Monday October 28 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending October 27, 2019, there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 14 short, 83 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 10 short, 86 adequate, and 4 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 20 fair, 56 good, and 16 excellent. Corn mature was 97 percent, near 100 last year and 99 for the five-year average. Harvested was 44 percent, near 45 last year, and behind 50 average.

Soybeans harvested was 85 percent, ahead of 71 last year, and near 84 average.

Winter wheat condition rated 3 percent very poor, 8 poor, 28 fair, 48 good, and 13 excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 92 percent, near 88 last year and 91 average.

Sorghum condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 20 fair, 62 good, and 11 excellent. Sorghum harvested was 41 percent, behind 57 both last year and average.

Dry edible beans harvested was 93 percent.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 19 fair, 63 good, and 14 excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Harvest progressed across Iowa as farmers had 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 27, 2019, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included harvesting soybeans and corn for grain, spreading manure, applying anhydrous and baling corn stalks.

Topsoil moisture condition was rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition was rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus.

Ninety-five percent of the corn crop has reached maturity, nearly 2 weeks behind average. Twenty-six percent of the crop has been harvested for grain, 8 days behind last year and 11 days behind average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 21 percent. Corn condition rated 67 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of the soybean crop has begun dropping leaves or beyond, 10 days behind average. Sixty-six percent of the crop has been harvested, equal to last year but 6 days behind average.

Most of the State’s pasture regrowth has gone dormant with cooler temperatures this past week. Pasture condition rated 48 percent good to excellent. Mud continues to be an issue in feedlots and some livestock have struggled with temperature fluctuations.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The U.S. row-crop harvest remains the slowest it's been in a decade, according to USDA NASS' latest Crop Progress report released Monday.

Nationwide, corn harvest progressed 11 percentage points last week to reach 41% as of Sunday, 20 percentage points behind the five-year average of 61% and falling further behind the average pace than the previous week when harvest was 17 percentage points behind the five-year average. The pace of this year's corn harvest remains the slowest since 2009 when only 20% of corn was harvested as of Oct. 25.

The condition of corn still in fields was rated 58% good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from 56% the previous week. The poor-to-very-poor category declined to just 12% from 14% the previous week.

Soybean harvest moved ahead 16 percentage points last week to reach 62% as of Sunday. That was 16 percentage points behind the five-year average of 78%, a slight improvement from last Monday's report, when harvest was running 18 percentage points behind average. As with corn, the pace of this year's soybean harvest remains the slowest since 2009 when 44% of the crop was harvested as of Oct. 25.

While row-crop harvest remained behind the average pace, winter wheat progress stayed near, to slightly ahead of, the average pace last week. As of Sunday, 85% of winter wheat was planted, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 82%. Winter wheat emerged was estimated at 63%, near the five-year average of 64%.

In its first condition rating for the 2020 winter wheat crop, NASS estimated 56% of winter wheat was in good-to-excellent condition, 3 percentage points better than last year's rating of 53% good to excellent at the same time of year.

Sorghum mature was estimated at 96%, ahead of the average of 94%. Sorghum harvested reached 65%, also ahead of the five-year average of 62%.

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Extension, FSA to Host Farm Bill Education Meetings Across Nebraska in November, December

Nebraska Extension and USDA Farm Service Agency in Nebraska will host a series of Farm Bill education meetings over the next two months to assist producers as they begin to make farm-bill related program decisions. The 2018 Farm Bill, signed into law last December, reauthorized the existing Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net programs that were in the 2014 Farm Bill, however producers will need to make new program enrollment decisions over the coming months.

While the ARC and PLC programs under the new farm bill remain very similar to the previous farm bill, a few program changes coupled with changes in market conditions and outlook could significantly impact producer decisions.

“These meetings will help producers understand the programs and recent changes, as well as the decisions to be made at sign-up now and in the coming years,” said Nancy Johner, State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Nebraska. “There are some changes, such as an optional PLC program yield update, and other tweaks to the ARC and PLC programs that producers should consider as they make their selections.”

