Friday April 10 Ag News

Helping Consumers Celebrate Easter in a World of Social Distancing

While families and friends won’t be able to gather together this Easter, the National Pork Board is encouraging consumers to celebrate, even if it looks a little different than in the past.

National Pork Board chef, Neel Sahni shot a series of videos in his home kitchen. The videos show consumers how to prepare a ham for the holiday, educate consumers on ham storage and the use of leftovers and highlight other pork cuts that consumers could feature for their Easter dinner.

Also, the pork checkoff is working to support those restaurants that are offering Easter carryout and delivery and at the same time thank pig farmers for the work they do.  The National Pork Board launched an #EasterToGo Instagram sweepstakes.  Consumers who:
    order an Easter weekend meal that includes ham, pork or bacon, and
    can post a photo of the meal on Instagram, tag the restaurant they ordered from and @nationalporkboard, and
    include the hashtag #EasterToGo

They will be eligible to win a $100 gift card from the National Pork Board to that same restaurant. (Up to two winners per state will be selected). The contest begins Saturday, April 11 and will close on Monday, April 13.



Nebraska Cattlemen Webinar Series
Each Thursday through May 7 - 7:00 PM, CDT

REGISTER HERE... https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uZEtfuigpzkpJMbcKklZDUSCOVB29s1Bgg
** After you register an email confirmation will be sent to you. You only need to register once for all 4 webinars.

Nebraska Cattlemen is hosting a four part webinar series to take an inside look into markets, the packing industry and how retailers leverage impacts the cattle market.
  - April 16 - Cattle Industry Cyclical and Infrastructure Overview
  - April 23 - Direct Conversations with the Packing Industry
  - April 30 - Packer Consolidation – are they breaking the law?
  - May 7 - Meat Industry Merchandizers – what leverage do they have?

Do you have questions for the speaker? Please email those to: info@necattlemen.org.

The webinars are for Nebraska Cattlemen members and guests that are interested in learning more about Nebraska Cattlemen. Webinars will be recorded and available on the NC website.

For more information about this webinar contact Bonita 402-450-0223 voice/text.



Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting Cancelled, Policy Committee Meetings to Continue in a Webinar Format
 
The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors decided due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic currently affecting Nebraska and the United States, to cancel the Nebraska Cattlemen 2020 Midyear Meeting in Clay Center and Hastings June 10 & 11.           

“While we are deeply disappointed to cancel this year’s Midyear Meeting, the Board of Directors agreed it was a prudent decision for the health and wellness of Nebraska Cattlemen members and all Nebraskans statewide,” said Ken Herz, Nebraska Cattlemen President.

Despite the cancellation, the Board of Directors realizes the business of the Association and our members needs to continue. Therefore the 6 Nebraska Cattlemen policy committees - Animal Health and Nutrition, Brand and Property Rights, Education and Research, Marketing and Commerce, Natural Resources and Environment and Taxation - will occur via webinar on June 9 & 10. Information on webinar registration and participation is being developed and will available in the next few weeks.



Free Webinars to Discuss COVID-19 Economic Impact on Nebraska Agriculture

The Farm and Ranch Management team in UNL Agricultural Economics Dept. is organizing a webinar series on COVID-19’s impact on issues related to ag management and economics in the state.

The first session is Thursday, April 16, 3 p.m. (central), and features Nathan Kauffman, with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, presenting on COVID-19 Economic Developments and U.S. Agriculture. The goal of this webinar is to share recent information on these developments — and policy responses that have been implemented — that will be relevant for businesses, communities and individuals in Nebraska.

These are free and open to everyone. Registration and more details are at https://go.unl.edu/manage2020, where the recording of each webinar will also be posted.



Legally Operating a Drone in the Agriculture Industry
Amy Timmerman – NE Extension Educator

Drone activity in agriculture continues to increase, and the aerial imagery generated can provide unique insight throughout the crop production season. Over the past decade the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has continued to evolve the requirements for the operation of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS, UAS, UAV or drones) to create a reasonable legal pathway for use in agriculture.

In agriculture, if drones are used to collect imagery to help make management decisions, this is classified as commercial use of the drone. This includes collecting imagery for scouting crops, reporting crop damage or determining tile locations. The FAA has specific rules that must be followed, which are outlined under the FAA’s Part 107 regulations. This involves obtaining a remote pilot certificate, registering the drone with the FAA and displaying the assigned registration number (N-number) on the aircraft, and abiding by the FAA’s rules for operating a drone. To meet these requirements, the FAA suggests the following steps.

