A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | |
Strike Date Moved To December
Article courtesy of: Agricultural Retailers Association
| |
Rail labor unions and railroads have agreed to extend the “cooling off” (or “status quo”) period in their contract negotiations, eliminating the threat of a freight rail service shutdown next week.
Both rail labor unions that have voted to reject the tentative contract agreement proposed in September extended their “status quo” period to Dec. 4, pushing the potential for a rail strike until Dec. 5 at the earliest. Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) and Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) announced the extension earlier today.
The current “cooling off” period, which had been set to expire on Nov. 19, may be further extended to maintain alignment with other labor organizations. The two largest unions, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET) and International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Div. (SMART-TD), are scheduled to complete their ratification votes by Nov. 21. Their cooling off period ends on Dec. 8. If either BLET or SMART-TD reject their agreement, BMWED and BRS may also extend to Dec. 8.
To date, seven labor unions have ratified agreements based on the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board appointed by President Biden, while three other ratification votes are pending.
| |
USDA announces plans to amend the U.S. Standards for Soybeans | |
The following news item comes from the USDA:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced this week that the Federal Grain and Inspection Service (FGIS) will publish a proposed rule seeking public comment on a proposal to make changes to the U.S. Standards for Soybeans.
Click Here for PDF of current standards
Under the authority of the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA), USDA established the soybean standards to help in the marketing of soybeans. “Soybeans of Other Colors” (SBOC) has served as a grading factor for determining soybean quality. USDA has recently received numerous requests from representatives of US soybean producers and grain traders to remove SBOC, as a grade-determining factor for describing the quality for soybeans (e.g., U.S. No 1 Yellow soybeans, U.S. No. 2 Yellow Soybeans, etc.).
In response to these requests for changes to the soybean standard, USDA will implement notice and comment rulemaking, as required by USGSA, to receive comments from the public regarding whether SBOC should be considered an informational factor that does not impact soybean grade determinations.
Historically, SBOC levels are low, rarely impacting the grade of soybeans. For the past two years, the soybean industry has experienced an increased presence of SBOC. At the request of the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee (GIAC), FGIS conducted a study to evaluate whether the presence of SBOC had an impact on the quality of soybean protein and oil. The study found no significant differences in official protein or oil content. The study is available for review on the AMS-FGIS SBOC resource page:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grain-rice-pulse-inspection-services/sboc
Link to USDA News Release:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/content/ams-announces-plans-amend-us-standards-soybeans
AAI will monitor these changes and work with our national partners as this process moves forward.
| |
AAI Joins Letter Urging Congress to Reaffirm EPA Authority On Pesticide Labeling | |
An industry coalition of more than 200 associations sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to reaffirm the role of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the primary authority for pesticide findings and decisions. The letter is in response to decisions by state and local governments to contradict the federal EPA labels, safety, and usage regulations.
Below is an excerpt of the letter:
We write to express our great concern with recent misinterpretations of long-standing policy regarding the regulation and labeling of pesticide products, as some states have begun to regulate pesticides in a manner contradicting decades of scientific guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lack of certainty on EPA-approved, science-based nationwide labels will erode access to current and future pesticides, threatening crops and grower incomes, conservation practices, public health, vital infrastructure, and ultimately raise food prices for families amidst record-high inflation. Growers and users need reaffirmation from Congress that states have every right to build on the federal government’s baseline regulations but cannot directly contradict the scientific conclusions of the EPA.
The letter was sent to leadership of both parties in the US House and US Senate.
| |
Election Recap: Republicans Gain Seats In Iowa | |
The following article is based on information provided by AAI Legal Counsel Doug Gross at BrownWinick Law.
Iowa Republicans enjoyed a strong election night despite Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate calling for immediate administrative recounts for Des Moines and Warren Counties. This request will not alter most of the statewide and federal races where the GOP nearly swept all of the contests.
Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg cruised to a second re-election by defeating challengers Diedre DeJear and Eric Van Lanker. They won by nearly 20 percentage points.
The four US Representative seats will be held by republican candidates for the next two years. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley also retained his seat, making Iowa's US congressional delegation entirely republican.
Secretary of State, Secretary of Agriculture, Treasurer of State, and the Attorney General races were all won by Republicans. Democrat Rob Sand edged out his opponent to retain the Auditor of State position.
At the state legislature level, republicans grew their majorities in both legislative chambers. The Senate GOP caucus increased from 30 members to 34, and the House GOP caucus increased from 60 members to 64. However, a couple House races may be challenged for a recount.
View the full results for all elected state officials on the Iowa Secretary of State website:
https://electionresults.iowa.gov/IA/115641/web.307039/#/summary
| |
Industry Coalition Holds Roundtable Focused On Farm Labor Shortage | On Thursday, the American Business Immigration Coalition Action (ABIC Action), AmericanHort, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and International Fresh Produce Association convened Iowa farm and business leaders for a press event and roundtable entitled “Strengthen American Food Security, Lower Food Prices, Support Rural Communities: Common Sense Solutions to Iowa's Farm Labor Shortage.” | |
|
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa Participated in this event with comments from AAI CEO Bill Northey. Other AAI members who participated were Renee Hansen, Sukup Manufacturing and Carla Elliot, Innovative Ag Services.
