NASDA News - October 6, 2009

NASDA OFFERS SOLUTION TO CRISIS FACING DAIRY, PORK, AND POULTRY PRODUCERS
Published: October 06, 2009

NASDA last week released a proposal to address the critical economic situation of American dairy, pork, and poultry producers, while simultaneously providing much-needed nutritional assistance to Americans facing hunger due to job loss and other economic hardships.

 “Each and every day, we watch as producers in our states go out of business.  The current oversupply in the marketplace is causing dairy, pork, and poultry producers to accumulate debt as never before,” said NASDA President Ed Kee.  “I am pleased we came together as a national organization to offer a solution to assist our producers.  At the same time, our plan will provide vital aid to those Americans also greatly affected by the economic downturn.”

To date, a number of potential solutions have been proposed to help these industries survive this economic downturn and gain a solid footing for the future.  Individual producers, through no fault of their own, are going out of business.  Before it is too late for many producers, NASDA is proposing a bold solution: a plan to take extra inventories off the market to reduce supply, all while providing vital nutritious, proteinnâ€rich foods to those who are unable to afford them, which is in more demand now than ever before.  As of July 2009, there are nearly 36 million Americans currently participating in the nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – over a 21% increase from just a year ago.   

Leonard Blackham, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, and leader of the NASDA working group, explained, “By removing these excess products off the market, and placing them into food assistance programs, we will quickly stabilize the prices for these products, allowing the producers to break-even, or perhaps even make a profit on their farms.   Simultaneously, our fellow citizens struggling to put food on their table will find themselves with more opportunities for healthy, protein-rich meals.” 

The NASDA plan would establish a tiered-purchase program for the dairy and pork industries, as well as a one-time purchase of turkey products.  For dairy, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would begin with a purchase 75 million pounds of cheese and additional dairy products, as determined by USDA.  This would be done in three equal stages over a 120-day period, or until the target all-milk price of $16/cwt – the cost of production – is met. 

To deal with the excess product in the pork sector, a purchase by USDA of cold storage inventories of pork would be implemented over a 180-day period, or until a target price of $49/cwt was realized.  Each tier would consist of 100 million pounds of pork products.  USDA would also make a one-time purchase of 100 million pounds of turkey products.

“To ensure these products reach those who truly need it, the aid will be distributed through food assistance programs, which could include food banks, the school lunch program, and a SNAP-PLUS program, as well as foreign military food assistance in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Steve Troxler, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.  “Under SNAP-PLUS, an additional allotment to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), at an amount to be determined, would be allocated for beneficiaries of the program to purchase meat and dairy products at private grocers.  Using the system currently utilized across the nation, participants would be given separate electronic benefits transfer cards to spend solely on these products.”    

Through product purchases to reduce the oversupply on the market, NASDA’s proposal will help farmers and producers recover from severe economic hardships.   At the same time, the proposal will help put much needed food on the tables of the countless American families struggling to make ends meet.  NASDA calls upon Congressional leaders and Administration officials to step up to the plate and take the Meat the Need proposal into consideration to improve the lives of millions of Americans. (Contact: David Hickey) 

HOUSE AND SENATE NEGOTIATORS APPROVE AG SPENDING BILL CONFERENCE REPORT
Published: October 06, 2009

Members of the conference committee negotiating the final agricultural appropriations bill reached an agreement last week on fiscal year 2010 funding for USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The House is scheduled to vote on the conference report Wednesday. In response to the agreement reached on additional dairy funding, of which $60 million will go for cheese purchases (similar to NASDA’s Meat the Need) and $290 million for a direct payment program to be distributed at the discretion of Secretary Vilsack, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has placed a hold on the conference report in the Senate.  Senator Boxer has indicated concerns about the possibility for inequitable geographic distribution of the funding and would have preferred a higher level of cheese purchased. A summary of the conference report is available on the House Appropriations Committee website.  (Contact: David Hickey)

EPA TO REQUIRE LABELING OF INERT PESTICIDE INGREDIENTS
Published: October 06, 2009

