Nebraska Cattlemen Elects Jerry Kuenning as President
Today, the Nebraska Cattlemen membership elected Jerry Kuenning of Imperial, Nebraska, to serve as president.
Jerry Kuenning is a third generation Nebraska agriculturist, and he proudly works alongside the fourth and fifth generations in the family operation in and around Imperial. The Kuenning family’s diversified operation includes a commercial feedlot, a cow-calf herd and an irrigated/dryland farming enterprise.
Executive Vice President, Laura Field stated, “Jerry is dedicated to serving Nebraska’s beef cattle producers and is a true believer in the importance of membership. We look forward to bettering our industry under Jerry’s leadership.”
“I’m a firm believer that grassroots discussions sow the ideas that take root, grow change, and serve as the basis for resolving issues that affect all of us in the beef cattle industry. Without grassroots involvement, there would be no solutions,” said Jerry. He continued, “I couldn’t serve in this capacity without the help and support of my children and their spouses, other family members and our employees. They are the key to making our operation successful and such a blessing in my life. I look forward to serving and working with Nebraska Cattlemen members and board members to make a difference this next year as president.”
Prior to his current position as President of Nebraska Cattlemen, he served as chair of the Nebraska Beef Council and the Federation of State Beef Councils He followed that with involvement with Nebraska Cattlemen, serving as Feedlot Council vice chair and chair
and then CattleFax, where he served as director of the North Central Region, vice president and then eventually president. Jerry also served on the Nebraska Brand Committee in various capacities and as president in 2016. Time on the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Board and the Nebraska Cattlemen Board were interspersed throughout the years and in 2022, he was asked to come back to Nebraska Cattlemen Board to serve as an officer.
Jerry Kuenning began his one-year term as Nebraska Cattlemen President on Friday, December 8, 2023.
Nebraska Wheat Board Calls for Funding Proposals
The Nebraska Wheat Board issued its call for funding proposals for consideration for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM Central Time on Monday, February 5, 2024 and must be in the form of a proposal – not a contract. Proposals must specifically state the planned activity, goals and objectives relating to the mission of the Nebraska Wheat Board.
The Nebraska Wheat Board invests the excise tax levied at the point of first sale. Nebraska Wheat Board priorities include wheat production research, trait development in wheat, white wheat development, advancement of hybrid wheat, improvement of spring wheat varieties, nutrition education, and wheat promotion.
First reading of all proposals will be held in February, second reading will take place in June, along with funding announcements. All questions regarding the funding proposal process should be directed to the Nebraska Wheat Board office.
IFBF 105th Annual Meeting: member achievements, young farmer leaders and new opportunities in agriculture
Members of Iowa’s largest general farm organization gathered at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines this week to celebrate the achievements of 100 county Farm Bureaus, young farmer award winners and receive expert insight on key topics and issues shaping agriculture today. Iowa Farm Bureau voting delegates re-elected Brent Johnson of Calhoun County to a two-year term as president.
Johnson, first elected IFBF president in 2021, farms in Manson with his wife, LuAnn; son, Matt; and daughter-in-law, Rebekah. Johnson grows corn and soybeans on their family farm, and he and LuAnn also have a daughter, Kaeli, and four grandchildren. As IFBF president, Brent serves as chairman of the board of FBL Financial Group, Inc., and Farm Bureau Life Companies, and is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) board of directors.
Farm Bureau members engaged in several educational breakout sessions during the two-day meeting, receiving valuable insight into economic factors shaping agricultural markets and updates on national policy. In a time of uncertainty with myriad factors impacting markets, informed decision making is crucial to sustainability in agriculture. Members received updates on the status of the extended farm bill and the next steps for a new five-year farm bill.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds addressed members virtually during the closing session and shared her strong support of Iowa farm families and agriculture, proclaiming Dec. 4-8, ‘Iowa Farm Bureau Week.’ Governor Reynolds recognized Iowa Farm Bureau as a valuable partner in moving Iowa forward. The Governor highlighted recent achievements, including taxpayer relief and protections and biofuels advancements, both championed by IFBF.
IFBF Elections
Andy Hill of Manly was re-elected to the IFBF board to represent District 2. The district is made up of 11 counties in north central Iowa. Hill was first elected District 2 director in 2017 and raises corn and soybeans on his family farm. Hill and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters.
Rick Plowman of Douds was re-elected as District 7 director. The district is made up of 11 counties in southeast Iowa. Plowman and his wife, Lisa, raise corn and cattle and have two children, and their son, Cale, is active in the family farm.
Will Frazee of Emerson was re-elected as District 9 director. The district is made up of 12 counties in southwest Iowa. Frazee feeds cattle and grows corn and beans with his wife, Deb, and son, Curt, on their family farm.
