Monday February 10 Ag News

Partners Launch Pilot Project to Expand Pollinator Habitat in NE

The Renewable Fuels Association, Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Nebraska Corn (comprised of the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association) and Pheasants Forever, Inc. today announced the launch of a pilot project in collaboration with Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture to expand critical pollinator habitat as part of the ethanol industry’s commitment to improving biodiversity in key production regions.

The project in design establishes pollinator habitat and demonstration sites in collaboration with Nebraska ethanol plants. The project will provide support to local corn growers, with the goal of expanding similar habitat with partnering farmers and impacting a minimum of 1,000 acres.

“This project demonstrates the strong commitment of the renewable fuels industry to protecting pollinators, which are critical to the sustainability of U.S. agriculture,” says Jessica Bennett, vice president of government and external affairs of RFA. “Our collaboration with Field to Market, Nebraska Corn and Pheasants Forever brings together key stakeholders to ensure that biodiversity is prioritized alongside our commitment to producing clean, green renewable fuels.”

The participating ethanol plants will provide an educational showcase for local farmers in the area by hosting pollinator workshops to increase awareness of these conservation practices. The project will also work to accelerate the adoption of pollinator and wildlife habitat on private lands through financial and technical assistance by leveraging existing Pheasants Forever habitat partnership programs.

“Field to Market works to enable our diverse member organizations to implement innovative local conservation projects that support growers in delivering sustainable outcomes,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, chair of Field to Market and vice chair of the Nebraska Corn Board. “We’re pleased to see the ethanol industry’s leadership in protecting critical pollinator habitat at a meaningful scale.”

“Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife through habitat improvements, education, and collaborations across the value chain,” said Chad Bloom, development officer at Pheasants Forever. “We’re excited to bridge our existing networks with this new partnership to help Nebraska growers implement pollinator and wildlife habitat.”



Saunders Co Livestock Assoc Monthly Meeting
Wed Feb 12, 2020  -  6:00 PM
St. Joseph's Parish Hall - Colon, NE
More Info - Call Dave Vrana - 402-840-0116



Soybean Gall Midge Roundtable Meeting
Monday, March, 2nd, 2020 - 9:30 am - 3:00pm
University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center
1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE

Do you want to get the latest research updates on soybean gall midge? This is your chance to share your observations and get access to critical tools for making management decisions. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in on-farm research opportunities for monitoring adult emergence as well as evaluating chemical and cultural strategies in 2020.

Extension educators and specialists want to know what you saw during the 2019 season with soybean gall midge. Did anything change for you in regards to soybean gall midge injury or pressure between 2018 and 2019? They also want to hear your thoughts on management (planting date, maturity group, insecticides, adjacent crop, tillage, etc.). Your input is critical to help guide our research efforts on this rapidly developing pest of soybean.

What you can expect:
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Registration, Coffee, Juice, and Donuts
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Soybean Gall Midge: Research Update
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Roundtable Discussion:  Observations
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Roundtable Summaries / Research Opportunities
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Open Discussion and Comment Period

Register now to make sure you have a spot at the table. Seating will be limited.  Please register online at https://go.unl.edu/2020sgmroundtable.



Nebraska Extension Offers Crop Scout Training in March

Industry representatives and corn and soybean growers wanting to learn how to better manage corn and soybean pests should plan to attend the Nebraska Extension Crop Scout Training for Pest Managers program March 11.

The training provides in-depth and detailed information from university specialists.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the workshop is from 9 a.m-5 p.m. at the University of Nebraska's Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead.

Cost for this training is $165 which includes a resource book.  Or for participants attending the training only (no resource book) the cost is $60.  Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials and instruction manual. Registrants should preregister to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. Updated reference materials are included in this year's take- home instruction manual.

Topics include: factors influencing the growth and development of corn and soybeans; corn and soybean insect management; weed control management; identifying weeds - plant morphology, herbicide management; using a key to identify weed seedlings; and crop diseases and quiz.

Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available with 6 in pest management, 1 in crop management and .5 in fertility/nutrient management.

