Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Ag Update – November 8, 2011

National News

‘Still no Farm Bill details from ag leadership’

(Farm Progress) There was some expectation the House and Senate Ag Committee leaders would release the details of their farm policy recommendations Friday. However, Friday came and went with no announcement. According to a spokesperson for the House Ag Committee the leaders had not yet reached agreement.

National Corn Growers Association Senior Director of Public Policy Sam Willett says if the Super Committee fails to do its job by Nov. 23 there could be problems even bigger than an automatic across-the-board cut known as sequestration.

"If this process goes beyond or into next year there are no guarantees and the Farm Bill could be looking at something well beyond the amount required for sequestration," Willett said. "Consequently that was one of the reasons why an offer of $23 billion in cuts was submitted by the principals involved in these negotiations."

For more on this story, please visit: http://farmprogress.com/nebraska-farmer-story-still-no-farm-bill-details-from-ag-leadership-8-54606
 

 

‘Indications are USDA is backing off some proposed GIPSA rules’

(KNEB) There is some indication in Washington that USDA officials are ready to move a modified version of the GIPSA rule to the next step, sending it on to the Office of Management and Budget. Speculation is that USDA would strip out the most controversial parts of the proposed rule - and that would result in little impact on the cattle and hog producers of this country - while poultry operations would be subject to more change coming from the amended marketing rule.

Essentially, USDA is indicating that it is abandoning provisions in its proposed rule that would have prohibited packer-to-packer sales, prohibited a packer buyer from buying from more than one packer, and the requirements that packers must retain records. Otherwise, USDA will not send the sections on prohibiting undue preferences or advantage, or the section that clarifies that producers do not have to prove harm to the entire industry if they are harmed by a packer's unfair buying practices.

For more on this story, please visit: http://kneb.com/news/agricultural/index.php?more=4cwexph6
 

 

‘New farm subsidy would protect farmers when revenue drops’

(Pork Network/AP) Farm-state lawmakers are moving to create a whole new subsidy that would protect farmers when their revenue drops — an unprecedented program that critics say could pay billions of dollars to farmers now enjoying record-high crop prices.

The subsidy, free insurance that would cover farmers' "shallow crop losses" before their paid insurance kicks in, has been pushed by corn and soybean farmers who could benefit the most from the program. It would replace for the most part several other subsidy programs, including direct payments preferred by Southern rice and cotton farmers. Growers get the direct payments regardless of crop yields or prices. They don't even have to farm.

The income insurance plan has a diverse group of opponents — environmental groups that have long argued against farm subsidies, conservatives who say the plan won't save the government much and even one of the nation's largest farm groups. The American Farm Bureau Federation says the beefed-up insurance could encourage farmers to make riskier decisions and drive up the price of land.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.porknetwork.com/pork-news/New-farm-subsidy-would-protect-farmers-when-revenue-drops-133363383.html
 

 

‘Biodiesel industry statement on Supreme Court RFS2 decision court affirms EPA renewable fuels standard‘

(My Central Nebraska) The National Biodiesel Board, the U.S. trade association representing the biodiesel industry, released the following statement Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it has rejected a petition from the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association and the American Petroleum Institute challenging the EPA's Renewable Fuels Standard.

"The RFS program is working just as Congress intended. It's creating jobs across the country. It's breaking our addiction to oil. It's helping clean our air, and it's reducing greenhouse gases," said Anne Steckel, NBB's vice president of federal affairs. "This year alone, the biodiesel industry is on pace to produce at least 800 million gallons of advanced biofuel while supporting more than 31,000 jobs. We're pleased to see the Supreme Court put an end to this litigation as we continue building a strong U.S. biodiesel industry."

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.mycentralnebraska.com/pages/8308213.php
 

 

‘Iowa ag secretary criticizes child labor regs’

(Brownfield) Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey is criticizing those proposed federal regulations that could limit the work and involvement of youth on family farms.

