Friday July 3 Ag News - Independence Day Edition!

NE Extension Soybean Gall Midge Alert

On July 1st, soybean gall midge adults were collected from this year’s soybean fields in Saunders County, NE indicating the start of the 1st generation of soybean gall midge. Adults are still emerging from last year’s soybean fields (overwintering generation) at a number of locations across the network. Capturing adults from both fields indicates that we have an overlap in the overwintering and 1st generation. Wilted and dying plants from soybean gall midge have been noted at some locations late last week in Saunders County, Nebraska, and this week in Rock County, Minnesota.

We currently don’t have any recommendations for applying insecticides against 1st generation adults. Adults emerging from this year’s soybean will likely continue to spread to the interior portion of the field. However, now is a good time to scout fields and document the presence or plant injury from soybean gall midge in your fields for future management.

For updates on adult emergence see soybeangallmidge.org.



NE FSA Reminds Producers to Complete Crop Acreage Reports by July 15 Deadline

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds Nebraska producers to complete crop acreage reports by the upcoming July 15, 2020, deadline.

“To make sure you’re eligible for many USDA programs, you need to file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Nancy Johner, State Executive Director in Nebraska. “Our FSA staff is standing by to help you with your acreage reports, including providing maps.”

The July 15 acreage reporting deadline applies to common spring-planted crops, such as corn, soybeans and grain sorghum, as well as hay and Conservation Reserve Program acres.

Due to the pandemic, FSA has implemented acreage reporting flexibilities. FSA can work with producers to file timely acreage reports by phone, email, online tools and virtual meetings. Some county FSA offices are open for in-person appointments, but customers first must call to schedule an appointment.

FSA offices also are using Microsoft Teams software to virtually meet with producers to review maps and documents for certification. Producers who want to schedule a virtual appointment can download the Microsoft Teams app on their smart phone or tablet and call the FSA office for an appointment. Producers also can use Microsoft Teams from their personal computer without downloading software.

Johner said acreage certification plans may vary between county offices, but in general customers can assist FSA by paying close attention to email or mail from their county FSA office that outlines the process put in place for 2020 certification, and then follow the requested steps. Offices are using a variety of tools to receive completed maps and other certification documents, including drop boxes, mail, email or through commercially available free and secure online tools such as Box for file sharing and OneSpan for eSignature solutions.

The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:
    If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.

    If a producer has not timely filed an acreage report, the producer may file the acreage report within 30 days of the acreage reporting date. Because of the pandemic, late fees will be waived if filed within the 30 days.

FSA is also providing additional flexibilities for producers to file on acres with failed crops or crops that were prevented from planting because of extreme weather events. For insured crops, producers who timely filed a prevented planted claim with the reinsurance company but filed a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) form after the deadline will be considered timely filed for FSA purposes. For uninsured crops, producers may start a Notice of Loss by calling their FSA county office.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.

Other Programs
When producers are working with FSA staff – either in-person or virtually – they also can take care of applications for other FSA programs, including the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. A CFAP Call Center is available for producers who would like additional one-on-one support with the CFAP application process. Please call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. The CFAP Call Center can provide service to non-English speaking customers. Customers will select 1 for English and 2 to speak with a Spanish speaking employee. For other languages, customers select 1 and indicate their language to the Call Center staff. Another resource for customers to learn about the program is the farmers.gov/cfap website.

Applications also can be submitted for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2018 and 2019, as well as other disaster assistance programs that may be able to assist producers at this time.



Nebraska Extension dean and director announces retirement

Nebraska Extension Dean and Director Chuck Hibberd, a Lexington native who fostered a spirit of innovation and collaboration within the organization, will retire on June 30.

Hibberd spent seven years at the helm of Nebraska Extension. Under his leadership, Nebraska Extension, housed within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has moved toward a new way of thinking about the role of Extension, one that’s less about providing answers to questions and more about working with farmers, ranchers, community leaders and families to learn from each other and solve problems together.

“There is so much indigenous knowledge in Nebraska,” Hibberd said. “We’re not going to solve the most vexing problems in this state if we don’t gather information from all sources and use that collective knowledge to create robust solutions.”

Hibberd’s professional path started at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he received his bachelor’s degree in animal science. It was his fourth major, but the first one that stuck, thanks in large part to a professor who helped him figure out how to make the courses from his first three majors count toward an animal science degree. That same professor, Merlyn Nielsen, also encouraged him to attend graduate school.

Hibberd received his master’s and doctorate degrees from Oklahoma State University, and upon graduation, he joined the faculty there. His expertise was in beef cattle nutrition and management, and he quickly became involved in Extension programs across Oklahoma, sharing his own research of how beef cows might benefit from various nutritional and management strategies. Hibberd holds two patents from his work at Oklahoma State University.

Hibberd loved the teaching opportunities Extension provided and the opportunity to work with producers and allied industry partners. He also quickly came to love teaching students, eventually chairing a university-wide committee on first-year student success and winning the top teaching award at OSU for his work.

He worked at Oklahoma for 12 years then moved with his family to Scottsbluff to lead the Panhandle Research and Education Center. Among the most memorable projects Hibberd worked on was positioning western Nebraska as a hotbed for the production of chicory, which can be roasted, ground, and combined with or used in place of coffee. Panhandle Research and Education Center faculty and staff, local business leaders, and community members all worked together to start a chicory processing plant in Scottsbluff that kicked off a local chicory industry.

“The community helped fund that project,” Hibberd said. “We couldn’t have done it without them, and they couldn’t have done it without us, a great example of a public/private partnership that worked.”

After nearly 13 years in Scottsbluff, Hibberd moved with his family to Indiana, where he became the director for Purdue Extension. Five years later, when the Extension dean and director position opened at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he returned to his home state, drawn by Nebraska Extension’s reputation for excellence and creativity.

“I didn’t come back to Nebraska because I’m from Nebraska,” Hibberd said. “I didn’t come back because I wanted to work for the University of Nebraska. I came back because I really thought that Nebraska Extension was in a place to continue to grow and evolve in ways that would be fun and exciting and valuable for Nebraskans.”

Over the seven-plus years Hibberd has served as dean and director of Nebraska Extension, he has found that to be true.

