Tuesday December 22 Ag News

 NeFB on Congressional COVID-19 Aid Package, Paycheck Protection Program Fix
Mark McHargue, President, NE Farm Bureau

“Congress’s passage of the COVID-19 assistance package includes several important actions to assist Nebraska’s farm and ranch families, chief among them is a much needed clarification that farmers, ranchers, and other businesses will be allowed to deduct business expenses for tax purposes when such expenses were paid for using loan funds secured through the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This important step ensures those who participated in the PPP program will not face a “surprise” tax bill. Program participants were widely under the impression that business expenses covered by PPP loans would continue to qualify for tax deductions per the Internal Revenue Service’s normal rules on business expenses. Farm Bureau has been a strong advocate for this important fix.”

“In addition, Congress also included direct assistance to crop and livestock producers, biofuels producers, livestock producers forced to euthanize livestock due to meat packing facility closures, as well as assistance for small meat and poultry processors for upgrades to facilities. We thank Congress for its continued support for farm and ranch families through these COVID-19 assistance actions, which clearly demonstrate Congress’s understanding of the important role a healthy agricultural economy plays in our nation’s well-being.”



KEY PROVISIONS: DEC. 2020 COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE

*The information below is not all inclusive but represents the best information NEFB has as of December 22, 2020. Please speak with your local FSA office or tax professional before making any program or tax filing decisions.

Background
On December 21, Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package as part of a larger deal that included reauthorization for several tax provisions, in addition to allocating $1.4 trillion to fund the federal government through September 2021. The following is a breakdown of the COVID-19 relief package. Please note, stimulus payments could be distributed as early as the week of December 27. Sign-up for other assistance programs will likely occur after Jan. 1, 2021.

General
    Includes $600/person stimulus payments. Individuals making up to $75,000/year will receive a payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, in addition to $600/child.
    Jobless workers will get an extra $300 per week in federal cash through March 14. Employment benefits are extended to self-employed individuals, gig workers, and those who’ve exhausted state benefits.
    Small businesses would see a total of $325 billion, including $284 billion in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), $20 billion for businesses in low-income communities, and $15 billion for struggling live venues such as movie theaters and museums.
    The agreement includes $7 billion to expand broadband access, including $300 million for rural broadband, $250 million for telehealth, and authorizes a new emergency broadband benefit to help students, families, and unemployed workers afford high-speed internet service during the pandemic.
    The bill also includes a variety of payments for the transportation sector including $15 billion to help airlines, $14 billion for mass transit, $10 billion for state highways, $2 billion for airports, and $1 billion for Amtrak.

Agriculture
    The bill changes the rules under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) allowing farmers, ranchers, and other business owners to deduct business expenses paid for by using PPP loan funds. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had opposed this move during the program’s initial rulemaking earlier this year, which would have subjected those who utilized PPP to a “surprise” tax bill as these expenses had always been tax deductible.
    Provides $26 billion to USDA with $13 billion going to programs targeted to farmers and ranchers.
    For farmers, the bill provides another round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) payments of $20 per planted acre of non-specialty crops. This is expected to hit a total cost of $5 billion.
    Livestock producers are expected to receive support totaling $3 billion divided between cattle producers, contract livestock and poultry growers, dairy farms, and producers who were forced to euthanize livestock or poultry due to disruptions in processing plants.
    For cattle producers, the bill provides an inventory top-up payment to address a portion of the gap in support provided by both CFAP and CFAP 2 for those who sold cattle before April 15, 2020, as well as those who sold cattle after. American Farm Bureau Economist John Newton estimates the additional top-up assistance to cattle producers based on CFAP 1 and CFAP 2 inventory rates at $63.00 per-head for slaughter cattle: fed cattle, $14.75 per-head for slaughter cattle: mature cattle, $25.50 per-head for feeder cattle: 600 pounds or more, $7.00 per-head for feeder cattle: less than 600 pounds, and $17.25 per-head for all other cattle.
    For producers who had to depopulate animals due to insufficient processing capacity, payments will be made at 80 percent of fair market value of the animal plus the cost to depopulate, minus money received from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or from state assistance.
    Also included was language to provide up to 80 percent of lost revenue for contract growers who were affected by cancelled or delayed contracts.
    The bill gives the USDA Secretary the ability to aid biofuels producers.
    Small meat processors also received aid to help them make improvements to their facilities in order for them to move to federal inspection or state inspection that allows them to sell product over state lines.
    Lastly, the bill establishes a livestock dealer trust to give unpaid sellers of livestock priority in collecting receivables in the event of a dealer default.

