Friday December 6 Ag News

Cattle Aid Economy, Environment
Mike Drinnin, President, Nebraska Cattlemen

As a cattleman, I take great pride in the beef I produce. Readers deserve to have the full set of information and facts when it comes to cattle and the environment.

Recently, bombastic headlines have sought to villainize the U.S. beef industry’s environmental footprint. The accusations, however, ignore the proven scientific facts. According to both the USDA and EPA’s own estimates, beef cattle production in the U.S. accounts for only 3.3% of total greenhouse emissions. Transportation and electricity generation together make up 56%, by comparison.

Cutting back on our beef consumption does not impact environmental sustainability as much as some groups have led consumers to believe. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences found if all livestock in the U.S. were eliminated and every American followed a vegan diet, greenhouse gas emissions would only be reduced by 2.6%, or 0.36% globally.

Despite the minimal reduction in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, The Beef State would face serious consequences. Thousands of lost jobs, skyrocketing unemployment that would devastate Nebraska’s rural communities and severe harm to the state budget given livestock’s $12 billion economic impact. Think less money for schools, roads, natural resource districts, health and human services, etc. The list goes on and on.

What is factually accurate is the significant progress in overall sustainability achieved by the U.S. cattle industry, and we’re doing more with less than our forefathers.

Compared with 1977, the U.S. today produces the same amount of beef with 33% fewer cattle. And we’re continuously improving. Nebraska Cattlemen is a founding member of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, a proactive, voluntary forum to help identify opportunities for continuous improvement in all types of operations and companies throughout the beef industry.

Also not considered in recent stories is the incredibly important role cattle play in our food system as upcyclers, which refers to their ability to consume human inedible forage and plant leftovers and turn it into high-quality protein.

In fact, 90% of what cattle eat is forage and plant leftovers that people can’t eat, and more than 40% of the land in the contiguous U.S. is pasture and rangeland that is too rocky, steep and/or arid to support cultivated agriculture – yet this land can support cattle and protein upcycling.

Additionally, those who oppose eating beef likely haven’t considered that research is beginning to show how proper grazing management can actually sequester carbon in the soil. And partnerships between groups like the Nebraska Cattlemen and Rainwater Basin Joint Venture are actually helping restore ecosystems and provide critical habitat for millions of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife.

In the face of a growing global population, we need ruminant animals, like cattle, to help make more protein with fewer resources. History and well-established research consistently shows that science-based advancements and practical, balanced dietary patterns promote health and sustainability, not eliminating single foods, like beef.



Dec. 17 Webinar: Keeping Stress Levels in Check on the Farm

Farmers and ranchers have many stressors in their lives. Weather challenges and disasters like many Nebraskans have recently experienced have led to uncertainty in their crop and livestock operations. Machinery breakdowns, debt loads, volatile markets, sleep deprivation, changing regulations, and the stress of holding onto a multi-generational farm/ranch all play a part of the stress and mental health of a farmer or rancher. Farmers and ranchers know the importance of planning and talking about their financial health to bankers, financial planners, spouses, etc. but might not realize how important it is to spend time on their mental health.

Nebraska Extension will host a free webinar on December 17 for farm and ranch families. The webinar will take place over the noon hour (12:30 p.m. CST) and can be accessed at go.unl.edu/stresswebinar.  “Keeping Stress Levels in Check” will be presented by Nebraska Extension Educators Glennis McClure and Brandy VanDeWalle starting at 12:30 p.m. (CST). This free webinar will provide strategies for dealing with the stress of farming or ranching in today’s difficult economic environment.

Participants will learn:
    how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress;
    understand the role stress plays in our lives; and
    strategies and resources to manage stress.

For more information, contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or (402)759-3712.  

A separate workshop available to agribusiness professionals and service providers working with farmers and ranchers titled, Communicating with Farmers Under Stress, can also be taught face-to-face. For more information on this workshop contact Glennis McClure at gmcclure3@unl.edu or (402) 472-0661.