Step 1: Learn the Rules
Below are a few key rules from the FAA website pilots should understand to safely and legally operate a UAS for agricultural use under Part 107: Summary of Small Unmanned Aircraft Rule (Part 107).
-Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 pounds.
-Unmanned aircraft must remain within the visual line of sight of the remote pilot or visual observer in command and the person manipulating the flight controls.
-Operate only during daylight or civil twilight (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset) with appropriate anti-collision lighting.
-Yield right of way to other aircraft.
-Maintain maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
-No carrying hazardous materials.
-Operations in Class G airspace are allowed under Part 107 without Air Traffic Control (ATC) permission. Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspaces (typically found around most airports) require ATC permission to fly.   There are options to obtain permission to operate under the Part 107 in these areas by obtaining authorization through the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system.


There are many resources and online apps that can be used to understand what airspace your UAS operations are located in. The FAA website Visualize it allows a person to look up a field’s location to understand the different airspaces and altitude requirements surrounding the location. B4UFLY is an app offered by the FAA used to understand specific airspaces and other temporary flight restrictions (TFR) that might be in the area. These or similar resources should be checked before any flight. Many Iowa fields are located in close proximity to a rural airport. There are airspace restrictions to consider in these areas, and the FAA has established reasonable procedures for conducting safe and legal operations in these areas.   These procedures are outlined in many of the online training resources listed in this article.

Step 2: Become a FAA-Certified Drone Pilot
To become an FAA-Certified pilot, you need to pass an electronic knowledge test. The FAA’s PSI exam center can be used to schedule the exam and locate a testing center. Before scheduling your exam, make sure to View Test Authorization Requirements. As of January 2020, an FAA tracking number (FTN) is required before you can schedule the exam. This can be obtained by creating an account with Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Applications (IACRA). The FTN links your FAA profile to your exam results and, eventually, your remote pilot certificate.

There are companies that provide study materials to help prepare for this exam. The FAA also has materials that should be reviewed before taking the exam: Airmen Certification standards, Knowledge Test instructions, Knowledge Test Study Guide, Knowledge Test Sample Questions and Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. There are also instructional classes offered by organizations periodically. While these may be more expensive than other studying options, many of these classes are taught by pilots who can provide real-world examples of the application of their knowledge. One such  class is offered by Kansas State University’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Group. There are also several mobile apps available for test preparation.   The Prepware Remote Pilot by ASA app has proven to be a valuable study tool for many and is available for a small fee in your app store.

Step 3: Register your drone with the FAA
All drones weighing over 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA and receive an N-number, which needs to be visible on the exterior of the drone. Print a copy of the registration card and keep it available to the pilot operating the drone. The registration is $5 per drone and is valid for three years. To register your drone, use the   FAA’s DroneZone website.

Timeline
The entire process, from studying to receiving the official certificate in the mail, can take over two months. Generally, studying and preparing for the exam will require at least a week. Testing slots are often booked several days out, so book the exam date prior to or while studying the material. After passing the exam, make sure to link the exam to your application within your IACRA account. If you don’t pass the exam, you must wait two weeks before retaking it.

A recurrent knowledge test must be passed within 24 calendar months after passing the initial exam and every 24 calendar months thereafter. A new certificate will not be issued for passing the recurrent knowledge test. Instead, the pilot must show a copy of their recurrent knowledge test report upon request.



Virtual Field Day to Discuss Managing Cereal Rye Ahead of Corn
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Conservation Learning Group, will host a free virtual cover crop field day on Thursday, April 16 at 1 p.m. The event will allow for live interaction with Mark Licht, assistant professor and extension cropping systems specialist at Iowa State University, and Alison Robertson, professor and extension pathologist at Iowa State, as they discuss their current cover crop research projects.

Cover crops continue to grow in popularity due to their many benefits including soil erosion reduction, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased soil organic matter. Cereal rye is the most commonly used cover crop species in Iowa and many other Midwestern states. Proper management of cereal rye ahead of corn is key to optimizing conservation and crop production goals.

Licht and Robertson will discuss two research projects that began in fall 2018 and are funded through the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. Together they are exploring nitrogen rates, pest and pathogen management, seeding rates, termination dates and the best tillage management system for managing cereal rye ahead of corn.

“One of questions we are looking to answer is how can we reduce the cost of cover crops through reduced seeding rates and still meet soil health and water quality conservation goals, while simultaneously adjusting termination timing and seeding method to meet corn production goals. We are aiming to find the balance,” said Licht. “In the second project, we are looking at no-tillage and strip-tillage systems with different starter nitrogen rates to manage corn for optimal growth following cereal rye.”

