Thursday March 19 Ag News

Record Fall for the March Rural Mainstreet Index: Six of 10 Bank CEOs Expect Recession from Coronavirus

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) plummeted in March to its lowest level since October 2016. According to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy, this is the first reading below growth neutral after six straight months above the 50.0 threshold,.     

Overall: The overall index for March slumped to 35.5 from 51.6 for February.  March’s decline represents the largest one month fall since the survey was initiated in January 2006.

“Approximately 61.3% of bank CEOs expect the coronavirus to produce a recession in their market area. However, almost one-third, or 32.3% expect little economic impact from the coronavirus threat,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. 

Over the last two weeks the coronavirus has resulted in almost one-half, or 47.6%, of bankers surveyed reporting a decline in client or customer visits. Almost one-fourth, or 23.8%, indicated that their bank had experienced higher loan applications resulting from the coronavirus threat.  

Another 14.3% of banks reported an increase in staff absences due to the coronavirus.

Farming and ranching: After moving above growth neutral in December, the farmland and ranchland-price index has fallen below growth neutral for three consecutive months. Even so, March’s reading dipped to 46.6 from February’s 46.8. This is the 75th time in the past 76 months the index has been below growth neutral.

The March farm equipment-sales index slipped to 37.5 from 37.9 in February. This marks the 78th month straight month that the reading has remained below growth neutral 50.0. 

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for March tumbled to 32.6 from February’s 48.3. The state’s farmland-price index slipped to 45.2 from last month’s 45.3. Nebraska’s new-hiring index plunged to 33.9 from February’s 42.3.    Between 2018 and 2019, total exports for the state declined by 6.2% with food and agricultural commodities representing 52.4% of total exports for 2019.  

Iowa: The March RMI for Iowa fell to 31.0 from February’s 50.1. Iowa’s farmland-price index slipped to 44.6 from February’s 45.9. Iowa’s new-hiring index for March sank to a regional low of 28.5 from February’s 47.7. Between 2018 and 2019, total exports for the state slumped by 8.3% with food and agricultural commodities representing 32.3% of total exports for 2019.  

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities, and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included.  

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



NE Extension Hosts 2020 Dairy Webinar Series

Nebraska Dairy Extension is hosting a no fee dairy webinar the second Tuesday of every month at 11:00 am CDT. 

Agenda - Date - Topic - Presenter
April 14 - Feed Efficiencies - shrink, wind loss, spoilage, etc. - Mike Brouk, Kansas State University
May 12 - Preparing for the evaluation: FARM 4.0 - Kim Clark, UNL
June 9 - Improving Cropland Resiliency, Making Manure Part of Fertility Planning - Amy Schmidt, UNL
July 14 - Nutritional Energetics - Logan Morris, UNL
August 11 - Value of Manure - Rick Koelsch, UNL
Sept. 8 - Mindful Manure Mgt: 5 Tips for Staying Safe During Manure Appl. Season - Amy Schmidt, UNL
October 13 - Can a Weather Forecast Reduce Neighbor Odor Exposure? - Rick Koelsch, UNL
November 10 - Does pelleting affect digestibility? - Kirby Krogstad, UNL
December 8 - Feeding strategies with low quality and quantity forages - Paul Kononoff, UNL

No registration is required. To join the webinar visit: go.unl.edu/dairywebinar. 



Emerging Issues Forum Rescheduled Due to Coronavirus

In light of the current health issues and precautions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) and Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) have rescheduled the Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum 2020 for July 15-16. The Forum will be held at the La Vista Conference Center in Greater Omaha if the threat of COVID-19 has subsided. A new registration link and details will be available soon at ethanol.nebraska.gov.

The Forum brings together ethanol producers and others from across the nation who are integrally involved in production, technology, policymaking, and marketing of ethanol and its co-products. The agenda runs from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 8:00 a.m. to noon Thursday, with multiple networking opportunities in between.

