Animal Ag News 3/23

Carrie Muehling

  • In response to the ongoing efforts to provide relief to Americans impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued a statement to Capitol Hill.
  • The National Pork Producers Council applauds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidance on critical industry workforce that should continue as the country addresses and responds to the coronavirus outbreak; U.S. food and agriculture was included among 16 critical industries. Specifically, DHS recognized as essential a variety of pork production roles.
  • The North American Meat Institute says meat and poultry producers are leaning in to continue efforts to meet the global demand for meat under difficult circumstances. For more detailed information go here.
  • The American Feed Industry Association, along with 23 state and regional feed and grain associations, called on state officials around the country to maintain access to businesses providing animal food amid proposed state plans to close “non-essential businesses” to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The plea comes after some states released response plans that excluded animal food manufacturing facilities, transportation and agricultural and non-agricultural retail establishments from their lists of “essential businesses.” In an urgent letter, the groups stated that these businesses should be reclassified because not doing so would hinder the animal food industry’s ability to continue feeding America’s livestock, poultry and pets, threaten the U.S. food supply and drive up prices for farmers, ranchers, pet owners and consumers.
  • Nominations for the 14th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are now being accepted. For the application and nomination requirements, as well as more information about BQA, go here. All nominations are due by June 5, 2020.
  • Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative is looking to award two $1,000 college scholarships to children of its members. Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates or college undergraduates. They must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited four-year college or university or a two-year program at a technical, junior or community college. The area of study does not need to be in agriculture. Only dependents of Edge members qualify. The application with full guidelines is available at www.voiceofmilk.com. Applications must be postmarked by May 1.
  • The Global Marketing and Research team at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, along with State Beef Councils across the country, are leveraging their extensive library of content, including advertisements, recipes, cooking videos and educational materials about beef nutrition to help consumers while they are home during the pandemic.
AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Ethanol Plants Producing Hand Sanitizer

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol plants are now able to shift to the manufacture of hand sanitizer without permits from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is working with Iowa Prison Industries for the production of hand sanitizer during the national shortage. Two Iowa biofuel refineries – Absolute Energy and Western Iowa Energy – sent the first donated shipment of Iowa ethanol and glycerin to be used to make the product on Monday. Templeton Rye is also providing distilled water for the project. The finished product will be distributed free of charge by the state of Iowa for priority use.

Some ethanol plants, like Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) in Benson, Minnesota, were already approved to supply industrial grade ethanol for human use, but most plants are not designed for it. “Pharmaceutical grade is what you need because it’s coming in contact with humans, so it’s a big shift,” said CVEC General Manager Chad Friese. “It’s a lot of additional cost and most plants will not be able to make that conversion.”

Friese says beverage grade alcohol producers are more suited to make the transition to pharmaceutical grade than fuel ethanol producers, and “there’s not enough growth to supply the volumes that the fuel side needs.”

Friese discusses the difference between fuel and industrial ethanol production in this audio:
Chad Friese, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (3:25)

Audio, Ethanol

Alltech’s Lexington Brewing Producing Free Hand Sanitizer

Cindy Zimmerman

Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. Hand Sanitizer

In an effort to help combat the spread of coronavirus, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. is using its alcohol supply to produce hand sanitizer and provide it free of charge. The first batch of 200 bottles was delivered to city hall in Lexington on Friday and additional batches will be delivered this week.

“When my late husband, Pearse Lyons, and I chose Lexington as home for our business and family, the community embraced us with open arms,” said Deirdre Lyons, Alltech co-founder and director of corporate image and design. “The efforts of our city and state leaders, numerous organizations and the people of Kentucky during this difficult time exhibit the collaborative spirit and endurance of our neighbors. We want to do our part to help those working on the frontlines to overcome this adversity and help our community emerge stronger than ever.”

The hand sanitizer comprises 80% alcohol, aloe vera gel and a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, along with natural ingredients added for scent. The bottles are made with recyclable glass. Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. will continue to produce and distribute their hand sanitizer on a regular basis. They are working with city officials to identify organizations in need.

Alltech

Farmers and Ranchers Committed to US Food Supply

Cindy Zimmerman

America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to doing all they can do to maintain the nation’s food supply amid growing challenges posed by COVID-19.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Zippy Duvall, along with Chalmers Carr, a peach farmer in South Carolina, and John Boelts, a produce farmer in Arizona, gave an update on how farmers are dealing with the situation.

U.S. food and agriculture are included among 16 critical industries approved by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and aid packages are being considered for farmers and ranchers.

