News Update
November 7, 2012
NFU President Reacts to Presidential Election Results
The National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in reaction to the results of the 2012 presidential election:
"On behalf of NFU's membership, I congratulate President Obama on his re-election. He has shown his dedication to rural America over the past four years, and we will continue to work with him and the administration to ensure that continues.
"We will also continue to press Congress to pass a new five-year farm bill to be signed into law before the end of the legislative session on Dec. 31, 2012."
MCA Supports North Dakota's Quest to Protect Agriculture
After the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) moved into the state of North Dakota with a radical agenda, the state's agriculture, sportsmen and animal owners grouped together to successfully defeat Measure 5.
Those who worked together in opposition to Measure 5 formed the North Dakota Animal Stewards. They worked to educate those across their state on the truth of the issue.
"We commend the voters of North Dakota for pushing back on the animal rights extremist group HSUS," said Missouri Cattlemen's Association (MCA) Executive Vice President Mike Deering. "MCA was honored to assist our counterpart in North Dakota, the North Dakota Animal Stewards and Missouri Farmers Care, in educating people about this extremist group, who is determined to put farmers and ranchers out of business."
Deering said North Dakota's victory sends a clear message to activists that voters are not as easy to manipulate as they think.
Ohio State University Extension Experts to Discuss Algae and Water Quality Issues
Farmers, producers, consumers and others interested in learning more about the growing issue of algae in Ohio waters can participate in a discussion of the issue by experts from Ohio State University (OSU) Extension and the USDA tomorrow, Nov. 8.
"An in-depth look at algae in Ohio waters and why there is so much of it will be among the topics discussed during the program", said Ted Wiseman, an OSU Extension educator.
"Phosphorous continues to be an issue statewide," he said. "Although algae haven't been a large problem this year because of the drought, the issue is still one that needs to be examined."
Wiseman will join Greg LaBarge, an OSU Extension educator and one of the leaders of the OSU Extension Agronomic Crops Team, to talk about water quality issues during the meeting.
The presentation, "Make Your Land Work for You — Tell Us What You Need and We'll Tell You How," is from 6-8 p.m. at 771 E. Main St., Suite 101, in Newark. The event is free and open to the public.
Other issues to be discussed at the meeting include:
- How to make your land more productive: A conservation expert will offer advice on how to improve soil and offset some costs related to improving land productivity.
- How USDA supports Ohio agriculture through conservation efforts.
- An update on legislative issues in Washington, D.C., in terms of agriculture and conservation.
R-CALF USA Formally Requests Senate Judiciary Hearing on JBS Purchase Option for Two U.S. Packing Plants
In a formal request, R-CALF USA asked the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights (Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust) to conduct a hearing to determine the antitrust implications of the reported purchase option by Brazilian-based JBS to acquire two additional beef packing plants in the United States.
In 2008, R-CALF USA made a similar request and testified at a Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust hearing that resulted in an emphatic recommendation by Chairman Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to initiate antitrust enforcement actions to block the then-proposal by JBS to acquire the nation's fourth and fifth largest beef packers, National Beef Packing Co. and Smithfield Beef Group, respectively.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Panhandle Farm and Ranch Management Symposium Set for Nov. 28 in Amarillo
Rangeland management issues will be a primary topic of the 28th annual Panhandle Farm and Ranch Management Symposium hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Nov. 28.
The symposium will be in conjunction with the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show Nov. 27-29 at the Amarillo Civic Center. It will immediately follow the 12th annual Texas Commodity Symposium and Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Ag Appreciation Luncheon. Registration will be from 12:45-1 p.m. in the Grand Plaza Room.
There is a $2 admittance fee for the Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show and a $15 registration fee for the Panhandle Farm and Ranch Management Symposium, said Brandon Boughen, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Potter County.
"This year we have something new to address — the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Rule through the EPA," Boughen said. "We know producers and landowners have questions about this regulation, and we want to offer an opportunity to ask specific questions while remaining anonymous."
For more information, click here.
DuPont and CSHL Extend Collaboration in Cutting-Edge Plant Biology Research for Five Years
DuPont and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) today announced the renewal for another five years of a research collaboration that began in 2007. This multimillion dollar collaboration supports cutting-edge plant biology research focused on meeting growing food demands worldwide.
With the world's population expected to grow by more than 2 billion by 2050, this collaboration will help make possible crucial improvements in plant breeding that will help increase yields from available acreage.
"Innovative science and technology are at the core of productivity improvements that will allow us to meet global food security goals of ensuring that people everywhere have access to sufficient and nutritious food that meets their dietary need and food preferences for a healthy life," said DuPont Agricultural Biotechnology Vice President John Bedbrook. "We must leverage all the science and technology tools available, including this important collaboration with CSHL. Our collaboration has contributed to — and will continue to contribute to — increasing our understanding of the basic genetic mechanisms controlling plant growth and development which will contribute to global food security in the coming decades."
For more information, click here.
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