Friday April 23 Cattle on Feed + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 8%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.58 million cattle on feed on April 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 8% from last year. Placements during March totaled 440,000 head, up 16% from 2020. Fed cattle marketings for the month of March totaled 455,000 head, down 4% from last year. Other disappearance during March totaled 15,000 head, unchanged from last year.



IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 630,000 head on April 1, 2021, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from March, and unchanged from April 1, 2020. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 540,000 head on feed, unchanged from last month but down 10% from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,170,000 head, unchanged from last month but down 5% from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during March totaled 112,000 head, up 1% from February and up 62% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 68,000 head, up 113% from February and up 19% from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 180,000 head, up 26% from February and up 43% from last year.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during March totaled 109,000 head, up 10% from February and up 4% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 65,000 head, up 20% from February but down 19% from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 174,000 head, up 14% from February but down 6% from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 6,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Up 5 Percent
    
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head on April 1, 2021. The inventory was 5 percent above April 1, 2020. This is the second highest April 1 inventory since the series began in 1996. The inventory included 7.41 million steers and steer calves, up 5 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 62 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.49 million head, up 7 percent from 2020.

On Feed, by State  (1,000 hd  -  % April 1, '20)
Colorado .......:               1,060          110                
Iowa .............:                  630            100             
Kansas ..........:                2,480          108               
Nebraska ......:                2,580          108              
Texas ............:                2,870          104             

Placements in feedlots during March totaled 2.00 million head, 28 percent above 2020. Net placements were 1.94 million head. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 405,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 325,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 510,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 522,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 175,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 60,000 head.

Placements by State  (1,000 hd  -  % March '20)
Colorado .......:                    180             133              
Iowa .............:                     112             162                   
Kansas ..........:                     490             142                   
Nebraska ......:                     440             116                 
Texas ............:                     465             133             

Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 2.04 million head, 1 percent above 2020. Marketings were the second highest for March since the series began in 1996.

Marketings by State  (1,000 hd  -  % March '20)
Colorado .......:                   215               98             
Iowa .............:                   109               104              
Kansas ..........:                   470               111             
Nebraska ......:                   455                96             
Texas ............:                   455                99             



Protecting natural resources for future generations is LENRD’s focus

High levels of nitrate in our groundwater pose challenges for our future.  One of the responsibilities of the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is the development, management, utilization, and conservation of groundwater.

At the LENRD’s April board meeting, the members heard a report on visualizing and assessing nitrogen contamination in northeast Nebraska.  The report was given by Jordan Shields, PhD student in the University of Nebraska Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department.  The purpose of his project is to leverage existing tools and data to improve scientific understanding of nitrate contamination in the Lower Elkhorn NRD by focusing his research efforts on data digitization and incorporation of data into models, maps, and graphs.

LENRD Assistant Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “We appreciate the research that Jordan is doing and look forward to working with him on this project.  This report was the first of several updates that will be given by Jordan, with each update providing a view of the project as new information is integrated into the database.”

The LENRD recently launched a website, bringing to light the concerns that are plaguing northeast Nebraska.  Visit www.nitrateinwater.org to find out more about the rising levels of nitrate across the LENRD’s 15-county district and the steps that are being taken to address the environmental and health issues associated with this problem.

Also, during the meeting, the board approved the Urban Recreation Area Development and Urban Conservation Program applications for 2021.  The communities and schools receiving grant funding this year include:  Carroll, Concord, Emerson, Hadar, Madison, Pierce, Randolph, Wakefield, Woodland Park, Uehling, and Norfolk Public Schools.

LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said, “We look forward to partnering with these communities to complete their urban recreation and conservation projects.  If you have a project in need of funding, keep this program in mind for next year.  Application packets are mailed out in January throughout our 15-county district.”

The board reviewed a bid to update the electrical panels at the campground at Maskenthine Lake, north of Stanton.  This electrical improvement was delayed from last year due to the parts not being available during the pandemic.  The bid from JP Electric of Dodge was approved and the work will be completed this summer.

