Thursday December 3 Ag News

Virtual 2020 Nebraska Soybean Day & Machinery Expo set for Dec. 17

The Virtual 2020 Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo Dec. 17 will assist soybean growers in planning for next year’s growing season. Growers should prepare for online discussion on the past year with its many challenges and a focus on making the new year profitable.  

The free expo, which begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. can be accessed virtually here, https://enrec.unl.edu/nebraskasoyexpo.  

Presenters include University researchers and specialists and Nebraska Soybean Checkoff representatives. Nebraska Extension Educator Keith Glewen will provide opening comments to kick off the expo.  

Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Specialist at the University of Minnesota will present, “How to Get $4 Corn and $10 Soybeans” as well as how to write a pre-harvest marketing plan as well as post-harvest marketing tips.  

Justin McMechan, Nebraska Extension Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist, will present “Dealing with a new trouble maker in the midwest,” and discuss the latest observations and management of soybean gall midge.  

Rodrigo Werle and Nick Arneson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison will discuss early, mid and late season weed control.  Patricio Grassini, UNL Associate Professor & Cropping Systems Specialist will present “Learning from Your Fields to Improve Nebraska’s Soybean Yield and Quality.”

The virtual expo will close with a Nebraska Soybean Board update as well as the announcement of Grand Soybean Management Field Days prize winners.

Full Schedule:
    9 a.m. Opening Comments
    9:15 a.m.  How to Get $4 Corn and $10 Soybeans
    9:55 a.m. How to Write a Pre-Harvest Marketing Plan
    10:35 a.m. Post-Harvest Marketing Tips
    11:15 a.m. Soybean Gall Midge: Dealing with a New Trouble Maker in the Midwest  
    12:45 Information Update, Nebraska Soybean Association  
    1:00 p.m. Considerations for Early-Season Weed Control in Soybeans (PRE-Emergence Herbicides and Cover Crops)
    1:20 p.m. Considerations for Mid-Season Weed Control in Soybeans  (Post-Emergence Herbicides and Drift Management)
    1:40 p.m. Considerations for late-season weed control in soybeans (Wisconsin Cropping Systems Weed Seed Movement Via Combines Case Study)
    2:15 p.m. Learning from Your Fields to Improve Nebraska’s Soybean Yield and Quality   
    2:45 p.m. - Updates and Announcement of Grand Soybean Management Field Days Prize Winners.

A detailed schedule can be found online here, https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enre/nebraska-soybean-day-and-machinery-expo/.  

There will be an opportunity to ask questions.  Producers will also be able to visit the virtual exhibitor page and check out seed, herbicide, fertilizer and equipment companies.

For more information, call (800) 529-8030 or e-mail kglewen1@unl.edu.   

This program is sponsored by Nebraska Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Nebraska Soybean Board, Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization and private industry.   



Youth Masters of Beef Advocacy Learning Cohort registration due Dec. 14

Youth aged 14-19 interested in the beef are invited to register for a statewide Youth Master of Beef Advocacy Learning Cohort by Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. CST.

The statewide learning cohort will provide tools and resources for being a beef advocate, work as a group to become a strong ambassador for the beef community and gain knowledge about beef and raising cattle from Dec.16 through Jan. 6.

The group will meet initially on Dec. 16 to introduce the program, get to know their cohort and learn more about the beef industry as a whole. Youth will work to complete the Masters of Beef Advocacy program online through National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which has been completed by 15,000 members of the beef community.

The five online lessons address environmental sustainability, beef nutrition, animal welfare and beef safety while taking advocates through the beef lifecycle, from pasture to plate. In addition to completing the five-lesson online program, youth will have the opportunity to continue discussion with their cohort through a series of discussion boards, additional learning resources and activities to help put what they learn into action. Youth will then attend a virtual celebration webinar on Jan. 6 to mark their completion of the program, learn more about beef in Nebraska and discuss careers in the beef industry.

Register for the Masters of Beef Advocacy Learning Cohort here. Once registered, you will receive login information for Zoom sessions and the program site.

