News Update
March 15, 2012
Statement from Agriculture Secretary on the KORUS
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement about the U.S-Korea Trade Agreement, also known as KORUS, which enters into force today.
"Today is a monumental day for American farmers and ranchers. Under the new U.S.-Korea trade agreement, two-thirds of the tariffs imposed on U.S. food and agricultural products exported to South Korea are being eliminated. Over the next few years, as additional barriers fall and more U.S. businesses market products to Korea's expanding economy, American agricultural exports should grow by $1.9 billion and help support nearly 16,000 jobs here at home. The trade agreement with Korea is the most significant for the United States in decades. Now the world's 12th largest economy, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over $1.4 trillion and a population of about 49 million, Korea is already the fifth largest export market for U.S. farm products.
"For America's farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses, the timing could not be better. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best periods in history thanks to the productivity and resourcefulness of American farmers and agribusinesses.
"Much of the record growth these past few years is related to President Obama's leadership on trade. Last year, the president insisted that we get this agreement with Korea right — alongside pacts with Colombia and Panama — forging a better deal for America's workers and businesses that led to strong bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. In 2010, the President committed to double U.S. exports in five years. Two years later, we are on pace to meet that goal. Recent figures show the number of jobs supported by American exports have grown 1.2 million since 2009, while total U.S. exports hit a record $2.1 trillion last year, up 34% from 2009.
"Strengthening our partnership with growing markets in the Asia Pacific region, such as South Korea, is integral to the strength of the U.S. economy in the decades ahead. Along with other efforts to promote American exports, the trade deal with South Korea helps level the playing field for American businesses and will help put folks back to work. Across the economy, it will add $10 billion to $12 billion to annual U.S. GDP. Increased exports mean higher incomes for farmers and ranchers, more opportunities for small business owners, and jobs for people in rural communities and port cities — the people who grow, package, ship and market American agricultural products."
NCBA Pushes for Beef Checkoff Reform
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed rule pertaining to the Beef Checkoff Program. The proposed rule would expand contracting authority by eliminating the requirement that only allows organizations active and ongoing since 1985 to contract with the checkoff. The proposed rule would allow national nonprofit, industry-governed organizations that have been representing the cattle industry for at least two years to be eligible to contract for the implementation of checkoff programs.
NCBA President J.D. Alexander said the rule is good for the industry and good for the checkoff. He said the proposed rule would ensure cattlemen are getting the best return on their investment.
"NCBA supports an open and transparent checkoff program that is producer driven. This proposed rule would simply enhance this quest," said Alexander. "We support a competitive checkoff contracting system that ensures producers are getting the absolute best return on their investment. We believe a multitude of ideas coming from several different organizations will enhance creativity and innovation regarding techniques to build and defend beef demand. Along with ideas, contractors must come to the table with the know-how and the resources to transform ideas into reality."
Independent research conducted by the Cattlemen's Beef Board released in January 2012 shows that beef producer support for the checkoff is higher than it has been in 18 years. Seventy-six percent of producers support the checkoff. These producers say the checkoff "influences beef demand, contributes to their profitability and represents their interests." Four of five producers say that the beef checkoff is of value to them, and two of three believe it is well managed. Alexander said the proposed rule will likely escalate producer confidence in the checkoff.
"The end-game is to make absolute certain that the very best initiatives to increase and solidify demand for U.S. beef are pursued. The proposed rule would allow more ideas to be brought to the table for consideration. It is cut and dry," said Alexander. "NCBA is a proud contractor of the beef checkoff and looks forward to continuing that role."
Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted to the Federal Register by May 1, 2012.
Beef Quality Workshop Offers Ranchers Certification Training
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation will host a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) workshop from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 29, at the Noble Foundation Kruse Auditorium.
BQA is a national program that hopes to raise consumer confidence through offering proper management education and guidelines for the beef industry. This workshop will offer insight into BQA standards for animal care, recordkeeping, nutrition and carcass quality.
Participants will also learn the importance of proper injection techniques, product handling and storage, and livestock handling and transportation. Agricultural producers who successfully complete the course and a subsequent test will become BQA-certified.
"Understanding the value and fundamentals of BQA enables producers to help the industry in its efforts to maximize consumer confidence and acceptance of beef and beef products," said Robert Wells, livestock consultant. "It is vital that, as an industry, we continue to produce the world's safest, highest quality beef for consumers both nationally and internationally."
