Monday March 12 Ag News

Attention Cuming County Public Power District irrigators

All services are scheduled to be re-energized the week of March 26, 2012. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as the linemen go through each area. If you have any questions, please call the office at 402-372-2463.



Nutrient Management Meeting in Beatrice, Wakefield, Columbus

Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Poultry Industries, Nebraska Pork Producers and the Nebraska State Dairy Association are pleased to announce a local meeting for all livestock producers to learn about new and expanded nutrient management regulations.

Join them on March 19th at 6:30 p.m. at the Gage County Extension Office in Beatrice, Nebraska.  Also, there are two meetings on March 20th... the first meeting of the day will be at 11:30 a.m. at Legion Hall in Wakefield, Nebraska, then if you can’t make that meeting join the group at 7:00 p.m. at Wunderlich’s Catering in Columbus, Nebraska.  All three locations feature a speaker and a meal. Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) nutrient management specialists will give a presentation on the new and expanded regulations. Other industry specialists will be in attendance to answer questions.

Changes to Nebraska’s nutrient management regulations have been put in place. These mandatory regulations impact all livestock producers that are permitted by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). However, even if your operation does not have a permit you still have nutrient management obligations.  So, come join us for an informational meeting about the new regulations.

These meetings are graciously sponsored by We Support Agriculture, JES Environmental Services, Inc., Nutrient Advisors, LLC and Settje Agri-Services & Engineering, Inc. All are welcome to attend and for more information please contact Kristen Hassebrook at 402.475.2333.



With Good Conditions Poison Hemlock Thriving
Lowell Sandell, UNL Extension Educator – Weed Science

The mild winter in much of Nebraska has provided an early start for some weeds. On southern exposures and sheltered ditch banks poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is already starting to grow and could pose a threat to cattle and humans due to poisonous alkaloids in its plant tissue.

While the plant is often not considered very palatable, livestock may be attracted to it at this time of year because it may be one of the few green, growing plants in the landscape. Efforts should be made to keep livestock from having access to it.

The poisonous alkaloids are present in all plant parts; however, leaves, flowers, and seeds tend to have the highest concentrations. Cattle are more sensitive to the effects of poison hemlock alkaloids relative to other livestock.  Consuming just 5 lb of foliage can be potentially lethal for cows.

A number of poison hemlock plant samples have been submitted to the UNL Diagnostic Clinic for identification in the last four years. Poison hemlock, a member of the parsley family that flourishes in both rural and urban landscapes, also has health risks for humans. The lacy appearance of hemlock leaves can be confused with edible parsleys when plants are young. Ingesting even small amounts can sicken humans as well.

Description
Poison hemlock is a taprooted biennial broadleaf plant. A distinguishing identification characteristic is the purple to red spots or irregular blotches on the hollow stems. The leaves are finely divided, hairless, and may have a glossy green color. Leaves are alternate on the stem, but this may be difficult to determine in its first year of growth, since it may have a very basal rosette appearance until it produces a stalk in its second year of growth. Flowers are small, white, and arranged in relatively large compound umbels. When mature, plants can reach 10 feet in height. It is often described as thriving in moist soils and is commonly found in pastures, ditchbanks, and roadsides.

Controlling Poison Hemlock
A mixture of 2,4-D + dicamba or Grazon P&D can effectively control poison hemlock when applied in the fall or early spring. It is difficult to recommend treatment in early March due to potential variability in the weather; however spot treatments may be effective if three to four warm, sunny days, with nighttime temperatures above freezing, are expected to follow application. Keep livestock out of treated areas, as the poisonous alkaloids can still be present in dead leaf tissue. Dead plant tissues also tends to be more palatable to livestock than green, growing plants.  To achieve adequate control, repeated herbicide applications may be necessary over many years in heavily infested areas. Repeated mowings also can provide effective control, but herbicides tend to provide faster results.



