17 Nov 2015

Iowa Biodiesel Leaders Hit the Hill to Urge Tax Incentive Reform

By Iowa Biodielsel Board

Iowa Biodiesel Board members ask Congress to extend incentive for two years

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of the Iowa Biodiesel Board are in Washington, D.C. today to urge Iowa's Congressional delegation to extend the incentive for biodiesel for two years, through 2016. They are also asking for a restructuring of the $1-per-gallon credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel.

Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, issued the following statement:

"Nowhere is the success of the tax credit more evident than in Iowa. Our state's 13 plants produced more than a quarter of a billion gallons of biodiesel last year, supporting jobs and economic development while replacing foreign oil and diversifying our fuel supply. The federal tax incentive has played a key role in enabling those plants to stay operating and profitable, benefiting all levels of our economy.

"Yet Congress has put our state's biodiesel producers in the unusual position of becoming high-stakes gamblers with their business decisions for the last several years. Congress has allowed the tax incentive to lapse four times in the past six years, including this year. Even though they have reinstated it retroactively each time, this unpredictable approach is no way for an industry to run.

"In addition to extending the current $1 per gallon tax credit for biodiesel for 2015 and through 2016, our industry leaders are asking Congress to restructure the incentive from a blender's credit to a producer's credit. This is critical because the current structure allows foreign biodiesel producers to take advantage of the credit if their fuel is blended in the U.S.

"It's just rational that we use our taxpayer money to stimulate domestic energy growth, like the impressive renewable energy industry Iowa has built, rather than subsidizing foreign producers with our tax dollars. That obviously wasn't the intent of Congress. Once again, we are grateful to Sen. Chuck Grassley for his leadership on this important energy issue."

Sen. Grassley, R-Iowa, has sponsored a bill that would correct the loophole in the existing program. According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, this reform would save U.S. taxpayers $90 million.

The farmers and producers have scheduled meetings with the entire Iowa delegation - Sen. Grassley (R), Sen. Joni Ernst (R), Rep. Rod Blum (R), Rep. David Young (R), Rep. Dave Loebsack (D), and Rep. Steve King (R).

Biodiesel - made from a variety of resources including soybean oil, recycled cooking oil and animal fats - is the first EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel to reach commercial-scale production nationwide.


The Iowa Biodiesel Board is a state trade association representing the biodiesel industry.

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17 Nov 2015

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Travel to Japan to Discuss Trans-Pacific Partnership, Strong U.S.-Japan Trade

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will travel to Tokyo, Japan, November 19-21 to meet with his counterparts and underscore the strong, decades-long partnership between the United States and Japan. Japan is the fifth largest market for U.S. agricultural exports.

The United States concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Japan and 10 other nations on October 5, 2015.  Countries in the Trans-Pacific Partnership currently account for up to 42 percent of all U.S. agricultural exports, totaling $63 billion. Thanks to this agreement and its removal of trade barriers, American agricultural exports to the region are poised to expand even further.

Secretary Vilsack will meet with Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hiroshi Moriyama, Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare Yasuhisa Shiozaki, and other Japanese and U.S. government officials.

"The bilateral U.S.-Japanese relationship is important to the prosperity of both countries, and I look forward to using my time in Japan to strengthen our bond for years to come," said Vilsack. "This is my first meeting with both Ministers, and I intend to underscore how the TPP will strengthen trade throughout the Pacific Rim region, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs in the food and agricultural sectors in the United States and Japan, alike," Vilsack said.

Vilsack will also meet with U.S. exporters and Japanese importers, and participate in a Town Hall meeting with Japanese high school and college students as well as young farmers to underscore our nations' strong bond and the importance of young people entering into production agriculture.

Japan purchased more than $13 billion in U.S. food and agricultural products in fiscal year 2015.  The top U.S. agricultural commodities shipped to Japan are coarse grains, red meats, soybeans, tree nuts and fresh processed fruits and vegetables.

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17 Nov 2015

the daughter of peanut farmers: an interview with krysta harden

By USDA Office of Communications

November 10, 2015 in female farmer project

It's a chilly October morning, I arrive just before her at The People's Garden and take the opportunity to enjoy the bees and many birds that are flitting around. Even though a few of the beds are being prepped for winter, there were peppers still on the bushes, vibrant chard, and beets in the ground. I was unaware this small, organic urban farm existed right here off the National Mall, open to all visitors, year 'round.