Also making official comments at the event were Tom Hughes, President of Hughes Nursery & Landscaping; Jessica Dunker, President and CEO, Iowa Restaurant Association; Karen Labenz, Dole Fresh Vegetables; Yer Vang, Archdiocese of Dubuque Catholic Charities.
This was the latest stop in an ongoing farm tour organized by the American Business Immigration Coalition Action that has already hit Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maine, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah, North Carolina, Texas, Indiana and Washington, D.C.
With Senate negotiations ongoing, the event called attention to the urgency of fixing Iowa’s and the nation’s farm labor shortage by passing new Senate agriculture workforce solutions.
Watch the video of the event here:
https://fb.watch/gJ8zYTQADe/
| |
AAI Members Honored by Iowa State University With Alumni Awards | Last weekend, as part of the Iowa State University's Homecoming, alumni were honored with awards by the university and its colleges. Among this distinguished group of honorees for 2022 were four with ties to AAI. | |
|
The following list of members have recently completed their membership investment for 2023.
Thank you for your membership!
| |
- Eichelberger Milling Inc.
- Northland CDL Training
- Farm Credit Services of America
- Sackett-Waconia Inc.
- Pro Cooperative
- Premier Crop Systems
- Navigator CO2
- Servitech
- Precision Tank
- Foundation Analytical Laboratory Inc.
- Stine Seed Company
- Syngenta
- Archer Coop Grain Co
- MidState Tank Co
| |
- 21st Century Cooperative
- River Valley Coop
- Rohrer Bros Inc.
- Victor Oil Inc.
- Farm Service Coop - Harlan
- Newell Machinery Co Inc.
- Community State Bank
- Calcium Products Inc.
- Roquette America Inc.
- Ag Vision
- Stateline Coop
- Key Cooperative
- Fimco Industries
- Anfinson Farm Store Inc.
- Hedlin Ag Enterprises
| | |
|
PRIME EXHIBITOR SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE | |
|
UNCAPPED POTENTIAL.
EVEN IF YOU
WEAR A HAT.
| |
Your business is about building the right relationships. That's why scores of agribusinesses take part in the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference every year.
Whether you make new contacts among the hundreds of attendees who visit the show annually, or spend scheduled time one-on-one with an invited client in a meeting room, Showcase is the place to make it happen.
Register now to claim your spot and harness the potential. The possibilities are endless.
| |
Iowa Economic Development Authority Seminar | |
Ag Webinar-Nov. 16: Fall Grain & Protein Insights
- Perspectives from Iowa State University ag economists Dr. Chad Hart and Dr. Lee Schulz
- Insights from Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig
- Hosted by Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)
With harvest wrapping up and livestock markets ever-changing, we look to Iowa State University Ag Economists Dr. Chad Hart and Dr. Lee Schulz to help sort out current grain and livestock outlooks. Both experts will provide insights into market dynamics, both nationally and on a global perspective, with relation to supply, demand and export opportunities. All of this kicked off by our Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Join us on Nov. 16 at 10 am Central Time for Global Crystal Ball – Fall Grain & Protein Insights.
Register at IEDA for the free webinar: click here.
On-Demand recording available following the program.
| |
Southfork Watershed Alliance Water Quality Soil Health Forum and Trade Show | |
November 17, 2023
Ellsworth College Agriculture Center
709 Ellsworth Ave, Iowa Falls, Iowa
Registration and Trade Show: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Forum: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. This event is open to the public.
SFWA is proud to have Bill Northey, CEO Agribusiness Association of Iowa as one of this years speakers for the event.
Thanos Papanicolaou, Director, USDA-National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, Agriculture Resource Service, will also speak, followed by a local farmer panel who use strip till, no-till, and cover crops.
A complimentary meal catered by Cadet Kitchen Iowa Falls will be served at 5:15. RSVP for meal appreciated but not necessary at:
www.southforkwatershed.org/upcoming-events
or call Hardin Co Extension 641-648-4850.
| |
Iowa Nitrogen Initiative Seeks Participants for Rate Trials | We encourage AAI members to identify farmers, crop advisors, and variable rate applicators willing to take part in this initiative. | |
Participating in the nitrogen trials is easy. Farmers commit to reserving a small portion of their farm field (four to seven acres) for a personalized variable rate nitrogen prescription. All other farming decisions, including the nitrogen application for the rest of the field, remain with the farmer. A well-calibrated yield monitor and variable rate nitrogen application are required.
Farmers, crop advisers, and variable rate applicators interested in participating should contact Melissa Miller, Project Director for the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, by emailing millerms@iastate.edu or calling 515-567-0607. Learn more at agron.iastate.edu/ini.
| |
WATCH THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT | |
|
A vibrant trading partnership between Canada, Mexico, and the United States is integral to farmers and a stable economy. Despite this, Mexico’s President Andres Manual Lopez Obrador is holding tight to a controversial 2020 decree to phase out genetically modified (GM) corn and glyphosate by 2024.
