Monday July 13 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending July 12, 2020, there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 35% short, 52% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 33% short, 59% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 22% fair, 49% good, and 21% excellent. Corn silking was 19%, ahead of 8% last year, but behind 29% for the five-year average. Dough was 1%.

Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 19% fair, 54% good, and 19% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 57%, well ahead of 23% last year, and ahead of 43% average. Setting pods was 13%, ahead of 4% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 4% very poor, 13% poor, 38% fair, 42% good, and 3% excellent. Winter wheat harvested was 50%, well ahead of 11% last year, and ahead of 40% average.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 44% fair, 45% good, and 8% excellent. Sorghum headed was 12%, equal to last year, and near 8% average.

Oats condition rated 2% very poor, 10% poor, 28% fair, 54% good, and 6% excellent. Oats harvested was 30%, ahead of 24% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 18% fair, 72% good, and 9% excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 20%. Setting pods was 1%.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 4% very poor, 14% poor, 34% fair, 46% good, and 2% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

 In spite of spotty showers, Iowa farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 12, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included spraying and harvesting hay.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 5% very short, 22% short, 70% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 3% very short, 17% short, 78% adequate and 2% surplus.

Corn silking or beyond reached 35%, 8 days ahead of the previous year and 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. There were scattered reports of corn reaching the dough stage. Corn condition rated 83% good to excellent.

Soybean blooming reached 58%, 2 weeks ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of average. Soybeans setting pods reached 10%, 2 weeks ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 83% good to excellent.

Oats turning color reached 73%, 8 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead the average. There were reports of some oats being harvested for grain. Oat condition rated 86% good to excellent.

Alfalfa hay second cutting reached 61%, 11 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average. Hay condition rated 76 % good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 65% good to excellent. There were reports of heat stress and increased insect populations affecting livestock.



USDA: Corn, Soybean Conditions Drop

Condition ratings for both U.S. corn and soybeans fell last week, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.

NASS estimated that 69% of the corn crop was in good-to-excellent condition as of Sunday, July 12, down 2 percentage points from 71% the previous week.  Corn silking picked up speed last week, jumping ahead 19 percentage points to reach 29% as of Sunday. That was well ahead of 14% at the same time last year and just 3 percentage points behind the five-year average of 32%. Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 3%, equal to the average pace.

Meanwhile, soybean development continued to run ahead of normal last week. Soybeans blooming was estimated at 48%, 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 40%. The portion of the crop setting pods -- mainly in the South -- was estimated at 11%, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 10%.  The national soybean condition rating dropped last week. NASS estimated that 68% of the soybean crop was in good-to-excellent condition as of July 12, down 3 percentage points from 71% the previous week.

Winter wheat harvest made steady progress again last week, moving ahead 12 percentage points to reach 68% complete as of Sunday, 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 66%.

The percentage of spring wheat headed gained another 17 percentage points last week to reach 80% as of Sunday but remained 5 percentage points behind the five-year average of 85%.  Spring wheat condition, like that of row crops, fell last week. NASS estimated that 68% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, down 2 percentage points from 70% the previous week.

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Western Corn Rootworm Beetles Emerging, Time to Scout
Robert Wright - NE Extension Entomologist

Western corn rootworm beetles began emerging in southeast and south central Nebraska at the end of June. Beetles typically emerge somewhat later in northeastern and western Nebraska.

Beetles emerging before silk emergence may feed on corn leaves. They feed by scraping the surface tissue, leaving a white parchment-like appearance. Once silks emerge, they become the favored food. The earliest silking fields in an area often are most heavily damaged because beetles will move to them in search of green silks.

There are no thresholds for silk-clipping damage based on beetle numbers because damage levels are not correlated well with beetle densities. Usually an average of 5-10 beetles per ear is required to seriously affect pollination. Severe silk feeding (silks clipped to less than ½ inch from the ear) at 25%-50% pollen shed may indicate a need to apply insecticide. Silk feeding after pollination is complete does not affect yield potential.

See the 2020 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska (EC 130) for insecticides labeled for adult rootworm control.

Japanese beetles also prefer to feed on corn silks. See the article Japanese Beetles Emerging; Scout Corn and Soybean Fields for Japanese beetle thresholds for silk feeding damage.



Pinkeye in Cattle
Brian Vander Ley, DVM Epidemiologist, Great Plains Veterinary Education Center

Driving or riding through a pen or pasture of cattle is a favorite chore for many producers.   Making sure our cattle have plenty of clean water, access to feed or forage and monitoring herd health are important aspects of daily care.   When examining cattle, one important disease not to overlook is pinkeye.   Pinkeye is a highly contagious infectious disease that not only affects cattle in Nebraska but worldwide. The incidence and severity of this common disease can vary widely from year to year. Although pinkeye rarely causes the death of affected cattle, it can cause substantial losses to the cattle industry through decreased weight gain, lowered milk production and treatment costs.  

