13 Jun 2014

"See for Yourself" Participants to See Soy Checkoff in Action

By Rick Martin
Ten U.S. soybean farmers to visit domestic, international soy markets

ST. LOUIS (June 12, 2014) - Unloading soybeans at the elevator after harvest may seem like the end of the season for farmers, but it's really just the beginning of the journey. From there, the soybeans travel to various markets domestically and abroad. How are they used? Ten U.S. soybean farmers are about to see for themselves.

The United Soybean Board (USB) recently selected participants for this year's See for Yourself program, which will be held Aug. 14-22 in St. Louis, Panama and Ecuador. The annual program will give the following farmers a firsthand look at some of the many uses for their soybeans around the world:

  • Kyle Bridgeforth - Tanner, Alabama
  • James Caudle - Peachland, North Carolina
  • Kate Danner - Aledo, Illinois
  • Brennan Gilkison - Winchester, Kentucky
  • Matt Hinderer - Chelsea, Michigan
  • Don Holbert - Dandridge, Tennessee
  • Darin LaBar - Union City, Michigan
  • Kevin McGrain - Hornick, Iowa
  • Wade Walters - Shickley, Nebraska
  • LaVell Winsor - Grantville, Kansas
"The See for Yourself program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," says David Hartke, a soybean farmer from Teutopolis, Illinois, and chair of the USB's Audit and Evaluation Committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. "Not only do farmers see the checkoff in action firsthand, but they have the chance to provide feedback directly to me and other farmer-leaders on the checkoff programs they learn about."

These farmer-participants will learn about their domestic and international customers' needs for soybean meal and oil. That includes animal agriculture, which uses nearly 97 percent of U.S. soybean meal, and the food industry, which uses two-thirds of U.S. soybean oil.

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

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10 Jun 2014

USDA Announces Funding Availability for Turning Biomass Material into Energy

By USDA Office of Communications

Farm Bill Implementation Continues as Energy Facilities Can Now Apply for Renewed Biomass Crop Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin accepting applications June 16 from energy facilities interested in receiving forest or agricultural residues to generate clean energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

BCAP provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who establish and maintain new crops of energy biomass, or who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a qualifying energy facility. Of the total $25 million per year authorized for BCAP, the 2014 Farm Bill provides up to 50 percent ($12.5 million) each year for matching payments for the harvest and transportation of biomass residues. BCAP matching payments will resume this summer, while crop incentives will begin in 2015. Some matching payments will support the removal of dead or diseased trees from National Forests and Bureau of Land Management public lands. This will be turned into renewable energy while reducing the risk of forest fire. Agriculture residues, such as corn cobs and stalks, also may qualify as energy-producing feedstock.

"Removing dead or diseased trees from forests to use for biomass production creates clean energy while reducing the threat of forest fires and the spread of harmful insects and disease," said Vilsack. "Increasing our country's production of biomass energy also helps grow our economy. Food is made in rural America, but fuel is made in rural America, too. This program is yet another USDA investment in expanding markets for agricultural products made in rural places across the country."

With the 2014 Farm Bill requiring several regulatory updates to BCAP, the resumption of payments for starting and maintaining new sources of biomass (Project Areas) has been deferred until a later date when the regulatory updates occur.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers BCAP, will begin accepting applications from biomass conversion facilities beginning June 16, 2014, through July 14, 2014.  Information on funding availability can be found in the Federal Register notice at http://go.usa.gov/8FSH. For more details on applications and deadlines on BCAP, visit a local FSA county office or go online to www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap.

BCAP was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.  The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

 

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06 Jun 2014

Braley Calls for Investigation of EPA's RFS Rule

By Rick Martin

Congressman: 'I'm troubled by reports indicating that inappropriate deals may have been struck'

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today echoed a request made by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) that the EPA's independent inspector general investigate if any inappropriate lobbying efforts were conducted in order to convince the EPA to roll back the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

"If anyone lobbied behind the scenes in an inappropriate way to roll back the RFS we deserve to know," Braley said. "Biofuels have meant tens of thousands of Iowa jobs, pumped billions into the Iowa economy, and moved the whole country closer to energy independence?but it has deep-pocketed opponents and it's important to know if any of them acted inappropriately."

