Wednesday June 16 Ag News

 Study Shows Dairy Industry Expansion Would Be Economic Home Run for Nebraska

The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) and Nebraska State Dairy Association in conjunction with the Nebraska Soybean Board recently teamed with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln to study the economic impact of Nebraska’s dairy industry. The study evaluates the economic impact of new dairy processing facilities, new dairy farms needed to supply the facility and the economic impact returned to state and local economies.  

“The need for a dairy processing plant in Nebraska isn’t new, this is something the Grow Nebraska Dairy team has been working on for years and now we have the proof of why it is important to grow this industry.” Says Kris Bousquet, Executive Director of Nebraska State Dairy Association.  

The study compared 3 communities in Nebraska: Grand Island, Norfolk, and South Sioux City. All these have shovel-ready sites for any company looking to build in Nebraska. The study goes on to show in dollars the return that either a Milk, Cheese, Butter or Yogurt plant would have based on the size of the plant.  

Governor Pete Ricketts declared “We want to grow dairy in Nebraska. Nebraska is a prime location for new investment with abundant resources and hardworking people. Working together, Nebraska can recruit additional processing capacity to our state, so we can grow opportunities for the next generation of dairy farmers.”

In addition to the economic impact of a new dairy processing plant, the UNL team also looked at the impact dairy production makes from the farm level. The study finds that on average there is a $12,000 impact on a local community per cow per year. This means that a 1,000-cow dairy contributes $12 million to the local economy every year! “It's amazing how one dairy operation can impact the community. As a grain farmer who partners with a dairy, I know firsthand how important these operations are to the prosperity of a community.” said Robert Johnston, President of Nebraska Soybean Growers Association.

Steve Martin, Executive Director of AFAN, remarked “An increase in dairy production would not only provide more revenue to local economies but we would also see an increased demand for our grain and other feedstuffs. On average, one dairy cow will consume more than 12 tons of feed per year. This would be a huge opportunity for Nebraska farmers.”  

The full study can be found at nebraskamilk.org under the Grow Nebraska Dairy Tab. For more information about the study or about the effort to grow dairy in Nebraska contact Kris Bousquet at krisbousquet@nebraskamilk.org or Steve Martin at stevem@a-fan.org



Haskell Ag Lab Science & Ag Family Field Day

Are you looking for a fun and educational event?  Ready to get out and see others and enjoy the outdoors?  We have just the thing for you.  Come to the Haskell Ag Lab Science & Ag Family Field Day at the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, 57905 866 Road near Concord on Wednesday, June 30th. The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. The day will conclude around 2:30 p.m.  Feel free to attend the entire day or any part of the day.  

Some of the activities include educational tracks on the following:  Ag Land Management; Home & Lawn; Crop Troubleshooting; and Nature & the Outdoors. In addition, there will be a Northeast Arboretum Tour in the morning and afternoon.  Backyard Farmer panel will be here at 1 pm. to answer your questions. Please bring your samples or questions for the experts.  

Activities for the entire family include ATV Safety, blood pressure checks, hummus demonstrations, drones, robotics, pressure canner testing, healthy eating, grain marketing, pesticide safety, mental health, insect ID contest, weed & grass ID contest, nitrates in groundwater and several others. Other attractions include the Science Literacy Trailer, Shooting Sports, Maker Space or Think Make Create Lab, Mobile Beef Lab, and Smokey Bear.

A highlight this year will be archery demonstrations by Alexis Frye.  Alexis will be a high school freshman this fall. She has won multiple state competitions, ranked high in national shoots, and won a World Competition in 2019. She is a member of the Wayne County Sharp Shooters 4-H Club. She will be doing demonstrations at 10:00; 11:30; and 1:00 close to the Shooting Sports Trailer.

The event will have food trucks on site.  Each person will receive a $10 voucher to be used at the food trucks when they register the day of the event.

Find the entire schedule of events and more information at:  go.unl.edu/hal2021 or you can call the Haskell Ag Lab at 402-584-2261.



PESTS CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR ALFALFA
- Melissa Bartels, NE Extension Educator

Insects are causing problems for alfalfa across Nebraska. Stay tuned as I describe what to look for in your fields and what to do if an issue does arise. 