Nine delegates were elected to represent Iowa at the 2024 AFBF Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 19-24. They include: IFBF President Brent Johnson of Calhoun County; IFBF Vice President Brian Feldpausch of Grundy County; District 1 director Randy Brincks of Winneshiek County; Jeff Pape of Dubuque County; Meghan Leibold of Buchanan County; Dave Bolin of Butler County; Gary Rees of Louisa County; Dan Hanrahan of Madison County and Kevin Schechinger of East Pottawattamie County.
Michael Johnson of Page County was elected to a three-year term on the IFBF internal study committee. The internal study committee serves as a liaison between the county Farm Bureau voting delegates and the state board of directors.
Distinguished Service to Ag Award
Craig McEnany and Dale Uehling were recognized as Iowa Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture (DSA) Award recipients. IFBF’s prestigious DSA Award has been presented to leaders in Iowa agriculture since 1978, recognizing leaders for a lifetime of dedication and positive impacts made in Iowa agriculture.
McEnany was nominated by the Story County Farm Bureau for his contributions to Iowa agriculture and his impact on students and young adults during his teaching career spanning more than four decades. For the past 30 years, McEnany led the Agribusiness program at DMACC, where enrollment grew from 30 students per year when he started to 215 students at the time of his recent retirement.
McEnany was instrumental in developing a partnership with the Dallas County Board of Supervisors to establish the 325-acre farm for DMACC. The county farm provides hands-on opportunities for agribusiness and veterinary medicine students, and its water quality wetland is part of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy network to measure and quantify water quality progress.
In addition to shaping thousands of students over his career through in-classroom and on-farm instruction, McEnany played a key role planning and fundraising for the Iowa FFA Enrichment Center, which provides students countless opportunities for ag education and preparation for careers in agriculture.
Dale Uehling was nominated by the Wapello County Farm Bureau for his decades of service with ISU Extension and local community leadership. Uehling served 35 years with ISU Extension, retiring after 27 years as Wapello County Extension director, and developed a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable resource for local farmers.
Conservation has always been important to Uehling, and he led the creation of the Wapello County Conservation Board and Wapello County Rural Water Association. Uehling was also an early adopter of no till, regularly sharing his experiences and insight with other farmers and hosting field days to show the benefits in soil health and water quality.
Uehling has focused his efforts on community gain and improving quality of life. Following his career with Extension, Uehling served 16 years as mayor of Ottumwa to continue his service to community and helped foster several economic development projects benefiting the county and its residents.
Discussion Meet
Sarah Tweeten of Cerro Gordo County was selected as the winner of IFBF’s Young Farmer Discussion Meet and will represent Iowa in the AFBF Young Farmer & Rancher (YF&R) Discussion Meet during the AFBF Annual Convention in January. Tweeten also received a $1,500 cash prize from GROWMARK and an expense paid trip to the 2024 IFBF Young Farmer Conference.
The second-place finisher was Larissa Schippers of Mahaska County. Schippers received a $500 CAT dealer gift card, a $500 gift card from GROWMARK to be used at FAST STOP or their local FS Cooperative and a $500 gift card from Grainger. Third place finisher, Molly Dolch, of Adair County, received a $500 CAT dealer gift card, a YETI cooler, courtesy of Farm Bureau Financial Services, and an Adventureland package with six passes and a cabana rental. Coltin Schachtner of Pocahontas County finished fourth and received a $250 gift card from GROWMARK to be used at FAST STOP or their local FS Cooperative, an Adventureland package with six passes and a cabana rental, and $100 from the IFBF Young Farmer Program.
The Young Farmer Discussion Meet is a unique competition in which participants are scored based on their ability to engage in a “cooperative” discussion on challenges affecting agriculture, similar to a county Farm Bureau board meeting discussion. Throughout their 30-minute discussion, the young farmers are awarded points based on their ability to identify the problem, seek solutions and listen to each other’s viewpoints—skills that are pertinent to gaining consumer trust in today’s world. This year’s questions involved issues like growing Farm Bureau membership to reflect the diversity of Iowa agriculture and effective engagement with elected officials and lawmakers.
Registration open for Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Conference
As a young farmer today, tackling challenges—from securing financing and navigating regulations to diversifying profitability and managing family schedules—can be overwhelming. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) invites all young farmer members between 18 and 35 years old to register for the IFBF Young Farmer Conference, Feb. 2-3, 2024, at the Prairie Meadows Events & Conference Center in Altoona, to gain actionable insights and networking opportunities to learn how to better address those challenges.
