NASDA News - October 20, 2009

H1N1 CONFIRMED IN PIGS IN MINNESOTA
Published: October 20, 2009

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus presence has been confirmed in a pig sample by USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.  Late last week, samples collected at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair by the University of Minnesota were discovered while undergoing a research project funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  USDA officials immediately assured consumers, both international and domestic, that these findings do not endanger food safety.  "We have fully engaged our trading partners to remind them that several international organizations, including the World Organization for Animal Health, have advised that there is no scientific basis to restrict trade in pork and pork products…Pork is safe to eat."  For further information regarding USDA’S H1N1 efforts, please visit: www.usda.gov/H1N1flu.  (Contact: Bob Ehart)

EPA’S JACKSON CITES AGENCY’S CRACKDOWN ON WATER ENFORCEMENT
Published: October 20, 2009

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced Thursday during a hearing held by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that EPA will be more actively policing Clean Water Act violations.  Jackson specifically mentioned livestock feeding operations as one of the industries the agency will more closely monitor, stating that EPA is working on strategies to identify concentrated animal feeding operations that are in violation of EPA rules.  The announcement was made following a recent investigation by the New York Times that found that states punished less than three percent of violators between 2004 and 2007.  (By: Ethan Mathews, Policy Contact: Nathan Bowen)

EPA ADVISORY COMMITTEE EXAMINES NPDES PERMITS FOR PESTICIDES
Published: October 20, 2009

Members of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) met last week to discuss EPA’s implementation of the Sixth Circuit’s decision that will require Clean Water Act permits for pesticide applications in, over, or near water.  The PPDC, composed of representatives from industry, environmental organizations, and state pesticide officials, examined EPA’s early approach to issuing the permits.  Members of the PPDC keyed in on the impact the process will have on already strained resources at EPA as well as state permitting agencies.  Also, a number of PPDC members asked for clarification from EPA on how it will interpret the meaning of “near” in the court’s decision, as well as how the agency intends to incorporate and define “integrated pest management” as an element of Best Available Technology under the Clean Water Act.  Additional information is available on NASDA’s NPDES webpage.  (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

INDUSTRY RESPONDS TO ATRAZINE SAP ANNOUNCEMENT
Published: October 20, 2009

Following an announcement last week that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will convene a Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) to examine the cancer and non-cancer human health impacts of atrazine, industry supporters of the herbicide responded, citing years of scientific data on atrazine’s record of safe use.  According to, Syngenta, the manufacturer of the herbicide, atrazine is one of the most extensively researched herbicides used today and has been categorized as “not likely” to cause cancer by the EPA.  Atrazine, which is commonly used in conservation tillage or no-till systems, is responsible for reducing soil erosion by up to 90 percent.  It has been used in the U.S. for over 50 years and was most recently re-registered with the EPA in 2006.  The EPA is conducting the review in response to findings by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) that the herbicide may be more harmful to humans than previously thought.  EPA will hold the first meeting on November 3, and will accept written comments until October 23.  (By: Ethan Mathews, Policy Contact: Nathan Bowen)

SALAZAR UNVEILS NEW WILD HORSE PROPOSAL
Published: October 20, 2009

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar unveiled a new proposal to deal with the explosive population growth of wild horse and burros on public lands in the West.  Earlier this year the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Restore Our American Mustangs Act (H.R. 1018), that would dramatically expand the land available to wild horses at the expense of domesticated livestock and would restrict population controls available to wildlife managers.  NASDA opposed that legislation because of the impacts it could have on rangeland health, animal health, and access to forage for livestock. 

Salazar’s new proposal would create new sanctuaries, either directly or through cooperative agreements, to house the horses.  Under the proposal, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would look to locate many of these new sanctuaries in Midwest and the East and would actively manage population through fertility controls and sex ratio management.   (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

NORTH AMERICAN TRADE REPRESENTATIVES HOLD ANNUAL MEETING
Published: October 20, 2009

Representatives from the United States, Canada, and Mexico met in Dallas, Texas last week for the annual meeting of the NAFTA Free Trade Commission (FTC).   Ambassador Ron Kirk, United States Trade Representative; Gerardo Ruiz Mateos, Mexico's Secretary of Economy; and Stockwell Day, Canada's Minister of International Trade, marked the achievements of free trade agreement’s first fifteen years and plotted a course for the future of the agreement.  Following the meeting, the three trade representatives released the following joint statement:

 “Fifteen years ago our countries launched the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since its entry into force, trade and investment flows have increased, investment has grown, and our economies have become more competitive. The benefits of expanding trade have flowed to businesses, farmers, workers, and consumers.

