Tuesday April 14 Ag News

Grain Handling Safety Week includes free webinars

To raise awareness about the hazards of grain handling, the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is joining with industry leaders and safety professionals nationwide for the Stand Up4 Grain Safety Week, April 13-17. Grain Safety Stand-Ups are events for employers to talk to employees, suppliers and customers about safety.

To highlight the week, Aaron Yoder, Ph.D.,  an associate professor in the UNMC College of Public Health and a CS-CASH researcher, will present “Machine Guard Makeover” April 15 at 10 a.m. CST. Access this free webinar at https://standup4grainsafety.org/stand-up-week/machine-conveyor-guarding/

Other webinars throughout the week will include information on preventive maintenance, machine guard makeover, grain bin entry, and slips, trips and falls. Webinar information and registration can be found at the Stand Up4 Grain Website: https://standup4grainsafety.org/

Grain handling safety is of particular concern this spring, as heavy rains in 2019 contributed to record floods across the central U.S.. This caused unprecedented delays in planting crops and resulted in the fall harvest being stored with a high moisture content, which increases the possibility of grain clumping and molding. This may cause workers to enter bins to clear crops from sidewalls and augers to allow the grain to flow from the storage bin. Similar weather conditions in 2009 resulted in record numbers of injuries and deaths in 2010.

Handling grain is one of the most dangerous jobs on the farm. When a grain bin auger is running, a worker can be pulled into grain up to their waist in 15 seconds; in just 30 seconds a worker can be completely submerged in grain. In 2018, there were 30 grain bin fatalities, a 30% increase from 2017.

Understanding the steps to safely enter a bin, if necessary, can help prevent injury or death.

Review and implement these safety guidelines when handling grain in a bin.

ALWAYS IMPLEMENT LOCKOUT/TAGOUT (LOTO)
Statistics verify that 75% of grain bin accidents could have been prevented by using a LOTO protocol. Any time someone enters a grain bin, all power sources should be disconnected and locked in the off position by using the protocol. The person working in the bin should lock out the power with their own personal lock and key, so they alone have control of the energy source. A tag should be placed on the lock to warn others that the power is shut down and identify who is responsible for the shutdown. No one else should be able to remove the lock and accidently turn on the equipment.

EVALUATE AIR QUALITY
Anyone entering a grain bin will encounter grain dust, which affects different people in different ways. Without the use of a mask equipped with a high efficiency filter, a worker may experience difficulty breathing due to the dust and mold typically present in a grain bin.

In evaluating a bin’s air quality, there should be at least 19.5% oxygen inside the bin. If grain has been fumigated, it must be ventilated for several hours before anyone enters the bin.

Never smoke, weld or grind anything inside a grain bin. Doing so could initiate a fire or explosion due to grain dust.

SAFE ANCHOR POINTS
If your grain bin doesn’t have anchor points to secure a lifeline for anyone who enters it, consult your grain bin dealer or an engineer who can make recommendations for installing a lifeline anchor. If necessary, use two lifeline anchors to share up to a 5,000-pound load.

Most newer bins are designed to include anchor points. However, some older bins can be fitted with anchor points, too.

Don’t use ladders on the inside of the bin or ladders on the outside as anchor points. They were not designed for that purpose and never intended to bear the kind of load related to using a safety harness.

Evaluate the condition of your grain bin anchor. If there are any sharp edges that could damage a rope, it’s critical to cover that area. In instances where these anchors fail, its generally due to excess weight or pressure.

NEVER ENTER A BIN WITHOUT A SAFETY HARNESS
No one ever plans to experience tragedy inside a grain bin, but it can happen. A safety harness greatly aids any necessary rescue efforts.

Safety harness manufacturers provide printed instructions for using and maintaining a safety harness. Don’t deviate from the instructions.

Each grain bin entry safety harness bears a tag that documents the date and year the safety harness was manufactured. In purchasing a harness, don’t assume it was made recently. Check the date of manufacture and record the month, date and year the harness needs to be replaced. The average shelf life of a harness is five years, whether it is used or not.

To store the safety harness, keep it out of direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays, which will affect the quality of any rope or safety harness. Store the safety harness in an area where it’s protected from elements such as heat and moisture. Doing so helps improve the likelihood that the harness will provide the expected security.

Any time a safety harness is used to enter a grain bin, it must be laundered to remove grain dust. Both grain dust and moisture will weaken a safety harness over time.

