01-23-12 Weekly USMEF Audio Report: U.S. Pork Exports to Japan Soar to New Heights

 

For many years, Japan has been the value pacesetter for U.S. pork exports. Exports to this market first cracked the $1 billion barrier in 2005, and have exceeded $1.5 billion in each of the past three years. But when December export totals are available, 2011 will be by far the best year ever. Exports are running nearly 20 percent above the 2010 pace, and strong December results could even push U.S. pork export value beyond the $2 billion mark for the 2011 calendar year.

 

Because pork commands such a strong price in Japan , it is the No. 1 target of most pork-exporting countries. The United States holds about a 45 percent market share of the imported pork entering Japan , and more than 70 percent of the market for high-quality chilled pork. Yet there is still room for further growth in Japan , as U.S. pork accounts for about 20 percent of Japan ’s total consumption when domestic pork is included.

 

Dan Halstrom is senior vice president for marketing and communications for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Halstrom just returned from a conference with the USMEF marketing staff in Tokyo , and discusses some of the recent keys to success for U.S. pork in the attached audio report. Halstrom explains the USMEF marketing initiatives that have been particularly effective for both chilled and frozen pork in Japan , as well as for pork used for further processing.

CLICK HERE to listen to the report

01-23-12 Two Colorado Simmental Cattle Operations Recognized during 2012 NWSS

DENVER – Colorado Simmental Association recognized two cattle operations during the 2012 National Western Stock Show events.

Willie Altenburg of Fort Collins was presented a CSA Honorary Lifetime Membership, and Erroll and the late Gayle Cook of Walsh were presented the CSA Pioneer Award.

Curt Russell, CSA vice president and former Am. Simmental trustee from Sugar City, made the surprise presentations to recognize the positive, long-term impact they each have had on the beef industry. CSA’s current board members joined Russell in the ring, as Pres. James Dilka of Briggsdale presented the granite plaques prior to the Wild, Wild West Sale on Jan. 17 at Brighton.

In CSA’s 41-year history, the presentation to Willie Altenburg was only the sixth lifetime membership.

Altenburg has raised Simmental cattle for more than 35 years, and during that time he has been a tireless supporter and promoter of the Simmental breed as well as CSA.

He has also been active throughout his years in the beef industry as an active member of Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Livestock Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Beef Improvement Federation.

01-23-12 NCBA Responds to Legislation to Mandate On-Farm Production Practices

WASHINGTON (Jan. 23, 2011) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald today criticized legislation introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) that would codify an agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers establishing federally mandated egg production practices. Donald said the legislation would set a dangerous precedent for allowing the federal government to dictate on-farm production practices and disregards decades of work the cattle industry has undertaken to develop science-based, voluntary animal care programs. Donald issued the following statement:

“America’s farm and ranch families are committed to raising healthy animals, which are the foundation of a safe, wholesome food supply. Decades ago, our farmers and ranchers voluntarily took it upon themselves to work with veterinarians, animal health specialists, university researchers and with each other to develop animal care practices and guidelines. That is why the programs have been so successful, certainly not because politicians in Washington, D.C., mandated them.

01-23-12 *FSA-CO News* Boulder/Jefferson COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY NEWSLETTER – January 2012

 

CLICK HERE to visit USDA-FSA-Colorado's Website

Public Meting for Proposed Consolidation of Boulder/Jefferson County Farm Service Agency Office

A public meeting will be held on February 3, 2012 from 10 AM to noon at the Longmont Public Library, meeting Room A, located at 409 4^th Avenue, Longmont Colorado to hear comments regarding a proposal to consolidate the Boulder County FSA office.

Over the past three years, FSA has faced a variety of budget-related challenges, including managing the Agency through a period of staff attrition, continuing budget reductions and an ever-increasing workload. Through a targeted office consolidation effort of 131 offices nationwide, FSA is striving to balance significant budget cuts, staff reductions, and increasing workloads while focusing the efforts of our staff to provide high quality service from the remaining 2,113 office locations.

Office consolidation decisions were made carefully, in light of the impact they will have on communities and producers. There were two steps to the review process. First, USDA followed Congressional direction under the 2008 Farm Bill to propose first for consolidation, to the maximum extent practicable, all offices which are located within 20 miles of another office, and which employ 2 or fewer permanent full-time employees. In addition, USDA identified all FSA offices that currently have zero employees – regardless of location.

