Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - April 2024
/Developments
FYI: In March the Tennessee Senate unanimously passed a bill declaring barbecue the official state food. But it did not specify that the state barbecue had to be Memphis-Style. The Tennessee House of Representatives just amended that miscue, and passed an amended bill earlier this month declaring Memphis-Style barbecue the official state cuisine.
A new Environmental Protection Agency report shows American agriculture reduced emissions by almost 2% from 2021 to 2022, the largest decrease of any economic sector. America’s farmers and ranchers are leading the way in greenhouse gas emission reduction through voluntary conservation efforts and market-based incentives. EPA’s findings are reported in Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2022. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the data in the latest Market Intel, noting, “U.S. agriculture represents just under 10% of total U.S. emissions when compared to other economic sectors… By EPA’s own methodology, emissions from agriculture totaled 634 million metric tons in CO2 equivalents, or 9.99% of all U.S. emissions, during 2022. This represents a decrease of 1.8%, or 12 million metric tons, from 2021… 2022 marks the lowest U.S. agricultural greenhouse gas emissions since 2012.” The latest numbers demonstrate farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to growing the food and fiber America’s families rely on while improving the land, air and water, a benefit to the farm and the climate, said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.
Drivers can continue to save money on a higher quality fuel after an emergency waiver for summer sales of E15 (15% ethanol fuel) was put in place by the White House. Kansas Corn Growers Association said the waiver provides consumer access to E15, a fuel valued for its lower price, high octane, and environmental benefits. The waiver provides relief from an outdated regulation that would prevent summer E15 sales. “This waiver is needed and appreciated. It is good for consumers, the environment, and farmers like me,” said KCGA president J.D. Hanna. “Kansas Corn has been active in helping retailers get funding to add infrastructure to offer E15 fuel as a choice, and it’s been exciting to see the rapid expansion of the fuel. It’s available at over 120 stations across the state including many major fuel retailers, and it is a midgrade fuel that’s priced as much as 15 cents a gallon less than regular unleaded.” KCGA CEO Josh Roe said, “Governor Laura Kelly’s leadership in asking the administration for the E15 waiver is appreciated by our growers, and we encourage her to take further action to give fuel retailers regulatory certainty by joining the eight Midwest states that recently received an exemption from the summertime E15 restrictions.”
Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries team is setting spongy moth pest traps in May and will continue monitoring for other plant pests in the upcoming months. Summer is a popular time for pests to make their presence known in a negative way. “Plant pests can hitchhike to new locations through a number of avenues,” said State Entomologist Rosalee Knipp. “They can burrow in untreated firewood and attach themselves to outdoor surfaces. Our team works hard to ensure Missouri’s plant industry remains protected throughout the year, and no invasive species make their way into our state.” MDA also watches closely for the spotted lanternfly, a leafhopper native to Asia. The spotted lanternfly feeds on the sap of over 70 plant species, including grape, apple, hops, oak, walnut, maple and ornamental plants. Tree of Heaven, an invasive plant in Missouri, is a favored host for the spotted lanternfly. More details about other invasive species available at www.agriculture.mo.gov.
NCBA just concluded another successful Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. The three-day event brings cattle producers from across the country to Washington to meet with federal agencies and elected members of Congress. More than 300 cattle producers traveled to Washington and participated in 170 meetings on Capitol Hill. Attendees also met with officials from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service,Environmental Protection Agency, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Farm Service Agency. U.S. Customs and Border Protection also shared valuable updates on the inspections that occur at ports of entry to prevent diseases and pests from entering the United States. During the event, NCBA members discussed their priorities for the next Farm Bill, including the need for animal health, disaster relief, risk management, and voluntary conservation programs.
A recent New York Times article, Steak From Dairy Cows, April 24, 2024, reports letting milk cows graze longer can produce superior beef. It’s a regular European practice that is now gaining ground in the United States. “Meat from dairy cows, rarely valued in American kitchens and restaurants, usually becomes dog food and fast-food burgers.’ The farmer gets about 60 cents a pound. But selling it for steaks could get them $6 or more a pound, allowing struggling U.S. dairy farmers to profit from an approach that’s widely practiced in Europe – and used to be in the United States. When mature dairy cows are allowed to pasture longer, their fat, which normally goes into milk, returns to the muscles and makes the meat richer and more tender. This is often done in Europe, notably in Portugal, Spain and parts of France. It’s generally not the practice in the United States, where most steaks come from grain-fed cattle that are slaughtered at about two-years-old. Source: Steak From Dairy Cows, Florence Fabricant, New York Times, April 24, 2024.
