Friday April 2 Ag News

 Nebraska Corn Growers Association Thanks State’s Attorney General for Support in Amicus Brief

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) issued a statement of appreciation for the state’s attorney general after signing on to an amicus brief supporting the nation’s ethanol industry. Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson signed the brief which sided with the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol and the National Farmers Union, which urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in January 2020 to strike down exemptions improperly issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“We were extremely pleased with the Tenth Circuit’s decision in January of 2020,” said Andy Jobman, president of NeCGA and farmer from Gothenburg. “The last few years have been tough for the ethanol industry as the EPA had continually eroded the Renewable Fuels Standard through excessive refinery waivers, but the Tenth Circuit finally got it right. We trust the Supreme Court will agree, and we are appreciative of Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson for his support in bringing this issue to a close once and for all.”

Nebraska Attorney General Peterson and Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller led an effort in filing an amicus curiae brief, which received broad support from major corn and ethanol producing states. Other states signing onto the brief included Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, South Dakota and Virginia.



Extension plans webinar on proposed changes to capital gains

A webinar covering proposed tax changes to capital gains and the potential impact on agriculture will be presented by Nebraska Extension on Thursday April 8th at noon.

Lawmakers have recently proposed new tax regulations on unrealized capital gains at death as well as the roll back of step-up basis on capital gains. The webinar will look at what these and other proposed changes may mean for farmers and ranchers who are passing their operations on to the next generation.

Panelists will include Katie Samples Dean, a Bridgeport attorney specializing in agricultural law, and Paul Neiffer, a Certified Public Accountant with CliftonLarsonAllen in Washington. It will be hosted by Jessica Groskopf, agricultural economist with Nebraska Extension.

The webinar is presented as part of the Agricultural Economics Extension Farm and Ranch Management weekly series.  Registration is free at farm.unl.edu/webinars.



Ag Carbon Offsets and the Carbon Bank

President Biden wants the U.S. to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, including agriculture. Carbon neutrality means achieving net zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from burning fossil fuels. Because agriculture can significantly increase soil carbon storage, some are experimenting with carbon offsets, where producers are paid for e.g. converting to no till, or for using methane digesters to generate electricity from manure.

What practices hold the greatest potential? What's the difference between voluntary and regulatory carbon markets? Where does farming fit in?  Nebraska Extension will host a  webinar on this topic will be held at noon CDT on April 15. Registration coming soon to farm.unl.edu.



Webinar on Federal Milk Marketing Order Education and Reform Impacts April 13 at 12 P.M.

Join Minnesota Milk, Wisconsin Dairy Business Association and the University of Minnesota's Marin Bozic in talking about the current state of Federal Milk Marketing Orders, what happened to PPDs in 2020, and Reform Impacts.
 
REGISTER HERE https://midwestdairy.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hDBvnjqHQ5OZ5EvQDvelWA.  




ADM Statement on Resumption of Dry Mill Ethanol Production

Executives at ADM Thursday released the following statement:

“We’ve been carefully monitoring a wide variety of industry ethanol conditions, and in recent weeks, we’ve seen consistent signs pointing to accelerating demand for domestic ethanol. Inventories across the industry are steadily coming down, China is importing volumes, we continue to expect driving miles to increase as the pace of vaccinations accelerates, and the EPA’s support of a strong Renewable Fuel Standard is helping drive great blending economics. Based on these multiple factors, we are confident in increasing demand for ethanol, and in order to meet that demand, we are planning to restart production at our Vantage Corn Processors dry mills in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Columbus, Nebraska.

“We plan to begin corn grind immediately, with initial ethanol deliveries for customers by mid-April and ramping up to full rates by late spring, to meet the demands of the spring and summer driving season. We’re pleased to welcome back our Cedar Rapids and Columbus colleagues, and we’re excited about the prospects for these facilities as ethanol demand increases and as we continue to expand the range of innovative, alternative products we make from corn.

“In addition, with the restart of our dry mills, we will continue with the discussions with the interested parties regarding these assets.”



Telling Denison "Thank You"
    
On Monday, April 5, the Denison community will be the focus of a “Thank You” celebration from Iowa pig farmers.
 
At an early afternoon event organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, IPPA president Dennis Liljedahl of Essex will say thank you to the local community for its support through the past year.  He will be joined by Mayor Pam Soseman; food pantry representatives; Smithfield Foods & Quality Food Processors representatives, Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County representatives, and other pig farmers.   

