Tuesday October 6 Ag News

Governor Ricketts Proclaims October Bioscience Month

Bio Nebraska announced today that Governor Pete Ricketts officially proclaimed the month of October in Nebraska as Bioscience Month and recognized the celebration of the bioscience industry with a video message. Bioscience Month recognizes Nebraska’s diverse bio-ecosystem comprising the human and animal health sectors, educational research, renewable fuels, industrial biotech and agricultural processing, all of which are critical to the state’s economy and competitiveness in the global market.

“Nebraska’s strong workforce and business-friendly climate have sparked the growth of our bioscience industry,” said Governor Pete Ricketts.  “Additionally, our abundant natural resources, agricultural innovation, and central location are highly attractive to bioscience companies.”

According to a recent report from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the bioscience industry in Nebraska plays a significant economic role in the state. In Nebraska:
    Nearly 18,000 jobs across 1,300 establishments are supported by the industry
    The average annual salary in the industry is approximately $70,000
    Research universities conducted $374 million in bioscience related R&D in 2018, which is 75% of all academic R&D in the state
    578 bioscience related patents were issued between 2016 and 2019

“At Bio Nebraska, we are proud to represent over 80 bio-related member organizations whose work contributes greatly to the benefit of mankind, including the fight against COVID-19, while creating opportunities for economic development and growth across the state,” said Rob Owen, Bio Nebraska Executive Director. “We are grateful to Gov. Ricketts for recognizing the importance of Nebraska’s bio-ecosystem by proclaiming October Bioscience Month.”

Throughout the month, Bio Nebraska will celebrate Bioscience Month through a series of virtual offerings, including a special COVID-19 briefing for Nebraska Legislators and a presentation for Nebraska Women in STEM, both featuring bioscience leaders in Nebraska. Visit bionebraska.org to learn more.



ALFALFA HALLOWEEN HAY
Megan Taylor, NE Extension Educator, Platte County
 
Is there still an opportunity to take October alfalfa cuttings? And when making those decisions, which stands could handle a late season cut?        
 
Alfalfa stands with at least six weeks of regrowth in mid-October will have developed adequate winter-hardiness. It also has begun to go dormant because of shorter days and cooler temperatures. Harvest can be completed, but is still a stress on the plant. October hay is high quality and offers an opportunity, but the success of this scenario is also highly dependent on weather. A harsh, long winter or cool, limited sunny days in fall during the recovery period could further stress the stand. Also taking a late alfalfa cutting could cause lower alfalfa yields next spring.
 
Considerations for choosing fields suitable for fall harvest.
 -Only cut 3 times or at a frequency longer than 30 days between cuttings
-Stands under 3 years old
-Adequate soil fertility and a soil pH near 6.8
-Well drained fields, with no drainage issues
-Low incidence/history of crown and root rot
-Varieties with high disease tolerance and winter hardiness ratings
 
Hay harvest logistics can be challenging, because alfalfa dries and cures very slowly in October.  If you do cut hay check weather reports, use a conditioner to speed dry-down, spread windrows wide for extra exposure to sunlight, and consider using a preservative to protect hay that's baled at higher than normal moisture levels. When possible, it’s better to harvest alfalfa as haylage in October.  Less drying is needed, and since drying is slower, haylage can be made at a more uniform moisture content than in summer.  October alfalfa also tends to preserve well as haylage.
 
Bottom line: healthy stands are good candidates for October cutting, also using haylage may be your best bet when harvesting alfalfa late.



Nebraska Food Council supports the Strengthening Local Processing Act

The Nebraska Food Council endorses the Strengthening Local Processing Act introduced on Sept. 29 in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE).

The legislation establishes a grant program to cover costs associated with meeting federal or state meat inspection guidelines as well as assist processors in expanding their infrastructure.

In addition, a new $10 million grant program would be available to colleges and universities to establish or expand meat processing training programs. A program to offset the cost of training new meat processors would also be offered to small establishments or nongovernmental organizations.

Across Nebraska, farmers and ranchers like Bill Alward are facing a dilemma. Demand for locally-sourced meat has increased throughout the state, leading producers to utilize small U.S. Department of Agriculture certified meat lockers to meet their processing needs.

