Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - January 2023

/

Developments

The American Farm Bureau Federation signed a memorandum of understanding with Agriculture Future of America.  According to an AFBF release, the MOU will foster “cross-promotional efforts of organizational objectives and events.” “We are excited to join with AFA and share Farm Bureau’s resources and programs with college students and young professionals who are the next generation of leaders in agriculture,” Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvallsaid. “The collaboration we’re announcing today will benefit both of our organizations and help ensure a bright future for American agriculture.” AFA President and CEO Mark Stewart said the two organizations are at a “unique crossroads of mutual investment in building leaders to strengthen the future of our industry.”

U.S. Grains Council held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony in India earlier this month to mark the opening of its South Asia office there. The first new office for the organization since 2010, the expansion of a full-time office in this key growing ethanol market was made possible through extra grant funding from the Kansas Corn Commission. Kansas Corn CEO, Greg Krissek joined USGC staff and board members at the opening to celebrate the event. “Kansas Corn has supported USGC efforts for exports around the world of corn in all forms for many years,” said Krissek. “Four years ago we agreed to partner on establishing a U.S. Grains office in India, which in 2023 will become the most populous nation in the world. In the same time period, India has become a top five importer of US ethanol. While still a complicated market to penetrate, having USGC staff on the ground in India will provide US farmers the best opportunity to enter the market when India’s needs come to the forefront-as they most certainly will in the coming years.” India is a top customer of U.S. ethanol for industrial use, noted Cary Sifferath, USGC Vice President.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Funds for the program are awarded to the agency by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. The grant funds are in turn granted to projects and organizations to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers. Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture.” Applications are due to KDA no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on March 15, 2023. For more information, please download and carefully read the 2023 Kansas Request for Applications from the KDA website: agriculture.ks.gov/specialtycrop.

Oklahoma State University Extension specialists say several factors are to blame for record-high egg prices. The sticker shock is expected to continue through the first quarter of 2023. At this time in 2021, eggs were $1.47 a dozen, in 2022 they were $1.93 a dozen and today it at $4 a dozen. USDA data shows egg prices typically jump during the holiday season, and the cost of eggs has historically increased during times of economic strain such as the recession in 2008 and the spread of COVID in 2020. However, today’s record prices reflect the nationwide impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and a booming demand for egg consumption. In states where HPAI decimated commercial poultry flocks in 2022, the demand for laying hens outpaced egg supplies. It takes months for laying hens to grow to sexual maturity, start laying eggs and provide a consistent supply at peak production. The worldwide egg demand also relies heavily on the fact that eggs are an essential ingredient in many prepared foods. While eggs are more budget-friendly than beef, pork, turkey or chicken, the rapid climb of egg demand in 2022 does not run parallel to a price hike in other markets.

Livestock Marketing Association has applauded U.S. Congressional Representatives Mark Alford (R-Mo.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) for introducing the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-PLUS) Act. If enacted, the bill would remove an outdated regulatory barrier and allow livestock auction market owners to own or invest in small and regional meatpackers. The Administration, Congress, and the livestock industry agree there is a need for increased packer competition and additional processing capacity. Currently, livestock auctions owners are not able to own, invest, or participate in the operation of a packing plant or meat marketing business due to a dated Packers and Stockyards Act restriction. This prohibition falls under a 102-year-old law and predates the current, transparent method of selling livestock at an open auction to the highest bidder. The A-PLUS Act is essential in removing this unnecessary barrier to cattle industry investment in the packing sector. The bill would allow livestock auction owners to own or invest in cattle and hog packers smaller than the current ten largest packers.  For more information about the A-PLUS Act contact Chelsea Good, Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs & Legal at cgood@lmaweb.com or 816-305-9540.  

Corn farmers, industry representatives, and guests from across the state gathered in Jefferson City January 25, 2023 for the Missouri Corn Growers Association annual meeting and legislative day. The morning kicked off at the Capitol Plaza Hotel with MCGA’s annual meeting, where Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe provided the keynote address. Following the annual meeting and luncheon, growers visited the State Capitol to discuss the importance of Missouri’s corn and ethanol industries with legislators and their economic impact on the state. “With farmers becoming a shrinking minority and many new faces in this year’s legislature, the event provided the chance to have a voice with elected officials here in Jefferson City,” noted MCGA president Clint Stephens.

Missouri Department of Agriculture director Chris Chinn announced that 22 youth groups from across Missouri were awarded grants from MDA’s 2023 Building Our American Communities grant program. Eleven local chapters of the National FFA Organization and 11 Missouri 4-H clubs statewide have been awarded funds for their community service projects this year. “Missouri FFA and 4-H programs continue to enrich and cultivate a strong passion for agriculture and service in our youth,” said Director Chinn. “These groups demonstrate leadership, generosity, and personal growth through their projects. Their hard work inspires me and does not go unnoticed. I applaud each FFA chapter for ‘Living to Serve’ and each 4-H club for devoting their ‘hands to larger service’ every day.” Each of the 2023 awardees will receive $500 toward their projects, which may include upgrades or additions to existing facilities, grounds or buildings, such as fairgrounds, parks or community centers used by local organizations.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) filed a lawsuit (January 19, 2023) against the Environmental Protection Agency challenging the Biden administration’s final “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule. NCBA previously filed technical comments on this rule, highlighting the importance of maintaining agricultural exclusions for small, isolated, and temporary water features, like ephemeral streams that only flow during limited periods of rainfall but remain dry the majority of the year. Regulating these features at the federal level under the Clean Water Act disrupts normal agricultural operations and interferes with cattle producers’ abilities to make improvements to their land.

Kansas attorney general Kris Kobach announced his support of legislation intended to prevent Kansas farmers from selling land to foreign entities. Kansas Senate Bill 100 would prohibit any non-U.S. citizen from buying Kansas real estate in certain areas. The bill would also give the attorney general authority to investigate real estate transactions believed to involve foreign agents. Exemptions to the bill would include property located in Johnson, Sedgwick, Shawnee or Wyandotte counties, along with property acquired before July 1, 2023. Kobach said these counties were excluded from the legislation because the concern is about foreign interference with agriculture, not urban businesses. 

Farm leaders will meet in Washington, February 2, to increase pressure on Congress to demand a more aggressive U.S. trade agenda that includes new free trade agreements and better access to foreign markets through lower tariffs. The umbrella group Farmers for Free Trade is organizing an event with members of the Corn Refiners Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Milk Producers Association, CoBank, North American Meat Institute, National Association of Wheat Growers, and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. “With a new Congress, new committee leaders, and newly confirmed ag trade officials at USTR and USDA in place, the U.S. ag community is taking advantage of an important moment to push for regaining a foothold in international trade,” says Farmers for Free Trade. “The United States has not completed a trade agreement that provides access to a new market in over a decade, while competitors in South America, Europe and Asia have been completing deals that preference their ag products.” Source: Agri-Pulse Daybreak, January 30, 2023

Events

The Kansas Department of Agriculture will host virtual workshops February 6-10, 2023, to assist farmers’ market vendors and managers, and also for those wanting to sell food products directly to consumers. The workshop series includes five online Lunch and Learn sessions. “Over the past two years, we’ve seen an increase in people’s enthusiasm for locally sourced food, and these workshops will address common questions and concerns for farmers and small businesses who are embracing these opportunities to reach local consumers,” said Londa Nwadike, food safety specialist with KSRE and the University of Missouri. Registration for the February virtual workshops is now open. The cost is $5 per participant. Register at www.fromthelandofkansas.com/FMWorkshop. Dates and topics:

  • Monday, Feb. 6, noon to 1:00 p.m.: Accepting EBT/SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks

  • Tuesday, Feb. 7, noon to 1:00 p.m.: Meat and Poultry Regulations; Kansas Value Added Meats Lab

  • Wednesday, Feb. 8, noon to 1:00 p.m.: Kansas Sales Tax Information

  • Thursday, Feb. 9, noon to 1:00 p.m.: Food Safety Regulations; Kansas Value Added Foods Lab

  • Friday, Feb. 10, noon to 1:00 p.m.: Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Kansas State University Olathe announces a new lineup of animal health professional development events coming up, most of which offer both online and in-person experiences. Here are the next two events as well as a link to the full schedule.

  • Animal Health Regulatory Affairs 101, Feb. 22-23 –  This two-day, interactive workshop is an introductory course on the regulatory aspects of animal drug and vaccine development. The workshop provides attendees with an understanding of the veterinary drug approval processes. Content is designed for those tasked with developing and maintaining an animal health company’s product portfolio and involved with a company’s regulatory strategies. This course provides 11.5 contact hours of veterinary continuing education as certified by Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. 

  • Pesticides in Animal Health, March 29-30 – This workshop provides a practical approach to getting pesticide products approved and keeping them in the market post approval, while avoiding common pitfalls and challenges faced along the way. The course provides 13 contact hours of veterinary continuing education as certified by Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

NAMA is welcoming exhibitors to St. Louis, April 26-28, for its 2023 Agri-Marketing Conference. Organizers suggest exhibitors use NAMA’s Connection Point that “connects exhibitors to clients straight to you.” From top leaders to agri-marketers to students—exhibitors gain access to the professionals who are shaping our industry today and in the future. More information about Connection Point at www.nama.org/connection-point.html.

The 61st annual Western Farm Show takes place February 24 – 26 at the American Royal Complex, in Kansas City, Mo.  The show is produced by the North American Equipment Dealers Association. For more information, contact Jami Applegate, Farm Show manager, 816-561-5323. japplegate@naeda.com.  

People

Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., has been selected to serve as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax laws and oversees trade policy. Smith was selected by the GOP steering committee for the post, beating out Adrian Smith of Nebraska and Vern Buchanan of Florida.

At its recent annual meeting the Missouri Soybean Association re-elected Matt Wright to serve as president.  Wright is a soybean grower from Emden representing District 3 on the board. Wright has been a board member for more than 10 years, serving in various leadership roles including vice-president. “I feel incredibly honored to be elected to serve another year at the helm of the Missouri Soybean Association,” said Wright. “As the policy branch of the organization, I am continuously impressed with the advocacy our board and staff puts forth and the work we get done for our growers across the state. As the leader of MSA, my goal is to create a strong future for soy.”