Friday September 18 Ag News

Nance County is Nebraska’s 50th Livestock Friendly County

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts designated Nance County as Nebraska’s newest Livestock Friendly County (LFC).  Nance County is the 50th county in the state to apply for, meet the requirements, and receive the LFC designation.  The Livestock Friendly County program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

“By requesting and receiving Nebraska’s Livestock Friendly County designation, the people of Nance County are encouraging livestock growth, showing their support for Nebraska ag, and expanding local career opportunities in agriculture,” said Gov. Ricketts.  “Congratulations to Nance County on being named Nebraska’s 50th Livestock Friendly County.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most recent census of agriculture, Nance County had more than $155 million in agriculture receipts for the year 2017.  Livestock sales accounted for $80 million, or 52 percent of the total value, with cattle, calves and hogs as the major livestock in the county.  Crop production accounted for $75 million, or 48 percent of the total value.  Major crops raised in Nance County include corn and soybeans.

“Nance County is home to around 375 farms and many other businesses with direct ties to agriculture,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman.  “With the LFC designation, the people of Nance County are showing everyone that they are open for agri-business.”

More than half of the counties in Nebraska have been designated Livestock Friendly.  The complete list is on NDA’s website at: nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/livestock_friendly.

The Livestock Friendly County program was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 2003 to recognize counties that support the livestock industry and new livestock developments.  A county wishing to apply for the LFC designation must hold a public hearing, and the county board must pass a resolution to apply for the designation.  Additional information about Nebraska’s LFC program is available on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-4876.



Animal Science Department appoints two new student ambassadors

The Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has appointed two new student ambassadors for the 2020-2021 academic year.

After in-depth interviews with department faculty and 2nd year ambassadors, two students were selected out of a pool of eight applicants:
    Kelsey Loseke a junior from Blair, Neb.
    Shaye Koester a junior from Steele, N.D.

The two new ambassadors will serve alongside current second-year ambassadors:
    Kathlyn Hauxwell a junior from McCook, Neb.
    Felicia Knoerzer a junior from Elwood, Neb.

     The ambassadors will interact with prospective animal science students by visiting high schools and attending various university admissions events. In addition to attending and supporting events, each ambassador will also take on the responsibility of planning one recruitment activity per year.  

    The Animal Science Student Ambassador program, started in 1999, selects two animal science majors as ambassadors to promote the animal science program each year. Students receive a $2,000 scholarship ($500 each semester) and serve for two years supporting the department’s recruitment efforts.  

     For more information on the Animal Science Student Ambassador program, visit http://animalscience.unl.edu/.  Follow the department on Facebook at “UNL Animal Science,” on Twitter at @UNL_AniSci, and Instagram “UNL Animal Science” to stay up to date on upcoming events and current happenings in the department.



Applications Now Available for the 2021 Corn & Soy Ambassador Program

The Corn and Soy Ambassador Program is a year-long program for college students who are interested in learning more about the industry and becoming better advocates for agriculture. Each year up to 10 students are selected to participate in the program.
 
Throughout the year, students will take part in three seminars,a summer tour and various promotional events for the corn and soybean industries. Following the completion of the program students will be recognized at the annual meetings of the corn and soybean associations, and each will be presented a $500 scholarship to help them with school expenses. Funding for portions of the program is provided by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Soybean Board. For more information about the program and an application, please click here... https://necga.org/corn-and-soy-ambassador-program/.  



Nebraska Corn Internships

Over the last several years, Nebraska Corn has provided real-world experiences and opportunities for college interns. These students work directly with Nebraska Corn cooperating organizations including the U.S. Grains Council, the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the National Corn Growers Association.

Each year, the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association offer several internship opportunities. Six of the internships are located outside of the state and the other two are located in the offices of the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, both in Lincoln, Nebraska. All eight opportunities are paid internship experiences.

Applications are typically due in late-Oct./early-Nov. of each year.

2020-2021 Internship Opportunities

Communications and Outreach Internship
Host: Nebraska Corn Growers Association
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Duration: May 2021 – May 2022
Application Due Date: Friday, November 6, 2020

International Relations Internship
Host: U.S. Grains Council
Location: Washington, D.C.
Duration: Summer 2021
Application Due Date: Friday, November 6, 2020

Communications and Market Development Internship
Host: Nebraska Corn Board
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Duration: May 2021- May 2022
Application Due Date: Friday, November 6, 2020

Marketing and Communications Internship
Host: National Corn Growers Association
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Duration: Summer 2021
Application Due Date: Friday, November 6, 2020

Public Policy Internship
Host: National Corn Growers Association
Location: Washington, D.C.
Duration: Summer 2021
Application Due Date: Friday, November 6, 2020

Promotion and International Relations Internship
Host: U.S. Meat Export Federation
Location: Denver, Colorado
Duration: Summer 2021
Application Due Date: Friday, November 6, 2020

International Agricultural Relations Internship
Host: U.S. Grains Council
Location: Panama City, Panama
Duration: Summer 2021
Application Due Date: Friday, November 6, 2020

Join us at one of the virtual internship information sessions in late September and early October to learn more and ask questions! Dates and times for the virtual sessions can be found here... http://necga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NebCorn-flyer.pdf.



