News Update

News Update
Aug. 29, 2006

USDA Allocates $50M to Drought-Stricken Livestock Producers

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced during a visit to South Dakota $780 million in assistance to help farmers and ranchers manage drought- and weather-related production challenges. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding includes a new $50 million program for livestock producers affected by drought, focusing nearly $30 million in unused conservation funds on drought, and accelerating the delivery of an estimated $700 million in counter-cyclical payments.

The new $50-million program for livestock producers, called the Livestock Assistance Grant Program, will provide $50 million in Section 32 to states in block grant form, according to a USDA release. States will distribute to livestock producers in counties that were designated as D3 or D4 on the Drought Monitor anytime between March 7 and Aug. 31, 2006. A list of eligibility criteria and eligible counties can be found at www.usda.gov by clicking on the drought spotlight.

Information regarding eligibility for unused conservation funds, accelerated counter-cyclical payments and emergency loans is also posted online at www.usda.gov.

President Bush Announces Intent to Sign U.S.-Colombian FTA

Late last week, President Bush notified Congress of his intent to enter into the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) reported.

According to NCBA, the agreement could set a significant precedent for unfettered access for the full range of U.S. beef and beef products.

Prior to the U.S. discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2003, trading levels for U.S. beef and beef variety meat exports to Colombia were just more than 3.17 million pounds (lb.), valued at nearly $2 million.

NCBA notes that the U.S.-Colombia FTA will establish a tariff rate quota for beef and variety meats of 14.86 million lb. At the 2003 value, this agreement will grant immediate, duty-free access to just more than $9.27 million worth of beef and beef variety meats, potentially boosting U.S. beef exports to Colombia from $2 million to around $9 million in the first year of the agreement.

Avian Influenza Tests Complete on Michigan Swans

The USDA announced yesterday final test results confirming a low-pathogenic subtype H5N1 avian influenza virus detected in samples collected earlier this month from two Michigan wild mute swans. This strain has been detected several times in wild birds in North America and poses no threat to human health, the agency noted.

The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of the “North American strain” of low-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in one of 20 samples collected from the two wild mute swans. Preliminary test results announced Aug. 14 indicated that an H5N1 strain could be present in two of the collected samples. Only one of the samples contained high enough levels of the virus to conduct confirmatory testing. As previously announced, genetic testing ruled out the possibility that either of the samples carried the highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 avian influenza that is circulating overseas.

For more information about the collaborative avian influenza efforts go to www.usda.gov/birdflu, www.doi.gov/issues/avianflu or the U.S. Government’s Web site for avian influenza and human pandemic preparedness at www.avianflu.gov.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.