During his tenure at the university, more than 100 Extension professionals at all 83 county offices responded to the worst natural disaster in recent Nebraska history during the floods and blizzard in March of 2019. Immediately, Extension professionals jumped to action to coordinate volunteers from across the state and country who came to help, to assist producers with myriad issues related to livestock, crops and equipment, and to help homeowners and neighborhoods deal with flood water. A year later, Hibberd fostered Nebraska Extension’s efforts to provide resources to producers dealing with market disruptions, parents trying to balance working with suddenly homeschooling their children, rural Nebraskans struggling with their mental health and more during the state’s response to COVID-19.

Nebraska’s 4-H program, which has always been strong, has grown to 142,000 participants statewide — that’s one in three Nebraska youth between the ages of 8 and 18, including over 40,000 4-Hers in Omaha and Lincoln. It’s the highest participation rate in the country.

Under Hibberd, Nebraska Extension also shifted to a new model of service. Extension professionals across the state have continued to serve local producers, communities, businesses and families, but they also work in interdisciplinary teams designed to take on statewide issues important to Nebraskans, such as integrated crop and livestock systems, irrigation efficiency, food access and early childhood development.

“Nebraska has a strong tradition of excellence in Extension, and under Chuck’s leadership, Extension has become even stronger and better equipped to serve all Nebraskans,” said Mike Boehm, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “He is strategic, extremely collaborative and he has empowered Extension professionals all across Nebraska to deepen their relationships with community leaders, producers, gardeners, parents, educators and many others across the state. His commitment to county-based partnering and his impacts across Nebraska and beyond will be felt for years to come.”

Dave Varner, associate dean and director of Nebraska Extension, will serve as interim dean and director until a permanent replacement is found via a national search.

Varner began his extension career with a college internship in 1986. Since then, he has served as an Extension assistant, educator, associate district director, and held interim director positions at the Southeast Research and Extension Center and the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, both located near Mead. He also has co-led the Nebraska Extension disaster response and recovery team. He has served as associate dean and director since January 2017.

“Extension professionals care so deeply about the well-being of Nebraskans and make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans every day,” Varner said. “Nebraska Extension is deeply committed to the residents of our state and always ready for the next challenge. That’s what I love about the organization.”

In his retirement, Hibberd plans to stay involved with the university as a volunteer, as well as spend time with his family. Beyond that, he plans to continue to learn and teach, as he has his entire life.

And he’ll continue to draw inspiration from his experiences in Nebraska.

“I’ve never seen a place where people get stuff done like they do here. And that spirit of accomplishment is delivered in ways that aren’t just valuable for them, but they’re truly valuable for other people, their communities and their state,” Hibberd said. “That spirit of can-do, that spirit of generosity…I think that’s pretty unique to Nebraska, and that’s why it’s been really special not only to grow up here, but also to finish my career in this amazing place.”



NE Cattlemen Webinar Series: July 7

The Nebraska Cattlemen, Minnesota State Cattlemen and Kentucky Cattlemen are presenting the next Producer Education webinar on Tuesday, July 7, at 7:00 pm cdt. 

Local Beef Processing - Inspection, Marketing and Branding.   Join them to learn more about the options that you have to selling your beef locally.  What you can expect when you work with small processors to harvest and retail beef products. 

Dr. Ryan Cox with the University of Minnesota will be moderating our panel.  Ryan sits on the board Minnesota Association of Meat Processor and works with several local meat processors. He oversees the meat lab at the U of M so knows the ins and outs of inspection and running a small locker.

A few of our speakers will talk about:
    Kentucky Cattlemen's Ground Beef - a  Kentucky ground beef product sold in Kroger stores in Kentucky, Tennesse, Indiana.
    Nebraska Dept of Ag and custom exempt lockers
    Nebraska Beef in Schools
   
Register today https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_97_ihQmzRR6LYsAw6_0I1Q.

For more information and to register:  https://nebraskacattlemen.org/event/webinar-local-beef-processing-inspection-marketing-and-branding.

Catch up on our past webinar series.  https://nebraskacattlemen.org/coronavirus/.
You can also listen to the four webinars on podcast via Herd it Here with Nebraska Cattlemen.    https://anchor.fm/nebraska-cattlemen/. 

Mark your calendar:  They will be hosting a webinar each first Tuesday of the month.    



 Large family-owned pork producer invests in Northeast’s Nexus project

One of the largest family-owned pork producers in the nation is investing $50,000 in the Nexus project at Northeast Community College.

“At Christensen Farms, we are fully committed to supporting agriculture education as well as the communities we operate in,” said Glenn Stolt, Christensen Farms CEO. “Now more than ever before, it is critically important to build and maintain robust education institutes and programs like Nexus providing the next generation of leaders with the education and skills needed to support and sustain our noble mission in agriculture, which is feeding our communities, across the nation and around the world.”

Christensen Farms is based in Sleepy Eye, Minn. and has pork production, truck wash and feed mill operations located in northeast Nebraska. In this region, it employs more than 100 people, who all help to support and achieve the mission of Christensen Farms.

Stolt said, “Recent events have highlighted the essential, albeit often overlooked, role agriculture plays in our daily lives; from food to fiber and fuel. While agriculture has evolved, it has been, and continues to be the foundation upon which our local and global economies are built,” he said. “We are excited to see the opportunities the Nexus project will generate. Yes, opportunities for future generations who will be joining the workforce, but also, for the long-term viability and sustainability of our rural communities and businesses.”

Christensen Farms markets more than three-million hogs per year. The company operates throughout the Midwest with facilities in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Christensen Farms owns three feed mills, manages 148,000 sows on 44 farms, and oversees more than 350 nurseries and grow finish sites. The company employs nearly 1,000 people and maintains 1,500 contract partnerships.

“The pork industry is a rapidly growing sector of the agriculture economy of Nebraska,” said Dr. Tracy Kruse, associate vice president of development and external affairs and executive director of the Northeast Foundation. “The new facilities planned at Northeast will support that growth, training both the next generation of employees as well as future farmers and ranchers.”

“We are pleased to have Christensen Farms join other agricultural firms, financial institutions and area foundations as partners in the Nexus project,” Kruse said. “Their generous contribution will help provide the modern classroom and lab space needed to teach 21st century agricultural skills.”

The initial phase of construction of new agriculture facilities at the College includes a new veterinary technology clinic and classrooms, a new farm site with a large animal handling facility and other farm structures for livestock operations, a farm office and storage. The new facilities will be located near the Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex on E. Benjamin Ave. in Norfolk. Site work began in April and construction should be completed by the Fall of 2021.

