Congressman Graves Has A Big Agenda

Congressman sam graves

Speaking at the Agricultural Business Council’s March meeting, Missouri’s U.S. Congressional Representative Sam Graves cited several recent accomplishments by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which he chairs. Rep. Graves is in his 12th term representing Missouri’s Sixth Congressional District.

Ag Business Council Founder Gina Bowman introduced Mr. Graves, noting the Council began 20 years ago and Mr. Graves, then a new Member of Congress, was the Council’s first speaker.  Gina reflected on the many changes that have taken place over 20 years and how fortunate for agriculture and Missouri to have Rep. Graves serving as chair of the of the powerful House Committee whose jurisdiction includes all modes of transportation – our aviation system, highways and bridges, transit and rail transportation, pipelines, and maritime and waterborne transportation.

Congressman Graves echoed Gina’s comments about how things have changed, noting on a personal level he is now a grandfather.  At the other end of the age spectrum, he said his family was fortunate that his 90-year old father is still active in their farm and still piloting a combine during harvest.

Turning to the work of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Graves said, “It’s one of the greatest honors of my life to be chosen by my colleagues to chair what I believe is one of the most important and effective committees in Congress. America cannot prosper without a safe and efficient transportation network that meets the economic needs of our diverse states and communities.”

Rep. Graves went on to say that T&IC will have a full agenda over the next two years, including oversight of the Administration, its implementation of the massive $1.2 trillion infrastructure law, and its policies. He noted the legislative agenda ahead included looking at packages to help alleviate ongoing energy and supply chain problems. 

Rep. Graves is looking forward to working across the aisle to develop other key authorizations for the country’s transportation and infrastructure systems, including a pipeline safety bill, a Coast Guard bill and the next Water Resources Development Act.

Digging Deeper...

PFAS compounds (per-and poly- fluoroalkyl substances) are a group of chemicals, many of which contain a strong carbon-fluorine bond with properties that enable them to repel water and oil. Some PFAS formulations “build-up” over time rather than “break-down.” Because they persist in the environment, these compounds – originally discovered by accident in the 1930’s – have been dubbed by some as “Forever Chemicals.”
By Jessica Rosell and Grant Harse, attorneys at Lathrop GPM LLP 

PFAS Considerations for the Ag and Food Markets

Originally developed as the durable nonstick coating in Teflon pans, a class of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or “PFAS,” are now ubiquitous in the environment because of their long history of use in household products, industrial applications, and firefighting foam. There have historically been few federal regulatory programs that deal with PFAS compounds, which resulted in a patchwork of varying state-led standards and initiatives to fill the gap. Awareness has been growing over the last several years, particularly since 2021, when the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) began taking specific actions, including issuance of its PFAS Strategic Roadmap in October of that year. Here’s a look ahead at what those in the agricultural sector need to know about coming EPA and state actions concerning PFAS and how it might impact their business.

PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances; Their Impact on Biosolids

Heralded for years as an environmentally friendly fertilizer, land appliers of biosolids have voiced concerns about the potential for PFAS to accumulate in biosolids generated during wastewater treatment, which could transfer to land and groundwater when applied to a field. In August 2022, the EPA proposed designating two widely-studied PFAS compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”), as “hazardous substances,” which could subject releasors to federally-enforced cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”).

Relatedly, in February 2024, EPA proposed designating nine PFAS as “hazardous constituents” under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), which would subject these PFAS to explicit consideration in RCRA facility assessments and, where necessary, further investigation and cleanup through the RCRA corrective action process at RCRA treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Designation as a “hazardous constituent” is a preliminary step before a substance is designated a “hazardous waste” under RCRA.

Finalization of this rule was delayed in EPA’s Spring 2023 Unified Agenda to Spring 2024. Thus, EPA is expected to issue its final rule designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances at any moment. There are many implications for this impending rulemaking, but a key implication for the agricultural community is how this will impact the acceptance and application of biosolids generated during wastewater treatment and then land applied for nutrient benefits.

PFAS are found in virtually every wastewater treatment plant in the United States, and most systems do not pretreat for PFAS before discharging to waters or providing the biosolids to be land applied. EPA is conducting a risk assessment  on PFOA and PFOS in biosolids, which is expected to be completed and published for public comment by the end of 2024. After the risk assessment is complete, EPA will then decide how to manage PFOA and PFOS in biosolids, if necessary.

Biosolid users fear they may face liability if they inadvertently release PFAS when applying biosolids. EPA has indicated that they will use enforcement discretion and other approaches to ensure fairness for minor parties who may have been inadvertently impacted by the contamination. EPA’s comments suggest a focus on primary PFAS generators, rather than passive receivers like biosolid users, but such a policy would not shield applicators from liability entirely.

CERCLA exempts the “normal application of fertilizer,” and groups are currently lobbying the White House Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) to include a broad interpretation of that exemption applicable to the use of biosolids that contain PFAS. For example, parties have recently advocated to OMB that the final rule include language specifically excluding residuals resulting from the manufacture of paper.

The U.S. Agriculture Department also raised concerns in 2022 comments on the draft rule, contending that EPA was overreaching in how it characterizes biosolids and agriculture and in particular citing fears over the effect the rule would have on the use of biosolids for fertilize.

Note that states are also starting to restrict land application of certain wastes. For example, Missouri is considering legislation that would restrict land application of certain biosolids. While not specific to PFAS, PFAS could be implicated. The bills under consideration include exceptions for Confined Animal Feeding Operations (“CAFOs”) but should be tracked by businesses in the agricultural and food sectors.

State Legislation and Rulemaking Restricting PFAS in Food Packaging

Several years ago, states began legislating restrictions to PFAS in food packaging in various forms and at various levels. Most of these restrict intentionally-added PFAS in food packaging.

Starting with New York and California at the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023, more than a dozen states have passed legislation prohibiting the sale of food packaging products containing intentionally-added PFAS, with more than a dozen additional live bills at some stage on their way to becoming law. Some restrictions are to certain levels of PFAS in food packaging, while some are to all intentionally-added in PFAS. Even if a company is able to acquire a certificate of compliance, some states require proof of testing, while others require signature by an authorized official. This patchwork of state restrictions require a company-by-company (and potentially product-by-product) evaluation for any company dealing within these jurisdictions and can present a real supply chain challenge.

EPA’s Plan 15 Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Detailed Study on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

EPA’s Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 in 2023 announced a new rulemaking in which  EPA intends to undertake a detailed study of the CAFO Category, which will focus on collecting further information to enable EPA to make an informed, reasoned decision whether to undertake rulemaking to revise the effluent limitations guidelines and pretreatment standards (“ELG”) for CAFOs.

Plan 15 is the EPA’s Effluent Guidelines Program Plan that assists EPA in reviewing, industry-by-industry, the literature available on studies of discharges of a contaminant, to assist EPA in requiring or recommending that states require, discharge limitations in state or federal discharge permits, including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination permits.

Based on EPA’s announcement of the study of CAFOs, we can expect more information from EPA on CAFOs, and more attention on CAFOs from EPA, states, and interested parties, when the study is completed.

National Primary Drinking Water Standards for PFAS

In March 2023, EPA released its long-awaited proposed rule limiting concentrations of six PFAS in public drinking water. The proposed rule would set a legally-enforceable maximum contaminant level (“MCL”) for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt) each. EPA also proposed a health-based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for PFOA and PFOS of zero, consistent with EPA’s controversial claims that they are likely human carcinogens and there is no safe level of exposure to these two chemicals. However, EPA’s proposed rule sets an enforceable MCL of 4 ppt for these PFAS, which it considers feasible to implement, using the best available laboratory testing and treatment technology and taking cost into consideration.

The draft rule also targets four other PFAS compounds: HFPO, PFNA, PFHxS and PFBS. This part of the Rule would limit any mixture containing one of these four additional PFAS through application of a Hazard Index that adds the Health Based Water Concentrations (“HBWCs”) of these four PFAS present in the sample to determine if the water is safe to drink. The Hazard Index approach is intended to address cumulative risks from mixtures of these chemicals. It is the first time a Hazard Index has been used as an MCL.  

Yet this Spring, EPA is expected finalize the proposed national primary drinking water standards rulemaking.

While many agriculture operations do not directly impact drinking water, absent state regulatory screening levels for PFAS at some sites, parties, including plaintiffs and regulators, may look to the national primary drinking water standards for guidance on compliance.

