NASDA News November 1, 2007

November 01, 2007

***MERRILL TO SERVE AS N.H. AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ***ODOM TO RETIRE ***COLLABORATION ASSESSMENT PROJECT LAUNCHED ***YOUNG AGRICULTURAL WORKER SAFETY INFORMATION MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH COOPERATION ***SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE APPROVES 2007 FARM BILL ***GIVENS TESTIFIES ON FREEZE, DROUGHT DAMAGE ***2007 INTERNATIONAL PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION & SAFETY EDUCATION WORKSHOP ***SCHAFER NOMINATED AS AG SECRETARY ***USDA PARTNERS WITH FFA TO PROMOTE THE 2007 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE ***KAWAMURA NAMED TO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ***MODIFIED DIET REDUCES CHICKENS' IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT 
***State News--STATEMENT BY MARYLAND AGRICULTURE SECRETARY ROGER RICHARDSON ON PROPOSED BUDGET ***State News--CDA PROPOSED CHANGES TO STATE LEGISLATION
***Job Opportunity--DAIRY & FOOD INSPECTION DIRECTOR



  • Merrill To Serve As N.H. Agriculture Commissioner
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           Gov. John Lynch has announced that he will nominate Lorraine Stuart Merrill, a dairy farmer and freelance writer from Stratham, to serve as New Hampshire agriculture commissioner. The Executive Council must confirm the nomination.

               "As an accomplished dairy farmer, Lorraine Merrill knows firsthand the challenges facing New Hampshire farmers and the importance of agriculture to our economy here in the state of New Hampshire. She has the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the Department of Agriculture into the 21st century and to help keep New Hampshire's farming tradition strong," Lynch said.

               Merrill has been a partner in Stuart Farm in Stratham since 1975. The 270-acre dairy farm has a herd of 240 cows and has served as a partner with University of New Hampshire in agricultural and environmental research and teaching programs. The Stuart Farm has received many awards including the American Farmland Trust Steward of The Land Award, the New Hampshire Outstanding Dairy Farm Award and the New Hampshire Conservation Farm of the Year, among others.

               Merrill served as a member of the University System Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2005, and is a former member of the Stratham School Board. She is also a well-known freelance writer, contributing regularly to various local and national agriculture publications.

               Current N.H. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Taylor is retiring effective Nov. 18 after 25 years of service to the state.

           "    I want to thank Steve for his tireless service to the state and his dedication to the agrarian community here in New Hampshire. His talents, his passion and commitment will be missed here in state government," Gov. Lynch said. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

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  • Odom To Retire
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Bob Odom has announced he will retire on Jan. 14, 2008. "For 28 years, I've served the people of this state with pride and dignity. I've accomplished many things and I will retire knowing I've done the best job possible for the agriculture and forestry industries in Louisiana," Odom said.

               During his retirement announcement, Odom thanked his family and the agriculture and forestry community for their support over the years. "I'd like to thank my wife, Millie, for her unwavering support and dedication. Our lives have revolved around this department for more than four decades and she cares about Louisiana agriculture and forestry as much as I do," Odom said. "You cannot do this job without the love and support of your family and they have never let me down."

               Odom also expressed gratitude to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry employees. "You are family to me and I could never have accomplished what I have without you. Thank you--I appreciate all that you have done. The people of this state will continue to be served well because of you," he said.

               Odom was elected commissioner of agriculture in 1979. Since that time the Office of Forestry and Soil & Water Conservation have been added to the department. In 2003, Odom was re-elected to his seventh consecutive term as commissioner of agriculture and forestry.

           H    e was born in Haynesville and has spent his entire life in agriculture. Odom grew up on a 1,000-acre cotton and dairy farm and still has a 400-acre farm in Claiborne Parish.

               Odom is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University in Animal Science. He has been with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry since 1960. Prior to his election as commissioner, he served as chief of the pesticide division, acting executive assistant to the commissioner, and director of technical services.

               In 1970, Odom was recognized for outstanding service to agriculture by USDA. In 1976, he was commended by Concurrent Resolution of the Louisiana Legislature for many years of exemplary work with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. In 1982, he was awarded the Degree of Honorary American Farmer by the Future Farmers of America. In 1995, he was named Outstanding Agriculture Commissioner of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a group representing more than 570 biotechnology companies and academic institutions. In 1996, Odom was named Man of the Year by the Progressive Farmer for his efforts to promote agriculture and agribusiness. Odom received the distinguished Agriculture Hall of Fame Award from the Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association in 2005.

