Wednesday October 09 Ag News

 Nebraska Beef Council Members Reflect on Trade Mission Experiences in Japan and Indonesia

Two Nebraska Beef Council Board of Director members, Mark Goes of Odell and Doug Temme of Wayne, recently returned from international trade missions to Japan and Indonesia, where they had the opportunity to promote U.S. beef and strengthen trade relationships.

Goes, who traveled to Japan with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), was eager to participate in the mission. During his week-long trip, Goes experienced Japan’s culture and culinary preferences firsthand, visiting local markets, attending chef trainings, and engaging with Japanese dignitaries and business leaders.

 “I strive to be an advocate for our beef and cattle industries,” said Goes. “The USMEF mission is ‘Putting US meat on the world’s table,’ and I wanted to help build confidence in our product.”

One of the highlights of his trip was a visit to the Hanew Foods Beef Tongue Processing Plant in Sendai, where he sampled beef tongue, a specialty in Japan. Goes noted that Japan’s demand for variety meats like beef tongue and intestine, which are not as popular in the U.S., offers an added value market.

“In a country with little and diminishing ag production, the need for strong U.S. and Japan relations is evident to help provide food security,” said Goes.

Meanwhile, Temme participated in a trade mission to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he explored opportunities for U.S. beef in a country with the fourth-largest population in the world. During his trip, Temme visited commodity markets, feed mills and met with local importers. He emphasized the potential for growth in the Indonesian market, despite existing trade barriers.

“There are some products there, but there’s room for more growth,” said Temme. “Some of it is tariff trade-type barrier issues that need to be worked out.”

Both board members were struck by the cultural differences they observed. Temme, in particular, was encouraged by Indonesia’s openness to U.S. products.

“They do have a largely favorable viewpoint of the U.S. and they are wanting to do business with us,” Temme shared.

Goes and Temme plan to share their experiences and encourage others in the U.S. beef industry to build relationships abroad. Both trips highlighted the growing global demand for U.S. beef and the importance of expanding market opportunities.



US Department of Labor finds Nebraska farm cooperative exposed employees stacking pallets of pork to musculoskeletal disorders

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Wholestone Farms Cooperative Inc. of Fremont, NE for three serious safety and health violations and proposed penalties totaling $36,873, following a March 2024 complaint investigation.

OSHA issued serious violations under the general duty clause, after finding employees were exposed to ergonomic stressors likely to cause musculoskeletal disorders and injuries when working in the palletizing area.

The company put employees at risk of musculoskeletal injuries by requiring them to manually lift boxes weighing up to 99 pounds from the palletizing conveyor onto pallets at floor level and stack them up to nine boxes high. The frequency and duration of lifts, weights lifted, motions repeated, forced exertions, and irregular postures exposed employees to the risk of injuries.

Wholestone also received a serious violation for exposing workers to slip and fall hazards by allowing employees to walk and work on a damaged, uneven surface in the shipping department’s cold storage area and by not keeping aisles and a passageway clear and in good repair.

“Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most frequent causes of lost or restricted work time and a known hazard in the meatpacking industry. Such injuries occur when lifting heavy items, bending, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively,” said OSHA Area Director Matthew Thurlby in Omaha, Nebraska. “Work-related musculoskeletal injuries can be prevented by creating an effective ergonomics program that includes training, hazard analysis and control, medical management, and process evaluation to limit muscle strain.”

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.



Nebraska Delegation Members Earn “Friend of Farm Bureau” Award

All five members of the Nebraska congressional delegation have received the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) “Friend of Farm Bureau” award for the 118th Congress. The awards are given at the end of each Congress to lawmakers based on individual voting records on Farm Bureau priority issues, which in 2024 included protecting animal agriculture from animal rights extremists, supporting a new Farm Bill and other federal risk management programs, pushing to expand agricultural markets, and many others. Nebraska Farm Bureau nominated the members of the delegation for the awards.

“We are very fortunate to have elected leaders working in Washington, D.C. who recognize and value the significant impact of agriculture in our state. Their commitment to advocating for policies that benefit Nebraska's farm and ranch families deserves recognition. We are proud to have the American Farm Bureau recognize all five members of our state’s congressional delegation for their leadership and service,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.

Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts received the AFBF “Friend of Farm Bureau” award, as did Rep. Mike Flood (R-Dist.1), Rep. Don Bacon (R-Dist.2), and Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Dist.3).

“We look forward to continuing to work with the members of the delegation on initiatives that will grow opportunities for Nebraska agriculture. History has consistently shown, when farm and ranch families and the agricultural economy do well, the people and state of Nebraska do well,” said McHargue.



Nebraska Farmers Union PAC Announces General Election Endorsements

NEBFARMPAC, the political action committee of Nebraska Farmers Union, Nebraska’s second largest general farm organization with over 3,200 farm and ranch families, announced its general election endorsements today for Congress, the Legislature, State Board of Education, Public Power Districts, Natural Resource Districts, and County Commissioners.

Based on their position on family farm and ranch issues with input from county and district officers the NEBFARMPAC Board of Directors announced the following endorsements:

NeFU members in bold.       * = Incumbents      

U.S. Senate:     *Deb Fischer
U.S. Senate      Preston Love Jr.

Congress Second District: Tony Vargas

Nebraska Legislature
LD3:    Victor Roundtree
LD5:   Margo Juarez
LD7:    Dunixi Guereca & Tim Pendrell
LD9:    *John Cavanaugh
LD11: *Terrell McKinney
LD13:  Nick Batter & Ashlei Spivey
LB15:  Dave Wordekemper
LD17:  Glen Meyer & Mike Albrecht
LD19: *Rob Dover   
LD21: Seth Derner
LD23: Dennis Fujan
LD25: Nicki Behmer Popp
LD27:  Jason Prokop
LD29: *Eliot Bostar (unopposed)
LD31: Mary Ann Folchert
LD33:  Michelle Smith
LD35: Dan Quick
LD37: Stan Clouse
LD39: Allison Heimes
LD41:  Daniel McKeon
LD45:  Sarah Centineo
LD49:  *Jen Day

Nebraska Public Power District
Subdivision 6: Robin Hinrichs

Omaha Public Power District
Subdivision 6: *Eric Williams
Subdivision 8: Morgan Rye-Craft

State Board of Education
Subdistrict 1: Kristin Christensen
Subdistrict 2: Maggie Douglas
Subdistrict 3: Bill McAllister
Subdistrict 4: Liz Renner       

Lower Platte North NRD
Subdistrict 3: *Andrew Tonnies

Lower Platte South NRD
Subdistrict 1: Carla McCullough Dittman
Subdistrict 5: *John Yoakum
Subdistrict 6:  *Anthony Schutz (unopposed)
Subdistrict 7:   Chuck Hassebrook (unopposed)
Subdistrict 10:  Stephanie Matejka (unopposed)

Upper Elkhorn NRD
Subdistrict 6:  *Art Tanderup (unopposed)



Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow Webinar Series

Feed costs are often the largest category of expense for cow-calf producers in Nebraska. Understanding how the cow’s nutrient requirements change throughout the year and how to cost-effectively meet those requirements with the feed resources available can greatly influence an operation’s bottom line.

Nebraska Extension will be hosting a four-session webinar series in November that will explain the fundamentals of understanding a cow’s nutrition requirements and the options available to meet a cow’s needs with grazed or harvested feed. The series will be held Monday and Thursday evenings, November 11, 14, 18 and 21, from 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. CT.

Topics to be covered include:
• What impacts a cow’s nutrient requirements and how do they change throughout the year?
• How do you read and understand a feed test analysis as well as a feed tag? What do the numbers mean?
• When comparing feed options, which is the best buy when all things are considered???
• What are things to consider when developing a year-round feeding plan???

The cost is $65 and includes a notebook of Nebraska Extension resources. The course is limited to 35 participants. To register, visit https://go.unl.edu/feedingthecow. Participants are asked to register by Nov. 1 to ensure webinar resources are received before the series begins. A computer and internet connection will be needed to participate in the webinar series.

For questions about the webinar series, please contact Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator, at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.



Connecting Buyers and Sellers at Southeast Asia Ag Cooperators Conference

Recently Jolene Riessen, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Chair and farmer from Ida County, joined the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) as part of the Southeast Asia Ag Cooperators Conference held in Vietnam.  Iowa Corn’s investment in this conference directly helped to bring buyers and sellers together from across Southeast Asia to learn about U.S. corn and corn co-products.

While at the conference Jolene participated in a panel discussion revolving around topics of sustainability and many of the buyers in the room also wanted to discuss the market and harvest outlook in the U.S. During the business-to-business meetings where buyers and sellers were able to interact a lot of interest was expressed in getting grain booked.

“The Ag Cooperators Conference provide the perfect opportunity to put all the right people in one room together,” shared Riessen. “Meeting our customers where they are and being able to directly answer questions about our crops and products provides a lot of trust to help us build these relationships.”

Finally, the delegation visited a poultry manufacturing plant, who has an interest in building a feed mill. Jolene extended an invitation to come to Iowa to see first-hand the ISU Feed Mill, a state-of the art facility and investment of Iowa Corn Promotion Board.



Iowa Organic Conference to Highlight Economics and Climate-Smart Systems

The country’s largest university-sponsored organic conference will return Nov. 25 to the University of Iowa in Iowa City. A joint effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Iowa, the conference will feature producers and experts from across the country sharing tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations.

Registration is $100 through Nov. 10 and $150 after that date. Conference registration is available online at https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/iowaorganic/.

