Tuesday March 24 Ag News

Secretary Perdue’s Statement on National Ag Day
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding National Agriculture Day and President Donald J. Trump’s Proclamation recognizing the importance of America’s farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers:

“Our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers in America are feeding and clothing the world. Now more than ever it’s important that the American people not forget that. Our farmers are resilient, and during these uncertain times they are still working, day in and day out, to produce what’s needed for our growing population,” said Secretary Perdue. “Today, on National Ag Day, I challenge the American public to keep our farmers, ranchers and producers on their minds – for all their work to provide us a safe, healthy and abundant food supply. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”



Chairman Peterson Statement on National Ag Day

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson released the following statement today in honor of National Ag Day:

“Today is National Ag Day, and in communities across the country, our national emergency has made all of us more aware than ever of how important the people who produce, distribute, cook, and sell our food are to the health and well-being of all Americans. We on the House Agriculture Committee have always been proud to stand up for agriculture and food in Washington, but today that role takes on even more meaning as we honor and thank the farmers and ranchers that anchor that system.”



NPPC Celebrates National Agriculture Day

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) stands with U.S. agriculture today as we celebrate National Agriculture Day and honor those workers who are essential to the nation's food supply.

In a declaration signed on Monday, President Trump said "since our nation's earliest days, farming communities have been a bedrock of our society....As our nation continues to face the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, we pay tribute to the unbeatable strength of America's agricultural producers as they once again answer the call to feed our country and the world."

"Today's celebration to honor our farmers, producers and ranchers couldn't come at a more important time for our industry," said NPPC President Howard "A.V." Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. "As we grapple with the spread of COVID-19 and its impacts on our daily lives, consumers can rest assured that U.S. agriculture will always be there to feed the nation and the globe. The U.S. hog farmers represented by NPPC are committed to keeping American kitchens stocked with affordable, nutritious protein," he added.

Learn more about U.S. pork producer efforts to ensure an uninterrupted supply of pork by visiting: http://nppc.org/issues/issue/your-food-is-our-priority/.



National Sorghum Producers Celebrates National Ag Day 2020

National Sorghum Producers joins the agriculture community to celebrate National Ag Day March 24, 2020. This is a time to recognize the essential role agriculture and the American farmer play contributing to our nation’s food security and the global economy.

“American agriculture has been a constant source of food, fiber and fuel throughout time, and especially in times of crisis. In this season of challenges and uncertainty, we are proud to see our producers doing their part to meet the needs of American consumers and those around the world,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “While sorghum is only one piece of the puzzle, we would like to say thank you to all agricultural producers and those in the food supply chain for their commitment to providing the products our modern world needs.”

“National Ag Day gives producers an opportunity to share with the world what we do to ensure a safe and reliable supply of products remains available for American and global consumers,” NSP Chairman Dan Atkisson, a sorghum producer from Stockton, Kansas, said. “Our association is proud of our producers, their families and all who contribute to the sorghum industry. National Ag Day is our chance to recognize their contributions and dedication to sharing their everyday lives and the impact they have on us all and to reassure the American consumer of the strong agriculture foundation we have here in America.”

Grain sorghum was planted on 5.3 million acres in 2019, and farmers from South Texas to South Dakota, the traditional Sorghum Belt, harvested over 340 million bushels. The inherent tolerance of sorghum to marginal lands and environmental conditions, its versatility as a food and feed grain, and its ability to produce high yields ensure its important, sustainable, role in the lives of millions of people throughout the world.



EPA Celebrates America’s Farmers and Ranchers on National Agriculture Day

Today and every day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) appreciates America’s rich agricultural history and celebrates the work of American farmers and ranchers. In honor of National Agriculture Day and Week, the agency is highlighting the progress that farmers, ranchers and EPA have made to provide Americans with a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply.

“As we all work together to address the challenges that our nation is facing with the novel coronavirus, I want to thank our farmers for their courageous efforts to continue to provide our nation a safe, abundant and affordable food supply,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Farmers and ranchers are key to our environmental progress and the Trump Administration has worked to enhance our relationship with one of our strongest allies in fulfilling our mission to protect human health and the environment.”