The LENRD recently opened their Maskenthine Lake and Maple Creek Recreation Areas to online reservations.  Reservations can be made 30 days in advance of arrival at Bookyoursite.com.

LENRD Recreation Area Superintendent, Leonard Boryca, said, “We’re excited to try the online reservation system.  It will be beneficial for those traveling from a distance or wanting to book something in advance.”  Boryca added, “There will still be a few sites available at each park as first-come, first-served.”

In other action the board authorized staff to issue notices of violation to farm owners or operators who are out of compliance with the Phase 2 and 3 Groundwater Management Area reporting requirements in Pierce and Madison Counties.  LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “These notifications will only be utilized as necessary, and will not curtail the proactive measures of district staff to work cooperatively with producers to get the reports completed.”

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails.  The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, May 27th at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m.



Lower Elkhorn NRD promotes Arbor Day with end-of-season tree sales

J. Sterling Morton first proposed Arbor Day as a tree planting holiday in 1872 at a meeting of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture.  On the first Arbor Day, prizes were offered to counties and to individuals for properly planting the largest number of trees.  It was claimed that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on that day.  Morton’s home in Nebraska City, Arbor Lodge and Arbor Day Farm, is a State Historical Park, which includes an arboretum and extensive landscaped grounds, managed by the National Arbor Day Foundation.  In Nebraska, Arbor Day is traditionally celebrated on the last Friday in April.  The 149th Anniversary of Arbor Day will be celebrated on Friday, April 30th.

Since Nebraska is the birth state of Arbor Day, it’s only appropriate that the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) promotes tree-planting programs each year.  The LENRD will have tree seedlings available for purchase next Friday in celebration of Arbor Day, at the Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area, north of Stanton.  From Norfolk, the lake is located 10 miles east on highway 275 and then 2 miles south on Ridge Road.  Signs will direct you to the LENRD Tree Distribution Center (approximately 2 miles north of Stanton).  The Center will be open from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Arbor Day.  Seedlings must be purchased in bundles of 25.

Todd Stewart, LENRD Natural Resources Technician, said, “We’ll be cleaning out the cooler on Arbor Day, quantities are limited, but there’s still enough variety if you’re looking for trees or shrubs to fill in your windbreak.”  Stewart added, “Trees provide shade and wind protection for people and livestock.  They add value and beauty to your property while saving money on your heating and cooling costs.  Plant trees to protect your property and the future.  Our parents did it for us, and we should return the favor for future generations.”

Contact the LENRD office if you have questions about the trees or if you need further assistance.  A list of trees available for purchase will be listed on the LENRD’s website:  www.lenrd.org



Extension webinar to cover USDA NASS cattle reports

An upcoming Nebraska Extension webinar will provide an in-depth look at cattle reports produced by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service, including Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory surveys. It will be held Thursday, from noon to 1 p.m.

The Cattle on Feed report, which provides estimates of the number of cattle being fed a ration of grain, silage, hay and/or protein supplements for the slaughter market that are expected to grade select or better. Cattle Inventory reports are issued in January and July. They provide estimates of the number of breeding animals for beef and milk production as well as the number of heifers being held for breeding herd replacement. Estimates of cattle and calves being raised for meat production are also included, along with the number of calves born during the previous year.

The webinar will cover methodologies, content and how the reports can be beneficial to producers.

It will be presented by Nick Streff, director of the USDA NASS northern Plains Regional Field Office in Lincoln. Streff oversees data collection, analysis and publication of NASS estimates for North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. He will be joined by Elliott Dennis, assistant professor of livestock marketing in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics.

The webinar will be presented as part of the Agricultural Economics Extension Farm and Ranch Management weekly series.

Registration is free at farm.unl.edu/webinars.



UNL Dept of Ag Econ Webinar Series Continues
Agricultural Assistance Through PAP, ARP, and CFAP: What Are These and Why Should Farmers, Ranchers Care?
Brad Lubben, Nebraska Extension Policy Specialist
Cathy Anderson, Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency Production and Compliance Section Chief

Farmers and ranchers may have heard of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative, the American Rescue Act Plan and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. All have been in the news, but what do each of them mean for Nebraska’s producers? UNL’s Brad Lubben along with the Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Cathy Anderson will provide an overview of each and give direction for farmers and ranchers regarding the current open application period for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2 at FSA offices across the state.