The People's Garden is on the grounds of the USDA building in Washington D.C. - it features a sampling of the agricultural commodities and tree samplings grown here in the United States. There is also a Three Sisters Garden featuring Native American heritage corn, beans and squash, rain gardens, an apiary, and a weekly farmers market.

I was surprised by her arrival - she found me crouched between the beds, entranced by the gorgeous vegetables and flowers in the shadow of our nation's capital building; "Hi, I'm Krysta" she said smiling as I stood to meet her.

'Krysta' is Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, of the United States Department of Agriculture. We have a POTUS, a FLOTUS and SCOTUS so in my mind, she's the FFOTUS; Female Farmer of the United States. She's a self-described daughter of peanut farmers and rightly proud of her heritage. Hailing from a multi-generational farming family, her parents still farm the mid-sized peanut, corn, cotton and vegetable farm in Georgia where she was raised.

The US Senate unanimously confirmed Deputy Secretary Harden in August of 2013. In the short two years since then, she's championed many causes from the Farm Bill to cultivating the next generation of farmers, but one that has a special interest to us both, and is what brought us together that morning -- Women in Agriculture.

As we wandered around the garden beds, sharing recipe ideas and enjoying the scents of fresh dirt as we unearthed a few carrots and beets, we talked of challenges in the public perception of agriculture and how she sees her role in helping to create access for female farmers.

You have implemented a lot of programs including the 2008 Farm Bill, the Hunger-Free Kids Act and the recent collaboration with NASA. What programs are you working on now that will affect women in agriculture?

At the end of October, I spoke at the National FFA convention and announced the launch of a new website to help farmers and ranchers get started, www.usda.gov/newfarmers. This site includes a discovery tool, specifically tailored to the needs of new farmers.

It also includes a whole section on women in agriculture in which you can find leadership opportunities and other resources. I started the Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network last February to help women help each other. It is through this forum that women can get advice and communicate with one another in order to continue to grow. If anyone is interested in joining the network, they can e-mail agwomenlead@usda.gov
16 Nov 2015

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Harden to Lead USDA Sub-Saharan Africa Trade Mission

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2015 - Leaders from five state departments of agriculture and 26 U.S. agribusinesses and organizations will accompany Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden on a mission to sub-Saharan Africa Nov. 16 to Nov. 20, to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products in that market.

"Sub-Saharan Africa's strong economic outlook, growing middle class, and surging demand for consumer-oriented foods creates a promising market for U.S. food and agricultural products," Harden said. "Over the past decade, U.S. agricultural exports to this region increased by more than 50 percent, totaling $2.3 billion in 2014."

The mission includes 22 U.S. companies and four U.S. agricultural commodity trade associations representing a variety of agricultural products including grains and feeds, peanuts, soybeans, meat and poultry products, agricultural machinery, and more.

Harden noted that many of the participants are small or medium-sized enterprises owned by women, minorities and/or veterans. The mission will also include leaders from the Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas departments of agriculture.

The delegation will meet with potential customers from more than a dozen countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, forging relationships and learning about the market conditions and business environment in the region. This first-hand intelligence will help them develop strategies to start or expand sales to these key markets.

Top Sub-Saharan Africa markets for U.S. agricultural and related products last year included Nigeria ($847 million), Angola ($298 million) South Africa ($259 million), Ghana ($129 million), Kenya ($69 million) and Ethiopia ($83 million).

U.S. Companies Participating in the Sub-Saharan Africa Agribusiness Trade Mission:

1. Agribusiness United Inc., Savannah, Ga.

2. Arkansas World Trade Center, Rogers, Ark.

3. Case New Holland Industrial, Washington, D.C.

4. Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, Springfield, Ill.

