Wednesday April 4 Ag News

Sasse Hosts Agriculture and Trade Roundtable 

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse released the following statement after hosting an Agriculture Roundtable with USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney and some of Nebraska’s key agriculture leaders. Prior to the Under Secretary’s confirmation, Senator Sasse received a commitment from Mr. McKinney to come to Nebraska.

“Here’s a fundamental truth: Nobody knows trade better than Nebraska,” said Sasse. “That’s why I keep working to put Nebraskans at the head of the table during these discussions. It’s clear that the anti-trade talk coming out of Washington needs to stop. Those voices would be better served by listening to our state’s producers. Today, farmers, ranchers, and even some FFA students from across the state joined me with this simple message – and it’s a message I hope Washington hears: trade is good.”

Background:

In 2016, Nebraska exported $6.6 billion in commodities to:
-   CHINA $1.43 billion
-   MEXICO $956 million
-   JAPAN $887.1 million
-   SOUTH KOREA $499.9 million
-   CANADA $433.5 million

Nebraska ranks 5th in total ag products exported by value among the 50 states:
-   1st in total beef exported
-   8th in total pork exported
-   3rd in total corn and feed exported
-   5th in total soybeans exported

From 2004 to 2014, Nebraska’s exports have increased 211% to countries with Free Trade Agreements in effect.

Attendees:
NEFB – Steve Nelson & Mark McHargue
NE Cattlemen – Craig Uden & Buck Wehrbein
NE Pork Producers – Al Junke
NE Sorghum Producers – Don Bloss
NE Soybean Assoc. – Dennis Fujan & Ken Boswell
NE Wheat Growers – Caroline Brauer
NE Corn Growers – Kelly Brunkhorst & Dan Wesely
Bryan High School FFA Students
Cindi Allen – Ogallala
Rod Gangwish – Shelton
Jeff Wilmes – Fremont
Tom Weitzenkamp – Hooper
Alice Licht – Lincoln
Todd Schroeder – Wisner
Bart Ruth – Rising City



NE FFA Convention Opens in Lincoln

The 90th Nebraska FFA Convention first general session took place on April 4, 2018 at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska with state officer Kelli Mashino serving as the session chairperson. Kelli is originally from the Boyd County FFA chapter, advised by Mr. Jerome Engelhaupt.

Nebraska FFA welcomed Dean of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss. Dean Heng-Moss spoke about the importance of the student leadership Nebraska FFA members exhibit, her enthusiasm for those students and agriculture on UNL’s campus, and her love for Nebraska FFA. 

State Vice President Hailey Coufal gave her retiring address entitled “We Get To” during the first general session, and she encouraged Nebraska FFA members to appreciate the opportunities in their lives.  The briefest interactions influence our attitudes and productivities.  “One little act of appreciation can motivate, inspire, and even change a life.”

The exciting opening session of the 90th Nebraska FFA Convention included a moving message from Melvin Adams from Texas.  He was a two-time All-American NCAA basketball player, and now shares his passion for travel and life. “Don’t quit! You got one more move.” Adams shared a message of perseverance no matter the situation, and that we are important, cared for, and in charge of our own decisions. “You are great - not because you won an award, not because of the money you don’t have to impress the people that you don’t like, but because of the one hair that you were born with that makes you different.”

The NE FFA Convention continues through Friday. 



Women Caring for the Land meeting to take place in Dakota City

Women who live in the Sioux City and surrounding areas, and own or manage farmland are invited to a conservation discussion focused on soil health and conservation practices.

This “Women Caring for the Land” meeting is hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and made possible by funding from a Conservation Innovation Grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The event is set for Wednesday, April 18, 2018, from 9 to 11 a.m., at USDA Service Center conference room, 1505 Broadway St., Dakota City, Nebraska.

Women non-operator landowners who own more than 40 acres, may have inherited farmland, or are feeling overwhelmed with all the decisions of farmland management will find this event especially helpful.

“Maintaining healthy soil is the key to productivity and environmental health for our farmland,” said Sandra Renner, project specialist for the Center for Rural Affairs. “Women landowners who attend this meeting will learn to assess and improve the health of their soil, and there is no obligation to pursue any new management style.”

Registration is required by April 17. The cost of the workshop is $10 and includes a light breakfast. No walk-ins due to limited space.

To register, contact Sandra Renner at sandrar@cfra.org or 402.320.3444. Visit cfra.org/events for more information.



Newly Elected Leaders of Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Ready to Make Difference

New officers for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) were elected during the NARD Board meeting on March 12, 2018.

Larry Reynolds from the Tri-Basin Natural Resources District (TBNRD) was elected President of the NARD Board of Directors. Reynolds has been a member of the TBNRD board for 33 years and served in the United States Air Force for eight years and in the Nebraska Air National Guard for 18 years. Reynolds currently farms and helps manage the family cow/calf operation near Lexington. Reynolds served as the NARD secretary-treasurer from 2014-16 and the vice-president from 2016-18.

“It is an honor to serve with elected citizens who are concerned about the wise and sustainable use of our natural resources, not the least of which is water,” Larry Reynolds said. “Their expertise and willingness to participate in a natural resources district system, which is the envy of the nation, is truly inspirational.”

The NARD Board elected Jim Eschliman from Lower Loup Natural Resources District (LLNRD) as vice-president. Eschliman is also the vice-chair of the Lower Loup NRD Board and has served on the NARD Board since 2016. He has served on the LLNRD Board for 13 years. He has also served as program and projects committee chairman. Jim operates Eschliman Family Dairy along with his wife, Deb, in Wheeler County by Ericson. In addition, Eschliman is on the local Coop Board and the Cattleman’s Beef Board.

“I am very humbled and honored to be elected to the position of vice-president of the NARD board,” Jim Eschliman said. “I’m excited to work with Chairman Larry Reynolds and Secretary-Treasurer Milt Schmidt to further the NRDs’ mission.”

The NARD Board elected Milt Schmidt from the Lower Platte South NRD (LPSNRD) as secretary-treasurer. Schmidt has served as the Lower Platte South NRD representative to the NARD Board since 2016. He also served as the alternate NARD Board member from 2014-16. Schmidt was elected to LPSNRD in 2012 and has served in several leadership roles for the district. He served two years as chairman of the Recreation, Forestry & Wildlife Sub-committee and two years as chairman of the Platte River Sub-committee. He has also served two years as Secretary for the LPSNRD. Schmidt retired from Goodyear after 35 years. After that, he worked for the United Way in Lincoln for five years. He continues to volunteer his time for many charities in the Lincoln community.

“The NRDs work hard to protect the future of Nebraska as we conserve our natural resources,” Milt Schmidt said. “I’m excited to work with this team to continue making a positive difference in people’s lives now and for generations to come.”

The officers serve on the NARD Executive Committee along with chairs from the Information and Education Committee, Legislative Committee and the past NARD Board President. Larry Reynolds re-appointed Jim Johnson from South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) as chair of the Information and Education committee and Jim Meismer from Twin Platte Natural Resources District (TPNRD), as chair of the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee.

Jim Bendfeldt from the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD), will serve on the NARD Executive Committee as the past NARD Board President. Bendfeldt is currently board chairman of the CPNRD. Bendfeldt previously held the president, vice president and secretary-treasurer positions. In 2011, Bendfeldt was awarded the NARD Director of the Year award. Bendfeldt also serves on the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Board as a land acquisition member.

The NARD Board consists of representation from each of the 23 local NRDs. The board members meet five times throughout the year and help guide the association and the NRDs in decision-making that protects lives, protects property and protects the future of Nebraska’s natural resources.

At the March 7, 2018 NRD managers meeting, John Berge, general manager of the North Platte NRD, was elected as chair of the NRD Managers Committee and Dave Eigenberg, general manager of the Upper Big Blue NRD, was elected vice-chair of the NRD Managers Committee. The NRD Managers Committee includes managers from all 23 districts. The committee meets five times a year to coordinate NRD activities with state and federal agencies, conservation partners and other parties to protect natural resources.



Nebraska leads Water for Food discussions at the 8th World Water Forum in Brazil

At an event that drew more than 20,000 participants from 170 countries around the world, a small team of experts from Nebraska led the way in sessions related to water use in food production or processing. The 8th World Water Forum, held in Brasilia, Brazil, March 18-23, focused on the challenges and solutions to ensuring water security around the world. The event, organized by the World Water Council, is held every three years to build awareness and promote action on global water issues, along with planning and managing environmentally sustainable use of limited water resources.

The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska (DWFI) coordinated the Water for Food track of sessions with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Three sessions were organized: (1) Soil and Water Conservation Practices; (2) Water for Food Processing, Waste Reduction, Optimization and Reuse; (3) Floods, Droughts, Wind, Fire: Building Resilient Agricultural Systems. The University of Nebraska was the only U.S. university to co-lead a thematic track of the World Water Forum.

The institute organized a High Level Panel on Water for Food, moderated by DWFI executive director Peter G. McCornick, featuring five international leaders:
-    Blairo Maggi, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply of Brazil
-    Claudia Sadoff, director general, International Water Management Institute
-    Celestino Zanella, president, Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia, Brazil (AIBA)
-    Isabel García Tejerina, Minister of Agriculture Fisheries, Food and Environment of Spain
-    Mauricio Antonio Lopes, president, EMBRAPA, The Federal Agricultural Research Agency of Brazil

The panelists shared their views and experiences on ways organizations and nations can work together to improve food security and successful farming production, conserve natural resources and mitigate the effects of climate variability.

“Where we have irrigated farming, we have younger, more productive rural areas. Irrigation is synonymous with prosperity and vitality," said Isabel Garcia Tejerina, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Environment of Spain.

Claudia Sadoff, director general of the International Water Management Institute, suggested that large irrigation schemes are just part of the solution, and not suitable for all types of farming. “There are general challenges in water scarcity, access, quality, availability and predictability. But solutions are more context specific. For example, there are areas of Asia with too much water in one season and not enough other times of the year. We need solutions for monsoonal regions that capture and store the excess water so it can be used during the dry seasons.”

Producer Celestino Zanella said that farmers often get blamed for “hurting the environment,” but that farmers are the ones actually working to preserve and improve the environment. “We have mitigated forest fires and insect damage. We share knowledge with smallholders about effective farming practices and good water management,” he stated.

From discussing techniques to maximize water use in food processing, to tools to monitor and mitigate drought, to sustainable groundwater management techniques used in Nebraska and other states, DWFI delegates shared their expertise and perspectives on a range of topics related to its mission to ensure water and food security throughout the world.

“Water reconditioning and reuse in the food industry is a helpful solution to the challenge of water scarcity. Technologies available today enable us to obtain specific water quality for reuse that does not compromise food safety,” said Yulie Meneses, DWFI water for food processing specialist.

A session featuring representatives from the North Platte Natural Resources District and the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District gained a lot of interest and questions from the crowded room. Many countries are looking at Nebraska’s model of water governance to see how they may implement similar groundwater management systems.

“This is just amazing – that we are here sharing the things that work for us in the middle of Nebraska with people from Nigeria, India, Australia and China,” said John Berge, general manager of the North Platte Natural Resources District.

“No matter who you are or where you’re from, it all comes down to building trust,” added Scott Snell, public relations manager of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District. “Our farmers want clean water, too. We work on solutions together so there is transparency in the process.”

DWFI also held a side event to discuss ways in which organizations can support farmer-led agricultural production, including access to irrigation for small-scale farms. Participants recommended looking at a variety of projects in this focus area, building on successful programs that have the potential to be scaled-up.

“We are building awareness of the urgent importance of looking at water issues differently, especially when it comes to agriculture,” said McCornick. “If we’re not including agriculture in the water security challenge, we’re ignoring 70 percent of the equation [the estimated amount of fresh water used in agriculture], and missing the opportunity to increase resilience in our food systems. Nebraska has a lot of expertise to share, as well as a lot to gain through our involvement with the many partners participating in the World Water Forum – developing potential projects that will further our goal of ensuring water and food security.”



Grassley to Join Delegation Trip to China and Korea

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa will join a delegation led by Sen. Steve Daines of Montana that also includes Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, David Perdue of Georgia and Ben Sasse of Nebraska on a congressional delegation trip to China, South Korea and the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The trip has been developed over the past six months.

"We are looking forward to traveling to China, South Korea and the DMZ as part of a congressional delegation trip. On our trip we will address issues important to the United States including trade, intellectual property, technology, security and human rights," the delegation members said.

The delegation also commented on today's announcement by the United States Trade Representative regarding trade tariffs on China.

"Today, the president announced a series of tariffs on China in response to concerns over the country's trade practices. Given this announcement, we look forward to engaging in strategic discussions about how best to ensure free and smart trade," the delegation members said.

While on their trip, the senators will prioritize the following trade concerns in discussions with Chinese leaders:
- Forced technology transfers
- Discriminatory licensing restrictions
- State-coordinated and supported acquisition of advanced technologies and strategic assets
- Unauthorized intrusions into computer networks and intellectual property theft

Details regarding the delegation trip will be available following the conclusion of the trip.



USDA Looks Into On-Farm Labor

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct its biannual Agricultural Labor Survey during the second half of April. The survey will collect information about hired labor from more than 550 Iowa farmers and ranchers.

