Friday December 4 Ag News

Extension webinar to cover tax law changes for farm and ranch

Nebraska Extension will present a webinar on tax law changes pertinent to agriculture over the last year on Thursday Dec 10th at noon.

As farmers and ranchers prepare to file 2020 taxes, updates to tax law are important to be aware of. The webinar will provide a summary of these changes, including many new considerations under the CARES act, and discuss how they impact tax returns for the year.

It will be presented by Tina Barrett, director of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc., which provides financial analysis, business planning and tax services to over 400 farm and ranch businesses across the state.

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.



Climate Assessment Response Committee to Meet

Amelia Breinig, assistant director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, has scheduled a meeting of the Climate Assessment Response Committee (CARC) for Dec. 8. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. with conference call access available at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln or contacting Steve Roth at (402) 471-6861 or steve.roth@nebraska.gov to receive conference call phone number and access code.

PowerPoint presentations and meeting agenda will be available for download prior to and after the meeting on the CARC website at https://carc.nebraska.gov/.

Officials will brief CARC members on existing, as well as predicted, weather conditions and provide a water availability outlook.



NDA UPDATES GUIDANCE FOR LIVESTOCK SHOWS TO HELP SLOW COVID-19 SPREAD

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) recently updated its livestock show guidance to reflect current health measures and guidelines designed to help slow the spread of COVID-19. NDA encourages livestock show organizers to review the updated guidance before arranging any future shows.

“The fluid nature of this COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to plan for upcoming December and January livestock progress shows,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “We’re encouraging livestock show organizers to continue to do the right things like follow current health guidelines to keep participants safe and healthy, while promoting Nebraska agriculture.”

The original guidance for livestock shows and events in Nebraska was created in cooperation with representatives from NDA, the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, the Nebraska State Fair, Nebraska Extension, Nebraska FFA and local health officials. The updated guidance is found on NDA’s website at https://nda.nebraska.gov/COVID-19/livestockshows112020.pdf.

In the event of changes to state’s directed health measures, or additional statewide restrictions or relaxations, the livestock show and event guidance will be updated as needed.



Nebraska Extension, Center for Rural Affairs receives grant to provide agricultural opportunities to veteran farmers

Nebraska Extension, in cooperation with Center for Rural Affairs, has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to launch a three-year training program for veterans who are interested or already involved in agriculture.  

Through NIFA’s Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans -- also called AgVets -- program, Nebraska Extension and the Center for Rural Affairs have developed a training program featuring workshops, field demonstrations, business planning and other educational programming led in part by three veteran-owned farms.   Experienced producers from the Barreras Family Farm, Lakehouse Farm and Anchor Meadow Farm, along with other expert resource providers, will share business and production skills for beef, vegetable and pork enterprises.  

“Putting the Pieces Together, A Year in the Life of a Diversified Farm” will provide a unique and focused learning opportunity for prospective active and retired military veteran farmers so that they can start successful farming enterprises of their own,” said Nebraska Extension Educator Katie King.

Each year from 2021 through 2023 will contain 11 educational opportunities, rotating monthly between online classrooms and on-farm classes to teach the skills. Participants will gain critical knowledge of farm start-ups, learn how to access additional resources and networks, and walk away with a business plan of their own. Classes will follow recommended health and safety precautions, with online alternatives presented for all in-person events.  

“The grant allows the program to be offered at no cost for participants and creates a tight-knit environment to learn the key production and management steps of distinct veteran-owned and operated farm businesses,” said King.

The schedule for 2021 to 2023 is as follows:  

January  
        2021 (online) – Meet the farmer, hear their farm dreams and land access: Cornett family will discuss vegetables  
        2022 - Meet the farmer, hear their farm dreams and land access: Barreras family will discuss beef  
        2023 - Meet the farmer, hear their farm dreams and land access: Hendl family will discuss pork
    
February  
        2021 (on farm) – Demonstration: Season starting and seed starting
        2022 – Demonstration: Care for chicks, hatching out versus buying chicks
        2023 – Demonstration: Preparing for pigs, setting your on-farm infrastructure

March  
        2021 (online) through 2023– Holistic goal setting  
    
April  
        2021 (on farm) – Demonstration: Planting in the field and early season field preparation
        2022 – Coop and pasture preparation
        2023 – Piglets: here they come! What to do and how-to problem-solve.  
    