While the conference has been postponed, the hosts have been able to reconfirm many of the speaking engagements. Topics include an overview and discussion of the most pressing federal policies, regulatory and legal actions, and market trends from around the world. Speakers will also outline opportunities in emerging co-product markets from industry partners and remind attendees why they (and why the public should) fall in love with ethanol.

Other scheduled presentations include exploring the potential of future ethanol use in the electric vehicle market, fostering environmental relationships as agricultural and ethanol producers, as well as a discussion considering how ethanol and the petroleum industry can work together.

“We take pride in connecting attendees with some of the most sought-after experts in our industry and providing them with knowledge and foresight of what we truly see evolving in the future,” said Roger Berry, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “Whether you work in the ethanol sector or you’re a citizen enthusiastic about the potential that biofuels have to reduce pollution, we welcome you to attend this exciting and educational event.”



NEBRASKA HONEY PRODUCTION

Honey production in 2019 from Nebraska producers with five or more colonies totaled 2.03 million pounds, down 14 percent from 2018, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

There were 39,000 honey producing colonies in Nebraska during 2019, down 3 percent from 2018. Average yield was 52 pounds per colony, down 7 pounds from 2018. Producer stocks were 223,000 pounds on December 15, 2019 down from 850,000 pounds a year earlier.

Prices for the 2019 crop averaged $1.46 per pound, down from $2.01 per pound in 2018. Prices were based on retail sales by producers and sales to private processors and cooperatives. Total value of honey produced in 2019 was $2.96 million, down 38 percent from 2018.

Iowa Honey Production
Honey production from producers with five or more colonies in Iowa totaled 2.09 million pounds in 2019 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Honey report. This was a 12 percent increase from the 1.86 million pounds produced in 2018. The number of honey producing colonies in the state at 38,000 is unchanged from 2018. This number does not include producers with fewer than five colonies or producers who did not harvest honey. Yield per colony in Iowa averaged 55 pounds, up from 49 pounds per colony in 2018. Iowa ranked seventeenth nationally in honey production, up from eighteenth place in 2018. Colonies which produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted.

On December 15, 2019, producer honey stocks in Iowa, excluding stocks under government loan programs, were 1.17 million pounds, a 16 percent increase from 2018. The state’s 2019 honey crop was valued at $4.68 million, up 5 percent from the previous year’s $4.47 million. The average price per pound for all marketing channels in Iowa was $2.24, down 16 cents from 2018.

United States Honey Production Up 2 Percent in 2019
United States honey production in 2019 totaled 157 million pounds, up 2 percent from 2018. There were 2.81 million colonies producing honey in 2019, down 1 percent from 2018. Yield per colony averaged 55.8 pounds, up 2 percent from the 54.5 pounds in 2018. Colonies which produced honey in more than one State were counted in each State where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted. Colonies were not included if honey was not harvested. Producer honey stocks were 41.0 million pounds on December 15, 2019, up 40 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.

Honey Prices Down 11 Percent in 2019
United States honey prices decreased 11 percent during 2019 to 1.97 cents per pound, compared to 2.21 cents per pound in 2018. United States and State level prices reflect the portions of honey sold through cooperatives, private, and retail channels. Prices for each color class are derived by weighting the quantities sold for each marketing channel. Prices for the 2018 crop reflect honey sold in 2018 and 2019. Some 2018 crop honey was sold in 2019, which caused some revisions to the 2018 crop prices.



February Milk Production in the United States up 5.3 Percent

Milk production in the United States during February totaled 17.9 billion pounds, up 5.3 percent from February 2019.  Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,907 pounds for February,  93 pounds above February 2019.  The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.37 million head, 18,000 head more than February 2019, and 9,000 head more than January 2020.

