SARL
members rework bill from 2011.
Iowa
lawmakers combat false and edited videos
Two Iowa lawmakers are looking to combat those who obtain access to
agricultural production facilities under false pretenses. Animal rights activists
have frequently taken part in clandestine activities in recent years, such as
secretly filming livestock. HF
589 sponsored by Sens. Joe Seng, Davenport, and Tim Kapucian, Keystone
would create the crime of “agricultural production facility fraud.” Anyone who
conspires with, aids and abets or conceals a person who commits the offense
could also be held criminally liable. However, Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines,
who said the legislation is “problematic” and creates a protection for the
agricultural industry that is not afforded to any other sector, said he will
seek to defer debate to allow time to draft changes. Paul Shapiro of the
Humane Society of the United States called the measure “a whistle-blower
suppression bill...If
you’re going to make it a crime to inflate or exaggerate your resume, then
you’d better start investing in prisons.” Backers said they re-crafted the
measure — in consultation with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office — in a way
that does not restrict the recording or distribution of videos or photographs.
Instead, it deals only with fraudulent statements made to obtain access or
employment at an animal facility or crop operation property. localwireless.com
Yahoo
claims Agriculture a Useless Degree
Yahoo Education, a news division of the search engine giant, published the
piece by writer Terence Loose, listing agriculture, animal science and
horticulture as three of the five “most useless” degrees available to college
students. Out of a top five list their number one pick for a useless degree is
agriculture; they go on to also list animal science and horticulture. Strange
when you consider that agriculture has been the one strong point in an
otherwise failing economy. The Yahoo piece was also highly antithetical to
those who actually work in the industry and know it is one of the few bright
spots in an economy that has stagnated for nearly four years. While other U.S.
industries that produce tangible products, like manufacturing, have struggled
to compete in a global market, U.S. agriculture is thriving, with ag exports
worth $137 billion in the last fiscal year. Farmers, editors of agriculture
publications and agriculture educators responded in force against the article’s
allegations, pointing out the generalizations and gaps in its argument and
reminding people that, as an editorial from Drovers CattleNetwork put it,
“[d]on’t criticize our chosen profession…with your mouth full.”
Western Farm Press
The
press has been hard on the Court for this, but as someone that has loaded
thousands of hogs, they occasionally will get hot and lay down.. they are not
downer animals and pose no threat to the food supply.
US
Supreme Court blocks California law on euthanizing downed livestock
The Supreme
Court on overturned a California law that would require euthanizing downed
livestock at federally inspected slaughterhouses to keep the meat out of the
nation’s food system. California strengthened regulations against slaughtering
so-called “downer” animals after the 2008 release of an undercover Humane
Society of the United States video showed workers abusing cows at a
slaughterhouse. In a widely expected decision, the high court ruled that the
state’s 2009 law was blocked from going into effect by federal law administered
by the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Federal
law “precludes California’s effort ... to impose new rules, beyond any the FSIS
has chosen to adopt, on what a slaughterhouse must do with a pig that becomes
non-ambulatory during the production process,” said Justice Elena Kagan, who
wrote the court’s unanimous opinion. Under California law, the ban on buying,
selling and slaughtering of downer cattle also extended to pigs, sheep and
goats. Pork producers sued to stop the law, saying it interfered with federal
laws that require inspections of downed livestock before determining whether
they can be used for meat. The Federal Meat Inspection Act allows a federal
meat inspector to examine and then determine whether a downed animal is fit to
be slaughtered for meat. It also says states cannot add requirements “in
addition to or different than” its requirements.
Washington Post
Supreme
Court decision helps fuel activist propaganda machine
The U.S.
Supreme Court’s unanimous decision, announced yesterday in National Meat
Association vs Harris, offered yet another opportunity for activists to scare
and confuse consumers with propaganda.
Drovers
California
animal-slaughter law struck down; activists pin hopes on federal bill
LATimes.com
OK:
Livestock Coalition to Address Abandoned Animals Garners Governor's Support
Coalition
does what HSUS doesn’t.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin endorsed the newly
formed Oklahoma Livestock Relief Coalition that provides a funding channel for
people to support the efforts of livestock producers and law enforcement
agencies who are often given the task of caring for abandoned and neglected
livestock. Gov. Fallin encouraged the public to help the OLRC take care of
these animals. “This
takes money so I would like to encourage Oklahomans who want to help to make a
donation to the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Foundation.”
Beef
IN:
Bill Gives Farmers a Legal Tool to Stop Groundless Nuisance Suits
As HB
1091 is written, the Star's statement is wrong. Only if the farm prevails
in the lawsuit and the suit is determined by a court to be "frivolous,
maliciously initiated, or groundless," would the court award attorneys'
fees. This is not a guaranty. Nevertheless, some anti-ag groups are already
lining up to oppose the bill. Kim Ferraro of the Hoosier Environmental
Counsel explained "Given the significant hurdles already in place that
limit the ability of CAFO communities to protect themselves,this is probably
the most repulsive, underhanded and unjust piece of proposed legislation I've
ever seen. Farm group industry leaders explained why the bill is necessary. Justin
Schneider, a staff attorney from Indiana Farm Bureau, testified that was bill
was necessary because there have been several cases where judges decline to
award court costs to successful defendants. Michael Platt, executive director
of the Indiana Pork Producers, testified that he is seeing more attorneys file
suits against CAFOS with the express purpose of delaying and disrupting
industry expansion. From my standpoint, Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Pork
have it right. A number of lawsuits have been filed in the last few years
against Indiana farms, often funded by out-of-state attorneys or in state
anti-farm groups. Nuisance suits dissuade farms from expanding. HB 1091 seeks
to address these problems..
Janzenlaw.blogspot.com
IN:Protection
bill leaves bad smell
When an experienced activist attorney says she'd be inclined to advise
low-income citizens not to take grievances to court if a certain bill became
law, alarms ought to be ringing.
Indystar
Mobile poultry unit goes to Vt. farm for $61,000
A Vermont
farm has bought the state's mobile poultry processing unit for $61,000. The
owners of Tangletown Farm in Middlesex say the unit will allow them to expand
their business and play a larger role.
Capital Press
NH, Maine police investigate logging damage
Police in
Conway, N.H., say damage from vandalism to equipment belonging to a logging
company runs into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Capital Press
KS:Bill
would help cooperate hog, dairy interests
The House
Agriculture Committee eased into highly controversial territory Wednesday by
assessing legislation designed to weaken obstacles to establishment of
corporate hog and dairy operations in Kansas. Debate 20 years ago on the
subject, which produced the current mechanism allowing voters to challenge
county decisions, produced protest rallies at the Statehouse. A handful of
lobbyists and legislators recalled those days when neighbors were pitted
against neighbors on the issue.
The Capital-Journal
Donations pay for WA Wildlife Department bear dogs
When Washington
Fish and Wildlife agents are tracking down bears that threaten homes or people
they depend on Karelian bear dogs. The department owns four of the dogs but the
program is funded by donations.
Capital Press
U.S.
agriculture secretary critical of Pa. plan to tie food stamps to assets ...
