Area Youth Participate in Nebraska Youth Pork Conference
Blake Guenther, Kiley Guenther, Connor Klitz and Braxton Deets all from West Point, participated in a “pilot” of the Nebraska Youth Pork Conference – “Makin’ Bacon … and a WHOLE Lot More!” conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on December 13 - 15. A total of 19 youth, nominated by extension educators from across the state, participated in this inaugural program, sponsored by the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Extension, and the UNL Department of Animal Science.
The ultimate goal of the program, according to Dr. Bryan Reiling who developed and coordinated the program in consultation with Kyla Habrock, Education Director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, was to educate youth about the pork industry and pork product utilization through a variety of engaging activities that simultaneously functioned to enhance basic life skills including leadership, teamwork, and communication.
Understanding pork, as a wholesome, flavorful, and versatile food product for the consumer was a primary focal point of the conference. Working alongside meat science faculty, these youth fabricated a pork carcass into retail cuts. They learned that the pig’s not all chops, or ribs, or bacon; and they learned how the origination of those cuts, in addition to consumer demands, affect value.
The conference then moved from the meat laboratory to the new Food Innovation Center on Nebraska’s Innovation Campus where they learned about the versatility of pork as an entrée. Two chefs, Kevin and Roger Mandigo, provided culinary instruction as youth prepared and served a multitude of pork entrée items ranging from gluten-free breaded pork cutlets and pan-seared pork chops to seasoned and sauted fresh pork belly.
Related lessons provided information on food safety. Yes, we’ve got the safest food supply in the world, but the pork industry continually strives to further enhance the safety of their product through incorporation and usage of HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points) programs. Conference participants learned the importance of proper temperature control and sanitation in the handling and preparation of food products; that consumers must also take responsibility for food safety.
Working in small groups, conference participants were challenged with tackling one of three issues related to pork production and/or consumption of pork products. They conducted research and developed group presentations (skits) to address issues from the viewpoint of consumers, the pork producer, and the meats industry. Issues discussed included the usage of antibiotics, animal welfare, and the World Health Organization’s implication that meat causes cancer. Through this activity, not only did participants learn more about the issues, the truths and fallacies; they better understood the importance of good communication – what we way, and how we say it.
There were numerous activities designed to reinforce basic life skills, but the Escape Room was definitely the highlight. Small groups of conference participants were locked together in a room; using the tools and clues provided, they had one hour to break the code that would allow them to escape. All 19 youth agreed or strongly agreed that the Escape Room was an effective “capstone” activity to showcase the importance of leadership, communication, and teamwork!
Overall, this “pilot” of the Nebraska Youth Pork Conference was very successful, and evaluation input provided by inaugural participants will be used to further enhance future programs.
Applications Being Accepted for Ethanol Blender Pumps in NE
The Nebraska Energy Office is accepting applications through December 31, 2015 for funding through the Access Ethanol Nebraska (AEN) grant program to install ethanol blender pumps across the state of Nebraska, allowing greater access to ethanol for Nebraskans and out of state visitors. Over $6 million in federal, private and state funds will be available for the blender pumps, fuel storage tanks, necessary infrastructure, marketing and education.
Access Ethanol Nebraska is a public-private partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Ethanol Board and Nebraska Department of Agriculture, with the Energy Office as the lead agency. Federal funding for the AEN came from the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP) grant through the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation, which requires a dollar to dollar match from the state, private industry and foundations.
A portion of the matching funds will come from Legislative Bill 581 (LB 581) passed by the Nebraska Unicameral last session, which allows for some ethanol infrastructure. Additional funding will come from the Corn Board through the state corn checkoff, which is paid by Nebraska corn farmers. Funding also will come from the Ethanol Board and "Prime the Pump;" a non-profit organized and funded by the ethanol industry to improve ethanol infrastructure. The Energy Office is also pursuing matching funds from Nebraska ethanol producers.
"We encourage Nebraska retailers to take advantage of this program to not only increase access to ethanol blended fuels for motorists in Nebraska, but to increase the sales of ethanol," said David Bracht, Director of the Nebraska Energy Office. "Typically sales of mid-level ethanol blend fuels have increased 45 — 55% at Nebraska stations that have installed multi-product ethanol dispensers."
Nebraska ethanol plants produce around 2 billion gallons of ethanol a year, of which over 95% is shipped to other states or countries. In 2014, Nebraska motorists used an estimated 77 million gallons, or approximately 10% of the 764 million gallons that Nebraska produces. As a result of consuming less than is produced there is an abundance of a Nebraska made product to sell to other states creating economic development/prosperity for the state.
This collaboration reflects Governor Pete Ricketts' mission to Grow Nebraska with employment and economic development through a variety of areas highlighting Nebraska's best resources. It also will further the Energy Office's mission to "promote the efficient, economic and environmentally responsible use of energy."
Letters detailing the program and requirements were sent to Nebraska fuel retailers this week. Information and requirements of the program, as well as the application are available at http://neo.ne.gov/cleanfuels/AEN.htm.
Iowa State Dairy Association to Hold 2016 Annual Meeting
The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) will hold its 2016 Annual Meeting on Friday, January 8, 2016. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Prairie Links Golf & Event Center, 19 Eagle Ridge Dr. in Waverly, Iowa. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; all ISDA members are invited to attend and anyone interested in the dairy industry is encouraged to attend and to explore opportunities of becoming a member.
This year our guest speakers are Mr. Gary Sipiorski, Dairy Development Manager with VitaPlus, Madison, Wisc., and Mr. Mike Naig, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Des Moines. Sipiorski will talk about the World of Dairying Today and how Iowa fits. Secretary Naig will talk about the current agriculture budget and how IDALS and the dairy industry can work together. They will take questions from the audience.
After the presentation, lunch will be provided and the business session will begin with officer reports and activity updates. Changes to ISDA policy will be discussed and voted on by the 2016 ISDA voting delegates. Current ISDA policy can be viewed on the ISDA website at www.iowadairy.org.
There is no cost to attend but please RSVP to Sue Ann Claudon by January 4, 2016, by calling (515) 330-7906 or emailing sueannc@iowadairy.org.
In the event of winter weather, please log on to the ISDA website to check on the status of the meeting.
Iowa Farm Bureau to feature regional 'Take Root' farm transition workshops for farm families
Transitioning the family farm from one generation to the next is a common goal for Iowa farm families, but is often an emotional and complex process for all involved. Thanks to Iowa Farm Bureau’s Take Root Program, farm families can get the necessary help and resources needed to start the process and put the plan in place.
“Take Root is more than just estate and transition planning,” said Amanda Van Steenwyk, farm business development manager at the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF). “Take Root provides strategies and resources that will improve family communication, assist in navigating through the emotional obstacles, and identify the business and estate planning tools that correspond with transferring the family business to the next generation.”
Since the program’s inception in 2013, more than 2,500 members have participated in Take Root workshops held throughout the state as they began to navigate the farm succession planning process.
The next round of Take Root workshops, beginning in January 2016, will have a different format, with changes allowing farm families to go more in-depth with their planning. The enhanced Take Root program will now feature a series of two three-hour workshops, where attendees will receive information and resources useful in developing a managed, comprehensive approach to family farm succession.
During the initial workshop, families will learn how to start the conversation about farm transition planning. “We know it’s an emotional process,” Van Steenwyk said. “The farm wasn’t created in a day, so we know there are emotional ties that we will work through as well.”
During the second workshop, families will interact with a panel of farm business experts who will provide insight on estate, tax and financial planning, leases and tenant qualities, and beginning farmer opportunities.
“The workshops are designed to answer any questions families have regarding farm business transitions and helping to provide a framework on how to carry on the family’s farming legacy,” Van Steenwyk said.
“Another great addition to the Take Root program is the incorporation of the Ag Transitions software program,” Van Steenwyk said. “Through the Take Root program, participants can create an Ag Transitions account which helps break a comprehensive succession plan into categorized blocks, allowing for easier presentation and understanding.”
On January 19 and February 2, Take Root workshops will be held in Mount Pleasant. Decorah will host Take Root workshops on February 11 and 25. Workshops will be held in Algona on February 17 and March 9. Participation in the Take Root workshops are a member benefit for Iowa Farm Bureau members. Non-members are welcome to attend for $55 per family.
For a complete agenda and details on how to register for the two Take Root workshops, go to www.iowafarmbureau.com/takeroot.
AFBF Appoints National YF&R Committee Members
The American Farm Bureau Federation has appointed new members to its national Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee for the 2016-2018 term beginning in March. The committee is comprised of 16 positions representing all regions of the U.S. An individual or a couple may hold each committee appointment.
AFBF President Bob Stallman announced the appointment of the following new members to the committee: Ryan Amberg, New York (vineyard supplier); David Bentrem, Pennsylvania (beef cattle and American quarter horses); Chandler and Jenna Bowers, Texas (beef cattle, crops and grain storage); Billy and Kalena Bruce, Missouri (beef cattle and agritourism); Richard and Megan Floyd, South Carolina (crops); Patrick and Nicole Hackley, Montana (beef cattle and crops); Peter and Lydia Whitman, Clinton, Iowa (beef cattle, corn and soybeans); and Kevin and Haley Wilson, North Carolina (beef cattle and hay).
"The individuals selected to serve are great leaders and have already given so much back to their communities," said Stallman. "I look forward to the work they will do on the YF&R Committee as well as watching them become even stronger advocates for today's agriculture."
Peter and Lydia Whitman have each been finalists in the IFBF Young Farmers Discussion Meet, and have served in leadership positions within the Clinton County Farm Bureau. The Whitmans have a deep commitment to growing the grassroots of the Iowa Farm Bureau, specifically initiating programs and events to attract young farmers to the Clinton County Farm Bureau.
“The hands-on style of leadership and volunteerism demonstrated by the Whitmans show the commitment and passion they have for agriculture today,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “As our young farmer programs continue to grow and excel, the Whitmans embody the positive characteristics of a young farm family, and will serve as excellent representatives of Iowa agriculture.”
Committee members are responsible for YF&R program planning, which includes the coordination of YF&R competitive events during AFBF's Annual Convention each January and the Harvest for All program. They also provide support in planning and implementing leadership conferences.
National committee members are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus. They study farm and food policy issues, participate in leadership training exercises and hone other professional skills during their two-year terms as committee members.
The Young Farmers & Ranchers program includes men and women between the ages of 18-35. Learn more online at http://www.fb.org/programs/yfr/home/.
Growth Energy and New Holland Announce Boomer Tractor Sweepstakes Winner
Growth Energy and New Holland Agriculture are pleased to announce the 2015 Growth Energy Individual Member Sweepstakes winner. Mr. Bill Howell was presented with the Boomer 47, a 47 hp tractor customized with Growth Energy racing decals at Haley Equipment in Carroll, Iowa.
“We are proud to support farmers and those who choose to work the land and who work so hard every day to grow crops to help feed the world and fuel our nation,” said Growth Energy Co-Chair, Tom Buis. “Our members are working hard to revitalize our rural economies, create new jobs and ensure our nation will have a sustainable and secure energy future. This sweepstakes was part of a larger effort to continue to build grassroots support for biofuels across the country. Our growing grassroots advocates, such as Mr. Howell, help promote our industry and ensure that lawmakers in Washington understand the important role biofuels play in America’s heartland.”
New Holland and Growth Energy presented the custom Boomer 47 to Mr. Howell on Monday, December 21 at Haley Equipment Inc. in Carroll, Iowa. Clay Haley represent Haley Equipment during the event, with Scott Wangsgard and George Rigdon representing New Holland Agriculture.
“New Holland is proud to support Growth Energy in their individual membership growth initiatives and we look forward to continuing the partnership in 2016,” said Ron Shaffer, Director of Commercial Sales Regions and Network Development for New Holland North America. “We are also pleased to have the opportunity to provide Mr. Howell with the Boomer 47 and we hope he will find it to be a valuable asset to his operation.”
ASA and Fellow Farm Groups Press EPA on Enlist Duo Scrutiny
In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy today, the American Soybean Association (ASA) worked with a coalition of major farm groups in pressing the agency to withdraw its request to vacate the registration for Dow’s Enlist Duo herbicide, highlighting the urgent need for new modes of action to tackle resistant weeds on farms across the country.
“U.S. growers have an urgent need for a new mode of action as these regulatory delays have exacerbated the proliferation of hard-to-control weed populations. These delays are necessitating more intense weed control practices that complicate environmental management,” wrote the groups in the letter. “Herbicide tolerant cropping systems allow growers to more efficiently use active ingredients for weed control while providing environmental benefits like reduced tillage that improves soil heath and limits nutrient run-off. Additional herbicide modes of action will help proactively manage weed herbicide resistance.”
The groups cited the already-exhaustive review undertaken by both USDA and EPA on the Enlist family of products.
“Among the many new requirements for registration of Enlist Duo at EPA was an unprecedented review of the potential effects of the product on threatened and endangered species. After an exhaustive state-by-state review, EPA concluded that use of Enlist Duo in accordance with the product label, which imposed a 30-foot wind directional buffer zone, would have no effect on threatened and endangered species. This review took place on a product that simply combines two herbicides that have each been on the market for decades…” wrote the groups.
The groups also took issue with EPA’s reference to additional and new data in its decision to reevaluate Enlist Duo.
“There will always be new information to be considered about products EPA has registered. Congress has recognized this, and included in FIFRA several vehicles for reviewing products. But none of these vehicles authorize the agency to withdraw a previously approved product in the absence of an ‘imminent hazard,’” wrote the groups. “… No one has suggested that the information EPA now is considering with Enlist Duo comes close to meeting that threshold."
Joining ASA on the letter is the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council and the National Farmers Union.
USDA Cold Storage Highlights
Total red meat supplies in freezers on November 30, 2015 were down 3 percent from the previous month but up 21 percent from last year. Total red meat is a record high for the month of November, since the data was first recorded in 1916. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 27 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 7 percent from the previous month but up 14 percent from last year. Total pork is a record high for the month of November, since the data was first recorded in 1915. Stocks of pork bellies were up 131 percent from last month and up 15 percent from last year.
Total frozen poultry supplies on November 30, 2015 were down 11 percent from the previous month but up 22 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 3 percent from the previous month and up 27 percent from last year. Total chicken is a record high for the month of November, since the data was first recorded in 1939. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 46 percent from last month but up 1 percent from November 30, 2014.
Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30, 2015 were down slightly from the previous month but up 13 percent from November 30, 2014. Butter stocks were down 26 percent from last month but up 23 percent from a year ago.
Total frozen fruit stocks were down 1 percent from last month but up 7 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 4 percent from last month but up 1 percent from a year ago.
USFRA Releases New 'Day on a Farm' Video Series
A single produce farm that raises GMO, conventional and organic crops. A cattle ranch that perseveres through the serious California drought. A pig farm that specializes in day-one animal care. A family dairy farm where producing quality milk is job #1, every day of the year. These are America's farms and ranches.
People can now learn more about where their food comes from through U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance's (USFRA) new "Day on a Farm" online video series, created in collaboration with the popular online kitchen and home destination Food52. All four videos are now live on USFRA's FoodDialogues.com website and USFRA's Facebook page, and also on Food52's YouTube channel.
"More than ever, people are interested in learning how their food is grown and raised, but most don't have an opportunity to hear directly from farmers and ranchers or to see food production in action," said USFRA CEO Randy Krotz. "America's farms and ranches are as diverse as the consumers who eat their food - and our goal is to show a variety of farming and ranching practices and the people at the forefront of these practices. USFRA is excited to partner with the Food52 community to bring food production to life."
The video series highlights farmers and ranchers who share stories about how they personally manage common food production practices like antibiotics, GMOs, sustainability, and animal welfare while growing and raising food.
All Fertilizer Prices Lower Again
National retail fertilizer prices continued to drift lower the third week of December 2015, according to dealers tracked by DTN. That's a move that could offer modest breaks for corn budgets in 2016.
All eight of the major fertilizers edged lower compared to a month earlier, but none were down significantly. DAP had an average price of $532 per ton, MAP $544/ton, potash $410/ton, urea $392/ton, 10-34-0 $571/ton, anhydrous $612/ton, UAN28 $279/ton and UAN32 $331/ton.
Urea fell through the $400-per-ton level in recent weeks. This is the first time the fertilizer's price has been below this level since the first week of September 2010 when the price was at $392 per ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.43/lb.N, anhydrous $0.38/lb.N, UAN28 $0.50/lb.N and UAN32 $0.52/lb.N.
