CCC Milk To Enter Domestic Feeding Programs

USDA will transfer approximately 200-million pounds of nonfat dry milk from the Commodity Credit Corporation to USDA's Food and Nutrition Service for use in domestic feeding programs. The nonfat dry milk will be further processed or bartered. The products are expected to include items such as nonfat dry milk, ultra high temperature milk, cheese, and soups for domestic feeding programs.

In making the announcement, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, President Obama understands that providing food to those in need will help many weather these tough economic times. At the same time, the Secretary said, - USDA's disposal plan will benefit dairy farmers, who have seen markets disappear and prices plummet in recent months.

In January, a bipartisan group of 36 Members of Congress sent a letter encouraging Secretary Vilsack to use USDA authority to make dairy purchases for feeding programs. House Ag Committee Chairman Collin Peterson called this a – win-win- situation that will offer relief to our nation's dairy farmers and low income American families. NFU President Roger Johnson called the Secretary’s announcement – the right step in the right direction.

Bill Introduced to Change Cuban Payment Rule

Through legislation he has introduced in the House, representative Jerry Moran wants to improve the ability of U.S. agriculture producers to market their products to Cuba. H.R. 1737, the Agricultural Export Facilitation Act of 2009, removes barriers to present and future sales of U.S. agricultural products to Cuba under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. He called this - an opportune time to encourage the United States to change its trade policies toward Cuba.

Moran said, - Cuba is an important market for U.S. agriculture, as well as for manufacturers and distributors of food products. But the actions of our own government have created a climate of uncertainty and have inhibited the sale of agricultural goods. Our unreliable and uncertain trade policies are sending the signal to Cuba that it is easier to purchase its products elsewhere. Moran said, - we are only hurting ourselves.

The passage of TSREEA in 2000 allowed for the export of agriculture products to Cuba for the first time in 38 years. In 2005, however, a change by the Treasury Department to the cash payment in advance rule caused payments for agriculture exports to be made before ships leave U.S. ports rather than upon delivery, making it more difficult for American farmers to sell their products to Cuba.

Tax Extensions Receiving Lots of Attention

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus was expected Thursday to introduce a tax plan that would extend most of the tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003. Baucus told a hearing that - allowing these tax cuts to expire would mean a drastic increase for tens of millions of American families. He hopes Congress can clear the legislation this year. If Congress does nothing, all of the lower tax rates would expire at the end of 2010, returning the rates to levels in place at the end of the Clinton administration.

If Congress does nothing, the estate tax will disappear for 2010 only, then resume under pre-2001 rates at the beginning of 2011 – a one million dollar exemption and a tax rate of 55 percent. Democrats generally want to keep the 2009 estate tax levels in place — a 3.5 million dollar per-person exemption and a 45 percent top rate.

All of this would appear to conflict with a more deliberate approach outlined by the White House just a day earlier. The Obama administration wants to extend the lower tax rates and expanded tax benefits for families making less than 250-thousand dollars a year. But Obama has not said when he wants Congress to consider such a bill. The White House has announced the creation of a tax code task force that will not release its report until December. That would set the stage for a comprehensive bill in 2010, not in 2009.

9 Key Principles to Cap-and-Trade Legislation

Several proposals have been circulating that would create a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. A dozen agricultural organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association, want you to know there are nine key principles that are vital to the farm economy regarding greenhouse gas cap-and-trade legislation.

Briefly, the principals include:
1.) Agriculture sector must not be subject to an emissions cap;
2.) Any legislation must fully recognize the wide range of carbon mitigation or sequestration benefits that agriculture can provide;
3.) Legislation must make economic sense for agriculture;
4.) USDA should promulgate the rules and administer any agricultural offsets;
5.) The use of domestic offsets must not be artificially limited;
6.) Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas mitigation rates must be based on sound science;
7.) Cap-and-trade legislation must provide an initial list of project types that are eligible agricultural offsets.;
8.) Legislation should recognize early actors; and
9.) Legislation should not prohibit stackable credits or participation in multiple programs when multiple benefits are achieved for the same practice.

