01-25-12 *The White House* FACT SHEET: National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security

“International trade has been and continues to be a powerful engine of United States and global economic growth.  In recent years, communications technology advances and trade barrier and production cost reductions have contributed to global capital market expansion and new economic opportunity.  The global supply chain system that supports this trade is essential to the United States’ economy and security and is a critical global asset.”

- National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security, 2012

The United States and other nations worldwide rely upon the efficient and secure movement of goods across and within our borders to provide food, medicine, energy, and an abundance of other products that feed our domestic critical infrastructure sectors, drive our economies, and support our ways of life.   We have a shared, mutual interest in working collaboratively to strengthen this vital global asset.

 

Global Supply Chains: Global asset and vital to our economic and security interests

01-24-12 US Representative Gardner SOTU response…

WASHINGTON D.C. – Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the following response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech:

“After tonight’s speech it is clear that President Obama thinks the only way he can keep his job is by planting seeds of divisiveness and envy.  Luckily, the American people are smart enough to see through his campaign rhetoric.  They are looking for a way to move this country forward and solutions to tackle the very real problems we face as a nation.  President Obama’s failed economic policies have led to an economy where nearly half of all Americans are classified as poor or low income, and more Americans than ever are on food stamps.  Millions of Americans remain out of work.  It is for those reasons, I believe this will be President Obama’s last State of the Union.”

01-24-12 CO Governor Hickenlooper statement on President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address

DENVER ¬— Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper tonight released the following statement about President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address:

“The President tonight hit a tone about working together that is familiar to Coloradans. People here know that partisanship is a significant roadblock to partnership. We must use collaboration as a means to finding solutions to keep pushing our state and our country closer to full economic recovery.

“We join the President in the pursuit of unnecessary regulations that handcuff aspiring entrepreneurs, and we applaud his support of great teachers and our nation’s military.

“We were also encouraged to hear the President talk so much about clean energy, as Colorado is leading the nation when it comes to renewable energy research and development. Many of the new jobs the President talked for this industry will be created in Colorado – and we are ready.”

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01-24-12 Growth Energy Reacts to SOTU: US Ethanol Part of Our Energy Solution

WASHINGTON, DC – Below is the reaction from Growth Energy, the nation’s leading advocacy organization for domestic ethanol, following the President’s State of the  Union address tonight:

“We applaud the President’s announcement that he is going to push for homemade, U.S.-energy after 40 years of being addicted to foreign oil. We have to move ahead with American ethanol as part of that solution. We create jobs right here in America that can’t be outsourced, clean the air and strengthen national security. Growth Energy looks forward to working with the Administration and the Congress,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

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About Growth Energy
Growth Energy represents the producers and supporters of ethanol who feed the world and fuel America in ways that achieve energy independence, improve economic well-being and create a healthier environment for all Americans now. More information can be found at GrowthEnergy.org.

01-24-12 *NCGA News* Corn Growers Ready to Help Provide Energy Independence

WASHINGTON (January 24, 2012) — National Corn Growers Association Chairman Bart Schott released the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to hear President Obama’s continued commitment to the nation’s energy independence during his State of the Union address. The American ethanol industry answered the call nearly 30 years ago to provide feedstock for a domestically produced renewable energy source. Today, that same feedstock constitutes more than 10% of the nation’s fuel and continues to provide a bountiful supply of corn to our long term customers.

01-24-12 Remarks of President Barack Obama – As Prepared for Delivery State of the Union Address

“An America Built to Last”

Tuesday, January 24^th, 2012

Washington, DC

As Prepared for Delivery –

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq.  Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought – and several thousand gave their lives.

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world.  For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq.  For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country.  Most of al Qaeda’s top lieutenants have been defeated.  The Taliban’s momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness, and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces.  At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations.  They’re not consumed with personal ambition.  They don’t obsess over their differences.  They focus on the mission at hand.  They work together.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example.  Think about the America within our reach:  A country that leads the world in educating its people.  An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs.  A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world.  An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.

01-24-12 Colorado Governor Hickenlooper seeks additional federal drought assistance…Lincoln County

DENVER ­— Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper has asked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide drought assistance to Lincoln County.

“Farmers and ranchers have seen winter wheat wither due to lack of precipitation beginning in October 2011 and continuing into this year,” Hickenlooper wrote in a letter to Vilsack. “Winter wheat production is estimated to be reduced by 36 percent, and native grass pastures are producing 40 percent less forage for livestock.”

The drought declaration, if approved, would allow farmers and ranchers to apply for emergency loans if they are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.

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01-24-12 Informational Open House Surface Owners Rights for oil & Gas Exploration…Jan 26th in Hudson

CLICK HERE to learn more...