The conference begins with ag industry tours followed by a keynote from Elaine Froese on how to “Discuss the Undiscussabull.” Froese, dubbed “Canada’s Farm Whisperer,” is passionate about helping family farms navigate conflict to secure a profitable farm legacy. She will advise attendees on how to tackle tough conversations and come out on the other side to improve family farm relationships.
On Feb. 3, educational sessions will cover sustainability, farm transition, direct-to-consumer markets, national policy updates, working with different farm personalities and more. The three Grow Your Future Award finalists will also pitch their ag-related businesses to a 500-person audience for a chance to win $7,500.
Attendees can participate in the Farm Bureau Discussion Meet, a competition focused on cooperative dialogue related to challenges impacting farming and rural America. Winners of the Farm Bureau Discussion Meet at the conference will advance to compete at the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau annual meeting where one finalist will be selected to represent Iowa at the American Farm Bureau Convention Discussion Meet.
The conference will culminate with Tim Gabrielson, an entertainer who combines magic with comedy, and a networking event hosted by the Farm4Profit Podcast crew.
Register by Jan. 19 for this members-only event by contacting your local county Farm Bureau. Click here to view the conference agenda https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Farmer-Resources/Farm-Bureau-Leaders/Young-Farmer-Program/Young-Farmer-Conference.
$10,000 of Pork Donated to Iowa Food Banks as Need Soars
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) donated $10,000 worth of pork Friday to help fight food insecurity in central Iowa. That translates to about 14,400 meals, divided between the Food Bank of Iowa and the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC).
The Food Bank of Iowa and DMARC, both based in Des Moines, each received 1,800 pounds of ground pork. The donations stemmed from IPPA’s BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark event in July.
“The holiday season is upon us and addressing food insecurity is vital this time of year,” said IPPA President-Elect Matt Gent, a pig farmer from Wellman. “Pork producers care about their communities, and this is one of the many ways we give back. Pork is a rich source of protein and it’s very versatile. We hope these donations help a lot of folks who may not have regular access to hearty, nutritious meals.”
IPPA and its county affiliates across the state have provided tens of thousands of meals for underprivileged Iowans this year.
“Right now, food insecurity is nothing short of an emergency in our community,” said Matt Unger, CEO at DMARC, a nonprofit that operates a Food Pantry Network in the Des Moines metro. “The Food Pantry Network assisted 26,469 individuals in November — the most people ever assisted in one month.
“Thank you to Iowa’s pork producers for choosing to support DMARC during this especially busy holiday season,” he added. “These donations are some of the most requested items at our pantries.”
Caring for the community is one of the core principles for Iowa pig farmers. These donations will help children, families, and seniors who are struggling with hunger.
“I have raised hogs, so I understand the tremendous value of this generous donation,” said Michelle Book, CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa. “Ground pork is tasty, versatile, and packed with protein — protein which is much needed right now by families struggling to make ends meet and folks living on fixed incomes. As the need for food assistance increases, we are grateful for our partnership with the Iowa Pork Producers Association.”
Commercial Manure Applicator Training Scheduled for Jan. 4
Commercial manure applicators can attend annual training to meet commercial manure applicator certification requirements on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will conduct Commercial Manure Applicator training from 9 a.m. to noon at 69 locations in Iowa. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Applying manure.There is no fee for the workshop. Pre-registration is required. No walk-ins are allowed. Applicators must register by Dec. 27, 2023, with the ISU Extension and Outreach county office where they plan to attend. A complete list of workshop locations can be found on the Iowa Manure Management Action Group website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/immag/commercial-manure-applicators.
New this year
Ten locations will offer live workshops for commercial manure applicator certification as part of the Confinement Site Manure Applicator Training. Attend the two-hour confinement site training, and the additional hour to fulfill your three hours of training. If you want the Confinement Site certification, you will be excused after two hours. However, if you want the commercial certification, you can stay for the extra hour to earn your three-hour certification.
The dates, counties, workshop locations and phone numbers for the 10 locations hosting a Live Commercial Manure Applicator Workshop are as follows:
Jan. 16, Osceola County, 1:30 p.m. Willow Creek County Recreation, 5945 Highway 9, Ocheyedan; 712-754-3648.
Jan. 16, Webster County, 1:30 p.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Fort Dodge; 515-576-2119.
Jan. 18, Johnson County, 9:30 a.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Iowa City; 319-337-2145.
Jan. 22, Wayne County, 1:30 p.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Corydon; 641-872-1755.
Jan. 29, Davis County, 1:30 p.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Bloomfield; 641-664-2730.
Jan. 30, Ida County, 1:30 p.m. Holstein Community Center in Holstein; 712-364-3003.
Feb. 6, Dallas County, 1:30 p.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Adel; 515-993-4281.