Milk production in Iowa during February 2020 totaled 422 million pounds, up 1 percent from the previous February according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. However, adjusting production for the extra day due to the leap year causes February milk production to be up less than 1 percent on a per day basis. The average number of milk cows during February, at 215,000 head, was the same as last month but down 5,000 from last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,965 pounds, up 75 pounds from last February.



Record High Red Meat and Pork Production in February

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.45 billion pounds in February, up 7 percent from the 4.17 billion pounds produced in February 2019.

Beef production, at 2.13 billion pounds, was 7 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.58 million head, up 5 percent from February 2019. The average live weight was up 24 pounds from the previous year, at 1,376 pounds.

Veal production totaled 5.1 million pounds, 17 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,700 head, down 18 percent from February 2019. The average live weight was up 5 pounds from last year, at 224 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.31 billion pounds, up 6 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.7 million head, up 6 percent from February 2019. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 288 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 10.7 million pounds, was down 4 percent from February 2019. Sheep slaughter totaled 164,200 head, 3 percent below last year. The average live weight was 130 pounds, down 2 pounds from February a year ago.

By State:                  (mil lbs.  -  % Feb '19)
Nebraska .......:         607.0             99      
Iowa ..............:         731.1            112      
Kansas ...........:         474.9            112      

January to February 2020 commercial red meat production was 9.41 billion pounds, up 6 percent from 2019. Accumulated beef production was up 5 percent from last year, veal was down 9 percent, pork was up 7 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.



AgriSafe Network hosts COVID-19 Webinar
Monday, March 23, 2020 - 12:00 PM

Coronavirus has gained attention worldwide as an emerging infectious disease. This webinar is intended to share evidence-based information about COVID19 and to help agricultural producers identify strategies for responding on their farm.

Intended Audience:
Agricultural producers, ranchers, farmers, farmworkers, veterinarians, Extension personnel, rural health care providers, and others who work in agriculture.

Objectives:
At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
  - be aware of common signs and symptoms of COVID-19
  - understand the transmission risk to yourself, employees, and potentially your animals
 - describe infection control principles and appropriate strategies for limiting disease transmission
 - locate resources and training for Ag producers related to infection prevention

Presenters
 - Jeff Bender, DVM, MS DACVPM - Professor and Director of the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH), School of Public Health, University of Minnesota
  - Charlotte Halverson, RN, BSN, COHN-S, Clinical Director, AgriSafe Network Heather Fowler, VMD PhD MPH DACVPM - Director of Producer and Public Health, National Pork Board
  - Chad Roy, Ph.D., M.S.P.H. - Director, Infectious Disease Aerobiology, Director, Biodefense Research Programs at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, and Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, Tulane School of Medicine

If you cannot attend the live event, a recording of this webinar will be available in the AgriSafe Learning Lab shortly after the event is over.

To register for this webinar, please click here to register.... www.agrisafe.org.  Registration will take place in the AgriSafe Learning Lab. If you are not currently an AgriSafe member, you can still register after setting up a guest account.



Statement of NCFC President Chuck Conner on Designation of Agriculture and Food Supply Chain as Critical Infrastructure

“I would like to applaud the Department of Homeland Security for designating the entire food and agriculture production chain as critical infrastructure as our country responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. This action will help ensure that as we face this unprecedented crisis Americans will continue to be able to find nutritious food on store shelves. It provides much needed reassurance to our hardworking farmers as planting season gets underway. I’d also like to thank Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for his leadership and hard work on this issue.

“The Trump Administration should especially be commended to recognize the importance of the entire supply chain—from input provides to farmers and ranchers to food processors to retailers. Leaving one link in this chain out of this designation would have made the task facing American agriculture all that much harder.

“America’s co-ops and their farmer-owners stand ready to play their part in this chain. In conversations with our members in the past week, one phrase used frequently is that our country’s farmer co-ops will ‘get it done.’ The coming weeks will require sacrifice, ingenuity, and determination, but I have no doubt that, as we have so many times in our country’s history, farmers and ranchers will rise to the challenge.”



