House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan has released the committee’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution. House Ag Committee chairman Frank Lucas warns against – reading too much into the numbers or policy proposals in either the President’s budget or the Ryan budget.  Lucas calls them, – only suggestions.

But, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says – the process outlined by the House Republican budget all but guarantees there will be no farm bill this year. The Ryan budget proposes significant cuts in the farm safety net and conservation programs, and slashes spending on nutrition programs that provide food for millions of Americans. Peterson says – it is appalling that in an attempt to avoid defense cuts the Republican leadership has elected to leave farmers and hungry families hurting.

Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas says – the proposed budget demonstrates that House Republicans are willing to lead and make the difficult decisions necessary to tackle our debt and deficit crisis.  Writing and passing a budget requires leadership and political courage from the President and Congress.

Health-conscious owners of “smart phones” and home computers are thumbing and clicking their way to nutritious food choices by using a downloadable version of USDA’s National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. The database lists more than 76-hundred food items.  Nutritionist Joanne Holden at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center heads to program which provides free electronic access to SR in a variety of formats online from its web site.

There are hundreds of free and for-fee apps for iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Windows Phone 7, and BlackBerry hand-held devices. Many of these apps are related to nutrition and health, and are based on the download and import of BHNRC national nutrient databases. To download the nutrient database software, go to the Nutrient Data Laboratory Home page, then click “Download search programs.

The new and improved USDA “SuperTracker” tool provides users with free diet and physical activity assessment and planning tools. SuperTracker demonstrates how a person’s diet and physical activity compare to the Dietary Guidelines, recommended intakes for nutrients, and physical activity guidelines. Users can get a free nutrient-by-nutrient report, complete with a status for single nutrients.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Data has indicated that consumers are hesitant towards fresh-cut produce. To help educate consumers away from this tendency, the UnitedFresh Produce Association has announce the publication of the Image of Fresh-Cut Toolkit. The toolkit contains valuable marketing strategies and resources to help processors streamline their efforts to emphasize the value of fresh-cut and value-added fruits and vegetables.

The toolkit includes generic taglines and logos for use on packaging that tout produce freshness and examples of fresh-cut promotions through corporate websites and social media. It also provides insight to the North American retail and foodservice sectors, and prepares processors to respond to questions from customers and consumers regarding fresh-cut produce.

According to Jan Berk, Chairman of United’s Fresh-Cut Processor Board, – the fresh-cut industry was surprised and greatly concerned about the data that conveyed negative consumer perceptions. Berk said – in creating a unified effort and voice on the benefits of fresh-cut produce, the industry reinforces consumer confidence and promotes increased consumption of healthy, fresh produce.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Later this month, the Department of Agriculture will host a “match making day”. The objectives of this session will be to improve awareness and increase understanding of the biofuels supply-chain links between those involved in feedstock production and the processors of that feedstock into biofuels. This includes logistical challenges, potential roles of service providers, and potential pitfalls.

At this meeting, on March 30, federal officials will provide a short profile of each section of the supply chain and representatives from the participating stakeholders will respond with brief presentations that outline their experiences in that respective supply chain sector, barriers encountered and lessons learned. They will outline potential growth and opportunities.

Sarah Bittleman, Senior advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture, says – America needs and is developing a reliable, sustainable, fuel supply. If we are able to produce more of it here at home – rather than relying on foreign oil – we’ll generate good, middle-class jobs and strengthen our economy in the long run.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The House Financial Services oversight and investigations subcommittee will meet Wednesday to decide whether to compel Edith O’Brien, a treasurer at MF Global’s brokerage arm, to testify at a March 28 hearing on the firm’s collapse. O’Brien has been identified by former chief executive officer Jon S. Corzine as someone with knowledge of a funds transfer from the firm’s customer accounts before it filed for bankruptcy. O’Brien had “respectfully” declined to testify during an earlier hearing.

In a letter to lawmakers, Financial Services Committee staff wrote, – in light of the documents that the Subcommittee has reviewed and the interviews it has taken, as well as Mr. Corzine’s testimony regarding Ms. O’Brien’s role at MF Global, the Subcommittee believes that Ms. O’Brien’s appearance and testimony at the March 28, 2012 hearing is necessary to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the Subcommittee’s investigative record.

The MF Global bankruptcy is the eighth-largest U.S. bankruptcy.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Saying it would allow for a more streamlined liquidation process, the Commodity Customer Coalition, the primary advocate group for former MF Global customers, wants the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to handle the case under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code. Chapter 7 is designed specifically for liquidation of assets and would preserve more potential payback for customers.The coalition is hoping the CFTC will file the motion itself.

MF Global Holdings Ltd collapsed after it revealed exposure to risky European sovereign debt. According to monthly expense filings, MF Global has spent more than 11-million dollars since filing for bankruptcy on October 31. It is surviving on about 26-million in cash that had been pledged to JPMorgan Chase & Co as collateral on loans.

Courtesy: NAFB News