News Update
July 16, 2009

Ohio Changes Laws for All-Purpose Vehicles

Ohioans who own all-purpose vehicles (APVs) — such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), mini-bikes and trail bikes — may not be aware of some new operational laws that took effect July 1.

Peggy Hall, director of Ohio State University Extension’s (OSU’s) Agricultural and Resource Law Program for the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, said that the law contains new provisions on criminal trespass, registration and license plate requirements of APVs. The changes were in response to increased incidences of trespassing and crop damage on Ohio farms and other types of land.

“I don’t think many people are aware of the new changes,” said Hall, who has seen increased inquiries come across her desk. “The new provisions got buried in the huge transportation bill that was passed this spring (H.B. 2).”

Hall will discuss the new changes and how they will impact users during OSU’s Farm Science Review Sept. 22-24 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. She will give presentations during the Question the Authorities program in OSU Central at 2:40 p.m. Sept. 22 and at 11 a.m. Sept. 23.

According to Ohio law, an “all-purpose vehicle” is “any self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for cross-country travel on land and water, or on more than one type of terrain, and steered by wheels or caterpillar treads, or any combination thereof, including vehicles that operate on a cushion of air, vehicles commonly known as all-terrain vehicles, all-season vehicles, mini-bikes, and trail bikes.” The definition of “all-purpose vehicle” does not include golf carts or utility vehicles that are designed to transport materials or cargo.

To learn more, see these Ohio Revised Code sections at http://codes.ohio.gov/orc for changes to APV law: O.R.C. 2911.21, 4519.02, 4519.03, 4519.04, 4519.08, 4519.09, 4519.10, 4519.44, and 4519.47.

— Release by Candace Pollock, Communications & Technology Unit,
OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Vilsack Says $760 Million in Direct Loans Available to Farmers and Producers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $760 million from the Supplemental Appropriations Act signed by President Obama is available for approved but previously unfunded U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) direct farm ownership and operating loans throughout the country. Vilsack made the announcement today at the Obama Administration’s ‘Rural Tour’ Community Forum in Wisconsin.

“President Obama provided a welcome boost to rural economies around the country when he signed the Supplemental Appropriations Act, because it has critical funds that will enable local producers to access necessary capital,” Vilsack said. “USDA will deliver these loans to producers as quickly as possible to meet the capital needs of farmers and ranchers.”

USDA has already provided $400 million to state offices for direct operating loans. These funds will clear a $150 million backlog of loans, which had already been approved for 2,200 family farmers. It will also provide additional funds for new loan applications.

Producers interested in applying for direct loans or other Farm Service Agency (FSA) products should visit their local FSA county offices. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

— Adapted from release provided by USDA.

W.D. Farr Scholarships Awarded at Cattle Industry Summer Conference

Two outstanding graduate students were recognized today with scholarships awarded in honor of a cattle industry pioneer. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) honored the late W.D. Farr, of Greeley, Colo., through two annual $12,000 graduate scholarships bearing his name.

Chelsea Good will begin law school this fall at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. Originally from Colorado, Good is currently completing her master’s degree in communication studies at Kansas State University, where she has also received bachelor’s degrees in agricultural communications and journalism, political science and public relations. Good also received an associate’s degree in agriculture from Butler Community College. Upon receiving her law degree, Good plans to use her accumulative training to aid the beef industry in making a personal connection with consumers and lawmakers who are increasingly removed from the business.

Ryan Murphy is a doctoral candidate in meat science at Colorado State University, where he also received his master’s degree in meat science, with a research focus on international marketing of red meats as well as red meat quality and safety. A native of Canada, Murphy received his bachelor’s degree in animal science at the University of Saskatchewan. Following graduation, Murphy intends to move to Asia to apply his knowledge in meat science to support international marketing of red meats as well as red meat quality and safety. Murphy’s longer-term plans include moving back to North America to continue advocacy for free trade of red meat products.

W.D. Farr was president of the National Cattlemen’s Association in 1970 and was the first president of the NCF. His career in agriculture spanned 75 years and included innovations in cattle feeding, uniform beef grading, water conservation and banking. Farr died at age 97 in August 2007.

— Adapted from a release provided by the NCF.

Beef Checkoff Posting Return of $5.55

The Beef Checkoff Program returned about $5.55 in value to beef producers for every dollar they invested into it between 2003 and 2008. That’s the overall conclusion of a new economic study completed by Ron Ward, professor emeritus for the Food and Resource Economics Department of the University of Florida.

“Is the beef checkoff a demand driver? This was the most fundamental question of the entire study, and the answer is an overwhelming ‘yes.’ The generic promotion of beef has shifted beef demand,” Ward noted in his research conclusions. “The marginal rate of return is large enough to provide overwhelming evidence that the programs are achieving positive impacts [on] U.S. demand for beef,” he said.

“The Beef Checkoff Programs and Their Impact on U.S. Beef Demand” evaluates the effectiveness of checkoff-funded programs in reaching their overarching goal of growing beef demand. To complete this, Ward employs statistical models that measure the effects of major beef demand drivers overall, then specifically, of the Beef Checkoff Program itself as a demand driver. It is a comprehensive study that is peer-reviewed by respected economists versed in commodity promotions and the beef industry, and is a follow-up to similar beef checkoff evaluations conducted regularly since 1989.

Ward presented the study results to the checkoff's Joint Industry Evaluation Advisory Committee today at the 2009 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver.

For the full release, visit www.beefboard.org/eNews.asp?id=11192.

— Adapted from a release provided by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

Cargill Holds Live Accident Response Training

As part of its eight key commitments to animal well-being, Cargill Pork held a live accident response training at its pork processing plant in Ottumwa. In attendance were deputy sheriffs from Wapello, Washington and Mahaska counties; representatives from Veenstra, Masterson and Eichelberger trucking companies; and 13 TriOak Foods pork producers from multiple counties in Iowa.

The training, led by Jennifer Woods, a renowned expert in accident response, included classroom instruction in behavior and handling of stressed swine; responding to live haul incidents, barn fires and weather-related disasters; security; public perception; and, most importantly, euthanasia training. To date, Cargill has trained 77 employees to handle incidents involving swine.

“Cargill is proud to be working with local authorities, live-haul trucking firms and our producers in this important initiative,” said Wendy Baker, manager of animal welfare at the Ottumwa plant. “This event marks a milestone in the industry, as everyone is involved in improving the well-being of animals from the farm to transport to the plant. When we work together, we can ensure that if and when a rollover accident occurs, we all will do the right thing to respond to the situation.”

— Release provided by Cargill.

— compiled by Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, Angus Productions Inc.