EPA Denial of RFS Waivers Good News for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol producers and farmers were pleased to hear Monday that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is denying petitions for retroactive small refinery waivers for the 2011-18 compliance years.

EPA announced it is denying 54 “gap-year” small refinery exemption petitions and will deny the remaining 14 petitions once they are received from the Department of Energy. In announcing its decision, EPA acknowledged that it would be completely inappropriate to grant a waiver to a refinery for a compliance obligation from many years ago, especially when the refinery had already fully complied with the obligation.

EPA also cited the Tenth Circuit Court’s decision from January as an important consideration in rejecting the waiver petitions. Importantly, EPA is applying these petition denials nationally. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) led the litigation in the Tenth Circuit, while the National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and American Coalition for Ethanol were co-petitioners.

“The petitions were never anything more than an absurd and bizarre attempt by the refineries to circumvent the Tenth Circuit Court’s decision in the Renewable Fuels Association v. EPA case,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This should serve as the final nail in the coffin of these gap-year petitions, and we are eager to put this dark and sordid chapter in the history of the RFS behind us once and for all.”

RFA CEO statement on gap year waiver denials (1:20)

“Asking for waivers for nearly ten years ago was a new low by the oil industry to undermine the RFS and rewrite history,” said NCGA President Kevin Ross. “While denial of these past-year waivers is obviously positive news for farmers and biofuel producers, we’re never going to have the certainty we need until the underlying waiver issue is fully resolved.”

ACE CEO Brian Jennings added, “Simply put, these retroactive waivers ignored the RFS statute and the Tenth Circuit Court decision, so rejection of the gap-year requests is what the law and court precedent required of EPA…The next logical step is for EPA to once and for all nationally apply the precedent set by the Tenth Circuit Court, which likely means denying most of the pending refinery waivers for 2019 and 2020.”

EPA currently has 31 waivers under consideration for 2019 and 2020 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance years.

NFU President Rob Larew also urged the administration to follow up by releasing the overdue Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2021.

ACE, Audio, Corn, NCGA, RFA

Branstad Coming Home from China

Cindy Zimmerman

U.S. Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Terry Branstad will retire from his position as U.S. envoy and depart Beijing in early October.

During his tenure as ambassador, which began in June 2017, the former Iowa governor traveled to 26 provinces and autonomous regions in China, and would have visited all of them if COVID-19 had not limited his domestic travel. “Getting to know the Chinese people, meeting them in their homes and hearing their personal stories, has been one of the great privileges of this job,” said Branstad.

Secretary of State Pompeo tweeted that, “Ambassador Branstad’s contribution to the rebalancing of U.S.-China relations will have lasting, positive effects on U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific for decades to come.”

President Trump mentioned Branstad would be coming home during a phone call to Sen. Joni Ernst that was shared on Twitter over the weekend.

The president gave a shout out Terry Branstad’s son Eric, who is senior adviser for the Trump 2020 re-election campaign in Iowa. “Eric Branstad’s fantastic and you know Eric’s father is coming home from China because he wants to campaign,” said Trump.

Pres. Trump call to Sen. Ernst (1:05)

Audio, Trade

MACA Honors Margy Eckelkamp

Cindy Zimmerman

The Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) honored one of our favorite agricultural journalists at its recent virtual annual meeting.

The Ruth White Media Award is presented to an individual who’s demonstrated an evidence of consistent, objective, and accurate reporting on American agriculture and the myriad of issues involved in modern agriculture, including the CropLife industry. This year’s winner is Margy Eckelkamp, Editor of The Scoop, a part of Farm Journal Inc.

Margy is a multimedia journalist who provides the agricultural industry with leading service journalism. Since 2006, Margy has reported on machinery, agronomy, and technology for Farm Journal. Eckelkamp works to bring the foremost in industry news to the public through multiple channels including print, digital and broadcast such as her periodic features on AgriTalk. When launching a product to the market, Margy has made it a priority to ‘get ahead’ of her competition with the lead story. She’s objective and does accurate reporting, yet provides important and useful information.

Eckelkamp is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS in Agriculture Journalism and one of AgWired’s very first interns way back in 2006!