Following the 1 p.m. event, pork products will be delivered to first responders in Denison, and pork coupons will be distributed to individuals in Denison grocery stores.  Smithfield has donated 1,000 four-to-five-pound fresh pork loins to pass out between 4pm and 6pm, or until the supply runs out. One-pound of pork creates four servings of protein.

Thank You events will be held in other locations this Spring. The other communities are Ottumwa, Sioux City and Storm Lake. An event was held at Waterloo last week and at Marshalltown on March 31.



Even Amidst Pandemic, Iowa E15 Sales Surge to New Record in 2020

Sales of E15 (gasoline containing 15% ethanol) jumped 24% and set a new record in Iowa in 2020, despite the pandemic-related drop in overall fuel consumption, according to data released this week by the Iowa Department of Revenue. Meanwhile, E15 and E85 flex fuel data from two other states show that 2020 sales volumes generally held steady, even as COVID-19 crushed overall fuel demand.

“The recent state-level data on E15 and flex fuel consumption offers great news for consumers, ethanol producers, and anyone else who cares about cleaner air and lower prices at the pump,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

Iowa retailers sold 60.59 million gallons of E15 in 2020, up from 48.96 million gallons in 2019 and more than double the 2017 volume of E15 sales.
E15 sales grew in Iowa despite a 14.3% drop in the state’s overall motor gasoline consumption from 2019 levels. The plunge in Iowa gasoline demand mirrored the national trend, which saw a 13.5% reduction in 2020 compared to 2019.

Similarly, recent data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce show 2020 E15 sales in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” nearly held steady with 2019 sales levels, despite the pandemic. Minnesota E15 sales were 93.46 million gallons, down just 4% from 97.40 million gallons in 2019.

On the west coast, sales of E85 flex fuel showed similar resiliency in 2020. Data from the California Air Resources Board show 40.37 million gallons of E85 were sold in the Golden State in 2020, down just 0.6% from the 40.6 million gallons sold in 2019. In contrast, California’s overall gasoline consumption fell 18.5% in 2020. RFA noted that E85 is an increasingly popular option for complying with California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, allowing fuel suppliers to generate surplus carbon credits under the program.

While California, Iowa, and Minnesota are the only states for which reliable government data on sales of E15 and flex fuels is currently available, RFA said similar trends likely occurred across the United States.

“While overall fuel consumption plummeted in 2020 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales of E15 and flex fuels like E85 continued to grow or hold steady,” Cooper said. “These trends prove that consumers are actively seeking out lower-carbon, lower-cost fuels at the pump and that the expansion of retail infrastructure facilitated by USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) is working. During the pandemic, higher blends of ethanol have not only helped American families save money on fuel purchases, but they have also reduced carbon emissions and harmful tailpipe pollution. With more Americans expected to return to the roadways this summer, we expect growth in the consumption of E15 and flex fuels to accelerate. Over the longer term, additional funding for programs such as HBIIP should be included in any infrastructure plans being considered in Washington, so that lower-carbon fuels can be made readily available to the 260 million liquid-fueled vehicles registered in the Unites States today.”

In addition to growing consumer demand for cleaner, greener fuels, Cooper pointed out that sales of higher ethanol blends benefited from the fact that no new refinery exemptions were granted under the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2020 and the market for RFS compliance credits (“RINs”) finally perked up in the second half of the year.



Women Landowners Are the Focus of New Outreach Project

Owning nearly half of the farmland in Iowa, women landowners play an influential role in decisions that impact agriculture and natural resources.

To better understand this demographic, a team of specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is beginning a three-year project to study the needs, challenges and opportunities of women landowners.

The project is called “Enhancing Conservation, Access and Generational Transition of Iowa Farmland through Women Landowners” and is being funded through a $300,000 grant by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

According to the 2017 Iowa Farmland Ownership and Tenure survey, 47% of all acres and 55% of all leased acres in Iowa were owned by women. In addition, most owners were over the age of 65 and 13% of female farmland owners in Iowa were over 80.

Madeline Schultz, program manager for the farm management team’s women in ag program with ISU Extension and Outreach and the project’s lead, said the disconnect between ownership and operator can sometimes lead to a disconnect with land-based decision making, whether that’s with leasing, conservation, farmland transition or a combination.

Her goal with the project is to bring women landowners together to help answer their questions.

“There’s a great opportunity for women to learn more about farmland ownership and we’re happy to be a part of this initiative,” said Schultz. “We also have some gaps in our knowledge of what women farmland owners need to help them manage their land, so we’re hoping to learn from them.”