NCGA Ethanol committee Chairman Steve Ruh says - if legislation is structured appropriately, agriculture can play an important role in greenhouse gas mitigation while benefiting economically from a future carbon market.

NCGA Forms Climate Change Task Force

The National Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Committee has established a farmer-led task force of corn farmers to focus on climate issues, such as land use change, greenhouse gas emissions, cap-and-trade policies, carbon sequestration and low carbon fuel standards. The Committee will gather and communicate to its members and policymakers information and research on climate change.

Steve Ruh, chairman of the task force and a farmer in Sugar Grove, Illinois says, - there is a need for more research to fill the gaps for policy and legislative initiatives that will help us maintain economic and environmental sustainability. Short-term projects for the team include a response to the controversial low carbon fuel standard proposed by the California Air Resources Board and a set of white papers on land use.

Subcommittee Discusses Obesity Issues

The House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing to review the problem of obesity in the United States. The subcommittee heard testimony from health and obesity experts about the most current statistics on obesity and the many implications of obesity on public health and communities.

Subcommittee Chairman Joe Baca said, - with its cost on America estimated somewhere in the 80 to 120 billion a year range, obesity is a problem we must address both for the health of our nation and for our long-term economic sustainability.

Subcommittee Ranking Member Jeff Fortenberry said he is - very concerned by this trend, particularly among our children. Good nutrition can improve health outcomes and lower medical costs, a winning combination for American health care, sustainable agriculture, and strong local economies.

Derivatives Bill Gains Support

As many as 52 state and national organizations have joined forces to back the Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2009 – also known as H.R. 977. In a letter addressed to the leaders of the House Ag Committee, the groups point out the Act would restore confidence in our nation’s futures markets while protecting consumers, farmers, energy retailers, users and transporters, business operators and others that these markets were established to serve.

The signatories of the letter include many organizations with interests in agriculture and petroleum based energies. R-CALF USA Marketing Committee Chair Dennis Thornsberry said - H.R. 977 provides sensible, balanced and common-sense reforms that will help all derivative markets work more effectively and with increased transparency.

It is widely held that rampant speculation in credit default swaps and other financial instruments contributed to the ongoing financial meltdown and the enormous costs to taxpayers of stabilizing the financial system.

OMB Director Backs Subsidy Caps

House and Senate lawmakers and farm groups have opposed the President’s proposal to cap farm subsidies at 250-thousand dollars a year. Speaking with reporters yesterday morning, Peter Orszag, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, said he believes Congress will find a way to - reduce agricultural subsidies, especially for large corporate – large farms, while protecting small and family farms.

The Director indicated that capping subsidies is just one way to get at this issue. He said – we will be working with not only Senator Conrad, but also Chairman Peterson and others to fashion legislation that saves money on agricultural subsidies, especially to large farms.

House Ag Members Tell Vilsack IRS Requirement an Invasion of Privacy

The Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee Frank Lucas - and eight other House Ag Republicans - are asking U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to rethink the plan to require all farmers to sign a form granting the IRS the authority to provide income information to USDA for verification purposes. Failure to comply with the requirement would make a producer ineligible for program benefits. According to a letter sent to the Secretary Wednesday - the invasion of privacy is against Congressional intent. The Representatives also commented on the short period of time farmers have to comment on the announcement. The comment period is closed on April 6th.

The letter notes Congress gave producers a choice - allowing for a verification of income statement to be submitted every three years confirming the producer’s adjusted gross income. Forcing every producer to give USDA the power to verify with the IRS information submitted by the farmer or rancher - the letter goes on - takes this choice away.

Farm Bureau – Others – Against California Carbon Score Proposal

American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman has written California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, asking for a - level playing field - in the development of that state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The standard requires oil companies to reduce the carbon sold in fuels in the state by 10 percent by 2020.