               In 1994 he served as president of NASDA and served on the Board of Directors for several years. He is also past president of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture and Southern United States Trade Association.

               Odom was a company commander with the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He serves on many boards and commissions representing agriculture and is a member of numerous agricultural groups including the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association, East Baton Rouge Parish Farm Bureau, Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, World Trade Center of New Orleans and Louisiana Environmental Health Association.

               Odom is a member of the Board of Directors of the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center and is on the Board of Governors of National Agriculture Center Hall of Fame. He also holds many honorary memberships in agriculture organizations.

               Bob Odom is married to the former Millie Randolph of Baton Rouge. They have two children, Robb and Ashley; three granddaughters, Taylor Brooke Odom, Baylie Monet Odom and Brighton Lynn Thompson; and one grandson, Nolan Randolph Thompson. He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Zachary. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

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  • Collaboration Assessment Project Launched
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           Partnerships are the backbone of most state agricultural programs. States and APHIS consistently find the best work is done when they collaborate effectively. With the added emphasis on emergency programs, states and APHIS recognize they simply cannot miss the opportunity to collaborate effectively, to perform to their and the public's expectations. After conducting some lessons learned exercises this summer, a Collaboration Assessment Project was created to look at methods states and APHIS might recommend to further improve collaborations. 

           The joint NASDA-APHIS project has been progressing over the past few months. Input from the various parties is now necessary. As a result, surveys were sent out to NASDA and COSDA members from the NASDA office; others are being surveyed through their organizations as well; e.g., the National Plant Board and the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials and a few other associations are also surveying their members. APHIS will seek input from its employees to complete the data collection phase of the project. Survey completion is expected by the end of November.

               The goal of the project is to have the data analysis done in time for the NASDA midyear meeting in February 2008. Draft recommendations will be proposed and the Animal and Plant Industries Committee will discuss the project and draft results at its meeting, tentatively scheduled for February 9 or 10. (Contact: Bob Ehart or Betsy Maixner)

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  • Young Agricultural Worker Safety Information Made Possible Through Cooperation
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           The NASDA Research Foundation (NASDARF) worked with the Federal Network (FedNet) for Young Worker Safety and Health to develop the "Can You Dig It?: A Safety & Health Guide for Young Workers in Landscaping, Greenhouses, & Nurseries." The brochure is available in both English and Spanish. FedNet is a cooperative network of numerous federal agencies with the shared goal of reducing occupational injury and illness in young workers ages 14 to 24. FedNet members share resources to promote occupational safety and health and workplace responsibilities.

               The "Can You Dig It?" brochure is an example of the FedNet partnership with the NASDARF in developing a comprehensive workplace safety message for young workers in the greenhouse, nursery, and landscaping industries; specifically targeted to young workers who have limited English proficiency. FedNet includes representatives from USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), the Center for Disease Control's National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

               The information contained in the "Can You Dig It?" brochure was selected based on common landscaping workplace risks, including pesticides, heat stress, noise, electrocution, equipment use, and trips and slips. Participating agencies also found it important to explain worker rights to the target population. FedNet utilized native Spanish speakers from several agencies to translate the English version into a polished Spanish version for the target audience. Each workgroup member contributed specific health and safety information drawing on their agency's expertise.

               The risks addressed in the brochure are affirmed by statistics published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: In 2004, an estimated 1.18 million persons worked in the landscaping services industry. 39.5% were Hispanic or Latino. Further, the fatality rate in landscaping was 14.3 deaths/100,000 workers, more than three times higher than the average rate across all industries. The leading causes of death of landscaping services workers were transportation incidents (27%), contact with objects and equipment (26%), falls (26%), and exposure to harmful substances or environments (17%). In 2003, 11,500 nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses resulting in at least one day away from work were reported among the landscaping services workers, 29% were among workers 16-24 years of age. Among the aforementioned 11,500 injuries and illnesses, 28% were among Hispanics or Latinos. For further information please consult Bureau of Labor and Statistics website at http://www.bls.gov.

