NASDA News - July 13, 2010

STUDY FINDS LOSS OF ATRAZINE COULD COST $5 BILLION PER YEAR
Published: July 13, 2010

A ban on atrazine would cause a loss of 21,000 to 48,000 jobs in corn production alone based on an economic modeling study by Dr. Don L. Coursey, a Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago. Details of the study were released last week at a briefing held at the National Press Club and hosted by Jere White, Chairman of the Triazine Network.  The press conference was held to address the unscheduled review of atrazine that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began in late 2009.  Dr. Coursey’s study estimates banning the herbicide would cost corn growers an additional $26-58 per acre per year, and cost the corn industry $2.3 to 5 billion per year.  This is a conservative estimate of the total effect of removing atrazine from the market, because it only considers the effects on the corn industry; atrazine is also very important to sugar cane and sorghum production.

The unscheduled EPA review is in response to lawsuits in federal and Illinois state courts, led by activists and lawyers with a history of class action cases, despite the fact that Atrazine was under review for 12 years and analyzed in thousands of studies before re-registration.  There is no precedent where EPA has re-evaluated a registered item outside of normal regulatory guidelines, or in response to activism; the implications for other registered products outside of this case are uncertain and concerning to the agriculture industry.

A 50-year veteran of the agriculture market, atrazine is the second most used herbicide in the United States, and with over 6000 documents on record is the most studied herbicide in the world.  EPA, the World Health Organization, and the National Cancer Institute have previously conducted safety reviews on atrazine, and EPA’s June 2006 re-registration states that the triazine products pose “no harm that would result to the general U.S. population, infants, children, or other major identifiable subgroups of consumers.” Additionally, the latest research shows that this class of chemicals continues to meet rigorous environmental standards placed on agricultural chemicals.

Information on atrazine can be found on the Triazine Network AGsense website. (By: Jason Markovich,  Contact: Nathan Bowen or Bob Ehart)

FAS ANNOUNCES AVAILABLE BENEFITS FOR SHRIMP, CATFISH, AND ASPARAGUS PRODUCERS
Published: July 13, 2010

Last week USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced that select shrimp producers and nationwide catfish and asparagus producers can apply for training and benefits through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers Program. FAS determined these producers have seen a decline in the value of production in 2009, partially due to increased imports of shrimp, catfish, and asparagus. Producers can apply for up to $12,000 to help develop business adjustment plans. Applications are available on the FAS website. (By: Torii Kappelman, Contact: Amy Mann)

COMMENTS ON NPDES DRAFT DUE NEXT WEEK
Published: July 13, 2010

Comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Program (NPDES) Permit are due July 19. The NPDES website can be viewed here. (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

EPA ANNOUNCES NEW CLEAN-AIR RULES
Published: July 13, 2010

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new proposed regulations, collectively referred to as the “Air Transport Rule.” These regulations are intended to help 31 states and the District of Colombia meet air quality standards by targeting power-plant emissions that drift across state lines.  The proposed rule replaces the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule that the EPA was ordered to revise in 2008.  Despite an estimated $2.8 billion cost, EPA estimates a $120 billion yield in annual health benefits such as prevention of health problems and premature deaths due to heart and respiratory problems related to air pollution. 

EPA will take comments for 60 days after the proposed regulation is published in the Federal Register, likely within the next few weeks.  A fact sheet about the proposed rules is available through the EPA website. (By: Jason Markovich, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

EPA PROPOSES DEFINING PRIONS AS A PEST, REGULATING CONTROL PRODUCTS
Published: July 13, 2010

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has notified the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services of its intent to expand Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) definitions of “pest” to include prions and thus regulate prion-controlling products as pesticides. 

Prion diseases are collectively referred to as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) and are untreatable and fatal; prions are composed almost entirely of protein, are often transmitted through ingestion, and affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of infected individuals. Well known and documented TSE’s include Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease) and Creutzfeldt - Jakob disease in humans. Other species with documented TSE’s include sheep and goats (scrapie), felines (Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy), antelope (exotic ungulate encephalopathy), and deer, elk and moose (Chronic Wasting Disease).

View the Federal Register Docket. Read more about prions on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.  (By: Jason Markovich, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

LA: FARM BUREAU HONORS LDAF PRESS SECRETARY AS AG COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR
Published: July 13, 2010

Sam Irwin, press secretary for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), was named the “Regnal Wallace Ag Communicator of the Year” by the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation, Inc., LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said.

Irwin received the award in New Orleans as part of the 88th annual Farm Bureau Federation’s meeting in June. This is the 13th year the award has been presented to a farm journalist or ag public relations professional for work in reporting on farm issues. To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Sam Irwin, sirwin@ldaf.state.la.us)

NC: AG DEVELOPMENT TRUST FUND ANNOUNCES 2010 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Published: July 13, 2010

The Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund recently awarded more than $2.3 million to help communities across the state protect farmland and promote agricultural enterprises, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today.