Over 40 percent of all U.S. land in 2017 was farmland according to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture, positioning U.S. farmers and ranchers to be one of the most important sectors in the U.S. economy. EPA is working closer than ever with other federal agencies to ensure consistent federal policies that provide certainty and regulatory clarity to the agricultural community. These actions include:
-    The Navigable Waters Protection Rule: On January 23, 2020, EPA and the Department of the Army finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). This final rule gives landowners in rural America—including the agricultural community—clarity, predictability, and consistency under the Clean Water Act to understand where federal jurisdiction applies and where it does not. This straightforward regulation continues to protect the nation’s navigable waters while reducing bureaucratic barriers to agricultural production and growth and helping farmers and ranchers feed our nation and manage their land.

-    Year Round E15: The Trump Administration and EPA are making good on their promise to promote the growth of and remove barriers to renewable fuels by providing greater certainty and transparency to farmers and biofuel producers across the country. In May 2019, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler removed the key regulatory barrier to using gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (E15) during the summer driving season and reform the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program’s compliance system to increase transparency and deter price manipulation. Taken together, these steps follow through on the Trump Administration’s commitment to responsible environmental protection that promotes energy independence, regulatory reform, and increasing the use of biofuels to give consumers more choices, while supporting American farmers.

-    Protecting Pollinators from Harmful Pesticide Exposure: In 2019, EPA updated its bee mortality data table to help farmers and beekeepers know about how long a specific pesticide may remain toxic to bees and other insect pollinators following foliar application to crops. EPA is actively increasing awareness of pollinator protection in 2020 through a three-pronged approach consisting of a workshop/conference co-hosted by USDA, a series of webinars, and the renewal of relevant Memorandum of Understandings.

-    Approved First-Ever Pesticides for use on Hemp: In 2019, EPA initially approved 10 biopesticide applications for use on hemp, just in time to be used during the 2020 growing season. These approvals were made possible by the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp-derived products from Schedule I status under the Controlled Substances Act. To date, 26 pesticide products are approved for hemp. As EPA receives additional applications to amend product labels to add use on hemp, the agency will process those applications on an ongoing basis.

-    Providing Growers with Crop Protection Tools: EPA’s pesticides program continues to protect public health and the environment while promoting a safe, abundant, affordable food supply. From 2017 to 2019, EPA registered over 60 new active ingredients and over 500 new uses of existing pesticides, providing growers with the tools they need to protect the country’s food supply.

-    Approving Innovative Pesticides: In 2019, EPA registered the first-ever pesticide product to help combat Pierce’s disease, a bacterium threatening the livelihood of U.S. grape growers.

-    Connecting Directly with Farmers: Under the Trump Administration, EPA has hosted 650 farmers at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The agency also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Future Farmers of America organization.

-    Building Trust and Partnerships: EPA is promoting the use of market-based and other collaborative approaches to improve water quality, including working with agriculture to identify opportunities to leverage existing conservation practices, promote new and innovative practices, and facilitate partnerships across sectors.

For more information about how EPA supports American agriculture, visit https://www.epa.gov/agriculture.



Gov. Ricketts, Ag Leaders, and Healthcare CEOs Discuss COVID-19 Response in Nebraska

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts joined with Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman and Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson to discuss the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response in rural Nebraska.  The Governor also proclaimed March 22nd-28th as Ag Week in Nebraska and talked about the critical role of the state’s farmers and ranchers in providing a stable supply of food in the United States.

Director Wellman assured Nebraskans of the strong biosecurity measures in place in the state’s agricultural industry.  He emphasized that Nebraska’s livestock and crops are not at risk from the coronavirus.  Steve Nelson highlighted measures taken by the Farm Bureau to engage their members in preparing for COVID-19.

Bryan Health President & CEO Russ Gronewold and CHI Health CEO Cliff Robertson also took part in today’s press event.  The healthcare leaders talked about their organizations’ efforts to expand capacity to test for COVID-19 and care for patients with the virus.  They also assured Nebraskans that hospitals in the state have sufficient resources, staffing, and bed capacity to provide medical care to Nebraskans who need it.  Additionally, they announced that their healthcare networks are discontinuing elective surgeries for the time being to focus resources on the COVID-19 emergency.

