News Update
April 22, 2010

USDA Announces Initiative to Improve Agricultural Energy Conservation and Efficiency

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced an initiative designed to help agricultural producers transition to more energy efficient operations. This initiative will make funding available for individual on-farm energy audits designed to save both money and energy when fully implemented.

“Reducing energy use on America’s farms and ranches will not only help our agricultural producers become more profitable, but also help the United States become more energy independent,” Vilsack said. “Through this initiative, producers will be able to receive individual on-farm energy audit evaluations and assistance with implementation of energy conservation and efficiency measures.”

Approximately 1,000 on-farm energy audit evaluations in 29 states will be funded by $2 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in fiscal year 2010. The energy audits will be individually tailored to ensure coverage of each farm’s primary energy uses, such as milk cooling, irrigation pumping, heating and cooling of livestock production facilities, manure collection and transfer, grain drying, and similar common on-farm activities.

Participating states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Implementation will occur in stages, beginning with the short-term immediate goal of providing the on-farm energy audits to help identify how the operations can become more energy efficient. Longer-term goals will involve development of agricultural energy management plans for cost-effective implementation of the recommendations provided in their on-farm energy audits. More information about agricultural energy management plans is available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/cap.html.

— Release by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Oberstar ‘Clean Water’ Bill Threatens Private Property Rights

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) are strongly opposing the so-called “America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act,” introduced earlier today by James Oberstar. The Act would remove the word “navigable” from the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act, granting the federal government unprecedented regulatory authority over all waters regardless of whether or not they have any environmental significance.

“Removing the word ‘navigable’ from the definition of waters of the United States is a non-starter for us,” said Tamara Thies, NCBA chief environmental counsel. “Navigability is essential to maintain the appropriate federal-state balance that has always been the hallmark of the Clean Water Act. Without it, the reach of the federal government’s strong arm will be limitless. While this bill claims to exclude ‘prior converted croplands’ from regulation under the Act, it actually takes away the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to determine which lands meet that definition, and gives it to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

“In addition, it’s perplexing that the author claims that the bill will not regulate groundwater when a groundwater exclusion is not included in the statutory language of the bill. This bill would take away state and private property rights and would only lead to endless litigation and bureaucratic red tape. The result would actually hamper our nation’s ability to maintain clean waters.”

Currently, waters under the federal jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act are defined as “navigable waters of the United States.” Other waters are subject to regulation by individual states, which are better equipped to manage their own unique geographical concerns.

“Ranchers rely on clean water to maintain healthy animals and land. And the current Clean Water Act has been highly successful in achieving those goals — thanks to the strong partnership that exists between the federal and state governments, which allows states flexibility to manage their own land and water in a way that makes sense,” Thies continued. “Our founding fathers designed our system of government to prevent improper federal control over state and private property rights. It’s unfortunate that some members of Congress wish to take away those important rights through this legislation.”

NCBA and PLC continue to oppose similar legislation that narrowly passed out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works last June. Due to strong opposition, S. 787 (the Clean Water Restoration Act) has yet to receive a vote in the full Senate.

— Release by NCBA.

Spring Deworming Can Help Reduce Future Pasture Contamination

Don’t overlook deworming this spring. Timely application of parasite control before turnout can help maximize producers’ deworming dollars by reducing pasture contamination and helping keep cattle productive.

“Spring is one of the most critical stages for cattle and parasite control,” says Gary Sides, cattle nutritionist with Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Operations. “Cattle acquire parasites from pastures, and deworming during spring will help reduce future contamination while grazing. Plus, controlling parasites will pay off for producers in gain and overall health.”

Sides recommends producers think about parasite control when the grass starts to turn green in their area. That’s when parasites become active again. Winter does not kill parasites. In fact, many simply overwinter in the cattle or on pastures.

“Deworming during springtime helps break the cycle of pasture contamination and cattle infection,” Sides says. “Spring is also a critical stage for growth and development in cattle. Parasites can slow cattle down during this important time.”

Parasites can be responsible for depressed immune systems, making cattle more susceptible to disease challenges. In addition, parasites can suppress appetites, limiting intake and absorption of nutrients — ultimately reducing feed efficiency, gain and even reproduction.

In addition to timing, producers should ensure their dewormer gets the most important parasites in their area — for instance, Ostertagia ostertagi or brown stomach worm. A broad-spectrum dewormer treats and controls brown stomach worms for up to 21 days.

Don’t overlook calves when deworming, Sides says. Calves without immunity to parasites are most vulnerable, and deworming both cows and calves can help ensure strong weaning weights.

“If you’re planning to precondition calves, protocols often include parasite control, and for good reason,” Sides says.“Parasite control can help you not only manage the parasite contamination on your pasture, but also — in combination with a good preconditioning program — produce healthier, stronger calves that are ready to earn producers more at sale day.”

— Adapted from a Pfizer Animal Health release.

Texas Firm Recalls Beef Trim Products Due To Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

Beltex Corp., a Fort Worth, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 135,500 pounds of beef trim products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 07041B” inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label; for a full list of possible products click here. The products were produced on Oct. 28, 2009; Nov. 20, 2009; Feb. 19, 2010; or April 2, 2010; and were distributed to wholesalers and other federal establishments in the States of Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered by FSIS during a routine Food Safety Assessment performed at the establishment. The establishment’s methods for analyzing samples for E. coli O157:H7 in beef products raised concerns about the safety of the product.

FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalled products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company’s main line, 817-624-1136.

— Release by FSIS.

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