NASDA News December 5, 2007

NASDA Urges Senate Action on Farm Bill This Year
Published: December 05, 2007

       NASDA signed on to a letter with 18 other agricultural groups and organizations last week to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urging them to complete work on the 2007 farm bill before the end of the year. Among the groups signing the letter are the American Soybean Association; the National Farmers Union; the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance; and the National Association of Conservation Districts. The letter is posted on NASDA's website.

       The organizations are disappointed that the Senate was unable to complete work on the 2007 farm bill prior to the Thanksgiving recess. They further pointed out in the letter that the legislation reported by the Senate Committee on Agriculture has broad support throughout U.S. agriculture and rural America, and in the nutrition, conservation, and energy communities. In addition, the groups support enacting new farm legislation rather than extending the 2002 farm bill.

       Senate leaders are continuing negotiations on a process to consider the farm bill with a limited number of amendments. If senators can agree to a list of amendments, the Senate could possibly complete the farm bill within two to four days. The new year would bring forth a conference committee to complete action on the 2008 farm bill. (Contacts: Jennifer Yezak or Charlie Ingram)

China Trade Mission Promotes Global Food & Style Expo and NRA Show and Recruits New Buyers
Published: December 05, 2007

       NASDA President and North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, NASDA Trade Shows Director DeWitt Ashby, Ann Daw, president of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, and Mary Pat Heftman, senior vice president of the National Restaurant Association met with Chinese food service, restaurant, hotel and hospitality groups, as well as food importers and government officials in the cities of Beijing, Shenyang, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu and Guangzhou over a 13-day trade mission in China.

       "The purpose of the mission is to recruit companies to come to the U.S. for the Global Food and Style Expo and the National Restaurant Association Show, next year in Chicago," Johnson said. "We are also conducting seminars to educate people about the U.S.-China trade and the opportunities available to U.S. and Chinese traders."

       Sponsored by NASDA and the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. Food Export Showcase, and the American Food Fair are, respectively, part of the Global Food and Style Expo (GFSE) and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show. The GFSE, is a new partnership featuring the largest display of specialty, ethnic, natural, organic and export-ready U.S. food in the world. event features the largest display of specialty foods, organic and export products in the U.S. Attracting 12,000 to 15,000 buyers. The NRA show includes a complete line of food products for the restaurant and hotel industries and a wide range of related non-food items. The NRA show annually attracts more than 75,000 industry professionals.

       International trade is more important than ever to the U.S. food industry. Western culture is proving to have great influence over Chinese companies and the commodities they purchase from the United States. These factors influence the work that NASDA and the Foreign Agricultural Service does to bring Chinese retailers, restaurateurs, and importers to the U.S.

       The U.S. agriculture industry set another record in FY07 with exports topping $79 billion. USDA predicts exports will reach $83.5 billion, which means another record-breaking year in 2008. These numbers speak for themselves and make a very bold statement about the high-demand for United States agriculture products.

       "The U.S. Food Export Showcase and American Food Fair help small- and mid-size food manufacturers tap into the growth potential of international markets," Johnson said. "It provides a venue for hundreds of U.S. companies to meet with thousands of buyers from around the world."

         The U.S. Food Export Showcase is scheduled for April 27 to 29, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The American Food Fair, part of the National Restaurant Association Show, is May 17 to 20, also in Chicago. (Contact: Megan McDonald or DeWitt Ashby)

Congress Faces Heavy Agenda
Published: December 05, 2007

       The House and Senate returned to work on December 3 and are under pressure to finish work on a number of priority items, including the FY08 spending bills, the 2007 farm bill, energy and tax legislation. Congressional leaders hope to adjourn by December 14, but the session could last until days before Christmas.

       This week, comprehensive energy legislation (H.R.4) will be debated in the House while the Senate will consider a U.S.-Peru free trade agreement. Meanwhile, lawmakers are continuing work on the FY08 appropriations bills. Only one of the twelve annual spending measures has been passed. Congressional leaders plan to wrap most of the individual spending bills, including the agriculture funding bill, into an omnibus spending package. Federal departments are currently operating under a continuing budget resolution which expires December 14.

       Congress is also under pressure to complete work on the 2007 farm bill which has been stalled in the Senate for almost a month (see separate story in this issue). Other high priority items include a children's health care bill and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases Nominations Sought
Published: December 05, 2007

       Nominations have opened for two-year membership appointments to the committee that advises the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on actions necessary to prevent the introduction of foreign livestock and poultry diseases into the United States.

