Wednesday November 2 Ag News

Livestock Traceability Meetings Will Explain New Program

Nebraska Farm Bureau has worked with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to schedule a series of meetings to explain USDA's new Livestock Traceability Program. Livestock producers are encouraged to attend one of the meetings to learn details about the program and the opportunity to comment on some aspects of the program.  Meetings are scheduled for Monday, November 7th, 7pm at Columbus Sales Pavilion, Tuesday, November 8th, 2pm at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, and Thursday, November 10th, 7pm at Beatrice 77 Livestock Market.    Click here for the entire meeting schedule... http://www.nefb.org/media/optimized_LS_Traceability_MeetingsA.jpg.  



Texas Geoscientist to Speak on Consequences of Increasing Oil Demands

If the world wants to continue consuming more fossil fuels, it has to be willing to accept the risks of more oil spills, a Texas geoscientist and oil industry expert warns.

"Ultimate responsibilities for oil spills lie within a mix of competing demands and expectations -- a mix far more complicated than most people are aware of or are willing to consider," said W.C. "Rusty" Riese, a Houston-based geoscientist and petroleum industry expert who will give a free public lecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Hardin Hall at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9.  Hardin Hall is on UNL's East Campus at the intersection of North 33rd and Holdrege streets.

Riese has taught at Houston's Rice University for more than 25 years, writing and lecturing extensively on such topics as economic geology, biogeochemistry, uranium ore deposits and coalbed methane petroleum systems. He holds numerous domestic and international patents from nearly 40 years of working in the mineral and petroleum industries. He is currently an adjunct professor at Rice University, as well as at Colorado State University and the University of New Mexico, where he sits on the Caswell Silver Endowment advisory board.

"In light of interest in and controversies surrounding the possibility for transporting oil-bearing tar sands across Nebraska, we feel very fortunate to be able to offer a speaker of Risee's expertise and experience on this topic," said UNL soil scientist and Conservation and Survey Division director Mark Kuzila.

"Corporations supplying (oil) energy have been pressed into increasingly challenging environments to meet demands for inexpensive energy. Unfortunately, as we are reminded by the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon incident, accidents can happen, the environment can be damaged, and people can lose their lives when we operate at the leading edges of technology," Riese said.

What will continue to drive consumption of fossil fuels will be the conflict between developing nations wanting more of the world's resources and "groups worried that continued dependence on fossil fuels may cause runaway global warming and climate change that could destroy earth's ecosystems," Riese said



Informa Ups Corn Production Forecast

Memphis-based analytical firm Informa Economics on Wednesday pegged 2011 U.S. corn yield per acre at 149.5 bushels per acre, unchanged from its outlook in October.  Informa forecast U.S. corn production at 12.549 billion bushels, up from the firm's October estimate for 12.519 billion.  The firm's corn forecast is above the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) October outlook for 12.433 billion and the corn yield also is above USDA's October forecast for 148.1 bushels per acre.

Informa pegged U.S. soybean production at 3.082 billion billion bushels, below its previous outlook for 3.087 billion and above USDA's forecast in October for 3.060 billion.

FCStone Trims Soy, Corn Forecasts
Commodity brokerage INTL FCStone on Tuesday lowered its estimate of the U.S. corn and soybean crops this year due to disappointing harvest results in areas east of the Mississippi River.  FCStone predicted a corn crop of 12.457 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 148.4 bushels per acre. The brokerage cut its outlook for soybean production to 3.109 billion bushels and lowered its yield estimate to 42.2 bushels per acre.  The estimates are based on a survey of the firm's customers, among other factors.

A month ago, FCStone forecast corn production at 12.553 billion, based on an average yield of 148.7 bushels per acre. Soybean production last month was pegged at 3.157 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 42.8 bushels per acre.

USDA will release its November crop production report on Wednesday, Nov. 9.



ACE expresses disappointment with mostly one-sided Congressional hearing on RFS 
 
The American Coalition for Ethanol  (ACE) today contacted members of the Congressional House Science Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment and expressed its disappointment on the one-sided tone of today’s hearing on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).  

In the letter to Congressmen Andy Harris (R-MD) and Brad Miller, (D-NC) ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says that while he understands that some of the groups testifying oppose the RFS because it threatens their profitable status quo, Congress should realize that data proves that the RFS is succeeding in fulfilling its energy security intent. 

Jennings wrote: “According to a May 2011 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. dependence on imported oil has dramatically declined since peaking in 2005 (when the original RFS was enacted). The EIA report adds, by the broadest measure, U.S. dependence on imported oil fell from 60.3 percent in 2005 to 49.3 percent in 2010.”

