10-19-11 *NCGA News of the Day* NCGA Asks Farmers, Allies to Speak Out Against Petition Seeking Ban on Atrazine

This spring, a group seeking to ban the use and production of atrazine submitted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency. Consistent with its goal of openness and transparency in the regulatory and scientific processes, the EPA posted this petition on its website for public comment. The National Corn Growers Association asks that farmers and their allies take advantage of this opportunity before the window for submission closes on November 14.

“It is imperative that we speak out in support of the current policies regulating atrazine use,” said Dean Taylor, chair of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “This herbicide has played a vital role in farming for more than five decades, both increasing corn productivity and allowing for the use of practices that protect our environment.”

The information submitted by Save the Frogs in this petition does not justify a change in regulations, Taylor said. Current, reputable research indicates no effects by atrazine on amphibians. Following an agency review in 2007, the EPA itself addressed one of the most common charges leveled by critics, stating “that atrazine does not adversely affect amphibian gonadal development based on a review of laboratory and field studies, including studies submitted by the registrant and studies published in the scientific literature.” In its 2010 update, the EPA found that no additional testing was warranted to address this issue at this time.

Independent groups conducting research into possible effects of atrazine on amphibians corroborate the EPA’s conclusions. As recently as last year, scientists from respected institutions such as the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, the World Health Authority and Yale University have issued multitudinous reports confirming that the proper use of atrazine has not been shown to have negative health effects on either humans or amphibians despite decades of extensive research.

Conversely, atrazine has a long-standing record of allowing growers to increase corn productivity by an average of 5.7 bushels per acre while implementing environmentally-friendly practices such as no-till farming, which helps reduce soil erosion and protect wildlife habitats. Utilized in more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and the Middle East, U.S. farmers use atrazine on more than half of all corn acreage, on two-thirds of sorghum acreage, and up to 90 percent of sugar cane acreage in some states.

Additionally, atrazine fights weed resistance by maximizing the performance of many other herbicides. In doing so, it minimizes the pressure of herbicide selection for resistant weeds. According to a 2003 EPA estimate, farming without atrazine would cost corn growers as much as $28 per acre in alternative herbicide costs and reduced yields. The impact today would be even greater due to the current price of corn.

Click here for additional information on the safety and importance of atrazine.

To submit comments to the EPA asking for dismissal of this petition through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, CLICK HERE and enter the keyword “EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0586.” Then, open the docket folder and follow the simple comment submission instructions. Written comments may also be sent via U.S. post to the Office of Pesticide Programs (Regulatory Public Docket (7502P), Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460-0001. Again, please be sure to include docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0586.

NCGA Action Teams, Committees Welcome 2012 Leadership

10-19-11 COLORADO MAKES CHANGES TO HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAMS

The Colorado Department of Public Safety, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security today jointly announce a restructuring of the state’s homeland security programs.

As a result of discussions with dozens of local officials throughout the state that began even before Gov. John Hickenlooper took office in January, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security will cease to exist.

Responsibility for coordinating homeland security programs among state agencies and with local planning regions will be moved to the Department of Public Safety (CDPS).

Under the terms of the plan, described in an Executive Order signed this week by Gov. Hickenlooper, CDPS will rename an existing division, using the authority granted to it by the General Assembly nearly 10 years ago. The statute citation is 24-1-107, C.R.S.

The new CDPS division is created from the current Office of Preparedness, Security and Fire Safety. It will be renamed the Division of Homeland Security. Within the newly-named division will be the Office of Preparedness, the Office of Prevention and Security, and the Division of Fire Safety.

The reorganization will result in no added costs to state government and will reduce state-funded positions by three.

The reorganization is designed to:

10-19-11 *CO Corn In Motion News* October 2011 Newsletter…NCGA State Exec Mtg, Northern CO Water Tour & MORE

NCGA State Exec Meeting, DC –  Oct 11-14

Mark Sponsler participated in the annual fall state execs meeting in Washington DC this past week from Wednesday afternoon to Friday morning. The agenda addressed a variety of topics and issues; EPA, NASCAR, Chesapeake Bay, Ethanol Alliance, Ethanol and interactions with livestock and other groups, check-off proposals, the Free Trade Agreements, USDA-NASS crop reports. Policy perspective discussions were led by NCGA’s Jon Doggett.

He was able to see construction progress on the new NCGA and US Grains Council offices that appear to be wrapping up the mechanical system and drywall installation phases. Dr. Charles Krauthammer – a well-known political writer and daily guest on FOX news was the dinner speaker.

