Thursday February 23 Ag News

Nebraska Farmers Union Sponsors College Students Attendance to College Conference on Cooperatives

17 agricultural students and their professors from 3 different Nebraska Colleges traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota February 16-19 to learn about cooperatives under the guidance of Nebraska Farmers Union.  The participating colleges included Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Southeast Community College in Beatrice, and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.  The College Conference on Cooperatives brought a total of 95 students from 26 different Midwestern colleges and universities making it the largest College Conference on Cooperatives held to date. 

The Cooperative Conference included tours of the CHS (Cenex Harvest States) Headquarters, the REI Sports Sales Coop, housing coops, food coops, and the Mill City Flour Museum.  The Conference brought in speakers from a vast array of areas including renewable energy, ag coops, rural electric coops, credit unions, and new coops.  NEFU Public Affairs Director Graham Christensen said, “We had another great conference.  The feedback we received from the students and professors was very positive.  The students learned about a host of different ways cooperatives can serve communities, and the wide range of career opportunities available that utilize the benefits of the cooperative approach to economic development.  Everyone left Minneapolis excited about these new opportunities.”

The conference evaluations revealed that 60% of the students in attendance were from farms or ranches, 10% were rural, 20% were from small towns, and the remaining 10% were urban. Christensen said, “The College Cooperative Conference helps make more students aware of additional cooperative tools that can be used to create the economic opportunities needed to help our youth stay in rural communities.  We are pleased to partner with these Nebraska colleges to help send Nebraska kids to this Conference.”

The annual College Cooperative Conference is co-sponsored by the CHS Foundation in cooperation with the National Farmers Union Foundation.  Nebraska Farmers Union was awarded a grant from the CHS Foundation to help defray the attendance costs for the Nebraska participants.



CRP Informational Meetings Scheduled

Public informational meetings regarding the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) are scheduled around the state, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.  To view a list of upcoming meeting locations and times, visit: www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov/crp/.  The next CRP general sign-up is March 12-April 6.

Landowners interested in learning about the CRP's benefits are encouraged to attend these meetings conducted by Game and Parks and Pheasants Forever. Landowners who want to remain in CRP should attend a meeting before contacting a Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

CRP is a voluntary program that helps agricultural producers use environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term resource-conserving covers to control soil erosion, improve water and air quality, and develop wildlife habitat. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Accepted contracts will begin Oct. 1.



2012 Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Horned and Polled Hereford and Red Angus

Wednesday of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic featured the “red” cattle for the week and the cattle breeders certainly turned out to watch the first day of cattle shows for the 21st Anniversary of the NE Cattlemen’s Classic. The day started off with the Horned Hereford, Polled Hereford and Red Angus Shows and wrapped up with phenomenal breed sales attended by record-setting crowds.

Horned Hereford Sale
Judge was Brad Hanewich of Renssaler, IN and the auctioneer was Jim Birdwell of Fletcher, OK.

Taking home Grand Champion Horned Hereford Bull and high-selling honors was Lot 10, WCC/CC 1009 Great Divide 102, consigned by White Cattle Company of Buffalo, WY.  This bull is a 03/05/2011 son of CRR About Tlme 743 and he sold to Buddy Leachman, Big Gully Farm of Maidstone, SK for $15,000.
Reserve Champion Horned Hereford Bull went to Lot 5, JC Tucker 061, consigned by JC Cattle Company of Junction City, KS.  This bull is a 12/25/2010 son of JC Lady Diamond 445 and sold to Berry Burnham of Burwell, NE for $3,750. 

Grand Champion Horned Hereford Heifer and high-selling female was Lot 19, JC Miss Advance 029, consigned by White Cattle Co. of Buffalo, WY.  This heifer is a 03/29/2010 daughter of JC Lady Diamond 614 and she sold to Tom and Rhonda Kupke of Kearney, NE for $12,000. 

The Reserve Champion Horned Hereford Heifer was Lot 24, WCC 5T Karen 101 consigned by White Cattle Co. of Buffalo, WY.  This heifer is a 02/20/2011 daughter of Ash Melody 5T ET and she sold to Jerry Bendfeldt of Axtell, NE for $6,000.

