10-12-11 US House Ag Committee Chair Lucas Praises House Passage of Trade Agreements

WASHINGTON – Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3078, the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, H.R. 3079, the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, and H.R. 3080, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.

“On behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers, I have been advocating for these agreements to strengthen our trading relationships in these important markets. I am pleased that after five years of waiting for action, our agricultural industry will benefit from significant, new market access. These agreements will put us in a better position to compete globally, expand U.S. exports, create jobs, and bring much-needed income to communities across rural America,” said Chairman Frank D. Lucas.

Highlights:

10-12-11 US House Ag Committee Examines Legislative Proposals to Bring Balance to Financial Regulatory Reform

WASHINGTON – Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing to review seven legislative proposals amending Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The proposals are the culmination of the committee’s oversight efforts of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as it writes rules for Dodd-Frank. Throughout the year, the committee has held several hearings on Title VII that have included testimony from every type of market participant. Businesses across America in a variety of industries have shared consistent concerns the CFTC is overreaching in its rulemaking and it will have a negative impact on businesses and on the economy.

“These proposals will fix some important areas in implementation where the regulators – the CFTC in particular – simply haven’t gotten it right. We are facing widespread and potentially severe unintended consequences from these regulations that will have a direct effect on our economic recovery.  When the rules are final, they’re final.  And businesses across the country, including our farmers and ranchers, need to prepare for the new regulations and related costs now.  They will not be able to wait for Congress to act,” said Chairman Frank Lucas.

The proposals include the following:

10-12-11 *NAWG News* Wheat Farmers Gratified to See Congressional Approval of FTAs

Statement from Wayne Hurst, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) president and a wheat farmer from Burley, Idaho, and Randy Suess, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) chairman and a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., following Congressional passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea: 

“We were extremely pleased to see Congress pass on Wednesday the long-pending free trade agreements our country has negotiated with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. We have waited for the day these agreements would be taken up for many years now. Based on our work within the wheat industry, we know these agreements and others like them will help us rebuild and expand markets, grow our economy here at home and remain the most reliable supplier of wheat in the world. We strongly urge the President to sign these agreements quickly.”

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10-12-11 *NCBA News* Senate Votes in Favor of Pending Trade Pacts — NCBA Urges President Obama to Sign Trade Deals

WASHINGTON (Oct. 12, 2011) – The U.S. Senate today, Oct. 12, 2011, voted in favor of the pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. The agreements are now headed to the president’s desk for final approval. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald said Congress put differences aside to pass the trade deals. He said the president needs to follow suit and ratify the agreements immediately.

“For too long, the trade agreements have been collecting dust. Congress has finally passed all three trade pacts and the only missing component is the president’s stamp of approval,” said Donald. “NCBA has been a leader in educating members on Congress on the importance of these agreements to cattlemen across the country. We strongly urge the president to ratify the agreements today.”

10-12-11 NCGA Praises Congress’ Passage of Korea, Colombia and Panama FTAs

WASHINGTON (October 12, 2011): The National Corn Growers Association today praised passage of the free trade agreements in the House and Senate. The White House transmitted the FTAs with Korea, Colombia and Panama to Congress last week.

“The three free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama provide great opportunities for America’s farmers,” NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a corn farmer from Auburn, Ill., said. “Passage by Congress ensures our industry continues to lead the nation in economic growth and international competitiveness. In addition, this action shows members of Congress understand the importance of the FTAs to rural America.”

Statistics show passage of the three FTAs could create 250,000 American jobs and add an additional $13 billion annually in exports. The United States continues to be the largest producer and exporter of corn in the world, exporting 50.4 million metric tons last year.

10-12-11 *USWA News* Wheat Farmers Gratified to See Congressional Approval of FTAs

Statement from Wayne Hurst, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) president and a wheat farmer from Burley, Idaho, and Randy Suess, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) chairman and a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., following Congressional passage of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea:
 
“We were extremely pleased to see Congress pass on Wednesday the long-pending free trade agreements our country has negotiated with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. We have waited for the day these agreements would be taken up for many years now. Based on our work within the wheat industry, we know these agreements and others like them will help us rebuild and expand markets, grow our economy here at home and remain the most reliable supplier of wheat in the world. We strongly urge the President to sign these agreements quickly.”