A recent report by Reuters detailed lobbying efforts by Delta Airlines and the Carlyle Group, a Washington-based investment firm, to oppose the current RFS standard. In the wake of that report, CREW wrote to EPA Inspector General Arthur Elkins to request a formal probe concerning whether inappropriate or illegal lobbying efforts had been conducted.

"I am troubled by reports indicating that inappropriate deals may have been struck to craft this proposal," Braley's letter reads.

Braley has led the Congressional effort opposing the proposed EPA changes since they were first reported on in October. Late last year he joined VoteVets.org to deliver over 110,000 signatures to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protesting proposed changes. In November, Braley wrote a letter to President Obama expressing his anger and frustration with the proposed EPA changes. In December, he joined Governor Branstad to testify at an EPA hearing stressing the benefits of the current levels and the positive impact the RFS has on Iowa.

Braley's letter to the EPA Inspector General can be found HERE.

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06 Jun 2014

Loebsack Applauds USDA Steps to Combat PEDv, Assist Pork Producers

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the steps they are taking to help pork producers combat the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV). The USDA announced today that they released $26.2 million in funding to combat PEDv, which has killed an estimated 7 million piglets in the last year. According to the USDA, these viruses do not pose any risk to human health or food safety.

"Today's announcement by the USDA is welcomed news for both producers and consumers. Over the last year, consumers have seen the price of pork rise by almost 10 percent and producers have lost nearly 7 million piglets because of PEDv. I am glad the USDA is taking steps to help combat this virus and I will continue to work to ensure the necessary steps are taken to lessen the impact on producers and consumers."

Click here for additional information from USDA.

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06 Jun 2014

USDA Announces Funding, Issues Federal Order to Combat PEDv

By USDA Office of Communications

Washington, D.C., June 5, 2014 - In response to the significant impact porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) are having on U.S. pork producers, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $26.2 million in funding to combat these diseases. Additionally, USDA issued a Federal Order requiring the reporting of new detections of these viruses to its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or State animal health officials.

These viruses do not pose any risk to human health or food safety, and they are commonly detected in countries around the world.

"In the last year, industry has estimated PEDv has killed some 7 million piglets and caused tremendous hardship for many American pork producers," said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. "The number of market-ready hogs this summer could fall by more than 10 percent relative to 2013 because of PEDv. Together with industry and our State partners, the steps we will take through the Federal Order will strengthen the response to PEDv and these other viruses and help us lessen the impact to producers, which ultimately benefit the consumers who have seen store pork prices rise by almost 10 percent in the past year."

The $26.2 million will be used for a variety of activities to support producers and combat these diseases, including:

  • $3.9 million to be used by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to support the development of vaccines
  • $2.4 million to cooperative agreement funding for States to support management and control activities
  • $500,000 to herd veterinarians to help with development and monitoring of herd management plans and sample collection
  • $11.1 million in cost-share funding for producers of infected herds to support biosecurity practices.
  • $2.4 million for diagnostic testing
  • $1.5 million to National Animal Health Laboratory Network diagnostic laboratories for genomic sequencing for newly positive herds

APHIS' Federal Order requires producers, veterinarians, and diagnostic laboratories to report all cases of PEDv and other new swine enteric coronavirus diseases to USDA and State animal health officials. The industry is already seeing herds previously impacted by the virus become re-infected, and routine and standard disease reporting will help identify the magnitude of the disease in the United States and can help determine whether additional actions are needed.

