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“U.S. Cattle Herd Smaller”
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports
the January 1 Cattle Inventory is down two-percent. All cattle and calves in
the United States totaled 90.8-million head. This is the lowest January 1
inventory since the 88.1-million on hand in 1952. All
cows and heifers that have calved were down two-percent, beef cows were down
three-percent and milk cows were up one-percent. The 2011 calf crop was
estimated at 35.3-million head - down one-percent from 2010. This is the
smallest calf crop since 1950.
Jim Robb - Director of at the Livestock Marketing
Information Center in Denver - says the record Texas drought certainly was the
game changer. As feedstuffs
were at record-high costs - the herd on a national basis declined. Akshay
Jagdale - a New York-based analyst at KeyBanc Capital Markets - says beef
processors may have to adjust plant capacity as cattle supplies shrink. He says
higher beef prices will boost revenue enough to make up for the rise in costs
from shrinking supplies.
U.S. Growers to Stand
Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill
Registration open for
NPC’s Potato D.C. Fly-In, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2012
Washington, D.C. – Potato growers from
across the country will descend upon the nation's capital as part of the
National Potato Council’s (NPC) annual Potato D.C. Fly-In, designed to
advance the industry's most pressing federal policy priorities. During this
year's Fly-In, February 27 through March 1, growers and industry partners
will meet with members of Congress and Administration officials from the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and the
Food and Drug Administration, as well as hear from prominent political
pundits and key public policy decision makers. (Read
More)
“NFU Supports Cool Requirements”
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson is urging
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to pursue a robust appeals process on the
recent decision of the World Trade Organization that ruled against the United
States’ implementation of the country-of-origin-labeling law. Johnson says NFU
will oppose any attempt to make change. The WTO has not found fault with the law
- but it thinks the rules and regulations used to implement the law are at
fault.
NFU is urging the USTR to mount a vigorous
defense of COOL -which requires retailers to notify their customers of the
source of certain foods. Canada and Mexico filed a complaint against the United
States’ law - which led to the recent ruling. The deadline for filing an appeal
to the WTO decision is March 23, 2012.
MATRIX
“World Economic Forum Held”
The World
Economic Forum was held in Davos, Switzerland last week. The forum meets
annually to develop strategy to improve the state of the world. The gathering is
a high-level assembly of business and government leaders from around the world
and is privately financed. World Farmers Organization President and National
Farmers Union Vice President for International Affairs Robert Carlson was an
invited guest.
NFU says agriculture,
water use, energy development and climate change are interconnected in a complex
relationship that demands different solutions in different parts of the
world. The WE Forum is dedicated to finding efficient, decentralized and
practical solutions as quickly as possible through partnerships between private
business and government policy. In the developing countries - that means a
combination of many improvements to increase farm production.
Those improvements include sources of credit, property rights, plant and animal
research and a whole series of infrastructure improvements such as road
transportation, farm supply businesses, storage for fruit, vegetables and grains
and meat and an extension service - things that already exist for the developed
world’s farmers. Carlson says to feed another 2-billion people in the next 40
years is a huge opportunity for agriculture - and farmers know they can do it
because they have before.
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Names Winners of 2012 Agricultural Outlook Forum
Student
Diversity Program |
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2012 -
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 24
university students who will attend USDA's 2012 Agricultural Outlook
Forum. The finalists include students from Land-Grant, Hispanic-serving
institutions, and American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture
and Renewable Resources institutions who are the recipients of corporate
and USDA sponsorship aimed at promoting the education of the next
generation of agriculturalists. The Forum titled, "Moving Agriculture
Forward," is USDA's largest annual event and will be held Feb. 23 and 24
at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
"USDA's Outlook Forum will
celebrate USDA's 150th anniversary, giving these students the
opportunity to hear former Secretaries of Agriculture describe their
vision for the future of agriculture," said Vilsack. "USDA welcomes the
next generation to participate in the Forum so they might see
opportunities to excel to even greater heights in their careers."
The 24 university juniors and
seniors majoring in agricultural-related studies were selected based on
their essays, "Agriculture as a Career," and recommendations from their
deans.
The finalists chosen to
represent their universities are: (Click
Here) |
“USTR Reports Progress in Trade Talks”
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk has announced important
progress with Japan on a range of trade and regulatory issues as well as on new
areas of joint cooperation. Working through the U.S.-Japan Economic
Harmonization Initiative - Kirk says Japan has improved the business environment
and expanded access for a broad range of U.S. goods and services. These goods
include agricultural products.