Full Agenda for the learning cohort:
    Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m.: Zoom Program Kickoff
    Dec. 16-Jan. 6: Program will be open and available for students to complete their training. During this time additional information, activities, and discussion prompts will be added to the Microsoft teams page for the cohort to interact with.
    Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m.: Zoom Program Wrap Up

Zoom meetings will be recorded and distributed to those registered if unable to attend the live meeting. For additional questions, contact Brianna Buseman, youth meat extension educator, at brianna.buseman@unl.edu



Iowa Cattle Industry Headquarters is Proud to Support the New Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation are excited to support the new Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (VDL) at Iowa State University.

While construction will not begin until early 2021, a groundbreaking event was held for stakeholders, industry partners and the Veterinary Medicine community to kick off the project.

The ICA, IBIC and ICF have committed to spaces in the Client Service Entrance and the Specimen Viewing Studio within the new facility.

“We are committed to supporting the expansion of the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to enhance diagnostic capabilities while giving us a competitive edge to protect animal and public health,” said Matt Deppe, CEO, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has long had a commitment to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic services in support of Iowa’s $32.5 billion animal agriculture industry.

The new VDL will provide essential infrastructure for sample receiving and processing, pathology, bacteriology, necropsy, histopathology and an incinerator. The new construction will improve efficiency and effectiveness of the process flow while addressing critical issues of space quantity and quality and provide the necessary biosafety and biocontainment.

“Investing in the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is a worthwhile cause that all checkoff investors can take pride in supporting. This is an important measure to help ensure producers have access to industry leading resources and a valuable tool in ensuring a secure beef supply,” said Rex Hoppes, Executive Director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

The $75 million project has been funded by a $63.5 million appropriation from the State of Iowa with additional funding from the VDL, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University and private donors.

The VDL has been a national leader in protecting animal and human health since it was established in 1947. Processing more than 100,000 submissions a year – and more than a million tests in total – the laboratory plays a key role in ensuring animal health, including wildlife and companion animals; public health; world food safety; and the competitiveness of Iowa’s $32.5 billion animal agricultural industry.

The facility will greatly increase the state’s diagnostic service and discovery capabilities for current and future generations of Iowa’s livestock farmers. In addition, it will help keep Iowa State at the forefront in discovery of emerging and re-emerging diseases, provide a rich caseload to teach future veterinary practitioners and make innovative discoveries regarding new methods to control and eradicate diseases.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is scheduled to open in 2023.



Webinar Examines Cost, Benefits of Agricultural Water Conservation

Learn more about the economics behind adopting conservation practices to mitigate water quality concerns during the Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at noon.

Wendong Zhang, assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State University, will present new survey results on how Iowans value reductions in harmful algal blooms in Iowa waterways, and the economic costs to induce farmers to adopt conservation practices. Drawing on published interdisciplinary data, Zhang will also discuss the challenges of the existing nutrient reduction policy toolbox and possible remedies.

“Economists could help improve the design and cost-effectiveness of nutrient management policies,” said Zhang. “Grand challenges like reducing Gulf of Mexico hypoxia take concerted efforts and thinking beyond the existing policy toolbox.”

Zhang’s research seeks to better understand the drivers of conservation practice adoption, as well as the economic benefits and costs of various nutrient reduction policies. During the webinar he will share lessons learned from his research experience on the economics of phosphorus reduction in the Lake Erie watershed and nitrogen reduction in the Mississippi River watershed.

Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before 12 pm CST on Dec. 9, click the following URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.

Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.

Or, join from a dial-in phone line by calling +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923; meeting ID 364 284 172

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

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



Highlights from the December 2020 Farm Income Forecast
Farm Sector Profits Forecast to Increase in 2020
USDA Economic Research Service

Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast to increase $36.0 billion (43.1 percent) to $119.6 billion in 2020. In inflation-adjusted 2020 dollars, net farm income is forecast to increase $35.0 billion (41.3 percent) from 2019, increasing for the fourth consecutive year. If realized, net farm income in 2020 in inflation-adjusted terms would be at its highest level since 2013, 32.0 percent above its 2000-19 average of $90.6 billion.

Net cash farm income is forecast to increase $24.7 billion (22.6 percent) to $134.1 billion in 2020. Inflation-adjusted net cash farm income is forecast to increase $23.4 billion (21.1 percent) from 2019, which would put it at its highest level since 2014 and be 22.5 percent above its 2000-19 average ($109.5 billion). Net cash farm income encompasses cash receipts from farming as well as farm-related income, including Government payments, minus cash expenses. It does not include noncash items—including changes in inventories, economic depreciation, and gross imputed rental income of operator dwellings—reflected in the net farm income measure above.

