Tuesday May 4 Ag News

Eating Healthy during Planting Season
Hannah Guenther, Extension Educator, Cuming County

Planting season is here! Eating healthy during this season is a challenge for many reasons, including the lack of time to sit down for a meal, the issue of dining in a field and stress leading to less healthy eating patterns. Food in the Field is a FREE online nutrition education program created to help farmers and their families make healthy eating choices during harvest and planting. To register and get started, go to food.unl.edu/foodinthefield or contact Hannah Guenther at hannah.guenther@unl.edu or call 402-372-6006.



NSP Reminds Drivers to Stay Alert with Ag Implements on the Move

Nebraska’s planting season is underway, and the Nebraska State Patrol advises all motorists to watch for agricultural implements on Nebraska’s roadways.

“Our ag producers across Nebraska do exceptional work to feed America year-in and year-out,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As they get back into the field for the planting season, we encourage all drivers to keep an eye out for ag implements and large equipment as they travel from field to field.”

Nebraska drivers are reminded that it is legal for farm machinery to travel from field to field on public roads, other than Nebraska’s interstates. Drivers should remember that this equipment often travels at slow speeds and their size may limit the operator’s ability to see other vehicles on the road. Motorists should only pass in legal passing zones and when it is safe to do so.

“From season to season, we know that the work of Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers never stops,” said Captain Dan Doggett, Commander of the NSP Carrier Enforcement Division. “All Nebraskans can take pride in the work they do. We can all work together to keep our roads safe and help ensure that Nebraska’s number-one industry remains strong.”

Drivers should be alert and use extra caution on roadways that may be a route of travel for ag machinery. With the potential combination of fast-moving vehicles and slow-moving farm equipment, it is critical that drivers avoid distractions and pay attention to the road.

Ag producers are also encouraged to voluntarily comply with traffic safety laws, display warning signs on machinery, use flashing yellow caution lights when traveling, and be aware of vehicles that may be attempting to pass.



Legislature Fails to Advance School Funding Reform Bill, LB 454
Statement by Mark McHargue, President, NE Farm Bureau

“We are extremely disappointed in the Legislature’s failure to advance LB 454. Today’s action is a missed opportunity for the Legislature to start down the path of reforming how we fund schools in Nebraska. There’s a clear inequity in our current funding system when 159 of the 243 school districts in our state receive no state equalization aid. The fact that the state takes on the bulk of responsibility for funding education for some students, while doing little to nothing to support others is a failure of our state. This bill could have served as the foundation for a scalable approach to doing more to fulfill the state’s obligation to fund K-12 education across Nebraska to the benefit of all Nebraska students and taxpayers. I want to thank the 23 senators who supported LB 454, particularly Sen. Friesen and Sen. Briese, for their leadership on this bill. This issue isn’t going away. We will continue to work with the Legislature to find senators who are willing take on one of our state’s most pressing issues.”



POST-EMERGENT HERBICIDES TO CONTROL WEEDS IN ALFALFA
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension

Weeds can be a major alfalfa problem especially new spring seeded fields. Roundup Ready® alfalfa varieties help overcome these weeds issues; but Roundup® isn’t the only good herbicide option for alfalfa.

Many weeds grow faster than alfalfa; thus, robbing seedlings of moisture, nutrients, and light. Left uncontrolled; weeds can cause thin stands, weak plants, and lower yields.

For broadleaf weeds, mowing may be an option while the alfalfa is growing slowly. Adjust mowing height so several leaves remain on the alfalfa seedlings after clipping to aid alfalfa regrowth.

However, herbicide weed control may still be your best option especially if mower clippings may likely smother young alfalfa seedlings. Therefore, now may be a good time to control escape broadleaf weeds using herbicides in your new or established alfalfa fields.

Our Nebraska Extension “Guide for Weeds, Disease and Insect” publication, EC130, provides weed response control ratings for various herbicides. Post-emergent weed control products include: Buctril®; Raptor®; Select®; Prowl H²O®; Warrant®; Arrow® and Butyrac®.

There are several products available for broadleaf or grassy weed control in established alfalfa including: Aim®; Chateau®; Gramoxone®; Karmex®; Metribuzin®; Prowl H²O®; MCPA Amine®; and Velpar®. These products are most effective when preferably applied before weeds reach 4 inch heights.