Gov. Ricketts also emphasized that travelers returning to Nebraska should self-quarantine for 14 days if they are coming back from abroad or from domestic locations where cases of COVID-19 are widespread, such as Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, New York City, San Francisco, or Seattle.



NEW Cooperative Information on COVID-19
www.newcoop.com

As we continue to navigate the outbreak of COVID – 19, (Coronavirus), NEW Cooperative is taking steps to reduce unnecessary risk for employees, their families and customers while providing safety measures as we move forward.

We have communicated to all of our employees about staying home if not feeling well and social distancing while increasing cleaning and personal hygiene protocol.

At this time, we are implementing the following actions:
• All staff has been instructed to conduct as much business as possible via electronic means through phone calls, text messages, emails, etc.
• All breakrooms & public gathering areas are closed to visitors until further notice.
• When face-to-face interaction is necessary, staff will follow CDC social distancing guidelines.
• Please call ahead for orders to be picked up at our facilities. At arrival, please call and we will load your vehicle while you wait in your vehicle.

Grain Settlements
• Use NEW Cooperative’s Mobile App to sign grain contracts. If the mobile App is not used, grain contracts will be mailed to you for signature, and must be returned via mail, or scanned and emailed back to your branch location’s office.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT is now available for customers using Connection Central or the NEW Cooperative Mobile App. Additional information regarding how to sign up for direct deposit is on our website.
• If direct deposit is not utilized, grain settlement checks will be mailed to you rather than picking up in person. Please verify your address for mailing with your branch office.

Daily operations will continue. We continue to receive grain and deliver your products. When delivering grain, please stay in your truck as location employees will assist.

Supply Chain Impacts
We are constantly monitoring for any impact. Thus far, we have assessed a low risk to our supply chain and business capabilities. We currently are doing everything possible to ensure supply of the products and services your operation needs in the coming weeks. Our precautions include following all CDC recommendations and ensuring supply chain readiness and contingency planning around our plant and field operations.

Our Commitment to Employee Safety During Product Deliveries and Pickups
-    On-farm deliveries of agronomy and petroleum products will continue to take place. Please call your location to schedule delivery. If possible describe where the product is to be dropped and allow the NEW employee to make the delivery alone. If you must be present please keep an appropriate distance.
-    If picking up agronomy inputs at one of NEW’s locations please call ahead and an employee will meet you at the appropriate warehouse for assistance.

Our Employees on Your farms
Over the next few months, we will have many employees visiting your farms. Please be assured that all NEW Coop employees will be adhering to our Pandemic Protocols. If there are any additional precautions that you wish for us to be made aware of, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

With the government designating agriculture as a critical infrastructure industry, and NEW Cooperative’s customers relying on us to assist in planting this springs crop, our company does not have the option of shutting down. We must be diligent with our preventive efforts of COVID-19 and ready to respond in any way, if exposure elevates. We will keep you posted as we continue to evaluate the situation.



Agriculture Groups Call on Lawmakers to Support Farmers During Coronavirus Pandemic

Forty-eight agriculture groups are calling on Congress to expand USDA’s borrowing authority under the Commodity Credit Corporation. Congress must act to ensure the CCC has the authority and funding to assist farmers and ranchers facing serious cash flow challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.

The letter, addressed to both Senate and House leaders reads, “Farmers, ranchers and the supply chain that support them will not let Americans down during this unprecedented crisis and they are asking the same of you. Millions of producers will need help with cash flow given the rapid and unanticipated decline in commodity prices, the likely closures of ethanol processing plants, the effective elimination of direct-to-consumer sales and decline in full-service restaurant and school meal demand.”

Groups representing food, fuel and fiber signed on to the letter, including the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“Farmers and ranchers are proud to be trusted to feed nearly 330 million Americans and we’ll continue working every day to do so, but Congress must ensure the CCC has ample authority and funding to help farmers and ranchers survive during this emergency. The inclusion of these provisions would ensure the Secretary of Agriculture has the tools needed to meet this crisis head-on for all of agriculture.”