Cash receipts for all commodities are forecast to decrease $3.2 billion (0.9 percent) to $366.5 billion (in nominal terms) in 2020. Total animal/animal product receipts are expected to decrease $9.7 billion (5.5 percent) with declines in receipts for broilers, cattle/calves, and hogs. Total crop receipts are expected to increase $6.5 billion (3.3 percent) from 2019 levels. Higher receipts for fruit/nuts and soybeans are expected to more than offset lower receipts for corn and cotton. Direct Government farm payments are forecast at $46.5 billion in 2020, an increase of $24.0 billion in nominal terms (107.1 percent). The expected increase is because of supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance for COVID-19 relief.

Total production expenses, including operator dwelling expenses, are forecast to decrease $5.2 billion (1.5 percent) to $343.6 billion (in nominal terms) in 2020. Interest expenses, livestock/poultry purchases, and oils/fuels expenses are expected to decrease, but fertilizer expenses and net rent to landlords are expected to increase.

Farm business average net cash farm income is forecast to increase $25,700 (32.6 percent) to $104,500 per farm in 2020. All resource regions are forecast to see farm business average net cash farm income increase. When grouped by commodity specialization, nearly all groups of farm businesses are expected to see average net farm income rise in 2020.

Farm sector equity is forecast up by $28.9 billion (1.1 percent) to $2.69 trillion (in nominal terms) in 2020. Farm assets are forecast to increase by $45.5 billion (1.5 percent) to $3.12 trillion in 2020, reflecting anticipated increases in the real estate value and investments and other financial assets held by the sector. Farm debt is forecast to increase by $16.6 billion (4.0 percent) to $435.2 billion (in nominal terms), led by an expected 6.1-percent rise in real estate debt. The farm sector debt-to-asset ratio is expected to rise from 13.61 percent in 2019 to 13.95 percent in 2020. Working capital, which measures the amount of cash available to fund operating expenses after paying off debt due within 12 months, is forecast to increase 6.0 percent from 2019. When adjusted for inflation, farm sector equity and assets are relatively unchanged from 2019.

Median Income of Farm Operator Households Forecast to Rise in 2019 and 2020
Total median farm household income is forecast to increase to $86,992 in 2020 from $83,111 in 2019; a nominal increase of 4.7 percent (a 3.4 percent increase after adjusting for inflation) in 2020. The forecasted rise in 2020 and the increase in 2019 relative to 2018 are notable because they are counter to the trend from 2015 through 2018 of declining median farm household income.

Farm households typically receive income from both farm and off-farm sources. Median farm income earned by farm households is forecast to increase in 2020 to $1,187 from $297 in 2019. The positive median farm in 2019 and further rise in 2020 is notable as median farm income earned by farm households was negative each year between 1996 and 2018. The increase in median farm income is partly because of increases in supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance program payments. In 2020, programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Coronavirus Food Assistance Programs (CFAP) 1 and 2 provided financial relief to those affected by the global pandemic.

As in previous years, many farm households rely on off-farm income—the median is forecast to decrease in 2020, down 1.6 percent to $67,950 from $68,750 in 2019. This reflects estimated lost employment and wage income because of the coronavirus pandemic, which is partially offset by estimated Economic Impact Payments received by most U.S. households in response to the pandemic. (Because farm and off-farm income are not distributed identically for every farm, median total income will generally not equal the sum of median off-farm and median farm income.)



Cattle Producers Praise Rep. Thompson's Selection As Ranking Member Of The House Agriculture Committee

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association's (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, today issued the following statement in response to U.S. Representative GT Thompson's (PA-15) nomination by the Republican Steering Committee to serve as the next Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee:
 
"Cattle producers in Pennsylvania and across the country are well represented by Congressman Thompson. From his long-standing track record of bipartisan legislative victories to his work mentoring the next generation of agriculture leaders, GT does it all. He is an exemplary choice to guide the Committee for years to come and we are excited to work with him and his team in the next Congress."



NCGA Statement: Thompson to Serve as U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member

National Corn Growers Association President John Linder today made the following statement after it was announced that Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Pa., would serve as Ranking Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee for the 117th Congress.

