Monday June 29 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending June 28, 2020, there were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 11% very short, 32% short, 55% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 24% short, 67% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 19% fair, 55% good, and 21% excellent. Corn silking was 1%, near 3% for the five-year average.

Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 58% good, and 17% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 27%, ahead of 12% average. Setting pods was 1%.

Winter wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 12% poor, 29% fair, 52% good, and 4% excellent. Winter wheat harvested was 1%, near 4% average.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 27% fair, 62% good, and 9% excellent. Sorghum headed was 6%, near 8% last year and 3% average.

Oats condition rated 1% very poor, 7% poor, 35% fair, 49% good, and 8% excellent. Oats headed was 90%, well ahead of 69% last year, and equal to average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 26% fair, 67% good, and 7% excellent. Dry edible beans emerged was 95%, well ahead of 69% last year. Blooming was 3%.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 22% fair, 62% good, and 4% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

 Precipitation limited Iowa farmers to 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 28, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Northeast Iowa saw the highest rainfall and some severe weather. Fieldwork activities included applying fertilizer, spraying, harvesting hay and hauling grain.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 2% very short, 9% short, 81% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 7% short, 85% adequate and 7% surplus.

There were scattered reports of corn beginning to silk in the State. Corn condition rated 85% good to excellent.

Soybean emergence reached 98%, over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean blooming reached 16%, almost 2 weeks ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 83% good to excellent.

Oats headed progressed to 86%, 6 days ahead of last year. Oat condition rated 82% good to excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of the first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Alfalfa hay second cutting reached 9%, 1 week ahead of last year but 4 days behind the average. Hay condition rated 75% good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 69% good to excellent. Some cow/calf operations reported pinkeye issues with insect pressure also mentioned.



USDA:  Corn Rated 73% Good to Excellent, Soybeans 71% Good to Excellent

Corn and soybean conditions rose slightly last week and remain among the highest of the past decade, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.

NASS estimated that 73% of the corn crop was in good-to-excellent condition as of Sunday, June 28, up 1 percentage point from 72% the previous week and well above 56% at the same time a year ago.  NASS estimated that 4% of corn was silking, slightly ahead of 2% last year and slightly behind the five-year average of 7%.

Soybean emergence was estimated at 95% as of Sunday, 15 percentage points ahead of last year's 80% and 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 91%. Soybeans blooming was estimated at 14%, 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 11%.  NASS estimated national soybean crop condition at 71% good to excellent, also up 1 percentage points from 70% the previous week.

Winter wheat harvest moved ahead 12 percentage points last week to reach 41% complete as of Sunday, equal to the five-year average.  Winter wheat condition -- for the portion of the crop still in fields -- was rated 52% good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week.

Spring wheat headed was estimated at 36%, 9 percentage points behind the average of 45%. Spring wheat condition was estimated at 69% good to excellent, down 6 percentage points from 75% the previous week.



Farm Progress Show, Husker Harvest Days Canceled After All

For more than 65 years, farmers have turned to the Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days for the latest information about new products and tools they can use to boost productivity and profit for their operations. However, for the first time in its history, the show won't go on. In the best interest of our visitors, exhibitors, partners and staff, Farm Progress has made the difficult decision to cancel both shows in 2020 due to rapidly changing conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Show management had confirmed earlier that the two shows would be operated differently with physical distancing a requirement, along with other health and safety changes to the events.

While state and local officials had expressed support for both shows, Don Tourte, Senior Vice President, Farm Progress said that in a very short time it became apparent that the situation across the US had rapidly changed.

"We have been working with officials in Iowa and Nebraska for our shows, and we appreciate the support they expressed for us to hold the events," Tourte says. "They are critical partners to us, and we are all disappointed to not host the events this year, but feel confident that this is the right decision for our community." Rising concerns

One of the key features of both shows is their attraction to visitors from across the country, and across the globe.

"Within days of our commitment to hold both farm shows, more than half the United States saw a significant spike in new cases of COVID-19. We have a multi-generational audience that travels from all across the country and around the world to attend the shows and based on that we felt it better to reconsider the traditional show for 2020 to prioritize the safety of all. Our community's safety is our priority, always," said Matt Jungmann, Events Manager, Farm Progress.

A virtual experience was already being planned as an extension to the live event. Jungmann explains that while a virtual event won't give growers the true "tire kicking" experience of being at the show, the events team is gearing up to deliver a robust and dynamic digital experience.


LENRD board votes to repair damages caused from flooding at Willow Creek

At their June board meeting, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors voted to repair the damages at the Willow Creek State Recreation Area (SRA) southwest of Pierce.  The 2019 flood caused an estimated $229,400 worth of damages to the recreation area.  The LENRD owns the property and is in a lease agreement with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) for the management of the area.  The NGPC is requesting assistance for only a portion of the damages that were not covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The LENRD board agreed to pay 50%, up to $24,000, to repair the damaged fishing decks, lake crossing, fishing piers, and hiking/biking trail at the Willow Creek SRA.