Jennings also noted in the letter the number of jobs that the ethanol industry supports thanks to the RFS and also reminds the congressional panel that continuing to support RFS will help advanced biofuels. 



EU Group Seeks Duties on US Ethanol

ePURE, a trade association of European ethanol producers, has requested the European Commission "to act against unfair imports of fuel ethanol from the United States," according to a news release from the association.

The trade group pointed to 20 years of government support for the U.S. ethanol industry, including blending tax subsidies, import tariffs and federally mandated demand. ePURE said this policy has made the U.S. the world's largest producer of ethanol.

"This policy is legitimate as long as it does not prejudice the development of ethanol for fuel use in other countries," said ePURE. "But U.S. operators, which are faced with a domestic ethanol market that is nearing saturation, have chosen to allocate a growing share of their production to exports towards the European Union."

The trade group says U.S. ethanol exports to Europe have surged 500% from 2008 to 2010.

"In 2011, these imports are expected to be twice as high as in 2010. This impressive trend is the direct result of U.S. federal and sub-federal subsidies, which allow U.S. operators to adopt aggressive pricing practices on the European market," said ePURE.

The trade group said the "very low prices have a direct and negative impact on the EU industry," which is described as small and still in its infancy when compared with the U.S. industry.

"Massive and sudden imports of U.S. ethanol, combined with unfairly low prices over the last few years, have seriously damaged the economic situation of European producers," said Rob Vierhout, secretary-general. "The unfair competition of U.S. imports is simply depriving the EU industry from the benefit of this positive evolution on its own domestic market."

The news release said the Brussels-based association has requested the European Commission to investigate the U.S. trade practices and their impact on the EU industry.

"ePURE is confident that the Commission's investigation will confirm that these practices are causing a serious prejudice to European producers and will clearly establish the need to impose dissuasive duties on U.S. imports of fuel ethanol in order to restore fair conditions of competition as early as possible," said the trade association.

ePURE said it has "also requested the European Commission to impose a registration of U.S. imports so that duties are imposed retroactively to take account of possible manipulation during the investigation period."



NMPF Urges Food and Drug Administration to Defend Laws Against Raw Milk Sales

The nation’s top public health organization needs to stand firm in the face of mounting pressures to further legalize the direct sale to consumers of a potentially dangerous product: raw milk, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said today, as it urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to waver in the face of pressure tactics from raw milk supporters.

Those supporters were out in force today at the FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, urging FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to cease federal efforts to ban the trafficking in raw milk sales across state lines. Current FDA law prohibits the interstate sales of raw milk, although the majority of states allow some form of in-state sales and/or distribution of raw milk.

Raw milk supporters have increased their criticism of the FDA interstate sales restriction “in spite of the clear and compelling documentation that raw milk is a proven means of transmitting serious human pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella,” said NMPF President and CEO Jerry Kozak. “We hope that Commissioner Hamburg looks at the evidence, and doesn’t just listen to the noise from those who would weaken public health protections.”

While raw milk advocates have made numerous statements touting the benefits of consuming raw milk, these claims mislead consumers and have not been supported by science-based studies, Kozak said.

“Raw milk consumption is inherently dangerous because the product can contain pathogens that are capable of causing foodborne illness,” Kozak said. “Pasteurization is one of the most effective food safety tools developed and, when properly conducted, is the only way to ensure that milk is free from disease-causing microorganisms.”

Kozak said it is particularly concerning that a key constituency in the raw milk movement includes mothers who wish to purchase the product to feed to their children. He noted that more than three-quarters of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with raw milk or milk products involve a child.

“Kids are particularly vulnerable to the diseases caused by the pathogens that may be consumed with raw milk. There are numerous cases where long-term illnesses have resulted from the ingestion of raw milk,” Kozak said. “The FDA needs to stand on the side of protecting public health, especially the health of minors whose parents may not fully grasp the potential consequences of the hazards they are exposing their kids to.”

“Many diseases are not preventable, but where there is a clear and effective prevention against milk-transmitted foodborne illness, why would we allow the myths and untruths to remove that protection?,” Kozak asked.



Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights the 150th Anniversary of USDA

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Old Illinois State Capitol to announce the year-long celebration of USDA's 150th anniversary in 2012. Secretary Vilsack was in the hometown of USDA's founder – President Abraham Lincoln - who signed into law an act of Congress establishing the United States Department of Agriculture in 1862.

"Through our work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and a host of issues, USDA still fulfills President Lincoln's vision as "The People's Department"– touching the lives of every American, every day," said Vilsack. "As we commemorate 150 years, we will look for lessons from the past that can help us strengthen USDA in the future to address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America."

