News Update
June 30, 2008

USDA Report Assesses 2008 Corn and Soybean Acreage

Despite the recent flooding in the Midwest, U.S. farmers expect to harvest nearly 79 million acres of corn and more than 72 million acres of soybeans in 2008, according to the Acreage report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

The report shows U.S. farmers planted 87.3 million acres of corn in 2008, down 7% from last year’s 93.6 million acres, but still the second-largest area since 1946. Of that area, growers expect to harvest 78.9 million acres for grain, down 9% from 2007 but still the second-largest area since 1944. For soybeans, 2008 planted area is estimated at 74.5 million acres, the third-largest on record and up 17% from last year. Of the planted area, farmers expect to harvest 72.1 million acres, up 15% from last year.

NASS collected the initial data for the annual Acreage report during the first two weeks of June, before the majority of the flooding occurred in the Midwest. In an effort to more accurately determine how much of the planted area producers still intend to harvest for grain, NASS re-interviewed 1,150 farmers last week in flood-affected areas of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

“While many farmers are still assessing their damage and their options, this re-interview process provided a first look at how much of the planted corn and soybeans may remain standing for harvest,” said Carol House, chair of NASS’s Agricultural Statistics Board. “And what we are seeing is that the ratio of acres intended for harvest, compared to acres originally planted, is off about 2% from what we would have expected prior [to] the floods.”

NASS’s Aug. 12 Crop Production report will contain the first 2008 estimates of corn and soybean yield and production. To help ensure that these estimates are based on the best information available, NASS will supplement its standard survey activities by re-interviewing approximately 9,000 farmers in the flood-affected areas. These re-interviews will be conducted in the middle of July, allowing time for flooded fields to dry and for farmers to fully assess their options. Additionally, NASS will increase the number of corn and soybean fields selected for objective field measurements.

— Release provided by USDA.

Kroger Recalls Meat Due to E. Coli Concerns

The Kroger Co., a Cincinnati, Ohio, retailer is recalling an undetermined amount of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced last week.

The products subject to recall include all varieties and weights of ground beef products bearing a Kroger label sold between May 21 and June 8 at Michigan and Central and Northwestern Ohio Kroger retail establishments. These ground beef products also include a sell-by date between “05/21/08” and “06/08/08.”

These products were distributed to Kroger stores in Michigan and Columbus and Toledo, Ohio. FSIS has confirmed that none of the affected products remain available for purchase at stores; however consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and discard or return the ground beef products for a refund.

This recall was initiated after epidemiological investigations and a case control study conducted by the Michigan and Ohio Departments of Agriculture and Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that there is an association between the ground beef products and 32 illnesses reported in Michigan (15) and Ohio (17).

Consumers with questions about the recall should contact the Kroger Consumer Hotline at 1-800-632-6900. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

— Release provided by FSIS.

NBAF Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Meetings

The Department of Homeland Security is holding public meetings to present the impact analyses of siting, constructing, and operating the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) — a state-of the-art, high-security laboratory facility to study both foreign animal and zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans), including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The NBAF would be designed to replace the existing facilities at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in New York.

The public is invited to attend a meeting and provide comments on the National Bio and Agro-Defense Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Most meeting locations will have an identical afternoon (12:30 - 4:30 p.m.) and evening (6 - 10 p.m.) session consisting of the following:

• A one-hour open house to view material, register to present oral comments, and speak informally with subject matter experts (12:30 - 1:30 p.m. and/or 6-7 p.m.)
• Presentation on the NBAF DEIS (1:30 - 2:30 p.m. and/or 7-8 p.m.)
• Formal comment period (recorded by a court reporter) (2:30 - 4:30 p.m. and/or 8-10 p.m.)

Meeting locations include:

• Manhattan, Kan. – Thursday, July 31, 2008, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.; Kansas State University, K-State Student Union, Manhattan, KS 66506 – Forum Hall; 785-532-6591
• Flora, Miss. – Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.; First Baptist Church Christian Life Center, 121 Center St., Flora, MS 39071; 601-879-8022
• San Antonio, Texas – Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008,12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.; Radisson Hill Country Resort, 9800 Westover Hills Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78251 – Ballroom; 210-509-9800
• Old Saybrook, Conn. – Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, 6 - 10 p.m., Saybrook Point Inn, Two Bridge St., Old Saybrook, CT 06475 – Ballroom; 860-395-2000
• Greenport, N.Y. – Tuesday, August 12, 6-10 p.m.; Greenport School, 720 Front St., Greenport, NY 11944 – Auditorium; 631-477-1950
• Athens, Ga. – Thursday, Aug. 14, 12:30-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.; The University of Georgia, Center for Continuing Education, 1197 South Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30602 – Mahler Auditorium; 1-800-488-7827

— Information provided by DHS.

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