Beef Checkoff helps make the most of groceries with simple and satisfying beef recipes

While families are spending more time at home, the Beef Checkoff is here to help by sharing beef recipes using common freezer and pantry staples. Some of these options include:
-    Beef and Egg Breakfast Mugs – Four basic ingredients and a mug is all that is needed for this recipe.
-    Beef Quesadillas – This complete meal can be table ready with just five ingredients and 30 minutes.
-    Beef Jerky Trail Mix –   A convenient and customizable snack with as few as four ingredients.
-    Classic Beef Meatloaf – This simple meal calls for fewer than 10 pantry staples and 1.5 pounds of ground beef.
-    Chocolate Beefy Brownies – An easy brownie recipe that can be made with items commonly kept on hand.

“Beef It’s What’s For Dinner is here to help with meal solutions by providing recipes that use common staples many families already have in their pantries and freezers,” said Alisa Harrison, Alisa Harrison, senior vice president of Global Marketing and Research at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “These recipes are easy to make with the step-by-step directions on BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.”      

In addition to these simple recipes, check out BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com for a full collection of cooking lessons. With detailed instructions and tips for a dozen different cooking methods, from grilling to pressure cooking, these cooking lessons are a great resource for all levels of home chefs.



Alternative Pasture Weed Control
Amy Timmerman – NE Extension Educator

The term  ‘weed’  can be broadly applied to any plant that is undesirable at any given time and place based on certain criteria. It is important to understand that the word  ‘weed’  has become a general term with no universal definition, and many plants are considered to be weeds, depending on location. For example, a corn plant in a soybean field is considered a weed although both plants are major field crops. This becomes problematic especially in pasture management because producers can be misled regarding what is considered a weed and what the control measures may be. These options could include clipping and cutting, prescribed fire, biological control with insects and the use of livestock.

Alternative Control Options
Clipping and Cutting
Clipping weeds with a mower at the early stages of flowering can suppress weeds and stop weed seed production. Repeat clipping may be necessary throughout the growing season. Cutting the weeds down by hand using a machete can be a precise way to spot control pasture weeds.

Prescribed Fire Use
Prescribed fire can bring many benefits to the grassland ecosystem by reducing unwanted species on the landscape. Further it gives new opportunities to desirable species of native grass and broadleaf species that increase the nutrient dense feed sources for livestock.

Biological Control with Insects
Insects can suppress and possibly control certain weeds in the state. Biocontrol introduces natural predators to prey on the unwanted plants.

Livestock
It is commonly perceived that cattle, sheep and goats prefer primarily grass species and that only grass should dominate the pasture, leading to a conclusion that if a plant is not a grass, it is a weed and has no value to livestock production. This simplified approach can result in a broad-scale application of herbicides to control broadleaf plants in pastures. Producers should consult a variety of resources in order to assess whether a plant is truly a weed or whether it has some intrinsic value to the system or to livestock diets.

Kathy Voth is a leading expert in an emerging science of managing weeds with livestock. In  her book  Cows Eat Weeds, (Voth, 2010) outlines simple methods that any producer can implement to train cattle to eat a variety of weed species. With her simple techniques, she describes how cattle can be trained to forage a variety of weeds previously thought to be non-palatable. By utilizing grazing as a means of weed control, producers have the potential to decrease input expenses while reaping the benefits of inexpensive weed control through animal nutrition.

Information on the palatability of individual species can be difficult to find and may often be contradictory. Location, time of year and time of day can influence a plant’s relative nutritional (or toxic) value. The relationship between toxins and nutrients in ruminant animals is complex, and in many cases, livestock can successfully mix their own diets as long as enough variety is available.



USDA and USTR Announce Continued Progress on Implementation of U.S.-China Phase One Agreement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today announced continued progress in the implementation of the agriculture-related provisions of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. The Agreement entered into force on February 14, 2020, and the recent actions described below build upon the actions announced by USDA and USTR on February 25 and March 10.
 