Roundup may make it easier to control weeds in seedling alfalfa. But using these other herbicides correctly can also provide clean alfalfa fields.

As always, read and follow label directions for application rates and conditions.



 LEAD Fellowship Applications sought for Group 40  

The Nebraska Leadership Education Action Development (LEAD) Program seeks applicants from leaders in the state’s agricultural sector.   

Traditionally held in-person across state, national and international campuses throughout a two year-program, programming was paused for a year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Nebraska LEAD is accepting applications for its 40th cohort until June 15th. LEAD 40 will attend monthly three-day seminars across Nebraska, as well as participate in a national and international study/travel seminar. The cohort will be trained in developing leadership skills through communication to serve as leaders for Nebraska’s future generations in agriculture.  

“Up to 30 motivated men and women with demonstrated leadership potential will be selected from five geographic districts across our state,” said Terry Hejny, Nebraska LEAD Program director.  

LEAD 40 participants are also exposed to topics including agricultural markets, advances to healthcare, finance, agricultural policy, marketing, nuclear energy, economics, natural resources, societal issues global perspectives and technology related to the heart of Nebraska’s economy – agriculture.  

To apply, email the Nebraska LEAD Program office at leadprogram@unl.edu and visit https://lead.unl.edu/.

The Nebraska LEAD Program prepares the spokespersons, problem-solvers, and decision-makers for Nebraska and its agricultural industry. The program is operated by the Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, a nonprofit organization, in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and in cooperation with Nebraska colleges and universities, business and industry.  



Wortmann retires after decades of work in sub-saharan Africa and Nebraska

Charles Wortmann, University of Nebraska–Lincoln agronomy and horticulture professor and Nebraska Extension soil and nutrient management specialist, will retire May 31 after a 20-year career at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A virtual retirement reception will be held May 13 from 2 to 3 p.m., CDT, via Zoom. Friends and colleagues can leave a note or photo memory in the online guestbook.

A native of Hartington, Nebraska, Wortmann’s prestigious career has focused on improving nutrient management, soil conservation and the environmental integrity of crop production systems in sub-Saharan Africa and Nebraska.

Human and institutional enhancement for research and Extension on smallholder agriculture in Africa has been Wortmann’s career priority. He has spent over 35 years working on improving soil fertility and soil conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa. His collaborative work with researchers, Extension specialists, multi-national research networks and farm advisors in planning, designing and implementing information exchange has strengthened the expertise needed for leadership in providing sustainable solutions for African farmers.

“His success and significant impact on two continents, in highly different cropping environments, is unique. His work has made distinct differences for crop producers from Nebraska to Rwanda,” said Richard Ferguson, professor of agronomy and horticulture and Vice Chancellor of Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture.

Wortmann graduated from Nebraska in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy. He then moved to Tanzania when he received a 3-year contract to work as an agriculturist to help improve crop production and upgrade dairy production. With no previous experience in tropical agriculture, Wortmann said he had a lot to learn about the many nutritional, disease and insect pests challenges of tropical agriculture. The Merck Veterinary Manual was one especially valuable information source. The very severe financial constraints of smallholder farmers added to the challenge.

He spent the first months in Africa in language school learning Swahili, in which he is fluent.

Because of the many issues with the soil in Africa, Wortmann returned to Nebraska to complete a master’s degree in soil science advised by the late Robert Olson, professor of agronomy and soil fertility specialist.

After finishing a master’s degree in 1979, Wortmann worked as an independent crop consultant, walking in corn and soybean fields every day.

“It was a great learning experience, but that one opportunity was enough for me,” Wortmann said. “Luckily an opportunity came up to return to Tanzania for 3 more years.”

His next position was working on a World Bank funded project for two years as an advisor with the Agricultural Extension service in Tanzania.

“The work was very hard at that time because the economy was very bad that even getting fuel was difficult,” Wortmann said.

He returned to Nebraska to obtain a doctoral degree in crop science working on sorghum breeding with emeritus professors of agronomy David Andrews and Jerry Eastin. Wortmann completed his degree in 1987.

Next he returned to Africa to work for CIAT, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, in cropping systems agronomy and soil management. Based in Uganda and focusing mostly on dry bean production systems, Wortmann worked with national research and extension programs in 11 countries with very different environments that required unique cropping systems to grow the many different crops.

In 2001, Wortmann was hired by Nebraska for a position in soil fertility management research and Extension after the family returned to Nebraska so their kids could attend high school in the United States.