Under the proposal, all fuels are assigned a “carbon score” to reward the least carbon-intensive fuels. But, Stallman points out that only biofuels are being singled out for so-called - indirect effects - which raise the carbon score. As a result, the AFBF leader says, fossil fuels would receive a better carbon score and a competitive advantage over renewable biofuels.

If the California Air Resources Board carries through with its proposed plan biofuels’ carbon score would be increased by 40 percent or more. Opposition to the proposal has been strong and wide. Several stakeholder groups, including 111 scientists who submitted a letter to the governor’s office, are recommending that CARB adopt a regulation based only on emissions directly attributable to the production and use of the particular fuel.

Cellulosic Ethanol Executives Push for 15 Percent Blend

Executives of nine U.S.-based cellulosic ethanol companies have signed a request to increase ethanol blending from 10 percent to 15 percent. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, officials from Coskata, Qteros, Range Fuels, ZeaChem, ICM and Edenspace Systems made their point. We are writing in strong support of the E15 waiver recently submitted for consideration by the EPA.

In their letter, the executives said - as with other alternative energy technologies, assurance of a continued and growing market for ethanol is essential to commercializing cost-competitive advanced biofuels. Removing the regulatory cap will ensure the product market necessary to encourage continued investment in the commercialization of advanced biofuels.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, advanced biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol, promise to reduce Green House Gas emissions by 86 percent relative to gasoline. The U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture found that 1.3 billion tons of U.S. biomass feedstock is potentially available for the production of biofuels – more than enough biomass to meet the new renewable fuel standard mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Conservation Payments

On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research held a hearing to review the administration and management of contracts for the USDA conservation programs. The hearing focused on the importance of ensuring that USDA conservation programs are meeting the taxpayers' expectations for responsible management, accountability and assuring the wise use of tax dollars.

According to investigations conducted by the House Committee on Agriculture, the General Accounting Office and USDA's Office of Inspector General, USDA administration of conservation programs were found to be lacking the proper internal controls to prevent waste, fraud and abuse. Witnesses suggested that USDA management needs to cooperate with other government agencies to do more to ensure that duplicate and improper payments are not made.

Subcommittee Chair Tim Holden said - I hope USDA has learned from the results of these investigations and improves funding management. We have a responsibility to verify that USDA is not making improper payments, and we need NRCS and FSA to be good stewards of public money, so that in turn, we can continue to support farmers in being good stewards of the land.

Canadian Firm to Sell Cattle Control System

The Agricultural Research Service has agreed to grant a license to a Canadian firm interested in marketing a type of non-wire, virtual fencing technology for cows linked to global positioning. The Directional Virtual Fencing system sends electronic cues to a cow's ears so that it will move in a preferred direction. ARS is granting the license exclusively to Krimar of Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia.

Cows must be moved periodically to quality forage for optimum performance. Animals left too long in the same area also can damage a landscape by overgrazing the standing crop. The vast open spaces on many ranches also make controlling a herd's movements challenging. The patented system is not intended to replace a rancher's expertise, but will be used as an animal management tool. The system will be able to steer a moving animal without inflicting physical harm.

Here is how it works. The system locates cows with global positioning and sends auditory signals, such as a human voice, that can be raised or lowered in volume, according to Anderson. The commands can vary from familiar "gathering songs" sung by cowboys during manual round-ups to sirens designed to get cows to move or avoid entering forbidden areas. The system is automated so ranchers can give cues at any time and track movements from a computer.

Link Reported Between Red Meat and Mortality

Researchers have found a link between red meat and processed meat and an increased risk of mortality. In contrast, routine consumption of fish, chicken, turkey and other poultry decreased the risk of death by a small amount. Rashmi Sinha of the National Cancer Institute led the study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study of more than 500-thousand middle-aged and elderly Americans found that those who consumed about four ounces of red meat a day - the equivalent of about a small hamburger - were more than 30 percent more likely to die during the 10 years they were followed, mostly from heart disease and cancer. Sausage, cold cuts and other processed meats also increased the risk.