In other action, the board approved the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Clarkson for their levee project.  The term of the agreement is 3 years and enables the LENRD to assist the City in obtaining accreditation by FEMA for their flood control levee.  Accreditation will show that the levee provides protection from a 100-year storm.

The board also approved the recommended changes to the Agroforestry Program, the water well decommissioning program, and the Conservation Cost-share Program.  The Agroforestry program will increase to a maximum payment per job/landowner to $20,000 per year for renovations or establishments.  The Conservation Cost-Share program will add variable rate irrigation systems.  The water well decommissioning program will also increase to a maximum payment per well to $1,000 for hand dug wells and $700 for all other wells.

The LENRD staff are working proactively with landowners and farm operators to achieve 100% compliance with the Phase 2 & 3 reporting forms in the Groundwater Management Areas.  The board directed staff to issue notices of violation, as deemed necessary, to the producers who have yet to submit their reports.

The board also directed staff to proceed with a NRCS Watershed Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) application for the North Fork Elkhorn Watershed.  If approved, the funding would be used to evaluate potential flood prevention, watershed protection, and agricultural water management projects in the area which includes the communities of Plainview, Foster, Osmond, Wausa, McLean, and Pierce.

In other business, the board approved the 2020 Master Plan.  This plan is required by state statute every 10 years and includes updates and responses to the district’s goals and 12 responsibilities.

The board also approved the salary allowance adjustment of 1.483% and the step and grade changes for the staff for Fiscal Year 2021.

The LENRD board & staff meet each month to develop and implement management plans to protect our natural resources for the future.  The next LENRD board meeting will be Thursday, July 23rd at 7:30 p.m.  Watch for further updates and stay connected with the LENRD by subscribing to their monthly emails at www.lenrd.org.



ANDERSON RETIRING AFTER NEARLY 30 YEARS OF HAY AND FORAGE MINUTE

Bruce Anderson has been making hay with the Hay and Forage Minute radio program, which airs on stations across Nebraska, since February 1991. Over nearly 30 years, Anderson, a Nebraska Extension forage specialist, has written and recorded more than 3,000 radio shows on warm-season grasses, forage quality for hay and pasture systems, and forage-livestock systems. 

Anderson, who grew up on a small dairy farm in south-central Minnesota, started his first job out of college at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln on Sept. 7, 1979. He never left.

“I never saw any opportunities that would provide me something that I could accomplish more there than I could here,” Anderson said.

When the Hay and Forage Minute first started, it aired only on KRVN, which soon found a sponsor for the program.

“It became a no-brainer after a while,” Anderson said. “I knew it was something that could really fit and nobody else was doing it.”

In its second year, the program expanded from the KRVN station in Lexington to stations in West Point and Grand Island. Since then, as many as 50 Nebraska radio stations pick up the program weekly.

Anderson is set to retire on June 30, during National Forage Week.

He said his work on the program has been rewarding.  

“I think that it’s easy to discuss challenges that producers have — Nebraskans are good at asking questions,” Anderson said. “They recognize that there’s nothing to be ashamed of about talking about things that aren’t going well or that they want to try. I think I’ve been able to effectively encourage them to do so and be comfortable in the discussions. That has been the rewarding thing about the whole business.”

The foundation and following Anderson has built will continue in a slightly modified program called the Pasture and Forage Minute, a Nebraska Extension production.

Daren Redfearn, Nebraska Extension forage systems specialist, who began his graduate program at Nebraska in the early ’90s when Anderson first kicked off the Hay and Forage Minute, is one of four extension professionals who will succeed Anderson.

“We wanted this to continue with the primary forage flavor, if you will,” Redfearn said. “When we need to step across the discipline lines, we are able to do that, as well. We hope to not leave anybody out, and we hope to draw some new folks in.”

The other voices of the Pasture and Forage Minute will be Ben Beckman, beef systems educator; Megan Taylor, cropping systems specialist; and Brad Schick, beef systems educator. Along with Redfearn, they will produce three Pasture and Forage Minute programs per week.

In Nebraska, the forage, pasture and grassland industry is worth $2 billion annually.

The Pasture and Forage Minute will continue with its well-known radio spots but will expand to include an in-depth podcast to reach agricultural businesses, producers who are livestock-based with some forages, and crop producers who raise forages without livestock.

“The thing that makes Nebraska unique is that we’ve got an awful lot of grassland in the state, in addition to alfalfa and grass hay production,” Redfearn said. “I think that’s going to open up our audience quite a bit just because of the diversity of forage management systems that we have in Nebraska.”

