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DURUM WHEAT HARVEST

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“Online Petition Urges Domino’s Pizza to
Change Mind”
As the American Farm Bureau Federation was
having an Ag Pizza Party - encouraging folks
to thank Domino’s Pizza for relying on
animal experts to determine the best way to
raise farm animals - a customer petition on
change dot org collected more than
115-thousand signatures from people in all
50 states asking the chain to stop
purchasing pork from suppliers using
gestation crates. Feedstuffs reports that a
long-time Domino’s customer from Texas
decided to launch the petition campaign
after seeing undercover video footage of
gestation crates from the Humane Society of
the United States. While positioned as a
meat eater and non-animal rights activist in
the online petition - Feedstuffs writes that
online searches show the customer is an HSUS
supporter.
“Commodity Programs and Crop Insurance Focus
of Two-Day Hearing”
According to Texas Representative Mike
Conaway - Chairman of the House Ag
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and
Risk Management - the Senate Ag Committee’s
version of the farm bill just won’t cut it
for folks across all regions. He says it
isn’t equitable or fair to crops and
commodities across the country - criteria
set by House Ag Chair Frank Lucas. According
to Conaway - the Senate bill actually
creates a new program that is so lopsided it
locks in profits for some while denying any
safety net at all to others. Conaway also
questions whether the Senate bill provides
the protection needed if prices collapse.
Conaway led a hearing focused
on commodity programs and crop insurance
Wednesday and Thurdsay. The two-day hearing
was part of the series of House Ag hearings
on agricultural policy in advance of the
writing of the farm bill. Four panels of
witnesses - including economists and leaders
from various commodity and ag groups -
described how programs are working under
current law and how reforms can be made.
They stressed the need for a fair and
effective safety net and a strong crop
insurance program.
“Energy Programs Part of the Focus of Ag
Subcommittee Hearing”
The House Ag Subcommittee on Conservation,
Energy and Forestry wrapped up the DC farm
bill hearing series Friday. The hearing
focused on the Energy Title - first included
in the 2002 Farm Bill and the Forestry Title
- which has been part of farm bills since
1990. The energy programs in Title IX were
designed to promote a transition from
corn-based ethanol to other advanced
biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol. The
most prominent programs in the energy title
are the Biomass Crop Assistance Program and
the Rural Energy for America program - but
there is no budget baseline for these
programs beyond the conclusion of the
existing Farm Bill. Chairman Glenn Thompson
of Pennsylvania says Friday’s panels
provided subcommittee members with critical
details on how current farm policy is
performing, what areas need improvement and
what recommendations will serve to create a
stronger and more efficient law. He says the
aim is to craft a measure that helps the
nation meet rising energy demand.

“Ag
Energy Coalition Heard at Subcommittee
Hearing”
A coalition of organizations supported the
testimony presented at the House Ag Energy
Subcommittee farm bill hearing by
Agriculture Energy Coalition Co-Director
Ryan Stroschein Friday. His testimony urged
Congress to ensure robust funding for the
2012 Farm Bill Energy Title. Stroschein
noted that rural America has been at the
epicenter of the nation’s emerging renewable
energy and bioproducts industries - and
farmers, ranchers, small businesses and
rural economies have started realizing the
benefits.
National Farmers Union was
among the groups supporting Stroschein’s
testimony. NFU President Roger Johnson says
the energy title is critical not only
because of its investment in rural America -
but also because it’s leading to the
commercialization of second generation
renewable fuels. By producing renewable
fuels here in the U.S. - Johnson says we can
become more energy secure while preserving
our natural resources.
According to USDA - the Rural Energy for
America - or REAP - program is estimated to
have saved or created 15-thousand jobs
between 2009 and 2011.
NATIONAL SORGHUM
PRODUCERS:
the voice of the
sorghum industry
(Click
Here)
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“NBB
Chair Focuses on Farm Bill Programs for
Biodiesel”
Testifying before the House Agriculture
Subcommittee on Energy Friday - National
Biodiesel Board Chairman Gary Haer talked
about the benefits biodiesel production
brings to rural economies across the
country. He urged lawmakers to continue to
fund programs like the Biodiesel Fuel
Education Program and the Bioenergy Program
for Advanced Biofuels in the 2012 Farm Bill.
According to Haer - these programs are
critical to raising awareness of biodiesel
and stimulating new production - and they
are succeeding - as the industry produced a
record of nearly 1.1-billion gallons of fuel
last year. Haer added that biodiesel is part
of the all-of-the-above strategy outlined by
many energy leaders across the country.