               The brochure has been disseminated to a large pool of agricultural worker safety stakeholders across the United States. NASDARF is viewing the "Can You Dig It?" brochure as a pilot project to determine the need for developing additional materials focusing on young agricultural worker safety and health. For additional information on FedNet and to download electronic versions of this brochure, please consult the NASDA and FedNet websites at http://www.nasda.org/workersafety/ and http://youngworkers.net/. (Contact: Dick Herrett)

     


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  • Senate Agriculture Committee Approves 2007 Farm Bill
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           The Senate Agriculture Committee approved a 2007 farm bill on October 25 which provides about $283 billion in funding for agricultural programs over the next five years. The full Senate is scheduled to begin debate on the legislation on November 5 and numerous amendments are expected.

               "The Senate farm bill includes several important provisions that maintain and improve the most successful components of the 2002 farm policy," said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson and NASDA president. "In addition to a strengthened economic safety net, permanent disaster assistance, and interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry are substantial improvements over existing farm legislation."

               Johnson has long been a strong proponent of a permanent disaster title and recently represented NASDA in extensive successful negotiations to allow interstate shipment of state inspected meat and poultry. "The bill also contains several other important components," Johnson continued. "The expansion of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, strong renewable energy provisions, Country of Origin Labeling, and strengthened program payment limits contribute to well-balanced farm policy."

               The Senate farm bill generally outlines Committee Chairman Tom Harkin's (D-Iowa) proposal that was carefully negotiated among the committee members. Lawmakers approved only a few amendments during markup of the bill. One of the most controversial amendments would prohibit packers from owning livestock. Some of the key provisions of the legislation include: (1) a new Producer Income Protection title and Average Crop Revenue (ACR) program; (2) permanent disaster assistance; (3) expansion and increased funding for conservation programs; (4) more funding for specialty crops; (5) investments in renewable energy; and (6) expands nutrition programs. The Senate's farm bill also includes a compromise to allow interstate sales of state-inspected meat and poultry.

               List of amendments and other farm bill documents can be located on the Senate Agriculture Committee website at http://www.agriculture.senate.gov/. (Contacts: Charlie Ingram and Jennifer Yezak)

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  • Givens Testifies on Freeze, Drought Damage
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens testified at a House Agriculture Committee hearing last week on agriculture disaster conditions throughout the U.S. at the invitation of Representative Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.). "Tennessee's farmers, like others throughout the Southeast, are having a tough time keeping their operations running and have sustained a monetary and product loss that will be felt for some time to come," said Davis at the hearing.

           "I appreciate Congressman Davis' leadership on the House Agriculture Committee in helping to bring focus to the issue of providing federal disaster assistance to Tennessee farmers," Givens said. "There's no doubt that this has been a devastating year for farmers, and all sectors of our industry have suffered unprecedented losses."

               Projected losses to row crop and nursery stock conservatively range from $750- $850 million in Tennessee. These estimates do not include livestock producers.

               Recently, Davis brought Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) to Tennessee so local officials and farmers could brief him on the needs of the State. Peterson agreed that time is of the essence to get disaster aid out to states like Tennessee. Davis, Givens, and others are seeking to expand disaster assistance to help cover the massive losses associated with the spring freeze and record-breaking drought. As it now stands, Tennessee farmers are not eligible for disaster assistance for damage caused after February 28, 2007. Efforts are under way to move the cutoff date to December 21, 2007.

               For more information about the hearing, visit the House Agriculture Committee website at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.html. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

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  • 2007 International Pesticide Applicator Certification & Safety Education Workshop
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           The NASDA Research Foundation (NASDARF) was pleased to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pesticide Programs (EPA/OPP) in sponsoring the 2007 International Pesticide Applicator Certification & Education Workshop held on August 20 to 23 in Portland, Maine. Planning for the workshop began in 2005 and involved close coordination with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources, the University of Maine, and USDA.

               The value in developing such a comprehensive conference agenda was evident in the success of the workshop which drew more than 200 participants representing federal and state agencies, university extension services, U.S. territories, Canadian ministries, the Mexican federal government, and CropLife Latin America.