“Producers face a familiar choice between ARC and PLC, but under very different circumstances now as compared to 2014,” said Brad Lubben, Policy Specialist with Nebraska Extension. “Understanding the program mechanics, analysis and available decision tools will help producers make sound enrollment decisions with FSA.”

The joint Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Farm Service Agency producer education meetings are scheduled at 28 locations across the state from late November to mid-December in advance of the coming ARC/PLC enrollment deadlines in early 2020.

The meetings are all free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged for planning purposes for materials and facilities. Attendees can register for any of the meetings conveniently on the web at farmbill.unl.edu or by calling or visiting their county FSA or Extension office. The educational programs are each set to run three hours in length, featuring information and insight from FSA specialists and Extension experts, as well as other relevant information from local agencies.

The meetings are available statewide with several locations in each region of the state. The tentative schedule is as follows:

Northeast
Bloomfield - Community Center - December 2, 1:30-4:30 PM
Columbus - Ag Park - December 4, 9 AM-12 NOON
O'Neill - Community Center - December 3, 9 AM-12 NOON
Norfolk - Northeast Community College Lifelong Learning Center - December 18, 1-4 PM
Wayne - Wayne Fire Hall - December 16, (2 meetings) 1-4 PM or 6-9 PM
West Point - Nielsen Center - December 9, 9 AM-12 NOON

East Central
Grand Island - College Park Fonner Park Room - December 5, 1-4 PM
Mead – UNL Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center - December 3, 9 AM-12 NOON
Scribner - Dodge County Fairgrounds Mohr Auditorium - December 11, 9 AM-12 NOON
York - York County Fairgrounds Cornerstone Building - December 6, 9 AM-12 NOON
 
Southeast
Beatrice - Gage County Fairgrounds 4-H Building – December 17, 9 AM-12 NOON
Bruning - Bruning Opera House - December 5, 1:30-4:30 PM
Humboldt - Ag Building – December 12, 9 AM-12 NOON
*Lincoln - Lancaster County Extension Center - December 16, 9 AM-12 NOON
Red Cloud - Community Center - November 25, 1-4 PM
Weeping Water - Cass County Fairgrounds - December 3, 9 AM-12 NOON

Southwest/Central
Broken Bow - Custer County Fairgrounds - December 16, 1-4 PM
Imperial - Chase County Fairgrounds 4-H Building - November 26, 1:30-4:30 PM
Kearney - Buffalo County Fairgrounds Antelope Meeting Room - December 17, 1-4 PM
Lexington - Dawson County Fairgrounds Extension Meeting Room - December 2, 1-4 PM
McCook - Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building - December 3, 1:30-4:30 PM
North Platte - UNL West Central Research and Extension Center - December 18, 1:30-4:30 PM
Ord - Valley County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall - December 4, 1-4 PM

Panhandle/North Central
Ainsworth – Ainsworth Lutheran Church - December 16, 2-5 PM
Bridgeport - Prairie Winds Community Center - November 22, 2-5 PM
Chadron - Chadron State College – December 17, 1:30-4:30 PM
Ogallala - Keith County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall - December 12, 1-4 PM
Valentine - Mid Plains Community College - December 16, 9 AM-12 NOON

Please check the website for updates on locations, dates and times. All times are local with registration beginning 30 minutes ahead of start. Several additional meetings also are being planned locally across the state in various locations. Keep alert to additional opportunities and details as they are developed by checking the website for information or by contacting your county Extension or FSA office. *Please note the date for the Lincoln meeting is Dec. 16, which is a correction from a previously published date for that meeting.

There also are resources available online that can educate producers in their ARC/PLC decision-making process. Links to these resources are available from FSA at www.fsa.usda.gov/ne under the Spotlights section or from Extension at farmbill.unl.edu.



THE FOOD PROCESSING CENTER CAN HELP FOOD MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEURS

The Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a program that can help aspiring food manufacturing entrepreneurs realize their dream. The program is ideal for individuals interested in starting a food business, someone wanting to bring a family recipe to the marketplace, a producer considering adding value to an agricultural product, or a restaurateur or chef exploring the marketing of a house specialty.

The National Food Entrepreneur Program was designed specifically to assist food manufacturing entrepreneurs throughout the country. After coming up with their idea potential entrepreneurs start by attending the Recipe to Reality one-day seminar. Topics include market research, product development, packaging, labeling, pricing, product introduction, promotional materials, food safety, and business structure issues.

“In one day entrepreneurs will gain valuable insight on the basics of starting a food business that could take them months or even years to research on their own. Following the seminar, participants may choose to enter the Product to Profit phase of the program which provides a more individualized and comprehensive level of assistance,” explained program manager, Jill Gifford.

The first seminar in 2020 will be presented on January 25. Early registration for seminars is encouraged due to limited space. To receive a National Food Entrepreneur Program information packet and registration form please contact: Jill Gifford, Food Processing Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 228 Food Innovation Center, Lincoln, NE 68588-6206. Those interested may also call (402) 472-2819, e-mail jgifford1@unl.edu, or visit https://fpc.unl.edu/.



'Table of Experts' open to aspiring food business owners

Aspiring food business owners are invited to a free panel discussion on Monday, Nov. 4, in Columbus. This event will be presented in both Spanish and English, and is sponsored by the Center for Rural Affairs.

“Table of Experts: Food Business Panel Discussion” will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Centro Hispano Comunitario de Nebraska, 3020 18th St., Suite #7, in Columbus, Nebraska.

“Explore turning your food business dream into your own catering business, restaurant, food truck, or bakery,” said Vicky Espinoza, Center for Rural Affairs project assistant. “During this discussion, you will hear from a food business owner, and about local resources to support those who would like to open their own business."

Topics on the agenda include start-up planning, regulations, licensing and inspection, and funding and taxes.

To register, contact Espinoza at 402.687.2100 ext. 1038 or vickye@cfra.org.

Visit cfra.org/events for more information. This project is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant.



Farm Bill Meetings Planned across Iowa

In order to help Iowans understand their options under the 2018 Farm Bill, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is planning meetings across the state.

More than 50 informational meetings will be held, beginning Nov. 12 in Grinnell, with a focus on explaining the different farm bill titles and programs that pertain to each part of the state. The meeting series stretches through the winter for landowners and producers to attend now, or following harvest, at a location that is convenient for them.

The agenda is similar at all meetings, and will include ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialists and family life specialists, and local Farm Service Agency representatives.

“Producers should attend to gain a better understanding of the changes to these programs and determine the path that best fits their farm operation under the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Ann Johanns, program specialist in economics with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This is a chance to hear the program specifics and get answers to any questions they may have from regional experts.”

The 2018 Farm Bill allows producers to choose from the same crop price protection programs as found in the 2014 Farm Bill. However, unlike the previous bill, which limited their program selection for all five years, the new farm bill allows producers to make a two-year decision by March 15, 2020, and also to change this selection beginning in 2021.

The basic choices are Price Loss Coverage and Agriculture Risk Coverage (at the individual and county levels). A producer’s choice will depend on their annual national cash price expectation, and the farm or county yields where the farm is located.

“Our goal is to give an overview of the things that are included in the 2018 Farm Bill and which of the three roads a producer might wish to go down,” said Kelvin Leibold, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

According to Leibold and Johanns, farmers in general are entering this farm bill with more financial stress and less operating capital than in 2014, when commodity prices were still high.

The financial stress has the potential to impact the future of the farm, and the health of the operator.

The extension family life specialist at each meeting will present “Stress on the Farm: Strategies to Help Each Other,” a 40-minute scenario-based suicide prevention training that reviews the risk factors and warning signs of suicide.

While the farm bill is only one layer of risk protection, its programs are especially important this year.

“I think it’s more important now than ever that one tries to manage risk by understanding what these farm programs might do for them,” Leibold said.

Meetings include:

Thursday, December 5, 2019
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM,   Logan Community Center, Logan/Harrison County

Thursday, December 19, 2019
    5:00 PM - 8:00 PM  ISU Extension and Outreach Plymouth County, Le Mars/Plymouth County
         call Janelle Johnson, 712-546-7835 or email janelle@iastate.edu. 

A complete listing of farm bill meetings is available on the Ag Decision Maker Farm Bill website as well as the ISU Extension and Outreach statewide calendar.



Ag Chemical Dealer Meetings to Provide Timely Updates

This year’s Ag Chemical Dealer meetings will provide the latest information on crop production products and recommendations, at two meetings sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Meetings Dec. 17 in Coralville and Dec. 18 in Ames are opportunities for ag input providers to meet with extension specialists to review current research, discuss new products and learn of new recommendations.

Topics for 2019 include insect, crop disease and weed management updates, and managing consequences of unavoidable soil compaction.

Meetings are approved for Certified Crop Adviser credits. In addition, the meetings offer Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator recertification in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 10 for calendar year 2019. Recertification is included in the meeting registration. Attendance at the entire meeting is required for recertification.

Coralville – Dec. 17
Rebecca Vittetoe, rka8@iastate.edu, 319-653-4811
Virgil Schmitt, vschmitt@iastate.edu, 563-263-5701
Joshua Michel, jjmichel@iastate.edu, 319-523-2371

Ames – Dec. 18
Meaghan Anderson, mjanders@iastate.edu, 319-331-0058
Angie Rieck-Hinz, amrieck@iastate.edu, 515-532-3453
Mike Witt, witt@iastate.edu, 641-747-2276

Early registration is $70 if received by midnight, Dec. 10 (Coralville) or Dec 11. (Ames). Late or on-site registration is $85. Visit www.aep.iastate.edu/acu for program details or to register online. For additional information contact an ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist hosting the meeting.



Cattlemen Applaud Introduction of Real MEAT Act of 2019

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today applauded the bipartisan introduction of the Real MEAT (Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act of 2019 by U.S. Reps. Roger Marshall (R - 1st Dist., Kansas) and Anthony Brindisi (D - 21st Dist., N.Y.)

“A growing number of fake meat products are clearly trying to mislead consumers about what they’re trying to get them to buy,” said NCBA President and Tennessee cattlewoman Jennifer Houston. “Consumers need to be protected from deceptive marketing practices, and cattle producers need to be able to compete on a fair, level playing field. We want to thank Congressmen Brindisi and Marshall for leading the way on this very important issue.”

Specifically, The Real Meat Act will:

1) Codify the Definition of Beef for Labeling Purposes
    Establish a federal definition of beef that applies to food labels;
    Preserve the Congressional Intent of the Beef Promotion and Research Act;

2) Reinforce Existing Misbranding Provisions to Eliminate Consumer Confusion
    FDA has   misbranding provisions for false or misleading labels;
    Prevent further consumer confusion with alternative protein products;
    Clarify the imitation nature of these alternative protein products;

3) Enhance the Federal Government’s Ability to Enforce the Law
    FDA will have to notify USDA if an imitation meat product is determined to be misbranded;
    If FDA fails to undertake enforcement within 30 days of notifying USDA, the Secretary of Agriculture is granted authority to seek enforcement action.

“Consumers should be able to rely on the information on food labels they see on the shelves to be truthful and not deceptive,” Rep. Marshall said. “For years now, alternative protein products have confused many consumers with misleading packaging and creative names for products. With this bill, consumers can be sure that the meat products they are buying are indeed real meat.”

“American families have a right to know what’s in their food,” Rep. Brindisi said. “Accurate labeling helps consumers make informed decisions and helps ensure families have access to a safe, abundant, affordable food supply. This bill is about safety and transparency, and will make sure that meat-lovers and vegans alike have the transparency and honest labels that can allow customers to make their own decisions.”



Voting Begins for 2019 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on November 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections.

“Our county committee members play a key role in our efforts to provide assistance to producers,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “We value the local input of the over 7,000 members nationwide who provide their valuable knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and emergency programs.”
To be counted, ballots must be returned to the local FSA county office or postmarked by December 2.

Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. Newly elected committee members will take office January 1, 2020. County committee members help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility.

Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Producers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, also may be eligible to vote.

Producers can find out if their local administrative area is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA county office. Eligible voters who did not receive a ballot in the mail can pick one up at their local FSA county office. Visit fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information.



123rd U.S. Animal Health Association Meeting Kicks Off

The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), the nation's animal health forum for over a century, is holding its 123rd annual meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, from Oct. 24-30. It is held in conjunction with the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD).

More than 1,200 people are registered for the joint meeting, and several keynote speakers are featured, including Dr. Juan Lubroth, chief veterinary officer or the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization, who will speak on African swine fever on Monday, Oct. 28. Dr. Scott Dee with Pipestone Veterinary Service, will discuss the risk of ASF in imported feed supplements on Tuesday, Oct 29. Other topics of interest include the delay on animal disease traceability, the number of vacancies in government positions, and the need to bring people into the veterinary profession.

The USAHA has worked diligently to encourage students to attend its annual meeting. It offers travel scholarships and a poster session so students have ample opportunity to visit with professionals. Encouraging young people to enter the veterinarian profession is a high priority for USAHA.

The program hosts at least 30 different committee and subcommittee meetings with hundreds of experts speaking throughout the seven-day annual event. USAHA's mission is implemented through these multiple science-based committees and the adoption of resolutions and recommendations aimed at solving animal health problems.

The organization’s prime objective is to prevent, control and eliminate livestock diseases that cost ranchers, farmers and consumers approximately $1 billion per year.

USAHA is a science-based, non-profit, voluntary organization. Its 1,100 members are state and federal animal health officials, national allied organizations, regional representatives, and individual members. USAHA works with state and federal governments, universities, veterinarians, livestock producers, national livestock and poultry organizations, research scientists, the extension service and several foreign countries to control livestock diseases in the United States. USAHA represents all 50 states, 4 foreign countries and 34 allied groups serving health, technical and consumer markets.

USAHA is administered and its policy determined by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.  Formed in 1897 as the Interstate Association of Livestock Sanitary Boards, the organization had fewer than 100 members and was concerned with one disease affecting cattle--Texas cattle fever. State, federal and industry collaborators formed USAHA in 1897 to assure the interstate shipment of healthy animals and to develop plans to prevent and eradicate animal disease. Today the need remains the same with increased international animal health and world trade responsibilities.

USAHA members have met annually since the association’s founding, and produces a published proceedings of each meeting. The proceedings represent the most complete history of the nation's animal health endeavors over the past century.



Inventory Insights
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Mgt Specialist, South Dakota State University

The October Cattle on Feed report was very close to trade expectations. Placements during September were 2.1 million head, slightly above expectations. Marketings during September were 1.7 million head, even with expectations. The 11.3 million head on feed is 99 percent of a year ago. The placements by weight categories reflected a slight decrease in the volume placed at the heaviest weight classes, which should be somewhat supportive of prices in the short run. There was also a slight decrease in placements in the lightest weight class, suggesting limited selling pressure from cow-calf producers.

As it was the beginning of the quarter, there was also a breakdown of inventory levels by steers and heifers. The heifer mix, at 39.1 percent of cattle on feed, is larger than last quarter and a year ago. The continued high proportion of heifers confirms fewer held as replacements. It also suggests that lower production is expected as heifers are harvested at lighter weights than steers. The higher heifer mix should be supportive of live cattle prices for the next quarter.

