NASDA News - August 18, 2009

NORTH AMERICAN AG OFFICIALS MEET FOR TRI-NATIONAL ACCORD
Published: August 18, 2009

State and provincial agriculture officials from the United States, Canada, and Mexico met last week in Gimli, Manitoba for the 19th annual meeting of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord.  The Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors, Ministers, and other senior government officials from six Canadian provinces, five Mexican states, and seven U.S. states met to discuss and collaborate on agricultural trade and development issues. 

Delegates to the Accord unanimously agreed to a joint statement calling for an end to the practice of identifying new or existing diseases with technically incorrect names which often results in dramatic market disruptions and confusion among consumers.  Delegates pointed to the recent H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in humans being incorrectly labeled as “Swine Flu” in the media, and the subsequent collapse of the North American pork industry. 

In addition, delegates collaborated on issues related to rural development, as well as the harmonization of pesticides, veterinary drugs, and organic standards between the three countries.   Delegates also called for the inclusion of the agricultural and forestry communities’ concerns in climate change initiatives. 

A copy of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord’s official communiqué is available here.  (Contact: Amy Mann)

CANADA INTRODUCES SUPPORT FOR PORK PRODUCERS
Published: August 18, 2009

Over the weekend, the Government of Canada announced a comprehensive program to provide assistance to their pork producers.  According to the Canadian Government, these initiatives will not be in any violation of international trade agreements and will include:

·         An International Pork Marketing Fund of $17 million for market research, promotion and access initiatives to find new customers for Canadian pork products.

·         Long-term loans with government-backed credit that financial institutions can offer to allow viable hog operations to restructure their businesses.  These long-term loans will be provided at market rates.  Producers with sound business plans will be able to access short-term credit for operating costs such as feed and payroll.

·         A Hog Farm Transition Program to allow producers to tender bids for the amount of funding they need to transition out of the hog industry and cease hog production for at least three years.  This program will invest up to $75 million to gradually reduce production and oversupply issues.

More information regarding the Canadian aid package for pork producers is available on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website: www.agr.gc.ca .(Contact: David Hickey)

NPPC REQUESTS AID FROM US GOVERNMENT
Published: August 18, 2009

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) requested a broad assistance package to help the struggling pork industry during this difficult economic emergency.  According to the industry, pork producers have lost an average of more than $21 on each hog marketed since September 2007.  The following are the specific requests from the NPPC to the USDA:

·         Purchase immediately an additional $50 million of pork for various federal food programs – other than ones in USDA’s Section 32 program – using fiscal 2009 funds. Fiscal 2009 ends Sept. 30. The funds would not come from USDA’s Section 32 program. (USDA annually buys pork for food programs; it bought $62.6 million worth in 2008, for example.)

·         Urge Congress to lift a spending cap on the Section 32 program, and use $50 million of $300 million available to purchase pork for the program, which uses customs receipts to buy non-price-supported commodities for school lunch and other food programs.

·         Buy on Oct. 1 a minimum of $50 million of pork, using fiscal 2010 funds. Fiscal 2010 begins Oct. 1. The purchase would be in addition to USDA’s annual buy.

·         Use $100 million of the $1 billion appropriated for addressing the H1N1 virus for the swine industry. This would include $70 million for swine disease surveillance, $10 million for diagnostics and H1N1 vaccine development and$20 million for industry support.

·         Work with the U.S. Trade Representative to open export markets to U.S. pork. Several countries, including China, continue to impose unwarranted bans on U.S. pork because of the H1N1 flu.

·         Study the economic impact on the livestock industry of an expansion of corn-ethanol production and usage. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed raising the cap on blending ethanol into gasoline to 15 percent from its current 10 percent.  (Contact: David Hickey)

U.S BEGINS IMPLEMENTING BEEF HORMONES MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Published: August 18, 2009

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) last week announced that it will begin to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and the European Commission (EC) in the Beef Hormones dispute.   

Under the terms of the MOU, the EC will provide significant access to American-produced high quality beef from cattle that have not been treated with growth-promoting hormones.  During the first three years, the MOU allows for imports of US beef of up to 20,000 tons a year at zero duty, with the potential to increase to 45,000 tons in the fourth year.

The action last week by USTR begins to implement the MOU by delaying the imposition of additional tariffs on a list of European goods that had been scheduled to go into effect prior to the MOU. 

