Wednesday April 17 Ag News

Performances in West Point and Norfolk focus on farmland transfer

Who’s going to get the farm? And what are they going to do with it? Will your future plans for your land create harmony or strife for your family? Or have you even started to think that far ahead?

“Map of My Kingdom,” a play focusing on farmland transfer, will be presented on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at West Point Community Theater, 237 N. Main St., in West Point, Nebraska. A second performance will take place on Thursday, May 9, at 7 p.m. at Cox Activity Center Theater on Northeast Community College campus, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., in Norfolk, Nebraska. Admission is free, hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and Northeast Community College Foundation.

The drama tackling land transition is by Mary Swander, and commissioned by Practical Farmers of Iowa. In the play, a lawyer and mediator share stories of how farmers and landowners approach land successions.

“We hope this play will inspire the hesitant and the fearful to start the conversation that cannot wait,” said Sandra Renner, project associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “In the next 10 to 15 years, a tremendous amount of land transfer will take place as the average age of Nebraska farmers is around 56.4 years old.”

The featured actor is Lindsay Bauer, a theatre educator from northwest Iowa. An audience discussion will follow the performance with Dave Goeller, retired deputy director of North Central Risk Management Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

These are the final performances in a series of four in Nebraska and six in Iowa. The Iowa performances were co-hosted by the Practical Farmers of Iowa.



Funds Available to Plant Severe Weather Damaged Acres to Cover Crops

To help manage cropland damaged by Nebraska’s severe spring weather, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing funds to plant cover crops on cropland acres. Producers are encouraged to apply by May 17, 2019, or June 21, 2019 at their local USDA Service Center.

Nebraska NRCS State Conservationist Craig Derickson said, “This funding will address resource concerns like erosion and water quality, resulting directly from the March 2019 severe weather damage on cropland acres. Cover crops are an excellent way to provide protection to cropland after conservation work has been completed.  Cover crops can stabilize the soil and improve soil health.”

This funding is available statewide in order to assist the widespread recovery work on cropland acres directly impacted by the severe weather in March.  The highest priority cropland includes land which is unable to be planted with a cash crop and/or harvested in 2019.

Cover crops prevent erosion, improve soil’s physical and biological properties, supply nutrients, suppress weeds, improve the availability of soil water, and break pest cycles along with various other benefits. Cover crops can also potentially be grazed.

Work currently being done to maintain conservation structures as well as sediment removal, debris removal or grading and reshaping can be stabilized and protected from further erosion and damage by planting a cover crop.

Derickson said, “For Nebraska’s cropland that suffered significant damage, planting a cover crop can be a great way to help protect fields and help restore productivity.”

For more information, visit NRCS at a USDA Service Center, or visit www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov. 



Nebraska Coalition Says “WOTUS Rule” Replacement A Step in the Right Direction

After battling against the Obama era Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2015 “Waters of the U.S.” rule (WOTUS), a wide-ranging, Nebraska-based coalition is offering support for a revised clean water rule offered by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers. The agencies were obligated to make changes to the WOTUS proposal in response to a 2017 Presidential Executive Order. The Common Sense Nebraska coalition offered support for the new proposal in comments submitted to the agencies April 15.

“This new proposal addresses many of the concerns our coalition partners had with the 2015 WOTUS rule. It is clearly a step in the right direction for all those who would have been impacted by the federal overreach of the previous proposal,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president on behalf of the Common Sense Nebraska coalition.

Specific improvements noted by the coalition in comments included the agencies recognition that the Clean Water Act does not authorize the agencies to federally regulate every water body and waterway in the United States. The new proposal recognizes the original intent of Congress that federal regulations apply to permanent flowing and standing waterbodies that are traditionally navigable waters or have a specific connection to traditional navigable waters, as well as wetlands abutting or having a direct hydrological surface connection to those waters.

The proposal also recognizes an individual state’s right to regulate and co-implement protections for state waters under the Clean Water Act. Congress recognized that certain water bodies are important to the nation as a whole but other waters should be managed by the states. The 2015 WOTUS Rule in many ways failed to appropriately recognize the rights of individual states.

