Tuesday December 20 Ag News

Beef Short Course 2011-2012

The beef cattle industry is entering uncharted times. Cattle are selling at record high prices at a time when input costs continue to increase and the national beef cow herd continues to decrease in size. The volatility in the markets and industry allow for little room for error in management decisions. This year's UNL Extension beef short courses will give insight on the numbers as they relate to the beef cow industry, forages and a forage analysis, and DNA testing as it relates to accuracies of EPD's and selecting bulls.  View on NET2 or streamed through the computer on this UNL Beef website (beef.unl.edu).  Each program on NET2 begins at 7:00 p.m. (CT) and ends at 8:00 p.m. Viewing online will be available beginning at 7:00 p.m. the day of the broadcast.

January 12, 2012
Joining DNA and Traditional EPDs:  Where are we at and how do we use it
Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska

January 19, 2012
Sire Selection:  The basics when getting ready to buy your next herd sire
Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska



Pasture Management School

Date: Wednesday, February 8th
Time: 6:30 pm
Description: No cost. Featured speaker will be UNL Extension Forages Specialist Bruce Anderson.  Topics will include:
• Plant mixtures for a new seeding
• Fertilizing pastures
• Weed control (proper grazing and herbicides)
• Rotational grazing/cross fencing
• Livestock water — location, quantity, and quality

The evening will conclude with a spokesman from the new Tri-County Prescribed Burn Association who will talk about their association.
Location: Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Lincoln, NE, 68528
Contact: Tom Dorn, UNL Extension in Lancaster County, (402) 441-7180 or tdorn1@unl.edu



UNL Commercial and Noncommercial Pesticide Safety Education Program Is January through April

Nebraska commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification in 2012 to use or purchase restricted-use pesticides can get training through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

"The training is offered statewide from January through April," said Clyde Ogg, pesticide safety educator in UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

UNL's pesticide education office has sent commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicators with certifications expiring in April 2012 a pesticide applicator education schedule booklet that has initial certification and recertification information, training schedules and instructions for registration and ordering study materials.

Commercial applicators are those using restricted-use pesticides, and in some cases general-use pesticides, on a contract or for-hire basis. Noncommercial applicators are those applying these same pesticides to sites owned by an employer or for a governmental agency or political subdivision of the state.

Farmers and ranchers classified as private applicators will have their pesticide safety education programs as scheduled by their UNL extension educators, Ogg said. More information is available from local extension offices.

Commercial and noncommercial applicators interested in training can get a copy of the schedule booklet at local extension offices, by phoning UNL's pesticide education office at (800) 627-7216 or (402) 472-1632 or online at http://pested.unl.edu/commercialschedule.

Advance registration is required for all initial commercial/noncommercial applicator training and most other training sessions. A $60 fee applies for each applicator registering for February through April sessions, regardless of the number of categories they register for.

Required study materials for initial training range from $10 to $30 per manual, depending on category.

Recertification opportunities are available at several extension offices in February and March and at several annual conferences and trade association meetings in early 2012.

Initial certification requires passing a general standards exam and one or more specific applicator categories, Ogg said.

Applicants can study by themselves, but best results are normally obtained by combining the training with the study materials, Ogg said.

UNL conducts the educational programs, and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture grants the licenses. NDA testing is offered at initial training locations. Questions about individual applicator license status should be directed to NDA at (402) 471-2394 or (877) 800-4080.

The only opportunity for commercial applicators to recertify in the Agricultural Plant category and Demo/Research subcategory, other than by examination, will be at UNL Crop Production Clinics.

Crop Production Clinics start at 8:45 a.m., local time, at the following locations (preregister at http://cpc.unl.edu or pay at the door):
Norfolk: Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Jan. 18.
Fremont: Midland Lutheran College, 900 N. Clarkson, Jan. 19.
Beatrice: Classics Country Club, 1301 Oak St., Jan. 4.
York: The Auditorium, 612 N. Nebraska Ave., Jan. 5.
Ainsworth: Community Center, 606 E. Fourth St., Jan. 17.
Gering: Gering Civic Center, 1050 M Street, Jan. 12.
Hastings: Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore, Jan. 10.
Kearney: Younes Convention Center, 416 Talmadge Rd., Jan. 6.
North Platte: West Central R & E Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Jan. 11.