“The beginning of the year is the time when agricultural producers plan out the rest of their growing seasons and it is a great time to assess on-farm labor needs,” said Greg Thessen, Director of the NASS Upper Midwest Regional Field Office. “The data that farm operators provide through NASS’s Agricultural Labor Survey help federal policymakers base farm labor policies on accurate information.”

USDA and the U.S. Department of Labor use statistics gathered in the Agricultural Labor Survey to establish minimum wage rates for agricultural workers, administer farm labor recruitment and placement service programs, and assist legislators in determining labor policies.

In the survey, NASS asks participants to answer a variety of questions about hired farm labor on their operations, including total number of hired farm workers, the average hours worked, base wage rate, and wage rates paid for the weeks of January 7-13 and April 8-14. For their convenience, survey participants have the option to respond online.

“By asking about two separate time periods each of the two times we collect data during the year, we are able to publish quarterly data and capture seasonal variation,” said Thessen. “This approach reduces the number of times we survey farm businesses while ensuring that accurate and timely data are available for anyone conducting research or analyses.”

NASS will compile, analyze, and publish survey results in the May 17 Farm Labor report.



National Young Farmers Coalition releases innovative calculator tool for farmers seeking land

Beginning farmers have a powerful new tool in their digital toolbox. The Finding Farmland Calculator (https://findingfarmland.youngfarmers.org/calculator), developed by the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) and Fathom Information Design, brings together innovative design and practical resources to help farmers overcome two top obstacles to starting a farm—access to land and capital.

“Buying land is one of the most consequential decisions that a farmer can make,” said Lindsey Lusher Shute, executive director and co-founder of NYFC. “We built the Finding Farmland Calculator to help farmers make that choice with more confidence. The tool helps users understand their financing options, the full cost of buying land, and strategies to make a farm more affordable.”

“Purchasing farmland can be remarkably complex,” said Ben Fry, principal of Fathom. “So we worked with NYFC to provide perspective on affordability in a way that's simple and clear. This updated tool captures all the details of the process and helps current and aspiring farmers identify their best possible scenarios.”

A decision-making tool designed specifically for farmers seeking land, the Finding Farmland Calculator makes it easy for farmers to understand and compare farm financing options, determine what they can afford, and prepare to work with a loan officer. The calculator was created in consultation with young farmers and farm service providers, such as Farm Credit, to fill a specific need: giving farmers free and easy access to information that will help them find affordable farm financing and successfully pay it back.

With nearly 100 million acres of the nation’s farmland expected to change hands in the next five years, and young farmers citing land access as their top challenge, NYFC is focused on making secure, affordable access to land possible for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. NYFC’s Finding Farmland Calculator is part of a larger land access campaign strategy, which includes farm bill and state policy advocacy, land access workshops for farmers, a land access webinar series, and a series of trainings for land conservation professionals around the country.

This project was made possible by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which supports projects that develop and offer education, training, outreach and mentoring programs to enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers.



Most Retail Fertilizer Prices End March Slightly Higher

Average retail prices for all but one fertilizer continued to edge higher the fourth week of March 2018, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.

Prices for seven of the eight fertilizers were up slightly from the previous month. DAP had an average price of $470 per ton, MAP $506/ton, potash $350/ton, urea $370/ton, 10-34-0 $425/ton, anhydrous $507/ton and UAN28 $237/ton.

For the first time in a few weeks, one fertilizer was slightly lower in price compared to the previous month. The average price of UAN32 was down about 2.5% from last month at $272 per ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.40/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.42/lb.N and UAN32 $0.43/lb.N.

Half of the fertilizers are now higher in price compared to last year with prices pushing higher in recent months. Both potash and urea are 4% higher, DAP is 7% more expensive and MAP is 9% higher than last year.

The remaining half of fertilizers are lower in price compared to a year prior. Anhydrous is 1% less while UAN32 is 3% less and both 10-34-0 and UAN28 are 4% less looking back a year.



Loss Of Foreign Workers Would Hurt Agriculture

Given a tight labor market, particularly in rural areas, the loss of foreign-born workers would lead to a drop in agricultural jobs, according to a study commissioned by the National Pork Producers Council.

Economists with Iowa State University (ISU), using a study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, determined that a reduction in the foreign-born workforce – prompted by a change in immigration policy – would not be offset by native-born workers and permanent residents. Instead, they found, the tighter supply of foreign-born workers would reduce overall demand for workers as production costs increase and would decrease agricultural output as farmers abandon labor-intensive operations.

The result would be a 3.4 to 5.5 percent decrease in the total number of farm workers.

Several factors have led to a severe labor shortage in agriculture, including a negative population growth rate in rural areas since 2010, an aging rural workforce increasingly unable or unwilling to do strenuous agricultural work, a decline in immigrants going into rural labor markets and an unemployment rate hovering near 4 percent (most economists consider 4 percent “full employment”), the ISU economists found.

“The U.S. pork industry needs access to a legal and productive workforce,” said NPPC President Jim Heimerl, a pork producer from Johnstown, Ohio. “And skilled and unskilled foreign workers have been crucial to maintaining and growing the workforce and revitalizing rural communities across the United States. We need more of them, not less.”

NPPC is supporting congressional legislation that would create a new visa that allows non-seasonal foreign agricultural workers to remain in the United States for up to three years while deferring a portion of their pay as incentive for periodic “touchbacks” to their country. The H-2C visa would replace the current H-2A temporary, seasonal agricultural worker program. The legislation initially would let agricultural employers hire up to 410,000 foreign workers for on-farm jobs and 40,000 for meatpacking plants. It also would put the H-2C program under USDA rather than the Department of Labor.

“If we don’t address the current labor shortage or it gets exacerbated, we could see animal health and well-being suffer and agricultural facilities shutting down, causing severe financial harm for farmers and ranchers and to rural communities,” Heimerl said.



EIA: Ethanol Stocks Decline

Domestic ethanol inventories fell nearly 2% last week as production slipped and blending demand edged higher, Energy Information Administration data released Wednesday shows.  EIA reported ethanol supply fell about 400,000 barrels (bbl), or 1.8%, to 22.4 million bbl during the week-ended March 30, 1.3 million bbl, or 5.5%, lower than a year ago.

Plant production dipped 1,000 barrels per day (bpd) on the week to 1.038 million bpd, down 19,000 bpd, or 1.9%, from the same week in 2017. For the four-week period ended March 30, production averaged 1.038 million bpd, down 2,000 bpd versus same period in 2017.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand, gained 3,000 bpd during the week profiled to 903,000 bpd, down 15,000, or 1.6%, versus a year ago. For the four weeks ended March 30, blending demand averaged 907,000 bpd, down 7,000 bpd versus same period in 2017.



NCGA Statement on Small Refinery Exemption
Kevin Skunes, president of the National Corn Growers Association

“Today the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) along with state corn grower associations, sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on the small refinery exemptions being granted, allowing refineries to avoid meeting their RFS volume obligations.

“EPA continues to take actions that undermine the RFS and contradict President Trump’s commitments to America’s corn farmers. EPA is clearly overstepping its bounds, and we ask Administrator Pruitt to stop granting these waivers and damaging the RFS behind closed doors.

“Yesterday, EPA reportedly granted exemptions to one of the nation’s largest refiners, Andeavor, which posted net profits of $1.5 billion in 2017. This improper application of the small refinery hardship exemption is yet another example of EPA actions that destroy demand for ethanol and corn.

“EPA reportedly has more than 30 petitions under consideration, and up to 25 waivers may have been handed out in secrecy last year. Granting this number of exemptions would remove a significant amount of renewable fuel gallons from the RFS volume requirement. This would have a direct impact on corn demand and corn prices at a time when net farm income has already decreased more than 50 percent over the past four years.

“EPA needs to stop granting these waivers and fully weigh the impact of these decisions on rural communities and America’s corn farmers.”



 EPA’s Undermining of RFS Through Waivers Must Cease, NFU Says

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has improperly handled the administration of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by lowering total volume requirements and granting “hardship waivers” to large corporations, according to National Farmers Union (NFU).

NFU President Roger Johnson sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt today, insisting the agency either cease granting the waivers or raise volume obligations to account for a large increase in waivers the agency is handing out.

“The RFS was passed by Congress to spur growth in the American-grown biofuels industry, and, to date, it has reaped significant economic and environmental benefits for rural America,” said Johnson. “EPA’s recent trend of undermining this law on behalf of the oil industry is disturbing, and it flies in the face of the Administration’s numerous promises to farmers and rural communities to support the RFS. They must stop these actions and instead work towards expanded use of biofuels in our transportation fuel sector as intended by the RFS law.”

 NFU’s criticism stems from recent reports that the EPA, who sets RFS volume obligations and ensures compliance with the law, has allowed major oil refiners to skirt the law. Reuters reported today that EPA granted 25 exemptions to oil refineries in 2017, roughly three to four times the amount that previous administrations granted on a yearly basis. In fact, three “hardship waivers” were given to refineries owned by Andeavor, a corporation who took in $1.5 billion in profits last year.

Johnson noted it is EPA’s responsibility to ensure transportation fuel sold in the U.S. includes a certain amount of renewable fuel. Congress set these volume obligations and gave EPA limited authority to reduce the amount. Since 2016, the agency set volumes below their statutory levels in order to make them “reasonably attainable” to meet for the oil industry. Importantly, said Johnson, EPA lowered the obligations and found the new levels would not have significant economic impacts on small oil refiners.

The RFS statute allows small refineries an exemption from complying with annual RFS requirements, and an extension of this exemption if the refinery can demonstrate that compliance with the RFS will cause them “disproportionate economic hardship.”

“What’s troubling is the EPA would lower volume obligations, say they are attainable to small refineries, and then grant small refineries waivers when they say the levels are not attainable,” said Johnson.

Johnson said these actions work contrary to the intent of the RFS law by reducing demand for biofuels. In fact, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the three “small refineries” owned by Andeavor represent over 2.3 billion gallons of production capacity, resulting in a reduction of the 2016 RFS requirements by almost 200 million ethanol-equivalent gallons. Estimates indicate that the requests that have been submitted could represent a reduction of approximately 1 billion gallons of renewable fuel for 2017.

Johnson also took issue with the agency’s lack of transparency. The RFS statute requires public notice and comment for waivers under the statute, but EPA is granting these exemptions (and therefore waivers) without any public input. “This Administration has provided little, if any, information on small refinery exemptions, which is causing speculation and market disruptions that they have indicated need to be addressed,” he said.

“Exempting refiners from RFS compliance essentially waives away demand for corn at a time when family farmers need to significantly cut into corn oversupply. And it is certainly contrary to the intent of the RFS,” said Johnson. “NFU asks that EPA cease granting these waivers or act to adjust for these additional waivers and comply with its obligations under the statute. EPA should also adjust its process in the future to ensure that these exemptions do not reduce the applicable volumes required under the RFS.”



Chinese Retaliation is No Longer a “What If” for Soybean Farmers

Following China’s announcement of a proposed 25 percent tariff on imported U.S. soybeans, the American Soybean Association (ASA) is again expressing its extreme frustration about the escalation of a trade war with the largest customer of U.S. soybeans, and calling on the White House to reconsider the tariffs that led to this retaliation. China purchases 61 percent of total U.S. soybean exports, and more than 30 percent of overall U.S. soybean production. ASA President and Iowa farmer John Heisdorffer issued the following statement:

“It should surprise no one that China immediately retaliated against our most important exports, including soybeans. We have been warning the administration and members of Congress that this would happen since the prospect for tariffs was raised. That unfortunately doesn’t lend any comfort to the hundreds of thousands of soybean farmers who will be affected by these tariffs. This is no longer a hypothetical, and a 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans into China will have a devastating effect on every soybean farmer in America.

“Soybean futures are already down nearly 40 cents a bushel as of this morning. At a projected 2018 crop of 4.3 billion bushels, soybean farmers lost $1.72 billion in value for our crop this morning alone. That’s real money lost for farmers, and it is entirely preventable.

“We regret that the administration has been unable to counter China’s policies on intellectual property and information technology in a way that does not require the use of tariffs. We still have not heard a response from the administration to our March 12 letter requesting to meet with President Trump and discuss how the administration can work with soybean farmers and others in agriculture to find ways to reduce our trade deficit by increasing competitiveness rather than erecting barriers to foreign markets.

“But there is still time to reverse this damage, and the administration can still deliver for farmers by withdrawing the tariffs that caused this retaliation. China has said that its 25 percent tariff will only go into effect based on the course of action the administration takes. We call on President Trump to engage the Chinese in a constructive manner—not a punitive one—and achieve a positive result for soybean farmers.”



U.S. SOY RESPONDS TO PROPOSED CHINA TARIFF

In response to today’s announcement that China is proposing to tax U.S. soybean imports by 25 percent, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the American Soybean Association (ASA), the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and the United Soybean Board (USB) release the following statements.

“ASA has consistently raised our significant concern since the prospect for tariffs was raised. Now this is no longer a hypothetical, and a 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans into China will have a devastating effect on every soybean farmer in America,” says ASA President John Heisdorffer. “We believe strongly that soy can help reduce our trade deficit by increasing competitiveness, and we will continue to work with our partners at USB and USSEC to show how that’s possible.”