“These processors are limited and 2020 sent the industry spiraling,” said Justin Carter, project associate at the Center for Rural Affairs.

Alward, a producer of grassfed beef and forest-raised pork near Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, does business with his local meat locker. Over the years, his direct-to-consumer sales have increased and allowed him to consistently increase the size of his herd. However, 2020 led him to question that decision.

“We were thinking about finishing more animals in early April. Glad we didn’t make that decision, we would just be stuck with animals,” he said. “The kicker is that business is great for small producers right now but you can’t get the animals processed.”

When COVID-19 outbreaks caused large meat processing facilities to close, many of their customers turned to local lockers to fill the gap.

“While this created a boom to a well deserving industry, processors were quickly overbooked,” Carter said. “Today, many main street meat processors are booked well into 2021 leaving their regular customers, like Alward, facing uncertainty.”

In addition to this, local processors often face heavy regulatory and financial burdens, according to Carter.

“These challenges, when combined with labor shortages and community infrastructure needs, often limit the expansion of current processors and make it near impossible for new entrants into the business,” he said. “The Strengthening Local Processing Act will alleviate some of this burden.”

Members of the Nebraska Food Council believe this legislation will enhance local economies and food systems.

“Rural communities will benefit from new businesses offering job opportunities,” Carter said. “Local producers will be provided a reliable processing industry and can continue offering residents a variety of product choices. By taking the lead, Congressman Fortenberry supports our state’s reputation as a major agriculture player, offering the best products to consumers.”



R-CALF USA: Only National Cattle Trade Association to Oppose Government RFID Mandate

In comments filed yesterday with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), R-CALF USA was the only national cattle industry trade association to strenuously oppose the agency’s proposal to mandate that America’s cattle farmers and ranchers use radio frequency identification (RFID) eartags after January 1, 2023, if they want to ship their adult cattle across state lines.

R-CALF USA requested that APHIS withdraw its proposal on the grounds that it unlawfully amends substantive federal law that expressly grants America’s cattle farmers and ranchers the option of using various forms of animal identification, including metal eartags, to lawfully achieve disease traceability.

The group’s comments state that APHIS’ proposal “abruptly deprives America’s cattle farmers and ranchers of the very legal rights” that current Federal law, grants to them – “the flexibility to choose among lower-cost technologies such as metal eartags, a choice that APHIS itself described as a “central tenet” of the 2013 Final Rule,” which is now current law governing disease traceability. Unlawfully, APHIS’ new proposal takes this choice away, the group asserts.

The comments also disclose that APHIS’ proposal contains a “hidden mandate” because cattle producers must first register their premises and secure a premises identification number (PIN) as a precondition to obtaining the soon-to-be mandated RFID eartags.

“Current regulations DO NOT require a producer to register his or her premises as a prerequisite to shipping cattle interstate.” But, the proposal to mandate RFID does, the comments state.

The group’s comments also point out that the RFID mandate disadvantages cattle producers who reside in states with insufficient packing capacity because those producers will have to incur the costs of higher-priced RFID tags while producers in states with adequate packing capacity can avoid such costs altogether as they likely will never have to ship cattle across state lines.

The group also criticized APHIS’ public promotional campaign for its proposal in which it used the imported Canadian cow detected with BSE or mad cow disease in 2003 as an example of why the RFID mandate was needed. In a Beef Magazine article, APHIS stated that the cow’s origin was only determined by a polaroid picture that APHIS obtained from the infected cow’s previous owner. But R-CALF USA claims this is an effort to deceive the public and the industry because the infected cow was affixed with an official Canadian eartag traceable to the cow’s health certificate and to her herd of origin.

In its concluding remarks, the group states that APHIS misinterprets the Executive Order by President Trump that the agency claims gives it authority to mandate RFID without a formal rulemaking process. Instead, the agency is attempting to issue its mandate with a simple notice.

The group asserts the Executive Order “does not in any way provide APHIS with a path forward for which to alter and amend current regulations, i.e., substantive Federal law,” unless the agency first complies with the lawful Administrative Procedure Act to initiate a formal rulemaking process.



