News Update
June 16, 2008

2008 Farm Progress Hay Expo June 25 and 26 in Iowa

The 2008 Farm Progress Hay Expo will present the nation’s largest two-day hay event June 25-26 near Ossian, Iowa, on the Knutson and Winkler farms.

The good news is the heaviest rains from this past week missed the Ossian site. Mark Lovig, show operations manager, says his review of the fields over the weekend found no standing water. “The alfalfa looked good. All it needs is a little sunlight and it’s going to take off,” he notes.

A tough winter didn’t hamper field conditions either. Lovig notes the site saw no winterkill, and the first cutting was taken in a timely fashion. “Even fields planted this year look good,” Lovig adds.

A 10-acre field will display exhibits from the major and shortline hay and forage equipment manufacturers, seed, building and storage facility suppliers, and numerous related product suppliers. Exhibitors plan to showcase balers, disc mower conditioners, tedders, rakes, telehandlers, bale stackers, forage seed and more.

Visitors interested in evaluating products will see side-by-side operational comparisons of the various equipment brands in the field demonstrations. Fields of alfalfa will showcase mowing, conditioning, chopping, bagging, raking, baling and hay handling demonstrations.

The 22nd annual show will be June 25-26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free; parking is $7 per vehicle. The public is welcome.

For more show information, visit www.hayexpo.com. For area hotel information, visit www.hayexpo.com/hotels.

— Adapted from a release by the 2008 Farm Progress Hay Expo

Agriculture Groups Call on Congress to Investigate Food Prices

A broad coalition of agriculture interests today called on Congress to investigate all the reasons for rising food prices. Critics, citing biofuel production and higher commodity markets, have wrongly blamed record-high food prices on farmers.

“With 80% of the consumer retail food dollar occurring off the farm, I believe congressional hearings will find rising food prices the result of numerous factors,” National Farmers Union (NFU) President Tom Buis said. “Food companies are trying to pass the blame on to farmers while many are enjoying record profits.”

The groups recognized the effect higher food prices are having on consumers but reiterated the importance of studying the larger picture. With farmers receiving 20¢ of every food dollar consumers spend, other factors, such as labor and energy costs, financial speculation, increased demand, weather production losses, the weak dollar and even excess profiteering, have a more significant effect on food prices.

“America’s farmers and ranchers have produced the safest, most abundant and affordable food supply in the world for more than 200 years. This challenge cannot be addressed through myths or finger-pointing; it’s time the complete story is told,” Buis said.

In addition to the NFU, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), the American Soybean Association (ASA), the National Sorghum Growers Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers signed on to the coalition letter.

— Adapted from a National Farmers Union release.

E. Coli Death Case Settled For $13.5 Million

Citing a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) report, Meatingplace.com reports that the family of a 3-year-old girl who died nearly eight years ago as a result of E. coli O157:H7 sickness has reached a $13.5 million settlement with Excel Corp., according to court documents filed Friday, June 13.

William Cannon, an attorney representing the family, said the settlement is the second-largest in the nation involving a foodborne illness, and perhaps the largest award for a single victim.

Brianna Kriefall died July 2000, following a battle with E. coli O157:H7 after dining at a Sizzler restaurant with her family near their South Milwaukee home. She and 140 other people were sickened with E. coli during the related outbreak.

Excel, a subsidiary of Cargill, had denied that its product caused the outbreak, but genetic testing showed the microbes that sickened the restaurant patrons matched those that were contained in an unopened package of meat, according to MJS.

Lawyers for the Kriefalls argued that while Brianna did not eat meat, the watermelon she ate was contaminated by the E. coli after it came in contact with the meat.

The Sizzler restaurant chain, the local franchise and an insurance company also are suing Excel. The trial on the remaining issues of the case is slated for July 7.

 — Adapted from a MeatingPlace.com report.

— compiled by Linda Robbins, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.