The American Meat Institute dismissed the findings, however, saying they were based on unreliable self-reporting by the study participants. AMI Executive vice president James Hodges says - meat products are part of a healthy, balanced diet, and studies show they actually provide a sense of satisfaction and fullness that can help with weight control. Proper body weight contributes to good health overall.

EPA Greenhouse Gasses Are Pollutants

The Environmental Protection Agency says greenhouse gas emissions - are pollutants that endanger the public's health and welfare. These findings - could trigger a broad regulatory process affecting much of the U.S. economy as well as the nation's future environmental trajectory. The agency's move reversed one of the Bush administration's landmark decisions on climate change, and it indicated anew that President Obama's appointees will push to address the issue of warming.

William Kovacs, vice president of environment, technology and regulatory affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says - by moving forward with the endangerment finding on greenhouse gases, EPA is putting in motion a set of decisions that may have far-reaching unintended consequences. Specifically, he said, - once the finding is made, no matter how limited, some environmental groups will sue to make sure it is applied to all aspects of the Clean Air Act.

The White House emphasized that the administration is simply fulfilling its legal obligations and will still press for a legislative solution to the question of curbing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said, - the President has made clear that to combat climate change, his strong preference is for Congress to pass energy security legislation that includes a cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The White House has not issued a specific timeline on how to proceed.

Obama Talks Energy Alternatives

President Obama wants to spend about 59-billion dollars in economic stimulus funds and 150-billion from the federal budget to promote what he calls America's - clean-energy future. Obama plans to use the money to spur cutting-edge research, develop clean-energy technologies and provide incentives for private research. As a result, more than 300-thousand jobs would be created while doubling the nation's supply of renewable energy.

In making the case for spending almost 75-billion dollars from next year's budget to make the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit permanent, the White House said every dollar of tax benefit for private research and development yields two-dollars in benefits to the U.S. economy and society in the long run.

In addressing clean-energy entrepreneurs and leading researchers at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the President said, - we will attack the problems that have held us back for too long, including dependence on foreign oil.

New NRCS Chief Named

A former Montana State Conservationist has been selected by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to serve as chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Dave White is a career conservationist with NRCS. In addition to Montana, White has worked in Missouri, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C.

In making the announcement, Secretary Vilsack said - Dave White's extensive experience working with the NRCS and at the local, state and national levels is exactly what we need during this time of economic uncertainty and renewal.

The NRCS has approximately 12-thousand employees and an annual budget in excess of three-billion dollars. NRCS is the nation's leading agency in conserving natural resources on private lands.

Farm Bureau to Congress: Oppose Anti-Antibiotics Bill

The American Farm Bureau Federation is expressing strong opposition to legislation that would remove and restrict important antibiotics for veterinary and farm use. In a letter to Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman said the bills (H.R. 1549 and S. 619) would handicap veterinarians and livestock and poultry producers in their efforts to protect the nation’s food supply and maintain the health of their farm animals. He said, - in order to raise healthy animals, we need tools to keep them healthy.

Stallman pointed out that - farmers and ranchers and the veterinarians they work with
use antibiotics carefully, judiciously and according to label instructions, primarily to treat, prevent and control disease in our flocks and herds. He told members of Congress that by opposing the bills, they would - protect the professional judgment of veterinarians and livestock producers in providing safe and healthful meat products - for consumers.

Stallman said more than 40 years of antibiotic use in farm animals proves that such use does not pose a public health threat. In fact, Stallman said - recent government data shows the potential that it might occur is declining. Bacteria survival through food processing and handling is decreasing, food-borne illness is down, development of antibiotic resistant bacteria in animals is stable and resistant food-borne bacteria in humans are declining.