U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced the Enteric Methane Innovation Tools for Lower Emissions and Sustainable Stock (EMIT LESS) Act to voluntarily reduce dairy and beef cattle methane emissions from farms and ranches across America. “New research and ranching practices are showing promising results to reduce methane emissions and keep our farms and ranches thriving,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will invest in further research and provide our producers with tools to improve their farms and ranches.” Jackie Klippenstein, Senior Vice President and Chief Government and Industry Relations Officer of Dairy Farmers of America added “This bill recognizes and supports the environmental efforts of dairy farmers and will ensure that the necessary research and assistance is available to farmers committed to reducing emissions. It will also align existing conservation programs with the important work already taking place in the dairy sector.”
More than 60 ag groups, led by Bayer Corporation, have formed the Modern Ag Alliance to advocate for continued use of crop protection chemicals – glyphosate in particular. The alliance’s main goal “is instilling confidence in access to crop protection tools,” the group said in announcing its formation. “Specifically, that pesticides registered with the EPA – and sold under a label consistent with the EPA’s own determinations – sufficiently satisfy requirements for health and safety warnings.” That’s in line with Bayer’s argument that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Actpre-empts state labels that attempt to warn of potential health risks from Roundup. The group's web site, www.controlweedsnotfarming.com, focuses on glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. Groups in the alliance include the Corn Refiners Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and a range of national and state grower associations.
African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious, fatal disease in pigs that spreads rapidly. There is no commercially available treatment or vaccine for the virus, posing a significant threat to United States swine production. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) awarded a $1 million Seeding Solutions grant to Kansas State University to develop safe and rapidly deployable vaccines to prevent ASFV. Elanco Animal Health, K-State, Kansas State University Innovation Partners and MEDIAN Diagnostics provided matching funds for a total $2,645,427 investment. Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, immunology professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary at K-State, is developing and validating a vaccine to protect pigs from the virus.
Crop producers surveyed across the United States intend to plant 90.0 million acres of corn in 2024, down 5% from last year, according to the Prospective Plantings report released today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Planted acreage intentions for corn are down or unchanged in 38 of the 48 estimating states. Acreage decreases of 300,000 acres or more from last year are expected in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas. If realized, the planted area of corn in Arizona and Oregon will be the largest on record. Soybean growers intend to plant 86.5 million acres in 2024, up 3% from last year. Acreage increases from last year of 100,000 or more are expected in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. Record high acreage is expected in Kentucky and New York. The Prospective Plantings report provides the first official, survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2024 planting intentions. NASS’s acreage estimates are based on surveys conducted during the first two weeks of March from a sample of nearly 72,000 farm operators across the nation.
USDA Rural Development Kansas state director Christy Davis announced that more than $5.3 million is available to Kansas farmers, ranchers and businesses for seven clean energy projects that could lower energy bills, expand access to domestic biofuels and create jobs and new market opportunities. “The USDA is helping expand access to clean energy and fueling options that promote energy independence and save Kansans money,” Davis said. “We are excited to partner with farms and small businesses to address energy solutions, economic growth and keep rural communities strong.”
Events
The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City will honor the late Cliff Becker and Dr. Scott Brown with the group’s prestigious Jay B. Dillingham Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence at a luncheon on May 16 in Kansas City’s historic Union Station. Agricultural Business Council Chairman Ron Seeber said each honoree has left an enduring legacy of accomplishment and leadership. The 2024 Award for Agricultural Leadership and Excellence, named in honor of the late Jay B. Dillingham, is awarded annually to those who embody the leadership, spirit and drive which fuels the Heartland's agribusiness industry.
Kansas Department of Agriculture’s From the Land of Kansas program is sponsoring the inaugural Cheers Kansas event starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Wamego City Park. The Cheers Kansas wine festival is an afternoon of sampling Kansas wines, enjoying a taste of local Kansas foods, and listening to live music. More information at www.FromtheLandofKansas.com. Events like Cheers Kansas support the goals of From the Land of Kansas to support businesses that grow, produce, process or manufacture products in Kansas, and to provide consumers with local, Kansas-grown food.
