Monday January 13 Ag News

Nebraska Cattlemen Announces Hannah Pearson as a Member Services Field Staffer

Nebraska Cattlemen is pleased to announce the hire of Hannah Pearson as a Member Services Field Staffer. Hannah Pearson is a native of Nebraska, where she grew up on a commercial cow calf and backgrounding operation. She was an active member of the Nebraska and National Junior Hereford Association where she served as a director/officer on both boards. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications and minor in Animal Science. During that time, she was active on both Tech’s meat and livestock judging teams. Hannah is excited to return to her home state and achieve a career goal of working with a grassroots organization.

Pearson stated, “I’m excited at the opportunity to join the Nebraska Cattlemen team, and work to be a pipeline that continues to connect members' voices to the organization. Along with being a voice for the current membership, I look forward to the opportunity to foster new relationships with potential members.”

Executive Vice President, Laura Field said, “Membership is at the heart of everything Nebraska Cattlemen does. Member services is crucial to our organization, and we look forward to taking our team to the next level with Hannah.”

Pearson began her duties on December 1, 2024.



New Papio NRD Board Members Sworn In

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Board of Directors welcomed three new members and three returning incumbents at last night's board meeting.

New Directors include:
· Subdistrict 1: Rodney Storm, former City Manager of Blair
· Subdistrict 7: Brian Adams, senior leader at OPPD
· Subdistrict 9: Anne Hubbard, Omaha physician

Re-elected Directors include:
· Subdistrict 3: Larry Bradley, Vice-Chairperson
· Subdistrict 5: Rich Tesar, Secretary & NARD Director
· Subdistrict 11: Phil Davidson

Additional members of the Papio NRD Board of Directors include, Fred Conley (Subdistrict 2), Tim McCormick (Subdistrict 4), Jim Thompson (Subdistrict 6), Tim Fowler (Subdistrict 8), and Zachary Irvine (Subdistrict 10).

Board members are elected from a subdistrict to serve a four-year term. The 11-member board sets policy for Papio NRD programs and projects and oversees a $118 million annual operating budget.



Upcoming CAP webinars cover Budgets and Self-Insurance

Nebraska Crop Production Cost Estimates for 2025 and Creating Your Own Budgets Using ABC
Thursday, Jan. 16 at noon CT
During this CAP webinar, an overview of the 2025 Nebraska Crop Budgets and current cost of production estimates will be provided. We’ll look at the key input cost figures used in the 2025 budgets and changes or trends over the last several years.

With the 2025 Nebraska Crop Budgets available to download into the Agricultural Budget Calculator (ABC) program user accounts, the enterprise budgets can be modified for individual farms and fields. We’ll take a brief look at the analysis features built into the ABC program, including the risk module.

Self-Insurance for Farmers and Ranchers: Strategically Preparing for the Unexpected
Friday, Jan. 17 at noon CT
In this webinar, Dr. Cory Walters, associate professor of agricultural economics at UNL, will visit with Phil and Nolan High -- a father and son who farm in Nebraska -- that are facing the insurance premium/farm financial pinch. They are taking an innovative approach to insurance that allows them flexibility not available in the traditional insurance market.

The webinar will discuss how self-insuring can offer benefits like cost savings, increased flexibility in financial planning, and better control over risk management. The underlying concept highlighted will be the role of insurance ‘captives’. The webinar will focus on how the Highs have approached the use of a insurance captive on their farm.

Register for either or both webinars at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



Ready, Set, Spread: Manure Application Workshops Near You

Turning manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment will be the focus of ten Nebraska Extension workshops being held across the state this February and March. “Our workshops have traditionally been focused on livestock producers because they’re required to attend manure training regularly, but we’ve made an effort to include the crop farmers that are often the recipients of the manure because the information we share is just as valuable to them and their bottom line,” said Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Extension Educator. “The workshops will still meet the educational requirements for permitted livestock operations laid out by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s title 130.”