01-24-12 NJC Receives Beautification Grant from the Colorado Garden Show

Colorado Garden Show, Inc. selects college for major award

Staff Report - Sterling, CO—The Northeastern Junior College Foundation is pleased to announce that NJC is the recipient of the inaugural Andrew Pierce Memorial Grant.  The Colorado Garden Show awarded NJC a major grant of $58,000.  Grant funds were directed to the NJC Beautification Project, a joint venture between NJC and the NJC Foundation initiated in 2011.  The project will create a more attractive, unified and welcoming campus environment through implementation of a campus-wide landscape plan.  Landscape design will center on a wide variety of low-maintenance, drought-tolerant trees, plants and flowers to provide shade, seasonal color and visual appeal.

The NJC Beautification Project signage and landscaping planned for the front of the Hays Student Center  (left) contrasts sharply with that currently in place (right).

01-24-12 Rodeo club seeks new members, plans Southeast Colorado Rodeo

Members of Southeast All Star Rodeo Club who attended a recent planning meeting. Back from left; Dylan Wahlert, La Junta; Reece Roberson, La Junta; Talon Shipman, Lamar; Chris Bushaw, La Junta; Kelton McMillen; Kim; Bryan Denton, Rocky Ford; Blake Denton, Rocky Ford. Front from left Tamara Tunick, Fowler; Alexa Major, Fowler; Jenna Waggoner, Fowler ; Hope Holder, Rocky Ford.

High School and junior high students interested in the sport of rodeo now have the opportunity to join the Southeast All Star Rodeo Club.  There are currently 24 active members from all over Southeast Colorado. Team members cooperate to organize a regional rodeo and invite other members of the Colorado High School Rodeo Association to attend. Proceeds from this rodeo and other events are used to help members with state and national travel expenses.

The spring rodeo season begins with the first rodeo on March 31 – April 1 in Cortez, Colo., and ends with the Colorado State High School finals held in Lamar, June 6-10. Members from across the state will compete to earn a spot on the National High School Rodeo team and to compete at the world’s largest youth rodeo held in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  Students are also competing for rodeo scholarships.

The All-Star’s rodeo is planned in Lamar at the Prowers County Fairgrounds, May 18-20^th. Over 300 contestants from around the state are expected to compete in the girl’s events of barrel racing, break-away roping, pole bending, goat tying and team roping. The boys will compete in tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding and team roping.  Part of the rodeo is for the junior high division consisting of youth from 6^th -8^th grades who compete in similar events.

An added event for the weekend is the traditional Cowboy Prom. This formal dance has been held because so many rodeo athletes miss their own high school prom. The dance is planned for Sat., May 19^th in Lamar.

The group is also planning a “Cowboy Bash” on Saturday, March 10 in La Junta, Colo. Live music, food and country western dancing will be part of the evening.  Members plan to showcase their activites and wide areas of involvement during the event.

The 2011-2012 club’s youth officers are: Alexa Major, Fowler – youth president; Kelton McMillen, Kim  – youth vice-president; Bryan Denton, Rocky Ford – youth secretary.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for Jan 24th

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

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“NPPC Says New Legislation Backed by UEP, HSUS Dangerous”

The United Egg Producers and Humane Society of the United States are focusing their efforts this year on Congressional passage of the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012. The legislation – introduced Monday by Representatives Kurt Schrader, Jeff Denham, Elton Gallegly and Sam Farr – will require egg producers to double the cage sizes for their laying hens – among other things. It’s part of an agreement between the UEP and HSUS that supposedly will end HSUS attacks on the egg industry.

Gene Gregory – UEP President and CEO – says egg producers shouldn’t have different, costly rules in all 50 states – which he says would happen if the legislation is opposed. Gregory says the legislation is needed for consumers and the survival of egg farmers. The National Pork Producers Council disagrees. NPPC President Doug Wolf says passage of the legislation would set a dangerous precedent for allowing the federal government – and special interest groups – to regulate how producers raise and care for their animals. He says pork producers don’t need or want the federal government and HSUS telling them how to do their jobs.

Treating farm animals humanely is an age-old principle for American farmers – Wolf says – a standard that doesn’t require an act of Congress. NPPC is urging opposition of the new legislation from lawmakers – saying a one-size-fits-all farm takeover bill is government intrusion on family farms at its worst.
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“Supreme Court Downs California ‘Downer; Law”

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a California law that bans the processing of all non-ambulatory animals. The National Pork Producers Association hailed the ruling.  The statuteprohibited the buying, selling, or receiving of non-ambulatory animals, the processing, butchering or selling of meat or products from non-ambulatory animals for human consumption and the holding of non-ambulatory animals without taking immediate action to humanely euthanize them.