Weekend Ag News Round-up - Feb 14

 Virtual meeting to be held March 2nd for the Maple Creek Watershed Plan

FYRA Engineering will facilitate a virtual public meeting regarding the Maple Creek Watershed Improvement Project Work Plan - Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA).  The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to complete the work plan.  The public meeting will be held virtually through Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the meeting to discuss the project development.  Personnel from the project team will be available to answer questions and receive comments.  The Maple Creek Watershed Improvement Project is located in Stanton, Platte, Cuming, Colfax, and Dodge Counties in Nebraska.

USDA-NRCS provides federal funding to local project sponsors so that they may work together to develop solutions for watershed issues such as erosion, floodwater and sediment damage, water quality and habitat improvements, and others.  This funding has been provided to the LENRD to create a watershed plan for the Maple Creek watershed.  The Plan-EA is scheduled to be finalized in late-2022 by FYRA Engineering.

Please visit the project website to learn about the project and access the Virtual Public Open House on March 2nd, 2021: https://fyra.mysocialpinpoint.com/maple-creek.  Written comments or requests should be submitted to Curt Becker, LENRD Projects Manager at cbecker@lenrd.org.  For those without internet access, information may be obtained at the LENRD office at 1508 Square Turn Boulevard in Norfolk.



Northeast's AG-Ceptional Women’s Conference to focus on “AGssential” women

A popular conference geared toward women in agriculture will be held this spring at Northeast Community College.

Registration is currently underway for the 12th annual Northeast Community College AG-ceptional Women’s Conference – a day-long event to be held Fri., March 12, originating from the Lifelong Learning Center on the Northeast campus in Norfolk with opportunities to attend off-campus as well. This year’s conference theme is “AGssential.”

The AG-ceptional Women’s Conference - northeast Nebraska’s premier event for women in agriculture - is typically held each November, but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the event to March. Typically attracting over 400 women who come together for a full day of networking, professional development and personal growth opportunities, this year’s event has been scaled back with a limited number of tickets available. However, there will be no shortage of events, workshops and presentations for those who attend.

The AG-ceptional Women’s Conference will feature over 20 speakers who will share their experiences and expertise on a range of topics pertaining to crop and livestock production, financial planning, and personal well-being. This includes farm transitioning, plant identification, soil health, hiring interns on the family farm, injury treatment and preventions, communication techniques, and many others. Exhibits and networking opportunities will also be available.

“We’ve had to be very flexible with planning the conference this year, as pretty much every aspect of it has changed in some way,” said Karmen Hake, conference spokesperson. “Instead of one general admission ticket, we now have five ticket-types, including attendance in Norfolk as well as attendance at each of the Northeast extended campus locations in O’Neill, South Sioux City, and West Point. We have also included a virtual ticket where participants will be able to attend sessions via Zoom.”

The opening session will feature a humorous speaker who illustrates the importance of energy, attitude, and motivation. Larry Weaver grew up in the rural village of Saxapahaw, N.C., where he spent much of his childhood working “involuntarily” on his uncle’s farm.

“From topping tobacco, to picking beans, to shucking corn, to harvesting potatoes, Larry has lived it,” Hake said. “He has a heart and understanding for farmers and the struggles they face. I’m certain attendees will laugh, learn, and leave feeling inspired and encouraged to live their full potential and creative best each day.”

The closing session, “12 Reasons,” is described as a discussion on “how this past year has changed us for the better.” Hake said 12 strong women will share the reasons they have changed their perspective on life and the way they live it.

“It will be an uplifting message about how we move forward and use the positives we have found in this past year to improve our lives.”

A tribute to the 2020 Ag-Ceptional Woman of the Year will also be a highlight of the conference.

Breakfast and lunch are also served for those who attend in person. Hake said registration fees vary by the type of attendance.

“The fee for those who attend in person in Norfolk is $44 and it’s $40 for those who attend in O’Neill, South Sioux City, and West Point. For those who attend virtually, it’s $22. Our fees remain affordable because of the support we receive from the many sponsors of our event.”

Face masks will be required at all Northeast locations and social distancing protocols will be in place.

To register or learn more about the Ag-Ceptional Women’s Conference, go online to northeast.com/agceptional. For additional information, email Hake khake1@northeast.edu, call (402) 844-7181.

Hake said, “We wouldn’t be able to hold our conference without the help of our valued sponsors who have adapted right along with us, and have been very supportive, despite all of the changes that we have made to the conference experience.”



USDA TO SURVEY FARMERS’ PLANTING INTENTIONS FOR 2021

As the 2021 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.

“Each year, the agriculture industry eagerly awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides the first survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for the year,” said NASS’ Northern Plains Regional Director, Nicholas Streff. “The March Agricultural Survey provides the factual data that underpins these projections, making it one of the most important surveys we conduct each year.”

NASS will mail the survey questionnaire in February, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2021, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed stored on their farms. NASS encourages producers to respond online or by mail. Those producers who do not respond by the deadline may be contacted for a telephone interview.

