President Trump at Iowa Ethanol Plant – One Year Later

Cindy Zimmerman

SIRE CEO Mike Jerke, President Trump and RFA CEO Geoff Cooper on June 11, 2019

It was one year ago today that President Donald Trump made a victorious visit to Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE) ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to celebrate regulatory changes that would finally allow year-round retail sales of 15% ethanol (E15). At the event, the President also heard from farmers and ethanol industry leaders about the devastating impact of RFS compliance exemptions being granted to small refineries.

In an open letter to President Trump on today’s anniversary, the Renewable Fuels Association called on him to reject attempts to grant the oil industry more waivers from renewable fuel obligations.

“Mr. President, we need your help,” wrote RFA CEO Geoff Cooper. “We ask that you stand up for the Renewable Fuel Standard. Please direct your EPA to abide by the January court ruling and end the abuse of the refinery waiver loophole. You stood by us, farmers, and consumers when you directed EPA to allow year-round E15. Now, we humbly ask that you stand with us again and ensure ethanol demand is not eroded by illegal refinery waivers.”

In a press call today, Cooper was joined by SIRE CEO Mike Jerke, and National Corn Growers Association president and Iowa farmer Kevin Ross to reflect on the past 12 months and where the industry is now.

Along with RFA economist Scott Richman, they discuss the successful increase in sales of the E15 blend, along with the continuing demand destruction from small refinery waivers despite successful court challenges, continued attacks against the Renewable Fuel Standard and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ethanol industry.

Trump ethanol plant visit anniversary press call 37:26

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Precision Ag News 6/10

Carrie Muehling

  • The Agricultural Retailers Association and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives called on the Environmental Protection Agency to further clarify the agency’s cancellation order on use and distribution of dicamba products. A copy of the letter can be found here.
  • The agenda for this year’s Soil Health Institute virtual Annual Meeting, Soil Health: The Foundation for Regenerative Agriculture, is now available online.
  • BioLumic Ltd. announced the appointment of Steve Sibulkin as Chief Executive Officer. Based on decades of experience in the agriculture and technology industries, Sibulkin will lead the company’s global expansion and accelerate its UV light treatment innovation based on the groundbreaking BioLumic photogenics platform.
  • John Deere announced it has enhanced the integrated technology of its new 5R and 6M Utility Tractors to give customers an easy, cost-effective way to view AutoTrac™ Automated Guidance System information without having to purchase a separate display.
  • TerrAvion’s high-resolution imagery data that powers digital agronomy announces that its data now lets growers do stand counts on corn, soybean, and other analytics on the Agremo platform. The ability to use TerrAvion’s cost-effective imagery for stand counts with a high confidence rate, enables farmers to know exactly what is going on in their whole field versus the traditional way of stand counts by spot-checking.
  • Calyxt, Inc. announced that its high oleic low linolenic soybean has been deemed a non-regulated article under the “Am I Regulated?” process by Biotechnology Regulatory Services of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.
  • Cover crop application company GO SEED has developed the Cover Crop Information Map to provide a free, centralized platform for knowledge exchange.
  • American Farmland Trust and its partners have developed a new and innovative model to reduce nutrient and soil sediment runoff on leased farmland in the Great Lakes region. By engaging women landowners, their operators and farm retailers, the team is expanding the use of conservation practices to improve soil health and reduce runoff in the Great Lakes Basin. Pilots for the model took place in the Portage and Toussaint River Basins in northwestern Ohio and the Genesee River Basin in western New York.
  • Ag Property Solutions announced it has entered into an agreement with Agrimesh Technologies, a Canadian livestock production and technology equipment provider, to distribute its Seelow product, a laser sensor Feed Monitoring System. This partnership will allow APS to offer a cost-effective feed bin inventory solution to its customers.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes, Precision Agriculture

Farm & Biofuel Groups Challenge Retroactive RFS Waivers

Cindy Zimmerman

Nine leading biofuel and farm organizations sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler Tuesday asking him for answers on what is seen as a new effort to undermine the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

During a Senate hearing last month, administration officials confirmed their consideration of retroactive small refinery exemptions (SREs) covering previous years. The “gap-filings” are designed to reconstitute a continuous string of exemptions for select oil companies “to be consistent with the Tenth Circuit decision,” thus circumventing court limits on new oil industry handouts at the expense of farmers and biofuel producers.

“These ‘gap filings’ appear to be little more than the latest in a string of oil industry tactics designed to subvert the law and sidestep a court order to uphold the RFS,” wrote the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Farmers Union, the American Coalition for Ethanol, and Fuels America.