Conclusion

While several proposed and final actions are anticipated in the short term, both from EPA and at the state level, uncertainty remains. Agricultural entities should remain vigilant as EPA’s final designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances is imminent, to be followed by EPA’s risk assessment of PFOA and PFOS in biosolids and Plan 15 study on ELG for CAFOs, and the first proposed national primary drinking water standards for PFAS. Agricultural entities should also be mindful of state-led efforts restricting PFAS in food packaging and land application of certain biosolids.

Agri-Pulse Newsletter Marks Its 20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago, the concept of an all-digital, paid subscription publication was almost unheard of in agricultural publishing. Agri-Pulse Editor and Founder Sara Wyant believed it was not only possible, but represented the future for high-quality journalism. Thanks to so many subscribers, advertisers and sponsors who also believed in the firm’s commitment to balanced reporting and trusted insights, Agri-Pulse has grown into the largest media company devoted to covering farm and food policy in Washington, D.C. and across the country. 

“It was clear to me that we could serve people in agriculture with information about what is happening in Washington, D.C., and other parts of the country, and they can make their own decisions on how to advocate,” said Wyant. 

Since 2004, Agri-Pulse has grown from a single, weekly newsletter to a full-time staff from coast-to-coast, developing daily online content, audio newscasts and interviews, daily digests of aggregated news articles on agricultural and energy topics, frequent webinars and special issues podcasts, three annual in-person policy summits, and a weekly video news program.

While it was just Wyant in the beginning, as the company has grown, so has the Agri-Pulse team. “We have been fortunate to have such talented and passionate staff who are focused on providing consistent, quality coverage of farm, food and rural policy issues,” Wyant said. Agri-Pulse has earned an unsurpassed level of respect in the nation’s capital and beyond, on both sides of the aisle.

“Agri-Pulse is extremely valuable. You have become a staple for accurate information that every farmer or rancher and grower, plus everybody involved in agriculture and up on Capitol Hill wants to have,” said former U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan. 

 “Over the last 20 years, Agri-Pulse has become a trusted source of news for the agricultural community and its influence and credibility only continue to grow,” said former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

Agri-Pulse has been an active member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, taking leadership roles in both the organization and the NAFB Foundation, which provides scholarships for future farm broadcasters. “It’s very important to us to support the industry and pay it forward for the future,” said Wyant, who served as foundation president for several years.

Agri-Pulse is also a proud sponsor of The Doan award, named after former NAFB President and broadcaster Stewart Doan, who worked as a senior editor for the company until his death in 2012.

In addition, Agri-Pulse is a member of the Ag Communicators Network and the North American Agricultural Journalists. Wyant previously served as president of the American Agricultural Editors Association (now ACN) and as chairwoman of the Farm Foundation Board of Trustees.

Agri-Pulse has partnered with the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City on various projects, including the Council’s Annual Ag Outlook Forum.

Reprinted from Agri-Pulse Communications release, March 18, 2024

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - March 2024

Developments

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas acknowledged difficulty of writing new farm bills while rebuking congressional colleagues for lack of progress toward compromise on a new bill adjusting agriculture commodity programs, food aid and measures to combat inflation in production costs. Sen. Moran said during a Senate floor speech that a political malaise appeared to be taking root in Washington, D.C., that could postpone action on an updated five-year farm bill until after the 2024 elections. “Tough decisions are ahead of us, but we should not walk away from the process. It’s a dereliction of duty to the farmers and ranchers of America,” Moran said. “I’ve been through numerous farm bills. They’re always hard and they’re always late and we never get them done easily. But this seems different to me for the first time.” He added, “The time is now to show leadership; I hope that we as leaders can get back to the table and produce a farm bill that provides meaningful and real relief for Kansas producers.”  Source: Kansas Reflector, March 21, 2024

Prices paid in 2024 for dairy products should be similar to 2023, while net returns may be better, according to University of Missouri Extension economist Scott Brown. Brown told attendees at the 2024 Missouri Dairy Expo that average weather and feed costs will be key factors for this year’s outlook. “The outlook hinges on demand,” said Brown. “Domestically, consumers may have less to spend on dairy, interest rates are higher, there’s less COVID financial help, and the economy is slower.” On the supply side, milk production has been down for the past seven months relative to a year ago. With the debate on the next farm bill unfolding, Brown foresees the most significant impact could result from the federal milk order hearing. Brown anticipates the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program in the next farm bill will be similar to the one adopted in the 2018 farm bill but could allow producers to update their production history or increase the amount of production history eligible for a DMC payment. He expects USDA to provide a proposed rule from the milk marketing order hearing sometime this year. He says there is the potential for large changes in how minimum milk prices are set through federal orders. Brown said some issues, like the Class I mover price, could be looked at in the next farm bill if not addressed through USDA’s federal order hearing process. Missouri continues to lose dairy cow inventory, which Brown said will likely occur this year along with smaller herd sizes. He adds that the DMC has been helpful to Missouri dairy producers.

South Carolina-based NBOT (Nano-Bubble Oxidation Technology) Labs, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has developed and validated what is considered to be the first scalable, versatile, and cost-effective solution for removing harmful “forever chemicals”  from the world’s water supply. Synthetic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), present a profound and growing threat to public health and the environment. These synthetic chemicals, found in hundreds of everyday products such as nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, clothing, cleaning products, makeup and shampoo are notorious for their ability to never break down in the environment and accumulate in the human body. Dr. Peter Moeller, program lead for emerging toxins at NOAA, said, “Utilizing NBOT technology as a catalyst to destroy over 99.999% of PFAS in our recent tests has proven to be a remarkable advancement in the field of environmental chemistry. The ability of this technology to play a key role in efficiently breaking down PFAS compounds and removing fluorine from the carbon-fluorine bond, where traditional methods have failed, marks a significant milestone towards sustainable water treatment solutions. This success not only showcases the incredibly scalable potential of NBOT but also sets a new benchmark for addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. It is an extraordinarily exciting discovery.” See Digging Deeper, in this month’s newsletter, for more information about PFAS.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture animal health team encourages Missourians to practice biosecurity when handling poultry. Stringent biosecurity practices are valuable for potential poultry buyers and experienced poultry owners alike. “Spring is a popular time to buy poultry and begin or expand backyard poultry flocks,” said Missouri State Veterinarian Steve Strubberg, DVM. “There are many biosecurity practices poultry producers can implement to make a positive impact on their flock’s health, as well as their own health. Our poultry team works to help birds and bird owners remain healthy throughout the year.” CDC and USDA have created resources for current and future poultry owners, as well as the public who may come in contact with poultry. Backyard poultry may carry germs that can make a person sick. Humans should always wash their hands after touching or interacting with backyard poultry. Learn more on how to keep yourself and your family healthy here. HPAI is a deadly virus for poultry that has impacted 48 states over the past two years. It is important to keep your flock free of the virus. For biosecurity tips regarding the prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza, visit agriculture.mo.gov.

The Kansas House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development placed the contents of HB 2766 into SB 172 with amendments. KLA testified in opposition to the bill in its original form, but acknowledged it would remove opposition with an amendment to prevent divestment of existing agricultural businesses. In its original form, the bill prohibited “countries of concern” from acquiring interest in real property in the state of Kansas within 150 air miles of military installations. In the bill, “countries of concern” include six currently listed as foreign adversaries to the U.S. by the federal government. The original bill also was retrospective and would have required divestment of businesses such as Syngenta and Smithfield Foods. Syngenta’s wheat breeding program is in Geary County and Smithfield has two further pork processing plants in Kansas employing nearly 1,000 workers. The committee adopted a KLA-supported amendment to allow companies, such as those mentioned above, to continue operations if they have undergone review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and were determined not to be a security threat. The adoption of the amendment resulted in KLA no longer opposing the bill. It was approved by committee.

The Livestock Meat Industry Council announced that it is committing $250,000 over the next five years to support the building of a new dairy facility at Kansas State University. This facility would be focused on educating students and training future employees for the dairy industry as well as enhancing research and extension capabilities in K-State’s Animal Science and Industry Department. The current dairy facility, K-State’s Dairy Teaching and Research Center, was built in 1977 and has been home to research and teaching of dairy nutrition, reproduction, health, housing and management.

The Minneapolis-based Grain Elevator and Processing Society hosted 3,716 attendees from 45 states, 23 nations and nearly 1,000 companies at its 2024 Conference and Expo last month at Kansas City Convention Center. Nearly 400 exhibitors filled a sold-out exposition floor.