The funding for the agriculture facilities will come from the College’s commitment of $10 million, as well as external fundraising to fill the gap. With a total project cost of $22.3 million, the College has raised enough funds to begin construction; however, fundraising for the Nexus campaign will continue, as more is needed for equipment, technology and furnishings.

In August 2019, the Acklie Charitable Foundation (ACF) announced a $5 million lead gift to the Nexus project. ACF was founded by the late Duane Acklie and Phyllis Acklie, both Madison County natives and graduates of Norfolk Junior College, a predecessor institution of Northeast Community College.

For more information on the Nexus Campaign, contact Kruse, at tracyk@northeast.edu, or call (402) 844-7056. Online donations may be made through agwaternexus.com. Checks may also be mailed to Nexus Campaign, Northeast Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 469, Norfolk, NE 68702-0469.



Iowa Cattlemen's Association Requests Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association continues efforts to reform cattle marketing, echoing Senator Grassley’s request for a Senate Agriculture committee hearing regarding the issue.

“For years, ICA leaders and members have worked towards solutions to level the playing field and bring producers more leverage in the fed cattle markets,” says Cora Fox, ICA’s Director of Government Relations. “Senator Grassley has been a strong supporter of our efforts and we are completely on board with his recently-introduced cattle marketing bill. However, not all congressional representatives and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee are treating the issue with the same urgency. A hearing would help bring attention to the issues and possible solutions.”

Senator Grassley’s bill, which is co-sponsored by Sens. Tester (D-MT), Ernst (R-IA), Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Rounds (R-SD), Smith (D-MN), and Daines (R-MT), would mandate a minimum of 50 percent cash trade by each large packing plant, and also require a maximum 14 day delivery period. Currently, cash trade accounts for approximately 25 percent of fed cattle sales and is unbalanced across regions of the United States, which has led to decreased price discovery.

Earlier in June, Sen. Grassley requested the hearing. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sent a letter shortly after to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), saying, “These problems have plagued our industry for nearly two decades, and have been exacerbated with the two most recent ‘black swan’ events—the Holcomb, Kan. plant fire and COVID-19. Both of these events, marked by a rapid price increase in the boxed beef market and the paradoxical decline in the live cattle market, have highlighted the instability within our markets. Our greatest fear—the fear that our industry will no longer remain independent and a source of viable income for farm families—is being realized.”

Livestock Mandatory Reporting is scheduled to be reauthorized by September 30, 2020. Many stakeholders are advocating for cattle marketing changes to be included in the reauthorization.



Iowa Farmer Elected As USGC Representative To MAIZALL

Deb Keller, a past U.S. Grains Council (USGC) chairman and farmer from Iowa, assumed the role of the Council’s representative to MAIZALL - the international maize alliance - on July 1, following her election by the USGC Board of Directors earlier this summer.

“My role as a MAIZALL director is to help deliver the message that advanced crop improvement technologies - whether biotechnology or the use of CRISPR - are environmentally friendly, economically crucial tools to deliver a safe, reliable product and help ensure nutrition and stability to all countries,” Keller said. “Together, we can accomplish more than working independently.”

Keller is a full-time farmer from Clarion, Iowa, with more than 25 years of experience in production agriculture that have allowed her to learn firsthand the value of biotechnology to more predictability and higher yields. She served as USGC chairman in 2017-2018, having previously served as the leader of the Rest of the World Advisory Team. Keller is also a former chairwoman of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.

“We welcome Deb into the MAIZALL family,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and chief executive officer. “Deb will continue to build upon the legacy built by the MAIZALL founders and help us continue MAIZALL’s advocacy into the future.”

MAIZALL was established in 2013 by leaders from the Council, the National Corn Growers Association, BRAMILHO (Brazilian Association of Corn Producers) and MAIZAR (the Argentine corn and sorghum federation). Growers in all three countries work to resolve shared problems with non-tariff barriers in global markets, primarily related to biotechnology, even though they are serious competitors.

“By representing 70 percent of the export market, farmers in Argentina, Brazil and the United States can speak with a loud voice through MAIZALL,” Keller said. “Farmers everywhere face many of the same challenges - weather, margins, a reliable workforce and transportation. It is crucial to focus on those things that unite us, and that includes the need for biotechnology.”

Keller assumed the MAIZALL role following the retirement of Julius Schaaf, a fellow past USGC chairman and a founder of MAIZALL.

“The originators of MAIZALL laid the groundwork. I believe in its structure and am supportive of the efforts that have gone into making this project successful thus far,” Keller said. “MAIZALL will illustrating how successful teamwork between our three countries communicates the need for advanced crop breeding techniques.”



NPPC Supports Senate Bill to Bolster Hog Farmers in Crisis

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) strongly supports the Responding to Epidemic Losses and Investing in the Economic Future (RELIEF) for Producers Act of 2020, introduced today by Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).

The bill would:
     Compensate hog and poultry producers who are forced to euthanize or donate animals that can't be processed into the food supply due to COVID-related packing plant capacity reductions;
    Increase funding for animal health surveillance and laboratories, which have appropriately assisted and shared resources with their public health partners; and
    Revise the Commodity Credit Corporation charter so a pandemic-driven national emergency qualifies for funding.

"We thank Senators Inhofe, Burr, Ernst, Grassley and Tillis for their support of U.S. hog farmers who urgently need federal assistance to address this unprecedented crisis," said NPPC President Howard "A.V." Roth, a producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. "While plant capacity has improved, millions of hogs remain backed up on farms due to the COVID-created bottleneck, one that could have a lasting impact on hog farmers. The RELIEF for Producers Act provides a much-needed lifeline to thousands of farmers who could otherwise go out of business, leading to consolidation and contraction of the U.S. pork industry. We urge Congress to work together to quickly pass much-needed legislation addressing this crisis."

"Farmers and ranchers across the country are working to operate in these unprecedented times," said Senator Inhofe. "When I spoke with members of the Oklahoma Pork Council in May, we discussed the strain COVID-19 has put on their production cycles and their need for relief moving forward. That is why I am glad to introduce the Relief for Producers Act to provide a framework for producers and ease some of the burden brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation will help livestock and poultry farmers more easily and efficiently navigate a path forward as we battle this crisis. I want to thank the National Pork Producers Council and the Oklahoma Pork Council for their input on this bill and their continued collaboration to ensure Oklahoma pork producers' interests are advanced in Congress."