Today we met to celebrate our achievements and to lay a course for the future. We note that the NAFTA partners implemented all of the tariff cuts on schedule or, in some cases, ahead of schedule. As a result, trade between our countries has blossomed. From 1993 to 2008, trade among the NAFTA countries has more than tripled, from $297 billion to $946.1 billion. Each day the NAFTA countries conduct nearly $2.6 billion in trilateral trade. We are committed to developing new and creative ways to promote trade.”

The trade representatives’ full statement is available on the U.S. Trade Representative’s website.  (Contact: Amy Mann) 

USDA ANNOUNCES 2009 NUMBERS FOR DCP AND ACRE PROGRAMS
Published: October 20, 2009

This week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the enrollment numbers for the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program.  In 2009, USDA enrolled nearly 255 million base acres on approximately 1.7 million farms in DCP and ACRE, issuing nearly $4 billion in 2009 final direct payments.  To date, producers already received advance payments of roughly $900 million.  Participants in ACRE, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill, made up nearly 8 percent of those enrolled in the 2009 DCP or ACRE programs.  According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), corn, wheat, and soybeans had the highest number of base acres enrolled.  The sign up period for 2010 has already started, with a deadline for producers to elect the programs by June 1, 2010.  (Contact: David Hickey)

WI: FARMER & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN NOW SUBMIT AG ENTERPRISE AREA PETITIONS
Published: October 20, 2009

Groups of farmers and local governments interested in preserving areas of farmland can now request an agricultural enterprise area or AEA designation from the state agriculture department.

An AEA identifies land that is locally targeted by farmers and by local government for agricultural preservation and agricultural development.  Once designated, these areas enable eligible farmers to enter into a farmland preservation agreement with the state to claim a farmland preservation tax credit.  Local governments can add to these incentives to further promote farmland preservation and agricultural economic development in their communities.

The state may designate a maximum of 15 AEAs or 200,000 acres by January 1, 2012, and one million acres statewide after January 1, 2012.

“Agricultural Enterprise Areas are part of the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative that was included in Governor Doyle’s budget and are a unique way to identify areas important for agricultural preservation.  They are also critical for encouraging future agricultural development in areas that have support from the local community," said Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

To receive designation, a petition must be jointly filed by at least five eligible farmers in the proposed AEA, and by each county, town or municipality in which any part of the proposed AEA is located.  If the petition is selected by the department through a competitive evaluation process, the area must be officially designated through Wisconsin’s rule process.  After completing the expedited rule process, designation goes into effect January 1 of the following year.

Prior to submitting a petition, farmers or local governments are asked to contact Coreen Fallat at Coreen.Fallat@wisconsin.gov or (608) 224-4625 for additional guidance. 

Interested parties must complete the petition form available on the department’s website at http://workinglands.wi.gov.  Petitions must be submitted by February 26, 2010.  The department will evaluate petitions and announce selected AEAs for designation by June 11, 2010.

Farmers and other interested parties can learn more about AEAs and Wisconsin’s Working Lands Initiative at upcoming workshops scheduled for late October and early November.  More details will be available shortly from DATCP and the Wisconsin Towns Association. (Contact: Jane H. Larson, (608) 224-5005)

OK: AGRITOURISM ROLLING WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 5TH IN SW OKLAHOMA
Published: October 20, 2009

Oklahoma City—Registration is open for the second Oklahoma Agritourism Rolling Workshop on November 5.  Seating is limited and early reservations are encouraged.

The tour will feature TG Farms, the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Sooner J Ranch, Woods and Waters Winery and Red Silo Productions.  Abby Cash, Oklahoma Agritourism Director, said anyone interested in becoming involved in this type of business venue will find the tour useful.

 “The agritourism businesses we will tour offer an incredibly diverse variety of attractions and will present a lot of great ideas,” she said.  “We will visit two fall attractions, an outstanding Accredited Agritourism Winery, a working ranch and hunting lodge, and a farm and ranch attraction museum.”

Participants will also receive instruction and tips regarding generating media interest and effectively dealing with media at agritourism venues, she said.  Registration is $25 and includes meals. Registration after November 1 is $35.