Register online at:  https://enrec.unl.edu/crop.  For more information, contact Nebraska Extension at (402) 624-8030, (800) 529-8030, or e-mail Keith Glewen at kglewen1@unl.edu.



Search Begins for Iowa’s Best Burger

The Best Burger Contest is not only a great way to celebrate Iowa’s 25,000 beef farmers, it’s also a great way to increase business for participating restaurants and draw visitors to Iowa communities.

“Winning the 2019 Iowa’s Best Burger Contest put our restaurant on the map and garnered new customers from all over the state. We went from serving 200 burgers a week to 200 burgers a night,” says Oskaloosa’s Wood Iron Grille. “Our burgers have always been our best-selling menu item, but after winning the contest nearly every guest that dined at our restaurant ordered a burger.”

The contest is sponsored by the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and occurs in two phases. In the first phase, Iowans are encouraged to nominate their favorite burger, whether it’s gourmet or down-home style. Nominations will be accepted between February 10 and March 10, 2020.

“Burgers are such a classic American favorite and a great source of high-quality protein that is authentic, real and raised responsibly. Beef supplies 10 essential nutrients without a long list of ingredients or added sodium. It’s hard to beat the taste, satisfaction and nutrition you get from a serving of real beef and this contest showcases just that,” says Janine Moore, IBIC’s Chairman.

This is the eleventh year of the contest, which unites beef lovers and beef farmers across the state. After the nomination period, 10 restaurants will be chosen as finalists and visited by a secret panel of judges, who will determine the ultimate winner. The 2020 Best Burger in Iowa will be announced on May 1, 2020 with the kick-off of May Beef Month in Iowa.

Details about the contest, rules, and the voting form are available on the Iowa Beef Industry Council’s website, www.iabeef.org. Burger lovers can also find a link to the online nomination form at the Iowa Beef Council Facebook page; or by texting BEEF to 313131. Photos of your favorite burger can be shared socially using #IABestBurger. The nomination period will close at 5 p.m. on March 10, 2020.

To qualify to be named Iowa’s Best Burger, the burger must be a 100% real beef patty and be served on a bun or bread product.

Restaurants can download a digital toolkit including promotional materials for the contest from IBIC’s website at www.iabeef.org to promote the contest to their customers. The promotional materials can be used in restaurants, online, or on social media.



House Agriculture Committee Members Welcome Legislation to Protect America's Food

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Chairman Filemon Vela, Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Chairman Jim Costa, and Committee Members Cindy Axne, Salud Carbajal, Josh Harder, and TJ Cox welcomed the passage of the Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act of 2019. The legislation, which passed under suspension of the rules today, authorizes the funding needed to hire new Customs and Border Agriculture Inspectors to ensure an adequately prepared staff inspecting food, and providing defense against foreign animal and plant pests and diseases at U.S. ports of entry.

The Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 authorizes the hiring of 240 new Agriculture Specialists and 200 Agriculture Technicians until staffing shortages are resolved. It also provides for the assignment of 20 Agriculture Canine Teams to prevent the introduction of harmful pests and foreign animal disease from entering the United States.

“I’ve long raised the issue of staffing levels at the border. It is critical that we have enough CBP agriculture inspectors, specialists and canine teams to protect our rural communities and our economy from foreign animal and plant pests and diseases,” said Chairman Peterson. “I represent a border district, where agriculture is a top industry, and The Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act authorizes the crucial resources to help protect districts like mine.  Rural America can’t afford another disaster and we need to do everything we can to prevent these pests and diseases from impacting our farm and rural economies.”

“It’s critical that we ensure there are enough resources to protect our borders from animal diseases,” Rep. Axne said. “We’ve seen diseases such as African Swine Fever destroy hog populations throughout the world. Iowa leads the nation in pork production, raising nearly one-third of U.S. hogs. An outbreak here at home would be devastating to Iowa’s pork industry, which is an economic driver and job creator across the state. We must do all that we can to prevent an outbreak and I’m proud to have helped introduce this important legislation and look forward to seeing it signed into law.”