End of Year Priorities Clear the Way to Focus on Trade in 2016
Philip Ellis, NCBA President
Cattlemen and women can rest a little easier as they move into the New Year knowing several policy victories were contained in the Omnibus Appropriations bill. For NCBA, top among these was Country of Origin Labeling. Cattle producers have long known that consumers were unaware COOL labeling existed, and it had no discernable impact on the price or demand for U.S. beef. However, the largest issue remained the threat of retaliatory tariffs and the long term damage that violating our trade agreements would have had on future trade negotiations. While NCBA continued to urge action to avoid these outcomes, unfortunately it took within hours of implementation of tariffs for Congress to act.
While COOL certainly captured the headlines, the Omnibus contained many more priorities for cattle producers including language to continue congressional oversight of the dietary guidelines process. With passage, Congress made it clear that the current and future Dietary Guidelines will be based on scientific agreement and limited to nutrition and dietary information. The bill also increases scrutiny on beef imports from regions with known animal disease issues, funds wildfire reserves, continues prohibitions on environmental permitting and reporting and blocks the Department of Interior from designating de facto wilderness areas.
Just as timely, Congress also passed tax extenders legislation, which always seem to fall to the last minute, forcing producers to either make decisions during the year speculating on the tax ramifications or push major decisions to the last days of the year in order to take advantage of these provisions. While that is again the case this tax year, the good news is Section 179 was made permanent at $500,000, 50 percent bonus depreciation was extended through 2019 and the Conservation Easement Tax Credit was permanently extended. This was remarkable news for NCBA, as we’ve been working on certainty in the tax code for a number of years, and without the appetite by Congress to take up full tax reform, it subjected many of these critical provisions to short term extensions. Now with permanent and multi-year extensions, producers will be able to plan with their financial advisor to grow and expand their operations.
This end to 2015 puts the cattle industry in a great place to set our sights on expanded trade and access to Asia and the Pacific Rim in 2016. While the priorities for the industry will be set by our producer leadership in San Diego, Calif., we know that passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership will be a major focus for the year ahead. The cattle industry has already lost over $100 million in trade into Japan, thanks to a preferential trade agreement between Japan and Australia. That gap will continue to grow as the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement continues to ratchet down Japan’s tariff on imported beef. The good news is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, negotiated by the U.S. Trade Representative, would reduce Japan’s tariffs on imported beef below Australia’s preferential agreement upon passage. That would instantly level the playing field, and allow U.S. producers to seize and build on our lost market share. The cattle industry cannot afford to push passage of TPP back, every day without an agreement costs us market share in the Pacific. With over $7 billion in U.S. beef exports in 2014, exports help stabilize our markets, allow our producers to fetch a premium for muscle cuts internationally, and add value to variety meats that otherwise would sell for little to nothing domestically. Trade represented $350 in value per head in 2014, and it represents the future of the profitability of the beef industry. I hope you’ll visit our website at www.TPPNow.com to see more benefits to the cattle industry from trade and learn how this agreement will impact your bottom line.
We were pleased to see so many priority issues the Omnibus. While this wasn’t an ag bill, it addressed the industry’s top concerns and will allow the NCBA to focus on passage of the TPP in 2016. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in San Diego, Calif., Jan 27-29. For more information and to register, visit www.BeefUSA.org, or call (303)-694-0305. And from my family to yours, we wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
RFA Analysis Shows Uptick in Number of Automakers Who Have Approved E15 for Use in New Vehicles
An analysis of 2016 model year (MY) warranty statements and owner’s manuals conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) shows that auto manufacturers explicitly approve E15 (15 percent ethanol 85 percent gasoline) use in more than 70 percent of new vehicles. This is up from 2015, when just over 60 percent of MY 2015 automobiles were clearly approved for E15.
RFA’s analysis shows that, for the first time, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA Group) has approved the use of E15 in its MY 2016 Chrysler/Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicles. FCA’s decision means it joins the other members of the “Detroit Three” (General Motors and Ford) in unequivocally allowing E15. Other key points from RFA’s analysis include:
GM started approving the use of E15 with its MY 2012 vehicles, while Ford joined a year later with its MY 2013 vehicles.
More than 45 percent of the vehicles sold in the United States this year have been produced by the Detroit Three, according to industry data.
Other automakers offering explicit approval of E15 in MY 2016 vehicles include Toyota/Lexus, Audi/Porsche/Volkswagen, Honda/Acura, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Together with the Detroit Three, these manufactures have produced approximately 72 percent of the vehicles sold in 2015.
When flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) produced by Nissan and Mercedes-Benz are included, RFA estimates the percentage of MY 2016 automobiles explicitly approved by manufacturers to use E15 is even larger (FFVs are approved to use up to 85 percent ethanol blends).
With a U.S. market share of 8.5 percent, Nissan Motor Company is the largest “hold-out” when it comes to approving the use of E15 in its vehicles. Nissan even goes as far as suggesting that “E-15 fuel will adversely affect the emission control devices and systems of the vehicle,” which raises questions about why Nissan is not able to provide the same quality of technology as automakers approving the use of E15. Curiously, Nissan also warns drivers that oxygenates like ethanol “can cause paint damage.”
Hyundai, Kia, and Subaru also continue to exclude E15 from their fuel recommendations. Together, these three foreign automakers account for about 11 percent of U.S. auto sales. While Subaru recommends that gasoline used in its vehicles contain “no more than 10% ethanol,” it allows the use of gasoline containing 15% MTBE—a toxic substance banned in dozens of states because of groundwater pollution concerns.
Interestingly, BMW’s MINI Hardtop appears to allow the use of 25% ethanol blends. The manufacturer states, “Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of 25%, i.e., E10 or E25, may be used for refueling.”
“This analysis should open some eyes and finally lay to rest the ridiculous myth that automakers do not allow the use of E15 in their vehicles,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “In fact, 2016 will be the fifth year in a row in which some auto manufacturers have explicitly included E15 in owners’ manuals and warranty statements as an approved fuel. With each passing year, more and more vehicles sold in the U.S. carry the manufacturer’s unequivocal approval for E15; and with each passing year, the auto warranty misinformation campaign undertaken by AAA and Big Oil fades further into irrelevance.”
Dinneen also noted the utter hypocrisy of statements made by AAA and the oil industry that using E15 may void auto warranties. “Ironically, not a single automaker approves the use of 85 octane gasoline, and the Department of Energy (DOE) warns that using such fuel may void warranties,” he said. “Yet, 85 octane gasoline continues to be sold all across the Rocky Mountain region and refiners are fighting tooth and nail to keep this inferior gasoline in the marketplace.”
While automakers began approving the use of E15 in their vehicles in 2012, approximately 6 million miles’ worth of testing by DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the use of E15 is safe in all vehicles built since 2001. E15 waivers issued by EPA in 2010 and 2011 effectively approve the use of E15 in all vehicles built since 2001; this means more than 85 percent of the total current U.S. vehicle fleet can safely and legally run on E15.
NCGA Encourages Members to Apply for Leadership Academy
The National Corn Growers Association reminds farmers they are invited to become a part of the change they desire by actively honing their leadership skills through the Leadership at Its Best Program co-sponsored by Syngenta. Growers must be nominated by their state corn association. Interested members should contact their state associations now for further information. The deadline for state associations to submit their nominees to NCGA is March 25,.
"For 30 years, Leadership at Its Best has helped train strong, confident volunteers who have helped shape the industry through their subsequent work at the state and national level," said NCGA President Chip Bowling. "Just like in our business, we must always cultivate the next generation of leaders. NCGA depends upon grassroots leadership, and I can personally attest that the time and effort dedicated are repaid in full through the incredible relationships built with like-minded individuals."
Open to all NCGA membership, Leadership at Its Best provides training to interested growers. The first session, held in August in Greensboro, N.C., addresses personal communications skills, public speaking and association management. The second session will be held in March 2017 in Washington and focus on public policy issues, meeting with their congressional delegation and parliamentary procedure. Through this program, participants build the skill set needed to become a more confident public speaker with a solid background in the procedures and processes used by NCGA and many state organizations.
Since 1986, the National Corn Growers Association, the state corn associations and, most importantly, the U.S. corn industry, have benefited tremendously from the Syngenta co-sponsored Leadership at Its Best Program. More than 620 growers have gained invaluable media, communications, association management and public policy knowledge and skills over the lifetime of the program.
Participants must be registered members of NCGA. Those interested should contact their state corn organization which will submit nominees for the programs. Members wishing to apply but living in states without an affiliated state organization are welcome to submit their forms directly to NCGA.
Brazil Eyes WTO Suit vs. US Soy
Alastair Stewart, DTN South America Correspondent
Brazil's government will once again consider whether to question U.S. soybean subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO), Valor Economico, a local business daily reported Wednesday.
Depressed international prices have spurred Brazilian farm groups to formally request the government study a challenge to U.S. weather and price insurance schemes.
According to Valor, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry's plan is to study the issue in the first months of 2016.
Aprosoja Brasil, a grain producer group, has hired a U.S. law firm to help build the case. It claims that subsidized U.S. farm support deprives Brazilian farmers of $1 billion a year in soy revenues.
If the ministry were to decide to pursue the case, it would certainly increase animosity between the two main soy-producing countries.
Brazil has been toying with a challenge for some time, even before it won its landmark WTO decision against U.S. cotton subsidies. The cotton decision provided a blueprint for how the Brazilians should proceed and established important precedents.
Interest in such an idea has grown over the last year as, with international prices depressed, the alleged distortion caused by the U.S. programs increase. Also, the enacting of the 2014 Farm Bill provides clear rules to be questioned.
According to Valor, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry wanted to wait until after last week's WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, before it studied the case.
ASA Disappointed in Nairobi WTO Results
Following the conclusion of the World Trade Organization’s Nairobi Ministerial this past weekend, the American Soybean Association (ASA) expresses its disappointment with the decision to allow the continued use of export subsidies by developing nations.
Specifically, ASA is disappointed that the agreement on export competition reached at the WTO Ministerial in Nairobi will allow developing countries to use marketing, processing, and transportation subsidies for exported commodities under Article 9.4 until 2023 – practices that undercut U.S. exports and distort trade. ASA supported the position of the United States and many others that the ability of developing countries to utilize Article 9.4 export subsidies expired in 2004, at the end of the implementation period of the Uruguay Round commitments.
“The Nairobi agreement effectively raises these subsidies from the dead and legitimizes their use without any meaningful discipline until 2023,” said ASA President Richard Wilkins, a farmer from Greenwood, Del. “It will be important for the U.S. Trade Representative to work to ensure that countries do not attempt to shield these programs by shifting their subsidies under Article 9.4.”
“In addition, we saw India hold the Doha negotiations hostage in Bali and now again in Nairobi. India’s continued efforts to roll back previous commitments and to block meaningful trade liberalization by developing countries going forward makes us concerned about future talks,” said Wilkins. “We appreciate Ambassador Froman’s statement that the Doha Round is effectively over and that future negotiations must take place under a new architecture. Simply put, we believe the United States should only engage in future WTO negotiations it they occur under a markedly different framework than the flawed Doha mandate.”
On the positive side, the Nairobi agreement does reflect the U.S. goal to immediately eliminate the use of export subsidies by developed countries, and includes a relatively short elimination period for their use by developing countries (other than the Article 9.4 export subsidies). Additionally, the agreement reached in Nairobi harmonizes terms of export credit programs with those of the U.S., and allows countries to continue their food aid programs, including monetization of commodities, as long as monetization does not disrupt local markets.
“On balance, we are disappointed in the Nairobi results,” said Wilkins. “We recognize that U.S. negotiators faced a very difficult environment in which to make progress. The only silver lining to this agreement will be if future WTO negotiations truly take place on a new, sounder foundation that is based on the acceptance of greater disciplines by all parties. ASA will continue working with other U.S. farm and commodity groups, the Administration, and the Congress to insist that this be the case.”
U.S. Wheat Associates Welcomes WTO Elimination of Export Subsidies
U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry, is very pleased with the recent decision by WTO members to eliminate agricultural export subsidies.
Long banned for industrial goods, export subsidies are, along with guaranteed prices above world market levels and input subsidies, among the most harmful and distorting practices for world agricultural trade. Although the WTO already banned export subsidies for industrial goods, many member countries are still authorized to use agricultural export subsides. While authorized subsidies are rarely used anymore, agreeing to eliminate them is no small matter. For example, while the European Union, collectively the world's largest wheat producer, no longer uses export subsidies it still has standby authority to do so. Other countries are using unauthorized export subsidies and should be challenged to prevent continued violations of current disciplines. Certainly, eliminating export subsidy authority at once for developed countries and by the end of 2018 for developing countries is a major step forward for world wheat trade.
USW is concerned, however, that the Nairobi Ministerial also reauthorized developing and least developed countries' use of processing and transport subsidies for agricultural products, an authority that had expired in 2004. While this reauthorization is limited and temporary, it is still a step backward for agricultural trade similar to the setback of the 2013 Bali Declaration.
There were also changes in language affecting food aid and export credits, but our negotiators successfully defended U.S. practices in those areas. While further negotiations will take place on special safeguards and government food stockholding for developing and least developed countries, no commitment was made to continue the Doha Development Agenda as such, which we consider a positive outcome. It is long past time for countries to shelve the failed Doha negotiations and move on to more productive trade liberalization efforts to address the challenges of the 21st century.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Monday December 21 Ag News
Human Resource Workshops for Farm, Ranch, and Main Street
This January Nebraska Extension will be hosting HR 4 Ag & Main Street workshops for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture and main street business owners. The three-hour programs are to provide education on human resource management and human risk mitigation strategies to increase your farm, ranch, or other business’ resiliency and stability. Topics to be covered include:
- recruiting and retaining the best employees,
- pay and benefits,
- motivating and engaging employees,
- communication,
- building and leading your team, and
- managing conflict.
Programs will be presented from 1-4 p.m. at the following sites:
NORFOLK: Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave. To register call the Northeast Research and Extension Center at 402-379-4000
YORK: Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the York County Extension Office at 2345 Nebraska Ave. To register call the York County Extension Office at 402-362-5508
NORTH PLATTE: Thursday, Jan. 28 at the West Central Research and Extension Center at 402 W. State Farm Road. To register call West Central Research and Extension Center at 308-696-6740.
SCOTTSBLUFF: Tuesday, Feb 9 at the Panhandle Research & Extension Center at 4502 Avenue I, To register call: Panhandle Research and Extension Center at 308-632-1230.
This program is made possible through a grant by the North Central Risk Management Education Center. For more information contact a HR 4 Ag team member:
- Ben Dutton, Extension Educator – Red Willow County (308-345-3390)
- Jessica G. Jones, Extension Educator – Johnson County (402-335-3669)
- Tim Lemmons, Extension Educator – Northeast Research & Extension Center (402-370-4061)
- Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator – UNL Ag Economics Dept. (402-472-4138)
- Brandy VanDeWalle, Extension Educator – Fillmore County (402-759-3712)
- Aaron Yoder, Assistant Professor – University of Nebraska Medical Center (402-552-7240)
HEUERMANN LECTURE TO FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE
The history and vision for the future of international trade for U.S. agriculture will be the subject of the next Heuermann Lecture on Jan. 12. Clayton Yeutter, former U.S. trade representative and U.S. secretary of agriculture, and Darci Vetter, the chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, will have a panel discussion.
The free lecture, sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will be at 7 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive. A 6:30 p.m. reception precedes the lecture.
Yeutter recently retired as senior adviser of international trade for Hogan Lovells, LLP, in Washington, D.C., one of the nation's oldest and largest law firms. Previously he acted as counselor to President George H.W. Bush for domestic policy, a cabinet-level post. From 1989 to 1991, he was U.S. secretary of agriculture and was responsible for administration of the fourth-largest department of the United States in budget terms (nearly $50 billion) and sixth largest in employment (more than 100,000). From July 1985 until January 1989, he was U.S. trade representative, reporting directly to the president on all trade matters. He was born in Eustis and spent 18 years operating a 2,500-acre farm, ranch and cattle-feeding enterprise in central Nebraska.
As chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Vetter is responsible for bilateral and multilateral negotiations and policy coordination regarding agricultural trade. In her previous role at USDA as deputy undersecretary, she oversaw the department's international activities. Before joining USDA, she was an international trade adviser on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Before that, Vetter spent six years at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, including as director for agricultural affairs. She also was the director for sustainable development in the U.S. Trade Representative's environment office. She received her master of public affairs degree and a certificate in science, technology and environmental policy from Princeton University and her undergraduate degree from Drake University in Des Moines. She grew up in Nebraska on a family farm.
Heuermann Lectures are free and open to the public. Lectures focus on providing and sustaining enough food, natural resources and renewable energy for the world's people, and on securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs. They are made possible by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, longtime university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.
Lectures stream live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and are archived at that site soon after the event. They also air on NET2 World at a later date.