Among the recent actions:
    Both countries signed a regionalization agreement that, in the event of a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza or virulent Newcastle disease in a particular region of the United States, will allow U.S. poultry exports from unaffected regions of the country to continue (APHIS Regionalization Protocol Announcement). This action will help protect the increased access American farmers have gained in China’s poultry market. U.S. poultry exports have the potential to exceed $1 billion per year.

    China notified the United States of proposed maximum residue levels for three hormones commonly used in U.S. beef production. This recognition by China of safe and science-based U.S. production methods particularly benefits trade with China in beef, a fast-growing market that imported $8.4 billion worth of beef products in 2019.

    U.S. beef producers, for the first time since 2003, will have access for nearly all beef products into China. U.S. pork producers will also be able to significantly expand the types of pork products shipped to China. As per the Agreement, China expanded its internal list of U.S. beef and pork products eligible to enter its ports, including processed meat products (Updated Beef and Pork Product Lists). On the beef and beef products list, China removed all references to age restrictions, in line with its February 24 announcement that conditionally lifted restrictions on beef and beef products from cattle aged 30 months and older (Lifting Restriction on U.S. Beef 30 Months and Over Announcement). USDA estimates that American cattlemen could export up to $1 billion per year under this improved trading environment. China also published an updated list of 938 U.S. beef and pork establishments eligible to export to China. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service export library has been updated to reflect these changes. China has agreed to import all beef, pork, and poultry products except for those included in Annex 1 (Beef, Pork, and Poultry Products Considered Not Eligible for Import into China) of Chapter 3 of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. U.S. ranchers and farmers can expect to increase their market share in China as a result of these actions.

    China updated its list of U.S. facilities eligible to export distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) (Updated DDGS Facility List). In 2015, U.S. producers exported $1.6 billion worth of DDGS to China. This action, if coupled with the removal of other trade barriers, will allow U.S. exporters to recapture this market.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a notice to facilitate the registration of animal feed manufacturing facilities for export to China (FDA Notice to Animal Food Exporters). In addition, in response to delays caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, China announced a streamlined process for registering new U.S. feed products for export (Updated Registration Process Announcement).

In addition, China’s tariff exclusion process is in effect, and many importers report that they are receiving tariff relief for purchases of U.S. food and agricultural products. USDA continues to publish guidance for U.S. exporters seeking to participate in this process (USDA Global Agricultural Information Network).

"These steps show that China is moving in the right direction to implement the Phase One agreement," Secretary Perdue said. "We will continue to work with China to ensure full implementation of its commitments and look forward to seeing further improvement and progress as we continue our ongoing bilateral discussions."

"We are working with China on a daily basis as we implement the Phase One trade agreement," Ambassador Lighthizer said. "We recognize China’s efforts to keep the commitments in the agreement and look forward to continuing our work together on trade matters."



New Report Shows Ethanol Industry Fueled by Veterans
   
A study released this week on employment in the U.S. energy sector shows that America’s ethanol industry employs a significantly larger share of military veterans than any other segment of the energy industry. Nearly one in five ethanol industry employees is a veteran (19%), compared to a national average of 6% across all sectors of the workforce, according to the 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report published by the National Association of State Energy Offices and Energy Futures Initiative.

Per 100 workers, the ethanol industry employs more than twice as many veterans as the petroleum, natural gas, nuclear, coal, and wind energy sectors. Across all energy segments, veterans comprise 9% of the U.S. energy sector’s workforce, slightly above the national average.

“The results of this study come as no surprise to us,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper, an Army veteran who attained the rank of Captain. “The ethanol industry is a perfect fit for thousands of veterans across the country. After serving our country in uniform, we have chosen to work in the renewable fuels industry because it allows us to continue honoring a commitment to make America stronger and more independent. We take great pride in knowing we work in an industry that improves our nation’s energy security, economic vitality and environmental quality each and every day.” With ethanol jobs currently at risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic, oil price war, and EPA abuse of small refinery exemptions under the RFS, Cooper said the report serves as a timely reminder that the ethanol industry is a crucial employer of veterans.