       The committee also advises the Secretary about contingency planning and maintaining a state of preparedness to deal with any introduced diseases.

       Members for this committee will be selected so that the broadest representation is possible. The notice seeking nominations for membership is scheduled for publication in the Nov. 21 Federal Register.

       Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all committee appointments. Once the committee has been formed, members will elect a chairperson and vice chairperson.

       Consideration will be given to nominations received on or before Jan. 7, 2008. Nominations can be sent to Mark Teachman, acting director of interagency coordination, national center for animal health emergency management, veterinary services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4700 River Road, Unit 41, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

USDA and Cattlemen Partner to Register Premises
Published: December 05, 2007

       USDA and the National Cattlemen's Foundation in cooperation with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) have announced a partnership to facilitate the registration of additional cattle premises as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). USDA previously announced similar cooperative agreements with other agriculture organizations to provide education and outreach for the animal ID system.

       The cooperative agreement with the cattlemen's association will include print, television and other educational outreach efforts to promote the animal ID system to producers. NAIS is a voluntary program and consists of three components: premises registration, animal identification and tracing. The premises registration component of NAIS ensures the availability of a nationwide communications network to assist livestock owners and animal health officials in the event of an animal disease event.

       USDA also announced that it will soon release a business plan to advance animal disease traceability. That plan outlines strategies to be undertaken to help achieve the long term goal of NAIS which is to retrieve sufficient trace forward and traceback data within a 48 hour window. This will allow animal health officials to trace a disease back to its source, which ultimately protects other premises and cattle from the adverse economic impact of a disease outbreak. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

USDA Appoints State Reps to Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Advisory Committee
Published: December 05, 2007

       Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner this week appointed 20 members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. Seven of the appointments are new; the other 13 are reappointments. This committee identifies ways to increase participation between federal and state programs to provide joint financing for beginning producers. Committee members also suggest agricultural opportunities that will help beginning farmers and ranchers.

       The Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 required the formation of the committee. Members serve for a two-year term, and can be reappointed for up to six consecutive years. The committee meets at least once a year and the meetings are open to the public.

       Two representatives from state departments of agriculture will serve: Karen Kritz of Pemberton, N.J., is involved in agricultural economic development at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and Marian Beethe of Tecumseh, Neb., who heads a beginning farmer program for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

       The seven new members to the committee are:

       * Juan Carlos Hernandez of Miami, Fla.: Hernandez is a loan officer for Farm Credit of South Florida.

       * Travis Jett of Laverne, Okla.: Jett is a beginning rancher and a senior at Oklahoma State University.

       * Karen Kritz of Pemberton, N.J.

       * Ryan Luter of Morrison, Okla.: Luter is a farmer and an Assistant Vice President at BancFirst Corp. in Oklahoma.

       * Katherine Minthorn Good Luck of Pendleton, Ore.: Good Luck is the northwest regional representative of the Intertribal Agriculture Council and has a farming operation.

       * Amarjit Sohal of Yuba City, Calif.: Sohal is an assistant vice president at Sacramento Valley Farm Credit in California.

       * William Zachary Penn of Deming, N.M.: Penn is a partner in Penn Farms.

       The 13 reappointments are:

       * Marian Beethe of Tecumseh, Neb.

       * Traci Bruckner of Wayne, Neb.: Bruckner assists in directing policy at the Center for Rural Affairs and also has a cow-calf operation.

       * Richard Cates Jr. of Spring Green, Wis.: Cates directs a school for beginning farmers at the University of Wisconsin and has a cattle operation.

       * Ray Ellenberger of Belleville, Wis.: Ellenberger is USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) farm loan chief in Wisconsin.

       * Timothy Harlow of Mylo, N.D.: Harlow is an outreach liaison for the National Tribal Development Association, which promotes economic opportunities for American Indians. He also operates a fruit and vegetable farm.

       * Latrice Hill of Ridgeland, Miss.: Hill is an FSA outreach specialist in Mississippi.

       * Janie Hipp of Washington, D.C.: Hipp is a National Program Leader for USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service in Washington, D.C.

       * Lisa Koester of Wadesville, Ind.: Koester is part owner of Koester Brothers Farms, Inc.

       * Trenton McKnight of Throckmorton, Texas: McKnight is a rancher and director of several banks in Texas. He served as vice-chairman of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers from 2006 through 2007.

       * Ray Mobley of Tallahassee, Fla.: Mobley is an extension veterinarian at Florida A&M University and operates a small farm.

