Friday October 30 Ag News

 Extension webinar to focus on ag lending trends, outlook

A Nebraska Extension webinar on Thursday Nov. 5 at noon will feature a panel of representatives from agricultural lending institutions in Nebraska discussing how the economic uncertainty in 2020 has impacted their businesses and customers across the state.

With wide swings in the stock market, employment, GDP and other economic indicators, 2020 may be one of the most volatile years since the Great Depression. The webinar will focus on how farm lending has changed in 2020 and what agricultural lenders who provide credit to Nebraska producers anticipate going forward

It will be moderated by Jeffrey R. Stokes, Hanson-Clegg-Allen Chair in Ag Banking and Finance in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics. Panelists include: Mark Jensen, president and CEO of Farm Credit Services of America; Ben Herink, farm loan manager with the USDA Farm Service Agency; Ken Mehlin, executive vice president and chief credit officer of Bruning Bank; and Daryl Wilton, executive vice president and chief credit officer of Cornerstone Bank in York.

The webinar is presented as part of the Agricultural Economics Extension Farm and Ranch Management weekly series.

Registration is free at farm.unl.edu/webinars.



Women Managing Ag Land Conference 2020

The second annual Women Managing Ag Land Conference will take place Dec. 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CDT. The conference offers learning opportunities for female farmland owners and tenants looking to improve their business management skills and navigate the challenges of owning and renting agricultural land.

This hybrid event will allow participants the opportunity to attend one of three in-person locations or via Zoom. The keynote address, “Finding Happiness in the Craziness of Life,” will be delivered by Kathy Peterson, a farmer from Storm Lake, Iowa, and founder of PeopleWorks, Inc. She will also conduct a workshop, titled “Working with You is Killing Me!”

Peterson’s keynote and workshop will be broadcast live from the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead to meeting locations in Kearney and Scottsbluff.

The in-person locations are:
    Near Mead: Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca
    Kearney: Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 South 2nd Avenue
    Scottsbluff: Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I

Due to COVID-19, attendance at the three in-person locations will be limited, and health measures will be implemented. Participants may also live stream the event from their own device and location via Zoom.

Participants will also have access to on-demand workshops on owning and renting agricultural land including “Improve your Ag Lease by Improving the Landlord/Tenant Relationship” presented by Extension Educator Allan Vyhnalek, “NextGen A Win-Win for Beginning Farmers & Asset Owners” by Karla Bahm with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, “Navigating Uncertainty in 2021: Nebraska Land Values & Cash Rental Rates” with Agricultural Economist Jim Jansen, and more!

Registration on or before Nov. 18, is $25. Registration on or after Nov. 19 is $30. Registrations for in-person locations will close Nov. 29. Lunch will be included at each in-person site.  Registration and more information here:  https://wia.unl.edu/WMAL.  

This conference is hosted by Nebraska Extension and inspired by Annie's Project. This material is based upon work supported by USDA-NIFA under Award Number 2020-70017-32735 and by Farm Credit Services of America.



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for November

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in November 2020. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

COVID-19: For the time being the clinics are being conducted as conference calls or as Zoom meetings.  It is therefore possible to attend a clinic from any location in the state. In-person clinics are expected to resume in the near future, at which time locations will be announced.

Clinic Dates
    Wednesday, November 4th
    Wednesday, November 11th
    Wednesday, November 18th

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



Pro-Ag Outlook Series to Examine Trade, Financial Status and Market Outlook

The annual Pro Ag Outlook and Management meetings will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19 concerns. With a virtual format, participants will be able to hear from five Iowa State University Extension and Outreach economists. There will be one speaker each day from 1-2 p.m. from Dec. 7–11.

This webinar series will take an in-depth look into the outlook for agriculture in 2021 as producers, ag lenders, and suppliers start planning for next year. The webinar series is designed to provide participants with a concise evaluation of current market conditions, expected trends in crop and livestock income potential, and management implications. Time for participant questions will be included at the end of each day’s presentation.

