Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - September 2022

DEVELOPMENTS

American families can expect to pay record high prices at the grocery store for turkey this upcoming holiday season, thanks to the impacts of the bird flu and inflation. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed turkey and egg costs in their latest Market Intel. The retail price for fresh boneless, skinless turkey breast reached a record high of $6.70 per pound in September, 112% higher than the same time in 2021 when prices were $3.16 per pound. The previous record high price was $5.88 per pound in November 2015, during the 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. Inflation is adding to the price hikes. All retail food prices were 11.4% higher in August compared to the same time last year. Despite the higher prices, there should be enough turkeys available for the Thanksgiving demand.

U.S. farm households increasingly rely on off-farm income, notes a report from University of Missouri Extension. On average, 82% of farm household income comes from outside the farm. More than half of the principal operators of farms have primary jobs off the farm, said Alan Spell, MU assistant extension professor and a co-author of the report. The Importance of Off-Farm Income to the Agricultural Economy highlights the growing interdependence of rural and urban economies over the past several decades, Spell said.  Download the report here.   

The Longhorned tick causes the loss of millions of dollars in agricultural revenue to cattle producers worldwide is now in northern Missouri, discovered for the first time by researchers at the University of Missouri. Longhorned tick infestation can lead to significant loss in weight gain for cattle, similar to an already widely prevalent disease called anaplasmosis. So far, the threat from this species in Missouri remains low. However, researchers emphasize that the discovery of the Longhorned tick in the state increases the need for more vigilance towards ticks in general.

The four largest U.S. railroads are optimistic about their plans to recruit more workers needed to move the fall grain crop to market, but Surface Transportation Board chairman Martin Oberman is expressing concern about whether the railroads will be ready for the harvest. The annual meeting of the board's Grain Car Council took place in Kansas City on August 25, bringing together railroad industry leaders, grain shippers and private rail car owners to discuss issues affecting grain transportation. The STB prefaced this year’s event with a letter to the council’s Class I railroad members expressing concerns over whether they will have “sufficient crew, locomotive, equipment and capacity resources along key corridors supporting domestic and international markets.” Max Fisher, the chief economist of the National Grain and Feed Association and one of the meeting’s attendees, said the railroads were optimistic about their worker recruitment. Railroad executives noted that the current period is a downtime for freight rail demand for grain, which has smoothed some of the shipping snarls they had previously experienced.  Source: Agri-Pulse Newsletter, August 31, 2022.

The Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) is partnering with Missouri FFA to introduce the Soy Innovation Challenge to high school agricultural education classes. 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. The Soy Innovation Challenge is a two-part contest. Participating chapters will design and develop an exhibit for the Center and submit proposals.

USDA has introduced its Fertilizer Product Expansion Program (FPEP), providing grants to help eligible applicants increase or otherwise expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives and their availability in the United States. Entities are eligible regardless of legal structure and may include, but are not limited to, Tribes, Tribal Entities, for‐profit entities, corporations, non‐profit entities, producer‐owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and State or local government entities. Private entities must be independently owned and operated. According to USDA, $500 million in grants through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program will be offered to “support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American farmers.” More information is available here.  

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has partnered with Grow with Google to train 2,000 teachers on digital skills, to reach 200,000 students in rural communities by the end of the 2023 school year. As part of that effort, the Foundation is bolstering agricultural education curriculum through the Farm Bureau Foundation Fellows Program, a unique fellowship that will allow educators in rural or agricultural regions to teach students where their food comes from. More information is available on the Foundation’s webpage.

Farmers’ outlook improved last month despite lingering concerns about high input prices and prospects for weaker prices in 2023, according to the monthly Purdue-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The index rose 14 points to 131 in August but remained well below its level a year earlier. The index is based on a survey that was conducted Aug. 15-19, after USDA released its closely watched Crop Production report and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. Separate measures of farmer attitudes toward current conditions and their future expectations both increased in August. "Producers this month were less worried about their farm’s financial situation than in July, although they remain concerned about a possible cost/price squeeze,” according to a summary of the survey. Some 53% of the farmers who were surveyed said higher input costs were their biggest concern heading into 2023. More than half the producers said they expect crop input prices to increase by as much as 20% in 2023. About four in 10 producers expect inputs to stay the same or decline by as much as 10%. USDA forecasts that net cash farm income will reach its highest level in a decade this year, although producers in some sectors are going to do much better than in others, due in part to increases in input costs. Net cash farm income is forecast at $168.5 billion in 2022, an increase of 15.1% over 2021.  Source: Agri-Pulse Communications

Select session recordings from the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2022 Stakeholders Summit, held May 11-12 in Kansas City, Missouri, are now publicly available on the organization’s YouTube channel. The first in person Summit since 2019, themed Come Together for Animal Ag: Be Informed, Be Ready, Be Here, attracted an audience of more than 260 attendees and included an additional 125 registered virtual attendees. “Each sector of the food supply chain came together for animal ag at the Alliance’s most recent Stakeholders Summit,’ said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “While nothing compares to attending the event live, there’s a vast array of key insights and action items to glean from session recordings led by subject matter experts.” All available session recordings from the 2022 Summit can be viewed here. To read a condensed overview of insights shared at the event, check out the highlights reports on their website.

A third installment of the Kansas Livestock Association’s Young Stockmen's Academy program was held September 19-21. The group of young producers spent three days touring various segments of the beef and dairy industries in central and western Kansas. Merck Animal Health is the exclusive sponsor of the YSA program.   El Dorado Livestock Auction was the first tour stop. The group heard from co-owner Josh Mueller about the modern facility, where more than 50,000 head of cattle are sold per year. Frank Harper hosted the class for a tour of his new backgrounding facility near Sedgwick, where both home-raised and purchased calves are grown before being sent to a feed yard. During a stop near Lindsborg, Erik Peterson explained how they use high-accuracy sires and cow families at Smoky Valley Angus to raise bulls that meet the needs of their commercial cow-calf customers. Sam Hands and Marissa Kleysteuber, managing partners of Triangle H, gave the group an inside look into their fifth-generation operation, which consists of a cow-calf, stocker and cattle feeding program, as well as a farming business. 

Missouri Department of Agriculture celebrated Farm Safety and Health Week, which has been recognized during the third week of September since established by President Roosevelt in 1944. This year’s theme, coined by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), was Protecting Agriculture’s Future. Each day had its own theme: Monday was Tractor Safety and Rural Roadway Safety; Tuesday was Overall Farmer Health; Wednesday was Safety and Health for Youth in Agriculture; Thursday was Confined Spaces; and Friday was Safety and Health for Women in Agriculture. Missouri is home to 95,000 farms and employs nearly 460,000 people in agriculture, forestry and related industries. Agriculture remains the state’s number one economic driver, supporting both rural and urban communities from farm to fork. In turn, farm safety and health is of utmost importance throughout the state.  “The safety of our farmers and ranchers remains a top priority for my team each year,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said.

PEOPLE

Randy Dickhut is retiring from Farmers National Company where he spent 20 years. FNC has promoted Paul Schadegg to succeed Dickhut as the senior vice president of real estate operations. Schadegg currently serves as the Western area sales manager and is a member of the Ag Business Council’s Board of Directors.

Riley Pagett has been promoted to deputy chief of staff for U.S. Representative Tracey Mann. He previously served as Mann’s legislative director and counsel. Before that, Pagett worked at USDA as the chief of staff in the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement during the Trump administration.

Kansas Corn has brought Nicki Fisher on board as part of its grower services team. She will serve as Programs Manager, Western Grower Services, and will focus on the western half of the state and the unique challenges growers in that area face. Nicki attended Kansas State University and received her bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness. While in college, Nicki was a graduate of Class 5 of Kansas Corn’s Collegiate Academy.

EVENTS

The University of Missouri will host a free webinar for agricultural lenders, credit managers, rural land appraisers, congressional staffers, county commissioners and ag service providers 10:30 a.m.-noon Friday, October 7. The Zoom webinar will focus on “Monetary Policy and Farm Income Outlook for Missouri’s Ag Lenders.” Register online. Hosted by the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI), the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center and the MU Extension, the webinar will provide an overview of Missouri farm income portfolios; deliver an outlook on Missouri cash receipts, expenses and net farm income; and focus on areas of concern in Missouri’s farm and rural sector.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed October 2-8 as National 4-H Week in Missouri. 4-H State Council President Emily Taylor, Vice President Lynn Dyer and council adviser Erin Stanley received the proclamation at the governor’s office from Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe.

Plans for the 2023 Commodity Classic are well underway as America’s largest farmer-led agricultural and educational experience returns to Orlando March 9-11, 2023. The theme for the 2023 show is Preparing for the Next Generation.   Registration and housing for the 2023 Commodity Classic will open in mid-November 2022. Attendees can sign up now to receive email updates at CommodityClassic.com.

