President Donald Trump gathered farmers and ranchers and other stakeholders at the White House on Monday for the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement.
In his remarks prior to the signing, President Trump talked about the many agricultural commodities that will benefit from the new agreement.
President Trump remarks on signing of Japan agreement
Trade disputes, tariffs and negotiations are a significant factor when looking at the future of agriculture around the world.
The Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue last week included a panel on trade featuring Iowa farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association Pam Johnson.
Johnson says a free trade world is a necessity for agriculture. “Trade wars are not easy to win and the tariffs are killing us.”
The panel also included Dirk Backhaus, Bayer Crop Science division; Rodrigo C.A. Lima, Agroicone; and Okisegere Ojepat, Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya.
Bayer Future of Farming Trade Panel DiscussionIn this interview, Johnson talks about USMCA and other trade issues for U.S. farmers.
Interview with Pam Johnson, Iowa farmer
Industry stakeholders reacted positively to the Trump Administration biofuels plan announced Friday, under which the Environmental Protection Agency will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020 and on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel is met. While it promises to account for small refinery exemptions going forward, it does not make up for the millions of gallons already lost under the SREs that have already been granted.
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the plan is “a crucial step toward repairing the damage done by EPA’s small refinery waivers and re-establishes the RFS as a driver of growth in the production and use of low carbon renewable fuels.”
Interview with RFA CEO Geoff Cooper on administration biofuels planAmerican Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings says it’s good EPA will account for waivers beginning in 2020 but bad that they are “doing nothing to reallocate the more than 4 billion gallons of RFS blending obligations waived for refineries from the 2016, 2017 and 2018 compliance years.”
Interview with ACE CEO Brian Jennings on administration biofuels planNational Biodiesel Board Vice President of Federal Affairs Kurt Kovarik says, “Proper accounting of the exemptions is vital to ensure that the annual RFS volumes send a reliable signal to biodiesel producers, who are making investments and plans for the future.”
Interview with NBB VP Kurt Kovarik on administration biofuels plan (6:48)The National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross, who personally spoke with President Trump when he visited an Iowa ethanol plant in June, thanked him for listening and putting the RFS back on track. “Corn farmers weren’t shy in telling the President that the impact of these waivers would lead to significant consequences for farmers, folks working at ethanol and biodiesel plants, and the countless other rural jobs that depend on this market.”
Ross participated in a press conference the day before the announcement was made last week, saying that all they were asking for is that EPA uphold the RFS.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler and USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued joint statements on an agreement promoting biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard.
“President Trump’s leadership has led to an agreement that continues to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel production, supporting our Nation’s farmers and providing greater energy security,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Today’s agreement is the latest in a series of steps we have taken to expand domestic energy production and improve the RFS program that will result in sustained biofuel production to help American farmers.”
“President Trump has once again demonstrated that he is a champion for our nation’s farmers and rural America,” said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. “The President recognizes that American farmers are the most productive in the world, and he has found a way to pursue policy that promotes economic growth and supports our producers. Building on the success of the year-round E15 rule, this forward-looking agreement makes improvements to the RFS program that will better harness the production of our farmers and ensure America remains energy dominant.”
The announcement today outlines the following actions to be taken by EPA and USDA:
EPA will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020.
EPA will seek comment on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply beginning in 2020, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel is met. This will include accounting for relief expected to be provided for small refineries.
EPA intends to take final action on this front later this year.
In addition, EPA will initiate a rulemaking process to streamline labeling and remove other barriers to the sale of E15 and continue to evaluate options for RIN market transparency and reform. USDA will seek opportunities through the budget process to consider infrastructure projects to facilitate higher biofuel blends. And finally, the Administration will continue to work to address ethanol and biodiesel trade issues.
Biofuel and farmer organizations are thanking the administration for this action which they say would put the RFS back on track.
Fellow agricultural leaders from Georgia both introduced new podcasts this week.
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue introduced “The Sonnyside of the Farm,” a monthly podcast with new editions every first Friday of the month.
Born and raised on a family farm in middle Georgia, Secretary Perdue is an agriculturalist through and through – having worked as a veterinarian, owning his own grain business, serving as Governor of Georgia and now serving as a member of President Trump’s cabinet as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He’ll be talking to everyone – from Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duval, Farm Broadcaster Max Armstrong and so many others – about the issues facing America’s farmers, ranchers, producers and foresters today.
