“For Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman, No More Cap and Trade”
At least for the Senate architects of compromise climate legislation – the cap and trade label is falling by the wayside. Congressional Quarterly reports Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry is now referring to the plan for addressing greenhouse gas emissions as reduction and refund. This new approach would address emissions by the utilities, manufacturing and transportation sectors differently rather than capping nationwide emissions and allowing emitters to trade allowances.
The three Senators working on this measure – Kerry, South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham and Connecticut’s Joe Lieberman – have had many meetings with colleagues, industry groups and environmental organizations to sell their new approach and solicit fresh ideas and input.
The team’s goal is putting a climate bill together that can garner the support of at least 60 senators. They plan to release their bill next month.
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“Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report”
University of Nebraska Livestock Marketing Specialist Dr. Darrell Mark says the latest Hogs and Pigs report – released Friday afternoon – is a very bullish report. The March 1st breeding herd is at a record low 5.76-million – down 3.9-percent from one year ago. The market herd is down 2.7-percent at 58.2-million. The all hogs and pigs total of 63.98-million head is down 2.8-percent from last year and nearly two-percent lower than the pre-report estimate. According to Agricultural Economist Erica Rosa – the report boosted the price outlook for market hogs.
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“Pork Producers Attend NPPC’s Spring Legislative Action Conference”
The National Pork Producers Council held its Spring Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C. March 24th and 25th. More than 100 pork producers from 20 states participated. While in the nation’s capital they met with members of Congress to discuss important industry issues. They also heard from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack who discussed the agency’s efforts to expand trade, livestock competition and the need to revitalize rural communities.
Producers received updates on a number of legislative issues from NPPC staff as well. The Child Nutrition Act approved by the Senate Ag Committee, reauthorization of the Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting Act and pending free trade agreements were among the issues discussed.
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“Meat Safety and Accountability Act Introduced”
Montana Senator Jon Tester has introduced a bill to improve meat traceback. The Meat Safety and Accountability Act would require USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to design and implement an initiative to trace tainted meat back to the original source of contamination. Food safety experts have said the lack of a meaningful traceback requirement is a big flaw in the meat safety system.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says new regulations of this type are long overdue. He says R-CALF believes it’s critically important to the safety of U.S. beef consumers that regulators be forthcoming with information about a pathogen’s origin. Right now – Bullard says the public sees increases in food-borne illnesses without the opportunity of knowing where the bacteria actually came from. He adds better inspection will help to restore consumer confidence in beef safety. He says that’s important if the U.S. cattle industry is to reverse the current trend in beef demand – which has been declining since 2004.
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“International Beef Symposium Taking Place in Manhattan, Kansas”
Kansas State University will host the 2nd International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare May 19th through the 21st. The Director of K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute Dan Thomson says the symposium will provide everyone involved in the beef cattle industry – from producer to veterinarian to feedyard manager and transport specialist to processor – the opportunity to have constructive discussion on well-being issues facing the industry.
Several of the leading experts in the field are scheduled to speak at the symposium – including Temple Grandin, who has earned a reputation for designing livestock handling systems and her in-depth understanding of animal behavior – and the University of California-Davis Professor that recently questioned the UN Food and Agriculture Organization report that suggested livestock are responsible for 18-percent of greenhouse gas emissions, Frank Mitloehner.
A half-day session on emergency preparedness will precede the conference. The session will cover several topics – such as handling loose cattle after an accident, humane euthanasia techniques and emergency response techniques for wounded cattle. Conference presentations will include topics like answering public questions about beef production, communicating better to governmental entities and the economics associated with welfare.
The Early Bird registration deadline is April 1st. The fee for the half-day Emergency Preparedness Session is 30-dollars. For the three-day symposium – the cost is 100-dollars and covers participation in all sessions, a lunch, refreshment breaks and symposium proceedings. For those who can’t attend in person – a live webcast option is available. Early registration is 100-dollars for an individual or 500-dollars for a live webcast group.
For more information – visit isbcw dot beefcattleinstitute dot org (www.isbcw.beefcattleinstitute.org).
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“CO Now Boasts One of the Highest Renewable Energy Standards in the Country”
Colorado now has one of the highest renewable energy standards in the country. Governor Bill Ritter signed legislation March 22nd that will require large utilities to obtain 30-percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. In 2004 – the state was the first to have a voter-approved renewable energy standard. That referendum called for 10-percent renewable power by 2015. The requirement was increased to 20-percent by 2020 in 2007.
The new law credits electricity produced from solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy, biomass power, small hydropower, recycled electricity from waste heat, and fuel cells powered with hydrogen derived from eligible renewable energy resources. Under the new law – utilities must supply at least 12-percent of their retail electric sales from such sources from 2011 to 2014 – 20-percent from 2015 to 2019 – and 30-percent for 2020 and beyond. There is an exception for municipal utilities serving 40-thousand or fewer customers.
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“Oklahoma Site of 47th Annual WLAC”
The slate of competitors is set for the 47th annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship this summer. Thirty-three of the best livestock auctioneers in North America will head for the Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City to compete for the top title in their profession.
The Stockyards is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and President Rob Fisher says they’ve been getting ready for the contest for several months – with hundreds of thousands of dollars poured into refurbishing and remodeling the facilities.
Thirty-two of the contestants became eligible for the contest through four WLAC qualifying events. The final contestant is the reigning International Auctioneer Champion. On June 19th – six judges will score these semi-finalists on an interview and live auction rounds. The criteria include presentation, clarity of expression and articulation, knowledge of the industry, ability to be an industry spokesman, vocal quality and clarity of chant, bid-catching ability, execution of the sale and asking the question – would I hire this auctioneer? The top 10 scorers return for a final round of selling – with three titlists announced that evening.