Recent oil spikes - he said - should remind
us why that’s important. He said having
domestic alternatives to oil can reduce the
influence global forces like OPEC have over
our economy.
Haer also pointed out that
more than half of the lawmakers on the
subcommittee have at least one biodiesel
production plant in their district. Those
plants and others like them across the
country - NBB estimates - supported more
than 39-thousand jobs in all sectors of the
U.S. economy in 2011. Haer said most of the
more than 200 biodiesel production
facilities in the U.S. are located in rural
areas - and a majority of the feedstock used
to produce biodiesel is grown or originates
in rural areas.

“NACD
Board Member Testifies to Importance of
Forestry Programs”
National Association of Conservation
Districts Board Member Charles Holmes
testified Friday that NACD supports the
framework of the 2012 Farm Bill designed by
the Senate Ag Committee - and specifically
the Forestry Title. Holmes says the Forestry
Title helps provide resources to landowners
who are looking to protect and conserve
wooded and forest land on their property.
Conservation Districts and private
landowners - Holmes continued - have been
directly involved in a number of Forestry
Title programs - including the Forest
Stewardship Program and the Forest Legacy
Program.
The Forest Stewardship
Program - according to Holmes - has produced
over 270-thousand resource management plans
for more than 31-million acres of private
forest land. He’s seen the direct benefit of
the program on his own land in Alabama -
where his work with longleaf pine
restoration has been - in part - a product
of the program. He has restored more than
700 acres of longleaf pine in an effort to
restore native forests to the southeastern
U.S.
Holmes says the Forest Legacy Program has
been an important part of Conservation
Districts work since its creation. He says
the program has allowed landowners to
protect environmentally important forest
areas from expansion. Holmes said a program
cap of 200-million dollars annually -
included in the 2012 Farm Bill framework now
- should not have a negative impact on
successfully carrying out responsible
conservation.
Holmes told the Energy Subcommittee that
forestry programs have a track record of
success. He said every dollar spent has seen
a return. Because of the 2008 Farm Bill - he
said we are better prepared to meet future
resource needs. He said we must continue to
fund these programs in the next farm bill -
calling the Forestry Title critical to
ensuring the health and sustainability of
our forests for generations to come.
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A FOODCHAIN RADIO
RELEASE FROM MICHAEL
OLSON
From
Reuters: “Holbreich, an
allergist in
Indianapolis, has been
treating Amish
communities in Indiana
for two decades, but he
noticed that very few
Amish actually had
allergies.” This
anomaly leads us to ask…
"Why do so few Amish
have so few allergies?"
This
Saturday at 9am Pacific,
the Food Chain Radio
show with Michael Olson
hosts allergist /
immunologist Dr. Mark
Holbreich for a
conversation about the
Amish allergy anomaly.
Topics include the
incidence of allergies
within the Amish
community; speculation
as to why Amish farm
children have so few
allergies; and what the
general population might
learn from the Amish
about allergies.
The Food Chain is
available live via ABC
Starguide III and
delayed via MP3 at
www.foodchainradio.com.
For clearance
information, contact
Michael Olson at
831-566-4209.
#775
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“NFU
Sees Need for Continued Climate Change
Adaptation”
National Farmers Union has submitted
comments to the Environmental Protection
Agency regarding the Draft National Water
2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change.
NFU President Roger Johnson says climate
change adaption is critical for the
continued productivity of the agriculture
sector - specifically as it relates to water
quality and quantity. Given the proper
incentives - he says family farmers and
ranchers will be valuable partners in
addressing the challenges that result from a
changing climate. Historically - Johnson
says family farmers and ranchers have been
the nation’s best soil and water
conservationists when given the economic
incentives and flexibility to do so.
supply as temperatures rise.
NFU encourages EPA to seek market-based
solutions to enhance climate adaptation
strategies and to coordinate efforts with
federal partners to address issues like risk
management, nonpoint source pollution and
water management.

“Global Food Alliance Announced”
President Obama has announced a new G8
alliance for global food security and
nutrition. It involves major private sector
companies and governments around the globe
assisting small-scale African farmers
improve their products and outcomes. The
endeavor - which involves 45 companies
making a commitment to spend more than
three-billion dollars - is an expansion of
an effort launched in 2009. Since that time
- U.S. Agency for International Development
Administrator Rajiv Shah says agricultural
productivity growth in target countries has
been eight times that of the global average.
