NEBRASKA JANUARY 1 CATTLE INVENTORY
All cattle and calves in Nebraska as of January 1, 2020 totaled 6.80 million head, unchanged from January 1, 2019, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
All cows and heifers that had calved totaled 1.98 million head, down 1 percent from last year.
Beef cows totaled 1.92 million head, down 1 percent from last year.
Milk cows totaled 58,000 head, down 2 percent from January 1, 2019.
All heifers 500 pounds and over totaled 1.91 million head, unchanged from last year.
Steers weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 2.39 million head, up slightly from last year.
Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 120,000 head, up 9 percent from last year.
Calves under 500 pounds totaled 400,000 head, unchanged from January 1, 2019.
All cattle on feed fed for slaughter in Nebraska feedlots totaled 2.60 million head, down 5 percent from the previous year.
The 2019 calf crop totaled 1.80 million head, up 1 percent from 2018.
IOWA JAN 1 CATTLE INVENTORY
All cattle and calves in Iowa as of January 1, 2020, totaled 3.90 million head, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle report. This was down 50,000 head from January 1, 2019. Beef cows, at 905,000 head, were down 25,000 head from last year. Milk cow inventory was down 5,000 head at 215,000 head.
All heifers 500 pounds and over were up 5 percent to 880,000 head. Heifers for beef cow replacement were down 6 percent from 2019 to 145,000 head; heifers for milk cow replacement, at 115,000 head, were down 8 percent from the previous year; and all other heifers were up 11 percent to 620,000 head.
Steers weighing 500 pounds and over were down 5 percent from last year at 1.32 million head. Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over decreased 10,000 head to 60,000 head. Calves under 500 pounds on January 1, 2020, totaled 520,000 head, up 4 percent from last year.
The 2019 calf crop was estimated at 1.08 million head, down 3 percent from the 2018 calf crop. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in all feedlots on January 1, 2020, totaled 1.29 million head, down 2 percent from one year ago.
January 1 Cattle Inventory Down Slightly
All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2020 totaled 94.4 million head, slightly below the 94.8 million head on January 1, 2019.
All cows and heifers that have calved, at 40.7 million head, were 1 percent below the 41.0 million head on January 1, 2019. Beef cows, at 31.3 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.33 million head, were down slightly from the previous year.
All heifers 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2020 totaled 20.1 million head, slightly below the 20.2 million head on January 1, 2019. Beef replacement heifers, at 5.77 million head, were down 2 percent from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 4.64 million head, were down 1 percent from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.71 million head, were 1 percent above a year earlier.
Steers weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2020 totaled 16.7 million head, down 1 percent from January 1, 2019.
Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2020 totaled 2.24 million head, down 1 percent from January 1, 2019.
Calves under 500 pounds as of January 1, 2020 totaled 14.7 million head, up 1 percent from January 1, 2019.
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 14.7 million head on January 1, 2020. The inventory is up 2 percent from the January 1, 2019 total of 14.4 million head. Cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 81.5 percent of the total cattle on feed on January 1, 2020, up slightly from the previous year. The combined total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds (outside of feedlots) at 26.4 million head, was slightly below January 1, 2019.
Calf Crop Down 1 Percent
The 2019 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 36.1 million head, down 1 percent from last year's calf crop. Calves born during the first half of 2019 were estimated at 26.4 million head, down slightly from the first half of 2018. Calves born during the second half of 2019 were estimated at 9.71 million head, 27 percent of the total 2019 calf crop.
NEBRASKA JANUARY 1 SHEEP INVENTORY
All sheep and lamb inventory in Nebraska on January 1, 2020 totaled 78,000 head, up 3,000 from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Breeding sheep inventory totaled 67,000 head, up 3,000 from last year. Ewes one year and older totaled 55,000 head, up 2,000 from the previous year. Rams one year and older totaled 3,000, unchanged from last year. Total replacement lambs totaled 9,000 head, up 1,000 from last year.
Market sheep and lambs totaled 11,000 head, unchanged from last year. A total of 1,000 head were mature sheep (one year and older) while the remaining 10,000 were under one year. Market lamb weight groups were estimated as follows: 2,600 lambs were under 65 pounds; 1,300 were 65-84 pounds; 2,400 were 85-105 pounds; 3,700 were over 105 pounds.
The 2019 lamb crop totaled 71,000 head, up 6,000 from 2018. The 2019 lambing rate was 134 per 100 ewes one year and older, compared with 118 in 2018.
Sheep deaths totaled 3,400 head, up 300 from last year. Lamb deaths totaled 9,000 head, up 1,500 from last year.
Sheep and lambs slaughtered on farm totaled 1,000 head, up 200 from last year.