Lastly, the revised proposed rule offers greater clarity and certainty through clear definitions regarding which waters are subject to Clean Water Act jurisdictions through the elimination of case-by-case “significant nexus” testing. This method of determining whether a water or waterway was subject to federal regulation often added both considerable time and added costs for those seeking to identify their regulatory obligations under the Clean Water Act.

“While the coalition offered broad support for the revised clean water rule, we also offered suggestions for improvement,” said Nelson.

One of the key areas for adjustment lies in the definition of “traditional navigable waters.” In comments, the coalition urged the agencies to limit the definition of traditional navigable waters to those waters which are used to transport interstate or foreign commerce, as consistent with the federal Rivers and Harbors Act jurisdiction. The coalition believes the change is needed to tighten up the overly broad definition in the proposal.

Other areas the coalition noted as needing improvement include how the agencies define “intermittent” tributaries, elimination of provisions that could be interpreted to having all ditches subject to Clean Water Act regulations, as well as improvements of the definition of “wetlands.”

“We believe our recommendations will help in this rulemaking process by eliminate ambiguities, that if not addressed, could make their way into the final rule and lead to more conflicts into the future,” said Nelson.

Common Sense Nebraska is a Nebraska-based coalition consisting of organizations and entities that have come together in response to EPA’s “Waters of the U.S.” proposal which would harm both rural and urban Nebraskans through expansion of EPA’s powers and authorities under the federal Clean Water Act. The coalition’s purpose is to build awareness and understanding of the EPA proposal and the impacts it would have on Nebraskans.

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



NePPA Announces Participants in the 2019 Pork Leadership Program

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to welcome participants in the 2019 Pork Leadership Program. Participants in the 2019 Pork Leadership Program are:

Aaron Holliday of Columbus, with Pillen Family Farms provides oversight to five nursery barns and six finishing barns, totaling 78,000 pigs.

Allison Zabel of Papillion, with PIC, works as a Customer Service Specialist to enter orders, organize transportation and provide support for customers.

Joel Kaelin, with DNA Genetics, is the lead officer for the Fairbury Nucleus, managing growth of pigs from farrow to finish.

Zachary Lubeck of Omaha, with Quality Pork International, works to negotiate raw materials prices and manage relationships with suppliers.

The 2019 Pork Leadership Program is comprised of four talented professionals. Each participant shares unique experiences that shape their perspective based on their particular career path as well as their personal involvements and interests.

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will participate in six meetings and activities over the course of a year, where they will learn about various aspects of the pork and agriculture industries.

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will learn more about:
 ·    Current and diverse pork production methods
 ·    Current research efforts to improve pork production as it relates to overall pig health and well-being
 ·    Current domestic issues and their impacts on the pork industry as it relates to economics and trade
 ·    Current policy and regulations being developed on the local, state, and national levels

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will:
 ·    Interact with the general public and elected leaders and will serve as positive advocates for the pork industry
 ·    Define their personal leadership style and know how to work with different leadership styles in a group
 ·    Develop a working knowledge of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and other key organizations that agriculture groups can work with to broaden perspectives and build coalitions

The Pork Leadership Program was created to build awareness, interest, and involvement in the pork industry. Members will further develop their skills as leaders and will naturally emerge as the next wave of active and engaged members of committees and board members at the local, state, and national levels.



HEUERMANN LECTURE TO FOCUS ON WATER MANAGEMENT FOR FOOD SECURITY

Mark Rosegrant, research fellow emeritus at the International Food Policy Research Institute, will discuss managing water and agriculture for sustainable food security during the next Heuermann Lecture on April 30.

The free lecture, sponsored by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will be at 5 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive.

With a doctorate in public policy from the University of Michigan, Rosegrant has extensive experience researching and analyzing policy related to agriculture, economic development and the world's future food security. He focuses on water resources and other issues that influence rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability. Rosegrant is the author or editor of 15 books and more than 100 refereed papers in agricultural economics, water resources and food-policy analysis. He has won numerous awards and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

The lecture is in conjunction with the annual Water for Food Global Conference, which will convene leading international experts and organizations to discuss “Water for a Hungry World: Innovation in Water and Food Security,” focusing on the next generation of research, smart technology, policy development and best practices that are achieving breakthroughs in this vitally important mission. The conference is organized by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska.