NPPC Applauds House Passage of Ag Inspectors Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation that authorizes funding for 740 new agricultural inspectors at land, air and sea ports to prevent African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases (FAD) from entering the United States. In October 2019, the Senate approved an identical version of the bill (S. 2017), which the House approved today. Providing additional agricultural inspectors represents a top priority for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).

"For more than a year, NPPC has advocated for more agricultural inspectors at our borders," said NPPC President David Herring, a hog farmer from Lillington, N.C. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection have done much to mitigate risk to animal disease, but we must remain vigilant. Today's vote represents a tremendous victory for our farmers, consumers and the American economy. We thank Congressional leadership, led by Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) and Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), for their strong leadership on this issue and look forward to the bill's implementation," he added.

The legislation also authorizes 600 new agricultural technicians and 60 new agricultural canine teams.

The most likely path for a FAD to enter the country would be through the illegal transport of contaminated products. An outbreak of certain FADs would immediately close U.S. pork export markets, causing significant damage to farmers and consumers. NPPC continues to advocate for other FAD preparedness measures, including quickly establishing a U.S. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank as provided for in the 2018 Farm Bill. The United States does not currently have access to enough vaccine to quickly contain and eradicate an FMD outbreak.



NAWG Voices Concern About President’s 2021 Budget Proposal

Today, the White House Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Russell Vought released the President’s Fiscal Year 2021 Budget of the United States Government.

In response, NAWG President and Lavon, TX wheat farmer Ben Scholz issued the following:

“While NAWG continues to review the budget proposal in more detail, we do see that it proposes drastic cuts to some key programs for wheat farmers.

“It has become an annual tradition for the Administration’s proposed budget to include cuts to crop insurance, which has happened under Presidents from both political parties. It must be understood that issuing cuts to crop insurance can make policies more expensive for farmers. When input costs remain high and commodity prices low, this additional cost could result in many growers not having insurance and may make it difficult for them to stay in business.

“The President’s FY21 Budget Proposal would also scale back key safety net and conservation programs which many growers rely on to better incorporate sustainable and healthy soil practices into their operations.

“The FY21 Budget Proposal also enacts a cut of $1.66 billion to in-kind international food aid. Feeding the world is a driving motivation for many agricultural producers. The U.S. wheat industry is a champion of food aid programs, making up an average of 40% of all in-kind food aid from the U.S. each year.

“Cuts to discretionary programs would mean reductions to key research programs for growers. Today, wheat farmers are dealing more and more with extreme weather conditions, disease, and pest challenges, which can only be addressed through public and private research efforts.

“NAWG would like to thank the Administration for fully funding the Market Access Program (MAP) at $200 million and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program at $35 million. Both programs have been critical to the export success for American wheat by helping to create access to new markets.

“NAWG will continue to impress upon Congress the difficult economic conditions in wheat country and thus why these programs shouldn’t be cut through the budget and appropriations process.”



President’s Budget Shortchanges Farm Programs for the Fourth Year in a Row

President Donald Trump today released his proposed spending for fiscal year 2021. The $4.8 billion budget would cut both mandatory and discretionary funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other federal agencies while boosting spending on infrastructure and defense initiatives.

In a statement, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said the “hypocritical” proposal overlooks the economic difficulties in farming communities:

“As both a presidential candidate and now as president, Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his appreciation for and dedication to American farmers. Yet year after year, his budget has failed to address the very real economic challenges facing rural communities. Farm debt and farm bankruptcies have skyrocketed, crop prices remain low, climate change is disrupting food production, and rural economies continue to lag behind their urban counterparts. There are a number of programs and agencies that can help farmers and rural residents with these difficulties – including the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Agricultural Research Service, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – but the Trump administration is looking to cut funding from all of them.

“Despite our deep frustration with this budget’s indifference to the plight of rural America, at least one of the proposed changes is warranted. For many decades, farm programs have disproportionately benefitted the largest and wealthiest farms, something that National Farmers Union has long opposed. President Trump’s budget would address this problem by lowering the adjusted gross income eligibility threshold for crop insurance and commodity programs from $900,000 to $500,000. We are pleased that this change would likely direct more support to the farmers who need it most; however, this gesture seems hypocritical following the USDA’s recent doubling of payment limitations for trade assistance payments.