Maintain a log that documents each date the safety harness is used and how it is used. This information helps ensure that the harness is properly maintained and replaced whenever necessary.

If you have any questions about your safety harness, contact the manufacturer. No one is more knowledgeable about their products than the company that makes them.

SAFETY HARNESS ROPES
Even new ropes can fail. When purchasing a rope, strictly follow manufacturer instructions for storing and maintaining the rope.

Those instructions will include keeping it out of direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays, which will affect the quality of any rope. Store the rope in an area where it’s protected from elements such as heat and moisture. Doing so helps improve the likelihood that the rope will provide the expected security.

Any time a rope is used to enter a grain bin, it must be laundered to remove grain dust. Both grain dust and moisture will weaken a rope over time.

If the rope is exposed to high heat, it should be replaced. Most modern rope materials are resistant to damage from heat. However, when a life is at stake, the cost of a rope is a small price to pay.

Document each time the rope is used and how it was used. Ropes have a shelf life similar to a safety harness. Replace them at least every five years, even if they were never used in a grain bin entry.

NEVER GO IN ALONE
Never enter a grain bin when you are alone. Anyone who starts sinking into grain held in a bin has just seconds to be rescued. Always have at least one person outside the bin to stand by, monitor your activity and summon help if necessary.

Never allow the standby person to enter the bin to attempt a rescue. Without a harness, they are likely to become a second victim in a grain bin incident.

Keep emergency phone numbers and instructions close at hand so they are easy to access if necessary.

If you discover striations (ridges or furrows), bridges or pyramids inside the bin, do not enter. Those formations are a clear indication that there are problems inside the bin.

FIRE AND RESCUE SITE TOUR
Consider scheduling a time for your local Fire and Rescue team to visit your grain bin site so they can be familiar with it prior to an emergency. The tour should include identifying the location of equipment shutoffs, how to shut equipment off, and any unique aspects of the site. An emergency response can be much more effective if responders have some idea of what to expect when they arrive at the site.

Maintain a log which shows what the bin is or has been holding, whether or not grain has been removed or added, and any other pertinent facts about use of the bin. This information assists responders in understanding what may have happened during a grain bin entry. It also can help to identify whether there is a grain pyramid or bridge inside the bin.

ADDITONAL GRAIN HANDLING EDUCATION
Find additional free grain handling education resources at https://grainsafety.org/training-2/course-descriptions/.



Central Valley Ag, Farmers Ranchers Cooperative announce merger

Farmers Ranchers Cooperative (Farmers Ranchers) membership votes to approve unification with Central Valley Ag (CVA). After a series of informational meetings, accounting firm Gardiner + Company certified the owners of Farmers Ranchers approved the merger with CVA by a majority of 88%. The unified cooperative will retain the Central Valley Ag name and be headquartered in York, Neb. with Carl Dickinson serving as President/CEO.

“We are pleased that Farmers Ranchers members have voted to unify. Both Boards felt strongly that unification would make us stronger and bring additional value to the members of both cooperatives. The results of the Farmers Ranchers vote support this,” said Dave Beckman, CVA Board Chairman. “Central Valley Ag has built a foundation, ensuring a promising future of service and value to its members in agriculture.”

Initial merger discussions between the cooperatives began in January 2020, with the respective boards individually approving the merger in February after a successful merger study was reviewed. Farmer Ranchers voting took place by mail in ballot and the final tally of votes was completed April 1.

 “We are confident that together, we will become an even stronger cooperative for our member-owners with the ability to maintain local farmer-ownership for generations to come,” said DJ Hladky, Farmers Ranchers Board Chairman. “Thank you to all the Famer Rancher members that voted. We are excited for what the future holds for our cooperative.” 

Farmers Ranchers and CVA will officially unite into one cooperative June 1, 2020.

Beckner to manage new CVA locations; former Farmer Rancher locations
Central Valley Ag (CVA) is pleased to announce Ted Beckner as Territory Manager of the recently merged Farmers Ranchers Cooperative (FRC) locations in Ainsworth, Valentine and Springview, Neb. He will be responsible for management of operations for CVA locations in these towns and delivering value to CVA’s member-owners. Beckner has over 37 years of experience working in the cooperative system and was previously the VP of Accounting Audit & Strategy Planning for CVA Feed.