It was fast paced, but there was a little time for Hill visits and Mark  was able to get time with Congressman Gardner as well as the agricultural legislative assistant for Congressman Tipton. He primarily talked about our committee’s perspective on Farm Bill policy development, the NPDES and our support for HR-872, Truck weight limits for interstates, and renewable energy policy.

Future Horizons for Irrigated Ag in Northern CO Water Tour -  Oct 17

The Colorado Foundation for Water Education (CFWE) hosted their second agricultural tour focusing on what happens when agricultural lands are dried up in the efforts to meet the water needs of growing cities. The write-up on the CFWE website reads like this: CFWE’s second agricultural water tour on Monday, October 17… join a diverse group of water professionals, public officials and educators for a day on northeastern Colorado farms. Learn how agricultural water is distributed and used, the challenges associated with keeping water on farms while meeting other water demands and opportunities to secure a plentiful future for agriculture. Both tours sold out to bus capacity within about 10 days of their announcement.

The tours were organized by the staff of CFWE, but started with presentations to the group at the Colorado Corn office by John Stulp and Dave Nettles, and then made various stops within a few miles of Highway 85 from Gilcrest to Pierce, including a visit to the Eckhardt operation. Dave Eckhardt did a great job explaining the “life on the farm” perspective as it relates to water rights and challenges on the South Platte during the tour stop on their farm.

On the first tour, Colorado Corn’s work and contributions to this topic were mentioned or referenced by several speakers. It is safe to say our projects and presence have been noticed. Mark Sponsler served as tour guide and trivia point provider for part of the route. The first tour participants came from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. It’s great to see such interest in the topic and to have the opportunity to take part in the messaging.

“Lend a Hand” Grain Donation Project Underway

The storms may be over, the flood waters receded, and the fires all extinguished but that doesn’t mean the need is any less. Its corn harvest time and with it comes the opportunity to generously give to your fellow Americans in their time of need.

The Salvation Army provides the right program to reach the families across the U.S. that have been hardest hit by natural disasters. Donating a few bushels or a truck load of corn is as simple as letting the participating grain elevator know that you want to lend-a-hand by making a contribution. 100% of your donation will be used to deliver the things that are needed the most.

As you fire up your combines and trucks, please consider making a difference in the lives of those who have lost so much.

Click here for details and participating elevator list

10-19-11 *CCA News* 2011 Ag Water Summit Nov 30th – Dec 1st in Loveland, CO…GET REGISTERED by Nov 4th

GET REGISTERED BY NOVEMBER 4th!

CCA members, have you registered for the 2011 Ag Water Summit presented by the Colorado Ag Water Alliance?

This year’s Summit runsNovember 30th through December 1st at The Ranch in Loveland, Colo.

Pre-registration ends on November 4th, so hurry and register online (www.coagwater.org) today!

The 2011 Ag Water Summit Features:

10-19-11 ASA Supports Revenue-Based Farm Program

Sends Joint Letter with NCGA and NFU to Agriculture Committees

October 19, 2011…Saint Louis, Missouri…The American Soybean Association (ASA) today called on the Congressional Agriculture Committees to consider moving to a revenue-based farm program when they make further recommendations to the Joint Select Committee on Budget Reduction by Nov. 1.

“The realities of the current federal budget and debt crises make it imperative to find a viable risk management approach that can replace several existing programs,” said ASA President Alan Kemper, a soybean producer from Lafayette, Ind., in a joint letter also signed by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and National Farmers Union (NFU). “A new revenue-based program should be designed to complement rather than overlap or replace the existing crop insurance program, which is a key part of the farm program safety net.”

The letter was sent following agreement by Republican and Democrat leaders of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to recommend $23 billion in spending reductions in programs currently authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill. The Committee leaders indicated that they would make further recommendations to the Joint Committee on how these cuts should be made among the various titles of the farm bill by Nov. 1. Eighty-four percent of the agriculture budget is comprised of nutrition programs, including SNAP (food stamps), with most of the balance in commodity and conservation programs.

10-19-11 Free Radicals—Bad Guys Meet Their Match: Dr Juliet M. Getty’s October Tip for Horse Owners

CLICK HERE to listen to Dr Getty on this month's edition of the Getty Equine Nutrition Corner inside the BARN...