This webinar is set for Thursday May 6th at 12 noon, and should last about an hour.  Register and get more information at farm.unl.edu/webinars.



Nebraska Extension crop management diagnostic clinic courses available online

Nebraska Extension is bringing growers and agribusiness professionals a new way to keep up to date with research-based information in crop management and production.  For the first time, the popular, long-running Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics are offered via an e-learning online option.

Bringing the clinics online provides a convenient, self-paced opportunity to earn Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) continuing education credits from the comfort of the home, office or possibly even the tractor cab. University of Nebraska Extension Educator Emeritus Keith Glewen noted “this is an excellent opportunity for growers and industry agronomist at their convenience, to pick and choose topics to view as a means to enhance their knowledge level on specific topics.”  

The sessions were recorded at the Crop Management Diagnostic Clinic site at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center.  The clinic site includes crop growth and development at a range of vegetative/reproductive growth stages for corn and soybeans.

Presentations, plot tours, and activities of the traditional clinics were professionally filmed for the Midwest Soil Health Clinic and the Midwest Corn and Soybean Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics.  Learn from the unbiased expertise of university experts and plot demonstrations.   

The clinics are divided into 16 courses, making it convenient to choose subject matter and CCA credits categories. CCA credits are available for those who view the presentations and complete the accompanying review and feedback questions.  A certificate of completion is provided at the conclusion of this course.

Soils courses include:  Soil Physical Properties; Soil Biological Properties; Soil Health Properties; Cover Crops/Soil Health; and Nutrient Management.

Corn courses focus on crop management and pest management.  Topics include:  Agronomy Cultural Practices; Genetics/Production; Insect Damage; Plant Pathology; Soil Fertility; and IPM for Successful Weed Management.

Soybean courses focus on crop management, nutrient management, and pest management.  Topics include:  Cultural Practices; Genetics/Agronomics; Insect Management; Plant Pathology; Soil Fertility;  IPM for Successful Weed Management; and Irrigation.

Registration and course descriptions and details available online. Fees for the courses range from $15-$45. Questions, contact Aaron Nygren, Nebraska Extension educator at 402-624-8030.  



Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Training – Wahoo
May 19 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 pm    

RSVP to Connor Biehler
Beef Systems Asst. Extension Educator
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Eastern Nebraska Research & Extension Center
Office: (402) 624-8007
Cell: (402) 413-8557



IA Beef Checkoff Hosts Nutrition Communications Workshop for Dietetic Graduate Students

The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) recently hosted a nutrition communications workshop for dietetic graduate students enrolled in the University of Iowa’s Master of Clinical Nutrition Program. The training provided an opportunity for professional development in nutrition and media communications and highlighted beef’s role in a healthy diet.

Connecting dietetic graduate students with credible beef industry information and resources is extremely important as many will soon be graduating and entering the workforce as registered dietitians. “Dietitians are a trusted source for nutrition and health information,” said Rochelle Gilman, RDN, Director of Nutrition and Health for IBIC. “The purpose of the beef checkoff’s outreach to health professionals is to provide credentialed health professionals, like dietitians, accurate information about beef’s nutrition and the role beef can have in a healthy diet.”

Topics covered in the training included how to develop clear, concise and compelling nutrition messages. Attendees also participated in a hands-on group activity to develop and deliver beef nutrition messages, using a variety of media platforms. The nutrition communication training was conducted by Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDE, and host of Sound Bites Podcast.

In addition, Iowa County beef farmer, Pat Blomme, highlighted how cattle are cared for on their family farm so students could gain a deeper understanding of modern day beef production. Rochelle Gilman, RDN, LD, and Director of Nutrition and Health for IBIC, provided a beef nutrition overview showcasing new beef nutrition research in heart healthy diets and the new Dietary Guidelines for birth to 24 months.