“The National Corn Growers Association congratulates Representative Thompson on his new role as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. In his time on the Committee, Thompson has been a strong advocate for farmers and policies impacting rural America. We look forward to continuing to work with him and members of the Agriculture Committee on behalf of America’s corn farmers.”



NMPF Celebrates Rep. Glenn Thompson’s Election as Ranking Member of House Agriculture Committee

The National Milk Producers Federation today congratulated Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) on being elected by his colleagues to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee in the 117th Congress. Rep. Thompson is the descendant of a long line of dairy farmers and been a champion of dairy producers on the House Agriculture Committee since coming to Congress in 2009.

“We have enjoyed working with Congressman Thompson and his team for years. GT has been a vocal and effective advocate for the needs of dairy farmers in Pennsylvania and throughout the country,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. “He also has a keen understanding of the need to build a vibrant rural economy to sustain a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply to nourish our country and our planet.”

During his time in Congress, Rep. Thompson has played a critical role in enacting bipartisan policies that create an effective climate for dairy farmers and their cooperatives to produce safe, healthy dairy products in an environmentally sustainable manner. As Vice Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, GT worked with his colleagues to secure much-needed dairy policy reforms, culminating in the Dairy Margin Coverage program created in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Congressman Thompson served as Chairman of the Conservation and Nutrition Subcommittees during the writing of the last two farm bills. He has championed bipartisan legislation to improve the effectiveness of farm bill conservation programs and to enhance consumption of nutritious dairy products. In addition, GT has been a vocal advocate for expanding markets for all farmers, helping to push through the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement last year.

“Congressman Thompson’s bipartisan record of achievement speaks for itself, and we are eager to work with him to build on that record as he assumes his new role,” said Mulhern. “We congratulate GT on his appointment as Ranking Member and know he will continue to be a leading voice in the House for dairy and all of agriculture.”



NFU Congratulates Representatives Scott and Thompson on House Agriculture Committee Leadership Roles

Georgia Representative David Scott was selected today by his fellow House Democrats to lead the House Agriculture Committee as its next chairman. Scott, the first Black legislator to hold the position, will be joined by Pennsylvania Representative Glenn Thompson, who was elected to serve as the ranking Republican member of the committee.

In a statement, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew congratulated Scott and Thompson and said he looked forward to working with both legislators on stronger food and farm policy:

“Representatives Scott and Thompson bring a real breadth of knowledge and experience to the House Agriculture Committee’s leadership.

“Since taking office 18 years ago, Representative Scott has served continuously on the House Agriculture Committee, where he has garnered a reputation for his bipartisanship. In his previous role as ranking Democrat of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee and in his current position of chairman of the Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit subcommittee, he has gained valuable expertise that will serve him well when he takes the reins from current Chairman Collin Peterson. Furthermore, Chairman Scott's election makes him the first Black legislator to serve as the committee’s chairman, an important step towards greater diversity in agricultural leadership.

“Representative Thompson’s skill set complements that of Representative Scott. During his 12-year-long tenure in the House of Representatives, he has served as chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry, and currently serves as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. In addition to his political experience, Representative Thompson has personal connections to agriculture, having come from a long line of dairy farmers.

“Not only do Representatives Scott and Thompson have strong backgrounds in agricultural policy, but they both understand the importance of bringing together a broad coalition to support the food system, which will prove exceptionally useful in the months ahead. National Farmers Union congratulates the Representatives on their well-earned leadership positions; we look forward to working with them to develop policies that support family farmers, ensure food security, and bolster rural communities.”



Peterson Congratulates Incoming House Ag Chairman David Scott

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota congratulated incoming Committee Chairman David Scott of Georgia following his election to the position by the House Democratic Caucus Thursday:

“Congratulations to David Scott on his election as the next Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and as the first African-American to serve in that role," said Peterson.  “He will make a great Chairman, and I’m proud to pass the reins to him."

"As a long-time House Ag member and leader, David knows very well the impact the Committee’s work has on the lives of farmers, ranchers, rural residents, and consumers in communities across the country. I’m confident we’re all in good and capable hands.

“I also want to congratulate Congressman GT Thompson on his election as the House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member.  I have had the pleasure of working with GT on dairy and conservation issues, and I know he and David Scott will make a great team to lead the Committee in the 117th Congress."



