Weekend Ag News Round-up - Aug 16

 Hybrid groundbreaking ceremonies planned for Northeast’s Nexus ag facilities project

Both live and virtual groundbreaking ceremonies are being planned for the new agriculture facilities currently under construction at Northeast Community College.

Ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, September 10, near the Chuck M. Pohlman Ag Complex on E. Benjamin Ave. in Norfolk.

“We want everyone to be able to celebrate with us,” said Dr. Tracy Kruse, associate vice president of development and external affairs and executive director of the Northeast Foundation. “It will be held outside near the construction site unless inclement weather forces us inside the current Pohlman Ag Complex. Social distancing will be in place,” she explained, “and we encourage those attending to wear masks.”

Kruse said groundbreaking may not be the correct term for this particular ceremony.

“Construction on the $22.3 million project actually began the first week of April, and work is well underway on some of the buildings.”

The initial phase of construction on the Nexus project 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. Construction should be completed by Fall 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. 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 or by texting “AG” to (402) 383-FARM (3276). Checks may also be mailed to Nexus Campaign, Northeast Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 469, Norfolk, NE 68702-0469.



July election results for the Nebraska Soybean Board

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) held an election in July for board members in District 5, 7 and the At-Large position. Nebraska soybean farmers in those districts voted with the following results while the sitting board voted on the At-Large candidates.

District 5
(Counties of Cass, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee and Richardson)
Larry Hudkins, Malcolm, NE – Lancaster County
Klark Knipe, Auburn, NE – Nemaha County
Brent Steinhoff, Syracuse, NE – Otoe County - Elected

District 7
(Counties of Adams, Buffalo, Clay, Franklin, Hall, Kearney, Nuckolls and Webster)
Matthew Favinger, Minden, NE – Kearney County
Doug Saathoff, Trumbull, NE – Adams County - Re-elected

At-Large
Greg Anderson, Newman Grove, NE – Madison County - Re-elected
Jason Bonsack, Dannebrog, NE – Howard County
Doug Pieper, Bellwood, NE – Gage County
Jared Sayer, Cambridge, NE – Furnas County

Newly elected board member, Brent Steinhoff, will begin his first term on the board while re-elected board members, Doug Saathoff and Greg Anderson, will begin their second and third terms.

– Brent Steinhoff: “I am very excited to join the Nebraska Soybean Board and represent District 5. I greatly look forward to working with the other board members and making the best decisions for the benefit of Nebraska soybean farmers.”

– Doug Saathoff: “I am excited to be re-elected to the Nebraska Soybean Board. I am looking forward to helping soybean farmers by working with my fellow board members to solve problems and meet the challenges that are facing Nebraska soybean producers. Investing soybean checkoff dollars wisely and efficiently will be a top priority of mine.”

– Greg Anderson: “I am honored to be re-elected to serve another term on the Nebraska Soybean Board and work with fellow board members to invest checkoff dollars in those projects that bring the greatest return to Nebraska soybean farmers. I look forward to helping create demand and market opportunities for Nebraska soybeans.”

“A special thank you to all the candidates who took time out of their busy schedules to run in this year’s election,” said Scott Ritzman, executive director of the Nebraska Soybean Board. “Our industry will continue to face many challenges, but I am excited to see how our board will seek opportunities that will benefit all soybean farmers in Nebraska.”

The elected board members will serve a three-year term beginning October 1, 2020 and ending September 30, 2023.



WEBINAR TO COVER BUSINESS, HEALTH CARE POWERS OF ATTORNEY FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS

A Nebraska Extension webinar planned for Thursday at noon will focus on how farmers and ranchers can put legal plans in place for business and health care decisions in the event that they fall ill.

For many producers, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic highlights the importance of planning for their families and their operations should they not be able to speak for themselves. The webinar, Business and Health Care Powers of Attorney, will cover powers of attorney, health care directives and end-of-life decision-making considerations.