Shorn wool production during 2019 was 440,000 pounds, up 30,000 from 2018. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 61,000 head, up 3,000 from 2018. Weight per fleece was 7.2 pounds, up 0.1 from last year. The average price paid for wool sold in 2019 was $0.88 per pound, compared with $0.88 in 2018. The total value of wool produced in Nebraska was 387,000 dollars in 2019.
IOWA JAN 1 SHEEP INVENTORY
All sheep and lambs inventory in Iowa as of January 1, 2020, totaled 151,000 head according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Sheep and Goats report. The sheep and lambs inventory is down 2,000 head from last year. Total breeding stock, at 108,000 head, was 5 percent above one year ago. Market sheep and lambs dropped 14 percent from a year ago and totaled 43,000 head. The lamb crop for 2019 increased 5 percent to 115,000 head. Wool production for the State was 740,000 pounds, with fleece weights averaging 5.7 pounds.
January 1 Sheep and Lambs Inventory Down 1 Percent
All sheep and lambs inventory in the United States on January 1, 2020 totaled 5.20 million head, down 1 percent from 2019. Breeding sheep inventory at 3.81 million head on January 1, 2020, decreased slightly from 3.82 million head on January 1, 2019. Ewes one year old and older, at 2.98 million head, were 1 percent below last year. Market sheep and lambs on January 1, 2020 totaled 1.39 million head, down 1 percent from January 1, 2019. Market lambs comprised 94 percent of the total market inventory. Market sheep comprised the remaining 6 percent of total market inventory.
The 2019 lamb crop of 3.23 million head was down slightly from 2018. The 2019 lambing rate was 108 lambs per 100 ewes one year old and older on January 1, 2019, up 1 percent from 2018.
Shorn wool production in the United States during 2019 was 24.0 million pounds, down 2 percent from 2018. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 3.32 million head, down 2 percent from 2018. The average price paid for wool sold in 2019 was $1.89 per pound for a total value of 45.4 million dollars, up 6 percent from 42.8 million dollars in 2018.
Sheep death loss during 2019 totaled 219 thousand head, up 1 percent from 2018. Lamb death loss was unchanged from last year at 388 thousand head.
Nebraska Beef Council Director Call for Candidates
The Nebraska Beef Council is seeking candidates in 5 districts to serve on the board of directors in 2021. The volunteer directors represent beef producers’ checkoff collections and investments on the state, national and international level. The board’s major responsibility is to oversee checkoff expenditures by determining promotion, research and education programs for checkoff investments. The term is four years and will begin on January 2, 2021.
Producers interested in becoming a beef council director are encouraged to visit with current and past directors to learn more about this valuable experience and its commitment.
Election packets are available beginning on February 1, 2020 and can be obtained by calling the NBC office at 800-421-5326. All candidate materials contained in the election packet must be completed and mailed to the third party office, postmarked by June 15, 2020.
Districts hosting an election in 2020:
District 1- Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux
District 3- Burt, Cedar, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Madison, Pierce, Stanton, Thurston, Wayne
District 5- Buffalo, Custer, Garfield, Greeley, Hall, Howard, Sherman, Valley
District 7- Butler, Cass, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Sarpy, Saunders, Washington, York
District 9- Dawson, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gosper, Harlan, Kearney, Phelps, Red Willow
For additional information, log onto www.nebeef.org or contact the Nebraska Beef Council office at 1-800-421-5326.
Burt Co Cattlemen Membership Meeting
February 12 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Oakland Auditorium, Oakland, NE
Free Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics this February
Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers at seven sites across the state in February 2020. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.
The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.
Clinic Sites and Dates
Grand Island – Thursday, February 6th
Norfolk – Thursday, February 13th
North Platte – Thursday, February 13th
Valentine – Friday, February 14th
Lexington - Thursday, February 20th
Fairbury – Friday, February 21st
Norfolk – Tuesday, February 25th
To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.
Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Legal Aid of Nebraska, North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
2020 Beef Feedlot Roundtables
Feb. 20, 2020 - Nielsen Community Center - West Point NE
Topics include safety & health of employees, roller compacted concrete options for open lots, fly ash for open pens, feedyard pen repair & maintenance, and sustainable beef efforts.
