Tuesday February 11 Ag News

PVC Sweetheart Night Out
Brandon Groteluschen, President

Plan to take your sweetheart out Monday, February 17th for this month's meeting being held at Wunderlich’s Catering in Columbus.  The social hour will start at 6:00 p.m.  Thanks to 143 Vintage (Samantha Wietfeld) and Backyard Boutique (Jennifer Dicke) for sponsoring this.  The meal will start at 7:00 p.m. with Columbus Sales Pavillion, Travis Boch, as sponsor.

The speaker for the night will be Crystal Klug and a few other volunteers from the 2020 Cattlemen’s Ball.  They will give a brief history and general information about the ball, talk about the activities and entertainment that is in the works, and discuss what to wear and what not to wear. 

Nicole Saalfeld, owner of Cork and Barrel, will be there as well during the social hour to offer some samples of some local brewed beers, wine, and liquor.    



“Tools for the Future” at Missouri Valley Crop Fair

In the tradition of providing farmers the latest industry insights, the Iowa Corn District 4 Committee along with the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) will host “Tools for the Future” crop fair in Missouri Valley, Iowa on Monday, February 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Rand Center.

“The Iowa Corn crop fairs share information that they might not receive elsewhere,” explained Roger Wuthrich an ICGA director and farmer from Bloomfield who chairs the Iowa Corn Grassroots Network, Membership & Checkoff (GNMC) Committee. “Crop fairs are customized to include topics that fit each region of the state, with opportunities for farmer-to-farmer learning and a chance to interact with subject area experts on a variety of topics including legislative policy, water quality, market development, and risk management.”

Registration will open at 8:30 a.m. and lunch will be provided at noon to attendees.

9 a.m.  Missouri River Outlook for 2020 - Dan Engemann, Coalition to Protect the Missouri River
10 a.m.   2020 Ag Outlook - Chad Hart, Crop Markets Specialist, Iowa State University Extension
11 a.m.  Farm Bill Discussion - Gary Wright, Farm Mgt Sp., Iowa State University Extension

RSVPs are appreciated by February 20 to Janelle Kracht by calling 515-229-9980 or email jkracht@iowacorn.org.

“Through the power of your membership, we are able to advocate at both the state and federal level for issues which directly impact your bottom-line. If you are not an ICGA member, I encourage you to join us today to have your seat at the table and get engaged on issues impacting your farm,” said GNMC Committee Chair Gary Petersohn, an ICPB director and a farmer from Tingley. You may join at the crop fair or at iowacorn.org/join.

Crop fair sponsors include Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn District 4 Committee, Harrison/ Crawford Corn Growers, Midstates Bank, Missouri Valley Insurance and Performance Ag Services.



IDALS Adds 3 Field Staff to Support Water Quality Improvement Projects

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has hired three additional field staff to expedite the implementation of soil conservation and water quality practices across the state. These watershed coordinators will work in the Floyd, Middle Cedar and North Raccoon River watersheds — three of the priority areas identified in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. They will provide technical support to local farmers, landowners and communities who choose to add conservation practices that reduce phosphorus and nitrogen losses.

“We’re engaging more farmers and landowners than ever before, and the Department is committed to supporting their efforts with local resources,” said Secretary Naig. “These new coordinators will build upon successful projects happening in these watersheds and help accelerate the adoption of practices that benefit their communities and downstream.”

More funding allowed the Department to make staff investments to support the Water Quality Initiative (WQI) demonstration projects happening in priority watersheds. Rose Danaher is assigned to the Middle Cedar watershed and will work out of the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District office in Vinton. Colton Meyer will work in the Floyd River watershed and be stationed in Orange City, and Carrie Tolzin will serve the North Raccoon watershed and be based in Storm Lake.

These new hires join three watershed coordinators who are currently employed by the Department; TJ Lynn has been working in the North Raccoon and Sean McCoy has been serving the Boone River watershed since September 2019, and Clark Porter has been assisting residents in the Middle Cedar watershed since September 2018.



2020 World Pork Expo to Be Held in Des Moines

The 2020 World Pork Expo is back at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for its 32nd year. The expo will take place on June 3-5, providing pork professionals with three full days of education, innovation, and networking.