Platte Institute and Nebraska Farm Bureau to issue new report

The Platte Institute and Nebraska Farm Bureau will co-publish a new report reviewing the economic impact of COVID-19 on Nebraska agriculture and the policy questions the state of the industry raises for government officials. The report will be available next week at PlatteInstitute.org/Policy and in a forthcoming release.

The report’s authors, Platte Institute Policy Director Sarah Curry and Nebraska Farm Bureau Senior Economist Jay Rempe, will hold a virtual news conference on Zoom to discuss the publication on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 10 a.m. Central Time. Registration is required at this link... https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QDl2pZ1ETjKGaOMVEj2baQ.  

The virtual news conference may be recorded for broadcast and includes Q&A. Members of the media may submit questions by text or can request to be added to the Zoom program as a panelist to ask their questions through audio or video.

For more information, please contact Adam Weinberg at (402) 500-0209 or aweinberg@platteinstitute.org.



Farm Safety and Health Week offers free webinar Sept. 21 on tractor and machinery safety
 
As part of National Farm Safety and Health Week, farmers and ranchers are invited to participate in a free webinar on tractor and equipment safety on Sept. 21 at noon central time.

“Planting the Seeds of Tractor and Machinery Safety” will cover hazards associated with agricultural tractors and machinery and how to prevent injuries. Attendees also will be provided with teaching and training resources.
 
The webinar will be presented by Aaron Yoder, PhD, of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health.

Traditionally, tractors and machinery have been a leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries on and around farms and ranches. In 2019 there were six fatalities in Nebraska related to tractor and equipment operation.

To register for “Planting the Seeds of Tractor and Machinery Safety” go to: agrisafe.org. The webinar is listed on the right side of the page.

For a list of other free webinars offered during National Farm Safety and Health Week visit agrisafe.org.



Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC Announces Candidate Endorsements

The Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) Political Action Committee (PAC) endorsed 68 candidates for the 2020 election cycle. Established with the bipartisan support of Iowa’s corn farmers more than a decade ago, the ICGA PAC is one tool for members to have a voice and an opportunity to be heard on issues that specifically impact Iowa’s corn farmers.

“Having a Political Action Committee is an important and necessary tool in the political process,” said ICGA PAC Chair Mark Mueller, a farmer from Bremer County. “The ICGA PAC endorsements provide our members with another way to keep Iowa Corn policies on the minds of decision-makers at the state and federal level that impact farm businesses. The voluntary ICGA PAC is an essential tool to support political leaders who have demonstrated their support for the Iowa Corn Growers Association’s policy priorities.”

The ICGA PAC is bipartisan, equally represented by both sides of the aisle by ICGA farmer-members appointed by the ICGA President. They objectively evaluate all candidates regardless of their party affiliation, on ICGA policy only. The PAC reviews candidate responses to an ICGA survey and their established voting record on ICGA’s policy priorities, such as conservation and water quality funding, ethanol, farm bill, taxes, trade, transportation, research, value-added agriculture, and livestock.

The success of ICGA's legislative policy development efforts hinges on a bipartisan approach to achieving our policy priorities. ICGA, being pro-agriculture regardless of political party, paves the way to achieving policies in the best interest of Iowa's corn farmers. The priorities of the ICGA policy book serve as the only criteria the PAC uses to make candidate endorsements. The ICGA PAC is recognized and respected for its bipartisan approach to achieving policy objectives of Iowa corn farmers by supporting lawmakers who work to implement ICGA member priorities.

ICGA’s Principles of the PAC ensure that the committee’s purpose is achieved: supporting candidates who have supported ICGA policies, as demonstrated by a voting record and written answers to the ICGA survey questions.  Because of this objective data (voting record and survey), the ICGA PAC’s primary mode is to either support the incumbent, or previous incumbent or stay out of a race.

Funding for endorsements of candidates from the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC comes only from voluntary PAC donations by ICGA members. Neither ICGA membership dues nor checkoff dollars are ever used for PAC contributions.

Endorsements for the 2020 election cycle include the following:

U.S. Senate
Joni Ernst

U.S. House of Representatives
District 1: Abby Finkenauer
District 3: Cindy Axne and David Young
District 4: Randy Feenstra

Iowa Senate
Nate Boulton, Waylon Brown, Mark Costello, Tom Courtney, Dan Dawson, Jeff Edler, Craig Johnson, Ken Rozenboom, Amy Sinclair, Dan Zumbach

Iowa House of Representatives
Robert P. Bacon, Terry C. Baxter, Michael R. Bergan, Brian Best, Jane Bloomingdale, Jacob Bossman, Wes Breckenridge, Holly Brink, Timi Brown-Powers, Dennis M. Cohoon, Karin Derry, Dave Deyoe, Dean Fisher, Joel Fry, John Forbes, Thomas D. Gerhold, Pat Grassley, Stan Gustafson, Chris Hall, Lee Hein, Dustin D. Hite, Steven Holt, Jon Jacobsen, Tom Jeneary, Megan Jones,  Kenan Judge, Bobby Kaufmann, David Kerr, Jarad Klein, John Landon, Brian K. Lohse, Shannon Lundgren, David E. Maxwell, Andy McKean, Ann Meyer, Brian Meyer, Joe Mitchell, Gary M. Mohr, Norlin G. Mommsen, Anne Osmundson, Scott D. Ourth, Ross C. Paustian, Todd Prichard, Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Sandy Salmon, David Sieck, Mike Sexton, RasTafari I. Smith, Ray Sorensen, Jon Thorup, John Wills, Matt W. Windschitl and Gary Worthan



USDA to Provide Additional Direct Assistance to Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by the Coronavirus

President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced up to an additional $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) will begin September 21 and run through December 11, 2020.