Registration forms are available online at www.oklahomaagritourism.com or by calling Cash at (405) 522-5652.  The bus tour will depart TG Farms in Newcastle at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, November 5.  (Contact: Jack Carson, (405) 522-4575)

KY: KENTUCKY SHEEP AND GOAT PRODUCERS APPROVE CHECK-OFFS
Published: October 20, 2009

Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer announced that Kentucky sheep and goat producers voted in favor of check-offs to assess themselves at a rate of one-half of one percent (.50%) of the net market price of their animals.

In separate referenda held Oct. 1 in county Extension offices throughout the Commonwealth, goat producers approved check-offs by a 75-41 vote, and sheep producers approved by a 32-12 count.

A date when check-off funds will begin to be collected has not been determined. Ray Bowman, executive director of the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office, said the start date will be set after consulting with stockyards.

The collection of check-off funds will be mandatory, but reimbursement of funds paid will be an option to the producer. The Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association and the Kentucky Goat Producers Association will administer the funds in the areas of promotion, consumer information, producer communication, industry information and research.  (Contact: Bill Clary, (502) 564-1137)

WI: SIX WORKING LANDS INITIATIVE WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED FOR FARMERS, LOCAL OFFICIALS
Published: October 20, 2009

Farmers, town officials, planning commission members and other interested parties are invited to participate in one of six working lands workshops scheduled for the last week of October and the first week of November to learn more about Wisconsin’s new tools to preserve agricultural land.

Wisconsin’s Working Lands Initiative is the focus of each day-long workshop. Topics to be covered include the changes to the existing Farmland Preservation Program, purchase of agricultural conservation easements, agricultural enterprise areas and claiming farmland preservation tax credits.

The workshops are organized by the Wisconsin Towns Association and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Additional partnership and promotion for the sessions is provided by Cooperative Network, AgStar Financial Services, Badgerland Financial, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, United FCS, and Gathering Waters Conservancy.

Each workshop begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration and continues until 3 p.m. with a break for lunch which will be provided.  The cost is $35 per person.  Registration and payment should be received by the Wisconsin Towns Association at least seven days before the workshop.  Walk-in registrations will be accepted for an additional $10 fee.

To register, contact the Wisconsin Towns Association at (715) 526-3157 or visit their web site at http://www.wisctowns.com/ for more information or to download the registration form.  (Contact: Coreen Fallat, (608) 224-4625)

NY: STATE TO SURVEY FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
Published: October 20, 2009

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced that the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s New York field office will be conducting a survey of participants in New York State’s Farmland Protection Program. 

“While its primary purpose is to protect productive farmland, the Farmland Protection Program also helps safeguard local food production, as well as provide a significant economic stimulus to rural communities,” the Commissioner said.  “We are taking this opportunity to collect information on farmers’ experience with the State’s program and document the impacts of participation on the economic viability of participating farms and farm transfers.”

The survey will document farmers’ opinions of the State’s Farmland Protection Program, the benefits and drawbacks of participating in the program, and the current uses of protected farmland.  The survey will also measure the impacts of program participation on farm business viability and intergenerational farm transfers.

Nearly 150 farmers who have participated in the program will be contacted for phone interviews in October and November.  All responses will remain confidential.  The Department anticipates having a report ready by the spring, which will be used to inform lawmakers of the impact of the program and the benefits provided to the agricultural industry.

The Farmland Protection Program is open to all counties and municipalities that have approved agricultural and farmland protection plans.  Preferred projects are those that preserve viable agricultural land, are located in areas facing significant development pressure and serve as a buffer to a significant natural public resource containing an important ecosystem or habitat. The program also considers a farm’s long-term potential to remain in viable agricultural production, the cost of the proposal in relation to the acreage to be protected, and the level of commitment to farmland protection that other local project partners demonstrate.

New York State has 7.6 million acres of farmland. Since 1996, New York has awarded more than $173.3 million for farmland protection projects, assisting local governments and their project partners in 29 counties to help protect 72,668 acres on 303 farms. To date, 160 projects have closed, protecting in perpetuity more than 30,800 acres of farmland.  (Contact: Jessica Chittenden, 518-457-3136)

VA: TRADE MISSION TO CUBA BUILDS ON PAST SUCCESS, LOOKS TO INCREASED EXPORT ACTIVITY
Published: October 20, 2009

This November Todd P. Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), will lead a delegation of agribusiness leaders and exporters to Havana, Cuba, as Virginia pushes to expand international sales for a diverse offering of agricultural products.  The Virginia delegation will participate in the upcoming Havana International Trade Fair November 2-7, 2009. 