Iowa Organic Conference.This year’s theme is “Organic Agriculture: Economic Opportunities and Climate-Smart Systems” featuring keynote speaker Thelma Velez, research and education program director, Organic Farming Research Foundation. Velez will speak on how OFRF surveys organic farmers on their research and education needs and how they work to have their voices heard through various outlets, including the Farm Bill.  

The conference begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, with vendor setup, and a reception featuring local and organic food and drinks at 6 p.m. in the UI Memorial Union.

Monday’s breakout sessions start at 8 a.m. and will include information on transitioning into organic farming, weed management, organic livestock production and specialty crops. Other sessions include improving soil health, organic no-till, transitioning to organic and working with NRCS, among others. Monday’s lunch will highlight local and organic produce, meats and dairy products assembled into a gourmet meal by Chef Anne Watson and her University of Iowa dining team.

“The Iowa Organic Conference is the largest university-sponsored organic conference in the country,” said Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Last year’s conference brought over 30 exhibitors, ranging from organic seed sales to local food system nonprofits, to government offices working with transitioning and certified organic farmers. Despite the challenges of storms and wet fields, organic farmers are anticipating successful organic yields.”

Hotel rooms are available at The Graduate Hotel for Sunday, Nov. 24. Guests may access room reservations online.

For additional conference information and directions to the conference, visit the 2024 Iowa Organic Conference webpage or contact Kathleen Delate at kdelate@iastate.edu or 515-294-5116.



USDA Announces Actions to Lower Food Prices, Bring Fairness to Farmers, and Promote More Competitive Food Supply Chains

Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced multiple steps to deliver on the President’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy to promote fair and competitive markets for American farmers and ranchers, and lower food prices for American families. The following actions were announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during a Farmers and Ranchers in Action event hosted by the White House:
    First, through a multipart framework, USDA is leveraging its funding and research capacity, as well as interagency partnerships, to increase transparency and improve researcher access to seed germplasm, the starting materials plant breeders need to create diverse, resilient, and competitive seed varieties. These were key recommendations identified in USDA’s 2023 report, “More and Better Choices for Farmers: Promoting Fair Competition and Innovation in Seeds and Other Agricultural Inputs.”
    Second, USDA today published an interim report that assesses competitive conditions in the meat retail industry. The report draws on over 1,600 comments received from the public in response to USDA requests for information, interviews with small, medium, and large meatpackers, distributors, retailers, academics, and farmer or advocacy organizations. It identifies hidden fees and unjust/anticompetitive pricing strategies present in the beef market as a case study.
    Third, USDA announced the next steps in a new rulemaking effort under the Packers & Stockyards Act of 1921 to enhance price discovery and fairness in cattle markets. For years, USDA has fielded complaints from producers around beef packers using reported regional cash or spot prices as base prices for fed cattle formula pricing agreements, commonly known as Alternative Marketing Agreements (AMAs). USDA is issuing an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to seek comment on several possible interventions to develop new benchmarks as AMA base prices and approaches to trading when using benchmarks.

“Over these last four years, the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic investments in agriculture to help farmers, small businesses, and rural communities get a fair shake,” said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “Our work on competition is about opening up new markets for farmers and delivering fairer, more competitive choices. Today’s actions will help to deliver on more choice and lower costs for seeds used by farmers, more choice and lower food costs for consumers, and a fairer marketplace for ranchers.”

“With today’s announcements, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking action to lower food prices for working families by enabling small businesses and family farms to compete fairly,” said National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard. “For too long, consolidation in the agriculture industry has been swallowing up family farms, lowering incomes and choices for farmers, and raising prices at the grocery store. Today’s announcements build on our work to restore fair competition in farming and food markets and to lower grocery prices for working families.”

“USDA is taking smart, strategic steps to open up pathways for continued innovation and improved competition in seed markets, new retail choices for small businesses and working family consumers alike, and fairer, more competitive trading in America’s world-leading cattle market,” said USDA’s Senior Advisor for Fair and Competitive Markets Andy Green. “These represent the first steps into these markets in a long time, and so we’re both listening to all while we’re doing so but we’re putting the relevant industries on notice that in the coming months, the USDA alongside its Federal partners will be amping up our scrutiny of these markets closely to protect fair, open, and honest competition.”

As President Biden outlined in the Competition Executive Order, consolidation in the agricultural industry is making it too hard for small family farms to survive as they face concentrated market power in the channels for selling agricultural products. In part due to the Administration’s efforts to tackle predatory pricing throughout the American economy, grocery inflation has improved as has certain key agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, but meat prices remain too high and competition in seeds markets remains highly constrained.

Seed Competition Framework
USDA’s framework for promoting research access to germplasm represents a three-part strategy for enhanced seed system diversity, competition, and resilience. Specifically, the framework:
    Identifies opportunities for better defining patent-related disclosure for seeds so researchers understand their freedom to operate. A letter from USDA to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) USPTO describes the need for more clarity on breeding history and pedigrees and ensuring accessibility to seeds samples placed in patent depositories to adequately disclose plant-related inventions. Clarifying disclosure requirements for utility patents on seeds would help ensure researchers can better understand the scope and bounds of patent rights on plant-related inventions and conduct the research necessary to develop new innovations.
    Provides guidance to USDA researchers around observational uses of protected germplasm in the context of patent law. The ability to observe and understand patented inventions is necessary for federal scientists to pursue critical research and to innovate without fear of infringement. View USDA’s guidance for federal researchers.
    Encourages that germplasm developed by federal funding be shared for research and plant breeding, thus reflecting existing best practices. This will potentially help ensure that the germplasm pool is available for future innovation for both private and public breeders alike to bring new and diverse choices to the market. View USDA’s guidance for federally-funded research.

Access to Retail Report
Released today, USDA’s interim report “Competition and Fair Practices in Meat Merchandising,” uses beef markets as a case study to better understand access to retail dynamics for producers and processors. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) conducted an investigative study, took public comment, and supported academic examination of the topic.

This interim report has identified a trend of increasing market concentration nationally and regionally, particularly among the top four packers, distributors, and retailers. The report also highlights the views of commenters and interviewees, including farmers and small to midsize or independent packers and retailers, who describe their concerns with problematic practices by intermediaries.

As next steps, USDA will be continuing the investigative study already commenced, including through subpoenas. USDA is also announcing that the Agricultural Marketing Service will be commencing an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the coming months to seek public input around potential next steps.

Together, these efforts will protect free and fair competition on the merits for businesses operating in the retail channel; ensure that small, midsize, or independent businesses can continue to raise and process livestock; and help these businesses distribute and sell meat to the families and local communities that they serve.

Cattle Price Discovery Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)
The Competition Executive Order directed USDA to address the unfair treatment of farmers and improve conditions of competition in the markets for their products through rulemaking actions under the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. USDA was also directed to identify measures to enhance price discovery, increase transparency, and improve the functioning of the cattle and other livestock markets.

Upon publication in the Federal Register, AMS’s Packers and Stockyards Division will be seeking comment on a range of targeted options to improve price discovery and fair and competitive trading in fed cattle markets. The options presented in the ANPR focus on ways to ensure that the base prices in fed cattle purchasing agreements, commonly known as alternative marketing arrangements (AMAs), are representative of relevant market conditions and are not vulnerable to distortion or strategic behavior that could cause prices to shift for reasons other than changes in supply and demand.

These options are intended to mitigate the concern that AMAs have negative price effects on the spot market and otherwise distort the trading of fed cattle, which are complaints that AMS has received over the years. Cattle plays an important role in the economic health of many rural communities, and so fairness to cattle producers is vitally important.



Smith Statement on White House Agriculture Event

Tuesday, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement in response to today’s White House event with select agriculture groups chosen by the administration.

"If the Biden-Harris administration is serious about supporting American agriculture producers, their actions have failed to align with their words.

"Their refusal to open new markets for American products through trade agreements has contributed to an agricultural trade deficit of more than $30 billion. Their failure to forcefully stand up to unscientific protectionism has left the Mexican ban on American white corn intact for far too long. Their lack of leadership or persuasive solution for Farm Bill renewal has left producers without certainty. Treasury’s failure to release biofuel tax credit guidance in a timely fashion or fully incorporate GREET scientific standards for renewable fuels as intended by the legislation’s authors has created broad uncertainty across supply chains while locking out long-time producers who have demonstrated good stewardship of their land. And their resuscitation of the Obama administration’s overturned WOTUS rule puts every farmer and rancher in the country at the mercy of the EPA in a way Congress never intended.

"True support for American agriculture means empowering American producers to feed their neighbors and feed the world from planting to harvest to market, right now and across future generations. I have seen nothing from President Biden and Vice President Harris which demonstrates they truly understand that."



NFU Applauds USDA’s Commitment to Fairness and Transparency for Farmers
 
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Tuesday a series of actions in support of a fair and competitive agriculture market. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew said the following:

"We commend USDA for continuing to promote competition across our agricultural markets. The Biden-Harris administration has done more than any other administration since Theodore Roosevelt to ensure that the agricultural and rural economy is fair and competitive for family farmers and ranchers. Today’s announcement demonstrates USDA’s thoughtful and proactive approach to addressing some of the most pressing issues farmers and ranchers face—namely, the need for transparency, fairness and innovation in both seed systems and livestock markets.  

The new framework for improving research access to seed germplasm is a significant step forward. Farmers rely on diverse, resilient seed traits to thrive in an increasingly unpredictable climate. This initiative helps to guarantee that seed choices are not limited by monopolistic practices but are driven by innovation and the demands of sustainability.