Recertification in additional applicator categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Preregistration required:
Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 9, or Mar. 22.
Norfolk: Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 601 E. Benjamin, Feb. 9, 28 or Mar. 22.
Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 28.
Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 9 or Mar. 22.
Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 West Center Rd., Feb. 9, or March 22.
Grand Island: College Park, 3180 W. Hwy 34, Feb. 9, 21.
Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 9, 28, or Mar. 22.
Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 132 S. Hall St., March 22.
Ainsworth: Courthouse meeting room, 148 W. Fourth St., Feb. 9, 28.
Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 Second St., Feb. 28 or Mar. 22.
North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 9, 28.
Ogallala: Valentino's, 55 River Rd., March 22.
Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 9, 28 or March 22.

UNL Extension also works with several trade organizations to make recertification available at their annual conferences. Conferences offering these opportunities for specific categories include:

Nebraska Green Expo: Jan. 23, Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Recertification in Ornamental and Turf pest control category and Demo/Research subcategory. Call the Nebraska Turfgrass Association at (402) 475-8873 for registration materials.

Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference: Feb. 14-15, Cornhusker-Marriott Hotel, 333 S. 13 St., Lincoln. Recertification in Structural/Health-related pest control, Public Health pest control, Wood Destroying Organisms, and Fumigation categories. Contact Shripat Kamble, UNL Department of Entomology, (402) 472-6857 for copies of the program and registration forms.

Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Conference: Feb. 13-15, Midtown Holiday Inn, 2503 S. Locust St., Grand Island. Recertification in Aerial Pest Control category. Call Nebraska Aviation Trades Association (402) 475-6282 for information.

Those seeking initial certification must preregister for one of the following training sessions and purchase study materials 10 days ahead of the training. Training categories vary at the listed sites:
Fremont: Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 W. 23rd St., Feb. 7.
Norfolk: Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 601 E. Benjamin, March 1, 20.
Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., March 20.
Grand Island: College Park, 3180 W. Hwy 34, Feb. 7 or March 1.
Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 7, March 1 or April 12.
Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 7, March 20, or April 12.
Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 20.
Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 132 S. Hall St, March 20.
North Platte: UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 7, March 1 or April 12.
Ogallala: Valentino's, 55 River Rd., March 20.
Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave I, Feb. 7, March 1, 20 or April 12.



UNL Extension Offering Education to Private Pesticide Applicators

Private pesticide applicators holding licenses expiring in 2012, as well as anyone seeking first-time private applicator certification, should contact their local University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension office for information on pesticide education training sessions that begin in January.

Licensed private pesticide applicators can buy and use restricted-use pesticides in their own farming operations after completing this training. There are about 3,500 private applicators statewide eligible for recertification in 2012.

Private applicators needing recertification in 2012 should have received a letter notifying them of that fact from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in mid-December, said UNL pesticide training educator Clyde Ogg. The letter includes a bar code, which eliminates the need to complete the standard NDA application form for those wanting to recertify, he said. Applicators having the bar-coded letter with them at training sessions will not have to fill out the application form.

"All who are eligible for recertification will be notified by their local extension office of recertification training sessions in their area," Ogg said.

Training topics include results from the Farm Family Exposure Study, which answers the questions of how much pesticide exposure farmers and their families experience and what practical measures can be taken to lessen pesticide exposure.

Extension cropping systems specialist Bob Klein compares effectiveness of drift reduction spray nozzles and gives guidance on conducting high quality pesticide applications.

Extension entomologist Bob Wright will give updates on insects affecting soybeans, extension plant pathologist Loren Geisler will have an update on soybean cyst nematode, and Stephen Knezevic, extension integrated weed management specialist will provide information about managing eastern red cedar.

Other training topics include soybean aphid identification and management, as well as drift reduction nozzles, equipment calibration, worker protection standard, protective pesticide clothing and equipment, updates on pesticide laws and regulations, safe greenhouse practices, and special emphasis on pesticide health impacts, Ogg said.

UNL Extension provides the educational training, while NDA is responsible for licensing. Cost of NU training is $30 per person.