Agenda
12:30 - Registrations/Welcome
1:00 - Improving Safety and Health of Employees - Aaron Yoder, Ag and Occupational Health, UNMC; UNL Extension
OPEN PEN MANAGEMENT
1:30 - Roller Compacted Concrete Options for Open Lots - Cody Metheral, Alberta Agri-Environmental Extension
1:50 - Use of Fly Ash for Open Pens - Bryan Woodbury, Research Ag Engineer, ARS, US MARC
2:10 - Feedyard Pen Repair & Pen Maintenance - Rick Stowell, UNL Extension Specialist
ISSUE OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR BEEF
3:00 - New and Relevant Information Impacting Sustainability of Beef Production - Robin White, Virginia Tech University
3:30 - US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef efforts, Application to Nebraska - Rick Koelsch, UNL Extension Specialist
4:00 - UNL Research Update: Water, Shade, Liver abscesses, Implants - Galen Erickson, UNL Feedlot Extension Specialist
4:30 - Adjourn
Pre-rgistration is requested by Friday, February 14. Please pre-register by phone, email, mail, or online at go.unl.edu/2020roundtable. Cost is $20 at the door if pre-registered and $30 for walk-ins. Call Larry Howard at the Cuming County Extension office at 402-372-6006, or email LHoward1@unl.edu.
Nebraska Cattlemen Selects Legislative Priorities
Nebraska Cattlemen’s (NC) Board of Directors met this week in Lincoln for their annual legislative meeting. NC’s six policy committees brought attention to bills and resolutions recently introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that are of interest to Nebraska beef producers.
Under close review and in accordance with NC Policy, the Board of Directors considered and took positions on 62 pieces of legislation and choose three bills as priorities for the 2020 legislative session: LB 1200, LB 974, and LB 802.
After much discussion from membership and leadership on current Nebraska brand law, NC took a supportive stance and prioritized LB 1200. This legislation, brought forth by Senator Tom Brewer of Gordon, would adopt several recommendations from the Nebraska Brand Committee pertaining to mandatory brand inspection and other issues. NC is opposing LB 1165, introduced by Senator John Stinner of Gering, which would eliminate the Nebraska Brand Committee and transfer its duties to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.
NC’s Board of Directors again highlighted property tax relief as a top issue for the 2020 session, designating LB 974 as a priority bill. LB 974, introduced by the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, would lower valuations for the purpose of calculating K-12 property taxes while kickstarting school aid to rural school districts. NC policy supports these changes, as our members strongly believe the state must pursue a more balanced approach to school funding that relieves the burden on local property taxpayers.
Lastly, NC prioritized LB 802, introduced by Senator Dan Hughes of Venango. LB 802 provides that under Nebraska Law, an individual or entity must own the overlying land in order to use the accompanying groundwater. This legislation is in contrast to other states like Colorado, which allow water rights to be sold separately, similar to mineral rights. This system has caused considerable challenges for livestock producers in those states.
“Leadership diligently sifted through all legislation that pertains to Nebraska Cattlemen policy. Taking positions and making priorities helps give our leadership and staff direction and focus at the Capitol. The three pieces made priority are important matters to our members.” said Bill Rhea, Chairman of NC Legislative Committee.
HEALTHY SOILS TASK FORCE TO MEET
Keith Berns, chair, has scheduled a meeting of the Healthy Soils Task Force for Thursday, February 6, 2020. The meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, 301 Centennial Mall South, 4th Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509.
Task Force members will be discussing next steps in developing a healthy soils initiative and action plan for the state of Nebraska.
For an agenda and more details, call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 471-2341 or visit https://nda.nebraska.gov/healthysoils/index.html.
Preparing the Financial Budget Workshop
Dairy Extension is hosting a financial budget workshop for new and beginning farmers on February 24 in Columbus at the Platte County Extension Office located at 2715 13th St., Columbus, NE 68601
AGENDA
8:30 am: Registration
9:00 am: Financial budget projection
(Part 1): Introduction, Revenues, and Feeding Costs
10:45 am: Break
11:00 am: Financial budget projection
(Part 2): Forages, Reproduction, Herd Health, Utilities, Labor, etc
12:30 pm: Lunch
1:15 pm: Financial budget projection (Part 3): Closing the budget
2:00 pm: Break
2:15 pm: Financial Analyses: Financial Needs and Sensitivity
3:00 pm: Wrap-up & conclusion
WORKSHOP GOALS
Understand and estimate budget projections.
Evaluate input costs related to the budget.
Analyze the farm budget and budget projections.
REGISTRATION
Pre-registration is requested by February 19
Registration is $25 and includes course materials and lunch
*NSDA members receive one paid registration per farm.
Register using the link below: https://go.unl.edu/financialbudgetingworkshop or by calling Kim Clark at 402-472-6065 or emailing kimclark@unl.edu
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
The workshop is limited to 30 participants
This workshop will give you a hands-on opportunity to prepare financial budgets for your farm
Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops
For more information contact, Kim Clark at 402-472-6065 or kimclark@unl.edu.