The Federal Order also requires that operations reporting these viruses work with their veterinarian or USDA or State animal health officials to develop and implement a reasonable management plan to address the detected virus and prevent its spread. Plans will be based on industry-recommended best practices, and include disease monitoring through testing and biosecurity measures. These steps will help to reduce virus shed in affected animals, prevent further spread of the disease, and enable continued movement of animals for production and processing.

The international animal health governing body, the OIE, believes that cases of PEDv and these other swine enteric coronavirus diseases shouldn't be the basis for countries to restrict exports of pork and pork products from the U.S.

For full details of the Federal Order and program requirements, along with a Q&A on this topic, visit the APHIS website at: www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health/secd

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).


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05 Jun 2014

New Farm Program Meeting in Muscatine on June 23

By Amanda Heitz

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Muscatine County and Lee Agency are coordinating a crop marketing strategies and the new farm program meeting in Muscatine, Ia.

The meeting is Monday, June 23 at 9:00 a.m. at Calvary Church - Family Life Center located at 501 US 61, Muscatine, IA 52761, doors open at 8:00 a.m.

"This meeting is designed to help farmers, landowners and other agri-business professionals with current issues related to marketing 2014 crops and pending enrollment decisions in the new farm program," said Steve Johnson, farm and agriculture business management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Topics include crop market outlook, selling your insurance bushels, ARC and PLC enrollment decision, and base acreage reallocation.

The meeting will last approximately 2 hours. No registration fee is required and the meeting is open to the public.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 18 to Lee Agency at 800-225-9252.

04 Jun 2014

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Deliver Remarks at World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2014 - TOMORROW, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will deliver remarks at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA. There will be a media availability with the Secretary following his remarks.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

12:20-1:00 PM/CDT

WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a media availability following remarks at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA.

 

WHERE: Iowa State Fairgrounds

Varied Industries Building

Des Moines, IA

 

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27 May 2014

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Senator Stabenow to Host Media Call on Substantial Investments in Conservation Nationwide

By USDA Office of Communications

WASHINGTON, May 23, 2014 - On Tuesday, May 27, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will host a media call to announce substantial investments in conservation projects across the country. The program was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and will be up and running beginning Tuesday. The program will mark a new era in conservation in America, going beyond traditional government projects and providing businesses, non-profits, universities, and federal, state and local governments' opportunities to partner with agricultural and conservation groups to invest in innovative conservation projects.

The 2014 Farm Bill is our country's biggest investment in land and water conservation and has been called the most significant conservation legislation in generations. Voluntary partnerships between agricultural and conservation groups help farmers conserve soil health, protect water quality, and restore wildlife habitat.

23 May 2014

High Oleic Soybean Motor Oil Drives Innovation

By United Soybean Board
Biosynthetic Technologies takes the next step on the road to commercialization

ST. LOUIS (May 12, 2014) - A motor oil with a high-oleic-soybean-oil base just took the next step toward commercialization. The oil, tested on more than one million miles in 100 Las Vegas taxicabs, delivered impressive results in tests by demonstrating the ability to extend the life of engines.

Biosynthetic Technologies, the company that developed this technology for the past 5 years, recently achieved certification from the American Petroleum Institute (API) on a motor oil containing 35 percent of a synthetic ester, called an estolide, made from high oleic soybean oil. This certification is expected to facilitate commercialization of the technology. Farmers and other consumers may see this high-oleic-soybean-oil derived product in stores in as little as two years.

"This is a great example of the innovation brought forward by high oleic soybeans," says Lewis Bainbridge, farmer from Ethan, South Dakota, and chair of the United Soybean Board's (USB's) Oil Action Team. "We have to be patient for these new products to come to the market, but this is certainly an encouraging step in the right direction."  

High oleic soybeans, currently grown in select areas of the United States, produce oil that delivers higher stability in high-heat situations. This characteristic makes this soybean oil more attractive to premium industrial users, such as motor-oil manufacturers. That could result in big demand for U.S. soybeans and added profitability for U.S. soybean farmers.

