Wednesday May 15 Ag News

Nebraska Cattlemen Kick Off 125th Anniversary Celebrations with Midyear Meeting

125 years of beef leadership will be celebrated at the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear meeting June 18th – 19th in Valentine Nebraska. 2013 is the 125th anniversary of Nebraska Cattlemen and NC President Dale Spencer is excited to invite all to attend this historic event.

“Our Midyear meeting is a great opportunity for members to shape policy and provide direction for leadership and staff,” said Spencer. “It will also be an excellent time for people to come together and celebrate the beef industry and the historic impact Nebraska Cattlemen has had over the past 125 years.”

Tuesday, June 18th will begin with the Board of Directors meetings, then an afternoon of golf, Niobrara River tubing, and area tours. Also, the Nebraska Cattlewomen will be hosting the 2013 Beef Ambassador Contest. In the evening there will be a welcome reception at The Prairie Club in Valentine where award winning photographer Bill Ganzel will shoot a historic panoramic photo of all attendees in honor of the 125th anniversary of Nebraska Cattlemen.

Wednesday, June 19th will begin with registration at 7:00 a.m. followed by three sets of committee meetings and the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation lunch. As in years past the six committees will be meeting to discuss issues and policy relative to their respective areas. The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation will hold their annual lunch to announce the Retail Value Steer Challenge results as well as recognize the recipients of this year’s youth scholarships. Also during the lunch, two 28 ton loads of Synergy will be auctioned off with funds supporting the University of Nebraska Foundation Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory Fund.

The general session on Wednesday evening will include a panel of Nebraska Stock Growers Association, Nebraska Livestock Feeder and Nebraska Cattlemen Presidents who will recall and discuss history of key events and issues addressed in the first 125 years of Nebraska Cattlemen’s history. John Carter, Nebraska State Historical Society senior research historian and a collaborator on NET’s movie The Beef State, will moderate the session.

As of May 15th those sponsoring the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear meeting include: Agri Affiliates, Inc., AgriLabs, Amarillo Brokerage Company, Bills Volume Sales, Cappel Sales, Inc., Crossroads Cattle Company, DAR PRO Solutions, Elanco, Farm Credit Services of America, Gallagher Grace Mayer, Merck Animal Health, NMC Cat, Valentine Livestock Auction Company, Wells Fargo Bank N.A, and Zoetis.  If you are interested in sponsoring this year's event contact Lee Weide at the Nebraska Cattlemen office.

For more information or to register go to www.nebraskacattlemen.org or call the Nebraska Cattlemen office at 402.475.2333



New Director Hired for Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center

A longtime faculty member has been named director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center at Clay Center.  Dr. Dale Grotelueschen, most recently the managing veterinarian for beef cattle veterinary operations at Pfizer/Zoetis, will assume the position July 1. Grotelueschen was a UNL faculty member for a number of years, including a stint as director of the Panhandle Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Scottsbluff.  Grotelueschen is active in organizations including the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Nebraska Cattlemen. 



Interns chosen for Nebraska Corn Board programs

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) is proud to select and support five college students as interns starting this summer.

Four of the five interns will be hosted by national cooperators of NCB: National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in St. Louis, MO and Washington, D.C., the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Denver, CO. The internship program in the NCB office in Lincoln is a year-long internship and has been engaging students for over 25 years.

“The cooperators of the Corn Board are very pleased with the college student interns that come out of Nebraska, which is why they are requested year after year,” said Don Hutchens, executive director for the Nebraska Corn Board. “Our board has observed the educational and career advantages that internships provide and consider internships as an investment into Nebraska’s agricultural future. Plus, it is great work experience for these Nebraska students.”

The NCB office in Lincoln welcomed Lauren Ibach of Sumner, Neb. for a year-long internship. Lauren will be a junior in agriculture education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. As part of her internship, she will oversee crop progress report placement, contribute to communication and outreach programs and help with education and promotion activities.

The National Corn Growers Association office in Washington, D.C. will host Kyle McGinn of Lincoln, Neb. as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. Kyle is a student in at the University of Nebraska-College of Law. He will be involved with a variety of agricultural issues related to environmental regulations, transportation, free trade agreements, biotechnology, ethanol and energy.

The National Corn Growers Association headquarters office in St. Louis, Mo. will host Casey Campbell of Santa Fe, New Mexico as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. Casey will be a junior in agricultural education at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She will be assisting with membership and communication programs, as well as participating in committee meetings.