Pennsylvania's plan to tie food-stamp benefits to people's assets will save the
state nothing and create more problems than it solves. Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack said the asset test "is not going to save the commonwealth a
single dime," and would, in fact, cost the state money to implement. Mayor
Nutter, at a City Hall news conference with Vilsack, was more pointed. "This
is one of the most mean-spirited, asinine proposals to come out of Harrisburg
in decades," he said. "I literally cannot understand what problem
they are trying to solve." The asset test, as described by the Department
of Public Welfare, would deny food stamps to senior citizens with $3,250 or
more in savings and assets. For people under 60, the figure is $2,000. Houses
and retirement benefits would be exempt from counting as assets. If a person
owns a car, that vehicle also would be exempt, but any additional vehicle worth
more than $4,650 would be considered a countable asset.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Ala.,
Ga. farmers adjust planting after immigration crackdown
Brett Hall, Alabama's deputy agriculture commissioner, said nurseries across
south Alabama are trying to find workers to fill about 2000 jobs ahead of the
spring growing season. Some producers said they have begun changing their plans
for planting and harvesting this year's crops. Some farmers said they might
reduce the number of acres they plant or shift to less labor-intensive crops,
while others are bracing for higher labor prices and have turned to new
recruiting tools to attract workers. Many nursery growers are staffing job
fairs.
USA TODAY
Mo.
treasurer reaches agreement with federal agriculture officials on farm loan
guarantees
More loans
may be available to first-time farmers in Missouri, under a new agreement
between the state treasurer's office and the USDA. Treasurer Clint Zweifel
says first-time farmers qualifying for loans under the state's low-interest
Linked Deposit Program could receive a 95 % loan guarantee from the federal
Farm Service Agency. Zweifel said that guarantee could save money on interest. The
federal agency might also waive loan origination fees, depending on how much
money is available for the program. Farmers can use the money for land,
buildings, new and used farm equipment and livestock.
The Columbus Indiana Republic
Buy-local
fueling agriculture growth, farmers say
Maine
farmers are optimistic about opportunities in the industry, especially if more
"buy local" campaigns are initiated and existing ones improved,
according to a survey from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The
extension, in partnership with the Maine Business School, surveyed about 200
farmers over last year to get their impressions on the future of farming
through 2012, according to VillageSoup. The farmers expected both large and
small farms to continue to expand and diversify. Farmers were optimistic about
the growing buy-local movement and said that outreach efforts to encourage
consumers to support local food producers would be important in sustaining
future growth in the agriculture industry in the state. Some respondents said
efforts to supply locally grown food to institutions such as hospitals and
schools should be expanded. Respondents also cited the willingness of farmers
to help each other as another bright spot.
MaineBiz
Florida
Agriculture Issues in State Legislature
The Senate Agriculture Committee turned out the lights on a proposal aimed at
preventing people from secretly taking pictures on farms. With the proposal
causing controversy, the
committee removed it from a broader agriculture bill (SB 1184). The proposal
was aimed primarily at animal-rights groups that falsify videos related to the
treatment of animals on farms. Supporters of the proposal, which was approved
earlier this month in a House committee, have said it would protect private
property rights and prevent misunderstandings and potential espionage. The
Senate committee voted 7-0 to approve the rest of SB 1184, which deals with
issues such as stormwater-management fees, citrus-harvesting equipment and
animal feed. Senate committee approved SB 1132 which would limit
oversight of beekeeping to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services and prevent cities and counties from imposing restrictions on such
things as the location of honeybee colonies. Sponsor Alan Hays, Umatilla, said
the bill comes after some local governments have approved ordinances in
“kneejerk reaction” to beekeeping. “We do need uniform, statewide standards,”
Hays said. The Florida League of Cities expressed concerns, but the Senate
Agriculture Committee voted 7-0 to approve the measure. Despite objections from
cities and counties, the Senate Agriculture Committee also approved a bill that
would prevent local regulation of “agritourism” on farm land. The Senate
Agriculture Committee voted 6-1 to approve SB 1496, sponsored by
Sen. Greg Evers, Baker. Agritourism can involve a variety of activities, such
as farms offering tours and educational activities. But Stephen James, a
lobbyist for the Florida Association of Counties, is concerned
that the bill is overly broad. He said some farm land is close to
densely populated areas and that problems could arise if owners wanted to hold
festivals that could affect such things as parking.
Southeast AgNet
FL:
State, environmental groups continue to wrestle over water cleanup plan
A
lawsuit-fueled four-year battle over safety and health standards for Florida
waters inched toward a possible resolution in the Legislature. A House
committee unanimously accepted a proposal by the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection to bypass stricter federal water pollution rules and
instead apply its own state standards.The proposal — which proponents say
attempts to balance environmental concerns against additional burdens on
businesses and homeowners — still must be approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and withstand a legal challenge from a statewide
environmental advocacy group .
The Tampa Bay Times
SARL
Member: Iowa’s Kibbie
honored as ‘father’ of Iowa’s community college system
Iowa Senate
President Jack Kibbie holds up a commemorative gavel given to him after
presiding over his final joint session of the Iowa Legislature, Wednesday, Jan.
18, 2012, at the Statehouse in Des Moines. An online search of retiring Senate
President Jack Kibbie’s name reveals a reference to Kibbie as the “father” of
Iowa’s community college system, Rep. Mary Mascher said in a crowded Statehouse
rotunda Thursday.
The Gazette
Colo.
city looks to develop own ‘natural’ beef brand
Officials in Boulder, Colo., want to create the city’s own brand for “natural
beef,” the Boulder Daily Camera reported. The city’s Open Space and Mountain
Parks Department wants to partner with a “mystery company,” as the newspaper
describes it, to convert 200 acres of open space into a “farm-to-table”
facility as part of an effort in local food production. The department already
owns some 14,000 acres of land it leases to local farmers. About 78 % of that
agricultural property is used for grazing, and city officials say their tight
restrictions on pesticides on the pastures would allow cattle raised there to
be labeled as “natural beef.” Officials are mulling antibiotic-use restrictions
as well. “There would be substantial advantage to develop a ‘Boulder brand’ for
natural beef,” a memo to the city council states, as reported by the Boulder
Daily Camera. “The Boulder brand for natural beef, which would require clear
requirements and definitions, would allow lessees access to more consistent
local markets and progress toward community interests.”
Meatingplace.com
AVMA
Legislative Update
New
Jersey Gov. Chris Christie recently signed into law S. 2923 makes
changes to holding and transfer requirements for shelters, and includes
requirements for microchip scanning and creation of a registry of
animal- rescue organizations. The law also establishes the Pet
Sterilization Pilot Program requiring sterilization before dogs or cats
can be adopted in certain counties. S. 1797 allows a student with a
disability, access to a service animal in school buildings.
