Tuesday April 13 Ag News

 USDA-NIFA GRANT TO ADVANCE AG ROBOT RESEARCH

Santosh Pitla, associate professor of biological systems engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, can picture a future in which swarms of small autonomous robots roll through a corn or soybean field planting seeds or applying fertilizers. These highly sensitive robots could detect conditions — soil makeup and moisture, for example — across a given field and apply varying amounts of inputs across the field, tailored to the conditions.

A new $452,783 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture will fund research that could bring these robots a step closer to reality.

Pitla has been working to advance these robots, known as Unmanned Ground Vehicles, or UGVs, since he joined the Husker faculty in 2014. One challenge he has encountered in his research is how to refill seeds, chemicals and fertilizers automatically, without the need for the UGV to leave the field. Currently, UGVs and manned machines come to the edge of the field when their tanks are low for refilling.

Pitla and his team are working on a new approach for refilling UGV seed tanks using aerial robots known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Refilling seed tanks on site, using aerial robots, has the potential to improve both the efficiency and precision of UGVs, Pitla said.

“The full potential of a multi-robot system consisting of multiple small UGVs can only be realized if a practical refilling strategy for refilling seeds and other inputs can be devised,” he said.

He and his team are working to develop a framework for this system, as well as to address knowledge gaps in how UGVs and drones can work together.

Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory Engineer Rodney Rohrer and Husker faculty members Joe Luck and Yeyin Shi are also involved with the project. Work will start in July. Once the refueling system is developed, it will be tested at the Rogers Memorial Farm near Lincoln, which is operated by the Department of Biological Systems Engineering.

The project’s funding comes specifically from USDA-NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, the nation’s leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences.



HAYLAGE AND BALEAGE EQUIPMENT AND PREPARATIONS
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator

Both haylage and baleage use the process of fermentation or ensiling to preserve forages, and require proper harvesting and storage techniques.  Do you have equipment to do the job right?

Baleage can be confused with traditional dry hay because it is still a square or round bale in appearance.  Inside, it’s hay that is higher moisture than dry hay so it is wrapped or otherwise sealed in plastic for storage. Baleage can be fermented as individual bales or in a tube/inline. Already we can see that added or changes to equipment will be need to utilize this high quality preservation technique. Haylage is wilted hay that is chopped and put into silos, bunkers, or bags.

Haylage is similar to corn silage from an equipment needs standpoint.  For baleage, the equipment changes are not too significant but need to be considered. A different baler might be needed for some producers. Wrapping equipment is cheaper than a silage chopper, but handling the bales requires different equipment than the classic bale spear or grapple, unless the inline wrapping machine does all the wrapping. When picking up bales to take to the tube wrapper, some suggest using a double spear because it will reduce the large air pocket produced by the weight of the bale on just a single spear.

Plastic maintenance is needed if holes occur by the environment or animals and plastic requires disposal after use.

Make sure before the season starts, the plastic and equipment is ready to go or lined up to be rented.

 

 Earth Day demonstration of new, soy-based product in Lincoln

An exciting demonstration of a new use for soybean oil is coming to the city campus at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. On April 22, 2021, also recognized as Earth Day, a soy-based asphalt rejuvenator will be applied to the roof of Brace Laboratory located at 510 Stadium Dr, Lincoln, Nebraska. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m.

The soy-based and USDA Certified Biobased Product is provided by Roof Maxx, headquartered in Westerville, Ohio. The goal of the product is to extend the life and increase durability of an existing asphalt shingle roof.

Developed by Battelle Labs, Roof Maxx is the first soy-based, roof-rejuvenating spray treatment that restores a roof’s flexibility and waterproofing protection, extending the life of a roof by up to 15 years. Due to the incorporation of soy, Roof Maxx provides a safe option for people, pets, property and the environment.

The outdoor educational demonstration will be open to the public. The event will begin with a line-up of speakers, followed by the demonstration. The demonstration will be visible from ground-level.

