05-10-12 Inside the Morgan County Farm Bureau with President Marc Arnusch…”Meet & Greet” & Membership…

(The BARN -Briggsdale, CO) May 10th, 2012 - Joining the BARN by telephone to discuss the Morgan County Farm Bureau and their upcoming “Meet & Greet” with Colorado Representative Jerry Sonnenberg is Morgan County Farm Bureau President Marc Arnusch…051012_MCFB_MarcArnusch_3m55s

CLICK HERE to learn more about the “Meet & Greet” event with Rep Sonnenberg on May 16th…

To learn more about the Colorado Farm Bureau and the Morgan County Farm Bureau – CLICK HERE

05-10-12 Colorado Governor Hickenlooper calls for special session to consider seven unfinished legislative issues…

DENVER ­— Thursday, May 10, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today called the General Assembly to meet in special session beginning Monday to consider seven legislative issues the Colorado House of Representatives failed to act on earlier this week.

“Much of this legislation had significant bipartisan support and addressed subject matter crucial to the people of Colorado and the effective, efficient operation of state government,” Hickenlooper wrote in an Executive Order. “The ramifications of the General Assembly’s inability to take up the business of its people will negatively impact the State of Colorado and hamper its ability to serve its people. These extraordinary circumstances require a special session of the General Assembly.”

The governor’s Executive Order, by law, does not prescribe the specific form that the legislation should take; rather, it defines the appropriate subject matter for legislative consideration.

“There was good legislation that did not pass out of the General Assembly for one reason or another during the recently-concluded session,” Hickenlooper wrote. “We are limiting the agenda for this special session, however, to the subject matters of legislation that died on the Colorado House calendar on May 8, 2012, for lack of a full debate and vote on second reading, clearly had bipartisan support in the legislature, and advance good government and economic development, public safety, or other important policy objectives.”

The seven specific subjects that should be considered in the special session are:

05-10-12 *CWRF News* 2012 Colorado Winter Wheat Crop Projected to Beat Last Year, 10-Year Average…

May 10, 2012, Fort Collins, Colo. – In the USDA NASS Crop Production report issued May 10, the Colorado winter wheat crop was projected at 92,250,000 bushels, based on 2,250,000 acres being harvested (2,400,000 are planted) with an average yield of 41 bushels per acre. Last year the Colorado winter wheat crop was 78,000,000 bushels, with 2,000,000 acres harvested (2,300,000 acres were planted) with an average yield of 39 bushels per acre. This compares with the 10-year average of 2,395,000 acres planted, 2,070,000 acres harvested, average yield of 32.2 bushels per acre and total production of 68,230,000 bushels.

The Colorado winter wheat crop estimate of 92,250,000 can go up or down from now until harvest based on whether Colorado receives timely rain.  Many farmers anticipate harvest will start early this year, beginning perhaps as early as mid-June in the southeastern part of the state, where harvest would typically start at the end of June.

05-10-12 *CSU NEWS*Dick Monfort to Receive Honorary Degree at Colorado State University’s Graduate School Commencement Ceremony May 11

FORT COLLINS - Colorado State University will confer an honorary doctoral degree on Richard “Dick” Monfort at the Graduate School commencement ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, May 11 at Moby Arena.

CSU President Tony Frank will award the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, to Monfort in recognition of his significant contributions to Colorado, industry, and higher education. A Colorado native, Monfort is owner/chairman and chief executive officer for the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball Club and is now in his 15th season with the franchise.

“Dick Monfort is a committed business and civic leader and a true champion for higher education in Northern Colorado,” Frank said. “He and his family have created opportunities for numerous students here at Colorado State University and have launched a number of programs that enrich both the campus and Fort Collins communities. He is truly deserving of this honor, and I thank him and the Monfort Family Foundation for their continued support of Colorado State University and higher education in Northern Colorado.”

Monfort spent 25 years in the cattle business, serving as president of Monfort of Colorado and ConAgra Red Meats Co. for eight years. He became president of Monfort of Colorado, Inc. in 1987 and joined ConAgra Red Meats in 1991 as the President and CEO. He retired from ConAgra in 1995.

He helped launch the Montera Cattle Co. in 1996 and currently owns the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Palm Springs, Calif., and the Hilltop Steak House in Boston. In January of this year, Monfort and his brother, Charlie, headed an investment group that purchased the Casper Ghosts, a Rockies affiliate in the Pioneer League now located in Grand Junction.