It will be presented by David Aiken, an extension agricultural law and policy specialist and professor, and Allan Vyhnalek, an extension educator for farm and ranch succession. Both are in the Department of Agricultural Economics.

The webinar is part of an ongoing weekly series produced by the extension Farm and Ranch Management Team in the Department of Agricultural Economics. It will be held live on Zoom for approximately one hour, including time for questions from participants.

Registration for the free webinar can be completed at farm.unl.edu/webinars.

 

Dairy Experts to Discuss Market Outlook and Price Volatility

Dairy producers have faced unprecedented milk and product price volatility over the last few months, and to help them get a handle on what lies ahead, the I-29 Moo University Consortium will hold a webinar Aug. 25 at noon.

Rabobank’s global dairy strategist Mary Ledman and vice president of dairy research Ben Laine will discuss their outlook on the global and U.S. dairy markets.

Laine has spent 10 years working across the dairy value chain, from cooperatives and cheese processors, to food and agriculture finance. He currently works as an analyst covering the North American dairy production sector for RaboResearch.

As Rabobank’s dairy strategist, Ledman leads a team of analysts around the globe to analyze developments in the regional and global dairy markets. She develops Rabobank’s dairy forecasts and has extensive knowledge of international dairy markets and policy with over 30 years of experience in the sector.

“We’re seeing unprecedented volatility in the dairy market,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “We’ve experienced highs and lows almost back to back and that’s giving us a producer price differential that is almost unheard of.”

Participants will gain a better understanding of how this market, the milk components, volume, demand and supply all affect the milk check, and they’ll get some insight into what’s likely to happen over the next 12-18 months, according to Hall.

There is no registration and participants can access the webinar at https://z.umn.edu/I29DairyOutlook.

For more information, contact Jim Salfer at salfe001@umn.edu or 612-360-4506; Fred Hall at fredhall@iastate.edu or 712-737-4230 ; or ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialist Jennifer Bentley at jbentley@iastate.edu or 563-382-2949.

I-29 Moo University is a consortium of extension dairy specialists from the land-grant universities in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.



Updated Estimates of Potential Crop Damage Caused by the Derecho

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has been collaborating with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, farmers and farm organizations, and agribusinesses to evaluate the agricultural damages caused by the derecho that rolled through the state on Monday.

The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) reports 57 counties in Iowa were in the path of the storm. Within those 57 counties, there are approximately 14 million acres of insured crops. This includes 8.2 million acres of corn and 5.6 million acres of soybeans that may have been impacted by the storm.

Based on MODIS satellite imagery and Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship believes 36 counties in Iowa were hardest hit by the derecho. Within those 36 counties, the storm likely had the greatest impact on 3.57 million acres of corn and 2.5 million acres of soybeans.

“I’ve been touring some of the hardest-hit parts of the state this week to speak with farmers and agribusinesses that were impacted by the derecho,” said Secretary Naig. “These farmers put significant resources into this crop and were planning for strong yields. Now their crops have been damaged — some destroyed — and the state has lost tens of millions of bushels of grain storage just a few weeks before harvest begins. This is a devastating blow to the agricultural community that is still recovering from the pandemic.”

Iowans who were impacted by the storm can call the Iowa Concern Hotline at 1-800-447-1985 to get free, confidential emotional support, 24/7.



Iowa Corn Launches Instagram State Fair Photo Competition

Iowa Corn® launched an Instagram State Fair Photo Competition to highlight exhibitor's state fair experiences, memories, or a fair story. Since the 2020 Iowa State Fair looks different this year, this competition gives exhibitors a chance to share their projects and stay connected to the fair virtually.

“It's important to stay connected with exhibitors since we can’t be in person this year. We want to acknowledge all the long, dedicated hours invested in their projects so this Instagram State Fair Photo Competition will highlight them” said Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Roger Zylstra. “We are excited to see the projects and wish exhibitors the best of luck in this competition!”