Should the proposal ultimately result in consolidation, FSA leadership has determined that the Boulder County FSA office will be consolidated into the Adams County FSA office located in Brighton, Colorado. However, all producers in Boulder County will have the option to choose a different FSA office with which to conduct their business should they so choose.

Producers who wish to comment on this proposal may attend this public meeting on February 3^rd or they may provide written comment by emailing trudy.kareus@co.usda.gov or by sending written comments to the following address: Trudy Kareus, Colorado State FSA Office, PO Box 25426, Denver, CO 80225 no later than February 13, 2012. All public comments will be taken into full consideration prior to the development or implementation of the final consolidation plan. For more information, contact Trudy Kareus at the Colorado FSA at 720-544-2876.

County Committee Election Results

01-23-12 *NCGA News of the Day* Racing Partnerships to Promote Ethanol

In a nod to its commitment to the sport, the American Ethanol partnership, which includes the National Corn Growers Association, on Saturday announced that it will continue relationships with Richard Childress Racing and RAB Racing for the 2012 season.

Austin Dillon, 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion, will drive the No. 3 Chevrolet during the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series season with American Ethanol serving as the primary sponsor for six races as well as one race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012. Dillon’s No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet paint scheme was unveiled at the event.

“I’m proud to carry the American Ethanol colors in NASCAR,” said Dillon. “Growth Energy is committed to clean air, and as an avid outdoorsman I truly appreciate their desire to protect our nation’s air and water for future generations. I commend the work they do and I am looking forward to representing American Ethanol, Growth Energy and the National Corn Growers Association.”

In addition to American Ethanol’s partnership with Dillon, the organization will serve as an associate sponsor with the entire RCR family of drivers. Team owner Richard Childress as well as RCR’s Sprint Cup Series veterans Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton and Paul Menard will also serve as spokesmen for the cause.

Kenny Wallace, who notched 11 top-ten finishes last year, will drive the No. 09 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for RAB Racing. American Ethanol will partner with Wallace for the Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500, as well as five races in the Nationwide Series.

“I’m honored to represent American Ethanol. I not only talk about American Ethanol, I truly believe in it. I’ve been to the farms, I’ve met the families, I’ve been to the ethanol plants, and I’ve been in the hallways of the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C., in support of it. I believe it is our job to cut down on dependency of foreign oil, and American Ethanol is a major part of that,” Wallace said.

“American Ethanol is getting a lot of positive attention because it’s a good fit for NASCAR’s green initiative, and because of the increased horsepower on the track,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer. “Our partnership with RCR and RAB Racing will assure continued success in letting the American public know that if ethanol can stand the stress these drivers put it through, it’s good for the family car, too.” The American Ethanol partnership was established with the goal of increasing awareness of ethanol’s renewable, clean-burning, high-octane abilities as a fuel. One initiative included the release last September of a white paper detailing NASCAR’s use of E15 (15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline) in more than a million miles of racing, qualifying and practice laps – proving that E15 can withstand the test of America’s toughest proving ground.

01-23-12 US Senator Bennet Encourages Coloradans to Nominate Local Unsung Heroes for Prestigious National Honor

Citizen Service Above Self Honors Presented by Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is encouraging Coloradans to submit nominations for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors, presented by the Medal of Honor Society to recognize and honor ordinary Americans who become extraordinary through their courage and selflessness.

The society—which is comprised of the fewer than 90 living recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor—gives the awards annually to three individuals nationwide who have made a difference in the lives of others through a singular act of extraordinary heroism or through their continued commitment to putting others before themselves. The nominee’s actions must epitomize the concept of “service before self” and must be performed “above and beyond” one’s professional area of responsibility or conduct.

Coloradans may submit an eligible nominee by completing the online nomination form on the Citizen Service Before Self Honors website, www.CitizenServiceBeforeSelfHonors.org.  The nomination period ends onFriday, February 10, 2012.