Northey says the rules could discourage farmers from engaging young people in agriculture—and prevent future farmers from acquiring the critical skills and experience needed for a successful career in agriculture.

Northey calls the proposal from the U.S. Department of Labor “a prime example of federal overreach”—and says the continued threat of new regulations like these, coming out of Washington, creates a lot of uncertainty for farmers.

“Agriculture out here is a long-term business and we’d like to be able to know what those rules are for a long time,” Northey says, “and when some of these come up and surprise us, it causes folks to think, ‘well, wait a minute—what are they going to do next—and do I really want to farm’.”

For more on this story, please visit: http://brownfieldagnews.com/2011/11/07/iowa-ag-secretary-criticizes-child-labor-regs/
 

 

‘Senator voices concerns with USDA forum’

(Brownfield) Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran is voicing concern with USDA’s plan to conduct an animal welfare scientific forum.

“The ironic thing about this forum is that there is little science involved,” Moran says. “It is nothing more than—in my view—the Department of Agriculture spending taxpayer dollars on a forum to provide the Humane Society of the United States a public forum to espouse its anti-agricultural views.”

Moran cites a USDA memo issued last month that authorizes the department’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct the forum. According to Moran, the memo indicates the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is going to set the agenda for the event—with no mention of involving any agricultural organization or animal scientists in pre-planning activities.

For more on this story, please visit: http://brownfieldagnews.com/2011/11/07/senator-voices-concerns-with-usda-forum/
 

 

‘Dust bill advances in U.S. House’

(Brownfield) A bipartisan bill that would prevent the EPA from regulating farm dust advanced in the U.S. House this week. Introduced by Representatives Kristi Noem of South Dakota and Leonard Boswell of Iowa, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act passed an energy and commerce subcommittee Thursday on a vote of 12 to 9. The bill would keep the EPA from making its federal dust standards more stringent and exempts “nuisance dust” from EPA regulation where there are already state or local laws in place that do that.

An amendment to the bill clarifies the definition of “nuisance dust” – saying particulate matter from industrial operations and power plants still falls under that definition.

For more on this story, please visit: http://brownfieldagnews.com/2011/11/04/dust-bill-advances-in-u-s-house/
 

 

‘USMEF sees Japan/China moving on US beef’

(Brownfield) The head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation expects Japan and China to relax restrictions on U.S. beef within the next six months. USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng said, “Our expectation is that it would be no later than April 1st (2012) that Japan would be able to move beyond the 20 months.”

Seng calls that a conservative estimate which he also applies to China. “As Japan moves then there’ll be, I think what I would call a very strong possibility that we would see movement in China,” says Seng, “The U.S. and Chinese governments have already agreed that they need to meet more frequently.”

Japan indicated at the end of October that it was preparing to ease import restrictions on U.S. and Canadian beef.

“I’m not going to say how far north they will go of 20 months. I don’t want to box the Japanese in, in any way,” Seng added.

For more on this story, please visit: http://brownfieldagnews.com/2011/11/04/usmef-sees-japanchina-moving-on-us-beef/
 

 

‘New global study reveals gaps between consumers, farmers’

(Farm Progress) A new global survey reveals surprisingly strong agreement between consumers and farmers on some issues – and some less surprising results regarding environmental worries.

Both farmers and consumers view farming as a vocation, one that is dedicated to providing nourishment, supporting rural culture and caring for the land. Consumers have high personal respect for farmers, but believe their reputation in society remains low.

The survey, sponsored by BASF, included 1,800 farmers and 6,000 consumers in Brazil, India, United States, Germany, Spain and France. It was conducted by market research company Synovate.

For more on this story, please visit: http://farmprogress.com/nebraska-farmer-story-new-global-study-reveals-gaps-between-consumers-farmers-8-54638
 

 

‘USFRA kicks off first annual meeting’

(Farm Progress) The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance was unveiled last November in Kansas City, Mo., during the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention. Much has happened in the year since they announced the formation of the group and they have gathered in Kansas City once more to hold their first annual meeting.

