News Update

News Update
Feb. 15, 2007

House Agriculture Committee Reviews USDA Farm Bill Proposals

The House Agriculture Committee Feb. 14 reviewed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Farm Bill recommendations with Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns.

Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) convened the Agriculture Committee’s first hearing of the 110th Congress and thanked the secretary for the time and consideration that went into the Farm Bill proposal.

“The Committee is receiving Farm Bill input from many sources, including USDA, and I was pleased to see that Secretary Johanns included some good ideas in his proposals, even though there are some areas where we disagree,” Chairman Peterson said. “I intend to make sure that we protect the safety net, while adding new initiatives that will revitalize rural America and help our country achieve energy independence. It is an ambitious agenda, but I am confident that we can do it.”

Ranking Republican member Bob Goodlatte also welcomed the Secretary’s testimony. Goodlatte said the committee engaged in good dialogue with Secretary Johanns and delved into the details of the USDA’s farm bill proposal.

“One of the ideas warranting further investigation is the proposal to convert the current price-based counter-cyclical program to a revenue-based counter-cyclical program. We need to understand exactly how that might work and the implications for farmers and ranchers,” Goodlatte said.

Prior to the hearing, the Committee had a short business meeting to approve the Oversight Plan and staff list. The members unanimously approved both items. Secretary Johanns’ testimony and the Committee Oversight plan are available on the Committee web site at http://agriculture.house.gov.

— release provided by AgPress

USDA Releases Long-Term Ag Projections

USDA yesterday released its new 10-year agricultural projections, titled “USDA Agricultural Projections to 2016.”

The projections, available online at www.usda.gov/oce, include agricultural crop and livestock commodities, agricultural trade, farm income, food prices and more through 2016.

According to the report, projections assume a gradual rebuilding of U.S. beef exports to Japan and South Korea, and live cattle imports from Canada are assumed to remain limited to animals under 30 months of age for immediate harvest.

Tax credits for the ethanol and biofuel industry, certain import tariffs and high oil prices are expected to contribute to favorable returns for ethanol production. U.S. ethanol production is expected to reach more than 12 billion gallons (gal.) annually by 2016, and biodiesel production is assumed to peak at 700 million gal. in 2011-2012 and then level off.

For complete long-term projections, visit www.usda.gov/oce. The long-term projections were developed by USDA interagency committees, with the Economic Research Service (ERS) preparing the report.

— by Crystal Albers, Angus Productions Inc.

Giuliani Announces Candidacy

Rudolph Giuliani, the famed former New York City mayor, told the crowd gathered at the 40th Annual World Ag expo in Tulare, Calif., that he plans to run as a 2008 presidential candidate.

Giuliani, a Republican, was a scheduled speaker at the event during the opening ceremonies Feb. 13, and while he admitted to knowing little about agriculture, he said he plans to learn. Giuliani spoke about a variety of topics, including the war in Iraq and alternative fuels. The World Ag Expo is scheduled to end today.

Bryant Announces Resignation from Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association has announced the resignation of their Executive Vice President, Brent Bryant, effective Feb. 28. Bryant has served as the executive vice president since September 2003. During his tenure, the membership of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association grew from 2,300 members to nearly 5,000.

Bryant will be assuming the duties as managing partner of the Hoop Beef System® LLC. Hoop Beef is a cattle feeding company geared toward the family farmer and rancher, and commercial feedlot operator.

“Making the decision to leave the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association was extremely difficult, but I am excited to be part of my family’s business and to grow the cattle feeding business in the Midwest,” Bryant said.

“While we are sad to see Brent leave our Association, we wish him well in his new endeavor,” said Merrel Breyer, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association President. “The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association is positioned to continue to grow and we have taken steps to ensure a smooth transition to our next executive vice president.”

Applications for executive vice president are now being accepted. Interested persons should contact David Moore at (573) 701-1023 or mail a cover letter and résumé to David Moore, 4940 Hillsboro Rd., Farmington, MO 63640.

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