Today on KNEB.tv News: 

• Gering approves hiring of new city engineer
• Four men caught in December Scottsbluff prostitution sting have sentencing dates set
• Scotts Bluff County Detention Center undergoing administrative restructuring, resulting in demotions and pay-cuts for a handful of employees

Bill Boyer with your weather, Chabella Guzman in with ag news… catch these stories and a whole lot more, right now on KNEB.tv News: 

Markets are impossible to control, but cost management is the difference between profit and loss for many cattle operations.

LINCOLN, Neb. – As the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s spring semester winds down, seven students will soon be starting summer internship programs supported by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association. Although these internships may vary in scope and location, each are designed to provide students with an overview of Nebraska’s corn industry through real-world professional examples and experiences.

“At this point in my college career, I don’t quite know what I want to do after graduation,” said Liz Ruskamp, a UNL animal science major from North Bend. “I am hoping this internship will help me narrow down options and figure out what I am good at and identify areas where I could improve.”

“Nebraska Corn has long been helping students identify their career paths through our internship program,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “Each year, we’re encouraged to see a new group of energized interns who are ready to get started in their ag careers.”

Five of the seven summer interns will be based outside of the state and will work for major cooperators of Nebraska Corn. The remaining interns will work in Lincoln in the offices of the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association.

This year’s Nebraska Corn interns (followed by their internship locations) are:

• Hannah Settje, U.S. Meat Export Federation – Denver
• Liz Ruskamp, National Corn Growers Association – St. Louis
• Elizabeth Todsen, National Corn Growers Association – Washington, D.C.
• Halle Ramsey, U.S. Grains Council – Washington, D.C.
• Alyssa Ehler, U.S. Grains Council – Mexico City
• Thomas Hoxmeier, Nebraska Corn Board – Lincoln
• Heidi Borg, Nebraska Corn Growers Association – Lincoln

“Internships are important to college students because they’re a gateway to real careers,” said Hannah Settje, a UNL animal science major from Raymond. “My internship will bridge the gap between my education and what I’m looking for in my future career.”

Each intern will document their learning experiences through progress updates and social media posts. To keep up with the students throughout the summer, visit nebraskacorn.gov or follow the Nebraska Corn Board on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

OMAHA (DTN) — As much angst as EPA has caused for the ethanol industry with Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) hardship waivers granted to small refineries, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said he doesn’t believe EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt should be replaced.

Speaking to agriculture journalists on Tuesday, Grassley said he agrees with most of what the administrator has done at the agency but continues to be concerned the EPA and President Donald Trump are not on the same page when it comes to federal biofuels policies.

Lawmakers and others who have called for Pruitt’s removal face a bit of a dilemma. Grassley said chances of approving a new head at the agency would be slim, considering Democrats continue to filibuster Trump nominees at every turn.

Pruitt is scheduled to testify on Thursday before the House Subcommittee on Environment regarding the agency’s 2019 budget. However, the administrator will likely get a barrage of questions regarding the RFS, his travel habits and other issues as well.

Though there is immense pressure on the administration to fire Pruitt, Grassley said he doesn’t see that happening.

“There’s a lot of legislation on the floor, and there’s not time for a nominee to come up through EPA,” Grassley said. “Except for ethanol, Pruitt’s pretty much right on other actions he’s taken.”

Pruitt has been lauded in farm country for rolling back EPA regulations, including the waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that is on track for a rewrite on into 2019.

The EPA administrator has drawn intense scrutiny for granting at least 40 RFS waivers to small refineries, and even larger oil companies that own them in many cases. The waivers originally were designed for small companies who could show that conforming to the RFS requirements creates economic hardships. In recent weeks, it was reported that large oil companies, including Exxon and Chevron, have asked EPA for waivers in 2018 despite reporting more than $1 billion in profits.

There have been questions as to why Pruitt’s actions at EPA have not matched the president’s public support for the ethanol industry. Grassley said he believes Trump is often unaware of every detail in every agency.

“I think he’s (Pruitt) trying to get a balancing act between refining and ethanol,” Grassley said. “The president has said to me publicly and privately that he intends to keep his commitment to ethanol. I think he has a director in Pruitt who isn’t keeping the president’s promises. A president of the United States can’t get into every detail of every cabinet member, or what every agency is doing. He’s (Pruitt) running waivers out like every refinery was distressed. That is way beyond the intent of the law. I wish someone would challenge that in court.”