LIVESTOCK INDEMNITY PROGRAM DEADLINE
Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding livestock producers of an approaching deadline for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Producers who filed a LIP Notice of Loss with FSA for livestock losses due to natural disaster in 2019 have until Monday, March 2, to supply appropriate supporting paperwork and complete the application for payment, if they haven’t done so already.
In some cases the county FSA office may be waiting on the producer to supply documentation to support the application, such as records that show beginning or ending inventory figures or records that indicate number of head lost.
Producers with questions regarding the status of their 2019 LIP application should call their county FSA office as soon as possible for information.
Green Line Equipment, Stutheit Implement, and Plains Equipment Group Announce A Merger of John Deere Dealerships
Three Nebraska based John Deere dealerships announced plans to merge their businesses. Green Line Equipment, Stutheit Implement, and Plains Equipment Group are combining forces to provide leading service, support, and product solutions to farmers, ranchers, and landowners. The newly formed corporation named AKRS Equipment Solutions (“AKRS Equipment”) symbolizes trust, commitment, and innovation in agriculture. The companies plan to officially close on the deal by the end of March 2020.
“The common cultures and values of these three companies and how they serve their customers is really something special,” said Russ Rerucha, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board. The three companies have a long-standing history of exceptional customer support and service.
“We are large enough to provide the newest technologies and services to our customers, but small enough to care,” said Stan Stutheit, the previous owner of Stutheit Implement. With over 150 years of collective service, the companies are proud to be part of their communities.
AKRS will consist of 27 John Deere dealerships located across Nebraska and part of Kansas with headquarters in Lincoln, NE. AKRS Equipment aspires to be the Midwest’s Premier John Deere dealership, bringing a wide selection of new and used equipment to farms, ranches, and small businesses. AKRS dealerships will be in the following locations:
Albion
Ainsworth
Auburn
Aurora
Broken Bow
Central City
Crete
David City
Elkhorn
Geneva
Gretna
Grand Island
McCook
Neligh
Norfolk
North Platte
Oberlin
O’Neill
Ord
Osceola
Plainview
Ravenna
Seward
Spalding
St. Paul
Syracuse
York
Lincoln Headquarters
Kevin Clark has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of AKRS Equipment. Mr. Clark is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Plains Equipment Group. “The size and scale of AKRS is important as the industry changes with new technologies and services,” Clark said. “The combination of these businesses will allow us to serve our customers now and into the future with the rapidly evolving challenges in our industry.”
USDA Encourages Producers to Enroll Now in Key Safety Net Programs
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Nebraska State Executive Director Nancy Johner reminds agricultural producers to sign up now for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The deadline to choose between ARC or PLC and complete enrollment for the 2019 crop year is March 16, 2020.
“By making an appointment now, producers can beat the rush and get the process completed before focusing on spring planting,” Johner said. “Producers who complete the ARC and PLC election and enrollment process now, ahead of the deadline, will still have until March 16 to come back and make changes, if necessary.”
ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms.
“Contacting FSA as soon as possible to make an appointment and preparing ahead of time to make a definitive ARC or PLC election will help expedite the enrollment process and ensure FSA meets your customer service expectations,” said Johner.
To assist with the decision-making process, informational resources are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. Producers also can access www.fsa.usda.gov/ne where information under the “Spotlights” section includes a webinar that provides ARC and PLC information shared at recent public meetings held across Nebraska.
USDA Reminds Producers of Feb. 28 Deadline for Conservation Reserve Program General Signup
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 2020 general signup to enroll by February 28, 2020. This signup is available to farmers and private landowners who are either enrolling for the first time or re-enrolling for another 10- to 15-year term.
“This is the first opportunity for general sign up since 2016, and we want producers and private landowners to know that we have just one month remaining,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “It is critical that they make their final determinations and submit offers very soon to take advantage of this popular conservation program.”
Farmers and ranchers who enroll in CRP receive yearly rental payments for voluntarily establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees (known as “covers”), which can control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands.
CRP has 22 million acres enrolled, but the 2018 Farm Bill lifted the cap to 27 million acres.
Signed into law in 1985, CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the U.S. It was originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and potentially stabilize commodity prices by taking marginal lands out of production. The program has evolved over the years, providing many conservation and economic benefits. Marking its 35th anniversary in 2020, CRP has had many successes, including:
· Preventing more than 9 billion tons of soil from eroding, enough soil to fill 600 million dump trucks;
· Reducing nitrogen and phosphorous runoff relative to annually tilled cropland by 95 and 85 percent respectively;
· Sequestering an annual average of 49 million tons of greenhouse gases, equal to taking 9 million cars off the road;
· Creating more than 3 million acres of restored wetlands while protecting more than 175,000 stream miles with riparian forest and grass buffers, enough to go around the world 7 times; and
· Benefiting bees and other pollinators and increased populations of ducks, pheasants, turkey, bobwhite quail, prairie chickens, grasshopper sparrows and many other birds.