While his primary responsibility was to work for the improvement of Nebraska crop production, he was soon able to get funding to continue with collaborative work in Africa. Wortmann and Martha Mamo, department head and John E. Weaver Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture, Robert B. Daugherty Global Water for Food Fellow and African Scientific Institute Fellow, received a grant in 2002 with USAID International Sorghum and Millet Collaborative Research Support Program to support a five-country sorghum research network in eastern Africa. This collaboration continued until 2012 and resulted in improved crop and soil management practices on sorghum production in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. The work focused on appropriate targeting and use of fertilizers, reduced tillage and tie-ridge tillage, and planting patterns for increased productivity together with improved soil and water conservation. The project achieved great impact in improved fertilizer use, seed variety adoption and reduced tillage through training workshops, on-farm trials and demos, field days and facilitation of input supply and markets.

“Charles Wortmann‘s extensive agricultural research and extension experiences were key to the success of the USAID INTSORMIL program. This collaboration has continued to help cultivate linkages with partners in eastern Africa,” Mamo said.

Wortmann was instrumental in developing and implementing the 13-nation network, later extended to 15 countries, for Optimized Fertilizer Recommendations in Africa for 14 food crops. OFRA provided a scientific basis for nutrient management in Africa to target small-scale farmer’s use of precious fertilizer to get the highest profits possible. This research network of about 50 research teams resulted in numerous publications and resources including a book in multiple languages that is now used as a training reference for extension workers who engage with ORFA extension programs.

“Most farmers are very poor and need high profit from their investments in fertilizer use. Use of the fertilizer use decision tools developed for 72 recommendation zones enables the crop-nutrient-rate choices for maximization of farmer’s profit gained from their investment,” Wortmann said.

“Despite the challenge of both funding and implementing an applied, field-oriented research effort in SSA, Dr. Wortmann has established a well-funded program, a prolific publication record, and a large number of ex-students who are now highly regarded soil scientists and agronomists in SSA.

“Most important, his work has resulted in improved soil management and conservation, and the education of thousands of farmers and hundreds of farm advisors in SSA on these topics,” said Kenneth Cassman, emeritus Robert B. Daugherty Professor of Agronomy.

Wortmann’s research and Extension contributions in Nebraska in advanced crop-soil management and natural resource protection are also numerous. His efforts to improve nutrient recommendations and management for Nebraska crops, including efficient utilization of manure resources, has led to the adoption of improved practices in fertilizer use recommendations including crop reside nutrient value and reducing nitrogen leaching into ground water.

His most recent study with the 23 Natural Resources Districts in 2020 looked at the supply of essential nutrients and liming supply from irrigation across the state. The supplies are sufficient to greatly affect fertilizer and lime use decisions. The results, guidelines for testing of water and using the information were reported to farmers and other stakeholders in 28 Extension events.

“When Dr. Wortmann retires, most Nebraskans involved with growing crops or utilizing manure will not realize how reliant they have been on the research and Extension tools that he has produced over his career at the University of Nebraska,” said Charles Shapiro, emeritus professor of agronomy.

“Dr. Wortmann has a hand in all the soil nutrient recommendations we use. He has contributed to manure management in many ways, and his graduate students are located worldwide, making impacts of their own.”

But the defining feature of Wortmann’s contributions to agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa is that so many of his ex-students and collaborators are currently active and at the forefront of integrated nutrient management in Africa. Many of his Nebraska graduate students were international students who returned to their home country better equipped to solve important challenges. He has also advised many other students who studied at African universities and has contributed to the education of thousands of African farmers and farm advisors.

Wortmann has received numerous awards throughout his career. He is most proud of receiving the American Society of Agronomy International Agronomy Award in 2018 and Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy in 2011. He has also been nominated for Soil Science Society Fellow and the International Soil Science Society Award.

“Dr. Wortmann is the only colleague I would ‘suspend’ my retirement to nominate for Tri-Society awards,” Shapiro said.

Wortmann’s passion for agriculture and Africa will keep him busy post-retirement. He plans to volunteer in Africa, working for the sake of agriculture and continue collaborating in research, advising graduate students and writing.



