Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - September 2023

Developments

Kansas State University’s Technology Development Institute in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering is working with a team of researchers from across the country to address organic-compliant food safety concerns for the produce industry. The effort is funded by a USDA grant as part of the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative to help solve critical organic agriculture issues. The research team consists of food scientists from K-State and four additional universities — the University of Missouri, the University of Arizona, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia — and has an overall goal of developing new technologies to control Listeria biofilms on food-contact surfaces and equipment.

After the success of its first European edition last year, Lenexa, Kansas-based Ceva Animal Health has announced the launch of a U.S. edition – 2024 Call For Projects – This worldwide event aims to discover and support new solutions for the well-being and care of companion animals. Ceva hopes to harness the expertise and creativity of individuals, startups and organizations. Selected projects will receive valuable support from Ceva, including mentorship, access to industry networks and resources to accelerate the development and commercialization of their innovative solutions. Additionally, the selected projects will gain recognition and visibility within the animal health community. More information is available at their website.

The Monthly Monitor is a new report compiled by the University of Missouri’s Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center and Farm Journal that surveys economists nationwide on their projections of agricultural trends. Scott Brown, director of the policy center, is forecasting a positive outlook for farm finances even as the weather has created significant challenges this past year in North America. Sentiment from the July Monthly Monitor indicates that economists are worried about feed costs and how they could affect livestock prices and profitability. When asked to project prices, economists saw a more positive outlook for pork and beef prices than for milk. Specifically, milk supplies have been slower to adjust to the lack of profitability than beef or pork supplies. An additional area of concern among the economist group included domestic and international demand. More information is available here.

Livestock Marketing Association members have a front-row seat to a disturbing trend: the continued loss of livestock producers across the U.S. They see this as a critical threat, not only to the livestock industry, but to the nation’s food supply. That’s why they’re launching an initiative to strengthen producers’ bottom lines and incentivize the next generation of farmers and ranchers. To join the conversation visit their website.

Sixteen of the nation’s top corn grower leaders, including KCGA President Brent Rogers, Hoxie, asked that aviation biofuels be treated fairly in tax policy by using the best standards available. The corn leaders recently sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen encouraging her to adopt the GREET emissions model developed by the Department of Energy as her agency works with the IRS to determine which biofuels can qualify for sustainable aviation fuel tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Nodaway County has applied for and been granted Agri-Ready County Designation by Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of more than 40 leading Missouri agricultural groups. With this designation, the county has taken action to support agricultural development, economic growth and agricultural literacy education. Through the Agri-Ready County Designation program, MFC identifies counties that create an environment conducive to agricultural opportunity which support Missouri’s largest industry. “The Nodaway County Commission unanimously supports a pro Agri-Ready Designation,” said Bill Walker, Nodaway County Presiding Commissioner. “It creates an environment conducive to agriculture, helps us promote our agricultural assets and builds on education and workforce development opportunities.”

University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist Teng Lim has been awarded a $179,933 grant to study new wean-to-harvest biosecurity projects to improve entry to swine operations. The Swine Health Information Center awarded the grant with funds from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and the Pork Checkoff. MU Extension was one of five groups to receive funds in a $514,856 round of awards aimed at addressing biosecurity gaps in U.S. swine herds. This is the second round of awards made by the program. About $1 million was awarded in the first round. The research projects center on the efficacy of new tools to reduce the risk of disease spread, said SHIC associate director Megan Niederwerder. Lim said the awards help researchers prevent the spread of emerging swine diseases by identifying vulnerabilities faced by pork producers. The interdisciplinary faculty team, which includes Wole Odemuyiwa, Cory Bromfield and Tamara Gull, has been brainstorming practical methods to safeguard swine health in the U.S. MU Extension researchers will look at easy-to-use entry systems that improve biosecurity on commercial pig farms. The project will design and test a variety of entry systems that consist of air showers, disinfectant spraying/fogging units and designated clean and dirty areas split by a “line of separation.” The team will test the pathogen-removal effectiveness of each entry system.

