12-05-11 Colorado Supreme Court Reaffirms Redistricting Plan…

In an unanimous decision, the Colorado Supreme court ruled against the the redistricting plan offered up by three Republican voters and did not have the right to sue to overturn the redistricting plan passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature. Back in 2002, a Democratic state judge drew up the very first redistricting plan in contrast to the one prepared by the Republican legislature in 2003. The court’s plan was put into place when no one could agree in the State Legislature prior to the election in 2002. The redistricting map below will be in effect for the next ten years.

Take a look at the final map…courtesy of Colorado Pols.com

Map courtesy of ColoradoPols.com

12-05-11 NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen Examines the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

— Program Looks at Leadership, Membership, Goals and Long-Range Plans

DENVER (Dec. 5, 2011) – An organization of cattlemen and women, working together to defend their interests and way of life, has endured for more than a century. The concept began back in 1898 and is embodied today by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). On Tues., Dec. 6, 2011, NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen gets to know the people who make sure that NCBA remains a viable and powerful voice for the cattle industry.

The program will look at NCBA’s history and speak with its elected leadership about the organization, its goals and long-range plans. Panelists will include NCBA President and Montana rancher Bill Donald; NCBA President-Elect J.D. Alexander, a Nebraska feedyard operator; NCBA Vice President Scott George, a cattleman from Wyoming; and NCBA Chief Executive Officer Forrest Roberts.

In addition, viewers will visit with Bob McCan, chairman of NCBA’s Policy Division and David Dick, chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils, at home on their operations in Texas and Missouri, respectively.

12-05-11 Colorado’s State History Museum Goes High-Tech and Hands-On When Doors Open in Denver April 28, 2012

Colorado’s up and coming cultural destination, the History Colorado Center, aims to ignite imaginations, provoke discussion and touch hearts in telling Colorado stories, ushering in a new era for the state’s history museum.

DENVER — History Colorado announced today that Denver’s newest cultural attraction, the History Colorado Center, will open to the public on Saturday, April 28, 2012.

Designed to ignite imaginations of all ages about Colorado’s past, this new state history museum and hub for civic engagement creates a rich experience for visitors through exhibits and programs that will blend technology, media, environments and artifacts.

“The History Colorado Center is more than a new museum—its development served as the impetus to transform the 132-year-old Colorado Historical Society into History Colorado and launch the organization into a new era,” said Ed Nichols, History Colorado President and CEO.

A planned expansion by the Colorado Judicial Department precipitated the move of the Colorado History Museum that was located at 13th Avenue and Broadway in Denver—an opportunity that board of directors and staff seized to rebrand as History Colorado and develop an all-new flagship facility and museum—the History Colorado Center.

“The History Colorado Center will be a place for self-discovery, inspiration, scholarship and fun,” he said. “Our goal is to meet and then exceed the expectations of a savvy, modern, museum-going audience with original high-tech and hands-on interactive multimedia along with authentic artifacts and evocative stories of Colorado’s diverse people.”

As a new Smithsonian Affiliate, the History Colorado Center is sure to make the “must see” list for Denver visitors, history buffs, families — anyone who is attracted to the allure that is Colorado.

History Matters

12-05-11 *CDA News* Beef Packs a Nutritional Punch…Roast Philly Beef Wrap Recipe

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Each month, the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different commodity to highlight the variety and quality of products grown, raised or processed in the state. This month, beef is featured in our Roast Beef Philly Wrap recipe.

Available Now…Beef

The cattle industry is Colorado’s largest agricultural sector. There are more than 2.6 million head of cattle and 13,000 beef producers throughout Colorado. The state ranks 10th in overall cattle numbers nationwide. A 3 oz. serving of lean beef (about the size of a deck of cards), has an average of about 150 calories and is a good or excellent source of 10 essential nutrients. Beef is an excellent source of protein and zinc. Look for beef at your local grocery store or at restaurants across the state.

Roast Beef Philly Wrap

12-05-11 *US Grains Council News* Japan Expands Import Capacity: USGC Corn Mission Hears Plans Firsthand

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 5, 2011 — The U.S. Grains Council’s 2011 Corn Mission to Japan, China and Vietnam toured the Kushiro Port in Hokkaido, Japan, and heard firsthand the plans to expand the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels.

Kushiro is the largest port facility in the heart of Japan’s major dairy producing area – Hokkaido, Japan.

The Director of the Kushiro Port Office for Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Dr. Tetsuya Hayakawa explained to the group that the port was selected in June by MLIT as one of the eight ports designated to undergo a massive expansion in an effort to remain competitive internationally. While Japan can accept the capsize or the post-panamax vessels expected with the expansion of the Panama Canal, this initiative will contribute greatly to Japan’s ability to handle larger ships with a faster distribution process.

Mission participant Tom Mueller, from the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, said the visit was a worthwhile and vital interaction as the expansion of the port will help to increase Japan’s grain import capacity at a competitive price. “Japan is our number one market for corn. This expansion and work to accommodate the larger vessels will help to ensure that Japan will continue to be a reliable customer. At the same time, it will help to reduce transportation costs, and positively attribute to Japan’s ability to remain competitive,” he said.

Mission members include:

12-05-11 *USDA News* Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack Announce Largest Ever Government Purchase of Biofuel

Biofuel Purchase Advances President Obama’s Energy Security Goals

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2011 —Today, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) signed a contract to purchase 450,000 gallons of advanced drop-in biofuel, the single largest purchase of biofuel in government history. While the Navy fleet alone uses more than 1.26 billion gallons of fuel each year, this biofuel purchase is significant because it accelerates the development and demonstration of a homegrown fuel source that can reduce America’s, and our military’s, dependence on foreign oil.

The Defense Department will purchase biofuel made from a blend of non-food waste (used cooking oil) from the Louisiana-based Dynamic Fuels, LLC, a joint-venture of Tyson Foods, Inc., and Syntroleum Corporation, and algae, produced by Solazyme. The fuel will be used in the U.S. Navy’s demonstration of a Green Strike Group in the summer of 2012 during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world’s largest international maritime exercise.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for December 5th

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“Bills Would Help Restore Regulatory Balance”

Last week the U.S. House passed H.R. 527 and H.R. 3010, two bills to help restore balance to the federal regulatory system. Both pieces of legislation are intended to help produce more effective regulations at a smaller cost to the economy. If enacted, the bills would increase transparency throughout the regulatory process by inviting more public participation, and they would limit the burden on business owners by requiring cost-benefit analysis of all new rules.

Blanche Lincoln, Chairwoman of Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations, says – Congress’ approvals are an important first step toward returning balance to the federal rulemaking process. Both bills enjoy the strong support of the hardworking men and women who feel the pressure of government regulation the most – small business owners.

Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations and the National Federation of Independent Businesses have sent a letter to President Obama proposing five commonsense principles to help reform the regulatory system. They include: giving small businesses a greater voice in the regulatory process; providing assistance to small businesses before assessing penalties; requiring major regulation to undergo rigorous cost-benefit analysis; basing decisions only on objective, validated science; and requiring more transparency and accountability.

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“House Ag Committee Schedules First Hearing”

The House Ag Committee expects to be the first to hear from Jon Corzine, the former Chief Executive officer of MF Global. The committee has scheduled a full committee hearing for December 8 to examine the MF Global bankruptcy. The House Ag Committee has put teeth in its request by issuing a subpoena to compel the attendance of Corzine. The Senate Ag Committee has set a similar hearing for Thursday, December 13