               Workshop presentations included Behavioral Findings of the Agricultural Health Study, Future Directions for Pesticide Safety Education, and USDA's Pesticide Safety Education Program. The breakout sessions covered a variety of topics including Implementation of EPA's Container-Containment Rule, Decontamination Education, Performance-based Pesticide Handling Skills, Training Trainers - A Variety of Approaches, Writing and Utilizing Quality Learning Objectives, Low Impact Pesticide Strategies for Residential and School IPM Programs, Integrating Pesticide Incident Reports into Training, Applicator Exam Validity, Sustaining State Pesticide Programs, and others.

               For further information on this conference, including the program agenda, presentations, abstracts, speaker biographies, and exhibits, please consult http://pmo.umext.maine.edu/ct/index.htm. (Contact: Dick Herrett)

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  • Schafer Nominated as Ag Secretary
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           The president has announced the nomination of Ed Schafer as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. "Ed Schafer is the right choice to fill this post. He was a leader on agricultural issues during his eight years as the governor of North Dakota. He worked to open new markets for North Dakota farmers and ranchers by expanding trade with China. He oversaw the development of the state's agricultural biofuels industry. He helped families recover from natural disasters--including drought, fires and floods. And he pioneered innovative programs to increase economic opportunity in rural communities," said President Bush during the nomination announcement.

               Schafer said "Mr. President, I come from an agriculture state, as do you. Growing up in that arena, and focusing now on the USDA, I realize that the mission of this agency goes far beyond the services delivered to the preservation of a way of life that I believe is the foundation of this country."

               Until recently, Schafer served as chief executive officer of Extend America. Earlier in his career, he served two terms as governor of North Dakota. Schafer received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota and his MBA from the University of Denver.

               He and his wife, Nancy, have four children and eight grandchildren. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

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  • USDA Partners With FFA To Promote The 2007 Census of Agriculture
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner has announced a strategic partnership with the National FFA Organization to develop online learning tools to educate FFA members about the importance of the 2007 Census of Agriculture.

               "Census of Agriculture data forms the basis of directing government resources to their best use," said Conner. "FFA members understand the Census of Agriculture benefits future generations of farmers in the communities they call home."

               Together, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and FFA are in the final stages of developing a series of classroom-ready lesson plans about the Census of Agriculture for teachers, as well as online tutorials for independent study.

               The materials will help students learn why it's important to collect this data, how it's used, and how to interpret the findings in a way that is relevant to their rural communities. The Census coursework will be aligned to national agricultural education and academic standards and be available online in late fall of 2007.

               Conducted every five years by NASS, the Census is a complete count of the nation's farms and ranches and the people who operate them. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and other topics. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation.

               NASS will mail out Census forms on December 28, 2007, to collect data for the 2007 calendar year. Completed forms are due by February 4, 2008. Producers can return their forms by mail or, for the first time, they have the convenient option of filling out the Census online. For more information about the Census, visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov or call toll-free 888/4AG-STAT or 888/424-7828. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

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  • Kawamura Named to Fruit And Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner has announced the names of members of the new Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. USDA will schedule the committee's first meeting for January 2008 in the Washington, D.C., area.

               The 25 members were selected from individuals nominated by their peers. Committee members represent fresh fruit and vegetable growers/shippers, fresh fruit and vegetable wholesalers, retailers, industry trade associations, importers, fruit and vegetable processors, foodservice suppliers, fresh-cut processors, brokers and state departments of agriculture. Each member is appointed to a two-year term. Fourteen of the members are incumbents from the previous advisory committee.

               Originally chartered in 2001, the advisory committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on issues affecting the fruit and vegetable industry. In May 2007, USDA approved a new two-year charter for this committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 provides for the establishment and operation of advisory committees within the executive branch of the federal government.

               More information about the meeting will be published in the Federal Register and will be available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv. Information also can be obtained by e-mailing robert.keeney@usda.gov or by calling 202/720-4722.