Relationships help secure record red meat exports in 2011

The United States sold more than $5.4 billion in U.S. beef and $6.1 billion in U.S. pork – both records – to international customers last year, an achievement that wouldn’t be possible without building relationships with global customers, according to Mark Jagels, a farmer from Davenport and member of the Nebraska Corn Board.

“International buyers and consumers want to know where their beef and pork are coming from. They want to know it is safe and nutritious, and they want U.S. farmers and ranchers to help tell that story,” Jagels said. “Farmers here in Nebraska and across the country help do that by using checkoff dollars to support international marketing efforts organized by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.”

Jagels, a fourth generation farmer, is also vice-chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. During a presentation at a commodity meeting in Nashville, Tenn., recently, Jagels noted that pork exports jumped 18 percent to 2.25 million tons and beef exports 21 percent to 1.29 million tons in 2011.

“That equates to a lot of soybeans, corn and distillers grains going overseas via value-added red meat products,” he said, estimating those figures at more than 94 million bushels of soybeans and more than 568 million bushels of corn. “Meat exports not only support hog and cattle producers by adding value to beef and pork, but they support corn and soybean farmers through the value of exports.”

Kelsey Pope, the Nebraska Corn Board’s director of advocacy and outreach, said 27.5 percent of the pork produced in the United States was exported last year, adding $55.55 to the value of each hog. Nearly 13 percent of the total came from meat products not typically consumed in the United States.

As for beef, she said, 14 percent of all U.S. beef was exported in 2011, adding a record $206.37 to the value of each steer and heifer processed. “Like with pork, about 13 percent of the total came from meat products we don’t generally consume in the U.S. but are highly valued by international customers,” she said.                                              

The Nebraska Corn Board has supported the U.S. Meat Export Federation since it was founded in 1979. In 2011, that support totaled $430,000, but other Nebraska ag groups, including the soybean and beef checkoffs, brought the total support from Nebraska farmers and ranchers to more than $1.2 million. When you compare this with the $1.3 billion export value of Nebraska beef and pork in 2011, the return on investment is tremendous.

“The U.S. Meat Export Federation has 18 offices around the world and does work in more than 80 countries,” Jagels said. “They take our support and leverage it with U.S. Department of Agriculture Market Access Program funding and make a significant difference to every farmer and rancher in Nebraska and the United States as a whole. They build the relationships and organize trade missions that make it happen.”

Research shows that for every dollar invested in U.S. Meat Export Federation programs, the beef industry saw about an $8 return and the pork industry about $15. “That’s a pretty good payback on our investment,” Jagels said. “It’s why we continue to support U.S. meat exports by investing in the U.S. Meat Export Federation and participating in global trade missions.” 



U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement will be a Boon for Nebraska
Senator Mike Johanns

March 15 marks an important day for Nebraska agriculture. It is the day the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement – originally agreed to in June 2007 and finally submitted by President Obama to Congress in October 2011 – goes into effect. This is great news for Nebraska agricultural producers, who will see the elimination of Korean tariffs on many of their products. These producers brought in $17.3 billion for Nebraska's economy in 2010, and the removal of tariffs will only drive that number higher. For Nebraska exporters, the doors to South Korea, the world's 12th largest economy with 49 million consumers, are now wide open.

Prior to this agreement, American exporters had to pay a tariff, or a tax, to Korea to sell goods in that country. The average Korean tariff on American agricultural goods was 54 percent; in the U.S., the average tariff on Korean goods was 9 percent. The playing field was not level – the Korean tariffs took money directly out of our producers' pockets and put them at a disadvantage. With the reduction of tariffs, we've now helped ensure Korea treats our producers more like we treat theirs.

According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, enactment of this agreement will lead directly to an increase in American exports by more than $10 billion. This provides a boost for many American industries: manufacturing, investing, and most importantly for Nebraska, agriculture.

Beef producers, for example, will see the elimination of the 40 percent tariff on their products and will save an estimated $1,300 for every ton of exported beef. Tariffs eliminated for corn, soybeans, pork and wheat will have a rippling effect across the Nebraska agricultural economy.