Journalism

Animal Ag News 9/14

Carrie Muehling

  • A wild boar, found near the Polish border, is the first confirmed case of African swine fever in Germany. According to Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, a zone at risk has been established, and domestic pig movement will not be allowed within the area. So far, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines have announced they will temporarily suspend pork imports from Germany.
  • Macey Hurst will begin her career journey with the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association on October 5, 2020. In addition to serving as the manager of strategic solutions, responsible for non-dues revenue, she will also serve the Missouri Beef Cattleman publication and manage overall association communications.
  • The future of America’s national mammal continued to brighten this week as officials from South Dakota State University (SDSU), the National Bison Association and the National Buffalo Foundation formally launched the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies, to be headquartered at SDSU’s West River Research and Extension facility in Rapid City, South Dakota.
  • Register your company today for the first Ag Media Summit Virtual Career Fair on September 18, hosted by the Livestock Publications Council and AAEA. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with current ag communications students, grad students, and young professionals and find your next intern or full-time employee.
  • National Pork Producers Council is hosting its fall Legislative Action Conference this week. The virtual fly-in draws pork producers from around the country to meet with Congress and discuss various issues, including support for a COVID-relief package that includes much-needed assistance to hog farmers in crisis and efforts to ensure Congress fully funds foreign animal disease prevention programs.
  • A fun, rewarding and engaging opportunity is available for college students wanting to attend the 2021 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 1 – 5, 2021. A team of interns – vital to the success of the largest annual meeting in the U.S. beef cattle industry – will gain first-hand experience and be able to interact with leaders of every segment of the cattle and beef industry. Interested students must complete a Student Internship Application and send college transcripts, two letters of recommendation and a resume. Deadline for applying is Oct. 23, 2020.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

USDA Lowers Corn and Soybean Forecasts

Cindy Zimmerman

The August derecho that charged across the Midwest has taken its toll on the latest crop estimates in USDA’s September World Agricultural Supply and Demand report. Despite the decline, the numbers would still be records or near records for both crops this year.

The 2020 corn crop would still be nine percent higher than last year and the second highest in history, with a record yield of 178.5. The soybean crop is projected to be 21 percent higher than last year with a yield of 51.9, a tie for the record.

Corn production is forecast at 14.9 billion bushels, down 378 million from last month on a lower yield forecast and reduction in harvested area. Corn supplies are reduced from last month, as a smaller crop more than offsets greater beginning stocks mostly due to lower estimated exports for 2019/20. Corn used for ethanol for 2020/21 is lowered 100 million bushels based on the continued slow recovery in motor gasoline demand as a result of COVID-19. Exports are raised 100 million bushels reflecting reduced supplies in competitor countries.

Soybean production is projected at 4.3 billion bushels, down 112 million on a lower yield forecast of 51.9 bushels per acre. Yield is down 1.4 bushels per acre from the August forecast. With soybean crush and exports unchanged, ending stocks are projected at 460 million bushels, down 150 million from last month.

Corn, Soybean, USDA

Industry Ag News 9/11

Carrie Muehling

  • An interdisciplinary University of Nebraska team led by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI), has received a three-year, one million dollar grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development to advance access and education around smallholder farmer irrigation in Africa.
  • The Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute welcomes Dr. Jesse Bell to its leadership team. The new position is the result of a generous $5 million gift to the University of Nebraska from Anne Hubbard through her family’s foundation, the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation to create a new collaborative program between the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, DWFI and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources to address some of Nebraska’s most pressing public health issues associated with water and climate.
  • Wrangler®, a global icon in jeanswear and casual apparel, announced plans for a new jean that celebrates the benefits of regeneratively grown cotton. Global cotton farmers who can demonstrate and document soil-carbon and biodiversity improvements are invited to apply for their cotton to be purchased for a Wrangler Retro® Premium submission as part of The Jeans Redesign project from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Farmers interested in applying can find more information about the submission process at soilhealthinstitute.org/regenerative-cotton/.
  • Rosy Brummette has joined the National Corn Growers Association’s Washington, D.C. office as Manager of Public Policy for Market Development and Renewable Fuels.
  • To further the United States Department of Agriculture’s work on the Agriculture Innovation Agenda, USDA announced it is seeking public- and private-sector input on the most innovative technologies and practices that can be readily deployed across U.S. agriculture. To help identify and accelerate adoption of ready-to-go innovations, USDA is currently accepting public comments and written stakeholder input through its Request for Information through November 9, 2020, which is published on the Federal Register.
  • Lewis & Clark AgriFood, a St. Louis based food and agriculture focused investment firm, announced the closing of a $7.7 million investment round from their Lewis & Clark AgriFood Growth Fund in BinSentry, which provides digital sensor technology to help feed mills and farmers operate more efficiently. Participation from additional investors includes BDC Capital’s Industrial Innovation Venture Fund and existing investors Garage Capital and Chilligo Investments.
  • While companies and schools continue to navigate the sometimes challenging path of remote learning in the U.S., CLUTCH, a hybrid consultancy and agency based in Minneapolis, is expanding one of its core offerings, learning and development programs, to meet the needs of businesses in a rapidly changing environment. CLUTCH recently bolstered its services with the addition of Michelle Jackson, a 30-year veteran in learning and development, international program management, and human resource management.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that University of Florida scientist Spiro Stefanou has been appointed the USDA Economic Research Service administrator. Stefanou was a professor in the UF/IFAS food and resource economics department (FRED).
Zimfo Bytes

Farmobile Honored with AgTech Breakthrough Awards

Cindy Zimmerman

Ag data company Farmobile has been named ‘Blockchain-based AgTech Solution of the Year’ and ‘Yield Forecasting Solution of the Year’ in the inaugural AgTech Breakthrough Awards program.

