American Sheep Industry Adds $5.8 Billion to U.S. Economy

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Animal Agriculture, ASI, Lamb, Livestock, Sheep

Our nation’s 88,000 sheep producers generated a total economic impact of $5.8 billion in 2016, according to the American Sheep Industry Association’s 2017 Economic Impact Study.

With over $500 million in farm gate receipts for sheep and lambs, value added from processing, wool, and retail; the American sheep industry contributes over $2 billion directly to the U.S. economy, with a multiplier impact of nearly three times the initial investment.

“The American sheep industry is a major sector of livestock production in the United States,” said Peter Orwick, Executive Director of the American Sheep Industry Association. “From large-scale operations in the west, on private and public lands, to smaller farm flocks in the east, raising sheep and wool fosters economic growth that supports rural communities and provides food and fiber for the nation.”

The study also found that every job in sheep production supported nearly a second full-time position in foodservice, retail, or fabrication. The updated numbers demonstrate to consumers and legislators how important the sheep industry remains to American agriculture, especially as debate begins on the next farm bill.

Orwick said, “While disaster assistance and safety net programs remain top priorities, keeping U.S. sheep producers competitive worldwide and export promotion programs are also important in building and maintaining the opportunity for greater economic growth.”

Midwest Seed Genetics Humbled By Reception

jamie johansenAgribusiness, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Grains, Soybean, USSEC

Just a few weeks ago we announced the comeback of seedsmen Don Funk, who is leading a team of entrepreneurs in the launch of Midwest Seed Genetics. While attending the 2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange, I ran into Wayne Hoener, Midwest Seed Genetics, we sat down to learn what’s happened since their debut.

“It has been overwhelming and we are so humbled by this reception. I can hardly keep up whether it’s a text, email or phone call. That just tells us that the grower today is looking for a change. What we are doing isn’t rocket science. We are just trying to match really good, elite products with a component story and option for growers that’s best for them. We also want to be surrounded by great people. It’s that simple.” Hoener said.

Midwest Seed Genetics has taken on an outward focus. They do the things that growers tell them they want, not what they decide is good for them.

“We believe our seed industry has forgotten there is a use for every bit of this grain we produce in this world,” Hoener said. They want to equally focus on the consumer, the poultry and hog integrators, etc. What are they wanting in the products?

Listen to my complete conversation here: Interview with Wayne Hoener, Midwest Seed Genetics

You can find photos from the event here: U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Photo Album

Nebraska USFRA Food Dialogues to Focus on GMOs

AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Soybean, USFRA

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) is joining with the Nebraska Soybean Board to host a “Food Dialogues: Pivoting the GMO Conversation” at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln September 6 from 1:00-2:30 pm.

Among the Dialogue participants will be Hilary Maricle, a Nebraska cattle, corn, pig and soybean farmer and CommonGround volunteer; and USFRA Face of Farming & Ranching Jeremy Brown, an organic cotton farmer from Texas.

The Dialogue will be livestreamed on USFRA’s Facebook page for those unable to be there in person. Find out more here.

Animal Ag Bites 8/21

kelly marshallAgWired Animal, Animal Bites

Secretary Perdue in Florida

AgWired Animal, AgWired Energy, AgWired Precision, Audio, usda

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue visited the Citrus Expo in Fort Myers, Florida this week to learn more about citrus greening and hold a farm bill listening session with Congressman Tom Rooney of the local district.

The only opportunity for reporters to ask questions of the secretary was a short, crowded, disorganized gaggle that covered a wide range of non-agricultural topics. But I did get to ask him the first question – when does he expect to have a full USDA in place?

“The president has put forth some tremendous nominations and we are hopeful that as soon as the Senate gets back in session in September the ag committee will take these up,” the secretary said. “I’m the only presidential-appointed, Senate-confirmed person at the USDA today.”

You can listen my press gaggle question here: Interview with Secretary Sonny Perdue

U.S. Pork Gains Access to Argentine Market

Jamie JohansenAg Group, Export, Meat, NPPC, Pork, Swine

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) applauds the Trump administration for negotiating U.S. pork access to the Argentine market. Argentina was among several countries with non-science based barriers to U.S. pork imports.

