05-24-12 US Senator Bennet (D-CO) Urges Administration to Resolve Issues with Mexico Prohibiting Full Market Access for U.S. Potatoes…

Washington, DC – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the Obama Administration to work with Mexican authorities to expand U.S. fresh potato access throughout Mexico. Currently, American potatoes can only be exported to a region within 16 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.

In a letter sent today to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Bennet and eight other Senators urged the Administration to resolve outstanding issues with Mexico that restrict market access.

The bipartisan letter sent today was signed by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Udall (D-CO), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Herb Kohl (D-WI).

“As Mexico’s potential entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations continues to be discussed, we urge your Agencies to work with Mexico to resolve the outstanding concerns on market access for U.S. fresh potatoes,” the Senators wrote in the letter. “The failure by Mexico to resolve the potato market access dispute is concerning, given the growing evidence that any risks associated with the movement of fresh potatoes from the United States to Mexico can be effectively mitigated. We strongly urge you to continue to push Mexico on resolving these technical issues and communicate to Mexico the importance of implementing the market access agreement for U.S. fresh potatoes.”

The United States and Mexico agreed in February 2011 to convene an expert panel to review the technical issues associated with expanded access for U.S. fresh potatoes in Mexico. In September 2011, the independent panel of three potato and international quarantine experts made recommendations to address the differences between the two countries. Due to disagreements between Mexico and the panel experts regarding Mexico’s insistence on imposing additional mitigation measures for pests the panel did not deem a threat, the panel was unsuccessful in securing an agreement and progress has stalled.

In the letter sent today, the Senators said of the panel’s findings: “This unnecessary requirement by the Mexican government has led to the deadlock that we currently face on this issue. These extra and unnecessary mitigation measures are an effective trade barrier that is not supported by science. . . . We hope that the very limited set of remaining issues identified by the panel will be resolved quickly, and U.S. potatoes will gain fair and full access to Mexican markets.”

The full text of the letter sent today follows:

05-24-12 *FSA-CO News* Kiowa County FSA Newsletter…

USDA Service Center Offices closed Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2012

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USDA CELEBRATES 150TH ANNIVERSARY

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is celebrating the United States Department of Agriculture’s 150th anniversary.  USDA was founded in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Department of Agriculture Act that established the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Since the start, USDA has helped support the tremendous growth and success of American agriculture.  FSA realizes that farmers and ranchers take risks everyday and FSA is looking forward to continue serving the producers while addressing the changing needs of agriculture and rural America.

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FARM RECONSTITUTIONS

05-24-12 CME Group Announces Five-for-One Stock Split…

CHICAGO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today declared a five-for-one split of its common stock, in the form of a 400 percent stock dividend.  The dividend will be paid on July 20, 2012, to shareholders of record on July 10, 2012.

“We believe that splitting CME Group stock will appeal to a broader, more diverse mix of investor portfolios,” said CME Group Executive Chairman and President Terry Duffy.  “By making our shares attractive to more people, we have potential to further expand the base of ownership.”

05-24-12 CME Group Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend…

CHICAGO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – CME Group, the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, today declared a second-quarter dividend of $2.23 per share, payable June 25, 2012, to shareholders of record June 8, 2012. As the world’s leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, CME Group (www.cmegroup.com) is where the world comes to manage risk.  CME Group exchanges offer the widest range of global benchmark products across all major asset classes, including futures and options based on interest rates, equity indexes, foreign exchange, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, weather and real estate.  CME Group brings buyers and sellers together through its CME Globex® electronic trading platform and its trading facilities in New York and Chicago.  CME Group also operates CME Clearing, one of the world’s leading central counterparty clearing providers, which offers clearing and settlement services for exchange-traded contracts, as well as for over-the-counter derivatives transactions through CME ClearPort®. These products and services ensure that businesses everywhere can substantially mitigate counterparty credit risk in both listed and over-the-counter derivatives markets.

05-24-12 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners with Mexico to Fund Wildlife Conservation…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is partnering through its Wildlife Without Borders program with 24 conservation organizations in Mexico to conserve wildlife and its habitat. The Service provided $903,000 in 2011 for conservation projects and leveraged an additional $2 million in matching contributions.