5. GEMCO, New York, N.Y.

6. Grain Handler, Inc., Lakeville, Minn.

7. Hakan USA, Broadway, Va.

8. Kaivalya, LLC, Lanham, Md.

9. Kiwi International, Roswell, Ga.

10. Klausner Trading, Inc., Myrtle Beach, S.C.

11. Lamex, Bloomington, Minn.

12. LT International Trading Company, Wilmington, N.C.

13. Meat Team, Ltd., Los Angeles, Calif.

14. Mountaire Farms Inc., Millsboro, Del.

15. Premium Peanut, LLC, Douglas, Ga.

16. Pristina Capital Partners, Midland Park, N.J.

17. Suma Trading LLC, Swedesboro, N.J.

18. TRC Trading Corporation, Roseville, Calif.

19. Tysons Foods, Inc., Springdale, Ark.

20. United Source One, Belcamp, Md.

21. Virginia Natural Beef, Inc., Lexington, Va.

22. Zafi Beverages, Bensenville, Ill.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperators Participating in the Sub-Saharan Africa Agribusiness Trade Mission:

1. American Soybean Association, St. Louis, Mo.

2. USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, Stone Mountain, Ga.

3. U.S. Meat Export Federation, Denver, Colo.

4. USA Rice Federation, Arlington, Va.

USDA trade missions open doors and deliver results for U.S. exporters, giving them the opportunity to forge relationships with potential customers and foreign government officials, as well as to gather market intelligence that will help develop strategies to expand sales in key markets overseas. Sign up for more information at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFAS/subscriber/new.

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13 Nov 2015

Pest Management Featured at Ag Chemical Dealer Update

By Angela M. Orr

"Managing Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome and Northern Corn Leaf Blight in 2016," by Daren Mueller, Iowa State University Extension Plant Pathologist, is one of the presentations featured at the November 24 Agricultural Chemical Dealer Update in Iowa City, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  Other topics include herbicide resistance, corn rootworm management, and new sprayer technology.  While the target audience is individuals who provide advice to farmers, it is open to the public.

Continuing Education Units will be available for Certified Crop Advisors and 2015 Continuing Instruction Course credit will be available to agricultural Commercial Pesticide Applicators.

Contact your local Iowa State University County Extension for more information.

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13 Nov 2015

Ag Chemical Dealer Meeting

By Angela M. Orr

Agricultural crop consultants and input suppliers will want to attend the Agricultural Chemical Dealer Update in Iowa City on November 24, 2015, according to Virgil Schmitt, Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist.  "These meetings are an excellent opportunity for crop consultants and input providers to meet with Extension specialists to review current research, discuss new products, and learn of new recommendations," Schmitt said.  "We feature presentations on weed, insect and crop disease management as well as sprayer technology," he continued.

The meeting is approved for 6.5 Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits and also offers Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator recertification in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 10.  Attendance at the entire meeting is required for recertification.

Early registration, which includes CCA credits and pesticide applicator recertification, is $70 if received by midnight, Nov 18, 2015.  Late or on-site registration is $85. Visit www.aep.iastate.edu/acu for program details or to register online.

For additional information contact Virgil Schmitt at vschmitt@iastate.edu or (563) 263-5701.

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11 Nov 2015

Forest Service Report Highlights Restoration Progress Made Despite Growing Challenges

By USDA Office of Communications
Agency Funding Fix Still Needed to Complete Necessary Work to Make Forests More Resilient to Fire

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2015 -- The U.S. Forest Service has increased the pace and scale of forest restoration by nine percent since 2011, according to a report released today. The significant progress comes in the face of mounting challenges to the agency including record droughts, longer wildfire seasons and the increasing percentage of the agency's budget spent fighting wildland fires.

Despite the gains, at least 65 million National Forest System acres are still in need of restoration work. The rising cost of wildfire suppression, as fires have become more intense and more expensive to fight in recent years, has taken funding away from restoration, watershed and wildlife programs, limiting the Forest Service's ability to do the work that would prevent fires in the first place.

With a record 52 percent of the Forest Service's budget dedicated to fighting wildfire in 2015, compared to just 16 percent in 1995, the Forest Service's ability to do more restoration work within the current budget structure is severely constrained by the increasing proportion of resources spent on fire.

Before a single fire broke out in 2015, the Forest Service started the Fiscal Year with a budget of $115 million less for all work not related to fire than the previous year. Budget constraints have also reduced staffing for restoration, watershed and recreation by nearly 40 percent, from about 18,000 in 1998 to fewer than 11,000 people in 2015.

"The Forest Service has made tremendous progress in conducting restoration work to keep our forests healthy and resilient. However, because of the growing cost of fighting more frequent and dangerous wildfires, much of the work that supports healthy forests is being starved", Vilsack said. "The magnitude of the crisis demands that we cannot go another year without a solution to the Forest Service's broken fire budget. There is broad agreement that we need to fix the way we pay for wildfires. We have provided Congress with a straightforward solution to enable us to do the work we need to do and now it is up to Congress to act."

