News Update
June 29, 2012
'I'm Farming & I Grow It' Video Parody Goes Viral
As seen on Fox News watch here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48H7zOQrX3U.
Drought Threatens U.S. Food Prices
A drought in the Corn Belt and elsewhere in the Midwest has pushed the bushel price of corn up about 27% in the past month alone, and there is little sign of rain in the near future, a forecast that could soon push up food costs across the country, meteorologists say.
Last week, 63% of the corn crop was rated in good or better condition, according to the USDA. This week, that figure had fallen to 56%.
Concerns arise as the crop approaches pollination, a particularly sensitive two-week period when bad weather can inflict significant damage.
"You only get one chance to pollinate over 1 quadrillion kernels," said Bill Lapp, president of Advanced Economic Solutions, an Omaha-based commodity consulting firm. "There's always some level of angst at this time of year, but it's significantly greater now and with good reason. We've had extended periods of drought."
Corn is among the most valuable of U.S. crops, and its price has ripple effects across a wide range of food prices.
Rising corn prices mean higher costs for beef producers who use it to feed their livestock; it also means that some fields planted with other crops will be shifted into corn production. In addition, it puts upward pressure on the price of ethanol.
For more information and the full release, click here.
American Farm Bureau Federation Statement,
Supreme Court Decision on Health Care
"Farmers, ranchers and rural residents need affordable and accessible health care. We remain concerned that mandating individuals and businesses to buy insurance will impose an expense that creates economic hardship, particularly for self-employed individuals and small businesses.
"We believe one of the primary goals of health care reform should be to reduce costs for participants. The plan reviewed by the Supreme Court would impose a new financial burden on our members. As the legal and political interpretation of this ruling is further analyzed and debated in the weeks and months ahead, it is important to remember that access to affordable health care eludes many American families across the country.
"Farm Bureau has always supported market-based reforms as the best way to control costs and increase options for people and small businesses that purchase insurance for themselves and their employees. Moving forward, we encourage Congress and the President to work together to address our remaining concerns on this issue that affects millions of small business owners and individuals throughout rural America."
NFU Joins Coalition Calling For Change in CAFE Standards
The National Farmers Union (NFU) joined a coalition of agriculture, renewable energy and other organizations in submitting comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asking the federal agencies to reconsider the proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The coalition says the proposed standard does not adequately value the greenhouse gas reduction potential of biofuels and would constrain biofuel production because of a lack of proper incentives for manufacturing Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV). The standards will impact CAFE standards for 2017 and later model-year vehicles.
"As written, the rule could have devastating economic consequences," the coalition stated. "Continued production of FFVs and the advancement of biofuels into the market are critical to expanding renewable fuel use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing air quality."
The coalition stated that lifecycle CO2 reduction benefits must be calculated into the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction provided by biofuels. Currently, biofuels are recognized to reduce GHG emissions by 20% over the lifecycle of the fuel.
For more information and the full release, click here.
USDA Assists in Rural Housing Development
All Americans should have access to safe, decent, affordable housing, and now is a great time to buy a home or refinance your current one. Interest rates are at historic lows, while housing prices in many communities are at their most affordable levels in nearly a generation.
National Homeownership Month is celebrated every year in June. Expanding and preserving homeownership is a major part of the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous rural America.
Since 1949, USDA housing programs have played a vital role in ensuring that rural residents enjoy the same homeownership opportunities that are available to urban residents. During the last three years USDA Rural Development housing programs have assisted 7,400 rural Iowa families with home loan purchases, either through a direct home loan or working with a local lender to provide a government-backed loan guarantee. These loans, which were made in all 99 Iowa counties, totaled $694 million.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Cargill to Build New Feed Facility in Texas
Cargill announced it will build a new facility in Bovina, Texas, for various feed product production, including its Sweet Bran and RAMP specialty feeds. The facility will be located on an adjoining property to an existing Cargill Cattle Feeders (CCF) location.