LaHood Wants Mexican Truck Program

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says – there is going to be a Mexican truck program. LaHood met Tuesday with lawmakers to discuss quickly reinstating a program that allows Mexican trucks access to U.S. highways. He says - my goal is to build a program to satisfy the safety concerns of Congress. Last week, Mexico imposed tariffs on U.S. exports in retaliation for Congress ending a pilot program that allowed Mexican trucking companies to send vehicles more than 25 miles past the U.S. border.

Ending the pilot program gave Mexico the opportunity to impose punitive tariffs under the North American Free Trade Agreement which requires the United States to allow Mexican trucks to operate in the U.S. A NAFTA tribunal has held that U.S. restrictions on Mexican trucks violate the deal.

The American Farm Bureau Federation backs a cross-border trucking program with Mexico. In a letter to President Obama, Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman wrote - we urge you to find a resolution that will honor our obligations under NAFTA, eliminating any cause for Mexico to halt U.S. trade. Farm Bureau says Mexico’s tariffs will cost us 2.4 billion dollars in trade retaliation. The tariffs cover about 90 U.S. products and range from 10 percent to 40 percent.

New Mexico TB Classification Changed

When bovine tuberculosis was identified in New Mexico last fall USDA removed the state from bovine tuberculosis-free status. New Mexico officials complained about that action, saying it was excessive and could cost ranching and dairy operations unnecessary tests – particularly for those far from the site of bovine TB. Last Friday, USDA changed the state’s classification to "split status" — meaning only two counties in the state will be under strict requirements for moving and testing cattle.

The new status requires bovine TB tests only for cattle shipped from eastern New Mexico's Curry and Roosevelt counties. Erik Ness, a spokesman for the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau called the change - a big win for the livestock industry. Caren Cowan, executive director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association said this - will save millions of dollars in testing and handling fees for livestock producers throughout the state.

The livestock industry is New Mexico's single most important agricultural commodity with total annual sales of dairy and beef cattle totaling almost two-billion dollars.

Catnip Compound Repels Asian Lady Beetles

A compound found in catnip may help homeowners keep multicolored Asian lady beetles out of their homes this fall. The beetle, Harmonia axyridis, becomes a nuisance insect upon entering homes to escape the cold. When threatened, it releases a yellow liquid that, while nontoxic, smells foul and produces stains.

Agriculture Research Service scientists say nepetalactone, found in catnip, when used in high doses can naturally repel the beetles, causing them to fly off, stop crawling, move back or turn away. In studies at the ARS Biological Control of Pests Research Unit in Stoneville, Mississippi, 95 percent of adult male and female lady beetles altered their course upon encountering filter paper impregnated with the highest of three doses of the catnip compound.

USDA Planting Intentions Report Due Next Tuesday

We’re still one week away from USDA releasing its perspective planting report. And when it does, one market watcher expects growing season weather to quickly take over the market's attention, especially for corn. Farm Futures Market Analyst Arlan Suderman says - normal yields will be essential this year, especially if demand continues to firm. However, Suderman says, - we see no looming weather threat on the horizon to suggest otherwise at this point.

Most forecasters expect next Tuesday’s USDA acreage estimates for corn to be much smaller this year than last. But, how much smaller is still being debated. Farm Futures Magazine recently set planting intentions at 82.46 million acres, down 4 percent from the 86 million put in a year ago. Farm Futures expects soybean acreage to soar to a record 80.73 million acres, up more than 6 percent from last year's 75.7 million.

Still, some statistical models show corn holding acreage this spring because it remains profitable in some areas. But Senior Editor Bryce Knorr says, - in the real world, farmers tell us corn is just too risky to plant, because it costs so much more than soybeans. Spring wheat acres are predicted to be at 13.92 million acres, down from 14.1 million in 2008. Severe spring flooding in North Dakota is predicted that could impact this number.

