News Update
May 7, 2009

More from BIF …

The following are just some of the articles recently added to www.bifconference.com:

• Prospects for Genome-Wide Selection in Beef Cattle by Jerry Taylor, University of Missouri
  
  
• A Nationwide Survey of Beef Producers About Feed Efficiency by Jason Ahola, University of Idaho
  
  
• Opportunities for Genetic Evaluation of Longevity by Michael MacNeil, USDA-ARS, Miles City, Mont.
  
  
• Whole-Genome Selection Project Involving 2,000 Industry Sires by Mark Thallman, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
  
  
• Managing Genetic Defects in Beef Cattle by Jonathan Beever, University of Illinois
  

Subcommittee Examines Renewable Fuel Standard Implementation

Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research held a hearing to review the impact of the indirect land use and renewable biomass provisions in the renewable fuel standard.

“We are very upset with the path EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has taken us down and sent that message back loud and clear in today’s hearing,” said Chairman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania. “If we continue with these provisions in EISA (Energy Independence and Security Act), we will not only harm the biofuels industry but also shortchange a large part of the country before we even get started.

We need to expand the reach of biofuels, not hamper the farmer and forest owner.”

“The arbitrary restrictions in the renewable fuel standard will limit the potential biomass to meet the renewable fuels mandate. I am in favor of the development of advanced renewable fuels, but more importantly I am in favor of developing a policy that allows the market to develop next generation renewable energy,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte of Virginia.

In December 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA, P.L. 110-140) greatly expanded the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and required that all biofuels produced from facilities built after the enactment achieve a reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The law also contains restrictions in the definition of “renewable biomass” that limit the eligibility of feedstocks from Federal lands as well as private forestlands.

Yesterday, the EPA released its proposed rule for the implementation of the new RFS and opened the period for public comment. The rule calculates the lifecycle emissions of each fuel, relative to the gasoline or diesel fuel it would replace, and includes emissions from all stages of production. In this process, biofuels are charged with emissions from indirect land use, while gasoline is not.

The provisions discussed today were last-minute additions to EISA that were never debated, and members of the committee have worked to get them changed for the past two years. This is the second hearing the subcommittee has held on implementation of the RFS. In the first, held in July of last year, members discussed the renewable biomass and agriculture producer eligibility.

The opening statements of all witnesses are available on the committee web site at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the committee web site at a later date.

— Release provided by AgPress.

Plans to Provide Settlement Funds for Lawsuit by Black Farmers Against USDA

Today President Obama announced his plans to include settlement funds for black farmers in the FY (fiscal year) 2010 budget to bring closure to their long-standing lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“This is an issue I worked on in the Senate, and I’m pleased that we are now able to close this chapter in the agency’s history and move on,” Obama said. “My hope is that the farmers and their families who were denied access to USDA loans and programs will be made whole and will have the chance to rebuild their lives and their businesses.”

“I am very pleased that President Obama is taking swift action on this matter as it will help us chart a new course at USDA, one on which all USDA customers and employees are treated equally and fairly,” Agriculture Secretary Vilsack said.

In 1999, the USDA entered into a consent agreement with black farmers in which the agency agreed to pay farmers for past discrimination in lending and other USDA programs. Thousands of claims have been adjudicated, but thousands of other claims were not considered on their merits because problems with the notification and claims process hindered some farmers’ ability to participate.

To deal with the remaining claims, Congress provided these farmers another avenue for restitution in the 2008 Farm Bill. For those who have claims that were not considered on the merits because the claim was found not to be timely, the 2008 Farm Bill provided the right to file a new claim in federal court. The total amount offered by the federal government, $1.25 billion, includes $100 million that served as a “place holder” in Section 14012 of the Farm Bill.

This announcement comes on the heels of a memorandum released two weeks ago by Vilsack detailing an aggressive plan to promote civil rights and equal access at USDA. The memo announced the following:

• The temporary suspension of all foreclosures within the Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm loan program, which will not only aid farmers facing economic hardship but will also provide the opportunity to review the loan granting process for possible discriminatory conduct;
  
• The creation of a Task force to conduct a review of a sample of program civil rights complaints that have been processed or that are currently being processed — the complaints and inquiries total more than 14,000, including more than 3,000 that have not been processed and;
• Granting greater authority to USDA’s Office of Civil Rights. The Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights will collaborate with the other agencies to develop and implement a proposal for data collection across USDA, make sure all complaints are incorporated as part of one data system; and develop USDA policy and training to ensure that all complaints are received and dealt with in a consistent manner within a specific timeframe.
  

The full text of the memo is available at: http://www.usda.gov/documents/NewCivilRightsEra.pdf.

— Release provided by USDA news.

Wind, Water and Wildlife Conference Scheduled in Texas

A two-day conference addressing the latest issues related to marketing wind, water and wildlife will take place May 19-20 in Canadian, Texas, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent.

The conference will target landowners who might be interested in the wind energy industry and the availability and effects of marketing underground water in that region, said Kyle Barnett, AgriLife Extension agricultural and natural resources agent in Hemphill County.

“Many landowners in the area are faced with decisions regarding wind energy and water conservation,” Barnett said. “These issues affect our daily management of renewable and nonrenewable resources and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This program will give area landowners the information they need to make the necessary decisions.”

The first day will focus primarily on wind energy, including effects on the local and area communities; past, present and future of the industry; construction of a wind turbine; legal aspects; effects on wildlife; development and land uses/economic compatibility; and land values.

On May 20, the conference will address water issues, including past, present and future of the underground water in the Panhandle; residential and rangeland water harvesting; the Ogallala Aquifer; effects of groundwater and underground water on wildlife; water conservation; land values and legal aspects of groundwater use.

Registration information is available online at http://hemphill-co.tamu.edu/publications.cfm. Or more information can be obtained by calling Barnett at 806-323-9114.

There will be a $20 fee for those registering by May 13. Participants with paid, early registration will have their name entered for a door-prize drawing.

A late registration of $30 can be paid at the door, but an RSVP by May 15 is requested for planning purposes, Barnett said.

The fee, which includes meals and all printed materials, is good for one or both days.

Partnering entities for the conference are Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

— Release provided by Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

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