NCGA Statement: Scott to Lead U.S. House Agriculture Committee

National Corn Growers Association President John Linder today made the following statement after it was announced that Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., would serve as Chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee for the 117th Congress.

“The National Corn Growers Association congratulates Congressman Scott on his new role as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Through his tenure on the Committee, Scott has demonstrated strong support for the policies important to corn farmers. NCGA looks forward to continuing our work with the House Agriculture Committee and Chairman Scott in this new leadership role.”



NMPF Congratulates Rep. David Scott on Election as Chairman of House Agriculture Committee

The National Milk Producers Federation today congratulated Representative David Scott (D-GA) on being elected by his colleagues to serve as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in the 117th Congress. Rep. Scott has served on the committee since coming to Congress in 2003.

“We congratulate Congressman Scott on his new role as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and look forward to working closely with him to address the challenges facing the nation’s dairy farmers and their cooperatives,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. “We value his years of service on the committee and appreciate his support on numerous issues, ranging from nutrition to environmental policy.”

Rep. Scott previously served as Chairman of the Dairy Subcommittee during the 2009 dairy market collapse and has supported bipartisan legislation to enhance milk consumption in our schools. In addition to his work on multiple farm bills, he has also backed several important environmental and sustainability measures, including 2016 agricultural biotechnology disclosure legislation.

“Representative Scott oversaw the Dairy Subcommittee at an important time for the industry, during the unprecedented downturn of 2009. We look forward to once again partnering with him as dairy producers continue to weather significant challenges, including those brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic during the last year,” Mulhern said.



Meat Institute Congratulates Rep. Scott on Chairmanship of House Ag Committee

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released the following statement from Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts applauding the House Democratic Caucus’s nomination of U.S. Representative David Scott (D-GA-13) to become the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee:

“Congressman Scott’s selection by his peers to lead the House Agriculture Committee is a testament to his longstanding work in food and nutrition policy,” said Potts. “Congressman Scott has been a strong ally of animal agriculture and we look forward to working with him on the issues with that impact the meat and poultry industry.”



USDA Dairy Products October 2020 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.13 billion pounds, 0.6 percent below October 2019 but 3.2 percent above September 2020. Italian type cheese production totaled 469 million pounds, 3.4 percent below October 2019 but 1.3 percent above September 2020. American type cheese production totaled 461 million pounds, 3.5 percent above October 2019 and 6.1 percent above September 2020. Butter production was 165 million pounds, 1.2 percent above October 2019 and
8.8 percent above September 2020.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with October 2019)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 138 million pounds, up 4.3 percent.
Skim milk powder - 57.2 million pounds, up 20.7 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with October 2019)
Dry whey, total - 80.2 million pounds, down 11.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 95.9 million pounds, down 0.7 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 40.8 million pounds, up 0.3 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with October 2019)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 62.7 million gallons, up 7.1 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 35.5 million gallons, down 2.3 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.84 million gallons, up 16.0 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.43 million gallons, up 0.9 percent.



USDA to Enhance National Weekly Comprehensive and Export Pork Reports

On Jan. 4, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will enhance its Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) National Weekly Comprehensive Pork and Export Pork Sales Reports to provide additional market information for pork carcasses and exported products.

At the request of the pork industry, pork carcass trades will be included on the National Weekly Comprehensive Pork Reports (FOB Plant and FOB Omaha). The reports will show the aggregated volume of pork carcasses traded for all destinations (including export), sales types, delivery periods, refrigeration types and packaging styles. If there are pork carcass trades during the week, the value will be included in the comprehensive pork carcass cutout on a 1:1 weighted average ratio. Additionally, AMS will complete its annual update to yield data and packaging and processing costs for wholesale pork. For more information about the pork carcass cutout, please refer to A User's Guide to USDA's Pork Carcass Cutout.

The National Weekly Export Pork Sales Report (FOB Plant and FOB Omaha) will expand to include a new primal, the Export Break, 4/5 Rib, along with new sub primal cut lines (4/5 Rib Break or Simulated Boneless Loins and Skinned Tenderloins). Domestically, normal industry practice is to break the carcass between the 2nd and 3rd rib for the loin – shoulder separation.  However, to provide more relevant and insightful information, the Export Break at the 4th and 5th rib will be included on the report as this production practice is predominately used for product sold to export customers.

