Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - May 2024

Developments

Following the bipartisan committee passage of H.R. 8467 over the Memorial Day weekend, committee chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson had this to say: “Critics have wasted a lot of breath telling me what can’t be done, and last night the House Committee on Agriculture proved them wrong. I want to commend Reps. Caraveo, Davis, Sorensen and Bishop for their willingness to see through the hyperbolic partisan rhetoric and help advance the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024……I heard my Democratic colleagues loud and clear at markup, that there is a whole lot of common ground, and a few sticking points that can be resolved through conversation and negotiation. Great things can be accomplished when you don’t surround yourself with redlines, and I am eager to continue our work with whomever wants to come to the table……I implore Senator Stabenow to invite Ranking Member Boozman and Senate Republicans to the table, just as I have consistently done with House Democrats. The House Committee on Agriculture has proven there is a path to a bipartisan compromise that addresses the needs of rural America, enhances the farm safety net, and does right by our neighbors in need……A farm bill is too important to let slip any further, including into next year. Farm and ranch families cannot wait.”

The combined weight of drought, low commodity prices and high input costs brought net income down in 2023 among farms listed in the Kansas Farm Management Association’s database. KFMA executive director Mark Dikeman said 2023 net income among the 823 Kansas farms studied fell to $98,299, nearly $80,000 less than the state’s net farm income in 2022. “The story of the year was continued drought,” Dikeman said. “Drought had a significant impact in 2022 and continued for much of the state in 2023. Below average yields combined with depressed prices relative to 2022 drove incomes down.”………Crop producers also felt the brunt of higher input costs, particularly for seed and fertilizer. The last few years, we’ve seen fertilizer prices spike and there is a lot of worry around that,” Dikeman said. “Chemical and seed expenses have followed the same pattern. Since 2019, we’ve seen about an $8 per acre increase in seed cost and $15 per acre increase in chemical cost. Even though fertilizer has come down from the peak in 2022, it has increased nearly $34 per acre since 2019.”……. KFMA has been serving Kansas farmers since 1931. The association’s professional staff includes 24 economists who are faculty members in K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics. The economists work alongside farm families to provide production and financial information for use in making on-farm decisions……………Dikeman and economists from six KFMA regions recently presented an overview of net farm income during an interview on the weekday radio program, Agriculture Today, which is available online.

Machinery Pete, LLC, a leading online marketplace for used farm and construction equipment, announced its partnership today with FBN® Finance, a trusted provider of agricultural financing solutions including farm equipment loans. FBN Finance will be the premier finance partner for MachineryPete.com, offering farmers a direct link to FBN Finance’s secure and straightforward application process.  “This partnership will provide our equipment buyers access to comprehensive financing options through FBN’s clean and simple application process.”  said Eric Peterson, CEO of Machinery Pete. “FBN equipment loans can help farmers buy the equipment they need, quickly and conveniently, without putting a strain on their current budget or cash flow,” said Dan English, general manager of FBN Finance.  FBN Finance has now provided more than $1 billion of financing to growers across the U.S. Source: Farm Journal, Lenexa, KS.

Last fall, Kansas State University Office of the Provost launched a new Academic Innovation Fund to invest up to $1 million in new academic programs and microcredentials to meet future regional, national or international learner needs, drive curricular innovation and academic excellence and support K-State's long-term financial viability. Proposals submitted for consideration included new degree programs at all levels for existing or new audiences, focusing on positioning K-State as the first choice for education and business partners in Kansas. The inaugural awards support eight innovative and novel opportunities for K-State, totaling $939,096 of one-time funds. Learn more about these academic programs here.

Kansas State University recently announced that ADM, global leader in human and animal nutrition, has pledged $1 million to the university’s Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation. The ADM investment will support advances in food product development, food safety and food security.

The Kansas State University crops judging team continued a successful run at the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture judging conference recently, capturing its 15th title in the past 26 years of the spring competition. The team also posted a first: They placed first in the knowledge bowl competition. Landon Trout, a junior from Scott City, Kansas, was the individual national champion of the crops contest. K-State beat 22 teams for the win in crops judging. Iowa State was the team runner-up and the University of Wisconsin placed third.