USW is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries on behalf of U.S. wheat producers. The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and through cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.orgor contact your state wheat commission.

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10-12-11 *BARN-BREAKING AG NEWS* Three Free Trade Agreements Pass US House & US Senate…a HUGE WIN FOR AG…Now on to the President

October 12th, 2011 – The long awaited Free Trade Agreements between the United States & Columbia, Panama & South Korea have passed the US House & the US Senate.

Here are how the votes tallied in the US House:

Columbia 262-167

Panama 200-129

South Korea 278-151

The three Free Trade Agreements passed in the US Senate as well…here are the vote tallies:

Colombia 66-33

Panama 77-22

& South Korea 83-15

The bills will now move on to the President for his signature, which he is expected to sign since the Trade Adjustment Assistance packages were voted on earlier by the US Congress.

10-12-11 *USDA News* Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Congressional Passage of Korea, Colombia and Panama Trade Agreements and Trade Adjustment Assistance

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2011–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement today on passage by the House of Representatives and the Senate of three trade agreements expected to support tens-of-thousands of American jobs and trade adjustment assistance for American workers:  

“We are pleased that both Houses of Congress acted swiftly to support tens-of-thousands of American jobs today by ratifying trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, as well as trade adjustment assistance to help train workers for the 21st century economy. For American agriculture, passage of these agreements means over $2.3 billion in additional exports, supporting nearly 20,000 jobs here at home. Passage of the agreements also levels the playing field and secures markets for America’s farmers, ranchers, growers and producers. Immediately upon implementation of these agreements, the majority of American products exported to Korea, Colombia and Panama will become duty-free. Swift action by Congress also helped us to maintain an advantage on competitors striking their own trade deals with these nations.

“The trade agreements will also strengthen what has been a bright spot in the American economy. With record agricultural exports supporting more than a million jobs here at home, passage of these deals will contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, and provide new income opportunities for our nation’s agricultural producers, small businesses, and rural communities.” 

Fact sheets on how all three trade agreements will benefit U.S. agriculture are available here: Korea, Colombia and Panama.

 

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10-12-11 NCGA Encouraged by Senate Passage of Pending Free Trade Agreements

WASHINGTON (October 12, 2011) — National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer released the following statement in response to the Senate’s passage of the pending free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama:

“NCGA is encouraged to see the U.S. Senate act swiftly following House passage of these FTAs. The strong bipartisan vote shows senators understand the importance and potential benefits to America’s corn farmers of free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama.

10-12-11 US Representative Gardner votes for all three free trade agreements, saying these will create jobs and increase Colorado exports

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Cory Gardner voted for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama and South Korea tonight, saying these deals will help grow the U.S. economy and particularly benefit Colorado exports.

“The time for pro-growth solutions to combat our unacceptably high unemployment is long overdue. Expanding foreign trade will help create thousands of jobs right here in Colorado while opening up new markets to exports from Colorado farmers and ranchers,” Gardner said.

Gardner also espoused his support for the FTAs on the campaign trail last year, saying their passage was crucial in keeping Colorado and the U.S. competitive in the global marketplace. Major industries in Gardner’s home district, whose economy is largely dependent on agriculture, also praised the FTAs:

From Darrell Hanavan, Executive Director of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers:

“Eighty percent of Colorado wheat is exported, and Colombia is one of our largest markets.  A U.S.-Colombia trade agreement levels the playing field for our exports in a rapidly growing region and allows us to maintain our market share.”

From David Mendenhall, President of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association:

“Those of us in rural America, who depend on free and open trade, are adamant that Congress pass these three trade agreements. How can anyone say ‘no’ to a stimulus package that does not place additional financial burdens on U.S. taxpayers? By passing these three trade agreements we will be creating around 250,000 jobs in the United States and generating nearly $2.5 billion in additional exports. Farmers and ranchers need these agreements. Our economy needs these agreements. We need Congress to act now and pass these job-generating trade pacts.”