To access Market News pork reports, please visit: www.ams.usda.gov/LPGMN. For more information on LMR, visit www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/mmr/lmr.



Peterson Unveils Legislation to Expand CRP to 50 Million Acres

In a press conference Thursday, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota announced the introduction of H.R. 8843, which makes an additional 25 million acres available over the next five years for general signup under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).  Instead of a cap, the bill establishes a minimum floor of 50 million CRP acres nationwide.

“CRP incentivizes farmers to remove sensitive land from agricultural production and plant cover to enhance wildlife habitat and provide other natural resource benefits,” Peterson told reporters. “CRP has a decades-long track record of engaging farmers in the effort to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and create wildlife habitat.”

“In addition to the increase in acreage, the bill will help CRP prioritize those applications that promote soil health and carbon sequestration,” Peterson added. “Applications for the enrollment of land on which deep-rooted perennials will be planted will also be prioritized.”

Peterson pointed to the importance of CRP in helping farmers and landowners meet environmental quality goals.

“Land enrolled in the program has helped to keep billion of tons of soil from eroding and sequestered millions of tons of carbon,” he said. “It has improved wildlife and pollinator habitat, and it has provided benefits to farmers through rental payments and drawing hunters and other recreationists, which in turn makes its way through rural economies. This is a good bill that uses a successful, existing program to pay farmers to store carbon – we don’t need a whole new regime – we have CRP.”



NGFA commends House passage of U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) Wednesday commended the House for approving the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020 (S. 4054), which President Donald Trump is expected to sign into law.  

“This legislation, which would reauthorize the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act for another five years, provides certainty while improving the official inspection and weighing system by providing more transparency, information-sharing, and better data,” said NGFA President and CEO Randy Gordon. “This legislation is foundationally important in providing for official grain inspection and weighing services through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Federal Grain Inspection Service, as well as that agency’s maintenance of the U.S. grain standards that are relied upon by buyers, sellers and end-users to merchandise grains and oilseeds in domestic and international markets. Ultimately, this law benefits U.S. and global consumers by enhancing the utility and efficiency of the grain marketing system.”

NGFA said it particularly appreciated the leadership of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Ranking Member Mike Conaway, R-Texas, for their support of the reauthorization and commitment to ensuring its approval in the House on an expedited basis.

The bill, authored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., passed out of the committee in June before being unanimously approved by the full Senate on Nov. 16, after which the NGFA issued a statement urging prompt House approval.

FGIS establishes official marketing standards for grains and oilseeds under the authorization provided by the U.S. Grain Standards Act, which was first signed into law in 1916. The existing authorization law, which was enacted in 2015 and included provisions to ensure uninterrupted export inspections, expired Sept. 30.

In a June 23 support letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, NGFA and the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) supported reauthorizing all expiring provisions of the current law for another five years, including: the ability for Congress to appropriate funding for standardization and compliance activities that have broad societal benefits, including to farmers and consumers; authorization for the continued operation of the USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee; and the current statutory limitation on the amount of money FGIS can spend on administrative costs not associated with direct inspection and weighing activities.

The U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020 also includes several improvements advocated by NGFA and NAEGA that they said will promote increased data and information-sharing to benefit the system and its users, including:

•    Requiring delegated state agencies to notify users of Official inspection or weighing services at least 72 hours in advance of any intent to discontinue such services;
•    Ensuring FGIS user fees are directed solely to inspection and weighing services;
•    Reporting requests for waivers, exceptions and intrinsic quality and food safety factors received and granted by FGIS; and
•    Directing FGIS to complete a comprehensive review of the current boundaries for the officially designated grain inspection agencies in the domestic marketplace.

During the reauthorization process, NGFA and NAEGA also highlighted their concerns about ongoing non-tariff trade barriers that periodically have created uncertainty for exports of U.S. grains and oilseeds, noting that the reauthorization bill retains a provision that prohibits the “use of false or misleading grade designations” on official grade certificates for U.S. grain exports.