May  
        2021 (online) through 2023 – Enterprise budgeting and use them for USDA programs and record keeping  
    
June  
        2021 (on farm) – Demonstration: Market preparation for farmers market and restaurant sales
        2022 – Demonstration: Collecting, cleaning and packing eggs
        2023 - Demonstration: Weaning piglets, piglet maintenance and breeding for genetics and feed considerations
    
July  
        2021 (online) through 2023 – Markets: which one is right for you?
    
August  
        2021 (on farm) – Demonstration: Harvesting and post-harvesting handling
        2022 - Demonstration: Land management and diet considerations
        2023 - Demonstration: Grazing rotations and fencing
    
September  
        2021 (online) through 2023 – Insurance and legal considerations
    
October  
        2021 (on farm) - Demonstration: End of season wrap-up, season extension & soil preparation
        2022 - Demonstration: Winter preparation, winter marketing and delivery  
        2023 - Demonstration: Winter preparation and butcher day
    
November  
        2021 (online) through 2023 – Business plan presentation and USDA programs
    
December  
        No class  

Participation is free for participants who are United States active or retired military veterans with an interest in farming. Registration is required. Contact Erin Schoenberg at erins@cfra.org or 402-499-2781 if interested in more information, signing up, or presenting at one of the online events.



DOT EXTENDS HOURS OF SERVICE WAIVERS FOR LIVESTOCK, FEED

On Tuesday, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended its COVID-19 emergency declaration for Hours of Service (HOS) waivers for the transportation of livestock and livestock feed through Feb. 28, 2021. HOS governs the amount of time commercial truckers can drive their loads and when they are required to rest between drives. The agency had previously extended the waivers through Dec. 31, 2020.

The National Pork Producers Council thanks the administration and FMCSA for ensuring the continuity of the U.S pork supply chain as an essential element of the nation’s food delivery infrastructure.

NPPC: ‘IMPERATIVE’ FOR AGRICULTURE WORKERS TO HAVE EARLY ACCESS TO COVID VACCINES
U.S. agriculture and food workers, essential to maintaining the supply chain that keeps store shelves and pantries stocked, should be included as a priority group to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, directly after healthcare workers and other high-risk individuals, NPPC wrote Thursday in comments submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“America’s hog farmers remain committed to their essential role in supporting the nation’s food security. In anticipation of COVID-19 vaccines being approved and made available, the CDC and other federal and state partners must recognize the vital role that food and agriculture workers” play in keeping food on America’s tables, NPPC wrote.

“With COVID cases on the rise in many states, vaccinations will play a key role in protecting essential workers, such as those in the food sector. It is imperative that on-farm and in-plant workers, who are integral to keeping Americans fed, have early access to COVID-19 vaccines,” NPPC added.



AFBF Stands-Up for Farmers in Predatory Shakedown
 
The American Farm Bureau Federation is standing-up for hundreds of dairy farmers being targeted by predatory lawyers representing the estate of Dean Foods, which is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. Almost 500 dairy farmers who once sold milk to Dean Foods received letters threatening legal action unless they refund money legitimately earned prior to the bankruptcy filing.

“Shame on these predatory lawyers for bullying dairy farmers at a time when many are struggling to keep their farms running,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “It’s ludicrous to suggest the meager profits from regularly scheduled and routine milk sales – sales that are heavily watched and regulated by the federal government – were outside the regular course of business. Someone needs to have the farmers’ backs and I’m proud to say AFBF is stepping-in to do just that.”

AFBF sent a letter to the law firm managing the Dean Foods estate calling for an immediate reversal of their “predatory shakedown” and threatening potential legal action if the firm fails to withdraw the letters sent to farmers. In the letter, AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen says the letters sent to farmers “are deceptive and constitute an abuse of process that attempts to extract funds that the Debtor (Dean Foods) is not entitled to under the threat of a lawsuit. Put plainly, your letters are a predatory shakedown, written in legalese.”

Many recipients of the Debtor letters are independent farmers already struggling through difficult economic times made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. The letters put producers in an impossible position—either pay the amounts demanded or incur the cost of legal counsel to defend against the Debtor’s allegations.

The AFBF letter outlines the legal legitimacy of the payments made to dairy farmers and admonishes the lawyers representing Dean Foods for knowingly taking advantage of farmers, saying, “Sending the Letters under these circumstances is not only deceptive, but outrageous because they threaten legal action when in fact the Producers have no legal exposure for the reasons set forth herein.”