“The U.S. Soy industry has a 36-year track record of actively investing and partnering in programs that support China’s goals of achieving sustainable food security and food safety,” says USSEC Chair Derek Haigwood, a soybean farmer from Newport, Arkansas. “U.S. soybean farmers and exporters should know that USSEC is continuing to work on their behalf to build global demand and expand market access for U.S. Soy products in China and other markets.”

“Today China announced a proposed 25 percent tax on U.S. soy imports into China,” says USB Chair Lewis Bainbridge, a soybean farmer from Ethan, South Dakota. “I want to assure farmers that their soy checkoff will continue to invest in new market opportunities to build a portfolio of global demand for U.S. soy products.” 



Iowa Soybean Association Statement on China announcement of tariffs on U.S. soybeans

China’s proposed 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybean imports was anticipated by the industry. The country is very politically astute and had promised to respond in-kind to tariffs announced by the White House. China has followed through on that promise.

Trade issues between China and the U.S. are not new. Iowa soybean farmers understand there are legitimate issues needing resolution, particularly those involving intellectual property rights. We appreciate the importance of these matters and encourage additional dialogue between the two countries to resolve them.

It’s important to note that the announced tariffs on U.S. soybeans have not been imposed; they are targets.

That said, China’s proposed tariff on U.S. soybean imports is disconcerting for Iowa farmers poised to plant this year’s crop. Short term, the volley of proposed tariffs between the countries will negatively impact soybean prices. Long-term, an ongoing trade dispute with China risks stoking anti-Americanism sentiment that could jeopardize the strength of trade relations between the two countries – relationships that have taken U.S. soybean farmers nearly 35 years to develop.

China is a significant player in the global soybean market. The country consumes nearly 62 percent of all soybean exports. Approximately 33 percent of total U.S. soybean production is destined for China, fulfilling almost 40 percent of China’s total soybean imports. Therefore, both stand to lose if this trade dispute escalates.

A study recently conducted by Purdue University on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers finds that a 30 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans could result in a 71 percent reduction in soybean exports from the United States to China. Total U.S. soybean production would decline by 17 percent. The study also indicates reductions of:
    U.S. producer soybean prices by 5.2 percent
    U.S. economic welfare by $3.3 billion
    Chinese economic welfare by $2.6 to $8.4 billion

China needs U.S. soybeans. The U.S. soybean farmer needs China. It is our hope that U.S. and Chinese officials will quickly transition from politics and posturing to resolving this escalating trade dispute for the benefit of American farmers and our Chinese customers.



Fischer Statement on China’s Retaliatory Tariff List

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today on China’s list of retaliatory tariffs for U.S. agricultural exports that includes soybeans, sorghum, and beef:

“Agriculture is the economic engine of Nebraska and these retaliatory tariffs proposed by China will hurt our state.

“After reviewing the list of ag commodities and industries targeted this morning, I immediately reached out to the administration. I’ve spoken directly today to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and White House Legislative Affairs Director Mark Short. In my conversations, I emphasized the significant market loss our producers would face should China’s tariffs be finalized.

“Additionally, this afternoon I held a meeting with Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade, Ted McKinney, and several of Nebraska’s top agribusiness leaders where we communicated our concerns in person.

“I will continue to work with Nebraskans and the administration to reach a positive outcome for our farmers and ranchers who feed the world.”



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding China’s Tariff on U.S. Soybeans

“When President Trump first announced he was considering tariffs on Chinese goods, we voiced our strong concerns that such action would lead to retaliatory tariffs and a potential “trade war” with China, one of the largest consumers of U.S. and Nebraska agricultural products. Despite these warnings, this Administration moved forward. Over the course of the last three days those actions have led to China enacting retaliatory tariffs on U.S. pork, and today, U.S. soybeans. These actions have cost farmers hundreds of millions of dollars in lost value in agriculture markets at a time when they can least afford it. Nebraska farmers and ranchers and the markets they rely on should not be sacrificed as a negotiation tactic. It’s critical the United States and China stop the ‘eye for an eye’ tactics and return to negotiations that serve the greater good for both interests.”



Cattlemen Respond to China Including U.S. Beef on Retaliatory Tariff List

Kent Bacus, Director of International Trade and Market Access for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, today issued the following statement regarding the announcement that China has included American-produced beef on a list of proposed retaliatory tariffs:

“It is unsettling to see American-produced beef listed as a target for retaliation. Sadly, we are not surprised, as this is an inevitable outcome of any trade war. This is a battle between two governments, and the unfortunate casualties will be America’s cattlemen and women and our consumers in China. The Trump Administration has until the end of May to resolve this issue. We believe in trade enforcement, but endless retaliation is not a good path forward for either side.”



 Iowa beef included in China’s proposed tariff hike

Iowa’s agricultural products, including beef, have become victims of a trade war meant to benefit the US manufacturing industry.

In addition to a 25% tariff on pork and ethanol that went into effect on April 2, the Chinese government announced a proposal to increase tariffs on US soybeans, corn and beef by 25%. The April 4 proposal was made in retaliation for tariffs levied by the Trump administration on Chinese products.

“The Chinese export market for beef has been growing since 2017, when US beef was allowed into China for the first time since 2003,” says Matt Deppe, CEO of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. “An additional 25% tariff, on top of the 12% tariff currently in place, definitely has the potential to slow that growth and ultimately, hurt our Iowa cattle producers.”

According to the US Meat Export Federation, US beef exports to China totaled 3,020 metric tons valued at $31 million in the second half of 2017, following the market reopening.  In January 2018, exports reached the highest monthly volume to date at 819 metric tons, valued at $7.5 million.

“It’s not surprising that China retaliated through agricultural tariffs. The US truly feeds the world, and exports are an important market for farmers, especially in Iowa,” says JanLee Rowlett, Government Relations Manager for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. “These proposed tariffs have already affected corn, soybean and cattle futures, and our top priority now is ensuring that they do not go into effect. We are hopeful that the Trump administration can resolve this trade war before farmers are hurt any more.”

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association policy, developed and ratified by its 10,000 members across the state, supports trade agreements that benefit beef producers. Following US withdrawal from the Trans Pacific Partnership, an agreement that included 11 other countries, including several major US beef importers, ICA’s focus has been on preserving the positive aspects of NAFTA and advocating for bilateral trade agreements, like the recently renegotiated US - Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) which includes favorable terms for US beef exports to South Korea.

Iowa has over 27,000 cattle producers and is 4th in the nation for cattle on feed. The majority of Iowa’s beef producers are also corn and soybean farmers, and the tariffs on ethanol, corn, and soybeans are also concerning, given the current agricultural economy. US net farm income is expected to fall in 2018 for the 4th time in 5 years.



Grassley Statement on Chinese Tariffs

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a lifelong family farmer and member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today issued the following statement regarding China’s second wave of tariffs targeting U.S. commodities, including soybeans, which were announced in retaliation to the Administration’s tariffs on Chinese products.

“We need to protect U.S. intellectual property and American competitiveness. Foreign theft of intellectual property, forced technology transfers, discriminatory licensing restrictions and other unfair practices harm U.S. innovation and affect every sector of our economy, including agriculture. On my recent congressional delegation trip to China, I urged Chinese government officials to rein in unfair trade practices and policies, including the theft of U.S. intellectual property, which have adversely impacted American businesses. I’m concerned that my urging fell on deaf ears.

“The United States should take action to defend its interests when any foreign nation isn’t playing by the rules or refuses to police itself. But farmers and ranchers shouldn’t be expected to bear the brunt of retaliation for the entire country. It’s not fair, and it doesn’t make economic sense. The Administration knew that if it imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, China would retaliate against U.S. agriculture. I warned President Trump as much in a White House meeting in February. Today shows that’s exactly what happened. If the federal government takes action on trade that directly results in economic hardship for certain Americans, it has a responsibility to help those Americans and mitigate the damage it caused.

“I will be addressing these issues through the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade policy. I’ll also be addressing these issues as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is responsible for patent, copyright and trademark policy.”

Grassley is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.



USMEF Statement on China’s Latest Tariff Announcement

On April 4, the Chinese government announced a proposal to levy retaliatory tariffs of 25 percent on China's imports of agricultural and food products from the United States, including U.S. beef.

Statement from U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom

China is a promising market for U.S. beef, and, since the June 2017 reopening, the U.S. industry has made an exceptional effort to provide customers with high-quality beef at an affordable price. This is not an easy task, due to our 13-year absence from the market and China’s beef import requirements.

Over the past nine months, interest in U.S. beef has steadily gained momentum in China and our customer base has grown. But if an additional import tariff is imposed on U.S. beef, these constructive business relationships, and opportunities for further growth, will be put at risk. USMEF is hopeful that this trade dispute can be resolved without China introducing additional obstacles for U.S. beef.

In the second half of 2017, following the market reopening, U.S. beef exports to China totaled 3,020 metric tons valued at $31 million. In January 2018, exports reached the highest monthly volume to date at 819 metric tons, valued at $7.5 million.



NCGA Statement on Proposed Tariffs and Trade with China
Wesley Spurlock, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association

“There are no winners in a trade war, only casualties.  As trade tensions continue to mount with China, the expanded list of tariffs on food and agriculture exports are making America’s farmers the first casualties.

“Our corn farmers have worked for decades to support fair and open trade practices because we understand that trade is a two-way street.  In today’s global economy, we know that we need to be competitive to grow and maintain our market share.  Our farmers have done that, which is why agriculture has a positive trade balance.  In 2018, the U.S. is forecast to export $139.5 billion in agricultural goods to the 95 percent of consumers who live outside the U.S.  Instead of new protectionist policies, our nation’s focus should be on growing market access and promoting expanded trade from our most competitive industries.

“We do have a window of opportunity to reach a mutually beneficial trade position with China until the time that tariffs are fully implemented. We need to be measured, professional and business-like in our approach to keeping the trade doors open with China. Equally important, we need the President to understand the implications that these trade actions have for America’s farm families.”



NFU Calls for Plan to Protect Family Farmers from Brunt of Trade War

In the latest of a series of tariff threats exchanged between the United States and China, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) this morning announced plans to impose a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of U.S. goods, including soybeans corn, beef, and other agricultural products.

National Farmers Union (NFU), a family farmer-led organization who supports aggressive efforts to fight unfair trade practices, is urging the Trump Administration to work with Congress to develop a Farm Bill that protects family farmers from harm as a result of retaliatory tariffs. NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

“These tit-for-tat tariff threats were expected from the moment the administration first engaged China. The President and his administration continue to claim there won’t be a ‘trade war,’ and that agriculture won’t feel the brunt of retaliation, but the daily news announcements indicate otherwise.

“As trade tensions escalate, Farmers Union is increasingly concerned that there is not a plan in place to protect our family farmers and ranchers who are always the first to bear the brunt of retaliatory tariffs. Farmers are dealing with severely depressed farm prices and a 12-year low in farm income, and a trade war will undoubtedly make these conditions worse.

“We urge the President and the administration to immediately engage with the Senate and House Agriculture Committees to develop a Farm Bill that will protect farmers and ranchers from the collateral damage that we are seeing as a result of these actions.”



Farm Bureau Statement on Chinese Tariff Announcement
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:

“Farmers and ranchers are, by necessity, patient and optimistic. We know markets ebb and flow. But China’s threatened retaliation against last night’s U.S. tariff proposal is testing both the patience and optimism of families who are facing the worst agricultural economy in 16 years. This has to stop.

“Growing trade disputes have placed farmers and ranchers in a precarious position. We have bills to pay and debts we must settle, and cannot afford to lose any market, much less one as important as China’s. We urge the United States and China to return to negotiations and produce an agreement that serves the interests of the world’s two largest economies.”



China’s Response to New U.S. Tariffs Will Hurt U.S. Wheat Farmers

 With the announcement today that China intends to retaliate against the latest proposed U.S. tariffs, hard-working U.S. farmers are clearly in the line of fire from what looks more and more like an escalating trade war with China.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) believe wheat farmers are going to get hurt by the 25 percent tariffs China quickly proposed after the United States government announced new tariffs on $50 billion of imported Chinese goods on April 4, 2018.

“People may not know that China imported more than 61 million bushels of U.S. wheat in marketing year 2016/17, making it our fourth largest buyer in the world,” said USW Chairman Mike Miller, a wheat farmer from Ritzville, Wash. “Farmers across the country have invested a lot of money and time over the years to develop a Chinese market that has great potential to buy even more American wheat. Now that effort is in jeopardy at a time when big global supplies have already pushed farm gate wheat prices down to unsustainable levels.” 

“America’s wheat farmers are experiencing several hardships and adding a 25 percent tariff on exports to China for U.S. wheat is the last thing we need during some of the worst economic times in farm country,” stated NAWG President Jimmie Musick a wheat farmer from Sentinel, Okla. “Continued drought, low prices and trade uncertainty adds pressure to passing a Farm Bill on time as well as creating uncertainty for producers and lenders. In a trade war, agriculture is always the first target. The Administration can support rural Americans by working with Chinese officials to avoid these damaging tariffs.”