Contributors Needed for UNL Custom Rate Survey
Roger Wilson, NE Extension Farm Management Analyst
Every other year the University of Nebraska Department of Agricultural Economics conducts a survey of the rates charged for custom farming operations in Nebraska. Results for the 2014 survey are published online at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/economics/customrates. Results for the 2016 survey will probably be published around June 1, 2016.
Custom operators who would like to be included in this survey can either provide their name and address at http://farm.unl.edu/custom-rate-participants or send their name and address to Roger Wilson, Farm Management Analyst, University of Nebraska, PO Box 830922, Lincoln, NE 68583-0922 or email rwilson6@unl.edu. Please call (402) 472-1771 if you have questions.
This survey is done in two parts. The first part covers spring and summer practices such as tillage, planting, and haying operations. The second part covers fall practices such as harvest and livestock operations.
Farm Succession Workshops Continue in January
The Nebraska Farm Succession Series, hosted by the Nebraska Beginning Farmer and Rancher Network, returns in January with free workshops in Mead, Tekamah, Norfolk and Central City.
The meetings are designed to answer key questions of farm and ranch owners, families, and those just beginning in farming.
Speakers are Dave Goeller, deputy director, Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, UNL, and Joe Hawbaker, agricultural law attorney, with Hawbaker Law Office, Omaha.
Workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mead on Jan. 13; Tekamah on Jan. 14; Norfolk on Jan. 15 and Central City on Jan. 28. Lunch is included.
The workshops are about farm and ranch business succession, family estate planning, and beginning farmer programs. It is intended for established farm and ranch owners and their successors, and for beginners. Topics include: the stages of succession planning, contribution and compensation, balancing the interests of on-farm and off-farm heirs; the importance of communication, setting goals, analyzing cash flow, and balancing inter-generational expectations and needs; beginning farmer loan and tax credit programs; the use of trusts, wills, life estate deeds and business entities (such as the limited liability company) in family estate and business succession planning; buy-sell agreements, asset protection, taxation (federal transfer taxes, Nebraska inheritance tax, basis adjustment), and essential estate documents.
To register or for more information, call the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-8000-464-0258.
Free Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics in January
One-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics are held across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. They offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.
January Clinic Sites and Dates
Valentine — Thursday, Jan. 7
Grand Island — Thursday, Jan. 7
Norfolk — Monday, Jan. 11
North Platte — Thursday, Jan. 14
Lexington —Thursday, Jan. 21
Fairbury — Friday, Jan. 22
Norfolk — Monday, Jan. 25
To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.
NC Foundation Announces Availability of Youth Scholarships
The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is accepting applications for scholarships from qualified youth in Nebraska who have an interest in the beef industry. These scholarships will be awarded for the 2016-2017 academic year and are provided through contributions received by the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. Applications are available on the Nebraska Cattlemen website (www.nebraskacattlemen.org) or can be obtained by calling the NCF office at (402) 475-2333.
Scholarship recipients must be a high school senior or college student, have a "C" or higher grade point average, and be enrolled or intending to enroll full time in a college or university that offers a bachelor degree, an approved vocation or trade school, or a state accredited junior college. Refer to NCF application(s) for complete selection requirements.
The Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship awards a $10,000 scholarship to an outstanding college junior, senior or graduate-level student. Eligible students must be residents of Nebraska and be enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry-related degree. The scholarship will be awarded based on student need, Nebraska beef industry involvement (past achievements and future plans) and academics. Students will be required to complete the written application (due in the NCF office by February 15, 2016) and finalists will be invited to an interview with the selection committee.
NCF offers numerous other $1,000 scholarships, awarded on the basis of academic achievement, beef industry involvement and goals/quality of application from the following funds. These completed applications are due into the NCF office by March 15, 2016.
Robert E. Lute II Memorial (high school senior or higher)
Frank and Shirley Sibert (high school senior or higher)
Bell Heller Memorial (high school senior or higher)
Donavan Yoachim Memorial (high school senior or higher)
Cattlemen's Open (high school senior or higher)
Clarence and Lois Jean Hartmann (high school senior or higher)
Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship(s) (high school senior or higher)
Col. Melvin Huss Memorial (high school senior or higher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) animal science major)
Ron and Shirley Huss (high school senior or higher, UNL animal science major)
Bill Pullen (college junior or higher, UNL agriculture major)
Vance Uden Memorial (college junior or higher, member of UNL Senior Livestock Evaluation Team)
Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit (college junior or higher, meat/food science major in Nebraska)
Martin Viersen Range Management/Conservation Memorial (college junior or higher, range management/conservation/grazing systems major in Nebraska)
The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation was created in 1968 and has been nurturing important, long term facets of the cattle industry, education for our future leaders and promoting needed research. The Foundation's mission is to advance the future of Nebraska's Beef Industry by investing in research and education programs. For more information concerning the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, contact Lee Weide, Nebraska Cattlemen Vice President of Operations at 402/475-2333 or Jana Jensen, NCF Fundraising Coordinator at 308/588-6299.
FCC-WEST CENTRAL MERGER APPROVED
The members of Farmers Cooperative Company (FC), Ames, Iowa, and West Central Cooperative, Ralston, Iowa, have both approved the merger of their cooperatives effective April 1, 2016.
“In this merger vote, our members were presented with a rare opportunity to combine two strong, financially-stable cooperatives in a merger of equals to maintain local ownership for generations to come,” explained West Central Board Chair and Paton, Iowa-area farmer Sue Tronchetti.
“We are pleased the memberships approved the boards’ recommendation,” said FC Chief Executive Officer Jim Chism. “We are confident that together, we will become an even stronger cooperative and be better positioned to help improve the economic well-being of our member-owners.”
“On behalf of our boards, management and nearly 700 employees, we appreciate each and every member who cast a ballot in this historic cooperative merger,” said FC Board President and Odebolt, Iowa-area farmer John Scott.
Each membership met Iowa’s state voting requirement for a successful cooperative merger as certified by independent auditing firm of Gardiner Thomsen. To approve a merger, Iowa law requires at least 50 percent of each membership (plus one) to vote, with two-thirds of those casting ballots voting in favor of the merger.
“Our members’ voices were heard in this merger process. Not only in the results of the vote, but in each and every member meeting and coffee shop conversation,” explained West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak, who will become the CEO of the newly formed cooperative. “This merger showcases our members’ request for their cooperative to do more together for their operations than either business could do separately. We take our members’ confidence in a combined cooperative seriously as we prepare for integration and execution.”
The unified cooperative, to be known as Landus Cooperative, will be led by current West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak and be headquartered in Ames, Iowa. The board of directors will be made up of nine directors from each cooperative for equal representation. More information on any changes will be provided in coming months as integration plans are finalized.
Together, West Central and FC have more than 70 grain, agronomy and feed locations in 26 Iowa and three Minnesota counties. According to World Grain magazine’s Grain and Milling Annual, Landus Cooperative will become the seventh largest grain company in North America based on storage capacity and have shuttle-loading access on all seven major Iowa rail lines.
Iowa Corn Growers Association Releases Top State and Federal Priorities for 2016
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has released the final list of state and federal legislative priorities for the upcoming year. These priorities are based on grassroots input from members across the state.
“As a long-standing, influential agricultural organization, our grassroots members drive our policy development process. ICGA knows that creating sound policy is the single most important thing that we can do for our members. We actively encourage engagement from ICGA members across the state to help develop policy to positively impact our farming operations,” said ICGA President Bob Hemesath. “We are grassroots driven at both the state and federal level, and continue working towards fair policy that protects the interests of our members and the Iowa corn industry.”
The 2016 ICGA state and federal priorities are as follows:
2016 ICGA state priorities, listed in alphabetical order:
1. Conservation: 2016 funding for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
2. Department of Agriculture: Funding for IDALS budget requests (state veterinarian, conservation, fuels, etc.)
3. Ethanol: Extend/renew income-tax credits for renewable fuel retailers (E15, E85, and increasing levels of biofuels)
4. Ethanol: Infrastructure cost-share for retail fuel stations up to E85
5. Ethanol: Tax credits for cellulosic ethanol production or other advanced biofuels
6. Livestock: Full $4 million funding for ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
7. Livestock: Support the livestock industry and the existing laws regulating livestock operations
8. Research: Increased funding for ISU Experiment Station, livestock related research re: animal stress and odor management
9. Research: Increased funding for ISU Extension programs
10. Value-Added Agriculture: State tax credits for bio-based products beyond food and fuel
2016 ICGA federal priorities, listed in alphabetical order:
1. Biotechnology: Create a national voluntary biotech labeling law
2. Environment: Repeal of the 2015 EPA Clean Water Act rule
3. Environment: Voluntary water quality efforts, not EPA regulatory nutrient limits
4. Ethanol: Reduce regulatory barriers to higher ethanol blends for conventional cars
5. Ethanol: Retain the Renewable Fuel Standard
6. Farm Bill: Protect crop insurance funding
7. Taxes: Extend or make permanent bonus depreciation, Sec. 179, and capital gains
8. Trade: Expand bilateral and multilateral trade agreements (ex: Trans Pacific Partnership)
9. Trade: Protect Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) funding
10. Transportation: Increase appropriations for river transportation, including locks and dams
ICGA’s 2016 state and federal priorities originated from discussion at the ICGA Annual Meeting and Policy Conference held this past August, and were finalized by the ICGA board of directors on behalf of its nearly 8,000 members at this week’s meeting. ICGA members will bring these key priority issues to their elected officials throughout coming year.
To view all of ICGA’s comprehensive policy, the 2016 Iowa Corn Growers Association policy book is available online at: www.iowacorn.org/policy or contact the Iowa Corn office.
Growers Talk Membership, Leadership and Communications
In meetings this December in St. Louis, members of the National Corn Growers Association's Grower Services Action Team focused on ways to diversify our membership, expand and better target communications to members, create stronger leaders and coordinate programs to communicate the association's successes and the importance of corn and corn products to consumers and the general public.
"Our action team covers an important range of responsibilities," said team Chairwoman Patty Mann, an Ohio corn grower. "As a grassroots organization, NCGA cannot be successful without a broad, diverse, informed and engaged base of members. And that's what Grower Services is all about - building that base that makes our state and national organizations so successful."
In the area of membership, the team looked at how NCGA could bring increased diversity to its membership and extend the value of membership to interested parties in each farming operation. After a productive discussion, the team called for a task force of state and national staff to examine the issue more closely and come up with recommendations for action by the team's February meeting and Membership Symposium.
The group also looked at NCGA's draft strategic plan, paying close attention to the goal of enhancing customer and consumer trust, and related objectives. Related to this goal, the growers received updates on some key NCGA programs, such as its participation in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, CommonGround and the Corn Farmers Coalition.
In addition to Mann, the Grower Services Action Team includes Vice Chairman Ted Mottaz, Corn Board Liaison Kevin Skunes, and members Debbie Borg (Allen, NE), Jayne Dalton, Les Imboden, Aaron Martinka, Mike Moreland, Gerald Mulder, Danny Nerud, Leah Pottinger, Glenna Taylor, Roger Zylstra and state affiliate staff representative Katie Glick of Indiana.
USDA to Honor American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman
On Jan. 6, 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will honor Bob Stallman’s tenure as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will proclaim Jan. 6, Bob Stallman Appreciation Day, presenting the honoree with an official proclamation in recognition of Stallman’s commitment to strengthening rural American families and communities.
Stallman, a recognized champion of agriculture, has served as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation for 16 years, tirelessly supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers as they help feed the world, protect and preserve the environment, provide jobs, and contribute to the nation’s economy.
Cattle On Feed
Brenda Boetel, Professor, Dept of Ag Econ, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, NASS) released their monthly Cattle on Feed report on Friday December 18, 2015. The latest numbers released by the USDA were bullish in total numbers of cattle on feed, placements and marketings, compared to trade expectations. Total cattle on feed on December 1, 2015 numbered 10.79 million head, on par with last month and minimally below December 2014 levels. Pre-report estimates expected cattle on feed numbers to be up 1%.
Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.60 million head, down 11 percent from 2014, and 7 percent lower than pre-report estimates. Placements were down 6% in Kansas, 7% in Nebraska, and 18% in Texas. Placements are the lowest for November since the series began in 1996. All weight categories saw declining placement numbers for November 2015, compared to year ago. Even cattle weighing over 800 pounds saw a decrease in placement numbers, although placements are still skewed to the higher weigh category. Placements for cattle weighing under 600 pounds decreased by 15%, cattle weighing 600-699 decreased by 10%, cattle 700-700 decreased by 16%, and cattle weighing over 800 pounds decreased by 1%. Mild weather, high feeder cattle prices and good forage and pasture conditions throughout much of the U.S. continues to allow cattle to stay out of the feedlots longer and the lower finished cattle prices have deterred feedlots from placing cattle. This trend for placing heavier cattle could continue for another couple of months.
November marketings were slightly higher than pre-report estimates. Marketings were at 1.5 million head, up 3.8% over November 2014. There was one more marketing day available in 2015 compared to 2014, which would attribute to greater marketings. The daily average of marketings in November was about 1% lower than that in 2014. Marketings as a percentage of on feed inventory decreased in November, indicating a slight delay in marketings. Carcass weights have decreased slightly though.
Survey Aims to Collect Farmer Feedback on USDA Programs
A new online survey http://usdaprograms.questionpro.com/ launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation will collect feedback from farmers and ranchers about their experiences with 10 Agriculture Department programs housed in three agencies. Results will be used by AFBF to develop recommendations on how USDA can enhance its programs and make them more useful to farmers and ranchers.
All farmers and ranchers, not just Farm Bureau members, are encouraged to take the survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete.
"Farmers and ranchers sometimes find it confusing and complex to participate in USDA programs," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "At the same time, USDA staff are concerned that farmers and ranchers who could benefit from a number of different programs frequently do not apply."
The survey focuses on the following USDA programs from the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development:
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Conservation Stewardship Program
Conservation Reserve Program
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants
Rural Energy for America Program
Farmers' Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program
Direct Farm Ownership Loans
Direct Farm Operating Loans and
Guaranteed Farm Loans (farm operating and farm ownership).
AFBF will share feedback from the survey about what is working well with the programs and how they can be improved with USDA.
Bill Blocks NH3 Rules
Fertilizer retailers and anhydrous ammonia users got a bit of an early Christmas present in the tax and spending bill passed last week.
Buried in the omnibus appropriations bill is a rider that forbids the Occupation Safety and Health Agency from requiring ag retailers to comply with Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (PSM) regulations. The rules would have required ag retail operations that sell anhydrous ammonia fertilizers to have the same level of safety rules and facility securities as do chemical manufacturers.
While OSHA estimated the costs of facility safety renovations at $2,160 per site, the Ag Retailers Association estimated it would cost members an average of $20,000 per site. Some retailers said costs would be more than $60,000 to comply and that they would stop selling anhydrous if the exemption was removed.
The prohibition on OSHA requiring higher safety rules for retailers lasts through calendar year 2016.
CWT Assists with 12.7 million Pounds of Cheese and Whole Milk Powder Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 14 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), and Tillamook County Creamery Association who have contracts to sell 3.515 million pounds (1,595 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese, and 9.215 million pounds (4,180 metric tons) of whole milk powder to customers in Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and South America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from January through July 2016.
Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 57.109 million pounds of cheese, 25.847 million pounds of butter and 49.930 million pounds of whole milk powder to thirty-five countries on six continents. The amounts of cheese, butter and whole milk powder in these sales contracts represent the equivalent of 1.473 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price. Renewing this important program for 2016 through 2018 is currently underway. Cooperatives and individual dairy farmers interested in investing in their future can find membership application at www.cwt.coop under the membership tab.
Mosaic Announces Quarterly Dividend
The Mosaic Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend will be paid on March 17, 2016, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 3, 2016.
The declaration and payment of any future dividends is subject to approval by Mosaic's Board of Directors. There can be no assurance that the company's Board of Directors will declare future dividends.
The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single source provider of phosphate and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry.
BarnVista Revolutionizes Processes
Ladders on bulk bins at a north central Iowa pork production facility were showing wear and needed to be replaced. Staff used BarnVista to put in a work order for the project. When reviewed by managers, the work order was canceled because new bulk bins were due to be installed. Because all of the facility’s activities are tracked with BarnVista, the expense of purchasing and installing ladders on bulk bins soon to be removed was prevented.
At another site, a curtain was scheduled to be replaced. When reviewing the work order on BarnVista, staff added replacement of wood behind the curtain and improved the outcome of the project by making efficient use of time and resources.