The Colorado Board of Veterinary Medicine adopted amendments to
update continuing education requirements, create a waiver for a
veterinarian-client-patient relationship in emergency situations and
adopt a fining schedule for violations. The revised definition of
"practice of veterinary medicine" includes several reproductive
services and clarify supervised practice of unlicensed individuals by
veterinarians. The Iowa Pharmacy Board issued regulations addressing
Internet sales of prescriptions by pharmacies, including pharmacy
accreditation and a requirement that a valid patient-practitioner
relationship exist. Nevada and Kansas revised their veterinary practice
regulations. Regulations in New York finalize continuing
education requirements for licensed veterinarians and veterinary
technicians. Regulations issued in Oregon amended controlled-substance
rules and updated its regulations of certified euthanasia
technicians.Texas approved a rule on radiation safety requirements.The
year-end 2011 state legislative report is now available on the AVMA
website.
AVMA.org
Grazing
cattle improve wildlife habitat
Cattle
are being put to work to improve the habitat of the Columbian whitetail
deer. All the cows have to do is graze. The Bureau of Land Management
is using 11 of rancher George Sandberg's cows in an experiment to
improve forage for the once endangered whitetails. "There's
a lot of overburden in there," said Sandberg. "Grazing that off will
allow the subclover and new grass to come in. That (is what) deer like
to browse on. The key for deer is that the protein and nutrition level
of the new growth is really high and when it comes to fawning, that's
important." Larry Cooper, Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife said cattle have been used to improve habitat for
wildlife in some Eastern Oregon areas with no negative results.
Capital Press
Wisconsin DNR to landowners: Get ready to kill wolves
The state
Department of Natural Resources is telling landowners they can start hunting
problem wolves next week.
Capital Press
Missouri officials: Company must halt meat processing
State
agriculture officials have ordered a mid-Missouri company to temporarily stop
processing meat because of sanitation problems.
Capital Press
Raw
milk, alcoholic beverages likely at Portland farmers markets
Customers at the city's farmers markets may soon be able to buy unpasteurized
local milk, hard cider, beer and wine to go with their fresh vegetables, meats
and baked goods.
The Forecaster
New
York meat processing plant to break ground this summer
More than a year after securing a federal grant covering most of its
construction costs, a meat processing plant in Sullivan County, N.Y., will
break ground this summer. The Southern Catskills Red Meat Processing Facility
has won final site plan approval from officials in the town of Liberty and
construction will begin in early summer. A search for a meat processing firm to
run the 5,000-sq.-ft. plant will begin once an official request for proposal is
issued. The plant is expected to open for business sometime in 2012.The federal
government agreed to provide $800,000 toward the $1.7-Miln facility in
September of 2010, with an additional $150,000 coming from Sullivan County.
Meatingplace.com
Saving
the family farm is goal of tax change proposal
An adjustment in the Maryland estate tax would benefit him and other farmers,
allowing them to continue working and owning family farms.
Delmarva Daily Times
New Idaho rules will simplify organic certification
New state
rules adopted by an Idaho legislative committee will simplify the certification
process for Idaho's 250 organic farmers and collectively save them thousands of
dollars. After discovering that a few of its own requirements for certifying
organic operations were more strict than USDA's National Organic Program (NOP)
regulations, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture proposed new rules that
are equal to federal guidelines.
Capital Press Prosperity
a Blow to Ag Banks
Like the lonely Maytag repairman, rural bankers are finding it's hard to peddle
loans when farmers are flush with cash. Farm prosperity meant farmers had the
funds to push many land values up 20% to 40% last year, but now many operators
are also retiring debts. "We've been hearing anecdotally since last summer
that when farmers walked in the door at their bank, they'd pay off their
operating loans," said Jason Henderson, Omaha branch executive and an
economist for the Kansas City Federal Reserve. "It helps their farm
balance sheets, lowers their debt and lowers their leverage ratios. And they're
still able to make investments." Strong farm incomes sent Corn Belt and
Great Plains land values surging 20% to 40% through the third quarter of 2011,
the Fed said. But lenders are also reporting substantially fewer short-term
loans for livestock and operating expenses.
DTN
UK vets welcome EU welfare
initiative, but emphasize implementation
The British Veterinary Association has broadly welcomed the European Commission’s
new animal welfare strategy but is urging the European Commission to ensure
robust implementation and enforcement of existing and proposed measures to
improve animal welfare in the European Union. Lack of enforcement of EU
legislation by Member States is seen as a major compliance issue, adversely
affecting animal welfare in the EU, as is the lack of sufficient economic
incentives for compliance, said the association. Another gap is the lack of
sufficient knowledge about welfare amongst many of those who handle animals. The
new four-year strategy adopted by the Commission aims to address these issues
by setting up a comprehensive animal welfare legislative framework focusing on
welfare outcomes and on the education of all concerned parties, as well as the
reinforcement of current Commission actions. “We must continue to strive for
the highest possible standards of welfare for the animals we keep and this
latest move by the Commission is to be welcomed," said Carl Padgett,
British Veterinary Association president. "Effective implementation and
enforcement of legislation throughout the EU is essential if we are to make a
significant difference to the welfare of animals."
Wattagnet.com
Dairy industry eyes
foreign markets
Opportunities
abound in countries with growing populations and growing incomes that cannot
supply all their own food, but only if suppliers learn how to do business
there, experts told attendees at the recent 2012 International Dairy Foods
Association Dairy Forum. Bob Thompson, a professor emeritus at the University
of Illinois now associated with the Johns Hopkins University and the Chicago
Council on Global Affairs, told dairy processors that parts of Asia are already
using so much fertilizer and irrigation it is hard to see how farmers there can
increase production to meet rising demand.
AgWeek
USDA
revamps plant hardiness map
For the
first time since 1990, the USDA has revamped the zones in its Plant Hardiness
Map. While this is big news for America’s 80 Miln gardeners, it’s also
important for farmers. USDA’s Risk Management Agency uses the zone designations
to set some crop insurance standards, and scientists use the plant hardiness
zones as a data layer in many research models such as modeling the spread of
exotic weeds and insects. The new map—jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural
Research Service and Oregon State University's PRISM Climate Group—is available
at www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. At this website, gardeners can search for
their zone by zip code. Static images of national, regional and state maps are
also available and can be printed.
AgWeek
Waterkeepers
Attack Family Farm
In keeping
with this new targeting, a local Waterkeeper accused the Hudson family
(fourth-generation poultry farmers) of allowing runoff from a pile of chicken
litter to enter the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE) investigated the allegation and found improperly stored treated
fertilizer, not poultry litter. Indeed, MDE inspectors reported that “no animal
manure piles were observed outside.” The Hudsons promptly complied with an MDE
directive to move the fertilizer. Case closed, right? Wrong.
Center for Consumer Freedom |
States are poised to institute pet-abuse registries
Legislation is pending or will soon be introduced in Florida, Maryland,
Colorado, Arizona and New York that would establish a pet-abuse registry with
such features as listing pet abusers for five years and requiring them to pay
an annual fee for upkeep of the registry. Registries exist in two New York
counties, which also require shelters and pet stores to cross-reference names
of those seeking to buy or adopt pets against the list.
Los Angeles Times/Nation Now blog
Rare
outbreak caused by Ashley Falls milk
Sales at a small dairy here have been halted while state health officials
investigate the possibility that its raw milk may be contaminated with a rare,
infectious bacteria.The Department of Public Health is investigating the first
human case of brucellosis in more than two decades after Robert Kilmer, the
owner of Twin Rivers Farm, was diagnosed with the bacterial infection
Berkshire Eagle
Are
raw milk advocates getting a raw deal?