Pinkeye is known to occur at all seasons of the year and in all breeds of cattle. Excessive weeping of the affected eye and closure due to pain are the two signs most commonly observed. As the disease progresses, the cornea becomes cloudy or white. An ulcer frequently develops near the center of the cornea. Cattle with pinkeye keep the affected eye or eyes closed because of pain and to avoid bright sunlight. The course of the infection may run for several weeks.

Pinkeye is primarily caused by Moraxella bovis (M. bovis); however, other organisms have been isolated from eyes with infections resembling pinkeye. It remains unclear whether these other organisms are primary pathogens or opportunistic, secondary invaders. Pinkeye is caused by a combination of factors. Other suspected risk factors that contribute to clinical pinkeye are excessive ultraviolet light (sunlight), biological vectors (face flies, house flies, stable flies), plant material and dust.

Efforts to prevent pinkeye are directed at reducing transmission and minimizing irritation.   Fly control can minimize both transmission and irritation; however, it is not a guarantee for prevention. Face flies can remain infected with M. bovis up to 3 days following feeding on infected material.   Under experimental conditions, disease transmission is uncommon without the presence of face flies and is common with flies present.   Fly control does have the added benefit of limiting the fly avoidance behavior that reduces productivity in cows and calves on pasture. The infection can also be spread by direct contact when the eye secretions of an infected animal are rubbed into the eye of an uninfected animal. 

Reducing dusty conditions and providing protection against sunlight also aids in control. Cattle often have grass or weed seeds in their eyes, and these materials can irritate the eye and contribute to the development of pinkeye.

Cattle with pinkeye can be helped by prompt treatment which usually includes an antibiotic and often includes eyepatches to limit further irritation. Since the cornea heals slowly, any ulceration is likely to require several weeks for complete recovery.   Vaccinations for pinkeye have met with variable results.

There are other infections that look like pinkeye so it is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian to assist you in the diagnosis, treatment and control of pinkeye.



Industrial Hemp Tolerance to Soil-applied Herbicides
Stevan Knezevic - NE Extension Weed Management Specialist

Nebraska legalized industrial hemp in 2019, which created much interest in researching various aspects of hemp production, including weed control. Therefore, we initiated study at Agronomy Farm in Mead, with the objective to test hemp tolerance to 18 soil-applied herbicides that are commonly used for preemergence weed control in corn or soybean.

Industrial hemp (variety X-59 for fiber) was planted on June 8, 2020 in 30” rows, 0.5” deep and at about 20 thousand seeds per acre (10lbs / acre). Herbicides were sprayed on June 9, one day after planting. Hemp emerged on June 15th. Study was arranged in the randomized compete block design with 3 replications with 30 ft plots. Hemp injury ratings were conducted at 15, 21, and 28 days after treatment (DAT) utilizing the scale from 0-100 (0=no injury; 100=dead plant).

There were no weed control ratings collected because late hemp planting, and cultivations prior to planting controlled multiple weed flushes. For individual weed response ratings to tested soil applied herbicides please check the corn and soybean sections of the Guide for Weed, Disease and Insect Management in Nebraska.

Results:
Hemp exhibited variable tolerance levels to tested herbicides. Visual injury levels ranged from no injury (0%) to temporary injury (<20%), and in few cases, the severe injury or death (>50%).

No hemp injury was evident in plots with Sharpen, Stinger, Permit, or Prowl H20, which appeared to be the most promising soil-applied herbicides for hemp production, at least from the list we tested.

Temporary hemp injury, which lasted first two weeks, was evident in multiple plots, in the form of leaf yellowing. The injury levels at 15 DAT ranged from 5-20% depending on the herbicide. For example, Dual II Magnum caused 10% visual injury compared to 20% with Hornet, Python and Surestart. More importantly, by 21 DAT most of those injuries were reduced to about 5%, and by 28 DAT to zero, indicating hemp recovery.

Severe hemp injury (50-80%) was caused by Valor EZ, Balance Flex, and Command at 21 DAT. By 28 DAT, hemp plants died in plots sprayed with Balance Flex and Command.