For a list of training sessions, sites and dates, contact your nearest extension office or go online to http://pested.unl.edu/privateschedule, where applicators will find pesticide education sites for private applicators listed by county.

"After completing private applicator training, certification applications will be sent to NDA, who will then send a bill to the applicator for the $25 state license fee," Ogg said.



Nelson, Moran Lead Efforts to Withdraw Rules on Young Farm Workers

Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson and Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas stood up for rural communities by asking the U.S. Department of Labor to withdraw a proposed rule that could change the structure of family farms and have a negative impact on the education of the next generation of farmers.

On Sept. 2, the U.S. Department of Labor announced proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which could, among other provisions, prohibit teens and children younger than 16 from working on a farm or ranch that is not directly owned by their parents.

"This proposed rule is another example of Washington being out of touch with Nebraskans' values. The Department of Labor should kill this rule before it destroys important traditions in rural America and hurts the farm economy," Senator Nelson said. "One out of every three jobs in Nebraska is tied to agriculture. We need to increase opportunities for our family farmers and ranchers to strengthen our rural economies, not threaten them with new, unneeded regulations from Washington."

Monday, Nelson and Moran sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis that read, "As a result of the many deficiencies of the proposed rule outlined in this letter, we request the Department withdraw the proposed rule immediately."

Monday's letter, which was signed by 30 U.S. senators, raises a number of specific issues, including:
-- Restrictions on the existing agriculture parental exemption to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which would endanger the ability of some family farms to employ their children
-- Elimination of an effective training and certification program conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4-H, the National FFA Organization and other vocational agriculture education institutions, and it would limit the activities that could be taught under the student learner program conducted by schools across rural America
-- Restrictions on young workers' operation of tractors and other power-driven equipment, non-power driven hoisting apparatus and conveyors
-- Prevention of youth from working with or around animals
-- Lowering the elevations at which young farm workers are permitted to work from 20 feet to 6 feet
-- Banning young farm workers from being involved in nearly any type of activity related to pesticides, regardless of toxicity

The letter is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Pork Producers Council, the National FFA Organization, the American Horse Council, the National Milk Producers Federation, Dairy Farmers of America, the National Association of Agricultural Educators, and the National Corn Growers Association.

In October, Nelson and Moran built support among their colleagues and sent an initial letter to Secretary Solis that stated their concerns and sought an extension of the comment period on the proposed rule. In response, the Labor Department extended the public comment period until December 1st.

In Monday's letter, Nelson and Moran wrote, "After having additional time to review the Proposed Rule and compare the proposed changes to existing statutory law, regulations, and the Department's existing interpretive documents, we believe the initial concerns were well-founded. As a result of these concerns, we request the Department withdraw the Proposed Rule in its entirety.

"We would like to emphasize the Department was under no obligation to propose new regulations. Congress has not amended the Fair Labor Standards Act in regard to the agricultural standards referenced in the proposed rule since 1977. It is puzzling why the Department would suddenly propose changes to existing regulations, particularly considering the advancements in farm equipment and adoption of technologies that have improved operator safety in the last 35 years."



CANDIDATES SOUGHT FOR NATIONAL SORGHUM CHECKOFF BOARD

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting nominations by February 1, 2012, to fill an At-Large position on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board (Board) that is vacant due to the resignation of current Board member Louise Rigdon from Oklahoma.   As organizations in Nebraska certified to nominate producers to serve on the Board, the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association and Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation are committed to inclusion and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, genetic information, parental status, and marital or family status.  As such, they seek and encourage all eligible and interested sorghum producers to make application to be considered for nomination to the Board.

The appointed nominee will serve out the remainder of Ms. Rigdon’s second term that will expire at the Board’s winter meeting in December 2014.

In accordance with the statute, persons interested in being nominated must be sorghum producers and need to complete and submit USDA’s Form AD-755 – Advisory Committee Membership Background Information, and the Nominee’s Agreement to Serve Form along with a cover letter outlining their interest to serve on the Board.  Application forms may also be accessed on USDA’s website at: www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketingprograms by selecting the “Sorghum Program.”

