09-30-11 USDA Designates Douglas and Elbert Counties in Colorado as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Douglas and Elbert counties in Colorado as natural disaster areas due to losses caused by drought that began Jan. 1, 2011 and continues.

“Colorado producers can continue to count on USDA to provide emergency assistance during difficult times,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “America’s farmers and rural communities are vitally important to our nation’s economy, producing the food, feed, fiber and fuel that continue to help us grow and out-compete the rest of the world. President Obama and I are committed to using the resources at our disposal to reduce the impact of this disaster on Colorado producers and help to get those affected back on their feet.”

Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Colorado also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous:

09-30-11 USDA Designates Yuma County in Colorado as a Primary Natural Disaster Area, with Assistance to Kansas and Nebraska

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Yuma County in Colorado as a natural disaster area due to losses caused by high winds, hail and a tornado that occurred June 14–June 19, 2011.

“Colorado producers can continue to count on USDA to provide emergency assistance during difficult times,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “America’s farmers and rural communities are vitally important to our nation’s economy, producing the food, feed, fiber and fuel that continue to help us grow and out-compete the rest of the world. President Obama and I are committed to using the resources at our disposal to reduce the impact of this disaster on Colorado producers and help to get those affected back on their feet.”

Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Colorado also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous:

Kit Carson                   Logan                          Phillips                        Washington

Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Kansas and Nebraska also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous:

09-30-11 AYHC AUCTION—GREAT DEALS “IN STORE” DURING OCTOBER

You don’t need to follow the auctioneer’s patter in this auction – just go online. For the month of October only, the American Youth Horse Council and the National High School Rodeo Association pair up for an auction featuring western art, tack, horse products, gift items, home décor, clothing, books, DVDs and more. With such a variety, there is sure to be something you’ll want for yourself or for that special person on your holiday shopping list. Items will be added throughout the month, too, so plan on repeat shopping “trips” to the site.

09-30-11 *CDA News* Bovine Trichomoniasis Update…Talk to Your Veterinarian, Test Your Herd

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds cattle owners to test their herd for Bovine Trichomoniasis.

“Testing and monitoring herds for trichomoniasis is the best method of controlling this infection,” said State Veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr.  “Cattle owners should talk to their veterinarian to determine the best management practices for their herd.”

·         As of September 28, 2011, there are four positive “trich” locations in Colorado.

·         So far this year, there have been positive trich cases in eight Colorado counties:  Baca, Bent, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, La Plata, Las Animas, and Otero.

·         A map detailing trichomoniasis sample submissions by county and the prevalence for trichomoniasis-positive counties can be found at www.colorado.gov/ag.

“The Department has seen a decrease in the number of positive trich cases and is encouraged by these numbers; this shows that the livestock industry and the CDA mitigation efforts have been working,” continued Roehr, “but this doesn’t mean ranchers should decrease their testing rates.  It is important to remember that this infection does not respect county lines.”

09-30-11 ASI WEEKLY NEWS FOR SHEEP INDUSTRY LEADERS

Sheep Industry News  Gets New Look

When your October issue of the Sheep Industry News (SIN) arrives in your mailbox, it will have a brand new look. SIN Editor Amy Trinidad implemented the changes to keep the publication fresh and informative for members.

“This most recent design moves the SIN from a tabloid format to that of a magazine,” commented Peter Orwick, executive director of the American Sheep Industry Association. “The new layout allows for more flexibility in the design of the publication while keeping the content relevant and current.”

The October issue also marks the roll-out of a new digital format of the SIN. The publication will continue to be mailed each month; however, it will now also be avaiable digitally on the first of each month. Watch for an email introducing this new format.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the newly designed publication. We don’t want you to miss it.

