Friday April 9 Ag News

 Boehm to take part in national panel discussion on data innovation, infrastructure and climate change in ag

Mike Boehm, University of Nebraska Vice President and Vice Chancellor for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will join several national agricultural leaders for a virtual panel discussion on April 15. The discussion is hosted by AGree, a bipartisan initiative focused on promoting policies that support farmers’ livelihoods and promote the resilience of working agricultural lands.

Boehm will join Carrie Castille, director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Katie Naessens, Senior Professional Staff Member, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; and Deborah Atwood, Executive Director of AGree and Senior Fellow at the Meridian Institute.  

The hour-long discussion will take place from 11 a.m. to noon CST on April 15. Boehm and the other panelists will discuss the importance of data innovation and infrastructure in advancing climate-smart agricultural practices.  

“To feed a growing world by 2050, U.S. agriculture must increase production by 40 percent while decreasing agricultural inputs by half,” Boehm said. “Advances in both precision agriculture techniques and land use will be key to meeting this goal, and we have researchers all across the state doing extremely exciting work in these areas. I’m excited to discuss our research and our partnership with the state of Nebraska during this panel discussion.”

Registration for the event is free and open to the public. Register online here.  

“AGree has long championed sharpening public agriculture research,” said Deborah Atwood, AGree Executive Director and Meridian Institute Senior Fellow. “We look forward to this conversation about how bi-partisan solutions and investment can improve data systems and facilitate the research needed to address climate change.”




Nebraska Corn Takes Part in Virtual Vietnam Visit; Mexico Embassy Briefing

Earlier this week, Nebraska Corn took part in a virtual trade meeting with Vietnam led by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. As part of the virtual meeting with key buyers and partners from Vietnam, staff from Nebraska Corn relayed the excellent quality of Nebraska corn, the desire in continuing to expand relationships beyond the letters of intent signed last year, and the opportunity that ethanol can play in meeting their E10 policy.
 
Nebraska Corn also heard from staff at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on key opportunities and background on trade. This included a discussion on the decree that NeCGA has continually raised concerns about, that would ban GMO corn for human consumption by 2024 in Mexico.



Beginning Shepherd Program May 1st in Pierce

The Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers and Nebraska Extension are offering a new educational program geared toward new sheep producers.  The speakers and topics for the program are:
    Marty Stewart – Sheep Basics/Choosing Your Flock
    Rhonda McClure – All About Wool
    Ivan Rush – Feeding the Flock
    Randy Saner – Grazing a Flerd
    Rachel Gibb -Beginning Flock Health
    Michael Littlefield - Shearing Demonstration
    Sheep Producer Panel & Hoof Trimming Demonstration

The program will be held at the Pierce County Fairgrounds at the Veggie Palace/4-H Livestock area in Pierce Nebraska.  Registration will start at 8:30 am.

Pre-registration will save you $10.  To preregister contact Mellisa Nicholson at  (308) 386-8378 or www.ne.sheep.goat@gmail.com.



USDA grant program should provide needed support to local meat processors

The Center for Rural Affairs is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin implementing a much-needed grant program authorized under a stimulus package approved by Congress in December. That legislation set funding aside to improve capacity at local meat lockers, but the agency has been slow to respond.

In a letter to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the Center asks that applications be made available soon as possible, and that processors designated as “smaller” and “very small” receive preference.

“Many of us have changed the way we purchase and prepare our food over the past 12 months,” said Johnathan Hladik, policy director for the Center for Rural Affairs. “Families now spend more time cooking at home. We are learning that local meat provides a better and more affordable alternative to the big box store.”

While the surge in demand has created a good problem for local meat lockers, Hladik said many of the facilities simply do not have the space or equipment to keep up, leaving family farms in the growing direct sales industry without a crucial partner.

“Support for small meat processors can offer much-needed benefits to rural communities,” Hladik said. “This overdue investment will provide immediate relief today while creating new economic opportunities for the future.”

In its letter, the Center also asks USDA leadership to prioritize supporting small meat processors looking to improve and expand their infrastructure, which Hladik said is vital in addressing bottlenecks in local processing and encouraging the growth of rural economies, as well as make funding available to entrepreneurs seeking to open a new small facility.

