Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - April 2023
/Developments
American Royal Needs Volunteers to help out at its Annual American Royal Spring Field Trip, May 2 and 3. Elementary students from around the Kansas City area will be attending a roundup of American Royal rodeo fun and educational events. The Spring Field Trip is designed to give students in second and third grade an introduction to and an appreciation for agriculture, food and livestock and equine health and care. The program includes an interactive educational tour and Invitational Youth Rodeo. Each year hundreds of individuals have donated their time and talents to further the Royal’s purpose of providing opportunities for youth to learn more about the culture of agriculture. The American Royal provides educational experiences and scholarships that inspire and cultivate dreams. This year’s student attendance numbers have increased drastically. Tuesday’s (May 2) session will host 1,250 elementary school students – 942 more than last year. Wednesday’s attendance will 1,095 – 679 more than last year. “We need some 200-plus volunteers to make the Spring Field Trip successful,” notes Cliff Becker, the Royal’s vice president, New Campus Development. Click here to view and sign up for Spring Field Trip volunteer opportunities or contact Samantha Basler for more information.
A 2023 economic impact study, released recently by the Livestock Marketing Association (updating a study from 2017), found that livestock auction markets continue to be important for the growth and vitality of rural communities. The study of an average, fixed-facility livestock auction market revealed that the market provides approximately $2 million in total value-added dollars to its local community. This result is up from $1 million identified in the 2017 Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Economic Impact Report. “Livestock auction markets today remain critical to helping our rural communities continue to thrive,” said Kristen Parman, LMA Vice President of Membership Services. The study was produced in collaboration with Decision Innovation Solutions in Urbandale, Iowa.
As snowpacks are melting, the National Weather Service is predicting minor to moderate flooding on the Upper Mississippi River. Waters are expected to rise steadily in the next two weeks and crest in Dubuque next week. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, quoting information from American Commercial Barge Line, said flooding is expected to force the closure of locks 3 through 17 – roughly from St. Paul to southern Iowa. NWS defines minor flooding as causing “some public threat or inconvenience” and moderate as bringing “some inundation of structures and roads” as well as causing some evacuations and possibly forcing the “transfer of property to higher elevations.”
Missouri’s net farm income is predicted to fall in 2023 following a record-setting 2022, according to the spring 2023 Missouri Farm Income Outlook report. The report, released by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center at the University of Missouri, said one factor that could explain this projected drop in farm income is the state’s livestock receipts, which were impacted by the country-wide drought that reduced cattle inventories and supported Missouri marketings, which is the physical sale of live animals. “Production expenses remain stubbornly high while cash receipts decline under the assumption of average weather resulting in a squeeze to Missouri producers’ bottom line. Missouri follows the national projection for a downward trend in the near term,” said RaFF interim director Scott Brown. In the report, a 14% decrease in net farm income is forecasted to occur across the state’s agriculture industry this year, compared to a projected 19% decrease in U.S. net farm income.
Americans tend to trust food labels, especially the ingredient list, expiration date and nutrition fact label, according to the March Consumer Food Insights Report. The most distrusted labels include low-calorie, naturalness and health claims. The survey-based report out of Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability assesses food spending, consumer satisfaction and values, support of agricultural and food policies, and trust in information sources. Purdue experts conducted and evaluated the survey, which included 1,200 consumers across the U.S. More information is available here.
USDA announced last week the availability of up to $125 million through two new grant programs that will create more options for meat and poultry farmers. These new grant programs – the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program, are part of the broader $1 billion American Rescue Plan to expand processing capacity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors. More information on these programs is available here.
In a recent study that examined how diseases function in rice crops, University of Missouri researchers might have found critical answers. In the study, Bing Yang, a plant biology professor in the MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center used genome editing as a tool to identify problematic pathogens present in certain bacteria that lead to prolific infections in rice crops. His research helps scientists understand how these pathogens function and, thus, can determine how to guard against widespread infections that destroy yields. This research provides insight into the host-pathogen relationship, allowing scientists to better genetically engineer plants to survive crop diseases. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9 Based Cytosine base Editors For Phytopathogenic Bacteria was published in the Communications Biology section of Nature Journal. This study was partially supported by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Agriculture Future of America recently selected 40 college students from 29 states to serve as organizational Ambassadors, representing AFA on their respective campuses and throughout their networks to promote AFA opportunities, organize campus meetings and interact with industry professionals at various events. AFA Ambassadors serve a year-long term, working to heighten awareness of AFA programs among their peers and establish creative strategies to increase student involvement from students on their campuses. These opportunities include AFA Leaders Conference, AFA Leader Institutes and AFA Leader and Academic Scholarships. Ambassadors are also integral in demonstrating AFA’s impact to corporate partners to support the continuation and acquisition of partnerships. More information and a list of the Ambassadors and their schools is available at agfuture.org.
People
Lenexa, Kansas-based Farm Journal, the nation’s leading business information and data insights company serving agriculture audiences, has named Prescott Shibles the company new CEO. He takes over from Andy Weber who retires after 23 years as CEO; Weber will serve as vice chairman of Farm Journal’s board of directors. Shibles is a digital media and business information leader with more than 20 years of history delivering data- and technology-driven transformations. He has held leadership roles at five of the nation’s most progressive B2B data and media companies, driving innovation using digital engagement, market intelligence, machine learning and artificial intelligence to create new standards for how clients accelerate growth. Shibles noted it was Farm Journal’s tradition of service to its industry and forward-looking vision that attracted him to the opportunity. “Farm Journal, with its position of trust and service, can be a beacon for change in agriculture’s tech transformation. The company is making a real difference in transforming agriculture to a more sustainable and tech-centric future. A prime example is its commanding position with the Trust In Food division at the crossroads of regenerative agriculture.”
Michael Watson, incoming Executive Director of Kansas City-based After The Harvest (see Digging Deeper in this issue) was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 during ceremonies April 23 at Municipal Auditorium. "To be honored by the state is exceptional, and it still hasn't quite set in – it's a total honor." Watson graduated from Kansas City's Central High School and went on to play at UMKC, where he remains the program's all-time leading scorer. Watson joined the NBA’s Boston Celtics, signing as a free agent in 2004. He continued his professional basketball career playing internationally for almost a decade on teams in Poland, Turkey, Italy, France and his native Puerto Rico. Watson has settled in Kansas City, working as a non-profit executive director and broadcast commentator for UMKC men's basketball games. Watson also heads his own youth sports organization, 'MENTALITY by Michael Watson’. Founded in 2017, 'MENTALITY' aims to give the next generation of athletes a world class sporting experience.
Washington, D.C.- based Bockorny Group, a bipartisan government affairs consulting firm, announced that Eric Bohl has joined the firm as a principal and will lead the company’s agriculture practice. Scott Shearer, who currently heads the firm’s efforts on behalf of its many agriculture clients, will remain on as a senior adviser. Bohl is an agricultural policy leader with extensive experience on Capitol Hill and in the private sector. He served six years as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Jason Smith (R-MO) and U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), and previously served as Legislative Director to Hartzler. He also served more than five years as Director of Public Affairs and Advocacy for Missouri Farm Bureau. He was influential in efforts to craft and pass the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills in these roles. The growing biotechnology research and innovation industry has been a focal point in Bohl’s work. He has advised a range of ag tech companies, from startups to multinational corporations, helping them develop strategy and pursue policy initiatives. His involvement with St. Louis’ 39 North Agtech Innovation District has led to his current tenure as the First Vice President of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club. He has extensive connections with the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor and is a board member of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.
Former U.S. Senator Roy Blunt has joined Husch Blackwell Strategies, where he will chair a new leadership strategies advisory services group. The team will provide policy advice and evaluate a client’s government risk. Blunt most recently retired from the Senate after a 26-year career on Capitol Hill split between 12 years in the Senate and 14 in the House. He served on the Intelligence Committee in both the House and Senate and developed a deep understanding of global national security interests and international trade issues. His former Senate chief of staff, Stacy McBride, and deputy chief of staff, Richard Eddings, have also joined HBS. McBride was added on as a principal and Eddings is the chief of staff for the leadership strategies advisory services group
At the 95th Missouri State FFA Convention, the Savannah FFA Chapter was recognized as the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s (MSMC) first-ever Soy Innovation Challenge winner. As the state winner, Savannah FFA will receive $10,000 to implement in their chapter. The Soy Innovation Challenge aims to engage FFA members in creating valuable exhibits and ideas based on the soy value chain to display at Missouri Soybeans’ Center for Soy Innovation in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Events
The American Hereford Association is expanding its Hereford Feedout Program to provide Hereford breeders and commercial users of Hereford genetics more opportunities to discover the feedlot and carcass performance of their genetics. “Growing interest led us to expand from one feedout each year to two, beginning with the first fall program in 2023,” explains Trey Befort, AHA director of commercial programs. “The added feeding period enables us to accommodate producers’ whose calving and weaning seasons prevented them from participating as much as they wanted with a single feeding period.” Cattle from the Hereford Feedout Program are harvested by National Beef Packing Company, which is the licensed beef processor for Certified Hereford Beef. Cattle in the program are candidates for CHB and are marketed on the U.S. Premium Beef Grid, ultimately providing producers access to industry-leading marketing options. Those interested in the fall program are encouraged to enroll by May 1. Delivery to HRC Feed Yards will take place June 10–14. For more information, click here.
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online for the 2024 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 10th year, this national competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Bureau is offering $165,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition, which will culminate in the top 10 semi-finalists competing in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can click here to learn about becoming a member. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 12.
The 2023 World Pork Expo returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 7-9. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the annual event focusing on education, innovation and networking within the pork industry. “This is a big anniversary for the World Pork Expo,” National Pork Producers Council board president Terry Wolters said. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the event’s history while continuing to look ahead at the progress the industry continues to make.” The event has seen significant growth over the last three and a half decades to become the world’s largest pork-specific trade show. Last year, more than 10,000 pork producers and ag professionals representing over 400 companies worldwide participated. This year’s event is expected to draw even more industry insiders to the more than 300,000 square feet of exhibit space. Registration information will soon be available on www.worldpork.org for those who plan to attend the 2023 World Pork Expo, June 7-9.
Kansas State University-Olathe is offering a one-day workshop on May 18, 2023, addressing regulations associated with nutritional products intended to address disease and promote animal wellbeing. Content is designed for those looking to further their understanding of the basics of nutrition for animal health purposes and present key points to address when navigating barriers for bringing nutritional-health products market. Contact Lauren Racki at laurenracki@ksu.edu or 913-307-7340 to obtain discount codes for a group.