12-08-11 *DoW-CO News* NATURAL AREAS, COMMISSION MAKEUP APPROVED

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved the addition of three new State Natural Areas to the Colorado Natural Areas Program during its monthly meeting on Thursday Dec. 8 in Fort Collins.

Since 1977, the Colorado Natural Areas Program has worked with interested landowners and volunteers to conserve the ecosystems, species, geology and fossils that represent resources which are “uniquely Colorado.” Coordinator Brian Kurzel explained that the program enrolls only properties whose landowners support the protection of the resources on their properties. “It’s a way of acknowledging that the existing landowners are doing things very well, to recognize them for their work and to assist them in any way we can,” Kurzel said.

Two of the areas are located in southwest and are already owned and managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The third is located on the Eastern Plains.

The three properties are:

• The 2,529-acre Miramonte Natural Area is located within the Dan Noble State Wildlife Area at Miramonte Reservoir in San Miguel County. Renowned for its excellent recreational opportunities and remarkably diverse rare plant habitats, this area also serves as an indicator of healthy sagebrush communities and provides some of the best habitat for the Gunnison sage-grouse in the county.

• North of Durango in La Plata County, 125 acres of the Haviland Lake State Wildlife Area have become the new Haviland Lake Natural Area. Plant communities common to the southern Rockies meet with Four Corners communities in interesting and unique assemblage of species. Riparian shrub lands and robust wetland vegetation at the site provide habitat for sensitive wildlife species such as the osprey and the Northern leopard frog.

• In eastern Colorado north of Idalia, the 2,240-acre Arikaree River Natural Area is part of the largest remaining naturally functioning Great Plains river system in the state. Several native and uncommon species of amphibians, fish and reptiles reside in a mature riparian corridor that includes high-quality native prairie and streamside plant communities. The area, owned by the Colorado Land Board, is a meeting ground for many bird species from the eastern and western United States and is one of the best birding areas in Colorado.

12-08-11 USCA Submits Comments on Department of Labor’s Proposed Child Labor Regulations

USCA ( December 8, 2011) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) recently submitted comments regarding the Department of Labor’s proposed regulation, “Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation; Child Labor Violations- Civil Money Penalties”, which was published in the Federal Register on September 2, 2011. The proposed changes would revise the initial child labor regulations that were issued within the Fair Labor Standards Act and would far outreach the regulatory extent to which the federal government currently operates in regards to on-farm youth labor oversight.

USCA opposes the majority of the proposed regulations and is urging its membership to communicate with their elected representatives and local media outlets to ensure their fellow producers are aware of the drastic implications the rule would have on family-run farm and ranch operations throughout America. The proposed changes would apply to a multitude of daily farm tasks, but most significantly, they would restrict agriculture work to only those youth whose parents directly own and operate a farm or ranch operation, and would effectively limit any participation from additional family members or neighbor’s children.

12-08-11 EPA Releases Draft Findings of Pavillion, Wyoming Ground Water Investigation for Public Comment and Independent Scientific Review

(Denver, Colo. –December 8, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a draft analysis of data from its Pavillion, Wyoming ground water investigation. At the request of Pavillion residents, EPA began investigating water quality concerns in private drinking water wells three years ago. Since that time, in conjunction with the state of Wyoming, the local community, and the owner of the gas field, Encana, EPA has been working to assess ground water quality and identify potential sources of contamination.

EPA constructed two deep monitoring wells to sample water in the aquifer. The draft report indicates that ground water in the aquifer contains compounds likely associated with gas production practices, including hydraulic fracturing. EPA also re-tested private and public drinking water wells in the community. The samples were consistent with chemicals identified in earlier EPA results released in 2010 and are generally below established health and safety standards. To ensure a transparent and rigorous analysis, EPA is releasing these findings for public comment and will submit them to an independent scientific review panel. The draft findings announced today are specific to Pavillion, where the fracturing is taking place in and below the drinking water aquifer and in close proximity to drinking water wells – production conditions different from those in many other areas of the country.

Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the Obama Administration is committed to ensuring that the development of this vital resource occurs safely and responsibly. At the direction of Congress, and separate from this ground water investigation, EPA has begun a national study on the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.