Wendong Zhang, assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State, said the goal is to empower women landowners to make well-informed decisions on the land they own.

Zhang is a team member for the project and a lead organizer of the 2017 farmland ownership survey. He said the group will work on research and extension focused on developing better farm management materials for women.

“We recognize that women landowners, especially senior landowners, are increasingly important in terms of land holdings,” said Zhang. “However, when you look at our extension programming, they are often missing.”

The first part of the project will consist of collecting more data and analytics about women farm ownership. From there, the team will assemble area meetings of women landowners and stakeholders, to discuss and gather concerns. Lastly, the team will hold online and face-to-face workshops to deliver information and resources that improve women’s knowledge of land ownership.

Specific goals include the use of equitable leases and other economic incentives to increase conservation and land access for beginning farmers, adoption of soil and water conservation practices, and the implementation of efficient plans to transition farmland to the next generation of Iowa farm owners.

A survey will be sent to known women landowners in June, and those interested in participating can contact Madeline Schultz at 515-294-0588 or schultz@iastate.edu. The grant portion of the project began Jan. 15, 2021, and will conclude Jan. 14, 2024.

Other team members include Jamie Benning, assistant director for agriculture and natural resources with ISU Extension and Outreach; Melissa O’ Rourke, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach; Lisa Scarbrough, communications specialist for the women in ag program at Iowa State; and Kristine Tidgren, director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State and holder of the Leonard Dolezal Professorship in Agricultural Law.



Smokin' Butt Barbeque Wins 2021 Pulled Pork Madness
    
Two neighbors who’ve spent more than a decade perfecting their barbecue are this year’s Pulled Pork Madness winners. Their restaurant, Smokin’ Butt Barbeque in Davenport, Iowa, received the most votes in the social media contest, presented by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).

Pulled Pork Madness, in its fourth year, seeks to find Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich. The contest follows a bracket-style narrowing process that mimics the NCAA’s college basketball tournament.

Last month, 544 pork fans nominated 65 Iowa restaurants as contenders for the top honor. The two restaurants with the most votes in each of IPPA’s eight districts made up the starting “Sweet 16” bracket. Voters then decided which advanced to the “Elite Eight,” “Final Four,” and championship round, which wrapped up April 1.

Smokin’ Butt came out just ahead of Timber Ridge Country Market & Cattle Company in Osceola.

“This means a lot,” said Billy Sheredy, co-owner of Smokin’ Butt. “We’re pretty confident that we have a good product, but when you’re in a competition like this, and it takes you all the way to the end, it truly lets you know that you’re putting out something really good.”

Smokin’ Butt is known for—and named after—its slow-smoked pulled pork. While the meat comes from a shoulder cut, many Americans refer to it as “pork butt.”

Pulled pork is the No. 1 seller at Smokin’ Butt, where the meat is coated with the restaurant’s own dry rub recipe, then cooked low and slow over hickory wood—at about 190 degrees for 19 to 22 hours.

The lengthy process is “the trick” to moist, tender pork, Sheredy said. Plus, the butts are simply pulled apart rather than shredded. That keeps chunks of the meat’s bark, the dark and flavorful crust that forms during cooking, intact.

According to Sheredy, each sandwich is “overloaded” with 6 to 8 ounces of pork on a white bun, and Smokin’ Butt’s signature barbecue sauces are available on the side. Pork also is sold in 1-pound quantities, for to-go orders or as part of a Family Meal Deal. In addition, pulled pork tops off nachos and Smokin’ Butt’s “Award Winning Mac -n- Cheese.”

The restaurant, open Fridays and Saturdays, sells about 400 pounds of pulled pork each week from its location inside the Red Hawk Golf & Learning Center.

Smokin’ Butt is a “second full-time job” for Sheredy, and the main job for his partner Rick Willows, a former pig farmer. The two started doing backyard barbecue competitions after becoming neighbors in 2008. That led to participating in events sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

They eventually began bottling their own barbecue sauce, now sold at many Hy-Vee and Fareway stores in eastern Iowa, and later expanded into the catering business, as well as making appearances at fairs and festivals. The restaurant opened in November 2019.

“This contest always reveals the best of the best in both pulled pork and loyal customers,” said Hannah Spurr, IPPA’s consumer outreach director. “As the state bounces back from COVID-19 closures, we encourage barbecue lovers everywhere to support this year’s ‘Sweet 16’ and so many other restaurants serving mouthwatering Iowa pork!”

Along with bragging rights, Smokin’ Butt will receive $250 and a Pulled Pork Madness plaque.