Nebraska Farm Bureau will continue to provide you additional program and sign-up information as it becomes available.



 CONGRESSMAN FORTENBERRY ACHIEVES $11M IN FUNDING FOR USDA AGRICULTURE RESEARCH FACILITY AT UNL

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, was successful in achieving $11.2 million in federal funding for the planning and design of a USDA Agricultural Research Service facility.

The funding is included in the federal 2021 omnibus appropriations bill, which was approved by Congress yesterday. Fortenberry said the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will be the site of the facility.

“Congressman Fortenberry has been a tremendous supporter of moving agriculture into the 21st century and continuing America’s role as both the leading innovator and food producer in the world. He’s also been an incredible supporter of the ground-breaking work being done at our university,” Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “This project wouldn’t have happened without his hard work and diligence in obtaining funding. It’s an incredible opportunity for partnership between UNL and the USDA, fueling the future of agriculture and food production.”

“As the ranking member on ag appropriations, and through tough negotiations, I am very pleased that a new USDA building for ARS is slated for the Nebraska Innovation Campus at UNL,” Fortenberry said. “With this new funding, USDA will expand its strategic research investments in areas such as agricultural innovation and precision agriculture. This effort aligns the needs of our country and the university’s agricultural research mission.”

Nebraska is the nation’s third-largest ag economy, with agricultural production contributing more than $21 billion annually. Nebraska is known for the scale and diversity of its crop and livestock commodities, as well as for the abundance of its natural resources. The university is consistently ranked among the top agricultural colleges in the United States, with respected, established research programs in food, agriculture, climate, water and natural resource sciences.

“Nebraska is the epicenter of agriculture in the United States,” said Mike Boehm, vice president and vice chancellor for agriculture and natural resources at Nebraska. “News of this facility is a bold step to ensure American agriculture remains the leader in feeding and fueling a growing world in a sustainable way.”



WINTER TETANY
Nebraska Extension Educator Ben Beckman

Grass tetany is an issue that we typically associate with spring.  It occurs when animals are first turned out to pasture and have lush, new growth to eat.  While quality, new grass growth doesn’t have enough magnesium to meet nutritional needs.  This is even worse for lactating animals as milk production raises this demand even more.  The resulting magnesium deficiency results in tetany.

Tetany can exhibit itself as animals that are easily excited, have reduced feed intake, and exhibit muscle twitching, especially around the face and ears.  Animals can also appear uncoordinated and walk with a stiff gait.

In a recent Nebraska BeefWatch article, Extension Beef Educator Aaron Berger and Beef Systems Specialist Mary Drewnoski shared that winter tetany is something we need to keep an eye on just as closely as we do grass tetany, especially for fall calving cows.  During the winter months, a low magnesium diet can be just as big of an issue as in the spring.

Grass, alfalfa, and cereal grains harvested for hay can all be low in magnesium.  When they make up a majority of an animals diet and no additional magnesium is supplemented, tetany can be once again a concern.  Getting a hay test with mineral analysis can easily show if this is an issue of concern.  If tests come back showing less than 0.15% magnesium, the hay is deficient.  

Because high levels of potassium interfere with the body’s ability to absorb magnesium, forages that are high in potassium (greater than 2.5%) are at even higher risk.  Another mineral to look at is calcium.  Calcium can act as a sort of buffer, limiting the impact of high potassium.  Tests showing calcium levels below 0.4% are considered low.  In lactating animals, like fall calving cows, this drain on magnesium and calcium from milk production throws these imbalances off even more.

If you think your animals are at risk for winter tetany, there are preventative measures you can take.  First, make sure animals have plenty of salt.  Sodium is important in transporting magnesium into the cell, so an adequate supply of salt is critical to proper magnesium utilization.