The findings of USDA’s interim report on competition in the meat retail industry further illustrate the barriers to a fair market and a resilient food system. Family farmers and ranchers deserve a level playing field, and today’s report highlights the concerning consolidation that makes it increasingly difficult for them to compete. We look forward to even more initiatives from USDA and other enforcement agencies to ensure everyone is playing fairly.

Lastly, efforts to enhance price discovery in cattle markets and enforce the Packers & Stockyards Act reflect a deep understanding of the challenges facing cattle producers. For too long, unfair pricing practices have undermined the livelihoods of family farmers. Today’s advanced notice of proposed rulemaking is a welcome opportunity for farmers to shape new regulations that will promote fairness, increase transparency and ensure competitive markets for livestock producers.”

NFU’s Fairness for Farmers campaign has brought the devastating impact of monopolies on family agriculture into the national spotlight. Together, this administration’s initiatives strengthen the economic foundation of rural communities and ensure family farmers and ranchers have fair and competitive businesses.  



NCBA Responds to Misguided White House Ag Event With Activists

Tuesday, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane responded to the agriculture event hosted today at the White House:

“Real cattle producers have faced two hurricanes in two weeks and months of devastating wildfires across the West, and instead of addressing these immediate problems hurting farmers and ranchers, the Biden-Harris administration hosted a pep rally to prop up their failing Bidenomics agenda at the White House, with animal rights activists front and center. Had we been invited, we could have discussed more pressing issues like much-needed disaster relief, regulatory overreach, and USDA’s questionable approval of South American beef imports.

“This event makes clear what cattle producers have known for quite some time: when it comes to agriculture, this administration has prioritized politics over policy that supports cattle producers.”



NCGA President Calls for Action During Meeting at White House

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr. Tuesday told Biden administration officials that farmers are living through difficult economic times, but the administration and Congress can help by removing barriers so growers can access expanding markets for U.S. corn.

Hartman’s comments came during an event, called “Farmers and Ranchers in Action,” hosted this morning at the White House.

“On behalf of my fellow corn growers, I spoke about the need to make it possible for producers to access tax credits for sustainable aviation fuels,” Hartman said. “The tax credit would help us expand the ethanol market, which is important to growers, while boosting the airline industry’s efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions.”

The White House meeting comes as producers are faced with falling corn and other commodity prices.

Hartman also touched on priorities that he hopes Congress will tackle and called on administration officials to help in any way they can with pending legislation, such as the farm bill.

“While we’re almost out of time this year, Congress should pass a robust farm bill,” Hartman said. “I also think Congress can advance legislation that will allow consumers to access higher blends of ethanol. During my visit today, I asked that the president sign these pieces of legislation once they make it to his desk.”



Meat Institute: USDA Continues to Over-Regulate Beef and Cattle Markets
 
Following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) requests for more information on possible new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act on price discovery in cattle markets, Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts Tuesday made the following statement:

“Biden’s USDA is once again attempting to assert government control over the free market to the detriment of cattle producers, packers and consumers,” said Potts. “This is not about transparency. This is about the government dictating how cattle may be bought and sold.

“Thanks to the transparency already required in these markets, we know that cattle producers have received record high prices for several years.

“When USDA says it wants to ‘enhance fairness’ in cattle markets, they mean pick winners and losers. They want to end the use of Alternative Marketing Arrangements (AMAs) and force producers and packers into the cash market.  AMAs are a livestock producer-driven innovation that rewards producers who are developing value-added products by investing in their herds’ genetics and other traits, improving quality, or raising cattle using certain sustainability practices. Despite the Administration’s belief otherwise, cattle production operations are not all the same and the cattle they produce are not one-size-fits all.  Moving back in time to a commodity cattle market will reduce competition, innovation, and quality, ultimately hurting the entire industry.  Livestock producers ought to be rewarded for their innovation in the marketplace.

“AMAs offer producers the very benefits USDA says it wants to support: choice, flexibility, transparency and, yes, even higher prices. And most importantly, AMAs provide consumers with more choices and a consistent supply of higher quality beef at stable prices.

“The Meat Institute remains opposed to all of the Biden Administration’s proposed and final rules changes under the Packers and Stockyards Act because they are outside the scope of USDA’s authority.”

Background on Transparency in Beef and Cattle Markets
There is robust price discovery in the cattle and beef markets. Congress established and USDA administers the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act (LMR) program to facilitate open, transparent price discovery and provide all market participants, both large and small, with comparable levels of market information for slaughter cattle and beef, as well as other species.

Under LMR, packers must report to AMS daily the prices they pay to procure cattle, and other information, including slaughter data for cattle harvested during a specified time period and with net prices, actual weights, dressing percentages, percent of beef grading Choice, and price ranges, and then AMS publishes the anonymized data.

AMS publishes 24 daily and 20 weekly cattle reports each week. Weekly reports start Monday afternoon and end the next Monday morning. These reports cover time periods, regions, and activities and the data include actual cattle prices.

Further, packers report all original sale beef transactions in both volume and price through the Daily Boxed Beef Report. This data is reported twice daily, at 11:00 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. The morning report covers market activity since 1:30 p.m. of the prior business day until 9:30 a.m. of the business day. The afternoon report is cumulative, including all market activity in the morning plus all additional transactions between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and is on the USDA DataMart website. The boxed beef report covers both individual beef item sales and beef cutout values and current volumes, both of which are derived from the individual beef item sales data.

In 2022, Congress appropriated funds for AMS to create a Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program to increase market transparency. The pilot program has packers submit contract and volume information to AMS using a series of data collection forms. This information is added to a searchable database.



NCBA Releases Findings from Cattle Producer Tax Survey

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a report analyzing data collected in a nationwide tax survey of America’s cattle producers. With the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire at the end of 2025, NCBA collected this survey data to better understand how key tax provisions, such as Death Tax relief and business deductions, impact family-owned cattle operations.

“When I was starting out in the ranching business, I saw the devastating impact of the Death Tax firsthand and this tax nearly killed my dream of ranching with my family,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “This experience pushed me to fight for lower taxes on farms and ranches, and the data collected by NCBA shows that many other producers around the country have faced similar pressure from devastating tax bills too. I urge our policymakers to see the story this data is telling—that farmers and ranchers need lower taxes to stay in business and continue feeding the world.”

The respondents to the tax survey indicated that 99% operated family-owned farms or ranches and 64% were third-generation cattle producers or greater. Additionally, the survey showed strong support for provisions such the 1031 Like-Kind Exchange, Section 179 Expensing, Bonus Depreciation, and Section 199A Small Business Deduction. The data also showed that a quarter of respondents spend more than $10,000 annually for tax preparation, filing, and potential audits, all expenses that only add further pressure to agricultural operations.

“Farms and ranches are unique small businesses, and they face a variety of challenges that our tax code must address,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus. “The survey data shows strong support for tax provisions that help cattle producers reduce their taxes and invest in essential assets for running a successful cattle operation. To protect our farming and ranching heritage, we need Congress to step up and back tax provisions that help cattle producers save more of their hard earned money and set up the next generation of cattle producers for success.”



August U.S. Ethanol and DDGS Exports Rise
Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst, Renewable Fuels Association

August U.S. ethanol exports rebounded 4% to 141.2 million gallons (mg), with the bulk of shipments headed to a dozen countries. Canada remained the top destination for the 41st consecutive month, accounting for 40% of total exports, despite reducing its imports of U.S. ethanol by 8% to 57.0 mg, nearly all of which was denatured fuel. Exports to the European Union surged by 53% to 12.7 mg. Shipments to the United Kingdom dropped by a third to 16.9 mg, and India imported 6% less, totaling 10.7 mg. Exports to Colombia also decreased by 30%, reaching 9.9 mg. Other larger markets included Mexico (8.7 mg, +249%), South Korea (7.9 mg, -18%), Peru (6.7 mg, +382%), Oman (5.6 mg, up from zero), Jamaica (2.7 mg, +1211%), the Philippines (1.1 mg, up from zero), and Singapore (1.0 mg, a tick higher). Notably, Brazil was absent again from the market. U.S. ethanol exports for the first 8 months of the year have reached a record high of 1.24 billion gallons, up 38% from last year at this time.

The U.S. imported 1.9 mg of undenatured fuel ethanol from Brazil and Canada. This was the first time since March that any meaningful imports entered our borders.

U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, increased 2% in August to a 3-year high of 1.12 million metric tons (mt) amid mixed markets. South Korea’s imports of DDGS surged by 35% to an 8-month high of 166,862 mt, making it the top U.S. DDGS market for the month. In contrast, Mexico’s imports fell 34% to an 8-month low of 163,086 mt. Other notable gains came from Turkey (117,334 mt, +69%), the European Union (105,454 mt, +25%), Vietnam (72,175 mt, +7%), and Israel (59,833 mt, quadrupled to a record high). On the other hand, exports declined to Indonesia (70,676 mt, -4%), Canada (47,923 mt, -19%), China (44,295 mt, -15%), and Thailand (32,503 mt, -21%). The remaining 21% of U.S. DDGS exports were distributed across 29 other countries. Year-to-date DDGS exports have reached 8.09 million mt, 15% higher than the same period last year.



Agricultural Policy, Production Supply And Demand Headline First Export Exchange 2024 Sessions

Export Exchange 2024 began today in Fort Worth, Texas, where the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), partnering with Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), welcomed nearly 500 guests including international buyers and domestic U.S. value chain stakeholders to the conference.

With 28 industry exhibitors to further showcase the breadth of the U.S. agriculture and agribusiness industries, Export Exchange encourages real-time trade and relationship building.