Completed applications must be received at the office of the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board by 5:00 p.m. on January 10, 2012.  Completed forms may be sent by mail service, Fax to 402/471-3040, or by email to sorghum.board@nebraska.gov

The Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, NeGSPA, and Nebraska Farm Bureau will participate in a caucus with certified nominating organizations from other states to jointly nominate two producers for this vacancy and forward nominees to USDA for appointment by Ag Secretary Thomas Vilsack. 



'Whole Earth Catalog' Founder to Speak at Next Heuermann Lecture Jan. 17

Climate change is real, its challenges huge, and people and nations must collaborate to lessen its effects, says Stewart Brand, founder of the "Whole Earth Catalog" in the 1960s and author of "Whole Earth Discipline: An Ecopragmatist Manifesto" published in 2009.

Brand will deliver the fourth Heuermann Lecture at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Hardin Hall, 33rd and Holdrege in Lincoln. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Heuermann Lectures in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln focus on meeting the world's growing food and renewable energy needs while sustaining natural resources and rural communities.

A self-described lifelong environmentalist and professional futurist, Brand's topic is "Green Ag Biotech." He'll discuss the use of biotechnology in agriculture to help feed the world and improve the environment.

"Agriculture can be a conscious leader in fighting climate change," Brand said, because biotechnology in agriculture can increase production while engineering ecology values, such as drought tolerance, into seeds.

For those who dispute climate change, "It gets easier every month to make the climate case," Brand said. "The data gets better and the news gets worse."

Worldwide, climate change, urbanization and biotechnology are having major lasting effects on the planet, Brand said, and for some require hard ideological shifts -- hard because those shifts in thinking mean reversing long-held opinions.

Brand himself has gone from distrusting nuclear power and genetically modified organisms -- he prefers the term genetically engineered -- to embracing both to help deal with the serious effects of people-caused climate change.

While the first 15 to 20 years of genetically engineered crops were very specific, usually the products of private industry selling herbicide-tolerant, pest-resistant seed, Brand said, he sees genetic engineering moving quickly now, and believes it will be distributed much more outside initial developers, causing much discussion in the next decade.

Brand said he believes the leading edge of genetic engineering will occur in the developing world, with countries looking to feed their populations and increase cash crops. He noted China has committed $4 billion to developing genetically engineered crops.

Biotechnology in agriculture can have huge effects on climate change, Brand said, citing herbicide-resistant soybeans that, because of their genetic engineering, don't require tillage which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

"I daresay the environmental movement has done more harm with its opposition to genetic engineering than with any other thing we've been wrong about," Brand wrote in "Whole Earth Discipline." "We've starved people, hindered science, hurt the natural environment, and denied our own practitioners a crucial tool."

Said Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan vice chancellor, IANR, "We know with the world's constantly growing population that one of the biggest challenges facing us today is how to provide security -- and by that I mean enough to sustain us all, all around the world -- in the areas of food, natural resources, energy, communities and people.

"In his book 'Whole Earth Discipline,' Stewart Brand describes himself as a man with opinions that are 'strongly stated and loosely held' -- strongly stated so people can get hold of them to think about, and loosely held so facts and persuasive argument can change them," Green continued. "With his lifetime of experience as an ecologist and internationally known voice in the environmental movement, I look forward to the perspective and discussion he brings the Heuermann Lectures."

Founder, editor and publisher of the first "Whole Earth Catalog" in 1968, Brand is co-founder and president of The Long Now Foundation, which works to make long-term thinking more common as a counterpoint to today's accelerating culture. He also co-founded and works for Global Business Network, which helps clients address critical challenges and gain what they need to shape the future.

He is the author of "Two Cybernetic Frontiers"; edited and published "Whole Earth Epilog"; edited "Space Colonies"; co-edited "Soft Tech"; edited and published "The Next Whole Earth Catalog"; co-edited "News that Stayed News"; authored "The Media Lab: Inventing the Future at MIT"; authored "How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built"; authored "The Clock of the Long Now: Time and Responsibility"; and "The SALT Summaries," done in 2011 on Kindle.

He is the subject of two books -- "From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network, and the Rise of Digital Utopianism," and "Counterculture Green: The Whole Earth Catalog and American Environmentalism."