National Animal Poison Prevention Week was observed, March 17-23, 2024, as a time for pet owners to assess what plants and products can potentially poison their animals, identify signs they’ve been poisoned and learn how to prevent pet poisoning. It was also a good time to remind livestock owners of springtime dangers of potential poisons, such as toxic plants, fertilizers, herbicides and other pesticides, as well as old batteries, junk piles and burn piles in barns and pastures. Tim Evans, University of Missouri Extension state specialist in animal health and veterinary toxicology, suggests pet and livestock owners look around their homes, barns, storage sheds and pastures to identify potential toxic dangers to their animals. Veterinarians can be a helpful source of information on these hazards, too. Two major veterinary poison control centers are also available: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the Pet Poison Helpline.

Celebrating nearly 120 years of leadership on behalf of America’s meat companies this month, the Meat Institute (formerly the “North American Meat Institute”) unveiled a new logo and brand identity reflecting its dynamic, forward-looking approach to ensuring meat remains at the heart of nourishing the present and sustaining the future. Meat Institute president and CEO Julie Anna Potts said, “Sustaining meat’s future is central to the Meat Institute’s mission and vision, building on our 120 years of leadership and meat’s centuries of contributions to healthy diets and strong communities. Our updated logo is fresh, open, and keeps meat at the very center of nourishing today and sustaining tomorrow.” 

American Farmland Trust, a national nonprofit that helps to keep American farmers on their land, launched a new U.S. Farmed certification and packaging seal for products that derive at least 95 percent of their agricultural ingredients from farms in the United States. Anheuser-Busch, the nation’s leading brewer, announced that it is the first-mover in adopting the U.S. Farmed certification and seal for several of its industry-leading beer brands. Aimed at transforming the way consumers identify and shop for domestically sourced products, the seal will first appear on Anheuser-Busch’s Busch Light beer this May, and Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob ULTRA beers have also obtained U.S. Farmed certification.

Wildfires in the Texas Panhandle have caused severe damage, but if it is any consolation, Texas cattle in the Panhandle region are mostly in feedlots and dairies. None of those have been hit by the fires. But serious damage has been inflicted on rangeland beef cattle. Losses are likely to be large and will include ranch infrastructure like fences, lost grazing while rangelands recover, and cows and calves lost, especially given this time of year. After several years of drought, low cattle prices, and higher costs, losses from the fires will be especially damaging because of today’s record-high prices and the lost opportunity to make up financially for the last few years.

AFBF president Zippy Duvall commented on the Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act’s final rule. “AFBF appreciates Secretary Vilsack and USDA’s finalization of another rule that helps bring transparency and fairness for farmers and ranchers who raise livestock and poultry under contracts with companies. This rule provides additional clarity regarding retaliation and deceptive practices in business dealings. It is a welcome complement to USDA’s Transparency Disclosures for Contract Poultry Growers rule implemented in February. Farm Bureau will continue to work with USDA to ensure a level playing field for the farmers and ranchers who keep America’s kitchens stocked.”  

Events

The 2024 Abner W. Womack Missouri Agriculture Outlook Conference is set for Wednesday, April 3,2024, at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Farm near Columbia, Missouri. Former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt will be the keynote luncheon speaker. Each year at the conference, the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI-MU) unveils its baseline outlooks for ag production, farm prices and consumption for the next ten years. Those outlooks inform Congress on agricultural policy. Abner Womack is the cofounder of FAPRI-MU, which is celebrating its 40th year in 2024. This is the 10th annual conference bearing Womack’s name. “The outlook for Missouri agriculture is higher production in 2024 because of a rebound in yields, lower grain and oilseed prices more than offsetting a slight decline in input prices, and lower government payments,” said Ben Brown, senior research associate with FAPRI and conference organizer. Brown said Missouri livestock producers should see improved profitability this year compared to 2023 because of higher prices and lower feed costs. “However, drought conditions liquidated herd sizes leaving fewer market-ready animals,” he said. As a leader in agricultural research, including market conditions and policy, MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources is helping Missouri’s farmers achieve success. FAPRI is committed to providing the information and analysis needed by policy makers as they make important decisions affecting everyone with a stake in agriculture.

Registration for the 2024 World Pork Expo is now open. This year’s Expo, brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 5 and 6. With its new two-day schedule, the Expo will be full of exciting activities and sessions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Go to World Pork Expo website: www.worldpork.org  

People

Seaboard Foods LLC’s Pork Segment is undergoing a leadership transition with the retirement of president and CEO Peter Brown, effective June 30, 2024. Brown’s tenure at Seaboard Foods spanned over three years at Seaboard Foods, and his retirement caps three decades of executive leadership in the protein industry, including roles at Butterball and High Liner Foods. Chad Groves, currently senior vice president of Global Sales, Marketing and Innovation at Seaboard, has been tapped to succeed Brown. In this position, Groves has overseen critical aspects of the company’s operations, including retail, foodservice, export, processor sales, marketing, sustainability, and innovation. His background includes executive sales positions at Trilliant Food & Nutrition LLC and High Liner Foods. Additionally, Groves currently serves as a member of the board of directors and treasurer for the National Pork Board. With a solid foundation established by Brown and a promising future under Groves’ guidance, Seaboard Foods remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering top-quality pork products and serving its customers and stakeholders with distinction.

Darrin Smith, Ph.D., has been named the associate dean of faculty, research and administration of Kansas State University Olathe, effective June 9. In this role, Smith will help oversee the successful implementation of the Next-Gen Strategic Plan for the campus and support the university’s imperatives.  His highest priority is to develop and oversee programming that is relevant to workforce development through innovative approaches to the changing demands of higher education. "Dr. Smith brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our campus,” said Ben Wolfe, dean and CEO. “We look forward to working together to support our strategic plan as well as our key initiatives to meet the needs of the advanced manufacturing industry in Greater Kansas City area and help establish research efforts in the area of food as medicine and community health.” 

Ag Business Council Names Two Honorees for Outstanding Service

KANSAS CITY, MO, March 19, 2024 - 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.

Cliff Becker, Edwardsville, KS

Cliff Becker

Cliff Becker, prior to his untimely passing on December 30, 2023, served as vice president of new campus development for the American Royal.  Becker enjoyed a distinguished career in agriculture, largely in the media and publishing sectors.  At Vance Publishing where he worked for 23 years, he was the senior executive for the firm’s food360 Division.  He later joined Farm Journal where he was executive vice president of its livestock publications group for 10 years.  Becker served as chair of the Ag Business Council from 2016-2017.

Becker was recognized with several industry awards over the span of his 39-year career, including the National Agri-Marketing Association's Career Achievement Award and the Livestock Publication Council's Distinguished Service Award. He was a nationally recognized speaker in the industry and served on several boards, including as Vice Chair of the Agriculture Advisory Board at Western Illinois University. His leadership there was instrumental in enhancing the School of Agriculture program, alumni involvement and current and future success of WIU students.

Dr. Scott Brown, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Dr. Scott Brown

Dr. Scott Brown has announced he is retiring in September from the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources where he is an Associate Extension Professor and Interim Director of the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF).  He joined Mizzou in 1989 as a research associate in FAPRI, the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute.

Dr. Brown is an expert in Missouri agricultural policy, as well as the livestock market outlook and dairy policy.  During the past two decades, he has worked extensively in determining the quantitative effects of changes in federal dairy and livestock policies and has testified regularly before U.S. Congress. He currently works with the Missouri legislature on the economic effects of state policy options on Missouri agriculture. He also provides regular market outlook on the livestock and dairy industries.

He has been honored on many occasions for his work.  In 2016 he received the C. Brice Ratchford Memorial Fellowship from the UM Board of Curators for commitment, dedication and effectiveness in advancing the land-grant mission, and has been recognized as a Special Friend of the Missouri Institute of Cooperatives. He was the 2005 national winner of the Farm and Ranch Financial Management Program Award, given by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Council Chair Seeber said, “Cliff Becker and Scott Brown have rendered outstanding service to agriculture on a local, regional and national level.  Their exemplary service follows the example of the late Jay B. Dillingham, long-time leader of the Kansas City Stockyards, for whom the award is named.  “Both Cliff and Scott have had a positive and lasting effect on our community,” Seeber added.  “They are great examples of what a leader can accomplish.”

The event will be held May 16 at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room in Union Station beginning at 11:30 a.m. for networking followed by lunch. Click here for more information and to register to attend.