“It is essential for us to strengthen the bonds between suppliers and partner countries, and the connections we make this week will not only help propel our industry this year, but for years to come,” Ryan LeGrand, president and CEO of the U.S. Grains Council said. “Export Exchange provides the perfect environment for stakeholders to get answers, make contacts and build business.”

Tuesday also included speaker Jason Hafemeister, the USDA acting deputy undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. Hafemeister presented USDA’s goals for exports and explained the necessity of trade for U.S. agriculture success.

“[Exports] help keep rural American economies strong and vibrant, so we are all in on promoting trade. It is also an important part in our relationships with the rest of the world, Hafemeister said. “The United States is a reliable supplier of agricultural products. We want to develop strong relationships with our trading partners, and we think that the flow of agriculture commodities is critical to do so.”

Other Tuesday speakers included information about global feed demand by Ankush Bhandari with Verition Fund Management; “Requirements of the Agriculture Supply Chain and Transportation Amidst Global Upheaval,” presented by Ken Eriksen of Polaris Analytics and Consulting; and “Understanding Today’s Contracts,” by Alejandra Castillo and Thomas Erickson from the North American Export Grain Association.

The day’s speakers highlighted commodity outlooks and examined the continuous evolution of agriculture industry with "Sorghum, The Smart Choice,” presented by Norma Ritz Johnson from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program; "Co-Products in Petfood,” by Kent Cooper with Evolve Consulting Group; a discussion of new opportunities with “Seafood Protein Demand Outlook,” presented by Gary Morrison from Expana; and “Value-Baded Procurement of U.S. Co-Products,” led by Guy Allen with the International Grains Program.

Wednesday, the final day of the event, will include discussions on new co-products in the market by Joe Ward with the Dried Distillers Council; sustainable corn and co-products exports offered by USGC Director of Global Sustainability, Carlos Suárez; and a panel discussing the value U.S. corn including Dr. Vijay Singh, University of Illinois, Kurt Shultz, USGC and Doug Kitch, CPM Industrial Solutions.

More information about ExEx 2024, including registration details, is available at www.exportexchange.org or on social media using the hashtag #ExEx24.

Tuesday October 08 Crop Progress Report + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending October 6, 2024, there were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 36% very short, 40% short, 23% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 30% very short, 43% short, 26% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 21% fair, 46% good, and 21% excellent. Corn mature was 88%, near 92% last year and 87% for the five-year average. Harvested was 27%, near 29% last year and 24% average.

Soybean condition rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 25% fair, 48% good, and 16% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 96%, near 97% last year and 94% average. Harvested was 46%, near 45% last year and 42% average.

Winter wheat planted was 87%, near 88% last year and 84% average. Emerged was 37%, well behind 57% last year, and behind 46% average.

Sorghum condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 19% fair, 49% good, and 28% excellent. Sorghum mature was 79%, near 78% last year, and equal to average. Harvested was 16%, near 17% both last year and average.

Dry edible beans dropping leaves was 92%, near 94% last year and 96% average. Harvested was 76%, ahead of 63% last year, and near 74% average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 17% very poor, 29% poor, 33% fair, 18% good, and 3% excellent.



Iowa Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report

Iowa experienced another week of dry and windy conditions which allowed farmers 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 6, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the primary field activities for the week. Combine and other equipment fires were reported as weather conditions increased the risk of such fires.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 42 percent short, 36 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 16 percent very short, 44 percent short, 39 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn mature reached 90 percent, 6 days behind last year but 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 22 percent, 2 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of normal. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 18 percent. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans dropping leaves reached 93 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans harvested reached 58 percent this week, 4 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the average. Iowa farmers were able to harvest 31 percent of the State’s soybean crop during the week ending October 6, 2024. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition continued to fall and rated just 38 percent good to excellent this week, a decrease of 6 percentage points.  Livestock water resources continue to be a concern.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Nearly half of U.S. soybeans were harvested by the end of last week, well ahead of both last year and the five-year average, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday. The nation's corn harvest also continued to run ahead of the average pace last week thanks to mostly dry conditions across the central U.S.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn mature was pegged at 87%, equal to last year and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 81%.
-- Harvest progress: Corn harvest moved ahead 9 percentage points to reach 30% complete as of Sunday. That was 1 point behind last year's 31% but 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 27%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 64% of corn still in fields was in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week but above last year's 53%. Thirteen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, up 1 point from the previous week but below 18% last year.

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans dropping leaves were pegged at 90%, 1 point behind last year's 91% but 5 points ahead of the five-year average of 85%.
-- Harvest progress: The soybean harvest sped up even more last week, jumping ahead 21 percentage points to reach 47% completion as of Sunday. That was 10 points ahead of last year's 37% and 13 points ahead of the five-year average of 34%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 63% of soybeans still in fields were in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 point from 64% the previous week but still above last year's rating of 51% good to excellent.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Planting progress: Winter wheat planting moved ahead another 12 points last week to reach 51% complete nationwide as of Sunday, 1 point behind both last year and the five-year average of 52%.
-- Crop development: An estimated 25% of winter wheat had emerged as of Sunday, equal to both last year and the five-year average.



Scholarship Opportunity Available for Aspiring Entrepreneurs at The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program

The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is seeking students with a passion for entrepreneurship and a drive to turn their purpose into action.

Scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now being accepted, welcoming both incoming and current students of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources who have prior experience in FFA or 4-H. Applications are due by midnight on January 15, 2025. Applications can be found on the Engler website at https://englerjourney.com.

Since 2012 over $2 million has been invested in empowering future entrepreneurs and innovators through this program. The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program is designed to empower enterprise builders. Participation in the program is not restricted to scholarship recipients.

The Engler program began in 2010 with a $20 million gift from the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation. The mission of the program is to embolden people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. The program offers an academic minor while serving as an intersection in which students from a diverse array of majors and business interests can come together in pursuit of the American Dream.

For more information, visit https://englerjourney.com or contact Tom Field.



The future is cooperative in Nebraska agriculture

October is recognized as Cooperative Month in Nebraska, with this year’s theme, “The Future is Cooperative,” emphasizing the significant role cooperatives play in shaping agriculture's future. Jeremy Wilhelm, CEO of Frontier Cooperative, shared insights on how the organization is preparing producers for what lies ahead.

Wilhelm believes that the agricultural landscape will continue to evolve while maintaining its core mission.

 “I think fundamentally ag is going to look similar in the future,” he stated. “Farmers are going to continue to feed the world, but they will do it more efficiently using new technology, using advancements in crop nutrients and crop protection. It will consolidate, like it has for the last 25 or 30 years, but the farmers are still going to be doing what they do today.”

At Frontier Cooperative's grain facility near Syracuse, the integration of drones is already enhancing productivity. Wilhelm highlighted the importance of embracing cutting-edge technology, saying, “We will continue to grow more with less. It’s important for the cooperative system to understand technology, bring it to our farmers, so they can adopt it at a quicker pace than they would have.”

The cooperative also prioritizes research on sustainable agricultural practices. “Frontier has two research plots that we continually do research on new fertilizer technologies and seed technologies,” Wilhelm noted. He emphasized that farmers have historically been environmental stewards, and advancements like precision agriculture are now available to enhance sustainability.

Looking forward, Wilhelm stressed the cooperative's ongoing commitment. “We are going to continue to serve the farmers like we have for the last 108 years, but it may be in new or different ways,” he explained. He emphasized the importance of cooperatives in providing essential products and services to farmers, which might not be accessible otherwise.

“It’s important for the cooperatives to be successful, so that we can continue to support the farmers, provide them services, purchase their grain, and provide everything they need on the farm,” Wilhelm concluded. He highlighted that the success of cooperatives is crucial for the vitality of the agricultural economy.



Logan Bacon Joins 'Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon' Roster
    
Iowa State freshman walk-on Logan Bacon earned a spot in the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ promotion with his impressive tryout for the viral campaign with the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Bacon, the younger brother of Cyclone junior linebacker and original ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ roster member Caleb Bacon, was the final student-athlete to try out for the promotion.

The Lake Mills, Iowa native showed up with a wheelbarrow full of bacon, and wisely declared, “Because, you can never have too much bacon!” The judges quickly agreed.

Additionally, Tommy Hamann made a surprise return to give his stamp of approval. Due to the addition of Logan Bacon, the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ campaign will henceforth be known as ‘Purchase Moore Bacon Hamann Bacon'. The obvious goal is to encourage everyone to purchase bacon, ham and other delicious pork products.

Logan Bacon joins Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann, Caleb Bacon, Alec Cook and Zach Lovett in the promotion that launched last September and quickly went viral across social media, earned national media attention, and was named the Best NIL Deal of 2023 by the Sports Business Journal.

Logan Bacon was one of 19 Iowa State student-athletes to appear in the tryout videos. Like his older brother Caleb, Bacon joined the Iowa State football roster as a preferred walk-on. Caleb emerged as one of the team’s best defensive players last year and earned a full scholarship from Iowa State University at the end of last season. Logan Bacon hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps, in multiple ways.

“It’s definitely a blessing to be able to get this opportunity right away,” Logan Bacon said. “I haven’t really done much yet, I just have a cool last name, and it’s been a lot of fun so far. The people at Iowa State have been great. All the coaches, the staff, the players, everyone takes you in with open arms, so I’m really blessed to be part of it.”

The Iowa State football team started this season 5-0 and they are currently ranked 11th in the nation.

“It’s really cool having Logan join this effort, especially with him having essentially the same start that I had as a preferred walk-on coming into the Iowa State program,” Caleb Bacon said. “I look forward to seeing him progress and hopefully have a lot of success.”

