10-20-11 NAWG Weekly Wheat Digest

$23 Billion Cut Recommended by Ag Committee Leadership
Leaders of the Congressional Agriculture Committees told the debt-deficit super committee this week that mandatory agriculture and nutrition programs should take $23 billion in cuts as part of the overall effort to cut $1.5 trillion from the federal budget.
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Obama Set to Sign Three Free Trade Agreements on Friday
President Barack Obama is scheduled to sign free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea on Friday at the White House.
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In Letters to Senators, EPA Says It Won’t Tighten Dust Regulations
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson said this week in letters to key Senators that the Obama Administration does not intend to pursue tighter regulations on coarse particulate matter (PM).
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USGC Global Update for October 20, 2011‏

China’s Changing Corn Market - Page 1
Second Noodle Shop Adopts Corn Flour – Page 2
Council Actions Bear Fruit in Southeast Asia – Page 2
USDA’s Weekly Export Sales Highlights for October 7-13, 2011 – Page 3
Council Activity Calendar - Page 4
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China’s Changing Corn Market
In September, the Chinese government began releasing corn from government reserves into the market and has reportedly released approximately 3.7 million metric tons (145.7 million bushels) to date. Releases were accomplished through normal sales channels rather than a public bid process. U.S. Grains Council sources suggest this may reflect an attempt to monitor sales volumes more tightly due to concerns regarding actual stock levels.

Chinese market insiders also suggest China may restrict new crop corn procurement by the main buyers in Northeast China this year. Industrial processing companies and possibly small feed mills and livestock farms are likely to be the first sectors affected, followed by large enterprises like COFCO and the China Grains & Logistics Corporation (CGLC). Finally, large grain enterprises could see restrictions on purchase volumes, and bank lending for some large buyers could be tightened.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaoqian, vice director of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told the Davos Forum that China is likely to use its huge foreign exchange reserves to buy staple commodities as needed. That could mean more U.S. commodity sales as the U.S. dollar appreciates and commodity prices fall, according to the Shanghai JC Intelligence Co., Ltd, an agricultural market analysis firm.

Second Noodle Shop Adopts Corn Flour

Colorado based Infinite Harvest Unveils its “Transportable Greenhouse System” on Oct 20th in Golden, CO

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW with CEO & CoFounder Tommy Romano…

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Public OPEN HOUSE to be held in Golden on October 20

GOLDEN, CO (October 4, 2011)–Infinite Harvest, a Colorado-based company, will unveil its Transportable Greenhouse System, a new concept to provide locally grown produce using only 20 percent of the water used in traditional farming, on October 20^th, at 4 p.m. at the North Reservoir site in Golden for the general public The unveiling is of the first prototype system with its first test crop of leaf lettuces and culinary herb plants.

“The North Reservoir site is perfect for demonstration and testing of the greenhouse container,” remarked Tommy Romano, Founder of Infinite Harvest. “The site is undeveloped with no water or power utilities, which allows Infinite Harvest to research and test our self-contained off-grid transportable greenhouse system.”

Golden City Council adopted Resolution 2082 in October of 2010, which looks to encourage the establishment and growth of small businesses in fields related to efficiency alternative energy, and unique business and manufacturing practices

Golden’s City Council unanimously approved the use of the North Reservoir as a test and demonstration site in October 2010.  One year later, Romano and Sean McVay, Infinite Harvest’s Co-Founder, are ready to show the public how the transportable greenhouse system uses renewable energy to operate a hydroponic farming operation inside rugged, 40-foot recycled shipping containers.

“We are so excited to be the first city in Colorado to test this innovative technology that is expected to produce yields three to four times higher than traditional agriculture,” remarked Golden Mayor Jacob Smith.  “Not only can this type of vertical farming make locally produced food more accessible to residents, but it may also create jobs that are vital to Golden’s economy.”

Built inside a recycled 40-foot shipping container, the company’s transportable greenhouse system can be shipped worldwide.  Based on green building designs and using renewable energy systems, high-efficiency grow lighting, a semi-closed automatic irrigation and production system, the greenhouse container can grow crops year-round, regardless of the outside environment.

To learn more about Infinite Harvest and its agricultural systems, visit www.infinite-harvest.com.