“With his experience and skills, Ted is an excellent choice to lead our locations in Ainsworth, Valentine and Springview,” said Carl Dickinson, CEO/President of Central Valley Ag. “He has demonstrated his commitment to the cooperative spirit and delivering value to our members. We are excited to have him in this new role.”

Beckner will assume management duties immediately while the official merger date of the cooperatives is June 1, 2020.

“I am excited to lead a talented group of people at these CVA locations, working with them to find efficiencies and opportunities in our operations,” said Beckner. “I look forward to the responsibility of delivering outstanding service and value to our customers.”



CVA partners with Land O’ Lakes for Food Match Program

Central Valley Ag (CVA) partnered with Land O’ Lakes to provide funding for area schools with their food programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. CVA matched the donated funds provided through Land O’ Lakes Foundation’s Member Match Program. During April 2020, CVA distributed checks to 13 local schools to help them continue their breakfast/lunch or backpack programs.  The thirteen schools included:

Bancroft-Rosalie Community School, Bancroft, NE
Blessings in a Backpack - Elkhorn Valley Schools, Tilden, NE
Creighton Community School, Creighton, NE
East Butler Public Schools, Brainard, NE
Hampton Public Schools, Hampton, NE
Le Mars Backpack Program, Le Mars, IA
Logan View Public Schools, Hooper, NE
Oakland-Craig Public Schools, Oakland, NE
Republic County Schools USD 109, Belleville, KS
USD 239 North Ottawa County, Minneapolis, KS
USD 240 Twin Valley Unified Schools, Bennington, KS
USD 378 Riley Public Schools, Riley, KS
Wisner-Pilger Public Schools, Wisner, NE

“School meal programs are often the main source of food for our children. CVA and Land O’Lakes are partnering to keep the food programs in our schools funded so our children can focus on their new e-learning during our current pandemic circumstances,” said Peggy Hopwood, SVP of Member Services for Central Valley Ag. “We are so grateful to be a part of this program and support the next generation.”



UNL's Link honored as unsung hero of plant biology

Samantha Link, research manager for plant science in the Agricultural Research Division in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was recently recognized as an unsung hero of plant biology by the American Society of Plant Biologists.

The program recognizes important members of the science community who are the non-tenure track scientists. Link, the greenhouse manager at the Beadle Center greenhouse, was chosen for the critical role she plays in scientific breakthroughs and discoveries every single day.

The state-of-the-art greenhouse complex at the Beadle Center one of many plant growth facilities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which also includes the Nebraska Innovation Campus greenhouse and multiple greenhouse clusters on East Campus. Link manages the Beadle Center greenhouses with the help of a full-time assistant, a part-time technician, and three student workers.

Link grew up in Ravenna, Neb., and obtained her bachelor’s degree in horticulture–landscape design from Nebraska in 1996. During her undergraduate years, she was a student worker for the horticulture greenhouses at the East Campus. Link started working at the Beadle Center greenhouses in 1998 and became the greenhouse manager in 2015.

The Beadle Center greenhouses encompass 14,500 square feet of floor space and provide and care for plants for nearly 25 labs from multiple departments. The greenhouses also maintain plants for many of the teaching labs for introductory biology, botany and life science classes that emphasize plants in their coursework. The Beadle Center Greenhouses also have an extensive collection of preserved plant material used for taxonomy, systematics and plant diversity classes.

Link is passionate about plants and enjoys seeing plants begin from a seed and grow to maturity. She i strives to predict issues related to plant growth and to plan ahead to avoid plant loss. As she noted, “Plants are not always predictable. In many ways, you can count on them to not be predictable; they don’t always do what you want them to.” Being consistent with protocols for soil type, planting procedures, and sanitization helps Link stay ahead of the game.

Link’s efforts are often acknowledged in students’ graduate seminars, and her greatest satisfaction is when graduating students stop by her office or leave heartfelt notes conveying their gratitude. “It’s an awesome feeling. I have kept many of those notes as they remind me that I am appreciated for my work!”

Rebecca Roston, associate professor of biochemistry at the Beadle Center, acknowledged Samantha’s assistance with her lab’s plant growth needs.