University of Missouri’s Youth Pork Institute will hold its 2024 three-day youth conference on new technologies and the future of pork production. It will take place June 10-12 on the MU campus. The registration fee of $100 covers materials, meals, dormitory lodging and planned field trips. Space is limited to 15 students—everyone is encouraged to apply. A selection committee of university faculty and leaders in the pork industry will screen the applicants. Applications are due May 3, 2024. The results of the selection process will be announced on May 10. For more information, contact Dr. Marcia Shannon (573) 882-7859; via email at Carlsonm@missouri.edu, or the Missouri Pork Association at (573) 445-8375 or at mpa-intern@mopork.com. You may also visit www.mopork.com to view the complete agenda or print off an application under the Youth section.
RFD-TV, the leading network for rural America, is airing new episodes for its acclaimed series, RanchHER, premiering on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET. The show profiles the extraordinary women of the ranching industry – highlighting their grit, grace and glory and offering an exhilarating lineup that will inspire audiences nationwide. Hosted by Janie Johnson, RanchHER focuses on the incredible women who significantly contribute to the ranching and livestock industry. Audiences will be treated to six new episodes featuring the resilience, determination, and expertise of women in ranching.
People
As part of its multi-phase leadership succession plan, Innovative Livestock Services, Inc., announced the retirement of Lee Borck from his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors (effective April 5, 2024). Jerrod Westfahl succeeds Borck as the Executive Chairman of ILS. Borck founded ILS, a commercial cattle finishing, farming and agribusiness enterprise with operations in Kansas and Nebraska and served as its chairman from the company’s founding. Borck continues as a major shareholder, board member, and honorary Chairman Emeritus. Originally from Reno County, Kansas, Westfahl brings an array of business and leadership experience to the role. Early in his career he served as a commercial litigator at Shook, Hardy and Bacon and as CEO of Purple Wave Auction. He then co-founded AgriSync, a maker of digital solutions for farmers and their suppliers, which John Deere Company purchased in 2021. Westfahl joined ILS shortly after, initially leading its venture investment program and then serving as Chief Strategy Officer. He will work alongside an experienced ILS team that includes CEO Bronson Smith and President Jerry Kuckelman. Westfahl was a speaker at the KC Agricultural Business Council’s Ag Innovation Forum this past February.
With a cultural preservation grant from Humanities Kansas, the Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) announced it will fund a collaboration with Mark Feiden on his project, Emil Redmon’s Cow - Stories From the Farm and Ranch. The collaboration expands on Feiden’s current project, with a focus on preserving the prairie. The Grassland Conservation Series will consist of a set of interviews conducted by Feiden over the next month that will highlight grassland conservation and stewardship. The series will be accessible to the public at www.markfeidan.com It also will be available through RTK media and communications platforms. Source: Kansas Livestock Association.
Rebekah Alvey has joined Agri-Pulse as an associate editor. Most recently Alvey was on staff at Politico’s E&E News, where she reported on a broad range of issues including electric vehicles and endangered species regulation. Alvey covered the House speaker race in October 2023, and earlier learned her way around Capitol Hill while with the Washington bureau of the Dallas Morning News, “We look forward to having her apply her data journalism skills to the complex agriculture, renewable energy, environment and food topics we cover,” said Editor Sara Wyant.
Lifetime pork producer Scott Hays is the new Executive Director of the Missouri Pork Association. He has spent his life producing pork near Monroe City. He grew up on a diversified farm where his family raised cattle, hogs and grew row crops. He worked daily with his father, grandfather, uncles, and siblings. Scott believes he was blessed to be able to return to the family farm in 1989 to begin his career raising hogs. He is excited about his next opportunity to work for the industry that he has been passionate about for decades
Elanco Animal Health has appointed two new independent directors, Kathy Turner and Craig Wallace, to its Board of Directors effective April 1, expanding the Board to 14 members. Turner brings global experience in both the animal health and broader healthcare industries. She has held senior leadership positions at IDEXX Laboratories and served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Abbott Laboratories. Mr. Wallace is a well-respected animal health leader with more than 30 years of executive experience at companies such as Fort Dodge Animal Health, Trupanion and Ceva. "We are pleased to welcome Kathy and Craig, both accomplished animal health industry executives, to the Elanco Board," said Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco Animal Health.
Taylor Bradley returns to Capitol Hill as communications director for Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan. Bradley previously worked in PR and HR for Prosek Partners. Before that, she was on the communications team for Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., and Sen. James Lankford, R-Ok.
Missouri Soybean Association announced its endorsement of former Missouri Senator Kurt Schaefer in his race for U.S. Congress in the upcoming election. Schaefer is running to replace retiring policymaker U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer for his seat in Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District. Schaefer has crafted legislation that supports innovation, enhances competitiveness, and fosters economic growth in rural Missouri, said MSA.