News Update

News Update
Feb. 26, 2007

Livestock Markets Legislation Introduced

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) Feb. 15 introduced legislation aimed at correcting “deficiencies” in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) enforcement of agricultural markets. Known as the Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act, the bill would reorganize and streamline USDA while establishing an Office of Special Counsel, whose sole responsibility would be to investigate and prosecute violations on competition matters. Harkin stated in a release the position, which would also serve as a liaison between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), would be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

“Producers need to have a fighting chance in an industry that is becoming far too consolidated and vertically integrated,” Harkin stated. “I will propose and seek to include this legislation as part of a competition title in the Farm Bill.”

A USDA Inspector General’s report released last year showed widespread inaction, blocking of anti-competitive investigations, and an effort to hide lack of action by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), according to Harkin’s release.

“If we want to get serious about getting young people into agriculture, creating a fair and evenhanded marketplace is an obvious place to start,” Harkin said.

Stockgrowers Invite Producers to SD Meetings

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) is encouraging everyone involved in the cattle industry to attend its upcoming meetings across the state. The meetings will offer a free dinner and discussion about current cattle industry issues, and will kick off March 2.

According to SDSGA, ranchers in the Meadow, S.D., area should plan to meet at Smokey’s Bar and Grill Friday, March 2, at 6 p.m. Mountain Time. SDSGA District 8 Director Bill Kluck, Mud Butte, S.D., will discuss animal identification (ID), and SDSGA Vice President Larry Nelson, Buffalo, S.D., will address other cattle industry issues, including property rights, the “over-30-month” rule and the beef checkoff.

The Vivian Restaurant and Lounge will be the site of another area meeting, scheduled for Saturday, March 3, at 6 p.m. Central Time. SDSGA President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., and Vice President Nelson are scheduled to speak on such topics as the open fields doctrine, the beef checkoff and the “over-30-month” rule.

Ranchers near the Lake Preston area are encouraged to head to town to attend the final meeting, scheduled for Sunday evening, March 4, at 5:30 p.m. Central Time. Meeting location is yet to be determined.

Interactive Web to Link KY Producers and Consumers

An innovative new web-based system will soon connect Kentucky agricultural businesses, farmers and markets in a unique way to benefit consumers and producers alike, the University of Kentucky (UK) reports.

Called MarketMaker, the system features a mapping function and census data on locales and will enable buyers and sellers of food products to find each other quicker and easier. Sellers can use this interactive tool to identify potential markets and find processors and other businesses they need to profitably move their products to the market. Access to the web site is free and open to the public from any computer connected to the internet.

“MarketMaker is already working in three states, and we’re excited it’s now available to our Kentucky agricultural producers and food-related businesses,” said Steve Isaacs, Cooperative Extension assistant director for community and economic development for the university’s College of Agriculture.

The program comes to Kentucky through the collaborative efforts of the UK College of Agriculture, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, and Allied Food Marketers.

Kentucky is only the fourth state to become part of this national program developed by University of Illinois Extension. For a closer view, visit Kentucky MarketMaker at www.marketmakerky.com. Contact UK Food Systems Initiative Coordinator Bob Perry at kymarketmaker@uky.edu or at (859) 257-8890 for more information.

— release provided by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

Locally Grown Food Discussions Scheduled

A series of free public discussions on local and alternative food systems is scheduled at Ohio State University during the next few months. According to the university, the discussions are designed to bring people together to imagine and become involved in creating stronger local food systems.

The first discussion, “The Potential of Urban Agriculture,” will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 in 103 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Rd., on the Columbus, Ohio, campus. It will be led by Joe Kovach, coordinator of Ohio State’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program. Kovach is also an Ohio State University Extension specialist based at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster.

The next scheduled talk in the series features Phil Howard of Michigan State University, who will speak on “Be Careful What You Wish For: The Mainstreaming of Organic Foods.” It is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, at 7 p.m.

Talks in April and May will focus on “Community Food Assessments,” a process that can be utilized to inventory local food resources available in central Ohio, and “From Field to Table,” a discussion of ways to develop getting local food on local plates.

The talks are free and sponsored by the college’s Social Responsibility Initiative (http://sri.osu.edu) and the Greater Columbus Foodshed Project of Simply Living. For more information, e-mail sharp.123@osu.edu or paull.15@osu.edu, or call (614) 292-9410.

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