Barchart Releases October U.S. Production and Yield Forecasts for Corn and Soybeans

Barchart, a leading provider of data and technology services to the financial, media, and commodity industries, announces their October cmdty Production Forecasts at 15,119M bu for corn and 4,190M bu for soybeans in the U.S, which incorporates forecasts for end of season yield at 178.2 bu/ac for corn and 50.5 bu/ac for soybeans in the U.S. This represents a decrease in expected yield for corn, relative to the September 2 report, which predicted end of season yield at 178.4 bu/ac. End of season yield for soybeans remains the same at 50.5 bu/ac.

Available for free to the public on the first Tuesday of each month during the growing season, and available to clients through daily updates, Crop Production and Yield Forecasts from cmdty provide users with quick and reliable insights to stay ahead of the curve before the USDA’s WASDE report is released.

“We are committed to equipping users with reliable information to help them make smarter decisions leading up to each month’s WASDE report, and we’re excited to expand that offering with our newly released production forecasts,” says Barchart’s Head of Strategy Keith Petersen. “Whether a user is looking to access this data daily within cmdtyView Pro or semi-monthly within our free report, cmdty by Barchart continues to supply grain professionals with the information they need to help them spot opportunities easily and drive their business forward.”

cmdty Crop Production and Yield Forecast Indexes provide grain professionals with over 9,000 daily updates for production, yield, and harvested area forecasts for specific counties, all the way up to the national level. Ultimately, these data sets are designed to provide users with a complete picture of the supply side of U.S. grain.



NMPF Supports USDA Efforts to Modernize Animal ID and Disease Traceability Requirements

The National Milk Producers Federation submitted comments supporting the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposal on the Use of Radio Frequency Identification Tags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison. APHIS has proposed to require the use of official 840-RFID tags for all dairy cattle involved in interstate commerce starting Jan. 1, 2023.

“We commend USDA-APHIS for taking this next step in moving animal identification forward, with the use of RFID tags for official animal identification for dairy cattle,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “A national animal identification system can provide immediate access to relevant information in an animal disease or food safety crisis that could endanger the entire dairy chain, while protecting farmers' privacy.”

The U.S. dairy industry has long advocated modernizing animal ID and disease traceability systems. Farmer organizations including NMPF, the American Jersey Cattle Association, Holstein Association USA, Inc., National Association of Animal Breeders, National Dairy Herd Information Association and Dairy Calf and Heifer Association formed a group called IDairy to collectively advance official mandatory animal identification to aid disease traceability.

IDairy in received a USDA-APHIS cooperative agreement on premise registration and animal ID education that propelled the use of RFID tags in the U.S. dairy industry. Since 2009, the National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has also recommend use of official 840-RFID tags for all dairy cattle.

Animal ID and disease traceability needs may be different for other livestock sectors, so NMPF encouraged APHIS to carefully consider comments from those other livestock industries when finalizing requirements and implementation timelines.



Farmers Union Rebukes Trump's Refusal to Consider Pandemic Relief

Though millions of Americans are enduring unemployment, food insecurity, the possibility of eviction, and other hardships because of the pandemic, President Donald Trump today indicated that he would not consider another stimulus package until after the election.

Out of concern for hungry Americans, struggling rural communities, and a battered food chain, National Farmers Union (NFU) has repeatedly urged the administration to provide relief to those who have been affected. In a statement, NFU President Rob Larew rebuked President Trump’s decision and urged him to reconsider.

“Millions of Americans of all stripes are suffering right now. Many don’t have jobs, can’t pay their bills, and don’t know how they’ll put food on their families’ tables. Meanwhile, family-owned farms and businesses, rural hospitals, the Postal Service, and other critical services and infrastructure are fighting just to stay afloat. President Trump’s decision to hold essential relief hostage is an affront to hard-working Americans and their communities in their time of need.