If you go:
Location: Smokin’ Butt Barbeque
6364 Northwest Blvd. (inside Red Hawk Golf & Learning Center)
Davenport, IA 52806
Hours: Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone: (563) 345-7227
Website: www.smokinbuttbbqllc.com

Full list of the 2021 Pulled Pork Madness restaurants that competed in the bracket rounds:
    The Roadhouse, Orange City
    The Lunchbox, Spencer
    Double M Catering & Sandwich Shop, Emmetsburg
    Smokin' Grumps Barbecue, Rockwell City
    Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill
    Starbeck's Smokehouse, both in Cedar Falls
    Backwoods Bar and Grill, McGregor
    1st & Main, Dubuque
    Junction Cafe, Bedford
    Bordenaro's Meat Market, Carroll
    Timber Ridge Country Market & Cattle Company, Osceola
    UNRVLD Barbecue Bar, West Des Moines
    DSmokin' J's Barbecue, Lynnville
    Legends American Grill, Marshalltown
    Smilee's Ice Cream & More, De Witt
    Smokin' Butt Barbeque, Davenport

Past winners are Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew in Luther (2020); Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa (2019); and Moo’s BBQ in Newton (2018).



Iowa Corn Water Bottle Filling Station Giveaway

Iowa Corn is spreading the word that farmers care about the water we share here in Iowa. Farmers are part of your communities, and we want to give back to you and your students. Iowa Corn is awarding nine (9) different schools across the state a water bottle filling station. There will be one water bottle filling station awarded per crop reporting district.

After the selection process is complete, Iowa Corn will work with the winning schools for installation of the water bottle filling stations over the summer to be completed by August 15, 2021. Iowa Corn will be part of the first week of the school year by donating Iowa Corn water bottles and signage for the filling station, and organizing a day for the Iowa Corn Mobile Education Center to be at the schools for students to enjoy. Farmers and media may be invited to attend the events.

Each nomination must be an Iowa community school district to apply. Applications are due May 31, 2021, and winners will be announced by June 10, 2021. One water filling station per district/community from each Iowa crop reporting district will win to equal nine Iowa schools ranging from elementary to high school. Anyone can fill out the application to nominate a school in the community.

Click the link to access the application to nominate your school: Iowa Corn Water Bottle Filling Station Application. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv-xLg4foeBY97xCpn4QMdsLj_R_GFsaqobFz0UOhOG9nV6A/viewform.  



USDA Recognizes 5 Million Acres Enrolled in Conservation Easements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and private landowners have partnered to protect more than 5 million acres of wetlands, grasslands, and prime farmland — an area the size of New Jersey. Since October, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has enrolled 110,000 acres in new conservation easements, bringing USDA to this important conservation milestone.

“USDA is committed to partnering with our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners to conserve our nation’s natural resources for future generations and deliver conservation and recreational benefits to rural America,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We celebrate their efforts in helping us protect sensitive lands, create jobs, expand access to the outdoors, and help tackle climate change. We look forward to building on these partnerships.”

NRCS has offered conservation easements through the Farm Bill for 28 years, through programs like the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which helps landowners​, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, grasslands, and working farms and ranches through conservation easements. These programs benefit participants and the American public by creating cleaner air, water, and open spaces.

Wetland Easements
Wetland easements — totaling over 2.8 million acres nationwide — improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reducing flooding, recharging groundwater, protecting biological diversity, and providing opportunities for educational, scientific, and undeveloped recreational activities.

Wetland easements are also crucial to wildlife, and are credited for the recovery of the Louisiana black bear in 2019 and the Oregon chub in 2015. Whooping cranes rely on wetland easements on their cross-country treks and for raising young. Also, the wet meadows of sagebrush country are an oasis for wildlife like sage grouse.

Agricultural Land Easements
Agricultural land easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. These easements have been crucial to protecting rangelands and farmsteads from urban encroachment, ensuring the most productive lands remain working lands.

Agricultural land easements, including grassland easements, total more than 1.9 million acres.

Carbon Sequestration and Easements
Easements also can be used to protect floodplains and forests, providing public benefits, including carbon sequestration, water quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat, and protection of open space. Easements have contributed to the restoration of the Southeast’s unique, but rare longleaf pine forests, and to the protection of animals like the Greater Sage-Grouse.