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week plans to require labeling of all inert ingredients in pesticides.  EPA contends that making the information readily available will help users of pesticides as well as consumers to make more informed health decisions and will protect the environment.  The announcement came after several dozen non-government organizations filed petitions with EPA asking for the information.  (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

USDA JOINS FDA EFFORTS ON NEW FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS
Published: October 06, 2009

USDA’s fresh produce chief will join the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop new food safety rules, as part of a cooperative initiative between the FDA and USDA. The announcement comes amid beefed up outreach efforts with key agriculture and safe food stakeholders to better share and exchange produce safety "best practices" and ideas.

Leanne Skelton, chief of the Fresh Products Branch of the USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS), has extensive experience working with the fruit and vegetable industry. Skelton has been with the Fresh Products Branch at AMS for more than 22 years, working in inspections, grading and certification, standardization, training, and managing the Branch's financial and information technology activities. Skelton will be on detail with the FDA for six months as she helps the FDA develop new safety regulations for produce.

Through the initiative, FDA is gathering information and seeking feedback from the fresh produce industry, including small and organic farmers, on the impact such rules may have on their businesses and lives. In addition, USDA and FDA officials have been traveling together to meet with farmers and local food safety officials. Most recently, FDA and USDA visited farms in North Carolina and will soon visit Florida. (Contact: Amy Mann) 

FARMERS MARKETS GROWING RAPIDLY THROUGHOUT NATION
Published: October 06, 2009

The number of farmers markets in the United States is up more than 13 percent from a year ago, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture. A recent update of the online Farmers Market Directory lists 5,274 markets nationwide, up from 4,685 reported in 2008.

USDA's support of farmers markets is just one component of the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative to help develop local and regional food systems and spur economic opportunity. By successfully restoring the link between consumers and local producers there can be new income opportunities for farmers and wealth can be generated that will stay in rural communities. There also can be a greater focus on sustainable agricultural practices and families can better access healthy, fresh, locally grown food.

Since USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) began to track farmers markets in 1994, the number has grown by nearly 4,000 nationwide. A national directory of farmers markets is available at www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets. (Contact: Amy Mann)

DHS ISSUES FINAL RULE RESCINDING CONTROVERSIAL ‘NO-MATCH' REGULATION
Published: October 06, 2009

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is rescinding its controversial “no-match” regulation targeting employers with undocumented workers, according to a final rule slated for publication in the Oct. 7 Federal Register.

Under the no-match rule—also called the safe harbor rule—the Social Security Administration would have been required to include with no-match letters, sent to employers when employees' Social Security numbers do not match government records, information telling the employers that they would be required to resolve discrepancies or face liability.

The Bush administration originally issued the no-match rule in 2007, but it was challenged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which blocked it before it had gone into effect. Reflecting the change in presidential administrations, DHS announced its intention to rescind the rule in July 2009.

DHS issued a proposed rule rescinding the no-match regulation Aug. 19, and in the final rule said it intended to adopt the proposed rule without changes.

“After further review, DHS has determined to focus its enforcement efforts relating to the employment of aliens not authorized to work in the United States on increased compliance through improved verification, including participation in E-Verify, ICE Mutual Agreement Between Government and Employers (IMAGE), and other programs,” the department said. (Contact: Amy Mann)

TRADE TRIBUNAL REJECTS CANADIAN SOFTWOOD LUMBER CLAIMS
Published: October 06, 2009

United States Trade Representative Ronald Kirk announced Wednesday that an arbitral tribunal has rejected Canadian claims that an offer to pay the U.S. Government US$36.66 million cured Canada's breach of the Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA).  The tribunal, which was formed under the auspices of the London Court of International Arbitration, earlier determined that Canada breached the SLA and required Canada to cure its breach or impose additional export charges on shipments of softwood lumber products to the United States.  Canada initiated this arbitration proceeding to have the tribunal determine whether Canada's payment offer cured the breach. (Contact: Amy Mann)

