Friday September 14 Ag News

PVC Annual Outlook Meeting
Paul Wilke, President, PVC

September brings the annual Outlook Meeting of the Platte Valley Cattlemen and this year we have a very exciting evening lined up for you.  We are changing things up a bit and having the meeting in Humphrey at the Humphrey Community Center on Monday, September 17, 2012, with a social hour at 6:00 p.m. and dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. 

Our featured speaker of the evening will be Sue Martin, Market Analyst and President and owner of Ag Investment Services Inc.  Sue has 30 years of experience in the brokerage business in addition to her popular recurring appearances on Market to Market.  She delivers daily commentary and analysis to a variety of radio networks and on the internet.

We realize this is a very busy time of the year, but we hope you can take time out of your schedules to attend this informative meeting.  Feel free to bring your friends and neighbors as we want to make it open to anyone interested in Ag Marketing.



Longtime Animal Science Professor Klopfenstein Honored

Longtime University of Nebraska-Lincoln animal science professor Terry Klopfenstein was honored with two of his profession's most prestigious awards this summer.

Klopfenstein, professor of ruminant nutrition, received the American Feed Industry Association's New Frontiers in Animal Nutrition Award from the Federation of Animal Science Societies and received the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Industry Leadership Award.

"These are very significant honors that speak to Dr. Klopfenstein's dedication to the beef industry in Nebraska and the nation," said Larry Berger, head of UNL's Department of Animal Science.

The Federation of Animal Science Societies cited Klopfenstein's "pioneering and innovative research relevant to the nutrition of animals that benefits mankind and the nutritional value of foods from animals." The award presentation was made in July during the annual meeting of the American Society of Animal Science.

The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Industry Leadership Award goes to advocates "who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, provided exemplary service and have made significant contributions to the advancement of the cattle-feeding business."

"Terry's passion and dedication to education and the beef community can been seen in his years of service and contributions to advancing our industry," the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame said in announcing the award. "Terry is considered to be one of the most productive animal science pioneers. Fortunately for the cattle-feeding community, he is still committed to the future of cattle feeding."

Klopfenstein was honored alongside other recent inductees including Paul Engler, Kenneth Monfort and Ladd Hitch.

Klopfenstein is an internationally respected scientist and teacher. He has mentored over 150 graduate students throughout his 45-year career, many of whom are recognized themselves now as excellent nutritionists. Other students have credited Klopfenstein's successful feedyard internship program as the springboard for their careers in the beef cattle business.

Klopfenstein's tenure at UNL started in 1965 after he completed his bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees from The Ohio State University. Klopfenstein held the University of Nebraska Wagner Professorship from 1989 to 2007.



Beef Industry Day 2012 Recap, 2013 Speakers Lined Up

 Central Plains Beef Industry Day is an event designed to promote beef producers and to educate the public on issues.  These include animal care and the great commitment that beef producers have to providing safe food to consumers. Russ Vering, the director of the event and manager of Central Plains Milling in Howells, stated, “the crowd was much larger than last year and the speakers fit the agenda for the day.”

Dr. Temple Grandin, Governor Heinemann, Deb Fischer, Hugh Whaley and other well know speakers gave talks on topics about local and Federal legislative issues, as well as addressing the undocumented statements and allegations often made by HSUS and PETA.  The legislative luncheon featured beef from BPI of South Dakota and local rib eye steaks for supper.

Due to contributions from the event's sponsors, $2000.00 was donated to the North Central Development Center. The Center is supporting all of the families affected by the Fairfield Creek Fire. The fire burned five homesteads and torched 76,242 acres. One hundred and four fire departments responded to the fire.  Numerous volunteers made lunches and kept the fire fighters hydrated in 105 degree temperatures. The loss of property is unknown at this time.  An event like this is catastrophic to an ecosystem that gets little rain and has such fine soil.  It will take more than two years for the area to recover, if they were to receive normal rain fall.   Drought conditions will make the the recovery time even longer.

