News Update
July 1, 2009

AgriTalk Interviews HSUS President Wayne Pacelle

AgriTalk’s Mike Adams sat down with Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) President Wayne Pacelle Tuesday for an interview. During the discussion, Pacelle — known in the agriculture sector for his campaigns against many traditional ranching practices — insisted HSUS did not intend to eliminate animal agriculture. He did, however, have plenty to say about the topic. Visit www.agritalk.com to listen to the interview.

N.Y. Firm Recalls Meat Products

Buffalo SAV Inc., a Buffalo, N.Y., establishment, is recalling approximately 208,768 pounds (lb.) of frozen meat and poultry products because they contain an unapproved ingredient, Amaranth Red #2, that is declared on the label, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Tuesday.

Amaranth Red #2 is not approved for use in products sold in the United States.

There are no package or case codes. The frozen meat and poultry products were produced from June 1, 2008, through June 5, 2009, and were sent to distributors and retail establishments in California, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania.

Questions about the recall should be directed to company President Vladimir (Walter) Kashuba at 716-895-1404. For a list of products subject to the recall, visit www.fsis.usda.gov.

— Adapted from a release provided by FSIS.

Forum Focuses on Competition for Water Resources
The competition for water resources will be the topic of the Farm Foundation Forum on Tuesday, July 14.

Presenters include Erik Peterson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Dan Keppen of the Family Farm Alliance; Karl Wirkus of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; and Noel Gollehon of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); and a representative of the Environmental Defense Fund.

The forum will be 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Please RSVP for the free forum by close of business on Thursday, July 9 to Linda Singer at linda@farmfoundation.org.

Obama Administration Launches Initative for Broadband, Jobs — $4 Billion Available

Vice President Joe Biden today announced the availability of $4 billion in loans and grants to bring broadband to unserved and underserved communities. This is the first round of Recovery Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building out Internet infrastructure.

“Today’s announcement is a first step toward realizing President Obama’s vision of a nationwide 21st century communications infrastructure — one that encourages economic growth, enhances America’s global competitiveness, and helps address many of America’s most pressing challenges,” Biden said.

Vice President Biden was joined by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, and Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genakowski at a local high school in Wattsburg, Pa., the first stop on the President’s National Rural Tour. USDA also announced the launch of www.RuralTour.gov, where all Americans can follow the progress of the Rural Tour with additional cabinet secretaries in the coming months.

“The Department of Agriculture’s Broadband Initiatives Program will bring high-speed Internet service to communities across the country, create thousands of jobs, and improve economic, healthcare, and educational opportunities available in rural communities,” Vilsack said. “This funding is a down payment on the President’s commitment to bring the educational and economic benefits of the Internet to all communities.”

Among the $4 billion in Recovery Act funds announced today, USDA will use approximately $2 billion to provide grants, while the remaining funds will be used to make up to $7 billion in loans, for a potential total investment in rural broadband of $9 billion. This assistance is especially critical in rural communities where it can provide citizens with job opportunities and help create wealth by driving economic growth, advancing education, fostering innovation, ensuring first responders have the tools they need, and enhancing and improving the delivery of healthcare.

Vice President Biden also announced today there will be public workshops jointly sponsored by Commerce and USDA in July to inform prospective applicants about available funding and the application process. Workshop locations are Boston, Mass.; Charleston, W.Va.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Memphis, Tenn.; Lonoke, Ark.; Birmingham, Ala.; Billings, Mont.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Los Angeles, Calif.

Applications will be accepted beginning July 14, 2009, through 5 p.m. EDT, Aug. 14. The complete details of this Notice of Funding Availability, the applications forms and application guidelines are available at www.broadbandusa.gov.

Cattle Industry Summer Conference Approaching

Knowledge, foresight and expertise all merge as the cattle industry convenes in Denver, Colo., for its 2009 summer conference. During the week beginning July 13, Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) members will review and evaluate proposals for checkoff-funded promotion, education, research and information programs aimed at increasing demand for beef during the coming year. They will also approve a national checkoff budget for fiscal year (FY) 2010, which begins Oct. 1, 2009.

Organizations holding summer meetings during the conference include the CBB; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA); the American National CattleWomen (ANCW); Cattle-Fax; and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). General business kicks off with a Beef Industry General Session on Thursday, July 16, focused on current industry conditions and challenges. For further information and conference highlights, visit www.beefboardmeeting.com or www.mybeefcheckoff.com.

— Adapted from a release provided by CBB.

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