“Every time we have a lab-planting crisis (e.g., everyone decides Friday is a good day to plant, we suddenly need a chamber that can have an eight-hour day, we need a reverse-cycling chamber to avoid being in the lab at 2 a.m.), Sam is there. She is calm and practical and often helps us with temporary growth space,” Roston said. “Even when that is impossible, she helps talk people through their options and makes sure they know their academic life isn’t over. She’s on all the researchers’ sides, and it is very appreciated. Finally, on a personal note, I enjoy having conversations with her and nerding out about plants!”

Outside of work, Link has many hobbies, including caring for plants. She has houseplants, and quite a bit of her yard is dedicated to gardening. “I do enjoy growing plants—even off the clock!”



NDA Order Eases Restrictions on Pesticide Applicator License Holders

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman has issued an order easing restrictions on pesticide applicators whose licenses are up for renewal. The order temporarily postpones certain training requirements outlined in the Nebraska Pesticide Act and extends valid pesticide applicators’ licenses if conditions are met.

According to the order, people with valid commercial, non-commercial and private applicator licenses which expire on April 15, 2020, must notify NDA of their intent to renew their license and pay the required fees to NDA by May 15, 2020.  Upon receipt of payment, NDA will allow the applicator to defer the required training for license renewals until April 15, 2021.

“In these challenging times, Nebraska farmers and ranchers have a critical and essential role in keeping our food supply safe and strong,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “This order helps Nebraska pesticide applicators, that were unable to complete trainings due to COVID-19 crowd limitations, continue their work.”

The order also states that the time period will increase from 60 days to 120 days for a noncertified applicator to work under the provisions of the Nebraska Pesticide Act for exemption from certification.

Annual training for dicamba is still required for crop application of specific dicamba products.  Online training is available at www.nda.nebraska.gov.

The order can be found at www.nda.nebraska.gov/COVID-19. 



IFBF donates $100,000 to help Iowa Food Bank Association

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for an increasing number of Iowans, including the most basic need of food security. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest, grassroots farm organization, today announced a $100,000 donation to the Iowa Food Bank Association (IFBA) to help feed the need for Iowans across the state who are impacted during this unprecedented time.

According to IFBA, with several businesses temporarily closed leaving people without work, food banks and the food bank network of 1,200 nonprofit partner agencies in Iowa are seeing up to four times the number of new requests for food assistance since the pandemic began. IFBA and its member food banks are 99 percent funded through private and public donations and is completely reliant upon the generosity of Iowans to provide meals to all areas in every county throughout Iowa. The six regional nonprofit food banks serving Iowa include River Bend Foodbank, Food Bank of Iowa, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Food Bank for the Heartland, Food Bank of Siouxland and HACP Food Reservoir.

“We recognize this is an especially difficult time for so many Iowans,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “Iowa farmers have always pulled together to help their communities out during challenging times, and the Farm Bureau family is happy to do what we can to help bridge the food gap in our communities during this crisis.”

In addition to the $100,000 donation, IFBF will provide a match up to $500 to any of Iowa’s 100 county Farm Bureaus that have made a donation to their food bank from March 1, 2020 through April 24, 2020. The locally raised funds will either go to the food pantry in that county, if one exists, or to fund a mobile food pantry that serves the county.

According to the IFBA, for every dollar they receive, they are able to distribute 5.5 meals to Iowans in need. IFBF’s donation will provide a minimum of 550,000 meals for Iowans struggling through this challenging time.

“COVID-19 has significantly strained our resources and amplified the demand for food in every corner of the state,” said Linda Gorkow, Executive Director, Iowa Food Bank Association. “This generous gift from the Iowa Farm Bureau comes at a crucial time and will make a tremendous impact helping us meet our increase in demand for food assistance across the state.”

In addition to the need for monetary donations, the food banks serving Iowa are facing a significant decline in volunteers to pack boxes and assist at mobile food pantries. The majority of food bank volunteers are seniors who are in the ‘at-risk’ category for COVID-19 and have not been able to assist. Volunteers are now needed to help package food for seniors and families. For more information about how you can feed the need in Iowa, please visit https://www.iowafba.org/.



Hog Farmers Face COVID-19 Financial Crisis

The impact of COVID-19 has caused hog values to plummet, creating a financial disaster for pork producers nationwide who face a collective $5 billion loss for the remainder of the year. At a press briefing today, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) outlined the crisis as described by producers and the immediate relief they are requesting from the administration and Congress.

"We remain committed to supplying Americans with high-quality U.S. pork, but face a dire situation that threatens the livelihoods of thousands of farm families," said NPPC President Howard "A.V." Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. "We are taking on water fast. Immediate action is imperative, or a lot of hog farms will go under."