Participants who attend the day-long (9 am – 4 pm for most locations) event will receive NDEE Land Application Training Certification. The land application training certification requires participation in the full day program, which includes lunch. Sessions will include an update on regulations and discussions on how to best use manure on cropland. Anyone is welcome regardless of the need for certification. Crop farmers and smaller livestock operations will also learn useful information to apply to their operations.

Sessions will focus on what fields should be chosen to best utilize manure nutrients and other benefits. Each session will be highly participant led with limited seating. Participants will be given a scenario and asked at the end of each activity to determine whether the field will benefit from manure application or whether there are considerations that make the field less desirable for manure application. Based on the activities, participants will then rank each field within the scenario to determine a priority ranking for the entire scenario. Activity topics will include manure nutrient value, transportation cost, soil health, water quality, as well as neighbors and odors. Regulations and record keeping pertaining to manure storage and application will also be addressed during each session.

Sessions include:
· Geneva – February 6
· Gothenburg – February 18
· Norfolk – February 26
· West Point – March 4
· Wisner (Spanish) – March 6
· Columbus – March 12
· Chambers – March 13
· Scottsbluff – March 18
· Scottsbluff (Spanish) – March 19
· Valentine – March 20

Because of participation limits and meals provided in each session, registration is required and is requested by 1 week ahead of each event. If registration numbers exceed expectations, more sessions may be added. To ensure your attendance, register at water.unl.edu/lat. The cost of the sessions will be $75 per operation requiring certification or $25 per person with no expectation of certification.

The workshops are sponsored by Nebraska Extension’s Animal Manure Management Team, which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits. For additional information on the workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit manure.unl.edu or contact Leslie Johnson at 402-584-3818 or leslie.johnson@unl.edu.



USDA TO MEASURE FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF NEBRASKA LANDOWNERS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is gathering information about land ownership, income and expenses, as well as demographic and other landlord characteristics to provide detailed information from all agricultural landowners in Nebraska, as the agency conducts the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey.

“TOTAL will measure the state of farmland ownership,” said Nick Streff, Director of the NASS Northern Plains Office. “The results of this study help shape federal, state and local farm policies, and will help farmers and landowners plan farmland rental agreements.”

The results of the TOTAL survey are highly anticipated and will help accurately define the economic status of Nebraska farm operations and households. Data provided will impact major decisions and policies impacting farmland and farm operations across the United States.

“In February, we will begin contacting those who have not yet responded,” said Streff. “Our staff will gladly help landowners and producers complete their forms to simplify the process. It is important for producers to complete the survey so data are available to help them make better decisions and ensures local, state or government officials can adapt or create farm policy that works well and is based on accurate information.”

The TOTAL survey is part of the Census of Agriculture program. Participation in the Census of Agriculture program is both required and protected by law (Title 7, U.S. Code). NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents, ensuring that no individual respondent or operation can be identified. Be assured that your responses will be kept completely confidential, as required by federal law.

The data gathered in TOTAL will be published in the TOTAL report on October 31, 2025. That report and others are available at nass.usda.gov/publications.



USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to Conduct Hemp Survey

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the 2024 Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to Nebraska producers on January 21. The survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the United States in 2024.

“The Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry will provide critical data about the hemp industry to assist producers, regulatory agencies, state governments, processors, and other key industry entities,” said Nicholas Streff, Director of the NASS Northern Plains Field Office.

NASS estimated the total value of hemp production nationally at $291 million in 2023. Planted area for industrial hemp grown in the open for all utilizations in the United States totaled 27,680 acres. Area harvested for all utilizations totaled 21,079 acres. These and other statistics can be found in the 2023 National Hemp Report.

Survey recipients are asked to respond securely online at agcounts.usda.gov, by mail or fax. Those who do not respond by January 30 may be contacted to arrange an interview to complete  the survey.

As defined in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill), the term “hemp” means the plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant such as the seeds, all derivatives, and extracts with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis. The Domestic Hemp Production Program established in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 allows for the cultivation of hemp under certain conditions.

