NASDA News - July 19, 2011

Ag Stakeholder Groups Weigh In On Debt Ceiling Negotiations
Published: July 19, 2011

Today, over thirty agricultural stakeholder groups, including NASDA, sent a letter to President Obama and Congressional leaders encouraging a timely and comprehensive resolution to the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations.  The groups highlight the importance for sufficient resources for agricultural production and safeguards in this time of economic uncertainty and weather-related disasters.  They also caution against disproportionately large cuts to agriculture budgets, which already took a $6 billion reduction in 2010, and they encourage allowing the House and Senate Agriculture Committees the opportunity to thoroughly review any decisions on agricultural spending in the 2012 Farm Bill.  To view the letter, click here. (Contact: NASDA Farm Policy Staff)

Comments Due on NPDES Permit's ESA Consultation
Published: July 19, 2011

EPA is accepting comments until Monday, July 25, on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Biological Opinion (BiOp) the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) prepared on EPA's NPDES permit for pesticides.  The BiOp makes significant revisions to and imposes additional restrictions on EPA's permit.  EPA is also in ESA consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), but that agency has yet to provide a BiOp to EPA.  (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

Dairy Reform Proposal Introduced
Published: July 19, 2011

Last week, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) released discussion draft language for dairy policy reform.  Its main components are a margin protection program to replace the current Dairy Price Support Program (DPPSP); a Dairy Market Stabilization Program; and reform of the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system.  The proposal has been scored by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and reportedly would reduce federal outlays by $80 million over the next ten years, when compared with the current policy.  Click here to see the press release from Rep. Peterson's Agriculture Committee office. (Contact: Brad McKinney)

Farm Foundation Releases Report on Rising Food Prices
Published: July 19, 2011

The Farm Foundation Forum released a report today titled "What's Driving Food Prices in 2011?"  The report's authors, three economists from Purdue University, identified five key issues currently driving an increase in food prices: increased demand for corn for ethanol production and China's increasing demand for soybeans; market inelasticity, including mandates that create a fixed demand and tightness of land supply; volatile weather conditions and the levels of grain stocks; Chinese policies toward food security; and macroeconomic factors such as trade and exchange rates.  The authors made a number of conclusions, but had optimistic projections for the future of agriculture, stressing that the commitment of national governments worldwide will play a necessary role in global food security.  For more information from the Farm Foundation Forum, click here. (Contact: Brad McKinney)

New Raw Milk Survey Results are Now Available
Published: July 19, 2011

NASDA recently issued a press release detailing raw milk regulations and sales data from all 50 states.  This information is the result of a recent survey that is NASDA's third collection of such data since 2004.  The new data reflects no change in the number of states permitting unpasteurized milk sales both on the farm and in retail markets and it shows the same 30 states allowing raw milk sales in 2011 as when data was last gathered in 2008.  Likewise, the same 20 states still prohibit the sale of raw milk to consumers.  Five states, however, have adopted stricter quality standards to regulate the sale of raw milk since the 2008 survey. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

Massachusetts: Agriculture Officials Promote Bay State Businesses in Nation's Capital
Published: July 19, 2011

Close to 24,000 people, including buyers from eleven countries, were shown Commonwealth specialty food businesses at the 2011 Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C., July 10^th - 12^th.  Attendees had access to 22 Commonwealth-based specialty food businesses through the Massachusetts Pavilion and approximately 35 additional Massachusetts exhibitors spread throughout the show.  The pavilion was coordinated by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) as part of its ongoing support for Massachusetts' specialty food sector.

"As the state competes for market share in an extremely competitive environment, diversification and differentiation have been key success factors for Massachusetts farm and food entrepreneurs," said MDAR Commissioner Scott J. Soares, who represented the Massachusetts Pavilion at the show.  For more information, click here.

North Dakota: Livestock Producers Warned of Anthrax Danger
Published: July 19, 2011

Heavy rainfall and flooding along the Mouse and Missouri Rivers has led to ideal conditions for the spread of anthrax among livestock.  Anthrax spores in the ground become active under ideals conditions, namely heavy rainfall, flooding, and drought.  When livestock graze or consume water contaminated with the spores, they may develop anthrax.  Animal health officials are concerned with the spread of the disease and encourage livestock producers to consult with their veterinarians for anthrax vaccinations.

"River floodwaters may contain anthrax spores and can expose spores already present in the soil, increasing the risk of anthrax on pasture and grazing land," said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.  "If your veterinarian says your livestock - cattle, sheep, horses, and all grazing animals - are at risk and recommends vaccination, please follow that recommendation."  For more information, click here.

Oregon: Top Agriculture Commodities Trending Up and Down
Published: July 19, 2011

Oregon agriculture has experienced many changes in the last six years.  The top commodity, greenhouse and nursery products, has dropped 36 percent in production value, while milk has increased 35 percent.  Other commodities including hay, cattle and Christmas trees varied throughout the six year period with highs and lows.  These and other figures on Oregon's top ten commodities observed over the past  six years, released by the Oregon Agricultural Statistics Service (OASS), show an overall trend that production in 2010 increased from 2009, but not enough to surpass 2007 and 2008 production levels.  For more information, click here.

Wisconsin: Suppliers Invited to Asian Feed Buyers Mission
Published: July 19, 2011

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has invited Midwest suppliers of feed and feed ingredients to participate in the 2011 Asian Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission during World Dairy Expo.  Attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with multiple Asian buyers from Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and China. Buyers are interested in a wide variety of products such as: anti-microbials, dairy and animal nutritional supplements, dried distillers grains, feed grains, hay, milk replacers, pre-mix feeds, probiotics, supplements, yeast and cultures, whey and other feed products.

Last year's Asian Feed Ingredients Buyers Mission attendees during World Dairy Expo reported an actual increase in export sales of over $5.6 million and a projected increase in export sales of over $18.3 million. This Buyers Mission previously focused only on Chinese buyers, but new this year, buyers from Korea, Indonesia, and Taiwan are also participating.

For more information, click here.