On top of the savings realized at current export levels, the agreement provides an incentive for more and more producers to enter the Korean market. This means Nebraska producers' $5.3 billion earned in exports in 2010 should only grow.

Nebraska's economy could also see job creation as a result. An estimated 70,000 new jobs will become available as a result of the agreement. This in turn puts more Americans back on the path to prosperity.

With national unemployment still more than 8 percent and with our economy still working against a burdensome regulatory regime, the enactment of the U.S.-Korea agreement is a breath of fresh air. Nebraska's farmers and ranchers are among the world's leading agriculture producers, and lowering international barriers for their products will help them strengthen this reputation. All Nebraskans should be proud of our producers' role in helping to feed the world, and thanks to this trade agreement, their role just became even greater.



HSUS Responds to Heineman’s Statements

Lifelong Nebraskan and Humane Society of the United States Nebraska state director Jocelyn Nickerson delivered a written appeal to Governor Dave Heineman to retract his threat against  all Nebraskan members of The HSUS after the governor stated in a reference to the organization during a speech to cattlemen last week, “We’re going to kick your [butt] and send you out of the state.”  Click here to read Nickerson's letter... http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/farm/letter_hsus_gov_heineman_031212.pdf. 

Obsessed with The HSUS even though the organization is working with Nebraska farmers and has indicated it will not conduct a statewide ballot measure to ban gestation crates, Heineman has made a series of intemperate and incendiary statements against The HSUS and its more than 51,000 Nebraskan supporters. A native Nebraskan, Nickerson represents those tens of thousands of supporters in the state and their families who are also affected by the governor’s attempt to create a hostile environment for Nebraskans.

“These folks -- like my family -- are your neighbors and they are caring, compassionate people,” Nickerson said. “They're veterans, farmers, small business owners, firefighters and families with kids.  We buy and consume products every day that were produced by Nebraska ranchers and farmers. ”

Last July, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's rural poll showed that 69 percent of rural Nebraskans agree that animal welfare should include basic things such as adequate exercise, space and activities, as well as food, water and shelter. The HSUS agrees and works to promote market assistance to small farmers whose operations are in line with those values. In a separate poll conducted last year by Lake Research, 79 percent of Nebraskans said they agree that “farmers, consumers, animal welfare groups, and food safety experts all should have a seat at the table when it comes to discussing agricultural issues.”

“It is always a shame when politicians serve special interests and serve up over-the-top, polarizing rhetoric, and that’s what Governor Heineman continues to do with this inappropriate campaign against an organization that is working with farmers to balance animal welfare with economic concerns,” added Kevin Fulton, a Nebraska cattle rancher and member of The HSUS.

The Nebraska Farmers Union, one of the oldest farm organizations in the state, has joined with The HSUS to form the Nebraska Agriculture Council to help preserve family farms while promoting civil discourse on the future of animal agriculture. Council members provide advice and guidance to The HSUS, as well as assist other traditional family farmers who want to make the switch to more humane practices that the majority of Nebraska’s consumers favor, including a transition away from gestation crates for breeding sows.



UNL Offers Crop Science Camp for High Schoolers

Youths interested in science, agriculture, plants, crops, insects, or diseases will enjoy a new one-week camp being offered by UNL June 10-13. They'll be able to join a team of detectives to solve crop-related problems in the Crop Science Investigation (CSI) Big Red Camp!

Hands-on sessions will allow participants to learn more about  crops, science, and agricultural careers. Youth detectives will interact with agronomic professionals from across Nebraska to solve experiments in nutrient management; disease, insect, and weed control; water management; crop production, and much more!

They'll learn about a variety of careers related to plant sciences such as: agricultural communicator, agronomist, crop consultant, crop insurance adjuster, educator, co-op manager, farmer or rancher, farm credit banker; field or lab researcher, plant breeder, soil or water conservationist, seed, fertilizer, or chemical salesperson or a technical representative.

Big Red Summer Academic Camps are residential camps.  All housing and food is provided.