To further highlight Earth Day, the initiative and demonstration fits into the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Environment, Sustainability and Resilience Master Plan, released in November of 2020. Under the Energy portion of the plan, the aspiration goal works to establish the policy, governance and administrative infrastructure that results in a highly-efficient campus with net-zero CO2 emissions and net zero energy readiness by 2050.

“While this is not a product developed at UNL, Nebraska researchers are also working to find ways to add value to our state’s agricultural products through the development of renewable chemicals, polymers and fuels,” said Loren Isom, assistant director of UNL’s Industrial Ag Products Center. “Development of new bioproducts like this one can benefit Nebraska producers, businesses and the environment.”

A recent study and poster presentation by The Ohio State University speaks to the eco-friendly technology. According to the study, approximately 7 percent of U.S. roofs are replaced every year. If even 1 percent of single-family homes (about 15 percent of yearly replacements) applied a SMEE (Soy Methyl Ester Emulsion) formula like Roof Maxx instead of replacing their roof, we would avoid 5.6 billion pounds of landfill waste and 1.1 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents in emissions.

“The Nebraska Soybean Board is excited to get involved with this demonstration to highlight the power of soybean oil,” says Richard Bartek, District 3 board member on the Nebraska Soybean Board and farmer from Ithaca. “This renewable alternative unlocks another use that drives demand for soybeans and joins as one of the 1,000 soy-based products currently on the market.”

“There are many great things about Roof Maxx that it’s hard not to love,” says Jeremy Schafer, a Nebraska Roof Maxx dealer. “Being able to offer a faster, more affordable alternative to an expensive roof replacement. Our SoyFusion technology is backed by the farmers, 100% green, and offers yet another great soybean product to the market. Born and raised in Nebraska it makes me proud to know we can make an impact on our local landfill and support soybean farmers.”

This collaborative demonstration includes Roof Maxx, the Nebraska Soybean Board and the Industrial Agricultural Products Center at UNL. The application will be sponsored by Roof Maxx and the Nebraska Soybean Board, at no cost to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.



How to start a food business

Have you ever thought of starting a food business? Do you have a favorite family recipe you would like to bring to the marketplace? Are you a producer considering adding value to an agricultural product, or a restaurateur or chef exploring the marketing of a house specialty?           

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Food Processing Center offers a unique, nationally recognized and program to help potential entrepreneurs start a food business. The National Food Entrepreneur Program assists individuals through all the steps of developing their products and businesses. Since inception in 1989, more than 3,000 individuals from Nebraska and throughout the country have used the services offered through the program  

Potential entrepreneurs start by attending the Recipe to Reality one-day seminar, which covers topics including market research, product development, packaging, labeling, pricing, product introduction, promotional materials, food safety, and business structure issues.  

“In one day, entrepreneurs gain valuable insight on the basics of starting a food business that could take them months or even years to research on their own,” said Jill Gifford, who manages the Food Processing Center’s food entrepreneur assistance program.  

Following the seminar, participants may choose to enter the Product to Profit phase of the program which provides a more individualized and comprehensive level of assistance.  

To receive a National Food Entrepreneur Program information packet please contact: Jill Gifford, Food Processing Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 228 Food Innovation Center, Lincoln, NE 68588-6206, phone (402) 472-2819, e-mail: jgifford1@unl.edu. More information on UNL’s Food Processing Center is online at fpc.unl.edu.  



Funding Available for Farmers and Ranchers to Develop Conservation Activity Plans
Applications Due June 18

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available to Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers to develop Conservation Activity Plans. These plans are developed to help identify and find solutions for specific natural resource concerns on a farming operation. Applications for this year’s funding are currently being accepted at local NRCS offices through June 18.

Conservation Activity Plans are specific to certain kinds of land use such as transitioning to organic operations, grazing land, forest land, or can also address a specific resource need such a managing nutrients or to address an air quality concern.