The 2012 sale featured 13 bulls averaging $4,577.  11 heifers sold for an average of $3,650 in 2012.  Overall, in 2012, there were 24 cattle that grossed $99,650 and averaged $4,152.

Polled Hereford Sale
Judge was Brad Hanewich of Renssaler, IN and the auctioneer was Jim Birdwell of Fletcher, OK.
Taking home Champion Polled Hereford Bull honors and high-selling was Lot 3, VCR 4037 Duramax 26 ET - ET, consigned by Valley Creek Ranch/S&S Polled Herefords of Fairbury, NE.  This bull is a 03/07/2010 son of THM Durango 4037 and sold to Beran Farms, of Odell, NE, for $5,500. 
Reserve Champion Polled Hereford Bull went to Lot 4, JLB Milsap 1018, consigned by JC Cattle Co of Dwight, KS.  This bull is a 03/13/2010 son of Purple Milsap 45S and he sold to Bart Deterding of Cambridge, NE for $4,250.

Champion Polled Hereford Heifer and high –selling was Lot 37, KJ BJ 544T Mistress 467Y ET - ET consigned by Jensen Bros. of Courtland, KS.  This heifer is a 03/09/2011 daughter of KJ 2054 Mistress 544T ET, and she sold to Saige Ward of Laramie, WY, for $6,500. 

The Reserve Champion Polled Hereford Heifer was Lot 38, VCR 724 Jade 135Y consigned by Valley Creek Ranch/S&S Polled Herefords of Fairbury, NE.  This heifer is a 03/16/2011 daughter of VCR 417L Delaney 729T and she sold to Mike Pesek, Pesek Charolais of Swanton, NE for $4,600.

The 2012 sale saw 26 bulls average $3,687. 13 heifers sold for an average of $3,050 in 2012.  Overall, in 2012, there were 39 cattle that grossed $135,500 and averaged $3,474.

Red Angus Sale
Judge was Travis Pembrook of Fairview, OK and the auctioneer was Kyle Gilchrist of Douds, IA.
Taking home Champion Red Angus Bull honors was Lot 11, J6RA Red Capacity 1620 consigned by J-6 Farms of Gibbon, NE.  This bull is a 04/03/2011 son of WSF/Brylor Finch 68M 13W and sold to Mike Anderson of Gothenburg, NE, for $6,750. 

Reserve Champion Red Angus Bull went to Lot 5,AHL Ironman 161Y consigned by LeDoux Ranch of Agenda, KS.  This bull is a 03/04/2011 son of TLS Gridiron 9009 and sold to Jerry Ibsen, Kearney, NE, for $4,250.

Champion Red Angus Heifer and high-selling honors went to Lot 16, AHL Eleanor 126Y consigned by LeDoux Ranch of Agenda, KS.  This heifer is a 01/15/2011 daughter of AHL Eleanor 38W and she sold to Douglas Heavican of Rogers, NE, for $6,200.

The Reserve Champion Red Angus Heifer was Lot 18, J6RA Meodo 7 179 ET consigned by J6 Farms of Gibbon, NE.  This heifer is a 04/01/2011 daughter of Meado-West Lavonne 110L  and she sold to Justin Banzhaf, Banzhaf Angus, Cambridge, NE, for $3,100.

The 2012 sale featured 12 bulls averaging $4,008. 6 heifers sold for an average of $4,033  in 2012. Overall, in 2012, there were 18 cattle that grossed $72,300 and averaged $4,017.

Thursday has great things in store for the 21st  Anniversary at the NE Cattlemen’s Classic which features the Angus, Simmental and Charolais shows and sales. Capping off the day will be the Royal Ice Sale that begins at 6:30 PM followed immediately with the Pen of 3 Sale.    



Valmont Appoints Paglia to Board of Directors

Valmont Industries, Inc., Omaha, announced that it has appointed Catherine J. Paglia to its board of directors.

Paglia is a director of Enterprise Asset Management, Inc., a privately held real estate and asset management company. Paglia spent eight years at Morgan Stanley & Co., where she was the first female managing director in the firm's 53-year history. Paglia also spent 10 years at Interlaken Capital, as a managing director and has held the position of chief financial officer at two publicly held companies.