Camp Scholarships
Scholarships are available in the amount of $300 to participants who enroll in the Crop Science focus area and submit the following:
-    A short (< 300 words) essay that highlights past crop or plant science related experience and/or interest in pursuing a degree in agronomy or plant-science related areas.
-    A brief essay (< 100 words) on the topic, “What do I hope to learn in the Crop Science Investigation camp?”

To apply for a scholarship, complete the 2012 Big Red Summer Academic Camp Scholarship Application and submit it. along with the completed registration materials and a check for the full registration fee, postmarked by April 1, 2012. Winners will be notified by April 19 and will receive a refund when they arrive at camp this summer. Scholarships are for camp registration fees only and do not cover the cost of transportation or other expenses.

A limited number of general scholarships also are available.  Access the required form at http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcamps/campfinance

Registration
Space is limited and camps will fill on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $300 for registrations received by April 1, $350 by May 1, and $400 by May 15. To register or download a camp brochure, visit BigRedCamps.unl.edu.



Pork Exports Maintain Hot Pace; Beef Ahead Slightly in January

U.S. red meat exports have a tough act to follow after a record-setting year in 2011, but the early indications for 2012 are good. January pork exports jumped 28 percent in volume and 43 percent in value while beef exports were even in volume but rose 14 percent in value, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

“There is a challenge to follow a very successful year like 2011 and sustain the momentum,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “The good news is that there are opportunities to expand the presence of U.S. red meat by exploring new market niches as well as increasing access with several key trading partners.”

Several key measurements also showed continued growth: export value per head and percentage of total production exported. For pork, January’s export value equated to $59.44 per head of commercial slaughter compared to $43.59 a year ago, and 29.6 percent of total production (including variety meat) was exported in January versus 24.2 percent last year. For just muscle cuts, 25 percent of production was exported this January compared to 20 percent last year.

Beef exports equated to $197.95 per head of fed slaughter in value compared to $170.10 last year. The percentage of production exported – 12.3 percent for beef and variety meats and 9 percent for just muscle cuts– remained the same.

Pork exports up to key targets
Sales jumped in double or triple figures with the top key pork trading partners, surging 21 percent and 27 percent respectively in volume and value to Mexico; 88 percent and 158 percent to China; and 17 percent and 28 percent to Japan.

For the month, the U.S. exported 211,457 metric tons of pork valued at $566.9 million, increases of 28 percent in volume and 43 percent in value. While it’s early in the year, it is encouraging that these increases are coming on the heels of a year that saw 2011 pork exports top 2.25 million metric tons valued at more than $6.1 billion.

“In some markets, such as Japan, we are reaching into new secondary markets and niches like the sozai (deli) segment,” said Seng. “In others, like South Korea, we’re focused on sustaining the progress we made last year and preparing for the imminent implementation of the Korea-U.S. FTA. Korea has made significant progress in rebuilding their hog inventories so we expect total imports to decrease this year but the U.S. will also gain a competitive edge against other suppliers through the FTA.”

Top pork export markets in January were:
    Mexico: 60,737 metric tons (up 21 percent) valued at $110.3 million (up 27 percent)
    Japan: 41,697 metric tons (up 17 percent) valued at $170.8 million (up 28 percent)
    China: 36,175 metric tons (up 88 percent) valued at $75.1 million (up 158 percent)
    Canada: 19,167 metric tons (up 47 percent) valued at $65.7 million (up 52 percent)
    South Korea: 18,173 metric tons (up 38 percent) valued at $51.5 million (up 61 percent)

Beef exports maintain record pace
After a record-setting 2011 that saw the U.S. export nearly 1.3 million metric tons of beef valued at more than $5.4 billion, the industry maintained the pace in January with equal export volumes (89,454 metric tons) while value jumped 14 percent to $405.9 million.

“Market diversification remains a key for beef in 2012,” said Seng. “We’re aggressively pursuing new opportunities in the Middle East, which has grown to be the No. 2 volume market. The Central/South America region (Chile, Peru and Guatemala) is another where the growth (73 percent in volume and 79 percent in value in January) justifies our intensified focus on the retail, food service and processing sectors there.”