Kansas State University-Olathe is offering several agriculture-related workshops, forums and symposia this Fall.

• October 12-13: Pesticides workshop will provide 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 workshop is designed to be interactive with case studies, and an opportunity for participant interaction and networking.

• December 8: Ag Supply Chain has become a heightened challenge over the last few years and many have accepted delayed deliveries as part of the new way of things. Are there processes that can anticipate delays or overcome these challenges? Particularly in the animal health industry, where are delays happening and what can be done by organizations to plan ahead to avoid supply chain issues? This half-day seminar will be a discussion on how to best navigate the supply chain and still get products to market in a timely manner, amidst ever-changing barriers.

Contact Lauren Raki at laurenracki@ksc.edu or 913-307-7340 for more information.

Digging Deeper...

In the food bank community, September is recognized as Hunger Action Month. It was established in 2008 by Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States with a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs. In 2021 Feeding America helped provide 6.6 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need. Kansas City-based Harvesters is a member of the Feeding America network, serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 620 nonprofit agencies including food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. As a food bank, Harvesters acquires, stores and distributes food to its grid of nonprofit agencies so they can provide direct service to families, children and seniors in need. And, just so you know, in 2011 Harvesters was “Feeding America’s Food Bank of the Year.”

By Dennis McLaughlin, McLaughlin Writers LLC. Resources, commentary and insight for this article were provided by Karen Siebert, Advocacy and Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters – The Community Food Network, Kansas City, Missouri; Kansas Department of Agriculture; Missouri Farmers Care Foundation.

Food Banks Took Some Punches
… But Never Went Down For The Count

Over the last two years, Harvesters – like every other industry, business, organization, school, hospital, institution, government agency, most families and you name it – got clobbered  by a “perfect storm” of events brought on by  COVID-19. The pandemic shutdown disrupted just about everything. “We’ve heard that perfect storm analogy so often it’s become tiresome,” says Karen Siebert, Harvesters’ Advocacy and Public Policy Advisor.

So, here’s another comparison. What happened to food banks – without too much exaggeration – was the equivalent of getting into a sparring ring with Mohammad Ali. And George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Floyd Mayweather. All at the same time.  When the pandemic hit, food banks took it on the chin. Social distancing, quarantines, lockdowns were akin to a fighter’s jabs, uppercuts and crosses. Harvesters got roundly pummeled. The food bank’s food donations evaporated and volunteer help was scarce at the same time the need skyrocketed.

Just as supply disruptions and shortages of everything were proving to be routine and sort of manageable, other health, world and economic events almost threw the old one-two knockout punch at food banks. The pandemic came up with new virus variants, inflation soared, household evictions were rampant, and a major war broke out in Ukraine.  

And while all this was happening, worldwide demand for food bank services was expanding. In the U.S. more than 53 million Americans received help from food banks in 2021, according a report from Feeding America. That was 30% more than before the pandemic. But Karen Siebert says communities in Kansas and Missouri’s food bank coalition “came through.” 

How It Works

Speaking at KC’s Agricultural Business Council meeting in August, Siebert reminded members that Harvesters is not a food pantry. Rather, it is a food bank, which is a large food collection and distribution facility. “We have a fleet of more than 20 trucks and 275,000 square feet of warehouse space between our two distribution centers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Topeka, Kansas,” she said.  From those two centers food is distributed to a vast network of nonprofit food pantries, kitchens and shelters located in churches, community centers and other faith-based organizations across a 26-county service area in Kansas and Missouri.

Harvesters mission is to acquire, warehouse and transport large quantities of food, to member pantries that focus on putting food on the tables of those who need it.  “To give you an idea of the scope of our network’s impact,” Siebert explained, “last year Harvesters distributed more than 68 million pounds of food to our network of more than 760 agencies. Together, those pantry partners serve more than 226,000 people every single month.”

But like other food banks around the country, Harvesters has felt the brunt over the last two years of COVID-19 and the disruption, disorganization and discouragement it left in its wake. It washed over every aspect of the nation’s economic, educational, governmental and agricultural institutions and systems. During the pandemic, government foods accounted for more than a quarter of Harvesters’ distribution. “When COVID hit, we had to close our warehouse to volunteers, our food donations plummeted and the food supply chain seized up—all at the same time the need soared,” said Siebert.

Harvesters saw much of its operational model upended by the pandemic, she added. And that’s saying something. Two years ago, this column, Digging Deeper, described the complexity, expanse and sophistication of Harvesters’ operational footprint:  “One can easily see Harvesters being touted in a classic textbook case-study about properly managing all the components of its business model – logistics, transportation, networking, financing, fundraising, community relations, distribution and compliance with federal and local regulations.”

At the August meeting Karen Siebert indicated membership in the Agricultural Business Council is  important to Harvesters. “The conversations we have here and the partnerships we build help us achieve both aspects of our mission – ‘to feed the line and shorten the line.’ ”

According to Harvesters, feeding the line is parlance for providing food to those who are in immediate need of food. “We work on partnering with farmers, processors, distributors, retailers, community members – everyone along the food system chain – to acquire food so that food insecure families can get the nutritious food they need to eat today.”  Many of those partners, she noted, are part of Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

Shortening the line describes Harvesters’ efforts to ensure that people can feed their own families and don’t need to turn to the charitable sector for help. One of the ways Harvesters does that is to advocate for the federal nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps). SNAP provides funds for low-income families and seniors so they can purchase groceries themselves at their local grocery store.

Going Forward

On May 9 Harvesters’ board of directors issued it Strategic Plan for FY2023 –FY2025, with a statement of the organization’s vision of a healthy, thriving community where no one is hungry. To realize that objective, Harvesters plans to mobilize the power of its community to create equitable access to nutritious food and address the root causes and impact of hunger.

The plan encompasses the following high-level aspirational key intentions for Harvesters’ path forward:

• Refining its mission and vision statements, to more explicitly express Harvesters’ focus and distinction in addressing food insecurity.

• Explicitly clarifying of its values.

• Defining an "aspirational" path, with explicit strategies, that will further advance its mission,  guiding how Harvesters will advance nutrition, in both food acquired and distributed, while ensuring food is desirable and culturally appropriate.

• Intentionally identifying paths for addressing root causes and impact of hunger.

• Articulating how Harvesters will be an even more effective organization in 2025 than it is today, after this strategic plan is implemented.

• Ensuring the integrity and quality of an agile strategic oversight process, a new policy and procedure codifies a process for ongoing plan progress tracking, reporting, and adjustments

In a statement introducing the strategic plan, Harvesters’ recently retired President and CEO Valerie Nicholson-Watson focused on five strategic imperatives that would serve as key pillars:

• Nourish: Acquire and distribute a diverse mix of nutritious food and household products that are distributed through accessible, efficient, and safe distribution methods. Nutrition receives significant focus in this plan. Harvesters will work to increase awareness of and access to healthier food options in the food it distributes and the programs it supports. This will include focus on quality product, culturally appropriate food, and real time demographic data from neighbors to better inform programs.

• Break Down Barriers/Develop Pathways: Work to break down barriers and develop pathways to food security through intentional collaborations, partnerships, and advocacy. This imperative encompasses the second portion of the mission to address the root causes and impact of hunger”, focusing on health, economic mobility and lived experience.

• Engage the Community: Educate, engage, and influence stakeholders to take positive action to advance our mission. This advances Harvesters’ community relations and advocacy in alignment with the mission focus around root causes and impact of hunger.

• Inspire a Culture of Excellence: Create and maintain a culture of excellence by supporting and inspiring highly qualified and diverse employees and board, reflective of the communities we serve. This imperative elevates Harvesters’ organizational culture and people to acknowledge the tremendously important role staff and board play in sustaining and increasing Harvesters’ impact in the community.

• Sustain Operational Excellence: Drive organizational excellence in all areas of business and stakeholder operations to further the mission, sustainability, and overall success of the organization. This imperative focuses on financial stability, organizational health, and infrastructure investment.

Real Time Action

As Harvesters rolls out its strategic plan over the next several years, the food bank is engaged in efforts to address current circumstances.  “We advocate for robust federal nutrition programs, including a strong nutrition title in the Farm Bill,” Karen Siebert told the AgBiz Council.  That would include funding for SNAP, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP, or senior food boxes). “And we advocate for other important federal nutrition programs in the USDA outside of the Farm Bill such as a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children), the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.”

Siebert went on to explain the reason the Farm Bill commodity programs are especially important to Harvesters is that it distributes those foods to pantries on behalf of the government. “In a normal year, commodity foods account for about 12-13% of our total distribution,” she noted.  “However, during the pandemic, government foods accounted for more than a quarter of our distribution.”