Newly elected Nebraska Soybean Board officers and committee member appointments

The Nebraska Soybean Board held its first board meeting for Fiscal Year 2020 on November 25-26, 2019 in Lincoln. Restructuring of the board and the committees took place along with regular board business.

The following officers were elected by the board to serve a one-year term:
Chairman: Eugene Goering of Columbus
Vice Chairman: Doug Saathoff of Trumbull
Secretary: Anne Meis of Elgin
Treasurer: Daryl Obermeyer of Brownville

Committee chairmen and members were also appointed as follows:
- Research Committee: Chairman: Richard Bartek; and committee members: Eugene Goering, Clay Govier and Nathan Dorn.
- Domestic Marketing Committee: Chairman: Greg Anderson; and committee members: Richard Bartek, Eugene Goering, Jason Penke and Doug Saathoff.
- International Marketing Committee: Chairman: Nathan Dorn; and committee members: Daryl Obermeyer, Anne Meis and Clay Govier.
- Education & Communication Committee: Chairman: Jason Penke; and committee members: Anne Meis, Daryl Obermeyer, Greg Anderson and Doug Saathoff.

“These officers and committee members will be working hard on behalf of Nebraska’s soybean farmers. In the coming year, they will continue to make decisions to effectively invest and leverage soybean checkoff resources to maximize profit opportunities in research, domestic marketing, international marketing, education and communication,” said Victor Bohuslavsky, NSB executive director.



Hill re-elected Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President

Craig Hill of Ackworth was re-elected president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) for a two-year term at the organization’s 101st Annual Meeting in Des Moines.

Hill has served as IFBF president since 2011.  His Farm Bureau leadership began with the Warren County Farm Bureau before being elected as the District 8 representative on the state board in 1989, and he later served as IFBF vice president from 2001-2011.  As IFBF president, Hill serves as chairman of the board of FBL Financial Group, Inc., and Farm Bureau Life Companies.  In addition, he serves on the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) board of directors.  Hill and his wife, Patti, have a daughter, Abbie, and son, Adam, who helps grow corn and soybeans and raise livestock on their Warren County farm.

IFBF delegates also re-elected Brent Johnson of Calhoun County as District 4 director, and elected Joe Dierickx of Clinton County as District 6 director, and Tim Kaldenberg of Monroe County as District 8 director.

Johnson grows corn and soybeans, raises beef cattle, and owns an independent precision ag company specializing in GPS soil sampling, precision ag equipment, data management, and the deployment of UAVs for data analysis.  Johnson represents 11 counties in west central Iowa: Woodbury, Ida, Sac, Calhoun, Monona, Crawford, Carroll, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Guthrie.  Johnson previously served on the Calhoun County Farm Bureau board of directors, chaired the IFBF Young Farmer Committee, and served as a Calhoun County soil commissioner.  Brent and his wife, LuAnn, have a daughter, Kaeli, and a married, adult son, Matt.    

Dierickx farms with his brother, Paul, growing corn and soybeans in addition to custom planting, harvesting and spraying.  Dierickx will represent 11 counties in east central Iowa: Tama, Benton, Linn, Jones, Jackson, Poweshiek, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar, Clinton, and Scott.  Dierickx has held several leadership positions with the Clinton County Farm Bureau and has served on the Farm Bureau PAC committee, chaired the IFBF Internal Study Committee, and served as an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) voting delegate.  Dierickx and his wife Barbara have three adult children, Sara, Scott and Kristen, who are all alums of Iowa State University.   

Kaldenberg farms in Monroe County raising a beef cow/calf herd and feeder cattle and grows corn, soybeans and hay.  Kaldenberg will represent 10 counties in south central Iowa: Madison, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Decatur, Wayne, and Appanoose.  Kaldenberg has held many leadership positions with the Monroe County Farm Bureau, served as IFBF Young Farmer Committee chair, and currently chairs the Monroe County Cattlemen’s Association.  Tim and his wife Cindy have a son, Layne, a senior at Iowa State University, and a daughter Lauren, a senior in high school.  