As of Tuesday, the EPA is not facing lawsuits, though some ethanol industry representatives have indicated legal challenges may be on the way.

One week ago, Grassley and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., led a bipartisan group of senators in writing a letter to Pruitt, calling on the EPA to stop issuing waivers and to provide more transparency on waivers dating back to 2016. In addition, the senators also asked Pruitt to provide information about EPA’s plan on how it will approach future requests.

Also signing the letter were Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Debbie Stabenow, R-Mich.; Deb Fischer, R-Neb.; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; John Thune, R-S.D.; Tina Smith, D-Minn.; Roy Blunt, R-Mo.; Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.; Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.; and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.

The EPA has drawn fire for what seems to be a lack of transparency on waivers dating back to 2016 as well as details about the companies receiving waivers and the amount of biofuel blending excluded.

Estimates are that to date, the waivers issued could have resulted in more than 1 billion gallons of ethanol not being blended. Small refiners and others have urged the EPA to place a cap on the price of biofuels credits called renewable identification numbers (RINs). The waivers issued, however, have led to a drop in the price for RINs.

A former nurse accused of fondling three sedated patients while administering pain killers at Regional West was sentenced today (Tuesday) to three,  one year terms in prison. The new prison terms will be  concurrent with a 12 year prison sentence in Colorado for doing the same thing, according to Scotts  Bluff County Court Judge James Worden.

45 year old Thomas Moore entered guilty pleas April 11th in Scotts Bluff County Court to three counts of misdemeanor sexual assault for inappropriately touching the  patients at Regional West.

Moore was transferred to Scottsbluff from a Sterling, Colorado prison to make the pleas. Scotts Bluff County Attorney Dave Eubanks reiterated he wanted to get convictions on the local cases and get them resolved so the victims get closure.

Eubanks told Judge Worden  he was recommending the one year prison terms be concurrent to the Colorado sentences so Moore would serve his time in Colorado, where he would be listed as  lifetime sex offender.

In Colorado, Moore was convicted of fondling a woman who went to the North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton in November 2015 for a severe headache, and for assaulting five other sedated patients in Weld County, Colorado. In both jurisdictions, he received 12 year prison sentences that are to be served at the same time.

Moore is also facing counts in Larimer County, Colorado, where he will have a hearing April 30th and could get additional time in prison.

A California Appeals Court sided with the Center for Food Safety and the state of California in affirming that Monsanto’s glyphosate pesticide can be listed under Prop 65.

The listing says glyphosate is a known carcinogen. Monsanto filed a lawsuit challenging a California announcement that it would be listing glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, under California’s Prop 65.

The proposition requires notification and labeling of all chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other types of reproductive harm. Prop 65 also prohibits their discharge into drinking waters of the state.

The Center for Food Safety then intervened in the case after Monsanto filed suit, saying the glyphosate listing under Prop 65 was correct and the public had a right to know when it’s being exposed to cancer-causing chemicals. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic.”

California subsequently issued the notice of intent to list glyphosate as a Proposition 65 chemical based on the IARC finding.

Valley Youth Connections, a new service which helps referral based at risk youth in the community, has begun a youth narcotics and alcohol anonymous program.

The program, for one hour from 4 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday at 29 South Beltline Highway, begins today. Chris Wilson, who operates the facility with Shelley Hall, says most of the at risk youth have a substance abuse issue and they need to have a place separate from adults where they feel comfortable talking about the problem.

Valley Youth Connections opened in mid-February, and provides the youth with assistance in continuing their education and a place where they have many things to do that keep them out of trouble.

WASHINGTON – April 24, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reminding farmers and ranchers that the window is closing on the opportunity to participate in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. To date, NASS has received more than 1.5 million completed questionnaires. But the national return rate is currently lower than at this point in the 2012 Census. NASS is encouraging U.S. producers who have not returned their completed Census questionnaires to do so as soon as possible to avoid phone and in-person follow-up.

“NASS is grateful for the response from producers to date, but it is important that the others who received a Census questionnaire join their neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family in being part of the Census count,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer.

“If you produced and sold $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2017, or normally would have produced and sold that much, we need to hear from you,” said Hamer. “If you’re a landowner who leases your land to a producer, we need to hear from you. If you received a census but do not fit this definition of a farm, please write your status on the form and send it back.”