Luncheon sponsors are the American Royal and John Deere.

---

Media Contact

Bob Petersen
816-810-5000
bob.petersen@agbizkc.com

Members of the Agricultural Business Council include over 700 individuals associated with the food and agribusiness sector.  Agribusiness continues to be one of the largest business sectors in the Kansas City region, accounting for 8 percent of the workforce and contributing 22 percent of the gross regional product.  For further information:  Bob Petersen (816) 810-5000; www.agbizkc.com

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - February 2024

Developments

Super Bowl 2024 chicken wing consumption was estimated at 1.45 billion wings, as the Kansas City Chiefs took on the San Francisco 49ers February 11 in Las Vegas. The figure is actually unchanged from last year’s estimate. The National Chicken Council attributed the lack of growth to economic factors shaping consumer shopping decisions. The flat projection, the group said in a release, was in line with “USDA reporting chicken production levels are slightly down from last year and wing stocks in cold storage down 13% in November compared to the year prior. According to NCC, the 2024 projected consumption is enough to distribute four wings to every man, woman and child in the United States.

The White House announced February 22, 2024 that it was approving a plan put forth by Missouri governor Mike Parson and seven other Midwest governors to ensure drivers have access to year-round fuel containing 15 percent ethanol (E15), also known as Unleaded 88, starting in 2025. “The announcement of year-round E15 is good news for consumers,” says Missouri Corn Growers Association president Brent Hoerr. “It was a long road to get here, and we appreciate Gov. Parson for pushing to ensure drivers have continued access to cleaner, more cost-effective choices at the pump and utilize an energy source grown and refined here in Missouri. Despite E15 having a lower Reid vapor pressure (RVP) than most fuel on the market, outdated regulations had excluded it from being sold during summer months.

Speaking at USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum 2024 this month. Nate Kauffman, a senior vice president for the Kansas City Federal Reserve said farmers likely will have enough cash after several good years to make it through a downturn in commodity prices in 2024. “Many producers still, despite this expected decline in farm income, are in a very, very strong position. “Banks in the Kansas City Fed’s region reported last year that none of their ag borrowers are on a watch list, which is unusual,” Kauffman said. Farmers making large equipment and land purchases will be paying much higher interest rates, Kauffman said, but many producers have been paying cash for land in recent years. Nationally, 51% of agland purchases from 2021 through 2023 were in cash, versus 39% through loans, according to AcreValue.com, a website that tracks ag land transactions. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications, February 21, 2024.

Led by a record-shattering performance in Mexico and broad-based growth in other markets, U.S. pork exports set a value record in 2023, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While 2023 beef exports were below the record totals posted the previous year, December exports were the largest since August and December export value increased 10% year-over-year.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently concluded the third round of negotiations with Kenya under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP). The talks, held from Jan. 29-31, covered a range of crucial issues, including agriculture, anti-corruption measures, domestic regulation of services, digital trade, environmental and climate considerations, good regulatory practices, standards collaboration, trade facilitation, and customs procedures. The U.S. delegation, led by assistant USTR Constance Hamilton, concentrated on key areas such as agriculture, good regulatory practices, and workers’ rights and protections during this round. The National Pork Producers Council sees Kenya as a potential significant export market for U.S. pork. With a population of approximately 50 million and a growing middle class, Kenya presents an opportunity for U.S. pork producers. NPPC is supportive of the ongoing talks, hoping to pave the way for increased access to Kenya’s pork market.

USDA’s Economic Research Service Consumer Price Index, a measure of economy-wide inflation, increased 0.5% from December 2023 to January 2024 and was up 3.1% from January 2023. The CPI for all food increased 0.6% from December 2023 to January 2024, and food prices were 2.6% higher than in January 2023. The level of food price inflation varies depending on whether the food was purchased for consumption at home or away from home. The food-at-home (grocery store or supermarket food purchases) CPI increased 0.7% from December 2023 to January 2024 and was 1.2% higher than January 2023; and food-away-from-home (restaurant purchases) CPI increased 0.5% in January 2024 and was 5.1% higher than January 2023. In 2024, all food prices are predicted to increase 2.9 percent, with a prediction interval of 0.5% to 5.3%. 

As the global soybean sector continues to thrive, Missouri soybean farmers are taking proactive steps to deepen their understanding of the dynamic Brazilian market, where Brazil holds the coveted position of the number one soybean exporter. This strategic mission aimed to unlock valuable insights into Brazil's soybean production, export capacity, consumer preferences, distribution channels, and regulatory requirements.  “Farmers need to see and experience first-hand the agricultural landscape in other countries,” said Gary Wheeler, Missouri Soybeans CEO and executive director. “The return on these missions is invaluable to our state’s producers and gives us an opportunity to see where we have competitive advantage, where we can improve and where we can find common ground to expand and diversify markets.”  

Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for anticipated funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.  Interested individuals, community organizations and research institutions working to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Missouri should submit their application by Tuesday, March 26. USDA defines specialty crops as fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, honey, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. The Department offers this grant program to expand markets on local, regional and international levels, develop distribution channels for specialty crops, and catalyze education, research, marketing, promotion, food safety strategies and crop-specific solutions for pests and diseases. Applications for the upcoming fiscal year must be submitted to the Department by 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. Applications will be evaluated and selected projects will be included in the Missouri State Plan for USDA review and approval. Application form and additional details are available online at www.Agriculture.Mo.Gov

Kansas City-based National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) adopted its NIAA 2024 – 2026 Strategic Plan during their January 24, 2024, meeting. Adoption of the strategic plan culminates the work of NIAA elected leaders, members, partners, and staff who began work on the latest strategic plan in November 2023. “Fellow board members and I are looking forward to implementing these new strategic pillars and build on the achievements from the past four years,” said NIAA chair, Dr. Eric Moore with Norbrook, Inc. The 2024 – 2026 plan celebrates past successes while continuing key programs and activities of NIAA. Additionally, a few new focus areas that align with the NIAA mission have been added. All components tie to the NIAA mission: To convene animal agriculture experts and allies in collaborative settings to explore, discuss, learn, and develop knowledge that fosters interdisciplinary cooperation for the improvement and continuous progress of animal agriculture.

Amid the new focus on regenerative practices in U.S. agriculture and the unprecedented investments in climate-smart commodities, Lenexa, KS-based Farm Journal’s Trust In Food™ and The Sustainability Consortium are partnering to gather insights into the vital role that data collection and sharing plays in measuring sustainability in the pork supply chain. The partnership recently released its report, Farmer Perspectives On Data 2024: Barriers and Opportunities to more Robust Feed Sustainability Data In U.S. Pork Supply Chains. The study found that, while most pork and row crop producers are collecting valuable on-farm data, the methods of that data collection and the data points collected vary substantially. Both row crop farmers and swine producers have farm-level data and are willing to share when concerns over data privacy, trust, fair compensation and other factors have been addressed. Yet pork brand and retail customers are not asking for it. This perceived lack of demand is a key reason why farmers are not capturing additional data.  

Events

On behalf of nearly 27,000 members of Missouri FFA, Governor Mike Parson proclaimed last week, February 17-24, 2024, to be National FFA Week in Missouri. “FFA members are the future of Missouri agriculture,” Governor Mike Parson said. For the sixth year in a row, Gov. Parson drove a John Deere tractor to the Capitol in honor of the FFA tradition of students driving their tractor to school during National FFA Week. Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe joined in on the tradition again this year, demonstrating his ties to agriculture and commitment to FFA students. FFA members drove restored tractors alongside the governor and lieutenant governor this year, and a display of tractors from local implement dealers was showcased in front of the Capitol. Missouri FFA President Sam Tummons from the Columbia FFA Chapter received the FFA Week proclamation on behalf of the 2023-2024 Missouri FFA State Officer team. “This event is always fun for my team and I,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “The excitement on the FFA members faces when they see the Governor and Lieutenant Governor pull up to the Capitol in tractors is priceless. It reminds me why I do what I do. Missouri FFA members are sure to advance the future of agriculture and I’m proud to watch them do it.”

The Kansas Livestock Foundation now is accepting applications for scholarships for the 2024-25 school year. Applicants must be graduates of a Kansas high school and enrolled at a Kansas community or senior college for the fall 2024 semester. The Merck Cartridges for Cash program offers $1,500 scholarships to Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine students and $1,000 awards to undergraduates studying animal science and planning to actively participate in livestock production. Since Haskell County KLA members turned in the most cartridges in 2023, at least one student from that county will receive a Cartridges for Cash scholarship, providing there is a qualified applicant.