10-20-11 Are you considering submitting a grant application to the State Historical Fund?

Do you need a chance to discuss your grant project with an Outreach staff member? If so, we invite you to participate in one of our upcoming Roundtable discussions. While SHF Outreach staff are always available by phone or email, these Roundtable forums provide you with the chance to meet with us in a more intimate setting, while networking and learning from fellow applicants and their projects.

Although the Roundtable sessions are free, reservations are required as space is limited. Please sign up by contacting the hosting Outreach staff member for each session; when reserving your spot, indicate the project you are developing and any issues/questions you plan to discuss, so we can be sure to have helpful materials on hand for you!

SHF Fall 2011 Roundtable Sessions:

10-20-11 CO Governor Hickenlooper announces appointments to the Board of Trustees of the University of Northern Colorado

DENVER ­— Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 —Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced appointments to the Board of Trustees of the University of Northern Colorado.

The Board of Trustees of the University of Northern Colorado is the governing body for the school. Powers and duties include the responsibility to adopt and enforce regulations and policies, and the option to enter into resource-sharing programs with other institutions of higher education to maximize the availability of educational programs.

These appointments are dependent upon Colorado Senate confirmation. The members appointed are:

10-20-11 CSU Listeria Researchers Investigate Bacterium from Farm to Fork

FORT COLLINS - As a deadly listeriosis outbreak causes nationwide concern, food safety experts atColorado State University are launching a research project to better understand – and prevent – the spread of Listeria monocytogenes bacterium in cantaloupe. CSU scientists said an outbreak report released Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration underscores the need to examine how Listeria can survive and multiply in environments where cantaloupe are grown, processed, stored and eaten.

“This outbreak in cantaloupe is a warning. We need to learn a lot more about how the Listeria bacterium behaves throughout the food system in order to protect growers and consumers,” said LawrenceGoodridge, food microbiologist and associate professor in CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences. “We’re concerned about both farmers and consumers, and our research plan will reflect that.”

The interdisciplinary team of researchers plans to investigate the route of Listeria from farm to fork. They aim to identify potential problem points and solutions to protect the cantaloupe industry and consumers from future outbreaks of contamination and illness. The research team includes experts in farming practices, foodborne pathogens and consumer food-handling practices.

10-20-11 *EPA News* EPA Announces Schedule to Develop Natural Gas Wastewater Standards

Announcement is part of administration’s priority to ensure natural gas development continues safely and responsibly

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a schedule to develop standards for wastewater discharges produced by natural gas extraction from underground coalbed and shale formations. No comprehensive set of national standards exists at this time for the disposal of wastewater discharged from natural gas extraction activities, and over the coming months EPA will begin the process of developing a proposed standard with the input of stakeholders – including industry and public health groups. Today’s announcement is in line with the priorities identified in the president’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, and is consistent with the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board recommendations on steps to support the safe development of natural gas resources.

“The president has made clear that natural gas has a central role to play in our energy economy. That is why we are taking steps — in coordination with our federal partners and informed by the input of industry experts, states and public health organizations — to make sure the needs of our energy future are met safely and responsibly,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We can protect the health of American families and communities at the same time we ensure access to all of the important resources that make up our energy economy. The American people expect and deserve nothing less.”

Recent technology and operational improvements in extracting natural gas resources, particularly shale gas, have increased gas drilling activities across the country. Production from shale formations has grown from a negligible amount just a few years ago to almost 15 percent of total U.S. natural gas production and this share is expected to triple in the coming decades. The sharp rise in domestic production has improved U.S. energy security and created jobs, and as with any resource the administration is committed to ensuring that we continue to leverage these resources safely and responsibly, including understanding any potential impact on water resources.

Shale Gas Standards:

Currently, wastewater associated with shale gas extraction is prohibited from being directly discharged to waterways and other waters of the U.S. While some of the wastewater from shale gas extraction is reused or re-injected, a significant amount still requires disposal. As a result, some shale gas wastewater is transported to treatment plants, many of which are not properly equipped to treat this type of wastewater. EPA will consider standards based on demonstrated, economically achievable technologies, for shale gas wastewater that must be met before going to a treatment facility.