Fine Wools Hit by Global Uncertainty 

Fritzler’s Corn Maze to Host Benefit Day for Kids with Cancer‏…Zac’s Legacy Foundation OCTOBER 2nd

(The BARN - Briggsdale, CO) September 27th - Looking for something to do this fall or maybe even this weekend? Why not take you family out to the Fritler Corn Maize in LaSalle, CO and have some fall fun PLUS help raise money for Zac’s Legacy Foundation. Glen Fritzler is my guest Inside the BARN detailing the twelve year history of their “Agritainment” family endeavor and all the fall fun there is to do when you visit the Fritzler Corn Maize, which is open NOW & Scream Acres opens September 30th…

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ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE – September 26th - For three years Glen Fritzler has opened his heart and his Corn Maze to support Colorado Kids with Cancer through Zac’s Legacy Foundation. This year’s event will take place on Sunday October 2nd from 12-6 PM. A percentage of the days proceeds directly benefit families that are struggling with child hood cancer. The cancer ribbon maze Glen Fritzler chose for this year’s maze is a great tribute to Zac’s Legacy Foundation as well as to every cancer survivor and to those who gallantly fought and lost the battle. Zac’s Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that has been created to honor the memory of Zackery Allen Carlson, who in his short life touched the hearts of all that knew him. Zac, at the age of 2 ½, passed away on February 3rd, 2000, after lengthy complications (Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis) of the cancer treatments for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Zac’s parents, John & Sara, dedicated every possible moment to be with their ill child. John & Sara were blessed to have family and friends to assist with both time and money. They allowed them the freedom to be with Zac during a very trying and, at times, heart-breaking ordeal. John & Sara were able to observe the financial burdens and hardships that come from being dedicated parents. During the long stays in the hospitals with Zac, John & Sara discovered there was a tremendous need for financial assistance for the other families experiencing childhood cancer.

09-30-11 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Merrigan Announces Assistance to Help Raise New Crop of Farmers and Ranchers…University of Wyoming $670K

University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyo., $670,890 – This project will create four ranch management practicum courses covering holistic, system-based ranch management concepts including production, ecology, economics and labor. 

 

           WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011–Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded 36 grants totaling $18 million to organizations that will provide training and assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers to help them run successful and sustainable farms. As the average age of America’s farmers and ranchers increases, and with traditional rural populations in decline, Merrigan said that now is a critical time to train the next generation of American producers.

           “Beginning farmers and ranchers face unique challenges, and these grants will provide needed training to help these producers become profitable and sustainable,” said Merrigan. “American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in America, a critical contribution to the strength and prosperity of the country. The sheer productivity of our farmers has given Americans access to a cheap, wholesome food supply and provides us with more discretionary income than much of the rest of the world. But our farmers are aging, and more of our young people are looking outside of farming for their careers. It’s time to reverse these trends, keep farmers on the farm and help beginning farmers and ranchers thrive in their careers.”

09-30-11 AYHC Reminds Horse Enthusiasts to Give Extra Care During Cold, Wet Weather

CLICK HERE for more information

It’s autumn—time for all around winter prep, and that includes your horses. The American Youth Horse Council reminds every horse owner or caretaker that cold, wet weather brings additional considerations for the well-being of our equines.

Feed and Water:

·         Forage for Heat and Health: Digesting food is the horse’s most effective source of heat. Cold weather increases the horse’s calorie requirements; make sure to adjust quantity accordingly. And as pasture quality declines or you transition the horse to hay, consider supplementing with concentrates containing minerals and vitamins.

·         Water: Horses need water year-round for healthy digestion, and that does not mean snow. Make sure your horse has ready access to water at all times.

·         Teeth: Teeth in poor condition will prevent the horse from getting adequate calories and nutrition. Have teeth attended to now so the horse doesn’t have to play nutritional catch-up in the most frigid weather.

Bodily Comfort:

09-30-11 USDA/NASS Grain Stocks Report

Grain Stocks 

ISSN: 1949-0925

Released September 30, 2011, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

09-30-11 News from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association‏…Beltway Beef

CLICK HERE to listen to today's Beltway Beef courtesy of the NCBA...

The recent U.S. Senate passage of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) legislation, which included a version of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), gave the three pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea a jolt of momentum that National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Manager of Legislative Affairs  Kent Bacus said was encouraging. Bacus said renewal of TAA is one condition the president has demanded before sending the agreements to Capitol Hill. He said it is now time for President Obama to keep his word and send the agreements to Congress for immediate consideration. Read more about this issue in this week’s edition of Beltway Beef.

In 2010, more than 50 organizations representing U.S. farmers and ranchers joined forces to create the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) with the goal of leading the conversation in our country about food production. Learn more in this week’s Beltway Beef newsletter about four town hall meetings USFRA hosted across the country to give consumers and food professionals an opportunity to ask questions directly to farmers and ranchers. In honor of National Food Safety Education Month, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary of Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen penned a special guest column for this week’s Beltway Beef newsletter about efforts to prevent foodborne illness and protect public health

Click here to read this edition of Beltway Beef. Be sure to read the Beltway Beef blog; follow Beltway Beef on Twitter; like us on Facebook; subscribe to us on YouTube; check out our photos on Flickr; and listen to our podcast.