“EPA’s highest priority remains ensuring that Pavillion residents have access to safe drinking water,” said Jim Martin, EPA’s regional administrator in Denver. “We will continue to work cooperatively with the State, Tribes, Encana and the community to secure long-term drinking water solutions. We look forward to having these findings in the draft report informed by a transparent and public review process. In consultation with the Tribes, EPA will also work with the State on additional investigation of the Pavillion field.”

Findings in the Two Deep Water Monitoring Wells:

12-08-11 *CWC News* Noem’s Bipartisan Farm Dust Legislation Passes House Another Bill from Western Caucus Jobs Frontier Report Passes House

 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the US House of Representatives passed H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, in a bipartisan 268-150 vote.  The legislation will prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating rural dust.  It has received support from over 190 agriculture organizations.

Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce (R-NM) released the following statement following final passage of the bill:

“I would like to congratulate Congresswoman Noem (R-SD) on final passage of her Farm Dust legislation.  She has been a tireless advocate for job creators and her stewardship of this legislation to bring regulatory certainty to the agriculture community through the House should be applauded.

12-08-11 *NREL News* World Renewable Energy Forum May 13-17, 2012 in Denver, CO…Call for Papers — December 15 Deadline Looms

The Dec. 15, 2011, deadline to submit technical papers and forum proposals for the year’s preeminent renewable energy conference is fast approaching.

The World Renewable Energy Forum (WREF) will convene the world’s top renewable energy experts May 13-17, 2012, in Denver, Colorado. The conference will look at how renewable energy technologies can address the environmental and energy challenges from an international perspective and examine what it takes to integrate renewables into the world’s energy infrastructure on a large scale.

WREF will gather the planet’s top energy experts in all topical areas: research, technology transfer, manufacturing, installation, utilities, environment, buildings, policy, professional education, workforce development and consumer education.

Papers

USGC Update for December 8th, 2011

Advancing DDGS Adoption in China - Page 1
Council Welcomes Two New Faces to its Staff in Washington D.C. – Page 1
Register Today for the 9th International Marketing Conference and 52nd Annual Membership Meeting - Page 2
Council Activity Calendar - Page 2
USDA’s Weekly Export Sales Highlights for November 25 – December 1, 2011 - Page 3
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Advancing DDGS Adoption in China
The U.S. Grains Council’s latest DDGS promotion in China was a successful pair of workshops in Guangzhou and Qingdao, according to Alvaro Cordero, USGC manager of DDGS.

“The day-long sessions were designed to provide an exchange of comprehensive DDGS market information, including discussions and analysis of the value of U.S. DDGS,” he reported.

“We had 200 to 250 people at each session, a much larger attendance than we initially planned for. The emphasis was primarily on buyers, but we had attendees from other backgrounds.”

Cordero noted the benefits of having a number of USGC member companies present. “This created a good opportunity for buyers and sellers to make connections,” he said.

The conferences, organized in cooperation with FoodChina Company, included presentations on DDGS use in swine, poultry and dairy rations, in addition to quality control, DDGS supply and demand, and pricing.

While the pace has slowed compared to last year’s record volume, the United States continues to export large volumes of DDGS to China, despite an anti-dumping case initiated by the Chinese government last winter.

U.S. shipments in the January-to-September period were down 49 percent from the previous year but still totaled almost one million metric tons, making China the number two export market for distillers grains.

Council Welcomes Two New Faces to its Staff in Washington D.C.

12-08-11 *CCA News* 2012 Kirk Hanna Cattlemen’s Leadership College: Jan 16th in Denver, CO…April 19th & June 11-13th…GET REGISTERED

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Kirk Hannah Cattlemens Leadership College

The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) would like to invite you to participate in theKirk Hanna Cattlemen’s Leadership College (KHCLC).  KHCLC is a program of CCA that provides professional development and leadership training to members who are interested in becoming more involved at the local and state levels. Through KHCLC, these individuals are able to engage in a variety of activities that provide them with increased knowledge and understanding of the grassroots leadership of CCA, membership programs, working relationships with industry organizations, industry issues, etc. Acquiring this information prepares them for their goal of becoming a future leader within CCA.

