Tuesday March 9 Ag News

 Rising levels of nitrates are contaminating Nebraska’s groundwater

Nitrate levels in Nebraska’s groundwater are on the rise, especially in portions of Northeast Nebraska.  The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) has analyzed the nitrate data gathered as part of the routine Groundwater Quality Sampling Program and have found some troubling trends across their 15-county district.

An evaluation of water quality data collected over the past 40 years reveals that nitrate concentrations are continuing to increase in some areas.  Most recently, the data indicates elevated concentrations of nitrates in portions of Cuming, Colfax, and Dodge Counties, reaching levels that could pose health threats to humans and the environment.

“Nitrate in the water is relevant to all of us,” said Mike Sousek, LENRD General Manager.  “This is our water.  The water we drink and use in our homes every day.  The water we recreate with, grow our crops with, and plant and grow our lawns and gardens with.  But, this same water, could be affecting our health if it’s not properly managed.”

While the most serious threat from excessive groundwater nitrate is to human health, environmental issues such as harmful algae blooms in lakes are caused or exacerbated by excessive nitrate loads in Nebraska’s waters.  Nitrate is often found in surface water, like rivers and lakes, but it also readily travels into groundwater supplies, meaning that no source of drinking water is safe from potential nitrate contamination.

The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that nitrate concentration in drinking water does not exceed 10 milligrams per liter.  This threshold has been established to prevent methemoglobinemia in infants, however, researchers working with the University of Nebraska Medical Center have published studies indicating that prolonged exposure to drinking water containing nitrate levels at or below the threshold of 10 milligrams per liter is associated with increased risks of thyroid disease, central nervous system birth defects, and colorectal, bladder, ovarian, and kidney cancers, and therefore the threshold does not account for these other health effects.

To date, no studies have attempted to quantify the health and economic impacts due to nitrate in drinking water in the U.S.  However, a recent study has presented a “first-of-its-kind” comprehensive assessment of nitrate exposure from drinking water.  The study found that up to $1.5 and $6.5 billion in medical and indirect costs may be associated with annual nitrate-attributable cancer cases.

With the growing body of science alluding to the notion that the current drinking water nitrate standard may not be providing sufficient protection to public health, the discovery of areas with elevated groundwater nitrates within the LENRD becomes even more concerning.

Adding to those concerns are the economic costs of installation, operation, and maintenance of treatment systems that remove nitrate from drinking water supplies.  Safe drinking water requirements put a financial strain on smaller municipalities and rural water treatment plants who are dealing with source water that is contaminated with unsafe concentrations of nitrates, resulting in higher operation costs that inevitably get passed on to the customers.

For example, Creighton became the first community in Nebraska to build a reverse osmosis plant constructed to treat nitrate and provide safe drinking water to its residents.  In 1993, the cost of the original plant, excluding engineering and equipment, was $605,507.  An additional $1.2 million has since been invested to rehabilitate the plant and the operation and maintenance costs over the past 5 years have been over $1.8 million.  The increased costs to keep the system running have driven up the cost to the consumer to over $60 per month.

The community of Osmond, Nebraska recently completed construction of two new wells and other improvements, investments that were required as the existing wells were failing to meet the needs of its residents due to excessive nitrates.  It’s a circumstance that annually repeats itself in communities all across Nebraska as water utilities struggle to provide quality water to their customers at affordable rates.  For example, the communities of Dodge and Plainview are both looking for quality groundwater sources outside of their city limits.  To pump water from these wells, up to 5 miles from town, the additional costs for the system will be approximately $2-3 million for each community.

Other states are not immune, in October of 2017, Hiawatha, Kansas, began building a new water treatment plant that included an ion exchange system.  Nitrate levels in Hiawatha had hit 11 ppm a few months before – it was one of several times the town has warned residents not to drink tap water.  The plant cost the town of about 3,300 an estimated $3.5 million, which does not include the operations and maintenance costs.