“America’s agriculture communities are resilient, but still face many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump is once again demonstrating his commitment to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers remain in business to produce the food, fuel, and fiber America needs to thrive,” said Secretary Perdue. “We listened to feedback received from farmers, ranchers and agricultural organizations about the impact of the pandemic on our nations’ farms and ranches, and we developed a program to better meet the needs of those impacted.”

Background:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will use funds being made available from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and CARES Act to support row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy, aquaculture and many additional commodities. USDA has incorporated improvements in CFAP 2 based from stakeholder engagement and public feedback to better meet the needs of impacted farmers and ranchers.

Producers can apply for CFAP 2 at USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices. This program provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Producers will be compensated for ongoing market disruptions and assisted with the associated marketing costs.

CFAP 2 payments will be made for three categories of commodities – Price Trigger Commodities, Flat-rate Crops and Sales Commodities.

Price Trigger Commodities
Price trigger commodities are major commodities that meet a minimum 5-percent price decline over a specified period of time. Eligible price trigger crops include barley, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, upland cotton, and all classes of wheat. Payments will be based on 2020 planted acres of the crop, excluding prevented planting and experimental acres. Payments for price trigger crops will be the greater of: 1) the eligible acres multiplied by a payment rate of $15 per acre; or 2) the eligible acres multiplied by a nationwide crop marketing percentage, multiplied by a crop-specific payment rate, and then by the producer’s weighted 2020 Actual Production History (APH) approved yield. If the APH is not available, 85 percent of the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Option (ARC-CO) benchmark yield for that crop will be used.

For broilers and eggs, payments will be based on 75 percent of the producers’ 2019 production.

Dairy (cow’s milk) payments will be based on actual milk production from April 1 to Aug. 31, 2020. The milk production for Sept. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, will be estimated by FSA.

Eligible beef cattle, hogs and pigs, and lambs and sheep payments will be based on the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer, between Apr. 16, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020.

Flat-rate Crops
Crops that either do not meet the 5-percent price decline trigger or do not have data available to calculate a price change will have payments calculated based on eligible 2020 acres multiplied by $15 per acre. These crops include alfalfa, extra long staple (ELS) cotton, oats, peanuts, rice, hemp, millet, mustard, safflower, sesame, triticale, rapeseed, and several others.

Sales Commodities
Sales commodities include specialty crops; aquaculture; nursery crops and floriculture; other commodities not included in the price trigger and flat-rate categories, including tobacco; goat milk; mink (including pelts); mohair; wool; and other livestock (excluding breeding stock) not included under the price trigger category that were grown for food, fiber, fur, or feathers. Payment calculations will use a sales-based approach, where producers are paid based on five payment gradations associated with their 2019 sales.

Additional commodities are eligible in CFAP 2 that weren’t eligible in the first iteration of the program. If your agricultural operation has been impacted by the pandemic since April 2020, we encourage you to apply for CFAP 2. A complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates and calculations can be found on farmers.gov/cfap.

Eligibility
There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined. Applicants who are corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits when members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the farming operation. In addition, this special payment limitation provision has been expanded to include trusts and estates for both CFAP 1 and 2.

Producers will also have to certify they meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitation of $900,000 unless at least 75 percent or more of their income is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities. Producers must also be in compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions.

Applying for Assistance
Producers can apply for assistance beginning Sept. 21, 2020. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 11, 2020.

Additional information and application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap. Documentation to support the producer’s application and certification may be requested. All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap/apply. For existing FSA customers, including those who participated in CFAP 1, many documents are likely already on file. Producers should check with FSA county office to see if any of the forms need to be updated.

Customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages with the team at the FSA county office.

All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors are also required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in the office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.    



Fischer Statement on Additional COVID Relief for Ag Producers

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement tonight after President Donald Trump announced an additional $13 billion in relief funding for agriculture producers who have suffered continued losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

“Throughout this pandemic, ag producers in the Heartland have worked tirelessly to keep food on our tables. But with low commodity prices, the lowest cash receipts in a decade, and supply chain disruptions, times are tough for agriculture. I appreciate President Trump looking out for rural America and providing this relief for our food heroes.”



USDA Announces CFAP 2 Details
Nebraska Cattlemen

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today up to an additional $14 billion for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs due to the coronavirus pandemic. USDA will use funds being made available from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to support row crops, livestock, specialty crops, dairy and other commodities.
 
"We are grateful USDA is utilizing its authority provide further relief to cattle producers who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic through round two of CFAP payments." - Ken Herz, President of Nebraska Cattlemen. "CFAP 2 is simplified, giving cattlemen an additional $55 per head on eligible cattle they had in inventory after April 15th.
 