The CRP continuous signup is ongoing, which enables producers to enroll for certain practices. FSA plans to open the Soil Health and Income Protection Program, a CRP pilot program, in early 2020, and the 2020 CRP Grasslands signup runs from March 16, 2020 to May 15, 2020.
To enroll in CRP, contact your local FSA county office or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp.
Bacon Named Nebraska Farm Bureau “Friend of Agriculture”
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon has been designated a “Friend of Agriculture” by NEFB-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureau’s political action committee. Bacon, who is seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, received the designation based on a long-track record of support for Nebraska farm and ranch families, according to Nebraska Farm Bureau First Vice President Mark McHargue, who chairs the NEFB-PAC.
“Congressman Bacon clearly understands the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy and has demonstrated that time and again. Despite having a largely urban district, he’s made every effort to serve all his constituents, including farm families,” said McHargue. “Whether in Washington, D.C. or here at home, he consistently goes out of his way to meet with our members to keep on top of the issues that matter to them.”
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Bacon proved instrumental in helping craft the 2018 Farm Bill that protected critical farm programs such as crop insurance, conservation programs, trade promotion programs, and agriculture research. Bacon has also demonstrated support for Nebraska’s livestock sector by advocating for mandatory funding in the farm bill for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program to help address livestock disease issues.
Bacon has also been an ardent supporter of expanding markets for Nebraska agriculture products into the international marketplace, offering strong support for the passage of the United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“We are fortunate to have Congressman Bacon working in Washington, D.C. and we thank him not only for supporting farm and ranch families, but for helping give them a voice on key issues. We are pleased to designate him as a ‘Friend of Agriculture’ as he seeks re-election to represent the 2nd District,” said McHargue.
Smith Earns Nebraska Farm Bureau “Friend of Agriculture” Designation
U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith has been designated a “Friend of Agriculture” by NEFB-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureau’s political action committee. Smith, who is seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District, received the designation based on his work on several policy issues of high priority to Nebraska farmers and ranchers, according to Nebraska Farm Bureau First Vice President Mark McHargue, who chairs the NEFB-PAC.
“Serving in a leadership position on the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Smith has given Nebraska’s farm and ranch families an influential voice in tax, trade, and health care issues, all important to our members,” said McHargue.
In that capacity, Smith played an instrumental role in helping deliver the first major revisions to the federal tax code in more than 30 years. As a part of that effort, he helped ensure Nebraska farmers and ranchers would be able to continue to fully deduct their property taxes on their federal tax return.
McHargue says Smith also received the designation based on his ongoing efforts to increase access for U.S. agriculture products into global markets including directly representing agriculture during the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement; newly approved as the United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“With one out of every three U.S. farm acres planted for export and roughly 31 percent of U.S. gross farm income coming directly from exports to foreign countries, international trade is critical to farmers and ranchers. Congressman Smith understands that and has championed efforts to grow markets for our agriculture products,” said McHargue.
Smith has also championed efforts to reduce unwarranted regulations on Nebraska farmers and ranchers that needlessly increase the costs of doing business, in addition to supporting the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).
“Today we have a new Clean Water Rule that works for the environment and for farmers and ranchers. That wouldn’t have happened without his efforts to stop the 2015 ‘Waters of the U.S.’ Rule,” said McHargue. “He’s also been a staunch supporter of renewable fuels and pushed the EPA to do the right thing in meeting biofuel blend levels as directed by Congress.”
“We appreciate what Congressman Smith has done to serve Nebraska’s farm and ranch families and are proud to count him among those receiving our ‘Friend of Agriculture’ designation,” said McHargue.
CORN FARMERS EXPAND LEADERSHIP SKILLS IN NATION’S CAPITAL
Corn farmers from across the country traveled to Washington this week to take part in the second phase of the annual Leadership Academy sponsored by NCGA. While in town, the group visited numerous congressional leaders and got an inside look at parliamentary procedure and how lobbying works on Capitol Hill.
“For three decades, our leadership programs have played an important role in helping corn growers become leaders at the state and national level,” said Kevin Ross, NCGA president and a LAIB graduate himself. “In Washington, our farmer leaders saw firsthand how decisions made in our nation’s capital impact us all back on our farms. Using the skills developed here, these farmer-leaders’ voices will benefit NCGA and all of agriculture through their current and future endeavors. NCGA will continue to invest in making our leaders the most effective they can be as they are a critical piece in keeping positive corn policies at the forefront in D.C. and state politics.”
