Friday May 15 Ag News

May is Beef Month:  NE Beef Council teams with the NAND

The Nebraska Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is an organization comprised of registered dietitians from across the state and all practices, translating the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. The Academy strives to provide top tier continuing education opportunities to their members, and the Nebraska Beef Council has been a continued partner in their efforts.

The 2020 annual conference was held virtually, going from a two-day conference to a half-day online experience. NBC’s session was one of four sessions accepted for the half-day event. Jill Castle presented Nourished: A New Model for Childhood Nutrition to over 215 Nebraska registered dietitians. Jill’s focus was to utilize modern, evidence-based, and developmentally sensitive techniques to help families raise healthy kids, inside and out. Her presentation received a huge follow-up response from RDs—to the point Jill followed up with each individually post-session—further showing that the topic was of true interest to the dietitians in their practice and daily outreach.

Jill has partnered with the Nebraska Beef Council on previous nutrition and health influencer events as is a nationally recognized leader in childhood nutrition and feeding strategies.

Beef Nutrition Facts:
-    Beef is an excellent source of protein and supplies 10 essential nutrients that support an active and healthy lifestyle.
-    A 3-oz serving of beef provides 25 grams of protein and 10 essentials nutrients in one tasty package.
-        Beef is an excellent source of protein to help build and preserve muscle.
-        Beef is an excellent source of B-vitamins with help maintain brain function and give you energy.
-        Beef is an excellent source of zinc which help maintain a healthy immune system
-        Beef is an excellent source of selenium to help protect cells from damage
-        Beef is an excellent source of niacin to support energy production and metabolism.
-        Beef is a good source of iron which helps your body use oxygen
-    Eating at least 4 ounces of high-quality protein from foods like beef at each meal provides your body with energy to lead an active lifestyle.
-    exercise is more effective for weight management when paired with a higher-protein diet, and beef provides the amino acids necessary for building and replenishing muscles.
-    Beef give your body the high-quality protein you need to build and preserve muscle.
-    Not only can lean beef be part of a heart-healthy diet, but it can help lower cholesterol as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
-        Recent research shows that eating lean beef as part of a heart healthy dietary pattern can help maintain normal cholesterol levels.

More than 60 percent of whole muscle beef cuts found in the supermarket are considered lean when cooked with visible fat trimmed



Nebraska Governor Showing ‘Appalling Disregard’ for Workers by Hiding Coronavirus Cases

Leaders from the union representing 6,500 federal meat and poultry inspectors nationwide are calling out Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts for failing to disclose COVID-19 infection rates at meatpacking plants.

“Governor Ricketts is showing appalling disregard for the health and safety of workers inside these plants by refusing to disclose how many people have tested positive for COVID-19,” American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said.

“Hiding the number of infections from the public doesn't make the infections go away – if anything, it encourages this deadly virus to spread further by giving people a false sense of security,” said AFGE District 8 National Vice President Gregg James, whose district includes Nebraska.

“Federal meat and poultry inspectors work in close proximity to plant employees, making social distancing virtually impossible, and making it all the more critical that they know when and where infections are occurring,” said Paula Schelling, acting president of AFGE Council 45, which represents 6,500 federal inspectors at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

According to news reports, the USDA has disclosed 197 COVID-19 infections among federal inspectors as of May 5, while another 120 were under self-quarantine for exposure to the virus. Four federal inspectors have died, one each in New York, Illinois, Mississippi, and Kansas. 



Nebraska Cattlemen Interim Policy Aligns with Call for Increased Negotiated Cash Purchases

In April of this year, the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) board amended existing NC Marketing and Commerce Committee policy to strengthen standing language by mandating packers to purchase a minimum of 50% of their weekly slaughter in the negotiated market with specific day ranges for delivery.

“Many NC members have repeatedly expressed concerns about the increasing number of cattle sold on a formula basis, lessening the robust price discovery that cash negotiation sales bring to the table,” says Ken Herz, Nebraska Cattlemen President.  He says, “While NC policy typically discourages mandates, we understand the urgent need to regain leverage, competitiveness and price discovery.”