“As a veteran with multiple combat deployments, I am proud to say I have found a home in the ethanol industry making a product that I truly believe in,” said Tony Leiding, Director of Operations at RFA member company Trenton Agri Products LLC. “I would prefer to invest in the energy resources of the Midwest, not the Middle East.” Leiding served eight years on active duty in the U.S. Army, primarily as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot performing medical evacuation missions. Mr. Leiding, who attained the rank of Captain, was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2017, Leiding and scores of other veterans working in the ethanol industry sent a letter to President Trump, noting the important contributions the U.S. ethanol industry makes to domestic energy security and encouraging the President to include a prominent role for ethanol and the Renewable Fuel Standard in his energy agenda.



NMPF Thanks USDA for Coronavirus Response, Outlines Dairy Needs as Losses May Exceed $2.85 Billion

The National Milk Producers Federation, the largest organization of U.S. dairy farmers, commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its timely responses to the coronavirus crisis while outlining what agency actions could best aid dairy farmers as they brace for further public-health and market impacts of coronavirus.

“Over the last five weeks, the [USDA’s] estimate of 2020 milk prices reflect a drop of about $2.85 billion at the farm level,” wrote NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern in the letter, sent to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue this morning. “Further drops are possible as the impact of the covid-19 outbreak spreads. The demand shock experienced by our entire economy is turning what initially looked to dairy farmers like the first decent year in the last five into one of potentially widespread economic devastation.”

Dairy farmers – whose work as part of agriculture has been reaffirmed as critical infrastructure by the Department of Homeland Security – expect to face price declines and unstable demand over the next several months, as joblessness rises, schools remain closed and farm and dairy processing operations face unprecedented logistical challenges.

Congress and the Trump Administration have already helped by approving food purchases and offering flexibility in transportation rules. In its letter NMPF said it looks forward to working with the USDA in program implementation, trade facilitation and other areas, but said additional remedies will be needed, including:
-    Additional dairy product purchases, which will help Americans in need during what may be a period of very high demand at food banks;
-    Compensation for milk disposal, a real possibility as logistical challenges on the farm and at manufacturing plants may create severe disruptions; and
-     Re-opening signup for participation in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, the main safety net for dairy farmers, especially small and medium-sized producers. DMC participation declined in 2020 because of forecasts for higher prices that have been radically revised in light of coronavirus.

“U.S. dairy farmers and their cooperatives will continue to be careful stewards of the naturally nutritious and wholesome product we harvest around the clock, 365 days a year. Like you, we understand the importance of steady production and steady consumption,” Mulhern said. “We hope to work with you on the priorities outlined above, as well as other issues that may arise as we collectively grapple with the consequences of this unique challenge.”



New Website Aims to Connect Americans to Nearest Cattle Producers for Beef

In the wake of reports that beef cases in grocery stores are empty in some areas of the country, R-CALF USA has launched a new Website to connect consumers with their neighboring cattle farmers and ranchers who raise and sell cattle or beef that is exclusively born, raised, and harvested in the U.S. directly to consumers. The Website is www.USABeef.org.

The Website is a platform for cattle farmers and ranchers to list their farms, ranches, or businesses, along with the type of cattle, beef and beef products they offer direct to consumers. American consumers can peruse this list online and contact the farmer, rancher or business of their choice to purchase beef that is exclusively born, raised and harvested in the United States.

In some instances, the farmer, rancher, or business will sell consumers a portion or the entire live animal and will arrange for the consumer to have the animal harvested at a state-inspected packing plant. In other instances, the farmer, rancher, or business will sell beef and beef products directly to consumers that were harvested in a federally inspected packing plant if the consumer lives outside the state where the animal is harvested.

R-CALF USA issued a member alert to its 5,300 members in 43 states on Friday announcing the availability of the platform that its cattle farmer- and rancher-members can begin listing their farms, ranches and businesses so they can be contacted by American consumers. Over the weekend, 31 farms, ranches and businesses from 18 states are already listed on the platform and American consumers can begin contacting them immediately.

All U.S. cattle farmers, ranchers, and business that sell beef direct to the consumer, including local butcher shops and local processors, are invited to list their contact information on www.USAbeef.org, provided they meet the site's only requirement: all beef must be USA -born, -raised, and -harvested.