He says the additional agricultural product
has protected millions of people from
needing food aid during times of emergency
crisis.
Shah says the new goal is to
extend current governmental commitments and
include the private sector in tackling
problems in ways the government cannot. Some
examples include Pepsi helping farmers plant
chick peas to be used for commercial
purposes and World Food Program feeding
initiatives and a Norwegian company building
the first major fertilizer production
company in Africa.

Arizona Farm Bureau's
Fill Your Plate joins forces with
Arizona Media Celebrity Jan D'Atri to bring
you "2-Minute" Kitchen tips featuring
recipes from
Fill Your Plate!
This first video,
Minestrone Soup,
is a fun recipe featuring lots of
Arizona-grown veggies!
Special note:
Share with family and friends on your
Twitter of Facebook feeds! Fill Your Plate
has made it simple to share. Just look for
the social media icons in the upper
right-hand corner of the video. This is one
simple way to share our Arizona agriculture
story.
Finally, if you've never shared a family
recipe favorite with Arizona Farm Bureau's
Fill Your Plate, we'd love to hear from you!
Our recipes come from our Arizona farmers
and ranchers and feature quality Arizona
agirculture products. If you send us a
recipe, remember to take a picture of the
finished product so we can feature that on
Fill Your Plate too!!
2-minute Kitchen:
http://fillyourplate.org/video/minestrone-soup-in-the-two-minute-kitchen-with-jan-datri.html
“Consumers Can Celebrate this Dairy Month”
June is Dairy Month and University of
Illinois Animal Sciences Professor Emeritus
Mike Hutjens says consumers have reason to
celebrate. Hutjens says dairy product prices
have dropped in many markets as the price
paid dairy farmers has dropped 20-percent at
the farm gate. Dairy farmers currently
receive 15 to 17-dollars per 100 pounds -
while the cost to produce milk ranges from
16 to 18-dollars. U.S. dairy cows averaged
21,345 pounds of milk per cow in 2011.
Continued improvements in efficiency in the
dairy industry - Hutjens says - reflect
higher milk yield per cow. That results in
lower-priced milk and dairy products for
consumers. In fact - in selected markets -
he says milk is available for $2.50 per
gallon.
In 2010 - the average U.S.
consumer consumed 23.5-pounds of low-fat
milk, 45.9-pounds of whole milk, 60.3-pounds
of reduced fat milk, 26.8-pounds of fat-free
milk and 13.7-pounds of flavored milk.
Hutjens says they also ate 33.9-pounds of
cheese, 11.8-pounds of ice cream and
5.1-pounds of butter. Consumption of
flavored milk increased 13.5-percent over
2009 in 2010 and yogurt consumption
increased 8.3-percent. Frozen yogurt
purchases also increased - by 7.1-percent.
According to Hutjens - the trends reflect
the consumer’s desire for lower-calorie
products. With a wide variety of dairy
products available - he says consumers can
pick their favorite product based on fat
content, calorie content, flavor, taste,
cost and food recipe alternatives.
AgWeb
News
-
AgWeb
Radio: Weekly Dairy Market Wrap
5-18-12
-
Robin Schmahl, Hedge and Marketing
Specialist with AgDairy said not too
much excitements, but Class III
contracts were higher. Milk receipts
are holding steady. Milk productin
up 3.2%, cow numbers increased 5000
head, production per cow increased
40lb. World cheeze prices going
down. Milk powder down. Next week
not much better.
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Wild Week Highlighted by Wheat
Market
-
It
was a mixed week in the markets,
punctuated by a July wheat rally
that was initiated by growing
production concerns in the U.S. and
overseas.
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Cattle Futures Confirm Near Term Low
has Posted
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Friday's Cattle on Feed report adds
fuel to the bulls fire as lighter
than expected placements and
stronger marketings left inventories
at 99% of year ago levels.
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April Milk Up 3.2%
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Once again, western states led the
surge in milk production.
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Cattle on Feed Placements 15% Lower
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Analysts predicted feedyard
placements to be lower but April
placements totaled 1.52 million, 15
percent below 2011.
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AgWeb
Radio: Midday Commentary 5-18-12
-
Kevin Van Trump of Farm Direction
says weather is the major factor.
Wheat prices are really
higher.Harvest of wheat in the US
may be lower, Russia and Eastern
Australia are both in trouble. Corn
is growing well but very dry. Basis
is still high. Beans are a mix right
now but the demand will be there for
$15 beans later.
