A basic error on the production lines at a processing plant is thought to have contaminated pistachios with salmonella. According to David Acheson, assistant commissioner for food protection at the Food and Drug Administration, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, California, the nation's second-largest processor of the nut, ran raw and roasted pistachios through the same machinery on several production lines. Good manufacturing standards call for keeping raw and roasted nuts separate so that bacteria do not spread between the two.
Acheson believes the company was apparently aware that it had a salmonella problem because its own tests found the bacteria on roasted nuts. Managers ran the nuts through the roasting process a second time to kill the bacteria before shipping them to customers. Acheson termed that an acceptable way to – recondition - the product.
Federal officials have warned consumers to temporarily stop eating all foods containing pistachios. Acheson says - our advice is to avoid eating pistachio products; don't throw them out, hold on to them as we learn more about this. No illnesses have been linked to the nuts from Setton. Two people have complained to the FDA that they got sick after eating pistachios, but health officials have not made any definitive connection to the nuts in question.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
More Data to Support Corn-Based Ethanol
A new study shows corn-based ethanol helps reduce greenhouse gas and provides more energy than it takes to produce the fuel. In fact - the study says greenhouse gas emissions savings from ethanol production and use have more than doubled between 1995 and the projected level in 2015. The report - commissioned by IEA Bioenergy - says that indicates the danger of making policy decisions based on historical data without accounting for learning experiences and the potential gains that can be expected as industries develop.
Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions - according to the study - have grown from approximately 26-percent in 1995 to over 39-percent today. Projected reductions will reach nearly 55-percent by 2015 thanks to new technology, process efficiencies and improved yields. As for ethanol’s energy balance - for 2005 the balance ratio was estimated at 1:1.42. That means every unit of energy used to produce ethanol returned 1.42 units of usable energy to the consumer. That ratio is expected to reach 1:1.93 by 2015 - a 55-percent increase in energy efficiency in just 10 years.
Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions - according to the study - have grown from approximately 26-percent in 1995 to over 39-percent today. Projected reductions will reach nearly 55-percent by 2015 thanks to new technology, process efficiencies and improved yields. As for ethanol’s energy balance - for 2005 the balance ratio was estimated at 1:1.42. That means every unit of energy used to produce ethanol returned 1.42 units of usable energy to the consumer. That ratio is expected to reach 1:1.93 by 2015 - a 55-percent increase in energy efficiency in just 10 years.
USDA Releases March Planting Intentions
During the first two weeks of March the National Agricultural Statistics Service surveyed approximately 86-thousand farm operators across the United States and found they intend to reduce total planted area this year by 7.8 million acres, or 2.4 percent fewer than last year. Still, the total area planted to corn and soybeans nationwide will hold steady with a shift of about 500 million from corn to soybeans. USDA predicts 85-million acres will be planted to corn and 76-million acres will be planted to soybeans.
If realized, the area planted to soybeans, 76-million acres, would be the largest planted area on record. Increases of 100-thousand acres or more are expected in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina and North Dakota. Both Missouri and South Dakota are expected to decrease soybean acres by 150-thousand.
Many observers agree, while lower corn prices and unstable input costs may have slowed corn planting intentions somewhat, this would be the third-largest acreage since 1949, behind 2007 and 2008.
Wheat acreage is expected to decline 7 percent, to 58.6 million acres. Cotton plantings are also expected to be down 7 percent, to 8.8 million acres – the smallest area since 1983.
If realized, the area planted to soybeans, 76-million acres, would be the largest planted area on record. Increases of 100-thousand acres or more are expected in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina and North Dakota. Both Missouri and South Dakota are expected to decrease soybean acres by 150-thousand.
Many observers agree, while lower corn prices and unstable input costs may have slowed corn planting intentions somewhat, this would be the third-largest acreage since 1949, behind 2007 and 2008.
Wheat acreage is expected to decline 7 percent, to 58.6 million acres. Cotton plantings are also expected to be down 7 percent, to 8.8 million acres – the smallest area since 1983.
Farm Bureau Wants Cuba Restrictions Lifted
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman was on Capitol Hill Tuesday, joining congressional members to advocate the removal of travel restrictions to Cuba. Stallman spoke in support of S.428, which opens Cuba to travel by U.S. citizens and gives the U.S. President authority to restrict travel to Cuba only in times of war or imminent danger.
Stallman pointed out - this legislation is an important step in easing trade restrictions on Cuba. He added, - allowing unrestricted travel to Cuba will increase U.S. agricultural sales and boost tourism. U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba have been on average 400-million dollars annually since 2000, with top commodity sales including poultry, wheat, soybeans, rice and dairy.