USDA is funding 47 projects in 23 states to improve access to reliable electricity and clean drinking water for more than one million people and create good-paying jobs across the nation. The announcement was made during President Biden’s Infrastructure Week, earlier this month, which highlights the progress the Biden-Harris Administration has made to improve American infrastructure through historic funding packages such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.

The American Royal’s 2023 Annual Report shows it continues to serve as an example of excellence in championing food and agriculture. The recently released 2023 Annual Report highlights a year of remarkable achievements, showcasing the organization's commitment to its purpose, mission and vision. From scholarships to events and ag education, the American Royal has garnered a record year. With attendees representing 49 states and 18 countries, the American Royal's events have become a global advocate for the agriculture and food industries in 2023. Over 407,000 individuals participated in person, while an impressive 222,545 engaged virtually, resulting in a total of 629,876 attendees across 379 total event days. The American Royal's impact extends beyond its events, as evidenced by its economic contributions. In 2023, the organization generated an estimated economic impact of nearly $84 million, bolstering the local economy and supporting many businesses. Additionally, 5,793 event volunteer hours were reached with 395 unique event volunteers being involved. The American Royal remains dedicated to nurturing future leaders in agriculture, awarding nearly $651,620 in scholarships to deserving individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and academic excellence.

Kansas Corn Growers Association members are celebrating the success of the Renewable Fuel Standard which is entering its 15th year. While the RFS was enacted in 2005, its expansion in 2007 (RFS2) led to the significant impact of renewable fuels to the nation’s economy and environment. In 2007, opponents painted a bleak picture of a world with RFS2, predicting corn shortages, dramatic increases in corn acres, deforestation and loss of prairies, dramatic increases in water use, and cars unable to run on 10 percent ethanol abandoned on the roadside. In reality, U.S. cropland acres continue to shrink while grasslands and forests have increased, and grain available for animal feed and exports has increased. At the same time, renewable fuel production has tripled, and 10% ethanol fuel has become the standard for regular unleaded fuel across the U.S.

A new children's book, ABC’s of Corn, written to educate and entertain while celebrating family heritage, will be available June 3, 2024 at all Amazon marketplaces globally. It is a vibrant exploration of the multifaceted role corn plays in our lives, blending entertainment with essential learning for children aged 3 to 10. Written by Norma Kennebeck, Jean Marie Thelen and Lois Roes (three sisters hailing from a family farm in western Iowa),  ABC’s of Corn captures the essence of corn's significance in our society. From its presence in our food to its role in fueling our vehicles, each page of this book celebrates a letter of the alphabet, accompanied by colorful illustrations and engaging sections such as "Corn Fact," "Internet Search," "Field Research," "Your Opinion," and "Fun Fact." Read more here. For media inquiries, review copies, or interviews, contact Tony Thelen at Tony@therivercoach.org.

FCS Financial employees are bringing a “boost” to their local community organizations through the FCS Financial Boost Your Impact program that matches an employee’s donation, up to $50, made to any approved non-profit organization. Employees can use the program once annually. During the month they make their donation, a drawing is held to win an additional $500 for one lucky employee’s charity. In the first half of 2024, three Maryville organizations benefited from the additional $500 donation.

People

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture has selected Chelsea Good to chair the board of directors. Good is vice president of government and industry affairs at the Livestock Marketing Association and a member of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City’s Board of Directors.

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has found its new executive director. Public relations, agriculture marketing, and strategic communications veteran Gardner Hatch succeeds Tom Brand and replaces interim director Colleen Callahan. Hatch comes to the NAFB from integrated agricultural marketing company Woodruff, where he was Strategic Marketing Lead. Hatch has also held significant positions at Bader Rutter, G&S Business Communications, and Fleishman Hillard. Hatch has been an active member of the NAFB community, recently completing a two-year term as an Allied Industry Council representative on the NAFB board of directors.