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

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



Nominate Your Neighbors for the 2019 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Department of Natural Resources Acting Director Bruce Trautman invite Iowans to nominate families in their communities for the Farm Environmental Leader Award. Farmers who voluntarily take actions, like planting cover crops or installing conservation infrastructure in their fields, are eligible for the award.

Farmers that are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and incorporated best management practices into their farming operation. As true stewards of the land, they recognize that improved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream.

“Iowa farmers do an incredible job feeding and fueling the world in a way that’s sustainable and acknowledges important conservation practices,” said Gov. Reynolds. “They go above and beyond improving water quality and soil sustainability which serves as a model for others to follow.”

“I commend the farmers who have implemented conservation practices that help us achieve the goals outlined in the Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” said Secretary Naig. “The award recipients are leading by example and helping preserve Iowa farm land for the next generation.”

“It is always gratifying to be able to recognize the farmers who are voluntarily leading the way when it comes to protecting our land and waters,” said DNR Acting-Director Trautman. “Being conscientious of our natural resources will ensure a rich legacy for future generations.”

Nominations are due by June 15, 2019. An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners. The recipients will be recognized on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the Iowa State Fair.

Since the creation of the award in 2012, more than 500 farm families have been recognized. Winners are presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Bayer. The nomination form, a list of previous awardees and other information can be found at iowaagriculture.gov/farm-environmental-leader-awards.



Innovative Consortium Reduces Post-Harvest Loss and Food Waste

Food loss and waste is a global problem that negatively impacts the bottom line of businesses and farmers, wastes limited resources and damages the environment. The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), The Rockefeller Foundation and Iowa State University today launched the Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss and Food Waste Reduction at the 2019 Iowa International Outreach Symposium. Through this consortium, thought leaders and experts from across the globe will work in tandem with industry and nonprofit organizations to address social, economic and environmental impacts from food loss and waste.

“Feeding a growing global population demands innovation at all levels — from planting to processing to consumption. This consortium will help farmers across the globe use technology to continue using resources efficiently,” said Sally Rockey, FFAR’s executive director. “Optimizing food production practices is critical for ensuring that farmers are profitable, food is plentiful and accessible, and the environment is preserved.” 

Due to the volume of food that is moved globally, food loss and waste affects producers, manufacturers, distributors and end-users. More than 40 percent of fruits and vegetables in developing regions spoil before they can be consumed. These goods include mangoes, avocadoes, pineapples, cocoa, and bananas, many of which are exported to the United States. This loss negatively impacts the bottom line for farmers, who are not compensated for their products. Consumers then don’t have access to these popular foods. Additionally, food waste forces farmers to use precious natural resources producing food that either never makes it to the supermarket or is otherwise thrown out by consumers due to quality issues, creating a significant drain on environmental resources. 

In 2016, The Rockefeller Foundation launched the YieldWise Initiative aimed at reducing both food loss in developing nations like Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania, and food waste in developed markets like the United States. In sub-Saharan Africa, YieldWise provides farmers with access to segmented markets, technologies and solutions that curb preventable crop loss and facilitates training that helps them solidify buyer agreements with markets in African communities.

“To nourish, sustainably, nearly 10 billion people by 2050, we must implement a menu of solutions that simultaneously shift diets toward plant-based foods, close the yield gap, and reduce food loss and waste,” said Rafael Flor, Director, Food, The Rockefeller Foundation. “This is paramount to meeting both the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 12. Failing to reduce food loss and waste will make the challenge of achieving a sustainable food future significantly more difficult.”

Food loss and waste highlights the inefficiencies in our food system. According to the FAO*, nearly 1.3 billion tons of food—costing roughly $940 billion—are either lost or wasted yearly, generating about 8 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. Food is lost more at the consumption stage in higher-income countries, while more food is lost at handling and storage stages in lower-income regions.

This consortium will work collaboratively to develop a scalable approach for adoption of the YieldWise model and provide farmers with cost-effective strategies and technologies that link their crop supply to the market demand. This will allow farmers to gain more value from their crops and become more profitable, while also stimulating local economic growth and improving the resiliency of rural communities.

“Our consortium approach will build academic and entrepreneurial capacity of the next generation by engaging researchers and students in multi-national, multi-disciplinary teams in the project identification, planning, and execution phases together with professionals from the private and public sectors,” said Dirk Maier, a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University and the consortium director. 