“We’re excited to welcome all members of the pork industry back to Des Moines after a brief hiatus in 2019,” said David Herring, NPPC president, and pork producer from Lillington, N.C. “The 2020 Expo gives us an opportunity to connect across the industry to share knowledge and discuss the state of the industry together.”

Out of an abundance of caution, the 2019 World Pork Expo was canceled due to reports of African Swine Fever (ASF) in China and other countries. Professionals in the pork industry worked together across the globe to understand the situation and evaluate risks presented with ASF.

Since the outbreak of ASF in 2019, the United States has significantly stepped up biosecurity measures taken to prevent an outbreak in the United States. The 2020 Expo will have increased biosecurity on-site during the show. Additional changes to the 2020 World Pork Expo include the decision to relocate the live swine show to reduce an already negligible risk.

“Continuing to host the show for our more than 20,000 producers and pork professionals visiting across the states is extremely important to us,” said Herring. “Amidst the ASF, our pork industry continues to grow and it’s truly a testament to how strong the industry is in the U.S.”

Registration will soon be available online for those who plan to attend the 2020 World Pork Expo June 3-5.



FDA Stall Tactics Hurting U.S. Agriculture

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) misrepresentation of a gene edited livestock research project is its latest stall tactic designed to rationalize a regulatory grasp on an emerging technology that must be regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if the United States is to maintain its global leadership position in agriculture.

"While countries like China, Canada, Brazil and Argentina are moving quickly on this advancement to gain competitive advantage, the United States is falling far behind because of the FDA's precautionary regulatory approach," said NPPC President David Herring, a hog farmer from Lillington, N.C. "Under FDA regulation, gene editing faces an impractical, lengthy and expensive approval process. Unless we move oversight to the USDA, we are ceding a technology that promises significant animal health benefits, including immunity to disease and reduction in the need for antibiotic use, to other countries and jeopardizing hundreds of thousands of American jobs."  

A published FDA analysis of the research project involving two gene edited calves omitted important information, including the following:

    As noted in the FDA analysis, unintended alterations materialized in the gene edited calves. However, the FDA failed to recognize that the animals in question were never intended for the food supply or to be presented for regulatory approval.  They were part of a carefully controlled research program at a major university, and their genomes were made freely available to the scientific community in order to advance the study of gene editing in agricultural animals.  The scientists involved fully intended scrutiny and will publish their own detailed analysis of their program—including the insertion of this foreign genetic material—in order be transparent and to foster scientific dialogue about this promising new technology.

    The technique used to edit these animals continues to be refined and is not used for all applications of gene editing in animals.  Edits that seek to "knock-out" a gene (in order, for example, to eliminate vulnerability to disease) do not utilize foreign DNA as was the case in the research project analyzed.  Regardless, these are findings that would come to light under any reasonable regulatory review process and are in no way unique to the FDA's approach of regulating gene edited animals. Presenting these findings as a major roadblock to adoption of this technology is a gross mischaracterization.

The FDA's misleading claims are only adding to the chilling effect their regulatory framework is having on this technology.  Their "gotcha" approach inhibits much-needed investment and completely misrepresents the scientific community's intent to be transparent about the development of potential gene edits and how they may someday be deployed.

To date, the FDA has not responded in a meaningful way to the comments they received concerning the ramifications of their proposed regulatory process.  Meanwhile, other countries are moving forward with appropriate, risk-based pathways for approval of a technology that will give them an edge over American agriculture.  



Peterson on White House Agriculture Budget Request

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota released a statement today in response to the release of the White House’s proposed budget request for fiscal year 2021. The budget includes a call for an 8.2 percent reduction in discretionary spending at USDA when the Department’s field operations are significantly understaffed, as well as proposing billions in mandatory cuts to crop insurance, conservation spending, disaster assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other programs.

“This is what happens when ideologues decide to cut programs just for the sake of cutting. We will make sure that the farm bill isn’t cut during this year’s budget process. What’s worse is the President is proposing all these cuts without any attempt to balance the budget.”

“The past year has brought serious economic damage to farmers and rural communities, yet the Administration is proposing to cut billions in programs that they count on in many different ways.  This budget also continues to short-change the funding needed to provide adequate service to USDA customers in field offices.”

The White House has suggested cutting crop insurance by almost $25 billion and conservation programs by more than $9 billion. They also propose to eliminate assistance for livestock producers in drought-stricken areas and end our ability to provide U.S. commodities for food aid. The proposed budget eliminates the Rural Energy for America Program and several important rural economic development programs. Finally, their proposed changes to the SNAP program reduce SNAP spending by $182 billion.



