Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - November 2022 — Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City

DEVELOPMENTS

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall has introduced the Fertilizer Stewardship, Utilization, Sustainability, Technology, Access, Innovation and Nourishment Act (SUSTAIN) which would revise the National Environmental Policy Act to modify the permitting process for mining. Sen. Marshall wants the SUSTAIN Act included in the next Farm Bill. “The United States has one of the strongest fertilizer industries in the world, but it would be even stronger if it wasn’t hindered by unnecessary bureaucratic rules that other countries don’t have to follow,” he said. “By eliminating federal fertilizer regulations in the upcoming farm bill, Congress can help our domestic fertilizer producers excel against competitors like Russia and China and provide our growers with affordable fertilizer.” Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, November 18, 2022.

To help support growth in agriculture, the Kansas Department of Agriculture is seeking a better understanding of the workforce needs among agricultural employers in the state. A lack of a skilled agriculture workforce is a top inhibitor of growth and expansion for many Kansas agriculture entities. To link the supply of human capital to the needs of Kansas agribusiness enterprises, KDA recently conducted a second Kansas Agriculture Workforce Needs Assessment Survey in 2022. The survey was analyzed by the Agricultural Land Use Survey Center at Kansas State University. The survey was emailed to over 25,000 businesses with 1,192 choosing to participate. Participating businesses employ 27,466 individuals in Kansas and 9,244 outside of Kansas. Respondents were asked to self-select the major category that applied to their business. “We are committed to growing agriculture in Kansas, and that centers around a reliable and capable workforce,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam.

USDA mailed survey codes to all known agriculture producers (nearly 3 million) across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture at www.agcounts.usda.gov . By completing the survey, producers across the nation can tell their story and help generate impactful opportunities that better serve them and future generations of producers. Taken once every five years, the Census of Agriculture is the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county, and territory. Responses are due Feb. 6, 2023.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that six projects will receive funding through the Missouri Agriculture Energy Saving Team – a Revolutionary Opportunity (MAESTRO) grant, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy. The competitive grant program will provide up to $10,000 per project. The reimbursement grant provides funding to address particular energy-related issues in K-12 school agriculture facilities in Missouri. The goal of the grant is to ensure valuable energy-efficient upgrades are being made in Missouri school districts. Students, and their instructors, can use funding to create a work plan that addresses energy-related issues, then execute the work plan under an instructor’s supervision. Funds may be used to pay subject matter experts to conduct energy audits or train students, purchase supplies, or pay for labor required to carry out the work plan. More information about the MAESTRO Energy Efficiency Grant can be found at www.agriculture.mo.gov.

FDA has declared a lab-grown meat product safe for human consumption for the first time. In a news release, FDA said that after reviewing information from Berkeley, California-based UPSIDE Foods about the food product the company is making from cultured chicken cells, it has “no further questions at this time about the firm’s safety conclusion.” FDA said the company can bring its products to the market. But the facility in which the food is made will have to meet inspection standards from the FDA, USDA and the USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service.

In a letter to U.S. Congressional leadership, more than 300 agriculture, environment, academic, infrastructure, and other stakeholder groups are calling on Congress to reaffirm federal pesticide preemption on labeling and packaging. The groups are calling specifically for Congress to reaffirm that states may not impose additional labeling or packaging requirements that conflict with federal findings. Failing to do so, the groups warn, could hold disastrous consequences for food security, the environment, public health, vital infrastructure, and other uses where pesticides provide important societal benefits.“Science-based crop protection tools are critical to the success of America’s farmers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “State labels that conflict with EPA’s scientific guidance threaten public confidence in EPA’s authority and science-based regulation and contribute to the misunderstanding of the critical role pesticides play in sustainably feeding a growing world.”

Kansas State University is emerging as a key location for global food systems and bio-security innovations and it is a major economic driver for the state of Kansas. To enhance development, the university is making several renovations and relocating the milling, baking, and feed science building known as Shellenberger Hall between Call and Weber Hall. This will improve the technology needed, said dean of agriculture, Ernie Minton, in a release November 24. “What we hope to do is really stimulate even a greater degree of multidisciplinary collaboration what we’re all about in the college is solving world food problems and stimulating economic activity here in the state of Kansas in the industry that leads the state and that would be food and agriculture,” said Minton. Toward this effort (as reported in the October issue of the Agricultural Council’s newsletter), the ag school has raised approximately $55.5 million on the way to the $75 million goal.

The University of Missouri’s recently dedicated Food Processing and Safety Lab will help people who make and sell processed foods ensure they are safe. “Our new lab – connected to Missouri’s Food, Beverage and Forest Product Manufacturing Initiative – gives businesses a qualified testing facility to ensure their products meet safety standards,” said Rob Kallenbach, associate dean of extension in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Microbiological services include general microbial analysis (such as total plate count, molds and yeast, salmonella, pathogenic E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, etc.) of raw and finished food products. The lab also offers customized process validation/microbial challenge research projects.