Peterson Welcomes Grain Standards Reauthorization

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota welcomed passage Wednesday of S.4054, the Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020 in a statement on the House floor:

“The inspections provided by the Federal Grain Inspection Service define and classify grains as well as assign grades to specify weight and quality requirements, and these inspections provide a gold standard assurance backed by the Federal Government to both grain buyers and sellers,” Peterson said. “American grain farmers participate in a very competitive world, and foreign grain buyers should be confident in the process that we have in place to ensure our exports are adequately inspected.”

In his comments, Peterson emphasized the importance of the men and women that staff the ports around the country through which U.S. exports travel.

“I would also like to note the need for a dedicated and strong workforce at our ports to ensure that American grain can be expertly and efficiently loaded onto ships for export.  I would encourage those companies that have not already reached an agreement with their workforce to continue to seek an agreement,” he said. “I applaud the American owned companies that have already committed to their workers.”



Congress Reauthorizes U.S. Grain Standards Act

The U.S. House of Representatives late Wednesday approved the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act (S. 4054). The U.S. Senate approved the legislation prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and the bill now moves to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

The U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) sets the framework for the functioning of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Federal Grain Inspection Service.

Earlier this week, the National Corn Growers Assoc. joined a coalition of agriculture interests in a letter urging members of Congress to support S. 4054 ahead of the impending Dec. 11 expiration of parts of USGSA.

“The U.S. grain inspection system provides certainty to our foreign customers that all U.S. grains and oilseeds have been inspected and certified by an independent agency and provides great value to U.S. commodities, thereby enhancing our competitiveness in the world market. This certainty and reliability have helped grow export markets for U.S. commodities and serves as a significant advantage for U.S. products versus commodities from other origins,” the organizations wrote.



Wheat Industry Welcomes Final Congressional Passage of the Grain Standards Reauthorization Act

Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act (GSA) of 2020, S. 4054. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) applauds both the House and Senate for their bipartisan work to move the bill forward and reauthorize the GSA through September 30, 2025. NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) have worked collaboratively over the last year and a half to identify priorities for the reauthorization process, given the critical importance of the United States’ weighing and inspection system to our competitiveness in the world market.

“With our farmers facing tough economic challenges, including several years of low commodity prices and headwinds blowing against overseas demand, it is critically important that we at least maintain a smooth grain inspection system. We applaud Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate for working together to get this piece of legislation passed by the end of the year,” said NAWG President and Cass City, MI farmer Dave Milligan. “To maintain a properly functioning grain inspection system, NAWG encourages the President to sign this bill into law before the closing of 2020.”

“This law and our system of standardized, independent grain inspection makes U.S. wheat more valuable,” said USW Chairman Darren Padget, a wheat farmer from Grass Valley, OR. “The proof of that came this year when many of our overseas buyers expressed a real concern that the pandemic would interrupt our supply chain and FGIS inspections.”

The Grain Standards Act serves a critical role in exporting grains and oilseeds, including U.S. wheat, of which about 50% is exported each year. The grain inspection system assures overseas buyers that an independent agency has certified shipments to their contracted specifications. This objective certification adds a competitive advantage to U.S. wheat and other commodities that helps maintain and grow export markets.



Registration Open for American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention, Featuring Mike Rowe, Rorke

The American Farm Bureau Federation opened registration today for the 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention and unveiled the lineup of featured speakers including Mike Rowe, Rorke Denver and Beth Ford.

The AFB Virtual Convention will be held Jan. 10-13, 2021, and for the first time ever, registration fees are being waived to give all Farm Bureau members and anyone interested in agriculture the opportunity to experience one of agriculture’s premier events from the comfort and safety of home.

“We are excited to open up the doors of this event and to bring home the high-quality content our attendees have come to expect from our events,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Our featured speakers this year are no strangers to Farm Bureau. We are honored to have Mike Rowe, Rorke Denver and Beth Ford join us as we reflect on this unique year and press on, stronger together, for agriculture and our rural communities.”

Best known for his hit TV series Dirty Jobs and most recently his show Returning the Favor featuring people making a difference in their communities, Mike Rowe will join the AFB Virtual Convention as our special guest for a fireside chat in the closing general session. As the country’s leading advocate for skilled labor and the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, Rowe seeks to debunk myths and misperceptions about blue-collar jobs. His foundation has granted millions of dollars in scholarships to help close the skills gap.

