Wednesday January 20 Ag News

 Iowa farmers launch "The Etsy of Meat"

Driven by decreased demand for his own turkey since the Covid-19 pandemic began, a southeast Iowa farmer and businessman came up with an idea that would eventually become the online marketplace known as ChopLocal.

Jared Achen, of Wayland, Iowa, began to examine the supply chain challenges faced by farmers, processors and consumers in the late spring months of 2020. “At the same time that farmers had no markets for their livestock, consumers were struggling to get the meat they wanted from grocery stores. I knew there had to be a better system to connect the farmers who have meat with the consumers who want it,” he says.

Achen raises turkeys as a shareholder for West Liberty Foods, a turkey processing company and further processor of protein. He also serves on the board of Agri-Way Partners, a feed and grain operation with locations across southeast Iowa.

Together with co-founder Katie Olthoff, Achen is building ChopLocal. The company’s goal is to make it easier to buy and sell high-quality meat online.

“We’re creating a one-stop shop where customers can buy high-quality meats directly from farmers and small businesses,” says Olthoff. The marketplace allows customers to order from multiple farms/businesses at once for pick-up or delivery.

Support for the farmers and vendors is a key part of ChopLocal’s mission. From shipping logistics to best-practices for increasing sales, ChopLocal is able to provide services for small businesses that they can’t find elsewhere.

Each vendor has their own “microstore” where they can share more information about their farm or business. This helps customers know exactly who they are ordering from, whether it is a farmer or small meat shop.

“It’s really important to us that our vendors can tell their story and maintain their identity,” says Olthoff, who serves as the Director of Marketing and Vendor Relations. “We want to highlight the farmers and small businesses that make up this alternative meat supply chain.”

Olthoff was most-recently the Sr. Director of Communications and Membership for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and is the author of the “My Family’s Farm” book series.

The ChopLocal marketplace launched in early December with four vendors selling everything from beef and pork to gourmet bacon and rabbit. New vendors are being added regularly, and ChopLocal will be expanding out of its home state in early 2021.



Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Industry Honors Those Who Helped it "Rise"

Long-time advocates, biodiesel friends, and industry movers and shakers headline the recipients of the 2021 “Eye on Biodiesel” awards. These honors, awarded annually by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), recognize a prominent group of longstanding champions who made significant contributions to the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. The forward-thinking and ambition demonstrated by the honorees helped biodiesel “RISE” into the industry it is today.

“This year NBB selected a group of winners who have proven integral to the growth and development of the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. Our industry and association would not have seen the success in this market without their immense passion, support, and dedication,” said NBB CEO Donnell Rehagen. “We applaud and extend our many thanks to these remarkable individuals for their hard, and sometimes grinding work that positioned our industry for its monumental growth. Our Vision of 6 billion gallons by 2030 would not be possible without their many contributions.”

NBB recognized the 2021 “Eye on Biodiesel” award winners throughout the National Biodiesel Conference. The honorees are:

Kenlon Johannes “Pioneer Award”  
NBB announced the renaming of its "Pioneer Award," the association's highest honor, after one of the most influential individuals in the industry's history. The newly named "Kenlon Johannes Pioneer Award” will forever recognize and honor Johannes, a long-time servant of the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. Johannes was instrumental in the initial development of the biodiesel industry in the United States, serving as the first Executive Director of the National SoyDiesel Development Board, later named the National Biodiesel Board. Since then, Johannes’ dedication to better, cleaner fuels never wavered.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas Soybean Association and Administrator of the Kansas Soybean Commission. In those roles, under the direction of farmer-led boards of directors, he manages production and utilization research, domestic and international market development, and education projects for the Commission, as well as federal and state lobbying programs for the Association. After more than 30 years serving both the agriculture and biodiesel industries, Johannes will retire this spring.

Joe Jobe, President and Founder, Rock House Advisors – Kenlon Johannes Pioneer Award
Joe Jobe was announced as the first recipient of the newly-named "Kenlon Johannes Pioneer Award.” NBB recognized Jobe for his leadership and vision for the biodiesel industry during his 17 years as NBB’s CEO.  