For a private well owner, installing a reverse osmosis system in their home is often the quickest and easiest solution for the high nitrates in their well water.  The average monthly cost when using a basic system is around $35 per month.  When multiplied for each of the 23 years since the establishment of the first groundwater-quality management area, some families have invested almost $10,000 to have clean, safe drinking water in their homes.  A worthwhile investment to protect the health of their families, but a drag on the personal finances of those who are impacted.  A recent study in northeastern Nebraska has revealed that nearly 82% of wells were at risk of exceeding the 10 mg/L of nitrate.  The cost of remediation for domestic wells through reverse osmosis treatment in this area average from $4 - $164 total regional cost per household per year, depending on the threshold for treatment.  The study estimates that with the current trends, over the course of 20 years, residents in northeast Nebraska could see remediation costs as high as $400,000 - $5,400,000 based on an estimate of $13 - $508 per total number of households per year.  Ion exchange and distillation were the next most cost-effective options.  Nontreatment options include building a new well or purchasing bottled water, both of which are more expensive in the long run than using treatments.  Reverse osmosis treatment was the most expensive option, due to high initial costs and operation and maintenance costs of the system.  These high costs may discourage some households and communities from pursuing treatment, leading to possible health impacts due to nitrate exposure.

A better solution is to keep nitrates from reaching Nebraska’s water in the first place.  A host of agricultural practices – like the use of cover crops, no-till or conservation tillage, and rotational livestock grazing – can help farmers improve their soil health and decrease applications of chemical fertilizers, which are the source of much of the nitrate in our water.  Practices that achieve that goal can also help farmers increase their bottom line.

The grim reality of the situation is that it is not a “one size fits all” scenario when dealing with different land uses, soil type, or availability of labor and equipment resources from one farm to the next.  However, what every producer can do is to take advantage of the environmental nitrogen sources that are readily available on their land, such as, residual soil nitrogen, irrigation water, legume credits, and organic matter.  Comprehensive management of these available credits make it possible to make reductions to their purchased nitrogen applications, saving time and money, all while maintaining yields.

The UNL recommendations for applying Nitrogen fertilizer is a ratio of 1 to 1:  1 lb. of N per 1 bushel of corn.  In some areas, producers can get by with much less, even as low as 60-70% of the recommended amounts.  This equates to big savings for the producer and less opportunity for Nitrogen to leach into the groundwater.

Sousek said, “There are producers in our district who are trying innovative technology to improve nitrogen-use efficiencies that are allowing them to increase yields, all while decreasing inputs and lessening the chances for the leaching of nitrogen.  We encourage everyone to bring ideas and discussions to the table.  We’re here to partner with you.”

Sousek continued, “Producers are putting forth their best effort to minimize contamination, but we’re still not seeing the nitrate levels drop.  This suggests there are problems that have not yet been revealed, and it highlights the need for increased monitoring and creative solutions to address water quality, public health, and the financial burdens associated with these problems.”

He added, “This water is ours to manage locally and share efficiently.  Join us for our Open House Public Hearing and please share your ideas to help sustain and protect our natural resources.”

Open House Public Hearing
Thursday, March 25 | 5-7 p.m.
Nielsen Center in West Point, Nebraska



Over 100 Members of the House Send Letter to Address Carriers Declining to Ship U.S. Agriculture Exports from U.S. Ports

Congressmen Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Jim Costa (D-CA) today along with Rodney Davis (R-IL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Mike Thompson (D-CA), led a bipartisan group of colleagues in a letter to Michael A. Khouri, Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission, voicing concern over reports that certain vessel-operating common carriers (VOCCs) are declining to ship U.S. agricultural commodity exports from U.S. ports.

VOCCs serve as an integral link between American producers and overseas customers, without which contracts cannot be met and the ability to compete in or even access foreign markets is threatened.

Read the full letter here.....
“Our nation’s agriculture industry feeds the world, which is why agricultural exports are so critical to not only getting food on the dinner table, but to the livelihood of producers,” said Rep. Adrian Smith. “These troubling reports of VOCCs refusing to ship U.S. exports at our ports must be investigated swiftly, and have consequences if misconduct is revealed. This issue does not stop just at our ports on the coast, it also poses a dangerous threat all along the supply chain of perishable products that begin across the Midwest in states like Nebraska.”

“California is a leading exporter of agricultural commodities, totaling over $42 billion in annual receipts,” said Rep. Jim Costa. “It is critical that we resolve supply chain issues so our producers can quickly ship healthy, nutritious food around the world. Food is a national security issue and we cannot allow for disruptions to this system. This letter sends a strong bipartisan message to quickly investigate and resolve any issues that impact our economy and ability to feed the world.”

“International trade and export markets are a major source of income for American farmers and producers,” said Rep. Rodney Davis. “That’s why reports of VOCCs declining to ship American agricultural products are so concerning. These supply chain issues may create financial problems for Illinois farmers and agricultural companies at a time when they need certainty and stability more than ever. I urge the Federal Maritime Commission to investigate these reports so we can find out if regulatory action needs to be taken.”

“Access to the American market and its consumers is a privilege, not a right,” said Rep. John Garamendi. “California’s agricultural exporters and other businesses are willing to pay to ensure that American-made products reach markets in the Asia-Pacific. In turn, companies looking to offload foreign-made products at American ports must provide opportunities for American exports. Even during a global pandemic, trade must be mutually beneficial, and I expect the Federal Maritime Commission to resolve these issues and ensure that is the case.”

“Market access is only as good as the access to shipping infrastructure,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson. “Once again, China is participating in unfair trade practices, prioritizing empty shipping containers over U.S. agriculture products. America’s farmers work hard to produce a high quality product, and we can’t allow China to shut them out of the market.”

“Every day the Commission further delays their findings, more American farmers struggle to stay afloat,” said Rep. Troy Nehls. “Our farmers simply cannot afford to wait any longer. The Commission must expeditiously identify and address all predatory and biased behaviors by VOCCs so American exporters can reach overseas customers without delay.”

“Purposefully not shipping U.S. products from our nation’s ports poses a serious threat to our agriculture industry on the central coast of California,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta. “While I am grateful for the effort by the Federal Maritime Commission to investigate this issue, more needs to be done to ensure a fair and equitable resolution, so that products continue to be exported on a timely basis.  My district is home to one of our nation’s most productive agricultural regions where businesses rely on a consistent flow of products internationally. With this letter, my congressional colleagues and I are calling on the Commission to do more to end these types of unacceptable practices by certain vessel-operating common carriers.”

“Our California and American agricultural producers need our support, particularly right now during the Coronavirus pandemic and I’m concerned about reports that certain vessel-operating common carriers are refusing to ship American agricultural products, potentially harming our producers,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “That’s why I joined with my bipartisan colleagues calling on the Federal Maritime Commission to investigate this issue and bring relief to our agriculture producers.”

Over the past year, American producers, exporters, and entire economic sectors have grappled with widespread delays, bottlenecks, and increasing fees at our ports. These challenges are exacerbated by reports that VOCCs are delivering shipments to U.S. ports and then electing to leave without refilling empty containers with American goods for export. Such activity constricts entire supply chains and propels trade to move only in an inbound direction.

In March 2020, the Federal Maritime Commission launched Fact Finding No. 29, “International Ocean Transportation Supply Chain Engagement,” to investigate all the congestion, bottlenecks, and fees seen at our ports. In November, Fact Finding No. 29 was expanded to include reports of the decline to ship American exports.



Platte Valley Cattlemen Monthly Meeting is Monday
Tyler Engstrom, PVC President

 We would like to thank Crystal Klug and Karen Rieger for the update on the Cattlemen’s Ball coming to Platte County June 4-5, 2021. We would also like to thank Nicole Saafeld for sharing some drinks that they have at Cork & Barrel. Thanks to Columbus Sales Pavilion (Travis Bock) for sponsoring the meal and to 143 Vintage (Samantha Wiefeld) and Backyard Boutique (Jennifer Dicke) for sponsoring social hour.

With that said, we would like to invite you to our Feedlot Meeting Monday, March 15, 2021, at Wunderlich’s Catering in Columbus. Social hour will begin at 6:00 sponsored by Settje Agri Services and Engineering and Kyle Pratt-Zoetis. Meal will begin at 7:00 sponsored by Kit Held Seed and Chemical.

Our main speaker will be Adam Wolfe from Performance Beef on the topic of tracking rations on an ipad in the feed wagon.

We look forward to seeing you March 15, 2021.



Progressive Ag Safety Day Camp to be Held in April
Mary Loftis, Burt County Extension Associate

Safety is the number one concern parents have for their children. The world is full of dangers and educating your children about them is a full-time job.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Burt, Cuming and Dodge Counties along with the Progressive Agriculture Foundation are giving parents a break by sponsoring a Safety Camp on Saturday, April 24. It will be held at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Scribner from 9:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m. Youth ages 8-12 are invited to attend this Safety Camp and parents are welcome to attend with their child.

Workshops will focus on electricity, animals, ATV safety, chemicals, large equipment, power take off and grain handling safety.

Registration forms will be sent home from school for the safety camp or youcan call your local Extension Office for a copy at 402-374-2929 in Burt County, 402-372-6006 in Cuming County, or 402-727-2775 in Dodge County.

Completed forms and the $10 registration fee are due Friday, April 9 and should be sent to the Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W 23rd Street, Fremont, NE 68025. The camp will be limited to 100 youth participants. Parents attending with their child are asked to pay a $5.00 lunch fee. Masks will be required for all participants.

Make this fun day of safety education a priority for you and your children. You’ll never be sorry you did.



DORMANT SPRAYING ALFALFA WEEDS
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator

As our weather warms, alfalfa producers are reminded to eliminate weeds in their fields before plants break dormancy.  Herbicides for controlling winter annual weeds such as pennycress, mustards, and shepherd's purse should be applied before alfalfa regrowth reaches 2 inches of height. If alfalfa shoots are green when sprayed, its growth may be set back a couple weeks.

Broadleaf weeds can lower yields, reduce hay quality; and slow first-cutting alfalfa dry-down. Grassy weeds such as downy brome, cheatgrass and bromegrass can have even higher impact on lowering hay quality.

If your alfalfa variety is Roundup Ready, then glyphosate can be applied to the alfalfa almost any time without harming the fields. Fortunately, if you treat your alfalfa soon; you can have cleaner, healthier alfalfa at first cutting.

Before spraying these weeds, be sure they are causing economic damage to your crop.  Spraying will provide a purer alfalfa stand; but may reduce your overall total tonnage.

Our new Nebraska Extension Weed Guide, EC 130, lists herbicides labelled to control weeds in alfalfa. To be most successful, apply herbicides before alfalfa shoots green-up this spring to avoid  alfalfa injury.  If it does get late, use either Raptor or Pursuit; because they tend to cause less injury to your alfalfa.

Get ready to control unwanted weeds now before alfalfa plants break dormancy.  Spray timing is critical.



 Reinke Recognizes Grossenburg Implement With Gold Pride Award

Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has recognized Grossenburg Impelment in Wayne with a Gold Pride award in recognition of their success last year.

“We are proud to honor the team at Grossenburg Implement with this award,” said Chris Roth, Reinke president. “They’ve shown a great deal of dedication, working hard to support their growers. We appreciate those efforts as Reinke continues to develop and implement irrigation equipment and technology designed to increase agriculture production.”

Reinke dealerships from across the United States and Canada come together annually for the company’s sales convention. This year, they gathered virtually to recognize select Reinke dealers for their hard work and commitment to the higher standards of being 100% Reinke Certified. Dealers and Reinke leaders discussed the new products and initiatives from the past year, including the introduction of ESAC, SAC VRI and the Maintenance-Free Bearing as well as the partnership with CropX to empower growers with the world’s finest irrigation scheduling tools.

The Reinke Pride awards are determined as part of an incentive program that distinguishes superior achievement levels according to an evaluation based on a dealership’s exterior and interior housekeeping and maintenance, indoor and outdoor displays, safety, retail environment, merchandising, professionalism, promotions, event participation and market share.



Spring into Action and Be Seen

Spring brings planting season for Nebraska farmers. That means more tractors pulling planters and other farm equipment down highways and roads across the state. That also means increased potential for farm-equipment-related accidents between motorists and those farmers.

“We encourage farmers to avoid high traffic times, busy roads, and most of all, have equipment well marked,” says Eugene Goering, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board. “All farm equipment should have flashing lights, reflective tape, and the slow-moving vehicle emblem.”

The federal Agricultural Machinery Illumination Safety Act requires all agricultural implements manufactured after 2017 to be equipped with roadway lighting and marked in accordance with current American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers standards. The federal law also requires turn signals and amber marking lights.

“Reflective tape and new LED lights not requiring electrical power make it simpler to bring older equipment up to current lighting and marking standards,” continued Goering. “With farm accidents on the rise, being seen is critical to avoiding rural farm crashes.”

The slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem is required on all vehicles traveling no more than 25 mph. For towed equipment, the emblem must be on both the towed attachment as well as the towing vehicle. This orange, fluorescent triangle was invented in 1963 in response to research showing that over half of the highway fatalities involving farm equipment were rear-end collisions. Interestingly, the emblem’s unique shape occurred as creators tested multiple designs. The triangle ends would catch and rip researchers’ clothing, so the corners were removed from the triangle to create the unique shape of the SMV emblem.

The emblem is gaining new attention as the mascot for the www.FindMeDriving.com campaign, supported by the Nebraska Soybean Board. Through the acronym name of SAM, the mascot reminds drivers to Slow down, Assess their surroundings, and Move with caution, when driving near SMVs. The site also offers road safety tips, equipment requirements and resources for SMV drivers.

“We encourage farmers to make it a habit to check that all lights are in working order and the SMV emblem is bright and in place before driving on roads,” concluded Goering. “Your safety, the safety of your equipment, and the neighbor driving on the road are at risk. Let’s do all we can to be seen and avoid a costly accident.”



March 15 Deadline to Complete Election & Enrollment for 2021 Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage Programs

Agricultural producers in Nebraska who have not yet elected and enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2021 have until March 15. Producers who have not signed a contract or who want to make an election change should contact their local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center to make an appointment. Right now, about 87% of the Nebraska farms expected to participate have completed the enrollment process.

“In times like these, from winter storms to a pandemic, we’re reminded of the importance of managing risk,” said Tim Divis, acting state executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska. “The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs provide critical support to farmers to protect them from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues. If you have not enrolled or made elections, please do so by the March 15 deadline.”

Producers who enrolled for the 2019 crop year received more than $5 billion nationwide in payments last fall. If an ARC or PLC payment triggers for a particular crop for the 2021 crop year, and there is no signed 2021 contract on file, then the producer is ineligible for that program payment.

Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities: barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium- and short-grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.



Fly Control Strategies the Topic of Upcoming Dairy Webinar

The I-29 Moo University 2021 Dairy Webinar Series continues Friday, March 26 from noon to 1 p.m. This month’s topic is fly control strategies.

Roger Moon, retired veterinary entomology expert from the University of Minnesota, will identify common pest flies and how to manage them on confinement dairies.

“Different kinds of flies can bother your cows, workers, and neighbors,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Stable flies bite, cause cows to bunch, reduce milk production, breed mainly in soiled cow and calf bedding, and pretty much stay on the premise. House flies breed in wetter manure, annoy people and spread off premise to bother neighbors.”

According to Hall, routine premise sprays and fogs can keep numbers of both kinds low in confined spaces, but targeted source reduction through debris management outdoors is a more sustainable approach. Moon will discuss these issues and provide time for participants to ask questions.

Moon retired from University of Minnesota's Entomology department in 2016 after 36 years of service in research, teaching and outreach in veterinary entomology. He continues to study and publish on the biology, ecology and management of filth flies and other arthropods that occur around livestock, wildlife, and people.

Preregistration for the webinar is required; however, there is no registration fee. Register at https://z.umn.edu/flycontrolstrategies.

For more information, contact Hall at 712-737-4230, Jim Salfer at 320-203-6093, Tracey Erickson at 605-882-5140 or Kim Clark at 402-350-5003.



Mooving Forward with Dairy Technology Webinar Planned

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a webinar series focused on implementing dairy technology on the farm. The webinars will provide information on economics, facility design and management practices.

The webinars will be held on Thursdays (March 25, April 8, April 22 and May 6) via ZOOM from noon to 1:15 p.m.

The March 25 session will feature information on using time-lapse cameras to identify dairy facility design and management issues that impact performance. The webinar will be led by Brian Dougherty, field ag engineer at ISU Extension and Outreach, and Dan McFarland, Penn State Extension ag engineering educator.

On April 8, Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, in northwest Iowa, will lead the discussion focusing on sensor technology.

James Koltes, assistant professor in animal science at Iowa State, will outline how the university dairy uses two different systems and how he uses sensory devices in his research on the dairy. Industry reps and producers will also share their experience with their monitoring devices.

The third webinar will be held on April 22 and will include Dougherty providing facility layout recommendations for successful implementation of automatic milking systems into new or existing facilities. Dougherty will be joined by ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialist Larry Tranel and a University of Minnesota dairy educator as they discuss economics of robotic milking systems and recommended management practices to make implementation successful.

The fourth and final webinar will be held on May 6 with the focus on automatic calf feeder management. Jenn Bentley, northeast dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will provide recommendations for successful management of automatic calf feeders. Bentley will be joined by Gail Carpenter, Iowa State assistant professor in animal science, as she talks about feeding practices within auto feeders. Dougherty will also provide information on calf facility design.

There is no fee for the program. However, registration is required. Register in advance at: http://www.aep.iastate.edu/dairy-tech.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28586.

“Technology is becoming more commonly used in dairy facilities as a way to improve labor efficiency and flexibility, boost production, and enhance overall health and management of cows and calves,” said Jenn Bentley, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “These webinars will provide ways to utilize technology successfully and effectively.”

For more information on the webinar series, contact Bentley at jbentley@iastate.edu or 563-382-2949. Dougherty can be reached at brian1@iastate.edu or 563-583-6496; and Hall at fredhall@iastate.edu or 712-737-4230.

Link to Flyer: To see or print the full event flyer, visit the Iowa State University dairy team website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/dairy-technology-webinar-series.



Nominate Conservation Leaders in Your Community for the 2021 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon invite Iowans to nominate individuals or families in their communities for the 2021 Farm Environmental Leader Award. Nominations will be accepted until Monday, May 3, 2021, to be considered for the 2021 awards ceremony held at the Iowa State Fair.

Farmers and landowners who invest in conservation practices, like cover crops or wetlands, and incorporate best management practices into their operations to improve and protect the state’s natural resources are eligible for the award. They must also actively serve as leaders in the agriculture community.

“For generations, Iowa farmers have led in conservation efforts and continue to be excellent stewards of the land,” said Gov. Reynolds. “They go above and beyond improving water quality and soil health, serving as a model for others to follow. The 2021 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards is one way we say thank you, and recognize farmers for all they do.”

 “These are the farmers and landowners who are making financial investments to protect their farming legacies and sustainability. As leaders in their own communities, they’re showing others how to do the same,” said Secretary Naig. “This program is a great opportunity to honor these individuals for their hard work. They’re making meaningful, impactful changes to our soil and water and helping the state advance the goals outlined in the Nutrient Reduction Strategy.”

“We always have great joy in honoring and recognizing these leaders in our farming communities throughout our state that put healthy conservation practices on the forefront of their operations,” said Director Lyon. “It’s now more important than ever that we focus on protecting and enhancing our natural resources—especially our water quality and land quality.”

An appointed committee representing both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners. The recipients will be recognized on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Iowa State Fair. Gov. Reynolds, Secretary Naig and Director Lyon will present the winners with an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award and a yard sign donated by Bayer.

Since the creation of the award in 2012, more than 650 farm families have been recognized. The nomination form and a list of previous awardees can be found at iowaagriculture.gov/farm-environmental-leader-awards.



K-State researchers find gut microbiome key to respiratory vaccine response in pigs

A Kansas State University researcher and her team are taking a closer look at how tiny organisms living in the guts of pigs can help prevent costly respiratory diseases.

Megan Niederwerder, assistant professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, led a recent study aimed to identify gut microbiome characteristics associated with improved outcome in pigs immunized against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, or PRRSV, after co-infection with PRRSV and porcine circovirus type 2, or PCV2.

The article, "Gut microbiome associations with outcome following co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in pigs immunized with a PRRS modified live virus vaccine" was published in the March issue of Veterinary Microbiology.

"Our latest work is focused on how the gut microbiome impacts the response of growing pigs to a respiratory vaccine," Niederwerder said. "Beneficial microbes living in the gastrointestinal tract play an essential role in the development and regulation of immunity. We now understand that this role extends to viral respiratory vaccines in addition to viral respiratory diseases."

PRRSV and PCV2 are two of the most significant pathogens affecting swine production worldwide, resulting in clinical signs of respiratory disease and reduced weight gain. PRRSV is the most costly disease of swine in the U.S., with estimated losses of $664 million each year.

Modified live virus vaccines are widely used to reduce PRRS-associated losses and decrease respiratory disease in pigs. Currently available vaccines, however, are generally considered inadequate for disease control and additional tools are necessary to reduce the effects of PRRS on swine, Niederwerder said.

"The gut microbiome is one alternative tool that can improve response to PRRSV vaccines and PRRSV infection," Niederwerder said. "In the current study, we identified several gut microbiome characteristics associated with improved growth rates of nursery pigs after PRRS vaccination and co-infection, including increased fecal bacterial diversity."

Further gut microbiome characteristics associated with increased growth rates of vaccinated pigs included increased Bacteroides pectinophilus, decreased Mycoplasmataceae species diversity, higher Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratios, increased relative abundance of the phylum Spirochaetes, reduced relative abundance of the family Lachnospiraceae, and increased Lachnospiraceae species C6A11 and P6B14.

The results of this study provide foundational evidence that the gut microbiome in swine plays a role in the efficacy of PRRS vaccines during a respiratory infection disease model.

"Identifying gut microbes which enhance efficacy of the currently available and widely used PRRS vaccines is a way to improve the tools we already have in our toolbox for PRRS control," Niederwerder said. "Addressing complex infectious diseases require a multimodal approach and expanding the traditional methods by which we improve swine health benefits pigs and producers."

Funding for the study was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture; the state of Kansas National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Fund; and by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Laboratory Derived Research and Development Effort.



American Drivers Reach 20 Billion Miles on E15

Today, Growth Energy announced that drivers across the United States have reached a new milestone, logging 20 billion miles on the road using E15, a fifteen percent ethanol blended fuel and known to consumers at the pump as Unleaded 88.  

"In an unprecedented year, hitting this milestone is a huge testament to the benefits E15 offers drivers who use it and retailers who sell it,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “According to the retailers we work with day-in and day-out, selling E15 gives them a competitive advantage over other retailers, and most importantly, American drivers are showing they will keep coming back for a fuel that not only holds down costs, but also protects our air and our climate.

“Opening new markets for E15 is at the heart of Growth Energy’s mission, and we’re proud of this 20 billion mile marker. While we’re celebrating this achievement today, and 2021 is shaping up to be a game-changer for America’s biofuel sector, 20 billion miles is another milestone that we look forward to putting in the rearview mirror at a record pace.”    

Despite its challenges, 2020 brought expanded retail growth for E15, with the number of retail sites selling E15 growing by 10 percent, bringing E15 to more than 2,300 stations across 30 states. Growth Energy works with leading retailers including Casey’s, Cumberland Farms, Family Express, Holiday, Kum & Go, Kwik Trip, Minnoco, Murphy USA, Protec Fuel, QuikTrip, RaceTrac, Royal Farms, Rutters, Sheetz, and Thorntons to give more drivers access to cleaner burning, high-octane E15 at stations across the U.S.



China Confirms Another Outbreak of African Swine Fever

China confirmed outbreaks of African swine fever in its key pork producing provinces of Sichuan and Hubei, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement on Saturday.

According to Retuers, the cases were detected in Aba prefecture in the southwestern province of Sichuan, and the city of Xiangyang in the central province of Hubei.

The outbreak killed 38 pigs on a farm of 127 hogs in Sichuan, China's largest producing province. In Hubei, the disease was detected on a truck of piglets being transported illegally from another province. Of 165 piglets, 10 were infected, and five had died.