01-23-12 *LMA News* First time in any auctioneer competition, Kansan, 18, wins Greeley qualifying contest for 2012 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

     GREELEY, COLO. – It was his first time in any auctioneer contest, and Blaine Lotz, 18, made the most of it. He won Livestock Marketing Association’s 3^rd qualifying contest, held here Jan. 17, for the 2012 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC)

     Lotz, who studied at a Montana auction school when he was 15 and started livestock auctioneering the year he turned 16, defeated 19 other contestants in competition hosted by Greeley’s Producers Livestock Marketing Association.

Asked how he felt when his name was called as champion, Lotz, of Edna, Kan., said, “To tell the truth, I was very shocked to place as well as I did, considering the competition.”

He is a freshman at Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, Kan. In addition to being a full-time student, he works 2-5 sales a week.

The reserve champion here was Kevin Schow, Paxton, Neb., and the runner-up champion was Russele Sleep, Bedford, Iowa.

The three winners are guaranteed a spot in this summer’s WLAC. That’s also true for the next five highest-scoring contestants in the contest here. 

01-23-12 *USDA/NASS News* Milk Production

Milk Production

ISSN: 1949-1557

Released January 23, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

December Milk Production up 2.7 Percent

Milk production in the 23 major States during December totaled 15.4 billion
pounds, up 2.7 percent from December 2010.  November revised production at
14.7 billion pounds, was up 2.2 percent from November 2010.  The November
revision represented an increase of 3 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent
from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,818 pounds for December,
27 pounds above December 2010.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.49 million
head, 99,000 head more than December 2010, and 12,000 head more than November
2011.

October – December Milk Production up 2.3 Percent

01-23-12 CME Group Expands Centrally Cleared OTC Agricultural Offering with Eight New Grain and Oilseed Swaps

CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today announced it has expanded its centrally cleared, over-the-counter (OTC) agricultural swap offering through the introduction of eight new grain and oilseed swaps. The new swaps will be available for clearing on February 13, pending regulatory review. Among the offering are five new bullet swaps and three additional calendar swaps, which are listed with, and subject to, the rules and regulations of CBOT.

Additionally, these OTC agricultural swaps are the first to be introduced by any exchange following a new CFTC agricultural swap rule that took effect on December 31, 2011, allowing certification of agricultural swap products under new regulations beginning in January 2012.

“These new agricultural swaps will provide customers with even greater flexibility to manage price risk while accessing the world’s deepest and most liquid grain and oilseed markets,” said Tim Andriesen, Managing Director,Agricultural Commodities and Alternative Investments, CME Group. “Customers have expressed strong interest in centrally cleared agricultural swaps as a way to complement our underlying futures. We’re confident these new financially settled swaps will provide customers with another set of versatile hedging tools to manage their risk.”

01-23-12 NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen Live Show to Feature Tennessee Beef Cattle Industry and 2012 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show

— Live Show to Include Membership Drive

DENVER (Jan. 23, 2012) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is headed to Nashville, Tenn., for the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen is taking an in-depth look inside the Tennessee beef cattle industry in advance of the convention. The special live episode of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen will give viewers an introduction to the Tennessee Beef Council, Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, The Grand Ole Opry and the Jack Daniels Distillery. The episode will air on RFD-TV at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on Tues., Jan. 24, 2012.  

“We are so excited about bringing this year’s Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show to the great state of Tennessee,” said NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen host Kevin Ochsner. “This special edition of the show will give viewers not only a unique view of the beef cattle industry in Tennessee but also a look at some of the fun and excitement we’ll see while we’re in Music City.”

The show will also offer viewers an opportunity to join NCBA by calling 1-866-USA-Beef. The program will re-broadcast on RFD-TV Wed., Jan. 25, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. EST and Sat., Jan. 28, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. EST. In addition, all episodes of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen are available on the program’s website at www.cattlementocattlemen.org. The program is also onFacebook and can be followed on Twitter.

NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen is an award-winning program providing information on the U.S. beef cattle industry since February 2007. Sponsors of the program include Purina Mills; John Deere; Pfizer Animal Health; Merck Animal Health; Dow AgroSciences; Roper Apparel and Footwear; and Stetson Apparel and Boots.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

 

01-23-12 *Alltech News* Global Feed Tonnage Reaches Record 873 Million

[Lexington, KY] – The world’s feed production has reached an estimated 873 million metric tons, according to a global survey commissioned by Alltech. Conducted through Alltech’s regional managers, the survey assessed the tonnage of 132 countries and all species.