From alfalfa weevil larvae and adults to potato leafhoppers, to army worms, cutworms, alfalfa caterpillars to all kinds of aphids, somebody, somewhere has had enough of each of these insects feeding on their alfalfa, damaging new seedlings or regrowth. If you have been lucky enough to avoid these pests thus far, don’t assume you are safe for the remainder of the year. 

Be sure to get out and scout your fields. I’d love to be able to generalize and tell you exactly how many insects per square foot or sweep of a net is needed to economically justify a control treatment for alfalfa. But each insect and disease are different. It can range from one spotted alfalfa aphid per seedling to 100 pea aphids on 20-inch alfalfa. Or from one or two armyworms per square foot in new stands to at least 10 alfalfa caterpillars per sweep in established stands. Not all diseases cause issues.

What we use for control also varies. Simply cutting often works for many soft bodied insects. Control using natural organisms like the Bt in Dipel and Thuricide will work for some insects. And of course, insecticides. But what insecticide or fungicide to use will be different depending on the insect. 

So, my take home message today is scout and identify what is plaguing your field. Look for slow regrowth or weak seedlings and scout for insects or diseases that might be causing the issue. Be sure to dig in the soil and dead litter to find insects hiding during the day. Then identify exactly what you are dealing with. If you need help, stop in at your county extension office. Remember, many insects you find will be beneficial and some diseases don’t cause yield issues. 

And finally, use appropriate treatments to protect your alfalfa. 



 Commerce Committee Advances Fischer Livestock Haulers Bill

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and Ranking Member of the Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports Subcommittee, released the following statement today after the committee advanced a critical part of her Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act on the Surface Transportation Investment Act– allowing for additional time to transport livestock once they’re within 150 air-miles of their destination:

“I am very pleased to see my bipartisan legislation advanced through committee as part of a surface transportation package. This is a win for our livestock haulers who provide such a critical service but who need relief to account for the unique circumstances of transporting live products,” said Senator Fischer.

More information on the bill:
This HAULS Act provision would authorize a 150 air-mile exemption from hours-of-service requirements on the destination side of a haul for livestock haulers.

Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) joined Senator Fischer in introducing the HAULS Act as a standalone bill earlier this year.



NCBA Delivers Progress on Backend 150 Air-Mile Exemption for Livestock Haulers

Today, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) delivered progress on much-needed regulatory flexibility for livestock haulers. The addition of the backend 150 air-mile exemption from hours-of-service (HOS), crucial language pulled from the HAULS Act, was agreed to by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) in the Senate Commerce Committee and adopted into the larger Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 by a bipartisan vote.

NCBA spearheaded introduction of the larger HAULS Act in both the Senate and House this spring, and worked hard to get the backend 150 air-mile exemption included in the Surface Transportation Investment Act that will be sent to the Senate floor.

Livestock haulers are a critical part of the supply chain keeping grocery stores stocked with high-quality U.S. beef. The upheaval of the pandemic and ongoing market volatility has only underscored the need for further flexibility in livestock hauling regulations to keep the supply chain strong.

"When one-size-fits-all government regulations fail to account for expertise on the ground, livestock haulers are put in the impossible position of either complying with regulations or doing what they know is best for the humane and safe transportation of live animals," said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera. "We strongly support this bipartisan, commonsense effort to give livestock haulers the flexibility they need to maintain the highest level of safety for drivers on the roads, transport livestock humanely, and ensure grocery stores remain stocked with beef. We thank Sen. Fischer, Sen. Tester, Sen. Cantwell, and Sen. Wicker for their leadership on this legislation, and we will continue working with Members of Congress to move this language across the finish line.”

BACKGROUND
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. The HAULS Act language adopted today into the Surface Transportation Act would add a 150 air-mile radius exemption under HOS regulations to the backend of hauls for those transporting livestock.

NCBA is working with Members of Congress from across the country to ensure that any infrastructure and transportation spending bills reflect the unique needs of rural communities and cattle producers.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, NCBA 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.



USDA Reminds Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports

Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office before the applicable deadline. July 15 is a major deadline for most crops, but acreage reporting deadlines vary by county and by crop.

