News Update
March 30, 2011

AGI, Pfizer Animal Genetics Announce Parentage Testing Agreement

Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), a subsidiary of the American Angus Association, is now accepting DNA samples for parent verification conducted by Pfizer Animal Genetics. Starting in April, blood samples sent to AGI for genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) powered by the High Density 50K (HD 50K) platform from Pfizer Animal Genetics, could also be used for parent verification at no additional cost. Or, Angus breeders can conduct parentage verification from Pfizer Animal Genetics as a stand-alone test. For more information visit http://www.angus.org/pub/newsroom/releases/033011_AngusParentageRelease.aspx

— Release by American Angus Association.

101 Members of Congress Call for EPA to Back off Dust

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lisa Jackson received a letter Tuesday from 101 members of the U.S. House of Representatives expressing concerns about EPA’s potential revision to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Coarse Particulate Matter, more commonly known as dust. Led by Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Congressman Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), the policymakers collectively emphasized the devastating impact farmers, ranchers and all of rural America would feel if the EPA moves forward with regulating dust at unprecedented levels.

“This bipartisan effort to protect farmers, ranchers and all of rural America from a burdensome, unnecessary and scientifically unfounded regulation is reassuring. We firmly stand behind and strongly support this effort to relieve farm and ranch families from the massive heap of regulations coming out of the EPA,” said Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “We hope Administrator Jackson and all of the officials at EPA are listening to the continuous calls from elected leaders to use science and commonsense when proposing or even considering regulations. So far, it appears these countless pleas have fallen on deaf ears.”

The potential revision of the NAAQS to a level as low as 65-85 µg/m3, or twice as stringent as the current standard, is below naturally occurring levels of dust in some states. By EPA’s own admission, the number of counties in nonattainment would more than double.

“At a time when the focus of the administration should be on economic development and job creation, the EPA is instead promulgating rules which may have the opposite effect. If implemented, the standards could subject farmers, livestock producers and industry to burdensome regulations, which could result in fines amounting to $37,500 a day for violations,” penned the members of Congress. “We strongly encourage the EPA not to implement the more stringent standards.” 

— Release by NCBA.

Spring into Farm Safety: Youth Camps Set for 2011

Spring has officially arrived, and as the weather warms up, a new season for farm safety also heats up.

Each year, approximately 2,000 youth across Ohio enjoy learning how to protect themselves from rural hazards through Farm Safety Day Camps, said Kathy Henwood, program coordinator for agricultural safety and health for the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The camps are a collaborative sponsorship of Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Farm Bureau, Our Ohio and the Ohio 4-H Foundation.

Farm Safety Day Camps offer communities valuable lessons about farm dangers through educational sessions that focus on rural safety. The 2011 camping season currently includes seven camps scheduled around the state.

Children tend to be curious by nature and are often unsuspecting of lurking danger.

“These are two characteristics that can cause harm to young people on farms, whether they live there or are visitors,” Henwood said. In Ohio, incidents are more likely to occur to children during the spring and summer months.

The educational sessions help students understand why there are rules, how quickly equipment and livestock react, and what to do in emergency situations. In addition to the educational sessions, campers and staff have fun together by interacting with one another, all in an effort to be reminded of safety.

Ohio State University Extension’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program, housed in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE), is a nationally recognized center of excellence for educational Extension programming and agricultural safety and health research. The dates and locations for Farm Safety Day Camps are:

• Putnam County, April 12-13, Ruth Gerding Farm. Contact Joan Kline, 419-523-5608.
• Auglaize County, May 10, Four Seasons Recreation Complex & Park. Contact Don and Lois Baumer, 419-628-3420.
• Wood County, May (date to be determined), Agriculture Incubator Foundation. Contact David Little, 419-833-6014.
• Morrow County, May 6, Morrow County Fairgrounds. Contact Becky Barker, 419-947-1070.
• Fulton County, May 19, 4-H Camp Palmer. Contact Bill Goodson, 419-237-2247.
• Stark County, June 16, Stark County Fairgrounds. Contact David Crawford, 330- 830-7700.
• Monroe County, October (date to be determined), Woodsfield Elementary School. Contact Bruce Zimmer, 740-472-0810.

For more information, see http://agsafety.osu.edu/ash/programs/day_camps.html.

— Release by OSU College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

March Farm Prices Received Index Advanced 4 Points

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in March, at 174%, based on 1990-1992=100, increased 4 points (2.4%) from February. The Crop Index is up 1 point (0.5%) and the Livestock Index increased 7 points (4.9%). Producers received higher prices for cattle, broilers, milk and lettuce; they received lower prices for corn, soybeans, eggs and cotton.

In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a three-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly marketings of strawberries, soybeans, tomatoes and milk offset decreased marketings of cattle, corn, cotton and wheat.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 33 points (23%) from March 2010. The Food Commodities Index, at 172, increased 7 points (4.2%) from last month and 30 points (21%) from March 2010.

The March Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 199% of the 1990-1992 average. The index is up 2 points (1.0%) from February and is 19 points (11%) above March 2010. Higher prices in March for diesel, complete feeds, gasoline and feeder cattle more than offset lower prices for feed grains, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides/other.

— Release by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

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