Raw milk activists brought raw milk from Wisconsin to Illinois during a rally
last month. If you have been following the Republican presidential race, you
have probably heard a lot of talk, especially from folks like Ron Paul, about
less government and the supremacy of individual rights.
WBEZ
Kentucky
Horse Park needs Milns from state to balance budget
As most state agencies brace for dramatic budget cuts, the Kentucky Horse Park
could be getting millions of additional dollars. In Gov. Steve Beshear's
recommended budget, the Horse Park faces no budget cuts. Instead, it would
receive a $3.5 million increase this fiscal year, plus an additional $1.6
million each year of the next two-year budget. State officials told lawmakers that
the money was needed to cover operational shortfalls that stem from utility
costs for roughly 264,000 square feet of new facilities built at the park for
the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The park has never been entirely
self-supporting. It has received General Fund money — typically $2 million to
$3 million a year — since its creation in 1978. The total economic impact of
Horse Park activities was $179 Miln, along with $17.1 Miln in state taxes.
Lexington Herald Leader
National
Geographic features Montana Ranchers
Harsh isolation didn't deter homesteaders from making a life along northern
Montana's Hi-Line. Their tight-knit descendants show no less resolve.
National Geographic
Efforts to
control the 'Mighty Mississippi' result in flooded farmland and permanent
damage, research shows
When the water in the Mississippi River rose to 58 feet with a forecast of 60
feet or higher in May 2011, the emergency plan to naturally or intentionally
breach the levees, established over 80 years prior, was put in motion. The
flood of 1937 did top the frontline levee and water passed into and through the
New Madrid Floodway, but being floodfree since then caused area landowners to
oppose the plan being put into action.
Science Daily
Big
or small, if you sell food, know what you’re selling, even organic
Jones' Mock Salt recall as a collision of two distressing trends: contamination
of herbs and spices, and safety issues with organic products. It's made by June
Jones, a hairdresser in Tacoma, Wash., who invented the seasoning a few years
ago, after one of customers complained that the salt-free seasonings in the
supermarket tasted terrible. Her little start-up has been a success. But one
of the ingredients in Jones's secret recipe is organic celery seed. And that's
the source of the trouble. Over the past few months Safeway and other big retailers
have recalled organic celery seed because a batch of the seeds positive for
salmonella, which can cause fatal infections. No illnesses have been reported,
but the suspect seeds were distributed from last May through December.We called
up June Jones to find out what went wrong. "My supplier actually sent to
me a recall letter," she said. Her business
will survive, she says, but she has taken a big hit financially.Were the seeds irradiated? "We won't purvey irradiated
herbs," the supplier said. "Even if it's not organic we don't."
But organic certification doesn't measure food safety; it's only about how a
food was grown. Recalls of organic tomatoes, lettuce, and other produce for
contamination with salmonella and other deadly pathogens are, alas, common. Consumers
think organic is safer," says Doug Powell, a professor of food safety at
Kansas State University. But it doesn't. It's just a word. It really doesn't
mean much aside from how it was grown
foodsafety.ksu.edu
Telemedicine Helps Save
Lives In Rural Areas
Arkansas
Gov. Mike Beebe was in the River Valley Wednesday night to talk medicine. Since
2005, Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith has been certified in responding to
strokes. A new technology now gives others the opportunity to save lives, even
if they're 100 miles away. Telemedicine in Fort Smith is only one of three of
its kind in the state of Arkansas.
KHBS-TV, Fort Smith Arkansas
State
support for education slumps again
The news will come as no surprise to the public college administrators and
faculty members who've seen their budgets slashed over the past year. But an
annual study of state spending on higher education finds that state appropriations
for colleges and students sunk by 7.6 % in 2011-12, the largest such decline in
at least a half century.
Inside Higher Ed
Kraft
to cut 1,600 jobs in North America
Kraft Foods Inc. announced plans to cut about 1,600 jobs in North America as
part of its move to ensure its North America-based snacks and grocery
businesses will become two independent public companies before the end of
2012..
meatpoultry.com
Elanco says it will acquire ChemGen
Indiana-based Elanco Animal Health has announced it is acquiring ChemGen
Corporation – a privately held company specializing in food enzyme products for
poultry, egg and meat production.
Brownfield
Manganese
may be “magic bullet” to fight E. coli infections
A new study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University is showing promising
results in helping cells fight off the effects of Shiga toxin, a deadly poison
produced by strains of E. coli and Shigella that result in diarrhea, intestinal
complications and other serious conditions.
Meatingplace.com
HSUS
Purchases Fast-Food Stock
HSUS has become a shareholder of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains in order to
influence their animal-welfare practices.
vegnews.com
The
(Un)usual Suspect: Why Organic Spices Aren't Always Safe
Over the
past few months Safeway and other big retailers have recalled organic celery
seed because a batch of the seeds tested positive for salmonella, which can
cause fatal infections. No illnesses have been reported, but the suspect seeds
were distributed from last May through December. But organic certification
doesn't measure food safety; it's only about how a food was grown. Recalls of
organic tomatoes, lettuce, and other produce for contamination with salmonella
and other deadly pathogens are, alas, common.
National Public Radio
Raw
milk: passion or confusion?
From 2000-2008, 50 disease outbreaks in the U.S. were attributed to the
consumption of raw milk. In Michigan, outbreaks of food-borne illnesses
attributable to raw milk consumption occurred in 2010 and 2011. Despite this
evidence, what motivates consumers to risk exposure to pathogens in raw milk? A
recent survey in Michigan revealed that the reasons for preferring
unpasteurized milk products are complex, including culinary taste and the
desire to support local farmers. These are personal choices that are difficult
to contradict. A majority of respondents also perceived that raw milk improves
health. However, the nutritional value of pasteurized milk doesn’t differ from
raw milk in nutrients such as protein and minerals, and because of
supplementation during processing, has added vitamin D. Although public sale of
raw milk is not permitted in Michigan, consumers can become part owners of
milking animals, through what are termed as “cow-share” programs. Shareholders
can personally observe the milking, housing and care of the animals, assuring them
of the source and quality of their milk. While their interest is admirable,
most consumers are unable to appraise the quality of milk harvested on the
farm.
dairyherd
Morality
and Cake Pans: The Rural Library
If public libraries didn’t already exist, the poor sucker who thought to
propose them would probably get run out of town. Imagine telling the Grover
Norquist types that you wanted public money to pay for puppet shows and mystery
novels. (Hippie!) Imagine telling publishers and record companies that you
wanted to buy a single copy of a book or album and then allow multiple people
to use it. (Freeloader!) In one of his last essays, the
historian Tony Judt wrote that if we lose the railways, “we shall have
acknowledged that we have forgotten how to live collectively.” The persistence
of the public library as civic institution suggests that we haven’t forgotten,
not entirely, not yet.
Daily Yonder
Wash.
Farmers link up with emergency food providers
Overcoming barriers between farmers and emergency food providers is the stated
purpose of Harvest Against Hunger, a collaboration of the Washington State
Department of Agriculture, Rotary First Harvest and the Washington Food Coalition.