Hamer noted that NASS has already begun to follow up with producers who have not yet completed the questionnaire.

“We sent the questionnaire to many potential farmers and ranchers who may not be familiar with it. The follow-up will give them and other producers the opportunity to ask questions,” said Hamer. “Some farmers and ranchers were waiting until they gathered their tax documents before completing the Census; having that information handy will certainly make filling out the questionnaire faster and easier.”

The Census of Agriculture is the only comprehensive source of agriculture data for every state and county in the nation. Census data are used by policymakers, trade associations, researchers, agribusinesses, educators, and many others. The information helps inform decisions on farm policy, rural development, and new farm technologies. It also aids in the creation and funding of loans and insurance programs and other forms of assistance, as well as in the cultivation of the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

The Census differs from other NASS surveys. It provides important demographic information and data on certain commodities, such as horses, bison, and Christmas trees, that would not otherwise be available. Revisions to the questionnaire in 2017 include new queries about military veteran status, decision-making on the farm, and food marketing practices.

“We are encouraged that the Census return rate is rising every day,” said NASS Census and Survey Division Director Barbara Rater. “The stronger the response, the stronger the data. The stronger the data, the better the decisions and advocacy for programs that best serve producers.”

Producers can respond to the 2017 Census of Agriculture online atwww.agcounts.usda.gov or by mail. The same law, Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113, that requires response also requires NASS to keep all information confidential, to use the data only for statistical purposes, and to only publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation. NASS will release Census results in February 2019.

For more information about the 2017 Census of Agriculture or for assistance with the questionnaire, visit www.agcensus.usd.gov or call toll-free (888) 424-7828.

Wheat

• Crossroads Co-op/Sidney – 4.25 (+0.10)
• Crossroads Co-op/Bridgeport – 4.25 (+0.09)
• Crossroads Co-op/Lyman – 4.25 (+0.09)
• Farmers Co-Op/Hemingford – 4.44 (+0.09)
• New Alliance / Alliance – 4.44 (+0.09)
• Frenchman Valley Co-Op/Kimball – 4.27 (+0.09)
• West Plains LLC/Gering – 4.23 (+0.09)
• West Plains/Alliance – 4.58 (+0.09)
• Pine Bluffs Feed & Grain/Pine Bluffs – 4.12 (+0.09)
• Scoular Grain/Sidney – 4.11 (+0.09)

Wheat New Crop Bid

• Crossroads Co-op – 4.32
• Farmers Co-Op – 4.52
• New Alliance – 4.52
• Frenchman Valley Co-Op/Kimball – 4.32
• West Plains LLC/Gering –  4.30
• West Plains/Alliance –  4.57
• Pine Bluffs Feed & Grain/Pine Bluffs – 4.12
• Scoular Grain/Sidney – 4.27

Corn

• Crossroads Co-op/Sidney – 3.36 (+0.02)
• Crossroads Co-op/Bridgeport – 3.36 (+0.02)
  
• Crossroads Co-op/Lyman – 3.36 (+0.02)
• Farmers Co-Op/Hemingford – 3.29 (+0.03)
• Farmers Co-Op/Alliance – 3.29 (+0.03)
• Frenchman Valley Co-Op/Kimball – 3.36 (+0.03)
• West Plains LLC/Gering – 3.39 (+0.02)
• West Plains/Alliance – 3.21 (+0.02)
• Pine Bluffs Feed & Grain/Pine Bluffs – 3.40(+0.03)
• Scoular Grain/Sidney – 3.33 (+0.02)

Corn New Crop Bid

• Crossroads Co-op – 3.72
• Farmers Co-Op – 3.56
• New Alliance – 3.56
• Frenchman Valley Co-Op – 3.67
• West Plains LLC/Gering –3.71
• West Plains/Alliance – 3.56
• Scoular Grain/Sidney – 3.67

Millet Market

• Crossroads Co-Op/Sidney – Call for quote
• Farmers Co-Op/Hemingford – Call for quote
• Frenchman Valley Co-Op/Kimball – Call for quote
• Pine Bluffs Feed & Grain/Pine Bluffs – Call for quote

SOYBEANS

• Farmers Co-Op/Hemingford – 8.71 (+0.01)

DRY BEANS

• Great Northerns
  • Kelley Bean – 21
  • New Alliance – 21
  • Trinidad – 21
• Pintos
  • Kelley Bean – 21
  • Northern Feed –21
  • New Alliance – 21
  • Trinidad – 21
• Kidneys
  • Kelley Bean – 35
  • Trinidad – 35
• Navys
  • Kelley Bean – 27
  • Trinidad – 27
• Blacks
  • Kelley Bean – 27

Yellow Field Peas

• West Plains/Berea-Alliance – Call for quote

Adell Ulrich, 88 of Bridgeport, Nebraska passed away Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport.