Paglia serves on the board of directors of the Columbia Funds. She is on the board of trustees of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace as well as the board of trustees of Carleton College. She holds a B.A. from Carleton College, and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Commenting on the appointment, Mogens C. Bay, Valmont's chairman and chief executive officer, said, "I welcome Catherine Paglia to Valmont's Board. Her rich experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and investments will make a valuable contribution as we continue to execute our strategy and grow."

Added Paglia, "I am pleased to be joining Valmont's board at this exciting time for the company. Valmont's leadership and vision in support of global infrastructure development and efficient agriculture are vital to furthering the goals of society. I look forward to serving on Valmont's board."



USDA Kicks Off 150th Anniversary at the 2012 Ag Outlook Forum

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off the commemoration of the department's 150th anniversary today at USDA's 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum titled "Moving Agriculture Forward" with dynamic presenters and panelists who discussed issues impacting agriculture in 2012 and beyond. To commemorate USDA's rich history as well as its potential, Secretary Vilsack moderated a panel discussion with former Secretaries of Agriculture Ed Schafer, Mike Johanns, Ann Veneman, Dan Glickman, Mike Espy, Clayton Yeutter, John Block, and Bob Bergland.

"Nine Secretaries of Agriculture, representing 35 years of service, in one place at the same time was an incredible opportunity to learn about USDA's contributions to the strength and health of this nation with an eye for the impact the department can have in the future," said Vilsack. "As we reflect on the department's 150 years, this historic gathering will help us guide how we transform USDA into a more modern and efficient service provider."

At the forum, USDA introduced a short film titled "Secretaries of Agriculture – 30 Leaders, 150 Years," available at http://www.usda.gov/USDA150, which looks at the history of USDA from the viewpoints of its nine most recent Secretaries. Each Secretary shared reflections on his or her time at USDA and then presents ideas and challenges to the future of American agriculture. The film explores the history and role of USDA in American life, and why it continues to be known by the name given it by its founder, President Abraham Lincoln, "The Peoples Department."

The Secretaries of Agriculture featured in the film include:
    Tom Vilsack, 2009-Present
    Ed Schafer, 2008-2009
    Mike Johanns, 2005-2008
    Ann M. Veneman, 2001-2005
    Dan Glickman, 1995-2001
    Mike Espy, 1993-1994
    Clayton Yeutter, 1989-1991
    John Block, 1981-1986
    Robert Bergland, 1977-1981



USDA: 94 MA Corn, 75 MA Soy This Year
U.S. farmers will plant 94 million acres of corn and 75 million acres of soybeans in the 2012-13 marketing year, which would mark the largest corn plantings since 1944, U.S. Department of Agriculture Chief Economist Joe Glauber said Thursday.

The corn projection was identical to the USDA's baseline forecast issued this month. The soy figure was up from a baseline forecast of 74 million acres. The baseline projections were compiled in November as part of the government's budget process.

In the 2011-12 marketing year, farmers planted 91.9 million acres of corn and 75 million acres of soy. Recent high corn prices have made farmers more likely than usual to plant corn instead of soybeans, according to analysts.

Glauber also said in a speech at the USDA's annual outlook forum that farmers would plant 58 million acres of wheat, up from the baseline projection of 56.5 million acres, and up from 54.4 million in 2011-12.

The figures, the USDA's own projections, are not based on a survey of farmers.

2012/13 Forecast
U.S. Wheat - Planting 58 million acres - Average Price $6.30 a bushel
U.S. Corn - Planting 94 million acres - For Ethanol - 4.95 billion bushels, Average Price $5 a bushel
U.S. Soybeans - Planting 75 million acres, Average Price $11.50 a bushel
U.S. Cotton - Planting 13 million acres, Average Price $0.80 a pound
U.S. Rice - Planting 2.8 million acres, Average Price $14.70 per hundredweight



High-octane liquid fuels to power cars to new mileage, emission standards

Automakers will need higher octane fuels to meet the coming increases in fuel economy and reductions in emissions called for by 2025, according to a new study by auto engineering firm Ricardo, Inc.  Octane is the standard measure of the anti-knock properties (i.e., engine performance) of a motor fuel.  Most fuels today, including E10 ethanol blends, have an octane rating of at least 87.