For example, the subject of liability came up, he said. An orchardist pointed
out that gleaners are not necessarily professional pickers, and in gathering
fruit they may damage the trees or be injured themselves. Organizers plan to
write an insurance package for farmers and possibly get lawyers involved on a
pro bono basis.
Capital Press
Geoengineered
Food? Climate Fix Could Boost Crop Yields, But With Risks
For a few
years now, a handful of scientists have been proposing grandiose technological
fixes for the world's climate to combat the effects of global warming — schemes
called geoengineering. Climate change has the potential to wreak all kinds of
havoc on the planet, including the food system. Scientists predict that two
variables farmers depend on heavily — temperature and precipitation — are
already changing and affecting food production in some arid parts of the world
where there isn't a lot of room for error. And if the problem worsens on a
larger scale, it could do a lot of damage to agricultural yields and food
security. At some point, governments may decide "to do something desperate
to protect our food and our people," Ken Caldeira, an environmental
scientist at Stanford University, tells The Salt. And that "something
desperate" could be geoengineering.
National Public Radio
There’s
something magical about milk
Another week, another study documenting the health advantages of milk. This time, it’s a study from New
Zealand discussing the possibility that enriched skim milk may be able to
reduce gout flare-ups. "This is the first reported controlled trial of
dietary intervention in patients with gout, and suggests that (enriched skim
milk powder) may reduce the frequency of gout flares,” the authors write.
dairyherd.com
AVMA
Message Hits Times Square JumboTron
It isn’t often that the AVMA makes a splash in Times Square, but we can now say
that we’ve arrived. The AVMA and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant collaborated on a public-service announcement that is airing on the CBS JumboTron
Super Screen in the Big Apple. The message? That improper disposal of
medications can be harmful to people, animals and the environment.
AVMA.org
Magical
Manufacturing Thinking: Manufacturing NOT the Bright Spot in the U.S. Economy
A great deal of economic thinking in the U.S. has become based on fads and
popular delusions and the current one that says manufacturing is back and
leading the recovery is a prime example. Don’t worry about the United States
losing a greater share of its manufacturing jobs in the last decade than we did
in the Great Depression, this thinking goes, manufacturing is coming back! The
New York Times journalist Floyd Norris’s recent article is emblematic of such
thinking. But what Norris overlooks is the loss of manufacturing jobs in this
recession was the largest ever with a loss of 15 percent. Compare that to the
‘90-‘91 recession where manufacturing lost just 3 percent of its jobs. So of
course manufacturing jobs will come back somewhat. Yet compared to other
recessions, they are not coming back all that strong.
Innovationpolicy.org
Raw milk is suspected in human brucellosis case
Public health officials are investigating a Massachusetts dairy that sells raw
milk after the dairy's owner was diagnosed with the brucellosis, which is
characterized by flulike symptoms that can progress to severe disease in the
central nervous system, bone and heart. The dairy's herd has been vaccinated
for brucellosis, according to the owner.
The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.)
A
Meeting of Veterinary Minds
In response
to the ongoing challenges facing veterinary economics and veterinary medical
education, the AVMA participated in an historic meeting at the North American
Veterinary Conference earlier this month with the deans from our veterinary colleges.
It was a lively and constructive gathering, bringing together the major players
who are all trying to address the issues that have an impact on both today’s
and tomorrow’s veterinarians. The AVMA Executive Board, the Association of
American Veterinary Medical Colleges and 35 veterinary school deans began a
dialogue that will bring us toward a common understanding of the economic
issues, pressures, and stresses felt across the profession.
AVMA.org
Gates
Foundation focuses on hunger
Right now, just over 1 Biln people—about 15 % of the people in the world—live
in extreme poverty. On most days, they worry about whether their family will
have enough food to eat. There is irony in this, since most of them live and
work on farms. The problem is that their farms, which tend to be just a couple
acres in size, don’t produce enough food for a family to live on. Fifteen % of
the world in extreme poverty actually represents a big improvement. Fifty years
ago, about 40 % of the global population was poor. Then, in the 1960s and
1970s, in what is called the “Green Revolution,” Norman Borlaug and other
researchers created new seed varieties for rice, wheat, and corn that helped
many farmers vastly improve their yields. In some places, like East Asia, food
intake went up by as much as 50 percent. Globally, the price of wheat dropped
by two-thirds. These changes saved countless lives and helped nations develop. We
have the ability to accelerate this historic progress. We can be more
innovative about delivering solutions that already exist to the farmers who
need them. Knowledge about managing soil and tools like drip irrigation can
help poor farmers grow more food today. We can also discover new approaches and
create new tools to fundamentally transform farmers’ lives. But we won’t
advance if we don’t continue to fund agricultural innovation, and I am very
worried about where those funds will come from in the current economic and
political climate.
Gatesfoundation.org Legislators
attempt to strip courts of power
In an
effort to rein in "activist justices," legislators in New Hampshire
and Tennessee are attempting to get rid of judical review of legislation.
Stateline
Renewables
and Energy
Other
Deposits in Ohio Shale Draw Chesapeake Despite Gas Pullback
Chesapeake Energy's decision to scale back natural gas drilling because of low
prices shouldn't hurt Ohio because the state's deep-shale deposits include
other valuable resources like oil and ethane
The Dayton Daily News
Vermont
officials weigh next move in Vermont Yankee case
The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant can continue to operate beyond March, a
federal judge ruled Thursday, slapping down a state law that tried to shut down
the facility.
Burlington Free Press
MN:Wind
farm will seek permit to legally kill eagles
A controversial wind farm proposed near Red Wing plans to ask for federal
permission to legally kill eagles, making it one of the first in the nation to
participate in a new federal strategy aimed at managing the often-lethal
conflict between birds and turbine blades.
Minneapolis Star Tribune...
Neb.
lawmaker explains why he joined the Keystone XL fight
When the
Obama administration rejected the Keystone XL oil pipeline, it cited concerns
over the project's route through Nebraska as one reason for its decision. That
segment of the pipeline is now being rerouted, in response to Nebraskans who
spent years persuading lawmakers to move the tar sands pipeline—intended to
carry crude oil from Alberta, Canada to U.S. refineries on the Gulf Coast—out
of the Nebraska Sandhills, a fragile ecosystem that overlies the Ogallala
aquifer. Nebraska state Sen. Ken Haar played a key role in the movement's
success. I would say: be vigilant. Stay involved as citizens. This isn't over.
You've got to stick with this forever. That's what citizenship means.
Cattle Network
Can
Expanding State Clean Energy Funds Help Drive U.S. Energy Policy?
Many are looking
to the states to provide leadership in the continued development of renewable
energy. A new
paper released this week by a Washington think tank says that nearly two dozen
state clean energy funds "stand as one of the most important clean energy
forces at work in the nation" and "offer at least one partial
response to the failure of Washington to deliver a sensible clean energy
development approach." Mostly northern states have adopted an array of
CEFs as vehicles to invest in clean energy projects with revenues often derived
from small public-benefit surcharges on electric utility bills. The study cites
efforts in a number of states, including California, New York and
Massachusetts, that can show how states can broaden use of the CEFs to
"jumpstart a new, creative period of expanded clean energy economic
development and industry creation, to complement and build upon individualistic
project financing."
