Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology, the premier advocate for agricultural adjuvant and inert ingredient suppliers, joined the conference this year as a co-host.