Ag and Biofuel Groups Ask Congress for COVID-19 Relief

Cindy Zimmerman

America’s top biofuel and farm advocates are calling on Congress to ensure the next round of COVID-19 relief includes U.S. ethanol and biodiesel production.

A joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was signed by the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Farmers Union, the National Oilseed Processors Association, the National Renderers Association, the National Sorghum Producers, and Fuels America.

“The situation we face is dire,” wrote biofuel and farm advocates. “More than 130 biofuel plants have already partially or fully shut down as motor fuel demand plunged to 50-year lows. America’s biofuel plants purchase annually more than one-third of U.S. corn and U.S. soybean oil, and the loss of those markets has depressed farm income and will continue to push corn and soybean prices down dramatically. The damage has rippled across the entire agricultural supply chain.”

The letter notes that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) excluded the biofuel sector from initial aid under CARES Act, despite urgent letters of support to Secretary Sonny Perdue from broad, bipartisan coalitions in the House and Senate.

Read the letter here.

Ag Groups, ASA, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Corn, Ethanol

Animal Ag News 5/11

Carrie Muehling

  • The newest episode of the Dairy Stream podcast features Greg Ibach, undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ibach’s agency is at the center of the federal government’s response to farmers who are trying to manage the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the safe reopening of critical infrastructure meatpacking facilities across the United States. These meatpacking facilities have resumed or plan to resume operations this week following President Trump’s Executive Order directing the facilities to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines specifically created for the meat and poultry sector response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the CDC and state and local health officials have been working around the clock to ensure a safe and stable supply of protein is available for American consumers all while keeping employees safe.
  • From astronaut to economist, the Alltech ONE Virtual Experience welcomes a stellar keynote lineup to this year’s program. A different keynote presentation will be streamed each day beginning Monday, May 18, through Friday, May 22.
  • During this unprecedented time, Kent Nutrition Group is responding to the pork industry’s need for options to manage feed intake and weight gain. Packing plant closures and slowdowns have placed a critical strain on the industry as market hogs are held longer than expected. KNG swine nutritionists have promising results from an ongoing trial at the KNG Research Farm of over 400 finishing pigs. For the nation’s pork producers, these results can provide viable feeding options until processors can receive pigs.
  • The American Sheep Industry Association has completed the development of the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan for Business Continuity in a Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak. ASI worked with the Center for Food Security and Public Health at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine to develop this plan.
  • USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved approximately $400,000 for seven new research grants at six institutions through the comprehensive research program.
  • The American Feed Industry Association and Kansas State University have launched an online and on-demand extension of their well-respected AFIA/KSU-500, “Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing,” online course. The online modules are ideal for employees who need to understand more about the animal food industry or their specific role in the operation.
  • Kincannon & Reed welcomes Jimmy Paulakuhn as Managing Director focusing on the talent acquisition needs of its Animal Agriculture clients. Based in North Carolina, Jimmy brings more than two decades of experience within these markets, including more than six years as Director of Commercial Poultry Operations at Pfizer and two years as Zoetis’s National Sales Director-US Poultry.
  • The South Dakota Beef Industry Council‘s May Beef Month campaign focuses on the past, present and future in regard to the role that beef has played throughout history and highlights how Beef has ALWAYS been What’s For Dinner. Part of the campaign is bringing back a new version the SD Beef Ambassador program.
  • A DCHA webinar featuring Kevin Dhuyvetter will address the “Economic Cost of Respiratory Disease in Dairy Replacement Heifers.” The webinar is scheduled for May 21 at 2:00 p.m. Central time. Register here.
  • In a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota urged the Administration to provide guidance on how the Federal Emergency Management Agency can help farmers depopulate and dispose of livestock following the closure of meatpacking plants due to coronavirus outbreaks and worker safety concerns. Joining Peterson on the letter is House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Jim Costa of California, and a group of lawmakers representing Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota. A copy of the letter is available here.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