Hampel Oil/Mobil Delvac will offer $1,000 scholarships to juniors and seniors at K-State and Fort Hays State University. GoBob America’s Ranch Equipment will sponsor a $1,000 award for a student sophomore year or above attending a Kansas junior or senior college. Equity Bank will offer a $2,500 scholarship to juniors or seniors at K-State or FHSU. Rally House will sponsor a $1,000 award to a student attending K-State. Proceeds from the 2023 Kansas CattleWomen Silent Auction and KLF Club Calf Sale will fund $1,000 KCW and Youth in Ag scholarships. Scholarships in the amount of $1,500 will be offered in memory of Douglas A. Laue, a past chairman of the KLA Cattle Feeders Council. These will be awarded to junior or senior students at K-State or FHSU. Glenn & Clyde Lindstrom scholarships in the amount of $1,000 also are being offered, with preference given to students attending USD 400. A $1,000 scholarship will be offered by Scott Johnson and Family to students attending K-State and pursuing a degree in animal sciences and industry, agricultural communications and journalism, agribusiness or agricultural economics. A $500 scholarship will be offered in memory of Fred H. Woodbury to a sophomore or above attending a Kansas community or senior college, with preference given to a student residing in Chase, Franklin, Lyon, Osage or Wabaunsee County. For questions about the scholarship program, contact Shelbi Wiggs at www.shelbi@kla.org.  All materials must be digitally submitted by April 8.

The Livestock Marketing Association, Overland Park, KS, scholarship program supports students who are interested in or display knowledge and an understanding of the importance of livestock marketing and the livestock industry. Now in its second year, the program has been expanded. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior and/or currently enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution (i.e. trade school, community college, junior college, university, veterinary science, veterinary medicine or law) in the year of the award. Up to nine (9) post-secondary applicants will receive a $2500 one-time scholarship. The contact information and signature of an active LMA member endorsing the applicant must be submitted at the time of application. LMA members may not endorse more than two (2) applicants for the scholarship in the same academic year. For more information, and to view the scholarship application, click here.  

Missouri Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee will celebrate Thank a Farmer Week, March 3-9. It is a time to celebrate the abundance of food, fuel and fiber produced by the American farmer. Throughout the week, county Farm Bureau volunteers give back to their local communities in a variety of ways, sharing the message of agriculture with friends and neighbors.

People

Greg Krissek received the Kansas Corn Impact Award at the 2024 Kansas Corn Symposium at Salina. Krissek retired in May after serving as Kansas Corn CEO for nine years. The Kansas Corn Impact Award was created to recognize Kansas leaders who embody the mission of Kansas Corn and have had an extraordinary impact on the state’s corn industry. Krissek began his career in agriculture in the 1990s at the Kansas Department of Agriculture working as a research analyst and then as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. He first joined the staff of the Kansas Corn and Kansas Grain Sorghum associations from 2000 to 2003. He was Director of Government Affairs at ethanol plant design company ICM and manager at Kennedy & Coe. Krissek returned to Kansas Corn to serve as CEO in 2014 until his retirement in 2023. Over the years, Greg has served on many ethanol and agricultural association boards, and on several ethanol plant boards of directors. He remains active in agriculture groups including the U.S. Grains Council and the Triazine Network.

Kansas Corn Growers Association members elected board members, discussed and approved the 2024 resolutions and heard updates on KCGA activities at the organization’s annual meeting. The annual meeting was conducted at the Kansas Corn Symposium held in Salina on Jan. 25. Three board members were reelected to their positions: Tanner McNinch, Ness City was reelected to represent the west central district; Matt Splitter, Lyons was reelected to represent the central district and J.D. Hanna, Silver Lake was reelected to represent the east central district. Outgoing KCGA President Brent Rogers, Hoxie was recognized at the event for his years of leadership. Rogers retired from his position as president and remains on the board as the northwest district representative.

Mark Eisele, a Wyoming rancher, has taken over the gavel as president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Eisele and his wife and kids operate the King Ranch near Cheyenne, Wyoming, grazing both public and private lands. Buck Wehrbein, Nebraska, was named president-elect, Gene Copenhaver, Virginia, was elected vice president, and Brad Hastings, Texas, will continue to serve as NCBA treasurer. Kim Brackett, Idaho, was elected chair of the NCBA Policy Division, and Skye Krebs, Oregon, was elected policy vice chair. Dan Gattis of Texas is the new chair and Nancy Jackson of Mississippi is vice chair of the NCBA Federation division.

Bill Northey, former Iowa Ag Secretary and Trump administration USDA leader, has died, leaving behind numerous family and friends and a legacy of farm policy leadership. He was 64. Northey was the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa and served as Iowa’s ag secretary. He was also the undersecretary for farm production and conservation during the Trump administration. Northey was a fourth-generation farmer who was involved in the Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District, Iowa Farm Bureau, and was the president of the National Corn Growers Association in 1995-1996. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications February 21, 2024

Michael Gill, chief of staff at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission during the Trump Administration (2016-2019), died Feb. 3 of gunshot wounds sustained during a Jan. 29 carjacking in Washington. He was 56. Gill had been chief of staff for former CFTC Chairman Christopher Giancarlo with a focus on swap execution rules reform and liaison with the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Before that, he was senior vice president of the American Frozen Food Institute (2000-2004), an attorney at Crowell & Moring, senior vice president at a venture of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to create a platform for issuance and management of mortgage securities, and a staff member for former Sen. John Danforth, R-Mo., and the late Rep. Paul Gillmor, R-Ohio. Recently, he was senior vice president for capital markets at the Housing Policy Council, a financial industry trade association. Source: Agri-Pulse Communications

Crop Life America has selected a Trump administration Environmental Protection Agency veteran as its new President and CEO, the organization announced in a release. Alexandra Dunn, who served a two-year stint as Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention from 2019-2021, succeeds former president and CEO Chris Novak who left the position in September 2023 after five years at the helm of the association. “The CLA Board of Directors is excited to announce Alex Dunn as our next CEO,” said Andy Lee, chairman of the board and president and CEO, Valent North America. 

Digging Deeper...

Opening the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City’s 8th Annual Ag Innovation Forum at the Downtown KC Marriott earlier this month, Event Emcee Kristie Larson, Strategic Relationship Manager of the DeBruce Foundation, characterized farmers and ranchers as searchers, survivors and innovators. She noted Kansas City could be considered ground zero for agriculture innovation and renovation. “Kansas City has been innovating for years,” Lawson said. Forum featured speaker Aidan Connolly, President, AgriTech Capital, claimed innovation is accelerating and “the survivors in farming will be the ones who adopt technology fastest.”   ByDennis McLaughlin, McLaughlin Writers LLC

Agriculture Gets Precise

 One of the featured speakers at the forum, keynoter James Lowenberg-DeBoer, Ph.D., a specialist in the field of precision agriculture, pinpointed 1983 as the genesis of modern agriculture innovation. That’s when President Ronald Reagan authorized the use of Navstar – or GPS as it became known – for use by commercial airlines to improve navigation and air travel safety. The success of GPS guidance is not a surprise, Dr. Lowenberg-DeBoer said. “Given the ease of use, relatively low cost of trialing and quick and easily visible results, we predicted quick and widespread adoption for GPS guidance.” That prophesy has been more than fulfilled.  Agriculture businesses can use GPS technology to manage their operations, collect information such as soil composition and weather conditions and can guide farmers and agricultural workers through their fields.

Looking down the road, Dr. Lowenberg-DeBoer, who is a professor and Elizabeth Creak Chair of Agri-Tech Economics at UK-based Harper Adams University, suggests swarm robotics would be a paradigm changer, cutting labor and capital costs. “But because a shift to swarm robotics would involve major changes in farm size, organization and management, it may take some time.” Achieving widespread adoption of ag tech innovations requires great technology, he concluded, that involves effective business models for manufacturing, distribution, and implementation; determination of on-farm benefits; estimating physical, financial and social constraints. “Predicting short run adoption patterns is very difficult and not needed for most strategic planning and public policy,” Dr. Lowenberg-DeBoer noted.

