Deadline near for college students to enter agriculture scholarship competition

September 10, 2018 – The Animal Agriculture Alliance launched its 10^th annual College Aggies Online scholarship competition today in which students will compete for more than $25,000 in scholarships while advocating for agriculture. Undergraduate students, graduate students and collegiate clubs can sign up through September 21 at https://collegeaggies.animalagalliance.org. 

Students are guaranteed to become more confident communicators as they learn the fundamentals of agriculture communication from industry mentors throughout the nine-week competition. Students and collegiate clubs invite their peers to have a conversation about agriculture both online and in person while learning the dos and don’ts of social media and how to host a successful event, such as a farm tour, school visit and campus booth.

Each week CAO mentors will offer their advice and expertise. This year’s mentors include:

• Amber Pankonin, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Stirlist.com 
• Anna Leigh Peek, communications specialist, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association 
• Casey Kinler, communications manager, Animal Agriculture Alliance
• Charmayne Hefley, social media specialist, Pilgrim’s Pride
• Chloe Carson, manager of digital communications, National Pork Producers Council
• Codi Coulter, communications coordinator, American Feed Industry Association 
• Don Schindler, senior vice president of digital innovations, Dairy Management Inc.
• Tim Hammerich, agribusiness recruiter and founder, Ag Grad, LLC
• Wanda Patsche, farmer and blogger, Minnesota Farm Living

Since 2009, the Alliance has awarded more than $85,000 in scholarships. “This is a tremendous opportunity for college students to expand their portfolios and skillsets,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “We are eager to support future agriculture leaders as they learn the ropes about communicating effectively online and in person.”

CAO would not be possible without the generous support of our 2018 program sponsors including: Dairy Management Inc., Seaboard Foundation, National Pork Industry Foundation, Cooper Family Foundation, Diamond V, Bayer, National Corn Growers Association, National Pork Board, Alltech, Vivayic, Ohio Poultry Association, Domino’s Pizza Inc., National Chicken Council and Pennsylvania Beef Council.

To become a sponsor of this year’s program, contact Allyson Jones-Brimmer, director of industry relations at ajonesbrimmer@animalagalliance.org. 

About the Alliance:The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. Weengage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Find the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

USDA and FDA tackle regulations for test-tube meats

USDA and FDA Announce Joint Public Meeting on Use of Animal Cell Culture Technology to Develop Products Derived from Livestock and Poultry WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, DVM and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. today announced a joint public meeting to be held on Oct. 23-24, 2018 to discuss the use of cell culture technology to develop products derived from livestock and poultry. The joint public meeting, hosted by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the FDA, will focus on the potential hazards, oversight considerations, and labeling of cell cultured food products derived from livestock and poultry. Cellular agriculture refers to the production of agricultural products from cell cultures. Through cellular agriculture, meat, poultry, and fish can be produced ex vivo, or grown outside the animal. The finished product replicates the characteristics of muscle harvested from food-producing animals.   Cellular agriculture has drawn investments from Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Merck’s M Ventures—among others—helping cell-based meat start-ups to reduce cost and scale up production.1 Cell-based meat could hit American supermarket shelves as early as 2021. Before that happens, an appropriately tailored regulatory approach must be developed.   “This is an important opportunity to hear from the agricultural industry and consumers as we consider the regulatory framework for these new products,” said Secretary Perdue. “American farmers and ranchers feed the world, but as technology advances, we must consider how to inspect and regulate to ensure food safety, regardless of the production method.” “The FDA knows just how vital it is to ensure the safety of our nation’s food supply and the critical role science-based, modern regulatory frameworks are to fostering innovation. Recent advances in animal cell cultured food products present many important and timely technical and regulatory considerations for the FDA and our partners at USDA,” said Commissioner Gottlieb. “We look forward to the opportunity to hold a meeting with our USDA colleagues as part of an open public dialogue regarding these products.” The first day of the meeting will focus primarily on the potential hazards that need to be controlled for the safe production of animal cell cultured food products and oversight considerations by regulatory agencies. The second day of the meeting will focus on labeling considerations. Representatives of industry, consumer groups and other stakeholders are invited to participate in the meeting. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register to attend the meeting. Pre-registration is available at the Meetings and Events page on the FSIS website.  The meeting will be held on Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Oct. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Jefferson Auditorium in the U.S. Department of Agriculture South Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20250. Anyone who wishes to submit written comments prior to the public meeting or after the meeting may do so by submitting comments on regulations.govby Nov. 26, 2018. Comments previously submitted to FDA in regard to the July 12, 2018 public meetingwill also be considered. For further information on the joint public meeting and to register to attend the meeting, please visit the Meetings and Events page on the FSIS website. Attendance is free.