To support NCDC visit them on Facebook.  They have a PayPal account set up for donations.  You can also get more information by calling Kristin or Deb at (402) 387-2740, or (402)760-3834.
Beef Industry Day also donated $1,000 to the Howells/Dodge/Clarkson FFA chapter for their assistance during the event.

Next year’s event will feature Dr. Judith Capper from the University of Washington.  Dr. Capper will present her research on Agriculture's carbon foot print.  There will also be a panel discussion featuring a diverse group of individuals from the Ag community as well as those who are liaisons between growers and consumers.  Trent Loos and a steak supper will round out the day. Mark your calendar for August 15, 2013.



We Support Agriculture Update
(from NE Cattlemen newsletter)

“We Support Agriculture” will hold its frst ever annual meeting to update the attendees of  the efforts taken this past year. Executive Director Michele Ehresman along with the directors from the fve groups; Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Pork Producers, Nebraska Poultry Industries and Nebraska State Dairy will give the invited audience a thorough appraisal of  the accomplishments, goals and challenges that lie ahead.

The September 28th meeting will confrm the much appreciated support from Governor Dave Heineman in his adamant defense of  Nebraska agriculture. Threats continue on multiple fronts of  the extreme animal rights agenda. Governor Heineman has never wavered in his support for the future of  Nebraska agriculture, “WSA” and the backbone of  the state’s economy.

Executive Director Ehresman has had a busy schedule since she started her full-time duties on June 1.  



ABC News sued for defamation over 'pink slime'

(AP) _ Beef Products Inc. sued ABC News, Inc. for defamation Thursday over its coverage of a meat product that critics dub ``pink slime,'' claiming the network damaged the company by misleading consumers into believing it is unhealthy and unsafe.

The Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based meat processor is seeking $1.2 billion in damages for roughly 200 ``false and misleading and defamatory'' statements about the product officially known as lean, finely textured beef, said Dan Webb, BPI's Chicago-based attorney.

The lawsuit filed in a South Dakota state court also names several individuals as defendants, including ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer and the Department of Agriculture microbiologist who coined the term ``pink slime.''

The company's reporting ``caused consumers to believe that our lean beef is not beef at all _ that it's an unhealthy pink slime, unsafe for public consumption, and that somehow it got hidden in the meat,'' Webb said before the company's official announcement.

ABC News, owned by The Walt Disney Co., denied BPI's claims.

``The lawsuit is without merit,'' Jeffrey W. Schneider, the news station's senior vice president, said in a brief statement Thursday. ``We will contest it vigorously.''

The 257-page lawsuit names American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., ABC News, Inc., Sawyer and ABC correspondents Jim Avila and David Kerley as defendants. It also names Gerald Zirnstein, the USDA microbiologist who named the product ``pink slime,'' Carl Custer, a former federal food scientist, and Kit Foshee, a former BPI quality assurance manager who was interviewed by ABC.



NPPC Names Representative Adrian Smith a Friend of Pork

The National Pork Producers Council reserves the Friend of Pork award for members of Congress demonstrating a strong commitment to advance the U.S. pork industry. This year's Friend of Pork award was presented to Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith - who represents the nation's fifth largest hog-producing region. Nebraska Pork Producers Association President-Elect Jan Miller says America's pork producers have no better friend in Congress than Smith. Miller says the Congressman's rural Nebraska roots are the basis of his strong common sense ag values.



Magellan Pipeline upgrade to enhance consumer access to biodiesel
     
A new hub of biodiesel distribution is up and running in Des Moines, leading to greater consumer access to America’s advanced biofuel. The Iowa Biodiesel Board today congratulated the Magellan Pipeline Company for completing a new biodiesel distribution facility at its largest petroleum distribution terminal in the state.

The company announced the opening of the terminal facility at the Iowa Biodiesel Board Annual Meeting on Sept. 7. The installation of new equipment will allow for the unloading, storage and blending of biodiesel at the terminal.

