CattleFax Forecasts Positive Profitability Trends in 2022

Cindy Zimmerman

The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar was back at the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston Wednesday.

The overall picture is that cattle price and profitability trends for producers are pointed in the right direction, even as challenges and uncertainty persist with continued disruptions from the pandemic. While issues around labor and packing capacity have lingered, both are expected to improve in the year ahead. These expansions in capacity combined with strong global and domestic consumer beef demand suggests increased profitability across segments, signaling a market that is healthier and more stable in the year ahead.

Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations and analysis at CattleFax, reported that U.S. beef cow inventories have fallen more than 700,000 head from last year and are off nearly 1.6 million from cycle highs. This year, the beef cowherd will near 30.1 million head.

CattleFax CEO Randy Blach concluded the session with an overall positive outlook, expecting margins to improve as cattle supply tightens and producers gain leverage back from packers and retailers, beef demand to remain solid with expected export growth, and utilization and packing capacity to improve over the next few years.

Listen to Blach’s presentation and an interview with Good.
CIC22 Randy Blach, CattleFax 9:01

CIC22 Interview with Kevin Good, CattleFax 5:13

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

NCBA Releases 2022 Policy Priorities

Cindy Zimmerman

The executive committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) approved the organization’s 2022 policy priorities this week during the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, with an emphasis on strengthening the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the cattle industry.

The 2022 priorities include:
Improving market leverage and opportunities through increased access to market data and risk management tools for producers.
Securing the future of the beef industry by protecting crucial tax provisions, limiting regulatory burdens on farms and ranches, and leveling the playing field for producers.
Boosting the resiliency of the beef supply chain by addressing labor shortages, improving processing capacity, expanding technology, and strengthening transportation.
Achieving key cattle industry priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill.

“Cattle markets are going to continue to be a pretty high priority issue,” said Ethan Lane, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs. “And then climate and sustainability I think are going to continue to be top line items as cattle producers recognize what a positive story they have to tell in that space.”

Lane discusses NCBA policy priorities in this interview.
CIC22 Interview with Ethan Lane, NCBA 6:39

The NCBA policy team gave updates in all of their respective areas during the convention on Wednesday.
Ethan Lane, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs
CIC22 Policy Update - Ethan Lane, NCBA 9:50

Animal Health Policy Team: Allison Rivera, Executive Director of Government Affairs; Dr. Kathy Simmons, Chief Veterinarian; Chase DeCoite, Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Policy
CIC22 Animal Health policy update 22:07

Cattle Business Policy Team: Danielle Beck, Director of Government Affairs; Kent Bacus, Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access; Tanner Beymer, Government Affairs and Market Regulatory Policy
CIC22 Business policy update 26:12

Climate Issues Policy Team: Kaitlynn Glover, Public Lands Council; Scott Yager, Chief Environmental Counsel; Mary Thomas-Hart, Environmental Counsel
CIC22 Climate policy update 25:00

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

Precision Ag News 2/2

Carrie Muehling

  • New West Genetics announces AMPLIFY, a family of hemp varieties with a genetic trait that doubles grain and flower yields. This trait enables the transformation of hemp from a small acre specialty crop to a large-scale, commercially competitive hybrid crop.
  • Bayer announced its 2022 cohort of Grants4Ag grant recipients who were chosen to receive awards ranging from 5,000 to 15,000 Euros to help them complete research on challenges facing agriculture. Twenty-one proposals make up this year’s Grants4Ag awardees with research goals including reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint, understanding social factors that influence innovation adoption, and improving the drought tolerance of plants in the face of more frequent extreme weather events.
  • Farmers and ranchers are facing record-breaking synthetic fertilizer costs heading into the 2022 growing season, compounding already challenging economic conditions for producers throughout the country. In response, the non-profit Soil Health Academy announced it is expanding the organization’s scholarship program so more farmers can attend its on-farm schools and learn how to significantly reduce fertilizer use by implementing low-input, regenerative agricultural principles.
  • AgGateway announced that Karen Oerter has been appointed to the organization’s Board of Directors. Oerter replaces Jeremy Wilson, who vacated the position to join AgGateway staff as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on January 1. She will serve a two-year term.
  • Purdue-affiliated entrepreneurs who commercialize technology that benefits any agricultural sector can apply for $100,000 from the Ag-Celerator Fund. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 11. A virtual callout and information session will be held 11 a.m. ET on Feb. 3. Innovations can impact any related agricultural field including, but not limited to, advancing crop traits, generating higher yields, using big data to improve farm management, new uses of plants, animal health, precision agriculture and advanced breeding techniques. Applicants must become active Purdue Foundry clients. Those commercializing Purdue intellectual property must obtain a full license.
  • Biome Makers Inc., the AgTech leader providing the standard in soil analysis, appoints Sarah Basiri as Global Head of Marketing.
  • In February, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrates National Pesticide Safety Education Month to raise awareness for pesticide safety education and share best practices for using pesticides safely in and around our homes.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new USDA Market News Mobile Application, providing producers and everyone else in the supply chain with instant access to current and historical market information. The initial version of the free app includes nearly 800 livestock, poultry, and grain market reports, with additional commodities added throughout the coming year.
  • The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) announced that its annual North American 2022 Plugfest will take place during the Commodity Classic in New Orleans, March 9th -11th at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Beef Supply Challenges in a Post-Covid World