The MOU, signed in May, provides a provisional solution to a decades-long dispute between the US and Europe that originally began in 1989 following Europe’s ban of hormone-treated beef imports from the U.S. and Canada.  The World Trade Organization subsequently authorized the U.S .and Canada to impose punitive tariffs on imports from Europe.  Text of the Federal Register notice on last week’s action is available here.  (Contact: Amy Mann)

US FISH AND WILDLIFE ANNOUNCES ESA STATUS REVIEW FOR 29 SPECIES
Published: August 18, 2009

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced today that it was initiating a status review of 29 species following an environmental advocacy organization’s petition for listing under the Endangered Species Act.  FWS found that the petition presented “substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing may be warranted.”  The petition, filed with FWS by Forest Guardians (now WildEarth Guardians) had requested FWS examine 206 species in the Mountain Prairie Region.  FWS is accepting comments on the status review for 90 days.  (Contact: Nathan Bowen

USDA-NASS FORECASTS PLENTIFUL SOYBEAN CROP
Published: August 18, 2009

U.S. farmers successfully battled soggy July weather and remain on target for producing the largest soybean crop in history, according to the Crop Production report, released August 12 by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Soybean production is forecast at a record-high, 3.2 billion bushels, up 8 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 41.7 bushels per acre, up 2.1 bushels per acre from 2008. If realized, this will be the fourth largest soybean yield on record. 

Corn production is forecast at 12.8 billion bushels, up 5 percent from last year, but down 2 percent from the 2007 record. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 159.5 bushels per acre, up 5.6 bushels from last year. If realized, this will be the second highest yield on record. Growers are expected to harvest 80 million acres of corn for grain, down 100,000 acres from June, but up 2 percent from last year.

The August Crop Production report contains NASS’s first estimates of yield and production for corn, soybeans and other spring-planted row crops. Nearly 28,000 producers in major producing states, which usually account for about 75 percent of the U.S. production, were interviewed to obtain probable yield. These growers will continue to be surveyed throughout the growing season to provide indications of average yields. The Crop Production report is published monthly and is available at: www.nass.usda.gov. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

IN: HOOSIER HOMESTEAD AWARDS HONOR 36 FAMILIES
Published: August 18, 2009

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Indiana Agriculture Director Anne Hazlett on August 12 honored 36 families with the Hoosier Homestead Award at the 4-H Exhibit Hall Indiana State Fair. To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years and consist of 20 acres or more or produce at least $1,000 worth of agricultural products per year. The award was created to recognize the contribution these family farms have made to the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana. More information about the 2009 Hoosier Homestead families and awards program is available on the ISDA Web site at: www.in.gov/isda .(Contact: Jeannie Keating at (317) 696-9695 or jkeating@isda.in.gov)

KY: TRADE OFFICE PROVIDES VALUABLE SERVICES IN MEXICO
Published: August 18, 2009

A Monroe County business found success selling hardwood lumber to Mexico with the help of the state’s trade office there. The Kentucky Agricultural and Commercial Trade Office, a joint venture of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the state Economic Development Cabinet, is prepared to create more success stories for Kentucky businesses.

“Mexico is Kentucky’s third-largest trading partner, and we have a long history of doing business there,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Our trade office in Guadalajara is an excellent investment that brings business and jobs to Kentucky.”

Roy Anderson Lumber in Monroe County is one of many businesses that have benefited from the trade office’s relationships and expertise. The southern Kentucky sawmill has sent three shipments of hardwood lumber to Mexico, most recently in May. KACTO staff identified potential clients for Roy Anderson, provided market research, set up meetings, assisted with contract negotiations and provided other logistical support. For more information about exporting agricultural products, contact the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s international marketing program at (502) 564-4983. (Contact: Bill Clary at: (502) 564-1137)

MD: COVER CROP PROGRAM HELPS FARMERS WITH POOR SEED STOCK
Published: August 18, 2009

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will allow farmers to use small grain seed stock with germination rates that are below the required 80 percent if they attain an adequate cover crop stand this fall.  Since weather conditions this spring have negatively impacted seed quality, MDA is providing farmers the flexibility in the Cover Crop Program for farmers to use farm-grown seed that may not meet the normal germination rate.

The program typically requires adherence to specific seed germination rates, restrictions on noxious weed content and quantity of seed per acre.  The newly announced option would relax only the germination standard.  All other seed quality criteria must be met. The Cover Crop Program is a centerpiece in the suite of 27 actions Governor Martin O’Malley has set to ramp up Bay restoration and achieve an additional reduction of 3.75 million pounds of nitrogen and 201,000 pounds of phosphorus from reaching the Bay by the end of 2011. The Cover Crop program will account for over one-third of this goal.  By planting small grains such as wheat, rye and barley in the fall, farmers help capture nutrients keeping them out of local waterways during winter.

