Week of Nov. 26-30 Archive
26 27 28 29 30
November 29
NEGOTIATORS CLOSE IN ON ENERGY DEAL---Congressional Democrats are negotiating the details of an energy bill that could be on the House floor as soon as next week. The bill being hammered out would require greater use of ethanol and biodiesel.
The energy bill approved by the Senate in June would require gasoline manufacturers to increase use of ethanol and other biofuels to at least 13 billion gallons by 2012 and 36 billion gallons by 2022. The proposal being discussed by House dealmakers is said to require the use of at least 20.5 billion gallons of biofuels by 2015, including 15 billion gallons of corn ethanol and 1 billion gallons of biodiesel.
In addition, while the Senate version required that at least 3 billion gallons of “advanced biofuels” derived from sources other than corn ethanol be used starting in 2016, the House bill could require the use of advanced biofuels by 2013.
The auto industry and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) are said to have accepted the Senate’s plan to increase fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, with some exceptions. For example, one exception may be separate fuel-economy standards for cars and light trucks.
AFBF is monitoring the negotiations closely.
In other news related to the biofuels industry, camelina may be a crop of the future for farmers in states such as Montana and North Dakota. The ancient oilseed, until recently viewed by many as a weed, is enjoying a revival as a result of its energy and nutritional potential.
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CORN BELT FARMERS GENERALLY PLEASED---With the corn harvest nearly complete, farmers in areas where growing conditions were favorable say this was the best crop in years. Farmers in Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio seem to have fared best, with record-breaking harvest numbers possible in those states. Still, many farmers are anxious about anticipated price increases for seed, fertilizer, fuel and other inputs needed for the 2008 growing season.
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SMITHFIELD PROFITS DOWN---Pork and meat producer Smithfield Foods Inc. reported its second-quarter profits were down 61 percent due to charges related to swine fever in Romania, higher costs and lower hog prices. For the quarter that ended Oct. 28, net income fell to $17.4 million, or 13 cents per share; analysts had expected earnings of 21 cents per share.
C. Larry Pope, Smithfield president and CEO, said the decline was almost entirely attributed to issues in the hog production segment, and near-term losses are likely to continue before improving.
November 28
USDA CHIEF ECONOMIST KEITH COLLINS TO RETIRE---Keith Collins, the Agriculture Department’s chief economist, will retire effective Jan. 3, 2008. Collins’ 32 years of federal service have included leadership with wide-ranging impact in the economic analysis of agricultural policy, energy and bio-products, risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis, and global climate changeAFBF President Bob Stallman on Tuesday wished Collins well in his future endeavors, noting “he served the Agriculture Department, American agriculture and the public with distinction during his tenure.”Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Joseph Glauber will take over as acting chief economist·
USDA news release
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STUDY SHOWS FEEDLOT CATTLE EMIT FEWER GREENHOUSE GASES---Researchers at the Hudson Institute Center for Global Food Issues have concluded cattle raised in feedlots on grain-based diets using natural and synthetic hormone supplements produce about 40 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to organic grass-fed beef. Feedlot cattle also save two-thirds less land than organic grass-fed beef, according to Hudson scientists. Researchers used beef production models from Iowa State University and greenhouse gas emission estimates from the United Nations for the comparisons. According to the study’s lead author, environmentally conscious consumers who have been told grass-raised beef is more environmentally sensitive and sustainable should rethink their beef purchases in light of the findings.·
Full report
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‘NATURALLY RAISED’ MARKETING CLAIM STANDARD PROPOSED---The Agriculture Department is seeking comments on a proposed voluntary standard for “naturally raised” marketing claims for livestock and meat. The proposed standard will establish minimum requirements for those producers who choose to operate a USDA-verified program involving a naturally raised claim. A request for comments on the proposed claim appeared in the Nov. 28, 2007, Federal Register. Comments must be received on or before Jan. 28, 2008.·
AMS news release
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MOST ‘GREEN’ PRODUCTS SOLD NOT SO ECO-FRIENDLY---According to ‘Six Sins of Greenwashing,’ a new report published by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, the majority of products marketed as “green” make one or more false or misleading statements about eco-friendliness.TerraChoice evaluated labeling on more than 1,000 products sold at several big-box stores. Products were checked for “the sin of vagueness,” meaning products were sold as “chemical-free” when that could not possibly be true; and the “sin of irrelevance,” which occurs when products are marketed using meaningless claims such as being free of chlorofluorocarbons, even though they have been banned for 30 years. The report concludes by noting these sins and others mean “both that the individual consumer has been misled and that the potential environmental benefit of his or her purchase has been squandered.”
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2007 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE FORMS GOING OUT IN DECEMBER---Report forms for the 2007 Census of Agriculture will be mailed to farmers and ranchers at the end of December and are due back in early February. For the first time, producers have the option of returning the forms by mail or filling out the census online via a secure Web site.
