Thursday December 30 Ag News

Dry conditions can affect water quantity

Keeping groundwater clean and safe for citizens across the 15-county district is a top priority for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD).  Maintaining groundwater quantity is just as important, especially during dry conditions.

After the drought of 2012, the LENRD board made the decision to establish allocations on groundwater pumping for irrigation wells located in areas where the aquifers experienced acute in-season groundwater level declines. “Each year, the board determines the annual groundwater allocation amounts for the upcoming year for the Quantity Management Subareas,” said, Brian Bruckner, LENRD assistant general manager. “We use these allocations to manage the resource, providing a level of protection for all users.”

The board voted to establish the 2022 allocation amounts at:  18 acre-inches per irrigated acre for gravity/flood irrigation systems, 13 acre-inches per irrigated acre for subsurface drip irrigation systems, and 14 acre-inches per irrigated acre for all other irrigation systems in the Eastern Madison County Quantity Subarea, and 17 acre-inches per irrigated acre for gravity/flood irrigation systems, 12 acre-inches per irrigated acre for subsurface drip irrigation systems, and 13 acre-inches per irrigated acre for all other irrigation systems in the Wayne County Quantity Subarea.

The board also approved the adjusted LENRD Subdistrict Boundaries delineated by the data provided by the 2020 U.S. Census update.  Slight adjustments to the boundaries were necessary due to the population changes in some portions of the district.

In other action, the board voted to accept the bid of $9,663.75 to place riprap along the west shoreline at the Maple Creek Recreation Area, just west of Leigh. They also instructed staff to prepare bidding documents for the Willow Creek Streambank Stabilization Project downstream of the Willow Creek State Recreation Area, southwest of Pierce.

The next LENRD board meeting will be Thursday, January 27th at 7:30 p.m.  Watch for further updates and stay connected with the LENRD by subscribing to their monthly emails.



Biden Announces Appointments for USDA

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden appointed the following individuals to serve in key regional leadership roles at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA):

John Berge, USDA State Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, Nebraska

A western Nebraska native who grew up on a corn and wheat farm north of Lisco, Nebraska, John Berge has served as the General Manager of the North Platte Natural Resources District (NPNRD) in Scottsbluff, Nebraska since 2013. In 2009, Berge was appointed White House Liaison to the Department of Agriculture by President Obama where he was the principal liaison between the Executive Office of the President and the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture. Subsequently, Berge was appointed the Deputy and Acting Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations where he managed all operations of that office. He was a member of the Sub-Cabinet and Senior Policy Group, and coordinated all interactions with members of Congress and other elected officials and USDA officials. Mr. Berge also served as the Deputy Administrator for Field Operations at the USDA Farm Service Agency, and as the Executive Director of the National Food and Agriculture Council at USDA.

Earlier in his career, Berge served as the Executive Director of the Western Nebraska Community College Foundation in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Additionally, he served on the staffs of U.S. Senators Jim Exon, Bob Kerrey, and Ben Nelson. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, holds a Certificate in Climate Change and Energy from the Harvard Kennedy School, and is completing a Master of Applied Science program in Environmental Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He, his wife Kerri, son Theodore, and daughter Bridget live in Gering, Nebraska.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs in each U.S. State. Its mission is to equitably serve all farmers, ranchers, and agricultural partners through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs for all Americans. State Executive Directors oversee this work, ensuring the needs of local constituents are met and that USDA resources are distributed equitably and fairly.



Nebraska Farmers Union Applauds John Berge’s Appointment to Head the Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) applauds the appointment of John Berge to head the Nebraska USDA (FSA) Farm Service Agency. Farmers and ranchers depend on federal farm programs to help them pay their bills and operate their farms and ranches.    

NeFU President John Hansen said, “We know John Berge well. He has a vast background in farm policy, the legislative process, USDA administrative and organizational policies and structure, and Nebraska agriculture and natural resources. In addition, NeFU believes Berge’s experience as General Manager of the North Platte Natural Resources District and familiarity with western Nebraska agriculture and its natural resources, crops, climate and production challenges are a valuable asset.”

Hansen noted, “NeFU worked closely with John Berge in his previous positions as legislative staff for U.S. Senators Exon, Kerrey, and Nelson. Berge’s extensive knowledge and experience with USDA at both the state and national levels will allow him to hit the ground running.”

John Berge previously served as State Executive Director of Nebraska FSA under the Clinton Administration from 2000-2001. From 2009 to 2013, during the Obama Administration, Berge served in the Washington, DC USDA in a wide range of positions including  USDA White House Liaison, Deputy and Acting Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Executive Director of the National Food and Agriculture Council, and Deputy Administrator of the Farm Service Agency.

“Not only does John Berge know how the USDA administrative system works, he knows who to call to get it fixed when it does not work as it should. We are excited about the prospect of putting Berge’s extensive background to work on behalf of Nebraska agriculture. We commend President Biden for his appointment of John Berge to lead the Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency.”

Hansen said “Now that the appointment of our state FSA Executive Director and one member of the FSA State Committee have been made, we are hopeful that the appointments of the remaining four FSA State Committee members will be made soon by the Biden Administration. Nebraska Farmers Union is very pleased with the appointments of John Berge as Executive Director of Nebraska FSA, Roy Stoltenberg to the State FSA Committee and Kate Bolz to head USDA Rural Development. They are all top notch appointments.”   



Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Scholarship Applications

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) 2022 scholarship applications are now available online.  NCF offers scholarships to qualified youth in Nebraska who have an interest in the beef industry. These scholarships are provided through contributions received by NCF.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship awards a $10,000 scholarship to an outstanding college junior, senior or graduate-level student. Eligible students must be residents of Nebraska and be enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry-related degree. The scholarship will be awarded based on student need, Nebraska beef industry involvement (past achievements and future plans) and academics.

Beef State Scholarship Application – CLICK HERE https://nebraskacattlemen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/beefstate-scholarship-application2022-002fillable.pdf

Numerous other scholarships with a $1,000 minimum, awarded on the basis of academic achievement, beef industry involvement and goals/quality of application from memorial funds

NCF Scholarship Application – CLICK HERE https://nebraskacattlemen.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ncf-scholarship-application2022-fillable.pdf



NCC Foundation Scholarship Program

The Nebraska Co-op Council is now accepting applications for its scholarship program. The Scholarship Program began with the 1993/94 academic year.  Since that time 220 scholarships totaling $282,600 have been awarded to students.  The funding for scholarships comes from investment income/interest from the Foundation’s scholarship endowment account.

Colleges included in the Scholarship Program are:
    UNL College of Ag Sciences & Natural Resources – students majoring in agribusiness or agricultural economics
    Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) at Curtis – students majoring in agribusiness or ag production systems
    UNK – upperclass students majoring in agribusiness

Student eligibility is restricted to sons/daughters of a parent/legal guardian who has been an active member, director, or employee for at least the prior three years of a cooperative which has been a member in good standing of the Council for at least five years. Scholarship committees at UNL, NCTA, and UNK make the selection of recipients based on criteria established for each scholarship. The Foundation only verifies local cooperative affiliation and Council membership requirements.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022/23 academic year.  The link for students to complete/submit an application can be found in our website at http://www.nebr.coop/foundation/scholarships.  The deadline to submit scholarship applications is April 15, 2022 with recipients to be announced in mid-June 2022.



Siouxland Chamber hosts Iowa Legislative Forum

Friday, January 7, 2022
8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
101 Pierce St., Sioux City, IA
(In-person or Zoom)

A bipartisan panel of Siouxland legislators from the Iowa House and Senate will provide an overview of their agendas going into the 2022 session, preview key issues likely to be taken up by the Iowa legislature, and answer your questions. The event is hosted by the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.  Please register below if you would like to receive the Zoom link.

Register online here... https://directory.siouxlandchamber.com/events/details/government-relations-01-07-22-5740.



NEW Cooperative Hosts Successful Hams for Hunger Campaign

Earlier this month, NEW Cooperative Inc. held the 5th Annual Hams for Hunger Event. Since 2017, NEW Cooperative has donated over 10,000 hams to the in-need population.  

Throughout the week of Dec. 10th, NEW Cooperative delivered 2,600 hams to 27 local food pantries in 22 towns in NEW Cooperative’s trade territory. The area served is from Monona County in western Iowa, north to Dickson County and east to Wright County, encompassing 19 counties in Iowa.

“NEW Cooperative members raise grain and livestock to feed the world. We feel it is important to help the in-need population with a ham to ensure a high-quality holiday dinner.” stated Gary Moritz, NEW Cooperative’s Communications Director. “The hams donated are purchased from Webster City Custom Meats. The hogs are raised and processed locally and fed with local corn grown by NEW Cooperative’s farmers and now the hams are feeding our communities. The perfect example of agriculture coming full circle.”

NEW Cooperative, Inc. is a farmer-owned grain, agronomy, energy and feed cooperative headquartered in Fort Dodge, Iowa. As a leading agriculture retailer, NEW Cooperative is focused on being an innovative and efficient provider of today’s agriculture markets and services to over 8,000 members throughout their 60 locations in Iowa.  

The NEW Cooperative Foundation is the charitable giving entity of NEW Cooperative, Inc. The Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that are dedicated to youth and education, human services, and civic purposes that further enhance the quality of life in our member’s local communities.  



December 2021 Dairy Market Report Now Available

The rapid evaporation of growth in dairy cows, milk and milk solids production dropped all three into negative territory during October. These supply-side effects have dominated the dairy situation recently and will continue to do so well into the coming year. Domestic consumption growth of all milk and dairy products has been somewhat sluggish in recent months, but U.S. dairy exports during the first ten months of 2021 have set a new volume record of 17.6 percent of U.S. milk solids production, well above this measure’s second-highest year, 2020 at 16.3 percent.

The drop in production is being felt most in dry skim milk products, and to a lesser extent in butter and dry whey production. Cheese production remains the preferred channel for available milk. Product stocks are being drawn down and prices rising, as production trends change.

See the full report here.... https://www.nmpf.org/dairy-market-report-december-2021/.



The Andersons, Inc. Declares Increased Cash Dividend for First Quarter 2022

The Andersons, Inc. has announced a first quarter 2022 cash dividend of 18 cents ($0.18) per share payable on January 21, 2022, to shareholders of record as of January 3, 2022. This three percent increase from the company's fourth quarter 2021 cash dividend of seventeen and one half cents ($0.175) per share reflects strong cash flow and operating performance.

This is The Andersons' 101st consecutive quarterly cash dividend since listing on the Nasdaq in February 1996.

Founded in 1947 in Maumee, Ohio, The Andersons, Inc. is a diversified company rooted in agriculture that conducts business in the commodity trading, biofuels, and plant nutrient sectors. Guided by its Statement of Principles, The Andersons strives to provide extraordinary service to its customers, help its employees improve, support its communities, and increase the value of the company.