The proposed Chinese tariffs would further erode the incomes of farm families who strongly support addressing the real concerns about China's trade policies. USW and NAWG know that farmers still want our organizations to keep fighting for fair opportunities to compete in China and other countries. They would prefer, however, to see our government do that within the processes already in place, as the Administration has done by challenging China's domestic support and tariff rate quota policies through World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute cases.

We have also said that the proposed U.S. tariffs represent unilateral actions that violate WTO rules. We urge the Administration to pull back from this dangerous course that puts vulnerable U.S. industries like wheat production at risk and in a larger sense undermine the established rules-based global trading system.



China Retaliation Threatens to Further Harm U.S. Sorghum Farmers

China’s announcement today of a possible future retaliatory 25 percent tariff on imported U.S. sorghum will not help China’s consumers or U.S. farmers, according to National Sorghum Producers.  Such tariffs would mean additional financial burdens on U.S. sorghum farmers, who are already in the midst of cooperating with China’s self-initiated anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations of U.S. sorghum.  More tariffs would also mean higher prices for Chinese consumers for whom sorghum is an important product. Chinese customers are valued trading partners of the U.S. sorghum industry and farmers, purchasing over half of total U.S. sorghum exports. NSP Chairman and Nebraska farmer Don Bloss issued the following statement:

“Right now we are taking a close look at the list indicating sorghum and many other important agriculture products are among those included for a possible future 25 percent Chinese tariff. There are additional steps in the process announced today. The proposed tariffs are not immediate and the timing of possible additional tariffs remains uncertain. But the financial toll on our producers is already taking place with this morning’s widespread market reaction to the announcement by the Chinese government.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time sorghum farmers have faced depressed prices and market uncertainty.  We saw a similar reaction after the announcement of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of U.S. sorghum into China on February 4, following the Administration’s tariff action on imports of Chinese solar panels and washing machines.

“Trade wars are not good for anyone, and we urge President Trump and other negotiators to take a constructive approach in the ongoing negotiations that do not threaten more harm to U.S. sorghum producers. Our hope is that this situation will be resolved sooner rather than later. Sorghum is good for U.S. farmers and traders, and good for China.”



NMPF Urges Enforcement Action Against Mislabeled Bolthouse Farms Pea Powder-Based Beverage Marketed as “Milk”

Bolthouse Farms’ pea powder-based beverage is unfairly and illegally skirting federal regulations by marketing its product labeled as milk, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and FDA must take enforcement action against the maker of the product, Campbell Foods.

In a letter sent today to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), NMPF criticized both Campbell Foods and its California-based Bolthouse brand for the prominent use of the word “MILK” on the center of its package. According to NMPF, Bolthouse violates federal regulations by inaccurately labeling its product as milk, and ignoring FDA standards of identity that make clear milk and other dairy products must be sourced from animals, not plants.

Adding to the concern, the letter noted that in many grocery stores the Bolthouse product is sold in the dairy case immediately adjacent to real cow’s milk, further leading to consumer confusion about the origin and nutritional content of the product. The “lack of segregation, combined with the deliberate attempt to mislead consumers with the prominent use of the term ‘MILK’ on the label,” can easily confuse customers into believing the pea powder-based product is another brand of cow’s milk, NMPF wrote.

“At first glance, a consumer will see the word ‘milk’ and assume it’s an attractively packaged dairy product,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “Bolthouse shouldn’t deceive consumers in this way. FDA needs to immediately stop Campbell’s egregious violation of longstanding food labeling laws.”

The opaque powder-based fluid sold by Bolthouse Farms attempts to replicate the color, taste and mouthfeel of regular milk. But compared to milk’s three ingredients, Bolthouse’s pea product contains 14, all of which are added during factory processing.

At a time when consumers are seeking clean labels and more natural products, “Bolthouse is inaccurately labeling its product and deceiving consumers about its true content. Regular milk is the simple, natural product of a healthy dairy animal,” said NMPF’s Beth Briczinski. “No matter how much gum and vitamin or mineral supplements you add to a product, it will never replace milk’s natural goodness.”

In the fall of 2016, NMPF and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) contacted Campbell Foods before the launch of its new Bolthouse Farms’ pea powder-based beverage, telling the company’s general counsel that the product did not adhere to federal standards of identity for dairy foods and therefore should not be labeled as “milk.” The dairy groups sent the letter “to provide Campbell’s an opportunity to address these issues before officially launching the product line.”

NMPF’s previous outreach to Campbell Foods “unfortunately has fallen on deaf ears, requiring us to bring this matter to the attention of FDA,” Mulhern said.



Syngenta breaks ground on $30 million Trait Conversion Accelerator in Nampa, Idaho

Syngenta has broken ground on a Trait Conversion Accelerator at its Nampa, Idaho, research and development and seed production facility. Construction of the $30 million site enhancement is expected to be completed in 2019.

The Nampa site will accommodate the majority of Syngenta’s North American corn trait conversion work previously done in open field or semi-controlled environments. It will provide a reliable growing environment to conduct marker-assisted backcrossing and version generation, as well as deliver the introgression of market-leading traits into Syngenta’s most advanced corn germplasm.

“Put simply, the Trait Conversion Accelerator will enable Syngenta to more quickly, reliably and efficiently deliver corn hybrids with its latest trait packages to market,” said Ciriaco Franks, Nampa site manager for Syngenta. “This investment, which reinforces Syngenta’s commitment to a research and development presence in the region and the jobs located here, will result in state-of-the-art greenhouses and laboratories to help shorten product development life cycles.”

According to Dirk Benson, head, seed development – product selection at Syngenta, the Nampa site was chosen for this investment in trait conversion because it offers an excellent combination of climatic factors (e.g., solar radiation, heating and cooling, etc.) as well as access to a highly skilled workforce.

“At Syngenta, our mission in research and development is to design and consistently deliver products that go beyond current limits,” Benson said. “The Nampa Trait Conversion Accelerator demonstrates Syngenta’s ongoing commitment to increased investment in genetics and traits and to rapidly deliver new products to market.”

The Nampa facility will house the capabilities and capacity to bring choice in traits to corn growers. Customers of the NK® and Golden Harvest® corn seed brands, as well as independent seed companies that license Syngenta technologies through Greenleaf Genetics®, will benefit from faster access to more hybrids with the latest Agrisure® trait technologies.

“We aspire to offer – and do offer – unique choice to the market,” said David Hollinrake, president of Syngenta Seeds and North America region director. “We have one of the largest global germplasm pools in the industry and a proprietary trait platform that is equipping growers with market-leading insect protection and enzyme capability, and weed control choice. This world-class facility will provide access to our traits paired with the latest genetics even more quickly than before.”

Syngenta invests more than $1.3 billion each year in research and development globally. The Nampa Trait Conversion Accelerator is part of an incremental investment over the next five years that includes adding significantly more resources in product breeding, product selection leads and trialing.

“Syngenta’s work is clear – to help growers be successful year after year,” Hollinrake added. “We do this through ongoing innovation, by designing and consistently delivering products that provide greater value to our customers and channel partners.”



Dow AgroSciences Donates $10,000 to Feeding America

To encourage farmer usage of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program practices and to support finding solutions for nationwide hunger issues, Dow AgroSciences has donated $10,000 to Feeding America.

The donation was made possible thanks to farmer pledges made at this year’s Commodity Classic, Feb. 27 to March 1 in Anaheim, California. At the Dow AgroSciences booth, farmers were asked to pin the location of their farm on an oversized map of the United States, expressing their 4R commitment. For each pin on the map, Dow AgroSciences donated $100 to Feeding America, the show’s official charity partner. With 100 total farmer commitments, Dow AgroSciences donated $10,000 in total.

“The 4R’s of nutrient management are important guidelines for farmers to implement along with a nitrogen stabilizer, especially given the current low price of commodities,” said Kenny Johnson, CCA U.S. product manager, nitrogen stabilizers at Dow AgroSciences. “By encouraging farmers to commit to the 4R’s, we’re helping them maximize their ROI and they’re helping us support Feeding America’s mission to battle hunger issues.”

At the show, farmers learned about the 4R’s, which are simple, best-management practices for fertilizer application and maintenance. The concept focuses on applying the right source of nutrient, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place. Farmers also learned how using the right nitrogen stabilizer, like Instinct® or N-Serve®, in conjunction with 4R practices can provide better protection against uncertain environmental conditions.

Dow AgroSciences’s donation to Feeding America helps solve hunger issues across the nation via food banks, disaster food assistance and senior-, school- and children-specific programs. Currently, a $10,000 donation would provide 100,000 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of member food banks.

Tuesday April 3 Ag News

Food Connection returns to UNL City Campus April 17

The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) and numerous agricultural clubs on East Campus have teamed up to re-establish an event that began seven years ago. Husker Food Connection helps students gain a better knowledge of agriculture within the state of Nebraska.

“Husker Food Connection’s purpose is to engage university students about where their food comes from and how it is produced,” said David Schuler, President of the UNL Collegiate Farm Bureau Club. “Anyone from the public is welcome to come and take part in the celebration of our industry.” Schuler is a senior Animal Science major from Bridgeport, Nebraska.

The event will feature a free lunch catered by Skeeter Barnes, farm equipment displays and an opportunity to interact with farm animals at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln City Campus Union Plaza.

The 2018 Husker Food Connection theme is “Connecting with Consumers.” HFC organizers want to answer questions and share personal experiences from production agriculture by engaging in one on one conversations. Students and faculty are encouraged to take part in the interactive event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17.

“Living in an agricultural state, like Nebraska, and recognizing that only 2 percent of the population comes from a farm, and two to three generations removed, linking producers and consumers is an important task for the future of the agriculture industry,” said Schuler.

Student organizers include representatives from campus groups such as Collegiate Farm Bureau, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Sigma Alpha, Block and Bridle, Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness Club, Rodeo Club and the Tractor Restoration Club. The Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) is a nonprofit organization formed by leading agricultural membership groups in Nebraska. The AFAN mission is to encourage the development of environmentally responsible and economically viable livestock production in the state.



Lindsay Corp. Reports Second Quarter Results

Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, announced results for its second quarter ended February 28, 2018.

Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 were $130.3 million, an increase of 5 percent compared to revenues of $124.1 million in the prior year's second quarter. Net earnings for the quarter were $1.7 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.16, compared with net earnings of $5.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.47 in the prior year. Net earnings for the quarter were reduced by tax expense of $2.6 million due to the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and by after-tax costs of $1.7 million comprised of severance costs and professional consulting fees related to the Company's Foundation for Growth initiative. Adjusted net earnings for the second quarter were $6.0 million, or $0.56 per diluted share.1

"We were pleased to have achieved revenue and operating income improvement in both the Irrigation and Infrastructure segments for the quarter," said Tim Hassinger, president and CEO. "Improved demand in North America irrigation drove overall revenue growth, and growth in our Road Zipper System business continues to support solid performance in our Infrastructure segment."

Irrigation segment revenues increased 5 percent to $111.9 million from $106.2 million in the prior year's second quarter. North America irrigation revenues increased 23 percent, driven by an increase in irrigation system unit volume. International irrigation revenues for the second quarter were $33.0 million, a decrease of 22 percent compared to the second quarter of the prior year. The second quarter of the prior year included revenues from projects in developing markets that did not repeat in the current period, while demand in core markets remained stable.

Irrigation segment operating margin was 10.7 percent of sales in the second quarter (11.2 percent adjusted)1, compared to 10.6 percent of sales in the prior year. Improved volume leverage from higher North America irrigation system sales was partially offset by the impact of lower project sales and margins in international markets.

Second quarter earnings include a $2.6 million, or $0.241 per diluted share, expense for the estimated impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted during the quarter. This amount includes one-time impacts from the deemed repatriation transition tax on certain foreign earnings and from the remeasurement of deferred tax items at a lower rate.

During the quarter the Company initiated a focused performance improvement initiative referred to as Foundation for Growth. Objectives include setting strategic direction, defining priorities, and improving overall operating performance. A key financial objective is to achieve operating margin performance of 11 percent to 12 percent in fiscal 2020 without assuming improvement in the market environment. Second quarter earnings include after-tax costs of $1.7 million, or $0.151 per diluted share, related to severance costs and professional consulting fees incurred in connection with the initiative. Additional costs anticipated in connection with this initiative, over each of the next several quarters, are expected to be recovered through improved operating income in fiscal 2020.

"Although we have seen improved demand this year in North America, agricultural market conditions are expected to remain challenging until there is a meaningful improvement in commodity prices and farm income. In our Infrastructure business, a growing backlog of Road Zipper projects provides for growth," said Hassinger. "The recently announced tariffs on steel and aluminum product imports are concerning because of the potential impact on raw material cost and possible trade retaliation that would affect U.S. agricultural products, however it won't be possible to fully assess the impact until more details are known."

Hassinger continued, "The organization is excited about the launch of our Foundation for Growth initiative. This effort, focused on delivering better results to our customers and shareholders, is already underway and I look forward to providing regular updates as this initiative progresses."




Iowa Farm Bureau applauds passage of Senate File 2349 to help thousands of Iowans lacking

According to recent reports from the Iowa Insurance Division, more than 20,000 Iowans could not afford to keep their health care coverage in 2018 because they don’t qualify for Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.   Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa’s largest grassroots farm organization, is pleased Iowa lawmakers moved with bi-partisan support and Governor Reynolds signed the measure, bringing a new option for many Iowans caught up in a desperate health care coverage spiral.