Nearly $700,000 was awarded through the Service’s Wildlife Without Borders-Mexico small grants and signature initiatives programs to projects that build the capacity of Mexican decision makers, wildlife managers and local communities to conserve important wildlife populations and natural areas. Just over $200,000 from the Wildlife Without Borders-Marine Turtle Conservation Fund supports efforts to protect sea turtle nesting in Mexico.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the Government of Mexico,” said Teiko Saito, Assistant Director for International Affairs. “By working together, we can protect shared ecosystems and nearly 600 threatened U.S. species that depend on habitats in Mexico for survival.”

Here are several examples of work underway with partnering organizations through the Wildlife Without Borders program in Mexico – a country comprising only one percent of the Earth’s land surface, yet containing ten percent of all species known to science:
•    In the Priority Conservation Region Urique-Batopilas, Sierra Tarahumara, Chihuahua, support from Wildlife Without Borders-Mexico has enabled Ecologia y Comunidad Sustenable, A.C. to gather ancestral knowledge from the native Raramuris community to design conservation education programs and establish a habitat corridor for bats that migrate between the U.S. and Mexico.
•    At the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in the state of Michoacan, funding supports ALTERNARE, A.C. and their efforts to train local people to protect resources monarch butterflies depend on during hibernation.
•    On the Pacific coast of Mexico, the Wildlife Without Borders-Marine Turtle Conservation Fund supports turtle camps operated by Kutzari, A.C. at four main nesting beaches, protecting leatherback sea turtle nests from poaching, depredation and tidal inundation.

05-24-12 CO Governor Hickenlooper announces new job resources for veterans…

DENVER ­—Thursday, May 24, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today announced a new resource, “Hire A Colorado Vet,” offered by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to help veterans connect with employment opportunities.

CDLE created a website, www.hireacoloradovet.gov, where veterans can post résumés, job-search and learn about new job postings before the general public. Additionally, employers are able to post job openings or search for qualified veteran applicants on this website.

Hire A Colorado Vet is part of an ongoing effort to increase employment and training services for Colorado’s veterans.  Last year,there were 390,000 veterans living in Colorado – 21,000 of whom were unemployed and looking for work, bringing the annual average unemployment rate for this group to 9.5 percent. For Gulf War II-era veterans who served on active duty at any time since September 2001, the 2011 annual average unemployment rate was 10.2 percent.

“Veterans bring great job skills, values and experience to an employer. The Hire A Colorado Vet program allows our country’s veterans to connect with employers. This program will help to ensure that when veterans return home they are welcomed, respected – and employed,” Hickenlooper said. “Employers who hire veterans will tell you they have made a real investment in their business with each hire.”

The Department of Labor and Employment has Local Veteran Employment Representatives and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists at state- and county-run Workforce Centers across the state, ready to provide assistance in finding employment, acquiring skills and education and planning for their future. Last year, these job counselors – who are themselves veterans – assisted 56,207 veterans across Colorado. “Whether our services are delivered face-to-face or online, we are proud of our long-standing commitment to the men and women of the Armed Forces. Our approach is veterans helping veterans,” says CDLE Executive Director Ellen Golombek.  “With the ‘Hire a Colorado Vet’ program, we are simply extending our outreach.”

05-24-12 CO Governor Hickenlooper signs Colorado Energy Office bill & others…

DENVER ­—Thursday, May 24, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today signed 29 bills, including one that refocuses the Colorado Energy Office to build on the state’s national reputation as a leader in clean energy and energy innovation and to enhance the office’s ability to support private-sector job creation in renewable energy and natural gas industries.

“This legislation helps ensure our continued investment and research in Colorado’s energy industry,” Hickenlooper said about HB12-1315. “The office will promote clean and affordable sources of energy that are critical to the future of our state.”

The energy office bill changed the name of the office to the Colorado Energy Office, secured funding for five years and established the office’s Innovative Energy Fund and the Clean & Renewable Energy Fund.

The Colorado Energy Office promotes sustainable economic development in Colorado by encouraging job creation, increasing energy security and lowering long-term consumer costs while protecting the environment.