“This new global estimate is quite significant, especially when compared to the 2010 WATT report, which indicated 717.6 million metric tons,” said Aidan Connolly, vice president of corporate accounts at Alltech. “Feed production is an increasingly global phenomenon and this survey is the broadest in its reach and, therefore, also complete in terms of its review of the state of play in the world feed industry.”

Asia has secured a role as the number one feed producing region with a tonnage of 305 million, and China is the leading country with a total tonnage of 175.4 million. Europe follows Asia with 200 million. North America, Latin America and the Middle East/Africa round out the listing with 185 million, 125 million and 47 million respectively.

In terms of species, poultry feed now represents 44% of world feed, which may reflect the cost, health and religious preferences of this white meat. Ruminant feed is calculated at more than 220 million tons but this does not include a similar quantity of dry matter fed as silage or forage on farm. Pig, equine and pet feeds have not changed significantly, but aquaculture is the fastest growing feed sector, totaling nearly 30 million tons.

“As we look to feed 7 billion people in 2012, it is clear that the efficient production of meat, milk and eggs has never been more important,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Alltech has invested in this evaluation of the world’s feed industry as part of its ongoing commitment to information and technology transfer between providers and customers.”

01-23-12 Weed Science Society of America to Co-Sponsor National Summit on the Management of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds

LAWRENCE, KANSAS – JANUARY 23, 2012 – Today the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) announced it will co-sponsor an upcoming scientific summit on how to manage herbicide-resistant weeds – a costly and growing problem threatening crop production across the U.S. and around the globe.

The May 10 event is being organized by the National Research Council, the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences, and will be held at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Several WSSA members will deliver presentations or participate in panel discussions.  Among them is David Shaw, former president of WSSA and immediate past chairman of its Herbicide Resistance Education Committee.  He will address best management practices that can combat herbicide resistance.

“A significant contributing factor in the evolution of resistance is the repeated use of a single herbicide mode of action,” Shaw says.  “To counter this dangerous trend, we need to move to integrated weed management programs that incorporate a variety of other control methods.  Doing so can help us preserve crop yields, herbicide effectiveness and the sustainability of vital agricultural production systems.”

Other WSSA scientists on the program include: 

01-23-12 *CDPHE News* Pollution Prevention Grants Program

Hub-and-Spoke Recycling Model

What is Hub-and-Spoke?

In its simplest form, the Hub-and-Spoke recycling model consists of a centralized processing center for recyclables, or “hub”, where material is sorted, baled, and/or sold to market. The “spokes” consist of surrounding communities that feed the recyclables they collect to the main hub. Typically the hub and spoke communities have a formal agreement that ensures the recyclables collected in the region flow from the spokes to the hub for processing.

What are the benefits of Hub-and-Spoke?

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for Jan 23rd

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

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“Sign-Up Begins for DCP and ACRE”

Enrollment for the 2012 Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election Program begin today. USDA urges producers to make use of the electronic DCP automated website to sign up, or producers can visit any USDA Service Center to complete their 2012 DCP or ACRE contract. According to Farm Service Agency Administrator Bruce Nelson, – eDCP saves time, reduces paperwork and speeds up contract processing at USDA Service Centers. The sign-up deadline is June 1, 2012.

eDCP is available to all producers who are eligible to participate in the programs and can be accessed atwww.fsa.usda.gov/dcp. To access the service, producers must have an active USDA eAuthentication Level 2 account, which requires filling out an online registration form at www.eauth.egov.usda.govfollowed by a visit to the local USDA Service Center for identity verification.

For 2012, advance direct payments are not authorized and Counter-Cyclical payment rates vary depending on market prices. Counter-cyclical payments are issued only when the effective price for a commodity is below its target price. The ACRE Program provides a safety net based on state revenue losses. When the ACRE option is chosen, it acts in place of the price-based safety net of counter-cyclical payments under DCP.

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

“USDA Changing Poultry Inspections”

In a shift that will save money for businesses and taxpayers while improving food safety, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is proposing a modernization of young chicken and turkey slaughter inspection in the United States. This new approach will focus FSIS inspection resources on the areas of the poultry production system that pose the greatest risk to food safety.