As for Anderson, he will custom graze cow-calf pairs on the farm this summer and garden.



Nebraska Pork Expo Webinar Set for Wednesday, July 8.

Anyone involved or interested in pork production is urged to attend the virtual Nebraska Pork Expo on Wednesday, July 8th.

The program will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. online. This is a free webinar, but registration is required to get the link to join. Register online prior to July 8th at becomeafan.org. Again, registration is required.

Whether large, small, contract, independent or just learning about the industry, attendees will hear sessions including nutrient management, county zoning regulations and permitting processes, financial considerations, and secure pork supply. The day includes panel discussions covering workforce, niche pig production, and integrated pork production. Carrie Horezeck, Innovation and Foresight Consultant, will round out the day with a conversation on Generation Z and how younger generations view pork protein.

This event is sponsored by the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN), the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

“The pork industry in Nebraska continues to grow and there are many great options for farmers depending on your operation and goals.  There are opportunities in direct to user sales, working as an independent producer for a niche market as well as several types of integrated models.  Adding a pork component to a farming operation increases cash flow and provides valuable nutrients that can offset commercial fertilizer costs.”  Said Steve Martin, Executive Director of AFAN.

To register visit www.becomeafan.org.            



Summer Fly Control in Feedlots
Steve Niemeyer – NE Extension Educator

Key Takeaways
Flies not only are an annoyance, they can reduce performance and worsen heat stress.
Successful control strategies start with sanitation.
Sprays, biological controls, or feed additives may also help reduce fly pressure in feedlots.
Just as longer days mark the beginning of summer, so does the arrival of increased number of flies in feedlots.
Stable flies and house flies are the most common pests of cattle in feedlots. Of the two species, stable flies cause the greatest economic loss. As few as five stable flies per leg can reduce ADG by 3 to 20% during a summer. Most of that lost performance results from the indirect effects of flies, such as bunching and increased heat stress, along with the energy losses from flighting flies. Flies also act as disease vectors and can lead to poorer relations between feedlots and their neighbors.

Sanitation is Key
Controlling feedlot flies starts with sanitation. Without this key step, any of the other mitigation strategies will likely be disappointments. Stable flies breed in mixtures of spilled feed and manure, especially around feeding aprons, under feed bunks, feed storage areas, and under fences. Any wet or stagnant area where with combinations of organic matter, manure and soil can be a potential trouble spot. Removing feed and manure from these areas promptly deprives the flies of potential breeding areas, which in turns helps prevent explosive increases in fly populations.
Stable flies are most active between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M., after that they seek shaded areas to roost. Eliminating weedy areas around the edges of pens, near feed storage areas, or along the edges of manure containment facilities reduces the number of “safe spaces” for flies which should help keep populations in check.
The life cycle of a stable fly lasts about 2 to 3 weeks, so scraping pens every 14 days reduces the opportunities for the flies to reproduce. Hoof action also disrupts the life cycle, so keeping pens fully stocked will help to reduce fly numbers, if mud issues can be avoided.

What About Chemical Control?
Chemical controls can be a part of a fly control plan in conjunction with sanitation efforts. Stable flies prefer to feed on the front legs of cattle, meaning that getting good spray coverage for this pest is difficult. Spraying the animals directly would only provide short-term relief but could still be useful as a quick “knock-down” to reduce pressure while implementing other practices. Premise sprays may be more effective, especially in areas where the flies rest such as vegetation or on shady sides of structures.

Biological Control Strategies
Biological control using parasitic wasps is another option to consider. Parasitic wasps lay eggs in the pupae of flies. These wasps can reduce the number of adult flies in a feedlot and delay the peak in population if the parasite population is high enough during the fly breeding season. This strategy is not a “quick fix”, but rather a part of a longer-term strategy to reduce fly pressure.
Finding a reputable supplier who can provide the right species and manage the release is a key factor to successfully implement a biological control strategy s for optimal results. Periodic releases throughout the fly season are more effective than one massive release.
Sanitation is still critically important with biological control programs. If the fly breeding areas are too large, the flies will simply overwhelm the ability of the parasitic wasps resulting in little to no effect on cattle performance or overall fly populations. Reducing the number of breeding areas will concentrate the flies and help make the parasite control more effective. It is important to remember not to use chemical control in all the breeding areas when using parasitic wasps. The parasite requires live pupae to reproduce.