When conducting self-audits, the internal auditor notes any failures in a work order on BarnVista. This can be reviewed in an audit failing report to monitor progress of corrective actions. Staff monitors those aggregate corrective actions, looking for parts, processes, or protocols which contribute to systemic issues as opposed to an audit failing being a single, one-time problem. With BarnVista, corrective actions can become learning moments and site-wide changes improve overall outcome.
For example, a particular brand or installation of fan may cause multiple audit failings. When the repetitive nature of the failing is viewed from an overall perspective versus the single site, the fans can be replaced, installed differently, or monitored more closely to avoid future, repetitive audit failings.
Because BarnVista collects and stores all information arising from self-audits, this data is available when third party auditors arrive to conduct their examinations. Audit documentation is integral to BarnVista’s design, making it possible for the process to be easily managed at each level.
Modern livestock production is multi-layered, complex, and contains many moving parts. BarnVista was developed for animal agriculture businesses to manage the energy and effort required to effectively and efficiently produce protein.
In addition to audit documentation and reporting as well as work orders, BarnVista includes protocol and policy, and asset management as many of these functions may be interrelated. The web-based design and reporting capabilities provide effective access for management and personnel from remote locations.
“BarnVista automates processes previously handled by a messy paper trail, prioritizes activities, provides historical and site documentation, and improves production efficiency,” explained Derrick Sleezer, product manager for BarnVista. “We know it works because it was developed by livestock producers, tested, and proven before being offered to the public. It’s available now, affordable, and will improve any livestock enterprise’s processes.”
To learn more about BarnVista and explore implementing this program within your livestock production enterprise, go to www.barnvista.com or call Sleezer at 712-261-5684.
DuPont Pioneer and Trimble Enable Wireless Data Transfer Between Encirca℠ Services and Connected Farm
DuPont Pioneer and Trimble today announced a collaborative effort that will give growers increased access to field data to help improve their productivity and profitability acre-by-acre. The collaboration allows for the seamless flow of information between the Trimble® Connected Farm™ solution, a Web-based farm management solution that includes wireless data transfer, and Encirca℠ services, which are tailored decision services offered by DuPont Pioneer.
Growers will now have more options to quickly and easily import field operations data, including as-applied maps and production data from planters, spreaders, sprayers and combines, into Encirca services.
“This technology integration between Encirca services and Trimble’s Connected Farm solution brings an added level of convenience to growers by expanding the list of compatible equipment they may use to farm more efficiently and effectively,” said Eric Boeck, DuPont Pioneer marketing director, Encirca services.
“Trimble understands the importance – and ultimately the benefit to the grower – of working with a variety of solution providers in the industry to provide a seamless experience for the customer,” said Pierre-Andre Rebeyrat, strategic marketing director of Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “By integrating the Connected Farm solution with Encirca services, we are able to provide Encirca services users and their advisors with an easier way to view their field data so they can operate more efficiently and make better decisions based on that data.”
Encirca services combine the latest technologies for weather, soils and agronomy with a grower’s field operations data to comprehensively manage whole farm practices. These proprietary analytics and a personal advisor help growers make real-time management decisions to maximize crop yields and reduce risks.
Using the Connected Farm Application Programming Interface (API), Encirca services users will have the ability to transfer field data wirelessly, at their discretion, to the Encirca services platform via Trimble’s Connected Farm solution. The integration also delivers the added benefit of transmitting prescriptions from Encirca services back to Trimble in-cab devices to be accurately applied in fields.
The Connected Farm solution – which works with in-cab displays, smartphones and mobile tablets – integrates data from all types of equipment, farm practices, crop types and farm sizes so growers can easily view field activities and other key farm information in one central location. By providing real-time data in a convenient online platform, and connecting the field to the office wirelessly, the Connected Farm solution enables better decision making for the farmer and facilitates easier collaboration with their trusted advisor.
This January Nebraska Extension will be hosting HR 4 Ag & Main Street workshops for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture and main street business owners. The three-hour programs are to provide education on human resource management and human risk mitigation strategies to increase your farm, ranch, or other business’ resiliency and stability. Topics to be covered include:
- recruiting and retaining the best employees,
- pay and benefits,
- motivating and engaging employees,
- communication,
- building and leading your team, and
- managing conflict.
Programs will be presented from 1-4 p.m. at the following sites:
NORFOLK: Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave. To register call the Northeast Research and Extension Center at 402-379-4000
YORK: Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the York County Extension Office at 2345 Nebraska Ave. To register call the York County Extension Office at 402-362-5508
NORTH PLATTE: Thursday, Jan. 28 at the West Central Research and Extension Center at 402 W. State Farm Road. To register call West Central Research and Extension Center at 308-696-6740.
SCOTTSBLUFF: Tuesday, Feb 9 at the Panhandle Research & Extension Center at 4502 Avenue I, To register call: Panhandle Research and Extension Center at 308-632-1230.
This program is made possible through a grant by the North Central Risk Management Education Center. For more information contact a HR 4 Ag team member:
- Ben Dutton, Extension Educator – Red Willow County (308-345-3390)
- Jessica G. Jones, Extension Educator – Johnson County (402-335-3669)
- Tim Lemmons, Extension Educator – Northeast Research & Extension Center (402-370-4061)
- Marilyn Schlake, Extension Educator – UNL Ag Economics Dept. (402-472-4138)
- Brandy VanDeWalle, Extension Educator – Fillmore County (402-759-3712)
- Aaron Yoder, Assistant Professor – University of Nebraska Medical Center (402-552-7240)
HEUERMANN LECTURE TO FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE
The history and vision for the future of international trade for U.S. agriculture will be the subject of the next Heuermann Lecture on Jan. 12. Clayton Yeutter, former U.S. trade representative and U.S. secretary of agriculture, and Darci Vetter, the chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, will have a panel discussion.
The free lecture, sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will be at 7 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive. A 6:30 p.m. reception precedes the lecture.
Yeutter recently retired as senior adviser of international trade for Hogan Lovells, LLP, in Washington, D.C., one of the nation's oldest and largest law firms. Previously he acted as counselor to President George H.W. Bush for domestic policy, a cabinet-level post. From 1989 to 1991, he was U.S. secretary of agriculture and was responsible for administration of the fourth-largest department of the United States in budget terms (nearly $50 billion) and sixth largest in employment (more than 100,000). From July 1985 until January 1989, he was U.S. trade representative, reporting directly to the president on all trade matters. He was born in Eustis and spent 18 years operating a 2,500-acre farm, ranch and cattle-feeding enterprise in central Nebraska.
As chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Vetter is responsible for bilateral and multilateral negotiations and policy coordination regarding agricultural trade. In her previous role at USDA as deputy undersecretary, she oversaw the department's international activities. Before joining USDA, she was an international trade adviser on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance. Before that, Vetter spent six years at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, including as director for agricultural affairs. She also was the director for sustainable development in the U.S. Trade Representative's environment office. She received her master of public affairs degree and a certificate in science, technology and environmental policy from Princeton University and her undergraduate degree from Drake University in Des Moines. She grew up in Nebraska on a family farm.
Heuermann Lectures are free and open to the public. Lectures focus on providing and sustaining enough food, natural resources and renewable energy for the world's people, and on securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs. They are made possible by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, longtime university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.
Lectures stream live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and are archived at that site soon after the event. They also air on NET2 World at a later date.
Contributors Needed for UNL Custom Rate Survey
Roger Wilson, NE Extension Farm Management Analyst
Every other year the University of Nebraska Department of Agricultural Economics conducts a survey of the rates charged for custom farming operations in Nebraska. Results for the 2014 survey are published online at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/economics/customrates. Results for the 2016 survey will probably be published around June 1, 2016.
Custom operators who would like to be included in this survey can either provide their name and address at http://farm.unl.edu/custom-rate-participants or send their name and address to Roger Wilson, Farm Management Analyst, University of Nebraska, PO Box 830922, Lincoln, NE 68583-0922 or email rwilson6@unl.edu. Please call (402) 472-1771 if you have questions.
This survey is done in two parts. The first part covers spring and summer practices such as tillage, planting, and haying operations. The second part covers fall practices such as harvest and livestock operations.
Farm Succession Workshops Continue in January
The Nebraska Farm Succession Series, hosted by the Nebraska Beginning Farmer and Rancher Network, returns in January with free workshops in Mead, Tekamah, Norfolk and Central City.
The meetings are designed to answer key questions of farm and ranch owners, families, and those just beginning in farming.
Speakers are Dave Goeller, deputy director, Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, UNL, and Joe Hawbaker, agricultural law attorney, with Hawbaker Law Office, Omaha.
Workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mead on Jan. 13; Tekamah on Jan. 14; Norfolk on Jan. 15 and Central City on Jan. 28. Lunch is included.
The workshops are about farm and ranch business succession, family estate planning, and beginning farmer programs. It is intended for established farm and ranch owners and their successors, and for beginners. Topics include: the stages of succession planning, contribution and compensation, balancing the interests of on-farm and off-farm heirs; the importance of communication, setting goals, analyzing cash flow, and balancing inter-generational expectations and needs; beginning farmer loan and tax credit programs; the use of trusts, wills, life estate deeds and business entities (such as the limited liability company) in family estate and business succession planning; buy-sell agreements, asset protection, taxation (federal transfer taxes, Nebraska inheritance tax, basis adjustment), and essential estate documents.
To register or for more information, call the Nebraska Rural Response Hotline at 1-8000-464-0258.
Free Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics in January
One-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics are held across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. They offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.
January Clinic Sites and Dates
Valentine — Thursday, Jan. 7
Grand Island — Thursday, Jan. 7
Norfolk — Monday, Jan. 11
North Platte — Thursday, Jan. 14
Lexington —Thursday, Jan. 21
Fairbury — Friday, Jan. 22
Norfolk — Monday, Jan. 25
To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.
NC Foundation Announces Availability of Youth Scholarships
The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is accepting applications for scholarships from qualified youth in Nebraska who have an interest in the beef industry. These scholarships will be awarded for the 2016-2017 academic year and are provided through contributions received by the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. Applications are available on the Nebraska Cattlemen website (www.nebraskacattlemen.org) or can be obtained by calling the NCF office at (402) 475-2333.
Scholarship recipients must be a high school senior or college student, have a "C" or higher grade point average, and be enrolled or intending to enroll full time in a college or university that offers a bachelor degree, an approved vocation or trade school, or a state accredited junior college. Refer to NCF application(s) for complete selection requirements.
The Nebraska Cattlemen Beef State Scholarship awards a $10,000 scholarship to an outstanding college junior, senior or graduate-level student. Eligible students must be residents of Nebraska and be enrolled in a Nebraska college or university pursuing a beef industry-related degree. The scholarship will be awarded based on student need, Nebraska beef industry involvement (past achievements and future plans) and academics. Students will be required to complete the written application (due in the NCF office by February 15, 2016) and finalists will be invited to an interview with the selection committee.
NCF offers numerous other $1,000 scholarships, awarded on the basis of academic achievement, beef industry involvement and goals/quality of application from the following funds. These completed applications are due into the NCF office by March 15, 2016.
Robert E. Lute II Memorial (high school senior or higher)
Frank and Shirley Sibert (high school senior or higher)
Bell Heller Memorial (high school senior or higher)
Donavan Yoachim Memorial (high school senior or higher)
Cattlemen's Open (high school senior or higher)
Clarence and Lois Jean Hartmann (high school senior or higher)
Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship(s) (high school senior or higher)
Col. Melvin Huss Memorial (high school senior or higher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) animal science major)
Ron and Shirley Huss (high school senior or higher, UNL animal science major)
Bill Pullen (college junior or higher, UNL agriculture major)
Vance Uden Memorial (college junior or higher, member of UNL Senior Livestock Evaluation Team)
Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit (college junior or higher, meat/food science major in Nebraska)
Martin Viersen Range Management/Conservation Memorial (college junior or higher, range management/conservation/grazing systems major in Nebraska)
The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation was created in 1968 and has been nurturing important, long term facets of the cattle industry, education for our future leaders and promoting needed research. The Foundation's mission is to advance the future of Nebraska's Beef Industry by investing in research and education programs. For more information concerning the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation, contact Lee Weide, Nebraska Cattlemen Vice President of Operations at 402/475-2333 or Jana Jensen, NCF Fundraising Coordinator at 308/588-6299.
FCC-WEST CENTRAL MERGER APPROVED
The members of Farmers Cooperative Company (FC), Ames, Iowa, and West Central Cooperative, Ralston, Iowa, have both approved the merger of their cooperatives effective April 1, 2016.
“In this merger vote, our members were presented with a rare opportunity to combine two strong, financially-stable cooperatives in a merger of equals to maintain local ownership for generations to come,” explained West Central Board Chair and Paton, Iowa-area farmer Sue Tronchetti.
“We are pleased the memberships approved the boards’ recommendation,” said FC Chief Executive Officer Jim Chism. “We are confident that together, we will become an even stronger cooperative and be better positioned to help improve the economic well-being of our member-owners.”
“On behalf of our boards, management and nearly 700 employees, we appreciate each and every member who cast a ballot in this historic cooperative merger,” said FC Board President and Odebolt, Iowa-area farmer John Scott.
Each membership met Iowa’s state voting requirement for a successful cooperative merger as certified by independent auditing firm of Gardiner Thomsen. To approve a merger, Iowa law requires at least 50 percent of each membership (plus one) to vote, with two-thirds of those casting ballots voting in favor of the merger.
“Our members’ voices were heard in this merger process. Not only in the results of the vote, but in each and every member meeting and coffee shop conversation,” explained West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak, who will become the CEO of the newly formed cooperative. “This merger showcases our members’ request for their cooperative to do more together for their operations than either business could do separately. We take our members’ confidence in a combined cooperative seriously as we prepare for integration and execution.”
The unified cooperative, to be known as Landus Cooperative, will be led by current West Central President and CEO Milan Kucerak and be headquartered in Ames, Iowa. The board of directors will be made up of nine directors from each cooperative for equal representation. More information on any changes will be provided in coming months as integration plans are finalized.
Together, West Central and FC have more than 70 grain, agronomy and feed locations in 26 Iowa and three Minnesota counties. According to World Grain magazine’s Grain and Milling Annual, Landus Cooperative will become the seventh largest grain company in North America based on storage capacity and have shuttle-loading access on all seven major Iowa rail lines.
Iowa Corn Growers Association Releases Top State and Federal Priorities for 2016
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has released the final list of state and federal legislative priorities for the upcoming year. These priorities are based on grassroots input from members across the state.
“As a long-standing, influential agricultural organization, our grassroots members drive our policy development process. ICGA knows that creating sound policy is the single most important thing that we can do for our members. We actively encourage engagement from ICGA members across the state to help develop policy to positively impact our farming operations,” said ICGA President Bob Hemesath. “We are grassroots driven at both the state and federal level, and continue working towards fair policy that protects the interests of our members and the Iowa corn industry.”
The 2016 ICGA state and federal priorities are as follows:
2016 ICGA state priorities, listed in alphabetical order:
1. Conservation: 2016 funding for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
2. Department of Agriculture: Funding for IDALS budget requests (state veterinarian, conservation, fuels, etc.)
3. Ethanol: Extend/renew income-tax credits for renewable fuel retailers (E15, E85, and increasing levels of biofuels)
4. Ethanol: Infrastructure cost-share for retail fuel stations up to E85
5. Ethanol: Tax credits for cellulosic ethanol production or other advanced biofuels
6. Livestock: Full $4 million funding for ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
7. Livestock: Support the livestock industry and the existing laws regulating livestock operations
8. Research: Increased funding for ISU Experiment Station, livestock related research re: animal stress and odor management
9. Research: Increased funding for ISU Extension programs
10. Value-Added Agriculture: State tax credits for bio-based products beyond food and fuel
2016 ICGA federal priorities, listed in alphabetical order:
1. Biotechnology: Create a national voluntary biotech labeling law
2. Environment: Repeal of the 2015 EPA Clean Water Act rule
3. Environment: Voluntary water quality efforts, not EPA regulatory nutrient limits
4. Ethanol: Reduce regulatory barriers to higher ethanol blends for conventional cars
5. Ethanol: Retain the Renewable Fuel Standard
6. Farm Bill: Protect crop insurance funding
7. Taxes: Extend or make permanent bonus depreciation, Sec. 179, and capital gains
8. Trade: Expand bilateral and multilateral trade agreements (ex: Trans Pacific Partnership)
9. Trade: Protect Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) funding
10. Transportation: Increase appropriations for river transportation, including locks and dams
ICGA’s 2016 state and federal priorities originated from discussion at the ICGA Annual Meeting and Policy Conference held this past August, and were finalized by the ICGA board of directors on behalf of its nearly 8,000 members at this week’s meeting. ICGA members will bring these key priority issues to their elected officials throughout coming year.