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Kansas & Missouri Join USDA in Hunger Fight

Earlier this summer Governor Laura Kelly was joined by USDA Undersecretary Jenny Moffitt and Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam to introduce a new program to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food to food insecure Kansans. KDA has been awarded a $2.5 million cooperative agreement from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service as part of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreement Program. These funds will be used to purchase and distribute Kansas-grown and -processed foods to underserved communities and families across Kansas through the state's existing distribution network of food banks. 

“This common-sense partnership will make progress on two challenges facing our state: Food insecurity, and the fact that though more than 50 million pounds of food was distributed across Kansas last year, very little was locally grown,” said Governor Kelly. “Our farmers and ranchers feed the nation – and this agreement will help them also feed their neighbors.”

KDA will work with agricultural stakeholder groups to develop a network of producers, establish a tiered purchasing standard that gives preference to socially disadvantaged farmers to expand their businesses, and ensure that food purchased by the grant is widely distributed across rural and urban communities impacted by food insecurity. 

“USDA is excited to partner with Kansas to promote economic opportunities for farmers and producers and to increase access to locally sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program will improve food and agricultural supply-chain resiliency and increase local food consumption around the country.”

The local food purchased through this agreement will be distributed through the state’s existing distribution network of Feeding America food banks: Kansas Food Bank, Harvesters — The Community Food Network, and Second Harvest Community Food Bank. Just Food, part of Harvesters’ network, is the food bank of Douglas County, supplying more than 29 partner agencies with fresh produce, dairy products, meat, bread and pantry staples.

 “Together our three Feeding America food banks serve the food insecure in every one of Kansas’ 105 counties,” said Stephen Davis, newly installed President & CEO of Harvesters. “In a time of increased need and decreasing food donations, we are grateful for these healthy, locally grown foods that we can share with our neighbors in need throughout the state.” Source: Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Across The State Line

At the Missouri State Fair last month, Missouri Farmers Care Foundation announced that resources were raised to provide 2.4 million meals to help feed food-insecure children across the state through the “2022 Drive to Feed Kids.”

“Partners in the Drive to Feed Kids generously respond to address the stark reality that 1 in 7 Missouri children regularly face hunger,” said Executive Director of Missouri Farmers Care Foundation, Ashley McCarty. Missouri’s agricultural youth programs again partnered with the Drive to raise meals for communities across the state. Missouri 4-H members donated 264,000 meals during their 4-H Feeding Missouri campaign which ran January-April 2022 and packed an additional 3,000 meal boxes for veterans at the Missouri State Fair. On Aug. 16, hundreds of Missouri FFA Association members and agricultural leaders came together at the Missouri State Fair to pack 152,000 family meals for the Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Day.

The sixth annual Missouri FFA Food Insecurity Day was held Tuesday, Aug. 16, at the Missouri State Fair in partnership with the Missouri Farmers Care Drive to Feed Kids. Together, hundreds of FFA members and agricultural leaders packed 152,000 family meals to feed families in need. The meals were distributed to Missouri’s regional food banks across the state through a partnership with Feeding Missouri.  Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson, along with Missouri elected officials and agricultural leaders, joined the cause in August,  packing 300 emergency boxes that will provide nourishment to central Missouri families in need.        Source: Missouri Farmers Care Foundation

Ag Economy On Solid Ground

From left to right, top to bottom: Sara Wyant, Jeff Simmons, Seth Meyer, Monica Massey

The overall sentiment of ag economists speaking at the 8th Annual Ag Outlook Forum, presented by Agri-Pulse Communications and the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, is that the farm economy appears durable going into 2023.  Farm income is high despite high input costs and loan delinquencies are low noted Nathan Kauffman, vice president and Omaha branch executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “Conditions are stronger,” he said, “but we’re starting to see risks.” Inflation concerns, though, are dampening optimism.  

USDA chief economist Seth Meyer said global demand is key to a prospering U.S. ag industry in the near future, and pointed to China’s “strong” return as an importer in 2021.  While noting shipping dynamics are somewhat better, he wondered what could happen if “FOB” rates rise. Erin Borror, U.S. Meat Export Federation’s vice president economic analysis, observed that China’s growing preference for beef has allowed the American beef cattle industry to extract higher beef prices from Japan and Korea. 

“Short-term profits are still looking good,” she said. “The challenge is that typically input costs don’t come down quickly, but commodity prices do. You could envision an environment where we get a couple good years of harvests and commodity prices pull back, but input costs might not because those tend to be stickier.” Continuing supply-side deficiencies, said Kanlaya Barr, director of corporate economics at John Deere, “is making it look like we’re still in recovery” from the global pandemic and its aftermath. She also has her “eye-on” the energy situation in Europe as winter approaches and on  China’s Zero Covid policy that could close more plants. 

Keynoters

Jeff Simmons, Elanco Animal Health’s president and CEO, provided a provocative address during lunch, calling on the ag industry to “provoke a discussion” about farming and environmental sustainability. He said in a survey of over 1,000 participants, Elanco found that two out of five people who avoid consuming meat believe animal agriculture is the biggest creator of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the U.S., contributing more than any other industry. “But that’s just wrong,” stated Simmons. “The farm is the starting point,” he said for creating a sustainable environment. “It’s time for a true farm-to-table approach where animal agriculture experts can bring their expertise to these global conversations so we can successfully collaborate to make a difference.” Simmons is bullish on the prospects for animal protein, saying demand for alternative meat protein has eroded and currently accounts for only 1% of the market. He also claimed that Generation Z (born in late 1990s to 2010) is becoming a promising market segment for meat-based protein.

Syncing with Simmons’ claim that the concept of sustainability began on the farm, Monica Massey called dairy farmers the “original sustainability scientists.” Massey, executive vice president at Dairy Farmers of America, focused her remarks on how challenges for an industry should be regarded as opportunities and investment in innovation as a sure way to grow a company and an industry. Massey offered an interesting observation to the effect that “industry used to drive the market, now consumers drive it.”

Aaron Annable, Chicago-based acting consul general, Consulate General of Canada in Chicago, described the vital partnership that exists between Canada and the U.S. He also joined ranks with the other Forum speakers in recognizing that “farmers are on the front line” in adapting climate-smart technology to cleanup and reduce Green House Gases.

Black Sea Turmoil

As moderator of the panel discussing the situation in Ukraine and its impact worldwide,  Kip Tom, CEO, Tom Farms LLC, implied some policies, crafted in the fog of war, may have contributed to food insecurity – rather than relieving it. Tom recently served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. From 2019 to 2021, he was chief of the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome. He pointed out that the lingering Covid pandemic also exacerbated food insecurity.

Daniel Whitley, Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service, said the Memorandum of Understanding signed this summer by the U.S. and Ukraine could be a step toward easing disagreements. The MOU calls for a consistent exchange of information and expertise regarding crop production, emerging technologies, climate-smart practices, food security, and supply chain issues to boost productivity and enhance both agricultural sectors. Whitley added that attitudes of some  U.S. trading partners around the world needed to change. “We hear too often comments like this:  ‘If you don’t do it our way, we’ll cut imports’,” he said.

Christine Cochran, CEO, SNAC International, an international trade association for the snack food industry, indicated that the war has brought on shortages of key ingredients such as sunflower oil. She mentioned that in some cultures snack foods are considered dietary staples, not simply treats. Arlan Suderman, Chief Commoodities Economist, StoneX Group, Inc., said if the war were to end “today” it would take years to restore ag infrastructure.

Farm Bill 2023

Blake Hurst, Hurst Farms, former president of Missouri Farm Bureau, and Collin Petersen, former U.S. Congressional Representative and Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, engaged in a lively conversation. Farm policy is getting better, they agreed, because of better crop insurance provisions.  Both favored further improvements in crop insurance rather than larger emergency allocations. While both are apprehensive about “all the money coming into ag,” Petersen staunchly advocates for keeping SNAP benefits linked to farm programs. The nutrition title is the largest of the 12 titles covered in the 2018 Farm Bill, and SNAP accounts for 95% of that nutrition spending. Overall, nutrition spending makes up 80% of the Farm Bill’s total budget. Off the cuff, the two noted that 95% of all Congressional reps and senators do not understand farming or farm bills.  And no Democrats represent farm production areas.  Petersen observed that when he was ag committee chair there were only 26 Democrats on the Senate and House ag committees. “But I was the only one who wanted to be.”

Digging Deeper...

Learning to grow and cook healthy food is just part of what young men learn through their participation in BoysGrow, a nonprofit youth-development organization that teaches entrepreneurship to at-risk boys. Since its founding in 2010, BoysGrow has ‘grown’ into a positive, affirmative educational program. Its success was recently spotlighted nationally on the “Eye on America” segment of CBS Evening News (August 11, 2022).  Dennis McLaughlin, McLaughlin Writers LLC – Sources: Interviews with John Gordon, Jr., BoysGrow founder and executive director; Sydnee Shive, Kansas Living, Kansas Farm Bureau, July 30, 2022; Seattle Times, 2012; Pitch Magazine, 2012.