How About Feed Additives?
Several feed additives have been developed for use with pasture cattle, particularly for face and horn flies. If a feeder is considering using either an insect growth regulator (IGR) or larvicide product, make certain that they are labeled as being effective against stable flies and house flies.
Adding garlic to mineral mixtures at a rate of 2% has been promoted as a potential fly repellent. The amount of research data on this strategy is limited. One published study from Canada reported reduced fly numbers in grazing cattle when garlic was added to the mineral. While this is only one study and it was not conducted in a feedlot setting, this could still be worth considering as a component of a multi-faceted control strategy, particularly if the costs were reasonable.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Urges President to Use “Full Powers” to Enforce Phase One China Deal

As Nebraska farmers and ranchers continue to suffer the negative economic and market effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nebraska Farm Bureau is urging President Trump to use the “full powers” of his office to enforce the Phase One China trade deal. Provisions of the agreement obligate China to make $36.5 billion in U.S. agriculture purchases in 2020.

“While some agricultural purchases have been made, China is woefully behind in terms of meeting the agriculture targets outlined in the in the Phase One deal,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president. “In order to reach the $36.5 billion in imports China agreed to, purchases must drastically increase, and that must start today.”

In a letter to President Trump, Nelson pointed out that as of the end of April, China had imported approximately $4.6 billion worth of agricultural goods. The amount falls far short of the pace set back in 2017 of $7.1 billion; the last year of normal trade relations between the two countries.

China has been a vital market for Nebraska farmers and rancher, serving as a consistent top three market for Nebraska agriculture products year in and year out. Prior to 2018, Nebraska agriculture exports to China ranged from $936 million to more than $1 billion, equating to 15 percent of Nebraska’s total agriculture exports. The value of exports to China during that time equated to roughly $19,300 per farm in Nebraska.

“For more than two years, Nebraska’s farm and ranch families have felt the economic consequences of the trade war with China…a war they both understand and largely support. However, that support is based on the promise of more export markets and a better deal for farmers and ranchers when the dust settles. Now is the time to ensure China fully complies and meets their agricultural import targets as part of this historic agreement,” said Nelson.



Governors to EPA: Drop the Gap-Year Waivers

Members of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition today urged U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler to drop the 52 retroactive “gap-year” RFS waivers requested recently by oil refiners. The Renewable Fuels Association thanked them for their effort.

"These governors have witnessed first-hand the significant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. ethanol industry and know that now is not the time for EPA to give in to oil-industry demands and harm the rural American economy further,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The governors know the value of our members’ work in creating jobs and economic opportunity throughout the American heartland, and we thank them for their passion for this cause.”

The idea of retroactive refinery exemptions follows a recent decision by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals that rejected a set of waivers granted by EPA that were not simple extensions of prior waivers. The lawsuit was brought against EPA by RFA, the National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union and the American Coalition for Ethanol.

Seeking to get around this court decision, several refineries have now applied for retroactive waivers for years in which they did not originally ask for, or receive, a waiver. On June 18, EPA disclosed that 52 new petitions had been received, covering the compliance years 2011 through 2018. In late May, RFA was the first to urge Wheeler to deny any gap-year waivers that came forward. Last week, a bipartisan group of 16 U.S. senators called on Wheeler to reject the waivers. Now, RFA noted, it’s good to see the governors agree on the urgency of the matter.

Representing the governors' coalition on this effort are Govs. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Kim Reynolds of Iowa and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska.

“Even before the coronavirus pandemic,” the governors wrote, “the misuse of small refinery waivers under the RFS caused a significant number of plants to partially or fully shut down. The resulting job losses, decreases in commodity purchases and prices, and shortages of co-products affect rural America every day. Your approval of these SRE ‘gap filings’ would only worsen unprecedented economic challenges facing the renewable fuels industry and rural communities.”



Growth Energy Cheers Governors’ Biofuels Coalition Opposition to Gap Year Exemptions

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today thanked the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, which issued a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opposing retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The governors noted, “Approving prior-year SREs in this manner ignores the court’s decision and congressional intent and will severely impact farmers and rural communities that support the biofuels industry.” The letter was signed by coalition co-chairs South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, as well as Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. It echoes last week’s call by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who warned the agency that, “Our producers need certainty; until we get that, no EPA nominee is getting my vote.”

“We’re grateful to Governors Noem, Walz, Reynolds, and Ricketts for standing up against this latest scheme to steal markets from struggling farmers and biofuel workers,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “From state capitols to the U.S. senate, rural champions are putting their foot down because there is no excuse for allowing these regulatory games to hold back the rural recovery. The last thing farm states need right now is another legal battle driving uncertainty in the market and undermining efforts to rebuild the agricultural supply chain.”



Ernst to Join Iowa Farmers Union Members for Q&A Forum

Iowa Famers Union is working to elevate the collective voice of farmers in their membership by hosting a question and answer forum with Senator Joni Ernst. This event aims to provide IFU members with the opportunity to ask Ernst crucial questions on the current state of the agriculture industry.