Listen to Sonnyside of the Farm on SoundCloud
Meanwhile, American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall kicked off his new podcast “Farmside Chat” earlier this week and the inaugural episode features his friend Secretary Sonny.
Farmside Chat will take a closer look at modern farming in America, explore the latest agricultural innovations and bring listeners right alongside the people who are growing our food, fuel and fiber. On this monthly podcast, AFBF President Duvall will chat with farmers, leaders, and lawmakers around the country about what goes into growing a safe and sustainable food supply.
Listen to Farmside Chat on SoundCloud
We are happy to welcome Sonny and Zippy to the world of farmpodcasting, something we have been doing since 2005!
Ethanol producers and corn farmers held a telephone press conference Wednesday to spotlight recent research on the impacts of ethanol plant closings, a new survey on voter attitudes about ethanol, and a potential White House agreement to promote further renewable fuels use.
The main message from Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper, new National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross, and others on the call, is that they need to see the EPA do something to account for gallons lost to small refinery exemptions, as required under the law.
Commenting on news reports this week that the administration is close to making an announcement on a package to help, Cooper said it can’t come soon enough. “Each day that passes without a resolution is one step closer to the abyss” for farmers and ethanol plants. He talked about 18 plants that have closed permanently or temporarily recently and how that impacts the community.
RFA Chairman Neil Koehler with Pacific Ethanol, which has shut down one of its plants, says he has been in the ethanol business for 35 years. “This is the worst year we have ever experienced,” and it is the direct result of EPA granting the small refinery exemptions without redistributing those gallons.
“We are not asking for anything other than for EPA to uphold the RFS,” said Ross. “This issue has certainly hurt a lot of markets for farmers and created more of an issue going into a fall where we need markets opened up and we need crops to move.”
Also on the call were farmer Brian Thalmann, immediate past president of Minnesota Corn Growers, and Al-Corn Clean Fuel CEO Randy Doyal.
Listen to opening remarks:
RFA call on ethanol industry issues
A year after its acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer remains more committed than ever before to investments in new data science and technologies for food production.
“We are very proud of our leading R&D pipeline with 75 projects in seed & traits, crop protection and Digital Ag pipelines,” said Bob Reiter, Head of Research and Development for the Crop Science Division. “With hundreds of new hybrids and varieties commercialized annually, we are best-positioned to discover, combine and tailor solutions for growers around the world.”
In 2018, Bayer invested about $2.5 billion in Crop Science R&D on a pro forma basis – more than any other competitor in the industry. Some 7,300 scientists are working in over 35 R&D sites and more than 175 breeding stations to deliver innovation. Most recently, the company finalized an agreement with biopharmaceutical research company Arvinas to create a joint venture – newly named Oerth Bio (pronounced “Earth”) – and explore how molecular-degrading proteins found in plants and animals can protect crops against threatening pests and diseases.
Listen to Reiter’s remarks during the Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue held this week in Germany.
Bob Reiter, Head of Research & Development, Bayer
America’s Pig Farmer of the Year for 2019-2020 is Chris Hoffman from McAlisterville, Pennsylvania. The award recognizes the pig farmers who exemplify industry leadership, a demonstrated focus in raising pigs following the We Care ethical principles and a commitment to connecting consumers with the farmers who raise the pork they consume.
Hoffman was named America’s Pig Farmer of the Year after an on-farm audit of animal health, safety and management practices, a series of personal interviews and an online vote. Since being named to the position, Hoffman said he’s excited to lead discussions with consumers and food retailers in order to help promote pig farming and demonstrate farmers’ commitment to always doing the right thing for their animals, the environment and the families who consume their product.
Though he originally aspired to work in law enforcement, Hoffman found himself in the business of raising pigs and discovered it to be his ideal career. He’s faced challenges unique to being a first-generation pig farmer, but with a progressive yet realistic philosophy, he’s been able to gradually grow and evolve his Lazy Hog Farm to integrate the next generation and secure a bright future.
Learn more about Hoffman and the America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Award at americaspigfarmer.com.
