News Update
June 11, 2015
Kansans Claim Producer
of the Year Honors at #BIF15
McCurry Angus Ranch of Burrton, Kan., was named 2015 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Seedstock Producer of the Year, while Woodbury Farms of Quenemo, Kan., was named Commercial Producer of the Year. The presentations were made yesterday in separate ceremonies at the organizations annual convention in Biloxi, Miss. For coverage, visit the Newsroom and the Awards pages at http://www.BIFconference.com or search for the hashtag #BIF15 on Twitter.
Corn Demand on the Rise
Corn demand will reach record highs this year according to USDA. The agency predicts corn use for the 2015-2016 season to increase by 138 million bushels. Total corn production for the 2015-2016 was reduced in the latest report by 586 million bushels since last year’s record high, due to fewer planted acres and expected yields.
A growing world demand is expected to increase corn exports by 75 million bushels. Projected season-average corn price range is between $3.20 and $3.80 per bushel.
Watch this and other top news segments from this week’s The Angus Report online or tune into RFD-TV at 1:30 p.m. CDT Saturday or 7:30 a.m. CDT on Monday or 5:00 p.m. CDT each Wednesday evening.
Along the Trail
“Along America’s Angus Trails” is trying to be grateful for the worm turning ever so slightly in animal agriculture’s favor in the regulatory wars with the do-gooders who seem to build whole careers out of making our lives more difficult.
The latest glimmer of hope came from an intrepid federal appeals court judge in California who ruled that the state has no right to ban the sale of foie gras, the appetizer delicacy made by force-feeding birds, which gourmets consider heaven and animal rightists consider hell.
The ruling essentially said California cannot ban agricultural products produced in other states that are legally sold under federal law. Attorney Michael Tenenbaum said, “The decision was based on the simple fact that, in the field of meat and poultry, federal law is supreme. California does not have the right to ban wholesome USDA-approved poultry products, whether it’s foie gras or fried chicken.”
At last reading, environmentalists in the state were out picketing the white-tablecloth restaurants that dared to serve the delicacy.
Read the full “Along America’s Angus Trails” story on the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA website.
Farm Bureau Releases Detailed Analysis of Waters
of the U.S. Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released documents outlining how the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule will give the agency sweeping powers to regulate land use despite a body of law clearly prohibiting such overreach.
The Farm Bureau analysis, now available online, makes available to the public details the EPA has refused to address in public meetings during the past year. The documents are available as PDF attachments.
The WOTUS rule, first released in draft form in April 2014, has garnered fierce opposition from farmers, ranchers and landowners of all kinds. Dozens of states and countless municipalities oppose the measure, since it would federalize regulation already handled at the local level. Just as important is the rule’s radical view of “water,” which, in its view, should encompass the vast majority of land in the United States since it surrounds actual water that may or may not be protected under the Clean Water Act.
Alarmed by the agency’s actions, the House of Representatives recently voted to prohibit the EPA from enacting the rule. A similar bill is moving through the Senate and could come to a floor vote within weeks.
For more information, please view the full Farm Bureau release online.
Western Stock Show Association Announced
Board of Directors
The Western Stock Show Association (DBA, National Western Stock Show) announced its board and officers during its annual meeting Friday, May 15, in the Stadium Arena at the National Western Complex. The announcement was made by Paul Andrews, president and CEO of the National Western Stock Show and Complex. The newest member to the officer team is incoming treasurer Terrance Carroll.
Carroll is a lawyer, minister and former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives. Carroll was elected in 2002 and represented House District 7, which encompasses parts of Denver until term limited in 2011. Terrance is currently associate general counsel at SCL Health and serves as a trustee of the Western Stock Show Association, as well as co-facilitator of the National Western Community Advisory Committee. He also assists in evaluating the National Western’s Long Range Planning needs.
To view a full list of the board and officers, please visit www.nationalwestern.com.
USDA to Invest Up to $100 Million to
Boost Infrastructure for Renewable Fuel Use
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced May 29 that the USDA will invest up to $100 million in a Biofuels Infrastructure Partnership to support the infrastructure needed to make more renewable fuel options available to American consumers. Specifically, USDA will administer competitive grants to match funding for state-led efforts to test and evaluate innovative and comprehensive approaches to market higher blends of renewable fuel, such as E15 and E85. States that are able to provide greater than a one-to-one ratio in funding will receive higher consideration.
“American-made, clean energy sources support the environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs and sustain the economy in rural communities across the country. We are fortunate that our farmers are producing record amounts of feedstock for these fuels,” Vilsack said. “However, a combination of factors, including lower commodity prices and reduced demand for feed as the poultry industry recovers from highly pathogenic avian influenza, are creating uncertainty for America’s corn and soybean producers. With this partnership, USDA is helping to ensure the infrastructure is in place for consumers to access more renewable fuels, expand marketing opportunities for farmers and grow America’s rural economies.”
For more information, please view the full USDA release online.
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