Agricultural Research Service scientists have developed an evapotranspiration and drought modeling system that may someday help farmers and water managers assess drought and irrigation impacts on water use and crop development.

The model, known as ALEXI, or Atmosphere-Land Exchange Inverse, uses thermal infrared imagery from satellites and calculates soil and plant temperatures that can be used to create maps of ET rates of plants growing around the world.

The system is expected to become particularly relevant as climate change presents challenges for growers and water managers in areas such as the Texas Panhandle, the Florida Everglades and the southwestern United States. With help from new satellite imagery, scientists hope to be able to move toward routine mapping at the “field scale” level.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The American Soybean Association says the European Union’s heavy-handed policies on biotech soybeans, as well as inaccurate characterization of biodiesel by the Renewable Energy Directive, have contributed to a 70 percent drop in total soybean export quantity and a 44 percent decrease in soybean export value to the EU over the last 14 years. That was the message sent to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk who wants to improve the nation’s trade relationship with the European Union as part of the recently-formed U.S.-EU High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth.

According to ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Nebraska, – as a direct result of more than a decade of discriminatory biotech traceability and labeling practices, America’s soybean producers have lost a significant portion of what was a viable and thriving export market. Wellman says, – with a Renewable Energy Directive that omits biodiesel based on inaccurate information and arbitrary standards, the remainder of that export market is threatened.

In its comments, ASA points out that multiple EU policies hinder the importation and use of biotech crops from the United States, including delays in approvals of new biotech traits, despite positive assessments by the European Food Safety Authority; commercially infeasible requirements on biotech content in food products under EU Traceability and Labeling Regulations; state-by-state restrictions on biotech imports; and application of National Seed Catalog and Coexistence requirements to planting of biotech crops by certain EU member states.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee has marked up E15 legislation which would require even more study of E15 blends and delay it use by consumers.  Growth Energy CEO tom Buis calls the action – unneeded and duplicative regulation. He also considers the legislation, sponsored by Representative James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin, – a waste of time and a waste of taxpayer dollars.

According to Buis, they’ve been looking at E15 for more than three years. Now Representative Sensenbrenner wants to move the goal posts again – a move that would only add more red tape and regulation. According to Buis, – no fuel blend has been tested as thoroughly as E15. No fuel blend has undergone the level of scrutiny E15 has – and passed the tests like E15 did.

According to Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen, – to suggest more testing is needed is nothing more than a stall tactic that has but one outcome – our continued addiction to oil. Dinneen calls this bill – a perfect example of Congress trying to address a problem that doesn’t exist.  Understandably, concerns will be raised any time a new fuel is introduced.  The concerns raised, however, are largely superficial and do not require the intervention of Congress to resolve.

Courtesy: NAFB News

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