05-10-12 Michael V. Martin Named Finalist for CSU System Chancellor

Michael V. Martin

DENVER - The Colorado State University System Board of Governors today announced that Michael V. Martin is a finalist for the chancellorship of the three-campus system.

Martin, 65, currently chancellor of Louisiana State University and past president of New Mexico State University, was recommended to the Board by an 11-member committee that has spent nearly eight months conducting a nationwide search for the next chancellor of the CSU System, which includes CSU in Fort Collins, CSU-Pueblo and the 100 percent online CSU-Global Campus.

“I am honored to announce that Mike Martin is a finalist for chancellor of the CSU System,” said Joseph Zimlich, chair of the Board of Governors. “The CSU System is home to three amazing institutions, each with a unique role and mission, and in Dr. Martin the Board has identified a visionary and proven leader who has the skills, experience and energy to build upon each institution’s reputation for excellence in Colorado and beyond. I’m confident that the CSU System and broader state of Colorado will greatly benefit from Dr. Martin’s strong track record of successfully championing public higher education and building strong relationships among civic leaders, state and federal lawmakers, the business community and the general public.”

As finalist for the position, Martin will now enter into discussions with the Board about the chancellorship and possible terms of employment. More than 450 higher education, business and nonprofit executives from across the country were contacted as part of the search process. The search committee reviewed dozens of applications and interviewed five candidates before forwarding Martin’s name to the Board.

“While there were certainly many excellent candidates, Dr. Martin quickly rose to the top of the committee’s list because of the clear record of leadership and results he has demonstrated throughout his career in public higher education, particularly at multi-campus systems,” said Pat McConathy, who chaired the search committee. “In addition, Dr. Martin truly has a steadfast commitment to building a stronger Colorado through the CSU System’s core mission of learning, discovery, access and engagement.”

Based in Denver, the chancellor is the chief executive officer of the CSU System, responsible for working with the Board of Governors to lead the system’s operations, set legislative strategy, serve as the primary spokesperson and increase engagement among alumni, donors and the business community. The chancellor oversees three distinct institutions:

05-10-12 US Congressman Gardner…ICYMI: EPA official admits regulations will cause energy rates to increase

CLICK HERE to visit US Congressman Cory Gardner’s Website

WASHINGTON D.C. – During a recent Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, Congressman Cory Gardner (R-CO) got an EPA official to admit that agency regulations will cause rate increases for energy consumers.

When pressed by Gardner for further explanation, EPA Administration Gina McCarthy deflects the question by conceding that she “does not live in the energy world.” Her comment evoked chiding from other committee members, who said that’s exactly the problem with EPA regulations – their analysis of regulations is at odds with industry experts.

Click the video below to watch:

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Congressman Gardner is a freshman member in the U.S. House of Representatives for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. He serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and is a member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power, the Subcommittee on Environment and Economy and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

05-10-12 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Colorado Crop Progress Report…

CLICK HERE to view the latest report…

COLORADO HIGHLIGHTS

Winter wheat production in Colorado, based on conditions as of May 1, 2012, is forecast at 92.25 million bushels according to the Colorado Agricultural Statistics Service. This forecast is 18 percent above last year’s production of 78.00 million bushels but 13 percent below the winter wheat crop produced two years ago. Acreage for harvest, estimated at 2.25 million acres, is 250,000 acres more than a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 41.0 bushels per acre, up 2.0 bushels per acre from last year’s yield, but 4.0 bushels per acre below the record high yield of 45.0 set in 2010. This year’s crop was planted under mostly favorable conditions resulting in good stands going into winter dormancy. After a dry, but mild winter, the crop retains most of its potential. Adequate to short soil moisture supplies exist in most growing areas. Final yield will largely be determined by the combination of moisture and temperature conditions during May and June.
Hay stocks on Colorado farms and ranches as of May 1, 2012 totaled 230,000 tons, down 49 percent from stocks of 450,000 tons on hand last year. This is the lowest May inventory level in Colorado since 1996. Although slightly more hay was produced in 2011 than the previous year above average demand from neighboring states due to extreme drought reduced inventory and set record high prices received for hay.

UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS

05-10-12 *NREL News* Students to race their innovative solar, hydrogen and lithium ion battery model cars May 12th

UPDATE from May 15th

Thursday, May 10, 2012 - Middle school students from around the state will participate in the Junior Solar Sprint, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and Lithium Ion Battery car competitions on Saturday, May 12, at Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the competitions give students the opportunity to show their engineering and design skills by building and racing high-performance model solar, hydrogen fuel cell and battery vehicles.