Further Background:

10-12-11 NCGA Applauds House of Representatives Passage of Free Trade Agreements

WASHINGTON (October 12, 2011) — National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer released the following statement in response to the House of Representatives’ passage of the free trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama:

“NCGA applauds the House of Representatives for its swift passage of the pending free trade agreements a mere week after being transmitted. In May, NCGA testified before the House Agriculture Committee and outlined the importance of FTAs to America’s corn farmers. During the testimony, NCGA reiterated that our nation’s corn farmers have much to gain when the FTAs are ratified. This statement remains true today. Farmers will see security of current export markets, increased exports of distillers grains and a significant increase in demand for corn co-products.

“Korea is currently the United States’ third largest corn market. With passage of the FTA, imports of U.S. corn for feed are guaranteed to enter duty free immediately. It will also provide immediate access to duty-free distillers grains. This is a growing market we cannot afford to lose to our competitors.

“We appreciate the efforts by the House to increase meaningful and achievable access to foreign markets. U.S. corn farmers stand ready to meet the growing global demand for corn.”

10-12-11 *NCBA News* US House Passes Pending Trade Agreements — NCBA Directs Focus on US Senate

WASHINGTON (Oct. 12, 2011) – The U.S. House of Representatives today, Oct. 12, 2012, voted in favor of the pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. The long-awaited trade pacts will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration. According to National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald, the vote moves the agreements one step closer to implementation, which would occur subsequent to approval by the Senate and President Obama’s signature. Donald said cattlemen should consider this vote a victory.

“For several years, NCBA has been a leader in advocating immediate passage and implementation of these three job-generating trade agreements. Although politics, unfortunately, prevented immediate implementation, NCBA members rallied together contacting members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to stress the importance of liberalized trade to their family farms and ranches,” said Donald. “It is time to no longer focus on what went wrong but to direct all of our energy to ensuring the U.S. Senate passes all three agreements with no further delay.”

10-12-11 *Federation of State Beef Council News* Joint Effort Reaches Dietitians, Other Nutrition Professionals at National Conference

DENVER (Oct. 12, 2011) – State beef councils from across the country joined the national Beef Checkoff Program last month in reaching thousands of dietitians and other nutrition professionals at the American Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in San Diego. The event attracted about 5,000 registered dietitians, allowing the beef industry to reach those who give health advice with messages about the benefits of lean beef.

Among the beef industry’s efforts at FNCE was a booth at which nearly 5,000 samples of checkoff-developed beef recipes and 1,000 informational CDs were distributed; a sponsorship of a breakfast for dietitians who specialize in the aging population where beef breakfast recipes were served and a nationally known expert discussed the power of protein; and sponsorship of the FNCE gala, where beef was center of the plate.

According to Katie Caputo, R.D., who works for the California and Nevada Beef Councils and assisted at the event, FNCE is a “must” for those who want to reach important health influencers and food industry leaders.

10-12-11 *USDA Rural Development* Working to Rebuild and Revitalize Rural America…One Job at a Time…

Dallas Tonsager, Under Secretary, Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) Joining me inside the BARN is Dallas Tonsager, Under Secretary, Rural Development U.S. Department of Agriculture in to discuss several topics including the USDA Rural Development’s role in helping to rebuild and revitalize rural America, one job at a time…

CLICK THE MP3 AUDIO LINK TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW…101211_USDARD_USTonsager_6m22s

The USDA Rural Development is a federal agency that has financial programs to support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service in rural areas.  They promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks , credit unions and community-managed lending pools. They also offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations. They provide technical assistance to help communities undertake community empowerment programs.  In 2010, over $800 million was invested through our programs in Colorado.

Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager is also here in Denver to attend a Rural Business Council meeting with area businesses on Thursday, October 13th and with the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (NRECA) and other area business leaders to highlight the American Jobs Act and what it means to Colorado. He will also speak at a Winning the Future Roundtable with American Business discussion held @ COBANK in Greenwood Village.  The purpose of these roundtables is to listen to local businesses and to get feedback on how the Administration can best support their growth.

Later this week, since October is Coop month, Under Secretary Tonsager will be touring the Big Hollow Food Coop in Laramie, WY, and then attending & speaking @ the AgriFuture Conference in Laramie as well.