Help needed to keep Ky. goat grading system

In 2019, the KY Graded Sale system is going to incur changes. The current Kentucky Department of Agriculture Small Ruminant Marketing Specialist, Tess Caudill is retiring. This means we have to convince the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to refill that position. To do so, we need producers to provide their input! Providing your input on the importance of the KY Graded Sale system is very easy! Simply complete the 9 question survey at the link below. Complete Survey! If you are unfamiliar with the KY Graded Sale system, it was started in 2002 by Tess Caudill as an effort to give small ruminant producers a stable and viable marketing outlet. The graded sales essentially allow buyers to purchase large groups of sheep and goats that are similar in size and weight. The buyers pay more per pound because they are getting uniform lots of animals. By creating an environment of higher prices, Kentucky producers do not have to, settle for low prices, haul their livestock hundreds of miles to a market, coordinate the trucking of their livestock to others markets, or create individual relationships with specific buyers in order to sell their animals.  The survey will be available until September 14th!  Please help us keep the KY Graded Sale System! Complete Survey!

Ranchers plan meeting Sept. 13 in Uvalde, Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) will host a ranch gathering Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at the Uvalde County Fairplex in Uvalde, Texas. The event will provide an opportunity for local cattle producers to learn about TSCRA’s recent activities, discuss issues facing cattle raisers and connect with other cattle producers in the area. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by a complimentary beef dinner.

TSCRA Special Ranger Robin Clark is slated to provide an update on recent law enforcement activities in the area and discuss strategies to keep livestock and equipment safe and secure. Attendees will also receive updates on other topics of interest to cattle raisers and the community, including a briefing on recent governmental activities that impact Texas ranchers and landowners. 

The event is open to the public and free of charge. 

If planning to attend, TSCRA asks that you register at www.tscra.org/ranch-gatherings or (800) 242-7820, ext. 192.

The Uvalde County Fairplex is located at 215 Veterans Ln., Uvalde, TX 78801.

TSCRA would like to thank Elanco, Capital Farm Credit and Nutrition Plus for sponsoring the event.

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TSCRA is a 141-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,500 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 55,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas, Oklahoma and throughout the Southwest.

Missouri ranchers dealing with drought and aftermath

GALENA, Mo. — The drought of 2018 in Missouri really began in the fall of 2017 according to Tim Schnakenberg, field specialist in agronomy with University of Missouri Extension.

"It was an exceptionally dry fall and winter for some, then we had a cold April, the hottest May on Missouri record followed by an exceptionally early drought that continued well throughout summer," said Schnakenberg.

As a result, exasperated livestock producers are throwing up their hands wondering how they will have enough pasture and hay for winter.

"After our experiences in the past year, producers should take some time to think about how they should handle similar future cyclical weather patterns for the long-term. Decisions about forage for next year should begin late summer when the opportunity for establishing cool-season grasses is at its prime," said Schnakenberg.

Most of the tall fescue stands in southwest Missouri should recover following the drought, assuming the weather will be conducive for it this fall. If producers are seeing fields that are not producing or do not have adequate levels of desirable species, now is an opportune time to make future decisions regarding renovation and take their forage program to the next level.

One option would be to make strides to reduce the overall endophyte level on a livestock operation by converting some fields to a novel endophyte fescue. This "friendly," non-toxic fescue conversion will require at least two sprays of glyphosate in the coming months and an intermediate crop to break away from the old Kentucky 31 fescue crowns that may still exist.