Iowa Farmers Union members and others are invited to attend the virtual discussion with Ernst on June 30 starting at 2:30 p.m. CT.

"Farmers are facing extremely difficult challenges," said IFU President Aaron Lehman. "We are excited to give our members the opportunity to ask Senator Ernst about the tough issues faced by family-scale farmers and rural Iowans."

IFU encourages all members to show up for this important discussion.

To learn more or to register for the discussion with Senator Ernst, visit https://bit.ly/2NDL9ud. 



Naig Announces “Pack the Pantry” Program to Support Food Pantries, Boost Availability of Iowa Ag Products

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the “Pack the Pantry” grant program to help Iowa food pantries meet increasing food demands due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through “Pack the Pantry,” food pantries can apply for grants to increase their refrigeration capacity, which allows them to offer more perishable, locally-grown foods.

The program is made possible by CARES Act funding and is an initiative of Gov. Reynolds’ Feeding Iowans Task Force led by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg. Iowa Egg Council is also contributing resources to support the effort.

Through “Pack the Pantry,” the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will award local food pantries up to $10,000 to install refrigeration and cooler units. To apply, pantry directors should fill out the application found here. The application will be open until July 17, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.

“In Iowa, we have seen our producers, business owners, and families step up to help those in need,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Today’s announcement is a great next step to address food insecurity. The ‘Pack the Pantry’ grant program will provide our food pantries with the tools they need to help even more Iowans have access to nutritious food.”

“Food pantries are the first, local line of defense against hunger in communities across Iowa. More refrigeration at food pantries means more Iowa eggs, dairy, produce and meat can get on plates where it’s needed most. I’m grateful that our farmers can be part of that solution,” said Secretary Naig.

“Refrigeration capacity is a barrier which limits the ability of food pantries to provide their clients with fresh protein and dairy products, and this issue is especially acute in rural Iowa,” said Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Chair of the Feeding Iowans Task Force. “With demand for food assistance at record highs, these dollars will go a long way in expanding food pantry capacity.”

“This program will help ensure the health of our communities by addressing food insecurity and increasing access to fresh, locally grown food for residents,” said Tom Mahoney, Chairman of  the Board of ITA Group Holdings and Board Chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. “Pack the Pantry is an example of what we can accomplish when Iowans work together to help those in need.”

A summary of food resources available to those in need is available at coronavirus.iowa.gov.



FFAR Grant to Accelerate Crop Development

To meet the growing global food demand, plant breeding technology must increase crop yields in less time. The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) awarded a $748,548 Seeding Solutions grant to Iowa State University of Science and Technology to accelerate crop development. Iowa State University, KWS SAAT SE & Co, Beck’s Superior Hybrids, BASF, SAATEN-UNION BIOTEC and RAGT are providing matching funds for a total $1,497,097 investment.

The global demand for food, feed and fiber is projected to double by 2050. Currently, it takes ten years, on average, for plant breeders to develop a new crop. Farmers need enhanced varieties sooner to meet future food production demands.

Iowa State University researchers are developing breeding methods that apply to multiple crop species, to accelerate the plant breeding process. These breeding techniques will deliver improved crop varieties – with greater yields – into the hands of farmers sooner. Researchers are developing and validating a rapid cycling cell culture-based selection system, using corn as the model. In lay terms, researchers are accelerating breeding in the lab, rather than in the fields. Field trials only produce one generation of crops a year, whereas this research method can produce multiple generations in a year, which is a more efficient way to create new crop varieties.

Principal investigator Thomas Lubberstedt is the founder of the Doubled Haploid Facility at Iowa State University, providing service to public and private maize breeders for accelerated inbred line development since 2010. “The novel FFAR project takes this technology to the next level, including isolation of genes controlling spontaneous haploid genome doubling,” said Lubberstedt.

“Developing cutting edge plant breeding technology ensures that farmers are able to provide more nutritious crops more efficiently,” said FFAR’s Executive Director Dr. Sally Rockey. “Translating this research from the lab onto farms is key to meeting food production challenges and staying competitive in this next frontier of agricultural innovation.”

FFAR’s Seeding Solutions Grant Program is an open call for bold ideas that address a pressing food and agriculture issues in one of the Foundation’s Challenge Areas. Iowa State University’s research supports FFAR’s  Next Generation Crops Area. FFAR’s work in this area supports the advancement of novel, nutritious, profitable and resilient farm crops.



Beef Checkoff Celebrates Americans’ Love of Grilling with “United We Steak” Campaign

Funded by beef farmers and ranchers, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner., is launching “United We Steak,” a new summer grilling campaign showcasing 50 steaks and all 50 states. “United We Steak” celebrates not only a shared tradition of grilling delicious steaks, but also what makes each state unique when it comes to this beloved pastime. The idea comes to life at UnitedWeSteak.com with an interactive map of the United States made from 50 hand-cut state-shaped steaks. The interactive map is packed full of grilling spirit and state-specific recipes and fun facts that can help consumers nationwide “beef up” grilling season this summer. 