The U.S. Grains Council will host Bryce Vaughn of Alliance, Neb. as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USGC. Bryce is a senior in agriculture economics with a focus in public policy and a minor in international studies at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He will be working with policy, assisting with international trade teams and helping to develop promotions and international relations.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation will host Michael Chao of Lincoln, Neb. as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USMEF.  Michael is a graduate student in meat science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will be assisting with beef and pork specific projects, as well as promotions and international relationship opportunities.



IPPA Seeking Producer Award Nominations

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is seeking nominations for the 2013 Master Pork Producer and Environmental Steward awards.

The Iowa Master Pork Producer Award program began in 1942 and is a joint effort between IPPA and Iowa State University Extension to recognize Iowa pork producers who show expertise in their segment of the production cycle, understand current industry issues and demonstrate the ethical principles of pork production as outlined in the We Care responsible pork initiative.

The Iowa Environmental Steward Award recognizes producers who go above and beyond in environmental stewardship. Nominees are reviewed in the areas of soil and water conservation, air quality, community & neighbor relations, wildlife habitat and other production innovations. 

Nomination forms and instructions for both award programs can be accessed at iowapork.org or by contacting IPPA directly. Nominations must be received by August 19 for consideration.

Both award programs follow the core principles of the pork industry’s We Care responsible pork initiative to produce safe food, protect and promote animal well-being, protect public health, safeguard natural resources, provide a safe work environment and contribute to a better quality of life in our communities.

All award recipients will be recognized at the 2014 Iowa Pork Congress in January and be highlighted in IPPA publications and at industry events. In addition, the Environmental Steward Award recipient will receive a $1,000 cash award and be nominated for the National Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award sponsored by the National Pork Board and National Hog Farmer.

“Iowa’s pork producers represent some of the most efficient, innovative and adaptive in the industry,” said Tyler Bettin, IPPA producer education director. “It is important that we continue to recognize the efforts of our best and brightest producers. Doing this demonstrates to consumers our commitment to the environment and production of safe food while also educating other producers of best management practices and industry opportunities.”

For additional information regarding Master Pork Producer and Environmental Steward Award programs, please contact Tyler Bettin at (800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org.



ASA Welcomes Senate Passage of Waterways Bill

With a vote of 83 to 14 this morning, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a move cheered by the American Soybean Association (ASA), whose members rely on a healthy waterways infrastructure to move their soybeans to market.

“Improving and investing in our waterways infrastructure is vital to the U.S. soybean industry,” said ASA President and Canton, Miss., soybean farmer Danny Murphy. “With more than half of our crop exported, soybean farmers depend on an efficient transportation system to remain competitive in global markets. We face stiff global competition from many countries, and our ability to get our products quickly and efficiently to market is one of the aspects that sets our industry apart from those competitors. We simply cannot afford to ignore the needs of that infrastructure. We welcome the Senate’s overwhelming support of these priorities as evidenced by the vote today and call on the House to pass the bill quickly.”

S. 601 includes provisions supported by ASA to annually increase the amount of funding that is provided from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) for port maintenance and dredging; to streamline the process for Corps of Engineers projects and reduce project completion times; and to free up money and increase the capacity of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF) by taking the Olmsted Lock and Dam project out of the trust fund account.

Additionally, ASA was pleased that the Senate unanimously adopted an amendment to S. 601 offered by Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.) to exempt certain farms that store oil in aboveground tanks from federal oil spill regulations. The amendment would set storage tank thresholds below which agricultural operations would be excluded from U.S. EPA's Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Rule (SPCC).

“While ASA supports additional measures not included in S. 601 to increase revenues for the IWTF and establish alternative financing mechanisms in order to provide more money to address inland waterways infrastructure projects,” added Murphy, “we appreciate the significant progress that is made by S. 601 and we look forward to continuing work with Congress to achieve enactment of a final WRDA in 2013.”



NCBA Statement on Failure of Clean Water Act Amendment Passage in the Senate

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley McDonald issued the following statement on the non-passage of Amendment 868 to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which would have prevented the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) from finalizing the Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdictional guidance document:

“Unfortunately the Senate failed to pass an important piece of legislation, introduced by Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), which would have stopped an overreaching jurisdictional guidance by the EPA and Corps which attempts to federalize all waters. That guidance is at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and could come out in final form any day.