A recent University of Arkansas study has found that converting to even just 25 percent novel fescue in our fescue pastures, can significantly increase calving rates. This was especially true if pregnant cows were exposed to novel fescue 30 days in advance of calving.

Another great option for conversion would be to plan to establish a warm season grass in pastures, hayfields, or in both areas of the farm. Warm season grasses like bermudagrass, big bluestem, Indiangrass, Caucasian bluestem and crabgrass can also have a positive effect on reducing endophyte effects in cattle. They can also lead to more productive and higher quality hay sources from the farm.

"University research has found that native grasses like big bluestem and Indiangrass can be much more efficient in fertilizer requirements compared to other hay sources," said Schnakenberg.

For more information, contact any of these MU Extension agronomy specialists in southwest Missouri: Tim Schnakenberg in Stone County, (417) 357-6812; Jill Scheidt in Barton County, (417) 682-3579 and Sarah Kenyon in Howell County, (417) 256-2391.

Strategies After Drought Sept. 14 near Humansville;
Preregistration required by Sept. 13th

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STOCKTON, Mo. - University of Missouri Extension along with United Producers Inc. Sale Barn of Humansville, are working together to present a workshop titled, "Fall and Winter Livestock and Pasture Management Strategies Following a Drought."

The workshop will begin at 5:30 p.m., Sept. 14 at United Producers Inc. Sale Barn. The sale barn is located about four mile south of Collins, Mo. or about three miles north of the Highway N (Humansville, Mo.) on Mo. Highway 13 on the east side of the road.

Speakers and topics include the following University of Missouri Extension specialists.

Pat Miller, MU Extension agronomy field specialist from Nevada will present on fall and winter pasture management strategies to improve limited forage resources until spring.

Patrick Davis, MU Extension livestock field specialist from Stockton, will give a workshop on feeding and management strategies of cattle through the winter on limited forage resources.

Wesley Tucker, MU Extension ag business field specialist from Bolivar and Raysha Tate, MU Extension CES in Agriculture and Environment from Osceola, will give a presentation on the economics of management and feeding cattle though the winter on limited forage resources.

United Producers Inc. Sale Barn of Humansville, Mo., will provide refreshments.

The workshop is free to the public. However; preregistration is required by Sept. 13. To register or for more information on the workshop, contact the Cedar County MU Extension Center at 417-276-3313 or Patrick Davis by email at davismp@missouri.edu.

August 17 deadline for CRP renewal

WASHINGTON – Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce reminded producers that the deadline to sign up for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is Friday, Aug. 17, 2018.

“Any agricultural producer that has eligible land should review the benefits of this program,” said Fordyce.  “It removes from production marginal, erodible land and, in doing so, improves water quality, increases wildlife habitat and provides more opportunities for recreational activities, including fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing.”

For this year’s signup, limited priority practices are available for continuous enrollment. They include grassed waterways, filter strips, riparian buffers, wetland restoration and others. View a full list of practices.

FSA will use updated soil rental rates to make annual rental payments, reflecting current values. It will not offer incentive payments as part of the new signup.

USDA will not open a general signup this year, however, a one-year extension will be offered to existing CRP participants with expiring CRP contracts of 14 years or less.

CRP Grasslands

Additionally, FSA established new ranking criteria for CRP grasslands. To guarantee all CRP grasslands offers are treated equally, applicants who previously applied (prior to the current sign-up period) will be asked to reapply using the new ranking criteria.

About CRP

In return for enrolling land in CRP, USDA, through FSA on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), provides participants that remove sensitive lands from production and plant certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and increase wildlife habitat with annual rental payments and cost-share assistance. Landowners enter into contracts that last between 10 and 15 years.

Signed into law by President Reagan in 1985, CRP is one of the largest private-lands conservation programs in the United States. Thanks to voluntary participation by farmers, ranchers and private landowners, CRP has improved water quality, reduced soil erosion and increased habitat for endangered and threatened species.

