News Update
December 9, 2013
Statement from USDA
Communications Director Matt Paul
on Farm Bill Negotiations
USDA Communications Director Matt Paul made the following statement on Dec. 5:
“Negotiations on Capitol Hill about the Farm Bill should continue until House and Senate leaders reach agreement on a comprehensive bill. Numerous members of both sides have indicated progress, and the country deserves continued work on this critical legislation.”
EPA Holds Hearing on RFS, NFU Disappointed with Proposal
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) public hearing Thursday on the 2014 Standards for the Renewable Fuel Standard Program (RFS):
“While we are pleased that EPA held this hearing to gain feedback, NFU members are incensed with EPA’s initial proposal. At a time when the price of corn is below the breakeven point for farmers, EPA’s proposal slashes the corn ethanol requirement to a level below current production. This will have a devastating impact on farmers and the rural economy.
“EPA has cited the so-called ‘blend wall’ as the reason for reducing the RFS targets. This excuse comes directly from Big Oil’s talking points. The RFS was not intended to be convenient for the oil industry. It is intended to provide consumers a choice at the pump and to increase our nation’s energy security.
“EPA’s proposal will hurt the advanced and cellulosic biofuels industry at a time when commercial-scale plants are coming online. Without a stronger commitment from EPA, investors will be reluctant to continue to pour billions of dollars into an industry that is creating good paying jobs in rural areas, providing farmers with additional markets, and mitigating climate change.”
NCBA Past President Testified Before EPA
on the Renewable Fuels Standard
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a public hearing on their proposed rule to reduce the 2014 renewable volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Dec. 5. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) past president Steve Foglesong testified at the hearing. Foglesong is a cattle feeder and corn-grower from Astoria, Ill., where his family owns and operates Black Gold Ranch.
“I am a corn farmer, I just choose to feed it to cattle, it’s value added,” said Foglesong. “It’s not that different from the ethanol industry who takes corn to feed it into their plants and produce ethanol, dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), and carbon dioxide instead of beef. The process is identical, all but the RFS mandate, which gives the ethanol industry an advantage in purchasing corn. We’re not opposed to corn ethanol, but it’s time to look at reforming the RFS and let the market pick winners and losers instead of the government.”
EPA’s proposed rule would reduce the 2014 RFS volume obligations for conventional corn-based ethanol by 1.39 billion gallons. Today’s hearing is an opportunity for all stakeholders to share their view on the proposed rule.
“NCBA supports the EPA’s proposed rule as it’s a step in the right direction, but more still needs to be done to level the playing field for all users of corn,” said Foglesong. “There is still work to do and we will continue to work with Congress to bring reform to the RFS.”
During the 2002-2003 marketing year, the USDA estimated that corn use for ethanol production accounted for 10% of the total U.S. corn usage. Today, roughly 42% of the corn crop goes into ethanol production to meet the RFS mandate. Over the past four years, the average cost to grain finish a market steer has increased by more than $200 per head.
“These costs are not sustainable for a segment of our industry that relies on corn,” said Foglesong. “Last year, when state governors were denied a waiver of the RFS in light of the worst drought in over 50 years, it became evident that the RFS needs to be fixed.”
Foglesong expressed his support of the EPA’s decision and urged stakeholders to work together to find long-term compromise on the RFS.
Know Your Winter Weather Terms
With major winter storms bearing down on Oklahoma, understanding which weather terms mean what will give you the traction you need to safely survive the season.
“The categories can help you know how severe the storm may be and how much time you may have to prepare,” said Barbara Brown, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension food specialist.
The National Weather Service calls winter storms “deceptive killers” because, in most cases, they only indirectly cause deaths. In other words, it is not the storm that gets people, rather accidents on icy roads or hypothermia from prolonged exposure to cold.
For the record, a winter storm outlook projects storm conditions are possible within two to five days. Winter weather advisories are issued when conditions are expected to cause serious inconveniences and could be hazardous, but not life threatening when caution is applied.
Winter storm watches signal storms are possible locally, while winter storm warnings are issued when storms are occurring or will soon occur.
Three other terms to commit to memory: Freezing rain is actually rain that freezes when it hits the ground. By contrast, sleet is rain that is frozen before it hits the ground. Both can cause slippery roads and walkways. A blizzard warning means sustained or frequent winds of 35 miles per hour or more with lots of falling or blowing snow is expected for three or more hours.
If you have not already done so, now is the time to make sure you have all the essentials in your emergency kit.
For more information, please view the full release here.
Cow Herd Nutritional Adjustments for Winter
High daily temperatures at 20° F and 30° F confirm the arrival of winter. A week or more of cold temperatures, particularly below freezing, can take a toll on the cow herd. A bodily response to cold stress in cattle is an increase in dry-matter intake, said Dale Blasi, professor and beef cattle extension specialist for Kansas State University (K-State).
Blasi recommends that cattle producers, if they haven’t already, make a list of the forages they have available for the winter months, know the quality of those forages, take a look at the body condition and hair coat condition of each cow, and prepare for winter winds by providing shelters or windbreaks for the herd.
Forage testing can help determine the quality of the forages producers have on hand, Blasi said. During a string of days with sub-freezing temperatures, the higher-quality forages should be used to increase the herd’s caloric intake, but producers should keep in mind that, depending on the harshness of winter, increased animal requirements might continue well into spring.
“Especially with those spring-calving cows, they are starting to enter into their third phase of gestation,” Blasi said. “We have to make sure we keep those pregnancies as healthy as possible.”
If producers are feeding a coproduct such as distillers’ dried grain, Blasi said, they would provide some additional protein and fat to the cows. Providing more corn to the herd is fine to a certain level.
“You get too much corn into the diet, you start to impact the rumen’s ecosystem, and you start to hurt the fiber-digesting capability of the lower-quality forages being consumed,” Blasi said. “My recommendation is not more than a half of a percent of the animal’s weight. So, a 1,000-lb. cow you would not feed more than 5 lbs. (of additional corn). Make sure there is adequate protein coming elsewhere so you’re not driving a protein-limiting ecosystem.”
For more information, please view the full release here.
Calving Schools Planned in January
With the new calving season just around the corner, Kansas State University (K-State) Research and Extension will host calving schools in five locations Jan. 6-8, with a focus on challenges producers might face during this critical period.
“Handling Calving Difficulties” features Robert Mortimer, recently retired associate professor of clinical sciences at Colorado State University’s Veterinary College. A specialist in bovine reproduction, obstetrics and nutrition, he will address such topics as signs of calving; differentiating between normal and abnormal calving; and how to manage a difficult birth.
Larry Hollis, beef cattle veterinarian with K-State Research and Extension, will speak on scours prevention and colostrum management.
“Producers have a significant investment to get each cow to a full-term pregnancy. Losing calves at or near birth is an economic loss, but it is often a personal loss, too, and can leave producers asking themselves ‘what if’ type questions on how they might have saved a particular calf,” said Sandy Johnson, extension livestock specialist based at K-State’s Northwest Research Extension Center in Colby. “Continued sharpening of our skills when it comes to saving calves is time well spent for anyone that calves cows.”
Financial support for the program is being provided by Zoetis and other local sponsors at each site. There is no cost to participate, but those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by Jan. 3 to the appropriate local office so we can plan for adequate meals and materials.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal’s Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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