USGC Global Update for September 29, 2011‏

Mixed Picture for DDGS Exports – Page 1
Foot-Mouth-Disease Prompts Korean Pork Imports - Page 1
Chinese Malting Barley Outlook – Page 1
DDGS Export Growth in Japan - Page 2
Council Activity Calendar – Page 2
USDA’s Weekly Export Sales Highlights for September 16-22, 2011 – Page 3
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Mixed Picture for DDGS Exports
January-to-June distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) exports saw a 16 percent increase in sales to Southeast Asia, depite a 11 percent loss in total export sales, reported Adel Yusupov, U.S. Grains Council regional director in Southeast Asia. A major factor is the drop in Chinese purchasing. While China’s July imports were up almost 38 percent from June, they were still well below sales for the same period last year.

Worldwide, DDGS sales for the first seven months of 2011 totaled 4.4 million metric tons, valued at more than $1 billion. The biggest buyers are Mexico, China and Canada, followed by Vietnam and South Korea.

“Within Southeast Asia, DDGS shipments are up 7 percent to Indonesia, 13 percent to Vietnam, 69 percent to the Philippines, and 128 percent to Malaysia,” Yusupov reported. “Sales are down 2 percent in Thailand, where the government introduced new import requirements for feedstuffs, including DDGS. Importers of U.S. DDGS will have to submit information on the product and its origin to obtain a license.”

The new rules also set a minimum protein level of 26 percent (measured at destination) for DDGS imports.

“We have notified USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) office in Thailand that this could potentially limit U.S. DDGS exports to Thailand, and FAS will consider this issue as a subject to raise with the Thai government,” Yusupov said.

Foot-Mouth-Disease Prompts Korean Pork Imports

09-29-11 Colorado County Clerks Association statement on Court of Appeals ruling

The Colorado County Clerks Association released the following statement regarding the Colorado Court of Appeals decision Thursday that electronic images of voted ballots are public record.  The court ruled that Colorado’s laws do not protect ballots from public inspection.

Today’s ruling has removed the curtain from our voting booths. Most Coloradans believe their votes should be a secret from their friends, coworkers and even spouses, but today’s ruling means Coloradans personal choices can be seen by anyone who asks.

It exposes voters – particularly those in the military and in rural counties – to public review and intimidation. It turns our private decisions into political footballs that can, and will, be sought by advocates and election strategists.

09-29-11 EPA and partners unveil state’s first WaterSense home in Colorado Springs

EPA, Colorado Springs Utilities and the Colorado Water Conservation Board recognize Colorado’s first home certified under EPA water efficiency program

Contacts: U.S. EPA: Lisa McClain-Vanderpool 303.501.4027; Sylvia Bienzle 303.312. 6923; Colorado Springs Utilities: Frank Kinder 719.668.3818; Carol Rallo 719.668.3827 State of Colorado, Dept of Natural Resources: Todd Hartman – 303.866.3311 x8665; Colorado Water Conservation Board: Ben Wade 303.866.2441 x 3238; Gold Hill Mesa and GJ Gardner: Stephanie Edwards 719.323.4588.

(Denver, Colo. – Sept. 29, 2011) At a recognition event today, the U.S. EPA, Colorado Springs Utilities and the Colorado Water Conservation Board recognized Gold Hill Mesa builder GJ Gardner Northgate for building the first WaterSense labeled home in the state of Colorado. GJ Gardner joins only 3 other builders nationwide who have done the same.

“This beautiful GJ Gardner home is being celebrated today for meeting high standards for water efficiency and conservation,”said Sadie Hoskie, EPA Region 8 water program director. “The Gold Hill Mesa development is not only a successful example of reusing valuable land, they have set the bar even higher not only by instituting water conservation through WaterSense but by adopting high renewable energy and efficiency standards in the homes they’re building.”

NAWG Newsletter – Quick Edition: Week of Sept. 29, 2011

Both chambers of Congress were out of session this week, so we are providing this short update in lieu of a full edition of the Report from Washington. The complete Report will return with Congress next week.