BoysGrow: Hands-On Education On The Farm

Each  summer 30 boys from the greater Kansas City area – ages 14 to 16 – commit to a two-year program during which they learn how to work together and develop core vocational skills that are applicable to a variety of career paths including culinary arts, construction, marketing and entrepreneurial enterprises. As the program’s name suggests, farming constitutes the heart of BoysGrow. “Through farming and agriculture,” says founder John Gordon, the boys gain pride, identity, discipline and an understanding of the business world.”

The program accepts eighth-grade boys to work on a 10-acre farm in South Kansas City, where, over a period of  two years, they learn the ins and outs of agriculture, producing food that will go on to stock Kansas City restaurant kitchens and stores. During the summer, the boys work three days a week. They also have a chance to choose learning tracks that align with their interests. Track options include farming and agriculture, construction, culinary arts, graphic design and even public speaking. The youth join at least two of these teams, where they work with mentors and staff to learn certain disciplines for particular lines of work.

And they receive a paycheck. “Often, it’s the first one they’ve earned,” Gordon notes. During the summer term, the boys are bussed to the farm where they work and attend training sessions and classes three days a week. During their regular school year they meet two days a month. “They’ll have two years of applied learning and a hands-on introduction to what it means to work in those different fields,” says Gordon. 

Learning to Lead

Eclipsing all the positive skills and experience the youngsters develop during their two years at BoysGrow is leadership. Learning how to be a leader is something kids don’t often get in other programs and even in many grade and high schools, says Gordon. “For the second-year boys here there is no option but to be a leader; once a kid reaches his second year, the expectation is to be a leader.” 

Besides learning about agriculture, cooking, carpentry and construction, they boys are exposed to interpersonal amenities, like shaking hands with people, looking a person in the eye. “We mentor them not only on how to create and develop an enterprise or project, but we also teach them how to pitch their ideas and concepts, Gordon explains. “I think when you’re 15 years old, it’s kind of hard to get that experience.” A lot of leadership traits are cultivated through practical hands-on activities. For example, BoysGrow stages several social, entertainment and fundraising events each year.  But the boys run the show, forming small teams to manage every aspect of the event.

Seeds Of Success 

On the farm, the boys grow a broad range of produce, including garlic, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, blackberries and raspberries and raise turkeys and chickens as well. More importantly, perhaps, are purposeful life-lessons embedded in the boys themselves. BoysGrow helps participants build camaraderie, discipline and business skills that will serve them throughout their lives. “We take this opportunity of having the boys for two years to give them vocational training as well as personal development,” Gordon says, “that will allow them to successfully get the next job once they graduate from high school.”  Public school systems offer an array of academic basics and intellectual pursuits, explains Gordon, but soft skills sometimes fly under the radar.  “We talk to the young men about the importance of soft skills – especially since more and more employers are emphasizing them as a key component of their hiring process.” 

In addition to a curriculum intended to provide vocational background and training in agriculture, construction and marketing, BoysGrow offers a syllabus of what it calls The Basics: 

• Communication – Professionally expressing oneself; listening; public speaking.

• Courtesy – Manners; etiquette; graciousness; respectfulness.

• Flexibility – Adaptability; willingness to change.

• Integrity – Honesty; ethics; morals; incorruptible.

• Interpersonal Skills – Personable and social; sense of humor; friendliness; patience.

• Positive Attitude – Optimistic; enthusiastic; confident; encouraging.

• Professionalism – Business-like; good judgement; appropriately dressed.

• Responsibility – Punctual; reliable; resourceful; self-disciplined; common sense.

• Teamwork – Cooperative; compatible; supportive; helpful; collaborative. 

• Work Ethic – Hardworking; loyal; self-motivated; initiating; timely. 

BoysGrow appears to have hit a sweet spot with the youngsters. Although the agenda is physically demanding, intellectually rigorous and ground-breaking for the boys relative to their lived-experience in an urban setting, most of them stick with the program. Gordon says the retention rate is 90%; and he points out applicants for the program run 30% over the number BoysGrow can accept.

Down To Business

Those entering the program have the chance to specialize in curriculum tracks that align with their interests. Options include three primary endeavors – farming/agriculture, construction and culinary arts. Instruction in graphic design and public speaking is also available.  Boys who join the construction team usually come to the program with some skills or interest in carpentry, according to staff.  They are led by a construction crew leader and are often seen around the farm repairing or building things. But agriculture is the primary focus. Students learn about conventional farming as well organic growing practices – from planting seeds to harvesting and packaging produce. 

The culinary arts team uses fresh produce from the farm and learns how to turn harvests into meals that are served to fellow students and staff during the summer. The science and art of food preparation is a skill set the boys can readily transform into a satisfying career. The curriculum includes learning the tricks-of-the-trade from local chefs who volunteer to instruct and mentor the kids. Notable among these chefs has been Lidia Bastianich of Lidia’s Kansas City.  The culinary program has really taken off, touts Gordon. Recently, BoysGrow dedicated a modern 3,200 square foot culinary center to a house certified kitchen and canning operations as well as updated equipment and systems.   

"The addition of the Farm Kitchen has been a game changer for us,” says Gordon. “We have better amenities for teaching our classes and washing our produce, and it doubles as an event space.  We can host events out here on our beautiful 10 acre farm, this helps us generate another revenue stream but also assists us in reaching a new audience of people who may believe in our mission.”

Gordon points out that the new Farm Kitchen has been the venue this year for private dinners hosted by the American Angus Association and the National Institute of Animal Agriculture as well as for a private Board Retreat of the Kansas Farm Bureau.  

Such development requires a good deal of funding. But sustaining donors and benefactors seem charmed with the organization’s mission, objectives and the resulting success in molding at-risk kids into confident, accomplished and professional young managers and entrepreneurs. Several years ago, Eric Keller, principal project manager for Cargill’s grain and oilseeds North America supply chain business at the time, heard about BoysGrow, and learned that it was raising money to buy a farm. Keller approached Cargill Cares Committee about helping out. 

The Cargill committee met with Gordon and the boys and reviewed the organization’s multi-year plan. “What impressed us was its vision and direction,” recalls Keller. “They had a good strategic plan. We also liked that BoysGrow hits on all three of the primary focus areas that Cargill corporately and locally contribute to – health and nutrition, education and the environment.”

Along with many individual donors and contributors, BoysGrow is financially backed by more than 30 family and business foundations, as well as the United States Department of Agriculture. Major players in agriculture, banking, health, crop, food and meat processing and packaging are among the supporters:  Kemper Foundation, Sunderland Foundation, The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Seaboard Foundation, Smithfield, Boulevard Brewing Company, Health Forward Foundation, Cargill, Kansas City Lidia’s, Hallmark, Missouri Bank, Cabela’s, H&R Block, Gray Family Foundation, Commerce Bank, and Kauffman Foundation.

How BoysGrow Grew

The seeds for BoysGrow were sown in California, New Mexico and at a Kenpo karate dojo in the early 2000s. The sensei at a California karate school invited student John Gordon to a New Mexico wilderness retreat. Called Fathers, Sons & Brothers, the three-week workshop helped men explore the relationships with the males in their lives with a goal of improving communication and self-esteem. 

The workshop was just what he was looking for, Gordon told the Seattle Times during a 2012 interview with the newspaper after he had founded BoysGrow. The New Mexico workshop improved his communication skills and bolstered his confidence.  By his fourth year at the event, he had become a staff member.  At that point the workshop’s leader offered Gordon a job with a social service agency working with young people in Chico, California.

There he met Paco, a 12-year-old boy who changed his life. “He was like Harry Potter living underneath the stairs,” Gordon recalls. “Nobody wanted him.” Paco was enthralled with a gang and involved in theft and other crimes.  That’s when social services arranged to have him taken under the wing of a farm family. Paco’s new guardians gave him plenty of responsibilities, Gordon says, noticing a quick and obvious change in the youngster.  “He went from this sunken kid who was wearing the weight of the world on his shoulders — aggravated and hard to talk to — to a young man who had a purpose.” Gordon was inspired. He moved back to Kansas City in 2008 and created BoysGrow in 2010.

Work Force Panel Zeroes In On Ag Labor Shortage

The Ag Business Council’s July 21 webinar was a panel discussion focused on workforce development. Farm labor shortage is top-of-mind for just about everyone involved in the agriculture industry in the Kansas City region.  As the Council notes, agriculture is vital to the local Kansas City economy, with a $24.5 billion impact on the region and the 98.7 million jobs it supports.  “The entire value chain – from farm to fork – is experiencing one of the most significant talent shortages in recent history,” said Atwater in her opening remarks of the virtual symposium.