In an entertaining presentation that he facetiously referred to as “a review of 10,000 years of ag tech,” keynoter Aidan Connolly, president, AgriTech Capital, Wilmington, N.C., boasted that farming was the basis of modern life. Agriculture was the impetus behind the evolution and development of villages, towns, cities and civilizations – from which emerged art, philosophy, thinking and invention. “Every human development has been a function of our ability to farm,” he said. As for problems facing ag tech innovation, Connolly cited requirements for significant investment sums and a disconnect between investors, tech developers and end users. “AgTech start-ups,” he said, “need to consider actionable benefits for farmers, instead of focusing on cool tech.”

That notion was an overriding theme throughout. At one point, Nic McCarthy, senior vice president, Central Valley Coop, addressed it bluntly: [High tech platforms and systems] “might have solutions, but they’re not solving problems.” He recalled a situation where three tech people in a field implemented a program that required the three same people to be on hand to see if the technology worked - so, new technology does not always bring gains in labor efficiency.”

Panels

This year’s Innovation Forum featured three panels discussing the implementation and implications of innovative technology in several areas of agriculture: Soil Health; Artificial Intelligence; Livestock Technology Adoption.

Soil Health: Moderator Michael Doane, Global Managing Director, Food & Freshwater Systems, The Nature Conservancy, oversees TNC’s efforts to scale up conservation outcomes across productively managed farming, ranching and agroforestry landscapes – and restoring degraded croplands and grasslands with advanced soil health, grazing and nutrient management techniques. That imperative dovetails with Aidan Connolly’s observation that advanced, available analytic technology is allowing researchers to monitor soil structures and microbial populations in real time, preparing organisms for optimal nutrient uptake and promoting root development for increased yield potential.

Panel member Nick Guetterman, Guetterman Brothers Family Farms, Bucyrus, Kansas, said his family started no-till farming in 1982 and converted it to 100% of its operation in 1990. “No-till got us through the 1980s crisis,” he noted. 

Jason Tatge, CEO, PrairieFood stated that conventional farming practices have rapidly turned much of the country’s healthy soil into barren dirt. But he asked, “What if you could nourish soil with native microbes to become more resilient while reducing your synthetic inputs by half?” He answered, “Weaning your fields from synthetics and investing soil health is one of the
most strategic activities with the highest ROI’s any grower can undertake.”

Dan Poston, vice president, research and field services, Pivot Bio, described how his company’s technology meets the demand for nitrogen consistency and dependability by enabling microbes to convert atmospheric nitrogen and deliver it to crops, providing a source of nitrogen throughout the growing season. “We collaborate with leading agricultural universities and research organizations to conduct structured trials that demonstrate how our breakthrough technology maintains or improves yield, helping growers achieve better profitability, predictability and sustainability.”

Artificial Intelligence:  Moderator Jonathan McFadden, Ph.D., research economist, USDA-Economic Research Services, is involved in the commercialization and adoption of ag technologies and the environmental performance of agriculture overall. “Our research and analysis covers a broad range of economic and policy topics,” Dr. McFadden said, “including precision agriculture and increasingly AI, which are important inputs in agricultural production.”

He explained that U.S. agriculture faces a number of challenges: rising production costs; labor shortages; climate change; population growth. “Increasing awareness of these issues has led to further calls for the agricultural sector to develop innovative solutions,” he explained. “And digital agriculture, increasingly reliant on AI, presents an important opportunity to respond to many of these challenges.”

But Pascal Hitzler, Ph.D., director of the Center for AI and Data Science at Kansas State University, warned about becoming too infatuated with AI. Beware of the AI hype, he warned. “Despite fast progress in AI’s development, actual reliability and trustworthiness of current AI systems is limited.” He expects that will be overcome, but more research is needed.  

Nic McCarthy, Central Valley Coop, wondered if AI would develop further, fast enough, to interest and keep the next generation of farm families on the farm. He hinted it very well could. “But the larger issue of farm land wealth transfer might still remain a deterrent to keeping younger people on the farm.”

Livestock Technology:  Moderator Dustin Johansen, senior vice president, livestock division, Farm Journal, had a terse but poignant message regarding agricultural technology and AI that is applicable to all – including ag tech developers, farmers and retailers: Be aware of what [tech] exists.

Paul Koffman, executive director, Livestock Technology Solutions, Merck Animal Health, noted the cattle industry tends to be reactive – fix it when it happens. “But we need new products to get ahead of cattle illnesses.” Over the last four or five years, Merck has made significant investments in building its own technology through either its own R&D or through acquisitions, Koffman said.

Jerrod Westfahl, chief strategy officer, Innovative Livestock Services, Inc., is emphatic when he says, “Livestock ag is not a monolithic industry.” That rationale has prompted ILS to look at each operation it deals with as a unique entity. At the same time, Westfahl said, “Technology is not a threat.” And ILS uses that line of thought as it matches various solutions to individual livestock operations.

Coby Buck, director of strategic accounts, Agri-Webb, made a case for introducing more technology innovation to the livestock industry. He asked the question: “Does the [short] food animal life cycle have something to do with the lack of investment in technology?”

Data-Led Agriculture

Ranveer Chandra, chief technology officer of Agri-Food at Microsoft, presented a riveting argument highlighting the importance of global data-led agriculture. Resources once considered plentiful, he said, have been hit by the combined effects of an ever-growing world population and climate change, leading to rising global temperatures and extreme weather. “Our goal is to build tools that help all individuals and organizations, including farmers, to achieve more.”

Chandra described how technology can be used to grow more food, more sustainably. “The soil is not getting any richer; the water levels are receding; there is climate change – these make the farmers’ life much harder. One approach that can help is that of data-driven agriculture, where our goal is not to replace the farmer but to augment the farmer’s knowledge with data and AI.”

Where Land and Soil Meet Space

Last September during the Ag Business Council/Agri-Pulse Communication’s Ag Outlook Forum, Denver Caldwell, John Deere’s Director Region 4 Aftermarket and Customer Support, offered a forceful conclusion to his presentation. Caldwell exclaimed, “If anyone is looking for a job in advanced high technology, it’s right here in agriculture – and by association at John Deere.”  Caldwell’s remark was right on the money. On January 16, 2024, Deere & Company signed on with SpaceX to provide cutting-edge satellite communications (SATCOM) service to farmers. The accord gives John Deere access to SpaceX’s Starlink, a satellite internet constellation that provides coverage to over 70 countries.

This connection will allow farmers facing rural connectivity challenges to fully leverage precision agriculture technologies. This partnership will enable John Deere customers to be more productive, profitable, and sustainable in their operations as they continue to provide food, fuel, and fiber for their communities and a growing global population, said the company in a news release.

“The value of connectivity to farmers is broader than any single task or action. Connectivity unlocks vast opportunities that were previously limited or unavailable,” said Aaron Wetzel, Vice President of Production and Precision Ag Production Systems at John Deere. “For example, throughout the year, farmers must complete tasks within extremely short windows of time. This requires executing incredibly precise production steps while coordinating between machines and managing machine performance. Each of these areas are enhanced through connectivity, making the entire operation more efficient, effective, and profitable.”

The SATCOM solution will connect both new and existing machines through satellite internet service and ruggedized satellite terminals. This will fully enable technologies such as autonomy, real-time data sharing, remote diagnostics, enhanced self-repair solutions, and machine-to-machine communication, all of which help farmers work more efficiently while minimizing downtime.

“John Deere has led the agriculture equipment industry for more than two decades with satellite-based precision guidance technology,” said Jahmy Hindman, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at John Deere. “Now, we are bringing satellite communications service to the farm at scale so farmers with cellular coverage challenges can maximize the value of connectivity to their operations. The SATCOM solution unlocks the John Deere tech stack so every farmer can fully utilize their current precision agriculture technology in addition to the new innovative solutions they will deploy in the future. We initiated this process with a fierce focus on delivering value to our customers, and this partnership ensures we have a solution that meets their needs today and in the future.”Source and for more information:www.PublicRelations@JohnDeere.com

Digging Deeper...

This past November’s early snowfall may have signaled the approach of a particularly snowy winter for Kansas. This is a year of El Niño, a climate pattern that historically results in Kansas seeing more precipitation than usual, noted Matthew Sittel, Kansas State University Department of Agronomy and assistant K-State climatologist, in a report published November 16, 2023. For drought weary farmers and ranchers heading into the Christmas Holidays and the upcoming planting season, this was a tiding of comfort and joy. But there was also a coal-stuffed stocking to tamper this good news.  “I won’t say it’s a certainty,” Sittel said, “but there’s  a 99% chance that all of eastern Kansas, north, north-central, central Kansas will still be in drought conditions by April 1.”  
Excerpted, edited by Dennis McLaughlin, McLaughlin Writers LLC. Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Service, National Center for Atmospheric Research, U.S. Drought Monitor; Topeka Capital-Journal,December 1, 2023 Tim Hrenchir, December 1, 2023; Kansas Reflector

Will El Nino Bring More Rain?