To participate in the Instagram competition, follow three easy steps. One: Post on Instagram your favorite fair memory, experience, or story and tag @Iowa_Corn in your post and follow Iowa Corn. Two: In your post, use the hashtag #CornGrowsIowa. Three: Make sure your post is public to see and share. The competition ends on August 31st. Iowa Corn will be choosing 5 winners to win an Iowa Corn Swag Pack. Winners will be announced on September 1st.

Find out more information about the competition, go to Iowa Corn’s Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/iowa_corn/.



Governor's Charity Steer Show raises over $250,000

Despite months of uncertainty, the Iowa cattle industry and supporters came together on August 15 for the 38th annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show. This year’s event raised over $254,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

The show and auction, which were held at Iowa State University, are an annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald Houses in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City. The houses are located near hospitals and provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sponsor the annual steer show and auction.

Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has raised over $4.1 million for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. This year’s event included 23 steers, the Iowa youth who raised them and celebrity show persons. Governor Kim Reynolds was expected to participate, but storm relief efforts after this week’s Derecho kept her from the show. First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds showed in her place, taking home Grand Champion honors with the steer raised by Tyson Von Glan of Vail. Reynolds’s steer was chosen by judge Chad Holtkamp of West Point, Iowa.  

Dr. Dan Thomson, chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, served as the Showmanship Judge. Thomson chose celebrity Mike McDonough of Oelwein, who showed a steer raised by Ethan Thimmes from Mechanicsville. McDonough’s family utilized the services of three different Ronald McDonald House Charities this spring when Mike faced an extreme health challenge related to his epilepsy.

The steer raised by Rylie Timm and shown by Tate Schafer and Boone Myers was chosen by voters on Facebook as People’s Choice. Tate has a rare brain tumor, but celebrated his thirteenth birthday and 20 months post-diagnosis earlier in August.



No-till Cover Crop Benefits to Be Featured During Webinar

Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at noon about the connection between soil health and environmental quality in a cover crop and no-till research site.

This research connects important topics in the environment and agriculture: soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, and water quality. It is important to know how a given conservation practice impacts all three of these measures of sustainability.

Morgan Davis, assistant professor at The University of Missouri School of Natural Resources, and Emily Waring, Graduate Research Assistant in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, used a long-term cover crop and no-tillage research site to examine these connections between soil health and environmental quality. They measured nitrate leaching, soil health indicators, and greenhouse gas emissions to examine the tradeoffs and benefits of stacking cover crop and no-till conservation practices.  

“Cover crops and no-tillage are multi-beneficial, improving water quality and soil health metrics,” said Davis and Waring, about the results of their research. Davis is a soil biogeochemist who studies nutrient and energy cycling in the context of ecological sustainability. Waring’s research evaluates conservation practices and their impact on subsurface (tile) drainage water quality.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on Aug. 19, click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.

Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172 Or, join from a dial-in phone line: Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923. Meeting ID: 364 284 172.

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the credit (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live webinar.



IFBF offers webinar to help farmers set up “Farm To Table” brand amid growing consumer trend

When the COVID-19 pandemic shocked the supply chain, grocery shoppers began seeking food items like meat, dairy and produce direct from the source—farmers. With this high demand, the direct-to-consumer model has piqued the interest of farmers, generating many questions on where to begin. To navigate these unknown times and growing market potential, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) will be hosting a free, two-part webinar series, “Farm to Table Boot Camp,” featuring Texas-based Rachel Williams Cutrer of Ranch House Designs, Inc. and B.R. Cutrer, Inc.

Cutrer, a 7th generation cattlewoman, along with her husband, are among the top breeders of Brahman cattle in the world. Cutrer also works to elevate the success of other farmers through her business, Ranch House Designs, Inc., specializing in web design and marketing services for more than 800 agricultural clients.