What is all the fuss about free radicals, and what does it mean for your horse’s health? A free radical is a very unhappy molecule. Although it was once stable, it is now missing an electron. Determined to become whole, it sets out in search of another vulnerable molecule and steals its electron. The original bad guy is now neutral and can relax. But in its wake, it has created another free radical that is just as desperate to steal and destroy.

In your horse (just as in humans) a small number of free radicals is normal, but factors such as stress, nutritional imbalances, illness or injury can cause these outlaws to multiply beyond the body’s ability to cope. Most commonly, we see the result as decreased immune function, inflammation and pain.

The only way to stop this destructive rampage is to call on a nearby “free-radical neutralizer.” This hero sacrifices itself by giving the free radical the electron it needs, thereby protecting defenseless cells from harm. Since our hero doesn’t seek his own stability, his own demise is without consequence. Without these noble molecules, free radicals would be entirely unchecked in devastating healthy tissue. These selfless champions are known as antioxidants.

Antioxidants should be part of your horse’s nutritional program. Vitamins C, E, and beta carotene are the most common, and are plentiful in fresh, healthy pasture. Once living grass is cut, dried, and stored as hay, it loses these precious nutrients, creating nutritional gaps that should be filled through supplementation.  A more extensive discussion on the antioxidant’s vital role in fighting disease, pain and inflammation can be found in Dr. Getty’s comprehensive resource, Feed Your Horse Like a Horse, available in hardcover and CD-ROM (PDF file) through Dr. Getty’s website and at Amazon.com.

Dr. Juliet Getty has taught and consulted on equine nutrition for more than 20 years. She offers frequent teleseminars; the next one, “Understanding and Avoiding Colic,” is scheduled for November 17—register atwww.gettyequinenutrition.com, where you will also find a library of helpful articles, a forum on nutrition, and a calendar of appearances, interviews and teleconferences. Dr. Getty publishes a free (and popular) monthly e-newsletter, “Forage for Thought”; subscribe through the website.  Dr. Getty serves as a distinguished advisor to the Equine Sciences Academy, and is available for individual consultations. Contact Dr. Getty directly atgettyequinenutrition@gmail.com or at (970) 884-7187.

10-19-11 CSU to Host Natural Gas Symposium with Former CO Governor Bill Ritter, Industry Leaders, Environmental Experts on October 26

Professor Ken Reardon working in his laboratory on his OptiEnz water contaminant biosensor

FORT COLLINS - Colorado State University experts in natural gas and environmental sustainability will come together Oct. 26 for a scientific conference to help the community understand the natural gas economy and its impacts in Colorado and around the globe.

Former CO Governor Bill Ritter NOW Director of CSU’s Center for the New Energy Economy

Former Gov. Bill Ritter who now directs CSU’s Center for the New Energy Economy, Bryan Willson, director of CSU’s Clean Energy Supercluster, and Diana Wall, director of the School of Global Environmental Sustainability, will host the conference, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at the Marriott Fort Collins, 350 E. Horsetooth Road.

The conference is free and open to the public, but due to limited space, registration is required at http://www.naturalgas.colostate.edu/.

“Colorado State offers a comprehensive list of experts on every aspect of the natural gas economy – from training the next generation of geologists to reducing emissions at the wellhead and land reclamation,” said Willson, whose laboratory has worked with industry officials for more than 20 years to reduce the environmental impacts of natural gas drilling. “This conference is meant to educate the public about the technology of natural gas production, and explore the environmental concerns and the complexities facing the industry.”

“The university can provide credible, multi-disciplinary solutions to the complex problems facing the industry,” said Wall, a University Distinguished Professor in biology at Colorado State. “Colorado State, more than any other institution, can directly address all the issues – water, land use, production, air, policy and cultural – that are now demanding public attention and discussion.”

Morning sessions will focus on “Natural Gas 101” with scientists talking about the geology of natural gas, drilling and completion, processing and distribution, the role of water in hydraulic fracturing and other processes and the supply outlook.

Afternoon panels include:

1:40-2:40 p.m.: “Increasing the use of natural gas: Is that a good thing?”

Speakers: Tim Reeser, executive director of Cenergy, commercial arm of CSU’s Clean Energy Supercluster; Ken Carlson, CSU professor of civil and environmental engineering; Mark Williams, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at CU-Boulder; Barb Kirkmeyer, Weld County Commissioner; and Sybil Sharvelle, CSU assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering.

2:55-3:55 p.m.: “The role of regulations in the natural gas industry”
Speakers: Former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, director of CSU’s Center for the New Energy Economy; Kate Fay, Environmental Protection Agency; and David Neslin, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

4-5 p.m.: “Beyond our borders: Natural gas in a global context”
Speakers: Bryan Willson, director of CSU’s Clean Energy Supercluster and Michael Orlando, Economic Advisors.