The Leadership Academy class received briefings on the issues facing America’s farmers in the coming year followed by presentations from lobbyist and Hill staffer panels explaining how the lobbying process functions in Washington, D.C. to get the best result from interaction with members of Congress and their staff. They then had the opportunity to see the process in action during a series of visits with congressional leaders.
This advanced leadership class, co-sponsored by Syngenta and now named Leadership At Its Best also met in Washington for a second session that also included intensive training and learning opportunities in Raleigh, N.C. In addition to exploring important topical briefings from a multi-organization team of staff experts, the group underwent extensive, high-level media training and met with representatives in the House and Senate. This program, which builds upon the skill set developed through Leadership Academy, has played an integral role in developing top-notch association leadership in a multi-association class that builds bonds that facilitate future success.
This year’s Leadership Academy class includes: Greg Alber (Iowa); Les Anderson (Minn.), Russell Braun (Mich.); Courtney Drew (N.D.); James Giese (Wis.); J.D. Hanna (Kan.); Robert Hanson (N.D.); Carl Jardon (Iowa); Grant Rix (S.D.); Brent Rogers (Kan.); Matt Rush (Ill.); Dave Rylander (Ill.); Kyle Speich (N.D.); Tim Waibel (Minn.); and Addie Yoder (Mo.).
The current Leadership At Its Best class members affiliated with NCGA include: Mike Berget (Wisc.); Troy Schneider (Colo.); Randy Melvin (N.D.); Dave Merrell (Neb.); Mark Recker (Iowa); Jay Reiners (Neb.); James “J.R.” Roesner (Ind.); and Dan Wesley (Neb.).
Seven States Introduce Legislation Banning Consumer’s option to purchase Animals from Pet StoresCould Livestock Sale Barns Be Next?
Legislation has been introduced in seven state legislatures which would completely prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits. To date, these states include Washington, Colorado, New Hampshire, New York, Florida, and Virginia.
These pet sale bans impose serious health and safety risks in these states by directing consumers to source their family pet from shelters and rescues which are exempt from regulatory oversight that is required of breeders who source animals in pet stores.
Unlike pet stores, shelters and rescues do not typically carry general liability insurance to protect their consumers which is an insurance nightmare waiting to happen, especially with the influx of nearly 1 million dogs imported each year to the U.S. from foreign countries to fill our shelters.
Banning the sale of animals in pet stores sets a dangerous precedent and opens the barn door wide open for animal rights groups to introduce legislation in the future to ban the sale of livestock animals in sale barns, live animal auctions, or livestock shows.
Mindy Patterson, President of The Cavalry Group, stated, “These bans on the sale of animals in pet stores are crafted and driven by animal rights groups with an emotionally based agenda while lawmakers sign on to carry these bans either without realizing the true agenda behind the legislation or they are willing accomplices to the animal rights agenda.”
The Cavalry Group is a private member-based company working to protect and advance the Constitutional and private property rights of law-abiding animal owners, animal-related businesses, and agricultural concerns legally, legislatively, culturally, and in the media nationwide. For more information visit www.thecavalrygroup.com.
Higher Limits Now Available on USDA Farm Loans
Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA's farm loans, which help agricultural producers purchase farms or cover operating expenses. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount that producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) and made changes to other loans, such as microloans and emergency loans.
Key changes include:
** The Direct Operating Loan limit increased from $300,000 to $400,000, and the Guaranteed Operating Loan limit increased from $ 1.429 million to $1.776 million. Operating loans help producers pay for normal operating expenses, including machinery and equipment, seed, livestock feed, and more.
** The Direct Farm Ownership Loan limit increased from $300,000 to $600,000, and the Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loan limit increased from $1.429 million to $1.776 million. Farm ownership loans help producers become owner-operators of family farms as well as improve and expand current operations.
** Producers can now receive both a $50,000 Farm Ownership Microloan and a $50,000 Operating Microloan. Previously, microloans were limited to a combined $50,000. Microloans provide flexible access to credit for small, beginning, niche, and non-traditional farm operations.
** Producers who previously received debt forgiveness as part of an approved FSA restructuring plan are now eligible to apply for emergency loans. Previously, these producers were ineligible.
** Beginning and socially disadvantaged producers can now receive up to a 95 percent guarantee against the loss of principal and interest on a loan, up from 90 percent.
Direct farm loans, which include microloans and emergency loans, are financed and serviced by FSA, while guaranteed farm loans are financed and serviced by commercial lenders. For guaranteed loans, FSA provides a guarantee against possible financial loss of principal and interest.
For more information on FSA farm loans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov or contact your local USDA service center.
Reynolds, Naig Urge USDA to Revive Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig submitted joint comments to USDA voicing support for the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). The federal HBIIP would provide grant funding to support investments in renewable fuels infrastructure.