CFAP 2 payments will be made for three categories, including price-trigger commodities, flat-rate crops and sales commodities. Price-trigger commodities are major commodities that meet a minimum 5% price decline over a specified period of time, which includes beef cattle.
 
Eligible Cattle Payments:
The CFAP 2 payment rate for eligible beef cattle is $55 per head. Payments will be based on the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer, between Apr. 16, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020. According to USDA, the payments for livestock are focused on market inventory because there are limited funds available for CFAP 2 and the CCC authority that fully funds the program is meant to assist with costs associated with market disruptions.
 
All females that have not produced offspring and males who have not started breeding females are eligible for including in inventory. Breeding stock such as cows and bulls are not eligible for CFAP 2. Culled cows are also not eligible for CFAP 2 payments.
 
Eligibility and Payment Limits:
There is a payment limitation of $250,000 per person or entity for all commodities combined.
    Applicants who are corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships may qualify for additional payment limits when members actively provide personal labor or personal management for the farming operation. In addition, this special payment limitation provision has been expanded to include trusts and estates for both CFAP 1 and 2.
    Producers will also have to certify they meet the Adjusted Gross Income limitation of $900,000 unless at least 75 percent or more of their income is derived from farming, ranching or forestry-related activities. Producers must also be in compliance with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions.

USDA has determined that CFAP 1 and CFAP 2 are separate programs. The first CFAP program was designed to address disruptions that had occurred by April 15, 2020. CFAP 2 payments are intended to address the disruptions that have occurred since then. As a result, CFAP 1 payments will not impact how CFAP 2 payments are calculated, and two separate payment limits will be in effect.
 
Enrollment and Applying for Assistance:
Producers can apply for assistance beginning Sept. 21, 2020. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 11, 2020.
 
Additional information and application forms can be found at farmers.gov/cfap. Documentation to support the application and certification may be requested. All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from  farmers.gov/cfap/apply. For existing FSA customers, including those who participated in CFAP 1, many documents are likely already on file. Producers should check with FSA county office to see if any of the forms need to be updated.



ICGA: USDA Announces Additional Funding Under CFAP

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture under Secretary Perdue and President Trump announced the expansion of funding through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) of up to 14 billion dollars for farmers and producers who continue to face market demand loss due to COVID-19. Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) President Carl Jardon made the following statement.

“The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has continually contacted Secretary Perdue by personally handing him a letter and speaking directly to him at the beginning of the month urging him and the Administration to provide additional relief for our farmers including CFAP payments,” said ICGA President Carl Jardon. “ICGA thanks the Trump Administration and Secretary Perdue for understanding and providing aid to corn farmers who have experienced the worst year of market demand loss due to COVID-19 on top of extreme weather conditions.”

Corn farmers can begin signing up for the program at their local FSA office beginning September 21, 2020, with the application deadline being December 11, 2020. For additional information and application forms visit farmers.gov/cfap.



Naig: ‘CFAP 2 Critical to Supporting Agriculture Community Still Battling Economic, Market Challenges Caused by COVID-19’

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued the following statement today in response to the announcement that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing a Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2. The program makes $14 billion of financial assistance available to farmers and ranchers who continue to experience market challenges and economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create significant market and trade disruptions, and this poses very real challenges for Iowa farmers. The agriculture economy will rebound but it will take time,” said Secretary Naig. “I want to thank President Trump and the USDA for continuing to support our farmers as they battle persistent economic hardships.

I’m very pleased to see Iowa’s turkey producers were included in this round of CFAP funding, as they too have been hit hard by the decreased demand at delis and quick-service restaurants.”

Farmers can begin signing up for the CFAP 2 on Monday, Sept. 21, at their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The program will run through Dec. 11, 2020. To learn more about the USDA CFAP 2 program, visit farmers.gov/cfap.



IFBF on second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) aid
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill

“Many sectors of the economy have struggled through the global pandemic, and agriculture is no exception, with many farm families feeling the hardship and fighting to keep their farms sustainable.  Many farmers were left out of the initial round of CFAP aid, which expired last week, so the recent announcement of a second round of assistance is welcomed news.

While we don’t know when this pandemic will subside, the impacts on agriculture are far reaching, from changing consumer purchasing habits to trade and market disruption and uncertainty.  Farmers saw market prices and demand plummet amidst the supply chain breakdown early on in the pandemic, and although there has been a rebound, the economic hardship is taking its toll on farm families.  This assistance from the USDA will help Iowa farmers to stay afloat and continue to farm and raise the food we all rely on.”



NMPF Statement on Latest Federal Disaster Assistance Efforts

The National Milk Producers Federation thanked President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for providing additional support to dairy through its latest round of disaster assistance to agricultural producers, as well as Congress for providing the funding in the CARES Act in the spring.

“Federal dairy assistance has been critically needed as the nation’s dairy farmers face economic uncertainty and markets that remain anything but normal,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “We look forward to learning more of the plan’s details to better understand how this will help producers who have been dealing with COVID-19 disruptions, challenges compounded in recent days by natural disasters.”

NMPF is activating its grassroots advocacy to assist in its efforts to meet dairy’s needs. More information on how to help can be found at NMPF’s new “Take Action” page. Additional resources to help the dairy community meet the coronavirus challenge can be found at www.nmpf.org/coronavirus. NMPF has also launched a page to assist producers affected by natural disasters, www.nmpf.org/disaster-resources.