The census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income, expenses and other important topics. It provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every county in the nation.
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November 27
SENATE CLOSE TO COMPROMISE ON FARM BILL AMENDMENTS---Senate leaders are reportedly close to agreement on how many amendments will be allowed during the farm bill debate. A tentative agreement on the table would limit Democrats to five amendments, while Republicans could submit up to 10.
According to news reports, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will allow a few amendments on issues that are not directly related to the bill, such as the estate tax.
Members of Congress return to Washington after the Thanksgiving recess on Dec. 3. If Senate leaders are able to agree this week on how many amendments to consider, the full Senate could vote on the bill as early as next week.
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SEN. TRENT LOTT ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT---Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) on Monday announced he will retire from public office after more than three decades. Lott won a fourth Senate term last year and became Senate minority whip. He is the first Senate leader from the Republican party to resign since last year’s election.
Lott was the Senate’s Republican leader from 1996 to 2002. He was forced to give up the position after public outcry over comments he made about segregation at a 100th birthday party for Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.).
Five other Senate Republicans have announced they will not seek re-election: Wayne Allard (Colo.), Larry Craig (Idaho), Pete Domenici (N.M.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and John Warner (Va.).
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WTO GRANTS EXTENSION TO EU ON BIOTECH FOODS---The World Trade Organization recently extended the European Union’s deadline to stop refusing imports of biotech products such as corn. The EU now has until Jan. 11 to revise its import practices; the original deadline was Nov. 21.
The biggest stumbling block to resolving the issue is Austria, which continues to refuse to import two types of biotech corn produced by Bayer and Monsanto. EU member nations have not agreed to force Austrian officials to begin accepting biotech corn imports. The EU has imported some biotech foods since 2004, when the bloc voted to allow imports of biotech corn used in animal feed.
In related news, Mariann Fischer Boel, the EU’s agriculture commissioner, said Monday that the bloc’s resistance to importing biotech feed for livestock on a broader scale was a contributing factor behind higher production costs and was a threat to the meat industry.
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TAIWAN SUSPENDS BEEF SHIPMENTS FROM TWO U.S. PLANTS---The Taiwanese government on Sunday found bone chips in a shipment of JBS-Swift beef and announced it had suspended beef imports from the company while an investigation takes place. According to officials with Taiwan’s health department, there were prohibited animal parts in the shipment.
Last week Taiwan suspended imports of beef from Cargill Meat Solutions’ plant in Schuyler, Neb. Five bone chips were discovered in 40,367 pounds of frozen beef shipped by the company.
Taiwan imports only boneless beef from cattle younger than 30 months of age. About 20 percent of beef consumed in the country is imported from the U.S.
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November 26
EUROPE’S CONVERSION TO CAGE-FREE SYSTEM YIELDS LESSONS---The conversion of poultry operations in Europe to cage-free production systems has provided a rich study opportunity for researchers.
According to Joy Mench, a professor and animal behavior expert at the University of California, Davis, a key finding is that hens raised in cage-free systems die at more than twice the rate of their caged counterparts, most likely due to higher exposure to one another and their own manure. In addition, hens raised in cage-free systems break bones at a higher rate compared to those in cages. It’s possible that they injure themselves jumping around, according to the studies. But, the bones of caged birds are broken more often close to the time of slaughter when they are removed by workers, compared to cage-free birds.
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GLOBAL WIND CAPACITY EXPECTED TO TRIPLE BY 2015---Global wind-power capacity is set to triple by 2015, reaching more than 290 gigawatts (GW). That’s up from 91 GW, according to an analysis released by Emerging Energy Research, an international renewable energy consultant.
According to the analysis, North America’s added capacity is expected to reach 60 GW by 2015, up from about 30 GW. During that same time, Asia-Pacific countries would see capacity go from 40 to 100 GW while Europe will add about 80 GW.
New manufacturing and assembly plants are planned for North and South America, Europe and Asia, and suppliers are investing in components including gearboxes, blades, bearings and towers.
AFBF supports tax incentives for wind power and biofuels.
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COUNSELING HOTLINES AID FARMERS---Free mental health phone hotlines operate in several states to assist farmers in coping with stressful situations in their professional and personal lives. During times of severe drought, calls to hotlines typically increase. Resources provided to callers vary by state and may include vouchers for therapy sessions or referrals to mental health professionals and financial analysts.
Making a call to a hotline won’t necessarily solve a problem for a caller, but “we can help people think through alternatives,” said Clark Garland, coordinator of the University of Tennessee’s program.
Farmers in Tennessee can reach the hotline at 800-345-0561. Information on other hotlines including Agriwellness, Inc. (serving farmers in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin) and NY FarmNet is available online.
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