“Despite Iowa’s success with biofuels so far, our state is just getting started,” Gov. Reynolds said in her letter. “The USDA’s willingness to recognize the potential to build on BIP’s successes with HBIIP is highly encouraging. We are confident that if the State of Iowa’s proposed expansion of RFIP is met with a federal commitment to HBIIP for both biodiesel and ethanol, we can accelerate the adoption of biofuels, supporting the environment and rural communities while we do it.”
“An investment in renewable fuels is an investment for all Iowans. Renewable fuels benefit Iowa farmers, jobs in rural communities and give consumers access to affordable, cleaner-burning fuels,” said Secretary Naig. “With funding and support from USDA, we can continue building upon the success of the state’s Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program by adding more E15 and biodiesel blends at local fueling stations, giving Iowans more choices at the pump.”
The comment letter and technical feedback can be viewed at governor.iowa.gov.
Iowa is one of a handful of states with a standing appropriation for a Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP). The RFIP helps the operators of motor fuel dispensing sites or fueling stations to convert their equipment to allow the expanded use of renewable fuels in Iowa.
Since its inception, the RFIP has awarded $35.26 million in state dollars for biofuels infrastructure projects. The private sector has responded to the RFIP by investing over $200 million in these renewable fuels infrastructure projects.
NBB Supports USDA Inclusion of Biodiesel in Infrastructure Program
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today released comments in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's request for information on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). NBB expressed the biodiesel industry's gratitude for inclusion in the program, since the infrastructure needs for biodiesel, renewable diesel, Bioheat®, and sustainable aviation fuel are different from those of other biofuels.
"The biodiesel industry is grateful for the opportunity to be included in this program," NBB states in the comments. "As USDA moves forward, we ask that the department be inclusive of all infrastructure opportunities that would increase the use of biodiesel, including Bioheat and sustainable aviation fuel. In order to ensure the best return on dollars spent and facilitate true growth, we ask that USDA emphasize investments where there is either an existing or emerging market."
Kurt Kovarik, NBB's VP of Federal Affairs, added, "We thank USDA and administration leaders for following through on President Trump's pledge to support infrastructure projects that facilitate higher biofuel blends. American consumers are increasingly demanding access to clean, low-carbon, advanced biofuels, like biodiesel. We look forward to working with USDA to strengthen the market for higher blends of biodiesel, renewable diesel, Bioheat® and sustainable aviation fuels."
USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Commodity Credit Corporation are exploring options to expand U.S. biodiesel and ethanol availability through infrastructure projects to facilitate increased sales of biofuel blends, including B20 and higher. The effort aims to build on the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP), which from 2016 to 2019 expanded infrastructure for higher ethanol blends.
In its comments, NBB asked USDA to focus the program on investments in strategic terminals, pipeline storage and rail expansion to create broader downstream capacity to sell more gallons: "Investments would be best served on opportunities that would afford the greatest additional volumes of biodiesel (references to biodiesel include Bioheat and sustainable aviation fuel) to enter the marketplace. The greatest barriers to biodiesel distribution are at the terminal and pipeline terminal level, as well as rail to reach distribution centers."
Growth Energy offers expert insight into new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program
Growth Energy, the nation’s largest ethanol association, has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) request for information on biofuel infrastructure priorities. Having previously worked with USDA and Prime the Pump on the original Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP), Growth Energy is well-positioned and pleased to provide USDA with their expert insight on the new Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).
“We commend USDA and this administration for their swift action and are pleased to submit our comments on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “In the last decade, Growth Energy and Prime the Pump have led the way in growing the offerings of higher ethanol blends to over 2,000 retailers across the nation, and our historical knowledge of this program and blueprint for success is unmatched. We are committed to the successful implementation of HBIIP to expand access to cleaner-burning, higher octane Unleaded88 at the pump, delivering a win for consumers, farmers, and the environment.”
Background
The USDA announced on Jan. 16, 2020 they were seeking input from all interested parties on a Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). USDA is exploring options to expand domestic ethanol and biodiesel availability and is seeking information on opportunities to consider infrastructure projects to facilitate increased sales of higher biofuel blends (E15/B20 or higher.) This effort will build on biofuels infrastructure investments and experience gained through the Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). USDA administered BIP from 2016-2019 through state and private partners to expand the availability of E15 and E85 infrastructure to make available higher ethanol blends at retail gas stations around the country.
THE BEEF CHECKOFF: Exports and Imports Help Bring Value to Our Industry
Greg Hanes, CEO, Cattlemen’s Beef Board
Beef exports and imports are certainly a challenging topic to tackle for American cattle farmers and ranchers, but they are an integral part of our beef industry here in the United States.