Her funeral service will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 1-7 p.m. at Bridgeport Memorial Chapel. Memorials may given to the Joe Brooks Scholarship Fund. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.bridgeportmemorialchapel.com

Adell was born on May 3, 1929 in Roseland, Nebraska to Sol and Emma (Wermeskerch) Dreibelbis. She graduated from Roseland High School. She moved to Crete, Nebraska and worked at the Crete Mills. She married Joseph Ulrich on April 10, 1948 at the First Congregational Church in Crete, Nebraska. The couple made their home in Roseland, Nebraska where they opened a grocery store. A year later, Joseph went to training and was transferred in July 1951 to Bridgeport, Nebraska. They built their home, where Adell resided until her death. In 1970, she worked for the old hospital in the laundry department. In 1972, she was Head Housekeeper at the new hospital. She retired in 1991.

She was a member of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and a member of the alter guild in Bridgeport. She belonged to Eastern Star #260 and received her 50^th year pin, and was a Bethel guardian with Bethel #22 of Bridgeport.

She enjoyed traveling with her family and friends, playing cards, crossword puzzles, working in her yard and flower beds, watching soap operas and cleaning. She loved spending time with her family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Adell is survived by her children Linda (Roger) Brooks of Fairbanks, Alaska, Frederick J. (Stephanie) Ulrich of Omaha, NE and Sara (Mark) Steer of Bridgeport; eight grandchildren: Jeffrey (Kelly) Brooks, Kristin (Mike) Bradshaw, Amy (Jason) Davis, Kathleen (Thomas) Sherrod, Keli (Toni) Palfini, Marissa (Taylor) Covalt, Molly Steer and Manda (Nicholas) Lapaseotes; 17 great grandchildren: Joseph Diaz, Brooke Diaz, Joshua Diaz, Karissa Diaz, Caden Davis, Gabrielle Davis, Quintin Sherrod, Derek Sherrod, Kaelin Sherrod, Nathan Brooks, Mason Brooks, Keagan Bradshaw, Emma Bradshaw, Sam Palfini, Nichole Palfini, Rhett Lapaseotes, and Taygen Colvalt; sister Gayle Mock of Louisville, Colorado and sister-in-law Carol Lee (William) Yates of Ranch Mirage, CA and several nieces and nephews.

Adell was preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph Paul, infant brother, grandson Joseph Brooks, brother-in-law James Mock and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to thank Misty Cook who took care of Mom her last year. She called Misty, “my friend.” We would also like to thank the EMT and hospital staff for their wonderful care.

The Western Nebraska Community College women’s soccer team will be sending two players onto the next level after sophomores Morgan Smith, of Scottsbluff, and Juliana Stratford, from Utah, recently signed letters to attend four-year colleges.

Smith, who played for Gering and Scottsbluff during her high school days, is headed to Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. Stratford, who came to WNCC from Sandy, Utah, is headed to Lindenwood University – Belleview in St. Louis, Missouri.

The players said they are excited to continue playing.

“I came in contact with Black Hills State a couple years ago when they first started so that was my go-to plan,” Smith said. “So, when the coach contacted me and asked me if I wanted to go and play, I took the opportunity right away because I always traveled there for club and I was familiar with the area. It will be a great fit for me. It is not huge school, a huge town; it is a very community friendly college.

“It is an awesome opportunity and it will be exciting to go up one level higher from high school to community college to Division II. I get to play with new girls, new coach, and a new program.”

Stratford picked Lindenwood because it is not close to home but also because of the scholarship she got.

“I choose there because I wanted a program that was a great fit for me and it had my program for my education and major,” she said. “The main thing is I wanted to postpone my college debt as much as possible and they are helping me out with that. I was looking at some other schools, some DII schools in Hawaii and some schools back in Utah, but I wanted to stay away from home and get college paid for. So this was the best place for me.”

