Reminder – Livestock Moving Permits Need To
Be Renewed For New Year
In his recently released December newsletter, Director of Agriculture, JJ Goicoechea reminded Nevada livestock producers that current Livestock Movement Permits expire on Dec. 31, 2023. Movement Permits are required for the movement of livestock between district lines in Nevada and are only valid for the calendar year in which they were issued. An annual fee of $25 is required. Permits for the 2024 calendar year have been mailed out and are also available at https://agri.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/agrinvgov/Content/Animals/Livestock/2023_LMP_Application.pdf. Please be sure to complete and sign both front and back pages.
Your Input is Needed!
What Initiatives Work For Local Engagement On Water Issues?
Nevada UNR’s Extension program, “Cattlemen’s Update” is being planned for the week of January 8-12, 2024 and will include meeting venues across the state of Nevada. The event’s website offers more specifics on the planned program as well as the dates/locations for the meetings, but here’s a brief overview of the where’s and when’s for the schedule:
Monday, January 8 at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
Tues, January 9 at 5:30 p.m. Fallon Convention Center – Dinner included
Wed, January 10 at 5:30 p.m
Ely Convention Center
Dinner included
Thurs, January 11 at 12:30 p.m.
Elko, Great Basin College
Dinner included
Friday, January 12 at 10 a.m.
Paradise Valley Community Hall
Lunch included
The cost is $20 per ranch
Contact: Kaley Chapin: (775) 467-2668 or kaleys@unr.edu
18th Annual Invasive Species Conference Set For Jan. 17-18 In Ely
The Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition and Tri-County Weed Control are joining together to host the 18th Annual Invasive Species Conference at the Bristlecone Convention Center (150 6th St) in Ely, NV.
Visit envlc.org/invasive-species-conference/ for on-line registration and schedule information. The conference starts at 8am on Wed., January 17.
Farm Bureau And Other Ag Groups Urge Keeping AM Radio In All Vehicles
Earlier this year several automakers announced they have removed or plan to remove broadcast AM radio receivers from electric vehicles (EVs) due to electromagnetic interference generated from electric batteries. Most notably, Ford announced it would not include AM radio in any of its new models beginning in 2024. However, on May 23, after Congressional backlash, Ford reversed its decision and will include it on all 2024 Ford & Lincoln vehicles.
In response, H.R. 3413/S.1669, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act was introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, Representative Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. The proposed legislation:
- Directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge beyond the base price of the device;
- Requires any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the NHTSA regulation to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and
- Directs the Gvmt Accountability Office (GAO) to study the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies relative to other technologies.
Earlier this week the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and a group of other agricultural organizations sent this letter urging support for the bill.
It is interesting to note that every one of Nevada’s House members have co-signed in support of HR 3413 and both of Nevada’s two U.S. Senators have also added their names as co-signers to S 1669.
USDA Planning Survey Of Nevada Agricultural Financial Well-being
Beginning in late December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will spend several months gathering information about farm economics from farmers and ranchers across Nevada, as the agency conducts the third and final phase of the 2023 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).
“ARMS is the only survey that measures the current financial well-being of Nevada producers and their households as a whole,” said Gary Keough, Director of NASS Pacific Regional Office. “The data will help inform decisions on local and federal policies and programs that affect Nevada farms and farm families.”
To obtain the most accurate data, NASS will reach out to nearly 40,000 producers nationwide, including 60 in Nevada, between January 2024 – April 2024. The survey asks producers to provide in-depth information about their operating revenues, production costs, and household characteristics.
“Starting in February, our interviewers will reach out to farmers who have
not yet responded,” said Keough. “We appreciate their time; we’re here to help with the questionnaire so that their information will continue to support sound agricultural decision-making.”
Information provided to NASS is kept confidential; the agency only publishes data in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual respondent or operation can be identified.
The expense data gathered in ARMS will be published in the annual Farm Production Expenditures report on July 26, 2024. That report and others are available at nass.usda.gov/Publications.
Feds Seeking Opinions On Alternative Energy Production On Ag Lands
What do you think of having solar or wind energy production being sited on agricultural lands?
We recently shared that the USDA and DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) are hosting virtual listening sessions from January 12-17 where they are seeking differing perspectives on the benefits and challenges of this rapidly increasing level of putting solar and wind energy production on lands used for agricultural purposes.
In a 2021 DOE study, solar energy deployments were projected to accelerate, perhaps from the 4 percent of the U.S. total energy production to 45 percent by 2050. Taking that level of solar power generation to 45 percent could require nearly 10.4 million acres. We’re already seeing this over-whelming increase happening in Nevada on federally managed lands.