“World H1N1 Pandemic Nears End?”
The H1N1 virus ran its course in the United States and could soon be part of the past worldwide. Last month – U.S. health authorities determined that special medical measures to fight the flu pandemic are no longer required. But we must wait for the flu season to end in Argentina before World Health Organization officials will declare a world-wide truce in the war on the H1N1 virus.
The World Health Organization’s emergency committee could convene as early as next week to review infection data from Argentina to New Zealand. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan has to decide whether the virus warrants extra vigilance. Gregory Hartl – a WHO spokesman – says a decision by Chan to scale down the pandemic response will be guided by how the virus evolves. A date for an announcement hasn’t been set.
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“GIPSA Rule Takes Hot Seat at House Subcommittee Hearing”
The House Ag Subcommittee on Livestock met Tuesday to review livestock and related USDA programs ahead of the 2012 Farm Bill. Subcommittee Chair David Scott says the hearing was a productive one – allowing members to explore in depth a wide array of issues with the department. He says it also brought several issues to light that require more thorough investigation in the future. According to Ranking Member Randy Negugebauer (nog-uh-bough-er) – fair and transparent markets are necessary for orderly commerce between producers, packers, processors, retailers and consumers. But he says the policy process must be fair and transparent as well – so the the path of good intentions does not lead to the land of unintended consequences.
Neugebauer is disappointed that the comment period on the GIPSA rule announced last monght is only 60 days and will close before the USDA/DOJ workshops on the subject are completed. He joined 21 of his colleagues to request a 120 day extension.
USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Edward Avalos was the primary witness Tuesday. He says joined by administrators from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Agricultural Marketing Service and Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration.
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“NFU Opposes GIPSA Extension of Comment Period”
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack Tuesday encouraging the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration to oppose extending the comment period for the proposed rule requiring USDA to improve fairness in livestock and poultry marketing. Johnson says extending the comment period into the fall calf season will give packers leverage to offer lower prices to producers as a fear mechanism. He says USDA has given a sufficient amount of time to comment on the rule – and if the department deems it necessary to extend the comment time – it should be minimal and only to meet USDA’s needs.
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“R-CALF USA Ready to Debate Cattle Issues”
R-CALF USA has accepted an invitation to debate the current state of competition in the U.S. cattle and beef industries. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says his organization has long maintained that the high level of concentration in the U.S. cattle market enables beef packers to exert buying power that distorts the market – thus enabling them to exploit both cattle producers and consumers. He says the group believes the current level of industry concentration and the exercise of related buying power continues to cause the exodus of more than 10-thousand cattle producers annually.
Other organizations receiving invitations to debate the issues are the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the American Meat Institute and the National Meat Association. Bullard says the other industry representatives invited hold very different views regarding both the effects of concentration and of buying power.
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“Russia Poultry Market Opening”
This Friday – USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service will release an updated list of establishments approved to export poultry to Russia. Russia agreed to lift its ban on imports of U.S. poultry in June – though they didn’t sign the paperwork until last week. But don’t expect a lot of U.S. poultry being exported right away. While some plants may be ready to resume exports to Russia – many are weeks away.
All plants must re-apply for permission to export to Russia – a process in which an FSIS veterinarian must validate that the establishment is currently meeting all export requirements. That means plants will have to discontinue use of chlorine online before they can submit the application. Afterward they would have to wait for written confirmation that they have been approved as an export-eligible plant.
According to BMO Capital Markets analyst Ken Zaslow – the diversion of dark meat from domestic inventories is expected to boost leg quarter prices to 45-cents per pound. Current prices are about 38-cents per pound.
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“Grain Industry Debates Terms in Dietary Guidelines”
The U.S grain industry believes that new federal government dietary guidelines should use the term “enriched” when referencing grains that are not defined as whole grains rather than “refined” – and should maintain the long-cited recommendation to consumers to make half your grains whole. The grain groups tell government officials in a letter that continued use of the term “refined” is inaccurate and confusing to both consumers and nutrition professionals – and has an inappropriate negative connotation to the media and consumers.
