2021 Introductory Field Crop Scout Training May 11th
Aaron Nygren, NE Extension Educator, Colfax County
I am pleased to announce our first Nebraska Extension Crop Management Diagnostic Clinic offering for 2021, Introductory Level Field Crop Scout Training, which will be held virtually on May 11th. As many of you are likely aware, Keith Glewen retired after 45 years of service to UNL this January, so for now I have taken on an interim role coordinating the CMDC clinic offerings this year. We are still working on finalizing the offerings for the rest of the summer so stay tuned for more information on our August clinics.
The introductory training course is for summer employees working in the agricultural industry, as well as corn and soybean growers wanting to learn how to better manage corn and soybean pests. The training is designed for entry-level scouts who are working for crop consultants, industry agronomists or farm service centers in Nebraska and neighboring states. The training course is also ideal for growers who scout their own fields or are interested in improving productivity, as well as for students employed by agribusinesses.
Topics include:
Understanding Corn & Soybean Growth & Development
Crop Diseases & Quiz
Identifying Weeds - Plant Morphology, Using a Key to Identify Weed Seedlings
Corn & Soybean Insect Scouting, Identification, Management
Nutrient Deficiencies in Corn & Soybeans
Presenters include:
Aaron Nygren, Nebraska Extension Educator
Jenny Rees, Nebraska Extension Educator
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist
Christopher Proctor, Nebraska Extension Educator
Justin McMechan, Nebraska Extension Cropping Systems and Crop Protection Specialist
Julie Peterson, Nebraska Extension Entomologist
Kyle Koch, Nebraska Extension Insect Diagnostician
The course will be offered remotely via Zoom from 8:55 a.m. till 5:10 p.m. Training will include interactive components to keep participants engaged and learning. Participants will receive instructions on downloading free versions of materials being used prior to the field crop scout training session.
The training fee is $50. Paid pre-registration is required in order to obtain access to the remote training and to receive Certified Crop Advisor credits with a total of 7.5 credits applied for with 6 pest management, 1 crop management, and .5 fertility/nutrient management.
Registration closes on May 11 at 8 a.m. Register online at: https://go.unl.edu/2021cropscout or e-mail extevents@unl.edu
For more information, email Aaron Nygren at anygren2@unl.edu or call (402)624-8030. Visit https://enrec.unl.edu/crop to learn about training opportunities available through Nebraska Extension’s Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics and related training.
Avoiding Injury from Seed Corn Maggot
Thomas Hunt - NE Extension Entomologist
In the past few years, we have received several reports of injury from seed corn maggot that has reduced stands of Nebraska soybeans. The greatest risk for seed corn maggot injury is when a green manure or animal manure is incorporated just before planting. The female flies are attracted to lay eggs on sites with decaying organic matter. The seed corn maggot will also feed on germinating crop seeds and can reduce seedling vigor and, if abundant enough, reduce plant stands. In many cases this year, recently killed cover crops may have attracted seed corn maggot to lay eggs in the affected fields.
The following University of Minnesota recommendations can help minimize injury from seed corn maggots.
- Delay planting until soil temperatures promote rapid seed germination.
- Avoid planting for at least two weeks after fresh organic materials have been incorporated into soil.
- Degree-day models can guide decisions about adjusting planting date to avoid periods with high larval abundance. Seed corn maggot development is estimated using a base temperature of 39°F (3.9°C) for the degree-day calculation.
- Avoid planting during peak fly emergence. For the first three generations this occurs when 354, 1,080 and 1,800-degree days have accumulated, respectively since Jan. 1.
Use of a labeled insecticidal seed treatment on corn or soybeans should provide adequate protection against seed corn maggot, except when there are high densities of these insects. Growers not using insecticidal seed treatments can modify their planting dates to minimize injury from these insects by monitoring growing degree days. There are several generations of seed corn maggots in Nebraska.
Removal of Japan Quota on U.S. Beef are Among Nebraska Farm Bureau Asks of New U.S. Trade Representative
Nebraska Farm Bureau is urging United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai to push for the elimination of Japan’s quota system, which limits the amount of U.S. beef that can enter the country. In correspondence to the newly confirmed U.S. Trade Representative, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue identified numerous areas where Tai could act to boost markets for Nebraska farm and ranch families.
