News Update
August 20, 2012
EPA Schedules Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations Meeting, Aug. 30 in Arcadia, Iowa
EPA Region 7 representatives will meet with livestock producers on August 30, at the American Legion Hall, 210 W. Head Street, Arcadia, Iowa.
EPA's inspection program for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), winter feeding areas, aerial overflights, medium-sized CAFOs, nutrient management plans and manure stockpiles will be discussed. EPA staff will also review the selection of CAFOs for inspection, flyover practices and details about CAFO on-the-ground inspections.
"It is important for our regional staff to be out in the countryside so we can talk with livestock producers about EPA's role in protecting water quality," Karl Brooks, regional administrator said. "EPA works with farmers to protect Iowa's streams and rivers and this meeting helps us meet our water quality goals."
There will be an opportunity for attendees to interact with EPA officials during a question-and-answer session led by Shawn Shouse, of Iowa State University Extension.
EPA is working with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, Iowa State University Extension and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to encourage livestock producers' attendance.
What: Meeting about EPA's inspection program for CAFOs
When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, August 30, 2012
Where: American Legion Hall, 210 W. Head Street, Arcadia, Iowa, 51430
Who: 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.
U.S. Farmers to visit Kansas City for Agvocacy 2.0 Social Media Training
Farmers from across the nation will attend AgChat Foundation's third annual Agvocacy 2.0 event in Kansas City, Mo., on August 23 and 24. The social media training conference educates attendees with seminars on how to effectively share the agricultural message through tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, blogs and mobile applications.
We invite you to follow the event's churn on Twitter at #ACFC12.
Media in the area are invited to visit with and interview farmer attendees about their farming operations, this year's drought, animal welfare and other relevant agricultural topics on August 23, 7 p.m., at the downtown Crowne Plaza.
Additional one-on-one interviews with farmers will be available to media following the conference. To set up an interview following the event, please contact Casey Hushon 262-563-5132 or 262-442-2764, chushon@charlestonorwig.com.
Niman Ranch and American Farmland Trust Collaborate to Save Dwindling Family Farms
Niman Ranch and American Farmland Trust announce a collaboration toward a common mission –– saving America's farm and ranch land. As farmland disappears at a rapid rate and family farmers grapple with drought and other challenges related to the changing climate, the organizations have agreed to leverage resources to increase awareness of the loss of farmland, our greatest natural resource.
Roughly 90% of farms in the United States are small family farms, managing 63% of farmland. With more than half of America's farmland under their control, helping small farms grow and succeed is vital to keeping farmland in farming and farmers on the land. By working together, both organizations can reach a larger audience and raise the visibility of the issues facing farmers across the nation.
"Working with U.S. family farmers is one of Niman Ranch's founding principles, "says Jeff Tripician, Niman Ranch executive vice president. "It is imperative that we take steps to help farmers stay on the land, and by working with American Farmland Trust we can make this happen."
"Part of our mission is to protect farmland and to help farmers and ranchers stay in agriculture," said Jon Scholl, president of American Farmland Trust. "It is critical for farmers to have the ability to make a living from their land; companies like Niman Ranch provide family farmers with this opportunity."
Both organizations hope this collaboration will increase opportunity for U.S. family farmers. To kick off the partnership, Scholl will speak at the 14th Annual Niman Ranch Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner in September.
IN Symposium Delves into Using Agricultural Gypsum Aug. 21
A major symposium on using agricultural gypsum will be held Aug. 21 at one of Indiana's premier family farming operations.
USDA and university scientists, leading producers and prominent crop consultants will present their research and insights at the second annual Midwest Soil Improvement Symposium: Research and Practical Insights into Using Gypsum. The all-day event will take place at Rulon Enterprises, 10701 281st Street, Arcadia, Ind. The Rulon family started applying gypsum to "problem fields" that contained particularly tight soils prone to prolonged wetness, explains Rodney Rulon. After observing increased water infiltration and better rooting in those areas, the Rulons expanded their use of gypsum two years ago across much of their 5,800-acre operation. Rulon Enterprises is a family farm partnership owned by Ken, Roy and Rodney Rulon.