Conclusion:
Hemp exhibited relatively good tolerance to many products tested. Sharpen, Stinger, Permit and Prowl H20 caused no hemp injury, thus they should be safe to use. Hornet, Python, Surpass NXT, Surestart II, Tricor 4F and Sulfentrazone SF have also potential for use. The temporary injury from those products are considered acceptable since they lasted only for a week or two. The hemp grew out of injuries and developed normal plants. Balance Flex and Command caused unacceptable injuries, thus should not be used. It is important to note that the above conclusions are based only on one year of data, this study will be repeated in 2021 season.



NePPA Announces Participants in 2020 Pork Mentorship Program

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to welcome participants of the 2020 Pork Mentorship Program. This year, six college-age students will participate in the program, which has worked to further develop youth leaders through individual and group-based learning experiences since 1999.

Participants in the 2020 Pork Mentorship Program are:
Lindsay Peters of Scribner, Nebr., is a junior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln studying Animal Science with an option in Food and Animal Production Management. She plans to attend graduate school because of her interest in swine research and the animal welfare.

Will Sonderman of Columbus, Nebr., is a junior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln studying Agribusiness with a Livestock Production Option/Animal Science, Beef Industry Scholars. Will is a member of the meats judging team and enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.

Jacob Vallery of Plattsmouth, Nebr., is a junior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln studying Agronomy. He enjoys farming, golfing, fishing and bow hunting and competes in crops judging.

Tristin Smith of Curtis, Nebr., is a freshman at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln studying Animal Science. Tristin is involved in Block and Bridle, FFA and bible study. He loves showing livestock, hanging out with friends and traveling.

Hunter Rathjen of North Platte, Nebr., is a freshman at the University of Nebraska – Kearney studying Accounting/Public Law. She participates in the Model UN, Beta Alpha Psi, the Pre-Law Society, the Honors Program and volunteers for the Salvation Army and various church activities.

Alexa Kaiser of Eagle Point, Ore., is a senior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln studying Agricultural and Environmental Communications/Agriculture Economics. Throughout college she been part of livestock judging teams at Butler Community College and UNL. Alexa also studied abroad in Spain and France, learning about food production systems.

Each year, participants in the Pork Mentorship Program participate in activities that encourage personal growth, career readiness, and develop leadership skills, while expanding their knowledge of the pork industry. Participants will receive a $500 scholarship upon the successful completion of requirements throughout the year-long program.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION OFFERING FINANCIAL RECORD-KEEPING COURSE FOR AG PRODUCERS

A Nebraska Extension course designed to help farmers and ranchers improve their decision-making through a better understanding of their current financial position will begin Aug. 1.

Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options is a four-part record-keeping course that teaches producers how big decisions like large purchases, new leases or changes in production will affect their bottom line. Participants will work through the financial statements of a case study farm, while watching pre-recorded videos, completing assignments and participating in video chats. Upon completion of this program, participants will have a better understanding of how financial records can be used to make decisions and confidently discuss their financial position with their family, business partners and lenders.

Sessions will be held online, from 9 a.m. to noon (central), on Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Participants should have a good internet connection and plan to attend each of the four workshop dates.

The course fee is $20 per person and class size is limited to 20 people. Registration is at https://wia.unl.edu/know.

Know Your Numbers, Know Your Options is hosted by Nebraska Extension and made possible by Annie's Project, which is supported by Farm Credit Services of America in Nebraska.



NGFA announces impending retirement of President/CEO Randy Gordon

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today announced the impending retirement of its president and chief executive officer, Randy Gordon, which will occur following the association’s 125th annual convention in March 2021.

At that time, Gordon will have served nearly 43 years in various executive capacities at NGFA, most recently as the organization’s chief executive staff officer since 2012.

“It has been an honor and inspiration to work nearly my entire professional career at NGFA,” Gordon said. “The noble purpose NGFA’s member companies perform in transforming the American farmer’s bounty into safe, nutritious, sustainable and affordable human and animal food, and the professionalism and integrity with which it does so, is a high calling. I’ve also been blessed to work with a peerless, effective and supportive professional staff to advance this great industry’s goals and policy objectives, which are grounded in competitive, free-market principles. I’ll always be grateful for the personal relationships and friendships I’ve made within this industry, and with the many government officials and other trade association executives with whom I’ve had the privilege to work.”

“Randy joined our staff at a time when our industry was facing the daunting challenge of eliminating fire and explosion hazards, and helped communicate the life-saving technology and safety practices developed through NGFA’s unprecedented industry-funded Fire and Explosion Research Program,” said NGFA Chairman JoAnn Brouillette, managing partner of Demeter LP, Fowler, Ind.  “His leadership, dedication and selfless service were instrumental in NGFA pursuing new programs and services for its members, and in overcoming many challenges that came thereafter.  He also has played a key role in the association’s continued growth into one of our nation’s premier agricultural trade associations. Randy and his predecessors have positioned NGFA extremely well to attain even greater achievements in the years ahead. We wish him and his family all the best.”

