News Update

News Update
Nov. 6, 2007

Acting Agriculture Secretary Recommends Farm Bill Veto

Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner said he and other presidential advisors will recommend President Bush veto the Farm Bill being debated on the Senate floor in its current form.

On a conference call with reporters, Conner said the Senate bill includes $37 billion in additional costs and relies on “budget tricks” and additional taxes to fund it. He cited the lack of government payment limits for the wealthy, increased crop loan rates and target prices and a lack of reform in crop price support payments as particularly unacceptable.

He said U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will send Congress a detailed Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) outlining specific changes the administration will seek.

Asked about the livestock portion of the Senate bill, Conner said there are several provisions of the livestock title the administration opposes.

Conner said the administration opposes the creation of a special counsel on agricultural competition at USDA to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act. He said it also opposes the proposed ban on packer livestock ownership, as well as contract restrictions of any kind.

In terms of the Country of Origin Labeling (often referred to as COL or COOL) provisions, Conner said while USDA has historically opposed COOL, the provisions in the current House and Senate bills make it easier for USDA to implement it.

— Adapted from a meatingplace.com release.

Upped Testing of Canadian Meats a Go

Despite protests from their counterparts north of the border, U.S. officials said on Monday they would go forward this week with increased pathogen testing on Canadian meat and poultry imports.

Canadian officials said the initiative, announced this past weekend by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, is unwarranted, contending that the country’s meat is safe and its food safety system is intact.

But U.S. officials are sticking to their guns on the issue.

“We still plan to institute the procedures this week, as stated Saturday,” USDA Press Secretary Keith Williams told Meatingplace.com. “We also will continue with the audit process.”

The FSIS initiative stems from the recent finding that Alberta-based Ranchers Beef Ltd. was the likely source of the Topps Meat Co. recall.

— Adapted from a meatingplace.com release.

Summer Internships at Accelerated Genetics Provide Industry Experience

Accelerated Genetics has long been recognized as an industry leader for agricultural youth support. The importance of investing in future customers and industry leaders was recognized early on and it is still very true today. Providing learning opportunities and first-hand industry experience assists in developing confident agricultural leaders and is part of the Accelerated Genetics philosophy and their summer internship program is just one part of that youth support program.

Each summer Accelerated Genetics offers three types of internships, the public relations and advertising intern, sales and service intern and marketing services intern. Accelerated Genetics internships provide valuable real-life experiences through a variety of opportunities working directly with employees, producers and industry partners. These experiences will help individuals prepare for a future career.

Public Relations and Advertising Intern:

The advertising and public relations intern is based at the Accelerated Genetics Administrative Headquarters in Baraboo, WI. In this position the intern will be responsible for a variety of projects within the areas of public relations, print advertising, audiovisual, web and written communications, as well as receive a broad range of experience with all Accelerated Genetics programs and services.

Interested candidates should be proficient in both written and oral communication as well as have good computer skills. Training will be given in all areas. Send résumé and cover letter to Kari Stanek, Accelerated Genetics, E10890 Penny Lane, Baraboo, WI 53913. The application deadline is Nov. 15, 2007. For more information, please contact Kari at 1-800-451-9275 ext. 222 or kstanek@accelgen.com.

Sales and Service Interns:

As a sales and service intern, individuals will develop skills in artificial insemination, learn about reproductive services such as estrus synchronization programs and the ASAP® program, as well as receive a broad range of experience in all marketing division positions and Accelerated Genetics programs. These interns will provide relief service for assigned AI Technicians, conduct market penetration studies and assist with retail sales routes.

If interested in the sales and service internships please send résumé and cover letter to: Sue Lindloff, Accelerated Genetics, E10890 Penny Lane, Baraboo, WI 53913. The application deadline is Nov. 15, 2007. For more information, please contact Sue at 1-800-451-9275 ext. 254 or slindloff@accelgen.com.

Marketing Service Intern:

The marketing services intern will assist with photography efforts of the Accelerated Genetics dairy sires and progeny, and in hosting tours for international and domestic tour groups, as well as receive a broad range of experience with all Accelerated Genetics programs and services.

If interested in the marketing services internship please send résumé and cover letter to Beth Munsell, Accelerated Genetics, E10890 Penny Lane, Baraboo, WI 53913. The application deadline is Nov. 15, 2007. For more information, please contact Brenda at 1-800-451-9275 ext. 235 or bmunsell@accelgen.com.

— Adapted from an Accelerated Genetics release.

— compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc. (API)