Stratford said she is excited to continue playing at the next level.

“I think in your four years of college, it is hard to find a purpose or something you belong to,” she said. “WNCC did a lot for me these last two years and I am excited to continue that at this school too.

Smith is excited to be playing at the next level close to home.

“It will be nice that I will be close to home so that when I have games my family and friends can come and watch, and on weekends I can come home,” she said. “I am very family oriented so it will be nice to have them close by and I won’t have to take a flight when I come home.”

Smith and Stratford played the midfield position for the Cougars the last two seasons.

Stratford said coming to WNCC was the right decision and when she leaves, it will be hard.

“What being a Cougar meant to me, I think, was it made me feel I was a part of something and I think that is something a lot of people struggle to find as young adults,” she said. “So, calling me a Cougar made me feel I was part of something, part of a group that had my back and had support and that was nice to have.”

Smith said playing at WNCC for her first two years was a logical choice for many reasons.

“It was an awesome opportunity to play here and I got to play for a coach I grew up watching and I knew what he expected, so that was a plus for me,” the former Bearcat said. “It was nice because I didn’t have to leave home and I still got to eat my mom’s food. It was nice not to leave and also I haven’t had to pay a penny for college so that is definitely a plus for that.”

Smith and Stratford each wore the Cougar uniform for the final time when the squad scrimmaged a Rapid City club team. It was a game where the Cougars were down 3-1 with under 10 minutes to play and the team scored two goals in the final five minutes to get the tie.

Both said taking off that uniform for the final time on Sunday was bittersweet.

“It was bittersweet because I am excited for my next year, but it is also sad because Nebraska is a lot different from what I am used to,” Stratford said. “[Nebraska] is a place that has a soft spot in my heart. It is differently bittersweet and it was nostalgic in a way.”

Smith said taking that uniform off means it is time to put on another uniform and make new friends.

“It was bittersweet [taking that uniform off},” she said. “I loved playing here. I mean our seasons didn’t go to well during my time here, but I learned a lot from the girls, from playing, and from coach Rasnic especially. So, taking the jersey off for the last time was kind of sad but I am ready to move on with new girls and new team and put on a new uniform.”

What Stratford and Smith enjoyed the most was meeting different players from other cities, states, and countries during their two years at WNCC. They said that helped them learn about cultures and grow as a player making leaving in May a difficult one.

“I think that was one of the coolest parts because you got to meet different cultures and different people,” Smith said. “You get to see how different cultures work and how the players play. At a community college, it is great time to see how other levels play and people paly and then you get to combine that into your play. I have grown as a player at WNCC. I think Coach [Todd] Rasnic has helped me figure out the ways to play. He taught me some life lessons as well, which is nice and evolved me as a person. We play soccer all the time, like 24-7, so it is nice to play with different level of girls and to be able to get better.”

Stratford got emotional thinking about leaving WNCC.

“It will be really sad. I guess that is the question that will make me cry,” she said. “I have met a lot of cool people and that is actually why I choose this school because the people are really, really cool.  The past two years I have met awesome people, people that I actually consider sisters on this team. Leaving here will be difficult for me but I am really grateful for the friendships that I have made and the different cultures and religions of people that I have met so much. I think my skills have gotten better and I got better as a player and as a student. I am grateful for that.”

All four men who were arrested following an investigation by the Panhandle Regional Team of the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force will learn their fates in the coming months in Scotts Bluff County Court.

The four men went to an area hotel after each responded to online ads to purchase sex from adult and minor females. When they arrived to the hotel, they were met by law enforcement officers and arrested.

64-year-old Marty Houser of Scottsbluff pleaded no contest to charges of Soliciting Prostitution (a Class I Misdemeanor) and Soliciting Prostitution with 1+ prior convictions (a Class IV Felony). His sentencing date has been set for June 14th.

20-year-old Benjamin Rein of Torrington pleaded no contest to charges of Soliciting Prostitution (a Class I Misdemeanor) and Soliciting Prostitution (Under the Age of 18) (a Class IV Felony). His sentencing date has been set for May 15th.

47-year- old Alfredo Castro  of Wheat Ridge, Colorado pleaded no contest to charges of Soliciting Prostitution (a Class I Misdemeanor). His sentencing date is set for April 26th.