“Having biodiesel available at major distribution points is critical to maintaining the state’s leadership position in biodiesel,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. “Improved distribution capabilities will enhance consumer access to biodiesel, and help the state’s biodiesel industry stand to capture a larger share of federal renewable fuel requirements nationwide.”

Magellan received partial funding for the project from the Iowa Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board, the Iowa Soybean Association and soybean checkoff program, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (funded by the U.S. Department of Energy).

The infrastructure upgrade will enhance distribution of biodiesel by making it simple for petroleum distributors to access pre-blended fuel.

“Magellan is pleased to offer biodiesel storage and blending services to our customers in Des Moines,” said Shawn Barker, Magellan’s Director of Transportation & Marketing. “This state-of-the-art system offers our customers accuracy, quality and a variety of biodiesel blend options."

Iowa is home to 13 biodiesel plants, benefiting the state’s economy, energy security and environment. The IBB Annual Meeting had record attendance this year, signifying a robust industry in Iowa, Olson said.



Obama Administration Backs Strong Domestic Energy Policy

The U.S. biodiesel industry commended the Obama Administration Friday for supporting strong domestic energy policy by responsibly increasing the biodiesel volume requirement for next year under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

"This was an incredibly important decision, and the Obama Administration got it right," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, the industry trade association. "It will allow biodiesel plants across the country to invest and expand, creating thousands of jobs. At the same time, it sends a strong signal that the U.S. is standing firm behind its commitment to producing clean, American-made energy to strengthen our energy security and break our dependence on petroleum."

The EPA's decision Friday finalizes the agency's draft proposal to increase the 2013 volume requirement for biomass-based diesel under the RFS to 1.28 billion gallons. This represents a modest increase from the industry's record production last year of nearly 1.1 billion gallons and puts the industry on course for steady, sustainable growth in the coming years. According to a recent economic study, the 2013 volume increase will support more than 10,000 new jobs. Already, the industry supports more than 39,000 jobs, with plants in nearly every state in the country.

"We applaud President Obama and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson for supporting an 'all of the above' energy approach. We also want to thank Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for his strong advocacy," Jobe added. "This decision will continue to diversify our fuel supplies so that we're not so vulnerable to global petroleum markets and this endless cycle of price spikes. The Renewable Fuel Standard is clearly working to do that, and the benefits of doing so are clear: We'll continue to create good jobs, expand our economy and reduce harmful emissions. It's just smart energy policy."

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, agricultural oils and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the first and only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel being produced on a commercial scale across the country - meaning the EPA has determined that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent when compared with petroleum diesel. (The EPA estimates that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 57 percent to 86 percent.)

Biodiesel is produced in nearly every state in the country and last year supported more than 39,000 jobs and $3.8 billion in GDP, according to a recent study conducted by Cardno ENTRIX, an international economics consulting firm. The 4.6 billion gallons of biodiesel produced in the U.S. since 2005 have displaced an equivalent amount of diesel fuel and reduced lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 56.2 billion pounds, the equivalent of removing 4.96 million passenger vehicles from America's roadways.



ASA Points to Multiple Benefits from Increase in Biodiesel Fuel Standard

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today an increase in the biodiesel volume requirement under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) from 1 billion gallons in 2012 to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013, a move welcomed by the American Soybean Association (ASA).

“More than half of all biodiesel produced in the United States comes from soybean oil, which expands a growing market for soybean farmers,” said ASA President Steve Wellman. “We congratulate the Environmental Protection Agency on today’s announcement as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Vilsack for their continued strong support for the U.S. biodiesel industry. We look forward to helping the U.S. biodiesel industry hit the 1.28 billion gallon mark in 2013. By achieving the new requirement, we’ll help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and help increase soybean meal supplies to our valued partners in the livestock industry for use as feed.”