Second, test your hay.  If it comes back low in magnesium (<0.15%) and calcium (<0.40%) and high in potassium (>2.5%), consider switching over to a high calcium and magnesium mineral.  Most options use magnesium oxide, which is bitter tasting and can reduce animal consumption.  Consider mixing with a protein or energy supplement or mixing with distillers grain or soybean meal to improve consumption if is not at target levels (for a 10-13% Magnesium mix, this is 4 oz. per head).

Finally, consider limiting feeds that are high in potassium.  The high potassium levels aggravate low magnesium, so balancing these minerals in the ration better can help.

Tetany in the winter isn’t a problem that jumps right to a producer’s mind, but is a risk we need to be aware of.  Properly testing hay and adjusting mineral and diets to balance out magnesium, calcium, and potassium can keep this nutritional problem at bay.



ALFALFA AS A SUPPLEMENTAL PROTEIN
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator  
 
Choosing the right protein may help bring the cost of feed down and more accurately meet the needs of our cattle. In some rations, alfalfa might be that choice.
 
Whether cattle are on winter range, corn stalks, or being fed prairie/grass hay, they often will need extra protein in their diet. Protein sources vary in cost and effectiveness. Protein is important because it is used by the rumen microbes to help break down low quality forage and then used by animal itself as microbial protein as they pass through the digestive tract. It’s essentially used twice.
 
Many times alfalfa is one of the cheapest natural source of protein, easy to use, and doesn’t require additional equipment. Non-protein sources of nitrogen such as urea may be cheap but won’t be as effective with low quality forage. The first steps to finding out how much extra protein your cattle need include testing your feeds and forages for protein and estimating consumption rate. Then determine the amount of supplementation needed which will depend if you are dealing with weaned growing calves, dry pregnant cows, or lactating cows and nursing calves.
 
Some winter diets such as winter range, corn stalks, or grass hay may require approximately one pound of extra protein per day. This can be supplemented every day or every other day and still keep cows productive, healthy, and meet requirements.
 
Feeding the right amount and choosing the right protein you need can save money. Alfalfa might just be the golden ticket.



Specialty Crops Risk Management Webinar Series Begins Jan. 6, 2021

The pandemic of 2020 provided opportunity for specialty producers in Iowa to expand production and sales. But managing risk for specialty production is critical to capitalizing on new market opportunities.

Beginning Jan. 6, 2021, the Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will sponsor a series of free webinars for specialty crop producers. They will feature new tools and resources on how to manage risk. The webinars will take place on consecutive Wednesdays over the noon hour. The last scheduled webinar is March 10.specialty crops.

The 10 sessions will cover various risk management topics, each featuring different speakers. Topics will include why risk management is important, types of insurance policies and options for specialty crops, whole farm revenue protection, developing a diversified market and profitable crops, and weather patterns and management tools.

Register for any or all of the webinars online at https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4orMZUc5RKCocj_6CLn5vQ.

Sessions are presented live, with time for Q & A. They will be archived for viewing on the FFED Small Farms page.

Below is a partial list of dates, topics and speakers for each webinar. The full list is available on the FFED Small Farms page.
    Jan. 6. Why is risk management important and an overview of risk management strategies, with Rex Nelson, associate extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
    Jan. 13. Crop insurance resources and tools and types of insurance policies, and options for specialty crops, with Amanda Weigel, agriculture program specialist with the Iowa Farm Service Agency.
    Jan. 20. Whole farm resource protection, with Craig Christianson, risk management specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency.
    Jan. 27. Risk management for perennial crops, with Joe Hannan, commercial horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

For more information contact Olivia Hanlon, FFED extension education specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, at ohanlon@iastate.edu.



Congress Provides Additional Aid to Cattle Producers

On December 21, Congress passed a 5,593-page COVID relief & government spending bill. The massive bill includes various provisions related to healthcare, financial assistance to the public and businesses, transportation, education, and much more. The price tag of the coronavirus relief package is $900 billion, with an additional $1.4 trillion dedicated to the omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2021. A $13 billion allocation is directed to support farmers, ranchers, and processors impacted by COVID-19.