The operation is the national winner of the American Soybean Association's 2012 Conservation Legacy Award. Certified Crop Advisers who attend can earn up to 7 hours of continuing education credits. Symposium presenters include a cross section of research scientists, crop consultants and innovative producers.
A field demonstration discussing gypsum application equipment options and soil pit findings begins at 4:30 p.m.
On-site registration begins at 7:00 a.m., and the program gets underway at 8:00 a.m., and goes until 5:30. A $20 fee is required; lunch is included. For more information or to register, click here, or call 563-320-2247.
Commercial Manure Applicators Certification Training Sept. 5
A statewide training for commercial manure applicators will be conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Sept. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon. This training will be a reshow of the same program that was offered for training in January 2012.
This is an opportunity for commercial manure applicators who have not fulfilled their 2012 training to do so before the busy fall manure application season. Commercial manure applicators wishing to become certified for the first time may also attend. Applicators that have already attended training in 2012 do not need to attend.
Iowa law requires commercial manure applicators to attend three hours of annual training and to submit the appropriate forms and fees to the Iowa DNR to meet certification requirements. Those completing the training may apply manure prior to receiving the certification card in the mail, but commercial applicators should carry a copy of the signed paperwork with them until they receive their certification card to prove they have attended their annual training.
There is no fee for the training workshop but applicators must register with the county extension office where they plan to attend by Aug. 29. Applicators should bring their driver's license or a copy of their certification card.
For a full list of the counties and contact information, click here.
GIPSA Prevails in Empire Kosher Appeal
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition to review a decision and fine handed down by the USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) granting the agency a victory in its case against Empire Kosher Poultry Inc. in Mifflintown, Pa., the agency said in a news release.
The decision was handed down in April, according to court papers. In it, the court — to which GIPSA decisions are appealed — denied a petition for review by Empire Kosher. The poultry processor argued that GIPSA's finding, that the company had violated the Packers & Stockyards Act, was incorrect and that its fine of $18,000 was "an abuse of discretion."
The GIPSA inquiry, conducted in 2010, stemmed from a 2008 dispute between Empire Kosher and Koch's Turkey Farm over a delivery of antibiotic-free turkeys that Empire processed for sale through Trader Joe's retail groceries.
Argentina Beef Exports at 10-year Low
Argentinean beef exports during June fell 38% from year ago levels at 8,048 tonnes swt.
The decline in June exports contributed to the 26% fall in shipments during the first six months of the year, to 59,469 tonnes swt. — the lowest volumes for the January to June period in the past 10 years.
The reduction in shipments from January to June was driven by a significant fall to Russia (5,533 tonnes swt., back 48%) and Venezuela (1,696 tonnes swt., down 45%).
Chile was the only country to register an increase in beef volumes from Argentina, up 63%, to 12,698 tonnes swt. The USDA has forecast Argentinean beef exports to reach 280,000 swt. tonnes in 2012.
Brazos Valley Beef and Forage Expo scheduled Sept. 7
Rebuilding the cow herd and selection of replacement heifers are just two of several topics that will be featured at the Brazos Valley Beef and Forage Expo scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Brazos County Expo Center in Bryan, Texas.
"With pastures in better condition compared to last year, many area ranchers are considering rebuilding their herds," said Dustin Coufal, Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent for Brazos County. "The program will feature in-depth discussion addressing this, as well as strategies to control weeds in forage and options for analyzing forage. We think there are topics that will be of interest to each beef and forage producer throughout the Brazos Valley."
Cost is $15 and includes lunch and program materials. Pre-register through Aug. 31 by calling the AgriLife Extension office in Brazos County at 979-823-0129.
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered for participants with a private, commercial or non-commercial pesticide applicators license.
Featured speakers, all from College Station, and their topics will be Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, herd rebuilding; Mark McFarland, AgriLife Extension fertility specialist, soil fertility and analysis; Paul Baumann, AgriLife Extension weed specialist, weed control in forages; and Tony Provin, head of the Soil and Forage Fertility Testing Laboratory, analysis of forages.
For more information, call 979-823-0129.
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