Poultry Being Euthanized in Texas

Animal Health Officials in Texas are euthanizing approximately 1.4 million chickens after a contagious respiratory disease was found in some birds on a farm in Robertson County, Texas. Sanderson Farms Chief Operating Officer Lampkin Butts, says - veterinarians detected the virus, infectious laryngotracheitis, or ILT, on farms that raise birds exclusively for the company. Birds from 56 broiler houses are being depopulated in an area that has been isolated to keep the virus from spreading.

The Texas Animal Health Commission says the virus is not a danger to people, even if they eat meat from infected birds. Butts says about a million of the birds killed would be processed for food, while meat from 400-thosand of the euthanized birds would not be distributed.

Mexico Free of Classical Swine Fever

Officials in Mexico say three of their states are free of Classical Swine Fever. With this declaration, Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishery and Food considers the entire country now officially free of this disease, The Government of Mexico says the State Governments of Chiapas, Oaxaca and Tabasco have made efforts to develop and implement sanitary measures for the diagnosis, control, eradication and epidemiology surveillance of Classical Swine Fever.

To reach this goal, epidemiology sampling took place on 100 per cent of all commercial hog farms and a representative sample of the backyard production. The Mexican government says these surveillance activities confirmed the absence of the CSF etiological agent.

At the same time the Government of Mexico has NPPC been working on developing new export markets for Mexican pork products to enhance the profitability of this sector and eventually benefit domestic producers. With this declaration, the GOM hopes to gain greater access to international markets, including the United States, for its pork and pork products.

Agri-Women Speak Up for Animal Welfare

American Agri-Women is asking that all in agriculture speak up for animal welfare and assure the public that we take the care of our animals seriously. AAW points to the passage of Proposition 2 in California – as a wake-up call to all of us in agriculture. Proposition 2 is an initiative that outlaws contemporary food animal practices, including use of gestation stalls, veal stalls, and layer cages.

AAW points out that – unfortunately many people who donate to the organizations sponsoring bills like these think they are contributing to groups that work to improve animal care, yet many of their campaigns demand changes that are actually harmful to animals’ overall health and well-being.

American Agri-Women recommend:
1.)Recognizing that this is an industry-wide issue;
2.)Understanding how society listens to the messages food animal producers are sending;
3.)Instituting an animal welfare assurance program on your farm or ranch;
4.)Keeping informed;
5.)Being a legislative watch dog; and
6.)Speaking up for animal agriculture.

The organization says - the challenge of educating the public about animal rights issues is not easy, but it is winnable.

WTO Economists: World Trade Down

The biggest economic downturn in decades will have its impact on world trade. Economists with the World Trade Organization forecast world exports will be down by the biggest contraction since the Second World War. Developed countries will be particularly hit hard with exports falling by 10% this year. In developing countries, which are far more dependent on trade for growth, exports will shrink by some 2%-3% in 2009, according to WTO economists.

Signs of the sharp deterioration in trade were evident in the latter part of 2008 as demand sagged and production slowed. Although world trade grew by 2% in volume for the whole of 2008 it tapered off in the last six months and was well down on the 6% volume increase posted in 2007.

For the last 30 years trade has been an ever increasing part of economic activity, with trade growth often outpacing gains in output. Production for many products is sourced around the world so there is a multiplier effect — as demand falls sharply overall, trade will fall even further. WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy says - as a consequence, many thousands of trade related jobs are being lost. Lamy emphasized, - governments must avoid making this bad situation worse by reverting to protectionist measures which in reality protect no nation and threaten the loss of more jobs.

FAS Administrator Named

Another hole in the organizational list at USDA has been filled. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has named Michael Michener as Administrator of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Vilsack said - I am extremely pleased to have someone with Mike's vast foreign affairs experience on my team.