Heuermann Lectures are made possible by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, long-time university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

A short reception follows the lecture.



House Legislation to Counter Proposed Child Farm Labor Rules

Iowa Congressman Tom Latham is taking action to support the tradition of family farms as bureaucrats at the U.S. Department of Labor push to restrict the ability of youth to do farm work. The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed updated regulations on labor practices for minors in agricultural operations.

Historically, family farms have been exempted from such rules, but Congressman Latham has expressed concerns that a new proposal could be interpreted to exclude operations that are partly owned by extended family members such as grandparents, aunts or uncles.

Such practices occur often in modern agriculture as families employ a variety of legal structures to remain financially viable.

In response, Congressman Latham authored and introduced bipartisan legislation on Friday that expresses the sense of Congress that 'the Secretary of Labor should recognize the unique circumstances of family farm youth and multi-generational family partnerships in agricultural operations when drafting regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.'

Rep. Dan Boren, an Oklahoma Democrat, is co-sponsoring the legislation.

"Here we have yet another overreach by the federal government in an ongoing effort to tell the family farmer how they should run every aspect of their operation," he said. "In 2007, there were more than 6,000 farms in Iowa held by family corporations, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The current regulatory structure has been interpreted by federal agencies to exempt such operations, but there’s no guarantee that a new regulation would be interpreted the same way."

Congressman Latham said he will seek out additional input from farmers and agricultural groups such as FFA and 4-H on the topic and introduce additional legislation after Congress reconvenes next year that will update U.S. code to reflect the realities of modern farming.



ICA Members Adopt New Policies During Annual Meeting

From fence laws to timely payments from packers to adjustments on property taxes, members of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association adopted policies at their annual meeting this week to define their stands on some issues that could come under legislative or rule-making discussions. "Our members defined their positions on current topics needing directional certainty," said ICA President Ross Havens of Wiota.

There has been an indication that Iowa's law on partition fences may be challenged. Iowa law has historically held that property owners on both sides of the fence are responsible for its establishment and upkeep. However some individuals feel it should not be their responsibility if they have no livestock. At the meeting held in Altoona, ICA members voted to support the current law, and encouraged new landowners to seek written agreements with neighbors at the time land is sold or transferred so there is clarity on expectations.

ICA members also have growing concerns about using the U.S. postal service for making and receiving timely payments. Many packers mail payments, but as producers work to fill feedyards, they are concerned about the postal services announcements that mail delivery could be slower than in the past. Waiting for delayed payments could negatively impact their ability to buy replacement feeder cattle and feedstuffs. Members asked that ICA work with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and packers to develop a more expeditious payment system on fed cattle.

Another issue currently being discussed by the Iowa Department of Revenue is whether there will be property tax adjustments made on pasture land. Just over half of Iowa's counties do not currently make that adjustment. ICA policy supports the current property tax formula for agricultural land, but then would like to see an adjustment on land being used as pasture.

"At a time when the market is looking to Iowa to grow its cow-calf operations, increased tax pressure on land best suited for pasture simply adds to short-term pressures on its use. We support adjustments made in a uniform fashion statewide. This will give producers more options when making decisions about land use," Havens said.

ICA members discussed policy issues under three general headings: business issues, cattle production, and beef product. The adopted five new policies and directives. They also amended seven policies, and let 10 sunset.



Soy Transportation Coalition elects officers for 2012

The Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) announced its newly elected officers at its December board meeting.

Ed Ulch of Solon, Iowa, was reelected Chairman.  Ulch is currently Vice Chair of the National Biodiesel Board and serves on the Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors.  He has held offices on the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.  "I am pleased to continue serving as Chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition," Ulch explains. "The STC is an innovative organization that is making a difference on a number of our most challenging transportation problems.  I look forward to working on behalf of my fellow soybean farmers on these important issues throughout this upcoming year."