Ambassador Kirk welcomed
the progress which - expands job-supporting business and export opportunities
for American entrepreneurs, workers, manufacturers and service providers. Kirk
says addressing issues of concern and working closely together to advance new
areas of cooperation will further deepen the United States' relationship with
Japan - a strong ally and the nation's fourth largest export market.
The EHI - launched in November 2010 - aims to
contribute to U.S. economic growth by promoting cooperation to harmonize
approaches that facilitate trade, address business climate and individual issues
and advance coordination on regional issues of common interest.
ALION HERBICIDE
“Pork Tenderloin Key Protein to Good Health
The American Heart Association has certified pork tenderloin as a heart-healthy
food with its iconic Heart-Check mark. According to the National Pork Board
- the tenderloin - ounce-for-ounce - is as lean as a boneless, skinless chicken
breast.
Michelle Dudash - registered
dietitian and Cordon Bleu-certified chef - says healthy eating doesn't have to
mean boring eating. She recommends making pork tenderloin your scrumptious
sidekick because it offers an endless variety of simple preparations and bold,
tasty recipes.
As for the
Heart-Check mark - Dudash says pork tenderloin is extra-lean and nutrient-packed
- health-conscious consumers can easily identify this flavorful, juicy cut as a
meal choice compatible with their personal wellness goals. Throughout the month
of February - the National Pork Board is hosting a Love Me Tenderloin daily
sweepstakes. Pork fans can visit
www.Facebook.com/PorkBeInspired
and pledge to eat healthier for a chance to win free pork and other great
prizes.
(Sweet News,
here)
“Biodiesel Production Expanding”
It’s official! The U.S. biodiesel
industry reached a key milestone in 2011 by producing more than one-billion
gallons of fuel. According to the Environmental Protection Agency - the total
volume of nearly 1.1-billion gallons easily exceeded the 800-million gallon
target required under EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard. The previous record for
biodiesel production was about 690-million gallons in 2008. The biodiesel
industry's success comes after Congress reinstated the fuel's
one-dollar-per-gallon tax credit in December 2010 and as the EPA's RFS program
for biodiesel completed its first full year of implementation.
Anne Steckel - Vice President of Federal Affairs for the National
Biodiesel Board says biodiesel's success clearly demonstrates that the biodiesel
tax incentive and the Renewable Fuel Standard are working just as Congress
envisioned. Steckel says the biodiesel industry is creating jobs, reducing U.S.
dependence on imported fuel and improving the environment.
A recent economic study commissioned by NBB found that biodiesel production of
one-billion gallons supports more than 39-thousand jobs across the country and
more than 2.1-billion dollars in household income. Nearly 12-thousand more jobs
could be added between 2012 and 2013 alone under continued growth in the
Renewable Fuel Standard and with an extension of the biodiesel tax incentive.
RELY Herbicide
“Forest Planning Rule Has Problem”
Several key agriculture groups believe USDA’s Forest Service ignored concerns of
industry and members of Congress, disregarded federal statute and defied logic
in its preferred alternative forest planning rule - which will be issued as the
final rule in 30 days. John Falen - President of the Public Lands Council - says
the alternative plan is very similar to the proposed planning rule that would
have devastating long-term impacts on ranchers’ ability to access and
responsibly manage the land and its resources. Falen says if implemented - this
final rule will thwart multiple-uses and will have rippling effects on the
health of rural economies.
NCBA President and Montana cattleman Bill Donald
noted that the creation of a new category of protected species is completely
unrelated to Endangered Species Act. He says it’s called species of conservation
concern - and determined at the whim of the regional forester - it will
negatively impact the livestock industry’s ability to access forest lands to
raise healthy animals.
Margaret Soulen Hinson - President of the American Sheep Industry says it is
very disappointing that the Forest Service opted to retain the requirement to
maintain viable populations of species of conservation concern in the preferred
alternative forest plan. She says the term“maintain viable population does not
appear in federal statute and has already proven a problem under the current
planning rule - as it is ill-defined and nearly impossible to achieve.