Michener has served in three U.S. foreign affairs agencies in the past 10 years. Most recently he served as the Senior Democracy and Governance Advisor and Lead Planning Officer for the U.S. State Department's Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization. Previously, from 2005 to 2007, he served as the lead Iraq policy officer for the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

FAS has primary responsibility for USDA's international activities, including market development, international trade agreements and negotiations and the collection and analysis of market information. FAS also administers USDA's export credit guarantee and international food aid programs, and helps expand income and food availability in developing nations.

Monday's Headlines

“USTR Already at Work”

Shortly after noon last Friday Ron Kirk was sworn in as U.S. Trade Representative. During the ceremony, Vice President Joe Biden said - Ron is going to have the responsibility of working toward opening markets throughout the world to create new opportunities and higher living standards for our families, our farmers, our manufacturers, our workers, our consumers, our businesses. The Vice President called Kirk – the right man for the job.

Kirk has already hit the ground running. On Thursday he met with EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton. A joint statement released by the pair says – we have committed ourselves to intensify our efforts to ensure that our bilateral trade relations and our cooperation on multilateral issues of common interest make the strongest possible contribution to global economic recovery.

The joint statement also addressed international negotiations - we agreed on the importance of achieving an ambitious and balanced outcome to the WTO Doha Development Agenda as soon as possible. We also agreed on the importance of maintaining a sustained effort to follow through on the pledge G20 Leaders made in November to refrain from raising new barriers to investment or to trade in goods and services.
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“Falconer Stepping Down”

The once delayed exodus of Ambassador Crawford Falconer of New Zealand as chair of the Doha Round agriculture negotiations is now in motion. Falconer was originally scheduled to depart his position at the end of 2008, but with negotiations seemingly moving forward, Falconer opted to stay – hoping to conclude the talks. But, with the United States disengaged because of the transition of administration, Falconer has decided to leave.

According to the New Zealand government, Falconer will take on the post of Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. David Walker has succeeded Falconer as New Zealand’s Permanent Representative in Geneva. The next chair of the farm talks will be decided by the WTO Membership.

Negotiators say Falconer will be hard to replace. They say Falconer had a combination of listening skills and technical knowledge of the talks. The transition comes as the United States swears in its U.S. Trade Representative.
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“Report Calls Sow Housing Options a Draw”

A report released by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology looked at many studies of how pregnant sows are housed, with respect to their wellbeing. According to the report – many scientific evaluations have concluded that the state of being of the pregnant sow is equivalent whether sows are kept in Individual Gestation Accommodations or in group pens.

The report continues – first, one might decide that, because sow welfare is equivalent in either IGAs or group pens, and because capital and operating costs are less with IGA systems, then IGAs should be scientifically refined to improve sow welfare in systems where sows are kept in IGA. At the same time the report says – group keeping systems should be scientifically refined to improve sow welfare in systems where sows are kept in groups.

The report concluded – As the choice is being made, it must be borne in mind that although the choice will range from relatively trivial to virtually nonexistent with respect to its overall effect on the pregnant sow’s state of being, it will be of substantial consequence with respect to sow and piglet health, the cost of pork production, and the availability and price of pork product.
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“Russians Ban Poultry From Three U.S. Processors”

Effective March 27, Tyson Foods' plant in Cumming, Georgia, Peco Foods' plant in Canton, Mississippi, and Sanderson Farms' plant in Hammond, Louisiana will not be able to sell poultry to Russia. USDA has confirmed the reason is residue findings, possibly from antibiotics or anti-parasitics. USDA has requested and is awaiting additional information from Russian authorities.

USDA spokeswoman Bryn Burkard told “Meatingplace” - we will then work with the establishments to determine if in fact the antibiotics and anti-parasitics were used and will then take appropriate actions.
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“Vietnam Food and Hotel Trade Show Set”

Several U.S. companies have been invited to exhibit at Food and Hotel Vietnam October 1-3, 2009. The Food and Hotel Vietnam show is held biennially and is one of the country’s most important exhibitions for the food and hospitality industry. The 2007 show welcomed 240 exhibiting companies from 22 countries and attracted more than 83-hundred trade professionals from Vietnam and around the world.