Brouillette announced that NGFA has appointed an eight-member Search Committee and now will begin the process of selecting Gordon’s successor.  Applications are due by mid-August. Those interested in applying can access the job description and requirements, as well as apply, at https://www.hrpartnersks.com/jobs/1408-ngfa. 

Gordon joined NGFA’s staff on July 1, 1978 as its director of information services. In 1987, he was elected as NGFA’s vice president for communications and government relations.  In that capacity, he worked on legislative and regulatory policy issues involving grain elevators, animal feed, agricultural biotechnology, transportation, food defense and facility security, and other issues. He also authored the NGFA Newsletter and other publications, and conveyed NGFA’s views to the news media. 

He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) – one of only eight industry members to be so honored during AAFCO’s 110-plus-year history. He also was recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005 with an award for efforts to prevent the establishment or spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States.

A Nebraska native, Gordon is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with undergraduate degrees in journalism, history and political science. Prior to joining NGFA’s staff, he worked at the University’s Agricultural Communications Department for nearly three years.



Iowa Farmers Union Ads Urge Ernst to Support Farmers

The Iowa Farmers Union today announced the launch of radio and online advertisements calling on U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to prioritize Iowa's farmers and clean energy workers over out-of-state fossil fuel corporations during the consideration of future COVID-19 relief packages. The ad campaign will run across the Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Des Moines markets throughout the remainder of July.

In April, Senator Ernst signed a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell urging them to bail out fossil fuel companies with CARES Act funds, resulting in millions of dollars in bailouts for major out-of-state oil companies.

But during a June 30 public forum with the Iowa Farmers Union membership, however, Senator Ernst remarked that she hoped that fossil fuel companies would not be eligible to receive COVID-19 relief funds. Her remarks can be heard approximately 5 minutes and 35 seconds into the recording of the IFU Facebook Live session.

"Our farmers were glad to hear Senator Ernst agree with us that polluting industries should not be eligible for federal relief funds," said Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman. "Sadly, this doesn't fit with her earlier support of the fossil fuel industry. In addition to damaging our environment and our climate, these companies are doing everything they can to destroy our ethanol industry."

Iowa's clean energy industry has suffered greatly during the pandemic. According to early estimates, Iowa lost over 5,000 clean energy jobs in March and April alone. Similarly, an Iowa State University study estimated that the COVID-19 outbreak is responsible for billions of dollars in revenue losses for Iowa's farm economy.

"Iowa's farmers and workers need Senator Ernst to aggressively advocate for relief for agriculture and clean energy efforts here in Iowa." added Lehman. "Support for out-of-state corporate titans that are responsible for decades of pollution is sorely out-of-touch with Iowa."



Dairy Defined: Value vs. Volume Key to Understanding the Lie
NMPF

When reading about the alleged competition between dairy products and plant-based beverages, carefully note whether the statistics being used are based on value – the amount of money people spend on something -- or volume, the amount of a product people actually drink. Both have their use -- but they are often used by vegan advocates to paint an inaccurate picture of what consumers prefer.

Plant-based activists like to measure by value, with its built-in bias toward more expensive products. But slick marketing campaigns cost a lot of money. Thus, plant-based beverages cost more than dairy: $6.95 per gallon on average this year, versus $4.12 per gallon for milk. So far this year (through June 14), milk sales are $6.96 billion, while consumers spent $1.16 billion on overpriced plant-based beverages – that’s 86 percent of the pie compared to 14 percent. Put this way, milk outsells plant-based by a 6 to 1 margin when calculated by value.

But that’s not a measure of what people are drinking. Milk isn’t consumed by dollars, it’s consumed by people. To understand consumer preferences, volume is the clear determinator. Through mid-June, consumers have bought 1.7 billion gallons of milk, a figure that’s outpacing last year because of rising retail demand. Plant based alternatives? 0.17 billion gallons year-to-date. Measuring by volume, the percentages are 91 percent and 9 percent -- more than 10 to 1 in favor of milk.

Inappropriate use of value-versus-volume measurements is one trick plant-based marketers use to make their products appear more popular than they are. It would seem harmless, except that it is designed to confuse perceptions of what’s actually happening in the marketplace. Of course, when the entire plant-based sector is based on confusing consumers, using dairy terms used for non-dairy products, then exploiting dairy’s “health halo” by using those terms, we in dairy are not surprised. 