Underpinning the campaign is a recognition that across all 50 states and a million tastes, there is a universal love of beef sizzling on a summer grill. According to research conducted by Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner., which is managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, nearly one-third of consumers say that they plan to grill more this summer than they have in the past.

“The great taste of beef has brought families together for generations and is a must-have for the summer grilling season,” said Buck Wehrbein, Federation Division chair at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “‘United We Steak’ celebrates not only a universal love of steak and grilling, whether for a special occasion or an everyday meal, but also the beef farmers and ranchers who work hard every day to raise high-quality beef.”

As part of the campaign, the state and U.S.-shaped steaks will be featured in national advertisements, including still images and videos that will be shared on digital and social media platforms. The advertisements will also be shared on video platforms including YouTube and Connected TV in an effort to inspire Americans to grill up their favorite beef meal no matter where they live. Each state is getting in on the fun too with localized advertisements that will reach proud grill masters in their local markets.

The campaign follows the kickoff of summer grilling season, which Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. marked with a new video released Memorial Day Weekend showcasing the dedication of farmers and ranchers to raising safe, sustainable and nutritious beef. It concludes with the simple declaration: “Summer Grilling Season Brought To You By Beef Farmers and Ranchers.”

More beef grilling inspiration and information can be found at UnitedWeSteak.com. and BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.



Announcing Farm Foundation's Young Agri-Food Leaders and Young Farmer Accelerators

Farm Foundation is pleased to announce its new Young Agri-Food Leaders and Young Farmer Accelerator Network cohorts for 2020-2021. Each of these new programs were established to engage and connect outstanding young leaders in agriculture from across the country and arise from Farm Foundation's vision to build a future for farmers, our communities and our world.

The Young Agri-Food Leaders Network is comprised of 10 highly accomplished young leaders in the agri-food and agri-business sector selected to participate in a year-long series of interactive learning and networking experiences, focused on gaining a deeper understanding of the food and agriculture value chain. This program aims to help young professionals build a strong, enduring network of peers in business, farming and government through sponsored attendance at events, virtual conversations, and participation in exclusive learning and networking opportunities.

We welcome:
Andrew Uden, Lincoln, Nebraska: Co-Founder and President, AgVision International
Emily Hennessee, Washington, DC: Policy Coordinator, The Good Food Institute
Emily Zakowski, Sacramento, California: Environmental Scientist, California Department of Food and Agriculture
Erin FitzPatrick, St. Louis, Missouri: Vice President, Rabo Agrifinance
Fabiola Perez, Moline, Illinois: High Value Crop Specialist, John Deere
Michael Zorger, Washington, DC: Senior Associate, The Cohen Group
Nicole Ledoux, Boston, Massachusetts: Co-Founder and CEO, 88 Acres
Stephanie Westhelle, Washington, DC: Development Manager, Sustainability & Partnerships, Fairtrade America
Sylvester Miller, II, Memphis, Tennessee: Sr. Supply Chain Program Manager, Indigo Ag
Tristan Hudak, Sacramento, California: Vice President, Ag BioTech Inc. and Director of New Business Development, Ag Ploutos, Co. Ltd.

We are also pleased to announce that 15 young farmers, from a diversity of operations, have been selected for Farm Foundation's Young Farmer Accelerator program. This program, aimed at helping young farmers grow their knowledge, experience and network, will help to accelerate their careers and contacts through interactive learning and networking experiences, focused on gaining a deeper understanding of a wide variety of agriculture, agribusiness and government issues.

We welcome:
Aaron Clark, Warren County, Indiana: Caretaker, Cloverleaf Farm
Alexis Mena, Brooklyn, New York: Co-Founder, Lead Farmer, Universe City
Brad Stinson, San Jose, California: West Coast QA/QC Field Supervisor, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.
Erin Galloway, Campbell County, Wyoming: Owner of Our Wyoming Life and Co-Director and Co-Founder of Edible Prairie Project
Erin Hargrove, Henry County, Kentucky: Co-Manager and Farmer, Boxcar Acres
Georgina Sarpong, Providence, Rhode Island: Co-Owner and Farmer, Abundance Farm
Gracie Danner, Muscatine County, Iowa- Co-Owner/Manager, Danner Family Grain
Jess Daily, Fulton County, Indiana: Operations Manager, Mainstay Farming Partnership
Larna Schnitker, Montgomery County, Missouri: Farmer, Schnitker Farms
Luke Gosse, Black Hawk County, Iowa: Chief Operating Officer, Blue Diamond Farming Company
Michael Hill, Lake County, Florida: CEO/Owner, H&A Farms
Stan Usery, Jr., Limestone County, Alabama: Owner, Usery Consulting, Inc.
Tiffany Bailey, Sarasota and Manatee Counties, Florida: President and Owner, Bayside Sod Inc. and Honeyside Farms