“The beef nutrition overview provided students with excellent talking points for beef’s role in a healthy diet and equipped them with answers to client’s specific questions regarding beef,” reported Laurie Kroymann, MBA, RDN, LD, and Program Director for the Master of Clinical Nutrition Program at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. “The communication training was valuable and timely pending their graduation and entrance into new careers. The graduate students commented afterwards that they feel well-prepared and confident to share their nutrition message through many forms of media communication.”

A pre- and post- survey was given to participants with results showcasing a positive change in attitudes and knowledge about beef’s nutritional benefits, reporting they will be recommending beef as often as other proteins in their future careers.

The nutrition communication training workshop for the dietetic interns was funded by the Iowa State Beef Checkoff Program. For more information, visit www.iabeef.org.



ISU Virtual Crop Scouting School Now Available

The 2021 Virtual Crop Scout School is now available and is free to the general public. The scout school consists of 22 webinars from crop protection specialists at 11 Midwest universities and is offered through the Crop Protection Network.

Crop scouts, farmers and other users can choose from a variety of diverse subjects to help them become more knowledgeable on crop scouting. Topics are split into digestible bits so crop scouts can interact with subject matter in a way that best suits their time and interest. Specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will present.

Crop scouting is an important part of integrated pest management that can help farmers obtain higher yields and increased profit per acre. Scouting gives farmers and agronomists a "heads-up" about what is happening in the field, allowing preemptive action and appropriate management decisions to be applied. The field scout gathers information on the crop condition of a field, which can help in discerning which of the various management tools to use.

Scouting crop fields on a regular basis can help to determine emerging crop problems and inform management decisions.

“The Virtual Crop Scout School is coming on the heels of a new web book on crop scouting released by CPN earlier this year,” said Daren Mueller, associate professor in plant pathology and microbiology and extension specialist at Iowa State University. “Crop scouting can do a lot to bring greater yields to farmers’ fields.”

CPN has partnered with universities across the Midwest to provide the webinars. This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection and Pest Management Program through the North Central IPM Center (2018-70006-28883).

CPN is a multi-state and international partnership of university and provincial extension specialists, and public and private professionals that provides unbiased, research-based information. CPN’s goal is to communicate relevant information to farmers and agricultural personnel to help with decisions related to protecting field crops.

Register for the crop school online https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/virtual-crop-scout-school. For more information contact cropprotectionnetwork@gmail.com.



Sukup Manufacturing Acquires Global Fabrication

Sukup Manufacturing Co. announced it is acquiring certain assets of Global Fabrication, Inc., a full service fabrication facility located in Hampton, Iowa. This expansion will allow Sukup to double its manufacturing capacity for cat walks, towers, and other structural products while maintaining a commitment to employment in North Central Iowa.

The existing facility is approximately 70,000-square feet. Sukup is currently accepting applications for immediate hires at this location, and plans to have the facility fully operational by April 2021.

Steve Sukup, president and CEO of Sukup Manufacturing, said, "This is the second facility expansion Sukup has announced in 2021, and we believe this investment in our manufacturing facilities is a positive sign of continued growth as a company. Ultimately, our goal is to create products that help farmers feed and fuel the world, and this additional space and personnel is necessary to meet demand. One of our top priorities in this acquisition is to retain many of Global Fab's current employees. We look forward to a smooth transition, and adding manufacturing capacity for our material handling products."

"Sukup is a trusted employer in North Central Iowa," said Todd Hall of Global Fabrication. "We appreciate Steve Sukup's leadership through this process, and are confident the employee transition will go smoothly. It's great to know that Global Fab will be part of Sukup's positive impact on the agriculture industry moving forward."

NCP, Inc., acting as exclusive financial advisor, and BrownWinick, acting as legal counsel, advised Sukup on the transaction.



Learn about Pheasant Nesting in Iowa's Ag-Dominated Landscape

Research being done on where pheasants nest and how to better manage those areas for optimal nesting is the topic of an Iowa Learning Farms webinar April 28 at noon.