On August 25 at 1 p.m., during part one of the Farm to Table Boot Camp, Cutrer will be discussing the nuts and bolts of starting a local beef brand from naming and setting up a business to determining what products a farmer may want to sell and at what price. She’ll also touch on how to choose a local processing facility and crafting a business plan to start farmers on the right foot and maximize potential.

Cutrer will dive into details and considerations regarding product marketing during part two of the series on September 1 at 1 p.m.  She’ll provide advice on how to build a fanbase, effective sales incentives and promotional items. Cutrer will also discuss the logistics of processing payments and packaging and fulfilling orders. For those looking for additional direct markets, she’ll share expert insight on working with caterers and restaurants.

“Rachel has a very impressive background in both raising cattle and helping other ranchers find success elevating their brands,” says Amanda Van Steenwyk, IFBF farm business development manager. “We’re excited to have her share her experiences and valuable branding tips to help Iowa farmers begin exploring new marketing channels.”

Resources will also be provided to virtual attendees to help navigate specific Iowa rules and regulations on direct market sales. Farmers are encouraged to pre-register for this free, two-part series by visiting https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Events.



Corn Growers, Ethanol Supporters to EPA: Stop Penalizing Ethanol Blends

The Urban Air Initiative (UAI), a coalition of state corn grower organizations, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), and the Clean Fuels Development Coalition filed comments today asking EPA not to penalize ethanol’s ability to reduce carbon emissions. The EPA is proposing to penalize ethanol for its lower carbon profile, even though nothing in the law warrants this action.

In a notice of proposed rulemaking, EPA is proposing to penalize the current Tier 3 test fuel that all automakers will use to meet carbon dioxide emission standards because it contains 10 percent ethanol. This Tier 3 test fuel lowers carbon dioxide emissions compared to the prior E0 test fuel from 1975. The EPA is creating this new penalty against ethanol by manipulating test procedures to inflate the tailpipe CO2 emissions of vehicles certified using E10. Since the penalty would presumably increase with higher ethanol volumes, this rule would be a major disincentive for automakers to transition to higher ethanol blends.

“Basically, ethanol can’t win. First EPA ignores ethanol’s ability to reduce toxic aromatics, and now it wants to penalize ethanol for being a more efficient, lower-carbon fuel additive,” said Urban Air President Dave VanderGriend.

“The EPA is making this more complicated than it needs to be. It’s creating rules based on older, non-representative fuels in its testing. Plus, EPA has no authority to penalize a particular fuel. Automakers can take advantage of high octane ethanol but not if they are penalized before they even start. In short, let the market work,” VanderGriend said.

State Corn Grower Organizations from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin were among the commenters, along with UAI, ACE and the Clean Fuels Development Coalition.

“EPA’s anti-ethanol bias is not limited to how it has badly mismanaged the Renewable Fuel Standard, it extends to the Agency’s proposal to artificially inflate CO2 emissions from vehicles being tested on E10 blends for ‘Tier 3 Test Fuel Procedures,’” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “ACE is honored to join so many Corn State organizations, the Clean Fuels Development Coalition and the Urban Air Initiative in comments which draw attention to the flaws of EPA’s proposed adjustments for the Tier 3 E10 test fuel.”

UAI and others have been asking the EPA for years to recognize that test fuels need to represent what is actually being used in the market, and that fuels and vehicles must be viewed as an integrated system.



NCGA Submits Comments on EPA Vehicle Test Fuel Rule

The National Corn Growers Association today submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule on Vehicle Test Procedure Adjustments for Tier 3 Certification Test Fuel. The proposed rule would change vehicle emission test procedures following the update in test fuel from E0 to E10 fuel and would have the effect of discouraging lower carbon fuels such as higher ethanol blends.

“Lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicles and improved fuel economy benefit consumers, our environment, and our energy security. Just as updating the test fuel from E0 to E10 reduced GHG emissions by blending cleaner, renewable ethanol with gasoline, E15 and future fuels that blend more ethanol will further reduce emissions and improve fuel economy when used with optimized engines.