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to see the inclusion of a Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) extension through September 30, 2021. We believe the LMR extension will give adequate time for the beef cattle industry to develop consensus regarding a solution to bring more price discovery and transparency to cattle markets.

“Late last night, Congress passed a coronavirus relief and government spending bill on a Hail Mary. A few key priorities that impact producers’ livelihoods were woven into the 5,593-page text. We appreciate the efforts of Iowa’s congressional delegation in representing the interests of the beef cattle industry.”

Additional topics of interest in the bill include, but are not limited to:
    ELD enforcement for livestock haulers
    Meat processing and Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS)
    COVID relief payments to cattle producers

The bill was passed by the House and Senate late last night, and is slated to be signed into law by President Trump.

For full details, click here... https://www.iacattlemen.org/Media/IACattlemen/Docs/covidconsolidated-appropriations-act-2021-overview-1_12-22-2020-32.pdf.  



Congress Passes Livestock Dealer Statutory Trust, Ensuring Payment Protection for Livestock Sellers
 
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) applauds Congress for passing Dealer Statutory Trust in the COVID relief package. A Dealer Statutory Trust will provide sellers of livestock much needed payment protection during dealer payment defaults.  
 
“LMA is grateful for the tremendous leadership of Congress to correct a fundamental unfairness in the current law where livestock sellers often cannot get livestock back when payment does not come through,” said LMA President Larry Schnell. “This is a top priority issue for livestock auctions, which pay producers whether or not we are paid by buyers, and have been devastated by past defaults.”   
 
The creation of a Dealer Statutory Trust, modeled after the existing Packer Statutory Trust, will give unpaid sellers of livestock first priority in livestock or if the livestock have already been resold, the proceeds/receivables from livestock.  
 
While this protection for livestock sellers has long been needed, the volatile down market in cattle prices due to COVID-19 increased the urgency of addressing this issue.  
 
Special thanks go to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), both of whom have been instrumental in moving this legislation forward. Recognition is also due to the original lead co-sponsors of Securing All Livestock Equitably (SALE) Act, (H.R. 6067, S. 3419), which would create a Dealer Statutory Trust. Congressmen Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Jim Costa (D-CA) led this effort in the House and Senators Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Tina Smith (D-MN) championed the cause in the Senate.  
 
Additional co-sponsors of the SALE Act include Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE), Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-GA), Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Liz Cheney (R-WY), James Comer (R-KY), TJ Cox (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Eric A. Crawford (R-AR), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Jim Hagedorn (R-MN), Josh Harder (D-CA), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Trent Kelly (R-MS), and Terri A. Sewell (D-AL). Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Michael B. Enzi (R-WY), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Doug Jones (D-AL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Jon Tester (D-MT), and John Thune (R-SD) are additional co-sponsors of the SALE Act in the Senate.



Congress Provides Farm and Food Relief

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today welcomed Congressional approval of H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, legislation to provide assistance to those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, along with the fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills to ensure continued funding for vital federal programs.

The legislation provides $13 billion to address COVID-related impacts on agriculture, $13 billion to support nutrition programs and $7 billion for broadband funding.

“The assistance provided by this bill will go a long way in providing the certainty corn growers need to recover from the impact of the coronavirus on our industry,” said NCGA President John Linder. “We thank those members who fought to deliver this needed relief and ensure we can continue to feed and fuel the world.”

Linder also praised the authority granted to USDA to provide support for ethanol producers, who were impacted by a drop in ethanol demand, along with the increased funding in food assistance to help meet the growing rates of hunger brought on by the pandemic.

The legislation also includes a reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), including a cost share change supported by NCGA to enable construction to begin on a new lock and dam in 2021.

“America’s corn farmers need reliable means of moving their crop to customers and the inland waterways are a vital artery of transportation for our products, especially in the Midwest,” Linder said. “Continuing to invest in this system is critically important to our industry’s competitiveness.”