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. Additionally, U.S. pork producers face staggering costs for the millions of hogs that may be euthanized as pigs back up on farms due to ongoing bottlenecks in the pork supply chain. For more information on U.S. pork industry's response to COVID-related challenges, please visit http://nppc.org/issues/issue/your-food-is-our-priority/.



RAMP-UP Act Will Help Meat and Poultry Processors Access Inspection to Meet Demand

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota and former Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, joined Reps. Sanford Bishop of Georgia, Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, Chellie Pingree of Maine, G.T. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Jim Costa of California, David Rouzer of North Carolina, Angie Craig of Minnesota and Robert Aderholt of Alabama, today to introduce the Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP-UP) Act.

This legislation would establish a program to make facility upgrade and planning grants to existing meat and poultry processors to help them move to Federal Inspection and be able to sell their products across state lines. The legislation will also require USDA to work with States and report on ways to improve the existing Cooperative Interstate Shipment program.

“We have seen the importance of having meat and poultry processors of all sizes in Minnesota and across the country over the past few months,” said Chairman Peterson. “The RAMP-UP Act will provide grants to help these rural small businesses meet that demand, wherever their customers live.”

“Right now, America’s meat producers and processors are facing unprecedented market challenges. At a time when producers are experiencing increased demand for high-quality meat, meat processors across the United States are racing to increase their capacity to meet the demands of consumers and producers,” said Rep. Lucas. “The RAMP-UP Act gives processors the tools to become federally inspected facilities, which widens their customer base while maintaining strong inspection standards. I’m proud to join my friend and Agriculture Committee Chairman, Congressman Collin Peterson in expanding the opportunities for not only Oklahoma’s processing facilities but meat processors across the United States.”

"I am pleased to help lead the RAMP-UP Act, an exciting bill that helps smaller meat processors upgrade their plants and ship product interstate,” said Rep. Fortenberry. “This is a localized solution that helps diversify the meatpacking industry to create a public good."

“During the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve seen how disruptions in just a few meat and poultry facilities can create ripple effects throughout the entire supply chain. We must shift towards a more diversified and resilient processing model,” said Rep. Pingree. “The RAMP-UP Act would help defray the costs of attaining federal inspection for meat and poultry processing facilities, which will give local producers more options to get food to their customers. I’m proud to join as an original cosponsor of this legislation that will help get local foods on our constituents’ plates.”

“COVID-19 has shed light on the incredible importance of a strong food supply chain,” said Rep. Thompson. “The RAMP-UP Act will ease the strain on our meat and poultry industry by cutting red tape for processors and get food on the tables of every American family more quickly.”

“This legislation reduces the burdens associated with attaining Federal inspection without jeopardizing food safety standards,” said Rep. Bishop. “This will assist smaller processing facilities in obtaining a larger commercial presence while helping meet consumer demand, which has been recently impacted by COVID-19.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need to strengthen our food supply chains to prevent disruptions in moving product to the marketplace,” said Rep. Rouzer. “This bill would help small processors increase their capacity and thereby provide more options for livestock producers to get their product to market.  This is a worthy bipartisan effort that will benefit agriculture and the consumer."

“The RAMP-UP Act represents important investment in the resiliency of our food system, by helping processors of all sizes to participate in Federal inspection and meet the full range of consumer demand, wherever it may be,” said Rep. Costa. “It will help to ensure grocery stores stay stocked with meat and poultry products, and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, I am happy to cosponsor this bill.”

“Disruptions to meat processing this spring showed that our current system needs greater flexibility. I am an original cosponsor of this legislation because increased competition and capacity in the meat processing sector is good for farmers and the American consumer,” said Rep. Aderholt. “The Ramp Up Act will help address the current backlog of livestock and build a stronger industry for the future.”

“Amidst disruptions in the food supply chain due to COVID-19, our farmers and local processors have continued to innovate to get safe food on the table for millions of Americans,” said Rep. Craig. “By continuing to support our local meat processors, we are safeguarding our food supply and stimulating rural economies. I am proud to work with Chairman Peterson on this critical legislation.”

The RAMP-UP Act has the added support of a broad range of livestock, farm and agricultural associations.

“The livestock and processing sectors faced severe impacts amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. The RAMP-UP Act addresses some of the most urgent needs, and I am grateful that it reflects the feedback I heard from state agricultural leaders across the country. Now is the time to act swiftly on the evolution of the processing industry,” said Blayne Arthur, Secretary of Agriculture of Oklahoma, and Chair of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s Animal Agriculture Committee

“I thank Chairman Peterson and all the co-sponsors of the RAMP-UP Act for recognizing a critical and timely need to expand meat processing capacity across the country,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen. “Minnesota livestock producers have seen the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are counting on new approaches like this to accelerate the recovery of this critical industry.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions to beef processing which were devastating to cattle producers. The RAMP UP Act addresses these supply chain issues by ensuring cattle ranchers and farmers have robust access to new markets regardless of where their livestock is processed,” said Don Schiefelbein, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President. “We’re grateful to Chairman Peterson and Rep. Lucas for their leadership and attention to this critical issue.”

“Over the past several decades, we have come to rely on fewer and larger facilities to process all of our meat,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. “This system, though efficient, is particularly vulnerable to disruptions - a fact that has become impossible to ignore as coronavirus outbreaks at just a handful of plants have backed up the entire supply chain. Small and medium sized plants can ensure greater resilience and food security in times of crisis, as well as flexibility in marketing for farmers and ranchers. By helping meat processing plants cover the often prohibitive cost of federal inspections, the RAMP UP Act will bolster a strong and reliable meat supply chain for farmers and consumers alike.”

“As Congress looks at ways to make our food system more resilient for farmers and ranchers and for consumers, the American Farm Bureau Federation appreciates Chairman Peterson and Reps. Lucas and Fortenberry and others for introducing this bill to increase meat and poultry processing capacity,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “At the same time as this bill will help more processing facilities attain federal inspection status and ensure producers have a market for their poultry and livestock, it also ensures the safety and abundance of the food supply.

“Previous COVID-related harvest facility disruptions created a lasting bottleneck on farms where millions of hogs remain backed-up,” said National Pork Producers Council President Howard A.V. Roth. “As a result, we face mounting financial losses and a severe emotional strain. We thank Congressmen Peterson, Fortenberry and Lucas for taking steps to expand harvest capacity and bring much-needed relief to American hog farmers.”