Dates and speakers include:
    Dec. 7, Wendong Zhang, assistant professor in economics and extension economist, will be presenting on farmland values and issues of trade with China.
    Dec. 8, Alejandro Plastina, associate professor in economics and extension economist, will be presenting on farm finances and the impact of government support programs.
    Dec. 9, Lee Schulz, associate professor in economics and extension livestock economist, will be presenting the livestock outlook and profit potential for the beef, pork and dairy industries.
    Dec. 10, Keri Jacobs, associate professor in economics, extension economist and Iowa Institute for Cooperatives Endowed Economics Professor, will be presenting the financial and physical impacts of the 2020 derecho on cooperatives in Iowa.
    Dec. 11, Chad Hart, professor of economics, extension economist and crop markets specialist, will be presenting the current grain market situation, including global demand and key factors going into 2021.

The registration fee for access to all five live presentations is $20. Register online at http://bit.ly/proagvirtual.

For more information, contact Ryan Drollette at 319-853-8624 or drollett@iastate.edu or visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html.



ISU Invites you to Learn about Crop Marketing - at your own pace.
 
Crop marketing is a non-credit professional certificate offered by Iowa State University that provides a learning opportunity for those who manage farm operations.

What was once exclusively a face-to-face workshop is now available for you to learn your own pace, available from anywhere in the world. We all rely on crop specialists, and this course uses active learning tools to give you that expertise courtesy of leaders in the industry from the Iowa Farm Bureau and Iowa State University Extension.

In this course, you will explore the topics of price movements, contracts, basis movements, option values, and creating a successful marketing plan. The class consists of video presentations, learning activities and educational quizzes.  A special emphasis is given to comprehensive planning and risk management.

This course is self-paced, with students completing the content in 4 weeks on average after registration. The course opens on November 10, 2020. You can progress through the course as fast or slow as you want, provided you complete the course content prior to March 15, 2021.

Sponsors:
Iowa Farm Bureau & Iowa State University Extension

About the Instructors
Ed Kordick, Farmer Education Program Manager, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
-    Thirty-seven year career in designing risk management education and information for Iowa farmers, including almost 30 years with Iowa Farm Bureau delivering educational programs.
-    Timely education delivered through creative methods, including in-person meetings and workshops, web delivery, print, and more.
-    Manages special projects designed to help farmers learn and be heard on agricultural issues at the state and national level.

Steve Johnson, ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist
-    Twenty-five years as a university Extension specialist presenting on a variety of crop market-related topics.
-    Presents annually at nearly 80 meetings with over 8,000 in attendance.
-    Maintains 3 active Ag Marketing Clubs and a Women Marketing Grain Series during the winter months with nearly 300 participants.

Chad Hart, Associate Professor of Economics and Extension Economist, Iowa State University
-   Crop market specialist for ISU Extension for 10 years.
-   Speaks to roughly 100 groups throughout the upper Midwest each year about ag markets and the factors that shape them.
-   Served as U.S. Policy and Insurance Analyst with the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute.

Register here:  https://www.agonline.iastate.edu/noncredit/crop-marketing.  



IFBF statement on congressional efforts to eliminate combustion engine
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill

"Last week, a group of U.S. senators introduced the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2020, a truly disastrous proposition for Iowa farmers. Under this plan, by 2025 half of all new car sales must be zero emission vehicles and all vehicles would need to be zero emission by 2035. This legislation would spell disaster for Iowa farmers, the Iowa biofuels industry, rural Iowans and their communities. A recent study conducted by the University of Tennessee and released by the Agricultural Retailers Association found banning combustion vehicle sales by 2035 would devastate grain markets, pushing prices down to $1.74 a bushel for corn and $4.92 a bushel for soybeans. The study estimated America’s farm income would fall more than $27 billion if these non-market driven policies are adopted and would send shockwaves through Iowa communities whose livelihoods depend upon a strong ag economy.   

"Biofuels are an essential part of a climate-focused, sustainable solution to the world’s fuel needs that have helped America become energy independent. The use of ethanol and biodiesel have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 71 million metric tons in 2018 alone. That’s the equivalent of taking 17 million cars off the road. Biofuels support Iowa’s agricultural industry and are a major economic driver providing thousands of good, high-wage jobs in the rural areas of our state. Proposals like this threaten a critical industry in our state and would deal a crushing blow to farm families; these proposals underscore the need for Iowa farm families to aggressively push back against legislation that threaten our markets and livelihoods."



SEN. GRASSLEY: U.S.-U.K. TRADE DEAL NEEDS TO BE ‘HURRIED ALONG’

The U.S. and the U.K. need to complete talks on a new free trade agreement (FTA) before the administration’s Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) expires, Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told reporters Thursday. “It's very necessary that this is hurried along either in another Trump administration or in a Biden administration, because TPA…is going to phase out the middle of next year. And if it is not done by then, it’s questionable when it will get done,” he said.