LEARN MORE ABOUT USDA UNDER SECRETARY DALLAS TONSAGER BY TAKING A LOOK AT HIS BIOGRAPHY…CLICK HERE

Rural Development Under Secretary Tonsager Promotes Job Creation Partnerships With Rural Business Leaders

Greenwood Village, Colo., October 13, 2011 — On Thursday, USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager joined area business leaders in a Winning the Future Roundtable with American Business discussion hosted by CO Bank, in Greenwood Village, Colo. The purpose of the discussion is to get feedback on how the Administration can work together to improve rural economic conditions and create jobs. The meeting is part of a series of roundtables that are being held across the country this summer and fall with senior Obama Administration officials on behalf of the White House Rural Council.

“In partnership with other public and private sector businesses, USDA Rural Development continues to improve the economic climate of rural areas through the creation or preservation of sustainable business opportunities and jobs and by helping to close the gap in opportunity for the under-served rural areas and populations,” said Tonsager.

10-12-11 MONSANTO’S DEKALB® BRAND TO BE FEATURED ON NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S AMERICAN CHOPPER: SENIOR VS. JUNIOR

ST. LOUIS (Oct. 12, 2011) – DEKALB is celebrating its century of performance by partnering with another high-performance brand – Paul Junior Designs from American Choppers: Senior vs. Junior. The result is a commemorative, custom designed DEKALB 100 Anniversary Bike that will be featured on next Monday’s episode of American Choppers: Senior vs. Junior on Discovery Channel.

The construction of the DEKALB 100 Anniversary Bike began on July 11, 2011 and will be featured on two episodes running Oct. 17 and Nov. 7 at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central.

“The DEKALB 100 Anniversary Bike was unveiled at the 2011 Farm Progress Show and is on a tour around rural America including farm shows and conventions where farmers and attendees can see the chopper first-hand,” said Jason Hoag, DEKALB Marketing Lead. “The upcoming episodes on the Discovery network will give farmers a chance to see how the DEKALB 100 Anniversary Bike combines the heritage of DEKALB with the performance and innovation that is expected by our farmers today.”

The DEKALB 100 Anniversary Bike will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross. The online auction will launch in January 2012 to coincide with the official DEKALB 100^thAnniversary, and the DEKALB 100 Anniversary Bike will be presented to the winner at the 2012 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.

For additional information on the DEKALB 100^th Anniversary, online auction and tour visit:www.dekalb.com/100.

About Monsanto Company

10-12-11 *NCGA News of the Day* Easing in Demand Means U.S. Corn Supply Higher for 2011

U.S. corn supplies have eased with larger projected ending stocks for both the 2010 and 2011 marketing years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported today. Ending stocks for 2010, reported on Sept. 30, remain at more than 1.1 billion bushels, up more than 200 million bushels since the Sept. 12 WASDE estimate, and ending stocks for 2011 were increased nearly 200 million bushels to 866 million bushels.

While 2011 acres planted and harvested were decreased slightly, a consistent yield projection has brought 2011 production down 1 percent to 12.4 billion bushels.

“The hard work and dedication of U.S farmers yet again provides an abundant corn crop in 2011 even in the face of some of the worst growing conditions in recent memory,” said National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer. “As always, U.S. farmers are ready and able to meet all demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel proving media reports of shortages inaccurate and providing for our neighbors, be they next door or in the next state.”

10-12-11 Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Historic Preservation Office receives over $200,000 State Historical Fund grant for cultural resources management plan‏

DENVER—The first government-to-government contract signing between Colorado’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) took place at the History Colorado Center in Denver on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2011. The contract is for two grants totaling more than $200,000 that the THPO received from the State Historical Fund (SHF), a program of History Colorado.

The grant award will go toward developing and implementing a THPO Cultural Resources Management Plan for the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation. Steps include developing criteria for prioritizing areas, archaeological sites, historic buildings requiring assessment and treatment, establishing a fee and permit schedule, and establishing protocols for undertaking, including unanticipated discoveries — all to ensure THPO daily activities run smoothly.To implement this plan, the Ute Mountain Ute THPO plans to develop a website detailing permitting and other pertinent information, establishing protocols for report and permit review and collecting or acquiring site records from previous work on the Reservation. The THPO also plans to build a database of these records, surveying areas, sites and buildings for cultural resources work.