“It is a tragedy that those who voted against this amendment refuse to recognize the devastating effect this guidance will have on farmers and ranchers across the country. If finalized, it would be the biggest federal land-grab in history, requiring cattlemen to apply for permits to conduct everyday activity such as cleaning out a ditch.

“Congress, to date, has refused to clarify what constitutes a ‘water of the United States,’ despite the Supreme Court’s multiple calls to do so. Without such clarification, the Obama administration has taken great liberty in crafting guidance that through ambiguous and ill-defined terms allows EPA to claim that any water body is a ‘water of the U.S.’

“This administration has taken the phrase ‘what you can’t legislate, regulate’ to new heights. Their current interpretation of what constitutes a ‘water of the U.S.’ is not only incorrect based on Supreme Court precedent, but flies in the face of the CWA’s plain language. Although the Senate failed to address this extremely important issue, NCBA hopes that at some point Congress will start to do its job and clarify the jurisdictional limits to the CWA.”



Supporting Senate Ag Committee's Farm Bill Passage
Tom Harkin (D), U.S. Senator from Iowa

This legislation is a balanced, bipartisan bill that continues critical work for food, agriculture, energy and rural programs while reducing federal spending. I am very pleased that this bill extends essential programs and includes substantial reforms, such as eliminating direct payments and replacing them with a new revenue-based program -- a measure that evolved from the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program that I worked to include in the 2008 farm bill. The legislation also builds upon reforms in recent farm bills to strengthen and tighten payment limitations, while strengthening the crop insurance program and making it more beneficial to farmers.

I am also encouraged that the bill provides funding to improve and strengthen critical conservation programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program and other initiatives that I have strongly supported. While funding for conservation was reduced from previous farm bill levels, we were able to limit the extent of the budget reductions with the help of Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran. In addition, I expect significant gains in conservation after the momentous agreement between the farming and conservation communities that requires farmers to meet minimum conservation requirements in order to receive federal crop insurance premium subsidies.

I am pleased that this bill continues funding for initiatives from past farm bills that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to schools across the country. I regret, however, that this legislation reduces funding for nutrition assistance to low-income Americans and am eager to work with the chair of the committee to mitigate cuts to nutrition assistance programs as the legislative process moves forward.

All in all, this is a strong bipartisan bill. Congress should pass this farm bill quickly to continue to assist farmers and consumers, while making investments in rural communities, agriculture, food, and conservation programs that benefit Iowans and all Americans.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/10/2013

According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 857,000 barrels per day (b/d) — or 35.99 million gallons daily. That is up 14,000 b/d from the week before and tied for highest of the year. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 853,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 13.08 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol stood at 16.4 million barrels. That is a 2.5% decrease from last week and the lowest since at least the week ending 11/04/2011. Stocks dropped below a 20-day supply (based on average blender/refiner input.)

For the fifth time in six weeks, imports of ethanol were zero b/d. Imports were unchanged from last week.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 350.3 million gallons daily.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 10.27% — the highest since the first week of the year.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 12.994 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 95,644 metric tons of livestock feed, 85,267 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.46 million pounds of corn oil daily.



Oil Rallies to a Higher Close

(AP) -- The price of oil rose back above $94 Wednesday after dropping earlier on disappointing economic reports from Europe and the U.S.  Benchmark oil for June delivery was up 9 cents to finish at $94.30 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It fell as low as $92.13 in the morning before rising in tandem with U.S. stock markets.

Recently the stock market and, to a lesser degree, the oil market have shrugged off reports of sluggish economic growth, because it suggests that the Federal Reserve will keep pumping money into financial markets.

New figures released Wednesday showed the eurozone's economy continued to contract in the first quarter, keeping it in recession for a sixth consecutive quarter. And a report in the U.S. showed factories cut back sharply on production in April, suggesting economic growth may be slowing this spring.  That dreary economic news initially overshadowed the latest data from the Energy Department showing that oil supplies declined unexpectedly last week.

Crude supplies declined by 600,000 barrels, or 0.2 percent, to 394.9 million barrels, in the week ended May 10. Analysts expected an increase of 300,000 barrels. Still, demand for gasoline and distillates such as diesel remain below year-ago levels.



B100 to Fuel Pulling Tractors

A partnership between U.S. soybean farmers and the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) will reach another milestone Friday when the NTPA begins allowing the use of 100 percent biodiesel, in all diesel pulling classes for this season.

This is the seventh season the soy checkoff has partnered with the NTPA to promote the use of biodiesel to pulling fans, including many farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users.