In living out our vision to build a future for farmers, our communities and our world, Farm Foundation offers a suite of multi-stakeholder and intergenerational programs to accelerate the next generation of agricultural leaders. Farm Foundation's most established program is our Round Table, an invitation only group of established leaders across the food and agriculture sector. The Young Farmer Accelerator Network and Young-Agri Food Leaders complement our Round Table program and expand our suite of next generation programs, including our Cultivator, Agricultural Scholars and Congressional Fellows programs. Farm Foundation is excited to provide a space for leaders in food and agriculture to connect and accelerate practical solutions for agriculture. To learn more, visit www.farmfoundation.org.



FMC Corporation Collaborates with Cyclica to Improve Research Efficiency Using Artificial Intelligence

FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) has entered into a collaboration with Cyclica Inc, a leading biotechnology company specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and computational biophysics, to accelerate and improve the efficiency of discovering new crop protection chemistry.  This is among the first of several new technology collaborations and approaches that FMC is pursuing to expand its research of novel active ingredients that protect crops from diseases and destructive pests.

"Today we have an award-winning pipeline of more than 25 promising new molecules," said Dr. Kathleen Shelton, vice president and chief technology officer of FMC. "Discovering a new molecule with the right efficacy, mode of action and sustainability profile is a complex, multi-year process requiring hundreds of researchers testing tens of thousands of compounds annually.  Augmenting our traditional research and screening processes with the power of artificial intelligence will help us identify and assess more molecules faster and with greater precision."

FMC will use Ligand Design™ and Ligand Express™, Cyclica's proprietary AI platforms, to optimize the discovery of novel compounds at a pace that far exceeds typical chemistry discovery research programs. Powered by MatchMaker™, a deep learning proteome screening technology, and POEM™, a machine learning technology for predicting molecular properties, Ligand Design™ and Ligand Express™ will assess millions of chemical structures, providing FMC researchers with a greater volume of high-quality molecule predictions that are specific to the pesticidal target of interest.  A similar AI-augmented approach to discovery research has been used successfully for years in industries that require extensive data analysis, significant investments and lengthy development timelines, such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

"We are excited to partner with FMC scientists in their quest to innovate novel molecules that control pests and diseases in agriculture," says Naheed Kurji, cofounder, president and CEO of Cyclica. "Ligand Design™ and Ligand Express™ have been instrumental in the design and screening of new medicines, and we look forward to applying those learnings in support of FMC's global discovery research programs."

FMC's R&D team of more than 800 scientists and associates are guiding one of the most robust discovery and development pipelines in the agricultural industry at 22 innovation centers and field stations around the world. The company's global R&D is headquartered at the FMC Stine Research Center in Newark, Delaware, and its biologicals research is conducted at the FMC European Innovation Center in Hørsholm, Denmark.

Terms of the collaboration with Cyclica are not disclosed.



Syngenta puts emerging technology into the hands of growers

Growers who work with Phytech and Sound Agriculture — two companies in the Syngenta Ventures portfolio — are increasing potential yields while preserving valuable natural resources. Most notably, technologies coming from these companies are helping growers make yield advances possible on marginal land.

Phytech enables better, smarter irrigation
Phytech, an Israel-based company, offers a high-tech solution for irrigation planning. It uses a dendrometer to measure the contraction and expansion of the plant’s trunk, and an app that collects that data and layers it with information about the climate to provide growers with color-coded irrigation recommendations.

Mark Sherfy, the water resource manager for D & J Farm Management in Bakersfield, California, credits the technology with increasing yields and revolutionizing the way his farm irrigates.

“Back in the day, everyone would do furrow irrigation — flooding a crop row about once a week,” he said. “The problem is you waste water because you get standing water that the trees can’t use, and the water evaporates.”

Instead of furrow irrigation, Phytech recommended daily watering — “and it told us exactly how much our plants needed,” said Sherfy. This year, he’s planning a trial run with the business’s table grapes — “not to just save water, but to fully utilize 100% of the water I put out,” he said.

Sound Agriculture unlocks yield potential
Sound Agriculture also is working to help maximize profitability in yield-limited environments. With its new Source™ product, launched last December for use during the 2020 growing season, Sound Agriculture is helping growers increase yields by tapping into the nutrients already present in their soil.