CLIMATE CENTER DEVELOPS TOOL TO ACCOMPANY RELEASE OF NEW CLIMATE NORMALS

When a meteorologist says that a chilly day in May was 12 degrees lower than normal, the normal being referenced is typically from the official 30-year U.S. Climate Normals. Updated every decade, the Normals are based on 30-year averages of climate observations recorded at thousands of weather stations across the country.

On May 4, the 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals are being released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). In conjunction, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s High Plains Regional Climate Center is publishing a new tool that allows users to examine what normal looks like relative to longer or shorter timeframes than the most recent 30 years.

Rezaul Mahmood, director of the climate center based in the university’s School of Natural Resources, said the NCEI asked the climate center to develop the Custom Climatology Tool, which now allows users to examine average monthly and annual temperature measurements over customizable periods of time.

For anyone who works with climate data, the release of the new U.S. Climate Normals is a major event, Mahmood said. It tells the story of a changing climate. “Normal” 30-year temperature cycles have grown warmer over time. “Normal” annual precipitation has increased, too. As an NOAA news release about the U.S. Climate Normals states, global warming is affecting the upward trajectory of the new normals. The Custom Climatology Tool allows people to look at what normal used to be with available weather station data from as far back as 1961.

“NCEI was getting requests, and we would get them, too, from stakeholders and users who would say: ‘The 30-year normal is fine, but I want to do a 10-year average or a seven-year average. I should be able to pick any time and go from there.’ So that motivated NCEI to talk to us and ask if we could build that,” Mahmood said.

Mahmood said the tool allows users to dive into decades’ worth of data in a manageable way. Someone interested in how temperatures in Lincoln differ this May from the Mays of their childhood, for instance, can search weather station data collected at the Lincoln Airport and set parameters that develop averages based on five years, a decade, 30 years or any number they prefer. The U.S. Climate Normals inform all kinds of operational decisions across a number of industries, Mahmood said, from when to plant crops in Nebraska to how much freight gets loaded on a Mississippi River barge. Users of the Custom Climatology Tool can gain additional context, he said, and satisfy human curiosity about their surroundings in the process.

“We always get curious about the weather,” he said. “‘OK, today is hot, but how hot is it? I’m thinking it is very hot, but maybe it’s not very hot.’ It’s linked to our life.”

The Custom Climatology Tool, which was developed in collaboration with NCEI staff, is available on the High Plains Regional Climate Center website at https://hprcc.unl.edu/ncei-cct. Climate center programmers Warren Pettee and Willaim Sorensen developed the tool with help from regional climatologist Natalie Umphlett and applied climatologist Crystal Stiles.



Naig: ‘Farmers can use state cost share funds to add soil health and water quality practices to their fields’

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that farmers and landowners can sign up now for state cost share funds to help adopt soil health and water quality practices. The funding can be used for in-field management practices, including planting cover crops, transitioning acres to no-till/strip-till soil management, or applying a nitrification inhibitor.

“2020 was a record year for engagement in the state’s conservation cost-share programs, yet we still have a lot of work to do to reach our soil health and water quality goals,” said Secretary Naig. “I encourage all farmers and landowners to look for opportunities to add soil health and water quality practices to their fields. This program is a great way to help you get started.”

Farmers who are planting cover crops for the first time are eligible for $25 per acre through the cost share fund. Farmers who have already experienced the benefits of using cover crops and are continuing the practice can receive $15 per acre. Producers transitioning acres to no-till or strip-till are eligible for $10 per acre, and may receive $3 per acre for applying fall fertilizer using a nitrapyrin nitrification inhibitor.

Cost share funding through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is limited to 160 acres per farmer or landowner. The funds will be made available in July, but farmers can start submitting applications immediately through their local Soil and Water Conservation District offices. Farmers are encouraged to call their Soil and Water Conservation District offices to inquire about additional cost-share funds available through other sources.

With farmers stewarding more than two million acres of cover crops across the state, Iowa continues to be a conservation leader. Last fall, over 3,500 farmers and landowners enrolled in the cost share program funded through the Water Quality Initiative. More than 387,000 acres of cover crops, 11,000 acres of no-till/strip-till and 6,000 acres of nitrification inhibitors were enrolled in the program in 2020. An estimated $12.7 million of private funding was invested to match the $6.8 million contributed by the state. To learn more about the soil health and water quality projects underway around Iowa, visit cleanwateriowa.org.