All information reported by individuals will be kept confidential, as required by federal law. The National Hemp Report will publish on April 17, and will be available on the NASS website at nass.usda.gov and in the NASS Quick Stats database at quickstats.nass.usda.gov. For more  information about the 2024 Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry, visit the hemp survey web page at www.nass.usda.gov/go/hemp. For assistance with the survey, producers are encouraged to call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at (800) 582-6443.



She Grows – Women in Ag Conference Is March 14

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Woodbury County, in partnership with Morningside University Applied Agricultural and Food Studies, has announced the She Grows – Women in Ag Conference, an event designed to support and celebrate women in agriculture. The conference will take place on Friday, March 14, at Eppley Auditorium, 3625 Garretson Ave, Sioux City.

This event aims to excite, reignite and connect women in agriculture, whether just beginning the journey or seasoned professionals. The conference will feature expert speakers on topics such as rural health and community involvement and entrepreneurship, as well as a facilitated networking lunch to foster meaningful connections. Additionally, a vendor fair will showcase local agricultural businesses, providing attendees with opportunities to engage with and support the community.

“We are thrilled to partner with Morningside University and bring this impactful event to the tri-state area, providing a unique opportunity for women in agriculture to connect, learn and grow together,” said Karrie King, county director for ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County.

“We are excited to bring women in agriculture together for a day of learning, connection and empowerment,” said Melissa Nelson with Morningside University's Department of  Applied Agricultural and Food Studies. “This event is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women in the agricultural industry and inspire future leaders.”

Registration for this event is now open at https://go.iastate.edu/NJLQ5E. Adult tickets are $40 and student tickets are $15, with ag teachers admitted for free.

For more information about the She Grows – Women in Ag Conference, sponsorship opportunities or to register for the event, please contact King at karriek@iastate.edu, 712-276-2157 or visit the She Grows page on Facebook.



2025 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference Is Feb. 11-12

Registration is open for the 2025 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, Feb. 11-12, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. Session topics include viticulture, enology, fruits, vegetables, specialty crops and business and marketing.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will give the welcome on Tuesday and the complete conference schedule is available on the conference website https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/2025-sessions.

Conference registration is available online https://www.iowaspecialtyproducers.com/register2025. Registration for both days is $220 for non-members and single-day registration is $150 for non-members. Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association members and Iowa Wine Growers Association Members receive a member registration discount. In addition, the Iowa Wine Awards Social will be Tuesday evening beginning at 5 p.m. at the FFA Enrichment Center ballroom. Tickets for the Iowa Wine Awards Social are $40.

The Iowa Specialty Producers Conference is organized by the Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association, the Iowa Wine Growers Association and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, with assistance from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Funding for the 2025 conference was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service through grant SCBG24000621. The conference content is solely the responsibility of the conference organizers and does not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

For more information, email ispc@iowawinegrowers.org.



Farmers Disappointed with Lack of Clarity Around 45Z

The Department of Treasury released more details today about a tax credit, known as 45Z, that is designed to help the biofuel industry make inroads into the aviation sector.

While today’s news included more information, corn grower leaders said they still need better clarity about the specific environmental practices that will be required for accessing the credit.

"This is disappointing news for growers," said Iowa Corn Growers Association President Stu Swanson. "We have continually advocated for clear guidelines from Treasury officials, working to provide them with the necessary information they need to get this done. Unfortunately, it feels like our input has gone unrecognized and this issue will now be passed to the new administration."  

The 45Z tax credit was part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in 2022. The law provides tax incentives to refineries that produce biofuels that can be used in commercial aircraft to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

In May of last year, the U.S. Department of Treasury released its guidance on eligibility for the credits. Those guidelines troubled growers because it required them to implement environmental practices that are impractical in certain climates.

Corn grower leaders have since provided data-driven information to Treasury officials as they revised the guidelines.



