The majority of U.S. farmers and ranchers indicate biotechnology and GMO crops as an important solution in helping raise crops more efficiently, according to the results of a new survey taken by more than 280 farmers across the United States, released last week from the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). With technology shaping today's farms, GMOs are one tool in a farmer's toolbox to enhance production and grow and raise our food supply more sustainably.

Findings conclude that farmers believe biotechnology helps raise crops more efficiently, and that the environment and sustainability practices will suffer if GMO technology utilization is reduced in crop production in the future. Seventy-eight (78%) percent of farmers foresee increased environmental impacts-including an increase in water usage and application of pesticides-if GMO seeds were not to be available to them as a choice in crop production.

When asked about farmers' ability to lessen their environmental footprint, 98 percent of those polled ranked GMO seeds at the top of their list.

"With GMOs and advances in agricultural technology, we're utilizing our resources much more precisely today and have pinpoint accuracy when applying fertilizer, nitrogen and chemical applications. This is especially important on my farm in the Chesapeake Bay watershed," said Chip Bowling, vice chairman of USFRA and third-generation farmer. "The farmers' perspective in the survey findings are a direct indication of how important genetic engineering technology is for the environment and our food supply, and how it benefits farmers and consumers alike."

"As an organization that supports all farmers and their choice to plant and grow conventional crops, genetically modified crops, organic crops, or any combination, we believe in sustainability and technology to continually improve our farms for future generations," said Randy Krotz, USFRA CEO. "Our research shows the continued need for agriculture to inform today's consumer about the merits and benefits of GMOs and other technologies, while dispelling any misconceptions about negative impacts to human health and the environment."

To read more about the survey and its findings, or to view an executive summary of the survey, click here.

Dr. Jayson Lusk of Oklahoma State University's Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources released last week his findings from the December edition of his Food Demand Survey (FooDS). Overall, the survey indicates a decline in consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for all meat products, aside for hamburger which stayed virtually unchanged from a month ago. The WTP is also lower compared to this time last year.

The survey does show that expenditures on food eaten at home increased 3.71 percent from last month, whereas food purchased away from home decreased 6. 18 percent over the last month. Additionally, consumer indicated they expect to pay higher prices for beef, while chicken and pork expectations remain relatively the same compared to last month.

Those that participated in the survey were asked about what some of their concerns were about food right now, as well as what values they base their purchasing decisions on, to illustrate what issues have been driving consumer buys lately. Hormones, E. coli, Salmonella top the list of concerns for consumers this month, although overall awareness of these issues have decreased. Meanwhile, taste, safety and price remain consumers' most important values when purchasing food.

To read more details about the findings of Dr. Lusk's survey this month, click here.

With 27 years of private practice experience under her belt along with 11 years managing her family's cow-calf operation and one year spent on Capitol Hill in policy work, Dr. Kathy Simmons, now serves as Chief Veterinarian for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). She spoke with me recently about some basic preparations producers need to check off their to-do lists for the upcoming Veterinarian Feed Directive (VFD) which officially goes live January 1, 2017.


"Basically it says you have a veterinarian who has an understanding of your animals, who works with your animals, who is responsible for their care and oversight under veterinarian medical terms," Simmons said, "and keeps records on these animals and also is willing to do follow up and repeat visits."


She clarified that once the VFD rule is implemented at the start of 2017, antibiotics used in feed will require a VFD specific order, made by a veterinarian to a feed supplier and drugs used in water will require a vet's prescription. Dr. Simmons says to ensure the process of obtaining these drugs remains efficient and unobstructed, you will need to have an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship which she encourages everybody to begin doing before the new year.


"Everybody needs to make sure they have a relationship with a licensed veterinarian where their animals are being housed or reside," Simmons said. "What we call a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), that's been defined on the federal level and FDA has decided they will accept many of the state's Practice Acts definitions for VCPR."


Click here to listen to Dr. Simmons talk more on the basics of the VFD during the latest Beef Buzz.

In a recent op-ed published last week, the folks at Farm Policy Facts weighed in a topic they and maybe you will find interesting. According to the article, internet and social media groups have come under fire lately because they've allowed the dissemination of "fake news" through channels like Facebook and Google. The author writes, "It's an interesting development from the vantage point of farmers and ranchers who have been dealing with "fake farm news" for years - not only from the mainstream media, but also from special interest groups.