Jobe served NBB from 1997 - 2016, first as Chief Financial Officer and then as CEO. Jobe grew the association from 14 soybean grower members to a highly diverse membership representing over 200 companies across the industry’s value chain. His foresight and hard work drove the industry from a small farmer organization with an ambitious idea to commercialize an experimental fuel to the $11 billion low carbon industry that it is today, supporting over 64,000 green jobs. Over the better part of two decades, Jobe oversaw the integration of biodiesel into our nation’s energy policy through his devoted work on the Renewable Fuel Standard and biodiesel tax credit. He also worked to ensure California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) included biodiesel, leading the industry to significant growth.

Currently, Jobe is the President and Founder of Rock House Advisors, a business consulting firm specializing in energy, agriculture, transportation, automated technology, and sustainability.

Governor Kim Reynolds – Impact Award
This year’s Impact Award was presented to respected biodiesel champion, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Governor Reynolds is committed to assuring that Iowa’s success is every Iowan’s success, and one key way she is achieving that goal is by advancing renewable fuels like biodiesel.

During her term, Governor Reynolds has been a dedicated and articulate advocate for biodiesel and renewable diesel. The Governor’s rural roots in Iowa have positioned her to be an active voice for the industry and make much needed progress at the state and federal level. Governor Reynolds has fought for a stronger, more reliable Renewable Fuel Standard, aiding in the much-desired growth of better, cleaner biodiesel.

In 2019, the Governor made strides by signing an executive order requiring all new state-owned diesel-powered vehicles to be compatible with the use of at least 20% biodiesel. In addition, she supported significant growth of the industry through the expansion of renewable fuel infrastructure for biodiesel, including installation of biodiesel pumps at retail fuel stations in Iowa.

Gary Haer, Vice President, Special Projects, Renewable Energy Group – Inspiration Award
Gary Haer is the Vice President, Special Projects for NBB member company, Renewable Energy Group (REG). REG is the largest biodiesel producer by volume in the United States, as well as producer of renewable diesel. For more than 20 years, Haer has been at the forefront of this development in the company and biodiesel industry.

As the biodiesel industry began to take shape in early 2000, Haer served as the National Sales and Marketing Manager for biodiesel at West Central, a farm cooperative in Iowa. In 2006, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. emerged from the West Central business and Haer took the helm of the Sales and Marketing department, including market and distribution infrastructure development for national and international biomass-based diesel sales.

His tireless work and advocacy did not stop there. Haer was elected to NBB’s Governing Board in 2004 as the Secretary and worked his way to Vice Chairman and eventually Chairman of the Board. His service was momentous, and serves as a milestone, as he was the first non-farmer Chair of the NBB and led the organization during a time of the industry’s greatest growth in production and membership. In this position, Haer was a true, respected leader who was committed to the evolution of the industry and association.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Shares Priorities with President Biden, Congressional Leaders

Nebraska Farm Bureau wasted no time putting priorities for Nebraska farmers and ranchers in front of new leadership in the White House and on Capitol Hill. In a Jan. 20, Inauguration Day letter addressed to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and congressional leaders, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue asked for their help to ensure a bright future for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

“There are many issues that could have far-reaching implications for farmers and ranchers. It is critical elected leaders know what is important to our members so we can work together in these areas. It is also vital farmers and ranchers have a seat at the table and engage as decisions impacting their livelihoods and communities are formulated,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.

Nebraska Farm Bureau priorities shared with President Biden and congressional leaders include:
Expand rural connectivity to secure high speed, high quality internet access statewide.
Expand rural economic development opportunities to grow rural Nebraska and enhance profitability for farm and ranch families.
Ensure environment and climate initiatives work for farm and ranch families.
Support animal agriculture production and policies to enhance growth.
Grow markets, domestic and international, for Nebraska agricultural products.
Ensure regulations and programs work for farm and ranch families.