“Japan is a major market for Nebraska beef. Nebraska exports to Japan alone exceeded $362 million in 2020. Yet, we continue to struggle with Japan’s quota system that triggers additional tariffs on U.S. beef exports. One of the best things Trade Representative Tai could do for our state would be to work for the elimination of Japan’s beef quota,” said McHargue.
In addition to the quota issue, McHargue encouraged Tai to focus on three general trade areas including action to address the ongoing trade concerns with China, expanding international marketing opportunities, and supporting efforts to restore the integrity of the World Trade Organization through needed reforms.
“Enforcement of the current U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement is critical to agriculture. With the agreement set to expire at the end of 2021, it is imperative the administration act to stabilize and normalize trade with China. To get there, we encourage the administration to work with like-minded countries in a multi-lateral approach to develop rules and institutions to address the many outstanding concerns with China,” said McHargue.
Nebraska Farm Bureau also encouraged Tai and the administration to continue previous Trump era trade negotiations with both the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as with Kenya. McHargue highlighted the need for the U.S. to forge ahead in rejoining the Trans- Pacific Partnership, now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including two of Nebraska’s largest trade partners in Canada and Mexico, as well as Japan.
“China filled the power vacuum that was created when the U.S. pulled out of the original TPP deal. China subsequently signed a significant trade agreement with many of the CPTPP countries. It’s vital the Biden administration and Trade Representative Tai start us on the path of re-entry to the CPTPP so we can regain markets and influence, while pushing back against China,” said McHargue.
The importance of a global rules-based trading system, and the need for reforms to restore the diminished role of the World Trade Organization (WTO), were also noted in the Nebraska Farm Bureau correspondence. The WTO effectively became inoperable in 2019 when President Trump held up nominations of new members to the Appellate Body which hears appeals in disputes brought by WTO members.
“The most important component of the WTO is to enforce the trade rules that are in place. Given agriculture’s reliance on international trade and the continued need for a global rules-based trading system, it is essential the Biden administration approve new members to the Appellate Body as soon as possible,” said McHargue.
Ribfest Returns to Lincoln THIS SUMMER
The Lancaster Event Center (LEC) Fairgrounds has partnered with Nebraska Pork Producers Association to bring back the long-loved, famous Nebraska Ribfest to our community August 5-7, 2021! Tons of fun for everyone to enjoy:
- BBQ from nationally recognized teams
- Live local bands showcased nightly
- DJ host every afternoon
- Shaded tent seating
- Full bar service in the Super Fair beer garden
- Steps away from free fair attractions & more Super Fair fun for the whole family!
New This Year
Location: Lancaster Event Center Fairgrounds
(Part of the Lancaster County Super Fair's ten-day 150th anniversary celebration, July 29–Aug 7!)
Admission: No added entrance fee beyond fair gate fees.
Save the Date:
Thursday, August 5 - 5-11pm
Friday & Saturday, August 6 & 7 - 1-11pm
BBQ Contest winners awarded Saturday at 2pm – be sure to vote in person for your favorite!
SUMMER ANNUAL GRASS CONTROL
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator
The use of trade names or products does not indicate the promotion of products, these are strictly used for educational purposes. Information has been adapted from the 2021 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska.
Summer annual grasses are tough weeds to deal with, especially in mixed perennial systems like pasture or hay fields. Species like foxtail, sandbur, and crabgrass begin growth late, grow fast, and produce seed. In straight alfalfa stands, several herbicide options are available, but in alfalfa grass mixes, options are limited.
In mixed alfalfa/grass systems, selecting one grass species from another for control is difficult. Cultural practices are often our best bet. However, established perennials can handle some pressure from pre-emergence herbicides, though a slight yield hit can occur. For these products to be successful, application timing is crucial. Treat too early, and we lose residual coverage, allowing late germinating seedlings to grow. Too late and already growing older plants may be able to survive.
Our first step, find the right pre-emergent product. To clarify, we mean pre-weed emergence, not perennial grasses or alfalfa. For alfalfa/grass mixes, Prowl H20® fits the bill.
Although it may be tempting to start applying right away, we need to wait. Just like our seeded crops, these weeds need a certain sustained soil temperatures to begin germination. For crabgrass, soil temps need to be sustained at 55°F, for foxtail 60°F, and for sandbur its 65°F. Start monitoring soil temperatures and when the appropriate threshold for the species you want to control is crossed, we can get ready to apply. Make sure to follow the appropriate label restrictions of crop stage, pre-harvest intervals, grazing, and maximum application amounts listed.