Wellman highlighted several benefits from biodiesel production that help U.S. livestock producers. “Soybean-based biodiesel actually has a positive impact on U.S. soybean meal supplies,” he said. “Processing biodiesel from soybeans uses only the oil portion of the soybean, which is about 18-20 percent of the soybean, leaving the remaining 80-82 percent of the soybean available as protein to nourish both livestock and humans. By increasing the market for soybean oil in the United States and domestic oilseed processing, we increase the availability of protein-rich meal for human and livestock consumption. The increased meal supply results in a more cost-effective food and feed source. In addition to soybean oil, biodiesel is made from a wide range of sources, including other agricultural oils such as canola, recycled cooking oil, and animal fats, enabling the majority of biodiesel producers to alternate feedstocks if prices increase or supplies decrease.”

“It is important to remember,” added Wellman, “increased biodiesel use helps to grow diversity in our nation’s fuel supply, which in turn, reduces our vulnerability to inflated global oil prices which are the real drivers behind increased food costs because of higher food processing and transport costs. Biodiesel is a clean, renewable, American-made energy source that helps expand our fuel supply.”



New federal biodiesel targets for 2013 applauded by Iowa Soybean Association

The Iowa Soybean Association today applauded an announced increase in new federal biodiesel targets for 2013, saying the move will benefit grain and livestock farmers, environmental quality and a nation working to increase its reliance on domestic energy sources.

The comments coincided with the Obama Administration’s approval of an Environmental Protection Agency recommendation to increase the production and use of biodiesel next year from 1 billion gallons to 1.28 billion gallons. The announcement was made by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at a news conference in Sioux City.

“This is a great day for Iowa soybean growers and a great day for the biodiesel industry and other supporters of American-made fuel,” says Rolland Schnell, Iowa Soybean Association Secretary. “Today’s announcement signals the continued growth in the biodiesel industry that started two decades ago through support from soybean growers and their soybean checkoff.”

Biodiesel is the only feedstock-diverse, EPA-designated advanced biofuel produced on a commercial scale across the country. Its production reduces America’s dependence on imported petroleum, strengthens domestic energy security, creates jobs and reduces tailpipe pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Schnell, who farms near Newton, says Iowa’s leadership in soy biodiesel and livestock production work well together.

“Biodiesel uses only oil from soybean crops and none of the meal,” he says. “Biodiesel also creates demand for animal fats, increasing the per-head value of livestock. In addition, the protein meal from soy – a staple in animal diets – is less expensive today because of biodiesel demand.”

Iowa also stands to gain more jobs and economic growth from this policy. The Iowa Biodiesel Board reports that new biodiesel production will create and support green manufacturing jobs at Iowa’s 13 biodiesel plants instead of sending money overseas for oil.



Iowa stands to gain from new federal biodiesel targets
     
The biodiesel industry and other supporters of American-made fuel today hailed the Obama Administration’s finalization of an Environmental Protection Agency recommendation to increase biodiesel volumes in 2013. Under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard-2 (RFS-2), U.S. production and use of biodiesel will increase from a minimum of 1 billion gallons this year to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013.

Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, released the following statement:

“We applaud this smart growth in biodiesel production, which keeps America’s domestic energy industry moving forward. When the United States manufactures its own products, it benefits society. Encouraging production of American-made fuel brings economic development and energy security – two of our nation’s top priorities.

“As the nation's leading biodiesel producer, Iowa stands to gain more jobs and economic growth from this policy. The new biodiesel production will create and support green manufacturing jobs at Iowa’s 13 biodiesel plants instead of sending money overseas for oil. It will also enhance the rural economy by supporting Iowa farmers. This includes livestock farmers, because demand created for soybean oil has the positive effect of lowering meal prices from what they otherwise would be.

“Our state’s producers stand ready to meet this reasonable, attainable increase in biodiesel production. One of biodiesel’s greatest strengths is its diversity, which makes our industry flexible in managing challenges such as the drought. I’m proud that Iowa is leading the charge on domestic energy production.