Nine delegates were elected to represent Iowa at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention in Austin, Texas, January 17-22.  They include: IFBF President Craig Hill of Warren County; IFBF Vice President Joe Heinrich of Jackson County; Rick Plowman of Van Buren County; Karen Seipold of Mills County; Dave Bolin of Butler County; Leo Stephas of Clay County; Brent Lorimor of Fremont County; Darrick Hall of Jones County; and Mike Kleitsch of Poweshiek County

Bryan Reed of Monroe County was elected to a three-year term on the IFBF internal study committee.  The internal study committee serves as a liaison between the county Farm Bureau voting delegates and the state board of directors.



Young Farmers Win Iowa Farm Bureau Leadership Awards

Three young Iowa farmers are recipients of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Young Farmer Leadership Award for their inspiring ag and community work. The honors for Mike Dickinson, Brian Haeflinger and Sarah Rickelman were awarded during the IFBF annual meeting in Des Moines. The Young Farmer Leadership Award, for farmers under the age of 35, is in honor of past IFBF President Bob Joslin who was well known for his support and encouragement of young farmers.

"Recognizing that leaders and role models come in many forms and are involved in many different activities, our young farmer advisory committee updated the award so three recipients can be honored," says Mary Foley Balvanz, IFBF leadership training manager. "Just like no two farms are the same, neither are the leadership opportunities for young people, and this year's award recipients showcase a well-rounded variety of involvement within agriculture, their communities and their county Farm Bureaus."

Dickinson, who raises corn, soybeans, cattle and broiler chickens on his family farm in Harrison County with his wife and three young children, holds many roles that support agriculture and rural vitality. As a Harrison County Farm Bureau member, Dickinson has served as board vice president and president, has helped promote the local farmers market and has advocated for ag policy at the Iowa Statehouse. He has helped bring urban youth into agriculture through the "Exploring Swine" project which allows kids who do not have a farm background to learn about animal care and show pigs at the county fair. He is a cover crop seed dealer and member of the county's pest resistance management pilot project which helps other farmers learn more about these challenges. Dickinson also sits on his county's rural economic and agriculture proportional board which helped bring in local opportunities to raise poultry and aquaculture. Additionally, he was appointed by Governor Reynolds to the state's Rural Health and Primary Care Advisory Board.

Howard County farmer Haeflinger raises corn and soybeans with his wife and three young children. In partnership with other area farmers, he also runs the feed operations for a wean-to-finish hog farm. He's been actively involved in his county Farm Bureau serving in a variety of roles, most recently treasurer, and is also the chair of the county young farmer program. In this role, he has planned outings for young farmers to learn about other segments of agriculture through visits to tree farms and fish hatcheries. Haeflinger helped his Farm Bureau board bring "Shower with the Pigs" to RAGBRAI, to provide riders with a hot shower and to talk about pork production in Iowa. He supports youth in his community through his church and local 4-H program. He and his wife organized and managed a 5K race to help their county 4-H raise money for member dues and enrichment projects and were honored as the county's 4-H Alumni of the Year.

Rickelman resides in Grundy County with her husband and son and works as farm manager for the largest sow farm in the county. Passionate about pig farming, Rickelman has served a variety of roles promoting pork, both at the county level and nationally, and she aspires to be the first woman to receive the American Pig Farmer of the Year award. Working with her county Farm Bureau, she has been the leader of their Celebration of Grundy County Agriculture dinner which in its first year brought in 250 rural and urban guests and grew to 300 guests the following year. Through her involvement in Ag in the Classroom activities, she plans to host a two-day ag education workshop for second and third grade teachers in her area. Rickelman continues to share the story of agriculture with legislators and has even testified in front of the U.S. Congress on the state of the small family farm. Her guest editorials on the importance of agriculture have been published in some of the state's largest newspapers, including the Des Moines Register and Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

As Young Farmer Leadership Award recipients, Dickinson, Haeflinger and Rickelman will each receive a $2,000 grant to give to a county organization of their choice, a Choice Hotels certificate valued at $500, a $500 gift card from GROWMARK to FAST STOP or their local FS Cooperative, an engraved award and a commemorative video of their family farm. They also receive expenses paid to the 2020 American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention in Austin, the 2020 IFBF Young Farmer Conference and the 2020 GROWMARK Annual Meeting in Chicago.