Vietnam’s 2001Free Trade Agreement with the United States and its accession into the World Trade Organization in 2007 has helped accelerate its economic growth, making it an important export destination for U.S. products. U.S. agricultural, fish and forestry exports to Vietnam totaled more than one billion dollars in fiscal year 2008.

Products with the best market prospects include dairy products; chilled and frozen meat; frozen poultry; fresh fruits; snack foods; canned fruits, vegetables, meat, juices, condiments, and sauces; dried fruits and tree nuts; wines, beer, and confectionary.
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“Federal Truck Weight Law Introduced”

U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe, Jeff Merkley and Tom Coburn have re-introduced bipartisan legislation to address a problem faced by a number of farmers and ranchers around the country. When producers drive their goods between two states that do not have a reciprocity agreement for farm truck weights they are exceeding an unnecessarily low federal weight definition for commercial motor vehicles and are being ticketed and fined.

Terry Detrick of American Farmers & Ranchers says - the new legislation is a step in the right direction in allowing farmers and ranchers to transport their commodities without unreasonable regulations that have no impact on roadway safety. Mike Spradling of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau says the bill will - allow farmers and ranchers to drive between states without triggering the federal CMV definition of 10,001 pounds for interstate commerce.
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“White House Has First Ever Vegetable Garden”

With National Ag Day now over and many of us turning our thoughts to fresh vegetables out of the garden, first lady Michelle Obama has established the White House’s first official vegetable garden. It’s on the South Lawn. Mrs. Obama will urge volunteer labor to grow those vegetables. Students from a Washington, D.C. elementary school will help with planting in the coming weeks and harvesting later this year. The Obama family will be involved in tending the garden.

This vegetable garden will include 55 kinds of vegetables, including peppers, spinach and arugula. This selection was requested by the White House chefs. This White House vegetable garden will be organic – utilizing organic seedlings, organic fertilizers and organic insect repellents.
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“Renewable Energy Summit To Be Held”

The 5th National 25X’25 Renewable Energy Summit is coming up March 31 and April 1 at the Sheraton Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will present the keynote addresses. The Secretaries are among dozens of prominent experts who will talk about the role renewable energy development will play in countering a downturn in the economy, boosting energy independence and enhancing the environment.

The summit features a day-long plenary session April 1 when participants will hear about the opportunities and challenges for agriculture and forestry in an economy that will call for a reduction in carbon utilization and emissions. The summit will be preceded the afternoon of March 31 by a state-issues workshop designed specifically for state alliance leaders.
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“Tubs Turned Into Bee Nursery Facilities”

Researchers with the Agricultural Research Service say corrugated plastic bins like the kind sold for handling mail and packages can be quickly and easily converted into a durable "nursery" for wild bees. James H. Cane, with the agency's Pollinating Insects Biology, Management and Systematics Research Unit in Logan, Utah, says female wild bees will readily use a properly placed, suitably furnished tote as a shelter for their nests.

Cane says all you have to do is turn a tote on its long side, and then hold it firmly in place on a wooden or metal post by means of a lightweight steel chain and a customized metal support frame. And as for the furnishings…Cane suggests nesting materials such as five-sixteenths-inch diameter paper drinking straws enclosed in cardboard tubes and stuffed inside empty cardboard milk cartons. Wild female bees such as the blue orchard bee can use the straws as homes for a new generation of pollinators.

This breeding ground for bees may help rebuild our nation's bee population as many e honey bee colonies have been decimated by colony collapse disorder or weakened by varroa and tracheal mites or the microbes that cause diseases such as chalkbrood and foulbrood. However, it appears there may be one major problem with using one of those tubs that contain a statement on the side – that uses the words “federal offense.”
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