Coalbed Methane Standards:

10-20-11 *CDA News* Enter the “Colorado it’s AgriCultural” Photo Contest Before Time Runs Out by Dec 31st

LAKEWOOD, Colo. —The deadline is quickly approaching to enter the 14^th Annual “Colorado…it’s AgriCultural” photography contest. Entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2011.

“I always look forward to this time of year, when photo contest entries start rolling in,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “It is exciting to see how photographers capture Colorado agriculture in pictures.”

Entries must be submitted to the Colorado Department of Agriculture with an official entry form by December 31, 2011. All photographs must be taken in the 2011 calendar year and must relate to Colorado agriculture in some way. Prizes will be awarded in five subject areas: agritourism, crops, livestock, people and open professional. Amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to enter, however, professionals may only enter agriculture-related photographs in the “open professional” category.

10-20-11 HHS announces new incentives for providers to work together through Accountable Care Organizations when caring for people with Medicare

New tools help doctors and other health care providers improve quality of care

People with Medicare will be able to benefit from a new program designed to encourage primary care doctors, specialists, hospitals, and other health care providers to coordinate their care under a final regulation issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  Created by the Affordable Care Act, these final rules on Accountable Care Organizations add to the menu of options for providers looking to better coordinate care for patients and will make it easier for providers to deliver high quality care and use health care dollars more wisely.

The initiatives announced today are just two of several efforts made possible by the Affordable Care Act to help bring better health, better care and lower costs not just to Medicare beneficiaries, but to all Americans.  For example, the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Initiative and Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative offer alternatives to coordinate and improve health care.

“Today we have taken another step to improve health care for people with Medicare,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “We are excited to give doctors, hospitals and other providers the flexibility and support they need to work together and focus on making sure patients get the care they need.”

“This model of delivering care may not be right for everyone, but it provides new incentives for doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to work together in new ways,” said Secretary Sebelius.

The two initiatives launched today – the Medicare Shared Savings Program and the Advance Payment model – will help providers form Accountable Care Organizations and reflect the significant input provided by stakeholders as well as lessons learned by innovators in care coordination in the private sector. 

10-20-11 *NCBA News* Legislation Introduced to Stop Extremist Agendas Derailing Superfund Law

— S. 1729 Prevents Ranches from Being Regulated as Toxic Waste Dumps

WASHINGTON (Oct. 20, 2011) – Senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) this week introduced the “Superfund Common-Sense Act of 2011” (S. 1729), which would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the courts from imposing what the policymakers called another “needless and burdensome” regulation on U.S. agriculture.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon said the legislation would restore the original intent of Congress under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), more commonly called the Superfund Law, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

She said the Superfund Law was originally passed by Congress in 1980 to prevent toxic waste from polluting U.S. waters and was never intended to elevate extreme agendas by imposing liability on U.S. farmers and ranchers in the same fashion as toxic waste polluters. The legislation would exempt cattle manure from regulations under these laws.

10-20-11 *DoW-CO News* SANGRE DE CRISTO BIGHORN PROJECT WRAPS UP

CRESTONE, Colo. - Nine Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have been added to a new herd being established by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains of central Colorado. The sheep join 13 bighorns that were moved into the mountains of northeastern Saguache County in a similar operation in 2010.

Prior to the 2010 transplants, the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains had not had bighorn sheep since the 1980′s. Sheep populations in the southern Sangre have thrived in recent years and provide a good source of sheep for the transplant operation.

“This is traditional bighorn sheep habitat and it’s an exciting part of our work to get to help restore this population,” said Dan Prenzlow, southeast region wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “The rest is up to the sheep, but we think the habitat is very good to support them as this small population grows for generations to come.”

The reintroduction project involved the use of a helicopter on both the capture and release end. The bighorn are netted by helicopter crews at the capture location and then flown off steep mountainsides to a nearby staging area. They’re then transported north in horse trailers to a second staging area near the release site. The helicopter picks them up again and transports them to the steep alpine terrain of their new home near Hunts Peak.

10-20-11 *CDA News* Grants Awarded for Colorado Specialty Crops…14 Grants Worth $712K

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Fourteen grants totaling over $712,000 have been awarded through the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crops Block Grant Program.