"We are very excited about the possibilities for serving the growing livestock market from this location in Bovina," said Mike Lewis, vice president, Feed, Cargill Corn Milling North America. "This is a very progressive, growth-oriented community. And it's in the heart of one of the biggest cattle feeding regions in the world."
For more information and the full release, click here.
EPA CAFO Meeting July 2 in Lexington
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 representatives will host a public informational meeting for livestock producers about the Agency's inspection program for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) on July 2 in Lexington, Neb. EPA Region 7's inspections are part of an increased national emphasis on ending harmful discharges of pollutants from CAFOs into rivers and streams.
"It is important for EPA Region 7 staff to be out in the countryside so we can educate communities about EPA's job and how inspections support the Agency's duties," EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. "That's why outreach efforts like this one are so important in obtaining the overall goal of protecting human health and water quality."
Topics at the meeting include selection of CAFOs for inspection, aerial overflights to assess CAFOs, winter feeding areas, manure stockpiling and nutrient management plans. There will be an opportunity for attendees to interact with EPA officials during a question-and-answer session.
The meeting takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express, 2605 Plum Creek Parkway, Lexington, Neb. EPA Region 7 representatives attending this event will include Josh Svaty, senior adviser to the regional administrator; Stephen Pollard, CAFO compliance and enforcement coordinator; and Trevor Urban, senior CAFO inspector.
Triple-Digit Temps Mean Watching Cattle for Heat Stress
With temperatures hitting the triple digits, cattle producers need to take steps to ward off heat stress in their herds, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) beef specialist said.
Cattle can begin to experience some level of heat stress when the heat index approaches 80°, with most cattle being severely stressed when the heat index exceeds 100°, said Terry Mader, beef specialist at UNL's Haskell Agricultural Laboratory near Concord.
Also, when early morning temperatures and/or the heat indices are in the mid-70s, chances are cattle did not adequately cool down at night, and feedlot managers should be prepared to provide as much relief to cattle as possible during the day.
Water is probably the best way to dissipate heat, Mader said.
Cattle normally take in about 5 to 8 gallons of water per day. However, when temperatures rise, that amount can double or even triple.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Update: Cattle Deaths From CAFO Fire Will Be in the 'Hundreds'
The owners of the Dairyland Farm, New Franken, Wis., have lost at least 75 dairy cattle in the blaze, and 200 to 300 more will need to be put down because of injury and smoke inhalation.
The fire started Wednesday evening in a new freestall barn that was under construction. Firefighters had to battle the flames by working around about a thousand cattle that were living in the facility, which is made up of five larger barns that were connected with walkways.
Carl VandenAvond of the New Franken Fire Department says work continues to determine which cows are treatable and which need to be euthanized.
The operation is owned by Larry Dufek. He says it's been a difficult time emotionally dealing with the loss of so many animals.
The total cost of the damage and the cause of the fire still is not known.
National Angus Conference Features a Trade Show This Year
The 2012 National Angus Conference & Tour (NAC&T) will include a trade show that will be open during registration and the welcome reception on Tuesday, Oct. 2, and the conference Wednesday, Oct. 3. The trade show provides a great opportunity to meet and introduce your service or product to approximately 500 Angus breeders, cattle producers and industry professionals during this national event.
The trade show will be in the hotel where the educational, social and meal events will be, allowing for easy access and visibility throughout the conference. Space is limited and contract will be accepted on a first-come basis. Booth space is $350 each. The 10x10-foot space includes one 8-foot skirted table, two chairs, electricity and wireless Internet access. Additional tables may be rented at $25 per table.
One NAC&T registration ($150 value) is included with the purchase of a booth space. Trade show participants are responsible for their own lodging, contact the Doubletree at 1-800-247-4458 and ask for American Angus block. More information on conference break times will be sent to exhibitors prior to the NAC&T.
To reserve your booth space, please complete the trade show/vendor contract and return with check payable to the Kansas Angus Association by Aug. 1. Please contact Anne Lampe at kansasangus@wbsnet.org, 620-872-3915, 620-874-4273 (cell) if you have questions.
For more information about the conference, visit www.NationalAngusConference.com.
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