Foreign markets are very important to Virginia agriculture, the State’s number one industry, and Virginia exports are one of the bright spots of the agricultural economy right now.  In 2008, Virginia exported $2.2 billion in agricultural products to a diverse array of countries, including Switzerland, China, Canada, Egypt, Germany, Malaysia, Portugal, The Netherlands, Venezuela and Indonesia.  Counted among that group was the island nation of Cuba.  Virginia’s exports to Cuba have grown dramatically since the 2002 U.S.-Cuba Food and Agricultural Exposition, the first expo to include U.S. producers since the trade embargo of 1962.

The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 allowed medical and agricultural exports to Cuba.  In 2002, VDACS hosted several Virginia companies at the agricultural exposition in Havana.  More than 228 companies from 32 states attended this first-ever event, including some of the giants of U.S. agriculture.  The first contract signed was for Virginia apples.  Exports since that first year have grown steadily.  In 2003, Virginia producers exported $838,000 worth of ag products to Cuba, and in 2008, that number grew to more than $40 million.

Since that beginning, VDACS staff have taken the opportunity to engage Cuban colleagues both in Havana and in Washington, D.C. and they have promoted Virginia’s high quality agricultural products with great success.  Prospects for the 2009 international trade fair are very promising.  Commissioner Haymore and several industry leaders will promote Virginia products, discuss remaining trade barriers, negotiate export shipments for the upcoming year and hopefully walk away with new business for the Commonwealth. 

Despite the positive outlook and recent trading successes, several challenges remain.  “Cuba will remain an important foreign market for Virginia’s agricultural exports but the full potential of this market will not be realized until the current trading relationship is improved by addressing all the trade and travel restrictions that hinder Virginia’s agricultural exports,” Haymore explained.  “Virginia’s geographic proximity to Cuba, combined with our agricultural quality and diversity and our outstanding port facilities will provide Virginia with a competitive advantage as trade barriers are lowered.” 

To put the importance of new markets in perspective, Haymore said that twenty years ago many people might not have believed that countries such as China would become important markets for Virginia’s farm exports.  “Today we ship more than $100 million per year in agricultural products from Virginia to China,” he said.  “Virginia needs to continue to be a leader in developing new trading partners, and our staff will continue to work diligently to open new markets and expand existing ones.  Cuba is a very important partner in this endeavor, and I look forward to meeting with our colleagues there in November.”   (Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, (804)786-7686)

WI: LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD SEEK COMMENTS ON STRATEGIC PLAN DOCUMENT
Published: October 20, 2009

Farmers, rural landowners, conservationists and other interested parties are asked to comment by Nov. 18 on recommendations related to the changing responsibilities and authorities of the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Board.

The recommendations are outlined in a draft report developed by LWCB officers and advisors from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The LWCB is a statutory board attached to the state agriculture department.  The LWCB has key responsibilities related to land and water conservation, nonpoint source pollution and farmland preservation. 

Strategic planning efforts undertaken by the board in recent years provide a basis for the draft. 

The LWCB proposes to strengthen or maintain its roles in the areas of county land and water resource management plan approval, funding to support county conservation efforts, conservation program evaluation, research and education, and conducting forums to gather information on emerging conservation issues.  The LWCB also proposes to strengthen is linkages with other state boards that deal with conservation issues, and to consider a future role for the LWCB in the recently passed Working Lands Initiative. 

At their October 6 meeting, the LWCB voted to open a 30-day public comment period on the draft report.  A copy is available at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/aboutus/partners/aux_brds.jsp.

Comments on the report will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.  Submit comments to Lori Price either by fax, (608) 224-4615, or by e-mail, lori.price@wisconsin.gov  The LWCB Officers will meet shortly thereafter to review the comments and complete the draft final report to be presented to the entire LWCB at their December meeting..

The final report, directed by the state legislature through Wisconsin Act 28, is to be presented to Governor Doyle, the Joint Committee on Finance and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by January 1, 2010. (Contact: Richard Castelnuovo, (608) 224-4608)