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is donating $1,000 worth of pork to every video tryout participant’s food pantry of choice. The Bacon brothers both chose the Lake Mills Food Shelf in Lake Mills, Iowa. That $2,000 worth of pork equals approximately 2,700 servings of protein to fight food insecurity in their hometown.

“It’s huge, especially for a little town like we’re from,” Caleb Bacon said. “All that pork is important to them. That will help feed families in our town that need some help. It’s just really rewarding to be able to give back to the community that we started from and we’re really glad the Iowa Pork Producers can do that for them.”

The updated list of food banks and pantries that will each receive $1,000 worth of pork for the student-athletes’ participation in the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ videos includes:
    Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver, Colo., in the name of Myles Purchase
    Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines, Iowa, in the name of Tyler Moore
    Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners in Plymouth, Minn., in the name of Tommy Hamann
    Lake Mills Food Shelf in Lake Mills, Iowa, in the name of Caleb Bacon
    Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha, Neb., in the name of Alec Cook
    Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, in the name of Zach Lovett
    Food Bank of Iowa, in Des Moines, Iowa, in the name of Abu Sama III
    St. Theresa Catholic Church Food Bank, in Des Moines, Iowa, in the name of Isaiah Seymour
    Mahomet Helping Hands Food Pantry in Mahomet, Ill., in the name of Wyatt Bohm
    Loving Hearts Outreach Food Pantry in Washington, Mo., in the name of Trevor Buhr
    Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank in Brooklyn Park, Minn., in the name of Steve Klotz
    River Bend Food Bank in Davenport, Iowa, in the name of Xavier Hamilton
    Kossuth County Food Pantry in Algona, Iowa, in the name of Audi Crooks
    First Church United Food Pantry in West Liberty, Iowa, in the name of Kelsey Joens
    Derby Community Food Pantry in Derby, Kan., in the name of Addy Brown
    Denton Community Food Center in Denton, Texas, in the name of Alisa Williams
    Cubbie’s Cupboard in Nevada, Iowa, in the name of Carson Rhodes
    Food Equality Initiative in Lenexa, Kan., in the name of Dominique Orange
    Lake Mills Food Shelf in Lake Mills, Iowa, in the name of Logan Bacon

October is National Pork Month, aka ‘Porktober’. The ‘Purchase Moore Bacon Hamann Bacon’ initiative is a key component of Porktober in Iowa. Hy-Vee grocery stores are promoting the campaign to encourage consumers to buy more pork products. In-store displays featuring the Cyclone players went up in 200 Hy-Vee stores across the Midwest.

Hy-Vee will give away free bacon for a year to 20 recipients and Blackstone Griddles to 10 recipients in conjunction with the promotion. To qualify, consumers simply need to purchase pork at any of the 200 participating Hy-Vee stores between now and October 31 and scan their Hy-Vee PERKS card at checkout. Hy-Vee operates grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

All the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ videos can be found on the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube channels. The full video series is available for your use at this link.



American Farm Bureau Convention Registration is Open

The American Farm Bureau Federation announced the opening of general registration today for the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention. The convention will be held Jan. 24-29, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Step Up, Drive Forward” is the theme of the 106th consecutive American Farm Bureau Convention, a “can’t miss” event that offers attendees unique insights on the policies and perspectives that will affect farms, ranches and agribusinesses in 2025 and beyond.

“Farmers and ranchers are always looking to the future, whether that’s finding ways we can be more innovative and efficient or building up our local communities,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention will showcase that spirit across agriculture and the Farm Bureau family as we step up and drive forward together. I look forward to seeing you in January in San Antonio as we gather together to kick off another year of feeding, clothing and fueling our great nation.”

Duvall will give his annual address to Farm Bureau members during the convention’s opening general session on Sunday morning, Jan. 26. Eric Boles, a global expert in talent development, change management and cultural transformation, will address attendees as closing general session keynote speaker on Monday, Jan. 27. Boles is founder and CEO of The Game Changers Inc., a leadership training and development company headquartered in Lakewood, Washington. He learned principles of peak performance, team dynamics and leadership from his experience as a wide receiver with the National Football League’s Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.

A full lineup of engaging workshops will be available at convention. Workshops will be offered in four tracks – public policy, rural development, member engagement and consumer engagement. Topics will include the farm bill, hot topics in public policy, the 2024 election, farmer mental health, farm transition planning and engaging the next generation of agriculturists.

A vibrant trade show with exhibitors showcasing cutting edge innovations in agricultural technology, tools and services is also sure to capture the attention of attendees.

In addition, numerous optional farm- and ag-related day tours are available for attendees who wish to explore the Lone Star State. These include working farms and ranches, a beef cattle feedyard, a greenhouse, a turfgrass operation, vineyards, a cotton gin and the historic town of Luckenbach. Attendees can also sign up to explore a buggy barn, the Chisholm Trail Museum, the National Museum of the Pacific War and more. Details about additional tours will be posted when available.

View the high-level American Farm Bureau Convention agenda here. Members may register for the convention and tours through their state Farm Bureau office. Registration is also available through AFBF. The official event hashtag is #AFBF25 and the event website is https://annualconvention.fb.org/.



Export Exchange Attendees Gathering In Texas

Nearly 250 international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products from more than 50 countries are arriving in Fort Worth, Texas, this week for Export Exchange 2024, ready to meet with nearly 300 U.S. suppliers and service providers across the value chain.

Co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Export Exchange 2024 offers attendees an unparalleled opportunity to meet and build relationships with domestic suppliers of corn, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), sorghum, barley and other commodities.

Export Exchange focuses on bringing together international buyers and end-users of coarse grains and co-products, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), with U.S. suppliers and agribusiness representatives.

“Ninety-five percent of potential customers and three-fourths of the world’s purchasing power are outside the U.S. – another reason Export Exchange – this longstanding event - is so critical to our industry,” USGC Chairwoman Verity Ulibarri said.

“The U.S. Grains Council strives to develop new markets and encourage trade by offering trade teams for buyer groups and by providing technical education to help potential customers better understand how to buy and use U.S. grains to meet the needs of their country’s consumers,” Ulibarri said.

Before attending Export Exchange, the Council organized 21 trade teams to show international buyers and end users aspects of the U.S. value chain to strengthen relationships. Eight trade teams arrived in the U.S. before Export Exchange and visited corn-growing states during harvest, explored DDGS production at ethanol plants and viewed port facilities in Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. After the event, the remaining 13 trade teams will leave for post-conference tours.

The conference runs through Wednesday at the Omni Fort Worth. More information about ExEx 2024, including registration details, is available at www.exportexchange.org or on social media using the hashtag #ExEx24.



Beef and Cattle Markets
Stephen R. Koontz, Dept of Agricultural & Resource Economics, Colorado State University

Cattle and beef markets started the fourth quarter with some considerable price optimism. Live cattle futures and feeder cattle futures rallied to close to levels seen prior to the second price break in August. We are still some distance from the levels seen at the beginning of the year, but moves in September were strongly higher, and the discussions are markedly different from the second quarter. What are the underlying fundamentals?

The boxed beef cutout value is off $30/cwt from the peak of the summer but firm for the week at slightly better than $300. The 5-area weighted average fed animal prices are in their third week of strengthening, and this is the first time since the market turned lower in August. Live prices are just short of $190. With this combination it looks as if packer margins might have covered costs this summer, but the return was thin, and margins historically seasonally weaken into the first quarter. There is not any incentive for the packer to pay more until the cutout value shows sustained strength.

What is truly impressive is the move in slaughter and carcass weights through 2024. Carcass weights first increased and then held steady – both counter-seasonal moves – through the first two quarters of the year. And then the normal, seasonal increases were seen in the third quarter but starting at substantially elevated levels. Current steer carcass weights are record large averages at almost 950 pounds. Current heifer weights are short of the record but are almost 855 pounds. Any shortfall in animal numbers has been offset by weights, and there remain big placements from May and July to work through. Weekly kills are lighter than 2022 and 2021 – the peak – but appear to be on par with 2023.

All in all, it is not too encouraging. The spark that I see is in the calculated long-fed inventories. From the September Cattle on Feed report two weeks ago, we see the following. Cattle on feed over 150 days remain large and notably are larger than 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. However, cattle on feed over 120 days, while large, are starting to tighten. Inventory on feed over 120 days is smaller than 2023 and 2022. Again, big numbers and weights now but that have the prospect of changing come the first quarter of next year. The pipeline is full for the near-term with hints of being less so into next year.



Growth Energy Facilitated Over Half of HBIIP Grant Applications, Surpassed $1 Billion in Retailer Investment Since 2011

Monday, Growth Energy—the nation’s largest biofuel trade association—celebrated completion of the fifth and final round of applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) by releasing new figures that demonstrate how Growth Energy has helped retailers install equipment to offer higher biofuel blends like E15 and E85.

In total, Growth Energy facilitated 54% of grant applications for the last five rounds of HBIIP resulting in 1,173 total sites adding higher bioethanol-blended fuels. With these additions, our retail partners will generate 100 million gallons of additional bioethanol demand annually. Through grant writing, per-gallon incentives, and even direct financial support, Growth Energy has driven more than $1 billion in investments in new biofuels infrastructure since 2011, the year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved Growth Energy’s waiver request that ultimately allowed the sale of E15 in cars made in 2001 or newer.

“Over the past few summers, E15 has been saving drivers 10 to 30 cents per gallon, and our leaders in Congress are rallying bipartisan support to make those savings a permanent, year-round feature of the marketplace,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We are committed to increasing consumer access to this more affordable, lower-carbon fuel option. With every new pump that offers E15, we’re increasing American energy security, reducing emissions, and holding down prices for hardworking families.”