US Treasury 45Z Notice of Intent Appears to be Too Little, Too Late for Iowa Farmers, Biofuel Producers

Today the U.S. Department of Treasury released a notice of intent to propose guidance regarding the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. For months, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has relentlessly pushed for immediate action to establish safe harbor guidance until a complete rule can be finalized, as the lack of rules is directly impacting the biodiesel supply chain today. IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw made the following statement:

“Today’s announcement by the Treasury is a story of too little, too late. This is not a final rule. This is not a safe harbor. It isn’t even a proposed rule. Putting out a notice of ‘intent’ ten days before you leave office is nothing but punting the rule down the road.

“IRFA will work with the incoming Trump Administration and the Iowa delegation to get rules in place as quickly as possible. 45Z is the law of the land, yet biofuels producers, farmers, and consumers are not able to utilize the credit.

“The lack of transparency and certainly has left many biodiesel production facilities running at a reduced rate or not at all. The supply chain needs to know the value of the credits to resume functioning normally. If America is to achieve energy dominance we can’t leave biofuels producers and American farmers stuck in neutral.”



Farmers Disappointed with Lack of Clarity Around 45Z

The Department of Treasury released more details today about a tax credit, known as 45Z, that is designed to help the biofuel industry make inroads into the aviation sector.

While today’s news included more information, corn grower leaders said they still need better clarity about the specific environmental practices that will be required for accessing the credit.

“What a missed opportunity for growers,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “We have spent the last year providing Treasury officials with fact-based information in hopes of helping them develop clear and realistic guidelines for qualifying for the tax credit. It’s frustrating that our feedback fell on deaf ears.”

The burden to preserve this credit and to make it useful now shifts to the new administration, Hartman noted.

The 45Z tax credit was part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in 2022. The law provides tax incentives to refineries that produce biofuels that can be used in commercial aircraft to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

In May of last year, the U.S. Department of Treasury released its guidance on eligibility for the credits. Those guidelines troubled growers because it required them to implement environmental practices that are impractical in certain climates.

Corn grower leaders have since provided data-driven information to Treasury officials as they revised the guidelines.



ASA and NOPA Welcome 45Z Guidance That Addresses Impacts of Surging Imports

The American Soybean Association and National Oilseed Processors Association appreciate the U.S. Treasury Department’s notice of intent to propose regulation on the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z), which provides interim guidance for taxpayers to claim credits while developing a roadmap to spur additional investment in the domestic biofuel industry.

“ASA thanks the Biden administration and Treasury for listening to our concerns and developing guidance that supports U.S. farmers while strengthening our domestic biofuels industry,” said ASA President Caleb Ragland, a soy farmer from Kentucky. “The guidance released today is an investment in U.S. farmers, who stand ready to feed and fuel the world—while also fueling the U.S. economy. We look forward to working with Congress and the incoming Trump administration to build on this progress and develop final guidance that supports rural America.”

With imported waste feedstocks for biofuel production surging in recent years, ASA and NOPA have been sounding the alarm for the need to ensure the validity of imports while empowering U.S. farmers with access to growing domestic markets for soybean oil. The notice published today by the Treasury Department addresses these concerns by ensuring imported used cooking oil remains ineligible for the 45Z credit through the GREET model until such time that Treasury can promulgate substantiation regulations for imports.

NOPA has likewise expressed appreciation to Treasury for providing necessary guidance for America’s crushers and farmers and bolstering American energy independence. The organization notes the dramatic rise in UCO imports has posed a risk to American agriculture, but by restricting import eligibility, the 45Z tax credit will benefit American farmers and processors as Congress intended. NOPA remains committed to working with the incoming Congress and Trump administration to bring full parity for soybean farmers and find long-term solutions to fully unleash the country’s energy independence, which American farmers are poised and able to provide.

Through September 2024, the United States has imported 5.4 billion pounds of UCO and tallow, already far surpassing record import levels from 2023.

Treasury’s intent to propose regulation on the Clean Fuel Production Credit provides taxpayers with the ability to claim credits while the rulemaking process is underway. Additional publications related to biofuel tax credits are anticipated from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy in the coming days.