Patrick Knouff of Minster, Ohio, was reelected Vice Chairman.  Knouff raises corn and soybeans, as well as a herd of heifers on his farm in Shelby County with his wife Jennifer and their three children.  He is a member of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation as well as Secretary for the Ohio Soybean Council Board of Directors.  "I appreciate my fellow board members allowing me to continue serving as Vice Chairman for another year," Knouff says. "Whether roads and bridges, rail infrastructure, inland waterways or our nation's ports, farmers increasingly recognize that transportation plays a major impact on our bottom line.  The Soy Transportation Coalition has been successful in educating farmers and other stakeholders of this critical issue as well as exploring solutions to many of these infrastructure challenges.  I look forward to continuing to be involved in this important initiative."

Jerry Wyse of Haven, Kansas, was reelected Secretary-Treasurer.  Wyse has been a member of the Kansas Soybean Commission and was chairman for the North Central Soybean Research Program.  "Serving on the Soy Transportation Coalition board has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience," Wyse explains.  "We have a full agenda this upcoming year.  I appreciate the opportunity to continue promoting a transportation system that serves the needs of modern day agriculture." 



US Welcomes Japan Beef Review

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said on Monday he welcomed Japan's decision to review its ban on certain cuts of beef from the United States as a sign of Tokyo's interest in joining talks on an Asia Pacific free trade pact.

"I welcome this important step which puts us on a path to address the longstanding issue of beef trade with the United States," Kirk said in a statement after a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba.

Kirk said he urged Japan to further open its market to U.S. beef exports as quickly as possible and told Gemba that Tokyo must be prepared to tackle a number of other trade barriers if it wants to join talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The partnership now involves the United States and eight other countries.

Japan currently bans imports of U.S. beef from cattle older than 20 months, as a result of several cases of mad cow disease found in the U.S. cattle about eight years ago.

The United States says all of its beef meets international safety standards regardless of the age of the cow.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat whose committee has jurisdiction over trade agreements in Congress, also welcomed the Japanese government's decision to reassess the risk of importing beef from older U.S. cattle.

"As Japan moves forward with its review process, we will be watching closely to ensure its beef policies are based on science and consistent with international standards, so U.S. ranchers can compete on a level playing field," he said.



Rep. Slaughter Calls for Federal Action on Antibiotic Use

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter has once again called for swift action to end the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in livestock production.

The move from the New York congresswoman, who is a Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and the only microbiologist in Congress, follows an incident where 14 people across the Northeast of the U.S. were infected with an antibiotic-resistant strain of Salmonella, prompting a recall of ground beef by Hannaford, a grocery chain based in Maine.

The strain, Salmonella typhimurium, is resistant to multiple antibiotics important for human health including beta-lactams, animoglycosides, and cephalosporins.

Rep. Slaughter is the author of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act, legislation that would phase out the non-therapeutic use in livestock of medically important antibiotics, including those which the outbreak strain of Salmonella typhimurium is resistant to.



RFA Seeks Answers in 2012 RFS Delay

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today wrote to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson seeking an explanation for the delay in releasing the 2012 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirements.  According to statute, volume requirements for the coming compliance year were due by November 30th.  The entire letter from RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen to Administrator Jackson is as follows:

December 20, 2011

Dear Administrator Jackson:

With fewer than two weeks remaining before a new compliance year is set to begin under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), it is concerning that EPA has thus far failed to announce the volume requirements for 2012 as dictated by the law. Equally concerning is the failure to provide renewable fuel providers and obligated parties under the RFS any explanation for the delay beyond the November 30th deadline set forth by the statute.

The RFS provides critical market certainty for existing ethanol producers, emerging renewable fuel technologies, and motor fuel suppliers that must comply with the RFS. Additionally, the RFS is an important tool in reducing the nation’s dependence on imported oil and creating domestic jobs and economic opportunities that cannot be outsourced. This market certainty is put in jeopardy as long as questions remain about impending RFS requirements and when those requirements will be made final.

With the holidays fast approaching and a new compliance year upon us, we are asking that EPA release its final volume RFS requirements for 2012 as soon as possible. At the very least, EPA should immediately explain the reasoning for the delay, provide guidance to renewable fuel producers and obligated parties, and disclose when release of the final rule might be expected. Quite frankly, this nearly three-week delay in the publication of 2012 RFS requirements is both inexplicable and unacceptable.

The members of the RFA and the entire American motor fuels industry eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,  Bob Dinneen,  RFA President and CEO