Shutdown Averted, Until Tuesday
The House of Representatives approved in a pro forma session Thursday a continuing resolution to keep the government’s lights on as FY2012 begins – but only until Tuesday. The extremely short-term extension was necessitated by the Senate’s rejection last Friday of a CR passed by the House before that chamber left for a one-week recess. The House is expected to take up a longer-term resolution – which should run through Nov. 18 – when it returns to D.C. next week. It is unclear how smooth the path for that bill will be because of controversial disaster assistance provisions.

NPDES Permitting Debacle Bearing Down
An organization representing state regulators responsible for implementing new pesticide permitting requirements asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week to request a further stay of the regulations since practically no government agency is ready to implement them when they go into effect next month.

The new regulations emanate from a 2009 ruling by the Sixth Circuit Court, which said for the first time that pesticide applications require a Clean Water Act permit in addition to compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). NAWG and coalition partners continue to urge quick passage of H.R. 872 or another legislative solution to delay or eliminate the new and duplicative requirements.

Ag Groups Emphasize Importance of Broadband and GPS

09-29-11 CSU Study Looks at Test to Identify Chronic Wasting Disease in Wildlife

FORT COLLINS - A Colorado State University study is developing and evaluating a more sensitive test for chronic wasting disease – including the potential to test for infection in live animals, animal products and the environment – through a project funded by Denver-based Morris Animal Foundation.

The disease, which affects deer, moose and elk and is related to similar diseases in cattle and sheep, is a primary concern for hunters and wildlife ranchers and now affects wildlife in 19 states, 2 Canadian provinces and one Asian country.

Prions are rogue proteins that cause the family of diseases that include CWD. The diseases are known as spongiform encephalopathies. While this Morris Animal Foundation-funded study would be the first in several steps to develop and evaluate a potential new test, it will look at a method that shows promise in detecting a wider array of prions at lower levels than are currently detected.

The research into the potential test may allow detection of CWD prions in live animals, animal products and the environment.

09-29-11 Kansas Soybean Yield, Quality Contests Offer Expanded Opportunities

Bragging rights are not the only thing on the line in the annual Kansas Soybean Yield and Quality Contests this fall. Thanks to the Kansas Soybean Commission, the highest dryland and irrigated yields in the state each will receive a $1,000 award; and in each district, first place will win $300, second will earn $200, and third will receive $100. No-Till on the Plains will supply additional awards for the no-till districts.

Managed by the Kansas Soybean Association (KSA), the contests are open to anyone involved in farming, but there is a limit of only one entry per field. Farmers may enter multiple categories – conventional or no-till, dryland or irrigated. All entries must be entered in the same district, however.

New this year, KSA has created a south-central contest district and divided the former “big west” into southwest and northwest districts. Additionally, farmers now may enter the quality contest without entering the yield contest.

A complete set of rules is available on the Kansas Soybean website (www.kansassoybeans.org), from the Kansas Soybean office (877-KS-SOYBEAN) and in county Extension offices statewide.

09-29-11 ASA’s 2012 Farm Bill Proposal: “Risk Management for America’s Farmers”

Savings Would Be Used for Agriculture’s Share of Deficit Reduction

September 29, 2011…Saint Louis, Missouri…The American Soybean Association today released its proposal for the 2012 Farm Bill, “Risk Management for America’s Farmers.” “This proposal will help farmers manage the risks they face from adverse weather, crop disease, and volatile commodity markets,” stated ASA President Alan Kemper, a soybean producer from Lafayette, Ind. “ASA believes the current farm program safety net can be made more effective, efficient, and defensible by reallocating baseline funding to this revenue-based program that improves risk management and complements crop insurance,” Kemper added. Because the proposal would replace current farm programs, this proposal would also result in savings that help agriculture contribute its fair share to deficit reduction.

The “Risk Management for America’s Farmers” program, or “RMAF,” would partially protect revenue losses by farmers of soybeans and other program commodities that result from low prices or reduced yields for their crops. The program would establish commodity-specific revenue benchmarks for individual farmers based on historical yields and prices, and compensate them for part of the difference when current-year revenue for a commodity on their farm falls below a percentage of the benchmark. All planted and prevented planted acres would be covered under the plan. The program would complement the existing crop insurance program used by most farmers, which ASA strongly supports and believes should be continued. More details on the plan can be found on ASA’s website atwww.soygrowers.com/policy/ASA-RMAF.pdf

09-29-11 *USDA News* Forest Service Report Documents Environmental Benefits of Wood as a Green Building Material

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack urges US builders to prioritize wood in green buildings

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2011 – The findings of a new U.S. Forest Service study indicate that wood should factor as a primary building material in green building, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today.