The pork industry isn't united over whether Congress should use the upcoming farm bill to overturn California’s Proposition 12, and a proposed legislative fix faces stiff opposition. After the Supreme Court upheld California’s ballot initiative that mandates animal confinement space requirements, the National Pork Producers Council began working with members of Congress on a way to block the law from being enforced. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, and Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., introduced the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act this summer with hopes of including it in the upcoming farm bill. The EATS Act would bar a state from regulating farming practices for foods produced in another state. But not all in the industry are on board with that approach. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, September 27, 2023.

Water levels along the Mississippi River are plummeting for the second year in a row after this summer’s blistering heat and low rainfall triggered extreme drought across parts of the Central US. The low water levels have made a unique rock formation in the Mississippi River, usually surrounded by water, accessible by foot, and the Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the size of a levee in Louisiana to prevent saltwater from surging into drinking water in New Orleans. The drought comes as a critical harvest season approaches and farmers across the Midwest are concerned about water supply and barge deliveries. Officials and residents along the river worry about the widespread impacts another decline could bring. Every water level gauge along a nearly 400-mile stretch of the Mississippi from the Ohio River to Jackson, Mississippi, is at or below the low-water threshold, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and US Geological Survey. The same stretch of the river experienced record-low water levels last year in October, which brought major impacts on farming communities and barge traffic during the critical harvest period, where staple Midwestern crops including soybeans, corn and wheat are transported down the river.

Events

The American Royal World Series of Barbecue®, the world's largest barbecue competition and the American Royal's largest fundraiser, welcomes the Kansas City community for a family fun day at the Kansas Speedway on Saturday, September 30, starting at 11 a.m. Attendees can expect a full lineup of exciting yard games, family-friendly outdoor activities, food and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. “Join us at this year’s World Series of Barbecue as the Kansas Speedway’s infield turns into a huge backyard party filled with food, games, drinks, fun, family activities, barbecue giveaways and so much more,” said Jackie McClaskey, president and CEO of the American Royal Association. As for the BBQ competition, this year’s will feature a record-setting 507 teams and 80 Kids’ Q squads.

K-State Olathe is hosting an upcoming workshop on Artificial Intelligence in Animal Health: What is it and What Does the Future Hold? The workshop will be held Nov. 2 from 1-5 p.m. Options are available for online and in-person participation. More information is available here. In addition they are hosting two upcoming luncheon webinars on Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Graduate Certificate, Oct. 11, Noon and M.S. in Veterinary Biomedical Science, Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

People

Iowa State student Quentin Slater will be a member of the Agri-Pulse team of journalists this fall as part of an immersive learning experience provided through the Iowa State University Foundation. He is the second candidate to be selected by ISU for this multiyear educational program. Slater will be based in Washington, D.C., where he will write articles for the Agri-Pulse and Agri-Pulse West newsletters — which are must-read, subscriber-only products offering the latest ag and food policy information — as well as contribute to all other facets of coverage offered at Agri-Pulse.com. “We are excited to have Quentin on board to help cover Capitol Hill and learn more about the intersection of politics and policies impacting rural America.

Korbin Fisher (Cole County), Cameryn Belle Hoffman (Audrain County) and Matthew Jermain (Nodaway County) have been awarded the inaugural Michael P. Voiles Scholarship for Insurance and Agriculture, by the Missouri Farm Bureau. The scholarship was established this fall to honor Voiles’ outstanding legacy and service at Missouri Farm Bureau (MOFB). Voiles served MOFB and its members for 42 years, and the scholarship was created by his wife, Beckie, to encourage students to pursue degrees – and ultimately careers – in the insurance and agricultural industries. Each recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship that is renewable for up to three additional years, pending the successful completion of yearly criteria.

James Glueck is headed to the Corn Refiners Association as the new executive director of the Plant Based Products Council and will also serve as the senior vice president of advanced bioproducts at CRA. He previously worked at Torrey Advisory Group as a vice president. Before that, he was the GOP staff director for the Senate Ag Committee under then-Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan. Glueck replaces Jessica Bowman who has left the company. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, September 27, 2023.