One hundred four teams from 23 schools will be competing in the Junior Solar Sprint, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, and Lithium Ion Battery car competitions. The student teams will race solar, hydrogen fuel cell and battery powered vehicles that they designed and built themselves. Trophies will be presented to winners in six categories. The cars will race on a 20-meter course for solar and battery and a 10-meter course for hydrogen fuel cells.

05-10-12 Rabobank Says Value-AddedFresh Vegetables Positioned for Growth…

Report suggests ‘healthy convenience’ platform presents greatest economic opportunity for grower-shipper processors

Fresno, Calif. (May 10, 2012) – Health and convenience will be the leading drivers of increased demand for fresh vegetables in the next five years, according to a report released today from Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group.  The report cites the growing U.S. health crisis and consumer desire for easy-to-prepare meals among the reasons.

The report notes that even though Americans are concerned about the U.S. obesity epidemic, the stand-alone marketing of a “healthy benefit” to mainstream consumers isn’t enough to increase consumption of fresh vegetables – evident by the overall flat consumption rate of fresh vegetables in recent years.  The report recommends that produce firms put more emphasis on creating value-added products that are not only healthy, but easy to prepare.

“As grower-shipper processors look to increase sales of fresh vegetables, we believe the solution really lies with the concept of healthy convenience,” said the report’s author, Karen Halliburton Barber, assistant vice president and senior agricultural analyst for FAR.  “The idea is to give consumers the best of both worlds: the healthfulness of fresh vegetables and the convenience of processed foods.”

The report references a recent argument posed by the New York Times, stating that fresh, unprocessed, so-called ‘real food’ is no more expensive than processed ‘junk food.’  Rather, the deterrent from healthy food eating among mainstream consumers has been the inconvenience of time it takes to prepare the food.

Furthermore, the report recommends that grower-shipper processors invest in more product differentiation, including producing vegetables with naturally enhanced micronutrient content and bolder flavors; offering more ethnic vegetables and flavorings; and catering to local and regional appeal.  The report identifies that to achieve this differentiation, some producers will likely need to change their product mix and adjust their production and sourcing partnerships – including recognizing the continuing rising popularity of private labels in a post-recession world.

“As stores develop and expand their own private label offerings, it creates a challenge for established brands,” said Barber. “Though some leading branded processors are supplying private labels, there’s a risk of diminishing their own heavily invested brands.”

05-10-12 Inside the RMFU with President Kent Peppler…HSUS Investigation, Farm Bill Update, Drought, Scholarships & MORE

Kent Peppler RMFU President

(The BARN – Briggsdale, CO) May 10th, 2012 - Joining theBARN by telephone for this month’s edition of the RMFU Radioline report is Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President Kent Peppler. Topics covered in this month’s RMFU Radioline report include:

• HSUS’ investigation of Wheatland’s Wyoming Premium Farms
• Farm Bill Update
• Drought Situation
• RMFU Foundation’s Scholarship Winners
• 2012 Colorado FFA State Convention June 5-6-7

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

051012_RMFU_Peppler_16m46s

For more information about the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union – CLICK HERE

To listen to past editions of the RMFU Radioline reports heard on the BARN’s Colorado Ag News Network statewide – CLICK HERE

05-10-12 ICBA Chairman Testifies, Says Changes Must Be Made to USDA’s Farm & Business Guaranteed Loan Programs

Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2012)—Jeff Gerhart, chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) and chairman of the Bank of Newman Grove in Neb., testified today before the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight and Credit.   During his testimony, Gerhart urged the committee to make changes to the USDA’s guaranteed farm and business loan programs as part of drafting the new farm bill to replace the current bill, which expires Sept. 30.  He also urged the committee to retain current funding levels for the crop insurance program to continue a strong farm safety net.

“Like most community banks, our goal is to help keep family farmers passing their farm on to the next generation and in turn keep our rural communities vibrant,” Gerhart said in his testimony.  “In fact, community banks under $1 billion in assets extend about 56 percent of farm operating loans and 62 percent of farm real estate loans from the banking sector.”

Gerhart went on to provide insight on the financial strength of the farm economy from a lender’s perspective. “Farmers have been paying down debt and taking steps to become more efficient, which should better prepare them for a successful future should financial stress arise,” Gerhart said.  He also pointed out that while commodity prices and farm incomes are historically high, so are production expenses.  He noted the cyclical nature of agriculture, the uncontrollable risks of adverse weather, unknown commodity prices and rising costs of production require a continued and robust farm safety net.