Families to Focus on Succession at 'Returning to the Farm'

Passing a farm operation to the next generation is usually one of the biggest and most challenging decisions farm families will ever make.

Many things are at stake -- money, emotions, goals and lifestyles -- and farm families need to think critically about where they're at today, and where they want to be in the future.

Recognizing the complexities of farm succession, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is planning to hold a four-day Returning to the Farm Seminar, Jan. 10-11, and Feb. 14-15.

Led by a group of ISU Extension and Outreach specialists, Iowa State University professionals and experienced farmers, the seminar is intended to help families with their succession planning, learn to communicate better and answer critical questions.

"This is meant to be for farm families that are hoping to bring sons and daughters back to the operation," said Dave Baker, director of the Beginning Farmer Center with ISU Extension and Outreach. "Every situation and family is different."

The program is intended for all family members, including students, parents and grandparents, farmers and non-farming heirs, and all successors of a particular operation.

Through presentations and discussions, families will take a collective and individual look at their values, visions, missions, goals, strategies and tactics.

Baker said it's important to understand that each family member has a different personality and style of communicating. By attending the seminar, participants will see and hear different viewpoints, held by other fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands -- who are facing some of the same challenges at other farms.

"Farmers have a family legacy that they want to maintain for the next generation," Baker said. "We need to think about a successor to this successful business."

Participants can potentially prevent future arguments and disputes, and learn the skills to manage conflict when it arises.

The Returning to the Farm Seminar will be held at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames.

Presenters include:
- Dave Baker, director of the Beginning Farmer Center, ISU Extension and Outreach.
- Jay Harmon, interim associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach at Iowa State.
- John R. Baker, attorney at law, Beginning Farmer Center.
- Kelvin Leibold, farm management specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach.
- Charles Brown, farm management specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach.
- Melissa O'Rourke, farm management specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach.
- Racheal Ruble, associate teaching professor, Communication Studies Program at Iowa State University.
- Patrick Hatting, farm management specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach.

The cost is $450 for up to four participants, and $50 for each additional participant. The first six families who register will receive a $100 discount toward their registration.

Registration includes lunches, and a complimentary Farm Savvy binder with worksheets, exercises and relevant articles.

Iowa State students who participate can earn up to two credit hours, at no additional academic cost, if they are currently carrying a class load of 12 credits.

Registration is preferred by Jan. 5., to help with planning. Organizers are hoping for at least 8-10 families.

To register, visit the online registration website. More information is available on the Returning to the Farm Seminar info webpage, or by emailing Baker at baker@iastate.edu.



China Fuels October Pork Exports; Beef Exports Down from Last Year

Strong demand from China bolstered U.S. pork exports in October, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Export Federation (USMEF), while October beef exports were below the very high totals posted a year ago.

October pork exports increased 8.5% year-over-year to 225,376 metric tons (mt), while export value climbed 10% to $592 million. January-October export volume was 5% ahead of last year's pace at 2.13 million mt, while value increased 3% to $5.48 billion.

Pork export value averaged $48.13 per head slaughtered in October, up 4% from a year ago. For January through October, the per-head average was down 1% to $51.12. October exports accounted for 24% of total U.S. pork production and 20.9% for muscle cuts only, up from 23.6% and 20.7%, respectively, a year ago. January-October exports accounted for 26% of total pork production and 22.6% for muscle cuts, both up slightly year-over-year.

October beef exports totaled 108,017 mt, an 8% decline from last year's large volume, while export value ($649.1 million) was down 11%. Through the first 10 months of 2019, beef exports were down 2.5% in volume (1.1 million mt) and value ($6.75 billion) from last year's record pace.