“USDA offers a lot of programs to assist producers, but in order to receive many of these program benefits, you must file an accurate crop acreage report,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Once planting is complete, call your local FSA county office to make an appointment.”

An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits.

How to File a Report
Producers can contact their FSA county office for acreage reporting deadlines that are specific to their county.

Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. Because of the pandemic, some USDA Service Centers are open to limited visitors. Producers should contact their Service Center to set up an in-person or phone appointment.

To file a crop acreage report, you will need to provide:
    Crop and crop type or variety.
    Intended use of the crop.
    Number of acres of the crop.
    Map with approximate boundaries for the crop.
    Planting date(s).
    Planting pattern, when applicable.
    Producer shares.
    Irrigation practice(s).
    Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable.
    Other information as required.

Acreage Reporting Details
The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:
    If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
    If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant but were unable to because of a natural disaster. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA).

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.



USDA Announces $700 Million in COVID-Relief for Biofuels Producers

Following urging from U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $700 million in aid for biofuels producers who were hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“USDA is doing the right thing by ensuring farmers and ethanol producers can receive this aid. I worked to include biofuels in the December 2020 COVID-relief package and urged the agency to follow through in making this assistance available quickly. Today’s announcement is positive news that will benefit rural America and Nebraska’s economy,” said Senator Fischer.

According to USDA, implementation of this aid is planned to take place within 60 days.

Earlier this year, Senator Fischer joined Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley in sending a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging the agency to provide direct payments to biofuels producers. This assistance was made possible through the December 2020 COVID-relief bill.

Senator Fischer has long advocated to provide certainty for farmers and biofuels producers. She is the lead Republican sponsor of the RFS Integrity Act of 2021. This bill would require small refineries to petition for Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) hardship exemptions by June 1st of each year. This change would ensure that EPA properly accounts for exempted gallons in the annual Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO) it sets each November.



Industry Representatives Outline the Future of Ethanol at Farm Futures Summit

Today, at the Farm Futures Business Summit in Iowa, both corn farmers and ethanol industry leaders shed light on the future of ethanol. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) sponsored the panel with Iowa corn farmer and NCGA Ethanol Action Team (ETHAT) member Kelly Nieuwenhuis, Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper, and Growth Energy Senior Vice President Mike Lorenz.

RFA CEO Geoff Cooper kicked off the panel discussion, outlining the landscape of the industry, noting that ethanol is a renewable, high-octane, hydrogen-rich low-carbon molecule with an incredibly bright future. “We have a lot of room to grow in the world market,” Cooper stated. “Corn ethanol’s average reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to gasoline is 46%. No other fuel at the same scale can make that claim.”

Growth Energy SVP of Market Development Mike Lorenz, who spent 20 years with Sheetz, discussed the expansion of higher blends of ethanol, like E15. “The future of ethanol is now,” Lorenz told the crowd. “Liquid fuels will play an important role in the fleet moving forward, and ethanol plays a key role in decarbonizing our transportation pool.”

NCGA ETHAT member Kelly Nieuwenhuis wrapped up the discussion talking about the importance of the ethanol industry to corn farmers and why he’s optimistic about the future of biofuels. “We’re working on a lot of great initiatives with our partners in the ethanol industry that people should be excited about,” Nieuwenhuis said. “Our work on pump infrastructure with Wayne Fueling Systems, engine testing at the University of California at Riverside with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to show the environmental benefits and compatibility of E15, and work on the Next Generation Fuels Act are just a few of the things we’re working on to grow the ethanol market.”

The event was a hybrid event with more than 200 farmers in attendance.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/4/2021

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending June 11, ethanol production declined 42,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 3.9%, to 1.025 million b/d, equivalent to 43.05 million gallons daily. Production was 21.9% above the same week last year, which was affected by the pandemic, but it was 5.2% below the same week in 2019. The four-week average ethanol production volume ticked down 0.2% to 1.034 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.85 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks rose to 20.6 million barrels, 3.2% above the prior week and a 10-week high. Stocks were 3.5% below the year-ago level and 4.7% less than the same week in 2019. Inventories rose in all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, rebounded 10.4% to 9.36 million b/d (143.49 bg annualized). Gasoline demand was 18.9% above a year ago but was 5.7% below the same week in 2019.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol rose 0.6% to 910,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.95 bg annualized. This was 15.3% above a year ago but 3.4% below the same week in 2019.