Here is a complete list of the bills signed today by the governor:

05-24-12 *NCBA News* Beltway Beef – May 24th, 2012…Comprehensive BSE Rule, Cattle Industry Summer Conference & Clean Water…

CLICK HERE to visit the NCBA Website

CLICK HERE to read the latest NCBA Beltway Beef Newsletter

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted comments in support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed comprehensive rule for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) on Tues., May 15, 2012. The proposed rule, which NCBA has pushed for since the first case of BSE was detected in the United States in 2008, will solidify the United States’ commitment to basing trade relationships on internationally-recognized, science-based standards. NCBA was extremely disappointed to learn USDA delayed rule by reopening it for public comment until June 14, 2012. Read more about the proposed comprehensive BSE rule and learn how to register to attend the 2012 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in this week’s Beltway Beef newsletter.

For more than a year, NCBA has been working to stop the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing a guidance document that would essentially expand the agencies’ jurisdiction over all types of water in United States. Recently, NCBA the Public Lands Council were joined by 67 other agricultural organizations urging all members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to cosponsor legislation to invalidate the guidance document and prevent it from becoming reality.  You’ll find more information about the Clean Water Guidance in this edition of Beltway Beef and you won’t want to miss a special guest column by Oklahoma cattleman and NCBA Federation Division Vice Chair Richard Gebhart about the beef industry’s proactive role in defining sustainability for cattlemen.

Click here to read this edition of Beltway Beef. You can also scroll down to read the articles included in this week’s newsletter.

Be sure to read the Beltway Beef blog; follow Beltway Beef on Twitter; like us on Facebook; subscribe to us on YouTube; check out our photos on Flickr; and listen to our podcast.

Thank you!

NCBA Washington, D.C. Office

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

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BSE Comprehensive Rule Delayed

05-24-12 US EPA awards $200K grant to Town of Dubois, WY for cleanup of sawmill site…

Brownfields grant part of $69M announced nationally

(Denver, Colo. – May 24, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the Town of Dubois, Wyoming will receive a $200,000 Brownfields grant to clean up the Dubois Sawmill site on Absaroka Drive. The site is contaminated with benzene, diesel range organics, and other petroleum hydrocarbons. The award to Dubois is part of $69.3 million in EPA Brownfields grants provided to 245 communities across the nation to clean and redevelop contaminated properties, protect public health and create jobs.

The Dubois Sawmill site originally served as a railroad tie production facility and operated as an industrial sawmill from the 1950’s until 1988. At various times the facility housed a refuse burner, mechanic shop, landfill, power station, and several logging trucks and equipment. EPA’s grant funds will help clean up the property so it can be reused.

“Restored Brownfield properties can serve as cornerstones for rebuilding struggling communities. These grants will be the first step in getting pollution out and putting jobs back into neighborhoods across the country,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Clean, healthy communities are places where people want to live, work and start businesses. We’re providing targeted resources to help local partners transform blighted, contaminated areas into centers of economic growth.”

The 245 grantees include tribes and communities in 39 states across the country, funded by EPA’s Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup (ARC) grants, and Revolving Loan Fund Supplemental grants. The grants awarded will assess and clean up abandoned industrial and commercial properties. Nearly half of the grantees this year are new awardees who demonstrate a high level of commitment for undertaking specific projects and leveraging the funding to move those projects forward.

Approximately 29 percent of the grants are being awarded to non-urban areas with populations of 100,000 or less, 16 percent are being awarded to “micro” communities with populations of 10,000 or less, and the remaining grants are being awarded to urban areas with populations exceeding 100,000.

There are an estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites in America. In 2011, EPA’s brownfields program leveraged 6,447 jobs and $2.14 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funds. Since its inception EPA’s brownfields investments have leveraged more than $18.3 billion in cleanup and redevelopment funding from a variety of public and private sources and have resulted in approximately 75,500 jobs. More than 18,000 properties have been assessed, and over 700 properties have been cleaned up. Brownfields grants also target under-served and low income neighborhoods – places where environmental cleanups and new jobs are most needed.

