Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Tuesday August 9 Ag News

Schaneman joins Nebraska Corn Board as Director of Market Development.

The Nebraska Corn Board is pleased to announce the hiring of Payton Schaneman for the position of Director of Market Development.

In this role, Schaneman will work on behalf of the state’s corn farmers to contribute to the mission of the Nebraska corn checkoff, which is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities. Schaneman will work with corn farmers and industry partners to coordinate all facets of the Nebraska Corn Board’s market development efforts. He will foster and build relationships with local, national, and international partners to strengthen demand for Nebraska’s corn and value-added products, such as biofuels, distillers’ grains, and livestock products.

Originally from Denton, Nebraska, Schaneman is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in agricultural economics. Most recently, Schaneman interned with the U.S. Grains Council in Washington D.C. During his time with the Council, Schaneman assisted with the organization with many programs and trade teams, including the Mexican yellow corn team and the Mexican white corn team.
 

 

 

INOCULANTS FOR CORN SILAGE
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator


High quality silage starts with proper harvesting and storage, but management extends into the feeding phase. Adding inoculants might be one way to help maintain quality. However, inoculants do not replace other important silage decisions such as harvesting at the right moisture and solid bunker packing.

Inoculants are simply bacterial cultures that help reduce pH faster by converting sugars to acids which reduce molds, fungi, and unwanted bacteria. Generally, inoculants are more beneficial for alfalfa silage than corn silage unless that crop is harvested on the dry side or immediately after a killing frost.

Since inoculants only work if the bacteria are alive, store them properly in a cool, dry place. Wet packages can be refrigerated until use. Do not use hot water or chlorinated water to make a liquid inoculate mix, since either can kill the bacteria. Liquid inoculant mixes are usually viable for 24 to 48 hours and need to be stored less than 95°F; so protect the inoculant from heat such as hot chopper engines.

For bunker storage, it is more efficient to apply the inoculant through the chopper in the field; rather than trying to pour the inoculant on the top of a silage wagon hoping that it gets mixed. The most effective alfalfa silage inoculants contain homolactic acid bacteria. Whereas, the heterolactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillius buchner, are especially useful at reducing spoilage on the face of bunker silos if the face is too wide to keep fresh; or if producers take out several days’ worth of feed from the pile at one time. However, the bacterium is slow growing and needs 45 to 60 days of storage time before being effect.

The purpose of inoculants is not to fix a train wreck or improve a perfect silage year, but they can help when things aren’t ideal. Inoculants can be used as an insurance policy to reduce the risk of spoilage and maintain quality.



Pork Supply Chain Stakeholders Invest $6.5 Million in Genvax Technologies’ Novel Vaccine Platform


Genvax Technologies, a startup dedicated to bringing advances in self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccine production to animal health, announced today it has secured $6.5 million in series seed funding. This funding moves the company toward USDA and international regulatory approval of its vaccines in anticipation of any foreign animal disease outbreak in order to increase health and profitability in livestock production.

The company's proprietary saRNA platform allows for rapid development of herd or flock-specific vaccines matched 100% to the variant strain circulating in an animal-production operation. By inserting a specific transgene or “gene of interest” (GOI) matched to the variant strain into the platform, the saRNA can generate an antibody response without requiring the whole pathogen.

“The threat posed to producers and consumers by foreign animal diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF) and constantly mutating variants of swine influenza is extraordinary,” said Joel Harris, CEO and co-founder of Genvax Technologies. “The goal is to develop a vaccine that matches 100 percent to the specific strain when a disease outbreak occurs. For ASF, Genvax’s vaccine could be an important tool for eradication efforts and may alleviate any concerns with trading partners abroad. In addition, the financial and public support of multiple stakeholders like United Animal Health and others in the food industry is a huge validation of this technology's promise.”

In April 2022, Genvax announced it had received more than $145,000 in grant funding from the USDA-Agricultural Research Services Plum Island Animal Disease Center (USDA-ARS-PIADC) and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) to develop a saRNA vaccine for African Swine Fever virus. ASF can cause up to 100% mortality in pigs and could decimate the income of U.S. pork producers and force layoffs, significantly reducing rural employment. Economic models estimate the worst case scenario of an ASF outbreak in the US would result in a $50 billion loss to the domestic pig industry.

United Animal Health led the financing with participation from Johnsonville Ventures, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Summit Agricultural Group, and Ag Startup Engine. This investor coalition represents animal health, nutrition, feed, meat packers, and consumer products in the fight against existing and emerging threats to the food supply chain.