       * Maria Moreira of Lancaster, Mass.: Moreira is the project director of Flats Mentor Farm and the immigrant farming project in Massachusetts. She also owns a dairy farm.

       * Mary Peabody of Burlington, Vt.: Peabody is an associate professor at the University of Vermont and director of the Women's Agricultural Network

       * Jeffrey Ward of Windsor Heights, Iowa: Ward is executive director of the Iowa Agricultural Development Authority and chairman of the National Council of State Agricultural Finance Programs.

       All members have experience in agriculture. The law requires committee members to include representatives from the following groups: state beginning farmer programs; educational institutions; lending institutions; nonprofit organizations; USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA); USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; and other entities providing assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers. USDA also appoints farmers and ranchers to serve on the committee. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

USDA Briefs
Published: December 05, 2007

~~New USDA Communications Director Appointed~~ Chris Connelly has been appointed as director of communications for USDA. Connelly replaces Terri Teuber Moore, who has been named the deputy director of communications for policy and planning at the White House. Connelly has served since 2001 as chief of staff and communications director for the office of Representative Jo Ann Davis. Prior to that, he advised members of Congress as deputy chief of staff, press secretary and assistant press secretary, as well as organizing and managing congressional staff. Connelly has served as a policy analyst and speechwriter on national issues. He has a Bachelor of arts in government from Oral Roberts University and a master of arts in public policy from Regent University.

 ~~2008 Biosecurity Calendars Available~~ As part of its ongoing efforts to educate backyard poultry owners about what they can do to protect their birds against infectious poultry diseases such avian influenza (AI), the USDA is offering free and informative calendars for 2008. These calendars, which feature full-color photos of poultry and other birds each month, contain useful information about protecting poultry from AI and include tips on what to do should poultry owners suspect that their birds are infected. Those interested in receiving this free calendar can go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/resources.html and click "2008 Backyard Biosecurity Calendar."

~~New Disease-Resistant Wheat~~ 'Mace', a new winter wheat cultivar developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and cooperators, could give growers an added measure of insurance against outbreaks of wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV). According to ARS plant geneticist Robert Graybosch, Mace harbors a gene called Wsm-1 that confers resistance to the virus, which is spread by the wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella. Spraying pesticide to prevent the mite from feeding and transmitting WSMV isn't particularly effective, so growers typically resort to using a combination of strategies, such as controlling weedy grasses and "volunteer" wheat. Both are sources of WSMV that the mites can acquire through feeding. (Contact: Bob Ehart)
 

Eight Midwest Agriculture Department Heads Ask Bush to Speed Approval of Higher Ethanol Blends
Published: December 05, 2007

       The heads of eight Midwestern state departments of agriculture have asked President Bush to help speed the approval of cars and gas pumps to that can take advantage of higher ethanol blends.

       Currently, most ethanol in the nation is sold as E10, which is 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. This blend has been tested extensively and shown to reduce pollution while having no harmful effects on engine wear or on the functioning of gas pumps.

        Initial research into higher ethanol blends, such as E15 and E20 (fuel that is 15 and 20 percent ethanol respectively) show similar benefits, but more testing is necessary to make sure these blends can be used without adverse affect on car engines or gas pump functions. The full text of the letter is available at http://www.agriculture.state.ia.us/press/press9107.htm. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

Panel to Answer Transition Questions at Pennsylvania Farm Show
Published: December 05, 2007

       A newly-formed partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Center for Farm Transitions and PA Farm Link will help producers learn how best transfer a farm to someone else.

       A panel will be available to answer questions at the Pennsylvania Farm Show from 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 7 and 11, in the Pennsylvania room of the Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Harrisburg.

       Farm transition issues the panel will address include transferring ownership to the next generation, leaving the farm for another career, expanding your operation, or beginning to farm.

       "As a dairy farmer, I know farm transition is one of the biggest concerns among farm operators," said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. "Understanding the best way to introduce the next generation of farmers to management or making an operation more profitable will help farmers continue to keep agriculture the number one industry in Pennsylvania."

       The first 100 producers to mail their inquiries to the Center for Farm Transitions by Dec. 19 will receive a free one-day parking pass to the Farm Show, a $5 value, so they can ask their question in person. Walk-in inquiries are also welcome, and producers may ask the panel multiple questions.

       Submit questions related to farm transition to the Center for Farm Transitions, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 2301 N. Cameron St., Room 311, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408. Submissions can also be made online through the "Contact Us" section at http://www.iplantofarm.com. Include your name, address, telephone number and question. 

(Contact: Nicole L. Cullison, 717/787-5085)