The KHCLC will kick off in January.

• January 16-18: Attend the CCA Mid-Winter Meeting and Legislative Day.
• April 19: Lead the Way – Enhancing your leadership skills
• June 11-13: CCA/CCW/JCCA 145^th Annual Convention

The cost of attending KHCLC is $200/person.  However, participants will be receiving approximately $800.00 each in value as meals, hotels, convention registration fees, and educational material will be provided for them.  Local CCA affiliates have been strong supporters of KHCLC, so we encourage participants to look to their local affiliates to sponsor some of the cost for those who wish to attend.

Please submit applications to the CCA office by January 6, 2012.

FOR MORE INFORMATION LOOK BELOW…

12-08-11 *CCA News* CCA’s 61st Mid-Winter Conference Jan 17-18 in Denver, CO – GET REGISTERED NOW!

Colorado Cattlemen’s Association

Mid-Winter Conference

January 17-18, 2012

ROOMS: To reserve a room at the Crown Plaza DIA please call (303) 371-9494 or 1-800-2Crowne. Room rates are $99 - this rate does not include the breakfast buffet for two people per room per night. 

Hotel Reservation Deadline is December 26th!!!

Mention you are with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association to receive this discounted rate.

Mid-Winter Schedule

Mid-Winter Registration Form

If you have questions, please contact the CCA office at (303) 431-6422 or email Jennifer Tippitts.

12-08-11 Record Number of Dairy and Beef Producers Attend Alltech’s Global 500

 [Lexington, KY] – Alltech’s biggest ever Global 500 conference concluded, after welcoming nearly 700 dairy and beef producers from 32 countries to Alltech’s home in Lexington, Kentucky.

President and founder of Alltech, Dr. Pearse Lyons opened the conference with his “Eight Big Ideas” for the dairy and beef industries:

1. Efficiency:  the cow is a fermentor, it is designed for fiber, we can increase efficiency and feed fiber.
2. Green house gases: We cannot stick our head in the sand. Green house gases are a real problem and sooner or later we will be taxed.
3. Mineral wastage & pollution:  .75 kilo of mineral waste per cow means that a ton of mineral waste per day on a 1,000 cow farm.
4. Creating more nutritious milk and beef.
5. Branding: Branding is essential. Why is soda $5 per gallon when milk is so much better for you?
6. Fiber: Grain is expensive or unavailable. Fiber is not only a cheaper alternative but the rumen is designed to use it.
7. Nutrigenomics: This is a nutrition revolution. Nutrigenomics allow us to study how nutrients switch genes on and off. We can then develop programmed nutrition plans for young animals to increase efficiency and performance for life.
8. Social Media: We have to tell our story.

This was followed by two days of seminars, covering everything from nutrition, to branding and social media. Experts from all areas of the industry were on hand to give dairy and beef producers all the information they need to take on the challenges of a changing industry.

12-08-11 NCBA: Cattlemen Score Victory on Dust Vote

— House Tells EPA’s Overregulation to Bite the Dust

WASHINGTON (Dec. 8, 2011) – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a clear signal today, Dec. 8, 2011, from the U.S. House of Representatives that placing burdensome and scientifically unfounded regulations on U.S. farmers and ranchers is unacceptable. In a bipartisan showing, the House voted 268-150 in favor of Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s (R-S.D) Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011(H.R. 1633). National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald calls today’s vote a win for regulatory certainty for cattlemen and women.

“Unfortunately, taking EPA’s word that farm dust will not be further regulated provides absolutely no relief to those cattle producers already faced with dust regulations. We saw legislation as the only option to give all ranchers across the country any sort of peace of mind,” said Donald, who is a rancher from Melville, Mont. “Cattlemen and women worried about being fined for moving cattle, tilling a field or even driving down a dirt road should rest assured knowing that will not be allowed to happen on our watch. The bill provides much-needed certainty for cattlemen.”

Donald said the fact EPA was even considering regulating dust at levels that would push much of the country into non-compliance was reason enough to move forward with H.R. 1633. NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon said the legislation recognizes that dust from agricultural activities has never been shown to have an adverse health impact at ambient levels. H.R. 1633 first gives states and localities the authority in regulating dust by preventing the federal standard from applying where states or localities already have dust measures in place. In places where there is no state or local control, the bill also would exempt farm dust from the Clean Air Act unless the EPA administrator can prove it is a significant health problem and that applying the standard is worth the costs.