Summer annual grasses in forage crops are not the easiest weeds to deal with, but with the right product, a bit of patience, and proper timing, it doesn’t have to be a problem we can’t control.
CENTER FOR RESILIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL WORKING LANDSCAPES UP AND RUNNING
“Resilient” is a word frequently used when it comes to agriculture.
Crops are bred to be resilient against disease, heat, drought and other detrimental conditions.
Producers must be resilient in confronting the evolving economics of ag production, unpredictable weather and the ever-changing technology of agricultural production.
But what does it mean for a landscape to be resilient?
That is the question the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s new Center for Resilience in Agricultural Working Landscapes sets out to answer, said Craig Allen, a professor in the School of Natural Resources and director of the new center, which is up and running after being formally approved last year.
In its simplest form, resilience is the measure of how much disruption a landscape can withstand before it turns into a different kind of landscape.
Allen often uses the Sandhills, one of the largest intact grassland ecosystems in the world, to illustrate this concept. For years, the Sandhills experienced blowouts, which threatened to change the face of the landscape. As landowners put anti-erosion practices into place, blowouts have slowly become less and less of an issue. Since then, blowouts have been replaced by another issue that threatens to change the ecosystem — encroachment of eastern red cedar and other woody species.
“We try to control variability of one aspect of the system, and end up changing another aspect of the system,” Allen said. “It’s like squeezing a balloon.”
The new center will try to identify tipping points: When has a landscape changed so much that it’s past the point of no return? In addition, Allen said, the field of resilience recognizes that management decisions made on one field or in one pasture — treating a field with pesticides, for example, or failing to manage for weeds — often impacts neighboring fields and pastures.
“Increasingly, it is understood that things are connected,” Allen said. “You can’t manage individual fields. You must take a systems approach.”
Nebraska is a perfect setting for this center, Allen said. The Sandhills are a great case study and an example of a landscape that, at least in some areas, is on the edge of major change, and not only in areas where encroachment of trees threatens to turn a grassland ecosystem into a forest. Additionally, the edges of the Sandhills are slowly being converted to irrigated row crop agriculture, or developments.
The newness of the field of resilience is one of the most exciting things about the new center and the work it will do, Allen said.
“We’re all new, so we’re just figuring it out as we go,” he said.
What he does know is that the work will be highly interdisciplinary. The Center for Resilience in Agricultural Working Landscapes will work in tandem with Nebraska’s Center for Grassland Studies, the Nebraska Integrated Beef Systems program and Nebraska One Health, which studies the links among human, animal, plant and ecosystem health.
The interdisciplinary approach is evident in the research already associated with the center. A project focused on the ecology of restored prairies looks at floral resources available to native bees, the effects of mowing on plant populations, and how mature prairie restorations have changed over time. Another project looks at bats in agriculture, specifically the mismatch between bat and insect activity over agricultural fields.
A lot of the work will be outreach-based, Allen said. Producers are interested in resilience and how they can incorporate resilient practices into their own operations. Husker faculty associated with the center will use the Barta Brothers Ranch near Long Pine to test different management practices and try to determine what unanticipated consequences those practices might have on the landscape. Faculty will work with ranchers and other stakeholders to determine which management practices to study.
“Many approaches seek to maximize output under ideal conditions,” Allen said. “Resilience seeks to guarantee output under non-ideal conditions.”
For more information, visit https://centerforresilience.unl.edu.
Benefits of Organic Farming the Topic of April 21 Webinar
Soil health and water quality benefits associated with organic farming will be the topic of the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon on Wednesday, April 21.
Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy at Iowa State University, will share research results that show greater soil and water quality benefits in organic systems with longer crop rotations, when compared to conventional corn-soybean rotations.
Small grains and perennial legume species, like alfalfa, are integral to supporting greater soil microbial populations and aggregate stability. Certified organic production requires the use of slower-release forms of nitrogen, which are associated with less nitrate loading and improved water quality.
“Returns have (frequently) been negative in conventional row crop farming in recent years; alternatives that consist of longer crop rotations with lower inputs and improved soil and water quality need to be explored,” said Delate, who is responsible for research, extension and teaching in organic agriculture at Iowa State University. “Give organics a go. You might be surprised to see how your soil changes and how many more pollinators and beneficial insects show up on your farm!”
Webinar access instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on April 21:
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 webinar.