“We are thrilled with the outstanding results we’ve seen so far, from HBIIP and the programs that preceded it, and, as always, are grateful to our retail partners and USDA Secretary Vilsack for making it possible,” Skor added.  

“We invite drivers from all across Florida, Texas, and Georgia to visit one of our locations that offers E15 and try it out for themselves. This is a fuel option that's compatible with 96% of the cars on the road, better for the environment, and easier on their wallets," said Steve Walk, COO of Protec Fuel. "We're excited to see what the future holds for our stores and their customers as they offer this more affordable fuel option, and we thank the team at Growth Energy for their support throughout the grant process—without them, this wouldn't have been possible.”

The success of HBIIP illustrates the growing demand for more affordable, lower-carbon fuel options among retailers and their customers. Growth Energy will continue to build on this momentum so that consumers across the country have access to the cleaner burning, cost-lowering fuel option.



Apply Today for CME Group Beef Industry Scholarships

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is now accepting applications for the 2025 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in the beef industry. 

Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program.

“We are pleased to continue the CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to support the next generation of agriculture producers,” said CME Group’s John Ricci, managing director and global head of agricultural products. “For 35 years, these scholarships have helped students develop critical risk management skills as they pursue their careers in agriculture, cultivating strong leaders for our global food system well into the future.”

Eligible applicants must be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate student enrolled at a two- or four-year institution. The application process includes submitting a one-page letter expressing career goals related to the beef industry, a 750-word essay describing an issue in the beef industry and offering solutions to this problem, and two letters of recommendation. The applicant or a family member must be a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. 

The application deadline is Nov. 8, 2024, at midnight Central Time. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org. Scholarship winners will be announced during CattleCon 2025, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas. 

Organized in 1972, NCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing charitable, scientific and educational activities to benefit the cattle industry.  

Monday October 07 Ag News

 USDA TO GATHER FARM CONSERVATION DATA TO LEARN TRENDS AND IMPROVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is reaching out to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners to gather in-depth information about the conservation practices they use. Almost 12,000 operators nationwide have received the 2024 Conservation Effects Assessment Project Survey. Data obtained will support the third set of national and regional cropland assessments delivered by USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP), a multi-agency effort led by NRCS to quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation’s working lands.

“The survey gives farmers the power to provide a more complete and accurate picture of the conservation practices on their lands and in their operations,” said Joe Parsons, NASS Administrator. “I urge farmers to participate if contacted, because their responses can help leaders focus on the conservation practices that most benefit both the farmer and the natural resources on which we all rely.”

CEAP cropland assessments quantify the environmental outcomes associated with implementation and installation of conservation practices on agricultural lands. Findings are used to guide conservation program development and support conservationists, agricultural producers, and partners in making informed management decisions backed by data and science. Specifically, CEAP results may help:
    • Evaluate the resources farmers may need in the future to further protect soil, water, and habitat.
    • Shed light on techniques farmers use to conserve healthy environments.
    • Improve and strengthen technical and financial programs that help landowners plan and install conservation practices on agricultural land.
    • Support the conservation programs that can help producers’ profits while also protecting natural resources.

This CEAP survey is conducted through a cooperative agreement between NRCS and NASS. NRCS will couple survey results with modeling to report on trends in cropland conservation – and associated outcomes – from 2024 through 2026.

“There are more than 300 million acres of cultivated cropland across the United States. These working lands are used by farmers and other land managers to grow a diversity of crops to provide food, fuel, and livestock feed for our nation and beyond,” said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. “CEAP delivers critically important data to inform strategic voluntary conservation on cropland acres nationwide. This leads to healthier ecosystems, improved conservation effectiveness, stronger management of agricultural landscapes that are often more productive, and equitable delivery of NRCS programs and services.

Local NASS representatives visited farmers and agricultural landowners August through September of 2024 to determine if their operations and properties met the criteria to be considered eligible candidates for the survey. Eligible farmers and landowners may then be contacted between November 2024 and March 2025 and asked to participate in the survey. Typical questions will discuss farm production practices; chemical, fertilizer, and manure applications; tillage; irrigation use; and installed conservation practices. NASS will provide survey data to NRCS, the agency tasked with publishing findings.

Information provided to NASS and analyzed by NRCS is kept confidential, as required by federal law. The agencies only publish data in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual respondent or operation can be identified.

The data from this survey will be published in the Conservation Effects Assessment Project report on the CEAP Cropland Assessments webpage at nrcs.usda.gov/ceap/croplands. If you have questions about the survey, please contact us at 888-424-7828 or visit nass.usda.gov/go/ceap.



I-29 Moo University webinar on Oct. 17 to feature Holstein conformation and how it relates to production and lifespan

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, Oct. 17 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT, with Dr. Jeffrey Bewley discussing how conformation relates to Holstein milk production and lifespan.

Dr. Jeffrey Bewley is from Rineyville, Kentucky where he grew up working on his grandfather's dairy farm. Bewley received a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky in 1998. In 2000, he completed his M.S. in Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a focus on dairy modernization. His PhD work at Purdue University focused on the application and economics of precision dairy farming technologies. For 9.5 years, Bewley was on the faculty at the University of Kentucky as an Extension Dairy Specialist. He has also worked with IceRobotics, PerforMix Nutrition, BoviSync, and Alltech.

Dr. Bewley is currently a Dairy Analytics and Innovation Scientist with Holstein Association USA. His professional interests include precision dairy monitoring technologies, dairy records management and analytics, dairy cattle genetics and genomics, economic decision support, animal health economics, compost bedded pack barn management and construction, freestall barn management and construction, mastitis management and prevention, and dairy farm financial analysis.  

Bewley received the American Dairy Science Association Foundation Scholar Award in Production and American Dairy Science Association Cargill Animal Nutrition Young Scientist Awards in 2015. He was named to the Vance Publishing 40 Under 40 for Agriculture Award in 2014. Bewley has published and presented extensively around the world.

He is an active member of the International Committee for Animal Recording, the National Mastitis Council, and the American Dairy Science Association. Dr. Bewley is also a certified CowSignals trainer, a MEX udder health coach, and a Lean Farming trainer.

Bewley pursues his passion for dairy cattle genetics as a partner in IceBlue Genetics and Fit Genetics, and he serves on the advisory boards of multiple dairy technology companies.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour before the webinar. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/I29MOOUCONFORMATION.

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Patricia Villamediana, 605-688-4116.



NFU Endorses the Farm Ownership Improvement Act

Last week, National Farmers Union was proud to support the introduction of the bipartisan Farm Ownership Improvement Act, a bill we worked on with partners over the past year. The bill, led by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Tina Smith (D-MN), should help young and beginning farmers be more competitive in the marketplace when they are seeking to purchase land using a USDA Farm Service Agency direct farm ownership loan.

NFU president Rob Larew issued the following statement in support of the bill:
“Access to affordable land is essential for the success of all farmers, and it’s an especially pressing challenge for young and beginning farmers. NFU appreciates Senators Welch, Hoeven, and Smith for introducing the Farm Ownership Improvement Act. By piloting a new process for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s direct ownership loan program, this bill would help make the dream of owning farmland a reality for more of the next generation of family farmers and ranchers.”



NPPC Secures 9th Circuit Victory Defending Producers' Freedom to Farm
 
In a significant victory for the U.S. pork industry, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, based in San Francisco, rejected a lawsuit from several activist groups who sought to impose sweeping changes to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) rules.
 
Last month, the National Pork Producers Council participated in oral arguments before the Ninth Circuit, successfully urging the court to reject the baseless lawsuit. At that hearing, the Ninth Circuit expressed frustration and significant concerns with Food & Water Watch’s approach and candor.
 
In its decision, the court made clear that EPA’s preferred approach to regulating livestock production, including the formation of its Animal Agriculture Water Quality Subcommittee, which includes representatives of the pork industry, to study water quality issues is the appropriate path for EPA and does not warrant throwing out decades of established law. As the court explained, EPA “deemed it prudent to first seek information about how best to tackle the problem before directing resources towards” new regulations. The court declared this process, which NPPC has been a close partner with the Biden Administration, “reasonable and hardly at odds with the Clean Water Act’s requirements,” as Food & Water Watch claimed.
 
For decades, the pork industry has demonstrated leadership in addressing environmental challenges and has maintained successful working relationships with federal, state, and local regulators to ensure their farms are constructed and maintained as zero-discharge operations. Major changes to long-standing federal laws can only come from congressional action, and it is inappropriate for these activist groups to seek to rewrite federal law through the courts when Congress has consistently rejected their outlandish demands.
 
This baseless lawsuit sought to use the court to upend livestock production across the country. By attacking core notions of due process and fundamental civil rights, including changing the burden of proof for proving violations of the Clean Water Act and having judges reject the clear intent of Congress to not regulate rainwater running across agricultural fields, these activists sought to put pork producers around the country out of business.



USDA Grain Inspection Advisory Committee to Meet October 29-30

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee’s fall meeting will be held October 29-30 in Kansas City, Missouri. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s Federal Grain Inspection Service will facilitate the meeting.

In addition to general program updates, agenda topics include:
    Presentations on cyber security.
    Discussions about the container handbook, handbook reviews and industry engagement.
    Discussions about equipment equivalency, technology in grain inspection, and lab scales.
    Phytosanitary issuance policy and emerging grain export issues.

To address the Advisory Committee during the meeting or submit written comments for distribution during the meeting, please contact Kendra.C.Kline@usda.gov.

Participation can be virtual or in person. Please visit the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee webpage for more information and to register to participate virtually.