The suspension of pork packing plant operations and rising employee absenteeism due to COVID-19 has exacerbated an existing harvest facility capacity challenge due to a labor shortage in rural America. With limited harvest capacity, a surplus of pigs exists, causing hog values to plunge. The loss of the food services market (i.e. restaurants) and the COVID-related slowdown in most export markets has crashed demand and overwhelmed the cold storage of meat.

Dr. Dermot Hayes, an economist with Iowa State University, and Dr. Steve Meyer, a pork industry economist with Kerns & Associates, estimate that hog farmers will lose nearly $37 per hog, or almost $5 billion collectively, for each hog marketed for the rest of the year. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, and after two challenging years, hog farmers were generally expecting a profitable year, with industry analysts forecasting earnings of approximately $10 per hog on average for 2020.

Roth added, "The pork industry is based on a just-in-time inventory system. Hogs are backing up on farms with nowhere to go, leaving farmers with tragic choices to make. Dairy producers can dump milk. Fruit and vegetable growers can dump produce. But, hog farmers have nowhere to move their hogs."

NPPC, in consultation with hog farmers across the nation, identified several measures it has raised with federal policy makers, including:

 -   Over $1 billion in pork purchases by the USDA to clear out a backed-up meat supply, supplementing agency food bank programs facing increased demand due to rising unemployment. These purchases should accommodate pork products packaged for restaurants and other segments of the food services market.

-    Equitable direct payments to producers participants without eligibility restrictions.

NPPC is also seeking a legislative fix to emergency loan programs that have left farmers behind. Approximately 10,000 family hog farms are in jeopardy because they do not have access to much-needed capital offered by the Small Business Administration. NPPC urges Congress to increase the cap on qualifying businesses to those that employee up to 1,500 and to make agricultural businesses eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. 

The economic impact analysis by Dr. Hayes and Dr. Meyer was based on live hog futures between March 10-April 10.



Coronavirus-Related Cattle Industry Losses Estimated at $13.6 Billion

A study released today estimates cattle industry losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic will reach $13.6 billion. The study was commissioned by NCBA and conducted by a team of industry-leading agricultural economists led by Derrell Peel, Breedlove Professor of Agribusiness and Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist at Oklahoma State University, to assist USDA in determining how best to allocate CARES Act relief funds to cattle producers.

The study shows cow-calf producers will see the largest impact, with COVID-19-related losses totaling an estimated $3.7 billion, or $111.91 per head for each mature breeding animal in the United States. Without offsetting relief payments, those losses could increase by $135.24 per mature breeding animal, for an additional impact totaling $4.45 billion in the coming years.

Stocker/backgrounder segment losses were estimated at $159.98 per head, for a total economic impact of $2.5 billion in 2020, while feeding sector losses were estimated at $3.0 billion or $205.96 per head.

“This study confirms that cattle producers have suffered massive economic damage as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and those losses will continue to mount for years to come, driving many producers to the brink of collapse and beyond if relief funds aren’t made available soon,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “This study also clearly illustrates the fact that while the relief funds provided by Congress were a good first step, there remains a massive need for more funding to be allocated as soon as members of Congress reconvene.”

Woodall pointed out that relief funds that were meant to provide aid directly to cattle producers were divided among multiple commodities, many of which already have government programs in place to support production. However, cattle producers have always maintained their independence from government programs, and most operate today without the safety net others enjoy.

“It’s only because of the extraordinary circumstances we face today that cattle producers need relief. While we appreciate the many members of Congress who supported the cattle industry and ensured cattle producers were eligible for relief funds, we need these same members to do more to make certain every cattle producer who needs relief can access funding. That’s why we’re calling today for additional funds to be made available specifically for cattlemen and women,” said Woodall.

STUDY SUMMARY
The study conducted by Oklahoma State University estimated total beef cattle industry damages of $13.6 billion as of early April 2020.  Damage estimates include:

-    Revenue losses of $3.7 billion in 2020 to the cow-calf sector, equivalent to $111.91/head for each mature breeding animal in the U.S.  If these damages are not offset, additional long-term damages of $4.45 billion or another $135.24 per mature breeding animal will impact the cow-calf sector in coming years.
    
-    Revenue losses of $2.5 billion to the U.S. stocker/backgrounding sector in 2020, equivalent to $159.98/head.
    