Cattlemen in Nebraska historically participate in cash negotiated sales at a higher level than other cattle feeding regions in the U.S. Current proposals in the Senate are missing definitions regarding key components of live cattle marketing. NC staff and leadership are working through current bill language to identify these needed amendments to ensure it meets the mark of NC policy.

Nebraska Cattlemen leadership and staff are closely monitoring the current live cattle marketing environment and are actively looking for resolutions that will be components of longer-term solutions.



Drone operations course coming to Northeast in Norfolk

As more and more unmanned aircraft, particularly multi-rotor UAS (drones), take to the skies, operators must have a deeper understanding of applicable regulations, flight maneuvers, missions planning and safe operations in controlled airspace. A course offered through Northeast Community College in Norfolk will accomplish these goals and help participants understand the rules of flying a UAS as established by the FAA.

Drone Operations (BRDC 5100/20SU & CRN #70013) will meet Thursday and Friday, June 11 and 12, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., in the Lifelong Learning Center on the Norfolk campus. Brian Anderson, FAA-certified drone pilot, is the instructor of the class.

This course will help participants understand the proper protocol and procedures for flying various drone missions through hands-on flight training. Ultimately, the course will help to prepare the student for the successful completion of the FAA Part 107 UAS Remote Pilot certification process. This course is designed for those who want to fly drones for commercial purposes but also includes useful rules and information for the drone hobbyist.

Cost of the class is $245. Hands-on flight training using the DJI fleet of drones owned and insured by Northeast Community College is included in the course. The test preparation textbook is also included.

Pre-registration is required. To register for the class, call Northeast Community College at (402) 844-7000.



HAIL KNOW: RESOURCES TO REMEMBER THIS GROWING SEASON
Nathan Mueller, Cropping Systems Extension Educator

   The highest chances for hail on any given day in the U.S. are in late spring and early summer in the Great Plains. The higher elevation of the Great Plains allows the freezing level in the atmosphere to be closer to the ground, which helps hailstones grow larger than in other parts of the country. In Nebraska most hail events occur from May to July.

   Hail strikes Nebraska crops each year, creating uncertainty and questions for farmers: “Does the level of damage warrant replanting or will the remaining stand yield better than a replant would? How should I adjust inputs for the remaining season? Would a cover crop be cost effective?”

   When hail strikes and growers have questions, Nebraska Extension has new resources to answer them at Hail Know located online at cropwatch.unl.edu/hailknow. Videos, infographics, and articles by a team of Extension experts in climate science, agronomy, engineering, agricultural technology, economics, and disaster education have been developed to build upon and expand Extension’s hail-related programs.

   Annually, hail causes over $1 billion in economic losses. In Nebraska hail-producing storms are all too common, especially during the planting and growing seasons. Though hail cannot be prevented, farmers, crop consultants, and others can use the information at Hail Know to become better prepared for timely decision-making after hail events.

   Interesting Facts: A hailstone with a diameter of 7 inches and a circumference of 18.75 inches fell near Aurora, Nebraska, during a June 22, 2003 storm, setting the U.S. record for the largest hailstone. Since then, on July 23, 2010, a heavier hailstone (1.938 lb) with a larger diameter (8 inches) fell near Vivian, S.D., taking the U.S. record. However, the Aurora hailstone still is the largest in circumference on record.

   Hail Know focuses on six key topics: Hail formation and storms; damage assessment; crop insurance and risk management; replanting considerations; managing a recovering crop; and cover crops.

   In the aftermath of a hailstorm visit Hail Know for the answers and certainty, you need to make sound, research-based decisions to manage your crop. Hail Know is also on social media. Follow @HailKnowUNL on Twitter at twitter.com/HailKnowUNL and like Hail Know on Facebook at facebook.com/HailKnowUNL for all the latest information and updates.

   Hail Know is a section of CropWatch.unl.edu, Nebraska Extension’s crop production and crop pest management website. The development of Hail Know was funded by a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Smith-Lever Special Needs Grant with matching funds from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The column was co-written with Ashley Mueller, Nebraska Extension Disaster Educator. While you cannot prevent hail, you can prepare for and respond quickly when dealing with hail damage to crops.



