01-03-12 MGEX Records Second Best Total Annual Volume in History

MINNEAPOLIS – MGEX, a Designated Contract Market and Derivatives Clearing Organization,  today announced total Hard Red Spring Wheat (HRSW) futures and options trading volume  reached 1,775,646 contracts, the second highest annual volume in the 130 year history of  MGEX, and a three percent increase over 2010. Nine of the top 25 record volume days  occurred in 2011. There were four months in 2011 which reached the monthly top 25.

There were 1,732,331 futures contracts traded in 2011, the second highest annual spring wheat  futures volume in MGEX history. Annual trading of HRSW options contracts soared 34 percent  over 2010, and HRSW futures trading grew two percent when compared to 2010.  In December, 68,057 HRSW futures contracts traded. Total volume of HRSW futures and  options was 68,231.  Complete volume and open interest information is available at www.mgex.com.

About MGEX
MGEX, a Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO), was established in 1881 and is the only market for Hard Red Spring Wheat (HRSW), National Corn Index (NCI), National Soybean Index  (NSI), Hard Red Winter Wheat Index (HRWI), Hard Red Spring Wheat Index (HRSI) and Soft Red Winter Wheat  Index (SRWI) futures and options. To learn more about MGEX visit www.mgex.com.

01-03-12 A Record-Setting Year for KCBT HRW Wheat Futures, Exchange in 2011

Kansas City–January 3, 2012–The Kansas City Board of Trade set new annual volume records in 2011 for Hard Red Winter wheat futures and for the exchange as a whole.

A total of 6,582,673 contracts were traded at the KCBT in 2011, setting a new record with a 15.5 percent increase over the 5,697,874 contracts traded in 2010.

In the HRW wheat futures contract, a total of 6,342,782 contracts were traded, which also set a new annual volume record over 2010 volume with a 14.3 percent increase.

HRW wheat options volume traded in 2011 amounted to 239,891 contracts, a 62.1 percent increase over total 2010 trading volume.

The Kansas City Board of Trade is a for-profit corporation organized under the laws of Delaware. The KCBT, founded in 1856, is the world’s largest futures market for hard red winter wheat. Daily quotes, market commentary, historical data and charting services are available on our website at www.kcbt.com.

To view the full press release, including charts, please click here: Annual Volume Record Press Release

01-03-12 *USMEF News* Mexico Offers Favorable Market Access for U.S. Beef, but Full Reopening Remains Elusive

Joe Schuele, USMEF Communications Director

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) January 3rd, 2012 - Joining the BARN by telephone is US Meat Export Federation Communications Director Joe Schuele discussing Mexico Offers Favorable Market Access for  U.S.  Beef, but Full Reopening Remains Elusive…010312_USMEF_JoeSchuele_US-MexicoBeefExports_8m

MORE INFORMATION:  Mexico was the first foreign market to reopen to U.S. beef following the discovery of BSE in 2003, and since that time  Mexico  has perennially been the largest volume market for  U.S. beef exports. But some BSE-related restrictions on imports of  U.S.  beef, including a 30-month cattle age limit, still remain in place for  Mexico . For example, beef feet and sweetbreads were recently removed from the list of  U.S. beef items prohibited by  Mexico (prohibited items still include ground beef and mechanically separated meat). The cattle age limit, however, remains a difficult obstacle to overcome. Despite these age and product restrictions,  US beef exports to  Mexico  performed very well in 2011. With two months of results still to be posted, beef exports to Mexico  (including variety meat) reached nearly 470 million pounds valued at $818.2 million. This is a 6 percent increase in volume and an impressive 25 percent increase in value over the first 10 months 2010.

To learn more about the US Meat Export Federation based in Denver, CO – CLICK HERE

01-03-12 Swords into Plowshares and Combat Boots into Cowboy Boots

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Grant Award helps Veterans return Home to Farm and Ranch

Lyons, NE - While some veterans returning home have jobs waiting for them, many do not and are returning to rural areas where jobs can be scarce. The USDA Risk Management Agency has awarded the Center for Rural Affairs along with Farmer-Veteran Coalition, Kansas Farmers Union and eight additional partner organizations with funding intended to introduce new veteran farmers and ranchers to various areas of agriculture, and thereby find solutions to the employment and economic challenges facing so many rural veterans.

“The long-term goal for this project is to help new veteran farmers and ranchers successfully establish farms and ranches in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Missouri,” said Kathie Starkweather with the Center for Rural Affairs.

According to Starkweather, the project will allow veterans to learn strategies and implement plans for farm/ranch start-up, including financing, land access, and business development. Veterans will also learn to access the resources available to them for technical assistance, production and marketing information, and mentoring.

For more information on this project, see [http://www.cfra.org/renewrural/farm]. The organizations partnering in this project are the Center for Rural Affairs, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Swords to Plowshares, Kansas Farmers Union, Missouri Farmers Union, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Kansas AgrAbility Project, Nebraska AgrAbility Project, Missouri AgrAbility Project, and Colorado AgrAbility Project.