“Vehicle test procedures for E10 certification fuel must not create impediments to low carbon fuels, such as E15 and higher blends and the vehicle technologies that help reach our mutual goals of lower GHG emissions and improved fuel economy,” NCGA President Kevin Ross wrote in the organization’s comments.

EPA is proposing to add carbon emissions to vehicle test results when less carbon was emitted from the vehicle tailpipe. Rather than penalizing lower carbon fuel through the proposed test procedure adjustment, EPA should support greater use of low-carbon fuels and consider how vehicles and fuels work as a system to reduce carbon and other tailpipe emissions.

NCGA’s comments urged EPA to take into account the following points:
    NCGA believes actual tailpipe carbon emissions, regardless of the test fuel, must continue to be the only measure of vehicle emissions performance in vehicle testing. CO2 test adjustments, such as those in the proposed rule, needlessly complicate vehicle test procedures now and in the future.

    NCGA supports stringency in the GHG and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Stringency is best maintained through the GHG and CAFE regulations and the Administrator’s authority to adjust the stringency of the standards, not by adjusting emission test results.

    Separate from the change in certification fuel, NCGA has supported updating the R-factor in the fuel economy formula to better reflect modern engine technologies. While the proposed Ra factor of 0.81 is an improvement from the current 0.6 R-factor, we believe EPA should set this factor at or near 1.0 to support lower-carbon fuels and provide renewable ethanol equitable treatment compared with other alternative fuels and encourage lower carbon certification fuels.



AGRICULTURE NEEDS WHITE HOUSE SUPPORT ON GENE-EDITED LIVESTOCK OVERSIGHT
 
For more than two years, pork producers have been dealt a challenging hand, from trade retaliation to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the U.S. government continues work to help farmers weather this unprecedented crisis, there is an immediate step the White House can take to help American agriculture maintain its global leadership status for years to come: ensuring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has regulatory oversight over gene-edited livestock, according to the Director of Science and Technology at the National Pork Producers Council, Dr. Dan Kovich.

For more than two years, USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been in a regulatory tug of war over which agency has authority over genetic editing in livestock. Unfortunately, U.S. farmers are caught in the middle, allowing China, Brazil, Canada and other global competitors to move ahead in the race to utilize this new technology. Gene editing is used to make specific changes within an animal’s own genome and will allow us to produce animals that are more disease-resistant, require fewer antibiotics and have a better environmental footprint. For more information on the importance of ensuring USDA has regulatory oversight over gene-edited livestock, click here.



U.S., U.K., PLAN FOURTH ROUND OF TRADE TALKS IN SEPTEMBER
 
The fourth negotiating round of trade talks between the U.S. and the U.K. is scheduled for early September, the U.K. Department of International Trade said on Wednesday. According to the statement, both sides are expected to exchange market access offers for the first time during the talks, outlining the timetable for eliminating tariffs on most products.

Last week, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.K. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss met in Washington, D.C., for their third round of trade talks. “In these meetings, both sides reviewed progress in the negotiations. The International Trade Secretary reasserted the UK’s priorities in an FTA [free trade agreement], and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to negotiating a comprehensive and ambitious agreement,” the U.K. Department of International Trade explained.

In October 2018, the Trump administration first announced its intention to negotiate a trade agreement with the U.K. Ambassador Lighthizer continues to warn that the two nations are unlikely to reach a deal before the November elections.



Record U.S. Sorghum Sales to China Reported

U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service data issued yesterday shows U.S. sorghum purchases last week rang in the biggest week ever at almost 32 million bushels sold. That topped the previous record week at 23 million bushels, which took place in December 2014.

“U.S. sorghum farmers should be encouraged by these continued sales to China,” said National Sorghum Producers and Sorghum Checkoff CEO Tim Lust. “We are making improvements to our crop not only from a yield and technology standpoint, but also through quality measures, which are translating directly to international buyers and noticeably improved basis numbers across the country.”