IRFA to EPA Administrator Regan: Not just a transition, biofuels are the net carbon negative fuel of the future

Today as part of his trip to Iowa, U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan toured Lincolnway Energy, an ethanol plant near Nevada, and led a roundtable discussion of Iowa farmers and biofuel producers.

In response to his visit, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

“We appreciate Administrator Regan came to Iowa to learn more about biofuels and the important role biofuels will play in America’s clean energy future. Today Mr. Regan heard a loud and clear message: biofuels are way more than a transition fuel; biofuels are the net-carbon-negative fuel of the future. Improved production practices at both the farm and plant levels combined with carbon sequestration technologies preparing to be deployed can make biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel net carbon negative over the next decade. That’s something that wind and solar can never achieve. Any plan to significantly reduce carbon emissions over the next decade must include biofuels and it is our hope after his visit today Administrator Regan will confidently carry that message back to policy makers in D.C.”



ICGA President Addresses Biofuels and Carbon with EPA Administrator Regan and USDA Secretary Vilsack

Today, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Carl Jardon represented corn farmers at an in-person, on-farm meeting with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The following is a statement from Jardon.

“ICGA thanks EPA Administrator Regan and Secretary Vilsack for prioritizing this Iowa farm visit and providing the opportunity to speak about advancements in farming practices that are driving lower carbon biofuels. Carbon sequestration is a top federal policy priority for ICGA members as incentivizing farmers’ voluntary improvements in ag production practices and opportunities to credit soil carbon sequestration will continue to lower the carbon footprint of biofuels. Biofuels like ethanol are an immediate, effective, and affordable pathway for agriculture and rural America to help combat climate change. ICGA looks forward to working with the Biden Administration and appreciates Administrator Regan’s and Secretary Vilsack’s continued support and leadership on multiple topics as Iowa corn farmers seek to expand ethanol’s share of the fuel tank and accelerate carbon reduction in the transportation and agriculture sectors today.”



New Composting Publication Offers Practical Steps for Livestock Producers

Composting has long been an option for livestock mortality disposal. It generally can be done on farm, requires little in the way of equipment and additional supplies, and the end product may be used to enhance soil fertility.

Although composting has not been standard operating procedure on many farms due to other established processes, some new or potential situation changes have led to renewed interest in composting. Whether you’re interested in reducing or eliminating rendering truck stops on-site or are working on an overall biosecurity plan for your operation, composting now could be on your radar.

A new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Pork Industry Center can help provide the information needed.

Dave Stender, swine specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is one of the authors. While the publication is written for beginners, anyone who wants to learn more about issues, options and steps can benefit.

“Two primary worries about composting are odor and leachate, which is the water that has percolated through a solid,” he said. “Both of these are easily addressed by selecting and managing appropriate co-compost materials.”

The publication outlines how to set up the base for the compost, cover the carcass to shed rain, and choose the co-compost material that will act as a biofilter to stop any adverse odors.

Download the publication "Field Tips for Successful Composting" at no charge from the Iowa State Extension Store https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/16100.

The Iowa Pork Industry Center was established in 1994 as a coordinated effort of the colleges of Agriculture (now Agriculture and Life Sciences) and Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State. Its mission is to promote efficient pork production technologies in Iowa, maintain Iowa's pork industry leadership and strengthen rural development efforts. IPIC focuses its efforts on programs that are integral and complementary to ISU Extension and Outreach. Through IPIC, Iowa producers receive accurate and timely information to make their operations more efficient and profitable.

 For more information, Stender can be reached at 712-261-0225 or dstender@iastate.edu.



Milestone Reached as Gevo Breaks Ground on Renewable Natural Gas Project in Northwest Iowa
 
Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO), announced today that it has officially broken ground on the Renewable Natural Gas (“RNG”) Project, located in Northwest Iowa, which will generate RNG captured from dairy cow manure.

“Breaking ground on this project is an exciting step in bringing Gevo’s Net-Zero strategy closer to life,” said Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “Upon completion of the project in 2022, the digesters are anticipated to generate approximately 355,000 MMBtu of RNG per year and reduce significant quantities of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from being released into the atmosphere. After the methane is extracted from the processed manure, the remaining solids will be returned to the farmers as soil nutrients for use as fertilizer. This will allow the farmers to reduce their raw manure application, which will improve odor, water quality and nutrient management practices.”