Additionally, the Center supports USDA implementing grants of up to $500,000 to cover the costs of such expansion efforts.

As part of the legislation, Congress also tasked USDA with supporting a number of other types of facilities with this new grant program, including other food processing, distribution, seafood processing, and farmers markets. USDA has not yet announced when they will open the application period for these funds.



Preparing Iowa Veterans for Careers in Food and Agriculture

Veterans in Agriculture, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Microloan are partnering to develop and offer integrated resources for apprenticeships, including on-the-job training and required technical instruction, mentorship and facilitated workshops for veterans.

The “Connecting Veterans to Agri-Food System Opportunities” (AgVets) program from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture builds on an existing national program for veterans who wish to explore careers in production agriculture and agri-food system supply chain businesses.

Activities will be designed to increase awareness about agriculture and agri-food supply chain career pathways for veterans returning to civilian life, including successful transitions. This grant allows for a broad range of multi-faceted learning opportunities, so each veteran can choose from career pathways in local food production, commercial agriculture or food systems industry.

Two registered apprenticeships, workshops and educational offerings will be available throughout the grant cycle. Each of the three career pathways will incorporate facilitated course instruction with curricula, resources and mentorship. One-on-one assistance will enhance each veteran’s ability to confirm unique business aspects such as financial management, whole farm and succession planning and business plan development.

As part of the program development, grant partners are holding listening sessions in April for the following audiences:
    Veterans and Beginning Farmers (potential mentees): Thursday, April 22, 1-2 p.m. Program overview and registered apprenticeship opportunities. Register at https://iastate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkcOiuqDMiEtzNsyNnHVSkBfn4YxL....  
    Farmers and Food Businesses (potential mentors): Monday, April 19, 1-2 p.m. Program overview and mentorship opportunities. Register at https://iastate.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7d00f090fae7e037cf5cc....
    Community College Representatives (connecting veterans to apprenticeships): Monday, April 19, 9-10 a.m. Program and apprenticeship overview. Register at https://iastate.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7d00f090fae7e037cf5cc....

For more information about the grant or the webinars contact Beth Grabau, executive director of Iowa Veterans in Agriculture, at beth@veteransinagriculture.org. More information is also available on the ISU Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed/.



February Red Meat Exports Below Last Year, but 2021 Outlook Remains Strong

February exports of U.S. beef and pork remained below the rapid pace established in early 2020, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). However, exports were consistent with USMEF's February projections and the federation still expects 2021 beef exports to increase substantially year-over-year, while pork exports are projected to narrowly surpass the 2020 record.

Beef exports totaled 103,493 metric tons (mt) in February, down 8% from a year ago, valued at $669.5 million (down 2%). This was due mainly to a decline in variety meat exports, as beef muscle cuts were steady with last year in value at $597.9 million on a volume of 82,530 mt (down 3%). Through February, beef exports were 5% below last year's pace at 208,540 mt, valued at $1.32 billion (down 2%). Beef muscle cut exports were down 1% to 163,928 mt and steady in value at $1.18 billion. Beef exports to South Korea are off to a very strong start in 2021 and demand for U.S. beef continues to grow in China, capitalizing on access gains achieved in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement.

February pork exports were down 12% from a year ago at 239,240 mt, valued at $629.4 million (down 13%). For muscle cuts only, exports fell by the same percentages to 203,526 mt valued at $548 million. Through February, pork exports were 11% below last year's pace at 487,896 mt, valued at $1.27 billion (down 13%). Pork muscle cut exports were also down 11% to 411,760 mt, valued at $1.1 billion (down 14%). February pork exports set new records in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica and were very strong to the Philippines and Colombia. As anticipated, pork exports to China/Hong Kong trended lower than the enormous volumes shipped in 2020 but the region continues to be the largest destination for U.S. pork.

Fueled by larger variety meat shipments to Mexico, Canada and Hong Kong, February exports of U.S. lamb increased 142% from a year ago to 1,152 mt, with value up 19% to $1.6 million. Through February, lamb exports were up 52% from a year ago to 2,179 mt but value fell 19% to $2.8 million.

