Thursday January 2 Ag News

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2020 PRIVATE PESTICIDE TRAINING

Nebraska Extension’s private pesticide applicator training season runs from January through April for the approximately 10,000 private applicators who are recertifying their licenses to apply restricted use pesticides.

“The training sessions are one of three options available for private applicators to become first-time (initial) certified or recertified,” said Clyde Ogg, an extension educator who leads the Pesticide Safety Education Program.

A second option is the online self-study program, which includes assessment quizzes that participants must pass to become certified.

A third method is to attend one of six extension crop production clinics in January or the Nebraska Crop Management Conference Jan. 22-23 in Kearney.

Separate, additional training is required for anyone purchasing and applying restricted use dicamba and paraquat, Ogg said.

Every three years, a licensed private applicator must attend a training session, complete the self-study course approved by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture or pass an NDA exam for license renewal. Once licensed, applicators may purchase, handle or apply restricted use pesticides. Fees are separate for extension training and NDA licensing.

“The user-friendly online private self-study training is an exclusive PSEP training option that has had positive results,” Ogg said.

No matter the method, training topics include the importance of reading and following the product label, as well as protecting non-targets such as people, sensitive plants and wildlife; helping prevent weed resistance; and properly applying pesticides.

This year, on-site meetings could include mention of potential federal regulation changes, Ogg said. For example, a comment period about part of the federal Worker Protection Standard is now underway.

“When any decisions on changes are known, PSEP will pass on the information to extension educators involved with pesticide training and through other venues,” Ogg said.

The Worker Protection Standard aims to protect people involved in agricultural work from pesticide exposure. Even if there are changes in the law, it is helpful to become familiar with the standard. A tool from the Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative, available at http://www.pesticideresources.org/wps/doesitapply.html, can help workers, managers, employers, producers and others understand the law, Ogg said. By answering a series of questions related to the duties on an agricultural establishment, the tool will relay if and how the Worker Protection Standard applies, and what steps are needed to comply.

Private applicators needing recertification in 2020 should have been notified by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in mid-December or by their local extension office. The letter includes a bar code that eliminates the need to complete the standard application form; applicators should bring the letter to the training session. Applicators also should check their licenses for the expiration date. If the license expires in 2020 but the applicator has not yet received a letter from the NDA, they should contact the agency at 402-471-2351.

Applicators will again use the updated EC130 Guide for Weed, Disease and Insect Management in Nebraska to learn how to use label information such as chemical group numbers and nonchemical techniques, to reduce development of pesticide-resistant pests. The comprehensive guide, normally $15, is included with registration. Pre-registration is required for all training events.

TRAINING SITES
Detailed information about training opportunities is available at https://pested.unl.edu or through the links below. Pre-register by contacting host extension offices.

> For private initial certification and recertification training locations, dates and contacts, visit https://edmedia.wufoo.com/reports/2020-psep-private-training-dates. Extension training is $40; NDA licensing is an additional $25.

> For private online self-study training, visit https://psep.education/applicator. Extension training is $75; NDA licensing is an additional $25.

> Applicators with both private and commercial/noncommercial licenses may find extension’s crop production clinics helpful. Visit https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc. The cost is $80. NDA licensing for private applicators is an additional $25; for commercial, $90; there is no license fee for noncommercial.

> The Nebraska Crop Management Conference, Jan. 22-23 in Kearney, is another option. Registration is $80 per day or $150 for both days. Visit https://agronomy.unl.edu/NCMC.

In case of inclement weather and possible cancellations of extension training sessions, listen to a local radio or television station, or call the training site.

DICAMBA TRAINING
Extension training also will be held for the growing number of dicamba products. It is a federal requirement to complete state-approved dicamba training each year before using any of these products due to the potential for drift and damage to non-target crops and vegetation. For more information, visit https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training#dicamba. No fee is charged for this training.

PARAQUAT TRAINING
Since fall 2019, paraquat labels include a link to required training for anyone who mixes, loads, applies or handles paraquat. Federal EPA online training, good for three years, provides information about paraquat’s toxicity, new label requirements and restrictions, and consequences of misuse.

Widely used in agriculture, paraquat is fatal when ingested in even a small amount; there is no antidote. Also in effect are new closed-container system standards for non-bulk end use product containers. This means the containers must be completely sealed, with no way to open and pour out the contents except into application equipment. For more information, visit https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php. No fee is charged for this training.