“According to our annual membership survey, the cost of health care is the number one concern facing our members,” says IFBF President Craig Hill.  “That’s why more than 1,500 IFBF members answered the call for action and urged Iowa lawmakers to pass SF2349.  This legislation came together because our organization exists to serve its members.  Although it isn’t meant to be a solution for all, we are pleased that lawmakers and the Governor agree it is an option for thousands who need an affordable health plan that works until Congress passes a permanent solution to the ACA-inspired health care coverage crisis.”    

Senate Bill 2349 calls on established Iowa organizations, IFBF and Wellmark, to partner and develop an affordable health care option for Iowans.  To be eligible for health care plan coverage offered in SF2349, Iowans would need to be IFBF members.  Farm Bureau, a century-strong organization with offices and membership in every county in Iowa, has provided individual health insurance to Iowans in partnership with Wellmark since 1969, prior to the implementation of the ACA; this legislation continues that decades-long partnership.  This legislation will not diminish the impact of the ACA on people it helps—they will continue to have their subsidized coverage through the ACA.  Instead, SF2349 provides an opportunity to create coverage for Iowans who don’t qualify for the ACA subsidy or have been forced out of the market by exorbitant premiums.  The measure comes at a critical time as Iowa farmers face a fourth year of high production costs and low market prices for their commodities.   However, IFBF leaders say SF2349 can bring relief to Iowans well beyond the farm gate.

“We’ve been hearing from our members about the financial burden of getting health care coverage as they took on a second or third job to pay for premiums that inexplicably climbed 300 percent.  Many more had to forgo coverage all together because they didn’t qualify for ACA subsidies. That’s just not workable,” says Hill. 

Kenneth, a Grundy County Farm Bureau member, agrees the situation is dire.  “My oldest daughter just went off our plan two years ago or my premiums would be well over $2,500.  Yet, we pay more for health care than housing and food combined! This is unsustainable!”

“I don’t mind paying more than my share to help stabilize the marketplace, but there is no reason that a healthy 32-year-old should be paying more for health insurance than her mortgage.  Between student loans, a mortgage and a fledgling farm business, these rates do not fit into my budget,” says Rose, an Iowa County Farm Bureau member.

“We’ve heard from thousands of members who share similar stories, so we’re pleased lawmakers and the Governor passed this critical measure with expedience,” says Hill. “The signing of this legislation provides the path for us to move forward with Wellmark and begin to develop the plans.”

IFBF anticipates benefits possibly being available by January 2019 with enrollment applications to be opened for members in the fall of this year.



USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018.

"We recognize the financial hardships many of our nation’s dairy producers are experiencing right now. Folks are losing their contracts and they are getting anxious about getting their bills paid while they watch their milk check come in lower and lower each month. The Bipartisan Budget Act provided some much-needed incentives for dairy producers to make cost-effective decisions to strengthen their farms, mitigate risk, and conserve their natural resources,” said Secretary Perdue. “This includes our support of America’s dairy farms. We encourage dairy producers to review the provisions of the updated program, which Congress shaped with their feedback. Those changes are now in effect, and I’d ask any producers who are interested to contact their local USDA service centers.”

About the Program:
The program protects dairy producers by paying them when the difference between the national all-milk price and the national average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount elected by the producer.

Changes include:
-    Calculations of the margin period is monthly rather than bi-monthly.
-    Covered production is increased to 5 million pounds on the Tier 1 premium schedule, and premium rates for Tier 1 are substantially lowered.
-    An exemption from paying an administrative fee for limited resource, beginning, veteran, and disadvantaged producers. Dairy operators enrolled in the previous 2018 enrollment period that qualify for this exemption under the new provisions may request a refund.

Dairy operations must make a new coverage election for 2018, even if you enrolled during the previous 2018 signup period. Coverage elections made for 2018 will be retroactive to January 1, 2018. All dairy operations desiring coverage must sign up during the enrollment period and submit an appropriate form (CCC-782) and dairy operations may still “opt out” by not submitting a form. All outstanding balances for 2017 and prior years must be paid in full before 2018 coverage is approved.

Dairy producers can participate in FSA’s MPP-Dairy or the Risk Management Agency’s Livestock Gross Margin Insurance Plan for Dairy Cattle (LGM-Dairy), but not both. During the 2018 enrollment period, only producers with an active LGM-Dairy policy who have targeted marketings insured in 2018 months will be allowed to enroll in MPP-Dairy by June 1, 2018; however, their coverage will start only after active target marketings conclude under LGM-Dairy.

USDA has a web tool to help producers determine the level of coverage under the MPP-Dairy that will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The online resource, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, smartphone, tablet or any other platform.

USDA is mailing postcards advising dairy producers of the changes. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or contact your local USDA service center.



USDA Re-Opens 2018 Enrollment for New Dairy Margin Protection Program

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) today expressed thanks to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for his agency’s prompt implementation of changes in the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP), and urged dairy producers to review the new coverage options available under the improved program, which will have a new enrollment window from April 9-June 1, 2018.

“We appreciate the steps taken by USDA to implement the new MPP provisions. It is important to provide information on the changes to dairy farmers so they can make informed decisions about enrollment in the program for this year, and we look forward to assisting the department in this effort,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will re-open the sign-up period next week, and encouraged producers to take a second look at the program since it was revised under the Bipartisan Budget Act passed by Congress in February.

“NMPF worked with Congress during the past year to improve the dairy safety net to make it more effective for all farmers,” Mulhern said. “While the previous structure of the program offered an inadequate safety net, the changes made this year greatly enhance the value of the program to farmers, and we really want them to consider how to use this program in 2018. With these changes in place, we will continue to work with USDA and Congress to further strengthen the program in the 2018 Farm Bill.”

According to USDA, dairy producers must select new coverage for 2018, even if they enrolled during the previous sign-up period last fall. Coverage choices made this spring for calendar year 2018 will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018. All dairy operations desiring coverage must sign up during the eight-week enrollment period. USDA also announced that dairy producers can participate in either MPP or the Livestock Gross Margin program for dairy (LGM-Dairy), but not both.

The changes to the MPP were part of a larger dairy package that was included in the disaster spending bill passed by Congress two months ago. The provisions include:
-    Adjusting the first tier of covered production to include every dairy farmer’s first five million pounds of annual milk production history (about 217 cows) instead of four million pounds
-    Reducing the premium rates, effective immediately, for every producer’s first five million pounds of production history, to better enable dairy farmers to afford the higher levels of coverage;
-    Modifying the margin calculation to a monthly (from bi-monthly) basis;
-    Raising the catastrophic coverage level from $4.00 to $5.00 for the first tier of covered production for all dairy farmers; and
-    Waiving the annual $100 administrative fees for underserved farmers.

The disaster package also lifted the $20 million annual cap on all livestock insurance, including the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) program. This will allow USDA to develop a wider variety of additional risk management tools.



NCGA Statement on RFS Waivers Issued to Large Refiner by EPA
Kevin Skunes, president of the National Corn Growers Association

“EPA’s reported actions are unacceptable,” Skunes said. “EPA cannot undermine the RFS by granting waivers to refiners who are making profits as large as the one reported by Reuters. Granting these waivers significantly reduces the number of gallons of fuel blended with ethanol hurting rural economies and the nation’s corn farmers. When refiners aren’t meeting their blending obligations, corn farmers pay the price.

“EPA’s small refiner exemption process has no transparency,” Skunes said. “We need the EPA to live up to Administrator Pruitt’s October commitment to senators to, ‘act consistent with the text and spirit of the RFS,’ and to do so in an ‘open and transparent manner that advances the full potential of this program.’ We call on the EPA to stop granting these waivers to refiners who make billions of dollars and do not face a true hardship.”



ACE responds to EPA providing a large refiner a “small refiner” RFS waiver

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings released the following statement in light of recent reporting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exempted Andeavor, one of the nation's largest oil refining companies, from complying with its 2016 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) blending obligation at three of its 10 refineries:

“The law allows a small refiner (producing less than 75,000 barrels per day) to seek an exemption from the annual blending obligation if it can prove the RFS is causing ‘disproportionate economic hardship’ on its operations.  On what planet does Andeavor’s 2017 net profit of $1.5 billion constitute ‘disproportionate economic hardship’ for a “small refiner”? Refiners are reporting billion-dollar profits today while farmers are facing their fifth year of prices at or below the cost of production.  Net farm income is dropping to levels not seen since the last economic disaster in rural America in the early 2000s which prompted Congress to enact the RFS in the first place. EPA’s recent waivers reduce demand for ethanol making economic conditions worse in rural America and breaking promises President Trump has made to protect the RFS.

“Since EPA refuses to disclose which refiners get these RFS exemptions, it blurs the transparency of the RIN market giving an advantage to refiners receiving waivers.  With nearly 30 small refiner exemptions pending, it appears EPA’s priority is not to fix the outdated Reid vapor pressure restriction on the year-round use of E15 but rather to unravel the RFS for refiners.

“When the Obama Administration unlawfully took the RFS off-track, we were forced to sue. As the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled in Americans for Clean Energy et al. v. EPA, the “intent of the RFS’s increasing requirements are designed to force the market to create ways to produce and use greater and greater volumes of renewable fuel each year.” Waiving RFS obligations based on ethanol use thresholds violate the intent of the RFS and invite litigation.”



ITC Vote Levels Playing Field in Biodiesel Trade Dispute

Today the International Trade Commission (ITC) voted 4-0 in favor of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) Fair Trade Coalition’s position that the industry has suffered because of unfairly dumped imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia. This affirmative vote on injury is the last remaining procedural hurdle before final antidumping orders can be issued later this month.

“This vote today finalizes the case to address the harm that unfair trade practices have had on the U.S. biodiesel industry,” said Donnell Rehagen, chief executive officer of the National Biodiesel Board. “Foreign producers dumping product into American markets below cost has undermined the jobs and environmental benefits that U.S. biodiesel brings to the table. Establishing a level playing field for true competition in the market will allow the domestic industry the opportunity to put to work substantial under-utilized production capacity.”

Last month, the Commerce Department calculated final dumping rates ranging from 60.44% to 86.41% for Argentine producers, and 92.52% to 276.65% for Indonesian producers.

The NBB Fair Trade Coalition filed this antidumping petition in parallel to a countervailing duty petition to address a flood of subsidized and dumped imports from Argentina and Indonesia that resulted in market share losses and depressed prices for domestic producers. Biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia surged by 464 percent from 2014 to 2016, taking 18.3 percentage points of market share from U.S. manufacturers. These surging, artificially low-priced imports prevented producers from earning adequate returns on their substantial investments and stifled the ability of U.S. producers to make further investments to serve a growing market.

A final determination by the Commerce Department in the companion countervailing duty determination was announced in early November, resulting in duty deposit rates of 71.45% to 72.28% for Argentina and 34.45% to 64.73% for Indonesia. 

The U.S. biodiesel market supports nearly 64,000 jobs nationwide and more than $11 billion in economic impact. Every 100 million gallons of increased biodiesel production supports some 3,200 additional jobs. Producers nationwide are poised to expand production and hire new workers with steady growth in the industry.



US Proposes Tariffs on $50 Billion in Chinese Imports

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Trump administration on Tuesday escalated its aggressive approach to trade by proposing 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports to protest Beijing's alleged theft of American technology.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued a list targeting 1,300 Chinese products, including industrial robots and telecommunications equipment. The suggested tariffs wouldn't take effect right way: A public comment period ends May 11, and a hearing on the tariffs is scheduled for May 15. Companies and consumers will have the opportunity to lobby to have some products taken off the list or have others added.

The move risks heightening trade tensions with China, which on Monday slapped taxes on $3 billion in U.S. products in response to earlier U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

On Tuesday night, the Chinese embassy in Washington issued a statement saying it "strongly condemns" the move: "It serves neither China's interest, nor the U.S. interest, even less the interest of the global economy."

China is likely to retaliate against the new tariffs, which target the technology and advanced manufacturing industries that Beijing is nurturing. The sanctions are designed to punish China for using strong-arm tactics in its drive to become a global technology power.

These include pressuring American companies to share technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market, forcing U.S. firms to license their technology in China on unfavorable terms and even hacking into U.S. companies' computers to steal trade secrets.

The administration sought to draw up the list in a way that limits the impact of the tariffs --- a tax on imports --- on American consumers while hitting Chinese imports that benefit from Beijing's sharp-elbowed tech policies. But some critics that American will end up being hurt.

"If you're hitting $50 billion in trade, you're inevitably going to hurt somebody, and somebody is going to complain," said Rod Hunter, a former economic official at the National Security Council and now a partner at Baker & McKenzie LLP.

Even representatives of the tech industry, which has complained for years that China has pilfered U.S. technology and discriminated against U.S. companies, were critical of the administration's latest action.

"Unilateral tariffs may do more harm than good and do little to address the problems in China's (intellectual property) and tech transfer policies," said John Frisbie, president of the U.S.-China Business Council.

And the Internet Association, which represents such companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon, expressed concerns, too.