"On behalf of the Iowa biodiesel industry, I want to thank President Obama, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for their unwavering commitment to this program. I also want to thank our Congressional Delegation for championing the RFS-2 increase: Sen. Charles Grassley (R), Sen. Tom Harkin (D), Rep. Leonard Boswell (D), Rep. Tom Latham (R), Rep. Bruce Braley (D), Rep. Dave Loebsack (D), and Rep. Steve King (R).”



Vilsack Tours Iowa Biodiesel Plant; Discusses How Biofuels Are Reducing Need for Foreign Oil, Creating Jobs in Rural Communities

TODAY, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed how the increased use of biofuels is helping to reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil during a tour of AGP Biodiesel. During the tour, Vilsack highlighted today's action by the Environmental Protection Agency to establish the volume of biodiesel products required to be included in diesel fuel markets.

"President Obama's all-of-the-above energy plan is working – today, we are importing less foreign oil than we have in nearly two decades and we are creating jobs by producing more of our energy here at home, said Vilsack. "A key part of the President's strategy is the development and promotion of biofuels and bio-based products, which are helping us fuel our cars and trucks and displacing petroleum used in the manufacturing of household products. Over the past three years, we have doubled generation from renewable energy and today's announcement by EPA will ensure that we are continuing to utilize biodiesel to help meet our energy needs, create jobs and strengthen the rural economy."

Today's action by EPA sets the 2013 volume of biodiesel products required to be included in diesel fuel markets at 1.28 billion gallons under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) which established the second phase of the Renewable Fuel Standards program. EISA specifies a one billion gallon minimum volume requirement for the biomass-based diesel category for 2012 and beyond. It also calls on EPA to increase the volume requirement after consideration of environmental, market, and energy-related factors. Today's final action follows careful review of the many comments and additional information received since EPA proposed the volume last spring.

President Obama has laid out a bold goal of reducing oil imports by half by 2020 and in his Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future released in March, 2011 the Administration laid out an all-of-the-above energy plan to achieve that goal by developing domestic oil and gas energy resources, increasing energy efficiency, and speeding development of biofuels and other alternatives. Domestic oil and gas production has increased each year the President has been in office, while renewable energy generation from wind, solar, and geothermal has doubled.



NOPA Soybean Crush 124.773 Million Bushels

The National Oilseed Processors Association reports soybean crush was 124.773 million bushels for August, down 12.607 million bushels from the previous month, but up about 6 million bushels from the same month one year ago. 

                                 Aug 12       Jul 12         Aug 11
Soybeans crushed - 124,773    -  137,380   -   118,767
Soymeal produced - 3,003,265 - 3,300,592 - 2,852,254
Soymeal yield        - 48.14      -    48.05    -    48.03
Soymeal exports    - 613,196   -  653,260  -  473,297
Soyoil produced    - 1,460,079 - 1,594,052 - 1,386,071
Soyoil yield           -   11.70    -    11.60    -    11.67
Soyoil stocks        -2,168,477 - 2,345,227 - 2,306,544

--------------REGIONAL BREAKDOWN--------------
Iowa
Crush                 -  30,331     -    27,242    -    30,082
Oil Stocks          -  739,645   -   772,652    -   807,362

Soybeans in thousand bushels, soymeal in short tons, soyoil in thousand pounds, yield in pounds per bushel.



US Corn Marketing System Ensures Safe Aflatoxin Levels in 2012/13 Corn Deliveries

Although growing conditions may vary from year to year, U.S. grades and safety standards for grain remain stable. The U.S. grain marketing system ensures that domestic and export buyers receive safe cargoes of corn based on buyer-seller contract terms and the minimum requirements of U.S. grain grades and standards. The U.S. Grains Council closely monitors aflatoxin levels in the United States so it can appropriately address the concerns of its global customers. The Council's annual U.S. Corn Harvest Quality Report, set to be released at the end of November, will be a key tool in releasing this information.