FFAR is contributing $2.78 million for this three-year project, which partner organizations from around the world are matching for a $5.56 million project budget. Participating institutions include The Rockefeller Foundation, Iowa State University, USA; University of Maryland, USA; Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands; Zamorano University, Honduras; University of São Paulo, Brazil; Stellenbosch University, South Africa; University of Nairobi, Kenya; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana; and the Volcani Center, Israel.



Fertilizer Prices Steady as Application Ramps Up

Though fertilizer applications have begun to ramp up in some areas of the Corn Belt, average retail prices saw only small moves in either direction the second week of April 2019, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.

Prices for five of the eight major fertilizers were slightly higher than a month ago. Potash had an average price of $387 per ton, urea $404/ton, 10-34-0 $481/ton, UAN28 $271/ton and UAN32 $317/ton.

Average prices for the other three fertilizers were slightly lower. DAP had an average price of $505/ton, MAP $532/ton and anhydrous $592/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 5% more expensive, DAP is 6% higher, both urea and potash are 10% more expensive, both 10-34-0 and UAN28 are 13% higher and anhydrous and UAN32 are now both 16% more expensive compared to last year.



CORN FARMER ENGAGEMENT ON WATER QUALITY CONTINUES TO GROW

State and national corn staff gathered in Kansas City, MO this week for their bi-annual Eleven State Water Quality Meeting.

The meeting brings together National Corn Growers Association staff and state corn staff representing Illinois, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio.

The group received updates on programs and issues like Water of the U.S. (WOTUS), atrazine reregistration, monarch education and outreach, nutrient management and Farm Bill Conservation Title opportunities.

During the two-day meeting, participants shared lessons learned from state policy efforts and innovative agricultural nutrients and water quality efforts. The nuts and bolts portion of the meeting covered topics such as: assessing current water quality initiatives; costs and benefits of current practices; educating key thought leaders and the public regarding progress in the industry; and farm bill proposals opportunities to expand water quality efforts.

Participants will also be meeting with representatives of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and The Nature Conservancy as the meeting continues through tomorrow.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 4/12/2019

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending April 12, ethanol production increased 15,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 1.4%, to an average of 1.016 million barrels per day (b/d), equivalent to 42.67 million gallons daily. The four-week average ethanol production rate ticked up 0.3% to 998,000 b/d—equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.30 billion gallons. It remains 3.1% behind the year-ago level.

Stocks of ethanol declined for the third straight week, decreasing 2.2% to 22.7 million barrels, the lowest level since October. Stocks declined in all regions (PADDs) except the West Coast, where they rebounded by 384,000 barrels to the highest level in four weeks.

There were no imports reported by EIA for the 22nd week in a row. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of February 2019.)

After spiking upward last week, the volume of gasoline supplied to the market fell 3.9% to 9.420 million b/d (395.6 million gallons per day, or 144.41 billion gallons annualized). Still, this was the third-highest weekly rate in 2019. Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol continued to strengthen, rising 0.5% to 924,000 b/d—equivalent to 14.16 billion gallons annualized. This was the highest utilization rate this year, and the four-week average was 1.3% above the comparable period in 2018.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production rebounded to 10.79%.




February U.S. Ethanol Export Market Softens but Remains Robust; Distillers Grains Exports Dip to 6-Year Low
Ann Lewis, Research Analyst, Renewable Fuels Assoc.
   
U.S. ethanol exports totaled 113.8 million gallons (mg) in February, according to government data released this morning and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). This reflects an 11.0% decline from January. However, global sales remain healthy as average exports over the past four months are 25% greater than the comparable period a year ago.

Brazil was our top trading partner for the third straight month, purchasing 36.2 mg—nearly a third of all U.S. ethanol shipments, despite a 6% trim from January. Exports to Canada declined by 15% to 17.0 mg, dropping 40% over the span of two months. India also pared its U.S. ethanol imports to 15.0 mg, down 25%. These three markets accounted for two-thirds of all shipments in February. Other significant importers include Oman (9.2 mg), South Korea (8.4 mg), and the Philippines (7.5 mg).