At first glance, the idea of importing foreign beef into the U.S. may strike cattlemen and women here as a curious practice. If we grow arguably the best beef in the world in this country, why bring in more? The reason lies in the types of beef we Americans love to eat – mainly steaks and ground beef. In fact, CattleFax estimates that over 51% of the beef consumed in the United States is ground beef.
Steaks are high-demand, high-value cuts, and consumers are willing to pay higher prices for them. This is great because it brings more value to the cutout. However, American consumers also love hamburgers, and most of those hamburgers are consumed at fast food restaurants at low prices. Since American farmers and ranchers are producing more Prime- and Choice-graded beef these days, the value of the non-steak cuts, due to global demand, is higher than the value of hamburger. So, rather than grind them into burgers, we can export them for a premium.
However, in order to meet that domestic demand for inexpensive, fast food hamburgers, we need to import beef. Despite what you might visualize imported beef to be, most of the beef we bring into the U.S. is lean trim, not muscle cuts for sale at retail. In conversations I’ve had with industry experts, most estimate that at least 90% of our imports are inexpensive lean trim or manufacturing beef that is then ground with fat (something we produce but consumers don’t buy outright) from our corn-fed animals to produce all those fast food hamburgers at cheap prices for hungry American consumers.
At the same time, we export other beef cuts (which could have been ground) and variety meats (which we don’t like to eat here) to other markets around the world. Those markets have a high demand for those cuts, so we can then receive top dollar back for those items. For example, short plate could be ground and get about $1.50 per pound here, but because it's a high-demand item in Japan, they will pay double that price per pound. Assuming each short plate weighs 15 pounds, the United States Meat Export Federation (USMEF) estimates that one item is adding about $22.50 of value per head. Tongues are another great example. No one I know around here grills them up on the weekend! Demand for those is low, only fetching about $1.00 per pound here in the United States. But in Japan, every person I know loves to grill tongue, so they pay more than $5.50 per pound there. That adds another $13.00 per head.
This happens with other cuts in other countries as well, helping to add value – especially to low-demand items in the U.S. According to CattleFax, the amount of beef we imported compared to the amount of beef we exported last year is expected to be about the same (final 2019 figures will be released in February). However, and this is very key, the value of our exported beef is estimated to be about $1.3 billion higher.
In a nutshell, we are meeting the desires of consumers with the beef they want to purchase, wherever they are in the world. The global competition for these cuts helps us get the best prices possible and boosts demand for our cattle.
Next time, we’ll discuss the role the Beef Checkoff plays in imports and exports.
R-CALF USA to Challenge Ruling in Checkoff Case; Ruling Affirms Progress Already Made in Reforming Checkoff
On Wednesday, the magistrate judge assigned to R-CALF USA's lawsuit alleging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) operation of the beef checkoff program violates the constitutional rights of U.S. cattle producers issued his findings and recommendations.
The magistrate judge essentially found that while the USDA has been violating the Constitution in its operation of the beef checkoff program, the agency took steps to correct its violation after, and in direct response to, R-CALF USA's lawsuit.
A key issue in the case is whether the speech of the 15 state beef checkoff councils, which cattle producers finance through their mandatory checkoff dollars, is private speech or government speech. R-CALF USA's position is that the 15 state beef councils are private corporations expressing private speech and compelling cattle producers to fund that speech is unconstitutional.
According to R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard, the USDA and the 15 private state beef councils realized they had been caught violating the constitutional rights of cattle producers and scrambled to correct their violation.
Bullard said their strategy, which unfolded well after the lawsuit was filed, was an attempt to convert the council's heretofore private speech into government speech, in hopes they could correct their decades-long violation of the Constitution. To accomplish this, the USDA entered into contractual agreements called memorandums of understandings (MOUs) with each of the 15 state beef councils. The MOUs purportedly give the federal government control over each of the 15 state beef councils.
The magistrate judge then found that because of these recently executed MOUs with each of the 15 state beef councils, the speech of those councils is now the government's speech and no longer that of private corporations.
"We continue to disagree that the execution of these 15 MOUs is sufficient to remedy the USDA's 30-plus years of violating the Constitution," said Bullard adding, "We will now submit our formal objections to the U.S. federal court judge and trust he will analyze this issue carefully."
Bullard said that despite this setback, there is no question that his group's lawsuit has achieved reforms over the beef checkoff's operations.
"What our lawsuit also caused was the USDA's issuance of a final rule that allows cattle producers in every state to redirect their mandatory checkoff dollars away from the state beef councils that continue to use their money to fund the activities of third parties, like the NCBA (National Cattlemen's Beef Association) and the USMEF (U.S. Meat Export Federation), two entities that continually lobby for the consolidation of the U.S. cattle industry," Bullard concluded.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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