The industry recommended using the term “enriched” since 95-percent of all refined/milled grains are enriched with niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, iron and folic acid – and terminology including “enriched” would be more in line with FDA labeling standards. The groups also asked for a reconsideration of the dietary recommendation to limit “refined carbohydrates” – which incorrectly implies that most enriched grain products – carbohydrates – have excessive sugar or fat. The grain groups said the recommendation could be likened to telling consumers to consume fewer almonds merely because they are a popular ingredient in chocolate bars.
Updated dietary guidelines are set to be issued later this year by USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.
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“NFU President Points Out Permitting Problems”
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson has submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the proposed pesticide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit. A Court of Appeals stay expires on April 9, 2011 and NFU is concerned the general permit will not be finished by the deadline and farm operators making legal pesticide applications will face legal jeopardy if they lose the protections of EPA’s 2006 rule and have no access to the new state PGPs.
Johnson wrote that there needs to be sufficient explanation and definition of application types so producers understand if they are covered. In the meantime – Johnson suggests the agency should petition for an extension to provide regulatory agencies adequate time to develop and implement the complex permit procedures and farmers adequate time to understand and work within the permit structures that will differ from state to state.
NFU policy supports continued prudent use of approved chemicals for crop production to maintain viable agriculture operations and a secure food supply. Until effective biological controls or other alternatives to chemical controls are available – NFU calls for greater cooperation among producers, chemical companies and government agencies to ensure advances continue to be made in best practices, pest-control research initiatives and less chemically intensive farming practices.
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“Rural Development Programs Reviewed By House Ag Subcommittee”
Chairman of the House Ag Committee’s Subcommittee on Rural Development Mike McIntyre held a hearing reviewing the USDA’s rural development programs before the 2012 Farm Bill Tuesday. Those testifying before the Subcommittee included USDA’s Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager and rural economic development stakeholders using rural development programs across the U.S.
McIntyre says the hearing provided a good overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the nation’s rural development programs given their current resources. Ranking Member Michael Conaway of Texas says there are several significant issues with the way programs are being implemented and the hearings presented an opportunity to shed light. With 16 federal agencies administering over 88 programs targeting rural development – Conaway says it’s important to stay on top of what USDA is doing to effectively coordinate rural development efforts and use taxpayer funds more efficiently.
Opening statements of witnesses at the hearing can be found at http://agriculture.house.gov.
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“Importance of Agriculture and Safe Food Supply Promoted By Race Car”
The Brickyard 400 Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday will include Regan Smith’s Furniture Row Racing Chevy – the number 78 Farm American Chevy that depicts farm life on the hood along with the program theme on the rear panel – Cultivating the Future. The paint scheme and program are meant to promote the importance of U.S. ag – which employs more than 22-million people in America. Team Owner and CEO of Furniture Row Companies Barney Visser says the number of job losses in the furniture industry has been devastating – and the same trends are occurring in the nation’s food supply – making it something worth fighting for.
Visser says he doesn’t want America to fall asleep on the issue. He believes in the free market system – but says the nation isn’t free when asking farmers and ranchers to compete against foreign governments and potentially harmful standards putting U.S. families at risk.
The United Soybean Board is a sponsor of the Farm American car. USB Director Keith Dunn says by partnering with the Farm American car at the heart of the soybean belt – racing fans can be informed of the major role U.S. soy and other U.S. ag products play in helping provide U.S. families with a safe, sustainable and reliable supply of food.
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“Two Ways to Prevent Johne’s Disease According to ARS Study”
Agricultural Research Service Microbiologist Kim Cook says dairy farmers can fight Johne’s disease – a disease causing losses of up to 200-thousand dollars per year in a herd of a thousand dairy cows – by using stainless steel water troughs and adding chlorine to the water. Cook found high concentrations of bacteria causing the disease on troughs made of concrete, plastic, stainless steel and galvanized steel within three days of putting the bacteria in the water – and the bacteria survived for more than 149 days. However – the bacteria survived less on the stainless steel.
Once chlorine was added to the water weekly – three tablespoons of chlorine per 100 gallons of water – Cook found less than one-percent of the bacteria remained on stainless steel troughs by the end of the third week – while 20-percent and 34-percent remained on plastic and concrete troughs respectively. Through her study – Cook suggests using stainless steel troughs with chlorine in water should be a recommended practice in any Johne’s control plan.
