NGFA says NASS reports are critical to agribusiness operations
(Posted on 23/04/24)
In a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has said the county estimates for crops and livestock recently discontinued by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) are critical to the business operations of the grain, feed and processing industry.
The NGFA, established in 1896, consists of grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate facilities handling U.S. grains and oilseeds.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) NASS announced on April 9 that it would discontinue all county estimates for crops and livestock beginning with the 2024 production year.
“NGFA members use the county estimates to build supply and demand estimates for their businesses, which help determine commodity sourcing plans to keep their facilities operational. Without county estimates our members believe there will be supply chain ramifications,” noted NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert in an April 16 letter to Secretary Vilsack.
“For example, it would become more difficult for an exporter to participate in the export sales market without an accurate knowledge of how much grain is in their draw area. Also, processors and livestock feeders would have problems making appropriate purchase decisions to keep their operations continuously supplied.”
NGFA added that it would like to engage with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to find a solution to budgetary pressures while preserving the county estimates.
“U.S. agriculture needs county estimates for local supply chains to efficiently operate, and we are open-minded on the collection methods with the end goal of preserving the data while saving USDA funds,” the letter concluded.
NAGFA’s membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation’s grain, feed and processing industry. The NGFA consists of 27 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.
Latest News
SSAB delivers decarbonised steel to Vattenfall’s solar park project in Germany
(Posted on 29/05/26)SSAB is supplying decarbonised steel to Vattenfall for the construction of the ground-mounted solar... Read more
NGFA statement on STB’s decision to conditionally accept rail merger application
(Posted on 29/05/26)In accordance with the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules, the Board has conditionally... Read more
EU feed production market forecast highlights continued stability
(Posted on 25/05/26)FEFAC market experts are forecasting continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for... Read more
Fertilizer Action Plan: recognition must now translate into delivery
(Posted on 22/05/26)Fertilizers Europe has acknowledged the European Commission’s Fertilizer Action Plan, which recognises... Read more
Tripartite MOU to establish direct U.S.–DRC cobalt supply chain
(Posted on 14/05/26)Entreprise Générale du Cobalt, EVelution Energy LLC and Trafigura Pte Ltd. has announced... Read more
Commissioning of Oxelösund electric arc furnace delayed due to permitting
(Posted on 14/05/26)SSAB’s conversion of the mill in Oxelösund to fossil-free production is being delayed due... Read more
YEC agreement supports decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations
(Posted on 11/05/26)Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy... Read more
ASA Vice President urges caution in USTR Section 301 investigation
(Posted on 11/05/26)Soybean farmers are already facing significant economic headwinds and new trade actions could add further... Read more
ADM investment to upgrade Clinton, Iowa, corn processing facility
(Posted on 11/05/26)ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, has announced a multimillion-dollar investment... Read more
JV in Bayuquan, China to strengthen global raw material supply chains
(Posted on 04/05/26)CREMER ERZKONTOR GmbH has announced the official opening of its joint venture, CREMER (Yingkou) Supply... Read more