“For America’s sheep producers, finding new markets and meeting demand for lamb is critical to our ability to thrive in a quickly changing environment,” said American Sheep Industry Association President Benny Cox. “Chairman Peterson and Rep. Lucas’s legislation is tremendously welcome to help break down barriers for smaller processors to compete nationwide.  These grants will ensure our local establishments can meet our stringent food safety inspection system requirements and open a world of opportunity for sheep producers.”

"By providing assistance to help small meat and poultry establishments attain federal inspection status without sacrificing critical food safety standards, the RAMP-UP Act represents a suitable approach in expanding capacity during times of food supply disruptions. Consumer Reports commends Chairman Peterson for his work on this bill,” said Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy at Consumer Reports.



Cattlemen Welcome Legislation to Improve Meat Processing Capacity

Today, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Requiring Assistance to Meat Processors for Upgrading Plants (RAMP UP) Act, which provides federal incentives to improve beef processing capacity.

Introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Colin Peterson (D-MN), Reps. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), David Rouzer (R-NC), Jim Costa (D-CA), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), and Angie Craig (D-MN), the RAMP UP Act will bolster market access for cattle producers and keep store shelves across the country stocked with wholesome and nutritious beef products.

“The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions to beef processing which were devastating to cattle producers,” said NCBA Vice President and Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association past president Don Schiefelbein. “The RAMP UP Act addresses these supply chain issues by ensuring cattle ranchers and farmers have robust access to new markets regardless of where their livestock is processed. We are grateful to Chairman Peterson and Rep. Lucas for their leadership and attention to this critical issue.”

The RAMP UP Act authorizes federal grants up to $100,000 for existing meat processors to become federally inspected. Currently, state inspected and custom exempt processors cannot sell meat in interstate commerce and the process to become compliant with, and inspected by, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is expensive and daunting. If enacted, the RAMP UP Act would ease this burden on processors and benefit cattle producers by opening new markets for the beef they produce.



NCBA Webinar: Mineral Nutrition 101: Beef Cattle Basics
July 8, 2020 @ 7:00 p.m. Central

We all know mineral nutrition can be a complicated subject and producers have lots of questions. What minerals do cattle need? How much and from what source should minerals be provided to cattle? In this presentation Dr. Stephanie Hansen will break down the basics of mineral nutrition with the goal of helping producers understand why minerals are an essential component of cattle nutrition and how to be strategic with supplementation.

Stephanie Hansen is a Professor in Feedlot Nutrition in the Dept of Animal Science at Iowa State University. She has received early career awards in research from Iowa State University, the Midwest section of ASAS, and ASAS. With over 50 peer-reviewed publications in the area of mineral nutrition and over 9 million dollars in funding as Co-PI or PI she has established an original and impactful research program for beef cattle. A major focus of her program is the refinement of mineral requirements to make mineral supplementation more strategic. Graduates of her program are serving industry and academia. Dr. Hansen teaches courses in animal nutrition, ruminant nutrition, and micronutrient metabolism. In her free time she enjoys hiking, photography, and writing.

Register Here:  https://www.ncba.org/cattlemenswebinarseries.aspx. 

Future Webinars:
  - Mineral Tags: Reading Between the Lines - July 15, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. CDT
          + Steve Stafford M.S., Provimi
Producers having a better understanding of what exactly the mineral tag telling them is vital. Join Steve Stafford M.S. as he walks producers through reading mineral tags, managing consumption to meet mineral requirements, and matching minerals to the current environment (i.e. can you feed the same mineral year-round).

  - Enhancing Beef Cow Reproduction Through Mineral Supplementation - July 22, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. CDT
          + Reinaldo Cooke, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Join Dr. Reinaldo Cooke as he discusses the importance of macro and trace minerals on reproductive function on beef females, and also recent advances in trace mineral supplementation to enhance reproductive efficiency in beef cowherds.

  - Trace Minerals and Their Role on the Immune Response to Vaccination in Cattle - July 29, 2020 - 7:00 p.m. CDT
          + Roberto A. Palomares, DVM, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) have major impact on the profitability of the cattle industry in North America, resulting in substantial economic losses. Research has shown how trace minerals are crucial for the development of an adequate immune response in cattle, especially in stressed animals when they are more susceptible to BRD and NCD. Join Dr. Palomares as he discusses how strategic supplementation with Se, Cu, Mn and Zn within the herd is associated with enhanced cattle immune response and protection elicited by vaccination against BRD and NCD.



May DMC Margin Falls to Lowest Since 2013; Historic Rebound Expected
National Milk Producers Federation

The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margin for May was $5.37 per cwt., the lowest since July 2013 and $0.65 per cwt. lower than the margin for April. Still, projections show that June’s margin may see the highest jump since 2000, with a strong recovery in prices that should buoy margins through the rest of the year.

The April to May drop in the DMC margin was due to an $0.80 per cwt. lower all-milk price, offset by a $0.15 per cwt. lower calculated feed cost. The May margin will generate a payment of $4.13 per cwt. that month for producers enrolled in the program this year at the $9.50 per cwt. margin coverage level and smaller payments for producers enrolled all the way down to $5.50 per cwt.

The current USDA forecast for the June margin is $10.86 per cwt., $5.49 per cwt. higher than the May margin and by far the largest one-month increase in the MPP/DMC margin since at least January 2000, the earliest margin data available.”

The USDA/FSA Decision Tool’s current forecast for the remainder of the year, shown below, indicates the margin will peak in July at almost $13 per cwt., then drop back toward $9.50 per cwt. during the remainder of the year.

June CWT-Assisted Export Sales Contracts 3.2 Million Pounds of Dairy Products
CWT assisted member cooperatives in securing 17 contracts to sell 1.014 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 1.543 million pounds of whole milk powder, and 672,410 pounds of cream cheese. The products will go to customers in Asia, and South America. The product will be shipped during the months of June through November 2020

These contracts bring the 2020 total of the CWT-assisted product sales contracts to 21.859 million pounds of cheese, 6.246 million pounds of butter, 18.450 million pounds of whole milk powder, 3.606 million pounds of cream cheese and 1.960 million pounds of anhydrous milkfat. These transactions will move the equivalent of 558.444 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis overseas.