The bipartisan Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, already introduced in the House and Senate, is an important step forward in addressing the funding problems. The proposed legislation, which mirrors a similar proposal in President Obama's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget, would provide a fiscally responsible mechanism to treat wildfires more like other natural disasters, end "fire transfers" and partially replenish the ability to restore resilient forests and protect against future fire outbreaks. The bill would increase the acres the Forest Service could treat annually by one million acres and increase timber outputs by 300 million board feet annually.

The Restoration Report shows that in 2014 the Forest Service treated more than 4.6 million acres, an area larger than New Jersey and an increase of 9 percent, or 400,000 acres, compared to restoration activities performed in 2011. These treatments reduced the potential impact of future wildfires and produced 2.8 billion board feet of timber volume, enough for 93,000 single-family homes, compared to 2.5 billion board feet in 2011.

Healthy forests and grasslands provide Americans with clean air and water, wood products, energy, recreation opportunities, and habitat for fish and wildlife. Healthy forests are also better able to withstand the stresses of drought, a changing climate and wildfire.

The Report puts a spotlight on key partners that are helping the Forest Service increase the pace, scale and impact of restoration work. It also examines the Forest Service's expansion of the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLR) to high-priority landscapes in 15 states. CFLR has reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire on 1.45 million acres of forest and generated more than $661 million in local income and helped create or maintain an average of 4,360 jobs per year.

Some other highlights contained in the report include :

  • The agency helped facilitate investment in more than 230 wood-to-energy projects with a combined investment of nearly $1 billion in grants, loans and loan guarantees since 2009.
  • Since 2011, the Forest Service has restored 1.2 million acres of insect and disease-infested forests, resulting in 470,000 green tons of biomass.
  • Since 2012, the Forest Service has identified more than 300 priority watersheds and completed restoration work to improve the condition of 53 of those watersheds.

The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the U.S. Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

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09 Nov 2015

U.S. Soybean Farmers Continue to Deliver on What Customers Want

By United Soybean Board
U.S. farmers sent 59 percent of soy production overseas in last marketing year ST. LOUIS (Nov. 9, 2015) - International customers want high-quality, reliable products, and that's what U.S. soybean farmers keep delivering - literally. In the most recent marketing year, the United States exported more than 2.3 billion bushels of U.S. soy, valued at more than $27 billion.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the final export total for the 2014/2015 marketing year, which ended September 30, includes more than 1.8 billion bushels of whole U.S. soybeans, meal from 552 million bushels of U.S. soybeans and oil from 172 million bushels. Exports accounted for 59 percent of U.S. soy demand this past marketing year.

"As a U.S. soybean farmer, I take pride in growing a high-quality product for my customers, whether they're five miles away or 5,000," says Bob Metz, United Soybean Board international opportunities target area coordinator, member of the U.S. Soybean Export Council board of directors and soybean farmer from Peever, South Dakota. "These numbers show not only how much our international customers rely on our soybeans, but also how much we rely on our customers."

Top buyers of whole U.S. soybeans in 2014/2015 include :
• China: 1.084 billion bushels
• Mexico: 130 million bushels
• Japan: 78 million bushels

Top buyers of U.S. soybean meal include :
• Mexico: meal from 85 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• Philippines: meal from 66 million bushels
• Canada: meal from 39 million bushels

Top buyers of U.S. soybean oil include :
• Mexico: oil from 46 million bushels of U.S. soybeans
• Dominican Republic: oil from 22 million bushels
• Peru: oil from 19 million bushels

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

The U.S. Soybean Export Council connects U.S. soybean farmers with opportunities to improve human nutrition, livestock production and aquaculture. This mission is accomplished with a science-based technical foundation and a global network of partnerships including soybean farmers, exporters, agribusiness and agricultural organizations, researchers and government agencies. USSEC operates internationally and works with aquaculture programs in different nations to help ensure sustainability and profitability for industry producers. USSEC programs are partially funded by the United Soybean Board (USB).

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06 Nov 2015

ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County Calendar, lNov 2015

By Amanda Heitz
November 6, 2015 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10-2 p.m

November 11, 2015 Ornamental & Turf Applicators Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 12, 2015 Parenting Successful Kids, Scott County Extension 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

November 17, 2015 Fumigation Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 18, 2015 Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Mgmt Pest Management, Scott County Extension, 9-11:30 a.m.