To view all of ICGA’s comprehensive policy, the 2016 Iowa Corn Growers Association policy book is available online at: www.iowacorn.org/policy or contact the Iowa Corn office.
Growers Talk Membership, Leadership and Communications
In meetings this December in St. Louis, members of the National Corn Growers Association's Grower Services Action Team focused on ways to diversify our membership, expand and better target communications to members, create stronger leaders and coordinate programs to communicate the association's successes and the importance of corn and corn products to consumers and the general public.
"Our action team covers an important range of responsibilities," said team Chairwoman Patty Mann, an Ohio corn grower. "As a grassroots organization, NCGA cannot be successful without a broad, diverse, informed and engaged base of members. And that's what Grower Services is all about - building that base that makes our state and national organizations so successful."
In the area of membership, the team looked at how NCGA could bring increased diversity to its membership and extend the value of membership to interested parties in each farming operation. After a productive discussion, the team called for a task force of state and national staff to examine the issue more closely and come up with recommendations for action by the team's February meeting and Membership Symposium.
The group also looked at NCGA's draft strategic plan, paying close attention to the goal of enhancing customer and consumer trust, and related objectives. Related to this goal, the growers received updates on some key NCGA programs, such as its participation in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, CommonGround and the Corn Farmers Coalition.
In addition to Mann, the Grower Services Action Team includes Vice Chairman Ted Mottaz, Corn Board Liaison Kevin Skunes, and members Debbie Borg (Allen, NE), Jayne Dalton, Les Imboden, Aaron Martinka, Mike Moreland, Gerald Mulder, Danny Nerud, Leah Pottinger, Glenna Taylor, Roger Zylstra and state affiliate staff representative Katie Glick of Indiana.
USDA to Honor American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman
On Jan. 6, 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will honor Bob Stallman’s tenure as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will proclaim Jan. 6, Bob Stallman Appreciation Day, presenting the honoree with an official proclamation in recognition of Stallman’s commitment to strengthening rural American families and communities.
Stallman, a recognized champion of agriculture, has served as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation for 16 years, tirelessly supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers as they help feed the world, protect and preserve the environment, provide jobs, and contribute to the nation’s economy.
Cattle On Feed
Brenda Boetel, Professor, Dept of Ag Econ, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA, NASS) released their monthly Cattle on Feed report on Friday December 18, 2015. The latest numbers released by the USDA were bullish in total numbers of cattle on feed, placements and marketings, compared to trade expectations. Total cattle on feed on December 1, 2015 numbered 10.79 million head, on par with last month and minimally below December 2014 levels. Pre-report estimates expected cattle on feed numbers to be up 1%.
Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.60 million head, down 11 percent from 2014, and 7 percent lower than pre-report estimates. Placements were down 6% in Kansas, 7% in Nebraska, and 18% in Texas. Placements are the lowest for November since the series began in 1996. All weight categories saw declining placement numbers for November 2015, compared to year ago. Even cattle weighing over 800 pounds saw a decrease in placement numbers, although placements are still skewed to the higher weigh category. Placements for cattle weighing under 600 pounds decreased by 15%, cattle weighing 600-699 decreased by 10%, cattle 700-700 decreased by 16%, and cattle weighing over 800 pounds decreased by 1%. Mild weather, high feeder cattle prices and good forage and pasture conditions throughout much of the U.S. continues to allow cattle to stay out of the feedlots longer and the lower finished cattle prices have deterred feedlots from placing cattle. This trend for placing heavier cattle could continue for another couple of months.
November marketings were slightly higher than pre-report estimates. Marketings were at 1.5 million head, up 3.8% over November 2014. There was one more marketing day available in 2015 compared to 2014, which would attribute to greater marketings. The daily average of marketings in November was about 1% lower than that in 2014. Marketings as a percentage of on feed inventory decreased in November, indicating a slight delay in marketings. Carcass weights have decreased slightly though.
Survey Aims to Collect Farmer Feedback on USDA Programs
A new online survey http://usdaprograms.questionpro.com/ launched by the American Farm Bureau Federation will collect feedback from farmers and ranchers about their experiences with 10 Agriculture Department programs housed in three agencies. Results will be used by AFBF to develop recommendations on how USDA can enhance its programs and make them more useful to farmers and ranchers.
All farmers and ranchers, not just Farm Bureau members, are encouraged to take the survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete.
"Farmers and ranchers sometimes find it confusing and complex to participate in USDA programs," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "At the same time, USDA staff are concerned that farmers and ranchers who could benefit from a number of different programs frequently do not apply."
The survey focuses on the following USDA programs from the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development:
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Conservation Stewardship Program
Conservation Reserve Program
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
Value-Added Agricultural Producer Grants
Rural Energy for America Program
Farmers' Marketing and Local Food Promotion Program
Direct Farm Ownership Loans
Direct Farm Operating Loans and
Guaranteed Farm Loans (farm operating and farm ownership).
AFBF will share feedback from the survey about what is working well with the programs and how they can be improved with USDA.
Bill Blocks NH3 Rules
Fertilizer retailers and anhydrous ammonia users got a bit of an early Christmas present in the tax and spending bill passed last week.
Buried in the omnibus appropriations bill is a rider that forbids the Occupation Safety and Health Agency from requiring ag retailers to comply with Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (PSM) regulations. The rules would have required ag retail operations that sell anhydrous ammonia fertilizers to have the same level of safety rules and facility securities as do chemical manufacturers.
While OSHA estimated the costs of facility safety renovations at $2,160 per site, the Ag Retailers Association estimated it would cost members an average of $20,000 per site. Some retailers said costs would be more than $60,000 to comply and that they would stop selling anhydrous if the exemption was removed.
The prohibition on OSHA requiring higher safety rules for retailers lasts through calendar year 2016.
CWT Assists with 12.7 million Pounds of Cheese and Whole Milk Powder Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 14 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), and Tillamook County Creamery Association who have contracts to sell 3.515 million pounds (1,595 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese, and 9.215 million pounds (4,180 metric tons) of whole milk powder to customers in Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and South America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from January through July 2016.
Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 57.109 million pounds of cheese, 25.847 million pounds of butter and 49.930 million pounds of whole milk powder to thirty-five countries on six continents. The amounts of cheese, butter and whole milk powder in these sales contracts represent the equivalent of 1.473 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price. Renewing this important program for 2016 through 2018 is currently underway. Cooperatives and individual dairy farmers interested in investing in their future can find membership application at www.cwt.coop under the membership tab.
Mosaic Announces Quarterly Dividend
The Mosaic Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend will be paid on March 17, 2016, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 3, 2016.
The declaration and payment of any future dividends is subject to approval by Mosaic's Board of Directors. There can be no assurance that the company's Board of Directors will declare future dividends.
The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single source provider of phosphate and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry.
BarnVista Revolutionizes Processes
Ladders on bulk bins at a north central Iowa pork production facility were showing wear and needed to be replaced. Staff used BarnVista to put in a work order for the project. When reviewed by managers, the work order was canceled because new bulk bins were due to be installed. Because all of the facility’s activities are tracked with BarnVista, the expense of purchasing and installing ladders on bulk bins soon to be removed was prevented.
At another site, a curtain was scheduled to be replaced. When reviewing the work order on BarnVista, staff added replacement of wood behind the curtain and improved the outcome of the project by making efficient use of time and resources.
When conducting self-audits, the internal auditor notes any failures in a work order on BarnVista. This can be reviewed in an audit failing report to monitor progress of corrective actions. Staff monitors those aggregate corrective actions, looking for parts, processes, or protocols which contribute to systemic issues as opposed to an audit failing being a single, one-time problem. With BarnVista, corrective actions can become learning moments and site-wide changes improve overall outcome.
For example, a particular brand or installation of fan may cause multiple audit failings. When the repetitive nature of the failing is viewed from an overall perspective versus the single site, the fans can be replaced, installed differently, or monitored more closely to avoid future, repetitive audit failings.
Because BarnVista collects and stores all information arising from self-audits, this data is available when third party auditors arrive to conduct their examinations. Audit documentation is integral to BarnVista’s design, making it possible for the process to be easily managed at each level.
Modern livestock production is multi-layered, complex, and contains many moving parts. BarnVista was developed for animal agriculture businesses to manage the energy and effort required to effectively and efficiently produce protein.
In addition to audit documentation and reporting as well as work orders, BarnVista includes protocol and policy, and asset management as many of these functions may be interrelated. The web-based design and reporting capabilities provide effective access for management and personnel from remote locations.
“BarnVista automates processes previously handled by a messy paper trail, prioritizes activities, provides historical and site documentation, and improves production efficiency,” explained Derrick Sleezer, product manager for BarnVista. “We know it works because it was developed by livestock producers, tested, and proven before being offered to the public. It’s available now, affordable, and will improve any livestock enterprise’s processes.”
To learn more about BarnVista and explore implementing this program within your livestock production enterprise, go to www.barnvista.com or call Sleezer at 712-261-5684.
DuPont Pioneer and Trimble Enable Wireless Data Transfer Between Encirca℠ Services and Connected Farm
DuPont Pioneer and Trimble today announced a collaborative effort that will give growers increased access to field data to help improve their productivity and profitability acre-by-acre. The collaboration allows for the seamless flow of information between the Trimble® Connected Farm™ solution, a Web-based farm management solution that includes wireless data transfer, and Encirca℠ services, which are tailored decision services offered by DuPont Pioneer.
Growers will now have more options to quickly and easily import field operations data, including as-applied maps and production data from planters, spreaders, sprayers and combines, into Encirca services.
“This technology integration between Encirca services and Trimble’s Connected Farm solution brings an added level of convenience to growers by expanding the list of compatible equipment they may use to farm more efficiently and effectively,” said Eric Boeck, DuPont Pioneer marketing director, Encirca services.
“Trimble understands the importance – and ultimately the benefit to the grower – of working with a variety of solution providers in the industry to provide a seamless experience for the customer,” said Pierre-Andre Rebeyrat, strategic marketing director of Trimble’s Agriculture Division. “By integrating the Connected Farm solution with Encirca services, we are able to provide Encirca services users and their advisors with an easier way to view their field data so they can operate more efficiently and make better decisions based on that data.”
Encirca services combine the latest technologies for weather, soils and agronomy with a grower’s field operations data to comprehensively manage whole farm practices. These proprietary analytics and a personal advisor help growers make real-time management decisions to maximize crop yields and reduce risks.
Using the Connected Farm Application Programming Interface (API), Encirca services users will have the ability to transfer field data wirelessly, at their discretion, to the Encirca services platform via Trimble’s Connected Farm solution. The integration also delivers the added benefit of transmitting prescriptions from Encirca services back to Trimble in-cab devices to be accurately applied in fields.
The Connected Farm solution – which works with in-cab displays, smartphones and mobile tablets – integrates data from all types of equipment, farm practices, crop types and farm sizes so growers can easily view field activities and other key farm information in one central location. By providing real-time data in a convenient online platform, and connecting the field to the office wirelessly, the Connected Farm solution enables better decision making for the farmer and facilitates easier collaboration with their trusted advisor.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Friday December 18 Cattle on Feed Report + Ag News
NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 2 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.49 million cattle on feed on December 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 2 percent from last year. Placements during November totaled 440,000 head, down 7 percent from 2014. Fed cattle marketings for the month of November totaled 385,000 head, up 4 percent from last year. Other disappearance during November totaled 15,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,185,000 head on December 1, 2015, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. The inventory is up 3 percent from November 1, 2015 and December 1, 2014. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head had 630,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 555,000 head on feed, up 10 percent from last month and up 5 percent from last year.
Placements during November totaled 219,000 head, a decrease of 8 percent from last month and last year. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head placed 101,000 head, down 35 percent from last month and down 20 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 118,000 head. This is up 44 percent from last month and up 7 percent from last year.
Marketings for November were 173,000 head, down 13 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head marketed 107,000 head, down 5 percent from last month but up 13 percent from last year. This marks the highest November marketings for operations with a capacity of 1,000 or more head since estimates began in 1994. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 66,000 head, down 22 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Other disappearance for all feedlots totaled 6,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Down Slightly
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on December 1, 2015. The inventory was slightly below December 1, 2014.
Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.60 million head, 11 percent below 2014. Placements are the lowest for November since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.53 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 470,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 391,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 310,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 430,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.53 million head, 4 percent above 2014. Other disappearance totaled 74,000 head during November, unchanged from 2014.
Cattle on Feed by State (1,000 hd - % Dec 1 '14)
Colorado .......: 890 98
Iowa .............: 630 102
Kansas ..........: 2,140 102
Nebraska ......: 2,490 98
Texas ............: 2,510 98
Placements by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '14)
Colorado .......: 140 90
Iowa .............: 101 80
Kansas ..........: 305 95
Nebraska ......: 440 93
Texas ............: 315 82
Marketings by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '14)
Colorado .......: 125 104
Iowa .............: 107 113
Kansas ..........: 295 104
Nebraska ......: 385 104
Texas ............: 360 100
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Five flow meters now on the approved list for irrigation water management in LENRD
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) voted in November to amend the Groundwater Management Plan to require flow meters on all irrigation wells across the 15-county district. The Board is now preparing for the next public hearing that will take place on Thursday, January 14th at 6:30 p.m. to receive public testimony on modifications to the LENRD Rules and Regulations for Management of Groundwater that are necessary for implementation of this new requirement.
At their December board meeting, the board approved several additions to the flow meter list. The following meters are approved for installation across the district: McCrometer Propeller Flow Meters (All Models); McCrometer McMag 3000 Magmeter; Senninger Flo-Wise Ag Rotor Sensor System; Seametrics AG2000 Series Magmeter; and the Growsmart by Lindsay IM3000 Magnetic Flow Meter.
The board has not yet approved the deadline for when the meters need to be installed. They are considering a January 1, 2018 deadline. “The board will continue to work on the details of the rules and regulations and make further decisions after the public hearing in January,” said LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek.
The board also discussed groundwater allocations for the Quantity Subareas for 2016. It was decided to keep the same allocations that were in place for 2015.
Whether or not to allow new irrigated acres was also on the agenda. The board voted to allow no new irrigated acres under the standard variance process. However, under the Expedited Variance Process, they did approve 250 acres in the hydrologically connected area and 250 acres in the areas where the groundwater is NOT hydrologically connected. This would allow approval of applications of 10 acres or less if the addition of the requested acres will allow the applicant’s center pivot to finish its circle, or for qualified applications under the good cause variance process. Both of these situations are considered under the expedited variance process and the application period for this specific process is now open for 2016.
In other action, the Quantity Subarea education requirements were examined and the board voted to require producers to attend 4 hours of instruction over a four year period, with renewal every four years. “This is a shift away from the annual education requirement and should provide greater flexibility for everyone involved,” said LENRD Water Resources Manager, Brian Bruckner.
For more information, visit our website at www.lenrd.org.
GRASS-ALFALFA MIXTURES INSTEAD OF PURE ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
Are you going to plant a new hay field next spring? Instead of automatically planting pure alfalfa, think about mixing some grass into your planting.
Hay growers in our area often plant new fields to alfalfa without even thinking about other alternatives. For lots of folks, pure alfalfa is the best choice, but for many of you, mixing in some grass, like orchardgrass or festulolium, with your alfalfa might be better.
Let’s look at some advantages of a grass-alfalfa mixture. If you regularly feed more than five or six pounds of alfalfa per day to stock cows during winter, they probably are getting too much protein but maybe not enough TDN. Mixing grass with alfalfa usually lowers the protein but increases slightly the TDN content of hay. So your cows actually could receive a more balanced diet. Also, if you sometimes graze your hay fields, grass will reduce the risk of bloat.
In the field, grass can grow in areas where alfalfa is not well-adapted or fill in spots as alfalfa dies out. This is better than having weeds invade bare areas. Grass-alfalfa mixtures dry out more rapidly after cutting than pure alfalfa so you might get more hay made without rain damage. And if it does rain, the mixture usually suffers less damage, both in the windrow and in the bale.
Yield-wise, protein yield per acre will be less with the mix, but total tonnage will be about the same or slightly higher. Most of the grass yield will come at first cut, so regrowth will be mostly alfalfa. Selling a mixture can be more difficult because dairies prefer pure alfalfa and grass is more difficult to grind.
You know alfalfa is good, but maybe for you, mixing it with grass is better.