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“Durum Wheat Quality Program Applications Now Being Accepted by USDA”
Farm Service Agency Administrator Jonathan Coppess announced Tuesday USDA is accepting applications for the Durum Wheat Quality Program – a program where producers may receive a 50-percent cost share for applying fungicides to this year’s durum wheat crop to control wheat scab. The deadline to apply for the 2010 crop year is September 15th. A producer must complete a DWQP application and have used an eligible fungicide to control wheat scab on acres planted to the 2010 durum wheat crop to be eligible. The producer must also provide verifiable documentation for the purchase of eligible fungicide.
More information on the program and other FSA programs is available at www.fsa.usda.gov.
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“Forest Service Steps Up Climate Change Work”
The effects of a changing climate can be seen throughout the nation’s forests and grasslands. Examples include longer and more severe fire seasons; reduced snowpack, earlier snowmelt, and changes in stream flow patterns; a marked decrease in sap runs in sugar maple trees; shifts in the distribution of some tree species; and increasing stress on some native fish and wildlife species.
To get a better handle on climate change the USDA Forest Service now has a National Roadmap for Responding to Climate Change. The Roadmap lays out actions to incorporate adaptation, mitigation, sustainable consumption, and education objectives into existing programs, policies, and processes; coordinate among programs in implementing climate change strategies; and build strong partnerships with other agencies, tribes, States, communities, and citizens.
Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell says they are committed to playing a leading role in responding to climate change and making the nation’s forests and grasslands more resilient. The recently created Climate Change Resource Center will provide information and tools to land managers to address climate change in project planning. The agency has more than two decades of climate change research – which is supported by other research in watershed hydrology, fire management, nutrient cycling, wildlife and forest management.
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“New Leaders Elected for USGC”
The U.S. Grains Council elected a new set of officers and Board of Directors at its 50th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting where Terry Vinduska – representing the Kansas Corn Commission – was elected Chairman for the 2010 to 2011 fiscal year. USGC President and CEO Thomas Dorr says the council is fortunate to have strong, active leadership in place as it begins its 51st year. He says the Council’s leaders provide excellent insight into the challenges and opportunities in the international market arena.
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“Next Generation Rural Leaders Meet at NFU Leadership Camp”
The National Farmers Union held its All-States Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colorado July 11th through the 16th. It’s a camp where NFU’s next generation of leaders gathered to listen to various inspirational speakers. The camp’s theme was Leading by Serving: The Summit of Leadership. NFU’s Director of Education Maria Miller says the young people excel in their desire to make the world a better place – and NFU provides them with encouragement and training to become leaders in their communities.
Chandler Goule – NFU Vce President of Government Relations – led an interactive group discussion with the campers on developing strategies to advance NFU’s policy priorities. He acknowledges the ambition and willingness to learn from campers and appreciates their interest in continuing NFU’s traditions.
The campers elected six peers to represent them nationwide on the National Youth Advisory Council. Education Director Miller says she expects some of the campers will remember All-States as the event that put their leadership skills into motion.
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“Summer Beef Conference Focuses on Rebuilding Herds”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has scheduled its Summer Conference for July 28th through August 1st in Denver, Colorado. According to NCBA President and Illinois cattle producer Steve Foglesong – the Summer Conference is more than determining NCBA’s policies – the event is a portal of excellent information for cattle producers.
Featured will be the industry’s “Rebuilding the Herd” panel that specifically addresses the shrinkage in the U.S. cattle herd. Gregg Doud – NCBA Chief Economist – says the panel is also about rebuilding the people involved in the industry. Doud says it’s more important than ever to engage younger generations in farming and ranching. He says the future of the industry depends on sustaining farms and ranches for younger generations. Doug says it’s important to extend the discussion beyond what it takes to retain and develop heifers and the cattle cycle. He says there are other factors at work – and this discussion is an attempt to flesh out the challenges to the future growth of the industry.
Foglesong says another panel at the meeting will focus on the trade relationship between the United States and Mexico.