“We are committed to working with President Biden, his administration, and Congress to act on these priorities to bring prosperity to Nebraska farm and ranch families. When farmers and ranchers do well, rural communities flourish, and all Nebraskans benefit,” said McHargue.



Corn Grower Leaders to President Biden: We Stand Ready to Work with You

Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today congratulated President Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States. NCGA President John Linder, along with 21 state corn grower association presidents, sent a letter to Biden outlining the opportunities for corn growers and agriculture over the next four years.

“As you know, farmers are optimistic by nature. Each year we plant seeds in the ground, rely on a combination of mother nature and innovation, and we are hopeful that those seeds will generate a profitable commodity. In that same regard, we are optimistic about the opportunity for farmers to play an innovative role in combating climate change and expanding our overseas markets,” the corn grower leaders wrote.

NCGA and corn growers across the country are looking forward to being a part of efforts to address climate change, one of the Biden-Harris Administration’s top policy priorities. In their letter, the corn grower leaders highlighted the unique role corn ethanol can play in these efforts.

“Higher-octane fuels, most effectively achieved by blending more low carbon ethanol, would unlock increased gains in vehicle efficiency, equating to more miles per gallon, and an even further reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to working closely with your Administration and Congress to begin the transition of the nation’s fuel supply to a higher-octane, low carbon fuel,” they wrote.

Expanding overseas markets for U.S. corn and corn products is also a top priority for NCGA. The grower leaders expressed optimism that the new Administration will be able to forge new trade agreements with strategic partners abroad.

“We are confident your vast experience in the foreign policy arena will serve the United States well in our ability to expand upon our global competitiveness,” they wrote.



NMPF Statement on Beginning of the Biden Administration
President and CEO Jim Mulhern

The National Milk Producers Federation congratulates President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on becoming the 46th president and 49th vice-president of the United States, as well as the members of the 117th Congress as they embark on their work serving the American people.

Inaugurations represent new beginnings and new opportunities. This is especially important today, as we begin this journey at a time of turmoil that has intensified in recent months and weeks. We in dairy offer our own commitment to work on a bipartisan basis for progress on issues important to dairy farmers, their cooperatives and the greater good. We also look forward to engaging with the broader agricultural community to meet our common challenges and build a thriving rural America that lifts the entire nation.



Biden Begins Presidency With Action on Climate, Immigration

In his first hours as president, Joe Biden issued a flurry of executive orders and policy proposals covering a wide range of issues.

Of particular interest to National Farmers Union (NFU) is President Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. The organization, which has long advocated aggressive climate mitigation, called the previous administration’s move to withdraw from the pact a “shameful mistake." It comes as a great relief that the Biden administration has prioritized this issue on day one.

NFU was similarly pleased by the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, a comprehensive immigration plan that offers undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship, fast-tracking “Dreamers” as well as farm workers and other essential workers. This approach aligns with Farmers Union’s official immigration policy, which supports bipartisan efforts that address the needs of businesses while protecting the interests of workers.

In a statement, NFU President Rob Larew applauded both efforts, indicating that they set an encouraging tone for the next four years:

“When it left the Paris Climate Agreement, the United States abdicated its moral obligation to protect its citizens and the planet from the existential threat of climate change. Without the support of one of the largest and wealthiest nations, the whole world has fallen behind in this battle – a fact that is undeniably alarming and distressing. Today, however, as the U.S. rejoins nearly every other country to mitigate and adapt to this crisis, there is reason to feel hopeful about our future. We commend President Biden for approaching climate change with the urgency it deserves and prioritizing solutions from day one. Over the next four years, he must build on this effort with aggressive, economy-wide climate action and ongoing global leadership.

“National Farmers Union is also encouraged by the Biden administration’s plan for immigration reform. Our food system would grind to a halt without the millions of immigrants who plant seeds, harvest produce, tend to livestock, drive refrigerated trucks, process and package food, and ring up groceries. Through the pandemic, these essential workers have continued to show up to feed their fellow Americans – despite the immense risk to their own health. To repay them for their bravery and selflessness, the very least we can do is offer them a clear pathway to citizenship.”