“We are similarly ambivalent about the proposed expansion of infrastructure spending. Time and time again, this administration has made big promises to improve national infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, but they have yet to deliver on those promises. We hope that this year’s budget indicates that President Trump will finally invest in our roads, bridges, rails, locks and dams, water and waste systems, and rural broadband.”



Crop Insurers: Proposed OMB Budget Undermines Farm Safety Net

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today released a proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget that includes steep cuts to the Department of Agriculture and federal crop insurance.

The American Association of Crop Insurers, Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau, Crop Insurance Professionals Association, Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, National Association of Professional Insurance Agents, and National Crop Insurance Services released the following joint statement in response:

“Last year brought unprecedented challenges for rural America. Even now, farmers and ranchers across the country are dealing with the lingering consequences of weather events that destroyed fields and ruined crops. And there looks to be no reprieve from the ongoing rural recession: The USDA estimates that farm cash flow will tighten this year, dropping more than $10 billion, or 9 percent, from 2019.

“The federal crop insurance program reacted quickly and efficiently to keep many farmers afloat during this difficult time. It’s no wonder then that the nation’s farm organizations teamed up in late 2019 to ask Congress to reject any attempts to cut crop insurance and weaken the farm safety net when it’s needed most.

“It’s inexplicable as to why OMB would target such a critical risk-management tool for budget cuts. The proposed cuts will make crop insurance unaffordable and unavailable for farmers, seriously undermining the farm safety net.

“The crop insurance program works for farmers and taxpayers alike:
-    Crop insurance protects more than 90 percent of America’s planted crop land acres.
-    Farmers invest in their own protection by spending $3.5 to $4 billion per year to purchase crop insurance and bearing a significant portion of losses through deductibles.
-    Crop insurance policies provide critical collateral to farm bank and credit lenders who assist farmers through operating loans, especially during a time of low commodity prices.
-    The federal government spends less than a quarter of 1% of its budget on the farm safety net, including crop insurance, making this a worthwhile investment to protect the world’s most affordable and safe food and fiber supply.

“Thankfully, for the sake of America’s struggling farmers and ranchers, OMB’s budget is sure to be rejected by Congress. We urge the White House and Congress to support America’s farmers and ranchers by protecting and strengthening crop insurance.”



Secretary Perdue Statement on President Trump’s Budget Proposal

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump submitted his FY 2021 budget proposal to Congress:

“The United States is leading the world in economic growth and prosperity. President Trump’s pro-growth policies like tax cuts, common-sense deregulation, and new trade deals have increased confidence in the economy and put hard earned money back into the pockets of Americans,” said Secretary Perdue. “President Trump’s budget continues to reign in an overgrown Federal government with fiscally responsible cuts in spending. USDA is doing its part to improve our customer service while reducing our economic and regulatory impact. We will continue to serve and deliver our programs on behalf of America’s farmers, ranchers, producers, foresters, and the food insecure with improved customer service and respect for taxpayer dollars.”

Background on the FY 2021 USDA Budget:
    Safeguards the Nation's Food Supply: The Budget includes nearly $1.1 billion to fully fund the costs necessary to support over 8,700 FSIS personnel who ensure the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products at over 6,400 processing, slaughter, and import establishments in the U.S.

    Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program: Building off USDA’s $100 million investment in FY 2020, the Budget includes an additional $100 million to support grants and incentives to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel infrastructure and consumption. 

    Rural E-Connectivity: In addition to $690 million in program level for the telecommunication infrastructure program which supports communities with population of under 5,000, the Budget provides $250 million in budget authority to support broadband loans, grants and loan/grant combinations that will provide high speed broadband services to communities with population under 20,000. It also provides $30 million in budget authority for broadband grants to rural Americans who currently do not receive any broadband service. 