Industry Ag News 5/8

Carrie Muehling

  • Farm Foundation, the Cornell University Initiative for Digital Agriculture, and the University of Illinois Center for Digital Agriculture and Center for the Economics of Sustainability are pleased to announce a new, virtual, multi-day policy workshop on Advancing Digital Agriculture and Conservation to be held on May 20, 27, 29 and June 3. The workshop aims to advance policy discussions to realize the promise of data applied to conservation in agriculture.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Economist Robert Johansson has announced the appointment of Dr. Cindy Nickerson as the Deputy Chief Economist, effective June 7. In her role as Deputy Chief Economist for Policy Analysis, Dr. Nickerson advises the Chief Economist, the Secretary, and top policy officials regarding the economic implications of programs, regulations, and legislative proposals affecting the U.S. food system and rural areas.
  • In a big win for clean air, corn farmers in Illinois and PepsiCo have documented the ability to cut CO2 emissions, a major greenhouse gas contributor, through the adoption of cover crops and other sustainable farming practices. The partnership with PepsiCo and other large corporations across their supply chain is achieving large reductions in carbon emissions. In the first two years of the corn checkoff-funded project, participating farmers have reduced CO2 emissions by 8,155 metric tons, equivalent to taking 1,762 cars off the road. In Illinois, Precision Conservation Management (PCM), Illinois Corn Grower Association’s premier conservation program, is working with PepsiCo to drive change at the farm level and achieve these substantial emissions reductions.
  • BASF Corporation will join COVID-19 hunger relief efforts with a $170,000 donation to Feeding America. The company’s North America Agricultural Solutions employees in the U.S. hosted a virtual food drive in March and April to support Feeding America food banks across the country.
  • CropLife America is excited to welcome Molly O’Connor to the association’s government relations team. Molly will join the organization as director, federal government relations, bringing with her a new perspective and expertise in the areas of global policy and trade.
  • Michigan’s dry edible bean industry and the Food Bank Council of Michigan announced Michigan dry bean farmers, processors and shippers are joining forces to donate seven tons of dry beans for distribution to food banks across the state.
  • Swanson Russell has been selected as creative agency for national workwear brand, Walls Outdoor Goods. Known as a go-to brand for workers who earn a living outdoors, Walls products are built to keep workers safe, warm and dry. The agency will handle Walls’ creative needs including brand development and seasonal campaign work, and focus on building deeper connection with professional tradesmen who are wired to be outdoors.
  • The University of Florida has named J. Scott Angle, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to lead the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences into the next decade. He is expected to assume the role as vice president for agriculture and natural resources on July 13.
  • The Association of Equipment Manufacturers Hall of Fame recognizes the pioneers whose inventions, ideas, leadership and courage have contributed to the industry and our community’s quality of life. Nominations are open until June 12, 2020 and can be submitted online at this link.
Zimfo Bytes

ZimmCast 644 – COVID-19 Impacts on Ag Comm Groups Part 2

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

This week’s program is part two of a series featuring conversations with the leadership of agricultural media and marketing associations. This week I’m sharing conversations with Samantha Kilgore, AAEA, The Ag Communicators Network, Lindsay Graber Runft, Livestock Publications Council and Kristy Mach/John Blue, Agricultural Relations Council.

Each of these organizations has had to cancel or postpone important annual events and the staff has had to deal with that as well as looking at alternative communications methods and what plans look like going forward. Learn how they’ve handled things and hear some good ideas and suggestions as well.

How has your company or organization has been affected and what are you learning during this trying time? Let me know.

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 644 - COVID-19 Impacts on Ag Communications Groups Part 2

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

ACN, ARC, Audio, LPC, Marketing, Media, ZimmCast

Coalition Wants Rural Infrastructure in Future COVID-19 Relief

Cindy Zimmerman

The 258 members of the Rebuild Rural coalition are asking Congress for increased rural infrastructure funding in any future COVID-19 relief packages.

In the letter, the coalition called on Congress to: “Ensure that our rural communities have access to: clean and safe drinking water and wastewater facilities, secure and dependable surface transportation, reliable and affordable power, healthcare, housing, and broadband and research institutions with state-of-the-art facilities, in order to thrive and attract future generations. Many of these needs – including access to broadband and quality healthcare – have become acute in the past several weeks because of COVID-19. Media have reported parents driving students to fast food parking lots for access to Wi-Fi, and the current challenges of rural hospitals which struggled to meet the needs of the communities they serve under normal conditions before this pandemic and the economic viability of rural communities.”

