News Update
March 17, 2011

Farmers Prevail in Court Decision on EPA Livestock Rules

In a major court victory for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and other farm organizations, a unanimous federal court of appeals has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot require livestock farmers to apply for Clean Water Act permits unless their farms actually discharge manure into U.S. waters. The ruling was welcomed by the AFBF, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and several other agriculture groups that filed suit against EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

“For the second time, a U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that EPA’s authority is limited by the Clean Water Act to jurisdiction over only actual discharges to navigable waters, not potential discharges,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “We are pleased that the federal courts have again reined in EPA’s unlawful regulation of livestock operations under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The court has affirmed that EPA, like other federal agencies, can only regulate where it has been authorized by Congress to do so.”

In the ruling, issued March 15, the Fifth Circuit concluded, “The CWA provides a comprehensive liability scheme and the EPA’s attempt to supplement this scheme is in excess of its statutory authority.”

According to the ruling, non-discharging CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) do not need permit coverage. In addition, CAFOs cannot face separate liability for “failure to apply” for permit coverage, as EPA’s rule provided. Instead, where a CAFO does not seek permit coverage, the Clean Water Act imposes liability only for discharges that occur from the unpermitted CAFO.

AFBF legal analysts are continuing to review the ruling to determine how it will affect livestock farmers and ranchers, including those currently engaged in lawsuits with EPA. It’s uncertain at this time what EPA’s next steps will be now that major provisions of its CAFO regulations issued in 2003 have been vacated by the court.

— Release by AFBF.

AgriLabs Ltd. Announces Sales and Marketing Collaboration with ImmuCell Corp.

Steve Schram, AgriLabs President and CEO, announced today that AgriLabs has aligned with ImmuCell Corp. for the development, sales and marketing of certain current and future products featuring ImmuCell’s First Defense® bolus.

“This collaboration furthers our commitment to make available relevant and technically driven products that get newborn calves off to a strong start,” Schram said. “The arrangement bolsters ImmuCell’s ability to reach more calves with First Defense products, and fits AgriLabs business model of collaborating with companies who can benefit from a broad reach sales and marketing organization such as AgriLabs.”

To augment its core vaccine capabilities, AgriLabs continues to expand its value to the food animal market by adding science-backed neonatal and young calf care products from innovative partners.

“First Defense is a USDA-approved product prepared from hyperimmune bovine colostrum that reduces morbidity and mortality from neonatal calf scours by providing specific neutralizing antibodies against bovine coronavirus and K99+ E. coli,” said Joel Ehrenzweig, AgriLabs technical services manager. “The dried colostral antibodies quickly afford Immediate Immunity™, thereby reducing scours-related morbidity and mortality.”

— Adapted from news release by AgriLabs.

NMSU to host youth ranch management camp at Valles Caldera National Preserve

New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service is seeking youth ages 15 through 19 to participate in a unique summer experience June 5-10 at the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Twenty-five youth will be selected to attend the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp where they will receive training in all aspects of ranch management.

“The camp is tailored to be one of the most unique educational experiences these kids may ever see, even in their college career,” said Manny Encinias, NMSU Extension beef cattle specialist. “Ranching is an aging industry. People who own and manage ranches are getting up in age. The question now is who is going to fill their boots. Hopefully, this camp will be an opportunity for young people to see that there are career opportunities in this area of agri-business.”

Applications are due May 1. Applicants must submit a completed application that includes a short essay on what they expect to gain from attending the camp. A panel of industry leaders will review the applications and select the participants. Successful applicants must submit a $250 camp fee by June 1.

A more detailed description of the camp will be included in the March Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, scheduled for release March 21. (To sign up, visit http://www.angusbeefbulletin.com/extra/index.html and follow the “Click here” button at the top of the righthand column.)

Applicants should contact Patrick Torres, Santa Fe County Extension agriculture agent, at 505-471-4711, or visit the camp’s website at http://nmyrm.nmsu.edu for information and to submit an online application.

— Adapted from news release by NMSU Extension.

Volunteers sought for AVMF committees

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation is reaching out for volunteers for all AVMF committees. Openings are available on the following committees:

• Committee on the Board: Sets board accountability standards.
• Finance/Administration Committee: Monitors the performance of investments and budget.
• Grants/Awards Committee: Reviews applications from grant recipients.
• Strategic Planning Committee: Develops and monitors the strategic objectives of the AVMF.
• Resource Development Committee: Plans the AVMF fundraising program and serves as an active proponent of the Foundation and its fundraising efforts, solicits donations, and chairs events.
• Volunteer Engagement Committee: Recruits and coordinates volunteers to work on AVMF projects and programs and participates in the Our Oath in Action Shelter Rehabilitation project at the AVMA Annual Convention.

Each committee member is expected to serve as an ambassador of the AVMF, its mission, and its programs; give a personal and financial commitment; recruit others to serve as AVMF board or committee members; and commit to at least one committee conference call meeting per month, a yearly committees summit, and board meetings for that year.

“The more volunteers and ambassadors that the AVMF has engaged in our work, the greater the impact will be on behalf of the medical care and well-being for animals,” said Michael Cathey, AVMF executive director. “The AVMF, like all not-for-profit organizations, is governed by — and most all of its activities and programs are delivered by — interested and dedicated volunteers.”

Those interested in applying for a position are asked to complete a short survey, which can be found by going to www.avmf.org and clicking on the “Volunteer Opportunties” link under the “How to Help” section. Full committee descriptions are also available at that site.

Contact Cindy Rutkowski by e-mail or go to www.avmf.org/volunteer for any questions.

— Release by AVMF.

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