The API certification verifies the motor oil formulated with the biosynthetic ester passed the rigorous standards required for motor oil use, clearing the way for use by motor oil manufacturers. The soy checkoff funded a project with Biosynthetic Technologies to achieve API certification.

"The motor oil market in the United States is approximately 1 billion gallons per year," says Greg Blake, of the Irvine, California-based biosynthetic-oil manufacturer. "High oleic soybean based synthetic oils offer superior performance and benefits to the existing synthetic market and we expect that market to continue to grow."

Motor oils made with the new, high-oleic-soybean-based estolide do not thin out at high temperatures to provide superior engine protection. The estolide also does not evaporate at high temperatures like some petroleum oils, adding yet another benefit to the motor oils. These characteristics offer the potential for longer oil change intervals, as demonstrated in the field tests conducted on taxicabs in Las Vegas.

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

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22 May 2014

New Pilot Program Offers Coverage for Fruits and Vegetables, Organic and Diversified Farms

By USDA Office of Communications
2014 Farm Bill Expands Crop Insurance Options, Provides Premium Discounts for Qualified Operations

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2014 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new risk management option that will be available for fruit and vegetable growers and producers with diversified farms. The policy, called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, will provide flexible coverage options for specialty crop, organic and diversified crop producers. The program will be implemented in counties across the country and will expand in availability over the next several years.

Whole-Farm insurance allows farmers to insure all crops on their farm at once, rather than insuring commodity by commodity. Traditionally, many fruit and vegetable crops have not had crop insurance programs designed for them?making it less attractive for a farmer that primarily planted a commodity crop like wheat or corn to use another part of his or her land for growing fruits and vegetables or other specialty crops. This allows farmers greater flexibility to make planting decisions on their land.

"Crop insurance has been the linchpin of the farm safety net for years and continues to grow as the single most important factor in protecting producers of all sizes from the effects of unpredictable weather," said Vilsack. "Providing farmers the option to insure their whole farm at once gives farmers more flexibility, promotes crop diversity, and helps support the production of healthy fruits and vegetables. More flexibility also empowers farmers and ranchers to make a broader range of decisions with their land, helping them succeed and strengthening our agriculture economy."

The 2014 Farm Bill requires a whole-farm crop insurance policy option, and paves the way for the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to make it broadly available to specialty crop, organic, and diversified growers. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors (FCIC Board) approved the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection pilot policy for RMA to offer it through the federal crop insurance program in 2015.

USDA has taken many steps to provide effective insurance coverage for diversified, organic and specialty crops. The whole-farm crop insurance policy provides flexibility to meet the needs of specialty crop growers, organic producers and those with diversified farms, and who have farm production and revenue history, including five years of historic farm tax records. This policy is also part of USDA's commitment to small and mid-sized producers managing diversified operations.

USDA has been strengthening crop insurance by providing more risk management options for farmers and ranchers. The policy offers coverage levels from 50 to 85 percent; recognizes farm diversification through qualification for the highest coverage levels along with premium rate discounts for multiple crop diversification. The Market Readiness Feature, as outlined in the Farm Bill, simplifies insurance coverage for producers under the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection pilot policy by allowing the costs such as washing, trimming, and packaging to be left in the insured revenue instead of having to adjust those amounts out of the insured amount.

The new Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policy combines Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and AGR-Lite along with several improvements to target diversified farms and farms selling two to five commodities, including specialty crops to wholesale markets. The new policy is also designed to meet the risk management needs of diversified crop or livestock producers including those growing specialty crops and/or selling to local and regional markets, farm identity preserved markets, or direct markets.

As part of the pilot, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection will be available where AGR and AGR-Lite are currently offered, and will expand to other counties as data are available for underwriting and actuarial ratemaking. RMA will release information on the policy later this summer when it becomes available. This information will be announced on the RMA website at www.rma.usda.gov.

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