One way agriculture is facing the challenge is through different solutions for longstanding problems. Panel participants offered several perspectives on the situation. Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said that “rural folks have to get past inputs and drought [problems]” and key on labor. Shonda Atwater from the Kansas Department of Commerce  – and moderator of the Council event – was somewhat upbeat, pointing out that production has increased in 2022, “which is testament to the resourcefulness of ag people.”

Chris Kuehl, director of Armada Corporate Intelligence, delved into economic and financial fundamentals to conclude that “agriculture is more important than ever.” He said Fed funds rates are still expected to remain “accommodative,” unlike the 1980s. The dollar continues to gain strength which signals robust importing activity – “but it could make the U.S less competitive.”  Dr. Kuehl maintains that a significant reason for farm labor shortages is because in the last five years 26 million farming-Boomers have retired. That’s an almost unsurmountable loss.  That perspective also contrasts with oft-cited reasons – such as low wages, untenable visa regulations, lack of rural housing, schools and daycare services – that discourage workers from seeking farm jobs.  

Several panelists focused their remarks more on how ag careers have to be promoted in high school and college. Two educators on the panel described new programs under development at the State Technical College of Missouri and at Agriculture Future of America. Dr. Shawn Strong described how STC enhances students’ learning potential by providing them with specialized courses in traditional and emerging technical areas that foster a life of learning. The school’s mission is to prepare students for satisfying, profitable careers working for an employer or as a self-employed individual or an entrepreneur. Dr. Mark Stewart, AFA’s CEO, explained his organization is gearing programs and curricula in agriculture to make it as “exciting as NASA.” But he said students still need an understanding of the basics. “Tech experts can be astute regarding their advanced technology, but they might not know how to operate a clutch pedal on a spreader” Dr. Stewart says his team looks at ways to balance high tech instruction with mechanical proficiency. Can a young savant immersed in high technology be equally excited about taking apart a Briggs and Stratton engine, he asked.

Matt Wolters, CEO of Atwood, Kansas-based SurePoint Ag Systems, takes on farm labor shortages by the horns.  As a rural inhabitant all his life, Wolters considers himself and his neighbors rugged individualists who solve problems on their own. If lack of adequate housing in rural areas is an impediment to hiring, then his solution is to build spec houses on individual or jointly-owned property. Waiting for local, state and federal authorities to introduce policies and programs is not part of SurePoint’s strategy. The company recently entered a joint venture with Deere & Company.

Leigh Ann Taylor Knight, president, DeBruce Foundation wrapped up the discussion with a peek into the future. People are going to be living longer lives, yet most kids DeBruce research has found are only considering two or three job-types over a longer career span.  She suggested society and economies should look at education systems from a business perspective.

Two months prior to the Council’s webinar, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City held its annual Agricultural Symposium entitled Help Wanted in Agriculture.  The two-day symposium at the KC Fed’s headquarters examined the role of labor in determining the long-term outlook for agriculture and related businesses, how policies will shape that outlook and what the potential is for structural change. “By many metrics, the labor market appears to be unusually tight,” said Esther George, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. “The number of posted job vacancies is the highest on record. Hiring and retaining workers is an acute challenge.”

ASA Plots a Wide Course of Action

American Soybean Association CEO Steve Censky offered Kansas City Agricultural Business Council members a sweeping overview of ASA’s plans and strategy. He also accented his presentation with some pointed remarks. For example, he stressed that ASA continues to aggressively oppose and push for the removal of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of critical inputs. “These tariffs have led to extreme price increases which are impacting U.S. growers.” Censky curtly described the current sentiment inside the Beltway regarding trade in general and agricultural trade in particular: “It’s not in the cards.” 

Commenting on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposal requiring public companies to report Scope 3 GHG emissions (indirect emissions that occur in a company’s supply and value chain), Censky said his group met with SEC rule makers to explain how such policy would be unhelpful in the campaign against climate change. Especially for farmers. He told them that farmers are willing and able to implement programs for sustainable conservation, but accounting for emissions along their supply chain would impose harsh, expensive record keeping rules on them. After ASA had detailed the situation from an agricultural perspective, one SEC regulator responded, “We never thought of that.” Censky also noted that ag industry leaders need to draw a larger picture of the economic dynamics of their sectors so regulators can better understand the consequences their actions can bring down on businesses. 

Speaking of Trade

As global demand for U.S. soybean oil  grows, Censky said, American soy processors are building new plants to keep up with the orders. New crush capacity is expected to grow by a stunning 25% over the next several years. New crush technology will create additional supplies of soy meal protein which will be a competitive alternative for domestic livestock feeders.  A full buildout of the announced plants would increase soybean meal production by about one-third. While this additional capacity will provide meal for domestic livestock consumption at a competitive price, much of it is also expected to be exported as well.

[Editorial note: The 25% increase in domestic crush capacity will be obtained from 18 facilities, according to Scott Gerlt, ASA chief economist. “Some of these will be new while others will be expansions of existing plants,” he said. “The development will take place over the next several years. The crushing industry is investing billions of dollars in expanding domestic capacity.” Gerlt explained further that the rise of renewable diesel is fueling the crush plant expansion. “Renewable diesel can be used as a drop-in fuel as it has the same chemistry as petroleum-based diesel. While renewable diesel can be produced from many things, soybean oil is expected to be one of the principal feedstocks. This oncoming demand is spurring the additional crush plant investment. In fact, some of the facilities are part of joint ventures between crushers and renewable fuel producers. This results in a higher soybean price for farmers, lower soybean meal costs for livestock producers and more low-carbon fuels.”]

Inflation Reduction Act

As for his assessment of the newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Censky said there are many items in the reconciliation bill that will be good for agriculture, including provisions regarding biofuels, conservation, and taxes. Noting that IRA was passed along strictly partisan, he said, ASA has taken a neutral position as it digests the details of the legislation. There are good things in it, he said, such as no negative taxes for ag. “And it also did not do away with step-up in basis for land valuation.”

Farm Bill On The Horizon

While direct in his cautions about what ASA considers some of the short-sightings in Washington’s policy making, Censky is optimistic about the potential for the upcoming Farm Bill. He is hoping the Bill will contain provisions to improve the farm safety net for soybeans with improved crop insurance. ASA supports enhanced accessibility of conservation programs that allow farmers to keep their voluntary, incentive-based approach in place. Censky said the Farm Bill should provide greater investment in the promotion of U.S. commodities globally and build opportunities for biofuels and bio-based products.

As Censky put it, “A Key Ask” from the ag industry of Farm Bill law makers is: Grow the Size of the Pie. ASA is calling for greater financial allocations in the Farm Bill for food programs and for greater support for the work of food/humanitarian groups like Feed America, Harvesters and SNAP. Censky stressed it is important to include and keep these programs as part of the Farm Bill along with traditional farm programs.  He explained that keeping food programs in the Farm Bill ensured their survival and enactment into law, so people in need can continue to receive the assistance. Practically speaking, Censky explained if nutrition and other traditional farm programs beneficial to rural constituents remain in the Farm Bill, they will receive support from urban lawmakers. There simply are not enough farm votes alone in Congress to pass a Farm Bill.  “We need the urban votes, too; this is a historic coalition of interests that is important to preserve.”  He added, “Feeding people is a good thing, and a good thing for ag.”

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - August 2022

DEVELOPMENTS

U.S. Congressional Representative Sharice Davids, Kansas 3rd District, made a quick visit to the Agricultural Business Council’s August meeting and luncheon at Grand Street Café in Kansas City. Rep. Davids said she was gratified to have joined the Congressional Ag Committee recently, noting she wanted to be on board with the ag industry that comprises such a large number of her constituents in the district.  Rep. Davids also pledged to work with Kansas 1st District Congressman Tracey Mann, who is also a member the Ag Committee. She hopes to be visiting Kansas City more often. “We need good input to legislate good ag policy.”

The U.S. Meat Export Federation indicated trade negotiations with Taiwan are moving forward and that science-based trade and production technologies will be part of the discussions, USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom told Agri-Pulse in an exclusive statement provided to Agri-Pulse (August 18, 2022). The U.S. dairy sector hopes the Biden administration will reconsider its decision not to include tariff-reducing provisions in the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, said Jaime Castaneda, executive vice president of the National Milk ProducersFederation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Nevertheless, Castaneda stressed to Agri-Pulse that exporters are pleased to see the deal moving forward. The quantity of beef that the U.S. exported to Taiwan in the first five months of this year rose by 36% and value increased by 86%, according to USMEF data. Those exports accounted for 49% of Taiwan’s imports, making the U.S. its largest foreign supplier. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications.

