NATIONAL AG NEWS SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION
National Ag News for June 1, 2022
Both Sides Leave Table Amid Strike at CNH Industrial
Both CNH Industrial and the United Auto Workers put out competing statements regarding their contract negotiations after reports said both sides left the bargaining table. In an email statement, CNH says, “After several meetings, the company presented the union with all all-encompassing, comprehensive document addressing the outstanding issues. Unfortunately, the union declined to meet or allow the company to explain its position and proposal.” The company also says the union wouldn’t allow its members to even view the proposal. The union statement says CNH Industrial entered the negotiations with what it called “principles of fear and intimidation,” and hoped to “starve out UAW members.” The UAW email says, “The company’s latest proposal falls short of our member’s bargaining agenda. Our bargainers are meeting with our members and communicating the areas of concern that remain unresolved.” The union says it’s proud of its members for displaying solidarity and support for the negotiating team throughout the process.
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Ag Exports Supporting Over One Million Jobs
The benefits of U.S. ag exports to the American economy far exceed the value of shipments alone. The production, processing, storage, transportation, and marketing of farm and food products headed for the export market support a large number of jobs throughout the U.S. The USDA’s Economic Research Service says in 2020, U.S. agricultural exports supported the equivalent of more than 1.13 million jobs on and off the farm. With U.S. ag exports valued at more than $150 billion in 2020, every $1 billion in exports creates 7,550 jobs. Farm activities generated by U.S. exports – mainly crop and livestock production – supported a total of 439,500 jobs. Those jobs included labor provided by farm operators and their family members, hired farmworkers, and contract workers. Off the farm, exports supported 423,900 total jobs in the services, trade, and transportation industries. Food processing activities created 162,000 jobs, while other manufacturing activities like canning, packaging, and bottling provided 107,000 jobs.
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Billion-Dollar Livestock Facility Planned for Western South Dakota
Plans are in development to construct a $1.1 Billion next-generation livestock processing facility in western South Dakota. The one-million-square-foot facility will process beef and include a specialty bison line. Kingsbury and Associates and Sirius Realty of Rapid City, South Dakota, are currently in the research and development phase of the project. “We aim to restore competition in American meant processing,” says Megan Kingsbury. “I’m a fifth-generation producer and know how difficult it is right now for us to be profitable. We want to fix that.” Cattle Business Weekly says they want to compete with the Big Four meatpacking giants and be that all-important second bidder in the cash market. The proposed facility will focus on bringing in and developing new technologies in robotics and artificial intelligence to make processing easier, safer, and more efficient. “We will focus on procuring American cattle and feeding American citizens affordable, high-quality protein,” Kingsbury adds.
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Angus Foundation Raises Over $55,000
The Angus Foundation held its second annual Angus Day of Giving on May 17. The day resulted in over $55,000 to further its mission of supporting Angus youth, education, and research efforts. The event celebrates the day George Grant brought the first Angus bulls to Victoria, Kansas, in 1873. “We were amazed by the overwhelming generosity we saw from the Angus family for our second annual Angus Day of Giving,” says Jaclyn Upperman, the foundation’s executive director. “Our donors made it a day to celebrate the legacy of our breed, but also write the next chapter of the Angus story.” Gifts given on Angus Day support the Angus Fund, which helps support youth leadership through programs like the National Junior Angus Board, Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference, and the Raising the Bar Conference. Supporters also celebrated the momentous day in the breed’s history by sharing stories using #AngusDay on social media.
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Soy Industry Buyers and Sellers Coming to U.S. Soy Connext
The U.S. Soybean Export Council will bring buyers and sellers across the soybean industry together at the Soy Connext event on August 22-24 in San Diego, California. Soy Connext is formerly known as the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange & Specialty Grains Conference. It’s poised to give international buyers and users of soy opportunities a chance to meet with American soy sellers, visit farms, and hear from the world’s foremost experts on trends shaping the global soy complex. “The unprecedented times we live in remind us of our responsibility to feed and nourish the world sustainably,” says USSEC CEO Jim Sutter. “Soy Connext helps international customers and U.S. soy farmers and industry make the right connections, hear and exchange perspectives on the latest trends, research, and data.” It also gives industry stakeholders the chance to ask the experts tough questions to help evolve their business strategy to deliver sustainable growth.
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IndyCar Series Switching to 100 Percent Ethanol in 2023
The IndyCar racing series will switch to an entirely renewable fuel next year. IndyCar says that beginning in 2023, the race cars will be powered by a second-generation renewable ethanol racing fuel developed by Shell. “The fuel and lubricant and energy solutions developed through our strategic relationship with IndyCar and the Penske Corporation can ultimately help accelerate reduced carbon emissions from transport in many sectors of the economy,” says Carlos Maurer, an executive vice president with Shell. “Our motorsports technical alliances around the world provide a testing ground for fuel and lubricant technologies and products in demanding road conditions.” The manufacturing process for IndyCar’s ethanol will be less exotic than the low-carbon fuel Formula 1 is considering for 2026. The company says it will use sugarcane waste and other renewable feedstocks in its biofuel manufacturing process. The switch will enable at least 60 percent less carbon dioxide emissions when compared to fossil fuel gasoline.
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