"It's a very exciting time when you look back over the past year and just see the big advances that have been made in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance," said Bart Schott, a farmer from North Dakota who represents the National Corn Growers Association on the board and was elected vice chairman of the USFRA Board of Directors during Monday's board and committee meetings. "It's really exciting to be a part of it and getting through this first day of meetings."

During the meeting the board discussed budget issues for the coming year, heard from public relations firm Ketchum about plans for 2012, and several breakout sessions into committee and task force meetings.

For more on this story, please visit: http://farmprogress.com/nebraska-farmer-story-usfra-kicks-off-first-annual-meeting-8-54637
 

 

‘Secretary Vilsack announces American Lamb Board appointments’

(My Central Nebraska) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced six appointments to the 2012 Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Board. Each appointee will serve three year terms beginning immediately.

"These appointees represent a cross section of the lamb industry and I am confident that the lamb industry will be well served by them," said Vilsack.

According to the 2007 USDA Ag Census, there were approximately 83,000 sheep and lamb farms with an estimated 5.8 million head of sheep and lambs in the United States during 2007. Top producing states included, Texas, California, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota.

The newly appointed board members are: Joanne Nissen, Soledad, California, representing producers; Ben R. Lehfeldt, Lavina, Montana, representing feeders; and Wesley R. Patton, Orland, California, representing seed stock producers. Reappointed to the board are: Leo J. Tammi, Mount Sidney, Virginia, representing producers; and Cody J. Hiemke, Stoughton, Wisconsin, representing first handlers. In addition, Antonio J. Manzanares, Tierra Amarillo, New Mexico, was appointed to the board as a member of the general public.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.mycentralnebraska.com/pages/8308213.php
 

 

‘National Hot Dog and Sausage Council affirms hot dog safety and nutrition in humorous Daily Show interview’

(American Meat Institute) The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council last night affirmed hot dog safety in a humorous interview on John Stewart’s “The Daily Show.”

AMI Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Council President Janet Riley defended hot dog safety and nutrition against claims by a pseudo-medical group with animal rights ties that compared hot dogs to cigarettes. Riley said the comparison was “preposterous” and that hot dogs have nutrition labels on them – not warning labels.

The Daily Show crew conducted the interview at American Meat Institute offices and enjoyed grilled hot dogs while there

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.meatami.com/ht/display/ArticleDetails/i/73685
 

 

State News

‘Nebraska withdraws from Missouri River Association of States and Tribes’

(KNEB) Gov. Dave Heineman announced Nebraska's departure from the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes (MoRAST) because remaining in the association is not in the best interest of Nebraska.

"Our highest priority is protecting our citizens' homes, farmers and ranchers, and businesses along the Missouri river," said Gov. Dave Heineman. "Nebraska's interests are currently best served by alternate forms of discussion and engagement. Our efforts must focus on flood control as the highest priority in operation of the Missouri River mainstem system. I believe it is currently in Nebraska's best interest to engage more directly with those states and federal partners through other means." This announcement was made in a letter to J. Michael Hayden, who serves as executive director.

For more on this story, please visit: http://kneb.com/news/agricultural/index.php?more=4e6bx4a4
 

 

‘Corps changing Missouri River plan after flooding’

(AP/Drovers Cattle Network) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Monday it will change its approach to managing the Missouri River following a summer of record flooding that damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, led to millions of dollars in road repairs and forced communities to scramble to build temporary levees.

The corps said it will make the changes in the coming months, including getting as much water out of the river basin's reservoir system as possible before spring and aggressively releasing more water in the spring, if needed.