Russia is another market where USMEF has focused its efforts with offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg. An expanded tariff rate quota (TRQ) there – up to 60,000 metric tons from 41,700 last year – creates new opportunities for U.S. beef. American beef muscle cut exports to Russia in January jumped 84 percent to 2,129 metric tons.

In addition, Seng noted that the U.S. beef industry remains optimistic that Japan will expand access for its products during 2012. Currently, the U.S. only can export to Japan beef from animals under 21 months of age, severely limiting opportunities in a country that was the No. 1 beef export market in 2003 prior to BSE.

Top beef export markets in January were:
    Mexico: 19,850 metric tons (down 2 percent) valued at $87.1 million (up 16 percent)
    Middle East: 13,047 metric tons (up 12 percent) valued at $29 million (up 14 percent)
    Canada: 12,582 metric tons (down 3 percent) valued at $72.7 million (up 15 percent)
    South Korea: 11,697 metric tons (down 2 percent) valued at $51.9 million (up 6 percent)
    Japan: 9,688 metric tons (up 2 percent) valued at $59.6 million (up 26 percent)

Lamb exports edge up
The positive news continued for U.S. lamb exports as well in January. Top destination Mexico (accounting for 74.5 percent of total lamb exports by volume and 54.6 percent by value) raised its purchases 31 percent in volume to 1,021 metric tons and 25 percent in value to $1.1 million.



World’s largest pork-specific trade show invites early registration

Seeing the pork industry’s newest technologies, participating in business seminars and showing outstanding breeding stock are just a few of the reasons nearly 20,000 people will attend the 2012 World Pork Expo. Plans are well underway for this year’s event, which is scheduled for June 6-8 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, and brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). Starting March 15, people can register to attend by visiting www.worldpork.org.

“World Pork Expo has become a must-see event for pork producers and allied industry throughout the world,” says Doug Fricke, director of trade show marketing, NPPC. “Interest in this year’s Expo is high, with some of the official World Pork Expo hotels already sold out. It’s never too early to make travel plans and register to attend so you don’t miss out on everything World Pork Expo has to offer.”

Expo features the latest pork industry developments
Each year, producers and industry professionals make World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork-specific trade show. Attendees will find business seminars on profitability, animal health and current issues. They can see the newest products, services and technologies offered by more than 450 commercial exhibitors. They will have the opportunity to watch junior showmen and swine breeders exhibit some of the best market hogs and breeding animals available. And throughout the event, they can feast on great food and enjoy family entertainment.

The Expo trade show is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, as well as from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 8. The breeding stock sales will continue on Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. until they’re completed (at approximately noon).

Once again, MusicFest will be the social highlight of World Pork Expo. From 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Expo attendees can enjoy free roasted pork and refreshments while listening to music performed by live bands.

Several pre-Expo tours are planned so that producers from throughout the world can experience Midwestern agriculture and hospitality at their finest June 4-5.

Early registration provides $10 discount
By registering in advance, attendees can receive a $10 World Pork Expo early registration discount and free Expo alerts via e-mail. Online registration will open March 15 at www.worldpork.org. The website also has the latest details about room availability at the official Expo hotels in its “Hotel/Transportation” section. Additional information is available when you connect with World Pork Expo on Facebook and follow World Pork Expo on Twitter (#NPPCWPX).

World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork-specific trade show, is brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council. On behalf of its members, NPPC develops and defends export markets, fights for reasonable legislation and regulation, and informs and educates legislators. For more information, visit www.nppc.org.



All Sectors of the Beef Industry Gather at Safety Summit

This year celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Beef Industry Safety Summit, funded in part by the beef checkoff, where cattle producers, meat processors, food safety service providers and retail and foodservice operators gathered to reaffirm their commitment to beef safety. Laurie Bryant, importer representative on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, says this is the premier food safety event in the United States.  She says, “Well I think this is one of the most important events in food safety in the U.S. because it brings together people from all parts of the trade – the whole gambit are here to exchange views and without exception, I think they come here willing to give away their own information and share it with others to the benefit of the whole industry.”