This week, Obrador reiterated the country’s commitment to the new policy with a decline to purchase yellow corn from an undisclosed seller in the United States. This bold move supports Mexico’s discussions earlier this year about entering into direct agreements with U.S. farmers to secure non-GM corn imports.
According to Reuters, Obrador stated during a news conference, “There is a market for it, but the government cannot make a purchase because we do not want GM.”
Mexico is not only concerned about what Obrador calls a “lack of scientific investigation into its effects,” but also the GMO variety’s impacts on native varieties of corn.
If the decree is enacted, the effects will be felt by U.S. farmers and the people of Mexico. Last month, a coalition of food and agricultural industry stakeholders in both countries released a study about the impacts the ban would have on both countries. The degree comes with concern for the food security and economic vitality of the country that imports 17 million tonnes of corn per year. Meanwhile, biotech corn makes up over 90 percent of U.S. corn crops.
The loss of exports will also likely cause ripples in the U.S. economy. Billions of dollars in fact. As a result of the news, corn futures fell on Wednesday 6 cents per bushel to a two-month low of $6.61-1/2 per bushel.
[...] Read Full Story
| | |
|
The U.S. Meat Export Federation Strategic Planning Conference got underway Wednesday in Oklahoma City, attracting farmers, ranchers, processors and exporters from throughout the nation. While U.S. red meat exports will likely set a value record approaching $20 billion this year, the industry faces an array of obstacles related to the sluggish global economy, weakening currencies of key trading partners and lingering effects of the COVID pandemic. Challenges are also mounting on the production side, especially for livestock producers impacted by drought.
Keynote speaker Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, detailed the larger-than-expected contraction of the cattle herd, which helped drive U.S. beef production and exports to record highs in 2022 but will be a significant constraint for U.S. exporters next year. The drought has also heightened production costs for cattle feeders.
"If you're putting an animal in a feedyard anywhere in the Central Plains – let's say Kansas or Oklahoma – your cost to put on a pound of gain is between $1.30 and $1.40," Blach said. "We have not seen that historically, not even back in 2008 when we had the ethanol mandate and for a period of time corn was at $8.00 per bushel.This is an interesting time, when the market needs more corn and where it's needed most, the corn just isn't there."
But Blach also highlighted the remarkable efficiency and sustainability of the U.S. beef industry, which he maintains is well-positioned for success even in this challenging environment.
[...] Read Full Story
| |
Source: Iowa Public Radio
| |
Bird flu has hit Wright County for a second time this fall, causing the destruction of another large commercial egg-laying facility. It’s one of two new confirmations of bird flu that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported Monday.
Approximately 1 million egg-laying hens are in the flock and “depopulation is ongoing,” to contain the virus, said Iowa Department of Agriculture spokesman Don McDowell.
A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in another Wright County commercial flock of 1.1 million egg-laying hens on Oct. 31. Asked if the two cases are connected by farm-to-farm spread of the virus or if the two operations belong to the same company, “We do not share details about the location or owners of the affected premises," McDowell said.
Bird flu was also confirmed Monday in a Louisa County backyard mixed species flock of 17 birds. McDowell said all of the birds in that flock have been destroyed to prevent the virus from spreading.
In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig cautioned that wild birds’ fall migration is ongoing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has attributed the spread of bird flu primarily to wild birds on their migration. Wild birds — especially waterfowl, like ducks and geese — can carry the virus and shed it through their saliva or excrement.
[...] Read Full Story
Additional Reading:
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Announces Order Cancelling Live Bird Exhibitions
| | |
|
At least one seed corn company, Stine Seeds, has emphasized short corn in breeding programs for years. Corteva Agriscience began working on short-stature corn over a decade ago, and development and testing continue. Bayer will bring short corn developed through conventional breeding to the U.S. market in limited release in 2023, and many independent seed companies will soon have access to short corn through a genetic supplier. Why is short corn capturing attention and gaining traction?
Dave Nanda, director of genetics for Seed Genetics Direct, says it can bring some advantage if — and it’s a big if — short-stature hybrids match conventional hybrids in yield potential.
If a short corn hybrid is fundamentally sound with strong stalks and roots, it has a built-in advantage against lodging and green snap caused by windstorms. Examples of short corn planted next to conventional corn during the derecho in Iowa in August 2020 indicate that indeed, short corn is more likely to withstand high winds better.
In addition to less lodging potential in high winds, shorter corn increases options for the application of fungicide, nitrogen and other nutrients later in the season. Growers with short corn may be able to apply materials with a self-propelled sprayer that now is often applied by an airplane or helicopter.
Beyond these obvious benefits, Nanda believes it should be possible to develop strategies to push population higher with shorter corn.
[...] Read Full Story
| |
|
THE AGRIBUSINESS REPORT
Follow host David Geiger on Twitter:
@geigerreports
Watch daily broadcast live:
KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids
WHO-TV Des Moines
KYOU-TV Ottumwa
Watch online any time:
https://agribiz.org/report
| |
|
NOTE: If you unsubscribe below you will no longer receive ANY emails from AAI, including important member specific information and notices. To unsubscribe from just this type of email (i.e. newsletter or event marketing), select Update Profile below. | | | | |
