Oklahoma Farm Report masthead graphic with wheat on the left and cattle on the right.
Howdy Neighbors!
Ron Hays, Director of Farm and Ranch Programming, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network  |  2401 Exchange Ave, Suite F, Oklahoma City, Ok 73108  |  (405) 601-9211

advertisements
   
   
   
   
   

Agricultural News


NCBA Calls on EPA to Put Waiver to RFS in Place for 2013

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 03:41:43 CDT

NCBA Calls on EPA to Put Waiver to RFS in Place for 2013 On Thursday afternoon, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association filed official comments urging Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate for the production of corn ethanol.


"NCBA's membership supports the American ethanol industry and we are committed to energy independence. However, this energy commitment has created challenges for America's cattlemen and women now more than ever due to the current drought plaguing 70 percent of cattle country," said NCBA President J.D. Alexander, a Nebraska cattleman and corn grower. "The production of ethanol from our main feedstock corn is significant to the cattle industry because of its impact on its availability and on corn prices. Our membership strongly opposes mandates on production and is simply asking for a level playing field when competing for a bushel of corn."

According to the comments submitted by NCBA, the October 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop report estimates that corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast and down 13 percent from 2011. According to the report, if the projections are realized upon harvest, this corn yield will be the lowest since 1995.


"The single most challenge for all of agriculture is Mother Nature. Coupled with an inflexible mandate the federal government adds another level of uncertainty into a market place that is not market-driven," said Alexander. "This further shows the need for Administrator Jackson to use the authority granted by Congress and waive the mandate for corn ethanol production."


In the comments, NCBA stated that the cattle industry, along with other livestock groups, has suffered a significant economic impact due to the RFS mandate and the drought. From December 2007 to August 2012, the cattle feeding sector of the beef industry lost a record $4 billion in equity due to high feed costs and economic factors that have negatively affected beef demand. According to USDA reports, corn prices have increased about 60 percent since June 15, 2012, and the near futures price is hovering around $8 per bushel. In a report by USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS), 2011 feed costs for livestock, poultry and dairy reached a record high of $54.6 billion an increase of more than $9 billion over 2010 costs. The cost increase, according to Alexander, is not able to be passed along to the consumer and is absorbed by cattle producers.


"This trend is not sustainable for the beef industry and our government policies need to be evaluated in a manner that considers economic impacts on all users of corn, not just the ethanol industry," he said. "We are looking at the smallest cow herd since 1952, and if input costs continue to increase, we do not expect this trend to turn around in the next several years."



   


 

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI

 


Top Agricultural News

  • Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions Sale Order Available Here- Sale Set for 4 PM Friday  Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:50:54 CDT
  • Rural Voters Dominated Vote to Defeat Recreational Marijuana March 7th  Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:13:05 CST
  • Ron Hays Talks to Israeli Ag Tour Guide Colin Lotzof About the Miraclel of Ag in Israel  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 22:11:04 CST
  • OALP Members Experience First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:51:49 CST
  • OALP Members Get First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:50:10 CST
  • Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Fruit, Beef and Dairy Production North of the Sea of Galilee in Israel  Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:56:02 CST
  • Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Diverse Farm Operations in Jordan River Valley of Israel  Sun, 19 Feb 2023 21:17:30 CST
  • Israeli Tour Guide Mark Kedem Talks About The Cultural Aspects of What Class XX of OALP is Experiencing   Sat, 18 Feb 2023 22:17:23 CST

  • More Headlines...

       

    Ron salutes our daily email sponsors!

    Oklahoma Beef council Oklahoma Ag Credit Oklahoma Farm Bureau National Livestock Credit Ag Mediation Program P&K Equipment Oklahoma City Farm Show Union Mutual Stillwater Milling Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association KIS FUTURES, INC.
       
       
       
       
       

    Search OklahomaFarmReport.com

    © 2008-2024 Oklahoma Farm Report
    Email Ron   |   Newsletter Signup   |    Current Spots   |    Program Links

    WebReady powered by WireReady® Inc.