News Update

May 17, 2012

NCBA Supports USDA Comprehensive BSE Rule

The USDA published in the Federal Register a comprehensive rule for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on March 16, 2012. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) voiced support for the rule in comments submitted late Tuesday. NCBA Vice President Bob McCan said the organization has been pushing for this rule since the first case of BSE was detected in the United States in December 2003.

"This has been a long time coming and we certainly welcome this rule. Quite simply, this proposed rule will show the United States is willing to talk the talk and walk the walk with regard to following international standards developed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)," said McCan. "We cannot demand our trading partners follow OIE standards when we are not here at home."

As noted in the comments submitted by NCBA, the comprehensive BSE rule will solidify the United States' commitment to basing trade relationships on internationally recognized, science-based standards. McCan said maintaining a healthy cattle herd is a top priority for NCBA and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) should be commended for putting forth a comprehensive BSE rule that allows the United States to meet demand with little, if any, market disruption.

"The U.S. beef industry has worked closely with USDA APHIS for many years to make sure we have the highest quality controls in place to maintain a healthy cattle population," said McCan. "We must have an objective, comprehensive rule in place for beef and cattle imports as soon as possible in order for our nation's trade negotiators to have credibility in opening markets for U.S. beef. Non-tariff trade barriers hinder our ability to expand U.S. beef exports with many of our global trading partners. Cattlemen need our trade negotiators to eliminate these barriers by requiring our global trading partners to make objective, science-based decisions regarding U.S. beef."

Comments on the proposed rule were due to the Federal Register May 15, 2012. McCan said NCBA is ready to work with members of Congress and the administration to finalize the rule.

—Adapted from a release from National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Not All Cattlemen's Groups on Board

On May 2, R-CALF USA announced that it had joined with 30 other organizations to formally seek a 60-day extension of the public comment period for the Comprehensive BSE rule, saying the proposed a rule would make sweeping changes to U.S. import policies that were put in place to protect against the introduction and spread of BSE. One of the significant changes in the proposed rule is the elimination of the current requirement that beef imported from a BSE-affected country must be derived from cattle that were subject to an effective ruminant-to-ruminant feed ban.

"We were astounded that USDA would propose to further weaken our already weakened BSE protections," said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.

The draft letter was still being circulated for organizational signatures when USDA announced that it had detected a California cow with "atypical" BSE. In response to USDA's announcement, the letter was immediately sent to USDA and the White House Office of Management and Budget. To see the full release and access the letter, click here.

— Adapted from a release from R-CALF USA.

AFBF: Multi-Legged Stool Best Approach for Farm Bill

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman at a hearing on Capitol Hill reemphasized his organizations' support of a single commodity option and a strong crop insurance program in the 2012 farm bill. Speaking before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, Stallman said he was confident AFBF's approach could easily provide a safety net that meets regional and commodity differences, while also staying within the budget.

"Continuation of a multi-legged stool remains the best approach for providing a fair and effective safety net, which should consist of a strong crop insurance program, continuation of the current marketing loan provisions and a catastrophic revenue loss program," said Stallman. The purpose of the hearing was to review commodity programs and crop insurance options for 2012 farm bill.

Stallman's testimony was based on the premise that the House Agriculture Committee will draft farm legislation that reduces spending by $23 billion during the next 10 years, with proportional cuts of $15 billion in commodity program reductions, $4 billion in conservation program reductions and $4 billion in nutrition program reductions.

For more information and the full release, visit www.fb.org/index.php?action=newsroom.news&year=2012&file=nr0516b.html.

— Adapted from release by American Farm Bureau Federation.

OSU Taps Clint Rusk of South Dakota State as
New Animal Science Department Head

The Dean and Vice President of the Division of Agriculture for Oklahoma State University (OSU), Bob Whitson, has announced that a new department head for the Animal Science Department at OSU has been selected. Clint Rusk of South Dakota State University will be heading south this summer to take over the reins from Ron Kensinger, who headed east in the latter days of 2011 to a post at the Ohio State University.

Rusk currently serves as the dean of the Animal Science Department at South Dakota State University. A glimpse into his vision for an Animal Science program can be seen in his greetings for that department found on their website: "We strive to be a student-centered research department. Graduates of our department move on to successful careers in the animal industry, meat industry, academia, veterinary medicine and other agriculture-related businesses. We have successfully trained outstanding students in the animal and meat sciences."

Rusk's specialty areas are in beef cattle and livestock judging. His undergraduate degree came from Kansas State University, with advanced degrees from Colorado State. You can read more about his background by visiting the South Dakota State University website.

Dean Whitson's email was short and to the point: "I am pleased to announce that Dr. Clint Rusk has accepted the position of department head for animal science pending Board of Regents approval. Dr. Rusk will be joining us this summer by August 1st. We had the opportunity to meet four excellent finalists for the position and I appreciate the tremendous work of the search and screening committee chaired by Dr. Mike Woods. I also want to thank Dr. Gerald Horn who has served in the important interim capacity."

— Reprinted with permission from the Oklahoma Farm Report, by Ron Hays.

ADM Plants a Seed to Grow the KARL Program

The renewal of support from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) company in the amount of $10,000 has planted a seed for continued program enhancements for the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) Program.

"ADM believes we have a responsibility to the communities where we live and work, and we work to meet the needs of our communities in many ways," said Mirinda Rothrock, community engagement manager with ADM. "We are pleased to support the KARL Program and its efforts to help develop the next generation of agricultural leaders. Through our ADM Cares program, we're working to sustain and strengthen this commitment by directing funding to initiatives and organizations around the world that drive meaningful social, economic and environmental progress."

"KARL takes emerging leaders through a series of seminars that enhance their ability to lead during agriculture's most challenging times," said Jack Lindquist, who has served as president of KARL Inc. since its inception in 1990. "Focuses on the local community through national concerns in the first year and international opportunities in the second year, KARL is the most intensive and broadest perspective leadership development course in Kansas."

"With the continued partnership and investment from ADM, Kansas communities and the agricultural industry can feel confident they will not just survive, but will thrive with KARL graduates leading the way," Lindquist said.

The mission of KARL Inc. is to provide first-class development for agriculture and rural stakeholders by designing and offering challenging and illuminating education and enrichment programs, as well as a forum for continuous engagement.

"With KARL Class XI, we have 330 participants to date that are beneficiaries of the KARL training experience as they serve in their home communities in 98 Kansas counties and beyond," Lindquist said. "KARL graduates are ambassadors for rural communities, agriculture and the way of life associated with each. The knowledge, contacts and skills gained in the program allows them to do their best to bring knowledge, expertise and an effective voice for rural communities and agriculture in Kansas."

KARL's offices are located at Kansas State University through an in-kind gift of office space and access to services. For more information, interested persons can visit the website or call the office at 785-532-6300.

— Adapted from a release by K-State Research and Extension.

— Compiled by Kelli Fulkerson, intern, Angus Productions Inc.