NMPF Calls for Full Review of Fats in New Guidelines

The National Milk Produers Federationcontinued its advocacy as the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans advances toward adoption, urging the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) in June to consider the full range of scientific studies on the role of different types of dairy fats in a healthy diet.

The guidelines, which shape USDA nutrition programs, are set every five years; draft guidance for this year’s update largely preserve recommendations that are positive for dairy.

NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern, along with Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, sent the letter on June 15 to Dr. Barbara Schneeman, DGAC Chairperson, and the secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services “to reiterate our strong view, as explained more fully in previous comments to the DGAC, that a body of science in recent years has found that dairy foods, regardless of fat level, appear to have either neutral or beneficial effects on chronic disease risks.”

The DGAC is approaching the reporting phase of its recommendations for the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Currently it does not appear to have explored the full breadth of peer-reviewed literature investigating dairy’s relationship to beneficial or neutral outcomes for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.

The NMPF-IDFA joint message calls on the committee “to complete its review by including all relevant scientific studies that bear on these questions and, if the findings so indicate, recommend Americans incorporate dairy foods in all forms as an integral part of all dietary patterns,” noting failure to examine the validity of existing dietary advice “will represent a lost opportunity to share newer science with consumers, health professionals and policy makers and contribute to ongoing confusion about the healthfulness of dairy.”

The committee is finalizing its draft conclusions, with a final report of recommendations to be released on or around July 15. The final 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines are expected by the end of the year.

Final Meeting Positive for Dairy
At the committee’s last public meeting, held via webinar June 17, it discussed updated draft conclusions and the final report, going through each chapter of the Diet and Health Evidence section of the final report which will be organized by life stage.  The committee stated that a consistent dietary pattern associated with beneficial outcomes includes higher intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy, lean meat, seafood, nuts and unsaturated vegetable oil; low consumption of red and processed meats, sugar sweetened foods and drinks and  refined grains. Key takeaways for dairy include:
    Dairy is still recommended in all three healthy eating patterns;
    Low-fat and fat-free dairy are still recommended;
    The saturated fat recommendation remains at less than 10% of total energy per day; and
    Yogurt and cheese were recognized as complementary feeding options for infants 6-12 months, and dairy foods were included in the healthy eating patterns for toddlers 12-24 months

This is the first time that the committee has looked at the science and made recommendations for children birth to 24 months of age. The nutrients of public health concern for ages 2 and above are added sugars, calcium, dietary fiber, potassium, saturated fat, sodium, and vitamin D. Dairy, specifically milk, continues to be a key source of three of those nutrients. The committee also noted that a majority of Americans don’t follow the dietary guidelines and would benefit from shifting from current choices to healthy, nutrient-dense choices across food groups.  For example, the proportion of children consuming milk steadily declines with age. To crack down on added sugars, the committee also recommended changing the daily allowance from 10 percent to 6 percent of calories.



Global Sales of U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Contract in May
Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst, Renewable Fuels Association
   
U.S. ethanol exports were 67.5 million gallons (mg) in May, a decline of 31.9 mg, or 32%. This is the smallest monthly volume in four years, with slumping sales to Brazil (1.7 mg—down from 23.8 mg) responsible for the bulk of that dip. Exports to India softened 6% in May, yet sales of 14.9 mg rendered it the top global market for U.S. ethanol. Shipments picked up to Canada as 14.5 mg crossed the border (+34%), although tracking at a volume roughly half of recent norms. Export sales slowed to Mexico (9.0 mg, -35% from a surge in April) and South Korea (4.9 mg, -61%), but lifted to the Netherlands (6.7 mg), United Kingdom (4.2 mg), and Nigeria (3.1 mg). An annualized export pace of 1.57 billion gallons would be implied by prorating year-to-date sales, but seasonal factors and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could result in 2020 exports being below this level.

U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol shipments in May dropped 53% to 29.7 mg. However, exports rallied to India—the destination for half of global sales—with 14.9 mg (+16%) marking its largest volume this year. Sales to Mexico were 25% lower although still robust at 6.7 mg. France (1.6 mg) and South Korea (1.5 mg) were other large markets for U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol.

May U.S. denatured fuel ethanol exports expanded 5% to 28.3 mg. Shipments to chief customer Canada regained some ground that was lost in April, rising 45% to 12.0 mg (accounting for 42% of total exported product). Other larger markets were the Netherlands (5.7 mg), United Kingdom (3.8 mg), South Korea (2.7 mg), and Colombia (2.3 mg). Notably, India was absent from the market after purchasing 48 mg the first four months of the year.

Exports of U.S. ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage purposes climbed 8% to 9.5 mg. Nigeria (3.1 mg), Mexico (2.3 mg), and Canada (2.3 mg) were our largest customers.

There were no U.S. imports of ethanol recorded in May. However, Brazil has shipped 36.0 mg of sugarcane-based ethanol to the West Coast this calendar year.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants—declined by 21% in May to 601,029 metric tons (mt), more fully reflecting the decline in ethanol industry capacity utilization that took place due to COVID-19 restrictions. Shippers trimmed exports to Mexico by 6% to 119,699 mt (a fifth of worldwide sales), the lowest volume in more than three years. Vietnam imports were halved to 68,380 mt, thereby surrendering its one-month lead as our top customer. May U.S. DDGS exports perked up to Indonesia (63,083 mt, +31%), Turkey (47,767 mt, up from zero), and New Zealand (28,955 mt, +16%), but lost ground in South Korea (52,042 mt, -44%) and Thailand (24,138 mt, -72%). Worldwide U.S. DDGS sales for the first five months of the year imply an annualized export volume of 9.83 million mt.



Fertilizer Prices Continue Downward Trend

The prices of all eight major fertilizers are lower for the third consecutive week, according to retail prices tracked by DTN for the fourth week of June 2020.

One fertilizer was significantly lower, which DTN designates as 5% or more, and that was urea. The price of the nitrogen fertilizer dropped $18/ton, or 5%, from last month with an average price of $359/ton.

The remaining seven fertilizers were all just slightly lower. DAP had an average price of $404/ton, down $6; MAP $429/ton, down $5; potash $363/ton, down $2; 10-34-0 $468/ton, down less than $1; anhydrous $463/ton, down $15; UAN28 $233/ton, down $3; and UAN32 $273/ton, down $6.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.39/lb.N, anhydrous $0.28/lb.N, UAN28 $0.42/lb.N and UAN32 $0.43/lb.N.