Agricultural Producers Encouraged to Visit Farmers.Gov for Updates on Services in Their Community

As proactive health measures are put in effect nationwide to reduce the spread of coronavirus, the USDA is taking measures to ensure the safety of its employees and customers. As a result, access to certain facilities may be limited while remaining open for business. All service center visitors wishing to conduct business with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any other service center agency are encouraged to call their service center to confirm availability for in-person or phone appointments before visiting. Producers can find their service center’s phone number at farmers.gov/service-center-locator. Agricultural producers should visit farmers.gov/coronavirus for the latest information on available services and the latest status of service centers impacted by these locally-specific health measures.



ARA Working with Administration to Ensure Certainty, Business Continuity for Ag Retailers and Customers

Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) sent a letter to President Trump underscoring the priorities identified by its members to be addressed during the COVID-19 pandemic and related limitations on businesses.

“We are now entering the spring season, the busiest time of the year for farmers and the agricultural retailers who supply and support them,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock in the letter. “Continuous flows of seed, fertilizers, crop protection and custom application are most important in the spring. Even missing one or two days in tight windows for planting, fertilizing or applying crop protection can have significant negative impacts on fresh food and row crop production as well as farm income.”

The letter requests flexibility for the agricultural supply chain, including designating agricultural retailers as “essential” and exempt from any temporary closures of “retail” businesses. It also asks that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Hours of Service (HOS) requirements waiver that has been extended to those carrying medical supplies also include the carrying of farm supplies and other products that are time-sensitive to a functioning supply chain.

“… we ask that you keep in mind the importance of this agricultural input supply chain to the farmers and the consumers who rely on that productivity,” said Coppock.

Also included is a request that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designate agricultural retailers and other parts of the farm supply chain be considered “essential” critical infrastructure and allowed to continue to operate and move essential products for delivery to farmers during any mandatory shutdowns, including commercial ports.



USDA and DOL Announce Information Sharing to Assist H-2A Employers

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help facilitate the identification of foreign and domestic workers that may be available and eligible to transfer to other U.S. agricultural sector employers to fulfill critical workforce needs within the U.S. under existing regulatory authority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ensuring minimal disruption for our agricultural workforce during these uncertain times is a top priority for this administration,” Secretary Perdue said. “President Trump knows that these workers are critical to maintaining our food supply and our farmers and ranchers are counting on their ability to work. We will continue to work to make sure our supply chain is impacted as minimally as possible.”

“American farmers and ranchers are at the frontlines of maintaining the nation’s food supply,” Secretary Scalia said. “In these unprecedented times, it is critical for them to have the workforce they need. This new partnership between USDA and DOL will help support our farmers, ranchers, and American families.”



Peterson Welcomes Added Flexibility for Ethanol Producers, Motor Carriers

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson welcomed two announcements from the Federal government that would expand flexibility in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic.

Public guidance issued Wednesday from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau gives added flexibility for alcohol fuel plants and beverage distilled spirits plants to shift to the production of ethanol-based hand sanitizers.

An expanded emergency declaration issued Wednesday from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provides regulatory relief for motor carriers transporting essential supplies, food and fuel.

“These two actions will provide flexibility for folks along the food and fuel chain to respond to immediate needs within their community and beyond as the challenge of fighting the pandemic grows,” said Peterson.

“Expanding the operations making hand sanitizer grows the need for ethanol at a time when farmers need that,” he added. “And enabling carriers to move freely in providing food, fuel and supplies enables farmers and wholesalers to move food products including milk, as well as livestock and poultry more easily to where they need to be.”



NPPC Applauds Government Guidance Recognizing U.S. Agriculture as Critical Industry

This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance on critical industry workforce that should continue as the country addresses and responds to the coronavirus outbreak; U.S. food and agriculture was included among 16 critical industries.