Extension Risk Management Education Center awards grants

The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center (NCERMEC) recently awarded over $650,000 in funding to 15 project directors from universities and non-profit organizations across the north-central region.  These grants fund outreach that provides extension risk management education programs for producers.

For the 19th straight year, the Extension Risk Management Education program has awarded grants for projects that educate farmers and ranchers with tools and training they need to address the uncertainties in farm income and manage their risk. The goal is to strengthen the economic viability of farm enterprises.  Funding decisions are made by an Advisory Council of peers from the north-central region who specialize in agricultural risk management. The project award period began April 1 and ends Sept. 30, 2021.

“This funding will be used to develop and implement educational programming for agricultural producers addressing production, financial, legal, human, and marketing risk,” said Brad Lubben, NCERMEC program director. In addition to these ERME grants, four projects were each awarded up to $3,000 to explore needs and develop plans for future programming.

Among the projects funded include:
- A Bilingual Training and Education Program to Improve Practices that Affect Milk Quality
Kimberly Clark, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- 2020-21 Financial Viability Programming for Nebraska Women in Agriculture
Jessica Groskopf, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Effective Budgeting, Negotiation, and Management Strategies for Agricultural Land
Jim Jansen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Farm Survival, Understanding the Role of Risk Exposure in Financial Decision Making
Glennis McClure, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Building Market Resiliency in Iowa through Advanced Grain Marketing Workshops for Women
Madeline Schultz, Iowa State University Extension

The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center is funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and has been hosted by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Agricultural Economics and Nebraska Extension since 2001. The North Central Center serves the 12-state region of Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kansas, Mich., Minn., Mo., Neb., N.D., Ohio, S.D., and Wis. The Center was funded by NIFA for the second year of its current three-year $3.3 million award to support these newly-awarded grants across the region. In addition to the North Central Center, ERME regional centers are located across the country at the University of Delaware (Northeast), the University of Arkansas (Southern) and Washington State University (Western).



USGC Trade Notes

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association is a member of the U.S. Grains Council that allows timely access to updates from country directors around the world. These country directors, through their work of expanding markets for corn, ethanol and distillers grain support our mission in “creating and increasing opportunities” for members of NeCGA.

Weekly corn sales with up 39 percent from the previous week and up 14 percent from 4-week average, with sales being reported to China and Mexico, along with other key markets including Panama. Country specific notes include:
-    Vietnam is free of African swine fever (ASF) and is restocking sows at a rapid pace. This is leading to increased feed demand that has led to recent purchases of U.S. corn. Vietnam is also reporting victory over COVID-19, allowing their economy to begin operating at increased capacity, opening the opportunities for further exports.
-    The U.S. had great momentum into the Philippines prior to COVID-19. ASF has re-emerged in the country leading to leading to some demand loss. But projections are for the country to rebound quickly.
-    Columbia feed industry leaders have requested an extension of policy that allowed U.S. corn to be imported into the country duty free. Columbia has a free trade agreement with the U.S.



USDA Begins Accepting Applications for Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program Grants Today

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Censky today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched an online portal to begin accepting applications for Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grants. USDA plans to make available up to $100 million in competitive grants for activities designed to expand the sale and availability of ethanol and biodiesel fuels.

“As the coronavirus response continues, America’s energy independence has proven critical to our economic security now more than ever,” Deputy Secretary Censky said. “Under the leadership of President Trump, we know the positive impacts that affordable, abundant and clean-burning fuel provide to our country’s farmers and consumers. The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program will help rural communities build stronger economies and will give consumers more choices when they fill up at the pump.”

USDA plans to make funds directly available to help transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities convert to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to the installation of fuel pumps, related equipment and infrastructure.

Electronic applications must be submitted by Aug. 13, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

In Nebraska, contact Energy Coordinator Jeff Carpenter at 402-437-5554 or jeff.carpenter@usda.gov
 
Additional Information:
USDA is making grants available for up to 50 percent of total eligible project costs, but not more than $5 million. Eligible recipients are vehicle fueling facilities, including, but not limited to, local fueling stations/locations, convenience stores, hypermarket fueling stations, fleet facilities, fuel terminal operations, midstream partners and/or distribution facilities.

