Groups Urge Trump to Stop EPA Changes to RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuels stakeholder organizations have sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to “act quickly to prevent actions” at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that threaten to undermine future growth of the biofuels industry under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“If the proposed changes are finalized, EPA’s actions would cause severe harm to our industry, undermining your efforts to drive economic growth and secure America’s status as the global leader in biofuel production,” wrote the 11 organizations, which include the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), National Biodiesel Board (NBB), and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

The letter is a response to rumors of EPA considering “drastic, unprecedented changes” designed to benefit petroleum refiners in which U.S. biofuel export volumes would count towards compliance with the RFS, on top of EPA’s reduction in the total 2018 RFS renewable fuel blending requirements below the levels required in 2017 and consideration of further reductions to the 2018 RFS volumes.

In the letter, the groups clarified that they oppose any weakening of the 15 billion gallon conventional biofuel requirement, believe the proposed reduction of the 2018 advanced biofuel requirement is unwarranted and the current treatment of imports and exports under the RFS should be maintained.

AEM, Ag Groups, Biodiesel, Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Can-Am adds 50-Inch side-by-side to Maverick Family

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s time for fall hunting and lots of preparations are underway. I’ll be spending some work days later this week at the Crystal Pig Hunt Club in fact.

So, what will you be driving into the woods or wherever your hunt leads you? How about a brand new Can-Am Maverick?

Can-Am, unflinching in its sworn efforts to solidify its side-by-side vehicle lineup, introduces the 2018 Maverick Trail family of 50-in. (127 cm) class side-by-side vehicles. The new, two-person Can-Am vehicles present trail enthusiasts with new levels of control, convenience, comfort and versatility by supplying an agile, adventurous and confident platform. The Maverick Trail vehicles target off-road enthusiasts with their strategic proficiencies, dogged capabilities and resourceful customization options, helping owners and their passengers escape into nature. Can-Am Maverick family DNA further enhances the class-changing attributes with an impactful design that provides the Maverick Trail family with unmatched styling, durability and fit-and-finish.

The choices, specifications and overall description of this addition to the Can-Am lineup is too long to share here. But you can find out a lot more here.

Hunting

Percy is Demystifying Science at Bayer

Chuck Zimmerman

My main man Adrian Percy, Bayer CropScience, is definitely a voice to help people understand the highly technical world of science and agriculture today. I’m really happy to see him blogging about it! Here’s an excerpt from his latest in a 3-part series on the subject.

After many years involved in conducting research to evaluate the safety of our products, I’m still surprised that there are many people who not only don’t appreciate the incredible accomplishments of modern agriculture, but who also believe that its products and practices threaten people, wildlife and the environment. Where I see miraculous innovations that will help sustainably feed the world, they see a profit-driven industry with no regard to safety. Why do we view the world through such different lenses?

Why do we? And how do we educate people who are caught up in emotional movements that don’t have any basis in science or fact? I try to with my online channels and I’m glad that Adrian is too.

If you read Adrian’s post you’ll see him mention how so much information is shared “in a world where scientific debates are often framed by 140-character tweets.” I’d add that so many tweets are sent just on the emotion of the moment without careful thought about the message and its impact. Fortunately, companies like Bayer and many farm organizations are working diligently to use our new channels of communication to help with this process of demystifying science.

Bayer

Ag Export Coalition Urges Increased Funding for Export Programs

Cindy Zimmerman

More than 120 members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports are urging leaders of the House Committee on Agriculture to increase funding for USDA export promotion programs in the new farm bill.

The coalition ssent a letter to Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-TX), and Ranking Minority Member Collin Peterson (D-MN), asking them to increase funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) to $400 million annually and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program to $69 million annually, phasing in the additional funding over the life of the next farm bill. Coalition members include virtually all of the major commodity organizations, as well as state and regional groups, representing everything from apples to wine.

“Over the years we’ve had a decrease in funding based on sequestration, administrative costs, and just overall inflation and depreciation of the U.S. dollar,” said Mark Powers, president of Northwest Horticultural Council and chairman of the coalition. “It’s a very positive public-private partnership, but the real purchasing power of those matching funds provided to MAP and FMD has decreased over the years.”

MAP and FMD are cost-share programs. Overall, producers and other participants contributed matching funds representing 70 percent of total program funds in 2016. Federal MAP funding has been apportioned at an annual level of $200 million since 2006 and FMD at its annual level of $34.5 million since 2002.

In this interview, Powers talks about how successful the programs have been and how important exports are to specialty crop producers, and you can learn more at AgExportsCount.org. Interview with Mark Powers, NW Horticultural Council

Ag Groups, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, specialty crops

Animal Ag Bites 10/2

Kelly Marshall

AgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Bayer Showcasing Commitment to Cotton

Chuck Zimmerman

The Head of Seeds, North America, for Bayer CropScience is Lee Rivenbark. Lee was a lunchtime presenter during the Bayer Showcase Plot Tour in Lubbock, TX. I thought he would be a great person to provide an overview of why Bayer holds these events and especially the one in their new Cotton Breeding Station. He started out by telling me, “Today gives us a unique opportunity to interact with our growers. That’s what we’re here to do today.”