The live field day begins at 1 p.m. on April 16 and can be accessed here: https://iastate.zoom.us/s/315189792. Or, join from a dial-in phone line by calling +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923. The meeting ID is 315 189 792.

The field day will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. The archive is available at www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/events.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live webinar.



ICPB to Hold Director Elections for USDA Crop Reporting Districts 1, 3 & 6

Since 1978, Iowa corn farmers have elected their peers to serve on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board® (ICPB) to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa Corn checkoff program.

On July 14, 2020, corn farmers in crop reporting districts 1, 3 and 6 can vote at their local county ISU extension office for representation on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board for a 3-year term. The board’s primary priorities and responsibilities include domestic and foreign market development, research of new and value-added corn uses and education on corn and the farmers who grow it.

Corn farmers within districts 1, 3 and 6 who have produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year (September 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019) and are interested in running for a position may still file a petition with the ICPB. Petitions can be obtained by contacting the Iowa Corn office and must contain the signatures of 25 corn producers from the same district as the prospective candidate. Completed and notarized petitions must be delivered to the Iowa Corn office no later than 4:30 PM on April 24, 2020. Once all grower petitions have been received, a final list of candidates will be generated, and candidate names will be listed on the election ballots.

Current candidates are as follows:

USDA Crop Reporting District 1
    Chad Harms, Dickinson County
    John Schott, Pocahontas County

USDA Crop Reporting District 3
    Jason Orr, Buchanan County
    Derek Taylor, Winneshiek County

USDA Crop Reporting District 6
    Daron Oberbroeckling, Scott County
    Pete Brecht, Linn County

Anyone who has produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year is eligible to vote in the election. Producers unable to visit the local ISU extension office on July 14 can vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be requested beginning May 27. Requests must be made no later than June 22 by contacting the Iowa Corn office at 515-225-9242 or on our website at www.iowacorn.org. Absentee ballots must be postmarked or returned to the Iowa Corn office no later than July 14. The results of the election are announced publicly on July 17.



NMPF Applauds USDA Move on Milk Disposal, Urges Further Action

The National Milk Producers Federation thanked the U.S. Department of Agriculture for allowing discarded milk to be counted toward milk marketings for the Dairy Revenue Production (DRP) or as actual marketings for the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy (LGM-Dairy) programs. That decision will allow dairy farmers participating in those risk management programs not to lose coverage on any milk that can’t be marketed and will be helpful in mitigating some of the catastrophic damage many dairies face due to supply-chain disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis.

“The market realities of the COVID-19 era demand solutions, and USDA’s decision is a balm for thousands of dairy farmers participating in these important risk-management programs,” NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “We commend USDA’s decision and look forward to discussing further actions that can provide immediate relief for all dairy farmers, as outlined in our joint plan developed with the International Dairy Foods Association that we sent to the department earlier this week. Together, we can make a real difference for dairy, and we are pleased with USDA’s action here.”



NMPF Asks Labor Department, USDA to Offer H-2A Relief for Dairies

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is asking the Labor and Agriculture Departments to accept and approve H-2A visa applications from dairy farmers offering temporary immigrant farmworker employment for up to 364 days in a 12-month period, which would align dairy with other livestock sectors and not require a change to current rules governing the program.

“The dairy sector, like the rest of American agriculture, is facing a labor crisis that has been ongoing for decades. The COVID-19 reality we are all trying to navigate has only exacerbated these challenges,” wrote NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern in a letter to the two departments dated April 9. “As more and more Americans have to remain home to care for children who are out of school or care for other loved ones, there are even fewer workers available to work on our nation’s farms. Our members – and all dairy employers – need increased access to the H-2A program to meet our workforce needs.”

Mulhern noted that granting dairy access to visas for a temporary position lasting up to 364 days in a 12-month period would provide dairy treatment equal to sheep and goat herders and not require a statutory or regulatory change. The letter also makes clear that hiring American workers before supplementing with H-2A continues to be the goal of farmers as well as a legal requirement of the H-2A program.

NMPF also thanked federal agencies for recognizing agriculture as critical infrastructure, which has helped keep dairies in operation during the coronavirus crisis.

“Preserving a vibrant dairy producer community in America is indeed essential for the health of rural and urban communities across the country and critical for continued access to wholesome, fresh, nutritious food,” Mulhern wrote. “The availability of workers to help with the daily milking of our cows is crucial – it must be done.”



Minnesota Dairy Producers Light the  Way to Industry Recovery
Cindy Leitner, President, Wisconsin Dairy Alliance

There’s the dairy industry recovery plan everyone is talking about, and then there’s the plan everyone should be taking about.

This week, the National Milk Producers Federation-International Dairy Foods Association captured the lion’s share of headlines by offering a crisis remedy that, at its core, asks dairy farmers to cut their production 10 percent during the next six months in exchange for a guaranteed compensation level on the remaining 90 percent.

While we applaud the NMPF-IDFA for the urgency they have brought to the current crisis, the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance finds a stronger proposal originating from our neighbors to the west. The Minnesota Milk Producers Association are pitching the Dairy CORE Program, which preserves the best parts of the NMPF-IDFA plan (direct relief payments to producers) while eliminating serious, baked-in flaws that threaten to undermine that effort’s success.

The Minnesota plan would instruct the USDA to pay U.S. dairy producers $3/cwt for 100 percent of their March 2020 baseline, for April, May and June, irrespective of market prices. The payment would be made as a single lumpsum in April.

This idea effectively resolves the issue of “regionalization,” or — stated more simply — it does not unduly place burden of production cuts on half the nation’s dairymen simply because of their location. Cows in the northern half of the nation produce much more milk during the summer months than those in the south, due to heat stress and seasonal calving patterns.

Furthermore, the Minnesota program does not condition direct payments on rigid, strictly uniform production cutbacks. Instead of putting the government in a position to pick “winners” and “losers,” it gives coops and milk buyers more discretion to manage inventory. If creameries are assured their producers have received a large direct payment, they will be more empowered to implement situationally adjusted, effective marginal incentives to right-size their milk supply.

Finally, instead of reopening 2020 signup for Dairy Margin Coverage or compensating processors for disposed milk, the Minnesota option concentrates stimulus funds to a single, large lumpsum paid directly to each U.S. dairy producer.

In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no “magic bullets” that resolve the dairy sector’s woes overnight. The USDA has $9.5 billion in discretionary funding to invest in our struggling industry. Its impending challenge is to find a way to do the “most good.”

That’s why the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance urges sister dairy associations, industry advocates and lobbying organizations in other states to join in supporting the MMPA Dairy CORE Program. Contact your Congressional delegates and ask them advocate to the USDA in support of the Minnesota option.



RFA Thanks House Biofuels Caucus For Leadership and Standing Up for the Renewable Fuels Industry
The Renewable Fuels Association thanked the bipartisan House Biofuels Caucus today for urging Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to utilize funds made available to USDA as part of the recently passed CARES Act to assist ethanol producers who are suffering severe economic harm as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The letter which was signed by a bipartisan group of thirty-two Members of the House of Representatives noted that the biofuels industry is a vital market for the crops produced by our nation’s farmers , and urged USDA to take immediate action to ensure plants can retain skilled workers and continue production when market conditions improve.

“The biofuels sector provides a direct and significant boost to the value of corn and soybeans,” noted the Representatives. “Ethanol plants purchase two out of every five bushels of U.S. corn and biodiesel producers use over 8 billion pounds of soybean oil a year. Ethanol plants produce dried distillers grains (DDGs) as a byproduct, providing livestock farmers with a low-cost, high-protein component of animal feed.”

“On behalf of the nation’s ethanol industry, farmers across the county, and consumers who depend on the clean fuel and nutritious feed ethanol plants produce, I want to thank these congressional leaders for their vision and advocacy,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The thirty-two Members of Congress who signed this letter recognize the important role ethanol plays in the economic stability of rural America, and they understand it is a necessity to support farmers and commodity markets by allowing funds recently allocated to USDA to protect the ethanol industry’s workforce. Even as gasoline demand is devastated by national and global stay-at-home orders, ethanol remains the single most important value-added market for farmers. We cannot allow this critically important industry to be further imperiled, and these House members should be applauded for their efforts to protect the 350,000 jobs supported by the ethanol industry.”

As of this week, more than half of the nation’s ethanol plants have fully idled operations or greatly reduced output. Nearly 40% of the industry’s production capacity is offline. Data released by the Energy Information Administration yesterday shows the ethanol industry produced at an annualized rate of just 10.3 billion gallons last week, down from 16.5 billion gallons in the last week of February.



Growth Energy welcomes letter from House Biofuels Caucus

Growth Energy is thanking members of the House Biofuels Caucus for their efforts to protect rural jobs and farm income threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic. 32 members of the caucus sent a letter urging the USDA to “take immediate action to ensure plants can retain skilled workers and continue production when market conditions improve.” The letter echoes a call to action issued earlier this week by Senate leaders.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says they're grateful for the relentless efforts of House leaders to protect the farmers, biofuel workers, and rural businesses hit hardest by this crisis. Biofuel plants across the country have been forced to halt production, and the spike in unemployment and loss of farm income is crippling rural communities. The USDA should act quickly to deliver the relief approved by Congress and protect the economic engine that will fuel America’s recovery in the months ahead.”



NPPC SIGNS LETTER URGING SUPPORT FOR PROPOSAL TO DECREASE SHIPPING COSTS

Recently, the National Pork Producers Council joined 79 agriculture associations requesting the administration ensured the continued free movement of shipping containers to international markets of critical food and agricultural products. The letter, to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and U.S. Economic Council Director Lawrence Kudlow, specifically requests help with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regarding detention and demurrage penalties on U.S. agriculture by ocean carriers and marine terminal operators during the coronavirus pandemic.

Currently, ocean carriers impose detention and demurrage fees even when the container is not physically available to be picked up. "The ongoing injury to U.S. agriculture and forestry industries as a result of these unjustified penalties is very real, especially with the challenges posed by the coronavirus. There is great concern about detention and demurrage fees being assessed when there are equipment issues beyond the control of the shipper or motor carrier as a result of the pandemic," the letter explained. Last summer, the FMC issued a Proposed Interpretive Rule to curtail these fees and the agriculture groups are urging for the expeditious adoption of the rule.



National FFA Cancels Washington Leadership Conference

The National FFA Organization has made the decision to officially cancel its annual Washington Leadership Conference this summer.

Leaders of the agricultural education group said after careful review, they have made the difficult decision to call off all sessions of the program, which takes place each July in the nation's capitol.

"Our top concern in making this decision is our obligation to protect the safety and health of FFA members and participants at our events," the FFA said in a statement. "Numerous logistical issues such as extended stay-at-home orders, large group restrictions, business travel restrictions and venue closures were factors as well. We also recognize that school closures across the country have hampered abilities to plan and approve student travel this summer."

All registered WLC participants will receive a full refund of their registration fee and deposit. This policy applies to those who registered through large group coordinators as well.

Meanwhile, the national FFA officer candidate application deadline has also been extended to September 1.



USDA Urges Public to Help Stop Invasive Pests and Protect Plant Health

April is Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month and the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls on the public to do more to protect our nation’s food crops, forests and natural resources against invasive pests. This follows the United Nations’ declaration of 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health—a campaign aimed at bringing worldwide attention to the devastating impact invasive pests and diseases have on agriculture, livelihoods and food security.

“The stakes are high, and we need everyone to do their part to protect plant health,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach. “Each year, invasive pests destroy up to 40 percent of food crops around the world and cause billions of dollars in production and trade losses. That leaves millions of people worldwide without enough food to eat and seriously damages agriculture—the primary source of income for rural communities.”

People can unintentionally move pests to new areas. These pests can hide in or on fresh produce, soil, seeds and plants. They can hitch a ride in untreated firewood, on outdoor gear, recreational vehicles and even in the mail.

Fortunately, there are a few simple things everyone can do to help:
-    Learn to spot invasive pests that pose a threat to plants and agriculture in your area. Report signs of invasive plant pests and diseases to your local Extension office, State department of agriculture or your local USDA State plant health director’s office.
-    Don’t move untreated firewood. Buy heat-treated firewood or gather wood where you burn it to avoid unintentionally spreading tree-killing beetles that hide inside untreated firewood.
-    When returning from international travel, declare food, plants and other agricultural items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection so they can ensure these items are pest-free.
-    Before buying seeds or plants online from international vendors, contact your local USDA State plant health director’s office to ask if they need to be inspected or meet other conditions to bring them into the United States legally and without pests.

Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter and visit the Hungry Pests website to find photos of invasive plant pests, a pest tracker for your state and phone numbers to report pests in your community. To learn more about the International Year of Plant Health, visit USDA’s website or follow #PlantHealth and #IYPH2020 on social media.



The annual BASF Monarch Challenge

Farmers across the nation are encouraged to sign up for the Monarch Challenge, a program created by the BASF biodiversity initiative, Living Acres. The Monarch Challenge is a program which seeks to restore the monarch population by planting milkweed habitats in non-crop areas of farmers’ land across the United States.

Milkweed is an essential part of the monarch’s life cycle as it is the only plant where adult monarchs will lay their eggs, serving as the main food source for monarch larvae.

With monarch populations in dramatic decline, BASF is calling on all farmers to sign up for the Monarch Challenge by visiting www.milkweedplease.com. Upon registration, participants will receive a starter kit containing 200 milkweed plants to build a butterfly habitat of their own.  Deadline to sign up is Friday April 24th.