USDA is making available approximately $86 million for implementation activities related to higher blends of fuel ethanol, and approximately $14 million for implementation activities related to higher blends of biodiesel. Higher biofuel blends are fuels containing ethanol greater than 10 percent by volume and/or fuels containing biodiesel blends greater than five percent by volume.



North American Grain and Oilseed Crushings 2019 Summary
Combined United States and Canadian Soybeans Crushed Down 1 Percent From 2018

Combined United States and Canadian soybeans crushed for crude oil was 64.7 million tons in 2019, a decrease of 1 percent from 2018.  Crude oil production was 24.9 billion pounds, down slightly from 2018.

Combined United States and Canadian canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 12.4 million tons in 2019, up 2 percent from 2018.  Crude oil production was 10.8 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2018.

This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service to release the soybean and canola seed crushings information for both countries within one publication. United States soybean and oilseed crushings numbers for 2019 were previously released on March 2, 2020. Canadian soybean and oilseed crushings were released on January 24, 2020.



ASA Pleased with USDA Final Rule on Biotech Crop Approvals

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is pleased to see the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) announce a final rule updating and modernizing its biotechnology regulations under the Plant Protection Act. The Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE) rule significantly updates USDA’s plant biotechnology regulations for the first time in three decades, according to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.

The new process established by this rule is expected to lead to lower regulatory costs and timeframes for the development of new plant varieties for developers, significantly granting soybean growers quicker access to more affordable bean varieties incorporating a broader array of innovations.

“We are pleased with USDA’s final rule streamlining the regulatory process for low-risk biotech crops to come to market,” said Magnolia, Kentucky soy grower Caleb Ragland, who chairs ASA’s Regulatory Committee. “By establishing a common-sense regulatory process to ensure new biotech plants varieties are reviewed quickly with predictable timelines and allowed to go to market if they pose no risk, soybean growers can remain efficient and competitive through this continued access to innovation.”

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) stated in the announcement of the final rule that it, “provides a clear, predictable, and efficient regulatory pathway for innovators, facilitating the development of genetically engineered organisms that are unlikely to pose plant pest risks.”

ASA has advocated for improvements to make the regulatory process transparent, less cumbersome, based in sound science, and in a way that helps farmers do their jobs more efficiently and sustainably.



USDA’s final rule for regulating biotech products lacks adequate market transparency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) finalized rule for regulating plant-based agricultural biotechnology products takes an overly broad approach that does not deliver adequate transparency and could contribute to future trade disruptions, said the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in a May 14 statement.

USDA announced on May 14 its final rule updating its biotechnology regulations under the Plant Protection Act. The final rule exempts from regulation plants that could have been developed through conventional breeding. In addition, a number of gene editing techniques, including a single base pair substitution and sole deletions, are exempt from regulation under the final rule.

In response, NGFA issued the following statement:
“NGFA supports the use of agricultural biotechnology and plant breeding innovation to provide farmers with improved technology that can contribute to a sustainable, abundant and affordable food and feed supply.

“However, for grain elevators and exporters, as well as farmers and downstream customers they serve, there is a pressing need to provide transparency in the types and uses of gene-editing and other technology being deployed and commercialized in U.S. grain and oilseed production. On that score, NGFA is disappointed that USDA’s final rule allows crop technology developers to make a ‘self-determination’ that their plant technology is exempt from APHIS regulatory oversight without a concurrent obligation to notify the agency so that such information is available to the marketplace and consumers."

NGFA noted that APHIS in its final rule makes repeated references to the importance of preserving U.S. agricultural trade and states that it is committed to “continuing to work with international trading partners and exporters to resolve trade concerns.” But NGFA emphasized that “transparency in the types of crop technology being deployed and commercialized is essential to avoiding future trade disruptions.”

USDA solicited comments from the public on the proposed rule in 2019. NGFA and several other grain- and oilseed-based agribusiness associations issued an August 2019 joint statement outlining concerns about the proposed rule’s lack of regulatory oversight for gene-edited crops, the “self-determination” provision granted to crop technology providers, and whether governmental authorities in key U.S. export markets would accept USDA’s approach. 