Beef export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $284.56 in October, down 10% from a year ago, while the January-October average was down 4% to $308.04. October exports accounted for 12.9% of total U.S. beef production and 10.5% for muscle cuts only, down from 14.1% and 11.6%, respectively, last year. For January through October, exports accounted for 14.1% of total beef production and 11.5% for muscle cuts, each down about one-half of a percentage point from 2018, when a record percentage of production was exported.

October pork standouts: China, Oceania, Central America
Although still saddled by China's retaliatory duties, October pork exports to the China/Hong region reached 61,062 mt, up 150% year-over-year, while export value climbed 127% to $141.3 million. For January through October, exports to China/Hong Kong were up 55% in volume (468,576 mt) and 34% in value ($974.8 million). Exports to the region already exceed the full-year totals of 2018.

"China's efforts to rebuild its domestic swine inventory, which has been hit hard by African swine fever, are gaining traction, but there are still excellent opportunities for pork-supplying countries," said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "As U.S.-China trade talks continue, we remain hopeful that access for U.S. red meat in China will return to a level playing field with our competitors."

Pork exports to Mexico fell below year-ago levels in October, with volume down 18.5% to 54,639 mt and value declining 9% to $97.3 million — the lowest since April. January-October exports to Mexico were down 11% from a year ago in volume (584,415 mt) and declined 9% in value ($1.02 billion).

"Increased demand in China is pulling some pork cuts and offal away from Mexico as well as other markets, but October shipments to Mexico were nevertheless disappointing," Halstrom said. "The U.S. industry is still feeling the effect of Mexico's retaliatory duties on pork, which were in place for about one year, and rebuilding pork demand in Mexico remains a top priority."

The outlook for pork exports to Japan in 2020 and beyond brightened significantly this week as the Japanese Parliament ratified an agreement that will bring tariffs on U.S. pork in line with those imposed on major competitors. The tariff disadvantage was evident in October, as pork export volume to Japan was down 16% from a year ago to 29,622 mt and value fell 17% to $122.3 million. Through October, exports to Japan trailed last year's pace by 7% in both volume (307,974 mt) and value ($1.27 billion).

January-October highlights for U.S. pork include:
-    Fueled by strong growth in both Australia and New Zealand, pork exports to Oceania are on a record pace in both volume (95,218 mt, up 39%) and value ($272.9 million, up 37%). The region is an outstanding destination for U.S. hams and other muscle cuts used in further processing.
-    Exports to Central America were 16% above last year's record pace in volume (76,861 mt) and 19% higher in value ($187 million). Exports to Panama were one-third higher year-over-year and mainstay markets Honduras and Guatemala have both achieved double-digit value growth.
-    While October export volume to South America slowed slightly from a year ago (13,934 mt, down 2%), value still increased 12% to $35.9 million. Led by steady growth in Colombia and a strong uptick in demand from Chile and Peru, January-October exports to South America remained on a record-shattering pace at 128,469 mt (up 21% year-over-year), valued at $323.8 million (up 25%).

October beef exports lower year-over-year in most markets
Tariff relief for U.S. beef is also a key component of the new trade agreement with Japan, where competitors currently enjoy a significant tariff rate advantage. The rate for U.S. beef muscle cuts is 38.5% but will drop by nearly one-third when the agreement enters into force, mirroring the 26.6% rate imposed on Australian, Canadian, Mexican and New Zealand beef. Another rate reduction will come April 1, when the Japanese fiscal year begins. October beef exports to Japan were down 21% in volume (21,315 mt) and 19% in value ($135.5 million). Through the first 10 months of the year, export volume fell 6% to 263,054 mt while value was down 7% to $1.64 billion.

"Japan's 38.5% tariff rate is the highest U.S. beef faces in any major market," Halstrom explained. "It was a burden even when all suppliers were paying it but now it is especially important that both U.S. beef and pork receive tariff relief. Japanese customers are very excited about the new trade agreement, and USMEF and our industry partners are ramping up 2020 promotions and strategies to reclaim red meat market share in Japan."