“Maintaining crop insurance funding is an extremely important aspect of the farm safety net,” he said.  “And while crop insurance is not part of the credit title, it allows lenders to extend credit.  It gives assurance producers will repay loans in the event of bad weather or falling prices.  Crop insurance is a good risk-management tool for the farmer.”

During his testimony, Gerhart offered several recommendations to enhance the USDA’s guaranteed loan programs:

Farm Loan Recommendations: 

05-10-12 US Representative Gardner (R-CO) amends funding bill to include more transparency, oversight

CLICK HERE to visit US Congressman Cory Gardner’s Website

 WASHINGTON D.C. – After reports that one government office purchased a 35-foot, $300,000 boat (ultimately used as a personal pleasure craft), Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO) is calling for more oversight, and late last night he successfully passed an amendment to accomplish just that.

“During times of such fiscal uncertainty, oversight and transparency of all government funds is essential,” Gardner said.

Currently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects fines from those who violate the laws that govern fishing in federal waters. The agency deposits that money into its so-called “asset forfeiture fund.” The money in NOAA’s asset forfeiture fund may only be used for purposes laid out in the law, such as paying costs associated with the temporary storage of seized property or paying off liens against forfeited property.

05-10-12 US Senator Bennet (D-CO) Statement on Postal Service Announcement that Rural Post Offices Will Remain Open

Plan Would Keep Rural Locations Open with Modified Hours

Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement regarding a new strategy announced today by the U.S. Postal Service that would keep rural post office open for business with modified retail window hours to match customer use.

“I applaud the U.S. Postal Service for listening to our rural communities and adapting their strategy to take individual communities’ needs into account. The Postal Service must adapt to its 21^st century challenges with a course that encourages innovation and creative business practices that allow it to maintain high service standards.”

The announcement comes on the heels of Senate passage of the Postal Reform Bill, which included several Bennet-led provisions to protect service in rural communities. For more information on the Postal Service’s announcement, click here.

# # #

05-10-12 CSU State Climatologist’s Office to Keep Official Hailstone Records for Colorado

FORT COLLINS - As large as a grapefruit? A DVD? A softball? Just how big is the record-holding hailstone in Colorado? Colorado State University State Climatologist Nolan Doesken can list at least 18 separate reports of hail stones as large as 4.5 inches in diameter, but few have been officially confirmed.

His office is now officially tracking these statistics – just in time for spring storms like the one that hit Colorado’s eastern Plains earlier this month, leaving piles of hail on roads and farms.

“Chances are there are at least 50 people in eastern Colorado who will say, ‘What the heck, we’ve seen way bigger hail than that!’” Doesken said. “That’s good, but they will need to prove their claim – by providing the stone itself or eyewitness reports along with excellent photos showing the stone with rulers or other known objects.”

Doesken’s Colorado Climate Center at Colorado State, working in tandem with the four National Weather Service offices that serve Colorado (Boulder, Pueblo, Grand Junction and Goodland, Kan.), have developed procedures for documenting hailstones including how to get a good photo, measure the maximum diameter and circumference, preserve the stone and contact appropriate officials. For instructions, examples and contact information, go to http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/hail.php.

In the meantime, Doesken encourages volunteers who observe large hail in Colorado to first report to the National Weather Service or to local law enforcement agencies. The National Weather Service can convey reports of damaging hail to a wider audience through National Weather Service alerts. Large-hail reports provide valuable ground truth which will be helpful for issuance of additional warnings.

“When it’s safe to go out again, retrieve the largest stones and freeze them as soon as possible to avoid further melting,” Doesken said. “Use a ruler to get an accurate measure of the diameter and a flexible or strong tape or string to measure the circumference. If an accurate scale is available, weigh the stone. Preserve the stone by tightly wrapping and sealing it in an air-tight bag.”

If the stone is 4.5 inches in diameter or greater, contact the Colorado Climate Center at (970) 491-8545 or nolan@atmos.colostate.edu.

People who have kept hailstones in their freezer will be disappointed to know the stones lose mass over time, Doesken said. Even if they are tightly wrapped, the ice structure changes with time. But changes will occur more slowly if they are sealed up air tight.

05-10-12 *USDA/NASS News* The latest WASDE Report…

CLICK HERE to view the entire report OnLine

Note: This report presents USDA’s initial assessment of U.S. and world crop supply and demand prospects and U.S. prices for the 2012/13 season. Also presented are the first calendar-year 2013 projections of U.S. livestock, poultry, and dairy products. Projections reflect economic analysis, normal weather, trends, and judgment. Because spring planting is still underway in the Northern Hemisphere and remains several months away in the Southern Hemisphere, these projections are highly tentative. Forecasts for U.S. winter wheat area, yield, and production are from the May 10 Crop Production report. For other U.S. crops, the March 30 Prospective Plantings report is used for planted acreage. Methods used to project harvested acreage and yield are noted in each table.