In addition, NGFA submitted consumer-focused comments with a dozen trade associations representing bakers, food companies, processors and restaurants stressing that the failure to require developers to notify USDA when making a self-determination could create uncertainty about what products are in the market and erode consumer trust.

USDA said the rule will publish in the Federal Register on May 18, and will be final that day. The new rule’s provisions become effective on key dates over the next 18 months. 



DOJ Provides Guidance for U.S. Pork Industry Response to COVID Crisis

The U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division today provided guidance for collaboration among U.S. hog farmers to effectively address unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The favorable decision is in response to a "business review" letter submitted to the DOJ by the National Pork Producers Council seeking permission to allow hog farmers greater flexibility in working to maximize the number of hogs entering the food supply, minimize the tragic need to euthanize hogs, and, facilitate the safe and orderly euthanization of those hogs which are not able to enter the food supply.

COVID-related pork packing plant closures and slowdowns have caused a severe back-up of pigs on farms. Overcrowding impacts pigs' ability to rest comfortably and may result in aggression and injuries. Maintaining air quality and temperatures that keep animals comfortable is also challenged. To prevent animal suffering, farmers are being forced to euthanize animals.

"Our goal is to efficiently process as many hogs as possible into the food supply," said Howard "A.V." Roth, NPPC president and a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. "Appropriate collaboration across the industry and with state and federal government officials will minimize the number of pigs that must be euthanized and ensure that it is handled humanely, and that disposal is environmentally sound."

Following is an example of the type of productive industry collaboration NPPC cited in its letter to the DOJ:

To aid farmers in their unprecedented need to depopulate large numbers of hogs, NPPC is assisting its state organizations, state governments, and farmers in identifying sources of euthanasia equipment and is participating in discussions regarding the organization of centralized euthanasia and disposal stations.  This process includes disseminating projections as to the number of hogs those facilities may handle each day.  NPPC and its members may seek to collaborate to discuss the most orderly and efficient euthanization process.



Growth Energy Urges EPA COVID-19 Panel to Examine Air Toxics

In a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB), Growth Energy urged members of a new COVID-19 Review Panel to examine the impact of toxic gasoline additives on respiratory health, as well as the potential benefits offered by bio-based alternatives like ethanol.

“As you explore the human costs of air pollution, including heightened risk from COVID-19 among vulnerable communities, we urge SAB members to examine the wide body of related research pointing to readily available solutions,” wrote Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Growth Energy. “Federal regulators have long acknowledged that biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 39 percent or more, but ethanol also serves as the single most affordable and abundant alterative to toxic fuel additives, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. These petroleum-based aromatics play a dominant role in the formation of toxic emissions linked to cancer, as well as neurological, cardiovascular, and reproductive damage. They also drive significant increases in particulate emissions, which cause asthma and contribute to heart and lung disease.”

The SAB’s COVID-19 Review Panel was created in April to provide rapid advice on scientific issues to inform EPA’s response to the crisis. Among the topics the panel is charged with considering are environmental factors affecting the transmission and severity of COVID-19, including air pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and diesel exhaust.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that the EPA explore the full impact of petroleum-based aromatics on air quality,” added Bliley, who recommended the agency examine data linking particulate matter and negative health impacts, including groundbreaking research by Dr. Steffen Mueller at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Energy Resource Center.



USDA Extends Flexibilities, Paves the Way for Meals for Kids to Continue through Summer

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the extension of three nationwide waivers, giving child nutrition program operators the flexibility they need to continue to feed children while promoting social distancing and keeping families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“USDA has been extremely aggressive in expanding flexibilities to ensure Americans who have been impacted by the coronavirus continue to receive the food they need for themselves and their families,” said Secretary Perdue. “As our nation reopens and people return to work, we want to continue to be flexible since there is not a one size fits all approach to feeding kids. Extending these waivers throughout the summer ensures local operators can make plans that best suit their communities and keep children fed.”

Throughout the pandemic, schools and local program sponsors have used flexibilities provided by USDA to find creative ways to feed kids, such as setting up drive-thru pick-ups and delivering meals on bus routes. With the extension of these waivers, these innovative models can continue, without interruption, while state and local social distancing orders remain in place.