There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 26th consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of April 2021.)



Growth Energy Praises Bicameral Democrat Support of RFS, Certainty for Biofuels

Today, Democrat members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate took action together on behalf of farmers and biofuels producers across the country. Following reports that the Biden Administration is considering reducing biofuel blending obligations to appease oil refiners, 16 Members of Congress sent a letter to Michael Regan, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Brian Deese, Director of the National Economic Council, urging the administration to reject granting handouts to the oil industry. In the following statement, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor praised the Members' united front:

“The reported handouts to oil companies looking to avoid their biofuel blending obligations would be a complete reversal of the Biden Administration’s repeated and unequivocal promises to support clean energy jobs and uphold the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Skor. “Giving in to oil refiners’ repeated claims of economic strain would also backtrack our nation’s progress of moving toward a cleaner energy transportation future through higher biofuel blends.

“This bicameral letter from Democratic members who represent a wide constituency, reflects broad national support of cleaner fuel choices. We thank the 16 Members of the House and Senate for backing our industry and will continue pushing for Administrator Regan and Director Deese to stand with clean, homegrown biofuels.”

The letter was signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Cindy Axne (D-IA), and Angie Craig (D-MN), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ron Kind (D-WI), David Scott (D-GA), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).



World Pork Expo 2021 Reflects Producer Optimism, Commitment

The 33rd World Pork Expo made a much-anticipated return to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, June 9-11. The Expo is presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and features the world’s largest pork-specific trade show. More than 10,000 producers, employees and pork industry professionals attended the three-day event.  

“This year’s Expo attendance was a great success given that it did not include a live swine show as in past years, and international attendees and exhibiting companies were unable to attend this year,” said NPPC President Jen Sorenson, communications director for Iowa Select Farms in West Des Moines, Iowa. “Expo has evolved into a tremendous networking opportunity where producers meet with others in the industry, and it also provides easy access to compare products and technologies and to collect the latest information from a wide range of seminars.”
 
Producers Get Down to Business
The Expo trade show and hospitality tents offer producers and allied industry professionals an opportunity to interact, ask questions and find answers for pork production’s ongoing needs. Exhibitors reported that producers presented a positive attitude about the current state of U.S. pork production.

“Producers’ attitudes are good; markets are good right now,” said Nick Siedelmann, swine sales specialist, Alltech South Dakota. “Expo is valuable to us because we’re able to connect our executive team with customers all in one place. It would take us months to accomplish what we did in one day.”

He pointed to three topics that resurfaced during nearly every conversation that the Alltech team had at Expo. Producers are nervously watching dry weather patterns and the developing crops; ongoing challenges presented by a severe porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strain; and the future productivity state of the Chinese pork industry as it relates to their African swine fever exposure.

Biosecurity is always an important topic to producers and that was reinforced by strict precautions at the show, as well as a special exhibit area that was dedicated to biosecurity products and services.  

First-time exhibitor, Maria Paula Garces, marketing manager, PathO3Gen Solutions, reported that Expo provided good perspective on the pork industry and how committed producers are to animal health within their operations.

“Producers were very knowledgeable and curious and I really appreciate how forward thinking this industry is,” Garces said. “The people are willing to embrace technology and are willing to invest in having safe, healthy operations.”

In all, the 2021 trade show featured 700 vendors displaying new and familiar products across more than 300,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space.

Another 50 hospitality tents spread along the fairgrounds’ Grand Concourse and Ruan Plaza and provided a festive atmosphere for allied industry representatives to meet with customers in a relaxed business setting.
 
Seminars Provide Solutions and Guidance for Future Decisions
Producers and their employees also could tap into a wealth of information by attending any of the 19 free seminars presented during the Expo.    

Business seminars, offered by allied industry companies, presented information on record keeping and data management to environmental sustainability, methane and manure management topics to swine nutrition strategies to future technologies and much more.