               USDA's Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee Members 2007 to 2009: A.G. Kawamura, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Danny Arnold, A-W Produce Company, Texas; Gordon Bowman, Bowman Apple Products, Virginia; Wayne Brandt, Brandt Farms, California; William Brim, Lewis Taylor Farms, Georgia; Frederick Caito, Caito Foods Service, Indiana; Charles Ciruli, Jr., Ciruli Brothers/Amex Distributing Company, Arizona; Jim Corby, Food Lion, North Carolina; Scott Danner, Liberty Fruit Company Kansas; Matthew D'Arrigo, D'Arrigo Brothers, New York; Andrew Deane, Del Monte Foods, California; Joseph DeVerna, Ocean Spray, Massachusetts; Michael Hollister, Driscolls' Inc., California; Helen Masser, Sterman Masser, Inc., Pennsylvania; Lisa McNeece, Grimmway Enterprises, California; John Millwater, Fresh Express, Texas; Luis Monterde, B&M Blueberries, Mississippi; Robert Morrissey, National Watermelon Association, Florida; Paul Newman, Rainier Fruit Company, Washington; Daniel Richey, Riverfront Growers/Riverfront Packing, Florida; Mike Stuart, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Florida; Lisa Strube, Strube Celery and Vegetable Company, Illinois; Jennifer Verdelli, Verdelli Farms, Pennsylvania; Rebecca Wilson, Tom Lange Company, Illinois; Larry Yonce, J.W. Yonce and Sons, South Carolina. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

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  • Modified Diet Reduces Chickens' Impact on Environment
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           Chickens, like millions of Americans, are beginning a new diet. But instead of reducing their waists, this diet is intended to cut out excess waste, which creates a major pollution problem for waterways. Scientists at the University of Delaware devised a new poultry feed that limits the impact of animals on the environment.

               William Saylor and colleagues at the University of Delaware evaluated a natural enzyme, called phytase, which helps animals digest more phosphorus. The addition of the enzyme to animal feed resulted in a 23 percent reduction in the phosphorus content of chicken manure.

               Phosphorus is an integral component in any animal's diet, but scientists have known for some time that animals do not digest much of the phosphorus in most animal feed. Poultry are fed a diet of seeds and grains with the majority of the phosphorus in the form of phytic acid or phytate, a form that poultry cannot digest. The undigested phosphorus is released in the animal's waste.

               The development of phytase "has been at the nucleus of industry cooperation and regulations to deal with nutrients," stated William Rohrer, Jr., administrator of the Delaware Nutrient Management Program. "It has significantly reduced the phosphorus going into our waterways."

               Poultry waste is used for fertilizer. After years of applying litter to cropland, phosphorus accumulates in the soil, which can result in excess phosphorus leaching into local waterways. The addition of phytase to chicken feed results in less phosphorus in poultry litter.

           T    he phytase-modified diet reduced phosphorus content of chicken litter by 25 to 40 percent in the last five years, dropping from 25 to 30 pounds of phosphorus per ton of chicken litter to 19 pounds of phosphorus per ton of litter. The modified diet has been accepted as part of the nutrient management practices adopted by poultry farmers under Delaware's Nutrient Management Law of 1999 and equates to a reduction in the environmental phosphorus load by some two to three million pounds per year.

               A key part of the research involved observing animal productivity and health to be certain that both were maintained when birds were fed the modified diets. The birds were examined for bone health and growth beginning as chicks up to sale at market. This research defined the boundary of total phosphorus content necessary in animal feed to ensure animal health as well as reduce phosphorus content in animal litter.

               The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) funded this research project through the Initiative for Future Agricultural and Food Systems program. CSREES advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations. For more information, visit http://www.csrees.usda.gov. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

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  • Statement by Maryland Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson on Proposed Budget
    Published: November 01, 2007

     

           By now you have probably heard about the state's budget situation and Governor O'Malley's revenue plan to address it during a special session of the General Assembly which is to start next week. Governor O'Malley has outlined a "Cost of Delay" budget to reflect more than $1.7 billion in cuts that will have to be made to balance the Fiscal Year 2009 budget if the General Assembly is unable to reach a consensus during the upcoming special session. We are sending to make you aware of some of the proposed reductions and how they would affect agriculture.

               * The loss of funds for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation easement program. An estimated $24 million in state transfer taxes dedicated to MALPF would be diverted to the general fund preventing the permanent protection of about 4,000 acres of farmland. This reduction would also prevent counties from offering matching funds that could protect another 1,000 acres. We know that some of the 5,000 acres would be lost to development forever, impacting growth planning, the loss of agricultural infrastructure, the loss of open space and impacts on soil and water quality.