Working with private landowners to preserve and restore wetlands, grasslands, forests and farmlands is integral to USDA’s efforts to build resiliency and reduce the impacts of climate change across the nation. Easements protect sensitive lands from development in perpetuity, and landowners can partner with NRCS to implement voluntary climate-smart management practices that maximize the amount of carbon sequestered from the atmosphere and stored in soils or plant biomass across these landscapes.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is engaged in a whole-of-government effort to combat the climate crisis and conserve and protect our nation’s lands, biodiversity and natural resources including our soil, air and water. Through conservation practices and partnerships, USDA aims to enhance economic growth and create new income streams for farmers, ranchers, producers and private foresters. Successfully meeting these challenges will require USDA to pursue a coordinated approach alongside stakeholders, including State, local and Tribal governments.

Enroll in Easements
Farmers, ranchers and private foresters looking to enroll farmland, grasslands, or wetlands in a conservation easement may submit proposals to the NRCS state office to acquire conservation easements on eligible land. To enroll land through wetland reserve easements, landowners should contact their local USDA Service Center.



USDA Accepting Nominations for NSIIC Board
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking nominees for one producer position and one expert in finance and management to serve three-year terms on the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Board of Directors.
 
The American Sheep Industry Association is a recognized by USDA as a Certified Nominating Organization to submit nominations. USDA selects appointees from candidates nominated by a CNO – an organization with a principal interest in the production of sheep in the United States and whose membership consists primarily of active domestic sheep producers.
 
The sheep producer director and director with finance and management emphasis are currently served by Leo Tammi of Virginia and Burton Pfliger of North Dakota. ASI is looking to submit two nominations for each position. Applications for nomination must be submitted to ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick at porwick@sheepusa.org by April 23.
 
The board of directors comprises seven voting members and two non-voting members. Voting members include four active American sheep producers, two members with expertise in finance and management and one member with expertise in lamb or wool product marketing. Non-voting members include USDA’s under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs and under secretary for research, education and economics.
 
The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center was established as part of the 2008 Farm Bill and administers a grant program designed to improve the infrastructure of the American sheep industry by strengthening and enhancing the production and marketing of sheep and sheep products.



USGC Participates In United Tastes Kickoff In Vietnam To Promote U.S. Sorghum

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) participated in a “United Tastes” event in Ho Chi Minh City last month, supporting a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) project led by its Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to promote U.S. agricultural and food products in Vietnam including, for the first time, U.S. food sorghum.

With pandemic-related restrictions eased, the Council, representing its partner the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP), was able to share the benefits of U.S. food sorghum with 73 in-person participants including members of the media, chefs, food importers and retailers.

“The USGC Southeast Asia Office strives to continually add value with our members and not shy away from exploring new markets. With the help of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, we conducted our first-ever food sorghum promotion program in Vietnam,” said Caleb Wurth, USGC assistant director for Southeast Asia. “We learned a lot and created a foundation for future opportunities for U.S. sorghum farmers, processors and exporters in the country.”

The United Tastes initiative aims to connect, educate and inspire Vietnamese consumers relative to high-value, high-quality, safe and healthy U.S. products. U.S. sorghum is high in dietary fiber, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals important for the human body and is naturally gluten free and low in fat.

The Council’s booth featured a popular Vietnamese chef preparing two dishes that attendees could sample – sorghum pasta and sorghum mixed with salmon – both of which were hits with participants.

Vietnam is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. According to USDA, agricultural exports to the country have increased by 40 percent in value over the last five years to reach $3.7 billion, making it the seventh-largest overseas market for U.S. agricultural and related products.

After nearly five years of collaborative efforts by the Council, the U.S. sorghum industry, USDA and regulators in Vietnam, in May 2020, a pest risk assessment was approved by both USDA and Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), opening the door for U.S. feed and food sorghum to flow into the country for high-value uses.

Official approval from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) coupled with Vietnam’s pest risk assessment approval opened the door for Vietnam’s Plant Protection Division to issue import licenses when Vietnamese importers request one for sorghum.

“The United Tastes event builds on this positive movement and is a tremendous example of the strong relationship and cooperation between FAS and the entire U.S. cooperator family to promote U.S. products abroad,” Wurth said. “As the Vietnamese population moves up the income ladder, so does its desire for diverse, nutritious, imported food that’s also delicious, and we want them to know how U.S. sorghum can satisfy that demand.”

 

Celebrating The 15-Year Anniversary Of The U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement

In 2004, in the early days of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the United States and Morocco, the Council was also engaged in discussions about long-term growth opportunities for the Moroccan poultry industry. The Council soon partnered with FISA, the Moroccan poultry association, to build demand, with the support of the U.S.-Morocco FTA.