Pork Academy seminars address timely topics such as hog pricing tools and strategies, production contract negotiation, labor challenges, global pork demand and market diversification, succession planning and more.

“The seminars are a truly valuable aspect of Expo,” Sorenson said. “To have access to that amount of information and expertise is a priceless opportunity. Producers and their employees can return home with new ideas and practices that they can use immediately or apply to their longer-term decision-making strategies.”
 

Plan Ahead for World Pork Expo 2022
Not to be overlooked, the Big Grill, staffed once again by Iowa’s Tama County Pork Producers Association, served up 5,000 free pork lunches during the three days of World Pork Expo 2021. That mouth-watering pork is something attendees at next year’s event can look forward to enjoying as well.

World Pork Expo will return to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on June 8-10, 2022, to celebrate its 34th year.

“We are very pleased with the 2021 Expo, particularly after a two-year hiatus,” said Neil Dierks, CEO, National Pork Producers Council. “This year’s show reaffirms the importance of producers, vendors and others coming together at Expo to gather and learn. We look forward to the 2022 World Pork Expo.”

So save those dates and make plans to join thousands of producers and industry professionals to network, learn about the latest innovations, enjoy some free pork and so much more.



DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends Slightly Higher

Retail fertilizer prices for the first full week of June 2021 are marginally higher. This marks the fourth straight week of slightly higher fertilizer prices.  As has been the case in recent weeks, no fertilizers were significantly higher, which DTN designates as 5% or more.

DAP prices increased 4% to $656/ton compared to the prior month.  Potash prices increased 3% to $450/ton.  MAP, urea and UAN32 had 2% increases on the week. MAP was $717/ton, urea $527/ton and UAN32 $414/ton.  The average retail price of anhydrous and UAN28 fertilizer climbed by 1% to $718/ton and $363/ton, respectively.  10-34-0 had an average price of $620/ton, unchanged from the previous month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.57/lb.N, anhydrous $0.44/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/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 24% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 33% higher, urea is 44% more expensive, UAN32 50% higher, anhydrous is 52% more expensive, UAN28 is 55% higher, DAP is 62% more expensive and MAP 67% is higher compared to last year.



U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Leadership in Natural Resources and Conservation Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today the appointment of Meryl Harrell as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) and the appointment of Terry Cosby as Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). They will begin their positions on Monday, May 24.

Meryl Harrell most recently served as the Executive Director of the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards. She has also served as a consultant, advising non-profits, foundations, and government agencies working to conserve America's public and private working lands. During the Obama-Biden Administration, Harrell spent eight years in the Office of Natural Resources and Environment at USDA, including serving as Chief of Staff and then Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary. Harrell previously worked on public lands issues at The Wilderness Society in Washington, D.C.

Harrell received her J.D. from the Yale Law School, where she studied environmental law, and graduated magna cum laude with an A.B. in geosciences and environmental studies from Princeton University. Originally from New Jersey and more recently based in Atlanta, Georgia, Harrell can often be found out on the trails in our national forests with her husband and two children.

Terry Cosby began his career with USDA in 1979 as a student trainee in Iowa. Cosby was raised on a cotton farm with his eight siblings in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. The farm, now in his family for three generations, was purchased by his great-grandfather in the late 1800s. Over Cosby’s 42 years with the agency, he has served in numerous capacities, most recently, Acting Chief of NRCS and State Conservationist for Ohio. Prior to serving as Ohio State Conservationist, he served in leadership positions in Iowa as an Area Resource Conservationist, in Missouri as an Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations and Idaho as a Deputy State Conservationist.

Cosby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education from Alcorn State University, the first Black land grant college established in the United States, and resides in Ohio with his wife Brenda and their four children.

“The leadership and expertise of Meryl and Terry will play an integral role in USDA’s efforts to provide personnel, science, and technology that will lead to better-informed and more effective land management decisions; partnerships to address climate adaptation, conservation, and ecological resilience; and clean energy technology and infrastructure,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We are fortunate to have them on our team.”