AFBF further calls upon those lawyers to retract their demands by notifying each farmer by separate letter within 10 business days; returning any funds already received; and by ceasing any litigation against farmers who did business with the company. The AFBF letter clearly states a willingness to step-in in the event that the Dean Foods estate pursues litigation against farmers, “



Setting the Stage for the Next Generation Fuels Act

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has long sought new and creative ways to build demand for our product. Since 2005, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) has helped to promote both energy independence and a stable, prosperous U.S. economy.

The Next Generation Fuels Act (H.R. 8371) is the next step in corn farmers’ efforts to build on the success of the RFS to continue growing the role of low carbon, affordable and renewable ethanol in the fuel supply. Not only does this legislation yield economic benefits for rural America, but it also results in common sense environmental benefits.

The introduction of the bill follows several years of work by corn farmers to boost long term corn demand for clean, affordable ethanol. But introduction of this legislation is just the beginning of a long process.

The current Congress is set to adjourn by mid-December, making the next week a critical time to raise awareness and build additional support for the Next Generation Fuels Act. Building support and educating Members of Congress and their staffs now helps set the stage for the legislation to be reintroduced and considered in the new Congress in 2021.

Corn farmers support H.R. 8371 for several reasons:
    Although this a long-term transition, the bottom line for corn growers is that blending more ethanol is the most cost-effective means of improving our fuel.
    While the legislation does not require specific levels of ethanol blending, it removes barriers to higher blends of ethanol, creating more demand for farmers going forward.
    This is a beneficial transition for the future that builds on the success of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to continue growing the role of low carbon, affordable and renewable ethanol in the fuel supply.

Corn farmers can learn more about the benefits of transitioning the fuel supply to high octane fuel at ncga.com/octane.



October U.S. Ethanol Global Sales Burst Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels while U.S. DDGS Exports Moderate
Ann Lewis, Renewable Fuels Association Senior Analyst
    
U.S. ethanol exports in October rocketed 64% higher to 126.5 million gallons (mg), the largest volume since March. Shipments crossing the border to Canada rebounded by 11% (35.6 mg), equivalent to 28% of total U.S. ethanol exports. The Netherlands purchased record gallons (24.2 mg) while sales to South Korea jumped to the largest monthly volume this year (15.0 mg). Other larger markets included India (11.6 mg), Colombia (11.1 mg), Norway (6.6 mg, a record high), Finland (3.8 mg), Nigeria (3.8 mg), Peru (3.5 mg), and Mexico (3.4 mg). Exports to Brazil were minimal for the fifth straight month. Global year-to-date exports of U.S. ethanol totaled 1.109 billion gallons, or 9% less than this time a year ago.
 
The U.S. imported 22.5 mg of cane ethanol from Brazil, a third more than September. Year-to-date imports total 132.5 mg.
 
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants—declined 18% in October to 951,500 metric tons (mt). While exports to the largest destinations moved higher, shipments to Japan scaled back after hitting a record high in September, accounting for half of the total month-on-month decline. Mexico nearly doubled its purchases (180,650 mt, up 91%), representing 19% of the total U.S. DDGS export market, and thereby returned as our largest customer. Robust exports to our largest Asian customers continued with gains in Vietnam (130,128 mt, up 4%), South Korea (129,074 mt, up 27%), Thailand (85,230 mt, up 68%), and Indonesia (84,591 mt, up 26%). Turkey, China, Canada, the Philippines, and Taiwan were other larger customers. Worldwide U.S. DDGS exports for the first nine months of the year were 9.19 million mt, or 1% ahead of last year at this time.



Biodiesel Exports Down

The U.S. Census Bureau said Friday U.S. exports of goods and services totaled $182.0 billion in October, up $4.0 billion from September. October imports totaled $245.1 billion, up $5.0 billion on the month. The resulting trade deficit of $63.1 billion in October was up from $62.1 billion in September. USDA used the Census Bureau report to provide more details for exports of ethanol, biodiesel and distillers grains.

U.S. exports of biodiesel totaled 15,634 metric tons (mt) in October, down from 59,904 mt in September and down 30% from a year ago. Canada was the top destination in October, accounting for 78% of all U.S. exports, followed by Peru in a distant second place. In the first 10 months of 2020, biodiesel exports were up 22% from a year ago.