National Pork Producer Council has indicated its support for Taiwan’s plans to lift non-tariff barriers against the U.S. NPPC also posted on its website that it will continue to defend the rights of U.S. hog farmers to use production processes and products that are safe. The Council also “opposes government mandates that – with no scientific backing – dictate production practices, increase food prices and restrict consumer choices.” The two countries agreed on general goals for the proposed U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade and said negotiations would begin this fall, Agri-Pulse Communications reported, August 29, 2022.

Pro Farmer, a division of Farm Journal, shared its much-anticipated production estimates on August 26 for the 2022 U.S. corn and soybean crops after analyzing information from the 30th annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour and other sources. The estimates are informed by Crop Tour data and observations collected by Crop Tour scouts in thousands of fields across seven key Midwestern states, and show results far below USDA expectations. Click here to read more from Farm Journal. 

The National Chicken Council recently published a survey showing 69% of American consumers think the term “meat” should only refer to products made from animals. The online survey polled more than 1,100 shoppers who self-identified as regular meat eaters, vegetarians, flexitarians or vegans and said there is confusion created by the way plant-based meats are sold as “chicken.” Some 21% of consumers said they have accidently purchased a plant-based product thinking it was real chicken. The NCC survey noted only 14% of Americans think “chicken” is an appropriate term for plant-based imitation poultry products.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has published a Kansas Agribusiness Commodity Flow Study, which analyzes the movement of crops, livestock, and other agricultural products within and from the state of Kansas. The report identifies key value-added processing, market, and demand points while assessing the role and utilization of infrastructure essential to commodity movement. Results from the report include information about net outflows of feed ingredients, the role played by road and rail infrastructure in the agriculture supply chain, and how Kansas leverages strong local synergies to add value in livestock production and processing. Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said, “It will help identify where opportunities exist to enhance commodity flow and improve market efficiency and competitiveness of Kansas agriculture both domestically and globally.” The study is available online here.

The Arkansas River Compact Administration (ARCA) passed a resolution in July establishing a 20,000 acre/feet multi-purpose storage account in John Martin Reservoir. This new account is intended to benefit water users in Colorado and Kansas and promote commonly held interests not directly related to the Kansas-Colorado Arkansas River Compact such as water quality improvements. This is a pilot project to determine how a multi-purpose storage account could operate, document benefits, and determine if there are any adverse impacts from such an account. The account will be operated in accordance with an operating plan agreed to by the states and will terminate on March 31, 2028, unless extended by ARCA. Find more information online here.

Elanco Animal Health recently released its 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report – Changing the World One Animal at Time. The 2021 ESG Report expands on the company’s inaugural 2020 ESG Summary, providing updates on the company’s sustainability programs, policies and initiatives as well as metrics and targets in several key areas, including workforce diversity and environmental impact. More information on Elanco’s sustainability initiative is available here.  FYI: Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco will speaking at the Ag Outlook Forum, September 26, 2022, presented by Agri-Pulse Communications and Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City.

Farm Journal celebrated the 40th Anniversary of AgDay TV, the newscast of record for U.S. agriculture, serving the nation’s farmers and agricultural industry through its award-winning, nationally-syndicated daily newscast. Viewers across the country watch the agriculture news program each morning on 121 affiliate stations and RFD-TV, reaching more than 53 million viewers each year. “Farm Journal is proud of AgDay’s legacy in delivering the news farmers, ranchers and growers across the country need to run their operations,” said Charlene Finck, president of Lenexa, Kansas-based Farm Journal.  AgDay was a pioneer in syndicated television along with programs like Entertainment Tonight and Wheel of Fortune. The program was responsible for many local TV stations adding morning news to their programming lineup. AgDay launched in 1982 by satellite — brand new technology at the time — on a handful of local affiliates. Farm Journal acquired the show in 1998, adding national television to its industry-leading print publications.

Just so you know…… Chick-fil-A, one of the nation’s most popular quick-service restaurants, does not have plans to put chicken wings on its menu. Wing aficionados – and they are legion – have been salivating at the idea of grabbing an order of those saucy bone-in delicacies from indisputably the fastest, most efficient and most courteous drive-through operations around. But it isn’t to be. Hopes were dashed when Chick-fil-A squelched reports that it would be serving wings. The rumor emerged – and got legs – when word got out that Little Blue Menu, a restaurant chain, would be putting chicken wings on its menu. Chick-fil-A Corporation owns and operates Little Blue Menu. “We aren’t testing chicken wings at Chick-fil-A restaurants,” a company representative recently told Eater, a local restaurant guide published by digital media company Vox. 

Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability has added a meat sentiment dashboard to its roster of free-access food system dashboards. The new dashboard, updated weekly, shows the sentiment and volume of meat and meat alternative mentions in social media and online news. Users may explore the sentiment and volume of #Meat mentions in all 50 states individually for social media or the entire country in a narrowly or broadly defined time range starting with April 2020 in online news and social media. More information is available here.

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) released its annual Our Industry, Our Promise report detailing the challenges the U.S. feed and pet food industry faced over the past year and the steps the AFIA took to address member priorities. The report provides an overview of this unique industry segment’s impact on the U.S. economy, its efforts to promote animal food safety and worker health and safety, and its forward-thinking initiatives to enhance global competitiveness and industry environmental sustainability programs. More information is available here.

PEOPLE

Dennis Rodenbaugh has been named president and CEO of Dairy Farmers of America. He succeeds Richard Smith, who stepped down after 16 years of service. Rodenbaugh most recently worked as the executive vice president of council operations and president of Ingredient Solutions.

Kevin O’Donnell has been appointed as Dairy Farmers of America’s senior vice president of sustainability. O’Donnell comes from FTW Ventures, where he served as a sustainability strategy adviser.

Chad Tenpenny, Tenpenny Law, announced earlier this summer the creation of a strategic alliance with the Lawrence, Kansas based law firm Stevens & Brand LLP. Tenpenny Law is primarily focused on government relations counsel; however, Chad takes great pride in helping clients navigate any professional or personal issue that might present itself. The alliance with Stevens & Brand provides Tenpenny Law with the ability to offer a wider range and greater depth of services for clients. Stevens & Brand is a century-old, full-service, mid-sized Kansas law firm with offices in Lawrence and Topeka.

Kansas City, Missouri-based AgriThority® recently brought on board Elleonora Da Riva as a product development agronomist working in the South American market. "We continue to see an increased focus on bringing new innovations to evaluate and eventually market in South America," said Ignacio Colonna, AgriThority Global Director, Science and Technology. "Eleonora’s experience in entomology and agronomy paired with her product development knowledge will be an asset to our AgriThority clients." 

Kelsey Barnes is now Farm Journal Foundation’s senior manager of government affairs. She comes from Syngenta as the manager of federal government relations.

Southeast Missouri soybean farmer, Aaron Porter, has been elected as Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council’s Chairman. In this role, Porter will lead 13 farmer-leaders elected to serve and oversee Missouri’s soybean checkoff investments. Porter, from Dexter, Missouri, represents District 7 on the MSMC board. Porter farms full-time with his father-in-law and wife, growing corn, cotton and soybeans.

Sydney Thunnel is the new executive director of the Missouri Beef Industry Council. Thummel had been manager of membership for the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. She is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University where she earned a BA in agriculture business and an MBA.

Kansas Corn recently welcomed Connie Fischer to its team as Director of Innovation and Commercialization. Fischer will look for ways to increase corn demand through new uses, encourage the commercialization of commission-funded research, work with partners to increase exports, and administer the commission’s research program. She received a bachelor’s degree in agronomy with an emphasis in business from Kansas State University. During college, she worked for the U.S. Geological Survey on an atrazine runoff study in the Delaware River Basin.

Twenty-five students from seven schools in Kansas have been awarded the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Kansas Agriculture Skills and Competencies Certificate. The students have completed requirements in the areas of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and FFA. These certificates have been endorsed by several industry organizations and employers including Kansas Farm Bureau, Frontier Farm Credit and Triangle H,  Kansas Grain & Feed Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Wheat, Frontier Farm Credit, Harris Crop Insurance, Hummert International, Scott Cooperative Association, Milliken Ag Concepts, Middle Creek Seed. To see which students at which schools earned the certificates click here.

The National FFA Organization has given high priority to diversity and inclusion in its recently released strategic plan and value statements. “It’s a charge that FFA CEO Scott Stump says is critical not only for the future health of the organization, but also for the workforce American agriculture will need in coming years,” reported Agri-Pulse Communications (August 25, 2022). FFA also just announced record membership “topping 850,000 students for the first time.”

Sabrina Halvorson, an NAFB Broadcast Council member, recently published her first book, a novel titled Sins of the Father. Halvorson has been a news professional for more than 30 years. She has been actively involved with NAFB since she became a member 10 years ago when she joined the staff of AgNet West. She is currently the national correspondent for AgNet Media. Learn more about Halvorson’s book at www.sabrinahalvorson.com.  Source: Erin Nash, NAFB.

