At USFRA, we spend a lot of our time meeting with partners throughout the supply chain about how to advance U.S. agriculture. In those discussions, I’m reminded that the strength of our industry doesn’t lie solely in our fields, pastures, and barns. It also lies in our ability to collaborate, to work hand-in-hand with a wide range of organizations that share a vision for a prosperous and resilient future for agriculture.
From farmer and rancher groups to agribusiness leaders, every partner brings unique insight and energy to the table. Collectively, USFRA’s partners have a broad reach across the beef, dairy, soybean, eggs, corn, wheat, barley and sorghum commodities, as well as ag finance, biofuels and bioproducts, fertilizer, seed and crop protection, quick serve restaurants, retailers, consumer packaged goods and equipment manufacturers.
In this issue, you’ll read about how the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, the American Soybean Association and other leading national agriculture organizations conducted a two-day demonstration of precision agriculture. Held on USFRA Vice Chair Chip Bowling’s farm in Maryland, the event was an impressive presentation of innovation in modern precision spraying, conservation practices and autonomous equipment. It is yet another example of the power of partnership in agriculture.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kevin Burkum
CEO
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action
USFRA held the third webinar in a five-part series on June 17 that focused on animal protein production, one of the key opportunities for agriculture to reduce its carbon footprint while increasing farmer profitability and farm resilience identified in USFRA’s report “Potential for U.S. Agriculture to Be Greenhouse Gas Negative.”
Dr. Ermias Kebreab of the University of California-Davis and Dr. Logan Thompson of Kansas State University, two of the authors of the animal protein production chapter of the report, provided a summary of the key findings. Kebreab reviewed new and emerging methods of reducing methane output, such as food additives, genetics and vaccines. Thompson focused on manure management strategies, including anaerobic digesters.
Dr. Tim Kurt of Dairy Management Inc. reviewed the organization’s strategies for the dairy industry to achieve its collective 2050 environmental stewardship goals: GHG neutrality, optimal water use and maximum recycling; and water quality improvement by optimizing manure and nutrient use. He also previewed an upcoming report setting a roadmap to GHG neutrality.
USFRA Chair Michael Crinion, a dairy farmer and member of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, stressed the importance of farm revenue in environmental sustainability strategies, noting his use of a digester and the potential compensation that carbon markets can provide to farmers.
USFRA Vice Chair Chip Bowling describes his family farm, located in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland, during a two-day demonstration of precision agriculture.
USFRA collaborated with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), National Corn Growers Association, CropLife America, the American Soybean Association and other leading national agriculture organizations for a two-day demonstration of precision agriculture.
Held June 11-12 on USFRA Vice Chair Chip Bowling’s farm in Maryland, the event featured modern precision spraying, conservation practices and autonomous equipment and was attended by more than 50 representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House Office of Public Liaison and the Make America Healthy Again Commission.
Thank you to USFRA member AEM for organizing this important educational event.
Through its 4R Advocate Program, The Fertilizer Institute celebrates leaders in agriculture who bring the principle of sustainable fertilizer management to life on their farms.
The organization, a U.S. Farmers & Ranchers in Action partner, is highlighting two case studies showing the impact of 4R Nutrient Stewardship by demonstrating how farmers in Georgia and Delaware are embracing 4R principles — use of the right nutrient source at the right rate, applied at the right time and in the right place — in growing not just a more sustainable crop, but also a more profitable one.
USFRA’s podcast, Farm+Food+Facts, draws thousands of listeners and is recognized as one of the top podcasts that explore sustainable food systems. This month’s episodes include:
Dr. Romulo Lollato of Kansas State University discusses the difference between actual crop yield and the potential yield that could be achieved under optimal conditions using the best practices, technology and inputs. Listen HERE.
In a Podcast Extra, Dr. Lollato provides insights on the challenges of estimating global warming potential per unit of nitrogen fertilizer that is applied. Listen HERE.
Don’t forget to subscribe and tune in to Farm+Food+Facts!