25-year-old Brent Tinnell of Minatare was found guilty of charges of  Solicitation of Prostitution and Attempted Possession of a Controlled Substance- both class I Misdemeanors. His sentencing date has been set for June 14th.

The investigation was a collaborative effort of nine different agencies including the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, the Scotts Bluff County Attorney’s Office, the Salvation Army, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Scottsbluff Police Department, the Gering Police Department, the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, the Sidney Police Department and the Alliance Police Department.

Lawmakers will not convene for a special session to deal with Nebraska’s property tax system this year because the effort did not receive enough support.

Laura Strimple, a spokeswoman for the secretary of state, says only 14 senators had signed the request by the 5 p.m. Monday deadline. Support from 33 of the chamber’s 49 lawmakers is needed to bring the Legislature into special session.

Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon proposed the session on April 10 after lawmakers failed to approve tax changes. The session would have been held next week.

Although legislators won’t gather to deal with taxes, supporters of a ballot measure that would cut property taxes are collecting signatures in hopes of putting the proposal on the November ballot.

LINCOLN, Neb. April 23, 2018 – All layers in Nebraska during March 2018 totaled 7.69 million, down from 8.42 million the previous year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Nebraska egg production during March totaled 198 million eggs, down from 225 million in 2017.

March egg production per 100 layers was 2,571 eggs, compared to 2,675 eggs in 2017.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held a hearing titled, “The State of Rural America.”

“Producers in Kansas and all across the country are going through a rough patch in the agricultural economy,” Chairman Roberts said. “Over the past five years, prices for many of our major commodities have dropped by over 40 percent. As a result, net farm income is expected to decline by 52 percent.”

“The ongoing pressure of low commodity prices continues the need for a high volume of sales. Now more than ever, producers need certainty and predictability – and a partner in government that can help steady the ship and right the course.”

“Our producers need a trade policy that looks forward. We must protect and develop our existing markets. And, we need new markets to sell what we grow. It is absolutely critical that the Administration support our effort with trade policies that grow and strengthen markets all around the world.”

Click here to watch Chairman Roberts’ opening statement. Below are Chairman Roberts’ remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good morning. I call this hearing of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee to order.

This morning, I’d like to welcome Senator Hyde-Smith to the Committee. We are glad to have another farmer and a former State Agriculture Commissioner at the table. We will all benefit from her perspective.

And, we are pleased to welcome Secretary Sonny Perdue. As a matter of fact, today marks a special day for the Secretary. On this day last year, the Secretary was confirmed by the full Senate. Happy one year anniversary, Mr. Secretary.

At the time of your nomination hearing last year, agriculture needed a voice – an advocate, a champion if you will – at the highest levels of government. That is even more so today.

Producers in Kansas and all across the country are going through a rough patch in the agricultural economy. Over the past five years, prices for many of our major commodities have dropped by over 40 percent. As a result, net farm income is expected to decline by 52 percent.

The ongoing pressure of low commodity prices continues the need for a high volume of sales. Now more than ever, producers need certainty and predictability – and a partner in government that can help steady the ship and right the course.

Mr. Secretary, I am very pleased to see that you hit the ground running in year one, and I know you will continue to do so. A lot of your time has been devoted to sitting on the wagon tongue with producers and business owners on your “Back to our Roots” tour across rural America to hear their concerns, and that’s a good thing.

On the regulatory front, this administration has been proactive in reducing unnecessary regulations that hurt producers’ bottom lines. Mr. Secretary, we thank you for that. These reforms decrease unnecessary burdens, reduce costs, and provide certainty to allow producers to maximize their output while producing the safest, most affordable food supply in the world.

And, I know you are working to continue these efforts in the coming months.

Now, I have worked on a few Farm Bills during my time serving on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. In fact, this is number seven. And, each of them has had a unique set of challenges.

This bill must unfortunately do more with less. And, it should ensure programs operate efficiently and effectively and serve their original intended purpose.

Senator Stabenow and I spent well over a year traveling around the United States and holding hearings here in Washington, and what’s apparent is that Farm Bill programs are absolutely critical.

To that end, this Committee is doing its work in a bipartisan manner to make tough choices and to provide producers from all regions and commodities with the certainty and predictability that is needed to be successful. That is our number one issue.

And, Secretary Perdue, thank you for emphasizing the importance of reauthorizing the Farm Bill.

In order for the Farm Bill to reach its full potential, U.S. agriculture must also be a reliable supplier around the world.