The arrival of El Nino – officially on June 8 of last year – has been eagerly anticipated by the agricultural industry, looking for relief from a disastrous drought that has persisted in some parts of the U.S. for some 22 years, according to the journal Nature Climate Change. Early maps released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) show that California and Nevada could face above-average precipitation this winter, while Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and other southeastern states could encounter high levels of precipitation.

“The phrase El Nino can conjure up images of horrendous weather – severe storms in the southern U.S. and droughts in Asia and Africa,” wrote Allison Kite in the Kansas Reflector for Kansas and Missouri, El Nino is a months-long weather pattern that typically brings warm winters and extra precipitation to the central U.S., she says, adding, “It brings hope.”

Aaron Harries, vice president of research and operations for Kansas Wheat, said the possibility of more rain and snow brought on by El Nino is welcome news. “Anything better than what we’ve had the last three years is good news,” Harries told the Reflector. 

The National Center for Atmospheric Research has gone so far as to predict the current period would be a ‘Super El Nino’ event. Matthew Sittle, K-State climatologist, says, “As it turns out, a Super El Nino could indeed be a hero for Kansans.”

Zachary Leasor, Ph.D., University of Missouri assistant professor of climate science, is in step with Sittle.  “The possibility of more precipitation is cause for optimism,” he says. “Over the course of the drought, Missouri has built up long-term precipitation deficits and so it needs significant rain or snow to catch up.” 

Missouri sits on a divide between the south, which typically gets above-average precipitation in an El Nino year and the north, which sees less, making it difficult to predict if the state will get drought relief. “Hopefully that forecast does hold because that would be good news for drought improvement,” he said.

Still Struggling

A year ago, more than half of Kansas was in an extreme or exceptional drought, the most severe label given by the U.S. Drought Monitor. While it has eased, most of the state is still experiencing some level of drought. USDA reported in July that Kansas’ winter wheat production fell 15% from 2022. Bushels of wheat per acre fell from 32 to 27. Recently USDA  reported sorghum, a more drought-tolerant cereal crop, was planted in much higher quantities this year and the harvest was forecast to be 47% larger than last year’s. “While the situation is not as severe in Missouri,” reports Allison Kite in the Reflector, “just over half of the state remains in a lingering drought.”

Another USDA survey reported 62% of livestock producers in Missouri are short or very short on hay and roughage supplies, and 43% are short or very short on stock water. Huge swaths of the state have soil moisture levels far below historical averages. Corn yields are down 10% compared to 2022.

While Kansas and Missouri farmers and ranchers might have high hopes for El Nino, they know that a couple extra inches of rain or snow won’t solve a 12-inch shortfall in drought-stricken parts of their states. As Shawn Tiffany, past president of the Kansas Livestock Association with cattle operations in Morris, McPherson and Lyon counties quips: “There’s an old joke in Kansas that you’re never more than 30 days away from a flood or a drought. It’s just that the flood continues to be 30 days out on the horizon.”

Cause For Optimism

According to a National Weather Service forecast issued December 1, 2023, more than 90% of the state of Kansas is likely to see above-average precipitation over the months of December, January and February. A swath of territory along the northeast and east-central Kansas corridor bordering Missouri – which generally receives less precipitation than the rest of the state – could see above-average rain or snow. But the NWS hedged a bit, saying equal chances for below-average precipitation along that strip always exists. 

Matthew Sittel explains that El Nino has historically brought above-average rainfall and snowfall to Kansas. He points to NWS data showing Kansas has endured 73 winters since 1950. Twenty-one of those winters jibed with an El Nino event. Another 19 winters hosted a La Nina, while 33 winters were visited by neither. 

This year's El Nino is expected to bring more precipitation to most of Kansas. On average, NWS sees Kansas receiving 2.72 inches of precipitation over the months of December, January and February. That compares to an average 2.48 inches during a La Nina winter and 2.34 inches during neutral winters.

While a snowier winter is looking likely this year, NWS reminds farmers and ranchers “that rain and snowfall amounts are not the same.”  Snowfall totals are reported as the amount of liquid water the snow produces upon melting, explains the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations. "An old rule of thumb is that for every ten inches of snow, there should be 1 inch of water – a 10:1 ratio," NOAA says. However, NOAA’s recent surveys of the Upper Midwest indicate that a 12:1 ratio might be more representative.

Using the equation of one inch of precipitation for every 10 to 12 inches of snow, notes Sittel, the extra 1.15 inches of precipitation Kansas could see on average during a Super El Nino winter – which this is shaping up to be – equates to between 11.5 inches and 13.8 inches of additional snow. But Sittel says these figures are averages, pointing out that not every Kansas winter during a Super El Nino has brought above-average precipitation. "Still, the averages suggest reason to be optimistic should a Super El Nino occur," he said. 

It’s a different story in Missouri. “The Show Me state tends to be somewhat of a transition state when we look at the impacts of El Nino across the country during the winter season,” says Pat Guinan, climatologist with the University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program. The odds for above, below and near-normal temperatures and precipitation for much of Missouri are equal. Or as Michelle L’Heureux, a meteorologist at the Climate Prediction Center, puts it: “El Nino nudges the odds in favor of certain outcomes, but never ensures them.” So we’ll wait and see.

Latest News & Updates in KC Agriculture - January 2024

Developments

The state of Missouri is continuing to change the way foreign purchases of agriculture land are handled. A newly signed executive order requires landowners to tell the Missouri Department of Agriculture before they sell to foreign individuals or companies. Agriculture Director Chris Chinn said that they will begin emergency rule-making soon to provide more clarity and state lawmakers will consider adding more money for oversight. Missouri limits foreign ownership to 1 percent of its land and it cannot be within a 10-mile radius of a military installation.

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) members –  state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture – have chosen five issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2024. They include the 2024 Farm Bill, food safety, labor reform, pesticide regulation, and PFAS.  “These issues were chosen for the organization’s 2024 focus as NASDA members see urgent need for action in these areas to support farmers and ranchers in their ability to grow our nation’s food, fiber and fuel,” said Ted McKinney. Further, “We believe these are the areas where state departments of agriculture are uniquely positioned to champion policy solutions this year,” he added.

Kansas City, MO-based AgriThority® is a Gold Partner of the 2024 World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit being held March 19-20 in San Francisco. The AgriThority team will join more than 2,000 industry experts to discuss opportunities and innovations in agriculture.  AgriThority’s Chief Technology Officer Gloverson Moro, Ph.D., will participate on a featured panel – Biologicals in Action: Getting Traction on Today’s Farms.  The session will cover topics such as the success and commercial viability of biological crop inputs on farms and the need for transformational R&D in biologicals. "Product development is as much about process as it is about science," Moro says. "Having clarity on what questions need to be addressed and in what order, is critical. We look forward to sharing our experience helping more than 539 technologies across more than 3,700 field trial farm locations prepare for adoption." 

Combine harvester sales closed out the year ahead of 2022 levels, while almost all tractor segments saw declines in both the United States and Canada, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Total U.S. farm tractor sales fell 5.1 percent in December compared to 2022, while year-to-date sales came in 8.7 percent lower than a year ago. However, 100+hp tractors grew 5.2 percent for the year and 3.6 percent in December, while combine harvesters finished 2023 with sales up 1.7 percent last month. The sub-40hp segment led losses for the year as a whole, falling 10.7 percent for calendar 2023 on the heels of a 5.8 percent drop in December. “Seeing year-over-year gains in U.S. sales of both combine harvesters and 100+hp tractors is a welcome sight as 2024 gets underway,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “And while several tractor segments fell last month versus 2023, we’re still confident in the strength of the equipment market and remain optimistic about its long-term growth.”

Missouri farmers who are member-owners of FCS Financial will receive $41.2 million back in cash patronage after the cooperative’s successful year. FCS Financial is a farmer-owned and led cooperative that has returned $292 million in earnings to eligible customers in Missouri over the past 17 years. FCS Financial Board Chair Kenny Bergmann and Vice Chair Beth Schnitker led the patronage vote during their monthly board meeting on December 20 and received unanimous support from all other directors. “Since implementing patronage in 2006, FCS Financial has returned $292 million to our member-owners. That is money being put back into Missouri’s rural communities,” says Rob Guinn, FCS Financial CEO. “We pay patronage because we are a cooperative that shares its profits with its member-owners. When you finance through us, you become a member-owner of our cooperative and may be eligible to receive the patronage among other membership benefits.”