USDA Underscores Importance of Agricultural R&D at G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists Meeting

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted the importance of agricultural research and development (R&D) and the need for G20 agricultural science leaders to actively advocate for science-based decision making. Agricultural science leaders from around the world convened virtually this week during the Meeting of G20 Agricultural Chief Scientists (G20 MACS) to discuss critical global agricultural science and technology issues.

“I have had the honor of attending G20 MACS since it was launched in 2012. Now in its 10th year, G20 MACS continues to demonstrate its value by serving as a platform to raise the profile of agricultural research and development,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA’s Acting Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) and Acting Chief Scientist, who led the U.S. delegation. “I was pleased to hear my G20 counterparts encourage science-based understanding of genome editing and advance policy approaches that support the safe research and development of genome edited products in agriculture.”

The G20 MACS is an excellent forum for identifying challenges and setting priorities for agricultural research that underpins food and nutrition security both nationally and globally.

‘We are pleased to see in the G20 MACS communique support for greater investment in agricultural R&D and innovation to help raise global ambition and underpin more rapid and transformative climate action in all countries, which aligns with the goal of the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate,” said Dr. Jacobs-Young.

Dr. Jacobs-Young also emphasized the important role of the Agricultural Chief Scientists in promoting science-based, data-driven decision and policy-making globally and stressed the need for effective research collaboration between countries, and between the public and private sector, to find solutions to help farmers mitigate and adapt to climate change.



ARA Encouraged by Progress on Seasonal Ag CDL Reform

Today the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a mark-up on S. 2016, the Surface Transportation Investment Act. The Agricultural Retailers Association has been working closely with Senator Moran, R-Kan., Senator Thune, R-S.D., and allies on Capitol Hill to encourage reform to the Farm-Related Restricted Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program, more commonly referred to as the Seasonal Ag CDL program ahead of this mark-up. Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel Richard Gupton issued the following statement:

"The Seasonal Ag CDL program is critical to ensure ag retailers are able to provide the level of service its farmer customers require at peak times in the growing and harvest season. We are encouraged by the language included in today's mark-up that would allow Farm-Related Restricted CDLs to restart at the beginning of each calendar year, ensuring days from the previous season are not carried over.

"While not included today, ARA will continue to support an amendment to expand the number of days from 180 to 270 to account for extended seasons which can fluctuate from year to year due to climate change as well as more diversified crop production.

"ARA is thankful for its coalition partners' support on this critical issue.

"ARA applauds the leadership by Sens. Moran and Thune, and we look forward to working together to ensure the final bill language is supportive of the ag retailer and the industry they support.

"ARA will continue to work on the other recommendations in the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives related to adding Class A motor vehicles to the program, and allowing online renewals (see coalition letter linked below)."



National Grazing Lands Conference Agenda Takes Shape

The National Grazing Lands Coalition has announced some speakers for its 8th National Grazing Lands Conference (8NGLC) at the Embassy Suites Kingston Resorts in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Dec. 6-9, 2021.

Opening the conference on Dec. 7 will be Rep. Glenn Thompson (invited) of Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, to discuss the latest issues facing the agriculture industry. He will be followed by Meredith Ellis of G Bar C Ranch, Rosston, Texas. She believes ranching plays an important part in the climate solution and in ranching’s ability to provide nutritious food to a growing population while leaving habitat and natural ecosystems intact.

On Dec. 8, the day will begin with a panel discussion on mental health in agriculture. Three agricultural producers will explain how to recognize the signs of distress in ourselves, the ones we care about, and how to get help. The three panelists are Ryan Sexton, rancher from Nenzel, Nebraska; Jessica Peters, dairy farmer from Meadville, Pennsylvania; and Terri Hawbaker, dairy farmer from Pewamo, Michigan.

Conference participants can also register for a one-day training provided by Dr. Allen Williams, farmer from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and founding partner of Grass Fed Insights, LLC, Understanding Ag, LLC, and the Soil Health Academy. Williams will teach participants regenerative grazing protocols and forage finishing techniques to create “value add” and prepare landowners for multiple revenue stream opportunities that stack enterprises and acres.

Conference registration costs are $395 until October 15th, 2021. To register for the conference, visit https://cvent.me/4BMkbg.