12-08-11 *NCBA’s Beltway Beef* House Passes Dust Bill

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

Tune in for a special edition of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Beltway Beef audio. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a clear signal today, Dec. 8, 2011, from the U.S. House of Representatives that  placing burdensome and scientifically unfounded regulations on U.S. farmers and ranchers is unacceptable. In a bipartisan showing, the House voted 268-150 in favor of Congresswoman Kristi Noem’s (R-S.D) Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011(H.R. 1633).

NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon said the legislation recognizes that dust from agricultural activities has never been shown to have an adverse health impact at ambient levels. H.R. 1633 first gives states and localities the authority in regulating dust by preventing the federal standard from applying where states or localities already have dust measures in place. In places where there is no state or local control, the bill also would exempt farm dust from the Clean Air Act unless the EPA administrator can prove it is a significant health problem and that applying the standard is worth the costs.

This weekly commentary features NCBA members, leaders, staff and more week after week. Click here to download this week’s segment of Beltway Beef. Click here for all previous clips.

 

Be sure to read about this and more on NCBA’s blog, Beltway Beef. Follow Beltway Beef on Twitter, like us on Facebook, watch video on YouTube and download pictures from Flickr.

12-08-11 US Representative Gardner (R-CO) votes to prevent EPA regulation of farm dust

 WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and his colleagues in the House have passed a bill, H.R. 1633, which would protect agriculture from unrestrained dust regulations that are harmful to jobs in rural Colorado.

“In case the administration hasn’t noticed, agriculture involves a lot of dirt – we drive down unpaved roads, plow fields and work with livestock.  Trying to over regulate the dust stirred up from these activities, which are routine to rural life, would without a doubt put farmers and ranchers across the country out of business,” Gardner said.

Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA asserts the authority to regulate “coarse particulate matter,” which includes dust from farms.  H.R. 1633, which Gardner has co-sponsored, provides immediate relief to farmers and rural areas by preventing the EPA from imposing stricter dust standards than what is already in place.

The House passed H.R. 1633, also known as the “Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act,” 268 to 150 Thursday afternoon.

2011 Colorado Ag Classic…WATCH THE ARCHIVES on BarnMedia.iHigh.com!

WATCH THE OPENING SESSION ARCHIVES on BarnMedia.iHigh.com – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE to view the 2011 Colorado Ag Classic WEBCAST ARCHIVES

The seventh annual Colorado Ag Classic will be held December 7-8 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado. The Colorado Ag Classic is the joint convention of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers (CAWG), the Colorado Corn Growers Association (CCGA), Colorado Sunflower Administrative Committee (CSAC), Colorado Sorghum Producers (CSP), Colorado Seed Growers Association (CSGA), and Colorado Seed Industry Association (CSIA).

Registration cost for an individual is $99, the same as in previous years, and $149 for a husband and wife. Be one of the first ten to register with the Colorado Wheat office and receive a rebate of $50 (individual) or $75 (husband and wife). (Rebate will be paid to attendee after convention.)

Click here for a brochure detailing the agenda, and a registration form: 2011 Colorado Ag Classic Brochure (6)

The keynote speaker is Riva Bhalla, of STRATFOR Global Intelligence. Bhalla will speak on the importance and influence of the global economy for Colorado farmers. CAWG member Dan Anderson recommended a STRATFOR speaker for the convention after hearing a speaker from STRATFOR at another conference.

“Whether we think we are or not, we are part of a global marketplace, and we need to operate our farming businesses with that in mind. We need to understand our own position in the world economy. Farmers are being affected by the global economy right now, with the European debt crisis impacting the commodity markets. STRATFOR has a global network of intelligence, and the speaker I heard last year was just amazing.” Anderson said.

12-08-11 USDA Implements Provisions from 2008 Farm Bill to Protect Livestock and Poultry Producers

WASHINGTON, December 8, 2011—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA has published the Final Rule implementing the 2008 Farm Bill provisions to better protect livestock producers and poultry growers under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA).