The current TPA authorization expires on July 1, 2021, so a trade deal would have to be signed before then.  Earlier this month, the U.S. and the UK began their fifth round of trade talks, in the hopes of soon completing an FTA.

The National Pork Producers Council commented on the talks.  NPPC leaders say they are supportive of negotiations, provided the agreement eliminates tariff and non-tariff trade barriers on pork, the U.K. acknowledges meat industry standards as equivalent and they agree to import product from all federally inspected facilities.


 
NPPC OUTLINES U.S. PORK EXPORT BARRIERS

On Thursday, the National Pork Producers Council provided comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on significant barriers that U.S. pork exports face in various countries. “The United States is the top global exporter of pork, shipping nearly 2.6 million metric tons, valued at over $6.9 billion to more than 100 nations in 2019. Gaining and expanding access to markets around the world is paramount to the continued success of the U.S. pork industry,” NPPC wrote in its comments.

Among the trade barriers outlined in the comments, Brazil has a de facto ban on U.S. pork that lacks any scientific justification and must be eliminated, U.S. pork exports to China face a 33 percent tariff and India remove its de facto ban on U.S. pork and pork products.

USTR is compiling comments as it begins drafting its 2021 National Trade Estimates Report on Foreign Trade Barriers.



USDA Extends Deadline for Public Comments on Recommendations for Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced it is extending the deadline for public comments on recommended improvements to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program to December 21, 2020. RMA will review all comments and determine what recommendations should be implemented for the 2022 crop year.

“We want to be sure we get enough feedback from producers and other stakeholders on these proposed improvements, so we’re extending the comment deadline,” said RMA Administrator Martin Barbre. “These comments will help us fine tune the PRF program to ensure its integrity and protect producers and help them manage their risk.”

RMA contracted for an independent evaluation of the PRF program to determine its effectiveness as a risk management tool for livestock producers. The independent evaluation includes several recommendations, including:
    Adjusting the County Base Value (CBV) productivity range;
    Better targeting of indemnities;
    Focusing PRF on viable forage production areas;
    Focusing coverage on risk-reducing intervals;
    Taking an alternative approach to reducing frequent shallow losses; and
    Modifying the CBV.

Details on the recommendations are published in the PRF Contractors Report and the PRF Alternative Recommendations available on the RMA website https://www.rma.usda.gov/Topics/Publications for public review and comment. Comments can be submitted via email to rma.kcviri@usda.gov or by mail to Director, Product Administration and Standards Division, Risk Management Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 419205, Kansas City, MO 64133-6205.



2020-21 National FFA Officer Team Elected During the Virtual 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo

Students from Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Missouri were elected by National FFA Delegates today to serve as 2020-21 National FFA Officers.

These members were selected from 38 candidates vying for the honor. Candidates take part in an extensive online interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee leading up to the selection. The new team was announced during the sixth general session of the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo on Thursday, Oct. 29.

Doster Harper, an agriscience and environmental systems major at the University of Georgia, was elected national president.

Anna Mathis, an agricultural communication major at the University of Arkansas, was elected national secretary.

Paxton Dahmer, an agricultural education and leadership major at the University of Missouri – Columbia, was elected central region vice president.

Miriam Hoffman, an agribusiness economics major at Southern Illinois University, was elected eastern region vice president.

David Lopez, an agricultural communications major at California Polytechnic State, was elected western region vice president.

Artha Jonassaint, a government and global health major at Harvard, was elected southern region vice president.

Each year during the National FFA Convention & Expo, six students are elected by delegates to represent the organization as national officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary, and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern, and western regions of the country.

This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually.

National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Throughout their year of service, the officers will interact with business and industry leaders; thousands of FFA members and teachers; corporate sponsors; government and education officials; state FFA leaders; the general public; and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the country and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and the next generation of leaders.



Commodity Classic Announces Transition to Digital Experience

Commodity Classic has announced it will transition its annual conference and trade show, originally scheduled for March 4-6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas, to an alternative digital format. The change was necessary due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The new format is expected to be offered the first week in March 2021.