The event allows growers to hear about Bayer’s new technologies, germplasm, new varieties and commitment to agriculture and the cotton industry. Probably the most visible sign of that commitment is the Cotton Breeding Station itself. Growers got to tour the facility and see some of the equipment Bayer is using in its research. You can see photos from that part of the tour in the photo album below.

For more on what was going on during the day listen in to my interview with Lee: Interview with Lee Rivenbark, Bayer

Bayer Showcase Plot Tour – Lubbock, TX Photo Album

Agribusiness, AgWired Precision, Audio, Bayer, Cotton

GROWMARK Announces 2018 Essay Contest Theme

Carrie Muehling

For the past 25 years, GROWMARK has challenged students to think creatively about the future of agriculture and how cooperatives can continue to thrive and contribute to the industry through an annual essay contest.

This year’s 2018 GROWMARK Essay Contest asks students “How can cooperatives demonstrate their value to the next generation of agriculturists?” All high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin can participate.

GROWMARK invites students to submit essays online by November 10, 2017. Winning students in each state receive $500, with the winner’s FFA chapter receiving $300.

Agribusiness, AgWired Animal, FFA, GROWMARK

Zimfo Bytes 9/29

Kelly Marshall

  • Rural Media Group has brought Janet Shope on board as VP of Advertising Sales for RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 on SiriusXM. Shope has more than 20 years of Cable, Radio and Broadcast sales experience and was previously Senior Account Executive with Sinclair Broadcast Group.
  • The Georgia Peanut Commission is hosting “Photos from the Field,” a photo contest to help fill the pages of next year’s Georgia Peanut Calendar.  Contest submission forms are due October 1, 2017.
  • Brandon Willis, the former administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency, has released a new study exposing the misleading ideas in the Heritage Foundation’s narrative that there is no place for farm policy in America.  You can read the study in its entirety or catch up with seven key points here.
  • DTN has announced enhancements to DTN Connect, its innovative agriculture retailer offering.  The system’s consolidation of critical data provides insights for more informed conversations between users and their customers.
  • WinField is celebrating the opening of their new 55,000 square-foot facility.  The United Innovation Center replaces the former WinField Product Development Center and Spray Analysis System.
  • Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union, released a response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of proposed lower obligations for renewable fuel usage under the Renewable Fuel Standard.  The proposal reduces obligations for total renewable fuel volumes, biomass-based diesel, and advanced biofuel if finalized.
  • The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has announced a winner in the Purple Plow Challenge.  Kitchen to Garden to Kitchen, a homeschool team from Port Orange, Florida, received a 3-D printer and gift card to support future educational investments.

SaveSave

AgWired Precision, Zimfo Bytes

Leading the Agriculture Conversation

Carrie Muehling

Wisconsin native and owner of Ag Inspirations Kim Bremmer spoke to those attending this year’s NAMA Fall Conference, instilling the idea that it is important to continue to lead the conversation of agriculture and to do it better.

“The story of agriculture is much bigger than anything that can be put on a label at the grocery store, or can be advertised in a new fancy ad campaign on the television at night,” says Bremmer. “Our story and the success story of American agriculture is so much bigger than that, and we all have to be prepared to better talk about it.”

Bremmer complimented the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance for their efforts and resources, including the recent movie Food Evolution, as well as the group’s Discovering Farmland school curriculum, based on the movie Farmland. With the average consumer four generations removed from the farm, Bremmer says it’s important for the agriculture conversation to happen on both a large scale and in one-on-one conversations.

Listen to Cindy’s interview with Kim Bremmer here: Interview with Kim Bremmer, Ag Inspirations

See NAMA Fall Conference photos here.

2017 NAMA Fall Conference photo album

Audio, NAMA, USFRA

AFBF Marketbasket Survey Shows Food Price Increase

Carrie Muehling

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Fall Harvest Marketbasket Survey shows a three percent increase in the total cost of 16 food items over last year’s prices. Foods costing more include bacon, chicken breast, and sliced deli ham, as well as orange juice and flour. The cost of bacon rose the most, up 19 percent to $5.24 per pound. AFBF’s Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton explains the increase.

“Bacon was up significantly because of the lower inventory and higher prices of pork bellies. We saw a rally in wholesale bacon prices this summer and fall which is being reflected at the retail level,” Newton says. “Bacon is a sexy food item in restaurants and everywhere else, creating an inventory decline and thus a price increase.”

Newton says supply and demand for chicken is also tight, driving prices higher. Lower supplies of oranges are impacting the cost of orange juice, which could be further impacted by recent hurricanes in citrus growing areas. The informal quarterly survey did show four items decreasing in price: eggs, ground chuck, bagged salad and potatoes. The survey shows the farmer’s share of the $51.13 marketbasket would be approximately $8.00.

AFBF, AgWired Animal