Nominations Open for 2021 Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin
The breaded pork tenderloin is a sense of pride for many Iowans, and their appetite for perfection is once again needed to find the state’s juiciest, most flavorful sandwich.
Today, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) began accepting nominations for its 19th annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest. The winner will be named during National Pork Month in October.
The public can nominate the restaurant that serves their favorite tenderloin through June 4 at https://www.iowapork.org/best-breaded-pork-tenderloin-contest/.
“After nearly 20 years of this competition, past titleholders continue to tell us how life-changing the experience has been,” said Kelsey Sutter, IPPA marketing and programs director. “Please share where to find the best of the best by submitting a nomination, and help put those mouth-watering tenderloins on the map!”
The Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest recognizes Iowa dining establishments that offer hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloins as a regular menu item. Nominated tenderloins must be from a restaurant that is typically open year-round with regular hours. The effects of COVID-19 on establishment hours of operation do not impact eligibility. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal establishments, and catering businesses are not eligible.
This first round of the contest is a chance for tenderloin fans everywhere to get their top choice on IPPA’s radar. Plus, those who nominate the winning restaurant will be entered into a drawing for a $100 prize. Nominations are limited to one per person.
Following the nomination round, IPPA’s restaurant and foodservice committee will select 40 restaurants for review; that list includes the five restaurants with the most nominations from each of IPPA’s eight districts. It’s those reviews that determine which restaurants are turned over to a panel of undercover judges, who visit the contenders and score their tenderloins on the quality of the pork, taste, physical characteristics, and eating experience.
Five finalists will be named in October, with the winning restaurant receiving $500, a plaque to display in their business, and statewide publicity that will bring in new business. The runner-up is awarded $250 and a plaque from IPPA.
Winners from the past five years (past winners are not eligible for the competition): 2020 — PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg; 2019 — The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton; 2018 — Three C’s Diner, Corning; 2017 — Grid Iron Grill, Webster City; 2016 — Nick’s, Des Moines. See the full list of past winners, dating back to 2003.
Nominations in 2020: IPPA received 4,501 nominations for 390 different establishments.
Trade Expansion, Labor Reform and Disease Prevention Among Top Issues During NPPC’s Legislative Action Conference
Expanding market access to Vietnam, visa reform to address a livestock agriculture labor shortage and foreign animal disease prevention are the focus of the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Legislative Action Conference (LAC) this week. Pork producers from across the country are gathering virtually to address these and other issues with lawmakers.
“Trade remains crucial to the continued success of the U.S. pork industry, and Vietnam represents a significant market for our producers,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in West Des Moines, Iowa. “Vietnam’s domestic pork production industry is struggling with African swine fever, yet unwarranted tariff and non-tariff barriers restrict the United States from supplying this major pork-consuming nation with affordable, high-quality pork.”
During LAC this week, NPPC members are urging lawmakers to sign a letter co-sponsored by Reps. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, seeking her support for enhanced Vietnamese market access for U.S. pork. A copy of the letter is available here.
Domestic pork consumption in Vietnam is greater than 2.5 million metric tons (MT) per year, more than Mexico, where the United States exported 688,252 MT, valued at $1.1 billion in 2020. Last year, U.S. pork producers only exported 25,183 MT to Vietnam, valued at $54 million.
Additionally, NPPC is advocating for meaningful labor reform. Pork producers offer jobs with good pay and benefits, but most Americans do not live near our hog farms or harvest facilities and rural populations continue to decline, causing the U.S. pork industry to be largely dependent on foreign-born workers. Unfortunately, current visa programs fail to meet the workforce needs of pork producers and other year-round livestock farmers. NPPC is urging Congress to address labor reform that both opens the H-2A visa program to year-round labor, without a cap, and provides legal status for agricultural workers already in the country.
NPPC’s members are also addressing these foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness priorities with lawmakers during this week’s LAC:
- Full congressionally appropriated funding—$635 million—for 720 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture inspectors, as authorized by 2020 legislation, to keep American agriculture safe from foreign animal and plant diseases;
- Appropriations of $30 million as authorized by Congress for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), which provides disease surveillance and diagnostic support in cases of large-scale animal disease outbreaks.; and
- Tighter USDA regulation for the safe importation of rescue dogs from foreign animal disease-positive countries to protect U.S. livestock.
NCBA Delivers Introduction of House Companion HAULS Act
Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) endorsed the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021. Introduced in the House by Rep. Rose (R-TN-06) and Rep. Soto (D-FL-09), the bipartisan bill would deliver much-needed flexibility for livestock haulers. The House bill introduced this week is a companion to S.792, which NCBA worked to get introduced in the Senate last month.
“In times of crisis and in times of normalcy, livestock haulers are a critical part of the supply chain keeping grocery stores stocked with beef. The full year of disruption due to COVID-19 has only underscored the need for further flexibility in livestock hauling regulations,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn. “NCBA is encouraged by the bipartisan and bicameral support for this commonsense legislation. Livestock haulers don’t need more regulatory hoops to jump through – they need the freedom and flexibility to continue transporting animals safely and humanely.”
Current hours-of-service (HOS) rules allow for 11 hours of drive time, 14 hours of on-duty time, and then require 10 consecutive hours of rest. When transporting livestock, there is a real need for further flexibility beyond the current hours-of-service. Unlike drivers moving consumer goods, livestock haulers cannot simply idle or unload their trucks when drive time hours run out without jeopardizing animal health and welfare.
“Transporting live animals is not like transporting a truckload of toilet paper — and nobody knows that better than livestock haulers. When one-size-fits-all government mandates fail to account for expertise on the ground, haulers are put in the impossible position of either complying with regulations or doing what they know is best to humanely and safely complete their haul. The HAULS Act represents a step in the right direction — an extension of a current ag exemption to existing hours-of-service regulations that preserves animal welfare as well as safety on our roads, while also making sure producers can keep our grocery stores stocked with beef,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera.
BACKGROUND
This legislation is the latest of many steps NCBA has taken to win greater flexibility for livestock haulers and producers. Since the pandemic began, NCBA has successfully fought every month for a renewed emergency declaration which provides an exemption from hours-of-service for livestock haulers, while also working with Congress to maintain the ELD delay for livestock haulers until Sept. 30, 2021.
NCBA is also working with Congress to ensure that any infrastructure spending package reflects the unique needs of rural communities and agricultural producers.
The HAULS Act would add a 150 air-mile radius exemption under HOS regulations to the backend of hauls for those transporting livestock or agricultural commodities. This legislation also eliminates the seasonal harvest requirements for the agriculture HOS exemption (making the exemption available year-round in all states), and updates and clarifies the definition of an agricultural commodity.
Nitrogen Prices Continue to Climb as Other Fertilizer Price Gains Cool
Average retail fertilizer prices continued to move higher the first week of April 2021, albeit at a slower pace than in recent weeks, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. For the second week in a row, several fertilizers saw only a slight push higher.
While all eight of the major fertilizers were higher in price, only three fertilizers' prices continue to be significantly higher, which DTN designates as 5% or more. Anhydrous and UAN28 are both 11% higher compared to last month. Anhydrous had an average price of $692 per ton while UAN28 is $341/ton. Also considerably higher is UAN32, which was up 10% from the prior month. The liquid nitrogen's average price was $378/ton.
The remaining five fertilizers were higher once again but had price increases of 4% or less. DAP had an average price of $618/ton, MAP $699/ton, potash $431/ton, urea $504/ton and 10-34-0 $605/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.55/lb.N, anhydrous $0.42/lb.N, UAN28 $0.61/lb.N and UAN32 $0.59/lb.N.
With retail fertilizer prices moving higher over recent months, all fertilizers are now higher in price from a year ago. Potash is now 17% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 29% higher, urea is 32% more expensive, UAN32 36% higher, anhydrous is 41% more expensive, UAN28 is 45% higher, DAP is 51% more expensive and MAP 61% is higher compared to last year.
AFBF Statement on Abrupt Cancellation of Important Food Program
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s decision to end the Farmers to Families Food Box program.
“AFBF was surprised to learn of Secretary Vilsack’s decision to end the Farmers to Families Food Box program. The pandemic had a devastating effect on farmers, ranchers and families across the country when schools, cafeterias and restaurants shut down. More than 150 million food boxes were produced and helped America’s families suffering from the hardships caused by COVID-19. The need is still there.
“America’s farmers and ranchers feed the world and we believe no one should go hungry. We look forward to continue working with Secretary Vilsack and learn how USDA plans to address the heightened need at food banks while providing a destination for the fresh, healthy food being produced by farm families across the country.”