Transparency throughout the process is truly a hallmark of this event. Bryant says people come together at the Summit to protect the entire beef industry. She continues, “I think it’s a recognition that with food safety, there are no winners, there are only potential losers. And the way in which people come together here is to help each other be a winner because if there’s someone with a problem, someone else is going to be impacted as well. The meat industry is a chain and being able to protect all elements of that chain is so important.”

Bryant says beef quality and safety starts on the farm with the individual producer and they should be proud to know their checkoff dollars are being invested in beef safety programs to ensure there’s a market for their product with consumers.  Bryant concludes,  “I think that’s very simple – it’s a good investment of checkoff funds simply because the whole industry starts with the producer and the producer can only be protected if food safety is an undisputable requirement right through the chain. So the way in which we can ensure that happens is by making sure every element of the chain is aware of the issues and has the best information available to be able to deal with them.”



Stabenow to Convene Risk Management Hearing

Senator Debbie Stabenow, chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, will convene a Committee hearing on March 14 at 10 a.m. in room 216 of the Hart Senate Office Building. The hearing, Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill, will evaluate the need for and cost effectiveness of risk management tools available to farmers who continue to face increasingly volatile crop prices, input costs and the threat of natural disasters; and how the federal government can provide appropriate risk management tools while making the best use of limited resources. Acting Undersecretary Michael Scuse, of USDA's Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, will testify. Additional witnesses detailed below.

A live webcast of the hearing can be viewed on the Committee's website at http://ag.senate.gov.

-- Panel I -- Michael Scuse, Acting Undersecretary, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.

-- Panel II -- Hope Hills, Grower, Bangor, Mich.; Mr. Jarvis Garetson, Farmer, Copeland, Kan.; Ruth Gerdes, Farmer and Crop Insurance Agent, Auburn, Neb.; and Steve Rutledge, Chairman, President, and CEO, Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, West Des Moines, Iowa.

-- Panel III -- Steve Wellman, President, American Soybean Association, Syracuse, Neb.; Pam Johnson, First Vice President, National Corn Growers Association, Floyd, Iowa; Erik Younggren, President, National Association of Wheat Growers, Hallock, Minn.; Jimbo Grissom, President, Western Peanut Growers Association, Seminole, Texas; Travis Henry Satterfield, Partner, Satterfield Farms; Rice Producer, Bolivar County, Miss.; and Chuck Coley, Chairman, National Cotton Council, Vienna, Ga.

-- Panel IV -- Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union, Washington, D.C.; Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Washington, D.C.; and Ryan Best, President, Future Farmers of America, Portales, New Mexico.



Biodiesel Statement on White House Energy Blueprint

The National Biodiesel Board released the following statement Monday regarding the Obama Administration's update to its Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, which highlighted the success of the Renewable Fuel Standard in increasing domestic fuel production:

"The U.S. biodiesel industry had record production last year of more than 1 billion gallons, thanks in part to the Renewable Fuel Standard. That translates directly into jobs and improved energy security, and it is exactly what we need if we are ever going to reduce our exposure to this endless cycle of oil price spikes that are so damaging to our economy," said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board. "The Obama Administration should continue this progress by raising the volume standard for biodiesel next year as the EPA has proposed. Thousands of jobs in our industry as well as improved U.S. energy stability depend on that decision."

The Obama Administration is reviewing an EPA proposal to grow the biodiesel volume requirement under the RFS to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013. Late last year, the Administration delayed the decision, saying it needs further review, and the EPA could issue a final rule within weeks. Last week, a bipartisan group of 60 members of Congress from across the country signed letters to the White House urging the Administration to follow through with the proposed increase.



Congressman Introduces Bill to Stop DOL's Youth Labor Proposals

Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa introduced bipartisan legislation last week that will block Washington's attack on America's long-standing family farm tradition. Latham's bill blocks recent attempts by the Department of Labor, with moral support from the Department of Agriculture, to increase federal regulatory involvement into family farms that risk outlawing farm youth from working on their family-owned farms.