The seminar is offered at no charge, but preregistration is requested. For additional information or to register, please visit www.noble.org/agevents or call Tracy Cumbie at 580-224-6292.
Weeds, Fertilizer Needs Highlight Upcoming Meetings
Spring brings agricultural producers two challenges — noxious weeds and fertilizer needs. To help provide timely information, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation will host two Fertilizer and Weed Control events in March.
The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13, at the Mid-America Technology Center, located at 27438 SH 59 in Wayne, Okla. The second meeting will be Tuesday, March 27, at Kiamichi Technology Center, located at 1301 West Liberty Rd. in Atoka, Okla. Each meeting will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on its respective day.
During the workshop, participants will learn the proper process for applying fertilizer to pastures and hay fields, as well as a variety of methods for controlling the common weeds that plague the Southern Great Plains.
"Cost-effective fertilization and weed control practices are essential in cattle and hay production," said Eddie Funderburg, senior soils and crops consultant. "These meetings are designed to answer any and all questions so producers are better equipped to meet the challenges at their farm or ranch."
The seminar is offered at no charge, but preregistration is requested. For additional information or to register, please visit www.noble.org/AgEvents, or call Tracy Cumbie at 580-224-6292.
Rangeland Recovery Workshop set April 5 in Andrews, TX
Nurturing healthy rangeland will be the topic of a Rangeland Recovery Workshop to be conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service from 6-8:30 p.m. April 5 in the AgriLife Extension office for Andrews County, 851 E. Broadway in Andrews.
"Water and soil are two of our most precious natural resources," said Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Andrews County. "Unfortunately, keeping our rangeland in good shape in order to protect these natural resources during this extended drought is not an easy task. The idea behind this workshop is to offer producers some innovative ideas to help them regain productivity on their ranches once we enter into a more normal rainfall pattern."
Topics and presenters will include: Rangeland Ecology: How Native Rangeland Responds to Drought, Fire and the Recovery Process, by Alyson McDonald, AgriLife Extension range specialist at Fort Stockton; Long-Range Weather Forecast, John Nielson-Gammon, Texas state climatologist, College Station; and Rangeland Monitoring: Simple Steps to Monitor Vegetation Growth, Blanek.
For more information or to RSVP, call the AgriLife Extension office in Andrews County at 432-524-1421 by April 3.
Linn FFA Chapter Connects With Missouri Farmers,
Wins FFA Chapter Challenge
Thousands of FFA members from hundreds of FFA chapters in 12 states have finished a huge effort to connect with local farmers, and 48 FFA chapters in Missouri have been named state winners.
The Linn FFA Chapter from Linn, Mo., received 431 votes from local farmers to earn top honors statewide in the 2012 FFA Chapter Challenge. The Osage County chapter will receive a $2,500 FFA Certificate of Credit good for FFA-related costs including chapter supplies, registration fees for national leadership conferences and other items.
The FFA Chapter Challenge, a second-year program expanded to 12 states in 2012, challenged FFA members to meet farmers in their local communities to build relationships and learn about different agricultural careers. After meeting, FFA members encouraged the farmers to vote for their chapter online or over the phone.
Voting for the 2012 FFA Chapter Challenge began Jan. 16 after expanding to 12 states this year, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. The campaign finished Feb. 29, with over 10,000 votes being cast nationally during the final week of competition.
The top FFA chapter in each of the 12 states received a $2,500 FFA Certificate of Credit, while chapters ranked second through tenth in each state will receive credits worth between $1,000 and $2,000. Eighty other at-large chapters will receive credits worth $1,000 in the campaign to bring FFA chapters closer to local farmers in their community.
Missouri FFA chapters in Deepwater, Cameron, West Plains, Jamestown, Kingdom City, Marshall, Washington, Hale and Hermann scored in the top-10 of the state contest. 38 other FFA chapters received at-large prizes for their impressive vote totals.
An impressive 856 FFA chapters participated in the FFA Chapter Challenge. The Lawrence County FFA Chapter in Moulton, Ala., won the 2012 FFA Chapter Challenge grand prize that will send six FFA members and one advisor to October's 85th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The grand prize is valued at $6,500. Complete results are available online at www.FFAChapterChallenge.com.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.