Cindy Zimmerman

Managing the costs associated with changes happening in the beef supply chain may result in a shift of the historical live cattle and retail beef price ratio, according to a new RaboResearch report, “Beef Supply in a Post-Covid World.”

“While a cattle producer has little or no control over what happens in the beef supply chain post-harvest, it will be important for livestock producers to be aware of changes occurring throughout the supply chain,” writes report author, Don Close, senior animal protein analyst with Rabo AgriFinance. “Any changes, any inventory building, any additional controls and inspections could have a direct impact on the total cost of beef to the end user, which could change historical norms for live-to-wholesale and live-to-retail price spreads.”

Close presented the findings of the report at the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show yesterday in Houston, Texas. He says the area of change with the greatest potential direct impact on cattle producers is meatpacking plants’ embedding more automation into their facilities. The report notes that the initial introduction of advanced technology will not serve as a replacement for labor. It will serve which will require a workforce with different skill sets or extensive retraining.

CIC22 Rabobank press conference 32:52

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

Tony Romo to Speak for Beef

Cindy Zimmerman

From play by play to plate by plate, celebrity athlete and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo has been named the new spokesperson for the iconic “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” brand, managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and funded by the Beef Checkoff.

The new partnership, which was announced at the opening general session of the 2022 Cattle Industry Conference, will last one year and tap into Romo’s vast fanbase to promote all things beef – from beef nutrition, to how beef is raised, and of course beef’s great taste. Romo played for 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and following his retirement from the NFL, he was hired by CBS Sports to serve as the lead color analyst for the network’s NFL telecasts.

“I’m really excited to be your new spokesperson,” said Romo. “Me, my wife and the kids eat beef all the time and I think we’re going to eat it even more if that’s even possible at this point. Hearty and sustainable beef is my new team.”

“Kicking off this partnership in early 2022 is the perfect time to gear up for summer nutrition and grilling, spending time with friends and family and of course, tailgating,” said Jennifer Nealson, NCBA Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Research. “From his nutrition expertise to his love of beef and family, Romo is the perfect spokesperson for the brand.”

Learn more about the new partnership in this interview with Nealson from #CattlCon22
CIC22 Interview with Jennifer Nealson, NCBA 4:10

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Beef Checkoff, Cattle Industry Conference, Food, NCBA

#CattleCon22 Lifts Off in Houston

Cindy Zimmerman

There are more cowboy hats and boots in Houston than usual this week as thousands of cattle producers, industry partners and stakeholders have gathered for the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show.

“This is the first time Houston has hosted convention,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jerry Bohn of Kansas. “We’re going to have 5-6,000 people here in Houston.”

Over the next few days convention participants will gain insights on market trends during the CattleFax Outlook Seminar, hear a “State of the Industry” update from NCBA, learn about the beef business climate around the world, and wander through the NCBA Trade Show – the industry’s largest, with more than 350 exhibitors on nearly 10 acres under one roof.

Bohn says 2021 started off slowly because of the COVID restrictions that were still in place, which led to last year’s convention being postponed until August. “The last two to three quarters of the year opened up and we were able to travel quite a bit more,” said Bohn, who adds that NCBA had a number of wins for the industry in 2021.

Listen to an interview with Bohn:
CIC22 Interview with Jerry Bohn, 2021 NCBA President 4:19

2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Photo Album

Check out the #CattleCon22 Virtual Newsroom for more interviews, photos and news from the convention.

AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, NCBA

Broadband is Vital for Farming Future VISION

Cindy Zimmerman

One of the big takeaways at the recent VISION Conference was that broadband access in the countryside is imperative for the future of regenerative agriculture, automation, connectivity, and transparency in the food supply chain.

The United Soybean Board sponsors the conference because innovation and technology play a major role in the soybean checkoff strategic plan.

North Dakota farmer Jay Myers, who serves on the United Soybean Board, says a recent checkoff-funded study showed just how much the lack of access to broadband impacts American farmers and the economy. “They did a survey in 2019 that showed 60 percent of the farms didn’t have adequate broadband service,” said Myers.

Collecting, storing and using data on the farm all depend on reliable broadband access and Myers says that becomes even more challenging in the evolving carbon marketplace. “The biggest issue is, how do we measure that?” Myers said.