For more information on pesticide safety, visit https://pested.unl.edu.

    

COMMERCIAL/NONCOMMERCIAL PESTICIDE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUE TO GROW

Pesticide safety is at the heart of more than four dozen training sessions to be offered from January through April across Nebraska. The sessions are offered in multiple formats for commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicators to become certified or recertified.

Awareness and knowledge about pesticides are important, said Clyde Ogg, a Nebraska Extension educator who leads the Pesticide Safety Education Program.

“Applicators bear the burden to responsibly use pesticides and document their use,” Ogg said. “Knowledge and training help applicators keep current on products, methods and technology.”

Commercial applicators are those using restricted use and general use pesticides when making applications in lawn care or structural settings, for hire or compensation. Noncommercial applicators are those applying these same pesticides to sites owned by their employer, or for a government agency or political subdivision of the state.

Separate training is required before using paraquat and dicamba.

“The label is the law,” Ogg said. “The label is a legal document, so it is the applicator’s responsibility to read and comply with all label directions, even if they’ve used that same product before.”

Labels can change without warning due to updates in formulations or research. Changes might include the requirement of a respirator or a longer restricted-entry interval; the protection of a wildlife species; or a new rate of application.

The Pesticide Safety Education Program conducts pesticide safety and dicamba training. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture issues three-year licenses for applicators who pass their certification exams and pay the fee.

Coming this year is a new opportunity for potential commercial/noncommercial applicators to study for their initial certification.

“Our new digital flipbooks are a segue into the new decade,” Ogg said.

Internet-based flipbooks combine video with text, eliminating time and expense to attend on-site training. They are convenient and have searchable text, and most have color images. Watch for information about purchasing FlipBooks and subsequent testing at https://pested.unl.edu.

INITIAL TRAINING SCHEDULE
Anyone preferring the traditional initial training through print materials and on-site videos may still do so. Advance registration of $80 is required through https://pested.unl.edu/initial-classes-registration. The start time is 8:30 a.m. for each of the following locations; exams are conducted at the end of sessions.
> Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott St., March 17
> Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 25
> Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Highway 34, Feb. 4 and 25
> Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Feb. 4 and 27, March 17 and April 9
> Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, 1305 S. 13th St., Feb. 4 and 25, and March 17
> North Platte: West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, Feb. 11 and 27, March 17 and April 9
> Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, Feb. 11, April 9 and 16
> O’Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, April 16
> Scottsbluff: Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 11, 25 and 27, and April 9

Once certification is attained in the commercial classification, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture issues a license for an additional $90 fee. There is no charge for a noncommercial license.

RECERTIFICATION TRAINING SCHEDULE
Commercial/noncommercial applicators whose licenses expire in April 2020 may recertify at an on-site extension video training session in February or March.

In 2020, about 3,500 commercial/noncommercial applicators — such as fumigators, lawn care workers and exterminators — need to be recertified. For individual applicator license status, visit http://www.kellysolutions.com or call the NDA at 402-471-2351. Applicators whose licenses have expired must retest.

Pre-registration of $80 is required. Visit https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training#commercial. The start time is 8:30 a.m. for each of the following recertification locations:
> Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, Feb. 18, March 10 and 19
> Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, Feb. 20 and March 19
> Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, Feb. 6 and 18
> Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 Second St., Feb. 12 and March 10
> Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 26
> Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Feb. 12, 13 and 18, and March 10
> North Platte: West Central Research and Extension Center, Feb. 13 and 18, and March 19
> Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, Feb. 13, March 19 and 26
> O'Neill: Holt County Annex, Feb. 13 and March 19
> Scottsbluff: Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 24

PARAQUAT, DICAMBA TRAINING
Training is required prior to use; no fee is charged for either type of training.

For information on annual dicamba training, visit https://pested.unl.edu/certification-and-training#dicamba. For information on paraquat training, due every three years, visit https://campus.extension.org/login/index.php.

OTHER RECERTIFICATION AND TRAINING OPTIONS
Crop production clinics are a great option to recertify in the agricultural plant category and demonstration/research subcategory. Registration of $80 is required at https://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc. Clinics begin at 8:45 a.m. local times.
> Jan. 7 – Gering, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
> Jan. 8 – North Platte, Sandhills Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers St.
> Jan. 10 – Beatrice, Southeast Community College, Truman Center, 4771 W Scott Road
> Jan. 13 –  Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.
> Jan. 14 - York, Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave.
> Jan. 15 – Mead, Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, 1071 County Road G

The Nebraska Crop Management Conference is Jan. 22 and 23 at the Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Road in Kearney. Pre-registration is required at http://www.agronomy.unl.edu/NCMC. The cost is $80 per day or $150 for both days. Recertification is available either day.