Stallman also said, language in the omnibus appropriations bill further aids U.S. agriculture by allowing travel on a general license for those making agricultural sales to Cuba rather than the specific license currently needed. He said, this would ease delays that significantly impact the ability to transact commercial sales with Cuba, which in some cases, have been lost to U.S. competitors because of the restriction.
Stallman pointed out - this legislation is an important step in easing trade restrictions on Cuba. He added, - allowing unrestricted travel to Cuba will increase U.S. agricultural sales and boost tourism. U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba have been on average 400-million dollars annually since 2000, with top commodity sales including poultry, wheat, soybeans, rice and dairy.
Stallman also said, language in the omnibus appropriations bill further aids U.S. agriculture by allowing travel on a general license for those making agricultural sales to Cuba rather than the specific license currently needed. He said, this would ease delays that significantly impact the ability to transact commercial sales with Cuba, which in some cases, have been lost to U.S. competitors because of the restriction.
Plant Will Turn Corncobs into Fuel and Fertilizer
A San Francisco company says it will make anhydrous ammonia fuel and fertilizer from corncobs and other biomass from a plant to be located near Des Moines, Iowa. SynGest announced the 80 million dollar plant will be the first of its kind in the United States to convert biomass into fertilizer. The so-called - auto thermal - process burns the cobs at temperatures up to 17-hundred degrees to produce a vapor that is liquefied into ammonia.
The SynGest plant will use 150-thousand tons of locally supplied corncobs per year to manufacture 50-thousand tons of bio-ammonia annually, enough to fertilize 500-thousand acres of Iowa farmland.
The SynGest plant will use 150-thousand tons of locally supplied corncobs per year to manufacture 50-thousand tons of bio-ammonia annually, enough to fertilize 500-thousand acres of Iowa farmland.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Banned Substance Found in Chinese Pigs
In China, police have arrested nine people and six more are being sought for selling pigs that were fed Clenbuterol, a banned chemical. State media reports indicate that at least 70 people were made ill by the action. Clenbuterol is a drug often given to people to treat asthma, but also is commonly used to cut body fat.
The problem is a continuing one in China. State media says, one of the worst cases involving Clenbuterol occurred in Shanghai in 2006 when 336 people were hospitalized after eating pig meat or organs contaminated with the drug.
The problem is a continuing one in China. State media says, one of the worst cases involving Clenbuterol occurred in Shanghai in 2006 when 336 people were hospitalized after eating pig meat or organs contaminated with the drug.
Farm Bureau Opposed to Proposed H-2A Changes
The American Farm Bureau Federation has written a letter to oppose changes to the H-2A temporary worker program proposed by the Department of Labor. They are asking the department to implement the existing regulations that became effective January 17th. Farm Bureau expressed they have heard nothing but opposition from growers in reaction to the proposed changes. According to Farm Bureau - the proposal will directly and immediately harm many farmers.
Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman says the H-2A rules the department wants to put on hold made several improvements in the program. He says Farm Bureau is disappointed they want to suspend the rules that allow U.S. agriculture to legally hire much-needed temporary workers. He says the sudden change is also creating confusion for the farmers who took the time to learn the new rules.
Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman says the H-2A rules the department wants to put on hold made several improvements in the program. He says Farm Bureau is disappointed they want to suspend the rules that allow U.S. agriculture to legally hire much-needed temporary workers. He says the sudden change is also creating confusion for the farmers who took the time to learn the new rules.
USSF Names Officers, New Affiliate
Leaders of the U.S. Soybean Federation have been elected and a new state affiliate has been approved. Warren Stemme - a soybean farmer from Chesterfield, Missouri will serve as USSF President. Mississippi soybean farmer Jerry Slocum is Vice President and Minnesota producer Bill Zurn is Secretary/Treasurer. Stemme says he’s proud to work on behalf of his fellow farmers to ensure their competitiveness in the global marketplace through dedicated policy and advocacy efforts. He says soybean farmers need an organization solely focused on representing their voice in the nation’s capital more than ever.
The Nebraska Soybean Federation is the latest state affiliate approved by the USSF Board of Directors. Greg Anderson - a former United Soybean Board Chairman - is President of the Nebraska group. He says soybean farmers in Nebraska understand the competitive edge that comes with having a strong policy and advocacy organization and a strong checkoff marketing and promotion program.
From here - Stemme says USSF will approve additional state affiliates and develop a full policy agenda.
The Nebraska Soybean Federation is the latest state affiliate approved by the USSF Board of Directors. Greg Anderson - a former United Soybean Board Chairman - is President of the Nebraska group. He says soybean farmers in Nebraska understand the competitive edge that comes with having a strong policy and advocacy organization and a strong checkoff marketing and promotion program.
From here - Stemme says USSF will approve additional state affiliates and develop a full policy agenda.
