Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Ag Update – February 2, 2012

National News

‘Robust three- to five-year outlook for agriculture’

(AgWeb) U.S. farmers are well positioned to capture the opportunities that political and economic realignment around the world will bring. Peter Zeihan, director of global analysis, Stratfor Group, is most bullish on U.S. grain exports during the upcoming economic upheaval, less so on beef and pork.

While Zeihan is optimistic for farmer fortunes, "it will be a very rocky road. It won’t be a straight line to heaven," he said at the Top Producer Seminar in Chicago.

One key reason Zeihan remains bullish for the U.S. farm sector is because the nation has such a comparative transportation advantage.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.agweb.com/article/robust_three-_to_five-year_outlook_for_u.s._agriculture/
 

 

‘Second effort ahead for child ag labor plan’

(AgWeb) Part of a controversial proposal to limit labor by children on their families' farms is getting a second look.

The U.S. Department of Labor will re-propose the "parental exemption" in proposed regulations for child labor in agriculture.

"The decision to re-propose is in response to requests from the public, including congress, to allow time for more input on this aspect of the rule," said a department official in a conference call with reporters.

Adam Nielsen, director of national legislation and policy development at Illinois Farm Bureau, said it's a step in the right direction.

"One of the biggest problems we had with this proposed rule was the very narrow definition of what constitutes a family farm," said Nielsen. "It's welcome to see them step back and recognize that the family farm is much broader than the way they had it" in the proposal.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.agweb.com/article/second_effort_ahead_for_child_ag_labor_plan/
 

 

‘Farm groups call for a farm bill this year’

(Brownfield) After meeting for two days in Washington this week, leaders of a number of farm organizations have issued a statement calling on Congress to pass and the President to sign a strong farm bill yet this year. Producer-leaders the organizations met to discuss policy priorities, to hear the perspectives of key policymakers and to work toward consensus on the future of U.S. farm policy. “What was confirmed in our meeting is that we are committed to work together to come up with a viable farm policy.”

The group stated: “American agriculture stands out as one of the few sectors of the economy that has, throughout the economic downturn, still contributed positively to our nation’s balance of trade while helping to create jobs and put this country back on its economic feet.”

For more on this story, please visit: http://brownfieldagnews.com/2012/02/02/farm-groups-call-for-a-farm-bill-this-year/
 

 

‘Brazilian imported ethanol tax questioned’

(KRVN) The Renewable Fuels Association is urging U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk to investigate the news that the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo was imposing a 25 percent tax on all imported ethanol. Port Santos in Sao Paulo is the main port of entry for U.S. ethanol exports to Brazil, which accounted for an estimated 400-million gallons in 2011. RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen says - because ethanol produced in Sao Paulo is tax exempt, ethanol imported into Sao Paulo from the United States and other areas is at a substantial economic disadvantage.

For more on this story, please visit: http://krvn.com/news/agricultural/index.php?more=dzuxji7d
 

 

‘Farmers seek legal protection for agritourism’

(NET Radio) For many farmers, things like corn mazes, farm tours and U-pick operations can be an important source of income. But “agritourism,” as it’s called, can also create legal headaches. In Missouri, many farmers are backing a bill in the state legislature that aims to reduce their liability if someone gets hurt visiting the farm. One of those farmers is Vera Gelder, who owns a small operation with her husband outside of Columbia, Mo. Each summer, thousands of kids descend on Gelder's 11 acres. She shows off a raft of emus, tall birds that look like ostriches.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/netradio/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1899122/Nebraska.News/Farmers.seek.legal.protection.for.agritourism
 

 

State News

‘Bill would enhance state’s dog breeding rules’

(Lincoln Journal Star) Commercial dog breeders in Nebraska would be required to give their animals regular physical and dental exams, provide appropriate exercise areas and use electronic microchips for identification under a compromise plan that advanced Wednesday in the Legislature.

Lawmakers voted 36-0 to move the bill (LB427) to the next round of debate. The rules would apply to those who fit the definition of a dog breeder, meaning they sell more than 30 dogs per year or have a dog that produces more than four litters per year.

Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege, chairman of the Agriculture Committee, said the Legislature spent many hours debating the issue last year. The current proposal is a compromise that includes input from the state Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Humane Society, dog breeders and others, he said.

"This sets out to improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding facilities," said Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue, the bill's sponsor. "This is not made to punish the breeders."

For more on this story, please visit: http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/bill-would-enhance-state-s-dog-breeding-rules/article_218ab837-04f5-5168-a3af-20c37bd8d956.html
 

 

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The Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s “Ag Update” features stories on a variety of agriculture-related topics, as reported by media from around the world, and selected by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) staff. Readers wishing to view the full article should see the news source referenced at the beginning of the each news item or click on the web links, if provided. NDA is not a news organization and does not have reporters on its staff. Posting of these stories should not be interpreted as an endorsement of a particular viewpoint, but as a summary of news reported by legitimate news-gathering organizations or from press releases sent out by agriculture organizations.

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Nebraska Department of Agriculture
PO Box 94947
Lincoln, NE 68509