The mission of the AgTech Breakthrough Awards is to honor excellence and recognize innovation in a range of agricultural and food technology categories, including Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based agricultural technologies, farm management, indoor farming, food quality, data analytics and many more. This year’s program attracted more than 1,750 nominations from over 15 different countries throughout the world.

“Farmobile’s innovative use of blockchain technology is redefining how the agriculture industry collects, stores, protects, and shares important data,” said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director of AgTech Breakthrough Awards. “By both creating new revenue streams for farmers and helping industry partners use ag data to solve the industry’s biggest challenges, Farmobile is making the industry smarter and more sustainable.”

The Farmobile DataStore exchange leverages blockchain technology to protect privacy, and preserve the anonymity of the farmer-subscribers, who choose to use the world’s first online marketplace that digitally connects them with potential data buyers. Farmobile DataStore participants are able to license single-use copies of their data to approved third-party buyers for a recurring revenue source.

Farmobile’s Farmobile Index (for both Planting and Harvest) provides daily updates on crop progress as it happens during farming’s most crucial times of the year.

Farmobile CEO Jason Tatge said, “We created the Farmobile Index so farmers could get more timely updates — especially during planting and harvest — that can help them more effectively market their commodities. We’re thrilled that the AgTech Breakthrough Awards realize the tremendous value this is going to have in agriculture.”

AgWired Precision, data, Precision Agriculture

Precision Ag News 9/9

Carrie Muehling

  • With the vacated registrations of three dicamba herbicides this summer, including XtendiMax®, Engenia® and FeXapan®, farmers are looking for additional soybean weed management options. Those options start with seed. Golden Harvest offers farmers the broadest choice of soybean herbicide tolerance trait platforms, including a strong supply of Enlist E3® soybeans for 2021 planting. For 2021, Golden Harvest expanded its product portfolio with the release of 22 new soybean varieties. In addition to Enlist E3, it offers farmers access to Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans and LibertyLink® GT27™.
  • AGCO Corporation announced the launch of a virtual product showroom for consumers in North America. The showroom, available at AGCOvirtualshowroom.com, allows users to learn more about products of the company’s well-known brands, including Massey Ferguson®, Fendt®, Challenger®, Gleaner®, RoGator® / TerraGator®, GSI® and others.
  • Sakata Seed America announced the formation of a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) department. This new department will focus on Indoor agriculture, a growing segment of the produce industry that focuses both on traditional greenhouse production as well as specialized vertical farming.
  • Join the Phipps Environmental Film Series on Fri., Sept. 18 for a screening of Living Soil. R.S.V.P. in advance. Upon registration, you will immediately receive a Zoom link to join the conversation after the film, and you will receive the link to the film on the afternoon of September 16.
  • Inari Agriculture, a biotechnology company developing next-generation seeds, has secured $145 million since its founding less than four years ago and is expanding its operations at its Purdue Research Park-based Seed Foundry.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Join the AMS Virtual Career Fair

Cindy Zimmerman

Agricultural marketing and media companies have the opportunity to connect with current ag communications students, grad students, and young professionals during the first Ag Media Summit Virtual Career Fair on September 18, hosted by AAEA The Agricultural Communicators Network and the Livestock Publications Council (LPC).

Using this platform, companies can list available internships, jobs and other opportunities, and include a personal zoom link for students to communicate. You can also host a virtual roundtable and discuss with a small group of students the opportunities and daily life in your industry.

Booths are $100 and will be open for networking from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time on Friday, September 18 and then available for continuous viewing until November 1. Details and registration information can be found on the Ag Media Summit website. While you are there, you can also register for the virtual Ag Media Summit November 16-17.

ACN, Ag Media Summit, LPC

ZimmCast 655 – Agri-Pulse September Virtual Events

Cindy Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

Agri-Pulse is calling this month a “September to Remember” with a total of four virtual or semi-virtual events they are hosting – that’s about 24 hours of content! Those events include:

2020 Virtual Food & Ag Policy Summit West –
September 9, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Pacific Time
2020 Ag & Food Policy Summit (normally in Washington DC in March) –
September 21, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern
KC Agribusiness Club Ag Outlook Forum (hybrid live/virtual) –
September 28, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Central
USB/ASA Webinar on Infrastructure Improvements (third in a series) –
September 24, 12-1:00 pm Central

In this ZimmCast, I talk with Agri-Pulse president Sara Wyant about the challenges of meeting planning in our COVID-19 world this year and the realities of going virtual.

That’s the ZimmCast for this week. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for listening.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 655 - AgriPulse September Virtual Events

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

Agri-Pulse, Audio, Events, Podcasts, politics, ZimmCast