Single-Day Registrations Available for Commodity Classic in San Antonio

If you can’t commit to all three days at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, never fear!  One-day registrations can provide a robust experience of education, new equipment and technology, entertainment and the opportunity to network with thousands of fellow farmers from across the nation.

The 2020 Commodity Classic will be held Thursday, Feb. 27 through Saturday, Feb. 29 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

One-day registration provides admission to all applicable events and educational sessions scheduled for that day including educational sessions, the trade show, the Main Stage on the trade show floor, and other daily activities.

Registration is available in advance at www.CommodityClassic.com through February 19.

Attendees can also register on-site during the event.

Thursday registration includes a wide range of educational sessions and technical presentations, the Early Riser session on grain marketing, the grand opening of the huge trade show, access to the trade show, and programming on the Main Stage on the trade show floor.

Friday registration includes the General Session featuring inspirational speaker and former fighter pilot Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman and other on-stage presentations, the early morning live taping of U.S. Farm Report, trade show access, the Main Stage programs, and a wide range of educational sessions and technical presentations.  Attendance at Friday’s association banquets for the American Soybean Association and the National Corn Growers Association that evening is available at an extra charge, providing space is still available.

Saturday registration includes the Early Riser session on grain marketing, educational sessions and technical presentations, trade show access, programming on the Main Stage, the closing learning center session on grain marketing, and admission to the Evening of Entertainment featuring country music’s Montgomery Gentry.  The trade show closes at noon that day.

Registration fees vary depending on the day you choose to attend. Full registration is also still available and covers all three days of the event.  Members of the sponsoring commodity associations receive additional discounts on both full and one-day registrations.



Conab Raises Corn, Bean Forecast

Brazilian crop agency Conab raised its forecasts for soybean and corn production for the 2019-2020 growing season amid an improved outlook for productivity helped by good weather in some areas.

Brazilian farmers will grow a record 123.2 million metric tons of soybeans this season, for which planting is close to complete, an increase from the 122.2 million forecast in January. The country grew 115 million tons of soybeans in the 2018-2019 season.

Conab estimated an increase in productivity of 4.4% from the 2018-2019 season. The improved efficiency, plus favorable weather in some states will result in Brazil's seventh record crop in 10 years. The country's farmers have increased the area planted with soybeans in 13 consecutive seasons.

That history, combined with rising productivity and the trade conflict between the U.S. and China, will push Brazil ahead of the U.S. as the world's biggest producer of soybeans for only the second time in history. Chinese buyers have been favoring Brazilian exports since the trade dispute began, and American output of soybeans has declined as a result.

Brazil's corn production is forecast to increase slightly from last year, after Conab raised its forecast from January. The country's farmers will grow 100.5 million metric tons of corn in the 2019-2020 season, compared with 100 million tons a year earlier, according to Conab. In January the agency forecast a total corn crop of 98.7 million tons.



RFA’s Cooper Calls on Industry to ‘Focus Forward’ at 2020 National Ethanol Conference

Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper addressed attendees of the 25th annual National Ethanol Conference in Houston today, painting a clear picture of the hardships faced in 2019 and making the case for an optimistic industry outlook for 2020 in his annual State of the Industry remarks.

“2019 marked just the third time in the last three decades where output fell from the preceding year,” Cooper said. “Previous decreases in annual output—in 1996 and 2012—were both tied to historic droughts, short crops, and record high corn prices. The drop in ethanol output this time was caused by a disaster of an entirely different sort: policy uncertainty, bureaucratic meddling, and aggravating marketplace barriers.”

In the face of demand-destroying regulatory barriers and political uncertainty, Cooper highlighted how the ethanol industry continued to serve as a vital source of good-paying jobs and economic activity in hard-hit rural communities in 2019, citing key statistics from RFA’s annual study on the economic contributions of the ethanol industry. Released on Monday, the study measures the industry’s sizable economic footprint. Key figures show that in 2019 alone, the U.S. ethanol industry:
-    Produced 15.8 billion gallons of high-octane, clean-burning renewable fuel;
-    Supported nearly 69,000 jobs directly, and another 280,000 indirect or induced jobs across the economy;
-    Contributed $43 billion to the U.S. GDP, raised household incomes by more than $23 billion, and generated $8 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues.