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HCR 2004 - Asserts the rights of
sovereignty over the land and resources
of the state of Arizona by amending the
Arizona Constitution to reflect such
sentiments. The 2012 general election
ballot is to carry the question of
whether to amend the state constitution
to declare Arizona's sovereign and
exclusive authority and jurisdiction
over the air, water, public lands,
minerals, wildlife and other natural
resources within its boundaries, with
certain exceptions.
This bill passed out of Committee on a
party line vote.
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SB 1077 -
The statute
establishing
the crime of
trespassing
on state
lands does
not prohibit
the lawful
possession
or discharge
of a firearm
while
hunting,
target
shooting, in
self-defense
or in
defense of
another.
This bill
was
scheduled
for
committee
last week
but was held
because of
concerns of
impact to
State Land.
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HCM
2005
-
The
Legislature
urges
the
Commissioner
of
the
U.S.
Customs
and
Border
Protection
to
relocate
border
patrol
agents
from
the
streets
and
highways
in
the
interior
of
Arizona
to
stations
along
the
border
fence.
The
Secretary
of
State
is
directed
to
transmit
copies
of
this
memorial
to
the
Commissioner
and
to
each
member
of
Congress
from
Arizona.
This
bill
was
passed
out
of
Committee
on a
party
line
vote.
(Read
More)
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“Pioneer Releases New Corn Hybrids”
For growers who have yet to place their seed order for this spring - Pioneer
Hi-Bred - a DuPont business - is releasing 17 new Pioneer brand Optimum AQUAmax
hybrids in the 96- to 116-day comparative relative maturities for
drought-stressed environments. Everything from timing of seed treatment,
planting date, row spacing, plant population, planting depth, tillage practices
and nutrient management are factored into the Optimum AQUAmax hybrid systems
approach.
Monica Patterson - Pioneer Marketing Manager -
says Pioneer is approaching drought tolerance with an integrated approach
- leveraging all the tools available to develop robust solutions for drought.
Patterson says Pioneer's Optimum AQUAmax hybrids deliver multiple modes of
action through a suite of native traits that have a positive impact on drought
tolerance - and thus yield.
“Students to Attend USDA Outlook Forum”
Twenty-four university students have been selected to attend USDA's 2012
Agricultural Outlook Forum. The finalists include students from Land-Grant,
Hispanic-serving institutions and American Association of State Colleges of
Agriculture and Renewable Resources institutions who are the recipients of
corporate and USDA sponsorships aimed at promoting the education of the next
generation of agriculturalists. The Forum titled Moving Agriculture Forward is
USDA's largest annual event and will be held February 23rd and 24th at the
Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
This year’s forum will be the 150th anniversary
forum - giving these students the opportunity to hear former Secretaries of
Agriculture describe their vision for the future of agriculture. In making the
announcement - Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack voiced his hope that the youth might see
opportunities to excel to even greater heights in their careers. The 24
university juniors and seniors majoring in agricultural-related studies were
selected based on their essays with the theme Agriculture as a Career and
recommendations from their deans.
Share Ag's Amazing Story –
Be a Part of Ag Day 2012
Do you have plans for March 8, 2012?
We have a suggestion ...
Join thousands of other proud supporters of American agriculture in
celebrating all that makes it Abundant, Affordable & Amazing!
Momentum around Ag Day celebrations across the country has really picked
up steam in the last couple years. Last
year's attendance at our annual
events in Washington, D.C., was the highest ever! We have some exciting
new things
to share for 2012 and we have
updated the
Ag Day website
in preparation for the upcoming
Washington, D.C. events.
Please check in regularly and
be sure to join Ag Day communities on
Twitter,
Facebook
and the
Ag Day Blog.
Register Today!
Get registered today
for the Ag Day Activities in Washington, D.C. We look forward to
seeing you there!
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“2011 Wheat Leader of Year Award Presented”
The National Association of Wheat
Growers has selected Montana Senator Max Baucus as the 2011 Wheat Leader of the
Year. Baucus is Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and long-time
agricultural advocate. The award is the wheat industry's highest public service
award - given annually to one Member of Congress based on his or her
demonstrated commitment to the well-being and goals of the wheat industry.
Baucus was
chosen by NAWG's leadership because of his tireless support of three free trade
agreements that were approved last year, his efforts to protect crop insurance
within the federal budget and his general advocacy for agricultural priorities. NAWG
also saluted several other lawmakers with their Wheat Advocate Award.
AG WEB NEWS
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