-    Revenue losses of $3.0 billion to the U.S. cattle feeding sector in 2020, equivalent to $205.96/head.
    
-    The current situation is very fluid and uncertain.  Additional damages are likely.

The economic damage assessment was conducted by Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University; Dustin Aherin, Rabobank; Randy Blach, CattleFax; Kenneth Burdine, University of Kentucky; Don Close, Rabobank; Amy Hagerman, Oklahoma State University; Josh Maples, Mississippi State University; James Robb, Livestock Marketing Information Center; and Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University.



U.S. Programs Managed on Behalf of Beef Checkoff Continue to Maintain Beef Demand

Promotion programs being managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff have shifted and grown in response to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. These efforts reflect a consumer population that is concerned for their day-to-day health and the availability of delicious, safe and wholesome food products, like beef.

              “It was only two months ago that Beef Checkoff committees got together in San Antonio at the Cattle Industry Convention to work collectively to develop plans to improve beef demand,” says Buck Wehrbein, a feedlot manager from Nebraska and chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils. “In a few short weeks our entire world and the way we engage with each other and our communities have changed, and our response through the Beef Checkoff has had to change with it.”

              Wehrbein notes that many events and conferences the Beef Checkoff had a role in have been canceled and some research projects have paused. In addition, the current issues called for the program to shift messages to meet the needs of consumers immediately. “Our market research and market intelligence staff members are keeping a close eye on what is going on in retail and foodservice channels, as well as how consumers are responding and what they need from us,” Wehrbein says.

              Wehrbein says the supply chain is leveling out and beef is becoming more available in retail meat cases. According to IRI, a market research company, meat has been the leading sales driver for the perimeter of the retail store, up more than 90 percent for the week ending March 22, year-over-year. While those numbers have moderated somewhat, they are still considerably higher than they were for the same period in 2019. Those figures can seem frustrating to producers who feel they have not received a fair share, Wehrbein says, but they do help demonstrate the checkoff is doing its job, which is to strengthen beef demand.

              With three out of four consumers under stay-at-home orders, they are cooking more meals for more people, more often. NCBA staff, along with staffs of state beef councils across the country, are leveraging their extensive library of content, including advertisements, recipes, cooking videos and educational materials about beef nutrition to help consumers while they are home during the pandemic.

              Tips on beef preparation and recipes are being provided to consumers through Beef Checkoff-funded content on the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner web site, including recipe collections, cooking lessons and beef safety information. Meanwhile, both national and state programs have shifted advertising dollars to deliver this content to consumers and provide it on social media platforms, too. In addition, the checkoff is reminding consumers that Chuck Knows Beef, the digital assistant based on artificial intelligence, is available to help them with their beef questions.

              Recipes and resources are also being provided to food influencers, supply chain partners and the news media to support their efforts to educate consumers about food preparation and healthy eating. NCBA, in its checkoff role, is also keeping in close contact with supply chain partners to provide support as they adjust to the current consumer and business environments.

              Wehrbein encourages interested producers to follow Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, to see how Beef Checkoff dollars are helping consumers feel confident in choosing and preparing beef, and is assuring those consumers that the beef industry is committed to providing safe, healthy, wholesome beef to the food supply.

Beef in the “Substitute” Seat
              To reach those consumers, a new campaign was released April 1 to highlight the versatility of beef. NCBA, as a checkoff contractor, partnered with three nationally recognized chefs who found creative ways to substitute beef for more commonly used proteins in one of their favorite dishes. The resulting recipes include:
-    Peking Chuck: In this nod to Peking Duck, Top Chef finalist Joe Sasto replaces the duck with a Chuck Roast for a unique Asian-inspired beef meal.
-    Korean Fried Beef (KFB): Who needs fried chicken when you can enjoy fried beef at home? Acclaimed NYC chef Esther Choi shows how to make this classic dish with a beefy Korean twist.
-    Cowlamari: For this tasty treat, beloved Chicago chef and Food Network regular Lamar Moore replaces the surf with turf and turns Calamari into Cowlamari.

              This fully integrated campaign includes paid advertising, social media, media relations, influencer engagement and retail outreach. Through advertising alone, it’s projected the initial campaign flight will secure 31 million impressions. A special webpage that includes the chef videos and recipes provides an overview of the campaign, and the recipes, which use a play on words, complement the Beef Checkoff’s “Nicely Done Beef” campaign.