Growth Energy Statement on Inauguration of Biden as 46th President of the United States

On Inauguration Day 2021, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued a congratulatory message following the swearing-in of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, and Kamala Harris as Vice President:

“Growth Energy extends its congratulations to President Biden and Vice President Harris. President Biden made it clear on the campaign trail that his administration would usher a new era of biofuels as part of their rural agenda and efforts to promote clean energy. We look forward to working with the President and his Administration to deliver on his promise and include biofuels as a big part of the climate strategy for decarbonizing the transportation sector immediately.”



AFBF Congratulates President Biden on Inauguration

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall commented today on the inauguration of President Joe Biden, who was sworn-in as the 46th president of the United States.

“The American Farm Bureau Federation congratulates President Joe Biden as he begins his term as 46th president of the United States. We also congratulate Vice President Kamala Harris as she makes history as the first woman to serve as America’s vice president.

“The past several weeks have been difficult for all of America. We were saddened by the violence that threatened a peaceful transfer of power, but what we witnessed today is a hallmark of what has made this country an example for the rest of the world. We have peacefully ushered in new leaders and with them new appreciation for the resilience of our democracy. Today, we turn the page, learn the lessons, and look to the future with the hope and optimism that are core to who we are as Americans.

“Addressing the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities is important, including strengthening the farm bill, expanding trade and finding a fair solution to the farm labor shortage. We must extend broadband coverage to ensure rural families, businesses, schools and health care facilities can compete in today’s digital reality. We are also looking for partners in our efforts to achieve sustainability goals while ensuring climate policies remain market-based and voluntary. We have been meeting with President Biden’s nominees to discuss priority issues and today we shift into high gear to achieve these goals.

“All of this can be done if we commit ourselves to working together for a better America. Agriculture is traditionally divided more by regional differences than by political parties. We urge our elected leaders to continue that tradition of bipartisanship in the agriculture committees and throughout our government. Our country faces some big challenges. Let’s get to work on solutions.”



RFA Files Petition and Emergency Motion to Halt EPA’s Dark-of-Night Refinery Waivers

The Renewable Fuels Association filed a petition for review and an emergency motion to stay the effectiveness of three small refinery exemptions granted Tuesday evening by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with less than 24 hours remaining in the Trump administration.

“EPA’s decision will inflict substantial, immediate, and irreversible harm” on U.S. ethanol producers, according to RFA’s emergency motion, which was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, just hours after EPA publicly disclosed the new waivers. “This would be devastating to America’s ethanol producers, many of which are already on the brink of closure due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Data released by EPA Tuesday evening show that the two 2019 compliance exemptions reduced that year’s RFS standards by 150 million gallons, while one 2018 exemption erased 110 million gallons of renewable fuel requirements. The total eliminated volume of 260 million gallons is equivalent to shutting down three or four ethanol plants for a full year, or akin to erasing the total statewide annual ethanol consumption from Maryland, Massachusetts or South Carolina.

“The waivers issued by EPA Tuesday evening are completely without legal merit, and we took this action immediately to prevent the agency from doing further economic damage to an industry already reeling from the impacts of COVID-19,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “To avert additional harm to the ethanol industry, EPA must be prevented from returning any compliance credits (RINs) to the unidentified refiners who were given these last-minute exemption handouts.”



Farmers Union Denounces Last Minutes RFS Waivers

In its final hours under President Donald Trump’s jurisdiction, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued three waivers retroactively exempting oil refineries from their 2018 and 2019 obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The decision comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s agreement to hear a Tenth Circuit case that overturned three small refinery exemptions that had been inappropriately granted.
 