President Lincoln established USDA because he recognized the potential of America's farmers to find new ways to cultivate the land and that with advances in research and technology, America's farmers and ranchers could provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the world. In one of President Lincoln's only speeches on agriculture at the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society on September 30, 1859, he said, "…no other human occupation opens so wide a field for the profitable and agreeable combination of labor with cultivated thought, as agriculture."

Today, America's farmers and ranchers are responsible in no small way for the health and strength of this nation. Today's event readies USDA for a historic year for the Department. In February 2012, at USDA's Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, the Department will formally launch the 150th anniversary commemoration. Throughout 2012, USDA will recognize important events, such as President Lincoln's signing of an Act to establish the Department of Agriculture on May, 15, 1862, and the July signing of the Morrill Act to establish public land grant universities. Employees in USDA field offices across the country will find ways to celebrate this landmark throughout 2012. Learn more about President Lincoln's agricultural legacy.

USDA will use a 150th anniversary graphic to mark the occasion and created a web page, www.usda.gov/usda150 that goes live today. The site will give the American people a sense of where USDA has been – and where USDA is headed in the 21st century. This web page will provide information about events, facts and goings-on related to the anniversary.

Secretary Vilsack is currently working to transform USDA into a higher performing organization – one that is open and responsive; more collaborative, inclusive and effective to meet the needs of the American public. USDA is also building a workforce that looks like and reflects the values of and understands the broad range of Americans the Department serves.



National Grangers To Hold 145th Annual Convention

The National Grane will hold its 145th Annual Convention Tuesday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 12 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The Grange, America's oldest nonprofit organization advocating for agriculture and rural America, boasts a membership of more than 200,000 people and more than 2,700 local Grange chapters across the United States.

 Delegates from the 36 State Granges, as well as Grange members from across the country, will gather to discuss 158 resolutions, passed in states and sent to the National Grange for consideration to become policy for the organization. Resolutions that pass then become policies for the National Grange, which then advocates on behalf of those measures to elected officials and government agencies for its members.

 National Grange President Ed Luttrell said the annual session is especially exciting because this is the first time Oklahoma will host a National Grange convention.  "We have a strong presence in the Sooner State, which has over 35 million acres of farmland and vast rural stretches, because the hometown values of our organization resonate with the people of Oklahoma," Luttrell said.

 Luttrell will open the convention with his annual address at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the Sequoia Room of the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills hotel. Luttrell will focus his attention on the need for continued investment in the expansion of rural broadband, creative solutions to benefit the U.S. Postal Service in order to maintain rural free mail delivery, the simplification of the tax code, and the desire for legislative and regulatory roadblocks to be removed so that clean energy production may soon become reality.  The address and other convention events is open to the public.

 Grange members who attend the convention can receive the Seventh Degree, the Order's highest level and enjoy fellowship with other Grange members. Everyone can participate in workshops and discussions on topics related to agriculture and rural America.  Several Granges will receive awards for community service, deaf awareness and other  programs the Grange supports, and 19 Granges will be honored as Distinguished Granges. Several individuals will also be honored as Heroes of the Grange on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

 The entire schedule for the convention is available at the National Grange website under Events.



BASF Joins U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Effort to Enhance Public Trust in Today's Agriculture

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced today that BASF is participating in USFRA as a member of its Industry Partners Council (IPC).  BASF joins a national farmer- and rancher-led effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture.

"USFRA is proud to have partners like BASF supporting our mission to enhance consumer trust in the U.S. food production system, maintain and enhance the freedom of U.S. farmers and ranchers to operate in a responsible manner, and strengthen collaboration within the food production, processing and distribution systems," said Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau and Chairman of USFRA. "It is critical that the entire agriculture industry unite to build public trust in the U.S. food system." 

As a member of the IPC, BASF supports the mission, goals and objectives of USFRA. IPC members have the opportunity to participate in USFRA committees/task forces and the annual meeting, and support USFRA educational activities.

"BASF is proud to join with the farmers and ranchers of America in this important effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture," said Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President of BASF Crop Protection, North America. "It is more important than ever that U.S. consumers feel absolutely confident in whatever food choice they wish to make."

USFRA's members represent nearly all aspects of U.S. agriculture uniting with one voice. The Alliance focuses on enhancing consumer trust in today's food production through education and communication with consumer influencers and thought leaders.  An important Alliance goal is to lead the conversation about the industry's commitment to continuous improvement and the importance of today's agriculture.