“Organizations Concerned with Reinsurance Agreement”
10 National Agricultural organizations have sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack concerning the Draft Standard Reinsurance Agreement. The letter highlights the importance of prioritizing the protection of farmers’ viability, emphasizing that changes made should not negatively impact farmers and ranchers’ ability to access insurance products that are vital to their operations.
One of the organizations, the National Farmers Union, says it supports an SRA that will not negatively impact the delivery of crop insurance, but instead strengthens risk management protection and allows for access to those in need.
NFU President Roger Johnson, says – the consideration of a 4-billion dollar cut to the crop insurance program over five years on top of several substantial cuts made last year concerns both producers and businesses. NFU would like to see past savings reinvested into the program.
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“Dean Foods Purchase Being Challenged”
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Dean Foods Company seeking to undo its April 2009 purchase of dairy processing plants from Foremost Farms USA because of competition concerns. In its legal documents, the DOJ argues the deal eliminated – substantial competition – between the two companies in the sale of milk to grocery stores, schools, convenience stores and other retailers in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Those three states have joined the suit.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Wisconsin, the Justice Department’s antitrust division asked a judge to order Dean Foods to sell the dairy processing plants it acquired and notify the government before any future acquisitions of milk processing operations. Because the deal value was below a certain threshold at the time, 65.2-million dollars, the companies did not have to notify antitrust authorities before moving forward with it.
In announcing that is was contesting the complaint, Dean Foods called the government’s decision to challenge the deal, – unsound, both legally and economically. The company believes an objective judicial review of the facts will reveal that competition is alive and flourishing in Wisconsin.
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“Monsanto Receives Mexican Import Approval”
Mexico, a major importer of U.S. corn grain and dried distillers grains, has given full regulatory authorization for importation of grain from three Monsanto Company Genuity™ corn traits: Genuity™ SmartStax™, Genuity™ VT Triple PRO™, and Genuity™ VT Double PRO™.
Monsanto says the approvals are the final major global regulatory import approvals necessary to enable U.S. and Canadian farmers who plant these corn trait technologies to fully market their grain in 2010. This includes farmers who planted Genuity™ VT Triple PRO as part of a limited commercial demonstration in 2009.
Genuity™ SmartStax and Genuity™ VT Triple PRO have regulatory authorizations in the United States, Canada, Japan and Korea, among other countries. Genuity™ VT Double PRO has full regulatory approval in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Monsanto anticipates approval in Korea during the 2010 growing season.
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“New Bioproducts Web Site Introduced”
The Ohio Soybean Council and the soybean checkoff are helping consumers – go green – by creating a new Web site that offers information about bioproducts made from agriculturally derived, renewable resources such as soybeans. Soyinside dot org (soyinside.org) is an easy-to-use, interactive online resource that assists consumers in finding green products and everything they need to know about bioproducts, from how they are made to which household items include soy.
Ohio Soybean Council executive director Kirk Merritt points out that – as more types of bioproducts become available and as consumers continue to make the right choices, bio-based solutions have the potential to replace petroleum-based materials with renewable, environmentally friendly products and resources.
This site will introduce consumers to bio-based alternatives for everything from personal-care items to paints, cleaners and other industrial products. While the majority of the featured products include a soy-based component, there will also be other products included that are made with other agriculturally derived components such as corn.
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“Italian Sausage Products Recalled”
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says Daniele International Inc. is recalling about 1.24 million pounds of ready-to-eat varieties of Italian sausage products, including salami/salame, because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The products are in commerce and potentially available to customers in retail locations under the brand names Daniele, Boar’s Head and Dietz & Watson. Daniele International has operations in Pascoag and Mapleville, Rhode Island.
In addition, the company is recalling all products in commerce associated with black pepper, which the company believes is a possible source of contamination. Each package bears a label with establishment number “EST. 9992″ or “EST. 54″ inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were distributed to retail establishments nationwide and internationally.
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“ARRA Broadband Funds Released”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says fourteen Broadband Infrastructure projects will receive nearly 310-million dollars through funding made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In making the announcement, Vilsack said, – the awards for these broadband projects will support anchor institutions – such as libraries, public buildings and community centers – that are necessary for the viability of rural communities.
One recipient is in rural Burleigh County, North Dakota where the BEK Communications Cooperative has been selected to receive a 2-million dollar grant and a 2-million dollar loan. The company will expand the existing system to offer fiber-to-the-premises service to more than 540 homes and anchor institutions that are currently underserved.
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“Arkansas Congressman Stepping Down”
Arkansas Representative Marion Berry says he will not seek another term in Congress. The leaders of the National Cotton Council have commended Berry for his distinguished public service. The leaders point out that – throughout his career, first as a senior USDA official and later during his seven terms as the Representative for Arkansas’ 1st District, Marion Berry has been a tireless and effective advocate for family farmers and rural Americans.
Larry McClendon, NCC’s immediate past chairman and a Marianna, Arkansas, farmer, says – Berry has provided a strong voice in Congress for our nation’s family farmers who produce an abundant, safe and affordable supply of food and fiber while providing jobs and making substantial contributions to the rural economy.
Allen Helms, a past NCC chairman and Clarkedale, Arkansas, farmer says – Representative Berry’s experience, balanced views and deep knowledge of farming and the rural economy will be missed by the agriculture community and by his colleagues in Congress.
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“Heavier Cover Crops Provide Dividends”
In moderate climates, farmers cultivating organic produce often use winter cover crops to add soil organic matter, improve nutrient cycling and suppress weeds. Now, thanks to research conducted at the U.S. Agricultural Research Station in Salina, California, these producers can optimize cover crop use by refining their seeding strategies.
ARS horticulturist Eric Brennan conducted studies comparing winter cover crop planting protocols in organic systems along California’s central coast. He planted rye using three seeding rates of 80, 160 and 240 pounds per acre. The seeds were either planted in a grid pattern or in traditional rows. All seeding was carried out in October.
Brennan found that planting rye at higher seeding rates consistently improved early-to midseason rye biomass production and weed suppression. But he saw no consistent crop improvement from grid planting. Brennan also studied seeding rates and planting patterns using a cover crop of legumes and oats. Results were similar to the rye cover crop research.
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“Poultry Hall of Fame Nominees Announced”
The American Poultry Historical Society will honor five individuals next month by inducting them into the American Poultry Industry Hall of Fame. Each inductee will be honored with a bronze plaque bearing their image which will be on permanent display in the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland.
The 2010 inductees are: Donald Dalton, past president of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association; Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, co-founder and majority owner of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation; Paul B. Siegel, a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech; Robert D. Sparboe, who started Sparboe Chick Company which later led became Sparboe Farms Inc.; and J. Paul Thaxton Jr., founder of Embrex Incorporated, the world’s first biotechnology company dedicated to poultry, and a professor of poultry science at Mississippi State University until his death in 2007.
The honorees will be inducted this Thursday at the International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia.