WHEAT: The 2012/13 outlook for U.S. wheat is for larger supplies and use, but lower prices. All wheat production is projected at 2,245 million bushels, up 12 percent from last year’s weather-reduced crop and the highest since 2008/09. The all wheat yield, projected at 45.7 bushels per acre, is up 2.0 bushels from last year, but 0.6 bushels below the 2010/11 level. The survey-based forecast for 2012/13 winter wheat production is up 13 percent with a forecast record yield of 47.6 bushels per acre as a recovery in yields in the southern and central Plains boost Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat production sharply from the previous year. Partly offsetting is lower forecast production for Soft Red Winter wheat and White wheat compared with last year. Spring wheat production for 2012/13 is expected to rebound with a recovery in durum area and higher projected yields for other spring wheat, which are expected to offset the decline in other spring area. U.S. wheat supplies for 2012/13 are projected at 3,133 million bushels, up 5 percent from 2011/12. Total U.S. wheat use for 2012/13 is projected up 8 percent year-to-year on higher expected domestic use and exports. Food use is projected at 945 million bushels, up 15 million from 2011/12 as flour extraction rates are expected to decline modestly from historical highs in recent years and consumption grows with population. Feed and residual use is projected at 230 million bushels, up 50 million from the 2011/12 projection as favorable wheat prices relative to corn and larger HRW supplies boost summer quarter wheat feed and residual disappearance. U.S. exports for 2012/13 are projected at 1,150 million bushels, up 125 million from this month’s 25-million-bushel higher projection for 2011/12. Larger supplies, more competitive prices, and an early expected start to this year’s harvest open the door to higher demand for U.S. wheat during the coming months. U.S. ending stocks are projected to continue their decline from the recent high in 2009/10. At a projected 735 million bushels, 2012/13 ending stocks are expected down 33 million from 2011/12 and 241 million below 2009/10. The season-average farm price for all wheat is projected at $5.50 to $6.70 per bushel, down sharply from the record $7.25 per bushel projected for 2011/12. Global wheat supplies for 2012/13 are projected 2 percent lower on the year as a 23.8-million-ton reduction in foreign production offsets the increase in U.S. output. At the projected 677.6 million tons, global production is down 17.1 million from 2011/12. Lower 2012/13 production for FSU-12, EU-27, Australia, Morocco, Argentina, Turkey, and Pakistan accounts for most of the reduction. Record production for India and China and larger crops in Canada, Afghanistan, Algeria, and Iran limit the decline. Global wheat trade for 2012/13 is expected to be lower than in 2011/12 with world imports projected down 6.1 million tons to 135.3 million. Some of the largest reductions are for EU-27, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia where wheat feeding is also reduced. Exports are reduced for FSU-12, Argentina, EU-27, Australia, and Brazil, but raised for Canada. Global wheat feeding is lowered 13.9 million tons from 2011/12 with lower expected supplies of feed-quality wheat and record projected coarse grain supplies. Global wheat consumption is projected down 7.9 million tons or 1 percent from 2011/12 as small  increases in food use in most countries partly offset the decline in global wheat feeding. Global ending stocks for 2012/13 are projected at 188.1 million tons, down 8.9 million on the year. Stocks are expected to remain sharply higher than the recent low of 125.6 million tons in 2007/08. WASDE-506-2