According to reports from the USDA, sorghum sales for the current market year totaled 282,386 mt along with 527,500 mt for the coming 2020-2021 marketing year. All totaled, sorghum sales for the week were 809,886 mt or about 32 million bushels. This one week of sales reflects approximately 9 percent of the total U.S. sorghum production this year.

“These sales commitments are profound, and like in any other high demand situation, we expect to see basis increases enhance sorghum acres next year,” said Sorghum Checkoff Executive Director Florentino Lopez. “The U.S. Grains Council and Sorghum Checkoff remain fully engaged with Chinese buyers to help promote U.S. sorghum and provide technical information to leverage future sales while continuing to build future markets in Vietnam, Kenya, India and domestically, as well.”

Actual shipments to China were also at a seven-day period marketing-year high of 479,200 mt, according to USDA, and new crop sorghum sales are the highest they have been in five years.



Farm Credit’s Commitment to Young, Beginning and Small Farmers Grew in 2019

Farm Credit institutions increased their support of young, beginning and small (YBS) farmers and ranchers across the country in 2019, according to a Farm Credit Administration (FCA) presentation released on August 13, 2020.

“Farm Credit grew and strengthened its commitment to young beginning and small farmers and ranchers in 2019, despite the challenges of continued low commodity prices, multiple severe weather events and an uncertain trade outlook, as demonstrated in FCA’s report,” said Farm Credit Council President and CEO Todd Van Hoose. “Farm Credit takes its mission to support rural communities and agriculture very seriously. And lending to young, beginning, and small farmers is at the core of that mission. That commitment manifests in a variety of ways across the country, including working alongside young, beginning and small farmers, thinking through individual business plans and developing the appropriate financing for each specific operation.”

In 2019, Farm Credit increased the number of loans to young farmers by 5.9 percent, beginning farmers by 8.1 percent and small farmers by 7.8 percent, as compared to 2018. Similarly, the dollar volume of those loans increased, too, by 7.3 percent to young farmers, 8 percent to beginning farmers and 15.9 percent for small farmers.

* Please note that the YBS numbers cannot be combined. A single loan to a 25-year-old rancher in her third year of ranching with annual sales of $100,000 could be counted in the young, beginning and small categories. We report this way for two reasons: the Farm Credit Administration requires us to report this way and it is the most accurate portrayal of who we serve. We anticipate a new reporting system might be in place for future years as a result of an ongoing effort by FCA to clarify reporting requirements.

The FCA is an independent federal regulatory agency charged with oversight of the Farm Credit System. It annually reviews Farm Credit’s performance on meeting the needs of YBS farmers and ranchers and reports its findings to Congress.

Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow. It has been fulfilling its mission of helping rural America grow and thrive for more than a century with the capital necessary to make businesses successful and by financing vital infrastructure and communication services. For more information visit www.farmcredit.com.



North American Meat Institute Announces Alliance Agreement with OSHA

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have signed a two-year alliance to provide Meat Institute members, the public, and other stakeholders with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help protect workers.

“Through this alliance, we look forward to working with OSHA to continue our work to protect the health and safety of the men and women who work in meat and poultry facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter,” said Meat Institute President and Chief Executive Officer Julie Anna Potts. “These workers are essential to making food for our nation and are a critical part of our rural economies.”

“The security of America’s food supply relies on meat processing facilities continuing to operate with a healthy workforce,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “Together, OSHA and the North American Meat Institute can help ensure that employers in this critical industry have the tools and information they need to protect workers from the risk of the coronavirus.”

During the two-year alliance, participants will develop information on recognizing coronavirus transmission risks and best practices for preventing transmission, and on challenges for exposure control in meatpacking and processing facilities. Alliance participants will also conduct outreach to small- and medium-sized facilities on available guidance and compliance assistance resources, including the On-Site Consultation Program, and will work together on other outreach activities, including providing information on OSHA’s enforcement policies and procedures relevant to the meatpacking and processing industry.