To see a sampling of the cutting-edge natural gas research at CSU on YouTube, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2q3dqBzw3A.

SOURCE

10-19-11 Super Committee Deficit Mandate Could Be Reduced by Over 30% with Federal Estate Tax Repeal…Interview with Dick Patten of AFBI

Dick Patten is president of the American Family Business Foundation, an organization focusing on questions about the federal estate tax and its impact on family businesses, farms and the overall economy. It is affiliated with the American Family Business Institute, www.nodeathtax.org, a national, non-partisan organization of farmers and business owners who are committed to permanent repeal of the Death Tax.

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) October 19th, 2011 – Hundreds of Prominent Economists Across Nation Sign Open Letter Supporting Repeal - Congress’ new Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction has been tasked with slashing a minimum of $1.2 trillion from the projected federal budget deficit over the next decade and pressure is already mounting to include higher estate taxes as part of its plan. But a new report released by the American Family Business Foundation (AFBF) shows that repealing the Federal Estate Tax would do more to reduce the deficit than increasing the tax. Across a 10-year budget window – 2012 to 2021 – repeal of the federal estate tax would:

• Cover 30.18% of the $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction required of the Super Committee by 2021;

• Reduce the total budget deficit by 5.19% over the period and by 11.49% in 2021;

• Lead to a 2.26% increase in GDP ($538 billion) by 2021, for a cumulative gain of nearly $3 trillion over the period, compared to what would have happened under current law;

• Increase federal revenues over the 10-year period by about $362 billion (compared to current estate tax law); by 2021 the annual gain would be about $88 billion per year.

Meanwhile, hundreds of prominent economists also weighed in on the estate tax debate with a joint statement supporting estate-tax repeal. The statement commemorates the 10th Anniversary of an open letter written by the late economist and Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman in support of repeal. The original letter had been signed by Friedman and 277 of his colleagues in the field of economics. AFBF re-released the letter with 259 new signatories, for a total of 537 unique supporters. The new signatories come from 44 states and the District of Columbia, and include another Nobel Laureate; several former Federal Reserve Bank Presidents; and Chairs and Members of the Council of Economic Advisers under Presidents Kennedy, Ford, Reagan, and George W. Bush. Signers also include former chief and senior economists from a number of federal government agencies, international organizations and financial firms. The complete list of signers is available on AFBF’s website.

Joining me inside the BARN to discuss the idea of Estate Tax Repeal is American Family Business Foundation President Dick Patten…

101911_AFBI_NoDeathTax_DickPatten_13m13s

Dick Patten is president of the American Family Business Foundation, an organization focusing on questions about the federal estate tax and its impact on family businesses, farms and the overall economy. It is affiliated with the American Family Business Institute, www.nodeathtax.org, a national, non-partisan organization of farmers and business owners who are committed to permanent repeal of the Death Tax. Patten has appeared on numerous national and local radio programs including National Public Radio, Marketplace Radio, Bloomberg Radio and other leading broadcast outlets.

For more information about the American Family Business Institute – CLICK HERE

10-19-11 History Colorado Centennial Farms Interviews Underway…Meet Skold Farm of Haxtun, CO

The Skold family during the Centennial Farms celebration at the Colorado State Fair.CLICK the picture to listen to the interview

CLICK HERE to visit the BARN’s EXCLUSIVE WEBPAGE History Colorado Centennial Farms Interviews

CLICK HERE to visit History Colorado’s Centennial Farms Webpage to learn more about this program

More interviews to follow in the days & weeks ahead…

10-19-11 *CSP ADVISORY* Northern Colorado Safe Schools Regional Training Begins Today in Fort Collins‏…See a list of Schools Participating & the Program

Safe Schools Regional Training in Fort Collins – FULL!

Yesterday’s advisory about the Safe Schools Regional Training inaccurately noted the number of participants. The number of school safety officials who have registered for the conference is 275, the maximum number that can be accommodated.

The conference begins today at 12:30 p.m. and will be held at the Fort Collins Marriott hotel.

Attached is a file showing the school districts sending participants and scheduled presenters. Participants from nearly half of the counties in Colorado plan to attend. A separate file shows the final draft of the agenda.

Reporters planning to attend the conference should seek out Dr. Linda Kanan, Director, Colorado School Safety Resource Center, as a contact or interview subject.