“Our farmers and ranchers are the most efficient producers in the world. The supply chain enabling that efficiency has kept food stocked at grocery stores and markets across the country. But the ability to meet these demands depends on robust and reliable transportation infrastructure including roads, inland waterways, ports, and railways and support for the local people and institutions that will ensure this infrastructure is able to meet 21st century realities. Deteriorating rural infrastructure, however, threatens the competitive leadership of American agriculture.”

Ag Groups, Infrastructure

Precision Ag News 5/6

Carrie Muehling

  • NRCS is announcing $5 million for Wetland Mitigation Banks to help conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs.
  • HELM Agro US, Inc., a global manufacturer of high-quality crop protection and fertilizer products, announces the hiring of Mary Josephson as Regional Sales Manager for the Northern Corn Belt.
  • This year, the National Corn Growers Association launched its tenth season of Field Notes, a series that takes readers behind the farm gate to follow the year in the life of American farm families. While these growers come from diverse geographic areas and run unique operations, they share a common love for U.S. agriculture and the basic values that underpin life in farming communities. Now, the series is being presented in an exciting new format that features reports in a short format with insight and provides a real picture of American farm life through visuals.
  • The National Corn Yield Contest officially opened May 1, 2020, and the National Corn Growers Association is encouraging potential entrants to register early and save big on entry fees. Until June 30, 2020, fees will be reduced to $75. NCGA reminds growers that a small-time investment now saves money later this summer.
  • Syngenta and the Analytics Society of INFORMS are proud to recognize a team from Iowa State University as the winner of the 2020 Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics. The Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics is an annual collaborative effort between Syngenta and the Analytics Society of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. Analytics and data science play a vital role in agriculture, when farmers are facing increasing pressures from climate change, soil erosion and biodiversity loss, and from consumers’ changing tastes in food.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

Agri-Pulse Moves Ag & Food Policy Summit to Sept. 21

Cindy Zimmerman

The 2020 Agri-Pulse Ag & Food Policy Summit has been postponed for a second time due to COVID-19 and is now scheduled for Sept. 21 at the National Press Club, “for what will hopefully be a live, in-person event that follows appropriate federal guidelines.”

“We realize that a lot can change between now and September due to COVID-19,” explained Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse Editor. “We are keeping all of our options for hosting the meeting – both in person and via video conferencing – under consideration so there will not be the need to delay this event again.

The event was originally planned for March 23 and first postponed to June 22. “Given the uncertainty about reopening in the Washington, D.C. metro area, we decided that June 22 was still too soon,” Wyant said. “Some parts of the U.S. are starting to reopen, however, Washington, D.C. may not reopen until later in May, Virginia is not scheduled to reopen until June 10 and currently, there is no scheduled reopening date for Maryland.”

In preparation for the new date, Agri-Pulse is working with the National Press Club to provide additional sanitization, more physical separation and in some cases, videos of speakers rather than all-live presentations.

Agri-Pulse

USDA Announces Funds for Biofuels Infrastructure

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making up to $100 million in competitive grants available to help expand the availability and sale of renewable fuels.

“American ethanol and biofuel producers have been affected by decreased energy demands due to the coronavirus, and these grants to expand their availability will help increase their use during our economic resurgence,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

The Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) consist of up to $100 million in funding for competitive grants or sales incentives to eligible entities for activities designed to expand the sales and use of ethanol and biodiesel fuels. Funds will be made directly available to assist transportation fueling and biodiesel distribution facilities with converting to higher ethanol and biodiesel blends by sharing the costs related to and/or offering sales incentives for the installation of fuel pumps, related equipment, and infrastructure.

Once the pandemic is over and fuel markets are showing signs of recovery, expanding infrastructure via the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program will be important to the long-term future of the ethanol industry and rural America. We thank the USDA for its efforts to support the future of renewable fuels,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper.

Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, RFA, USDA

Animal Ag News 5/4

Carrie Muehling

  • House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson issued a statement supporting efforts to create local task forces to provide a framework to safely and efficiently reopen meatpacking facilities in a way that protects worker health and safety and begins to reduce the backup of hogs for processing in Minnesota and nationwide.
  • The California Cattle Council, in conjunction with the California Cattlemen’s Association, launched Resilience 2020. The combined effort seeks to reassure consumers that California ranchers, in this time of adversity, are well-positioned to produce an ample supply of the safest, most sustainable beef anywhere in the world.
  • The Cowboy Channel is excited to stream its western lifestyle content to audiences on any device with the launch of The Cowboy Channel Plus app. As the world’s destination for all things rodeo, The Cowboy Channel Plus app will offer fans lifestyle shows and keep them up-to-date with their favorite Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) competitions and athletes, as well as behind-the-scenes access to livestreamed PRCA rodeo events for subscribers to the channel’s premium content.
  • Due to the uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought and to ensure that everyone is able to attend and enjoy the event, the Art of Cheese Festival has been moved to April 30 – May 2, 2021. The first ever Art of Cheese Festival is a three-day celebration of all things Wisconsin Cheese, including educational classes, excursions, an exclusive farm dinner, The Cheese Ball, and more. Visit ArtofCheeseFestival.com for updates on the schedule of events and ticket sales.
  • Cargill announced it is launching a series of plant-based products in China, bringing more quality protein options to the Chinese market. The launch includes products for foodservice and a consumer-facing brand PlantEver™. PlantEver™ is expected to debut in the Chinese market at the end of June and be available online and offline.
  • This year’s Alltech ONE speaker lineup includes thought-leaders from the agriculture and business sectors who will explore solutions for some of today’s biggest challenges. Focus session topics include agribusiness, aquaculture, beef, crop science, dairy, pig, poultry and sustainable agriculture. Explore all the thought-provoking focus sessions, available on-demand beginning May 18.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

World Press Freedom Day

Chuck Zimmerman

World Press Freedom DayMay 3rd was World Press Freedom Day. This year’s theme is Journalism Without Fear or Favour. Here in the U.S.A. most people take the press for granted. Well, generally. Lately with state of political discourse being so divided it is unfortunate that the press have come under increasing fire for their reporting, which in my mind has become less about the facts and story as about how their reporting can influence public opinion. I say this of the press in general. We have very good journalists and especially those reporting on anything to do with agriculture. Not that I’m biased or anything. LOL.

I do have some concerns though about how social media has impacted the press and our ability to keep a free press. Although political differences among people and parties is evident in our “traditional” press, the impact of social media can not be ignored. How often have you heard the phrase, “We are all press/media.” When almost everyone can create a communications channel (blog, podcast, Twitter, FB and so many more) then you have a situation where anyone can write or say anything they want and it can be shared to millions of people. There is a great positive side to this but also a very negative one as very unqualified people pretend to be experts and those with political agendas espouse opinion like it’s fact. The COVID-19 situation is highlighting the best and the worst of this. Let’s hope it doesn’t result in the loss of freedoms here in our country.

Owen Roberts, University of Guelph Canada and President of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, wrote a nice thought piece for the day. You can find the full version here.

Agricultural media has always been a reliable source of information for farmers. Although agriculture is a huge industry, the media community that serves it is too small for unreliable sources to flourish for long.

And I expect one of the agricultural media’s role, that of knowledge provider and mobilizer, will become increasingly important as food insecurity intensifies.

UNESCO describes World Press Freedom Day like this:

World Press Freedom Conference3 May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.

Later this year the Netherlands will host the World Press Freedom Conference 2020 which has been postponed from April to October.

The Netherlands is the host for 2020. UNESCO and The Netherlands had planned to hold the Conference from 22 to 24 April at the World Forum in The Hague. It is now scheduled for 18 to 20 October at the same venue. It will be a joint celebration of World Press Freedom Day (3 May) and the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2 November). The decision to postpone the conference has been taken to minimize costs and risks for all involved, in the wake of the decision by the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic.

You can find more information here.

IFAJ, International, Media