 

NPPC Welcomes Line Speeds Study Results, Encourages FSIS to Make Program Permanent
 
In a win for efficiency in feeding a growing population and alleviating supply issues, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) celebrated the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service’s (FSIS) decision to extend the New Swine Inspection System (NSIS) increased line speed trials through May 15, 2025.
 
“Pork producers appreciate USDA’s thoughtful and thorough approach to maintaining increased packing capacity, giving us more opportunities to safely and more efficiently deliver our products to consumers,” said NPPC President and Minnesota pork producer Lori Stevermer. “As expected, after more than three years of operating at increased line speeds, FSIS has confirmed that increased line speeds are not a leading factor in worker safety.”
 
After completing months-long studies at six pork processing plants, “line speeds were not determined to be the leading factor in worker musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk at these plants,” according to FSIS.
 
Without the increase in line speeds – and the resulting decrease in packing capacity – some pork producers could have incurred an additional loss of nearly $10 a head in the first and second quarters of 2024, according to economists.
 
Since 2019, NPPC has advocated for increased line speeds.
    In November 2021, FSIS permitted increased line speeds at six pork packing plants while simultaneously gathering data to evaluate potential worker impacts.
    In December 2023, FSIS extended the trials for an additional 90 days.
    In February 2024, FSIS again extended the trials through Jan. 15, 2025.
    In April 2024, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin discussed the pilot program with producers at NPPC’s legislative action conference.
    In May 2024, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) introduced his Farm Bill framework, making permanent the program, among several NPPC priorities.

NPPC will continue to engage with FSIS to find ways to continue expanding and making permanent these increased line speeds to help alleviate supply issues.



Thompson, Boozman Statement on Results of USDA's Worker Safety Studies

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement on USDA’s studies that found no correlation between poultry and swine processing line speeds and worker safety:

“The Biden-Harris administration needlessly created years of uncertainty throughout the duration of these studies, which deviated far beyond the original mission and attempted to villainize the pork and poultry industry, despite no findings of higher line speeds being a leading factor of increased risk to workers. These studies confirm what we have known all along – U.S. meat and poultry companies have the highest worker safety standards in the world. We look forward to working with the incoming Trump administration to develop a long-term solution to ensure meat and poultry companies have the ability to operate at higher line speeds, while maintaining rigorous food safety and worker safety standards.”

Background:
Senate and House Republicans called on USDA to provide certainty to meat and poultry plants throughout the department’s implementation of the Time-Limited Trials and to provide a path forward that would allow them to operate at increased lion speeds. Senate Republicans’ Farm Bill framework announced in 2024 would provide a permanent solution to ensure pork and poultry processing facilities are able to maintain full and operational capacity.



Growth Energy Commends California Governor for Including E15 in Budget Proposal

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded California Governor Gavin Newsom for including E15—a higher biofuel blend made with 15% American-made bioethanol—in his recently-released budget proposal.
 
"E15 would help California accomplish its twin goals of lowering fuel costs while decarbonizing its light-duty vehicle fleet,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We thank Gov. Newsom for his leadership and for including E15 in his budget proposal. We look forward to working with the state to complete the approval process and finally give Californians access to this more affordable engine-smart, earth-kind fuel option, which Americans in other states have already relied on to travel more than 140 billion miles."
 
About E15
E15 is a fuel blend made of gasoline and 15% bioethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved its use in all cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) made in model year 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today. E15 can be found at over 3,700 gas stations in 33 states and is legal for sale in every state except California. Last summer drivers saved 10 to 30 cents per gallon by filling up with E15 compared to regular, or E10. In some areas, E15 saved drivers as much as a dollar per gallon at the pump.
 
If the United States were to transition from an E10 standard to an E15 standard nationwide, greenhouse gas emissions would fall by 17.62 million tons per year (the equivalent of removing approximately 3.85 million vehicles from the road every year). Nationwide adoption of an E15 standard would also save consumers $20.6 billion in annual fuel costs, increase household income by $36.3 billion, and generate $66.3 billion for U.S. GDP.