News Update

News Update
March 9, 2007

Canada Releases BSE Details, Welcomes Potential OIE Status

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released details yesterday regarding the investigation into Alberta’s latest case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the Canadian Press (CP) reported.

The CFIA reported the affected animal was a bull born in 2000, after implementation of the 1997 feed ban. The animal did not enter the food chain, CP stated, and the investigation into the area’s ninth BSE case is almost complete.

In related news, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) issued a preliminary recommendation that both Canada and the United States be designated “controlled-risk” countries for BSE. According to Bloomberg.com, members will vote on the designation in May.

Superfund Legislation Introduced

Legislation was introduced yesterday to clarify that livestock manure is not a hazardous substance under Superfund laws, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

In recent years, some have suggested Superfund laws — the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, and Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 — should be applied to manure from animal feeding, farming and ranching operations.

However, eight senators and 58 House leaders from both political parties are now saying that Congress never intended for America’s farms and ranches to be slapped with liabilities and penalties under the Superfund law, NCBA reports.

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) are leading co-sponsors of the Senate and House bills, respectively. Their proposals will clarify that livestock manure is not classified as a hazardous waste under Superfund laws.

Although during the 109th Congress, 228 members of Congress signed House and Senate bills to exempt livestock manure from Superfund, the bills did not pass prior to the end of the Congressional session in December.

USDA: CRP Re-Enrollment Strong Despite High Corn Prices

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns March 8 announced new results of the recent opportunity given to Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants to re-enroll or extend their contracts, which are set to expire between 2007 and 2010. An estimated 23.9 million acres out of 28 million acres of eligible CRP contracts are expected to be re-enrolled. An estimated 4.1 million acres in CRP contracts will exit CRP between 2007 and 2010. Of the 4.1 million acres, approximately 1.4 million acres are located in major corn-producing states.

“The percentage of landowners choosing to remain in CRP is consistent with what we have seen in the past, despite speculation that re-enrollment would drop significantly due to high corn prices,” Johanns said. “We are closely monitoring interest in CRP re-enrollment, planting projections and demand for commodities to determine the most appropriate future actions in administering the Conservation Reserve Program.”

The 4.1 million-acre estimate includes all general sign-up expiring contracts that were not extended or re-enrolled under last year’s offer. It does not include acres under expiring continuous sign-up contracts, which will be eligible to be re-enrolled during the final contract year.

Last spring, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Farm Service Agency (FSA) asked CRP participants with Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) contracts set to expire in 2007 to confirm their interest in re-enrolling or extending by paying a compliance fee. A recent review of the data shows CRP participants have paid the fee on 89% of the acreage, or 13.9 million acres of the 15.7 million acres set to expire in 2007. Of the 13.9 million acres, landowners decided to extend or re-enroll 13.1 million acres in CRP contracts so far. Before approving re-enrolled or extended contracts, FSA must ensure that the required cover is maintained and that other contract provisions are met. In addition, participants must demonstrate that they meet eligibility requirements for the new enrollment period. In the case of re-enrollments, updated rental rates will apply.

Last summer, CRP participants with CCC contracts expiring in 2008 through 2010 were asked to express their interest in re-enrolling or extending. To date, these contract holders have paid the compliance fee covering 83% of the acreage, or 10.1 million acres of the 12.1 million acres set to expire. Tables showing state and county acreage for which the fee has been paid for 2008- through 2010-expiring contracts are available at www.fsa.usda.gov. Updated tables based on the latest fee payment data for 2007-expiring contracts are also available at the same site. Acres with compliance fee payments do not represent final approval to stay in the program. Final figures of producers who sign contracts may vary.

Low-Carb Diets Show Better Outcome, Study Says

Premenopausal women who were assigned to follow the Atkins diet for one year lost more weight when compared to women who were assigned to follow the Zone, Ornish and LEARN diets, according to a study in the March 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

According to the article, Dr. Christopher Gardner and colleagues examined the effects of four diets — three popular and substantially different diets and one diet based on national guidelines — on weight loss and related metabolic variables in overweight and obese premenopausal women. The diets were Atkins (very low in carbohydrate), Zone (low in carbohydrate), LEARN (Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitudes, Relationships, and Nutrition; low in fat, high in carbohydrate, based on national guidelines), and Ornish (high in carbohydrate). The study, which included 311 overweight/obese (body mass index, 27-40) nondiabetic, premenopausal women, was conducted from February 2003 to October 2005. Participants were randomly assigned to follow the diets for 12 months and received weekly instruction for 2 months, then an additional 10-month follow-up.

Researchers found that weight loss was greater for women in the Atkins diet group compared with the other diet groups at one year. Average 12-month weight loss was 10.4 pounds (lb.) for Atkins, 3.5 lb. for Zone, 5.7 lb. for LEARN, and 4.8 lb. for Ornish. At 12 months, measurements for lipids and levels of insulin, glucose and blood pressure for the Atkins group were comparable with or more favorable than the other diet groups. For more information contact the JAMA/Archives Media Relations Department at (312) 464-JAMA (5262) or e-mail mediarelations@jama-archives.org.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Journal