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, seeds, greenhouse and nursery products and sod. Funds are received by CDA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service initiatives aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Colorado’s fruit, vegetable and green industries.

“This funding has provided a tremendous opportunity for Colorado’s agricultural industry to persue a wide variety of innovative specialty crop projects,” said CDA’s Markets Division Director, Tom Lipetzky.

Fiscal year 2011 funds were recently approved by the USDA for the following projects: 

10-20-11 NACD President Gene Schmidt discusses Importance of Conservation Funding in Next Farm Bill

CLICK HERE to learn more about the NACD

NACD President Gene Schmidt

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) National Association of Conservation Districts President Gene Schmidt talks about the importance of conservation in the next Farm Bill and the letter that the NACD & several other agriculture organizations sent to the Super Committee tasked with reducing the federal deficit. Gene Schmidt, NACD President, is a farmer from Hanna, Indiana with extensive experience working for conservation districts. He has been a member of the LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District board since 1983, and has served in numerous leadership positions in the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, including as president in 1995 and 1996. In addition to his local- and state-level district work, Schmidt has been active at the national level since the mid-1990s. He served as a member of NACD’s executive board and most recently as the chair of the Stewardship and Education Committee. Schmidt and his wife, Diane, farm 1,600 acres of seed corn, seed beans, and wheat and operate a retail seed business. Conservation practices in use on Schmidt’s farm include minimum till, no-till, cover crops, stream buffers and windbreaks.

CLICK THE MP3 AUDIO LINK BELOW TO LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW

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ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE that setup the interview…

10-20-11 NAFB and the National FFA…Check out the National FFA Audio & Video Vault

NAFB Executive Director Tom Brand is at the 84th National FFA Convention with this year’s FFA Convention Radio Interns.

They’re churning out interviews and stories that you might be interested in and it’s all available through the FFA Audio Vault.

Just click the link below to be taken to all of the audio, as well as information about the three interns.

http://www.ffaconvention.com/

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10-20-11 This Month Inside the Colorado Department of Agriculture…Commissioner Salazar…Co State Fair – Listeria – Brand Commissioner – NWSS

CLICK HERE to visit the CDA Monthly Webpage and to listen to this month's interview...

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) October 20th- Listen to this month’s interview with Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Salazar discussing several topics critical to Colorado’s Agriculture Industry…

This month’s topics include:

• 2012Colorado State Fair Recap
• History Colorado’s Centennial Farm Event – LISTEN to this year’s honorees – CLICK HERE
• Two Goats & Exhibitors Disqualified from CSF – Update
• Listeria/Cantaloupe Update
• New Leadership for the CDA’s Division of Brand Inspection …Chris Whitney – LISTEN to the EXCLUSIVE interview – CLICK HERE
• 2012 NWSS has a NEW Open Show Announcer

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN…

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Commissioner John Salazar OR Deputy Ag Commissioner Jim Miller will be a regular guest inside the BARN the third Wednesday of each month @ 8am

CLICK HERE to visit the BARN’s CDA Monthly Webpage & listen to Archived Interviews

10-20-11 *CO FFA News* Highland FFA Attends MFE/ALD Conference

 Highland FFA chapter attended the MFE/ALD conference on October 1^st and 2^nd for the first time. The chapter had not been able to go in previous years because this was their homecoming week. Ten members went total, five officers and five members, along with the chapter advisor, Mr. Sifers. Chapters from all over the state came to the conference in Colorado Springs.

The Made For Excellence (MFE) conference was geared toward getting first year sophomore and junior Ag students involves in FFA. The conference helps students to have a positive outlook on themselves as well as life. It also encourages members to strive to overcome challenges and setting and accomplishing goals.

The Advanced Leadership Development (ALD) is built from the curriculum of MFE, but is specifically for chapter officers. This conference helps students to enhance leadership and communication skills within their chapter and community. In addition, this gathering helps the officers put the skills to action through volunteerism and community service.

Overall, the conference was a success. There were many opportunities for the members to step out of their comfort zone, meet new people, and learn how to develop leadership skills. The members will bring what they gained to the rest of the chapter. The chapter is looking forward to going next year!

Submitted by Kayleigh Kochevar, Highland FFA Chapter Reporter