Growth Energy Applauds COVID Relief, Tax Credits Extensions in Funding Package

Following the passage of end-year government funding in Congress that includes COVID-19 relief, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor praised the inclusion of biofuels industry relief and the extension of critical tax credits. The bill includes $13 billion for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support our farmers and agriculture sector, and specifically allows for payments to producers of advanced biofuel, biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, conventional biofuel, or renewable fuel. The bill also provides $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program which allows qualified small businesses to access a second round of forgivable loans. Created in the CARES Act, this critical financial aid assisted several ethanol plants in staying afloat through a particularly difficult summer.

Additionally, the bill extended a number of critical tax credits for the industry, including a one-year extension of the Section 40 Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, a $1.01 credit per gallon of second-generation biofuel produced; and two-year extension of the Section 45Q Tax Credit, a credit on a per-ton basis of carbon dioxide that is sequestered.

Just last week, Growth Energy sent a letter to Congressional leadership asking for Congress to “use all legislative tools available to support our businesses and infrastructure workforce during a time of depressed gasoline demand.”

“We’re grateful to Congress for stepping up and preventing needless uncertainty from holding back the rural recovery,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “In 2020, ethanol production is down about 13% compared to the previous year, and 2021 is also projecting to be lower than 2019 levels. Ensuring stability is imperative as we head into the new year, and we urge Secretary Perdue to move quickly on providing relief to the biofuels industry.

“We are also glad to see long-term investment in innovation that helps protect our climate, our health, and our economy through the extension of several key biofuels tax credits. Getting these updates signed into law will jumpstart growth in these innovative technologies at a time when revitalizing rural communities has never been more important.”



NGFA commends Congress for including key inland waterways, port provisions in FY 2021 spending package

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended Congress for including key inland waterways and port legislation – one of its major 2021 legislative priorities – in the fiscal 2021 omnibus spending bill approved Monday night.

“An efficient waterborne transportation system is crucial for growing the American economy and maintaining and creating U.S. jobs, and is vitally important to the continuing competitiveness of U.S. agricultural exports and their positive contribution to the U.S. balance of trade,” said Bobby Frederick, NGFA’s vice president of legislative affairs and public policy. “Since 2014, each Congress has passed a WRDA into law, and NGFA has viewed each bill as an opportunity to enhance U.S. inland waterways and port infrastructure. WRDA 2020 ensures continued investment in U.S. waterways infrastructure, helps bring U.S. waterways infrastructure into the 21st century and will help maintain American agriculture’s competitive transportation advantage against other countries. NGFA commends House and Senate lawmakers for bringing this bipartisan legislation to the point of enactment.”

Most significantly, the WRDA 2020 bill amends the cost-share formula for inland waterway projects for the next decade to provide that 65 percent of the funding be derived from taxpayer revenues and 35 percent from barge diesel fuel tax user fees deposited in the Inland Waterway Trust Fund.  Currently, the funding formula is split 50:50.  The trust fund consists of revenues generated by barge fuel taxes assessed against commercial users of the inland waterways.  

It is estimated that the change in the funding formula will result in an additional $100 million annually being available for lock-and-dam renovation, including long-overdue rehabilitation of the locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterway.  “It is well known that the majority of these locks and dams have outlived their 50-year design life and changing the cost-share is one prudent way to address this problem and bring U.S. waterways infrastructure into the 21st century more quickly,” Frederick said.

The bill also would provide access to the existing balance of funds within the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) over a 10-year period to facilitate port-dredging activities. Currently, around $10 billion has been collected and deposited into the fund, but has gone unspent for its intended purpose. Allowing increased use of the HMTF corrects “the fiscal disservice” to those that pay the 0.125 percent ad valorem tax based upon the value of cargo imports, and would help restore the United States’ comparative transportation advantage, NGFA noted.



RFA Applauds Ethanol Eligibility in COVID Relief Bill, Welcomes Tax Extenders

The Renewable Fuels Association today welcomed the passage of the Omnibus Appropriations and Coronavirus Relief Package, which explicitly includes renewable fuel producers as entities eligible to receive COVID-19 emergency relief aid. The bill also extends key tax provisions that support innovation and expansion in the renewable fuels industry, including the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, Alternative Fuel Refueling Property Credit, and the Section 45Q tax credit for carbon sequestration.