During the webinar, Taylor Shirley, a graduate research assistant at Iowa State University, will discuss findings from a recent study conducted by Iowa State on pheasant nesting in southeastern Iowa. Shirley will explore where pheasants choose to nest, what characteristics make an area optimal for nesting, and how areas can be managed to better meet the needs of nesting pheasants.

“Agriculture is a big part of Iowa’s landscape and many farmers and landowners are implementing practices to improve water and soil health. Many people also enjoy seeing pheasants and hope to bring populations up to the numbers we once had,” said Shirley. “In this presentation, we’ll explore how agronomic practices like cover crops may help meet these goals.”

Shirley’s research focuses on the intersection of agriculture and wildlife conservation by exploring how cover crops may provide nesting cover for pheasants in Iowa.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on April 28:
    Click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.
    Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.
    Or, join from a dial-in phone line by dialing +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 with meeting ID 364 284 172.
    The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live webinar.



Dairy Farmers to Seek Emergency USDA Hearing on Class I Mover Reform

The National Milk Producers Federation’s Board of Directors voted today to request an emergency USDA hearing on a Federal Milk Marketing Order proposal to restore fairness for farmers in the Class I fluid milk price mover. The endorsement of the board, which represents dairy farmers and cooperatives nationwide, follows approval from the organization’s Executive Committee last week.

The NMPF plan would ensure that farmers recover lost revenue and establish more equitable distribution of risk among dairy farmers and processors. The current mover was adopted in the 2018 farm bill and intended to be revenue neutral while facilitating increased price risk management by fluid milk bottlers. But the new Class I mover contributed to disorderly marketing conditions last year during the height of the pandemic and cost dairy farmers over $725 million in lost income. NMPF’s proposal would help recoup the lost revenue and ensure that neither farmers nor processors are disproportionately harmed by future significant price disruptions.

“As the COVID-19 experience has shown, market stresses can shift the mover in ways that affect dairy farmers much more than processors. This was not the intent of the Class I mover formula negotiated within the industry,” said Randy Mooney, the dairy farmer chairman of NMPF’s Board of Directors. “The current mover was explicitly developed to be a revenue-neutral solution to the concerns of fluid milk processors about hedging their price risk, with equity among market participants a stated goal.

“Dairy farmers were pleased with the previous method of determining Class I prices and had no need to change it, but we tried to accommodate the concerns of fluid processors for better risk management. Unfortunately, the severe imbalances we’ve seen in the past year plainly show that a modified approach is necessary. We will urge USDA to adopt our plan to restore equity and create more orderly marketing conditions,” Mooney said.

While the current Class I mover was designed to improve the ability of fluid milk handlers to hedge milk prices using the futures market, it was also expected to be revenue-neutral compared to the formula it replaced. But that has not been the case. The significant gaps between Class III and IV prices that developed during the pandemic exposed dairy farmers to losses that were not experienced by processors, showing the need for a formula that better accounts for disorderly market conditions.

NMPF’s proposal would modify the current Class I mover, which adds $0.74/cwt to the monthly average of Classes III and IV, by adjusting this amount every two years based on conditions over the prior 24 months, with the current mover remaining the floor. NMPF’s request will be to limit the hearing specifically to proposed changes to the mover, after which USDA would have 30 days to issue an action plan that would determine whether USDA would act on an emergency basis.



EPA ADMINISTRATOR: NO INTENTION OF RETURNING TO OBAMA WOTUS RULE
NPPC Newsletter

In comments before a House Appropriations Subcommittee budget hearing on Wednesday, EPA Administrator Michael Regan pledged not to return to the Obama administration’s definition of the U.S. Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “We don’t have any intention of going back to the original Obama Waters of the U.S. verbatim,” Regan said. In remarks to Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Regan said the agency plans to have “a stakeholder engagement process” with agriculture and environmental groups to craft the WOTUS rule in a balanced way. “We’ve learned lessons from both [versions of the rule], we’ve seen complexities in both and we’ve determined that both rules did not necessarily listen to the will of the people,” Regan added.

