POLICY WATCH
NEFB Urges EPA to Reject Renewable Fuel Waivers
Nebraska Farm Bureau is concerned about the attempt by some in the oil industry to yet again, circumvent the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) looks to review the large number of petitions for waivers for past years that have been received, Nebraska Farm Bureau is urging that they be denied. Nebraska Farm Bureau outlined those concerns in a letter this week to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
Soybean Board Ballots Headed for Mailboxes
The Nebraska Soybean Board will be mailing out board election ballots the week of July 13 for District 5 (Cass, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson counties) and District 7 (Adams, Buffalo, Clay, Franklin, Hall, Kearney, Nuckolls, and Webster counties). Soybean producers are encouraged to follow ballot instructions carefully to ensure their vote is counted. Soybean producers who have not received a ballot by July 17 should call 402-564-5827 to request one. Return ballots must be postmarked by July 31.
Nebraska Soybean Board Voters Guide
Americans Support COVID-19 Aid to Farmers/Ranchers
Trust in America’s farmers and ranchers remains high amid the devastating blow delivered by the COVID-19 pandemic. A new American Farm Bureau Federation poll shows 84 percent of Americans trust the nation’s farmers/ranchers and the same overwhelming majority support financial assistance from the government for farmers/ranchers struggling to keep from going under because of the pandemic.
Applauding USMCA Trade Deal
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect July 1. Nebraska Farm Bureau is a strong advocate for creating markets for Farm Bureau members by boosting international trade. The value of Nebraska agricultural exports equates to roughly 30 percent of Nebraska’s total agriculture receipts. In a statement, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson called USMCA enactment “a critical long-term step in securing relations with two of the United States key trading partners.”
REMINDER: July 15 deadline to Complete Crop Acreage Reports
Nebraska producers have until July 15 to complete USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) crop acreage reports. Producers need to file an accurate crop acreage report by the deadline to make sure they are eligible for many USDA programs. The July 15 acreage reporting deadline applies to common spring-planted crops, such as corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum, as well as hay and Conservation Reserve Program acres. Due to the pandemic, FSA has implemented acreage reporting flexibilities. FSA can work with producers to file timely acreage reports by phone, email, online tools, and virtual meetings. Some county FSA offices are open for in-person appointments, but customers first must call to schedule an appointment.