“United Animal Health sees Genvax and self-amplifying mRNA vaccines as the cutting edge of technology to protect the industries we serve,” said Scott Holmstrom, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research and Development of United Animal Health. “These technologies are critical to food security and protein availability. We are excited to be offering our innovation and research farms to work carefully with Genvax in developing these future products.”

“We’ve been impressed with Joel Harris and the Genvax team, in addition to the novel technology they are developing,” said Kevin Ladwig, Managing Director of Johnsonville Ventures.  “As a stakeholder in the pork industry, we feel this is a necessary step in helping prepare for and protect against African Swine Fever and other emerging diseases.”

“Iowa Corn recognizes the importance of protecting the livestock industry against emerging diseases such as African Swine Fever,” said Pete Brecht, Director of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “Iowa is a leader in both corn and pork production, we know the value of investing in the protection of our animals and the livelihoods of our farmers across the state. Genvax has a novel approach and an experienced management team to address such an important issue for agriculture.”

Genvax was founded in February 2021 by animal health serial entrepreneurs Joel Harris and Hank Harris, DVM Ph.D. In addition to the non-dilutive grant funding from USDA-ARS-PIADC and FFAR, the company raised approximately $1.9 million in a pre-seed round of funding.



New AgView Feature Further Protects U.S. Pork Industry from FAD Disruptions


Pork producers are now able to continuously share info with state animal health officials thanks to a new AgView feature.

This new feature allows producers to voluntarily opt in, log info for each premise, and share the following:
    Site owner and contact info by premise
    Movement data
    Secure Pork Supply documentation
    Lab results

With this information always available, state animal health officials can better monitor foreign animal disease (FAD) concerns even without a declared FAD event.  

AgView, a pig-contact-tracing platform funded by the Pork Checkoff, provides herd health and movement data at the state and federal level to promote business continuity in case of an FAD concern.

An FAD outbreak in North America, such as African swine fever, could stop the movement of animals and animal products across international borders for an unknown amount of time.

With enough voluntary users, AgView will help the pork industry rapidly contain or regionalize an FAD outbreak. This will help restore safe pork exports and get business back to normal more quickly.

All pork producers are encouraged to sign up and participate in AgView. There is no additional cost for  Pork Checkoff-paying producers.



Learn How to Make Space for Wildlife on Working Farms


The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place Aug. 17 at noon CDT will feature Jorgen Rose, habitat and policy viability manager at Practical Farmers of Iowa. Rose is part of the team that works with farmers to connect them with people, networks, education and resources they need to build more resilient farms and communities. In promoting healthy and resilient ecosystems, Practical Farmers of Iowa supports farmers with integrating multi-benefit edge-of-field and habitat conservation practices into their operations to benefit wildlife, water quality, soil health, climate change and the farm's bottom line.

Wildlife habitat.Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.

In the webinar, “Making Space for Wildlife on Working Farms,” Rose will present broad strategies for integrating wildlife conservation practices into different types of agricultural operations, including field crop operations, specialty crop farms and livestock operations. He will also highlight the different services and outreach provided by practical farmers to aid farmers in learning about and implementing working-lands habitat conservation practices.

“We know that many farmers are interested in edge-of-field practices that contribute to water quality protections while also making space for wildlife, building soil health and fighting climate change, in ways that align with operating a financially successful farming business,” said Rose. “Practical Farmers of Iowa is dedicated to providing access to information, education and resources that empower farmers to make decisions for their lands that also support their conservation and financial goals.”

Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Webinar access instructions

To participate in the live webinar,
    Shortly before noon CDT, Aug. 17, click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172.
    Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.
    Or, join from a dial-in phone by dialing +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923; meeting ID 364 284 172.

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live webinar.



LG Seeds Announces New Corn and Soybean Products for 2023 Planting


LG Seeds will bring 19 new corn hybrids and 23 new soybean varieties to the market in 2023, with genetic and trait choices to help farmers combat diverse agronomic challenges.

Most of the new LG Seeds corn hybrids come from totally unique germplasm, giving farmers the opportunity for greater genetic diversity in their fields, says Kirsten Garriott, LG Seeds national agronomy manager.

“Farmers need diverse genetics to combat the varying disease, weather and pest challenges they face each year,” says Garriott. “Along with new genetics, we’re offering farmers more choices when it comes to insect protection and herbicide traits for their operations.” In addition to the new genetics, LG Seeds will deploy 10 new trait offerings across several of their already successful commercial products.