February exports of U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol thinned by 2.4% to 67.9 mg. Over half the shipments (36.2 mg) were destined for Brazil, a 6% decline. India increased its offtake by 4% to 9.7 mg. Sales to the Philippines (7.3 mg), Spain (5.6 mg), and Colombia (3.4 mg) were notably high.

American producers exported 41.1 mg of denatured fuel ethanol in February, 23% under prior month sales. U.S. shipments to Canada declined by 16% to 15.9 mg, which was enough to capture nearly 40% of the U.S. market. Intermittent partner Oman purchased 9.2 mg and Peru scaled up its offtake by 42% at 5.3 mg. India (5.3 mg, -51%) and South Korea (5.1 mg, -10%) were other notable buyers. The Philippines and Jamaica were absent from the U.S. marketplace.

The global market for U.S. ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage purposes remained on par with January volumes at 4.8 mg. Nearly all exports landed in Nigeria (3.5 mg denatured) and Canada.

February was absent of any fuel ethanol imports for the second straight month.

Exports of U.S. dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry mill ethanol plants—slid 15.0% to 686,005 metric tons (mt) in February. This marks the smallest monthly volume of DDGS to ship in six years (since March 2013), with cuts in exported volumes felt across the globe. Shipments to Mexico decreased 19% from record January volumes to 162,032 mt, landing fairly close to recent averages. South Korea (87,077 mt, -3%), Indonesia (75,134 mt, -17%), and Vietnam (73,377 mt, -18%) were other significant markets.



U.S. Beef, Poultry and Egg Products Gain New Market Access in Tunisia

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the government of Tunisia and the United States have finalized U.S. export certificates to allow imports of U.S. beef, poultry, and egg products into Tunisia.  This announcement follows meetings between U.S. and Tunisian officials on the safety and wholesomeness of U.S. beef, poultry, and egg products.

“President Trump continues to prioritize the opening of new markets for U.S. agricultural products, and we welcome Tunisia’s agreement to begin imports of U.S. beef, poultry, and egg products,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “New access to the Tunisian market is an important step in ensuring that American farmers and ranchers can continue to expand their exports of U.S. agricultural products.”

“I'm convinced that when the Tunisians get a taste of U.S. beef, poultry, and eggs, they're going to want more. These products coming into Tunisia are safe, wholesome, and very delicious,” said Secretary Perdue. “At the direction of President Trump, USDA remains committed to opening up new markets across the globe. While we continue to supply Tunisia’s domestic animal proteins sector with quality U.S. grains and oilseeds, I have no doubt that U.S. beef, poultry, and eggs will only help increase competitiveness and consumer choice within Tunisia.”

In 2018, U.S. exports of agricultural products to Tunisia exceeded $264 million. Over 90 percent of exports were corn, soybeans, or corn and soy products.  Initial estimates are that Tunisia would import annually $5-10 million of beef, poultry, and egg products from the United States, with additional growth over time.



NMPF Endorses EPA WOTUS Proposal, Praising Clarity and Certainty

The National Milk Producers Federation endorsed the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S. rule, a proposal meant to provide clarity and certainty about the waterways subject to regulation under the federal Clean Water Act. Released in February 2019, the EPA proposal was a response to the ill-fated 2015 WOTUS rule that has been mired in litigation.

NMPF urged the EPA in 2014 to rethink WOTUS, citing its many ambiguities and uncertainties. A subsequent NMPF analysis showed that the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ proposal did not meet the requirements of various Supreme Court rulings that were the catalyst for the 2015 regulation.

NMPF expressed strong support for the basic jurisdictional line EPA made around intermittent and more significant waters as being within the regulatory power of the United States. NMPF believes this line accurately reflects the U.S. Constitution, statutes, and court decisions interpreting the law.

“Clean water is essential to milk production, and the dairy industry is very willing to work with EPA to protect U.S. waters,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “EPA’s latest draft provides the clarity and certainty we were seeking in 2014 around which waterways fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. While it has taken five years, we are grateful EPA has redrafted the WOTUS regulations.”

NMPF submitted 22 pages of comments on the EPA regulation for when farmers must seek Clean Water Act permits for a long list of normal farming activities near wetlands. While the WOTUS proposal did address many long-standing concerns, NMPF offered some additional points of clarity in other areas to further improve the proposal.