According to Conor Ward, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program manager with NRCS, “With a Conservation Activity Plan, producers can not only have assistance in identifying resource concerns, they can then apply for financial assistance to implement the conservation practices needed to address those concerns.”

Eligible producers may apply at their local NRCS office at any time, but to be considered for this year’s funding, applications need to be submitted by June 18. If the application is accepted, payments are made directly to program participants for development of a Conservation Activity Plan.

For more information, contact your local NRCS field office, or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.



UNL Receives Recognition for Environmental Data Collection

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, released the following statement after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that UNL was chosen to serve as the High Plains Regional Climate Center.

“The work being done at UNL helps put Nebraska at the forefront of the latest scientific research. I am proud to see our university rewarded for their collection and production of critical environmental data. It’s good to see federal recognition of this important research,” said Senator Fischer.

"We are pleased to be a recipient of new funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which will help us continue the important work that we do. We are grateful to Sen. Fischer for her role in securing this funding, which directly benefits Nebraskans, the high plains region and beyond,” said Rezaul Mahmood, director of the High Plains Regional Climate Center.

“As we strive to feed a growing world, understanding our dynamic climate will become ever more important. The High Plains Regional Climate Center has been instrumental in helping producers and others access weather data and use it to drive smart decision-making. Working in tandem the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, the National Drought Mitigation Center and the Nebraska State Climate Office, the HPRCC is helping Nebraska become a leader in this space. This funding will help advance this important work,” said Mike Boehm, NU vice president and UNL Harlan vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

More information:
NOAA announced that it awarded 6 universities to serve as Regional Climate Centers.  UNL was selected to again serve for 5 years as the High Plains Regional Climate Center, which coordinates the collection and production of environmental data across North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming.  UNL will receive $3,247,500 as part of this contract. Regional Climate Centers are contractor organizations to NOAA that produce and deliver environmental data, products, information, and services of 6 distinct regions of the United States.

Senator Fischer is a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees NOAA. During Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s nomination hearing, Senator Fischer discussed UNL’s close cooperation with NOAA.



USDA's Agricultural Research Service Honors Scientists of the Year

For her outstanding contributions to research on crop responses to global climate change, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist Lisa A. Ainsworth is the agency's Distinguished Senior Research Scientist of the Year for 2021. Ainsworth, research leader for the ARS Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit in Urbana, Illinois (Midwest Area), is one of many ARS researchers being honored for their scientific achievements.

Ainsworth joined the Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit in 2004 as a plant molecular biologist and has served as research leader since 2019. Her research aimed to find solutions for challenges affecting food production and security. Her work influenced the direction of climate change impact assessment and adaptation for federal, non-governmental organization and philanthropic efforts.

Ainsworth notably served as a lead investigator for the joint ARS and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment (SoyFACE) Global Change Research Facility. SoyFACE is one of the largest and most comprehensive Free Air Concentration Enrichment (FACE) facilities in the world for studying crop responses to atmospheric change.

ARS also named four 2021 Area Senior Research Scientists of the Year. They are—
    James R. Hagler, with ARS’s U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center in Maricopa, Arizona, (Pacific West Area), for pioneering widely-used methods in studying arthropod dispersal and feeding behavior. His innovative biological control and insect dispersal research techniques have been adopted by researchers throughout the world.

    Tracy C. Leskey, with ARS’s Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, West Virginia, (Northeast Area), for her comprehensive research on the invasive brown marmorated stink bug. Her team’s research led to developing sustainable, long-term management strategies.

    Gary A. Rohrer, with ARS’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska (Plains Area), for his leadership and development of genomic technologies which resulted in improvements in pork production and animal well-being.

    David L. Suarez, with ARS’s Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research Unit in Athens, Georgia (Southeast Area), for his outstanding and sustained research on the Avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and emerging exotic diseases in poultry. His research led to the development and implementation of rapid molecular diagnostic tests for AIV and NDV in poultry. These diagnositic tests helped with eradication efforts. The unit is part of the ARS’s U.S. National Poultry Research Center.

ARS is also honoring scientists who are in the early phases of their careers. The early-career awards recognize the achievements of ARS researchers with the agency for seven years or less.

This year, the top award in this category, the Herbert L. Rothbart Outstanding Early Career Research Scientist of 2021, goes to Amanda M. Hulse-Kemp, a computational biologist at ARS’s Genomics and Bioinformatics Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi (Southeast Area). Hulse-Kemp is being recognized for her contributions to ARS, national and international research teams. Her work resulted in high-quality, impactful research and technology transfer.

Hulse-Kemp worked on national and international collaborative efforts to develop high-quality genome sequences for a large range of crops. Her accomplishments include researching cotton genomes which was critical for the advancement of cotton research and breeding. She also worked on developing genome sequences for coffea arabica, spinach and pepper.

ARS is honoring four other Area Early Career Research Scientists. They are—
    Anna K. Childers, with ARS’s Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland (Northeast Area), for her scientific contributions to Ag100Pest, an ARS initiative to sequence the genomes of the top 100 agricultural pests in the U.S. Her work led to ARS and Ag100Pest being in the forefront of international insect genomics. The unit is part of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.

    Brittney N. Keel, with ARS’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska (Plains Area), for applying machine learning and novel mathmatical modeling to complex livestock genomic analyses. Significant advancements in the livestock genomics and precision agriculture fields were made as the result of Keel’s work.

    Jason Williams, with ARS’s Southwest Watershed Research Center, Tucson, Arizona (Pacific West Area), for his significant contributions to understanding and modeling the impacts of management practices on runoff and erosion processes on western rangelands. His research contributed to advances in applying the Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion and Model (RHEM) as a tool to assess and predict woodland responses to conservation practices as well as guide management decisions on these landscapes.

    Mark R. Williams, with ARS’s National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, West Lafayette, Indiana (Midwest Area), for his significant contributions and advancements to understanding hydrology and nutrient movement in agricultural tile drained landscapes. His research led to enhancements in simulation technologies and informed policy decisions related to conservation practices.

The agency also announced its 2021 ARS Technology Transfer Award winner. This Award recognizes individuals or groups who have done outstanding work in transferring technology to the marketplace.

This year’s winner is the Sensor Based Automatic Variable Rate Irrigation Control Team. The team included researchers from ARS’s Conservation and Production Research Laboratory in Bushland, Texas; ARS’s Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland; ARS’s Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research Unit in Florence, South Carolina; ARS’s Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit in Columbia, Missouri; and ARS’s Sustainable Water Management Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi.

To address the increasing national and global need to irrigate crops with an increasingly limited water supply, ARS researchers, along with academia, developed the Irrigation Scheduling Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (ISSCADA) system. Their multi-pronged technology development and transfer effort resulted in the patenting of the ISSCADA system.

The system automatically produced a daily prescription for variable rate irrigation (VRI) that can guide an irrigation system without human intervention. The system optimized crop yields per unit of water used. Tests for the ISSCADA system consistently showed increased yield per unit of irrigation water used for major crops including corn, cotton, potato, sorghum and soybean.




Midwest Dairy elects leadership

Allen Merrill from Parker, South Dakota, was re-elected chairman of Midwest Dairy during the organization’s annual meeting held last week in Des Moines, Iowa.

Elections for the Corporate board officer team also were held. Charles Krause, Buffalo, Minnesota, was re-elected first vice chairman; Dan Hotvedt, Decorah, Iowa, was re-elected second vice chairman; Lowell Mueller, Hooper, Nebraska, was re-elected secretary and Barb Liebenstein, Dundas, Minnesota, was re-elected treasurer.

New members elected by their divisions to the Midwest Dairy Corporate board include:
    Brent Mueller, Garden Prairie, Illinois
    Pam Bolin, Clarksville, Iowa
    Megan Herberg, St. Peter, Minnesota
    Kate McAndrews, Sauk Centre, Minnesota

Division board officers and new members are as follows:

Nebraska Division
    Chairwoman – Mary Temme, Wayne
    Vice chairwoman – Joyce Racicky, Mason City
    Secretary/Treasurer – Jodi Cast, Beaver Crossing

Iowa Division
    Chairman – Dan Hotvedt, Decorah
    Vice chairman – Lee Maassen, Maurice
    Secretary – Jonna Schutte, Monona
    Treasurer – Larry Shover, Delhi
    Jolene Duitscher, Rolfe, was seated as a new member of the Iowa Division board.

South Dakota Division
    Chairman – Jim Neugebauer, Dimock
    Vice chairwoman – Annelies Seffrood, Summit
    Secretary – Chris Fieber, Goodwin
    Treasurer – Gary Jarding, Alexandria
    Tim Den Dulk, Beresford, was seated as a new member of the South Dakota Division board.

North Dakota Division
    Chairman – Rita Mosset, Linton
    Vice chairman – Terry Entzminger, Jamestown
    Secretary – Sue Kleingartner, Gackle
    Treasurer – Lilah Krebs, Gladstone

Minnesota Division
    Chairwoman – Barb Liebenstein, Dundas
    Vice chairwoman – Kristine Spadgenske, Menahga
    Secretary – Rita Young, Plainview
    Treasurer – Suzanne Vold, Glenwood
    Joe Engelmeyer, Melrose and Shirley Hulinsky, Burtrum, were seated as new members of the Minnesota Division board.
The Minnesota Dairy Promotion Council, a quasi-governmental group with the same board members, elected the following:
    Chairman – Charles  Krause, Buffalo
    Vice chairwoman – Rita Young, Plainview
    Secretary – Karen Kasper, Owatonna
    Treasurer – Margaret Johnson, Fountain
    Executive member-at-large – Sarah Kuechle, Eden Valley

Mo-Kan Division
    Chairman – Byron Lehman, Newton, Kansas
    Vice chairman – Alex Peterson, Trenton, Missouri
    Secretary – Donna Telle, Uniontown, Missouri
    Treasurer – Curtis Steenbock, Longford, Kansas

Ozarks Division
    Chairman – Nathan Roth, Mountain Grove, Missouri
    Vice chairwoman – Marilyn Calvin, Mt. Vernon, Missouri
    Secretary – Jack Dill, Conway, Missouri
    Treasurer – Mark Fellwock, Monett, Missouri
    Craig Westfall, Halfway, Missouri, was seated as a new member of the Ozarks Division board.

Illinois Division
    Chairman – Bill Deutsch, Sycamore
    Vice chairman – David Jarden, Staunton
    Secretary – Amy Hildebrandt, South Beloit
    Treasurer – Glen Meier, Ridott
    Steve Obert, Orangeville; Bryan Henrichs, Breese; and Craig Meng, Freeburg; were seated as new members of the Illinois Division board.




Growth Energy, RFA, and NCGA Defend Year-Round E15 in Court

Today, the D.C. Circuit Court will hear oral arguments in American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, et al. vs. EPA, a case in which oil refiners challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2019 rulemaking that paved the way for the year-round sale of E15. Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the National Corn Growers Association will also argue in support of upholding the RVP rule in court today.  

In a joint statement, Growth Energy, RFA, and NCGA said, "Oil refiners are simply trying to reclaim more market share by blocking American drivers from year-round access to a more affordable, lower-carbon fuel at the pump. Studies have repeatedly shown that the volatility of E15 is lower than that of E10. Other recent studies find that a nationwide switch from E10 to E15 would significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- equivalent to removing approximately 3.85 million vehicles from the road. If the refiners had their way and this rule was overturned, both volatile emissions and greenhouse gas emissions would increase. EPA’s E15 rule should be upheld because it is consistent with Congressional intent and the Clean Air Act, good for the environment, good for the rural communities that rely on a strong biofuels industry, and good for American drivers who want more options at the pump.”