For the duration of President Trump’s term, National Farmers Union (NFU) has criticized his administration’s duplicitous approach to biofuels policy. The President himself publicly promised to support the industry on myriad occasions, while his EPA simultaneously undermined the intent of the RFS, giving free pass after free pass to multinational oil corporations at great cost to family farmers, rural communities, and the environment. Though the organization was certainly not surprised by today’s announcement, its president Rob Larew expressed his continuing frustration with the agency’s actions in a statement:

“In its handling of biofuels policy, President Trump’s EPA has been nothing if not consistent. Since day one, it has indulged the oil industry’s every whim without consideration for the ramifications for family farmers, rural communities, or the environment. We certainly weren’t holding our breath for them to change their biased, sycophantic ways. But while EPA’s decision to yet again bend to oil corporations’ will comes as a surprise to no one, it is still deeply troubling – especially considering the fact that it coincides with the Supreme Court’s consideration of small refinery exemptions.
 
“After tomorrow, we hope this drama and hypocrisy will be behind us. Instead, we urge Biden’s EPA to show strong and unwavering commitment to expand the use of homegrown biofuels. For starters, the agency should offset the damage caused by these superfluous waivers by proposing robust renewable volume obligations for 2021.”



ACE Reaction to Trump EPA’s Final Refinery Waivers

On the eve of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted three more small refinery exemption (SRE) requests that were pending under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Last week, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) sent a letter to the EPA Inspector General encouraging he ensure that all communications from EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and any correspondence of President Trump’s political appointees about the pending SRE petitions be preserved, in part, to ensure that dispensation of the waivers comply with federal laws regarding political appointees’ roles in federal acts affecting a personal financial interest.

“For EPA to hastily approve these waivers on the way out the door is the final painful reminder of their refinery-win-at-all-cost mentality when it comes to the RFS,” said Brian Jennings, ACE CEO. “This reinforces why we felt compelled to write the Inspector General requesting assurance these last-minute actions comply with federal law. Trump’s EPA has operated in the dark when it comes to how it handles the SRE program and these last-minute pardons for refineries by Administrator Wheeler and his staff calls for an investigation.”

ACE’s letter points out that EPA’s use of SREs to undermine the integrity of the RFS for the economic benefit of oil refiners has been subject to ongoing litigation, most notably the Tenth Circuit Court case. The letter makes specific reference to a Nov. 2, 2020 response Administrator Wheeler provided to a question about when EPA would act on pending SRE petitions where he stated that, “I think it would be inappropriate for me to either grant or deny them [SREs] until that litigation [Tenth Circuit] has completely run its course.”

The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear the refiners’ appeal of the Tenth Circuit’s ruling, with arguments scheduled for this spring and a decision likely by summer. ACE’s letter goes on to say, “Given Wheeler’s prior explanation of waiting until the Supreme Court has decided, it is perplexing why he appears to be rapidly reversing course.”

The letter encourages the Inspector General to preserve all communications from Administrator Wheeler and other President Trump political appointees about the SRE waiver petitions. “This should include communications among Trump appointees and EPA career staff with trade groups and law firms who represent oil refineries with waiver petitions pending, as well as with officials or lobbyists of these companies directly,” the letter reads, concluding that “this information, in part, is needed to ensure that dispensation of these waiver petitions comply with federal laws regarding political appointees’ roles in federal acts affecting a personal financial interest.”



Retail Fertilizer Prices Chug Higher With MAP, Anhydrous Leading

A majority of retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the second week of January 2021 continue to be higher.

Six of the eight major fertilizer prices were higher compared to the prior month. Two were up a significant amount, which DTN designates as 5% or more. MAP was up 6% looking back to last month with an average price of $551/ton, up $29. Anhydrous was 5% higher compared to last month with an average price of $474/ton, up $24.  Four other fertilizers were higher from a year earlier, but not by more than 5%. DAP had an average price of $486/ton, up $20; potash $373/ton, up $13; urea $373/ton, up $12; and 10-34-0 $469/ton, up $6.

The remaining two fertilizers were slightly lower in price from last month. UAN28 had an average price of $210/ton, down less than $1, while UAN32 is at $247/ton, down $5.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.41/lb.N, anhydrous $0.29/lb.N, UAN28 $0.37/lb.N and UAN32 $0.39/lb.N.