The Nebraska Turfgrass Conference is Jan. 7-9 at the La Vista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway in La Vista. Recertification in ornamental and turf pest control is available. Pre-register at https://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com or call the Nebraska Turfgrass Association at 402-207-0911.

The Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Convention is Feb. 25 and 26 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. Recertification in agricultural plant and aerial pest control is available. For more information, email tayor@youraam.com or call the association at 531-289-8323.

For more information on pesticide safety, visit https://pested.unl.edu.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the month of December 2019, topsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 10 short, 80 adequate, and 9 surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 8 short, 84 adequate, and 7 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 4 poor, 24 fair, 64 good, and 6 excellent. 

The next monthly report (for January) will be issued January 27, 2020. Weekly reports will begin April 6th for the 2020 season.



PorkBridge Educational Series for 2020 Begins Feb. 6

Since 2005, PorkBridge has provided relevant and timely information to grow-finish swine producers and other industry professionals across the U.S. and around the world through a unique low-tech delivery method. The 2020 program year series begins on Feb. 6 and continues on an every-other-month for six total sessions.

The program is a source of relevant and accurate information for those who own, manage or work in swine grow-finish facilities, according to Iowa State University animal science professor and extension swine specialist, Ken Stalder, who is the Iowa contact for PorkBridge.

PorkBridge provides an interactive teleconference with electronic materials and live presentations. About a week before each session, subscribers will receive a weblink to download the session’s presentation and any additional information provided by the presenter. Participants call in for the audio portion of each session and follow along with their own copy of the presentation on their computer or other device.

“Producers and others in the industry can get the information they need without the hassle of traveling or giving up an entire day to attend a meeting,” Stalder said. “PorkBridge participants can take part at home, in an office or in the swine unit, wherever it works best for them. And everyone can listen later to the audio we record of each live session.”

Sessions are scheduled for the first Thursday of each designated month but occasionally are moved a week to avoid interference with national industry events or holidays. Each session begins at 11:30 a.m. Central Time and lasts approximately 45 minutes.

The price remains at $100 for the entire series, and as in the past, each subsequent registration from the same entity is half that amount. Each registration provides access to one phone line per session and all program materials for each registration, including audio recordings of the live session, Stalder said.

“Program costs are slightly different for those with non-U.S. mailing addresses,” he said. “Anyone with questions, regardless of location, should contact Sherry Hoyer at Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State for more information.”

Hoyer can be reached by phone at 515-294-4496 or email shoyer@iastate.edu.

The registration form and payment must be received by Jan. 15 to ensure receipt of program materials in time for the first session on Feb. 6. The program brochure has details and the registration form. Iowa residents who want more information can call Stalder at 515-294-4683.
2020 PorkBridge session dates, speakers and topics
    Feb. 6 – Pam Zaabel, Iowa State University; “African Swine Fever and Secure Pork Supply”
    April 2 – Steve Moeller, The Ohio State University; “Maintenance of Euthanasia Equipment”
    May 28 – Matt Ritter, Provimi US; “In-barn Impacts on Meat Quality”
    Aug. 6 – Yuzhi Li, University of Minnesota; “Tail, Ear and Flank Biting: Reasons Why and How to Address”
    Oct. 1 – Jose Ramirez, Viroz Animal Health; “Proper Application of Disinfectants”
    Dec. 3 – Andy Brudtkuhl, National Pork Board; “Precision Technologies for Commercial Swine Production.”



Public Comment Period Begins for Iowa’s New Hemp Production Regulations

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the open comment period for the state’s proposed hemp production regulations began Jan. 1. The public can visit rules.iowa.gov to read the proposed administrative rules that will regulate the planting, growing and harvesting of commercial hemp in Iowa. Comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m./CT on Jan. 22, 2020.

The state of Iowa submitted its proposed hemp production program to the USDA for approval on Dec. 11, 2019. The USDA has 60 days to review and provide feedback. It is not legal to grow, possess, buy or sell hemp in Iowa until the USDA approves the state plan and the Department publishes notice of the approval in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin.