              Results show the campaign is already paying dividends. The recipes were shared with major news outlets and resulted in the Associated Press picking up the story. The chefs, who have thousands of followers, are also pushing the recipes out on their own social media platforms. Since the new videos launched, there have been more than 1.2 million video views and nearly 1.5 million social engagements with the content. The team also activated Masters of Beef Advocacy graduates asking them to share their own “beef substitute” recipes. Cooking with the Cowboy making a Steak Pot Pie and Girl Carnivore serving up Beef Parmesan were two results. 

              Extensive engagement with national consumer media reporters was also conducted by NCBA as a Beef Checkoff contractor. As part of the outreach the team distributed four press releases, which were also utilized by state beef councils in extension with local and state media outlets. NCBA has also been pitching media to secure inclusion of beef in “cooking at home” stories.

              Finally, Wehrbein points to a summer grilling promotion planned to begin Memorial Day and run through Labor Day that will celebrate beef as the center of grilling activities. The “United We Steak” campaign will feature each state in the country and highlight the favorite steak of that state. The campaign is being developed in close partnership with state beef councils to develop the state features, including individual web pages highlighting that state’s unique components. It’s hoped the timing of the campaign will leverage consumers coming together after the extended “stay at home” orders.

              “Federation board members, who represent their state beef council on the board, can take pride in the work they’ve done to make these national programs possible. But they can also be proud of the work of their own state organizations,” says Wehrbein. “There are innovative efforts to reach consumers and influencers being conducted on many fronts, including through online platforms.”
At the national level those online platforms includes the Beef Quality Assurance website where producers can become certified online, or the Masters of Beef Advocacy that allows industry supporters to take their voices to a broader audience.



Livestock Groups Send Letter Advocating for Needs of Rural Healthcare Providers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today to request rural healthcare providers have resources and funding to properly respond to the COVID-19 virus.

“Rural healthcare providers have unique needs unlike densely populated areas. We are calling on Secretary Alex Azar and Secretary Sonny Perdue to ensure rural healthcare providers have needed resources, particularly where the number of providers are limited across a vast geographic area, and technology to allow for expanded tele-health services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
- NCBA CEO Colin Woodall

“This is not business as usual for the sheep and cattle industry. Poor market conditions bring unprecedented levels of stress to farmers and ranchers. COVID-19 has exacerbated this burden through isolation and uncertainty for these industries. We must ensure farmers and ranchers do not navigate this alone by providing ample access to mental health assistance.”
- ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick

"Much of rural America operates with limited numbers of healthcare providers. If doctors, nurses, or administrators serving rural areas become exposed to COVID-19, it could result in loss of access to care for large regions. It is essential these hospitals have resources to protect their employees and the rural communities at the frontlines of this crisis.”
- PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover



NEW ANALYSIS SHOWS U.S. AGRICULTURE REDUCING PER-UNIT GHG EMISSIONS

New analysis of updated data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, combined with U.S. Department of Agriculture data, shows U.S. farmers and ranchers continue to reduce per-unit greenhouse gas emissions. All told, the U.S. agricultural sector accounts for less than 10% of total U.S. emissions. That's less than the emissions from the transportation, electricity generation and industrial sectors. Globally, agriculture accounts for about 24% of GHG emissions.

The EPA's U.S. Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions provides a first look at 2018 U.S. emissions data, which is incorporated into a new Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The Market Intel report finds that per-unit methane emissions from livestock have declined since 1990 as livestock producers have increased productivity. During the past 30 years, U.S. milk production has increased 71% while per-unit emissions of milk have declined by almost 25%. Beef production has increased almost 50%, while per-unit emissions have fallen nearly 8%.

Meanwhile, American farmers are producing more crops on fewer acres, according to an analysis of USDA data. When compared to farm production in 1990, U.S. farmers would have needed almost 100 million additional acres to grow the same amount of corn, cotton, rice, soybeans and wheat they harvested in 2018.

"We're doing more with less and proud to lead the world in agricultural advances," said American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. "Smarter farming, new strategies and technology are helping farmers reduce their environmental footprint and provide solutions."

The analysis builds on data shared during the launch of Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF), a coalition of agriculture groups aimed at educating lawmakers and finding solutions to challenges posed by climate change. The gains farmers have made in reducing their environmental footprint have been significant, and FSF supports federal investment in innovation, science-based research, voluntary conservation programs, resilient infrastructure, and incentives to assist farmers in furthering these efforts.

