Vilsack Hopeful for 45Z Guidance by 2025
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed members of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) last week and thanked them for the work they have been doing on the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which is helping to set the stage for 45Z tax credit guidance.
The RCCP started in South Dakota in 2021 and recently received a $35 million investment through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which has helped it expand to 10 states.
“You’re providing resources to help farmers reduce tillage to manage nutrients and to utilize cover crops,” said Vilsack. “You are creating a database that will be verified and measured…And you’re setting the stage for us to make, I think a more powerful case that ethanol needs to be part of the sustainable aviation fuel future.”
Vilsack said during his remarks that USDA has taken the comments received in a recent request for information and will be working with the other agencies involved to get guidance from the Treasury Department by the time the 45Z tax credit becomes effective in 2025. “Things can change and timelines can slip as they have from time to time, but I think the goal here, I think everybody’s working towards that goal of the end of the year, beginning of next year’s focus,” Vilsack told reporters.
Listen to Vilsack’s remarks here:
ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack remarks 48:40 ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack presser 15:172024 IFAJ Congress – Switzerland
SWITZERLAND – INTERLAKEN – Group picture of the IFAJ2024 Congress – August 15th 2024 © Raphael Hünerfauth – https://www.huenerfauth.ch
I miss seeing so many of our international journalist friends. The gavel was passed from Lena Johansson, the first woman IFAJ President to Steve Werblow, Steve Werblow Communications. Lots of awards were presented, great speakers, tours, cheese, good wine, and cheese!
You can find out a lot more on the 2024 IFAJ Congress website and the IFAJ website.
You can find lots of pictures from the Congress in the photo album: 2024 IFAJ Congress Photo Album
Would Vilsack Serve Another Term?
James Wilson, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1897-1913
The record – actually for any cabinet member – is held by James “Tama Jim” Wilson, the fourth secretary of agriculture who served for 16 years under three presidents. First nominated in 1897, Wilson served sixteen consecutive years of Republican administrations under Presidents McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.
Secretary Vilsack served eight full years in the Obama administration and was brought back to the job by President Biden.
If Vice President Kamala Harris were to win the presidency, would Vilsack be willing to continue to serve? I asked him that during a press availability at last week’s American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference:
“I love this job. That’s why I came back to it. But it’s not my choice. I can’t answer that question. It’s not my choice,” said Vilsak. “I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had this level of service for as long as I’ve had it. I think we’re making a difference. I’m really proud of the work we’re doing. To really create a whole new set of avenues and opportunities for small and mid sized producers to stay in business, I am deeply concerned about this. I don’t think it’s acceptable in a country that we should have lost that many farms in a lifetime. I think we can do better and I think we are doing better. So that’s what I’m focused on, you know. I have learned in my life every day is a gift. You don’t know if you’re going to be here tomorrow, much less 2025.”
But he didn’t say no.
In the press conference, Vilsack also comments on 45Z tax credit work, farm bill, and food prices.
ACE 24 Sec. Vilsack presser 15:17
USB Launches New Land Use Change Initiative
As agriculture’s role in climate solutions becomes more critical, a new Land Use Change Initiative (LUCI), funded by the United Soybean Board (USB) in partnership with Carbon A List, is leading efforts to standardize definitions, metrics and methodologies for quantifying land use change.
LUCI hosted its first Land Use Change Summit at McDonald’s International Headquarters in Chicago on July 29-30, gathering nearly 100 experts across the food and agriculture value chain.
“Farmers have often been left out of conversations regarding land use change and its collective impact on agriculture. We weren’t at the table, so we had to build our own table through this land use change initiative,” said Steve Reinhard, USB Chair and Ohio farmer who presented keynote remarks at the summit. “North American agriculture and the half-million soybean farmers who represent 90 million acres can have a huge impact on climate solutions.”
Attendees at the summit came from a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmer and rancher organizations, environmental groups, food corporations, academia, and government. The LUCI summit included presentations, panels, and breakout sessions, as well as remarks from Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. LUCI participants discussed ways to find common ground, set a strategic course, and plan the next steps forward.
More information is available on the Land Use Change Initiative webpage.
RaboResearch Talks Sustainability at Ag Media Summit
During the Ag Media Summit I visited with Eric Gibson, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness – Sustainability Analyst for Farm Inputs & Crop Production. You can see him in the picture with the Rabo team talking to ag media members.
Since Eric is a sustainability analyst that was the topic of our conversation. In addition to sustainability another key word was innovation which he says is a priority. Eric says the intelligence team supplies information for clients to help them make sound business decisions. “What I’m really focusing on is help our clients and our team members to understand the products, the practices and the principals behind what sustainability means for downstream demand and regulatory function.”
You can listen to my interview with Eric here:
Interview with Eric Gibson (3:14)
Precision Ag News 8/15
Truterra Includes Dairy in Summer Carbon Programs
Truterra is announcing a new carbon program created specifically for dairy producers is among the options to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices.
The 2024 Truterra® dairy soils carbon programs reward pre-qualified dairy producers who adopt sustainable farming practices on the crops they use for dairy feed – including silage and alfalfa. Sustainable practices include the use of cover crops, strip-till or no-till to improve soil health and increase soil carbon levels.
The programs are supported by leading dairy companies including Land O’Lakes, Bel Brands and Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). Eligibility is open to both new and long-term practice adopters, and participants are eligible via invitation through sponsoring companies.
“Truterra is focused on pairing farmers seeking to adopt climate-smart practices with companies looking to fulfill their environmental commitments,” said Jamie Leifker, president of Truterra. “We are excited to expand into the dairy industry with these unique market-backed programs.”
To learn more about Truterra’s full suite of programs, visit https://www.truterraag.com/enroll or contact a Truterra network provider for full program details.
Cargill Partners with Goanna Ag On Precision Irrigation Project
Cargill is partnering with Australian company Goanna Ag on a new pilot project focused on advancing irrigation efficiency on cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta. The project will introduce a state-of-the art technology that aims to transform how and when farmers water their fields, optimizing crop yields, reducing water withdrawals and lowering operational costs. The program is initially available to a select number of cotton growers in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.
“Major retail brands have set goals related to water and are increasingly looking to supply chain partners like Cargill for data-backed sustainability solutions. This pilot project underscores Cargill’s commitment to helping our customers meet those ambitions to advance sustainable agriculture and water conservation,” said Matt Dunbar, managing director of Cargill’s cotton business. “By integrating advanced irrigation technology, we aim to bolster the resilience of cotton farming in the Mississippi Delta while conserving one of our most precious resources—water.”
Goanna Ag, a leader in on-farm irrigation management operating in Australia and the U.S., brings over 20 years of experience and data driven insights to the project. The Goanna Ag GoField® technology solution leverages field sensors, satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and crop data to enable precise irrigation. This innovative approach helps farmers optimize their water use, contributing to both increased crop yields and significant water conservation.
Participants in the pilot receive installation of the GoannaAg GoField® technology and personalized training to optimize irrigation timing tailored to their specific soil and crop conditions.
You can find more information here.
The Latest with Huma
I talked with representatives from Huma, who were attending their first Ag Media Summit, about the news releases we distribute for them. We decided an interview about their products was in order. So, I was introduced to Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Office, Huma.
We just spoke by phone on several topics. We started with fall fertility and when farmers apply soil fertility products like Fertil Humus to help degrade any remaining crop residue and convert it to humus over the winter – ultimately preparing the field for spring planting with better tilth, microbial activity and nutrient availability. We also covered other soil health, crop protection and biostimulant products. You can learn more about the many benefits of Huma products.
You can listen to the interview here:
Interview with Fred Nichols (10:01)