“As I travel throughout the countryside, I often hear from farmers and ranchers about their concerns with the marketplace becoming more concentrated,” Secretary Vilsack said. “While concentration certainly comes with some efficiencies, Congress recognized in the 2008 Farm Bill that additional protections for producers are warranted. Today’s rule will implement these targeted protections and help provide more fairness and transparency in the marketplace.”

12-08-11 Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Funding To Improve Access to Education and Health Care in Rural Areas…$0 for Colorado

WASHINGTON, December 8, 2011 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that recipients in 34 states and one territory will receive funding to improve access to health care and educational services in rural areas. Funding is provided through the USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Program.

“This program delivers educational and medical opportunities that are urgently needed in remote, rural areas,” Vilsack said. “President Obama has said that no matter where you live in America, you should have access to quality educational opportunities. Rural Americans deserve the same opportunities for education and medical care as metropolitan-area residents, and these funds will make that happen.”

The grants, administered by USDA Rural Development through its Rural Utilities Service, will help fund 100 distance learning and telemedicine projects, including six in North Carolina. In Duplin County – about 60 minutes from Fayetteville, James Sprunt Community College will receive a $192,870 grant that will enable faculty to offer college-level and advanced placement courses to a network of five surrounding high schools. Other North Carolina recipients include UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, Easter Seals UCP NC & VA, Sampson Regional Medical Center and Mission Healthcare Foundation, Inc. Rural Development Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager made today’s announcement on Vilsack’s behalf at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, N.C.

12-08-11 CME Group’s Duffy to Appear Before the House Agriculture Committee

CHICAGO, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — CME Group announced that Executive Chairman Terry Duffy will appear before the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture today, Thursday, December 8, to discuss the MF Global bankruptcy.

“MF Global put market users in a tragic position,” said Duffy. “In the days leading up to MF Global’s bankruptcy, daily reviews of the company’s segregation reports showed the firm remained in full compliance with segregation requirements.  Any transfers of customer funds, effectuated by MF Global, constitute very serious violations of our rules and of CFTC regulations.”

“With respect to the unprecedented loss of customer segregated funds caused by MF Global, CME Group’s efforts have been to assist customers and minimize market disruptions,” Duffy added.   “Our efforts have been directed toward speeding customer access to their trading accounts, transferring their positions and providing the Trustee with a $550 million guarantee from CME Group, to enable him to quickly release customer funds that were securely held at CME Clearing.  Moving forward, we intend to work with the Congress, regulators and industry leaders to strengthen customer safeguards at the firm level.”

The hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Eastern time in the Longworth House Office Building. Duffy’s written testimony will also be available on www.cmegroup.com at that time.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for December 8th

CLICK HERE to listen to TODAY's BARN Morning Ag News with Brian Allmer...

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“House to Consider Farm Dust Bill”

Today (Thursday) as the House considers H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, it will be considering bipartisan legislation that gives farmers and ranchers certainty that they will be exempt from excessive regulation of dust. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas says the bill – will provide for a one-year moratorium on the EPA from adding any additional dust regulations on production agriculture and rural America. 

According to Lucas, the Farm Dust bill is simply saying, – Lisa Jackson, you told us as EPA director you will not add additional dust regulations.  By statute, we’re going to guarantee that you will not add additional dust regulations for the next year. Lucas notes, – you can’t plant, you can’t harvest, you can’t till the fields without a little dust.

The Environmental Protection Agency currently has the ability to tighten regulatory standards for dust under the Clean Air Act. Should this happen, farmers, ranchers, and rural economies could be devastated.  Senator Lucas adds, – on dry days, production could come to a standstill as farmers and ranchers focus on controlling dust rather than producing food.

******************READ MORE NAFB AG NEWS BELOW***************************

“French Court Clears Way For Monsanto’s GMOs”

The highest court in France has overturned that country’s ban on growing a strain of genetically modified maize developed by U.S. biotech firm Monsanto. The court said the ban was – not sufficiently justified. The decision follows an earlier ruling by the European Court of Justice saying France had based its decision to impose a moratorium on the growing of Monsanto’s insect-resistant MON810 maize on the wrong EU legislation.