"Corn farmers are proud of their successful efforts to improve soil, water and air quality," said Kevin Ross, president of the National Corn Growers Association, an FSF member. "These efforts are paying off in increased carbon sequestration and carbon retention in the soil, which helps offset agriculture's relatively low contribution to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions."
Learn more about Farmers for a Sustainable Future at www.SustainableFarming.us. To access the American Farm Bureau Market Intel analysis, go to www.fb.org/market-intel/ghg.

FSF members include the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Pulse Association, American Sheep Industry Association, American Sugar Alliance, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council of America, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Sunflower Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Association, United Egg Producers, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Dry Bean Council, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, and USA Rice.



Peterson: USDA Should Up Commodity Purchases to Help Farmers, Foodbanks

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Tuesday morning, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota urged the Administration to maximize the purchase of agricultural commodities for donation and distribution to aid hungry Americans and struggling farmers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The pictures and video of milk being dumped and fresh vegetables being plowed into the ground is unsettling to most Americans, but it is heart breaking for those farm families that produced that commodity,” said Peterson, adding that purchases by USDA of those products can “help ensure that the production that no longer has a foodservice market can be made available to help our nation’s foodbanks.”

In the letter, Peterson urged the Administration to use the $9.5 billion in funding through the CARES Act, as well as the authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), and Section 32.

“The agricultural economy was already in a fragile state from several years of adverse weather conditions and our challenging trade situation.  Despite being an essential service, our ag producers and their supply chain partners are facing the total loss of some market segments and the inability to quickly change their marketing and processing capabilities to meet the new realities,” added Peterson.



CLA, ARA and TFI Announce Office Co-Location to Begin in 2021

CropLife America (CLA), The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) announced today that the three organizations will co-locate to Arlington, VA, beginning in January 2021. Each organization will retain its focus on the needs of its respective members, but the move is expected to create greater opportunities for collaboration that can enhance each organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. The organizations’ respective Boards of Directors approved this concept in separate votes last fall.

“CLA is excited to join two of our agriculture allies to better serve our respective members and the agricultural industry through closer collaboration. Although we will maintain distinctly separate organizations, we look forward to sharing common services, which will result in measurable savings that can be used to bolster our programs that benefit our members. We look forward to working even more closely together with ARA & TFI,” said Chris Novak, CLA president and CEO.

“Just as our respective industries continue to integrate and consolidate, so too are we pursuing innovative and efficient ways to operate,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “This new arrangement will facilitate enhanced communication and collaboration on common issues.”

“ARA’s members have identified the need to continually be more efficient with organizational resources,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “By sharing an office space with CLA and TFI, we are able to be good stewards of our assets while applying cost savings to better serve our members through the work we do on their behalf.”

All three organizations will remain independent with no changes to their individual governance models.  TFI and CLA intend to relocate by January 2021, ARA intends to move March 2021. 



BASF supports farmers by offering xarvio FIELD MANAGER free of charge for the 2020 season

BASF announced it will offer xarvio™ FIELD MANAGER free of charge to farmers in the U.S. and Canada for the 2020 season. xarvio FIELD MANAGER offers crop production solutions that allow farmers to monitor their fields through digital tools. As farmers across North America continue to provide the world with safe and nutritious food during this challenging time, this digital solution will help farmers maintain their operations with as little impact as possible.

“Especially now, farmers can benefit greatly by using digital tools to monitor their fields and stay connected with their staff and agronomy advisors when in-person contact and travel are limited,” said Warren Bills, Regional Commercialization Lead for BASF Digital Farming Solutions. “Farmers and advisors can gain greater efficiency when utilizing digital agronomy tools and recommendations to grow healthy crops, and we’re glad to offer our technology free of charge this growing season to farmers in North America.”

xarvio FIELD MANAGER is a digital crop optimization platform and mobile app offering field and field-zone-specific real-time information and recommendations on how to produce crops most efficiently. This solution gives farmers further access to timing and variable rate map applications in various crops for weed, disease and better pest management. Especially valuable is the new data exchange and cross-farm dashboard feature, which allows farmers and advisors to better collaborate within xarvio FIELD MANAGER without the need for in-person meetings. These features are also available in the xarvio app for mobile devices.