The National Biodiesel Board has recognized the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and other biodiesel champions at the annual “Eye on Biodiesel” awards presentation. The awards were presented at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, being held this week in Orlando, Florida. Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board said – biodiesel would not be what it is today without champions and supporters like these “Eye on Biodiesel” honorees.

And the winners are: For Impact: Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc and Hino Trucks. For industry Partnership: US Environmental Protection Agency, Paul Argyropoulos and the Office of Transportation and Air Quality. For Initiative: Brent Hajek, Hajek Motorsports. For Innovation: Keith Kline and Virginia Dale- Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  For Influence: The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.

During the conference, NBB also presented its Pioneer Award to Krysta Harden, Chief of Staff for Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Courtesy: NAFB News

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Department of Agriculture sanctioned through fines or temporary disqualification, more than 225 stores nationwide for fraudulent acts against the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  The department also permanently disqualify over 350 stores for activities such as exchanging SNAP benefits for cash. These enforcement actions are part of the Obama Administration’s ongoing Campaign to Cut Waste and root out fraud and abuse in federal programs.

Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon says – we are committed to ensuring these dollars are spent as intended – helping millions of people in need through tough economic times until they can get back on their feet.

USDA will soon publish a proposed rule strengthening sanctions and penalties for retailers who commit fraud in SNAP.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association continues to raise concerns to the U.S. Forest Service about the detrimental impacts its proposed forest planning rule would have on federal lands ranching. Joe Guild, a rancher from Nevada and chairman of NCBA’s Federal Lands Policy Committee, says the Forest Service should – walk away from the proposed forest planning rule and work with cattlemen on a plan to manage the land and its resources while sustaining a productive ranching industry.

Jim Peña, U.S. Forest Service associate deputy chief, says he expects the forest planning rule to be finalized in less than a month. The proposed rule will set management requirements for the 155 forests and 20 grasslands that constitute the National Forest System. Guild says the proposal is unworkable and shifts the focus from multiple-use to non-use and preservation.

Specifically, Guild says cattlemen oppose the requirement to – maintain viable populations of species of conservation concern. He said there is no scientific consensus on what level of any given population is viable or how it is to be managed. We urge the agencies to listen to our concerns, work with us on issues and help us sustain this industry for future generations.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Joint meetings were held last week in Washington, D.C., for producer leaders of a dozen commodity organizations to discuss policy priorities, hear perspectives of key policymakers and to work toward consensus on the future of U.S. farm policy. The groups confirmed in the meeting that they are committed to working together to come up with a viable farm policy.

In a joint statement the organizations said – it is our common belief that Congress should pass and the President should sign a strong new farm bill into law this year. The law expires at the end of this year and producers – like all job creators – need certainty from Washington. If Washington provides America’s farmers and ranchers with some certainty, we can continue to help lead our nation’s economic recovery.

The organizations, which include the National Sorghum Producers, say – American agriculture stands out as one of the few sectors of the economy that has, throughout the economic downturn, still contributed positively to our nation’s balance of trade while helping to create jobs and put this country back on its economic feet.  And we have accomplished these things with a farm policy that also stands out as consistently under budget over the past 10 years.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Will 2012 be the year when permanent relief from the estate tax is within reach?  Kent Baucus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association associate director of legislative affairs thinks so. Baucus addressed attendees of the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee. He said the estate tax is top of mind for many cattlemen, especially young farmers and ranchers hoping to take over family-owned cattle operations.

Bacus said – this is not a tax on the wealthy elite. The wealthy are more likely to find a way to weather the storm. Small business owners and family farmers and ranchers will be forced to make difficult decisions. As the global population continues to grow, it is paramount we keep farms and ranches intact. We have to be able to feed people.

There are 29 pieces of legislation in the U.S. Congress to address the estate tax. Bacus said NCBA supports the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2011 introduced by Representative Kevin Brady of Texas. The legislation, if passed, would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Bacus said the legislation has already garnered 194 bipartisan co-sponsors.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Hormel Foods Corporation’s company-owned farms will phase out the use of small metal crates for confining pregnant hogs by the end of 2017. In an on-line statement, Hormel says the breeding sows at its company-owned farms in Arizona will be transitioning to group housing by the end of summer this year and at its farms in Colorado and Wyoming before 2018.

Humane Society of the United States President and CEO Wayne Pacelle said in a statement, – this decision brings us closer to the day when the cruel confinement of pigs in gestation crates will be a bygone era for the entire pork industry. We thank Hormel for making this decision and urge the company to also apply it to any contract pig breeders it may use. According to HSUS, Hormel purchases hogs from more than 775 independent pork producers.

Pacelle says HSUS is also urging Hormel’s competitors such as Tyson, Triumph, Prestage and Seaboard to – stop lagging behind and get on the gestation-crate free pathway. HSUS is using its stock-holder leverage to press the issue at corporate annual meetings.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The University of Illinois is planning the first International Agronomy Day on August 27.  The U of I Department of Crop Sciences is encouraging producers from around the globe to participate in this unique forum bringing its nationally renowned faculty together to share the latest in agronomy, weed science, crop production, pest management, agricultural economics and more.

German Bollero, head of the Department of Crop Sciences, said he’s excited about the opportunity for more global engagement. He says – we all face similar challenges in producing food and feedstuffs so we want to provide information based on sound scientific research to help improve global food production.

International Agronomy Day will take place on Monday, August 27, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. central time at the U of I South Farms, allowing participants time to continue on to Iowa for the 2012 Farm Progress Show on August 28-30. Aaron Hager, International Agronomy Day chairman, says – we hope to create a new tradition for people who attend the Farm Progress Show and add value to their experience.

Courtesy: NAFB News

On Wednesday, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bill Donald told those attending the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show – your voice – our voices – were heard by the Department of Labor. That was after DOL announced it intends to reconsider a portion of its proposed rule related to on-farm child labor. Donald commended American farmers and ranchers for making their voices heard on the proposed rule, which could have restricted, and in some instances totally prevented, America’s youth from working on farms and ranches.

Donald said – this issue goes to the very fiber of who we are in this country. It goes right to the fact that businesses are looking to fill positions with farm and ranch kids because they have a work ethic. They do their chores before they get on the school bus and do them again when they get home. So thanks to all of you, the Department of Labor listened finally.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says – what would be best for everybody involved is to scrap the whole thing and allow farm families to operate in a manner consistent with the rural living that allows children to learn and grow as part of a rural community.

Prestage Farms in Goodwell, Oklahoma has joined the voices speaking out about the Humane Society of the United States’ video which claims that Prestage Farms and Seaboard Foods practice inhumane treatment of pigs. Veterinarian Ron Prestage says – we recognize our moral and ethical obligation to provide for the responsible treatment of our animals. Any willful mistreatment or neglect of animals is unacceptable. Prestage Farms takes animal well-being very seriously and has a history of implementing programs that help train our employees on proper animal care, handling and transporting procedures.

Officials at Prestage Farms have initiated an internal investigation into HSUS allegations at units located in Oklahoma. Prestage noted that if it is found that any employee engaged in activities contrary to the company’s animal well-being policies, disciplinary action will be taken, including termination of employment.

Courtesy: NAFB News