Tuesday January 28 Ag News

Ricketts Announces Schedule for Governor’s Ag Conference in Kearney 

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the schedule for the 32nd Governor’s Ag Conference.  The annual event gives producers and agri-business leaders in Nebraska an opportunity to discuss the state’s number one industry and strategies to support future growth in agriculture.  The conference is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, March 9-10, 2020, at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney.

“The Governor’s Ag Conference brings together Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, and industry leaders for a conversation about the important issues that matter to all of us,” said Gov. Ricketts.  “From growing Nebraska agriculture through entrepreneurship to developing emerging markets, the future of the ag industry in Nebraska depends on people willing to lead and learn.  I hope you will join us in Kearney for this special event.”

“Knowledgeable experts at local, state, and federal levels have already committed to speaking at this year’s Governor’s Ag Conference, making this an opportunity you won’t want to miss,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman.  “Conference speakers and attendees take advantage of their time at the Governor’s Ag Conference to network and share ideas.”

The conference starts Monday, March 9, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. with a panel presentation featuring Nebraska entrepreneurs Sara Holmquist, Normal Roasting Company; Matthew Brugger, Upstream Farms; Jeff Hornug, Blue River Trucks; Hannah Esch, Oak Barn Beef; and Steve Tippery, RealmFive Agriculture.  Tom Field, of the University of Nebraska’s Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, will moderate this panel presentation that will include questions from the audience.

The “Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture” reception featuring an assortment of food and beverages from Nebraska begins at 6 p.m. on March 9th.

The conference resumes on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 9 a.m. with Michele Payn, Cause Matters Corp., and author of Food Bullying: How to Avoid Buying B.S.  Payn will give insights into our eating choices by challenging food beliefs and identifying neuromarketing tactics used to generate food sales.

Next on the agenda will be a panel presentation addressing new and emerging markets in Nebraska.  Panelists include: Tyler and Amy Bruch of Cyclone Farms, Inc. and Jacob Robison with the Nebraska Hops Growers Association.

Andrei Iancu, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, will then talk about growing start-up companies in Nebraska.

The Governor's Ag Conference is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and is co-sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.  A $125 registration fee covers activities and food for the entire conference.  Registration and additional information is available at nda.nebraska.gov or by calling NDA toll-free at 800-831-0550.



Call for Nebraska Division of Midwest Dairy Educational Scholarship Applications

Midwest Dairy seeks students to apply for the Nebraska Division of Midwest Dairy educational scholarship for the 2020/2021 academic school year. Full-time college students are invited to apply for the scholarship until April 10, 2020. Students can apply online at https://www.midwestdairy.com/young-dairy-leaders/dairy-scholarships/nebraska-scholarships/.

Students that are pursuing a degree to be used in the dairy industry are eligible for a $1500, $1000 and $500 scholarship. Students pursuing a degree outside of the dairy industry will be eligible for one of five $500 scholarships. The scholarship program is part of Midwest Dairy’s continued commitment to invest in creating dairy advocates as well as developing the next generation of dairy leaders.

“The Nebraska Division of Midwest Dairy educational scholarship recognizes college students from dairy farm families in Nebraska who are committed to building up the dairy industry and carrying it forward into the future,” said Kris Bousquet, manager of farmer relations at Midwest Dairy. “We are proud to continue our commitment to these remarkable students and the 127 Nebraska dairy farm families we represent.”

For more information about the Nebraska Division of Midwest Dairy educational scholarship, please visit MidwestDairy.com.



NDA HEMP PLAN APPROVED BY USDA

Today, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) was notified that the state’s hemp plan was approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Now that NDA has an approved state hemp plan in place, we can begin issuing licenses for the commercial cultivation, processing, handling and brokering of industrial hemp in Nebraska,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman.

To view the finalized plan as approved by USDA, visit NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov/hemp.  License applications for 2020 will be available on the NDA website beginning on Monday, February 3.  



Cooperative Producers adds E15 at Axtell and Red Cloud locations

The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) applauds Cooperative Producers, Inc. (CPI) for adding E15 at their fuel sites in Axtell, Nebraska, and Red Cloud, Nebraska. These additions are CPI’s fifth and sixth locations selling E15 in the state including locations in Clay Center, Funk, Giltner, and Juniata.

“As a farmer-owned cooperative we need to support the folks who do business with us,” said Gary Brandt, vice president of energy with CPI. “CPI uses 500,000 bushels of corn in the ethanol we sell every year, so adding more ethanol to the pumps in Axtell and Red Cloud really brings a sense of ownership to our growers who work hard throughout the year to feed and fuel our country.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approves E15 for use in vehicles 2001 and newer, and it is currently available at more than 70 stations across Nebraska. Find locations at www.getbiofuel.com.

NEB encourages consumers to consider filling up with E15, a blend of 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline, to save money at the pump, support Nebraska agriculture, and help reduce toxic pollution. The following facts help demonstrate the many benefits of using E15.
·         9 out of every 10 cars in America can motor safely with E15, which has a lower price and higher octane rating than Unleaded and even E10!
·         More than 12 billion miles have been driven on E15 with no issues.
·         Installing E15 can be much easier than you think, and the Nebraska Ethanol Board is ready and willing to work with you to find resources for your situation.
·         Sustainability and health are topics on many consumers’ minds almost daily, especially given the uptick in cancer cases and the relevant conversations about climate change. Ethanol dilutes cancer-causing toxins in gasoline and since it burns more completely, it also greatly reduces tailpipe emissions. By just using E10, we are reducing greenhouse gases from auto pollution by 42%. Consider the impact of using even higher ethanol blends. Our future depends on it!
·         Today there are nearly 1,800 retail locations in 31 states selling E15 and that number is growing. Be part of this global effort to fuel our community in a healthier, more affordable way. 

“We appreciate Cooperative Producers’ move to add higher blends like E15 because it uses more corn raised right here in Nebraska, which is a benefit for our agriculture economy,” said Roger Berry, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “Using more ethanol also means fewer toxic chemicals in our fuel. Using higher blends of ethanol is a good decision for all Nebraskans. It helps the state’s economy, consumers’ wallets, vehicle engines and the environment. Ethanol’s impact across the country and the globe continues to grow, but it starts right here at home.”

The NEB is urging more Nebraska fuel retailers to make E15 fuel more widely available to motorists. To help fuel retailers learn more about the ease of selling E15, NEB is hosting free workshops across the state. For details, visit ethanol.nebraska.gov. Some retailers have been reluctant to retrofit their pumps for E15 due to misconceptions about cost and installation.  

“These locations don’t have a flex fuel pump, but we’re still able to offer E15 by blending it at the pipeline terminal,” Brandt said. “As E15 fuel gains momentum, we believe it will become available at most fuel stations in Nebraska.”

For fuel retailers looking to include higher ethanol blends at their pumps, NEB, Nebraska Corn Board, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, and the USDA are available to answer questions and provide information about grants that can relieve some of the cost burdens.

“We often refer to our industry as the ‘golden triangle,’” said Ted Schrock, district 6 director of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Elm Creek. “We have productive corn, ethanol and livestock sectors, which all work together to boost our state’s economy while providing us with food, fuel and fiber. CPI Cooperative has taken a great step in strengthening this triangle by using a renewable, locally produced product that benefits everyone who likes to breathe clean air while saving at the pump. Our ethanol industry alone has added 1,300 jobs to Nebraska’s economy.”



Farm Labor Is Topic of Dairy Webinars

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will host a five-session webinar called “Eye on Employees,” beginning Feb. 5 from noon to 1 p.m.

The webinars will address the main concerns that farm and dairy employers face. 

“Extension dairy specialists often get two types of questions concerning labor,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, located in northwest Iowa. “Number one, what is wrong with my hiring process? I can’t get people hired; and number 2, how do I close the ‘revolving door’ of employees coming and going?”

Hall said that this five-part webinar series will take an in-depth look at the questions – how to hire and maintain farm employees.

Each presenter will address a specific topic from noon to 1 p.m. on the following dates:
    Feb. 5 – Brett Stanley, special investigator with the Department of Homeland Security, will discuss what information is needed for I-9 Forms and what documentation options there are for immigrant employees to confirm they are legal to work in this country.
    Feb. 12 – Melissa O’Rourke, ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist, will discuss how to begin the interview conversation and give tips to learn the most about the applicant while not breaking the law.
    Feb. 19 – Larry Tranel, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will discuss how labor and robotic milkers are not an either-or option for producers, and he will explore the most recent research on the economics of automated milking systems.
    Feb. 26 – Hall will outline the importance of an employee handbook and give producers ideas on how to create a handbook for their dairy, as well as how to make it a part of their hiring process.
    March 4 – O’Rourke will return and outline how employees are often misclassified and the consequences of doing so; plus, other employment pitfalls.

At the end of each webinar there will be time allowed for a question and answer session.

There is no registration fee; however, registration is required to receive the link for the program. Register online at https://form.jotform.com/4Hregion1/eye-on-employees. For more information or to register via phone, contact Hall at 712-737-4230.



National Pork Industry Forum to Be Held March 4-6, 2020
Pork Producers to discuss Checkoff successes and future direction in Kansas City

Producer delegates from across the United States will gather in Kansas City, March 4-6, for the annual National Pork Industry Forum. The 15 producers who serve as members of the National Pork Board and Pork Checkoff staff leadership will hear directly from Pork Act delegates appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

This year’s annual meeting of the Pork Act delegate body will emphasize the new Checkoff vision, strategic plan and structure. As an organization that is Consumer Focused, Producer Led, the staff and budget will focus on two overarching goals, Build Trust and Add Value. Each year the delegates confer, vote on resolutions and advisements and provide valuable direction on the important issues facing pork producers and the industry.

“The new, agile Checkoff is obtaining industry input throughout the year as part of its new annual planning process and focusing on fewer top priorities,” said David Newman, president of the National Pork Board and a pig farmer representing Arkansas. “Delegates will learn more about the results of this work to-date and provide future direction for staff, especially related to the priority to anticipate and proactively address risks and opportunities.”

At the meeting, Pork Act delegates will rank 10 candidates for the National Pork Board and submit the list to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for approval. The candidates, in alphabetical order, are:
    Deborah Balance – North Carolina
    Ben Barcovtch – Pennsylvania
    Jeremy Burkett – Wyoming
    Todd Erickson – North Dakota
    Heather Hill – Indiana
    Larry Leipold – Minnesota
    Scott Phillips – Missouri
    Mike Salter – Wisconsin
    John Scanga – Colorado
    Alan Wulfekuhle – Iowa

Prior to the annual meeting, members of the National Pork Board also will convene their March board of directors meeting. The agenda will include reporting on outcomes within 2020 priorities so far, foreign animal disease prevention and preparation; We Care; International Marketing; sustainability; and human health and nutrition.

Included on the 2020 Pork Forum agenda will be opportunities for pork producers to become Pork Quality Assurance® Plus certified, as well as learn more about other pork industry programs. The full agenda and to registration visit www.porkindustryforum.com.



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.



“Building Links Along the Food Chain” on the agenda for 2020 Summit

An initial agenda is now available for the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2020 Stakeholders Summit, themed Primed & Prepared. With sessions covering sustainability, animal welfare, influencer engagement, preparing for animal rights activist campaigns and other hot topics, attendees will leave the 2020 Summit primed and prepared with the tools they need to take action and be part of any and all conversations that could impact the future of animal agriculture and their business.

The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the industry to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2020 event is set for May 7-8 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Va. Early registration discounts are available through January 31. To register, visit summit.animalagalliance.org.

One agenda highlight is a session titled “Building Links Along the Food Chain: Enhancing the Sustainability Conversation.” Building on the livestock industry’s tremendous strides in the last few decades to produce meat, milk, poultry and eggs more efficiently, this panel will consider if there is an opportunity through food companies to improve consumer understanding of the tools that enable animal agriculture’s sustainability. Panelists include:
    Marianne Smith Edge, RDN, founder and principal of The AgriNutrition Edge. Edge is a registered dietitian with farming roots who helps food and agriculture companies find their path through the changing and complicated consumer food environment and serves as a translator between the consumer and the food/ag space. She will draw upon her experiences to share consumers’ perceptions of animal agriculture, technology and sustainability.
    Lee Bob Harper, DVM, associate director, beef strategic technical services, Zoetis. Harper will share a deeper look at innovations in animal health and the correlation between healthy, productive animals and sustainability.
    Molly McAdams, PhD, retail advisor and Texas cattle rancher. Drawing from her previous experience as vice president at H-E-B, McAdams will share her insights on why food retailers are interested in sustainable practices on farms and ranches.

“Two-way dialogue throughout the supply chain is essential to move forward on critical topics such as sustainability,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “This panel will help attendees consider how to build bridges from farm to fork and what role they can be primed and prepared to play in the sustainability conversation.”

Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date Summit information and the full agenda. You can also follow the hashtags #AAA20 and #PrimedAndPrepared for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.



USDA Under Secretary for Trade to Address National Ethanol Conference
   
The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased to announce that U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney will speak at the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference in Houston. Under Secretary McKinney rounds out a stellar selection of speakers when he addresses attendees at 10 a.m. CT Wednesday, Feb. 12.

“Ethanol has been our country’s fastest-growing ag export, and for that reason trade has risen as a policy priority for our organization’s members over the past several years,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We look forward to hearing directly from Under Secretary McKinney about the trade outlook, especially opportunities that are arising under USMCA, the China trade talks and other discussions in Washington. We believe a lot of great potential remains to bring high-octane, low-carbon renewable fuels from the United States to more destinations worldwide.”

At USDA, McKinney leads the development and implementation of the Department’s trade policy, oversees and facilitates foreign market access, and promotes opportunities for U.S. agriculture through various trade programs and high-level government negotiations. In 2014, he was appointed by then-Governor Mike Pence to serve as Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, a position he held until joining USDA in 2017. McKinney’s career also included 19 years with Dow AgroSciences and 14 years with Elanco, a subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, where he was director of global corporate affairs.

The National Ethanol Conference, taking place Feb. 10–12, is the most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. For more information or to register, visit: www.NationalEthanolConference.com.