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

Survey results will be published in the Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks reports to be released on March 31, 2021.



NACD National Poster Contest winners announced

Each year the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) sponsors a Conservation Poster Contest to engage students in learning more about our precious natural resources and how we can protect the environment we live in.  The 2020 theme was “Where would we BEE without pollinators?”  The winning posters from the LENRD are sent on to the State contest in Lincoln.  The winning State posters are then forwarded on to the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for the National Competition.  Nebraska had a winner in the NACD National Poster Contest this week!  Congratulations to Emerson Ortmeier, from Guardian Angels Central Catholic in West Point, who won first place in the 7-9 grade category!

Great job Emerson!  Way to represent Nebraska!



Swine Building Ventilation Workshops Set for March

Pork producers can learn more about building ventilation from the inside out through a series of workshops in mid-March. Iowa Pork Industry Center joins Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in offering “Managing Your Unseen Employee: The Ventilation System” at five different Iowa locations at no cost. The series is sponsored by Automated Production Systems and lunch is provided courtesy of Iowa Pork Producers Association.

Brett Ramirez, assistant professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, said the daylong program provides a two-pronged approach to understanding issues and consequences of decisions by combining classroom instruction with hands-on trials and application of knowledge gained in a real-world setting.

“Session content is divided into three categories delivered classroom style and a fourth that provides hands-on learning,” he said. “In that final portion, attendees will be able to see and feel the impacts that design, maintenance and management can have on various ventilation practices through the use of Iowa State’s 24-foot mobile Swine Ventilation Trailer.”

Workshop dates, locations and preregistration contacts are below.
    March 15, Sutherland, Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm, 6320 500th St.; contact Dave Stender, dstender@iastate.edu or 712-225-6196.
    March 16, Emmetsburg, Iowa Lakes Community College, 3200 College Drive; contact Dave Stender, dstender@iastate.edu or 712-225-6196.
    March 17, Radcliffe, Hands On Excavating Shop, 3305 Ziegler Ave.; contact Russ Euken, reuken@iastate.edu or 641-923-2856.
    March 18, Cresco, Howard County Fairgrounds, Featherlite Center, 220 7th St. West; contact Mark Storlie, mstorlie@iastate.edu, 563-425-3331.
    March 19, Iowa City, Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Highway 218 S.; contact Matt Romoser, mromoser@iastate.edu, 319-430-7533.

All workshops run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Attendance is limited to 32 participants at each location and people may sign up for one location only. Preregistration is required using this online form... https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXpG1V73MqDh0PFSSbgYx-9gq41b4jwoW7LlenG-PODSP-sQ/viewform.  



Elite Octane Joins Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) is excited to announce Elite Octane, a 150 MGY ethanol plant near Atlantic, has joined the association as a producer member.

Nick Bowdish, Elite Octane’s President & CEO, will serve on IRFA’s board of directors. Bowdish said he is excited to work alongside the rest of the IRFA board this year to grow ethanol demand across Iowa, especially in light of Governor Kim Reynolds recent introduction of the Iowa Biofuel Standards legislation earlier this week. If passed, the legislation would set a minimum standard of 10 percent ethanol and 11 percent biodiesel sold in Iowa and chart the path to universal availability of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol in Iowa.

“We share the vision of Governor Kim Reynolds, IRFA, and the other supporters of the Iowa Biofuel Standards legislation that gasoline containing 15% ethanol should be available for consumers at every Iowa retail station and this bill provides retailers with the support they need to make it happen,” Bowdish said. “We are looking forward to being a part of the IRFA team as it works alongside the Governor and other ag groups to see the passage of this crucial legislation.  Upon doing so, Iowa will continue to lead by example as we advocate for other states and countries to offer higher blends of ethanol.”

IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw said IRFA was excited to welcome Elite Octane as a new member.

“While Elite Octane has only been in operation for a couple of years, Nick has been an active and staunch supporter for ethanol for many years and we look forward to his voice joining our board of directors,” Shaw said. “He is passionate and driven and as we work this year to pass ground-breaking legislation to boost biofuel demand, IRFA will be that much stronger because Elite Octane is now a part of our team.”



RFS Has Slashed GHG Emissions by Nearly a Billion Metric Tons to Date

A new analysis from a renowned carbon accounting firm finds that the greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved under the Renewable Fuel Standard far exceed the reductions originally projected by EPA. Between 2008 and 2020, the use of biofuels under the RFS has resulted in cumulative savings of 980 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.

The research, which updates the results from a previously published study, was conducted for the Renewable Fuels Association by Stefan Unnasch and Debasish Parida of Life Cycle Associates.

The greater-than-expected GHG savings are attributable to several factors: corn ethanol provided larger GHG reductions than anticipated by EPA; the actual carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel was worse than estimated by EPA; and use of biodiesel and renewable diesel exceeded EPA’s original expectations.