EVENTS

The anticipated White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health takes place September 28. As the event will be held in the White House, attendance is limited to invitees. But White house officials have said the proceedings can be followed online. This will be the first Conference of this kind in more than 50 years. For details and instructions for attending online click here.

Upcoming events this fall at K-State University Olathe include professional development training in the animal health field including a workshop that will review the Center for Veterinary Biologics and Center for Veterinary Medicine requirements for deviations, investigations, root cause analysis and corrective actions.  Check the K-State Olathe website for exact dates. Attendees may choose to participate in a full-day session or choose either half-day sessions. The morning session will cover FDA processes and CVM requirements. USDA and CVB requirements and processes will be discussed in the afternoon. More information is available here.

The Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum, hosted by AFBF in Kansas City, Missouri, October 14-16, will discuss solutions to Federal Milk Marketing Order shortfalls. Panels will cover various aspects of the Federal Milk Marketing Orders followed by roundtable discussions structured to spur conversation among all parts of the dairy sector, but with a clear focus on farmers. Registration is open through September 22 on the Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum website. From the website participants can also view the agenda and secure lodging.

Kansas Livestock Association reminds producers they can apply for scholarships and grants to attend the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, February 1-3 in New Orleans. To help producers attend, NCBA is offering a variety of scholarships and grants. Recipients will receive a complimentary education package registration and discounted housing for three nights. Stipends will be awarded to up to five beef cattle industry members, up to three young beef producers and up to three students currently enrolled in classes. Applications for all categories are due September 23. Apply at  www.ncba.org. In addition to the scholarship program, NCBA continues to offer the Rancher Resilience Grant, which supports cattle producer attendance at educational events, such as Cattlemen’s College, held prior to convention. Administered by NCBA, the grant is made possible through the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and Cargill Protein. To apply for a grant to cover registration and two nights’ hotel stay, click here. Cattlemen’s College will be an event option once convention registration opens October 3.  

National Association of Farm Broadcasters will hold its 79th annual convention at Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, November 16-18, 2022. The NAFB Convention brings together broadcast professionals, ag industry leaders and students focused on the agriculture industry. NAFB Convention is a great opportunity to connect with industry peers, brush up on professional skills, and learn more about opportunities and challenges impacting the U.S. farmer and rancher. For more information on NAFB Convention, connect with the NAFB office at www.nafb.com.

Ag Business Council Recognizes Young Leaders in Agribusiness

June 22, 2022, KANSAS CITY, MO.  The Agricultural Business Council of Kanas City has selected 8 individuals for its inaugural class of young leaders in agribusiness.

“We are pleased to recognize these young people who have been nominated by their employers and have shown exemplary passion, leadership, and business acumen,” said Dustin Johansen, chair, KC Ag Business Council.  Johansen, Director Business Development with Farm Journal, pointed out these individuals represent the future, the next generation of executives who will lead the agribusiness sector.

Chelsey Buseck

Chelsey Buseck, Agricultural Future of America

Chelsey Buseck is the senior manager for development and alumni. In her five years with AFA, she has improved and developed new programs to build relationships with industry partners, donors, and alumni throughout the nation. Her innovative thinking and strategy worked to restructure and rebrand the AFA Alliance Alumni Network. Chelsey is a member of the American Royal Chairman’s Club, and serves as co-chair for the inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) committee for the Kansas City chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals. Chelsey came to AFA by way of the University of Central Missouri Foundation where she was assistant editor of the nationally award-winning UCM Today alumni magazine. At UCM, she earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 2013 and a master’s degree in mass communication in 2015.

Emma Downing

Emma Downing, Dairy Farmers of America

As part of DFA’s Government, Community and Industry Relations team, Emma Downing focuses on representing DFA at dairy and agricultural industry events, facilitating DFA’s farmer-lead policy process, supporting DFA’s policy advocacy efforts, leading DFA’s participation in USDA’s Dairy Donation Program as well as coordinating strategic optimization projects.  Emma also participates in several organizations including the American Royal Chairman’s Club and Kansas City Agribusiness Council and serving as a board member to her local county Farm Bureau and officer of her alumni Sigma Alpha Professional Agriculture Sorority Alumni Chapter.  She holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics Public Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri.

Xylan Grant

Jebryan (Xylan) Grant, John Deere

JeBryan Xylan Grant is a Dealer Development Specialist at John Deere where he provides analytic resources to aid the company’s dealer network’s precision agriculture strategy.  Prior to joining John Deere, Xylan also served in the US Army as a signal soldier.  Xylan currently is the Chairperson for the John Deere Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) program, leading the efforts to engage talented students.  He also is the Founder of the “Bridge Builder Mentorship Group”, focused on aiding high school juniors & seniors in his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina prepare for life after their K-12 education.  He also is the co-founder of the “Adams, Daniel’s, Grant Scholarship” provided to HBCU agribusiness students at his alma mater, South Carolina State University.  

Allyssa King

Allyssa King, American Royal

Allyssa King began her career at the American Royal as an intern nearly 14 years ago. Upon completing her internship, she joined the staff on a full-time basis serving for several years as manager of the Livestock Show.  In 2012, she was named manager of equine shows and in 2022 was named Director of Communications.  Allyssa is active in her community as an Executive on the Johnson County Fair Board and volunteers at the Johnson County spring livestock shows. 

Kylee Nodine

Kylee Nodine, Corteva

Kylee Nodine just celebrated her 12th year with Corteva Agriscience, currently serving as a Crop Protection Territory Manager in Missouri & Kansas. Kylee joined the company as part of the Emerging Leader program. She mentors new employees, volunteers locally, and serves on several Corteva workstreams to help improve customer experience.  In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, helping with the family farm when possible, working out, reading, and cooking. 

Franklin Peitz

Franklin Peitz, John Deere

Franklin Peitz is a Product Marketing Manager for John Deere, where he focuses on bringing innovative application products to market that increase customer productivity and profitability. Franklin has worked for John Deere for 12 years in various positions of increasing responsibility across accounting, John Deere Financial underwriting, field sales management, sales analytics, and product marketing. Franklin is a graduate of Drake University where he earned his bachelor's in Accounting and Finance and achieved Certified Public Accountant certification.

Matt Shepheard

Matt Shepheard, John Deere

A Kansas State University graduate in Agriculture Technology Management and Agriculture Economics. Matt has worked within the Product Support and Marketing Business segments within John Deere and Company since his internship in the summer of 2009. A third-generation farmer, with an operation including row crops, hay forage, a Red Angus cow/calf operation, and bred heifer marketing program. Matt and his wife Sydney have 3 children; Twins, Jolie and Thane are 5, and Rhett will be 1 in November. They enjoy getting to work within the ag industry as well as raising their children on the farm.

Scott Thellman

Scott Thellman, Kansas Farm Bureau

Scott Thellman is a first-generation farmer and owner of Juniper Hill Farms, LLC, a diversified farm producing organic and conventional vegetables, row crops and hay located in Douglas County. He is also a co-owner with a local meat distributor of Sunflower Provisions, an online local grocery marketplace for quality produce, proteins, and provisions. He has a passion for organic and sustainable agricultural production, post-harvest handling, food systems and the economics of growing. Scott is President of the Kansas Specialty Growers Association; sits on the Kansas Board of Agriculture; is a founding board member of the Agrarian Future Alliance; and serves on the boards of the Kansas Land Trust and the Douglas County Farm Bureau. He is also a member of the Douglas County Food Policy Council and Growing Lawrence. Scott was recognized as Kansas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer of the Year in 2019 and was recognized nationally as a top ten Young Farmer and Rancher by the American Farm Bureau in 2020.

The Council will recognize these young leaders a reception in Kansas City on July 7.

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - June 2022

DEVELOPMENTS

Vytelle announced the release of the Top 150 Proven Bulls. Together, with more than 30 of their network partners, Vytelle is sharing high accuracy bulls that have risen to the top of more than 94,000 animals of 25 different breeds and more than 289,000 RFI EPDs. Vytelle curates the world’s largest multi-breed database. Each phenotyped animal strengthens the database providing producers insight to make profit-bearing decisions. “Cattle producers need to be able to replicate the right genetics now,” said Kerryann Kocher, CEO for Vytelle. “Through Vytelle’s integrated technology platform, the reality of making reliable data-driven decisions is now. Vytelle and our network partners, are publishing this list of feed efficient bulls to assist cattle producers globally in driving a more accurate mating selection decision.” To find the full listing of the 2022 Top 150 Proven Bulls, visit their website.