25 X 25
AK:
Lawmaker wants to expand rural energy assistance program
Rep. Bryce
Edgmon, Dillingham, wants to expand a program that helps rural Alaskans pay for
the cost of electricity. He sees the HB294 as a way to have a broader
discussion on rural energy costs and the Power Cost Equalization program, or
PCE. Edgmon says energy costs are a major concern for his constituents. He says
he hasn't seen any other proposal that would provide immediate relief for rural
Alaskans paying high energy costs.
The Anchorage Daily News
Renewable
Energy in Your Community
Over the past three years, USDA has taken important steps to help meet
President Obama’s goal of building a secure energy future for our nation. USDA launched a
new energy website to serve as a one-stop shop for data about energy efficiency
and renewable energy programs at USDA. www.USDA.gov/energy. Using your
computer, you can click on a State, County or a Congressional District and view
the renewable energy investments that have been made by USDA in the area. USDA
is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to
complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
USDA
Truly
Sustainable Renewable Future
Advanced Biofuels are high-energy liquid transportation fuels derived from: low
nutrient input/high per acre yield crops; agricultural or forestry waste; or
other sustainable biomass feedstocks including algae. The key word is
“sustainable.”
Advancedbiofuelsusa.info
USDA Announces
Streamlined Access to Energy Investment Information
Getting information about funding opportunities like REAP got easier this week
when USDA unveiled its new energy website, which provides stakeholders and
prospective applicants fast and efficient access to program information, energy
efficiency data and renewable energy data.
USDA
The
Latest Victim of Shale Gas — Clean Energy Technology
Clean-technology investment is in the throes of going bust, at least in the
United States. That includes solar, wind and biofuels. Citi Group analyst
Edward Morse concludes that shale gas … could fuel a U.S. industrial
renaissance, specifically in energy-intensive products such as chemicals,
plastics and housewares. But to the degree that Morse is right, it is coming at
a cost, which is a “clean tech meltdown,” according to Eilperin: Because
natural gas has gotten so cheap, there is no longer a financial incentive to go
with renewables.
Advancedbiofuelsusa.info
USDA
awards $25 Miln for Iowa biodiesel plant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $25 Miln to an eastern Iowa plant
for its project to turn garbage into fuel. Maryland-based Fiberight LLC is
building the plant, which would work with a local landfill to obtain municipal
trash that will be turned into cellulosic ethanol. The 55,000-sq. foot plant
near Blairsburg is expected to produce 6 Miln gallons of ethanol when it
becomes operational next year.
Capital Press
POET,
DSM form landmark cellulosic ethanol joint venture
In South
Dakota, Poet has teamed with Dutch-based Royal DSM to create a 50/50 joint
venture called Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels that will produce cellulosic ethanol
and license the technology to other plants. DSM and POET will each hold a50%
share in the joint venture, whose initial capital expenditure in Project
Liberty will amount to about $250 Miln. At the same time, POET dropped plans to
use a DOE loan guarantee.
Biofuels Digest
Arizona
on path to become algae farming leader
A Tucson
lawmaker is pushing to have algae farms and related facilities defined — and
taxed — like any corn field or packing plant. Rep. Matt Heinz, has introduced
two bills the he said will allow for the growth of algaculture, or algae
farming. The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee endorsed HB 2225,
which would expand the definition of agricultural lands to include algaculture
research, development and commercial production on state trust land.
Western Farm Press
PA:Shale
gas estimate plummets
The shale has shrunk. At least according to the U.S. Energy Department, which
released new reserve estimates for the Marcellus Shale on Monday that severely
cut the amount of natural gas estimated to be in the rock formation.
Pittsburgh
Post Gazette
Renewable fuels
groups applaud Obama’s push for more
Renewable fuels groups are applauding President Obama’s State of the Union
address for pushing for more production of home grown fuels.
Brownfield
Will
Brazilian Ethanol Really Compete With US Ethanol?
However, the lack of expected
competition from Brazil has been the reason for today’s ethanol market. That
market has US ethanol being shipped to Brazil, just the opposite of what had
been predicted. But how long will that be the case, and could it change?
Farm Gate Blog
Tell them Willie
and Ike are Here
A Fine for Not Using a Biofuel That Doesn’t Exist,” shouts the New York
Times. But what are the facts, the risks? Who’s betting that construction of
2012′s cellulosic biofuels capacity won’t be completed, and why? The
science is done, the engineering is done, the permits are in place, the construction
finance is set. It’s not about a bet against biofuels. It’s a bet against
Willie the Welder, and Ike the Ironworker, they they won’t get their work done
on time. We have faith, here at the Digest, that Willie and Ike will get the
job done.
Biofuelsdigest.com
USDA
backs biofuels beyond corn ethanol with large cellulosic plant grant
The USDA
has conditionally committed $232.5 Miln to a project that will make ethanol and
bio-chemicals from agricultural waste and other biomass. If all goes as
projected, the $390.5 Miln ZeaChem Boardman Biorefinery, LLC facility will open
in Boardman, Ore., by late 2014. ZeaChem currently operates a small
demonstration plant on an adjacent site.
Meatingplace.com |
SARL
VP, Pennsylvania Senator Brubaker on FRRCC committee
EPA
committee completes report on ag issues
The U.S. EPA’s federal advisory committee on agricultural issues, the Farm,
Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC), has submitted its report to the agency
on agricultural and water quality issues. The report offers recommendations on
the most effective approaches for dealing with water quality issues related to
agricultural production and improving water quality across the United States.
It also provides suggestions for increasing support for certainty programs,
increasing stewardship, and coordinating resources with USDA, land grant
universities, and the farm community to support a strong partnership effort. The
report emphasizes the importance of trust and the value of state programs,
flexibility, and voluntary conservation practices in achieving water quality
goals. It notes the willingness that the agency has shown in maintaining
and advancing an open dialogue with key stakeholders on how to address
agricultural nonpoint source pollution as a critical first step.
Pork Network
SARL
members passed resolution seeking assurance that GPS would not be disrupted.
LightSquared Network Would Disrupt GPS
A
federal committee says there is no way to keep the proposed network from
interfering with GPS systems.
Ag Web
Poultry
groups peck at EPA’s CAFO rule
Poultry groups today submitted comments expressing concerns about a U.S. EPA proposed rule that seeks detailed
information from CAFOs. The rule, proposed on Oct. 21, 2011, would require
CAFOs to provide detailed location information and farm demographics for nearly
all family farms that produce commercial poultry and egg products. Officials
with the National Chicken Council, the National Turkey Federation and the U.S.