CSREES BECOMES NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Published: October 06, 2009

This week the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) became the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) as mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill.  According to USDA, NIFA was established “for the purpose of ensuring the technological superiority of American agriculture.”  NIFA will work to address a broad range of issues facing American agriculture, from enhancing sustainability to developing healthier foods to combat obesity in America.   President Obama has appointed Dr. Roger Beachy to head the institute.  (Contact: Nathan Bowen)   

CONGRESS HONORS BORLAUG, ‘FATHER OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION’
Published: October 06, 2009

The House of Representatives last week approved a resolution (H. Res 739) honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug for his many contributions to alleviating world hunger.  The Senate approved a similar resolution earlier last month (S. Res 273).

Borlaug, known as the ‘Father of the Green Revolution’, is credited to have saved more than a billion lives through his breakthrough achievements in agricultural production.  Borlaug discovered a strain of wheat that exponentially increases higher crop yields while being resistant to disease. He spent majority of his life travelling the World educating underdeveloped countries on more effective farming methods.  Borlaug, a practical humanitarian, aspired to reduce poverty and malnutrition globally.

Borlaug was the only person working in agriculture to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize along with numerous honors and awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Public Service Medal, the highest honor at the National Academy of Sciences, and the Rotary International Award for World Understanding and Peace, and the Congressional Gold Medal. 

In 1984 until the time of his death, Borlaug taught and researched at Texas A&M University. There he became a distinguished faculty member receiving an honorary doctorate while actively participating in international agriculture. "He has probably done more and is known by fewer people than anybody that has done that much," said Ed Runge, retired chair of Production Agriculture at Texas A&M.

Borlaug died of lymphoma at age 95 in his Dallas home on September 12, 2009.

Texas A&M University hosted a memorial service for Borlaug on October 6.   Dr. Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense; Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture; Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, a member of the Indian Parliament, and Yohei Sasakawa, chairman of the Nippon Foundation who worked personally with Dr. Borlaug to fight hunger in Africa were all scheduled to eulogize Borlaug.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Borlaug International Scholars Fund through the Texas A&M Foundation. (Contact: Preston Asay)

MT: CENTERS SELECTED FOR FOOD & AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
Published: October 06, 2009

The Montana Department of Agriculture has selected four regional centers to serve entrepreneurs seeking to develop Montana-produced food, farm-derived renewable energy and other value-added agricultural products.

Centers in Glendive, Havre, Joliet and Ronan will form a network and collaborate with existing nonprofit, state, federal and tribal entities on services ranging from product development to business and marketing assistance. The four Montana Food and Agriculture Development Centers were created under House Bill 583 and a two-year $250,000 annual appropriation by the 2009 Legislature.

The centers are strategically located for ease of access. However, services that fall within the network's purpose will be provided to any Montanan, said Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. Use of specialized skills at the centers will help entrepreneurs get the most out of the network, he added.

Six Bio-Product Innovation Centers in Montana, including those at Havre, Joliet and Ronan, will continue to provide business development and job training funded by a federal grant through the end of December. (Contact: Nancy Matheson, agr@mt.gov)

MT: TAIWAN FLOUR MILLERS VISIT MONTANA
Published: October 06, 2009

Taiwan flour millers and government officials are visiting Montana this week as part of an agricultural goodwill mission. 

Several representatives of the Taiwan Flour Mills Association are among the delegation, which arrived in Helena on September 29. Accompanying the group are officials from U.S. Wheat Associates and the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Seattle. 

A joint communiqué was signed by Governor Brian Schweitzer and members of the delegation Tuesday in the Governor's Conference Room. U.S. Wheat Associates, the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee hosted the group.

The delegation previously signed a letter of intent to purchase a total of 62.5 million bushels of wheat from the United States in 2010 and 2011. Historically, more than half of those purchases have been dark red wheat produced primarily in Montana and North Dakota. Wheat from several states is blended before it is shipped overseas, making it difficult to quantify exports specifically from Montana, notes Kim Falcon, Executive Vice President of the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee.