Last year farmers planted 237,500 acres in the program keeping an estimated 1.16 million pounds of nitrogen and 47,500 pounds of phosphorus from impacting local waterways. The majority of Cover Crop Program funding comes from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund with additional support from the 2010 Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund. For additional informational on the Cover Crop Program, contact MDA’s Conservation Grants Office at  410-841-5864. (Contact: Sue DuPont, 410-841-5889 or Julie Oberg, 410-841-5888)

ND: BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH HIRES FIELD INVESTIGATOR
Published: August 18, 2009

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says the State Board of Animal Health is beefing up its educational and enforcement activities with the hiring of a field investigator. Justin Maddock brings a wealth of experience in both livestock production and government administration,” Goehring said. “As a field investigator, he will focus on education activities and enforcement relating to animal health importation regulations, as well as helping with other duties of the board.” He has been the emergency preparedness and response coordinator with the Lake Region District Health since 2002. He is also engaged in beef cattle and horse production. (Contact: Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233)

ND: NOXIOUS WEED SPREADING IN NORTH DAKOTA
Published: August 18, 2009

State weed control officials say that the noxious weed, absinth wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), appears to be spreading in parts of North Dakota. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring urged producers to report wormwood infestations to local county or city weed officers, and he also asked retail and wholesale garden suppliers to stop selling absinth wormwood.

North Dakota reported 554,175 acres infested with absinth wormwood in 2008. Absinth wormwood is readily controlled by a variety of herbicides and research is now underway to find biological agents to control it. State law requires landowners to control the spread of noxious weeds on their property. Producers should contact their local weed board for cost-share assistance. (Contact Ted Quanrud at: (701) 328-2233)

ND: GOEHRING ACTIVATES HARVEST HOTLINE
Published: August 18, 2009

Farmers who need combining services and independent combiners looking for work should call the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) Harvest Hotline at (701) 328-1500. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has activated the hotline because of the lateness of this year’s crops.

Harvest Hotline, which matches farmers with custom harvesters, was created for this kind of situation. Callers to the Harvest Hotline are listed in a database that NDDA personnel use to match producers with combiners. The service is free of charge. The Harvest Hotline was first used in 1992, when adverse weather conditions caused a heavy demand for custom combining. It proved popular and has since been offered annually as a service for farmers and combiners. (Contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233) 

NY: COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES STATE ECO-FRIENDLY FARMING AWARD
Published: August 18, 2009

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker August 12 recognized Tom and Elaine Trinder of Fabius as the recipients of the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Award. “The Trinder Farm is an excellent model of employing environmental and resource innovations to build an excellent family farm,” the Commissioner said.

The Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Award is presented annually to a farm family that practices sound agricultural stewardship by incorporating the AEM program into the operation of their farm business. With over 12,000 farms participating, New York’s AEM program serves as a national model of how a voluntary, incentive-based approach can successfully protect the State's natural resources, while meeting the economic needs of our diverse agricultural community. The AEM partnership of local, state and federal agencies, environmental groups, businesses and farmers, provides the technical, educational and financial assistance to develop and implement sound farm conservation plans. More information about the program can be found at: www.agmkt.state.ny.us (Contact: Jessica Chittenden at: 518-457-3136)

VA: ADDITIONAL CASES OF EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS
Published: August 18, 2009

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has confirmed the second positive case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a horse for 2009, as well as a suspected case in a goat.

The Virginia Department of Health reported that, to date, 101 mosquito pools in the Tidewater area have tested positive for EEE, as well as 30 sentinel chickens.  “That could indicate that we are on track for one of our heaviest EEE years since Virginia began testing mosquitoes for EEE in 1998.  This increases the risk of EEE transmission to people, particularly in the coastal regions of Virginia.  Therefore, persons should minimize their exposure to mosquitoes. ”

For more information on EEE in animals, consumers should contact the Office of the State Veterinarian at 804.692.0601 or consult their local veterinarians.  More information on EEE in humans is available from the Virginia Department of Health which has district offices in every part of the state.  (Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm at (804) 786-7686)

VA: AG EXPORTS REMAIN A BRIGHT SPOT IN MIDST OF RECESSION
Published: August 18, 2009

Last year was a record year for Virginia with agricultural exports of $2.2 billion for the twelve month period.  Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), reports that Virginia's agricultural exports have continued to do very well in 2009 and have fared better than most other states. 

For January - May 2009, total U.S. agricultural exports dropped nearly 21 percent, but Virginia's agricultural exports are only five percent below 2008’s record figures for the same time period.  Virginia’s recent export history shows that the state sent abroad $846 million worth of agricultural products January – May 2007, a billion dollars in products for the same period in 2008, and $963 million in the first five months of 2009.

Currently Virginia’s top ten export markets are Switzerland, China, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, Venezuela, Cuba, Malaysia, Portugal and Indonesia.  VDACS is not focused solely on maintaining market share in current markets, but also works to develop new market opportunities that will keep Virginia’s agriculture-based economy strong and provide for continued export growth in the future.  Cuba is a good example of a market that continues to grow in importance as a new market for Virginia agricultural products.  (Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm at (804) 786-7686)