See list of all awarded brownfields grants by state: 
http://cfpub.epa.gov/bf_factsheets/

More information on EPA’s brownfields program: 
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/

More information on brownfields success stories: 
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/success/index.htm

05-24-12 Forbes Publisher Karlgaard to Keynote USGC Annual Meeting…

The U.S. Grains Council today announced that Forbes publisher Rich Karlgaard will deliver the keynote address at the Council’s 52nd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Vancouver, Wash.

Throughout a long and distinguished business and publishing career, Karlgaard has championed innovation and thinking outside the box. A serial entrepreneur himself, Karlgaard contributes a regular column, “Innovation Rules,” to Forbes, in which he covers economic and technology trends, business transformations, and conversations with leading CEO’s. His best-selling book, Life 2.0, is an exploration of the transformative potential of modern technology, which empowers both individuals and communities to build success in unconventional, and often more personally fulfilling, ways.

“In today’s global competitive environment, Rich Karlgaard’s focus on innovation and transformation is a perfect fit for U.S. producers and agribusinesses,” said USGC Chairman Dr. Wendell Shauman. “The world is changing, fast. The global middle class is exploding in size, global food demand is surging, and new opportunities arise continuously. Thinking about change is something we need to do.”

05-24-12 *KSU News* K-State Scientists Lead Effort That Finds Genes Underlying Domestication of Sorghum, Other Cereals…

Researchers Discover the Gene that Controls Shattering in Sorghum 

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A study by a team of university and government scientists led by a Kansas State University researcher, indicates that genes responsible for seed shattering – the process by which grasses disseminate their seeds – were chosen in a similar, but independent manner during sorghum, rice and maize domestication.

“When early human groups were domesticating different wild grasses, they inadvertently or unintentionally selected the same sets of mutations that make more efficient crop production possible,” said Jianming Yu, associate professor of agronomy at K-State. “That was critical in the transition out of the hunter-gatherer phase of human history. You can call it just luck or the wisdom of ancient farmers, both of which are fascinating to know.”

Cereal crops, including sorghum, rice and maize, were domesticated from their early wild ancestors by humans thousands of years ago, because of their importance as a food source, Yu said. Although these crops were domesticated in different geographical regions, they all underwent parallel selection, which involves systemic and parallel changes during the domestication process.

05-24-12 *CSU EXT – SECO News* 4-H CAMPS, CONFERENCES START WITH LEADERSHIP, LEAD TO FUN…

SOUTHEAST AREA—Once a member has attended a 4-H camp, they usually want to go again and again! Five camps and conferences are offered to 4-H members in the Southeast Area in June and July in locations across the state.
The camps are varying from week days and nights to over the weekend. These events are for members 8-18 years of age and open to all 4-H members in good standing. The themes of the camps vary from natural resources to science to self balance and team building.

Along with leadership skills, members are introduced to new people – both youth and adults. Many new friendships are made and contacts across the region and state are strengthened.
Camaraderie, communications and teamwork are essential elements of all the camps. Although county members are usually housed together, they are split into different groups during the workshops and activities to help them learn how to meet new people and interact with others from different geographical and demographic areas.

Since community service is such an important part of 4-H, each camp usually incorporates a project in which to involve those attending. Some of those activities have included collecting paper and cleaning products for the Ronald McDonald House, collecting supplies to make back-to-school packages, raking and cleaning facilities, etc.

These camps help members increase their self-esteem, become physically involved in activities, develop self confidence and increase motivation. Youth are introduced to other adults in which they engage in numerous activities such as rocket making and launching, tug of war activities, community service and more.

If your child is interested in joining 4-H, you are interest in becoming a 4-H volunteer/leader or you would like further information on the 4-H program, please contact your local CSU Extension Office; Baca County 719-523-6971, Bent County 719-456-0764, Cheyenne County 719-767-5716, Crowley County 719-267-5243, Kiowa County 719-438-5321, Otero County 719-254-7608, Prowers County 719-336-7734. 4-H is a cooperative effort between CSU Extension and the County.