    Nutrition Assistance: The Budget includes funding to support estimated participation levels under current law, including $68.3 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), $25 billion for Child Nutrition Programs, and $5.5 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Participation in these nutrition assistance programs is expected to continue declining with sustained economic growth that enables families to work toward self-sufficiency. 

    International Markets for U.S. Agricultural Exports: The Budget includes $200 million for the Foreign Agricultural Service to reduce trade barriers that disadvantage U.S. agricultural exports and to open new markets for U.S. farm products. 

    Hemp Production: The Budget maintains funding for the Hemp Production Program, which will support new economic opportunities for U.S. farmers.

    Reducing the Risk of Wildfires: The Budget includes $4.4 billion to mitigate wildfire risk. Started in 2020 and continuing through 2027, the USDA Forest Service and the Department of the Interior will have new budget authority available, known as the “Fire Fix” when Suppression funding has been exhausted. 

    Active Forest Management: The Budget includes an investment of $2 billion to improve the health and resilience of National forests, ensuring that our National forests and grasslands continue to provide clean air and water, forest and rangeland products, mineral and energy resources, quality habitat for fish and wildlife, recreational opportunities, and jobs. 

    Supporting Rural Communities: The Budget supports $5.5 billion in loans for rural electric improvements, benefiting over 5 million rural residents annually by expanding the use of smart grid technologies and other security and resiliency improvements. Funding is also requested to support $1.3 billion in direct loans and $614 million in grants to improve and expand the water and waste disposal facilities in rural America. The Budget supports $2.5 billion in Community Facilities Direct Loans and $500 million in Community Facilities Guaranteed Loans for investment in critical community infrastructure, such as healthcare, safety, and educational facilities. In addition, the Budget supports $24 billion in funding for the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program to enable approximately 160,000 families to enjoy homeownership and $230 million in multi-family guaranteed loans to support the development of more than 8,000 units for very low-, low-, and moderate-income rural residents. Finally, the Budget supports $1.5 billion in program level in Business and Industry loan guarantees, which is expected to assist 433 businesses support nearly 11,000 jobs and diversify the rural economy.

    Commodity Programs: The Budget provides $4.6 billion for commodity program payments to maintain an effective farm safety net.

    Federal Crop Insurance Program: The Budget provides $8.8 billion for the Federal crop insurance program, enough to provide crop insurance coverage for more than $100 billion in crop value. 

    Farm Loans: The Budget includes $79 million to fully support the estimated $8.9 billion demand for farm loans, providing loans to an estimated 35,000 farmers and ranchers to finance operating expenses, refinance debt or acquire a farm. 

    Farm Bill Conservation Programs: The Budget includes $2.3 billion for the Conservation Reserve Program to protect close to 25 million acres of environmentally sensitive cropland and grassland.  In addition, $1.8 billion is included for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and $450 million for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

    Agriculture Research, Education and Economics: The Budget includes $3.3 billion to support research to advance the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture and promote food security. This includes $1.4 billion to support core research projects of the Agricultural Research Service and $1.6 billion in discretionary funding to support extramural agricultural research, education, and extension activities of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, including $600 million for competitive grants through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. 

    Agricultural Pest and Disease Programs: The Budget includes $1.036 billion in discretionary funding to protect agriculture from pests and diseases, address sanitary (animal) and phytosanitary (plant) trade concerns, and enforce animal care legislation. 

    National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF): The Budget supports the continued establishment of NBAF and provides $81 million for operations and maintenance costs in FY 2021. Funding is also requested within ARS and APHIS to transition highly pathogenic animal disease work from the obsolete facilities at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center to NBAF.



Joaquin Phoenix Targets Dairy Industry in Oscars Speech

The dairy industry was put into the spotlight during Hollywood's biggest night. Upon receiving the best actor Oscar on Sunday for his performance playing Arthur Fleck and his transformation into the lead character role in "Joker," Joaquin Phoenix used part of his acceptance speech to express his concerns with the dairy industry.

"We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow, and when she gives birth, we steal her baby, even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable," he said. "Then, we take her milk, that's intended for her calf, and we put it in our coffee and our cereal ..."