Taiwan is the seventh largest foreign buyer of U.S. wheat, and its flour millers are among the most quality-conscious buyers in the world, Falcon says.

While in Montana, the delegation plans to meet with wheat growers and industry officials. The purpose of the trip is to renew the long-standing friendships developed between the two countries over the years. (Contact: Ron Zellar, (406) 444-3144)

MD: MDA LAUNCHES ONLINE REGULATORY INFORMATION CENTER
Published: October 06, 2009

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has launched an online regulatory action center, which will provide transparency for the department’s enforcement actions.

 “We hope that by publicizing our activities it will give the public a better understanding of how MDA protects consumers, businesses and the environment on a daily basis,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.  “We also hope this will be a deterrent of future violations of the law by the regulated agricultural community to keep Maryland smart, green and growing.”

MDA's Regulatory Information Center is designed to provide information to the public about enforcement actions the department takes and the process MDA follows in response to violations of state laws or regulations. This information includes administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions.

MDA will continue to announce departmental enforcement actions on an ongoing basis through press releases and updates on the new webpage dedicated to regulatory activity.

MDA strives for swift resolution of environmental problems as well as deterrence of future violations of the laws in the Agriculture Article by the regulated community.  For more than 30 years, MDA has been protecting consumers and the environment and ensuring fairness in the marketplace through education, preservation, service, promotion and regulation activities.  MDA works to ensure compliance with agricultural laws and regulations and to initiate enforcement action when warranted. Enforcement is one of the tools the department uses - usually following education, technical and financial assistance if appropriate - to carry out its mission to assure consumer confidence, protect the environment and promote agriculture. Agricultural laws and regulations are established to protect and foster a healthy and sustainable future for agriculture while protecting and preserving the environment. (Contact: Sue duPont, (410) 841-5889)

NY: COMMISSIONER HOOKER ANNOUNCES FARM TO YOU FEST 2009!
Published: October 06, 2009

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced Farm to You Fest 2009! will take place in schools and communities throughout New York State during the week of October 5 -11.  Officially known as New York Harvest for New York Kids Week, this annual event is a weeklong celebration of local food and agriculture.

“Farm to You Fest 2009! provides an exciting opportunity for schools and their communities to learn about New York State agriculture, enjoy locally-grown foods, and inspire healthy food choices in students,” the Commissioner said.  “We are pleased to once again sponsor this event and provide schools and supporting organizations with an assortment of materials that aid in filling their student’s stomachs and brains with nutritional goodness.”

During the weeklong promotion, school food service directors, teachers, principals, parents, nutritionists, 4-H clubs, librarians, farmers and others are encouraged to organize fun and educational activities for students in pre-school, elementary, high school and even college.  Many schools will celebrate local, healthy foods by featuring New York farm products on their school lunch menus.  Other examples of celebrations include: classes having guest speakers such as a farmer or nutritionist, students taking a field trip to a local farm or farmers’ market, libraries suggesting a farm or food related reading list, or a variety of school-wide or community events that incorporate fun-filled activities for all ages. 

This year’s Fest will be officially celebrated from October 5 through October 11; however harvest events are continuing to be planned throughout the entire month of October.  A list of local Farm to You Fest activities taking place across the State can be found online.

To support the harvest festivities, the Department’s Farm to School Program has made a variety of promotional and educational materials available at no cost to participating schools and organizations.  New this year is classroom lesson plans that are accompanied by fruit and vegetable “trading cards.” The plans and associated cards are designed to help inspire conversations about some of New York’s most popular fruits and vegetables as well as the many benefits of developing healthy eating habits.  Others materials offered free to teachers are: posters, coloring books about New York agriculture, a colorful harvest chart that indicate times of fresh produce availability and a ‘Fascinating Food and Farming Facts’ brochure that stimulates “food for thought” for all ages.