01-03-12 Alumni and Friends of Colorado State University to Save on Tickets to CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show…GET THEM ASAP!

FORT COLLINS - CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show will be filled with rodeo, giveaways and plenty of green and gold. CSU Day is Saturday, Jan. 14. The National Western Stock Show is Jan. 7-22 at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver.

Your $12-$18 rodeo ticket includes entry to the Stock Show grounds, the 11 a.m. Pro Rodeo, mutton bustin’ competitions, entertainment and more. Discounted tickets must be purchased online by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at www.rams5280.colostate.edu. For more information, call (303) 376-2624 or e-maildenver@ar.colostate.edu.

CSU Day will include free giveaways, pictures with CAM the Ram mascots and an appearance by President Tony Frank and members of the CSU Board of Governors.

Colorado State University has a long and storied connection to the National Western Stock Show, one of Denver’s and the Rocky Mountain West’s most anticipated annual traditions.

Today, the partnership between the National Western Stock Show and Colorado State remains strong. “The National Western Stock Show continues its history of generous giving and support of Colorado State. The Stock Show is the largest individual scholarship donor in the College of Agricultural Sciences,” said Rick Brase, director of development.

01-03-12 *CSU Extension* Crowley County Woman Winner in State 2011 4-H Shooting Sports Raffle

Pictured (l to r) Back row: Joe Gruntorad, Crowley County 4-H Shooting Sports Leader: Cody Stalder, son of Jennifer: Jennifer Stalder, 2011 4-H Shooting Sports Raffle Winner: Olga Rosales, owner of M&O Pawn Shop in Rocky Ford and FFL dealer. Front row: Colton Gruntorad, seller of the winning ticket & 4-H Shooting Sports member: Kyle Stalder, son of Jennifer.

Jennifer Stalder, who works for the Department of Defense, is an avid Crowley County hunter and outdoor’s woman who can’t say no when ask to support the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. So when Colton Gruntorad of the Crowley County 4-H Program asked her to buy a raffle ticket to support the 4-H Shooting Sports Program she came through with a purchase.

When contacted and told that she had won first prize she was, to say the least, surprised. ”I’ve never won anything like this, when can get it?” The first prize in the first ever state wide 4-H Shooting Sports fund raising raffle was a CZ-USA Redhead 12 gauge over/under shotgun donated by CZ-USA.

According to James Hamilton, 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator, “The 2011 4-H Shooting Sports Raffle was developed to help local 4-H Shooting Sports programs raise funds to support their needs.” The majority of the funds, over 50% of the $10,000 that the raffle generated, stayed at the local level, benefiting the educational efforts of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program in individual counties. The remainder of the funds will be used to augment and supplement educational and programmatic efforts of the state level 4-H Shooting Sports Program.

CZ-USA has donated another shotgun and a .17 HRM bolt action rifle for the 2012 fund raising event. Be on the lookout for and support your local 4-H Shooting Sports members when they come around after the first of the year, selling raffle tickets. Who knows, YOU might me the lucky one in 2012.

Submitted by:

Brooke Matthew - CSU Extension Agent - 4-H Youth Development 719-254-7608 Email: brooke.matthew@colostate.edu

01-03-12 USCA Applauds Senators’ Initiative to Support U.S. Producers and Consumers

USCA (January 3, 2012) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) applauds the bipartisan leadership of Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) with regard to the challenge of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law brought by Canada and Mexico at the World Trade Organization (WTO).   Senators Johnson and Enzi joined 17 Senators on a letter urging the Obama Administration to maintain its support and defense of COOL at the WTO level.

While the WTO Dispute Panel’s findings were disappointing, USCA is pleased to see these Senators reaffirm their commitment to the U.S. cattle industry and a hugely popular and critical meat labeling law. The letter conveys the senators’ recognition of the significant nature of the rule and also reiterates a key point of the COOL case; the information provided through COOL allows consumers access to the information they deserve while the industry is able to identify their product without undue burden to producers or processors.

USCA COOL Chair and Region X director Danni Beer stated, “USCA will remain committed to the COOL law throughout the appeal process. We look forward to working with Senators Johnson and Enzi along with their 17 colleagues, as well as our other Congressional allies, in order to support the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) efforts in defending U.S. rights in this trade dispute. USCA will continue to work with the Administration and Congress in order to aggressively defend the rights of U.S. consumers and producers in the appeal process and we appreciate the effort and commitment shown by these Senators.”

01-03-12 *CDA News* Annual Directory Helps Local Farmers and Ranchers Market Products

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Colorado growers can market their products to consumers through the 28^th annual Colorado Farm Fresh Directory. Listings are being accepted for the 2012 edition of the directory. Published by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Farm Fresh promotes Colorado farmers’ markets, roadside stands, u-picks, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers, agritourism activities and farms and ranches that sell direct to the public.

“The Farm Fresh Directory is a great way for Colorado growers to direct market their products,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “It is one of our most popular publications and consumers look forward to the new edition every year.”