Farmer sentiment weakened again in October as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 10 points to a reading of 102. Both barometer’s sub-indices also declined this month. The Current Conditions Index dipped 8 points to a reading of 101, while the Future Expectations Index dropped 11 points to a reading of 102. The “Ag Economy Barometer” is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted October 10-14. “Concern over rising interest rates grew once again in October and is adding to the unease among producers who are worried about its impact on their farm operations,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “Additionally, challenging shipping conditions throughout the Mississippi River valley have hampered exports recently, and the corresponding widespread weakening of corn and soybean basis levels could be contributing to heightened unease about financial performance.”

PEOPLE

Cargill has named Brian Sikes it’s new CEO for the agribusiness giant, succeeding Dave MacLennan. Sikes will be the 10th CEO in Cargill’s 157-year history. MacLennan, 63, who has led Cargill since 2013, will remain executive chairman after Sikes takes over as CEO on January 1. 2023. Sikes has been with the company for 31 years and currently serves as Cargill’s chief operating officer. He has held various leadership roles in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Farm Journal announced Eric Peterson has been named Chief Executive Officer of Machinery Pete. Peterson has more than 25 years of senior management experience, as well as 15 years of strategic development and plan execution for multi-store equipment dealerships. He most recently was large ag sales manager for Midwest Machinery Co. and previously served in agriculture equipment sales roles at multiple levels in the north-central United States. He started his career in his family’s farm equipment business conducting appraisals and dealing in used equipment.

Kylie Massengale recently joined Kansas Corn’s Grower Services team as Programs Manager, Eastern Grower Services. She began working for Kansas Corn in 2019, previously serving as the Education Programs Manager.

Kansas State University’s Rachel Veenstra is one of eight ag graduate students selected as ResearchAmbassadors by the National Corn Growers Association. Developed and funded by NCGA’s Sustainable Ag Research Action Team, the objective is to build a network of future leaders in the agricultural sector. Ambassadors must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and be involved in research relevant to corn production.

Ina Metzger Linville was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development, Linville was one of 16 inducted in October during a ceremony at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Linville’s career with Missouri 4-H spanned more than 30 years. She served as Missouri 4-H program director from 2009 until her retirement in 2017. “Ina’s state and national leadership helped 4-H develop effective national programs in 4-H Afterschool, 4-H STEM and 4-H Mentoring,” said Eddie Locklear, former national director for after-school, STEM and mentoring programs at the National 4-H Council.

Farm Journal announces Christine Shaw has been promoted to president of the company’s Producer Media Division from executive vice president of Farm Journal’s Crops Division. Shaw’s new role includes oversight of all media platforms that serve livestock audiences in addition to crop audiences, including the leading print brands Farm Journal, Top Producer, The SCOOP, Drovers, Farm Journal’s PORK, Dairy Herd Management and Bovine Veterinarian; iconic broadcast brands AgDay, U.S. Farm Report, Machinery Pete TV and AgriTalk; and agriculture’s top website, AgWeb.com.

EVENTS

Registration is open and hotel reservations can now be made for PEAK 2023, formerly known as Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, that takes place April 11-13, 2023 at the Minneapolis Conventions Center. “We’re excited to debut our new name and branding at PEAK 2023,” said current MPF Board President Ross Thoreson of Best Veterinary Solutions. “Attendees will still find the same great focus on education and exhibits intended to increase producers’ profitability and connect the poultry industry in North America.” More information at www.midwestpoultry.com.

Farm Foundation®, an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, will host its next virtual Forum, What to Expect From the 2023 Farm Bill, on Tuesday, December 6, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. CDT. Spencer Chase, managing editor of Agri-Pulse, will moderate the panel, which will include diverse perspectives from these expert contributors:

Christopher Adamo, former staff director, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Jonathan Coppess, director, Gardner Agriculture Policy Program and associate professor of law and policy, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
U.S. Congressman Glenn G.T. Thompson, Pennsylvania’s 15th District, U.S. House of Representatives.

This event is being held virtually and is free to attend, but registration is required. Farmers, ranchers, food and agribusiness leaders, government officials and staff, industry representatives, NGO representatives, academics, students in agricultural disciplines, and members of the media are all encouraged to attend. Register at www.farmfoundation.org.

University of Missouri’s 2022 Crop Management Conference will be held December 14-15 at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Columbia. Topics range from input price strategies, effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on agriculture and changes in forage fertilizer recommendations. Updates on insects, disease, weed management and new products and technology make a return, says MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley. Visit their website for more information.

American Angus Association has announced four internship positions for the summer of 2023 are open. These 10-week internship programs provide hands-on experience to allow students to grow and prosper while dipping their toes in the workforce. “This internship is one of the most unique opportunities in the cattle industry for young professionals,” said Ian Kane, 2022 intern. “The Association staff is welcoming, helpful and are great teachers, plus you get to travel and meet with Angus breeders.” These four internships being offered include Angus Media, Communications, Events & Junior Activities, and Angus Genetics Inc. For more information and a full description of each internship opportunity, visit angus.org/careers.