View
More
LIVESTOCK
NEWS
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Oil falls to lowest level since December
Economic uncertainty in Europe pushed oil prices and stocks lower on Thursday, but analysts continue to monitor negotiations with Iran. Economic sanctions against Iran are set to tighten by the end of June, and an oil price spike could result.
Read more |
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Who is winning the food fight?
Most farmers are working quite hard to produce as much food as possible for a hungry world and marketplace, but daily get criticized by non-farmers because of doing things that the non-farmers do not think should be done.
Read more |
Suit claims bank knew of cattle brokerage company’s scheme
A Virginia bank is suing the Eastern Livestock LLC's bank, claiming they knew of the fraud practices.
Read more |
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Higher prices are a reality in today's cattle business. Producers are open to bigger opportunities and risks with each management decision. CattleFax has been a proven leader in market research and analysis for 40 years. Receive a 3-month trial membership
to start making informed decisions. |
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HSUS ads deceive 90% of donors
A new survey of 1,000 self-identified donors to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reveals 90 percent were unaware of the its budget distribution. Nearly 50 percent reported they are now less likely to support the activist group, according to a poll reported by HumaneWatch.org.
Read more |
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Consumers feeling better, spending more
A consumer confidence index surprised analysts by climbing to its highest level in four years this month, and consumer spending is up, according to a pair of reports from Bloomberg News. Continued consumer optimism should be positive for domestic meat demand, especially beef as consumers often view it as a luxury meat item.
Read more |
Commentary: Bittman thinks global warming is “What’s For Dinner”
A popular food writer and author repeats myths about livestock production in his column in The New York Times. But the myths are flawed, according to research by a UC Davis professor who believes eliminating livestock will only mean more hungry people.
Read more |
They’re not all food Luddites
We hear a lot from the people opposed to all sorts of technology in agriculture and food production. Their accusations, conspiracy theories and David-versus-Goliath posturing make good headlines. But according to a new edition of a long-running series of studies from the International Food Information Council (IFIC), most U.S. consumers are open-minded about modern tools such as biotechnology in food production.
Read more |
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Monday Market Sentiment Program
Drovers CattleNetwork and Merck invite you to join the Monday Market Sentiment program and take your best guess at the 5-area weekly average fed-cattle cash-market prices. You could win a $100 Cabela's gift card. See rules and regulations. Apply here. |
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Think of land price as bushels of corn, MU economist says
To help farmers decide how much debt farmland can support, Joe Horner asks them to calculate payments not in dollars but in bushels of corn. That may surprise some on how cheap land has become.
Read more |
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BPI awaits school lunch orders
As U.S. schools finalize lunch menus and ground beef purchases, Beef Products Inc. is ready to learn just how much the media storm will affect its production.
Read more |
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Drought Monitor: Rainfall eases in south-central US
During the next 5 days (May 17-21), periods of rain will continue to provide drought relief in the southern Atlantic States, particularly across Florida’s peninsula.
Read more |
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Visit our online resource centers
Visit Drovers CattleNetwork for the latest news and information on: baby calf health, beef retail, BVD, cattle feeding, DNA profiling, fly control, pasture & rangeland, preconditioning and supplement/nutrition. Click here
to visit our resource centers. |
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MONDAY,
MAY 21st,
2012
Today marks the
birthday of an important U.S. aviation
pioneer who now is largely forgotten. Glenn
Curtiss was born in Hammondsport, New York.
He was the first U.S. motorcycle champion,
setting a speed record of 136 miles an hour
in 1907. Turning to aviation, he set many
speed and distance records in the first
decade of powered flight. Curtiss built the
navy's first aircraft, and later huge four-engined
flying boats. One, the NC-4, made the first
transatlantic crossing by an airplane in
1919. Glenn Curtiss held U.S. pilot's
license number one. Today, just over 594,000
Americans hold pilot's licenses.
WWW.CENSUS.GOV
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY NAFB FOR POTENTIAL
FARM NEWS BROADCASTERS
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation is offering three college scholarships - including two each for four-thousand and the five-thousand dollar Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must be a college junior, senior or grad student and must be enrolled in - or transferring to - an agricultural communications curriculum with concentration and/or application in broadcast media. Applications are due May 30th. For more information and to apply - go to NAFBFoundation dot com (www.nafbfoundation.com).
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