The directory will be available in June and is free to consumers. More than 100,000 copies of the publication will be distributed through libraries, extension offices, bookstores, farmers’ markets, welcome centers, chambers of commerce and other businesses. In addition to the printed directory, the 2012 Farm Fresh will also be available on the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s website.

The fee to be included in the directory is $25 and the deadline is February 1, 2012. For more information, including listing forms, contact Loretta Lopez at (303) 239-4115 or visitwww.coloradoagriculture.com.

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CCA’s 2012 Mid-Winter Conference Time is running out to get registered!

Don’t Miss Out!! Register for the 2012 Mid-Winter Conference Today!

To register contact the CCA Office at (303) 431-6422 or info@coloradocattle.org,

or download a registration form at  www.coloradocattle.org/events.aspx.

Registration deadline is January 6, 2012.

01-03-12 Inside the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union with RMFU President Kent Peppler

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) January 3rd, 2012 – Joining the BARN by telephone is Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President Kent Peppler discussing several topics including:

• RMFU Convention Recap
• 2012 Farm Bill or maybe the 2013 Farm Bill
• State Legislature & Redistricting Update
• 2012 NWSS & RMFU’s role with the CO FFA Heifer Wrangle Program
• 2012 Colorado Farm Show Jan 24-25-26 in Greeley, CO
• 2012 CCTA’s high Plains No Till Conference in Burlington, CO Jan 31st & Feb 1st
• RMFU’s Main Emphasis – Young People

To listen to the entire interview with RMFU President Kent Peppler, click the mp3 audio link below…

010312_RMFU_KentPeppler_20m20s

To learn more about the Rocky Mountain Farmer Union or how YOU can become a RMFU Member – CLICK HERE

01-03-112 Registration open for World Renewable Energy Forum in Denver, May 13-17, 2012…

Registration has opened for the World Renewable Energy Forum (WREF 2012), the premier international renewable energy conference in 2012.

For the first time, the American Solar Energy Society’s National Solar Conference will be held under the same roof with the biennial World Renewable Energy Congress. The combined event is the World Renewable Energy Forum 2012. The conference draws prominent speakers and technical presentations from renewable energy laboratories, installations and industries around the world.

WREF 2012 will examine how renewable energy technologies address the world’s economic, environmental and security challenges at every scale, from off-grid villages to gigawatt power plants.

For more information visit www.wref2012.org.

Plan to attend WREF 2012: Register today!

About WREF

The World Renewable Energy Network (WREN) and the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) have joined forces to present the World Renewable Energy Forum (WREF). This international event on renewable energy technologies will address the world’s economic, environmental and security challenges at every scale, from off-grid villages to gigawatt power plants. The 2012 conference also is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) and the International Solar Energy Society (ISES). Conference details are at www.wref2012.org.

01-03-12 Direct Solutions Launches Enhanced Branding Initiative, New Logo

New logo, tagline speak to customer-centric focus

Loveland, Colo. (January 3, 2012) – Direct Solutions, a division of Agrium Advanced Technologies, today launched its new logo and tagline as part of a larger strategic branding initiative unveiling. These elements support Direct Solutions’ customer-centric commitment, and speak to the organization’s focus on growth in the green industry and other markets it serves.

The decision to enhance the brand and logo stems from the acquisition and integration of Evergro in Canada, making Direct Solutions North America’s largest distributor of slow- and controlled- release fertilizers, plant protection products, grass seed and micronutrients for these specialty markets.

“The realignment of Direct Solutions will ensure the continued improvement in our delivery of industry-leading products and services to our customers,” said Andrew Mittag, President, Agrium Advanced Technologies.  “We are implementing a brand strategy that reflects our best-in-class customer service, premium quality products and streamlined distribution to the markets we serve.”

Leading Direct Solutions, North America will be Managing Director David Gingrich.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for January 3rd, 2012

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

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“New Nomenclature for Swine-Origin Influenza”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now has a new nomenclature for swine-origin influenza viruses identified in humans.  It will now be referred to as “variant” viruses and denoted with a “v.” Influenza viruses identified in swine populations will continue to be referred to as “swine influenza” viruses. The decision was made after discussions among the World Health Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization, CDC, and other U.S. federal agencies.

The CDC says human infections with the influenza viruses currently circulating among swine are rare. Since 2005, only 35 cases have been reported in the United States, but the frequency with which they have been detected increased in 2011. Since August 2011, CDC has identified 12 human infections in five states with swine-origin influenza A (H3N2) viruses.

To minimize the risk for interspecies influenza transmission, CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration encourage swine workers to be vaccinated against human seasonal influenza, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and practice good hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, when in contact with swine, especially swine that show signs of illness.

*************READ MORE NAFB AG NEWS BELOW*****************************
“California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Unconstitutional”

A judge in Federal District Court in Fresno, California, has ruled that the State of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard is unconstitutional.  Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill agreed with the arguments that the LCFS is in violation of the Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution. The Commerce Clause specifically forbids state laws that discriminate against out-of-state goods and that regulate out-of-state conduct.