News Update
September 16, 2014
Secretary Vilsack Highlights
Innovative Conservation
Efforts during Midwest Farm Visit
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Sept. 15 the award of $15.7 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) to 47 organizations that will help develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to accelerate innovation in private lands conservation. Vilsack made the announcement while visiting a farm in Illinois.
“These grants promote creativity and problem-solving efforts that benefit farmers and ranchers and protect our natural resources,” Vilsack said. “They’re critical in sparking new ideas and techniques for conservation on America’s private lands and improving the environment.”
The grants announced are funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Grantees must work with producers and forestland owners to develop and demonstrate the new technologies and approaches. At least 50% of the total cost of CIG projects must come from non-federal matching funds, including cash and in-kind contributions provided by the grant recipient.
Vilsack made the announcement while visiting a corn and soybean farm owned by David and Tamara Erickson and their sons, Nicholas and Bradley. The Ericksons have a five-year Conservation Stewardship Program contract with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and have also received technical assistance from NRCS. Vilsack saw soil conservation practices including “no till” and grassed waterways to reduce runoff. He viewed soil cores, which demonstrate the benefits of efforts to improve soil health.
The National Corn Growers Association and the National Association of Conservation Districts, both involved with conservation activities in Illinois, are receiving grant awards to demonstrate the use of best management practices such as conservation tillage, cover crops and advanced nutrient management to address soil health concerns. Almost half of the grants support the agency’s priority of getting more conservation on the ground by improving the health of our nation’s soils. The National Corn Growers Association will receive almost $1 million to promote soil management practices aimed at improving productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes in seven states. The National Association of Conservation Districts will receive $750,000 to fund a project to significantly increase the number of farmed acres nationwide (including Illinois) that are successfully managed for soil health.
For more information, please view the full release here.
AFBF Leads Delegation to Reduce Trade Barriers Abroad
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman is leading a delegation of the organization’s leaders to Europe this week to discuss efforts to increase trade through comprehensive agreements that would reduce, if not eliminate, government-imposed barriers to agricultural trade.
“Regulatory barriers, particularly those not grounded in scientific standards, have limited the flow of agricultural trade between the U.S. and EU markets for too long,” Stallman said.
The American Farm Bureau Trade Advisory Committee, chaired by Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap, will meet with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Roberto Azevedo, as well as with the WTO director of agriculture and commodities and trade ambassadors from Brazil, Japan, Australia, India, China and Canada.
Following the meeting in Geneva, the group will travel to Brussels to meet with EU officials to discuss the Transatlantic Trade Investment Partnership (TTIP). The TTIP negotiations aim to expand the world’s largest commercial relationship with $1 trillion of trade in goods and services annually and $3.7 trillion in two-way direct investment between the United States and EU member nations. The U.S. exported $12 billion in agricultural products to the EU in 2013 while the EU exported $17.3 billion in agricultural products to the U.S.
“U.S. farmers and ranchers are ready for commitments that result in real actions to open market access and limit trade disruptions,” Stallman said. Before the United States considers reductions in or limitations on domestic support for U.S. agriculture, negotiations must yield an important net gain for U.S. farmers and ranchers through commitments on market access and on trade-distorting policies by our trading partners.
Other members of the Farm Bureau trade delegation include Nevada Farm Bureau President Hank Combs, Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke, Montana Farm Bureau President Bob Hanson, Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill, Wyoming Farm Bureau President Perry Livingston and Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach.
Merck Animal Health Provides Scholarships, Internships to Veterinary Students Focused on Food Animal Industry
As a partner in the Food Systems Fellowship Program coordinated by the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, Merck Animal Health is pleased to announce three $5,000 scholarships have been awarded to students who are participating in the program. During the past nine years, Merck Animal Health has provided various scholarship opportunities for more than 100 students focused on working in the food animal industry.
“We at Merck Animal Health recognize that food animal veterinarians play a vital role in our world and are committed to investing in their futures,” said Norman Stewart, veterinarian and technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. “Programs such as this allow us to support educational opportunities, provide real-world experiences and help develop the next generation of industry leaders, as well as reinforce the importance of the science of healthier animals.”
“Veterinarians are integral to ensuring a wholesome and safe global food supply, and initiatives like the Food Systems Fellowship Program help prepare future practitioners for this vitally important challenge,” said Dan Grooms, veterinarian and professor at MSU. “Not only does Merck Animal Health provide scholarships, but it also supports students by giving them hands-on experience and knowledge that they will carry with them throughout their careers.”
The following students are participants in the Food Systems Fellowship Program and will receive Merck Animal Health scholarships in 2014.
Christina Fenske, from Grand Rapids, Mich., is a second-year veterinary student at MSU.
Heather Roney, from Clarkston, Mich., is a third-year veterinary student at MSU, and earned a bachelor of science in animal science from the same university.
Carrie Szybisty, from Redford, Mich., is a third-year veterinary student at MSU. She also earned a bachelor of science in animal science with a concentration in production animal scholars from MSU.
For more information about the Food Systems Fellowship Program, go to www.cvm.msu.edu/fsf.
S.D. Stockgrowers to Host 123rd Annual Convention
The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSA) and S.D. CattleWomen are set to host the 123rd Annual Convention and Tradeshow on Sept. 26 and 27 at the Best Western Ramkota Convention Center in Rapid City. The two-day convention will feature a strong line-up of speakers and panelists along with policy discussions and the annual business meetings for both associations.
Headlining this year’s Stockgrowers convention will be Jude Capper, the Bovidiva, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, with her entertaining presentation entitled, “Beef Has Always Been ‘Green’ — So How Do We Convince the Critics?” Capper will speak during the Friday, Sept. 26 banquet. The S.D. CattleWomen’s convention will kickoff with Katie Pinke, a blogger and passionate ag advocate from North Dakota, as their keynote speaker on Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
“We’re excited to invite everyone to attend our 123rd Annual Convention and to celebrate the work that our association has accomplished in the last year,” said Bob Fortune, president of Stockgrowers from Belvidere. “We have some great speakers and a fun convention planned. I really encourage everyone to join us in Rapid City.”
Friday’s program will feature Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund) as the luncheon keynote, as well as speakers on animal health and ID issues, updates from S.D. Game, Fish and Parks, as well as the S.D. Brand Board. The afternoon speakers will focus on the lessons learned regarding reporting and recordkeeping in the face of natural disasters, a discussion on private property rights and the S.D. CattleWomen will learn about Ag in the Classroom.
Saturday will begin with an inspirational breakfast and speakers regarding Beef Checkoff structures, an update from the S.D. Animal Industry Board, legislative updates and trade committee meetings. Secretary of Ag Lucas Lentsch will keynote the luncheon followed up by a South Dakota State University ice cream social and candidate forum featuring statewide candidates facing election this fall. At the time of printing, candidates confirming attendance include Rich Sattgast (R) for state treasurer, Ryan Brunner (R) for commissioner of school and public lands, U.S. Senate candidates Gordon Howie (I) and Rick Weiland (D); Corrinna Robinson (D) for U.S. House and Susan Wismer (D) candidate for governor.
The convention will wrap up on Saturday evening with an awards banquet, Guy E. Ham Beef Industry scholarship presentation and a live-auction fundraiser to benefit the work of the Stockgrowers throughout the year. Finally, Kenny Putnam and the Lonely Rangers will provide music and dancing to close out the 2014 convention.
For a full agenda and details of the convention, please contact the S.D. Stockgrowers Office at 605-342-0429. Hotel Reservations can be made by calling the Ramkota at 605-343-8550 and asking for the S.D. Stockgrowers rate. Registration can be completed at the convention.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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