A consortium of scientists from around the country has discovered a genetic marker in pigs that identifies whether or not a pig has a reduced susceptibility to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome – a disease that costs the U.S. pork industry an estimated 664-million dollars per year. According to Joan Lunney, a research scientist at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, Maryland, this is especially important as this location also is associated with improved growth of pigs that are infected with the PRRS virus. She says results indicate a positive effect for PRRS resistance and higher weight gain.

The research program originated through the support of the Pork Checkoff. Lisa Becton, Checkoff’s director of swine health and information, says it is – especially gratifying to achieve results like this and to envision how they can be implemented at the farm level. According to Chris Hostetler, Checkoff’s director of animal science,-  the identification of the marker gene will allow genetics companies to more easily place selection pressure on PRRS resistance, which in turn, could allow producers to introduce new “PRRS-resistant” lines into their herds.

The research team that led to this marker discovery includes scientists at USDA’s Agriculture Research Service, Kansas State University and Iowa State University. Now that scientists have found a chromosomal segment that can signify resistance to PRRS, the next step is to pinpoint the gene and determine whether it shows the same effects for other strains of the PRRS virus.

In comments made at the Agriculture Outlook forum last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the United States needs – comprehensive immigration reform – and called on Congress to act without delay on the issue. However, with Washington lawmakers deadlocked in election year politics, hopes for meaningful legislation being passed in a timely manner are quickly dwindling.
Craig Regelbrugge, co-chair of Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, says – agriculture has substantially made its case in terms of the need for reform. The National Pork Producers Council, says – to be competitive, the U.S. pork industry needs a viable and stable agricultural workforce. Comprehensive immigration reform legislation should recognize the unique needs of the agricultural sector.

At question is the E-Verify program.  Regelbrugge says – there is no clear path for reform this year. Anything positive that does happen will need to be small, not comprehensive, relevant, and ultimately, bipartisan. However, the U.S. agriculture industry must be prepared for any window of opportunity.

The House Ag Committee held a public hearing Wednesday focusing on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission 2012 agenda. In his opening statement, Committee Chairman Frank Lucas said – the confusion over the swap dealer definition and the foreign scope of regulations are just two examples of the many issues on which the CFTC has failed to deliver concrete answers or policy solutions.  He said – our constituents need more than empty reassurances.

The Senator pointed to the Dodd-Frank rulemaking.  Chairman Lucas said – at a public meeting recently, CFTC staffers admitted they simply had not calculated the costs and benefits of a rule governing internal business conduct standards.  They could not provide substantive analysis for the conclusions they drew about how that rule would impact our economy.  Lucas says – that’s unacceptable.

Collin Peterson, Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee, said – I believe it is safe to say that, so far, the CFTC has done a pretty good job. And, in my conversations with Chairman Gentler, it seems to me that they are on the right track. Also, according to Mr. Peterson, – I suspect they will continue to get it right and address the concerns we have heard at our various hearings.

Oral arguments for the petition filed by the Coalition for Responsible Regulation were heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Tuesday and Wednesday. The litigation challenges the Environmental Protection Agency’s finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, its rule to limit GHG from passenger vehicles and its “timing and tailoring” rules that govern GHG permit applicability at stationary sources.

J.D. Alexander, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, one of the coalition members, says – the fact EPA decided to impose a backdoor energy tax by regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act is unacceptable and scientifically unfounded. We are hopeful the U.S. Court of Appeals will put a stop to the aggressive agenda-driven regulations that never should have been promulgated in the first place.

Alexander believes – EPA’s regulations are an attempt to force greenhouse gas regulations down the throats of the American people without congressional approval.

The Eisenhower Fellowships Agriculture Program is offering a unique exchange program for one or two extraordinary farmers and ranchers, aged 32 to 45. Successful applicants will receive an all-expenses paid, five-week overseas program in one or two countries of their choice. He or she must be an active farmer with interests beyond his or her own operation. Individual programs will be tailored to the Fellows’ professional and personal interests.

The Fellows are expected to bring back knowledge, skills and international contacts which they will use to better their communities.  And they are to identify consequential outcomes which justify the investment we make in their leadership development. The Eisenhower Fellowships Agriculture Program is chaired by former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jim Moseley.