Under the Obama administration in 2015, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a new WOTUS rule that gave EPA broad jurisdiction over U.S. waters to include upstream waters and intermittent and ephemeral streams. The WOTUS rule was immediately challenged in court and subject to several preliminary injunctions. The Trump administration repealed the 2015 rule in 2019 and in June 2020, replaced it with the new Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR).  



ADM Opening New Protein Plant-based Lab in Singapore

ADM celebrated the opening of its new cutting-edge, plant-based innovation lab, located in ADM's Biopolis research hub in Singapore.  The lab will develop next-level, on-trend and nutritious products to meet growing food and beverage demand in the Asia-Pacific region.

"ADM is a pioneer in plant-based nutrition innovation, and this new facility will enhance our ability to meet rapidly growing consumer demand in the Asia-Pacific region and bring exciting new products and solutions to the market," said Leo Liu, ADM president, Asia-Pacific. "Protein continues to be a focus for consumers who are experimenting with plant-based options to meet their health and nutrition, sustainability, and convenience preferences, and with Asia being home to 60% of the world's population, Singapore is a critical hub of innovation and growth around plant-based alternatives.

The facility will help ADM deliver advanced customer solutions in the area while also creating jobs and offering development opportunities for young talent in the Asia-Pacific region.



Launching Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate

At President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate on April 23, 2021, the United States and United Arab Emirates, with endorsement from the United Kingdom’s COP 26 Presidency, and with support from Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Israel, Singapore, and Uruguay, announced plans to launch the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate). The goal of AIM for Climate, which will be advanced at the UN Food Systems Summit in September 2021 and launched at COP26 in November 2021, is to increase and accelerate global innovation research and development (R&D) on agriculture and food systems in support of climate action.

Once officially launched, AIM for Climate will catalyze greater investment in agricultural R&D and innovation to help to raise global ambition and underpin more rapid and transformative climate action in all countries, including by enabling science-based and data-driven decision and policy-making. Investments in agricultural innovation and R&D can enhance existing approaches and deliver new ways to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods, conserve nature and biodiversity, and adapt and build resilience to climate change, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon.

“The United States is proud to be pioneering the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative along with the United Arab Emirates and several other supportive partners. I was impressed by the ingenuity being applied to food and climate challenges during my recent trip to the UAE, and know that we all stand to benefit by sharing best practices and raising innovation ambition when it comes to climate-smart agriculture. AIM for Climate can serve as a unique platform for cooperation among many countries on these shared challenges,” said U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.

“I am pleased to see the United States co-leading the creation of the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate initiative. The goal of the initiative is important, to accelerate global agricultural innovation through increased research and development, as it highlights agriculture, science-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Together we can address our shared climate challenges and the U.S. Department of Agriculture looks forward to working with others to advance the AIM for Climate initiative,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

The world’s growing population is increasingly dependent on vulnerable food production as the climate crisis undermines longstanding agricultural practices – threatening to damage the sector and keep millions of people in poverty. Innovative climate-smart technologies and approaches are urgently required to improve food security and drive economic growth.

By COP26, AIM for Climate will:
    Demonstrate collective commitment to investment in agricultural innovation and R&D for climate-smart food systems by its participants over the next five years;
    Outline a framework to discuss and promote priorities across international and national levels of innovation, in order to amplify participants’ investments; and
    Identify chief scientists as key focal points for international cooperation on climate-related agricultural R&D, drawing on their unique insights and equities across governmental bodies.

AIM for Climate will focus on, and promote coordination between, three main investment channels:
    Scientific breakthroughs via basic agricultural research through national-level government agricultural R&D and academic research institutions;
    Public and private applied innovation and R&D for development through support to international research centers, institutions, and laboratory networks;
    Development and deployment of practical, actionable research and information to producers and other market participants, utilizing national agricultural research extension systems.

The innovation and R&D areas targeted through AIM for Climate will include: sustainable productivity improvements; land, water, carbon, and other input use efficiency; resilient crop and livestock production; enhanced digital tools; and inclusive, equitable and sustainable food systems.

AIM for Climate underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s strengthened commitment to the agricultural sector and will help to deliver jobs and economic growth alongside climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits.