Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - May 2023
/Developments
USDA and the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate dedicated the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility on May 24, in Manhattan, Kansas, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured remarks from national and local dignitaries. The new 48-acre facility will become one of the top laboratories in the world to study and diagnose animal diseases. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “This new, innovative facility will give USDA scientists access to cutting-edge, safe and secure technology so they can continue to lead the world in animal health research, training and diagnostics to protect our food supply, agricultural economy and public health.” Replacing the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, which is more than 68 years old, NBAF will feature a biosafety level-4 laboratory space to study livestock and other large animals. It also has support areas and required safety systems like redundant high-efficiency particulate air filters and waste decontamination systems. The facility is located next to Kansas State University. “NBAF’s Midwest location offers researchers and diagnosticians closer proximity to develop key partnerships with the animal health industry and several academic institutions,” explained Alfonso Clavijo, DVM, PhD, director of NBAF. “NBAF will create opportunities between scientists and animal health companies to enhance and expedite the transition of new veterinary countermeasures from research to market to protect the nation’s agriculture if needed.” Mark Hatesohl, mayor of Manhattan, Kansas State University president Richard Linton, PhD, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Senator Jerry Moran, and retired Senator Pat Roberts were on hand for the event.
Testifying at a House Oversight Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs hearing on tailpipe emissions rules and electric vehicle transition, Kansas Corn Growers Association CEO Josh Roe said biofuels like ethanol should not be ignored as a climate solution. Roe told the committee the EPA’s narrow rules prevent the use of low carbon liquid fuels like ethanol to help reach climate goals. In testimony, Roe said the administration’s full focus on electric vehicles ignores a solution that is available to nearly every car on the road today. He warned low- and middle-income citizens will pay the price for electric vehicles that are more expensive and not feasible for use in many areas. “The agricultural and liquid fuels industries stand ready to assist in reducing air pollution. Unfortunately, current, and proposed EPA rules prevent us from being part of the solution, and adversely impact low income and rural citizens across the United States,” Roe stated. “While we believe electric vehicles will play a vital role in achieving these goals, other complementary alternatives, such as biofuels, have a key role to play but are being pushed aside.”
The Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2023 was introduced in the U.S. Senate last week. The act would provide additional funding for three important animal health programs established through the 2018 Farm Bill: 1) National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank; 2) National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program; 3) National Animal Health Laboratory Network. NAVVCB was established due to NCBA’s advocacy efforts during the 2018 Farm Bill and currently houses foot-and-mouth disease vaccines and diagnostic test kits. NADPRP supports programs like the Secure Beef Supply Plan, which will help maintain business continuity in the event of a disease outbreak. Finally, NAHLN conducts essential research, disease monitoring and testing. All three programs are supported by Kansas Livestock Association and NCBA.
Lab-grown meat, which is cultured from animal cells, is often thought to be more environmentally friendly than beef because it’s predicted to need less land, water and greenhouse gases than raising cattle. But in a not yet peer-reviewed paper, researchers at the University of California Davis, have found that lab-grown or “cultivated” meat’senvironmental impact is likely to be “orders of magnitude” higher than retail beef based on current and near-term production methods. “If companies are having to purify growth media to pharmaceutical levels, it uses more resources, which then increases global warming potential,” said lead author and doctoral graduate Derrick Risner, UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology. “If this product continues to be produced using the “pharma” approach, it’s going to be worse for the environment and more expensive than conventional beef production.” The un-reviewed paper – Environmental impacts of cultured meat: A cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment – can be read here.
Officials in Congress are taking new steps to standardize and improve food date labels to reduce food waste and help families save money on groceries. U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., held a press briefing May 22, 2023 at a New Jersey supermarket to push for changes in this expiration date system, as the U.S. has no federal standard for "sell-by," "use-by" or "best by" dates. He said most date labels indicate when the manufacturer believes the product is fresh, which is not necessarily based on scientific food-safety considerations. Some nutrition experts say those labels are leading to a major waste of food in this country. The Congressman is leading a bipartisan effort to standardize expiration date terminology across the country. According to the FDA, 30 to 40% of all food ends up in the garbage. That equates to 160 billion pounds -- or $218 billion worth of food -- each year. The agency says consumers should not rely solely on date labels and should examine food even after the expiration date.
Scientists at USDA Agricultural Research Services’ U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska, have produced the first gene-edited calf with resistance to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a virus that costs the U.S. cattle sector billions of dollars annually. Findings of the research, published in PNAS Nexus, resulted from a collaboration among ARS, the University of Nebraska, the University of Kentucky and industry partners Acceligen and Recombinetics, Inc. BVDV is one of the most significant viruses affecting the health and well-being of cattle worldwide, and researchers have been studying it since the 1940s when it was first recognized. This virus does not affect humans but is highly contagious among cattle and can cause severe respiratory and intestinal diseases.
On May 11, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on California’s Proposition 12, choosing to uphold the legality of the measure — a decision that was met with disappointment by many in U.S. agriculture, claiming it sets a dangerous precedent for animal agriculture moving forward. The Supreme Court opinion delivered by Justice Neil Gorsuch suggested a next step surrounding Proposition 12 may be a Congressional bill since the Constitution vests Congress with the power to “regulate Commerce . . . among the several States.”
Organic food sales in the United States in 2022 topped $60 billion for the first time, hitting another high-level mark for the resilient organic sector. Total organic sales – including organic non-food products, were a record $67.6 billion*, according to the 2023 Organic Industry Survey released by the Organic Trade Association.
EPA has announced it would use existing authority to prevent drivers from losing access to lower-cost and lower-emission E15, a higher ethanol blend often marketed as Unleaded 88. Missouri Corn Growers Association President Clint Stephens welcomed the decision. “We applaud today’s announcement from EPA to keep the door open for E15 throughout the summer driving season.” America’s corn farmers and local ethanol plants are deeply committed to playing a prominent role in addressing today’s energy needs, Stephens added.
Farmer sentiment improved modestly in April over March, according to the Purdue University/ CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, rising six points to a reading of 123. Both of the barometer’s sub-indices were also higher in April, the Current Conditions Index was up 3 points to 129 and the Future Expectations Index was up 7 points to 120. A shift in farmers’ expectations regarding the Fed’s future interest rate policy could be a key reason behind the improvement in farmer sentiment. 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 from April 10-14.
Farmers are sharply divided on whether Congress will pass a new farm bill this year to replace the 2018 law. Some 40% of growers surveyed for the monthly Purdue University-CME Group ag barometer believe it’s at least somewhat likely a new bill gets enacted in 2023. But 29% of the producers surveyed say a 2023 bill is very unlikely and 13% say it’s somewhat unlikely. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications.
The University of Missouri’s MU Extension will partner with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a $25 million award from USDA to create the Heartland Regional Food Business Center, which will foster more vibrant, resilient food systems throughout a five-state region. Heartland is among 12 regional centers the USDA will establish to serve all areas of the country. The project will establish an online platform to strengthen local and regional food systems. It will mobilize existing resources across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma and a designated tribal trade coalition to accelerate the delivery of resources for agricultural producers and food businesses. Partners and collaborators include land-grant universities, nonprofits and tribal and indigenous groups, as well as smaller organizations focused on serving under-resourced groups. “In Missouri, we’ll be targeting audiences statewide with an emphasis on reaching underserved producers and food businesses,” said Bill McKelvey, senior project coordinator for MU Extension and Heartland Regional Food Business Center.
People
Taylor Williamson will join Kansas Corn as director of policy and regulatory affairs. In this role he will represent Kansas corn growers on legislative and regulatory affairs on local, state and national levels. Williamson will begin his role with Kansas Corn on July 10. Taylor graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in agriculture economics, specializing in political science. He had internships at the Department of State Office of Agriculture Policy, and the Cargill corn crush plant in Eddyville, Iowa. Since graduating, Williamson worked as the Director of Government Affairs for Kansas Wheat, and the Government Relations Representative at the National Association of Wheat Growers. He is continuing his education by pursuing a master’s degree in economics.
Kansas Corn recently announced additional staffing changes, naming Emily Koop, Director of Grower Services and Market Development. Koop joined the Kansas Corn team as a regional representative and market development coordinator in 2018, and in 2021, Koop was promoted to Director of Market and Leadership Development. Heather Greene has been named Director of Finance, filling a vacant position. Kaitlin Donovan is Kansas Corn’s Digital Marketing and Communications Manager. Donovan manages all social media platforms for Kansas Corn and its programs as well as design, branding and communications.
Earlier this month Governor Mike Parson proclaimed May to be Beef Month in Missouri. Governor Parson presented the proclamation at KC Cattle Company in Parkville. Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn and members of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Beef Industry Council joined the Governor for the proclamation. “As a third-generation cattleman, it is my mission to advocate on behalf of Missouri’s farmers and ranchers, especially our hard-working beef producers,” Governor Parson said. “Missouri cattlemen diligently strive to provide high quality, nutritious beef products to consumers across Missouri and nationwide.” Director Chinn said. “Cattlemen and women across the state play an important role in feeding the world, and we love highlighting that during Beef Month.” KC Cattle Company is a veteran-owned company started by Patrick Montgomery, 1st Ranger Battalion, U.S. Army. Missouri ranks third nationally in the number of beef cows with more than two million head and is consistently among the leading states for total cattle production. The meat processing industry contributes nearly $6 million to the state’s economy, according to a study showing the economic contribution of Missouri agriculture.
Events
The Ag Business Council is proud to be a sponsor of the City Market's 2023 Grub Crawl, Friday, June 2, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. This is City Market’s annual tasting tour. Tickets are limited, and may sell out, so be sure to take advantage of this special pre-sale offer -- use promo code ABCKC to unlock the early-bird tickets. Ticket sales are online only - no walkup sales at the event.
Livestock producers can learn to use native grasses and other forages to improve profits at a June 6 conference at the University of Central Missouri’s Prussing Farm. Keynote speaker will be Shane Gadberry of the University of Arkansas, who will speak on the “300 Days Grazing” system developed in Arkansas. The system is based on eight different management practices to extend the grazing season and reduce hay feeding: Improving grazing management, stockpiling fescue, stockpiling Bermuda grass, growing legumes, growing summer annual forage, growing winter annual forage, reducing hay losses in storage and reducing hay losses during feeding. Other speakers include Mary Drewnoski of the University of Nebraska, who will talk about grazing cover crops; University of Missouri Extension forage specialist Harley Naumann on native warm-season grass management; and David Boatright of Boatright Farms on multispecies grazing. Register with the MU Extension Center in Cass County at 816-380-8460 or cassco@missouri.edu, or the Pettis County MU Extension Center at 660-827-0591 or pettisco@missouri.edu.
The Missouri Corn Merchandising Council announced its sponsorship of the Heartland Whiskey Competition and is inviting Missouri distilleries to vie for state bragging rights. Taking place August 2 in St. Louis, the biennial national contest is sanctioned by the American Craft Spirits Association and strictly limited to craft whiskeys that contain some amount of corn as an ingredient. Craft spirits is a fast-growing U.S. industry. The number of craft distillers has increased 54% since the inaugural competition in 2016, with whiskey as the most popular product. On average, it takes approximately 3 pounds of corn to make one bottle of spirits. At 56 pounds in a bushel, local distilleries can produce roughly 18 bottles of spirits for each bushel of corn. Most craft distilleries use corn mash sourced locally to make their product. “While we often think about livestock and ethanol when it comes to field corn, this is a fun opportunity to highlight another of our crop’s many uses,” says MCMC chairman Brent Hoerr of Palmyra. “This competition not only supports a niche market for our corn, but local distilleries who are crafting Missouri-grown, Missouri-made spirits.”
The Kansas State Board of Agriculture will meet for its regular quarterly board meeting on Thursday, June 1, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Kansas Department of Agriculture office at 1320 Research Park Dr. in Manhattan. The meeting is open to the public. For more information or to receive a copy of the agenda, please contact Auburn Wassberg at Auburn.B.Wassberg@ks.gov. Persons who require special accommodations must make their needs known at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.