USDA TV Feature December 9, 2011: Biofuels For Commercial Airliners‏

12-09-11 *DoW-CO News* CHANGES HELP KOKANEE EGG TAKE AT BLUE MESA

GUNNISON, Colo. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife collected 11 million eggs from kokanee salmon running out of Blue Mesa Reservoir this fall, a record harvest which ensures that it and 26 other reservoirs which rely on stocking will receive an ample supply of salmon fry next spring.

This fall’s record eclipsed the previous mark of 9.2 million eggs harvested in 1993 and more than doubled the 5.4 million eggs taken in 2010.

Despite the good news, biologists say much more work needs to be done before they declare the population of kokanee salmon in the 9,000-acre reservoir recovered. Kokanee numbers have declined precipitously during the past 10 years as the population of predatory lake trout boomed, knocking the fishery out of balance.

“One good spawning run does not mean we’ve fixed the problems,” said John Alves, senior aquatic biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s southwest region. “Blue Mesa is critical for our statewide kokanee program and the fishery is out of balance. There is no quick fix.”

Biologists estimate the reservoir’s kokanee population at 280,000, down from about than 1 million a decade ago.

Blue Mesa Reservoir is a man-made body of water, so managing fish populations that did not evolve together poses significant challenges. While Blue Mesa’s trophy lake trout often capture headlines, surveys show that more than 80 percent of the reservoir’s anglers fish for kokanee, rainbow trout and brown trout. The kokanee population is intensively managed. Every year during fall, kokanee swim 20 miles up the Gunnison and East rivers to the Roaring Judy hatchery where they are spawned.

12-09-11 The latest USDA WASDE Report for December 9th, 2011

WHEAT: U.S. wheat ending stocks for 2011/12 are projected 50 million bushels higher with
reduced prospects for exports this month. Exports are lowered 50 million bushels with
reductions projected for Hard Red Winter, Soft Red Winter, and White wheat. Larger supplies
in several major exporting countries and relatively strong domestic prices, supported by the
tight domestic corn supply and use situation, are expected to limit opportunities for U.S. wheat
in world trade. Ending stocks for 2011/12, at 878 million bushels, are projected to be up 16
million from last year, but down 98 million from the recent high in 2009/10. The 2011/12
season-average farm price is lowered slightly to $7.05 to $7.55 per bushel compared with
$7.05 to $7.75 last month.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for December 9th

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“Dust Bill Passes House, Headed to Senate”

By a vote of 268 to 150, the U.S. House has passed the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 20ll.  Written by Representative Kristi Noem of South Dakota, the act, H.R. 1633, would prohibit EPA from placing regulations on farm dust.  Noem said – this is a huge win for farmers and ranchers.  The regulation of farm dust is not a partisan issue.  It is a rural issue.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bill Donald called Thursday’s vote a win for regulatory certainty for cattlemen and women. Donald says – we saw legislation as the only option to give all ranchers across the country any sort of peace of mind. The Melville, Montana cattleman says – 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.

NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon says the legislation recognizes that dust from agricultural activities has never been shown to have an adverse health impact at ambient levels. The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it was introduced by Senators Mike Johanns and Charles Grassley and has support from 26 bipartisan senators.

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“Reaction on Dust Bill Passage”

Senator Mike Johanns applauded the news that the House of Representatives had passed the farm dust bill. Johanns says the legislation would – provide legal certainty to farmers and ranchers. EPA’s pledge to not regulate farm dust was important, but a valid argument has been made that it does not prevent future Administrations from doing so. The House bill puts this issue to rest for good. Johanns hopes – we can build on the House’s bipartisan support and pass my legislation in the Senate to ensure we avoid this dust-up in the future.