NCBA On CFAP Round Two: President Trump Works Tirelessly For Our Nation’s Ranchers and Farmers

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association's (NCBA) today released the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that additional support would be made available to cattle producers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
 
“We are pleased to see that USDA is using unspent funds in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program to provide further relief to cattle producers who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic," said NCBA Vice President Of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. "The initial CFAP payments served as an important stopgap in the immediate wake of the coronavirus. Unfortunately, many in our industry are still reeling from abnormal marketing decisions they were forced to make in the Spring, unprecedented supply chain disruptions, and an overall tumultuous farm economy. We are grateful to President Trump, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, and the individuals in this Administration who are tirelessly working to deliver additional aid to our nation’s ranchers and farmers, and we will continue to work with Congress until adequate relief can be provided to put cattle producers on a firm road to recovery.”
 
In June, NCBA called on Congress to provide USDA with the resources and guidance necessary to meaningfully improve the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
 
“CFAP’s incurred loss payments had the potential to deliver a tremendous amount of relief, but an arbitrary cutoff date left many producers out in the cold. Put simply, April 15th marked the height of this crisis and many producers incurred losses just as severe following Part 1 deadline as the days leading up to it. Further, the Part 2 inventory payment rate failed to deliver assistance equitably when compared with the rate for incurred losses. While USDA’s announcement is an important next step, NCBA is calling on Congress to eliminate CFAP’s remaining disparities and deliver to our nation’s ranchers and farmers the support they so badly need in the next coronavirus package.”



NCGA Welcomes Additional USDA COVID-19 Assistance for Corn Farmers

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today said additional aid from the Commodity Assistance Food Program (CFAP 2) will assist farmers and their customers recover from the continued financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $14 billion in a second round of direct support, including additional assistance for corn growers. The aid was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law in March.

“It’s been a tough year for agriculture and there’s still a lot of uncertainty across the corn belt as we head into harvest,” NCGA President Kevin Ross said. “We’re doing all we can to get back on solid ground, but we can’t do it alone, which is why today’s announcement is a positive and welcome step forward.

NCGA analysis projects a $59 per acre average revenue decline for the 2019 corn crop and an $89 per acre average revenue decline for 2020, compared to pre-COVID-19 projections. If realized, the 2020 crop year revenue would be the lowest corn revenues since 2006. Residual impacts from COVID-19 on corn prices are very likely to persist into 2021 and possibly beyond.

Since March, NCGA has taken a series of actions to help corn farmers recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic, including advocating for further Congressional action and the development of a Demand Recovery Plan to shore up the near term and better position corn farmers to take advantage of longer-term opportunities to grow demand.



NAWG Applauds USDA’s Decision to Include All Classes of Wheat Into CFAP

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a second round of coronavirus relief payments which extends eligibility to additional classes of wheat. The new $14 billion package now covers producers of all classes of wheat. These add to the durum and hard red spring (HRS) wheat classes which were covered under the first round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

“NAWG thanks Secretary Perdue and his staff for taking our feedback these past several months and expresses great appreciation for making producers of all classes of wheat eligible for CFAP payments,” said NAWG President and Cass City, MI, wheat grower Dave Milligan. “This relief comes at a much-needed time when producers are being hit with depressed prices resulting in part from the effects of COVID-19. Futures prices have dropped more than 12% since beginning of 2020 until early August.”

Originally, the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provided important assistance for only hard red spring and durum wheat farmers, which counted for 30 percent of 2019 production. Now, all of America’s wheat farmers, who qualify, are eligible to receive assistance through CFAP on 2020 production. Throughout the summer NAWG has met with senior USDA officials and sent letters requesting expansion of the program, and earlier this month 21 U.S. Senators and 26 Members of Congress also sent letters requesting this assistance.

“Through NAWG’s efforts and support from Congressional Members of wheat producing states, the organization was able to demonstrate the need for this change and make it happen for its members,” continued Milligan. “NAWG applauds USDA’s work on CFAP and will continue to work with the Agency throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure all wheat farmers in need of support have access to it.”



Additional Aid Will Help Farmers Survive Pandemic

President Trump and USDA Secretary Perdue announced a second round of aid through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Up to $14 billion will be used to help farmers devastated by the economic disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Almost $10 billion from the first CFAP provided much-needed support to livestock, dairy, non-specialty and specialty crop producers throughout the country.

Many farmers were initially left out of CFAP, and although the program was expanded to include more commodities, aid was only made available for losses suffered before April 15, 2020. The deadline for most producers to apply for the first round of CFAP assistance expired on September 11.

“Farmers and ranchers saw demand for their markets disappear during the initial shockwave of the pandemic. Even though concerns over food supplies have now subsided, the economic hardships are still taking their toll on farm families across the country,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “We don’t know when this pandemic will end and we are still feeling the effects of trade imbalances and severe weather. This lifeline will keep farmers and ranchers afloat as they continue to keep America’s pantries stocked.”

Signup for CFAP will run from September 21 through December 11, 2020. For more information, go to farmers.gov/CFAP.