Once production has been legalized, licensed farmers will be able to grow up to 40 acres of hemp per season. The Department will start accepting hemp license applications once the USDA approves the state hemp plan and the online licensing system is operational. Interested growers should continue to monitor iowaagriculture.gov/hemp for updates.

This commercial hemp production program does not legalize the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for human consumption in Iowa. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) is still working to determine if CBD is safe for human consumption. Hemp grain, hemp seed oil and protein powder derived from hemp grain have been cleared by the FDA for human consumption.

To read Iowa’s proposed hemp regulatory administrative rules in their entirety, visit https://rules.iowa.gov/Notice/Details/4841C. To read the Iowa Hemp Act, visit https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2020/204.pdf.



U.S. Grains Council’s 2019/2020 Corn Harvest Quality Report

After one of the United States’ most challenging growing seasons in history, that included weather-related planting delays, delayed crop maturation and early rains and snows during harvest, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has published its ninth annual Corn Harvest Quality Report, a representative view of the quality of corn assembled for export, collected as it enters the international merchandising channels.

The report is based on 623 samples collected from inbound farm-originating trucks at harvest.

“As industry stakeholders and international buyers make decisions about purchase contracts and processing needs for corn for feed, food or industrial use, corn quality information becomes critical,” said Kurt Shultz, USGC senior director of global strategies. “Reports like the Council’s crop quality reports provide transparency about crop conditions and consistently reinforce that the United States is the world’s most reliable supplier of good quality corn.”

This season’s growing conditions forced some producers to harvest at relatively high moisture levels that have led to lower-than-average test weights, slightly higher stress crack incidences and higher broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) as compared with last year’s corn crop.

A forthcoming companion report – the 2019/2020 Corn Export Cargo Quality Report – will focus on export cargo samples collected from corn shipments undergoing federal inspection and grading processes at export terminals. It will provide information on grading, handling and how U.S. corn is moved and controlled through export channels.

The reports offer reliable information on U.S. corn quality from the farm to the customer based on transparent and consistent methodology. They each give an early view of grading factors established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), moisture content and other characteristics not reported elsewhere.

The Council’s global staff and grower-leaders will share the results of the first report in a series of crop quality seminars around the world, beginning in Taiwan in January. These outreach activities help establish clear expectations with buyers and end-users regarding the quality of corn this marketing year. During these events, crop quality information is accompanied by presentations on U.S. corn grading and handling.

“Successful market development and outreach efforts, like the corn quality roll out presentations, demonstrate the return on investment for the efforts of the Council and our partner organizations,” Shultz said. “It allows our experts to answer questions directly about the efficacy of this year’s crop and to continue to offer an open line of communication between producers and end-users who want what we have to offer.”

Additional roll-out events are scheduled in January as follows:
• Taiwan – Jan. 6-10, 2020
• South Korea – Jan. 12-18, 2020
• Southern Mexico – Jan. 13-17, 2020
• Northern Mexico – Jan. 13-17, 2020
• Japan – Jan. 18-25, 2020
• South America (Colombia, Peru) – Jan. 19-24, 2020
• Central America (Cost Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala) – Jan. 20-25, 2020
• Middle East, Africa and South Asia (Cyprus) – Jan. 22-24, 2020

“The Council’s quality reports can be compared across time, enabling buyers to make well-informed decisions as they purchase U.S. corn,” Shultz said.



USDA Nov '19 Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 507 million bushels in November 2019. Total corn consumption was up 5 percent from October 2019 and up 1 percent from November 2018. November 2019 usage included 92.0 percent for alcohol and 8.0 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.41 million bushels, up 7 percent from October 2019 and up 16 percent from November 2018. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 457 million bushels, was up 5 percent from October 2019 and up slightly from November 2018. Corn consumed in November 2019 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90.5 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.88 million tons during November 2019, up 3 percent from October 2019 but down 3 percent from November 2018. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.35 million tons in November 2019, up 5 percent from October 2019 and up 3 percent from November 2018.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 272,089 tons during November 2019, down 7 percent from October 2019 and down 5 percent from November 2018. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 262,089 tons in November 2019, up 12 percent from October 2019 and up 2 percent from November 2018.