Retail fertilizers are all lower in price from a year ago. Anhydrous is 21% lower, MAP is 19% less expensive, DAP is 18% lower, urea is 16% less expensive, both UAN28 and UAN32 are 14% lower, potash is 8% less expensive and 10-34-0 is 4% lower from last year at this time.



U.S. Grains Council Releases 2019/2020 Sorghum Quality Report

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has published its 2019/2020 Sorghum Quality Report touting an average grade well above the necessary requirements for U.S. No. 1 sorghum.

“We are very pleased to offer this report as a guide so foreign buyers and industry stakeholders can make more informed purchasing decisions about U.S. sorghum,” said USGC Chairman Darren Armstrong, a farmer from North Carolina. “We are confident this report will help further global food security and mutual economic benefits through trade.”

The report, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA’s FAS) Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program, provides international customers and other interested parties accurate, unbiased information about the 2019 U.S. sorghum crop.

To generate the report's findings, a total of 62 samples were collected from outbound shipments of U.S. country elevators and analyzed for the grade factors established by USDA as well as chemical composition and other quality characteristics not reported elsewhere.

The report pulled samples from the two largest and most comprehensive growing areas in the United States, including the growing areas in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico and Mississippi. Sorghum samples were collected from individual outbound rail or truck shipments at participating elevators across the two regions, then sent to Texas A&M University for chemical composition and physical factor analysis. Scientists there calculated averages and standard deviations for each quality factor tested and reported results for the U.S. aggregate.

Total sorghum damage came in at just 0.2 percent, and broken kernel and foreign material (BNFM) was only 1.7 percent, highlighting how hard the grain is and how well it holds up during handling and storage.

Non-detectable tannins are important because they signify the U.S. sorghum crop is a good feedstuff option, something competitors, especially in Argentina, cannot claim. The 2019/2020 crop also fared well on this measure.

“We were very pleased to share that both broken kernel and foreign material rates were very low, and tannins were undetectable in every sample tested in this year’s sorghum crop,” Armstrong said. “These quality characteristics offer great benefits over our global sorghum competitors.”

This report is the first since the 2016/2017 sorghum crop. The Council plans to roll out the information through webinar distribution around the world and will also present the information during a virtual sorghum conference for the Chinese market in early July.

“This report is helping fulfill the Council’s mission to help make something happen for U.S. grains around the world,” said Armstrong. “We hope the 2019/2020 Sorghum Quality Report provides valuable information about the quality of U.S. sorghum and shows our valued trade partners that the United States is a trusted supplier.”



NBB Thanks Biofuel Caucus for Urging President to Reject “Gap” SRE Petitions

The National Biodiesel Board thanks the bipartisan group of 32 Representatives who today urged President Donald Trump to direct his Environmental Protection Agency to reject "gap" small refinery exemptions. The letter expresses concern that the "gap" petitions undermine a U.S. Court of Appeals decision, Congress' intent for the Renewable Fuel Standard, and EPA's legal obligation to consider exemptions in a timely manner.

Kurt Kovarik, NBB's VP of Federal Affairs, states, "EPA must immediately reject these petitions for small refinery exemptions going back nearly a decade. The sole purpose of the petitions is to challenge the authority of the 10th Circuit Court's decision and sow uncertainty about the RFS program. EPA's continued delay in rejecting these petitions will only exacerbate the economic challenges facing biodiesel and renewable diesel producers as well as soybean farmers during the national economic emergency."

NBB thanks Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), and Dave Loebsack (D-IA) as leaders of the Biofuel Caucus letter.



Growth Energy Welcomes House Opposition to Retroactive Biofuel Exemptions

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor today welcomed a letter from 32 House lawmakers calling on the White House to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject retroactive oil industry exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). 

“Rural communities are done playing regulatory games with the oil industry,” said Emily Skor. “We’ve seen too many plants shut down, too many jobs lost, and too many farmers deprived of vital markets at a time when we should be rebuilding the agricultural supply chain. These gap-year exemption requests are a brazen attempt to circumvent a court decision restoring integrity to the nation’s biofuel blending targets. They should be rejected without delay. We’re deeply grateful to our House champions who are rallying alongside governors and Senate leaders to demand this administration to do the right thing.”

Led by Congressional Biofuels Caucus Co-Chairs Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), the letter notes “there is no reasonable scenario in which an existing refinery can claim it is entitled to an exemption that it did not previously seek or receive … Setting this dangerous precedent would ultimately devastate the rural economy.”  



RFA Thanks House Members for Opposing Gap-Year Refinery Waivers

The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked a bipartisan group of 32 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives for calling on President Trump to reject so-called “gap-year” refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“The Trump Administration has now heard from Members of the House, Senators and Governors on this important issue for rural America,” said RFA president and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Even the Environmental Protection Agency itself has noted there are significant ‘issues’ with these waivers, and we urge a speedy denial of these attempts by the oil industry to circumvent federal law and the recent court decision limiting waivers to extensions of ones previously received.”

Cooper noted that, on June 25, a bipartisan group of 16 U.S. Senators called on EPA to reject the waivers, and on June 29, members of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition urged EPA to do the same.

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 circumvent this court decision, several refineries have now applied for retroactive waivers for years in which they did not originally request or receive waivers. 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.

“The RFS has been a tremendous success, providing a critical value-added market for our farmers, lowering the price of fuel for consumers, and improving air quality across the nation,” the Members of the House wrote in today’s letter. “The EPA’s repeated efforts to undermine the RFS with waivers, SREs, and tepid annual volume requirements continue to undermine the future potential of our local farmers and biofuels producers.”