“This is about doing the right thing for our farmers, exhibitors, stakeholders, and the broader community in terms of health and safety—which is our top priority,” said Anthony Bush, an Ohio corn farmer and co-chair of the 2021 Commodity Classic representing the National Corn Growers Association.  “After careful deliberation among our farmer-leaders and industry partners, the COVID-19 restrictions would prevent us from delivering the type of high-quality experience Commodity Classic attendees and exhibitors have come to expect and enjoy for the past 25 years.”

According to Brad Doyle, an Arkansas soybean farmer and co-chair of the 2021 Commodity Classic representing the American Soybean Association, directed health measures due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic such as social distancing guidelines would prevent Commodity Classic from conducting the trade show, educational sessions, and farmer networking—each of which are hallmarks of Commodity Classic.  “Farmers and agribusiness companies rate Commodity Classic highly because of its unique energy, excitement and one-on-one engagement with agribusiness companies and fellow farmers,” he said. “The health and safety restrictions required will simply not allow us to provide a productive in-person event that is in keeping with our 25 years of being the nation’s best farmer-led, farmer-focused ag experience.”

The transition of the 2021 Commodity Classic offers an attractive opportunity for farmers who have never attended Commodity Classic, Doyle added.  “Now farmers from across the nation and even around the world can get a taste of the Commodity Classic experience without ever leaving their farms,” he said.

Jerry Johnson, Ag Sector Chair of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers said, “Agribusiness companies put Commodity Classic at the top of the list when it comes to opportunities to engage with farmers from across the nation,” he said.  “However, our concern for the health and safety of our customers and our employees takes precedence, so all of us in agribusiness will work with the farmer-leaders at Commodity Classic to find innovative ways to connect in 2021.”

Commodity Classic is now redirecting its efforts to developing alternative methods of connecting farmers and agricultural stakeholders.  “We realize the total Commodity Classic experience cannot be completely replicated online. Yet a key benefit of Commodity Classic is the educational sessions and presentations from agricultural thought leaders, which are even more important in today’s challenging environment,” said Bush. “We are already exploring ways in which we can deliver high-quality content in unique ways that allow farmers to get the information they seek from the experts they trust.”   

The transition to an alternative experience is already underway.  More information on the transition will be available in the coming weeks.  To keep up to date, sign up for email updates at CommodityClassic.com.  More information on the 2021 Commodity Classic will also be available on the website.

The 2022 Commodity Classic will be held in New Orleans on March 10-12, 2022.  “Like everyone else in agriculture, we are really looking forward to reconnecting with everyone face-to-face,” Doyle added.  “We urge everyone to get these dates on their calendar and plan to join us in-person in New Orleans in 2022.”

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused educational and agricultural experience.  Commodity Classic is presented annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and Association of Equipment Manufacturers.



American Butter Institute Names AMPI’s Reece President

Marshall Reece, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Associated Milk Producers Inc. of New Ulm, MN, has been named the new president of the American Butter Institute, gaining the position during the organization’s annual meeting, held this year virtually.
 
Other new officers include Catherine Fox, Vice President, Brand & Product Marketing/Dairy Foods for Land O’ Lakes, Inc., of Arden Hills, MN, who became First Vice President; and Mark Armon, Portfolio Leader, Dairy Fat for Darigold based in Seattle. Officers serve for two years, with terms expiring in 2022.

“We are excited to have Marshall lead the organization for the next two years,” said Tom Balmer, executive director of the Arlington, VA-based institute. “His deep knowledge of the butter business and experience on our leadership team have positioned him well to guide ABI in achieving both near term objectives and longer-term aspirations. Marshall’s enthusiasm for the industry is unmatched, and the entire ABI membership stands to benefit.”

In addition, outgoing President Craig Alexander, Vice President, Dairy Ingredients & Regulatory Affairs, O-AT-KA Milk Products of Batavia, NY, was recognized for his service.

The American Butter Institute:
    Promotes and protects the interests and welfare of the butter industry;
    Acts as a clearinghouse for the exchange of ideas beneficial to the butter industry and the consuming public;
    Keeps its members informed of legislative and regulatory proposals; and
    Acts as the voice for all actions affecting the industry and other relevant research and other industry developments and public relation on other interactions with government agencies.  

Reece was elected by the 28-member Board of Directors for the organization as part of the conference, which took place Oct. 2. Attendees discussed market trends in the COVID-19 era and received policy updates from ABI staff.