"This is a small but important step that our organization can take to help connect America's consumers to America's cattle farmers and ranchers so they can enjoy the safest, most wholesome beef in the world - USA beef," said R-CALF USA marketing director Candace Bullard.

Bullard added that her organization hopes that by bridging the gap between consumers and their cattle-producing neighbors, some of the farmers and ranchers struggling with seriously depressed cattle prices will be able to stay in business.

"However, many of our industry's cattle producers are not able to sell their cattle or beef directly to the consumer, which is why our first step in addressing this ongoing crisis was to urge President Trump to take immediate steps to fix our dysfunctional cattle market and to pass a new Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL) law for beef so American producers can compete in America's marketplace," she said.

"Back to our new Website, if people share the Website on their social media, and message it to their friends perhaps we can help ensure that no American family will have to go without USA beef on their table at a time when it's needed most," Bullard concluded. 



2020 Animal Ag Alliance Stakeholders Summit set for May 7-8 goes virtual

A close up of a sign Description automatically generatedMarch 24, 2020 – The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced today that its 2020 Stakeholders Summit is going virtual in response to ongoing public health concerns around hosting large events. The Virtual Summit, still being held May 7-8, will include the same exciting speaker lineup that was planned for the in-person event with sessions covering sustainability, animal welfare, influencer engagement, preparing for animal rights activist campaigns and other hot topics. 

“The Alliance team has been closely monitoring the effect of COVID-19 on travel and events and considering what impact this could have on the 2020 Summit,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Our number one priority is to ensure the health and safety of our members and attendees. With that in mind, we have decided to move the 2020 Summit to a virtual-only event. This will allow the Alliance to share the excellent content we hoped to cover at Summit while respecting new regulations and public health guidelines for holding events. We are excited for the opportunity to deliver the high-quality, thought-provoking speakers and sessions that our Summit is known for in a new virtual format!”

The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food industries to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. Attendees will leave the 2020 Virtual Summit, themed Primed & Prepared, with the tools they need to take action and be part of any and all conversations that could impact the future of animal agriculture and their business.

“The Summit, now in its 19th year, is an integral part of the Alliance’s work to bridge the communication gap between farm and fork,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president of communications. “The event is our opportunity to bring together every link along the food chain to learn about the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow and how we can all be primed and prepared to shape the future of animal agriculture. We’re embracing the challenge of translating the value of Summit into a virtual platform and appreciate the support of our speakers, attendees, sponsors and members as we navigate the shift.” 

Registration is now open for Virtual Summit attendees who were not already registered for the in-person Summit. Virtual Summit registration will give attendees exclusive access to 13 hours of live, dynamic content spread out among a series of preconference webinars and the two-day virtual event. Recordings from each session will also be available to confirmed virtual attendees only through the end of 2020. The Alliance team is working to ensure attendees enjoy digital networking opportunities that are more valuable than ever in today’s challenging environment. 

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



Bill Sets Goal of Net-Zero Emissions in Agriculture by 2040

A member of Congress wants the federal government and the American ag industry to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree, an organic farmer representing Maine's 1st congressional district, introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act last month.

As part of a national effort to reduce climate change overall, "the goal for the agricultural sector in the United States shall be to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in net greenhouse gases from 2010 levels by not later than 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by not later than 2040," the bill states.

In 2010, the U.S. ag industry produced nearly 594 million metric tons (MMT) of greenhouse gas emissions, data from the Environmental Protection Agency says.

In 2017, the sector's contributions had dropped to about 582 MMT of emissions.

Rep. Pingree's bill aims to bring industry emissions down to about 297 MMT by 2030.

In addition to the greenhouse gas reduction goals, the bill would create a new soil health grant, protect existing farmland, increase research opportunities, fund on-farm energy initiatives and reduce food waste.

"We need to empower farmers with the best available science and provide a range of conservation tools, because what works for one farmer in Maine may not for another in Iowa or Georgia," Rep. Pingree said in a statement. "Challenges of this scale demand bold solutions and, unlike other industries, agriculture has a unique opportunity to draw down massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil."