Wednesday March 17 Ag News

Senator Fischer Reintroduces HAULS Act for Safe Transport of Ag and Livestock Products

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and Ranking Member of the Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports Subcommittee, released the following statement today after reintroducing the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act:

“Nebraska’s ag and livestock haulers provide a critical service transporting food and fuel across the nation. However, certain federal regulations fail to account for the unique circumstances involved in moving their products. The HAULS Act builds on my previous work to help our haulers transport their critical goods safely and efficiently.”

Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined Senator Fischer in introducing the HAULS Act. The legislation would:
    Eliminate the requirement that ag and livestock hours-of-service (HOS) exemptions only apply during state designated planting and harvesting seasons
    Amend and clarify the definition of “agricultural commodities” based on feedback provided by agriculture and livestock organizations
    Authorize a 150 air-mile exemption from HOS requirements on the destination side of a haul for ag and livestock haulers

Support for the HAULS Act:
“Nebraska plays an integral role in the U.S. beef production chain as a leading state for commercial cattle slaughter, all cattle on feed, commercial red meat production, and livestock cash receipts. Unfortunately, current federal regulations fail to account for the intricacies involved with hauling live animals. The HAULS Act would help mitigate situations where a hauler is forced to choose between compliance with federal law or the health and welfare of the livestock on board. Nebraska Cattlemen sincerely thanks Senator Deb Fischer for her commitment to delivering needed regulatory flexibility for livestock haulers by helping facilitate longer hauls that are inherent to cattle production in our state,” said William H. Rhea III, President of Nebraska Cattlemen.

“Farmers and ranchers must be able to get their crops and livestock to market efficiently and safely. The HAULS Act modernizes trucking regulations to meet the needs of our members. I applaud Senator Fischer for her leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with her to get the HAULS Act enacted into law,” said Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau.

“We thank Sen. Fischer for reintroducing the HAULS Act to provide much needed regulatory relief to our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and agriculture haulers. The efficient transport of livestock is critical to the agriculture sector and to the welfare of our livestock animals. Sen. Fischer has been a long-time champion of common-sense approaches to transportation rules and regulations. The HAULS Act reflects this common-sense approach by updating oversight of livestock transport to provide flexibility and better reflect the unique challenges that exist in hauling live animals. We stand ready to work with Sen. Fischer to enact this important legislation,” said Mark McHargue, President of the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

“By expanding the agricultural exemption to trucking hours-of-service rules, Sen. Fischer’s HAULS Act of 2021 would greatly increase the rules’ usefulness for agricultural haulers across the country. Moreover, the bill’s addition of feed ingredients would clarify that agricultural products, such as soybean meal and distillers grains, are eligible for the agricultural exemption and create more certainty in the trucking rules.   NGFA commends Sen. Fischer for her leadership, and urges that her bill be incorporated into a reauthorization of the FAST Act,” said Mike Seyfert, President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association.

“One year after COVID-19 began to disrupt daily life across the country, U.S. cattle producers continue to prove each day that they are committed to keeping grocery stores stocked with beef. Livestock haulers are a critical component of the beef supply chain and flexibility in livestock hauling regulations remains vital. NCBA strongly supports this effort, and thanks Sen. Fischer, Sen. Tester, Sen. Wicker, and Sen. Tina Smith for their bipartisan leadership on the issue. Congress must provide livestock haulers with the flexibility they need to maintain the highest level of safety on the roads, transport livestock humanely, and ensure beef remains available to consumers,” said Jerry Bohn, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

“AFTC supports Senator Fischer in her reintroduction of the HAULS Act. The Senator’s tireless work on this important issue shows her deep understanding of the need for flexibility within the agriculture community. This legislation takes great strides in clarifying those covered under the exemption, while eliminating unnecessary restrictions on seasonality. Since the inception of the exemption in 1995, agriculture has evolved and this exemption has continued to evolve with it. We are grateful that we have a champion that understands, so well, an industry that feeds and clothes those around the world,” said Jon Samson, Executive Director of the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference.

“The LMA appreciates Sen. Fischer’s continued work on livestock transportation, which has been further advanced by the reintroduction of the HAULS Act. LMA member markets and the farmers and ranchers they serve need a long-term and meaningful solution to the lack of flexibility in this space. The HAULS Act goes a long way toward achieving that flexibility,” said Jara Settles, Livestock Marketing Association General Counsel and VP of Risk Mitigation.

“The Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021 couldn’t be re-introduced at a more needed time. The bill provides clarity with the addition of feed ingredients, such as soybean meal and distillers grains, to the agricultural products definition. Clarity keeps the transport of agricultural products moving when there are unforeseen bottlenecks with from Mother Nature and ‘Acts of God’ such as Nebraska’s 2019 floods, the pandemic, and the most recent utterly cold temperatures experienced in the Midwest halting some animal feed manufacturing. A stable and consistent food supply is needed by all and this bill helps better meet that need.  The Nebraska Grain and Feed Association supports these changes and thanks Senator Fischer’s leadership on this important food and transportation bill,” said Kristi Block, Executive Vice President of Nebraska Grain and Feed Association.



New online “Farm Stat” tool allows farmers and agronomists to easily analyze data from their own on-farm research

A new tool, Farm Stat, is available on the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network website. Farm Stat enables growers and agronomists to easily run statistical analysis of their own research studies.  

“Each year we discuss that a statistical analysis can help producers have more confidence in their research results, but until now, we did not have a free and easy-to-use tool that enabled them to conduct these analyses themselves,” said Nebraska Extension Educator Laura Thompson.

Farm Stat is accessed online and allows producers or agronomists to specify how many treatments and replications their unique study had and then enter their yield data or other data to be statistically analyzed. The program will quickly produce a complete statistical analysis of variance that can be saved as a PDF.

“One of the features I’m most excited about is the straightforward conclusion statements that the tool provides,” Thompson says. “At the end of the report, users will see a statement that plainly describes whether there was a statistically significant difference in the treatments they were studying. For example, the statement might say ‘starter fertilizer had a statistically higher yield than the no starter fertilizer check’”.

The tool has several layers of functionality. Data can be imported manually for analysis or uploaded as an excel file. Data from an analysis session can also be saved and re-imported for further analysis another time. Several training videos and a user’s guide are available to help users get started. The “FarmStat Complete Guide” video – featuring an introduction to the program as well as a short tutorial – is included on the ‘Welcome’ page of Farm Stat and can also be found on the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network’s YouTube page. The user’s guide provides a detailed explanation of Farm Stat functionality and how to use the program. This resource is also linked within the Farm Stat program. Excel spreadsheet templates for organizing data from randomized complete block designs and completely randomized designs are also offered within the program.

Jackson Stansell, a Biological Systems Engineering Graduate student who oversaw the development effort says, “Farm Stat was developed to be straightforward for any user with data to analyze from typical agricultural experiments. I highly encourage potential users to watch the video tutorial resources as an orientation to the program. Then, let Farm Stat help you analyze and get value from your data!”   

NOFRN is a collaborative partnership which includes Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff Board, and the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission. The goal of the network is to put to use a statewide on-farm research program addressing critical farmer production, profitability and natural resources questions.

For more information, contact Thompson at 402-245-2224, laura.thompson@unl.edu or contact your local Nebraska Extension office.



NDEE launches online AltEn public information portal

To provide a resource for the public and enhance transparency, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has created a new webpage for updates related to cleanup and mitigation efforts at the AltEn ethanol facility.

To access this information, visit http://dee.ne.gov/Press.nsf/pages/AltEn or go to dee.ne.gov and click the link under the header “Information and Updates for AltEn near Mead, Nebraska.”

This online portal is designed to keep the Mead community, Saunders County residents and interested citizens informed about significant activities at AltEn. It includes updates on sampling efforts, administrative orders and press releases.

Those interested can also access the agency’s public records portal and search for AltEn’s facility number: 84069.



Nebraska soybean farmers encouraged to apply for candidacy

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) continues to seek leaders to represent soybean farmers in Districts 1, 3 and 6. Interested individuals have until April 15 to complete candidacy petitions.

The following districts are up for election this year:
District 1: Counties of Antelope, Boyd, Cedar, Holt, Knox, Madison and Pierce
District 3: Counties of Butler, Colfax, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington
District 6: Counties of Filmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Seward and Thayer

“It’s an opportunity to make an impact on your own industry,” said Eugene Goering, chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Board. “I continue to thoroughly enjoy my time on the board and would encourage farmers in the open districts to apply for candidacy.”

Roles and responsibilities for soybean board member representative:
    Attend every NSB meeting – 8-day fiscal year commitment
    Attend/participate in other educational events sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board
    Receive no salary but are reimbursed for the expenses incurred carrying out board business
    Serve a three-year term that would begin October 1, 2021

To apply for candidacy in District 1, 3 or 6 you must:
    Obtain a NSB candidacy petition by contacting NSB’s executive director, Scott Ritzman, at 402-432-5720 or scott@nebraskasoybeans.org
    Complete the petition and collect the signatures of 50 soybean farmers in their district
    Return such petition to the NSB office on or before April 15, 2021

Qualified candidates include those who are a resident of Nebraska, are at least 21 years old, reside in the district where election is being held, have been a soybean farmer in Nebraska for at least the previous five years and have submitted a NSB candidacy petition. The election is conducted by mail-in ballot in July for District 1, 3 and 6. Soybean farmers who reside in counties that are up for election for 2021 will receive ballots and candidate information regarding NSB’s election process via direct mail.



Iowa Researchers Find UV Light Shows Promise in Mitigating PRRS

Let there be (ultraviolet) light. That's the indication given by research conducted at Iowa State University regarding the use of ultraviolet light as a means of stopping the transmission of the virus that causes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a costly swine disease that can spread through the air. Laboratory experiments showed that the radiation caused by some kinds of UV light kills the viral particles contained in aerosolized droplets, and the researchers hope to scale up their tests to show how their approach could work on a farm.

PRRS is an infectious swine disease that cost pork producers around $580 million in 2016. The virus spreads either by direct contact between pigs or by viral droplets carried in the air. These droplets can remain in the air for days and can travel for miles on air currents, making it a difficult virus to contain. A sow infected with PRRS is less likely to carry offspring to term, and young pigs affected by the disease suffer respiratory distress that slows their growth and makes them more susceptible to other diseases.

Some pork producers install costly air filtration systems in their barns to mitigate spread, but ISU researchers are looking for less expensive approaches. Jacek Koziel, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, has studied the benefits of using ultraviolet light, a spectrum of light with wavelengths that are too short for the human eye to detect, to eliminate dust and odor-causing particles associated with livestock production. Ultraviolet light has been shown to irradiate and scramble the RNA of some bacteria, and Koziel wondered if similar technology could address viral aerosols.

"Conventional UV is known to be bactericidal," Koziel said. "UV has been used to kill bacteria in the food industry in many instances. The same mechanism is actually beneficial to kill the virus."

Koziel is collaborating with Jeff Zimmerman, professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, who has worked extensively with PRRS and other aerosolized viruses. The research team ran experiments in a Sukup Hall laboratory, exposing the virus to three kinds of ultraviolet light. The experiments involved aerosolizing samples of live viruses and then pumping the air through glass tubes that allow ultraviolet light to pass through. The researchers then measure how much virus survives exposure to the light.

The three forms of ultraviolet light analyzed in the study included conventional ultraviolet light, known as UV-C; light from novel excimer lamps that produce light with especially short wavelengths; and UV-A light, sometimes referred to as near-visible black light.

Both the conventional and excimer UV light demonstrated an ability to inactivate the virus and show promise as potential avenues to fight PRRS. Exposure to ultraviolet light can pose a risk for people and pigs, but the excimer light involved in the study has been shown to be less harmful. The black light, which has been shown to be helpful in tamping down odor-causing gases, did not have a significant effect on the PRRS virus, according to the research.

Scientist wearing an ultraviolet face shield works on laboratory equipment and ultraviolet lamps. Jacek Koziel adjusts infrared lamps and sensors in a Sukup Hall laboratory. Experiments on infrared light shows that it's capable of mitigating the spread of the virus that causes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Photo by Christopher Gannon. Larger image.

Zimmerman said ultraviolet light might offer pork producers and veterinarians a new tool for diease prevention or reduction. Some farmers install expansive ventilation systems in their barns to keep aerosolized viruses out of their operations, but those measures come with a hefty price tag, he said.

"It's very costly to implement, and then there are ongoing maintenance concerns with making sure the buildings are airtight," Zimmerman said. "The filters themselves are expensive and filter maintenance is not cheap. Ultraviolet fixtures could offer greater flexibility."

The researchers hope to scale up their research to test the concepts under conditions that mimic a swine facility more closely. Koziel envisions a system where ultraviolet lamps are installed near ventilation intakes to make sure air that enters the area doesn't carry aerosolized virus. Zimmerman said he expects interest to be high among pork producers if the team can demonstrate that the approach works as well in a barn as it does in a laboratory.

The research was funded by the National Pork Board.



Iowans Can Now Apply for 2021 Hemp Licenses Online

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has launched a new database that allows Iowans to apply for or renew their hemp licenses online for the 2021 growing season. Applicants can find the link to register at iowaagriculture.gov/hemp. The deadline to apply for the 2021 growing season has been extended to May 1.

The hemp online licensing system is the latest in a series of technology investments by the Iowa Department of Agriculture to make it faster and easier for Iowans to obtain their annual licenses.

“The Department is committed to investing in new technologies, like this online hemp licensing system, to continue modernizing our processes. It also allows the Department to provide better customer service to Iowans applying for or renewing their hemp licenses,” said Secretary Naig.

The new online system also offers benefits for law enforcement officials. Hemp licenses and certificates of analysis (COA) will include a QR code to make it easy for law enforcement to scan and determine the authenticity of the documents quickly.

Individuals who are interested in growing, selling or transporting hemp or hemp seed in Iowa must obtain an annual license. For detailed instructions on how to apply for a hemp license, visit iowaagriculture.gov/hemp.

The commercial hemp production program does not license cannabidiol (CBD) products for human consumption, extraction or processing in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals regulates Consumable Hemp Products. Additional information for retailers and processors is available at dia.iowa.gov.

Growers are advised to do their research and confirm there is a viable, profitable market for commercial hemp production before they make an investment in seed and equipment. For more information about the state’s hemp program, contact the program administrator Robin Pruisner at Robin.Pruisner@Iowaagriculture.gov.



NIFA Invests Over $8.5 Million in Critical Research and Extension to Address Urgent Needs in Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently awarded over $8.5 million in funding for 29 research and Extension grants that will advance solutions to critically important problems in U.S. agriculture.

“These NIFA investments in user-inspired projects bring together researchers, Extension experts, and practitioners to find solutions that can be rapidly adopted by the agricultural community,” said NIFA Director Carrie Castille.

“Critical problems impede efficient food and agricultural systems at local, regional, and national scales,” Castille said. “Work supported by this federal investment enables partnerships and close coordination across the entire food and agriculture spectrum on efforts to yield practices that meet pressing needs.”

These grants, which are part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, include some projects co-funded by commodity boards through a Farm Bill provision by the American Pulse Association and The Cotton Board. The 29 funded projects include:
    University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona: “NGS-Surveillance and Phylogenomic Analyses of Cotton-Infecting Plant Viruses to Inform Breeding Strategies for Virus Resistance in Cotton” ($294,000)
    Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado: “Tracking the Movement of Cytospora Pathogens in Orchards to Develop Novel IPM Strategies” ($298,794); “Diversity, Distribution and Host Resistance to Emerging Viruses and Viroids of Hemp” ($299,451)
    University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia: “Advancing Host-Plant Resistance to Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus, an Emerging Cotton Viral Disease” ($294,000)
    University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois: “High-Powered Air Compressors as Preventative Tools to Reduce Farmer Injury and Death Related to Grain Bin Entrapments” ($300,000); “Advancing Food Recovery in K-12 School Cafeterias by Removing Food Safety and Operational Barriers of Share Tables” ($299,947)
    Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana: “Real-Time Measurement of Suspended Dust Concentration from Live Video Stream” ($300,000)
    Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa: “Enhancing Conservation, Access, and Generational Transition of Iowa Farmland Through Women Landowners” ($300,000)
    Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland: “Development of Novel Management Tools for Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus and its Insect Vectors Using Molecular Virology” ($294,000)
    University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland: “Evaluating the Effect of Postharvest UV Irradiation on Red Skin Color, Phenolic Compounds and L. Monocytogenes Survival on Honeycrisp Apples” ($299,925)
    Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts: “Adaptive Forest Management Options for White Ash Influenced by the Invasive Emerald Ash Borer” ($299,999)
    Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan: “Evaluation of Damage and Integrated Management Strategies for Two Lesion Nematode Species in Carrot and Wheat Systems“ ($300,000); “Supporting Small and Very Small U.S. Meat/Poultry Processors in Complying with USDA FSIS Regulatory Changes for Fully-Cooked Products” ($299,817)
    Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana: “Therapeutic Impacts of Dietary Pulses on Bile Acids” ($294,000)
    University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska: “Developing Adaptive Grazing Management Strategies for Optimizing Corn Residue Use” ($300,000); “Reducing Field Worker Exposure to Pesticides via Agricultural Data Connectivity and Mobile Apps” ($299,529)
    Cornell University, Ithaca, New York: “Improving Conifer Establishment Using Sustainable Pest Management and Soil Health Practices” ($255,696)
    New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York: “Combatting Stemphylium Leaf Blight of Onion: A Critical Threat to the Sustainability and Profitability of Onion Production in New York” ($299,575); “Root Traits and Rapid Decline of Apple Trees in High-Density Orchards” ($299,365)
    Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma: “Rescuegrass Threatens Crop/Livestock Systems in the Southern Great Plains” ($275,496)
    Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon: “Feeding Spent Hemp Biomass to Cattle: Cannabinoid Residuals, Animal Health, and Product Quality” ($299,950); “Cleaning and Sanitizing Surfaces on Produce Farms: Optimizing What, How, and When” ($299,999)
    South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota: “Characterization of Corn Harvested at High Moisture in Cattle Feeding Yards in the Upper Midwest” ($299,369); “Developing an Integrated Management of Bacterial Leaf Streak in Spring Wheat in Northern Great Plains” ($299,992)
    University of North Texas, Denton, Texas: “Generating Pathogen- / Pest-Resistant Non-GMO Cotton Through Targeted Genome Editing of Oxylipin Signaling Pathways” ($294,000)
    University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin: “An Integrated Approach to Optimize Use of Sexed Semen in Dairy Herds” ($299,999); “Dairy Beef Crossbred Feeding Management: Applied Research and Extension Project” ($299,650)
    Nevada System of Higher Education, Reno, Nevada: “COVID-19 Rapid Response Toolkit for Tribal Extension Agents” ($300,000)
    Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee: “COVID-19 Rapid Response: Developing the Technology of Pandemic Responses for Garden Centers and Nurseries” ($300,000)

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and Extension across the nation to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. NIFA supports initiatives that ensure the long-term viability of agriculture and applies an integrated approach to ensure that groundbreaking discoveries in agriculture-related sciences and technologies reach the people who can put them into practice. In FY2020, NIFA’s total investment was $1.95 billion.



ASA Honors John Heisdorffer with Distinguished Leadership Award

The American Soybean Association (ASA) recognized John Heisdorffer, from Keota, Iowa, with its Distinguished Leadership Award during an awards ceremony broadcast March 16.

The ASA Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes a soybean grower or association staff leader whose leadership has strengthened the national or state association, enhanced soy-related policy efforts and increased farmer education or engagement.

Heisdorffer’s soy leadership spans both state and national levels. Serving on the Iowa Soybean Association board for many years, he helped lead the association and Iowa Soybean Promotion Board through a joint strategic planning process that resulted in a merger of the two organizations in 2005. He became president of the unified Iowa Soybean Association in 2008 and served as chair of the association’s building committee in 2009 and 2010 when the Iowa Soybean Association’s building project was completed.

Heisdorffer completed nine years of service on the ASA Board of Directors this past December, during which time he served on a variety of ASA committees, participated in trade missions, testified before Congress and advocated for soybean farmers on many key issues, including the farm bill and trade agreements.

Heisdorffer was elected president of ASA in December 2017, just months before U.S. tariffs were placed on billions of dollars of Chinese goods, resulting in a U.S. China trade war. As ASA president, Heisdorffer expertly handled months of continuing media inquiries—often times from the cab of his tractor—while remaining dedicated to advocating for the needs of soybean farmers amid the challenges presented by the trade war.

He has also served on ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) committee, the U.S. Soybean Export Council board and as a member of the National Biodiesel Board.

Heisdorffer has a clear record of strong and steady state and national leadership that has immensely benefited U.S. soybean farmers.



 ASA Honors Dr. Pengyin Chen with Pinnacle Award

The American Soybean Association (ASA) recognized Dr. Pengyin Chen from Sikeston, Missouri, with its Pinnacle Award during an awards ceremony broadcast March 16.

The ASA Pinnacle Award is an industry-wide recognition of individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of contribution and leadership within the soybean family and industry through work involving a significant amount of their lifetime.

Dr. Chen, a professor in soybean breeding at the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research Center in Portageville, Missouri, is recognized as a pioneer in the soybean and soy food industries. His life’s work has aimed to develop genetics that allow U.S. farmers to capture extra value from higher soybean yield and quality.

Since the mid-1980s in Iowa, Dr. Chen’s career in plant breeding and genetics has taken him to Texas, Virginia, Arkansas and Missouri. In the 1990s, Dr. Chen was part of the team that brought the Hutcheson soybean to market, which is known to be an ancestor to nearly 80% of soybean varieties grown in the South.

Throughout his career, Dr. Chen has released a combined total of more than 30 conventional row crop varieties and food grade varieties. He is the most prolific food grade soybean breeder, having developed the highest-protein commercial soybean varieties.

Dr. Chen developed soybeans for tofu, edamame, soymilk, natto bean sprouts, and soy nuts. At the University of Missouri, he is helping release high oleic soybean varieties.

“Dr. Chen is a trailblazer in soybean research and breeding, and his professional accomplishments have benefited soybean growers across the United States,” said ASA Vice President Brad Doyle, who is an Arkansas soybean grower and nominated Dr. Chen for the Pinnacle Award. “His contributions to soybean genetics are a cornerstone to the innovation and progress we see across the industry today.”

Outside the lab, Dr. Chen excels at communicating about soybean genetic advances through field days and meetings with growers, foreign buyers and researchers. He’s written or co-authored more than 225 journal articles.

In addition, Dr. Chen has taught classes in plant breeding and soybean production, helping educate and mentor dozens of students, many now employed by major agriculture companies and universities.

Dr. Chen is an outstanding geneticist known worldwide for his work in plant breeding and soybean genetics—a lifetime of work that has provided significant benefit to farmers and strengthened the U.S. soybean industry.



UAN28 Leads Fertilizer Prices Higher as Nitrogen Prices Spike

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the second week of March 2021 continue to show considerably higher prices. Once again, all eight of the major fertilizers were up a significant amount, which DTN designates as 5% or more, for the sixth week in a row.

Half of the fertilizers continue to be double digits higher from the previous month. UAN28 was staggering 26% higher compared to last month with an average price of $306/ton. UAN28 is now above the $300/ton level for the first time since the second week of September 2015.  Also higher was UAN32, which was 21% higher from last month. The liquid nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $344/ton.

Anhydrous was 19% more expensive looking back to the prior month. The fertilizer had an average price of $625/ton. Anhydrous is above the $600/ton level for the first time since the third week of Dec. 2015. For that week, anhydrous had an average price of $608/ton. 10-34-0 is 13% higher compared to last month. The starter fertilizer had an average price of $581/ton.

The remaining four fertilizers had slightly less sharp price spikes compared to the previous last few weeks.  Both MAP and urea were up 7% while potash was 6% more expensive and DAP was 5% higher. MAP had an average price of $690/ton, urea $483/ton, potash $423/ton and DAP $615/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.53/lb.N, anhydrous $0.38/lb.N, UAN28 $0.55/lb.N and UAN32 $0.54/lb.N.

With retail fertilizer prices moving higher over recent months, all fertilizers are now higher in price from a year ago.  Potash is now 14% more expensive, UAN32 is 24% higher, 10-34-0 is 25% more expensive, both urea and anhydrous were 28% higher, UAN28 is 30% more expensive, DAP is 51% higher and MAP is 60% more expensive compared to last year.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 3/12/2021

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending March 12, ethanol production expanded 3.5%, or 33,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 971,000 b/d—equivalent to 40.78 million gallons daily and a twelve-week high. Production remained 6.2% below the same week last year. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 1.8% to 854,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 13.09 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks declined 3.3% to 21.3 million barrels, which was 13.2% below a year-ago and the smallest volume since November. Inventories drew down across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and Rocky Mountains (PADD 4).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, scaled back 3.3% to 8.44 million b/d (129.42 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 12.9% less than a year ago.

Conversely, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol strengthened, rising 2.2% to 836,000 b/d, equivalent to 12.82 bg annualized. This was the highest level since October yet was still 8.6% below a year ago as a result of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the thirteenth consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of January 2021.)



FARM Expands Involvement with New Members of Animal Care Task Force

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Animal Health and Well-Being (AHWB) Committee approved nominations for the FARM Animal Care Task Force members who will serve as FARM Animal Care Version 5.0 discussions commence. FARM Animal Care Version 5.0 will be launched beginning in July 2024.

“The diverse task force represents the industry’s breadth of knowledge about animal care,” said Karen Jordan, DVM, chair Task Force and NMPF Animal Health and Wellbeing Committee and dairy farm owner from Siler City, NC. “Task force guidance is instrumental in making sure our standards represent the latest science and industry best practices, focused on continuous improvement while remaining cow-centric, outcomes-based and facility- and size-neutral.”

Stakeholders across the U.S. dairy industry nominated the new members to fill existing vacancies on the task force, formerly called the Technical Writing Group. Open seats included spots for two veterinarians, two academics and one dairy processor. Remaining seats are held by members involved in previous program updates.

The task force now consists of five farmers of varying operation size and geography, five representatives from co-ops and processors, four veterinarians, four academics, and one representative from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. All task force members are eligible to serve two terms. Once term limits have been reached, solicitations for new task force member nominations will occur to fill specific industry slots left open. Photos and biographies of all task force members can be found on the FARM Animal Care Task Force page.

Task force members, in conjunction with the FARM Farmer Advisory Council, will provide expertise in their respective fields to the FARM Animal Care Program and propose revisions of program standards and manual content to the AHWB Committee. All FARM Program revisions are also made available for public comment via the National Dairy FARM Program’s website before the AHWB Committee provides a final program proposal to the NMPF Board of Directors for approval and final implementation.

FARM prides itself on having robust dairy farmer involvement in all aspects of the program’s governance. The Farmer Advisory Council, the Animal Care Task Force, the NMPF Animal Health and Well-Being Committee and the NMPF Board of Directors all boast a membership primarily led by dairy farmers. These dairy farmers, along with cooperative and processor staff, academics and veterinarians, collectively oversee the FARM Animal Care Program.



USDEC and NMPF Applaud Katherine Tai’s Confirmation as New U.S. Trade Representative

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) applaud the Senate’s confirmation of Katherine Tai as the next United States Trade Representative.

“The U.S. Dairy Export Council welcomes the swift appointment of Ms. Tai as the new U.S. Trade Representative at a time when exports of U.S. dairy products are critical to the economic well-being of the millions of American workers whose jobs are generated by our dairy industry,” said Krysta Harden, President and CEO of USDEC. “Ms. Tai’s commitment to work for all Americans provides a strong platform to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade agreements will benefit America’s agricultural community.”

“On behalf of America’s 34,000 dairy producers and the dozens of farmer-owned dairy cooperatives throughout the country, NMPF commends the Senate’s approval of Ms. Tai today and we look forward to continue working with her in her new capacity as the U.S. Trade Representative,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “With over 15 percent of U.S. milk production being exported each year, enforcement of current trade agreements and opening new market opportunities overseas will help provide a profitable rural economy.”

NMPF and USDEC have enjoyed a long history of working with Ms. Tai throughout the course of numerous negotiations including the U.S.- Mexico-Canada Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Her strategic insight, dedication and ardent efforts to work on behalf of improved trade policies for U.S. farmers, workers and businesses across the country speak highly to the leadership she will bring to USTR’s critical mission.



NGFA congratulates Katherine Tai on her confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative

National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) President and CEO Mike Seyfert today congratulated Katherine Tai on her confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative. The Senate on March 17 confirmed Tai, President Biden’s nominee to be the nation’s chief trade negotiator, with a 98-0 vote.

“Ambassador Tai is eminently qualified to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative and has demonstrated her deep familiarity with opening foreign markets and reducing barriers for U.S. food and agriculture as well as developing strong bipartisan support for trade agreements,” Seyfert said. “She has the experience and expertise to secure greater market access for U.S. grain, feed and oilseed products and to ensure enforcement of clear and fair rules with our trading partners. The NGFA looks forward to working with Ambassador Tai and is ready to engage with her and any new staff at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.”

Prior to serving seven years as chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee, Tai was chief council for China trade enforcement at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. NGFA and other agricultural groups supported Tai’s confirmation in letters to leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, which unanimously advanced her nomination on March 3.                              



Senate Confirms Tai for U.S. Trade Representative

The U.S. Senate today confirmed Katherine Tai to serve as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), overseeing the development and promotion of U.S. trade policy.

In her prior role as Chief Trade Counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means, Tai was closely involved in negotiations between the House and USTR to reach an agreement on a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) implementing bill that received strong bipartisan support in Congress.

For generations, America's farmers and ranchers have built strong trading relationships to help maintain a competitive edge in the global economy and bolster job creation across the United States. Today, exports are responsible for 33 percent of U.S. corn farmers’ income and more than 20 percent of the U.S. corn crop is exported annually when accounting for corn and value-added products like ethanol and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

U.S. corn exports for the current marketing year are on track to surpass projections. USDA predicts that 66.04 Million Metric Tons (MMT), or 2.36 billion bushels – of U.S. corn could be exported in the 2020-2021 marketing year. 164 million gallons of ethanol have been exported thus far.

NCGA believes now is the time to build on the momentum of recently secured agreements with existing trade partners and forge new free trade agreements with strategic partners, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, that offer new growth opportunities for U.S. corn and corn product exports.

There are many trade opportunities for U.S. agriculture, along with challenges such as non-tariff trade barriers that impede corn and corn product market access. NCGA congratulates Ambassador Tai on her confirmation and our farmer leaders look forward to working with Ambassador Tai and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to increase international demand for our product.



Wheat Grower Organizations Welcome USTR Confirmation of Katherine Tai

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Katherine Tai today as the next U.S. Trade Representative. During the confirmation hearing process, Tai said she understands the values and rules that guide global commerce and the importance of enforcing those terms "vigorously."

Most encouraging is Tai's past work as a chief enforcer against China's unfair trade practices under the Obama Administration and involvement in final negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Tai addressed these topics during her confirmation process.