The corps also is looking at how much more reservoir space might be needed to ease flooding.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-news/Corps-changing-Missouri-River-plan-after-flooding--133392998.html
 

 

‘Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center dedication Nov. 18’

(Midwest Producer) The new Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis is now complete with dedication Nov. 18. Construction began in October 2010 on one of the largest and most innovative building projects in NCTA's history, said Weldon Sleight, dean of the college in Curtis.

"This will not only increase our capacity to produce more students to return to their communities as farmers/ranchers and business owners, but also increase the quality of living and the learning atmosphere at NCTA," Sleight said.

For the last two years, four major projects have been completed at a cost of $15 million. The projects are the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center, a large addition to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital part of the Dr. Walter Long Veterinary Hospital Addition, the Aggie Central Residence Hall and the Biomass Project designed to heat the campus with red cedar wood chips. In addition, the George and Carol Garlick Aggie West Residence Hall will be recognized.

The Nebraska ag industry, alumni and friends provided substantial financial support for these projects, Sleight said.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.midwestproducer.com/news/regional/nebraska-agriculture-industry-education-center-dedication-nov/article_9e949bf4-0991-11e1-b94b-001cc4c002e0.html
 

 

‘Berthelsens receive 2011 Farmer/Rancher Pollinator Award’

(Grand Island Independent) Pete Berthelsen, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever senior field coordinator from Elba, and his wife, Laura, are the recipients of the 2011 Farmer/Rancher Pollinator Award given by the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).

The award recognizes an individual or family in the U.S. farm and rancher community who has contributed significantly to pollinator species protection and conservation on working farms and wildlands.

Pollinators not only play a critical role in bringing food to the table, but they also provide important ecosystem support, including pheasant and quail habitat, wildlife viewing, local revenues and basic wildland stability. The Berthelsens have implemented pollinator conservation on their own land with an outdoor education classroom where people from across Nebraska can see firsthand the importance of pollinator habitat. Through a number of tours targeted at landowner and resource professionals, they have showcased the many benefits of pollinators, while demonstrating best-management practices for habitat preservation. As a result, many landowners have begun planting pollinator habitat on their own property.

For more on this story, please visit: http://theindependent.com/articles/2011/11/08/news/ag/14117454.txt
 

 

‘Broken Bow wind farm to be ready in November 2012’

(Farm Progress) Construction of a new wind farm capable of producing enough energy to meet the needs of about 25,000 homes in Nebraska has been announced by Edison Mission Group, a subsidiary of Edison International, Midwest Wind Energy, LLC and Nebraska Public Power District.

The $145 million wind project, known as Broken Bow Wind LLC, is located about three miles northeast of Broken Bow in Custer County. The project, which will be 100% owned and operated by EMG, will be capable of generating up to approximately 80 megawatts of electricity. All of the power produced by Broken Bow will be sold to NPPD under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

"We are pleased to be building our third wind energy project in Nebraska," says Pedro Pizarro, president of EMG. "The state is able to attract investment in clean energy thanks to its plentiful wind resources, along with its legislative and regulatory climate that supports the development of renewable energy projects. We are also very pleased to expand our relationship with Nebraska Public Power District with this most recent project."

For more on this story, please visit: http://farmprogress.com/nebraska-farmer-story-broken-bow-wind-farm-to-be-ready-in-november-2012-9-54518
 

 

‘From farm to school lunch tray’

(Omaha World-Herald) Across the country, efforts are growing to put more farm-fresh foods on the lunch trays of schoolchildren.

But there are challenges, including connecting interested schools with producers who can meet their needs.

The Omaha-based Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition hopes to smooth the path with a new online Farm to School toolkit designed to walk food service personnel, food producers, distributors and others through the process.

The toolkit includes a chart listing the seasons during which various Nebraska products are available, a food safety checklist for producers interested in supplying schools, and a list of local producers with contact information and the products they offer.

Links show examples of farm-to-school efforts in the metropolitan area and in other states, including a Massachusetts cookbook with recipes for turning fresh produce into large-batch dishes.

For more on this story, please visit: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111107/NEWS01/711079915


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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