Steve Pitstick, who grows corn and soybeans near Maple Park, Illinois, can speak to the product’s impact. In 2019, he used Source, an easy-to-use foliar spray, for the first time. The results were immediate and striking: an average 17.1-bushel-per-acre increase in yield — across multiple soil types. The spike has encouraged him to make Source a key part of his plans moving forward.

“Based on the results of that small-scale testing, I’m planning to purchase Source for use next year and increase my Source testing in different fields,” he said.

Eric Davidson, Ph.D., CEO of Sound Agriculture, is confident that Source can have a dramatic impact on yield potential. “Source mimics plant-to-microbe signals, unlocking the nitrogen and phosphorus that already exist in the field,” he said. “On average, we see around a 9-bushel-per-acre yield increase for corn, with some soil types seeing 20- to 30-bushel increases over untreated areas.”

Syngenta Ventures’ investments in both companies are representative of the team’s mission to support solutions that help growers farm sustainably. That mission ties into the Syngenta Good Growth Plan — a plan that lays out the commitments the company is making to secure the future of agriculture and our planet’s ecosystems. For more information about Syngenta Ventures, one of the world’s first venture capital teams dedicated to agriculture, visit https://www.syngentaventures.com. Join the conversation online – connect with Syngenta at Syngenta-us.com/social.



Groups Petition U.S. Department of Agriculture to Ban Mass Burial, On-Site Incineration of Factory-Farmed Animals During Pandemic
Press Release

Conservation, environmental-justice and public-health groups filed a legal petition today calling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ban dangerous on-site incineration and unlined burial of millions of industrially raised farm animals killed during the COVID-19 emergency.

The legal action seeks to compel the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to protect communities and the environment from dangerous pollution resulting from under-regulated and poorly monitored animal disposal during the pandemic. The petition was prompted by the meat industry’s rush to kill millions of animals that cannot be processed into food following slaughterhouse closures and slowdowns due to the spread of coronavirus.

The petition was filed by Earthjustice, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and the Center for Biological Diversity on behalf of 14 organizations. Petitioners also urge the USDA to create a publicly accessible, online database that tracks federal assistance for mass carcass disposal and provides people living near carcass-disposal locations with the information they need to protect themselves from pollution.

“It’s horrific that when slaughterhouses temporarily cut production, industrial farming operations simply kill and discard millions of pigs and chickens,” said Hannah Connor, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “There are real risks to people here, as well as the environment, from the disposal of these animals. Burying or burning animals on this scale pollutes our air and threatens rural water supplies.”

The USDA has acknowledged that burial in unlined pits and on-site incineration pose significant threats to air and water quality and to the safety of surrounding communities. Mass burial can contaminate the surrounding environment with pollutants, including nitrates, ammonia and chloride, as well as disease-causing agents and pharmaceuticals fed to the animals just before death. Burning animal carcasses releases air pollution and potentially contaminated ash.

“The way industrial operations are discarding millions of dead animals in the midst of this health crisis shocks the conscience,” said Valerie Baron, a senior attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “These disposal methods are among the most dangerous for human health and severely threaten drinking water safety — yet there’s zero transparency when it comes to where these mass burials or incinerations happen. With hurricane, flood and fire seasons exacerbating the dangers of these unfettered operations, it’s even more urgent for the USDA to step up and take action to protect people, instead of Big Ag.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a public-health emergency in March 2020, slaughterhouses have faced chronic labor shortages and other supply-chain disruptions, leading to reduced slaughter capacity. The meat industry has responded to this reduced capacity by killing millions of industrially raised farm animals that are ready for slaughter but cannot be economically processed into food.

An estimated 10 million hens have already been killed, and more than 10 million pigs could be killed by September. Similar mass “depopulation” approaches are being utilized in other animal-production sectors.

“The USDA is already assisting with the disposal of animal carcasses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alexis Andiman, an attorney with Earthjustice. “We’re sympathetic to livestock producers, but the big corporations that control this industry can afford to do better. It’s up to the USDA to make sure that taxpayer dollars protect communities and the environment instead of putting vulnerable people at greater risk.”

Banning on-site incineration is especially vital given growing evidence that particulate air pollution worsens COVID-19 outbreaks and contributes to increased COVID-19 deaths. On-site incineration of pig carcasses generates approximately three pounds of particulate air pollution per animal, compounding the potential health risks faced especially by communities of color, which are disproportionately harmed by both air pollution and COVID-19.

Other groups joining the petition include: Animal Legal Defense Fund, Association of Irritated Residents, Cape Fear River Water, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, Environmental Working Group, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, MountainTrue, Sound Rivers and Waterkeeper Alliance.

A separate petition, filed earlier this month, requests that the Food and Drug Administration suspend uses of the dangerous pharmaceutical ractopamine in farm animals during the pandemic.