EPA Administrator Wheeler Meets with Farmers and Local Officials on Efforts to Provide Regulatory Certainty
 
Today, at a roundtable in Niangua, Missouri with U.S. Representatives Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) and Jason Smith (MO-08) and farmers from the Missouri Farm Bureau and Missouri Corn Growers Association, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler highlighted efforts to provide certainty and predictability to the agricultural community. As part of the event, Administrator Wheeler announced the interim decisions for atrazine, propazine and simazine, which finalize measures to protect human health, mitigate potential ecological risks and continue to provide America’s farmers with the valuable tools they have come to rely on to control weeds in crops.

“Today’s decision is another example of the Trump Administration taking action in support of America’s farmers—one of our strongest allies in our mission to protect public health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The benefits of atrazine in agriculture are high, so these new protections give our nation’s farmers more clarity and certainty concerning proper use.”

“Year after year, our country’s farmers and ranchers continue to work and provide the food, fuel and fiber we rely on every day,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford. “EPA’s science-based process provides the clarity and certainty they need to safely and successfully implement critical pest management strategies while mitigating risk to human health and the environment.”

After a thorough review of the best available science and carefully considering scientific peer review and public comments, EPA has determined that certain mitigation measures are warranted for these three herbicides in order to address potential human health and ecological risk. Specifically, the agency is requiring the following mitigation measures:
    Reducing the maximum application rate for atrazine and simazine when used on residential turf in order to protect children who crawl or play on treated grass;
    Adding a requirement for irrigation immediately after simazine application to residential turf;
    Requiring additional personal protective equipment for workers who apply atrazine and simazine to reduce occupational risks associated with certain uses;
    Finalizing label requirements for all three triazines to include mandatory spray drift control measures, to minimize pesticide drift into non-target areas, including water bodies;
    Finalizing label directions for herbicide resistance to reduce the problem of weeds becoming resistant to atrazine.

Atrazine, propazine and simazine are widely used in the United States to control a variety of grasses and broadleaf weeds. Atrazine is an especially effective, affordable, and well-studied herbicide. Twelve meetings of the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) were held to discuss various aspects of atrazine, including cancer and non-cancer effects, potential effects on amphibians, the aquatic plant community level of concern, and surface water monitoring methods. As the second most widely used herbicide in the United States, atrazine is used on about 75 million acres of agricultural crop land every year, including more than half of the Nation’s corn crops. Atrazine is also used on residential lawns and golf courses, particularly in the Southeast.

More information on atrazine and today’s interim decisions is available at: www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/atrazine.



EPA ANNOUNCES INTERIM DECISION ON CRUCIAL CROP PROTECTION TOOLS

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a long-awaited interim decision regarding the reregistration of the triazines: atrazine, propazine, and simazine. After years of research and public comments from the agriculture community, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler declared these fundamental crop management tools safe for continued use in controlling resilient weeds. According to the Triazine Network, a coalition of agricultural organizations that advocates for science-based regulatory decisions, this interim decision is a major milestone.

 “Today’s news provides much needed regulatory certainty for farmers during a time when few things are certain,” said Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO Gary Marshall, who chairs the Triazine Network. “We appreciate today’s announcement from EPA Administrator Wheeler. We thank the agency on behalf of the farmers who rely on atrazine to fight problematic weeds and employ conservation tillage methods to reduce soil erosion and improve water and wildlife habitat. “

Atrazine ranks second in widely used herbicides that help farmers control weeds that rob crops of water and nutrients. Utilized for over 60 years, atrazine is the most researched herbicide in history and has a proven safety record. Today’s announcement concludes the registration review process where EPA is required to periodically re-evaluate existing pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The next step for the triazines is a draft biological evaluation required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which is expected to be published in October.

“This isn’t the last review of atrazine. In fact, the Endangered Species Act review will be key to the future of atrazine as well as other crop protection tools. Moving forward, we remain vigilant in ensuring the agencies involved utilize high-quality, scientific studies,” stated Marshall. “The EPA has said they will utilize the best available research, first in a letter the Triazine Network in 2019 and again today. Our stance has always been sound, credible science must win. We appreciate these commitments, and EPA must hold true to them in the ESA evaluation.”

Approved for use 1958, atrazine has been extensively reviewed by EPA and others over the decades and across administrations. The final ESA assessment is slated to be released in 2021.



NCGA Statement on Atrazine Reregistration Decision
– Kevin Ross, NCGA President

“Earlier today the EPA released its interim decision on the reregistration of atrazine, a product used annually on approximately 60 percent of U.S. corn acres. Atrazine has undergone years of scientific study and we appreciate the EPA recognizing that it is a safe and effective tool for weed control. Atrazine is instrumental in enabling the use of conservation tillage practices, which ultimately protect more soil from water and wind erosion, conserve moisture, reduce runoff, improve wildlife habitat, and limit output of labor, fuel, and machinery.  It is a critical tool in ensuring the long-term sustainability of U.S. agriculture. Today’s announcement, however, does not end the review process for atrazine as it must also undergo an Endangered Species Act review. As a part of that review, EPA must publish a draft biological evaluation of atrazine. NCGA will continue to work with EPA and hold the agency to its promise to use the best available research when drafting and publishing atrazine’s biological evaluation.”