Background:
In June 2019, EPA issued its final rule extending the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to E15, and found that E15 is substantially similar to E10 certification fuel, allowing its introduction into commerce by fuel manufacturers without the need for a separate E15 waiver. These actions allowed for the sale of E15 fuels year-round. Oil refiners are now challenging the rulemaking in an attempt to undermine the expansion of biofuels in our nation’s fuel supply.  

On August 21, 2020, Growth Energy, RFA, and NCGA filed a brief as intervenors in the oil industry’s lawsuit against EPA’s regulation allowing year-round E15. The brief provided strong support for EPA’s position that parity in RVP regulations for E10 and E15 is consistent with the provisions of the Clean Air Act and the congressional intent behind those provisions. The organizations further pointed out that extending the volatility waiver from E10 to E15 is appropriate because the volatility of the fuel actually decreases as more ethanol is added into gasoline beyond E10.  



ACE: EPA’s Year-Round E15 Regulation Legally Defensible

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings today spoke out in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2019 regulation, which finally allowed year-round E15 availability, and the industry’s efforts to defend the rule. Ahead of oral arguments in the D.C. Circuit Court regarding the lawsuit oil refiners filed to undermine the expansion of E15, Jennings issued the following statement:

“EPA’s interpretation of the Clean Air Act holding E15 to the same gasoline volatility standards as E10 is consistent with Congressional intent and reflects the realities of today’s motor fuel market. EPA’s ruling in 2019 cut the RVP red tape allowing more retailers to add the blend to their fuel slate and offer their customers a low carbon fuel with higher octane at a lower cost. We trust the D.C. Circuit Court will see through the oil industry’s opposition to EPA’s rule as a not-so-veiled attempt to cling to their status-quo market share.”

An opinion on the litigation is likely to come in late summer.



First Quarter of 2021 Provides Much Uncertainty in Organic Soybean Market

U.S. organic soybean supplies have emerged as a significant market concern during the first quarter of 2021, according to Mercaris’ Monthly Market Update released today. The 2020/21 MY started strong out of the gate with a strong harvest domestically and significant growth from imports. However, soybean supplies have been faced with a lot of uncertainty in 2021, a situation Mercaris recognizes is still playing out.

“The organic soybean market started the marketing year with what looked like a robust supply position when you consider harvest and import numbers,” says Ryan Koory, Director of Economics for Mercaris. “A number of factors have rapidly emerged this year, creating a lot of uncertainty and challenges around U.S. organic soybean supplies.” Koory indicted that the USDA National Organics Program’s (NOP) decision to end its recognition agreement with India’s Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the global logistical issues brought by the pandemic, and APEDA’s own crackdown on organic fraud have all added to market uncertainty.

Many organic soybean purchasers have reported struggling to secure spot deliveries since NOP’s announcement in January. Yet, overall U.S. organic soy supplies are relatively strong. Imports reached 4.8 million bushels from January to March 2021, bringing marketing year-to-date supplies to 24.9 million bushels, up 17 percent year over year.

U.S. organic soy imports slowed over the same time frame, down 7 percent year over year. Whole organic soybeans led to that decrease, with fewer imports from Argentina and Russia and total whole organic soybean imports down 51 percent year over year. Organic soybean meal, on the other hand, was up 25 percent in the same period, adding yet another variable for consideration.   

Koory added that the data and markets appear to be at odds at this point.

“Through multiple sources, Mercaris has anecdotally verified that the U.S. organic soybean market experienced significant and unexpected short supplies over the first quarter of 2021,” said Koory. “Yet, the numbers show that U.S. organic soybean supplies are not fundamentally tight. While there could be a number of challenges in the coming months, U.S. organic soy supplies they appear to be well positioned at the start of the second quarter.”

Mercaris’ full monthly report, which covers the data on organic soybeans, as well as organic and non-GMO markets for corn, oats, broilers, eggs and milk is available at www.mercaris.com.