Meeting dates, times and location:
AMS National Grain Center
10383 N. Ambassador Drive
Kansas City, Missouri 64153

Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
Oct. 30, 8:30 a.m. to noon CT

The meeting Notice was published in the Federal Register on October 04, 2024.



USDA Dairy Products August 2024 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.20 billion pounds, 1.7 percent above August 2023 and 0.5 percent above July 2024. Italian type cheese production totaled 499 million pounds, 3.1 percent above August 2023 and 0.6 percent above July 2024. American type cheese production totaled 478 million pounds, 0.3 percent below August 2023 but 1.8 percent above July 2024. Butter production was 159 million pounds, 14.5 percent above August 2023 but 3.0 percent below July 2024.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with August 2023)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 115 million pounds, up 2.2 percent.
Skim milk powder - 50.3 million pounds, down 29.4 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with August 2023)
Dry whey, total - 65.5 million pounds, down 21.6 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 95.6 million pounds, up 3.5 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 41.5 million pounds, up 1.7 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with August 2023)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 69.3 million gallons, up 5.9 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 38.7 million gallons, down 8.8 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.15 million gallons, up 4.0 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.39 million gallons, up 1.2 percent.



USDA Invests more than $11 Million to Support Resiliency in U.S. Dairy Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Friday announced $11.04 million in funding to support dairy businesses and producers under the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI) grant program, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. The initiatives support small and mid-sized dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.

"USDA is committed to helping America's dairy industry remain competitive as they work hard to provide necessary, nutritious dairy products to communities nationwide," Vilsack said. "Through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, we aim to help the dairy industry access new and better market, spur innovation, and create economic growth. To date, the Initiatives have invested over $64 million into more than 600 projects that are increasing dairy supply chain resiliency, creating new markets, and expanding economic growth in rural economies.”

This year’s funds are being awarded noncompetitively to the four current DBI Initiatives at California State University, Fresno, the University of Tennessee, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, and the University of Wisconsin. The initiatives will use the funding to provide valuable technical assistance and subaward funds to dairy farmers and businesses across their regions, supporting them with business plan development, marketing, and branding, as well as increasing access to innovative production and processing techniques to support the development of value-added products.

This year’s DBI projects include:
    In California, Oregon, and Washington, the Pacific Coast Coalition will use $690,000 in new funding to continue revolutionizing the dairy sector by helping farmers tap into higher-value uses for milk, such as artisanal cheeses and organic dairy products. The Coalition’s workforce training program will ensure dairy businesses remain competitive, allowing producers to diversify markets and income.
    In the Southeast, the University of Tennessee will use $3.45 million to support farmers across 12 states, enabling them to integrate innovative practices such as on dairy innovation, product safety, farm sustainability, and workforce development to improve financial outcomes and diversify the dairy supply chain.
    In the Northeast, Vermont’s Dairy Business Innovation Center will use $3.45 million to extend its reach. As of August 2024, this initiative has provided $31 million in support for 333 projects, ranging from farm modernization to energy efficiency improvements, all aimed at boosting resilience and efficiency across the region’s dairy sector.
    The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance in Wisconsin will use $3.45 million to continue to empower dairy farmers and processors in the Midwest with grant programs and technical assistance, focusing on expanding market opportunities and supporting value-added dairy product innovation.

For more information, visit the AMS Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives webpage. Dairy farmers and businesses interested in the program must contact the appropriate initiative to be considered for direct technical assistance or a subaward.

Friday October 04 Ag News

 University Beef: NU program takes farm-to-table to a new level

From pasture to plate, a new University of Nebraska program gives students a true taste of the state’s No. 1 industry.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and University of Nebraska-Lincoln are partnering to launch University Beef, an innovative initiative that combines hands-on learning with high-quality dining.

“Farm-to-table is a big movement across the country right now. People want to know where their food comes from, so there’s a lot of interest in eating locally raised meat,” said Larry Gossen, dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA). “We’re taking that trend to a whole new level by engaging students in the entire process.”

The University Beef program starts in southwest Nebraska, where NCTA students raise and manage about 60 head of cattle at the Curtis campus and a 2,100-acre ranch located west of town. Those animals are cared for at an NCTA livestock working facility and finished at a small feedlot on campus.

“We want students to see the beef industry from the beginning to the end,” Gossen explained. “They’re involved every step of the way, from breeding and calving to grazing and feeding the cattle.”

The final product was the only missing piece. Previously, NCTA sold its cattle to a large company such as Tyson when it was time for them to be processed.

That’s no longer the case.

Now, the University Beef partnership brings those cattle to Lincoln, where UNL students harvest and process the meat at the Department of Animal Science’s Loeffel Meat Lab, a U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected facility.

From there, the packaged beef is transported to Kearney and transformed into delicious dishes prepared by Sodexo, the dining services provider at UNK.

Michael Christen, director of business services at UNK, called the collaboration a win-win.

“For us, it’s really important to showcase the state’s agricultural roots and connect that to our dining operations,” said Christen, whose family owns and operates a cattle ranch in central Nebraska. “There’s a whole brand behind Nebraska beef, and we’re going one step further by highlighting the student experience. It’s student-raised beef. It’s student-processed. And it’s served to students.”

It’s also really good.

“We’re getting a higher-quality beef from Curtis that increases the value for students and improves their dining experience,” Christen noted. “Our chefs can tell when they’re using that beef. It has more flavor. It cooks better. And it tastes better. So, the more we can utilize that program, the better.”

University Beef will be formally introduced this week, starting with a steak dinner served to the Board of Regents on Thursday evening. A campus cookout for UNK students is planned for next week as part of the homecoming festivities.

Moving forward, the Nebraska-raised beef will be incorporated into the regular dining menu at UNK, as well as Sodexo’s catering services. Branding elements developed by two different UNK marketing classes and fine-tuned by UNK Communications and Marketing will ensure people know where this meat came from.

“It’s great to see the student involvement and know we could enhance their educational experience through this program,” Christen said.

Gossen agrees.

“It’s all about the students,” he said. “This gives us a chance to expand their education so they can see beef production all the way from conception to harvest to consumption. It’s also a great way to demonstrate how three campuses can work together to create a product that I think will save the university some money.”

Along with the university partners, the program is supported by Kearney-based Cash-Wa Distributing, which transports the finished product from UNL to UNK.

Because of production and storage limitations, UNK Dining Services will continue to purchase beef from outside the program to fulfill campus needs. However, both Christen and Gossen see opportunities for future growth, whether that’s increasing the number of cattle dedicated to the program or introducing pork to the mix.

“We’ll do everything we can to continue adding value and quality to the student meal plan and our catering services,” Christen said.

“We’d like to get as many cattle as possible into the university system,” Gossen noted. “We’ve even talked about finding some freezer space on our own campus so we can serve University Beef here.”



Conservation Mentorship Network offers opportunity for peer-to-peer education

The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking participants for its Conservation Mentorship Network, a program designed to foster peer-to-peer learning among farmers and ranchers and increase the number of conservation practices adopted across Nebraska.

The network will create opportunities for participants to learn in individual and large-group settings. In addition to attending field days, webinars, and small group discussions, participants may request one-on-one guidance from a mentor whose location, operation, and values reflect their own.

“When it comes to new farming methods, producers often turn to their peers for help or information they can trust,” said Andrew Tonnies, policy associate for the Center. “Implementing conservation practices is no exception.”

The Center has recruited mentors from across the state to assist with network discussions and activities.

“Our mentors are excited to share their experiences using conservation methods to increase the resiliency of their operations,” Tonnies said.

He said the group represents an array of farm and ranch operations; however, all of them believe that helping their peers be successful is essential to the continued progress of agriculture.

“Sometimes you get hung up and just need someone to talk to [who can] help you figure things out,” said Teresa Otte, a mentor based near David City. “If I can encourage anyone to participate and get back to a little more conservation, it's going to be good for everyone. It means cleaner water and more productive soil that benefits rural communities.”
 
Participants must be located in Nebraska and express an interest in the on-farm benefits of conservation practices despite the associated challenges and risks. Producers with any level of experience and operation size (rented or owned land) are welcome to join, as well as those who have conservation experience and an interest in expanding their portfolio.

“What’s important in the long run is that producers band together to implement good practices for soil health, water quality, and their bottom lines,” Tonnies said. “The Conservation Mentorship Network is one important step toward that goal.”

Interested farmers and ranchers are encouraged to visit cfra.org/conservationmentorshipnetwork or email andrewt@cfra.org before Dec. 1 to sign up.

Mentors enrolled in the program include:
Bassett - Homer Buell
Brownville - Daryl Obermeyer
Chadron - Ron Bolze
David City - Teresa Otte
Denton - Brian Brhel
Elsie - Vance McCoy
Filley - Riley Reinke
Fremont - Chad Christianson
Hardy - Will Corman
Heartwell - Rob Hultquist
Indianola - Tracy Zink
Martell - Alex McKiernan
Mead - Angela Knuth
Milligan - Jordan Uldrich
Monroe - Greg Keller
Palmyra - Mike McDonald
Pierce - Dan Stelling
Pilger - Zeke Brummels
Rockville - Chris Trumler
Schuyler - Matt Bailey
Scribner - Ruth Ready
Utica - Alex Daake
Winside - Scott Heinemann

The Conservation Mentorship Network is made possible through funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, General Mills, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.




Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee Announces Support for Congressional Candidates

Thursday, the Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee (PAC) announced their support for three candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Nebraska Cattlemen PAC aims to support candidates who champion the beef industry by making decisions about laws and regulations that enhance the business climate for profitable beef production in Nebraska and foster opportunities for expansion.