ACE Unveils Awards Video During Virtual 33rd Annual Conference

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) honored a select group of advocates for their contributions to the ethanol industry with an awards video during the 33rd annual ACE conference held virtually in conjunction with the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) and Expo on the afternoon of September 16.

Bob Scott, who served as the ACE Board President from 1999 to 2009 representing Poet Ethanol Products, was recognized with ACE’s most prestigious honor, the Merle Anderson Award, named after the organization’s founder. ACE CEO Brian Jennings and Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty presented Scott with the award.

“It was a matter of when, not if, Bob Scott was going to receive the Merle Anderson Award,” Jennings said. “Under his tenure, ACE was the driving force behind getting Congress to enact the RFS.”

“Bob Scott was one of the leaders to explain how the RFS could provide flexibility to marketers,” Lamberty added. “I appreciated having him as an adviser as I went out to help fuel marketing companies across the country learn how to get ethanol, sell it, and make more money.”

“For me, it was a labor of love,” Scott said. “When I look back at my time on the ACE board and the enactment of the RFS, it’s one of my favorite times in my life; we challenged ourselves and everyone else. Merle Anderson convinced me that ethanol was the right thing to do and the ACE Board was truly the best board I’ve ever been a part of.”

Jan tenbensel, Nebraska farmer and chair of the Nebraska Ethanol Board, received this year’s Grassroots Award for his unyielding and humble advocacy, notably his work with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to produce thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer for donation to help address the shortage during the health pandemic. ACE Board members Roger Berry, NEB Administrator, and Scott McPheeters of KAAPA Ethanol presented tenBensel with the award.

“Jan truly is the definition of grassroots activism when it comes to ethanol,” Berry said. “Within one week, he helped pull together a production and distribution facility to provide hand sanitizer to the state of Nebraska and beyond.”

“He loves to learn and he’s generous with his time,” McPheeters added. “He’s the type of guy you want on your team.”

ACE presented U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky with the Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award for his leadership on the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP). Censky said USDA received 121 HBIIP applications from 27 different states and will be awarding grants this month. “ACE has been a leader in working with retailers to expand markets for ethanol so I’m pleased that this great market development work will be greatly expanded thanks to the HBIIP program,” Censky provided in pre-recorded remarks.



USDA Updates Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis Import Regulations

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is updating its import regulations to establish a system for classifying the brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis (TB) status levels for foreign regions. APHIS is also outlining the requirements for animals from each status level to enter the United States. These changes will help protect the U.S. herd against introduction of bovine TB and brucellosis via imported animals, while facilitating safe trade of unaffected animals.

The United States has made great strides in eradicating these two diseases, and cases are becoming increasingly rare. However, in recent years, most new TB cases identified in the United States have been in imported animals. The updated regulations will enhance efforts to keep disease from entering the country by giving us a format to review and classify the status of foreign regions for TB and brucellosis, and allowing us to ensure only healthy animals enter our country.

The new regulations include numerous updates to address issues raised during the public comment period, including clarifying definitions and requirements. In addition, they remove age limits for testing imported animals and expand the bovine TB testing requirements for sexually-intact animals imported for breeding or feeding.

The new regulations are effective 30 days after Federal Register publication. However, APHIS recognizes that there are many regions that enjoy particular status under the current regulations. These regions will continue to be able to trade with the United States under the terms of the status they currently hold until APHIS is able to review and adjust their status using the new approach spelled out in this final rule.



Deputy Secretary Censky to Return to ASA as CEO

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky will be departing November 8, 2020. He will be returning to become the CEO of the American Soybean Association (ASA), a position in which he previously served for 21 years. He will begin that role on November 9, 2020.

“There is no doubt that I personally, as well as the whole USDA family will miss Steve’s experience, preparedness, and steady leadership. During his tenure as Deputy Secretary, we accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time even in the face of serious challenges in American agriculture,” said Secretary Perdue. “Steve’s roots are in agriculture and he is one of the best and most professional public servants America has. His wise counsel helped us make USDA the most efficient, effective, customer-focused department in the entire federal government, and I am forever grateful for his invaluable guidance and input. I join the entire USDA family in wishing Steve and his family all the best as he heads back to ASA in November.”

“It has been a true honor to serve my country on behalf of American agriculture. These past few years have seen tremendous developments, and I am humbled to have served a role in implementing a Farm Bill, launching the USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda, supporting America’s farmers against trade retaliation, and now assisting farmers and ranchers and feeding families affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Deputy Secretary Censky. “I want to thank Secretary Perdue for trusting in me and giving me the opportunity to conduct the important work that affects the daily lives of so many Americans. It has been tremendously rewarding to also work as Chief Operating Officer of one of the largest Departments in the Federal government to assist Secretary Perdue and our team at USDA in greatly improving customer service, operational effectiveness and efficiency.”



So Nice He’s Doing It Twice: Censky Returning to Soy

After serving as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture since October 2017, the man who led the American Soybean Association (ASA) for 21 years is returning to the helm of the grower group. Stephen Censky will leave USDA to assume the chief executive officer role at ASA.

Censky will come on board Nov. 9 and resumes his post following the June departure of Ryan Findlay, who is credited with helping the organization restructure internally and establish an independent government affairs office in Washington, D.C.