“Momentum for protecting working farms continues to build across North Carolina, and we are glad that we can help support 21 conservation and enterprise projects around the state,” Troxler said. “We received 45 applications requesting more than $7 million in funding. Clearly, interest in farmland protection is high.” To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Dewitt Hardee, 919.733.7125)

VA: COMMISSIONER OF AG EXPANDS EMERALD ASH BORER QUARANTINE IN VIRGINIA
Published: July 13, 2010

Matthew J. Lohr, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), signed orders on July 7, 2010 that expanded the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine to include Clarke and Frederick Counties and the City of Winchester. This action was taken because of the detection of EAB in or near these localities.  These localities now join a quarantine area that includes Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686)

MT: COOPERATION IS KEY TO AVOIDING PESTICIDE-BEE PROBLEMS
Published: July 13, 2010

The Montana Department of Agriculture reminds pesticide users that summer blooms attract bees and it is illegal to apply most insecticide products when bees are present.

Federally-approved pesticide labels are the law when it comes to using pesticides, says Patricia Denke, Pest Management Program manager. Links on the department's website at http://agr.mt.gov/crops/Bees/Apiary.asp provide information on protecting bees and locating hives in the vicinity of intended pesticide applications. Guidelines for protecting bees from insecticides were developed by the department after consultation with both beekeepers and pesticide applicators. To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Ian Foley, 406.444.9430)

NY: DEPARTMENT HOSTS GRAIN MARKETING WORKSHOPS
Published: July 13, 2010

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced a workshop designed to enhance farmers’ grain marketing skills.  “Winning the Game:  The Post-Harvest Marketing Challenge” is a workshop tailored for New York State growers that will focus on post-harvest crop storage decisions and will offer practical, easy-to-execute advice to help farmers secure a good average price for their crop.  The workshop will be offered at four locations throughout the State in late July. To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Jessican Ziehm, 518.457.3136)

CO: ACRE GRANT PROGRAM RETURNS FOR AGRICULTURAL RENEWABLE ENERGY PROPOSALS
Published: July 13, 2010

The Colorado Agricultural Value Added Development Board is offering $500,000 in grant funding to promote agricultural energy related projects in Colorado.

The Board administers the Advancing Colorado’s Renewable Energy (ACRE) program which has provided funds over the past four years to promote energy-related projects beneficial to Colorado’s agriculture industry such as micro-hydro, small-wind, solar, biomass and biofuel projects.  To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Christi Lightcap, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us)

MD: FARMERS OFFER BACKYARD WATER CONSERVATION TIPS TO RESIDENTS
Published: July 13, 2010

The extreme summertime heat and dry weather is here, and now is the time to conserve water. Maryland farmers have begun an education campaign, “Take it from Maryland Farmers: Backyard Actions for a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay” to help Maryland residents to reduce their impact on the environment.  The campaign offers a variety of tips that farmers use and can be easily adapted by urban and suburban residents.  They are available online at www.IWantMarylandsBest.com.  Water conservation is the featured tip this month. To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Sue DuPont, 410.841.4889)

ND: GOEHRING APPOINTS BEAUDRIE AS PESTICIDE INSPECTOR
Published: July 13, 2010

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has appointed Sara Beaudrie of Velva as an inspector in the pesticide, feed and fertilizer division of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

“Sara’s farm background, academic credentials and work experience will be helpful in working with producers to ensure that pesticide laws and regulations are understood and followed,” Goehring said.

In her new position, Beaudrie will conduct routine inspections and investigations of farms, ranches, dealers, distributors and manufacturers, related to the sale, distribution and use of pesticides. She will also inspect feed and fertilizer manufacturers, distributors and dealers to ensure their products are properly registered.  (Contact: Ted Quanrud, 701.328.2233)

NM: HONEY BEES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN STATE’S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY
Published: July 13, 2010

Did you know that without bees there wouldn’t be enough watermelons for everyone to enjoy?  “Watermelons are 100 percent dependent on bee pollination; in fact, it’s estimated that one third of everything we eat is dependent on the bees doing their jobs,” said Dr. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico Department of Agriculture Director/Secretary.

Southern New Mexico is home to the two biggest commercial bee businesses in the state. In all there are fourteen registered commercial beekeepers in the state, 410 registered apiaries, and 13,074 registered colonies.

NMDA regulates the commercial bee industry in the state by enforcing the New Mexico Bee Act.  “It is our job to work with the state’s beekeepers to ensure a healthy bee population. We monitor for disease, inspect the apiaries around the state, and help to determine their proper locations,” said Greg Watson, NMDA state bee inspector. (Contact: Noreen Jaramillo, 575.644.8607)