Cooper also touted the removal of regulatory barriers that had banned the sale of E15 during summer months and the marketplace’s enthusiastic response as a win attributable to the industry’s tenacity and ability to “focus forward.” He went on to point out that 2020 is already off to a good start with US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruling in favor of RFA in a decision that could ensure the EPA is finally held accountable for their abusive practices in issuing small refinery waivers.

Meanwhile, RFA’s vision for the industry over the next decade is even brighter-- especially given the increased focus on lowering carbon emissions from the transportation sector.

With state and federal action on carbon reduction looming large in the new decade, Cooper pointed to renewable fuels as a policy solution for lawmakers. Advocating for low-carbon fuel standards that establish a minimum octane level for fuels and requiring that octane boost comes from sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to a hydrocarbon baseline are two solutions that will offer an even more robust market for the industry moving forward.

Cooper concluded his remarks offering what he believes are the keys to ethanol’s future: “Clean Octane. Carbon Reduction. Consumer Choice.”



25th Annual National Ethanol Conference Welcomes President George W. Bush
   
The Renewable Fuels Association was honored to welcome George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, to the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference today in Houston.

By championing an all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy production while in office, President Bush put the United States on a course toward greater energy security and made an indelible mark on agriculture and the renewable fuels industry.

“Our industry cannot effectively ‘Focus Forward’ without first celebrating and reflecting on the achievements of the past,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, referencing the theme of the 2020 NEC. “We simply would not have the robust and dynamic renewable fuels industry we have today without President Bush’s enduring leadership and vision. The Renewable Fuel Standard has been a tremendous success and provides a firm foundation upon which we will build the future of renewable fuels. We were thrilled to welcome President Bush to the NEC and thank him for all he has done to promote a stronger and more secure energy future.”

The RFS was originally created as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, signed into law by President Bush in August 2005. In December 2007, he signed into law the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which extended and greatly expanded the RFS. Between these two signature events, in April 2006, President Bush spoke to RFA members in Washington, D.C., where he addressed the importance of energy independence and security.

At the 2007 signing ceremony, President Bush remarked that the expanded RFS program was a “…major step toward reducing our dependence on oil, confronting global climate change, expanding production of renewable fuels and giving future generations a nation that is stronger, cleaner and more secure.”

Taking place February 10-12 in Houston, the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference provides an unequaled opportunity to engage key decision makers and industry executives about the latest opportunities and challenges affecting the renewable fuels industry today.



USGC Meeting Attendees Plan Global Trade Strategy For Coming Year

Members of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) are arriving in Tampa, Florida, for the organization’s winter meeting this week, where they will concentrate on drivers of global demand including trade relations with China, the weather and global trade policy developments before heading into business and strategy sessions focused on ways to keep markets open and grain flowing around the world.

“We are excited to be in Tampa as we come off a particularly challenging year for trade and begin to right our course to make something happen for U.S. corn, sorghum, barley, ethanol, distillers dried grains with solubles and other co-products,” said USGC Chairman Darren Armstrong, a farmer from North Carolina. “We are looking forward to hearing from experts in their fields of policy and weather prediction to help us analyze what’s happened recently and plan a strategy for success in the coming year.”

Speakers will include Ambassador Craig Allen, president, U.S.-China Business Council; Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions; and Ken Levinson, executive director of the Washington International Trade Association. After each of their presentations, a panel of the Council's global staff will react to the presentations and set the stage for later discussions by attendees in topical committees known as Advisory Teams (A-Teams).

“China, growing conditions and trade agreements were some of the biggest challenges our industry weathered in the last 12 months, so it only makes sense we would analyze them as we prepare our strategy for the coming year in trade,” said Armstrong.

“The good news is our staff around the world have been tackling these challenges in specific markets and regions where they live and work, and they will share with us the strategies they already have in place so our A-Team members may offer recommendations to build on them.”

The Council’s winter meeting is the annual chance for corn, sorghum and barley farmers and members of agribusiness who make up the organization’s membership to meet with their international staff, who work in dozens of locations globally on trade policy and market development issues.