Specifically, DHS recognized as essential a variety of pork production roles. Among these critical workers:
-    Food manufacturer employees and their supplier employees—to include those employed in food processing (packers, meat processing, cheese plants, milk plants, produce, etc.) facilities; livestock, poultry, seafood slaughter facilities; pet and animal feed processing facilities; human food facilities producing by-products for animal food; beverage production facilities; and the production of food packaging.
-    Farm workers to include those employed in animal food, feed, and ingredient production, packaging, and distribution; manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of veterinary drugs; truck delivery and transport; farm and fishery labor needed to produce our food supply domestically.
-    Animal agriculture workers including those employed in veterinary health; manufacturing and distribution of animal medical materials, animal vaccines, animal drugs, feed ingredients, feed, and bedding, etc.; transportation of live animals, animal medical materials; transportation of deceased animals for disposal; raising of animals for food; animal production operations; slaughter and packing plants and associated regulatory and government workforce.

"We thank DHS for acknowledging the vital role that pork producers play in helping to feed consumers here at home and around the globe with a high-quality, affordable protein," said National Pork Producers President Howard "A.V." Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. "We recognize that states and local governments are working hard to ensure operational continuity. As part of that effort, we urge state and local governments to swiftly follow and implement this federal directive. We need to ensure there is a continuous and uninterrupted supply of pork to America's kitchen tables."



NCBA Sends Letter to Capitol Hill Urging Relief for Cattle Producers

In response to the ongoing efforts to provide relief to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement:

“As the country reels both economically and emotionally from the spread of COVID-19, NCBA has been hard at work ensuring that cattle producers remain able to focus on the national infrastructure priority of keeping high-quality beef available to consumers. 

“Meeting that challenge requires federal officials at the Departments of Agriculture, Transportation, Interior, Treasury, and more to have a full understanding of how our product gets from the pasture to the plate – and we’re extremely proud to tell that story. 

”In these challenging times, that story is about the strength of our cattle-producing families and what they need to weather this storm.  COVID-19 has dealt a tremendously challenging hand to producers across the country. These highly volatile markets cannot be allowed to force our ranching families out of business just when consumers need them most.

“In order to combat this staggering burden, NCBA has been actively engaged with leaders in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to ensure that relief funds from any aid package reach these struggling cattle producers directly. It is important that any such relief avoids the lasting market-altering effects of a price support program, such as those that have been proposed by some members of the Senate. Instead, we must keep the focus on providing quick, targeted relief to struggling producers.  While the effects of COVID-19 will be felt across the country, we must ensure we avoid permanent, fundamental changes to workings of the American cattle market. We applaud Senators and Representatives from across the country who are working to provide those solutions using proven avenues such as the Commodity Credit Corporation as administered through USDA.
 
“Americans always rise to the challenge in times of need and the work of these officials in Congress and in the administration during this trying time is a testament to that great tradition. We thank each of them for their efforts and stand ready to assist moving forward.”    



Dairy Farmers Elated at Homeland Security’s Reaffirmation of Food and Agriculture as a Critical Industry

The National Milk Producers Federation, the largest organization of U.S. dairy farmers, applauded the Trump Administration’s explanation that the food and agriculture is a critical infrastructure industry in the wake of the coronavirus national emergency, a move that encourages state and local authorities to allow farms and the entire food-supply chain to continue operating as usual amid current and potential restrictions created to stem the spread of the virus.

“This declaration allows farmers to do what they do best – feed U.S. consumers – in a time of acute need and anxiety,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Agriculture is working around the clock to ensure timely delivery of safe, abundant food. That’s what farmers always do – but in a time of unprecedented public-health concern, a fully functioning food system is even more critical to national health and well-being.”

The administration’s designation of “essential critical infrastructure workforce” was announced today by the Department of Homeland Security. NMPF has been deeply involved with the federal government in food supply-chain discussions throughout the coronavirus crisis: Its senior vice president of regulatory and environmental affairs, Clay Detlefsen, is the private-sector chair of the Food and Agricultural Sector Coordinating Council, an industry-government collaboration set up after the Sept. 2001 terror attacks to share information between government agencies and private businesses.