“U.S. pork producers are the most competitive in the world and we have long sought the opportunity to provide affordable, high-quality pork in Argentina,” said NPPC President Ken Maschhoff. “We thank Secretaries Perdue and Ross, and their teams at the USDA and the Department of Commerce, as well as U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer and his team, for their diligent work to win Argentine market access.”

Maschhoff added, “We also thank Vice President Pence for his efforts, including a recent visit to Argentina, to move a trade agreement that promises significant U.S. economic benefits over the finish line.”

The U.S. pork industry, which has been the world’s largest exporter of pork over the last 10 years, depends on exports for growth. Exports added $50 — representing 36 percent of the $140 average value of a hog — to every U.S. hog marketed in 2016. NPPC continues to urge the administration to negotiate market access in other countries, such as India and Thailand, that remain closed to U.S. pork due to non-science based trade restrictions.

NCBA Encourages Comments on WOTUS

kelly marshallAg Group, AgWired Animal, NCBA

The comment period for the repeal of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) ends Monday, August 28, 2017 and members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) want to encourage farmers and ranchers to participate. The organization has released a video featuring Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt urges farmers and ranchers to let their voice be heard.

“When comments are made a part of a record – as rule-making – we have an obligation to review them,” Pruitt says in NCBA’s video. “It helps inform our decision-making process; it helps us make better decisions. And so we want farmers and ranchers across this country to provide comments.”

The video was filmed during the Administrator’s “State Action Tour” during which he met with ranchers and received input about how to proceed in the future.

“We’re trying to fix the challenges from the 2015 rule,” explains Pruitt, “where the Obama Administration re-imagined their authority under the Clean Water Act and defined a Water of the United States as being a puddle, a dry creek bed, and ephemeral drainage ditches across this country, which created great uncertainty… and we are fixing that, and then we’re hearing from stakeholders about how to get it right as we go forward.”

SMART Farmer Phil Borgic

AgWired AgNewsWire, AgWired Animal, Audio, SMART Farmer, USFRA

Meet the Illinois hog farmer whose family farm is the star of the 360 video the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance has been sharing around the country this year. You can watch the video without effects below – and if you have a VR viewer or headset take a look in 360.

Phil Borgic has a family farm in Nokomis, Illinois where he raises hogs, corn, soybeans and wheat. He also serves on the board of directors for the National Pork Producers Council and the USFRA. In this podcast, he talks about how today’s production methods are both humane and sustainable, in addition to being smart.

Learn more about Phil in this episode – SMART Farmer Podcast with Illinois hog farmer Phil Borgic

Subscribe to the SMART Farmer podcast

Learn more about USFRA and SMART Farm

Animal Ag Bites 8/14

kelly marshallAgWired Animal, Animal Agriculture, Animal Bites

International Buyers of U.S. Soy Convene in Omaha

jamie johansenAg Group, AgWired Animal, AgWired Precision, Audio, Exports, Soybean, USSEC

Next week, U.S. soybean farmers will have the opportunity to meet the international buyers responsible for purchasing the 60% of soybeans exported from the U.S. each year. The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) will host its 5th annual U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Aug. 15-17 at Omaha’s CenturyLink Center. It will be our second year to cover the event and we thought we would get a preview of the conference from Jim Miller, USSEC chairman of the board.

“The United States is a top supplier of the world’s soy, thanks to the sustainable, consistent supply and exceptional composition that U.S. soybean farmers provide. To maintain this leadership position, it’s imperative that we meet and exceed our customers’ demands. This event opens an important dialog that spans the soy value chain, from the U.S. soybean farmer to the end user,” said Miller.

They are expecting over 250 international buyers representing 50 countries and about 350 U.S. soybean farmers to attend the conference focused on relationship building and education. Jim said there are many myths and unknowns about U.S. soybean production and this event serves as the perfect location to tell the story and paint the picture of U.S. production.

“Anytime we can have the international customers come to the U.S. and visit directly with farmers and hear the farmers story firsthand, it’s a great opportunity to dispell those myths,” said Miller.

Following the event in Omaha, groups of international attendees will visit U.S. farms for a firsthand glimpse of sustainable U.S. soybean farming practices. Listen to my complete conversation with Jim here: Interview with Jim Miller, USSEC Chairman