This is not a new concept. In the early 1990s, as Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, part of the job was touting the benefits of the brand new North America Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.

Every trade agreement I’ve ever been associated with is over criticized and oversold.

But since 1994, when NAFTA went into force, the value of U.S. agricultural exports to Canada has increased by 265 percent, and to Mexico by 289 percent.

It makes sense to take a look at agreements like NAFTA to make sure they are functioning as they should be over two decades later.

It also makes sense to work to hold trading partners like China accountable to their WTO commitments.

But trade actions like those we have seen on steel, aluminum, washing machines, and solar panels also put the U.S. at risk of retaliatory measures that harm jobs, not only to agriculture, but across all sectors.

History has shown us that far too often it is agriculture that bears the brunt of that harm.

I hope that the United States and China can work aggressively to resolve these issues before we enter a full blown trade war.

Our producers need a trade policy that looks forward.

We must protect and develop our existing markets. And, we need new markets to sell what we grow.

It is absolutely critical that the Administration support our effort with trade policies that grow and strengthen markets all around the world.

With that, I recognize my colleague and distinguished Ranking Member, Senator Stabenow, for any remarks.

KNEB News has learned an administrative restructuring is taking place at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center so the county has funds to hire more officers for $4.5 million addition currently being constructed.

Corrections directors Joe Gaul and Patricia Miller say the restructuring has meant six people at this point have been demoted from administrative positions to correction officer to help find the money needed to pay for the additional officers. Gaul and Miller say the restructuring may also require people to accept additional responsibilities along with the demotion.

Board Chair Mark Masterton says he understands  the restructuring may be disconcerting to the employees but it is part of efficiencies being made throughout the jail to add the ten to twelve  additional officers needed.

County Management Accountant Jerry Crable says the estimated cost for the new officers will be around $500,000.

Gaul and Miller say the restructuring is being done instead of layoffs, and to make sure when the over 70 bed addition is completed there are officers available to safely supervise the extra inmates.

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Aggies at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis have repeated a Reserve Champion title in national agriculture contests hosted in Nebraska.

Twenty five students competed in 12 categories at the North American Colleges and Teachers in Agriculture competitions April 19-21.  Awards were presentedSaturday evening.

Nearly 760 students from 43 college and universities competed in events coordinated by Northeast Community College in Norfolk. NCTA was one of the 16 two-year and 27 four-year colleges in the competition.

The NCTA Aggies earned second place in sweepstakes points by capturing 10 team placings in the top three. Black Hawk College of Moline, Illinois won the overall sweepstakes title for two-year colleges.

“We are tremendously proud of our industrious students for receiving these national academic honors,” said Ron Rosati, dean of NCTA, which is the only two-year college of the University of Nebraska system.

“These contests document that NCTA students have a high degree of competence in a variety of agricultural skills. I appreciate their hard work and dedication to academic excellence,” Rosati said. “I also appreciate the guidance and mentorship they received from their faculty to lead them to this high level of expertise.”

A contest highlight was a repeat by the NCTA Crops Judging program again winning the national championship.  The four Aggie team members swept individual placings.

Dalon Koubek of North Platte won individuals honors, with Lee Jespersen of Hemingford in second, Will Kusant of Comstock as third, and Nate Montanez of Grand Island at fourth. Crops judging had 160 contestants.

Aggie teams won second places overall for Agriculture Knowledge Bowl, Agribusiness, Agricultural Mechanics, Dairy and Precision Agriculture.

NCTA teams were third overall in Computer Applications, Equine Judging and Horticulture.

Aggie students represented NCTA academic areas of agribusiness management, agronomy, agricultural mechanics and horticulture, and animal science and agriculture education.

A complete listing of all NCTA students competing and their hometowns, team and individual category placings will be available this week at:https://ncta.unl.edu/news-events.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has announced that Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska will be May 19.

Enjoy a Saturday of fishing or state park activities without the need to purchase a fishing or park entry permit for the day.

Free Fishing and Park Entry Day, held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend, means anyone can explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park.

Anglers must observe all fishing regulations. Camping, lodging and all other user fees still apply at state park areas.

Several family-friendly activities are scheduled in state park areas across the state to celebrate Free Fishing and Park Entry Day.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.org and check the online calendar for more details.

Funeral services for Doris E. Walter, 87, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the First Congregational Church with Reverend Matt Gordon officiating. Burial will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Lingle, Wyoming.