Beef variety meat exports to Japan (mainly tongues and skirts) have been a bright spot in 2019, increasing 21% in volume (53,432 mt) and 13% in value ($320 million, which is 40% of the worldwide total). Japan's tariff rate for U.S. beef variety meat is 12.8%, but under the new agreement it will drop to 5.8% for skirts and 5.7% for tongues upon implementation. The rates fall to zero by 2028 for tongues and 2030 for skirts.

U.S. beef exports to South Korea slowed in October but remain on a record pace as Korea solidifies its position as the top growth market for U.S. beef in 2019. October volume dipped 3% year-over-year to 19,637 mt, while value declined 10% to $138.4 million. But through October, exports to Korea were still up 7% in both volume (215,194 mt) and value ($1.55 billion).

Beef exports to Taiwan following a pattern similar to Korea, slowing in October but remaining on a record pace. Through the first 10 months of the year, export volume to Taiwan was up 8% from a year ago to 52,968 mt while value increased 3% to $470.3 million. The U.S. holds nearly 75% of Taiwan's high-value chilled beef market.

January-October highlights for U.S. beef include:
-    In Mexico, the third-largest destination for U.S. beef exports, volume was slightly below last year at 196,431 mt (down 1%), but value increased 4% to $916.4 million. This was largely driven by a sharp increase in the per-unit value of beef variety meat exports to Mexico, most notably tripe. Despite being up just 1% from a year ago in volume (80,789 mt), variety meat value to Mexico jumped 17% to $219.1 million.
-    Similar to Mexico, U.S. beef variety meat is commanding stronger prices in Egypt, the leading destination for U.S. beef livers. Through October, variety meat exports to Egypt were up 1% from a year ago at 53,504 mt but climbed 14% in value to $62.3 million.
-    Led by surging demand in Indonesia and solid growth in the Philippines, beef exports to the ASEAN region were 30% above last year's pace in volume (51,758 mt) and 15% higher in value ($251.5 million). Split fairly evenly between muscle cuts and variety meat, exports to Indonesia soared 72% in volume (19,889 mt) and 43% in value ($71.8 million) from a year ago.
-    Led by strong growth in Panama, beef exports to Central America were 7% above last year's pace in volume (12,802 mt) and 13% higher in value ($72.7 million). Export value also trended significantly higher to Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica.

October lamb exports trend higher
October exports of U.S. lamb totaled 1,193 mt, up 3% year-over-year, while value increased 17% to $2.3 million. For January through October, exports were 28% above last years pace at 13,254 mt, while value increased 13% to $21.5 million. Lamb muscle cut exports were 11% below last year in volume (1,801 mt), but still increased 4% in value to $11.5 million. Mexico has driven lamb export growth in 2019, but other markets showing promise include Trinidad and Tobago, Panama and Guatemala.



NPPC, AFBF File Legal Challenge to California's Proposition 12

The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation have filed a legal challenge to California's Proposition 12, which imposes animal housing standards that reach outside of California's borders to farms across the United States and beyond.

"Proposition 12 revolves around a set of arbitrary standards that lack any scientific, technical or agricultural basis, and will only serve to inflict further harm on U.S. hog farmers," said Jen Sorenson, NPPC vice president. "California represents approximately 15% of the U.S. pork market, and Proposition 12 will force hog farmers who want to sell pork into the populous state to switch to alternative housing systems, at a significant cost to their business. U.S. pork producers are already fighting to expand market opportunities overseas. We shouldn't have to fight to preserve our domestic market too," she added.