Of Censky’s time at USDA, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue had this to say: “There is no doubt that I personally, as well as the whole USDA family, will miss Steve’s experience, preparedness, and steady leadership. During his tenure as Deputy Secretary, we accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time even in the face of serious challenges in American agriculture. Steve’s roots are in agriculture and he is one of the best and most professional public servants America has.”

Secretary Perdue continued, “I join the entire USDA family in wishing Steve and his family all the best as he heads back to ASA in November.”

“It has been a true honor to serve my country on behalf of American agriculture. These past few years have seen tremendous developments, and I am humbled to have served a role in implementing a Farm Bill, launching the USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda, supporting America’s farmers against trade retaliation, and now assisting farmers and ranchers and feeding families affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Deputy Secretary Censky.

Censky, on his return to ASA, commented, “It is a privilege to return to ASA and represent our nation’s soybean growers. ASA is in many ways home, and I’m excited about working with both new and familiar faces in St. Louis and D.C. and building on the great changes accomplished since I was last there.”

Returning to his roots is nothing new for Censky, who had served at USDA before ASA in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, including as administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service. The Minnesotan, who grew up on a soybean, corn, and diversified livestock farm near Jackson, helped establish soybeans as the leader in American agricultural exports while with ASA. In addition to foreign market expansion during his tenure, use of soy in biodiesel and biobased products grew into significant markets, soybeans became a program crop under the Farm Bill, and ASA’s long-term foreign development arm, the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), helped build soy demand in emerging markets.



Mexican Meat Processor Pays Fine for Violating Cattle Trading Limits

A Mexican-based meat processor has settled a $60,000 monetary penalty with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and CME for violating speculative limits on a contract.

Sukarne SA de CV was challenged by the CFTC for holding a net-short position on 500 contracts in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) June 2020 live cattle futures contract. The contracts exceeded CFTC's spot-month speculation limit of 300 contracts established by the CFTC.

The CFTC order requires a $35,000 monetary penalty, along with CME sanctions of $25,000 against Sukarne, bringing the total penalty to $60,000.

CME rules limit spot-month contracts on the live cattle markets to 300 contracts, long or short, effective on the business day prior to the last five trading days of the contract month, which in this case was the close of trading on June 23. At the close of business that day, Sukarne still had 500 contracts.

Sukarne came into compliance on June 24 and continued to abide by the spot-month position limits for the remainder of the expiration of the contract. Sukarne eventually trade out of its position on June 29.



Black Farmers' Boycott Against John Deere Will Continue, NBFA President John Boyd Announces

In a highly offensive move, John Deere has set up its own coalition to represent black farmers, in an apparent effort to sidestep the boycott the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) launched this week, association president John Boyd declared, in announcing that the 116,000-member group's boycott of Deere will continue.

After years of discrimination and inequitable treatment by the iconic company, Boyd said the boycott was intended to draw attention to John Deere's unfairness and gain respect and better responsiveness for black farmers.  He charged that the company declines to participate in the NBFA's annual conference or display new equipment and parts as it does at other agricultural industry events. After black farmers purchase from Deere, the company responds slowly if at all to calls for service on its equipment and shuts down its tractors by computer connections if owners try to make repairs themselves.

"Announcement in response to the National Black Farmers Association's Call for a a Boycott Against John Deere, a multi-billion dollar global behemoth, that it will create a Black Farm Group to 'preserve heirs' rights in rural communities, while also expanding additional work needed to improve the livelihoods of Black Farmers' is one of the most offensive and egregious corporate missteps I have ever witnessed," Boyd said.  "This is the equivalent of being rightly criticized on the facts by groups like the ADL and UnidosUS then creating groups to replace them."

Boyd said the company that rakes in "billions of dollars a year is paying more money to consultants to blow up my phone line than it would cost them to provide inclusion and equality to their agriculture equipment customers who are black. Our boycott will continue and grow stronger."

According to Boyd, Deere has demonstrated its apparent ill will against NBFA leadership by maneuvering around the association to form a group called LEAP, an acronym for "Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Production Systems." It includes such disparate and non-farming member groups as the NAACP, to which Deere has donated in the past, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, whose only connection to the NBFA complaint is that Marc Howze, an administrative officer of Deere is a board member of the Marshall Fund.

Boyd said the Deere company's claim that it has "supported the National Black Farmers Association through participation in the 2019 annual conference," is false. NBFA members and conference attendees saw no such support, he said. Boyd's statement included an e-mail message from Deere representative Andrez Carberry, the company's Head of Global Talent Supply and Diversity and Inclusion, declining to participate or display any equipment at the 2019 - 29th Annual NBFA Conference held November 1-2, 2019 in Prattville, Alabama, dated October 15, 2019. Andrez wrote:  "We could not make it happen for display or personnel."

Update: John Deere reached out to us with the following statement about the National Black Farmers Association and to share this press release announcing a coalition with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund to "preserve heirs' rights in rural communities, while also expanding additional work needed to improve the livelihoods of Black farmers": https://www.blackenterprise.com/national-black-farmers-association-calls-for-boycott-of-john-deere/

"The Boycott against John Deere will continue as we ask our NBFA members, African partners and allies to stop buying John Deere tractors, implements, mowers and parts," Boyd said. "We remain open to new relationships with companies who value the work of NBFA members."