COARSE GRAINS: U.S. feed grain supplies for 2012/13 are projected at a record 416.3 million tons, up 16 percent from 2011/12 with higher area and production for corn, sorghum, barley, and oats. Corn production for 2012/13 is projected at a record 14.8 billion bushels, up 2.4 billion from 2011/12. A projected 5.1-million acre increase in harvested area and higher expected yields, compared with 2011/12, sharply boost production prospects. The 2012/13 corn yield is projected at a record 166.0 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above the 1990-2010 trend reflecting the rapid pace of planting and emergence. Despite the lowest expected carryin in 16 years, corn supplies for 2012/13 are projected at a record 15.7 billion bushels, up 2.2 billion from 2011/12. Total U.S. corn use for 2012/13 is projected up 9 percent from 2011/12 on higher feed and residual disappearance, increased use for sweeteners and starch, and larger exports. Feed and residual use for 2012/13 is projected up 900 million bushels reflecting a sharp rebound in residual disappearance with the record crop and an increase in feeding with lower corn prices and higher expected pork and poultry production. Projected corn use for ethanol is unchanged on the year as weak gasoline consumption limits domestic blending opportunities. Corn exports for 2012/13 are projected 200 million bushels higher than in 2011/12 on abundant domestic supplies, lower prices, and higher expected China demand. Record foreign corn supplies, however, are expected to limit the increase in U.S. shipments. U.S. corn ending stocks for 2012/13 are projected at 1.9 billion bushels, up 1.0 billion bushels from the current year projection. The season-average farm price is projected at $4.20 to $5.00 per bushel, down sharply from the 2011/12 record projected at $5.95 to $6.25 per bushel. Projected corn ending stocks for 2011/12 are raised 50 million bushels to 851 million with lower expected June-August feed and residual disappearance. The large year-to-year increase in winter wheat production and attractive prices for wheat relative to corn are expected to raise summer wheat feeding. Record mid- April corn plantings and early May crop emergence boost prospects for early 2012-crop corn usage before the September 1 beginning of the 2012/13 marketing year. As in recent years, this late-summer new-crop usage is expected to displace old-crop usage and boost carryout. Global coarse grain supplies for 2012/13 are projected at a record 1,389.2 million tons, up 6 percent from 2011/12. Global corn production for 2012/13 is projected at a record 945.8 million tons, up 75.3 million from 2011/12, and the 6th straight year that world corn output has set a new record. Foreign corn production is also projected to be a record at 570.1 million tons, up 13.6 million with the largest increases for Argentina, Mexico, Canada, South Africa, China, and Ukraine. Global corn trade is projected higher for 2012/13 with imports raised 6 percent mostly supporting higher corn feeding in China, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, EU- 27, and the Middle East. Global corn food, seed, and industrial use is also raised with increases in corn processing expected for China, Argentina, EU-27, and Brazil. Global corn consumption is projected at a record 921.0 million tons, up 53.7 million from 2011/12 with more than half of the increase in foreign markets. World corn ending stocks for 2012/13 are projected at 152.3 million tons, up 24.8 million from 2011/12, and the highest since 2000/01.

05-10-12 *USDA/NASS News* The latest Crop Production Report…

Crop Production

ISSN: 1936-3737

Released May 10, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).

Winter Wheat Production Up 13 Percent from 2011
Orange Production Up Slightly from April

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.69 billion bushels, up 13 percent
from 2011. The area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals
35.6 million acres, up 10 percent from last year. Based on May 1 conditions,
the United States yield is forecast at 47.6 bushels per acre, up 1.4 bushels
from last year.

Hard Red Winter, at 1.03 billion bushels, is up 32 percent from 2011. Soft
Red Winter, at 428 million bushels, is down 6 percent from last year. White
Winter is down 9 percent from last year and now totals 233 million bushels.
Of this total, 14.1 million bushels are Hard White and 219 million bushels
are Soft White.

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for May 10th

CLICK HERE to listen to TODAY’s BARN Morning Ag News with Brian Allmer…

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“Panel Developed to Provide Expertise on Recent Animal Cruelty Video”

An Animal Care Review Panel has been created by the Center for Food Integrity to analyze the undercover video at a Wyoming hog farm released by the Humane Society of the United States Tuesday. The panelists – Temple Grandin of Colorado State University, Candace Croney of Purdue University and John Deen of the University of Minnesota – will examine the video and provide perspectives for food retailers, the pork industry and the media. CFI hopes to release the panel’s findings within 48 hours.

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

“Ag Organizations Partner in Motion to Intervene in Mississippi River Basin Case”

The American Farm Bureau Federation joined 14 state Farm Bureau organizations and 16 other national and regional ag organizations on Tuesday and filed a motion to intervene in the Gulf Restoration Network versus Jackson lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks to force the Environmental Protection Agency to establish federal numeric nutrient water quality standards for all states in the Mississippi River Basin. AFBF President Bob Stallman says setting appropriate numeric nutrient standards is a complex and difficult scientific undertaking – and he says EPA has proven it is not up to the task. According to Stallman – farmers have no reason to believe that EPA could establish scientifically defensible standards for any one state – much less for 40-percent of the U.S. land mass. He says farmers and their state governments in the Mississippi River Basin have worked successfully for years to minimize nutrient runoff and will continue to do so – but they oppose a one-size-fits-all approach.