The letter notes the devastating impact coronavirus restrictions have had on both the biofuels industry and farmers. “Backfilling SREs to circumvent a court decision would exacerbate market uncertainty at a time when rural communities already face unprecedented economic challenges.”

Read the letter.

ACE, AFBF, Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Biofuels, Ethanol, RFA

EPA Issues Order on Dicamba Registrations

Cindy Zimmerman

Late last night, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an order on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision on dicamba registrations regarding the sale, distribution, and use of existing stocks of the three affected dicamba products – XtendiMax with vapor grip technology, Engenia, and FeXapan.

According to EPA, distribution or sale of the products is “generally prohibited except for ensuring proper disposal or return to the registrant.”

With regard to existing stocks:
Growers and commercial applicators may use existing stocks that were in their possession on June 3, 2020, the effective date of the Court decision. Such use must be consistent with the product’s previously-approved label, and may not continue after July 31, 2020.

However, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is asking for clarification from EPA.

“ARA is concerned with these details, as it appears inconsistent with EPA’s long-standing existing stocks practice following registration invalidation,” said ARA Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel Richard Gupton. “The current order will create confusion, especially since it is being issued at the end of (Monday June 8) with the June 3, 2020, cut-off date and after many individual states publicly authorized the continued sale and use of these products over the weekend and through today.”

Gupton adds that ARA is seeking clarification on the impact on agricultural retailers that do not provide commercial application services.

ARA, Crop Protection, EPA, Herbicide

NAMA Adds Virtual Option to Agri-Marketing Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is now offering the 2020 Agri-Marketing Conference as both a live and virtual conference, August 11-13, 2020.

The virtual conference will be offered for $495 and $635 for members and non-members, respectively. The non-member rate includes one free year of NAMA membership.

Features of the virtual conference include a virtual trade show, virtual happy hours, special chat rooms and on-demand playback. There will be a number of opportunities for on-site and virtual attendees to network.

“We are confident that whether you are live with us in Kansas City or attending the virtual event, you will have a terrific NAMA experience,” said Jenny Pickett, CEO, National Agri-Marketing Association.

NAMA

Farmfest and Dakotafest Canceled for 2020

Cindy Zimmerman

Both the Minnesota Farmfest and Dakotafest have been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IDEAg Group LLC., which is owned by American Farm Bureau Federation, made the decision to cancel with great disappointment according to AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We understand the impact this has on the ag community, but simply put, it is the right decision to make in these uncertain times.”

Farmfest, scheduled for Aug. 4-6 in Redwood County, Minnesota, has served farmers and the agriculture community for 38 years. Dakotafest, scheduled for Aug. 18-20 in Mitchell, South Dakota, was set to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

IDEAg management confirms that aspects of each show will be made available to attendees virtually this year, including the Farmfest Political Forums.

Read more from AFBF

AFBF, Farm Shows

Ag Retailers Urge Immediate Stay of Dicamba Order

Cindy Zimmerman

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is urging EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler to seek an immediate stay of federal court order and appeal the ruling “using all legal avenues available.”

President and CEO Daren Coppock says part of the problem is the order itself, but a bigger part is the timing to hand it down right in the middle of the application season.

“This decision by the Ninth Circuit is an overreach and must be corrected immediately,” Coppock said in a letter to Wheeler. “This will have a major impact on this year’s crops if not handled very soon. The farm economy has already experienced major struggles this year and this is one that can easily be avoided.”

Administrator Wheeler agreed in a statement that the decision creates an undue burden for farmers. “This ruling implicates millions of acres of crops, millions of dollars already spent by farmers, and the food and fiber Americans across the country rely on to feed their families,” said Wheeler. “EPA is assessing all avenues to mitigate the impact of the Court’s decision on farmers.”

Coppock says they were on the phone to EPA officials over the weekend discussing options and he hopes that means they will make a quick decision. In this interview, Coppock talks about how the decision impacts retailers and farmers, what they would like to see EPA do, and how different states are responding to the ruling.