Researchers Continue Looking for Cyst Nematode Contro
Beneficial bacteria - aided by a "cocktail" of potent natural compounds - may offer a way to biologically control the soybean cyst nematode and other crop-damaging roundworms. That's the implication of ongoing studies by scientists with the Agricultural Research Service and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Test results show that the bacteria caused the nematodes to stop moving and - in some cases - disintegrate. However - no single compound has emerged as the sole cause of the worms' demise.
Their work continues. Researcher Patricia Okubara believes novel controls are needed that can be used as part of an integrated approach - with potential benefits including improved environment health, longer-lasting crop resistance and reduced production costs. Another longer-term approach is to engineer crop plants to produce the nematode-neutralizing compounds themselves.
Their work continues. Researcher Patricia Okubara believes novel controls are needed that can be used as part of an integrated approach - with potential benefits including improved environment health, longer-lasting crop resistance and reduced production costs. Another longer-term approach is to engineer crop plants to produce the nematode-neutralizing compounds themselves.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Senate Budget Resolution Approved
The U.S. Senate has passed its 2010 budget resolution which will reduce the federal deficit by two-thirds in five years. Senate leaders say it would also reduce the government’s debt to less than three percent of the gross domestic product. The resolution supports the President’s priorities while cutting 2.4 billion over ten years from the President’s budget.
Senator Chuck Grassley offered an amendment that would provide for a payment cap of farm programs. The amendment failed. But, a Kent Conrad amendment did pass that would save 70-million dollars per year through negotiating for better deals with insurance companies for the federal crop insurance program.
Much of what is in the bill came out of agreements made between key Senators and President Obama during a Thursday Capitol Hill luncheon. Kent Conrad told Agri-Plus the Senate’s budget provides – maximum flexibility to the committees to legislate so they can write climate change. And it adhears to the President’s wishes on climate change, health care, energy and education. But all must be paid for through offsets.
Senator Chuck Grassley offered an amendment that would provide for a payment cap of farm programs. The amendment failed. But, a Kent Conrad amendment did pass that would save 70-million dollars per year through negotiating for better deals with insurance companies for the federal crop insurance program.
Much of what is in the bill came out of agreements made between key Senators and President Obama during a Thursday Capitol Hill luncheon. Kent Conrad told Agri-Plus the Senate’s budget provides – maximum flexibility to the committees to legislate so they can write climate change. And it adhears to the President’s wishes on climate change, health care, energy and education. But all must be paid for through offsets.
Cancer Study Contains Mixed Results
The American Meat Institute reports that a new study titled: European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition- Oxford, says there is evidence that the incidence of colorectal cancer is higher in vegetarians than in meat eaters. But, at the same time, the study revealed that the incidence of all cancers combined was lower among vegetarians than among meat eaters.
The study looked at 63,550 men and women from the United Kingdom between 1993 and 1999. The study found that the incidence rate ratio for colorectal cancer in vegetarians compared with meat eaters was 1.39. The rate allows comparison with people with no prior malignant cancer for various factors like smoking, body mass index, alcohol consumption and dietary consumption of meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
In their conclusion, researchers stated that - the overall cancer incidence rates of both the vegetarians and the non-vegetarians in this study are low compared with national rates.
The study looked at 63,550 men and women from the United Kingdom between 1993 and 1999. The study found that the incidence rate ratio for colorectal cancer in vegetarians compared with meat eaters was 1.39. The rate allows comparison with people with no prior malignant cancer for various factors like smoking, body mass index, alcohol consumption and dietary consumption of meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
In their conclusion, researchers stated that - the overall cancer incidence rates of both the vegetarians and the non-vegetarians in this study are low compared with national rates.
Tyson Closing Oklahoma Plant
As a part of efforts to improve its operational efficiency, Tyson foods will close its Ponca City, Oklahoma processed meats plant. Production will be moved to plants in Buffalo, New York; Cherokee, Iowa and Houston, Texas. Tyson says it is seeking a buyer for the plant it is closing. The closing affects approximately 580 people.
Dick Belsito, senior vice president of processed meats for Tyson Foods said in a statement - this is a very difficult decision because it affects the lives of our people, their families and the community; however, it is critically important to our business. The closing process will begin in late May and likely will not be completed until sometime in July or August.
In operation since 1995, the Ponca City plant produces a variety of deli-style luncheon meats and ham products.
Dick Belsito, senior vice president of processed meats for Tyson Foods said in a statement - this is a very difficult decision because it affects the lives of our people, their families and the community; however, it is critically important to our business. The closing process will begin in late May and likely will not be completed until sometime in July or August.
In operation since 1995, the Ponca City plant produces a variety of deli-style luncheon meats and ham products.
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