This year's drought and high temperatures across the Midwest have raised concerns about possibly higher levels of aflatoxin, which in elevated levels in feed can cause sickness or death in animals. Aflatoxin occurs naturally in crops, usually at very low levels that do not pose a threat to animal health. The U.S. grain marketing system monitors corn continuously to ensure that corn with elevated levels of aflatoxin are not transported. Safety standards for U.S. corn are the same for both domestic and export shipments.

All corn export shipments from the United States are tested for aflatoxin, and buyers can specify additional testing should they choose. Jay O'Neil of Kansas State University noted that any graded grain, such as No. 2 or No. 3 U.S. corn, can contain only 20 ppb aflatoxin or less for it to be exported. "This is one way foreign buyers are protected," he said. The FDA has set use guidelines for corn containing aflatoxin. In general, they are based on maintaining performance and avoiding disease related to aflatoxin, except for dairy cattle in which prevention of aflatoxin residues in milk is the main concern. For example, human foods and feed intended for dairy cattle must contain less than 20 ppb.

Some aflatoxin levels have been observed in several U.S. Corn Belt states, with almost all below the 20 ppb limit. For example, one private grain inspection service in Nebraska said most of the tests it has completed were zero or only one ppb. Those lots of corn with elevated aflatoxin levels will be diverted into feed for local beef cattle that can consume that grain without harmful health effects.

"So far this harvest season, aflatoxin does not appear to be a significant problem," O'Neil said. "However, we will know more once more of the crop has been harvested, and certainly we will keep an eye on it." About 10 percent of the crop has been harvested as of September 2.

In regards to Iowa's corn crop, Alison Robertson, from the plant pathology department at Iowa State University said, "Thus far, the problem does not appear widespread; however, fields across the state are at risk for aflatoxin considering the hot, dry conditions we had during pollination and are having now as much of the crop reaches black layer."

Corn-based ethanol plants, which produce distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), generally have a lower aflatoxin threshold – even zero – because aflatoxin can be concentrated in the DDGS. U.S. DDGS importers who are concerned can require aflatoxin testing and set limits in their purchase contracts.

Local grain elevators screen all incoming loads of corn for the aflatoxin-producing fungus. Grain elevators can refuse corn that is over 20 ppb aflatoxin unless they can segregate it from non-contaminated corn and they have a known, approved local use for it.



Trade Policy Discussions Cover the Globe
Tyler Jameson, US Wheat Associates Assistant Director of Policy

Here in the United States, work continues to promote trade and food security, even though Washington has been relatively quiet with Congress out of town for the past month and with much attention paid to the U.S. presidential campaigns.

Last week, leaders gathered in Vladivostok, Russia, for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. One major focus was free trade and food security. The leaders reiterated that free trade is vital to food security and continued their commitment to sustainable development. Members also agreed to lower tariffs on “green” goods such as wind turbines. APEC’s members represent more than 50 percent of world gross domestic product and 40 percent of world trade as well as a growing regional market for wheat.

USW agrees with APEC that trade restrictions work against countries trying to achieve food security and was pleased to hear that the Russian government plans to keep the door to its wheat open for exports, at least at this time. Unfortunately, French President François Hollande has launched a global campaign to win support for creating strategic stockpiles of agricultural commodities as “protection against [market] volatility.”

“A government-owned stockpile would increase market instability – just what a food insecure country doesn’t need – by adding yet another exogenous variable to grain prices,” said USW President Alan Tracy. “It makes far more sense to let the market send the right signals to all players than to have the price moving over speculation about what stockpile management decisions governments may or may not take.”

While gathered in Vladivostok for the APEC meeting, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade ministers released a statement hailing progress on the agreement and called for negotiators to finish their work as quickly as possible. To that end, TPP negotiators are currently meeting in Leesburg, VA, for the 14th round of negotiations. Negotiations were originally expected to be completed before 2013 but they will continue on numerous outstanding issues and the pending addition of Canada and Mexico to the talks. U.S. wheat producers strongly support this regional agreement as a catalyst for lowering barriers to trade for U.S. wheat and boosting economic growth in the region.