The authors of Science Supporting the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Using Wood and Wood Products in Green Building Construction reviewed the scientific literature and found that using wood in building products yields fewer greenhouse gases than using other common materials.

“This study confirms what many environmental scientists have been saying for years,” said Vilsack. “Wood should be a major component of American building and energy design. The use of wood provides substantial environmental benefits, provides incentives for private landowners to maintain forest land, and provides a critical source of jobs in rural America.”

The Forest Service report also points out that greater use of life cycle analysis in building codes and standards would improve the scientific underpinning of building codes and standards and thereby benefit the environment. A combination of scientific advancement in the areas of life cycle analysis and the development of new technologies for improved and extended wood utilization are needed to continue to advance wood as a green construction material. Sustainability of forest products can be verified using any credible third-party rating system, such as Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Forest Stewardship Council or American Tree Farm System certification.

09-29-11 Research Predicts U.S. Protein Production Will Decline Sharply in 2012

“Where’s the Beef?” report anticipates meat and poultry production declines of nearly five percent, impacting corn demand

09.29.2011– ST. LOUIS — U.S. meat and poultry production is headed for what researchers at the Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group anticipate to be a “precipitous fall” by mid-2012. Beef and broiler supplies are all expected to tighten as production increasingly lags behind GDP growth.

Released today, the Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group’s “Where’s the Beef?” report notes that drought in the U.S. is a major contributor to the production decline, but the report finds that global meat and poultry production is in the midst of a multi-year process of adjusting to higher and more volatile feed costs. Since the US is a large and significant exporter of meat protein, the decline will also affect world markets as well as demand for feed, notably for corn.

“The drastic decline in protein production we anticipate will be felt in a number of industries,” notes David Nelson, Global Strategist with the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory team. “We expect the decline will create concerns for everyone from foodservice operators to corn producers.”

The report delves into domestic and global consumption trends. Per capita meat consumption in the U.S. appears to have peaked. The poultry industry, in particular, should no longer count on rising domestic demand as a means of growing its way out of over-production situations. However, a rising GDP in the developing world is contributing to an increasing global for meat protein.

“The greater global demand for meat protein is the key driver to rising feed costs, which in turn drive up the cost of raising animal protein,” says Nelson. “Global meat and poultry production continues to significantly lag GDP growth, which is, of course, the key factor behind rising prices.”

09-29-11 Prohibition…Lessons Learned…Can Apply to Almost Any Industry including Agriculture

Pamela Erickson

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) Pamela Erickson, former Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and author of The Dangers of Alcohol Deregulation: The United Kingdom Experience as we discuss the upcoming PBS Special, “Prohibition” created by award-winning film-maker Ken Burns, which is set to air October 2-4th on PBS. Erickson is also founder and operator of a website called, “Campaign for a Healthy Alcohol Marketplace“. Erickson has over 15 years experience working on alcohol issues.

There are a great many lessons to be learned not only from the enactment of Prohibition, but also the alcohol marketing regulations that came as a result of the 21st Amendment when prohibition ended, and what’s really interesting is that a great many of the issues that the alcohol industry is facing today parallels many industries in  agriculture today.

Learn more by listening to this insightful interview that will really get you thinking about globalization that seems to be happening with every sector of agriculture…

092911_Prohibition_PamelaErickson_23m45s

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EXCERPTS from Erickson’s Website - ”Campaign for a Healthy Alcohol Marketplace“…

The High Cost of Cheap Alcohol 
Each year alcohol claims 79,000 lives. It is the third leading lifestyle-related cause of death. In 2005, 1.6 million hospitalizations and 4 million emergency room visits occurred due to alcohol. To put these figures in perspective, almost 6,000 military personnel have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and an estimated 3,000 people die each year due to food borne illness.

Alcohol is related to crime, disease and other social problems. It threatens to rob the potential of our youth who continue to drink at high levels. Problems with alcohol touch many Americans. When asked in a Gallup poll, “Has drinking ever been a cause of trouble in your family?” 31% said “Yes.”