The Homeland Security declaration reflects how effectively industry is working with government and how much that relationship has progressed in this crisis, Detlefsen said. “We’re witnessing incredible collaboration among the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other government agencies and all sectors of the food industry. That’s been crucial to keeping supply chains running during these crucial days for public health and confidence.

“These key partnerships are firing on all cylinders,” Detlefsen said. “Agriculture’s appropriate designation as a critical industry should bring relief to farm families who want to help their country as well as to consumers who now know the world’s greatest agricultural producers can meet their needs unimpeded.”



Coalition Urges Trump Administration to Help Rural Health Care System Prepare for Coronavirus

As rural communities brace for the arrival of the novel coronavirus, a coalition of organization representing rural communities is urging the administration to ensure that the rural health care system has adequate resources and support to respond to this crisis.

In a letter sent to President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, National Farmers Union, the American Federation of Teachers, Farm Credit Council, Farmworker Justice, the National Association of Counties, and the National Rural Health Association noted that while COVID-19 may be slower to spread to rural areas, its impact is expected to be at least as serious as it has been in urban areas. This is, in part, because rural Americans are more vulnerable to the virus but are less able to access treatment. “The greatest risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19 are advanced age and serious chronic medical conditions– both of which disproportionately affect rural Americans,” the coalition wrote. At the same time, those individuals are more likely to be poor and uninsured, making it difficult for them to afford testing and treatment services.

But because a spate of rural hospital closures over the past decade has left communities with a shortage of medical professionals, hospital beds, equipment, and funding, even patients who can afford treatment still may not be able to access it. “Even in the best circumstances, rural hospitals are often ill-equipped to handle acute medical issues,” the letter reads. “But in the event of a pandemic, understaffed and underfunded facilities will undoubtedly struggle to meet the needs of every patient.”

In anticipation of an influx of patients, the coalition outlined a list of recommendations that would expand the capacity of rural facilities, such as increasing the availability of necessary medical supplies and funding for hospitals, migrant health centers, and other community health providers. Such efforts will help rural Americans access necessary medical services during this crisis.



Keep healthy meals on the table and stress out of the kitchen with these simple suggestions from BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

As families adjust to more time at home, the Beef Checkoff is offering tips and ideas for batch cooking and leftovers to ensure meal planning is stress-free and packs a nutritious punch. Planning ahead in the kitchen saves time and money, and can also help families reach daily nutrition goals, even when they’re busy juggling a variety of needs and responsibilities. 

Meal prepping and planning for leftovers is a cinch when you start out strong with perfectly prepared beef. Check out these easy guides from the experts at Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. to get the ball rolling:
-    How to Batch Cook Shredded Beef – This quick guide walks you through how to cook a roast in the slow cooker for delicious shredded beef you can use all week long.
-    How to Batch Cook Steak –By following these simple steps, you can be set with steak for days.

In addition to batch cooking, turning leftovers into “planned-overs” can be a great way to keep things fresh when cooking at home.  Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, these popular dishes from the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. So Long Leftovers recipe collection are sure to be crowd pleasers and can cut down on cooking stress: 
-    Breakfast – Get your day off to a good start with a Beef & Spinach Breakfast Sandwich. Simply pair your leftover steak or roast with eggs, spinach and cheese for a delicious morning meal.
-    Lunch – Elevate your lunchtime routine with a protein-packed Steak Salad with Dried Cherries. A little bit sweet and a little bit savory, this salad will keep you going through the day.
-    Dinner – Put those shredded beef leftovers to work for a delicious meal of Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef. When sautéed with peppers, onions and lime juice, and served with rice and beans, leftovers become new again for a delicious family dinner.

For these recipes and more, including cooking lessons and virtual farm and ranch tours, visit  www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.