               * A $2 million cut to the cover crop program. This funding cut would eliminate 50,000 acres for planting winter small grains. Cover crops are the most cost-effective and efficient way for farmers to prevent soil erosion and to protect our waterways by taking up excess nutrients that may be leftover after the harvest of summer crops.

           *     A 43 percent or $1.5 million cut to the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industries Development Corporation (MARBIDCO). The reduction would diminish MARBIDCO's ability offer loans and some targeted grants to young farmers and those who are diversifying their operations.

               * A possible 10 percent reduction of state employees. For MDA, a 10 percent cut eliminates an estimated 44 positions from our operations, reducing our ability to assist the agricultural industry and to protect Maryland citizens and the environment through regulatory activities.

               We hope you find this information useful. Feel free to pass this message along to others and thank you for your attention to this very important matter. (Contact: Maryland Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson, 410/841-5880)

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  • CDA Proposed Changes to State Legislation
    Published: November 01, 2007

           The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is proposing changes to the Commercial Fertilizer, Soil Conditioner, Plant Amendment, and Agricultural Liming Material Act (35-12 C.R.S) for consideration during the upcoming 2008 Legislative Session.

           During the past 30 years, the fertilizer and soil conditioner industries have undergone many changes; however, the Commercial Fertilizer Law has not been revised since 1977.

    The following is a summary of the proposed changes:
           * Removes definition and all references to "agricultural liming material." Liming materials are rarely used in Colorado and are regulated as a fertilizer or soil conditioner.
           * Removes definition of "brand" and eliminates the brand registration requirement.
           * Adds definitions for "compost," "composting," "distribute," "product," and "product name" and removes definitions for "basic supplier" and "unit" to clarify the intent of the statute.
           * Provides an exemption from registration and inspection fees for distributors that market compost without fertilizer or soil conditioner claims.
           * Replaces automatic daily late penalty fee assessment with an annual penalty fee set by the Colorado Agricultural Commission.
           * Adds label requirements for manufacture date or code and directions for use.
           * Replaces the term "inspection fee" with "distribution fee" to clarify the intent of the fee. This fee is based upon the amount of product distributed, not the amount inspected.
           * Reduces the distribution report filing requirement from semi-annual to annual.
           * Allows the Commissioner to establish due dates for reports and applications.
           * Eliminates automatic penalty assessment for products that fail to meet label guarantees.
           * Adds language throughout to conform to the Colorado Administrative Procedures Act.
           * Adds language to identify excessive heavy metal content as adulteration.
           * Eliminates the automatic penalties for short weight products. This requirement is enforced under the Measurement Standards Act (35-14 CRS).
           * Adds language to allow the Commissioner to investigate complaints or compliance issues.
           * Adds language to allow the authority to issue civil penalties for significant violations.

           CDA is also proposing changes to the Anhydrous Ammonia Law (35-13 C.R.S) for consideration during the upcoming 2008 Legislative Session. This law provides for the regulation of the storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia for agricultural use. Agricultural producers, citizens, and the environment are protected through the administration of this law. Storage facilities, transport tanks, and application tanks and equipment are inspected for compliance with safety rules.

    The following is a summary of the proposed changes:
           * Modifies the inspection and registration requirements for anhydrous ammonia tanks. Currently tanks with a capacity of less than 500 gallons must be inspected before being sold, filled, or delivered. The change will require tanks of any capacity to be registered before being filled or delivered.
           * Updates the language regarding enforcement to conform to the Colorado Administrative Procedures Act and allows the Commissioner to take immediate action on safety violations.
           * Allows the Commissioner to establish registration dates.

    For a copy of the proposed laws, contact Pat Johnson at 303/477-0086.

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  • Job Opportunity: Dairy and Food Inspection Director
    Published: November 01, 2007

            The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking to hire a Director of the Dairy and Food Inspection Division. The title of the Position is State Programs Administrator Manager Principal - Food Safety.

           Please refer to the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations website at http://www.doer.state.mn.us for more information regarding the position. You will need to "search" for Posting #07AGR000113.


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