A study funded by the state soy checkoff board in Minnesota and conducted by United Pullers of Minnesota found using biodiesel in pulling competition can provide a 4 percent increase in torque and horsepower.

"Performance results like these are an added bonus to the environmental and economic benefits of using biodiesel," says Larry Marek, soy checkoff farmer-leader and a soybean farmer from Riverside, Iowa. "If NTPA pullers can get these kinds of results on the track, we can certainly get great results using B100 on the farm."

Also returning to the track this season will be the "Powered by Biodiesel," Light Pro Stock class, in which all competitors are required to use biodiesel blends.

"B100 performs well, and is dependable even in the most excruciating tests," says Gregg Randall, NTPA office general manager. "Pullers will definitely want to take advantage of the fuel this pulling season."

Biodiesel is known as America's Advanced Biofuel because it reduces greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared with petroleum diesel. It offers excellent horsepower, mileage and cetane, and adds as much as 65 percent lubricity to an engine.

The soy checkoff funds biodiesel research and promotion efforts through the National Biodiesel Board to help increase the use of U.S. soy oil. Soy oil remains the dominant feedstock for U.S. biodiesel production.



4 MLB teams welcome FFA members, families, alumni, supporters to series of FFA Day at the Ballpark games this summer

The National FFA Organization has partnered with four Major League Baseball teams for FFA Day at the Ballpark events this summer.  FFA Day with the Kansas City Royals is Sunday, June 23, against Chicago. FFA Day with the Pittsburgh Pirates is Sunday, June 30, vs. Milwaukee. FFA Day with the St. Louis Cardinals is Sunday, Aug. 11, vs. the Chicago Cubs and FFA Day with the Cincinnati Reds is Sunday, Aug. 25, against Milwaukee.

All four MLB teams are offering FFA members, their families and friends, teachers, FFA alumni and FFA supporters specially discounted tickets to attend the game. Through attendance, local FFA members’ participation in stadium activities, special messaging at each game and appearances by National FFA Organization mascot Flyte the Owl, the National FFA Organization hopes to raise awareness about FFA to large and diverse audiences.

A portion of ticket proceeds sold for the Royals, Cardinals and Reds games will directly benefit Kansas FFA, Missouri FFA and Ohio FFA, respectively. In Pittsburgh, the team will offer a replica Roberto Clemente Pirates jersey or a replica Pirates hat to FFA members and supporters depending on their ticket selection.

“The support, level of engagement and willingness to share what today’s FFA is all about that we’ve received from the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds organizations has been outstanding,” said Duane Brodt, public relations manager at the National FFA Organization. “Combined, we have the opportunity to put FFA in front of more than 150,000 Major League Baseball fans this summer and raise awareness about FFA, have thousands of conversations about the importance of our organization to share what we do throughout the country and engage our members, their teachers and loved ones, our alumni and our supporters.”

FFA members and supporters who are Royals, Pirates, Cardinals and Reds fans can visit the MLB page on the National FFA Organization's website for more information about each of the FFA Day at the Ballpark games and buy specially discounted tickets.




Deere Announces Record Second-Quarter Earnings of $1.084 Billion

Net income attributable to Deere & Company was $1.084 billion, or $2.76 per share, for the second quarter ended April 30, compared with $1.056 billion, or $2.61 per share, for the same period last year.  For the first six months of the year, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $1.734 billion, or $4.41 per share, compared with $1.589 billion, or $3.91 per share, last year.

Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 9 percent, to $10.914 billion, for the second quarter and rose 9 percent to $18.335 billion for six months. Net sales of the equipment operations were $10.265 billion for the quarter and $17.058 billion for six months, compared with $9.405 billion and $15.524 billion for the periods last year.

"After a record-setting second quarter, John Deere is well on its way to another year of strong performance," said Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer. Second-quarter sales and income were the highest for any quarterly period in company history, he pointed out. "Deere's results are a reflection of positive conditions in the global farm economy, which continues to show impressive strength. The company's performance also offers further proof of the adept execution of our operating and marketing plans, which are aimed at expanding our global market presence."

Summary of Operations
Net sales of the worldwide equipment operations increased 9 percent for the quarter and 10 percent for six months compared with the same periods a year ago. Sales included price realization of 3 percent for the quarter and year to date and an unfavorable currency-translation effect of 2 percent for the quarter and 1 percent for six months. Equipment net sales in the United States and Canada increased 9 percent for the quarter and 13 percent year to date. Outside the U.S. and Canada, net sales increased 9 percent for the quarter and 6 percent for six months, with unfavorable currency-translation effects of 4 percent and 3 percent for the periods.