Feb. 8, Clay County, 1:30 p.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Spencer; 712-262-2264.
Feb. 13, Kossuth County, 1:30 p.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Algona; 515-295-2469.
Feb. 27, Boone County. 1:30 p.m. ISU Extension and Outreach office in Boone; 515-432-3882.
Commercial manure applicators needing to recertify and those wanting to certify for the first time should attend the statewide showing or one of the live workshops in their area. All certified commercial manure applicator licenses will expire on March 1, 2024. To avoid paying late fees, those wanting to renew must complete training requirements and submit forms and fees to the Department of Natural Resources before March 1. The law requires all commercial manure applicators to attend three hours of training annually to meet certification requirements.
Businesses that primarily truck or haul manure of any type or from any source are also required to meet certification requirements.
Those unable to attend the program on Jan. 4 or attend one of the 10 live workshop locations above, need to schedule time with their ISU Extension and Outreach county office to watch the training videos. Due to scheduling conflicts, extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these videos but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training.
If you can’t attend training during one of the scheduled reshow dates at your county extension office, you will be charged a $10 fee to view the training at your convenience. If attending the workshops or watching the three-hour video is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local Department of Natural Resources field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam. Another option for commercial manure applicators is to take their training online at the DNR MAC eLearning site. The applicator will need to sign in and get an A&A account.
In addition to the commercial manure applicator training offered on Jan. 4, ISU Extension and Outreach will also offer five dry/solid manure workshops for commercial manure applicators in February 2024. Information regarding these workshops and locations is available in the brochure online https://iastate.app.box.com/s/py2vmjhoktsj98ow3fzmtp4hy2w0fdjd. Program requirements are the same as the regular commercial training program, but this training program is geared more toward dry/solid manure issues.
DMC Margin Gains $1 in October
NMPF
The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program margin in October saw another significant monthly increase, as the futures markets had been anticipating. The all-milk price rose $0.60/cwt from September to $21.60/cwt., and the October DMC cost was down by $0.40/cwt to $12.16/cwt., mostly due to a lower corn price. The October margin was therefore $9.44/cwt, generating just a 6-cent margin payment for coverage at the $9.50/cwt Tier 1 level.
The dairy and grain futures markets are anticipating the substantial increases the DMC margins have made over the past three months, from $3.52/cwt in July to October’s $9.44/cwt, have hit pause, and the margin will remain at or modestly below the $9.50/cwt level for the next several months.
NGFA supports the Innovate FEED Act for novel feed additives
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) supports the introduction of the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act in the House by Reps. Greg Pence, R-Ind.; Jim Baird, R-Ind.; Kim Schrier, D-Wash; and Angie Craig, D-Minn.
“Members of the grain and feed industry thank Reps. Greg Pence, R-Ind.; Jim Baird, R-Ind.; Kim Schrier, D-Wash; and Angie Craig, D-Minn., for introducing this bipartisan legislation, which is needed to modernize our regulatory system so innovative feed ingredients, already safely used in dozens of other countries, can be available to American producers,” said David Fairfield, NGFA’s senior vice president of feed. “These ingredients have novel benefits that make a positive impact on our food production system, such as improving feed efficiency and reducing human foodborne illness. This legislation would provide food manufacturers with a pathway to make truthful, non-misleading production, environmental and well-being claims for animal foods that have been substantiated to provide such benefits more efficiently.”
The Innovative FEED Act would establish a new category of animal food additives to cover ingredients that provide animal health, food safety or production benefits. Today, these ingredients must go through the same approval process as animal health drugs. This can result in an approval timeline of up to 10 years to bring new ingredients to the market. The Innovative FEED Act establishes that zootechnical animal food substances would gain approval for use through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) premarket animal food additive petition process.
“The FDA itself has acknowledged that some animal food products do not fit clearly within the agency’s two existing categories – animal drug or animal food,” Fairfield said. “Without congressional approval, the FDA does not have the authority to bring this policy into the 21st century to regulate these products through the more appropriate food additive petition process.”
The Innovative FEED Act (S. 1842) was introduced in the Senate earlier this year and included in the reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) passed by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. However, the version of ADUFA passed by Congress in September as part of the short-term government funding stopgap did not include the Act.
“Competent authorities of our global competitors in Europe, Asia, and South America already have updated their policies to allow feed products on the market that demonstrate increased efficiency in meat production as well as byproduct and waste reduction,” Fairfield noted. “To compete in the global market, farmers and ranchers in the United States need access to innovative zootechnical animal food substances to improve animal production and well-being, diminish pre-harvest food safety concerns, and boost sustainability opportunities.”
NGFA urges swift approval of the Innovative FEED Act in Congress.
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