"This law was sold to California voters as a solution to improve animal welfare and food safety, but it has nothing to do with food safety, and many animals will suffer more injury and illness under its arbitrary rules," said AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen. "The best way to protect animal well-being is to allow farmers to make farm-specific and animal-specific decisions on animal care. Prop 12 will deny them that ability while driving up their costs. The hardest hit will be family farms, especially smaller independent farms. That means Prop 12 will also lead to fewer family farms and greater consolidation in the pork industry," she said.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Proposition 12 prohibits the sale of pork not produced according to California's highly prescriptive production standards. The proposition applies to any uncooked pork sold in the state, whether raised there or outside its borders. Currently, less than 1% of U.S. pork production meets Prop 12's requirements. In order to comply with Proposition 12, U.S. hog farmers need to start making investment decisions today to be ready by the implementation date.

The complaint asks the courts to strike Proposition 12 as invalid under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.



Trade Association Leaders Plead for Congress to Act on Tax Extenders

Today, executives from 11 national trade associations sent a letter to House and Senate leaders, highlighting the urgent need for Congress to extend the expired biodiesel tax incentive before the end of the year.

The association executives state in the letter, "There is broad bipartisan support for the biodiesel tax credit, and we believe that Congress can, and must, pass an immediate extension before returning home at the end of the year."

"America's farmers and rural communities are facing overwhelming economic uncertainty right now due to policy instability. They are waiting for Washington to complete work on trade deals and stabilize markets for U.S. agricultural output in China, Canada and Mexico. The economic hardships are spreading throughout the economy," the executives write.

"One thing Congress can do before the end of the year to help rural economies and provide some policy stability is extend the expired biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive."

Kurt Kovarik, NBB's VP of Federal Affairs, adds, "Biodiesel producers simply can't wait any longer. Ten facilities have been shuttered this year, and more are on the verge of making that painful decision. More than 250 million gallons of production is now offline, idling hundreds of workers and impacting thousands of jobs. Our industry needs Congress to act before the end of the year to stop more shutdowns and job losses."



Diagnosing Viral Myelitis Cases in Pigs – Priority and Practice

On December 4, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) sponsored a webinar titled, “Disease Management of Viral Myelitis.” Designed for veterinary practitioners and pork producers, information presented by diagnosticians as well as case studies provided insight into symptoms of these central nervous system (CNS) diseases, appropriate steps for diagnosis, as well as on-farm management experience with porcine astrovirus 3 (PoAstV3), porcine sapelovirus (PSV), and porcine teschovirus (PTV). A video of the webinar presentations is available here.

Dr. Matthew Sturos, University of Minnesota Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, noted symptoms of CNS disease include incoordination/ataxia, weakness, head tilt, inappropriate mentation, circling, blindness, knuckling, tremors, paddling, paresis, and convulsions. Each of these symptoms has a root cause from differing segments of the CNS: brain, vestibular, or cervical.

An appropriate diagnosis is important because other causes of similar symptoms can be the result of non-spinal diseases. Diagnostic assays for viral myelitides require fresh tissues for testing and analysis. During the webinar, Dr. Sturos detailed the appropriate sampling options for accurate diagnoses. In addition to the processes for sample collection, he also said it will help the pathologist when information included with the submission includes the CNS signs. He also recommends submission of non-CNS tissues for the best testing protocol and results.

Dr. Bailey Arruda, Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, further emphasized the necessity of aseptic collection. She also described the necessity of choosing the right pigs for tissue collection, noting disease progression will impact the accuracy of analysis.

With PSV and PTV, Dr. Arruda noted affected herds have pigs from 4 to 16 weeks old impacted with a case fatality rate of 90% to 100%. The typical disease duration is less than four days in individual pigs, weeks to months in a group of pigs, and months to years in intergroup settings. PoAstV3 has been diagnosed around the world with five lineages identified. Pigs from 20 days of age through sows are impacted when infection is present. There is a case fatality rate of 90% to 100%. Treatment has been unrewarding.

Dr. Arruda said fecal shedding of all three viruses is common. She also said development of CNS disease is relatively uncommon, pointing to risk factors for infection of co-infections, genetics, immune response, and maternal immunity as well as diet and microbiota.