Morocco is the United States' first and only free trade agreement (FTA) partner on the African continent and an example of the growth potential possible with a combination of strong trade policy and long-term market development.

In the time since, the agreement has created tremendous opportunities for U.S. agriculture by reducing market barriers and stimulating growth in Moroccan industries that import agricultural products from the United States. Total U.S. exports to Morocco reached $1.2 billion in 2020, compared to $35 million in 2005 before FTA implementation.

Before the agreement, corn imports by Morocco were small, hindered by an import duty on corn reaching as high as 85 percent at one point. As a result, the poultry industry was highly fragmented, poultry consumption was low and dairy and beef sectors struggled to keep up with the demand for milk and beef products.

USGC has been committed to developing the markets in Morocco since 1995 when it first began working to expand the poultry industry through the formation of a producer association, FISA, to represent the poultry and feed value chain. In the intervening years, the Council partnered with FISA to advocate to the Moroccan government on a host of issues that would allow the industry to grow and develop in a stable and transparent environment. The Council also partnered with FISA to provide technical support to industry members to promote poultry industry development.

Since FISA’s formation and later through the FTA implementation, corn imports by Morocco have grown from 450,000 metric tons per year (17.7 million bushels) to 3 million metric tons (118.1 million bushels) per year. Additionally, per capita consumption levels of poultry meat have grown more than three-fold from 6 kg per capita in 1995 to 22 kg per capita in 2020.

The FTA and the evolution of the poultry and feed industries also allowed the Council to introduce new feed grains to the market beyond a reliance on corn. These include U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn gluten feed (CGF), corn gluten meal (CGM), barley and sorghum. Introduction of a variety of feed grains to the Moroccan feed industry has created more depth and flexibility for the Moroccan industry and has benefitted a wider range of U.S. producers.

“The U.S. has free trade agreements with only 20 countries. These countries traditionally account for 50 percent of U.S. grains in all forms (GIAF) exports on an annual basis," said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO. "This highlights the importance of these trade agreements and how the Council can build successful programs around the market access that they create.

"Working to defend and expand markets allows the Council to do what it does best – capture short-term opportunities and build long-term demand for U.S. coarse grains and co-products.”

The Council has also worked extensively with the Moroccan beef and dairy sectors over the past 20 years. Recently, one of the Council’s partners, COPAG, a dairy cooperative, imported 1,750 pregnant Holstein heifers from the United States. In fact, over the past 10 years, COPAG has imported more than $205 million of U.S. agricultural products (corn, soybean meal, DDGS, corn gluten feed, livestock, dairy semen and soyhulls), averaging $20 million of imports annually.

“This example alone shows how investments the Council made 20 years ago continue to pay off for Council members and U.S. agriculture as a whole,” LeGrand said.

Now, 15 years after its implementation, the benefits of the FTA are expected to continue to grow, and the Council continues to take innovative steps to expand the market and increase demand for U.S. grains in Morocco and across the rest of Africa - one example of how the Council lives by its mission of developing markets, enabling trade and improving lives.



Register for Part Two of the NCBA Grazing Series Webinar!

Forages - Stretching Your Grazing Resources
April 8th, 2021 @ 7:00 p.m. Central

Join this webinar to hear from experts, Johnny Rogers, North Carolina State University Amazing Grazing Program Coordinator and Luke Wilson, Market Development Manager for Barenbrug USA, and learn how to utilize forages and stretch your grazing season. They will present applicable principles and strategies that will help create long-term success for your grazing system and make the best decisions on forage types.  Click to Get Registered Today! https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7575524478446591503.



USDA Seeks Four Nominees for National Organic Standards Board
Deadline for Nominations: June 1, 2021

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a 15-member volunteer advisory board appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, considers public comments and makes recommendations on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances; and other topics involved in organic agriculture. Congress designed the Board to make sure that a broad range of industry perspectives are represented.

USDA seeks nominations of qualified individuals for four open seats on the NOSB. Each member serves a five-year term and represents specific sectors of the organic community. Current openings for positions beginning January 2022 include:
    One individual who owns or operates an organic farming operation or an employee of such individual.
    One individual with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource conservation.
    One individual who represents public interest or consumer interest groups.
    One individual with expertise in the fields of toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry.

Working to include voices from historically underserved communities involved in organic agriculture is important to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and National Organic Program. We encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented individuals, organizations, and businesses to reflect the diversity of this industry. This includes qualified individuals regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified candidates may also apply to be considered for future unexpected vacancies in any of the seven categories representing the scope of the organic community.