Listen to an interview with Myers from the VISION Conference.
VISION 2022 interview with Jay Myers, USB 5:28

The VISION Conference 2022 Photo Album

AgWired Precision, Audio, Precision Agriculture, Technology, USB

2022 Biodiesel Conference Ends an Era

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2022 National Biodiesel Conference was the last one that will be held going forward with the official name change for the biodiesel board now being Clean Fuels Alliance America, or just Clean Fuels for short.

“Next year for our 20th conference it will be rebranded in keeping with the organization’s new name,” said Clean Fuels CEO Donnell Rehagen at the closing session of the conference in Las Vegas.

The rebrand to the more inclusive Clean Fuels takes in renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel in addition to traditional biodiesel. “All those markets are a little bit different,” said Rehagen. “We recognize how important the biodiesel brand has been … so we’re not turning our back on biodiesel.”

Listen to Rehagen talk with reporters about the rebranding at the conference.
NBB22 Donnell Rehagen Press Conference (11:29)

“Our industry is diversifying to meet a growing number of needs,” said Clean Fuels Chairman Chad Stone with Renewable Energy Group during his address at the conference. “It’s not about either or, it’s about getting full value for biodiesel, and renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel.”
NBB22 - Chad Stone, REG (13:39)

Find all the photos here:
2022 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Visit the Biodiesel Conference Blog

Audio, Biodiesel, Biofuels, carbon

Animal Ag News 1/31

Carrie Muehling

  • The 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show is a few short days away in Houston, and the impressive agenda includes speakers ranging from sports heroes to global leaders. Among those speakers, NCBA is proud to welcome Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack virtually, and in person both Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conversation Robert Bonnie as well as Dame Karen Pierce, British Ambassador to the United States.
  • U.S. Poultry & Egg Association recognized five companies that have been exhibiting for 50 or more years at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2022 International Production & Processing Expo. BAADER and Cobb-Vantress, Inc. were recognized for 65 years of exhibiting at IPE. Hubbard LLC was recognized for 60 years of exhibiting. Sanovo Technology Group was recognized for 55 years of exhibiting, and Bettcher Industries was recognized for 50 years of exhibiting.
  • FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative welcomes dairy farmers to attend the cooperative’s Producer Discovery Workshop series as part of its 2022 Annual Meeting taking place on Friday, February 11, 2022 at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Convention Center in Onalaska, Wis.
  • The National Pork Board announced recent staff leadership changes to help ensure its ability to deliver on pork producer priorities for their Checkoff: to build trust in, and add value to, U.S. pork while also protecting the industry’s freedom to operate. Dustin (Dusty) Oedekoven, DVM, will join NPB as the organization’s new chief veterinarian on Feb. 25, 2022.
  • The American Feed Industry Association, in partnership with Feedstuffs, named Kent Nutrition Group’s Mason, Mich., plant as its 2021 Commercial Dry Feed Facility of the Year.
  • DSM and CPF (Thailand) have signed an MOU to implement DSM’s recently launched sustainability service Sustell™, the first of its kind, holistic animal protein sustainability service that measures and provides real data-based, independent guidance and solutions at the farm level for profitably improving the sustainability of animal protein production.
  • Jim Sumner, president & CEO of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, was honored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association during the 2022 International Production & Processing Expo, where he received the Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • Mike Levengood, vice president, Chief Animal Care Officer and Farmer Relationship Advocate for Perdue Farms, was elected chairman of the board of directors of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Farm Journal Announces The Carbon Council

Cindy Zimmerman

Farm Journal has announced the formation of The Carbon Council, which includes eight farmers and ranchers who actively participate in and advocate for carbon-related programs.

Members of The Carbon Council include:

Rick Clark, Williamsport, Ind.
Meredith Ellis, Rosston, Texas
Lukas Fricke, Ulysses, Neb.
P.J. Haynie, Reedville, Va.
Trey Hill, Rock Hall, Md.
Mitchell Hora, Washington, Iowa
Kyle Mehmen, Plainfield, Iowa
Ben Riensche, Jessup, Iowa
 
“Farm Journal is committed to being an advocate for producers from grassroots efforts to top-down efforts in national and state policies,” said Charlene Finck, president of Farm Journal. “We’re proud to form this prestigious council that will provide knowledge in the carbon arena, practical and factual advocacy and a valuable sounding board.”

The group will include additional members to meet regularly and discuss the latest developments in the carbon space and Farm Journal will use their insights to guide coverage of carbon-related issues on its more than 20 media platforms including print, digital and broadcast.

Farm Journal’s commitment to informing agriculture audiences about carbon-related issues began in 2020 with the launch of the Carbon Innovation Center, which is hosted on AgWeb.com.

carbon, Farm Journal, Farming, Media