"The family farm is one of Iowa's most cherished traditions and a cornerstone of our state and nation's economy and cultural history," Congressman Latham said. "The armies of federal bureaucrats who spend day after day drawing up new regulations have now set their sights on the institution of the family farm. It is a misguided idea that threatens the ability of America's youth to contribute to farms owned by their own families. My legislation blocks Washington’s regulation monster from yet another intrusion into the operations of our family farms."

The legislation, the Preserving America's Family Farms Act, bars the U.S. Department of Labor from implementing any regulation that would prohibit farm youth from working on farms owned by their families by restricting finalization of the rule the department proposed in September of 2011.

Historically, family farms have been exempted from child labor rules, but concerns have arisen that a proposal from the Department of Labor could jeopardize that exclusion for 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.

The Department of Labor's proposed regulation also would eliminate a pair of certification programs that allow student learners to perform certain kinds of farm work, such as the operation of tractors. The proposed elimination of the certification programs has drawn opposition from farm youth groups like FFA and 4-H.

Congressman Latham introduced the legislation with Rep. Dan Boren, an Oklahoma Democrat who joined Congressman Latham to speak out against the misguided regulation in December.



CWT Assists with 2.5 Million Pounds of Butter and Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 15 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 771 metric tons (1.700 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 375 metric tons (0.827 million pounds) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The product will be delivered March through August 2012.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 30.4 million pounds and butter totaling 28.8 million pounds to 18 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 876 million pounds or the annual production of approximately 42,570 cows.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by reducing inventories that overhang the market and depress cheese and butter prices. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.



Largest Food Service Company Starts Animal Welfare Initiative

Compass Group, the world's largest food and support services company, will eliminate all pork that comes from animals bred using gestation crates in its U.S. supply chain by 2017. The company runs dining operations at more than 10,000 schools, colleges and universities, corporations, hospitals and senior living centers, sports and entertainment venues and cultural institutions across the country, and purchases 38 million pounds of pork annually.

This announcement follows on the heels of Bon Appetit Management Company's sweeping commitment to animal welfare, announced February 21. Bon Appetit, long recognized for its pioneering efforts toward a more sustainable food supply, is one of the companies in Compass Group's portfolio.

"Animal welfare is an important issue to our clients, our guests and our company," said Steve Sweeney, CEO of Chartwells, which provides dining services to schools and higher education, speaking on behalf of Compass Group. "Encouraged by Bon Appetit's efforts, we are proud to be the first large foodservice company to make this commitment." Chartwells provides foodservice at more than 225 colleges and universities, and 550 school districts.



API Sues EPA Over Biofuel Standard

The American Petroleum Institute filed a lawsuit Friday, March 9, with the D.C. Circuit Court challenging what it alleges are the Environmental Protection Agency's unachievable requirements for use of cellulosic biofuels in the 2012 Renewable Fuels Standard.

"EPA's standard is divorced from reality and forces refiners to purchase credits for cellulosic fuels that do not exist," said Bob Greco, API director of downstream and industry operations.

Greco added that the EPA's mandate is effectively a tax on manufacturers of gasoline that could ultimately burden consumers.

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to determine the mandated volumes of cellulosic biofuels each year at "the projected volumes available." EPA's 2012 rule requires that refiners and importers of gasoline and diesel must use 8.65 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels despite a lack of commercial fuel supply, API said.

"EPA must set the requirement at a realistic volume but they have not," Greco said. "This is regulatory absurdity."

API said it supports a realistic and workable RFS and continues to recommend that EPA base its prediction on at least two months of actual cellulosic biofuel production in the current year when establishing mandated volumes for the following year.

"This approach would provide a more realistic assessment of potential future production rather than simply relying on the assertions of companies whose ability to produce the cellulosic biofuel volumes EPA hopes for is questionable," API said in a release issued Monday afternoon.