"There has long been a cadre of Washington elites who know nothing of the real risks farm families face, but speak authoritatively in journals and academic settings of how farmers are shielded from the marketplace.


"So for farmers, fake news is nothing new.


"Myths, misconceptions, and outright lies about their way of life, the economics of farming, and farm policy itself have, for years, masqueraded as so-called "real" news stories on the pages and airwaves of news outlets that are crying foul today."

The article then gives the example of recent attacks on safety net programs provided in the Farm Bill. The author goes on the defensive, firing back at what they refer to as "some real fake news."

"The real story is this: the farm safety net provides a little anchor of stability that can mean life or death for the independent farm family when suffering losses from natural disasters and from a depressed market like the one we are currently experiencing.

"The real story is that the rural economy would stumble without a strong farm safety net in place, harming the men and women we all rely upon to produce our daily food and fiber."

To read and understand the full argument authored in defense of safety net programs in the Farm Bill, click here.

Cattle producers were biting their nails this fall wondering when the volatility in the futures market would subside. Today, the markets seem to have found a better foothold and look to be leveling out some. Our own Associate Farm Director Carson Horn spoke recently with CME Group insider David Lehman, about what measures the organization is taking to identify and fix the issues causing this erratic fluctuation in the market.


"We're working really hard with the industry on livestock markets, cattle in particular," Lehman said, citing the efforts of the working group with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. "We reduced our trading hours in February, we added livestock to a messaging efficiency program in February as well. We also then made some changes in the contract. We increased the quality to 60 percent choice, 40 percent select, put a seasonal discount in one of our delivery points in Worthing, South Dakota and continuing to look at the delivery mechanism in general."

While he maintains that the CME Group is dedicated to finding solutions to better manage volatility, wherever the causes lie, Lehman also believes to a certain degree, too, the cattle market operates in cycles and have a way of fixing themselves.


"We're just going to continue to work with the industry to do whatever we can to make sure our contract is working as good as it possibly can for the end user," Lehman said, but added. "As they say in the markets, the greatest cure for low prices, is low prices. That causes producers to cut back and causes consumers to increase what they consumer and the market will self-correct overtime."


To read more or to listen to Carson's interview with Lehman in its entirety, click here.

Last Thursday, Growth Energy, along with other members of Fuels America, sent a letter to President-elect Trump congratulating him on his successful election, and expressing a desire to work with the new administration to ensure that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) remains a driving force of domestically produced renewable energy. The letter also urges his administration to continue to advance the development of homegrown renewable biofuels like ethanol that enhance our energy security, economic growth, and consumer choice.

"The members of Growth Energy are encouraged by President-elect Trump's vocal support of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)," said Emily Skor, Growth Energy CEO. "As he prepares to take office next month, we look forward to being an important part of the President-elect's effort to improve manufacturing and employment in our country. America's ethanol industry provides more than 10 percent of the nation's vehicle fuel and ethanol is already blended in 97 percent of the gasoline currently sold. Clean burning ethanol also helps to significantly decrease our dependency on foreign oil, while simultaneously replacing toxic additives and reducing harmful emissions. This homegrown source of energy supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs, reduces fuel costs, and provides consumers with more choices at the pump."

Click here to see the statement issued by Skor.

The National Livestock Companies are pleased to announce their support, once again, for the All American Beef Battalion.


THIS MORNING, the Oklahoma National Stockyards will auction a calf for the benefit of the All American Beef Battalion. The sale will take place at approximately 11:00 a.m. in the sale arena of the Stockyards.


The calf to be auctioned is again being donated by 3C Cattle Feeders and the Clyde Runyan family of Mill Creek, Oklahoma. A very special thanks go out to Clyde and Penny, along with their sons, who have donated the calf for 5 years. Clyde was with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam and considers this a privilege to be able to give back to the troops.


This is the 7th year for the National Livestock companies to be involved in supporting the All American Beef Battalion. With the 2015 auction bringing in more than $45,000, contributors to this event have raised over $265,000 from the annual auction of a donated calf.

If you can be there- you can bid and be a part of the support for our troops. IF YOU CAN NOT BE THERE- you can still pledge and be a part of the effort as well. Call 800-310-0220 and talk with Debbie Wedel- and she will take your bid/pledge for Steaks for Troops.

For more on this effort- click here.