"I know firsthand how critically important it is that we have a strategic and coherent plan for holding China accountable to its promises and effectively competing with its model of state-directed economics," said Tai. "I know the opportunities and limitations in our existing toolbox."

"Tai's confirmation comes at a crucial time for U.S. wheat trade," said USW President Vince Peterson. "After seeing early, encouraging returns on the Phase One agreement with China, we are looking ahead as the WTO moves to the compliance phase of the 2019 dispute case won by the United States against China's unfair administration of their grain tariff rate quotas. U.S. wheat farmers will also want Tai to hold China to the additional enforcement language in the Phase One agreement."

"We appreciate the bipartisan support from the Senate in confirming Ms. Tai to this important position," said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. "Fair and clear access to international markets is crucial for U.S. wheat farmers, and we look forward to working with her and her team on taking an aggressive stance on prioritizing agricultural trade efforts."



RFA Congratulates U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Confirmation
    
The Renewable Fuels Association congratulated Katherine Tai on her confirmation today as U.S. Trade Representative. The following is a statement from RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

“We congratulate Ambassador Tai on her bipartisan confirmation to become our nation’s top trade negotiator and look forward to working with her to pursue new trade opportunities for our industry and address existing trade challenges. Ambassador Tai is an extremely knowledgeable and skilled trade negotiator, having long served as trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee and having been instrumental in numerous key negotiations and trade agreements over the years. In a time of extreme partisanship, the fact that her confirmation was unanimous is a testament to her abilities and the confidence that she has earned from members on both sides of the aisle. We are eager to collaborate with Ambassador Tai to help the U.S. reestablish strong trade relationships and reengage with a number of top and emerging markets important for the U.S. ethanol industry.”



AFBF Congratulates USTR Katherine Tai on Her Confirmation

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the confirmation of Katherine Tai as United States Trade Representative.

“AFBF congratulates Katherine Tai on her confirmation to serve as the next United States Trade Representative. We have a great opportunity to build on existing agreements with China and our North American neighbors, as well as create new opportunities with the European Union and the United Kingdom. Ms. Tai’s ability to build bipartisan support for policies and her experience with enforcing fair-trade rules will help America’s farmers and ranchers compete internationally and continue putting food on tables around the world.”



NGFA outlines ag priorities for the next surface transportation bill

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today urged lawmakers to prioritize improvements to U.S. freight transportation in the next surface transportation bill that are environmentally responsible and enhance the economic health of U.S. agriculture.

In a March 17 letter to each member of Congress led by NGFA and signed by dozens of agricultural producer, commodity, agribusiness, food manufacturer and food-related organizations, NGFA and the other groups noted that “Congress can achieve positive benefits for the environment while improving the economic competitiveness of the U.S. agricultural value chain.”

They said any successful surface transportation legislation should include the following crucial elements:

•    Ensure rural America is not left behind in any infrastructure package. “Adequate funding, availability of programs and ranking criteria should take into account the unique needs and challenges facing rural communities and our infrastructure,” the letter stated.

•    Ensure that exemptions from hours-of-service (HOS) rules provide flexibility for agricultural haulers and farm supply transporters by passing the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act.

•    Provide flexibility for types of fuel use.

•    Authorize a pilot program to gradually increase federal truck weight limits. Interstate highways have lower truck weight limits than many state roads, creating a barrier to economic and environmental efficiency, the letter noted.

•    Establish a tolerance to account for load shifts. “Load shifts during transport can result in tickets for drivers because a portion of the truck becomes heavier than allowed under current law even though the overall truck weight is below the federal truck weight limit of 80,000 pounds,” the groups said.

•    Maintain the ability for agricultural haulers to travel at posted local speed limits.

•    Maintain the current level of financial responsibility for trucks. “Efforts to increase liability insurance for trucks beyond the current $750,000 level would increase freight costs with no direct safety benefit,” the letter noted.

•    Ensure federal and state commercial driving license restrictions are harmonized. There are 49 U.S. states that allow 18-year-olds to obtain a CDL, but until federal law is changed, they cannot drive across state lines until they are 21. The letter recommends that Congress create a pathway for CDL holders aged 18-20 to drive across state lines by incorporating the bipartisan DRIVE Safe Act.

•    Increase flexibility of “Restricted CDL” drivers in farm-related service industries to account for weather-related disruptions.

“The next surface transportation bill is an opportunity to enact policies that foster a more environmentally responsible, productive, and economically viable freight transportation system to keep America’s agricultural and manufacturing industries competitive in the world market,” the letter noted.