Current National Drought Summary
The Mississippi Valley, Great Plains and High Plains - www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu
A broad swath of moderate to heavy precipitation was observed in part of the Plains from Iowa and eastern Nebraska southward through most of Kansas, the southeastern Plains, and the western side of the Mississippi Valley. Between 2 and 4 inches fell on these areas, with amounts closer to 6 inches measured in southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas. Prior to this week, dryness only affected a few portions of this broad area…but where it did, conditions were significantly relieved. Abnormal dryness was removed from northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and adjacent Wisconsin while the broad abnormally dry area across central and eastern Kansas was reduced to two relatively small areas in the central and east-central parts of the state (where moderate drought existed last week). Precipitation totals for the first half of December exceeded 4 inches in a broad area from southeastern Nebraska and Iowa southward through the southeastern Plains and Mississippi Valley, with amounts of 8 to locally 20 inches drenching eastern Oklahoma and surrounding areas.
In other parts of the region, light to moderate precipitation had little effect on the existing dryness and drought in the Dakotas and adjacent Minnesota, the northern and central High Plains, and a few spots in central and southern Texas, including the southern Big Bend region; however, moderate drought was improved to D0 in part of central North Dakota, and a few small areas of abnormal dryness popped up along the Rio Grande River in southern Texas.
Looking Ahead
During December 17 – 21, storminess should continue across the Pacific Northwest, northern California, most of Idaho, and adjacent parts of surrounding states. Precipitation totals in most of the area should be moderate, ranging from about an inch to a few inches, but areas from the Cascades to the West Coast will likely get soaked again. More than a foot could fall on parts of coastal Oregon. Farther east, light to moderate precipitation, with isolated amounts of up to 1.5 inches, are expected across the areas of dryness and drought in the East. From the Appalachians to the Rockies and in the Southwest, existing dry areas shouldn’t expect much relief, with only a few tenths of an inch at best anticipated. Temperatures are forecast to average several degrees above normal from the Plains to the East Coast, and near normal in most other locations.
The odds favor wet weather across almost the entire contiguous 48 states during the ensuing 5 days (December 22 – 26), with the highest likelihoods covering areas from the Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians in the East, and the central and northern Rockies, northern and central Intermountain West, and Oregon in the West. Very mild weather is possible across the eastern half of the country, but unusually cold weather is anticipated in Alaska.
NE Brand Fees as of January 1, 2016
A hearing was held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled quarterly-meeting of the Nebraska Brand Committee, December 9. It was to address raising fees charged by the Committee. The Committee projects a short fall in the coming months that will reduce their reserves.
The Committee members voted to increase the brand recording fees that they still had statutory authority to raise. Pending a ruling by the Nebraska Attorney General, the per head inspection fee will also be raised.
The fees that will change January 1, 2016 are as follows:
- Brand Transfer Fee - Increasing from $35.00 to $40.00.
- Brand Lease Fee - Increased from $1.00 to $100.00. (Renews on renewal date of the brand)
- Brand Research - Increased from $15.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour. $1.00 per copy stayed the same.
- Local Inspection Research - Increased from $15.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour. $1.00 per copy stayed the same.
- Grazing Permits - Increased from $10.00 per year to $15.00 per year.
- Out-of-State Branding Permit - Increased from $25.00 per permit to $50.00 per permit.
NCGA Announces 2015 Yield Contest Winners
Improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2015 National Corn Yield Contest. Entrants continued to far surpass the national average corn yield, setting a contest record with a new all-time high yield of just over 532 bushels per acre. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.
The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 51st year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members. Participation in the contest remained strong in 2015, with 7,729 entries received.
“The contest does more than just provide farmers an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates information that shapes future production practices across the industry,” said Brent Hostetler, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques contest winners first develop grow into broad advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes how innovation, from growers and technology providers alike, enables us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 386.4 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 169.3 bushels per acre in 2015. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories topped out at 532.0271.
This record was set by David Hula of Charles City, VA.
“The National Corn Yield Contest drives so many corn farmers to initially join NCGA,” said Patty Mann, chairwoman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team. “While they may initially join to gain contest entry, these members become increasingly involved and supportive as they learn more about the breadth of activities NCGA carries out on farmers’ behalf. Just as the contest promotes the on-farm techniques developed by many single growers to benefit all corn farmers, NCGA’s grassroots efforts join the single voices of members together to create positive change and real opportunities for our industry.”
State & Class Results
(rank - Name - Town - Brand - Variety - Yield bu/acre)
A Non-Irrigated - Nebraska
1 Mike Scholting Louisville Pioneer P1257AM™ 329.6426
2 Steve Johnson Ithaca Pioneer P1690AM™ 263.1387
3 Leroy Keller Papillion Pioneer P1498AM™ 260.6186
AA Non-Irrigated - Iowa
1 Mike Kaufman Dysart Pioneer P1498AM™ 328.6876
2 Dave Price Clarinda DEKALB DKC62-08RIB 320.7105
3 David & Mason Hansen Crescent Pioneer P2088AMX™ 303.6087
A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated - Nebraska
1 - Marvin and Glenn Wiles - Plattsmouth - DEKALB DKC 62-78 RIB - 269.3104 bu/acre
2 Dave Schmit David City Pioneer P1197CHR 266.2877
* Marvin and Glenn Wiles Plattsmouth DEKALB DKC67-57RIB 265.5488
3 Dean Stevens Falls City Pioneer P1257AM™ 264.7180
AA No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated - Iowa
1 Tim, Dan & Joe Durick Council Bluffs Pioneer P2089AM™ 317.7469
2 Robert Jensen Neola DEKALB DKC64-89RIB 302.4527
3 Doug Bowen Malvern Pioneer P1197AM™ 282.4162
No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated - Nebraska
1 Scott Bunger Axtell Pioneer P1197AM™ 335.0399
2 Bruce Schmit Bellwood Producers Hybrids 7268STXRIB 302.8699
3 Rex Peterson Riverdale Pioneer P0801AM™* 301.2757
No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated - Iowa
1 Greg Lynott Hawarden Mycogen Seeds 2G685 280.8727
2 Roy Folkerts Inwood Pioneer P1197AM™ 258.9077
3 Todd Folkerts Inwood Pioneer P1197AM™ 257.9772
Irrigated - Nebraska
1 John Panowicz Cairo Pioneer P1690CHR 306.7681
2 Mike Soneson Holdrege Pioneer P1197AM™ 306.5131
3 Bob Panowicz Cairo Pioneer P1690CHR 304.7956
Irrigated - Iowa
1 David Bockman Everly DEKALB DKC57-75RIB 264.9708
2 Matt Lorimor Tabor Pioneer P1197CHR 261.6051
3 Kim Dummermuth Elgin Pioneer P1197AM™ 257.4533
For more than half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.
Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In New Orleans, during the 2016 Commodity Classic, winners will be honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast.
Please visit National Corn Growers Association website www.ncga.com for the complete list of National and State winners. National winners will be announced at 9 a.m. CST, and State winners will be announced at 10 a.m. CST.
Manure Applicator Training Begins Jan. 5
Iowa manure applicators, confinement and commercial, should plan now to complete training to renew their certificates by March 1.
Commercial applicators can take advantage of a Jan. 5 program offered from 9 a.m. to noon at 74 Iowa and three out-of-state locations. Please register with the local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office by Dec. 30.
Confinement site applicators can check the Extension training schedule for a convenient training time and location from Jan. 11 to Feb. 29.
New this fall, online training and fee payment are also available through the DNR's www.iowadnr.gov/manureapplicator website.
Seven workshops in February are designed for applicators who work with mostly dry or solid manure from poultry, cattle or hog operations. They are open to both confinement and commercial applicators.
Once training is complete, submit applications and fees to the DNR prior to March 1 to avoid a $12.50 late fee.
Find training times and locations at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html. More information about applicator certification is available at www.iowadnr.gov/afo/. Testing is available at six DNR field offices in lieu of training.
The DNR administers the applicator certification program. In 2015, there were 2,714 commercial and 2,350 confinement site certified applicators in Iowa. ISU Extension and Outreach provides training opportunities. Certified applicators must complete a training session or pass an exam.
State law requires certification for manure applicators who handle, transport or apply manure from a confinement (totally roofed) facility with more than 500 animal units.
Iowa Soybean Association Research Conference Feb. 16-17 in Des Moines
Partnerships advancing progress in research, water quality and soybean production will be featured during an expanded Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Research Conference to be held Feb. 16-17 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
The conference will focus on expanding dialogue among ag and urban stakeholders about Iowa agriculture and the environment as well as provide relevant insight on production issues to improve farmer competitiveness. Registration is open now at www.isafarmnet.com.
“Fifteen years of in-field and edge-of-field agronomic and conservation research will be combined with external research and technical assistance programs to foster conversation around key topics impacting farmers and our state,” said Ed Anderson, ISA senior director of supply and production systems.
In addition to its new location, a half-day program has been added for Feb. 16 emphasizing the on-going collaboration between Iowa’s urban and rural stakeholders to improve water quality. Presenters from the U.S. Water Alliance, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa League of Cities and the Greater Des Moines Partnership will highlight examples of urban and rural cooperative implementation projects and share innovative solutions working for a stronger Iowa future.
“These sessions provide a discussion forum about the water quality partnerships taking place in Iowa,” said Roger Wolf, ISA director of Environmental Programs and Services. “We look forward to learning about and highlighting urban-rural projects that are working across the state.”
The conference’s second day features nearly 35 breakout sessions on topics including on-farm research results, basic and applied soybean research, ag technology, soil and water quality, natural resources management and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
“The conference has been a must-attend event over the past several years,” said ISA President Wayne Fredericks. “Farmers are facing lower grain prices and struggles with the high cost of production; the conference will provide insights on ways to better compete in the year ahead.”
Registration prior to or on Feb. 4 is $150 for the full two-day conference; $175 after Feb. 4. Individual day prices are also available. Certified crop advisers will be eligible to receive credit for sessions attended.
For additional event information or to register, visit www.isafarmnet.com or call 800-383-1423.
November Milk Production in the United States up 0.6 Percent
Milk production in the United States during November totaled 16.6 billion pounds, up 0.6 percent from November 2014. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,787 pounds for November, 4 pounds above November 2014. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.31 million head, 29,000 head more than November 2014, but unchanged from October 2015.
IOWA: Milk production in Iowa during November 2015 totaled 387 million pounds, up 1 percent from the previous November according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during November, at 210,000 head, was the same as last month but 2,000 head more than a year ago. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,845 pounds, up 10 pounds from a year ago. This is the highest monthly milk per cow for November on record for Iowa.
Nebraska Cattlemen Applauds the Passage of the Omnibus Bill
Nebraska Cattlemen applauds the bipartisan passage of the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill, today. There are several provisions in the legislation important to members of Nebraska Cattlemen.
Repeal of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) was vital to stop the retaliatory tariffs going into effect from two of our largest beef trading partners, Canada and Mexico. With Nebraska being the largest exporter of beef and pork, this is of economic importance to the state. Further, a voluntary COOL system provides consumers with pricing options and producers with marketing options.
Nebraska Cattlemen feels it is positive that the omnibus maintains Congressional oversight ensuring that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans remain within the scope of nutrition and health. The most recent process excluded sound scientific evidence and brought social issues into the process.
The provision telling APHIS to conduct timely audits of trade countries' animal health status is among the positives of this bill. Keeping current on reviews is important to ensure protection of our livestock from disease.
The bill prohibits the use of any funds appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate rules for mandatory reporting of "greenhouse gases" by producers. Further, no funds can be used to promulgate rules for mandatory reporting of methane, carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide resulting from the biological process of cattle production. Unfortunately, the EPA's "Waters of the United States" rule is not addressed in the omnibus. However, the nation-wide stay is still in place currently.
Also, good news for Nebraska farmers and ranchers is the passage of tax extenders legislation. The tax provisions to extend charitable deduction for capital gains of real property for conservation purposes will allow producers more options in their conservation choices. Additionally, the conservation easement tax credit is made permanent. Of particular interest in Nebraska is the permanent extension of the Section 179 at $500,000, up from $25,000 previously.
"There are many parts to this bill that are positive for Nebraska cattle producers," states President, Barb Cooksley. "We thank our Congressional delegates who voted for the Omnibus bill.
Obama Signs Budget Bill
President Barack Obama on Friday signed a $1.1 trillion budget bill that is chock-full of key provisions for farmers, equipment sellers, biofuel producers and other businesses.
The U.S. Senate on Friday passed the combined omnibus appropriations and tax extenders bill by a vote of 65 to 33. The House had passed the omnibus earlier Friday and passed the tax extenders bill on Thursday.
Vilsack on the Country of Origin Labeling Requirements for Beef and Pork
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement regarding the language in the omnibus bill repealing the country of origin labeling requirements for beef and pork products.
"The omnibus bill repealed the country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork, and ground beef and pork. Effective immediately, USDA is not enforcing the COOL requirements for muscle cut and ground beef and pork outlined in the January 2009 and May 2013 final rules."
USDA will be amending the COOL regulations as expeditiously as possible to reflect the repeal of the beef and pork provisions. In addition, all imported and domestic meat will continue to be subject to rigorous inspections by USDA to ensure food safety.
Congress Repeals ‘COOL’ Meat Labeling Provision
With today’s passage of a fiscal 2016 catch-all federal spending bill that includes repeal of the meat labeling provision of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law, the United States avoided harmful retaliation from its two biggest trading partners. The National Pork Producers Council, which last week drafted and sent to congressional lawmakers a letter signed by 248 other organizations urging labeling repeal, welcomed the move.
The COOL statute requires meat to be labeled with the country where the animal from which it was derived was born, raised and harvested. (It also applies to fish, shellfish, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables and certain nuts.)
Canada and Mexico brought cases against COOL to the World Trade Organization, which ruled that it violated U.S. international trade obligations, discriminating against Canadian and Mexican livestock sent to the United States to be fed out and processed. The decision authorized Canada and Mexico to put retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods going to those countries – the No. 1 and No. 2 U.S. export markets. The WTO set the retaliation level at $1 billion annually.
Congress approved the so-called omnibus bill with language repealing the labeling provision for beef and pork, thus avoiding retaliation. The Senate and House Agriculture Committee chairmen, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, were instrumental in getting the repeal language added to the spending measure.
“America’s pork producers are grateful that lawmakers, particularly Chairman Roberts and Chairman Conaway, recognized the economic harm we faced from retaliation because of the WTO-illegal COOL law,” said NPPC President Dr. Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “I know tariffs on U.S. pork would have been devastating to me and other pork producers.”
According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, the average U.S. pork producer currently is losing money on each hog marketed, and those losses would have been exacerbated significantly under retaliation from Canada and Mexico.
Federal Appropriations Bill Passes; Holds Key Provisions for Cattle Producers
With bipartisan support, Congress passed the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill today, which funds much of the government through fiscal year 2016. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Philip Ellis said the bill contained several victories for cattlemen and women.
Coming within days of facing retaliation from two of our largest trading partners, the bill repeals mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling for beef; a significant victory for America’s cattle producers.
“COOL has plagued our industry for many years now, costing us millions and driving us to the brink of retaliation from two of our largest trading partners,” said Ellis. “Cattle producers have had to bear the cost of this failed program for far too long, and we commend the leadership of Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway and Representative Jim Costa (D-Cali.) for ensuring the United States is brought back into compliance with our trade obligations.”
The omnibus maintains Congressional oversight to ensure the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans remain within the scope of nutrition and health and are based on the latest nutritional evidence. Kristina Butts, senior executive director of government affairs, said the guidelines serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy and that it is critical the recommendations are based on the latest science.
“Americans should enjoy a well-balanced diet with foods they enjoy,” said Butts. “Beef is an excellent source of several key nutrients like zinc, iron and protein, and numerous studies have shown positive benefits of lean beef in the diet. We’re pleased Congress continues to be engaged in the process. It is important the role of the Dietary Guidelines continues as Congress intended – to provide nutrition advice based on sound science.”
Additionally, Ellis said the bill requires a more stringent regulatory process for allowing beef imports from regions with a history of animal disease outbreaks.
“America’s cattle producers are strong supporters of trade,” said Ellis, “but we must have strong safeguards in place and do our due-diligence to ensure the health and well-being of our domestic herd is not sacrificed.”
Continued assurance on several environmental regulations is also maintained in the bill. Specifically, the bill keeps the overzealous Environmental Protection Agency in check by continuing to prohibit the agency from requiring livestock producers to obtain Clean Air Act permits or report greenhouse gas emissions on livestock operations. Unfortunately, EPA’s “Waters of the United States” rule is not addressed in the omnibus. However, the nation-wide stay is still in place currently, and NCBA will continue to push back on the rule through the courts.
Brenda Richards, Public Lands Council president, said the increase in wildfire management funds is critical as the recent drought and lack of federal forest management has ignited several massive fires this year.