Bullying prevention is among the major topics on the agenda.

CLICK HERE to view a list of all the schools participating in the event

CLICK HERE to take a look at the program for the event

10-19-11 MGEX Board Appoints Public Directors, Officers, Committee Assignments

MINNEAPOLIS – At its October 18, 2011 Organizational Meeting, MGEX (Exchange) announced its Board of Directors (Board), named 2011-2012 public directors, Board officers and approved committee representatives. Four public directors were appointed by the Board; Curt Denisuik, Steve Fanady, William R. Power and Alan Swimmer.  Each will serve a one year term. The Board elected officers and members of the executive committee.  Scott A. Cordes was named Board chairperson; Gary S. Weber was elected first vice chairperson; and Richard A. Dusek was named second vice chairperson.  Public directors Steve Fanady

and William R. Power complete the executive committee.

The Board appointed chairpersons for committees of the Board of Directors and standing committees of the corporation.

The list is below:

10-19-11 CME Group Begins Clearing Euro-Denominated Interest Rates Swaps, Announces New IRS Clearing Record

CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced that it has begun clearing Euro-denominated interest rate swaps (IRS).  The company also announced that it set a new daily record for IRS clearing on October 18, 2011, with $8 billion in U. S. customer volume cleared. 

The new CME Group Euro-denominated clearing offering expands the company’s existing U.S. dollar-denominated interest rate swaps clearing service, providing over-the counter risk management opportunities for interest rate maturities in both currencies extending to 50 years.

“We continue to be very focused on voluntary client clearing and, as a result, are expanding our offering to satisfy specific customer demand,” said Laurent Paulhac, CME Group Managing Director, OTC Products and Services.  “Adding Euro-denominated swaps further enhances our clearing offering, allowing us to satisfy a user base looking for non-dollar based products, as well as to complement our newly launched Euribor futures, enabling capital efficiencies for market participants as open interest grows.”

“Citi is pleased to clear one of the first EUR-denominated interest rate swaps through CME Clearing,” said Christopher Perkins, Global Head of Derivatives Clearing at Citi.  “Citi is strategically committed to supporting our clients’ OTC derivatives clearing needs, and will continue to work with CME Clearing to further expand its eligible product set going forward.”

10-19-11 CME Group Statement Regarding Position Limits

CHICAGO, Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives exchange, today released the following statement regarding the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)’s rule making on position limits:

“CME Group commends the Commission and staff of the CFTC for their efforts to respond to the more than 13,000 comment letters filed on the CFTC’s position limits proposal.  We also appreciate the Commission’s recognition of the need to establish equivalent position limits in the important spot month for physically-settled futures and those cash-settled futures and swaps which are based on the daily and final settlement prices of the primary physically-delivered price discovery contracts.  With the lone exception of natural gas, the CFTC’s interim final rule will appropriately limit opportunities for inter- market manipulation and abuse in the spot month where the risk of misconduct and artificial prices is most acute.

10-19-11 *GENC Monthly* Free-Choice Forage Feeding – Beyond the Basics with Dr Juliet M. Getty, PhD.

CLICK HERE to visit the GENC webpage & archives inside the BARN

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) October 19th, 2011 - Joining me inside this month’s edition of the Getty Equine Nutrition Corner is Dr. Juliet M. Getty, PhD. and today’s topic is, “Free-Choice Forage Feeding – Beyond the Basics”. In Feed Your Horse Like A Horse, Dr Getty stress feeding horses in sync with their instincts and physiology.

To listen to the interview, click the mp3 audio links below…

101911_GENC_FreeChoiceForageFeeding_14m29s

Your horse does not see free-choice grazing as an option – this is the way he is designed to eat. This is the way his predecessors remained healthy for millions of years. Respect his need to be what he is – a horse.

Upcoming Teleseminar – “Understanding and Avoiding Colic,” November 17^th. Sign up at www.GettyEquineNutrition.com

Next month:  Avoiding and Curing Ulcers.

10-19-11 Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Bill Authored by US Representative Bishop (R-UT) Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON–Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, today hailed the Senate passage of the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011[H.R. 765].  This legislation was introduced by Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT) on February 17, 2011 with the support of Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) and passed the House on October 3, 2011.  Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.  It will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011 amends the National Forest Ski Area Permit Act of 1986 to allow permitting for recreational activities in ski areas located on National Forest Service lands throughout the entire year and not just the winter months.

10-18-11 Colorado Livestock Association Announces WE WON ON DUST!