Poultry & Egg Association disagree with the EPA’s claim that the Clean
Water Act authorizes them to require such information to determine whether a
CAFO is violating federal law. The poultry groups contend that none of the
information EPA is seeking would even help the agency do so. “We’re convinced
the authority EPA claims … oversteps what Congress intended when the law was
written,” NCC President Mike Brown. EPA’s rule also asks the industry to report
progress on alternative methods to improve environmental stewardship. “We are
pleased EPA recognizes the benefit of developing programs that can assist
poultry and egg producers with further tools to extend their stewardship
efforts,” Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation,
said. “We urge EPA to follow this course rather than initiate an information
collection exercise that will do nothing to enhance water quality.”
Meatingplace.com
UEP
counters column on HSUS agreement
Andy Vance’s Jan. 2 viewpoint in Feedstuffs accuses the United Egg Producers and
egg farmers, through its joint legislative initiative with The Humane Society
of the United States, of putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. No, Mr.
Vance, UEP and our members are trying to put the farmers in charge of the
henhouse. In this legislative proposal, HSUS has recognized that enriched
colony cage egg production can be humane. HSUS has also agreed to end any
organized state ballot initiatives on eggs, given a single national standard.
This does not seem much like the conduct of an organization that wants to put
animal agriculture out of business when meaningful discussions are another
option. Egg farmers believe a single national standard is the only way to shape
their own future as sustainable, family-owned businesses. It is the only way to
have some control over their own destiny, and avoid a bleak future of
overlapping, inconsistent, unworkable state-based animal welfare standards that
will result from ballot initiatives that our industry cannot win even if –- as
we did in California in 2008 –- raise Milns of dollars to try to educate the
public. If ballot initiatives were decided on the basis of science, we would be
confident of a positive outcome. Unfortunately, this is not how it works.
Instead voters’ emotions are paramount and when animal welfare issues are
decided on emotion and ignorance of farming practices, we lose.
Feedstuffs
There
is no ‘we’ in U.S. agriculture
Let’s
face it, agriculture may be an industry and/or community defined by a
common cause –- namely, producing food and other natural resources
through stewardship of the land and its bounty –- but our hopes, needs
and desires are as different as the products of our efforts. I’ve been
thinking about this philosophical dichotomy since reading a letter to
the editor of Feedstuffs from Gene Gregory, president of United Egg
Producers, an organization I took to task.Gregory’s rebuttal is cogent,
concise and well-reasoned. UEP had little choice but to adhere to the
maxim, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” As he points out in the
letter, fighting HSUS in California proved costly and fruitless.
Numerous HSUS-sponsored and –funded ballot measures across the country
threatened to spawn a patchwork nightmare of animal care and housing
standards for the egg industry, a regulatory hodgepodge that could well
have put egg farmers out of business. My argument, since the infamous
“Ohio Compromise” involving HSUS, is that we need more Patton-like
resolve toward HSUS and its radical animal rights agenda, and less
Chamberlain-esque appeasement. On this order, it does appear that the
UEP experiment of working with Pacelle and company is less about
capitulating, and more about keeping your friends close and your
enemies closer. By controlling the agenda on hen housing, UEP hopes to
keep HSUS in check long enough for two things to happen: one, for
Congress to enact reasonable federal legislation that will supersede
the mishmash of state regulations governing egg production while not
putting farmers out of business; and two, for agriculture en masse to
get its act together and figure out how to deal with the HSUS problem
before Pacelle achieves his goal of running all animal agriculture
enterprises out of business. There is no “we,” in “U.S. agriculture…”
There’s just us.
Feedstuffs
Federal
Bill Introduced to Improve Housing for Egg-Laying Hens and Provide Stable
Future for Egg Farmers
The Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers announced
that they will make passage of H.R. 3798, the Egg
Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, introduced by Reps. Kurt
Schrader, Ore., Jeff Denham, Calif., Elton Gallegly, Calif., and Sam Farr, Calif.,
a top legislative priority in Congress this year. All of these lawmakers are
deeply committed to agriculture, and their federal legislation will lead to
improvements in housing for 280 Miln hens involved in U.S. egg production,
while providing a stable future for egg farmers..
Sacramento Bee
Farm
Groups Respond Positively to State of the Union
Steve Wellman, president of the American Soybean Association was particularly
happy about the President's continued commitment and emphasis of international
trade. "We encourage the administration and Congress to redouble its
efforts to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of export markets
for American agricultural products," Wellman said. "These increased
opportunities create not only valuable customer bases abroad, but jobs here at
home. According to USDA, every Biln dollars in agricultural exports creates an
additional 8,000 domestic jobs. Energy was another key component of President
Obama's State of the Union. ASA, NFU and other groups were pleased by his
comments on renewable energy.
Farm Futures
Farmers,
Humane Society Partner on Chicken-Cage Revolution
When I first saw the press release, I figured it had to be an April Fools'
joke. The Humane Society of the United States, a voice of outrage against all
heartless exploitation of animals, joining hands with the United Egg Producers,
which represents an industry that keeps 200 million chickens in cages?
NPR
Agriculture
Reacts to State of the Union
Many sectors of agriculture have weighed in on the President's annual State of
the Union address. Reaction came on issues like renewable fuels, US debt
reduction, trade and infrastructure. There was also disappointment that
elimination of inheritance tax didn’t come up.
Hoosier Ag Today
FDA and AVMA work together on antibiotic use in animal agriculture
The FDA hopes to avoid a long, complicated legal process to relabel medically
significant antibiotics to negate their use as growth promoters in the
agricultural industry, said FDA deputy foods commissioner Michael Taylor. The
FDA and AVMA are working together to ensure public health while keeping
antibiotic decision-making for animals squarely in the hands of veterinarians.
FoodSafetyNews.com
USDA
program to assist beginning, disadvantaged farmers buy land
USDA- FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson announced a new rule that expands
loan opportunities for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers, while also establishing a new Land Contract Guarantee Program. The
rule provides additional flexibility allowing FSA loan officers to consider all
prior farming experience, including on-the-job training and formal education,
when determining eligibility for FSA for farm operating and ownership loans. It
also expands a previous pilot program, the Land Contract Guarantee Program,
from six states to all 50 states. This program is designed to encourage farmers
and ranchers to sell their property to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers
and ranchers through the use of seller financing.
Drovers
How
to help equine industry interests alive in Washington
It is important that we build relationships with our elected leaders in
Washington and that they understand and appreciate the $102 billion horse
industry’s contribution to the economic, sporting and recreational sectors of
the U.S. and their states. 2012 is a terrific opportunity to do this because it
is an election year and so many members of Congress and new candidates are
running for federal office and they want to meet you.
HorseChannel.com
Obama to protect US goods globally
President
Barack Obama has adopted a new strategy declaring for the first time that the
United States has a national security interest to protect the nation's economic
goods against terrorists, criminals and natural disasters in all corners of the
globe.
Capital Press
New school lunch standards announced
First Lady Michelle Obama and U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the final
regulations for the nation’s school lunch program. , the changes do offer
students fruits and vegetables every day; increase whole grain foods; reduce
saturated fats, trans fats and sodium and limit the total number of calories in
a meal. The changes are the product of recommendations from a panel of experts
convened by the Institute of Medicine. They are designed to help fight the
growing childhood obesity problem in the United States and will affect more
than 32 million children.