Members of the ag industry responded to Phoenix's comments.

His view of the dairy industry is an example of the gap between urban and rural communities, said Dwayne Faber, a dairy farmer from Skagit County in Washington State.

"It shows the disconnect between Hollywood and agriculture," he told Farms.com. "As a dairy farmer, (my) job is to take care of every aspect of the dairy cow and that includes calving and breeding. It's just a natural function of taking care of any animals."

Farmers and industry reps need to continue defending agriculture because actors have high-profile platforms to share information even if it's incorrect, Faber said.

"There's no doubt that when someone has the followers that (Hollywood) does, they can be spreading mistruths and half-truths about the industry that you work in."

An organization that represents American dairy farmers also responded to Phoenix's comments.

"If he studied the commitment of dairy farmers to animal welfare and had a fuller understanding of the contribution of dairy products to a nutritious diet, especially for children, he might have a different perception of the value that dairy contributes to global health and the importance of the dairy sector to global livelihood," Alan Bjerga, a spokesman for the National Milk Producers Federation, told FOX Business on Monday.



Marty Smith of Florida Elected President of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Fifth-generation Florida rancher Marty Smith was elected president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) at the annual Cattle Industry Convention this afternoon. He replaces Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tenn., 2019 NCBA president.

Smith operates Smith Brothers-Wacahoota, LLC, a cow-calf operation in Central Florida, that has been in continuous operation since 1852. It retains ownership through feedlots in Texas, Kansas and Iowa.

Smith graduated from the University of Georgia with a BSA in Agricultural Economics and Animal Science. While at UGA, he was on the livestock judging team and served as president of Ag Hill Council. He was also active in Alpha Gamma Rho and AGHON, the highest honor a UGA student of agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine or engineering can attain. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1984.

“It’s a tremendous honor to lead the oldest and largest national organization representing America’s cattle producers,” Smith said. “We have a great product with a great story, and I’m looking forward to helping tell that story without apology during the year ahead as President of NCBA.”

Smith was formally elected at a meeting of NCBA’s Board of Directors, who also set the rest of the officer team for the coming year. Jerry Bohn of Kansas was named President-elect, Don Schiefelbein of Minnesota was elected Vice President, and Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota was elected chair of the NCBA Policy Division while Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele was elected policy vice chair. Buck Wehrbein of Nebraska was elected chair of the NCBA Federation Division and Scott McGregor of Iowa was elected vice chair.

NCBA’s Board of Directors meeting and the selection of a new slate of officers capped a huge week in San Antonio, where more than 8,000 people met for the annual Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Convention attendees heard from speakers like U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, who also greeted visitors on the seven-acre Trade Show floor on Wednesday afternoon. Participants also received updates about how their beef checkoff dollars are being used to promote beef consumption, set public policy priorities for the coming year, and honored Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka, Fla., as the winner of the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The Convention ended on Friday night with the 2020 NCBA Professional Bull Riding (PBR) Invitational competition at the Alamodome.

“I want to thank everyone who took time away from their operations to join us in San Antonio this week,” Smith said. “I know that getting involved in promoting our industry or pushing for better public policy is often a sacrifice, but our grassroots members of NCBA are always willing to do what it takes to get the job done. I hope to see everybody at next year’s convention in Nashville!”



New Study: Despite Policy Challenges, Ethanol Industry Significantly Benefited Economy in 2019

Policy obstacles—especially ongoing trade disputes and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s granting of RFS compliance waivers to dozens of small refineries —dampened the U.S. ethanol industry’s economic contributions in 2019, according to a new study released today at the Renewable Fuels Association’s 25th annual National Ethanol Conference.

Still, despite these challenges, the ethanol industry supported nearly 350,000 jobs and generated almost $43 billion in gross domestic product in 2019, according to the analysis conducted by ABF Economics.

“The U.S. ethanol industry was buffeted by several factors that forced producers to cut operating rates and, in some cases, shut plants—resulting in only the second decline in annual industry output in two decades,” the report noted. “This was primarily the result of regulatory concerns associated with the EPA’s continued support for small refinery exemptions, effects of the U.S.-China trade war, and declining gasoline demand. Nevertheless, the ethanol industry continues to make a substantial positive contribution to the American economy.”