Weekly Ethanol Production for 4/9/2021
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending April 9, ethanol production slowed by 3.5%, or 34,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 941,000 b/d, equivalent to 39.52 million gallons daily. Production was 65.1% above the same week last year when the effects of the pandemic were reflected but was 7.4% below the same week in 2019. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.7% to 951,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.58 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks tightened by 0.6% to a 21-week low of 20.5 million barrels, which was 25.3% below a year-ago and 9.5% below this time in 2019. Inventories drew down across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and West Coast (PADD 5).
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, increased 1.9% to 8.94 million b/d (137.11 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 76.0% above a year ago but was 5.1% below the same week in 2019.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol grew 1.4% to a 56-week high of 890,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.64 bg annualized. This was 75.9% above a year ago but was 3.7% below 2019.
There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the seventeenth consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of February 2021.)
Consider Corn Challenge III Informational Webinar Highlights the Benefits of the NCGA Sponsored Innovation Contest
Learn more about the Consider Corn Challenge III submission process and find out how successful winners have moved closer to commercialization by watching a recent informational webinar. Consider Corn Challenge II winner Derek Wells, CEO and founder of ExoPolymer, participated in the webinar to share his experience of the process and the benefits he’s received from participating in the Challenge.
“As we were starting our company, having that discretionary funding available was very, very helpful in the beginning,” Wells told participants. “And a little bit more important, as we evolved the company here, are the agricultural network connections in the Midwest that the corn growers provided to us. Being out here in California as a startup company, we don't have a lot of insight into all the interesting things that are happening out in the Midwest, especially with regard to fermentation capacity.”
Specific application areas being considered for this Challenge include:
Biobased materials from novel mixes of corn-derived plastics
Compostable plastics with high tensile strength, such as netting or packaging materials
Heavy-duty fuels or drop-in chemicals (e.g., sustainable aviation fuel; biodiesel derived from corn glucose, bunker fuel, etc.)
Carbon fiber
Other high-value molecules
Submissions are due on June 3, 2021, at 4:00 PM CDT. A total prize pool of U.S. $150,000 will be split equally between one to six winners, based on the strength of competing submissions.
If all nine winners of the Consider Corn Challenge I & II reached full commercialization with products available in the marketplace, the potential for additional corn demand could be approximately 2.9 billion bushels.
You can learn more about the challenge here... https://ninesights.ninesigma.com/servlet/hype/IMT?userAction=Browse&templateName=&documentId=f06151b4cfcc038ec8dfaec9f0dc6812.
Biobased Diesel Fuel Highlighted as a Low-Carbon, Proven and Available Climate Change Solution
Low-cost, low-carbon but high greenhouse gas reducing impact describes the opportunity for using biobased diesel fuel as helping achieve climate change. Biofuels are a ready solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. The virtual session April 13, 2021 hosted by the Diesel Technology Forum is now available in a recorded version for online viewing.
“Diesel is the power of work and it moves 97 percent of large Class 8 trucks and bigger applications like locomotives, marine vessels and construction equipment. Unlike passenger cars, where there are zero-emissions options available today and consumers are warming to them, the promise of zero-emissions solutions in heavy-duty sectors is in the future. Today, more efficient diesel engines coupled with very low carbon biobased diesel fuels like renewable diesel and biodiesel, can do quite a lot to reduce emissions immediately,” said Ezra Finkin, session organizer and moderator, and also Policy Director for the suburban Washington, DC-based Diesel Technology Forum, an educational association representing diesel engine and equipment makers, suppliers and fuels interests.
For those that believe that electrification is the only strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this session provided important new perspectives on how to think about greenhouse gas reduction timelines and the broad suitability of biobased diesel fuels to be used immediately across wide sectors of the economy. And, through discussion of case studies of public and private fleets in California, demonstrated the proven success of biobased diesel fuels in real-world applications.
“The way we have been thinking of greenhouse gas emissions is not quite accurate. What we emit today stays in the atmosphere long after it has been emitted. Waiting for the promise of zero-emissions solutions actually makes the problem worse as it does nothing to address cumulative emissions. When it comes to solutions to reduce emissions from the heavy-duty sector, we should rely on biobased diesel fuel to do the most to reduce these emissions today as zero-emissions solutions in some applications are planned for the future,” noted David Slade, Executive Director, Biofuel Technology and Services - Renewable Energy Group, Inc.
As policymakers move to tackle the climate change challenge on a local, regional and national level, a mix of near-term and longer-term strategies for the transportation sector are emerging. While all-electric and zero emissions strategies may dominate headlines, it is increasingly clear that they may not be available or suitable for all sectors in the immediate future.
“Biodiesel and renewable diesel are low carbon and low-cost fuels that are helping to reduce emissions today from trucks, buses and large equipment. Both are derived from waste feedstocks like vegetable oils and animal fats and their use does not require expensive investments in refueling or recharging infrastructure or the purchase of new trucks or engines. Diesel engines old and new can use these fuels to deliver big benefits. The market for these fuels has grown as the U.S. consumed about 3 billion gallons of biobased diesel fuel in 2020 and the market is set to double by 2030,” highlighted Jennifer Weaver, OEM Market Development Manager - National Biodiesel Board.
“Fleets are already adopting these very low carbon and very low-cost fuels to realize big benefits. Relative to zero-emissions solutions, these are low-cost options available today that do not require fleets to replace trucks and engines with expensive new powertrains or rely on recharging networks. The City of Oakland, CA since 2015 has been using renewable diesel in all of its fleet of heavy-duty trucks, equipment and generators to realize 3,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions reduced each year. Other trucking fleets that rely on heavy-duty diesel engines, including Titan Freight and Argent Materials, are achieving low carbon and low-cost benefits of renewable diesel fuel without sacrificing power and performance needed to get the job done. Policies that encourage the use of low carbon fuels are technology neutral solutions that incentivize the right fuel for the right application,” noted Carrie Song, Vice President, Renewable Road Transport, North America - Neste.
The use of renewable biofuels in diesel vehicles and equipment is an effective greenhouse gas mitigation strategy that every public and private fleet should have access to right alongside other solutions. The nature of tackling the climate challenge, its urgency and complexity, dictate that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Investments in renewable diesel and biodiesel production are expanding rapidly both from conventional biofuel producers as well as the existing petroleum refining sector, signaling a strategy of greater access to low carbon fuels nationwide that will enable more governments and private fleets viable options to meet the near-term climate challenge head-on.
USDA Provides Notice of Retroactive Reimbursements Under the Dairy Donation Program, Encourages Donation of Surplus Dairy Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will soon implement the Dairy Donation Program (DDP) as established in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The program will facilitate the timely donation of dairy products to nonprofit organizations who distribute food to persons in need and prevent and minimize food waste.
Because the statute allows retroactive reimbursements of donations made before donation and distribution plans are approved, USDA is providing advance notice of the minimum provisions to be included in the program to encourage the dairy industry to process and donate surplus milk supplies as it moves through the spring surplus milk production season.
Although the DDP regulations have not yet been published, the following are the minimum key program requirements included in the statute: 1) a donation and distribution plan must be submitted and approved by USDA; 2) the reimbursement will be at least equivalent to the minimum classified value of milk used to make the donated product on the date of manufacturing; 3) records related to donating and receiving products must be maintained and available for review and/or audit; 4) eligibility is open to dairy farmer cooperatives and processors who “account to” a Federal milk marketing order (FMMO) and donate dairy products to any private or public nonprofit food distribution entity.
New Cross Clearance Offers Flexibility for Feedlot Heifer Rations
For cattle producers that are feeding heifers, a recent approval from the Food and Drug Administration now allows cattle producers to feed MGA®, Bovatec® and Aureomycin® in combination for the first time.
“This approval gives cattle producers, who are feeding MGA and Bovatec to control estrus and enhance growth in fed heifers, the flexibility to add Aureomycin to the ration if they need to control or treat a respiratory challenge,” said Martin Andersen, PhD, cattle nutritionist, Beef Strategic Technical Services, Zoetis. “It truly offers more options when it comes to heifer rations.”
The cross clearance gives cattle producers the ability to manage the health and productivity of their feedlot and replacement* heifers by incorporating Bovatec to control coccidiosis in heifers up to 800 lbs, as well as the option to add Aureomycin to treat or control respiratory disease.
For more information on feed additive solutions from Zoetis, visit CattleFeedAdditives.com or consult with your veterinarian or nutritionist.
Do not use AUREOMYCIN in calves to be processed for veal.
Caution: Federal law restricts medicated feed containing this veterinary feed directive (VFD) drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
Do not use BOVATEC in calves to be processed for veal. Do not allow horses or other equines access to feeds containing lasalocid, as ingestion may be fatal. Feeding undiluted or mixing errors resulting in excessive concentrations of lasalocid could be fatal to cattle and sheep.
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