ARM Program Publishes 2021 Drug Residue Prevention Manual

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program published its 2021 Milk & Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Reference Manual and accompanying pocket guide, an on-farm educational tool that promotes best management practices for administering treatment to dairy cattle. The annual publication also provides a comprehensive list of FDA-approved drugs for use in cattle with their associated milk and meat withdrawal times, along with milk and urine screening test information. The pocket guide offers a quick reference to these informational charts in a small, laminated, ring-bound booklet.

“The U.S. dairy industry is committed to antibiotic stewardship and appropriate use of all medications used for our dairy cattle,” says Karen Jordan, DVM, chair of the NMPF Animal Health and Well-Being Committee. “The Drug Residue Prevention Manual has helped dairy farmers make educated choices when working with their veterinarians to care for their animals for more than 30 years.”

When dairy animals get sick or injured and treatment is necessary, producers and veterinarians use antibiotics and other drugs prudently. The manual serves as a resource for producers and veterinarians, and includes information on:
    Residue prevention best practices
    Record keeping and herd health
    Drug administration
    Culling of animals
    Residue testing
    Drug classes
    Approved drugs and screening tests

“Collaborating with veterinarians and dairy professionals to advance the responsible use of antibiotics and preserve animal health and welfare is at the core of our partnership with the FARM program,” says Mike Lormore DVM, MS, MBA, head of U.S. cattle technical services at Zoetis.

The FARM Program is grateful for Zoetis’s partnership. Their sponsorship supports the development of on-farm resource development for U.S. dairy farmers, such as the manual.

The dairy industry is committed to producing the highest quality, safe, abundant, and affordable milk and dairy beef. All medications must be used appropriately under veterinary guidance to prevent residues from occurring in milk and dairy beef.



USDA Seeks Nominees for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for 12 dairy producer seats on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board.  Nominations are due May 31, 2021. Appointed members will serve three-year terms beginning Nov. 1, 2021, and ending Oct. 31, 2024.

USDA is seeking nominees for:
    One seat for Region 1 (Alaska, Oregon and Washington)
    Two seats for Region 2 (California and Hawaii)
    One seat for Region 4 (Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas)
    One seat for Region 5 (Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota)
    Two seats for Region 6 (Wisconsin)
    One seat for Region 7 (Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska)
    One seat for Region 8 (Idaho)
    One seat for Region 9 (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia)
    One seat for Region 11 (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania)
    One seat for Region 12 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont)

Nominees must be dairy producers in the region for which they are nominated. The 37-member board consists of 36 dairy producers from 12 regions and one dairy importer. Nomination forms are available on the AMS National Dairy Promotion and Research Board webpage. For more information, contact Jill Hoover at (202) 720-1069 or jill.hoover@usda.gov.

The board is industry-funded and supports the research, marketing and promotion of dairy products.

AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of its industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.



USDA Dairy Products March 2021 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.18 billion pounds, 4.8 percent above March 2020 and 12.6 percent above February 2021.  Italian type cheese production totaled 503 million pounds, 3.6 percent above March 2020 and 13.5 percent above February 2021.  American type cheese production totaled 479 million pounds, 7.3 percent above March 2020 and 12.4 percent above February 2021.  Butter production was 199 million pounds, 0.6 percent below March 2020 but 6.8 percent above February 2021.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with March 2020)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 198 million pounds, up 14.1 percent.
Skim milk powder - 38.3 million pounds, down 31.4 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with March 2020)
Dry whey, total - 84.3 million pounds, up 0.9 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 101 million pounds, up 6.8 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 46.0 million pounds, up 14.7 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with March 2020)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 69.1 million gallons, up 7.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 43.1 million gallons, up 0.6 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.56 million gallons, down 5.8 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.18 million gallons, down 11.9 percent.



National Beef Checkoff Petition Committee Seeks Assistance from Beef Checkoff Board and USDA

Leaders of the National Beef Checkoff Petition Committee sent a letter last week to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB)) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeking their assistance in offering more U.S. cattle producers the opportunity to sign the petition for a referendum of the beef checkoff program. There has not been a referendum of the mandatory National Beef Checkoff Program in 35 years.

Addressed to CBB chair Hugh Sanburg, and the USDA official that oversees the government-controlled national beef checkoff program, Kahl Sesker, the letter asks the two officials to share their electronic databases of persons whose contact information the CBB and USDA have captured through their Web-based platforms as well as the database the CBB and USDA uses to conduct their annual producer attitude survey.