Retail fertilizer prices continue to be mostly lower in price from a year ago but there are a few exceptions. Urea is 4% more expensive, DAP is 12% higher while MAP is 24% more expensive compared to last year.

Both potash and 10-34-0 are 1% less expensive, anhydrous is 3% lower, UAN32 is 10% lower and UAN28 is 11% less expensive from last year at this time.



Nugent Joins SHIC Board of Directors

Russ Nugent, PhD, from northwest Arkansas has joined the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) board of directors, representing the National Pork Board (NPB). Nugent, a member of the NPB board of directors, was appointed to fill the SHIC board seat previously held by NPB board member Bill Luckey of Nebraska.

“With my background, I really love interacting with the smart, technical folks we have in swine health, biosecurity, and disease prevention. Then I can turn it into information producers can use to improve their individual livelihoods and to help the US overall stay very competitive in the international pork market,” Nugent observed. “We have the best systems here in this country and are the envy of rest of the world. You can’t do that without a lot of great scientific minds. To translate this expertise into activities and processes busy farmers can execute successfully is my passion.”

Nugent’s training and life experience have led to his interest in disease prevention, biosecurity, and production issues. He also views sustainability as a related issue. “Sustainability is such a huge part of the health of mother earth. All large-scale ag commodities have the responsibility to be conscious and proactive in that regard. A healthy pig herd creates a healthy planet when it comes to antibiotic use and all other related components,” he remarked. “People want healthy, nutritious, safe food and want to leave the planet healthy and safe. On the front end of production, topics like biosecurity, disease control, and health of pigs that need to be taken very seriously. It trickles down from there to take care of the earth sustainably and successfully.”

Nugent’s passion for production agriculture began on the small farm in rural Connecticut where he was raised and led to his choice of Penn State for his undergrad degree in animal bioscience. From there, he went to Virginia Tech, where he earned a master’s and PhD in animal breeding and genetics, working primarily with beef cattle and sheep. A postdoctoral appointment with USDA at its US Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska followed. There, the team of 80 PhDs and DVMs function together, uniting all disciplines, seeking better, more efficient livestock production systems from birth to harvest.

Tyson’s live swine division was Nugent’s next career stop, a place where he spent nearly three decades and cultivated his core pork production experiences, knowledge, and contacts. He began as a geneticist with Tyson and quickly moved to a role overseeing the technical service aspects of Tyson production systems. His responsibilities included hundreds of thousands of pigs, herd health, risk management around disease issues, biosecurity, and becoming active in the veterinary industry as a non-veterinarian. For the last 20 years, Nugent has been involved with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, NPB, where he was chair of the swine health committee for six years and is presently a board member, the American Society of Animal Science, and more. “I tried to make sure I had good relationships with the brilliant veterinarians involved in swine health and connect my expertise in technical solutions for the producer, who has decisions to make,” he recalled.

Nugent was involved in industry efforts to respond to porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and was serving on the NPB swine health committee during the height of the outbreak. Presently, he is engaged in African swine fever (ASF) prevention efforts through service on task forces and other groups. He looks forward to serving on the SHIC board and extending his involvement in the pork industry, noting he was a proponent of the Center as chair of the NPB swine health committee, even before it launched. “SHIC is a wonderful invention,” Nugent stated. “They take an animal health threat, and educate us on it, so it becomes a non-threat. SHIC has been on the cutting edge of several situations I would consider a homerun. And it’s a great value. They make progress on so many fronts, significantly contributing to the health of our swine industry, without a lot of overhead or unnecessary expenses.”

After retiring from Tyson in 2020, Nugent formed Dogwood Ag Services, LLC focusing on swine industry consulting, Bermuda hay, and hog sales. Nugent and his wife live on a small farm in northwest Arkansas where they enjoy outdoor activities.

As the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, SHIC continues to focus efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response to novel and emerging swine disease for the benefit of US swine health. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. SHIC is funded by America’s pork producers to fulfill its mission to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org.