In addition to the technical information provided by Drs. Sturos and Arruda, three swine practitioners shared their experience with CNS diseases. Dr. Grant Allison, Walcott (Iowa) Veterinary Clinic, described a client’s PoAstV3 infection. Dr. Pete Thomas, Iowa Select Farms, explained how they managed a PTV diagnosis. And Dr. Aaron Lower, Carthage (Illinois) Veterinary Service, detailed their client’s PSV experience. These case studies illuminated the realities on the farm including diagnosis, recovery, treatments, and learning.

Dr. Arruda concluded the webinar by exploring scientific design to test management options. She said an evidence-based approach is necessary. “We need more information to make decisions for defensing versus reacting,” she remarked. The goal is better understanding of the viruses, hosts, and environment. With her proposed design for exploring CNS, the important of maternal immunity, herd and individual impact, co-infection and/or prior infection role in severity, along with determining other risk factors could help predict infections.

Funded by America’s pork producers to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd, the Swine Health Information Center focuses its efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research for the benefit of swine health. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Paul Sundberg at psundberg@swinehealth.org.



USDA Expands Ag Export Trade Missions to Seven Destinations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will sponsor seven agribusiness trade missions in 2020 to grow and diversify export opportunities around the world for America's farmers and ranchers, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney announced Thursday.

"I cannot overstate the immense value trade missions provide to the U.S. agriculture industry and to our customers," McKinney said. "Trade missions help agribusinesses -- both large and small -- get their foot in the door to new markets, build strong relationships with existing and potential customers, and expand their global footprint and sales of U.S. farm and food products.

Each year, the marketing and trade experts from USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) analyze and select a combination of new and growing markets that offer the best prospects for U.S. agricultural farm and food exports. For 2020, FAS has planned a record seven missions, four of which are first-time destinations for USDA trade missions.

While final dates are subject to confirmation, scheduled 2020 trade missions include:
- North Africa (Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia), March 16-19
- Philippines, April 20-23
- Spain and Portugal, June 8-11*
- United Kingdom, Sept. 14-17*
- Australia and New Zealand, Oct. 19-23*
- Peru, Nov. 2-5
- United Arab Emirates, Nov. 15-18*
*Denotes first-time destination

"I've had the pleasure of leading numerous trade missions at USDA and the results overwhelmingly speak for themselves. In 2019 alone, six USDA trade missions enabled more than 170 U.S. companies and organizations to engage in 3,200 one-on-one meetings with foreign buyers, generating more than $78 million in projected 12-month sales," said McKinney.



Vermeer Corp. Announces Acquisition of Schuler Mfg.

With a strong vision to provide the most comprehensive suite of hay harvesting, processing and feeding equipment to farmers and ranchers across North America, Vermeer Corporation announced it has purchased Schuler Manufacturing, a family-owned and operated manufacturer of high-quality feeding solutions based in Griswold, Iowa.

Founded by Dorland Schuler in 1964, Schuler Manufacturing offers a full line of high-quality equipment serving the beef cow-calf, feedlot and dairy industries with TMR mixers and feed wagons. Known for premium quality and performance, Schuler's TMR mixers are available in trailed, truck-mounted and stationary options. The feed wagon product line includes hay and bunk style options and are purpose-built for handling higher roughage rations.

"The addition of Schuler's feeding equipment strengthens our long-term vision to continually introduce new product innovation for cattle producers across the entire hay and feeding value stream," said Mark Core, executive vice president of Vermeer Forage Solutions.

"For us being a family-run company that's built high-quality equipment for the cattle industry for more than five decades, joining another family-owned and run company, located in Iowa, simply makes sense," said Reggie Schuler, president of Schuler Manufacturing. "As we become part of the Vermeer family, we are excited that our team in Griswold will be closely connected to a host of additional resources including manufacturing, engineering, sales and additional distribution so we can reach more producers with our proven solutions."

The current line-up of Schuler-made TMR mixers and feed wagons will continue to be produced in Griswold and sold through existing Schuler and now select Vermeer distribution partners focused on feeding solutions expertise. Products will initially be sold under the Schuler brand, with an intentional transition to Vermeer as the two companies fully integrate.