CORN REFINERS INTRODUCE NEW CLIMATE PRINCIPLES TO FURTHER INNOVATIVE POLICYMAKING

The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) today announced new climate change policy principles that will guide the industry’s advocacy to ensure a more sustainable future for corn refining, agriculture, and consumers.

“These principles will drive advocacy for science-based public policies that demand economically-sound decisions at the state, federal and global levels,” said CRA President and CEO John Bode. “They will nurture collaboration across industries and lawmakers to minimize greenhouse gas emissions as we foster technological innovation, expand commercial opportunities, build the bioeconomy, and feed a hungry world. Importantly, these principles recognize the significant role that agriculture plays in addressing climate challenges proactively.”

CRA’s climate change policy principles include undertaking initiatives to reduce the overall carbon footprint of corn refining products and processes, an embrace of greenhouse gas reduction goals that are both achievable and science-based, and recognizing agricultural feedstocks in industrial processes as a key element in advancing greenhouse gas reductions, among others.

“By addressing climate change through environmentally-focused solutions, CRA continues to serve as a leading member of the agriculture industry’s economic growth,” said CRA Board Chairman Rob Ritchie. “I am proud to be part of this forward-leaning group, guiding law through sound science and elevating society at every level as a result.”

The full list of climate change policy principles can be found here: https://corn.org/cra-climate-change-policy-principles/.

This announcement comes on the heels of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Innovation Agenda (AIA). The AIA reflects a commitment to the continued success of American farmers, ranchers, producers, and foresters in the face of future challenges.

Since its inception 106 years ago, CRA has fought for corn refiners, farmers and agribusinesses, consumers and other relevant industries. CRA advocates for a healthy and prosperous environment that preserves America’s ability to innovate and promote economic growth. CRA believes environmental regulations are most effective when they are guided by law and rooted in science.



One National Milk Marketing Order Needed as Coronavirus Fallout Reveals Flaws in U.S. Dairy Production System
                The production of milk, grains and meat is vital to national interests, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will undoubtedly be felt on farms across the United States.

                National Farmers, a marketer of milk, cattle and grains on behalf of farmers across the country, says dairy producers will see major disruptions in farm-level milk prices and product flow interruptions will occur from farms to processors and retailers.

                “The milk industry will face enormous disruptions in the coming weeks and months, and worse yet, we can't anticipate exactly what they will be,” said National Farmers President Paul Olson. “But we know this; one national milk marketing order would help put the country in a better position to handle whatever comes up,” Olson said.

                Currently, 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders regulate milk marketing. But Olson says the establishment of just one national milk marketing order can facilitate faster reactions to disruptions throughout the system and allow for necessary corrective actions when those disruptions occur. He says one milk order can also can take steps to stabilize prices, address transportation disruptions and stem the loss of family-sized farms.

                “We are requesting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue strongly consider establishing one federal milk marketing order,” Olson said.

                As Americans face the daily psychological challenges of the novel coronavirus and cope with disappearing products on grocery store shelves, Olson points out the realities of today’s milk production system.

                “More than half of the nation’s milk is produced by only 5 percent of U.S. dairy farms,” Olson said. These giant farms depend on people who make up a vulnerable labor supply to milk and otherwise care for tens of thousands of cows.

                “A coronavirus outbreak among workers on several of those farms will, in all likelihood, lead to plant closures,” Olson said. Notification has already been given by one prominent plant of its intent to close indefinitely.

                The group of dairy farms least likely to be disrupted is family-sized operations. Most labor on these dairies is from family members who live on the farms. Chances for rapid spread of disease among various families on their many operations is lower, because of natural social distancing geographically between farms. But these are the very farms the country is now losing at rates approaching 10 percent per year.

            “We believe a more dispersed milk supply is a safer food supply,” said Olson. Much more so than allowing most dairy cows, and more labor, to be concentrated on very large farms.