Land O’ Lakes President and CEO Beth Ford will join AFBF President Zippy Duvall to discuss hot topics and issues facing agriculture today. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Ford is a passionate advocate for farmers and rural America and is committed to connecting consumers to the farmers and rural communities who grow their food. Ford was recently recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders and Most Powerful Women. Under her leadership, Land O’Lakes, Inc. will soon join AFBF in the century club in 2021, when it celebrates 100 years as a farmer-owned cooperative.

The AFB Virtual Convention will also feature an inspirational and entertaining keynote address from Navy Seal Commander Rorke T. Denver. Commander Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and led special-forces missions in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and other international hot spots. He starred in the hit film Act of Valor, which is based on true SEAL adventures, and shares his personal story in his New York Times bestseller, Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior. He is the founder of Ever Onward, a fresh, new brand designed to use Navy SEAL principles to call leaders to action, to be bold so they can perform at their highest levels.

This open invitation is a rare opportunity to attend the American Farm Bureau convention free of charge simply by registering. Registration will provide access to live sessions as well as special on demand programs focused on hot topics in agriculture. Featured live events include:
    AFBF President Zippy Duvall’s annual address
    Ag Innovation Challenge
    Young Farmers & Ranchers competitions
    Foundation Night In, featuring soon-to-be-announced musical performances
    Workshops focused on what farmers and ranchers need to know in 2021

Workshop topics range from the future of the livestock industry to financial planning for disasters and from standing up for agriculture with effective advocacy to sustainability in 2021 and what it will mean for farmers and ranchers.

View the full agenda here https://annualconvention.fb.org/schedule-of-events and register for free here https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowAFB211/ (registration required).



SfL Uses UNFCCC Forum to Push Call for Multi-Faceted Approach To Achieve Climate, Other Sustainable Development Goals

SfL board member Lois Wright Morton advised fellow delegates participating in a two-day UN-sponsored workshop not to take a singular approach when considering the socioeconomic and food-security dimensions of climate change in the agricultural sector.

Morton, who was the only farmer participating in the Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture event, used her closing message today to other workshop participants to stress the need to do more than tell farmers how to farm- “they need to listen to farmers and find out what they need.”

"There are many on the outside looking in offering advice to farmers without acknowledging the complexities, risks, and uncertainties we face in producing the food and ecosystem services that benefit us all and making a living for our families," she told representatives from countries across the world, as well as from a dozen or more UN agencies and observer bodies, which included SfL.

Morton, who grows blueberries and other specialty crops in Ohio, cautioned fellow workshop participants who are unfamiliar with the hard work farmers must put in to manage the complexities, risks, and uncertainties that are daily events, not to become too obsessed with a singular, agroecological approach. Instead, they should be open to a variety of approaches that can solve the climate and food security issues the world is currently facing.

While she expressed her appreciation for a keynote speaker's articulation of agroecology and what that approach offers to farmers, she urged the KJWA delegates to be careful not to single out one approach as the best or only one.

Agroecology "is one of the many innovations farmers and scientists are experimenting with," she said. "The COVID pandemic has showed us that we need all kinds of innovations and diversity of productions systems and practices in order to give farmers capacity to deal with the uncertainties that changing climate, volatile markets, and health and social conditions bring."

Morton, who is Professor Emeritus with the Department of Sociology at Iowa State University, said the diversity of agricultural landscapes and ecosystems that farmers manage requires a variety of tools and approaches best suited to their resources and their unique situations and circumstances.

She cited as "important" a statement Tuesday from a workshop keynote speaker, Maryam Rezaei, a renowned expert with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Systems and Food Safety Division, acknowledging that "the solutions to food insecurity are beyond food production."

Morton said it will take integrated efforts using many innovative approaches across many sectors "if we are to achieve zero hunger goals and the 13 other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that farmers and agriculture are partners in solving."

The SfL board member told other workshop participants that "the call for a systemic approach to this integration (of solutions) means finding root causes of food insecurity; especially focusing on providing farmers and rural peoples the capacities, tools, technologies and knowledge to move beyond subsistence livelihoods to ensure food security for their households and non-farm households."

She said success in addressing the problems will require blended and diverse approaches – including agroecology, sustainable intensification, and other approaches found to be successful and enable achievement of the multiple SDGs. Morton stressed that farmers are not just producing food, but also providing ecosystem services such as soil health, clean water and reduced emissions.