ACE’s Request to Raise 2020 RVO Added to the List of Missed Opportunities for EPA to Do Right by Rural America

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings today expressed his disappointment in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking no action to follow through on ACE’s request to issue an interim final rule by July 1 to increase the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for 2020 to the percentage necessary to ensure that the full 20.09 billion gallons required by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are used due to the unanticipated drop in ethanol blending as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

This was one of three immediate steps Jennings outlined in an April 3 letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler that also urged the Agency to restore the 500 million gallons of remanded volume as ordered by the DC District Court in 2017 and nationally apply the Tenth Circuit Court precedent regarding small refinery exemptions by denying most of the pending waivers for the 2019 RFS compliance year. The Agency not only has the authority to take these steps but must take them to avoid being in violation of the RFS statute which specifically instructs EPA to set the total RVO at a level that ‘ensures the requirements’ of the statutory obligations are met. Jennings issued the statement below following ACE’s July 1 requested deadline:

“When I wrote EPA in early April, it was evident ethanol demand was heading for trouble, so we spelled out three immediate steps existing law or court decisions allowed EPA to take to help cushion the blow. Nearly three months have passed on our requests and it appears the only action EPA has taken is to entertain 52 ‘new’ retroactive waiver requests for refiners suddenly claiming economic hardship dating back nearly a decade in RFS compliance years.

“We can add this to the list of letdowns coming from the Agency with so many opportunities at its disposal to get the RFS back on track.”



Growth Energy Urges EPA to Combat Particulate Emissions with Low-Carbon Ethanol

This week, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the agency’s review of the national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter (PM NAAQS).

In his comments, Bliley noted that, "Through multiple rulemakings at EPA over the last decade including those on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and the Tier 3 fuel regulation, Growth Energy has submitted a wealth of data to further support the conclusion that ethanol decreases harmful particulate emissions... We think this is a critical opportunity for the agency to review this data as it reviews the PM NAAQS standards."

This brief letter to EPA reiterates previous comments submitted by Growth Energy to EPA in May, urging their Science Advisory Board to examine the impact of toxic gasoline additives on respiratory health, as well as the potential benefits offered by bio-based alternatives like ethanol.



Dairy Supply Chains Will Need to Adjust as Consumer Behavior Changes 

COVID-19 is dramatically affecting consumer habits and dairy supply chains as food service demand plummets and grocery sales surge. Consumers struggling with job losses and economic uncertainty quickly returned to buying basic dairy products like fluid milk, commodity cheese and butter.

A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange indicates that consumer behavior will be different for the next 12 to 18 months than it was pre-pandemic, and as that behavior takes root, dairy supply chains will need to adjust from farm to fork.

“The dairy industry is coping with some new realities, largely driven by the decrease in food service demand and restaurant sales,” said Tanner Ehmke, manager of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “The challenge for dairy supply chains will be adapting to focus on meeting demand trends based on evolving consumer behavior as we navigate through an uneven reopening.”

As consumers heeded the stay-at-home advisories, they increased purchases of products that in recent years had fallen out of favor. Processed cheese sales increased by nearly 20% during the eight weeks ending May 31. White milk sales gained more than 10% during the same period. Cereal is also doing well with sales up almost 15%.

Even as restrictions have begun lifting, polling has shown widespread reluctance among consumers about immediately returning to normal activities like restaurant dining and business travel. In late April, a Business Insider poll found just 9% of Americans believed they would resume their routine exactly as it was before the lockdowns, with only 16% saying they would resume “almost all” of their activities.

At a minimum, it will take some time for sit-down restaurant traffic to look anything like it did before the pandemic. Forecasts from Open Table suggest that the U.S. could lose up to 25% of its restaurants.

Any structural reduction in restaurant sales has potential product mix implications for dairy processors and converters. For instance, firms that specialize in making or packaging products for food service accounts will need to retool, making different types of cheese or filling different-sized sour cream containers for at-home consumption.

Much of the price volatility experienced over the past 90 days has more to do with massive supply chain disruptions than major changes to aggregate demand and supply. Perishability played a big role in the upheaval. As demand spun toward retail, food service operators disposed of fresh products that now have to be replenished for reopening.

Some buyers are asking if suppliers can develop and provide extended shelf life alternatives. Movement in that direction would presumably help on the supply side, giving manufacturers and dairy farmers more supply cushion.

A world with more extended shelf life manufacturing options might mean less dumping of milk than took place in April. Business models may also be readjusted from just in time inventory practices to having more inventory stored in warehouses.

Grocers are also cutting down on product selection to enhance operational efficiency. Published reports say that the popular Wegman’s supermarket chain, for example, has cut its offerings from about 52,000 products to 30,000 products.

Data from Nielsen shows that for the four weeks ending June 13, supermarkets carried nearly 7% fewer dairy items than the year prior. For dairy companies and other food marketers, that could mean fewer line extensions, fewer opportunities to differentiate, fewer chances to test new concepts.

As the economy reopens, potential changes in consumer habits, the level of social distancing that remains in place, and the level of disposable income will again reshape dairy supply chains long term.

Read the report, “Dairy Supply Chains Adapt as Consumers React to COVID-19,” at cobank.com. 



USDA Announces Flexibilities for Producers Filing ‘Notice of Loss’ for Failed, Prevented Planted Acres

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing additional flexibilities for producers to file on acres with failed crops or crops that were prevented from planting because of extreme weather events. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is adding these flexibilities for Notice of Loss on both insured and uninsured crops to enable Service Centers to best assist producers. 

“With many program deadlines approaching, our Service Centers are working hard to accommodate as many producer appointments as possible,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “By providing flexibilities to our Notice of Loss policy, we can ensure we provide the best customer service.”

Filing for Prevented Planted Acres
For insured crops, producers who timely filed a prevented planted claim with the reinsurance company but filed a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) form after the deadline will be considered timely filed for FSA purposes. FSA can use data from the Risk Management Agency (RMA) for accepting the report of prevented planting with FSA. If the information is not available through RMA, the producer may also provide proper evidence to FSA that the prevented planted claim was timely filed with the reinsurance company.

For uninsured crops, producers may start a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) by calling their FSA county office, or they may print and complete the Notice of Loss (CCC‑576) form from home and send to their county office. For prevented planted acreage, Notice of Loss forms mailed to the FSA office must be postmarked by the final acreage reporting date in the county to be considered timely filed. For all prevented planted cases, the Report of Acreage (FSA-578) form and the completed and signed Notice of Loss (CCC-576) must be filed by the applicable acreage reporting date.

Filing for Failed Acres
For failed acreage of uninsured crops, the Notice of Loss (CCC-576) must be completed, signed and verified before the disposition of the crop.

When to File a ‘Notice of Loss’
A Notice of Loss cannot be filed for a crop before the final planting date, but it can be filed before completing the crop acreage report.

More Information
Producers who miss FSA’s July 15 acreage reporting deadline will not face a late filing fee if filed within a month of the deadline.