Doris was called home April 20, 2018, to be with the love of her life Adam. Memorials may be given to the First Congregational Church. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home, and the casket will be open at the church prior to the service Thursday. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com.

Doris was born April 22, 1930, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, the daughter of William and Katherine (Erdman) Hettinger. She grew up and received her education in Goshen County attending school at Huntley, Victory Hill and Lingle. She graduated Lingle High School in 1948. She worked for Farm Credit Services for four years. She married Adam Walter March 9, 1952, in Lingle. Doris worked in Goshen County for awhile before they moved to Powell, Wyoming, where she cooked at the college there. In 1991, they moved back to Torrington. Adam died in 2010.

Doris enjoyed sewing, singing, gardening and cooking traditional German foods. She was a member of the First Congregational Church and played in the kitchen band at the Senior Center.

Doris is survived by her children Russell Walter and his wife Jody of Lingle, Wyoming, Tim Walter and his wife Jancy of Lingle, Robin Walter and her companion Skip Dame of Casper, Wyoming, Janet Knisley and her husband Mark of Cortez, Colorado, and Bill Walter and his wife Erin of Kaycee, Wyoming; her sister Jane Sterkel of Torrington, Wyoming; fourteen grandchildren; and twenty-five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a granddaughter Ty Lynn Walter; a sister Esther Moss; and a brother Harold Hettinger.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank repeatedly warned at their meetings this week that intensifying trade tensions could jeopardize a healthy global economic expansion.

But U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed cautious optimism Saturday that countries could settle their differences without a trade war.

Mnuchin met during the past three days with financial officials from China, Japan and Europe over a series of punitive tariffs unveiled by the Trump administration against China and other trading partners.

In a session with reporters, Mnuchin refused to say how close the United States was to resolving the various trade disputes, but he did say progress had been made.

The United States and China are on the brink of what would be the biggest trade dispute since World War II. Each has proposed imposing tariffs of $50 billion on each other’s products; President Donald Trump is looking to impose tariffs up to $100 billion more on Chinese goods.

In a speech earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to open China’s market wider to foreign companies, raising hopes the dispute with Washington could be resolved. Mnuchin said he discussed Xi’s proposals with Chinese officials. “We are cautiously optimistic,” Mnuchin told reporters, saying that he may soon travel to Beijing for further talks.

The Commerce Ministry in Beijing said Sunday that China welcomes a visit from the U.S. to Beijing to discuss trade issues and confirms it has “received information” regarding Washington’s interest in such a trip.

Trade tensions dominated the three days of talks among top finance officials attending meetings of the Group of 20 major economies, the 189-nation International Monetary Fund and its sister lending agency, the World Bank.

The officials roundly criticized Trump’s get-tough approach to trade, a reversal of seven decades of U.S. support for increasing freedom in global commerce. In his speech to the IMF’s policy committee Saturday, Yi Gang, the head of China’s central bank, said that global growth could be hurt by “an escalation of trade frictions caused by unilateral actions,” an obvious reference to America’s threatened tariffs against China.

Mnuchin insisted that the United States was not trying to provoke a global trade war but seeking to protect American jobs from unfair competition. “The president has been very clear on what our objectives are,” Mnuchin said. “We are looking for reciprocal treatment. This is not about protectionism.”

There were signs of conciliation. The U.S. dropped its objection to the first increase in the World Bank’s capital resources since 2010, clearing the way for the bank’s board to OK a $13 billion increase in its capacity to make loans to poor countries. The move was tied to a package of reforms the U.S. had sought.

Both the World Bank and IMF held meetings of their policy committees on Saturday. In a closing communique, the IMF expressed concern that the rising trade tensions could dim what at the moment are bright prospects for the global economy, which is expected to grow this year at the fastest pace since 2011.

“Trade tensions are not to the benefit of anyone,” said Lesetja Kganyago, who leads the policymaking committee and is governor of the South African Reserve Bank. “If there is a trade conflict, there could never be winners. We could all only be losers.”

On Friday, Mnuchin had called on the IMF to do more to police countries running large trade surpluses, a role that has traditionally been left to the Geneva-based World Trade Organization. The final IMF communique did state: “We will work together to reduce excessive global imbalances in a way that supports global growth.” The communique did not spell out how this would be accomplished.