In 2023, LG Seeds will offer new SmartStax® Pro in its corn lineup, ideal for farmers fighting corn rootworm (CRW) resistance with older trait packages.

In addition, Vayantis® will be a standard seed treatment on all new LG Seeds corn hybrids. Vayantis® brings a new mode of action with upgraded Pythium control, giving farmers peace of mind and reducing the risk of Pythium-related seedling blight when planting into early, wet conditions.

Key corn products

These new LG Seeds corn hybrids have particularly broad appeal due to their relative maturity (RM), agronomic characteristics and trait packages:
    LG52C42, a high-performing, broadly adapted 102-day product being launched with both Roundup Ready® and VT Double PRO® RIB Complete® (VT2RIB) options. It moves south well for farmers who want an earlier corn in the 105 to 110 RM zone.
    LG59C72STXRIB features an already successful, unique germplasm package with industry-leading tar spot tolerance and strong CRW protection with SmartStax®. The hybrid’s 109-day RM fits the needs of farmers across the Corn Belt. Its tremendous yield potential allows farmers to push for record yields under high management.
    LG63C82DGVT2RIB is a showy, attractive corn with high yield and great grain quality. DroughtGuard® technology and strong root and stalk characteristics provide durability to help farmers mitigate stress. The hybrid is also available as VT Double PRO® (VT2PRO) for growing areas that require a structured refuge.

Soybean product highlights

The 23 new LG Seeds soybean products range from maturity groups (MG) 00 through 4, offering new germplasm and multiple trait choices.

“These new varieties bring yield and agronomic upgrades to our already robust XtendFlex® and Enlist E3® soybeans and to our conventional soybean portfolio,” Garriott says.

Key soybean varieties in the 2023 LG Seeds lineup are:
    LGS0660XF, the earliest new soybean variety from LG Seeds. Its tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) and Phytophthora root rot (PRR) fits the toughest acres. This Group 0 variety has the yield potential to also compete on the most productive farms.
    LGS2929E3, bringing a well-rounded agronomic package that performs well across a wide variety of acres. Strong emergence and PRR tolerance allow it to be planted into early, tough conditions.
    LGS3124E3, being offered for the second year with ramped-up production due to its excellent performance results. The variety performs well in both stressful and high-yielding environments, with the ability to handle different management practices and changing weather conditions.

“We believe farmers know their operations the best, and we’re here to partner with them with the expert seed knowledge and diverse product choice they need to succeed,” Garriott says.



NBFA President Boyd Releases Official Statement on President Biden's Withdrawal of Support for Black Farmers


After fighting for debt relief for over 3 decades, Boyd was elated when the Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color was passed and signed into law by President Joe Biden last year in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Boyd met with Biden during the SC primaries to discuss the plight of Black Farmers and it was agreed upon that Biden would address Black Farmer issues. Again, last July (2021), Biden reaffirmed to Boyd he would have a face time meeting with him to discuss the ongoing struggles and delay of America's Black Farmers getting the long sought-after debt relief.

What could be worse than having another President to overturn legislation you enacted to help Black and other Farmers of Color during a pandemic; repealing your own legislation to take it away while they are being served foreclosure notices in a recession with the highest record of input costs in 40 years while sending hundreds of millions in aid to Ukraine farmers.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Section 22008 repeals the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Section 1005 which provided Black, Native and other Farmers of Color debt relief.

SEC. 22008. REPEAL OF FARM LOAN ASSISTANCE.
    Section 1005 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (7 U.S.C. 1921
note; Public Law 117-2) is repealed.

"I'm very, very disappointed in this legislative action," he said in response to reading the final bill passed by the Senate. "I'm prepared to fight for debt relief for Black, Native American and other farmers of color all the way to the Supreme Court. I'm not going to stop fighting this."

"Discrimination at USDA against Black Farmers was rampant and severe. Section 1005 Loan Repayment program was a necessary step towards fixing those harms. To acknowledge and correct racism is not unconstitutional or racist."

We call upon our fellow farmers, neighbors and friends to join John Boyd in his call for President Joe Biden to issue a Farm Foreclosure Moratorium to save American Farmers. The Biden Mortgage Moratorium must include foreclosure protection for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Ownership Direct and Guaranteed Loans as other Agricultural Loans while legislative remedies are being debated in Congress.




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