Interview with ARA CEO Daren Coppock on dicamba ruling 8:42

ARA, Audio, Crop Protection, Herbicide

Animal Ag News 6/8

Carrie Muehling

  • The annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course is going virtual this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The three-day online event is set for Aug. 3-5. Cost will be $99 before July 1, $129 after July 1 and $149 after the conference is over. Registration is open now as well as the opportunity to join the mailing list for continual updates.
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association applauded the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral PASTURE (Pandemic Authority Suitable To Utilize Reserve Easements) Act of 2020 by U.S. Representatives Roger Marshall (R – 1st Dist., Kansas) and Angie Craig (D – 2nd Dist., MN). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Tina Smith (D-MN). For more information read NCBA’s letter to Congress on this issue here.
  • The Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative have hired Dale Beaty, an experienced farm organization leader, to be director of member relations. Nicole Barlass, who had been director of member relations, has been named director of corporate relations, a new position.
  • Leading academics across four continents have joined U.S., Canadian and international organizations representing millions of farmers, producers and veterinarians to sign an open letter pushing back against misinformation around animal agriculture during the pandemic. Signatories — including the Animal Agriculture Alliance, World Veterinary Association, and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) — clarified that domestic livestock production is safe and has not played a role in the spread of COVID-19, despite recent unfounded claims. The letter calls for governments and authorities to reassure consumers around the safety of meat, milk, eggs and fish while also working with farmers and veterinarians to share lessons and expertise around animal health.
  • The American Feed Industry Association depends heavily on the dedication and involvement of members who volunteer annually to serve on committees. These committees further the success of the association’s mission, objectives and programs and AFIA thanks these volunteer members and the companies they represent for their service.
  • The International Dairy Foods Association, the nation’s largest trade association representing all segments of the dairy industry, and ABB, a global technology leader that is driving the digital transformation of industries, have partnered to offer IDFA members a suite of automated systems, applications and integrated solutions that will help them to advance digitalization within their plants and facilities.
  • Dairy Calf and Heifer Association members elected Clint Al-Ag, Blue Sky Farms, Friona, Texas; Emily De Benetti, Oxford Cattle Co., Woodstock, Ont., Canada; and Jorge Delgado, dairy specialist with the Alltech On-Farm Support team; to the organization’s board of directors. Al-Ag represents the Southwest; De Benetti represents the Northeast; and Delgado serves as an allied industry director. Tamilee Nennich Adolph retired as a DCHA board member.
  • State beef councils around the country are joining forces to invest state-controlled Beef Checkoff dollars in Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. digital advertising campaigns. These efforts will significantly expand beef promotion in their own states as well as in consumer-abundant U.S. regions. The councils are working with the staff at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a Beef Checkoff contractor, to provide reach to about 70 million consumers, creating more than 733,000 visits to the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. website through Google advertising, generating an estimated 56 million national and state video views on YouTube and producing more than 2.3 million radio listens through Spotify.
AgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

ZimmCast 647 – AAEA Celebrating 100 Years

Chuck Zimmerman

Hello and welcome to the ZimmCast.

In this week’s program I’m sharing a conversation with Gil Gullickson, Crops Technology Editor for Successful Farming magazine/Agriculture.com. We talk about the 100 year celebration of the AAEA, The Agricultural Communicators Network. We also talk about this year’s Ag Media Summit which has been moved to November.

Let’s all hope that we’re closer to “normal” by that time. If not, I hope to help create virtual content for AAEA to help with our milestone celebration.

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

Listen to the ZimmCast here: ZimmCast 647 - 100 Years of AAEA

Subscribe to the ZimmCast in:

ACN, Ag Media Summit, Audio, Media, ZimmCast

Industry Ag News 6/5

Carrie Muehling

  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the USDA Farm Service Agency has already approved more than $545 million in payments to producers who have applied for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. FSA began taking applications May 26, and the agency has received over 86,000 applications for this important relief program.
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue also announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than five million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The Sugar Association, representing 142,000 sugar beet and cane growers, processors and refiners in the United States, filed a U. S. Food & Drug Administration Citizen Petition asking the Agency to require complete and accurate labeling of low- and no- calorie sweeteners on food packages, action that will extend labeling transparency, end misleading practices and help consumers make more informed decisions.
  • Brownfield Ag News is pleased to announce Will Robinson has joined the Brownfield team as Anchor/Reporter. He will be based in Missouri.
  • CHS Hedging announced its Russell Consulting Group subsidiary has been fully integrated into CHS Hedging, LLC and all services are renamed AgSurion℠ Risk Consulting. The new name aligns with the scheduled business transition agreement between Russell Consulting Group founder and principal Maurice (Moe) Russell, Panora, Iowa, and CHS Hedging, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
  • American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall issued the following statement: “Our hearts go out to the family of George Floyd and others who have suffered as a result of racial injustice. We strongly oppose racial discrimination and believe just treatment by law enforcement is essential to maintain public trust and to uphold our Constitution. We also believe we have a responsibility across our society to honestly examine, identify and address racism. That includes looking within our own organizations. At AFBF, we are doing just that. We are forming a cross-functional working group to determine how we, as staff of the American Farm Bureau, can be a positive influence against racism. Part of the strength of our communities and nation is our ability to pull together in times of crisis. We must do so now.”
  • A national TV segment highlighting cutting-edge checkoff investments from the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council earned a bronze award during the 2020 Telly Awards.
Zimfo Bytes