Deere's equipment operations reported operating profit of $1.663 billion for the quarter and $2.500 billion for six months, compared with $1.522 billion and $2.220 billion last year. The improvement for both periods was due primarily to the impact of price realization and higher shipment volumes. These factors were partially offset by increased production costs and higher selling, administrative and general expenses as well as unfavorable effects of foreign-currency exchange. The higher production costs were related primarily to manufacturing overhead expenses in support of growth and new products, engine-emission requirements, and postretirement benefit expenses. These items were partially offset by lower raw-material costs. In addition, higher warranty costs and research and development expenses affected year-to-date results.

Net income of the company's equipment operations was $953 million for the second quarter and $1.478 billion for the first six months, compared with $947 million and $1.362 billion in 2012. The operating factors mentioned above, along with a higher effective tax rate and increased interest expense, affected both quarterly and year-to-date results.

Financial services reported net income attributable to Deere & Company of $125.0 million for the quarter and $257.9 million for six months compared with $109.2 million and $228.3 million last year. Results were higher for both periods primarily due to growth in the credit portfolio, partially offset by increased selling, administrative and general expenses. In addition, last year's six-month results benefited from revenue related to wind energy credits.



Horse and Burro Coalition Statement on NBC’s Wild Horse Stories

The National Horse & Burro Rangeland Management Coalition issues the following statement in response to two stories released by NBC News today on wild horses:

“Recent stories by NBC News (Today Show: Wild horses: Endangered animals or menace, and Cruel or necessary? and NBCNews.com: The true cost of wild horse roundups) portray only select facts and a narrow part of the reality surrounding wild horses and burros on the western range.

While regarded by many as icons of the American West, free-roaming horses and burros are in fact non-native species that threaten rangelands and native plant and animal species. But managed at appropriate population levels, wild horses and burros are not a “menace,” even to those with whom the range is shared. Nor is it accurate in any way to call wild horses and burros “endangered.” In fact, the problem is an overpopulation of horses and burros in and beyond many herd management areas. It is inaccurate for these reports to depict only healthy horses or rangelands. While this exists, so do unhealthy horses and degraded range. Finally, considering the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Federal agency tasked with managing most of the wild horses and burros in the West, has gathered tens of thousands of horses over the past decades, it is an unfair portrayal of those gathers to focus on a few instances of potentially inappropriate gather methods. While not perfect, the BLM works hard to maintain humane gather methods.

The BLM faces a daunting task. Current herd sizes, which greatly exceed manageable levels, stand to jeopardize other multiple uses called for by law; they do so by trampling vegetation, hardpacking the soil, and over-grazing. Current overpopulation of horses and burros on the range results in great suffering for the animals, many of which are dying of thirst or starvation. Other multiple uses that depend on healthy rangelands are suffering as well. Despite protection under the law, for example, BLM reports that since horses and burros became protected in 1971, ranching families have seen livestock grazing decline by 30 percent on BLM lands. Meanwhile, the horse population is 42 percent above the scientifically-determined Appropriate Management Level (AML) – which is the population size that BLM can graze without causing ecological damage to rangeland resources. More than 37,000 wild horses currently reside on the range, over 11,000 more than the west-wide AML of 26,500 individuals. Without management, horse and burro herds can double in size every four to five years.

The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 was enacted to protect “wild, free-roaming” horses and burros, as well as guide their management as part of the natural system on BLM and U.S. Forest Service lands in the western United States. The Act requires those agencies to maintain a “thriving natural ecological balance” and protect existing rights on those lands, based on the principle of multiple-use. The Act, as amended, also authorizes the agencies to use or contract for the use of helicopters and motorized vehicles for the purpose of managing horses and burros. This aids BLM to reach AML. When AML is not reached, the animals and other multiple uses, such as wildlife habitat and livestock grazing, are negatively impacted.

Appropriate, scientifically sound management of wild horses and burros on the range is in the interests of all those who care about the health of the animals, the sustainability of the range and the well-being of the rural communities in the west. The NBC stories unfortunately neglect to address these legitimate issues and provide an incomplete picture of the challenges facing policymakers, ranchers, and the conservation community.