Two of the leaders of the National Beef Checkoff Petition Committee, Bryan Hanson, President of the South Dakota Livestock Auction Markets Association, and Steve Stratford, Owner of Stratford Angus, wrote that the contact information in the databases of checkoff-paying cattle producers possessed by the CBB and USDA would be used to ensure that every cattle producer is afforded the opportunity to ask for a referendum through the petition process.

Hanson and Stratford stated that when the databases are provided, “We could then send each person in those databases a petition, affording them the opportunity to sign and return.”

The letter identifies three databases the CBB and USDA control that would be “instrumental in providing untold numbers of United States cattle producers the opportunity to exercise their right and privilege to sign a USDA-authorized petition for the purpose of asking for a referendum of their Beef Checkoff Program.”

Those databases include contact information for cattle producers who receive the CBB/USDA newsletter The Drive, the electronic sign-up the CBB/USDA maintains on their beef checkoff program website to receive questions and comments from cattle producers, and the list of producers from which they solicit information about producers’ attitudes in the checkoff’s annual producer attitude survey.

The National Beef Checkoff Petition Committee’s webpage at www.checkoffvote.com currently has about 7,750 signed petitions and committee leaders indicate thousands of hard-copy petitions have also been received through the mail. The USDA has stated that 88,269 cattle producers must sign the petition in order for a producer-initiated referendum to be held.

The committee leaders said the CBB and USDA’s databases likely include enough names to ensure that the required number of cattle producers are offered the opportunity to sign the USDA-authorized petition, which will give producers the first opportunity in 35 years to vote on the future of the mandatory National Beef Checkoff Program.



NBB Requests Meeting with EPA Administrator Regan

Today, the National Biodiesel Board sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, asking for an opportunity to present the findings of a new study, "Assessment of Health Benefits from Using Biodiesel as a Transportation Fuel and Residential Heating Oil." The study from Trinity Consultants quantifies the public health benefits and resulting economic savings of using 100% biodiesel in U.S. communities near heavy transportation corridors -- an emerging area of concern for the Environmental Protection Agency.

"We believe that including biodiesel and renewable diesel in the administration's plans to address carbon is fully consistent with your agency's focus on environmental justice," writes Kurt Kovarik, NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs.

"We appreciate Administrator Regan's commitment to ensuring that biofuels play a role in achieving the nation's carbon reduction goals," Kovarik adds. "While the Biden administration has not yet explicitly included biofuels in the American Jobs Plan or the Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Accord, we believe it should. We would like the opportunity to show Administrator Regan how biodiesel and renewable diesel can support EPA's goals to address climate change and environmental justice issues."

NBB's newly published study shows that switching to 100% biodiesel for home heating oil and transportation could annually bring the 13 communities studied:
    340 fewer premature deaths.
    46,000 fewer lost workdays.
    $3 billion in avoided health care costs.
    203,000 fewer or lessened asthma attacks for communities near heavy-duty transportation corridors.
    17,000 fewer lung problems for communities that rely primarily on oil for home heating.

Additionally, the switch would bring a 45% reduction in cancer risk for communities near heavy-duty transportation corridors and an 86% reduction in cancer risk for communities that rely primarily on oil for home heating.

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. Biodiesel production supports approximately 13 percent of the value of each U.S. bushel of soybeans.



U.S. Ethanol Exports Rebound on Near-Record Shipments to China; U.S. DDGS Exports Also Higher
Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst, Renewable Fuels Assoc.
    
American exports of ethanol accelerated in March to 133.0 million gallons (mg), the second-largest volume in a year and up 31% from February’s dip. Exports to China spiked from 4.7 mg to 48.3 mg for the country’s second-largest monthly imports of American ethanol on record (and narrowly missing the April 2016 high). Similarly, shipments to Canada accelerated by 85% to a four-month high of 34.2 mg, and India’s imports were up 13% over February to 16.8 mg. These three countries received three-fourths of all ethanol shipped in March. Other substantial markets include South Korea (7.1 mg, -67%), Brazil (5.3 mg, -32%), the Philippines (4.6 mg, -5%), and Peru (4.5 mg, +3%). Total U.S. ethanol exports for the first three months of the year totaled 399.3 mg, or 18% less than last year at this time.
 
For the third consecutive month, the U.S. did not log any meaningful volumes of foreign ethanol imports (6,160 gallons shipped from Canada in March). This marks the smallest volume of total first quarter imports in four years.
 