Greeley, Colorado- October 17, 2011-  

Notch one up for Agriculture. This morning, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a copy of a signed letter by EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson, disclosing that the EPA is proposing to retain, with no revisions, the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter. Jackson’s announcement states that the country is making steady progress to reduce emissions for particulate matter, both fine and course, while improving the health of Americans.

This announcement is a huge victory for agriculture in the U.S. An increase to the NAAQS, as was proposed, would have a huge impact on the lives of farmers and ranchers in rural areas of the country, not to mention the costs associated with compliance.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER SIGNED BY HEAD OF EPA, LISA JACKSON TO THE U.S. SENATE. 

10-18-11 Bingaman, Vilsack to open virtual Renewable Energy Education Field Day October 26th…GET REGISTERED TODAY!

OAK BROOK, IL  Oct. 18, 2011: New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman, and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will open the Virtual Renewable Energy Education Field Day, a webinar planned for Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011.

The webinar will focus on the technical, environmental and economic factors involved in the use of anaerobic digestion systems on livestock operations. The program is specifically targeted to the Southwest, where dry climatic conditions present technical challenges to digester operations.

In videotaped remarks, Sen. Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will discuss renewable energy options in the Southwest. Secretary Vilsack will discuss USDA’s focus on digesters and eco-services markets.

This virtual Field Day is targeted to dairy and beef producers in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The program will provide information producers can use in deciding whether to incorporate an anaerobic digester into their operation. Representatives of environmental and agricultural organizations working with livestock producers, as well as staff from state and federal agencies, are also encouraged to participate. There is no charge to participate but registration is required.

Farm Foundation, NFP is organizing this webinar in collaboration with USDA Rural Development, USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, USDA Farm Service Agency and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Other speakers featured on the Oct. 26 webinar program include livestock producers with experience in operating an anaerobic digester, industry leaders working with various technologies used in anaerobic digestion, university researchers with technical expertise, staff from the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, and representatives from government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AgStar program. Click here to review the agenda. Session topics include:

10-19-11 *WSSA NEWS* WEED SEEDS STOWING AWAY ON CARS, TRUCKS AND ATVS‏

Unlikely Stowaways: Weed Seeds Travel to Faraway Places on Cars, Trucks and ATVs

• Weed Science Society of America spotlights research by Montana State University on the role vehicles play in the spread of invasive weed species

LAWRENCE, KANSAS – October 19, 2011 – When you take your four-wheel drive out for a spin this fall, you might be bringing home more than memories.  Researchers at Montana State University have found that vehicles are routinely transporting invasive weed seeds.

Seeds can stow away on tires, bumpers, wheel wells or the underside of a vehicle and sometimes travel great distances before falling off in a new locale.  As weed seeds sprout and grow, they can crowd out native plants, disrupt native ecosystems and wildlife habitats and reduce crop yields when they spread to nearby fields.

“Take a look at the many types of weeds growing along most any roadside and you’ll get a big clue about the role vehicles play,” says Lisa Rew, Ph.D., a member of the Weed Science Society of America and an assistant professor at Montana State University.  “With an estimated 4 million miles of roads crisscrossing the U.S. and an estimated 256 million registered vehicles, even a few weed seeds per car can make a significant impact on the spread of weeds.”

Montana State researchers measured the number of seeds picked up by a variety of vehicles and the distance traveled before the seeds fell off.   Among their key findings:  

10-18-11 Celebrate Food Day, Every Day With Miss America Teresa Scanlan

October 18, 2011 – Every day is Food Day to America’s farmers and ranchers, says Miss America 2011 Teresa Scanlan. The high-profile agriculture advocate is joining the Animal Agriculture Alliance to announce the launch ofwww.realfarmersrealfood.com with a call to action for Americans to celebrate the hard work of our nation’s farmers and ranchers.

Watch Scanlan’s video now:

10-18-11 Monsanto Says DuPont Lawsuit is Baseless, Without Merit

ST. LOUIS, Oct 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — A review of the lawsuit filed in U.S. federal court in the Southern District of Iowa indicates that DuPont’s claim pertains to defoliating corn plants with Paraquat or Roundup. This approach is not used in any Monsanto production fields. We don’t believe this lawsuit has any practical effect on our current or future business; however we take all lawsuits seriously. Importantly, this filing appears to be another in a series of frivolous claims initiated by DuPont against our business and aimed at distracting us from our mission of investing in and delivering new product offerings to farmers around the world. We will defend our business against this latest attack.

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