November 26, 2015 EXTENSION OFFICE CLOSED

November 27, 2015 EXTENSION OFFICE CLOSED

December 1, 2015 Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.

December 2, 2015 Pest Control Operators, Scott County Extension Office, 9:00a.m.-11:30a.m.

December 4, 2015 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10:00a.m.-2:00p.m.

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/
06 Nov 2015

Investing in Opportunity in Indian Country

By USDA Office of Communications
Posted by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

USDA celebrates National Native American Heritage Month in November with a blog series focused on USDA's support of Tribal Nations and highlighting a number of our efforts throughout Indian Country and Alaska. Follow along on the USDA blog.

Earlier today, I met with leaders from the 566 federally-recognized Native nations who participated in the White House Tribal Nations Conference. This was the seventh of such conferences hosted by the Obama Administration, and built upon the President's commitment to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Indian Country and to improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives, with an emphasis on increasing opportunity for Native youth.

All told, over the course of the Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture alone has invested nearly $3 billion in rural development projects that have helped Tribal members achieve the dream of homeownership; improved community facilities in Tribal communities; made critical upgrades to electric, water and telecommunications infrastructure that serve Tribal communities and members; and invested in the Tribal businesses and entrepreneurs who drive economic growth in Indian Country.

My conversation with Tribal leaders focused on three key areas: how public and private partners can drive infrastructure investment in Indian Country; how to expand access to capital for Tribal-owned businesses to spur economic growth in Indian Country; and how to strengthen services and programming for Tribal youth. An overarching theme of the conversation was how we can sustain and establish permanency for the good work done in partnership with Tribal leaders over the past seven years, as we move into the final year of the Administration.

Investments in strong, secure infrastructure in Indian Country?things like roads and bridges, but also internet access, housing and community facilities like hospitals and schools?help to improve connectivity and access to information, move products to market, and make communities competitive and attractive to businesses and investments. One of the ways we work to secure investment in these types of projects is through the Obama Administration's place-based initiatives, exemplified by the Tribal Promise Zones and USDA's StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity, which work with American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the country. Just this week, USDA announced an investment of $3.9 million to build and improve water and wastewater infrastructure, including one award for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Minnesota and five awards in California, including Big Sandy Rancheria, two awards to the Cortina Band of Wintun Indians, the Grindstone Indian Rancheria, and the Yurok Tribe.

Upgraded facilities in particular can help to improve the quality of life in Tribal communities and provide state-of-the-art healthcare, education and training, particularly for young people. One of the most important things we can do for any child, no matter where they're born and raised, is to ensure that they have access to a high quality education and USDA has the resources to help. For example, USDA worked with Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota to update the substandard furniture students, faculty and staff used every day. USDA employees in South Dakota helped the school apply for a grant through the Economic Impact Initiative Grant Program, and Red Cloud Indian School was able to purchase new tables, desks and projectors. And earlier this year, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and I met with leadership from Native American LifeLines, an organization that serves Native American families in east Baltimore. During the meeting, we explored ways to better serve urban Native communities, including using urban agriculture as an opportunity to reconnect Native youth to the land and teach important lessons about healthy eating.

And to support higher education opportunities in Tribal communities, today, USDA announced nearly $2 million in grants to support research projects in American Indian communities through the Tribal College Research Grants Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. This funding builds on more than $115 million invested in Tribal post-secondary institutions by USDA over the past seven years. Projects from this year include research by Tohono O'odham Community College into new practices for food-seed storage and hospitable living in areas of extreme heat and drought through modernizing and increasing the energy efficiency of ancient architectural practices. Another project from Diné College will work on the most efficient way to propagate seeds of yucca species and identifying plants from five yucca species that exhibit superior qualities as food and fiber crops.

These are just a few examples of the myriad ways USDA works with Tribes. As 2015 comes to a close, we will continue to work with Tribes on a government-to-government basis, consulting and collaborating with them, and striving to ensure that they receive their fair share of support from USDA programs?support that not only provides jobs and educational opportunities, but also honors our promises and treaty responsibilities. Whether you are a Tribe interested in a wide variety of construction and business possibilities or a Tribal citizen interested in establishing or expanding your farm, ranch or small business, I encourage you to work with our Office of Tribal Relations to get a broad spectrum perspective on the resources available through USDA.

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