The increase in average fleet fuel economy to 54.5 mile per by 2025 will have to be met in large part by engines and vehicles popular today.  Ricardo notes, “[t]he vast majority of vehicles sold through 2025 in the United States will use gasoline-fuelled, spark-ignited internal combustion engines as the primary form of propulsion.”

Specifically, Ricardo reports that nearly 3 out of every 4 vehicles will require a gasoline-type, higher octane fuel to operate a growing list of engine technology options.  “Future powertrain solutions will have a natural thirst for higher octane fuels,” Ricardo concludes.

At a blending octane rating of 113, ethanol and higher ethanol blends are uniquely poised to help automakers achieve stricter fuel economy and emissions requirements.  While most measure a fuel’s mileage based on British Thermal Units (BTUs), new engine technologies designed to meet higher fuel economy standards like turbo-boosted, downsized engines will require the higher octane level that higher level ethanol blends offer.

Coincidentally, the Auto Alliance has also recognized the need for increased octane and the potential for ethanol to help meet this demand.  In comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on pending vehicle and fuel guidelines known in the industry as Tier3/LEV III, the Auto Alliance noted, “to help achieve future requirements for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, we also recommend increasing the minimum market gasoline octane rating, commensurate with increased use of ethanol.  Adding ethanol to gasoline increases its octane rating.”

“Increasing fuel economy requirements across the U.S. car fleet presents opportunities for high performance, high octane fuels like ethanol blends,” said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, which commissioned the Ricardo study.  “Rather than being limited to lower ethanol blends like E10 or E15, a thirst for octane from these new engine technologies could open up options for higher blends and be a boon to markets for ethanol-blended fuel.”



Ethanol Stocks Flat

U.S. ethanol supply for the week-ended Feb. 17 was unchanged at a 21.5 million bbl record high while output at ethanol production plants fell 9,000 bpd to a 919,000 bpd three-month low, the Energy Information Administration reported Thursday.

Ethanol production remains 31,000 bpd above the comparable year-ago period, while the four-week average production rate through Feb. 17 is 927,000 bpd compared with 898,000 bpd for the same timeframe in 2011.

Although flat with prior week, ethanol supply at 21.5 million bbl is 2.2 million bbl higher than at the same time in 2011. Before the week reviewed, ethanol stocks had increased for eight straight weeks, with supply climbing 4.442 million bbl or 26% since Dec. 9, 2011 when the string of builds began.

Refiner and blender net inputs increased by 16,000 bpd to 813,000 bpd for the week reviewed, although that's down 10,000 bpd from the same week in 2011. For the four-week period ended Feb. 17, net inputs averaged 11,000 bpd higher than the comparable year-ago period at 791,000 bpd.

Gasoline supplied to market, a measure of demand, surged 461,000 bpd for the week-ended Feb. 17 to 8.628 million bpd, EIA data shows, which is a two-month high. Four week average demand was 8.213 million bpd, down a sharp 6.1% against the comparable year-ago period.



Beef Producers, Exports Hurt by Stalled BSE Rule
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

International trade bolsters job creation here at home and helps foster economic activity in communities across the country. The beef industry plays a big role in the United States' trade portfolio.

Last year alone, U.S. beef producers exported to countries around the world nearly $5.5 billion worth of product. And, it's generally agreed upon that increasing exports are the key to increasing demand for U.S. beef products.

Unfortunately, our own government is hindering progress in opening new markets for these products.

The problem lies in a comprehensive BSE rule for beef imports that would make the United States compliant with international trade standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health. The rule has been caught in the federal bureaucracy for several years, starting in 2004 shortly after BSE was discovered in a Canadian cow brought into the United States. Earlier this year the rule finally cleared the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS as most cattle producers call it, but is now sitting at the Office of Management and Budget waiting for approval.

This continued inaction is hurting our producers. So I led, along with Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, a bipartisan group of senators in pressing the Office of Management and Budget to release a final comprehensive rule as soon as possible and help give U.S. trade negotiators a stronger bargaining position.