Algeria Eliminates Taxes, Duties on US Corn and Co-products

After a three and a half year effort, the U.S. Grains Council, in cooperation with USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service – Algeria, has successfully influenced the removal of the value added tax (VAT) and custom tax on all feed imports in Algeria, including corn, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten feed (CGF). Previously, the VAT and custom tax for DDGS and CGF had been set at 17 percent and 30 percent respectively, resulting in no U.S. DDGS or CGF exports to Algeria. The VAT and custom tax for corn was previously set at 7 percent and 5 percent.

"Without the Council's continuous efforts and support from our allies in the Algerian feed industry, there is no way that products like DDGS and CGF would have been included in the list of feed ingredients that have had their duty and VAT reduced to zero," said Cary Sifferath, USGC regional director based in Tunisia.

The Council first became active in Algeria in 1986 and has conducted programs whenever the political situation has allowed. In May of 2009, the Council partnered with ONAB, Algeria's quasi-governmental national poultry program, to conduct feeding trials on the inclusion of DDGS in broiler diets. The Council also has worked with ONAB in providing technical training and buying and pricing courses on corn use. With the recent success the Council had in Morocco by reducing the VAT on DDGS, it brought Algerian government officials and key dairy and poultry industry players to Morocco to see how their use of DDGS and CGF has developed over the years.

Because of these and other Council programs in Algeria, Algeria has maintained its position as one of the top export markets for U.S. corn. While the period for this reduction ends Dec. 31, 2012, the Council is working to secure the zero import duties and taxes and VAT will be extended into 2013. This will influence increased U.S. market share and lead to a greater future of U.S. DDGS and CGF in the Algerian market.



Argentina Ups Corn Exports

Argentina will export an extra 2.75 million metric tons of corn from its 2011-12 crop to help ease tight international markets, the country's Minister of Agriculture said Friday, reducing the threat of an international food crisis.

The world's second biggest corn exporter accounted for around 15% of the global total over the last three years, and this latest move will take its shipments from the 2011-12 harvest to 16.45 million tons.

"The additional shipments, together with recent better-than-expected [production] figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, should help ease tight international markets," Norberto Yauhar said during a meeting with the United Nations' food body in Rome.

He added that the outlook for rainfall and plantings of corn and soybeans in Argentina were very positive, and the country hopes to contribute sizeable yields for both crops to the international market in the 2012-13 season.



 
NATIONAL FARM SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK, 2012, PROCLAMATION 
Barack Obama, President of the United States of America

  From producing America's food, fuel, and fiber to advancing clean, homegrown energy solutions, farmers and ranchers play an essential role in driving our country's progress.  They keep our economy moving forward, and as important stewards of our environment, they help conserve our lands, protect our wildlife, and safeguard our waters for future generations.  During National Farm Safety and Health Week, we celebrate agricultural workers' vital contributions and reaffirm our commitment to keeping them safe on the job.

  Farmers and ranchers put in long hours to accomplish difficult tasks -- rain or shine.  Many operate heavy machinery, handle livestock, and work under hazardous conditions.  Because the demands of the job put agricultural workers at high risk of illness and injury, appropriate training and education are critical.  I encourage all farming and ranching families to participate in farm safety and health programs, remain aware of the hazards of their working environment, and carry out safe practices every step of the way -- from equipment inspection to handling hazardous materials.

  Our Nation's rural communities give America its heartbeat.  They are home to producers who rise before the dawn, entrepreneurs who bring ideas to market, and working men and women who build the American dream with their bare hands.  This week, we honor their tireless efforts and rededicate ourselves to equipping our next generation with the knowledge and training they need to stay safe and healthy.

  NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 16 through September 22, 2012, as National Farm Safety and Health Week.  I call upon the agencies, organizations, businesses, and extension services that serve America's agricultural workers to strengthen their commitment to promoting farm safety and health programs.  I also urge Americans to honor our agricultural heritage and express appreciation to our farmers, ranchers, and farm-workers for their contributions to our Nation.
   
  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.