COVID Disruptions are Passing and Drought Impacts are Emerging
Stephen R. Koontz, Dept of Ag and Resource Economics, Colorado State University

The COVID impacts on cattle and beef markets are not all behind us but the majority of the disruptions appear to have passed. The exceptions are, and that will remain for some time, the cattle on feed inventories, the number of long-fed cattle, and fed animal slaughter weights. Details on the cattle on feedstocks and flows for last month will have to wait until two weeks. Beef cut prices have returned to normal levels with tenderloins being rather weak. Fed steer and heifer slaughter volumes have returned to strong levels and the Saturday kill is very comparable to last year's high values. Packer margins remain rather strong, but are well off of record highs, and are being realized as plants are back to operating at or close to full capacity.

Of course, the fed cattle complex remains in a bind. Fed cattle prices are below $100 per cwt. Fed animal slaughter weights were roughly 50 pounds above last year's seasonal low. But last year's weights will increase through November and the current year is holding steady just below last year's peak. The supply scenario is usually difficult this time of year with gradual declines in numbers but higher animal weights. And that difficult scenario is usually on the tail of market opportunities in the spring. The disruptions this year eliminated the most persistent opportunity and could not have been worse timed. I, and the futures market, think it will take us through December or into next year for the market outlook to clearly improve. The deferred contract prices improve on the current out until April 2021.

And then there is the emerging drought picture in the western U.S. Southern Colorado, northern New Mexico, portions of the Texas panhandle, and central Oklahoma are in extreme drought. Moderate and severe drought conditions persist in large portions of the U.S. west of Kansas City. Beef cow slaughter has jumped sharply in the last three weeks, but it is as of yet not very high. We are not yet seeing cow liquidation but we are seeing summer beef cow feeding in the west. We have seen modest increases in forage prices out west but what is also being reported as modest demand. And there is August yet to go this summer. I expect to see beef cow liquidation be more substantial in the fall and I expect to see stronger western forage prices through the rest of the year. The extent to both depending on the weather. Forecasts are for high and dry through the remainder of this year with the potential for more normal weather during next year and starting next winter.



Growth Energy Testifies on Low-Carbon Ethanol and EPA Test Fuels

Today, Growth Energy Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley offered testimony during a virtual public hearing on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) test protocols for U.S. fuels. The agency is currently updating Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards to reflect the modern transition to higher blends of low-carbon ethanol.

“Ethanol is a low-carbon biofuel which reduces greenhouse gas emissions on average of 39 percent compared to gasoline,” Bliley told regulators. “Today, 98 percent of our nation's gasoline is blended with 10 percent ethanol becoming the de facto fuel for American consumers, and with year-round approval of E15 and the potential of high octane, midlevel blends, we're poised to do much, much more. So, it was very appropriate that the Tier 3 fuel regulation change the certification fuel from E0 to El0.”
 
Bliley also urged the agency to update its R-factor, a metric used to calculate fuel efficiency, and ensure the final rule accurately reflects the real-world value of ethanol in reducing greenhouse gases and improving air quality.
 
“Our foremost goal is that any changes to procedures must not stifle the development and innovation of engine and fuel technologies,” added Bliley. “We look forward to working with the agency to address these technical issues, so that we can continue to give automakers and policymakers the tools necessary to foster the use of ethanol blends - particularly as we look to the use of high octane, midlevel ethanol blends to meet current and future greenhouse gas standards. 



USDA Announces New Members of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of 15 members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. The newly appointed members serve terms of up to two years through 2022.

“USDA is excited to announce new members of the Minority Farmer Advisory Committee,” said Secretary Perdue. “This diverse committee of talented farmers will play an important role in advising the USDA on challenges and opportunities that minority farmers in the United States may face.”

Newly appointed members are:
    Harvey Reed, Louisiana
    Cary M. Junior, Michigan
    Carolyn Jones, Mississippi
    Kimberly Ratcliff, Texas
    Arnetta Cotton, Oklahoma
    Antonio Harris, Louisiana
    Delmar Stamps, Mississippi
    Michelle Costa Cruz, Connecticut
    Dewayne Goldmon, Arkansas
    William Miller, Ohio
    Lois Kim, Texas
    Ivan H. Howard, Florida
    Dr. Duncan Marson Chembezi, Alabama
    Dr. Elsa Selina Sanchez, Pennsylvania
    Claud D. Evans, D.V.M., Oklahoma

Background:
The Committee is made up of 15 members, including representatives for: socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, nonprofit organizations, civil rights organizations or professions, and institutions of higher education. Congress authorized the Committee in 2008, and since its inception, it has served to advise the Secretary and USDA on the implementation of the section 2501 Program of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990; methods of maximizing the participation of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers in USDA programs; and civil rights activities within USDA. The Committee is managed by USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.