“The Renewable Fuel Standard has been the single most effective and efficient policy we’ve ever had for decarbonizing our nation’s transportation fuels,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This research clearly demonstrates that the RFS has already put us firmly on the path toward net-zero GHG emissions by mid-century, and the program will continue to serve as the bedrock for future efforts to combat climate change. The RFS has overachieved its original expectations, and renewable fuel producers and farmers across the country should be extremely proud of their important role in securing 1 billion metric tons of carbon reduction.”

According to the report, the carbon intensity of corn-based ethanol used toward the RFS is now 45% below the carbon intensity of gasoline, having dropped 20% between 2008 and 2020. The authors attribute ethanol’s shrinking carbon footprint primarily to improvements in the corn ethanol production process, growth in the use of low-carbon biogas as the process fuel, and the elimination of coal as a thermal energy source for dry mill ethanol plants.

Cooper noted that the Life Cycle Associates study is consistent with recently released research from Environmental Health & Engineering Inc., which showed that GHG emissions for ethanol are 32% to 62% lower than gasoline, with a central best estimate of 46%. In addition, the assessment showed that carbon emissions from converting prior land uses to corn farming make up only 7% of the biofuel’s total GHG emissions—a much smaller amount than generally recognized.



PHILIPPINES CONTINUES DEBATE TO RAISE PORK IMPORT QUOTA

This week, the Philippines’ government moved one step closer to expanding the quota for pork imports. Specifically, the government is proposing to raise the minimum access volume (MAV) to 400,000 metric tons (MT) to address shortages and higher prices for the preferred protein. The current MAV is 54,000 MT and the country’s initial proposal increased the figure to 164,000 MT. The proposal will need to be approved by the MAV Management Committee before it is submitted to President Duterte for approval. The proposal would then need to be ratified by Congress.

This latest proposal comes on the heels of the National Pork Producers Council’s recent meeting with the Philippines Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez. NPPC has been working with the Philippines’ government for more than a year to negotiate an expansion of the quota and lower pork import tariffs. NPPC welcomes the government’s proposal, as the Philippines holds tremendous market opportunities for U.S. pork exports.



NMPF Congratulates Senator Baldwin on Agriculture Appropriations Chair Selection

The National Milk Producers Federation today congratulated Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) on her selection as Chair of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

“During her time in both the House and the Senate, Senator Baldwin has been an effective champion for dairy farmers in Wisconsin and beyond,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. “She has fervently fought for dairy’s good name in the face of FDA’s unwillingness to enforce clear, simple dairy product terms. She also has played a key role in efforts to positively reform dairy policy and tirelessly worked on the Appropriations Committee to champion dairy innovation, as well as initiatives to combat farmer stress in rural America.”

Senator Baldwin has served on the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which sets spending for agriculture and numerous nutrition programs along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for six years. During that time she has sponsored the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act, which would compel FDA to enforce current law by requiring marketers of imitation dairy products to use proper labeling. She has also advocated successfully for critical improvements to the dairy safety net both in the Bipartisan Budget Act and the 2018 Farm Bill. Finally, Baldwin sponsored the bipartisan FARMERS FIRST Act which reestablished USDA’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to help farmers manage the unique stressors they face.

“Senator Baldwin becomes Chair of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee with a strong record of bipartisan achievement at a critical time for our nation’s dairy producers and their cooperatives,” Mulhern said. “We look forward to working with her as our nation continues to weather the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and begins to tackle the challenges that will follow.”



Ethically Made: Organic Valley’s Transparent Approach to Food and Farming

Organic Valley shares its impact on the food system through over 30 years of leadership focused on building a better tomorrow for people, animals, and the earth in its newly released 2021 Impact Report.

The comprehensive 31-page report represents Organic Valley's commitment to cataloging and reporting its business's impact.

Highlights:

Care for People
●      Stable, sustainable pay price for farmers
●      $15 minimum wage for employees
●      45% of women in leadership compared to 30% in most businesses

Care for Animals
●      50% more grazing time than organic requirements
●      5,000 farm visits per year by animal care staff
●      Average dairy herd size is 3.5 times smaller than the national average

Care for Earth
●      100% renewable electricity at owned facilities
●      440 million pounds of toxic chemicals kept off the land since 1988
●      Promotes regenerative organic farming and implemented a five-year Climate Action Plan

“We work together to produce healthy food that will nourish people across the country while providing economic stability for family farmers and rural communities,” said Bob Kirchoff, CEO of Organic Valley. “We build healthy soil, protect the environment, and care for animals. It is our part to play in nurturing the world around us.”

In the report, the organic, farmer-owned cooperative also features its sustainability efforts that include 100% renewable electricity at its owned facilities and climate-smart farming programs focused on regenerative farming systems and improving soil life.

Kicking off the new year with inspiration for customers, consumers, and employees, Organic Valley published the report, which is available for anyone to view or download at https://ov.coop/impact.