“We couldn’t do what we do or be as nimble as we are in our markets around the world without these directors and their staff,” said U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Ryan LeGrand. “They – along with considered input from our A-Team members – are a huge part of how we get information, how we can anticipate market shifts and create winning strategies for continued sales for the commodities we represent.”

Later in the week, longtime Council members and staff will be recognized for their years of service and the event will end with a Board of Delegates meeting where A-Team leaders and sector directors will offer their recommendations and set Council priorities for the coming year.



WARNING: Fake Meat May Contain Carcinogens

Today, the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom placed a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal revealing a hidden substance lurking in some fake meat products. Several tests administered by an independent lab revealed the presence of the carcinogen acrylamide. The acrylamide levels found are high enough to require Prop 65 warnings under California law.

In 1986, Californians passed a ballot measure called Proposition 65, which requires a warning when a company exposes people to chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm. California considers acrylamide a carcinogen and reproductive toxicant.

The discovery of acrylamide in cooked plant-based meat adds another blemish to the perceived health halo around these products. Despite what the public may believe, synthetic meats are ultra-processed and not healthier than real meat, according to nutritionists. Some fake meats contain ingredients such as propylene glycol and titanium dioxide to help them mimic real meat.

Today’s ad is the latest in a series of print and video ads with the goal of educating the public on the contents of fake meat. Previously, CCF ran a commercial during the Super Bowl in the Washington, D.C. area. CCF has also had opinion pieces placed in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. Learn more at www.CleanFoodFacts.com.

CCF managing director Will Coggin commented: “Synthetic meat is being promoted as a healthy, 'green' option, but our tests put another black mark on the fake meat record. Consumers trying to buy more natural products will be surprised at the lengthy ingredient list of these ultra-processed factory creations.”

Full disclosure: We’ve been critical of Prop 65 in the past. But the law is the law, it’s still on the books in California, and we believe everyone should play by the same rules.



NCGA Launches STEM Education Program

National Corn Growers Association announced the official launch of a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education program called Nourish the Future. The effort, funded with the support of corn state checkoff investment, kicked off with a virtual meeting of the Teacher Leadership Community.

"Biology and chemistry teachers from across the country were selected to participate in the inaugural year-long program," said NCGA Research and Productivity Director, Robyn Allscheid. "The goal is to help these teachers identify opportunities to introduce agriculture topics into their classrooms and provide leadership and mentoring opportunities."

The next step for Nourish the Future will be a workshop during Commodity Classic in San Antonio Feb. 26-29, 2020.

The group will learn about a broad range of subjects from the role of genetics in feeding a growing population to fermentation and the chemistry of biofuels. The selected teachers will be joined by an additional group of 30 Texas teachers for a portion of the training.



McCrometer, Inc. Announces New McMag2000 Flow Meter

McCrometer, Inc., a globally recognized flow meter manufacturer, recently announced the upcoming launch of their newest product, the McMag2000™ flow meter.

Known for inventing America's best-selling propeller flow meter, McCrometer has innovated in flow measurement devices since 1955, boasting an agricultural product line of both propeller and electromagnetic flow meters. The McMag2000 incorporates the best of each popular flow technology, including the "no-moving-parts" concept of electromagnetic meters and the wallet-friendly nature of propeller meters.

Developed for the dynamic ag-tech industry, the McMag2000 was revealed to attendees of the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA this week, the world's largest agricultural exposition. The McMag2000 is a saddle-style insertion electromagnetic flow meter, designed for the irrigation and water industry and best suited to applications like center pivot systems, well monitoring, surface water measurement, and more.

The McMag2000 aims to benefit farmers and irrigators by providing easy DIY installation and maintenance, for an overall low cost of ownership.

"When farmers need to repair or perform maintenance on a flow meter, they often need to shut down a line to remove the meter and send it back to the factory for service," explains Aimee Davis, Product Manager for McCrometer. "Especially during a busy agriculture season, that can be a real hassle. The McMag2000's design alleviates that headache completely in its design."

The McMag2000 is modularly built, allowing each major component (saddle, electronic register, sensor, and other parts) to be independently replaced and self-serviced with little effort – and little budget.

"The in-field serviceability and price tag make the McMag2000 the farmer's best friend," Davis explains. "Its patented design creates minimal downtime and maximum control!"

The McMag2000 is currently available for pre-orders and will be fully launched at the end of March. For more information on McCrometer meters or to request a quote, visit www.mccrometer.com/water.