Although materials have been requested by and distributed to over 50 school districts throughout the State already, many are still available. Those interested in ordering supplies should fill out an order form available on the Department’s Farm to School website.  The website also includes many creative ideas and other resources available to support Farm to You Fest 2009! and farm to school efforts throughout the year.

Farm to You Fest 2009! is supported by the New York Farm to School Coordinating Committee.  The goal of the Committee is to increase the consumption of nutritious New York grown and produced foods in schools in order to strengthen local agriculture, improve student health, and promote regional food systems awareness.  (Contact: Jessica Chittenden Ziehm, (518) 457-3136) 

CO: BOVINE TRICHOMONIASIS UPDATE
Published: October 06, 2009

The Colorado Department of Agriculture sends regular updates for Bovine Trichomoniasis cases across Colorado: 

• As of September 2, 2009, there are two trichomoniasis quarantines in Colorado. 
• In 2009, nine Colorado counties have had trichomoniasis quarantines. (Baca, Elbert, Fremont, Lincoln, Logan, Mesa, Montezuma, Otero, and Rio Blanco)
• In 2008, 43 Colorado facilities in 18 counties had trichomoniasis quarantines.
• In 2007, there were a total of 14 counties with trichomoniasis quarantines.
• An updated map highlighting Colorado counties with trichomoniasis quarantines can be found online.

“Trich” is a costly, yet preventable, infection that can affect dairy and beef cattle.  If bulls become infected, the percentage of open cows can increase from 5 to 30 percent. 

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. 

Colorado trich regulations require all non-virgin bulls changing ownership or being transported into Colorado be tested for T. foetus unless the animal is going to slaughter.  Bulls on public land grazing permits or with grazing associations must also be tested prior to turn-out.

Several diagnostic laboratories across the state offer trich testing; samples must be taken by an accredited veterinarian and results will be available between four to six days.  (Contact: Christi Lightcap, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us)

WI: DAIRY MANAGEMENT TEAMS NOW AVAILABLE; FARMERS URGED TO APPLY FOR PILOT PROGRAM
Published: October 06, 2009

A new pilot program that offers expert assistance to Wisconsin dairy farmers is intended to keep producers looking to the future.

The Dairy Farm Management Team program is a joint effort of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; the Wisconsin Department of Commerce Dairy 2020 program; the University of Wisconsin-Extension Dairy Team, Risk Management Team, and Center for Dairy Profitability; and Wisconsin Technical Colleges. It will bring farmers together with teams including lenders, agronomists, nutritionists and other specialists in the varied aspects of dairy farming. Organizers hope to have 50 producers enrolled in the pilot program by the end of 2009.

 “Dairy farmers across Wisconsin have reinvested nearly $1 billion in the past five years to modernize and improve the profitability of their farms,” said Secretary Rod Nilsestuen of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.  “This program is designed to help farmers continue those efforts by providing another tool.  During these tough times, it is necessary to focus on controlling things that can be done on the farm, while we also work on actions to improve milk price levels.” Department of Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel said, “This team approach can help move Wisconsin’s dairy industry forward as we work through difficult global economic conditions. Dairy producers will receive customized technical assistance so that they can identify both challenges and opportunities.”

The cost-share program will provide up to $2,000 to cover such costs as consultant fees and agronomic, milk quality, or veterinary testing. Capital expenses are not eligible. Farmers will contribute 10 percent of the cost.  The program will work with any herd size or set-up, anywhere in the state.

Participating producers will work with a facilitator, who will bring together a team of professionals tailored to the farm’s individual situation. Over the course of three meetings, the team will identify issues and opportunities, develop a strategy, and provide input for decision-making and long-term planning. They will consider issues including technology, growth, financial success and sustainability. 

Funding is available for 50 pilot teams in 2009, and applications will be accepted until funds run out. More information and application materials are available at www.growwisconsindairy.org.

This program is made possible by grants to the Dairy Business Initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, obtained with assistance from U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl and U.S. Rep. Dave Obey.  In-kind contributions are provided by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; and the Department of Commerce.  (Contact: Nicole Breunig, 608-224-5080)