Caterpillar is relocating its global headquarters to Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Caterpillar said the move from its current base in suburban Chicago would help it grow, and that it wasn’t getting any economic or tax incentives related to the headquarters move. The move is expected to affect about 230 corporate employees at Caterpillar’s headquarters, reported the Wall Street Journal (June 15, 2022), and is the latest in a series of recent relocations that have drawn major manufacturers and Silicon Valley tech giants closer to corporate and government customers in Texas. Manufacturers have increasingly turned to the Southwest as a destination for new factories, drawn by available space, appealing tax policies and an expanding technology workforce. Cheaper real estate and bigger potential workforces have led companies including Tesla, Oracle and Hewlett Packard to move their corporate offices over the last two years

Smithfield is closing a harvesting and processing facility in Vernon, California, in early 2023, citing the rising costs of conducting business in the state. Pork production in California has been under the microscope recently with the passage of Proposition 12, a measure that sets housing requirements for pork sold in the state. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case later this year.

The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 12. The state law seeks to ban the sale of pork from hogs that don’t meet the state’s arbitrary production standards, even if the pork was raised on farms outside of California. AFBF and NPPC argue Proposition 12 violates the constitution’s Commerce Clause, which restricts states from regulating commerce outside their borders.

Agoro Carbon Alliance has distributed more than $9 million in payments to U.S. farmers and ranchers in its first year. Agoro Carbon’s focus on education and grower support helps farmers and ranchers understand the benefits of regenerative practices on soil health, which drives carbon sequestration. Farmers and ranchers interested in carbon farming or conservation practices should visit their website.

FYI: Research from AllAboutGardening, a digital publication produced by seasoned gardening experts, has listed the potato as America’s favorite vegetable. Its conclusion is based on data collected from Google Trends over the last five years, comparing search volume for the query “How to grow……..” for various vegetables in all U.S. states. Potatoes were the most-searched-for vegetable in 14 states. Seven states searched the most for info on growing cucumbers. Beetroots came in third with six states citing it. Carrots and zucchinis were fourth. Fifth place went to onions, bell peppers and squash. Since you asked: Kansans like carrots and Missouri favors lettuce.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) offers payments to eligible livestock owners for deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by eligible loss conditions, which can include extreme heat. Producers must file a notice of loss within 30 days of the loss becoming apparent and file an application for payment within 60 days of the end of the year. Although livestock owners can apply for LIP in the county in which the loss occurred, it is recommended they apply in the county that maintains their Farm Service Agency records.  It also is recommended that producers document the loss and provide a statement from a veterinarian verifying it was due to heat. Documentation of the temperature, heat and humidity from a local weather station leading up to and through the loss event also should be provided. More information at Kansas Livestock Association and USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Program.

Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped to its lowest level since April 2020, down 22 points in May to a reading of 99. Agricultural producers’ perceptions regarding current conditions on their farms, as well as their future expectations, both weakened this month. The Index of Current Conditions dipped 26 points to a reading of 94, and the Index of Future Expectations fell 21 points to a reading of 101. 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 May 16-20. “Despite strong commodity prices, this month’s weakness in producers’ sentiment appears to be driven by the rapid rise in production costs and uncertainty about where input prices are headed,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “That combination is leaving producers very concerned about their farms’ financial performance.” Full report available here.

EVENTS

National Dairy Month celebrated and recognized the importance of milk as a global food and celebrates the dairy industry. This year’s theme focused on sustainability to showcase dairy’s commitment to reducing the sector’s environmental footprint. More information available here.

As farmers and producers plan the second half of 2022, MU Extension agricultural business specialist Wesley Tucker recommends scheduling three types of farm meetings. Blocking time on your calendar for these meetings can improve your farm’s communication and increase its productivity.

• Operating meetings. Schedule operating meetings every week or every day to create agendas and set goals for each farm employee.

• Family business meetings. At regularly scheduled family business meetings, include everyone involved in day-to-day farm operations. Meet at an off-site venue, and use the time to clarify responsibilities and roles within the business, create a culture of group decision-making and plan for the future.

• Family council meetings. Host an annual family council meeting to allow all family members — even those who work and live off the farm — to learn about the family business and issues that affect the family.

Tucker explains more about these types of meetings and other family business communications in a Family Meetings video at  www.muext.us/FamilyMeetings.

Kansas State University-Olathe is offering a webinar presentation July 13 at noon: Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Certificate.  The certificate combines the knowledge of animal science and veterinary medicine with skills needed to navigate governmental processes and regulations throughout a product's lifecycle. Info at https://olathe.k-state.edu.

The Angus Foundation invites golf and Angus enthusiasts to enjoy a day on the green at its annual Golf Tournament, held in conjunction with the 2022 National Junior Angus Show in Kansas City, Missouri. The event, which will help further the Foundation’s mission of supporting Angus youth, education and research, will be held on Tuesday, July 5 at the Shiloh Springs Golf Club in Platte City, Missouri. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. Sponsorship options are available to state and regional Angus associations, individuals, businesses, farms and ranches. There are different promotional opportunities at eight sponsorship levels. The sponsorship deadline is June 3. Player registration is open until June 20. Adult registration is $100, and National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) member registration is $75. More details available here.

PEOPLE

U.S. Congressional Representative Sharice Davids, D-Kan., has joined the House Agriculture Committee as its newest member, alongside fellow Kansan, Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kan.). Rep. Davids is currently serving her second term in Congress and also is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Small Business committees.

Eric Atkinson, whose career in agricultural broadcasting began nearly four decades ago, has signed off the popular Agriculture Today program. Atkinson retired June 10 after hosting the program – which airs from Kansas State University -- since 1983. “One of the neat things about this job is the amazing cross-section of talented, smart and engaging people that you get to work with,” Atkinson said. Samantha Bennett, who recently earned a master’s degree in animal sciences with a focus in agricultural issues communications from Auburn University, takes over as host of Agriculture Today, which currently reaches 80 counties in Kansas, the northern third of Oklahoma, eastern Colorado and southern Nebraska.

Baxter Black – the cowboy poet, philosopher, large-animal veterinarian and longtime NPR Morning Edition commentator – died at age 77 on June 10. He is being remembered for his witty and insightful analysis on a wide range of issues always from the perspective of a Western farmer and rancher. "He was sort of a Will Rogers kind of a character and that he saw things clearly and he knew how to say them in a humorous and nonthreatening way," recalls folklorist and musician Hal Cannon, who was friends with Black for more than 30 years. Black was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1945 and grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was a senior class president and National FFA Organization president, and also rode bulls throughout high school and college.  After graduating from veterinary school at Colorado State University in 1969 Black went on to practice as a large-animal veterinarian.

Ag Business Council Selects Busdieker, Dillon for Distinguished Service Awards

June 21, 2022, KANSAS CITY, MO.  Veteran agricultural educators Leon Busdieker of Hawk Point, Missouri, and Kurt Dillon of St. George, Kansas, have been selected by the Agricultural Business Council of Kanas City to receive the group’s Distinguished Service Award.

Both Busdieker and Dillon have recently retired after serving as their state’s FFA State Advisor.  Each had served many years before that as high school vo-ag instructors.

“We are indebted to the many educators like Leon and Kurt who have inspired, guided and mentored young people from rural America,” said Dustin Johansen, chair, KC Ag Business Council.  Johansen, director of business development at Farm Journal, pointed out these individuals have influenced thousands of young people in their career choices and experiences, often without the recognition they so richly deserve.

Leon Busdieker, Hawk Point, Missouri

Leon Busdieker recently retired as the State Director of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education after spending 43 years in Agricultural Education.  He taught Agricultural Education for 28 years before retiring from teaching in 2006. Upon retirement he joined the Agricultural Education staff at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education serving five years as the Northeast District Ag Ed Supervisor and the past 10 years as State AFNR Director.  As State AFNR Director he provided state-wide leadership for local Agricultural Education programs, additionally serving as state advisor to the Missouri FFA, Postsecondary Agricultural Students (PAS) and the Missouri Young Farmers organizations.  On the national level he has served on the National FFA Board of Directors, National FFA Board of Trustees and National FFA Alumni and Supporters Board. 

Kurt Dillon, St. George, Kansas

Kurt Dillon served as the Kansas FFA State Advisor from 2011 to 2021. While serving as state advisor, he provided support and guidance to ag teachers across the state and advocated for Kansas FFA at the Kansas State Department of Education. He was instrumental in helping design the National Agricultural Education Competency Standards as well as being part of the team that led the redesign of the Supervised Agriculture Experience program.  He also served on the National FFA Board of Directors. Prior to his position as State Advisor, Dillon was the agricultural education teacher at Rawlins County High School and the Atwood FFA Advisor for 26 years.  He served 36 years in Kansas agricultural education.

The Council will honor Busdieker and Dillon for their distinguished at a reception in Kansas City on July 7.