“Wildfires are a significant threat to our forests and rangelands as well as our homes and lives,” said Richards. “When a fire does break out, however, we need the appropriate resources to put it out. Additionally, we appreciate the continued blocking of the Sage Grouse listing, which will give producers more flexibility to address prescriptive Resource Management Plans. Livestock grazing is one of the best management tools we have to maintain healthy landscapes, reducing the risk of wildfire and allowing our natural resources to thrive.”
Richards added the bill also continues to block the Secretarial Order 3310, preventing the Department of Interior from designating de facto wilderness areas, which diminishes multiple-use on our nation’s public lands.
Also key for cattlemen and women is passage of tax extenders legislation, passed in the House on Thursday and the Senate today. Section 179 is permanently extended at $500,000, up from $25,000 previously. Bonus depreciation is set at 50 percent for property acquired during 2015, 2016 and 2017 and phases down, with 40 percent in 2018, and 30 percent in 2019. Additionally, the conservation easement tax credit is made permanent.
“These provisions are vital to providing a stable environment for farmers and ranchers like myself to plan for the future,” said Ellis, a Wyoming rancher. “We have had to rely heavily on last-minute tax extender legislation over the past several years, but making these provisions permanent will allow businesses to invest in equipment and property with the financial certainty required.”
The comprehensive bill passed by both the House and Senate is positive news for the cattle industry. NCBA and PLC urge President Obama to sign the omnibus bill without delay.
NMPF Praises Inclusion of COOL Repeal, Tax Relief for Farmers In Year-End Federal Government Spending Bill
Several crucial items for dairy farmers were approved by Congress in a massive year-end spending bill adopted Friday, including permanent tax relief for agricultural equipment purchases and the prevention of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. dairy products, the National Milk Producers Federation said today.
The must-pass omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year 2016, coupled with a major tax package, together were used as catch-all vehicles for a number of items important to the dairy sector, including:
• Repeal of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef and pork, the existence of which threatened to generate new tariffs on U.S. dairy products exported to Canada and Mexico;
• A permanent extension of the Section 179 tax credit, which allows farms and other small businesses to write off capital purchases immediately, instead of over time;
• A five-year extension of the 50% bonus depreciation, which allows companies to lower the cost of capital for investment in qualified assets while increasing the cash flow for their businesses.
The House and Senate each approved the combined spending and tax bill on Friday.
“The package features key items that will help make Christmas a little merrier for the nation’s dairy farmers,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “In particular, the tax measures will help farmers’ budgets in a year when they’ve been squeezed financially by low milk prices. Making the Section 179 credit permanent is a very welcome outcome after several years of short-term extensions of the provision.”
Mulhern said the COOL repeal was important “to prevent new tariffs on U.S. dairy products at a particularly challenging time for our industry, given the depressed global market.”
“Repealing the six-year-old Country-of-Origin Labeling program for beef and pork prevents the loss of millions of dollars of U.S. dairy exports that would have resulted from the World Trade Organization ruling,” Mulhern said.
The WTO said earlier this month that parts of the COOL labeling program violate international trade rules, and that Canada and Mexico could respond by penalizing U.S. exports by more than $1 billion. Both countries had indicated their intention to include American dairy products on their retaliation lists.
The spending bill omitted other important policy objectives sought by NMPF, including a federal preemption of mandatory state GMO labeling laws; reforms to child nutrition programs to ensure increased access to nutritious dairy options in schools; halting the EPA’s efforts to enforce the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule; and a proposal creating a manure nutrient recovery tax credit.
Mulhern said NMPF will work with Congress to address these and other issues in the new year. Senate agriculture leaders have already pledged to work on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act early in 2016, while the WOTUS rule is likely to face continued opposition in Congress, even as its implementation is suspended nationwide for the time being because of a federal court challenge.
Year-End Tax Bill Benefits Farmers
On Friday, Congress passed Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH), a bill that includes two important provisions affecting farmers. The bill will permanently cap small business deductions for capital expenses at $500,000, up from the previous limit of $25,000.
The PATH Bill also extends the existing bonus depreciation for the purchase of new capital assets for another 5 years at 50 percent for 2015-2017, 40 percent in 2018 and 30 percent in 2019. NCGA has advocated for these two tax provisions for years and applauds Congress for these important changes to the tax code and support for America’s farmers.
“These tax provisions allow farmers to reinvest in their operations – and that has a ripple effect across the entire agriculture industry and rural communities,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling.
Bowling urged Congress to continue pressing ahead in 2016.
“When Congress returns to Washington next January, we hope they will roll up their sleeves and tackle important issues for agriculture,” said Bowling. “Let’s all renew our commitment to working together and finding common ground as we advance the national agenda.”
LANGUAGE DIRECTS USDA, HHS TO STICK TO DIET, NUTRITION IN 2015 DIETARY GUIDELINES
Fearing that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are expected to be issued soon, will recommend eating less meat and delve into areas unrelated to diet and nutrition, congressional lawmakers included in the fiscal 2016 catch-all spending legislation – the so-called omnibus bill – language prohibiting the release and implementation of the guidelines unless they’re based on significant scientific agreement and adhere to the statutory mandate of the law that requires them. That mandate calls for the guidelines to include information on diet and nutrition.
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in February made recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, which write the guidelines, that urged less consumption of red and processed meat, excluded lean meat from the profile of a healthful diet and opined that a plant-based diet was more sustainable than one that includes animal products. Many ag groups, including the National Pork Producers Council, criticized the recommendations and raised concerns about the scientific integrity of the process for developing the dietary guidelines, which form the basis of federal nutrition programs, nutrition standards and nutrition education for the general public. The omnibus bill includes $1 million to be used for reviewing the dietary guidelines process.
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.49 million cattle on feed on December 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 2 percent from last year. Placements during November totaled 440,000 head, down 7 percent from 2014. Fed cattle marketings for the month of November totaled 385,000 head, up 4 percent from last year. Other disappearance during November totaled 15,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,185,000 head on December 1, 2015, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. The inventory is up 3 percent from November 1, 2015 and December 1, 2014. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head had 630,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 555,000 head on feed, up 10 percent from last month and up 5 percent from last year.
Placements during November totaled 219,000 head, a decrease of 8 percent from last month and last year. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head placed 101,000 head, down 35 percent from last month and down 20 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 118,000 head. This is up 44 percent from last month and up 7 percent from last year.
Marketings for November were 173,000 head, down 13 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head marketed 107,000 head, down 5 percent from last month but up 13 percent from last year. This marks the highest November marketings for operations with a capacity of 1,000 or more head since estimates began in 1994. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 66,000 head, down 22 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Other disappearance for all feedlots totaled 6,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Down Slightly
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.8 million head on December 1, 2015. The inventory was slightly below December 1, 2014.
Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.60 million head, 11 percent below 2014. Placements are the lowest for November since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.53 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 470,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 391,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 310,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 430,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.53 million head, 4 percent above 2014. Other disappearance totaled 74,000 head during November, unchanged from 2014.
Cattle on Feed by State (1,000 hd - % Dec 1 '14)
Colorado .......: 890 98
Iowa .............: 630 102
Kansas ..........: 2,140 102
Nebraska ......: 2,490 98
Texas ............: 2,510 98
Placements by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '14)
Colorado .......: 140 90
Iowa .............: 101 80
Kansas ..........: 305 95
Nebraska ......: 440 93
Texas ............: 315 82
Marketings by State (1,000 hd - % Nov '14)
Colorado .......: 125 104
Iowa .............: 107 113
Kansas ..........: 295 104
Nebraska ......: 385 104
Texas ............: 360 100
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Five flow meters now on the approved list for irrigation water management in LENRD
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) voted in November to amend the Groundwater Management Plan to require flow meters on all irrigation wells across the 15-county district. The Board is now preparing for the next public hearing that will take place on Thursday, January 14th at 6:30 p.m. to receive public testimony on modifications to the LENRD Rules and Regulations for Management of Groundwater that are necessary for implementation of this new requirement.
At their December board meeting, the board approved several additions to the flow meter list. The following meters are approved for installation across the district: McCrometer Propeller Flow Meters (All Models); McCrometer McMag 3000 Magmeter; Senninger Flo-Wise Ag Rotor Sensor System; Seametrics AG2000 Series Magmeter; and the Growsmart by Lindsay IM3000 Magnetic Flow Meter.
The board has not yet approved the deadline for when the meters need to be installed. They are considering a January 1, 2018 deadline. “The board will continue to work on the details of the rules and regulations and make further decisions after the public hearing in January,” said LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek.
The board also discussed groundwater allocations for the Quantity Subareas for 2016. It was decided to keep the same allocations that were in place for 2015.
Whether or not to allow new irrigated acres was also on the agenda. The board voted to allow no new irrigated acres under the standard variance process. However, under the Expedited Variance Process, they did approve 250 acres in the hydrologically connected area and 250 acres in the areas where the groundwater is NOT hydrologically connected. This would allow approval of applications of 10 acres or less if the addition of the requested acres will allow the applicant’s center pivot to finish its circle, or for qualified applications under the good cause variance process. Both of these situations are considered under the expedited variance process and the application period for this specific process is now open for 2016.
In other action, the Quantity Subarea education requirements were examined and the board voted to require producers to attend 4 hours of instruction over a four year period, with renewal every four years. “This is a shift away from the annual education requirement and should provide greater flexibility for everyone involved,” said LENRD Water Resources Manager, Brian Bruckner.
For more information, visit our website at www.lenrd.org.
GRASS-ALFALFA MIXTURES INSTEAD OF PURE ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
Are you going to plant a new hay field next spring? Instead of automatically planting pure alfalfa, think about mixing some grass into your planting.
Hay growers in our area often plant new fields to alfalfa without even thinking about other alternatives. For lots of folks, pure alfalfa is the best choice, but for many of you, mixing in some grass, like orchardgrass or festulolium, with your alfalfa might be better.
Let’s look at some advantages of a grass-alfalfa mixture. If you regularly feed more than five or six pounds of alfalfa per day to stock cows during winter, they probably are getting too much protein but maybe not enough TDN. Mixing grass with alfalfa usually lowers the protein but increases slightly the TDN content of hay. So your cows actually could receive a more balanced diet. Also, if you sometimes graze your hay fields, grass will reduce the risk of bloat.
In the field, grass can grow in areas where alfalfa is not well-adapted or fill in spots as alfalfa dies out. This is better than having weeds invade bare areas. Grass-alfalfa mixtures dry out more rapidly after cutting than pure alfalfa so you might get more hay made without rain damage. And if it does rain, the mixture usually suffers less damage, both in the windrow and in the bale.
Yield-wise, protein yield per acre will be less with the mix, but total tonnage will be about the same or slightly higher. Most of the grass yield will come at first cut, so regrowth will be mostly alfalfa. Selling a mixture can be more difficult because dairies prefer pure alfalfa and grass is more difficult to grind.
You know alfalfa is good, but maybe for you, mixing it with grass is better.
Current National Drought Summary
The Mississippi Valley, Great Plains and High Plains - www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu
A broad swath of moderate to heavy precipitation was observed in part of the Plains from Iowa and eastern Nebraska southward through most of Kansas, the southeastern Plains, and the western side of the Mississippi Valley. Between 2 and 4 inches fell on these areas, with amounts closer to 6 inches measured in southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas. Prior to this week, dryness only affected a few portions of this broad area…but where it did, conditions were significantly relieved. Abnormal dryness was removed from northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and adjacent Wisconsin while the broad abnormally dry area across central and eastern Kansas was reduced to two relatively small areas in the central and east-central parts of the state (where moderate drought existed last week). Precipitation totals for the first half of December exceeded 4 inches in a broad area from southeastern Nebraska and Iowa southward through the southeastern Plains and Mississippi Valley, with amounts of 8 to locally 20 inches drenching eastern Oklahoma and surrounding areas.
In other parts of the region, light to moderate precipitation had little effect on the existing dryness and drought in the Dakotas and adjacent Minnesota, the northern and central High Plains, and a few spots in central and southern Texas, including the southern Big Bend region; however, moderate drought was improved to D0 in part of central North Dakota, and a few small areas of abnormal dryness popped up along the Rio Grande River in southern Texas.
Looking Ahead
During December 17 – 21, storminess should continue across the Pacific Northwest, northern California, most of Idaho, and adjacent parts of surrounding states. Precipitation totals in most of the area should be moderate, ranging from about an inch to a few inches, but areas from the Cascades to the West Coast will likely get soaked again. More than a foot could fall on parts of coastal Oregon. Farther east, light to moderate precipitation, with isolated amounts of up to 1.5 inches, are expected across the areas of dryness and drought in the East. From the Appalachians to the Rockies and in the Southwest, existing dry areas shouldn’t expect much relief, with only a few tenths of an inch at best anticipated. Temperatures are forecast to average several degrees above normal from the Plains to the East Coast, and near normal in most other locations.
The odds favor wet weather across almost the entire contiguous 48 states during the ensuing 5 days (December 22 – 26), with the highest likelihoods covering areas from the Mississippi Valley to the Appalachians in the East, and the central and northern Rockies, northern and central Intermountain West, and Oregon in the West. Very mild weather is possible across the eastern half of the country, but unusually cold weather is anticipated in Alaska.
NE Brand Fees as of January 1, 2016
A hearing was held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled quarterly-meeting of the Nebraska Brand Committee, December 9. It was to address raising fees charged by the Committee. The Committee projects a short fall in the coming months that will reduce their reserves.
The Committee members voted to increase the brand recording fees that they still had statutory authority to raise. Pending a ruling by the Nebraska Attorney General, the per head inspection fee will also be raised.
The fees that will change January 1, 2016 are as follows:
- Brand Transfer Fee - Increasing from $35.00 to $40.00.
- Brand Lease Fee - Increased from $1.00 to $100.00. (Renews on renewal date of the brand)
- Brand Research - Increased from $15.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour. $1.00 per copy stayed the same.
- Local Inspection Research - Increased from $15.00 an hour to $20.00 an hour. $1.00 per copy stayed the same.
- Grazing Permits - Increased from $10.00 per year to $15.00 per year.
- Out-of-State Branding Permit - Increased from $25.00 per permit to $50.00 per permit.
NCGA Announces 2015 Yield Contest Winners
Improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2015 National Corn Yield Contest. Entrants continued to far surpass the national average corn yield, setting a contest record with a new all-time high yield of just over 532 bushels per acre. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.
The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 51st year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members. Participation in the contest remained strong in 2015, with 7,729 entries received.
“The contest does more than just provide farmers an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates information that shapes future production practices across the industry,” said Brent Hostetler, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques contest winners first develop grow into broad advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes how innovation, from growers and technology providers alike, enables us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 386.4 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 169.3 bushels per acre in 2015. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories topped out at 532.0271.
This record was set by David Hula of Charles City, VA.
“The National Corn Yield Contest drives so many corn farmers to initially join NCGA,” said Patty Mann, chairwoman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team. “While they may initially join to gain contest entry, these members become increasingly involved and supportive as they learn more about the breadth of activities NCGA carries out on farmers’ behalf. Just as the contest promotes the on-farm techniques developed by many single growers to benefit all corn farmers, NCGA’s grassroots efforts join the single voices of members together to create positive change and real opportunities for our industry.”
State & Class Results
(rank - Name - Town - Brand - Variety - Yield bu/acre)
A Non-Irrigated - Nebraska
1 Mike Scholting Louisville Pioneer P1257AM™ 329.6426
2 Steve Johnson Ithaca Pioneer P1690AM™ 263.1387
3 Leroy Keller Papillion Pioneer P1498AM™ 260.6186
AA Non-Irrigated - Iowa
1 Mike Kaufman Dysart Pioneer P1498AM™ 328.6876
2 Dave Price Clarinda DEKALB DKC62-08RIB 320.7105
3 David & Mason Hansen Crescent Pioneer P2088AMX™ 303.6087
A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated - Nebraska
1 - Marvin and Glenn Wiles - Plattsmouth - DEKALB DKC 62-78 RIB - 269.3104 bu/acre
2 Dave Schmit David City Pioneer P1197CHR 266.2877
* Marvin and Glenn Wiles Plattsmouth DEKALB DKC67-57RIB 265.5488
3 Dean Stevens Falls City Pioneer P1257AM™ 264.7180
AA No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated - Iowa
1 Tim, Dan & Joe Durick Council Bluffs Pioneer P2089AM™ 317.7469
2 Robert Jensen Neola DEKALB DKC64-89RIB 302.4527
3 Doug Bowen Malvern Pioneer P1197AM™ 282.4162
No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated - Nebraska
1 Scott Bunger Axtell Pioneer P1197AM™ 335.0399
2 Bruce Schmit Bellwood Producers Hybrids 7268STXRIB 302.8699
3 Rex Peterson Riverdale Pioneer P0801AM™* 301.2757
No-Till/Strip-Till Irrigated - Iowa
1 Greg Lynott Hawarden Mycogen Seeds 2G685 280.8727
2 Roy Folkerts Inwood Pioneer P1197AM™ 258.9077
3 Todd Folkerts Inwood Pioneer P1197AM™ 257.9772
Irrigated - Nebraska
1 John Panowicz Cairo Pioneer P1690CHR 306.7681
2 Mike Soneson Holdrege Pioneer P1197AM™ 306.5131
3 Bob Panowicz Cairo Pioneer P1690CHR 304.7956
Irrigated - Iowa
1 David Bockman Everly DEKALB DKC57-75RIB 264.9708
2 Matt Lorimor Tabor Pioneer P1197CHR 261.6051
3 Kim Dummermuth Elgin Pioneer P1197AM™ 257.4533
For more than half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.
Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In New Orleans, during the 2016 Commodity Classic, winners will be honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast.
Please visit National Corn Growers Association website www.ncga.com for the complete list of National and State winners. National winners will be announced at 9 a.m. CST, and State winners will be announced at 10 a.m. CST.
Manure Applicator Training Begins Jan. 5
Iowa manure applicators, confinement and commercial, should plan now to complete training to renew their certificates by March 1.
Commercial applicators can take advantage of a Jan. 5 program offered from 9 a.m. to noon at 74 Iowa and three out-of-state locations. Please register with the local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office by Dec. 30.
Confinement site applicators can check the Extension training schedule for a convenient training time and location from Jan. 11 to Feb. 29.
New this fall, online training and fee payment are also available through the DNR's www.iowadnr.gov/manureapplicator website.
Seven workshops in February are designed for applicators who work with mostly dry or solid manure from poultry, cattle or hog operations. They are open to both confinement and commercial applicators.
Once training is complete, submit applications and fees to the DNR prior to March 1 to avoid a $12.50 late fee.
Find training times and locations at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html. More information about applicator certification is available at www.iowadnr.gov/afo/. Testing is available at six DNR field offices in lieu of training.
The DNR administers the applicator certification program. In 2015, there were 2,714 commercial and 2,350 confinement site certified applicators in Iowa. ISU Extension and Outreach provides training opportunities. Certified applicators must complete a training session or pass an exam.
State law requires certification for manure applicators who handle, transport or apply manure from a confinement (totally roofed) facility with more than 500 animal units.
Iowa Soybean Association Research Conference Feb. 16-17 in Des Moines
Partnerships advancing progress in research, water quality and soybean production will be featured during an expanded Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Research Conference to be held Feb. 16-17 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
The conference will focus on expanding dialogue among ag and urban stakeholders about Iowa agriculture and the environment as well as provide relevant insight on production issues to improve farmer competitiveness. Registration is open now at www.isafarmnet.com.
“Fifteen years of in-field and edge-of-field agronomic and conservation research will be combined with external research and technical assistance programs to foster conversation around key topics impacting farmers and our state,” said Ed Anderson, ISA senior director of supply and production systems.
In addition to its new location, a half-day program has been added for Feb. 16 emphasizing the on-going collaboration between Iowa’s urban and rural stakeholders to improve water quality. Presenters from the U.S. Water Alliance, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa League of Cities and the Greater Des Moines Partnership will highlight examples of urban and rural cooperative implementation projects and share innovative solutions working for a stronger Iowa future.
“These sessions provide a discussion forum about the water quality partnerships taking place in Iowa,” said Roger Wolf, ISA director of Environmental Programs and Services. “We look forward to learning about and highlighting urban-rural projects that are working across the state.”
The conference’s second day features nearly 35 breakout sessions on topics including on-farm research results, basic and applied soybean research, ag technology, soil and water quality, natural resources management and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
“The conference has been a must-attend event over the past several years,” said ISA President Wayne Fredericks. “Farmers are facing lower grain prices and struggles with the high cost of production; the conference will provide insights on ways to better compete in the year ahead.”
Registration prior to or on Feb. 4 is $150 for the full two-day conference; $175 after Feb. 4. Individual day prices are also available. Certified crop advisers will be eligible to receive credit for sessions attended.
For additional event information or to register, visit www.isafarmnet.com or call 800-383-1423.
November Milk Production in the United States up 0.6 Percent
Milk production in the United States during November totaled 16.6 billion pounds, up 0.6 percent from November 2014. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,787 pounds for November, 4 pounds above November 2014. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.31 million head, 29,000 head more than November 2014, but unchanged from October 2015.
IOWA: Milk production in Iowa during November 2015 totaled 387 million pounds, up 1 percent from the previous November according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during November, at 210,000 head, was the same as last month but 2,000 head more than a year ago. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,845 pounds, up 10 pounds from a year ago. This is the highest monthly milk per cow for November on record for Iowa.
Nebraska Cattlemen Applauds the Passage of the Omnibus Bill
Nebraska Cattlemen applauds the bipartisan passage of the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill, today. There are several provisions in the legislation important to members of Nebraska Cattlemen.
Repeal of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) was vital to stop the retaliatory tariffs going into effect from two of our largest beef trading partners, Canada and Mexico. With Nebraska being the largest exporter of beef and pork, this is of economic importance to the state. Further, a voluntary COOL system provides consumers with pricing options and producers with marketing options.
Nebraska Cattlemen feels it is positive that the omnibus maintains Congressional oversight ensuring that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans remain within the scope of nutrition and health. The most recent process excluded sound scientific evidence and brought social issues into the process.
The provision telling APHIS to conduct timely audits of trade countries' animal health status is among the positives of this bill. Keeping current on reviews is important to ensure protection of our livestock from disease.
The bill prohibits the use of any funds appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate rules for mandatory reporting of "greenhouse gases" by producers. Further, no funds can be used to promulgate rules for mandatory reporting of methane, carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide resulting from the biological process of cattle production. Unfortunately, the EPA's "Waters of the United States" rule is not addressed in the omnibus. However, the nation-wide stay is still in place currently.
Also, good news for Nebraska farmers and ranchers is the passage of tax extenders legislation. The tax provisions to extend charitable deduction for capital gains of real property for conservation purposes will allow producers more options in their conservation choices. Additionally, the conservation easement tax credit is made permanent. Of particular interest in Nebraska is the permanent extension of the Section 179 at $500,000, up from $25,000 previously.
"There are many parts to this bill that are positive for Nebraska cattle producers," states President, Barb Cooksley. "We thank our Congressional delegates who voted for the Omnibus bill.
Obama Signs Budget Bill
President Barack Obama on Friday signed a $1.1 trillion budget bill that is chock-full of key provisions for farmers, equipment sellers, biofuel producers and other businesses.
The U.S. Senate on Friday passed the combined omnibus appropriations and tax extenders bill by a vote of 65 to 33. The House had passed the omnibus earlier Friday and passed the tax extenders bill on Thursday.
Vilsack on the Country of Origin Labeling Requirements for Beef and Pork
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today released the following statement regarding the language in the omnibus bill repealing the country of origin labeling requirements for beef and pork products.
"The omnibus bill repealed the country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for muscle cuts of beef and pork, and ground beef and pork. Effective immediately, USDA is not enforcing the COOL requirements for muscle cut and ground beef and pork outlined in the January 2009 and May 2013 final rules."
USDA will be amending the COOL regulations as expeditiously as possible to reflect the repeal of the beef and pork provisions. In addition, all imported and domestic meat will continue to be subject to rigorous inspections by USDA to ensure food safety.
Congress Repeals ‘COOL’ Meat Labeling Provision
With today’s passage of a fiscal 2016 catch-all federal spending bill that includes repeal of the meat labeling provision of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law, the United States avoided harmful retaliation from its two biggest trading partners. The National Pork Producers Council, which last week drafted and sent to congressional lawmakers a letter signed by 248 other organizations urging labeling repeal, welcomed the move.
The COOL statute requires meat to be labeled with the country where the animal from which it was derived was born, raised and harvested. (It also applies to fish, shellfish, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables and certain nuts.)
Canada and Mexico brought cases against COOL to the World Trade Organization, which ruled that it violated U.S. international trade obligations, discriminating against Canadian and Mexican livestock sent to the United States to be fed out and processed. The decision authorized Canada and Mexico to put retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods going to those countries – the No. 1 and No. 2 U.S. export markets. The WTO set the retaliation level at $1 billion annually.
Congress approved the so-called omnibus bill with language repealing the labeling provision for beef and pork, thus avoiding retaliation. The Senate and House Agriculture Committee chairmen, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, were instrumental in getting the repeal language added to the spending measure.
“America’s pork producers are grateful that lawmakers, particularly Chairman Roberts and Chairman Conaway, recognized the economic harm we faced from retaliation because of the WTO-illegal COOL law,” said NPPC President Dr. Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “I know tariffs on U.S. pork would have been devastating to me and other pork producers.”
According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, the average U.S. pork producer currently is losing money on each hog marketed, and those losses would have been exacerbated significantly under retaliation from Canada and Mexico.
Federal Appropriations Bill Passes; Holds Key Provisions for Cattle Producers
With bipartisan support, Congress passed the $1.15 trillion Omnibus Appropriations Bill today, which funds much of the government through fiscal year 2016. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Philip Ellis said the bill contained several victories for cattlemen and women.
Coming within days of facing retaliation from two of our largest trading partners, the bill repeals mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling for beef; a significant victory for America’s cattle producers.
“COOL has plagued our industry for many years now, costing us millions and driving us to the brink of retaliation from two of our largest trading partners,” said Ellis. “Cattle producers have had to bear the cost of this failed program for far too long, and we commend the leadership of Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway and Representative Jim Costa (D-Cali.) for ensuring the United States is brought back into compliance with our trade obligations.”
The omnibus maintains Congressional oversight to ensure the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans remain within the scope of nutrition and health and are based on the latest nutritional evidence. Kristina Butts, senior executive director of government affairs, said the guidelines serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy and that it is critical the recommendations are based on the latest science.
“Americans should enjoy a well-balanced diet with foods they enjoy,” said Butts. “Beef is an excellent source of several key nutrients like zinc, iron and protein, and numerous studies have shown positive benefits of lean beef in the diet. We’re pleased Congress continues to be engaged in the process. It is important the role of the Dietary Guidelines continues as Congress intended – to provide nutrition advice based on sound science.”
Additionally, Ellis said the bill requires a more stringent regulatory process for allowing beef imports from regions with a history of animal disease outbreaks.
“America’s cattle producers are strong supporters of trade,” said Ellis, “but we must have strong safeguards in place and do our due-diligence to ensure the health and well-being of our domestic herd is not sacrificed.”
Continued assurance on several environmental regulations is also maintained in the bill. Specifically, the bill keeps the overzealous Environmental Protection Agency in check by continuing to prohibit the agency from requiring livestock producers to obtain Clean Air Act permits or report greenhouse gas emissions on livestock operations. Unfortunately, EPA’s “Waters of the United States” rule is not addressed in the omnibus. However, the nation-wide stay is still in place currently, and NCBA will continue to push back on the rule through the courts.
Brenda Richards, Public Lands Council president, said the increase in wildfire management funds is critical as the recent drought and lack of federal forest management has ignited several massive fires this year.
“Wildfires are a significant threat to our forests and rangelands as well as our homes and lives,” said Richards. “When a fire does break out, however, we need the appropriate resources to put it out. Additionally, we appreciate the continued blocking of the Sage Grouse listing, which will give producers more flexibility to address prescriptive Resource Management Plans. Livestock grazing is one of the best management tools we have to maintain healthy landscapes, reducing the risk of wildfire and allowing our natural resources to thrive.”
Richards added the bill also continues to block the Secretarial Order 3310, preventing the Department of Interior from designating de facto wilderness areas, which diminishes multiple-use on our nation’s public lands.
Also key for cattlemen and women is passage of tax extenders legislation, passed in the House on Thursday and the Senate today. Section 179 is permanently extended at $500,000, up from $25,000 previously. Bonus depreciation is set at 50 percent for property acquired during 2015, 2016 and 2017 and phases down, with 40 percent in 2018, and 30 percent in 2019. Additionally, the conservation easement tax credit is made permanent.
“These provisions are vital to providing a stable environment for farmers and ranchers like myself to plan for the future,” said Ellis, a Wyoming rancher. “We have had to rely heavily on last-minute tax extender legislation over the past several years, but making these provisions permanent will allow businesses to invest in equipment and property with the financial certainty required.”
The comprehensive bill passed by both the House and Senate is positive news for the cattle industry. NCBA and PLC urge President Obama to sign the omnibus bill without delay.
NMPF Praises Inclusion of COOL Repeal, Tax Relief for Farmers In Year-End Federal Government Spending Bill
Several crucial items for dairy farmers were approved by Congress in a massive year-end spending bill adopted Friday, including permanent tax relief for agricultural equipment purchases and the prevention of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. dairy products, the National Milk Producers Federation said today.
The must-pass omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year 2016, coupled with a major tax package, together were used as catch-all vehicles for a number of items important to the dairy sector, including:
• Repeal of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) for beef and pork, the existence of which threatened to generate new tariffs on U.S. dairy products exported to Canada and Mexico;
• A permanent extension of the Section 179 tax credit, which allows farms and other small businesses to write off capital purchases immediately, instead of over time;
• A five-year extension of the 50% bonus depreciation, which allows companies to lower the cost of capital for investment in qualified assets while increasing the cash flow for their businesses.
The House and Senate each approved the combined spending and tax bill on Friday.
“The package features key items that will help make Christmas a little merrier for the nation’s dairy farmers,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “In particular, the tax measures will help farmers’ budgets in a year when they’ve been squeezed financially by low milk prices. Making the Section 179 credit permanent is a very welcome outcome after several years of short-term extensions of the provision.”
Mulhern said the COOL repeal was important “to prevent new tariffs on U.S. dairy products at a particularly challenging time for our industry, given the depressed global market.”
“Repealing the six-year-old Country-of-Origin Labeling program for beef and pork prevents the loss of millions of dollars of U.S. dairy exports that would have resulted from the World Trade Organization ruling,” Mulhern said.
The WTO said earlier this month that parts of the COOL labeling program violate international trade rules, and that Canada and Mexico could respond by penalizing U.S. exports by more than $1 billion. Both countries had indicated their intention to include American dairy products on their retaliation lists.
The spending bill omitted other important policy objectives sought by NMPF, including a federal preemption of mandatory state GMO labeling laws; reforms to child nutrition programs to ensure increased access to nutritious dairy options in schools; halting the EPA’s efforts to enforce the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule; and a proposal creating a manure nutrient recovery tax credit.
Mulhern said NMPF will work with Congress to address these and other issues in the new year. Senate agriculture leaders have already pledged to work on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act early in 2016, while the WOTUS rule is likely to face continued opposition in Congress, even as its implementation is suspended nationwide for the time being because of a federal court challenge.
Year-End Tax Bill Benefits Farmers
On Friday, Congress passed Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH), a bill that includes two important provisions affecting farmers. The bill will permanently cap small business deductions for capital expenses at $500,000, up from the previous limit of $25,000.
The PATH Bill also extends the existing bonus depreciation for the purchase of new capital assets for another 5 years at 50 percent for 2015-2017, 40 percent in 2018 and 30 percent in 2019. NCGA has advocated for these two tax provisions for years and applauds Congress for these important changes to the tax code and support for America’s farmers.
“These tax provisions allow farmers to reinvest in their operations – and that has a ripple effect across the entire agriculture industry and rural communities,” said NCGA President Chip Bowling.
Bowling urged Congress to continue pressing ahead in 2016.
“When Congress returns to Washington next January, we hope they will roll up their sleeves and tackle important issues for agriculture,” said Bowling. “Let’s all renew our commitment to working together and finding common ground as we advance the national agenda.”
LANGUAGE DIRECTS USDA, HHS TO STICK TO DIET, NUTRITION IN 2015 DIETARY GUIDELINES
Fearing that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are expected to be issued soon, will recommend eating less meat and delve into areas unrelated to diet and nutrition, congressional lawmakers included in the fiscal 2016 catch-all spending legislation – the so-called omnibus bill – language prohibiting the release and implementation of the guidelines unless they’re based on significant scientific agreement and adhere to the statutory mandate of the law that requires them. That mandate calls for the guidelines to include information on diet and nutrition.
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in February made recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, which write the guidelines, that urged less consumption of red and processed meat, excluded lean meat from the profile of a healthful diet and opined that a plant-based diet was more sustainable than one that includes animal products. Many ag groups, including the National Pork Producers Council, criticized the recommendations and raised concerns about the scientific integrity of the process for developing the dietary guidelines, which form the basis of federal nutrition programs, nutrition standards and nutrition education for the general public. The omnibus bill includes $1 million to be used for reviewing the dietary guidelines process.
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