The legislation provides $13 billion in agricultural assistance and programs and specifies that the funding may be used to “make payments to producers of advanced biofuel, biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, conventional biofuel, or renewable fuel…produced in the United States, for unexpected market losses as a result of COVID–19.”

“Today’s passage of this landmark legislation is great news for America’s ethanol producers, who have struggled through the most difficult and trying year in the industry’s history,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “More than half of the ethanol industry shut down during the extraordinary demand collapse in the spring, and producers across the country still have not fully recovered from that market shock. The pandemic has cost the industry nearly $4 billion in lost revenue to date, with losses expected to continue well into 2021. The legislation passed today provides a ray of hope for the industry and provides decisive direction to the Secretary regarding the eligibility of renewable fuel producers to receive assistance from USDA.”

While the economic relief package provisions could provide a near-term shot in the arm for the ethanol industry, the bill’s tax extender measures will help spur longer-term innovation and expansion in the industry. Specifically, the bill extends through 2021 the $1.01 per gallon nonrefundable income tax credit for second-generation biofuel sales. It also extends through 2021 the credit for the installation of alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, including property that dispenses ethanol, biodiesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and electricity. The credit is capped at $30,000 per location.

“While the industry would prefer multi-year certainty for key tax provisions, we are pleased to see these important credits extended for another year,” Cooper said. “These measures are critical to the future of the renewable fuels industry. They help stimulate the commercialization of new feedstocks and fuels, while at the same time encouraging the build-out of the infrastructure needed to distribute low-carbon renewable fuels more broadly across the nation.”

The bill provides an extension of the 45Q carbon oxide sequestration credit, allowing the credit to be claimed by facilities that begin construction by the end of 2025.



 Soy Growers Pleased with Final 2020 COVID Relief and Omnibus

Congress has now approved H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and the American Soybean Association (ASA) is very pleased. The long-anticipated coronavirus relief bill, which passed both chambers with large majorities late Monday evening, will bring needed aid to members of the agriculture community and other Americans.

Kevin Scott, ASA president and soy grower from Valley Springs, South Dakota, said, “We are very thankful that so many measures in this relief package and the attached omnibus are priorities for which soy growers have diligently pushed: enhanced assistance under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and other direct aid to producers—including a shot in the arm for PPP and per-acre payments for eligible row crop producers—broadband funding, WRDA reauthorization and more.”

Importantly, the legislation provides $13 billion to address COVID-related impacts on agriculture and $7 billion for broadband funding—including $300 million for a much-needed rural broadband build-out—along with an additional $13 billion to support nutrition programs. And, the legislation includes a reauthorization of the 2020 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), with an adjusted cost-share ratio for Inland Waterway Trust Fund projects from 50% IWTF/50% General Revenues to 35% IWTF/65% General Revenues through FY2031, a major priority for U.S. soy growers.

“The bill also provides block grant funding for state departments of agriculture to support farm stress programs. Back in April, shortly after all this really escalated, the ASA COVID Task Force highlighted the need for stress relief across our ag communities—and ASA worked in conjunction with our state soy affiliates, the United Soybean Board, and even several interested state departments of agriculture and universities—on the #SoyHelp program to provide tools and resources to those in need. So, this is just one more component included in this legislative package that is keenly important for our ag communities,” said Scott, who led the task force for months.

In addition to provisions specific to agriculture, the 5,593-page bill includes many other important measures; notably, funding for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, another much-needed step for which ASA has advocated. And, the $900 billion stimulus package includes $1.4 trillion to fund the government through September, more welcome news.

President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law soon.



USDA Cold Storage November 2020 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on November 30, 2020 were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 12 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 7 percent from the previous month and down 28 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 21 percent from last month but down 58 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on November 30, 2020 were down 16 percent from the previous month and down 10 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 10 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 48 percent from last month and down 12 percent from November 30, 2019.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30, 2020 were up slightly from the previous month and up 2 percent from November 30, 2019.  Butter stocks were down 16 percent from last month but up 39 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on November 30, 2020 were down 8 percent from last month and down 16 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 2 percent from last month but up 3 percent from a year ago.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during November 2020 totaled 7.84 million, down from 9.13 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Nebraska egg production during November totaled 199 million eggs, down from 225 million in 2019. November egg production per 100 layers was 2,534 eggs, compared to 2,469 eggs in 2019.