After an extensive search, the Ranchland Trust of Kansas (RTK) has announced the hiring of Dawn Hovey as executive director. Hovey is a Kansas native from Ozawkie, but has lived and worked in Omaha for most of her career. She earned a Bachelor of Science in political science and a Master of Public Administration, both from Kansas State University. Hovey brings many years of experience in non-profit management. She has proven success in building relationships and leading non-profits in development, capacity building and collaborative learning opportunities. As executive director, Hovey will be responsible for professional leadership, management and growth of RTK. She will oversee fundraising, strategic planning, organizational development, administration of conservation projects and RTK finances. Hovey will start full-time June 10.

Bill Tomson, Agri-Pulse’s senior trade editor, died after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 55. Tomson joined Agri-Pulse in 2016 and quickly stood out for his ability to get scoops on trade topics. He traveled across Brazil in 2018 for Agri-Pulse, providing updates on the country's growth in agriculture and infrastructure improvements. In a separate trip in 2022, he met with Cuban President Raúl Castro to discuss expansion of agricultural trade with the island nation. “Bill was extremely dedicated to bringing our readers the very best insights on trade and any topic he covered. He worked tirelessly to get information from his vast network of sources,” said Agri-Pulse Founder and Publisher Sara Wyant. “We will miss him terribly.”  He was a government-savvy reporter with more than two decades of experience reporting on federal agencies and Congress. He previously covered agriculture and food issues for Politico and was a reporter for Dow Jones and its flagship publication, the Wall Street Journal. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, May 15, 2024.

Patrick Gottsch, who built cable channel RFD-TV from a single part-time satellite-broadcast outlet into a 24-hour nationwide rural favorite, died May 18 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was 70. The announcement did not disclose the cause of death. Gottsch founded Rural Media Group Inc., parent company to RFD-TV, as well as The Cowboy Channel, The Cowgirl Channel, and the Sirius-XM Rural Radio 147. He was a native of Elkhorn, Nebraska, where his family had an extensive cattle feeding operation. A one-time trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, he began his broadcasting career in 1991 with Superior Livestock Auction. Source: Agri-Pulse, May 22, 2024.

Events

Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health will host regional meetings across the state this summer to discuss critical topics related to the livestock industry in Kansas. KDA encourages livestock owners, veterinarians, and county officials to attend to learn more about how animal disease response plans may affect them. Each workshop will include two sessions. The afternoon session (1:00–4:00 p.m.) is intended for emergency management professionals and county officials; discussion topics will include the role of the county in a disease response, livestock truck rollover, disposal and sheltering. The evening session (6:00–8:00 p.m.) will be for veterinarians and livestock producers; discussion topics will include animal disease traceability, secure food supply planning and disease response plans. A networking dinner will be held between sessions, which is open to all attendees. The workshops are free, including the networking dinner, but registration is required. Locations and dates available at www.agriculture.ks.gov/AnimalHealthOutreach.com or call 785-564-6608 to register.

Kansas State University Olathe offers an assortment of opportunities for continuing education and professional development. Upcoming schedule includes these workshops, seminars, webinars and conferences:

• June 26, 2024 – Innovative FEED Act of 2023: The Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act of 2023, better known as the Innovative FEED Act, was enacted to change how new animal feed additives are brought to market and regulated. This webinar will cover the basics of the Innovative FEED Act as well as its implications for the animal nutrition industry to improve alignment with the needs of animal owners today.

• July 24, 2024 – Artificial Intelligence In Animal Health Diagnostics: It is vital to identify and communicate how AI empowers the next wave of diagnostic innovation in animal health. Holding a basic understanding of AI is vital for the new era of animal health professionals so they can better understand and utilize new animal health diagnostic technologies.

• September 17-19, 2024 – Animal Health Regulatory Affairs:  K-State Olathe has refreshed its annual animal health regulatory affairs programming to include a three-day conference. Participants will learn more about navigating the USDA and FDA regulatory landscape and will have an opportunity to network with experts. Case study workshops will provide deeper insight.

For more information, contact Beth Jones, www.bethjones@ksu.edu   

The 10th annual Ag Outlook Forum will take place September 16, 2024 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. It will feature top economic, policy, business and government officials presenting their current outlooks and identifying the challenges and opportunities industry will face. The annual Ag Outlook Forum is a chance to get a comprehensive preview of what lies ahead from leading experts. Presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications, the event brings together leading industry experts to share key insights on existing and new market opportunities.