Chairman Gary Hayes stressed the importance of the grants between the THPO and SHPO.“Exercising our tribal sovereignty, these first grants will benefit the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Historic Preservation Office by ensuring longevity for the office and aiding with daily operational activities so that we can concentrate on preserving important historic sites on our tribal land. As the first residents of the State of Colorado, this moment only further strengthens the longstanding partnership that we have with History Colorado,” he said.

Ed Nichols, State Historic Preservation Officer and President and CEO of History Colorado said this grant award is an important step for the Ute Mountain Ute THPO. “A strong relationship between the Colorado SHPO and Ute Mountain Ute THPO is vital, and this first contracts signing is a historic moment for both offices.”

About the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Historic Preservation Office 

10-12-11 *NACD News* Diverse Coalition Urges Super Committee to Support Farm Bill Conservation Programs

GET REGISTERED TODAY - Click Here for more information

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Oct. 12, 2011—In a letter sent to the “Super Committee” earlier today, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and others called for fair treatment for agriculture and conservation programs within any deficit reduction plan. The letter was signed by a diverse group of nearly 50 conservation, agriculture, wildlife and forestry organizations representing millions of members across the country.

“By playing a key role in supporting clean air, clean water and productive soils, technical assistance and Farm Bill conservation programs benefit all Americans,” said NACD President Gene Schmidt. “With increased pressures on working lands to produce food, feed, fuel and fiber for our nation and the world, these programs are needed now more than ever. Unfairly targeting conservation and agriculture would have devastating impacts reaching far beyond rural America.”

Mandatory farm bill conservation programs have been cut by more than $2 billion since passage of the 2008 Farm Bill in annual appropriations bills. Uniquely among farm bill titles, conservation programs have already contributed to deficit reduction via appropriations and should not be asked to contribute more.

“…Conservation programs are crucial to the health and viability of agriculture and rural America,” stated the groups in the letter. “They help farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners to voluntarily address important natural resource issues and assist them in complying with local, state, and federal regulations. These programs deliver demonstrated environmental benefits including clean air, clean water, and abundant habitat for wildlife. They help reduce the damage caused by flood waters and drought. They protect soil and farmland to provide lasting food security. And they bring important money and jobs to rural areas, including increased revenues from hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities.”

10-12-11 Weld County FSA Ex Director Jeff Wilson…CRP-DCP-SURE-County Committee Elections & MORE

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) October 12th, 2011 – Weld County FSA Executive Director Jeff Wilson joins me inside the BARN to discuss several issues that FSA Program Participants need to be aware of, including:

• CRP Payments – payments went out this week
• DCP Payments – released yesterday
• DCP Enrollment for 2012 (No Advance Payments – Enrollment begins January 23, 2012).
• SURE enrollment for 2010 Crop Losses begins November 14 and ends June 1, 2012.
• New flight of imagery – farmers can see changes made to the fields since 2009.  Aerial photos taken Ap-May 2011
• County Committee Elections – Ballots go out the 1^st week of November.

CLICK THE MP3 AUDIO LINK BELOW TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW

101211_FSA-WC_Wilson_11m47s

For more information about any of these programs or in general, please contact the Weld County FSA Service Center @ 970-356-8097 or CLICK HERE

or check out the USDA-FSA-CO website @  USDA-FSA-CO website

10-12-11 *US House Ag Committee News* Lucas Opening Statement on Legislative Proposals to Bring Balance to Financial Regulatory Reform‏

Opening Statement of Chairman Frank D. Lucas Committee on Agriculture
Public hearing to review legislative proposals amending Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
October 12, 2011

As prepared for delivery

Thank you for joining us today, and to our witnesses, each of whom travelled to appear before our Committee.

I’d also like to thank the many Members of this Committee—on both sides of the aisle— who have worked so hard in preparing legislation for us to consider today.

This is the seventh hearing we’ve had regarding Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  We’ve heard from over 30 market participants, from a wide range of organizations.

In the course of those seven hearings, we’ve gathered a good deal of information on how the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act is affecting businesses across the country.