The new changes to CRP do not impact the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, a related program offered by CCC and state partners.

Producers wanting to apply for the CRP continuous signup or CRP grasslands should contact their USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit https://www.farmers.gov. More information on CRP can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.

Preparing for Drought: Plans B and C

Posted by Donnie Lunsford, NRCS 
Farming Conservation Technology
Aug 06, 2018 

If there’s any place where a good two-inch rain causes dancing in the streets, it’s in West Texas. In a land that’s usually dry anyway, the past few years of drought have been challenging to say the least.

No one knows this more than Kregg and Diana McKenny, who raise cattle and manage his family farm near Colorado City, Texas. Kregg’s grandparents purchased the farm in 1943. Even then, it was evident that creativity and ingenuity were essential to meet the water needs of the farm’s livestock.

After surviving the drought of the 1950’s and enduring two hard droughts in the past 10 years, developing alternative water sources became critical for Texas rancher Kregg McKenny.

Kregg’s family was very resourceful from the beginning, capturing available rainwater falling from every house on the farm using a cistern. This inventiveness was critical in the 1950’s, when low rainfall and above-average temperatures led to severe droughts across Texas. 

“The water well sustained us through the drought of the 1950’s,” said Kregg. “In the drought of 2009, the well went dry and we had to haul water and ultimately sell all my livestock except for two retired horses. The water came back to my well nine months later when the rains recharged our aquifer, which made me realize I needed a plan B and C.”

In 2011, Kregg drilled another well which was deeper – Plan B – but it wasn’t enough. He went to the local Natural Resources Conservation Service office to discuss water source alternatives and worked with Derrick Fuchs, a rangeland management specialist, to develop a Plan C.

“Our initial plan was to reduce his mesquite canopy through brush management along with installing a rain water catchment utilizing the surface area of his barn and adding storage to increase his water source capabilities,” explained Derrick. “NRCS has a diverse staff, and we were able to use an agricultural engineer to design the gutters and storage facilities. The 3,500-gallon storage tank ended up being filled in three rainfall events and hasn’t gone dry since.” 

Kregg McKenny (left) and Derrick Fuchs (right) discuss Kregg’s grazing plan next to one of his water storage tanks from his rainwater harvesting system. 

Kregg cleared mesquite from his property with assistance from USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program. With the mesquite gone, water was freed up to grow forage plants for grazing and helped recharge the aquifer. Kregg also added a water catchment system to harvest rainfall from his barn roof. 

“Working with NRCS was very easy with Derrick getting a plan in place while giving me ideas to think about for the long term,” said Kregg. “After the funding was secured, I was able to implement some of the action items in my conservation plan. Now I am thinking of the next step with my cattle even though I still get leery of stocking too heavily and tend to be more conservative. I don’t ever want to have to de-stock like I did in 2009.”

After clearing mesquite and reestablishing his pastures to native grass, Kregg has focused on sustainability, improving his water distribution and beginning a new grazing management plan. 

A New Approach to Grazing

Kregg’s new grazing plan will allow his cattle to graze the entire pasture over time, with cattle being confined to small pastures and moved regularly. This system is called High Intensity Low Frequency grazing, and will reduce compaction across Kregg’s pastures while providing periods for regrowth between grazing events.

“I look at my management from different facets, including brush control and water distribution, and storage with proper stocking rates and a drought plan in place,” Kregg explained. 

While it is dry in West Texas and the rains are infrequent, alternatives can often be found to secure water for livestock by looking at the past while focusing on a future of sustainability and land stewardship. 

“My step-dad always told me when I was younger to always have two waters sources,” Kregg chuckled. “He sure was right, and now I have three water sources to be able to provide for livestock even during drought situations.” 

Learn More

No matter your operation, we are here to help you prepare for natural disasters and recover after disaster strikes.

Visit farmers.gov/recover to learn more. Contact your local USDA service center for one-on-one assistance with developing a management plan for your working land.