As it stands, the lack of a comprehensive BSE rule for beef imports puts our trade negotiators at a disadvantage when negotiating with other countries. At this time, a number of countries have placed non-science-based restrictions on U.S. beef imports. For example, some countries don't allow U.S. beef over 30 months old into their country. Some of these nations use the fact that the United States has not formally adopted a comprehensive BSE rule to justify their own unfair trade barriers.

One example is Mexico, which has traditionally been one of the top export markets for U.S. beef. Since 2004, Mexico has not allowed the importation of U.S. cattle that are over 30 months of age. Estimates show that beef producers in the United States are losing $100 million every year due to this restriction. By not having our own comprehensive BSE rule in place that would abide by the science-based criteria set forth by the World Organization for Animal Health, our trade negotiators are in a difficult negotiating position to press Mexico to eliminate their trade barrier.

By placing our own trade barriers on other products, it only serves to hurt the hardworking producers raising a quality product. It doesn't meet the common-sense test to create additional hurdles for our own producers.

By having a comprehensive BSE rule in place, the United States will show leadership on a global scale and give the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Agriculture a stronger position to press other nations to follow the World Organization for Animal Health's guidelines and adopt science-based BSE policies.

As a result, when nations base their decisions on sound science, we are confident more markets will be expanded or opened to U.S. beef. U.S. producers can compete in every market for every sale.

It's time the United States shows leadership and gives our international trade negotiators a stronger footing for dealing with beef issues.



Rosario Slashes Argentine Soy Outlook

Argentina's soy harvest should come in at 44.5 million tonnes, Rosario grains exchange said on Thursday, five million tonnes down from its last monthly estimate as drought damage becomes more evident.

The grains exchange said sharply lower yields and unharvestable fields prompted it to slash its previous forecast for a 2011/12 crop of 49.5 million tonnes in the world's No. 3 soybean exporter.

"The losses are significant in main producing provinces, especially Cordoba," an exchange report said, estimating the average yield at 2.4 tonnes per hectare.

Weeks of dry weather in December and into January also battered corn crops in the South American country and Rosario cut its corn production forecast to 19.8 million tonnes from the last outlook of 21.4 million tonnes.

"Corn production won't exceed 20 million tonnes, because of the deterioration in the average yield (and lost area)," the report said. It projected average yields at 5.5 tonnes per hectare.

Rains in February have stemmed potential soy losses and late-seeded soybeans could continue their recovery, the exchange added.



Panama Canal and the U.S. Inland Waterways Going in Opposite Directions
Rick Tolman, NCGA Chief Executive Officer

Along with others from farm country, I recently returned from a visit to Panama, where we were treated to a tour of the Panama Canal and got to see very closely the third canal and series of locks being constructed to expand capacity. 

The existing canal is breathtaking with its scale and scope and what it accomplishes, particularly when one thinks of the timeframe of its construction and the technology available at that time.  The new construction and the pace and scale and scope are even more amazing and truly beyond words.  What Panama is doing will clearly position them for the 21st Century and cement their position of being a world trade hub - to the benefit of their populace and economy.

The project will create a new set of locks and a canal alongside the existing canal.  The new channel is designed to handle "Post Panamax" ships and will essentially triple the cargo capacity of the canal. It includes construction of two lock complexes-one on the Atlantic side and another on the Pacific side-each with three chambers, which include three water-saving basins; excavation of new access channels to the new locks and the widening and deepening of existing navigational channels.  It is a project of tremendous scale and undertaking.

But, what is most impressive is that construction started in 2007 and is on track for completion in 2014.  Projected total cost for this massive project is between $5 billion and $6 billion, and by all reports the project is on time and on budget.