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05-24-12 *CHSAA.TV* Watch the CO 5A Girls & Boys State Championship Lacrosse Game Archives on CHSAA.TV…

5A GIRLS LACROSSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Air Academy over Cherry Creek 14-8

from May 23rd, 2012  @ University of Denver’s Peter Barton Soccer Stadium

Watch the 5A Girls Lacrosse Archive – CLICK HERE

Girls Lacrosse Championship Brackets - CLICK HERE

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5A BOYS LACROSSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

from May 19th, 2012 @ SPORTS AUTHORITY FIELD @ MILE HIGH in Denver, CO

Arapahoe over Cherry Creek 8-4

Watch the 5A Boys Lacrosse Archive – CLICK HERE

Boys Lacrosse Championship Brackets - CLICK HERE

05-24-12 *SE CO Wool Growers Assn News* Wool Pool Collection Date Set for June 16th in Fowler…

The Southeast Colorado Wool Growers Association will host its annual Wool Pool to assist regional sheep growers with the marketing of their yearly wool clip according to Cynthia Zwick, Wool Pool coordinator.

The 2012 Wool Pool collection will be Saturday, June 16, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. – noon, at Cynthia Zwick’s place, 34450 Hwy. 167, Fowler, Colorado.  Contact person is Cynthia Zwick, 719-263-4325.  Wool will be received sooner than June 16, however, only if wool is properly packed and prior arrangements are made with Cynthia.

All wool must be bagged in approved sacks or bales and separated into black face wool, white face wool, tags/bellies, and black wool.  The SECWGA will again collect the payment for the wool from the wool buyer and make all payments to each participating producer.  Marketing charges are 15¢ per pound for non-SECWGA members.  Members will not have the marketing charge.  Membership dues are $25.00 per year, to be paid on or before the wool pool collection date.

The SEWGA has a square bale hydraulic packer available to assist producers.

Questions can be referred to Cynthia Zwick at 719-263-4325, or Janet Golden at the Otero County Extension Office, 719-254-7608.

05-24-12 *CDA News* Bovine Trichomoniasis Update…

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds cattle owners to test their herd for Bovine Trichomoniasis. Trich is a venereal disease of cattle caused by Trichomonas foetus (T. Foetus).  The T. foetus infection causes fertility problems, such as early embryonic death or abortion of the calf, and is asymptomatic in bulls.

• As of 5/23/2012, there are currently five positive trich locations in five Colorado counties: Las Animas, Montezuma, Otero, Weld, and Yuma.
• So far this year, there have been 10 trich cases in eight counties: Conejos, Kit Carson, La Plata, Las Animas, Montezuma, Pueblo, Weld and Yuma.
• A map detailing trichomoniasis sample submissions by county and the prevalence for trichomoniasis-positive counties can be found at www.colorado.gov/ag.

	Positive Trich Locations	Number of Colorado Counties
2011	13	8
2010	9	9
2009	16	9
2008	43	17
2007	32	13

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

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

Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation

“USDA Doesn’t Want to Change Report Release Times without Public Input”

Before USDA considers changes to the release times of market-moving farm reports in the face of expanded trading hours – Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says the department will seek public input. Vilsack says it’s a complicated issue and USDA wants to assure equitable release of information for all market participants. Some traders would like USDA to release major reports while markets are closed – others would like to capture the instantaneous surges in trading that would accompany a live release of significant information. According to Vilsack – the department is currently analyzing the pros and cons of various ways to approach the release of reports. But whatever they decide – he says the public will have an opportunity to react.

The first major USDA report released live during the new trading hours could be the June 12th crop report.

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“USDA Part of Advisory Board for Aviation Biofuels Initiative”

Aviation industry leaders and Midwest stakeholders have signed an agreement to develop and commercialize sustainable biofuels. USDA will act as an advisor to the effort. USDA says the agreement – signed by United Air Lines Inc., the Boeing Co., Honeywell UOP, the City of Chicago’s Department of Aviation and the Clean Energy Trust – calls for the parties to hold workshops with stakeholders to identify appropriate feedstocks, supply chain logistics and a set of sustainability principles. One of the principal tasks for this Midwest Aviation Sustainable Biofuels Initiative is to identify the challenges of creating viable markets in the Midwest for aviation biofuels. It will look at the transportation and infrastructure needs to deliver biofuels, the growth potential for commercial aviation biofuels, the best fuel source and the policies needed to stimulate private-market development of biofuels.