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) has renewed its partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). It is kicking off the fifth year of the Turkey Smoke Series, which encourages both professional and amateur pitmasters to showcase the versatility and creativity of turkey on the smoker or grill. The Turkey Smoke Series features a turkey category in select barbeque competitions across the United States during the 2024 season. Pitmasters and contest organizers love that the Turkey Smoke Series adds thousands of dollars in extra prize money, trophies, and bragging rights at KCBS-sanctioned events, and Certified Barbeque Judges appreciate the opportunity to judge another delicious category! Winning recipes will be featured across KCBS and NTF digital platforms. “KCBS is thrilled to celebrate the fifth year of the partnership with the National Turkey Federation which brings the popular Turkey Smoke category to 16 states,” said Rod Gray, Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture has been allocated $6.9 million through the USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program to help strengthen the food supply chain between the farmer and consumer. The purpose of the RFSI program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain; to provide more and better markets to small farms and food businesses; and to support the development of value-added products for consumers, fair prices, fair wages and new and safe job opportunities that keep profits in rural communities. MDA will distribute the funds as competitive grants to invest in the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesale and distribution of locally produced food. Eligible products include fruits and vegetables, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products (excluding meat and poultry).

Dairy Farmers of America has made the first purchase of verified carbon credits within the livestock value chain from one of its Texas dairy farmer owners. The buy represents the first transaction in the carbon insetting marketplace.  Unlike the traditional offset purchases of carbon credits for actions taken on the farm, the inset market ensures farmers are paid directly for their actions and allows those in the supply chain to purchase credits to meet individual companies’ sustainability goals. The new cloud-based livestock carbon market launched by Elanco Animal Health and Athian establishes the first protocol to pay producers who adopt specific manure management standards or use Elanco's feed additive Rumensin, which the company said reduces enteric emissions by 5%. “We’re gratified to see this science-based, third-party verified and validated system coming to life with the Athian platform and that dairy farmers are among the first to prove it works,” said Dennis Rodenbaugh, DFA president and CEO.

Earlier this month, Tyson Foods and Cargill suspended operations at beef plants in Kansas due to a massive snowstorm, reducing U.S. meat production. Blizzard-like conditions had left meatpacking workers stranded on highways while others spent the night at the slaughterhouses where they work, the companies and state officials said. Disruptions at plants slashed beef production at a time prices remain high after U.S. ranchers reduced their herds. Nationwide, meatpackers slaughtered an estimated 94,000 cattle on January 9, down 25% from a week earlier, according to USDA. 

Now in its second year, the Livestock Marketing Association scholarship program has been expanded. It supports students who are interested in or display knowledge and an understanding of the importance of livestock marketing and the livestock industry. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior and/or currently enrolled at an accredited post-secondary institution (i.e. trade school, community college, junior college, university, veterinary science, veterinary medicine or law) in the year of the award. Following the deadline, scholarship applications will be reviewed by a panel of allied-industry, LMA leadership and/or LMA membership not sponsoring or related to applicants at time of application. Up to nine (9) post-secondary applicants will receive a $2500 one-time scholarship. The contact information and signature of an active LMA member endorsing the applicant must be submitted at the time of application.  More information available here.  

Kansas Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback from Kansans for the 2024 Custom Rates Survey to collect information on rates paid for agricultural custom work. The survey is administered through the K-State Land Use Survey Center and will be open through April 30, 2024. This survey collects data on charges for ag custom work, feed preparation, and machinery rental. Whether you provide custom services or you hire custom services, knowing accurate, competitive prices is crucial for the sustainability of agricultural operations. Completion of the survey should take less than 15 minutes. “We view the Kansas Custom Rates Survey as a very valuable tool for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses to access as they consider contracts and agriculture service arrangements,” said Secretary Mike Beam.“KDA works to provide support and assistance to help make Kansas agriculture more successful, and we are pleased to partner with K-State to publish this biennial survey.” To complete the survey, please click here. If you are unable to complete the survey but wish to participate, please contact Dr. Leah Tsoodle, Director, Land Use Survey Center, at LTsoodle@ksu.edu or Tori Laird, KDA Division of Agriculture Marketing, at 785-564-6726 or Tori.Laird@ks.gov to receive a written survey or to complete the survey over the telephone.

Events

Kansas State University-Olathe has listed two upcoming professional development workshops and webinars:

• The Statistician in R&D: A Vital Team Member, Not an Inconvenience – March 6, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  “Statistics is a critical part of regulatory submissions and working with statisticians can be overwhelming for scientists and professionals. People who are adept at working with statisticians are more effective and successful.” For more information and registration: 913-541-1220; olatheinfo@k-state.edu

• Stability Guidelines for Bio Manufacturing – April 24, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. “Our lunchtime webinar is designed to keep you in the know when it comes to stability guidelines.” For more information and registration: 913-541-1220; olatheinfo@k-state.edu

People

Cliff Becker passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 30, 2023. He was vice president of new campus development for the American Royal and also previously served as the Chairman of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City. He had over 39 years of experience in ag media, previously working for Farm Journal and Vance Publishing Corporation.

Lenexa-based Ceva Animal Health appointed a new executive to oversee the company’s global operations in the United States and Canada. Brad McCollum is now senior vice president of Ceva’s business operations in North America. His role will include overseeing marketing and health-related product sales for companion animals, poultry and swine. Previously, McCollum led the global animal health company Zoetis as senior vice president of pet care for its US business. He spent more than 11 years rising in the ranks at Zoetis before joining Ceva. McCollum started his career at Pfizer, where he developed a background in the pharmaceutical industry as the associate director of operations.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam announced that Josh McGinn has been named Assistant Secretary of Agriculture at the Kansas Department of Agriculture. McGinn began serving in the role on January 22.  McGinn will have significant role in the legislative agenda for KDA, including research and analysis of legislative issues and developing and supporting the legislative priorities of the agency. He will also assist the Secretary on development of agricultural and rural development issues and policies that can improve the landscape for Kansas agriculture. “KDA is fortunate to have the leadership and expertise that Josh brings to our team,” said Secretary Beam. “His agriculture background and commitment to public service makes him a perfect fit for KDA. In particular, his work in the state’s Office of Rural Prosperity provides a perfect foundation for the support we offer the state’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness.”

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has named Colleen Callahan as its interim executive director. The former NAFB President and Hall of Fame awardee owns and operates Colleen Callahan Consultancy. She previously served as the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and was the Illinois director of USDA’s Rural Development office.

Stacy McBride has been named Husch Blackwell Strategies’ first executive vice president of federal government affairs. She previously was a principal. Before coming to Husch Blackwell Strategies, she was the chief of staff to then-Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and was staff director on the Senate Rules Committee.  Source: Agri-Pulse Communications

Kendall Hodgson of Kansas has been selected as the new chairman for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. Other officers include Vice Chairman Ethan Miller, Missouri; Treasurer Kim Baldwin, Kansas; and Secretary Zack Rendel, Oklahoma.

Steph Carlson has joined the National Pork Producers Council as assistant vice president of state and national relations. In her role, she will serve as the primary NPPC point of contact for state pork organizations. Carlson will be based in Des Moines, Iowa. An Iowa native, Carlson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. In addition to her professional achievements, Steph is currently a First Lieutenant and serves as the company executive officer of Alpha Company, 1-133d Infantry Battalion in the Iowa Army National Guard.

Missouri Soybeans recently hosted the Missouri Soybean Association board in Jefferson City for their annual meeting. During the meeting, the Association selected several farmer-leaders to step up in leadership positions to serve Missouri’s soybean growers. To lead MSA, Renee Fordyce was elected to serve as the president for 2024. Fordyce is a soybean grower and rural health professional from Bethany, representing District 1 on the board. Fordyce has been a board member for over ten years, serving in various leadership roles, including vice president. This is her first term serving as the Association’s president. Brooks Hurst, a Tarkio and District 1 farmer, was also re-elected as the Association’s vice president. Rounding out the board’s leadership, Cody Brock from District 2 was selected as secretary, and Garrett Riekhof, representing District 4, was voted to serve as treasurer.