"There's no doubt the U.S. government can and should address China's trade practices," Melika Carroll, the association's senior vice president of global government affairs. "But consumers and American job creators should not be caught in the crossfire. . . . These tariffs will leave our customers worse off, stifle growth and make it harder for the digital economy to succeed."

At the same time, the United States has become increasingly frustrated with China's aggressive efforts to overtake American technological supremacy. And many have argued that Washington needed to respond aggressively.

"The Chinese are bad trading partners because they steal intellectual property," said Derek Scissors, a China specialist at the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

In January, a federal court in Wisconsin convicted a Chinese manufacturer of wind turbines, Sinovel Wind Group, of stealing trade secrets from the American company AMSC and nearly putting it out of business. And in 2014, a Pennsylvania grand jury indicted five officers in the Chinese People's Liberation Army on charges of hacking into the computers of Westinghouse, US Steel and other major American companies to steal information that would benefit their Chinese competitors.

To target China, Trump dusted off a Cold War weapon for trade disputes: Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, which lets the president unilaterally impose tariffs. It was meant for a world in which much of global commerce was not covered by trade agreements. With the arrival in 1995 of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization, Section 301 largely faded from use.

Dean Pinkert, a partner at the law firm of Hughes Hubbard & Reed, found it reassuring that the administration didn't completely bypass the WTO and act only unilaterally: As part of its complaint, the U.S. is bringing a WTO case against Chinese licensing policies that put U.S. companies at a disadvantage.

China has been urging the United States to seek a diplomatic solution and warning that it would retaliate against any trade sanctions. Beijing could counterpunch by targeting American businesses with a big exposure to the Chinese market: Aircraft manufacturer Boeing, for instance, or American soybean farmers who send nearly 60 percent of their exports to China.

In fact, rural America is especially worried about the risk of a trade war. Farmers make tempting targets in trade spats because they depend heavily on foreign sales and because they are spread across congressional districts and are quick to complain to their representatives when government policy threatens their livelihoods.

"The next couple of weeks will be very interesting," says Kristin Duncanson, a soybean, corn and hog farmer in Mapleton, Minnesota.



NCGA Expands Partnership with USA Poultry and Egg Export Council

The National Corn Growers Association partnered with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council to conduct a study on the benefits of poultry exports to corn. The study, conducted by World Perspectives, Inc., entitled "Corn and Poultry: A Great Partnership," outlined the benefits realized by America's corn farmers from exports of poultry and eggs.

"Continuing to partner with the poultry industry is a key priority for our organization," said Feed, Food & Industrial Action Team Chair Bruce Peterson, a grower in Minnesota. "Poultry producers are a large customer of corn, both domestically and abroad. It's important to grow demand through our partnerships in animal agriculture, which is why we funded the study."

Some highlights of the study include:

Poultry feed utilization:
-    6 lb. broiler uses 8 lb. of corn, 1 lb. of DDGS and 3 lb. SBM
-    28 lb. turkey uses 47 lb. of corn, 4 lb. of DDGS and 18 lb. SBM
-    1 dozen eggs from a layer represents 2 lb. of corn and 1 lb. of SBM

Poultry exports help corn and poultry farmers through additional volume and value:
-    Export growth supports flock expansion, driving additional domestic demand for U.S. corn
-    Exports provide poultry producers additional value for products that are often undervalued in the United States

Poultry exports value to corn price:
-    $.28/bushel with the 2016/2017 season average corn price of $3.36.
-    Without poultry exports, corn growers would have missed about $4.1 billion in revenue.

"The partnership between the National Corn Growers Association and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Export Council is incredibly important to the long-term success of both organizations," said USAPEEC Senior Vice President Greg Tyler. "The economic impact study, showed that growth in the demand for feed corn is strongly tied to poultry production, as the United States is the largest poultry producer in the world. The study noted that the U.S. poultry industry consumed more than 30 percent of all feed use of corn and estimated that this equated to roughly 1.663 billion bushels. The driving force behind growth in this production is exports. Thus, our industries working together is crucial as we seek to expand exports of our products around the world and invest in market development around the globe." 
 
This week, USAPEEC held their International Marketing and Strategic Planning Conference in South Africa. After 15 years, South Africa recently reopened access for U.S. broilers. Broiler exports to South Africa are expected to utilize about 7.25 million bushels of corn and more than 15-thousand tons of DDGS per year.



CropLife Foundation and Partners Launch “No Taste for Waste” Campaign

Today, together with key partners, the CropLife Foundation and Meredith Agrimedia launched the “No Taste for Waste” campaign, an initiative to reduce food waste and loss. The campaign, which includes an interactive website, special edition “bookazine” and social media messages, is a resource for consumers interested in reducing household food waste, while educating the public on how farmers take steps to fight food loss on their farms.

WASTE LESS, SAVE MONEY! BOOKAZINE
The bookazine, titled Waste Less, Save Money!, produced and distributed by Meredith Agrimedia, is an illustrated publication that looks like a magazine but acts like a book. It includes recipes, meal planning tips and stories about how farmers use innovative agricultural technology to reduce food loss on the farm and food waste in their communities. Consumers can find it at newsstands and grocery stores nationwide beginning April 2018.

The bookazine provides readers with the opportunity to learn about people like Brett Reinford, a Land O’Lakes dairy farmer in Pennsylvania, who powers his farm and more than 100 other homes with energy from food waste processed in a digester. They can also read about Luella Gregory, a cattle farmer and soon-to-be cookbook author in Iowa, who educates elementary school kids about sustainability and how technology makes farms more efficient. Six other farm families are profiled in the magazine, along with tips for decreasing food waste, straight from the people who grow our food.

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
Timed to launch simultaneously, the accompanying website, NoTasteForWaste.org, brings the bookazine to life. Consumers will have access to a weekly meal planner, online tools to help reduce waste at home and more stories from farmers combating food loss and waste. A growing collection of recipes from farmers, bloggers and the Meredith test kitchens will also be a highlight on the new site. In addition, consumers can share their stories and food preservation tips using #NoTasteForWaste on Facebook (@NoTasteForWaste) and Instagram (@NoTaste4Waste).

PARTNERS IN COMBATTING FOOD LOSS AND WASTE
The CropLife Foundation and Meredith Agrimedia have partnered with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN, Valent, CropLife America and FLM Harvest to implement the campaign. Leveraging these partnerships, the campaign connects consumers to real farmers who work hard to produce food, fiber and fuel sustainably and to be good stewards of the land, while reducing food loss.

“Everyone can do something to reduce food waste, whether they’re in the kitchen or on the farm,” said Jay Vroom, vice chairman of the CropLife Foundation. “This initiative gives consumers an exclusive look at how today’s farmers are leveraging technology, sustainable farming practices and community networks to minimize food waste and protect the environment.”

Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental, economic and social price tags attached to food waste. Reducing food waste is set to become a hot trend at restaurants, grocery stores and home kitchens in 2018, according to the National Restaurant Association, Forbes Magazine, and Food & Wine Magazine. In the United States, up to 40 percent of all food produced is lost to waste, according to United States Department of Agriculture estimates.

Join the food waste movement by visiting NoTasteForWaste.org or pick up Waste Less, Save Money! at select newsstands and grocery stores.

Monday April 2 Crop Progress + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION - FIRST WEEKLY REPORT OF THE 2018 SEASON
For the week ending April 1, 2018, there were 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 18 short, 73 adequate, and 7 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 23 short, 73 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 43 fair, 39 good, and 12 excellent.

Oats planted was 10 percent, behind 25 last year and 20 for the five-year average.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

A cold, wet week prevented fieldwork across most of Iowa during the week ending April 1, 2018, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there was just 0.4 day suitable for fieldwork.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 9 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 14 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Northwest Iowa reported the highest surplus subsoil moisture level at 22 percent while parts of south central and southeast Iowa remain in abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions according to the March 27, 2018, U.S. Drought Monitor.

Two percent of oats have been planted, 4 days behind last year’s progress at this time and 3 days behind the 5-year average.

Livestock conditions varied across the State. Heavy snow and muddy lots have both presented challenges for calving in many areas.



First Crop Progress Report of Season Shows Worst Winter Wheat Conditions Since 2002

U.S. winter wheat appears to be starting off the 2018 growing season in the worst condition in over a decade, according to USDA's first weekly Crop Progress report issued Monday.

For the week ended April 1, 2018, winter wheat was rated only 32% in good-to-excellent condition, well below 51% at the same time last year and the lowest good-to-excellent rating since 2002.

Meanwhile, for the crops USDA included in its report this week, planting was progressing at a near-average pace. Sorghum was 9% planted, compared to 13% last year and an 11% five-year average. Cotton planting was 7% complete, compared to 3% last year and a 3% average. Rice was 17% planted, compared to 15% last year and a 13% average.  Oats were 26% planted as of April 1, compared to 24% last year and a 29% average. Emergence was at 25%, compared to 21% last year and a 25% average.

Nationwide, based on reports from 48 states, topsoil moisture was rated 24% very short to short compared to 14% last year and 76% adequate to surplus compared to 86% last year. Subsoil moisture was rated 28% short to very short compared to 19% last year and 72% adequate to surplus compared to 81% last year.



AGRONOMY WEEK CELEBRATION RETURNS APRIL 2-6

                Every growing season, agronomists play a vital role in providing expertise and support for farmers. Once again this season, farmers can show their appreciation for their agronomic support teams during Agronomy Week to be celebrated April 2-6.

                Launched last year by the DEKALB, Asgrow and Deltapine brands, the annual event takes place the first week of April to help farmers recognize the contributions of their agronomists, seed dealers and crop consultants who help them get the most out of every acre.

                Pete Uitenbroek, DEKALB, Asgrow and Deltapine brand lead, notes that Agronomy Week was created as an industry-wide celebration. “We’re proud to promote recognition for agronomic team members throughout our industry,” he says. “These dedicated professionals work closely with farmers throughout the growing season, guiding key decision-making and monitoring crop performance to help them maximize their success.”      

                During Agronomy Week, farmers, regardless of seed brand, can pay tribute to their agronomic team by nominating up to three individuals. U.S. farmers who submit nominations will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a daily prize as well as the grand prize – tickets to a NASCAR race for one farmer and up to three members of their agronomic support team.*

                Farmers can nominate their agronomic professionals and enter the sweepstakes at AgronomyWeek.com or by posting the professionals’ names on the DEKALB Asgrow Facebook page or Twitter with #AgronomyWeek and #contest.

                Returning this season to help encourage farmer participation in Agronomy Week will be NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer, who spoke with farmers about the event at the recent Commodity Classic show in Anaheim, California.  “Growing up in Kansas, I have a great appreciation for farmers,” Bowyer says. “I’m honored to support such a worthy industry and excited to be part of Agronomy Week again.”

                Uitenbroek notes that in farming, like racing, an experienced support crew is essential for a strong start and winning performance. “We encourage all farmers to participate in Agronomy Week and help establish this celebration as a strong tradition throughout our industry.”  



Nebraska Beef Council Seeks Director Candidates

Nebraska Beef Council directors volunteer their time to represent beef producers’ checkoff collections and investments on the state, national and international level. The board’s major responsibility is to oversee checkoff expenditures by determining promotion, research and education programs for checkoff investments. The term is four years and will begin on January 2, 2019.

Producers interested in becoming a beef council director are encouraged to visit with current and past directors to learn more about this valuable experience and its commitment.

Election packets are available beginning on April 2, 2018 and can be obtained by calling the Nebraska Beef Council office at 800-421-5326. All candidate materials contained in the election packet must be completed and mailed to the third party office, postmarked by June 15, 2018.

“Beef producers who are passionate about the industry and who are willing to provide leadership to the beef checkoff program and its investments are needed as we face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Ann Marie Bosshamer, executive director for the Nebraska Beef Council. “We need strong leaders to enhance our mission and strengthen beef demand in the global marketplace.”

Districts hosting an election in 2018:
District 2- Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup
District 4- Boyd, Holt, Knox, Antelope, Wheeler, Boone
District 6- Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, Hayes, Dundy, Hitchcock
District 8- Seward, Lancaster, Otoe, Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Saline, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, Jefferson, Pawnee, Richardson

For additional information, visit www.nebeef.org or contact the Nebraska Beef Council office at 1-800-421-5326.



NCBA Cattlemen's Webinar Series: "Cattle Traceability Study Overview"
April 3, 7:00 p.m. CDT

The webinar will detail the research behind the report including results of producer and stakeholder surveys, economic analysis of obstacles and opportunities, and a look at other beef exporting country traceability efforts.

The next webinar, "Genetics: Putting the Tools to Use: Buying your next Bull", will be held on April 19th.  Register for either NCBA webinar at http://www.beefusa.org/cattlemenswebinarseries.aspx.



Management Considerations to Improve Success of Artificial Insemination Program April 10 

Producers with an interest in the use of artificial insemination are encouraged to attend an upcoming program “Management Considerations to Improve Success of Artificial Insemination” by Dr. Rick Funston on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:30 PM MDT / 7:30 PM CDT. This will be an online meeting which can be accessed via the internet or by calling in by phone.

Dr. Funston will address the following:
• Benefits of utilizing estrus synchronization
• Fixed timed artificial insemination protocols
• Management strategies to achieve higher conception rates

The meeting is free to attend. To participate, participants need to register for the meeting in order to receive the meeting room link or phone number. To register, please email Nebraska Extension Educator Aaron Berger at aberger2@unl.edu or contact by phone at 308-235-3122 by Monday, April 9.


DODGE COUNTY CATTLEMEN MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Dodge County Cattlemen will be held on Tuesday April 10th at Z's Bar and Grill in Scribner, NE.  Social hour is at 6:30pm, and the meal will follow.  The social is sponsored this month by Central Valley Ag.  The featured presenter after the meal is Andy Langemeier with the Nebraska LEAD program.  Spouses are encouraged to attend.  Hope to see you there! 



Ragweed Can Pose a Serious Threat to Soybean Yield 

Once thought to be an innocent bystander to field crop production, common ragweed can "drastically reduce soybean yields," according to research conducted by University of Nebraska-Lincoln agronomy graduate student Ethann Barnes and other weed scientists at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead.

An article published this week on the American Society of Agronomy website described Barnes' 2015-2016 research and the journal article reporting it: Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) Interference with Soybean in Nebraska. The journal article was co-authored by Ethann R. Barnes, Amit J.Jhala, Stevan Z. Knezevic, Peter H. Sikkema, and John L. Lindquist. Barnes, Jhala, Knezevic and Lincquist are in the university's Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and Sikkema is at the University of Guelph-Ridgetown.

Among the findings reported was that one ragweed plant every 1.6 feet of soybean row decreased soybean yield by 76% in 2015, and by 40% in 2016. The yield loss was attributed to competition for light rather than competition for water or other mediating factors.

“The ultimate goal of this area of science is for growers to count the number of weeds or make a measurement in their field three weeks into the season. From there they could see whether it's financially a viable option to control their weeds or just leave them in the field,” Barnes said in the web article. By knowing how much damage the weeds might do, farmers can weigh that loss against the cost of killing the weeds.



PUT CARRYOVER HAY TO GOOD USE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               This winter left many of you with more hay and corn stalk bales left over than expected.  Save some of that feed in case of drought, but any extra hay might provide extra value if it is used strategically.

               Get extra value from carryover hay by using that hay in ways that will be valuable especially to you.  Usually that means feeding hay instead of something else that would be more expensive.  Another option, though, is to feed hay so you can make other resources more profitable.

               For example, replace old, thinning alfalfa fields with new seedings this spring.  Then use carryover hay to substitute for lost yield during this seeding year.  Future hay yields from new fields should be more abundant and reliable.

               Or how about adding legumes to cool-season grass pastures or hay meadows.  We usually lose some forage production during the year of legume establishment as you control competition from the existing sod, but your carryover hay can be fed instead as needed.  Better grazing and future meadow production should be the result.

               Another possibility that could be especially useful is to feed hay a little longer this spring before turning cows out to pasture.  Or maybe feed this hay mid-summer to provide extra rest and recovery time for your pastures, increasing their productivity.  Grass that is growing slowly due to dry or cold conditions then will get extra time to recover before experiencing this year’s stress of grazing.

               You also could use less fertilizer on pastures or haylands and make up for the reduced production with your carryover hay.  Or maybe chop less silage and use hay next winter instead.

               If you think about other ways you can use that hay yourself, maybe you, too, can find its extra value.

MAKE PASTURE FERTILIZING PAY
               Spring is approaching and cool-season grass pastures are starting to green-up.  We should begin thinking about fertilizing.

               Grass growth is stimulated by nitrogen fertilizer just like other crops.  Although nitrogen fertilizer can be costly, it is less expensive this spring and favorable cattle prices greatly increase the potential to profit from the increased grass growth produced from nitrogen.

               Our Nebraska research shows that you get about one pound of additional calf or yearling gain for every pound of nitrogen fertilizer applied.  With grazingland becoming more scarce and expensive, boosting yield with fertilizer should be especially valuable this year.

               However, this fertilization rule-of-thumb assumes that the amount applied is within our general recommendations, which are based on the potential amount of extra grass growth expected.  This is affected mostly by moisture.  More importantly, it also assumes that your grazing management will efficiently harvest this extra growth.

               If your animals graze continuously on one pasture throughout the season, much of the extra growth is wasted.  They trample, manure and foul, bed down on, and simply refuse to eat much of the stemmy grass.  Less than one-third of the extra grass ends up inside your livestock.

               To make fertilizer pay, cross-fence pastures to control when and where your animals graze.  Give animals access to no more than one-fourth of your pasture at a time, letting the rest regrow.  Graze off only about one-half of this growth before moving to another subdivision.  Maybe even save one subdivision for hay.  If your pastures aren’t subdivided, fertilizer dollars might be better spent on cross-fences and watering sites.

               Follow these suggestions and more of your pasture growth will be eaten, and more profits will come from fertilizer and pastures.



NAIG ANNOUNCES HIRING OF JULIE KENNEY AS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR IA DEPT. OF AG

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that Julie Kenney has been hired as the new Deputy Secretary for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. She started with the Department on April 2.

“Julie has a passion for agriculture and will be a tremendous asset to the Department.  Her background and experience are a natural fit for the Department and I’m excited to have her on our team,” Naig said.

As Deputy Secretary, Kenney will assist in management responsibilities for the Department focused on the areas of personnel, budget and policy.  She will also support the Department’s efforts to be accessible to Iowans by traveling regularly to represent the Department at meetings across the state.

“It’s an honor to serve as Deputy Secretary and I look forward to working with Secretary Naig and the team at the Department. The Department plays an important role in protecting consumers, improving our natural resources and promoting Iowa agriculture,” Kenney said.

Before joining the Department, Kenney had been active in the agribusiness industry for nearly 15 years, serving in marketing and communications roles for private industry and agricultural associations and checkoff programs. Kenney and her family also own and operate a corn and soybean farm in Story County.

Kenney, maiden name Kock, grew up on her family’s crop and livestock farm near Lohrville, Iowa.



IOWA CORN CONGRATULATES KENNEY ON BECOMING IA DEPUTY SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
ICGA President Mark Recker

On behalf of Iowa’s corn farmers, I would like to congratulate Julie Kenney on her new role as Deputy Secretary of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship under Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Julie has been an active member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and contributed significantly to the success of the CommonGround program as a longtime volunteer.

CommonGround, a key National Corn Growers Association program, includes 19 different states with over 200 women farmer volunteers. In Iowa, CommonGround volunteers focus on engaging those who make the food purchasing decisions for their families and giving them the tools to make informed food choices. During her time as a volunteer, Julie used her communications expertise and her role as a mother and farm wife to help tell the story of America’s farm families. One of the highlights of her time as a volunteer included serving as a guest on Bill Nye the Science Guy television show talking about the science behind GMOs. We know this experience will serve her well in connecting with consumers and promoting Iowa agriculture in her new position.

As Deputy Secretary, Kenney will aid in management responsibilities for the Department focusing on the areas of personnel, budget, and policy. She will also support the Department’s efforts of being assessable to all Iowans by traveling regularly to represent the Department at meetings across the state.

Before joining the Department, Kenney worked as a marketing and communications professional for nearly 15 years, serving various roles for private industry, agricultural associations, and checkoff programs. She has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
Julie and her husband Mark own and operate a fifth-generation corn and soybean farm in Story County and have two children, Lauren and Landon.

We look forward to working with Deputy Secretary Kenney in her new role on several key issues facing Iowa’s corn growers.



Iowa Pork invests in continued water quality progress

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is once again partnering with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to offer funding for pig farmers interested in new nutrient loss reduction technologies.

IPPA has provided $25,000 to IDALS to be used for various projects over the next year. The funds will help offset up to 50 percent of the costs for pig farmers to install saturated buffers or bioreactors on their farm land. Preference will be given to sites that provide the greatest opportunity for nitrate reduction and be geographically dispersed throughout the state to aid in education and demonstration opportunities.

"This additional $25,000 investment by the Iowa Pork Producers Association will help support our efforts to scale-up the adoption of these edge-of-field practices focused on improving water quality. Both bioreactors and saturated buffers are still fairly new practices and this investment will help us continue to place these practices throughout the state to show farmers how they might fit in their operation," said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. "Thank you to the Iowa Pork Producers Association for continuing to invest in the water quality efforts in our state."

Participating producers will be asked to share information and experiences with other farmers through IPPA and IDALS programs. 

Hog farmers interested in the program can submit basic farm information for project consideration at www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3108271/IDALS-EOF-Funding-Application. For more information, contact either Tyler Bettin at IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org; or Matt Lechtenberg at IDALS at (515) 281-3857 or matthew.lechtenberg@iowaagriculture.gov.

"IPPA is very pleased to continue this successful partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. While these are not specific practices to livestock, we know public/private partnerships such as this continue to drive momentum of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy," said 2018 IPPA President Gregg Hora, a producer from Fort Dodge. "Efforts from the 2017, and now 2018 funding, will allow enhanced demonstration of these projects across the state while continuing to move the needle on water quality improvements."

Bioreactors are excavated pits filled with woodchips, with tile drainage water flowing through the woodchips. As water from the tile line passes into the bioreactor, denitrifying bacteria converts nitrate into di-nitrogen gas.

Saturated buffers divert water flowing through underground tile lines into buffers along a river or stream, aiding nutrient removal before the water enters the waterway.

This new offering from IPPA builds on its continuing efforts in support of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, including cover crop research, field day support and educational outreach.

"Through funding of this effort, support of the Water Quality Initiative, continued investments in the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance and many other projects, Iowa pork producers remain committed to continuous improvement and practice adoption, while also celebrating tremendous positive strides that have been made over previous decades," Hora said. "Pig farmers take environmental management and regulations designed to protect our natural resources very seriously. Today's barns contain all manure to be used as crop nutrients and are designed to protect our rivers, streams and drinking water."

The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy science assessment cites an average 4 percent reduction in Nitrate loss and up to 46 percent reduction in Phosphorous loss when using swine manure as a nutrient source compared to commercial fertilizer, while also having positive impacts on soil organic carbon, soil structure and runoff. Research from the University of Arkansas shows that efficiencies of modern pork production enabled pig farmers to reduce water use 41 percent land use 78 percent and carbon footprint 35 percent from 1959-2009.



NPPC Pre-World Pork Expo tours showcase pork production

The 2018 World Pork Expo, June 6-8, will showcase a wealth of activities, but now there are two more to add to the list. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has organized one- and two-day pre-Expo tours to provide intimate views of Midwest pork production and a range of agriculture.

"Whether traveling from another state or another country, Expo visitors should plan to arrive early and take advantage of the informational opportunity that these tours offer," says Greg Thornton, tour organizer for NPPC. "Not only are the tours a great way to gain insight and ask questions, but also to interact with fellow pork professionals from all over the world."

Two-day Midwest Agriculture Tour
The Midwest tour makes stops in Iowa, Illinois and northern Indiana to provide an up-close look at modern pork production practices, facilities, equipment and feed processing. Insights into the growth of U.S. pork exports and agricultural shipping practices round out the tour.

The tour starts on Monday with a visit to Fair Oaks Farms and the Pig Adventure and Pork Education Center in Indiana. Visitors will get an insider's view of modern pork production in a bio-secure environment. They can also tour the Dairy Adventure and Crop Adventure centers before enjoying lunch on site.

The next stop includes a barge cruise down the Mississippi River, where participants will learn how agricultural products move from the Midwest to the rest of the world.

Highlights for Tuesday, June 5, include a presentation on how U.S. pork production systems are organized and the growth in exports; a stop at a large feed mill owned and operated by JBS; and a visit to a modern grow-finish barn to view facilities and equipment from manure handling to ventilation.

"All stops will allow ample time for attendees to interact with industry experts and ask questions," Thornton notes. The tour bus will return to Des Moines by late afternoon on June 5.

Cost for the Midwest Agriculture Tour is U.S. $450 per person, which includes bus transportation, lodging on June 4, meals on tour days and World Pork Expo admission. Individuals are responsible for booking their own hotel rooms before the tour begins and during Expo.

One-day Iowa Agriculture Tour
Iowa is the United States' agricultural heartland and this one-day tour is designed to provide a snapshot of area agri-businesses related to modern pork production.

The tour begins in Des Moines on Tuesday morning, June 5, when attendees will board a tour bus to visit DuPont Pioneer headquarters to learn how researchers are improving agriculture productivity through seeds with better herbicide tolerance, disease and insect protection, improved agronomic performance, and increased end-use value. During lunch, there will be a presentation by a leading expert who will further explain the business and management sides of U.S. pork production. Attendees will visit JBS for a walking tour of a large feed mill, and a grow-finish barn will showcase production technologies and equipment, with the opportunity to interact with farm personnel.

The tour ends in Des Moines in late afternoon. The cost for this all-day tour is U.S. $150 per person, which includes bus transportation, breakfast and lunch on the tour, and admission to World Pork Expo.

"The tours are designed to build a deeper understanding of U.S. pork production and the businesses that support the industry," says Jim Heimerl, NPPC president and producer from Johnstown, Ohio. "Tour participants will further benefit from their experiences as they attend Expo and walk the trade show aisles, sit in on seminars or visit with producers."