Brownsfield
Less
Meat and Potatoes in School Meals Rankle Industry Groups
The first major overhaul of the school meal standards in 15 years, came at the
expense of some agriculture interests, by limiting potatoes at breakfast and
dropping a requirement that meat be served at the morning meal.
Bloomberg
Ag doing what Obama
wants for economy, says Vilsack
U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the emphasis on building a stronger economy
and middle class – outlined by President Obama in his State of the Union speech
last night – is what’s happening in Rural America.
Brownfield
Role
of animal welfare on rise in Europe
A leading Danish food company told players from the Canadian pork industry
attending the 2012 Banff Pork Seminar that the role of animal welfare is
increasing in Europe, rapidly adding costs, increasing competitive disadvantage
and in some cases creating opportunity. Henrik Baekstrom Lauritsen of Tican,
said an increasing media focus and consumer pressure is leading to new animal
welfare legislation in many European countries. Likewise, a new European Union
directive lays down new common legislation on pig welfare.
Feedstuffs
Obama
administration unveils forest management plan
Collaboration and a greater reliance on science are the keys to the Obama
administration's new guidelines in managing about 193 Miln acres. It is an
attempt to balance competing interests of industry and conservation groups,
replacing a framework that has long been at the center of legal battles
Los Angeles Times
US
to unveils forest rules
The Obama
administration says new rules to manage nearly 200 Miln acres of national
forests will protect watersheds and wildlife while promoting uses ranging from
recreation to logging. The new rules, to replace guidelines thrown out by a
federal court in 2009. Secretary Vilsack said in an interview that the rules
reflect more than 300,000 comments received since a draft plan was released
last year. The new rules strengthen a requirement that decisions be based on
the best available science and recognize that forests are used for a variety of
purposes, Vilsack said.
Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Genetically-engineered
salmon caught in tangled regulatory net
A Senate
hearing placed a spotlight on the regulatory tangle surrounding the approval
process for genetically-engineered salmon. Potentially the country’s first GE
animal for human consumption, the salmon have raised a host of worries among
critics including the impact on the environment should they escape fish farms. However,
what came to the fore during the mid-December hearing was the complicated
morass of government approval, oversight, and trade when dealing with the GE
fish. Other GE animals are surely being developed and the current approval
process outlined during the hearing seems ill-equipped to deal with the new
technology.
Western Farm Press
USDA
proposes streamlining poultry inspections
The
Agriculture Department is proposing to reduce the number of government
inspectors at poultry slaughter plants. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says
about 1,000 government inspector jobs at poultry plants would be phased out as
companies take over the job of looking for visual flaws like bruises in chickens
on the processing line. Vilsack says the move will shift inspectors to jobs
more important to food safety, like sampling for pathogens and keeping
conditions sanitary.
The Columbia State
Crawford/Bishop
Co-Found Chicken Caucus
Today, Congressman Rick Crawford, (AR) and Congressman Sanford Bishop, (GA) have
co-founded the bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus. The Chicken Caucus will
educate members of Congress and their staffs on the concerns and benefits of
the U.S. chicken industry.
Crawford.house.gov
More
job reductions, realignments possible at USDA: Vilsack
As the USDA’s Blueprint for Stronger Service is rolled out over the
coming year, it may mean “additional early retirement opportunities based on
workforce alignment” and “additional restructuring of organizational charts”
internally, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. The call largely focused on ways
in which President Obama’s plans for bolstering the middle class covered in the
State of the Union address are expected to play out in rural areas, such as
projects to shore up aging infrastructure. But in response to a reporter’s
question, Vilsack addressed the restructuring, noting that USDA’s plans must go
through “the process of complying with Congressional requirements on public
hearings and the like,” and reiterating that he hoped to minimize job loss
overall. Nevertheless, the report has 69 recommendations for short- and
long-term changes to the agency which may result in personnel shifts.
Meatingplace.com
Fewer
Cows’ Hides May Bear the Mark of Home
Federal
officials have long argued that a national identification system is necessary
to quickly trace outbreaks of diseases like bovine brucellosis, tuberculosis
and mad cow, and that it would protect not only the health of animals and
humans but also the cattle industry, which suffered in 2003 after the discovery
of mad cow disease in a dairy cow in Washington State. But cattle ranchers have
not been enthusiastic about mandatory ear tags. An earlier federal proposal
that started with a voluntary trial met with fierce opposition and was scuttled
in 2009.
The New York Times
USDA's
apple report still on chopping block
The USDA has
reiterated its intentions to cut certain fruit and vegetable reports, and
despite ongoing talks with the apple industry, the annual August apple report
is still on the chopping block. The apple report, the first season estimate of
national apple production, is used by the U.S. Apple Association as a basis for
its own forecast at the annual Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference. USDA’s
National Agricultural Statistics Service, which issues fruit and vegetable
reports throughout the year, will still release an October apple production update.
The Packer
Canada
seeks to carve out agriculture, telecom in EU trade talks: documents
Leaked
documents suggest Canada is seeking to carve out telecommunications and
agriculture from any new trade agreement with the European Union. But there is
no exemption for water services, a sore point with critics of the negotiations
with the world's richest market. Trade Minister Ed Fast has called a European
trade, services and investment pact one of the Conservative government's top
priorities, arguing it will spur about $12 Biln in additional economic
activity.
Canadian Business
Mexico
issues preliminary ruling on U.S. chicken leg imports
The Diario Oficial (Mexico’s official gazette), the Mexican Unit of Foreign
Trade Practices published its preliminary determination in the anti-dumping
investigation against imports of U.S. chicken leg quarters. According to the
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, UPCI explained that dumping duties would
not be imposed until it renders a final determination, as all parties are
continuing to pursue a settlement agreement. The determination notes that the
investigation will continue on a parallel track to the ongoing settlement
process. UPCI identified individual margins for only three companies out of all
those that participated and provided sufficient information for calculating
individual margins. The announced margins on the three selected companies are
as follows: Tyson Foods, 129.77%; Simmons Foods, 62.90%; and Sanderson Farms,
83.845.
Meatingplace.com
In
Brazil, Protection of Amazon Rainforest Takes a Step Back
Since Dilma
Rousseff was elected president, the government has shifted its stance on the
Amazon to side more with agricultural interests.
NYTimes.com Disgruntled
GMO firms start pulling out of EU market
Monsanto has announced it will scrap plans to sell an insect-resistant maize in
France, the second move in a week by biotech company to retreat from the
genetically modified foods market in Europe. Monsanto's announcement came a
week after Germany's BASF said it would suspend the development of GM crops in
Europe and move its plant science arm to the United States. BASF's move is a
particular blow for Europe, said Carel du Marchie Sarvaas, director of
agricultural biotechnology at EuropaBio. "The BASF decision is not good
for Europe because I think it is the reaction of a quintessentially European
company to what is a stifling political and regulatory environment,” said du
Marchie Sarvaas, whose Brussels organisation represents agricultural technology
companies. “Research, jobs, money will go to where it is welcomed. In this case
it will be somewhere else. It's a bad day for Europe." Monsanto said it
would not resume sales of MON810, a maize genetically modified to improve pest
resistance, despite a French court ruling in November that overturned a 2008
government ban on the sale of MON810.
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