USDA Nov '19 Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.24 million tons (175 million bushels) in November 2019, compared with 5.61 million tons (187 million bushels) in October 2019 and 5.34 million tons (178 million bushels) in November 2018. Crude oil produced was 2.00 billion pounds down 7 percent from October 2019 and down 3 percent from November 2018. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.36 billion pounds during November 2019 decreased 13 percent from October 2019 and decreased 6 percent from November 2018.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 152,430 tons in November 2019, compared with 188,299 tons in October 2019 and 161,507 tons in November 2018. Canola crude oil produced was 127 million pounds, down 20 percent from October 2019 and down 5 percent from November 2018. Canola once refined oil production, at 96.3 million pounds during November 2019, was down 22 percent from October 2019 and down 37 percent from November 2018.

Cottonseed once refined oil production, at 41.2 million pounds during November 2019, was down 3 percent from October 2019 and down 15 percent from November 2018.

Edible tallow production was 90.3 million pounds during November 2019, up 22 percent from October 2019 but down 2 percent from November 2018. Inedible tallow production was 341 million pounds during November 2019, up 16 percent from October 2019 but down 3 percent from November 2018. Technical tallow production was 118 million pounds during November 2019, up 15 percent from October 2019 and up 7 percent from November 2018. Choice white grease production, at 121 million pounds during November 2019, increased 6 percent from October 2019 and increased 4 percent from November 2018.



EPA TAKES REASONABLE APPROACH IN ATRAZINE DECISION

The Atrazine Preliminary Interim Decision (PID) document published today in the federal register supports EPA’s commitment to use credible scientific research in setting a reasonable aquatic ecosystem Level of Concern (LOC) for atrazine. The interim decision is positive for growers who rely on the atrazine for weed control, according to the Triazine Network, a coalition of agricultural organizations that advocates for science-based regulatory decisions regarding the triazine herbicides including atrazine.

The PID corrects a recommendation made in the 2016 Ecological Risk Assessment to set the LOC at 3.6 parts per billion, an ultra-low level that would have banned the use of atrazine in much of farm country. The lower LOC was based on questionable research, including studies that had been turned down by EPA’s 2012 Science Advisory Panel (SAP). Relying on several points of information, including EPA’s SAP recommendations, the agency modified the LOC to 15 parts per billion over a 60-day average.

“This PID is good news for farmers across America,” said Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO Gary Marshall, who chairs the Triazine Network. “Through our diverse coalition of grower organizations, we met with EPA Administrator Wheeler and staff to provide specific details on why this product is tremendously important to farmers across the country, especially for weed control in conservation practices. From citrus to sorghum and corn to Christmas trees, farmers rely on the agency’s use of credible science to regulate the products that allow us to safely grow more with less for a hungry global population.”

Atrazine is a key herbicide that helps farmers control weeds that rob crops of water and nutrients and is especially important for conservation practices. Utilized for over 60 years, atrazine is the most researched herbicide in history and has a proven safety record.

“Simply put, atrazine helps farmers control weeds that rob field crops of nutrients, water, and sunlight,” Marshall said. “Over the years, farmers have dramatically reduced application rates of atrazine. Through farmer-funded research, we have learned how to efficiently and effectively use it to control weeds and to help implement conservation measures like no-till farming.”

The publication of the atrazine PID in the Federal Register opens a 60-day comment period that ends on March 2, 2020. Marshall said it is crucial for growers to submit comments supporting the atrazine preliminary interim decision, explain how they use atrazine, and why it is important to their farming operations.

“EPA made a move to use credible science in its interim decision,” noted Marshall. “That won’t please some well-funded special interest groups that have targeted atrazine for many years. This is why we need comments in support of this decision from growers who actually use atrazine, and who understand its safety and value to long-term conservation efforts.”

Approved for use in 1958, atrazine has been extensively reviewed by EPA over the decades and across administrations. The current registration review process began in 2013.



Commodity Classic Early Registration Discount Ends January 9

Thursday, January 9th is the deadline for the early registration discount for Commodity Classic—America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience.

The 2020 Commodity Classic will be held Thursday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 29 in San Antonio, Texas. To register, reserve hotel rooms and sign up for email updates, visit CommodityClassic.com.  A complete schedule of events is also available on the website.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is unlike any other agriculture event, featuring a robust schedule of educational sessions, a huge trade show featuring the latest technology, equipment and innovation, top-notch entertainment, inspiring speakers and the opportunity to network with thousands of farmers from across the nation.