China is the world's top pork producer and consumer. A large outbreak of African swine fever wiped out about half of the country's herd in 2019, a year after it reached the country.



U.S. Organic Corn Production Closes in on Import Gap

Depending on imports to meet the needs of the U.S. organic corn market may soon be a thing of the past, according to Mercaris’ Monthly Market Update, released today.

A steady increase in production has the U.S. closing the import gap at a rapid pace.

“As recently as 2016/2017, the U.S. imported 42 percent of its organic corn needs,” says Ryan Koory, Director of Economics for Mercaris. “Given the current pace of imports, the U.S. will be on pace to reach the lowest level of imports in eight years for the 2020/21 marketing year. Per our estimates, offsetting imports this year would only require an additional 59,000 acres of corn.”

Koory notes that while the transition from import reliance to self-sufficiency is attainable within the next few years, the prospect of liberating U.S. organic corn markets from corn imports will bring a new set of challenges to the market.

“We, as an industry, have to consider what happens when the U.S. produces more organic corn than it can consume,” says Koory. “While exports and carryover stocks would seem like a simple answer in U.S. agriculture, this will be new ground for organic field crop producers. It may be time to invest serious consideration into what the markets will look like in the future.”

U.S. harvested organic corn acres have expanded 43 percent since the 2016 harvest, and yields have improved 6 percent, helping to rapidly close the import gap. While the gap will not be fully closed in 2020/21, Mercaris estimates further support the idea that the long history of U.S. dependency on organic corn imports may soon be coming to a close.



USDA Extends Free Meals to Children through Summer 2021 Due to Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the nationwide extension of several waivers that allow all children to continue to receive nutritious meals this summer when schools are out of session. These flexibilities are now available through Sept. 30, 2021.

USDA is extending these waivers to provide local program operators with clarity and certainty for the summer months ahead, when many children cannot access the school meals they depend on during the academic year. The waivers were previously extended only through June 30, 2021.

“We will do everything we can to make sure children get access to healthy, nutritious meals regardless of their families’ financial circumstances,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Our child nutrition professionals are doing a heroic job ensuring kids across the country have proper nutrition throughout this public health emergency, often times with limited resources. USDA is committed to providing local operators with the flexibilities and resources they need to continue offering the best meal service possible to their children, given their day-to-day realities.”

The waivers extended today allow for safe meal distribution sites that serve all children for free, regardless of income. In addition, the waivers:
    Allow meals served through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) – collectively known as “summer meal programs” – to be made available in all areas at no cost;
    Allow meals to be served outside of the normally required group settings and meal times; and
    Allow parents and guardians to pick-up meals for their children, including bulk pick-up to cover multiple days of feeding children.

Right now, up to 12 million children are living in households where they may not always have enough to eat. These critically needed summer meals will provide relief to many children in families who have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and are fighting daily to put food on the table.

Summer meal sites are places where children and youth age 18 and under can receive meals at no cost in a safe environment. The meals are also available to persons over age 18 with mental or physical disabilities. Sites may be located in a variety of settings including schools, parks, community centers, libraries, churches and more.

USDA is issuing this guidance as early as possible to empower communities to establish as many meal sites as they can effectively manage this summer. To learn more about how the program works and the role of sponsors and meal sites, visit www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/how-become-sponsor.



USDA Seeks Nominees for the Popcorn Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the Popcorn Board to fill seats for three processors whose terms expire on Dec. 31, 2021. Nominations are due to the board by May 3, 2021. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint individuals to succeed members. Selected representatives will serve three-year terms.

The Popcorn Board is industry-funded and supports the marketing and promotion of popcorn.  The board is composed of five popcorn processors.

Additional information regarding the elections and nomination procedures may be obtained by contacting Popcorn Board’s Administrator Genny Bertalmio at (312) 644-6610 or Genny_Bertalmio@smithbucklin.com; or USDA Marketing Specialist Victoria M. Carpenter at (202) 720-2930 or VictoriaM.Carpenter@usda.gov. Program information is also available on the AMS Popcorn Board webpage https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/popcorn.