“If President Trump doesn’t reconsider this ill-advised plan, he could unnecessarily doom countless businesses to permanently close, prolong the economic recovery process, cause families to lose their homes, and worsen the food insecurity crisis. This is not a partisan issue – it’s not about blue states or red states, or the upcoming election. Americans need help, and they need it now. Quite simply, he must reverse course and work with Congress to preserve our economy and the wellbeing of every American.”



Bipartisan Resolution Recognizes October as National Co-op Month

U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate October 2020 as National Co-op Month. Their resolution recognizes the co-op business model for its contributions to the economy, the jobs it creates and its positive impacts on local communities.

The Senators said that co-ops can be found in almost every economic sector throughout the United States, and that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic many co-ops have taken additional steps to serve their member-owners and communities.

"In 1948 Minnesota became the first state to issue a Co-op Month proclamation," said Smith. "I'm honored to help continue our state's tradition of recognizing the important role co-ops play in building a diverse economy. Co-ops enable farmers and producers to access larger markets and negotiate prices. They help equip rural communities with the broadband and electrical infrastructure they need. And they span many more industries like housing, transportation and groceries. I'm glad to introduce this bipartisan resolution with Sen. Hoeven and will keep working to create economic opportunity for all."

"Our bipartisan resolution recognizes the many contributions of cooperatives in North Dakota and across the nation," said Hoeven. "Whether its agriculture, energy or other vital industries, cooperatives help to create jobs and opportunity while supporting the overall economy in our communities."

In addition to Sens. Smith and Hoeven, the resolution is supported by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).



Ag Barometer rises as crop prices rally and USDA announces CFAP 2

Farmer sentiment hit a post pandemic high in September, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The index rose to a reading of 156, up 12 points from August and up 60 points from its 2020 low in April. The Current Conditions Index also saw an uptick, jumping 18 points to a reading of 142 in September, and the Future Expectations Index rose 9 points to a reading of 163. The Ag Economy Barometer is based on survey responses from 400 U.S. agricultural producers and was conducted Sept. 21-25.

This past month marked key changes in the agricultural economy. On Sept. 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) payments for U.S. agricultural producers, and fall-harvested crop prices continued to strengthen considerably since late summer.

“In September, producers were more optimistic about both current conditions and the future for agriculture than they’ve been since the pandemic began,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “A continued crop price rally and the announcement of the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments appear to be fueling much of their optimism.”

However, that optimism did not completely carry over into perspectives toward the future of U.S. agriculture’s trade prospects. In September, 58% of respondents said they expect agriculture exports to increase over the next 5 years, down from 67% who felt that way in August. The shift was primarily due to more producers indicating they expect exports to remain about the same in the future, rather than increase. In a related question, producers were asked whether they expect China to fulfill the food and agricultural import requirements established in the Phase One trade agreement signed earlier this year. Farmers’ opinions were split, with less than half (47%) of respondents indicating they expect China to fulfill its commitment to import food and ag products from the U.S.

Given its increased attention in recent years, this month, producers were asked several questions about their intentions to use fall cover crops. Nearly 4 out of 10 corn/soybean producers in the September survey said they intend to plant at least some cover crops in fall 2020. As for their acreage intentions, over half (52%) said that they planned to plant cover crops on one-third or less of their corn/soybean acreage, 21% said they intend to plant between one-third to as much as two-thirds, and 27% intend to plant cover crops on more than two-thirds. Farmers who intend to plant cover crops this fall overwhelmingly (79%) said their primary reason for doing so was to improve soil health and crop yields, while just 1% of respondents said it was because of the availability of cost-share funds.

With many educational events and programs transitioning to online delivery, this month farmers were asked whether they have attended an online program and, if so, what aspects they liked and disliked. Twenty-two percent of respondents to the September survey said they attended an online educational program or field day this year. Respondents said they liked the flexible timing of attending and viewing the programs (27%) and the ability to choose topics of interest (21%). However, respondents overwhelmingly pointed to the lack of interaction with other attendees (40%), poor broadband connection (18%), and difficulty in asking questions (17%) as the top reasons they disliked these programs.

Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report at https://purdue.ag/agbarometer. This month’s report includes insight into farmers’ intentions toward making large investments in their farming operations in the coming year. The site also offers additional resources – such as past reports, charts and survey methodology – and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars.

Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results, available at https://purdue.ag/barometervideo, and for even more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast. It includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer, in addition to a discussion of recent agricultural news that impacts farmers. Available now at https://purdue.ag/agcast.



RFA Elects New Board Leadership, First Woman Chairperson
        
The Renewable Fuels Association today elected Jeanne McCaherty, CEO of Guardian Energy Management LLC, as its new chairperson. McCaherty becomes the first female chairperson in the RFA’s history, and first among any national ethanol trade association. The election occurred at RFA’s annual membership meeting, held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As CEO of Guardian Energy Management, McCaherty, of Prior Lake, Minn., provides executive management for Guardian Energy LLC, Guardian Energy Holdings LLC, and Hankinson Renewable Energy LLC, three leading ethanol biorefining businesses. She has a master’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Missouri and serves on the Board of Directors for the Renewable Product Marketing Group LLC, and the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Biofuels Association. McCaherty, a longtime proponent and advocate for low-carbon renewable fuels, also serves on the Minnesota Governor’s Biofuels Council to develop recommendations to increase the incorporation of biofuels in transportation fuels in Minnesota. She succeeds Neil Koehler, co-founder and co-CEO of Pacific Ethanol, in chairing the RFA Board.

“Renewable fuels have a critically important role to play in improving liquid transportation fuels,” McCaherty said. “I am excited to work with the members and staff of the RFA to continue to position renewable fuels and co-products to support rural economies, improve air quality, and provide better options for consumers.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeanne as our new board chairperson,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “She is a thoughtful leader who takes a pragmatic and analytical approach to solving problems and making decisions, and she is passionate about ensuring consumers gain a better understanding of the benefits of using renewable fuels. As RFA prepares to enter its 40th year in operation, Jeanne continues the association’s long tradition of exceptional leadership. She will play an instrumental role in charting the future course of the organization and the industry.”

RFA also elected Eric Huschitt, CEO of Badger State Ethanol, as the board’s Vice Chairman. Huschitt, of Monroe, Wisc., has been with Badger State since January 2002 and currently serves as president of the Wisconsin Biofuels Association. He also has spent years on the board of the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association, which plays a vital role in Wisconsin's feed and grain industries.

The RFA board also re-elected Treasurer Charlie Wilson, Trenton Agri Products; Secretary Rick Schwarck, Absolute Energy; and President Geoff Cooper, RFA’s Chief Executive Officer.



August U.S. Ethanol Export Sales Shift Higher while U.S. DDGS Sales Moderate
Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst, Renewable Fuels Assoc.
    
U.S. ethanol exports in August scaled 35% higher to 100.7 million gallons (mg), the largest volume since March. Shipments across the border to Canada accelerated 20% to a three-year high of 36.0 mg, equivalent to 36% of total U.S. ethanol exports, while sales to India declined by 20% to 10.5 mg. The mix of larger customers readjusted in August with Nigeria (9.8 mg, up from zero), Colombia (8.6 mg, up from zero), and Mexico (7.1 mg, +78%) rounding out the top five global markets. South Korea (5.9 mg, -24%), Peru (5.6 mg, +340%), and the Philippines (4.0 mg, -36%) were other sizable customers of U.S. ethanol. Brazil returned to the market after a two-month hiatus, but shipments of 1.9 mg were just 3% of the volume purchased in January. Global year-to-date exports of U.S. ethanol totaled 905.4 mg, or 10% less than this time a year ago.
 
August U.S. undenatured fuel ethanol shipments pressed 19% higher to 31.4 mg, although sales remained roughly half of year-ago volumes. India was again our largest market with sales of 7.2 mg despite a 43% decline from July. Mexico (7.0 mg, +83%), Nigeria (5.6 mg, up from zero), and the Philippines (4.0 mg, -36%) also purchased significant volumes of American-made undenatured fuel ethanol.
 