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants—rebounded by 13% in March to 882,553 metric tons (mt). Two-thirds of U.S. exports were destined for five markets, with the remaining volumes distributed among 31 countries. Shipments to Mexico rebuilt following a sizeable slump in February with 174,928 mt crossing the border. This is equivalent to 20% of total U.S. exports in March and a 42% increase over the prior month. Shipments to Vietnam nearly doubled to a seven-month high of 130,985 mt. Exports to South Korea of 100,771 mt were 24% higher and Turkey’s imports of 84,787 mt saw an 88% improvement. Indonesia imported 80,822 mt, a slight (0.5%) decline from February. Other larger trade partners include Thailand (54,151 mt), Canada (36,827 mt), Japan (28,417 mt), Colombia (25,640 mt), and Morocco (23,331 mt). Total DDGS exports for Q1 2021 totaled 2.58 million mt, which tracks 6% behind last year.



Listening Session for Beginning Farmers on Impacts of COVID-19

On Thursday, May 6th from 1:30-3:30 pm EST, the Farm Service Agency and the Agricultural Marketing Service will host a virtual listening session with beginning farmers and ranchers to hear how COVID-19 has impacted their farming operations—from market disruptions to supply chain issues.

Beginning farmers and ranchers are invited to share their experiences in navigating USDA’s resources for assistance, discuss how their businesses have been impacted, and share how they are adapting their operations. USDA will use insights from this session to inform discussions about outreach strategies, programmatic needs, technical assistance, and accessible program delivery.

AMS and Farm Production and Conservation Leadership as well as USDA’s National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator will provide relevant program updates.

Register Here - Zoom (zoomgov.com) https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_-HrY_vD6SYmlamJOsuRtpg.  



Seaboard Seeks to Delay Court Decision Limiting Slaughter Speeds

U.S. pork processor Seaboard Foods wants to pursue a 10-1/2-month delay to a federal court decision that would force it to slow the speed of hog slaughtering at a massive Oklahoma pork plant, according to court documents.

The second-biggest U.S. pig producer seeks to intervene in the line speed case after a federal judge ruled against a Trump administration policy allowing pork plants to run slaughter line speeds as fast as they want, as long as they prevent fecal contamination and minimize bacteria, reports Reuters.

As the first U.S. pork company to invest in machinery to run line speeds faster under the rule, Seaboard stands to lose from the decision. The Biden administration has sought to emphasize worker safety and is not expected to challenge the court.

Seaboard sped up its Guymon, Oklahoma, facility last year. Workers told Reuters the faster line speeds increased injuries at the plant.

A lawsuit brought against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union had challenged the 2019 rule over concerns about worker safety.

A judge in U.S. District Court in Minnesota invalidated the rule on March 31 but stayed the decision for 90 days to give companies and the Biden administration time to adapt.

Seaboard said in court filings on Friday it will need 313 days more to clear out excess hogs from its production process if the company is required to revert to slower processing speeds.



Koch Agronomic Services Completes Acquisition of Compass Minerals' North American Micronutrient Assets

Koch Agronomic Services, LLC (Koch) completed its acquisition of Compass Minerals' (NYSE: CMP) North American micronutrient assets, the global intellectual property rights, with trademarks and patents and certain other assets associated with Wolf Trax®, Rocket Seeds® and Hydro Bullet™ product platforms.

In early April 2021, Koch announced the agreement to purchase Compass Minerals' North American micronutrient assets to further Koch's commitment to help growers around the world improve nutrient efficiency, utilization and uptake.

"The agreement with Compass Minerals is consistent with Koch's vision of providing our customers with innovative solutions focused on plant nutrition," said Steve Coulter, senior vice president of Koch. "We are excited to offer these products in conjunction with our current portfolio of nitrogen efficiency solutions to help growers across the globe meet their operational goals."

Koch will continue efforts to develop and introduce innovative solutions for agriculture. These efforts align with Koch's objective of growing from a leader in nitrogen efficiency to a leader as a nutrient efficiency solutions provider that offers products designed to allow every pound of nutrient to be more efficient than it is today.

"We look forward to fully integrating the products into our existing portfolio, along with the addition of new team members to better support new customers and geographies," said Coulter. "The Koch team will focus on delivering the entire portfolio of Koch products to new and current customers."