According to the analysis, the production and use of 15.8 billion gallons of ethanol in 2019:
-    Supported more than 68,600 direct jobs and just over 280,000 indirect and induced jobs across all sectors of the economy;
-    Added more than $23 billion in income for American households;
-    Generated an estimated $4.1 billion in tax revenue to the federal treasury and $3.8 billion in revenue to state and local governments;
-    Supported more than 14,700 jobs and $5.8 billion in GDP through exports alone; and
-    Displaced an amount of gasoline refined from more than 500 million barrels of imported crude oil, keeping $32 billion in the U.S. economy.

The analysis also estimated the impact of the ethanol industry on the state economy in top ethanol-producing states. Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois were the top three states in terms of economic impacts, but states like Ohio, Kansas, Michigan, Texas, Missouri, California, and New York also benefited from ethanol plants’ contributions.

“Given the policy uncertainty and regulatory challenges faced by the industry in 2019, we were not surprised to see slight decreases in the industry’s economic impacts compared to 2018,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “At the same time, we have seen many positive developments in the last few months that give reason for optimism in 2020 and beyond, whether it’s the new trade agreement with China or the renewed commitment by the Trump administration to uphold the Renewable Fuel Standard. We remain bullish on the industry’s future and know our best days lie ahead.”



NFU Announces Featured Speakers, Themes for 118th Anniversary Convention in Savannah, Georgia

National Farmers Union’s (NFU) 118th Anniversary Convention will bring together members, industry professionals, policymakers, and reporters for educational sessions, award presentations, the organization’s signature grassroots policy adoption process, and an election for its next president.

During the three-day event, family farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity to hear from notable speakers on the issues that matter most to them, including the farm economy, climate change, and mental health. Matt Paul, a nationally recognized expert in local, state, and federal public affairs, will headline the general session, along with remarks from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, a discussion about black land loss, and NFU President Roger Johnson’s retirement address. Following the general session, attendees will have the choice of several breakout sessions that explore new and burgeoning corners of the industry, such as precision agriculture, regenerative farming, farm to table, and hemp production.

Featured Speakers include:
Matt Paul, Senior Vice President, Cornerstone Government Affairs
Sonny Perdue, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union
Karis Gutter, Government and Industry Affairs Director, Corteva
Cornelius Blanding, Director, Federation of Southern Cooperatives

The most up-to-date convention information, including a tentative agenda and hotel information, can be found on the NFU website at www.nfu.org/convention.



Cattle Producers Inform Court RFID Mandate Is Not Resolved

Last week the attorney for R-CALF USA and several individual rancher-plaintiffs, who alleged in October that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) violated U.S. law by attempting to force RFID technology upon the entire U.S. cattle industry, filed a response to the agencies' motion to dismiss.

The lawsuit, filed on Oct. 4, 2019 by Harriet Hageman, Senior Litigation Counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance, alleged that the agencies' April 2019 notice to discontinue all other forms of official animal identification by January 1, 2023 and begin mandating the exclusive use of radio frequency identification (RFID) eartags and premises registration going forward was a blatant example of unlawful government overreach.

Three weeks after the lawsuit was filed, the agencies, after having already removed their mandate from their official Website in response to the suit, posted a statement indicating the RFID mandate was no longer representative of the agencies' current policy.

The agencies then rejected R-CALF USA's settlement proposal which sought to provide assurances for the U.S. cattle industry that the agencies would not repeat their unlawful actions. That settlement proposal also sought to ensure the agencies would not proceed with their stated goal of eliminating all other forms of official animal identification. The proposal also sought to stop the agencies from using materials and information provided by committees that were unlawfully formed to support the agencies' single-minded approach to animal disease traceability.

Instead of responding to the settlement offer the agencies moved forward with filing a motion to dismiss, claiming the lawsuit was now mooted by the withdrawal of the RFID mandate.

Hageman informed the court this week that the agencies' mere withdrawal of the unlawful mandate, along with their insistence that it did not violate U.S. law, is insufficient to resolve the continued threat the agencies pose to the statutory and regulatory rights and privileges of independent U.S. cattle producers. Hageman also informed the court that the agencies' use of the "tainted" committees is cause for concern and that the livestock producers should be allowed to conduct discovery to find out what happened here.

According to R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard, the agencies' position is that because they have temporarily pulled back on pursuing an unlawful RFID mandate that the court should now "trust them." They claim that such trust is warranted because they promise to seek "industry input" when they pursue this same policy in the future. But, he said the agencies' violations run far deeper than their unlawful attempt to burden independent cattle producers with a costly RFID mandate, and the implications for the cattle industry are serious.

"It's important for producers to know that had we not stopped this mandate then cattle producers who are now voluntarily using RFID technology in return for market premiums would see those premiums evaporate as soon as the entire industry was forced by the government to give up all other forms of animal identification."

Hageman notes that this case is important from the standpoint of preventing federal agencies from circumventing the Administrative Procedure Act and violating the law to try to impose costly and likely unworkable requirements on the livestock industry.

"What we have so far learned in this case is that when independent cattle producers organize and step to the plate to defend and protect their rights, they can be successful," said Bullard.



New Holland launches new 300 Series skid steer and compact track loaders

New Holland announced today the launch of the latest series of skid steer and compact track loaders. Customers in agriculture and construction will experience superior visibility, greater height and reach, a simple operator interface and enhanced productivity for any job.

The advanced technology in the new 300 Series includes the Super Boom® vertical lift linkage, a new 8-inch multifunction LCD display with reverse camera, straight-line tracking improvements, fully upgraded electrical harness and much more.

“The most important thing we do for operators is find solutions that help them get the job done efficiently and maximize their revenue potential,” said Michael Cornman, product marketing segment manager for New Holland, North America. “The new 300 Series accomplishes this through a variety of customer-focused improvements. Our engineers have considered the many potential applications of these units and worked to optimize performance.”

The 300 Series will be offered in 11 new models in radial lift or Super Boom vertical lift. These models range from 60 to 90 gross horsepower, rated operating capacity from 1600 to 4500 pounds, and dump reach from 18.5 to 35.5 inches.

“The 300 Series builds on the strength of prior models, offering an enhanced ergonomic interior and advancements to major exterior features, allowing for greater visibility, power for any application and the durability operators expect,” said Ryan Anderson, product marketing manager for New Holland, North America. “The 300 Series has more comfort in the cab for those long work days, intuitive controls and easy access to maintenance points to get you back on the job.”

With greater dump height and reach, customers have more visibility and ease loading high-sided truck boxes or hoppers. The Super Boom vertical lift linkage offers outstanding visibility and height, and a see-through area on top of the cab gives a clear view to the bucket, even at full height.

The simple operator interface brings new features like maintenance tracking, engine protection and ignition time-out to ensure maximum uptime. The 8-inch LCD multifunction display conveniently shows engine data, performance information, RPM, fuel level, battery voltage, oil and engine temperatures, and trip screen. Along with the easy-to-navigate features, the display offers simple electro-hydraulic control settings and is customizable to the operator’s needs.

For regular service or maintenance, the 300 Series offers the easiest access to the engine. The cab can be tilted forward for access to components and easy cab cleanout, and the all-new wiring harness will minimize downtime from troublesome electrical issues.

The low-profile durable track undercarriage improves durability and helps reduce noise. The long wheelbased skid steers and steel-embedded track compact track loaders offer the customer a smooth ride and excellent stability. The center of gravity and weight distribution is designed for optimal traction and control during lift and carry tasks.

Models built with electro-hydraulic controls feature multiple speed and sensitivity settings, including the new creep mode and automatic straight-line tracking. Creep mode, a slow-speed option, gives the operator greater control for slow-speed operations such as trenching with speed thresholds of one to 100 increments. Automatic straight-line tracking improves productivity and precision when working with a trencher or cold planer.