Iowa:  Iowa egg production during November 2020 was 1.23 billion eggs, down 2% from last month and down 14% from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.  The average number of all layers on hand during November 2020 was 48.0 million, up 1% from last month but down 17% from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for November were 2,559, down 3% from last month but up 5% from last year.

U.S. November Egg Production Down 2 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.32 billion during November 2020, down 2 percent from last year. Production included 8.09 billion table eggs, and 1.22 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.14 billion were broiler-type and 78.6 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during November 2020 totaled 389 million, down 3 percent from last year. November egg production per 100 layers was 2,396 eggs, up 1 percent from November 2019.
                                    
Total layers in the United States on December 1, 2020 totaled 390 million, down 3 percent from last year. The 390 million layers consisted of 325 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 61.4 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.28 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on December 1, 2020, averaged 80.0 eggs per 100 layers, up 2 percent from December 1, 2019.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down Slightly
Egg-type chicks hatched during November 2020 totaled 48.0 million, down slightly from November 2019. Eggs in incubators totaled 53.2 million on December 1, 2020, up 11 percent from a year ago.  Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 169,000 during November 2020, down 15 percent from November 2019.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 2 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during November 2020 totaled 783 million, down 2 percent from November 2019. Eggs in incubators totaled 701 million on December 1, 2020, down 1 percent from a year ago.  Leading breeders placed 8.30 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during November 2020, up 2 percent from November 2019.



Farm Bureau: Members Accept Leadership Roles on National Committees

Just over 20% of Americans who serve as volunteers nationwide share their expertise as members of boards or committees, according to AmeriCorps. This commitment to step up and serve helps shape the direction of organizations they care about, as Farm Bureau volunteer leaders demonstrate year after year.

The American Farm Bureau Federation recently appointed farmer and rancher members to the organization’s Promotion & Education and Young Farmers & Ranchers committees.

“Continuing to engage with consumers to build trust and share the story of agriculture is an important part of national program committee work, especially now as farmers and ranchers are still farming during the pandemic,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We applaud the commitment of these newly appointed Farm Bureau members.”

Duvall announced the appointments of Alan Clark, Idaho (cattle and crops) and Paula Peterson, Nebraska (cattle and crops) to two-year terms on the P&E Committee starting in March 2021. The following members of the P&E Committee were reappointed for two-year terms starting in March 2021: Andrea Brossard, Wisconsin (dairy and beef cattle);  Heather Lang, North Dakota (small grains and hogs); Stacey Lauwers, Michigan (alfalfa, soybeans and wheat); and Barbara Rogers-Scharneck, Massachusetts (greenhouse and crops).

The P&E Committee is comprised of 10 individuals representing qualifying Farm Bureau Promotion & Education states. Its mission is to “Inspire. Equip. Collaborate.”

Duvall announced the appointment of the following members to the YF&R Committee for the 2021-2023 term beginning in March: Tanner and Kerre Clark, Missouri (beef cattle); Drew DeSutter, Illinois (corn, soybeans and beef cattle); Charlie and Casey Ellington, Ohio (beef cattle, swine, poultry and hay); Justin and Allison McKain, Indiana (soybeans); Jarad Plair, Florida (sugar cane); Eric and Alisha Schwertner, Texas (cotton, wheat, sorghum and corn); Brenda Sisung, Michigan (corn, soybeans, wheat and beef cattle); and Kyle and Jessica Wade, Idaho (beef cattle and pasture).

The YF&R Committee is comprised of 16 positions representing all regions of the U.S. An individual or couple may hold each committee appointment. Committee members are responsible for program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R competitive events during AFBF’s convention each January, and the Harvest for All program.

National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus. Learn more online: Promotion & Education, http://www.fb.org/programs/promotion-education/ and Young Farmers & Ranchers, http://www.fb.org/programs/young-farmers-and-ranchers/.