Contrast that to our own internal lock-and-dam system that continues to deteriorate with little prospect for definitive action by Congress or the Corp of Engineers.  As one example of the failure of our system, consider a new report just out on the Olmstead Lock and Dam on the Ohio River...
-    Congress authorized the Olmstead project in 1993.  The Engineers report estimated a total cost of $775 million and a seven-year construction duration. Ground was broken in 1996.
-    By 2003, the Olmstead project's cost had risen to $1.06 billion and its "optimum" completion date, based on efficient funding, was projected to be in 2010.  The seven-year timetable has doubled to 14.
-    The Corp of Engineers has recently recast the cost and completion date. Cost is now estimated at $2.9 billion, with a completion date of 2021, or 25 years.
-    At this point in time, it is projected that no significant new construction projects anywhere on the U.S. Inland Waterway System will be able to move forward for at least 10 years because of the cost overruns at Olmstead that consume virtually all of the revenues in the Inland Waterway Trust Fund.

So, while Panama is quickly and efficiently tripling the cargo capacity of the Panama Canal and other countries around the world like Brazil are increasing their port draft and inland waterway systems to take advantage of the new capacity, the U.S. system will move backwards for  at least the next decade because of the inefficiency and ineptness of our system for construction and repair.

What this means is that when the new capacity of the Panama Canal comes online, the U.S. inland waterway system, which is already surviving on Band-Aids and duct tape, will be less efficient and less effective than it is today.

I realize that, to some, comparing the Panama Canal with the U.S. Inland Waterway System will be considered apples to oranges.  Perhaps this is the case. But taking seven years to complete the canal on budget and on time, compared to more than 20 years and being over budget by a factor of four (and climbing) is a lot more than fruit salad.

Our current system of approving, funding, constructing and repairing our Inland Waterway System is not just broken - it's a national embarrassment. It is time for Congress to acknowledge that and do what needs to be done to get our system fixed.  We dug the original Panama Canal.  Heaven knows that if we were playing by the same system then as we are now, we would still be digging.

Even worse, we are rapidly losing competitive advantage. What will it take? It will take vision to see and understand the need and the opportunity. It will take leadership to open doors. And it will take gumption to move forward. It will take, as did Panama more than a century ago, someone like Theodore Roosevelt to cut through the red tape and bureaucracy and say "Get it done!"



Herbicide Atrazine Accounts for up to 85,000 U.S. Jobs Annually

An updated jobs analysis by Don L. Coursey, Ph.D., Ameritech Professor of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago Harris School, shows atrazine supports up to 85,000 American jobs annually. The 50-year-old herbicide continues to be a popular choice of farmers for controlling weeds.

Coursey's new estimate is based on 2010 price and production figures and new research by a team of ag experts, who calculate atrazine's value to the U.S. economy at up to $9 billion. It represents jobs related to atrazine in corn, grain sorghum, sugar cane and other production crops.

"We put this data about atrazine into a jobs perspective because people want to know the impact on the average consumer," said Coursey.

A suite of new research showcases the importance of atrazine in employing people, protecting the environment and increasing crop yields to feed a world population now topping 7 billion people. Syngenta, principal registrant for atrazine, commissioned the broad assessment of atrazine's value. It includes the following five papers as well as Coursey's report:
-  "A biological analysis of the use and benefits of chloro-s-triazine herbicides in U.S. corn and sorghum production," David C. Bridges, Ph.D., president, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
-  "Economic assessment of the benefits of chloro-s-triazine herbicides to U.S. corn, sorghum, and sugar cane producers" and "Estimating soil erosion and fuel use changes and their monetary values with AGSIM: A case study for triazine herbicides," Paul D. Mitchell, Ph.D., associate professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
-  "Efficacy of best management practices for reducing runoff of chloro-s-triazine herbicides to surface water: a review," Richard S. Fawcett, Ph.D., former professor of agronomy, Iowa State University
-  "The importance of atrazine in the integrated management of herbicide-resistance weeds," Micheal D. K. Owen, Ph.D., professor of agronomy, Iowa State University

"If atrazine were to become unavailable, and all atrazine-dependent jobs were taken solely from the agricultural sector, its unemployment rate would increase by as much as 3.8 percent," Coursey added.

CropLife America's November 2011 report supports Dr. Coursey's estimate.  It shows crop protection products, including but not limited to atrazine, create more than 1 million jobs and generate more than $33 billion in wages for U.S. workers. The report details the economic, environmental and food production benefits of crop protection products, including pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides as well as biotechnology products.