Commodity Classic is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.



Agriculture Workforce Coalition Urges Senate Action on Ag Labor Crisis

Following on the heels of a government-mandated increase in farmers’ labor costs, the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC), a diverse group of organizations representing the needs of agricultural employers across the country, today urged the U.S. Senate to take up legislation to solve the agricultural labor crisis by calling attention to the dire labor situation facing our nation’s agricultural producers.

The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is the required wage rate for farmers who use the H-2A program and the Department of Labor today mandated an increase that will average 6% across the nation.  The AWC told the Senate that the increase will make it difficult for some farms to continue operating, coming after a year of natural disasters, trade disruptions, low commodity prices and declining farm income.

In its letter, the AWC called on the Senate to take action to address critical agricultural labor issues.  The coalition urges the Senate to consider the impacts of the AEWR on U.S. farmers and is asking for an alternative that will ensure a level playing field for farmers and ranchers making them more competitive with foreign producers.

Farmers who use the H-2A program to procure legal workers from other countries must comply with a complicated and expensive application process to assure that domestic workers are not displaced, though few U.S. workers are willing to take jobs on farms. Farmers are also required to provide free certified housing and transportation to and from guest workers’ place of residence. The AEWR implemented today will immediately increase farmers’ labor costs by an average of 6% while revenues for agricultural goods continue to diminish due to an influx of cheaply produced imports flooding American markets.

Over the last five years the AEWR has increased nationwide by 17% on average while revenues for fruits and nuts have increased only 3% and vegetables and melons have seen no revenue increases. While American farmers are required to pay their H-2A employees more and more each year, the U.S. continues to import more and more produce from Mexico and Central and South America, where workers are paid a fraction of U.S. wage rates.

The Agriculture Workforce Coalition is asking the Senate for a legislative solution that ensures the competitiveness of America’s farmers and ranchers, stabilizes the current U.S. agricultural workforce and provides guest worker program access to year-round agriculture sectors such as dairy, livestock and mushrooms.



New Rule Reveals Why Congress and President Favor Importers and Ignore U.S. Ranchers

On December 30, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a proposed rule to reapportion the Beef Checkoff Program's Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB). The proposed rule reveals that importers control more cattle inventories than any state in the United States except Texas.

To make its calculations regarding who controls domestic cattle inventories, the USDA counts imported live cattle and converts imported beef into a live cattle equivalent. The agency uses a conversion factor of 592 pounds to determine the live cattle equivalent. For example, 1 billion pounds of imported beef is the rough equivalent of 1.7 million live cattle.

According to the proposed rule, importers now control about 6.9 million cattle in the U.S. market. Only the state of Texas, which controls about 12.6 million cattle exceeds the importers' control. Neither Kansas nor Nebraska, which are the nation's second and third top cattle inventory states, can compete with the importers' dominant control.

According to R-CALF USA, the combination of cattle and beef imports represent the largest agricultural commodities imported from Canada and Mexico. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard said USDA data show the U.S. imported $4.1 billion in cattle and beef from Canada and Mexico in 2018, which far surpasses the second-place agricultural import that year, malt beverages at $3.7 billion.

Bullard says the importers dominant control over cattle inventories in all but one state affords them extraordinary influence in both Congress and the Administration, enabling them to drown-out the voices of United States cattle farmers and ranchers.

"It's disheartening that Congress and the Administration are listening to importers while ignoring hard-working U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers. The $4.1 billion of imported, cheaper cattle and beef from Canada and Mexico is being sold to consumers across the U.S. without disclosing their foreign origins. This prevents consumers from choosing to support United States cattle farmers and ranchers through their purchases," Bullard said.

"U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) supporters and the Administration only disclose the roughly $1.9 billion in cattle and beef exports to Canada and Mexico and convey that this is good for U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers; yet they fail to mention the $4.1 billion in imports that completely overwhelm our exports." He continued, "This is wrong."

Bullard said cattle and beef importers are vehemently opposed to mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) because they do not want consumers to know the origins of their cheaper-sourced products. He said their overwhelming influence in Washington, D.C. helps explain their success in preventing the inclusion of COOL in the USMCA, which recently passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"United States cattle farmers and ranchers must now focus on the U.S. Senate to attempt to overcome the importers' undue lobbying influence that prevented the restoration of COOL for beef in the U.S. House's version of the USMCA," Bullard concluded.