The program requests that nominations be submitted by May 1st.  The application deadline is June 15th. Please send any questions and/or nominations to: Erin Hillman at [email protected].   Application materials can be found at  http://www.efworld.org/programs/eisenhower_fellowships_prospective_usa_fellowships.php

Courtesy: NAFB News

Corn prices topped 8-dollars last summer and that is expected to encourage an expansion in planting of corn this year. As a result, USDA predicts the price of corn could fall 20 percent and the stockpile could double. USDA expects farmers will plant 94-million acres of corn this year. That’s about 2-million acres more than last year. That would be the largest area planted to corn since 1944. This information is found in a report released during the annual USDA outlook conference held last week.

Meanwhile, farmers are paying closer attention to their marketing strategies. Some are storing some of their harvest, rather than selling it. Analysts believe keeping the on-farm storage bins full is helping keep corn prices relatively high. About 64 percent of the nations’ corn supply is now being held by farmers.  That’s up from 62.7-percent about one year ago.

Courtesy: NAFB News

American agriculture is responsible for providing the necessities of everyday life – food, fiber, clothing, and even fuel. That’s the message National Ag Day will be celebrated on March 8. The National Ag Day program is committed to increasing public awareness about American agriculture. Producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America will gather to celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture.

The Agriculture Council of America, organizers of National Ag Day, believes every American should understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced, and should value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy. Americans should also appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

National Ag Day will focus on educating Americans about the industry, so they may also acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, fiber and renewable resource industries. Focused on sharing how agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis, the National Ag Day program helps educate millions of consumers each year.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The U.S. Grains Council has released a report that states – the sophisticated food demands of newly affluent consumers in China and other developing nations are likely to cause major change in U.S. farming and food production, Asian food policy and world trade. USGC President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Dorr presented a preview of Food 2040 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum.
Dorr says – we are seeing China become more open to acceptance of new technology, such as agricultural biotechnology, which can help meet the needs of the Asian middle class in a sustainable manner through trade. U.S. attitudes about feeding the world are likely to change too. USGC Chairman Dr. Wendell Shauman, an Illinois corn farmer, points out that – many of the agribusinesses and agricultural organizations that comprise the U.S. Grains Council are starting to review possibilities for meeting the needs and capturing the economic value that ascendency of the Asian middle class represents.

Other changes talked about in the report include: China is on a path to global bioscience leadership, driven by major central government investments to meet its own food needs and a desire to be an export leader. A well-developed food safety and inspection system could be ahead. China is likely to adopt Japan’s rapid acceptance of foods prepared outside the home.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is encouraging eligible homeowners to take advantage of historically low home mortgage rates being offered in as many as 19 states through a USDA pilot loan refinancing program. Refinancing is available for any homeowner with a loan made or guaranteed by Rural Development, subject to eligibility requirements.

Mr, Vilsack believes – this refinancing opportunity has the potential to reduce costs for thousands of homeowners. He pledged that USDA will continue to work with borrowers, community leaders, and lenders in all 19 states participating in this program so everyone who is eligible can take advantage of this opportunity.

Across the 19 states covered by the pilot program, the number of eligible homeowners is estimated to total 237-thousand. The Secretary says USDA will be sending Section 502 direct and guaranteed borrowers in each pilot state a letter to make sure they are aware of the opportunity to refinance. The letter will provide instructions for interested borrowers to contact their lender or their State Guaranteed Coordinator to see if they qualify for the Rural Refinance Pilot program

Courtesy: NAFB News

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has a total of seven temporary export inspection facilities supplementing the work done at the Agency’s approved permanent facilities. These temporary facilities reduce the distance animals have to travel prior to export and help exporters meet strict shipping deadlines. U.S. cattle exports doubled in 2011, in addition to a 50 percent increase in 2010 exports.

Rebecca Blue, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, says – overall, U.S. farmers and ranchers are experiencing their best period in history in terms of agricultural exports, and USDA’s support is an important part of that success. Blue points out that – through flexible approaches, such as the approval of temporary export facilities, APHIS has adapted to meet the needs of animal exporters while maintaining its high standards for animal health and welfare.

USDA has forecast fiscal year 2012 agricultural exports to reach the second-highest level on record, maintaining a robust trade surplus and supporting more than 1-million jobs. The forecast for livestock, poultry and dairy was increased 1.9-billion dollars, paced by demand for cattle from Russia and Turkey.

Courtesy: NAFB News