August sales of U.S. denatured fuel ethanol jumped 40% to 61.3 mg. More than half of all exported gallons entered Canada (32.3 mg), which was 19% more than July and a 13-month high. Colombia (8.6 mg, up from zero), South Korea (5.9 mg, -24%), Peru (4.8 mg, +281%), and India (3.2 mg, up from zero) were other major customers.
 
Exports of U.S. ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage purposes doubled to 7.9 mg as Nigeria stepped in with a purchase of 4.2 mg undenatured product. Canada scooped up most of the remaining exported gallons (3.4 mg).
 
The U.S. imported 35.6 mg of cane ethanol from Brazil—nearly triple the volume entering the country in July. Year-to-date imports total 93.1 mg, or 11% more than this time a year ago.
 
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants—relaxed 6% in August to 1.02 million metric tons (mt). While southbound shipments tracked 14% lower (138,817 mt), Mexico remained our chief DDGS market for the second consecutive month. Sales perked up in Vietnam (up 22% to 131,854 mt) but scaled back in South Korea (111,048 mt, -8%) and Turkey (80,288 mt, -44%). A record 61,492 mt U.S. DDGS shipped to New Zealand, while other larger markets included Indonesia (60,061 mt), China (50,717 mt—the largest exports in more than three years), Thailand (42,183 mt), Ireland (40,842 mt), and Canada (40,001 mt). Worldwide U.S. DDGS exports for the first eight months of the year were 7.08 million mt—trailing 3% behind last year at this time.



USDA Proposes to Amend the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued a proposed rule to amend the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996.

The proposed rule would amend the order’s assessment collection and remittance process for lambs sold at auction markets. Additionally, AMS proposes to update the order’s regulations to remove incorrect references to obsolete assessment rates. The proposed rule will not increase assessment rates.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2020. The public can provide comments on the proposed rule until December 4, 2020, at www.Regulations.gov.




USDA Reapportions American Egg Board Membership

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is adjusting membership on the Egg Research and Promotion Board to reflect shifts in egg production and consolidation since the last board reapportionment.

This rule adjusts representation on the American Egg Board, established under the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974, and outlines changes to geographic areas based on sustained changes in egg production in several states.

The Egg Research and Promotion Order establishes a board composed of 18 members. Currently, the 48 contiguous states are divided into six areas with three members representing each area. This rule will reduce the number of geographic areas from six to three. The number of board members representing each geographic area will change to six. The total board membership will remain at 18.

This rule applies to the nomination process in 2020 and will affect the board members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the board beginning in 2021.

The final rule was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 6, 2020, with an effective date of Nov. 5, 2020.



#SeeSoyHarvest

If farmers cannot come to the Hill, then the Hill must go to the field! That’s the philosophy of the American Soybean Association (ASA) this fall harvest season – and the grower group is offering free passage by way of videos submitted from across 30 major soy-producing states.

“Being able to travel to D.C. and advocate for top soy issues is a big deal to soybean farmers,” said Bill Gordon, ASA president and grower from Worthington, Minnesota. “We love that the #SeeSoyHarvest campaign is a work-around during the pandemic to continue sharing priority issues with our legislators, remind them we are a resource as they make critical agricultural policy decisions, and offer a passenger seat inside our world to see what soy harvest is like right now on the farm.”

Launching Oct. 6 with outreach to ASA contacts on Capitol Hill, the #SeeSoyHarvest campaign will showcase harvest video captured by soy farmers across the growing region, along with key industry statistics and information related to soy priorities. Those priorities include farm economy, trade, infrastructure, biodiesel, and biotech and crop protection.

New videos will be released on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout October. Look to ASA social on these dates to view the videos and discover more about the soybean industry and its important role in the success of America’s economy: 10/8, 10/13, 10/15, 10/20, 10/22.

Christy Seyfert, ASA Executive Director of Government Affairs, said, “We are more thankful than ever that most soybean farmers were able to get crops in the ground in the spring, work through supply chain, workforce, and weather challenges to nurture their crops, and, months later, arrive at the point of harvest in this pandemic year.”

ASA invites you to celebrate this special time of year and join the journey to the fields by watching the #SeeSoyHarvest video series and “liking” or sharing what you see on social media along the way.