Tour Registration is Open
Registration for both tours is available online as part of attendee registration — space is limited, so don't delay. In addition to tour details, the website provides information on World Pork Expo hotels, advice for international visitors, helpful travel tips and Expo facts.

Celebrating 30 years of World Pork Expo, the 2018 event takes place June 6-8 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. This year, Expo features an expanded trade show with record-setting exhibit space and more than 500 U.S. and international companies. Trade show hours run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 8. Free educational seminars, entertainment, swine shows and breeding stock sales are just some of the other events scheduled.

Whether you're a producer, an employee or a visitor from another country, World Pork Expo is the place to see all things pork.



USMEF Statement on China’s Additional Duties on U.S. Pork
U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom

We regret the Chinese government’s decision to impose an additional 25 percent duty on imports of U.S. pork and pork variety meat. The United States is a reliable supplier of pork products to China, and this decision will have an immediate impact on U.S. producers and exporters, as well as our customers in China. We are hopeful that the additional duties can be rescinded quickly, so that U.S. pork can again compete on a level playing field with pork from other exporting countries.

Exports have been a key driver of growth in the U.S. pork industry, and with nearly 27 percent of U.S. pork production exported last year, international trade is critical to the continued success and profitability of the U.S. industry. China is a leading destination for U.S. pork and especially for pork variety meat. In 2017, U.S. exported 495,637 metric tons (mt) of pork and pork variety meat to China/Hong Kong, valued at $1.08 billion – our second-largest international market by volume and third-largest by value. For pork variety meat exports only, this was our largest destination in both volume (321,116 mt) and value ($741.8 million), accounting for 63 percent of U.S. export value. Variety meat exports make a critical contribution to industry profitability, and last year these exports to China/Hong Kong alone equated to more than $6.00 per U.S. hog slaughtered.

With U.S. exporters facing tariff and non-tariff barriers in China and other key markets, it is especially important to expand and diversify our export destinations for U.S. red meat. USMEF is working constantly to identify new and emerging markets in regions such as Central and South America, Southeast Asia and Africa, and to expand our customer base in mainstay markets such as Mexico, Japan, South Korea and Canada.



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding China’s Tariff on U.S. Pork

“Today, China announced it will levy a tariff of 25 percent on U.S. pork and pork products in retaliation to the U.S. imposing tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. China’s response is what we had feared all along and we are extremely concerned about this turn of events.”

“These tariffs will impact Nebraska’s already hurting agriculture economy. Nebraska Farm Bureau recently released a trade report called ‘Nebraska Agriculture & International Trade,’ and it showed Platte and Holt Counties were the most reliant on exports of pork, with each county receiving more than $20 million in value from pork exports. Several other counties in Northeast and North Central Nebraska derive more than $10 million in value from pork exports and would also be sensitive to any export slowdown related to the Chinese tariffs. Also, with pork processing facilities in Fremont, Crete, and Madison, these communities could feel the effects too.”

“These Chinese tariffs could be a damper on pork prices, slowing an already struggling agriculture economy in Nebraska and the U.S. We can’t emphasize enough the importance of trade and how concerning this latest action by China is for Nebraska farmers and ranchers.”

U.S. and Nebraska Numbers on Trade
What are the potential effects to the U.S. and Nebraska from the Chinese tariff on pork?
-    The National Pork Producers Council has said that the U.S. exported $1.1 billion in pork to China last year.
-    According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Ag Service, Nebraska exported $479 million in pork, of which $29 million, or 6 percent, went to China and Hong Kong.
-    The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) recently released its Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. The report showed the overall U.S. hogs and pigs count as of March 1 was 3.1 percent greater than last year. The March 1 market hog number reached 66.7 million head, the largest ever recorded. In other words, U.S. supplies of pork are growing, and growth in exports is needed to help absorb the growing supplies.  The Chinese tariff will make the needed growth more difficult to attain and could be a damper on pork prices. Today, the June lean hog futures contracts were off nearly 4 percent with the news from China.



DOT ISSUES FAVORABLE INTERPRTATION OF ELD EXEMPTION
NPPC newsletter

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) last week released a favorable and broad interpretation of the omnibus spending bill provision addressing the Electronic Logging Device mandate.  The interpretation states, “Livestock (as defined in 49 CFR 395.2) and insect haulers are not required to comply with the ELD rule for the duration of the fiscal 2018 appropriations bill, which runs through Sept. 30, and any subsequent continuing resolutions.”

Last week, the president signed $1.3 trillion federal spending bill that provided for a delay in the mandate.



Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.95 million tons (165 million bushels) in February 2018, compared to 5.24 million tons (171 million bushels) in January 2018 and 4.54 million tons (155 million bushels) in February 2017. Crude oil produced was 1.89 billion pounds down 5 percent from January 2018 but up 8 percent from February 2017. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.26 billion pounds during February 2018 decreased 1 percent from January 2018 and decreased slightly from February 2017.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 152 thousand tons in February 2018, compared to 157 thousand tons in January 2018 and 167 thousand tons in February 2017. Canola crude oil produced was 128 million pounds down 6 percent from January 2018 and down 8 percent from February 2017. Canola once refined oil production at 112 million pounds during February 2018 was up 11 percent from January 2018 but down 3 percent from February 2017. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 49.0 million pounds during February 2018 was up 17 percent from January 2018 and up 8 percent from February 2017.

Edible tallow production was 86.8 million pounds during February 2018, up 31 percent from January 2018 and up 21 percent from February 2017. Inedible tallow production was 323 million pounds during February 2018, up 9 percent from January 2018 but down 3 percent from February 2017. Technical tallow production was 110 million pounds during February 2018, up 16 percent from January 2018 but down 4 percent from February 2017. Choice white grease production at 114 million pounds during February 2018 increased 7 percent from January 2018 but decreased 5 percent from February 2017.



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 482 million bushels in February 2018. Total corn consumption was down 8 percent from January 2018 but up 2 percent from February 2017. February 2018 usage included 91.7 percent for alcohol and 8.3 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 2.36 million bushels, down 19 percent from January 2018 and down 23 percent from February 2017. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 434 million bushels, was down 9 percent from January 2018 but up 2 percent from February 2017. Corn consumed in February 2018 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90.7 percent and 9.3 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.83 million tons during February 2018, down 8 percent from January 2018 and down 3 percent from February 2017. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.26 million tons in February 2018, down 12 percent from January 2018 but up 3 percent from February 2017.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 285 thousand tons during February 2018, down 6 percent from January 2018 but up 6 percent from February 2017. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 255 thousand tons in February 2018, down 7 percent from January 2018 and down 13 percent from February 2017.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for April 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for April 2018. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for April is 2.000 percent, up from 1.875 percent in March.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during April is 3.000 percent, up from 2.875 percent in March.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for April are as follows, 2.375 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 2.250 percent in March; 2.625 percent with five-year loan terms, up from 2.500 percent in March; 2.750 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.750 percent in March; 2.875 percent with 10-year loan terms, up from 2.750 percent in March and; 2.875 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 2.750 percent in March.



CWT Assists with 2 million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 11 requests for export assistance from cooperatives that captured contracts to sell 2.017 million pounds (915 metric tons) of Cheddar and Gouda cheese to customers in Asia, Central America and the Middle East. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from March through June 2018.

CWT-assisted member cooperative 2018 export sales total 29.146 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 5.613 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 20 countries on five continents. These sales are the equivalent of 395.464 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



USDA Issues Final Decision on California Federal Milk Marketing Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today published in the Federal Register a final decision to establish a Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) for California. The proposed FMMO would incorporate the entire state of California. The final decision is based on the evidentiary record of a public hearing held in Clovis, Calif., from September to November 2015. A recommended decision regarding the proposed program was published Feb. 14, 2017.

USDA will conduct a referendum among dairy producers to determine whether they support the proposed FMMO. The referendum will be held from April 2, 2018 through May 5, 2018. USDA will mail ballot materials to all known eligible dairy producers supplying milk to the proposed marketing area. The FMMO would become effective if approved by two-thirds of the voting producers, or by producers of two-thirds of the milk represented in the voting process.

FMMOs are legal instruments that regulate the sale of milk between dairy farmers and the first buyer. Where appropriate, the proposed California FMMO adopts the uniform order provisions contained in the 10 current FMMOs in the national system. These uniform provisions include, but are not limited to, dairy product classification, end-product price formulas, and the producer-handler definition. The proposed order would recognize the unique market structure of the California dairy industry through tailored, performance-based standards to determine eligibility for pool participation. The proposed order provides for the recognition of producer quota as administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

California represents over 18 percent of all U.S. milk production and is currently regulated by a state milk marketing order administered by CDFA.

Along with issuing this final decision, USDA conducted a Regulatory Economic Impact Analysis to determine the potential impact of regulating California milk handlers under a FMMO on the milk supply, product demand and prices, and milk allocation in California and throughout the United States. The entire hearing record, including the Regulatory Economic Impact Analysis, is available at www.ams.usda.gov/caorder. Today’s Federal Register notice is available at: www.regulations.gov.

USDA will hold a public meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Clovis, Calif., to answer questions related to how the proposed California FMMO would operate and how eligible dairy producers can participate in the referendum. Interested parties will have the opportunity to attend in person or watch the meeting live via webcast. Meeting details, as well as information regarding the producer referendum, are available on the AMS website at www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/moa/dairy/ca.



American Lamb Board Establishes Goal of 2 Percent Demand Growth Yearly

The American Lamb Board (ALB) has approved a new long range plan for 2018-2022 to focus the work of the checkoff and its stakeholders in the areas of promotion, information and research over the next five years – and it boldly sets a demand growth goal.

The strategic objective of the plan is to increase demand for American Lamb by 2 percent annually over the next five years, for a total demand growth of 10 percent. Per capita consumption of lamb in the U.S. has remained steady over the past ten years at approximately one pound per person per year with nearly 20 percent of lamb consumption occurring during the spring holidays. Urban shoppers are the most likely to consume lamb with the highest consumption occurring on the East and West Coasts. In 2015, lamb demand was up 7 percent compared to 2014 and increased again in 2016 by 2.5 percent.

“The future holds tremendous promise for our industry which produces a unique, flavorful, tender and nutritious protein that meets the changing needs and preferences of consumers,” says Jim Percival, Xenia, Ohio, ALB chairman. “Improving the quality and consistency of our products to ensuring consumers have a great eating experience every time, increasing our industry’s productivity and stabilizing our prices are all critical to the success of creating demand for American Lamb.”

ALB is committed to Five Core Strategies outlined in the Long Range Plan that aim to increase the demand for American Lamb.
-    Grow awareness and increase usage of American Lamb among chefs and consumers.
-    Promote and strengthen American Lamb’s Value Proposition.
-    Improve the quality and consistency of American Lamb.
-    Support industry efforts to increase domestic supplies of lamb.
-    Collaborate and communicate with industry partners and stakeholders to expand efforts to address the first four strategies.

“Using these core strategies, the ALB will create budgets and annual work plans to achieve the goals and initiatives set by the Long Range Plan. America’s lamb producers are excited about the work we’ll be doing over the next several years to increase the demand not just for lamb, but specifically for American Lamb,” Percival says.

The Long Range Plan identifies key trends and opportunities in today’s marketing climate. Global demand growth, interest in buying local and production practices, changing consumer preferences, nutrition perceptions of lamb, as well as the price and perceived value of American Lamb all influenced the five core strategies outlined in the Long Range Plan.

“We trust that other stakeholders and allied industry partners will seek opportunities to align their plans with this plan and find ways to support the industry-wide objectives. We all benefit when we focus our efforts to build demand for American Lamb,” Percival says.

To download the full version of the Long Range Plan, go to www.LambResourceCenter.com/lamb-checkoff/longrangeplan/. 



Bank Loans to US Farmers Increase in 2017

Farm banks lent more to the troubled agricultural sector in 2017, according to the American Bankers Association, increasing lending by almost 6% to $106B. Low commodity prices have pushed US agriculture into a multi-year slump, with farm incomes due to fall to the lowest point since 2006. Some farmers have turned to creditors for relief while others have gone out of business altogether. "We're starting to see the effects of a weaker ag sector," says ABA's Brittany Kleinpaste. Farm bank profitability slowed in 2017 from the previous year, with around 96% profitable and around 55% increasing earnings. Banks held a total of $180B in agricultural loans at the end of the year.



Titan Machinery Revenues Up

Titan Machinery Inc. reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended January 31, 2018.

"We were well positioned to capture the anticipated fiscal fourth quarter acceleration in Agriculture sales activity due to better than anticipated crop yields in our footprint and the resulting improvement in grower sentiment," said Chairman and CEO David Meyer. "As a result of our improved inventory position, we continue to experience increased equipment margins compared to the prior year."

In addition, fiscal full year 2018 performance was highlighted by reduced operating expenses and a more efficient operating structure due to the completion of our restructuring efforts.

For its Agriculture Segment, revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $205.3 million, compared to $201.1 million in the fourth quarter last year. Pre-tax income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $2.2 million, compared to pre-tax loss of $5.9 million in the fourth quarter last year. Adjusted pre-tax income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was $2.0 million, compared to an adjusted pre-tax loss of $4.8 million in the fourth quarter last year.