For the sake of animal welfare and multiple-use—and in keeping with the Act—the Coalition supports actions that will bring herd sizes in line with AMLs, and emphasizes the following positions:
-    The Coalition appreciates BLM’s efforts to find ways to reduce reproduction rates, increase adoptions and otherwise find solutions to a problem that continues to burden the BLM, taxpayers, and ranchers and create concerns for the welfare of horses and burros and the health of wildlife and the habitats on which they depend. About 70 percent of the total program budget ($74.9 million) is currently being spent on the over 50,000 horses and burros being held in corrals and pastures. These levels are unsustainable. We support innovative strategies such as adjusting sex-ratios, and we encourage more research into effective fertility control treatments. Aside from population suppression, offering trained animals for adoption is important to increase demand for excess horses and burros. We encourage cost-effective initiatives to partner with entities such as universities, prisons and the Mustang Heritage Foundation.
-    The Coalition applauds the BLM’s implementation of humane handling and holding practices. BLM is now supplementing their already-sound practices with a new Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program. As reported by the American Association of Equine Practitioners in 2011, BLM’s “care, handling and management practices” are “appropriate for this population of horses and generally support the safety, health status and welfare of the animals.”
-    The Coalition believes horses and burros should continue to be cared for in a humane manner both on and off the range; integral to this goal is managing herd populations at scientifically determined AMLs and removing old and injured animals. Management decisions should be science-based and increase the ability of rangelands to support healthy horse and burro herds along with other multiple uses, including sustaining native plant and wildlife communities and livestock grazing.

The rangeland resource should be managed for multiple-use in accordance with the law and the land’s scientifically proven capability to accommodate a variety of uses, including the presence of horses and burros and the biodiversity of the landscape. The consistent application of sound science and economics in relation to animal and rangeland management should be used throughout the horse and burro program.”

The coalition is a diverse partnership of 13 wildlife, conservation and sportsmen organizations, industry partners, and professional natural-resource scientific societies working together to identify proactive and comprehensive solutions to increase effective management of horse and burro populations and mitigate the adverse impacts to healthy native fish, wildlife, and plants and the ecosystems on which they depend(American Farm Bureau Federation • Masters of Foxhounds Association • Mule Deer Foundation • National Association of Conservation Districts • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association • National Rifle Association • National Wildlife Refuge Association • Public Lands Council • Public Lands Foundation • Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation • Safari Club International • Society for Range Management • The Wildlife Society). For more information, visit www.wildhorserange.org.



USDA Inspector General Reveals Food Safety Breakdowns At Hog Plants Using Privatized Inspection Model

In an audit report released on May 14, 2013, the USDA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) found major problems with the food safety record of plants participating in an inspection pilot program where most of the inspection responsibilities are turned over to company-paid employees. The pilot is part of the HACCP-based Inspection Models Project (HIMP) in hog slaughter being conducted by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). In the report, the OIG stated:

“We…found that FSIS could not determine whether the goals of a pilot program – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)–based Inspection Models Project (HIMP) – were met because FSIS did not adequately oversee the program. In the 15 years since the program’s inception, FSIS did not critically assess whether the new inspection process had measurably improved food safety at each HIMP plant, a key goal of the program…Although HIMP was intended to improve food safety, we found that 3 of the 10 plants with the most (non-compliance reports) NRs from FYs 2008 to 2011 were HIMP plants. In fact, the swine plant with the most NRs during this timeframe was a HIMP plant – with nearly 50 percent more NRs than the plant with the next highest number.”

Even though the OIG found these major deficiencies in the HIMP program, USDA officials have indicated that they plan to expand the privatized model to all swine slaughter plants in the near future.

In 2012, USDA announced a proposal to privatize inspection in most poultry facilities even though serious food safety concerns remain with that proposal. The President’s proposed budget for FY 2014 assumes the implementation of privatized inspection program in poultry.

“All of these privatization schemes should be ended right now until there is a thorough discussion of the impact on food safety of these ill-conceived schemes,” said Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter.

The OIG also found that FSIS is not doing an effective job of enforcing its food safety regulations against companies that have repeated violations. The agency is investing over $141 million in a new information technology system called the Public Health Information System (PHIS) that has not been properly implemented to track these violations.

“PHIS is fraught with problems and we urge the OIG to conduct a top to bottom audit of PHIS and stop wasting taxpayer dollars on a system that is an impediment to inspectors trying to keep our food safe,” said Hauter.