Using data from recent Livestock Slaughter reports, beef cattle slaughter volume for the third quarter was up from year ago. Calf slaughter and beef cow slaughter were up slightly. Steer and heifer slaughter was also higher. The quarterly totals can be used to estimate some related quantity indicators. Using the slaughter totals, the Economic Research Service estimates the October 1 level of feeder cattle outside of feedlots is up sharply compared to a year ago, and at its highest level since 2009. The larger supply of feedlot-ready cattle is weighing on calf prices in the short run. The smaller number of heifers held back is partly causing the increase. The slight increase in cow slaughter volume, coupled with fewer beef replacements, suggest that January 1, 2020 cow inventory levels will be even with or slightly lower than year earlier levels. The USDA baseline did not have a decline happening until 2022. A smaller 2020 calf crop would be supportive of prices next fall.

The challenging weather conditions in South Dakota continue to delay harvesting of major crops. This in turn has delayed some calf sales. The average price for 5-600 pound steers was $158 per cwt in October across South Dakota, down sharply from $178 per cwt in 2018. The recent basis of $14 per cwt, relative to the October feeder cattle futures price, is also narrower than last year. Feed availability is quite variable, but there is usually some producers willing and able to background calves into the next year. The risk during the backgrounding phase, on average, is quite small. The average change in the March futures price between November and its eventual settlement in March was $0.08 per cwt when measured during the past decade. However, this masks the extreme price moves (up almost $15 per cwt heading into 2011 and down almost $19 per cwt heading into 2015) that are prevalent in feeder cattle futures.



Corteva Agriscience Increases Support of the National FFA Organization

Corteva Agriscience™ recently announced that they would be working hand in hand with the National FFA Organization when it comes to providing the next generation of leaders.

For the past 60 years, the company has supported the FFA mission, and this year, the support continues to grow. This summer Corteva Agriscience donated a recurring gift of $20,000 for five years to help students in need receive the official FFA blue jacket. Through the Give the Gift of Blue program, students who may not otherwise be able to afford the iconic blue jacket can be nominated to receive their own jacket.

“Supporting FFA as they develop the leaders of tomorrow allows us to invest in our communities,” said Tony Klemm, Corteva Agriscience Global Portfolio Leader – Corn, and National FFA Sponsors’ Board member. “Working with the organization allows us to enable FFA members to continue to give back to their own communities.”

In addition to helping fund the Give the Gift of Blue program, Corteva Agriscience has also increased funding of the FFA mission, making the company a platinum sponsor of the student leader organization. They have supported the organization in many different ways – from state-specific grants to support for the National FFA Convention & Expo to supporting the New Century Farmer conference and much more.

“We are so appreciative of the support that Corteva Agriscience continues to give us,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “Along with supporting our vision of providing a future generation of leaders, they are also supporting our advisors and agriculture educators.”



NSP Welcomes Forage Genetics International as Industry Partner

National Sorghum Producers is pleased to announce the addition of Forage Genetics International (FGI), a subsidiary of Land O’ Lakes, as a new Partner Level sponsor in the NSP Industry Partner program.

FGI is a company driven to better the forage industry through improved genetics that advance forages and benefit FGI customers. FGI has expanded its forage sorghum research activities in the last two years in response to greater interest in forage sorghums from the beef and dairy industries.

"NSP believes in the work being done by FGI to provide our producers with improved forages and silages through innovative technologies that are necessary to positively impact the forage and feeding industries," NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “We look forward to partnering with them and welcome them to our industry partner program."

“We are excited to partner with NSP to further our support of the sorghum industry,” said Matt Sowder, director of FGI Commercial Products. “Working closely with NSP provides multiple benefits in advancing technology for FGI.”

For more than 25 years, FGI has led the forage industry with innovative genetic discoveries, variety developments and cutting-edge product introductions. FGI’s relentless drive for improved forage production is behind their unprecedented advancements. As the industry’s leading provider of forage solutions, FGI breeds, develops and produces premier alfalfa seed. FGI’s capabilities in forage technology and product development, coupled with their customer focused business, provide forage sorghum customers with the same level of high-quality product experience expected from FGI alfalfa.

Support from industry partners like FGI helps NSP continue to advocate for, promote and defend the sorghum industry. More information about the program can be obtained by contacting NSP Industry Relations Director Jamaca Battin at jamaca@sorghumgrowers.com or by visiting SorghumGrowers.com.