Below is a list of candidates the Nebraska Cattlemen PAC supports for U.S. House of Representatives:
Nebraska's First Congressional District - Michael J. Flood
Nebraska's Second Congressional District - Donald J. Bacon
Nebraska's Third Congressional District - Adrian M. Smith

The Nebraska Cattlemen PAC announced its support of Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts for United States Senate last month.



Twelve FFA State Officers Selected to Serve as Voices of Agriculture

A select group of 12 FFA State Officers from across the country have been chosen to serve as prominent voices in agriculture. The 2024-2025 class of National FFA’s SpeakAg Pioneers are expected to serve as advocates at the local, state, and national levels for the industry and those in it.

SpeakAg Pioneers lead the way among FFA’s more than one million members in promoting agricultural advocacy and literacy to FFA members and the general public by hosting workshops, creating content for social media, and attending events such as National Ag Day and the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis October 23-26, 2024.

“The SpeakAg Pioneer program provides a pathway for FFA members interested in careers in communications and advocacy to advance their skills," says Celya Glowacki, Manager of Advocacy, Literacy, and Ag-Based Experiences at National FFA. “These students from across the country have shown initiative to lead in their state FFA associations, and this is another opportunity for them to educate others, serve an industry they love, and prepare for a successful career in agriculture.”

Members of the 2024-2025 SpeakAg Pioneer Class are:
    Brynn Almgren, Stuart, Neb., Nebraska FFA Secretary
    Caleb Ames, Stillwater, Okla., Oklahoma FFA Southwest Area Vice President
    Jack Beyer, Lowville, N.Y., New York FFA President
    Chloe Bomgardner, Jonestown, Penn., Pennsylvania FFA President
    Porter Hand, Pelzer, S.C., South Carolina FFA Region One Vice President
    Romulus Hiner, Harlowton, Mont., Montana FFA 2nd Vice President
    Josh Nelson, Troy, ID, Idaho FFA Vice President
    Paige Pardue, Hendersonville, Tenn., Tennessee FFA Reporter
    Inga Peterson, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Alaska FFA President
    Mikaela Rojas, New Boston, Mo, Missouri FFA State 1st Vice President
    Nina Weiland, Glen Gardner, N.J., New Jersey FFA Reporter
    Chloe Zittergruen, Keswick, Iowa, Iowa FFA Secretary

Corporate support for the SpeakAg Pioneers comes from Growth Energy, Merck Animal Health, and Wrangler.

You can learn more about the National FFA Organization at www.ffa.org, and the SpeakAg Pioneer program at https://www.ffa.org/speakag-pioneers/.  



New Director Fills Subdistrict 10 Vacancy on Papio NRD Board

The Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Papio NRD) Board of Directors has selected a new Director to fill the board’s Subdistrict 10 vacancy.

The Board appointed Zachary Irvine, a Lead Systems Engineer at the MITRE Corporation. Irvine is also a retired lieutenant colonel with more than 22 years of military leadership.

Irvine will officially participate in his first board meeting on November 14th. He replaces Kevyn Sopinski, who resigned in August.



South Korean Journalists Tour U.S. Ethanol Value Chain

Recently, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) escorted a group of media members from the Korea Automobile Journalists Association on a tour of the U.S. ethanol value chain to build their understanding of ethanol’s production practices and applications. Pictured, the group visited an ethanol plant in Nebraska to see how ethanol and its co-products are created and transported to consumers.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) escorted a group of media members representing the Korea Automobile Journalists Association on a tour of the U.S. ethanol value chain and organized meetings with leading industry stakeholders. The goal: Exposing them to the many environmental, economic and human health benefits of ethanol blending.

“The Council has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA’s FAS) in Seoul and industry stakeholders for years to advance biofuel policies in the country, and this program is a continuation of that effort,” said Haksoo Kim, USGC director in South Korea.

“South Korea has high market potential for U.S. fuel ethanol, potentially up to 300 million gallons annually, so it is essential we continue exploring every avenue to help generate new demand for road ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).”

The program began in Chicago and the team met with Dr. Steffan Mueller, professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, to learn about expected carbon reduction effects in South Korea under an E10 policy. Later that day, the group spoke with Dr. Michael Wang’s team at the Argonne National Laboratory about the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction effect of ethanol’s lifecycle and the need for a renewable fuel standard policy in South Korea.

With the support of Nebraska Corn, the journalists had the opportunity to visit stakeholders across the value chain from corn farms to gas station chain in Nebraska, learned about the experience and economic and environmental impacts of the E10 policy in the United States, and interviewed key stakeholders. In particular, the group gained a deeper understanding of the need for on-road ethanol policies from Nebraska’s progressive E30 project and carbon sequestration and storage plans for additional carbon reductions.

The reporters then traveled to Washington, D.C., to interview U.S. Grains Council CEO Ryan LeGrand and Vice President Cary Sifferath; Growth Energy Vice President Jake Comer; and Renewable Fuels Association Vice President Ed Hubbard for their thoughts and suggestions on how to help introduce a road ethanol policy in South Korea.

For the final stop on the agenda, Growth Energy invited the group to the NASCAR Quaker State 400 in Atlanta, where participants witnessed E15 fuel used in the cars and, through interviews with race participants and officials, reaffirmed the economic and environmental benefits of fuel ethanol.

“Through this program, the Korea Automobile Journalists Association has become convinced that introducing a road ethanol policy is necessary in Korea to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and the reporters have published 45 news articles supporting the introduction of an ethanol policy in South Korea so far, which is expected to have a ripple effect on the Korean government and related industries such as oil refineries,” Kim said.

“Korea is one of the largest markets for U.S. industrial ethanol, but we need to create new demand such as road ethanol and SAF, and we will continue to work to expand the Korean ethanol market through these ongoing programs.”



NGFA comments on tentative port labor agreement

The International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. announced Thursday night that they have reached a tentative agreement to end the strike that has crippled East and Gulf Coasts ports since Tuesday. The labor contract between to two sides has been extended to Jan. 15, 2025, which will enable all parties to return to the bargaining table to resolve their issues.

Mike Seyfert, the President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), released the following statement about this development.

“It is a relief that a tentative agreement has been reached and the ports will be open for business once again. For U.S. farm products to flow smoothly to domestic and international markets, it is essential for all parts of the supply chain to be fully functioning. The shutdown of these vital shipping ports was already starting to create big problems for NGFA’s members and America’s farmers during harvest season. Left unresolved, this strike could have led to higher transportation costs for agricultural shippers and jeopardized valuable customer relationships. For the sake of rural America, we hope that the parties involved will work diligently between now and January 15 to find a long-term agreement that works for both sides and keeps our shipping channels open.”

Last week, NGFA spearheaded a letter that was signed by agricultural organizations and companies across the country, calling on President Biden to help find a solution to the ongoing labor challenges. The Farm Bureau estimated that $1.4 billion a week in agricultural trade was at risk during the strike.



USMEF Statement on East and Gulf Coast Port Announcement

Thursday evening the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) released a joint statement announcing an end – at least temporarily – to the work stoppage that shut down East and Gulf Coast ports earlier this week.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

On behalf of USMEF’s member companies and organizations, I want to thank all parties involved in the effort to get cargo moving again off the East and Gulf Coasts. This is a tremendous relief to everyone in the U.S. meat and livestock industries, as about $100 million worth of beef and pork products are exported every week through East and Gulf Coast ports. Exports are a critical revenue stream at all levels of the U.S. red meat supply chain, and our industry needs all U.S. ports operating to meet the needs of our international customers and to maintain the United States’ reputation as a reliable red meat supplier.



UPDATE: CARB LCFS

The California Air Resources Board this week released a second 15-day notice of public availability for comment on proposed changes to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The American Soybean Association and coalition partners have met with CARB staff and board members to highlight concerns with current proposed changes. While some meetings have been productive, ASA maintains that CARB continues to make policy decisions based on political pressure rather than science. The proposed changes in this new 15-day notice continue this trend and are outlined below. In response to this notice, ASA is developing comments, which are due Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Additional feedstock limitations
Of greatest concern to ASA, CARB’s latest proposed changes to the LCFS expand the limitation on crop-based feedstocks by adding sunflower oil in the 20% virgin vegetable oil cap. This means the 20% cap will now apply to three feedstocks (soy, canola and sunflower oil) in aggregate rather than two, which could further limit soybean oil participation in the California LCFS market. The new LCFS proposal provides a little more flexibility in the timeline for implementing the virgin vegetable oil cap, stating that all fuel producers with approved pathways will need to reach compliance by Jan.1, 2028, as opposed to just those currently over the cap. Importantly, soy-based biofuels will still be allowed for usage in California but would not generate credits beyond the cap.

More aggressive carbon intensity benchmarks
Another area of potential concern to ASA is that CARB has proposed adjusting the timeline used to determine when its Automatic Acceleration Mechanism can trigger. The AAM allows for additional decrease in carbon intensity (CI) score requirements for credit generation when certain CI benchmarks are achieved and maintained in a calendar year. Significant ramp-ups of the AAM could push soy BBD out as an LCFS credit generator sooner. The proposal allows CARB to trigger the AAM based on data for the previous four quarters of reporting, rather than the previous calendar year. Quarterly analysis could offer additional opportunities to ramp up CI reduction benchmarks.

Next steps
ASA is drafting comments in response to the second 15-day notice of public availability for comment on proposed changes to the LCFS. ASA will continue meeting with CARB staff and board members to share concerns related to all proposed updates that impact soybean growers. CARB is scheduled to meet on Nov. 8 for a final vote to approve amendments to the LCFS program.