Farm Bureau released its first assessment of the impact of coronavirus on farmers and ranchers Wednesday. Labor, supply chain issues and possible price manipulation top the list of immediate issues farmers are raising with the national organization.

Others on the call answering reporters’ questions were AFBF Executive Vice President Dale Moore, Chief Economist John Newton and Congressional Relations Director Allison Crittenden.

AFBF press call 3-20-20 (55:12)

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Industry Ag News 3/20

Carrie Muehling

  • Kynetec announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Daniel Wirth as CEO of Kynetec and the Kleffmann Group. This appointment follows the recent announcement that Kynetec and the Kleffmann Group, both global leaders in market research in Agriculture and Animal Health, are merging.
  • AAEA The Agricultural Communicators Network is postponing its Centennial Reception and Regional Meeting on April 23 and 24 in Chicago to later this fall and will be refunding the registration fees. More details on alternate plans will be released soon. The 2020 Agricultural Media Summit, July 25-29, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri is still on, so save the date!
  • “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish” is now available from Feeding Minds Press, the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s publishing venture.
  • W. Scott Downey, Purdue University professor of agricultural economics, has been named director of Purdue’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business.
  • Just in time for National Ag Day, the Georgia Peanut Commission is proud to announce the release of a newly published children’s book, “A Home Run for Peanuts.” Written by South Dakota author Amanda Radke and illustrated by Minnesota artist Michelle Weber, “A Home Run For Peanuts” takes young readers on fun adventures from a peanut farm to the baseball park.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors has approved $739,693 in research project funding for the 2020-21 research budget year. This action was taken during the commission’s March board meeting. The research projects approved include 40 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
  • The National Agri-Marketing Association is pleased to announce the winners of the Next Gen NAMA Award.This award was developed to celebrate the next generation of leaders. Honorees are nominated from within their company or through chapter or national leadership. The recipients for 2020 are Meg Becker, Provimi/Cargill; Carrie Isaacson, Broadhead; and, Rachel Robinson, American Angus Association.
  • Whether you’re hitting the road for a run or a drive, now you can do so with high-performing, soy biobased rubber technology. U.S. soy is now available in Skechers footwear thanks to their collaboration with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
  • Swanson Russell led the competition and received 31 awards, including two Best of Shows and a Special Judge’s Citation, at the Nebraska ADDY Awards February 22 in Omaha. The winning work was created and executed on behalf of 18 clients in numerous categories.
  • As rural communities brace for the arrival of the novel coronavirus, a coalition of organization representing rural communities is urging the administration to ensure that the rural health care system has adequate resources and support to respond to this crisis. Read the letter here.
  • The Agricultural Retailers Association sent a letter to President Trump underscoring the priorities identified by its members to be addressed during the COVID-19 pandemic and related limitations on businesses.
Zimfo Bytes

Coronavirus is Latest Threat to Ethanol Industry

Cindy Zimmerman

The impact that coronavirus is having on the energy markets is just the latest threat to the solvency of the U.S. ethanol industry, coming on top of weather, trade disputes and small refinery waivers that hurt producers last year.

In a media conference call Thursday, Renewable Fuels Association leaders discussed the impact of these hits on ethanol producers and the communities and customers they serve.

Geoff Cooper, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association
Jeanne McCaherty, CEO, Guardian Energy Management; Vice Chairman, RFA
Randy Doyal, CEO, Al-Corn Clean Fuel; Board Member, RFA
Chad Friese, General Manager, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co.; Board Member, RFA.
Scott Richman, Chief Economist, RFA

RFA call ethanol industry coronavirus impact (54:33)

Audio, Ethanol, RFA

NCBA Urges Steps to Maintain Beef Supply

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is working to maintain an adequate supply of beef for U.S. consumers during the current COVID-19 outbreak.

NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says they have taken a number of steps to help protect the value chain, starting with sending a request to Vice President Mike Pence for assurance that meat inspection services will continue to move forward. “It’s critically important that these functions remain in place and those workers stay engaged to ensure that we can continue to process cattle and get them to their retail destinations in a timely manner.”

Lane outlines other steps they are taking in this statement.

Ethan Lane, NCBA VP of Government Affairs (6:39)

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Agriculture Groups Urge Action on Farm Labor

Cindy Zimmerman

Agriculture organizations are urging immediate action on the evolving farm labor situation to avoid impacting the nation’s food supply during this critical time.

The Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) called on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to recognize all H-2A as well as any other non-immigrant visa petition involving an agricultural worker visa consular processing functions as essential and direct U.S. Consulates to treat all agricultural worker appointments as emergency visa services.

The move came after Monday’s announcement by the Department of State’s decision to suspend regular visa processing at the embassy in Mexico City and all consulates in Mexico in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While USDA did clarify the State Department will be prioritizing workers eligible for the in-person interview waiver, the agency’s own data show that this process will only cover a portion of the workers needed to help produce this country’s food.

“We agree that governments and the private sector must take all necessary precautions to reduce further transmission of the virus in our communities, however those steps must be proportional and reasonable,” the groups write. “The Food and Agriculture Sector remains critical at this trying time and must be able to continue to provide sustenance.”

AWC is comprised of more than a dozen agricultural organizations, including American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, National Milk Producers Federation and others.

AFBF held a press call Wednesday to discuss how coronavirus is impacting farmers and ranchers. On the call were AFBF President Zippy Duvall, Executive Vice President Dale Moore, Chief Economist John Newton, VP Public Affairs Paul Schlegel, and Congressional Relations Director Allison Crittenden.

AFBF on Coronavirus and agriculture (39:54)

Ag Groups, Audio, labor

Precision Ag News 3/18

Carrie Muehling

  • The Soil Health Partnership will launch a new podcast called “The People of Soil Health” on April 7, 2020. The Podcast will provide a direct connection into the network of soil health professionals who are focused on the on-farm economic and environmental benefits of soil health.
  • With concerns about large gatherings growing around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many trade shows and events have been cancelled. Thanks to its industry-leading online bidding system and mobile application, Ritchie Bros. will continue to conduct regular onsite auctions, with minor, temporary changes to the process and procedure of those events.
  • February 2020 saw mixed results in overall U.S. sales of tractors and self-propelled combines. The bright spot was 4WD and 100+ horsepower tractors which showed healthy gains year over year, however, overall tractor and combine sales fell for February, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. total farm tractor sales decreased 7.5 percent in February compared to last year while U.S. February self-propelled combine sales fell 21.1 percent.
  • Indigo Agriculture, a company dedicated to harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet, announces its integration with the John Deere Operations Center to link on-farm agronomic data between technology ecosystems.
  • Registration is open for the InfoAg Conference, scheduled for July 28th-30th, 2020 at the Union Station, St. Louis, MO. InfoAg is the premier conference to advance modern agriculture through data driven solutions.
  • To further its global commitment of providing growers with the most innovative, sustainable and technically-advanced agricultural solutions, Bayer has opened its new smart, state-of-the-art, automated greenhouse facility in Marana, Ariz.
AgWired Precision, Precision Ag Bytes

COVID-19 Restrictions Could Impact Food Supply

Cindy Zimmerman

Beginning today, the United States will suspend routine immigrant and nonimmigrant processing visa services in Mexico indefinitely, including immigrant workers approved under the H-2A guest worker program who are needed to help farmers and ranchers get food in the grocery stores.

“The decision to halt visa application processing in Mexico will restrict the number of immigrant workers being allowed to enter the country,” said American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall. “Under the new restrictions, American farmers will not have access to all of the skilled immigrant labor needed at a critical time in the planting season. This threatens our ability to put food on Americans’ tables.”

Farm Bureau is urging USDA, the State Department and the White House to find “safe, practical ways to admit farm laborers as emergency workers for visa purposes while still protecting public health.”

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) renewed its call for government help to prevent a severe labor shortage from becoming a crisis, since Mexico is a very important source of labor for U.S. hog farmers and packing plants.

“I want to underscore that our farms and plants are not in crisis today,” said NPPC President Howard “A.V.” Roth, a pork producer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. “Farmers are the foundation and heart of the food supply system. Hog farmers and others in the pork industry are doing their part to ensure American kitchens are well-stocked. But we are very concerned about the recent State Department announcement regarding consulates in Mexico and the implications for our operations.”

NPPC is specifically asking for clarity from the U.S. Department of Transportation that farms are part of the critical domestic infrastructure needed to produce the food that feeds America and the world to ensure the uninterrupted supply of commercial feed and other production inputs to farms, as well as the transport of livestock from farm to market. Hog farmers also have concerns about the potential shortage of standard supplies such as boot covers, coveralls and disinfectants needed to maintain high standards of biosecurity, animal care and food safety. NPPC would also like to see provisions in the pending congressional relief package to provide financial support for childcare for farm and plant workers.

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