"While February exports were in line with expectations, the results don't fully reflect global demand for U.S. red meat," said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. "Logistical challenges, including congestion at some U.S. ports, are still a significant headwind and tight labor supplies at the plant level continue to impact export volumes for certain products - including some variety meat items and labor-intensive muscle cuts."

Halstrom notes that the flow of exports through U.S. ports is showing some gradual improvement as COVID-impacted crews move closer to full strength, but remains a serious concern for the U.S. agricultural sector.

"USMEF greatly appreciates the members of Congress and ag industry representatives who have worked to bring more attention to this situation, and the efforts of maritime regulators to address shipping practices," he said.

Export demand has remained solid despite logistical challenges and other pandemic-related obstacles. Continued international demand, along with robust domestic business, contributed to stronger cutout values in the first quarter, which were up an average of 27% year-over-year for pork (nearly $90/cwt) and 4% for Choice beef ($224/cwt).



Statement by Secretary Vilsack on the President’s FY22 Discretionary Funding Request

The Biden-Harris Administration today submitted to Congress the President’s priorities for fiscal year 2022 discretionary spending. The funding request invests in the core foundations of our country’s strength and advances key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) priorities, including economic development and growth in rural America, maintaining support for American agriculture, rebuilding scientific expertise in our agencies, aiding in an all-of-government approach to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and supporting a strong safety net to address hunger and nutrition insecurity.

“The President’s budget provides the resources to build back better, stronger, and more resilient and equitably than ever before,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This is our moment to solve big challenges by acting boldly—to close the broadband gap facing rural America; to work with farmers, ranchers and producers to transform our nation’s food system and build new markets here and abroad; to protect and manage our nation’s forests and grasslands from catastrophic wildfires; and to ensure Americans have access to healthy and nutritious food. The President’s budget commits to building back better and USDA is at heart of that historic commitment.”

The President’s FY22 discretionary request:
-    Expands Broadband Access. Rural Americans are more than 10 times likelier than urban residents to lack access to quality broadband. The discretionary request provides an increase of $65 million over the 2021 enacted level for the Rural e-Connectivity Program “Reconnect,” which provides grants and loans to deploy broadband to unserved areas. The benefits of high-speed internet will serve as an economic equalizer for rural America and the work of installing broadband will create high-paying union jobs with benefits in rural communities. This investment will build on the Coronavirus Relief Provisions provided in 2020 to support broadband infrastructure deployment to areas lacking broadband, especially rural areas.
-    Invests in Critical Research and Development Capacity for Farmers. American farmers must be able to leverage new technologies to compete in world markets, all while protecting our soil and water. The discretionary request provides $4 billion, or nearly $680 million above the 2021 enacted level, for USDA’s research, education, and outreach programs. These investments in agricultural research will advance innovation and the application of science-based and data driven agricultural decisions and practices. In addition, the discretionary request provides an increase of $161 million above the 2021 enacted level, to support a multi-agency initiative to integrate science-based tools into conservation planning in order to measure, monitor, report, and verify carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, wildlife stewardship, and other environmental services at the farm level and on Federal lands.
-    Addresses the Growing Threat from Wildfire. Climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of wildfire seasons, transforming our Nation’s forests at an unprecedented rate, and destroying homes and businesses. The discretionary request provides nearly $1.7 billion for high-priority hazardous fuels and forest resilience projects at a scope and scale to meet the challenge we face, an increase of $476 million over the 2021 enacted level. This funding supports the Administration’s science-based approach to vegetation management at the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to protect watersheds, wildlife habitat, and the wildland-urban interface.
-    Supports a Strong Nutrition Safety Net. The 2022 discretionary request provides $6.7 billion, more than $1 billion above the 2021 enacted level, for critical nutrition programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), to help vulnerable families put healthy food on the table and address racial disparities in maternal and child health outcomes. These funding levels will support an anticipated increase in participation in WIC and combat rising food insecurity, which has disproportionately harmed families of color.

These discretionary investments reflect only one element of the President’s broader agenda. In the coming months, the Administration will release a Budget that will build on this discretionary funding request and detail a comprehensive fiscal vision for the Nation that reinvests in America, supports future growth and prosperity, meets U.S. commitments, and does so in a fiscally sustainable way. For more information on the President’s FY22 discretionary funding request, please visit: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/FY-2022-Discretionary-Request.